Glad to read you are okayâŠ..hoping you still areâŠ..just a note to say that I love you and miss you.
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Truly hope you are doing well. Taking time is important. I just wanted to tell you that I miss you. Iâm telling you anonymously so you wonât think Iâm giving you pressure. You can do what is best for you and still feel good that people are thinking about you!
Thank you so much âșïž it means so much that you check in and are thinking of me. Life has been super hectic lately and Iâve had a lot going on personally that I genuinely havenât had time to come on and write or even read fics but never say never đ„°đ„°
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Iâm sure I donât comment enough, but I want to tell you that I have always enjoyed your tremendous, creative ficsâŠ.I often reread and enjoy just as much as the first time. Just wanted you to know you are appreciated!
Awwww thank you so much âșïž it means a lot to me that you love my fics so much that you re-read them â€ïž
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Hi Char!!! Hope things are going well on your end! Itâs that time of the year where Iâm rereading our last Christmas! So many feels for the holiday season and one of my favorite Marcus Pike fics ever đ!
Just wanted to drop by and wish you a happy and lovely holiday season ahead! Hope youâve been doing well and youâll always be one of my favorite people/pages on here! Will never forget your kindness and how great of a page this is!
Cheers!
Aww thank you âșïž it makes me so happy to hear that you re read my work. I absolutely love that Marcus Pike fic, one of my faves to write.
This year has been an incredibly hard one personally and Iâve tried to get back to writing but when I do try, the words just donât come.
But thank you so much for popping in and checking in me đ„°â€ïž
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Hi Char!
Just popping in to say you're awesome and I hope you have an awesome 2024! â€ïžâ€ïžâ€ïž
Awww thank you đ and right back at you my dear đ„°
Hoping the year is filled with all good things â€ïž
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Thank you so so much for including me on your lists. It means the world to me that you enjoyed me work đ„°
A list of all my favourite MAX PHILLIPS Fic Recs, with the writers tagged. Includes fics I am currently reading/want to read.
Please show some love to the writers by re-blogging and commenting on their work. đ€
â ïž Please ensure you check the triggers/warnings etc... on the stories themselves as some of them may not be suitable to your own particular tastes.
Screwed Up & Brilliant - @psychedelic-ink
The Only Thing We Have To Fuck Is Fear Itself & I Wanna Do Bad Things With You Series - @chronically-ghosted
Blood Makes Noise - @chronically-ghosted
You May Be Dead, But I'm Still Pretty - @chronically-ghosted
After Dark, Domum Series Witch!Reader & Never Going Back Werewolf!Max - @juletheghoul
Promotion & Get Ate (Literally) - @cevans-is-classic
Max Phillips Masterlist - @absurdthirst Lots to bite on!
I Cannot Get You Close Enough - @leslie-lyman Alpha!Max
God Is A Woman - @wheresarizona
Reverse Cowgirl & Max One Shots List - @prolix-yuy
Warmth - @simpingcowboy
Overstimulated, Kinktober 22 Monster Fucking & Kinktober 22 Double Penetration - @misspearly1
The Lamb & The Wolf & Fearless - @tropes-and-tales
Christmas Cravings - @scorpio-marionette
Max Phillips Masterlist - @supernaturalgirl20 Couldn't choose just one!
The Monster You Know & On His Knees - @outercrasis
To Taste You - @whiskeynwriting
Dating Max Phillips - @corrupt-fvcker
Blood Sugar - @pumpkin-stars
All For Me - @jettia
The Retreat Series - @starlightmornings
Anonymous Sex - @queridopascal
Max & Dave York Request - @honestly-shite Featuring Dave York
Red Letter Day Series - @imtryingmybeskar
Two For One - @suzdin Featuring Dave York
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Hi! Just popping in to say I love you and hope you're ok â€ïž
Aww thank you âșïž Iâm doing great actually (donât know if Iâm there yet for writing but you never know đ)
Thanks for checking on me đ„°
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No request just wanted to say i miss you â€ïž
Aww thank you đđ„°
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Will there be more The Viper & The Lamb? Iâve been so busy with work I havenât been on here much and may have missed any announcements youâve made.
There will be more I promise, but Iâm taking a break from writing for a while so I canât say when. đ„°
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Hiatus!!!!
Hello my dears,
Just a quick message to let you know Iâm gonna be taking a break from tumblr for a while. Iâve just not had any motivation to write lately so Iâm just gonna take some time to chill and read and spend time with family.
I know I still have a few requests to finish and my Oberyn series but Iâll get back to them when Iâm ready.
Thanks for all the love on my fics and Iâll see ya on the flip side đ
Char x
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I LOVE a domestic Javi P đ he deserves a life like this after all the shit he went through. Thank you so much as always my love for reading and sharing đ
I always come to your inbox to drop idea for kicking your imagination so I was thinking about Javi P. Especially him saying he resigned form DIA that morning and can you imagine him immediately getting kiss cuz âthatâs the hottest thing you ever said to me babeâ because they can finally start they dream - having family at his pops ranch. Chucho seems like the best father in law. I want this man as a bestie for Javis girl
Thanks nonnie for this request. Iâm sorry it took so long đ„°
Forever Starts Today
Pairings: Javier Pena x f!reader
Warnings: Smut 18+, explicit, unprotected sex, breeding kink, shower sex, soft morning sex, javi is a cowboy, just horny/domestic Javi, mentions of starting a family, cursing, fluff.
Comments and reblogs really appreciated đ„°
A tired yawn slips past your lips as you lift Rosaâs file, checking what medication sheâs due when a soft knock at her door startles you.Â
âGirl, your man is at the nurse's station looking for you.â Your eyes flick towards the clock - 7:30, half an hour left - before meeting Mariaâs gaze and nodding as she takes the clipboard off you.Â
âSeems a bit on edge. If you wanna head out early, Iâll cover for you.âÂ
âThanks,â you say with a smile as you walk out of the room. It doesnât take long to spot Javi, leaning against the wall with his legs crossed. His suit is a little wrinkled and his tie is loose around his neck. He lets out a frustrated sigh as his fingers pinch the bridge of his nose and you know heâs stressed.Â
âHey,â you call softly and he smiles when he locks eyes with you but it doesnât quite reach his eyes.Â
âHermosa.â He pushes off the wall and walks with determination towards you, pulling you into a tight embrace. With his face buried into the crook of your neck, he lets out a contented sigh.Â
âEverything ok?â His arms, which are circled around your waist, pull you closer. âIt is nowâ, he whispers, his breath tickling the skin of your neck.Â
âMariaâs gonna cover for me. Why donât we head home?â He hums softly, kissing your neck before pulling away. His tired eyes take you in and he leans in and kisses you gently on the lips before taking your hand in his and leading you out of the hospital.Â
He doesnât say much other than to ask you how your shift went and the drive home seems longer than usual. When you both finally cross the threshold of your home, Javi is quick to throw his keys on the kitchen counter before grabbing a glass and filling it with whiskey.Â
âBad day, huh?â His gaze meets yours and he lets out a long sigh. âSomething like that. Amor, thereâs something - fuck - maybe you should sit.â
He places his hand on the small of your back and leads you to the couch. Taking a seat beside him, you rest your hand on his thigh as he leans back, resting his head against the back of the couch.Â
âWhatâs wrong, Javi? You know you can tell me anything, right?â His eyes open and his tired gaze lands on you as a soft smile edges its way onto his face. âI know, amor. I, fuck - I resigned from the DEA.âÂ
Youâre stunned into silence.Â
He resigned. You never thought youâd see the day. Your lack of response has him on edge and he reaches out and caresses your cheek softly with his thumb. âHermosa, say something.âÂ
Broken from your trance, you let out a squeal as you move your legs over his lap so you're straddling his thighs. Grabbing his face between your hands you pepper kisses along his cheeks and lips.Â
âYouâre - youâre not mad?â He questions with a smile. Shaking your head you lean in and kiss him hard on the lips before pulling away and resting your head against his.Â
âBaby, this is the best news ever. Itâs like - the hottest things youâve ever said to me.â Javi laughs. His head is buried between the curve of your breast as his shoulders shake from the force of it. You havenât seen him laugh like that in a while.Â
âWhat?â You ask with a smile. His eyes meet yours and he gently reaches out to move a strand of loose hair behind your ear. âItâs not the hottest.â
âOh no, it is.â He continues to laugh as he wraps his around your waist, pulling you flush against him. âSo, what now?â
âItâs up to you, amor. We can stayâŠ.â You cut him off with a shake of your head. âLetâs go home. To America. To Laredo. Iâm sure Chucho will be thrilled to have us back.â
Javiâs heart flutters at your words. His face is full of love and adoration as he looks up at you in his arms. âYeah? Is that what you want, Hermosa?â Want to settle down back on the ranch and have a family?â
âYes. Thatâs what I want.â You rest your head against him, his brown eyes are full of warmth as they stare back.Â
âThank you, mi amor,â he whispers and you furrow your brows in confusion. âFor what, Javi?â
âFor being so understanding. I was - fuck, I was nervous as hell on the way to the hospital thinking youâd be upset I left my job. Lost all that good money andâŠ.â You quiet him with a finger on his lips.Â
âYou donât have to thank me. Youâre my husband and I love you. Iâm always gonna support you. No matter what.â
âTe amo, mi amor.â He pulls you in for a searing kiss before gently laying you back on the couch, his body covering yours as he begins to strip you out of your clothes.Â
âLetâs say goodbye to the apartment Pena style,â he murmurs as he kisses his way down along the curve of your breast, disappearing between the apex of your thighs. âOh!â
***
You didnât accept the transfer the hospital was offering you, instead choosing to work at a local health clinic near the ranch. The hours were better allowing you to spend more time with both Pena men.Â
It was a nice change of pace and Javi was a different man now that he wasnât always looking over his shoulder. He took to ranch life better than you had hoped and he seemed happier.Â
Pulling up the long drive to the house you spot Javi in the distance on his horse Cash and the sight of him - dressed in his dark denim jeans, chequered shirt and that damn cowboy hat - has heat pooling between your legs.Â
When you pull up at the house you dash inside and up the stairs to your en-suite, stripping out of your scrubs and into the large walk-in shower. The warm water relieves the ache in your muscles but does little to quell your growing arousal.Â
With a featherlight touch, you skim your fingers along the skin of your stomach until you reach your bundle of nerves. You begin to rub in a slow circular motion, a soft gasp escaping your lips.Â
âStarting the fun without me, Hermosa?â Javiâs deep drawl startles you and you almost slip when his warm hands catch you around the waist, pulling your back flush with his chest. His bare chest. âJesus, Javi. You scared the shot outta me.âÂ
His soft chuckle makes you smile and you slowly turn in his embrace, eyes quickly taking him in before you meet his gaze. âHowâd you get here so fast?âÂ
His eyes, which are blown wide with lust, arch playfully. âSaw you coming up the drive and started heading back. Knew youâd get all wet seeing me dressed like that.âÂ
âOh, so you did that purposely, huh?â You tease, feeling his cock twitch against your thigh.Â
âBetter believe it, amor.â His lips meet yours in a passionate kiss as his fingers skim down along your ass, squeezing the soft cheeks in his hands.Â
âTan hermosa mi amor,â he mumbles as lips trail kisses along your neck towards your breasts, pulling a nipple into his mouth. âOh fuck, Javi. Please I - I need you.âÂ
âWhat do you need, mi amor?â He asks as he pushes you back against the tiled wall, lifting your leg over his waist as he lines himself with your entrance. âNeed you to fuck me, Javi.â
With a roll of his hips, he buries himself inside your heat, the slight stretch causing you to gasp into his mouth. âMierda. Always so tight, amor.âÂ
With each roll of his hips, he brings you closer and closer to euphoria. âNeed you to cum for me, amor. Not - not gonna last. Been thinking about this all day.â
His hands are busy gripping you tight as he thrusts harder and harder, so you slip your hand into the space between you both, sliding your fingers to your bundle of nerves and putting pressure on it as you rub it in circular motions.Â
âJavi,â you whimper and he grunts loudly as you squeeze him tight. âFuck, HermosaâŠIâm - Iâm shit, Iâm gonna cum.âÂ
âCum inside,â you whisper into the shell of his ear and he groans. âWant me to fill you up, Hermosa? Want me to put a baby in you? Fuck, Iâm gonna fill you full of me.âÂ
âOh god, Javi,â you cry and Javiâs legs shake slightly as he thrusts twice more, spilling deep inside you.Â
Youâre both panting as you come down from your high and Javi helps you gently stand on two feet before wrapping an arm around your waist and pulling you in for a kiss.Â
âMissed you today,â you say softly as you begin to lather soap over his chest. He hums. His hands work the soap into your soft skin. âNever would have guessed that,â he teases and you slap him gently on the chest.Â
âIâm just joking, Hermosa. I missed you too. Always do.â He kisses you softly. âWere you serious about having a baby?â He seems nervous as he waits for you to say something and you canât help but smile.Â
âOnly if you want to? But Iâm ready.â His hands hold your waist and the corners of his mouth turn up. âI guess weâre gonna try for a baby then. Pops is gonna be delighted.â
âWooh, slow down there cowboy. Iâm not even pregnant yet.â Javi reaches behind you to turn the water off before grabbing two towels and handing you one. âAmor, with the way we fuck, itâs not gonna take that long.âÂ
You roll your eyes as you begin to dry off, hoping itâs as easy as he makes it out. âCome on, cowboy. We gotta get ready for Frankieâs engagement party.â
***
âYou know, I never thought Iâd see the day Javi would settle down. Especially back home on the ranch but Iâve honestly never seen him so happy.â Frankie swings you away from him before pulling you back into his embrace.Â
âYouâre the best thing that ever happened to him, Y/N.â A heat works its way up your neck and settles on your cheeks.Â
âI think youâre giving me too much credit, but thank you.â The music shifts to something slower and Frankieâs gaze lingers over your shoulder.Â
âMind if I cut in?â You can feel his warmth at your back and Frankie winks at you before clapping Javi on the back and whispering something into his ear.Â
âHey,â he says softly, his eyes taking in the features of your face. His arms circle your waist as you both sway to the music.Â
âHey. Whoâs the woman with Chucho?â You ask as you tilt your head in his direction. Javiâs gaze lands on his dad and a knowing smile works its way onto his face. With a shrug of his shoulders, he turns back to you.Â
âSomeone he met at bingo. Just friends. But then, we both know how that one goes, donât weHermosa?â He waggles his eyebrows at you.Â
âOh shut it, Pena. Didnât hear you complaining at the time, did I?â He yelps as you squeeze his ass.Â
âNope. Never gonna hear me complain, baby,â he teases. âItâs nice to see him have someone after so long. He deserves to be happy.â
âHmm, seems all you Pena men share the same sentiment.â He furrows his brows, âwhat are you talking about, amor.â
âNothing, baby. Think anyone would miss us if we skip out?â His hands wander towards your ass, squeezing it gently. âItâs like you read my mind, Hermosa.â His eyes flicker around the room before landing back on your face. âLetâs go.â
He wraps your hand in his and leads you out of the community centre and into the cool evening air. Javi helps you into the passenger side of the truck before running around to his side and hopping in.Â
âWhat about Chucho?â Javi turns the key in the ignition and reverses out of the space, his eyes landing on you as he straightens her up. âSomething tells me he wonât be needing a lift home tonight.â
âWhy - oh - oh, Jesus Javi, heâs an old man.â He laughs, his gaze focused on the road ahead but his hand - the one not on the steering wheel - slides up your thigh and under your dress.Â
âNever too old for that baby. Especially not us Pena men.â His fingers slip through your folds and you moan softly. âJavi?â
âSi, Hermosa?â His gaze drifts to you briefly, a cheeky smile on his face. âDrive faster and Iâll give you a blow job back home.â
âYup.â His fingers slip away from you and he focuses all his attention on the road, driving way past the speed limit.Â
***
The light filters through the curtains, casting a warm glow over the room. Your skin tickles as Javi kisses your shoulder. You smile.
