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chrollohearttags · 10 months

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unwrapped • r. braun

surprising your husband on his birthday turns out to be much more than you’d expect.

content warning and themes: p!rn without plot, hard dom!reiner, (retired football player rei) black!fem reader, (plus size descriptors) extremely rough sex, bondage, reader wearing butt p!ug, anal play, spit kink, throat training, heavy degradation (calls reader bitch, slut, whore), squirting, daddy kink, hair pulling, pet names, (mama, poundcake, pretty girl, papa, sweet girl), gagging, pet play, breeding kink go brr, heavy overstimulation, slapping, y’all might need a sedative after reading this.

📝: I would apologize for how filthy this is going to be but I shall not. I started this last year for Rei’s birthday but I put it off but now I’m doubling back. So happiest of birthdays to my handsome baby father. The only Leo man I’d ever give a chance.

word count: 5.5K

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"So this is all for me, huh? Wow..."

it was the exact reaction that you would expect from your husband of four years..shocked, surprised and completely taken aback by your rather unique gift. For a better lack of terms. You knew him better than anyone and although he appeared intimated or not too intrigued by the sight before him, you knew his mind was churning; ablaze with extremely salacious thoughts and desires at the moment. August first..a day that he’d normally let pass without so much as a single bit of acknowledgement but tonight, you had plans to make your man’s day extra special.

Reiner Braun, although wealthy and having amassed millions as a football star during his days as a quarterback, as well as with his many business ventures nowadays, was a man of simplicity. He preferred things to be quiet, peaceful..without too much flare. Rather than lavish parties and big events, he was out working hard, assuring that his business was functioning well, even on his special day so you decided to stay at home, 'tending to other affairs'. Used to your antics, he didn’t question it too much but while he was away, you were putting together one hell of a present..one he'd soon never forget. Standing in the doorway of the foyer, a few inches taller from the Giuseppe heels on your feet and the coat that had been covering the grandiose bombshell had fallen to the floor..allowing that khaki trench coat to pool at your ankles, you’d be revealed to be sporting sexy red lingerie, akin to that of a glazed candy apple on your smooth, brown complexion. Thick thighs and ass stretching against the thin lace fabric and mere seconds from bursting out. All the more reason to rip it off! However, that wasn’t all in store..tiny nipple clamps latched on to your perky breasts, a collar laced around your throat and decorated with a heart charm. Along with a paddle sitting on the mantle.

Little did he know, more awaited him in the bedroom..that was if he exercised the restraint to not ravage you right here!

His face was flush but burning beet red and his chest was heaving pretty fast but he had to maintain his composure. “I—uh..I don’t know what to say..”

although the two of you made love many times a week, and it was a far cry from vanilla..this by far took the cake! All of this was a sudden change. You just looked so..submissive and innocent. As if you were begging to be wrecked! "Well don't just stand there and look at me, come get your present.." the words garnering a big smile from his handsome face..mumbling something underneath his breath as he stepped forward and extended his arms out to grab ahold of you. Towering above your shorter yet thicker frame, examining you..big strong hands groping your body as he sucked his teeth profusely.

"Happy birthday, papa. What do you think?"

honestly, it was hard for him to think at all right now! Seeing you so dressed up in such slutty and salacious attire, all for him. "..I think..I’m the luckiest man alive.” Garnering a slight chuckle from you both. Cupping your face between his hands, Reiner leaned down to give you a deep, searing kiss. One indicative of how hot his desire and lust for you were burning right now. But alas, there was one more stipulation to his gift..you had but only one request for your husband: "You know how you've been saying you wanted to try all of those things you saw in those videos?..well, here's your chance. I want you to treat me like your little whore tonight..do whatever you want to me."

reaching behind your back, you’d hand him the final piece of this rather interesting ensemble and that was a leash! Red, covered in latex and what he’d be using to maneuver you around at his leisure. Something he’d probably never have suggested on his lonesome. You see, Reiner was an incredibly bashful man..despite his outwardly appearance and intimidating presence, he became flustered quite quickly. You honestly thought it was the most adorable thing you had ever seen. As you had done several times prior in the past, one night, the two of you were lying in bed, looking at some rather explicit videos..hoping to spice things up in the bedroom. As you’d come to discover, masturbating together became one of your favorite activities as of late. There was something about holding hands with your man as he guided you through your orgasm that made it ten times better.

However, there was one scene in particular that not only resonated with your beloved Reiner but stuck with him. As if the scene were permanently implanted in his memory. The woman, resembling your exact body type and look; a cute little lady..brown skin, thick with a little pudgy tummy, thighs that rubbed together and an ass that clapped with each movement, sporting an apron with nothing underneath as she ‘cleaned’ the house, waiting for the arrival of her doting husband. She had baked him a cake, which she’d then go on to allow him to lick off of her backside. You could visibly see his cock twitching at the sight of her. Not because he was more attracted but because she resembled you. It was only when the man arrived home, resembling Rei’s build and stature, along with his hair color did things get even more interesting. He’d then proceed to strip down, place the tie around her neck before ushering her to her knees and fucking her face. They’d wind up going rounds in that house..from the kitchen to the tall staircase to her riding him on the floor with her heels on. It was so filthy and disgusting and he couldn't stop thinking about it! Witnessing her be pounded, seeing her cry from the pleasure and get overstimulated until she couldn't spill another drop.

That night, he came so hard; twice in fact from that video alone, spilling warm, seeping nut all over his fingers..loud, lewd groans filling the room and it was then that your wheels began to churn. Reiner would never admit it, out of fear of rejection or even scaring or hurting you but he was into hardcore sex..dominating, controlling and even breaking his precious (y/n) had come across his mind constantly. Pumping you full of dick while you all but tried to push him back, pulling on your hair and neck as you begged for more, and especially being called daddy and sir..he had craved it. Practically salivating at the thought!

But now, there was no need to be afraid because you were all but throwing out the proposition. It was up to him to take it. Bringing his fingertips to your chained nipples, he'd rub them gently, garnering an adorable smile and lip biting from you.

"..whatever I want, right? Huh.."

"That's right…treat me however you want. Don’t hold back.” With that confirmation, he didn't want to waste another second unwrapping his present. Fixated on your supple breasts, Reiner groped them in his palms before shoving that tongue between your plump, red painted lips. He was completely enamored with your body and it was certain now that you wouldn't have any issue getting him to loosen up. Eventually, he'd end up shuffling you over to a nearby wall where he caressed and squeezed every inch of that perfect frame… faint moans escaping his throat whilst he continued feeding you those soft kisses. In a split second, you’d brought your hands up to undo his shirt and pants but he was quick to push them away, giving you strict instructions to place them by your side. "Don't fucking move...just let me handle it." You had never heard him speak with such a sharp, commanding tone. All but hissing the orders at you. It was so fucking sexy! So you’d do exactly that, and stood still as he moved those lips down to your neck, collarbone and eventually those perky nipples that had become his point of hyperfixation at the moment.

"Mmm...how cute.."

Intermittently flicking those clamps and chains to watch you tense up. Squeezing your thighs together, (y/n) released a very audible moan in response. Even shutting your eyes in hopes to feign off the sensation but it was of no use. It felt too good! But alas, he was merely getting started and soon, you’d come to find out just what this man was capable of when given free reign. Taking those callus fingertips, Reiner traced them even further south..finally leaving your tits, he’d make a trail down the center of your tummy; just lightly grazing the skin until he reached the elastic waistline of your panties. To which he’d make haste in shoving those digits in. Outlining the thin, lace material before sinking them inside of your warm heat. Eliciting a cry from you that in turn, made his cock thump behind the confines of those designer slacks. You’d even absentmindedly begin to rut yourself on those fingerpads.."Tell me, angel..is this really what you want? Because I don't plan on taking it easy..just so you know." You were full and well aware of that fact. Even so, you wanted him to use you to his full desire. Release every single debaucherous thought that plagued his mind onto you and let it out. Once he finished, you wanted to be broken..mind, body and spirit.

“I told you, baby..I'm your slut, do whatever you want to me. I can take it..promise.”

Hell, if anything, you just wanted him to stop all of this teasing and fuck you senseless already! Without another moment of hesitation, Reiner smirked and shoved two digits deep within that tight, quivering entrance and made certain you impaled yourself on them. Granted, this was nothing more than a mere warm up for the pounding that little pussy was about to take after all! Working them in and out, he'd make certain your head remained positioned straight forward, as he didn’t want those beautiful, brown eyes shifting anywhere except on him. Only seconds in, you had soaked his hand down to the wrist..letting those juices leak down to the Tom Ford button up and matching cuff links. You were already coming undone so he could only imagine what the remainder of the night would entail.

"Well, poundcake. Don't say I didn't give you fair warning..” mumbling into a low growl that seeped to your ears. “Because I plan on going all night..breaking this slutty little body for everything it has. That sweet cum, those pretty little moans and everything else I fucking want. My little whore, you said? From now on..you don't move, speak or breathe without my permission, understood?" This new side of him had you going crazy! Frothing all over the seat of those panties and whimpering for him like a helpless puppy. Finally, his fingering would come to an abrupt halt which left your needy cunt spasming on thin air. Once he removed them, he'd bring them up, only to shove them into your mouth roughly. “Lick them clean. Taste yourself and don’t leave a single drop.” The force of his thrashing around between your jaws causes you to emit a slight gag when he takes them to the back of your throat.

"And you answer me with only daddy or sir, got it?"

you weren’t exactly sure what was coming but all you could know for certain was that you had seemingly awoken one hell of a monster! Had you truly bitten off more than you could chew?

"Yes, daddy..."

those round doe eyes fixated on him with such an innocent glare. It was then that you’d find yourself gasping sharply as he clenched your jaw. A faint smile cracking through his lips..almost devious in a way. But just as quickly, he’d place a couple kisses atop your forehead and a few pats to your chubby cheek. "Good girl..now let's get these off." In a sudden swift movement, he'd rip that latex lingerie from your body as if it were constructed of nothing more than sheets of paper. Each article and layer falling to the flooring and pooling around you guys’ feet. Leaving you only with the corset piece, fishnets and leash around your neck. And of course those tall, clear heels. Next were his own and without so much as single care for the cost, Reiner tore the button down from his skin. Revealing those chiseled abs, all while unbuckling his pants in the process. That bulge in them had grown excessively large and honestly, he had no more restraint to tease you. He wanted some action himself! So once he freed that hard dick from its confines and bridged the gap between your bodies, he’d hoist your legs within his grasp and place your back against the wall for quick leverage, as to execute his next move. “This is gonna be fun..”

Seconds later, he was instructing you to wrap your arms around his neck for support and them around his waist. Even though he was more than culpable of supporting you with his own strength. Parting those legs, he’d expose your dripping slit and freshly waxed, fat pussy to the cool air; aligning himself with your soaking slit.

"Ooh..baby, what am I going to do with you?..."

That voice dropped to a low growl as he teased that sensitive tip against your folds. Drumming up more of that silky slick that was drooling out of that cunt. Slowly but surely, he'd ease it inside and stuff you full of that dick. The initial sensation makes you both writhe in pleasure. Before your moans could even fully escape your mouth, he'd meet them with his own and resume those deep kisses. Swarming the inside of your jaws with sloppy pecks and an exchange of saliva..even spitting into it to further lubricate. Whereas he'd be whimpering into the crook of your neck, moaning your name as a sign of pure submission, this was a whole other side to Reiner. One you had never seen but wish had awoken sooner.

"Fuck!..so good."

there was a certain intensity in his eyes, one that scared and aroused you simultaneously..fucking you into a state of trembling with only a few strokes in as you dripped down his shaft. But this angle and the way he so precisely penetrated your g-spot, you’d find yourself clawing your nails into his back whilst he impaled you on his dick. All eight and a half inches of thick girth stretching you open..akin to a piece of elastic. "That's right, you don't need to do anything else..just hold onto me and let me pound that little pussy." Your body gliding up and down the wall; jolted with every thrust and meeting his every movement. It was almost as if you were weightless within his arms. “Shit! Right there…” Your nails ripping into his shoulder blades, holding on with all the strength you had but it was of no use. He had rendered you practically useless and dumb. Nothing more than a mere flashlight for his pleasure.

"Look at you..taking this fucking dick like a good whore. You liked being fucked all rough, don't you? Answer me.”

"Yes, daddy! Give me more, please. Fuck my pussy!” Meanwhile, your little cunny could barely contain him, no matter how far he delved and how deep he pressed, it kept slipping out of that wetness. Just from those few minutes alone, those walls had been beaten sore and throbbed profusely. However, that wasn't going to stop him from fucking you senseless or making you clamp down on his shaft. Those balls rested idly against your bubbly asscheeks after slapping against them..plus,hearing you beg only further fueled his desire.

sounds of smacking skin and loud cries erupted throughout the foyer. Although he loved the noises that pretty little pussy made each time he slammed inside of it, he came to an abrupt halt. "Get on the floor, right now." Whether it was his own lack of restraint or the fact that he truly did want to take you beyond your limits today, Reiner stopped abruptly before placing you to your feet.

that long cock still erect and dripping with your juices; the tip glowing red from how sensitive it was. One hard brush and he would probably begin spurting cum. He’d stroke the shaft whilst reaching for the leash and eventually the top of your head. With an extended palm, Reiner reached over and laid a few smacks to your cheek. Instructing you to stick your tongue out and glance up at him. “Good girl..sit there on your knees until I tell you otherwise.” He needed a few seconds to decide his next move. Seeing you in such a state had his mental all fucked up. Having this much power to use you at his disposal and seeing you lose every bit of your morals just to please him made this man absolutely feral.

panting heavily, Reiner ripped the shirt off entirely. He’d then proceed to undo and coil the red necktie around his knuckles. It seemed as if his lightbulb was flashing and he had constructed a rather interesting idea. "..hands up over your head, sweetheart. Don't make me fucking wait."

Without fuss or haste, you’d raise your arms up to the wall and await his instructions. You were positioned on your knees with them spread apart to where he could visibly see that little slit drooling with slickness. That clit protruding out and waiting to be rubbed. You’d give anything to have it touched at the moment but you’d have to wait. Emitting a loud gulp, you’d hope that your lovely husband would feel compelled to somewhat tone it down and have mercy but it would seem that you had ignited quite a dormant spark inside of him. The gentle, attentive man that had always handled you with care was no more, at least for the time being. Finally, he’d retrieve that leash placed on the mantle and once he clipped it on, he’d clutch it with a vice grip. "I'm going to enjoy fucking that cute little face of yours..those lips always look so pretty wrapped around my dick. Open wide.” Tilting your head back on his command. Just seconds later, he'd lean down and spit into your quivering mouth; the sensation making you throb and melt within his grasp. That saliva trailed between your lips, down to your tongue and in turn, earned him the cutest expression with a bright smile. "Thank you, daddy."

the name causes a direct reaction from your shaft; throbbing upon hearing your voice. He couldn’t help it when you were being so gracious and eager to serve him. This was already the best birthday ever and it had only begun! Stretching those jaws, Reiner would depress your tongue with a couple fingers; as would a doctor to a patient and watch that uvula jump and the back of your mouth gape and flex as it awaited the chance to be filled. That was more than enough room and he’d waste no time in filling that empty oral cavity. “Perfect, don’t move.” With that, you’d find your empty mouth stuffed full of that swollen member. Pumped and fucked without any regard to your esophagus or breathing. Reiner would just ever so carelessly buck his hips forward as if you were nothing more than a mere sex doll. That was until you started seeping strings of clear fluid all over his shaft and tip, bringing out vibrations with your gagging and moaning. Keeping one hand on your bound wrists to keep them in place and the other on his leash, Reiner maneuvered you like a well oiled machine. Letting every liquid you emitted drip onto those marble floors. Thrusting with full force as he rutted those hips..so desperately trying to maintain his pace because you felt that damn good. Because you were not at liberty to do so, he’d alternate between his dick and those full, swollen balls; stuffing your mouth with them in exchange for jerking himself.

“That’s right. Clean me up, bitch…taste that pretty pussy and keep those eyes on me when you do it.”

he’d feed your heavy slaps to the face as his tip rested in the side of your jaw..pressing into your skin. He had zero remorse at the moment and if being used in this manner is what you wanted, he was more than happy to oblige! When his hand no longer sufficed, he’d pop that cock back into your mouth and continue relentlessly fucking your skull until that forehead pressed to his abs and you were rendered breathless. Perhaps what was most impressive to him was how you took it without so much as gagging or showing resistance. Not to mention that you battled those lashes at him while you did so. If he wasn’t careful, you’d have him spurting cum all down your throat. But he had plans to fill you up so he’d refrain. Where you were rendered unable to be vocal, Reiner certainly filled that void and let out the loudest, grovely grunts. Meanwhile, strings of saliva were pooling from the corners of your mouth and your face had a dumbed out expression..exactly as he wanted it. “It’s like you don’t even need to breathe, baby. I love you..I love how nasty you get for me..” that deep voice resonating throughout your body. But for how warm and inviting those silk like jaws felt, he was becoming rather greedy. He needed to explore more of that perfect figure…from this pretty mouth, to that dripping core and especially, that big round ass. Which had quite the surprise waiting for him. “C’mere, mama. I’m not done with you..not yet.”

reluctantly pulling out, Reiner suddenly tugged your head around with a firm grasp, returning the favor of that sloppy head with an equally messy makeout session. It was apparent by the smile on your face that you were enjoying this just as much! That’s when he’d lower your hands, untying them and command you to plant those palms to the floor, where you were made to crawl towards him. Resembling that of a cute little pup or a sexy lynx, your husband began stepping backwards before waving a finger towards you. He was leading you to the staircase, hoping to reenact that infamous scene that inspired this entire ordeal. Even then, on your hands and knees, you were enticing him. Finally, you’d find yourself stationed against those stairs, where Reiner would fling you up to the railing and raise your leg so that he could finally get inside of you. That’s when he’d find a hidden gem…literally and figuratively. A heart shaped, jeweled anal plug stuffed between those thick cheeks that were glistening with baby oil you had previously doused yourself in. Making it look even better..lighting up with excitement, Reiner would start to smirk and chuckle, spreading them apart as he watched that tight bundle of nerves flex around that metal. “Oh my gosh..” mumbling in a low growl, admiring the beautiful view. For now though, he needed some of that soaking core.

