#and put some respect on short strong kings

[agir1ukn0w]

listen y’all, listen…..i appreciate and love how much you love peeta and katniss’s height difference in the books, and ordinarily I’d be right there with you because I’m usually wrecked for a good height difference. BUT…respectfully…I am way too attached to josh hutcherson as peeta and to me his stocky build is just perfect even if it isn’t 100% accurate to book!peeta, his smile and his eyes and just everything about him more than make up for it.

[animeshotsh]

Control | Various x Overlord!Makima!Reader

Notes: Reader has the same powers as Makima from Chainsaw Man. Im leaving a link here in case you want to read about them in deep detail.

Warnings: HH violence - Cursing - Blood -

When a soul falls down to hell no one takes notice of it. You were lowkey thankful for it, your clothes the same ones as the one you had died were dity with mud and blood. Your white shirt was ruined, your black coat had holes on it.

Thats a magnificent disaster

You never expected you would be stabed in the back by one coworker, and that would be the cause of your death. But your greed was big and so was theirs so you were sure you were going to meet them down here soon.

As impressive as this was you were not under panic, maybe having to watch your back 24/7 when you were alive had helped to it.

In that dark alley you stood considering your choices when a small creature with horns appear, it showed a knife at you and jumped.

You moved your head to the side "is this a demon?" You wondered swiftly avoiding its attack. Then like instinct you raised your arm, your fingers like a gun, pointing at the demon.

"Bam" you whispered and soon the chest of the demon exploted. You looked at your fingers then at the corpse a few meters away a sadistic smile forming.

"I wonder what more I can do"

~☆~☆~☆~☆

In no time you got a name for yourself, The Control Demon. A Demon who could force others to make contracts with them, a demon who could use the power of the demons who they had a contract with.

Manipulation was your middle name. Overlords respected you and some feared you.

~☆~~☆~☆~☆

Carmilla was always wary around you, knowing your power. Her angel weapons were in reach whenever you attended a meeting. She could see behind that fake smile and eyes.

~☆~☆~☆

Zestial was amazed by your power. He knew he was strong and heavens you were stronger. He would start conversations with you only to try and get on your good side.

~☆~☆~☆

Rosie loved you, she knew you could put all the cannibal town against her but that was just amazing in her eyes, not to say, you using other overlord powers was something to enjoy.

Something she got to know was that you could force a sinner to say a name and by moving your hand that one named would explote.

~☆~☆~☆

Alastor was...well he was interested. He wanted to know if you could get him out of his own contact but then again for that he would have to confess that he had a leash on. Something he did not want to do at all.

~☆~☆~☆~

When Charlie first meet you she was...scared. Listening to your name being told and the stories....but she was sure something good was in everybody so of course she opened her hotel doors for you. Even if you were only there to see the place.

~☆~☆~☆

Vaggie straight up hated you. If Alastor was a pest then you were worse. She did not want nothing to do with you. But she also knew she was no competition against you. Specially after seeing your spiral eyes as you moved away her weapon.

"Please, at least learn how to proper use it, angel"

~☆~☆~☆~

Lucifer was charmed!!

Yes the king of hell fell for your sweet words and compliments like a young fella.

"Your majesty its a pleassure to meet the one who rules in here" You said bowing towards the short king who was suprised by your polite self.

You ended showing him the place after Alastor killed the other sinners and told him sweet nothings about hell and him. How you always have wanted to meet him (no). And he ate all up.

That night Lucifer ended on his bed blushing hard thinking about you.

~☆~☆~☆

Vox had tried to follow you only to end with a panic attack as he saw your spiral eyes staring back at him from one monitor.

"Its not polite to spy you know"

And now Vox has nightmares of you.

[inuyassa]

HELLO!!! Can i make a Luffy x F!reader (not dating YET but mutual pining) request where the reader gets injured during a fight but hides it from the crew because the victory party started, (and because after everything Luffy has been through recently the reader doesn't want him to worry) BUT she goes down half way through the party?

What is Luffy's reaction??

Angst to comfort ig?? does that make sense???

THANK.

OMG YOU KNOW I LOVE ME SOME ANGST!!!!!!! I hope this is what you were thinking/hoping!!

Luffy x F!Reader

Request

Angst/Comfort

Warnings: Mentions of Death, Blood, and Implied Injury. Some mature language.

Wake Up...

She gripped the edge of the bathroom sink as she placed another round of antiseptic on the wound.  It was a fresh laceration, bright red and still bleeding.  She had only received it a day ago while the crew was ashore and attacked by a local gang.  The fight was short lived, but she still took quite a few hits, and when one came at her with a knife…

It would be so simple to just go to Chopper and ask to be patched up, but by the time everyone made their way back to the ship, the party was underway.  Drinks and food and music, complements of Zoro, Sanji, and Brook respectively.  It was one of the first times since reuniting that the crew was able to celebrate a win together.  Luffy was overjoyed, his smile was back after so much pain…how could she ruin that by making him worry?

After another painful round of wound cleaner, she made her way back onto the deck.  Brook was jamming away on his violin while Sanji pined after Robin and Nami with plates of sweets and mugs of tea.  Zoro laughed through a half drunk bottle of sake while Luffy devoured a full serving of meat on the bone. The sounds of laughter once again filled the deck of the Thousand Sunny.  She smiled, her eyes growing heavy.  She braced herself against the nearby pillar and tried to stop the world from spinning. 

“Hey kiddo, you doing okay?” Franky walked up beside her, he had been making his way to the spread of food when he saw her loose balance.  She looked up at him, his smile faded when he saw how pale she looked, her skin glistening with a thin layer of sweat.  “Woah, buddy, you don’t look too good,” he said, putting a large, strong hand on your shoulder.  “You need me to get Chopper?”

She grinned, feeling the world swallow her up.  “Hey, Franky,” she began.  “Don’t let me hit my head okay?” Her legs buckled beneath her and she fell.  Franky lunged forward to catch her, easing her onto the ground.  “Kid? Kid! Hey, we need help over here!”

Franky’s voice cut through the jovial music, causing Brook to freeze and the rest of the crew to look towards him.  When Luffy saw her on the ground, he rushed over, leaving his half eaten meat behind.  Chopper followed closely behind, grabbing his bag from off the bench.  The rest of the crew shot over, hovering as she lay in Franky’s arms.  Her breath was short and shaky, her brow furrowed in pain.  Luffy looked her over with panic, that’s when he noticed the blood soaking into her shirt.  She was hurt.  He faltered backwards several steps before he fell to his knees, his heart beating loud and fast in his ears, his eyes full of fear.  Zoro noticed his Captain and knelt down in front of him.  “Luffy, you’ve got to stay with us okay?”

“Blood…” Luffy said, his voice hoarse and soft.  “She’s bleeding…”

Zoro grabbed his shoulders.  He might be the future Pirate King, but right now, he was that same little kid who just lost his brother.  “Look at me Luffy,” Zoro said, his voice stern but comforting.  “This is not like then, this is now.  She’s going to be fine.  You won’t lose her, understand?”  That’s when Zoro noticed the tears welling up in Luffy’s eyes.  He stared blankly ahead, his face locked.  “Blood…” he breathed.  “So much blood…”

“We need to get her inside,” Chopper said.  “She’s responsive but in a lot of pain.”  Franky nodded and stood up, slowly cradling her tense body in his arms.  She let out a pained yell as he did, and Luffy’s breath caught in his throat.  He stood up, shoving Zoro out of the way and running towards her.  He was tackled by Usopp who pinned the manic Luffy down.  “Calm down Luffy,” he yelled.  “You won’t be any help to her the way you are now.”

Luffy clawed at the ground, his fists filling with grass and dirt, he yelled for Usopp to get off him.  “I’m your captain,” he screamed, his voice raw.  “You do as I say and get the hell off me!”

A large, leather clad shoe pinned Luffy’s head to the ground.  Sanji stood above him, his eyes filled with rage and worry.  “You need to calm down Luffy,” he sneered.  “This isn’t helping anyone, especially not her!” 

Luffy fought against the pressure, but with his arms bound by Usopp, he wasn’t going anywhere.  His breath became fast and heavy, his body slowly losing the will to fight them off anymore.  Hot tears streamed from his eyes and he sobbed.  He let our months of repressed worry and fear.  Pain he thought he was over all came rushing back into him like a flood he couldn’t control…

***

“You gave us all quite a scare,” Chopper lectured her as he changed her bandages.  It had been two days since she collapsed at the party, and in that short amount of time, Chopper’s treatment had all but healed her.  “You’ll have a nasty scar, but other than that, your wound looks really good!”

She smiled, caressing the small doctor’s cheek.  “Looks like I owe you my life yet again Doctor.” Chopper began to blush, assuring her that her compliments could not fool him, and that she was a liar.  She laughed.  “Is Luffy around?  I haven’t seen him since I woke up.”

Chopper paused.  “He hasn’t really talked much to anyone on board.  He just sits at the helm and looks out at the sea…we’re all sort of worried about him.”

She sighed, looking out the small window at the ocean.  In an attempt to save Luffy the pain of seeing her hurt, she ended up making the situation much worse…

*** 

Luffy sat cross-legged, letting the sea breeze run its invisible fingers through his hair, his hat dangling around his neck.  The sun was getting ready to set, that would mean three days since he last saw her…

”Is this seat taken?”  Luffy’s head shot around to see her standing behind him, a small blanket wrapped around her.  His heart dropped to his stomach.  She looked so tired…

She must have taken his silence as a response and lowered herself down next to him.  His eyes never left her, afraid that if he so much as blinked she would disappear forever. “You don’t need to blame yourself, you know,” she began.  “I hid it from everyone.  I didn’t want to make you worry.  I guess that plan sort of backfired though huh?”

Luffy still only stared at her…”You were bleeding,” he began.  “And then you collapsed…just like he did.”

She looked at him.  “Luffy…”

“I thought you weren’t going to wake up too…”

Before he could say anything else she threw her arms around him, pulling him into her arms.  Luffy held onto her tight, burrowing his face in between her neck and shoulder.  She felt his body shake with silent sobs.  “I’m right here,” she whispered.  “I’m right here.  I’m not going anywhere I promise…”

[faislittlewhiteraven]

Been thinking this a while but

You ever think about why the House and King in SASASAaP is so much worse than it is in ISaT?

Like, at first I put it down to just 'different timelines/different worlds' but the more I think about it, the more I've realized it is very much the same world and King and the difference specifically lies with the two game's respective Siffrins.

Why the House is so different: In Act 5 of ISaT when Sif 2.0 is running around losing his mind, the House very clearly warps around him. At first this seems to be just Sif's perception of events but when the friends come to rescue him, they bring up that the rooms were warped around, which means that Sif's Wish Craft doesn't just warp time but also space. Because ISaT Sif on some level didn't want the loops to end, the House grew longer, pathways stopped making sense, they were lead to every room of the house where they had any kind of precious memory with their family (but notably not the rock trap room) etc...

And clearly the same thing is happening to the House in SASASAaP, the difference is Loop/OG's mindset: They want to get through the house as fast as possible without 'distractions' like the very helpful Hidden Library they don't know exists but at the same time they dread the king (dread their friends dying over and over and over) so the path is short and free of bosses (including those 'Nostalgia' star crest Sadnesses), but full of time consuming and tricky puzzles to delay them -even just a bit longer- from what they see as the inevitable end. ...Also the path no longer requires the Keyknife and OG Sif gets outright angry at the Change Statue when the others pray at it so make of that what you will.

Ok, so the Houses are affected by Sif's mental state, but what about the King? The King is a totally different kettle of fish. He very much is not effected by the respective Sifs' Wish Craft but he can pick up on it. And well, how does he react in ISaT when he realizes Siffrin 2.0 is using Wish Craft?

... *Thinks about a hand, squeezing*

So yeah. My theory for why the King is so much worse, especially in the Perfect Route in Start Again is simple: Loop/OG Sif had been looping so long that their reek of Wish Craft's sweet smell was basically covering the whole party and the King, not knowing who to torture directly, responds by trying to kill them all especially horribly, especially on the 'Perfect' route where Sif likely continues hiding their looper status even as they are dying. ...Trying to mentally break them just as he tries to break Siffrin 2.0 in ISaT.

...Which is also why he doesn't auto kill everyone in the 'True' route - because that's the route Sif gives up pretending they're not a mess, meaning the King can identify that Sif is the Wish Crafter by the party's concern for them and their lack of reaction (much like the King did in ISaT), can see that Siffrin is already breaking, and thus being the 'merciful ruler' he is, decides to toy with them a bit, only going for the killing blow when he gets lower on health and starts getting concerned he might lose (which in turn means most of his attention in the fight was on the clearly not ok Sif, the party likely noticed and that's probably why Isabeau was able to jump in and block the King's fatal attack in time).

So um. YEAH. That's my thoughts on SASASAaP's King; he's the exact same as ISaT's King the only difference is that by the time OG Sif reached him the first time, they'd already looped a horrific amount of times and reeked so strong of Wish Craft that the King never even entertained the 'talk them down' facade and went straight for the kill/'torture them into submission' option every time.

Not sure these details matter too much really but I figure it might be helpful to all the Loop lovers out there making wonderful fanfics to consider (circumstances Odile can theorise about if Loop ever gives her enough hints to try, perhaps?) so... yeah. Hope my thoughts were interesting and would like to hear your thoughts on the stuff I didn't manage to figure out like the skill differences between the two parties, and various people frozen in the House having different pronouns and things (currently going with: Loop/OG Sif is not really listening to anything and is possibly misremembering details they don't care about for the later but the former is very much 'I know this is probably because refined mechanics but what if-?!' area for me and I'd love to see in-setting reasoning for it) <3

Edit: Realized I forgot to mention a thing: A sweet scent is never brought up in SASASAaP probably because that might've been a later addition to the plot but I like to think it's more because everyone in the prologue is just so used to it at this point that the party are putting it down to being part of the 'King altered' House while OG Siffrin is completely numb to it at this point, and the King's not interested in talking so... yeah. No one brings it up. ...Might also explain why Bonnie doesn't offer the Melanga fritters: the sweet scent could potentially alter the taste (and also they're not 100% sure Sif likes them) so instead they offer sweets like the candy and Palmiers that would be less effected, the burnt samosas which are 'already bad' and the fish head which probably tastes so strong that Bonnie's less worried about it's taste being masked. But that's just my spitballing for excuses so hope that's helpful for anyone wanting to use this info? XD

[multific]

New Home

Ivar the Boneless x Reader

Summary: Ivar brought Hvitserk home.

Hvitserk was his only brother left, so upon hearing about the kidnapping of his brother, Ivar, the King of Kattegat found himself on a ship.

Leaving everything behind, to save his brother.

And being the victorious leader he was, Ivar was able to save Hvitserk.

"Why did you come to save me?" asked Hvitserk as the ship sailed.

"Would you rather stay in that Christian filled village? I am bringing you home, brother."

"I have heard many tales about your Ivar. How you became King and earned respect."

"That I did. And if you wish, after your healing, you can stay."

They soon arrived back, everything was as Hvitserk remembered, the only thing hanging was the people he saw, he could barely recognize everyone.

Then, they got to Ivar's house.

"I'm back!" Ivar yelled and Hvitserk reached for his knife when he heard footsteps approach.

"DADDY!!!" Hvitserk watched as two young girls rushed over to Ivar who was now sitting in a chair. Both telling stories of their days, jumping up and down.

"Father. You are back earlier than expected." a young boy, older than the girls stopped in his tracks as he saw Hvitserk. Now the girls also noticed him.

"This is my brother, your uncle, Hvitserk. Now be careful he requires some healing so be nice."

"Uncle?" one of the girls asked.

"Yes." Ivar confirmed. "These are my children. My eldest son Finn, my twins, Halla and Hella." introduced Ivar his children to his brother. "My wife is... where is your mother?"

"She is feeding Assur." replied Finn as Ivar nodded.

"My youngest, born only a couple weeks ago, Assur."

"You have this many children?" Hvitserk was seriously surprised.

"I would have more... but Y/N said four would be enough."

"Y/N?" Hvitserk was confused. The name did sound familiar but he wasn't sure how.

"I'm here. I'm here, girls go wash your hands, I'll put food on the table, Finn, love, help your sisters please." you arrived with your son in your arms as your other children listened. "Hvitserk, really nice to see you... you do look like shit. Eat with us. I'll call the healer over later." you smiled at Hvitserk as you walked over to Ivar, offering him his son and a kiss. "Welcome home."

"How is he?"

"Strong. Has been kicking all day." you replied as you started to set the table. Ivar looked at his son, grabbing his leg and pushing it back softly, only for the small man to push back against his palm.

"Good."

Hvitserk stood stunned. Ivar was a smart man, this is exactly what he expected from his brother. Seeing him with children, who ran around.

"I'm-Congratulations brother. You have a nice family." Hvitserk finally walked further into the house, looking at his still sitting brother and the babe in his arms.

"Thank you," Ivar hoped this will give his brother another reason to stay.