âMorning.â His arm slips around your waist, sliding up until he cups your breast in his hand.
âHmm, morningHermosa. Need you,â he breathes, his voice husky with need. Javi grinds his hips into your ass and you can feel his arousal pressing hard against you.Â
âDidnât get enough last night?â Javi lines himself up with your entrance and breaths out a husky no, before thrusting into you.Â
Heâs slow in his movements, drawing out your pleasure as you rock back against him. The room is silent save for the soft gasps and moans you both emit.Â
When you both climax together, he stays seated inside you as he peppers kisses along your neck. âLetâs get cleaned up, amor. Iâve something I want to show youâ.
He waits out front on the porch and when you emerge in a light summer dress he canât help but pull you close and kiss you breathlessly.Â
âYouâre killing me, mi amor. Come on, let's go.â He leads you to the truck, helping you in before taking off and you turn to him with a look of confusion when he doesnât turn down the drive, but instead, makes his way up the old road towards his uncle's old ranch.Â
âJavi? Where - where are we going?â He reaches out and takes your hand in his, lifting it to his lips and kissing it softly. âJust wait, amor. Youâll see.â
âFine, keep your secrets, Pena. Itâs not like I wonâtâŠ.â The words die on your tongue when you see the once run-down house now refurbished. âJavi!âÂ
âI know weâre happy with pops but I thought with us trying for a family that - that maybe we should have a place of our own. Pops and Frankie helped me out with it. I - I hope you like it, amor.âÂ
âJavi. Like it. I love it. I - I canât believe you did this.â Your voice wavers as your eyes well with tears. âAnd weâre not too far from Chucho if he needs us. Itâs perfect.âÂ
You move across the seat and kiss him passionately. Pulling away with one last kiss you smile brightly at him. âCan I see inside?â
The corners of his eyes crinkled as he smiled back. âOf course. Letâs go home.â
Everything: @maievdenoir @amneris21 @hnt-escape @elegantduckturtle @harriedandharassed @jediknight122 @ayrusss @hayley-the-comet @sherala007 @alexxavicry @scorpio-marionette @donnaa @practicalghost @tanzthompson @beskarprincessjenny
@littlemisspascal @icanbeyourjedi
@thatpinkshirt @maryfanson
@sunnshineeexoxo @misspearly1 @misspearlssideblog
@its--fandom--darling @sara-alonso
@doommommy @browneyes-issac @trickstersp8 @nembees @kaitieskidmore1 @mswarriorbabe80 @allthe-ships @tintinn16 @hungrhay @rosie-posie08 @manuymesut @all-the-way-down-here
@iccedays @tusk89 @graciexmarvel
@pedrostories @musings-of-a-rose
@untitledarea @your-voice-is-mellifluous @majestyjade @avengersfan25 @angstismydrug
@mydailyhyperfixations @everythingfan
@pedrosbum
@ryangoslingstanktop
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HOME TO US | rhysand
summary; rhys and nyx are a family of two, but they're both pretty hell-bent on making it into a trio, with you.
word count; 12,151
notes; I have no idea how this got so long? I planned for it to be like 4-5k, and @azsazz can vouch for that. also big shout out to @acourtofwhatthefuck for proofreading this for me when I just had no motivation, but I needed this one to be perfect.
Fate had always seemed to have the worst timing for you.
Whether it be relationships, the sunny skies turned to rain, or simply this; balancing precariously on a stool and getting startled by your own phone, which you could have sworn was on silent mode.Â
Blaring out across the shop in a sudden burst of cheery notes and tones, you almost dropped the stacks of books in your hands, cursing a little as it vibrated in rhythm in the back pocket of your jeans. When the call persisted after the usual three rings signalling a cold caller or market salesperson, you sighed.Â
Shifting the books to one arm, you fished the phone out before it could go to voicemail, wondering just who would be calling you so urgently at this time of the day. The question didnât linger for long, though, as your eyes widened at the caller across the front of the screen.Â
âVelaris Young-Education Prepatory Schoolâ.
A ridiculously fancy name for an elementary school, you thought it every time you saw the name, and yet right now, your heart skipped a beat as you pressed answer. Bringing it to your ear as you shuffled the books in your arms more, you lowered yourself down from the ladder carefully.Â
âHello?â
âOh, hello! Is this Nyxâs mother, (Y/N)? Itâs V-Y-E Prep.â
The woman on the phone sounded somewhere between relieved and panicked, and your heart leapt into your throat a little at her tone. âWell, yes, thatâs me, but-â
âOh, good, we werenât able to get in touch with dad, I was worried I wouldn't be able to get a hold of either of you.â She cut you off before you had a chance to finish, your lips clamping shut as she let out a sigh of a laugh. âIâm Nyxâs class teacher, but heâs had a little bit of an accident today, do you think youâd be able to come and pick him up from the reception?â
Your heart felt like it stopped in your chest entirely. âAn accident, what kind of accident, is he okay?âÂ
âOh, heâs fine! He had a fall during playtime, and he bumped his head. Thereâs a mark, and a scratch weâve cleaned up, but heâs understandably a little shocked and upset. We know dad can get⊠concerned,âÂ
Understatement of the century, you wanted to butt in, because Rhys was more than just concerned. He was overprotective, in an endearing way, but he tended to freak out over the smallest things. Then again, it didnât help when teachers said things like âaccidentâ when itâs not so serious. Perhaps it was a good thing that they got you, not him.Â
âSo, we thought weâd give you a ring, and see if you could pick him up?â
Your eyes flickered to the clock on the wall. You still had four hours left of your shift, and you felt terrible just ducking out, even if the store was dead, excluding the few people idling over lukewarm coffees in the connected cafĂ©. âSure, yeah, of course. I can be there in twenty minutes.â
âWonderful, weâll see you then.â
The line clicked dead, your eyes sliding shut as you let out a slow breath. You could have just said no, that voice in your head taunted, heâs not your child to fret over. And yet, the thought of his sad face lingered in your mind, triggering all those maternal instincts inside of you and sending them into overdrive.
âSounds urgent.â Somehow, despite walking with a cane and always wearing heeled boots that clicked on the floorboards, Margaret had managed to sneak up on you. When you turned, the seventy-something-year-old was standing with a smile on her face behind you, eyeing the phone in your hand.Â
âIâm sorry, Margie. Itâs Nyxâs school.â You grimaced, lips pressing together into a thin line. She only laughed lightly, waving a frail hand idly in the air as if to bat the moment away.
âOh, donât worry, dear. I know what itâs like to have your childâs school call you up in the middle of the day.â Her smile only widened, her eyes glazing over a little. âOur Tommy was a terrible little troublemaker, I had constant calls about his behaviour. And our Jenny, well, she was the clumsiest kid you ever saw. Tripped over thin air.â
A wistful sigh escaped her, and your lips flicked up at the edges. Youâd met both Thomas and Jennifer, lovely people, but just as sheâd described. Jennifer seemed even more prone to bad timing than you, and Thomas had turned all that troublesome energy into bad flirting and a heated temper.Â
âYou do what you have to for your kids.â Sheâd finished her recollections, her voice snapping you from your own, and you could only nod.
âI know, but heâs not my kid. Not biologically, or in any way that matters. Itâs not the same, and-â
âHon, if Iâve ever seen a mother, itâs you to that little boy.â Her words made a lump in your throat that was impossible to speak around, a quick flash of emotion swelling up that you were quick to fight against, but the sparkle in her eyes told you sheâd seen in. âHe may not have your genes, but heâs yours. So, go get your son. The store will still be here when you come back on Monday.â
âAre you sure-â
âDonât make me force you out of this door.â She tapped her cane at your feet, just close enough that you could feel the floorboards vibrate under the harsh taps, a wordless threat, and a grin broke out on your lips to hide the blush on your cheeks.Â
âAlright, Iâll see you Monday, then.â
She gave a curt nod, and you were flying through the store. Grabbing your bag and coat from the backroom on the way, you were out of the back door and at your car in less than a full minute. Only when youâd put your bags onto the seat and checked the car seat permanently attached to the back of the car did you get into your own seat.
How youâd gotten to this point, you had no idea. It hadn't been your intention four years ago when youâd first met baby Nyx, to end up with a box of his things in your trunk for emergencies, a child seat of your own in the back of the car and your name registered as a parental contact. Yet, as you stared, twisting to look at it and brushing your fingers over the fabric, you didnât have a single regret about it.Â
In fact, only a smile pulled at your lips as you thought about him. Him, and his father. Rhysand had been your best friend for many years, and his baby only seemed to bring you closer. Youâd never have wished Nyxâs mother to have abandoned him, you loathed the woman every day for what she did to them both, but it had created a space in their lives that youâd somehow patched a part of up.Â
When Rhys had needed support and guidance, youâd been there.
Now, youâd be there for Nyx, too.
As you started the car, flicking a glance back to check the mirrors on the seat were still aligned, Margieâs words flickered through your mind.Â
If Iâve ever seen a mother, itâs you to that little boy.
They lingered on your mind for the entire drive, hanging over you like a cloud on an April day, unsure if it was going to rain, or simply pass by. Until you were parked outside of the school, hands still clenched tightly on the steering wheel as you stared up at the tall glass entryway only a few paces away. You couldn't see Nyx yet, not with the doors on the other side that truly sealed off the building, but you could make out figures and shapes on the other side.
Your eyes moved to the clock, the digit clicking over another number, and your fingers felt numb when you finally released them from the wheel. With another sigh, you released all thoughts about mothers and genes and Rhys.Â
One day, perhaps, youâd confront them. Today wasnât going to be it.
Stepping out of the car and swinging the door shut behind you, you didnât even bother to lock it, as you took a slow jog up the main pathway before the school. The doors hissed open automatically before you, the smell of fresh cotton coming from the air freshener in the corner of the office, and the receptionist behind the desk looked borderline bored as she glanced up.Â
âHi, um- Hi. Iâm here for Nyx.â
Her eyes widened a little, looking significantly more interested now as she took your name, and called through to the classroom. The thought almost amused you, had you not been so concerned. Rhys had quite the reputation around here, the big checks and hefty donations gained him and Nyx quite the special treatment, one that clearly seemed to pass onto you, too.Â
The doors to the school buzzed open a second later as the magnetic locks released, and you stepped through. Sitting in one of the large plush chairs lined up along the wall of the office was Nyx, looking utterly swamped as his feet swung in the air, head bowed and hands clutching tightly to his backpack in his lap.Â
At the scuffing of your shoes, his head snapped up, eyes wide and hopeful, turning to relieved as he saw you. He dropped his bag to the floor, moving to slide out of the chair but you were faster, dropping down to kneel before him. Up close, you could see more, enough to break your heart.Â
His eyes were red, cheeks pink, tear-marks tracked into the smears of playground dirt and classroom muck on his face. When you brushed the edge of his inky hair back from his forehead, it was to reveal a cut across his forehead to his temple, bumped and bruised, growing into a lump on his head. His bottom lip wobbled, eyes growing shiny again.Â
âOh, Nyxie, did you get hurt?â
âYeahâŠâ His voice trembled as he spoke, sniffling lightly and wiping at his cheeks with his sleeve. Patting his hair down once again, you tried to choke back the emotions clogging in your throat as a tall shadow fell across the both of you. With a glance, you confirmed that it was his teacher, looking more than a little nervous as she watched you take in Nyx for yourself.Â
âWe just have some forms for you to sign, and I can tell you a little more about his injury, and then youâre good to go.â At your nod, she let out a heavy breath, wiping her hands down subtly on her skirt.
âNyxie, Iâm just going to go sign some forms for you, okay? Do you want to wait here?â He shook his head, eyes widening a bit as his little hand clamped down onto your arm, gripping tightly and shuffling across the seat closer to you. âYou want to come with us?â
âCan I have cuddles?â His voice was low and shy, your heart swelling a little more.Â
âCâmere.â Opening your arms up for him, his damp cheek fell to your shoulder, nose tucking sweetly into your neck, and you scooped him up, his legs dangling on either side of your body as he slumped against your chest happily. Standing up with a little more effort than usual, Nyxâs hands patted idly over your knitted jumper, body bouncing with each step you took to follow her inside of the office.Â
The forms were already laid out, four to be signed, and she pushed the first one over to you. âThis one is just to state you acknowledge the injury, the second is a copy for you, because dad requested always having a copy of forms.â Her cheeks flushed with a little colour, the edges of your lips flicking up at Rhysâ quirks. âThe third is just an injury form, that you know weâve given you all the information, and youâre satisfied. The fourth, another copy.â
You quickly signed your name on the first two, pushing one over to her and keeping the other on your side. The pen hovered over the paper of the third, your fingers clenching a little on it, eyes flicking over the page. âWhat did happen, exactly?â
âWell, uhmâŠâ You rubbed a hand over Nyxâs back, a soft affirmation that you appreciated how patiently he was waiting. Putting on a smile, you tried to put the woman at ease, not having meant to sound quite so⊠pissed.Â
âI know kids have accidents, I didnât mean to sound so⊠well, letâs just say, be glad Iâm the one that picked up the call. Dad can be overprotective.â The boy in your arms giggled a little, and you placed down the pen, using your hand to now cup his head and rub at his hair lightly.Â
âHe was playing on the climbing equipment. I think he went a little too high, because he couldn't climb down. Another child was trying to help him, but before anyone could get over to him once we realised he was stuck, he fell off.â Her voice was a lot more confident now, and you were glad youâd been able to ease just a little of that tension. âI can take you out to the equipment and show you what happened, if youâd like?â
âThat wonât be necessary.â You grabbed for the pen again, signing both pages, and she pulled one over towards her files as you gathered the other two.Â
âNyx was so brave, werenât you, huh?â She swiped a finger over his cheek as she passed by to get the door for you again, and he nodded slowly against your body. âAnd he was so excited when he found out his mommy was coming to get him.â
There was that word again, all of those thoughts coming swarming back in a dizzying rush as you followed her. A hot blush settled on your cheeks, your mouth opening to correct her, before Nyxâs hands were bunching in your jumper as he let out another little giggle, making your lips snap closed again. He hid his face deeper in your shoulder.Â
Stooping down to pick up his bags, his teacher placed it over your arm, swinging as you gripped paperwork in one hand and Nyx in the other. âI put all of his schoolwork in his bag. Weâll see you again tomorrow, Nyx!â
She held the door open for you, waving her goodbye as she watched you go, the receptionist looking far more alert now than she had earlier, smiling widely as the two of you left, and you could feel their gazes on you all the way to the parking lot.Â
Putting down the paperwork and his bag on the top of the car, you opened it up, leaning in to settle him was like muscle memory now. No longer an awkward act but a practised one, as he slid from your arms and into the chair. Fastening the belt across his middle, you did the ones over his shoulders.