“…pretty pussy’s so fat..I know she’s wet f’r me, baby. Go ahead, bend over…” biting and licking his lips with a faint smirk. He couldn’t believe how blessed he was to have the finest woman on the planet! Balancing on those heels, (y/n) looked back whilst arching that back..bouncing in the process so that he could get a clear view of those plump lips. “Yes, just like that, baby..it looks so good.” “Thank you, daddy.” Getting more and more aroused each time you uttered that name. Placing his thumb atop that plug, he’d push it in a little further as his index teased that protruding clit, that caused you to whimper in response. “That feel good, poundcake? Ya’ like when I touch on that clit? You can answer..”

and of course, it was a given how you felt.

“Yes sir, so fucking good…please fuck me—“ but just like that, he’d halt you in your tracks by tugging on your leash and spanking your ass to silence you. “Hey, I didn't give you permission to start begging, not yet at least..” Just then, he’d place a hand in the center of your back before grabbing himself at the base and slapping that cock up against those clammy folds. He wanted to keep you waiting..punish you for your unauthorized outburst the fact was, he lacked resolve himself so seconds later..

“No…I need you to take this dick. All of it..and maybe..just maybe if you ask nicely..” you’d find yourself impaled on him and stuffed full, causing your face to go wide with shock. “I’ll let you come.” A result of both holes being filled to the brim. He didn’t even give you a chance to recuperate or adjust..he’d go full throttle. Thrusting into you once more after already abusing that little cunt once before. Needless to say, you probably wouldn’t be moving for a day or so after this but it’d be well worth it! You loved the sensation..the thrill and rush that came with being used like this. Every day could be his birthday if he treated you like this! Deep strokes made home inside of your core as his pace increased. That leg draped over the sides began to shake uncontrollably but as a way to quell you, he’d gently rub it. He was trying to have a bit of balance amid the chaos; a touch of subtlety with his rough treatment. Your body was already sore with pain and pleasure. Marked up by both his lips and hands..all signs of how obsessed he was with you. Going deeper and deeper, reaching that fated g-spot, Reiner tugged your head back and yet again spat into your mouth, trying to maintain some semblance of control. Because truthfully, he was reaching his peak. He knew the second he resumed fucking you, he’d lose his mind and rhythm. Suddenly, his thrusts would become sporadic and he’d start hammering into your spot; clapping that flesh against his pelvis and filling that million dollar mansion with raunchy noises. Getting as raw and unhinged as you two pleased. It was a private party and he’d enjoy every single second of it.

“Harder! Please..I’m so—“ although you were breaking the rules, you couldn’t help yourself as that climax grew near. You had been holding back..restraining yourself from releasing all over him but right now, you couldn’t be vexed!

“Can I come, daddy? Please, can I come for you?!”

Crying with your eyes squeezed shut and tears streaming down your face. Your body was set ablaze…burning with desire and right now, he wanted to add the fuel! Spreading that ass apart, your husband kept thrusting, grinding those hips to the hilt as he buried every inch until that tip began to kiss your cervix. That aching warmth was all but stretched. However, it wouldn’t be the only orifice to be pounded into oblivion. “Since you've been so good..let it go. Right now. Come on this fucking dick..you little slut.” And the second he gave you the green light, it were as if the floodgates opened and a shower of your sweet squirt littered the porcelain steps. He had never seen a thing like it! At that moment, you couldn’t stop. Just an absolute wreck of orgasmic bliss. “F-fuck! Oh fuck, oh fuck—“ banging your previously bound hands against the stairwell. There was no time to recuperate or for either of you to gather your bearings because Reiner was pulsating something fierce and there was nowhere he’d allow that seed to end up other than your womb. Only seconds later, you’d find yourself impaled again and his hard erection thrashing around inside of you.

“What? You thought we were finished? What did I say, pound cake? Not yet..” unable to even compute a reaction, you’d end frozen for a full minute..stuck from that post climatic high. He didn’t have time to wait for your recovery. Not even a full minute later, you felt the grasp on your hips tighten; nails clawing into that soft flesh as Reiner’s breath caught in the back of his throat. “Shit!—coming..FUCK!” Shouting out with all his might. It was then that hot strings of creamy semen began to pour into that needy womb. And not in the form of a few droplets..no, you were being knotted with thick ropes. Ensuring that not one drop would seep out. However, if you thought that would be enough to soothe his salacious appetite and stop him, you’d be wrong. Because he had one more opening to explore before calling it quits. Even though you looked terribly spent and hell, he was getting a little lightheaded himself, he couldn’t stop until you both collapsed. Keeping that back bent to an angle and that leg outstretched, (y/n) felt that plug be removed from your second entrance and hear the metal plop to the floor…only to find that he had..replaced it with something else. But that much was obvious when you all but collapsed from that cock stretching you open. With his face flushed red, Reiner would let out a somewhat maniacal laugh. It was apparent that he was running off of pure adrenaline and addiction. Unable to cease until he claimed every inch of it and unraveled you.

“Take it…don’t tell me that little plug was just for show now. You were getting it ready f’r me. So I could fuck every part of this little body.” Practically hissing at you whilst tugging you back into hard, sporadic strokes. He still had a bit left in the chamber, surprisingly but he wasn’t going to maintain that pace for long because you were way too tight; clutching him at every movement. Even with the help of that toy, you weren’t quite conformed to his shape. Even so, he made it his mission to conquer it and break you as he had promised. He was well on his way because now, you were full blown fucked to tears…crying and pleading for him to come in you once more. He had gotten his point across and you loved the pain far too much to want him to stop. But you knew your body couldn’t withstand this brutal fucking. “P—please..come—ahh..” letting out a shrill whimper and pathetic cries. Your nails barely even graze the wood that you had a vice grip on earlier. Despite the fact that you had initiated this, he knew you’d never know when to quit and seeing as how that spasming bundle of nerves was determined to drain him dry, he’d grant you permission one last time to let go..

“On three..together. You know what to do..”

and like that, the two of you ascended to the highest peak together. Howling to the ceiling and shrieking each other's names as you spilled another puddle and poured the remainder of that nut into you..

“F-fuck..you’re so full..so goddamn full of my nut.”

“Yes, come in this ass, daddy..thank you so much.”

reaching back to stroke the side of his face before collapsing to your knees, where you trembled violently. All a result of the insane lovemaking that had just transpired. As one final act of submission, you’d run your tongue along his thigh, swiping up any remnant of those juices you let out all over him, before sticking your tongue out like an obedient dog. How could he possibly ask for a better gift than this?! Grasping your chin, Reiner leaned down with tears of his own plaguing his hazel eyes and shoved his tongue in your mouth. As if he didn’t want to let go. “Thank you, baby..thank you for the best fucking gift ever..”

and there was no way this day could ever be outclassed for as long as he lived!

.･*:｡.･*:｡.･*:｡.･*:｡.･*:｡.･*:｡.･*:｡.･*:｡.･*:｡.･*:｡.･*: .･*:｡.･*:｡.･

@angelktski @crazychaoticizzy @daisynik7 @spaceforher

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siremasterlawrence · 7 months

Text

The Handler’s Red Carpet Express 5 & 6

Hugh Jackman sitting at table in a New York City restaurant happens to see former CW and Superman actor Brandon Routh pass the window as he goes out to introduce himself and greet him.

Brandon agrees to join him under for an early breakfast’s to talk shop when the waiter who seems to be familiar to both of them appears in his inform causing a bit of a stir.

The man opens his mouth the wonder and delight of these two amazing guys as they hang on to every word he says as their life depends on it.

The way the man’s voice spoke it felt such as it calms him down after his divorce filings from his wife everything and everyone lost meaning.

Now he is finding new hope maybe he could pay for the man make him his main man he is saying this unpacking a lot hidden things in him.

He never knew he felt this could feel this such a shock to want something so fresh and yet so desperately needs to be able to live.

The man closer to Brandon flowing over him his breath felt like sunshine, it smells like the sweetest candy and he would never grow leary of it.

He fought the best he could his cock spring to life then his imagination running wild in a fit of heat he wants to kiss him so badly and he gave in.

“What would you like to order? Would you like our specials?”

“Anything you suggest really”

“You have a beautiful voice “

“Thank you! I’ll see what I can do”

“No don’t leave! I need to hear you more “

“Why don’t the two of you go to Hugh’s room and wait for me”

“You are brilliant “

“Ace”

“Good idea! Meet us there?”

“Did a fucking rainbow explode in here or something?” Hugh asked himself as the door swung open.

“Well I guess you planned a romantic dinner and you forgot about it.” Brandon suggest.

“If I did I think I would remember” he thinks out loud.

“I hope he comes soon his voice I so soothing.”

“I want to be ordered around…wait did I just say that?”

“Oh My God Me too!”

“I am hard…throbbing “

“I could burst “

“I can’t stop thinking about him”

The man walks into the room in a change of clothes catching their attention the settling back into a foggy you relinquish control.“What can we do for you?” They both beg.

The next week are on set despite the actors ongoing strike I managed to get hallmark all prepped in pre-production due to my efforts to get it started.

The two men waddle on stage in pain as I had order to their respective dressing room for a all out deep training in the video I had set up.

While they are busy I notice the first of my next to objects of desire walk onto set ready for a fight they pounce into their dressing rooms expecting something different.

It is the same set up except one minor thing the mirrors are tinted with a faint coloring in the backgrounds and he shook his head as he sat.

He awaits for his hair designer to walk in but in no way shape or form that is what he got in this room was about to reshape him for the rest of his life.

His is name is Luke Macfarlane famous for The Hallmark Channel Christmas specials they offer every year except of this truly ridiculous idea.

I have a grandiose movie Christmas special for this year to give the audience a hardy gift of a heart attack so will he as the color in the mirror grows.

His face slack a bit causing his body to go quack his mind goes into a spiral free falling in to it unknowingly it’s a a simple trick of the mind.

Across in the room next to him another actor famous for Hallmark Movies the supposed king of Hallmark Andrew W Walker sits in his chair.

The mirror becomes muddle as he reaches for a pieces of paper tower the clean the mirror his eyes are warped with spiral heavy induction.

His head falls back onto the top of the chair his eyes glued to the mirror glass images as he falls under my spell to and I dance with excitement.

The spirals disappear into a void causing them to wake up as they mindlessly leave to go on set and they take their cues it’s a club Christmas party.

The two guys walk in instantly getting both of their eyes to focus on him, Andrew scoffs walking over to Brandon blocking him to the wall.

Brandon smirks a bit listening to him chat a long way to get Brandon to open up and he is so enchanted with this super drunk ass moron and gave in to kissing him as he is succumbing.

“Who are you?”

“Whoever you want me to be?”

“Wow! A tv quote”

“So what?”

“You can’t get rid of me”

“You think so”

“My name is Luke”

“Call me Hugh”

“Why not babe?”

“Do you have him?”

“Yes Master Lawrence!”

“Well then! Why don’t you join me”

“I also have a surprise “

“What is this slave?”

“Justin Baldoni! “

“Correct! Why am I here?”

“To meet your maker “

“You are both god”

“You are right”

“Strip them”

“Strap them to table “

“Nnnnoooo”

“Say something Liam”

“He can’t hear you “

“I tranced him like you said”

“Excellent!l

“Well done”

“Don’t cry “

“Take a whiff of this”

“Who the…what the”

“Mwahahahahaha”

“Are you docile now?”

“Yes Sir”

“Good boi”

“Mmmm”

“After 24 hours of this spray “

“You will be mine”

“How delightfully delicious “

I see two more guys arrive at the station in a fit of testosterone and sex appeal Justin Baldoni and Trevor Donovan they are taken out by gloves and chloroformed tissue as they are knocked out a bit for me. They strapped him down to the table for my transformer for a lifetime.

“They are next”

“Strap them down”

“I love this forever “

The nd

#hugh jackman #brandon routh #luke macfarlane #andrew w walker #liam hemsworth #justin baldoni #justin hartley #trevor donovan #red carpet express

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justimajin · 5 months

Text

Drabble #2

↠ Pairing: Seokjin x Reader

↠ Words: 1.1k (welp)

↠ Warnings: so much more fluff

↳ This drabble takes place after the Epilogue and Drabble #1 of The Profit & Love Statement

The big day is here.

You knew it had been approaching, having marked the date on your calendar with giant circles and stars. You had put in a request for a day off soon after immediately finding out and removed any errands you had planned on doing.

Because today was not only a big day, it was a very special one as well.

“I can’t believe Yuna’s graduating already.” You let out a wistful sigh. It had just been yesterday when she had entered high school, but four years had passed by with a breeze.

Not only was Yuna older now, she was an adult and you were tremendously proud.

“Time flies, doesn’t it?” The corner of Yoongi’s mouth lifts, a nostalgic look in his eyes. He very well knew what you were experiencing, being a spectator to his own children getting older.

“It sure does.” Both of you turn at the sound of Hoseok’s voice, who strides closer to you.

He deeply exhales, blinking as if time escaped him. “They just grow up so fast….”

Yoongi frowns, “Hoseok, you’re not that old.”

“I wasn’t talking about myself!”

“Sure, you weren’t.” Yoongi smiles as you chuckle, to which Hoseok just sighs.

He turns to you, “Should we head into the hall?”

You nod, heading in together.

The three of you get seated as the ceremony begins. It starts off with Yuna’s high school introducing themselves and thanking everyone for coming, before the grandiose music plays and you eagerly watch, pulling out your phone in anticipation as names filter through.

You’re amused to see Yoongi and Hoseok pull out their own phones, attempting to capture the moment to the best of their ability.

However, the seat that sits right next to you stays empty.

You gaze at it wearily, something that Yoongi picks up on.

“Where’s that husband of yours?” He whispers, and you grimace.

“Still stuck at work.” You mention, tightening your grip on your phone. “He’s supposed to be presenting a new project as the CEO, but he told me he would sneak out as soon as he could.”

Jin had been texting you constantly since you had arrived, lighting up your phone with frequent updates about his delay and reassuring you that he would be there. But as time spun away, you were getting more and more anxious.

“Don’t dwell on it too much.” Yoongi says, “He’ll be here soon.”

“I hope so.”

He leans closer to you, “If anything, we all know just how good he is at sneaking away.”

A smile rises to your lips and Yoongi grins.

The names continue and you keep watching, eyes flickering over the many graduated students that walk along.

Your phone vibrates.

You immediately glance down, surprise etching onto your features.

[Jin] 12:40pm: Namjoon will cover for me, don’t worry

– 1 new message

[Jin] 1:04pm: The handsome husband has arrived

Snapping your head up, you instantly turn around, attempting to look beyond all the heads currently focused towards the front. It takes you a couple of seconds, but then you notice a man attempting to shuffle his way through and a giant smile breaks out onto your features.

You wave your hand and Jin notices right away, filtering himself through before walking closer to his seat.

He instantly wraps his arms around you, “You made it!”

“Didn’t I say I would?” He remarks, looking at you playfully.

“You did.” You confirm, but then your attention is drawn to his black suit and the bouquet he holds in his hand.

“Not too bad.” You beam, and he winks at you.

“I try sometimes, you know?” A chuckle escapes you, and he reaches into the inner pocket of his suit jacket.

A pink rose emerges out and your eyes widen as he hands it to you.

You hold it tenderly, “It’s beautiful.”

“Just like you.” He softly says.

Yoongi awkwardly coughs, glancing in your direction.

“I don’t understand how you’ve been married for a year and you’re still like this.”

Hoseok quirks up a brow, “Hyung, didn’t you just tell me the other day how much you love it when Hana smiles?”

“That’s different.” Yoongi frowns, “We’ve been married for years.”

“Sure, it is.” Hoseok smiles knowingly, and you grin when he makes eye contact with you.

“It’s okay, Yoongi,” Jin looks over, sending him a flying kiss, “I love you too.”

Hoseok attempts to stifle his laugh as Yoongi recoils. You lean against Jin, giggles leaving you as he continues to look at Yoongi with serious fondness.

However, that’s when the names draw closer to one that you’ve been anticipating, and you hurriedly scramble to lift your phone.

Yuna’s name is called, and your eyes practically shine at the sight of your sister walking down in a graduation gown.

She has an enormous and infectious grin to her lips as she eagerly takes her certificate. Stopping for a moment, she glances out into the audience, her eyes flickering around carefully until they land on the sight of you.

Jin is loudly cheering. Hoseok is shouting at the top of his lungs. Yoongi has a huge gummy smile. And you are proud beyond belief.

Your eyes make contact and Yuna breaks out into a huge smile that you reciprocate.

“She walked down so confidently! I’m so proud of her!” Hoseok exclaims, exiting out of the venue.

“Can’t believe she’s a graduate now.” Yoongi remarks.

“Me neither.” Jin adds in, but he falters for a moment.

Turning around, he notices you’re not beside him, rather trailing far behind.

“Y/N?”

You look up, startled to find Jin in front of you. Clearing your throat quickly, you sniffle and his eyes widen.

“I’m just really happy for her.” You bring up, “And kind of wish our parents were here to see how far she’s progressed.”

An awkward chuckle leaves you as you attempt to swipe away the tears. Jin takes a tissue out of his pocket, handing it to you to which you gratefully accept.

You gaze at him and he smiles reassuringly.

“You guys okay?” You hear Hoseok shout, much to your surprise. However, Jin swings his arms around you, shouting back.

“We’re fine, Y/N just missed me a lot!”

“Jin!” You hiss.

