Rina Kent - Blog Posts

I really wanna read the legacy of gods series but I'm not sure 😫

I heard the plot is beautiful and when I see fanart from nikobran, I'm almost just downloading their book on my kindle but I don't know if I can start random in the Rina Kent Universe.

anyone tips? 💗

just read god of fury by rina kent and all i gotta say is,

to god: when?

astrid once told me i was a dark night. it's on dark nights that stars like her shine the brightest.

book: cruel king by rina kent

"Fell first, fell harder"

FELL FIRST, EXCEPT IT'S YULIAN BEING OBSESSED WITH VAUGHN EVER SINCE HE WAS A KID. It’s him being nine years old and watching Vaughn with wide eyes like he hung the fucking stars. IT'S YULIAN STEALING VAUGHN'S HOODIE WHEN THE MOROZOV'S CAME OVER TO CHICAGO FOR SOME KINDA MAFIA SHIT. It’s him secretly replaying security footage just to catch a glimpse of Vaughn again like a psycho. It’s him smirking like an idiot every time he sends Vaughn one of his boxing videos, knowing he’s annoying the shit out of him, but also knowing it means Vaughn is watching, EVEN IF IT'S WITH DISGUIST, EVEN IF IT'S WITH HATRED.

It’s Yulian starting fights with the Heathens just to make sure his name stays in their mouths long enough to reach Vaughn. It’s him sleeping with Vaughn’s long-time girlfriend because he knows that’s the only way Vaughn will finally, finally snap and see him. IT'S YULIAN LAUGHING LIKE A MANIAC AT THE HEATHENS INITATION WHEN VAUGHN WAS CHOKING HIM WITH HIS CHAIN BECAUSE HE KNOWS HE FINALLY WON. It’s him tracing Vaughn’s rings absentmindedly because they ground him. IT'S HIM CARVING VAUGHN'S INITIALS INTO HIS DESK LIKE AN ONSESSED LOVESTRUCK IDIOT. It’s Yulian knowing he fell first, and not caring—because he always knew Vaughn would fall eventually.

FELL HARDER, EXPECT IT'S VAUGHN MOVING TO A WHOLE OTHER UNIVERSITY IN ANOTHER ASS COUNTRY BECAUSE OF YULIAN, even though Yulian was the reason why he didn't go there in the first place It’s him lying through his teeth about “better programs” when really he just couldn’t fucking stay away anymore. IT'S HIM PHYCIALLY LOSING IT EVERY TIME HE SEES YULIAN TOUCH SOMEONE FOR MORE THAN 5 SECONDS. It’s him going radio silent whenever Yulian’s name is mentioned, just so he doesn’t lose it in front of everyone. IT'S HIM MEMORIZING YULIAN'S STUPID COMPLICATED COFFEE ORDER AND BUYING IT FOR HIM EVERY DAMN DAY ONCE THEY START HOOKING UP. It’s him swearing that everything is just for revenge, and then letting Yulian climb into his bed at 2 AM like nothing happened.

IT'S VAUGHN COUNTING YULIAN'S FRECKLES WHEN HE'S ASLEEP. It’s him pocketing the little dumb drawing Yulian did of him on a napkin and never throwing it away. IT'S HIM LISTENING TO YULIAN'S DRUNKEN VOICEMAILS ON REPEAT BECAUSE HE MISSES YULIAN'S VOICE. It’s him going absolutely fucking feral when Yulian goes missing and dragging half the city into hell trying to find him. IT'S VAUGHN NOT SNOWING WHEN IT HAPPENED, BUT KNOWING FOR A FACT THAT IT'S TOO LATE NOW, because Vaughn fell harder. So much harder.

I can't wait a year 😭😭, I need them biblically.

Y'ALL, I HAVE A PLAYLIST FOR VAUGHN YULIAN. OBVIOUSLYYYYY I'M NOT OBSESSED WITH THEMM 😌. Who would think that 😭.

(Anyone have any other songs that they js associate with V and Yulian??)

Vaughn: Well damn you're so petty

Yulian: You misspelled pretty

Vaughn: You're right

Gareth: I know.

Gareth: About what?

Vaughn: ...

Yulian: I'm not you're problem

Vaughn : Be my problem

Yulian: Guess what I'm supposed to get

Vaughn: On my nerves

OKAYYY SO, AT THE END OF THE BOOK, I WANT VAUGHN TO BE DOWN BAD FOR YULIAN JUST LIKE KIRILL WAS FOR SASHA.😭Like omg, y’know that one scene where Kirill goes, “So she wants to kill me the next time she sees me? By all means, anything for my beautiful wife”?

PLEASEEEE, I NEED RINA TO REPLICATE THAT EXACT ENERGY WITH VAUGHN AND YULIAN.

LIKE MAYBE AT LIKE THE NEAR THE END—Yulian’s threatening to stab Vaughn if he doesn’t leave him alone or something, and Vaughn’s inner thoughts goes

"If he stabs me, I'd thrust the blade in deeper just so that I could be close to him, but that's just me."

LIKE YES. THE WAY I WOULD DIE. I NEED VAUGHN TO HAVE THAT DOWN BAD GENE PASSED FROM KIRILL .

V, babes, ARE YOU SURE YOU’RE GIVING GARETH RELATIONSHIP ADVICE AND NOT JUST TRYING TO CONVINCE YOURSELF THAT BEING FUCK BUDDIES ISN’T THE SAME THING AS DATING??

🕯️🕯️ GUYS TRUST, GARETH KAYDEN WEDDING IN BEAUTIFUL VENOM, WITH VAUGHN BEING GARETH'S BEST MAN AND JETHRO/SIMONE BEING KAYDEN'S BEST MAN/WOMEN. AND ALSO ADD VAUGHNYULIAN CRUMBS INTO THAT PLS🕯️🕯️

(I'm delusional 😭)

VAUGHN TO GARETH ABOUT YULIAN 😂:

AT THIS POINT, IMMA START A PETITION FOR VAUGHN TO BE A BIKER. Bro I can imagine scenes with him as a biker scattered in HTV.

LIKE FOR EXAMPLEEE, YULIAN AND VAUGHN GOING OUT ON A NIGHT DRIVE OR SMTHG, AND YULIAN TEASING THE HELL OUT OF VAUGHN. Like I can so see Yulian "accidentally" put his hands near Vaughn's dick or like "accidentally" let his hands wander into Vaughn's shirt while Vaughn tries so hard not to crash his fucking bike 😂.

OR, LIKE MAYBE A SCENE AT THE END OF HTV, Where Yulian is just like, so sick of Vaughn's ass always denying that he might have feelings for Yulian and THIS IS NOT JUST PHYCIAL. That he breaks up with Vaughn AND LIKE, PULLS A LANDON IN JERLAN FANFICS AND SETS FIRE TO VAUGHN'S BIKE 😭.

