Happy Birthday, Rosemary

Happy Birthday, Rosemary

Rosemary Short Story

Rating: Mature (smut at the end) 

Summary: When MC comes back from being out on their own after taking a dangerous mission, Rosemary can't help but think her whole world could fall apart with a single misstep. 

Your teeth clenched as you followed Rosemary back to your room. The congratulations from the others downstairs were drowned out by the pending doom that awaited you with each click of Rosemary's expensive heels. 

You reached the door to your room and held in a flinch when Rosemary closed it behind you softly, and somehow, that was worse than her slamming it. You decided because you knew the anger was hiding under the elegant posture. 

The anxiety in your stomach worsened when all Rosemary did was just stand there, her brown eyes that you came to love baring into your own with such intensity that you could hardly stand it. 

"Rosie..." You started using a pet name to soften whatever words came out of you next. "I-" 

But that seemed to be a mistake. At the mention of the nickname, Rosemary blinked as if coming out of a daze, and desperation crossed over her face. 

"Are you a complete sap?! What in the six hells were you thinking?" Rosemary said, the words coming out in a rush, her New York accent coming out thick with the old-timey slang. It wasn't hard to figure out that the word "sap" wasn't the nicest word to call someone in the 1920s; maybe you would give in and look it up if you remembered or survived whatever Rosemary was going to do to you. 

"Don't worry, Rosemary; I hardly did anything. Aunt Zinnia made sure I was safe." 

"Safe?" Rosemary asked, slowly putting more distance between you two than there already was. "You think—Oh my—" You were surprised to see Rosemary lost for words; that didn't happen, but as she put her hands up to yank on her hair in frustration, she seemed to be battling with herself. "You have no idea what I'm angry about, do you?" 

"Of course I do, Rosemary!" You felt your anger flare up inside, but you pushed it down as you got closer to the distressed woman. "I know you don't like me fighting, but I needed to." 

"No, you don't! Why does it have to be you?" Rosemary asked, her voice cracking only for a moment. "Why can't it be Marcel, your aunt, or fucking Tai? Why can't it be any of them? Mhm?" 

Rosemary knew the answer...she knew it was because it was you in the middle. You were at the center of it all, and there were no more shadows to hide in. You had to be the one to clean up whatever mess was coming. 

You were at a loss for words as you stared into Rosemary's lost expression. She couldn't stop it. No amount of favors or fighting could stop you. Or stop whatever foes were before you; it scared her. You knew it scared her because she had already lost herself once. 

Rosemary would break if she lost you, completely shattered, and there would be no you to pick up the pieces again. Rosemary knew how death worked: one moment you are waking up to the sun, and the next your last breath catches. She knew how quickly life went by and how one single bad decision could put you in a grave. 

"What if you didn't come back to me?" Rosemary asked in a whisper. "What if your aunt couldn't keep you safe?!" Her voice was strong and tense, against the party music downstairs. "Do you know what it is like to sit here and wait for you to get back?! To watch you walk out that door with no idea if that is the last time I will see you?! Do you have any idea of the thoughts that go through my mind while you are away? The nightmares?!" 

Your breath caught as you looked into Rosemary's eyes, a dark blue as her powers pulsed through her, her resolve breaking as tears ran down her face. 

"I have experienced everything. I have lost. I have been betrayed." Rosemary's fingers traced her neck. "And I have died, but there is no coming back for you. You will be gone. There is no afterlife. There is an uncertainty in our lives that leaves me with the most horrible fear that I will lose you." 

The words sank into the bottom of your stomach like a weight. "Rosie..." You croaked out, your arms wrapping around your girlfriend. In an embrace that kept you both from falling apart. "I had to, Rosemary. I can't avoid this. I can't sleep at night knowing that I am putting you and everyone else I love in danger. I couldn't stand it if you got hurt." You whispered into her hair, letting her tears wet your shirt. 

"I can't lose you." 

You squeezed tighter before pulling back to look at her, your tears falling as you stared at Rosemary. She looked so vulnerable. Like a wilted flower, she still held so much beauty that it almost took your breath away. 