Eyes that were the same incredible shade of near-violet as his fatherâs were watching you, a ridiculously adorable smile on his face as you leaned in to press a kiss to the uninjured side of his forehead. Tucking his bags on the other side of him, you checked all his straps, not realising you were frowning yourself until his little fingers pinched at your nose.Â
âGot a nose!â He whispered excitedly, waving his fingers in a way that was supposed to mock his uncleâs, the way Cassian would always tease that heâd âstolen Nyxâs noseâ to cheer him up. When you smiled at him, he pushed his hand back against your face, giggling to himself as he continued to imitate his uncle. âYou can have it back!â
âWell, thank goodness for that!â You teased, rubbing over the bridge of your nose and taking him in. Once you were happy with his safety, you closed the door, taking only the paperwork with you and folding them in half, tucking them into the glovebox of the car for safekeeping. When the car turned on, your fingers went to the radio, and a single button pressed had some of Nyxâs favourite songs pouring from the speakers as the kiddie-CD in the player came to life. âWeâll go and see your daddy now, hopefully, he wonât be too upset about your head.â
The boy only hummed to his song, leaning to stare out of the window, breath fogging it up and one hand resting on the windows he watched his school be left behind. âDaddy will be angry with us?â
For all the fresh set of worries now swirling inside of your head at Rhysâ reaction, youâd never considered how Nyx would interpret your words. âOh, no, of course not, baby. Never us. We make daddy smile, not frown!â
Reaching behind yourself as you came to a stop at the red lights, you squeezed at his knee lightly, retracting it only when the light went yellow. Another few minutes of quiet went past, the roads clear for the middle of the day as you drove, and Nyx was happily taking in all of the Velaris scenery as you passed by.Â
From the small town outskirts and into the city centre, it was when you were almost there that Nyx stopped singing and decided to speak again.Â
âI heard daddy tell Uncle Azzy on the phone that you make him smile like nobody else ever has.â
Your eyes widened, your foot nearly slamming onto the brake a little too hard as you turned a corner, and Nyx went back to singing his song. Your heart was picking up speed in your chest, the traitorous organ fuelled on hope reacting in a way you tried to resist. Your head was empty, it took a full minute to form your response, and you gave out a croaky laugh. âWere you being cheeky and listening to your dadâs private phone calls again?â
âNo!â His voice sounded indignant, but with a look cast in the mirror onto him, you could see the cheeky smirk on his face. âHe answered it at dinnertime! I got to say hi to Uncle Azzy. Heâs in a whole different country right now, did you know that?â
You could only smile at the excitement in his voice as he spoke all about Azrielâs current escapades in Spain, or at least, the version that was completely safe and child-friendly. Soon, though, his distraction was over, and he was circling back to a topic you had hoped heâd forgotten.
âDaddy loves you. He told Uncle Azzy. And Uncle Cass, and Auntie Mor.â
âWell, now I know youâre telling me fibs.â Releasing your hand from the gearstick at the next red light, you reached it behind you, tickling at his tummy until he laughed loudly and kicked his legs, slapping at your hands weakly as he wriggled in his chair. âHe would never tell Uncle Cass about his feelings, because Uncle Cass would tease him!â
âIâm not telling fibs, Iâm not!â He gasped the words between breaths, face growing red, and you almost forgot you were sitting at the lights until a car honked behind you, forcing you to pull away. His laughter died down as the car started again, but he huffed, crossing his arms over his chest. âHe did tell him. He said that he loves you, and he thinks that youâre the prettiest girl in the whole wide world.â
Your lips pursed, your heart betraying you once again, stomach joining as butterflies erupted until you felt lightheaded, and the weight of his stare on the back of your head was obvious without you even needing to turn.Â
In a far less sure voice now, âDo you love daddy?â
You had no idea how to answer that question. Youâd known heâd get curious about your friendship with his father soon, youâd just been foolish and selfish enough to hope it was his father that he asked, and so you wouldn't have to handle it.Â
Of course you loved Rhysand, but that didnât make it easy to explain.Â
Rhys could never know, the wound of Feyre running away with Tamlin and abandoning Nyx was sure to still be raw, Rhys hadn't been on a date in four years, and if this conversation had confirmed anything, it was that Nyx wasnât the best secret-keeper.Â
Your words had to be chosen carefully.
âYour daddy is my best friend, so, yes. I do love him.â You thought youâd done well, until Nyx made a non-committal sound, another question all ready to go.Â
âDoes he make you smile?â
âYes.â Your teeth gritted, the looming office building of the company HQ filling the sky as you pulled up to the security box, not even needing to roll the window down before the gates were buzzing open for you.
âAnd, do you think heâs the prettiest man in the whole wide world?â His arms flew as wide as they could, and you ignored how endearing it was, choosing a parking spot instead and focusing on your alignment.Â
âHeâs very pretty, Nyx. Just like you.â
âThen why canât you be my mommy?â That question felt like a punch to the gut, the car shutting off, silence filling the cabin around you as the engine stopped and the singing CD paused. He was waiting, playing with his fingers and staring at you when you turned to face him. His eyes were wide, confused, and you hated that he felt that way.
âLetâs clean up your face, huh? Youâre all dirty.â The words were pathetic, you hated yourself, because avoiding his question meant avoiding your own. You were taking the coward's way out, pulling two wipes from the packet in the dash to wipe at his face. He stayed silent, lips pursed in an unhappy pout, but he didnât push it. The next time he spoke, it was as you were unclipping him from his car seat and lifting him towards the ground.Â
âNo, no, no.â He clung to you more, jutting out his lip and putting on puppy eyes he knew worked every time. âMore cuddles?â
If it kept him effectively distracted, that was more than enough. Settling him in your arms and locking the car this time, the two of you set off towards the building, Nyx babbling in your ear about everything he could see around him so far.
Upon entering the lobby, his chatter cut off, head lifting from your shoulder to wave excitedly at the assistant behind the main desk. Long ago, youâd felt insecure stepping into this building in nothing but your jeans and a hoodie as everyone else wore dresses and suits and polished heels. Now, even as the elegant woman stood in her pencil skirt to lean over the counter to greet him, you felt at home. âHi, Ana!â
âWhat are you doing here in the middle of the day, little mister?âÂ
He only laughed, leaning out proudly to wave at her, and a new receptionist you didnât recognise. âWeâre here to see Daddy!â
She offered a knowing smile when you pushed his hair back just enough to show off the growing bruise, and turning to the intern beside her. âTake them up to the boss, and let him know.â
With a shaky smile and a polite introduction, she led your group over to one of the elevators, Nyx pulling faces and giggling over your shoulder at Ana the whole time. The ride up to the top floor consisted of Nyx counting the numbers off loudly, tickling them off on his fingers until he couldn't count anymore, and the doors chimed open at level twenty-six.
Guiding the both of you toward the boardrooms, you stopped outside of Rhysâ preferred meeting room, the one with âthe good coffeepotâ he claimed, a smile flickering on your lips as you spotted his silhouette through the frosted glass while she knocked at the door.
As she entered, you could hear his voice pouring out, the back end of a speech on this year's profit margins that heâd practised on you a hundred times before today, only going quiet as all attention fell to her. âSir, your wife and son are here.â
Your brows rose at her wording, still sitting high on your forehead as Rhys appeared, closing the door behind him and dismissing her thankfully. Left alone, his gaze flickered over you both, an emotion you still didnât understand settling on his face when Nyx sat up in your arms, still cuddled against you.Â
âHi, daddy! I got a bump on my head, look!â Pushing his hand over his hair, he moved his fringe out of the way, Rhysandâs eyes going comically wide as he stepped closer to get a look at it. âI fell off the climbing frame!â
His frantic gaze swept to you as he ran a thumb over his sonâs forehead, the other hand settling on your hip subconsciously, but all your attention seemed to fix on the way his thumb swept over your waist in a matching way.Â
âI took care of it all, donât worry.â You mustered the best smile you could, getting a whiff of his expensive work cologne when he dipped down to press a kiss to the same spot you had when tucking Nyx into the car. He examined the cut a little more, frowning at the mark on his sonâs face, and you wanted to say something, to reassure him, to quash the thoughts about being a bad father that you knew were flying through his head. Before you could speak, though, he was acting once again.
He nodded, seeming to have already fought the war inside his own mind, and if the way his shoulderâs slumped from their tightened position, heâd won this one. Leaning in to press a kiss to your forehead too, your breath caught in your throat at the intimate brush of his lips over your skin. Rhysand had always been affectionate, this part of your friendship was nothing new, but somehow, it had become so much more than a flirty comment or wink. Your eyes fluttered shut, pressing selfishly into that hint of affection as it dragged on just a second too long, warmth coating your cheeks when he pulled back.Â
âGive me five minutes to finish this meeting up, wait in my office.â His attention moved to his son. âYou can get one toy out, just one.â
At the mention of the toy-box tucked away in the back corner of the office, Nyxâs face lit up, hands clapping together excitedly, and Rhys chuckled at him. âDo you need anything?â
âWeâll be fine.â Youâd been to his office more times than you could count, knowing the building like the back of your hand. âGo finish up, gods know you didnât make me suffer through your rehearsals a thousand times just to mess it all up now.â
He only smirked, adjusting his blazer and ruffling his sonâs hair, cautious of his injury. âIâll be with you soon, darling.â Before you could respond, he was placing a quick kiss on your cheek, and backing away and returning to work, the door closing behind him.Â
When you stared at his empty space a little too long, Nyx let out an impatient sigh. âI want to play with the racing cars, darling.â
âHey, now, cheeky! If I didnât know any better, Iâd say you were feeling absolutely fine, and perhaps I should take you back to school!âÂ
Nyx burst out into more laughter, shaking his head and clinging to you. Even if his movements did make it harder to carry him, you didnât care, grinning at the enthusiasm and excitement on his face. As soon as you had the office door open, he was squirming in your arms to get down, racing over to the box in the corner the second his feet were touching the floor.Â
Tearing off the lid, you flicked the light on, shutting the door and frowning as he began to pile toys up all along the floor. âNyx, your dad just told you only one toy. Pick one, put the rest back.â
âBut the cars all count as one, I have to get the whole set out!â
âNope. You know thatâs not how it works.â He scowled, but remained silent, making a point of pulling out the black truck with flames on the wheels, the one you hated, because it made terrible sound effects of grating engines and monster trucks. Piling the rest of the toys back inside haphazardly, the lid remained off the box, and he switched the volume up, glancing at you as he did. You only granted him a sigh, collapsing down into the plush leather chair of Rhysandâs desk.
Five minutes of watching Nyx push the truck around the floor and over every surface as he made car sounds himself soon slipped into ten. He changed toys to a small fluffy dog, and at fifteen minutes, an action figure. Just as he was setting up for his meeting with the plastic army man, Rhys appeared at the door, tugging his tie loose and smiling when you straightened in his chair.Â
Tucking the tie down into his suit pocket, he circled the desk, eyeing Nyx on the floor, who didnât even bother to look up from his life-or-death mission. Taking a seat in one of the cushioned meeting chairs on the other side of the desk, he turned a questioning gaze to you, raising an eyebrow.
âHe climbed too high on the climbing frame at school, and slipped when another kid tried to help him down. He got all checked out by the school first aid, heâs totally fine. No dizziness or headaches or nausea, nothing wrong. Just a bruise and a bump.â It didnât stop Rhys from worrying, rolling his lower lip between his teeth as his gaze moved back to his joyfully-distracted son. âRhys.â
He didnât look up, biting down on that lip harder. With one hand, he popped free the button on his collar, and the one below, taking a deep breath.Â
âRhysand.â With a firmer tone, you managed to gain his attention, a reluctant stare shifting to you, and you held your hands out across the desk, palms up. Wiggling your fingers, he placed one hand in both of yours, sighing sadly at the look on your face as you squeezed his hand. âItâs okay, Nyx is fine, I made sure of it. I checked him out myself, signed the forms after reading them, and Iâve been keeping an eye on him. Look at him. Heâs perfectly okay.â
âIâm sorry you had to leave work.â He whispered, ashamed gaze trailing to your joined hands, the edges of his lips barely flickering as you smoothed your thumbs over his knuckles. He squeezed a little harder, tugging a little closer, ensuring you werenât letting go just yet. Youâd had no intention to, anyway.
Tugging on your hands a little more, he guided you around the desk, back to your feet until you were standing before him, between his knees, and he could tip forwards to brace his head against your ribs. He still held tight to one of your hands, running his fingers over your skin now, but you managed to fight one hand free. With it, you patted his hair softly, smoothing over it until he let out a shaky but light breath.Â
âThank you.â
âYou know Iâd do anything for you two. Absolutely anything, you have nothing to thank me for, or say sorry for.â He only nodded, tipping his head up enough that the tip of his nose dragged over your skin, until his chin was propped there instead, glancing up at you.