"Say, Y/N, why does your name sound so familiar?" Hvitserk asked during supper.

"I used to be a shieldmaiden."

"Mummy was the best!" one of the girls, Hella, chimed in. Her twin nodded.

"I sure was. I met Ivar during a raid. We soon married and settled down."

Simple story really.

Hvitserk smiled as the boy sitting next to him looked shy.

"And so, Kattegat is thriving." Ivar nodded.

"Growing, new people moving in, the market is also growing greatly. I see merchants coming from far lands."

"Sounds like a dream."

"It is, and we are happy to live here. Kattegat is evergrowing and safe." you replied as you took a bite from your food.

After food, Hella and Halla thought it would be a good opportunity to show Hvitserk around their room, showing him the toys their father made as Finn also joined them, showing his room and belongings.

"My plan is working, Lovie." said Ivar as he hugged you, slowly pushing you against the wall.

"To have your brother back is something you longed for since I gave birth to Finn."

"I always wanted my family to be proud of me. My children and you are what I'm the proudest of." you smiled at Ivar before pulling him in for a short kiss before your youngest required your attention once more.

Ivar groaned as he watched you get the babe and placed him on your hip. You kissed his forehead and smiled as the babe giggled.

A sight Ivar would never be tired of.

You with your children.

The love of his life and the very thing born from the love you two shared.

Soon, he too had to leave as the girls wanted to show their uncle the animals in the woods.

Taglist: @fleursirvart​ @greenarrowhead​ @thisismysecrethappyplace​ @sincerelyfan​ @theoneanna​ @aestheticsandmarvel​ @rororo06​ @castellandiangelo​ @destynelseclipsa​ @spilledinkindumpster​ @capsiclesdoll​ @puknow​ @alwayshave-faith​ @soleil-dor​ @alex12948​ @lxdyred​  @imagines-by-a-typical-fangirl​ @anonymoussherlockandmarvelgeek​​ @praline357​​ @trshngyn​​ @avengers-r-us​​ @violet-19999​​

~Masterlist~

ˇAO3ˇ

             DO NOT REPOST OR TRANSLATE ANY OF MY WORKS

[stealingpotatoes]

can we get a rundown on the anakin-raises-leia au? i’m totally in love with (read: obsessed with) it but i missed most of the context and i’m so curious!

are they coparenting? was it a parent trap style agreement to split the twins? is it temporary, until the war ends? who decided who gets which twin? did mustafar just never happen?

the answers to ur questions in short are: not really, arguably, absolutely, i did, and no!

in longer, the main thing you need to know for context is it's an Anakin-doesn't-turn-to-the-darkside-but-Palps-still-succeeds AU!

Anakin chooses not to try save Palpatine from the Jedi council and instead goes to Padmé's to angst abt the fact he might be losing her -- only to feel a very solid Other loss in the Force and see the temple up in flames ): he tries to go help but gets his shit kicked enough he leaves when Bail shows up

obi-wan and yoda both return to coruscant, obi-wan shows up to Padmé's to ask her hey do you know where Anakin is??? except Padmé's not there either bc after Sidious made his Big Speech anidala realised Anakin's totally a fugitive so they decided to Leave

i'm not 100% on what happens around here (lbr we all know my focus is the kids) but i'm currently thinking they nearly get caught or smthn, fight happens (??), Obi-wan gets there just in time to help thanks to Dormé snitching -- and Padmé goes into labour w the shock/stress

whatever exactly happens, Obi-Wan is there when they get Padmé to a medical station and the normal rots ending group unite. Padmé gives birth (keeping her will to live) and a question hangs heavy in the air: what are they supposed to do with the twins?

Anidala are too caught up in the joy of being parents to think about it, but they're quickly and forcibly snapped out of that when the Survivors all have a chat like canon. Yoda's the (brave) one to say they need to be apart because their force signatures would be too strong together and in the dire case Palps finds them, he could NOT take both. He's probs initially like they shouldnt even be kept w you two, Anakin's too powerful himself and Padmé you're too visible (while I imagine Bail and Obi-wan know their respective besties and are like king they are NOT gonna take that well)

and theyre right! Padmé, fresh out of like three of the top ten most harrowing experiences of her life, is like stfu u little green bitch im not losing my kids. but after some convincing she sees the need for her to remain in the senate and anakin's need to fight/run. she knows they can't fight the empire effectively together and she knows it's too dangerous to put the twins together. both parents want more than ANYTHING to be with their kids -- but they also don't want their kids growing up in a galaxy eaten by tyranny or being stolen by palps.

so they made the hardest goddamn decision of their lives and each take a twin (probably chosen on "anakin thought the baby'd be a girl/padme thought it'd be a boy" or smthn) and after some time planning their next moves, Padmé and Anakin are forced to go their separate ways to save the galaxy for and with their kids ): knowing the better they fight, the sooner they free the galaxy from the empire's clutches, the sooner they can reunite and be a family

[yuikomorii]

Ayato used to be special, that’s true but now? He pretty much lost the personality that made him stand out. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 

No offense here but one thing I hate about dating sims is when the guy starts worshipping the MC to the point that they always do as she says whether if that’s wrong or right.

I can remember the times Ayato got in troubles due to trusting Yui’s words too much or caring too much about her comfort when more serious issues were around and I swear there is even a ‘I will build a castle for you’ scene ??? that made me cringe so bad

I don’t get what this fandom got with simps, it’s none of my business tho but that’s not even funny at this point anymore.

// No because at this point I’m convinced more than half of the fandom mischaracterizes Ayato so bad that I’m genuinely questioning whether you truly played the games/read the translations or you simply couldn’t care less about what you were playing/reading.

First of all, there is a distinction between worshiping and appreciating someone. Ayato treats Yui as an equal; he does not regard her as a goddess or an inferior, which is completely fine because this is the healthiest way for a relationship to function. He trusts her words so much because he loves her and believes in her abilities.

Secondly, Ayato didn’t lose his personality and if you went through his routes, listened to the serious CD dramas, read the official short stories + YB and paid attention to what’s written about him in the books, you would know that.

It was mentioned several times that Ayato’s true face is the one of a sweet and pure-hearted boy. Usually, when people hear the word “pure-hearted” they think of someone kind or innocent, but the term goes beyond that. Everyone can be kind sometimes, everyone was pure at some point and some still continue to be like that if life didn’t hit them hard enough but not everyone can be pure-hearted. Being pure-hearted ( 純情 ) means having a self-sacrificing devotion, helping and forgiving the ones who wronged you and empathizing with them. This perfectly describes Ayato because I swear, this boy is the King of Second Chances.

Even Rejet mentioned in the second picture that by touching the true side of Ayato, who always pretends to be strong, you will fall in love with him.

That’s actually a true statement and I can clearly see why he’s the apple of Yui’s eye because Ayato is by far the most hardworking and ambitious Diaboy and the fact he would do anything to make his girl happy, even starting to study in order to get into college (although part of his trauma has to do with it since Cordelia mercilessly punished him every time he refused to study), adds +100 respect points.

The "I'm gonna build a castle for you!" scene from his MB After Story wasn’t cringe at all; he was just trying to show Yui how grateful he is to have her by his side all the time. He didn't expect her to get a job too; he simply wanted to be the one who worked so as she could live a happy life and fulfill his role as her husband.

In the official after story of the MB After story (translated by Koiiro), Ayato stopped skipping classes at college so as to make Yui proud. He’s trying his best to be a better person just for her and if you still find THIS cringe, then… that’s on you.

Last but not least, it’s true that Yui’s decisions aren’t always the best but instead of blaming her for making dumb choices and Ayato for trusting her, why not blame the person who put them in an uncomfortable situation??

[anime-is-godlike]

Bungo stray dogs x reader

Birth simulator

You went out shopping and saw this in the sale section and for a laugh with your boyfriend got it, you are not pregnant but you remember seeing videos on the internet and wanted to see how long they would last the pain is from 1-10 how will they fair?

Dazai

“Belladonna stop stop!!”

“……..Dazai it’s on a 3”

“It’s does not feel good at all stop this madness”

“You are such a baby I sware to everything”

“Yes but I’m your baby”

“……”

“Wait come back!!!!!!!

I’m short a absolute baby who can’t make it past 4 at best, has way more respect and is ready to go down on his knees to praise you when you have children and will praise you to the end of time about how strong you are

————-

Chuuya

“Chu chu ~ please”

“…….no”

“Oh come on let’s make it a bet if you make it to 10 I’ll buy you wine”

“Deal!”

………….

“STOP STOP STOPPPP!!”

“…..to be honest I thought you’d quit a lot sooner”

“Stop clapping and turn the damn thing offfff!!!”

“But you only made it to 5?”

“Turn . That . Damn . Thing . OFF”

“Okay okay…….drama queen”

“Say what you want but damn you are gonna have it worse”

“????why”

“Because when we have kids you can’t simply turn a machine of…the perfect revenge”

“…….I’m sorry?”

“To late”

All in all have so much more respect for you and woman every where already thought you were queen now knows your kings and don’t worry about the wine you got him a apology bottle

——————-

Atsushi

“Um….okay?” Baby was confused until

“Ahhhhhhh!!!!!ouch stop please my darling stopppp!!” You looked in shock this man made it up to 7

“Wow genuinely wow” was all you said in astonishment

“Please……make it….Stop” he said nearly passing out

“Oh sorry dear”

……….

If you think he worshiped you before prepare for a whole lot of love and affection now he worships you and if you do have children he will treat you like a goddess

—————-

Ranpo

“Honey baby sugarplum” you say in a sweet voice ranpo has his arms crossed with a pout

“Nope na no not gonna do it” you pouted then a sparkle came to your eyes with a idea

“If you do this I’ll get the boss to give you” you lean closer and whisper

“Praise” he looks at you with fully opened eyes

“Well if ya put it that way” he picks you up by your waist and spins you around giggling

………

“Well I gotta admit I thought you’d last a bit longer” ranpo was on the floor passed out at….2 with a pocky stick in his mouth

“Oh well since he’s passed out I’ll just have one” you say just as you where about to grab a pocky from a box he woke up and rose like he was a zombie coming back from the dead

“Sorry darling…but no” he said with opened eyes you slowly retreated your hand

“Sorry” and put both hands up in the air (like you just don’t care…sorry)

“….okay one” you looked at him with shock

All in all not much changed in your relationship but you could tell he did help out a bit more when you got monthly pains he helped you out a bit before this whole ordeal but now he was actually giving you some of his snacks and randomly a surprise pocky he’ll shove into your mouth

——————

Hope y’all like it it’s been sitting in my drafts for a while and finally got the inspiration to finish it don’t worry the next chapter will be twisted wonderland

[misguidedasgardian]

The White Dragon (5)

5. Forced Landing

MASTERLIST

Summary: You arrival puts everything in place

Pairings: Harwin Strong x Fem!Targaryen reader

Warnings: cursing, medieval and A song of ice and Fire AU customs, alcohol consumption, a pregnant women drinking wine 😂 Here is mentioned that reader got a tan 😂this chapter is pretty tamed, might miss some warnings 

+ 18, MINORS DNI

Wordcount: 4.0k

Notes: I am so grateful to all of you who follow this story ❤️ love you all and I love the interactions even if I don’t respond sometimes ❤️. Come on take it easy on Harwin 😂❤️

When you began to recover your bearings, you felt like you were trapped inside something. You were certain you had your eyes opened, but still you couldn’t see anything. but you were moving, not your limbs, but your entire body registered the movement, it was such a strange feeling. But then it stopped. The recognizable sound of something made of wood placed on the ground made you think that you were inside some sort of cradle. 

“What are you doing here Daemon?” even trapped in something you could hear your father’s voice clear as day

“I have a gift for you brother, don’t tell me I never do anything for you” you could almost see the shit eating grin in your uncle’s face, “I was told you were missing one of your greatest dragons”

Suddenly the lid of the box was opened, light suddenly hitting your face so hard it made you whine. You were still a little disoriented, but you recognized where you were immediately. He took you back to King’s Landing, more exactly, you were in the throne room. You heard gasps and murmurs because you found yourself in front of the court of the Red Keep, the Queen, Ser Criston Cole, and other members of your family were looking at you

“Daughter!” called your father

And there you were, wearing a tunic as a short dress, of your favorite color, in the most new Astapor fashion, but you made it your own with leather pants underneath, and boots both in a light beige. Your hair had been tied out of your face with simple braids, (the ones you could braid without help), and your skin presented a tan that wasn’t there before. 

“My King” you greeted, still getting your bearings, “Your grace” you looked at your uncle in anger, but then back at your father 

“Everyone out” he demanded

“But my love” started Alicent clearly not wanting to miss the reunion

“EVERYONE OUT!” your father screamed, the room was cleared in seconds, even the kingsguard left, leaving you with Daemon, and your father. HIs yes were set on you, and you were looking down at the floor in front of him, because you knew that for him, you had to beg for his forgiveness

“We thought you were dead!” he claimed, “where have you been?”

“In the free cities” you whispered, but the acoustic of the throne room make him hear you just well 

“You abandoned your home, you abandoned your family, your husband, AND YOUR KING!” You thought that he had never been this angry, at least, not towards you 

“I’m sorry father”

“You put The Strong house to shame, flying from your Lord Husband” he continued, his anger clearly dwindling by the second 

“I was angry” you muttered

“You are acting like a spoiled child!” he said firmly

“Brother…” muttered Daemon

“Shut your mouth!” he demanded, “You had instructions to bring her here 4 months ago” he muttered, and you looked at your uncle with a frown

“I brought her here as soon as she came to me” he responded

“They talk like I’m not even here!” you reasoned

“YOU DIDN’T TOLD US WHERE YOU WERE GOING!” you father exploded again, “you are going to make public apologies to your husband, and to Ser Lyonel, the head of your house” he continued, “You are going to take penitence, two fortnights without leaving the castle, not even the fucking gardens, and you are going to give me your word that you will never do this again, you hear me?” 

“Yes father”, you weren’t looking forward to begging for forgiveness, and especially towards your father in law. Lyonel Strong had always inspired respect, he was, as his family name would entail… strong, strong-minded, and with a strong presence whenever he stood. He was a man that inspired respect 

You certainly weren’t looking forward to looking him in the eyes and asking for forgiveness for abandoning his son. 

But you had to ask for your father’s forgiveness first

“I give you my word father, that I won’t abandon my family, ever again”, you said solemnly, “not without warning, at least” Daemon giggled 

“Go plead your forgiveness” he muttered, “And I will see you at the hour of the owl for supper”

No hugs, no warm welcome, but you expected as much, you did ran away and told no one about it, and they might have thought you were dead

You exited the throne room, and you felt your uncle following close behind, so you entered the first room you had at hand. It was a small meeting room, you guessed for private audiences, and then you turned to Daemon who had followed you in.

“You drugged me!” you screamed

“I drugged you” he admitted, 

“You kidnapped me! you brought me home!”

“I brought you home” he sentenced 

“You betrayed me too” you accused, “You traitor! bastard!”, you continued into spitting out every insult of the book you could think off, but the shy smile in your uncle’s face didn’t dwindle

“You are with child!” he muttered, his gaze lowered to the floor, “you have to be with your family, with your husband”

“Fuck my husband” you growled

“What about your family?” now you lowered your gaze, but your uncle placed two fingers under your chin and made you lift your face towards him

“You told me you could take me to release this anger… this fire I have inside of me, you said we could become mercenaries, and never come back, to drown in coin and wine, see lands no man has ever seen before…”

“I know what I said”. He said firmly, putting an end to your child-like accusations, “But I also said this, that a Targaryen, alone and betrayed in the world is a terrible thing, you cannot be left alone in the darkness…” you eyed him, still angry, “I know you must hate me right now, but in time you’ll see… that it doesn’t end well with Targaryens that believes themselves to be closer to gods than to men”

“I never believed myself to be closer to gods…”

“You said you were alone, you are with your family now, with your father…”

“But…” he interrupted you, putting his hand on your shoulder

“I tried to speak to Rhaenyra, but she won’t listen, I know you will, you are smarter, calmer than her…” you nodded, asking him to continue, “you need to stay by your father’s side, you can’t leave him alone with those green vipers, do you understand?” you nodded, slowly, “you need to accompany him, your father is sick, and nobody wants to see that”

“Why don’t you?” you asked then

“He doesn’t want me here… but you? He would burn the rest of the world to the ground if it means you’ll come back to him”, he said quietly, “make amends, rebuild bridges, and stay by your father’s side, you hear me?”, you nodded, barely. 

“How about you?” you asked

“What about me?”

“Will you mend your own bridges?” you asked

“Yes” he muttered, and then he left the room, probably to find his other niece.

You waited inside the small room for a few moments, gathering the strength to face everyone else. You had to pick the order of the people you were going to see next very carefully. But as you exited the room, that decision was made for you. 

