" Sorry, I Thought I Saw You Doing Something Suspicious. " @valkyrd

" sorry, i thought i saw you doing something suspicious. " — @valkyrd

the scent of dust & old books fill his scents, his posture tense as he rifles through shelves desperately. it's clear rhysand doesn't know exactly what he's looking for, couldn't even dare to ask for help — anything, that could give him answers: how to save feyre, how to save the babe. death looms over his shoulders, nearing closer & closer as her stomach swells. for once, he's rendered absolutely helpless. every healer has given him the same answers, & every time he had to try his hardest not to completely shatter in their midst.

all he has left is to search old texts — however few & far between they are. which lead him here, barely holding himself together, a swirl of shadows subconsciously looming around his figure as to spare the priestesses from seeing him like this. it's only his search hits a wall that the fog falters, hand running through his hair, so lost in his own thoughts that he hadn't even noticed gwyn there. with an inhale, rhysand's gaze softens, head dipping down in greeting. he can be on edge anywhere else, but here ... here, he'll regain his composure, lips flickering into a polite smile that doesn't quite meet his eyes. " ah, not to worry. feyre has me searching for a romance novel, embarrassingly enough. perhaps you have some recommendations? " he'll admit: not his best lie.

Bilal Al-Shams, Sacrifice

" isn't it? we are just playing her game, aren't we? " another raise of his shoulders, as if he doesn't burn under the fire that is her stare, full of pure contempt & disdain. he's well aware of the consequences of this game he now plays with her, more than feyre even realizes: that she is now their only hope, even if rhysand knows his odds of making it out alive after all of this is over are slim to none, at least she has a shot of saving everyone else. a real shot, even if he has to play some games of his own to ensure it. if he must act a monster to save those under amarantha's control, his court, his family, he will. so, the real answer dangles between sensuous lips, offering her only a wink. " you seemed desperate enough. " he says coolly, stars freckling his gaze, burning bright & dying out just as fast as they'd appear. " and you put on quite the show, feyre darling — ah, you should've seen their faces as i collected my gold marks ... " irises roll to the stone above, lips twitch at the thought: high & low fae alike in pure disbelief, pouting. his eyes return to meet hers, a humorless laugh. " you're as scrappy as you look, so it seems. "

i don't try to hide my disdain, as my eyes harden and pierce him with a devastating glare. it takes every ounce of strength and self discipline i have left, not to wither away under his proprietary gaze. sick and degenerative bastard. imagining a chance to wipe that smug look off his face and tear the wings from his back is the only thought that offers any momentary reprieve. pure contempt hangs from my lips, " this isn't a game. " was it truly all just some hideous excuse for entertainment to him? i was so tired of playing -- it was frighteningly evident that i was gravely outmatched. every second brought me closer and closer to forfeiting completely -- i wasn't sure how much longer i'd be able to compete in this twisted and horrible sport. exhaustion wore at me exponentially, every bone aching and mind fatigued. the pain, the constant humiliation -- there was only so much i could continue to block out. anger -- towards rhysand and the world, is all that settles me. so i try something else, another question i still didn't understand -- " why did you bet on me? " so pathetically earnest, i needed to know. " how did you know i would survive? "

🐝  *  ―  𝑷𝑶𝑺𝑰𝑻𝑰𝑽𝑰𝑻𝒀 𝑻𝑹𝑨𝑰𝑵.  reblog this post and give the person you reblogged it from a small compliment in the tags.  just something sweet and simple that’ll hopefully bring a smile to their face.

