(Requests Open For Videos & Fanfic) Showing off all my anime/otome/shoujo love for the sexy men in my life that i hold a dear place for. I do post NSFW & Smut but all tagged adult. My space is all about the anime and otome boys. Also any other favorite games I have I will post here as well and my thoughts and such. 43yr old female from the south.
"Hajimemashite, watashi wa Danyale desu yoroshiku, onagashimasu"
Hi welcome to my Tumblr, my name is Danyale and this is a little about me and my blog. I have been into anime mostly shoujo, josei, isakei supernatural for the last 2 years as well as into otome games. I will share my reviews of love interests and games that are otome, shoujo, josei, dating sim, and more. I also post some NSFW, Smut, Adult Fanfic, & Spoilers because I make fandom videos so be warned now but all things are tagged. Anyways hope you enjoy your stay and feel free to say hello I have many interests below if you see we have something in common say hi!
Disclaimer: I do not commission art or request payments. Any account claiming otherwise is impersonating me.
This was an anime I happened across when I was looking for any new anime's with Kaito Ishikawa in them. I am glad I watched it though even with him being a great voice actor if the story isn't good can make it hard to push through but I didn't have that with this. I watched the whole show in a 2 day span would have done 1 day if it wasn't for things that kept me busy. It is a very bingeable anime, wholesome in alot of ways with a few underlining moments where if you have a dirty mind might go elsewhere. For the most part though its a coming of age slice of life shoujo. Not to mention a best friend trope.
This is such a cute little anime though, this is all based on a childhood game they started together. So her grandma died when she was young and she went to live with him and his sister and mom. He was always so caring of her and protected her any way he could. It was such a beautiful little friendship until she moved across the road to live with her aunt. Time together was more on the phone with each other or at school.
However they still kept this one game going. Every time the other says I love you the opposite blushes. I won't lie it was kind of cute at first but it does get tiring at times. Some moments get close like they are going to express their feelings then they make fun of the other. I think sometimes she was more annoying about it than he was. So many times you would see him soften like he was going to tell her how he felt then she would make fun of him wanting her or blushing and the moment was gone.
For a girl who kept trying to make him notice her, to call her cute she was the main one blocking her own path to being with him. However I will say he had a big guilt for some reason, he really didn't believe he deserved her even though he had been there the whole time. the anime never explains why he feels this way so that part I feel should have been pushed on a little more so you can understand why he feels like no matter how much he loves her he feels he needs to look and be better.
The almost moments when you see them close and making wise ass comments to each other keeps you on the edge of your seat at times. It is a pretty wholesome in the adolescent moments but I think the older someone is that watches this might see some more adult influences or at least scenes that could be interpreted different.
As the show enters the last few episodes it feels hopeful more moments where they are closer without as much pull back. Don't get your hopes up too much cause it takes the last episode for the best progress in the end. The cute kissing game was a bit intense but also very adorable. Even he pulls her in and kisses her the right way yet she still runs off from it thinking I wish he liked me. God I wanted to shake her at this point. It was so obvious to everyone but them.
I will say even though I liked it alot I sadly believe its one that after a few animes later can easily be forgotten. The fact that it barely got to the point of them showing they liked each other and saying I love you at the end it didn't feel like a sincere I love you it felt like the game that had become redundantly stupid by the end. I feel like the ending note of this just left more wanting and I might pick up the manga at some point see what else happens cause this just felt unfinished. i wold say its an anime I give at least a 7 or 8 out of 10 cause its not horrible just feels like there needs to be a 2nd season.
================================================
If you enjoyed this, please consider buying me a coffee to fuel my late-night writing! You can also drop a request on my ko-fi page.
Like you can't be like this is a shoujo anime that is innocent about adolescent stuff the last episode drop a huge bomb about starting a family..............holy shit. After you watch this whole show and you get to this point and your not even sure if this is even part of the game anymore it leaves you even questioning since they throw I love you around so much. God though hearing Kaito Ishikawa say it.....My heart can't stop beating so fast. The way he says Aishiteru it rolls off his tongue and after my heart beats so fast I swear I have to gasp to remember I should still be breathing.
Like seriously dude where in any world can a guy do this then lick his lips and look so smug yet ask if it turns a girl on.... XDEADX
Then since I hear Kaito Ishikawa's voice behind it I think its even more of a turn on. FFS Kaito you can't keep doing stuff like this to me, my heart can't take it. From Dante to every damn role this man plays makes me weak in the knees.
I get her expression completely. Like dude yes, yes....it is a turn on........... SO STOP! Well not really but us girls like screaming you to stop being so sexy anyways even though secretly we never want you to stop. For a wholesome anime, Kaito sure didn't make this moment innocent at all. 🤤🤤🤤🤤🤤
August 2026 is AU-gust here at the Prompt Foundry!
Alternate Universe takes on our favorite stories—be they shows or books we love, or tales of our creation—can be a delightfully fun way to explore what makes those stories tick, what makes those characters who they are, and what in them is important to why we enjoy them.
On the other side of the coin, some settings and scenerios are popular for AUs because there's something special about that environment or situation that really tickles our brains, and it can be fun to figure out how to fit different characters and their contexts into that world.
So let's run through the multiverse and play with some AUs!
Feel free to combine different days’ prompts with each other, or combine them with other events, like last year's March of the Blorbos! Draw, paint, sculpt, sing, write fiction, write poetry, write academic analysis—use your OCs, your favorite characters from media, your own experiences, whatever tickles your fancy.
If you use this list, please tag me here @thepromptfoundry, I’d love to see what you create!
Respond to as many prompts as you want or as interest you, don’t worry about missing or skipping any, or posting your work after the day the prompt is assigned to. Remember, this is supposed to be fun!
If you have any questions or musings, check our FAQ, and if you don’t find your answer, shoot me an ask.
Plain text list below the cut:
1 Coffee Shops
2 Superheroes
3 Genderbent Characters
4 High Schoolers
5 Androids and Robots
6 Steampunk
7 Vampires
8 Werewolves
9 Soulmates
10 Professors and Academics
11 Actors Behind the Scenes
12 Professional Sports
13 Cozy Farm Life
14 Rock Stars
15 Pirates and Sailors
16 Merfolk
17 Elemental Powers
18 Faeries
19 Circus Arts
20 Post-Apocalypse
21 Externalized Souls (Daemons)
22 Libraries and Bookshops
23 Mob Bosses
24 Swords and Sorcery Fantasy
25 Hanahaki Disease
26 Arranged Marriages
27 Starships and Space Travel
28 Catpeople
29 Good Guys Gone Bad
30 Bars and Bartenders
31 Time Travel
He is the man that will be your best friend and lover at the same time.
He is the man who reports all day at work but he would rather put his fingers to use against every inch of your body.
He will stop by a shop and get your favorite sweets for no occasion, nothing more than to make you smile and enjoy watching you enjoy them.
He is protective as a big brother, possessive as a husband, passionate as a lover, and gentle as the best friend who always loved you.
He loves to pet your head or kiss your forehead to show pure affection
He ruffles your hair to watch you make the cutest faces
He writes stories about you that he keeps hidden because he is shy enough to admit that his emotions for you overwhelm him so he has to write it out or he might explode.
He gets jealous easy, he is so afraid to lose you he thinks someone else might be better than him for you.
He wipes your tears when you cry and kisses your forehead holding you close. The idea of watching you cry breaks him in a way no one else will ever understand.
He knew even at a young age you were the only woman he wanted and he would do anything to be by your side, but his dream is to marry you.
He would be such an attentive and loving father.
He is a very devoted, clingy, loyal, needy man and do anything to protect your heart.
He makes sure you know every day you are his number one priority and he would drop anything for you.
He loves to help you with tasks around the house whether it be helping you clean it, cook, or just run errands. Its the little ways he shows his love.
He isn't flashy or confident however he loves you with everything he is truly.
He can be shy and blushy at times when you catch him off guard with your cuteness, your braveness or the combination of the two.
He likes to tease and be flirty and even comes off confident even though he struggles keeping the image up before he falters to being the shyer guy you have always known.
He can't help but reaching for your hand every time you go out together.
He isn't afraid for people to know your together and your his and he is yours.
He will stop whatever he is doing if he knows your cold and hold your hands to warm them, wrap a blanket around you and snuggle you until your snuggly warm.
He is fast to grab you by your waist and pull you into him to prevent you from stepping in puddles or getting splashed by oncoming cars.
He is fast to remind you to watch your step and is there to hold your hand if you need his help.
He loves to travel and move about but only with you by his side because without it he would choose to stay home always just to be near you.
He is the man that would feed you when your sick and even when your not sick just to pamper you.
He is the man that loves you so much that he can't say it nearly enough to make up for times he doesn't or isn't around.
He is the man that never is rough with you intimatly he would rather make love to you than to hurt you.
He is overflowing with passion from how much he loves you he can't keep his hands off you and never gets enough.
He can be pure insatiable when it comes to feeling every inch of you naked against him.
He pays attention to every moan, gasp, and whimper and memorizes what he does to make you make those noises.
He however does have those moments of pint up sexual frustration when he doesn't see you enough and is more likely to push you against the wall and take you right there.
================================================
If you enjoyed this, please consider buying me a coffee to fuel my late-night writing! You can also drop a request on my ko-fi page.
I couldn't help myself I know he was the true route and supposed to be played at the end but seriously if they really believed that then why unlock him after finishing Hugo's route lol...That being said I have this pull to best friend tropes so I really couldn't wait through 4 more routes before getting to date him. I'm so glad I didn't wait I do love his character so much, he is probably the heart of the game and once you play the route you will see what I mean. Ok first off if you don't want an emotionally, heavy route this one needs to wait to do.
So already in the common route you get a taste for Arnaud cause he comes off confident in his feelings for Emma however she sees it as just teasing. This made me so mad that she was so stupid in his story compared to how she was in Hugo's story. However when you got to his route things started becoming more clear the moment he sees you getting closer to Hugo. You can see the pain in his face over and over again and honestly Emma made me pure sick at how she acted. Even to the point Claire was talking to him outside the gate one night as Emma came out she made the comment about her having a sweet boyfriend and Emma flipped her shit. "He isn't nothing more than a friend." <- Like seriously chic can you be anymore cold. He then looks at Claire as he broke my heart. "Its just one sided love nothing more." I wanted to shake the hell out of Emma. Here I was going from liking her in Hugo's route to wanting to kick her ass for being so cold.