Ser Steffon was waiting for you, his hands behind his back, and a easy smile on his lips

“Steffon!” you called, happy to see him. Truly happy to see your one true friend

“Princess” he answered, with an easy smile. You wanted to hug him, but it wasn’t proper, but as you saw both ways of the hallway, and there was no one there, you surrounded his neck with your arms. you felt his hand cradling the small of your back in greeting, and then you released him

“I’m sorry” you apologized, “I’m very sorry for leaving and not telling you”

“Well, I’m happy to say that if I was there the morning you left, you would have failed in doing so” he chuckled

“That is probably true” you muttered, you both started walking back to your rooms

“What happened while I was away?” you asked 

“Well, it was a shitshow when we realized you were gone, and the days after was excruciating, because we didn’t know if you planned on coming back or something had happened to you”

“I’m so sorry Steffon”

“You father was mad with sadness, so much so they brought in Otto hightower who moved his net of spies, and when we knew you were alive, we also knew you were in Essos, roaming around the free cities” he told you

“Are you mad at me?” you asked him

“I’m mad that you didn’t take me” he said jokingly, but you knew there was a sadness in his tones and in his eyes that weren’t there before. 

“Does anyone else hate me?” you asked

“Nobody could ever hate you” he said back… but there was an awkward silence, “we were all worried for your safety”

“And what about my husband?” you whispered

“He spent every day since you left in the wall of the Keep, looking east” he said gently. You stopped to look at him

“Does he hate me?”  you asked

“No” he answered, “he doesn’t hate you, if anything he feels terribly guilty, he has been sleeping in his old quarters, and keeping to himself mostly”

“I made everyone miserable” you muttered back

“Only those who deserved it” he chuckled, “If anything… I knew you were fine”

“Of course you did,” you giggled, “And how is my sister?”

“She is fine” your father whispered, “she is attending more small council meetings, the prince is quite cute, and calm” 

“I’m glad to hear it”

“She has missed you too” he muttered 

“Well, I’m here now, and apparently, I’m grounded, literally and figuratively”, you giggled

“it was really a forced landing, but, you are here, and that’s what’s important, that you are here and well” 

“Thank you Steffon, I think of all of them, I missed you more”

“Don’t let your father hear that” he chuckled.

He left you in your room, where, to your surprise, was your bag inside with your belongings you took on the trip with you. You put everything in order, and put aside little gifts you had brought for your father, sister, husband and nephew. Even after everything you bought them gifts

If you were going to see your father tonight, you'd give it to him then. 

You were sitting by the hearth in your room, when the door opened, you looked up to see Harwin, looking back at you like you were some sort of apparition. You stood up from your chair

“You are back” he said gently, before you could speak he took long steps to reach you, cradling your face to look properly at you, he saw you throughout, “Are you alright?” you nodded, “are you hurt?” he looked down at your body

“No, I’m fine” his eyes landed on the 5 month baby bump you couldn’t hide anymore, and he fell on his knees, placing his hand on your belly, “Harwin…” you begun

“Is the baby ok, how are you feeling?” he asked, looking at your body, and it made you uncomfortable

“Harwin”, you called again, and he looked up to you, “Please stand up” he did to his massive height above yours. “how do you know it’s yours? maybe I misbehaved in the free cities”, you ran away from him, pregnant, and now you were questioning the paternity of the baby in your belly and yet he smiled

“I know it’s mine, wife” he said, “the maester came to see me the day you left” but then his face turned serious, “you left with my baby in your belly” you lowered your eyes then. “You didn’t tell me” 

“Why would you care?” you asked bitterly

“You could have gotten hurt!” he explained, “you rode on dragon back, pregnant, something could’ve happened to you or the child!”

“It didn’t!” you told him, “the specialists in Essos said it is healthy, and growing properly” he took a long sigh

“If your uncle wouldn’t have brought you back you would have taken our child” he said, a deep, deep sadness in his eyes

“Why would you care?”, you said bitterly, “you already have a child” 

“He is not…”

“You lied to my face”, you answered, “So tell me, dear husband” you continued… “should I expect more nephews of mine that pop out of my sister that coincidentally look like you?”

“No” he said, but he didn’t look ashamed at your accusation. You looked at him in defiance, hoping that could break him 

“You gave her… a son, and you are unable to tell me the truth!” you condemned. He looked at you and sighed loudly

“We are going to Harrenhal” he sentenced

“What?” you asked, looking straight at him

“We are going to my family’s seat, my father is the hand of the King and cannot care for our lands properly, I will resign as a member of the city watch, and I will take his place”

“You cannot take that decision without me” you responded, but in his eyes was not the usual sympathy, there was determination, and also anger

“You are clearly not happy here” he told you, “I want to put distance between us and your sister and her son…”

“So you’ll hate me?” you asked, “I am the horrible person that is going to keep you from your son?” you asked then, “take you from your lover?”, he leaned over you, his hand quickly to cradle your face, calling your name, “I can’t move past this if you don’t admit it”

“If I say it outloud I make it true” he admitted, now in his eyes you could see true panic, maybe fear, “if I make it true, this is treason”, he continued, “You know what is done to traitors, what could be done to your sister, to the baby…”

“To you first” you muttered, looking down

“To me” he whispered his hands cradled your face, “Jacaerys is Laenor Velaryon’s son” he said firmly, and then he placed a hand on your stomach, “we made this baby, you and I, under our marriage vows” your eyes went to where his hand rested on your stomach, “the day before we got married I promised to you I would stop but it was already too late, but believe me when I say this, Rhaenyra and I will never touch again”, his thumbs caressed the apple of your cheek, his hot breath confusing you, throwing you inside a haze. Are you going to forgive him that easily?

“If you mean it, and you and Rhaenyra are never going to touch again,” he nodded, “I need to get past this, I need to forgive you”

“I’ll do anything” he said

“You never faced it Harwin, you are lying to me and pretended like nothing happened!” you spitted out, “you never faced me and you should have, if you wanted to see him you should have told me, so we can go through it together!” 

“What do you want me to say?” he said then, “tell me how can I make you happy, how can you look at me with longing and happiness? and not with sadness?” 

“You should have told me,” you repeated, “you treat me like I’m an idiot” you said back, “you never admitted to me, you denied it”

“Like I said, saying it outloud will make it true” he grunted, “But I do believe that we might never know for sure” he answered, “Only admitting it makes it real, and you know what can happen”

“If you want to spend time with my nephew you're going to look me in the eyes and tell me, I understand this happened before you married me, but it kills me!”

“I understand” he whispered

“Please Harwin, I… we cannot undo our marriage now”, you muttered, pointing at your belly, “And I will not place my sister and my nephew at risk” 

“I lied to you about seeing our nephew, and in regards to that I will never lie to you again, but what it remains true is that what I had with Rhaenyra is over”

“Are you sure? please Harwin…”

“It’s true”, but you couldn’t hold it anymore, you didn’t know if it was relief, or fear, or pain, but you started crying softly. 

“I feel like I’m a burden” you answered, “I saw you that day, at Rhaenyra’s side, holding her baby, and I…” a sob escaped your throat, and tears fell down your cheeks, “you should have married Rhaenyra instead of me” you cried, “you don’t want this, you’d rather be with her”

“That is not true” he whispered, “you are my wife” he said softly, “I was a comfort for Rhaenyra, she chose me but could have chosen another, only that, but you, you are my love” you dared to look up into his eyes, and what you saw melt your cold heart

“Are you sure?” you asked, with the hope of an innocent little girl, “please don’t break my heart again, I couldn’t bare it” 

“Yes, I’m sure” he leaned in and kissed you softly, “everyday you weren’t here was like a nightmare”. His forehead was against yours, his warmth warming your own.

“But we have to work for it” you muttered

“Oh yes we do,” he said back, “people are talking…”

“I will do what I have to, I will play my part” he leaned in and kissed your forehead, “I have to give you a public apology”

“There is no need”

“I will take your word for it, because I was not looking forward to it” you giggled softly.

“You must be tired” he muttered, “I shall leave you to rest”

“You weren’t sleeping here?” you asked, looking around and not finding any of his things around

“It didn’t feel right, without you here”, you looked down with shame

“Would it please you to come back to my bed?” you asked him, not looking him in the eyes because it embarrassed you, but he made you look at him, two of his fingers under your chin. Those eyes again, looking at yours

“There is nothing that would please me more” oh that voice. Again

You shook your head and broke the spell he put you under, releasing yourself from his grip. He had to come back to your bed to shut those rumors, you knew better than anyone how dangerous rumors and loose tongues could be.

“I’ll bring my things” he said quietly, sad that you broke the moment, and he left your chambers once again. 

But before he could come back, you were summoned for supper with your father. They called you to a small chamber next to the King’s, where Your mother, father and sister used to dine all together, it brought you fond memories. And you found Rhaenyra there

“You are back!” she greeted with a wide smile, you smiled back as he held you in a hug against her

“I’m back” you whispered against his ear

“We were so worried” she muttered, releasing and then looking at you

“I’m sorry for leaving just like that” you responded

“We never knew why you left”, you were alone in the small chamber, you knew it

“I saw you and Harwin” you confessed, “that morning he lied to me and then I saw you in your room holding your baby, and I couldn’t stand it, and I left”, she was worried, looking at you and then nodding 

“I’m so sorry” she whispered, you nodded. He held your hands in hers, “He did want him to see him but I swear there was nothing more to it”

“I understand that you both had a past, and that past did catch up to all of us, but…”

“That’s all it was, the past”, she whispered

“I’m certain”, you whispered, “I still have Harwin in the kennels, but…” 

“He is your husband” she said with a shy smile, “he is a great man, there is a reason why I encourage this”, you nodded

“We were always so close, I missed you Nyra”, you whispered 

“I missed you too”

“You are with child” she said, smiling brightly, you knew your sister like the back of your hand, and she was truly happy for you, “I’m so happy, Jacaerys will have a cousin of his age!” she hugged you again, and you held her tightly

“I’m so happy too, we are creating our legacy, sister!” you whispered in her ear, and she held you closer and tighter.

“Look at that!” you separated to see your father entering the room, “my girls!”, He was so pleased, and so happy. He had lost half his hand, his sickness eating him slowly, but he was still healthy, and you were thankful for that. 

You hugged your father, he might be the King, but in the intimacy of this moments, he was your father, he hugged you back, kissing the top of your head

“I missed you sweet girl”

“I’m sorry father”

“There is nothing to forgive girl, just don’t leave without notice again”

“I won’t” he released you so he could take a good look at you

“You are with child, we are going to dine, and celebrate, and you are going to tell me everything about your journeys, we heard you were quite busy”

“I will tell you father” you giggled, “of the wonders I’ve seen”

It was way past the hour of the bat when you managed to come back to your chambers, all giggly and happy on wine. You found Harwin sleeping peacefully, and changed your clothes to your nightgown and climbed on the bed with him. 

If he was awake he didn’t show it. And you quickly fell into a dreamless sleep, content, happy, feeling warmth in the chest and extrangely safe in Harwin’s arms. 

The next morning you were feeling a little hot, and you had trouble breathing, and you soon discovered it was because you had Harwin’s arm around your middle

“You have a heavy arm, husband” you complained, and he was already awake

“I wish to hold you close, for I fear you are going to leave me again” you released yourself from his grip, only to turn in the bed to look at him

“I’m very sorry” you confessed, under his loving gaze, “when I saw my own nephew, and his likeness to you I saw my future, a future in which you will father my sister many other sons, and I couldn’t stand it, to see the resemblance of them and our own children” you whispered, “and everyone would know…” he shushed you gently, washing away your concerns

“Do not think that because is not going to happen” he said gently

“It did happen, Harwin, don’t you think people will see that he is not Laenor’s son?” you whispered, “Imagine that poor boy’s life, and what is going to be”

“There is nothing we can do” he whispered, “it’s done”

“There is something” you said in whispers, “we are going to protect that boy, whatever it takes, we will protect him, you hear me?” he smiled to you, “the King, me, you, we are going to be so fucking blind everyone is going to question their own minds”

“Gods I fucking love you”, he whispered, and he leaned in to kiss you but you stopped him with a finger on his lips

“Not yet” you muttered, “And I believe that was the first time you told me you love me” you whispered

“It certainly isn't going to be the last”, he growled.

“Is it true? about Harrenhal?”, you looked up at him

“Is that something you would entertain?” he asked. And you thought about it, Harrenhal was an old and haunted place, it made you shiver, but if it was any other castle, you would have loved to move there, with Harwin, and your growing belly, you knew it. “I know the palace is a ghostly place…” he muttered like he could read your mind

“We can build a new one” you whispered like it was nothing. Looking at his big eyes, and in his face was a content smile. 

Taglist! ❤️

@tearsarcane @integra1127 @aestmilky @thanyatargaryen @tythaitie @lostinworldofdarkness @voodoogoul @wildmindedbeauty32 @lil-pudd @alicattx @electric-bloo @astaaan-lol @stargaryenx @kaitieskidmore1 @bregarc @lilpnd @jcpenneyyy @janelei @fexibau @ladyoakenshield157 @danielle-leah1997 @lady-ragnvindr @cecilyjmorgenstern @omgsuperstarg @bugheadskid @batprincess1013

Thank you all for reading! this is really amazing! I love when people comment, and interact with the story, it means THE WORLD to me.

The next chapter might take a while longer to come, and if you want to discover what happened in that dinner... I might write a one-shot about it.

I might say... how do you feel about long time-jumps? like in the series?

[luna-rainbow]

Thanks again for answering my ask and sorry to bombard you with these.

I absolutely agree with you about Bucky and Zemo on TFatWS. This might be long as I have so many thoughts about this. The series seems to fail to understand T'Calla wasn't just someone who helped Bucky although he was of course. He was his friend. The movies don't get everything right with Bucky but I think Bucky and T'Calla's relationship is one of the high points. We don't see them much but when you do you can tell Bucky respected T'Calla immensely and not just because he's a King. He seems to be really genuinely fond of Shuri as well, asking her to call him Bucky instead of the formal Sargeant Barnes.

I know I said it before, but the Wakandans are his friends/his protectors/his adoptive family. He is not just some white guy with colonialist arrogance who expects favours from the African State. If anything its the other way around- he fought because he felt he owed T'Calla and his family a debt.

As such- I do not think he would ever have helped the person who killed T'Callas father. Yes he didn't know T'Chaka, but that is his friend's father. Its like if he found out someone killed Steve's mother and worked with them. Like slapping his friend in the face, and I can't see him doing that.

Also, finally can we talk about how the show robbed us of the emotional impact of T'Challa's death on Bucky? He's sad about Steve leaving but I firmly believe would have grieved for T'Calla too. He's lost not one but two of his best friends within a very short space of time, so he's got grief alongside all his other problems to deal with. Don't know how that man managed to stay sane. Well relatively sane and didn't have a complete breakdown.

Thanks for all the asks!

I love the idea that T'Challa and Bucky had a strong bond. I agree I think Ryan Coogler intended in that short post-credit scene to show that Wakandans have accepted Bucky as part of the family.

The kids are peering down curiously at him as he sleeps, and he doesn't startle, nor does he startle them when he wakes. There's a high degree of mutual trust there. He lives in their community, not in a boxed off high tech room like the one where he was put to sleep. They dressed him in their ethnic clothing and colour-coded it to match Steve. Someone tied (and probably combed) his hair for him when he didn't have a prosthesis. Someone has folded a blue shawl and tied it into a pretty sling to protect the stump of his arm. This is the image of a guy that was being well looked after -- not just in an impersonal, we gotta keep him alive kind of way, but in a what can we do to make his life better kind of way, and if that isn't some sort of family I don't know what is.

I mean...compare with this costume...that looks like some random sweatshirt from some sports brand worn backwards with the extra fabric pinned and pulled over tautly over his right shoulder, complete with the soft elastic cuffs and the weird neckline. Coogler put more effort into a 30 second cameo than TFATWS did for one of Bucky's most emotionally poignant scenes in a series where he's the main character. Sorry I'm never going to pass on an opportunity to shit on the series.

And like yeah, while I don't ship T'Challa and Bucky (I really like T'Challa with Nakia in the MCU), I think they're an underrated dynamic. They strike me as somewhat similar in temperament? Both peace-loving, respectful and compassionate guys, who have a strong sense of loyalty and a fierce streak when someone they love is hurt. And both Bucky and T'Challa are older brothers to younger sisters, and they both have that oldest kid sense of weary responsibility. And for someone who was broken out of 70 years of brainwashing by being reminded of a promise he made, Bucky clearly has a strong sense of loyalty and responsibility.

So yeah, it makes no sense to me that Bucky would actively do something so personally hurtful, so disloyal and irresponsible to T'Challa, without adequate justification.

As for the mourning, yeah. At the time they didn't know how Coogler was planning to write T'Challa out of the story, so that might be why the mourning wasn't in there. To be honest, Bucky's feelings about Steve was handled poorly too. As I've mentioned before, the series avoids actually addressing how Steve's departure played out. Sam and Bucky are sad about Steve's absence, but never talk about the hurtful way Endgame!Steve abandoned both of them, which is far more emotionally relevant. They talk about him as though he had died in a noble sacrifice, not dumped the world on them and went to mess up someone else's timeline.