𝑺𝑬𝑨𝑳𝑬𝑫 𝑾𝑰𝑻𝑯 𝑨 𝑳𝑬𝑨𝑫 𝑲𝑰𝑺𝑺 .    (   sentence  starters  originating  from  season  one  of  syfy’s  ‘ wynonna earp ’  .   adjust  pronouns  as  necessary ,  heavy  warning  for  mature  themes !   )

❛  don’t  go  out  there .  ❜ ❛  pretty  AND  smart .  we’re  gonna  get  along  just  fine .  ❜ ❛  if  you  hurt  her  i’ll  kill  you !  ❜ ❛  what  are  you  doing  here ?  ❜ ❛  you’re  late .  as  usual .  ❜ ❛  you’re  in  this  with  me  now ,  [ name ] .  ❜ ❛  no  one  else  is  gonna  save  you .  ❜ ❛  why  don’t  you  slip  into  something  more  comfy ,  huh ?  like  a  COMA !  ❜ ❛  i’m  gonna  put  you  in  the  ground  like  it’s  my  job .  ❜ ❛  you’re  following  me ?  ❜ ❛  i  noticed  you  already  ‘ borrowed ’  all of my whiskey .  ❜ ❛  you’re  supposed  to  be  normal  -  you’re  supposed  to  be  SAFE !  ❜ ❛  of  all  the  things  i’ve  ever  wanted  to  call  you ?  you’re  such  a  coward .  ❜ ❛  wanna  know  how  batshit  i  am ?  nobody  shoots  my  family  but  me .  ❜ ❛  you  stupid ,  crazy  bitch .  ❜ ❛  you’re  really  staying ,  this  time ,  aren’t  you ?  ❜ ❛  this  is  BLACKMAIL ,  you  dick !  ❜ ❛  how  dare  you !  ❜ ❛  you  owe  me  dinner .  i’ll  settle  for  tacos !    ❜ ❛  it  seems  i  have  settled  among  a  commune  of  artists .  ❜ ❛  how  about  smiling ,  huh ?  you  ever  do  that ?  ❜ ❛  well ,  i  like  attention .  i  always  have .  ❜ ❛  you  ain’t  one  of  us . ❜ ❛  i’ve  been  meaning  to  introduce  myself ,  i’m  [ name ] .  ❜ ❛  when  i  see  something  i  like ,  i  don’t  wanna  wait . ❜ ❛  good  thing  you’re  not  some  guy ,  right ,  or  this  would  be  really ,  really  awkward  …  ❜ ❛  you  don’t  have  to  be  nice  to  everybody . ❜ ❛  i  would  remember  a  face  like  yours . ❜ ❛  i’m  an  excellent  judge  of  character .  ❜ ❛  you’re  so  not  my  type .  ❜ ❛  darlin’ ,  i’m  everybody’s  type . ❜ ❛  the  dead  don’t  get  a  vote . ❜ ❛  pfft ,  rookie  mistake .  ❜ ❛  god ,  that’s  super  weird  -  what’s  going  on ?  ❜ ❛  you  need  to  hide .  ❜ ❛  run !  i’ll  hold  them  off . ❜ ❛  i  am  sorry ,  [ name ] ,  but  it’s  you  or  me . ❜ ❛  you’re  a  good  man !  you’ve  got  a  code ! ❜ ❛  you  don’t  wanna  do  this !  ❜ ❛  you  have  no  idea  what  i  want .  ❜ ❛  buy  me  a  round ,  [ name ] ?  ❜ ❛  seems  like  you’re  just  my  type .  ❜ ❛  we  can’t  all  settle  down  with  our  high-school  sweethearts .  ❜ ❛  welcome  to  team  ‘ shut  up  and  do  what  he  says ’ .  sometimes ,  we  get  donuts . ❜ ❛  you  should  be  doing  this .  you  were  meant  to .  ❜ ❛  deal  with  that  …  or i will .  ❜ ❛  we  didn’t  trust  each  other  …  and  now  look  what  i’ve  done .  ❜ ❛  you  do  not  know  what  i  am .  ❜ ❛  you’re  supposed  to  be  a  hero .  ❜ ❛  pull  your  head  out  of  the  past .  ❜ ❛  the  hell  took  you  so  long ?  ❜ ❛  this  is  what  our  victories  might  have  to  look  like .  ❜ ❛  with  all  the  shit  i’ve  done  in  my  life  …  working  with  you ?  i  don’t  think  i  can  look  in  the  mirror .  ❜ ❛  look ,  if  you’re  about  to  propose  a  threesome ,  i’m  tired  &  i  haven’t  shaved  my  legs .  ❜ ❛  this  just  doesn’t  make  sense  to  me .  ❜ ❛  goddamn ,  it’s  you .  ❜ ❛  the  problem  with  this  criminal  thing ,  is  it’s  kinda  fun .  ❜ ❛  i  can’t  live  like  this ,  not  anymore .  ❜ ❛  don’t  get  your  hopes  up ,  we  don’t  know  what  we’re  gonna  find .  ❜ ❛  it  wasn’t  my  idea  to  do  this .  ❜ ❛  this  is  the  only  way  to  sanctuary .  ❜ ❛  you  just  could  never  help  yourself .  ❜ ❛  vengeance  is  hollow ,  [ name ] .  it  isn’t  worth  a  thing .  ❜ ❛  you’re  not  a  monster .  ❜ ❛  i  need  rules .  a  code .  otherwise  i’ll  end  up  just  like  you .  ❜ ❛  stop  kidding  yourself ,  [ name ] ,  you  are  exactly  like  me .  ❜ ❛  i  sympathize  with  your  predicament .  ❜ ❛  leave  if  you  want .   go  get  …  dead .  ❜ ❛  only  one  death  scares  me ,  &  it  didn’t  take .  ❜ ❛  ugh ,  ever  heard  of  manscaping ?  ❜ ❛  come  on ,  he  is  just  …  so  beneath  you .  ❜ ❛  what’s  up ,  [ name ] ?  i  never  see  you .  ❜ ❛  i’m  the  one  with  the  vendetta ,  why  are  you  gunning  so  hard ?  ❜ ❛  we ?  there’s  no  ‘ we ’ .  ❜ ❛  why  should  i  help  you ?  ❜ ❛  you  think  an  $8  bottle  of  pinot  will  make  me  listen ?  ❜ ❛  i  never  liked  you ,  you  know ?  ❜ ❛  am  i  in  danger ?  ❜ ❛  back  then ,  you  lived  &  died  by  what  the  seasons  gave  you .  ❜ ❛  shut  up  and  help  me .  ❜ ❛  can’t  we  just  enjoy  the  moment  for  once ?  ❜ ❛  [ name ] ,  now  is  not  a  good  time .  ❜ ❛  happiness  is  a  myth .  ❜ ❛  would  you  like  some  company ?  ❜ ❛  it’s  gonna  be  a  long  night ,   might  as  well  make  it  fun .  ❜ ❛  you’ve  done  your  worst .  ❜ ❛  how  many  tiny  pillows  does  one  girl  need ?  ❜ ❛  hold  on  a  second ,  i  want  to  record  this  so  i  can  replay  it  to  you  when  you’re  being  a  dick .  ❜ ❛  you  being  here  is  definitely  not  selling  ‘normal’ .  ❜ ❛  there’s  been  a  change  of  plans ,  i  need  to  go  away  for  awhile .  ❜ ❛  this  is  supremely  cryptic ,  even  for  you .  ❜ ❛  say  ‘pomegranate’  if  someone’s  got  a  gun  on  you .  ❜ ❛  this  doesn’t  seem  healthy ,  [ name ] .  ❜ ❛  i  don’t  really  care  where  we  are ,  as  long  as  we’re  all  together .  ❜ ❛  are  you  sure  you’re  okay ?  ❜ ❛  don’t  be  cross ,  i’ve  got  wood .  ❜ ❛  your  ass  is  like  …  top  shelf .  ❜ ❛  dude ,  you’re  like  a  walking  bumper  sticker .  ❜ ❛  is  this  strip  poker ?  i’m  not  shy …  ❜ ❛  this  kind  of  wound  won’t  heal ,  i’m  dead  already .  ❜ ❛  you  save  your  vendetta  for  another  night .  ❜ ❛  you  suck  at  your  job .  ❜ ❛  don’t  shoot  me ,  [ name ] .  ❜ ❛  honestly ,  [ name ] ,  you’ve  gotten  so  weird .  ❜ ❛  that  is  NOT  sexy !  ❜ ❛  nobody  keeps  booze  in  here ,  [ name ] .  ❜ ❛  i  think  somebody’s  trying  to  scare  you  …  toy  with  you .  why ?!  ❜ ❛  you  of  all  people  should  know  better  than  to  try  and  make  me  question  my  sanity .  ❜ ❛  what  do  you  MEAN  you  killed  a  stripper ?  ❜ ❛  in  my  experience ,  dynamite  solves  all  manner  of  problems .  ❜ ❛  haven’t  you  read  a  romance  novel  lately ?  heroes  always  win .  ❜ ❛  oh ,  you  want  to  be  a  hero ?  ❜ ❛  wanna  tell  me  what  that  was  about ?  ❜ ❛  that  was  really  brave .  stupid ,  but  brave .  ❜ ❛  i  have  something  i  need  to  say .  ❜ ❛  i’m  starting  to  think  sanity’s  overrated .  ❜ ❛  i  understand  if  you  hate  me .  ❜ ❛  you’re  always ,  ALWAYS  lying .  ❜ ❛  we  should  get  some  breakfast ,  i  could  murder  a  stack  of  pancakes .  ❜ ❛  you  should  know  by  now ,  i’m  not  most  people .  ❜ ❛  well ,  you  learn  something  new  every  day .  ❜ ❛  hey ,  no ,  you’re  okay .  lay  back .  ❜ ❛  [ name ] ,  i  need  you  to  listen  to  me .  ❜ ❛  okay ,  [ name ] ,  we’re  in  serious  shit  here .  ❜ ❛  park  your  daddy  issues .  ❜ ❛  i’m  not  like  you ,  [ name ] .  i’m  not  brave .  ❜ ❛  what  was  the  last  thing  you  saw ?  ❜ ❛  close  your  eyes ,  take  a  deep  breath  in .  ❜ ❛  look  at  who  the  cat  dragged  in .  ❜ ❛  cut  the  bullshit .  i  know  who  you  are .  ❜ ❛  you  use  humor  as  a  form  of  self - defense .  ❜ ❛  answer  my  questions  without  any  more  guff .  ❜ ❛  what  is  it  with  psycho’s  and  talking  in  the  third  person ?  ❜ ❛  you’re  not  really  in  the  position  to  do  any  bargaining ,  are  you ?  ❜ ❛  you  do  look  like  you  can  handle  yourself .  ❜ ❛  you  want  my  help ?  you  need  to  earn  it .  ❜ ❛  i  guess  [ name ]  wants  you  alive  for  something .  ❜ ❛  we  should  make  it  look  real .  ❜ ❛  you  know  how  to  make  someone  show  you  where  something  precious  is  hidden ?  set  fire  to  their  house .  it’s  the  first  thing  they  go  for .  ❜ ❛  don’t  be  irrational ,  [ name ] .  ❜ ❛  you  served  your  purpose ,  and  now  you  are  released .  ❜ ❛  i’ve  had  a  lot  of  names ,  but  you  can  call  me  [ name ] .  ❜ ❛  you  weren’t  leaving  without  me ,  were  you ?  ❜ ❛  never  touch  my  stuff .  ❜ ❛  you’re  the  sickest  puppy  in  the  litter .  ❜ ❛  you  were  dead  …  and  now  you  are  not .  ❜ ❛  oh ,  aren’t  you  the  master  of  deception ?  ❜ ❛  let’s  not  kid  ourselves ,  you’re  not  going  to  survive  this .  ❜ ❛  [ name ] ,  i  always  hoped  that  i  would  have  this  pleasure .  ❜ ❛  if  you  stand  for  nothing ,  you  are  sure  to  fall .  ❜ ❛  you  do  what  you  do  best ,  [ name ] ,  you  fight .  ❜ ❛  you’re  just  like  me .  you’re  broken .  ❜ ❛  i’m  not  lonesome ,  i  just  prefer  to  hunt  alone .  ❜ ❛  you  have  to  let  go  sometime ,  [ name ] .  ❜ ❛  you  continue  to  disappoint  me .  ❜ ❛  let  me  make  it  up  to  you .  ❜ ❛  i  thought  i’d  feel  different .  i  thought  i’d  look  different .  ❜ ❛  you  release  the  rage ,  you  might  find  there’s  nothing  left .  ❜ ❛  woah ,  wow ,  this  is  not  what  i  expected  the  cat  to  drag  in .  ❜ ❛  for  the  first  time  in  ages ,  i  woke  up  and  knew  exactly  what  i  needed  to  do .  ❜ ❛  you  can  try ,  but  i  dare  you  to  cockblock  the  drive  i  woke  up  with  this  morning .  ❜ ❛  i’ll  sleep  when  i’m  dead .  ❜ ❛  you’re  not  alone ,   [ name ] .  ❜ ❛  just  once  i  want  you  to  say  it .  that  you  care  about  me .  ❜ ❛  someone  woke  up  on  the  wrong  side  of  the  bed .  ❜ ❛  why  do  i  even  get  out  of  bed ?  ❜ ❛  i  lost  you  once ,  i  won’t  let  that  happen  again .  ❜ ❛  [ name ] ,  you  are  shakin’  like  a  leaf .  ❜ ❛  jesus ,  listen  to  me .  maybe  i  am  crazy .  ❜ ❛  i’m  not  sure  this  is  the  best  idea .  ❜ ❛  you’re  the  one  who  told  me  i  should  blow  off  steam .  ❜ ❛  i’m  not  crazy ,  right ?  there’s  something  going  on  here .  ❜ ❛  you’re  making  fun  of  me  …  ❜ ❛  get  in  the  car .  ❜ ❛  could  everybody  just  stand  still  for  one  freakin’  minute ?!  ❜ ❛  it’s  gonna  be  okay .  ❜ ❛  i  just  screamed  at  you ,  you  shouldn’t  be  nice  to  me .  ❜ ❛  we’re  not  dating .  ❜ ❛  i  would  never  ask  you  to  be  someone  you’re  not .  ❜ ❛  yeah ,  sure ,  [ name ] ,  whatever  you  want .  ❜ ❛  [ name ] ,  what  kind  of  a  mess  have  you  got  yourself  into  now ?  ❜ ❛  if  you  shoot ,  this  all  goes  to  shit .  ❜ ❛  your  poker  face  is  pitiful .  ❜ ❛  sorry ,  no  speak  evil .  ❜ ❛  who  won’t  you  make  a  deal  with ,  huh ?  ❜ ❛  you  can  judge  me  all  you  want .  what  do  i  care  for  some  broken  woman’s  opinion  of  my  character ?  ❜ ❛  you  can  talk  all  you  want .  they’ll  be  your  last  words ,  anyways .  ❜ ❛  this  whole  time  you’ve  thought  this  was  personal .  ❜ ❛  you  shut  your  lying  mouth .  ❜ ❛  what  happened  to  being  friends ?  ❜ ❛  it’s  not  so  easy  to  be  brazen  when  the  thing  that  you  want ,  that  scares  you  to  death ,  is  sitting  right  in  front  of  you .  ❜ ❛  i  scare  you ?  ❜ ❛  when  i  think  about  what  i  wanna  do  most  in  this  world ,  it’s  you .  ❜ ❛  jump  in  anytime ,  [ name ] ,  because  i  really  don’t  know  how  to  do  this .  ❜ ❛  maybe  you  should  make  me .  ❜ ❛  i  owe  you  a  heap  of  thanks .  and  my  life .  ❜ ❛  can  i  at  least  buy  you  a  drink ?  ❜ ❛  aw ,  [ name ] ,  you  really  do  care .  ❜ ❛  it’s  worth  dying  to  see  the  look  on  your  face .  ❜ ❛  men  are  all  the  same .  even  the  demonic  ones .  ❜ ❛  [ name ] ,  calm  your  tits .  