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✧ Choromatsu - By The Pool Side

𝘔𝘢𝘧𝘪𝘢!𝘊𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘴𝘶 𝘟 𝘚𝘩𝘺!𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳

"[Y/N]?"

Choromatsu's voice rang softly through the air, catching your attention. You were stood nervously at the door to his back garden, unsure if you could really bring yourself to step out of the shadows.

"Aren't you going to come outside?" He raised a brow at you, moving the book that he was reading away from his face. There was a chair waiting for you right beside his for you both to lounge on by the pool, yet you weren't even stepping out of the door.

He was no mind-reader, but he had a feeling that you were just nervous. He wasn't sure why, since you had been dating for a while now. Maybe he would have to coax you out gently in order to figure out the problem.

He lifted a hand in your direction, the corners of his mouth lifting into a light smile as his eyes caught yours, waiting patiently for you to come to him.

You glanced down at yourself, taking a deep breath. You could do this. There wasn't anything to be afraid of, right? It was normal to wear this when you're going to a pool, right? Right! There was nothing wrong with it!

Slowly, you stepped out of the doorway, blinking as the sunlight hit your face so suddenly. You kept your gaze averted to the tiled flooring, walking carefully over to Choromatsu and taking his hand, your fingers slotting perfectly between his.

At first, the man didn't say anything. His eyes were raking over your body, taking in the sight before him. You looked gorgeous.

There you were, wearing a one-piece bathing suit, in his colour, that wrapped tightly around your body. The upper curves of your chest were peeking out of the material teasingly, making Choromatsu lick his dry lips quickly. Trailing downwards, he could see the sides of your stomach were on display, and a little further, your lower regions seemed to sit a little too tightly on the suit, stretching every time you shifted around.

You looked too delicious for him to handle.

"D-Does it look... weird?" You mumbled anxiously, taking his silence as a bad thing. Immediately, Choromatsu shook his head.

"No, no, darling! Quite the opposite, actually.." he breathed, a dreamy tone in his voice. He had always thought you looked beautiful, but there was something about how hot your body looked, contrasting with your shy and apprehensive nature that just really turned him on.

Was this a dream? Well, he always felt like he was dreaming when he was with you. You were too good for a Yakuza member such as himself.

Choromatsu tugged on your hand, taking a hold of your waist and settling you down on his lap. The feeling of your bare thighs against the sides of his waist made his loins heat up rather quickly.

"Were you nervous to wear this?" He asked first, rubbing his thumbs soothingly against your hips. Your cheeks burned in embarrassment, hands trembling as they rested on his shoulders.

"I didn't want to disappoint you, or anything..." you began quietly.

"Disappoint me? How would you ever be able to do that, love?" He tilted his head, a few strands of his slicked back hair falling across his forehead.

"I-I mean, you're a part of the Yakuza, so I thought... I thought your expectations would be high, or something?" The reasoning was stupid, you knew that more than anyone, but it was still a worry of yours nonetheless.

A puff of laughter came from your boyfriend, and he brought your body closer.

"You should know that I don't have high expectations for anyone. And especially not for you," he reminded you. "I fell for the lamb that you are, [Y/N]. You don't need to change yourself to impress me; your perfect already. For example..."

You felt his calloused hands travel from your hips down to your ass, cupping you through the material of your bathing suit, fingers tracing the small amount of flesh around the ends of the suit. You tensed, cheeks reddening further at the feeling.

"I love how you fit onto my lap so nicely, straddling me like this," he grinned mischievously, eyes searching your face for every reaction. He then moved to your thighs, gripping the meaty flesh on the inside, close to your heated core.

"And your thighs... I love how you wrap them around my head when I'm eating you out-"

"Ch-Choromatsu!" You squealed, burying your face into your hands.

"But it's true! I really, really, love it." He leaned up to your ear, murmuring against your skin. You shuddered as his lips barely brushed over the sensitive flesh of your neck.

"Did you know? How hard it was to control myself as soon as you stepped out, wearing this scandalous thing..." he tugged at the neck of your suit, exposing the top half of your breasts completely.

"Can you feel how hard I'm getting right now, darling?" Choromatsu bucked his hips upwards, grinding his hard on into your pussy. You whimpered, biting your lip. He felt so hard.

"I think I need to hear more than that."

He held the back of your head, pulling lightly on your hair as he pushed you forward to meet his lips, moving eagerly against them as his other hand moved to fondle your tits. He bucked into you again, more throughly this time, and you feared that you would end up soaking your new bathing suit.

You pulled away from him with a gasp for air as you felt his fingers begin to move the fabric away from your entrance.

"N-No! Not here! We're outside!" You panicked, whipping your head around the garden for any figures that may be watching. Choromatsu hummed, amused.

"Who's house is this again?" He held you firmly in place, his Cheshire-like grin and mischievous eyes never once leaving your face.

"No one is here except for us. We're completely alone, [Y/N]. Which makes things a lot easier."

With swift movements, he pulled down his trunks just enough for his hardened cock to spring free, and with deft fingers, he moved aside the garment and rubbed against your wetness.

You moaned loudly, only to cover your mouth to muffle the noises.

"You're really enjoying this aren't you? Already this wet for me." He smirked as you moved your head away from his teasing gaze, thighs trembling with need and want.

"Ah, you're so cute, babydoll!" He whined with a froggish smile, heart jolting from the adorable display. However, it was quickly replaced with pure lust as he lifted you up just enough for the head of his dick to tease your soaked entrance, already feeling it dripping down his length.

You braced yourself, holding onto his shoulders once more for support as your eyes glanced around again, still unsure. Choromatsu called to you, connecting your gaze.

"Just focus on me."

With that, he sank your body down onto him, watching as you shut your eyes in blissful pleasure. He fit so nicely inside of you, filling and stretching your insides, twitching and pulsing with every shift of your hips. Your walls instantly clamped around him, your body demanding more.

Choromatsu began to guide your hips up and down over his cock until you got used to the rhythm, steadily bouncing your thighs off of his in order to chase the waves of pleasure that rolled up your back and through your body every time he pushed back into you, hitting your g-spot over and over again until you saw stars.

Your tongue was lolling out of your mouth, panting and moaning loudly without a care now. You couldn't even say Choromatsu's name anymore, the word coming out as a stuttering mess of incoherent words.

Choromatsu watched you rode him, his stronger hands holding your hips so tight that there were sure to be bruises tomorrow. He grit his teeth, deep groans rumbling through his chest as he felt his release coming nearer.

He felt you were close, too, with the way the walls of your pussy began to tighten further around him. You buried your face into the crook of his neck, allowing Choromatsu access to your own, nipping and sucking away at the sensitive flesh under your jaw and the junction between your neck and shoulder.

With one final bite to your skin and a hard thrust into you, you spilled over the edge, coming over his pulsing cock with a lewd moan of his name. The man continued to pound into you before coming inside you, pumping large spurts of seed into your pussy until it dribbled down your thighs, making them slick with both of your come.

You allowed your body to relax on top of his chest, wrapping your shaking arms around his neck, the both of you still breathing heavily. Choromatsu held you just as tightly, peppering light kisses against the deep purple makes beginning to form across your skin.

Eventually, he would gather your hazy form into his arms, taking you inside to clean up. And maybe have another taste before allowing you some proper rest.

Ichimatsu - Gamble

𝘊𝘢𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘰!𝘐𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘴𝘶 𝘟 𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳

'Was it really a good idea for me to come here?'

That was the only thought that ran through your mind as you stood nervously inside the buzzing Casino beside your friends, who were gushing in awe at your surroundings.

Your eyes darted nervously from person to person, table to table, ceiling to floor. Anything to keep you distracted from the absurdly large amount of butterflies fluttering in your stomach.

"Look, you guys!" Homura gasped, catching your attention. She directed your gaze upwards, towards the upper floor of the Casino. Just behind the glass balcony stood six figures, all dressed extremely wealthy (or extravagantly, in some cases) with styled hair. Their identical gazes were directed downwards onto the mass of people below them, watching carefully.