âNot true, Iâm thankful for you every single day.â
You willed your body not to react, not to give you away, other than the small smile you offered him, settling with your hand on the nape of his neck for a second. It was intimate, romantic, far too much for friendship, and the sudden flash of thought made your spine stiffen, and your hand retract down to sit safely on his shoulder instead. âRhys?â
âYes, darling?â
âWhy does Nyxâs school have me listed as his mother?â
He blinked, once. âWhat?â
ïżœïżœWhen they called, they asked me if I was his mom, and I never got a chance to correct her before she was telling me everything. Then when I got there, she said it again.â
He was silent for a moment, before sitting up once again, disentangling himself from you and putting on an easy-going smile to match his shrug as he slumped back into the seat. âI have no idea. Maybe she just got confused, or forgot.â
âOkayâŠâ You gave only a moment's pause, leaning yourself on the edge of the desk beside you, and crossing your arms. âWell, why does your receptionist think Iâm your wife?â
âSheâs new.â The words rolled off of his tongue so fast it was like heâd planned them, your brows shooting up a little. âI mean, you come in here carrying Nyx, and what else would she know?â
Despite his casual demeanour, a soft layer of pink tinged those tan cheeks, so faint youâd hardly notice it if you werenât so good at reading him. His eyes studied you for a second, a deep look as he stared, gaze taking you in just as much as you seemed to take him in. There was a lull, a pause, like so many moments lately where the air seemed positively charged between you both, lingering on an adrenaline-filled precipice and just waiting for something to happen.
Rhys broke it, just a second before it would have become too much for you, too. Clearing his throat, he caught Nyxâs attention. âWhy donât we go and get some ice-cream, buddy? Put the toy away and we can go right now.â
âBefore dinner?â The childâs eyes widened, throwing the army man into the box without a care for the way he slammed off of the wall, all love gone now at the mention of ice-cream. Clicking the lid back into place, you watched them interact in a daze, the joking and chatter becoming background noise.Â
Youâd never given yourself a chance to think before, too scared to get your heart broken and to lose them both, but a small flame of hope in the back of your heart had been steadily growing bigger and brighter, and it was starting to become hard to ignore.Â
Only when a small hand slipped into yours did you snap out of it, Nyx swinging happily with one hand in yours and the other in his fatherâs, telling him all about the school work heâd done as Rhysand grabbed for his briefcase and coat. Once heâd acquired them, you were on the move, trailing through the building in much the same way, swinging Nyx between your bodies and letting him bounce excitedly at the prospect of frozen sugar before a healthy meal.Â
As you wandered through the lobby, you took stock of yourselves, noting just how much the three of you really did resemble a family. The receptionist would be right to assume, simply from what it looked like. And, even if the teacher did know you hadn't been, from the number of mornings youâd dropped Nyx at school or picked him up at the end of the day, it could easily be misread as merely a development in a complicated relationship.Â
Perhaps, it was nothing more than a misunderstanding, and Rhys was right.Â
The butterflies in your stomach died down to a heavy weight. One of both relief, and disappointment you refused to acknowledge, the hot flush of anxiety cooling into a steady calm, and you were finally able to take a deep breath once again as you reached the car.
âWe just need to grab his bag and forms from my car, and-â
âYouâre not coming for ice-cream?â Rhysâ head snapped up from where heâd been looking down at his son, brows furrowing at you, and Nyx fell silent, turning to stare up with an identical look of confusion.Â
âYou donât like ice-cream?â He echoed in his fatherâs tone, the two were far too alike for your good, and Nyx was nothing if not a clone of his father. One silver lining had always been that Nyx seemed to be 99% Rhys, only getting 1% from his mother. It was the smattering of freckles over his nose that only came out in the summer.
âOf course, I like ice-cream.â You tapped at the tip of Nyxâs nose and he beamed.
âSo, youâre gonnaâ come with us, then?â Your gaze moved from him, to Rhys, whose brows only furrowed further.Â
âWhatâre you lookinâ at me for? You know youâve always got a place with us. Frankly, if you decided to move in tomorrow, I wouldn't bat an eye.â
Your eyes rolled, and when you were looking back at him, he was grinning. âWhat about my car?â
âIâll drive you back here to get it.â
âWhat about work?â You motioned to the building behind you, and he opened his car door, motioning for Nyx to hop up into the back.Â
âI own the company, I can take off an afternoon to be with the people I care about.â
âWhat about-â He leaned in close enough that your noses almost brushed, a smirk forming on his lips at the hitch in your breath, cutting off your words.
âShut up, get in the car, and let me take my family for ice-cream.â
You couldnât breathe, never mind form a response, that word ricocheting through the inside of your skull like a bullet. Nudging you to the side, Rhys opened the passenger door, motioning you too, until you were sinking into the spacious car and letting him close the door behind you.Â
By the time heâd strapped in his son and gotten into the car himself, youâd regained your calm and your ability to speak. âYouâre bossy.â
âIâm the boss.â
âNot in this car, youâre not.â You muttered under your breath, his chuckle only dulled by the purr of the engine as the SUV roared to life. Setting the car into gear, he cast a cheeky look in your direction.Â
âOh, I know. Youâve been calling the shots here since the day I met you, and Iâm just fine with that.â
He settled a hand on your knee, innocently enough, after turning on kidâs songs to match your car to keep Nyx happy. He never flinched, never even glanced at his hand on you, like it was the most normal and natural thing in the world. The scariest part, was that it felt exactly that way to you, too.
Nothing about it seemed wrong, or off, and the longer you stared at his hand, the more you wanted to take it. To lace your fingers together, set your hands in your lap after kissing his knuckles. Despite your attempts to push it down, it was seeming more and more like your ignorance of your situationship with Rhysand was making itself known.
It didnât make sense. You were perfect together, in every other way, so why had he never made a move in this way? The spike of confused pain through your chest stung like a needle through the heart.
The drive to the ice-cream parlour didnât give you much time to think, everything today was too fast, not enough time to think or clear your head. Before you knew it, you were pulled to a stop, Rhys climbing from the car to release his son who was practically tearing out of his car-seat to get to his favourite dessert store. He could have done with the run, the walk, anything to burn off some of that energy, but Rhys scooped him up into his arms, pressing several kisses to his sonâs head, who only moaned and pushed at his fatherâs head.
He didnât want kisses, he wanted sprinkles.
Too bad Rhys was beating himself up again about it all. Freeing yourself from the car to alleviate his worries, you squeezed his arm as you stepped out, shooting him a look to tell him that Nyx was more than okay. âOne bumped head does not make you the worldâs worst dad. Kids have accidents all the time, but look how happy he is right now.â
He didnât need to look, shuffling his son to his hip and reaching out for your hand instead as he nodded. Lifting it up, he placed a kiss on the back of your hand before lacing your fingers together.
There was a bell tinkling over your head as Rhysand guided you into the cold store, looking for all the world, once again, like a real family, and you allowed yourself a few selfish seconds to eat it up. Finally, Nyx gained his freedom, darting over to the large glass display cabinet and plastering himself to the front of it as he took in all the flavours available today.
By the time the two of you had reached the front of the queue, heâd seemingly made up his mind, turning to stare at you both with a look on his face that could only mean trouble.Â
âYou pick what you want, bud?â
Rhysâ cautious tone meant heâd picked it up too, his hand squeezing a little tighter around your own when you chuckled, cutting you a glare as Nyx rolled on the balls of his feet and nodded. âI want the chocolate fudge, two scoops,â He held up two small fingers, for emphasis. âWith chocolate sauce and the little fudge-chunk sprinkles.â
The woman behind the counter only laughed, staring down at him adoringly as he placed his hands on his hips, expectantly. Rhysâ eyes widened, his head shaking a little. âHow about vanilla, with strawberry sauce, and rainbow sprinkles?â
âEw, yucky, no.â Nyxâs face crumpled, and Rhysandâs jaw dropped, glancing from his son to you, and back.Â
âIt was your favourite last time.â
âBut, this time my favourite is chocolate fudge with chocolate sauce and fudge chunks, Daddy!â Nyx stated it like it was obvious, and you tugged on your connected hands to bring an indignant Rhysâ attention to you.Â
âOh, let him have his chocolate-fudge extravaganza, he bumped his head.â Rhysâ only scowled, muttering under his breath about being âganged up onâ, before nodding to the woman behind the till but indicating for only one scoop.Â
âYouâre putting him to bed when he gets a sugar rush.â Was all Rhys could snipe back with, a smile forming on your lips against your control once again, letting him lead you over to the display stand as Nyx watched his ice-cream being constructed with rapt attention. Turning from the cabinet to you, he nudged his nose lightly against your temple, a feeling that had blood rushing to your cheeks and your head spinning at the intimacy. âThe usual?â
âYeah.â Your voice broke a little as you spoke the single syllable, and had you been capable of speaking properly at the time, you were sure youâd have been a little more embarrassed about it.Â
âOne raspberry victoria-sponge chunk ice-cream with, two scoops, and one triple-scoop rocky road.â He added to the order, the woman only nodding, piling them up on top of the counter as Nyx tried to reach for his, sparkles in his eyes as he stared at his sickly-sweet monstrosity in awe.Â
Lifting it down for him, you stuck a wooden spoon into the cardboard cup holding it, a soft âthank youâ tumbling from his lips as he accepted it, cradling the pot patiently in his hands like it was a rare treasure. You remembered the same look being on Rhysâ face when heâd first held his son, the same tender and gentle astonishment, the shock in his eyes at something so special. You could only smile.Â
âDarling,â Rhys tugged on your arm, your head snapping up from Nyx to look at him, only to find both his eyes and the servers on you. You hummed, brows raising, and watching Rhys balancing two ice-cream cones in his hand. âI said, can you get my wallet? Itâs in my jacket pocket, your side.â
âOh! Right, sure.â Twisting to him, he smoothed his thumb over your hand in silent appreciation as you rooted around the inside of his pocket, fingers brushing across worn black leather, and pulling it free.Â
You were more than familiar with Rhysâ money and his cards, he often handed you a small fold of notes or one of his shiny cards whenever you took Nyx out or needed to buy something, refusing to ever let you pay, but you rarely held the whole wallet.
Flipping it open, your eyes scanned over the folds inside to search for the right card, but your gaze snagged on the fold of an image inside. Pinned lightly behind clear plastic, the image preserved perfectly, was a picture of you and Nyx. You remembered the moment clearly, youâd been out with the whole family, one of the rare moments that Azriel had been home at the same time Mor was back from travels and Cassian had a day off. Amren even freed the day up to sit in the park with you all, celebrating Nyxâs third birthday. Mor had been on her Polaroid camera hype, and you didnât even know sheâd snapped this picture.Â
Nyxâs hands were on your face, pushing your sunglasses on upside down after heâd finished playing with them. He was stood between your legs, the sundress youâd worn that day still had small stains from the muddy bottoms of his shoes, but the smile on his face that was caught in the picture was worth it. You rubbed a hand over the plastic protecting it, treasuring that day with all of your heart, and uncovering Rhysâ writing at the bottom as you did.
âMy lovesâ.
âDarling, the purple card. Câmon, the ice-cream is getting warm.â He nudged you again, Nyx staring pleadingly from the ground below as he clutched his treat, still waiting, and you slipped the purple card out with your thumb. Tapping it against the car reader and being sure to add a tip to compensate for your daydreaming, you slid the card back, sliding the wallet back into his pocket as the three of you found a table.
Just because you could no longer see the picture, didnât mean it, and, more importantly, the caption, wasnât seared into your mind. My loves. If he truly felt that way, why hadn't Rhysand ever made a move? It didnât make sense, youâd been here since before Nyx had even been born, almost a decade of best-friendship and flirty comments that never became anything more, while secretly harbouring a picture of you in his wallet and holding your hand, kissing your forehead and smiling in a way that read as far more than just friends.
Youâd barely even settled into the booth before Nyx was digging into his ice-cream, and your hand finally being freed and you were given your cone. Twisting it around and towards yourself, your eyes narrowed a little on the chunk missing from the side, somewhere where an obviously large piece of cake had been pulled out, and your glare turned to Rhys.
âYou ate some of my ice-cream?â
âWe always share, stop acting so surprised about it.â He grinned, taking a large scoop from his own, and you scowled at him.Â
âI hadn't even tried it yet, and you ate the best piece of cake!â He only smirked.Â
âDo you want to try my ice-cream?â Nyx offered, and you turned to look at him across the table. His hand was gripping the spoon like he was stirring in a cauldron, the contents inside had been churned up into a gloopy mess, and he held a spoonful of it out to you, chocolate and fudge-covered cheeks stretched in a smile.Â
âThatâs okay, Nyxie, itâs all for you.â You passed your cone back to Rhys after unwrapping the napkin from around it. âHold this, and donât eat any more.â
He nodded dutifully, but eyed another piece of cake hidden within the ice-cream nonetheless, as he ate his own. There was a particularly large piece of dark chocolate with a marshmallow on the side of his own that heâd yet to notice, and you stored that away for revenge. Reaching across the table, you wiped at Nyxâs cheeks, unsure why youâd bothered since he was only going to end up in the same state again soon, but you did your best with the sticky mess anyway.
You gave up when he got ice-cream on your hand too, refusing to pause eating even when you tried to clean him up. Leaving the scrunched-up napkin on the table, his father only chuckled in your ear and handed you your cone back. Turning to him, you held out your other hand. Wiggling your fingers, his face pinched for a second, before he sighed, giving in. He pulled that same face every time, despite being right that you always shared, a victorious smile on your face.Â
You made a point of turning the cone, flashing the delicious chunk of chocolate and marshmallow to him, watching his jaw drop to stop you, but not fast enough. Clamping your mouth down around it, you pulled the chunk free, chocolate melting across your tongue as you let out a moan of appreciation.
His eyes flared, leaning in and snatching his cone back, but leaving his face close enough to your own that when you licked over your lips, you almost licked him too. âYouâre so cruel to me.â
âPayback is a⊠well, you know the saying.â You smirked, ensuring not to swear in front of the child across the table from you both, and he only growled a little. His eyes flickered over your face, every spot his gaze touched made your skin burst out with heat, lingering for a moment on your mouth. He smirked, raising a hand, and brushing his thumb along the edge of your mouth as he pulled back a fraction.
âYou missed a spot.â He breathed, thumb slipping to settle on your chin instead, and his eyes found yours once again. The air between you both crackled like it never had before, electricity sparking between you both again, but so much more intense. âI, uhm, Iâve been meaning to talk to you lately...â
âYeah? Well, we never see each other, I can see how itâd be hard to find the time.â You teased, his softly sighed laugh brushing over your face as his gaze held yours. Smoothing his thumb along your jaw until he was cupping your face, it was only when a drop of ice-cream dripped from your cone and onto your finger, the cold sending a jolt through you that made you gasp and snap back.Â
Glancing down at it, you winced, licking away any more drops that looked like they may fall, and using Nyxâs napkin to wipe your fingers. When you turned back to Rhys he was facing the table again, eating his ice-cream and acting as though nothing had happened. The bubble was broken, whatever he was going to say he clearly wasnât planning on anymore, and so you let it pass.
