#sorry for the delay
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Request time! For @/opalfairy Magical Girls Shen Yuan y Shang Qinghua!🥒✈
The designs I imagined for each of them
And a littlr extra♡
I know I did more than usual but I loved this concept! >u<
#svsss#人渣反派自救系统#svsss fanart#mxtx#lomito doing requests#sorry for the delay#shen yuan#airplane shooting towards the sky#shang qinghua#cumplane#????
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Simon Says...
MINORS DNI!!!
desc: Simon “Ghost” Riley decides to take Simon says a bit further...
cw: multiple creampies, unsafe sex, ghost was out here rawdoggin you without a condom or even asking if you were on contraceptives beforehand smh, afab reader but no specified pronouns, marking, rough sex, uhh a lil blood play cause i feel like ghost would kinda be into that, dom!ghost/sub!reader, manhandling, spanking, bruising mention, public play, a little degradation, praise, Ghost is kinda mean at first, i use the term ‘pretty’ but it’s meant to sound gn, it might be kinda shitty... sorry ;(, idk if i mentioned it already but ghost is a sadist in this, reader shows slight masochism btw, kinda??? blood drinking, some possessive themes, throat fucking, this is fucking absolute filth, ghosty boy goes feral, simon's orgasm hits real hard for him- it's prolly the mutual pining and finally being able to fuck you tbh, uhhh also pussy drunk! simon, and some cunnilingus, dumbification, virgin!reader
this isn't proofread. it's also prolly a little shitty at the end. I was rushing to get this out.
@willywonkagirly @darklordofthesimp @ifellinthebongebong @midnightlockhearth
Everything started with you challenging Ghost to a drinking contest. No one in the 141 Task Force had the pleasure of seeing the man drunk, and you would be the one to change that. Upon deciding the night was nice enough, and hoping that luck would be on your side, you had slung your arm over the man’s shoulder and proposed the idea. Surprisingly, with enough begging and batting your eyelashes halfheartedly, Ghost had finally agreed.
The rest of it was a blur. One moment you were flirting with Ghost, and the next you were being dragged to the bathrooms in the back of the bar, shoulders slamming against the cool metal of the divider.
“Ghost! What the hell?” You weakly protest, your words slurring together.
“You like to play games, don’t you?” The man growls, venom dripping from every word that leaves his lips.
“What are you-“ Ghost’s hand shoots out, gripping your jaw.
“Did I say you could speak, [Name]?” Your eyes widen as you gently shake your head. “Then don’t speak.”
You bite your lip as the Lieutenant purrs, “You learn quick don’t you, Angel?”
“Now, since you like to play games with me, what d’ya say to a nice ol’ game of Simon Says?”
Simon says?
You furrow your brows at the man’s choice of game, but agree nonetheless. With a slight nod of the head, you hear Ghost chuckle.
“We’ll start off simple, yeah?” He doesn’t give you a chance to respond. “Simon Says: Take off my mask.”
You blanch. “A-Are you sure, Gh-“
The Lieutenant clicks his tongue, followed by a disappointed sigh. Thick fingers wrap around the soft flesh of your throat as he ghosts his cloth-covered lips along your jaw, nipping at your flesh here and there.
“Are you gonna be good for me, or am I going to have to make you? I’d prefer that you be the good little bitch you are, but…” Ghost trails off for a moment, an arm wrapping around your back, pulling you flush against his broad chest, his other hand trailing lower and lower. “I don’t mind putting you in your place, Angel.”
His fingers just barely brush against your clothed clit- a promise of what’s to come if you’re good for him.
“Will you be good for me, Pretty?” Parting your lips as the man applies gentle pressure, you quickly nod your head. Ghost releases a sultry chuckle, butterflies filling your tummy as a result, and removes his grip on you.
“Good.”
The LT takes a step back, allowing you to shakily pull his mask off.
He’s beautiful, is your first thought.
The man had to be a god. With pretty, plush lips, dirty blond hair that’s grown out just a tad more than Ghost- no, Simon- would’ve liked, long lashes that frame his gorgeous ice-blue eyes… you couldn’t bring yourself to look away.
"Ya like what ya see, Sargeant?"
"You weren't kidding when you said you were far from ugly..." You murmur, causing the man to chuckle. His eyes meet yours, a hungry, lustful look swirling within. Simon reaches his hand forward, cupping your cheek and brushing the pad of his thumb against your lip.
"Simon Says: kiss me."
You inch closer to him, gently pressing your lips against his and wrapping your arms around the back of his neck. The man quickly takes the lead, tongue brushing over your bottom lip and fingers gripping the meat of your waist- surely, there would be bruises tomorrow. Simon kisses you heatedly, lifting one of your thighs and pinning it against his hip, biting your lip and tongue here and there.
"You drive me fuckin' crazy, love." He murmurs, pressing chaste kisses to your jaw, trailing down the length of your neck.
Ghost bites down on the apex of your shoulder, forcing a pained whine to erupt from your throat. He shivers at the sound and sinks his canines deeper into your flesh, reluctantly pulling away as you begin to squirm and licks up the droplets of blood leaking from the wound.
Simon's gaze drops to the bitemark he left- a pretty purple and red taking up a portion of your shoulder. Blood rushes to the man's cock, the pants he wears beginning to strain rather painfully against his flushed tip.