Vaughn: I think I'm in love with Yulian

Vaughn: Any thoughts?

Gareth: And prayers

Nikolai: You're going to NEED them.

Y'ALL, I have this weird headcannon that Vaughn wears a lot of rings. Like one on every finger, minimum. Yulian acts like there stupid at the start, but then he starts getting weirdly attached to them?? LIKE WHENEVER'S HE'S ANXIOUS, HE JUST LIKE STARTS TRACING PATTERNS ON THEM. Or if he’s pulling Vaughn somewhere, he doesn’t grab his hand, he grabs a ring. AND LIKE SOON, IT'S NOT EVEN A HABIT ANYMORE, ITS A REFLEX.

THENN, THEY HAVE THIS STUPID BREAKUP THAT THEY PROBABLY WILL HAVE IN THE MIDDLE-END OF THE BOOK- and Vaughn starts acting weird about the rings. He like stops wearing them. Keeps one of them in his pocket. Maybe holds onto them when he thinks no one’s watching. And if someone does ask, he’s like “It’s just a habit” BUT LIKE, SIR, BE SERIOUS, we all know it’s because of Yulian. He won’t say it, obviously, because he’s emotionally constipated, but those rings used to be just accessories. Now they feel like ghosts of Yulian.

OKAYYY HERE ME OUT: Bro Vaughn and Yulian def started sleeping together right after the intiation.

OKAYYY SO- Like Gareth mentioned that Vaughn immediately left for "New York" as soon as the initation ended. C'MONNN HE PROBABLY DIDN'T. I'M GUESSING THAT HE WAS WITH YULIAN.

ANDD, ANDD, THAT ONE PART WHERE GARETH CALLS VAUGHN PANICKING BECAUSE KAYDEN WAS SHOT? Yeahh, bro was def with Yulian at that time. NO EXCEPTIONS. Like why would he have to go out the room... if he didn't have someone with him in the room that he didn't particularly wanna disturb??

Oh and the rustling coming from Vaughn's end that Gaz mentioned was def him untangling himself from Yulian's hold because Yulian is clingy af when it comes to himm.

(Also, tiny question. How do you guys imagine Yulian to look like?? He's very dark brunette hair with green-gray eyes to me, idkk why 😭)

Yulian to Vaughn at the start of KTV be like:

Guys, you don't get how much I want a "Who did this to you" scene in HTV. Like I want Yulian coming back to the island limping or with bruises or something because of his shitty abusive father, AND VAUGHN COMPLETELY LOSING IT, LIKE HE DOESN'T CARE THAT HE'S SUPPOSED TO HATE YULIAN, YULIAN'S HIS AND ONLY HE GETS TO HURT HIM 😌.

Bonus points if Yulian's trying to deflect the situation so hard 😭, like with humor or something, maybe with a "Awww, you care about me, Mishka?", AND VAUGHN HAVING NONE OF IT.

Y'know whattt, imma just join everyone here in screaming over Rina Verse characters. I CAN'T WAIT ANYMORE FOR VAUGHN YULIAN, HELPPP 😭😭. I need someone to talk about them withhh, and none of my friends are read the books. PLEASE, IF ANYONE'S READ THE BOOKS, AND WANNA SCREAM OVER THE CHARATERS TOGETHER, DM MEE.

Defending a girl in the wrong does not make you a girl's girl.

So recently I was reading the goodread's reviews for 'God of Pain' by Rina Kent.(I have already read the series,was trying to find relatable reviews.Found them.Thank Tchaikovsky😂)Anyways,so there was a review post that said that none of Rina Kent girls are girl's girls(neither the parents nor their kids).I agree.I hated the part when Cecily lacks assertiveness against Jeremy when he hurts Ava who is her best friend (Ava may call all her friends besties but she and Cecily are BEST FRIENDS.Both of them have emphasized upon the fact in their books. So this hurts more especially knowing that Cecily is said to be the protective mother hen of the group).There and are several other examples but that's not the issue I wanna talk about here.

So the post stated that none of the girls are girl's girls based on the scene where Ava slaps Annika in gop for shooting Creighton.FYI I don't think Annika shooting Creighton was her fault because he gave her no other choice( found all the bad Soap Opera shit hilarious btw😂😂😂).It's hurts to suddenly go through so much and lose your friend group too but that's reality guys(there would be much worse than a slap in real life), it's totally right for Ava to be angry at Annika and for the group to cut her off because Creighton is their CHILDHOOD friend.They met Annika MONTHS ago.Btw another part that I hate is that Cecily lacks the assertiveness and spine to defend her views and friends as she just stood there while Ava strongly defended her friend. (Liked her in the last chapter of gow and her care for the group.Loved the crumbs of her caring nature too, especially when she gives instructions to glyn about taking care of drunk Ava in gowrath).Okayyyy now reaching the actual point of this rant:

Reading that post made me think about the title of this post.Ava being protective over HER FRIEND (Creighton) against Annika does not mean she is not a girl's girl. The phrasing of the post made me feel that if two of my friends (a male and a female) were in a conflict, and I end up siding with the guy then I won't be a girl's girl. This mindset is wrong.

Being a girl's girl is a positive attribute when you be one in the right situation.Women supporting women does not mean one has to neglect their own thoughts and blindly support the other simply because they are a woman.One's gender should not define the right and the wrong.The degree of wrong in a situation must not vary with gender.

Women supporting women is beautiful but I think human supporting another human while not disregarding their personal beliefs is the BEST✨

Reader's Rant

Okay so I had finished reading the Legacy of Gods Series few days ago so here are my thoughts(after lots of thinking,psychoanalysing and self arguing)

1)RINA PROMOTING MISOGYNISTIC VIEWS:

•The "virgin trope" is seriously not a trope at this point when each and every book has this.She makes it seem as if the fmc has commited blasphemy(What's her obsession with this word anyways.Its everywhere in her books.The blasphemy😯) if she has slept with someone before the mc.Wth!?And every male character is a casanova.Like we will find virgin Mcs hot too okay?? Especially in Ava's case like I thought okay finally we have a fmc who has had a life before mc but no?Like she makes it seem Ava have a grandiose sex life and later makes her a virgin too!?Like its okay to have experience and its totally okay to not marry the first guy you sleep with.

I also think that having literally ALL men experienced in EVERY SINGLE THING is also so frustrating.Like it would have been cool if Eli or Creighton were not u know??She makes it seem as a chore the men have to do the second they turn 18

•Another example of misogyny is the extreme sense of ownership they have for all the women in their life. Like the dad's are seriously crossing limits.Protectiveness is cute but the no-twat-is-good-enough-for-my-princess shit is exhausting.Jeremy and Landon are wayyy too controlling.Its literally offensive.You will HATE such a brother and dad for life and beyond.