You ate your ice-creams together, conversation steadily flowing onto other topics, far safer ones, no doubt, and you did your best to clean up Nyxâs face once again. Smears of chocolate covered his cheeks, and you knew Rhys would have to scrub it off later before bed.Â
The ride back to the office was where you grew to regret convincing Rhysand to allow Nyxâs choice, his sugar rush beginning to kick in at full force. He screamed his songs at the top of his lungs, loud enough to make you both wince as you drove, bouncing chaotically in his seat and threatening to break right out like a miniature beast.Â
The hand, now sitting on your lower thigh rather than your knee, squeezed at a particularly loud shriek as he played with the window settings, up and down, up and down. âThis is your fault.â
âI know!â You wailed, glancing back at Nyx, who was all but vibrating as he rocked side to side, giggling hysterically to himself. âI figured the sauce would be sugar-free, and fudge isnât that much sugar, itâs like-â
âItâs half sugar!â
âWhat?â Your eyes widened a little, turning to look at Rhys with wide eyes, and he contained his laughter as he watched the road, trying to tune out the din from the backseat. âRegardless, I apologise for this.â There would be no calming him now.
Rhys rubbed his hand up and down your thigh softly. âI already told you, that's your problem. You think Iâm going to let you go home and leave me with this?â
âI have some very important work to do-â
âLiar.â He called your bluff, and you scowled, turning your glare on his hand as it set warmth firing along all of your nerves.Â
When he finally pulled back into the parking lot, it was considerably emptier than it had been when youâd left, and he spun to park across two full spaces into place beside your car. He left the car with a happy sigh, closing the noise that his son was making inside the vehicle, and rolling his neck from side to side. Finally, he opened his sonâs side, lifting the boy from his chair and setting him on the concrete, where he immediately began to jump up and down, holding onto his dadâs hand.
The pair accompanied you to your car, retrieving the school bags and taking them back to their own while you gathered the correct forms from the glovebox, meeting him by the back of the SUV that made your car look tiny in comparison. You pressed them into his hands, and he tucked them into the front pocket of Nyxâs bag, setting his son off to put the bags away, who remarkably, did as told.
âI know you said no thanks, but, thank you for today. I mean it, you were so wonderful. Youâre always so wonderful, I couldn't do any of this without you.â
âAny time, Rhys. You know that.â He shrugged, hands tucking into the pockets of his smart pants, leaning against the side of the car only a foot away from you.
âI know, but that doesnât make me any less lucky to have found you, and to get to keep you in my life.âÂ
Small padding of feet came rushing back, bags no longer in sight but a picture clutched in his hands to be held up in the air as he came to a stop. It was decorated with pieces of glued-on dried pasta, glitter and sequins, and some splatters of paint. The most important part, though, was the drawing at the bottom.Â
Youâd grown used to his style of drawing now, easily able to pick out what each scribble was supposed to be, or rather, who each scribble was supposed to be, and the attempt at writing underneath. It didnât matter, though, because he was quick to enthusiastically point it all out.Â
âLook, look! Itâs us! This is daddy, in purple. And this is you in blue, because itâs your favourite colour. And this is me! Iâm wearing a crown.â His chest puffed up proudly, the broken piece of pasta on his head acting like a crown, and you traced the words written in matching colours under each figure.Â
Daddy. Nyx. Mommy.
Casting a look up, Rhys was staring at the paper, a horribly crushing mix of longing and pain in his eyes as he stared at it, throat bobbing in a swallow, before he was blinking it away. Heâd always been good at playing another role, hiding his feelings when he needed to, but youâd caught him too many times.Â
All the pining and want, youâd always assumed it had been for Feyre, for the missing woman who had birthed his son, but when his eyes met yours, the façade cracking just a touch, you allowed yourself to wonder if maybe it was for you. Whatever it was today, this last few months, it was something new. It was like those walls youâd built up were finally crumbling, he was fighting through his own, and he let out a shaky sigh.Â
He let Nyx lower the photo, occupied with admiring his artwork. He leaned down, lips finding your cheek and lingering there in a soft kiss. You hooked a finger under his chin, twisting his head up until your noses were brushing, his eyes snapping open wide before you, as your lips brushed lightly. âWhat are you doing?â
âWell, I was thinking about kissing you.â You whispered, your voice shaking as you second-guessed yourself, second-guessed it all. His hand found your hip, smoothing around to sit on your lower back and tugging you close enough that your chests pressed together, his forehead resting on yours.Â
He didnât pull away, he didnât stop you, he just gave you your chance to decide.Â
So, you did.Â
You leaned up, pressing your lips to his in a delicate kiss that set your stomach into a frenzy of butterflies, and drew a soft noise from Rhys as he tightened his hold on you. After only a second of hesitation, he kissed you back, a push and pull with his lips that was as intoxicating as it was grounding. You felt like you were floating, tethered only to him as you gave into a desire you never thought you could have, his lips melding to yours in slow drags.Â
It felt like it went on forever, and you were certain that you could easily have stayed there, just like that, for the rest of your life.Â
When he let you breathe, when your mouths fell only an inch apart, you wanted to nudge closer to him once again, to seal yourself back to him, to sink into him wholly and entirely and never come apart again. If the tight grip he had on your hip was any indication, Rhysand felt the same way.
The fog cleared after a few moments, and he shifted back some more, eyes fluttering open once again, and this time, they were filled with questions. Swirling in the violet like a storm brewing at dusk, and you lifted a hand, running a finger over his cheek lightly, and smiling when his head tipped into your touch.Â
âIâm so telling Uncle Azzy that you kissed Daddy.â
You practically jumped out of your skin, having forgotten about the babbling little boy at your feet, who was now staring up at you both in nothing but shock and smugness, one hand planted on his hip as the picture that had sealed the deal hung limply from the other.
âDaddy and-â You scooped him up before he could even get started into that little riddle, the taunting making your cheeks warm, even if he was only four, and making your way back toward the car. Rhys shuffled along behind you in a silent daze, holding the door open for you and standing by as you tucked Nyx back into his car seat. He never gave up on his childlike-smirk.Â
âHow about some dinner, huh? A little someone can have his favourite mac nâ cheese.â
âIt's me! Itâs me!â He cheered happily, and you took the opportunity while his arms were raised to strap the belt around his waist, sealing him back into the chair as his arms strapped through the other two. âIâm calling Uncle Azzy tonight. And Uncle Cassie.â
âYou do that, Nyxie.â You bopped the end of his nose, switching on the small TV set that was attached to the headrest to face his way, and watching it load up. You could feel Rhysâ stare burning into you, like a fire crawling along your skin, impatient and needy and desperate for answers, making you grateful for this small distraction as you scrolled the shows on the tablet.
Like a warning, a warning not to make him wait much longer, Rhys settled one large hand over your hip, squeezing tightly and tugging you a fraction out of the car towards him, a shiver travelling down your spine. You hit play on the first show up.Â
Backing out of the car to close the door, you didnât get far, Rhys didnât move, only pulling your body back into his with the grip on your waist, slamming the door shut for you and leaving you pressed to him. In a quick spin, he had your back pressed to the cold metal of the car, out of sight of his son and closed in by your own, the cold metal making for a relieving contrast to the heat.Â
âDo it again.â There was a pleading note to his voice, his sights fixed entirely on your mouth now as he bit down on his lower lip, his forehead coming to rest on yours. âKiss me again.â
You took your time, teasing him just a little, by running your hands up his arms, over his shoulders as he tensed, until you were holding his face. He sagged closer to you, like he couldn't even hold himself up anymore, pinning you between his body and the car. With a sweep of your thumbs over his cheeks, his eyes closed, noses brushing in sweet motions until he gave an aggravated breath at the waiting.
At long last, you gave in, closing the gap between you both once again. This time, he let out a soft moan when your mouths connected. He kissed like a man starved, like a man who had waited every moment of his life for this. It was like your first taste of air after being underwater, his mouth insistent and unrelenting, like he was memorising the way it felt to kiss you.
You gave him all you had, committing every part of him to memory too. Every sound he made, the way he panted against your lips before diving back in, teeth scraping your lower lip and sucking softly, before following it with a sharp nip. He ruined everyone else, no kiss youâd ever had compared to this and nothing else ever would.Â
When his tongue smoothed over your lower lip, you were forced to pull back, to try and think somewhat clearly, one of you had to, because if you let this go on anymore, you werenât sure you could stop. His hand was already shifting, exploring, dragging his fingertips up your spine to tangle in your hair, and you lowered yours to his shoulders, pushing him back just enough to take a breath that didnât taste like him.Â
He groaned, licking over his swollen lips to take away the taste of you, his eyes darker than before when they found you again, and you pressed your lips together to fight temptation. âYou should⊠you should get our boy home.â
At that, he blinked, his gaze softening endlessly at the endearing claim, and his hand let your hair go to slip back to your back. Pulling you closer, he pressed a wet kiss to your cheek, nodding against your temple as he left a kiss there too. When he pulled back, it was to simply stare. There was nothing hidden now, the kind of dumb-in-love look shining in his eyes that you couldn't miss. Had it always been there, and youâd just never seen it before, or had he just stopped hiding it?
âYou okay, Rhysie?â
He melted into you at the nickname you rarely brought out, eyes shining as he continued to stare. âSo, so very okay, darling.â
Silence lingered between you both, the same comfortable quiet it had been since day one. No matter what, no matter how anxious or nervous or rattling, Rhys always had a way of making you feel at ease. You felt so vulnerable, and yet so safe with him, voice coming out in a whisper to speak into the gap between you both, âCan I ask you a question, Rhys?â
âAre you going to ask me if we can have carbonara with chicken for dinner again?â He teased, putting your nerves even more at ease, or maybe it was for his own, by making a joke.Â
You indulged him, âItâs a classic for a reason, because itâs so good. Besides, who said Iâm coming for dinner, anyway?â
âYou think thereâs any way Iâm going to be able to let go of you now?â He mumbled, head dropping down to rest on your shoulder instead, and you chuckled, feeling his lips press a soft kiss to your shoulder through your jumper. âWhat did you really want to ask?â
That brought the nerves back in full force. âWhy did nothing ever, yâknow, happen between us?â
His head snapped up, eyes widening to look at you, but no words came from his parted lips.Â
âDonât you ever think about it, Rhys? I mean, look at us. Thereâs so much that would work, and I guess-â
âOf course I think about it.â He breathed the words in a rush, and your jaw snapped shut as words finally began to pour out of him, unrestrained and uncontrolled. âI think about it all the time. Every minute of every day youâre on my mind.â
âRhysâŠâ He let out a slow breath, but there was no stopping him now. Youâd uncorked the bottle, the contents unable to be stopped from spilling.Â
âSince the day I met you all those years ago, I knew that I would hold onto you for the rest of my life. I couldn't let you go. But, I was a stupid kid who just inherited a company, and I was terrified of that. I wasnât ready for that kind of commitment. You just dropped into my life and filled holes and cracks I didnât know I had, you made me feel complete. I fell for you, so hard and so fast, and I was so godsdamned scared of that.â He looked away, unable to look at you any longer, and swallowing thickly.Â
âSo, we became friendsâŠâ
âSo, we became friends.â He repeated, sighing like he couldn't hold the weight of the world anymore. âI thought, selfishly, that I could hold onto you as my best friend, until I was ready for more. That it would be fine. I was too slow, though, and you started dating Lucien.â
Your mind flickered back, hardly remembering the man youâd been with for only a couple of months almost six years ago, flashes of red hair and tanned skin in your mind recalling it.
âHe was good to you, and I hated that. I hated him, but I wanted you to be happy. But, I was so miserable. I was so sickeningly, maddeningly, obviously in love with you, and I had to do something before you noticed. So, I dated Feyre. It wasnât⊠we moved too quickly, too fast. I threw myself into it and then she got pregnant. Nyx came along, and she abandoned him. I thought Iâd lose you too. I was scared again, but you stayed. You helped with everything, you made it better.âÂ
His voice started to crack, and so your arms raised, looping around his neck, pulling him in until his forehead was pressed to your own.Â
âI wasnât scared when you were there. You taught me everything, you stayed for every step. I knew within days that you should have been Nyxâs mother, that being with you like this was all Iâd ever want, I started to want everything clichĂ©, a white picket fence and a little house of our own and a street where Nyx could learn to ride a bike with us. I mean, I picked out the house you liked best from the viewings even though it was gonna cost so fuckinâ much to renovate and repair and clean, but it was so worth it.â He laughed emptily, and you sniffed back tears.
âI had no idea.â
âI know, I never told you. I wanted you to see your dream house without the guilt.â He rubbed at his nose, and you kissed his cheeks, feeling him smile under your lips as you did, stopping the tears clinging to his lashes from falling. âBut, you were still with Lucien, so I settled to take what I could get. If having you as my friend, helping me raise him like this, was all I could ever have, Iâd take it. Then, you werenât, and I thought maybe youâd be heartbroken about your break-up, or sad, and I wanted to give you time. I gave you too much time, I was a coward, I was nothing but a lonely man who already had a son. I couldn't offer you all the things you wanted anymore. I couldn't travel or go out and party or do anything. Iâm always working or with my boy, and I didnât want you to be forced to take that on.â
You were shocked, his candour had left you breathless, and he sniffled lightly, blinking away the tears he was unwilling to let drop. âWe broke up because of you.â
âWhat?â He let himself look up, to you, of all the expectations heâd seemingly braced himself for, this obviously wasnât it.
âLucien and I. He- he said, understandably, that it felt strange to have a relationship with a woman who was practically a part of another family. It made him feel like some sort of home-wrecker. He didnât say it, and he never wouldâve, he was a good man, but it was a choice. You and Nyx, or him.â Giving the best smile you could despite the emotions overwhelming you, he matched it with a watery laugh. âI didnât even have to think about it. Thatâs why I was never sad.â
âYou chose us.â
âIâll always choose you.â Your smiles were real this time, shared and intimate and frighteningly tender. âSo, the real question, is whether youâre still sickeningly, maddeningly in love with me?â
âYou forgot âobviouslyâ. I canât believe you donât know it, I havenât been subtle. I tell everyone youâre my wife, and let them believe youâre Nyxâs mom.â Your scoff only made him smirk, smacking at his shoulder lightly, pushing him away only to have him grip you tighter, tugging you closer to him.Â
âI knew those werenât âlittle mistakesâ, or miscommunications!â He only shrugged, dipping back in, every intention clear as he moved slowly.Â
âI intended to tell you today, and so many other times, but I was always so scared of losing you.â The confession hung between you both, the unspoken promises and words as he tried to give you a chance to leave, to back away, to call it too much, but you didnât.Â
You let him kiss you, let him kiss you until your lungs burned for oxygen and your head was spinning, and it felt like hours had passed by as you learned one anotherâs mouths. You let him kiss you until you were sure he understood that you felt the same, that you always had.
