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oleander-nin · 1 year

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Late Night Confessions(Rise! Raph x Reader)

A/N: Request by @/mgmendez2305 (on wattpad), I apologize for the inconvenience and the wait. I had to take creative freedom with this one, cause shower scenes make me uncomfortable :/. I have never written for a male reader b4, so I am so sorry if this sucks. No gendered pronouns used(because I don't like them), but reader is referred to as 'boyfriend'. I tried my best y'all. Any criticism is welcome, constructive or not.

Words: 2572

Summary: After training with your best friend, a talk about nightmares and doubts leads to a confession.

Warnings: Mentions of nightmares, Kraang, Post-movie stuff, confessions, being in the bathroom while someone takes a shower, male reader, Uno

Raph leads me through the cool down stretches, my arms stretching over my head as sweat drips down my nose and onto the floor below. I mirror Raph, my body following his own as he switches arms to stretch the other half of his body. I can hear the rest of the turtle brothers talking loudly, all three having ditched us as soon as Raph gave the go ahead. A part of me wanted to join them in their quick dash for freedom as the workouts Raph put us through were incredibly taxing, but ditching him so soon felt borderline cruel after he put in so much effort to help me. He designed a workout specifically for my body type and was helping me through every step, hyping me up as I progressed. Even if the aftermath made my arms and legs feel like lead, I still appreciated the time I got to spend with Raph.

“Raph thinks we’re down here. You feelin’ like sleepin’ over or do ya’ want me to bring you home?” Raph’s voice cut me out of my thoughts, snapping me back to reality as I meet his kind eyes.

“If you even think about making me walk all the way back home, I’m punching you in the face.” I huff out, sitting down on the floor and falling backwards until I’ve fully spread out my limbs. I can hear Raph laughing at me, a smile spreading across my face as his head appears directly in my line of sight. Raph looks down at me, a small smile gracing his features as he lightly kicks me with his foot.

“If you're gonna’ to stay, I suggest ya’ get up and head to my room to set ya’self up. The warm water’s gonna run out soon if we don’t hurry it up.”

I nod, rolling over onto my stomach and pushing myself up. I follow Raph, staying two paces behind him as we walk to his room. The rhythmic padding of our feet was calming as I walked the familiar path. Raph’s room was my favorite out of the four brothers, it felt so warm and safe in there. Figuratively of course, I wouldn’t step a foot in there if it was actually grossly warm. Raph sits on his bed and starts to undo his wrappings while I dig through the backpack I brought earlier. I had remembered to pack a bag before I left, knowing the training might go later into the night. Or that I might just want to stay over. I mean, was I really expected to say no to spending more time with my best friends and crush? Absolutely not, I would never pass that up.

“Are ya’ gonna stay in my room again?” Raph asks, his tone is soft as he finishes taking off his arm wrappings. I will never understand how they always get them wrapped so perfectly. I tried once and it fell off as soon as I moved my arm.

“If you want me on the couch, you’re going to have to drag me out.” I say jokingly, having finally found my pajamas. Raph nods in understanding, pulling off his final wrapping. I pull out the small bottle of soap I bring with me when I stay over, sitting down criss-cross style as I fiddle with my gym shorts. “Do you want to shower first or should I?”

A wave of anxiety rolls over Raph’s face at my question, and I feel confused. Did my question offend him in some way? Was I not allowed to take a shower? I had always been able to take a quick shower after a training session, but was there some unspoken rule about today? Maybe it was just Thursdays. I had yet to train with him on a Thursday, I think, so maybe they just, …don’t shower on Thursdays? I look up at Raph and noticed he was trying to say something. I really hope I didn’t just cross some unspoken boundary we had. I had no idea how to go about this.

“Actually, could ya’,” Oh thank goodness, he’s still talking to me. “hang out with me while I shower? Just, sit in the bathroom and talk to me? Raph is uhm, Raph doesn’t want to be alone.” I watch as Raph taps his knees where his hands were resting, his ‘Raph-chasm’ deep with nervousness. I was a bit taken aback by his request, but I overall didn’t mind it. It wasn’t like he was asking me to do something outlandish. I smile at him, holding my folded clothes in my hand as I slowly stood up.

“Yeah sure! I don’t mind. It’s boring waiting for you anyway.” Raph nods at my words and we both make our way to the bathroom. I could still feel the anxiety radiating off of Raph, his usually imposing figure now hunched over as if he’s trying to hide from something. I could feel his nervousness start to spread into me. Was something wrong?

“Raph?” I ask hesitantly, chewing on the inside of my cheek as I think about my next words. Raph lets out a non-committal hum, showing that he was listening, but not fully answering. “Why did you ask me to be in the bathroom with you why you shower? You’ve never asked that before. Is everything okay?”

Raph gulps, trying to put on a smile, but it quickly drops. “Raph’s scared to be alone.” I hear him mutter and I look at him in concern. I felt bad, I hoped I didn’t make him feel worse. I reach over and pat him on the arm, trying to comfort him. I send him a small smile, him hesitantly meeting it. It didn’t fully reach his eyes, but it was a start.

“Well, as long as I’m here, you’ll never be alone again.” I say, my voice full of false confidence. Raph snorts, a real smile finally starting to grow on his face. We stop in front of the bathroom and I hop on top of the counter, quietly whistling as Raph’s steps into the shower and turns on the water. The air slowly starts to steam as the steady stream of water coming from the shower head is heard over my whistles. I start to draw on the mirror with my finger as it fogs up, making little designs. I let my whistle tune die down, it being quiet for a total of two seconds before Raph whistles a tune of his own. I let out a laugh, us both whistling back and forth, making a small song. It was nice, just us being dorks again. I always cherished moments like these, a part of me worrying it would be the last time we could do something like this. I knew his line of ‘work’ was dangerous, and I was scared to lose him.

Eventually, Raph and I both fully showered and made it back to his room. I was in my pajama pants and t-shirt while Raph was in his onesie, both of us sitting on his bed with a deck of uno in between us. I stick my tongue out at Raph as I set down another +2, making him groan out as he realizes he lost the stacking. I cackle gleefully as he grumpily draws the 6 cards required.

As the game continues, my brain keeps jumping back to what he said earlier. He was scared to be alone. I knew he didn’t like being alone, having heard stories of savage Raph from his brothers, but I didn’t think it was this bad. Why did he only ask now? I glance up at him, setting down another card to keep the game going. Raph’s face of concentration was quite funny to me, especially since this was supposed to be a short game. I set down another card before sighing. The questions were starting to feel like they were burning in my chest.

Raph looks at me questioningly when I sigh, one eyebrow muscle raising in concern. Before Raph can say anything, I open my mouth, blurting out the question I’ve been dying to ask. “Why were you so afraid to be alone? It’s never bothered you this much before, that I know of.”

Raph glances at me over his cards, a hesitant look on his face. I watch him chew on the inside of his cheek, obviously debating on whether or not he should tell me. I sit up, straightening my back when he sighs, putting his cards face down on the bed as he meets my eyes. I fold my hands in my lap, trying to convey that I was listening. I had all my attention on him. “Raph’s nightmares are getting worse.”

My eyes soften at his words, and I reach out to grab his hand. He looks at me, a soft smile on his face as he squeezes my hand gently. I knew he and his brothers were deeply affected by what happened with the Kraang, and I wanted to try and help him in any way I could. “I keep thinking about it, how they were able to overtake me so easily. A part of me is scared that as soon as Raph’s alone, I’ll lose control again.” Raph sucks in a deep breath, his hands shaking. I continue to listen, my thumb rubbing his knuckles gently. “Raph doesn’t want ta’ hurt anyone.”

I smile softly at Raph, still trying to soothe his worries as I rub his knuckles. “You’re amazing Raph, you know that? I know it’s scary, but you have your brothers to support you. You have me.” My voice is gentle as I speak, the usual sarcasm coating it has dissipated. Raph smiles at me as he takes a deep breath.

“Thank you.” He simply states, squeezing my hands gently. “I’m sorry for putting all this weight on ya’.”

I roll my eyes at him, a small laugh escaping my lips. “Raph, you’d have to physically shut me out if you don’t want my help. I love you, I won’t let you go through this alone.” The confession slips past me without me realizing. I watch as Raph’s eyes go wide before I realize what I just admitted. I open my mouth, trying to think of an excuse to what I’ve just said. I’ve never said that before, not even as a joke. Could I play this off? Did I even want to? Raph sits silent in front of me, his eyes scanning me, looking for something I didn’t know. Was he upset?

“I-I’m sorry, I didn’t.. I, uhm..” I start dumbly, my mouth gaping like a fish. I pull my hands away from Raph’s quickly, almost as if they burned me. I feel the familiar rush of shame settle in my stomach, Raph’s face never changing. I felt like I wanted to puke. I hang my head, taking a deep breath. “I’m sorry.”

Raph’s brows furrow at my words, his hands taking mine again when I try to turn away. I look at Raph in confusion, opening my mouth to ask what he was doing, but Raph’s words interrupt me. “Did you mean it?” I study Raph’s face, trying to decipher what he meant. Was he asking about the confession? Raph notices my subtle confusion and clarifies. “The confession. Did ya’ mean it.”

I nod my head, not meeting Raph’s eyes. A smile grows on Raph’s face, his hand tugging me forward and I’m pulled into a bear hug by the mutant turtle, mindful of his spikes. I blink twice, having not expected this reaction. I slowly bring up my arms, hugging back. I feel Raph give a gentle squeeze before pulling away to look at my face. His eyes were big and he looked overjoyed. I felt a smile grow on my face as well, hope starting to build up in my chest.

“Raph like ya’ too.” He beams, his smile seeming to split his face in two. I start to laugh, him soon joining in as I pull him into another hug. We both just sit there for a while, enjoying the other's presence and hold. I could feel my heart hammering in my chest. Every worry that had built up slowly washed away, dripping off me and dissipating into the air. I hear Raph mumble something and I look up at him, asking him to repeat it. Raph’s cheeks start to burn as he looks away from me, taking a small breath before repeating his previous words.

“Will ya’ be my boyfriend?”

I feel my heart buzz in my chest as I look at Raph, his question making my entire body light up. I eagerly nod, confirmations spilling out of my lips as I hold onto him tight. Raph laughs as I throw my arms around him, leaning against him as my body vibrates from the joy flowing through my veins. I feel the rumble of Raph’s chest as he breathes, his forehead resting against mine. I wanted to pause the world, to stay in this moment forever. I felt like I would burst at the seams from how elated I was, my wide smile starting to hurt my cheeks.

“Can I kiss you?” I ask softly, looking into Raph’s eyes while our foreheads were still connected. Raph looks uncertain, his non-existent eyebrows furrowing at my question. I worried I was too forward, but he didn’t pull away.

“I’ve never kissed anybody before.” He admits shyly, his forehead still against my own. We were so close, I could see every detail of his face, every scale and scar popping against his rough skin. I let out a small laugh at his confession.

“Wow really? You mean the giant mutant turtle that’s been living in the sewers his whole life hasn’t kissed anyone yet? Gosh, who would’ve guessed.” Raph snorts at my sarcasm, rolling his eyes. I could see the red showing through his scaly skin, his skin starting to feel warm. It was nice. I tried to ignore the growing heat in my own cheeks, glad he couldn’t see the red through my skin. My voice grows a bit softer, losing its teasing edge. “If it makes you feel better, I’ve never kissed anyone either.”

Raph leans up, connecting his lips with mine and I panic a bit from the abruptness. Sure I asked for this, but I was expecting more of a warning. The fog in my rain starts to settle, leaning into the kiss as I try to remember how it’s done in the movies. I tilt my face, trying to replicate something I can’t quite picture in my mind, but my nose roughly smashes against Raph’s snout. We both pulled away, me rubbing my nose while Raph sheepishly grinned at me. I looked up at Raph, his large figure hunched over slightly as his eyes scanned me over. Our eyes meet and I just start giggling, not being able to stop. I hear raph’s chuckles join mine, both of us delving into full on belly laughs. The euphoria I felt being near this man was bubbling out of me, a grin stretched wide across my face. Our giggles start to die down, Raph wiping a tear from his eye as he meets my eye.

“Want to try again?”

My lips meeting his once more were my final answer.

#rise raph #rottmnt #rise of the tmnt #raphael #raph rottmnt #raph tmnt #rottmnt raph x reader #rise raph x reader #raph x reader #male reader #raph fanfic #tmnt #teenage mutant ninja turtles #rise of the teenage mutant ninja turtles #tmnt fanfic #fanfic #rottmnt fanfiction #rottmnt x reader

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midnight-bay-if · 28 days

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Introducing the Team (starring Simon, Taj and Rain).

Since this scene ended up being cut from my if, I figured I'd post it here instead. I assigned random genders to the characters for the sake of this short scene.

A black Bentley pulls up to the crime scene, bathed in neon flashing lights from the surrounding emergency vehicles. The tinted-out windows obscure the occupants from the gathering crowds hovering around the yellow tape cornering off the scene.

The driver turns off the engine, then adjusts their mirror slightly, only for his scowling backseat passenger to come into view.

Simon sighs. "What's the issue now, Taj?"

Taj folds her arms, staring out the window. "I just don't understand why we're here."

Simon shakes his head. Sometimes he feels he'd be better off with a pestilent child as an infiltration expert rather than lithe, young woman behind him. At least children are cute when they pout.

"We're here because this is where we've been sent," Simon replies simply.

"And why are we doing as we're told?" Taj bites back.

Simon rubs his eyes before taking off his glasses and inspecting them for dust. "It's not about doing as we're told, Taj."

Simon's other passenger and colleague, Rain, who has been sitting in the front seat and quietly observing the interaction, chooses now to pipe up. "This is where we're needed," they explain kindly. "We go where we're needed."

Taj scoffs, furrowing her brow further. "Right."

Suddenly, there's a knock on the window. Simon begins winding it down and is greeted by a disgruntled middle-aged man with greying dark brown hair and lightly tanned skin. From the fraying in his suit hiding beneath that brown leather jacket and pinned badge, Simon would have to conclude this to be the lead detective on the case.

Once the window is fully wound down, the man in question eyes up the car's occupants one by one before finally speaking. "So, I assume you're who they sent."

"I would imagine so," Simon replies with a simple smile. There's little need to clarify who he means by 'they'. "And you are?"

The gentleman in question grumbles as he unhooks the badge, holding it up closer to Simon's eyeline. "Detective Alek Graves."

From the dismissive way Detective Graves speaks, it's clear that he is already predisposed to dislike Simon and his team. It's not an unusual reaction. A car full of scrupulous-looking individuals pulls into town, ready to take over your case, and there's nothing you can do about it?

Yes, dislike for Simon is very typical. However, Simon doesn't need to be liked in order to get his job done. Just co-operated with.

Unwilling to have his manners questioned, Simon reaches into his own jacket pocket, bringing out their government-issued operative badge. "Operative Simon Selby," he says promptly. "These are my colleagues."

Alek nods as he scrutinises the badge carefully. "Seems a bit strange for the government to take an interest in this case now."

Sensing Simon's patience was running short; Rain leans over from the passenger side with a huge friendly grin only they seem to be able to muster up the energy for in the middle of the night. "We promise not to be too intrusive. Maybe an extra pair of hands will be enough to finally close this care for good?"

"A few ground rules," Graves says, leaning a little further into the car. Simon bites his tongue to stop himself from chastising the man for pressing himself against his car. Does anybody have any manners anymore? "This is still my case. Anything you find should also be reported to me."

Simon is about to interrupt to explain they are under no obligation to report anything to him, but Rain quickly rests their hand on his arm to silence him. "Of course, sir. Anything else?"

