@hollowgraves - Tumblr Blog

“why waste the surprise now?” her tone is relentlessly teasing - she's met her match, step for step he meets her dance, it's a waltz, and they're spinning towards the stage, buzzed and buzzing, “you'll find out when we get up there.”

stage is flattering the area, it's more of a platform, and she needs help stepping up because it's a bit too high, and her skirt too tight to make it elegant, but with lucien covering her, she doesn't care so much if he's the one who gets a view of the moon.

a whisper before the mic's are on, “i'd say picture me naked, but you don't need the encouragement,” truth be told, she's already doing the same, trailing her fingertips down his bicep to make it to his hand, digits intertwining. once she finds him, she doesn't let go.

it's cheesy, it's eighties, and they both know all the words. she sings her little heart out - she never once looks away from his gaze, he's her anchor, and he's the one she's singing every lyric giddily towards. she's melting from nerves, stage fright's kicked in once the song is over, now the blood rushes to her head, and she tugs him away, away, towards the outside, “ahhh, i need fresh air!”

she's right, he doesn't need the encouragement when they hit centre stage. she's all the encouragement he needs. the floor is sticky, the bar is a dive but lucien's never been happier. smile bright and beaming, his light is her spotlight, it's pointed directly at her.

he'll picture her naked anyway though, like it's just the two of them in the room. it feels like it's just the two of them when the music starts.

upbeat eighties, it's their bread and butter. with his eyes locked with hers he feels like he's on top of the world. his singing is subpar at best but he doesn't care. it's fun, invigorating and they're still chasing that high when they stumble outside.

she pulls, he follows. fingers intertwined, heart thumping, ears ringing. ❝ you're incredible, ❞ it comes out all in one breath and he's closing in on her the second cool air hits their skin. he doesn't wipe the smile off his face, not for a second. his enthusiasm bleeds into the kiss when lips finally collide. with her back pressed against the building, he's about to go into for another. ❝ i love you. have i told you that today? i love you, i love you, i love you. ❞

“nineteen,” comes the cool, classic correction, because she had a feeling isa was gonna start aging backwards if she let lucien remember her age, “she's a young woman, mi amor.” next week, he'd say twelve, she could already hear the lilt of teasing disapproval in his tone, but she knew he loved it. they both ate it up.

she's had to reckon with this thought all her life, but after so many years spent thinking she'd lose her in childhood, there comes a breath of fresh air and utter relief that she will only lose a bit of time to boys.

“you know i went on the show at nineteen?” a sip of that supple wine, it's a bit tarty, yet sweet. “i was all business.” she twirls the stem around between pinched fingers when she sets it on the table, “no time for boys.”

now, how things had changed. they were talking about building a family together. judging from their talks, within the year, isa and nadia would be tias.

“oh, please, she was not looking at the time. i think she wanted me out of her hair so she could do damage control.” isa really had forgotten about the plan. she was on her phone right now texting both those boys. so messy! freddie loves her for it. she's glad she has the chance to be a messy college student.

“i think i was your favorite,” she's humble. there's a warm, radiant smile, and she nuzzles forth, another soft kiss, before she has to simply turn back towards the plate to properly dig in and eat, and god, her eyes almost roll back, it's so damn good, “i'm so grateful for you,” she twirls the pasta perfectly around her fork, and takes a big bite. she would absolutely be going in for seconds, “how long have you been planning this? you two were conspiring against me?”

twelve? c'mon! he wouldn't go that far. thirteen, maybe but twelve? no way! he's scowling, disapproval written all over his face. the act only lasts so long before he's grinning again. she's right, he eats it up. if it wasn't for this elaborate plan he would've been sitting cross-legged on the sofa eagerly awaiting her return, ready to get the latest scoop.

plus, he gets to see the way freddie smiles when she talks about her, the contentment settled in her features. she deserves this. the normalcy, the lightness. both her and isa do.