[the-martyrfication-of-the-matron]

Small facts about each of the divine warriors:

Irene: She cannot cook in anyway shape or form and even when offered she refuses to learn. She will only eat food raw and all of the other Divine Warriors just serve her first before they start making their food, unless Menphia and Shad are dealing with a high bout of animalistic instincts. (being a meif'wa and hell hound respectively)

Irene was not a modest woman or had any form of personal boundaries. Like, she would walk around topless without a care in the world and if she was ever cold at night, she would never just put on more clothes but instead join a tent or sleeping bag with another warrior. Shortest of the Divine Warriors.

Shad: He is the warmest man ever, unfortunately he leans on the end of "Your skin is literally leaving first degree burns" than nice space heater. He also smells like wet dog whenever he gets wet, before his skin eventually evaporates it. Due to how water reacts to his skin, he does take dust baths like a chinchilla. Full on rolling around in sand and then claiming he is clean.

After turning full evil, he decided to continue his bloodline for the sole purpose of pissing Irene off. He met a woman one day and was like "Hey, I am not gonna be a parent to this kid, I just want to do this to piss off my ex." and the woman just looked at the large demon man and said bet. The woman then met her wife and they became the first matriarchs of Falconclaw. Tallest of the Divine Warriors.

Enki: While not necessarily having the most stable form, he is the lankiest and physically weakest of the Divine Warriors. He used bows and magic, he was never going to be the most muscular. The only times he was ever considered "strong" was when he choked a man out after stabbing them in the back. Certainly a wizard and not a fighter.

Enki was the most strategic of the Divine Warriors as well, mostly due to the fact that he hoards knowledge like a dragon hoard gold. He 100% info dumps in every conversation, like you see a cool bug, he knows everything about that bug. The kid that rants about dinosaurs at the playground. 3rd shortest of the Divine Warriors. Shorter than Shad, Esmund, and Menphia but taller than Kul'Zak and Irene.

Menphia: This woman will take a nap anywhere, the moment she is not fighting or training she is in the softest spot in the the sun. Imagine trying to talk diplomacy and one of the divine warriors is asleep on the table. It's not short napes either, full cat naps.

This womans is so cut, like one would imagine that a woman who is part cat is soft but noooo. This woman has abs and shoulders for daaaaaaaays and don't get me started on her thighs. Crushing a watermelon is the least she could do. The 3rd tallest of the divine warriors.

Esmund: Before being a Divine Warrior, he was a human lumberjack from a small farming village. A very large lumberjack but not a king or knight that some would present him as. He was a small farm boy who saw a hot latina goddess and decided to say follow her to the end of the earth.

While not being the tallest of the Divine Warriors, he is the biggest. Look up "bear" in a dictionary and it is this man, broad, hairy, and thick. He is also the perfect cuddling temp which created a lot of "Poor Farm Boy Panic" whenever Irene would share a tent with him. (I think he was like, 6'8-6'9, Shad being 7ft)

Kul'Zak: He had a peg leg after saving Esmund from a Leviathan but he made sure to never hold it against the man, he already suffered from survivors guilt. He rather enjoys the leg, it allows him to spin while playing the fiddle much easier. Losing the leg proved to be more beneficial because when sirens walk on land it feels like their feet are walking on hot coals and sharp glass but with one less foot it was less bad. (Think original my little mermaid.)

While being the 2nd shortest of the Divine Warriors, he was also the technical largest, not that it was really known. He was a creature of the ocean and chose to explore land. What he looked like in the ocean was much longer and larger, over twice the height of Shad with his tail being a beautiful mix of blue, cyan, green, and emerald. Goes full mermaid, though difficult to switch to this form after losing the leg.

I feel like his mermaid tail should be lacking a fin or something, or be otherwise impaired. Just to have the ‘lost a leg’ experience in the water too.

[0lshadyl0]

How would Yandere Sabo (and shanks ) react if their darling show interest in another person?(im ok with Drabble or HCs or just your thoughts on the matter ) (How would their react if their show interest in male or even a female interest ?) 🥰

Babe, have you woken up on the wrong side of the bed and chosen violence as the solution to all the problems of your day? do you want to watch the world burn? they are both jealous people, and it's a bad idea to show interest in someone other than them, because they're both the type of yandere who, if need be, will take down the competition, most of all Shanks, at least Sabo is merciful enough to give a second chance, a painful second chance, Shanks in return… you're not going to see that sword come cutting you in half

Sabo is violently jealous, not with his darling, but of Darling's love interest. That poor wretch, regardless of whether he is a man or a woman, will experience what it is like not to be able to walk for a few months, yes, that's his star move apart from breaking your skull (and honestly it's better not to walk for a while or be paralyzed than lose your whole life) just imagine:

A poor man or woman in a dark alley, on a cold moonless night, scared, clothes torn until they were practically naked, covered in bruises, an occasional tooth missing, eyes swollen with an unpleasant color, knees bent awkwardly unnatural as they try to beg for mercy from that strange figure that has been beating them for hours

"Clemency?, I'm being merciful to you right now with this, what she asked of me was much worse, but, if you survive tonight, disappear and never be near y/n again because if so, She will realize that I did not do the favor as she wanted"

Oh yeah, for all the love interests you have, in their minds, you are the bad guy, a witch who can't see anyone happy or is jealous of someone else's beauty or success. Sabo is just a man in love that indeed you manipulated to hurt other people since he is strong and has influences

In short, you are the worst

In the case of Shanks, there are no second chances, if your love interest is a man, leave him for dead, you show interest in that person one day and the next he has already suffered a tragic accident

Although it also depends on his mood, Shanks isn't a bad person after all, and he usually doesn't resort to violence as easily as other people would, but when he makes a decision, he makes sure it's permanent

You also have to take into account other factors of who your love interest is, it definitely cannot be any of his crew since absolutely everyone, even the most stupid of them, knows that you are the captain’s woman, so no one will try to get your attention and in the unfortunate case that they do, they will try to avoid you or treat you badly so that you lose interest; This is one of the few scenarios where Shanks and the rest of the crew accept that you are not treated with respect, that is, the crew appreciate you, but you are putting the life of a nakama at risk, please be more aware and just look at the captain

If your love interest is not part of his crew, is not someone of importance, and is a man, Shanks can go two routes, if he is feeling in a good mood, he will simply make that person unattractive, not only to you but also for the whole world, Shanks will make one or some of his subordinates take care of that person, how? you may ask, I don't have the answer, but let's say that some limbs of the body are missing and now your love interest looks a bit… disfigured, honestly, it's kind of sad to see

The second route is the classic disappear your love interest from your sight and kill him, there is not much to imagine there, his body will end up buried on any random island (because Shanks has principles) or it will be thrown into the sea to be eaten of some marine king and all this behind your back

"How strange, yesterday I met a very nice man on this island, but today I can't find him anywhere" you sigh a little disappointed for not seeing the young man who had caught your attention

"Seriously? It's a shame y/n, who wouldn't want to see a woman as attractive as you again" says Shanks as he continued to drink from his bottle of liquor, sitting on top of a barrel, located exactly above where the body of the man you were pining for at that moment lay buried lifeless "but don't worry, you still have your beloved captain to give you all the attention a pretty young woman like you needs" he winks at you to let out a laugh which makes you laugh since it is contagious since he is very charismatic

Well, I was telling you that in the case of Sabo, regardless of gender, your love interest will suffer a terrible beating and blame you for the rest of their life since you are the cause of their misery; with Shanks, it is different, after all, he has a weakness for women, especially if they are young and beautiful

Do not be confused or angry, obviously, you are the number one in his heart, the one who will become his woman, his official wife, and the mother of his future children, but he is not blind, if that girl caught your interest, wouldn't she catch his interest too?

Here are three options that I'll quickly explain because there isn't much to say in these situations and the post is getting long (seriously, why can't I make short posts?):

Option one – Polyamorous relationship as your love interest is not a man, which means that she does not have the natural way to impregnate you, she is not a threat to him and his goals, she is a blessing in disguise, now he has not one but two beautiful young and fertile women, in this scenario he would let you go and pursue your crush, but obviously he will do the same

Let's be honest, as pretty and nice as you are, you could be Boa Hancock with the personality of Nico Robin, you're no match for Shanks, your love interest will fall at the feet of the charismatically sexy redhead and be his girlfriend you will have no choice but to enter into a relationship with him if you also want to be with your crush

at least the threesomes will be amazing, Shanks will give them both a lot of love (and cum) and wait for both of them to get pregnant at the same time, so their children will have someone to grow up with

Option two – Lesbianism does not triumph today in this scenario we can say that your love interest, despite meeting the requirements of being young, attractive, and fertile, her personality is not to the taste of the redhead, (it could probably be because she spoke bad of you or you were not as interesting to her as she was to you and she communicated it to Shanks in a way that he did not end up liking), more importantly, your love interest is not interested in other women, rather sees them as competition

So Shanks, respecting your love interest's sexual orientations, which definitely makes getting rid of her easier, he'll either help monetarily to get her out of your sight or get her a partner of her liking, whichever It ends in, you will not have the girl you like, better settle with your captain

Option Three – What are those chains for? Easy, fast, and simple, she meets the requirements of what he likes, but either her personality is disgusting, or she probably talks bad about you or she doesn't like you or maybe she likes you too, but she doesn't plan on sharing you with the captain, much less accepting his seed in her womb and having children with him, and Shanks isn't feeling generous in that scenario because of her response

So the Yonkou makes the most reasonable decision he can make while in a bad mood, knock her out, and let his entire crew take advantage of her (those who want to, I know my dear Benn is a decent, principled man, who likes mutual consent and will only give his dick to nice girls who deserve it) then chains her up and sells her for a cheap price (because he won't even give her the privilege of being a high-class slave which is why she was gang raped for several weeks) to the human auction house in the Sabaody Archipelago

And you, you never realized what happened, yesterday you talked to her, and today she is gone

[isshua]

Lies and Deceit, The Wrath of the Prodigal

Genshin Sagau Scaramouche x Reader

So a few days back, I posted something about Scaramouche interacting with the Creator during a specific moment in the Sumeru Archon quest Chapter 3: Act 3 "Dreams, Emptiness, Deception." I decided to expand a little on what I wrote, because I love Scaramouche and I don't think there's enough Sagau content regarding him. This is just a short little story I wrote about what I believe Scaramouche would think of the Creator and how he would react to them being in Teyvat. This isn't connected to my mainstream sagau series Messianic Aureation, the Creator in this is implied to be the reader! I don't write self-inserts very well, but I did the best I could with it! Hope you Scaramouche fans enjoy! I can't wait for when he becomes playable :)

Sorry this is so short, I promise my writings usually aren’t this quick lol

The Balladeer did not believe in the gods.

Oh, he knew they existed. It was impossible for gods not to exist in this world. In every part of Teyvat’s culture, gods were evident: this land he called home was ridden with the scars of battles long past that were waged by immortals. Civilizations dedicated to gods rose and fell with the times. Some, like Liyue, remained stubbornly strong in the face of erosion, and though Rex Lapis was no longer seen as the nation’s ruler, he was still worshiped with dedication. Others, like the city of the Scarlet King, were buried beneath the sands of the desert with the death of the god who erected it. Yet there were desert folk who still yearned for the return of Deshret’s reign. Yes, gods had power. Every nation had its own history of gods. The only country that attempted to break this long-standing tradition had been Khaenri’ah, and everyone knew how that little experiment turned out.

Scaramouche acknowledged the power of the gods. He himself had been created by one. But that didn’t mean he respected them. No, he abhorred them, with the entirety of his being. If he could, he would rip the wings of Barbatos off of the Archon’s back and watch with glee as he was rendered flightless forever. He would have pierced the heart of Morax and propped the dragon’s body in the center of Liyue Harbor for all its inhabitants to see-if someone else hadn’t already gotten to the Geo lord first. He would destroy the puppet of the Raiden Shogun and yank his mother out of her Plane of Euthymia with his own two hands so he could execute her in the shadow of her own omnipresent statue. If Scaramouche had the power, he would destroy every single Archon in Teyvat, and then go further. He would topple Celestia. Godhood would be his, and only his, to own. Because he knew that in order to kill a god, one would have to become a god themselves first.

Initially, Scaramouche believed there to be only three betrayals that made him realize the world was nothing more than an elaborate tapestry of lies. But now he knew this was false, for there was a fourth he hadn’t counted on and only realized recently. The fourth to betray him…was you. You, the blessed Creator, the god above all gods, the supreme being who molded Teyvat with their own hands and breathed life into the world that shunned and despised him. He had seen your statues, had witnessed the intense bouts of worship people put themselves through in order to show you their love and loyalty. All for a god who hasn’t shown their face in millennia. The very thought of it made Scaramouche laugh. At least Ei gave proof of her existence through the means of a puppet. At least Barbatos walked among the Monstadters in the disguise of a bard. There were no physical documentations of your existence. No credible writings or pieces of artwork made by your hand left behind for the modern generation to see. Even your statues were up for interpretation; neither one looked the same, as if their carvers hadn’t been able to agree on your exact appearance. The only proof that the Creator wasn’t a hoax were the Vessels. Those accursed Vision holders who traversed Teyvat’s seven nations with your blessing. You controlled their bodies, spoke through their mouths, saw with their eyes. To be a Vessel was to be an extension of the Creator themself. To be a Vessel was to be chosen. It was a sign that one mattered.

His own mother, Ei, was a Vessel. The Snezhnayan brat Tartaglia was one also, as was Barbatos, and the captain of the Crux, and many, many other people across Teyvat, mortal and immortal alike. All with Visions, all as dirty and sinful as Scaramouche himself. Tartaglia and Ei’s hands were stained with just as much innocent blood as his, if not more. And yet, he didn’t have a Vision. He had never felt your inviting warmth. People mocked him and ridiculed him.“Why would the Creator ever bless a Harbinger? Why would they ever show you any sort of favor? You don’t deserve their attention. Your damned Fatui scum, damned to the Abyss, and Their Grace knows it. The Creator has made it clear that you are nothing in their eyes. You aren’t like Childe. You are irredeemable.”

It filled him with rage, because he knew they were right. You had forsaken him. Even on all of the cold, lonely nights when he had gotten on his knees and clasped his hands together before one of your statues, tears streaming down his cheeks as he desperately begged for you to show him some sort of sign that you were there, that you acknowledged him, that you cared about him, not once did you answer, not once did you tell him that he mattered. You sided with the rest and cast him out as a worthless puppet, a weak and vile creation meant to be destroyed. You didn’t believe in him. So, why should he believe in you?

He hated you. He longed for you. He wanted to strangle you, yet hold you close and continue to beg for your validation at the same time. You made him feel emotions that he wanted no business in feeling, and for that, he despised you. You were his fourth betrayal; you abandoned him without even giving him a chance. You taunted him with your ever-alluring warmth and made him out to be a fool every time he was met with failure when he attempted to forge some kind of contact with you. He wanted to destroy you. He wanted to devour you. He wanted to crush you under his heel and prove to the heavens and the earth that you are nothing. He would tear the sky apart if it meant finding you and killing you. Nothing would quell his wrath, not even the distance you had put between your heavenly realm and the world you had created.

Scaramouche knew his time would come. Sooner or later, you will return to Teyvat. With help from the Fatui, he had tracked down any sort of writings regarding proof of your descent to this mortal plane. He waited. He bided his time. No need to rush. He would find you eventually. You wouldn’t be able to escape him once you arrived.

And then, one day, he succeeded. Your presence hit him like a boulder, rocking him back and sending a sensation of burning flames through his core. You were here, in Sumeru-where he was currently preparing to rise to godhood through means of Fatui technology and a certain gnosis he had stolen from the blonde-haired traveler you cared so much about. With the help of his one and only follower, he made contact with your mind and forced a mental connection between the two of you. He found you in a body that wasn’t your own, confused and scared, trapped within a prison of Dendro. The eyes of the young Dendo Archon were your eyes as you stared into space and caught glimpses of his pain and anger.

“I see you,” he said, reveling in the jolt of terror you felt when you heard his voice. His fists clenched and a smirk graced his lips. Electro power pumped into him from the various tubes connected to his back. His mech whirred and hummed while it gained strength, a mighty force of artificial ascension, a man-made god. Mentally, he seized your consciousness in a vise-like grip. He could feel you scream-you were fighting him, attempting to free yourself from the connection the two of you were sharing. But he wouldn’t let you go. He refused to let you go, not after you left him unanswered for all of these years.

“Shhh,” he soothed. “There is no need to fear. The pain will be brief.” You were shivering and crying, but your mind was so weak compared to his, probably from the strain of being shoved into a body that wasn’t yours. He idly wondered how such a phenomenon came to happen: you, the Creator, trapped within the frame of an Archon not even 500 years old. When he focused on you, he caught glimpses of splattered golden blood and weapons pointed towards your true body. Thankfully, Kusanali seemed to have managed to save you from certain death. Good for him, because he was the only one allowed to kill you, and Archons-be-damned, he would obliterate anyone who got in his way.