"This town..." Detective Graves pauses, an air of concern surrounding him like a black cloud. "It's been through a lot. There are people here who have suffered."

Simon sees the detective hold his breath.

"Don't add to it," He finishes, a clear warning.

Simon's exhales, his posture loosening. A look of understand passes between the Detective and himself. Too many use their position as a power trip, but it's clear that isn't what Graves is trying to achieve.

"Also," Sheriff Graves continues. "If you see a young P.I. sniffing around the crime scene, let me know."

The whole team perks up at the odd request. "Someone I should be worried about?"

He bites his lip. "Worried? No. They're harmless enough." The 'enough' in that statement is alarming. "They just shouldn't be here, that's all."

Simon nods, waving the Detective off as he steps away from the vehicle. With his car freed from the confines of the Detectives presence, he takes the opportunity to pull out a wet wipe and wipe down the side of his vehicle. Rain shakes their head at this, whilst Taj rolls her eyes. Simon ignores them.

"It seems like this could be a difficult case, Simon," Rain speculates, increasing the tension.

"Great," Taj mumbles from the back seat.

Simon stares out the window at the red and blue blinking lights he's grown to accustomed to seeing. "We better get to work then."

#interactive fiction #midnightbayif #interactive story #cut content #love interest POV

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shirohige-pirates · 8 months

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Birds of a Feather

CisFem Reader x Marco

CW: Violence, blood, language, adult themes and scenes. 18+ only

Summary: Life has not been kind to you. After a string of bad relationships, you're a little jaded and a little depressed in all honestly. The worst day of your life seems to be the turning point, but the roller coaster ride that follows could either throw you soaring free, or have you caged forever?

Chapter 10: Teenagers in Love

You leaned back against him in the dark hall, his hands slowly unzipping your hoodie as you stood in the entrance hall. There was little left to be said, and there was just enough light that you could see the outline of his fingers against your dark clothes. But even if you couldn’t see him, you were aware of him.

Breath hot against your ear, strong hands pulling your hoodie back and down your arms slowly. He was taking his time, and wouldn’t be rushed.

Not that you wanted to rush him.

Dinner at Thatch’s restaurant had been nearly perfect. Marco’s brother was as comfortable to talk to as Marco was, and by the end of the meal you were bantering playfully with both of them. A single drink, delicious as it had been, wasn’t enough to dull your senses, but it was enough to take the edge off of your concerns.

Marco’s fingers undo your belt, the soft click of thin metal is the only sound you can hear over your rising heartbeat. Your hands are on his arms, not because you need to keep yourself steady, but because you want to touch him, and you both have too much on still.

He undoes the top button of your jeans and you slip out of your shoes, taking a step away and looking at him over your shoulder. He takes his own shoes off, quicker than you think he should be able to, but you’re too focused on other things to care. Pulling your shoulder purse off you set it on the counter and turn to face him.

There’s a light in his eyes, and while they’re still hooded, there’s no denying the fire burning in them.

“I’d… like for you to come inside, when we get to my place.” You say it softly, squeezing his fingers. You couldn’t quite bring yourself to look over at him, the fear of rejection making it hard to muster up your earlier confidence.

“Am I being a gentleman?”

“… I’m not going to confine you to my living room.”

“Allow me,” he says, a voice heavy and almost demanding, as he reaches for your belt and tugs it free of your jeans while you start to pull his belt loose.

You step back as he steps toward you, letting him close the gap enough to almost meet your lips before you shift with a smile. He drops your belt on the floor while you pull his free, letting it fall to the floor as you take another step.

The smile on his face promises he’s enjoying the teasing display, and he pulls his t-shirt off, grabbing one end as he brings it down behind your back. He uses his shirt to pull you to him as he steps forward, keeping you from taking another step back.

You gasp a little, suddenly pressed up against him. He tosses the shirt aside, hands on your body before you even realize you’re free and holds you in place as he leans down and kisses you. The heavy kiss makes you moan, your fingers holding onto his arms as your soft gasp of pleasure is enough for his tongue to push into your mouth.

Marco’s hand cradles your head, and he nearly lifts you up as he takes a couple more steps toward the hall leading down to your room. You can’t help the surprise squeak he devours, with how easily he lifts you, your toes just barely leaving the floor before you’re set back down.

“I can be a gentleman in any room of your house, yoi.” He says, glancing at you from the corner of his eye.

“Do you want to be a gentleman?” You prompt, looking down at your hands.

“What I want isn’t important just yet.”

“… Do you want to sleep with me?” You question after a moment, turning toward him.

You have one hand on Marco’s shirt as you take a step back, looking over your shoulder just enough to make sure you’re headed down the hall and not into a wall. Your other hand is holding your pants up, which desperately needed the belt to stay in place.

“Do you really want to keep those?” He questions, taking another step toward you as you grin and step back.

“At least until you lose that other shirt.”

He smiles, starting to pull the shirt up. The hallway is darker than the living room, but as you step further into it, the dim light of the living room rims his body. The soft glow follows along muscles you were pretty sure you knew where there, but seeing them shift and ripple as he tosses the shirt aside was something else.

Your eyes shift from the edges of his body to the center of it and you let go of your pants as you see a large, and completely unexpected, tattoo on his chest. You get tangled in your pants and start to fall backward, but before you’ve even registered the sensation of falling, Marco’s grabbed you. One hand on your arm, the other around your waist.

“Careful, yoi.”

You let out a nervous chuckle, eyes shifting from his smile to his chest. He rights you, as you step out from your pants entirely, heart thundering in your chest. Your hand reaches for the door handle to your room, eyes locked onto those bright blue ones as you push the lever down and open the door. Stepping backward into the room you hook a finger through the belt loop of his pants, pulling him forward.

Marco’s hands tighten on the steering wheel. “Yes.” He answers.

“Then I want you to come in and show me what you want.” You admit, as he pulls into your driveway.

Marco puts the car in park, turning off the engine. “And if I don’t want to be a gentleman?”

You grin as he turns toward you. “Even a brute stops when someone says a safe word.”

Marco steps toward you as you tug on his pants, scooping you up and nearly putting you over his shoulder. A surprised noise escapes you before you begin to laugh as his fingers tickle down the backs of your legs.

You don’t have a chance to beg him to stop before he shifts and lets you drop a bit onto your bed, bouncing slightly against the mattress. His arms are under your legs and he pushes you further onto the bed when you bounce. You’re still giggling from the earlier tickling and surprised with how well he’s effectively man handling you, but you realize he’s pretty practiced at moving someone around like this.

“What’s the safe word, pretty bird?” He prompts, setting his knee on the mattress between your legs.

You open your legs, making enough room for his other knee. “Red.”

“Mmm.” He hums, leaning over you, eyes holding your gaze as he leans down enough to kiss you.

You let your fingers wander over his skin as you hum into the kiss, turning your head as needed when he shifts his weight. One arm sinks into the bed as his opposite leg shifts, pulling your legs open a little wider.

He breaks the kiss as the thumb of his free hand traces down the middle of your chest, and down your stomach. His eyes are on you, soft smile on his face as your hands are on his shoulders, your body already squirming with need before his fingers slip under the band of your panties.

He moves his fingers back and forth a little, teasing you without going any further down.

“If you t-tease me, I’ll pin you down and ride you my d-damn self.” You say, trying to assert yourself despite the soft gasps escaping you.

“Say my name, yoi.”

You feel a shiver rattle in your chest. “Haa, w-why?”

“I like the way it sounds.” He leans down, letting his fingers move just a little closer to your throbbing clit, and whispers in your ear. “I want to compare it to all the other sounds you’re going to make for me tonight.”

You can’t remember the last time you whimpered, but you do as he leans back a little, and cover your face with your hands. You hear a pleased chuckle come from him and you will your hands away from your face, holding onto him again. Try as you might, you can’t bring yourself to look into his eyes right now.

“M-Marco…” You manage quietly.

“Once more,” he says, and you feel him and the air around him tense. The shift is enough to pull your gaze back toward his, and the sharp look in his eyes makes your heart thump.

“Marc-aahhhh-mmngh!” You gasp, clutching onto his arms as his hands shifts and his finger hits your clit. The sudden, almost rough sensation makes your back arch a little, but even with your squirming his finger doesn’t lose its place.

“M-Marco!” You gasp his name, body squirming more as he relentlessly teases your clit. That sharp gaze is still on you, softened by the satisfied smile that was accompanying it. Usually someone’s finger would slip away when you squirmed and you’d get a second’s reprieve before things continued, but he wasn’t giving you that mercy and you were coming undone fast.

“I’m gonna, haaaa-shit! I’m going to cum!” The flat of his palm laid against the lower part of your stomach, holding you in place a little as your legs twitched and kicked, his finger staying right where he wanted it.

“Don’t fight it.” He says evenly, leaning down closer and pushing your legs wider with his to subdue your trembling body a little as he continued to tease you.

“I, haaa, could-couldn’t if I wah-wanted to!” You cry out. The building pleasure is so fast it’s a little overwhelming, but you want to know how it’s going to feel. “Don’t stop, don’t stop!”

“I won’t.” He promises, kissing your forehead before returning to watching your face.

“Haaaa-fuckin’ ha-ells, I’m going to-!” Your voice is a shivering, breathy mess, and Marco’s gaze doesn’t look nearly so sharp in your hazy vision. “Going to kuh!” The word breaks in your throat as your entire body tenses for a second.

You suck in a breath after your muscles relax a little, the pleasure of the orgasm still flooding your body and Marco follows the breath, kissing you deeply. Your cries of pleasure are muffled by his lips and shifted around by his tongue as though he’s savoring the flavor of them.

He leans back, giving you one more soft kiss before sitting back on his heels and removing his hand from between your thighs. A few small shivers twitch through your limbs as he smiles down at you, lifting your legs up and bringing them together.

“You… you’re not done, I’m not-.”

“I’m not done.” He assures you, chuckling a little as he tugs your panties up and off your legs. “I thought I had it in me to be patient no matter what.” He muses, bringing your legs back down on either side of his thighs. “That I could savor every moment, and not be rushed like some horny teenager.”

He pulls his pants and boxers down enough to free his already stiff cock, stroking it lazily. He reaches behind himself, pulling his wallet free and holding it toward you. You don’t seem to notice it at first and he chuckles.

“Pretty bird.” He hums, pulling your gaze back up to his. “Help me out a little.”

“Ah, sure, sure.” You nod, reaching past the wallet and wrapping your hands around his hard shaft. He sucks in a breath, bucking his hips a little as he moves his hand out of your way.

“Th-that works.” He agrees shakily, and you can hear small grunts as he tries to focus on getting a condom out of his wallet.

You bite your lower lip, running your fingers and palms against his stiff flesh. He seems to be caught between trying to hurry to get the condom on and not wanting to stop you. Clasping your hands together, twining your fingers, you stroke him with your palms, running your thumbs against the underside of his dick and rubbing slow circles as you move to the tip.

“Sssshit,” he puts the edge of the condom wrapper between his teeth, grabbing your hands in his and pulling them away before he traps both your hands in one of his. Using his one free hand he rips the package open, letting out a slow breath.

“You asked for help.” You tease, fingers flexing inside his grip.

“Lesson learned, yoi.” He retorts, a smile on his face as he releases your hands to get the condom on faster. Before you can get your greedy fingers wrapped around him again, he has it against your soaked folds, stroking against you slowly as he catches your hands in his again.

Marco pins your wrists to the bed, attacking your neck and shoulders with kisses. You gasp, laugh and moan as he works, the sudden actions catching you off guard in a good way. You rock your hips, grinding back against him and getting rewarded with a hot gasp of air against your skin.

“Marco,” you murmur and feel his body tense.

You can feel the smile on his lips as he kisses up your neck and nips your ear a little. “As you wish, pretty bird.” He nearly purrs the words before he shifts his hips.

The tip of his cock pushes against your clit a little before it shifts down, slipping between your labia and pushing slowly into you. You’re wet from your earlier orgasm, and you certainly hadn’t cooled down in the short time since. Your fingers flex in his grip, and you gasp a little, your legs opening wider as your toes flex.

“Haa, haa, m-more,” you breathe as he kisses you. The soft fluttering kisses give you enough space to say something if you need to as he works in deeper, stretching you slowly despite his earlier spoken impatience.

“I – hnngh – won’t, won’t break. Marco you can go f-faster.” You grin as he looks into your eyes. “Stop being such a gentleman, doc.”

He makes a face, before leaning down and capturing your lips, pushing his tongue into your mouth. You manage to mumble his name a little before he pushes the rest of the way into you. You moan into the kiss, your body twisting in pleasure as you were held under him.

“Shit,” Marco swears so softly you almost don’t hear it.

You can’t help yourself as silent giggles make your body shake. Marco looks at you, a mix of inquisitiveness and amusement on his face. You bite your lower lip and shake your head.

“N-Nothing, it’s nothing.” You managed to say, trying not to laugh.

Marco rolls his hips causing you to gasp. “Mmhm. What has you so amused, hm?”

You shake your head harder. “It’s mean,” you admit, moving your hips and urging him to move. “I can’t say it.”

“Hm… I wonder how many times I can deny you another orgasm before you’ll tell me, yoi.” He muses, pulling back slowly and pushing back in just as slowly. Letting go of your wrists he reaches behind you and undoes your bra before pulling it off and away.

“You wouldn’t.” You look at him and the smirk on his face and feel the blood rush through you. “… you would. Seriously though, it’s mean!”

“I forgive you.” He prompts with a cheeky grin, keeping his slow pace.

“… if you came too soon like some teenager I’d promise not to tell Thatch.” You grumble looking away as you feel the heat rise to your face.

There was a flicker of light, or so you thought, but whatever it was, it was gone too fast. Your searching eyes found Marco’s and for a split second his eyes were wide enough that you could see the entire circle of his bright blue irises in the dark. Like the flicker of light, the sight was gone almost as fast as you noticed it and you didn’t get time to dwell on it.

Marco pinned your wrists over your head, hooking one of your legs with his free arm as his hips started to thrust into your needy pussy faster. Bent over you like he was, the angle and position left his lower abs to grind against your clit every time he filled you up.

Even with him saying he wasn’t going to be a gentleman, somehow you had expected your first night with the laid back vet to be soft and slow, and maybe even more awkward. But you couldn’t wiggle away from the pleasure he was pushing into you, you couldn’t even hope to wrest control at this point.

“M-Marco, I-I-I said it was m-mean, I’m-!” He slows a little leaning down and kissing you, tongue in your mouth like it belongs in there more than your own. It’s not anger that’s driving him, you know what that feels like, Kid was good at all the shapes anger could take.

This was something else.

Passionate. Insistent. Determined.

Prideful.

You relax and let him dominate you. You’d always resisted. You weren’t the little mouse scurrying about in the world, you were powerful. You were the Great Keeper – strong, and beautiful, and full of pride. Marco wasn’t the only one with a secret devil fruit beating in his soul, but whatever his was, you deferred to it.

And you did so in a way you had never done before.

“Please,” you murmur as he leans back from kissing you. Your brain is fuzzy, your body’s warm, and you just want to sink into him. “Please Marco… more. T-take more, please.”

There’s a rush of flames, blue and gold, and enchantingly beautiful, that flare in the air just as he shifts, covering your eyes with his hand. His voice slips into your ear, heavy and needy and demanding.

“As you wish, (Y/N).”

#Birds of a Feather #Marco x reader #x reader #reader insert #marco the phoenix #marco the pinepple #modern au

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raibebe · 2 years

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g: suggestive, wk: 841 , p: dom Jeno x reader, w: discussion of a bdsm scene req: bdsm dungeon by me and @flowerboykun , a/n: the mtg-discord voted for dom Jeno, so this is a rarity on here :] also this is basically what should be happening before any scene and what is only very very rarely written about...