"The Matsuno sextuplets! I told you they would be here!" she squealed, cheeks slightly red.

You gulped, eyes studying them carefully. Of course they would be here, it was their Casino, after all. You weren't even close to them , yet you could feel their powerful and intimidating aura from where you stood. You shuffled closer to your friends, your timidness kicking in.

They weren't bad to look at, if you were being honest. Well, that was another reason why they were so famous. Not only were they filthy rich because they owned the biggest Casino in Akatsuka, but they were also very attractive. Although, you had heard rumours that their personalities were what drove people away, which was why they still couldn't get girlfriends.

'That can't be true though, right?' you thought to yourself as you continued to gaze at them, not even listening to the plans your friends were making right beside you.

'Surely they're not still virg-'

Your train of thought came to an abrupt stop as your eyes connected with one of the sextuplets. The bottom half of his chin was covered by a black face mask, his mouth still visible. His brown hair was slicked back, leaving his hooded eyes to bore into your own, his deadpan expression not changing in the slightest as he straightened up from his slouched posture.

When you realised you were staring, your face burst into a deep red hue, feeling thoroughly embarrassed. You quickly averted your eyes, only to have Homura cling onto your arm, pulling you into the mass of people to get the night of gambling started.

If only you understood the games; then maybe you would be having fun at winning or losing a few hundred Yen. Instead, you muttered to your friends that you wanted to sit down instead, making your way over the bar and taking a seat on one of the stools.

You rested your chin in the palm of your hand, sighing. If only you were as outgoing as your friends, or if you paid attention to them when they explained how to gamble. Maybe you would also be confident enough to sit at the table and have a few rounds of fun. Or maybe you'd be able to have a few drinks and really allow yourself to let loose. If only you weren't so shy, and timid, and anxious, and nervous, and-

"Drink."

You paused. Slowly turning in your seat, you see the same man from before sitting beside you leaning against the countertop. He continued to stare at you with the same blank expression.

"...S-Sorry?" was all you could say whilst you were still confused.

"Drink. I'll buy you one." His voice was deep and gravelly, a little tired but still authoritative.

'It suits him.' Was your immediate reaction, only for you to remove it swiftly from your mind so that you didn't accidentally blurt it out.

"I-I, uh..." you swallowed thickly before trying again. "S-Sorry, I don't drink much..."

"Water, then." He pulled out a couple of bills from his dark pinstriped trousers, placing them onto the table with his gloved hands. The bartender placed your drinks in front of you- water for you and some kind of alcoholic beverage for the sextuplet.

...Were you supposed to say something? Were you supposed to be treating them a certain way because of his status? You had no idea what to do as you stared adamantly at your drink, nibbling away at the skin of your lower lip.

'I don't even know his name!' you panicked internally, feeling your palms becoming slightly clammy. Was it warm in there? Or was that just you?

"Matsuno Ichimatsu."

"Huh?" you almost gave yourself whiplash as you snapped your neck over to look at him. His drink was gone, but he didn't even look like he had moved an inch. Realising that he had given you his name, you opened your mouth too, looking like a goldfish.

"[L-L/N] [Y/N]. Nice t-to meet you!" you squeaked, cursing yourself for stuttering.

Silence, the only noises coming from the people chattering and cheering around the Casino.

"Let's go." Ichimatsu spoke finally, standing up from his seat, staring at you expectantly.

"Where?" you replied, hesitantly getting out of your seat.

"Over there," he pointed to a corner of the Casino, with a large sign dangling overhead saying:

'VIP LOUNGE.'

"M-Me? But I don't have a VIP ticket!" you told him. "Besides, I don't know how to gamble! It'd be a waste of time to take me..." you trailed off as you watched him take a step closer towards you. You realised then that, despite him slouching, he was still taller than you.

"I want you to come with me. Watch me play against my shitty brothers."

With that, he took a hold of your hand, clasping it firmly in his own before leading you over. Even with the millions of thoughts rushing through your head, your feet still followed his figure, and your fingers curled around his tightly.

Maybe this man, Matsuno Ichimatsu, could teach you how to break out of that shell and have some fun.

Stare at me

Summary: You frequent a coffee shop only to be met with his dark eyes every time.

Pairing: Jungkook x reader

Genre/tags: Smut, fingering, oral (female receiving), unprotected sex, creampie, if you squint daddy!Jungkook, shy!reader, dirty talk,

a/n: hello! This is my first time writing a fanfic so please be kind! This kind of just fell out of me and developed into something I couldn’t control, so.. enjoy! :)

You leaned back with a sigh and threw your notebook on the coffee table. Knowing you needed a well deserved break from studying you decide to head down to the local coffee shop for a caffeine boost.

You emit a big loud yawn and walk to your room down the hall. You decide to exchange your sweatpants with some jeans and put on a bra for the first time that weekend. You give a small huff in the mirror noticing you still look a bit ragged, but who cares? Your not trying to impress anyone and your definitely not trying to turn any heads.

After breaking up with your long term, long distance boyfriend you felt like your life was on hold. You thought you were going to marry this man, have his children in fact. But the sad truth was he had cheated on you and you couldnt let that stand, so you left. Feeling emotionally bruised and sore you had holed up in your on-campus apartment and tried to forget by studying and binging on chinese food for the last few weeks.

The only thing that brought you any joy nowadays was getting some coffee a few blocks down from where you lived. It may have seemed like a small excursion but it got you out of the house and let you take in a fresh breath of air, somehow restoring your will to stand on this planet.

But you would be lying if that was the only reason you visited that coffee shop. Every so often a black haired man at a small table next to the window would be working on his laptop, to say he was handsome was an understatement.

He was jarringly handsome and if you were lucky you would catch eyes with him, only to be completely embarrassed when he caught you staring. But that didnt stop you from looking for him every time you went to the shop only to be met with those dark doe eyes.

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˖ ׁ 𝒞e͟l͟e͟b 𝑀a͟s͟t͟e͟r͟l͟i͟st ୨୧

and the award goes to!

© anqelws 2024

please, i've been on my knees change the prophecy

prophecy, taylor swift. 2024

CILLIAN MURPHY

coming soon!

SABRINA CARPENTER

coming soon!

ANDREW GARFIELD

coming soon!

CHRIS EVANS

coming soon!

DYLAN OBRIEN

coming soon!

TAYLOR SWIFT

coming soon!

The Bestest of the Best 🫠💌

SPICY 'N SWEET MASTERPOST | JJK

PAIRING: Boxer Jungkook x shy ballerina Reader

SYNOPSIS:

Jeon Jungkook is the perfect guy… to piss off your parents. He’s buff, inked up and the definition of their worst nightmare but hey, when love comes knocking on your door there’s not much you can do. It’s not like you planned on falling for him… it just kind of happened, and honestly, you're not even mad about it. Not at all.

WORDS: 45k

——————————–♡———————————

Spicy 'N Sweet ★*☆♪ ɪɴᴛʀᴏ

Spicy ★*☆♪ ᴘᴀʀᴛ 1

Sweet ★*☆♪ ᴘᴀʀᴛ 2

Sugar ★*☆♪ ᴘᴀʀᴛ 3

Sour ★*☆♪ ᴘᴀʀᴛ 4

Salty ★*☆♪ ᴘᴀʀᴛ 5

Sugar-coated ★*☆♪ ᴘᴀʀᴛ 6

I LOVE THIS FIC SM- I'VE RE-READ IT SO MANY TIMES IT'S SO CUTE-

Timid Hearts and Fresh Starts

Loki x Shy!Alien!Reader

SFW; angst to fluff, platonic, budding friendship

Words: 5976

Summary: The God of Mischief is not at all happy about becoming a resident of the Avengers Tower, even less so about the awkward interactions that come alone with living amongst the group of people he once tried to kill. When he drives away the one member of the team aside from his brother who isn't troubled at all by his presence or by his past, he sets to make things right, and in the process, hopefully to make his first proper friend since moving into the tower.