He was consuming you. You were drowning in his consciousness, your mind succumbing to his own. Scaramouche smiled triumphantly when he felt your dimming fear. “Yes, that’s it. Fear me. Know me. Hear me. I am your downfall, the one you scorned and ignored. Godhood is mine, and you, oh-beloved Creator, will fall before me. Your era is coming to an end.”

You would eventually escape him and return to your own body. But Scaramouche didn’t mind. You were here, and the connection between the two of you was there, tethering you together, whether you liked it or not. Go ahead, run away with your allies, hide from your enemies. He would find you regardless. There was no escaping the wrath of a newly-born god.

[rebelsandtherest]

ok so i’m going to preface this ask by saying that the name alfred is given to the first born males on my dads side, so it’s a name near and dear to my heart, that said, there’s an angle i’ve never (or in all likelihood missed) seen between alfred and arthur. and i crave your opinions.

growing up i knew that the name alfred became popular in the victorian period since the english started looking into history and saw king alfred and decided he was pretty great. so i wonder how arthur felt, to see and hear his estranged sons name so often. of course he’s glad that his country’s putting some respect on king alfred, but i can see him calling someone named alfred by their last name to avoid saying it out loud. “alfred, lord tennyson.” “who?” “lord tennyson.” “not a fan.” the man’s conflicted and petty.

or it could be the opposite, it could remind him why he chose the name to begin with. imagine him overhearing a man in a pub proudly boasting about how fast his little alfie is growing, showing off a picture he keeps of the lad. and arthur can’t help but smile to himself and feel a wee bit envious. a few situations like that, and he’s tentatively writing formal letters that go unanswered. a few decades and a great rapprochement later he can finally say alfred out loud without tasting bile.

or he could be so far up his own ass that he doesn’t even notice the trend in names. idk. definitely drunkenly hums ‘what’s it all about (alfie)’ in the 60s.

Ooooh man this is a good question! Thanks for sending in the ask.

This became an immensely long reply with a bad history lesson included (because I'm relying on my ADHD memory and hoping it doesn't scramble itself between my brain and the keyboard), so... sorry about the length.

Anyway.

I think the Victorian revival of "Alfred" as a name would have affected Arthur in a few ways, but within his context, I imagine that those moments would be relative sporadic.

So a few things:

First: The name itself is Anglo Saxon—the original ash (Æ) was replaced with an A to fit contemporary English spelling, and it would have been pronounced a little different obviously, but it is remarkably unchanged for an early medieval name over 1000 years old. So Arthur is probably used to hearing the name at least once in a blue moon, and I doubt anyone was much confused when he gave the name—even if it wasn't in vogue at the time—to his firstborn.

Second: The Victorian age for Arthur was absolutely chock-full of wars, particularly wars overseas. Victoria was called empress for a reason, because she had a penchant for stealing other people's land and sovereignty. So whether Arthur was enthused by the nonstop action or not (I'd wager he was, most of the time), he was incredibly preoccupied and probably didn't have time to mope about his son, so if the name ever made Arthur think about Alfred, it would be a short-lived reverie.

Third: The Victorian era was a historically interesting time for UK-US international relations. Your average USA citizen probably didn't spare much thought for English subjects an ocean away, but, on the whole, white Americans remained enamored with England as the "mother land", were keen on trans-Atlantic commerce, and eager to prove themselves as equals to their allies in Europe. This didn't exactly work.

Even so, Britain and the USA continued to host a bizarre mix of cultural proximity and mutual contempt. Bad blood had gone stale by the beginning of Victoria's reign, but stale blood bred an enduring sense of pettiness, especially on the British side. Though the two nations' diplomatic and economic relationships were strong and well-maintained, events like the USA's rather embarrassing showing at the 1851 Great Exhibition in London were devoured by the British public in a feeding frenzy of schadenfreude that solidified a kind of national desire to dunk on Americans whenever possible.

While Brits still relish dunking on Americans, the early Victorian need to put America down as an economic and cultural peer began to shift, at least in some ways, in the second half of the 19th century. The American Civil War devastated the English economy, particularly of the northern half of the country which depended immensely on American cotton to fuel its textile industry. The entire war, its fallout, and notably the end of slavery in the USA, were all topics that British citizens would have seen daily in their newspapers, a source of interest and immense anxiety. By this point, Britain as a whole had forcibly been made aware of how, like it or not, the state of the USA's government and economy affected their daily life in ways too large to ignore.

Whilst America quite literally murdered itself over the problems it'd decided to ignore for a century, Britain and Europe were all deep in the industrial revolution—hell, it started in England, hence the textile mills. England and the young German Confederation were both heavy hitters in the game, and improvements to seafaring technology as well as Britain's relentless expansion across the globe was continuously bringing in new wares from all around the world for European industrialists to copy and mass produce. European trade and industrial competition was booming.

Meanwhile, America remained intensely focused on itself, and understandably so. With the absolute disaster of Reconstruction, westward expansion, industrial revolution, and lest we forget, a bloody parade of genocides and land wars, the USA had plenty to be worried about within its own (expanding) borders. It was not isolationist in the true sense, but was not exactly competing for European attention at the same levels at it had earlier in the century.

However, when the USA eventually gathered itself to take more of an international presence, it would do so in a way that would take the entire world by storm. The sheer speed, size, and production volume of American industries began to challenge their European competitors. If you were white and well-connected or just immensely lucky, this was the age when the American Dream was born. The US military had undergone immense expansion since the Civil War, and they went from having a young navy only just big enough to form a blockade to having a navy large enough to send a top-of-the-line fleet around the world with literally no other purpose but to flex in front of their allies (and enemies) not even 50 years later.

.....This has been a very long winded way to explain that, while the Victorian Era was the heyday of Arthur's imperialist dreams and victories, it was also the very nascent stages of Alfred coming into his own and more or less forcing himself back into dear old dad's life. Coming hot on the heels of Victoria, The American Gilded Age, the Progressive Era, and the Great Rapprochement were all just around the corner. These shifts of history—to say nothing of the quickly-approaching storm clouds of World War—would bring father and son back together and force them to mend their relationship, at least as much as they could.

I think, in the early Victorian age, when 'Alfred' came into vogue after so many centuries, a part of Arthur would hear it with a sinking feeling in his gut, because he was certainly old enough to have seen the future on the horizon. Maybe it wasn't clear, or concrete, maybe he couldn't put it into words. But he would know, in some instinctual sense, that Alfred's star was rising in more ways than one, and that he'd would need to brace himself and his empire for whatever came next. So sometimes, when he heard the name, some indistinct prophecies would flash before his mind's eye, filling him with ominous dread that he couldn't have named.

Sometimes, if he'd been drinking or just in a sentimental mood, he would hear the name and reminisce on both the King Ælfred, and the golden son who bore his name. He would wax poetic about his firstborn and all that he'd accomplished in his life—daring even, perhaps for the first time in his life, to praise Alfred's tenacity, conviction, and strength during his fight for independence. He would of course be mortified by the drunken memory the next day.

Sometimes, it takes him off guard and he turns his head, fully expecting Alfred himself—a toddler, a child, a teenager, a young man—to step through the door and greet him. It lasts only moments, and the empty feeling that follows usually sends Arthur directly into some mentally or physically taxing task, to avoid uncomfortable emotions.

But I think more than anything, the re-emergence of the name would make Arthur feel old. So very, very old, when he continuously, despite repeated embarrassments, pronounces the name in the way he learned as a boy, with the long-i ash sound that his people forgot to pronounce somewhere along the last century or ten. The very same pronunciation mistake he couldn't seem to stop making all those years ago, when Alfred was small, still learning English and fully convinced a boy could have two versions of a name.

The same pronunciation that, even today, would make Alfred's head twitch up, looking for his father.

[honeybeezgobzzzzz]

𓅨 An Innocent Apple

An Innocent Apple: The dark version of ‘An Offered Apple’.  

Warnings: Clueless, Oblivious & Innocent!Reader, Dark!Morpheus, Nudity, Peril, Morpheus Purposefully Puts Reader in Dangerous Situations, Manipulation, Mind Fuckery, Blood, Terrified Reader. 

To Note: DARK!Morpheus/Dream x Librarian!FemaleReader.

Word Count: ~12.4k

An Offered Apple | Masterlist | An Accepted Apple

You had been a mortal who had argued with Death over your end of life. But unlike the billions of others before you, you hadn’t wanted Death to take you simply because you refused to leave your beloved library and books. So Death made a deal with you, and packaged you and your immortal life, up, and sent you to her brother. Surely you would be endlessly satisfied with the great library of The Dreaming and its constantly expanding shelves. But in the end, whether or not you were satisfied with your new life didn’t matter, because Lord Dream, the Lord, and King of your new home, had become quite infatuated with you the moment he laid eyes on you. Of course, you didn’t know that, you were actually quite oblivious to his lurking shadows… but that meant he could spin you up in his web until you could only turn to him. 

You were currently tabbing through several books Lucienne needed shelving, looking at the spines and separating them by the first letter of the last names. Lucienne was incredibly strict about shelving the books in their proper spots, but that was one of your strong suits as you thrived with strict library order. This grand library was paradise for you. Picking up the stack of last names that started with R, you ventured into the aisles and started tucking the books away in their respective places. Two went near each other, but you had to have the library twist and bend to get to the other end of the R section. You were returning to the stacks of organized stories when Lucienne came rushing into the little office area. 

“Lucienne?” You queried, frowning at the look of stress on her face. She came to a stop in front of your sorted stacks and let out a deep sigh. 

“Lord Morpheus has asked me to look into a complication regarding the Ocean of Dreams but he is also in the middle of scouring certain books of dreams…” She stated tersely. “I am sure he has forgotten that I cannot do two things at once and since you are not equipped to deal with the waters of dreams, you shall have to deliver the books he needs yourself.” Lucienne wanted you to deliver some books to the King? Surely you weren’t ready for the prestige of that measure…

“Ah, Lucienne, I don’t think I’m qualified to do so…” You meekly responded, eyeing the exit of the library. “I mean, I don’t even know him. Surely you’d rather have someone who is familiar with the king and who he trusts deliver his research materials?” Lucienne gave you a short look before grabbing a piece of parchment and scribbling on it. Then she handed it to you. 

“Lord Morpheus has ensured that I am much too busy to deliver the books myself and you are the only one who can replace me.” She stated firmly, clearly not mad at you… but entirely short with Lord Dream. “You will be fine, Y/N, you only need to pull the books and deliver them, and then ask if he requires any more books.” You nod in understanding but are still confused that you, a lowly and very much new, librarian, would be trusted with this task. That wasn’t to say you weren’t good at being a librarian… you were actually a damn good one!… But things had been run a certain way in The Dreaming for eons, had they not? Lucienne striding off to do whatever Lord Morpheus had asked of her, left you with little choice. 

You looked down at the written list, Lucienne’s handwriting was very easy to read and looking closely at the titles, you quickly figured out where the books you needed were. So diving into the aisles, you went down the list of titles, one by one, picking the books out and tucking them underneath your arm. Once you had five books in your arms, you set out for the throne room. As you walked, you couldn’t help but gawk at the palace you spent so much time in, yet had never actually explored. It was resplendent, like nothing you had ever seen before. You didn’t quite understand how the halls and rooms stayed so bright during the night when the only lighting-like fixtures were glowing orbs set in light fixtures. Did Lord Dream actively control them throughout the day and night? Or were they made to be on a timed schedule? It hurt your brain to think hard about it so you shook your head and paid attention to where you were going. 

Walking down a hall, you were taken by a long line of stained glass windows that seemed to shift between different scenes. It was a living wall of glass. You really needed to get out of the library more often because there was so much you didn’t know about the palace and the realm. Who knew what you were missing? Readjusting the books in your grasp, you looked forwards at the end of the hall and saw Mervyn tinkering with one of the orbs in a sconce. You walked over to him. 

“Hello Mr. Mervyn,” You softly greeted the pumpkin-headed janitor. He turned in place, his usually grumpy-looking face carved on his pumpkin features. Mervyn grunted at me. 

“Ya know I told ya to call me, Merv… right? I ain’t nobility and ‘m pretty sure that you’re in a higher position than me.” Mervyn grumbled, swinging the wrench in his hand around. You didn’t understand his words, surely Mervyn was higher in the palace hierarchy given his seniority and long-term residence… but you weren’t going to argue with him. You looked at the broken-apart sconce. 

“What are you fixing?” You asked, your head tilting to the side in curiosity. “I can’t seem to wrap my head around how those lights work.” Mervyn looked up at the deconstructed sconce. 

“The piece of it that controls the illumination fell out of sync with the master orb,” Mervyn grunted, gesturing to a more mechanical-looking part of the sconce. He then waved the wrench in a circle. “All of the lights in the main halls are controlled by a master orb that is set up to be in time with the natural light of The Dreaming. I’m sure you’ve seen the ones in the library change?” You nod, slowly getting a better understanding. 

“Yes, but they have a switch, Lucienne showed me on my first day.” You pointed out. Mervyn’s pumpkin head bobbed. 

“The lights in the library are manually controlled by the switch since it’s always changing, and depending on the section yer in, will brighten or dim. You and Lucienne are the only ones in there daily and the whole place don’t need to be lit up all the time.” You blinked and furrowed your eyebrows. 

“That���s surprisingly efficient and energy conscious.” You murmured. “Oh, pardon me, I didn’t mean to distract you from your job, Mr. Mervyn.” You then say. You heft up the books you held. “I need to deliver these to Lord Dream. Have a good day!” As you walked off, Mervyn called after you. 

“It’s Merv!” You giggled to yourself as you continued on your way. Marching the rest of the way to the throne room, you paused for a moment at the grand archway, before steeling yourself and moving forwards. The throne room was intimidatingly large with cathedral ceilings that shimmered and changed periodically. As you walked along, you couldn’t help the wonder that bloomed on your face and sparkled in your eyes. The library was extraordinary but the throne room was bewitching and bewitched you were. At least you were until little clicks on the smooth marble floor drew your attention. You looked down and saw Lord Dream’s raven, Matthew. 

“Hello, you must be the Matthew I’ve heard all about.” You said cheerfully, looking down into black eyes with a warm smile. 

“And you must be Y/N!” The raven replied with a flutter of his wings. “I’ve heard all about you, what brings you by?” You held up the books in your arms. 

“Book delivery, Lucienne was supposed to do it but another task concerning the Ocean of Dreams came up and she was unable.” You spoke with a small shrug. “Granted I have no idea what I am doing… I’m just a librarian. Surely Lucienne would be better equipped at attending to Lord Dream’s needs, I’m a nobody to him.”

“Oh, I wouldn’t say that,” Matthew returned, cocking his head to the side. “… he’s kind of obsessed with you…” You didn’t quite catch what Matthew said. 

“Pardon?” Matthew scrambled in place to correct himself. 

“Morpheus has been wanting to meet you!” He stated loudly. “You know, since you’ve never officially met… doesn’t want to seem like a bad lord and all…” Your face scrunched and you shook your head. 

“Of course, he isn’t, he’s busy is he not?” You said, patting the books in hand. “It was lovely meeting you, Matthew, but I better deliver these books to Lord Dream and get out of his way.” It was then that you felt intense eyesight on you, and raising your own, you were met with the silver blue eyes of Lord Dream himself, stars sparkled in the depths of his irises. You felt a shiver of unease run down your spine, but that was a silly feeling. There was absolutely nothing for you to fear from Lord Dream. He, after all, was responsible for your new life and home. So you plastered a smile on your face and marched yourself up to him… well perhaps not marched, but you made your way to him with conviction. “Apologies, Lord Dream, but Lucienne was unable to make the delivery herself due to a sudden situation so she sent me instead.”

“There is no need to apologize, Y/N,” Morpheus spoke to you, his eyes finally taking in your entire being in the light, in front of him. He had only ever seen your ethereal being from the shadows, he had caught lingering glimpses and lurking views, but never when you were gazing at him with your striking eyes. Immortality suited you, it suited you well. “I’m afraid that a complication within the Dreaming waters requires immediate assessment and I have forced Lucienne’s hand. I am at fault.”

“No, you’re not!” You blurted out before you even thought about it, his eyebrow rose and he smile. Then you realized what you did and flushed, clutching the books closer to your body in embarrassment. “I— I mean to say, Lord Dream, you are surely busy and certain things take precedence, do they not? If I can be of help to you then I will gladly bring you books. It’s my job as a librarian, well, your librarian, Lord Dream. It’s the least I can do after everything you’ve done for me.”

“I hardly believe opening my library to you is deserving of your loyalty, Y/N.” Morpheus teased you gently, enjoying the way you flushed and glowed beneath his gaze. You looked heavenly. Morpheus rose from his seat on the stairs to his throne and slowly descended them, his eyes never leaving yours. Your breath hitched in your throat at realizing just how beautiful Dream of the Endless was. When Morpheus came to a gentle stop in front of you, he stared down into your eyes like he was trying to stare into your soul. “I am very appreciative that you took the time to bring me these books, Y/N, thank you.” 