❝ you're being too humble. you were the fan favourite. ❞ he leans in to meet her, smiling into the kiss. it's soft and sweet, he's stealing another. ❝ i'm your number one fan though. that title belongs to me. ❞ he wears it proudly.

he's sipping on wine, taking bites of pasta in between. it's great, fantastic but he has a sweet tooth. he's thinking about dessert. both the cinnamon rolls and freddie. ❝ would you ever do it again? go on the show, i mean. ❞

he's curious, she's captivating but now it's his turn to act humble, shrugging his shoulders when she asks just how long he has had this up his sleeve. ❝ only a few days. since you told me you had plans with isa tonight. ❞

thebabysitter

Midsommar (2019) dir. Ari Aster

#yelena.

he could try to do it every day. maybe she'd surprise him tomorrow. they did a little bit of everything for each other every day. freddie felt cherished, she was so happy. they say the honeymoon phase doesn't last, but if that were true, why had it only gotten better and better?

she's already burning.

“cinnamon rolls too?” she has to laugh, because the tinned stuff truly pales compared to the bakery edition, but she knows it stems from love. she's noticed he likes everything a little better when it comes from her. she's noticed she likes everything a lot better when it comes from him. “i'm gonna be so full.”

her palm captures his jaw as he passes her the glass, she guides his maw back towards hers, “thank you, mi luz,” and she brushes another lingering kiss. time can stop for them. she knows what they meant i'll stop the world and melt with you, she thinks she feels that now.

“it was good!” her thumb drags along the rim of poured glass, she follows him to the kitchen - he can be a gentleman and serve, but she's not the type to sit at the table waiting. freddie wants to be by his side, “she's good. she's got boy drama,” she sounds like she's been waiting to say that her whole life, like she's been eager to spill the beans to him while on the drive home, but it was too juicy to do it over a call. she'd all but sped the way home.

“we had to leave benito's because she saw two boys she'd kissed hanging out together. she thinks they were comparing notes," she sits beside him, but her palm falls against his knee, “she's so ruthless,” she loves it, “my little heartbreaker."

he savours every kiss, the lull in time with each one. when she thanks him simply lucien grins in response and leaves one more peck on her lips for good measure.

what do you know, he's a touch sheepish.

he appreciates this the most. the quiet domesticity they fall into. the way she follows behind him, preparing dinner together, the ease of conversation. this is home. freddie is home.

❝ boys? she's like, fifteen! ❞ she's not, he knows this. but once a big brother, always a big brother. he has begun to adopt that attitude with freddie's sister too. ❝ i hope you told her boys are bad news, freddie. ❞ he's flashing her a cheeky smile. she should know.

❝ tell her she's a really bad wingman too by the way. she was supposed to keep you out until at least seven. ❞ he's teasing. he may have gotten isa in on the plan. their weekly hangout may have sparked an idea.

his hand finds hers settled on top of his knee, fingers intertwine and he squeezes. ❝ i think she takes after her big sister. i hear you were a fan favourite. ❞ he knows this too. a no brainer, he understands why. his beautiful, radiant girl. so kind and so selfless. he's smiling again. she's always making him smile.

she recognizes the song - her heart's humming along to its rhythm, and when he sways ever closer, it feels like the first time again, butterflies sweltering in the pit of her stomach when his palms lift, and press to her eyes.

he smells divine, she can't help breathing him in. she's hit with a few other aromas too, the vanilla candle illuminated on the counter, she can smell the sweets he's bought her on his sleeve. she's smiling warm the whole time, she's happy to be led, she'll pretend again. her teeth dig featherlight into her lower lip when he guides her backward, and then forwards, giggling out loud.

but she doesn't have to act surprised. because when she takes it all in, with him by her side, she can feel the happiness radiating through her. tears brim in her eyes, but they're tears of joy. bliss. her head pivots, because he's the most beautiful sight in this whole room.

“i love you,” she kisses him, long and hard, and with their noses crushed together, he might feel the tear stain his own cheek, and he might know this is the happiest she's ever been, “i'm happy to just be here with you,” but her head maybe does swivel now, at the next aroma that hits her, “oh my god,” squeal of excitement, “you got pasta!” he really does know her so damn well, “mister auclair, are you trying to seduce me?”

he feels the tear staining her cheek. he kisses them all away, kisses her lips too. every ounce of happiness and pure joy radiating from her makes it all worth it. he'll do this again. could he do it everyday?