•She made all women literal doormats.Enough said. (except Ava,Ari and Maya-who she turned into a villain because she has a life so she should not be the good sister)

•The fmcs had all sort of problems, worries,insecurities blah blah which could not be cured by besties, family, friends, therapists nope!They could only be cured within 2 chapters at most once the perfect mc decides to help!

•Over possessiveness.Hated it.Like listen I can still somehow get Killian's jealousy towards Remi(by dark romance standards ONLY) but Creighton has been close friends with Remi since birth and how he literally does not allow a single friendly touch!?And his insta posts each statng MINE MINE MINE repeatedly felt embarrassing and cringe rather than hot and when he tells her to stop following people like WHAT!?

2)UNFULFILLED TROPES AND PROMISES:

I am the kind of reader who gives great attention to the blurbs and tropes before reading a book.

•God of Pain is a grumpy x sunshine.Now I believe this was mentioned due to the appeal and popularity of the trope but Annika is not a sunshine at all.Sunshine character is not one which ACTS and pretends to be happy,outgoing and perfect while she has her insecurities,fears and troubles eat her up inside(her words)

•God of fury has been said to have the trope mafia prince x GOLDEN BOY which is not accurate.Anyone who has read the books should know this already ig.

•God of war which happens to be my fav from the series has false claimed tropes too.Like it was NOT a marriage of convenience.Eli forced the proximity upon Ava by forcing her to marry him(I believe forced proximity means both leads who hate each other are forced to be closer)and the sunshine point is similar as that of Annika.Imagine if someone is searching for a stand alone marriage of convenience and forced proximity....they'll be sad,angry and frustrated u know(Not me.I loved the book)

•Being an apathatic sociopath and selfish narcissist is different.Research your attributes Rina.

•Rina literally backtracks upon Eli's feelings in gow.Repeatedly mentions how Eli had no feelings for Ava before Uni.While she had stated in Royal Elite epilogue how Eli kisses new born Ava,calls her pretty,is asking Aiden for marriage pact,stares at her.Even in gow Ava mentions that he caused guys disappear even when she was in HIGH SCHOOL."Yeah he had no interest at all"😑(THE LAST LINE WAS SARCASM.YES SOME PEOPLE NEED IT TO BE SPELLED OUT.your welcome)

•Mia's selective mutism was played with totally wrong.AGAIN RESEARCH RINA!

3)PROBLEMS IN THE BOOKS

•The extremely perfect mcs who are geniuses(Einstein who?),strong,attractive all the positive attributes who can think of other than a heart ofc.Like is it wrong if at least one mc has worked hard for the way they are!?Nope these are born perfections who can cure world hunger but will not because the world does not deserve it. Fmcs have all sorts of issues(other than being spineless,submissive doormats.Not Ava,Ari,Maya) which will be cured by the MC!Yeah!(Though the way Eli helps Ava is actually book perfect,heart warming and realistic.Its quite real that her parents and Cecily babied her and could not handle hard decisions that could benefit her)

•BRATS PLAYING GODS!All the mcs are over privileged brats who have done nothing but be born to "earn" their "god" status.Like they are literal UNI kids.Like they were all spoiled brats basically criminals who were setting things(buildings) on fire and hurting and killing people like what!?

•THEIR AGES AND THEIR*ahem* ACTIONS!?Their ages in their respective books:

Killian(19)-Glyndon(19)😱😲😵😶 Creighton(20)-Annika(17-18) Jeremy(23-24)-Cecily(20) Landon(23)-Mia(18-19) Nikolai(19)-Brandon(23) Eli and Ava had time skip so it was okay(29 and 23)

Like their ages are seriously concerning.I especially wanna talk about Creighton and Annika.Annika is literally a child and her book basically had her having some sort of Stockholm Syndrome.

I ABSOLUTELY HATED how creighton won't let Annika speak or talk to him without him adding the numbers iykyk.LIKE I hate how I have read soo many posts yet none mentions it!!?And how Annika is shown to have been cleared of her problems after she has sex !?And Creigh acts like a divorced 38 year old guy with an adult kid while Annika is has 0 personality(Haters can go cry a river)I really wanted Annika to leave him u know?And what was that soap opera shit with the gun and crying and sobbing and kidnapping(Which is okay because she revealed to Ava,Glyn,Cecy that its her fantasy😑)and because we are going all in so lets add suicide shit too.And yeah she was ready to kill herself yesterday and is sunshine and rainbows today yeah!!

Killian has had loads of experience in every kind of sexual activity with both men and women and in clubs and whatnot at 19 and he is bored of all that now😂😑

Ohh I almost forgot!Its literally sooo stupid and meaningless that the girls experience whatever fantasy they shared during a drunk night with each other😂😂😂Like Rina basically wants to sorta convey that the girls "wished" for it😂(Think before you wish folks!)

Zero family dynamics other than the fathers making a one chapter visit talking about the Everlasting love for their wives,their doormat of a princess daughters and zero say in all the "emotional trauma" ALL of them have(they wish)

Landon favourism was not good.Especially in gof where it should have been Niko's moment.

Its enough for today I think.

I am not posting it as a hate post.It is RANT as stated,a critical analysis.(Being going through a book hangover from Gow....partially cured through the MADDEST OBSESSION OMG YES!!!)

One last thing!!!!I get that its the creator's wish and whatever but the fact that Rina isn't writing a Remi (An Mc with emotions!!!!)Ariella(Strong fmc!The blasphemy! )and Maya Ilya book sorta shows how she can't change her formula.

ELI KING x AVA NASH♡

“Ava!” I shout as she falls backward and a haunting thud fills my ears. For a moment, my whole world goes black. And I know, I just know, that if she’s gone, I’ll make sure it’s the end for me as well.💔💔💔💔

💔

"The heart you slowly awakened is entirely yours to do with as you please."

💕

“The phoenix is you.”.....“You’re a beautiful mythical being who can be born from the ashes of your illness.” “And the tree of life?"........ “That’s me. I believed I could contain your rebirth, every time.”

The most perfect song I imagine for Eli as he would never give up on Ava and never let her give up either💖❤❤❤

Perfect song for Ava Nash♡♡

The perfect song to describe Ava Nash💖

All that she was hiding behind her glittery pink walls💖💔💕

She has a lot more to her than her illness...

Also in God of war Ava states that Eli caused her HIGH SCHOOL love interests to disappear too and Eli asking Aiden about the marriage pact?????

Yeah Eli had "no interest" at all(that was sarcasm bitches....Yeah some people need to be told that😵)

So I'm gonna go with the following theory:

Eli has always been obsessed with Ava but didn't recognise his feelings due to him being apathatic antisocial and all.