He childishly snickers, “Sorry.”

You playfully shake your head, and he tugs you along.

“Come on, let’s go find Yuna and then meet up with others at my restaurant.”

You nod, holding onto his hand tightly.

Request by:

@jovialtragedyheart

A/N: Hello! I hope you are doing good as well ^.^ For this one, I decided to choose Yuna's graduation! I thought it would give a nice glimpse into the future and feel like an update on everyone ☺️ I hope you don't mind that I focused on a few characters only, I wanted to give Y/N and Jin a moment too 🤭 Thank you so much for requesting! I hope you like it <3

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dear-mrs-otome · 2 years

Text

Silvio Ricci - Main Story - Chp 11

Standard Disclaimer: I do this for fun. I don’t, and never would, claim to be proficient at JP. There will be mistakes herein. There will be dialogue I choose to smooth out or change, because it feels choppy just straight translating. There will be the occasional snarky aside and irreverence and just plain summarizing. If you’re looking for 100% pure accuracy, without commentary or localizing, this is not for you. If you don’t mind that…then proceed, and I hope you enjoy! And please, support your local localizer (they make this stuff look easy) and Cybird by playing the games and routes when they come to English.

Also P.S. I am just making up Gilbert's weird nicknames as I go, on a whim. Please do not take them seriously.

~~~~~~~~

It’s early in the morning, before the sun’s finished rising, when the chime of jingling is heard headed towards a quiet deserted part of the palace. Silvio pushes open the door (which is too grandiose AKA heavy to kick) and enters. It’s quiet and tranquil inside the space only used for special occasions…but that peace doesn’t last, because Silvio comes storming in, radiating silent fury.

He makes his way up the nave lined with pews to the lectern at the front, where Gilbert is poised as if to disrespect God.

He laughs as Silvio approaches. “In a bit of a foul mood today, aren’t we?”

An angry Silvio tells him he was way off mark about the woman, kicking the podium in frustration. But Gilbert is unperturbed by the fit of pique, and says that Jade has even rougher family circumstances than Belle, so he can’t blame anyone.

“Oh, and I suppose you had nothing to do with their family mess,” Silvio says caustically.

Gilbert only seems amused, and laughs off the accusation, pointing out that he doesn’t have to make any messes for Jade - they’ve got enough sordid family affairs of their own already, don’t they? He was just making a bit of use of it - and besides, Silvio stepped in and interrupted their dour pal didn’t he?

“I’m just fed up with your nasty methods,” Silvio argues. “Supposing she chooses to be an Obsidian spy to hide her identity as Belle…”

“Of course Mr. Gloomies….or no, I’m afraid the ‘beast’ that he keeps would not be so quiet about it, would he?” He point out that any hint of being associated with Obsidian would imply that here was a secret agreement between Rhodolite and Obsidian, which would spell out bad news for Jade. “Which is probably why he got a bit rough trying to get information out of Miss Bunny, right?”

The air in the chapel ripples with fury again, and Sivio levels a fierce stare at those impassive red eyes. “I. Don’t like the way you do things.”

“So you don’t want to work with me?” Gilbert asks.

Silvio agrees and is ready to be done with all this, but Gilbert stops him and reminds him he’s not someone to just brush aside - there’s only two options for him here where Gilbert is concerned. He can work with Gilbert, or he can be forced to work with Gilbert.

At Silvio’s wary confusion, Gilbert laughs. “You don’t know what that means?” He jumps off the dais and points his cane at Silvio’s throat, before Silvio has time to react. “Mr. Gloomy questioned Miss Bunny, and you helped her - that’s all going just how I’d planned.” Silvio looks surprised, and Gilbert goes on. “Because I have no intentions of hurting Miss Bunny.”

Silvio scoffs with derision at the very idea of Gilbert saying something like that, huffing with irritation and grabbing the cane.

“I don’t lie. But…depending on just what you do, I may have to turn my heart into a beast,” Gilbert warns.

“Ha, so that’s it,” Silvio says. “You sicced that dour bastard on her not to try and corner her - it's a threat meant for me.”

When Silvio shoves the cane away, Gilbert doesn’t resist - merely lowers it and smiles. “You saved Miss Bunny, so I’d say the threat proved effective.” In the face of Silvio’s silence Gilbert tells him he’ll give Silvio a little more time to consider things, but he’d best hurry. “Actually…you don’t have much time at all.”

A scowling Silvio tries to ask him what he means by that, but Gilbert only laughs and plays innocent before leaving on a loaded smile without looking back.

As soon as he’d gone, Silvio slams his fist into the nearby lectern. “What kind of bullshit...” he snarls to the empty chapel. “There’s no way that woman can be any threat against me, damn it!”

~~~~~~~~

In Emma’s room, Rio has brought her breakfast and her schedule for the day to look over, the same as every morning since she came to the court. Although this morning there’s a difference in that she’s wearing the collar again - noticing it jingle slightly as she reaches for her tea.

Rio is, as one might imagine, less than thrilled to see it and offers to find her some other accessory for the day, but she declines since 1) it’ll keep Silvio happy and 2) she’s gotta cover up the marks he left last night. She’s vowing to herself to never let that happen again…when her traitor brain replays the moment when he had pointed out the expression she’d been making.

She’s never gonna let that happen again. Never ever EVER. But her face is heated without her permission, and she takes a sip of tea to cover it up.

Rio points out that she can just not wear the collar, it’s not like she has to see Silvio, right?

But she says no, that’s not exactly the case, and she remembers she’d forgotten to fill Rio in on the deets of last night.

“Did Silvio threaten you?!” Rio asks, aghast at the thought of him having some leverage on her.

She says that’s not true, thinking of Silvio’s comments last night about how she had a duty to show him what was good about her country to prove to him it was worth maintaining the alliance, and she gives Rio a brief rundown on the whole conversation.

Only for him to collapse to his knees when she’d finished, wailing how Silvio had used such underhanded means to try and keep Emma stuck with him. Clearly he’s just made up some excuse to force her to entertain him.

Honestly, he’s probably right, she thinks. But… “I wanted to do it.”

‘Why?” Rio asks.

“I don’t hate Silvio as much as I used to,” is her plain explanation, that has Rio stunned. “And, well, look. He helped me out the other day, didn’t he? I want to thank him properly for that.”

There’s absolutely no other reason, she reminds herself. Right?

She tells Rio that starting tomorrow, she wants time set aside to entertain Silvio, and he looks worried. Places a hand on her head to check for a fever, and points out that she doesn’t seem to have one …but her face is kind of flushed.

“Y-you’re just imagining things!” she splutters, jumping back. Only to clasp her hands together beseechingly. “Pleeeeaaase, Rio?”

She knows he basically controls her schedule, and if he refuses it’ll be almost impossible to find the time.

Rio assures her he can’t ever tell her no, he’s her loyal-as-a-doggo butler. Smiling as he usually does, but she can see the worry written all over his gaze. “But…can I come along so we entertain Silvio together? So that he won’t try and mark you again.”

She agrees and tells him it’ll be reassuring to have him along, thanking him. Certain that if Rio’s along, Silvio won’t try anything untoward. “Let’s both make Prince Silvio fall in love with Rhodolite!”

Rio smiles, noting how cute she is when she’s all fired up. “But…” His smile sobers, a shadow falling over his expression. “I hope it’s Rhodolite he falls in love with.”

She asks what he means by that, and Rio exclaims that she has to be careful - she’s quite the charmer! When she only seems bemused, he waves it off and urges her to finish her breakfast.

That’s crazy talk, she thinks. How would that tyrant ever fall in love with her.

~~~~~~~~

This is how Operation Impress Silvio begins.

On the first day, they take him to a bar to sample some of the liquor highly recommended by Leon and Jin. To say that Silvio is less than pleased to see Rio along would be an understatement, but Rio blithely plays innocent - until Emma is forced to step in and bring their attention back to the purpose at hand before a fight breaks out.

“This is a favorite of Prince Leon and Prince Jin,” she tells Silvio as she pours him a measure of rose wine and urges him to taste it.

He lifts the glass with his usual elegance-belies-the-tyranny manners, and takes a sip. “Hm? Can’t argue that it’s a top-notch drink.”

Triumphantly, she tells him he can only sample this delicious rose wine in Rhodolite, but he points out that he could simply buy the distiller and probably make it in Benitoite too. That shuts her up, and he looks amused. “Not quite enough to make the grade, eh?”

“Of course I didn’t think I’d win you over with just this,” she counters. “The real show starts now!”

Silvio grins. “Heh…so you say. I hope all that bravado doesn’t end up being just for show.” He reaches out and ruffles her hair, and while it’s a bit of a pain to have her hairstyle messed up…she can’t say she dislikes it. To her own surprise.

Rio merely watches on in silence.

~~~~~~~~

On day 2, she takes Silvio to the hillside overlooking the city, saying how she knows he was just there the other day but this is her and Rio’s favorite place.

Rio agrees that it’s the best - drinking delicious juice and walking around town. “Thats why, being the ever-so-competent person that I am, I brought some juice for Prince Silvio. Recommended by Prince Clavis himself, it’s ‘super spicy’ and if you drink it you’ll be invigorated -”

A frowning Silvio states that Rio doesn’t seem interested in actually entertaining him at all, grabbing his head when Rio gleefully pulls out the juice.

Amidst Rio’s ows, Emma steps in, calling Silvio’s attention to the delicious looking juice she has.

“Give me a drink, woman,” Silvio commands, and she echoes him blankly. “I’m too busy cracking this guy’s head open. I can’t do it myself.”

As Rio’s protesting, she agrees to if Silvio will stop trying to crush Rio. She sticks a straw in the juice and hastily puts it in Silvio’s mouth, and his annoyed expression breaks into a smile. “Definitely pretty decent, yeah.”

She’s lost for a second in the sight of his soft smile, before slapping herself out of it. She’s not about to start going all mooney-eyed over him or anything.

And Rio watches on, saying nothing.

~~~~~~~~

On the third day, they’re in the gardens.

“Rhodolite is famous for having the most beautiful roses on the continent,” Emma says. “Today we’re going back to our roots and taking a tour of the gardens!”

Silvio starts to complain about not being interested in something crappy - before breaking off. “Hey, you damned butler! Don’t pinch my hand!”

Rio plays innocent, and swears up and down he’d never do such a thing, earning Silvio’s ire before Emma has to referee. Again. She change the subject abruptly and says she heard from Yves and Licht that there was a SEKRIT gazebo in the far back of the gardens.

“Apparently it was built by the king many generations ago for the sole purpose of trysts with his queen,” she explains. “Now there’s no one left to use it. Doesn’t that make your heart swoon a little? I can’t wait!”

“You’re the only one who can’t,” Silvio grumbles.

Ignoring him, she finds the gate hidden beneath thick ivy and unlocks it with the key Sariel had given her, and Rio throws the door open. She’s awestruck by the vivid garden beyond - more wild, less tamed than the tidy roses out on the main grounds, but their bright blooms surround the antiquated gazebo in splashes of color. And maybe because it’s a place people seldom come in or out of, the perfume of roses dances softly on the air as she walks around.

“Isn’t it beautiful?” she breathes, delighted. “It really does feel like a secret place only a few special people know about.”

Rio sighs wistfully. “Emma’s smile is so pretty, I wish I could keep it in a painting. Don’t you agree, Prince Silvio-”

Rio looks over and startles at the sight of silent, blushing Silvio. “...Prince Silvio?”

Excitedly, Emma notices that the path continues on behind the pavilion. “We’ve got permission to explore, so let’s see where it goes!”

“Hold up, don’t just go charging off ahead on a path all overgrown like that!” Silvio calls after her. (coughworrywartcough)

And on a long silence, Rio watches.

~~~~~~~~

On the fourth day, she cooks for him.

“What’s this?” Silvio asks, looking over the dish before him in his room, and Emma explains that it’s a fricassee, a specialty of Rhodolite home cooking.

She’s feeling pretty good about the one she and Rio have whipped up here as she says she’d heard from Nokto that Silvio was interested in comfort fare like this.

“You’re the only one who’d want me to eat something so plain looking,” Silvio says, and an indignant Rio says it’s a delicacy - but if he doesn’t want it he’ll go find Silvio a ‘royal’ meal right now.

“Hey, don’t try and take it away! I never said I wouldn’t eat it!” Silvio protests.

He lifts the plate and stands up to avoid Rio’s grabby hands, spooning a bite into his mouth. “Huh…so this is what ‘home cooking’ tastes like.”

“How is it?” Emma asks anxiously.

Silvio grins. “Pretty decent for an amateur.” Rio reminds him that what his mistress is looking for is a definitive whether it tastes good or not, and Silvio sobers a bit. “It doesn’t taste bad, I suppose.”

“Not ‘delicious’?!” Rio prompts.

“...I’m not going to not eat it again,” Silvio tsundere-hedges still.

“Really?” Emma asks. “Then I’ll make another home-cooked Rhodolite meal for you.” Silvio says he’ll give her some time to make dinner then in that case so she’d best work hard to please him, which she turns right back around. “And you’d better practice so you can just say it’s delicious honestly next time.”

“...Saucy, aren’t we,” he fires back, setting her off into a flurry of protests as he starts mussing up her hair.

Rio, watching on, holds his tongue…but lets out a heavy sigh.

~~~~~~~~

Day five rolls around…and over breakfast Emma is musing aloud what sort of thing they should entertain Silvio with today. This morning meeting has become her new daily routine, and as she sips her tea she ponders plans in her head.

But there's no reply from Rio, until she calls his name questioningly and he snaps back to attention. "Ah! Sorry…sorry, it was nothing."

She wonders to herself what's up with him. He seems to be zoning out like that a lot lately, and it's only been getting worse. She'd been determined to wait and let him talk when he felt ready to, about whatever is weighing on his mind, but she's beginning to wonder if she should broach the subject with him anyways.

Just as she's dithering over that, a soft knock sounds at the door. "Pardon me. It's Prince Keith…might I have a moment of your time?"

Surprised, she exchanges a glance with Rio and takes a deep breath to loosen the tension that had stiffened her body. She gives the okay and Rio opens the door - but Keith remains hovering on the threshold, not entering.

Then he drops into a bow so genteel and elegant it blows her away. "I am so very, very sorry about the other day!" he exclaims, leaving Rio and Emma stunned. "I'm certain there's no apology that can make up for it, but I would like to offer you one regardless. You are free to beat me up all you wish!"

"Please stand up, Prince Keith!" an agitated Emma asks. "...And Rio, put your hand down."

As she restrains Rio before he can throw a punch, she urges Keith to straighten up. He seems a completely different person than last time, with genuine sincerity shining in his golden eyes.

Emma tells him she's over it, and Keith notes how she very kind she is. Rio warns him it'd better never happen again, and an earnest Keith assures him it won't.

"In addition…I'd like to give you this as a gesture of apology," Keith offers, to both Rio and Emma's surprise.

~~~~~~~~

Silvio's 2nd Letter

I'll say some good things, so read this.

Your hosting hasn't been too bad lately. The only thing I don't get is why every time you come to host, it's always with that shitty dog…but leaving that aside, what you're doing has gotten a million times better. I especially liked the rose fricassee. You should definitely make it again. And give me some of your other home cooking - of course, made by you, right? If it's Rhodolite home-cooking, that means it's something that only you can make. That's the flavor I want, so don't let anyone else cook for me. ……Also, don't let the damn dog help you make it. Call me rather than cook alone with him. I'll help you out a bit. Keep up the good work, Hostess.