As you offered the stack of five leather-bound books to him, he retained his gaze in yours as his fingers ever so gently brushed against yours in Morpheus’s retrieval of the books. His touch was warm against your fingers, comforting, very human-like. You let him take the books from your hands. 

“I do not know what I would do without my librarians,” Morpheus added, his gaze now lingering on you far longer than socially necessary or acceptable… but you were clueless and clearly more worried about committing a faux pas in front of your king. A smirk flashed across Morpheus’s face when your eyes dropped to the marble floor. 

“Do you need anything else, Lord Dream?” Your angelic voice softly asked, your eyes now drifting to the inner lining of the long coat he wore to stare at the stars glimmering and glowing within the soft material.

“I should like for my librarian to address me by my name,” At Morpheus's soft call which you almost felt against your hair, you lifted your eyes to his in question. He was looming over you, but not threatening, no, his star-blue eyes stared down into yours with gentle insistence. But you couldn’t possibly be so informal with a king. 

“But Lord Dream, I am—“ He lifted a finger and pressed it against your lips while shushing your protests. 

“I should like you to address me by my name,” He repeated, a little more forceful this time, but still just as gentle and soft. You nodded at him obediently. 

“Okay, Lord— Morpheus,” You answered, entirely missing the brief shudder that went through the Endless in question. His name on your lips was ecstasy. “I’ll try, but I can’t promise that I’ll get it right away. I— you are my boss and you deserve all the respect in the realm. I also don’t think Lucienne would approve…” Morpheus’s lips twitched in mirth. 

“You fear Lucienne?” You scowled at him as he tenderly shifted his finger along your cheek to tuck a section of your hair that had fallen from its updo, behind your ear.

“I know how she is when she’s not happy,” You replied, your nose scrunching in distastes. “She puts all of the strict librarians I knew to shame!” Morpheus chuckled at your facial expression. 

“Yes, I do believe she does, and for your earlier question, no, I require nothing further from you, Y/N,” Morpheus told you, wishing that he could take you right there and now, and show you all the love and devotion that had been festering beneath his skin since you had arrived in his realm doe-eyed and lost. But he didn’t want you to spook, so he was going to carefully cultivate his relationship with you until all you could rely on, was him. You would come to him, rather than him go to you. Morpheus was willing to be as patient as he needed to make sure that you ended as his. 

Matthew was in a pickle. He liked you, really liked you actually. You were incredibly nice, extremely helpful, and knowledgeable when navigating the library, and your conversations about the Waking World always put a fire underneath Matthew’s wings. You were someone he could relate to… which is why he was in a pickle in the first place. Morpheus wanted him to learn everything there was to know about you, specifically, your likes, dislikes, and favorites. Spying on you on the orders of his master seemed entirely wrong… but Matthew knew that to go against Morpheus would lead him to dire consequences. Surely the Dream Lord’s obsession with you meant that he would never intentionally cause you bodily harm, but Matthew was unsure of what Morpheus’s long-term plans for you were. 

Letting out a sigh, Matthew swooped into the library and went in search of you. Either you were shelving books, cataloging new ones, or reading, all places were centered around the heart of the library. You were bent over one of the library tables, pen in hand while scribbling furiously on a piece of parchment. Matthew coasted over to the table and landed, hopping several times so he was closer to you. 

“Hi Y/N!” Matthew chirped happily, looking at you with kind black eyes you would expect no deception from. The raven was already feeling bad and he hadn’t even asked you anything yet! Morpheus, ever-present in the back of his mind, gave Matthew a mental push, reminding the raven of his purpose of being there. 

“Hello Matthew,” You greeted with a wide smile, your eyes not matching your exuberant smile. “How have you been?” Matthew cocked his head from side to side. 

“You look like you haven’t gotten a wink of sleep in the last week, Y/N!” Matthew exclaimed as he felt a ripple of displeasure from Morpheus. You better have a good reason for why you were in this state or Morpheus was not going to be happy. You let out a tired chuckle. 

“We got in a batch of books by an author I’ve been following for years…” You explained. “I’ve been spending all of my off time reading.” Extreme disapproval rushed through Matthew so fast that the raven’s feathers ruffled and he hopped several paces.

“Y/N! Just because you’re immortal now doesn’t mean you can skip out on sleeping!” Matthew scolded you. You stuck your tongue out at the bird. 

“You’re not my dad, Matthew,” You returned in a teasing quip, your tired eyes crinkling at the corners. “I’m not apologizing, I’ve been waiting months for those books. Now I’m just catching up on work, still gotta catalog and shelve the other books.” 

“Would it be too much to ask you to take a break with me, even if it is just for five or ten minutes?” Matthew broached, hoping that he could at least feel better about badgering you to get answers for Morpheus, by getting you to take a break. “Do it for this old man?”

You snorted at him, but set down the pen in your hand and eyed the pleading raven. 

“You’re not old, Matthew, but I will humor you.” You told the raven, much to his relief. Matthew hopped closer to you. 

“Great! So, I was wondering, since you are the only one here in The Dreaming that really understands what our old world was like… do you want to talk? Because we both no one around here knows what a Twinkie is or has ever tried a hot dog…” You snorted loudly, your face screwing up in disgust. 

“Twinkies are gross Matthew. They are oil-soaked sponges that are like 100% sugar!” Matthew let out a small cackle.

“And hot dogs!?” You shrugged in indifferences. 

“They're good when they’re good, but bad when they’re bad.” You made another face. “Trust me, the school lunch hot dogs I had were terrible. I take it you like hot dogs?”

“Do I like hot dogs? Fuck yes, I like hot dogs, no, I love hot dogs!” Matthew jabbered away. Matthew. He hopped to attention at Morpheus’s sharp call. Right, he was supposed to be asking you about what you liked, not blabbering about hot dogs. “So I don’t want to talk your ear off about hot dogs, what are your favorites? Because with the way you love books, I highly doubt that you eat.” 

“I do too eat, Matthew,” You stated, rolling your eyes and propping your chin up on the table. “Like my favorite drink right now is this tea blend my neighbor introduced me to. It’s made from tea leaves found here in The Dreaming and tastes like nothing I’ve had before… and there’s this little bakery in the main square that has the best pastries.” You sighed at the thought of the cinnamon rolls at the bakery. “The problem is that I usually end up working when my favorite pastry is ready and miss out, my neighbor occasionally grabs some for me but I always feel bad for making them go out of their way.”

“Oh really? What is it? Is it a Danish or a croissant?” Matthew questioned, fully at attention now. You shook your head as you flushed lightly. 

“No, it’s their cinnamon rolls,” You sighed again, mouth nearly watering at the thought of them. “Best damn rolls I’ve ever tasted…” You hoped you hadn't started drooling right there. 

“Okay, so you're gonna probably start drooling by the look on your face so let’s talk about something else. You got a favorite flower? My daughter was obsessed with sunflowers when she was little.” Matthew said, his head moving to the side. “She convinced her mom and me to paint her room this bright yellow, even gave us the puppy dog eyes about getting a sunflower bedspread.” You giggled at Matthew’s words. 

“My favorite is probably daisies and coneflowers, but I love all of them,” You told him. “They’re so special and when you receive them as a gift, they always manage to brighten up a space.” The conversation continued, you and Matthew exchanging your likes and dislikes, with you doing a lot of talking because Matthew was a bird that never shut up and asked a hundred questions. It was nice to talk to him about your old world. 

It was weeks later since the talk you had with Matthew. You had nearly forgotten it had ever happened you were so busy between reading your favorite books and performing your duties as a librarian. At the moment you were doing some light reading since you had nothing to do and Lucienne had disappeared nearly an hour ago. You think she had been muttering something about an auxiliary library on the other side of the palace… but didn’t know what that meant. The only library in the palace was this one, was it not? Either way, Lucienne had disappeared and you had no idea where she was at this point, leaving you to man the library by yourself until she got back. You had no idea when that would be. You were in the middle of a passage when you heard Lord Morpheus’s voice breaking the silence of the library. 

“Lucienne?” You perked up at his voice and lifted your eyes from the book as the Endless himself appeared. His eyes met yours and you gracefully rose from your spot at the table. 

“My lord,” You greeted softly. “I’m afraid Lucienne left to attend to an urgent matter and I am unsure of when she will return, is there anything I can help you with?” Everything had gone exactly as Morpheus had wanted, Lucienne was out on his behest which left you all alone to man the library. It meant that he could time alone with you, precious little you that seemed to be oblivious to him. That didn’t matter to Morpheus, he loved that you were so absorbed in your books, oblivious to any and all approaches save for his. It was how he wanted it. 

“I was hoping to ascertain Lucienne’s help in researching the past incidents of vortexes, but if she is not here…” Morpheus started. “I do not wish to interrupt your reading, I know how much you love it.”

You were immediately waving him off with a small smile.

“Nonsense, my lord, I am a librarian and couldn’t call myself one if I was unable to assist you in your research needs. While I am no Lucienne, I do think I can provide you with some assistance.” You responded brightly, your eyes sparkling with eagerness. Morpheus all but ate up your enthusiasm to help. 

“I would be much appreciative if you would, Y/N,” Morpheus smoothly said, his head tilting to the side. “I believe the books should be under the V section, but I do not believe that are by the same cataloging system as the regular books.” You blinked and tilted your head to the side, your eyes going fuzzy for a moment… then your smile was back. 

“Found them, follow me!” You stated before diving into the nearest aisle. Morpheus quickly moved to follow, his eyes watching as you moved through the aisles of his library as if you had been doing so just as long as Lucienne had. You weaved in and out of the aisles, your head swiveling as your eyes tracked the gold-inscribed labels on the dark shelves. “Vortex… vortex… vortex..” You found the shelf and reached for the wooden rolling ladder. The shelf that held the books was higher than either of you could reach. “Here we are!” You looked back at Morpheus. “All the books the library has are on this shelf, are you looking for any in particular?” 

“Volumes three, seven, and eight,” Morpheus told you, his eyes watching every minuscule moment you made as you climbed up the steep ladder and reached for the tomes in question. You pulled eight first, since it was nearest to you, and then seven. The tomes were considerably heavy so you twisted on the ladder and offered them to Morpheus, who was watching you like a hawk. Morpheus took the tomes and you turned back, reaching for the last one, Volume One. Just as you were stretching to tug the old book from its place, the entire library seemed to tremble and shake, the bookshelf included. You let out a gasp as your balance was thrown off, or more specifically, backward. The tome in your hand fell to the floor as you tumbled backward with a startled yelp. You could have sworn your new life flashed before your eyes as you fell through the air, but rather than landing hard on the marble floor and having the air knocked out of you, your body landed in a pair of arms. 

“Sweet Jesus,” You grunted out, clutching Morpheus’s jacket. “What the hell was that?” You then aired out, looking at Morpheus who gazed at you with intense concern. 

“A problem I am currently looking into,” Morpheus murmured, his arms tightening around your body as the rumbling in the palace slowly faded. You nodded in understanding before looking down at your fingers digging into his jacket. 

“Oh, my apologies, I didn’t realize…” You trailed off as you retracted your nails from him. Then you recognized that you were still very much in his arms. “Oh dear me, I am so sorry Lord Morpheus. I didn’t mean to fall on you I just—“ 

“I was hardly going to let you fall from the ladder, Y/N,” Morpheus responded, cutting off your rambled apologies. Of course, your falling from the ladder wasn’t your fault, it wasn’t like you were controlling the jarring earthquake— Morpheus was. You had just looked far too irresistible not to hold you for however long you would let him, and what better way than to have you fall into his arms? He was going to prove to you that he was your savior, that he was your only savior. 

You had decided to take a walk through the palace gardens before heading home for the day. All day you had seen flower blossoms lazily swirl through the air and you had been dying to see the gardens in which they had come from. So there you were, walking a winding path through meticulously cared-for gardens and marveling at the incredible plants that bloomed with diversity and life. You couldn’t help but stop and lean down to smell some of the fragrant flowers. Was everything in The Dreaming perfect? Most likely… You continued on your way until you passed beneath an archway of clematis. You stopped short. 

In front of you was an explosion of daisies of all types, colors, and varieties. It took your breath away and stood there for a good minute or two, gawking at the flora splendor that was a paradise of your favorite plants. You didn’t know where to look, the bed of spiraling daisies arranged in a rainbow, or the koi pond dotted with heartier bushes that framed the crystal water, or the tall lupin that had been added on one of the beds to give a little variation… It was all so much. You took to following the little cobbled path that wound around this section of the garden in an S curve. 

As you walked, a soft breeze fluttered through the garden, carrying more of those blossom leaves from the cherry blossom garden you knew was on the east side of the palace. A section of your hair was blown into your face and reaching up, you pushed it back behind your ear while looking at the fading sun in the distance. This would make a lovely spot to sit and watch the sunset. You went in search of a bench, finding one not that far from the path in the form of a swinging bench underneath a canopy of wisteria and ivy. Taking a seat on the bench, you slipped your shoes off and brushed your feet over the soft grass with a smile on your lips. This felt so nice, sitting there in the garden while watching the sunset. Then you heard quiet footfalls on the cobble path and turning your head, you saw Morpheus striding your way with his hands behind his back.

“I thought I might find you out here,” He spoke while stepping his way over to you. “You seem to be partial to sunsets.” You smiled and nodded. 

“Love them,” You said in agreement before brushing your hand over the nearby daisies. “But I love daisies more and this garden is an absolute treasure.” As you spoke, you had no idea how much you were stoking Morpheus’s desire for you, nor were you even aware that this entire garden existed solely for you. Your reaction to his gift for you was everything and more to Morpheus and he knew that he was getting closer and closer to spinning you closer and closer to his arms. Once there he would make sure you never left. 

“I’m glad you enjoy the gardens, Mervyn takes great pride in tending to them,” Morpheus responded to you with a slight bow of his chin. Then he glanced at the space next to you and gestured to it with his hand. “May I?” Your eyes sparkled in return. 

“It is your bench, sir,” You teased him, your voice light and refreshing. Morpheus lapped at the bright and effervescent emotions you were giving off like a thirst-starved man. 

“And yet I believe you are the one that it currently cradles, Y/N,” Morpheus replied, his eyes glowing a light silver in happiness. “But if you are feeling so clement.” He took a seat next to you, sitting just close enough that your legs brushed. The bench had been designed as a lovers' bench and offered very little room between two persons sitting side by side. You hardly noticed, or at the very least, didn’t seem bothered by the contact. “May I ask you a question?” Your sun-kissed face turned his way. 

“Of course,” You replied softly. Morpheus’s head tilted to the side in genuine curiosity. 

“Does your job as a librarian ever get monotonous? You are always shelving books, shifting them around, and retrieving and returning them. Do you ever tire of such activities?” That was understanding assessment and questions. You did repeat the same activities day in and day out, to those outside your field it probably did seem monotonous.

“Perhaps it might seem like that,” You said, leaning your head to the side to look at Morpheus with that gentle smile he loved so much. Another breeze blew through the garden, ruffling your hair. “But at the same time, I get to read books whose pages have yet to be turned, whose spines have yet to be broken in, I get to read words that have not graced eyes before mine… there is nothing like it. It’s— very special, something only I get to experience.”

Morpheus, rather than responding, reached up with his hand and brushed his fingers through your hair. You looked up at his fingers to see him pulling one of the delicate cherry blossoms that had been flying around all day, from your hair. Your hand went up, brushing against his as you searched for more blossoms. 

“Do I have any more? This breeze, while feeling wonderful, has been blowing the blossoms around so much I half thought I’d be covered in them by the time I headed home.” You tutted in fake irritation. Clearly, you loved watching the little petals blowing around, he had seen you smiling fondly out the windows plenty of times when he was been watching you. 

“No,” Morpheus affirmed, reluctantly withdrawing his hand from your hair. “I believe it was just this one.” While you went on to talk about recent events, Morpheus weaved the delicate cherry blossom between his fingers, jealous that it had remained in your hair far longer than his fingers. 

You had a late night at the library, catching up on a large number of books that needed to be shelved. It was probably around eleven, maybe even twelve. The moon overhead gave just enough light for you to comfortably walk home. Not that The Dreaming was a dark place to tread through at night. The village had plentiful softly glowing lanterns that illuminated the streets well enough so you weren’t tripping over your feet walking home. Your cottage was on the outskirts of the village, where there was less lighting and more alleys and bends to obscure light, but you had never felt uncomfortable walking home… until tonight. For some reason, you couldn’t help but feel like you were being followed. 

It was absurd. None of the residents in The Dreaming had ever threatened you or even posed a threat, even the Nightmares you had come across were fairly nice. Granted you hadn’t met all of them… but it was silly to be nervous walking home this night. Yet your fight-or-flight instinct was telling you to run. No, not run, it was telling you to bolt to your cottage and lock yourself in it for safety. You felt like you were being hunted. 

