cosmic strife

in   a   show   of   sudden   need   ,   milo   leans   in   &   captures   kida's   lips   in   an   innocent   kiss.   it   doesn't   remain   innocent   for   very   long   ,   gently   guiding   her   back   against   the   pillows   with   slow   ,   calculated   movements.   even   in   the   bedroom   ,   he   treats   every   touch   ,   every   kiss   as   if   he's   taking   studious notes   ,   reminding   himself   what   kida   enjoys   best   ,   what   things   excite   her   ,   delight   her   &   everything   in   between.   with   their   lips   still   locked   ,   he   gently   situates   himself   between   her   legs , one hand taking hers & lacing their fingers together.   he   never   puts   his   full   weight   down   onto   her   ,   as   he   knows   how   much   his   wife   enjoys   taking   the   upper   hand   at   times.   sometimes   he'll   take   the   lead   &   other   times   ,   she   will.   secretly   ,   he   likes   it   when   she   takes   control   more   than   anything   else.   ❝   sorry   ,   i   know   we   just   .   .   .   ❞   milo   rasps   a   bit   as   he   parts   away   ,   embarrassed   by   how   much   he's   letting   himself   be   lead   by   his   desires.   his   eyes   meet   kida's   in   the   dimly   lit   bedroom   ,   searching   for   a response to his actions   before   she   speaks.   ❝   i   mean   ,   you   look   amazing.   you   always   do ,   &   ah   ,   it's   been   a   while   since   we   had   a   whole   evening   to   ourselves.   guess   i'm   a   little   .   .   .   starved   ,   in   a   way. you're really hard to resist , kida.   ❞

kida can't help the melodic giggle that bursts from her lips as milo pulls away and spouts his apologies. this man began his life here in atlantis as a shy, bespectacled explorer, too awkward and too nervous to seek out intimacy in any way. a hug or a hand-hold sufficed — @studiodrafts kept things minimal for a while, although his feelings were clearly more than than. only recently have the two partners begun their journey into their relationship... and it's fun. it's enjoyable, learning about someone new, bonding with them... making him blush as much as possible. "oh, it is so clear to me now why you remained in atlantis." teasing, kida sits up and stretches her arms over her head. her curly white hair tumbles over her back and shoulders with every tilt of her head. "you could do without the city and its ancient ways. you are here for kisses. i can see right through you, milo thatch." her grin and squinting, mischievous eyes give away her humor; she steals one last kiss from his lips before climbing out of bed and setting out for the washroom in their royal chambers. the space is large, airy, and surrounded by minimal walls (nature provides an acceptable privacy with its overgrown plants and fallen rocks, leaving the remains of the royal palace tangled with atlantean natural beauty), so her movement into the next "room" gives them the ability to continue their conversation with ease. a fallen boulder, long and reclined across the carved stone floor, conceals most of her body as she changes. "what are your plans for the day?" she asks, her back to milo. "did i hear you were teaching another lesson in flying the martags and ketaks? my... our people seem to enjoy the new vehicles. they have successfully mapped more of the caves just outside the city, and it is all thanks to your discovery." kida turns back to milo, one hand holding her bountiful hair up from her neck as she finishes getting dressed. "and you have improved. you have only crashed once."

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“  i know. this isn't even near my top ten injuries.  ” a groan as carol pulls herself upright, her breath coming in short bursts. the cheek is her skull mask, a crutch to lean on in her attempts to regain a sense of control in a moment of weakness. she doesn't know what to do with his misplaced concern, doesn't deserve it. “  i'm all good, so let's just focus on getting to the safe house, alright? shouldn't be far now.  ”

he doesn't ask if it hurts; he just takes her arm and shoves it over the kevlar and thick fabric of his outermost jacket. shuffling them out of the alley, simon's haunting mask peers down corners, scouring, listening. a gun in one hand, carol braced in the other. if she loses her footing, he just keeps dragging, keeps forcing her with him. they can't stop and rest and let her bleed on these streets — they've gotta get to the safe house so he can patch her up in relative peace. there's no time to linger and catch their breaths. "they could be following us," he tells her, "so we can't just stop and smell the fucking flowers, danvers, let's go! on your feet!" his harsh tone is borne of fear, a frantic sense that she may pass out before they reach safety. "eyes open! don't stop! i've got you!" she's not going down here. not like this.