"Simon says: get on your knees."
You immediately obey, mouth watering at the promise those four words held. He hurriedly unzips his jeans, the imprint of his cock making you whimper. Your core pulses as he lowers his boxers, length slapping against his abdomen, the sensitivity of it causing a poorly contained groan to form in his throat.
One hand wraps around the base, roughly tapping your lips with the leaking tip, while the other tangles itself in your hair.
"Open."
You obey.
"Suck"
You obey.
Simon's hand guides your head, forcing his cock deep into your throat.
"Doin' so good for me." He groans. "Feels so fuckin' good."
Ghost holds your head in place as he comes closer and closer to his climax, length thrusting in and out of your throat. Heat pools in your tummy, thighs clenching together as one hand slowly reaches down to fondle your clit.
"'m gonna fuckin' cum. 'm gonna fuckin cum-" Simon groans, hips suddenly stilling and eyes screwing shut as his vision borders a delicious white. He shakily pulls out, fingers brushing against your cheek, and orders you to swallow all of it.
Just like before, you obey.
"Simon says: Strip."
Swallowing thickly, you begin to strip off your clothes. By now, your underwear was practically transparent- glistening in the dim lighting, the outline of your heat on display for the LT. He hooks a finger around the seams of the garment and tears the fabric from your body.
Simon is quick to replace the fabric- his tongue lazily drawing circles on your nub and fingers prodding at your slit.
"'m gonna make you cum 'fore I fuck you." Ghost murmurs his promise into the meat of your inner thigh, releasing a throaty groan as he relishes in the taste of you.
He coaxes one orgasm out of you.
Two orgasms.
Three orgasms.
Simon didn't want to stop. Between your fingers tugging harshly in his hair, the pretty purple marks blooming in the shape of his hand on your outer thighs, and the name carved into your tummy- Simon Riley was sure he was dreaming. The taste of you, the feel of you, the scent of you; everything was just too good to be true.
"Simon please- hah fuck!- need you inside me." You whine, hips bucking at just the right angle forcing a fourth orgasm from you.
"'m so proud of you, Angel. Did so fuckin good for me, yeah?" Simon stands from his kneeling position, picking you up and pressing your back against his chest- arms hooked beneath your knees and aligning your hole with his cock. "How about I fuck you dumb, hm? How about that, baby?"
"Please. Please, Si- I just need you. Need'ta be filled."
Ghost sinks you on his cock slowly, the pain from the stretch causing you to bite your lip and tears to prick your eyes.
"Si- I've never- I've never-"
"I'll be gentle, pretty. Just feel good for me." Simon begins raising you to the middle of his shaft, and sinks you down ever so slowly. Tension pools into the pit of your stomach, growing tighter and tighter, making you more sensitive as time goes on. Simon adjusts his angle, hitting a spot inside you that makes the tension crash down on you- your mind going blank and walls fluttering around Simon.
"Fuck-" Simon increases his pace- hips snapping into yours as he comes closer to his own orgasm. His hips never still as he spurts thick ropes of cum into you, fucking it back into you with each thrust.
Simon slams you on his cock, back pressed against the cool metal, as his hips snap up to meet halfway.
"'s too much Si-"
"Take what I give you, slut- oh god, 'm gonna fuckin cum again-"
Simon fucks into you faster and faster as he chases his own orgasm, forcing another from you. "'m gonna fuckin breed that pretty little pussy of yours. Need'ta make you mine-"
Simon cums a final time, dripping onto the floor as he gently pulls out from you, pressing a kiss to your temple and cleaning you up.
.
.
.
.
"Ya think they're fuckin?"
"Soap MacTavsish."
"Sorry, sorry."
#this is fuckin filthy#sorry for the delay#my bad yall#sorry for the long post#at least its finally out#ghost x reader#simon ghost riley#ghost cod#ghost mwii#ghost mw2#ghost call of duty#simon riley imagine#simon riley#cod mw2#cod ghost#cod#modern warfare 2#mw2#call of duty#ghost x y/n#ghost x you#ghost imagine#simon ghost riley x reader#simon riley x reader#simon cod#ghost simon riley#cod x reader#cod smut#cod ghost x reader#ghost smut
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Realizing They Have a Crush + Confessing
Characters ;; Hobie, Miles, Gwen, Pavitr !
Extras ;; No warnings, sfw, headcanon style !!
♡
Hobie Brown
He realized very quickly. He liked being around you too much. He loved giving you stuff. He loved seeing your smile and hearing your laugh when he stuck up an attitude with people.
He wasn't for labels, but damn he just might for you. He liked the sound of you being his in reality. You'd definitely get a pass if you worry about that type of stuff, too. I mean, he said he doesn't believe in consistency.
And so, he admitted his fondness for you very quickly.
He didn't see a point in beating around the bush, if you liked him great! If you didnt, well he'd like to stay friends.
Yet when you said yes, he couldn't help and smile widely, throwing his arm around your shoulder as a prop.
"Mine, eh?" He'd ask with tease filling his tone
He was all for spending time with you. I mean, you made him feel so good. He also loved having an arm around your waist, holding your hand, anyway to know you're by him still. Only you get to see his soft guy interior when he calms down at the end of the day.
At the end of the day, his heart swells a little when you two exchange 'I love you's.
Miles Morales
At first he just thought he had a fondness for you.
