#&. ASK . / do you ever wonder how nature gets its glow ?
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kquil · 2 days ago
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hi hope ure okay 🤗 will u be posting a chapter 7 preview?
i'm doing great, thank you (˶ᵔ ᵕ ᵔ˶)♡ i've been getting pretty busy lately and have just gotten over my monthly visit with mother nature (ಥ‿ಥ) so i'm sorry for being late with my preview. here it is for you!
DIVORCING ORION BLACK | CHAPTER 7 (PREVIEW)
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Screams rang out through the night, horrific and painful, that was what had woken Sirius up. Shaken by the disturbing sound, Sirius clambers out of bed to look out of the dorm room window. Like some sort of haunted picture, the full moon hangs suspended in the night sky, laying claim to its dominance over the vast expanse of space, outshining the stars and ousting all clouds that still linger. It glowed like the many poltergeists that roam Hogwarts’ halls but the moon’s presence was incomparably menacing. 
“What is that screaming?” Sirius utters, his grey eyes searching the landscape through his window for some form of explanation. 
“I don’t know but Remus still hasn’t returned,” James speaks up from the shadows, nearly making Sirius jump out of his skin. 
“W-wait, Remus isn’t back yet?” Peter asks, also slipping out of bed and the three make their way over to their friend’s absent bunk. “Where could he be?”
“I don’t know, but we’re going to find out,” James grins and holds up a cloak. 
“How is that gonna help us find out where Rem—” Sirius begins, rubbing his eyes from sleep but stutters to a stop when James’ figure disappears beneath the fabric. The eldest Black brother shares a look of surprise with Peter before turning a grin back to James who was now a floating head. 
“I like your thinking, James old chap!” Sirius jests and slips beneath the invisibility cloak with him. 
“Will we all be able to fit inside?” Peter’s eyes swim with a healthy level of uncertainty, only to be pulled under the cloak despite his protests. 
“We’ll fit, just keep in time with my pace and be very very quiet,”James warns and the two nod affirmatively, Sirius being much more enthusiastic compared to Peter’s hesitance. 
“I hope we find, Remus soon,” Sirius comments under his breath, pressed against James’ right as Peter staggers along at James’ left. 
“I know… with all that screaming outside, I hope he isn’t in any trouble.” The three make their way to the hospital wing but falter at a hallway junction. Which way was the hospital wing again? 
“I-I think we should go right,” Peter helpfully stutters after some thought. 
“I thought it was left?” Sirius scratches at his head as James gnaws on his inner cheek. The three collectively decide to go right for the time being and if it was wrong, they simply turn back and go the other way. 
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Later that night, you ask Kreacher for more information. The topic clearly made Regulus uncomfortable and you didn’t want him to do anything he wasn’t comfortable with, which is why you didn’t ask any further questions, especially at the dinner table where the atmosphere should be lighter. Hopefully, you can fully dismiss all tensions from dinner when you tuck him into bed later on. 
Seated at your desk, you suppress the groans of discomfort that were being conducted through the walls from Orion’s private office — you can’t believe he’s still hasn’t asked Kreacher for a healing potion. But you suppose it’s fitting that his ego is making him suffer more at this point. You savour the sounds of his pain for only a few moments more before calling for Kreacher yourself. 
“Mistress has called for Kreacher?” the hunched house elf immediately asks after appearing before you with a pop. He remains ever aged and wrinkled but his unruffled demeanour and, somewhat, contented expression certainly makes him appear brighter. 
“Yes, I was wondering if the house had any secret rooms, perhaps down the hall from the library,” Kreacher gives you a skeptical look, one that was doused with suspicions you immediately set about diffusing, “it seems my fainting spells are getting to me and tampering with my memories,” At this, Kreacher’s expression morphs into worry and he begins to clutch tightly at his ragged clothes while falling into rambles upon rambles of heightening anxiety for your health. It was a rather endearing sight, knowing someone cares so deeply for your well-being, but you think the poor elf might just self-induce a heart attack if you let him continue like this, “it’s okay though Kreacher, I’m okay. Please just tell me about that secret room?”
Kreacher takes a moment to catch his breath and flush away his anxiety before answering, “Ladies of the noble and most ancient house of Black were the only ones, Mistress, they be the only ones allowed into the parlour,”
“Parlour?”
“The private parlour, Mistress, yes,” Kreacher nods, subconsciously flattening the wrinkles of his clothes with his hands, standing a little straighter and subtly puffing out his chest, “the powerful, esteemed ladies like to talk in priiiivateeee,” he drags out the word in a low tone, which spikes your interest and reaffirms your speculation on the room being used for dark purposes. 
˖  ݁𖥔.☁︎.𖥔݁ ˖
Regulus reads his letter again and nods in satisfaction. This was his third draft of it but he felt his efforts to be worthwhile. Letters were a special occasion and something that made a person feel immediately special when they read a letter that’s addressed specifically to them so he wanted to put in a good effort for Sirius. He just hopes it reaches him in good time. 
“Mother,” Regulus stands with his letter in hand, ready for postage, “my letter is finished, may I deliver it Sirius now, please?”
You smile warmly and nod, slipping Alphard’s letter into the main drawer of your desk. With a small wave of your hand, you gesture him over to you, “would you like to give it a wax seal?”
Regulus’ eyes sparkled with excitement, “I’m allowed?”
“Of course, little love, come here,” you pull him into your lap and gesture to the apparatus around you to create a wax seal.
“First, pick out the coloured wax you want for your seal,” Regulus picks metallic silver wax, a perfect choice for the black envelope he was sending it in, a signature of the Black Family. “Now you put it in this little spoon and melt it over the candle,” with an eager nod, Regulus holds the spoon over the candlelight and the two of you wait for it to melt together. 
“I think it’s melted now mother,” 
“Let me see…” he shows you, swirling around the liquid wax to demonstrate it’s fluidity and grins at your approving nod, “good good. Get the seal ready,” he diligently takes the Black Family seal in his other hand, “now, when you stamp the wax, don’t wiggle it around or else the design will get muddled,” Regulus gives an affirming nod and waits for your instruction to pour the wax before stamping it. He doesn’t wiggle it as you’ve advised. After a few moments, you whisper that it was finally okay for him to take away the stamp and he gasps in delight at the beautiful seal that was left behind. 
“Thank you, Mother!”
“Would you like to post it or ask Kreacher to post it for you?” 
“I’d like to post it please,” his request pulls you away from your desk, just in time as it was nearing 5pm already. You patiently lead him to the family owl and watch with a smile as he hands over his letter and waves off the owl with a cheer. “Sirius is going to love the letter, darling,”
“I hope he sends one back soon!”
“I don’t doubt that he will,”
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navi. | series masterlist
i hope you darlings enjoyed the preview and are looking forward to the full chapter on 1st December!ヾ(。✪ω✪。)シ
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hecrtled · 1 year ago
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&. TAG DUMP .
&. ic . / to the fairies they draw near . &. closed . / til the sun peeking sparkle at dawn . &. open . / each flower waits for the sun . &. crack . / don't the berries come from the forest ? &. ask . / do you ever wonder how nature gets its glow ? &. hc . / headfirst and fast like an avalanche . &. meme . / maybe i'll let it all go and just float . &. album . / second star to the right . &. aes . / when the moon comes up to shine her face . &. q . / a thousand years is a long time even for a star up in the sky .
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neteyamsilly · 2 years ago
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i will soften every edge, hold the world to its best | 5
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summary ;; What could Jake do? How was he supposed to fight when he had no concrete opponent? PART 4 | PART 6 pairings ;; dad!jake sully x reader, mom!neytiri x reader, sully family x reader genre ;; pure angst and family feels notes / explanations ;; jake is so depressing here. i also took liberty with his character and the reasonings for his decisions in atwow, sorry in case if thats not how you see him LMAO happy reading 💞 please excuse my mistakes if you see any! ‼ I DONT TAKE TAG REQUESTS ANYMORE ‼
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“One chance, Jakesuli. You will only have one chance. Use it well. Our Great Mother favors you, that we know. But this favor hasn’t been granted to you. It has been granted to my granddaughter.”
“I won’t fail.” Not again. 
“What does failing mean, I wonder. Would you fail if you take her soul back from her happiest? Or would you fail if you let her have the peace our Great Mother has laid her into?” 
“I will get my daughter back. This isn’t her time. If Eywa has given me this chance, then she thinks the same as me.”
“You will take that honor from her, then?” Mo’at was being cryptic, but Jake saw through the exterior of the neutral Tsahik into an exhausted, mourning grandmother. “She was the daughter of Toruk Makto, and he was her last shadow.”
It came back to Jake in a gut-churning realization, it was his shadow that had fallen over you from the light of the torches on the walls as you’d given your last breath. It was his shadow. “No,” he refused, adamantly. “She will get to achieve greater honors of her own than that. I won’t be the one defining her ending.” The last bead of your songcord having his name, Toruk Makto’s name, was supremely wrong to him. He would not accept this fate for you. 
“Very well, then.” Secretly, she was pleased with him. With his answer. “Get going. As I said. One chance.”  
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Jake would never be able to get used to the magnificence that was Vitraya Ramunong, or, the Tree of Souls. To him, Pandora itself was a marvel already too good to be true that he’d fallen in love with, and abandoned his own race for, there was no getting used to the beauty for a human like him who’d only found it once in neon lights, ever. He could reach the end of his natural lifespan in this body and still there would be much left to discover. That’s why Jake was more vulnerable to one of the beating hearts of Eywa in the shape of a giant, glowing willow tree. 
No Na’vi was immune to the soul-purifying, all-consuming, yet being-dwarfing peace enveloping one’s very spirit, in a cradling hug as if they were nothing but a newborn in their mother’s arms. In here, only one fact mattered: they were childrens of Eywa, all of them dear, all of them seen, all of them safe and sound, including him, once alien to Eywa the way Earth was related to Pandora. Everything spoke to him here in a language he didn’t understand, but could respond to, again, in a language he didn’t understand, his soul doing the communicating. 
Jake was also a child here, Eywa’s chosen child. 
And he had come to her door for the most difficult request of his life, feeling like he was asking his mother for money right after he had crashed their car, unable to look her in the eye and expecting the biggest of scoldings for his shamelessness. 
This was nothing like asking for her assistance against the sky people, back then, he had agency, power, the clans backing him up, Toruk. If Eywa didn’t hear him, he would fight until the last drop of blood in his body was spent anyway, he was ready.
Now, he had nothing. 
Nothing to offer in return, not one concrete reason as to why he should have his daughter back other than being a desperate father with nowhere to return to other than the mercy of the Great Mother. He just wanted his child. Nothing mattered. 
Not how and why Quaritch had spawned right under his nose with an avatar body, not how they could even slither in without detection, not the threat of what the sky people could bring upon their heads with that — nothing, not now. Nothing mattered until he saw this through. 
Jake had found the will to quite literally tear himself from your side like nail from flesh only when you’d stabilized enough. Stabilized, as in, the faintest rise and fall of your ribcage Neteyam had to stare from where he was sitting like a sentinel for a full minute to spot, a tideless, still ocean only moving with whiffs of wind, his own breathing unnoticeable — to match yours, or to silence the sounds in his own body to hear better, Jake didn’t know. 
No sky person was allowed to take over from Mo’at and Kiri. Norm had told Jake none of this made sense, if the bullet had nicked the bowels enough and the dirt leaked into the bloodstream, the possibility of sepsis was eventual, and if it didn’t, you had bled too much anyway, a blood transfusion was necessary, and the internal organs... — Christ, the amount of bad end scenarios Jake had been subjected to was as if they were telling him to open a grave for you anyway. Tsahik had scoffed into their faces. The way of healing was something none of them would see, she had scoffed. Now ally, or not. You can’t fill a cup that’s already full. Jake was in a hopeless need for water into wine kind of miracle, and honestly, he wasn’t complaining. 
Leaving High Camp behind to set off on a journey calling for only him was one of the hardest things he’d done yet, the silhouette of you lying motionless, his family scattered around the tent, shadowed in their own mourning, folded into themselves was burned into his mind, glimpses of their pain visible from eclipses of light occasionally falling on their faces. A sight he never wanted to see again in his life if he could help it. It was a frosted, iron-thorned hand squishing his heart into ground meat. 
Tuk, ever the stingy monopolizer, had brought her favorite toys to scatter around you because she thought they’d comfort you the way they comforted her, had tried snuggling with your unconscious body and was warned by Kiri only to hold your hand instead. She had taken to playing with your fingers, the depressive gloom of years beyond her age crooked on her. Jake couldn’t stand the sight of the little girl telling you bedtime stories he and Neytiri used to, for a moment only, he could pretend you were just going along with your sister’s whims and smiling with your eyes closed as you listened. 
Kiri, buzzing around to change the bandage-leaves that soaked up some sort of sickly black colored puss every couple hours, had explained to him the salve they used on you was getting the infection and the splinters of the bullet they couldn’t get out of your body, which had turned the color of your blood into that — but the thing was, given the dwelling of the woodsprite in your mouth, they couldn’t feed you the porridge-like mix to speed up the process of blood production in the bone marrow, and she was exerting herself looking for some other way. 
Before he’d left the tent for good, she had handed him the bullet— or, the biggest piece of it they’d taken out of your body, it was a mere pursed and shriveled, tiny metal. The exhausted girl had stammered when explaining that whatever they’d hit you with, had broken into shards inside you upon impact, creating severe lacerations and lethal hemorrhage that they’d worked tirelessly to pick out.
Jake had stared hollowly at it for the longest time. This small thing. It was such a small thing that took you from him. 
The sentence that sent you away was also as small, and damning as this bullet. ‘Go.’   
Kiri had seen it sink in his face, closing her five-fingered hand on his palm, on the bullet. “You should get going, dad,” she’d said. “We’re okay here.”
Jake had taken one last look. At Neytiri wiping your body to clean all the congealed blood. At Tuk holding your hand. At Kiri trying to fill in shoes bigger than her feet. At you lying down with trinkets surrounding you like funeral flowers. And forced his body to keep moving when all he wanted to do was stay. 
He’d then heard Lo’ak complaining to his older brother outside the tent, “How can he be so cold?” The heaviness was getting to the boy, agitated and misapprehending. But he was always this way, if something was out of his control, the inability to act to change it manifested as frustration, blind anger. “Why is he so… unresponsive? Emotionless?”
Jake would have let it slide had it been about something else, but his children running their mouths not knowing he was a hair's breadth away from going clinically insane had gotten to him. He was burning alive. 
“You think I don’t care, boy?” He emerged from the tent like some last boss, initially not caring he’d scared the brothers. “You think I don’t feel at all? My own child dying in the same arms I used to hold her as a baby — you think that doesn’t faze me?”
Neteyam, the mediator, or rather, the blame-taker, ran to his little brother’s rescue, the latter too flabbergasted to form any words yet. “Dad, he doesn’t mean—”
“I know exactly what he means.” When the anger subsided, Jake sighed with the weariness of an ancient man. The flames had died before they could climb, he was too exhausted for it. Honesty and trust, as Neytiri had said. 
Having lost everything, having nothing to lose, and having a lot to lose were somehow simultaneously the same thing to Jake in the predicament he’d found himself in. “I know how you see me. You only know me as the person I want to show you.” 
Lo’ak’s go-to answer was presented to Jake on a silver platter. “Sorry, sir.”
It wasn’t what he wanted to hear at all. Jake wasn’t trying to get Lo’ak to bow his head. “Don’t apologize—” He cut himself short, licking his chapped lips, and after rubbing his face, he’d put his hands on the boy’s shoulders. “Lo’ak. Son. I feel this, alright? Of course I do. I’m your father.” He shook him gently, feeling the words weren’t reaching him, who was just staring at something on the ground off to the side. “There’s no greater pain a parent can go through in life than losing his child. You can’t understand what this means right now—what it’s doing to me. You will only know when you become a father yourself.” He gently tapped Lo’ak on the chin so he would raise his head and look at him in the eye already. And when he did, Jake said what he said slowly, hoarsely. “But know this. Know I will lose myself if I lose you, or any of your siblings.” He turned to Neteyam as well, who was watching in full alert mode. “I’m fighting not to lose my sanity as we speak.”
Lo’ak swallowed, unsure and weirded out to hear something like this for the first time in his life. Jake didn’t blame him. He was never emotionally upfront or honest before, not even used to it, more awkward with it than his boys were. But none of that mattered. Not anymore, after what happened to you because of his shortcomings. “You just look so composed—“
“I have to be.” Jake shook his head, eyelids hanging heavy, his whole head was heavy. “I just can’t crumble under it, do you understand? I have to be strong. I can’t lose myself in it. Your sister needs me. You need me. To be strong.” He took his hands off the boy’s shoulders, putting a palm on his cheek and patting a few, fatherly times before backing off altogether. “Never say that I don’t care. Never. I might not show it—and it’s a father’s duty not to show it, so my family will have a stable anchor. Get what I’m saying?” 
Lo’ak looked reassured, lighter. So that’s what Neytiri had meant. “How… how can I help?”
His youngest son’s inclination to get to the root of the problem and pump out solutions was in consanguineous with his inability to stop and wait, uncomfortable in his skin when he couldn’t do anything to improve the situation and was confronted with the intimacy of having to feel, always wanting to act. Lo’ak was like Jake in that way. Awkward when it came to communication. Dishonest with themselves.  
“Stay here.” Jake said, right from his heart. “Stay safe. I don’t wish for anything else in this world.”
Lo’ak’s eyes softened, and as the father, Jake felt the renewal of the bond between them, saw the understanding in his youngest son, saw something else than the guilt and regret over being caught after mischief, for once. “I’m sorry, dad.”