It gets to a point when someone on the street says something to him holding her hand as they walk home like they always had she flips out on Arnaud and asks why this isn't bothering him. He breaks down and finally confesses how he feels that he had loved her so much for the last 7 years. She stood there like she was looking at a stranger. In the common route she seemed drawn to him so when she would be like oh he is making jokes that's all it seemed light hearted. However in his actual route its like she can't be asked to deal with his feelings. I won't lie you see a little aggressiveness as he is breaking right in front of her its like even he wants to shake the hell out of her.
When the story starts to unravel why Arnaud was the boy who was her best friend after her father died it gets messy. Arnaud's father is the one who took her fathers life and then he tried to blame it on Arnaud saying that he came to him telling him of a lil girl named Emma he really liked and that she was always with Hugo. So Daniel (Arnaud's father) shot them both killing one and almost the other then trying to not take consequences for his actions. He made Arnaud carry such a burden that he loved Emma with everything he was but he also felt like she deserved more than him too. He was always there taking care of her, protecting her even to the end. His father captured her because of her magic and Arnaud gave up everything to follow after to try to find a way to help her escape from his fathers clenches.
Of course by that time Emma was so sure that Arnaud was just as bad as his father up until he came to her to get her to eat. She had given up on everything and he looked like he was going to break if she didn't eat. When she saw the compassion she saw the true Arnaud she had always known. He helped her escape and even after then she lost control of her magic and he walked right through all the storm to hold her. He was the only one who could comfort her that made the magic calm down he was her home as she was his. Once she let him in fully in a romantic nature she finally saw the beautiful man that all game players will see much earlier on.
Then the moment he broke down and told he understood if she couldn't forgive him that he would go on with life if he was just allowed to love her even if she never loved him. It brought me to tears this part he was breaking that sweet cinnamon roll he really needed the comfort she finally gave him. The good ending of this was sweet it had just the right ending to give them happiness in day to day life.
Now the after story was a delight you really get to see him not just as the man full of guilt and never feeling like he is good enough for her but the man so in love with her he can't keep his hands off her. The kisses tender and sweet not to mention his neediness he wants to be by her side all the time. I love a man like this and I think I would rather have a man who doesn't believe he deserves me and I show him otherwise than the man that thinks he can get any woman. I feel like where Hugo's story was sexy and sweet Arnaud's story felt more real, believable and challenging. However in the end he felt like the true route like they labeled him which is unusual for me cause most true route guys I like the least but as of right now this man is my favorite with Hugo a damn close second. Not to mention the maturity this man has to be only 19 blows my mind. I feel like him being a writer was pure catnip for me though. I do hope you give his route a chance because he is much more than the childhood best friend.
================================================
If you enjoyed this, please consider buying me a coffee to fuel my late-night writing! You can also drop a request on my ko-fi page.
After that major incident last time, we took the chance, while restoring the house, to go through all the books and decorative ornaments. Everything has been returned to its proper place now.
Today is only a thorough cleaning. With weather this nice, it's a good day for it.
Are you asking about Mehrak? It's taken a bit of an interest in tidying things up lately, and even comes to help from time to time. I always check everything over again at the end anyway, so don't worry. It won't cause any trouble.
People get passing interests like that from time to time too. They usually don't last long enough to justify signing up for a proper class, but learning a little on your own is just about right.
For instance, these are all hobby books I bought: "An Introduction to Coffee Machines," "An Illustrated Guide to Modern Feather Crafts"...
And this oil painting, this decorative ornament... When you look at them all together, it's hard not to feel something. Time really does have a form, and yet it remains formless.
The duchess snapped to Elias and Tessa her expression from detached to sharp. The murmurs had reached her ears and she didn't like what she was hearing even if it was her nephew and daughter that were part of it probably why she didn't like it even more. A public embrace was unnecessary and pure disrespectful. She didn't even hug her own daughter in public. This was far too affectionate even for mere family courtesy in her eyes. Without hesitation the duchess began cutting through the crowd. Elias felt the duchess approach even before he saw he, yet he really didn't care about her or any of the people in the room in this moment no one but Tessa and Viktor. He loosened his embrace on Tessa but hadn't pulled fully away. The duchess stopped right beside them her face icy calm her eyes burning fury into Elias in the moment. "Elias, what is this?" No hello or pleasantries she wanted to know what her nephew was thinking of holding her daughter so close on the dance floor in front of every suitor. Elias straightened up immediately releasing Tessa but slowly stepping in front of Tessa in between her and her mother. Shielding her without being obvious about it.
He bowed at the duchess respectfully. "Forgive me, Your Grace. I merely offered comfort. Lady Tessa seemed distressed." He refused to show any weakness, he stood tall as he said these words. He knew he had done nothing wrong and refused to feel like he had. The duchess searched his face for deceit but he didn't look guilty. The duchess exhaled turning to Tessa and stating "You are fine." Not a question it was a command to confirm she wasn't upset now so this awkward moment could come to an end. Tessa made sure to wipe her eyes and curtsy to her mother "Yes mother." She turned to Elias and softly whispered "Thank you." As she followed her mother across the floor to meet what seems to be her future husband. Elias took a deep breath hated what he was seeing Tessa following her mother obediently.
As the duchess and Tessa approached Lord Cedric he stood there waiting with a smug smile. The kind of man who knew every woman wanted him and that he could have whatever he wanted with no objection. He extended a gloved hand toward Tessa the second she got closer, like he had already owned her. The duchess properly introduced. "Lord Cedric, may I present my daughter. Lady Tessa Van Der Laine." The mask was back on fully on Tessa after her mom commanded her to be fine even when she was still hurting. She smiled as he kissed her hand. "Nice to meet you Lod Cedric." The kiss to her hand was nothing like how Viktor or even the loyal kiss Elias had left on her hands this was much colder and empty. There was no warmth, no admiration for her just protocol as etiquette. "Charmed, Lady Tessa." He said with his deep voice very refined but utterly empty of real interest in her. He scanned over her face and her figure not caring if she had a good personality just that she would look good by his side, like she was an asset assigned to him.
Elias watched for a few and was pure disgusted from across the room as women had already started showing interest in him surrounding him. He was lost in thought and barely heard anything they were saying. He looked over and saw Viktor squeezing his hands tightly if he didn't have his gloves on her was sure he would be drawing his own blood at this point how tight his fists were. His jaw tightened and staring across the room at Tessa and Lord Cedric like it was the last breath he could breathe in this room. Elias bowed to the ladies surrounding him he had to get out of this room because watching Tessa treated like some transaction was sickening him. He walked towards Viktor as he stopped in front of him his eyes met his seriously. "We need to talk...Now!" he said bluntly not hostile just urgent. Viktor stiffened but followed him outside with no question taking one more look back at Tessa before he did. He knew this couldn't be good but thought maybe Tessa had passed a message through him when they were dancing.
As they stepped out into the cool air Viktor didn't know if Elias was there to scold him, warn him, pass on a message from Tessa or worse. Then the fear set in that maybe the duchess had told Elias that the man she was standing with was the man to be her future husband. "Speak." Viktor said quietly with his voice low and strained not in a demanding way but he was already bracing for more bad news hoping for better. Elias wasted no time stepping closer to him dropping to a whisper. "Tessa told me." He paused for a moment as Viktor's eyes widened realizing Elias knew about them about his and Tessa's love between them. Elias continued after a deep breath. "She loves you, and her mother is marrying her off to Lord Cedric tonight if this keeps going the way it is." Viktor's blood ran cold this wasn't just a potential match this was imminent. A marriage Tessa was stuck in with no choice and all because she fell in love with a butler, with him. For a second he didn't move, barely breathed. His mind spun with panic, rage, and helplessness while still holding his grief that was weighing on him so deep now it was crushing him.
He felt like he wanted to burn it all down and take her away from there however he was a butler, a servant he had no power to stop this without blowing up her whole world. Elias could see the storm behind Viktor's eyes, the devastation, the rage. He didn't pity him, he understood. A man who loved Tessa and couldn't do anything about it without possibly hurting her more. Elias put his hand on Viktor's shoulder firmly. "Listen to me, I'm not going to let this happen without a fight." he hissed. A fire burning behind Elias and his green eyes. This was personal now. This was hurting the only woman he had ever loved and he was willing to help Viktor burn it all to the ground even if it was his families dynasty he was burning just as long as Tessa was happy.
Viktor was surprised by Elias and his words as well as the hand on his shoulder. He wasn't treating him like just some servant but as a real suitor for his cousins love. He looked at a man who was giving him a small bit of hope although he wasn't sure of his plan but he was all in with whatever it is was. He could tell that Elias loved her too so he was willing to hear anything he had to say that could get Tessa out of this. Viktor had became a desperate man drowning, clutching on to the rope of whatever Elias was bringing to the table so not to drown in the dark waters he felt collapsing his lungs. Viktor had never felt this kind of pain and he was sure that Elias was a better man than him at this point. He had understood Elias would do anything to make Tessa happy even if not with him. Viktor admitted his selfishness he wanted to be with Tessa at any cost, he wanted her with no one else, and he would burn everything to the ground to be with her. He was sure with the pain that was captivating him that without her there really was no living in this world anymore.
Viktor met Elias' intense eyes with his eyelids laced with tears. Viktor had only cried that once in front of her but his facade was cracking this confident man who showed no emotion he was breaking because she is the only one who made him feel alive. Without her he hated himself, he couldn't be a perfect servant when if he had to live a life without her he would rather just be dead. As tears streamed down his face now as he was breaking his barely audible words escaped his lips. "What...can you do? What...can we do?" Elias saw his tears glisten down his face and he felt his heart break not realizing how deeply Viktor loved her, he even questioned if maybe he loved her more than even he had. He had never seen Viktor so broken he was always so distinguished and stern and here the same man looks like he is falling apart with out his life line that fits his heart so well. Elias went on explaining the plan. "First, I can stall. Delay the engagement announcement. If they are planning to announce it tonight I'll find a way to drag things out. Second...I have connections. My family has influence in court circles that Lord Cedric doesn't yet." A sly edge to his tone as he continued. "We might be able to ruin him socially if he is unfit for marriage after all."