But when he flipped through his notebook and saw your face plastering almost every page, he got hit with realization. Sure, he drew all his friends, but you were different.
Every time he saw you, he felt butterflies fluttering in his stomach. He couldn't push the feeling down.
He asked Hobie for help. All he got told was "Be honest," and that didn't help.
His confession was an accident entirely when he had been alone with you, and he was trying to describe his crush in a way for it to not sound like you.
"They're really cool! Yeah.. really.. cool." He sounded lost in thought, heat rising to his face. Didn't help that you had peeked in his notebook and saw the drawings of you.
But when you acknowledged that it was you more than likely, he fumbled, trying to say no. But when you kissed his cheek, he felt on cloud nine.
Was geeked to be called yours. Especially since his parents loved you(you didn't call them by their first names)
Gwen Stacy
She immediately knew she loved you, but she was scared.
She was too scared of losing you, just like... nevermind.
It didn't matter, though, you would find out easily by how she acted. Her excited toe to heel jumps when you came around or just her bright smile when you talked to her. She found opening up to you easy.
She found the emotions all too troubling. So telling you was a huge problem for her. Especially since she found you clouding her mind so often, she zoned out during class and other activities.
She told you by starting a conversation. Hanging out, a sleepover maybe, and slipping it in during a heavy talking moment. She thought you didn't hear.
But you did, and you being excited warmed her to no ends. "Wait, really? You're serious!" She'd happily chirp out.
She got more allowing with touch. Actually, she was more touchy. Hugging on you or using your lap as a pillow.
You're her safe haven, and yes, she's so scared of losing you, but she's learning to worry less and love more.
Pavitr Prabhakar
Absolutely love sick puppy. He had a crush for a long time before he realized that his feeling with you was special.
But everyone knew, including you. There was no real need to confess. I mean, his pupils ere practically hearts around you.
Truly, you were his sun, and he revolved around you. As far as he was concerned, it should be the same way for everyone else !
Besides his following you around like a lost dog, he wasn't overbearing. He gave you space when asked, though he might be awkward the next day he completely respects it.
He finally decided to tell you in a cheesy way. Showing you his favorite spot in his universe, and he mentioned it quietly.
He would be.. okay, if you said no. But he didn't have time to think of that because before he knew it, you were already agreeing to being official.
Absolutely ecstatic. Totally ruined the romantic moment with his squeals, but your laughs were music to his ears for all he cared. "Jeez, that was nerve-wracking." He'd say after the moment calmed down.
Extremely flaunty that you're his. Made matching bracelets that consist of his spider suit colors for you and your favorite colors for his. Or your spidersuit colors, if you're one too!
♡♡♡♡
Hope you guys enjoyed this. I really hope this uploads without fail this time!! Requests are open☆☆
#astv#atsv x reader#hobie brown x reader#hobie brown#miles morales x reader#miles morales#gwen x reader#gwen stacy#pavitr prabhakar#pavitr x reader#sorry for the delay
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For the final time… the results are in!!!! Once again thank you everyone for voting in my poll! We’ve reached the end!
After a week and a total of 783 votes we have:
Rasmodius snagging 1st place as people’s most favourite Mysterious Old Man with ~205 of the votes! Congratulations to him and to the Razz enjoyers🥇🥇🥇💐
Linus in 2nd place with ~177 votes 🥈
Marlon in 3rd place with ~136 votes 🥉
Willy in 4th place with ~125 votes
Mr. Qi in 5th place with ~73 votes
And Gunther in last place with ~67 votes
Damn…Marlon was in the lead for a while but Rasmodius swooped in at the end and stole the win. I’m so proud of Linus for keeping his hold onto 2nd place, love him! Also…guys… I wasn’t expecting Qi to get that little votes. He’s cool and mysterious!!!
P.S. Someone free Gunther!!!
Bachelor results here~
Bachelorette results here~
#been busy with school#sorry for the delay#i forgor#stardew valley#sdv#stardew valley fanart#sdv fanart#stardew valley wizard#stardew valley willy#stardew valley qi#Stardew valley Gunther#stardew valley marlon#stardew valley linus#stardew valley rasmodius#sdv wizard#sdv willy#sdv qi#sdv gunther#sdv Marlon#sdv linus#sdv rasmodius
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Being the only toh artist who still draws camileda is so demoralising but as a sapphic monsterfucker I'm used to making my own food 🥱
Bonus speedpaint cuz I've never done that b4!!
#the owl house#the owl house season 3#toh eda#camileda#toh fanart#sorry for the delay#toh camila#school is killing me#please link other artists who draw this ship too im so lonely 😭
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Chapter 5 is finally out on Gumroad!
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[PART 6]
--
💌~
#love letter poll game#klance#voltron legendary defender#vld#voltron#fanart#yall did this to yourselves#sorry for the delay#its been one of those weeks#tbh there are some shots im not using but probably will post when this is over#L: im not here to annoy you >> Lance medio dorito despues---#i said i wouldnt post on saturdays but i dont like to stop everything bc im already anxious af
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Does Eggpire Dream remembers that he is Dream? Or does he falls into Hubert’s habits? Does being around the Egg again makes him confuse Techno with Billiam?
“Why does it matter? The Egg welcomes all who seek refuge, be it past, present or the future. Alas, I understand that it is not time for you yet. I patiently await the moment you accept the Egg’s blessing. The Egg provides all.”