“Don’t apologize.” He shared a meaningful look with him, trying to convey, again, his apology wasn’t what he wanted. Yet, his sons were defaulted to saying sorry half the time they spoke to him nowadays. Jake was understanding the severity of it, too much too late. Lo’ak nodded, ears tipped down slightly.
Then he turned to the eldest. “Neteyam—”
But he opened his mouth before Jake could say anything else. Ready. Always on his feet. “Yes, I will—”
Jake clicked his tongue. “Rest.”
Neteyam was about to say yes to whatever he was told to do, as always, but stopped right in the middle of it, voice catching in his throat, eyes blinking in confusion. “What?”
“Rest.” 
“But—”
“Rest, Neteyam, I won’t tell you again.”
God knows he needed it. Neteyam looked like he’d been having night terrors for days, accumulated anxiety making him jumpy. “Sorry, sir.”
“Stop—“ Jake caught himself before he could raise his voice. “Why are you apologizing?”
Neteyam didn’t talk for a while. But when he did, he was looking up at him underneath his lashes, unable to keep eye contact for more than two seconds. “It’s my fault.”
“Bro,” Lo’ak said, a pitiful objection.
Jake knew where this was going. “What is?” 
“I should have been there.” He pressed his mouth into a thin line before furrowing his brow, closing his eyes. Jake knew what he was seeing, repeated over and over again in his mind. “I should have known right away when I couldn’t catch up to her. I could have prevented it. It’s my responsibility.” One tear slipped by as he hung his head. “My fault.”
There it is.
Jake had told him before. “You’re the older brother, you gotta act like it.” — even though you and him were more like affable twins than older brother and younger sister that he never had to explicitly be a guardian to you like he was to Lo’ak, he had to be thinking this was his biggest failure. Neteyam was just reflecting what he’d been taught, the standards his father was holding him up to. Of course the boy had been overthinking it to the point where he was the catalyst to the event by not predicting your fakeout. 
“No,” Jake rasped, after a beat. “This is on me first, and the sky people who got to her second. And that’s the end of the story.”
Neteyam, up until this point, had to bear half the blame, if not the rest of it, for the consequences of his siblings’ actions. Upon receiving this kind of answer, he startled with an incredulous gasp and full stare at Jake. “But I—”
“It’s not about you, Neteyam,” Jake explained, although the words were harsh, he had done his best to soften the impact. “I did this. Blame me, okay?”
‘How could I?’ was written in neon letters over the boy’s head even if he didn’t say anything. Too good-natured. He idolized Jake a lot more than the man deserved. “Mother was… she was… She is grieving, she doesn’t mean it.”
“You gotta stop making excuses for people, boy. Especially when they’re in the right.” A smile pulled on his lips, but died as it was born. “I pushed and pushed until we reached the edge, thinking there was never an edge at all. I should have known better. I should have been better. This is between me and your sister, and that’s why it is me who has to go to the Tree of Souls.” 
And he’d left, but not before pulling his boys into his chest, cradling the back of their heads against himself, the smell of home repulsing instead of comforting. Prickles on his skin was the comfort he got from being able to hug his children when you were absent. It didn’t feel right. 
He missed you dearly, an aching, gaping hole in his very being that only grew larger as he saw what you left behind half-completed or messy like you’d stood up and gone off for a minute to come back to it later — 
The unmade pallet from the night of your Iknimaya argument that Jake had shed tears on when he’d seen the state of it, having the signs of someone getting up from it like you would be returning to go back to sleep any second.
The unfinished bark plate you had set aside to eat later and fought Lo’ak not to touch it. a squabble Jake had to break before you started wasting food by throwing it at each other. 
The stack of fruits you’d gathered that you never shared except for Neytiri sometimes. 
The half-carved cup you were working on because the regular cups weren’t big enough for your water needs and you didn’t like to refill it about three times until you were satisfied. 
The incomplete anklet you were making out of rainbow beads for Tuk that was confidential to everyone but Jake, who knew from observing you, of course — you were missing a couple colors that you just couldn’t seem to find, nagging his head off to just let you roam around farther and there was no danger as the sky people couldn’t get in the vortex.  
The little animal doodles you scratched at your side of the tent when you couldn’t sleep at nights, waking Jake up in the process every single time to listen until your breathing evened out as sleep retook you in its arms again, because he was bodily programmed to startle awake at one single rustle in his living quarters from his Marine days and fell into old habits after the return of the sky people, he knew you had developed insomnia from being uncomfortable at High Camp, longing for your hammock cocooned in the safety and comfort of the forest.
And the dumb romance novels you had taken from the humans that you, Kiri and Tuk giggled about at girl’s nights reading out loud, Spider invited as an honorary guest at times, just so you could tease Kiri about him and annoy your brothers that they weren’t allowed in, but the human boy was. 
All of them had no owner now. Neither of your family members could look at them, your ghost would appear in precious memories beside your belongings if they looked too much. He didn't need to concentrate for a phantom of you to appear, you were everywhere he looked, and even now, as the gently pulsating lavender humming, a song from Eywa herself, right underneath the veinlike, labyrinthine roots was the cool summer rain on Jake’s sizzling skin, all he could see was your first communion with Eywa in his arms while Neytiri formed the tsaheylu, the clan spread all around them in celebration. 
“You’ve called, and I’ve answered,” he greeted in positivity. “I think this is the most direct you’ve been with me in a long while.”
He didn’t know if it was Eywa or you he was saying this to. He genuinely didn’t know. 
Kneeling, and putting his arms on the mossy, thick root, he looked up to see the woodsprites swaying and floating in the air. He reached for his braid, letting the squirming nerve-endings coil around the white-cored lavender thread closest to him, taking in the presence of Eywa, all around yet nowhere at all, but listening. No sign of you. Was he supposed to talk like this? Just like this? Was he not allowed to see you? 
Jake had to admit he had been harboring the tiniest expectation of meeting you somehow, or hearing your voice through the connection like he did with a Tree of Voices when Mo’at had cryptically informed him of his chance. But this was it? 
If he failed, this would be it. 
“I guess this isn’t all that different,” he said out loud, instead of thinking inwards where the confusion flew. “It’s been like this for a while now, you and I. You talk, I don’t hear you. I talk, you don’t hear me. We throw the same ball at each other only for it to bounce back. Monologuing to a tree is the same thing, except it doesn’t talk back like you do.” 
He looked up and around, there was nothing else to do. The air was the same as it always was in here. Always accommodating to what each Na’vi found comforting. “The last time I came here like this was to ask for Eywa’s help in the last stand against sky people. I told her I would fight either way, I knew that’s why she’d chosen me. All my life, all I’ve done was fight. Even when I wasn’t able to, I was fighting lesser battles with the excuse of not having anything to fight for. It’s all I’ve known. All I’ve ever done. It’s what I was best at.” His brow twitched, and Jake tried to keep his composure, not because he didn’t want anybody to see, no, it was to keep his shit together so he didn’t fuck this up. He had to be honest. His pride was the last thing he needed in his way at the moment. 
“You were born to a different man. To a changed man. To a father who could let go because he thought his family was safe. You got to meet the man I used to be when my reason for fighting came back from my star. I know you don’t like that person — you can’t — couldn’t get used to him. I know.” 
From the discomfort, his fingers dug into the moss first, and found the bark of the root, his fist curling on it next. “But I had to keep fighting.” He softly brought his fist back on the root. “The strong prey on the weak, that’s just how things are. That’s how I had it on my star. And my kids — you, you are weak, and it’s not an insult — it’s not me criticizing, Jesus, you are just children, and there’s a war on your damn heads. That’s what I mean. That’s what I’ve always meant. It’s natural that you are weak, Eywa was kind enough to let you be soft. Not Earth, though, never Earth.” 
Jake had to clench his teeth and bite the anger into the inside of his mouth to not be boiled alive — not to let it reach to your side. He let out a soundless snarl. “You would never be ready for the cruelty of Earth, I would never wish that upon any of you. But it was brought to you. Right at your doorstep. I couldn’t protect you from it by hugs and kisses. You wouldn’t be safe from a gun extended to you by extending a branch in return. No.” 
He reached and caressed the glowing thread, brows furrowed. “I did what I thought was right to prepare you. Every single one of you. I was making you tough. I had to. To protect you. And of course there would be clashing along the way, it’s what happens between parent and child. We fight. We fight like cats and dogs for dominance. You try me to show strength. I stand my ground to let you know you gotta do better.” 
He had fired those sentences with incoherent speed, and when he got to the end of it, Jake got choked up. Stopped for a moment, took a breath. Blinking several times, his tone became vulnerable, he didn’t have anyone in front of him, but he tore away his gaze anyway. “Somewhere along the way, things just… Without me noticing, everything…” He sighed through his nose, his voice nothing but a whisper. “I fought more battles than I fought for my family. I thought I was doing my job as a father when I didn’t even know shit about being a father.” 
A couple seconds floated by, and his gaze was stolen by a lone woodsprite descending down until it staggered on the fist he had against the root. The shine of it reflected from the mistiness of his eyes. His lower lip slightly trembled at the thought of it being you. This little woodsprite. You? 
“The thing is, I’m lost, sweetheart,” he admitted quietly, small, shaky, not taking his eyes off the woodsprite. “I don’t know what I’m doing. I sit here, I look back, and think why I keep fighting. We could have migrated. Looked for a new Hometree. Another forest. Left the humans alone. Or made peace. A treaty. Something. None of your lives had to be sullied by war. Yet I chose this. I chose to fight, as I ‘ve always done, because now I had something to fight for. And the fighting wasn’t limited to them, I fought Neteyam, I fought Lo’ak, I fought you, my own kids, and I didn’t even know.” 
He reached for it with his other hand, tentatively, scared that it would fly away with the slightest contact. But he was able to touch the top of the woodsprite ever so slightly, the little zap making all the hair on his body stand up. Jake swallowed thickly, his whole head on fire. “I don’t know what to do. I just miss you. I miss you so much, sweet girl. I wish you would scream at me. Say you hate me for all I care. Anything. Hate me until the day you die, but do it with all of your family surrounding you in old age, in peace. I would be content knowing you are under the same sky as me. But I’m forgetting your voice already, and I—” He held back a violent sob, hissed to not let it out, and groaned, getting angry at himself for the emotions. He shut his eyes tightly, willing away the tears. “I wish I could say these to your face. I wish I could see you one last time, smiling at me.”
Having everything to lose. Having lost everything. Having nothing to lose. Three different meanings had coiled around each other like snakes to become one singular outcome in linear relation of cause-and-effect through you. It wasn’t a cycle.
Having something to fight for. Having nothing left to fight for. Having nothing to fight for. You were everything. Everything. What could Jake do? How was he supposed to fight when he had no concrete opponent? 
“I see you.”
The voice — your voice, albeit much, much younger, almost made him jump. When his eyes shot open, Jake was in a different location. He knew this place. The creek away from the village he and his family often frequented. 
The twilight penumbra of the eclipse dimmed the shadows embracing the forest, but the ethereally glowing lights of all colors illuminated and got reflected from the water as if it was a mirror. Above and all around him were lazily dancing fireflies — or, rather, bioluminescent bugs he didn’t know the names of, tiny stars floating in the air like glitter. It was magical.
Jake realized with aching melancholy that this was the first time he’d taken you out on an eclipse to show you the beauty of the forest on a special father-daughter date. The exact memory.  
The breath that left him was shaky as he felt the presence sitting right beside him, in the corner of his vision, he saw the ripples on the shining water made by swinging legs. 
Jake froze for a second. Unmoving. Not looking at all — because if this was a dream, or a hallucination, he wouldn’t be able to bear it. His breathing got louder, more labored, the log underneath his hands was so realistically textured and damp. If he looked. If he looked, you would disappear. That’s how he felt. 
He was supposed to talk. But now, his ribcage was holding the words hostage, burning with the strain of the pile-up. 
“But I’m sad you don’t see me,” you said, and he was shaken by hearing your voice yet again, remembering the moment he found himself here, how he’d heard — ‘I see you’. “You don’t even want to look at me.”
So much hurt and vulnerability in that sentence that it left him breathless. 
It all happened in a matter of seconds. Him launched into his own turmoil racking his brain about how Quaritch was back as an avatar, ignoring to look at you to protect his composure and just trying to think, think — think, of a plan, of a how, of what to do. You calling after him once Neytiri, you and he arrived at High Camp after dodging Quaritch’s men. Him purposefully walking away because he needed to cool off and not to explode on you right there and there.  
That whole time, Jake hadn’t looked at you. If he did, he would have seen you needed help.
He shattered, all of his walls crumbling down, stripped down to bare despair. 
“Oh sweetheart.” Before he knew it, he had wrapped his arms around you in a crushing hug, basically snatching you off from where you were sitting and on his lap, and your warmth, your pulse, your tangible existence wrenched a shiver out of him — and he buried his face to the little crook of your neck, taking your scent in, hiding his trembling face and the quiver of his arms by holding you tight. You were here. As your younger self, no older than eight, but he had you. Not bloody and battered in his arms, but alive, so alive. “Oh sweet girl, my sweet girl… I’m sorry, I’m so sorry.” He kissed the side of your head, felt the real tickle of your hair against his face, blessed with the soothe of his child’s smell. “I see you. Of course I see you. I’ve always seen you.” 
The snowflake-frail snivel followed by your sobbing sniffle broke his heart into pieces. “You’re a liar.” He shook his head, hugging you tighter. “You’re mean to me. You’re so mean to me.”
“I’m sorry.” That was all he could say. All he could do with his thrashing soul smoldering at the wetness of your tears on his shoulder. “I am mean. I’m sorry… You’re right, I’m sorry.” 
“It hurt so much.” You wailed. “It hurt a lot.” 
Jake began to caress your head with an awkward, clumsy, panicked hand, disturbed as to if you meant the moment of your death — at him pressing on the wound with all he had to stop the bleeding, or he and your strained relationship in general. “I know, sweetheart,” he said anyway, a stone clogging his throat. He didn’t try to explain, or tell you why, didn’t argue that it wasn’t what he meant to do. It didn’t matter. Nothing mattered. He had you in his arms. “I know. I know.” 
You wouldn’t get to be younger than this. And maybe, he would never get to see you be older, either. The thought crumpled his face like some piece of paper. Jake just wanted to hold you. And when you wrapped your little arms around him too, freely crying in his arms, a couple tears escaped his eyes as well, he didn’t know what kind of face he was making, perhaps it was better that you didn’t see him crumble. 
In the middle of it somewhere, he realized that you were younger because it was your inner child that needed this, she was more honest — more open with Jake. It caused him to sway with you back and forth, ribcage hurting with each breath. And you let it all out, clinging to him. 
“I love you, always,” he whispered, watching the bioluminescent bugs, when you were calmer and had fallen silent on his chest, not wanting to let him go and just listening to his heartbeat. “Even if I don’t show it — especially when I don’t show it. You are loved, my sweet girl, more than you know. More than you’ll ever know. More than I can show.” He looked down at the top of your head, agonized. “But I want to try. I want to show you more, moving forward.”
Knowing what he was insinuating, “But it’s nice here,” you said, voice thick and coarse from crying. You still didn’t pull back to look at him. Both of you, from the start of this, never looked at one another. Not once. Embarrassed and shameful to be honest, Jake thought. That pride you two shared. “You’re not mean to me here.”
But he needed to see you. You needed to be seen. So, as gently as he could, he unwrapped your arms around him, and took your baby cheeks in his hands, and looked you in the eyes. Another tear slipped from him. “You been listenin’ to me, right sweetheart? From the start?” You nodded adorably. You wouldn’t have said oel ngati kameie and accepted to let him see you if you hadn’t felt his true intentions and heart through him pouring it all out at the Tree of Souls. “I’m hiding a lot of things. But I want to be open with you. You wanna know the secret why I’m… mean?” You nodded again, more reluctant this time. “It’s because I’m scared.”
You gasped, genuinely lost and shocked, and he tried not to smile at the purity, the innocence. “You? You’re scared?”
“All the damn time,” he whispered, landing a kiss on your temple, his opposite thumb tracing a loving line on your other temple. “Every day. Every night.”
“But you’re Toruk Makto. You’re never scared.”
“I’m also a dad,” he said sorrowfully, as if he was giving out a secret. “And it’s precisely why I’m scared. I’m scared for you. For your siblings. Of losing you. It turns into anger. Anger turns into irreparable damage. Things I can’t take back.”
In the blink of an eye, you were back to your real age. For some reason he couldn’t quite grasp, you had shed the exterior of your childhood. But he didn’t mind, didn’t let you off his lap. 
“Don’t be scared, I’m here,” you said, putting your own small palm on his cheek, upset by the fact that he was feeling like that in the first place rather than whatever explanation he had. Your response was also childish, but he leaned into your touch anyway, comforted regardless, even if you were already gone — for this moment, he could ignore that no, you weren’t here at all. “If you told us, we would have been more careful not to make you sad.” 
Ah, he was being lectured on communication by his kid. It had a certain flavor of humbleness to it. Jake adored it nonetheless. “I know,” he said, “I’m sorry. I won’t be mean anymore.”
“That’s a lie.”
Jake couldn’t stop the laugh, though it was tottering. “Yeah, it is. But I promise you that I’ll never hurt you again.”
“That’s a lie too. Wasn’t it you who said not to make promises you can’t keep?”
“Alright, smartypants, let me rephrase it then,” the little glimpses of your brash self made him happy. “I will never intentionally hurt you, and if I end up doing so, unknowingly, I will always make it up to you. No exceptions.” 