Warnings: Disgruntled Loki, feelings of guilt from both parties, self doubt + negative self talk, fluffy tickles

DISCLAIMER: This fic was originally written in January and I fine-tuned it a bit but I'm unsure about it. I hope the themes I'm trying to convey come across correctly. I imagine that if Loki were to ever live in the Avengers Tower with the others, there'd be a lot of self isolating and hesitancy to trust someone who wants to show him kindness and isn't fearful of being around him. Reader's guilt sort of reflects my own guilt process (a.k.a. hell LMAO) Overall, I just hope this tells the story of two struggling individuals who find common ground and start to open up to each other.

Also, reader's blushing is described as a luminescent pink and purple, because they're not human in this story. I do not, and will not, use color to describe blushing in other fics. Ages might not be accurate in this, and please forgive me if some characters seem ooc T-T Writing for multiple characters is a task. All the characters are still alive in this fic because I need some happiness rn 😭 Think of this as a self indulgent What If? (I'll probably rewrite this one day)

To say Loki was pissed was an understatement. Sure, he knew this was a chance at redemption for him, to start anew and do right by his family, but he could feel the mistrusting eyes follow him when he walked into the room. Of course, Thor always greeted him with a smile and an overly eager pat on the back, but it was hard to focus on the positive attention when the rest was negative. He knew it would take time to earn their trust, but the looks and aversion to interacting with him didn't help him to feel like he wasn't a monster. There was, however, one person on the team that never gave Loki any indication that they didn't trust him.

Y/N was a newer recruit, from a different planet by the name of Thauria, though they still had been on the team longer than Loki had. He didn't know much about them, aside from the fact that they were very quiet, and very shy. They were easily embarrassed, and would often resort to hiding their face in their hands if something flustered them. Loki had barely heard them say a word. The Thaurian knew about Loki's past. They knew about his attack on New York, but they were also the only other person aside from Thor who understood to the fullest extent that he'd been mind controlled during the attack.

Although Y/N knew people would have expected them to be afraid of Loki, they weren't. Why would they be? When Thor first introduced Loki as the newest member of the team, Y/N gave a warm smile, and greeted him with their home planet's non-contact way to say hello. He watched curiously and confusedly before being surprised by their small voice. It shouldn't have been as shocking as it was.

"W-Welcome to the team, Prince Loki of Asgard. It's nice to meet you." They were so formal, so polite. The God would be lying if he said his heart hadn't fluttered.

"Thank you... I suppose..."

He hadn't intended to sound cold, but if Y/N had been hurt by his words, they didn't show any signs of it.

"I hope you're able to get comfortable quickly, Prince Loki. Make yourself at home." Y/N left after that, but not before saying farewell to Thor, who couldn't help but pat their head affectionately, which made them giggle, their cheeks, ears, and nose glowing a luminescent pink and purple, a reaction that Loki found to be very cute, though he wouldn't dare say so.

Tony stared from the couch in complete disbelief, jaw dropped from what he'd witnessed. Everyone else was shocked that Y/N was so unafraid of Loki. Of course, Thor hadn't been shocked at all. He knew Y/N was a friendly, bubbly soul, and most of all, they were a very empathetic being. Even though they were without a doubt the most introverted person on the team, whenever Loki walked into the room, they would give the tiniest simper, and wave briefly in Thaurian, before resuming what they were doing. Before long, the timid smiles and waves were accompanied by other acts of kindness.

They noticed that he'd begrudgingly take whatever old mug was clean to use for his tea or coffee, and one day while out in the city with Wanda and Vision, bought an emerald green ceramic mug, and tied a little label on the handle with twine that read "For Prince Loki." Suffice to say, Loki was taken aback at the sight of the mug sitting cozily on the counter one morning. There was no indication as to who it was from, but his suspicions were confirmed when he saw Wanda gently nudging Y/N's shoulder with a bright smile out of the corner of his eye as he sipped his drink from the mug.

The next act was in the form of a book, which Y/N had actually worked up the courage to give him. It was a book of Thaurian poems, which they'd decided to give to Loki after Thor mentioned how much Loki loved poetry. They initially asked the God if he could be the one to give it to Loki, but Thor felt it would be more meaningful coming from them.

"I... I thought this book might interest you and wanted you to have a copy... It's a collection of poems from Thauria. I hope you find them to be a good read," Y/N had said quietly. "Take care, Prince Loki."

Loki spent days just staring at the book, frozen by confusion, and frustration. Why the Hel was Y/N being so kind to him? No one else in the tower aside from Thor trusted him at that point, so why did they? Why did this near stranger smile at him with such respect and adoration in their eyes? It angered him. He had been wary enough about joining the team already, given how they felt about him, and continued to feel despite knowing what Thanos had done to him.

The Asgardian Prince felt that no matter what steps he took, he could never redeem himself. It was irritating him that Y/N wouldn't just stay distant and mistrusting like the others. They never overstepped his boundaries, and gave him space, but they never went out of their way to avoid him or ignore him. He didn't understand. He didn't feel he deserved to be treated so respectfully, not after everything he'd done. There was a growing, slow boiling rage growing in his heart over it. One day, he couldn't take it anymore.

It had just been him and Y/N in the common room. He'd walked in to see them sitting there, and had tried to make his way back out, but Y/N noticed, and assured him he could stay to read if he wanted to. Loki awkwardly accepted the invitation, and sat down on the couch. As Y/N sat cozy in their chair several feet away, silently reading with a small smile on their lips, completely at peace, Loki grew annoyed and finally asked the burning question he'd been dying to ask since the first day the two had met.

"Why do you do this?"

They looked up at him with a bewildered expression, eyes widened a little more than usual, brows knitted ever so slightly. "What do you mean, Prince Loki?"

"What is it with you and being so friendly to me? Why are you so relaxed despite my presence? Why not flee the room when I enter or avoid me entirely?"

Those questions confused Y/N even further. They tried to answer, but Loki had already continued. "Are you that naive?"

"W-What...? Naive about what, Prince Loki? About you?" Y/N inquired, feeling themself grow uneasy from the question he'd asked. "Of course not... I've been well informed about what happened a few years ago."

"Yet you're not wise enough to stay away?"

"Have I made you uncomfortable...?" Y/N asked, their expression changing from confusion to worry and guilt. Loki's hostility was worrying them. "I apologize sincerely. My only intention was to make you feel more welcome-"

"Stop. Just stop that already," Loki's voice had grown louder and the Thaurian winced. "I don't need your pity. You have no bloody idea who you're talking to."

"P-Prince Loki... I don't pity you, I respect you..." Y/N could feel their sinuses burning from the urge to cry. Although they tried with every bone in their body to hide their reaction, they knew they weren't succeeding.

"It would do you some much needed good to stay the Hel away from me like everyone else on this Godforsaken team," Loki hissed. "Admit it already, Y/N. I see that look on your face. Admit it! I'll always be the monster people tell me I am!"

"I-I don't believe that... Prince Loki." The Thaurian's words were firm despite the tremble in their already small voice. "I know how daunting the journey of self forgiveness feels. I know it's hard to be optimistic about redeeming yourself, but-"

"Just stop." Y/N jumped. Though Loki hadn't been very loud, it was still startling. Another louder noise had their arms retracting toward their body, staring down with wide and glassy eyes at where their book had landed on the hardwood with a loud thump. Loki wasn't done, his ire still fueling his words.

"Stop trying to understand me, Y/N." He spat, pointing at them with indignation before he drew back and placed his hand on his forehead, his voice softening. "Please... You don't know a bloody thing about me. I assure you, it's better this way..."

The tears were screaming to fall, but the Thaurian refused to do so. Not yet. The guilt Y/N felt was overwhelming, and with one deep breath, they uttered one final response.