The door to the hidden room closed on you.
Note: He remembers, he is all. He does not hold grudges or bias towards anyone. Techno or Billiam might as well be anyone, truly. The Egg is fair and welcomes all.
#dream fanart#rainystressedart#rainyaskbox#eggpire!dream#I am trying out a new way to answer these#can help me stretch my writing bone#sorry for the delay#I was stuck in another gacha hell
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Follow @linzi-yay <3
Christmas Special 2023
#19 days#19 days old xian#he tian#tianshan#mo guan shan#19天#19days old xian#zhanyi#i was very sick#sorry for the delay
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12/15/2023-Cute photos @instagram 🍭🍭🍭
“She crushed it. I'm hugely proud of her. She kills it. I can't wait to see what she does with her career and her life and future projects.”
-Timothée on working with Calah Lane
#timothee chalamet#sorry for the delay#work is killing me#timothée chalamet#calah lane#wonka#wonka 2023#wonka promo#december 15
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Green with Envy 2024 (part 3)
Everlasting Trio my beloved! (◍•ᴗ•◍)❤
Lines by @things-i-cannot-do-in-amitypark, thank you so much for the good content!
This was the first coloring I had began back at the start of the event, but my indecisive ass made me drag on the publishing of it because of both real life obligations and I couldn't choose among the background options I made! ( ≧Д≦)
So like I did for my previous piece, I'm uploading all of them! (^～^;)ゞ
(The rest is under the cut.)
These two were the first tries, but they didn't satisfy me completely, so I started messing around with abstract shapes and these came out:
Then the ingenious @midnightectosnack told me that it reminded them of an arcade carpet design and so my mind went feral with that idea and made an Everlasting-Trio-themed carpet!
At first I decide to assign a shape and color to each of them, then I realized: circles -> blob ghosts!
Thus I also added an additional design/concept for every shape (I also kept the leitmotif of the matching gadget's colors):
Circles = Blobs = Danny
Mixed triangles = David's star = Sam
Quadrilaterals = Horus' eye/Hourglass = Tucker
And then boom, here it is @green-with-envy-phandom-event !
(Sorry, Tumblr hates me, I didn't finish writing all the tags and published it anyway! ( ��≧Д≦) )
#the dragon colors#danny phantom#greenwithenvy2024#danny fenton#sam manson#tucker foley#everlasting trio#sorry for the delay#I didn't get to tag before because Tumblr is stupid#i love them your honor
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Request time! For @t-misaki Shen Yuan/Shen Jiu, why not both!
cucumber vs pickle
#svsss#人渣反派自救系统#svsss fanart#shen qingqiu#shen yuan#shen jiu#lomito doing requests#sorry for the delay
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Will there be any Celeborn or Thranduil artwork coming up in the future??☀️🤔
A month ago I would have drawn Trandull, but now I need Celeborn.
I sincerely hoped that Celeborn was taking care of Celebrian while his wife was going through a mid-life crisis or something.
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The results are in!!!! Once again, thank you everyone for your participation!
After a week and a total of 710 votes we have:
Leah sweeping the competition as people’s most favourite bachelorette with ~228 of the votes! A big congratulations to her and to all of the Leah enjoyers🥇🥇🥇💐
Haley in 2nd place with ~132 votes🥈
Abigail in 3rd place with ~114 votes 🥉
Emily in 4th place with ~86 votes
Penny in 5th place with ~82 votes
And Maru in last place with ~68 votes
I knew Leah was popular but I was not expecting a clean Leah sweep, good for her, good for her. Although I thought Abigail would have gotten more votes than she ended up getting. Also Maru, my poor girl… y’all have to show her more love!!!!! I think if we got more votes in total, I can definitely see the results shift!
Bachelor results here~
M.O.M results here~
#sorry for the delay#uni started up again T-T#will probably do one more poll for funsies later#stardew valley#sdv#stardew valley fanart#sdv fanart#sdv leah#sdv maru#sdv abigail#sdv emily#sdv haley#sdv penny#stardew valley maru#stardew valley penny#stardew valley abigail#stardew valley leah#stardew valley haley#stardew valley emily#stardew abigail#stardew haley#stardew leah#stardew maru#stardew Penny#stardew emily
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Do you think UT would truly allow any harm to come to Our!Ciel? And do you think he cares for him at all? He appears to be actively working against him in the story currently alongside Real!Ciel, and Our!Ciel is working to shut down his bizarre doll operations. But, at the end of the day he is still a member of the Phantomhive family, and Vincent’s son, no less. The contrast between his dedication to the Phantomhive family and his constant conflict with Our!Ciel makes me question what his real end goal here is. What do you think it is?
Undertaker's feelings and plans
1. He might allow it. Depending on how you define "harm"... he might even plan on doing some, though I don't think he would see it as harm.
2. Yes, I do think he cares about our earl. It's just that his methods for trying to save the remaining Phantomhives are highly questionable. Undertaker seems to be losing touch with reality, in some ways, probably due to some interruption or halt in his grieving process... which is rather ironic, given his choice of profession as an undertaker.