❝ i love you too. ❞ it's murmured against her lips and he's kissing her again. slow and sweet. the kiss sparks a match in his veins and they pull away before he can catch fire. later, he thinks. later they'll ignite each other. later when the vanilla scented candles burn out and long before the credits to her favourite movie start to roll.

soon he's grabbing two plates. he planned to set the table but this will have to do. and of course he ordered take away from the italian place down the street. her favourite, their favourite. ❝ cinnamon rolls from the bakery too. ❞ he's cheesing again. ❝ but nothing beats yours, baby. ❞ that pillsbury tinned goodness. he loves it, he really does.

he plates their food, pours her a glass of wine. they're going for the fancy stuff tonight. he grabbed the pinot grigio. no fifteen dollar rosé in sight tonight! ❝ how was your day? your sister doing okay? ❞

percyfraser

VICTORIA PEDRETTI for Rose & Ivy videography by Alison Engstrom

#nadia.

@handspike: Lucien corners Freddie against a wall, a smirk playing on his lips.

they're at an impasse.

he's standing on one side of the coffee table, freddie on the other. he's been chasing her through the apartment and now they're going in circles in the living room. he's grinning, beaming. he can't remember the last time he smiled this much. ❝ freddie ... come on. ❞

it's all in good fun. it always is. he thinks her smile, her laugh, her playful nature might be contagious.

after a long pause, he springs into action again. this time, he gets her. arms snake around her waist, pulling her in until he's backing her up against the wall. she's trapped between him and the wall and he has that stupid, knowing grin on his face. ❝ i win. ❞

#softer lizzie #lizzie.#peakyblinder

@peakyblinder: tommy pulls lizzie into a tight hug, as if afraid to let go.

he's holding her close. arms wound tight around her frame, pulling her so close she swears she can feel fear in his bones. the fear he won't speak of out loud, the kind that inevitably wears him down over time. unspoken and impenetrable. it's there, always there. she's attuned to it by now. although she can't help but wonder, what could've happened this time? what has shaken him so violently?

her arms wrap around him in return. they always do. she lets out the breath she'd been holding in, tension seeping out of her body with it. she needed this too. ❝ i'm here ... ❞ sometimes she has to remind him. she's here, she's real. i'm right here. i've always been right here.

she doesn't let go. she only hugs him tighter.

❝ i missed you. ❞

valerieandherweekofwonderz

“My first night here I dreamt that you saved my life. You took me in your arms and carried me to safety.”

Panna a netvor / Beauty and the Beast (1978) dir. by Juraj Herz.

#elain.

@stellascriptum: azriel and elain make eye contact across a busy room.

perched on the furthest end of the sofa, the seer watches the hearth. she listens to the way the fire crackles, appreciates the warm glow it casts in the room. she's quietly basking in the presence of the others in the crowded drawing room. she speaks when spoken to, engages in conversation with a smile. but elain is equally content just sitting here. listening, observing, watching. always watching.

she swears she feels a pull. was it the shadows? her gaze lifts, connecting with the spymaster across the room. even from here she swears she can see the gold dancing amongst hazel hues. those eyes. those beautiful, intriguing eyes. they hold so much. so much she wants to know. she offers him a soft smile.

i see you. she speaks in silence, holds his gaze. while she's quiet she's not timid, she refuses to look away first. will he look away? or will she beckon him over in her silent pursuit?

#elain.#stellascriptum #i hope this is ok!#eeek

gloomglimmer

𝐑𝐎𝐌𝐀𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐂 𝐑𝐏 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐒 . . . ( pt 1. the art of touch ) Set the stage for longing glances, lingering touches, and the quiet tension of unspoken words. ✧ ˚₊ Themes: soft, slow burn & a touch of angst

✧ › SOFT & FLUFFY .

My muse tucks a loose strand of hair behind your muse’s ear, their fingers lingering for a second longer than necessary.

My muse falls asleep on your muse’s shoulder during a long ride.

My muse surprises your muse with breakfast in bed, complete with a handwritten note.

My muse pulls your muse under their umbrella during a sudden downpour.

My muse gently wipes away a tear from your muse’s cheek, their touch tender and careful.

My muse laces their fingers with your muse’s absentmindedly, only realizing it after a few seconds.

✧ › TENSION & SLOW BURN .