"You're right, Prince Loki. I promise, I'll leave you be...

Y/N bit their cheek, quietly leaving the room, book still lying open on the floor where it had fallen. As soon as they were in the hallway, they allowed their wings to materialize, before shrinking down. They flew into the library as fast as they could, making their way to a little space at the back.

Given that they often had a habit of shrinking down in size when they were distressed, scared, or needed time alone, Wanda, with Tony's blessing, used her magic to create miniature spaces around the compound that Y/N could use whenever they wished. Y/N then used their own Thaurian magic to decorate each one.

The one in the library was without a doubt their favorite, and they quickly opened the little nook, closing the door, drawing the outer window curtains shut, and curling up on the tiny bed inside, crying into the quilt, too wrapped up in their melancholy to think about much else. In the midst of their weeping, their body grew far too tired to remain awake, and minutes later, they'd fallen asleep, restless as their guilt plagued their dreams.

Y/N wasn't sure exactly how much time had passed, but they knew from the nook's window that the sun was setting. They didn't want to leave, and considered just asking F.R.I.D.A.Y to have someone bring dinner when it was ready. Tony had made sure the AI had been installed in the nooks and seeing Y/N use the feature was hilariously endearing. They remember his reaction to seeing them use the feature for the first time.

"Oh my God. Yup. If I get any cavities, I'm blaming you. This is genuinely sweet and it's pissing me off."

The genius' reaction had Y/N giggling.

"Y/N!" Thor's booming voice echoing in the library made Y/N jump with a cry. Their still-fragile state had left them very easily startled. "Are you in here, little fairy? Please come out."

Y/N stayed quiet, even as the God grew closer to the nook. He knelt down to be at eye level with the doors, delicately and gently using the little knocker before softly calling his teammate's name again. Hesitantly, Y/N opened the door and peeked out.

"Oh thank the Nine Realms! Hello there, little Y/N. It's just me," Thor assured them. "May we talk?"

"Okay..." Y/N relented, moving out of the door and sitting down on the little balcony. The Asgardian was grateful for the power of The Allspeak, since in their tiny form, Y/N could only speak in their native tongue.

"Little fairy, did something happen with Loki earlier?" Thor asked quietly.

"I made him upset..." Y/N answered, lip already quivering as they tried not to cry anymore than they already had. "It's my fault, Prince Thor... Please forgive me..."

"Your fault? What makes you say that?"

Y/N couldn't stop their tears any longer, and they began to cry again. "I was bothering him. I'm certain I made him uncomfortable. I really am naive and foolish... I'm so sorry, Prince Thor... I made Prince Loki hate me..."

"Little fairy, that couldn't be further from the truth!" Thor smiled sadly and held out his finger, which Y/N slowly placed their hand on, a gesture that never failed to melt Thor's heart. "He's been worried sick about you. He'd been searching for you five hours already when I arrived back at the compound from my mission."

"F-Five hours...? I m-made him worry..." The Thaurian was overwhelmed with a new wave of tears, and they began to apologize repeatedly, burying their face in their hands and wailing. "I'm so horrible! First I upset him and then I stress him out! I'm such a terrible person!"

"No! No you most certainly are not," Thor argued softly. "You're a very beloved soul with such a gentle heart."

"I'm not, Prince Thor... I'm oversensitive and weak..." Y/N was spiraling into self doubt and judgement. It happened quite a bit when things went awry. Their mind was also their biggest enemy and the overthinking was a huge hurdle to have to overcome as a member of the team.

"What makes you think you're either of those things?"

"It's the truth, Prince Thor... Prince Loki has every right to be mad at me. I'm going to give him space for the time being..."

"I can't stand this any longer, brother. I'm coming over."

"Loki, wait!"

Y/N jumped at the sound of Loki's voice and began to panic. They tried to rush back into their nook, but Thor placed his hand in front of it. "Prince Thor, please move!"

"You don't have to hide, little Y/N! Please don't hide."

"H-He's gonna be s-so angry with me! Please! I-I can't face him right now!" Y/N insisted tearfully, freezing their attempts to move Thor's hand when they realized Loki was standing a few feet away.

Thor unblocked the door to the nook, but Y/N remained frozen still, like a deer in the headlights. Loki slowly stepped closer, and that's when Y/N had quickly retreated into the corner of the balcony, breath hitching at the impact of their back on the railing. With an audible whimper, they tucked their legs into their chest. The tall Asgardian was a bit taken aback by just how little they were, and noticed their skin had become much more pink than before, which he guessed was the true hue of it.

He felt a pain in his chest at the sight of Y/N being so scared. When he spoke, his voice was hushed, and gentle. Although Y/N could still understand English in their shrunken form, Loki opted for using The Allspeak to speak in Thaurian, hoping it would make Y/N feel a little less fearful.

"Hello, little one," he greeted, kneeling down so he could be at eye level with the tiny Avenger. "May we talk for a moment?"

Y/N's eyes widened at hearing Loki speak in their native tongue, and the term of endearment. They looked up at Thor, who gave them a reassuring smile and patted Loki on the back. "I'll leave you two to converse."

Thor left the space and made his way to the front of the library, looking back once before leaving. When Loki looked back over at Y/N, they grew tense and averted their eyes, still crying.

"I never took the time to thank you for the gifts. Thank you, for the mug and the book of poems."

"Y-You're welcome, Prince Loki..."

The few seconds of absolute silence that followed made the two rather uncomfortable.

"Y/N, I wanted to apologize for what I said to you earlier..."

"I should be the one apologizing to you, Prince Loki..."

"You have nothing to apologize for, darling," Loki insisted sadly, before taking a deep breath. "Would you allow me to explain myself? I have no intentions of trying to justify the way I acted. I only want to assure you that it wasn't your fault..."

Y/N silently nodded, still sitting in the corner as they patiently waited for Loki to speak again.

"When you welcomed me to the tower so warmly... I was... confused. I know you were not on Earth during my attack on New York, but I figured that after the team had explained what I had done, that you'd be just as mistrusting of me as they are," the God said quietly. "For a very long time, I have had no hopes of ever redeeming myself. I have been unable to forgive myself for anything that I've done... It hurts to say but it's the truth. You were right, Y/N."

"I never should have assumed. It was wrong of me to say..." The Thaurian countered. "I had no business saying what I said, Prince Loki. We may be teammates, but I don't know you, and I acted like I do..."

"But that's just it, little one. You weren't assuming," Loki looked down at his hands. "You were merely seeing what I hoped no one else could see as vividly as I. That is why I got upset."

There was a brief pause as Loki fought to keep himself composed. He shook his head with a hollow laugh, unable to stop his eyes from watering with pure sorrow.

"I couldn't believe that a soul as sweet as you, was so willing to welcome me with open arms and show me such kindness. I don't know what you see me as, Y/N, but I cannot see myself as anything other than a monster, and that has kept me from accepting your cordiality..."

Those words made Y/N incredibly sad, and seeing the tears in Loki's eyes hurt them immensely. "I've never seen you as a monster, Prince Loki. A hurting soul is far from a monster..."

Despite their anxious thoughts telling them not to, despite the fear that they might upset him further, they slowly moved to sit right on the edge of the balcony, and silently beckoned for Loki to move his hand up to them. He eyed them curiously while he obliged, but when he realized Y/N had placed their tiny hand on his finger to comfort him, the tears finally fell.

"Y/N, from the moment I met you, you've been eons kinder than I ever expected anyone on this team to be toward me... Truthfully, I was warming up to you, much faster than I anticipated, and I was afraid that letting myself get close to you would result in you being hurt." Another empty and pained laugh left Loki's lips as he wiped his eyes with his free hand. "Yet I only managed to hurt you and frighten you in the end anyway. I can't tell you just how contrite I am for pushing you away, and for making you doubt yourself."