âI still love you. I will always love you. You donât just get over this kind of love.â
You could only grin at him, cheeks aching but you didnât care, because you couldn't have contained your happiness even if youâd wanted to. âGood, because it would have been horrible if my feelings were unrequited.â
âNever.â A few more stolen kisses, mumbled promises between them. âSo, youâll follow us home for dinner?â
The leap in your chest at the word home was enough to make you breathless, the knowledge you now had that heâd chosen it just for you, in hopes youâd one day live with them. It was almost too much to bear. âOnly if youâre making carbonara. And garlic bread.â
âIâll make you anything you want if it means youâll keep kissing me.â You hummed, pressing another peck to his lips before managing to disentangle yourself, despite his complaints and tight hold.
âIâll see you soon, where we can continue this.â
âDonât take too long, Iâll miss you too much.â He winked, looking messy and kiss-ruined as you stepped back to fully take him in. His shirt was rumpled, his blazer was a little askew, and his cheeks were flushed red, swollen lips to match.Â
He was perfect.Â
âHurry home to us, darling.â
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'Til Death
Rhysand x Reader
Words: 2.8k
Warnings: arranged marriage, mostly fluff, themes of emotional/psychological abuse
A/N: Welcome to Day Three!!! Today we have the first part of what I think will become a cute little slow burn/strangers to lovers/forced proximity fic. this is based on a request one of you lovely anons sent in and I hope you like it!
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I never imagined myself getting married.
As a child I detested the idea. In fact, I remember a conversation with my parents about how I would rather renounce my titles and claims to my fortune than be forced to be a bride.
It all happened so quickly I didnât even have time to truly process that today was the day. As I stared in the mirror at myself in this ridiculous white dress, I couldnât help but feel as though my freedom was slipping away with each passing minute. I wiped a stray tear from the corner of my eye when the door opened without warning and a blonde female entered the room, she was stunning, one of the most beautiful females I had seen. She wore a form fitting red dress, her blonde hair cascading down her back in loose curls.
âHello, its y/n right? You look absolutely beautifulâ the female remarked
âUmmâŠyesâ I said tentatively âwho are you?â
âOh! My apologies I didnât think about how strange this would be for you. My name is Morrigan, Mor for short and I am Rhysands cousin. I know this isnât the best circumstance for us to meet under, but I have something for youâŠfrom Rhys.â
âFor me?â I asked, she extended her hand and there was a letter with my name on the front and a black seal with the night court emblem on the back. I turned it over in my hands analyzing the elegant script that I deduced belonged to my future husband.
âThis is all just soâŠoverwhelmingâ I admitted
âTrust me, I get it probably on a level many others donât. I just came because Rhys thought it might help your nerves to get to know him a little before the ceremony. He managed to delay a few more hours on account of some fake emergency.â
âIâll be just outside the door waiting for your answer.â She said quickly turning and leaving the room, closing the heavy door as softly as she could manage.
I made my way to the couch in the dressing room and sat carefully, trying not to wrinkle my dress. I broke the seal, removing the letter. I was surprised to find he had such elegant handwriting
Y/n,
Iâm sure an arranged marriage to a complete stranger was not what you had envisioned for your wedding day (on that we can both agree) My cousin has no doubt used her eccentric flare to get you to read this and I hope that you will join me for a drink before we do this, while not what we planned I hope that we can make the best of this situation.
-Rhysand
I appreciated the effort, and I had to admit I was curious about my soon-to-be-husband. Before I could lose my nerve and overthink his gesture I stood, opening the door to find Mor exactly where she said.
âLetâs go for a drinkâ I said
âSeems like the rational thing to doâ she replied with a smile, extending her arm for me to take and she led me through the halls of this manor to what I presumed was the roof.
As Mor opened the door I was struck with this feeling, I was nervous to meet him, I mean I knew him by his reputation but had never met the High Lord of the Night Court. If the stories were to be believed he was menacing, cruel, and evil but the man who wrote that note didnât seem like any of those things.
âGood luckâ Mor whispered as she closed the door leaving me alone with him up here
His back was turned as I approached him, but I took in his height, he was easily one of the taller males I had met. His hair was an interesting shade of black, almost like a ravenâs feathers and he wore a well-fitted black suit.
I halted behind him and smoothed out my dress. I should try and make a good impression after all, and I cleared my throat to garner his attention. He turned and I was immediately struck by his eyes. They were such a unique shade of violet; it was unlike anything I had ever seen before and as his eyes met mine all thoughts exited my head as I looked into his eyes, I mean really looked, I noticed that from a distance they looked violet but up close it was like a galaxy like the night sky itself, there were flecks of silver, blue, and violet within his irises and I couldnât help but wonder what he made of me.
âHiâ I said, giving him an awkward wave âIâm y/n, Iâm sure the long white dress is a dead giveawayâ
âItâs a pleasureâ he said âIâm Rhysand, but my family calls me Rhys and I would like you to do so as well if you feel comfortable with thatâ
I nodded my answer
âSo, whatâs your drink of choice?â he asked
âIâll take whatever youâre havingâ I said eying the glass of amber liquid he held in his hand
âA woman of refined tastesâ he teased âI think weâll get along fineâ
He poured me a glass and motioned for me to sit, I didnât enjoy being ordered around but I was intrigued by what he would say, what he would do given the situation.
âI can tell youâre nervousâ he said taking a sip from his glass âWhy?â he asked
âWhy wouldnât I be? I mean I am about to get married to a man who I hardly knowâ
âWhat exactly would you like to know?â he asked
âWell, for starters where will we be living?â
âIn my townhouse, in Velarisâ he answered simply
âWhat will my duties entail?â
âYou arenât my property y/n, youâll be free to do whatever you wish. If you want to be a part of official court conversations, you will be as my equal worthy of the respect my court gives me or if you want to shop and live a life of leisure you are free do so as well. The choice is yoursâ
I took a sip of my drink, relishing in the slight burn as the liquid slid down my throat. Freedom. I would be free.
âAnd what about my wifelyâŠdutiesâ I asked, âwhat about children, your heirs?â
âI would never take someone into my bed unwillingly. Yes, you will be my wife but you arenât some brood mare meant only for childbearing. Should you wish for a child, Iâm sure we can work it out and should you never want children then so be it. We are going to be equals y/n, on that I swear.â
I felt much more at ease with that, he was offering me a life, he was offering me freedom, freedom to make myself something and to decide what I wanted for my life. It was something I hadnât had.
For most of my life my parents had spent their time priming me to become the perfect wife. I learned to perform house duties like cooking, baking, sewing. I was taught history, and arithmetic and once I turned 16 my lessons transitioned to the ways to pleasure and please a man. Once they felt I was suitable for a match, they began making connections. Iâm not entirely sure how they landed on Rhysand, or how they got him to agree to a marriage, but I assumed it had something to do with their control on spices and mining resources.
But now.
Now I had the opportunity to be more than a wife. He said I would be his equal. I felt the faint fluttering of butterflies in my stomach at the thought. I would outrank my parents; I would no longer be under their control and the thought had me practically running to the altar to say âI doâ
ây/n?â Rhysand pressed âare you alrightâ
âAbsolutely, Iâm just thinkingâ
âCan I ask about what?â
âAbout my futureâ
âItâs a lot to think aboutâ he agreed, finishing his glass
I downed the rest of the liquid in my glass âWhat time is it?â I asked
âHalf-past sevenâ he said checking his watch âI should probably go back downstairs, make sure everything is in orderâ
âI didnât get a chance to thank youâŠfor all of thisâ I said
âWell, for starters you can follow through with your end of this deal and promise not to leave me up at the altar aloneâ he joked
I smiled, he really had a great sense of humor and I think we could even become friends.
âI wouldnât dare embarrass a high lord like thatâ I teased back
âIâll see you down there.â He said standing as he made his way to the door âIâll be the one standing in the aisleâ
âAnd Iâll be the one in the white dressâ he nodded as the door closed leaving me alone on the roof.
I took some deep breaths before going back to my dressing room.
-----
I had to admit that it was beautiful. It was simple.
While being an arrangement, I still wanted my close friends and family present, it was a big day after all and I would only be doing this once. The setting was small and intimate, two rows on either side of the aisle and a simple arch where Rhys stood with the High Priestess.
When I made it down the aisle, Rhys took my hands in his, and the high priestess began the ceremony, I focused on the words being spoken in the old language. The priestess asked me to repeat after her:
âI take you, Rhysand, as my husband; to stand strong and equal by my side. by destiny we are aligned. W-We will face challenges together and find st-strength in our union. By the Sun, Moon, & Stars.â
The priestess nodded as she continued, and I repeated after her.
âMay we always be as happy as we are today. May the mother give us knowledge on our way to come. May she bless us with strength and courage, and may she grant us safety, family, and prosperity.â
As if sensing my anxiety, Rhys squeezed my hand, the small gesture grounded me as Rhysand repeated the same vows. We then moved to the hand-cord portion. The priestess projected her voice to us and our guests.
âYou were asked to choose ribbons in 3 colors to be woven together as a tangible symbol of the values and virtues that you hold dear in your lives and in your union. You chose red, symbolic of fire and passion, so that your love may always be bright, warm, and passionate. Green, representative of delicate leaves, symbolic of growth, so your love may be fruitful and vibrant, and your happiness abundant. And black, to represent wisdom, success, and strength.â
As she spoke, she wrapped the ribbons around out joined hands, tucking the ends into each other and placing her hands on top to offer the final blessing.
âThese are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, for a lifetime of happiness. These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes, tears of sorrow and tears of joy. These are the hands that will comfort you in illness and hold you when fear or grief racks your mind. These are the hands that will hold you tight as you struggle through difficult times. These are the hands that will give you support and encourage you to chase your dreams. Together, everything you wish for can be realized.â
She looked between us and our joined hands as she spoke the next part
âThis cord of three braided ribbons symbolizes so much. It is your life, your love, and the eternal connection that the two of you have found with one another. The true bonds of this handfasting are not formed by these ribbons, or even by the knot connecting them. They are formed instead by your vows, by your pledge, your souls, and your two hearts, now bound together as one. May your hands be forever clasped in friendship, and your hearts joined forever in love⊠by the power vested in me by the cauldron and the mother, I declare you husband and wife. You may kiss.â
Before I had time to panic about kissing him his mouth was on mine. It was a quick but firm kiss purely out of necessity.
And just like that we were married.
We decided to make our rounds and say hello to all of our guests before leaving. Rhysand walked us to his group of friends, I hadnât officially met them yet, but Iâm sure that would come once he whisked me away to the night court. They clapped him on the back and gave him wide smiles, even though our situation was unusual they seemed to support him. They had such an easy familiarity. They just seemed to understand each other.
I stood there pondering my circumstances, in truth, I was excited to be on my own, even if that meant being attached to Rhysand. I would be in a new home, a new place, and away from my parents. I had never even been away on my own and now I would be saying goodbye to them for the foreseeable future. Perhaps I would find my own friends, my own family and that thought electrified me.
The last people to talk to before we departed were my parents.
It was a brief meeting of polite conversation, I didnât dare show my excitement to be free of them. I spoke only when absolutely necessary but with each passing minute I became more anxious to leave. As if sensing my rising nerves, Rhys pulled me to his side and spoke excusing us.
âIt was a pleasure to meet you bothâ Rhysand said shaking my fatherâs hand and giving my mother a nod âbut itâs getting late and we should be going we have quite a ways to travel tonightâ
They both nodded in understanding and my mother, always one for the optics, pulled me into a final embrace and held me tight, taking the opportunity to whisper in my ear âRemember your lessons, donât disappoint usâ
I pulled away taking one last look at them before Rhysand grabbed me around the waist, winnowing us away.
-----
We arrived at the townhouse.
It was much cozier than I had imagined. Rhys gave me a tour starting in the foyer which was decorated with a red carpet, with wood-paneled walls and art on each wall. There were two rooms: on the left a sitting room with a black marble fireplace, lots of comfortable, but worn furniture, and bookshelves built into every wall. On the right was a dining room with a long, cherrywood table big enough for ten people. Down the hallway ahead there are a few more doors, which led to the kitchen.
Rhys led me up the wide oak staircase to a hall punctuated with chandeliers of swirled, colored glass that illuminated the bedroom doors and led me down the hall stopping outside a green door.
âThis will be your roomâ he said as he opened the door motioning me to enter.
It was quite beautiful. It was dark out but I could tell that the room faced the back of the townhouse, the large windows peered over the stone fountain in the center of the garden. I took in the décor, everything in the room was a dark, rich, wood and soft white, with touches of subtle sage. The bed was in the center of the far wall and was a massive cloud like thing, adorned in quilts and duvets of cream and ivory with accent pillows in various shades of green.
There was also an attached bathing room made of white marble, with a toilet, a claw-foot tub, and more windows that overlooked the garden wall and a thick line of cypress trees that bordered the property.
âThis is incredibleâ I said as we made our way back to the entrance of my bedroom.
âI want this to feel like your home, this is your space so feel free to make whatever changes you like.â He said
âRhys- I really donât know what to sayâŠthank youâ
âNo thanks necessary. I think we can help each other here.â Before I could ask him to elaborate, he continued âYou should get some rest, itâs been a taxing day for the both of us.â
With that he stepped out of the room âGoodnight y/nâ he said as he closed the door behind him.
As I looked around the room. my room I suppose. I couldnât help but think that this morning I thought my circumstances would be much different.
But now?
I think Iâm going to like it here.
--------------------------------------------------
Tune back in tomorrow for Day Four â€ïž
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Send this to ten other bloggers that you think are wonderful. Keep the game going, make someone smile!!! đ
I donât know how I missed this but thank you Naomi đ„°
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Ooohh the angst, I love it đ»
Will they or wonât they cop on and get together or will Frankie stick with Mary. Also something tells me Maryâs gonna be a bitch (could be wrong)
Canât wait for next part đ„°
Oops Baby - Juggling Act
Masterlist
Summary: Being best friends with Frankie meant movie nights, drinks with the guys and a shoulder to cry on when you got your hear broken. He is head over heels for you but you donât feel the same⊠yet a drunken mistake will tie your lives together forever!
Relationships: Frankie Morales x Reader
Warnings: Like AO3 I choose to give none. Read at own risk. 18+ (So... I know this took a while. Just been so unmotivated lately so been struggling to write. Hopefully with this is worth the wait. I'll be introducing a new plot twist this chapter to look out for that đ)
Series Masterlist - Part 1
Two months had passed since you'd told Frankie that you were pregnant. He had been a little slow to forgive what had happened that night. You had hurt him. Taken advantage of his attraction to you and it was something that you'd never forgive yourself for.