"that's what we're going to do, corde." she leans against her lover, her former fellow jedi, and lets her eyes trail the interior of their temporary shelter. huge trees on maridun drop large seed pods, and the lurmen have learned to use them as shelter — dragging them miles and miles back to their villages, carving out the insides, utilizing them for shelter, for food, for crafting supplies. when arra and corde finish building their own structure (constructed from multiple seed pods, giving the two human-sized women much more space to move around in), it will be the safest place @saintspoetic and arra have ever known. until then, they use this spare one to sleep, enjoying the quiet, the sounds of the lurmen outside finishing their daily chores and going to sleep. "you were hesitant at first," she reminds her lover. "but i appreciate the ways you've come around. we're going to grow old here, in peace, and avoid further conflict. they will not find us here." there's a knock on the door of their hut, and arra sits up. "i think wag too has brought us some after-dinner snacks. let me get them. you stay here." she squeezes corde's fingers. "you look beautiful in bed."

curious thing, wasn't she? staring from the shadows. maleficent became aware of her not too long ago, listening to the water shape the other through its falling flow. she smiled, to herself, wondering if she should have fun with it or merely burn the flesh to ashes with hellfire. well, well, well. this wasn't maleficent's realm and she was not anything if not just in terms of knowing when to bow and respect another ruler, whoever the person or entity might be down below here. wolfishly, she grinned, and turned with the sweetest voice she could act upon: ❝ come to the light, i won't harm you, and you certainly won't harm me. ❞ maleficent's pale hand rose in invitation, as she graciously sat on the floor and observed. what difference was there between stone, water and the moss and sand of her land? almost none. the moors always were welcoming, this land she hoped was too.

kida hesitates. the woman's voice does not match her appearance — the tone is soft, coaxing, but her presence is dangerous and strong. it feels like a trap, which is why her hand grips her spear even tighter as she eases out from behind the waterfall and onto the stones in the lake. soaked but sturdy, the princess keeps her distance, weapon bared, and watches @maleuficent as closely as she can. no sudden movements, no signs of aggression... just a display of hardiness that might discourage a potential attack. "who are you?" she chooses english like the stranger does, eyes narrowed, focus sharp. behind her, the waterfall continues to roar, the spray coating her exposed skin. "are you alone? why have you come here?" upon closer inspection, kida recognizes the woman is beautiful, eerie, and... poses no physical threat. she's sitting in the grass. she looks unaffected, aloof, her soft expression something kida is both intrigued and confused by. "what is your name?"

JUSTICE JOSLIN BY CRISTIAN HUNTER FOR NETWORK.

Another deep, gasping breath, as if she were trying to learn how to breathe once again. After a moment, her eyes squeeze shut, fists balling at her sides as she digs her feet into the ground, trying to recentre herself once more. ❛❛ He tried goading a fight out of my brother again, and before i could do anything, it all went to hell, and I just — [a beat passes, and she has to draw in another breath.] I just don't know what to do. ❜❜

bruce doesn't fully grasp the situation as @vivrez gasps through her words, but he'll clarify later — later, when marguerite is better, calmer, less-panicked by the incident. if he has to do some digging later, investigate in the cape and cowl, he will; for now, bruce is the caring friend, the supportive ally. his hands go to her shoulders (she's shaking, and he aims to steady her). "breathe. it's okay. is your brother all right?" they're still on her doorstep, so bruce reaches for the door behind her and pushes it open with his arm. "inside. let's get you in and... is that your blood?" suddenly aware of the copper scent and the sight of deep red, bruce hastens to check. he's polite about his investigation, of course, but still scrambling for her sake. "this is so like you." it's an airy tease meant to make her smile. "what would you do without me?"