3. There are many ways this could go, but the way he sees the twins as essentially the same -- it doesn't matter too much to him which is which -- he might think it's perfectly reasonable to combine them and make them "one", as if he's putting two halves together to make a whole. Our earl has a soul, but his body is sort of weak from recurring bouts of asthma. Real Ciel would have a strong body (once Undertaker perfects his reanimating techniques), but he no longer has a soul. Combining our earl's soul with real Ciel's body might strike him as some sort of perfection. The Ultimate Bizarre Doll -- or Ultimate Doll -- if you will. This would, in his mind, have the added bonus of removing our earl's soul from a body that's marked with a demon contract. He might think that doing this would make the contract null and void. I don't think it would work as well as he would hope....
#black butler#kuroshitsuji#undertaker#earl phantomhive#our earl#our ciel#ciel phantomhive#real ciel#bizarre dolls#bizarre doll ciel#soul transplant#experimentation#mother3#mother 3#theories#anon asks#i answer#answered asks#apr 2 2024#sorry for the delay
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Nothing's Wrong with Dale - Part Twenty-Five
It’s been a week, but you’re fairly certain your fiancé accidentally got himself replaced by an eldritch being from the Depths. Deciding that he’s certainly not worse than your original fiancé, you endeavor to keep the engagement and his new non-human state to yourself.
However, this might prove harder than you originally thought.
Fantasy, arranged marriage, malemonsterxfemalereader, M/F
AO3: Nothing's Wrong with Dale Chapter 25
[Part One][Part Two] [Part Three] [Part Four] [Part Five] [Part Six] [Part Seven] [Part Seven.5] [Part Eight] [Part Nine][Part Ten] [Part Eleven] [Part Twelve] [Part Thirteen] [Part Fourteen] [Part Fifteen] [Part Sixteen] [Part Seventeen] [Part Eighteen] [Part Nineteen] [Part Twenty] [Part Twenty-One] [Part Twenty-Two][Part Twenty-Three] [Part Twenty-Four] Part Twenty-Five [Part Twenty-Six] [Part Twenty-Seven] [Part Twenty-Eight] [Part Twenty-Nine] [Part Thirty] [Part Thirty-One] [Part Thirty-Two] [Part Thirty-Three] [Part Thirty-Four]
You’d thought the galas had been uncomfortable, but apparently they are nothing compared to the three Northridges in an argument.
You’re all in the study Grandmother’s been lent for your stay, Dale and yourself at a table with Dale’s paperwork spread out around him while Grandfather paces having long vacated his own chair. You wish you could occupy yourself by reading his notes, but they’re in a shorthand code you don’t know. Probably for the best for secrecy purposes, but unhelpful as a distraction. You wonder if Dale will teach it to you once you have the time.
“Unacceptable,” Grandmother says, frowning at Dale. You think it’s the sternest she’s ever looked at him given her usual soft spot for her grandson. “Pride is no excuse not to use every advantage at your disposal to locate these enemies.”
“Unnecessary,” Dale corrects. He presses his lips together before he forces himself to take a deep breath. You appreciate how he keeps his frustration contained, his eyes trained on his notes and waiting to respond when the original Dale would not have. You want to comfort or show your support for him, but you’ve no idea how. So you keep your hands clasped in your lap and hope that when the moment comes for you to assist, you notice it. “All the combatants were defeated; we need to focus on who paid them. I doubt any of the true architects behind the attack would be found out by exorcists. Such people would only be useful at locating the mercenaries.”
“You cannot be certain that the skinwere is truly vanquished,” Grandfather insists, not pausing in his pacing.
It’s challenging to know when you should speak up and when you should keep silent in this argument, particularly when it is not yet your family. Your inclination during verbal fights is nearly always to remain silent. Your eyes dart to Dale, whose expression does not give away that he is by far the most knowledgeable regarding whether or not he has killed a demon or merely removed a possession. Unfortunately, that would not be a helpful interjection.
Grandfather continues, “It might have simply returned to the Depths. What will you do if it returns? In a new body, it will already know your strength and will be more prepared. It will have all the knowledge it gained prior to the attack. It could take you by surprise. An exorcist—”
“Is unnecessary,” Dale repeats. He finally looks up from his papers to meet first Grandfather’s and then Grandmother’s eyes in turn. “I know that it is vanquished. An exorcist will only waste money to confirm the same thing. Many of them are charlatans regardless, no more able to identify and banish a demon than anyone else and only able to part the gullible from their coin.”
“I know plenty of competent and qualified exorcists, Dale,” Grandmother’s tone is arch, clearly not thrown off by Dale’s rebuttal. “The persistence of the demonic is not to be underestimated.”
“We have been dealing with these threats longer than you have, my boy,” Grandfather says, a paternal and condescending tone to his voice. “We have the experience. We have the contacts. We should be leading this investigation and yet you are willfully keeping vital information to yourself.”
“Yes, and I shall continue to do so,” Dale replies, eyes back on his papers while you resist the urge to fidget under Grandfather’s intent and frustrated gaze. He had shared some of the information he learned about the employers of the mercenaries from his separate, second fight with Two with you, but nothing with his grandparents beyond his confirmation of Two’s defeat. You’re not sure that his grandparents realize he’s told you even a word or two more than them and are not sure if you even want them to find out. “I was the target of this threat and I shall be the one to see it ended.”
“Now is not the time to act too big for your britches,” Grandfather snaps.