Y/N watched another fall from his eye, and began to flutter their wings, slowly at first, before they blurred from the speed at which they moved and began to lift the Thaurian from the balcony. They flew upward, then carefully got closer to Loki, using their sleeve to wipe his cheek. It became drenched instantly, but with a glow of their magic, it dried once again. The sweet gesture only served to move Loki to more tears, and the Thaurian panicked.

"Oh no! I'm so sorry, Prince Loki!"

Much to their surprise, the Prince began to smile, and that smile became warm sounding laughter. "IhIt's alright. It's alright. These are happy tears this time."

He gently held up his hand, encouraging Y/N to land on it, and they did so, holding onto one of Loki's fingers for support before carefully sitting in the palm of his hand. The Thaurian timidly stared down at their lap when Loki carefully lifted them closer to his eye level.

"A-Are you... are you sure you're alright, Prince Loki?"

"I'm right as rain." Loki's smile was brighter, and his expression was soft, a look that Y/N was not used to seeing on the God's face. "However, please, call me Loki. I admire your etiquette and formality, but it is not necessary now. We're acquainted a bit more properly, aren't we?"

The slow timid nod from Y/N was followed by a tiny smile. "I suppose we are, Loki."

"Y/N, I'm so sorry for everything I that I said to you earlier. You're not naive, and you're not foolish," Loki said quietly.

"I-I don't blame you for being upset, Loki... My actions were smothering and unwarranted-"

"No. No they were not. You respectfully kept your distance while showing me kindness." The God's voice was soft despite his sudden interruption. He looked into their eyes, and took a small breath. "Y/N, may we start over? Would you be willing to allow me the chance to earn your forgiveness?"

"We don't have to start over. You've made amends. You already have my forgiveness, Loki." Y/N felt fresh tears stream down their cheeks, that deep feeling of guilt still having a hold on their heart like a vice grip on someone's wrist. "Can you find it in your heart to forgive me?"

"Whatever for?" Loki questioned.

"I m-made you worry... I'm sorry I hid, and I'm so sorry I caused so much distress when you couldn't find me," Y/N stated.

"Of course I forgive you, little one." The God very carefully brought his other hand up, delicately wiping what tears he could from their face.

"Thank you, Loki. I-I don't know why I cried so much," Y/N sniffed, embarrassment written all over their face. "I-I'm nearly one thousand and forty five years old. I should have a handle on myself by now."

"Everyone cries, Y/N. You're not oversensitive, nor are you weak. It doesn't matter how old you become. It's okay to cry." The Asgardian averted his eyes briefly before looking at them again. "Especially when someone's been unkind..."

Y/N nodded to acknowledge his words, more tears rolling down their cheeks when they blinked in an attempt to clear their vision.

"Care to know something?" Loki asked with a gentle smile, leaning closer when Y/N nodded. "I'm not much older than you. One thousand fifty-nine years, and here I am, just barely starting to get a handle on myself. I'm certain you've noticed my trial and error."

Y/N blinked, before an unexpected giggle bubbled in their throat. Loki's grin was instantaneous, and he chuckled softly, which only made Y/N giggle harder. He hadn't heard their laugh since the first day they met, and Norns, he wanted to hear it every day.

"Are you aware of just how saccharine your giggles are, little shortcake?"

And there it was. He saw the luminescent pink and purple rise to their nose, cheeks, and the tips of their ears. "Lohoki..."

"What a little darling you are~" he mused, words filled with playfulness and mischief, the side of himself he'd not shown Y/N before at all. "That glowing blush of yours is only serving to prove my point."

"S-Stop ihihit..." Despite being flustered by Loki's words, and their voice getting higher in pitch, their smile was growing. Loki gently placed a finger under their chin, with the intent of lifting them to look at him.

It initially startled him when they flinched and moved their head, but the giggle he heard right after caused him to smirk with realization. "Oh? Is someone ticklish~?"

The word in English flustered them enough already, but hearing it in Thaurian made them squeak. Despite their reaction, they shyly shook their head, pressing their lips together in a poor attempt to keep from laughing any longer.

"No~? Are you sure~?" Loki lightly brushed a finger on their neck, chuckling when their shoulders scrunched up, arms and hands folding closer to their body. "You're not ticklish~?"

Y/N began giggling harder, biting their lip and squeaking again when Loki teasingly wiggled his fingers closer. The sight had butterflies fluttering around in their stomach, a sheer feeling of giddiness washing over them. A loud squeal was followed by high pitched laughter when Loki gently tickled their sides, causing them to fall back on his hand.

"Lohohohokihihiiiiii!"

"You mean to tell me this isn't tickling you~?"

"Ihihihit ihihihihiiiis! Pfffhahahahaaa!" They lightly kicked their legs, partially hiding their face behind their hands. "Nahahahahahat thehehehehehere! EHEEEP! NAHAHAT THEHEHEEERRRRE!"

Loki continued gently brushing his finger across their belly, and noticed that their hands had fallen by the sides of their head, leaving their abdomen unshielded from the tickling. Since they were tiny in that form, they felt the sensations all over their torso, no matter where the tickles were targeted. They'd made no attempts to actually avoid his playful attack, and the God quickly connected the dots.

"Oh now that is absolutely precious~" he hummed. "Does someone like being tickled~?"

Y/N was too giddy to try and lie about it, and bashfully nodded, too embarrassed to look at the God and resorting to closing their eyes. Loki chuckled and poked at their sides again.

"Now now, no need to hide or feel embarrassed, little one. Where else are you ticklish, hm? Care to give me some hints?"

The Thaurian shook their head defiantly, grinning with glee and abdomen still shaking with hiccupy giggles. Loki teasingly hovered his finger above other spots, before using his finger and thumb to delicately attack their hips. The screech Y/N emitted had Loki laughing heartily. Their giggles were full of little gasps and squeaks.

Suddenly, their little body glowed and they were back to their normal size, wings de-materializing and pink hue fading from their skin. Loki had been quick to shift his hands, with one supporting their shoulders while the other was underneath their knees. They were still giggling, and Loki couldn't help laughing again over the sudden startling change.

"IhIhI'm sohoho sohohohorry!"

"IhIt's okahay! Ahare you alrihight?" He asked, his heart fluttering when Y/N nodded with a giggly simper and rested their head on his shoulder. "I'm ever so glad."

"IhIhI've gohot buhuhuhutteheherflies thouhouhough..." The Thaurian admitted through their laughter. "IhIn thehe fihiguratihihive sehehense..."

That particular phrase had absolutely bewildered Y/N when they first came to Earth. When Wanda once mentioned that she had butterflies in her stomach, Y/N was genuinely worried.

"H-How did they get in there!? Are they okay? Are you okay? Sh-Should we call Dr. Banner?"

Wanda almost cried from how sweet their concern was and assured Y/N that she was just fine. That's when the Thaurian learned it was just a figure of speech. Their added statement to clarify they meant figuratively had Loki internally fawning over them.

"Ah yes, the stomach butterflies," Loki affirmed, gently setting Y/N down on the floor beside him, still turned sideways with their legs over his as his arm stayed around them for support. He looked ahead with a smile, before turning and looking down at the precious alien sitting next to him. "You know what you should really watch out for, little shortcake?"

"W-What?" Y/N's voice had become a hushed whisper, eyes widening with curiosity and slight uneasiness. When Loki lifted his hand and slowly wiggled his fingers in the air with a smirk, their uneasiness was replaced by bubbly excitement.

"The tickling spiders~"

"H-Hehehehey! W-Wahahait! NaHAAAAA!" Y/N kicked their legs reflexively when Loki lightly attacked their knees, hiccuping and gasping in between squeaks of laughter. "LOHOHOKIHIHIII!"

"Uh oh~ Unlike stomach butterflies, these spiders can move anywhere they wish~" the God sang. "I wonder~"

He lightly tickled the spot where the back of their thigh met the skin behind their knee, and was a bit startled when they snorted, louder cackles leaving their lips before dissolving into the high pitched giggles once more. They hid their face in his Asgardian shirt, legs still kicking weakly as the laughter temporarily took their strength. Loki stopped before they grew tired, and grinned.