Seriously Rina stating repeatedly about no interest before in gow is lazy absent minded writing on her part here(seems so forced)... Maybe influenced by some sort of hate or editors ig...

Loved Gow can't move on from Eli and Ava (KING AND QUEEN 💜💜)

Though I also think they would have ruled as University couple too u know????

People please write Eliava fanfics...I will start writing next year too(overflowing with ideas)

If any fics do exist pls recommend...

Love Remi x Ari too btw.....imagining Remi doing the chase later when there's some trouble in paradise😹😸

How Eli seems to be obsessed with Ava since always....

Yeah I get that Eli is six years older and it might be sort of weird to have a crush on someone that young during your teens(I am totally ok with that but-) but Rina Kent is simply confusing me with her Eli Ava crumbs....fyi EliAva is my fav couple from all of Rina Kent books and I was dying to read their book.When Eva is born Eli kisses her on the mouth(wait before u start cursing me listen shhh...)He calls also calls her pretty which is monumental considering he has always been sociopath and apathatic.Rina also shows in the bonus epilogue of Royal Elite series that Eli is staring at Ava(mentioned twice) and Evi is asking about the marriage pact.Can't convince me that he didn't have a crush.Then Cole keeps threatening Eli and warns Aiden to make him stay away from his daughter (He does that in every book since Ava is born....and only for Eli...like why not Remi,Creighton ,Landon,Brandon)

"Unless we’re talking about Eli when it comes to Ava. Or Lan when it comes to sculpting. But those obsessions started fairly young for both Eli and Lan." -God of Malice chapter 17(Your welcome)

I have zero issues if Eli initially had no feelings for Eva as Rina Kent stated in her ig newsletter and even stated by Eli in God of War but its soo stupid of her to go back her words in the several books she has written....considering all the messed up activities happening in her books.....Eli being obsessed with Ava since way before won't be a huge issue cause technically obsession does not always mean romantic feelings...So it feels as if she said that to avoid hate or whatever but it was quite an unprofessional move from her side considering the crumbs she has always given us....The twice or thrice repeated mention of Eli's "no interest" before is soo forced(maybe enforced by editors or something?)

Feeling self indulged after the rant😚

(So I'm just gonna ignore those paragraphs in God of war which make zero sense sorry not sorry😆 bookworms tend to be inquisitive with their research)

Queen Ava Nash

I absolutely love Ava with my life....She is the best as both Ava Nash and Ava King because she is Her very own self!Be real guys,we all act petty at times and retaliate when we are wronged...yet she didn't cross the OCD boundary (not that Eli complained about it) and tried to make amends for when HE left the meeting to see her(Eli ily but that's all on you babe😆)

I have loved Ava long before her book came out because she is REAL.She was the coolest(She Reads!),most relatable and strong character.

She has her obsessions(Pink and Shopping),her passion for cello(plays violin and piano like a pro-mentioned in gow),is actually sassy and savage and loves her friends(remember how she checked glyn for injuries-the super cute moment won't get out of my head).She loves people and is not afraid to express it but she does not let herself be wronged and disrespected too.

Some people hate her for being blonde,loving pink and shopping but that's how people are!tf is wrong with u haters!?....Absolutely nothing wrong with being a social butterfly and party girl(though my heart breaks when its revealed as her coping mechanism from her episodes)

The way she messes with Eli when he hurts her feelings(he does it for her own good but she doesn't know that!) is called childish and bratty in so many posts but I think its real.That's what we do when we want to retaliate against our loved ones without truly hurting them(You are brats and childish haters)

She loves the fighting matches between the REU and King's U and that's so real like why the hell do girls have to be scared and worried mums who can't tolerate boxing???Like nobody is forcing the guys to do it!?(No one's dying chill tf out)

Also I hate Jeremy for when he spouted rubbish to Ava about not being there for her bestie Cecy and being toxic!?Like dude I googled toxic and you were there!?And before anyone comes at me,let me tell you that I read that unasked opinion way before gow was released so listen carefully....Ava repeatedly asked the reason for Cecily's breakup but she didn't reveal it(understandable since it can be difficult to talk about)Refusing to ask someone for help is refusing someone the chance to be helpful.....Ava,Glyn,Annie or anyone else couldn't know what happened if she doesn't tell them...Similarly Ava didn't tell her about her worsening condition or how she's been hiding the extent of it and how she was forced to marry Eli because that's reality....while they are each others confidants,no one tells someone EVERYTHING,there's always a tiny part hidden which may be known to one while unknown to another person.So Jeremy spouting shit to Ava just proved his serious need for therapy.I liked Cecily but only when she wasn't showing her doormat behaviour(Which was in every context related to Lan and Jeremy) proved by the point how she lacks assertiveness when Jeremy purposefully badmouths Ava,almost makes her cry when she is known to be "the protective mother hen of the group".(Like Ava has been your bestie since nappies!?Where is your protectiveness now??)Ig people find it cute but its really not when he is literally jealous of her relationship with her GIRL best friend Ava(Honestly there shouldn't be a problem if there was a Guy best friend either but you get the point)THAT'S REAL BOLD RED FLAG BEHAVIOUR(hurting someone's bestie is CUTE!??)

I know some people hated Ava when she slapped Anni but be real guys...They became friends with Annie that year while Creigh has been her close friend since she was born(Ava talked about how he was there for her in her dark time)I am totally with Anni when she shot Creighton because he made her shoot...was she supposed to watch her brother die tf!?(totally with her father's explanantion on the plane which she didn't heed to)Anyways Ava slapping her was totally right(lot less than what people would have actually done in real life situation when they see someone who SHOOTS there loved one)

The girls as individuals are okay maybe good ig but they are boring that's a fact...literally zero pride,self respect,self worth,no personality at all.

Loved Ari(Need her book god plsss😭)

So as you have read I LOVE AVA(I love Eli too but this is Ava appreciation post so😅)

Ava always retaliates....when Eli made her angry she messed with him too...She respected herself and demanded it when and where needed.She had the guts to warn Eli to treat her as his wife or she will find someone who will.

Ig people won't like me comparing her with other girls but the difference is so startlingly clear(Others were said to be several attributes like sunshine,strong,not-like-other-girls,relatable bla bla bla...but they couldn't keep up half of what was promised.....Ava was brilliant and so much more)❤❤❤❤❤💖

(As for the men my fav was Eli ofc)

(Loved Landon,Remi and Nikolai too)

(I find it soo amusing that Ava and Eli were my favs way before gow was released...doesnt happen often😁😆)

How Eli seems to be obsessed with Ava since always....