~ Silvio Ricci

~~~~~~~~

<< Chp 10 Avatar Challenge | Chp 12 >>

#spoiler #spoilers #ikemen prince spoilers #ikepri spoilers #ikepri silvio main story #mrs o loves salty seadogs #mrs o's translations of dubious quality

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more-than-a-princess · 7 months

Note

Gundham knew that Sonia's birthday was today, and he had spent no small amount of time fussing over what kind of gifts that she would like. He had to get her something. After all, she was one of the few people at school that treated him with kindness, although there were certain other motivations at play. Like his feelings for her. He'd been working at a vet's part time after school, all so he could save to get her something, since his family didn't have much money.

As the school bell rang, and the others cleared out of the classroom, he called out to stop her. "Ah my Dark Queen! If I may but request a moment of your time." The Dark Lord cleared his throat, suddenly feeling jittery and awkward. He'd never gifted someone something before.

"It is your day of birth, is it not? Friday the 13th... Kehehe how befitting for one such as you." He pulled out a decently sized golden hamster plush from his jacket, that looked similar to Cham-P. "I.. have something for you. A replica of Invading Black Dragon Cham-P. He will watch over you and protect you from the unseen calamity that threatens us all."

He lingered for a moment longer, his cheeks tinged red. He had one last thing to give her after all, but he was trying to work up the courage. "One final piece for you.." He pulled out a small wrapped box. Inside was a beautiful silver necklace with a diamond encrusted crescent moon and star pendent.

"Beware, this is actually a cursed artifact! Any other that would touch it would meet an untimely demise! However, your special abilities will protect you. I believe you would enjoy an occult piece such as this." He couldn't seem to make eye contact. "If you do not wish to accept it, I understand. My evil eye will be able to keep the curse at bay for some time! Whatever the case, I do hope you enjoy this special day. Fuhahaha!" Despite the grandiose words, he was feeling very flustered, certain she wouldn't want jewelry from him. Such trinkets were usually exchanged by significant others... and despite his insistence that it was an occult object, it really was just a normal necklace.

Sonia's Birthday Asks 2023 - No Longer Accepting (unless you have spoken with me already about a delay!)

It was one of her more unusual birthdays. To be fair, it was perhaps the first one spent overseas. On her actual day of birth, Sonia Nevermind's plans included breakfast in the cafeteria, attending class, and finishing the very last of her packing before taking a night flight home on the jet. Her assistant, the beacon of kindness that she was, had at least arranged with the security and flight staff for the Princess of Novoselic to be served a piece of her favorite chocolate cake in the air, a secret that would be kept from her parents before landing. With a few days until the annual masquerade ball and plenty of ceremonies and appearances before then, the last thing anyone needed was for the Queen of Novoselic to throw a fit that her daughter's gown did not fit her.

That, and a few horror movies streamed from the comfort of her seat or the queen-sized bed in the back of the plane. Even if she wasn't having a real, normal birthday party, she could still celebrate in her own way.

Her schedule did not, at any point, involve Gundham calling out to her as she got up to leave the classroom. That was something she hadn't planned for, from the genuine surprised look that she hoped masked the panic in her eyes. Despite the fact she adored his company and preferred it over all others (something she kept a secret, if only to not make their friendship awkward), she hardly knew what to say most of the time. Or at least, not until she went over it in her mind to ensure it didn't sound naive or silly: she was well aware that plenty of Hope's Peak students considered her to be uninformed, sheltered, or just stupid to the ways of the world, due to her upbringing and tendency to mix up common phrases. It was why she wanted to take care with her words yet be genuine towards him. It wasn't hard to be open-minded and friendly to Gundham Tanaka: he so often spoke of grand occult rituals, powerful gods, and of course, the variety of feathered, scaled, and furry friends in his care, who often showed up to class (to Sonia's delight. She never minded a bear sitting at its own miniscule desk, it was very well-behaved).

"Y-yes it is!" She half-affirmed, half-squeaked through her smile. Friday the 13th, whether it was due to pure superstition or one of her favorite film franchises, was meant to be dark and foreboding. Sonia was, at present, neither of these things, as she tried not to look too long at his multi-colored eyes or his carefully bandaged hands that had just disappeared into his jacket. Surely he'd notice, she thought, and he only meant to wish her a happy birthday. Thankfully, she was pleasantly distracted from inappropriate thoughts with a soft plush placed in her hands, made to resemble Cham-P's orange, fuzzy image, complete with chubby cheeks and loving, beady eyes.

"Oh! It truly is Cham-P, how delightful!" Sonia exclaimed, bringing the small toy up to her face, just as she would the real hamster, and brushed her cheek against its fur. "I feel very much protected already before my journey. He shall keep me safe and in good company during my travels." And after the travels in particular, when she had to set herself on a shelf to be the princess everyone required and expected her to be. It was more challenging every time she went home, now that she'd had a taste of what a normal life was like. What real friends were like. And then...well, what Gundham was like. He was in a place in her heart all his own, one that beat a little faster as he produced a second, smaller gift.

She might have been sheltered in the ways of navigating a grocery store or using a washing machine (to the point her clothes were now always sent out for cleaning), but Sonia was not so naive to misunderstand what sort of gift could possibly lay within a velvet box. Her breath hitched in her throat as, shifting the weight of the plush to one arm, she opened it with her free hand. It was delicate, beautiful, and according to Gundham, a cursed artifact destined to protect her. He couldn't look her in the eyes for some reason, but if he'd had, he would've seen the soft smile that spread over her lips. Different from the bright and cheerful expression she showed everyone, this one, warm and wistful and wanting, was one she reserved for him. Only for him, though often only when she was alone and couldn't be caught dreaming. But there, in the empty classroom, she couldn't stop herself as she turned over the small pendant in her hand.

"It is perfect, I love it," She breathed, tracing over the tiny crescent moon. With a pink flush spreading over her cheeks, she raised her own, shy gaze to Gundham again. Swallowing, she had one chance to reenact the sort of scene she'd always watched in dramas but never had the opportunity to happen in real life. At least, not with anyone she wanted. "It is just...it is just that my hands are rather occupied by the protective powers of Cham-P, and I would very much like to wear this today, right now. Could you please assist me with putting it on?"

Setting the necklace back in the box and placing the box into his hand, she took a deep breath and moved her hair to one side, letting it fall over a single shoulder to expose the back of her neck. "Thank you, Tanaka-san. I will treasure it dearly. It will be a great comfort while I am at home. I wish I could have invited you to the seasonal festivities, but, my family...well, they insisted that this was an important royal event and I needed to give my duties my full attention."

In short: so Princess Sonia of Novoselic wouldn't eschew her royal ball duties for the solitary goal of asking Gundham Tanaka to dance with her. She certainly spoke of him enough at home and the staff, much to Sonia's dismay, couldn't keep her crush a secret. Within the castle walls, at least.

#more-than-a-princess answered #phantasmalnightmare #Non-Despair AU: Hope's Peak Academy verse #(Sonia's Birthday Asks 2023)#(Thank you for this! Sorry about the wait: I wanted to make it as cute and awkward as possible for these two)#(Gundham gives her a necklace and can't look her in the eyes)#(Sonia vc: Oh he's just being a good friend. He couldn't possibly have a crush on me like I do him.)#(RIP if he ever visits her in any verse at home)#(Because anyone still working at the castle will know)#(And they will not let her forget it)

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hoghtastic · 6 months

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"I totally agree with the previous anon. when I was looking at the photos with her I even thought they looked like a really cute couple. No shit! She even comes across like a person who has some good charisma. Like where has that person and charisma gone?

My theory is that she has changed because of the fame, even if it's her boyfriends fame. I have heard she was a bully as a teenager, so maybe Mikael really changed her like for good, and now that he's gone she's back to her nasty old self and it even becomes obvious to the eye."

I am convinced this woman is a pathological narcissist, like not even possessing narcissistic tendencies that a lot of people have, but the actual psychiatric disorder under the DSM-5. She really and truly creeps the hell out of me, and I don't believe she has ever changed nor has her ex influenced her to change. NPD is a sickness and you can't change these people through a relationship. This Mikal guy seemed like a nice and quiet person and he was likely just an easy source of narc supply for her. She used the classic narcissist cycle on him; idealization phase, devaluation phase, then discarded him when a better source of supply came along through Alex. From my understanding people with this disorder have no empathy for others and they view people as objects to win, so they don't care if they have to use deception and manipulate your emotions and insecurities. They know when and what to say and they will put on an act for as long as they need to get what they want. Mentally healthy people would never behave this way so if you aren't aware of this illness you'll likely be very confused by this type of behaviour. The fact that she was able to keep up this act for as long as she has makes me believe that and makes me better understand how and why Alex came to believe and trust her. To me the bullying past just solidifies my theory. People with certain NPD subtypes are known to show antisocial traits; known as malignant narcs and they enjoy making others suffer. Although I'm not really sure what subtype of NPD she likely has, because she appears to exhibit traits of both a grandiose also known as malignant narcissist and also of those with high functioning/exhibitionist narcissism. Though I really think Johanne herself should see a psychologist to get a proper assessment because there definitely seems to be something is wrong with her. And Of course she will show off Alex, he is her new and shiny trophy that she has so long planned to win over! He is providing her with the attention and connections she believes she is entitled to because she has the delusional belief that she is special. This is all a game to her and she has calculated everything from the start, the huge romantic gestures, the memorable moments and trips together, planned pinterest outfits, new wardrobe/aesthetic, involving her friends to make it more believable etc. She has had a plan from the start and she has plans for the future as well and she will surely get everything she wants, she is intelligent and has the leverage in their relationship.

Anon to anon, in response to this ask. 😊 Thank you for sharing your thoughts, you've made some very valid and interesting points!

#anon asks #anon to anon

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self-loving-vampire · 1 year

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I find it kind of funny how, at least from my point of view, a lot of my NPD symptoms are either simply rational behavior or a plain acceptance of the reality I live in.

Though there are also other symptoms that don’t present in the expected ways.

Let’s go through the DSM-5 criteria (only 5/9 are needed to qualify, so people with NPD may not have every symptom and may have all kinds of combinations).

1. Has a grandiose sense of self-importance (e.g. - exaggerates achievements and talents, expects to be recognized as superior without commensurate achievements)

I absolutely have a sense of grandiosity, but I don’t feel the need to exaggerate anything (and in fact prefer to gather evidence for things I do or experience even if just to assist my own memory).

The most notable thing is that my sense that I am Just Better than other people is abstracted and separate from any of my actual traits and I know this. I don’t need to have a concrete reason to feel superior, I just do.

As a result, I don’t need to invent anything in order to feel that way.

Hence why I’m more like this instead:

I am on that level of narcissism.

2. Is preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty, or ideal love

This is exactly the kind of fantasy that my grandiose taste in music is built to facilitate.

youtube

Still, I was not content to merely fantasize about the success of my designs. I planned for and mitigated potential setbacks as well and stuck with it until I got what I really wanted (which turned out to be really ordinary, but even something as small as that seemed distant to me once since I was just treated as property).

I am currently very happy with where my life is and would not trade my loved ones for anything.

3. Believes that he or she is “special” and unique and can only be understood by, or should associate with, other special or high-status people (or institutions).

It is no secret that I am autistic and find it much easier and more enjoyable to interact with other autistic people with similar traits and outlooks. I also kept my distance from all the students at every academic institution I have ever gone to for a variety of reasons and most people just don’t interest me and even feel kind of “dead” somehow.

It’s not really a matter of snobby status judgment so much as a neutral evaluation of mental compatibility though, and I remain polite regardless.

4. Requires excessive admiration

I wouldn’t say this one is entirely true. As long as master is pleased, so am I. His opinions (as well as my own and those of a small handful of people I respect) are the only ones that really matter to me beyond purely instrumental advantages.

In fact, there are certain people that I would be slightly ashamed to be praised by in at least some ways due to extreme differences in terminal values. I think being disliked by such people only adds to my greatness if anything.

5. Has a sense of entitlement (i.e. - unreasonable expectations of especially favourable treatment or automatic compliance with his or her expectations).

I don’t think I do. It is true that if I can get away with it I avoid following rules that make no sense to me (such as the dress code at my high school), however I don’t think this is something that should have been special treatment reserved only for me. I think meaningless rules like that should simply not exist for anyone else either.

Similarly, I often note inadequacies in various systemic issues that affect me, but rather than just wanting to get a unique pass over those issues I would prefer if the issues just didn’t exist to begin with.

6. Is interpersonally exploitative (i.e. - takes advantage of others to achieve his or her own ends).

I mean, famously so. I have mentioned before how I manipulated my way out of an abusive household and how this was basically my life’s work and most important character arc.

I don’t actually enjoy lying or manipulating people and I prefer not doing it. I found it stressful, and having to do it for so long in order to survive was an obstacle to my ability to form bonds with people. It’s a huge relief to just be honest.

However, I am still proud of it and feel completely guilt-free about doing it. I’m also just pleased about how people who learn about my tragic backstory come out of it simply being impressed by my actions rather than pitying me.

When facing abusers who hold every single advantage over you, you must be able to defeat them before even declaring war.

This requires you to lie to them. It requires you to take a distanced approach to yourself and master your own appearance, to make your face malleable for the sake of playing multiple roles and concealing your intentions. It requires you to smile at your enemies, to speak against your true feelings.

This is what I did, and I would absolutely do it again if I had to.

7. Lacks empathy: is unwilling to recognize or identify with the feelings and needs of others

I do lack empathy, but specifically affective empathy.

I do recognize other people’s emotions, I just don’t share them, am not directly affected by them, and sometimes don’t know exactly why they are feeling them.

The interesting part is that my lack of empathy only started around 6 years ago, but I was still very much narcissistic even before then. I wonder why it suddenly vanished like that.

8. Is often envious of others or believes that others are envious of him or her

This is possibly the funniest symptom on the list because I do not merely believe that others are envious of me, I know it because they keep telling me that they envy me.

People have told me that they envy everything from my breast sensitivity and my hair to things like my ability to write thousands of words a day several days in a row or my ability to simply enjoy life and find love despite my disabilities.

Even back in school, people used to envy things like my ability to ace exams without studying or making any effort. It really highlighted how much actual work other people had to do just to even approach what I was capable of just doing naturally and effortlessly despite not bothering with class.

9. Shows arrogant, haughty behaviors or attitudes.

I mean, yeah. Have you seen the URL? I think I’m pretty great and I express this openly.

At my college orientation I even wore my usual lab coat and introduced myself as an enemy of the gods with absolutely no shame (plus plenty of posing) because I’m just so high on myself.

#about me #npd

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dex-starr · 6 months

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It’s time to talk about what I had planned as the big thing. So I had gotten it in my brain that hey dude you kind of just bought a car and you were told you were gonna get it. What’s a year of waiting so you could do a roadtrip for your big move with your person? Apparently it’s a lot of fucking time that is. So the big plan was for me to just have the initiative to ask you to join me on it. Just you and me something we finally get to do alone because we’ve always had our families there with us love ‘em or hate ‘em. I just wanted to do something big and something independent. I just wanted to be able to show off all the reasons I felt what I felt and you felt what you felt since I think we just needed to re-center on that. I know I did. Everything else was just so complicated at this point. Keep it simple stupid.

So with that road trip idea I had a few things in mind. Learn some songs to play you and get over being nervous about playing a song to you that you requested. And secondly hope I was healthier by this year too (I did become healthier but alas things ended). It kind of turned to shit because I froze having all this grandiose shit in my head to do but failing at what was immediately going on. But hey there’s ADHD paralysis. The second part of my plan was once we were settled in I would ask you to go up north because I owed you a trip with me since the start of it all. I still remembered talking to you daily and just being like fuck this sounds great to experience together. So we would do that. The first night I’d want to go on a hike somewhere maybe be able to see the stars together. I would just talk about how strongly I felt during that trip when you were talking to me and how that feeling hadn’t changed to this very day. That I know I come off as aloof and a bunch of other shit but god damn I think of you every millisecond it’s like the poochie meme. If you’re off screen then I gotta be talking about you and all that asking where you’re at. That like to this day I didn’t know what the fuck this meant because I was always in honeymoon phase apparently when I explained my feelings to people. Yeah I was comfortable but I was still there I just couldn’t act on it because of my problems.

So I wanted to say that I loved you more than anything still, this was a long time coming and I’m sorry I made you wait for so long. That I’m so glad you understood that I was going through so much too and just trying to keep it together and be with you. There is nothing that at this time made me happier and I don’t know if there could be. I know I jokingly said we’d marry and that we were going to end up eloping but hey I do want to marry you. So uhhh… do you want to have a ceremony or like do you want to elope and then have a ceremony after? Because like yeah dude I can’t see myself doing anything other than this with you. That’s just how it’s been. I knew you’d say yes to doing it, but I didn’t know if you’d take me up on the eloping portion. I didn’t care that I’d probably be fucking with your credit and shit like that I just wanted that name to be shared finally and for it to finally be a reality instead of just me saying it to you and you saying it to me.

But that didn’t happen and things went as they went. I didn’t not plan anything out. I really did and this was the most prevalent one out of all of them. The other one was planning something for Halloween or Christmas maybe making you something special to eat since you kept my foodie ass well fed. I had ideas and I know I felt how I felt then. Shit happened and well it ended in probably the worst way it could. I don’t think you imagined it ever going down like that and I didn’t either. I don’t think I ever saw myself freezing as badly as I did to the point where I saw everything tragic happening in front of me but couldn’t reach out and do anything about it. It was the first time in my life I like experienced this severe panic. I hope it’s the last time because I don’t want to be like that. I don’t want the bad part of my brain to control me like that anymore. I want to be able to say I can plan something stupid like this again