“Do you remember your safeword, doll?” “Yes,” you playfully rolled your eyes at Jeno, gently tracing your fingers over the assortment of whips displayed on the wall, the sight both frightening and exciting, especially with the Saint Andrews cross standing against the cushioned back wall of the room. “You gonna use those on me?” “That’s not what we discussed.” “But where’s the fun in that?” You tried to tease. “It’s about being safe in a scene,” Jeno reminded you, coming up behind you and putting his hands on your waist to steer you away from the whips and chains on the wall and rather towards the big bed occupying most of the room, the sheets silken and little hooks on the posts where the chains could probably be hooked into. “And I frankly don’t think you’d want to be whipped in your first ever real scene.” “What do you mean real scene?” You frowned, turning around to face him head-on, “We’ve done stuff before.” “I gave you a little slap on your ass before,” he raised one of his brows at you, his voice turning sharp, “And handled you a little harsher. This is going to be different.”

“You keep telling me that and yet you aren't doing anything about it,” you challenged him, batting your lashes at him in hopes to get a response out of him, to rile him up so he would finally get it on with. At your blatant brattiness, his hand all but flew up to your face, harshly squeezing your cheeks together between his fingers. “I’ll only say this once more. I’m trying to make this as safe as possible for both of us. Because if I do some of this stuff incorrectly, I could hurt you more than you want. I could seriously injure you. And I don’t want that. I want to bring you pain that’ll bring you pleasure and not pain that will leave you with permanent scars. Are we clear?” The way Jeno’s dark eyes burned into yours and he enunciated each of his words very clearly and slowly combined with how he squeezed your face made your knees buckle and arousal shoot through you. Did that make you a freak? “I asked you a question and in here, I expect you to answer me. I won’t ask twice again. Are we clear?” “Y-Yes sir,” you stuttered, completely captivated by how quickly his aura had changed and how easily he seemed to be able to slip into his headspace. He truly was a different man inside and outside of his ‘play room’ as he liked to call it. “That’s what I like to hear,” he grinned, loosening his grip before he turned his back towards you, rolling up the sleeves of his white dress shirt.

“Now tell me, what’s your safeword?” “Red for stop, yellow to slow down and green for when I’m okay to go on,” you recited dutifully. “And when you can’t speak?” He kept asking, turning back around as he fixed his second sleeve, exposing his strong forearms. “I’m pinching you as hard as I can if I need you to stop, tap twice if I’m okay and three times if I need a break.” “When your hands are bound?” “I’ll hum a song. Any song and then you’ll stop so I can tell you my color.” “That’s my good girl,” he praised you, intertwining your fingers with his to lead you over to the bed where a couple of paddles were laid out that you had chosen the last time he had let you into his room. “Are we- Are we starting?” You asked in a small voice when he sat down at the edge, pulling you to stand between his legs. Suddenly this all seemed very real. This was really happening and not only in your phantasies. “Don’t be nervous, doll,” he smiled gently, the harsh lines bleeding from his face, “Tell me what we planned to do.” “Y- You’ll spank me.” “Do you still want that?” Jeno asked like he hadn’t asked at least five times prior already, his hands running up and down your thighs in what was supposed to be a comforting manner but to you, it felt like his hands left little burning trails that made your skin tingling with arousal. “Yes,” you sighed, “Can I- Can I touch you?” “For now,” your dom allowed you and you quickly wound your arms around his neck before he’d take back his words, your hands playing with his neatly styled hair, “Keep telling me what you want me to do to you.” “You- We- I- I mean you’re-” “Take a deep breath for me,” he demanded, the command easily making you spring into action, doing as he told you. “How about I tell you what we planned instead and then you tell me if you still want that?” “Yes, sir.” “Such a good girl,” he chuckled, kneading his fingers into the soft flesh of your thighs, “I’ll have so much fun pulling you apart.”

#jeno #lee jeno #nct #nct dream #neowritingsnet #jeno imagines #jeno scenarios #nct imagines #nct scenarios #nct dream imagines #nct dream scenarios #jeno smut #nct smut #nct dream smut

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dotster001 · 2 years

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Enemies to Lovers part eight, I've given up on my coworker a little bit, she's stubborn and we're nearing the end, so it looks like she'll never love vil

Summary: Back at NRC, you start your new job, only to get some terrifying news

Chapters: one. Two. Three. Four. Five. Six. Seven. Nine. Ten. Epilogue.

"Y/N."

You were drawn from yourr thoughts by the voice of yourr soon to be employer.

"Hello, Azul," you said, looking up from your lunch.

"Good morning," he and Jade took the seats across from you, while Floyd picked Grim up from his seat next to you, and stole that spot.

"The second location will be finished on schedule, so I'd like to get your managerial training taken care of before the freshmen arrive. I assume you've been reading the papers I've been sending to you?" He raised a single eyebrow, and you nodded. "Good Y/N. Managerial training will be handled by Jade, and Floyd will train you on how waiting is handled in our establishment. That can wait until opening though, because I won't be sending any new hires to you right away."

Floyd made a humph sound as Jade covered a smile behind his hand.

"I was actually wondering why Jade or Floyd wasn't manager?" You questioned.

"Boring," Floyd rolled his eyes.

"I much prefer to work behind the scenes and observe how things run," Jade smiled.

"Agreed," came a smooth voice from behind you, and you turned to see Epel and his new Vice Housewarden, both looking ravishing.

Epel gave you a tight hug. "I missed you so much. Vil hogged all your time this summer," he pouted.

"From what I understand, you were also very busy, Mr. Housewarden," you giggled.

"True," he smiled. "Jade and Azul, I'm sure you already know a little too much, but I wanted to introduce you to my vice housewarden, Morgan. Morgan, that is Azul and Jade, housewarden and Vice Housewarden of Octavinelle, and that's Y/N, who's the prefect of Ramshackle."

"And when they die, I'm the prefect," Grim laughed gleefully, until Floyd gave him a light kick.

A Pomefiore student came running, and whispered something to the two of them, and they both nodded.

"We have to go, but since you all were here I thought I'd get introductions out of the way, see you later Y/N," and both of them walked off.

"Where were we?" Azul mused.

"Jade thinks everyone is a science experiment," you said drily, causing Floyd to giggle next to you.

"Ah, yes. You're training officially begins now," Azul said with a smirk.

….

Despite the last second training, everything went off without a hitch. As predicted, you didn't have time to learn waitstaff things until after the grand opening, but Floyd was a surprisingly patient teacher.

Your waitstaff training was nice because it took your mind off things, like the fact you still weren't going home, or how empty the school seemed without the troublesome third years you'd come to befriend….or how lonely it felt not being able to see Vil everyday.

You didn't want to think about that last one. It would be cruel of you to have dashed his romantic affections and then turn around and be like, "Hey, I'm still not into you, but I miss you, so you should make time for me."

He'd reached out to you twice in that first month, asking you how you were, how Epel was handling his new position, how your potions grades were doing, but you couldn't bring yourself to have a long conversation with him.

"Shrimpy," Floyd pouted, rousing you from your thoughts. "You gotta focus on me, or you'll never learn how to fold the napkins properly." Then he grinned mischievously.

"Although, I wouldn't mind being your teacher forever," he said slyly.

You laughed, and he brightened up again, and resumed showing you how to fold napkins, then proceeded to stand over your shoulder, and whisper encouragement while you showed what you learned.

"You're almost there, Shrimpy, you just gotta get those folds crisp," he brought his arms around you and directed your movements, leading to a perfectly folded napkin. You looked up at him, and noticed how close his face was, as he smiled softly at you.

"See?" He whispered, and he began to draw in closer, until…

"Y/N!" Someone shouted your name, running into the empty restaurant.

Startled you stood up, and missed Floyd's annoyed face, turning to see Epel running towards you, looking horrified.

"I just got a call from Rook," he said, breathing heavily. "Somethin's happened ta Vil!"

....

Tag list- @stygianoir @da-disappointment @shytastemakerthing @iruiji

#twisted wonderland #twisted wonderland x reader #vil schoenheit x reader #vil schoenheit #vil x reader #twst vil

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leadoodles · 5 months

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More on my au:

After swapping places with Simon, old man prismo is taken back to Ooo in the body of Simon, still dazed, and we would learn that in his sleep, original prismo returns, which would lead to an episode consisting of him trying to communicate with Finn and Jake, all oblivious and thinking that the weird noises are just a creature of some sorts.

Due to the fact that elements never happened, there would be no build up to the gum war. Instead, Prismon (Simon as prismo) would continue to try more and more drastic measures to free Betty from GOLB, likely using fern as an assistant, until the episode "temple of mars"(which would likely be renamed), when prismo, Jake and Finn (maybe Marcelline) finally are able to reverse the swap spell. At this point, Simon has gone completely insane and has already concocted a plan to save Betty.

Golb.

In a prior episode, he would have used fern as a vessel to bring a lich from another would (maybe jerry/deadworld) and plotted to open a portal to golb's world to retrieve Betty, who would be revealed to have been made into a tetris block like the lich in fionna and cake. This would be the main plot of "come along with me", with Simon entering the antiverse (golb's world), while Golb's monsters begin to destroy Ooo. In this, I imagine that Marcelline would be the one to use nightmare juice from the episode "orb" against Simon, however to no avail. I think there would also be a scene with Finn and Fern, like in "come along with me". However, due to his different experiences and a multi episode arc (I will explain later) about letting go of being Finn, Fern would tell Finn not to kill the grass demon under the idea of accepting it's existence and refusing to give it any leverage to do bad things (I can't let my boy fern die) Simon would then wake up from the dream and locate Betty, who would (as a tetris block) begin to float away from him and towards GOLB, who in turn consumes her in an attempt to prevent Simon reaching her (my theory for the main show is that GOLB serves as a way to dispose of universes and crossovers, maybe with it being fed the various criminals that scarab captures, so I decided to incorporate that into the au). Just like in the original episode, Simon would jump in, with Finn following close behind, along with Marcelline.

In golb's stomach, the digestion of Simon would take a lot longer, allowing for a scene showing just how insane he has become from MMS. Eventually, he would be fully reverted back to normal and realise the damage he has caused to those around him, deciding to merge with GOLB using the ice crown (which Betty would have been wearing when she was taken to GOLB and tetris-ified), just like with Betty in the main show, to save everyone, and everyone else escaping via "time adventure".

Once Golb/Simon leaves, Fern would decide to go out on his own adventure, having accepted that he isn't Finn and should become his own person.

And there you have it. I will post more soon, hopefully with art to go with it.

#adventure time au #betty grof #simon petrikov #Simon the wishmaster #golb #ice king

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ghoulangerlee · 9 months

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this is something completely separate to Necropolis, because in this one Copia isn't the one struggling with coming back, but it's Sunshine and Rain struggling with Copia being back.

not a full fic (hopefully) just some thoughts and bits and pieces and overall Copia being patient with the two of them. I adore Sunshine and Rain so much and the potential (in my mind) as the first and last ghoul summoned... (this is my hc for it haha)

tw for this is main character death/described murder but that's about it :) hurt/comfort little scene where Copia loves his two ghouls.

They haven't left his side since he came back, at all times they're there. Waiting by his bed while a group of nurses and assorted ghouls make sure his stitches are healing properly, make sure there are no sort of irregularities with his reanimation.

There isn't, and when he finally gets the clear and the nurses and assorted ghouls clear out, he breathes a deep sigh of relief that pulls a brief wince to his face at the way his lungs suddenly fill with air.

When he looks over at his two ghouls, he feels a twinge of sadness, something sorrowful tugging at his bonds with them—that had come back too, thankfully, no need to rebond and risk hurting the two of them more; it had just woken up only a few moments after his own eyes had opened, snapping into place and rushing over him like fire and ice fighting for their place.

He goes to sit up properly, the latest round of testing had left him half reclined in a position that wasn't too kind on his lower back, and both Rain and Sunshine rush over to him suddenly, their hands were gentle and part of him was grateful for their help, but something about it felt wrong, as they helped him sit up properly, Rain's hands leaving him to tuck his pillows behind his back.

It's a bit strange then, as they both seem to flinch back and come to parade rest at each side of his bed, like they're being too familiar, like they're scared of him.

He doesn't like it—neither of them have removed their helmets since the room had cleared out, despite the three of them being together in the privacy of the papal suite where no one else would disturb them.

"My ghouls," he says, warm and gentle, a careful offering of all his cards packed within two words, "No one else should bother us now," he continues, reaching down to pat the bed with his bare hand, "Come and sit by me, it seems there are things we need to discuss."

It's not an order, but with the way both Sunshine and Rain act, it's as if he ordered them to sit by him or their death would be called for instead—he hates it, the way their bodies seem to move unnaturally as they try and settle on each side of the bed, as close to the edge as possible.

He aches, wants the two of them closer, he knows his death had affected everyone, he knew that's why he was brought back; his death had been premature and uncalled for and he already had the others looking into it, trying to find as many leads as possible, for their death would be much more drawn out, less of a mercy than he had been allowed. (A knife to his throat, a horrible horrible mimicry of before. He'd bled out, dying slowly in the basement, while he clawed at the ground and tried to weakly pull on his ghouls' bonds.)

"Thank you for saving me," Copia says, for the first time, looking between Rain and Sunshine, "For bringing me back." He reaches out, carefully, towards Rain and takes his hand, feeling the water ghoul jump at his touch, "I heard that with your quick thinking you were able to find a spell that could restore my soul to my corporeal form," he squeezes Rain's hand and through that he can feel him shake.

He keeps his hand in Rain's as he looks over at Sunshine, staring through the lenses of her helmet, copper eyes brightly burning even through the darkened glass, "And you, my lovely," he says, holding his hand out, nearly wincing when Sunshine grips his hand so tightly the blood flow is cut off, "You did so well, helping Rain, keeping me safe," he squeezes her hand back, even through the tightness of her grip, "I am forever grateful to have you two by my side."

Neither of them react much beyond just looking at him, and he knows, and understands, he must be patient with them, careful. He'd heard before of what had happened to previous ghouls, the madness when their summoner had passed on, he thinks back to Omega and Ifrit and even Mist had experienced a touch of the madness after his predecessors' deaths.

He couldn't imagine how his miraculous reanimation would affect any of it.

"Please, take your helmets off, just for me. I know..." He trails off, wonders if even asking this of them is something he can do, but they're the only two he hasn't been able to see, to make sure they're alright, "I won't order it of you, but, if you want to now. Just around me, I want to see your faces, I want to make sure you're alright."

There's silence, and it's thick and heavy, but he waits, ever patient, and slowly, Rain pulls his hand away from Copia's, bows his head and slowly removes his helmet.

His hair is messy, shaggy and hanging somewhat limply around his ears, and he has dark circles under his eyes—he looks tired, and Copia's heart aches for him, longs to bring him into his arms and hold him.

The bed shifts and Sunshine's next to pull away, her movements clumsy as she removes her own helmet, the sharpness of her gaze, the distrust, makes Copia wish he could turn back time and be better prepared. Be more aware.

His death was no one's fault but the person who had called for it, but he'd never considered in the past what that would mean for his ghouls. How they would handle it. And for that, he was guilty. He would do better. He would be more aware of his surroundings. Be more careful with those he befriends.

He reaches his hands out once again, one to each of them, "I have one more ask of you, tonight," he starts carefully, waiting for them to place their hands in his, and then he tugs them carefully, closer, projecting through the bond an image of before his death, late at night, the three of them curled up together in this very bed. Rain and Sunshine purring as Copia held the two of them close.