Yeah I get that Eli is six years older and it might be sort of weird to have a crush on someone that young during your teens(I am totally ok with that but-) but Rina Kent is simply confusing me with her Eli Ava crumbs....fyi EliAva is my fav couple from all of Rina Kent books and I was dying to read their book.When Ava is born Eli kisses her on the mouth(wait before u start cursing me listen shhh...)He calls also calls her pretty which is monumental considering he has always been sociopath and apathatic.Rina also shows in the bonus epilogue of Royal Elite series that Eli is staring at Ava(mentioned twice) and Eli is asking about the marriage pact.Can't convince me that he didn't have a crush.Then Cole keeps threatening Eli and warns Aiden to make him stay away from his daughter (He does that in every book since Ava is born....and only for Eli...like why not Remi,Creighton ,Landon,Brandon)

"Unless we’re talking about Eli when it comes to Ava. Or Lan when it comes to sculpting. But those obsessions started fairly young for both Eli and Lan." -God of Malice chapter 17(Your welcome)

I have zero issues if Eli initially had no feelings for Ava as Rina Kent stated in her ig newsletter and even stated by Eli in God of War but its soo stupid of her to go back her words in the several books she has written....considering all the messed up activities happening in her books.....Eli being obsessed with Ava since way before won't be a huge issue cause technically obsession does not always mean romantic feelings...So it feels as if she said that to avoid hate or whatever but it was quite an unprofessional move from her side considering the crumbs she has always given us....The twice or thrice repeated mention of Eli's "no interest" before is soo forced(maybe enforced by editors or something?)

Feeling self indulged after the rant😚

(So I'm just gonna ignore those paragraphs in God of war which make zero sense sorry not sorry😆 bookworms tend to be inquisitive with their research)

ETA: So I had brilliantly written Eli as Evi and Ava as Eva in some sentences.Making unique mistakes is my talent(not flexing😉)

NikoBran - The Proposal

The gallery buzzed with excitement, the energy palpable as people moved from painting to painting, marveling at the artistry Brandon had poured his soul into. Nikolai stood at the back of the crowd, leaning casually against a column, his sharp suit barely containing the restless pride burning within him. He wasn’t one for crowds, but tonight wasn’t about him. Tonight was about his Brandon—his lotus—blossoming for the world to see.

Bran's family mingled among the guests, his mother dabbing her eyes with a tissue, and his father proudly recounting stories of how his son had always been a prodigy with a brush. Meanwhile, Bran himself stood at the center of it all, glowing under the lights, the very picture of an artist who had found his place in the world.

Niko's gaze never left him. Not for a second.

When Brandon finally stepped up to the microphone to address the crowd, the murmurs quieted into anticipation.

“Thank you all for coming tonight,” Bran began, his voice steady but warm, his eyes scanning the room before landing on Nikolai. “This exhibition means the world to me, not just because it showcases my work, but because it represents a journey—a journey I couldn’t have made alone.”

Nikolai raised an eyebrow, his chest tightening as Bran's words washed over him.

Bran continued, a small smile curling his lips. “Every piece here tells a story, a part of me. But there’s one piece that’s the most important. It’s not just a painting—it’s my heart on canvas.”

The room erupted into applause as Bran walked toward a large, shrouded frame in the center of the gallery. With a flourish, he pulled the curtain away, revealing the final painting: Nikolai’s portrait.

Gasps echoed through the room.

Nikolai froze.

The painting captured him with an ethereal glow, his striking features softened by the kind of warmth only someone deeply in love could see. His eyes, usually sharp and piercing, were filled with light, as if Bran had painted the very essence of Nikolai’s soul.

Bran turned back to the microphone, his voice trembling slightly. “This is my masterpiece. No matter how many paintings I create in the future, this will always be the one closest to my heart. Because Nikolai saved me. He believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself. He pulled me out of darkness and showed me what it means to be loved unconditionally.”

Nikolai’s vision blurred as his throat tightened. He blinked furiously, trying to swallow the lump forming, but the dam broke when Bran stepped down from the podium, the crowd parting like a sea.

Bran stopped in front of Nikolai, his eyes bright with determination and love. Then, to Niko’s utter disbelief, he got down on one knee, pulling out a ring with a diamond so brilliant it caught every light in the room.

Gasps turned into murmurs as the room held its collective breath.

Bran looked up at him, his voice steady despite the emotion thickening it. “Nikolai Sokolov, you are the love of my life, the reason I can stand here today. You’ve cherished me in ways I never thought I deserved, and now it’s my turn. I want to spend the rest of my life proving to you that you’re more than enough, that you’re extraordinary, that you’re loved beyond measure. Will you marry me?”

Nikolai’s chest heaved, his breath hitching as tears spilled freely down his cheeks. His knees buckled, and before Bran could react, Nikolai dropped to his own knees, facing him.

The crowd gasped, but Niko didn’t care. His hands cupped Bran’s face, his voice breaking as he whispered, “You idiot. Of course, I’ll marry you. But let me say this—” He gripped Bran’s hands, his voice trembling. “You say I saved you, but you saved me, too. Every time you smile, every time you touch me, you remind me there’s light in this world. I don’t know how I got so lucky, but I’m not letting go. Never.”

The crowd erupted in applause and cheers as Bran slid the ring onto Niko’s finger, their foreheads pressing together as they both laughed through their tears.

“God, I love you,” Bran whispered.

“Love you more, love,” Niko murmured, pulling him into a kiss that left no room for doubt about their forever.

…………………………

Nikolai sat cross-legged on the plush carpet of their living room, his daughter Leigh Sokolov-King nestled snugly in his lap. Her wide eyes focused on the spoonful of yogurt he held out for her, but her curiosity was clearly more on the story he was telling. At three years old, Leigh already had her father’s sharp attention to detail and her papa’s endless curiosity about everything.

“Alright, little princess,” Nikolai said, his voice soft and warm, “where were we?” He dipped the spoon into the yogurt and waved it playfully. “Ah, yes. So, your Papa, he had this big, big event. All these people came to see his paintings.”

Leigh clapped her tiny hands, already enraptured. “Papa paints pretty!”

Nikolai chuckled, nodding. “Yes, he does. The best paintings in the whole world. But there was one painting—” He leaned in conspiratorially, as though revealing a secret. “—that was extra special. Do you know what it was?”

Leigh tilted her head, her curls bouncing as she thought hard. “A bunny?”

Brandon, lounging on the couch nearby with a sketchpad in hand, snorted, shaking his head. “Close, sweetheart, but not quite.”

“No, not a bunny,” Nikolai said with mock seriousness, though his lips twitched with amusement. “It was a painting of me.”

Leigh gasped dramatically, her tiny hand flying to her mouth. “You, Papa?”

“Me,” Nikolai confirmed, holding out another spoonful of yogurt, which she obediently accepted. “And it wasn’t just any painting. Your Papa said it was his masterpiece. The best thing he’s ever made.”