You were acting uninterested, but stole intrigued glances at him. “How are you gonna make it up to me?”
“I’ll let you choose, how does that sound?” Jake tapped your nose. “In return, if I don’t know and haven’t taken the first step, you’ll have to tell me outright what I did.”
You deadpanned. “But I always do.”
“No, you don’t.” He raised one of his eyebrows. “You become passive-aggressive when you’re annoyed and pick fights with me.”
“That’s not—”
“Sweetheart.” 
“Okay, fine.” You huffed. The normalcy had made him forget just what he was doing here. “But you get angry.”
“What I get angry at is—” He cut himself off with a tongue click. “Not important. I do get angry. But at sincere honesty, us just talking it out, I could never get angry at that. Is the difference clear?”
“I think it is.” You were apprehensive about something, your fingers on his neck flexing as if you wanted to pull them back and break the hug. “But you have to promise.”
“I promise.” And then, Jake remembered, a new fire hardening his face, not in anger, but determination. “And speaking of which. I would never. Ever. Not in a million years would get angry or blame you for getting hurt to that degree — for others, humans, avatars, whoever and whatever the hell they are, hurting you, I could never get mad at you for it. Do you understand me? Your safety is the most important to me. I could never hate you for it.” His voice dropped down to a softer, gentler tone just above a whisper. “There is nothing in this world that’ll make me hate you. Nothing. I will love you through the most heinous crimes and in inexcusable deeds, you will find forgiveness in me even if there’s nobody left, that’s a father’s heart. Forever and always, I am with you.” He touched his forehead, and then yours. “I see you.”
You avoided eye contact. 
Ah, yes, the famous emotional awkwardness. He was sort of aware his feelings had reached you, you just didn’t know what to say. Jake hadn’t been like this with you for the longest time. So, he decided to make you more comfortable. “Yes I will get mad at you for breaking curfew, and yes, we might stop talking for a while and beef about the dumbest things if the fight is too intense — but always, always come to me when something is wrong. I will drop everything without hesitation.” He leaned in a bit to catch your wayward stare. “Got it?”
You murmured. “Okay.”
“Are we clear?”
You murmured once more. “Yeah.”
“Repeat it, then.”
There was something between cringing and unwillingness on your face, but at his pointed look, you sighed, giving in. “Always come to you if something’s wrong even if we’re fighting.”
“That’s right,” he affirmed, encouraging to let you know this wasn’t embarrassing. “What else?”
You shrugged. “I don’t know.”
“Dad will always love you.” He nudged you, noting the flick of your ears in happiness when he’d said it. “Come on, say it.”
You didn’t look at him when you said it, but your voice was light. “Dad will always love me…”
“Dad will never hate you.”
Sheepishness took over, making Jake smile. “Dad will never hate me.”
“And. Come talk to me about it if I’ve ever hurt you without noticing so I can make it up to you.”
“Always go to you if I’m hurt and you’re unaware of it.”
“That’s right,” in this form as well, he gave your temple another kiss, heart soaring at your beautiful smile he had been dying to see. “Good girl.”
“You’re giving me a lot of power.” 
“Nothing my mighty hunter can’t handle.” 
The smile on your face died down. It came to Jake right away what had gone wrong. “Sweetheart—” “I didn’t mean that. You know—” But you didn’t know. Jake had to stop trying to make it easier on himself. “I’m proud of you. I’m so proud of you. About everything. About the ikran, I’m so goddamn proud. I said it, and I can’t take that back, I was angry and I was trying reverse psychology — you know what, it doesn’t matter. But you are my mighty hunter. Will always be.”
You got confident a bit, but were still testing the waters. “Well I proved I am.”
“Yes, you did,” he rejoiced, no rejection or doubt whatsoever. “Message received, Lima Charlie.”
You giggled freely, joyfully at the recognition, and Jake ached again remembering how much he’d missed that carefree, precious thing, he swore pixie dust was in it. You slipped from his lap to sit crossed-legged beside him, and he instantly missed being able to hold you close. “Wish you were there to see me.”
“Me too, sweet girl.” Your Iknimaya was a disaster. A long-passed, sacred tradition broken wasn’t as important to him as it was to Neytiri — but he knew she longed to see you complete it, by your side, as eagerly as he did. And you had been alone in your pride, when he knew from a very young age, you had been the most excited for it. Everything had been ruined and there was nothing he could do to undo it. “Will you tell me about it?”
The phantom of pensiveness on his face hadn’t quite registered with you yet, getting excited to tell him all about it like nothing had happened the moment you knew Jake wanted to know. As if you weren’t dead. As if nothing was wrong. “Well first of all, I broke Neteyam’s record.”
A mournful smile tugged on his lips. “Did you now?”
“Hell yeah!” You started gesturing with your arms. “It took, like, two minutes? One minute? Too easy.”
“You know easy means the ikran didn’t give you much of a fight, right?”
“Or, or.” One finger was raised up at him to raise another option. “I was too skilled.” 
“The ikran might have been meh about you.” Jake teased. “You sure it chose you? Or did you just chase it down and it was stuck with you?”
“That’s so wrong!” He threw his head back to laugh at your outburst. “He was watching me get there the whole time! Like, from the start. His eye was on me, I just know it. You’re just jealous you didn’t get Bob like I got Jack. I was badass.”
That made him pause. “Jack?”
“Yeah, his name’s Jack.”
He couldn’t imagine Neytiri’s reaction to the blandest name imaginable, oh god. “Why?”
“Named him after you.” You tipped your head at him, raising your brows. “It’s healing, you know. He listens to me without questioning. He’s also very sweet. Unlike a certain someone.” 
“Oh you little shit—” 
“I didn’t say anything.” Raising your hands in defense first, you crossed your arms on your chest next. “Certain someone can mean anyone. It can mean Lo’jack—”
“Lo’jack, really? Really?” Jake half-snorted, half-scoffed. “This a new one after Lovak?”
“Jackiri—”
“Jackiri is pretty sweet, c’mon now,” he gave a blank stare. “Hope you’re not gonna say Jackeyam.”
“Jacktirey?” You asked, undecided. “She’s an anklebiter.”
“Oh, for sure.” 
“Could be Jack the Ripper, Bojack Horseman, Jack-in-a-box. Jack-o-lantern.”
“All people, of course.”
“Yeah, all people.” You snapped your fingers in mock-remembrance. “Hit the road Jack.” 
“Oh wow, even him?” Jake lowered his voice, leaning towards you, mocking astonishment. “Legendary figure, that guy.”
“Jack of All Trades.”
“Well, that ikran really seems to be one to me.”
“I know, right?” You stopped, and he saw that thought process, and before he could open his mouth, you blurted it out. “Unlike a certain someone I know.”
“You punk.” Jake pushed you lightly by your shoulder. “You’re pushin’ it.”
You smiled with all your teeth at him, with hands on your calves, leaning down to act cute, and Jake could pretend this was normal. That he’d fixed everything. And all was right in the world now that you were laughing with him — he’d made you smile. . 
But suddenly you looked scared, looking at something over his shoulder, shrunken pupils focusing on him and whatever it was rapidly. It kicked him awake from his delusion. He tensed, tail jumping upwards, straight as a rod. “What is it, sweetheart? What’s wrong?”
Your breath hitched, and the next thing he knew, you had pushed him away, and he was falling towards the water. The last thing he saw was only a blur of you — the bioluminescent bugs became shooting stars with a thread of glow left behind them, the whole world tilted, but he didn’t hit the water, instead, he rolled down the small slope he had to climb to reach the tree. 
Disoriented, he saw the root was almost split in half — bullet marks, a cloud of splinters and debris was flying around where he used to be sitting. 
A lone avatar just ahead. Having made it all the way to the Tree of Souls. He didn’t know where this man had come from. 
Heart picking up and roaring in his ears, all Jake could think about was, One chance. 
He hadn’t even spoken to you properly yet, hadn’t said all the things he wanted to, hadn't even gotten your word, and this man — this son of a bitch — humans had taken you once again. 
Once again. 
You will only have one chance. 
“Lucky asshole,” the man looked at him behind the barrel of the long assault rifle. “Gonna make you pay for what you pulled yesterday.”
Your ethereal smile going up in smokes at the back of his head, Jake saw red.  
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junimatcha · 2 months ago
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a cozy night in ⋆.ೃ࿔*:・
It’s late evening, and a gentle rain taps against the window as you sit curled up on the couch, wrapped in a soft blanket. The kids were asleep, and you and your husband could finally relax after the chaos of the day. The warm glow of the fireplace casts a golden hue over the room, creating a perfect, intimate atmosphere. Nanami is in the kitchen, preparing a light snack for the two of you. You can hear the clinking of plates and the soft hum of his favorite classical music in the background.
He steps into the living room, tray in hand, with a couple of mugs of tea and slices of your favorite cake. You wondered when he had the time to go and get it for you. His calm, composed smile softens the moment he sees you waiting for him, his eyes filled with warmth that only you ever get to see. He sits beside you, setting the tray on the coffee table before turning his full attention to you.
Without a word, Nanami leans in and presses a soft kiss to your forehead, his usual reserved nature melting away in the comfort of your shared space. "How was your day?" he asks in his deep, soothing voice as he hands you a steaming mug.
You tell him about the small, mundane details of your day—things you wouldn’t bother to tell anyone else, but with him, it feels different. He listens intently, his hand gently resting on yours, thumb brushing over your knuckles. Even the simplest conversation with him feels like a grounding force, his steady presence always keeping you balanced.
As you sip your tea, the two of you settle into an easy rhythm, talking about the little things and dreaming about the future. Nanami’s arm eventually finds its way around your shoulders, pulling you closer to his side. You lean into him, feeling the rise and fall of his chest as he breathes, the quiet, reassuring hum of his heartbeat steadying you.
The rain outside provides a calming backdrop, filling the silence between your words. He runs his hand absentmindedly through your hair, his touch gentle and comforting.
“We need to do this more,” he says quietly, his voice carrying a hint of something rare—relaxation. You smile, feeling the weight of the world melt away in moments like these, knowing that you’ve carved out this peaceful space together. Your husband has been busy at work, so this was a rare slither of time you guys had together.
“I miss you,” resting your head on his shoulder, feeling his warmth and the safety that comes with being next to him. Nanami turns his head slightly and presses a soft, lingering kiss to the top of your head. “I’m sorry love, we should take a trip,” he murmurs, his usual serious tone giving way to something softer, more intimate. “Just you and me.”
Your heart swells, and you close your eyes, savoring the moment. With Nanami by your side, everything feels right, even in the simplest of moments.
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blackbat05 · 5 months ago
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Open Up
Jason Todd x Library Assistant! Reader
Plot: With a little help, you overcome your internal prejudice with an enigmatic patron.
Rating: PG-13
A/N: Had another writer’s block so really thankful for @the-slumberparty events as always! This is yet another of my self-indulgent pieces but I hope you enjoy it! Thanks for the unwavering support!❤️
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My choices:
🍧Mint Chocolate: the loner – mint chocolate is an acquired taste, so it is that one of your characters is of a similar flavour. A loner is brought out of their shell. 
🥄Cherries: meet-cute – this can be fluffy or a stereotypical first meeting gone wrong 
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“It’s him again!” Miriam, the librarian whispers into my ear as I’m shelving back each book to its rightful place. I carefully climb down from the stool and observe the same man with a streak of white hair and an impressive physique to boot select another book from the Literature section.
Though a frequent visitor of the library, he was a lone wolf. Unlike patrons who greeted each other or strike up conversations, he was a lone wolf. No mingling, just quiet reading for two hours and he was out of the library to only be back the next day with the same routine. Not that it was an issue. He was easy on the eyes. Scary, but definitely easy on the eyes.
“If only I was single,” Miriam sighs fondly. “You have no idea what it’s doing to my woman parts.”
“Miriam!” I gasp, completely ignoring for a millisecond that I almost yelled at my supervisor. My supervisor who’s twenty years older but way cooler than I would ever be. She shrugs, “I just said what all women needed to hear.” She moves closer to me, thrusting a book into my hands.
“What is this?” I asked, afraid to hear her answer.
“Conversational material.” Miriam gently pushes me in the direction where our most frequent patron of the Gotham Public Library has disappeared to. “I got the circulation desk covered.” She winks and I’m not sure if regret ever sharing with her my relationship status that was as dead as a slug.
I walked towards the literature section and made my way further down to the sitting area beside the huge glass windows that stretched towards the ceiling, allowing natural light to give a warm glow to the area.
There he was, sitting casually on the maroon sofa, book in one hand and completely oblivious to the world around him.
I’m rooted to the ground, mesmerized at how his emerald eyes skim through each page carefully, capturing the essence of each word. I nearly fall into a stupor just watching this man when he suddenly closes the book and stares straight at me.
I give a squeak and my cheeks heat up. I must look like a creep to him. My brain tells me to get away from there and pretend that nothing ever happened but my feet are unsurprisingly stubborn. The man stands up to full height and my heart races a beat quicker with each step he takes closer to me.
Quick, come up with a good excuse so that he doesn’t chew you out and humiliate you for the rest of your life!
Before I can defend myself, he beats me to the punch. Not in the way that I expected.
“Hi, you’re the librarian right?”
I’m stunned for a second and have to mentally slap myself back into reality.
“Yeah! Actually, library assistant. How can I help you?” My words come out in a nervous blur and I bite the inside of my cheeks. So much for keeping my cool in front of a mysteriously handsome guy.
“Well, I was wondering if you had any good recommendations. I’ve blitzed through entire sections and re-reading Jane Austen for the fifth time isn’t exactly therapeutic.” His chuckle causes my heart to skip a beat.
“Oh darn, the reading block huh? Well there’s no such thing as that- I mean grammar wise, but I totally know how you feel, how about we go this way?” I direct him to the other section.
“It’s still Literature but it’s written by authors from different countries, different genders and colors.” I explain. “I always like to say that books widen your worldview.” I ramble, unaware of his green eyes piercing intensely into mine.
“Sorry,” I squeak sheepishly. “Am I talking too much? I’ll leave you to it.” I’m about to scurry away and possibly find a corner to die of embarrassment when he holds my wrist gently but firmly.
“I like it.” He gives me a smile that makes my belly do a couple of backflips. “Do you think you could recommend me one to start off?” His request is simple but so genuine that despite his intimidating appearance, I can’t help but to be drawn to this lone wolf that comes to the library every evening.
“Sure. How about Welcome to the Hyunnam-dong Bookshop?” I suggest. “I read it while I was feeling a little lost in life. Kind of a comfort book really.” I carefully pick out a hard cover book and wait with bated breath for his reaction.
He takes the book from me and I notice the scars on his hand are plenty - some superficial, some deep. I’m curious, but I know it’s not my place to pry. After all, the library is a safe place for everyone to be themselves.
Eyes quickly scanning through the summary of the book, he flips the books to the front and stares at it for a few more seconds before coming to a decision.
“It’s perfect.”
***
I learn that his name is Jason.
The next couple of days are no different. He comes in at exactly six on the dot in the evenings. He’ll wait for me patiently if I’m occupied with a patron and we’ll head to one of the many shelves for me to pick out another recommendation. Today was a children’s novel, The Boy At The Back Of The Classroom.
“The author intended to target younger kids as her demographic,” I explain. “But the way she explained the struggles of refugees in a simple yet impactful way through the lenses of a child, was beautiful to read as an adult.”
As always, Jason thanks me for the help. But this time, he doesn’t check the book out at self-help. I’m wondering if he wants more than one book when-
“When do you finish work?”
“Excuse me?” You tilt your head slightly, unsure if you had heard him correctly. Jason coughs to fill the silence and gathers enough courage to repeat his question.
“I was thinking if you don’t have any plans, we could have dinner?” He asks. “I know a place and we could read there. The owner won’t mind.”
My delayed response almost screws everything up when Miriam comes to my rescue.
“Of course she’ll love to! You’ve earned the time off! Go and enjoy your weekend!” She makes a shooing motion and when Jason isn’t looking, she winks at me.
“I’ll love to.” I reaffirm and the delight on his face is absolutely adorable for someone of his stature.
The more I get to know this enigma of a man, I discover more aspects of him that seem to draw me closer like a moth to the flame.
***
I’m usually not like this.
When a book gets my attention, I’ll blitz through chapters at one shot, eager to find out what happens next to the main character.
But I can’t seem to find the focus as I’ve been stuck on the same page of my latest romance novel for ten minutes, taking occasional peeks at the gorgeous man intently reading in front of me. I cover my face with the book, not wanting to appear like a creep when all he wanted was a reading buddy.
I’m starting to get fidgety and I really want to see how his nose scrunches up when he’s engrossed in the material in front of him. How he cracks his right knuckle after every chapter. How he smiles and frowns at the joy and injustices the character faces.
What I didn’t expect to see was Jason fondly watching me as I supposedly attempted to read my own book. My cheeks heat up at the sudden attention.
“Do I have something on my face?” I ask.
“You’re pretty when you’re reading.” Jason says as a matter of fact, ignoring my question. I’m sure that I’m flaming red as a tomato but this only causes him to break into a boyish grin. I’m at a loss so I end up putting the book back in front of my face, earning a chuckle from him.
He reaches out and takes the book out of my hands, putting it aside.
“Do you know why I’ve read Austen five times?”
I shrug. “I thought you just really liked the book. Predictability brings comfort. Knowing how the story ends.”
Jason shakes his head. “I was hoping you would come over and help a guy out. But I guess I was too afraid. I didn’t want to scare you. Most people don’t approach someone like me for a casual conversation.” He gestures and a pang of guilt hits me for immediately stereotyping him during my first encounter.