“If this is a bid for maturity, for lordship, it is misplaced,” Grandmother’s voice is clearer and sharper. “Only the childish attempt to do things in isolation, mired in a false sense of independence, in pride, in hubris. There is no need to prove yourself, Dale,” her voice gentles here, at the end. It is interesting to hear them make points that would be valid, if only they were aimed at their grandson and not the present Dale. They don’t know they are arguing against a stranger, that their words are aimed at a ghost. “There is nothing to prove. There are only enemies of Northridge to deal with, with everything we have at our disposal.”
You wonder how the original Dale would have handled this argument, if he even decided to have it. The point might have been moot given how much this Dale needed to draw on his nature to win it. Maybe instead you and his grandparents would have been here, reading a ransom note. Maybe you or grandmother would not have survived the night.
“You expect us to trust your judgment,” Grandfather says, strain in his voice as he attempts to rein himself in, “but there are actions that speak against such rational thought. I still cannot believe the utter foolishness that you demonstrated, chasing after one into the night. Do you know how many of those demons have powers over darkness?”
You look down at the papers on the table, just in case your eyes or expression otherwise give away how ironic you find that statement. Picturing Dale’s control over shadows and darkness brings back memories of the fight. It also brings up memories of the dream you had last night. The dream’s images conjured to your mind by the sight of this new Dale, with his humanity an obvious after thought, to be contemplated while asleep. Darkness poured over the estimate of the human form, his bright eyes, the strength and speed he possessed in those moments.
You feel your cheeks heat at how the dream had diverted from the memory it began by rehashing. Of how it was routed in the manner of his hand on your chin after the fight had ended. In your dreams, his grip had once more been delicate silk over wrought iron strength. He had done more than look as he checked you were whole. His voice had that same reverberation of feeling and affection you heard near the end of the fight, when your name on his lips had evoked such emotion.
“I was not acting out of immature pride or foolishness then and neither am I now,” Dale replies, snapping you back to the present. His jaw is set as he puts his pen down to give them his full attention. “I am acting as I see fit, based on the circumstances at hand. I had received the training required and the knowledge to hold my own in such a fight. I had observed my opponent and knew the limits of his capabilities as well as my own.”
Dale’s confidence in the fight, even more so than in the tournament, had been obvious. Even now it was a comfort to you, to know how strong he truly was. This Dale’s strength is an asset, not the concern it had been originally. You still might have advised him to include his grandparents, if you didn’t know what you knew and how dangerous such a thing could be to him now. He must be walking the line between those who know who hired the mercenaries and those who can tell what he is very carefully indeed.
“My estimation was correct as I returned and they did not. It was not luck or coincidence and I’ll not discuss in maybes,” Dale adds at the end when it was clear Grandfather was going to add something more. “We are already here, now, and we are not discussing the actions already taken, but those yet to occur.”
Dale clears his throat and shifts in his chair before continuing when neither of his grandparents spoke, allowing him the time to do so, despite their misgivings. It was interesting to watch, and unlike many such discussions in your family, but perhaps the circumstances that were different here resulted in the older relatives not simply talking over the younger ones. “Those circumstances are clear: the attack was directed at me personally, the attack was a coordinated effort of fellow nobility, and they did not see Northridge as capable of defending herself from such threats. I have corrected them on the final point. They will be unprepared for such an eventuality and will need time to re-group and plan, as well as raise funds due to the amount paid in advance to the assassins. They will see the wedding as too distracting to us to move quickly now, which I am also subverting.”
“Most likely, they don’t even know that the assassins have failed,” you chime in with a glance at Dale, glad to have thought of something to add. Some of this you’d discussed with Dale the other night while you and the doctor bandaged him up. Unfortunately, since you’d been joined in the dressing room by the doctor and Dale’s valet, you’d not been able to continue your more private conversation. Since then, the only time you’ve been alone, have been short walks between meetings which has been the time to discuss much at all. “From what we overheard, it is unlikely that they had other team members. It will take time for their lack of communication and lack of success to reach their patrons—who might even think they simply took the money paid upfront and then left, if we’ve managed to keep word of the attack properly stifled. That confusion and uncertainty is something we can take advantage of as long as we are subtle.”
Dale is clearly trying for patience, but he’s also frustrated when his grandparents don’t seem particularly persuaded by these arguments. “We all agreed that keeping the news of this attack as quiet as possible and painting it as a minor event was for the best. Have either of you changed your minds regarding that decision?”
“No, of course not,” Grandmother replies, frowning.
She tries to continue speaking, but Dale continues instead, “Your primary resources are the full might of the law and those at your disposal in Northridge, your contacts in the realm of the law throughout the country and beyond, and your prior experience dealing with similar attacks during the height of your senate career.” Dale is exclusively addressing Grandmother at this point. “The majority of those resources would require bringing in a great deal more people and would undermine our decision to keep this attack quiet.”
“And my experience?” Grandmother asks, arching a brow.
“Which I have listened to extensively over the years,” Dale says, a mild tone of long-suffering grandchild in his voice, likely a mix of the original Dale’s familial condescension and his own exasperation given his personal greater experience. “As well as in the past few days as you recounted more details that had been omitted from the stories you told in my youth. If there is anything further you wish to share, please do so. However, throughout your tales, you worked exclusively with a small network of those loyal to you and involved only Grandfather in our family.” The implication that this is what Dale was doing by excluding them and including you was obvious.