"Still with me, little one?"

"IhIhI've gohohot thehehehe gihiggles nohow," they hummed. Their laughter was so contagious that Loki began chuckling all over again.

After a few minutes, when the sounds of mirth had subsided, Loki stood with Y/N in his arms, and then gently set the Avenger down. "Shall we go get dinner?"

Y/N nodded, timidly fiddling with their sleeves, working up the courage to ask Loki a question.

"W-Will you eat with us? With me...? It's game night, so we'll eat together and then play some board games... Earth games are fun."

As much as Loki wasn't looking forward to seeing the other members of the team aside from his brother, Y/N's optimistic smile brought his mind a little bit of peace, and he accepted. Y/N let out an excited squee and bounced on their heels, before timidly asking if they could give the God a hug. Norns... Y/N was a darling. Loki felt bad about being so cold and distant for as long as he had been. He opened his arms, beckoning them to move in, and let out a huff of air in surprise at how suddenly they wrapped their arms around his waist. His chest rumbled with a laugh, and he happily returned the embrace.

"Loki... Thank you."

"Thank you, Y/N. I look forward to getting to know you better."

The team was shocked to see Y/N leading Loki to the dining room table with a smile on their face, but Thor was beaming with pride. Though it was a bit awkward at first, Loki found himself having fun, and enjoyed being mischievous during a game of CLUE with Wanda, Vision, Y/N, Sam, and Bucky.

"So why'd you get to be Miss Scarlet, Sam?" Bucky challenged.

"Because, I'm goddamn flawless," Sam answered with a snap. "Your turn, Colonel Grumpy."

"Mustard."

"I said what I said, grumpy."

Loki took the victory as Professor Plum, and Y/N cheered him on, clapping with the brightest smile. He was a little embarrassed, but he couldn't hide his joy. The others were stunned by how cheerful he seemed, but they weren't complaining. Not that most of, if any of them would admit it, but it was a pleasant change from his usual brooding and isolation. Y/N took the victory in a game of Candyland, which had been their all time favorite board game since they first played it with Peter and Steve.

"How fitting for the real life embodiment of Lollipop royalty to win a game of Candyland~" Loki mused.

The pink and purple glow crept up on Y/N's cheeks, ears, and nose in an instant.

"Y/N, I think that's the brightest I have ever seen you glow," Steve commented with a smile.

The Thaurian's attempt to cover their blush was thwarted when it grew brighter and illuminated through their fingers.

"Aww, Y/N!" Peter grinned at the precious sight. "That's so cool!"

"When the geek gets geeked," Sam joked, causing Bucky to break into laughter.

The longer the night went on, the more fun Loki had. Thor was overcome with happiness over it. His younger brother had even managed to share some lighthearted banter with Tony. As the games slowly came to an end, with most of the team having retired to bed, Y/N and Loki remained, along with Thor, who announced he was off to sleep.

"I'm so glad you two worked everything out," he declared. "Thank you for joining us tonight, brother."

"Y/N helped me come out my shell a little more today," Loki stated, smiling at the Thaurian with pure adoration. "Thank you."

Y/N giggled, their glowing pink and purple blush illuminating the dimly lit room. Thor patted Loki's shoulder, before gently patting Y/N's head, making them giggle even more.

"Goodnight, you two," he stated.

"Goodnight, brother."

"Goodnight, Thor."

It was just the two of them after that. There was a brief moment of silence, before Loki turned to look at them.

"Are you feeling tired?" He questioned, lips pressing together in understanding when

Y/N shook their head.

"I... I fell asleep in the nook after a few minutes... When I woke up, the sun was setting."

Loki knew they'd probably cried themself to sleep after they'd fled the room and his stomach churned with guilt. He offered his hand, and Y/N slowly placed theirs in his.

"I can't tell you enough how much I regret my harshness toward you," he muttered.

"Loki, I forgave you," Y/N reminded him with a sad smile. "We're okay."

Those words echoed in Loki's mind long after Y/N had said them.

"Would you like to stay out here a little while longer? Perhaps, I could read to you?"

Y/N's eyes lit up with excitement, and they nodded, maybe a bit too eagerly, but their bubbly reaction was adorable. Loki realized that they looked as if they were about to ask something, but were hesitant. "What's on your mind?"

"May we sit by each other, like... like how we did in the library? Please, if it's alright with you?"

Loki wasn't used to the idea of people wanting to be so close to him. He'd come to terms with being seen as a monster, someone to stay far away from, but he realized that if someone as kind-hearted and loving as Y/N, chose to be around him, and wanted to spend time with him, that perhaps he wasn't the monster he saw when he looked in the mirror. Of course, it would take time for him to trust and believe that for himself. Until then, he'd trust Y/N's kindness. It helped him reflect on his reconciliation with Thor as well. Thor saw his potential, his true heart, and since they'd made amends, he had been the only one Loki trusted for a long time.

"Of course we may."

He used his magic to change into more comfortable clothing, as he figured they'd be out there for more than just a little while. When he caught Y/N's look of awe out of the corner of his eye, he playfully raised an eyebrow. Y/N giggled before their own glow of magic ran down their body, their clothes transforming to pajamas. Loki chuckled, before motioning for Y/N to move closer. They moved their legs over his and leaned on him, casting their magic to summon a quilt for them to share, while Loki retrieved his book of choice with a glow of green.

"What book did you choose, Loki?"

"A Galaxy of Sonnets," Loki read in Thaurian. Y/N was beaming as they realized it was the book of Thaurian poems they'd gifted him a couple weeks before. "Thank you for this book, Y/N. I apologize that I hadn't yet read it."

"It's okay, Loki. I hope you enjoy it."

"I most definitely will, darling. Now then, shall we begin?"

The following morning, the team was utterly flabbergasted to see Loki lying on the couch, poetry book still in hand, with Y/N curled up to his side, legs still over his and both of them beneath the same quilt. The two were sleeping soundly, completely at peace in each others' presence. It would still be months, if not years, before Loki truly felt at home in the Avengers Tower. Until that day came, he'd do his very best to find joy and comfort amongst his older brother and new best friend. In time, Loki would find peace in his fresh start.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The self indulgence is real. I'm so unsure of my old fics agsjsjdkdjd I shall go hide 👉🏾👈🏾 Loki is a favorite character of mine (and another dream ler- what can I say?). I plan to write more Loki fics with pronouns aside from he/him in the future as well. I hope you enjoyed this (if my self doubt were harvestable it could be a new energy source 💀)

hii!! congrats on your 5k followers, I'm glad glad. 💖💖

cann I haveeeeee 🍩?? (frat!rafe with daddy kink??) 🙈🙈 i wish you the best!!

warnings: shy!reader, kinda mean!rafe, daddy kink, brief mention of phone sex/sexting, unprotected sex, semi public sex (at a party), slight choking, slight praise, dirty talk, creampie, hint of impregnation kink at the end

a/n: frat!rafe has a special place in my heart i’m afraid.. you guys have been sending me AMAZING req’s for my 5k celebration, i genuinely can’t wait to answer as many as i can <3

“come on, baby, call me what you called me in those text messages.” rafe teased you, his cock prodding at your entrance. if someone told you that sexting with a frat president would land you in his bed with his friends right outside the door, you wouldn’t believe them. “i can’t..” you whimpered, your eyes heavy with tears as he wrapped a hand around your throat. “yes, you can.” rafe studied your face. you looked so pretty underneath him. “what, are you shy now? you weren’t so shy when you sent me pictures of those perfect tits.” he laughed.

your skin flushed at the memory. you had never provocatively pointed a camera at yourself, let alone posed and sent a photo, but rafe’s words and desperation to see you naked had made you crumble. “please! ‘just want you inside me..” you reached up, pressing a hand against his toned chest. “not until you say it.” he shook his head, squeezing the sides of your neck softly. swallowing thickly, you gazed up at him. “who’s your fuckin’ daddy?” your eyebrows knitted together as rafe leaned down, his lips ghosting over your own. “you are- oh!” you gasped when he thrusted into you without warning.