Viktor listened as he wiped his own tears from his face. "Even if you prove him unfit, her mother will just marry her off to the next and so on." He hated he was right but he had seen how certain her mother was to have her married off and far away from him as fast as she could. Elias let out a sigh he realized Viktor was right it was the realistic cold truth. Noble marriages weren't about love it was strategy, power and money. The thought of Tessa just being passed around from one nobleman to the next made him sicker by the minute. Then without another thought he spoke. "Unless...Tessa refuses." It was unheard of for a noblewoman to do something like that but Elias thought it would be a way out, however before he could run with the idea Viktor spoke with truth. "If she did that it would ruin her, make her unfit for any marriage. It would break her promise to her mother so that I could keep my job too." He was sure that the duchess would punish her because she took it personal how much Tessa loved him. He knew that she would see it as betrayal and although he didn't care about his job he wouldn't be here to protect her from whatever the consequences would be on her. It would end up being the perfect storm that would cost Tessa everything, Viktor his livelihood and both of them destroyed because they loved each other too much to stay silent.
Elias gritted his teeth. "Good! Let it happen. Do you care about a social standings for a job in a place the woman you love is already disgraced in?" His words hit Viktor like a punch in the chest. Awakening what really mattered. Did social matter, the job matter, the money matter compared to Tessa's happiness? To her being forced into a miserable life with a man who saw her as a transaction while Viktor just stood by and did nothing?" Viktor has spent his life being obedient, loyal, a perfect servant but at what cost? If loving Tessa meant losing everything then maybe losing everything was worth it. Before Viktor responded to such a profound set of questions Elias spoke up with a plan that could work. "I have connections to people I can make sure you both have money to start a life with in a small country area away from all this if you want." Viktor's breath caught his eyes widening he couldn't believe this was happening, Elias was offering them an escape from this life to be together. A new life, money to survive by, a home far from the duchess, Cedric and all their suffocationg rules.
The idea seemed too good to be true but as he looked at Elias he could see he was dead serious. His mind racing this was insane something Viktor would have never stepped out of his rank for until the idea of not being with her became too unbearable. No more hiding, no more pretending, he would be able to love her out loud and no more of the world trying to tear them apart. Then the moment stopped him in his tracks. "Tessa would have to leave everything. Her title, her family, the estate. Would she really walk away from all of that? For me? For a butler?" Before he let Elias respond he murmured. "You need to talk to Tessa then find out if this is what she wants if she then there is no turning back and I'm all in if she wants this, if she wants me." Elias nodded firmly. He knew he was right Tessa needed to choose this time not him or Viktor but her. Give her a choice no one else is giving her. "Give me five minutes." Already turning back toward the ballroom doors. He slipped back inside scanning for Tessa. She stood near Cedric and her mother still trapped in polite conversation with no escape.
Elias trying to blend in with the guests as he made his way up to where Tessa was. He stopped when he got close enough to hear over the music the fakeness in Lord Cedric's words. He stepped into her space. "Lady Tessa." He said it smoothly bowing as if to make small talk. "Might I steal you for a dance? The musicians are playing your favorite song." It was a lie but a good one. Not like Cedric or the duchess knew the things she loved or not so as far as they know this instrumental sound is her favorite and after all was her party. Tessa met his eyes not sure what he was doing but she wanted out of this hell so she curtsied to Cedric and her mother. "Yes I would like that. Excuse me Lord Cedric maybe a dance with you after? Mother." She acknowledged them all before taking Elias' hand. Cedric gave her a curtesy nod he was displeased at being side lined but unwilling to argue the protocol when she was already promised to him. The duchess waved Tessa off already turning back to Lord Cedric to discuss marriage details she had made her descison.
Elias walked Tessa out onto the floor and pulled her close dancing gracefully with her. He swirled her around towards the center of the ballroom. Elias leaned into her ear his voice barely a whisper. "Viktor told me everything." As his words she gasped but she couldn't help but at hearing his name her heart started to beat faster. "What do you mean?" Elias kept a straight face dancing like normal trying not to make the duchess approach them again not until the plan was in motion. "That, Viktor loves you as you love him and i know your mother is forcing you to marry Lord Cedric. Is this what you want? Truly?" Tessa's breath hitched her steps faltered for just a second but forced herself to keep in step with Elias. "No I don't want Lord Cedric of course I want Viktor. But...I can't have him." Her words were shaky she was trying to keep her emotion from flooding over and Lord Cedric coming over sooner than needed.
Elias' grip tightened on her hand. He leaned in softly whispering. "I can get you out." He paused for a moment as she could feel her heartbeat thumping against her ribs harder than ever. His words were hope, the hope she thought was gone. "Viktor and I, we can make a life for you. Far from here, that is if you want." She looked at him in surprise, with hope glimmer coming back into her eyes. She then stopped. "But...how with me being noble?" He exhaled he knew this was the hard part but he was sure he knew Tessa's heart enough to know that none of this life meant anything to her over Viktor. Even though her confession to Viktor that night they made love she wanted none of it she still felt like that even if Viktor didn't think he was worth her leaving everything, that he was just afraid she didn't want to lose it all for just him. "Money. I have access to my families funds. Not enough for palaces or titles but enough for a small house, land and security for you two." A humble life compared to what she was used to luxury but she would be free, free of politics, social standards and be able to be with Viktor without fear of losing him again. Without hesitation she blurted out forgetting anyone was around. "Yes I want it." Tessa the daughter of a duchess had chosen love over a title something her mother could have done long time ago for her own love but chose this life instead. Tessa wasn't like her mother though, none of this money and status meant anything if she couldn't be with the man she truly loved.
As the song was coming to and end, Elias spun her around once more whispering as he did. "You see the side corridor out on to the balcony? Meet Viktor there in ten minutes. Don't say goodbye to anyone, just go. I'll handle the rest from there." He let her hand go and bowed as the song ended. Elias quickly left her side and headed out to tell Viktor what the verdict was so he wouldn't be left in suspense any longer. Tessa slowly with grace moved towards the door, a slow drift not to look obvious. There was a hor'derves table closer to the corridor so she felt was easy to make her way towards the table first without being noticed. Cedric intercepted her thought as he reached her holding his hand out to her, she felt stuck she had promised him the next dance. His gloved hand still extended and polite with a smile on his face. "Lady Tessa." he said with a smooth almost gentle sound to his voice. "Our dance?" She couldn't refuse him outright because it would make a scene and blow up the get away she knew this. She saw her mother watching from across the room as well. Even though her hands were trembling she placed it into Cedric's palm to the center of the ballroom.
Viktor stood near the open doorway watching as they were in line of his sight now. His blood instantly ran cold, they were so close for him to just whisp Tessa away and now the wait was on them again. Cedric held her like a future husband with a possessive hold on her like she was already his. Every second Viktor watched made him sick to his stomach. Every minute they were together the closer to sealing Tessa's fate with this man. Elias noticed the view and quickly stepped in front of Viktor to block the line of sight before panic flooded over. Then Elias said something Viktor didn't expect to hear. "This is your time to make a scene, if you want her, make it known to everyone. If it ruins you both then you both can leave and no one should follow. Then I can meet you both in the next town over and we can go from there." Viktor nods then slowly steps back inside.
Elias' words sank in Viktor had a choice a final chance to claim Tessa publicly, even if it destroyed his life as a butler forever. The scene would be catastrophic if Viktor a mere servant interrupted a dance of Lady Tessa and her noble betrothed. A scandal that would shatter propriety get him fired and possibly arrested for disrespect. However the gears in his head were working faster now as it came to him, they could run and never look back. Viktor didn't hesitate a moment later. He moved by instinct no longer by the disciplined life he had held as a butler. He stormed into the ballroom past Elias and marched straight towards Cedric and Tessa. Guests were already noticing his stance and how he had one agenda in mind. As the whispers started to radiate the room the music lower than before or was it just the chatter had gotten so loud of the gossip.
Viktor reached the two dancing and instantly pushed Cedric back and stepped in between him and Tessa. His expression as he met Cedric's stare, it was intense, cold, furious and determined. The ball room fell silent as Viktor reached for Tessa's hand yet never taking his eyes off Cedric. Everyone was in a frantic a butler putting his hands on a noblewoman like she belonged to him touching her in this way after breaking apart her and her partners first dance. The duchess watched on in anger after her sudden gasp. Cedric recoiled his face twisted into disgust and outrage. Tessa's heart pounded as Viktor held her hand tightly refusing to let go despite now Cedric reaching for her other hand now. Tessa had never seen Viktor like this however she was happy to see he would fight for her if need be, made her know she would always be safe with him. The music had came to a stop and whispers died down, everyone waiting to see what was going to happen next. A moment frozen in time with no one speaking and two men staring each other down while holding the woman they wants arms from either side. One simple beat before chaos erupted into the room.
Cedric then yanked Tessa's arm yanking her back with a snarl. "Who the hell are you?" The room gasped as the duchess now standing to her feet still watching on in shock and fury. Viktor didn't flinch. Instead he pulled Tessa fully back towards him pulling her into his arms and shielding her from Cedric. He didn't care anymore of the outcome as long as she was with him. He looked sternly into Cedric's eyes and announced loudly for everyone to hear. "SHE'S MINE!" The ballroom erupted into chatter yet again. Murmurs of shocked nobles were exploding like fireworks. The room was still quiet enough to hear the duchess dropping her fan that had slipped from her fingers clattering to the floor. Cedric's look livid and cold. His face turning red with rage as he pointed at Viktor before launching and attack. "You insolent servant, how dare you?!" Security guards near the doors began moving toward them. Then for the first time in all this Tessa grabbed onto Viktor as well, she looked at Cedric before blurting out. "I choose him, I love him, and I am Viktor's and only his."
Her voice rang through out the ballroom clear, loud, strong, and unapologetic. She was declaring her love for Viktor in front of the whole noble society. A declaration that shattered every rule, every expectation. The duchess was frozen in this horror. The public humiliation would ruin her family and she knew it. Her daughter choosing a butler over a duke's son, she knew the family would never recover from such a outrage and disrespect to the noble society. Cedric clinching his fist looking in anger like he had been slapped by Tessa's declaration. The whispers from around the ballroom erupting some covering their mouths others pointing directly at Tessa and Viktor as if they were witnessing a crime. Cedric staggered back his face in more disgust before yelling in Tessa's direction. "You're disowned." As his words clearly louder than anything else in the room the duchess snapped out of the daze and stormed towards her traitorous daughter. Before she reached her daughter Cedric spit on Tessa no sooner than he did this Viktor reacted without thought.