“That is no reason not to share your strategy with us, Dale,” Grandmother says, disapprovingly. “My parents were unable to provide helpful advice in this arena, not in the manner your Grandfather and I can. I cannot recount every detail of every experience I have had. Sometimes the smallest details are most relevant and yet do not come to mind until the moment of connection is made. I cannot provide such insight if I am blinded.”
“I appreciate that,” Dale replies. “But the danger posed by making you a target, is greater in my mind than the value of that minute insight might afford. If I were struggling on my path of discovery and response, I would agree share further, but I am not.”
“And what of my resources?” Grandfather is agitated by Grandmother’s considering silence and at being ignored.
“My understanding of those you have at your disposal are primarily contacts for exorcists, demon hunters, mercenaries. Additionally, given the speed at which such lives are lost and won, I expect many are outdated. I mean no offense, but, you last actively utilized them over a decade ago. I think you certainly have solid relationships you could pull on that would steer you in the right direction to active members far quicker than the average person. But that it would still take time. And they are not who we need at this time. The assassins are all dealt with, I do not believe new individuals will be contracted with soon, and so the patrons are my focus.”
“I have contacts among the peers,” Grandfather says defensively. “Many who might have heard of who would use such an underhanded move such as this or who could discover such tactics. I am not so far removed from the game.”
“And this is the crux of the matter, is it not?” Dale’s frowning and for the first time in a long time, he reminds you of the old Dale. Your heart races with anxiety over his disapproval, even if it’s aimed at his grandparents and not you. You’d forgotten how much he’d made you nervous in the beginning, perhaps because this Dale makes you nervous too, but the difference in why has never been more stark.
This Dale worries you because of how much you still don’t know about him, about what he wants and what he plans. The conversation you were hoping to have that night never occurred, your time together interrupted by servants and doctors and Grandfather. You haven’t been alone since, except for short spans in the halls, where anyone might overhear and so you are both careful to remain vague. The lack of clear communication has become a larger and larger source of frustration for you. Sometimes he makes you feel as if there is more at stake because you believe there is more to gain from his partnership.
That Dale had worried you because of what you did know of him, rather than how each new hint you discern for this Dale reassures you. The original Dale, his arrogance, his moods, his overconfidence, his heavy handed assumptions, and his temper—his clear ability to hold grudges—all caused worry and nervousness to creep through your veins.
And in the split second Dale reminds you all that, he also helps wash it away. Because it is so clear, that while he’s frustrated and displeased with this conversation, obviously tense from the subject and the line he has to walk regarding what he knows and needs to do with his grandparents, you are not afraid. Not of him.
He takes a deep breath, his stare intense, but his jaw unclenched, his hand open on the table. “I also have such contacts,” Dale points out. “Fresh contacts from my travels and time in court. I am the one who moved directly in these circles that the ones targeted me have come from. I am the one most able to deal with this threat. You must know that, even if it worries you.”
Grandmother frowns, but doesn’t look away. “I cannot approve of you keeping us out of this investigation, especially given my involvement already, but I do understand why you wish to, however much I wish I did not. None of my fears lie with your capabilities, my Dale.”
“I know,” Dale replies, leaning back in his chair. His arm moves to the armrest and the back of his hand brushes against your own, just a touch too strongly to not be deliberate. You startle a little at the pressure, enough that Dale retreats, his fingers curving around the end of the arm rest. You hasten to correct yourself, not able to explain that you were surprised, nothing more. Carefully, you place your hand on his forearm, fingers loosely wrapping around his wrist and giving a, hopefully, comforting squeeze. A reminder he’s not alone.
He continues to look at Grandmother, but he turns his arm over and you slide your hand into his. It's grounding in the same way your embrace had been and you’re all too pleased to be able to do so now. “However, I believe it to be the right move, the one with that will grant the greatest chance of success with the least complications. And I will stand by it.”
You look over to Grandmother and find her staring at your joined hands. Your instinct is to let go, like a child caught doing something naughty, but while your hand spasms, you’re able to calm your racing heart and keep your hold on Dale.
Grandfather opens his mouth with a frown, but Grandmother cuts him off, “Very well. We will let you handle this, for now. If another attack occurs, we will not be kept to the sidelines.”
“Understood,” Dale replies, but you can feel his relief in how his hand relaxes in your own.
“And the moment you believe that you can use our help, you must promise to ask for it,” Grandmother continues, not looking away to Grandfather who’s come to stand beside her.
Dale nods, but she continues to wait and you give him a look. He blinks in surprise before realizing what she wants. “I promise that if I believe further aid from you would be warranted, I will ask for it.”
“See that you do,” Grandmother says before her demeanor lightens, her smile nostalgic as she says, “You have grown so much, my boy.”
Dale looks startled. This time his hand twitches in yours. It's clear he has no idea what to say and so he merely nods, looking back down at his papers. He tries for casual as he replies, “Yes, well, that is what tends to happen.”
Grandmother’s smile only widens and Dale reaches with his free hand to straighten the papers. Something written catches his attention, though you’ve no idea what given his shorthand code. “Actually, I was hoping to get your opinions on one part of my investigation.”
“Of course,” Grandfather says gruffly, still obviously displeased with the turn the conversation took, but not enough to disagree with Grandmother.