“i’m your what?” he feigned confusion, taking your thigh and wrapping it around his waist. he felt so good, your walls stretching deliciously around his length. “you’re my daddy!” you practically screamed when his thumb found your clit, his lips latching onto the sensitive spot on your neck. rafe couldn’t explain it, but hearing you call him that made something primal awake within him. suddenly he wanted to fuck you dumb, and make you a whining mess. “you’re so fucking perfect, holy shit.” he rolled his hips into yours, your back arching off of his bed at the pleasure.

the lewd sounds of your soaked cunt, paired with the heavy breathing from the man above you, did nothing to conceal the music coming from downstairs where a party was in full swing. you clung onto him the closer you got to your peak, your eyes fluttering shut as he whispered filthy obscenities in your ear. “acting like a shy girl, but really you just want to be fucked like the filthy slut you are, huh?” you cried out, his advances on your sensitive bundle of nerves sending you over the edge, your thighs trembling as you covered your mouth. rafe looked offended as you tried to keep yourself quiet.

“fuck that, let me hear you.” he took the palm you had pressed against your lips and pinned it to your side. rafe leaned down, trailing kisses down your jaw as you let out the pettiest noises he’s ever heard. you shook against him, burying your face in the crook of his neck while he spilled inside of you, his own high hitting him with an unforgivable force. he cursed against your skin, his fingers curling into the flesh of your hips while he eased his movements to a smooth stop. you were still teary eyed and going through the aftershocks of your orgasm when he pulled out, watching gloriously as his seed spilled out of you.

“i should do this to you every night.. ‘make you really give me that ‘daddy’ title.” he smiled wickedly, wrapping both of you in his sheets as he comforted you, stroking your cheek and running his fingers through your hair until you fell asleep in his arms.

Ugh hes just so—ugh 😍😍

I love him <3

Hi! I saw your requests were open and I was wondering if you could do a fic with Edmund Pevensie and very shy reader? Thanks!

Prima Donna ~ Edmund Pevensie

Ahhhh, thank you so much for requesting! Shy!reader is a new one for me, so I hope you like it (even though it took me forever to finish it)

Word count: 2.3k

“Whose fabulous idea was it to throw this dinner?” Edmund grumbled, wrestling with the buttons of the wretched jerkin Susan had told him to wear. “I’d like to throw them a dinner in the royal dungeons.”

“It was yours, if I recall correctly.” Peter stood beside him, the perfect picture of composure. “Shall I warn the dungeon master of your impending arrival?” 

“I merely suggested that relations with Calormen could be improved by allowing the opera tour to come through Narnia,” Edmund protested, still trying to get the buttons to cooperate. “Nowhere in there did I say anything about hosting a banquet in their honor, and certainly I didn’t say a thing about myself having to attend.”

Lucy laughed from her place on Edmund’s bed. “Ed, if you’re not going to go to the opera tomorrow, it’s all the more important that you attend the dinner.”

“Pete isn’t going tomorrow either,” Edmund said, with a perfect imitation of the pout his little sister used to sport when asked to do the dishes back home.

“And Pete’s going to dinner.” 

 Edmund frowned and did not deign to answer her, returning to the confounded jerkin. 

“You know, in Calormen, the opera season is the height of court,” Lucy said, sliding off the bed to stand beside Peter. “Everything of note happens at the opera, all marriages arranged, alliances formed, grievances aired, it all happens at the opera.” 

Edmund snorted. “The fact that the attendees don’t go to the opera to watch and listen to the opera itself should tell you something.”

“Oh, Edmund,” Lucy said with a sigh, shaking her head. “Have you no appreciation for the arts?”

“Now, now,” Peter stepped forward. “Ed is a great connoisseur of art.”

Lucy raised a skeptical eyebrow. “Oh, really?” 

“Well, swordfighting is an art, is it not?” 

The two burst into giggles, and Edmund scowled. “Shut up.”

“Ready?” Susan asked, floating into the room in the flowing, graceful way of hers. “They’ve just arrived.” 

“Ready,” said both Peter and Lucy.

“If I have to be,” Edmund grumbled. 

“You’d better be,” Susan said. “Because the director will be seated beside Peter, and the prima donna will be beside Edmund.”

“What is a ‘prima donna’, and why do I have to put up with it?” Edmund demanded. 

“The prima donna is the main female singer in an opera,” Lucy said, clearly exasperated. “Honestly, Ed, do you never listen when I’m talking?”

Edmund opened his mouth, ready to defend himself when Susan cleared her throat. “We don’t have time for this. Now, smiles on.” Susan turned and walked out of the chamber, Peter and Lucy close on her heels.

“I’m not scared to meet the Calormens,” Edmund muttered to himself as he tried to multitask walking and trying to keep his jerkin from flapping like a flag in the wind. The small clasps slipped through his fingers, and he cursed. “I won a war and had to lead a country at the age of 10! Prideful divas don’t compare to the Witch.”

Edmund swallowed his pride and looked up, intending to ask one of his sisters to come to his aid when he saw he was alone in the corridor, save for a servant girl lingering at the end of the hall. Her plain, Narnian clothing and the jug of water she carried indicated her to be a servant, but the way she carried herself…

Heat bloomed in his cheeks. Had she overheard him?

He straightened his back. “Are the arrivals from Calormen waiting?” The woman’s eyes flicked up to Edmund’s crown with a little apprehension before she nodded. “Can you help me with this?” he asked. “I cannot get these blasted buttons to button.”

The woman didn’t say anything, but set her pitcher down on the nearest windowsill and came forward, dexterous fingers accomplishing what he couldn’t with ease and efficiency. 

“Thank you.” Edmund straightened his jerkin, still feeling morbidly embarrassed. She was unfairly pretty and clearly new to Cair Paravel. He didn’t know her, he would’ve remembered her, for sure.  “Er…what’s your name?”

The woman blinked, momentarily meeting Edmund’s eyes with a startled expression. “Y/N,” she said in a mellifluous tone. Her eyes kept darting around, never staying long on Edmund or anything else. Was she uncomfortable? Or was he keeping her from something important? 

If Susan were around, she would’ve ordered Edmund to dismiss the girl so she could carry out her duty, but he couldn’t squash the urge to talk to her more. “Have you ever been to Calormen, Y/N?” 

“Yes, your majesty.” Her quiet voice was so endearing that Edmund couldn’t keep himself from smiling. 

“What was it like there?”

She looked up, nervously pulling at her fingers. “Hot.” 

Edmund laughed, and the smallest of smiles flitted across her lips. “Thanks again for your help.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “Um…as you were.” And before he could embarrass himself anymore, he took off. 

Hopefully the next time he ran into Y/N, he was composed and in possession of the wit he was so famous for. 

He passed the horrid purple curtains Susan insisted be hung over the windows of the banquet hall, trying to get himself back under control before he joined his siblings. 

“Ah, Edmund,” Susan said, grabbing Edmund’s arm and pulling him forward towards the group of dark-skinned people dressed in the odd fashion of Calormen. “This is Lalnon, the esteemed director of the show Lucy and I will see tomorrow evening.” Susan indicated the man in the front who wore a glittery coat and upturned shoes. 

“It’s wonderful to meet you,” Edmund said, forcing a smile and extending a hand to the director. “My royal sisters cannot wait to see the show, they’ve been talking about it nonstop.”

“Thank you,” the director said in a heavy Calormen accent before pushing past Edmund’s hand and walking over to the table, clearly done with the conversation.

Edmund tried not to roll his eyes as he turned back to the others in the group. Why did the creative types have to be so sullen and withdrawn? If Edmund had to be here and be polite, the least the guests could do was acknowledge how very polite he was being. 