#shut up pls dex #long post but fuck it I have time to kill

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chorusfm · 10 months

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World’s First Cinema

Recently I was able to schedule an interview with Los Angeles-based duo, John Sinclair and Fil Thorpe, who go by the name of World’s First Cinema. In this interview, I asked them about the style of their music, how they do most of their songwriting, and their plans for touring. World’s First Cinema fit well in the realm of the theatrics of Panic! at the Disco, paired with the hooks of Motion City Soundtrack, but they really have a style that needs to be heard to get the full experience. Thank you for your time today! How does your band’s name, World’s First Cinema, match the aesthetic and overall feel of your music? From the very start, we wanted to make a project that fit right alongside our favorite movie scores and cinematic moments in film. World’s First Cinema captures that sense of grandiosity and theatrics perfectly. The moment Fil suggested it as a name it’s all I could imagine us being called. Can you tell me what went into the writing/recording process for “Palm Reader”? ”Palm Reader” started as the simple piano line you hear in the first few bars – but it just exploded after that. Now it has a special little piece of everything we do – sweeping cinematics, violin leading on the chorus, and huge production on the drops. The intent was to create something unique and fantastical, and draw the listener into another world. How would you describe your relationship with Fearless Records, and what drew you to signing with the label? Fearless has been absolutely fantastic in helping us realize our vision. There’s a very specific flavor to this project, and we have some really off-the-wall directions we want to take it in. Not only has Fearless recognized that, but they’ve been a step ahead of us in making it happen. That marks a unique strength for a record label to possess, and was a huge draw for us when signing. How do you two approach songwriting? What do you feel is each band member’s strength? Fil and I do everything ourselves in the studio, and so over time we’ve worked out a system of writing and producing that fits together like a little jigsaw puzzle. Put simply, I usually start with a raw idea, and Fil shapes it into a complete form. We both produce and we both write, but our strengths and weaknesses in these areas balance out to form a complete picture. Are there any plans to take these songs on tour? And if so, who will you be touring with? We’re actively booking touring right now and can’t say too much – but we’re extremely excited to take this project back out on the road. That’s truly where it thrives. What do you hope listeners will ultimately take away from listening to your band? We just want listeners to be swept away to another world. That’s what movies and film scores do for us, and that’s exactly what we want to give to our audience. --- Please consider becoming a member so we can keep bringing you stories like this one. ◎ https://chorus.fm/features/interviews/worlds-first-cinema/

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restlessfandoming · 3 years

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"you, my enemy" (chilumi oneshot)

Lumine must assassinate the cruel king of Snezhnaya, Ajax.

i could see this being turned into a full fledged fic? but for now, here is the dollar store version LOL

[Masterlist] [AO3 Link]

"you, my enemy"

“I want you to kill the king of Snezhnaya.��

Lumine’s eyes flickered to her client. “King Ajax?”

“There is only one, is there not?” the hooded man responded.

She narrowed her eyes at him. “You must have the wrong person,” she said. “I do run-of-the-mill jobs. I don’t murder kings.”

“I was told you were the only mercenary who could do it.”

Lumine slid out of the bar booth. “Find someone else who is insane enough to do that. I value my life.”

The man’s arm shot out, grabbing Lumine by the wrist. She would have sliced it clean off, had the man not taken off his hood.

He had an unmistakable hue of scarlet red hair, with equally fiery eyes to match.

“You’re Diluc,” Lumine said. “The son of the slain King Ragvindr.” It’s never a good idea to get involved with royals.

His face wavered at the mention of his father. “And who was the one who murdered him?”

“King Ajax,” she answered. “That sounds like your own quest for vengeance. Not mine.”

Diluc pulled her closer. “Magic,” he whispered.

Lumine’s blood ran cold. “Magic?” she echoed hollowly.

“I’ve been trying to find the right person to do this for a long time,” he told her. “I had to do my research.”

“What does magic have to do with this?” Lumine asked, trying to keep her voice even.

“You use magic,” Diluc stated. “That’s how you’ve completed every single one of your assignments perfectly.”

Magic had been banished long ago, a witch hunt massacring any and all magic users within the land of Teyvat. Each of the seven kingdoms had decreed it, agreeing that those with magic were too powerful—a threat to the people, all people.

Ever since, the rare few born with magical powers were forced to hide away their abilities for survival. I thought Aether and I hid it well enough.

“You do this, I won’t report you to the authorities,” Diluc continued.

“What about you?” Lumine hissed. “You’re supposed to be dead with the rest of your family.” She shook off his grip. “If I report you to King Ajax, there’s no doubt I’d get a hefty reward, more than you could ever give me for murdering him.”

He pursed his lips into a thin line. “If there’s any suspicion of a magic user, what sort of action do the authorities take?”

You’re killed on the spot—no questions asked. The kingdoms didn’t want to run any risk of magic users rising up, no matter how small of a threat.

“We would be executed at the same time,” Diluc said lowly.

Shit.

Lumine sat back down in the booth, sinking into the seat, gnawing on the side of her cheek. Then, she took a deep breath in.

“You’ll give me every single piece of Mora you have,” she demanded.

Diluc’s face visibly relaxed. “Of course.” He crossed his arms. “The hidden vaults of my family are all yours: every single jewel, Mora, artifact—when you complete the job.”

Lumine’s mouth nearly watered at the prospect of all the riches.

No, she wasn’t greedy. That amount of Mora meant she and her twin brother Aether could retire from this life, this life of scraping by with the money they made from bloody bounties and assassinations. It was the only job they could do, being abandoned as children, having to learn to fend for themselves.

This one job meant she and Aether could have quiet peace until the end of their days.

She held out her hand to Diluc.

“You have a deal.”

* * *

When Lumine arrives in Snezhnaya, she expects impoverished villages, famished citizens, and cold, desecrated lands—all while this merciless, vile king sat on his throne of bones and riches.

However, what she finds are bustling streets of business and cheerful citizens. Children played freely on the streets. The kingdom was thriving.

Is this king truly as evil as the stories say?

It hadn’t been long since King Ajax had begun his crusade of conquering the entirety of Teyvat. It had started with his brutal assassination of his own ruler at the time, the slaying of the late Tsaritsa, quickly followed by his claim to the throne. Then, he had taken over the small country of Mondstadt, and Liyue fell shortly after.

Any who opposed him would face the sharp end of a blade. The stories of him on the battlefield were whispers of blood soaked garments and a wicked smile as he slaughtered soldier after soldier with no remorse.

The image of this bloodthirsty monster faded as Lumine watched these citizens move around care free, as if they were unaware of the atrocities laying under their feet committed by their dear King Ajax.

Glancing up, she could see the distant looming monument, the grandiose castle of the king, looking over the land with a watchful stone eye.

She listened intently to the conversations around her, seeking any information about this Ajax, about how to get close enough to do her job.

She always wanted the most covert way, and now even more so. This was very much her highest profile case, and if she wasn’t careful, she could potentially start wars, with her murder being the first blood.

Perhaps the best way was to become some nondescript maid, someone’s whose presence and subsequent disappearance wouldn’t be questioned by any of the king’s allies. Perhaps as a chef? She could easily poison his food and silently slip away.

How she wished Aether was here with her. He was much more a strategist than she. Unfortunately, he had taken on a different job, far away in Inazuma. They would not see each other until both of their assignments were completed.

Lumine sighed, moving down the street, in search of a bar. Drunk bastards were always the best source of information: they didn’t know how to shut their mouths. In a bar, there were no figures too suspicious, and if there were, they would quickly be forgotten within a few pints of ale.

She pushed past vendors, until she was stopped by a brunette woman in a lavender robe.

“You are not from here,” she said with a breathy smile.

Singled out already? “I’ve only just recently moved here,” Lumine lied.

“Oh? For what reasons?” the woman pressed, her long eyelashes batting as she assessed Lumine head to toe. “Work?”

“No.” What was this woman’s motive? “I’ve heard Snezhnaya is a great country to live in.”

A content, pitched sigh. “Well, since you’ve just moved here, why don’t you come work for me? Outsiders earn a pretty penny.”

Lumine stared at her. “Who are you?”

The woman smiled. “I am Ying’er. I’m in charge of a local performance troupe.” She stepped closer, and Lumine could smell her flowery perfume. “I would love to have you join us.”

“No, thank you,” Lumine told her, inching away. Sounds like a cheap cover for a brothel. “I’m not in need of a job right now.”

Ying’er pouted, but stepped back. “Alright then, sweetie.” She leaned on the doorway of her shop. “I’ll be right here if you decide to come back,” she finished with a wink.

Lumine gave a curt nod before slinking away, back to her search for a bar. She pulled the hood of her cape over her head, sticking to the shadowed walls on her walk. Do I really stick out that much here?

In the distance, she heard the subtle pounding of a drum, and watched, astonished, as the crowded streets parted straight down the middle. An eerie silence filled the previously buzzing plaza. Something was coming.

All the citizens had their heads bowed—Lumine quickly followed suit.

The booming of the drums came closer, and she heard the thunderous marching of armored boots layered into the sound. She glanced up.

There was an entourage of armored soldiers, an assortment of glistening weapons at their sides, escorting a decorated golden carriage.

King Ajax.

What was this? Was there some sort of special occasion taking place?

Much easier to find than expected.

The carriage rolled past. Lumine strained to look at the window while still keeping her head bowed.

Unfortunately, the window was curtained, a velvety red cloth obscuring any view of the king. Lumine wrinkled her nose in disappointment; she had wanted to see what she was up against.

The terrifying rumors of King Ajax never told of what he looked like. Lumine imagined a beastly figure, one with dark shaggy hair and sharp teeth, bones all jutting out in the wrong directions, filleted with raw scars all over.

The carriage continued to move past.

Could she do it? Could she use her magic to take him out right now? There certainly was a large number of people around, and all of them would be suspects; all the easier for her to get away.

However, the guards could easily murder everyone in the plaza if a perpetrator wasn’t found. And, as Ying’er so blatantly pointed out, Lumine didn’t exactly fit in with the Snezhayan citizens.

She would just have to wait. Wait for a better opportunity. Wait to learn more about King Ajax. Wait to plan the best way to kill him.

There was a rustle of murmurs as the citizens returned to their activities, the royal carriage and its guards wheeling out of sight—the air more tense than before.

Taking in a deep breath, she resumed her search.

I need a drink.

* * *

Lumine sat in the corner booth as always, the seat in the bar that could overlook the entire establishment, the place where she could easily see who entered and exited the building.

She sipped at her mug of ale: not enough to become inebriated, but just enough to take some of her stress away. She still listened intently for any utterances about King Ajax.

She kept her eye on a man who was chugging pint after pint of alcohol, complaining about his job, his kids, his wife.

Maybe he’ll complain about his king as well.

“God, I miss Mondstadt,” the man sighed.

Lumine raised a brow. Someone from the conquered land of Mondstadt? He should definitely harbor some resentment for King Ajax.

“Careful there,” the bartender muttered. “The king will have your tongue if you speak ill of him.”

The drunkard scoffed. “The king ain’t here, is he? Too busy with his parties and parades to ever come to a hole-in-the-wall bar.”

The bartender shrugged, silently wiping a glass.

“C’mon,” the man continued. “You don’t think it’s weird how he always invites those performers to the castle? What a dramatic man.” A hiccup. “You think he beds all of them?”

“Probably. Lots of women would want to sleep with the king”

“See, King Ragvindr never did things like that.” He laid his head on the counter. “A modest man. Genuinely cared about his people.”

“King Ajax cares for us. He provides—he’s made Snezhnaya wealthier than ever.”

“Hmph. Is that why he murders people in cold blood? Remember that man that got executed in the street for not bowing to him?”

“Just listen to him, and you’ll be fine.”

Lumine slid out of her booth, making her way to the exit, to a certain brunette woman with a lavender robe.

He likes performers.

A plan started to bubble in her mind as she walked the streets to Ying’er’s shop.

She would slip into the castle with the performance troupe. She would feign illness, seemingly leaving early, when in actuality, she would hide until all the guests had left. King Ajax would retire for the night, alone—and that’s when she would strike.

Lumine smiled, just a bit, confidence coming to her now that she knew what to do.

Her and Aether’s life of freedom felt like a breath away.

* * *

“You’ve certainly improved quite a lot,” Ying’er said, sauntering into Lumine’s quarters.

Lumine set her lyre down. “Guess I’m a quick learner.”

It had been a few weeks since Lumine had arrived in Snezhnaya, and became one of Ying’er performers. She had decided to learn an instrument—the lyre—while staying with Ying’er and the rest of the performers at the hostess’ establishment. She preferred it over becoming a poet or dancer.

Ying’er was right: many people came to watch Lumine sit prettily on stage and play her lyre—her face painted with make-up, and her body adorned with beautiful robes and gowns.

All the while, Lumine anxiously awaited the king’s invitation to their performance troupe. He had invited different groups all over town, though not Ying’er’s yet.

Was this plan a failure? Where was that damned man’s invitation—

“Is that what I think it is?” Lumine asked, eyeing the embellished envelope in her boss’ hand.

Ying’er hummed in affirmation. “The king has finally invited our group to perform at a party tonight.”

Finally. “What an honor,” Lumine said with a smile.

“Very much so.” Ying’er put her hand under Lumine’s chin, examining her face. “Yes...I will have you dressed in our best garments and make-up.”

The woman smiled. “After all, you are our pretty little star.”

* * *

The carriage ride to the castle was filled with the girls’ giggles and whispers, how they wished for the king to whisk them away into a life of riches and royalty, to be his beloved first wife. Lumine kept a hand pressed against her leg—ensuring the dagger hidden under her heavy robes wouldn’t fall out.

She didn’t like to get messy with such a close ranged weapon—she would usually just use her magic from a distance—but she wasn’t going to take a chance if something were to go awry.

As they neared the castle, everyone burst into gasps, admiring the massive stone structure. The excitement doubled as the dozens of other carriages came into view as well.

This is going to be one very extravagant party.

Before she knew it, Lumine was sitting in the great hall, along with the rest of the party goers, awaiting the king’s arrival. She saw the empty throne at the very front of the room, raised on a marble platform, his rightful place above his subjects.

A fanfare of brass instruments blared. The king is here.

The room collectively stood, bowing their heads as the king’s personal guards filed in. Lumine quirked her head to look for King Ajax.

Oh.

The king was not a hideous looking beast at all.

In fact, he was quite the opposite.

He walked in, tall stature carrying an air of importance (and arrogance) on his shoulders with a billowing crimson red cloak, a broad grin plastered on his face. He was young, exactly around Lumine’s age.

He had reddish-brown hair framing his face, locks that glittered like gold in the light of the room, and his eyes were like vortexes—deep whirlpools of the bluest ocean water. All his features were sharp, upturned, like a cunning fox waiting contently to trap its prey.

She watched as he made his way up to his throne, a sickening anxiety spreading through her limbs.

Lumine had never killed anyone so close in age to her—it had always been older men and women. And, of course, she had never found herself attracted to her target.

“Please,” the king spoke, still grinning. “Have a seat.” As he sat on his throne, the rest of the room sat as well.

Lumine swallowed the lump in her throat. His voice was light, playful even.

Was that truly the murderous king of Snezhnaya?

“A toast, to you, my people,” he said, raising a golden goblet. “Let the festivities begin.”

Lumine gulped down her own glass of wine, then shook her head.

I’m here for a job. Not romance.

The room filled with chatter, and Ying’er motioned to Lumine and the rest of the musicians to the corner where they would be performing their music for the night.

Lumine gathered her lyre, shuffling towards her spot in her heavily layered robes. Her mouth was set in a taut line.

A momentary lapse in judgement.

As she played the first few notes, her eyes flickered to the king, who was busy greeting various nobles at his throne. She narrowed her eyes at him, at that sly, sly smile on his face.

It won’t happen again.

* * *

The night seemed to drag on forever. After what seemed like an eternity of playing music for the room—as other patrons ate and danced and conversed—the musicians were finally taking a break.

Lumine delightfully chewed through expensive meats and breads as various actors, dancers, and poets took the floor in front of King Ajax to present their pieces.

The king seemed to be entertained, joining on some of the performances himself.

That drunkard from the bar was right. King Ajax was quite dramatic, inserting himself into the spotlight whenever he so pleased. How pretentious.

The crowd clapped and cheered as another performance was brought to an end, an air of boisterous chatter resuming. Lumine swallowed her last piece of food, making her way to Ying’er.

Time to get started.

“Ying’er,” Lumine called to her boss, clenching her side. “I feel a bit sick.”

The brunette woman raised a brow. “You were looking quite well before.”

“Yes, it was very sudden,” Lumine responded, turning to the exit. “I think I will just head back now.”

“So soon, dear? We haven’t even introduced ourselves to the king yet.”

Lumine was already on her way out. “I’ll see you back at the shop.”

She slipped past the guards patrolling the halls, ducking into the nearest empty room, a storage closet of sorts. Perfect.

She hiked her long robes up, unsheathing her dagger, cutting away at the garments. Sorry, Ying’er. But I can’t fight in this. She threw the discarded fabric in a dark corner, where they would be forgotten about.

She slid the knife back into its sheath, and cracked the door open the tiniest bit—enough to watch the entrance into the great hall.

Now, all she had to do was wait.

* * *

Lumine would have fallen asleep had it not been for the two guards who stopped to converse right outside her door. Within a matter of seconds, Lumine had gone from sleepily nodding off to firmly clenching her weapon in her hand, nerves buzzing on high alert.

“That party dragged on forever,” one of the guards said. “I don’t know how King Ajax does it. Isn’t he exhausted every night?”

“Not sure. He seems to enjoy it.”

“He’s been gone a while now. Should we check on him?”

Lumine tightened her grasp on her dagger. He was gone?

“No. He likes to be alone at night. He’ll kill you if you interrupt him.”

“Oh...Should we just go to the other side of the castle then? So we don’t...interrupt him?”

“...Sounds like a good idea.”

The sound of their footsteps faded, and Lumine dared a peek out the door to scope out the hallway.

There were no other guards, and the boisterous sounds of the party were long gone.

Lumine slid out of the closet, sneaking down the hall, starting her search for King Ajax.

Sounds like he’s still here somewhere. Alone.

This job was getting easier and easier.

Too easy.

* * *

Please be in this room.

There was a great stone door before her, one she had come to after a mind-numbingly exhaustive search through the entirety of the large castle. She pushed on the door, as slowly and as quietly as possible, then looked in.

She nearly cried out in relief.

Sitting in the middle of the room was King Ajax, his back turned to her.

He was completely silent, unmoving, in this empty stone room. Was he asleep? No, it looked more like meditation.

Lumine slinked in, silently, conjuring the elemental energy of the wind in the room.

She would take every bit of air out of his body. Quick, quiet, no mess. It was the method she had always used.

She closed her eyes to focus, feeling the pull of air from his lungs.