“I guess that makes two of us.” I say. “I was amazed at your extensive reading choices and I can’t deny that I’ve been trying to work up my courage to talk to the handsome patron at aisle eighteen.”
Jason’s eyes twinkles at my sudden confession. The man in front of me is no longer the big, scary lone wolf. All I see is a man who has come to seek for genuine human connection in the form of art. A man who is sensitive and hopes that someone would be able to embrace his vulnerability.
I know this because that is what I have been looking for all this time.
The owner reminds us that the cafe would be closing soon and we take our leave, walking under the cool spring breeze. On normal days, I wouldn’t be out this late but Jason’s presence is enough to lower my senses to the potential dangers that Gotham has to offer.
While exchanging more talks about books, we reach the bottom of my apartment.
“Thank you for the amazing night. I loved it.” I sincerely thank Jason.
He doesn’t move from his spot, fists jammed tightly in the pockets of his hoodie. It’s endearing that Jason doesn’t want to rush things even though he can. Funny for a man that I once considered mysterious is an open book.
For the first time in my life, I decide to take the first steps. I kiss him on the cheek, allowing myself to linger before pulling away to see Jason smiling bigger than I’ve ever seen before.
“I’ll see you tomorrow at the library?”
“I’ll be there.”
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ppomumgranatum · 8 months ago
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when time runs out, what comes after?
Available on Ao3
Pairing: Sebastian Sallow x f!MC; Ominis Gaunt x Anne Sallow
tags: one shot, you POV, post-Hogwarts life
word count: 6.9k
Warnings: 🔞 angst as fuck, use of profanities, smut, 18+ explicit sexual content, adult characters, mild fingering, grief sex?
Summary: Because time is like a relentless river that will eventually run its course. Yet, amidst the uncertainty of what lay ahead, you found solace in the knowledge that new beginnings awaited. And you can’t wait to start your new journey with Sebastian.
Notes: I was watching FB and somehow Queenie and Jacob reminded me of Ominis and Anne. Then it led me into thinking about what life could've been for our MC and it got me feeling sappy as fuck like???? Tbh idk what this is? but enjoy it, anyway.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm, golden glow over the quaint hamlet of Feldcroft, the autumn breeze enveloped the village in a serene embrace. The sky was painted with hues of orange, pink, and purple as if nature itself was bidding farewell to the day in a grand display of colours.
Over the years after the quaint little village was free from the gruesome terror enacted by goblins and dark wizards, Feldcroft has beautifully regained its liveliness.
In the centre of it all, a lively marketplace had sprung up, illuminated by the soft glow of lanterns and fairy lights. Stallholders peddled their wares– handcrafted jewellery, knitted scarves, jars of homemade preserves– their voices mingling with the laughter and chatter of the crowd.
The place that Sebastian once called home now truly feels like home.
His childhood house is now occupied by Ominis and his sister Anne. His best friend had promised that when they graduated, he would stay with Anne and take care of her with whatever time she had left. That was three years ago, and they’ve been living together ever since. Meanwhile, you and Sebastian found purpose living in the city. Your careers are thriving and you found solace in each other's company, living in a little space you happily share.
After your triumph over Ranrok, you had managed to gradually learn how to wield your ancient magic to its potential. Although you’ve not truly mastered how to completely cure diseases or curses yet, you found a way to somehow ease it. And that’s what you’ve been doing for Anne. Your effort managed to give more years to her life, hoping one day you would eventually master your magic to cure her.
You and Sebastian would regularly visit Feldcroft to do your mending routine on Anne, and this weekend was one of the occasions.
The breeze enveloping the hamlet felt like a gentle caress as it danced through the narrow path you were sharing with Sebastian. You were returning home after a quick grocery trip to the marketplace, accompanied by your boyfriend, who gallantly carried the grocery bag with one arm while the other was wrapped around you.
When you entered the house, Ominis and Anne were seated at the dining table, already eagerly awaited for your arrival. Your brows furrowed at the sudden lively greeting from the couple, “What’s going on?”
“There’s something we’d like to share.” The grin on Anne’s face was suspicious yet delightful.
“Come, have a seat.” Ominis’ tone was rushing the both of you to do as he said.
You and Sebastian quickly exchanged glances, feeling just a tad worried at what the other two had in mind, before finally doing what Ominis had asked.
After Sebastian put aside the grocery bag on the table, Anne quickly grasped his brother’s hand with that grin that has yet to dissipate, “You guys are freaking me out. What’s going on?” Sebastian said.
“Okay, Ominis and I were talking and we’ve been thinking about this for quite some time now..” Anne began slowly, “We have decided that..”
“We want to get married..” Ominis quickly picked up on Anne’s sentence, tone filled with excitement.
“Oh my god!” You exclaimed, equally excited, “That's wonderful news.”
“..Tomorrow.” Anne completed the sentence that was apparently unfinished.
“What?” The tone of Sebastian’s voice dropped, “What do you mean tomorrow?”
“As in the day after today, Sebastian.” She clarified like Sebastian was a Flobberworm.
“Yes, I know what tomorrow means.” He was ticked off by the treatment, “But what– how– why so soon?”
“Why not?” Anne sounded disappointed that Sebastian wasn’t as excited.
“Are you pregnant?” Sebastian bluntly and inconsiderately shot his chance.
“What?!”
“Sebastian!”
“No, I am not!”
Sebastian's face winced at the overlapping aggravation that came out of everyone, “What? It’s a valid question.”
“You don’t think it’s a good idea?” The timbre in Anne’s voice made you feel bad for her.
“Of course, I think it’s a fantastic idea to get married.” He was quick to reassure her, trying not to sound lacking in spirit, "But don't you want more time to prepare for something like this?"
Anne sighed softly, her disappointment evident as she exchanged a glance with Ominis, who seemed equally deflated by Sebastian's response, "It's just.. we've been together for quite some time now." Anne began, her voice tinged with a hint of sadness. "And we don't want to wait any longer than we have to."
“And it’s not like we got a selection of family to invite.” Ominis added, “You guys are our family.”
Sebastian’s turned to you like he was looking for an extra pillar of certainty. And his expression softened with understanding dawning in his eyes when he was met with your supportive smile.
“I’m sorry,” He tightened his grip on his sister’s hands, “I didn’t mean to dampen your excitement. If this is what you both want, then I’m behind you one hundred percent.”
You nodded in agreement, "We're here for you, whatever you need. And if tomorrow is the day you want to have a wedding, then we'll make sure it's perfect."
Anne's face brightened at your words, gratitude shining in her eyes. "Thank you," she said softly, her voice filled with emotion.
“I can’t believe tomorrow you’re going to be Mr. and Mrs. Gaunt.” You're basically kicking and giggling at the thought of your two best friends finally sharing their names.
“Sallow.” Ominis corrected, “It’s going to be Mr. and Mrs. Sallow.”
Sebastian couldn’t help but smile ear-to-ear, “That sounds even better.”
Everyone seemed to be filled with joy at the decision. But you understood where Sebastian’s suspicion stemmed from. If they were so worried about waiting, why not three years ago? And if there wasn't any particular urgency, why does it have to be tomorrow?
While everyone was exchanging joyous hoots and gazes, your eyes met with Anne’s and you almost didn’t notice that tiny twinge of gloom behind the yawning grin on her face. But it was there, ever so subtle. The sight gave you a small discomfort but you didn’t want to ruin the mood.
So you pushed the thought aside and were ready to get on with the dinner you promised everyone you’d prepare. There’s no room for anything but delight when a celebration awaits everyone tomorrow.
-
Since the wedding practically only had an invitation for two, naturally, you became the maid of honour. Today your service and dedication were solely in the courtesy of Anne Sallow to make sure that you had everything perfectly prepared for her.
As the bride settled into the chair in front of the vanity, you stood behind her, ready to assist with her makeover. With gentle hands, you brushed through the thinned and fragile strands of her hair, feeling the delicate strands beneath your touch. Taking Anne's fragile hair into account, you opted for a gentle half-up, half-down that would be both elegant and comfortable. Soft tendrils framed her face, lending a touch of romance to the look without adding any unnecessary strain.
Once it was arranged to perfection you moved onto her makeup, selecting colours that would enhance her natural beauty without overpowering her delicate features. You couldn't help but notice the prominence of her cheekbones like a stark reminder of the weight loss she had endured. Her complexion, though still beautiful, lacked the healthy flush of vitality it once held.
While you were intently putting your best work into Anne, both of you shared jokes and stories to accompany the duty. She had a way of making even the most mundane moments feel effortless and joyful. Her laughter was infectious, and her ability to find humour in any situation never failed to lift my spirits. Despite everything she had endured, Anne's eyes still sparkled with a glimmer of mischief and resilience.
As you shared laughter and fond memories, Anne suddenly clutched her abdomen, her face contorted in pain. Your heart skipped a beat as you realised the source of her distress—it was the curse. With a surge of panic, you hurried to grab your wand and kneeled beside the chair where she was sitting. Anne attempted to contain the pain at first, her efforts were evident in the furrow of her brow and the tight grip of her hands on her abdomen. But soon, the intensity became too much to bear, and despite her best efforts, a soft yet pained groan escaped her lips.
You had one hand holding hers, allowing her to clutch into yours while your other hand began to work your wand, channelling your ancient magic to help her ease the pain. Your heart clenched at the sound of her agony and your hands trembled with fear.
“Hang in there, Anne..” Your voice provided soothing comfort. You could tell the magic was slowly doing its work as the grip on your hand loosened and Anne regained control of her breathing, “I’m here..”
You stayed by her side, hand never leaving hers like a silent comfort as the magic continued to work its healing touch. After Anne's strength gradually returned, she managed to open her eyes and gave you a knowing smile, “I’m alright now.. Thank you.”
You put down your wand so both of your hands can grasp into hers. Worry still settled over you. It was only yesterday since you did your mending on Anne. The effect would usually last her a month– or two even when she was doing so well. But for it to not even last twenty-four hours meant the curse was only getting stronger, and your magic was becoming futile.
“How long?” You began to ask. Your voice was soft but still laced with anguish.
Anne let out a heavy sigh before answering, “Almost six months now..” Her breathing was still a little bit unsteady, "I’ve noticed the effects have been getting shorter and shorter.”
“Oh, Anne.. why didn’t you tell me.” Your heart ached even more knowing she must have endured it on her own.
“I didn’t know how to.” She admitted.
As a deep sense of despair washed over you, you couldn't help but grasp the gravity of the circumstances. Meeting her gaze, you glimpsed a reflection of your own emotions mirrored in her eyes. While kneeling beside her, you took a moment to observe the woman before you, her faint smile betraying the anguish she must have been enduring.
How awful it must’ve been to pretend everything was fine while she was crumbling inside.
“Does Ominis know?”
She nodded, “Not long ago.” Anne didn’t have to say it, but now you understand the underlying reason for the impulse on the wedding, "I tried to hide it for a while, but that man knows me too well not to find out something was wrong."
"How are you feeling?" You gently asked like a fragile little petal that she was. There were layers of concern in your voice.
She hesitated for a moment like she was contemplating whether to share the truth, "Not so good." disappointment coloured both her expression and tone, “I knew it couldn’t cure me. But I truly thought it would still last me forever, you know.”
“I know..” Your thumb caressing the back of her hand, "I thought so, too."
She let out a heavy sigh, "Well, it was good while it lasted."
“Have you told Sebastian?"
"Not yet. Not today," she said, eyes glistening with unshed tears. "I just want to get married to the man that I love and pretend, at least for this day, that I am not withering."
You felt a surge of empathy for Anne. Despite her hardships, there was a quiet determination in her voice. She just wished to find joy amidst the challenges she faced.
"You don't have to pretend with us."
"I know that." She smiled softly, "But it makes me feel a little bit better. Just for today."
She lifted her trembling hand to gently stroke your hair. And when her eyes met yours, the sorrow that reigned over her eyes pierced through you, shattering your heart into a million pieces.
"You have no idea how grateful I am that Sebastian's questionable behaviour ended up being the thing that brought you two together.” You chuckled at her remarks, and the twitch in your eyes finally allowed the tears that had been so desperate to fall to cascade down your cheeks, "And I'm grateful to have found a sister in you."
At that moment, neither of you could hold back the tears any longer. The floodgates of emotion burst open, releasing a torrent of tears that had been held back. Amidst the overwhelming grief, there was also a profound sense of gratitude for the strength you had found in the brief but powerful bond you shared with her.
"You can fight this." You choked out, "Please.. Just a little bit more, Anne. I'm getting better with my magic. I think I'm almost there."
"No.." She shook her head, "I don't think I can wait anymore."
You nestled your head on her lap, finding solace in her gentle touch as she continued to stroke your hair. It felt as though she was the one offering comfort.
“Promise me.” She said softly, “That you’ll watch over them when I’m not around. Merlin knows what those boys will do without supervision.”
And once more, amidst the tears and sobs, a faint chuckle escaped from both of you. It was a moment of bittersweet release.
And when you lifted your head, you met Anne's gaze with a solemn nod, though your heart felt heavy with the weight of her request. "I promise," You vowed, "I won't go anywhere. But you have to know, Anne.. I could never replace you."
“You already have.” She reached out to wipe the tears that streamed down your cheeks, “When I'm gone, they’ll have no one but you in this world. You are their family– my family. You have to understand that you mean the world to all of us.”
You took a heavy, deep breath, trying to stifle the uncontrollable sobs threatening to consume you. But it was no use– each inhale and exhale only trembled more with emotion. The thought of Sebastian and Ominis losing Anne, the person they loved, filled you with crushing despair. You couldn't bear the idea of witnessing their pain, knowing that you held the power within you to help her, if only you knew how.
Everything felt agonisingly close yet impossibly out of reach, leaving you feeling utterly helpless in the face of Anne's impending fate.
You don't want to lose her.
"I wish we had more time."
“You gave us more time when we thought there was none left. You gave me a chance to live, to love Ominis, and Sebastian..." Her voice trembled from the emotion, "You have no idea how much joy you've brought back into his life. And you've given me the gift of witnessing that happiness.” She managed to put up a smile and you wished she didn’t. Pretending was no longer necessary, and you wanted her to feel free to express her true emotions, “You have given me a lifetime. And for that, I owe you everything.”
You reached out and pulled her into a tight hug, holding her close while trying to imprint every moment of this precious connection into your memory. This could be one of the few last hugs you'd be able to share with her, and you wanted to cherish every second of it.
"Alright, that's enough tears for now," she said gently, pulling away and wiping your tears. "You've got to save it for when I'm actually dead."
“Anne!” You protested at the inappropriate joke. Although you’ve got to admit there was a mix of amusement inside of you at her attempt to lighten the mood.
“I’m sorry.” A faint smile playing on her lips.
The both of you shared a final chuckle before you set to work on redoing Anne's makeup, realising that almost everything was ruined from the intense sobbing. But you didn't mind– in fact, you welcomed the opportunity to spend more time with her, cherishing every moment you had left together.
After you finished, you picked up your wand and cast a spell on Anne's clothing. In an instant, she was adorned in a stunning white dress, radiating an ethereal beauty that took your breath away.
You took a moment to cast the same spell on your own clothes, transforming them into attire more suitable for the event. You left Anne to rest inside and headed outside to begin setting up for the ceremony this evening.
Working your wand with precision, you crafted a beautiful yet intimate setting in the confines of their backyard. Despite the limited space, you conjured an enchanting atmosphere, transforming the modest surroundings into a magical haven fit for a wedding. The flowers bloomed in colourful bursts, intertwining with lush greenery to create a picturesque backdrop for the ceremony.
Despite the simplicity of the setup, every detail was carefully curated to evoke a sense of intimacy and romance, ensuring that Anne's special day would be nothing short of unforgettable.
While you were immersed in the enchanting setup, you were surprised by the sudden embrace that came behind you, “Hello, beautiful.” Unable to resist the exposed skin from your updo hair, he planted tender kisses along your neck. Sebastian is always such a tease.
With a soft smile, you leaned into his embrace, “I’m doing something here.” you teased, but still couldn't help but enjoy the affectionate gesture.
Sebastian chuckled then nuzzled his head into your neck. His warm breath sent shivers up and down your spine, "Anything I can help with?" he whispered in your ear. You could feel his strong arms wrapped around you, holding you close.
Just as you finished with your setup, you leaned back against his strong frame, feeling completely secure in his arms. "You can be here with me, holding me."
A comfortable silence settled between the two of you, taking in the intimate moment and the romantic decor. The scene before you stirred thoughts of your own future wedding, prompting a gentle curiosity about when that moment might come.
"How's Anne doing?" Sebastian's voice broke the silence, drawing your attention.
You turned to face him, a smile tugging at the corners of your lips as you loop your arm around his neck, drawing him closer. "Very happy," You replied softly, "She's ready."
“Ominis is, too.” There was a mix of joy and relief in his face,“I’m so glad they finally get to have their happy ending.”
His words hit you hard. Sebastian remained unaware of the true extent of Anne’s condition. Because the happy ending he thought she’s having isn’t as perfect as it seemed.
“Are you alright?” He noticed the change in your expression.
You nodded, masking the trouble brewing inside.
“Are you sure?” He persisted. His voice sounded more concerned this time.
You wanted to confide in him, but it didn't feel right. Anne deserved to share the news with her brother herself. "I just think it's a beautiful day for a wedding," you lied.
Sebastian smiled, leaning in to give you a sweet kiss on your lips, his affectionate gesture momentarily distracting you from the weight of the secret you carried.