You gently caressed Rosemary, wiping away the tears, only to shiver when you felt the hot, flushed skin. 

"You look breathtaking." You mumbled, gently grabbing her hands. 

Rosemary shook her head, letting a small smile grace her lips. "If this is your way of getting out of the dog house, then you better close your yap." 

"Is flattery not enough anymore?" You teased, your hand running through Rosemary's hair, the need to be touching far greater than ever before. 

"Not unless I'm the one spitting the line, Dollface/Angelface/Handsome." 

You didn't need to comment as you kissed Rosemary, your teeth biting down on her bottom lip. 

"That won't work either," Rosemary spoke, her voice low in your ear, but the tough act was ruined by the red cheeks. Your only response was a coy smile as you started to pull away, only to be brought back in with a strong tug by the shirt. 

"Don't back out of the game now, Dollface/Angelface/Handsome." The words came out on a purr, and you went to touch her face only to yell in surprise when she was pinned to the bed with an inhuman strength. 

"I don't like losing," Rosemary whispered into your ear, not even having to look as she undid the buttons on your clothes. 

Your breathing became heavy when you felt her fingers on your thighs, thanking the universe in your head that you were lying in bed because you were certain that your legs would have given out. 

"Aren't I winning if you're doing this to me?" You asked, cheeky, and then bit back a moan when Rosemary squeezed your thigh, her fingers ever so gently leading a path to the ache inside of you. 

"I'm not doing anything to you yet," Rosemary said, kissing the nape of your neck. The hickeys were placed in a pattern of Rosemary's design, but you couldn't find it in yourself to care as all your attention was on her fingers and what they seemed to refuse to touch. 

With gritted teeth, you leaned your head back, not wanting to lose whatever game Rosemary was playing and making the rules as she went along. It was already on the cards for you to lose, but at least you could put up a fight. 

Your legs spread wider as you felt Rosemary's finger trace your flushed flesh, and you moaned at the slow circles that she massaged into your skin. 

It was torture. Slow and amazing torture. 

Your breath quickens as the need to be touched becomes greater than pride. "Touch me..." You whispered, your eyes looking at the ceiling. 

Rosemary smiled, the water lines where her tears felt only moments ago still on her face that paired well with her smug tone. "Sorry, I didn't quite catch that." 

You jolted when you felt her lips on your thigh. Her mouth is so close to where you needed her to be, and yet so far. 

"Please..." You whispered, your eyes catching Rosemary's, who stopped short, and you knew she was as close to losing the game as you were. 

You moaned as your hips bucked up when Rosemary finally used her mouth, and you decided right there in pure bliss that you both won the game. 

All the blood rushed lower, and you knew it was only a matter of time before you were done, especially now that Rosemary's other hand was tracing herself. 

Another vulnerability. Another wall that Rosemary let you see, and you pulled Rosemary up, towards your mouth, as the pleasure came crashing down on top of you. 

The messy kiss lasted for what felt like hours as you rolled on top of her, the need to be close being too much as your fingers traced Rosemary's skin. 

Although the subject was still on your mind, you couldn't shake it. You couldn't let Rosemary think about this later tonight as you both lay in bed. 

"You won't lose me." 

Rosemary's body tensed as she looked up at you, her eyes looking for any amount of lying. 

You both knew you couldn't promise her that. Death hung over you like a sword on a thin string, but you would be damned if you didn't make sure that string lasted for as long as it could. 

Rosemary sat up and kissed you, deep and gentle, letting her words fill the room. 

"I'm holding you to that." 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARCEL!~Short Story

MARCELLUS'S BACKSTORY SPOILERS BELOW!!!

The sun glistened on the Sarno River, where ships floated aimlessly while others were anchored at port. People were all about enjoying the sunny morning, not even minding sailors ordering their men to get the nets drawn so they could get to work selling their fresh scores of fish down at the market.

 Further north, crisp hills rolled from a large mountain to the crowded city to the west. The streets were bustling as people shopped, visited relatives, and even children drew on the walls of a big arch with speckles of paint that their guardians let them buy when the merchants came into town only a few days ago.