Sunshine makes a noise, somewhat of a snarl, a choked off sob and when Copia looks over at her, she's got tears in her eyes, holding steady but threatening to fall.

"Oh Sunshine," he whispers her name, sweetly, "Come to me, my Sunshine, you've kept me safe, let me hold you now," he murmurs, giving her hand one last gentle tug before she folds, nearly throwing herself onto the bed beside him, her arm around him as she clings to him tightly.

Rain is watching them, guarded and careful, pain in his eyes, pain shining through the bond, and Copia pulls him in slowly, "I'm right here, Rain," he says softly, guiding Rain down beside him, letting the water ghoul press his face into his throat as he curls an arm around his shoulders, cradling him close.

"Oh, my loves, I never wished for my coming back to hurt the two of you this much." He whispers after a few moments, "If me coming back hurt you this much, I only wish my death could have given you more closure."

There's a snarl, twin angry sounds that echo in the quiet room, and Rain is the first to lift his head, glaring down at Copia with, "Your death would have destroyed us," he says with such a strong conviction that Copia feels faint suddenly, pulling Rain back down into his embrace as he murmurs apologies into his hair.

#papa emeritus iv #nameless ghouls #sunshine ghoulette #rain ghoul #my writing

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darklydeliciousdesires · 2 years

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Not One of Many - Chapter Nineteen.

Previous chapters - Prologue One Two Three Four Five Six Seven Eight Nine Ten Eleven Twelve Thirteen Fourteen Fifteen Sixteen Seventeen Eighteen

Tag list - In the comments

Words - 3,320

Warnings - 18+ content, adult audience only. Minors DNI!

“She fuckin’ did what?”

Of course, Beth did not expect her boyfriend to react in any other way to being told that his ex had followed them there, attempting to gain entrance to the party.

“She made quite the scene before security lead her away and told her if she continued to cause a ruckus, the police would be called,” Kinga confirmed, Alfie’s eyebrows continuing to rise.

“She’s off her bleedin’ rocker, the bandy mare!” he further exclaimed, shaking his head, Dennis nonplussed until he was brought up to speed.

“Bloody hell,” he began, eyes widening behind his thick framed glasses. “My wife would have thrown furniture at her, should she have been present to witness the glass incident.”

“Yeah, she said a table would have been flung,” Beth confirmed, everyone chuckling.

“Absolutely shocking. Well, let’s hope she doesn’t continue with these wild antics. The girl appears to be a little obsessive.”

Alfie made a knowing face. “Yes, that’s the polite way of putting it, Dennis. If I have any more of it, she’ll have a restraining order put on her. No messin’ around. I told her last night, she don’t come anywhere near Beth, and I fuckin’ meant it.”

“Jealousy is a stirrer of the emotions for sure,” Oliver commented.

“You ain’t kiddin’, mate.” Alfie confirmed, shaking his head. He just couldn’t believe she’d followed them, meaning that of course, she must have been watching the house for some time, to see their movements, waiting until they went out.

They had a wonderful time at the party, but on the drive home Alfie would have been lying if he said he hadn’t had one eye on the rear-view mirror for the duration of the journey, looking to see if they were being followed.

“Can she even drive, or is this following being done through taxis?” Beth asked, looking in the wing mirror of the Range Rover, seeing the car that had been behind them pull off to the right at the junction, nothing else behind them for now.

“Yeah, she can. She didn’t have a car when she was with me, but all she had to do was hawk a Chanel bag and boom, there’s her cash for a vehicle sorted. I think we’re good, though. It seems like she only wants to make a scene with us when she’s got an audience, or she would have tried earlier when we took Cyril out, if it was just us who she wanted to scream at. But nah, nutty fuckin’ cow wants attention, wants as many people to know how I apparently did her wrong,” he fumed lightly, pressing the fob to open his front gates and driving through.

“Here’s hoping she gets bored eventually.”

Alfie agreed, but inside, he didn’t bank on it. Neither did Beth, if she was honest.

A few days passed, Beth spending a bit of time at her flat working hard on her articles, arriving home one evening after a dinner meeting with a new magazine connection wishing to bring her into the fold on a freelance basis, a little tired but ready to do more tapping away upon her laptop.

She was crossing through from her kitchen back to the lounge when she heard a furious knocking at the door, checking the time. 10:59pm. Weird.

“Who is it?” she called. No one replied. Although she had a chain on the front door, she certainly didn’t have a peep hole, so wasn’t about to open it so late to check the situation out. Moving to her lounge, she switched off the light and scooted around her desk, opening the curtain a fraction at the bay window. No one there.

Taking a seat again, she began to tap, getting a few brilliant little anecdotes she’d had while filling the washing machine in the kitchen out of her brain and onto her Word document when once again, a thumping upon the front door disturbed her. Getting up, she went back into the hallway, listening through the door, not able to hear a thing.

Being a woman of maturity and rationality, she didn’t immediately put two and two together, but on her way back into the lounge for the second time, the penny dropped.

“For heaven’s sake.” She sighed in exasperation, wondering to herself how a thirty-one-year-old woman could lower herself to such behaviour. At first, she didn’t find it perturbing, until taking a moment to think about it.

Talia had no idea where she lived, meaning she must have been following her since she last left Alfie’s home two days previously. It gave her a little shudder, knowing that her movements had been watched. If the most she was going to do was play a game of knock door run, though, Beth would be loathed to let the actions usually reserved for children get the better of her.

She’d make a point of mentioning it to Alfie, though, of course.

For that moment, she chose to get back to her work, brewing herself a pot of coffee and returning to her desk, becoming lost in the stories of the three women she had interviewed for her article and the harrowing long term scars they’d been left with after their botched surgeries. The first still made her shudder, a woman by the name of Cara Rose who had suffered an infection so bad from her unregulated lip fillers, she’d almost lost them, the painful and costly reconstructive surgery process meaning a tendon taken from her wrist had been grafted into the remaining healthy tissue of her top lip so she actually had one at all.

Her research had definitely given her a little pause for thought over her own body hang ups, decreeing that she could live with the fact that she’d considered fillers herself for her lips, and often toyed with the idea of rhinoplasty to thin and refine her nose a little.

“Yes, you’re good with a bit of chub on the honk and using a plumping lip stain.” She told her reflection, turning to view herself in the gilt mirror sitting atop her small sideboard.

She called it a night at 2am, up again at 8:30am to rush down to Romero’s and meet Kinga for breakfast, filling her in on her suspicions over her late-night door thumper.

“Well!” she began, her mouth dropping open, floundering wordlessly before her lips upturned and she began to chuckle. “If she assumes that kind of carry on to be menacing in any way then I’m afraid she’s missed the mark!”

“This is exactly what I was thinking,” Beth revealed, pausing to give the waiter her order of eggs Florentine and a cappuccino. “But then you see, it does mean that slightly more sinisterly, she’s been following me, tracking my movements to even know where I live in the first place, since she had no clue while I was staying at Alfie’s to research the article. I definitely didn’t reveal such. In fact, I don’t think any of them knew the area I lived, other than Mimi, who certainly wouldn’t have told her.”

Kinga scoffed, her eyes wide. “She barely even acknowledged your existence while you were there from what you revealed to me about her attitude, so no, it isn’t like you could have casually dropped it into conversation with her when you had virtually nothing in way of that. What, do you think she followed you back from Alfie’s?”

Her nod confirmed the suspicion. “I do, yes. I mean she must have, which means she’s spending her time sitting around somewhere watching our comings and goings from his house. We had proof of that already in her turning up out of the blue at the ELLE party.”

“Does the woman have nothing better to do?” Kinga just couldn’t believe it, why someone would make the kind of time Talia was seemingly doing to partake in such fruitless, ridiculous endeavours. “She truly has little self-respect, to be doing this... I don’t want to label it stalking, but I suppose that is the correct term.”

Something cold and spiny manoeuvred through Beth’s stomach at hearing the term. Stalker. She’d not equated Talia’s actions to that prior to Kinga’s use of the word, but she was right. It was what she was doing. Putting it to the back of her mind, though, she enjoyed her breakfast date before heading home again, working more on her articles until she was out the door once more, heading across town in an Uber to meet with the third woman she was profiling for her article, the lovely Jessica Hughes, a victim of a botched breast enhancement.

“I mean, they look okay now under clothes, but when I take my top off, I just don’t feel confident. The amount of nipple realignments I’ve had to have, and then uplifts because the skin has stretched so much from the weight of the original implants, which my present doctor was horrified over, them being much too large for me, so he said. I went from an A to a double F cup. I’m now a D.”

Beth’s heart went out to her, that the young woman before her had undergone the surgery to gain a little more body confidence in the first place, only now to be left with none in the wake of her decision, and multiple surgeries to correct it. “So, the scars are causing you even more body confidence issues at present?” She tentatively asked, softly omitting a little hum of sympathy and quickly passing over a napkin when her interviewee’s tears began to trickle.

“Yes, because I’m butchered, and I have no one to blame but myself.”

Beth tutted softly, cocking her head to the side slightly. “I should think the original botched procedure more lies with the surgeon than your choice.” she stated, Jessica nodding, smiling when Beth let her professional veneer slide a little more by reaching to stroke her hand. She couldn’t not. It was a heartbreaking story, for her to now feel such a way about her own body. Lamentably, it was the gamble people had to partake in when seeking surgical enhancement; most of the time, the procedures yielded favourable results, but when problems did arise, they were often tricky to overcome.

“I do hope that my story means other women will think twice, though, and always go to a reputable surgeon for their surgeries. I think the pictures that will accompany the article alone should act as a cautionary tale.” Those pictures were emailed to her later in the afternoon while she was sitting in the kitchen at Alfie’s working away, Beth gasping in horror at the state of her breasts. Big, dark scars ran along the undersides of both, then leading down from each nipple, nipples that were no longer with a natural, rounded areola, but also darkened from scarring where the better surgeon had punctiliously attempted to place them back in an effort to make them look in some semblance to how nipples should.

“Jesus flamin’ Christ!” Alfie exclaimed, leaning over her shoulder. “Dodgy boob job girl, I take it?”

“Yes, that’s Jessica,” she confirmed, reaching her arms up and back to wrap around his neck, receiving a kiss to her cheek.

“Poor bird, that looks a right bloody state now. And to think, she had them done to make herself feel good, and she ends up looking like that. Bloody surgeon wants his hands chopping off! Don’t you ever get any ideas about yours though, ay. They’re perfect.”

She looked down at her vest top covered chest, grabbing her boobs and giving them a little shake. “I’m content with what I have.”

“Good, because they’re gorgeous.” Leaning over her more, he pulled her top down and blew a raspberry against her cleavage, his beard tickling, Beth laughing softly. “Mims had hers done. They look lovely but they never felt quite right. I kept that to myself, though.”

“Yeah, she told me she’d had an augmentation.”

“Speaking of my least troublesome ex, I almost forgot, she called earlier to see how I was, said she’d tried ringing you an’ all, wanted to see if you were free this Saturday to go riding.”

Beth wasn’t in the habit of checking her phone while out and about, so pulled it out to take a look. There indeed was the missed call from Mimi. She’d get back to her, but with the mention of ex-girlfriends, chose that moment to reveal her little door knocking incident from the night before to her boyfriend.

His expression darkened a flicker as she detailed it, Alfie looking perplexed. “If she carries on with this malarkey, she’ll have a fuckin’ restraining order slapped upon her. Nah, no messin’. I ain’t tolerating that bullshit from her. I dunno what she thinks she’s achieving either.”

Beth sighed, saving her work and getting up to hug him. “She’s just trying her best to be a pain in the arse. Speaking of arses, I’m horny. How’d you fancy being a pleasure in mine for a bit.”

One second. That’s all it took to be thrown over his shoulder and carried up to bed. Pleasure was exactly what she received, too, but very much on Alfie’s terms. It began with a very intricate game of rope play after he’d spent adequate time delighting her with his fingers and mouth, tying a series of intricate bindings at her ankles, each leg spread and tied to the bottom corners of the bed. Sitting her up, he then bound her an elbow harness tie, her arms behind her back, the rope crossed over her chest and under her breasts.

That led them to the point Beth felt the fires of release licking her insides, bound tight and helpless, Alfie’s well lubed cock slowly slipping back and forth out of her narrow passage, two fingers within her cunt circling at her sweet spots, and a wand vibrator held on her clit. Her toys from home now lived there, in the box under the bed specifically reserved for all items of a sexually titillating nature.

He watched her ascending, her back arching from the bed as she whimpered, the lock of her inner muscles around his fingers telling him she was close, changing the setting on the wand to pulse, edging her, her release torridly swelling, then ebbing. She flexed at him uncontrollably, her inner walls hot and slick, his cock twitching as he rutted and pulled back again, his heart hammering at the pure sinful carnality.

She was reeling, the hum of energy coursing and building without release, her clit bobbing against the wand, Alfie removing it for a few seconds to allow her to cool down, returning it, the glimmers beginning to skitter once more. He arrowed a little deeper within her, his groan gut-wrenching as he felt the head of his cock pulse within the tight constriction, fighting his own urges to chase the release he held back from, slowing, waiting until it abated before he speared her again.

He had her mewling softly, clenching on him again as her hips shuddered, little bubbles of pleasure effervescing up her spine as her muscles flexed against her bindings, the stretch of the nylon audible, scintillating, the rope marking her pale flesh as she continued to struggle in her constriction, electric tingles dancing over her body in response to the tightness of the bindings. Once again, her release was edged, Alfie giving her less time to cool off before doing it again, and again, and again... and again.

She was pushed to the very limit of what her body could handle, her breathing rapid, her eyelids fluttering, almost completely lost to the moment. Especially when slipped his fingers from within her, feeding them into her mouth and clutching her jaw in his big hand, before moving his grasp to her neck, tightening, constricting the blood flow, his cock beginning to fuck her with rapid finesse.

He kept on edging her, tightening and releasing the pressure at her neck, watching her movements very carefully, knowing he had to look after her through everything he was inflicting upon her. He knew from experience there was a fine line between what could and couldn’t be tolerated.

“What’s your name?” he asked, slowing a little, releasing her neck.

“Beth.”

“What’s your safe word?”

“Scarlet.”

“Good, girl. You’re doing so well.” He leaned to kiss her, glad that she was still mentally capable of continuing. If she couldn’t answer basic questions, that was the time to stop, regardless of if she had uttered her safe word or not to him. Her head was spinning, but not enough to need a break or cease, Beth moaning softly as he began building her up again, those soft noises gathering volume the further her body rocketed towards the light, her thighs trembling madly as once again, he edged her, holding her right there on the precipice, the coil in her rocking back and forth over the edge of nirvana.

He took her to the very epicentre of sexual paradise, before at last, her golden surge of light finally broke his horizon as he let her have what she’d ached for, her orgasm shining through her, his hips staccato as his voice broke on a harsh grunt, filling her with thick ribbons of cum. “You did very, very well.” He praised her, clicking the wand off and letting it slip from his hands, resting his head to her chest for a moment in an effort to come back down to earth before untying her. Once freed, he held her to him, her body spent, sore and shuddering, Beth still on a high from the pleasurable mix of complete ecstasy tinged with the sublimity of pain.

Aftercare was very necessary in the wake of such, Alfie stroking her as she lay stretched out atop him, letting her come back down steadily, her descent still glimmering with the thrumming of pleasurable waves ebbing away slowly. She adored the duality in him, the man capable of pushing her to the very limits of what she could withstand, hard and unyielding, yet then soft in the aftermath, both her decimator and protector.

“You alright, duchess?”

She lifted her head, smiling hazily, making him chuckle. “All still floaty and dreamy.”

“I did me job proper, then.”