He was going to die, and she was going to be free, free with her brother—

WHOOSH!

Lumine opened her eyes just in time to see Ajax rush towards her.

His hand wrapped around her throat, and he slammed her into the ground. All of the breath in her body hissed out of her, and she clawed at his hand.

“Who are you?” he growled.

She stopped prying at his hold, quickly yanking out her dagger, and slashing at his face.

He dodged, forcing him to loosen his grip on her.

She slashed again at his hand, throwing herself away from him as he recoiled in pain. She rubbed at her neck, gasping for breath. The king was looking at the gash across his fingers.

Shitshitshit.

Lumine quickly focused her energy on the earth below, trying to create shackles out of stone to hold him in place, or to just bury him alive.

The ropes of earth sprang out of the ground. His eyes flickered to the coils as they rushed for him.

Yes!

But then a swirling mass of water appeared, engulfing him, destroying the chains in the process.

What—?!

A sharp stream of water shot out from the bubble, coiling around Lumine before she could react. She was pulled to the ground, bound, and unable to move.

The bubble of water dissipated, and Ajax stepped out, eyes ablaze. He approached Lumine.

“Who are you?” he asked again, less angry, more inquisitive.

She strained against the chains of water, her elemental energy unable to rid them. She locked eyes with him. “You’re a magic user.”

He squatted next to her. “You are too,” he responded, the smallest ghost of a smile on his lips. He took her dagger into his hands, weighing it. “Now, why were you trying to kill me?”

Lumine bit her cheek. No, she couldn’t sell Diluc out; he could still get Aether killed.

“That’s how you conquered Mondstadt and Liyue so easily. You used magic,” she pushed, ignoring his question. “That’s forbidden.”

He barked out a laugh, wiping his bloodied hand on her robes. “And yet, here we are, two magic users in one room.” He pointed the dagger at Lumine’s neck. “Tell me why you were trying to kill me, before I make it only one. I won’t ask again.”

“You’re going to kill me anyway,” Lumine said. “I’m a magic user. That threatens your power, doesn’t it?”

Ajax studied her for a second, pulling the dagger back, just a bit. “True.” He tilted his head. “But I’ve never actually met another magic user before.”

She averted his intense gaze. “So what are you going to do? Keep me alive and experiment on me?”

“No.” He stood. “How about this...in exchange for sparing your life, you become my student.”

…

What?

“You mean learn magic from you?” Lumine glared at him. “How do you know I won’t kill you in the future?”

“You won’t,” he said. “This murder attempt? Wasn’t personal—you tried to kill me from a distance. Someone must have sent you.” He closed his eyes, squeezing the hilt of the dagger. After some shaking, it disintegrated into dust.

“Also, you can’t kill me,” he continued, opening his eyes. “You’re severely untrained. You saw how easily I subdued you.” A small smile. “All the more reason to learn from me.”

Maybe this was the gods taking mercy on Lumine. Ajax didn’t kill her right away; she had a chance to live, to get back home to Aether.

“What’s in it for you? This only seems to benefit me,” she said to Ajax.

He hummed, thinking. “A potentially powerful weapon,” he responded, eyes glinting.

Maybe, once she learned more magic, she could overtake him, and complete her job.

She locked eyes with him.

“You have a deal.”

The ghost of those words burned bitter on her tongue.

* * *

Lumine nearly died the next morning.

“You did what?!” she gasped out, after deathly choking on a part of her breakfast.

She was currently sitting across from Ajax in his elegant dining room, who had just informed her that he had announced their marriage.

He leaned back in his chair. “A random new woman living in the king’s castle? Bound to raise many rumors,” he said, nonchalant. “This way, there are no rumors, and we can train without being questioned.”

Lumine worried her lip. He has a point.

“I don’t—We don’t have to...do anything in public, do we?” she asked.

“No.” He smirked. “Unless you want to, pretty girl.”

She grimaced. “No, thank you.” Here for a job, not romance, she reminded herself, no matter how handsome this cocky bastard is. Not to mention, she still planned to kill him.

And so, Lumine’s days were filled with training, pretending to the servants and maids she was King Ajax’s fiancée. She was trapped, as Ajax reminded her many times that if she tried to leave, he would swiftly execute her.

She learned more about him, as much as she didn’t want to. She saw that he did really care for his people, and provided for them as best he could—though he wasn’t above using his power to strike down those in his way, whether it was an enemy or a citizen who simply disrespected his reign.

And that was ultimately what he wanted: power. To have power over everyone in the land of Teyvat. He had endless ambition—Lumine could credit him that much.

Some days, she caught herself imagining it as well: a world she could rule over, have everyone bend to her will, set the laws so people like her and Aether could live without fear, and be provided for. In some ways, she could relate to Ajax’s desires. In some ways, she could justify his methods.

It very much disgusted her, at first. But then, it was liberating. To have someone who could understand the darker sides to her being, understand the blood on her hands.

Even Aether could never fully understand her. How part of her was always glad to be given magical powers to defend herself and those she cared about. How part of her enjoyed her current situation.

After all, she was living lavishly, compared to the impoverished life she had before. She had every meal provided for, luxuriously, and a soft bed to lay in every night. No threat of the authorities finding out about her powers and murdering her.

Could she perhaps bring Aether here?

Ajax had spared her—was it too much of a stretch to believe he would spare her twin as well?

If Aether could be brought here, she wouldn’t have to kill Ajax. She wouldn’t have to kill perhaps the only person in Teyvat that knew who she truly was.

* * *

“If you found another magic user,” she asked Ajax over dinner, “would you train them as well?”

Ajax took a sip of wine from his goblet. “No.”

“...No?”

A small smile, a slight flash of his canines. “I can’t have my weapons outnumbering me, now can I?”

Lumine’s mouth went dry. “If you won’t train them...what would you do with them?”

“Kill them.” He set the cup down. “They would be a threat.”

“I’m not a threat?”

Ajax barked out a laugh. “No, Lumine. No, you are not.”

Ah.

So she and Aether couldn’t be together here. Aether was still in danger of being outed by Diluc.

“Why?” Ajax questioned. “Are you lonely here?”

“I’m trapped in your castle. What do you think?”

He rested his head on his hand. “My bed is open at night, if you’d like.”

Lumine drove her knife through her food. “You’re insufferable.”

“Oh, Lumine, it’s just banter,” he said, chuckling. “You don’t think we’re friends? I quite like your company.”

She pursed her lips, staying silent.

“You don’t have to lie to me.” Ajax stared right at her. “I see you while we train. You like it here. You like becoming more and more powerful.”

He leaned over the table. “You and I are very similar.” He smiled. “There’s a hunger in your eyes. You want exactly what I have.”

Lumine stood abruptly. “We are nothing alike,” she spat uselessly. He sees right through me.

“I told you, you don’t have to lie to me,” Ajax responded, sitting back in his chair. “We are already married. We could rule together—as partners.”

...What?

“I thought I was your weapon.” Her knuckles were white from clutching the edge of the table.

“Partner if you so choose.” His blue eyes narrowed slightly. “Weapon if not.”

What game is he playing? “There has to be some sort of catch.” He was essentially offering her his power as king, even if it was just partially.

“No catch,” he said. “Like I said, if you refuse, you’ll just continue your little life of entrapment, as my weapon.”

“One of these options is obviously better than the other.”

Ajax laughed, genuinely, his expression softening, just a bit. “I guess one is.”

She gave him a look, quizzical, before swiftly leaving the room, his proposal still hanging in the night.

As the guards escorted her back to her room, she played the conversation over and over again in her mind.

Would it be so bad? Would it be so bad as King Ajax’s consort, his companion through his crusade of Teyvat?

He was right: part of her deep down ached for that kind of power.

But joining Ajax meant sacrificing her dear brother.

The aching desire hissed, Is that a sacrifice you are going to make?

* * *

The castle’s stone floors were freezing on Lumine’s feet as she traversed through the halls barefoot. No shoes meant no sound. No sound meant she could surprise the guards, getting the upper hand to take them out. Already, there was a trail of dead guards behind her as she passed through the corridors, the air stripped from their lungs.

Her sheer white nightgown fluttered around her as she dashed about, and in the dim moonlight waning through the windows, she thought herself a ghost, an angel of death. She was on a path she could not stop.

She knew exactly where he was. After spending so many days trapped here, of course she knew where the king’s quarters were.

She knew him like clockwork: what days he would stay up in his study, what days he would retire to his chambers and when. She knew where his guards were, when they would switch patrols, when their protection would be the weakest.

And when it came time, she stood outside of his door, wavering on the spot slightly.

She shook her head, trying the door. Locked.

Taking a breath in, she rapped her knuckles on the hardwood.

She heard rustling beyond the heavy oak door, her heartbeat picking up. She would have to get in there quick, before he looked behind her and saw his guards missing.

The door swung open, a flash of anger on Ajax’s face until he saw who it was.

He gave her a closed-eye smile. “Ah, Lumine, to what do I owe the pleasure—”

Lumine stood on the tips of her toes, grabbing him by the collar of his shirt, pulling him in for a kiss.

She could feel him go rigid under her touch. She walked him backwards, further into the room, closing the door behind her with her foot.

As the door shut, he broke away from her. “Are you accepting my proposal?” he whispered, his hands clutched around her arms.

Lumine nodded, going for another kiss, arms slinking around his shoulders. This time, he melted into her touch, pulling until he was under her on his bed.

He fell for it.

Pity crept into her heart. From the way he breathed her in, the way he held her in his arms, there was a softness she had never seen from him.

He loved her.

She was his weapon, and now, his greatest weakness.

“I’m sorry,” she said against his lips.

His eyes opened, those ocean eyes on her as she pulled the air from his lungs with ease.

You shouldn’t have trained me.

His hand reached for her throat, but went to his own as he gasped and choked.

She wrapped her own hands around his, pressing down. She slammed her eyes shut. She didn’t want to see his face.

He thrashed wildly, and she repeated I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’msorryimsorry over and over again until he went still under her.

…

...

She opened her eyes, the world blurry around her. She wiped away the tears pooling in her vision, and looked down at Ajax.

He was unmoving, eyes glazed over, arms limp at his side.

Lumine reached for his throat, hand shaking, fingers checking for a pulse.

He’s dead.

She scrambled off of him, crumbling into a ball on the floor.

I killed him.

Her breathing was uneven—she was the one gasping for breath now as uncontrollable sobs racked through her body.

I am so sorry, Ajax.

* * *

“Lumi?”

Lumine turned to see Aether looking at her with worry.

“Are you okay?” he asked.

A breeze rustled by. Lumine turned back to look over green fields that stretched as far as she could see.

“I’m okay,” she responded.

“Okay,” he repeated. He smiled a bit, pulling an envelope from his pocket. “Diluc’s hawk came this morning. He sends warm wishes to us both.”

After the assassination of King Ajax, Lumine decreed Snezhnaya a freed country, a country with no ruler, and returned the lands of Mondstadt and Liyue back to their rightful heirs. Diluc, now the restored king of Mondstadt, gave Lumine and Aether the riches he promised, and a home deep in the countryside for the peaceful life they so desperately wanted.

But sometimes Lumine had nightmares of Ajax.

She would be sitting next to him, on their thrones as the King and Queen of Snezhnaya. Sometimes, little princes and princesses of theirs would be running around as well.

They would have conjured all of Teyvat together.

They would have loved each other.

Lumine would wake up, tears in her eyes, heart heavy with desire for that life.

And then she would cry because her life would never be peaceful ever again.

#genshin impact #genshin childe #genshin lumine #chilumi #fanfiction #fanfic #me

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celestial-ringleader · 3 years

Text

This is an unnecessary rant about Gambit but here we are

Hi yeah so I’m procrastinating pretty hard on my school work and current pile of WIPs forming on my google docs, but I’ve noticed a lot more x-fans calling Remy narcissistic and since I did an ungodly amount of research into Gambit as well as being very into deep-diving into a character’s psychology, I figured I’d jump on that and put my two cents in.

But first I should start with saying that I’m not a professional in the field of psychology (I’ve only taken one class in psychology and I don’t plan on furthering myself in that field) and the information I’m getting is mostly from the DSM-5 as well as other articles discussing NPD (Narcissistic Personality Disorder) and of course the many, many panels I have stock-piled about Remy, so yeah don’t take what I’m saying here as gospel. Another thing, I realize that not everyone has to deep-dive into a character to find enjoyment with them, I have a few characters that I only really like because I think they’re cool, so this isn’t me trying to berate fans for not doing the same amount of research fueled by hyperfixation as I have. Honestly this is just me wanting to ramble about Remy and I just so happen to go way too deep into it sometimes kdjbvdjk

That being said, I’m completely open to critique and if I make a mistake in my assumptions I’m cool with it, just don’t be an ass about it. I’m doing this because it’s fun and I wanted to share my own personal opinions on a popular fandom headcanon, I’m not looking to start an argument over this I literally do not have the time for that.

Anyways this is gonna be a long post so I’ll put it under a read more, in case you don’t want to read this long-winded rant: TLDR; Remy isn’t a Narcissist, at most he’s egotistical/full of himself.

Don’t tag as any kind of ship, this isn’t about shipping.

Okay, so what is NPD?

So to start off, I’ve often seen people treat Narcissism the same as someone who’s incredibly prideful and arrogant (and sometimes they’re treated as synonyms of each other), and this is simply not the case. According to the DSM-5 (which I actually did read for a paper I did for sociology not that long ago) NPD is a personality disorder which is mostly characterized with a pervasive pattern of grandiosity, need for admiration, and a lack of empathy. But there’s a lot more to diagnosing someone with NPD beyond those three things; also within the DSM-5 there’s a list of nine criteria, five of which must be met for a formal diagnosis:

Has a grandiose sense of self-importance (e.g., exaggerates achievements and talents, expects to be recognized as superior without commensurate achievements).

Is preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty, or ideal love.

Believes that he or she is “special” and unique and can only be understood by, or should associate with, other special or high-status people (or institutions).

Requires excessive admiration.

Has a sense of entitlement (i.e., unreasonable expectations of especially favorable treatment or automatic compliance with his or her expectations).

Is interpersonally exploitative (i.e., takes advantage of others to achieve his or her own ends).

Lacks empathy: is unwilling to recognize or identify with the feelings and needs of others.

Is often envious of others or believes that others are envious of him or her.

Shows arrogant, haughty behaviors or attitudes.

(Link to DSM-5 pdf) It goes way more in depth into the criteria than I am so yeah

Okay, that’s great and all, but what does this have to do with my point over a fictional character? Well on the surface you would probably assume that Remy ticks most of these boxes, and in a way I can agree, but it’s also to understand the context behind his psychology to find other possible reasons for his behavior rather than just having NPD. Sure someone can have narcissistic personality traits, but that doesn’t immediately mean they are one since some behaviors can overlap and be caused by something completely different.

To not make this go on forever, I’ll only focus on the main traits of NPD and go into why Remy doesn’t fit into that specific personality disorder.

[Disclaimer this will be my own interpretation of canon, so for all I know this could be different than what you think and I’m cool with that, just know that there’s probably gonna be bias and I can’t help it sometimes.]

Desire for Grandiosity

A notable trait in someone with NPD is wanting everything they can get, having high ambitions and doing anything to achieve that goal because they feel entitled to it. And sometimes this can lead to either conscious or intentional exploitation of others to achieve said goals. However, Remy doesn’t have big goals or ambitions in life; he doesn’t want to become a King of Thieves, he doesn’t want to be the next folk hero, he doesn’t even want to be super powerful**; all he wants is to settle down and live a normal life. That’s it. Of course he fully expects to never get that considering how eventful and crazy his life has been since he was born, but it’s something he’s expressed on multiple occasions. All he wants out of life is peace*.

*Here he was talking to Rogue about this very same thing when they were both going on a mission together in New Orleans, I can’t remember the full context but it was before their relationship really kicked off.

Very simple, mundane hopes and dreams despite the craziness of his life up until that point.

**During a fight with another version of himself called New Sun, who was powerful enough to kill the Dark Phoenix and destroy his entire planet because of a surge of his powers, he says he doesn’t want to have that kind of power. He sees this great Omega-Level power and rejects it wholly because he doesn’t want to be above everyone else.

(And yes, he does manage to kill New Sun at the cost of burning out his powers, reducing them back down to how they normally are)

As much as I don’t like citing Excalibur because frankly that characterization of him is not my favorite (that’s a rant for another day) but at the prospect of possibly having kids he seems to like the idea, and during the Hellfire Gala he mentions being okay with just watching Rogue from afar while staying home. While the rest of Excalibur is questionable at best, this is at least consistent with his dream of living a normal life with the person he loves. Nothing grand whatsoever.

Normally I would try to cite HoM because that was literally an AU where everyone got their dream life, but apparently he was also a thief in that AU too which makes me so mad that the writers would just ignore canon but whatever.

Lack of Empathy

I feel like I don’t need to explain this, but after hearing about people online accusing him of being heartless and downright awful, I guess I have to debunk it now.

NPD usually leads to someone not understanding how other people feel or what the consequences of their actions could be, in some cases they genuinely can’t understand how their manipulation could affect their friends and loved ones and assume it’s probably their fault, not on the Narcissist. Empathy, according to google, is being able to understand and share the feelings of others, and if there’s anything Remy has, it’s empathy. In his first debut we saw him treating Storm with kindness simply because he could and empathized with her, saying that thieves need to stick together. Later on, we see him comforting her after a nightmare and not showing any signs of fear or caution most likely because he knows how it feels and goes with the next best thing to distract her from it: taking her out on a night of stealing and enjoying the town. Again, probably because that’s his best method of helping himself, so he does the same to her.

This kindness and understanding is very consistent with his character, extending it to Laura despite how much everyone was warned away from her, and to Jubilee because in a way she’s very much like him. He also shares this same empathy with Rogue when she needs it the most, once again knowing and understanding her pain.

He’s been through a lot of pain so he goes to great lengths to ensure none of his loved ones have to feel like he did.

Arrogance and Egotism

One thing I’ve seen talked about a lot is that Remy is typically seen as an arrogant bastard who just loves to talk himself up and...yeah this is pretty much true. Most writers consistently have him boast and brag and not surprisingly this is what most fans (and writers) turn to when throwing the Narcissistic label onto him; he acts super arrogant and just loves himself so much, so therefore he’s a narcissist. But as I said before, being arrogant isn’t the end all of NPD.

Judging from what I’ve gleamed from his past and what’s been hinted at on several occasions, I don’t think his arrogance comes from being a Narcissist. In fact on several occasions, he talks down about himself, even outright admitted to Rogue that he hated himself, especially after the events of what happened in Antarctica:

Someone who’s truly a Narcissist wouldn’t admit this sort of thing, they wouldn’t show shame in their actions nor think that they’re not deserving of anything; but Remy does say these things, even believing that Rogue deserves better than him because of how much baggage he has despite how much he loves her. It’s sort of become a meme at how little he pays attention to his own lack of self-esteem since he gases himself up around others, but that’s just it: he doesn’t gas himself up because he believes he’s better than everyone, he’s doing it because he believes he’s lesser and is compensating for the lack of self-esteem. Which is something trauma survivors tend to do: think the “fawn” in fight/flight/fawn. He’s pushing this persona because he knows people like the persona, but deep down he’s very troubled and believes himself inadequate (couple that with abandonment issues and suddenly there’s a lot more reason to believe he isn’t a Narcissist).

In Conclusion. . .

Remy isn’t a Narcissist despite what comic writers want to present to the x-fans out there. To me, and this is going purely off my own personal interpretation, Remy is someone who’s done horrible things in his past and has paid the price for it ten times over, and how he tries to safe-guard himself from his own demons is by touting himself as some big-shot with an angel’s smile; nothing can stop him because he’s on top of the world. But in the end, all that is is a persona, a mask he presents to the rest of the world. After experiencing so much pain in his life, he has to keep whatever is left of his mental state safe by covering it up, not exposing his wounds and insecurities to anyone. And oftentimes he’s so good at keeping it that he forgets he’s wearing it, but if that means Remy LeBeau gets to rot away in a corner while Gambit lives high on life, then he’s content with keeping it that way.

At least until the mask falls off. . .

Anyways.

This took a lot longer than I expected, namely because I was trying to do this between school work and also procrastinating so much on finding the panels and writing out all my thoughts concisely (and not in the form of screeching and keysmashes like my metas usually are). But in the end I had a fun time doing research into this and of course any chance to talk about Remy (and debunking popular fanon around him) is just a fun time for me period. Just as a reminder, this is my own personal opinion and it doesn’t have to be yours, we can disagree and I’m fine with that; this is just how I show love of a character by putting them through Pain and talking about the Pain.

But with that being said I hope y’all enjoyed this long ramble and have a good day/night/afternoon!

just wanted to have something cute at the end

#robin speaks #long post #remy lebeau #character meta #mental disorders #suicide ideation tw #gambit #he's so complex and i love him that way #i might do more posts like these in the future

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my-writings-and-musings · 3 years

Note

Not sure if you still want to write for old prompts but if so; May I request Rodimus, Brainstorm, and a bot of your choice for the kidnapped s/o defending their bot and giving the kidnapper a tongue lashing? Your writing is so good it seriously brightens my day reading through it all! :D

I never tire of my prompts, lovely anon! Thanks a million and here's the good boys! I couldn't think of anyone I wanted to do for the third bot but I poured my heart and soul into these two, I hope you like them!

Rodimus

·Your panic had never really gone beyond some light anxiety about when you'd get to eat next, but you credited that to the rescue party you knew was coming. Rodimus had bested bad guys far more competent than this loser, so you had few worries about getting out. Truthfully your greatest concern was how unfathomably annoying your captor was proving to be. Between their grandiose personality and their constant taunting over the communication line, you feel as if you're going to go mad. Unfortunately, when the mocking starts to be aimed directly at Rodimus without end, you quickly build to your limit. The gloves come off when your captor crosses the final line and calls your partner "Hot Rod" in an unacceptable jab.

·"Oh for God's sake! It's Rodimus you dolt, not Hot Rod! I know the extra syllable is a little difficult for you, but try to keep up!" Your shout echoes so loudly in the tiny cave that a bit of dust falls from the ceiling. Your captor is quick to try and shut you up, but that doesn't stop you in the slightest, as yelling feels far better than taking any more of their trash. For pete's sake, they stole you for ransom and they're expecting good behavior? Entitlement falls way short of describing what a jerk this bot is, and you let them know it, channeling the insults you know your partner would unleash if they could.

·"You think you scare me? You think you scare anyone?! You're dumb enough to piss off the captain of the Lost Light buddy, you should be afraid! Rodimus sees guys like you as footnotes compared to what he usually deals with!" Quite accustomed to your beloved captain charging in to save the day, you let loose a long list of his accomplishments, proudly defending and boasting at the same time. Your captor can't even get a word in edgewise. With a devilish smirk, you start to go on about all the less public ways Rodimus rules as a partner. His impeccable charm, his smooth wit, and his capacity to perform as a Prime where it really counts... That last bit is kept from vulgarity only due to a none too distant explosion cutting you off.

·Before anything can move, the door quite literally melts before imploding inward as molten metal, revealing Rodimus covered in flame. He moves in a fiery blur, his fist more akin to a meteorite as it collides with your captor to knock them out in a single punch. At your cheering of his name, he comes to your side in a flash, fire dissipating completely after he frees you of your bonds. Moments later the remainder of the crew is pouring in with Magnus scolding Rodimus for rushing ahead. He ignored him completely as he takes you into his arms, optics shining as if he's beholding something more precious than the Matrix could ever be. Though his words are flirty, his tone is tender and brimming with affection as he takes you back to the ship. His lovestruck expression doesn't seem to go away even when he throws a massive party to celebrate your rescue.

·In an incredibly rare moment where his responsibilities pull him away from you, a bot close to him tells you something they think you should know. Rodimus was initially devastated by your kidnapping. Though the entire ship had rallied for your rescue, he'd barely held it together enough to take charge, and hearing the bot mock him had nearly sent him over the edge. Your outburst had, as if by a miracle, revitalized him. Hearing you stick up for him, including your grand list of what you adored about him, had so inspired him that controlling his fire had become easy. It was unlike anything anyone had ever seen. You believing in him had put into perspective what he was capable of, to the point it lit a fire in the most literal sense of the phrase.

Brainstorm

·Dating a bot brilliant enough to rend time had made you quite accustomed to shenanigans of all kinds. Thus, you were calm when kidnapped, both due to the aforementioned reason as well as your certainty of rescue. However, that calm had proved short lived when your captor proved to be an annoying jerk with a massive inferiority complex. Their ceaseless mockery through the communication channel was like torture the DJD would have found too cruel to condone. You'd been able to stay cool for some time, focusing on keeping the situation calm and looking for weak points your rescuers might exploit, but inevitably you'd been pushed to your limit. The final straw had been your captor having the audacity to mock your partner for being a hopeless inventor who only managed to make things no one needed, and that sent you over the edge.

·"Hopeless?! You call inventing time travel and creating the multiverse hopeless?! This coming from a loser in a cave with the most backwards security system on this side of the galaxy?!" Your outburst had come with a rattling of your chains to emphasize your point, and between your voice and the clanking metal you'd immediately had the full attention of the bad bot. Still enraged, you made a point of detailing every single categorical failure they'd displayed, having learned plenty about judging the quality of technology in Brainstorm's lab. There's more than enough material for you to throw at them with the nightmare of poor maintenance surrounding you. "When was the last time you bothered patching up these turrets anyway?! Hope you're not planning on using these for defense, Brainstorm will have them short circuiting before he's done hacking that door!"

·There's something resembling an attempt at a comeback, but you're a mile ahead before it's even halfway out. To say your beloved bot eclipses this loser's intellect would imply they'd actually register on the same level, and you have to laugh at the absurdity of someone so incompetent daring to come after one of the most brilliant bots in the galaxy, something you let them know in no uncertain terms. The litany of reality warping ways you might be rescued is as long as it is ridiculously plausible. You begin going off on the countless other ways Brainstorm might get around this captive situation, extolling his many talents in weapon design and paying special attention to how brilliantly he thinks outside the box. You're about to get into the details of other areas he's creative in when the lights go out and everything plunges in to darkness.

·Flashes of biolights, small explosions, and shouts of action are all you have to discern some incredible rush of activity. Before you can really figure out what's happening a beautiful pair of yellow optics light up the darkness, and in a split second your chains are broken and you're being lovingly cupped by a pair of careful hands. At the flip of a small device the lights flicker on to reveal a beaten but otherwise fine captor being cuffed, but you ignore that entirely when Brainstorm removes his mask to speak to you. Playfully fussing over your condition, he uncharacteristically kisses your little head in full view of everyone, something he's never done before. In fact, the next few days he's nothing but openly loving and outright showy in his affections, publicly presenting you with a series of fantastic gifts invented to profess his love.

·In a rare moment of solitude, you're unexpectedly taken aside by a bot who says they need to let you know something important. Brainstorm was almost dangerous. He'd already lost one love, and he'd been so intent on not losing another he'd been forced from his lab to prevent him from tearing reality asunder to get to you. He'd been nearly impossible to console or restrain until your voice came through the comm. Hearing you defend him so passionately had calmed and invigorated him all at once, grounding him in reality and giving him the clarity he needed to assist in rescuing you. The device he'd created to extinguish enemy defenses had been put together at a speed that impressed Perceptor. It was thanks to you that he remembered to go slow and take things one step at a time, because just as much as you were worth fighting for, you were worth living for.

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citadelspires · 3 years

Note

P1 - Given how great you're track record's been for doing hypothetical interactions of Amphibia kids with the Duck kids and Owl House kids, let's try doing the Duck kids meeting the Owl House kids and who they'd like the best. I'll exclude Violet for this for the sake of evenening things out 5 to 5. I'd assume Luz would get along best with Dewey (both jump into adventure), King with Louie (could see em teaming up for a scheme), Willow with Huey (eh, more leftover interaction but can work)

Screenshot of second half of the ask provided. Text: P2 Gus with Webby (would totally ask each other lots of questions about their species), and Amity with Lena (both got abusive figures they stood up to and would totally talk about their crushes on Luz and Webby LOL). Would love to see you take on Duck kids and Owl House kids interactions.

First of all I’m very pleased to hear you find my track record on these posts good, they’ve been really fun to write and it makes me really happy people like them! Second I am so sorry it’s taken so long to get to this ask, it’s a really in depth one and it took a long time to write, I hope you’ll find it was worth the wait!

Aight! Oh and one last thing real quick before I get into it. I hope you wouldn’t mind me adding Violet back in, partially due to the fact I love her, but mostly because there’s actually another owl house character I think works significantly better with Louie than anyone else and I really want the chance to talk about that. Saving that one for last hehe. This’ll be another long one, writing below the cut.

Luz and Webby So I do like a lot of the possible interactions brought up by your suggested grouping but my mind went in a few different directions. I’ll start with Luz, who would fit in best with another excitable adventuring partner, as pointed out, but I think the best fit for her in that regard would actually be Webby. While Dewey would no doubt get along great with Luz, there’s a special element to the potential relationship between Luz and Webby that really elevates the potential of their friendship to another level, that being: they both want to eat a hamburger.

An aspect of Webby I wish the later seasons of the show got into a little more, but is definitely something I would consider a core part of her character, is the fact that she got held up in the mansion her whole childhood, with no opportunities to interact with the world around her, have all the adventures she wanted, and most importantly to just be seen as the kid she wanted to be. And while Luz was technically able to go out into the world, the place she found wasn’t one that was willing to see her, or give her any of the chances she longed for. Both Webby and Luz fully understand that feeling of being trapped in your own life, of finally getting the chance to break out and just doing your best to make the most of it. I think there’s a lot the two could gain from spending some time together.

(Also, to borrow the bit about gushing about their crushes but from the other end, these two would totally get sidetracked talking about their respective crushes and also trying to play wingman for each other. It’s a massive comic disaster in both cases, but somehow both Lena and Amity manage to find it endearing).

Amity and Violet Okay wait lemme explain. While the two of them don’t have a whole lot in common at first glance, I think they would genuinely get along extremely well. While a lot of Amity’s focus on school came at the force of her parents, you cannot honestly expect me to believe that girl isn’t a studious nerd on her own anyway. Heck even outside the realm of studies she throws her full dedication into literally every single thing she does. Remind you of anyone? Beyond just being extremely intelligent Violet is clever and ready for anything. She takes everything in stride and always has a plan, she can go from “we were sleeping over and you said everybody get on the plane, so we got on the plane” to “I brought an axe” in a minute flat.

I like to think the two of them would have a mutual respect for each other based on their respective intellects upon first meeting, but as they become closer friends they find they can move from more serious respect to a casual enjoyment of each other. I would go as far as to say that both of these characters really value dependability in a friend, and that they each provide a lot of that. To wrap back around to the stuff about intelligence I think Violet could provide a lot of insight to Amity as far as showing her that pursuing studies and academic heights of her own volition can be something that she can just do because she wants to, and that’s no excuse for unhealthy parental relationships. Getting along so well with someone like Violet only to see that her parents are actually really loving and supportive, that would be really eye-opening for Amity I think. For Violet’s part she could get a lot of help from Amity as far as her pursuit of the secrets of magic goes. I suspect Amity would be much more interested in the study of her magic than Violet would be able to get Lena to tolerate lol.

Bonus Round: Amity would absolutely be a senior junior woodchuck and she would love it you cannot convince me otherwise. She starts quoting the JWGB around the owl house kids and they all look at her like she’s crazy.

Lena and Willow I feel like this one might seem a little out there at first but trust me on this one. Initially Lena doesn’t think too much of Willow, being as close as she is to Webby she knows liking flowers and cute things doesn’t mean Willow is automatically to be taken lightly but she feels like she’s got a good read on her that she generally prefers to avoid trouble and turns down opportunities for violence, which isn’t really Lena’s deal. Over time Lena figures she was right about her first impressions as Willow doesn’t seem to take many opportunities to expose some hidden power, even when Lena knows the people around her kinda deserve it.

She learns to adjust her opinion when she finally does get the chance to see Willow in action and realizes that girl is more powerful than any of the other kids she’s met in the boiling aisles bar none(yes this is my genuine opinion of willow if you don’t think she could kick your ass you’re wrong). It’s at that moment where she starts to pay more attention to Willow and notices a lot more of the strength she puts into all the little things, how much she cares for everyone and everything, and it does a great deal to show Lena that maybe having super strong magic powers isn’t mutually exclusive with being kind and gentle. And maybe gentle isn’t her thing but still, it’s nice to know.

For Willow’s part she’s just happy to make more friends. Especially if the opportunity arises, as I like to think it would, when they’re close enough friends, that Lena would start to hint around asking questions about how Willow remains so casual and nice with the ability to do so much damage, and Willow takes the chance to help Lena figure out her magic a bit more, and learn how to better appreciate it as an aspect of herself she doesn’t have to be scared of. (I mean come on Lena never really learned how to do any of it except barely kind of from Magica of all people she could really use something like that).

Huey and Gus Now there are some certain things about Gus that would drive Huey absolutely nuts. His lack of primary and reliable sources for any of his information being a big one, but at the end of the day I think he’d enjoy Gus’ desire to learn in the first place. Gus would probably be a little dubious about Huey’s “sources” and “citations” but if it helped him get more info on the human realm he’d certainly go for it in the end. In that way the two balance each other out pretty well. Gus is studious and intelligent but he’s a little off the wall, he’s got a big creative streak, and he’s really excitable. Huey is really really good at facts and analysis but he lacks the strength in imagination that Gus has. Huey is able to take all the grandiose concepts Gus is able to think up and help make them actually happen. Gus has that specific brand of an adventurers soul matched up with the fact he’s not actually the type to get into danger and fights, meaning he’s able to drag Huey out of his comfort zone a little and help him reach new heights with his mind that his struggles with creativity prevent him from reaching, while managing to not make him feel like he’s actually in danger. I actually believe the two of them together could get some really incredible stuff done.

What I’m saying is that with Huey’s help Gus could absolutely complete his tunnels under Hexside.

Dewey and King Now this, this is the pair who would go incredibly well together, at the detriment of literally everyone around them. If there is one person King “I Will Rule Everything” Clawthorne should not be exposed to its Dewey Duck. Within minutes of meeting each other the two of them would immediately have so many bad ideas. Between Dewey’s insistence on being the best and most daring adventurer while putting his name on everything and going down in history & King’s trying to rule everything and everyone, the attempts to raise the stakes would be constant and the two would spend literal hours endlessly trying to one-up each other. All in one day they search for legendary treasure, discover an entirely new civilization, try to take over said civilization, create a new species just to name it after themselves, and build statues of themselves in the middle of Bonesbourough. And that’s all before lunch.

Louie Here it is. The one I waited till the very end for out of sheer excitement. I even kept the second name out of the heading thing. That’s how secretive I’m trying to be about this. See, there’s one character in the owl house that works so well with Louie it’s practically canon. Their interactions have so much potential, they each bring so much to the table, I just couldn’t Not talk about it. And yeah, I know this ask was specifically asking about the owl house and ducktales kids, but I just couldn’t resist talking about the relationship between Louie and Eda.

A con artist from another world who was so successful she became nationally famous? There’s no way Louie would pass up an opportunity like that. For his part I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s already managed to set up another underworld identity in the boiling aisles, or at the very least that Eda could totally have been to the ducktales realm and heard of his one there.

Either way I’m convinced the two of them would start planning a heist as soon as they figure out who each other are. Eda is a little prideful and wants to show this kid he can’t out-con her, but Louie knows what he’s doing just as much. Honestly with the two of them combined Eda wouldn’t have to worry about losing her stand for a long time. Over the course of their planning and seeing Louie in action Eda begrudgingly gains some respect for the kid, and while Louie was definitely just using her as a learning/profit opportunity at first, he’s pretty susceptible to getting attached.

For Louie, it’s the fact that she actually respects him for being good at what he does. Even back with his family who all love and care about him and all that he still feels like most of them don’t really get what he does or see what’s special about him, so having someone who made a whole life of it be even a little proud of him feels really nice.