Clutching your little messenger bag closer to your side, you picked up your pace, walking fast and eager to get home to put all these silly feelings to rest. Turning down the road that led to the far side of the village where your cottage was, you glanced at the soft street lights… were they getting dimmer? You looked behind you. One of them went black, then the next, and the next, one after another, like a swath of darkness creeping up to you from behind. Your heart jumped in your throat and you could have sworn you saw something move in the looming shadows. Then there was a glimmer of eyes bearing at you from the dark depths. You let out a squeak of fear and bolted forwards, nearly tripping over your own feet in your haste. Something gave chase behind you. 

You knew this part of the village well, but it seemed that wherever you went, darkness followed and it became harder and harder to see. Ducking down alleyways and small slips between buildings, you tried to lose whatever was chasing you, but every time you emerged onto a new street, it was there haunting you from behind with a menacing aura that made your entire body go cold. You were panting out, breathing heavily in your efforts to outrun whatever was currently chasing you. If you could only manage to make a few more blocks of cottages you would be home. Swerving around a corner, you collided with a stack of crates and went tumbling to the ground, your knees and palms taking the brunt of your weight when you landed on the cold stones underfoot. 

You bit down on your lip when your felt your knees and palms open up, dirt and rock digging into your flesh as you started to bleed. The crimson liquid was left behind on the cobbles as you hauled yourself back to your feet. From behind you came a menacing snarl and glittering red eyes glowing from the depths of a cloud of darkness. Clutching your stinging hands to your chest, you lurched back into a run, fleeing from your menacing follower. You turned the corner of the shoemaker, dashing around the corner quick as a sparrow and diving to the left into a slip alley that ran adjacent to the road that your cottage was one. A sense of hopelessness started to seep into your veins when you heard the sounds of claws scraping stones shortly behind you. In your panic, you blindly charged out of the slip alley into a slightly brighter street and all but ran straight into what felt like a solid wall. Had it gotten in front of you!? You jerked backward sharply with a high-pitched scream, your arms flailing in front of you in a pitiful attempt to ward off whatever attack was going to be thrown your way. 

None came. Instead, arms were ceasing your panicked, flailing limbs, trapping them against a body as someone steadied you on your feet. As you heaved for air, your wild eyes connected with midnight blue ones that were tinged with silver. 

“Y/N?” Morpheus spoke, and you flinched and twisted sharply around to look behind you. 

“Something was—“ You cut yourself off, no longer seeing your stalker. In fact, all of the lights were back to normal, illuminating the road nicely and brightly. It was as if you had imagined the entire thing. Morpheus’s arms tightened around you and his hand reached up to turn your chin so you had to look at him once more. 

“Y/N what’s wrong, I could feel your distress.” You blinked at him, working on getting your breathing back under control. 

“I could have— I could have sworn something was following me.” You softly panted out, still trembling from the high of adrenaline. “And the lights, the lights went out and it was dark and I couldn’t see and I—“ Your palm flared in sharp pain from where it was pressed against his chest. You drew it back to look at your torn-up palm with a wince. You had deep gouges in your flesh from where rock and dirt had roughly dug into your skin, your knees weren’t feeling any better… Morpheus dropped your chin and took your wrist in hand, turning your shaking hand in place before releasing your body and doing the same with your other hand. 

“You’ve injured yourself?” He questioned, his blue eyes tinting with silver as he held your hand's palm up beneath the lights of the street. 

“I— I tripped, my knees and my palms took most of my weight.” You stammered out, glancing over your shoulder once more. “But I swear, something was following me!” Morpheus gently stroked your wrist with his thumb, sending soothing emotions into your body until you were less of a rattled state. 

“Never fear, Y/N, I will not let anything happen to you while you are in my presence,” Morpheus promised you faithfully. “If you would let me, I should like to walk you home and attend to your wounds.” You looked down at your oozing wounds and bit your lip from the lingering pain, you were lost in thought once more. “Y/N?” You jerked slightly, your head swiveling around as if you expected something to jump out at you. Then you realized that Morpheus had simply called your name. Looking back up at him, you nodded silently. 

“I— yes, thank you.” Morpheus maintained a grip on your elbow as he gently led you the rest of the way to your cottage. Unlocking it, you welcomed him inside as you pulled off your cloak and removed your messenger bag. 

“It seems that you took quite a tumble,” Morpheus commented as you lifted the skirt of your dress to reveal your torn-up knees. You hadn’t realized just how bad your landing was in that alley until this moment. Before you could start thinking of how to go about cleaning your wounds, Morpheus was picking you up and setting you on your kitchen counter. You only had moments to gawk before he had your right hand in his and was ever so gently brushing his fingers over your wounds. Your fingers twitched as silver light glowed from his touch, and then you gaped as your skin magically wove itself back together. Once healed, you twisted and rotated your hand against his touch, amazed at how easily he had healed your injury. 

“How did you do that?” You asked as Morpheus did the same with your other hand, using the same gentle touch and care as before. 

“It is one of my many abilities within my realm, Y/N,” Morpheus softly replied, looking into your eyes as you watched in amazement as your other hand was completely healed as well. You seemed absolutely taken with the menial ability to heal your wounds as if they had never happened. It was far too easy to please you, but that only made Morpheus’s desire that much more obtainable. Your eyes eventually lifted to his. 

“Can you do my knees as well, Morpheus?” Just hearing you call out his name was enough for Morpheus to be willing to do anything you wished, he would create an entire realm for you if you so asked. You had so much power over him and yet, you were ever so oblivious to his desires and intentions. Morpheus’s lips twitched into a smile. 

“I would never leave my favorite librarian in such a state,” He spoke to you as he sunk on one knee and brushed your skirt upwards to reveal your blood and dirt-ridden knee. You reached down and gathered your skirt, pulling it further up your legs so it wasn’t in his way. Morpheus’s fingers caressed your knee, brushing away the blood, dirt, and rock particles that had lodged in your flesh with a silver touch, leaving behind unblemished skin. You moaned in relief as the sting disappeared from your body. Morpheus let his touch linger on your skin as the last bit of your flesh meshed together to become whole again. Leaning back on your perch, you heaved out a sigh of relief. 

“I could kiss you for that,” You murmured, your eyes closed at the relief of sharp pain. “It feels so much better.” Morpheus rose to his feet with a teasing smirk on his lips. 

“An action such as that I would welcome, Y/N,” You smiled and rolled your eyes, thinking, of course, that he was only teasing you back. He was not. Morpheus took your healed hand in his one more and brushed his fingers over your palm, little sparks of electricity bursting from his touch. “Should you find yourself walking home alone at such as hour, please call upon me for I shall gladly walk you home to ease your fears.” You nodded with a thankful smile. 

You were wandering through the market, buying fresh food in anticipation of Matthew’s birthday. You being you, had learned what Matthew loved and decided to make him dinner and dessert for his birthday, his favorite foods of course. Morpheus was enjoying watching you flitter around the market, so absorbed in your task. You looked so happy and carefree, entirely in your element so to speak. You got along with the residents of The Dreaming ever so well. You really were the perfect one for him. Morpheus had been trailing behind you by several paces when you had caught sight of the berry stall. Your eyes had lit up like the sun and you had nearly tripped over yourself, clumsy you, as usual, to get to the stall to buy several cases of blackberries for Matthew. Morpheus chose this moment to make his presence known. 

“It seems to you have discovered Matthew’s secret love affair,” You didn’t jump in place like you had other times, you were becoming more and more accustomed to him, and turned in place to beam up at Morpheus. 

“Oh, hello Morpheus! Yes, since it’s Matthew’s birthday I thought I’d make him his grandmother's blackberry tart… granted I have no idea how to make a tart and haven’t really baked before, but it’s his birthday so I thought I would try.” Morpheus bowed his head to the side with a smile. 

“I am sure he will greatly appreciate the sentiment, regardless of how it turns out, Y/N,” Morpheus told you, loving the way your smile brightened. You looked down at your basket full of produce and patted it. 

“Well, I am done shopping so that means it is time to try my hand at baking.” You stated, moving in the direction of the road that led to your cottage. Morpheus fell into step beside you. He walked you the rest of the way to your home and as you set your basket down on the kitchen counter, a thought popped into your head. Morpheus had been more than generous to walk you home, so why not give him a little treat? The apples you had bought looked incredibly delicious and surely he would enjoy the fruits of his peoples' labor. So you plucked one from the basket and turned to him. “Before you head off, take this,” You said offering the apple. 

Morpheus has to use all of his control to stop his eyes from blazing nuclear mercury at the innocently offered apple. Happiness burst within his chest at your proposition. This was exactly what he wanted from you, innocent you, and here you were, offering it yourself! Morpheus took the apple from you with reverence and splendor. There was no way you could reject his advances now that you had been the one to propose. 

“Make you sure take care of yourself, I know you’re working hard these days,” You told him in concern, oblivious to the noxious churning of obsessive desire and want that burned within Morpheus. “I don’t want to see anything happen to you.” 

“You have my word, Y/N,” Morpheus told you, holding your apple close to his heart. You were that much closer to him now, your proposal opened so many doors to him, and Morpheus planned on stepping through each one. 

You were sitting in the gardens again, enjoying the last bits of the fading flowers and trying your best not to shiver in place. The weather in The Dreaming had slowly turned seasonal, a fact that you loved, but you had entirely forgotten that when it got cold, you needed your cloak to stay warm. Out of all days you had decided to enjoy the gardens, it was when it was a blustery cold day and your coat was hanging neatly on the door hook at home. So you were basically freezing yourself to an ice cube while trying to enjoy the last bits of the garden you loved so much. At least the leaves turning a myriad of colors was beautiful to look at and reminded you of The Waking World. You shivered in place once more, feeling your teeth rattle. 

“You should have dressed warmer, λατρεία μου, you are trembling.” Morpheus’s voice came from your right and soon enough the man was walking up to you, his long coat flapping in the wind. 

“I didn’t plan on watching the sunset today so I didn’t bring my cloak,” You weakly protested. “And it’s not like I leave the library much, I didn’t see the need.” Morpheus raised an eyebrow at you momentarily before taking a seat next to you. 

“Then perhaps should keep one in the library?” He offered. “You surely spend more time there than in your cottage.” You gave him a half-hearted scowl before shivering again. Morpheus eyed your trembling body, entirely pleased with how cold you were. Another strong gust of wind blew through the garden and you hunched over. 

“Come closer, Y/N, surely you do not need to needlessly shiver and shake in the gales of The Dreaming,” Morpheus spoke up quietly, his voice thick with persuasion and hope as he opened his jacket. You eyed the space next to him and with zero hesitation, scooted over to huddle into his side. He couldn’t help the triumphant smile that spread across his lips as you pressed your body into his side. Morpheus draped the side of his coat around your shoulder so you were covered. Surely he could have taken his coat off and given it to you, it would have been more than enough to keep you warm… but why do that when he could have you pressed against him as you currently were, eagerly seeking out the heat he provided you?

It was late at night, close to the time when you would pack up and head home, but you had a few things that you wished to finish before doing so. So you were bent over a book, pen in hand, scribbling notes down for Lucienne. The tea you had been sipping was long since cold and forgotten next to you and the lights in the library had faded to a low dim. You were halfway through scribbling a note on a passage you had just read when a wall of tiredness hit you like nothing before. You tried to blink rapidly through the overwhelming urge to close your eyes, but you ultimately failed. With your eyelids fluttering close, your head dropped to your arms on the table and you fell asleep. 

From the shadows of the library, Morpheus watched as you, his beloved betrothed, fell fast asleep from where you had been sitting for hours on end. It was clear that, while you were a hard worker and dedicated to your job as a library, you worked a touch too much and needed to properly rest. Clearly, you were unable to regulate your own sleeping schedule, so Morpheus had decided to do it for you. You might not be able to fully take care of yourself… but as your betrothed, it was Morpheus’s job to see to your well-being. So walking over to where you slept peacefully, Morpheus ever so gently gathered your body in his arms and lifted you from your seat. You didn’t wake from the movement, you were trapped within the deep sleep Morpheus had coaxed you into, lost in a world of comforting dreams. With you tucked away in his arms, Morpheus carried you out of the library and to the nice little study, he had had the palace create just for you. He placed you on the couch that sat in front of the crackling fireplace and covered your body with a blanket. You snuggled yourself into the couch, burrowing beneath the blanket before sighing out and falling into a much deeper sleep. 

Pleased that you were fast asleep in a restful slumber within his palace, Morpheus took his seat and settled in, entirely content to watch you sleep. He spent the entire night sitting there, just watching you sleep peacefully, in his palace, where you belonged. The hours ticked by and Morpheus enjoyed watching the dreams that your mind pulled you through, one he found most amusing was that you had dreamed up a library. Did you not already spend enough time in the palace's library? You truly did love books. Morpheus was going to make sure that you loved him more. 

Your lovely idea to collect ice roses from Fiddler’s Green was a nice thought, you wanted to do something nice for those in the palace and the ice roses only bloomed in winter… but at twilight. Hence why you had said it was a nice thought. It wasn’t so nice when you were tromping through half a foot of snow at twilight, freezing your ass off, and wearing clothing not suitable to protect you from the cold that was rapidly setting in. 

“Better find those roses, Lucienne is going to scold me when she finds out that I came out here by myself, at twilight.” The more you thought about it, the more you realized that Lucienne and Morpheus would be angry. Surely if you collected plenty of ice roses and got back home unharmed, they wouldn’t kick up a fuss… right? Besides, this was Fiddler’s Green, there wasn’t anything dangerous here. Right?

You decided to put that thought in the back of your mind as you pushed forward against the snow. Climbing up a small hill, you let out a sigh of relief at the sight of glittering crystal-like roses. This was it. Hefting the basket you had brought with you against your side, you hurried down the hiss towards the roses and withdrew the clippers you had borrowed from your neighbor. You carefully picked your way to a section of the ice roses and knelt in the snow, ignoring the wet cold that soaked into your jeans. You started clipping ice roses and gently placing them in your basket, which came prepared with a damp towel to extend their life. 

Humming underneath your breath, you clipped flower after flower, counting to two dozen before you were satisfied with your clippings. Sitting back on your haunches, you took a few moments to appreciate the beauty of the field of ice roses, before ultimately being chased off by the cold. You clutched your cloak further around your shoulders and got to your feet. With the basket of flowers perched on your hips, you began following your footsteps back toward the village. As you walked, you noticed that it only seemed to get colder and colder, and your breath was combing out in white puffs. You were shivering now and your fingers, which you had covered with some gloves also borrowed from your neighbor, started to go numb. 

“Why did I think this was a good idea?” You moaned under your breath, heading into a section of the forest you had all too cheerfully walked through only hours earlier. Coming upon a downed log that you had stepped over previously, you carefully stepped over it once more, balancing the basket on it as you did so so you didn’t drop any flowers from your basket. You continued on your way, looking forwards at your old footprints, and mindlessly followed them through the rapidly darkening forest. Little clumps of snow had started to fall from the sky and the last thing you needed was to get turned around in the dark and have your foot tracks disappear. At least that’s what you were doing until you spotted a second and third set of footprints, and those footprints weren’t human. You stopped in place and squinted at the animal prints in the snow. It only took you a second or two to realize that they looked an awful lot like that of a dog, or worse… a— Your thoughts were cut off by a howl breaking through the quiet winter night. The basket dropped from your hand and you felt your heart stop in your chest. “Wolf…”

You couldn’t scramble fast enough. Surging forwards, your feet slipped in the snow slightly as you hurled yourself into an awkward, snow-bogged run while your heart tried to beat its way out of your chest. You weren’t paying attention to where you were running, you just had one thought on your mind and that was to flee. In your frightened panic, you lost sight of your old footprints and just randomly charged your way through the darkened forest. You bat away branches and sticks that dug into your skin and tore at your cloak and then were almost strangled when a particularly large branch caught the fluttering fabric of your cloak and refused to let go. You fought against the branch, trying to get your cloak from its clutches when the howls grew closer. 

“F this,” You breathed out, your hand diving your the string of the cloak at your throat. You quickly unraveled the knot and left your cloak behind as you pushed forwards, now colder than ever. Awkwardly running through the snow, dodging more branches, you failed to consider that there might be roots you needed to hop over and proceeded to spectacularly trip on one, sending you flying forwards. You face-planted into the snow and felt frigid snow soak into your clothes. Grunting, you struggled to get to your feet, ending up on your knees first, before using a nearby tree to get yourself to a standing position. You felt soaked and were quickly losing the feeling in your hands and feet. Taking a risky glance behind you, you caught sight of several wolves slinking through the trees behind you. That was more than enough motivation to get your half-numb body moving again. 