Leigh squinted at Bran as if trying to see the truth in his face. Bran gave her a playful wink and nodded. “That’s right, little one. Your papa’s face is my best work.”

Leigh giggled, yogurt smudged on her chin, and Nikolai used her distraction to wipe it away with a tissue. “So,” he continued, “after he showed everyone that painting, do you know what your Papa did?”

“What?” she asked, leaning forward, her yogurt momentarily forgotten.

“He knelt down, right in front of everyone,” Nikolai said, his voice dropping into a dramatic whisper, “and asked me to marry him with a BIG RING.”

Leigh gasped again, her hands clutching her cheeks. “Did you say yes?”

Bran laughed from the couch, his sketchpad forgotten as he leaned forward to watch them. “Of course, he did, Leigh. But do you know what your Dada did next?”

Leigh shook her head, her curls bouncing wildly.

“I knelt down, too,” Nikolai said, his tone softening. “Because your Papa wasn’t the only one who wanted forever. I wanted it just as much.”

Leigh’s eyes sparkled with delight as she squirmed in Nikolai’s lap, reaching for Bran. “Papa, did you cry?”

Bran let out a laugh, moving to sit beside them on the carpet. He scooped Leigh into his arms, peppering her face with kisses, much to her delighted squeals. “Maybe a little,” he admitted, his eyes meeting Nikolai’s. “But only because I was so happy.”

Leigh beamed, clapping her hands. “That’s the best story, Papa!”

Nikolai smiled, his gaze lingering on Bran. “It is, isn’t it? The best story, because it’s ours.”

Bran leaned over, pressing a kiss to Nikolai’s temple before turning back to Leigh. “And you, little one, are our favorite chapter.”

Leigh giggled, squirming between them. Nikolai scooped up the last bit of yogurt from the bowl and held it out to her, chuckling as she eagerly devoured it.

“Alright, little princess,” Nikolai said, his voice filled with affection. “Now, off to bed. Tomorrow, your papa and I will tell you another story.”

.......

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NikoBran & JerLan - “Can I have your son for the rest of my life?”

Brandon was having an exceptional day, one of those rare stretches of uninterrupted peace and focus. His latest canvas, an impressionist vision of Nikolai with that usual mix of shadowed wild charm, was coming together perfectly. He smiled to himself, dabbing a bit more paint to capture the angle of Nikolai’s jaw, a touch of light for the smirk that, to him, was pure art. His muse. His Heathen Peasant. Really, if he were to be honest, Nikolai was as good as a prince himself—but it was fun, calling him his Peasant. After all, didn’t Niko call him his Prince Charming?

Lost in his work, he barely noticed the sound of footsteps until the door slammed open behind him. He turned just as his twin, Landon, stormed in, his phone clutched in his hand, looking like he was about to deliver some dire news. Brandon raised a brow, unfazed, and continued to blend colors on his palette. What now?

“Have you seen Jeremy and Nikolai’s story?” Landon asked, his voice sharp with barely-contained annoyance.

Brandon shook his head, shrugging as he wiped his hands off. “Not yet. What’s so urgent?” he asked casually, though he snatched the phone from Landon with practiced ease.

The screen lit up with an image of Jeremy and Nikolai mid-soccer game, both flexing their arms with ridiculous grins, muscles on full display, jerseys clinging from the sweat. It was practically designed to be a thirst trap, and Brandon felt his eye twitch at the sight of them looking like they were on the cover of a sports magazine. Soccer? His mind reeled for a second as he thought aloud, “Why soccer of all things?”

He barely had a moment to process before Eli sauntered in, phone in hand, looking far too amused. “Ah, so you saw it too?” he said with a chuckle, nodding towards the story as Brandon continued staring, his annoyance only growing. “Guess I should explain. Last time I visited Killian, Jeremy and Nikolai were tagging along, as usual. I might have mentioned that Uncle Levi, was a bit of a soccer star in his prime. Thought it would be funny if they used that fact to ‘charm’ the future in-law,” Eli grinned, shrugging. “Didn’t think they’d actually take it this far.”

Landon crossed his arms, shaking his head. “You’re telling me that you planted this insane idea in their heads, and they just ran with it?”

Eli’s grin only widened as he shrugged. “What can I say? They seemed… interested. They said they wanted to get Uncle Levi’s approval.”

Brandon groaned, rubbing his temples, but he couldn’t help the smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Of course, of course, they’re using my dad’s ancient soccer past as an excuse to post thirst traps. This is practically bait. As if Dad would be okay with anyone dating us..Dad thinks we are still kids.,” he muttered, exasperated but amused.

…………………………………………………………………………………….

Ilya grumbled under his breath, feeling like he’d been assigned to the most ridiculous mission of his life. He was a hardened mafia guard, for heaven's sake, not some influencer’s cameraman! Yet here he was, jogging across a grassy field with his phone clutched tightly, running after two self-obsessed troublemakers as they posed and flexed in front of the camera. It was like watching a pair of overgrown children, except that these overgrown children were supposed to be the “fearsome” leaders of their respective places in Bartva.

Jeremy struck another dramatic pose, arms flexed, grinning with a perfect smile. Meanwhile, Nikolai kicked an imaginary ball, trying to make the whole thing look at least a little authentic. “Ilya, angle it from lower!” Nikolai barked, pointing downwards with an exaggerated motion. “You’re making us look short!”

Ilya rolled his eyes, adjusting the phone reluctantly. Making them look short? He thought to himself.—how much lower did they need him to go?

Jeremy and Nikolai reviewed the picture and immediately groaned in unison. “Ugh, no. We look ridiculous. Try it again!” Jeremy declared, putting his hands on his hips. “We need to look like the type of future sons-in-law who could make a retired soccer player proud. What would Levi think of that one?”

Ilya sighed heavily, rolling his eyes. “Look, I can tell you what he’d think,” he muttered. “He’d think you’re both insane.”

But the two weren’t paying him any attention. Jeremy was too busy readjusting his hair, slicking back some stray strands that had come loose. Meanwhile, Nikolai tried a new pose, hands on his knees like he’d just scored a game-winning goal.

“Come on, Ilya! Capture the spirit, the intensity! Make it look like we’re professionals,” Jeremy insisted, gesturing with that trademark confidence of his that could either make a person feel like a million dollars or make them want to throttle him.

“Professional what?” Ilya muttered under his breath. “Professional pains in my—”

“Did you say something?” Nikolai asked, eyebrows raised.

“Nothing,” Ilya grumbled louder this time, raising the phone again. “Just hoping no one comes by to see this madness.”

The two posed dramatically, arms slung over each other’s shoulders, staring off into the distance as though contemplating their destiny. They were fully committed, completely unfazed by how utterly absurd they looked.