Although people were walking down one street in the center of the city, heads turned as shouts bounced off the stone walls covered in floral motifs.

"Thief!" 

"Stop him, you fools!"

A man, or more accurately, a teen dressed in a cloak, ran down the busy street, bumping into people as he ran from city guards.

"Sorry!" The teen said this as he jumped through a fountain, splashing water on an older woman who was resting.

“Es stercus!” A man yelled, helping the woman up.

"I said sorry!" The teen yelled over his shoulder; his feet burned from the hot cobblestone marked by the sun.

Need to lose the old dogs.

Looking to his right, he smiled like a lemer and ran towards the narrow alleyway, knowing full well that the guards would not be able to follow him with the bulk of armor they torture themselves with.

  Marcel held his breath as the guards ran past the alleyway, not noticing the hunched figure of the sixteen-year-old boy.

  Letting out a chuckle, he held the bag full of his precious cargo closer to his body, making sure none of it was smashed.

  Looking up at the sun, he knew he should be getting back and quickly climbed the wall of the building next to him with the help of a few boxes and overgrown vines.

  Balancing on the roof, he leapt from house to house, gracefully and practically dancing in the warm sun.

  It only took a few minutes, and knowing the city like the back of his hand made it easier to navigate even while he was on rooftops.

  Finally arriving at his destination, he easily jumped on a balcony and swung to a tree branch hanging by until his feet hit the ground.

  "At last....home." Marcel said, looking at the old torn-down villa built with tan bricks and red pine wooden decorations that hung in the front to ward off evil spirits.

  The closer he got, the more he could hear the sounds of laughter and crying from children. Through short, wide windows, if he narrowed his eyes and focused, he could see heads of hair run past.

 Marcel let out a smirk and opened the front door.

 "Mars!" A small girl squealed and threw herself into his arms, which spined her around.

"Oh, Cassia! It's been forever since I saw you!"

  "You saw me this morning, Mars!" Cassia giggled and hung onto the taller boy.

Marcel grinned. "Did I? Well, you've grown since then!"

  Cassia blushed and stood on her tiptoes. "You really think so?"

  "Well, of course."

  "Is that Marcellus?! Oh, I have a word to pick with you."

  From down the hallway a young woman appeared with black hair all the way down to the floor in a braid and the most stunning blue eyes that seemed to distract people from her dark bags that were under them.

  "Decima! It's good to see you."

"I don't want to hear it, Marcellus." Decima spoke with narrowed eyes, then turned to Cassia.

  "Little Shurb, how about you go play outside with the twins?"

  Cassia wrinkled her small button nose. "But they always want to play Terni lapilli."

  Decima frowned. "What's wrong with Terni lapilli?"

  Cassia crossed her arms. "Nothing; they just always lose the marbles, and it takes us till sundown to find them." She pouted. 

  Marcel got down on his knees and booped her nose. "How about this? You play with your brothers, and I'll get you new marbles tomorrow."

  Cassia's eyes widened. "Shiny ones?" 

Marcel nodded, the small girl's smile being infectious. "They will be as shiny as Sol's chariot."

  Cassia nodded her little head. "Deal!" The small girl ran out of the arched, cracked doorway.

Decima sighed as she rubbed at a stain on her lavender stola.

"Marcellus, what have you done this time?"

Marcel lips pressed together, knowing full well a lecture was coming.

"Please, on Astraeus's stars, do not start pestering me, Decima. 

   "Oh, shall I not, Marcellus? If the sweat on your forehead and the dirt on your feet are any indication, you have been participating in Mercury's sinful tricks." 

   "Don't pretend that his sinful tricks do not keep us from drowning." 

Decima glared. "They may keep our heads above the tide, but for how much longer? Once the guards catch you, that's it!" She slammed her hand down on the table, and Marcel was surprised her copper wedding band on her finger didn't crack. 