Viktor's fist connected with Cedric's jaw in a crack of violence. Sending the nobleman crashing to the marble floor, unconscious before he even hit. The room exploded in panic, guards surged forward but Tessa had already reacted. She grabbed Viktor's hand and bolted towards the nearest exist. The duchess screaming out something towards them but it was too late they didn't stop they kept running and didn't look back. they left all the chaotic outburst in that room and that life behind them. The made it out the doors and down the balcony steps towards the gravel driveaway, neither stopping as they heard guards yelling from behind them. Viktor knew the grounds better than she did so as soon as he noticed the side entrance to lead them from where the guards were he pulled on Tessa's arm and they fled into the dark road and headed towards town. Freedom was ahead of them but Viktor knew until they met up with Elias they weren't there yet.
As they ran Tessa eventually slipped her heels off and tried to run faster. Soon as Viktor noticed that she was struggling to keep up and he didn't feel they could stop yet since they could still hear the guards yelling in the distance. He scooped her up with a squeak from her into his arms and didn't hesitate to hold her close as he kept running. She wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned into him. Wasn't long before they started to see the town lights up ahead and there was Elias standing under one of the streetlights with a wagon ready for them to leave town with. As Viktor got closer he realized it was him under his hooded jacket, holding two packed satchels. Soon as Elias had seen them get closer saw how tired and ragged they looked he asked nothing of them he just moved into action. He took Tessa from Viktor's arms lifting her up into the back of the wagon then handing Viktor the satchels. As Viktor tried to catch his breath and Tessa safely in the back of the wagon Elias put his hand on his shoulder. "Let's go now before its too late." Viktor nodded as he climbed into the back of the wagon with Tessa and Elias took to the front of the wagon with the driver.
Days pathed the next chapter of their life. Viktor held Tessa tightly in the back of the wagon as it took a few days to reach their destination. The satchels were packed with money, food, and water. Viktor didn't much care for food he just wanted them safe however he made sure she ate and drank plenty to keep her strength up on their way. The destination was far from the noble land that Tessa had grew up on so they would be out of reach and hidden in a way her mother would never find her and all thanks to Elias. Tessa slept most of it in his arms only waking from the times he would push her to eat or drink then slowly drifting back into his shielded arms where she knew she was protected. Elias was quiet most the trip letting Viktor and Tessa rest as they needed while he kept watch of any sudden movements on the roadside or trouble ahead. As they finally approached a small cottage Elias smiled, he had put it under false names so would be Viktor and Tessa's first real home together and he felt proud of himself he always wanted Tessa happy even if the gods couldn't smile on him being the one she was happy with.
Elias looked back once more at the sleeping Tessa curled into Viktor's arms, he knew she would be safe and happy now and he didn't have to worry he knew Viktor would protect her. A pang hit his heart for a moment and Viktor met his eyes. Viktor knew he loved Tessa and he knew all this was for her but he was still thankful for the trust he laid in him. Viktor nodded as gratitude towards Elias with a soft spoken. "Thank you." Elias smiled and returned the nod. As they pulled in front of the cottage Elias jumped from the front of the wagon. "Welcome to your new life and home." He blurted it out louder than needed but he was damn sure they were safe far from Tessa's old life that kept her prisoner. Viktor slowly woke Tessa and lifter her out of the wagon so that her bare feet wouldn't touch the dirt. The cottage was simple, wooden, with ivy climbing up the sides. A small garden bloomed to the side of the cottage where Tessa could learn to plant fresh fruits and vegetables. Tessa's eyes lit up as she took it all in still leaning into Viktor who held her tightly in his arms as they breathed in the new life that approached them.
Viktor walked her through the threshold as Elias had already sprinted ahead opening the door first and already inside. As Viktor set her down on the floor and they looked over their small cottage, it was furnished even, Elias went above and beyond to make sure they had a fresh start. Tessa reached out grabbing Elias in for a hug without either of the men expecting it. Elias smile was warm and genuine he was glad to see her happy. Her words bout brought him to tears. "Thank you so much for everything." His heart fluttered even knowing he could do something like this to take her away from the life she was never meant for. She was always the girl nothing like the rest of the noble girls its why Elias knew it was easy to fall in love with her even at a young age, and since no girl had ever outshined Tessa. He knew he had lost the war for her heart but then he also knew he was never in the running with being her family too. As he hugged her tightly his words softly ringing in her ears. "You are so welcome, be happy, love strong and never let anyone put out that fire in you that I love so well."
Viktor didn't flinch at Elias and Tessa hugging he trusted him more than anything after all he did for them. He had become part of the family and only because Elias and Tessa made him that and not just a servant anymore. As Elias stepped back from her warm arms Viktor met him his still white gloved hand stretched out to shake his hand it lingered longer than it should have but it was almost as a silent vow that Viktor would take good care of Tessa. Elias met him with a smile shaking his hand. "Before I go I have one more thing for you two." He walked out the door leaving them standing there curious to what else he had. As Elias returned he returned with a bag of clothes for them. "Here take these clothing and get rid of the ones you are wearing. You shouldn't be caught with these noble and servant clothing." After Tessa and Viktor changed out of the clothing they put theirs in a bag and handed to Elias to take with him.
They all walked out to the wagon where Elias threw their clothes into a chest shutting it and closing the chapter in Tessa and Viktor's life that was their past and now letting them breathe as partners in a new life. He looked up at them once more. "There is identification in the bag with the money, I had your names put on the house as Anthony & Violet Langley. Enjoy you new lives as husband and wife." As he grinned wide Tessa grabbed him hugging him tighter than before. She was so happy in this moment she couldn't believe Elias did all this for them. As he petted her head smiling as his hand grazed over her long hair. As she looked up at him she had happy tears lining her eye lids. With one swoop of his hand he captured those tears kissing her on the top of her head. "You both take care of each other." As Tessa moved back to Viktors side she waved at Elias. "You will come back and visit us won't you?"
Elias' his heart swelled he really thought this was goodbye but she really wanted to see him again. He was so happy he nodded. "Of course I will come see you both, might take some time for things to calm down but I will e back and I will bring you things as I can." With those words he hopped up into the wagon nodded at them and the driver took off slowly as Tessa and Viktor waved at them until they were out of sight. They walked into their new home shutting the door before she let out a soft breath. "Did this really happen? Are we really ok to love each other out loud?" Viktor pulled her into his arms really looked at her for the first time since they'd arrived. He brushed the hair off the side of her face smiling down at her. He saw no fear in her eyes, no sadness just wonder, hope, and pure unguarded love. He leaned in kissing her lips a real kiss that didn't have to be stolen in the shadows or behind clothes doors but something open and real.
It was nearly a month later they had settled into their new lives as Anthony & Violet. They had started a small farm in their yard for fresh food, and Viktor had a food stand in town where they would sell off some of what they grow for profit. They wanted to make sure they had a way to take care of themselves since they didn't know how long before Elias would return and didn't want to live off his kindness forever. Viktor was a proud man he wanted to give Tessa everything in the world to make her happy so he would work until his hands would bleed if need be to give her everything. Viktor returned home one day from the food stand the moment he opened the door he was met with Tessa standing there with a soft glow to her skin even. "My love..." Her words soft but still made his heart beat faster every time she called him endearments. Viktor's face softened the second her heard those words. A month ago that wouldn't been impossible spoken in secret whispers or not at all, but now? It was their reality. He dropped his basket of fresh vegetables and swept her up into a hug kissing her lips softly before she could even ask about his day.
As their lips broke and she looked up at him with a loving gaze. "I need to tell you something." Viktor's smile faded slightly as if not worried but focusing on whatever it is she needed to speak with him about. He took her hands in his calloused hands, what was once covered by gloves now exposed, holding, touching the love of his life. "Tell me." he said gently just pure attention given to whatever she was about to say next. She reached down rubbing over her belly although nothing was showing as of yet she met his eyes and smiled. "We are going to have a baby!" For a solid three seconds he didn't breathe, didn't blink, just stared at Tessa like she had spoken a foreign language. A baby? their baby? Joy, feat, awe, and pure unconditional love flowed through him, the emotions swelling up inside of him that it brought him to tears as he pulled her close reaching down letting his hand glide over he belly. He was still so lost in these words that he was pure speechless. He leaned down kissing her belly softly, it was their first unborn child and he already cherished it beyond measures. As he stood back up she went into explaining how she knew. "I saw a doctor today and they said day of conception was that first night we were together."
His heart clenched it was the night he had let himself slip for the first time and truly indulge in her. It was the night that changed their whole lives and yet it was the day that they shared their love in the most purest way that led to bringing a new life into this world. She broke the silence he had fell into with a soft loving joke. "Guess Lord Cedric would have been mad and left me by now if I had shown up pregnant" She started laughing, soon Viktor snorted then full out laughed deeply. The thought of Cedric's reaction was absurdly satisfying to them both. An unthinkable scandal not only is the pompous aristocrats wife to be pregnant with another man's child but by a servant. Cedric would have disowned her on the spot or worse tried to force and abortion to save his family's honor. Viktor knew this fate they ended up in was much better than she would have been if she had been with Cedric. Here they were now no one could touch them they were happily married, in love and about to be parents to a child born from love.
Even with new names they still shared the same love, if not stronger and unbridled. Viktor laced his fingers into hers, marveling how perfect life was turning out for them despite everything they had to go through to flee the cage they were once in. Tessa snapped Viktor from his happy thoughts. "Wait until Elias finds out he is going to be a godfather." She smiled wide as Viktor's eyes lit up. He knew it was a great honor to bestow on Elias, the man who saved them, given them a future and welcomed Viktor into the family. "Next time he visits, we will tell him together." Viktor said softly before kissing her softly again. He had never wished for something like this, he was never sure as a servant he could ever have this let alone a family and he was happier than he thought he ever could be. He had even let the strict butler rest and smiled more, laughed more and let himself truly live in every moment with Tessa.
A couple months later Tessa was showing four months along in her pregnancy when Elias finally made his way back to see them. He had waited til everything cooled down first before chancing the trip back to see them. After a sudden knock Viktor opened the door now used to anyone addressing him as Anthony now, so to his surprise hearing Elias call his true name. "Viktor." They lived far enough from the town they didn't need to worry about anyone hearing but he was welcomed inside fairly quickly just in case. As Viktor turned around to address Elias, Tessa had already walked into the room and gasped. "Oh my, you have changed Elias!" She had noticed his hair was shorter, his clothes simpler, yet he looked happy and it was unmistakably him. She grabbed him pulling him in for a hug the first one in months. The pregnancy unmistakable at four months, and he had noticed already as he pulled back from the hug. "Looks like you have changed too...alot." She smiled as he reached down to rub her belly. "Congratulations you two."