After a dozen more failed shots and several changes in angle, they finally settled on one they deemed acceptable. Ilya breathed a sigh of relief, ready to reclaim his dignity as a serious bodyguard—but, of course, his relief was short-lived.

“Alright, now off to the art studio,” Nikolai announced with a grin, completely unaware of the suffering he was causing. “If we’re gonna win over Brandon and Landon’s mom, we need her to know we’re more than just pretty faces and sports studs.” He winked at Jeremy, who smirked back.

Ilya groaned as the two trotted off toward the mansion’s art studio like it was some grand adventure. He trailed behind, reluctant but helpless, resigned to the fate that being their bodyguard—and, apparently, their personal photographer—was his life now.

When they got to the studio, Jeremy immediately went to the paint supplies and smeared a few colors on a palette. Nikolai changed to a spare hoodie like he was prepping for the biggest art show of his life, eyeing himself in the mirror and adjusting his hair.

“What are you doing?” Ilya finally asked, unable to hold back any longer. “This is getting embarrassing. No one’s going to take you seriously if word about this gets out, you know.”

Nikolai laughed, as if that was the most absurd thing he’d ever heard. “No one will know, Ilya. That’s the point of having a loyal, trustworthy guard.” He winked, entirely too cheeky for someone who had just spent the last hour meticulously arranging his poses for Instagram stories.

Jeremy was even worse. He dipped a brush into a bucket of dark red paint, flicking it around on the canvas with the dramatic flair of a true artist, clearly enjoying himself far too much. “Just a few more shots, Ilya,” he said, grinning as he smeared paint on his cheek with his thumb. “Make sure I look soulful, you know, like I’ve got depth.”

Depth? Ilya couldn’t help but wonder what depths these two had beyond the ridiculousness he’d been forced to endure all afternoon. Still, he raised the phone and clicked another photo, this time capturing Jeremy looking “deep and thoughtful” with his paint-smeared face and Nikolai gazing intensely at his “masterpiece” on the canvas.

The two reviewed the photo, nodding approvingly, clearly impressed with their own efforts. “Oh, this one is perfect,” Nikolai said with a proud smile, patting Ilya on the back as if he were some award-winning photographer.

Ilya muttered under his breath, casting a wary glance toward the studio entrance, just in case anyone came in. The last thing he needed was for someone else in the mafia to see him in this compromising position, photographing Jeremy and Nikolai pretending to be artists. He’d never hear the end of it.

Ilya clicked off the shot, shaking his head in disbelief. “This… this is a new low,” he said, but Nikolai just laughed, wrapping an arm around Jeremy’s shoulder as they reviewed the clip, fully satisfied.

“Well, we’re off to charm the in-laws,” Jeremy said with a grin, giving Ilya a thumbs up. “Thanks for all the hard work today, Ilya. You’re a real gem.”

Ilya groaned, fully intending to take the next two days off to recover from the utter humiliation of being their camera-wielding sidekick.

……………………………………………………………………………………….

Levi sat at his desk, his phone in hand, scrolling through the barrage of photos and videos sent by those two hooligans, Jeremy and Nikolai. Each shot was more ridiculous than the last—images of Jeremy flexing and grinning like a wolf, Nikolai attempting to look “soulful” while smearing paint on a canvas, and, of course, the final pièce de résistance: a slow-motion video of them “playing” soccer, all dramatic lighting and ridiculous poses.

He shook his head, muttering under his breath. “What am I looking at? Did they… did they even kick the ball once?” He squinted at one of the pictures, which featured Jeremy with his arm around Nikolai, both gazing dramatically into the distance .

“Who do they think they’re fooling?” Levi mumbled to himself, rolling his eyes. “They probably don’t know the first thing about soccer. They’re just trying to butter me up.” He rubbed a hand over his face, sighing as he came to grips with the fact that these two were very likely going to be his sons-in-law.

Astrid breezed by, catching a glimpse of the photos over his shoulder. She laughed, taking the phone from him to get a closer look. “Oh, that’s adorable! Look how hard they’re trying,” she said, scrolling to the picture where Jeremy was staring off into the horizon with paint smudged on his cheek. “They’re doing this to impress you, you know.”

“Impress me?” Levi huffed. “By making themselves look like fools? If they wanted to impress me, they’d stay out of trouble and keep their little mafia nonsense to themselves. But no, my sons have to fall for the most dangerous mafia boys.”

Astrid raised an eyebrow. “You’re just mad because they’re flaunting how much they adore our sons.”

Levi grumbled as she handed him back the phone. “I’m mad because they think this’ll win me over. Look at them—posing like a couple of overgrown schoolboys!.”

Astrid shook her head with a smile. “Oh, Levi. They’re in love. And those two hooligans will do whatever it takes to show you they’re serious about Brandon and Landon.”

Levi scrolled “What do Brandon and Landon even see in these idiots?” he muttered, though there was a hint of a smile pulling at his mouth.

Astrid smiled, amused. “Oh, you know exactly what they see. What I saw in you. Love. Protection and a bit of madness .”

playing pretend rather than have a serious conversation with me.”

Astrid shook her head, still smiling, as she went to pour herself a cup of tea. Levi watched her for a moment, then turned his attention back to his phone, smirking despite himself at the ridiculousness of the whole thing.

Levi let out a sigh of grudging acceptance. “Well, I suppose I could be stuck with worse. At least they’re entertaining.” He gave one last look at the ridiculous soccer photo, muttering with a half-smile, “But they’d better be ready to prove themselves, because winning over this father-in-law will take a hell of a lot more than paint and muscle flexing.”

......

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GazKayden - The Story of Us

❗SPOILERS AHEAD❗

They say love has stages. Steps. A progression of feelings that shift from one form to another.

For most, love is something that blooms softly, gradually, like the first hint of spring after a long winter. But for Gareth?

Love was a sickness. A fever that gripped me too tight and refused to let go.

And it started with obsession.

Stage 1: Obsession

Gareth Carson never believed in fate.

Or love.

To him, those things were nothing more than pretty illusions people fooled themselves into chasing—like his friends, who fell head over heels for someone and acted like it was some divine intervention. He never understood the appeal. Relationships, romance, devotion—none of it ever intrigued him.

Sure, he indulged in casual flings, but they were fleeting, inconsequential. No one ever kept his attention long enough for him to care. He always got bored, always left before things could even come close to meaning something.

That was before Kayden Lockwood.

His professor.

Gareth didn’t know when exactly it started—maybe it was the first time Kayden called on him in class, his smooth, commanding voice wrapping around Gareth’s name like it belonged to him. Maybe it was the way he carried himself, exuding a quiet power, the kind that didn’t demand attention but still had everyone hanging onto his every word.