-
As the ceremony finally commenced, you and Sebastian stood side by side, bathed in the glow of the evening sun. The gentle breeze carried the soft rustle of leaves and the sweet scent of wildflowers, adding to the serene ambience of the outdoor setting. In the distance, the rolling hills provided a breathtaking backdrop for the intimate gathering.
Anne, radiant in her flowing white dress, walked down the aisle with grace, her eyes sparkling with love and anticipation. Ominis stood at the altar, his expression a mixture of nerves and excitement as he awaited his bride.
The sound of their vows filled the air, heartfelt and sincere, weaving a tapestry of promises and dreams for the future.
It was time for them to exchange rings. And finally, as they shared their first kiss as husband and wife, the world seemed to stand still, capturing the beauty and magic of this momentous occasion. You and Sebastian watched with pride and happiness, your hearts overflowing with love for the newlyweds.
But the joyous atmosphere shattered in an instant as Anne fell to the ground, her agonising scream piercing the air. Shock and fear gripped everyone present as they rushed to her side. The curse had struck once again.
The pain seemed to be worse than before because Anne's consciousness began to fade. Ominis lifted and carried her inside while his face etched with fear and worry. You and Sebastian followed closely as Ominis gently laid his bride on the bed.
You quickly tended to her side and began using your magic to ease her pain once again while Ominis sat beside you, holding Anne’s hand tightly in his own.
Sebastian stood by, watching his sister fighting her pain, feeling utterly helpless. Her screams tore at his heart, shredding it into pieces.
He finally began to realise the true situation of Anne’s condition.
Unable to bear the sight any longer, he stormed out of the house, his breath ragged from the onslaught of negative emotions. He wandered aimlessly, searching for a space where he could calm himself down and gather his thoughts.
-
After tending to Anne's needs and ensuring she had something to eat to regain her strength, you realised that Sebastian had been conspicuously absent. Concerned, you stepped outside and immediately knew where to find him. Following the familiar path atop the hill that overlooked the hamlet, you remembered how Sebastian always loved this spot for its breathtaking view of the village below.
Upon reaching the hilltop, you were greeted by the sight of your lover, standing at the edge and gazing out over the village. The fading light of the setting sun casted a warm glow over the landscape.
Sebastian's shoulders were tense, his hands clenched into fists at his sides as he stared into the distance. You approached him quietly, the soft crunch of gravel beneath your shoes barely audible over the gentle rustle of leaves in the breeze.
You stood just a little bit behind him, giving him the space he needed to collect his thoughts. Despite the distance, you could feel the stress emanating from him.
"You knew, didn't you?" He finally said, breaking the silence. You expected something sharp and judgemental coming out of him, but there was none of it. His stare remained fixed in the distance.
You nodded even though he couldn't see it, "Just today."
"Did she tell you how long ago?"
You hesitated for a moment, "Six months."
Sebastian scoffed and his expression hardened, his eyes narrowing with a hint of anger. "Six fucking months," he muttered, "Why didn't she tell us sooner?"
You felt a pang of guilt at his tone, knowing that Anne's decision to keep her condition a secret had hurt him deeply, "I think she was trying to protect us."
He shook his head and his jaw clenched tightly. "Protect us?" he repeated, voice rising with emotion. "From what exactly? From the tremendous amount of pain we’re already living with every single day? We're her family, for Merlin’s sake, we should have been there for her."
You knew that Anne's silence had shaken him to the core, and the road ahead would be filled with challenges as they grappled with the consequences of her decision.
"I should’ve been there for her." The quiver of regret was evident this time, “How many times have we gone to visit her in the past six months? And not once did she mention anything. She pretended like she was alright.”
“That’s exactly why, Sebastian.” You replied gently, "She didn’t want to keep pretending. She just wanted to cherish the time she had left without constantly dwelling on her illness. By allowing her to live her life the way she wants to, we were already there for her."
“But she’s my sister.” His voice cracked with emotions.
“I know..” You murmured, feeling the weight of his pain.
Then, a single tear escaped from the corner of his eyes that was clearly betraying the emotions he struggled to contain. He instinctively turned his head, his hand moving swiftly to brush away the tear.
You wanted to give him space to be in his own vulnerability, so you stood in place.
“To think of the fact that she decided to endure it on her own..” There was so much guilt in his voice. Then he fell quiet for a moment before continuing, “It's funny, isn't it? How time seems to slip through our fingers, no matter how tightly we try to hold on."
You listened in silence, feeling the weight of his words settle over you like a heavy blanket. The realisation that time was finite– that eventually, it would run out.
"We spend our days chasing after hope, trying to cure Anne," Sebastian continued, his voice tinged with a hint of sadness. "But the truth is, time waits for no one. Even for those who possess magic, it marches on, indifferent to our hopes and desires."
It was the first time you’d seen Sebastian being this vulnerable. It only showed how much love he carried for his sister.
"And when it's gone," Sebastian murmured, his voice barely above a whisper, "all we're left with are the memories of what could have been– what I could’ve done for Anne.” His tone carried a sense of despair and it unsettled you deeply. It felt as though the fierce determination of a man who would move mountains to save his sister had been extinguished.
"I just wish I had done more for her," He admitted.
“Hey,” Closing the distance, you gently lifted his chin, urging him to meet your gaze with compassion while his eyes were shimmering with tears, "You've been there for her in more ways than you realise. And she knows that.” His tears flowed more freely at your comforting words. Without hesitation, you cupped his cheeks and brushed away the tears, “She’s made her choice, Sebastian. The most important thing now is to cherish the time we have left with her and make every moment count. Because you can’t go back in time, it only runs out."
As harsh as reality was, Sebastian knew you were telling him what he needed to hear. Because if you don’t make the most of your time, the only thing that will remain is regret.
“I can’t promise you that it will be easy," you continued. "But I can promise you that I'll be here every step of the way."
He closed his eyes, leaning into your touch as if seeking refuge in your warmth. Taking your hand, he pressed a tender kiss to your palm before meeting your gaze, "I don't know what I'd do without you." He whispered,
"You won't have to find out." You replied with a reassuring smile.
Sebastian's eyes held yours, filled with gratitude and a hint of vulnerability. In that shared moment, you both understood the depth of your connection and the support you offered each other.
Then he pulled you into a tight embrace and you yielded to his warmth, feeling the comforting strength of his arms around you. Resting your head against his chest, you listened to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat, a reassuring cadence amidst the uncertainty that surrounded you.
He fell quiet for a moment. Stroking your hair with one hand while the other rubs your back with comfort.
“Thank you.” He finally said.
“What for?”
“Everything.” He whispered as he reflected on how different things could have been for Anne, and how her current happiness was beyond anything he had dared to hope for. “If you asked me five years ago what life would be like for Anne today, I’d say she’d be long gone and buried deep in the ground. I never thought I’d see her get married. This is all happening because of you.”
“You know I would do anything for Anne.” You replied softly.
He pulled away to meet your gaze, “And I would do anything for you.”
There was something special about the way he looked at you, the way his dark eyes were captivated by yours. The warmth of his embrace and the tenderness in his touch made you feel cherished in that moment.
It felt like the world had faded away, leaving just the two of you in a bubble of intimacy. Everything else ceased to exist as you were enveloped by his presence, captivated by the depth of his gaze and the warmth of his embrace.
Sebastian drew nearer, his eyes locking onto yours with intensity. His hand trailed through your hair, tenderly caressing your cheek as he leaned in closer. The sensation of his chest against yours sent your heart into a flurry of anticipation.
It was kind of funny to you, how this man could still make your heart flutter in the most exciting ways ever even after sharing hundreds of kisses.
Right before his lips touched yours, he paused, looking at you intently. The intimacy grew with each passing second as he leaned closer until finally connecting his lips to yours.
Sebastian's touch was sensual, yet tender. There was a delicate balance of passion and tenderness in his kiss. His lips felt warm and inviting, like the gentle warmth of a summer in the middle of the cold autumn breeze.
The kiss deepened and the intensity rose with every passing second. Lost in the kiss, you could feel all the worries and stresses of life wash away– like maybe Anne wasn’t dying, or Ominis wasn’t about to face his worst heartbreak, and Sebastian wasn’t going to lose his sister, and all that was left was the warmth of his touch.
As the weight of everything going on amplified the intensity of your emotions, it also seemed to intensify your desire, heightening every sensation, every touch, every whisper of longing. It was as if the urgency of the moment fueled the fire burning between you and Sebastian.
You didn’t want this to end. You wished you could live in whatever intoxicating illusion this feeling was.
The kiss went on and Sebastian tightened his grip, pulling you closer to him. The sensation of his lips and the heat of his body pressed up against you had your mind spinning. Every touch of his lips on yours was more arousing than the last.
The heat was becoming too intense, and you wanted more.
Sebastian continued to explore your body with his hands, grazing his fingers along your curves. He moved his hands upwards towards your chest and your breath hitched at his touch.
Despite the lust that was slowly eating away your rational thinking, deep inside, in the back of your mind, you had a sudden realisation. Sebastian’s griefing and this felt like an unhealthy outlet. The guilt weighed on your mind but the brunette began trying to unzip your dress.
“Sebastian..” You pulled away and whispered breathlessly against his lips, “You’re grieving.”
He shook his head, “I want you..” He put trails of kisses along your jaw and neck, making everything even more irresistible.
You bit your lip. “Not like this.”
“Please..” He whispered in your ear and you couldn’t hold the soft moan that escaped your lips.
The sensation of Sebastian's kisses sent shivers down your spine, his breath hot on your skin. You tried your best to resist him, but it was becoming too much to bear. And when his hand slid under your dress and touched your heat, temptation took over you and your body yielded under his touch.
“Fuck.. Sebastian.”
"I know you want me, too," He whispered. Your body betrayed your words as you grew wetter with desire. The sensation of his touch on your clit, using your own fluids as a lubricant, sent waves of pleasure through you. At that moment, you no longer wanted him to stop.
Your body responded instinctively to Sebastian's touch. Your back arched into his hand as pleasure washed over you and your hips rolled around to the movement of his finger. Giving in to the pleasure, your eyelids fluttered shut and your head fell backwards.
As Sebastian kissed your collarbone, your dress slipped off your shoulder, exposing more of your skin and eventually revealing your breasts.
Sebastian groaned softly at the sight before him, unable to resist the temptation of your hardened nipple. With eager anticipation, he lowered his lips to take it into his mouth, his fingers continuing their skilful movements. The combination of his touch and his lips against your skin sent your senses reeling.
Your moans were like music to his ears. With each gasp and whimper that escaped your lips, his craving only intensified, driving him to seek out more ways to please you, “Oh darling, I can’t take it anymore.”
He pulled away, allowing your dress to fall to your feet with a soft rustle of fabric. With gentle yet firm hands, he lifted you, then carefully guided you to lie down on the ground beneath you.
As you lay there, the cool earth beneath you provided a stark contrast to the heat of your desire. You watched Sebastian undress himself, his muscles rippling beneath his skin with every movement. With each article of clothing he shed, your anticipation grew, knowing that soon you would be able to feel his warmth inside of you.
When his thick, hard cock came into view, your hand instinctively reached out to touch it, but Sebastian was quick to grab your wrist and pin it above your head. Leaning in close, his hot breath washed over your skin. While his cock, wet with precum, brushed against your stomach. "So eager now, aren’t we?" he whispered huskily.
“Just fuck me already,” you begged so desperately wanting to feel him inside of you.
Sebastian's lips curled into a wicked smile at your boldness. You didn’t have to tell him twice.
With a low growl, he released your wrist and positioned himself between your thighs and without a word, he entered you slowly, savouring every inch of the delicious friction between your bodies. His hand slipped under your thigh and pushed your knee so he could gain better access into your depths.
And just as he expected, the position allowed his length to slide inside you so gracefully deep. As he settled fully inside you, a groan of pleasure escaped his lips.
He began to move and each thrust sent waves of pleasure coursing through you, you surrendered completely to the ecstasy of the moment, lost in the rhythm of Sebastian pumping you, “Ah.. fuck– yes..”
Your moans echoed through the silent night, mingling with the rustling leaves and whistling wind. The sounds of nature seemed to fade into the background and were replaced by the sound of your lusts.
His movement was slow but he hit you deep and right exactly where you wanted him to be. You clenched hard around his cock and it sent him frantic, “You feel.. so damn good..”
Your hand gripped his toned arms, your back arched, and your head leaned back in ecstasy. Without missing a beat of his thrusts, Sebastian seized the opportunity to lavish on your bare skin, trailing kisses along your neck and collarbone.
Then, he took the moment to give your bouncing breasts some attention, taking one in his mouth and sucking it gently. And by Merlin’s beard, this man knew how to multitask.
You spread your legs wide and angled your hips, meeting each of Sebastian's deep thrusts with equal fervour. When his rhythm intensified, the nails of your hand dug into his arm and it elicited a sharp intake of breath that came out of him.
With each thrust, you felt a different kind of connection with Sebastian, a deeper sense of intimacy. It was as if every movement, every caress, carried the weight of the world and the depth of your emotions. This felt more than just physical pleasure– it felt like a shared understanding of the fleeting nature of time and the preciousness of the moments you shared together.
Sebastian brushed aside the strands of hair that obscured your face, his gaze penetrating, filled with a tumult of emotions—lust, grief, love, all swirling together. At that moment, when his eyes locked with yours, you felt the depth of his presence. The way he looked at you, the way he felt inside of you, it was overwhelming– it was so, so good it made you want to cry.
Your legs wrapped around his hips, urging him to delve deeper. Sebastian's deep, husky voice filled the air with a moan, your name escaping his lips in a desperate plea for more, “I.. I love you..” He declared breathlessly, his words laden with raw emotion, “I love you.. so much..”
“I love you too..” You cupped his cheek, pressing your foreheads together, “I-im so.. so close..”
He tightened his embrace around you, his thrusts becoming more urgent as he chased his own climax. With a fervent kiss, he whispered against your lips, "Come with me, darling.”
The intensity built and you felt the tension coil within you, ready to unravel at any moment. And then, as if on cue, you felt it—the wave of pleasure crashing over you. Your body tensed, every nerve ending alive with sensation as cries of ecstasy escaped your lips, filling the air with the sweet sound of your orgasm, “oh fuck– Sebastian!”
With a guttural groan, he cried out your name and reached his peak, his body shuddering with release as he spilled inside of you.
Sebastian collapsed against you, his chest heaving in an attempt to catch his breath. You wrapped your arms around him, basking in the afterglow of your moment.
He kissed the line of your shoulders, then your cheek, and eventually your lips.
As he pulled back slightly, he took a moment to stare at your face, his eyes filled with all of the emotions that were left, like he was trying to memorise every detail, every curve, every expression– he never wanted to forget this moment.
“You’re so beautiful.” He said with a smile that reminded you of all the reasons you fell for him.
“Oh, shut up.” You kissed him to mask the way your cheeks flushed red.
When you both pulled away from the kiss, you found yourselves lingering in the intimacy of the moment. Your noses brushed together softly, eliciting a gentle smile from both of you. Sebastian's fingers traced the contours of your jaw with delicate precision, his touch telling you how much he loves you.
You reciprocated by running your fingers through his hair, feeling the silky strands intertwine with your touch. The closeness between you felt electric.
“Marry me.” He suddenly said and your loving gaze swapped into confusion in an instant.
“What?”
“Marry me.” He repeated, “Today, tomorrow, next week– I don’t care.”
Sebastian's sudden proposal left you speechless as his words sank in slowly. His eyes bore into yours and you searched it for any hint of uncertainty. You know he’s grieving, and this could be just that. “Sebastian..”
“This is not grief talking or merely an after-sex impulse.” He assured you as if he could read your mind, “This is something that I’ve been thinking about for some time. With everything that’s been going on with Anne, don’t you think it’s telling us something?”
He was begging for your consideration, wanting you to believe that he meant every word.
“Cherish every moment we have left, you said.” He stroked your hair with a touch so gentle it felt so tender and reassuring, “You gave me a life to live. And I want to spend the rest of my time loving you.”
You took a deep breath, trying to gather your thoughts amidst the chaotic feelings swirling inside you. Sebastian's proposal was unexpected, but you know it felt right. There was something about his sincerity that was hard to deny.
"Do you really mean it?" You whispered.
"Yes." He brushed a loose strand of hair from your face, his hand lingering by your cheek. "I mean it with all my heart. I want to marry you."
A smile painted across your face, your lips curling into a wide grin. Without any inhibitions, you pulled him into a kiss, expressing your love and acceptance through the tender gesture. The passion ignited once again.
You lost yourself in the intimacy of the moment, wrapped in Sebastian's firm grasp, letting your mind and body surrender to the joy.
Sebastian quickly pulled away, eyes flickered with anticipation when he realised you hadn’t really given your answer, “Wait, is that a yes?”
A playful glint danced in your eyes as you nodded, a grin spreading across your face. “Of course, it’s a yes.”
Sebastian's face lit up with a radiant smile, relief washing over him as leaned in to resume the kiss.
Because time is like a relentless river that will eventually run its course. Yet, amidst the uncertainty of what lay ahead, you found solace in the knowledge that new beginnings awaited. And you can’t wait to start your new journey with Sebastian.
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clonedchaos · 5 months ago
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👟 𝓡𝓲𝓹𝓹𝓵𝓮 𝓔𝓯𝓯𝓮𝓬𝓽 🌸
Orchids and Oranges: A Yasammy Week Special
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Yippee! It's Yasammy Week, brought to you by @yasammyweek! Pardon the late kickoff, had to attend my sister's bridal shower today as well as writing this 2,000 word one shot in one day. I know most ppl here are doing art, but I can't draw, so fanfic it is! Enjoy! <3
Day 1: Hurt/Comfort
Rating: G/PG
Summary: Yaz thought she had left the dinosaurs behind. She thought it was time for her to finally heal… until she came face to face with one on the mainland.