A tiny kick bumped against Elias' hand and it hit him like a tidal wave. The little baby was real, alive, and theirs together and Elias was so happy that his good deed led to this. Before he could say another word Viktor blurted out what Tessa had been tiptoeing on saying yet. "We want you to be the godfather to our child." Elias turned towards Viktor and his eyes lit up he hadn't expected this at all, tears pricked at his eyes as they blurred. "Oh wow...yes I would love to!" His words were excited and full of the happiness in the upcoming future. After they had made the plans clear of who Elias would be to their unborn child Tessa couldn't help herself for asking. "So what's life in my old home since I ran away. Are they still mad or looking for us?" Elias exhaled as Viktor was making them some tea behind the counter. The update wasn't the best but he never kept anything from Tessa when she asked. "Your mother is furious. She's been publicly furious, throwing parties like nothing happened, pretending you don't exist. Cedric was humiliated and pissed for weeks then moved on to the next noblewoman. As far as a hunt for you two there hasn't been anything to my knowledge, your mother wants to erase your name entirely, not chase a runaway daughter through peasant towns."
Tessa listened as Viktor poured everyone some hot tea and sat it on the table. "But...I was her only child so now what's she going to do she has no air to the household name?" Elias met her eyes as he took a sip of his tea. His expression darkened slightly. The duchess had in fact no other child and only one heir to her legacy and that was the a devastating blow to the noble bloodlines. "She's scrambling, no other children means no direct descendant for the estate. She has been trying to marry off distant cousins so they can carry the Van Der Laine name." Even in Elias' words Tessa realized the bitter irony, her rebellion might've doomed her mother's entire lineage, while Viktor and her lived out peaceful lives as farmers with a baby on the way. After taking a sip of his tea again Elias continued. "Honestly from what my family told me if she has no heir to take the family name by the time I choose to marry then she gets removed and the house becomes mine since her brother is my father and the rightful owner to the home without a male heir as her child."
Viktor's held back the laugh that he wanted to unleash so bad and he held it back until Tessa noticed and started laughing. It didn't take long before they all realized the duchess had made her own bed and now had to lay in it while all three of them would go on to be happy living their lives. Tessa bit her lip her mother had been so obsessed with controlling her marriage that she never considered what losing an heir entirely meant for the power. Elias shrugged it off however he knew that him getting married was a pressing matter now because he couldn't take ownership of the land without being married. However Elias still didn't seem rushed he wanted to marry for love not politics, or duty. The duchess had chosen to lose her, she chose wealth and status over her daughter's happiness and now? That stubbornness might cost the duchess everything. While Elias one day would marry for love and take all that should have been his by birth right. While Tessa and Viktor live out the happy life with the love that is stronger than all the wealth in the world. Elias last words before finishing off his tea leaving a bag with more money in it for them on the table on his way out the door. "Don't worry about a thing everything will work out. She made her bed now she gets to lie in it. Be happy, and love that baby with everything you got and I will be back next month to check on you two... well three now." Tessa's life was harder than it was when she was handed everything but being free to love the man her heart always knew as home was the only thing mattered going fourth.
The End!
================================================
If You Like My Work Or Want To Make Requests Please If You Can Be So Kind And Donate.
✨ REQUESTS ARE OFFICIALLY OPEN! (Fanfics & Videos) ✨
Hey everyone! I am so excited to announce that I have completely updated my Ko-fi page and my custom request slots are officially open! 🎉
If you've been wanting a specific story written or a custom edit made, you can now grab a dedicated slot directly through my Ko-fi "Requests" tab!
👉 Grab your slot here: ko-fi.com
✍️ Custom Fanfic Requests ($5)
Want to see your favorite boys brought to life? I am taking 1,000-word custom fanfic prompts!
Fandoms I'm writing for right now: Love and Deepspace, Piofiore, Bungou Stray Dogs, Collar x Malice, and Kamigami no Asobi. (If you have other requests just ask I might still can do it.)
Fluff, angst, and tagged NSFW/Smut are all welcome! (I also do scenario postings of your favorite boys and how they react in normal situations)
🎬 Custom AMV / GMV Video Requests ($10)
Let’s make a custom music video for your favorite ship or character! Because detailed video editing takes me 4 to 6 hours, these slots are very limited.
What I edit: Shoujo, Josei, Reverse Harem, and Supernatural series/games.
(Please note: I do not edit Shounen or standard male-lead Harems!)
☕ Just want to support the blog?
If you don't have a request but love my reviews and daily posts, you can now buy me a coffee for just $3! Every little bit helps me keep my video editing software running and my caffeine levels high for late-night writing sessions.
Thank you all so much for being part of this space and supporting my work! Clear guidelines and request forms are waiting for you on the page. Let's create something awesome together! 💖
🍁🍃 Hello and welcome to our sixth annual Flufftober 🍃🍁
Every year, we're so excited to share our prompts with you and look forward to all your beautiful creations that will fill the month of October with all the fluff 🥰 also, we're trying something new this year, so make sure to scroll all the way down and don't stop at the main list of 31 prompts or the usual list of alt prompts...😏
But first things first 😊
🍁 As with all our events, our standard blog rules apply, and you'll find answers to most questions on our FAQ post.
🍁 Below the cut, you'll find the necessary posting info, all the prompts in writing, and explanations for some prompts.
🍁 Please make sure to read the entire post! If you have any questions after that, feel free to send us an ask.
So many Prompt Extras 😍
🍁Yes, we heard your plea for more alternative prompts 😉
🍁 We also heard the tears of our friends in the Southern Hemisphere...
🍁 As always, you're welcome to replace prompts from the original list for whatever reason - no explanation needed.
Remember, you can use the Prompt Extras however you like:
💜 to replace a prompt from the original list
💜 to create even more content aside from the original prompts
💜 mixed together to enhance one or more of the other prompts
Whichever way you use them, have fun and go wild 🍃
You promised us something new 👀
Yes, we did - so welcome to the 2026 Flufftober Challenge Tasks 😁
We hope you like these prompts, and now
Happy Creating 🥳
What's the tag to get reblogged? ✍️
🍁 The tag is #flufftober2026
Make sure there is NO SPACE between flufftober and 2026! We will NOT be checking other variations of this tag!
🍁 It's also good to mention us: @flufftober
🍁 We try to reblog regularly, but tumblr likes to be difficult and wonky. If you're absolutely certain a post has slipped past us, please send us an ask with the link to your post.
🍁 Please make sure that all info is easy to find, either in the post or the tags. It takes a lot of time and energy to research every other post. So, please make sure to at least include the following very clearly:
💜 the day/alt/challenge prompt
💜 the fandom(s) (add "original work" or similar if applicable)
💜 the characters and/or ship(s) (add "oc" or similar if applicable)
What about the ao3 collection? 📝
🍁 The collection's name is Flufftober 2026 (either as flufftober2026 or as flufftober_2026)
🍁 Our collections will never close, so you can always add any late entries.
Deadlines are my nemesis 🥹
Don't worry, late entries are always welcome!
🍁 Reblogs will become less regular after the event has ended.
🍁 We will stop checking the event tag after a few months, so please make sure to tag us: @flufftober
Prompts
1. “This is so romantic.” - “You’re so weird.”
2. New Opportunities
3. Signature Move (a dance move, a gesture, etc.)
4. Season Tickets (for a sports team, a theme park, etc.)
5. Reading Nook
6. Pet Shop
7. Pass
8. Cure
9. String (of Fate)
10. “Are you sure?”
11. Baking Together
12. Building a Winter Home for the Wildlife
13. Creating a new Playlist
14. Under the Sea or Up in the Sky
15. Watching a Game/Show/Concert
16. Practicing Together
17. “Absolutely not!” - “Absolutely yes!”
18. Herbs & Leaves
19. Group Activity
20. Flying a Kite
21. Bucket List
22. Old Love
23. Crush
24. Trust
25. Ring
26. Road Trip
27. “I hate to ask, but-”
28. Harmless Addiction (to coffee, to a TV-show, etc.)
29. Doing something daring
30. Beach Day or Hiking Trip
31. So long, Goodbye, Farewell
Prompt Extras
Last Year's Favorites
Alt 1. Pillows, Plushies, Piles of Blankets
Alt 2. “Is that my hoodie?” - “... No?”
Alt 3. Fake Relationship
Alt 4. Set up by Friends
Alt 5. Late Night Talks
Alt 6. In Vino Veritas
Alt 7. “Stay?”
Well, hello there, Southern Hemisphere!
Alt 8. Hay Fever
Alt 9. Baby Animals
Alt 10. Making Daisy Chains
Alt 11. Sun Showers & Rainbows
Alt 12. Barbecues & Baked Potatoes
Alt 13. The Scent of Freshly Cut Grass
Alt 14. Flowering Bulbs & Fruit Blossoms
Alt 15. Burning Off, Bushfire Prep, Bonfires
- Burning Off: burning the underbrush, clearing dead leaves, etc.; burning in a small, controlled way so that if/when a real fire comes in the hotter, drier summer, it won't have as much to burn.
- Bushfire Prep: is all of the above, but also things like checking your smoke detectors, making sure your telephone tree of your neighbours has all up-to-date numbers, etc.
Challenge
Use one or more prompts from this year’s list to:
C 1. Create a FIX-IT
C 2. Create something for a RARE PAIR and/or CROSSOVER SHIP
C 3. FINISH an older WIP (published or not)
C 4. Create something for a CHARACTER who deserves more love
C 5. COMBINE with a prompt from a previous year
C 6. Create something for a SHIP you’ve never used before but always wanted to
It had been a long day out training the cloud knights and Jing Yuan just wanted to get out of these hot clothes, he was simmering in them. Soon as he walked into his living space, he looked around and started un-robing himself from his clothes. By the time he got to the bathroom there wasn't a stitch of clothes left on him. He swung the door open without a care in the world, grabbed the necessities out from the mini closet and went fourth with warming up the hot water. He lived alone however he did have you that would come tidy up things every few days. He had forgot you were supposed to be coming today. When you entered his living space his head was submerged under the shower head and could not hear you enter. You called out a few times with no answer you walk cautiously in and after a few minutes of seeing or hearing no one you let your shoulders rest.