And of course, at the end of their heist when they finally have the money in hand, and Eda just casually hands over his half, he stares at her like she’s crazy.

“You’re just.. Giving it to me?!”

“Well, yeah. That was the deal wasn’t it kid? I mean if you really want I definitely have a few ideas for it.”

“No! Uh, no, thanks, I’ll keep it. It’s just that you really remind me of someone, I guess I was expecting something else.”

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justimajin · 3 years

Text

Til Death Do Us Part ♜ Pt. 1

➟ Pairing: Namjoon x Reader

➟ Genre: Angst, Fluff, Eventual Smut

↳ (3.7k), Arranged Marriage AU

➟ Summary: If someone told you that you’d be marrying the Kim Namjoon, you would think you were being lied to, or worse, that you were hallucinating. However, fate seems to have it’s own ways of making the impossible possible and before you even know it, the title of Mrs. Kim is bestowed onto you. There’s just one problem: you’re not sure if Kim Namjoon is the person he says he is and the truth of your own identity is dangling by the strength of a mere thread.

➟ Warnings: This series will involve themes of graphic violence, depictions of blood, major character death and hints of trauma. 18+ rating. Reader discretion is highly advised.

gif credit.

➟ Next Update: Tuesday, December 22

Love is a strange thing.

It pulls individuals together, sparking fireworks and blissful rays of euphoria within seconds. It renders people affectionate, words dripped with honey and caresses full of tenderness transcending without a means of stopping. To be frank, it’s majestic through the eyes of the beholder.

But love is indeed a strange thing.

It’s history has been plagued with moments of weakness and hesitation, moments that rip away layers to reveal raw, vulnerable selves from every individual. It’s inability to forget and move on clutches onto the minds of those that chose to associate with it, invading their memories and never granting them a single second to run free. Love is a strange thing, but it’s most putrid use has always been the necessity to use it like a tool.

A deep breath escapes your tinted red lips, cold hands clutching onto the delicate bouquet that’s been thrust into them. The petal pink and lilac purple flowers rest against the chaste white of your dress, the awaited arrival of yours long passed as you raise your head and sneak a peek at the person standing in front of you behind your veil.

Clad in a special tailored suit for the occasion, his dark brown hair has been brushed back and neatly tucked into the corners of his hair. He stands tall and confident, seemingly captivated by the words the priest mumbles through as he drags on through every dull phase written in his book. As if he can tell your eyes are on him, he suddenly looks in your direction and you return your gaze back to the ground, clutching onto the array of petals in your hands.

The priest goes on to dutifully declare the responsibilities you must carry, including the very ones that tie you to each other.

For better, for worse. Rich, poor. Sickness, health.

Love. Cherish.

“Until death do you part?” The priest peers up with fatigued eyes, glancing in between you. You suck in a shaky breath, eyes fixating on everything except for the man standing on the opposing side.

“I-I do.” You hastily mutter, swallowing the lump stuck in your throat. Patiently waiting for his answer, you try not to focus on the collection of eyes gawking at you from the altar.

“I do.” He states, firm and resolute with his answer. It shakes you to your core, eyes immediately flickering up to meet his warm ones.

You’re perplexed for a moment, but you’re not given time to dwell any longer once the priest shuts his book, content with your answers. Relief floods you in an instant, yet it’s short-lived and has your stomach churning instead.

“You may kiss the bride.” The priest steps back as if you needed room for the grandiose gesture, eagerly awaiting the showcase with the rest of the people seated in front of the altar. Nevertheless, your hands begin to quiver despite your best wishes and you remain planted in place.

Before you even know it, the delicate veil resting against your forehead is being pulled up and tucked away, projecting your dolled up features on full display. You can only fidget when he draws near, preparing for the worse until he pauses.

Glancing up in surprise, you’re caught off guard from the lines crossing his forehead and the dismay clouding his eyes. For a second, you could have sworn that you were gazing into a mirror, an image of your combined concerns being painted right in front of you.

You’re caught in between a daze and bewilderment when he advances again, however all you feel is a soft peck against your skin before your veil is placed back into place. Your audience seems to be at loss with the action, but once he turns around to face them in the midst of holding your hand, loud cheers and roars flood the room as congratulatory confetti bursts into the room.

Unconsciously, your hand drifts over to your cheek with furrowed brows and you steal another glance at the man you will be bound to for eternity.

***

The L/N Family.

Tactical and resourceful, known for their skillful strategies and trade explorations, a business they would go on to proudly pronounce in the arms industry. Others would look to them for support and reassurance, and they would in return cohesively make protective deals that would ensure no harm. Yonghwa, their head, would go on to make a legacy out of his family name.

The Kim Family.

Discreet and powerful, known for their relentless determination and invokable hunger, characteristics that would eventually seep into their weapon manufacturing business. They know how and with whom to pick their fights, vigorously acquiring a steady position in the industry within a flash before everyone’s eyes. Namjung, their head, carved the Kim name into a status no one would have ever imagined.

Trade and manufacturing, two able sides of the same coin. They seeked to forge an union that would unite their two sectors, to create a harmonious flow of success within their collective industries.

But not all deals, go as planned.

On the fateful day, Yonghwa was found on the ground in a pool of his own blood while Namjung was left visibly shaken. Catastrophe seemed to only follow the event there on after, with both families seeking revenge on the other. Their union seemed to be the last thing on either mind, but after the years passed and stained relations had been fully dragged out, there only seemed to be one solution that could bring peace to the two of them.

***

The wheels of the large suitcase hit the polished ground.

It’s lavish and grand, crystals littering the high held ceiling and lilies spread over the handles of the spiraling staircase. It ends right at the large chandelier, with more crystals dangling down opposite the shining marble that your slippers find purchase in.

You remain in place, staring with wide eyes and an agape jaw the scenery before you.

“Please,” A girl bows before you, dressed in a simple pale blouse and skirt that’s paired with an apron. There’s a small twinkle in her pleasant eyes paired with natural pouting lips; the delicate features drawing out the sheer youth the girl embodies. “Follow me.”

You snap out of your daze once she advances forward, her hands careful weaving through yours to clutch onto your packed luggage. At first, you’re a bit unsure as to if you should let her carry the heavy load up the stairs, but you’re pleasantly surprised when she manages to hall it all the way up.

She roughly pushes herself against a large wooden door, revealing the grand room behind it. It’s decorated similarly to the main portion of the house, however the sheer size of it has your jaw dropping again, eyebrows furrowed as its appearance.

Your suspicions are confirmed right away, “This will be your room, Miss Y/N.”

“I-I…” You can’t help but hesitate, “Are you sure?”

She nods, placing your luggage now. “Of course, Master Kim asked us to prepare it for you.”

You instinctively flinch at the sudden mention of your husband, but the girl tilts her head to the side, curiosity peeking through her.

“Don’t they have such rooms in the L/N residence?” Her eyes suddenly widen, and she slaps a hand against her mouth, “Oh no, I-I didn’t mean it that way!”

A smile curls on the corners of your lips, “What’s your name?”

She gazes at you with surprise, like she had been expecting a scolding fit for her lifetime. Nonetheless, she hastily answers your question with a bow.

“I am Eunjoo, one of Master Kim’s most faithful servants.”

“Little flower.” You decipher, “Sounds like a fitting name.”

“It could have been summer’s grace.” Eunjoo offers with a shrug, “Though I don’t really like summer, so I’ve tried my best to ignore that meaning.”

You let out a genuine chuckle from that, something that has Eunjoo instantly beam. The news of her own Master getting married to someone from the L/N family was initially difficult for her to digest, but it appears that she was too early to judge.

A lopped smile etching onto your features, “And to answer your previous question, unfortunately the L/N’s don’t have such a residence. We’ve lost much of our wealth after‒…” You pause, biting back your words, “...after, you know.”

You wave your hand away in the air and Eunjoo understandably nods, no need to delve into the long-lived history of your families that is known to all. She hurriedly aids in you in unpacking much to your reassured protests, following and assisting you around like a little fairy. Her company ends up being both interesting and comfortable, especially since the two of you discovered the other wasn’t well in adapting the titles you carry.

A knock resounds against the door, drawing out your attention. Immediately Eunjoo drops the clothes in her hands, right before she straightens up and takes a graceful bow.

Her reaction is telling of who's at the door, so with pinched lips and a creased forehead, you turn around.

He remains glued to the door frame, still adorned in his tailored black suit. Aside from the similarity in his put together appearance though, his shoulders are no longer hiked up in a noble stance, nor is there any remaining amount of warmth spreading through his eyes. Instead, he appears akin to how he was in the split-second before your ultimate union was official, the memory causing the skin of your cheek to slightly burn.

Swaying from side to side, he hesitates to step into the room.

“I see you’ve met Eunjoo.” He mentions. On cue, the servant straightens up, a huge smile on her lips.

“I was just helping Miss Y/N unpack!”

“Oh that’s nice, perhaps I can assist to‒” He isn’t able to finish his sentence, because the next thing you know you jolt at the sound of a loud crash that echoes through the room.

“Master Kim!” Eunjoo immediately rushes forward, scurrying to help the fallen man. He instantly rises up to his feet and dusts off his suit jacket, but remains of glass are scattered all over the ground.

He lets out a groan and Eunjoo sighs, “Master, you know you have to be careful.” She begins to quickly pluck up the shards of the vase, raising one up to eye level with a pout, “I especially picked this one out for your newly wedded wife.”

At the mention of you, Namjoon instantly glances up, pupils shaking. “I-I can get you a new one soon, it might take around a week but if I put in a request now‒” He scrambles around for a moment, before checking the inner pockets of his jacket for something to write on in a haste.

Unconsciously, a small smile cracks through the seam of your lips, increasing as he tries to intervene with Eunjoo to pick the shards, and she protests that he shouldn’t get his hands soiled with her errands. He eventually has to sheepishly stand to the side, staring at her defeated like a child that had just gotten scolded for misbehaving.

Eunjoo eventually collects all the pieces and ushers herself out, reminding you of the pending family dinner you’ll need to attend in the evening. She leaves the room and you decide to resume unpacking, until you come across the realization that you’re not alone.

“Do you need help?” He peers at your suitcase behind you, “I’m usually more capable with things that aren’t easy to break.”

The abrupt proximity catches you by surprise, but you merely shake your head at his kind offer, “I should be fine, thank you.”

He nods and you assume he’ll excuse himself after a moment, but he lingers and that’s when you crane your head over at him.

Appearing to be in between a deep ponder, he snaps back into reality once your questioning eyes fall onto him. “Uh I‒” A lengthy sigh leaves his lips, “I know this is strange.”

You wonder what he's referring to until you notice him gesturing to the gap between you, “It’s strange for me, and it’s strange for you. We didn’t really have a choice in the matter.”

He sheepishly scratches the back of his neck, a deep crease forming between his brows. You’re frozen in place, at a complete loss for words.

He suddenly sucks in a breath, looking up to gaze into your eyes, “But I’d like to get to know you better….a-as my future wife.”

Your eyes round and his declaration only receives dead silence in its awake. Flabbergasted, he attempts to correct himself amidst your prolonged response.

“T-That doesn’t mean right away! We can take our time and I’m not expecting anything from you, so you don’t need to worry and‒”

“I’d like that.”

He freezes, “Wait, really?”

You hum, a corner of your mouth lifting, “You’re right, it’s strange. But I’d like to get to know my husband better as well.”

His eyes immediately sparkle, like you’ve said the very words he’s been aching to hear, “That’s great!” A breathtaking smile overtakes his features, “I guess I’ll see you at dinner then?”

You nod with a smile, and he departs, the euphoria never once leaving his lips.

***

Evening draws near and long gone is the dilatory white piece of garment that’s forever confined you to your fate. Instead, it’s replaced with a delicate fabric of rose gold, perhaps to represent the luxury you have of being present in such a place or in the new beginnings that will soon follow you.

Regardless, you prepare yourself. Although you’re simply arriving to dinner, there’s a family waiting at the table that you don’t know of yet.

Eunjoo brings you down with her after putting your hair up and presenting a pair of matching heels your way. You’re wary as you walk down the spiraling staircase, barely balancing yourself on the elevated shoes. Luckily, Eunjoo notices and helps you down, but the split moment of relief is met with a jolt of surprise when you notice someone waiting at the bottom.

“I’ll take it from here, Eunjoo.” The women amiably bids. Eunjoo swiftly bows, mumbling something along the lines of Mistress Kim, before heading into the dinner room.

You immediately whirl around, eyes on alert like a deer in headlights. She mirthfully smiles at you, carrying a warm tone in her eyes that feels familiar.

“You don’t have to look so worried,” She reprimands, “I’m not going to bite your head off.”

Your eyes widen even more, “I-I’m sorry?”

She bursts out into laughter, concealing her ruby red lips with a hand that is glittering in assorted jewels.

“Nothing, dear. I’m just teasing you.” You nervously laugh at that, and she places a hand against your back, guiding you forward. “Come, I’m eager to know what my son’s wife is like.”

Politely nodding, you follow behind her and nearly freeze. If you had expected your bedroom to be astonishing, then you weren’t prepared for the enormous buffet that waits for you ahead.

Pieces of food are scattered all over the decorated table, ranging from freshly cooked to foods you would have never imagined yourself eating. It reminds you of times your family could barely manage to have a decent meal for one night, lost scavenging for food that wouldn’t make your empty pockets hurt.

You’re so lost in the thought that you don’t feel someone brush by you. There’s suddenly a warm hand planting onto your shoulder, drawing your attention with a smile full of dimples.

“Do you want to sit down first?” He gestures to the table, where his mother sits next to his father and opposite to his sister. Embarrassed that you’ve been just gawking at the table, you hurriedly take a seat and so does Namjoon.

Even though you’re only just sitting at the table, it seems like all eyes are on you, burning into your skin and tracing every move. The impending silence eventually does crack though, and it’s done by a person you would have least expected.

“Is that chicken?” Namjoon’s father blurts out, his eyes following a tray one of the servants brings by. His wife immediately interjects, dismayed by his reaction.

“Indeed,” She points a demanding finger at him, “But none for you, there’s a reason why your health hasn’t been the greatest as of lately.”

He pouts at her response, longley staring at the dish once it arrives. The childlike display catches you a bit off guard, eyebrows raised.

“That’s unreasonable though.” He suddenly looks in your direction, “What do you think, Y/N? Isn’t she being unreasonable?”

The abrupt inquiry leaves you speechless, no coherent words manifesting at the tip of your tongue. His wife whirls around, cocking up a brow in his direction.

“Why are you dragging her into this?” She faces you with a smile, “Y/N is the newest addition to our family so we should make her feel welcome, not bring her into such trivial matters.”

The pleasant response astonishes you, but more so the mention of your inclusion. He lets out a sigh, acknowledging his wife’s sentiments.

“You’re right.” He turns to you, “Y/N, why don’t you tell us about yourself?”

His mother hums, “I’d like to hear about where you grew up, Y/N.”

“Oh, it’s nothing really special,” You grow bashful, “I was raised in the outskirts of the country by my parents.”

The two of them nod, intently listening to you, “Before coming here, I studied in the imperial academy for a while.”

“Ah, involved in the industry I see.” He praises, “You must know a lot about how our businesses are conducted, right?”

“Not quite.” There’s a strained smile on your lips, “I didn’t want to actively participate in it.”

Although your answer seems to have taken both of them by surprise, his wife hums in approval. “So I’m assuming that was your personal choice?”

When you nod, a giant smile stretches onto her lips, and she elbows her husband, “A gutsy one, don’t you think?”

He smiles in retaliation, “Just like you.”

She blushes at his sudden compliment, but a voice from afar breaks the two out of their daze.

“Gross - we’re eating here.”

Appalled at the feminine voice, you notice the young girl seated across from Namjoon, a deep frown etched onto her stern features.

“Leave them be, Geongmin.” Namjoon coaxes his sister, but she lets out a grunt of disapproval in the midst of eating soup.

The corners of his mother’s lips turn up and his father faces you again, looking as if he had a million questions up his sleeve lined up just for you.

Much to your surprise, the rest of the evening is spent exchanging pleasantries with them and keeping conversation light. There even comes a moment when both you and Namjoon end up reaching out for the bread basket, only to pull away once you discover your hands had ended up meeting halfway. As you grow bashful, you notice his mother smiling tenderly and his father chuckling at the abrupt affiliation.

Once the evening begins to come to an end, you excuse yourself through the use of your own fatigue and request to head to bed first. They waste no time in understanding, with Namjoon’s father even wrapping a hand around his son and expressing that he needed to discuss some things with him anyway.

You leave the room as he heads off with his family, granting you with some much-needed time and space.

***

Treading back, you pause at the large wooden door that leads into your room. Your eyes briefly skim over the fine carvings on the wood, instead choosing to scrutinize the direction of your right and left side. A shadow casts over your pupils and your hand presses against the door, letting it slowly creak wide open.

Step by step, you stroll inside and let the light fade out, replacing itself with only darkness.

The moment the source of luminescence disappears, you move within a flash. The handle is locked, tugged at for a confirmation. There’s a speck of radiance coming from the small lamp you’ve turned on, enough to see the large suitcase you’ve brought get yanked out.

Zippers are flying and the cover is ripped off. Clothes are frantically thrown astray, dumped into a careless heep without much of a second look. Your hands are weaving through the material and running rampant, eyes flickering with something akin to desire and alloyed with increasing unease.

Once your hands meet with metal, a twinkle emerges within your orbs. The spindle of ore is unwound; detangling the material in a quickened manner. It looks distinctly similar to what one would use for electrical purposes, set with the intention of providing light in grim areas.

Right. The intention.

Unraveled, you cautiously drift over to the large window by the bedside and crank it open. Peering outside, there’s no glimmer or streak of luminescence meeting your eyes, only a dark, simple gray sky.

Unconsciously a breath of relief leaves your lips and you reach out, reclining your body just enough to reach above and then below the window’s hilt. The instrument effortlessly blends in, appearing like a simple cable that’s been tightly strung around.

You lean back and rummage through the luggage on the ground, pulling out a small plastic box that doesn’t appear to be much, but more or less, is the sole thing you couldn’t have departed without. With a small hinged click, it connects to the thin barbed string you just unraveled and right when a quiet buzz resonates through, does a smile tugs on the corner of your lips.

A knock resonates through the box. Followed by another, and then another. It’s succeeded with a prolonged silence on your part, your entire body remaining in a frozen state.

Static echoes and you let out the air you didn’t realize you were holding from your lungs.

Within seconds, you are nimbly knocking against the box in repetitive notions. Your actions range from different types of knocks; heavy, light, twice the sound.

More static echoes and your eyes immediately widen, hands balling up into tighter fists.

A heavier one.

“I have….”

Lighter.

“...successfully infiltrated….”

One last firm knock.

“....the enemy household.”

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