AO3 Version:
Tumblr Version:
Yaz wrapped her arms tighter around Sammy’s waist as she gradually got used to the fluid movement of the stallion below them. The saddle wasn’t the most comfortable or practical of inventions, but Sammy had insisted it was far better than riding bare back.
Yaz let her gaze wander as a smile crossed her lips and her heart gave a little flutter. The maple trees surrounding them were colored in vibrant shades of orange, red, and brown. Despite fall coming to a close, Texas was still as humid as ever. It was the polar opposite of her home upstate— the moment it hit October, the temperature would plummet. 
Yaz had gotten used to the frigid air over the years thanks to her daily morning runs. She would be quite out of her element down here if it weren’t for the months she spent stuck on a tropical island. She’d take the Texas heat over Nublar’s every single time.
And, of course, she loved Texas because of Sammy. Her parents had been the textbook definition of southern hospitality ever since Yaz came down to spend the week with them. Sammy had been a hurricane of energy and enthusiasm ever since her arrival. She talked a mile a minute at any possible opportunity and paraded Yaz around to see every nook and cranny of their land. It had been fun; she knew Sammy had been waiting a long time to introduce her officially to her family-- cattle included.
A pleasant breeze brushed past them, Sammy’s hair tickling Yaz’s nose. Yaz sneezed, the sheer power of the act nearly sending her reeling backwards.
”Bless you!” Sammy immediately chimed in, looking over her shoulder. Her hands held the reins in a loose grip as the stallion came to a stop. His ears and tail twitched. Yaz’s behavior had irked him.
“Sorry about that, bud,” She apologized, patting the horse on the flank. A whistle and nudge from Sammy ushered the stallion forward again. 
The cowgirl kept her eyes on her girlfriend. Yaz felt that wasn’t the appropriate course of action given she was the one guiding the horse down the path. It seemed almost as dangerous as taking your eyes off the road while driving.
”The trees are mighty beautiful, aren’t they?” Sammy cooed with a grin. She reached forward and plucked a leaf out of Yaz’s hair. How long had that been in there?
”It is beautiful, Sammy,” Yaz admitted. Truly, the scenery was gorgeous. The Gutierrez’s land was pure nature’s bliss, all 700 acres of it. She liked to call it “The Eight Wonder of the World.”
Sammy glanced up towards the sky, its colors glowing with muted hues of pink, blue, and purple. “It’s gettin’ late. Perhaps we should head back to the stable.” Her gaze darted to and fro before she leaned forward and whispered, “Ol Kota’s eyesight isn’t as great as it once was.”
Kota nickered in response. Yaz snorted. “I think he heard you.”
"Oh, that wasn't an insult, boy!" Sammy quickly corrected sheepishly, getting a chuckle out of Yaz. Sammy's baby talk toward her critters wasn't at all meant to be taken seriously, but Yaz couldn't help but think it was adorable. 
“I suppose you’re right. Hey, think I could beat Kota in a race?” Yaz asked with a clear undertone of a challenge. If he galloped at full speed, she knew he would be able to overtake her effortlessly. But at his old age, she might just have a chance if he were to trot.
Sammy’s eyes shone as she turned her attention back onto Yaz. “Oh, that’s a gre—“
Kota saw the Triceratops first. The elder stallion reared up onto his back legs. Yaz lost her grip on Sammy and hit the ground hard. The breath drew out of her lungs, leaving her momentarily stunned at the blunt impact. Surely that was going to leave a sizable bruise on her tailbone.
”Woah, boy! Easy… Easy!” Sammy yelped as she tightened the reins and fought for control. Yaz instinctively rolled to the side to avoid getting trampled on by hooves, just barely scraping by with nothing more than a dust cloud in her face.
With her chest heaving in gulps of air, Yaz finally lifted her gaze toward the instigator. A bulky Triceratops stood before them in the path, its head lowered and grazing on the sparse patches of grass that sprung up from the dirt trail. At the stallion’s cry of fear, the herbivore lifted its head. Its horns glinted off the dying sunlight’s rays, the tips sharpened points that could skewer her should the animal desire.
Yaz didn’t know why, but she screamed. She screamed a blood curdling cry that sent the nearby birds scattering. Her hands tore up clumps of dirt as she balled them into a fist. Her heart pounded, she could hear it in her ears and feel the blood coursing through her veins. It was getting hard to breathe. Why could she not breathe? Why couldn't she think? Why was her vision spinning? Was it a concussion, or was she losing it?
The Triceratops bellowed and raked its front leg on the ground. Despite being in fear’s clutches, Yaz subconsciously knew it was about to charge. Suddenly the aspect of getting trampled by a horse seemed far more appealing.
The Triceratops stomped forward, waving its horns threateningly. Yaz couldn’t move. She wanted to pull herself off the ground and bolt toward the nearest tree. She wanted to be safe, to be inside, to be far away from this prehistoric beast. But her body was rooted to the floor, tied down by unseen vines. Despite the adrenaline pulsing through her veins and the chilling numbness of her hands, she could only watch powerlessly as she sat directly in the line of fire.
“Yaz!” Sammy was suddenly right by her side on horseback. Quite literally her knight in shining armor. She extended a hand down to her. Yaz felt a sharp pierce plunge through her heart at the palpable fear she found lying behind Sammy's eyes. “Come on!”
Yaz still felt frozen by invisible roots. She wanted to reach for Sammy. She wanted them to huddle under the blanket fort Sammy had insisted they build in her room last night. Her and Sammy had been at checkers for nearly two hours before Sammy’s mother had called them down for dinner. She wanted to wake up in the morning and breathe in the aroma of fresh, fluffy cinnamon rolls and salted, crisp bacon. Would she ever partake in these memories again? Or would they be snuffed out, much like her life might very well be. If only she could just…
MOVE!
With one hand wrapped around the stirrup, Sammy leaned down and grabbed Yaz by the arm. Yaz knew her girlfriend was strong, like really really strong. Calling her "country strong" wasn't just a cute pet name, it was a fact.
Sammy's rapid maneuver was enough to nudge Yaz up and back into the saddle. With a quick snap of the reins and click of her heels, Sammy ushered Kota forward. The trike missed them by a hair, nearly getting clocked on the muzzle by the stallion's hooves.
Yaz had her arms wrapped around Sammy in a death grip, her face buried against her wool jacket. It felt like she was holding her breath for every second until they had made it safely to the barn. Her chest was tight and sweat rolled down the side of her head. She could barely feel her fingers besides the buzzing, staticky feeling she noticed there.
"Yaz?" 
She looked up with rounded eyes. Sammy released the reins and kicked her leg up and over as she dismounted. Immediately, she turned and extended a hand toward Yaz in a gesture of assistance. "Are you okay?"
No. No she wasn't. With a shaky breath and trembling hand, she reached out. Sammy's hands were worn with numerous callouses; no doubt a result from her long days of working hard on the ranch. Her fingers intertwined with Yaz's. At the touch, the dam holding back her tears finally broke. Yaz sank to her knees and began to sob.
Sammy was right there, kneeling down and pulling her into an embrace. "It's okay, Yaz. I'm here," She cooed, gently rubbing her back in a circular motion. 
Yaz nestled closer to her, hoping Sammy's very presence would be enough to chase away her inner demons. "I... I thought... I thought we'd be done with dinosaurs," She admitted weakly. She hated feeling like this. Vulnerable. It was like she was a little kid all over again; someone who needed to be coddled and comforted by her mother.
"I know..." Sammy replied sympathetically as she rested her head against Yaz's. "I wasn't expecting to see a trike so close to home."
It was getting a little easier to breathe now. Just a little. "Why? Why is it here?" She choked out, closing her eyes.
Sammy grew silent. Yaz didn't expect her to answer that rhetorical question. After all, how in the world would she know what a dinosaur was doing hundreds of miles from Nublar?
Rather, Sammy began to hum. Her tone lilted in a melancholic sway. Yaz seemed momentarily taken aback as her heartbeat began to steady and her limbs slackened. With every rise and fall in tempo, Yaz begun to notice an unmistakable pattern in the rhythm.
Yaz leaned back and cupped Sammy's cheek in her hand. Her eyes still stung, and she knew she probably looked like a bedraggled mess. Right now, that didn't matter. "How do you know that song?"
Sammy leaned into Yaz's touch. "Your mother taught it to me. She knows you've been having a tough time since the island..." She trailed off and averted her gaze.
Yaz relaxed her features and silently urged Sammy to continue. "She told me it used to help you when you were little... and I thought it might help in this situation," She murmured sheepishly and rubbed her arm in embarrassment with flushed cheeks.
Yaz cracked a gentle smile at that and swiftly planted a kiss atop her forehead. "It did help. I'm sorry. For freezing like that..."
"Hey, none of that," Sammy lectured sternly with a good-natured smile. She held both of Yaz's hands in her own. "Just because we're off the island, it doesn't mean those feelings just up and disappeared. But I know you, Yaz. You're the bravest, most stubborn fighter I know. We just need to take baby steps again."
Baby steps. Right. It was like running a marathon; you don't go full sprint right off the bat. You pace yourself until you're further along with the finish line in sight.
"It just... surprised me is all," Yaz continued. The fireflies casted a gentle, infrequent glow across the purple and blue painted sky. "I thought I would be over this. But what if...? What if there are more dinosaurs?" Particularly the ones that would have them for a midnight snack.
"I don't know," Sammy admitted, returning the kiss on Yaz's forehead. "But what I do know is that I'm here if you ever need me. We conquered Nublar together. And if dinosaurs are on the mainland now, we'll conquer that together too. You're stronger than your fears."
Yaz smiled and pulled Sammy close. There was one constant in her life when it came to dinosaurs: Sammy. When her PTSD got the better of her on Manta Corp's island, she was there to help ease her nerves and shift her attention toward other matters. Even if they were states apart, she knew Sammy would just be a phone call away. And that was enough.
"I'll always be here for you, mi rosa. For now, and forever."
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juno-of-wonderland · 10 months ago
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Monster Au: Lord of Thorns route
You stopped cleaning, looking at the horizon, your eyes passing over the rooftops and going straight to the sunset, the colors matching the current autumn, you didn't understand why people didn't stop to admire the beauty that nature had. You stayed still until the moon shone in the sky, going back to work, cleaning the mansion's gargoyles, do you remember that you once heard that these beauties protect and prevent the excessive runoff of water from damaging the stones and here it is so lonely that they end up being their only companions. “Good evening Laylah, Nisha, Ayla, Estela and Luara” “So they have a name” The sudden voice made you let out a scream, jumping back and losing your balance, tripping over your own feet, gravity doing its work and pulling you down, beyond the roof, you dropped your work tool and closed your eyes, bracing for impact, but only the broom hit the ground. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.” You opened your eyes, he held your hand, you knew it was a man from the voice, but you couldn't see clearly because of the hood, but the green glow in his eyes was so intense that it cut through the darkness, keeping you mesmerized and breathless . “(Y/n) are you okay?” A voice shouted from below, one of the mansion's maids. "Hmm? A-Ah, yes I am! I ended up tripping, I’ll go down to get the broom” you stuttered as her screamed, you attention focused downwards When you turned your eyes to the front, he wasn't there, you didn't even notice when he let go of your hand, but the feeling of the glove touching your skin was still there like a ghost. “Be more careful!” The maid screamed You continued looking at the empty space, wondering who he was, you raise your hand and look at it. “Cold…it was cold” you whispered
The trees on the property make you work harder than usual, sure, it's leaf fall season, but why does the butler make you remove even the leaves from the roof? You would never know. You climbed the stairs without rushing, using the metal bars that surrounded the roof, you leveraged yourself, placing your flashlight in the chimney to light your way, already starting to sweep the orange colored leaves, the rhythm and the sound lulling you into work . Without realizing it, that same figure from last night was watching you, waiting for you to get off the edge so that it wouldn't happen again. “How do you know they’re all girls?” He asked You let out a shameful scream, which got a laugh from the guy, embarrassing you even more, your shoulders shrugging as your forehead touched the broom handle. “Um, they faces give me the sensation" you replied without looking at him “huh” he let out a murmur of recognition and remained silent You guys stood in the same place, he looked at the property and you found the courage to speak, taking a deep breath, you asked the most important question. “Who…who are you?” your voice came out almost like a whisper, but his ears seemed to be sharp, because he looked back at you and you looked at him. "You do not know?" He said they seem surprised You remained silent, why would you have to know, unless…he was the owner of the mansion!? No, it wouldn't make sense, you've never seen the owner of the mansion, but you don't think he would be hooded in his own house. “You seem to have reached a conclusion” he said No, you were more confused than ever, but he didn't seem like a bad guy, he even saved you from falling two floors yesterday. “My name is (y/n) and yours?” He blinked, intrigued and surprised, a smile forming on his face. “You gave me your name so quickly… you really don’t know who I am” he laughed low and short, but so attractive “you can call me whatever you want, but a word of advice, a name has great power” You looked slightly irritated and confused at him. "What? You are the devil and you are going to steal my soul? Since it's like that, I'll call you Tetsunotaro.” And oh how that amused him even more.
Nights passed, sometimes whole nights, you didn't understand why he only showed up at night, which he responded with that he was kind of invading someone's territory just to see you, which you swallowed and honestly, he clearly isn't not even trying to be charming, your new friend is naturally charming. "What are you thinking?" Tetsunotaro asked. “How long will they believe I’m coming here to see the stars?” “But it’s the truth, isn’t it?” Tetsunotaro said with a smile “Hehe, I am” you replied with your own smile You looked at the stars, Tetsunotaro was some kind of scholar or a nobleman, he knew so many things that even surprised you, especially the gargoyles, you didn't even know half of the things he told you. “The master is coming back this week” you said suddenly "And even? What kind of man is your master?” Tetsunotaro said, getting closer to you, touching his shoulder, wanting your warmth. "I don't know" "You do not know?" Tetsunotaro cocked his head to the side, eyes wide with curiosity.
“Yeah, well, I've heard a lot of gossip about him, but I don't know if they're true and I've never seen him in person… do you want to hear the things I heard?” Tetsunotaro nodded enthusiastically "I heard he looks like a prince, he is the best at swordsmanship, a little lonely and loves trees, he also has an obsession with dreams, as if he wants to enter it, looking like a physical place" Tetsunotaro narrowed his eyebrows , but not for the reason that you thought “I know, haha, it's a little crazy, ha! The butler said he is an ancestor of a dragon slayer.” Tetsunotaro tensed, his smile didn't waver, nor did you seem to notice his body change as you said a few more things about your employer, he himself got lost in his own thoughts. “Tetsunotaro, can I ask you something?” “Of course, son of man” and there’s your weird but intriguing nickname that Tetsunotaro gave, did you think it was fair "You work?" Tetsunotaro let out a laugh before replying, “No, my parents left me enough money that I wouldn’t worry enough about it.” You squirmed in place, your knee coming closer to your chest, the tone he used left you with a strange feeling, he spoke about them as if they had… “They are” he laid his head on your shoulder “…I’m sorry” you squeezed his hand in comfort “Okay, it’s been…years since this happened.” “…if you need anything, just talk” you said Tetsunotaro looked into your eyes, surprise and relief reflecting and you finally noticed his hair, as black and shiny as the night, but one part of it looked strange. “Thank you” he lifted your hand and entwined his fingers with your, holding it tenderly, placing a kiss on the back of your hand “I was… very lucky to meet you” …That was so natural…damn, you know your face is red and he's smiling, you're sure you saw plenty of protruding fangs. “Hey” you try to distract yourself, pulling your hand “do you think they still exist?” "Who?" “The Dragons” Tetsunotaro smiled, the kind of smile that knows what he's talking about “yes, I believe so”
You were making your way upstairs, when someone touched your shoulder, startling you, the boy laughs lightly. “(Y/n) you really like the stars, don’t you?” An employee named Rain said "Oh yes! I love watching them” “But it would be good if you stayed below today, apparently the master doesn’t come alone” And with those words, several employees hurriedly passed through the same corridor as the two figures, they looked at each other before following. Everyone lined up in two lines next to the door, shoulder to shoulder, with their heads lowered and waiting, the butler walked in the middle, his feet quickly passing over the red carpet and opening the two huge dark wooden doors. “Master, gentlemens, it is a pleasure to have you here” the butler spoke with respect and reverence You risked a look, seeing a well-dressed man who clearly had everything easy in life with three others behind him, these caught your attention the most, dressed in black and with heavy bags and an emblem, the emblem of Noble Bell, monster hunters, your stomach dropped. You had a theory about Tetsunotaro. A theory that there was no way someone like him could be human, his skin was very white and cold, his eyes were so bright and you are sure you saw fangs in his mouth and he was always hooded… these men here and now only increased your suspicions . You looked away, staring at the ground like your savior, the five men passed by and everyone went back to their tasks, you took a deep breath, if you were going to do something it would be quick. You tried to act as normal as possible, walking to the wing that led to the stairs that led to a closed opening in the ceiling, you went up the stairs, opened the little door and there he was, waiting for you, smiling as soon as he saw you. “You need to go” you said His smile disappeared, replacing it with a frown. “Is it because of the hunters?” Tetsunotaro asked “Yes” you said and nodded “Are you afraid of me now?” “…I don’t really know what you are, but Tetsunotaro, what you are doesn’t matter, but who you are and you are my friend, my dear friend” You spoke with all your heart The man seemed ecstatic but hesitant, he looked at the moon and then at you, you hadn't fully left the opening yet, he walked towards you and held out his hand, helping you to stand, he held your chin so you could look directly into his eyes and for the first time he took off his hood. You held your breath, for the first time seeing his full face, seeing his horns and realizing who you were talking to all these nights. "You are-" “Lords of Thorns!” An arrow flew towards the two of you, Tetsunotaro took it out of the way with a single hand, growling at the newcomer, he held you by the waist, close to his body. “Release this human!” The hunter proclaimed Which had the opposite effect, because Tetsunotaro only held you closer to him. “Of course a proud creature like you wouldn’t cooperate.” A second voice, this time from behind Tetsunotaro and your only question: HOW THE HELL DID HE GET UP!? THE MANSION HAS TWO FLOORS! The man glanced sideways and his annoyance increased, as did his amusement.