The rest of the group had also been slow to forgive your transgressions. You hurt one of them. You hurt all of them. But as the weeks went by, you did your best to prove to all of them how truly sorry you were.
Ben had been your biggest supporter.
"So how are things?" Ben asked as he sipped at his black coffee "You and Frankie getting on better?"
"They're better." You replied as you placed your mug on its saucer "He's been helping me with a few things. Started looking at prams and cribs."
"That's positive." Ben gave you a warm smile as he leaned over to give your hand a friendly squeeze.
"Yeah." You conceded, nodding as you fiddled with the rim of your drink.
"But?" Ben pushed and you looked at him like a deer in headlights.
"But?"
"There's clearly something that you're not telling me." The blonde scoffed and you let out a long sigh as you leaned back in your chair and rubbed your bump.
"He uh⊠Well, he suggested that he move in with me after the baby was born." You stated, "To help with the baby and stuff."
"So?"
"So⊠What if his feelings for me start to cause issues?" You questioned "I want to have feelings for him⊠I mean he's what every woman dreams of but I dunno⊠Just don't feel the same way he does." You finished with a shrug.
"Frankie's a big boy." Ben chuckled as he downed the last of his coffee and motioned for the waitress to top him up "I'm sure he can handle himself."
"I guess." You replied, sighing as you leaned forward to take another sip of your own beverage "Just don't want to lose him again."
"Then don't fuck him again." Ben snorted and you glared at him as you flipped him off.
"Smart ass."
âŠ
Frankie opened your front door with the key you'd had cut for him as he carefully balanced the takeout. He noted you were nowhere to be seen when he stepped inside so he called out to you whilst placing the takeout down on the table.
"In here." You replied from your office.
Frank placed the last container down before going in search of you. He could hear commotion coming from inside the spare room you had turned into an office a few years back so pushed the door open to you dismantling furniture.
"What the hell are you doing?" Frankie shrieked as he stepped further into the room.
"I wanted to get a head start on the nursery." You replied with a shrug.
"So you thought you would start dismantling heavy furniture on your own?" He growled, grabbing your attention.
"I'm pregnant Frankie⊠Not disabled."
"You shouldn't be doing this sort of thing on your own." He snapped "What if you hurt fell?"
"Frankie-"
"I'm just⊠I don't want you to do stuff that will risk the baby."
"Why would I risk the baby?" You scoffed and Frankie practically growled your name out as he replied.
"I get you are used to living alone and being independent but you are four months pregnant with our baby." He continued "If you would just read that book I got, you'd know that you shouldn't be lifting heavy shit like furniture."
You felt a pang of guilt at this statement. You deliberately ignored the book Frank had gifted you. You thought he was just being a know it all but now, seeing how he was pleading for you to listen to him, you realised that he was just trying to help.
"You're right." You sighed as you pushed yourself to your feet "I'm sorry."
"I got us take-out." He stated, changing the subject and you practically growled in delight.
"Thank god⊠I'm starved." Sprinted to the table, sighing in delight at the smells that greeted you.
"Got you your favourite." He piped up as he pushed the container towards you with some cutlery resting on top.
"Thank you, Frank."
The two of you then sat and ate as you showed each other different ideas for the nursery. You had found an all-in-one crib, the changing station at the end with drawers beneath it and the crib. Frankie showed you a chair he could that he felt would be great for you when you breastfed and a few dials he liked also.
"Helicopters?" You chuckled "What if we have a girl?"
"What⊠Girls can't like them too?"
You rolled your eyes at his statement but grinned when he stuck his tongue out at you in response. You loved how things were finally starting to ment. That you were starting to get the old Francisco back.
"You thought any more about me moving in here for a bit when the baby's born?" He asked between mouthfuls.
"I have." You replied simply.
"And?"
"And I just had one concern." Frank's brows pulled together in confusion as he looked up at you.
"Which is?"
"You have feelings for me Frankie." He went to say something but you stopped him in his tracks " I just⊠I don't want things to get weird between us."
"It won't be a problem." Frankie replied as he awkwardly scratched the back of his neck.
"How can you be sure?"
"Because I'm seeing someone." He replied plainly.
"Oh." You replied, a little shocked at his this news affected you.
"Yeah, I uh⊠Well, I met her a few days after you told us about the baby." He elaborated as a love-sick smile filled his features "I uh⊠Well, I didn't tell anyone cus it's still new but⊠Well, things are starting to get a little more serious so-"
"And she's okay with you moving in with the random chick you knocked up?" You scoff.
"She knows the situation and respects the fact I want to be involved⊠Want to help⊠Also, you're not some random chick!"
"How heroic." You grumbled, taking Frank by surprise.
"What?"
"Sorry⊠Nothing, just the hormones." You grumbled, trying to swallow past the lump in your throat.
"Are you jealous?" Frankie scoffed and you snorted.
"No, I'm not." You snapped "Just surprised you started dating when you're expecting a baby is all."
"Well, it's not like anything's ever going to happen between us." He stated as he forked more food into his mouth "I need to move on so that's what I'm doing."
"RightâŠ" You trailed off, feeling tears sting at your eyes as you finished the last of your food in silence.
When the plates were washed and cleared away, you answered Frank's question. You knew you were going to need help when the baby came.
"Yes." You said as you opened the door for him as he went to leave "I would appreciate it if you moved in for a bit after the baby comes."
"Great." Frankie replied as he beamed at you and kissed your cheek "It's gonna be great."
You watched him practically skip to his truck. Your fingers touched where he'd kissed you just moments before. You were so confused by these feelings you were suddenly feeling for a man that four months ago, you'd slept with and rejected. You blamed the hormones.
You couldn't suddenly have developed feelings for him surely?
âŠ
In the month that followed that evening, you and Frankie managed to clear out the office and start to paint it ready for the baby. You had your 20-month scan and after endless arm twisting and puppy-dog eyes from Frank, you agreed to learn the sex.
You were laying on the examination table, staring at the ceiling as the examiner prepped the machine for the procedure. You weren't exactly sure why you were so nervous. The baby had been active all morning, much to your chagrin and everything had been perfect on your last scan. Yet you couldn't help but worry that something might pop up.
"So, we ready to see how baby's getting on?" The doctor asked as she squeezed the gel onto your swollen tummy.
"Definitely!" Frankie replied. He was practically vibrating with excitement.
The doctor got to work looking for your little miracle. Finding them quickly and turning the screen so that you and Frankie could see the life you'd created together.
"Looking good mummy and daddy." Said the doctor sweetly as she grinned at you both "Did we want to learn the sex today?"
"Yes." Frank rushed out and you smirked at him, knowing how desperately he wanted to know.
"Let's have a look then." She said as she started to move the probe around, taking measurements as she went.
"Please be a girl. Please be a girl. Please be a girl." Frankie uttered under his breath, his hands enveloping yours as he stared at the screen awaiting the verdict.
"Well. She's measuring perfectly." The examiner stated and your heads shot up like Meerkats.
"She?" You asked and the doctor nodded.
"It's a girl?" Frankie squeaked and the doctor grinned.
"I can say with 90 per cent certainty that you are having a healthy baby girl."
Frankie choked back the sob that threatened to escape him at the news that he was going to have a daughter. He'd hoped from the moment that you'd told him you were pregnant that it was going to be a girl and his wish had been granted.
"Happy?" You asked, pulling his attention away from the screen and to you.
"Elated."
The doctor printed some pictures for you and sent you on your way with more tips for the last leg of your pregnancy. Frankie couldn't stop staring at the pictures as you left the building and made your way back to his truck, narrowly missing a lampost as he walked.
"Eye's up Morales." You teased as you guided the man to the car.
"I just⊠Just look at her." He gushed. His eyes were the size of saucers as he studied the pictures in his hands.
You smiled as you walked up beside him, resting your head on his arm as you both admired the pictures together. She was so clear. Her hands waving in front of her and her legs kicking. The first scan had been emotional but this one had just brought it all into focus. In four more months, you were going to be a mum.
"Can't wait to show everyone at the bar tonight." Frank said, pulling you from your thoughts "Ben's going to be stoked."
After a few more moments of wonderous staring, Frank finally helped you clamber into the car before getting in himself. You had loved the fact your appointment had fallen on drinks night so when you had suggested to Frankie that you surprise them with the news that night, he'd leapt at the chance. You had come up with a plan for how you were going to tell them. You just needed to set it up when they were out of earshot.
Frank dropped you home before making his way back to work and so then, with the rest of the afternoon off, you started to put your plan in motion. Come 6 it was time to leave. All three of the boys had offered to pick you up but you had declined. Wasn't like you could drink anyway.
Arriving at the bar, you managed to avoid the Miller brother's gaze as you snuck over to Fish who was standing waiting for you. With a quick hug and a peck on the cheek, you relayed your plan to him, smiling when he then passed that onto the barman whose attention he shortly grabbed. Then, when everything was in place, you walked with Frank as he carried the tray of drinks over.
"Ahhhhhh, that's what we want." Ben cooed as he helped Frank unload the tray before pouring everyone a glass.
"Who's the extra glass for?" Will asked. Something you hadn't noticed until he had pointed it out.
"That would be for me." Piped up an unfamiliar voice and you turned your head to seek it who owned it.
The was a pretty woman. Medium height with dirty blonde waves and striking eyes. She smiled shyly at you all as Frankie stood to throw his arm around her shoulders.
"Everyone, I'd like you to meet Mary." He said proudly "Mary this is everyone." He chuckled "The blonde Labrador over there is Benny⊠The more reserved blonde there is Ironhead-"
"Will is fine." The older Miller interjected.
"And this lovely lady here is Titch." He finished with a smile.
You gave her a wave, trying your best to hide the turmoil you were feeling with a smile. At first glance, she seemed nice. A little on the shy side but pretty in a girl-next-door kinda way. She wasn't stick thin. On the curvier side but her dress sense did nothing but accentuate her best features in all the right ways.
"So this is mummy to be." She piped up and she held her hand out for you to shake "I'm so happy to meet you. Frankie's told me all about you."
"All good I hope?" You joked and she grinned and nodded.
"Of course."
"Here, sit with me, baby." He purred as he pulled a chair up next to him, smiling sweetly when she popped herself down and leaned in to kiss him.
"So why are we only meeting this lovely lady now?" Ben pushed, his eyes glancing at you and noting how uncomfortable you looked.
"Well, Frank wanted to make sure this was something serious before introducing me to you all." She teased "Y'all obviously very important to him."
"Damn right." Will piped up, grinning at the look he got from Fish.
The table erupted into twenty questions for the next half an hour. Everyone but yourself wanted to know everything there was to know about Mary. Glancing at his watch, Frank noted it was time so coughing to grab your attention, he changed the direction of the conversation.
"Well, I think Mary's had enough interrogating for one evening." He joked, noting that the barman was preparing their surprise "Don't you guys wanna know how the scan went."
"Oooooh!⊠I do I do I do!" Ben answered as he positively bounced in his chair "How was it? Everything okay?"
"Everything is perfect." You replied with a smile. Glad to be off the subject of Mary for a while.
"We actually have a little surprise for you all." Frank piped up when he spotted the barman walking towards them.
"What is it?" Will asked excitedly.
"Is it twins?"
"No, it's not twins." You chuckled "We would have known that months ago if it was."
"What is it then?"
"Special order for ya." Said the server as he placed three cocktails down on the table.
"There's gotta be a mistake." Ben started "We wouldn't order pink cocâŠ" The younger Miller trailed off as he shared a look with his brother before looking up at you and Frank "Really?" He squeaked and you nodded.
"Someone mind clueing me in here?" Will piped up and you chuckled wetly.
"They're having a girl." Ben replied, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Shit, that's awesome!" Will cheered as he stood up to hug you both "Congratulations."
"This is great news baby." Mary cooed as she kissed Frankie sweetly "I knew that's what you wanted."
For some reason. The fact she knew he wanted a girl before you made you want to scream. This was supposed to be your journey to share with him. Yet you knew you had no right to be jealous of her.
Frank had offered himself to you and you had rejected him.
You didn't even feel like that for him.
"Ugh⊠This little princess is using my bladder as a trampoline." You pipped up as you pushed yourself to your feet "Back in a few."
With that, you made your momentary escape. Desperate to get away from the happy couple for a while. After relieving yourself, you snuck outside for a moment. Needing another few minutes before rejoining your party. You breathed in the crisp evening air and willed the tears that threatened to spill.
"Titch?"
Frankie's voice made you jump and your hand grasped your chest as you willed your heart to slow.
"Jesus Frank." You grumbled, "Nearly gave me a heart attack."
"Sorry." He replied, "You okay?"
"Mhmm." You nodded, not trusting yourself to speak.
"Titch⊠What's wrong."
"Nothing I justâŠ" You sniffed as you tried to pull yourself together "I just wasn't expecting you to bring her tonight of all nights."
"Why are you crying?" You growled at his question, not wanting to answer it but knowing he wouldn't drop it if you didn't "Titch?"
"Seeing her with you hurts!" You growled "There! Ya, happy? Seeing you with her has made me sad and I don't understand why."
"Titch-"
"I just hate the idea of you being together⊠This is supposed to be our journey and then I learn that she knew you wanted a girl before I did andâŠ"
"You had your chance to share this journey with me Titch." He stated plainly and you nodded, knocking the traitorous tears loose.
"I know that." You growled "I just⊠I don't understand what I'm feeling right now."
"Come inside." You nodded, following him in wordlessly and rejoining the rest of the party.
"Everything okay Titch?" Ben asked when he noticed your eyes were red.
"Yeah⊠Just these damn baby hormones getting the better of me." You chuckled, leaning into him in a way you hoped would be reassuring.
"Man, those steaks look incredible." Will piped up as he eyes the food that had been delivered to the table across from yours.
"Fuck I miss steak." Frankie grumbled.
"Can't have it at all?" Ben asked, his voice taking on a sympathetic tone.
"Doc said to avoid it. I guess a steak once in a while won't kill me." Fish shrugged "I guess that's what you get for fucking up your heart with drugs." He joked, trying to lighten the tone.
"We all turned to shitty methods to cope man." Will said, remembering his own poor choices after he'd gotten out "Maybe save the steak treat for your birthday though."
"Sounds like a plan!" Mary agreed and she wrapped her arm around his and pulled him close "Your heart may be delicate baby⊠but you aren't where it counts." She finished with a wink, grinning at the growl this elicited from her boyfriend.
"Gross." Ben groaned, earning himself the finger from the happy couple.