Another Calormen man stepped forward with a bow. “I’m Ishdu, I’m the conductor. I lead the orchestra and instruct the singers.”

The siblings all nodded with regal airs, offering smiles.

The conductor brought forward each member of the crowd, outlining their names and their role in the show. Instead of following the director’s lead and seating themselves at the table, they awkwardly stayed standing, bumping into each other to allow certain members to the front of the group for their moment of recognition. 

Edmund bit the inside of his cheek, wishing he could be anywhere other than here. Could he come up with some sort of excuse that the Calormens and his siblings would believe? 

Ishdu, who was still talking, gestured to the group with a grander flourish than he’d yet used. “I’m also delighted to introduce our prima donna.”

Edmund steeled himself, trying to prepare himself for some overweight, gaudy woman to come trotting through the crowd to receive her demanded praise. But when the crowd parted, there was no such woman.

Edmund’s mouth fell open as none other than Y/N, the woman who’d helped him with his buttons, came forward and swept into a deep curtsy. “Your majesties.”

“You’re the prima donna?” Edmund asked before he could help himself, earning a glare from Susan.

For a split second, a shy smile flashed on Y/N’s face, but it quickly left as she said: “Yes, your majesty.” 

How could she be from Calormen? Why was she wearing Narnian fashion when everyone else in her group wore fashion from their own country? And what had she been doing in the corridor with a water jug? And why had she helped him with his buttons instead of announcing herself?

Edmund tried to form words, but she was scrambling his brains, even though she was doing nothing but shifting, looking as uncomfortable as he felt.

Shooting an odd look at her brother, Lucy stepped forward to rescue the situation. “Y/N, we’re so glad you’re here, let me show you where you’ll be sitting.”

With a glance at Edmund, Y/N followed his sister further into the room, smiling to humor his sister’s conversation, leading the other performers towards the banquet table. 

Susan’s hand clamped down on Edmund’s arm, pulling him towards her and Peter. “What was that?” she hissed. “That was not being hospitable!”

Edmund buried his face in his hands, wishing the ground would swallow him whole. “I mistook her for a servant.” He half-heartedly hoped they wouldn’t hear him, but his brother’s guffaw quickly dashed that sentiment.

“You did what?!” Susan almost shrieked.

“What was I supposed to think? She was in the corridor, wearing Narnian clothes and carrying a pitcher of water!”

“What did you say to her?”

“I asked her to help me with my buttons,” Edmund mumbled, causing Peter to laugh harder.

“What are you, twelve?” Susan snapped before massaging her temples. “You’d better do some damage control during dinner, before it’s irreparable!” With that, Susan walked in her floating way over to the banquet table to take her seat. 

Edmund sent his older brother a hopeless look. “How on earth can I fix this?”

Peter clapped a hand on Edmund’s shoulder. “You’re the witty one, I’m sure you can come up with something.” Then Peter went to sit beside Lalnon, the director, leaving Edmund to trail behind him.

Y/N was already seated, with her hand neatly folded in her lap on top of her napkin. The glimpse of her delicate fingers served as a reminder of how easily and contentedly she’d helped him.

He felt hot as he finally took his seat beside her. “Y/N,” he immediately began, “allow me to extend my sincerest apologies for my mistake.”

“Unnecessary.” Y/N took a dainty sip from her wine goblet, but the way she avoided his gaze made him nervous.

“It is necessary. I swear, I never meant to offend you in any way.”

“No offense,” Y/N promised.

Edmund winced. “Not even when I called you a prideful diva?” 

She didn’t answer, leaving Edmund to wonder if she really was offended or just didn’t feel like talking. But the silence that stretched on made Edmund’s discomfort rise, and he refused to let it go on. “So…” he said, searching for something, anything to say, “I hear Calormen is hot.”

The tiniest of chuckles broke through Y/N’s lips, but she still didn’t say anything. 

“Why were you in that hallway?” he asked. 

“Lalnon insisted he be allowed to wash his feet before setting foot in the banquet hall, and the servants looked frazzled already.”

Edmund cast a glance in the director’s direction just in time to see him sniff the bite of food on his fork and then promptly set the fork down on the plate. “But you’re one of the guests of honor. Why would you risk missing an introduction with the kings and queens?” Edmund asked, finding it hard to believe that someone as beautiful as her would prefer to notice than to be noticed.

“As it turns out, I got to meet one of the kings anyways,” Y/N said with a sideways smile. “I even got to help him with his buttons.”

He gaped at her.  “Er…yes, well, I guess you did, didn’t you?” She turned back to her meal, but Edmund had lost all interest in eating. Instead, he propped his arm up on the table and rested his chin on his hand. “How long have you been performing?”

“I’ve been the prima donna for a year and a half, your majesty, but I’ve been a part of the opera company for as long as I can remember.”

“What does it mean to be a prima donna?” He remembered what Lucy’s answer was, but he wanted to hear it from Y/N.

Y/N lowered her fork. “Being a prima donna means the primary female roles fall to me.”

“That’s quite the privilege,” said Edmund, wondering what it must feel like to know that she would always have the opportunity for center stage. 

“And quite the responsibility, your majesty.”

Edmund furrowed his brows. “Why’s that?”

“If a show goes poorly, there’s only so many ways to split the blame.”

“But that doesn’t make sense. Shouldn’t more blame fall on the writer rather than the prima donna?” 

“Well, sure, but when the writer and the prima donna are the same, it gets complicated.”

It took a moment for Edmund to understand what she was saying. “Wait, you write the operas too?”

Y/N nodded. 

“Did you write the opera you’re performing tomorrow night?”

Y/N nodded again.

Her shyness endeared her to him. All he wanted was for her to talk, to share more of herself with him, but she wasn’t. “What is it about?”

“Love,” Y/N said, and the spark in her eyes made Edmund go a bit speechless. “Most powerful thing ever.”

Edmund felt his heart bounce in his chest, as if it was reminding him of its presence. “L-love?” Edmund stammered.

She nodded, and her eyes went faraway. “The opera is a story of a young man and woman who do whatever they can to be together.” Her distant smile was dazzling. “Their parents don’t approve because the young woman is a priestess-in-training at the temple of Tash, and priestesses swear never to marry.” An adorable crinkle appeared between her eyebrows. “So the young man’s father sneaks a venomous snake into a bouquet of flowers and gives it to the young woman, pretending it’s from her lover. The snake bites her, and she dies, leaving the young man heartbroken…” 

Y/N trailed off, lowering her eyes to the napkin in her lap. “Sorry,” she said with a bashful chuckle, “I just told you the whole plot for act one when you probably have zero interest.”

Edmund stared at her, certain she’d just said more words than all her previous words combined. “No, don’t apologize.” He took a breath. “You love what you do.”

“Is it that obvious?”

Edmund nodded.

“Sorry,” Y/N said again, ducking her head.

“No, don’t apologize, it’s a good thing. In fact, I envy you.”

Y/N tilted her head, studying Edmund in a way that made him feel exposed. “Does the king of Narnia feel wasted in the life he’s in?”

Edmund blinked, unsure how to answer such a question. “He feels wasted at big parties where he’s expected to be charming,” Edmund mumbled. 

Y/N’s chuckle made Edmund smile. “Well, hopefully, you won’t feel that way at the opera tomorrow,” she said, picking up her fork once again. 

Lucy, sitting across from Y/N, looked up. “Oh, no, Ed’s not–” Lucy started to say, but Edmund kicked her under the table.

“I’m sure I won’t,” Edmund said with a smile.

Lucy looked confused. “But you said–” 

Edmund stomped square on her toes, and Lucy let out a little yelp. “I will be at the opera,” Edmund said slowly, hitting every syllable as he turned back to Y/N. 

He’d only been trying to make sure Lucy got the point, but Y/N’s face broke into the biggest smile he’d seen from her all evening. “Yeah? You’ll be there?”

Edmund smiled back. “Yeah, I will. With flowers.”