You started cleaning up around the space until you ran into his trail of clothes heading towards the bathroom. You were a bit intrigued as anyone would be. Jing Yuan was by far the most attractive and kind mannered to the ladies as to you. You slowly tip toed to the door which was ajar with just the perfect line up to the shower. You crouched down to get a better view without him noticing. As you realized you could now see his firm ass barely showing from the side of the curtain. You felt your cheeks flush as the heat surfaced from your neck to your cheeks. The sounds of the water spilling over his body and your eyes were glued to it now. His round sexy ass poking from the curtain again and you gasped. You had never really paid much attention to anyone's butt before but he had the sexiest one you were sure you had ever seen. It was firm, sculpted just right and dripping with water droplets.
It only took a moment before your heart started beating faster. Then as your ears came into focus you heard soft grunts and you were sure they were him. You covered your mouth you wanted to scream at how naughty you knew this was and how you had never done anything like this before. Then he turned pushing back the shower curtain giving you more view than he even knew. His right hand wrapped around his strong veined cock stroking himself slowly. The water dripping down his lips as the soft gasps and grunts coming from his lips now have you hypnotized. He was beautiful, he was sexy, he was perfect and you were watching him masturbate. You licked your lips and softly biting them watching him like this. Trying to stay quiet in the hallway as you lower yourself onto the floor and spreading your thighs. Slipping your fingers inside your pants and up against your already swollen clit.
This wasn't planned but you hadn't plan to stop now you were caught up in the motion and wanted more. You rubbed faster across your slick knub, trying to not be too loud with soft whimpers, barely audible. With every stroke you felt this urge inside of you grow. The more your excitement grew the barely audible whimpers had gotten louder, you had no idea how much though. You leaned back closing your eyes, fluttering them open and closed taking in every inch of his perfection drenched from head to toe. His cock at the perfect angle as he stroked it faster then his grunt gets louder as he gasps letting out the loudest grow as thick white seed spilled from the head of his cock. He still kept stroking after pushing every drop from the tip of his cock. The cum dripping from the tip as it now dangled in front of him exhausted from the excursion. Right then you hit your peak seeing him drip so much of his cream making you want to taste it even. You felt your own essence splash over your fingers soaking your pants. You bit down on your bottom lip as you whimpered trying not to get attention in your direction.
Then you hear your name called by one of the other workers on the grounds. You look up startled then without caution the door opens up and Jing Yuan is looking down at you shirtless, still wet, with a white cotton towel wrapped around his lower half. You were mortified your hand was still down your pants, you now had a present wet spot in the middle of your cacky colored pants. The head grounds keep startled in gasping at the sight. She then turned to Jing Yuan apologizing profusely. "So sorry general, she will no longer work here after this stunt." Jing Yuan reached his hand down to help you up, your cheeks already flushed from embarrassment. You started to stutter as you came to your feet his strong arms wrapping around your arm to pull you to balance. Then as you were sure you were fired, bowed your head and apologized. "I'm so sorry General Jing Yuan, I'm ashamed of myself I will go sir." As you went to pull away from him slowly he pulled you back in before noting firmly to the head grounds keep. "She will not be fired, she will from now on only cater to me and my living environment."
Your eyes quickly darted off of his face down to the floor, you couldn't believe what you were hearing. You knew what you had done would have been dismissal from any other job you had no clue what this meant for your future. Jing Yuan waved the groundskeeper and cleaning ladies away. He still hadn't taken his arms from around you as the drip of his hair against your neck gave you chills. Soon as he felt you shudder he grabbed for his towel wrapped around his waist pulling it off of himself and draping around your shoulders. It all happened so fast you couldn't believe you were now looking down at his naked cock swaying in his movements. You bit your bottom lip as he tried to warm you up by rubbing the warmth of the towel that had once been wrapped around his waist. Your eyes you couldn't remove from how bad you wanted to touch him in the moment.
As he started to pet your hair, you couldn't control yourself anymore. You reached down slowly grabbing his cock as he grunts. He however doesn't push you away so you grab for a even better grip. Before you know it, his cock had started to pulse in your hand. It was beckoning to be stroked maybe even better than he was. Soon as it was fitting tightly in your hand that had been groping every inch of his shaft, you started to move it up and down. The slow motion up and down his rod made his gasps, moans, and groans louder with each stroke. As each stroke makes you wetter with the intensity that was lying between you both in this moment. Your eyes met his as he leaned in kissing your mouth roughly at first but he soon softened and your lips met his with deeper passion. Moans escaped your own lips as you felt his hand between your legs now pushing slowly up inside your sweet little cunt.
He instantly reached down with his other hand and ripped your pants off of you, then your underwear. He made rough movements but soon as he would hear your soft gasps he would melt into being gentle with you. After all he was the sleepy lion, gentle with authority. He pulls you into the bathroom turning you around and pushing you down on the sink. As you look face into the mirror you feel his hand rubbing across your ass cheeks now. His cock still throbbing even though it was gently pulled from your hand. He grinned as you looked back meeting his fiery eyes. Then you realized as he leaned in breathing heavy into your ear. "This is what happens when your not the good girl I know you can be." he was punishing you for being a bad girl watching him with no authority. He rubbed your ass cheeks again one by one as you went to wince you felt the first hard smack to your bottom.
You shrieked with each smack to each ass cheek. He only smacked each cheek twice until they were rosy red. He felt accomplished as you were slightly in pain but so turned on that you were like a cat in heat, wanting his attention as you push your ass up at him. He smiled before pulling you back into his arms as his hands trailed down the underside of them as he put them above your head. His heavy breath tickling your right ear as he murmured into your ear. "Maybe you need to be taken care of properly." Your mind sunk into the gutter at his dirty words you wanted flowing over you as his lips grazed your neck. Your moans getting louder as he reaches down rubbing his cock against your ass cheek and softly smacking it against each cheek. You found yourself turned on by the idea of him entering your ass and taking you for a first experience. You were practically mewling wanting more, pushing your tight little ass up against his hard as rock cock. "Yess....Fuck....More..." No coherent sentences he could just tell how horny and hungry you were to have him deep in your depths.
He pushed you back forward letting you spread those tight little ass cheeks for him. He rubbed his cock down from your pussy back up to your ass hole, giving you your very own lubricant to wet his tip. After a few times teasing your pretty little cunt he pushed his cock against your now slick entrance of your anus. You whimpered at what was to come next but you weren't coming back from this and you were ok with that. You pushed back on his cock as he pushed into you fully with his heavy grunt to follow. You squeaked at the pressure of him filling you completely, your ass gripping his cock like a surgical glove. After a few moment adjustment he spit down on your asshole for extra lubricant before he started slowly sliding in and out of your bowels. A few pumps deep within your walls as they clamped even tighter, it didn't last long but you could feel every drop of his seed spill into your ass.
As he slowly pulled out you felt a gush down your thighs as your eyes rolled back in your head. You reached orgasm in a way you had never experienced before, it left you weak in the knees. He smiled realizing your predicament as he scooped you up into his arms and walked you to the shower. He pulled over a chair into the stall as he helped you into it gently. "Looks like now that I have made you a mess it is only right that the general cleans you up too." He tilts his head meeting your eyes with a grin. You were so exhausted at this point your own orgasm took so much out of you that your mind was almost blank in pleasure senses. He doesn't go fast either he literally washes every inch of you letting his lips touch your skin first then the rag after. The motions of the rag though felt more like he was pushing the kisses into your skin as to mark you as his own now. When he was sure you were nice and clean he grabbed for your hand pulling you and making sure you can stand holding on to the shower wall.
He now sat in the chair as he started to stroke his cock again. He was insatiable and so were you. Before you were sure him pounding your ass was to be a punishment but now here he was offering to let you ride the fuck out of his manhood. You wasted no time your pussy and ovaries has ached to be bred by this man so many times in your fantasies. You straddled him with ease as he held your hand getting you into the right place of position. He reached up holding your waist loosely but there in case he needs to grab tighter to protect you from falling. As his words barely made it to your ears. "Take me...It's all yours...." Soon as the last letter hit his lips you slid down with one motion impaling yourself on his thickness. Your cries louder now never feeling so full in your womb before, apart of you was sure he was so deep he was practically pushing against your womb wanting to plant his seed. You took no time starting to ease into how good his cock sliding between your lips could feel. You picked up a good rhythm as his grip tightened on your hips. He was almost out of breath and your body was trembling but you kept going pushing both of your limits together.
As you felt his cock finally erupt spraying your walls with his thick seed you felt your legs go limp as your juices were now heavily mixed with each of your orgasms. He leaned in kissing your lips and leaving a sexy smile to capture your heart too. Closing your eyes you breathed every minute of him in not knowing if this was only a one time thing for you both. Soft sensual kisses that slowed as your breaths eased. Your last words before finally pulling back and leaning into his shoulder with one last soft breath you made one thing very clear. "I now...belong to you, General Jing Yuan." You weren't fighting it you knew you were a goner, every inch of him, every touch, every kiss you were captivated by a steamy connection that you wanted to overdose on. Then the last words he would speak before taking you to his bed to cuddle into a slumber. "Good Girl."
================================================
If you enjoyed this, please consider buying me a coffee to fuel my late-night writing! You can also drop a request on my ko-fi page.
Caleb's hands trembled as they hovered over your face, not quite cupping your cheeks, not quite sure if he could touch you. Your breath shuddered as you blinked back tears, trying to ignore the blood staining the sleeves of his uniform.
“I didn't mean for you to see that, pips,” he murmured. Even through the gloves, you could feel the burning heat of his hands so close to your skin.
You swallowed, eyes flickering back to the bloodied man behind him. Caleb gripped your cheek, bringing your gaze back to him. Only him.
“How much haven’t I seen?” you asked softly.
Caleb glanced away.
“What have you been hiding from me, Caleb?” you insisted.
“I just wanted to keep you safe.” His thumb traced your cheek.
You shoved him away, ignoring the way his jaw set. “Safe?” you repeated, laughing bitterly. “This isn’t safe, Caleb. This is you trying to keep me locked away so you won’t be left alone,” you spat.