It was hard to keep moving, you were feeling drowsy now and your limbs, your numb limbs were struggling to obey your mental commands. You were less running and more lurching. Stumbling, you nearly face-planted a second time slipping on some ice. Your arms cartwheeled and you flailed, your hand smashing against rough bark as you grappled your way to stay on your feet. You could faintly see red staining your hands, but they were so far gone that you couldn’t feel the wounds opening up from your clawed grasp on the bark. At this point you felt like slumping against the tree, closing your eyes, and surrendering to the beckoning abyss of sleep. But yet another terrifying howl pierced the frosted night sky and you remember that you were running for a reason. You staggered forwards once more, too cold to even cry tears of fear at this point. 

Breathing out strained pants, you slipped and slid your way down a nearby bank and clutched your arms to your ice-soaked sweater. You were lost. Clearly. Lost and had a pack of Dream Wolves chasing you for some god-known reason. Which nightmare had decided to tease and taunt you this time? You didn’t have the energy to care. You took one more glance over your shoulder and once again saw wolves moving behind you, they were getting close, so close, and you didn’t have the energy to go any faster. Just as you turned back around, you crashed right into something hard and started falling backward, your numb limbs giving out. 

For a few seconds you thought that perhaps one of the wolves had circled to head you off, but as you shivered and chattered, you realized that your body was now being supported by another. Whoever now held you felt like a furnace, but you were too far gone to move to claw yourself closer. You simply lay limp, struggling to keep your eyes open while you rasped for breath. Eyes fluttered up at softly glowing ones, your blue lips attempted to speak, but all you could get out was a rasping whimper. Morpheus’s face, gentle and soothing to your frayed mind, started fading in and out as he gathered you in his arms. You tried to speak his name, but couldn’t even do that. Soon your eyes grew too heavy to keep open, and you let them stay shut, the cold finally trapping you in its frosty embrace. 

Coming back to consciousness, your mind was slow to register your surroundings. It was still struggling to come back from the depths of hypothermia. Or at least that is what your subconscious knew, you were confused and in pain. You didn’t know where you were, you were having a really hard time opening your eyes, and the blood within your veins felt as it if were on fire. You would have been writhing in place, squirming around to get away from the fiery pain that bit at the corners of your body viciously, if you weren’t trapped against a hot body wrapped around yours. Arms were wrapped around your back, cradling your head against a naked chest. Your own would have been doing the same if they weren’t twitching and shaking with violent jerks against a smooth back. You wanted to claw at your skin because it felt like acid was being dripped onto it. Your entire body writhed as another wave of intense burning charred your nerves. You choked on a whimper. 

“Shh,” The gentle shush caressed your ear as a face nuzzled the crown of your hair. “Forgive me, my beloved, I know it hurts but you need to be warmed up. Your body is much too cold.” You recognized that voice, it was a man’s, but from where? Another acid-filled pain burned through your body, this time eating away at your right thigh. You cried out and sank your left hand into his back with a soft sob. You were hushed more, fingers gently stroking your hair as arms refused to let you writhe and jerk around as you so desperately wanted. In your squirms, you could feel just how much of your skin was pressed against another. You had to be naked, you were naked, for you could feel that life-saving heat of another pressing into your frozen body. Your legs were intertwined with one another, your torso pressed tightly against a strong chest, and your arms draped around sculpted shoulders. Yes, you had not one scrap of clothing on, but you felt so awfully cold that you didn’t even care that you were wrapped up naked in someone else’s arms.

Struggling to open your eyes, you sluggishly managed to crack them open as your head lolled back slightly. Pale skin graced your vision, skin that was pale as the moon itself. Who had skin this alabaster white? Morpheus. The hand in your hair slipped down until hot fingers were gently caressing your face, you leaned your head back further to see Morpheus’s eyes gazing down into yours. You harshly bit down on another whimper of pain as your eyes watered with tears. Your cold lips struggled to form words. 

“…w-wolves…” You rasped out, your teeth chattering. “Roses, w-wanted to b-bring…” Morpheus brushed his thumb over your trembling lips and tightened his hold on your shaking body. 

“You are safe now,” Morpheus whispered at you, his fingers tilting your chin backward and his face leaning down to press close to yours. You were cocooned in an envelope of heat and yet your shivers and trembles were relentless. A few tears broke free of your lashes and ran blazing trails down your cold cheek. Morpheus wiped them away. “Do not fraught yourself, Y/N, everything will be well now. I promise.” You grimaced and bit down on your lip hard enough to draw blood as another acidic burn ripped at your muscles. Back arching, you went taught in his arms and stifled more whimpers. Morpheus was prepared for your continued wracks of pain, holding you ever so tightly and keeping your naked body pressed against his, no matter how much you tried to squirm. He was going to breathe life back into your frozen body with his touch, but first, he had to make sure your mind was cleared of fear and pain. 

Morpheus held your chin so your pained eyes gazed into his and let his magic flow, wrapping around you, winding its way into your mind and memories. Your eyes glowed silver as Morpheus tugged and pulled at your mind and thoughts until he was satisfied that you would no longer have anything to fear. You went rigid in his arms as his magic slowly slipped from you, then your eyelids fluttered shut once more and you went limp. Morpheus cradled you closer, nuzzling his face into your hair with an appeased hum. You were finally his.

You woke up with the echoes of a headache and felt a touch on the cold side. Opening your eyes, you stared at your silken bedsheets and tried to recall the last memory you had before going to bed. You couldn’t. Rolling onto your back, you stared at the ribbons of fabric that were draped across the top of your four-poster bed and hugged your bedsheets closer to your naked body. Naked? Looking down, you stared in puzzlement at yourself. You didn’t sleep naked, never had, so why were you naked now? That thought lingered in your mind as two women fluttered into the room and busied themselves. One drew back the draped from the line of windows at the opposite end of your bed and the other dove into a dresser. Neither of the two seemed to realize you were awake until the one that was tying back the drapes, turned around. 

“Oh! My lady, you are awake?” She twittered. The name Emeline repeated in your head, that was her name. “After Lord Morpheus brought you back early this morning we expected you to spend the day sleeping in recovery.” Recovery? From what? Your apparent confusion must have been clear on your face because the woman’s eyebrows drew together. “You… do remember what happened, do you not?” 

“Er, not exactly?” You spoke out hesitantly, looking around. Everything seemed familiar. You knew it was yours, this room was yours, the handmaidens were yours, even the bed… but at the same time, it was also foreign and new. “I— I am afraid I’m a little confused and think I might have forgotten. How did I get here?” 

“Lord Morpheus brought you back after you failed to return from Fiddler’s Green.” The other handmaiden, you think her name is Megara, a Grecian woman who had lived for thousands of years, said. More confusion filled you, what were you doing in Fiddler’s Green?

“You went to pick ice roses,” Emeline piped up, gesturing to a vase on a table in front of the large windows. The roses were beautiful, the petals almost crystal clear as they glimmered beneath the morning sun. 

You did remember going to pick ice roses, but it got foggy after that. 

“I think— I think I got lost?” You echoed in further confusion. “I’m… not really sure what happened, I remember picking them and it being cold, but I don’t remember coming back.” Emeline bobbed her head, her ebony curls bouncing as she did so. 

“That’s because you were out cold, my lady, passed out from hypothermia… if the king hadn’t gone out to fetch you, I don’t know what would have happened to you!” So that’s why you were so cold, in your attempt to get those pretty flowers, you had gotten hypothermia and passed out. How silly of you. 

“Well that was entirely silly of me,” You softly chuckled, still very much confused but understanding how you had gotten so cold. Faint memories of your body feeling like acid as your muscles warmed back up flickered through your mind. Then the infinitely warm embrace of Morpheus wrapped around you, your limbs entangled with him as he held you while you cried from the pain. Your head started hurting and reaching up, you pressed your hand to your temple with a wince. 

“Oh to have a betrothed as dedicated to me as Lord Morpheus is to you,” Megara sighed. “His devotion and love is eternal.” You blinked in even more confusion, you and Morpheus were betrothed? You didn’t remember him asking you to marry him, you didn’t even remember dating him. But for some reason, you didn’t remember a lot of things. Looking down at your left hand, you saw a ring on your ring finger. It was a silver band in the shape of a vine wrapping around your finger. There was a medium-sized stone mounted in the middle, sparkling with the color of a galaxy, and little white gemstones were intermittently throughout the ring band itself. It even had little silver daisies carved into it. Clearly, Morpheus knew you quite well and had meticulously thought of every little detail. You might not remember much about your intimate relationship with him, but it was clear that he loved you very much. 

“Would you like to get dressed, my lady?” Emeline asked. “Surely your body could do with some movement.” You agreed, the movement would surely warm you up further and your joints felt in need of exercise. The pair helped to dress your still slightly shivering body and made sure to have you don a thick robe to keep you plenty warm. You didn’t know quite what to do, so you took to wandering around the palace, trying to jog your spotty memory. Surely you could remember something about dating Morpheus. One didn’t just get engaged to an Endless on a whim and Morpheus certainly didn’t do anything without direct thought and reason. You were wandering the palace, looking at the stained glass and statues when you absentmindedly walked into the throne room. 

“Y/N?” You blinked at the call of your name and dropped your eyes from the swirling glass overhead to see Lucienne staring at you in concern. 

“Oh, hello Lucienne,” You greeted with a small smile, you wrapped your robe further around your body. Lucienne eyed you up and down, concern clear on her face. 

“Are you feeling well?” She prompted, shrewdly looking at you as if checking you for further injury. 

“I feel fine,” You happily told her. “Well I still feel a little cold, but Emeline and Megara said that I had hypothermia so that’s kind of expected.” Lucienne still looked irked, for some reason, and it seemed that she was working to hold her tongue. 

In fact, she was. Lucienne wasn’t oblivious, not like you, and she knew full well how obsessed Morpheus was with you. Obsessed enough to play tricks on your mind, stalk you from the shadows, and cause bodily harm it seemed, and yet, you were still oblivious little you, happily smiling away in blissful ignorance. At the very least Lucienne could take comfort in knowing that Morpheus would never allow further harm to come to you now that you were officially his. She wondered what you would think if you ever learned the truth behind your recent mishaps… but knowing Morpheus best, Lucienne knew that you would never find out the truth. The only comfort Lucienne could take was that Morpheus was so devoted to you that he would rather die than see anything happen to you, so you would be well taken care of, even if that meant you were trapped in a gilded prison…. and had no idea that it was a prison in the first place. 

“I see,” Lucienne commented quietly, working to hide the sadness she felt deep within her heart. Any further words she wished to speak quickly died on her tongue when Morpheus himself came striding over. 

“Y/N,” Morpheus spoke, his eyes soaking in the sight of you all wrapped up in the clothes specially made for you, and your little hands clutching the hand-stitched robe you wore around your shoulders. The ring on your hand glimmered from the lights in the room. “Should you be up, my dream?” Your nose wrinkled at him in response and you let out a small huff. 

“I wasn’t going to stay in bed all day, Morpheus,” You told him, your lip curling in a pout in a way he found most adorable. “Besides, I need to get my body moving to warm up. The best way to do that is to move, walking around isn’t that hard and won’t do me any harm.” Morpheus’s eyebrow rose as he looked at you up and down. His eyes shifted momentarily to Lucienne was watching you carefully, her eyes met his, and a silent message passed between Morpheus and her. It was a clear dismissal. Lucienne cleared her throat and spoke up once more. 

“I believe I have work to do in the library, my lady, I will see you later,” At the mention of the library, you perked up once more. Lucienne’s eyes narrowed at yours. “And I should not expect to see you there until you are fully recovered.” You drooped and pouted further at Lucienne’s words, but didn’t argue back. Satisfied that you were going to listen, Lucienne bid her final goodbye, giving Morpheus one last look. Morpheus stared down at you with adoration as you looked at Lucienne’s receding in confusion. 

“Is it just me, or was Lucienne acting strange?” You asked, looking back up at Morpheus. He couldn’t help but find your confused face adorable and reached a hand up to brush his fingers over your hair. 

“I am sure Lucienne is just concerned for your condition, my love,” He told you gently, allowing his fingers to linger on your face and skin. “How do you feel? In the early hours after finding you, when I was warming you up, you were in great pain.” You remember your skin feeling like acid, and trying to writhe in his arms as he held you against him. Your eyes dropped to the marble floor as you struggled to remember more. 

“I feel good, maybe a little cold… but fine otherwise,” You told him, lifting your eyes once more to peer into his starlit eyes. “My memory is very spotty and I can’t recall everything though.” Your words pleased Morpheus, everything was going as it should. Morpheus cupped your cheek and bent his head down, pressing his forehead against yours. 

“Memory or not, I am elated to know that you are well once more,” Morpheus whispered, his nose brushing yours. You smiled at him and giggled. 

“I’m not going to be taken down just because I got cold, Morpheus,” You told him in between giggles. “That would just be absurd.” Morpheus raised an eyebrow at you. 

“Of course not, my future queen is much too stubborn to succumb to hypothermia.” Morpheus drew out, maneuvering your head back more so his lips brushed against yours. They were much too irresistible when this close and he couldn’t help but steal a kiss from your lips as you giggled. His lips pressed against yours, careful to hold just how much he wanted you, back. Morpheus could feel the heat that blossomed beneath the skin of your face and chuckled against your lips. Your innocence was truly endearing. 

“Don’t laugh at me,” You whispered against his lips, trying to sound mad at him, but entirely failing to do so. 

“Apologies, my love,” Morpheus apologized, pulling back to look you in the eyes. “Please forgive me, I couldn’t help it, you are just far too irresistibly adorable.” The heat beneath your skin burned hotter and you hit him in the chest with your fist. 

“Morpheus!” 

“I’m sorry, my love, I’m sorry, I can’t help it.” He told you, hugging your body, your only huffed at him and wrapped your arms around his torso to rest your head against his chest. Yes, your memory was spotty, but Morpheus was devoted to you, so did you really need to remember what you had forgotten?

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An Offered Apple | Masterlist | An Accepted Apple

[princess-peregrine]

10 Most Read Authors

Thanks for tagging me @godzilla-reads

"what are your ten most most read authors? and how many books have you read by them? also tag someone who you would like to do this!

instructions: scroll to the bottom of your goodreads shelves and most read authors is listed underneath."

I don't use goodreads but here's what ibknow from my personal collection

1. Seanan McGuire (21 books) Seanan McGuire is an amazing writer and one of the hardest things to do is put down one of her books once you start, it's always a captivating adventure to read one of her books

2. Kay Hooper (16 books) I'm not done with her Bishop/Special Crimes Unit books but oh my gosh, she writes good. If i had to give a short and sweet summary of what she writes, it would come off as a trashy genre. But she writes possibly my favorite romances I have ever read. Once a Thief and Always a Thief are my favorite romace books of all time, and the reason I read them was because of a ML fanfic called Once a thief Always a Thief by, I believe, Saijispellhart, I think that's right, if you read that fic and liked it then you will love Kay Hooper

3. CJ Cherryh (12) this is possibly my favorite writer of science fiction full stop and i can't even get into it here because i would talk for ages, the message here is to read CJ Cherryh's books, for the love of Goddess read them

4. Jimmy Gownley (8 books) Amelia Rules is my favorite comic of all time with a close secomd being the planet Sakaar arc in the hulk comics

5. Diana Rowland (7 books) people just love her white trash zombie books, and foe good reason, but personally i loved her Mark/Blood of the Demon books a whole lot more

6. Victoria Laurie (7 books) i loved the first book in her ghost hunter mystery books, then 2 and 3 were a slog, and then the rest were good again, not sure what happened to the second and third book

7. Marrion Zimmer Bradley (7 books) ew ew ew ew ew ew ew ew ew ew what the fuck is up with her ew ew ew ew ew ew this is what passed for feminist writing back then?! I've read incel rants with more respect for women than some of the stuff she writes!

Anyway she's an ok science fiction writer with a way of writing really engaging stories with a strong narrative voice, don't read her books, they really are not kind to women

8. Michelle Tea (5 books) go read mermaid in chelsea creek, go do it, right now, this is a demand, read mermaid in chelsea creek, cry about it and then come back to me and tell me what you thought about it, do it now

My favorite book from her is Valencia btw, an excellent memoir

9. Kim Harrison (4 books) don't ask me anything about her books, i could not tell you, i know what happened because i read them but the memories are jumbled up with details from the October Day novels

10. Stephen king (4 books) Stephen King is, ehhhh, i read him more for the status that he was a prolific writer and had a lot of popular books, the first one i read, which is still my favorite by the way, is The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon

Honorable mentions that i just recommend you go read because i love their books

Eileen Myles shouldn't need and introduction and if she does then you are living a worse life for it

Rob Reger who wrote the Emily The Strange books

Clive Barker who i have read quite a bit but excluded him for the same of smaller names (but you included stephen king) shut up

Wendy Holden, she didn't write many books but the ones she wrote were good

Dana Fredsti, her plague books are like brownies

Jeanien Frost, imagine if Kim Harrison was more memorable

Now i'll tag @scham-wcan @vivaciousarcanist @zerm2v0hg @far-side-skies @grimm-the-6th @overlordneon @transgressivepistoleer @mx-kit