the   pianist   let's   bruce   take   the   lead   &   guide   him   into   another   room   ,   a   little   amused   by   how   insistent   he   is   as   he   keeps   a   watchful   eye   of   his   ex   as   he   works.   bruce   has   always   been   protective   of   him   ,   but   never   to   this   degree.   it's   a   side   of   him   mason   hasn't   been   privy   to   before   &   while   he   does   worry   what   this   is   doing   to   his   lover   ,   there   is   a   sort   of   rush   of   excitement   that   comes   from   knowing   just   what   he   means   to   the   billionaire.   that   was   never   in   doubt   before   of   course   ,   but   seeing   it   in   action   is   always   nice   to   see.   mason   laughs   lightly   at   bruce's   comment   about   brad   ,   now   taking   a   moment   to   look   over   at   him   himself   ,   his   abusive   ex   busy   with   work   as   he   passes   out   drinks   to   those   more   successful   than   he.   mason   has   known   brad   long   enough   to   know   how   much   this   event   must   be   hurting   his   ego.   either   he's   really   down   on   hard   times   ,   or   he's   trying   to   get   closer   to   mason.   or   maybe   a   secret   third   option   ,   one   mason   hasn't   figured   out   quite   yet   ,   but   no way brad is   clever   enough   to   do   that.   ❝   he   is   stupid   ,   but   i   am   biased.   ❞   he   takes   a   sip   of   his   glass   ,   all   while   letting   his   hand   rub   up   &   down   bruce's   arm   as   a   show   of   support   &   comfort.   ❝   you   know   ,   i'm   not   faulting   you   for   this   surprise.   he   has   no   fucking   power   here   &   he   knows   it   ━━   serving   all   these   rich   people   must   be   really   killing   him   inside.   ❞   mason   can't   help   but   smile   as   he   says   it   ,   his   hand   now   traveling   to   bruce's   chest   ,   using   it   for   support as he leans in closer.   ❝   though   it   probably   kills   him   to   know   that   he's   lost   me   forever   ,   &   that   i'm   with   you.   ❞   mason   winks.   ❝   i   know   you're   worried seeing him here   ,   but   i   am   not   bothered at all.   i'm   in   a   much   better   place   in   my   life   now   &   much   happier.   he   won't   get   to   me   . . .   i   won't   let   him.   ❞

"i mean, he dated you, so he's stupid with very good taste in men." bruce welcomes the reassuring rub to his arm, smile faintly flickering over his face as he continues to eye the intrusive figure nearby. brad is like a canker sore, sticking out, his presence causing discomfort and making normal life difficult. it seems @studiodrafts is handling it well, but bruce knows all too well how these things go. crossing wires like this can go badly fast; all it takes is one comment, one gesture, one frown-filled disagreement between exes... and the whole night could end in a flurry of spewed hatred or whispered, foul language. they need to stay alert, keep an eye on his movements, and avoid him like the plague he is. for mason's sake... as well as for bruce's. "you're handling this better than i thought you would," the billionaire admits gently. "and i don't mean that like i expected you to start crying or panicking or anything... you're just a softer soul with a lot of heart and so many feelings. which is a good thing, by the way." bruce finishes off his glass of champagne and hands it to a passing waiter with a murmured thanks. "i love that about you. but knowing what he did to you, and all the lengths he went through to cause you pain? it's admirable that you're so steady tonight." someone that bruce knows walks past, and, to be polite, bruce interrupts his own string of thought to greet them, introduce mason, and let them pass with exchanged pleasantries. he's doing his best to hide the on-edge feeling heavy in his chest. "you make me proud," bruce goes on, kissing mason's forehead. "let's move to this next room and see what's going on in here. see if we can't avoid him the entire party. i don't want to cause a scene and embarrass you. i'm fine embarrassing him, not you." he smiles faintly. "i could try tripping him."

"not sure how to go about this." their drastic height difference makes things a little complicated — garrus doesn't want to try leaning down for a human-like kiss and accidentally tumbling over. "do you... want to sit over here?" he gestures to the long metal bench in the battery. "last thing i want to do is make you uncomfortable," he adds hastily, and the glow in his blue eyes shows his concern, his care. he wants barbara to feel safe here with him. "need help?"

ANNE HATHAWAY. Amazon Photoshoot.

“Stubborn, stupid fool. It’s why she loved you.”