"I should get going." You said suddenly, rubbing your belly and feigning a yawn "Baby is draining me, body and soul."
"Awe." Ben pouted, earning a kiss on the cheek from you.
"Night everyone."
You said your goodbyes and left. Glad to escape. You didn't understand why seeing Frankie and Mary together hurt so much. You should be happy that he found someone. He deserved to be happy and yet you found you couldn't be.
Then it dawned on you as you put your car in park.
"I have feelings for Frank!"
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Could I have 13 and 70 from the smut list with King Arthur?
A/N: Yes, yes, you can. :D Also took some inspiration from the live-action Cinderella movie. Thank you for reading, reblogging, commenting, and liking.Â
Pairing: King Arthur x F! ReaderÂ
Warnings: 18 + only for smut, p in vÂ
MasterlistÂ
Prompts: âYour parents would be royally disappointed if they saw what you have on right now. Even more disappointed at what Iâm thinking about doing to you.â& âI know all of your weaknesses.â
You fidgeted in your pretty gown for the eighth time in the last ten minutes, and your mother was less than pleased. âStop moving, ungrateful child, this is your chance to impress the King! A chance for us to rise among the nobles!â she hisses at you, pulling your shoulders back. A ball in King Arthurâs court, wearing a corset that did little to help in the way of breathing, and your overbearing mother is breathing down your neck. Your sister beside you covered her giggles with a cough as you rolled your eyes.Â
âOh, Lady Charlotte!â Mother smiles and thankfully leaves you for a moment alone. You take a deep breath and lower your shoulders, eyes scanning the room for exits.Â
âShe will catch you, you know,â your sister giggles again, âand drag you right back.âÂ
âI feel more like a prized bird on display than a woman,â you scoff, âdoes she honestly believe that the King is going to look at me in this ridiculous get-up and fall madly in love? We are peasants; how did we even get invited to this? Besides, I havenât even seen this King before; what if heâs some hideous brute? Maybe thatâs why they havenât commissioned any portraits of him.âÂ
âIâve heard heâs quite handsome and young.âÂ
âThe average life span of a person is only fifty or so years, so how young can he be, twelve?â you groan at seeing the large plume of your motherâs hat coming back your way. âI need to get out of here before mother sells me to the highest coin.âÂ
âQuickly then,â she shoos, âI know why you donât want to meet the King; heâll never compare with your handsome stranger.â She grins mischievously at you, and you hold your breath waiting for the fallout.Â
âHow did you know about that?âÂ
âSister, darling, you are not very good at hiding your feelings.â You glare at her, and she giggles, âI also saw the two of you by the creek when I was out fetching berries last week. Heâs quite handsome.âÂ
âThere you are!â Mother returns and puts her hands on your shoulders, pretending to show affection. âThe King is coming,â she whispers with a grin and moves to stand between the two of you. You look over at your sister and give her your best pleading face, mouthing the words, âplease donât tellâ she smiles and nods with a wordless âpromise.âÂ
The trumpets sound loud, and a man stands forward to announce the King. People sitting rise to their feet, girls around you giggle like children, several pushing up their chests, biting their lips, or pinching their cheeks for some extra color. You stand there with a lump in your throat, trying to swallow around it.Â
When the King makes his entrance, the crown glistening off the top of his head, your mouth slowly falls open on a gasp. âArt?â you whisper, your mother shushing you; you can feel your sisterâs eyes burn into the side of your face. Everyone around you bows and curtsies low in honor, but your body has frozen, your limbs no longer working.Â
âCurtsy,â your mother grabs your hand and pulls you down with a hiss, and you gasp, nearly falling to the floor with force. The noise draws his attention, and when the crowd rises, his eyes are staring intensely into yours. Those eyes you love, Art the apprentice, is the King of England. âHeâs staring at you,â you can hear the glee in your motherâs voice, but all you feel is dread.Â
The music begins to play, and several Lordâs come up to him showing their offspring off like a cow at the market. And for a moment, his eyes leave yours, and you bolt. âWhere are you going?â your mother moves to grab you, but your sister intervenes; God bless her. You walk as quickly as your skirts will allow towards the door to the gardens, and when you are on the threshold, an arm comes out to stop you.Â
âWait, milady,â you freeze, half wanting to rip your arm from his grasp and slap him across the face for his misdirection, the other half wanting to turn and get lost in the deep blue of his eyes. âMy love,â he whispers only for you to hear, âlet me explain.â The second half wins, and you turn slowly, noticing the entire ballroom is watching the scene with rapt interest. His eyes, as blue as the sky reflecting off the sea, have you unraveling before him. âDance with me?â he straightens to his full height, letting go of your arm and holding out a hand, âplease.âÂ
Your hand trembles as you bring it up and place it in his. The warmth that is usually so comforting seems to set your skin ablaze as you follow him to the middle of the ballroom. The music is slow, and you follow the steps with him in a carefully orchestrated dance. âTalk,â you whisper, âwhy did you lie to me?âÂ
âI didnât lie,â he grins, ânot exactly; I am still learning my trade, just like an apprentice.âÂ
You know all the eyes are on you, and you smile when he gives you a turn, stepping hard on his foot when you come around. He grunts but doesnât stop the dance, continuing each step. âThat wasnât very nice,â he smiles and says under his breath. âDid you forget love? I know all your weaknesses.â His words light the fire in your belly, and you see the mischief in his eyes as the dance comes to a close.Â
âWould you join me for a stroll in the gardens, Milady?â he asks loud enough for everyone to hear.Â
âYour Majesty?â Sir Bedivere strides over quickly, âthere are many ladies who wish to dance with you, my King; you wouldnât want to insult them.âÂ
âI need to make sure to give each of the ladies my adequate attention. Isnât that what you told me, Sir Bedivere?â he grins as the other man nods with a thin line of his lips. âI wonât be alone, donât worry, Sir Tristan will be my guard.â He looks over at the Knight, who has several ladies of his own to tend to, who nods with great reluctance. âSee?â he claps the older man on the shoulder and offers you his elbow. âMilady?âÂ
You donât have much choice, taking his elbow and following him over the threshold and into the gardens. Sir Tristan follows several steps behind, and you walk into the sprawling greenery. When you are about halfway in, he turns with a whistle, âOi, Wet Stick, bugger off for a bit; we need to have a chat.âÂ
âYou know this bird, boss?â he asks with a raise of his brow.Â
âYeah, sheâs the one I asked you to bring the invitation to,â you look up at him, alarmed.Â
âYou invited us? Well, arenât you just full of surprises,â you huff and walk further into the orchard part of the gardens, far from the prying eyes of the partygoers.Â
âShit,â he follows quickly behind, and you hear Wet Stick snigger and walk off in the other direction. âWait, darling, please.âÂ
You whirl around with a finger pushing into his chest, âWhat game are you trying to play? Find some pretty peasant girl, make her fall in love with you, and then embarrass her in front of all the Nobility in England. Was that your game?â You walk away from him and pace back and forth, âI canât believe I was so naive to think you cared.âÂ
âI do!â he reaches for you and holds you by the shoulders to face him, âI do care, love. I didnât want you to love me because I was a King, I wanted you to love me! Arthur, the man, not the crown. I never lied to you,â you glare at him with a hand gesturing to the crown on top of his head, âokay I neglected one small detail.âÂ
âOne,â you huff out a laugh pushing away his hands, âone small detail?! Arthur, youâre the fucking King of England! Iâm only a poor seamstress, with an insufferable widowed mother, who only dreams of becoming a part of the upper class!â You feel the tears swell in your eyes as the truth all comes crashing down on your shoulders; the man youâve been in love with for months is unreachable; theresâ no way he can marry you.Â
âListen to me,â he reaches for you again and takes three enormous strides pushing your back up against one of the apple trees. âLook at me.âÂ
Your mind wonât slow down, âwhat was your goal with having us come tonight? So you could shame me? Show off to the nobility that you are one with the people? Do you fuck every peasant girl you meet?âÂ
âListen to me!â he shakes your shoulders, and your eyes widen, looking up to see him. âListen to me,â he whispers, pressing his forehead to your own, âthere was no game. I saw you in the market ten months ago when I was in the city.âÂ
âTen months ago? Iâve only known you for sixâŠ.â
âI didnât know how to approach you; I couldnât just go up to you and say hello Iâm the King of bloody England, fancy a pint?â You canât help the smile that tugs at your lips, his curving up at the edges. âSo I dressed in my old clothes, snuck out of the palace, and started slowly talking to you. Then we went for a walk, and I couldnât stay away. Youâve bewitched me, love. My love for you is more powerful than the magic of the Mage.âÂ
âHonest?â you ask quietly with trepidation, âdo you mean that Art?â He smiles at the nickname he gave you, leaning down to kiss your lips softly.Â
âPromise, love. Itâs only ever and will only ever be you.â He runs his hand against your cheek, and you lean into his touch, letting yourself breathe for the first time all evening.Â
âI love you too, Arthur; Iâm in love with you.â His eyes soften as he gazes down at you.Â
âWe have to go back soon,â he whispers, kissing you softly, âbut do you think we got time for?â He wiggles his eyebrows, and you smack his arm with a laugh.Â
âIs that all you think about?âÂ
He grins and takes a step back, âturn around,â he whispers with a wink. You turn around slowly, gasping when your hands are pressed further into the tree trunk. âQuiet love, donât want anyone to hear us do we?âÂ
He moves quickly, unlacing the top of your corset and peeling the back open, letting it fall to the ground, your breasts sagging with the relief of being free. He palms your breasts, placing rough, scratchy kisses over your exposed shoulders. His hands come around to his waist, and he pushes up several layers of your skirts, reaching for your pulsing heat. He turns you around, and you reach your hands quickly down to palm him through his leather breeches.Â
Your hands falter on the fabric, and you look down with wide eyes, âI-I made these,â your voice shakes, âthey were commissioned a few weeks ago.â You look up to meet his warm eyes as he nods.Â
âI wanted to support you, and you are the best seamstress in the city. Only the best for the King,â he murmurs, almost shy.
âWell then, my King,â his eyes darken, âI will need to show my appreciation.â You tug open the breeches, and he slips them down his thighs, lifting your skirts the rest of the way.Â
He fumbles with the layers, and you giggle at the annoyed look on his face. âI swear, when we marry, I demand you just walk around naked at all times. These skirts are ridiculous.âÂ
You donât have time to respond, the words caught in your throat, as he lifts you and slides inside with ease. âFuck, always so wet for me, love,â his hips snap inside you, and his mouth tangles with yours, swallowing your moans.Â
âArthur,â you moan, feeling him stretch you on his majestic royal cock. This is not the first time youâve fucked, having given Art the apprentice your virginity in the woods several months ago, but this was the first time youâve fucked Arthur, the king, and he didnât disappoint.Â
âThatâs it, love, let me hear you, but only me, donât want any of them damn nobles to know I already made my choice. That I already fell in love months ago with a beautiful seamstress in the market.â He grunts, and your cunt flutters around his cock with every word. The love between you flowing over with each thrust of his hips.Â
âI- ah, I love you, Arthur,â you whimper against his neck, slick with sweat. The air is thick tonight, the incoming storm leaving the air thick and dripping.Â
He pulls back to look at you, punctuating each word with a snap of his hips, âI love you, youâre my Queen, always have been.â
You buck your hips against him, cumming with a silent cry, head thrown back in ecstasy. He thrusts three more times, and then you feel him cumming deep inside you, thick and warm it dribbles down the inside of your thighs. Heâd never done that before, always pulling out at the last moment. You open your eyes and look at him; his pupils are wide, almost black as he stares at you.
âNow they canât say anything,â he mumbles, and you furrow your brow. âYou may be carrying a little Prince or Princess now; I have to marry you.âÂ
You grin at what heâs done, his cock still buried inside you. âYouâre naughty,â you giggle.Â
âIâm naughty?â He asks with a smirk, âyour parents would be royally disappointed if they saw what you have on right now. Even more so at what Iâm thinking about doing to you.âÂ
âAnd whatâs that?â You shift your hips, and his eyes widen as you tighten around his cock.Â
His eyes soften, and he cups your cheek gently, bringing your lips softly to his own. The rub of his beard is rough on your cheek as he moves to your ear, âIâm going to end this party early and show you. I already made my choice a long time ago. But, are you ready?â He pulls back, looking deep into your eyes, âCan you stand by my side and love Arthur the King, as much as you love Art, the apprentice?âÂ
Your heart catches in your throat, blood roaring in your ears at his words; you lean into his hand warmly and on your cheek and close your eyes. Opening them slowly and looking into the sea of blue, âI love you, all sides of you, that doesnât change because of a shiny crown and a title.âÂ
He slowly pulls out, and you whimper as he lowers you back to the ground, pulling down your skirts and fixing your corset. You both work in silence to be presentable again, his eyes bright as he smiles at you, âThen, letâs go,â he murmurs, reaching for your hand, âI think itâs time to announce our engagement.â He snickers as you walk along beside him back towards the party.Â
âWhat are you laughing at?â you chuckle, watching his eyes filled with mirth.Â
âYour mother is going to faint,â he laughs beside you.Â
You groan and roll your eyes with a laugh, âGood, maybe she will be quiet for a few moments.âÂ
He booms out a laugh and pulls you close, kissing the top of your head, âoh my love, our life will never be boring.âÂ
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Wow this was HOT đ„”
a good marriage
Pairing: King Arthur x F!Reader
Wordcount: 2.1K
Warnings: smut. oral. rimming.
Summary: Arthur convinces his wife that he made the right choice. You show Arthur one thing he didnât expect.
A/N: @hotdamnhunnamâ requested a lil rimming with king arthur. i finished this thing in a unisom haze so likeâŠit might be weird. it also went way softer than i intended. yes i used this giant gif of him shirtless idc. also the slang in this is very historically inaccurate but this was also a Guy Ritchie film with giant snakes and wizards.Â
âWhat are you doing?â Arthur pants as he peers down at you between his legs.
âPleasing, my king,â you purr - arching an eyebrow - regarding him with a razor-sharp coolness. You spread your palm across the flat of his stomach. Your other hand traces below him - your deliberate fingers nudging beneath his balls. He jerks.Â
Your lips quirk down. âJust relax, you squirming bastard.â
âIs that any way to speak to the King of England?â he chides - knocking his foot against your knee. He feels slightly at your mercy - stretched on his back with his ass practically hanging off the bed and you petting at all his more vulnerable parts.
âNo,â you murmur as you fist his length and stroke him once - slow as honey - making him hiss. âBut I think that I can speak to my husband any way I please.â
He levels you with an even gaze - biting his lip. âYes,â he admits. âI suppose you can.â
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