have  a  drink .  ❜ ❛  do  me  a  goddamn  favor  and  refrain  from  mentioning  that  name .  ❜ ❛  i  think  you  would  be  very  pretty  in  blue .  ❜ ❛  everybody  knows .  about  us .  the  sex .  ❜ ❛  you  tracked  me ?  ❜ ❛  what  are  you  doing  here ,  [ name ] ?  ❜ ❛  if  you’re  keeping  things  from  me ,  IMPORTANT  things  …  ❜ ❛  don’t  get  all  hard  &  forget  that  you’re  human .  ❜ ❛  sun’s  starting  to  go  down ,  we  should  head  back .  ❜ ❛  i  feel  a  real  connection  with  you ,  [ name ] .  ❜ ❛  i  do  hate  goodbyes .  ❜ ❛  look ,  we  need  you ,  okay ?  ❜ ❛  can’t  you  at  least  try ?  ❜ ❛  we  can’t  tell  anyone .  not  until  we  know  for  sure .  ❜ ❛  i  don’t  want  to  be  rude ,  but  i  don’t  know  any  of  you  …  or  what’s  happening .  ❜ ❛  i  don’t  drink .  ❜ ❛  what  kind  of  people  give  a  kid  a  switchblade ?  ❜ ❛  this  is  your  home ,  [ name ] .  ❜ ❛  how  can  you  think  this  is  funny ?  ❜ ❛  i’ve  been  crazy ,  didn’t  care  for  it .  ❜ ❛  i’ve  been  told  i  have  character .  ❜ ❛  are  you  scared  of  me ?  ❜ ❛  i  need  to  start  drinking  less  …  or  much ,  much  more .  ❜ ❛  how  in  the  hell  did  you  get  this ?  ❜ ❛  i  lost  control .  i  was  angry  at  everything  …  at  everyone .  ❜ ❛  you  promised  to  never  tell  anyone  that .  ❜ ❛  it’s  always  been  you  and  i .  ❜ ❛  it  can  be  like  it  always  was  …  and  different ,  too .  in  all  the  right  ways .  ❜ ❛  you’re  not  alone  anymore .  ❜ ❛  i  think  i  got  a  little  bit  shot  …  ❜ ❛  i  need  you  to  tell  me  everything  you  know  about  [ name ] .  ❜ ❛  i  thought  i  was  doing  what  you  asked !  ❜ ❛  whatever  you’ve  got  planned ,  i’m  game .  ❜ ❛  now  there’s  a  sight  for  sore  eyes .  ❜ ❛  i  don’t  wanna  hurt  you .  ❜ ❛  why  aren’t  you  more  freaked  out ?  ❜ ❛  if  there’s  one  thing  i’ve  learned  this  year ,  it’s  that  ‘good’  is  a  moving  target .  ❜ ❛  what  are  you  gonna  do  about  it ?  tell  on  me ?  ❜ ❛  who  the  hell  are  you ?  ❜ ❛  you  took  it  from  me ?  ❜ ❛  nobody’s  getting  hurt  on  my  watch .  ❜ ❛  when  are  you  gonna  take  responsibility  for  all  that  you’ve  done ?  ❜ ❛  i’m  running  out  of  goddamn  time .  ❜ ❛  this  isn’t  over .  i’m  coming  for  you .  ❜ ❛  now  you  know  how  it  feels  when  people  take  your  things .  ❜ ❛  i  know  that  you’re  scared ,  so  am  i .  ❜ ❛  are  you  sure  you’re  up  for  this ?  ❜ ❛  you  might  want  to  stand  back .  ❜ ❛  you  went  wrong .  ❜ ❛  this  one’s  gonna  hurt .  ❜ ❛  i’m  ready  for  anything .  ❜

#𝑹𝑯𝒀𝑺𝑰𝑬 ─ selective + private writing account for 𝒓𝒉𝒚𝒔𝒂𝒏𝒅, from a court of thorns and roses. 21+ only. ( 𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁. ) plot driven & iconless. written by moose ( they/them, 24, cst. ) currently reading: house of earth & blood. sideblog. prompts.