Yes, he most certainly had. Nobody did it quite like him. She lay there buzzing away still for a time, stroking his chest idly, enjoying the rhythm of his heartbeat directly below her ear.

“You want me to run you a bath?” he asked a while later, knowing she liked the comfort of hot water after a particularly intense session, Beth nodding as she learned to kiss him. He gently shifted her, getting up and dressing again, heading to the bathroom and plugging the tub, turning the water on and decanting a splash of her bath oil. He then went downstairs and poured her a glass of wine, placing it on the windowsill. Ten minutes later, and he was placing her marked up, exhausted body into the water, Beth thanking him. He was always so attentive.

“Thank you. I love you,” she hummed, receiving a kiss.

“Love you too, baby beast. I’m gonna go get back to work. Do you want to order in for dinner or go out?”

“Oooh, I think go out. Can we go to Karma, please?”

“Yeah, good idea. I’ll call ‘em, get a table for seven?” Karma was a Japanese eatery in Mayfair Alfie owned, Beth’s favourite of all of his restaurants.

“Perfect.”

And it was. It was all so lovely, Beth enjoying the wonderful flush of new romance she was partaking of giddily with her new boyfriend. Talia could try all she liked, but the delusional former resident of the beautiful home that she loved spending time in would not ruin what they had.

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litgwritersroom · 1 year

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Let's Chat

Chapter Five of Love Island, Actually

read it on AO3 | chapter one | chapter four

Things are looking up for Jules in her professional and personal lives, River can’t hide the truth from her best friend, Thea gets deeper into her international affairs while Bridget and Gary have some ups and downs on their honeymoon.

JULES: ambitions

“Thank you,” Jules told their waitress, the girl having set both of their entrees down on the table before disappearing. “So, Delilah, what are you hoping to accomplish with this interview? I know Mason hasn’t done many so I’m just curious what he has to say now that you think is so important to his brand?”

“Is this the off-the-record part?” Delilah grinned, only half-kidding.

Jules smiled, reaching for the glass of Pinot Noir she’d been sipping on since they got there. “This is completely off the record, Delilah, I promise,” she said, already feeling more at ease than she had in any other pre-interview she’d done. Delilah was charming and intelligent, the kind of person Jules would have loved to grab a drink with outside of work. “Is there anything that would be off-limits? If you decide that I’m a good fit, of course. Anything I should avoid bringing up? I’ll send you a list of the questions in advance, but if you could give me an idea now so I don’t spend too much time drafting ones I won’t be able to use.”

It wasn’t typical for her to ask these sorts of things, but for someone as notorious as Mason Knowles, she knew Talia would throw a fit if they ostracised all of his fans by publishing something that wasn’t very flattering.

“The only thing we don’t want to focus on is this ‘rivalry’ with FourWay. Since Mason left the band, the blood’s stayed bad. If they want to focus their album’s promotion on the drama, that’s on them, but Mason doesn’t need to sell records by focusing on feuds.” She took a drink. “His work stands on its own. You’ll see it for yourself if we give you this interview. Mason wants you to have early access to the full album, focusing on the leading single.”

“How long have you been working with Mason, exactly? It seems that he trusts you a lot. When did you enter the picture?” she asked, more so for her own curiosity rather than satisfying an element of the story.

“We’ve been collaborating for around a year now, and we’ve both been working towards being each other’s number one focus. I’ve got less than three-quarters’ worth of clients now than when I first met Mason. He always came across as a bit of a bone-head when he was in the band, but since leaving he’s really proven to be more than the box he was forced into, and I’m so grateful to be by his side as he shows the world his potential.”

“That’s so sweet I might have to just include it in the feature,” Jules said. “Seriously, it’s very rare that managers nowadays have that level of respect and genuine dedication to their clients. So many are just in it for the paycheck.”

“It is a good paycheck if you do your job right,” she grinned. “Something I can imagine you understand well. Tell me, Jules, why you really, really want this Mason interview? Cross my heart and hope to die that I won’t be judgemental.”

“Honestly?” Jules waited for the nod that Delilah gave her before she continued on. “I never really wanted to work in music. I’ve always wanted to work for TIME Europe. Securing an interview like this…well, it would do wonders for my portfolio. As grateful as I am for my time at The Record, it’s not a magazine that I see myself staying at long-term.” Telling Delilah about all the cattiness and drama behind the scenes was all-too-tempting, but Jules knew better than to throw her job under the bus. As satisfying as it might be…

“But I think that makes me the perfect candidate,” she continued. “I’m not in this interview for the connections in the music industry that it could bring me like so many other writers on my staff. I have no ulterior motives, so to speak. I’m in this because it’s an interesting story that holds a lot of weight.”

Delilah hummed for a moment, lips pursed. “Believe me, I’m sympathetic to the cause of wanting something just out of reach. I appreciate the openness and honesty, too. This is your goal, it’s not your dream; it’s a stepping stone, but why should that make it any less significant? Why shouldn’t you fight for it? I admire that, Jules.”

Any anxiety Jules had been clinging on to after admitting her real intentions for pursuing the interview was gone in an instant upon hearing Delilah speak. “Do you admire it enough to give me the interview?”

A wry look sat across her face as she circled her wine glass in hand. “I’m rooting for you, Jules.” Delilah winked, adding, “Let’s finish this bottle of Pinot and really get into it, but as things are, I’m happy with the idea that I’ve helped a woman on her way to accomplishing her big dreams.”

“Cheers, Delilah,” Jules said, extending her own glass, tapping it lightly against Delilah’s with a wink of her own. “And here’s to dreaming.”

They finished lunch (and their wine) and said their goodbyes. Jules had been about to leave when she walked by the bar and saw Jake Wilson standing behind it, seemingly taking advantage of the lack of people seated there at noon on a Monday to count inventory. He looked up for a brief moment, meeting her gaze, and he smiled.

“Jules Taylor.”

“Jake Wilson,” she grinned, taking a seat at the empty bar. “Do you live here or something?” She put her purse down on the stool next to her own, propping her chin in her hand.

“I try not to,” he said, placing his clipboard down on the counter. “Busy morning?” he questioned, glancing over at the table she and Delilah had been occupying a few minutes ago.

“Busy, but good,” Jules said, and when he arched an inquisitive brow at her she continued on. “I’ve been working on getting this big interview for work for what feels like months now; I mostly just need it for my portfolio but anyways I uh…I think I got it.”

“Jules! That’s amazing, congratulations,” Jake said, his smile wide.

The way he looked at her made her feel simultaneously wonderful and terrible if that were even possible. It felt good to have someone acknowledge her accomplishment, to tell her “congrats” and at least pretend to be proud of her if they didn’t really care. But it also reminded her that there was no one else for her to talk to. Suresh had been all she’d had for so long that she’d grown used to not needing anyone else.

But now? Well, now that she didn’t have him, she wasn’t sure what that left her with.

She wasn’t good at making friends, really. In Uni, she’d only had a handful of close acquaintances, people she met in classes mostly, but the majority of her time had been spent with Suresh. Even at work, she rarely spent time with any of her co-workers outside of the office.

The realization that her only confidante was a bartender (as cute as he was), didn’t leave her feeling very warm and fuzzy, all of a sudden.

“You okay?” Jake’s voice snapped her out of whatever spiral she’d been about to go down and she nodded, ignoring the odd feeling in her chest at the concern she saw in his dark eyes.

“I’m fine. I should actually head back to the office,” she said, rising to her feet, grabbing her purse off of the neighbouring stool and sliding the strap over her shoulder. She lifted her hand in a slight wave before she headed towards the front door, unable to keep that warmth in her chest from burning even brighter as she heard his voice calling out “Goodbye Jules Taylor” right behind her.

RIVER: sharing secrets

River: so, wifey is back?

Noah: Unfortunately, yes. I wish I could see you.

River: maybe that can be arranged. i know a place.

As soon as she heard the steps approaching, River locked her phone again. She realised she was still holding some papers from her kids' homework, too distracted with the thought of talking about the possible next time she'd have with Noah to really finish grading them. So, with guilt burning in her heart, she let them pile up before fixing her hair and stared patiently at the door frame of her class until Thabi showed up.

She taught a grade ahead of River and was as sweet and quirky as they would come.

Thabi smiled as she knocked on the door just for politeness' sake. "River, your ride is here."

River sighed, leaving the four to five papers she still needed to grade on her pile before taking off her own glasses to look back at Thabi with a grin. "I wish he would stop bothering you guys instead of just calling me."

"I asked him about it and he just told me that this way you're forced to make friends," she laughed as a mum would laugh at their kids' antics.

River just clicked her tongue humouredly as she got up from her chair. "Please, if anything he’s just being annoying," she joked, grabbing her handbag and coat before saying her goodbyes.

She left her classroom with a spring in her step. Ever since the wedding and the night she had shared with Noah, she was feeling happier than ever before. She didn't even mind having to hold the door for the head-in-the-clouds art teacher, Will, nor the off-hand comment she always would get from Johnny during lunch.

Using her hips to help her open the door, River stepped out of the building. The sun hit her skin before she had the chance of putting her coat on, wrapping her body with much needed warmth during the November weather.

Bobby was leaning against his car. Hands in the pockets of his jeans while he looked around the car park. He was wearing his typical jeans and t-shirt combo, this time paired with a thick coat and boots instead of his typical all-star on his feet. When he clocked her, his face lit up and he beamed at her, arms open for a hug.

"There you are!" He said as soon as River shortened the distance between them. His arms enveloped her in a quick hug. "Thought you had forgotten you offered me some help at the bakery."

"Of course not," she said. Her blue eyes rolled with amusement as she took a step back, putting some distance between them. "Let's get inside your car before I freeze."

And so, they did. After years of being picked up and dropped off by Bobby ever since he got his driver's licence, River was used to the ins and outs of his car better than her own. How the seat belt would always jam halfway through if she tried to fasten it too quickly. How the radio bluetooth stopped working after they spilt Coca-Cola on his control panel. How his glove box always had too many candy bars for his own good. And exactly the angle her feet needed to be so the heater would reach them.

As she mindlessly adjusted herself to his car's peculiarities, Bobby turned the radio on. Baby, kiss it better by FourWay blew out of the speakers. It took a little more than a second for Bobby to realise which song it was before he was laughing.

"Oh, my god, turn it off!" River demanded, cheeks blushing. "So cringe."

Daring to bite back a smile, Bobby teased: "Aww, c'mon Riv, you should support your dear brother!"

Ever since they were little, Charles Edwards was the worst. A mummy's boy, he would always snitch on River's mischiefs, even when they were as little as "mum, she ate all the chocolate chip cookies!"

You could say they were not the closest of siblings.

This meant growing up he was the object of most of her jokes and when Gary and Bobby were around, he was always the butt of their joke. It was his fault, really, after all, he insisted on being the stereotypical posh teenage boy — stuck up and a real self-centred narcissist knob. So it wasn't a real surprise the trio would take his impossible flaws and make a few jokes about them. Except, of course when he wasn't around. When that was the case, the two boys would turn against River and laugh at her expense. You know, boys will be boys.

It all got so much worse when he started the band. River never really saw much future in them but they managed to build a really strong, teens-based, fan army that was very focused on buying their merch and streaming their lead single. Charlie Edwards, known as River’s annoying older brother, was now Eddie, the dream of every fifteen-year-old girl.

“This song sucks,” she sighed, changing the stations while Bobby laughed his ass off. “And as far as everyone else is concerned, his sister is really private.”

“Oh, yeah, River Edwards, known for being private,” he teased again and she rolled her eyes. “Didn’t you date one of the other members?”

“Oh, shut up!” She nudged him. “I kissed Henrik once when I was seventeen and his hair was still short. That doesn’t count.”

“That definitely counts.”

"Anyways,” she said with a huff while they drove out of the school's car park, trying to make talk about something that wasn’t her brother’s silly little band — that somehow was a massive hit now — as she watched the post-rain pavement glint, “how did the weekend turn out for you, Bobby?"

"Oh, you mean after you left me by myself and then Delilah also left me and I had to drink myself to sleep?" He asked, his voice filled with humour but she could hear the small hint of disapproval under it all. If only she didn't know him that well.

"I told you to have some fun, you should have listened to me," she countered. "Did you know Thea is in Spain right now? Apparently, she and Talia broke up after she caught her fucking a dude."

"Talia or Thea?"

"What?"

"Who was fucking the dude?"

"Oh, Talia!"

Bobby hissed. "Poor Thea…" but then he stopped, and glimpsed at River. "Are you changing the subject?" Now, why was he so smart when it came to it?

River only huffed, adjusting her hair. "Of course, not! I just remembered something and I thought of telling you." She cleared her throat. "How was the night with Delly before she left you on your own, then?"

"Well, I was drinking, as you told me to, and she came up." River held back a laugh. When he said it like that, it seemed like a tale out of his 'one-night stands' book. "Said she was feeling like shit and that she was eyeing Noah up all night."

Oh no.

Crossing her legs and her arms, River tried to pretend normality. "And what did you say?"

"That was probably the worst idea I've ever heard." He deadpanned as if it was the most obvious thing one could say in that kind of situation.

Oh no. Oh no. Oh no.

"Mmm…" River simply hummed, hoping to god that would kill the conversation.

But Bobby wasn't having any of it. Bless his heart, he fucking adored her, she never doubted that for even a second. But sometimes being loved meant being taken care of, which just translated to him always wanting to know what was happening in her life.

"What?"

"What was that 'mmm' about?"

"Nothing!" She tried to counter. "Just a regular 'mmm'."

He was looking at the road but River could feel him trying to catch a glimpse of her. She ignored it, facing out of her window, and watching as people lived their normal lives — where they hadn't fucked a married man and were about to get caught by their morally pure best friend.

Fuck, she could almost see the look on his face after he found out — the wrinkle between his brows dusted with freckles, his eyes looking puzzled as if he couldn't wrap his head around the information, his fingertips tapping against the steering wheel as his mind worked it out. She would become another person before his eyes and she could not handle that.

It was the kind of heartbreak she wouldn't ever be ready for. He was her best friend, her person. He was the best part of her and if Bobby McKenzie didn't love her anymore, what was there for her to love about herself?

"You don't do regular 'mmms'," Bobby told her, his voice a little more annoyed than it was two seconds ago. He had sensed something was totally not normal. "Tell me what's wrong!"

"There's nothing wrong!" Everything was wrong, starting with the fact he was asking her about it. Was it too late to throw herself out of the car? Maybe if she opened the door…

"Is there something about Noah?"

The thing about having a best friend of ten years was that he knew her. He knew when she was lying, when she was trying to hide something and when she had the hots for someone, anyone, even the married man. So it shouldn't shock her that Bobby was aware of her illicit crush on Noah but she couldn't help but wonder when he figured it out.

"No!" Holding the last streak of hope she still had so Bobby would let the subject die, River repeated herself. "I just…"

"You just… ?"

"I wouldn't judge her, you know, Noah's marriage is falling apart and he is… like, hot."

There was a silence in which River really thought she was out of the woods. Bobby had simply stopped talking and while that could never mean something good, she still hoped for the best and sighed with relief, finding it was over.

Until, of course, he had to ask. "Now, why would you say that?!"

"Forget it!"

"No, no… Is there something you’re not telling me?"

If you asked anyone else, they would tell you River never could keep a secret from Bobby. Even when his mother planned a surprise birthday for him when they were 16, they never, ever told River in advance. When you wanted to tell her a secret, you should know Bobby would know it as well, and vice-versa. So the reason why she really thought she could have that big of a secret without him knowing was unknown.

Calling her out of her silence, Bobby reprimanded her. "River…"

In the end, the truth was that keeping things from him killed her every single second he spent without knowing.

"Fine! Ok! I slept with Noah, happy now?!"