My muse fixes your muse’s tie/dress/jacket, their hands brushing against their skin for just a moment.

My muse leans in as if to whisper something, their lips dangerously close to your muse’s ear.

My muse catches your muse’s wrist before they can leave, their grip tightening just slightly.

My muse watches your muse from across the room, their gaze lingering even when caught.

My muse challenges your muse to a bet, knowing exactly what they’ll ask for if they win.

My muse absentmindedly plays with your muse’s fingers while they talk, not even realizing they’re doing it.

✧ › ANGST & EMOTIONAL .

My muse pulls your muse into a tight hug, as if afraid to let go.

My muse wipes away the blood from your muse’s face, their hands trembling.

My muse shows up at your muse’s doorstep in the rain, eyes filled with something unspoken.

My muse gently cups your muse’s face, whispering, “Why do you always have to make things so difficult?”

My muse kisses your muse like it’s the last time they’ll ever get the chance.

My muse lets your muse go, even though it’s the last thing they want to do.

✧ › TEASING .

My muse corners your muse against a wall, a smirk playing on their lips.

My muse whispers something in your muse’s ear that makes them blush.

My muse pulls your muse onto their lap with zero warning.

My muse playfully steals a bite of your muse’s food, then grins as they lock eyes.

My muse deliberately leans in closer just to see your muse’s reaction.

My muse drags their fingers slowly down your muse’s arm, pretending it was unintentional.

#prompts.

@hollowgraves said, “something tells me you have a wonderful voice.”

she's never sung professionally though she has a lifetime of experience: nursery rhymes for her sister, showtunes in the shower, albums played on a loop in her car. “i absolutely do not,” it's remarked with a smile. he's got his arms draped around her, and she's leaning against his chest, “but i love karaoke.”

currently, they bear witness to a rowdy rendition of oasis. it's not half-bad. maybe that's just the two glasses of wine sweetening her review. “you wanna duet with me?”

#lucien.#handspike #lucien and nadia gwen stefani stans #canon

❝ oh, but i think you do. ❞ scratch that, he knows she does. he hears her in the shower, when they're sitting in traffic, when she's moving around the kitchen. she's his favourite melody.

eyebrows shoot up at the mention of a duet. he's intrigued. far from shy and eager to put a smile on her face. he wouldn't call himself a karaoke pro by any means but nadia prepared him for this. with broken microphones, an empty living room and a worn out gwen stefani cd. what better duet partner than your twin brother?

❝ let's do it. ❞ he takes a swig of his drink before setting it on the table. he's ready. ❝ what are we singing? ❞

@hollowgraves said, "you're back… here… early."

she was supposed to grab dinner with her sister after the movie, but they opted for a quick drive-thru and a chat in the car instead. she hadn't texted lucien to let him know she was already on the way home. she got a little too into her rendition of celine dion's the power of love, that by the time she thought to message him, she was turning on their street.

there are rose petals on the floor - he's in the living room, caught hanging a decoration red-handed, but she's beaming as she takes it all in. she gestures over her shoulder, “do you want me to go back out and come in when you're ready?” it's a delicate tease, and she clears the space between them in an instant, throwing her arms around his neck, peppering his face in kisses, “baby, this is so cute. i'm so obsessed with you.”

he didn't see the text. he's humming along to the music ringing through the apartment, scrambling around the apartment to add the finishing touches regardless. decorations here, rose petals there. lights low, lamps on. he wants it to be perfect. freddie deserves perfection.

her early arrival isn't part of the plan. although when she comes in with that big, beautiful smile he can't find it in him to care. he welcomes her embrace, arms finding home around her waist. ❝ surprise? ❞ he breathes out a laugh, stifling it with a kiss to her lips. it's brief. soft and sweet. ❝ hold on ... let's try this again. ❞

first, he grabs his phone. he changes the song. something slow, something surely stolen from her playlist. second, he moves to stand behind her, takes her bag off her shoulder and covers her eyes with his hands. ❝ okay, okay ... ❞ staying close behind, he walks her back in as if it's the first time she has seen it. he drops his hands when they reach the hallway, the floor covered in red petals, a carefully laid out path. ❝ you spend so much time taking care of everyone else. ❞ him included. ❝ you deserve to be taken care of too. ❞