#marriedlife

♥️Live Laugh Love!♥️ This comic is in our new hardback comic collection, Treats! Available now on Kickstarter over at sarahgraley.com/treats !

Here’s to normalizing men who create safe spaces for their spouses 🥂

We met in 2006, became close friends, and finally started dating in 2011. But being her friend didn’t automatically prepare me to be her partner. That shift required more from me, and it showed in how guarded she was with vulnerability, intimacy, and trust.

The truth is, in those first few years, I didn’t fully understand what it meant to be a good partner.

What changed? My capacity.

I learned how to make more room in my heart for her. Sometimes love looks simple—turning my phone off at night to be fully present, leaving a sticky note on her pillow, or creating moments where she feels seen and safe.

Love isn’t forceful—it’s embodied. And when I started loving my wife like she was a part of me, everything changed 🖤🥂

POV: You married someone who loves your squishy belly 😏

beautymarkedilly

Married life. 💜

Pairing: Sylus x MC

Synopsis: Sylus’ Aethercore decides to act a fool in MC’s house

Warnings: implied smut

Sylus had just picked up his cufflinks when his Aethercore decided now was the perfect time to flare to life. He froze at the sudden heat that suffused his body before taking in a shaky breath. Closing his eyes, he frowned and clicked his tongue in irritation. He let out the breath he’d been holding before opening his eyes and looking down at the cufflinks in his hands. They were a gift from his wife. Despite the near all-encompassing hunger now gnawing at him, he couldn’t help a smile; she was his wife. Again. Finally. His entire being hummed in satisfaction as he thought about it.

            Nowadays, it was relatively easy to know what his Aethercore needed to be satisfied; there was rarely any guesswork anymore. His feet were moving before his mind could process what was happening. He slipped into the spacious closet that she jokingly referred to as a dressing room. He found her in front of the vanity he’d set up for her there, looking at herself in the mirror. She looked divine in the new dress he’d gotten her. He’d gotten it in a few colors; she was wearing the one in her favorite color. Wanting to coordinate, he was wearing the same color tonight for their date.

            He knew she found his penchant to color coordinate their outfits, especially for dates, amusing but he also knew she liked it, which was why she never really complained about it. He approached and slipped his arms around her waist, pulling her back so her back was pressed against his chest.

            “How’s our time? I’m done, just need to spritz real quick.” She asked distractedly as she finished putting her earrings on.

            He didn’t reply, instead burying his face into the side of her neck, making her squeal, “That tickles, Sly!”

            “No need for perfume, you already smell amazing.” He murmured into the neck between gently kisses.

            “Alright, alright.” She said, her voice laced with amusement, “Well, that means I’m ready!” She turned in his arms and tilted her head back to look at him. He watched as her focus flicked to his eye, which was no doubt glowing, making her smile fall right off her face.

            “Uh-uh.” She snapped, her tone low and flat, “You’re gonna need to get in line. This restaurant just opened and we got our reservation. Sylus promised to feed me and that’s what’s going to happen. I. Eat. First. And I don’t need you bothering him while we’re out, so you’re gonna need to wait your turn. You hear me?” She pointed at his eye with the Aethorcore as she spoke, her own mismatched eyes narrowing dangerously.

            She had in the past referred to his Aethercore as a separate entity before, sometimes speaking about it as if it were just another member of Onychinus, but this was the first time she’d directly addressed it and it was to tell it off, no less! He opened his mouth to tell her he was sure it didn’t work like that but ended up freezing for the second time this evening as he felt the heat and hunger subside greatly. It wasn’t gone completely; it was as if the Beast within him simply backed away and hunkered down to patiently wait.

            He blinked a few times, staring down at her in surprise as she nodded, pressing her lips together in satisfaction, “Mm-hm.”

            His own regular desire flared and he leaned forward, resting his hands on the vanity behind her, effectively caging her in before purring, “Are you sure we can’t be just a little late?” He could be quick, he thought to himself, just a little appetizer…

            Her glare was back and it was for him this time. Reaching up, she placed a hand on his chest and applied steady pressure, making him straighten as she pushed him back a few steps, her following.

            “Don’t you start now.” She warned, “I ain’t got time foreither of you getting in the way of the hot meal you promised. I’m hungry, let’s go.” She turned and headed out of the closet.

            “Yes, ma’am.” Sylus replied readily, following closely behind.

A/N: Thanks for reading! (Apologies, I don't know how to do all that fancy formatting I see on here. It's so pretty!) This'll be posted on AO3 as well soon. Since it's so short, it'll be posted with a collection of things in Chapter 3 of Love and Deepmemes over there.

Everyone listens to MC in Onychinus...even Sylus' Aethercore