“Flame” he said, like some kind of old friend You stretched your head, managing to see the hunter with black clothes, gray hair and a tired, serious face and with that black cloak, you also noticed the sword in his hands. The man looked sick, swinging his shining sword to the side. “Your dirty soul is trying to corrupt this sheep, this is not something I can allow, Draconia” the man, Flame, said with determination “I can't” Draconia said, as if he were talking about the weather This attitude only made the hunters angrier, another arrow was shot and Flame threw himself forward, the arrow went straight through while the sword didn't hit any matter. Tetsunotaro began to float above the men, holding you like his precious treasure in his arms. He throws himself to the ground, running at surprising speed into the forest, the two hunters unable to catch up to the vampire lord. After some time,you struggled in his arms, leaving him confused, he slowed down until he stopped, placing you on the ground, he could hear your heart pumping blood at full speed. “I’m sorry” the man said sullenly like a kicked dog. You moved your hand, waving that it was nothing, waiting for the adrenaline to subside and your heart to calm down. “Will you come with me…do you (y/n)?” Draconia extended her hand for you to hold
What will you do?
⬜hold the hand ⬜ do not hold
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onyourmarkks · 5 months ago
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AAA hii it's diana !! I was wondering if you could do a Jake or Heeseung ( from enhypen ) fanfic!! Maybe Jealousy, like y/n has a lot of friends its bounded with her kind nature. Which means she also has male friends y/n doesn't think much about these male friends till a certain someone seems to have a problem with them. (Jake or heeseung !! ) ALSO LOVE YOUR WRITES BABE!!
HIII THANK U SMMMM 😆 and stop i literally love your writing. love u!
soooo gonna do another one with heeseung 💯 jake time
no smut this time but lmk if i should add it 😜
Ever since you were in school it was inevitable that you would have friends, you were so kind, and lovely everyone was naturally drawn to you and just so happens your male friends outweigh your female friends, and this has never bothered you, matter a fact you never even noticed it, until your boyfriend, jake noticed.
“i don’t see it as a big issue jake, i mean we’ve always kept it cordial around eachother” you explain to him as you get into bed next to him, he leans against the headboard his olive skin having a soft glow to it as he just finished showering “but that’s not it, i know how guys think y/n, they want to be more than friends” he says running a hand over his face. in all honesty you didn’t see what was wrong, your male friends were polite, and some had girlfriends and your conversations never went beyond a ‘how are you doing’ maybe jake was jealous.
“i don’t want to fight you on this tonight” i say sighing looking at him, he groans in annoyance “why can’t you just block them? like seriously” he says reaching out to hold your hand “jake i’ve known them for years, can’t you just let it go? is something wrong?” you ask him, finding his behavior peculiar as he’s never had an issue before but now he’s crazy about it.
“it’s just..” he says sighing you move closer to him, placing your hand in his hair to scratch it “hm?” you say softly peering down at him, “i’m jealous okay? i’m so jealous your guy friends are around and you keep in contact with them, naturally i feel jealous because you’re everything a guy would want y/n” he says looking at you with those puppy eyes, you had no words other than to connect your lips onto his, kissing him passionately, your lips molding together his tongue aching for access into your mouth, and you grant it.
once you both pull away you caress his cheek, “i want you and only you, okay? other guys don’t matter to me, you’re the only handsome man getting to kiss me tonight and forever” you say giggling kissing all over his face.
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candyswirls · 15 days ago
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Crow and Fledgling
Synopsis: a little tidbit of what Corvus Corax has been doing while in the warp.
Word Bearers were easy to spot. There was an air about them that brought attention. Foul traitors.
He had sworn in his wrath to take down his wretched brother, Lorgar. But other things had arose. More important things.
He itched to slip down there and massacre them all but he had more pressing matters.
He glanced over at the boy. He watched him crouched and creeping forward towards an unsuspecting amphibious warp creature. He pounced but the creature leapt away.
He fell face first into the mud. Corvus, don’t bolt to pick him up. Don’t baby him.
The boy stood up and laughed as he spat about mud. He moved to try again. Waiting for the creature to let down its guard. Walking with bare feet, using the mud on him as camouflage.
He tried a different approach and moved ever so closer to the amphibian. Then he grabbed it.
The creature flailed in the little arms. Corvus held his breath, willing the boy strength.
Pride swelled in him as the amphibian failed to get away. The boy laughed and came running, holding up the creature.
“Look! Look!” He exclaimed. “I caught it! I caught it, father!”
He beamed up at the Primarch. Mud streaking across soft cheeks. Stark against the pale white skin. Long black hair tangled behind him. His eyes large, bright, and lively as pitch black orbs could be. One would guess he was of the Raven Guard legion were it not for the sharp white teeth in his mouth.
Corvus reached down and ruffled his head. He would comb it out later.
“Well done, Kiri,” Corvus said. “Well done my son.”
He could have sworn that Kiri’s eyes sparkled and glowed whenever he referred to him as his son.
Kiri hugged the amphibian.
“What are you going to do with it?” He asked him.
Kiri thought for a moment then exclaimed, “Let’s eat it!”
He held it above his head and went running, tripping and falling into the mud again. Yet somehow he held onto the creature as he scrambled up.
“I’m okay!” He called back.
Corvus shook his head as he chuckled. He was resilient and never let anything keep him down. He was so positive. A wonder considering how awful childhood had been thus far.
He was so small. Barely nine years old. The thought made his blood boil. That bastard brother, so willingly to give away a child for experimentation. It made him hate the traitors all the more.
He trailed after his son as they moved towards the passage way to the hideout. He had already picked up the boots he had forgotten.
Kiri’s small feet padded quickly. Feathers ruffling at the heel. The warp was slowly mutating him. Since replacing the previous geneseed with his own, the boy had begun taking on more of his own appearance. The exception was the ears and those teeth. Other than that, you’d have never guessed he was from Nostramo.
He took a strange comfort in him. Both of them were displaced from time. Most of those they knew gone. Those that were alive were traitors. Both had destiny and great responsibility thrust upon them when they were incredibly young.
He lifted his head as he saw Kiri stop and crouch at a hole. The Raven Lord prepared to swoop in if there was danger.
The boy looked up and came running to Corvus, smiling.
“Anything interesting?” He asked.
Kiri shook his head, “No, just more mud. Oh. I’m all dirty.”
He held out an arm and the amphibian almost slipped out.
“We’ll get you cleaned up when we get back,” Corvus assured.
His son looked hopeful, eyes darting from his wings to the passage.
“We can fly the rest of the way,” Corvus confirmed.
Kiri jumped up and down, “Yes!”
He scooped up the boy and unfurled his wings.
They swooped over the various canyons and caverns of the warp. The land changing ever so threateningly. But he paid it no mind. After unleashing the true nature of his soul and being in the warp for millennia, it was easy to navigate.
He landed on the crag and looked around. He’d been invisible as he flew but one could never be too careful. Especially with such precious cargo.
Once he deemed it to be safe, he slipped into the hidden cave, crawling down till he reached his base of operations.
He nuzzled Kiri with his beak, nipping at loose clumps of hair and feathers.
His son giggle and tried to block Corvus with his arms. He then grinned and pressed a kiss to his cheek.
Corvus smiled and set him down.
“Go put the creature somewhere safe,” he told him. “Then get cleaned up.”
“Okay, Father!” He answered as he ran down a hallway.
He watched him go. The warp was no place for a child but it had already done so much to the both of them. He could hardly stand the thought of his little boy being away from him for too long. The safest place was near him.
(I made Kiri when I first was getting into Warhammer. He was part of a group of loyalist Night Lords that were in the warp then eventually it shifted that he had been a night lord neophyte so I could have a younger perspective. I actually wrote a sad scene where they try to join Corvus and he rejects them. Don’t worry he comes around! But since reading @/Jaghatai-Khock’s stuff about a Zadkiel and Varska I figured why not have this little baby be shown? Let’s throw adoption into the mix. Also have to give kudos to @/necrophiliak. The Night Lordsona with Kayvaan further influenced the development of it.)
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hecrtled · 11 months ago
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"Happy new years fairy."
❛ oh— OHHh ! ❜ with something of a terrified shriek , fawn found herself all but crashing to the ground below with a start , hand to heart and heart, well, POUNDING in her chest from the fright!
the giant - she was VERY SURE he was a giant - loomed overhead. big, and dark, and (scary) IMPOSING. —.... but even since he had spotted her on her friend calipso's berry bush, he hadn't... done much besides greet her.
weird. ...but not UNPLEASANT.
so , hesitantly , fawn cleared her throat and straightened. wings fluttering beneath a protective layer of down under her coat, and with a pause... she waved.
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❛ ...uh. well, you too , big guy. ❜ she said. then , a comically weighted (albeit short) pause. ❛ only , now i'm curious , why do you call it the NEW YEAR if winter only JUST started? wouldn't that be something more suited to spring? you know , new spring , new season? ❜
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kanbockoida · 6 months ago
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Third time’s the charm.
Lucifer x fem!Reader x Adam
Warnings: none
Chapter 1 | Chapter 2
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Who would have known that getting to know the person you’ll be getting married to is such an exhilarating experience? All was well ever since Y/N was created. They both agreed to take it slow, step by step to get to know each other. Everything felt so natural.. so right.
Adam actually put effort into everything he did for her, building trust on every occasion just so he could call her his girlfriend. That fateful day had come rather quickly, yet it didn’t run down how he had planned. A sweet dinner date in a comfortable restaurant, nothing too extravagant, just two souls coming together. He had planned to ask her out by the end of the date, a whole small speech prepared..
What he didn’t expect was for Y/N to take the initiative of confessing to him, putting her whole heart into each little word that she said to him. She took hold of his hands, a gentle yet nervous smile stretching itself across the angel’s face. “I know that I was made for you, but you said that I had a choice in this matter. These past few months have been so wonderful and there is nothing else I could possibly wish for. I know I haven’t known you for long, nor have I been alive for a long time.. But what I do know is that I care for you from the bottom of my heart. I want to spend my life with you, Adam..”
Her words were soft and so sincere, how could anyone ever say no? She took a moment to compose herself, growing a little nervous herself. Reddened cheeks and glistening eyes.. Adam was head over heels for that woman, he was sure of it. A part of him however thought all of this was a dream, so lightly biting the inside of his cheek felt like a good idea at the time. After a few moments, those words finally hit him which caused his heart to skip multiple beats.
He felt.. happy. Despite Y/N taking his opportunity, he felt the purest form of joy. Finally having gathered what he wanted to say. Having been alone for such a long time did some things to him. He wasn’t as prideful as before. He still was, but he’s not being a complete dick about it. Still holding her soft hands in his, he gave them a soft squeeze. “Spending the rest of eternity with you sounds like a blessing to me.”
The rest of the night went by wonderfully, ending it with a gentle kiss initiated by Adam himself. Just before they parted ways for the night, the first man pulled the woman into a tender hug, one of his hands holding her waist as the other so lovingly caressed her cheek. Y/N could only smile, snaking her arms around the back of his neck.
“What did you enjoy the most today, little flower?” His voice was smooth, gentle.. and yet so vulnerable at the same time, wings shuddering as he felt her arms around him.
“Getting to fall in love with you, my heart.”
Leaning in slowly, he closed the gap between them, his lips meeting hers in a tender, tentative kiss.Time seemed to stand still as they melted into each other, the world around them fading away until there was nothing left but the sensation of their lips moving together in perfect harmony. In that moment, all of their doubts and fears melted away, replaced by a feeling of pure bliss and contentment.
To them it seemed as if they were the only two beings in the entire universe, even after they broke away to gaze into each other’s eyes lovingly.
“I’ll.. see you tomorrow?” His voice was shaky, face red from their first kiss.
"Definitely.” She replied, placing one last kiss upon his lips as a good night.
Ever since that fateful night their love had only blossomed, and Adam had finally found the courage to take his beloved onto another date.. a lovely date on a beach underneath the starry sky. During that date however, he had planned something big. An act that will finally consider them as one.
The beach was a canvas painted with the ethereal glow of the moon, its radiance bathing the sand in a celestial embrace. Adam and Y/N walked hand in hand, their souls entwined amidst the symphony of the night—the whispering sea, the rustle of palm trees, and the enchanting melody of the stars, Adam's heart raced with anticipation as he led Y/N to a secluded alcove, where the moon cast its spotlight upon the ocean's edge, igniting the scene with a fiery passion. With each step, his love for Y/N burned brighter, a flame that threatened to consume him in the most beautiful way possible. "Y/N," Adam's voice trembled with raw emotion as he turned to face her, his eyes ablaze with a love that knew no bounds. "In your presence, every moment feels like a dream—a dream I never want to wake from." He dropped to one knee, the sand beneath him a sacred altar upon which he would lay bare his heart. "My love, you are the fire that warms my soul, the light that guides my path. With you, I have discovered a love so pure, so profound, it defies the limits of this world." Y/N’s breath caught in her throat as she beheld the passion in Adam's eyes, her heart racing in harmony with his. "Adam..." she whispered, her voice a soft melody that stirred his very core. "Tonight, under this mesmerizing sky, I ask you this," Adam's voice resonated with an intensity that echoed across the expanse of the universe. "Will you be my partner in adventure, my confidante in darkness, and my beacon of light in times of joy? Will you marry me, and embark on a journey of passion, love, and boundless devotion?"
A single tear trailed down the woman's cheek as she gazed into Adam's soul, her heart bursting with the magnitude of their love. "Yes, Adam," she declared, her voice a symphony of passion and desire. "A thousand times yes!"
With trembling hands, Adam slipped the ring onto Y/N's finger, a symbol of their unbreakable bond forged in the fires of passion and sealed beneath the radiant gaze of the moon. And as they embraced amidst the celestial splendor, their love blazed brighter than the stars themselves, a testament to the timeless power of a love that knows no bounds. Two hearts have become one and the same.
As the years went by, Adam and Y/N were basically one. The years went by rather quickly, sharing secrets along the way. Somewhere in the two thousand year mark, Adam had revealed what his job was, explaining the reason for the exterminations and so on. To his surprise, Y/N didn’t overreact. Sure, she was shocked that heaven would do something like that, but that was about it. Some thought it was crazy how such a woman could love a man like Adam, but her response was always the same. “He’s cute and makes me laugh.” There’s no other explanation needed.
Slowly but surely, doing nothing but being Adam’s darling wife bored the living daylights out of her. Sure, Y/N loved her husband more than life itself, but she wanted to do something. It took some convincing to make Adam agree as to why she wanted to work. Her darling husband however was weak when it came to her, so he agreed rather quickly with only one condition. Y/N had to work in the same department, so to say. The following day Adam had kept his promise, talking to the head Seraphim to get his wife some work to do. Her job was to handle the paperwork of the exterminations, which is a lot more than one might think. Adam was pouty the whole way home, but with a little bit of loving all was well not even a few minutes later. The couple enjoyed the rest of their night together, whispering sweet nothings to one another, which resulted in them falling asleep in each other’s arms. There is nothing that could ruin their happy life.
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strljaem · 7 months ago
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“i love you”
i was listening to saturn, sza while writing this ;)
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I sat on my bed, my back pressed against the cushy pillows, a hand over my forehead, as if that would somehow contain the tidal wave of tears that had come rushing out after hours of battling with my Add Maths homework. “Saturn” by SZA played softly through my earbuds, a sweet balm on my frayed nerves. The dimly lit room offered a quiet solace, the faint glow of the streetlamp seeping through the floral curtains hanging from the window beside my bed. It was just me, the music, and the enveloping darkness—a cocoon where the world couldn’t reach me.
I closed my eyes, letting the soft melody carry me away from algebraic formulas and unending equations. The song was like a gentle lullaby, coaxing me into calm. But then, I heard a tap—a faint, rhythmic knock on my window. At first, I thought it might be part of the song, but I knew that wasn’t right; I’d listened to “Saturn” so many times this year that I knew every beat, every note, every nuance.
Reluctantly, I opened my eyes and saw him. Na Jaemin, my boyfriend, standing outside the window, smiling and waving at me. I almost screamed, my hand shooting to my mouth. He looked as stunning as ever, his hair styled perfectly even in the dim light, his eyes bright with mischief. His smile was the kind that could light up a room—or, in this case, a backyard—and his white t-shirt hung loosely on his broad shoulders.
I scrambled to turn off my MP3 player and slowly opened the window. “What are you doing here? How did you get up h—” I started to ask, but he cut me off with a grin.
“I climbed up,” he said, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. He had that easygoing charm, the kind that could make you forget you were in trouble, even when you most definitely were.