  Marcel's brows furrowed. "Don't you see I am doing what I must? With Octavian gone—" Decima's eyes closed as if in pain at the mention of the name. "—we are all at risk even with our union. If we don't manage to keep up with our debt, then our ruse would have been for nothing, not to mention what Rufus would do." 

  Decima looked away, and Marcel took the older girl by the shoulders, making her look him in the eye. "You are my truest friend... I am doing what is right for all of us. For the children. For you as well." 

  Marcel and Decima stared into each other's eyes for what felt like minutes. They knew everything about the other—what stalked their dreams, what pushed them to keep going—but they never judged, for they completely trusted the other.

  Decima nodded at her friend. "May Juno be with you." 

  Marcel smiled, a little bitterly. "No gods are with me."

  Before Decima could utter a sound, Marcel walked down the hall. "Cerdis is in the children's room, I'm guessing."

  Decima called back, wiping her hands on the front of her stola. "Yes, you know he has been waiting for you." 

Happiness surged through him, suppressing the fear that was slowly creeping into his mind.

Marcel smiled and opened the door to the largest room in the very small, cracked domus where they lay their heads each night.

Candles lit the room where no windows let their light in. Two dark wooden cribs were in the corner, while there was a small bed on the other side of the room, which kept two growing children resting their heads, although there was barely any room for one child, much less two.

  Although right then there was only one child, whose hair was raven and nappy, even under the covers, anyone could see the boy was small—too small. Most considered the boy to be cursed by Asclepius and wanted him put out of his misery, although Marcel knew better.

Marcel sat on the bed, making sure not to startle the sleeping figure.

  Gently, Marcel uncovered the face of the small boy to reveal sunken eyes and paste-like skin that seemed to be coated with sweat; however, there was a small smile that played on the sleeping boy's lips.

  The older boy spoke softly. "Cerdis, it is time to wake; Sol's chariot has already passed."

  Eyes slowly opened, blinking before the little boy grinned from ear to ear; his brightness could put a smile on anyone's face.

  "Mars!" A raspy voice came from Cerdis as he sat up, wrapping his small arms around the older boy.

  Marcel softly kissed the boy on the top of the head. "Ah! Finally, you wake from your slumber." He held the raven-haired boy close. "Are you feeling blessed this morning by the gods?"

Cerdis nodded his head, looking confident. "Yes, because it is my day of birth!"

 Marcel smiled. "Yes, it's not everyday that someone survives five winters."

  Cerdis frowned. "I am still not as tall as Cassia."

  The older boy laughed. "No, but maybe with the help of Juno, you will catch up." He said it, hoping that the bitterness would be kept out of his tone.

Cerdis gave him a toothy grin. "You really think so? I won't only be older than her, but taller as well!"

Ah yes, Cassia does hold her height over Cerdis very often, although it is probably due to the fact that Cerdis was the only one who questioned her when picking games. Hmm. I wonder what Cassia will do when Cerdis comes into manhood. I'm sure Cassia will find something else to hang over the poor boy's head.

Marcel patted Cerdis's head. "Well...I have you a present."

  Cerdis shook with excitement and, with almost lightning speed, reached for Marcel's satchel but with speed was snatched back. "Now, now, Cerdis, I have a few other things in here."

  Cerdis crinkled his nose, although the comment didn't make his smile waver. "I cannot wait any longer! Please Mars! What have you brought me?"

  Without a second thought, Marcel opened the bag, minding the trinkets that were valuable, however small enough that their owners would not even notice they were gone until it was too late.

  Cerdis's eyes widened as Marcel pulled something oval-shaped and quite small into his palm and wrapped it in cloth.

The raven-haired boy smelled the sweet aroma, and his mouth watered. "Is that-?" 

  Marcel uncovered the item to reveal the room-temperature sweet bun, smashed a little on one side, which made the honey sweetness drip over until the cloth was covered with the sticky substance.

"It was no trouble." Marcel once again kissed Cerdis head.

  "A maritozzi!" Cerbis, not minding the stick, grabbed the sweet treat with full hands and took a bite. Marcel tried not to cringe at the mess on the boy's face.