“I would appreciate your impressions of the two primary candidates I have for one of the patrons,” Dale says after a glance at you. When you walked over with him to the study and discussed this part of the conversation. You shared your impression of three primary patrons, which he confirmed having received the same information from Two: the Duke, the knight, and the heiress. You have no thoughts on two of them but you did express your suspicion of the knight from Eastmont, due to both his animosity and his knowledge of demonics, which Dale agreed with.
Dale seemed to have his own suspicions about the heiress, but the Duke, he’d only been able to narrow down to a short list. Hopefully, not only would Grandmother and Grandfather be able to advise on who to look at first, but also should mollify them regarding Dale more or less shutting them out of the rest of the investigation and action he planned to take against these conspirators.
“He was referred to as ‘the Duke’, which I believe to be literal,” Dale says. “Between that and the reference to gambling, I suspect either Duke Gaelole or Duke Karihas. Both I played at cards and won substantial amounts from, though of course no cheating was needed on my part.”
Grandmother cackled. “I taught you too well, sweetheart. I am also surprised that those two are still playing as they did.”
You’ve only heard these names and not had any personal interaction with either of them. It begins to get harder to follow certain family connections, when not bragged about, and so it's possible you went to school with a grandchild of one of them. That’s likely the only connection you could have had, sheltered as you had grown up.
“Duke Karihas,” Grandfather rubs his chin as he speaks. “He is arrogant, too fond of the drink and I can only guess, more susceptible to it than before. However, it is not his style to hold grudges. His memories tend to fade quickly with time, no matter the size of his losses. His children fund such vices these days as he still breaks even more often than not. Duke Gaelole on the other hand…”
“He plays the gallant and generous lord, but in truth, he would gut his own grandson in an alley over disrespect or a lost bet,” Grandmother pronounced. “He plays the amiable host, the graceful loser on those rare occasions he loses, but he is cold as a fish and as ruthless as a demon.”
“I had thought, even though the loss was smaller, that he might be the true enemy,” Dale admits, the frown deepening on his face. “There were repeated losses and he grew both more charming and more insistent as time wore on for rematches. There was a look in his eyes when I finally refused to play anymore hands and collected my winnings. A dangerous one.”
You wonder how the original Dale’s memories appear to him now. You wonder how he grew to learn how to read human expressions. You hope this Dale isn’t inclined to gamble, no matter what skills Dale used to possess. You feel now is not the time to bring such a matter up, but you feel buoyed that you likely will try to discuss it with him, because you feel you can.
“He’s got deep pockets, Dale,” Grandfather warned. “And he does not hesitate to dip into them as he pleases. He’s notorious for holding grudges and acting on them. Notable careers ended or reputations ruined, if he so desired. Tread very carefully with him.”
“I understand,” Dale replies gravely. He looks back and forth between them. “All I ask is that you allow me to take the lead on this matter and to trust that if I can use your assistance, I will ask for it. I know you would wish to do the same. Trust I would not put my faith in empty pride if I truly did not feel I had the resources required to bring these enemies of our family to rest.”
“I do not like this,” Grandfather says. “I do not think it is necessary.” His shoulders slump, ever so slightly, “But I would do the same, and have done so in the past.”
“You have a year or until another attack,” Grandmother warns, “before we act, with or without your leave. It is only in consideration of your determination and persuasion that I allow you this freedom to deal with the threat as you will.” Unexpectedly, her eyes find yours, “And I also trust that you are not conducting your investigation alone. That you are involving your soon to be spouse as well.
“Yes, Grandmother,” Dale replies dutifully, you echoing him only a beat behind. He smiles at you in response, resting his hand over your own and giving it a comforting squeeze.
“Pardon my intrusion, my lords, my ladies.” You turn to see Grandfather’s valet opening the door to come in. “In addition to alerting you that it is time to begin preparing for this afternoon’s gala, I also have a letter.”
“Our thanks for the reminder,” Grandfather says. “Who is the letter for?”
His valet walks over to you, rather than any Northridges. “It is addressed to the family, but to my lady’s attention.”
You accept the letter, frowning at the handwriting of the address. It doesn’t look familiar and you’re not expecting any mail. Are you? After these past couple days, anything unexpected makes you nervous. You quickly break the plain seal, wanting to get past this new tension as soon as possible. The message inside is short and in a hand you do recognize. “Oh.”
“What is it?” Dale asks, leaning closer and clearly as on edge as you had been. “Is something amiss?”
“Oh, nothing like that. My family has arrived.” You don’t know why the thought is so foreign, so disconcerting. And yet everything that has happened in these whirlwind days seems so far removed from your life before Northridge, that your family seems like an unexpected intrusion. You knew that they had to be arriving before the wedding ceremony, but Mother had said travel was more unpredictable than she’d expected and hadn’t been able to provide an estimate for their arrival. “They will be joining us at the gala tonight.”
[Part Twenty-Six]
#my writing#nothing's wrong with dale#story: nothing's wrong with dale#dale#story part#monster romance#terato#exophilia#monster bf#reader#male monster#osha compliant#slow burn#arranged marriage#sorry for the delay#but traveling plus tech issues#plus family stuff plus work stuff has made time fly by with no chance to finish this chapter#plus this convo was a challenge to write#but it was fun to work on writing in so many cool places while i was traveling#let me know what you think!
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