Nothing could explain the look on his face. It was a mix of confusion, shock and deep disappointment. The car was overtaken by pure silence, almost as if the world had stopped. River had to remind herself how to breathe. She watched him expectantly, bracing herself for the worst, as he opened and closed his mouth, eyes on the road, trying to make something out of it.

"You did what?!"

She rolled her eyes. That was it, the cat was out of the bag. Hooray! "Yeah, yeah, slutty River slept with a married man. Can we move on to the next topic, please?!"

But Bobby for the first time didn't appreciate a joke. "Are you being for fucking real right now, Edwards? Are you out of your mind?"

"I don't wanna talk about it!" She matched his tone, both of them going into fight mode. "Not with you!"

"Well, we are going to talk about it, like it or not!" He said, hands gripping hard on the steering wheel as he stole a look at her through the rearview mirror. "And what do you mean 'not with me'?"

"Because you get all judgy when someone does anything wrong."

"This ain't 'anything', River, you slept with a married man."

"A married man who likes me." She said, begging to be listened to for the first time. "For once a guy chose me over someone else, so yeah. I did. And I plan on doing it again."

"You can't be for real."

"Like you’re one to talk."

Bobby frowned and she could see his brain trying to work out what she had just said. If he thought he could magically disappear with all the memories she had of telling him Bridget wasn't worth his time or wrecking his relationship with Gary, he was wrong.

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"That we both like married people but I am the only one with balls to do something about it."

She watched as realisation hit Bobby and he took a deep breath. With a low voice and a blush under his freckles, he said, "It's different…"

"How exactly is it different, Bobby? Or is it different because it's me and when I do it, it's wrong?"

He shook his head and huffed. "Please, don't turn this into something it's not."

"I'm not! It's the same thing but Bridget is in a happy relationship, and Noah is not!"

It seemed so simple in her mind. If Noah wasn't happy and his relationship was obviously one step from falling apart, why should he stop living? If his wife didn't want a divorce, what could he do if not that?

But Bobby never saw the nuance of things. "You know who else wasn't? Your father! Did that make it any less wrong?"

River hadn't felt guilt once. Not when she finished, not when she kissed him goodbye, not when she slept, not when she woke up the next morning, not when she saw the hickeys on her body, not when she texted him, not when he mentioned his wife, not when he told her it was the best sex he ever had.

But as soon as Bobby said that, it hit her all at once.

That relationship was absolutely wrong yet her consciousness had failed to mention her every single time. When Bobby's words hit her harder than her actions, what was left to her except his disappointment? With a mind so selfish it wouldn't even weigh the weight of her actions, could she claim to be better than the woman she absolutely despised?

Her parents' unavoidable divorce was on the horizon and Bobby knew how much that had fucking damaged not only her but her mother and siblings. Her father had a home, with a loving wife and kids. Noah was different, he didn't have those. Fuck, he didn't even use a ring and River had never even met the wife. How could he ever think those things were slightly similar?

She felt the tears pricking behind her eyes and her cheeks burning. From embarrassment, maybe from guilt but most definitely from having to hear those words out of his mouth of all people.

"… Fucking great…" she whispered more to herself than to him. Pure disappointment. Yet, he heard her anyway.

"No… Riv… I didn't…" He tried to fix it, hand reaching out to her but she didn't take it. "Fuck, I'm sorry…"

River knew he didn't say anything wrong. That it was more her fault than anyone else’s. That she was the stupid girl falling for the words of a very much married man. But her pride spoke louder than her head and she just turned to the other side, weeping the tears that insisted on falling.

"Please, you knew exactly what you were saying."

"… I just don't want you to hurt yourself."

She nodded. She knew he loved her and that he would never hurt her on purpose but sometimes you just want to have the upper hand. "It's fine," she said, sniffing.

"Really?"

"Yeah, more than fine, it's great."

"Fine then," he narrowed his eyes.

"Cool."

"Great."

"Yeah."

Quiet took them over again. It was so not like them. Her mother used to say that where there was noise there were also River and Bobby. Chattering and loud laughter were almost their registered brand, a mark on their relationship that was already known for bringing chaos.

Because Bobby knew River hated the silence. He always made sure they were doing something when they were together. That there was some music playing, even in the background. She always guessed that was the kind of thing that made best friends, best friends.

She wondered if she had broken that bond.

But then he broke the silence.

"So… Did you fuck him in my car?"

And that was worth more than any other words of apology he could have said.

"What?!" She almost gagged. "Why would I do that?!"

He laughed, "I don't know, I found a pair of pants in my backseat."

Well, what a turn of events.

"No way," her mouth hung open, face taken by complete shock. "Like… Underwear?"

"Yeah, Amazon, underwear," Bobby said, voice humoured once again. "It's not yours, then?!"

"Of course not!" She nudged him. "I wouldn't ever, oh my days, not in your car."

"Gary's then?" Bobby asked before chuckling and she followed him and soon enough they were roaring with laughter together, almost crying.

She guessed there was no Bobby without River as well as there wasn't River without Bobby.

THEA: international headache

“Ok, so, this is only the first meeting with the director, I’ll translate everything you need to know, don’t worry,” Tim said as they walked down the hotel's hallway.

Thea had barely slept. Who would’ve thought that having her heart broken would keep her awake at night? Yet, her lack of sleep didn’t matter much right now. Nor did the whole hour she was ahead of England and all of her friends. Nor the fact the only person she had to talk to was a guy she had only met 12 hours ago. It didn’t matter. It was silliness.

What mattered was that she was dressed and ready to go at eight o’clock — even though her body was still used to London time —, that Tim was by her side to translate anything she couldn’t understand and that the director and singer were about to have a meeting in which she would be present.

But like, only in spirit, because good lord, she was tired.

When they reached the main hall, Tim approached another woman. She was one of those tropical beauties, with long tanned legs and a really fit body, looking gorgeous. Not that Thea paid attention to that, of course not, she was not looking for attractive people, no!

… but a little peep never killed anybody, right?

Tim spoke to the woman in a language Thea would guess was Spanish. She laughed way too hard at whatever the fuck he told her and slapped him lightly on his shoulder, making him laugh back and blush. Well, Thea might not have understood what they said but she knew flirting when she saw it.

“Tim?” Thea called for him, motioning at her Smart Watch so he would get a hint. It would be such a fucking disaster to be late for her first meeting with the director.

“Oh, Thea, this is Valentina, she’s part of the team!”

Ah, now it makes more sense, Thea thought to herself before her eyes moved from him to Valentina, who had the kindest smile she had seen in the last 48 hours. “Nice to meet you, my name is Valentina but you can call me Val!” she said with a half-American, half-Latino accent.

“Nice to meet you, too!” Thea shook the hand Valentina had offered. “I’m Thea but my friends call me Thee.”

“You never told me that,” Tim butted in.

“You never asked!”

“Well, I guess that is true.”

“So,” Valentina interrupted them, clapping her hands together. “I will be your assistant for this job, Thea, so, don’t worry about your schedule, I’ll take care of it all for you. And, well, Tim as well.”

“I’ll be counting on you, then!” Thea smiled back before looking from Tim to Valentina and pointing at her watch again. “And… I guess we have a meeting now?”

“Oh, shoot, yeah!” Tim gasped. “Let’s go.”

What a fantastic team.

Valentina guided them to one of the meeting rooms. Apparently, the place was one of those that were used to receive companies and they had a bunch of utility rooms like those, or at least that was what Tim told her when Thea asked what kind of hotel had meeting rooms.

Even though she was nervous about coming in last, as soon as they stepped inside the room, they found the place nearly empty. There was only a man and a woman, sitting near to each other, discussing something in what now Thea could recognise as Spanish.

Tim said something, announcing their presence, and then the man replied. Thea watched as the four of the Spanish speakers talked to each other, awkwardly putting her to the side as she looked down at her own feet. Maybe travelling to another country wasn’t the smartest decision she had ever made.

That was when a man showed up next to her.

As a model, Thea was used to being around tall people but there was something about that man’s presence that really stuck out to her. That close to him, she could even scent the smell of ocean and breeze that surrounded his body, adding to the fresh look he had on his face. He looked so casual, so in the right place, unlike her.

He had a geometric-patterned, white buttoned-up shirt missing the first few buttons, and blue board shorts paired with old-school Vans. On his head, a white panama hat was hiding his dreadlocks, while a black cord scapular hung around his neck. Oh, and he was breathtaking.

Thea didn’t know what was exactly the thing that made him so good-looking. Maybe it was a mix of things instead of just one especially. It had something to do with the way he looked so peaceful, or maybe how his cheeks had a blush to them, or even how long his lashes were, or, who knows, maybe it was the soft look in his eyes.

It was safe to say she was looking for way too long when she realised he was talking to her.

“Sorry?” she asked in a reflex after not understanding a single word — partly because she was paying attention to his looks and partly because it was in another language, again.

“He said his name’s Nicky and asked yours,” the blonde girl behind him said. Wait, how long has she been there? “I’m AJ, by the way, his translator.”

“Oh, yeah, I’m Thea, the model.” Even though she had tried her best to sound as normal as she could, there was no way a conversation which needed a third party could ever sound normal.

“Ela disse que é a modelo, Thea,” AJ told the man, the only thing understandable was Thea’s name.

“A gente acertou em cheio com a modelo, hein?! Muito gata,” he said.

AJ giggled, making Thea a little bit anxious as to the exchange that was unfolding before her eyes. “He said you’re beautiful.”

Oh.

She barely noticed when everyone was sitting down; barely breathed when he got the seat next to hers; barely understood while they were discussing the video details in a half-English half-Spanish conversation; barely let herself look to the side, otherwise, she would be taken by the most incredible view.

Nicky's presence was, to say the least, the most overwhelming it could be, positively and negatively. Suddenly, the once big and fancy meeting room was as small as her room in the loft she shared with Lottie. She wondered if that was the very cool consequence of being famous: even international models would be starstruck in our presence, even if they didn't know who you were five minutes ago.

When the meeting was done, Thea hoped that Valentina had taken the notes she said she would and then told Tim she had a really bad headache and was going to take a break in her room, if he couldn't explain that to the big boss director. He reassured her it was fine and told her everyone could understand she was jetlagged.

So she left but not before stealing one last glance at Nicky, who was staring back.

His smile was like sunrise and she found herself blushing, heartbeat so fast under her shirt. Tucking her hair behind her ear, she left the room, wondering if her fake international headache was becoming real.

BRIDGET: hot & cold

She stood at the balcony of their suite, bracing her arms against the wooden railing as she took a deep breath and watched the air condensing as she slowly exhaled, the white wisps blending seamlessly after a moment with the white scenery surrounding her. When it was high noon the sunlight glinting off the snow was nearly blinding, but with sunset approaching now the sky was painted in a gradient of several tones of gold, pink, lilac and blue, creating the most unbelievably beautiful sight. The surrounding mountains with their snowed peaks made it all look even more majestic and otherworldly.

Bridget sighed again, a smile forming on her lips even as she remembered Delilah telling her she was crazy for wanting to honeymoon somewhere as cold as the Swiss Alps during winter. Her best friend turned sister-in-law had said they should’ve gone someplace warm, like the Caribbean or Southeast Asia with their wonderfully hot beaches to get away from the dreary cold of winter in the UK instead of going to an even colder place. But the truth was Bridget and Gary had always loved winter and all the snow and how cosy it made everything, so this had been a perfect place for them.

The village of Gstaad looked so quaint and magical, and with the lead up to Christmas the place was already fully decorated for the season: there were pine trees, big red bows and twinkling lights all around. That and the local architecture created a whole atmosphere that almost made one expect to find Santa’s workshop around a corner. The honeymooning couple had already taken the obligatory tour around the streets, visiting the renowned restaurants and the cute shops, looking for gifts and mementos to take back home.

The area was mostly known as a prime location for winter sports and the amazing scenery. She wasn’t much of a skier, but of course they did it all: going down a few slopes (which was fun, even if she did fall on her bum a few times), ice skating (which she fared much better, if she’d say so), even doing some trekking in the snowy woods and going up to see one of the famous peaks.

She knew Gary loved all that outdoorsy stuff, but she had to admit her favourite part was the five star hotel. The restaurant was amazing, there was everything they could want for evening entertainment like a bar and game room, not to mention the spa treatments and the outdoor heated pool they got to enjoy while literally being surrounded by snow. They had a gorgeous suite with their own fireplace, an enormous spa bathtub and a balcony with one of the best views all around. Which was where she was now, just taking everything in as if she could take mental snapshots of the place, and she suddenly realised that she’d been alone for quite a while.

Where the hell was her husband now?

She smiled to herself, still getting used to that word and the fact that she did indeed have a husband, then walked back into the warmth of the suite, shedding the heavy coat that had been wrapped around her. She looked around the bedroom and called his name as she went down the steps, checking the lower floor with the sitting room but she could see no sign of him.

Just then the front door opened and the man himself walked in.

“Hey, honey,” Bridget greeted him with a smile. “Where you been? I was just about to organise a search party,” she said jokingly as she leaned against the small table in the breakfast nook.

“Humm?” He said lightly as he turned to her. “Oh nothing, I just had to take a call,” he said with a smile, jerking a thumb over his shoulder. “My mum, you know how she gets,” he added with an eye roll.

Bridget merely raised an eyebrow back at him. While she knew Juliet was quite frankly the epitome of the overbearing mother and she was constantly sending her son messages and calling even while they were on their honeymoon, Gary had never hid any conversations with his mother from her. In fact, he’d always made sure to include her in them because he said if he had to suffer through his mother’s ramblings then she needed to bear the burden with him and they’d always make a joke of the whole thing, rolling their eyes and making silly faces to each other as they listened to her and answered back when necessary. So that and the fact that he seemed to be trying too hard for nonchalance made her feel this wasn’t exactly true.

It was only a few moments of her staring later that Gary relented. “Okay, fine,” he said with a shrug. “It was a work call.”

If possible, that actually made her more aggravated than the fact that he’d initially lied he’d been on the phone with Juliet. She loved Gary, she truly did with all her heart, but she’d never met someone quite as obsessed with work as he was. Sometimes it got too much.

“Seriously?” She still had that raised eyebrow, and she crossed her arms to make sure he could see how displeased she was in case there was still any doubt.

“C’mon, Bridge,” he said with a sigh. “You know I wouldn’t take it if it wasn’t serious.”

“You always say it’s serious, Gary.”

“Well, yeah. Construction jobs are serious work,” he argued back, a slight frown marked between his eyebrows. “Not only are there several safety and regulation issues that I need to keep an eye on, remember that now I’m responsible for the whole company.”

“I know, I get it,” she said, raising a placating hand. She did not need to hear him going off about how stepping up as the CEO was a huge responsibility and too many people were counting on him. “I know you’ve taken over for your grandpa only a few months ago and you want to do a good job. But hun, this is the only honeymoon we’re gonna get. It’s literally a once in a lifetime thing and we promised we would leave work back home while we’re here.”

“I know,” he said, his eyes and the lines on his forehead softening a little. “And we had a few wonderful days here just the two of us, didn’t we?”

“We had,” she agreed with a small nod.

“But if there’s an emergency I can’t very well leave my people hanging, can I?” He said, making a gesture with his hands as if asking her to be reasonable.

“You left people in charge while you’re out,” she countered, tilting her chin up a little and taking a few steps forward, getting into his personal space. “And we didn’t even take a full week to be here. I don’t want to lose the magic of this place worrying about things back home. Can’t it be just the two of us, at least while we’re here?”

He wrapped his arms around her and gave her a soft smile. “You know it’s just the two of us.”