  But it was quite easy, with the happiness shining through. "Mmm." 

 "I see you are quite enjoying my present."

Cerdis showed his dimples through his smile, licking his fingers. "Thank you, Mars!"

Marcel smiled in a moment of weakness, asking the gods to bless his little brother with many more winters.

Happen to see this on another post.

NSFW

What would the ROs do if suddenly, MC has been hit by a spell or curse that led to them feeling an intense bout of pleasure if the person they like calls their name? If it's a last name, then it's enough to leave a spark of pleasure - but using the first name just leads to an instant org*sm. This is, of course, temporary but I'm curious how the ROs would deal with this.

I am guessing this is after they all find out that the MC isn't in any danger, and you are okay with them using this curse to their advantage. 

💛 Marcel 

Marcel would use it to assist, his voice softly calling your name as he touched your body. He wanted you to feel all the pleasure you could and wanted your body to uncoil in front of him however you needed to. He let you direct him, reading your body and helping you get what you needed. 

🧡 Margaret 

Margaret would blush furiously. She would not know what to do. One look in her eyes, and you can tell she has so many questions on her mind, as she hovered around you like a bee to a flower. Not wanting to overstep but seeming to want to test this new power of hers. 

"So…." She said, her voice hoarse with arousal and her face red as a tomato. 

❤️ Owen

Owen doesn't waste a second before pulling you into his lap, calling your name like a chant, wanting to build you up before pulling back. He isn't good with words, but this he can do as he praises you, letting the pressure roll off you in waves before giving you a sweet treat. Then he will do it all over again. 

💙 Rosemary

She would be the worst when using the name. Rosie would yell it across the apartment for the simplest things. Asking you to hand her something or what you thought about mundane things. Anything to tease you without actually teasing you. Your name was always being said in a low voice, wanting to watch you crack until she could give you the attention you desired. 

🩵 Tai

Tai will be flustered, but he was trying to hide it. His voice muffled in your neck as he said your name in a breathy moan. His face was flushed with pleasure, but he would push through it, studying your body and saying your name. With him, you don't need to beg; he would want to see your pleasure build up with just your name. He would want to see how quickly it all would be over before asking if you wanted to do it again. 

💚 Zane

I hope whoever cursed you did it by accident; if not, then Zane is going hunting. LOL. He will say it once, watching the pleasure hit you like a wave, before smirking. 

"Oh no, this won't do at all." 

He would back you against the wall; his mouth wouldn't say another word as his teeth touched your sensuous flesh. He would see this curse as a challenge. He didn't need magic to please you. Not when you had him. He wouldn't utter your name, even when you begged for whatever release it needed. 

I hope you don't mind NSFW ask now. If not, feel free to just ignore this one.

After MC and their RO had some long and intense sex, MC sits up and goes "great warm up, now let's do it for real" to tease them, but if the RO doesn't notice mc was just teasing at first, how would the ROs react?

💛 Marcel

Marcel would be surprised and sit up to look at the MC, wanting to see the sincerity in the MC's eyes, which was hard in the darkened room.

"Again, my love?" Marcel shook his head, his body aching for rest. "While I admire your stamina, I am quite tired. How about I run a relaxing bath for us to enjoy together?"

Marcel would try to coax the MC into a more relaxing activity while still being able to spend time with them. Even though they can't go another round, it doesn't mean they want the night to end.

🧡 Margaret

Margaret's eyes would widen in surprise. "You can go… again? How? Is it normal for me to be so tired?" Margaret is very new to relationships, especially the sexual aspect, so she would not even question that the MC wants to go again. Although she knew her body needed rest so with an apologetic smile, she would ask if they could save it for tomorrow. 

❤️ Owen

"Are you part rabbit?" Owen asked, looking at MC with a suspicious look. 

While Owen was a little put out that he didn't completely wear the MC out, he would be turned on that the MC had a very high sex drive. 

"Give me a few minutes, and we will get right back to it." He kissed the MC, pushing the hair out of their eyes and kissing their forehead. 