“Maybe that’s not such a bad idea,” Caleb gritted out. He stepped closer, heavy boots thudding on the floor. You inched back, retreating each time he approached until your back hit the wall. His hand came up next to your head, leaning down slightly to meet your eyes. “You refuse to see what danger you’re in!” he growled. “There are people after you, people that want to hurt you. Hurt us.” He exhaled through his nose sharply. “I’m just getting rid of anyone that gets in the way of me keeping you safe. By my side.”
You swallowed, lungs constricting. The way Caleb’s eyes followed you, the way his concern and adoration palpable, only sickened you.“This isn’t right, Caleb,” you whispered.
“That doesn’t matter,” he said sweetly, brushing the hair away from your face. “Do you think I’ll be damned? That I’ll be eternally punished for all this?” He shook his head, lips pulling up at the corners. “I don’t care about all that, as long as you’re alright. I’ll always be by your side. If they curse me to hell, I’ll reach you in heaven and I’ll make sure each step is soaked with the blood of angels that might try and stop me.”
Your heart stuttered. “Caleb…”
“I love you,” he murmured. “More than anything. You love me, too, don’tcha pips?”
His eyes were wide, pleading, yet a shadow rose up behind them. They narrowed slightly at your hesitance, his hand on your cheek tightening a fraction. You nodded shakily.
“Say, ‘yes, Gege,’” Caleb ordered.
“Yes, Gege,” you whispered. “I love you, too.”
The tension in his shoulders eased as he pressed a soft kiss to your forehead, burning like a wax seal on a contract you’d signed with his hand guiding the pen.
“Good girl.” Caleb smiled. “Let’s go home, yeah?”
His grip was ironclad around your waist, leading you out the door. Leading you away from the man struggling against the crushing weight of gravity, away from the prying eyes that followed you, away from your job, your friends, your choices.
The only place you had left to go was Caleb’s arms.
this is lowkey bad but here’s some crazy caleb. perm taglist: @sleepykittyenergy @orbitraiden @coffeedragonhobbyist @plzdonutpercieveme @angelkazusstuff @cordidy @iridescentshine @glitterykingdomangel @angeliqaria @kingraspberry12-blog @fandomgirlmultiverse @pjselee @marinenox @lowkaylove @misty--lillies @heartofafiend @animegamerfox @dreamydaredevil @lazypostfandomer
The moment Tessa saw the strong man she had always knew with tears starting to stain his cheeks she knew she broke the man behind it all. Her selfishness that destroyed them both in different ways. Her heart pure hurt as she reached up to his face slowly wiping away his tears. The moment her hand touched his cheek his eyes met her tear filled eyes, she had fought for him, and won. Yet the way he looked at her hurt her heart even more than she wanted to admit. She had watched him for years be strong, protect, be honorable...yet here he was breaking because of her love that should have never been. A scandal like this would ruin the whole family as well as no lord or duke would ever want to marry Tessa and she understood why her mom was doing this at the same time didn't make it any easier knowing she would never see Viktor again after she left this house.
Viktor still lost in the pain reached out for Tessa pulling her into him one last time. His embrace gentle even though he was holding her tighter than he had before. Almost like he was reaching to hold on to her so she wouldn't slip through and be gone forever. They knew once they left this room this was the last time they could be alone. No words were spoken at first he just held her. It was a silent communication between two souls who loved each other but no longer could show it. Viktor pressed his lips to her forehead a soft kiss full of love and devotion. He would have easily died for her if she only asked. He breathed in her hair as he whispered ever so softly in her ear. "I love you" She looked up into his eyes as tears started to flow more from hers through her broken sobs she mumbled hoping he could hear her heart too in all this pain. "I love you too, always." She couldn't believe he said those words to her, the ones she always wanted to hear yet right now they hurt so bad.
His lips instinctively reacted to her hurt, capturing her lips one last secret kiss between them before their lives would forever be changed. After what lingered on longer than it probably should have, Viktor broke away he wiped her face leaning his head against hers. He took a deep breath then steadied himself he knew it was time to leave she needed to be ready for the party soon not be held back any longer from her future because of a butler. Reality was brutal and it was coming at them like a freight train. It took him longer than he wanted to but he had to let her go. He tried to give her a soft smile as he walked towards the bedroom door straightening his gloves and making sure no tears were left on his face as he stepped into the hallway. As she heard and watched the door shut she fell to the floor once again her heart shattered, broken in away no other will ever fix.
After a bit of time the room felt pure suffocating she had to pull herself to her feet and step to the window. She opened it breathing in the fresh air which somehow felt like knives in her lungs as the tears were still stinging her face from the wind. Her heart was broken and not even a beautiful day outside would make her happy anymore. The joy that she felt last night being held and kissed by the man she loved so dearly was no where in sight, it was gone replaced by grief for what they could no longer have. As she stood in the window as people were already starting to arrive slowly. Elias had looked up as he approached seeing her in the window sad it hit him with a pang to his heart he never wanted to see her unhappy. To him she had a smile that could light up the world but to see her like this, he hadn't seen her upset really since she was a younger child. He knew there had to be something seriously wrong for on such a beautiful day and the day of a party meant for her and here she was with a dark cloud over her head and what seemed to be her heart breaking.
As he neared her window and saw her pale face streaked with tears and lost in a daze not even realizing he was there watching. He had always admired and loved her because she possessed a kindness very few noblewomen ever have. He needed to know what was wrong he would do anything to fix it because seeing her like this was breaking him. He stepped up to her window he didn't want to startle her she seemed lost in thought staring out into nothing. He cleared his throat and although it still jolted her some her eyes drifted to meet his as he pulled himself up on the window balcony where she stood. Her eyes flickered at the sight of him it was a relief of all the people that would check on her it was her best friend since she was a kid. She didn't smile, she tried to hold it together. The wind had dried the tears on her face from before but the moment he opened his arms she quickly found her way into them. As his arms wrapped around her the tears fell once again like rain with the muffles of her sobs against his shoulder.
He held her firmly, securely without saying a word. He knew right now she didn't need to be interrogated she needed someone to comfort her through this pain she was carrying. He had looked back into her room curious why Viktor was nowhere to be found but he didn't push the issue his attention fell back to her. He slowly swayed with her in his arms like a parent soothing a child. His hand stroking slowly through her hair comforting her the best way he knew how, like how his mother did him as he was growing up. He was young and immature at times even could be selfish but he couldn't be any of these things with Tessa. He always felt the need to be her rock whenever he could be and selfish wasn't in his vocabulary with her, he would do anything for her to be happy even if it meant watching her with another happy than with him. This is how it had always been and always would be no woman was more important to him than Tessa.
Eventually her sobs quieted, not gone but much slower than before. Her exhaustion through all her tears taking over and leaving her weak. He never rushed to stop holding her he knew some pain didn't need words to soothe so he just gave her comfort and presence. After some time she pulled back from him looking up at him with a half smile. He quickly reached for her face wiping her wet tears still staining her cheeks away. He smiled down at her with sad eyes still watching her like this, he could tell she was trying to thank him quietly all while still hurting from what had her in this state. Her words softer than usual still full of pain she sheltered. "Thank you Elias." The expression on his face softened even more at her words. He didn't try to make a joke as he usually would he knew this wasn't the time. His eyes drinking her in as his kind tone that only she ever got. "You don't have to thank me, I'm here if you need me." She gave him a slow nod.
As she slowly pulled herself together pulling back from his arms realizing it was time for her to put her game face on as she noticed more guests arriving on the road. "Thank you Elias, for not asking what was wrong. I couldn't tell you if I wanted to." Her words clearer now as her eyes met his. He softly petted her head, he knew she needed this more than anything else and he was glad he was the one there to comfort her. He didn't press her on the issue there was no need, he knew if she could she would tell him. "I'm here no matter what it is, even if you never tell me." His words touched her heart, he really was a true friend not just tied to her by blood line. The moment that had felt like it had lasted for longer than she could remember was coming to an end, the party right on the edge of things and she had to still get ready. As soon as she heard a knock at the door this moment was broken. He smiled as he let himself out the way he had entered, as he reached the ground he bowed then headed off to find his family.
The knock on the door louder this time as Tessa walked to the door letting them in. One maid holding a fresh towel and the other carrying folded silks for Tessa's bath, they curtsied as she opened the door. "Good morning, my lady." they said in unison. She wasn't ready for this day and her responding to the words good morning seemed off putting at the time. She quietly followed them down the all towards a private bathing chamber. As they stepped inside the warm bath was already filling the air as calming scents of lavender to ease stress as well as the steam. The weight of everything on her shoulders she was sure that even lavender wouldn't help. The maids helped her from her dress and she slowly stepped into the marble tub, it was perfectly warm heating up to the temperature of the water. The maids knew something was wrong she wasn't the chipper girl she always was. She laid with her leg draped across the side as the rest of her body engulfed in the warm steamy water. She tried to breathe in the lavender but it wasn't doing much for her at this point she was still dreading the party.
She just stared out the window into a nothing void because right now being anywhere than here was better than dealing with this hole in her heart. The only thing the lavender did was keep her tears at bay but she was secretly crying inside even if no one could see. The maids exchanged quiet glances between each other as they cleaned her. This was the first time bath time was purely silent and even the maids didn't break that because they weren't sure with how she seemed to be feeling it was acceptable. She stared out the window through the whole bath she really wasn't looking at anything she was lost in thought of what this party was going to bring, the hurt it would hit her heart seeing Viktor yet not being able to be near him, and who her mother was going to tie her down to. As they continued to do their job in getting ready she didn't fight against them she was silent the whole time barely existing rather than living. The minutes passed towards the time for the party and all that awaited her there left her with such a heavy blanket suffocating her from within.
As bath came to an end the head maid helped her out of the tub, reaching for her hand and jostling her back to reality. They helped her dress in a beautiful deep emerald green gown that her mother had picked out for her, one that would make all the eyes turn towards her at the ball. She still was very lost in her own pain, moving with the motions that she knew all too well. She still didn't speak, didn't talk about how lovely the gown was in her mind this dress was just part of the plan to marry her off to a man who wasn't Viktor and would only be for social standings not for love. The dress was like her prison and the party her gateway to her own living hell. She would give anything to be in his arms again, not Elias but Viktor, the man she wanted to spend her life with. When the maids finished and talked amongst themselves at how pretty she looked, she didn't even bother to look in the mirror at this point she just didn't care.