I stared at him, my heart racing, unable to believe he was here. His presence felt like a splash of color in my otherwise monotonous night. He looked at me with those piercing eyes, the kind that made it hard to look away. Before I knew it, I was reaching out and grabbing his hands, pulling him into my room. He stumbled slightly and landed on my bed with a thump, laughing as he did. It felt surreal, having him here, in my space. I quickly closed the window, making sure no one saw him, then turned to check if the door was locked—thankfully, it was.
“Make yourself comfortable,” I whispered, trying to keep my voice low. He stretched out on my bed, his gaze wandering around the room, settling on my cluttered desk with its piles of papers, pens, and my calculator.
“Had a tough night?” he asked, his voice gentle. I couldn’t help but laugh nervously.
“Yeah,” I replied, not trusting myself to say more. It was too strange, too wonderful, having him here. I tried to steady my breathing, but the way he looked at me with those warm eyes made it impossible. He leaned over and patted my head, his hand sliding down to caress my cheek.
“You’ve worked hard. I’m so proud of you,” he said, his voice low and intimate. My cheeks flushed, and I playfully pushed his hand away, trying to hide my embarrassment.
“Thank you, i guess,” I scoffed, trying to play it cool, but my heart was racing. He laughed at my reaction, and I couldn’t help but smile.
“So, what brings you here?” I asked, trying to shift the conversation away from my embarrassment.
“We’re neighbours, remember?” he replied with a wink. “I wanted to spend some time with you. I’ve been so busy with dance practice lately.” As he spoke, he reached out and gently caressed my hands, his touch sending shivers through me.
The way he looked at me made it hard to stay composed. It was like a magnetic force, pulling us closer. I tried to joke to break the tension. “Why, do you want to sleep with me?” I said, raising an eyebrow.
Jaemin was caught off guard for a moment, but then he flashed that dazzling smile. “Yeah, how did you know? I was thinking about that all day,” he replied, still smiling. I widened my eyes, pretending to be shocked.
“Seriously?” I said, trying to keep a straight face. He laughed, his laugh infectious and full of warmth.
“Relax, we’re not going to do anything. I’m not that kind of boy,” he said with a playful smirk, leaning in closer, his breath warm against my ear. “Besides, I know how strict your parents are about you having boys in your room.”
His words made me wish I could tell him how much I wanted to kiss him right then and there, but I had to keep my composure. “Fine, since you’re already in your pajamas, it’s perfect,” I replied, pulling him down to lay beside me. He seemed taken aback by my boldness but went along with it.
“Heh, slow down, sweetheart,” he teased, but he stretched out beside me, his presence warm and comforting. We talked about everything and nothing, our words weaving into a heart-to-heart conversation as we hugged and cuddled. We said “I love you” to each other, the words like a soft echo in the quiet room.
Then, Jaemin asked, “Your parents won’t barge in tomorrow morning, will they?” His concern was genuine.
“No, I already locked the door,” I replied, feeling reassured. We settled in for the night, the warmth of his body against mine. I never thought I’d fall asleep with my boyfriend beside me, but there we were, holding each other close. I fell asleep to the sound of his breathing, slow and steady, his arms around me like a protective shield.
The next morning, I was the first to wake up. I checked my phone—7 a.m. It was still early, and thank God it was Saturday. My hair was a mess from tossing and turning all night, and I was worried I might have accidentally kicked Jaemin while I slept. I tried to move without waking him, but our hands were still intertwined, and I couldn’t help but be flustered by how close we were. I glanced at Jaemin, his eyes still closed, his long eyelashes casting delicate shadows on his cheeks. His lips were slightly parted, soft and inviting.
Before I could think about it, I leaned in and pressed my lips against his, a gentle kiss that felt like a rush of warmth. He reacted instantly, pulling me closer with his hand on the back of my head, his lips parting to let my tongue explore. It was a slow, deep kiss, one that made my heart race and my body melt into his. His hand slid down to my waist, caressing it gently, and I couldn’t help but feel lost in his touch.
The sounds of our kisses filled the room, a soft symphony of passion. We lost ourselves in each other, the moment stretching into eternity. Then, I pulled away, gasping for air, laughing at how breathless we both were. Jaemin laughed too, his smile contagious.
“I didn’t expect that,” I said, my voice still breathy. His smile slowly faded, replaced by an intimate gaze that made my heart skip a beat. He pulled me back in for another kiss, his lips claiming mine with a fervor that made everything else disappear.
“I love you,” he whispered between kisses, his warm breath sending shivers through me. The kiss deepened, his hands moving over my back, and I knew I was in trouble—the kind of trouble I never wanted to escape from.
But then, a sharp knock on my door shattered the moment. “Y/N, are you awake? Come and have breakfast downstairs,” my mom’s voice called from the other side of the door. We both jumped, breaking apart. I felt a rush of panic, trying to keep my cool as I responded.
“Yeah, Mom, I’ll be down in a minute,” I said, my voice shaky.
“Don’t forget we have to leave in an hour,” my mom reminded me, her voice fading as she walked away. I widened my eyes, realizing I hadn’t packed for the family gathering at my aunt’s house. Jaemin looked at me, his eyes full of curiosity.
“Where are you going later?” he asked, leaning in closer.
I quickly explained, and he hummed in agreement. We sat on the bed, trying to catch our breath. Then, we remembered the kiss, and we both smiled, unable to contain our laughter.
“Thanks for the night… and…” I said, trailing off, not sure how to finish the sentence. Jaemin raised his eyebrows, eagerly waiting for my response.
“And… the hugs,” I finally said, bursting into laughter. He pouted, pretending to be disappointed.
“What about the…” he said in an aegyo tone, making kissy noises with his lips. I lightly smacked his arm, trying not to laugh too hard.
“I think you have to leave now, or you’ll get caught,” I said, glancing at the window. Jaemin laughed and nodded.
“Yeah, I’ll see you later, okay? Call me when you’ve arrived at your aunt’s house,” he said, carefully opening the window. He looked outside to make sure the coast was clear, then turned back to me. I waved him goodbye, and he blew me a kiss before slipping out the window.
After he left, I closed the window and let out a sigh of relief, still remembering the night and the kiss. My mother shouted from downstairs, “Hurry up!” I panicked and ran to tidy up my room, especially the mess i’ve made on my study desk last night.
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nelkcats · 2 years ago
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Universe key is a wail
Now, the discovery was a completely accident, there were moments where Danny wondered about Clockwork's cryptic words, this time it was because he said that the key to the universe was in his voice, and that was not only a strange phrase but it also made no sense.
He didn't think much of it until he was forced to use his wail, he didn't hate the power itself but it was so much like Dan, with so much destruction left in his wake that he often avoided using it. A last resort if you ever ran out of options.
He hated how it drained him of energy, all the destruction around him, a power that brought him to his knees with each use and forced him to transform.
But there were moments like this, where his parents had surrounded him with one of their weird inventions that could probably kill him and he had no choice. He sucked in as much air as he could and wailed, waves of moaning shattering chunks of concrete around him as the machine tore apart.
What he did not take into account was that while the destruction expanded and his eyes continued to close, the layer between the dimensions was breaking, and instead of running out of energy, this breaking was feeding him.
Perhaps it could be seen as a natural evolution of his powers, which had not been able to take place due to the lack of power and how inexperienced the ghost was in the past. Or so Clockwork would say if asked.
It could be compared to Cujo's howl or Wolf's claws, but Danny didn't have time to think about that, when he opened his eyes expecting his inevitable transformation and the disgusted look in his parents eyes all he could find was a glowing green portal waiting for him.
Seeing that his parents hadn't recovered from the wailing, he sent a mental apology to Jazz and stepped through the portal, not his smartest move certainly, but he could feel the rings and didn't have time for smart choices.
Unfortunately the portal closed once his rings transformed him, almost as if they were connected, Danny suspected they were.
That was how Daniel "Danny" Fenton was found without identification papers on Gotham's worst streets, with the only knowledge that the most likely way to get back to his own dimension was to use his wail and destroy the entire city, or country, in which case no thanks, he was going to look for alternative ways.
He had seen the amount of damage he had caused when he opened his eyes and he didn't want to do it in an unknown city with the name of a Hot Topic shop (according to a random guy on the streets, was "Gotham" a real name or the guy was joking?) he didn't even know if its floors were reinforced against ghosts, it was probably not the case.
On the other hand, Batman was informing everyone about a sudden power surge in Crime Alley, and a power blackout soon after along with destruction in random places, he feared it was something magical.
However, as soon as Jason heard the place on comms, he stopped Bruce and told him to get away from his territory, if there was an unknown player he would be the one who would face him, but he was not going to call Constantine on suspicion.
He should probably start looking into the cute guy who was wandering the streets alone at that hour (walking alone on Crime Alley was weird); maybe he had information, but there was a mugging and the boy wasn't going to disappear into thin air.
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genshin-obsessed · 1 year ago
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Hey, are you thinking about making a Vampire! Cyno headcannon at some point? I really want to know how that's gonna go.
「✧」 Well, I didn't have plans but why not now? ^w^ Let's see, I'm just writing as I go so some things may seem not exactly right and it's because I didn't do too much planning beforehand. 「✧」 Btw, this isn't intended to be like... tighnari x reader x cyno, but if you wanna think of it like that, go ahead. Also, this is much longer than I intended it to be? Like I said, no plans, I just wrote and wrote and forgot to stop lol.
Vampire!Cyno
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♢ Before you find out ♢
Of course, Cyno keeps his true nature a secret from everyone. The less people know about it, the less issues he'll have to deal with when it comes to answering dumb questions.
He usually tends to feed late at night when he's not necessarily "on duty". Since people know his face so well, he actually needs to do a good job at hiding it. All of his usual clothes are put away and he settles for more darker clothing, that covers all of him, and a mask to hide his face.
Cyno does his best to feed on packets of blood. He doesn't like cornering random people to drink from them- it's too personal of an act and he's not a fan of it. If it ever comes down to a situation where he does need to feed from a person directly, he tries to go for criminals and he'll ever kill them.
He's never lost control and gone crazy but in the event he does, he has a backup plan set up. He's never had to use it before and he thinks about its efficacy on a daily basis.
Normally, Cyno tries to replenish on blood supplies on a monthly basis. He acquires it without actually talking to anyone and paying large sums of mora. The blood, itself, is acquired ethically, he just keeps it for himself sometimes. There is a specific supply that's emergency only and he doesn't touch it unless he has a serious urge. BUT, in the event he's out of those and has no blood whatsoever... he has two people and only two people he'll ever go to. You or Tighnari.
Both of you have asked questions about his secret before but as far as he's aware, you two are still in the dark. He does his best to keep silent about it and doesn't leave a trace (i.e blood lying around his home, blood on his clothes, drinking any packets outside of his bathroom, etc).
Cyno cares for both of you dearly and the thought of his urges ever causing you harm makes his heart ache. He has nightmares about scenarios like that which often makes him wake up in a cold sweat. Sometimes he wonders... how dangerous is he? As the General Mahamatra, he's under his own command- when it comes to hunting down those who need a slap of justice. But with these urges... they take over. His thirst for blood commands him and he gets violent.
Uh... it's best he doesn't think about that. He's done his best to prepare to avoid that.
♢ After you find out ♢
Well, it was inevitable you and Tighnari would find out. No matter how hard Cyno tried to keep it to himself, you two were simply too close to him.
The event was... so bizarre to him. He had fed the night before and usually only fed twice a week. It was always enough. But that day, he was helping Tighnari collect samples, going as both a company and a sword (or polearm) and you just happened to be there. Everything was fine as Tighnari made his comments and collected samples with your help. Cyno helped by providing all the best jokes.
Then it hit him. Hard. His chest constricted, his throat felt dry, his vision was getting hazy and both you and Tighnari smelled delicious. His glowing red eyes looked over at the two of you as he had the sudden urge to just tackle you to the ground and drain you dry. Your voices became muffled and he could no longer make out what words were escaping from your lips.
Then, you both looked at him. He panicked, immediately backed away feeling that urge to rip you two apart and lick up every drop of blood becoming stronger. He made up an excuse and he ran. He sprinted all the way home and locked himself up, stumbling to his room, where he'd stashed his emergency blood supply. He just barely managed to rip the bag open, taking large gulps to drink down the sweet, thick blood. Some trickled down his lips, sliding down his chin and throat.
He hadn't even realized both you and Tighnari made your way into his home by pretty much breaking down the door. You'd never seen Cyno react this way and it was scary. You two ran to his room, where you heard something clatter and watched as he drank down the blood like a wild animal. It took a moment before he came to his senses. Soon, the look of horror on his face matched both of yours.
Anyway... since that day, you and Tighnari offer to help him with either acquiring the blood or just offering your own. He strictly refuses and says it's best if you two pretend as if you never even saw it. Which is... well, impossible.
But you're both a lot more supportive than he figured you'd be. Yes, you're both his closest friends but this was different. He was a clear danger to you two, especially after that day, but you two never questioned his loyalty. You two often used that same day as a defense, reminding him that even when he wanted to harm you two, he still managed to run off. He still has his reservations though.
Cyno doesn't drink blood in front of you. He still prefers to sit in the bathroom and sip it slowly as he takes the time to think about whatever he needs to. He doesn't really like answering questions, the biggest being why he doesn't turn to ash in the sun, but it doesn't hurt to educate you two. It's a myth. Vampires don't burst into flames in the sun.
You two have asked about drinking blood directly and it actually embarrasses him a little. He explained he usually drinks from packets and avoids biting into a person if he can. Of course, that spurred the "so like does Alhatiham look delicious?" to which he just rolls his eyes and says "hell no".
He might drink your blood though. If you ask nicely enough.
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shmothman · 1 year ago
Text
Alloy
Al•loy (noun): a mixture between two or more metallic elements, especially to give greater strength or resistance to corrosion.  (Just like titanium, two people can be stronger together, too.)
Vash the Stampede x Reader 829 words Rated G Tags: pre-relationship, mutual pining, fluff, pride and prejudice hand flex
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“Vash,” you say, chewing on your lip; you’re not sure if you should even ask this, but your curiosity’s just too great.
He looks up at you, seated beside you before the fire. “Hm?”
“Your arm,” you say. “It’s lost tech, isn’t it?” That much is obvious, but it’s a necessary first question; a prelude to what you really want to ask.
He looks down at his left arm, flexes his hand. His voice is soft when he says, “yes.”
“Could I… look at it?” you ask, and then quickly append: “it’s okay if you don’t want me to!”
It’s long past sunsdown now, and your sleeping bag is wrapped around your shoulders as the fire you had built earlier finally dies down. Most of your companions are already tucked in their own sleeping bags by now, and there’s no one to overhear your quiet conversation, the soft intimacy of Vash sitting so near you, his thigh almost touching yours.
“Oh,” he says, sounding somewhat bashful. “Um, if you wanna?” He holds out his hand to you, his face lit in the soft orange glow of the fire, his bright blue eyes not meeting yours.
You wish your heart wasn’t hammering quite so hard. “You sure?”
He nods, gives a small hum of affirmation, and gingerly, you take his hand in your own. 
With his gloves and coat, sometimes you forget that his arm is prosthetic; he moves it so naturally, so carefully, that you didn’t even know until you were close to him. You know that it’s been a part of him for a long time now, though you’ve never asked the specifics, and he’s never offered. But now, he’s allowing you a closer look, and as you run your fingertips over the joints of it, you hear him draw in a breath.
You’re too embarrassed to meet his eyes. “It’s incredible,” you say. Machinery fine enough for the motor control he has is a feat of engineering that you doubt anyone alive today could replicate; the way it actually connects to his nerves by way of the port in his upper arm.
He only gives a nervous laugh. 
“Do you… feel it? Or can you just move it?”
“A little bit,” he says softly, his voice very gentle. You risk a look at his face, and his gaze is steadily locked on the way you trace his fingers with your own, run your thumb over the joint where the palm of it connects with the wrist. “Not pain, though. I can feel pressure; enough to move it and hold things, but not much more.”
You ignore the shiver that works its way up your spine at the way his voice sounds, at the way the metal—that strange, lost alloy—feels so cool in your hand. “Can you feel this?”
He nods. “Only a little. Like a really soft touch.”
You wonder if he would be able to feel it if you brushed your lips across his knuckles, or pressed them to the tips of his fingers. 
You’re not brave enough to try.
The fire’s burning down to embers now, and it’s getting colder; the metal of his hand growing cold, too. When you shiver and draw your sleeping bag tighter around your shoulders, Vash smiles gently. “You should get some sleep,” he says. 
He’s right, it’s late—but you’d give anything to stay by the fire with him, to keep up this excuse to touch him in any small way. But the desert night is cold, and you can’t ask him to keep you warm, no matter how much you wish you could, so you only smile softly and nod.
“You too,” you say, though you know he always stays up later than you—you’ve seen him disappear, night after night, and sometimes you catch him watching the stars.
You wonder what he thinks about, those long nights.
You wonder if you’ll ever be able to know.
Letting go of his hand, you stand. “Goodnight, Vash,” you say, and you hope that he can hear what’s in your voice—the love there, the care, the adoration. One more smile thrown his way, and then you’re heading off to lay your sleeping bag down, to slip inside and curl up and try not to think too hard about his hand in your own.
---
As he watches you join your companions in sleep, Vash lets out a soft sigh and flexes his hand. What he wouldn’t give to be able to touch you like that all the time, to take your hand in his right, to actually feel your warmth. Even with his prosthetic, your gentle tracing of his fingers sent shivers up his spine; he can only imagine what it would be like with the other. And imagine he does, as he watches the embers die down, only the coals glowing a soft red, now. 
But you deserve more than the danger that follows him… if only he could gather the courage to leave.
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