"You're going to be the death of me," Owen said, kissing MC's forehead. MC was able to feel the chuckle vibrating through his chest, and he didn't sound that upset about it. 

💙 Rosemary

Rosemary would raise an eyebrow, her body melting into the bed as she pulled MC close. 

She would be the most suspicious; she was very good at her job, and for MC not to drift off to sleep was a miracle in his writing. 

"I can get behind you being so jazzed; I think I am done for the night, Dollface/Angelface/Handsome." 

Rosemary purred in the MC's ear. "But if you want to do all the work, I wouldn't mind watching." 

🩵 Tai

Tai, like always, felt the need to sleep, which called him like a siren, and for once he was able to feel his eyes close. The exhaustion of letting go now that you were with him and his mind went blank. 

But for once, he found that he was fighting to keep his eyes open, ignoring his muscles. 

"You want to go again?" Tai would look MC over, he supposed it was possible. You weren't exactly human, but to still have that energy was mind-blowing to him. 

Depending on how the MC acts, will determine how he will respond. 

Shy! MC 

Tai gives them a bewildered look before his eyes soften, and he kisses them. "You are full of surprises. How about tomorrow after some well-deserved rest." 

Flirty! MC 

Tai's eyes narrowed as he looked the MC over. "You aren't tired? How- You know what… I'm not going to even ask." Tai just pulled the MC closer. "You have worn me out. Now go to sleep so I can catch up on some well-deserved sleep. I need all the rest to put up with you." Tai whispered in your ear, there was no bite behind his comment. 

💚 Zane

LOL. I honestly find this unlikely, just because Zane prides himself on his stamina in the bedroom.

Zane's eyes widened in pure disbelief before another look crossed their faces.

Determination.

Zane wasn't going to admit that he was exhausted. There was no way in the six hells that MC was going to have more stamina than him.

With as much energy as Zane could muster, he pinned MC to the bed.

"I'm just getting started."

He would take it as a challenge, push through for another round, and then wake up late.

How would the ROs react if they're just going about their day and just find the MC sleeping in the weirdest spot/location? (For example when I was younger my mom used to find me asleep in my grandmama's flowerbed, on the lower shelf in the garage, in cabinets, etc.)

When I was younger, I would sleep under my grandmother's table. LOL. I am guessing this is after the ROs know this is just a little quirk about the MC and that the MC is falling asleep in safe places. 

💛 Marcel

Marcel found it endearing. Every time he would find the MC in the most random places around the house, he would smile, putting a blanket over them. 

🧡 Margaret 

Margaret would find it cute and a little odd, but when she spotted MC on the floor, she would tip-toe around them, not wanting to disturb MC's sleeping figure. 

❤️ Owen

Owen would find it a little odd but just shrug, picking the MC up and bringing them to a comfortable bed. 

💙 Rosemary

Rosemary would always wake the MC and coax them into bed. Where they are sleeping could not be comfortable. 

🩵 Tai

Tai would sigh; that was bad for the MC's back. They should be in bed, not on the floor or where else they find themselves. Tai would wake MC up and order them to get into bed.

💚 Zane 

LOL. Depending on his mood, either Zane will leave MC wherever they are, unbothered (then go lay out on the bed), or they will curl up with MC on the floor.

Hi, love the demo so far, very interesting and can’t wait for more. I was just curious if there was a reason all the ROs (except maybe Owen and Zain) and the MC are like 20 or 21? It just seems really young so I was curious? /lh

Thank you for reading and the ask. To answer your question, for your MC, it is a timeline thing. The lore of your family is very vast, and I decided that it would be easier to pick a set age. I wanted to do the early 20s because that is the age when the MC's powers start to show in the lore.

Zane's age was supposed always to be five years your senior in the timeline.

I have multiple reasons I made the ROs in their early 20s. First, it is closer to the MC's age, which I feel makes more sense and flows better. Second, in some of the RO's storylines, dying so young is a pivotal point in a lot of their angst and finding life after death with the MC.

Owen is older because it fits better with his backstory.