Or maybe it was the first time Kayden looked at him—not just glanced, but looked, sharp eyes locking onto Gareth’s, reading him in a way no one ever had.

Whatever it was, it had Gareth spiraling.

Obsession was a slow burn at first. It started with lingering stares in class, the way he always found himself waiting—hoping—for Kayden’s gaze to settle on him. Then it turned into staying after lectures for no reason, loitering near Kayden’s office, offering smug, sharp-edged comments just to see if he could get a reaction.

But it wasn’t enough.

So he dug deeper.

Gareth found himself researching everything about Kayden. His academic papers, his lectures, his past affiliations—anything and everything. Then came the more personal details: what coffee he drank (black, no sugar), what time he usually arrived at campus (early, always early), what book he carried around but never seemed to finish (The Picture of Dorian Gray, an ironic choice).

He was in too deep before he even realized it.

And the worst part?

He knew this was insane. He knew there was a line he shouldn’t cross, but when had that ever stopped a Carson? His brother was literally chasing after Eli King, their enemy, like a man possessed. If Jeremy could go after the devil himself, then why the hell would Gareth stop himself from chasing after his professor?

Even if Kayden was older. Even if this was forbidden.

Because Gareth always got what he wanted.

And Kayden Lockwood?

Was about to learn that firsthand.

Stage 2: Love

Gareth POV:

I always knew love was a weakness.

A flaw in human nature that made people act like fools, stripping them of logic, of reason, of self-preservation. I had seen it happen before—my cousins, my friends, my brother. All of them fell, one by one, as if love was some inescapable disease.

And then, I fell.

Just as recklessly. Just as foolishly.

At first, I refused to call it love. Love was supposed to be loud, all-consuming, fiery in a way that left nothing but ruin behind. But Kayden—Kayden was different. His love was quiet. A soft thing, wrapped in silent promises, in the steady presence of a man who never needed to say much to be heard.

It was in the way he looked at me, as if I wasn’t something he needed to tame, but something he understood.

It was in the way he spoke to me—not as a student, not as a reckless bastard with too much arrogance, but as his equal.

It was in the way he touched me—casual at first, fleeting, then deliberate. A hand on my wrist that lingered too long. A brush of fingers over mine when he handed me a book. A press of his palm against my back as we walked side by side.

It was in the way he said my name.

I should have known then. I should have stopped.

But I was never good at stopping.

So I did something I never thought I’d do.

I trusted him.

I let him see parts of me no one else did. I told him things I never should have, things that should have remained locked away in the darkness I was born into.

I told him about the Heathens.

About the violence that lurked beneath my skin, about the blood that ran in my family name, about the world I walked through, one that most people never made it out of alive.

I knew I shouldn’t. I knew it was dangerous, that Kayden didn’t belong in that world, that he was better off untouched by the kind of life I led.

But I told him anyway.

Because I loved him.

And like the fool I was, I thought I had it all.

I thought love was enough.

How cruel fate was.

Stage 3: Hate

Gareth POV:

Fate is a cruel mistress.

I always knew that. I had seen her rip people apart, turn lovers into enemies, break men who thought they were unbreakable. But I never knew just how cruel she could be.

Not until him.

Not until Kayden tore apart the heart I had so foolishly placed in his hands.

Betrayal was an old friend of mine. I knew what it looked like, what it felt like, the slow, creeping poison of it sinking into my bones. But this? This was different.

Because it wasn’t just my trust he shattered. It wasn’t just my family he betrayed.

It was me.

And what cut the deepest wasn’t that he had played me. It wasn’t even that he had used me to get what he wanted—to get information, to get leverage, to win.

No.

What burned, what hollowed me out from the inside, was the thought that maybe—just maybe—Kayden had never loved me at all.

Maybe I had been nothing more than a means to an end. A foolish, reckless man who handed over his secrets with open palms, thinking he was giving them to someone who cared.

I wanted to hate him for that.

I did hate him for that.

Hate him enough to hunt him down. To find him kneeling before me, bloodied, broken, surrounded by the bodies of the Serpents gang.

Hate him enough to press the cold barrel of my gun against his temple, my finger resting on the trigger, my heartbeat slow. Steady. Empty.

I could do it.

I should do it.

But then Kayden looked up at me, and I realized something.

Killing him wouldn’t be justice. It wouldn’t be revenge.

It would be suicide.

Because if I pulled that trigger—if I erased him from this world—then my heart would never beat again.

Because that meant...

That meant he still had it.

Even after everything.

Stage 4: Finding their way back

Kayden's POV

I always knew I would be the villain in Gareth’s story.

That no matter how much I wanted to rewrite the ending, no matter how many times I tried to play the hero, it would always end the same way.

With him looking at me like I had ripped the soul out of his body.

With me standing in the ruins of the heart I had destroyed with my own hands.

I should have stopped this when I had the chance. I should have walked away before it got too deep, before Gareth trusted me enough to love me. But I didn’t. I let him in. I let myself want him. And now I was paying the price for my selfishness.

He shouldn’t forgive me.

Not for what I did. Not for the lies. Not for the betrayal that had cost him more than I would ever be able to make up for.

And yet—yet—some part of me still yearned.

For him. For the way he looked at me before he knew what I was.

For the way he loved me, reckless and all-consuming, as if I was something worth loving.

I knew better now. I knew I wasn’t.

And still, I stood here, bloodied and beaten, with my sins laid bare before him, hoping—no, begging—for him to turn to me.

Just one last time.

Even if it was only to end me.

……………………

I never expected forgiveness.

Not then. Not now. Not after all these years.

Some wounds don’t heal. Some sins can’t be erased. And what I did to Gareth… it wasn’t something time could simply wash away.

But if I couldn’t be forgiven, I could at least try.

So I did.

Every day.

Every moment.

I learned to live with Gareth’s silence. With his anger. With the weight of what I had done pressing down on me like an iron chain. And yet, I kept going. Kept reaching, even when his back was turned. Kept hoping, even when I knew I didn’t deserve to.

And now, as I stand at the end of the aisle, watching Asher Carson glare daggers at me while leading Gareth toward me, I think: Every second of pain was worth it.

Every day I spent groveling.

Every year I spent proving I was more than my mistakes.

Because now, Gareth is here.

Walking toward me.

Not with anger. Not with hatred.

But with something else in his eyes—something I once lost, something I never thought I’d get back.

And maybe I never will. Maybe this is just a second chance to ruin him all over again.

But if it is, I will spend a lifetime making sure I don’t.

Because no matter how many years pass, no matter how much I fight, one truth remains.

I will always be his villain.

But I will also be the man who never stops trying to be his hero.

.......

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If you have any oneshot ideas, feel free to suggest it