Right now she was nothing more than the flawless noblewoman ready for presentation nothing more. She was walking into this night into the numb stage of what was happening around her. First she hurt, and now she knew to make it through the party she had to go emotionless at least from the outside. There was simply no joy left in her, there was no anticipation for dancing or music or admiration at this point. Just the aching void where Viktor's warmth should be. She put on a half smile she knew when she got on the dance floor she had to do as Viktor taught her. She had to have a happy smile, be cordial even if she was breaking and numb inside, that is the etiquette of a noble woman. She finally looked to the mirror not to take in her beauty or the dress but to make sure she looked polished enough and that her smile was there even if not bright and real she just needed it to be presentable nothing more. This was a skill Viktor drilled into her and his words echoed in her head. "A lady never shows pain in public." Nobles wore masks at events, it wasn't about cruelty it was survival in their world. Tessa would be no different tonight. The words that snapped her from her own mind was one of the maids kind words. "You look exquisite, My lady." but Tessa just nodded no words were needed.
As they led her to the doorway she stepped out into the hallway knowing it was time, everyone was waiting for her to enter. She had to face everyone without Viktor by her side and it terrified her how much she needed him yet could not reach for him. As she approached the door to the ballroom she knew this was going to change everything once they were opened and she stepped inside. As she got closer she saw him standing at the grand ballroom doors dressed in his finest butler attire. His eyes met hers as she had to fight back the tears he could tell though he knew how she felt he felt this pain too. He could see she did as he taught her, by visual she looked like the perfect lady looking for a suitor, her eyes though told a different story from the pain she was with holding to be what her mother needed her to be. He noticed the tremble of her lips, how her shoulders were stiff they were tense from her grief. The pang tore through his chest, he so badly wanted to hold her in this moment and tell her everything would be ok.
Viktor knew what she sacrificed was to save them both from ruin and he could never hate her for that, but it didn't make it hurt no less. As the doors creaked open he watched her transform from his Tessa the woman who sobbed in his arms the night before to Lady Tessa Van Der Laine, radiant smile on her face, posture flawless as she put on an act that no noble person would be able to tell the difference from. He could see through it the pretty facade was all it was because he felt every ache she felt and it screamed at him loud and clear even when he couldn't walk her into the ballroom as the original plan was to be. As the doors shut and he could hear her being introduced and the chatter of how lovely she looked he had to steady himself and hold back the tears that burned in his eyes. He stood frozen now in this empty hallway. Alone. He hadn't moved from the doors yet, he couldn't move. The weight of it all crashing down on him at once, seeing her so beautiful, so poised yet knowing she was hurting just as much as he was. Every compliment she would get, every suitor who was interested, every dance she shared would be one more step farther away from him and he was struggling to handle it.
On the other side of the doors different suitors approached Tessa most she had never met before. Compliments from the women that probably envied her more than adored her but their masks they wore showed they were in awe of her instead. Tessa wasn't blind to how people were she even watched it with her own mother after all. As she cascaded through invitations for the night she saw Elias and quickly moved towards him. She knew men wanted to dance with her but she fended them off fast by just mentioning later for now she needed to talk to family. Most suitors bowed and understood standing back waiting their turn. She smiled as she approached Elias but before she could say anything he bowed as he placed out his hand. "My lady, may I have the honor of being your first dance for the day?" She slides her hand into his and smiles its the first smile that isn't fully fake. She hurts but least she knows there is comfort on the other side of this hand where the rest of the people in the room don't care about her just her title. "Yes please." Her words soft and simple as he guided her out to the dance floor.
The duchess watched her daughter turn down suitors just to dance with her cousin, she realized she needed to start looking for her. Somewhere in the back of her mind she hoped that her daughter would really try to meet someone at the party and apart of her hoped she didn't have to pick for her but it was clear to see it was the only way. As Tessa swayed across the floor in Elias's arms she glanced over noticing her mothers stern look on her face. They swayed a different direction and she caught the view of Viktor standing near the stairway and their eyes caught each other. His face expressionless even though he was hurting deep down he had a job to keep. To watch her in another mans arms even if it is Elias hurt more than he cared to admit. She felt his pain in his eyes and she wanted to run to him but she knew she couldn't. Her attention was caught on a man stepping over to her mother and them talking as he pointed over to Tessa. Her stomach dropped was this the man her mother planned to set her up with she thought.
The duchess decided the strategy in choosing would be a political alliance nothing more than power and status. The duchess never announced it but she was almost broke so her daughter marrying for money was a big part of why this marriage needed to happen. A duke's son Lord Cedric of Havershire he was wealthy beyond measure, connected to royal courts and entirely suitable in bloodline. Then as Tessa almost came to a stop in the dance with Elias she watched Lord Cedric look up at her with a grin on his face like he had just won something valuable without even trying. A chill ran through Tessa, she didn't know what was being decided but she could only imagine this was probably the man she would marry based on the look on her mothers face. Elias didn't want to push but the fact they were barely moving at all now he felt the need based on seeing her eyes dart to her mothers and some strange duke he had never met. "Tessa?" he murmured low enough only she could hear him. "Are you alright?" Just pure sincerity in his voice, genuine concern. He knew something was wrong from how she had been acting all day. She used to tell him everything he wanted her to know she didn't have to fight this battle alone she never did.
She turned back to him knowing he was only worried. Her eyes followed over to Viktor then back to Elias. As she whispered as for no one else to hear them. "I'm in love with someone my mother doesn't approve of so she is setting me up with whoever she chooses for political reasons and I'm guessing that is the man she is talking to." Elias his breath caught his expression darkened instantly. He hated how women were married off like they were just pawns in a mans empire its why he chose to stay single until he found someone he loved more than he loved Tessa. He refused to be one of these men like Lord Cedric seeing some woman as a prize to be won and a woman to break to have only what he needs and wants in the marriage. Elias knew Tessa so well and after he had seen many times in their dance her eyes wondering over to Viktor he knew exactly who she was in love with. He wasn't stupid he could even tell Viktor was acting off tonight as well even if he was just standing on the side line he was still having to watch all this unfold and Elias felt empathy for him.
Elias knew what it was like to love someone he couldn't have so he understood Viktor more than he wish he did. However Elias always was determined to do anything to make Tessa happy in anyway he could he had already knew long ago he would never be her partner. The blood that ran through their veins alone kept them from being more than friends but it would never stop that he loved her still. He pulled her close back into a dance so that he could continue talking to her before she would have to go to the next suitor in line to dance with. He looked over sizing up Lord Cedric he could tell he was a smug man and knew just in how he held himself he would never be good enough for Tessa. Unlike Viktor, Elias respected him he knew that he would love and take care of Tessa like he couldn't and he respected him for that reason. The longer Elias thought about what was happening right here tonight made him sick and full of anger, not at Tessa but at his aunt the duchess. He stopped dancing taking both of her hands in his and squeezed her hands to reassure her.
Before he went any further he needed to hear it from her lips to make sure his assumption was right. "Who is it?" he whispered softly in her ear urgently not caring if anyone saw them holding hands and no longer dancing. He needed to make sure he was right on who she loved so he could see if there was a way to help her be with that man somehow. Her hands starting to tremble in his hands. "If I tell you, I'm afraid what will happen to him." He realized this wasn't some passing romance in this moment she was really scared the man she loved would be penalized if she was to dare speak his name out loud. Elias caught her off guard he lifts her hands to his lips pressing a soft kiss to each of her knuckles only once not romantically but sacredly, a promise even. "My lips are sealed." he whispered fiercely against her skin. "I swear on my honor. No one will hear it from me." She was surprised for a moment then it reminded her of who she was talking to her best friend growing up who would have gone anywhere with her. He hid when she had done things her mad would have been mad at her when they were little she knew she could trust him even with this. She leaned in whispering in his ear nothing more than a name. "Viktor"
Even though Elias pretty much had guessed hearing her say it caused his whole body to freeze. He could hear the love in just the way she said her butlers name. He understood more than ever why this was a issue because Viktor was lower than her social class, just a servant to all these people in society. He knew why her tears were heavy on his shoulder earlier today because something like this got out it would ruin them both. To society Viktor was nothing, a nobody but Elias could see to Tessa he was not just nothing he was everything. It wasn't just a scandalous thing but dangerous. His mind stirring of all the things that could go wrong. If it got out no suitor would want Tessa and Viktor would lose his job and never have another. Which meant they couldn't even afford to be together even if they did run away together. Elias' grip tightened on Tessa's hands out of pure protectiveness he wouldn't betray her trust not ever he was trying to calculate how he could help her though.
He glanced back toward the Duchess and Cedric still deep in conversation. Then toward Viktor, who stood stiffly by a pillar across the room, watching Tessa dance with Elias like a man sentenced to execution. He knew it wasn't one sided Viktor loved their dear Tessa too and he was about to lose her forever if something didn't change. Elias made up his mind as he looked back at Tessa he couldn't let her be unhappy and hurting for the rest of her life for society to win. He whispered in her ear. "I won't let this happen." His words showed his devoted loyalty to her, to her happiness in this world. Although he had no idea how yet but he was not going to let her marry Lord Cedric or any other pompous smug duke from whatever land they come from. He was determined these suitors were not going to come in and claim Tessa as property while Viktor who loved her with everything he was would be left with nothing. As Tessa heard his words but her heart hurt so much she couldn't believe in anything good could come from this.
Her eyes met Elias' shimmering with unshed tears that she was fighting back still. His promise was sweet just like he was but her heart was too heavy to believe in miracles. She had spent all day preparing and accepting that this marriage to someone besides Viktor and be forced to be without him forever. In her mind her mothers words echoed No happy ending existed for a noblewoman and a servant. Not in their world. As she thought of that Tessa closed her eyes as a tear slipped down her cheek despite her effort, it was silent grief as he held her hands like an anchor that kept her from shattering across the floor. As he saw her breaking without warning he pulled Tessa into a tight embrace right there on the dance floor ignoring propriety entirely. Guests started mumbling under their breath at how this was just not done. Even though Elias held her as if a brother would hold his sister it was just not done in society. The ballroom went quiet after a bit as people glanced on until whispers got louder around the room. "Is Elias supposed to be courting her?" "They seem awfully close...." "Did you see how tight he held her?" As these questions and comments were dancing around the room the duchess was watching with her eyes narrowing dangerously.
Stay Tuned For The Next Chapter
================================================
If you enjoyed this, please consider buying me a coffee to fuel my late-night writing! You can also drop a request on my ko-fi page.