“Not when you’re going outside to take work calls,” she pointed out, leaning back a little to look him in the eye, even as she accepted his embrace and wrapped her arms loosely around his waist. “Look, I also have things I need to worry about, what with both Rocco and Thea taking off so suddenly. But I’m trusting Noah is handling it until we’re back, and you should trust Najuma to take care of things for a few days. She’s your work partner and the COO for Construction Operations Rennell & Reid, after all.”

He nodded a little, seeing her point. “You’re right,” he said with another smile. “Yeah, you’re right, darling.”

She beamed at hearing his pet name for her. “Of course, I am. You should know I’m always right, by now.”

“Yeah, you really are.” He let out a low chuckle before leaning down to give her a soft kiss. “I’m sorry. If this happens again, I’ll just tell people to talk to Naj and that I’ll get back to them next week.”

“Thanks, hun,” she said, wrapping her arms tightly around him and breathing in his scent as she leaned her head against his shoulder. “It means a lot to me.”

“You’ll let me make it up to you?” The husky tone of his voice in her ear sent shivers down her spine.

“Maybe,” Bridget answered with a smirk, her dark eyes already twinkling with excitement.

She did let him make it up to her later that night. But she might’ve enjoyed herself a little too much ‘punishing’ him as well. But she figured it was fair, after all, how was he supposed to learn his lesson unless she made a point?

Gary laughed a little when she showed him what she’d brought over in her luggage and what exactly she had in mind, but then he grinned broadly and said he was game. One of the many things she loved about this man was how willing he was to try things out, as long as she was with him and it was something they both thought would be fun.

She knew the pink fluffy handcuffs and the rest of the kit had been a half-serious, half-joking gift from one of her uni friends for her hen party. After all, Blake had known of certain predilections and curiosities of hers for a long while now. But truthfully Bridget had never felt comfortable enough with her partners to explore these things.

Until Gary, that is. With him, she felt she could try anything, at least once.

Initially, she’d thought she’d like to be the one restrained — and honestly, she still thought she’d enjoy the hell out of it, on another occasion. But since the idea was to make Gary regret the errors of his way, so to speak, they’d decided he’d be the one tied up first.

“Is this okay?” She asked with a rather nervous smile as she snapped one of the cuffs around his wrist. She was glad they’d made sure to get a room with a king-sized bed that came with a beautifully carved headboard as she looped the handcuffs through the spaces above Gary’s head and closed the other cuff around his other wrist.

“It’s more than okay, babe,” he reassured her with a grin, his blue eyes practically sparkling up at her. He tilted his chin up and she leaned down, teasing a slow, tantalising kiss as she pressed her lips to his, her tongue swiping his lower lip. He opened his mouth, his tongue meeting hers in a series of languid, sensual movements that left them both a little breathless.

It was just what she needed to feel emboldened enough and, after checking on the restraints that tied his feet to the foot of the bed, Bridget set out to tease Gary until he’d be positively begging her for mercy.

She started by kissing and caressing his exposed skin, starting at the hollow of his throat, leaving slight bite marks on his shoulders and collarbone. Her hands travelled down his chest and abs, her nails scratching gently as she took her time, her lips following as she brushed kisses after the invisible path her hands marked. The way his breath caught when she reached one of his sensitive spots was music to her ears and she felt a little heady with how completely exposed he was, how he was literally putting himself in her hands for her to do as she pleased.

If she were honest, she’d never been a blowjob enthusiast. She knew some of her friends loved giving oral, but she’d always rather be on the receiving end. But having him restrained and her being the one solely responsible for his pleasure did something to her. He could barely move his hips, even as he pressed the heels of his feet against the bed for leverage as she took him completely in her mouth. She licked, sucked and teased him in all the ways she knew would drive him crazy and she felt herself growing so excited that she was the one causing him to react with soft moans and groans, curse words falling like a blasphemous litany from his lips.

She could feel he was close, as his stomach tightened and his thighs seemed to shudder under her hands, and she eased her lips off him with a loud pop. He let out a loud gasp as she licked her lips and lifted her eyes to meet his. He groaned and strained against the cuffs around his wrists, but she merely sent him a sweet smile as she sat back on her thighs between his legs.

Bridget brought one of her hands up and made a trail down her own body, watching as Gary avidly kept track of her movements. The sound he made when her fingers reached for her centre was a mix between a moan and a whimper. She teased herself for a few moments, building on the pleasure she already felt running through her veins before she leaned forward and wrapped her lips around his length once more.

She honestly lost track of time as she did this over and over, bringing him to the very edge only to back off and tease herself as he was forced to watch. To be fair, she also always stopped just before she could reach her own climax, barely containing her own whimper as she caught her breath and leaned forward to take him into the heat of her mouth once more.

She could feel the desperation rolling off of him, his body completely straining in her direction as if she had him pulled by a string. His muscles strained against the cuffs around his wrists and ankles, his body trembling with sweat glinting off his skin as he tried to buck against her lips. They’d established a safe word before starting this, but he hadn’t cracked yet. Still, she could see it in his eyes, he was on his breaking point — only he was too stubborn to say it out loud. She eased off his erection, mindful of how oversensitive he was and she paused for a few moments, the two of them breathing heavily in the still air of their room.

She crawled up until her lips hovered just above his and he pushed up, taking her into a desperate, messy kiss that left her head spinning. She gasped against his lips, and asked, “do you want me to untie you?”

“No,” he growled even as he strained against the cuffs. “But f-fuck ─ I-I need ─ Bridge!”

Even though he seemed incapable of completing his thoughts, she knew what he meant. She pressed her forehead against his and said soothingly, “I know, baby. I got you.”

She positioned herself above his hips, making sure to keep a light touch so he wouldn’t be overwhelmed. She was so ready for him that they both gasped when his tip first touched her wet folds, then she pushed down until she’d taken his entire length.

“Oh my fucking god,” Gary hissed as he closed his eyes and pulled against the cuffs on reflex, but then he snapped his eyes open to look at her and she leaned forward, meeting his lips even as she flexed her hips.

“Oh fuck,” she gasped against his mouth, as she could feel the tendrils of pleasure building with the slightest of movements.

“Babe, I’m not ─ I can’t─”

“It’s okay,” she whispered, once more meeting him for a kiss as she reached her hands up and laced her fingers with his as she moved her hips against him. He arched his back and levered his hips as best as he could, thrusting up into her, meeting her rocking movements and it wasn’t long before she felt him tensing under her.

Tremors wrecked his whole body and she kept on riding him as she felt him being overcome by his orgasm. She could swear stars exploded behind her eyelids as she reached her own climax with a muffled cry against his lips.

Time seemed to stand still as they came down from the high and simply recovered their breaths. Bridget reached up with slightly trembling fingers and removed the cuffs from his wrists, Gary immediately wrapping his arms around her. She made a move to sit up to remove the restraints around his ankles, but he just shook his head and kept her firmly pressed against his chest.

“Fuck me,” he said after a moment, laughter bubbling up with his words. Before she could respond with a cheeky ‘I just did’ and he said, “listen, if that was supposed to be punishment for bad behaviour I might just start pissing you off more often on purpose.”

“Don’t you dare,” she said with a chuckle even as she pressed a soft kiss to his neck. “Or maybe I could just threaten never doing this again if you cross me.”

He gasped in mock outrage, making her chuckle again and he turned to press a kiss to her temple. “I love you so much, darling.”

“I love you too, hun.”

JULES: turn around

Jules went to the office early Wednesday morning, as much of a mix of emotions as she’d been when she’d left Sweet Cheeks Monday afternoon. Today was a little harder considering she was supposed to be meeting her lawyer during her lunch to review the divorce papers; they’d look over them and then schedule a time to meet with Suresh and his own lawyer when they were ready to sign.

It felt like a storm cloud was hanging over her head, as dramatic as that sounded. Any high that she might still be feeling from how well her lunch with Delilah went had been washed away by the realization that her divorce was moving full-steam ahead. Despite the fact that she wanted to sever her ties with Suresh, it didn’t make it any easier. It definitely should have made it easier, she should have been ready to sign those papers and be done with it, but she just wasn’t ready to admit that she’d failed.

Jake’s words suddenly rang in her mind.

It doesn’t mean you failed, it just means you grew and you changed, and maybe he didn’t grow and change alongside you.

He had a point, didn’t he? Jules had always felt like her ambition had been bigger than her relationship, her desire to do more so much greater than her husband’s. Maybe she’d finally outgrown him, after all?

She didn’t even realize she was standing outside of her office, the walk there a hazy memory. Jules went in and settled down behind her desk, prepared to tackle the mountain of emails likely waiting for her. What she hadn’t been expecting to see was Delilah’s name sitting at the very top of her inbox.

Jules,

We’d love for you to do the interview. I’ll follow up with more information soon.

It was great talking to you and I look forward to working more with you.

Delilah

Holy shit. Had she really gotten it? She’d had such a good feeling leaving lunch on Monday but she hadn’t thought she would actually get the interview. If anything, she was fully expecting a very kind rejection letter to be sitting in her inbox, not this. That black cloud hanging over her disappeared in an instant as she read over the email again and again, soaking up every word.

This wasis exactly what she needed. This interview would give her the chance to move to a better magazine, to write about things she was actually passionate about rather than about who was going to be the next to chart the Top 40. Not that she didn’t respect the people she worked with, but it wasn’t what she wanted to do.

She sent a quick message to their marketing director, Hope, letting her know they’d need to get a promo shoot in the works before she headed towards Talia’s office. The thought of seeing her boss today of all days didn’t really instil a whole lot of confidence in her but she just needed to get it out of the way. Then she could focus all of her attention on her research and drafting her questions.

When Jules approached the door to Talia’s office, it was open just a tad, far enough that she could hear bits and pieces of the whispered argument happening inside. She cracked open the door a bit more, not even surprised at the sight of Suresh standing in there, the lines of his body tense and defensive.

“What do you want, Jules?” Talia bit out, reluctantly drawing her attention away from Suresh to focus on her, instead.

Something akin to anger flared up in her chest, but she forced herself to take a deep breath before she spoke. “I was just coming by to let you know that I secured the Mason Knowles interview. His manager just emailed me.”

Suresh’s green eyes widened as he turned to look at her, the shock on his face almost as satisfying as it had been the other day when she’d told him she knew about Talia’s fiancée catching them together. “What do you mean you secured the interview? I’ve been trying to get in contact with his manager for months now, how did you––”

“I already emailed Hope so she could start organizing the shoot. Once I have the details nailed down, I’ll send it to you. That’s all,” Jules said, giving them both a sharp look before she left, shutting the door firmly behind herself.

As soon as she was back in her office, she sent a quick email to her attorney, asking to reschedule. The last thing she needed was to ruin her good mood with what would no doubt be a hellish meeting. She would ride this high for as long as she could, knowing that she’d finally succeeded in something that he hadn’t. For so long, it had felt like she was competing alongside him and losing every step of the way. When they first got together, he told her he admired her ambition, but now she was starting to wonder if he just liked that he thought he could always do better than her.

She worked her morning away, contacting everyone she needed to make sure that this interview went off without a hitch. By the time lunch came around, she wasn’t particularly hungry so she headed to the lounge to make herself a coffee so she could power through the rest of the day.

“Jules!”

She’d just finished adding her creamer when a voice sounded from the doorway. She looked up to see Hope standing there, a bright smile on her face. For a moment, Jules wondered if the marketing director had her confused with someone else but no, Hope was looking right at her.

“Oh, hi!” Jules said, giving the other woman a smile of her own. “Did you uh, get my email earlier?”

“Yeah, I did, but I was actually coming to ask you if you had plans after work?” Hope asked, and Jules shook her head, bringing her coffee mug to her lips.

“No. No plans,” she confirmed before taking a sip of the drink.

“A few of us were going to go grab drinks after work if you wanted to join? It’s just myself, Jen, and Blake—we always go to Sweet Cheeks on Wednesdays to have wine and decompress. The bartender, Allegra, is a friend of Jen’s and always treats us really well. And by that I mean she always over pours our glasses,” Hope said, and Jules had to fight the urge to let her surprise show on her face.

She hadn’t thought anyone in the office really knew who she was, or if they did, they only knew her because of Suresh. And they hadn’t exactly been a couple that got invited to things…

But she and Suresh weren’t together anymore. And now it was like people could really see her.

“That sounds great. Yeah, I’d love that,” she said, and Hope’s smile grew.

“Amazing. We’ll all meet in the lobby and walk over together, okay? I’ll see you then!” the other woman said before she left the lounge, leaving Jules smiling into her cup of coffee.

#litg #litg writers rooms #writers room #lia #love island actually #litg ff #litg fanfic #litg gary #litg noah #litg jake #litg nicky #litg bobby #litg suresh

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legiomiam · 1 year

Text

FIND THE WORD

Tagged by @awritingcaitlin my words are: bad, hour, breathe, chance, neck, thought, move, because, center, past

(Thought and Move are one scene but it was too good to not share)

I tag: @e-s-willswriting, @saphoblin, @sentfromwolves, @baroquesse and @awritingcaitlin

And your words are: Treasure, shift, yawn, object

☙❦❧

BAD

The handle on the door squeaked as bright green hair poked around the frame, the little boy’s goat like eyes danced around the room.

“Is it story time, Orinette?” Little hands raised into fists, at Brahm. “Soon I’ll be able to take you.”

“I believe you may be able to in a few weeks, train hard and when I get back we’ll see who’s the stronger of the two.” He patted the top of the small boy’s hair and looked back at his mother.

Orinette. The term the matriarch of Hunters was given from anyone in the tribe that thought of her as a teacher, an elder of sorts. A term that the Chief had allowed, the one thing that his mother had wanted from the tribe she had been born in.

He never asked, didn’t want to bring up bad memories in how her human body was chosen to host her God like essence. There was no point in him knowing, he thought. The door behind him clicked shut as he pulled it as he went, heads bent when he passed.

“Well, look at you.” A smile with a missing tooth on the side was flashed, “hunting trip so soon? Chandra isn’t going is she?” Fear flashed across the young woman’s face.

“No, Baba has grounded her to missions around the compound for a while.” He sighed, Brahm shook his head remembering how he had waited in Tregford for two weeks for his sister. How when she had finally appeared looking dirtier than what should have been normal for this hunting trip. He remembered the ire of their parents when she relayed all that she had seen, the Dance of Garnets, a sacrifice of Fae for an incorrectly remembered event.

“Good, I never want to worry about her like that again.”

He cupped her cheek and she smiled, “you know I love you, Florence. Now, Mama is starting story time if you’d like to go listen.”

“I wouldn’t miss it for anything.” She hugged him and headed down the hall, a smile broke across his face when Chandra also rounded the opposite corner with a small group of children. His sister gave the other woman a soft smile as she held the door open for the children, bending to kiss Florence as she walked into the room.

He never thought his parents would have been so open to the relationship his sister had chosen for herself, but it had been a handful of decades now and she was an irreplaceable cog in the machine that made up their family, their clan, their tribe.

☙❦❧

HOUR

“You think too loud.”

“Normally, I only have to worry about my mother being inside my head. She lets me have my privacy even if I push out too much. Is it a normal thing? Can we all read minds?” Panic started to grip her if she could read minds, if Varyn could read minds then that meant that he could read minds.

“Don’t worry, what is it your mother calls you ‘Little Autumn Beetle’?”

“Don’t, that is their endearment for me, and only theirs. And it’s just Autumn Beetle, sometimes I’m stubborn Autumn Beetle.” A hearty laugh from behind her has her chuckle too.

“Ah, she’s got jokes ladies and gentlemen of the forest. But, no not everyone can read minds, just your grandmother’s bloodline I am assuming, unless your grandfather was—”

“I don’t know much about him— actually I know next to nothing. My grandmother too, my mother didn’t like to talk about her. Still doesn’t. I think it has to do with—” she stopped, Varyn had shifted the lead up to her so she could take control.

“Here you go, princess, you know more about horses than I do.” Her fingers took the strap of leather and the horse whinnied under her, lips flapping as the animal blew out. “We could probably travel on horseback for a few more hours. I’d rather us be out of the forest before sleeping. Not that it keeps Grievers from wandering, just less likely.” And with how interested they seem to be with you I’d rather not take that chance.

Thank you, for a lot it’s nice to have someone I don’t have to fully pretend around. Someone who—

She floundered for words unsure. She couldn’t drag Brahm through the dirt because he didn’t know but she also didn’t put it past any of them to use her as a bargaining chip to be able to cross their lands. Even more so than that she didn’t want the burden of her family’s secrets to be on them.

☙❦❧

BREATHE

“Thank you for the bar of soap, that was— thoughtful.” She kneeled down next to the Fae female as her little whittling knife made use of separating the skin from the meat.

Dark hands stilled as a confused gaze rose to meet hers, lavender eyes showing no sign of knowing what was being spoken about. Rashka gave a slight frown, did Chandra not expect her to say thank you? She knew she had been rough to be around the past couple of days, but she was nothing if not thankful for the thought.

“The soap you bought from the merchant, thank you.”

“I didn’t—” her head went forward from the light smack Brahm had given the back. Rashka watched as the siblings shared a glance, a heavy silence as he turned away to finish handing Naveen more fuel for the fire. “I didn’t think you’d want to wait for whenever we’d stop in villages to bathe. Not all of them have nice bathrooms, so bathing in a fish filled lake or river would be cleaner if you know what I mean.” It sounded like words that didn’t come from her, like something she was repeating not truly saying from the heart.

Rashka sat back on her haunches, debating with herself if she wanted to pry, either verbally or mentally, about the strange look. Deciding that it wasn’t worth the energy she returned to her bed roll and sat upon it, a stick of granite finding its way into her hand. She had stared at the blank pages of the journal given to her.

What was there to write about?

Did they want her to write so she could spill all her secrets and they could read it, much like Klaas had read her letters? Tucking her knees in close so her heels were almost flush against where her thigh met her backside. Closing the soft bound book she let her fingers relax as her forehead rested on her knees. Tuning out the sounds around her she just breathed, inhaling and exhaling, in deep breaths.

☙❦❧

CHANCE

(GORE)

She could see so clearly as sharp fangs sunk into tender muscle. See the way that it wasn’t just a normal feeding either, the four sharp fangs that would withdraw from the slits in the gums as they snicked into place over normal teeth, the sickening twist of a stomach as a head fast as an adder closed their mouth around the vein on the side of a neck. The way the muscle and tendons pulled as flesh was torn off in a chunk. Thick coppery blood tinged with magic of the half human half fae teenager sprayed the couple before hands grabbed the woman. She looked so much like the corpse lying on the floor as the vampyre continued to tear him to chunks in pleasure that was clear on his face. The impure blood was not worth savoring, the bloody pieces in their mouth were quickly spat back out. They killed a child.

The wet thump of each bloody limb hitting the wood floor after it was done, eating flesh was an animalistic thing to do and we were not animals. This was for entertainment, having the chance to rip apart the enemy. To put fear in the hearts of those in the village.

A younger redheaded girl was held close as they helplessly watched from their hiding place the woman who screamed and begged as she was dragged from the house. Her wild red hair was no different in tone than the blood on her torn shirt.

“Tie her up outside, you know what to do. Let the creatures have her.” The man was taken away, he’d never see the walls of his home again. His wife would be murdered and torn apart in an ending far worse than and feeding would be from one of her own.

☙❦❧

NECK

They were a type of underworldly beautiful that would let you ignore the fangs that hid in their gums, their hearing that when focused could pick up the beating of prey's hearts from a few yards away. Their skin no matter the shade and shape was smooth, only able to be scarred by severe damage caused by fire or deep trauma caused by the most carefully crafted weapons. Crafted from either the same metal that made up the ribbing on their hunting suits — or even now — Little Sea glass.

Having run in with so many Vampyres there was something off about Rashka, a servant and low born Vampyre would only have such features that came with them. Having pure blood tainted with anything that would ruin it also would ruin the beauty as the old codex from the first Counsul had deemed.

Everything about her screamed deadly, dangerous, and to be feared. It made the hair on his neck and arms rise and for a little as his heartbeat quickened, Brahm wondered if this was the very servant that had caused such a flight response in his father. Even more so now that she had fully turned to face him head on and something danced behind her eyes, the straightforward way she stared at him with the stillness of her head reminded him of the badgers that would fight the dogs out in the fields. Always prepared to fight even when backed into a corner without help.

Something began to soothe him, much like the way he’d caress the dark green leaves of the begonias in the conservatory, it was a touch that stroked his mind and he shook his head. The feeling of wrongness burst from his chest. As suddenly as it had started it stopped and the young woman in front of him seemed a little more closed off, arms crossing as it made her chest stick out more. All at once he came crashing down into himself and was hyper aware of the danger she presented, he’d have to ask his father if it was the very feeling he felt staring into that coach.

“Are you thirsty, Princeling?” She tilted her head then and stuck out the side as one would when offering a Vampyre to feed.

“I’m glad to see you’re in a joking manner,” He quickly slammed the cup and pitcher down on the bedside table not caring at the mess he had made in his haste to leave the room and the naked Vampyre standing in the middle of it. It was as if the spell was broken. “I am sure you know how to bathe yourself, I’ll have someone run you by some clothes.”

“Damn, and here I thought I was free for a clothes optional experience.”

He could have sworn she laughed, a silent laugh that seemed to echo around in his head as the door clicked closed behind him, he took a few steps on shaky legs.

☙❦❧

THOUGHT

He found her sitting at the piano tucked away in one of the attic compartments, the old dusty bench decorated with cobwebs. He leaned against an abandoned dresser that was pressed against the wall as he listened to her pluck a few keys, brow pinched in thought.

The sun filtered in through the slits made through the wooden blinds, each swirling speck of dust that danced in the air was visible. She looked like the subject of a forgotten painting, the sole focus in the room as the sun created highlights in her rich dark brown hair. Florence had taken to dressing her new friend, thinking of outfits that she could help his mother make.

“Do not think I do not know you are watching me.” A few more keys are pressed, she never plays a full melody. Maybe just curious.

“I think when my mother wanted you to walk around instead of laying in bed and weakening yourself, she didn’t mean to hide away in the attic with the spiders and ghosts.” A short laugh as he advanced a couple of steps in her direction, she was still so sad. Too sad, and part of him didn’t like it, he couldn’t place it. It fell along the same line if his sister, or mother were sad. If Florence or even Nal were hiding away not wanting to be seen by anyone.

And to him Rashka didn’t want to be seen.

She wouldn’t come down to eat with them, instead the staff would find her sneaking her way into the kitchens for any leftovers at the end of the day. In the two weeks of her recovery she was happened upon doing her own laundry in her bathtub with a bar of soap taken from the laundry. If she ran into any of the staff who had wanted to help her, she would lower her head and not address them, much as if they were a higher status than her.

Something that he hoped she would understand that the people employed by his father were just that, they served willingly and were given the best.

“And what do you know of ghosts, Princeling?” A few notes as he sits next to her on the bench. “Would you like to hear a song?”

☙❦❧

MOVE

“You know more than a few notes?” He jested, concerned to push her too far in her healing state. Worried that the deep seeded sorrow that seemed to radiate off her would cause her to harm herself.

“Do not baby me, I choose to spend my days here as I wish. That is what I was gifted, my ghosts, however many may accompany me, are none of your concern. And I do not wish to share them.” Bitterness rolled off her in waves as she set to moving her hands over the old piano keys, the ivory bending under long slender fingers. A melody started something slow and sweet, a little sorrowful twist and then it crescendoed into something absolute. As if she had played it a thousand times over.

He sat impressed as the music swirled around them until it trailed to a close. “That was,” his own hands fluttered. What could he say?

“I started with a few notes here and there and then it just evolved into this over time.” She plucked a key, thinking.

“Does it have a name?”

“No, I usually only play it for my Mama and Ba, it’s the only sure thing I can play that won’t—” her words stopped abruptly as she frowned, burned out embers fading from her eyes. “Thank you for listening to my playing, sorry to have—”

“No thank you.” Brahm pressed a key of his own, a small smile that suddenly breaks into a new one. “You should come down for practice, I think you could teach a few of my new recruits how to throw a right hook.”

Rashka bristled a little, standing from her place. “I shared with you a few notes on a piano, nothing else. I am not your friend, you must remember even though you have taken in one Vampyre because your sister had fallen deeply in love, I commend you for that. But at what cost, what livelihood did she have to give up to join you? And I will not forget, Prince of Hunters the first born in the line of Najm, who you are and what you do.” Her skirts were brushed off to remove any dust, and a hard line made her mouth.

“At the end of the day I am a leech and you are nothing but a clay-bodied shell,” he winced at the words, at the term that had been used against the Fae for mellenia. “My kind hates your kind for every wrong you have done and continue to do to us, and your people specifically kill mine as if it’s fun. A sport, at least Fangers get paid for their hard work. What do you do? What pleasure and payment do you get from it?”

Venom dripped from her lips, it fell onto his ears and ran down his throat. Each word stung as she walked away.

☙❦❧

BECAUSE

Pretty. Pretty thing. We will get you where you belong.

Wearily Rashka rolled towards the bushline, swearing she heard chewing with the thoughts that awoken her once more. Footsteps neared and she nearly jumped as feet came into view.

“What are you doing?” She hissed as strange hazel eyes almost glowed in his face.

“Naveen is snoring, so I’m moving. I’d like a good night's sleep.” He had rolled his bed roll out in front of hers so he was between her and that line of underbrush. She was confused because there was no snoring from the heavily sleeping Fae opposite the small clearing. “Just go to sleep.”

She couldn’t place why but as her eyes slid shut, his remained open and on her face. It comforted her.

She knew they were being followed, they had to have been. The morning after she went to relieve herself, that feeling of being watched growing, when she stumbled upon the remains of their dinner, completely picked clean. The next was as she went to scribble in the journal just a little four note tune that was stuck in her head there was a smudge of half a fingerprint on one of the pages.

She mentioned the bones to Brahm who shrugged, “it’s just the animals.”

“You slept next to me.”

“I told you,” he fastened her saddle to her horse, “Naveen snores.”

“C—” he waited, eyebrow raised and arms crossed. “Could you ride next to me, please?”

Something must have been clear on her face as he opened his mouth to retort before firmly closing it and stalking back to his mount. Quickly climbing on top of hers she tried to not let the surprise show as he let the other two pass him so he could stay at her pace. “Tomorrow night we should be in beds. I bet that’s a luxury you’re not accustomed to not having.”

☙❦❧

CENTER

Memories of how bad Klaas had turned, a young boy with a need for blood outside of being human starved and then staked out in the sun. All for a misplaced ring and a set of rolled silverware he had taken in case she had allowed him to dine with her. She wasn’t going to deny a small boy a bite of custard when he had looked at it like a deaf child by a miracle getting to finally hear his mother’s voice.

Straightening up she took the granite back in hand and started scribbling on the pages. “Morgan was his name, he was only six, and I— everyday the new lady of the house would share her custard if she had been gifted it. I loved him very much, like a brother I’ve always wanted. The Madam was sick for a few days but when she got better and was able to eat once more she asked for custard, two. In his excitement he had grabbed silverware, not bothering to check if it was for them or for us.” She wouldn’t explain who was them and who was us, they didn’t need to know. “Well Lord Heron was seeing someone else and this mistress of his, seeing someone before he was even married. The young bride chose to be in the study so she didn’t have to hear the whispering that the house staff did do. Her ring, the mistress’, went missing. It rolled under the bed in her haste to remove it. She didn’t like having the reminder she was married herself in her face, I guess. We all knew. Her and her husband would come over for dinner and the two would openly flirt. The husband must’ve been a fool if he didn’t realize.

“Well Morgan had found it but chose to do the right thing and turn it into the guard instead of bridging it to me—” a pause as she tried to calm herself, fingers still scribbling on the page. “Or the Madam. The guards assumed he was stealing it and when another servant mentioned the silverware and two and three were put together to make four, instead of five. Morgan didn’t stand a chance, even for a six year old. He was seen as expendable since he was human by default. Lord Heron had him starved and then bound by the wrists around a stake in the town center. We were all to gather and watch as the sun rose.

“Have you ever smelled burning flesh? Seen it? He screamed, he screamed so much and hearing a child scream like that. No one looked upset, no one said anything to stop it. The Madam, she tried to beg for him but, Lord Heron, he smiled in such a way that we knew that he was punishing her by torturing the boy. You see, or well, you know that Vampyre women are nothing. Even the pure bloods are only there for decoration and baby making.”

“I think you are lucky,” Naveen moved away from the fire to start spearing the rabbits with sharpened sticks so they could roast by the fire. “Imagine being a pureblood fated to that. Too valuable to the Counsul to be killed, because from my understanding there hasn’t been a pure blooded female born for many centuries. While saying that you could be killed any moment may be harsh, but there is an end. For the pureblooded females there is no end.”

No end?

☙❦❧

PAST

Claws dug into the dirt next her head as the wailing increased in pitch.

Her heart hammered faster than any rabbit sprinting to its burrow.

Mama, Ba, I am sorry. I know you did your best with me and that you tried to keep me safe knowing what world I was birthed into. But I would rather die like this, torn to pieces than to be someone’s bride. Someone like Klaas Heron. I am sorry that I will never get to see you again.

The noises from the creature stopped and the roaring of the river was almost lost to the thundering of her own heart, Rashka tensed as a warm breath ghosted over her. A wet appendage roughly swiped across her face, it ran along her hair and her neck.

Mama. Girl.

A whimper left her, unable to keep it down. As much as she wanted to be stubborn and go quietly, just the thoughts from these dull creatures surprised her. This one didn’t repeat starving like the other one had, this one also didn’t seem to be tearing into her.

Yet.

Cold continued to run through her, still ghosting past her lips as the frost under her spread. If left alone it would thicken and she would soon have a layer of ice under her, a memory of a storm in a backyard. That racing fear as she hid one early spring under a bench, still too young to understand.

She was young and only wanted to play in the snow, upset that it was warming up. Snow was her favorite, where she could be herself, where no one would be any wiser. This was before she knew that the smell she loved, to her it was more than the fresh snow drifting to the ground. A hint of evergreen added to the smell you have when you take in lungfuls of air on that first cold winter day after solstice. It didn’t smell like that to those like her father, Vampyres, no it had an acrid smell that lingered. Something that could easily be pointed out and pinpointed to the harboring of the enemy blood, that when vampyres smelled that familiarly strange scent they were to report back to the Counsul for investigation.

Frost started to spread on her skin in frozen crystalized patterns, along the grass as it started to reach into the air like fingers. The thin layer thickened as it danced up the Griever’s arm in her line of sight, no matter how it faded at the edge the inhuman arm was the only point of clarity she could take in.

A wailing far louder than before seemed to rock the forest as that arm disappeared, no in her fading vision the creature rolled, the handle of a blade sticking between its ribs. A ghosting breath as it’s head whipped around to something past her.

No. Girl, mine. Girl, like… me.

It clicked towards her, hand reaching out to search for hers, something so human like.

It was the last thing she noted before she was hauled up over a broad shoulder, sudden fatigue washing over her and making her head swim until her eyes refused to open.

Well, shit is this?

#tag game #this dark and divine place #godly ruins

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