#» we are the spark. ( resistance arc. )

[pastdied]

tag drop part two.

[countlessrealities]

@dynamoprotocol sent: Checklist for Rick! Your choice on their timeline My muse's checklist || Accepting !

Then...

I find you to be:

[x] interesting

[x] cute

[x] attractive

[x] sexy

[ ] reassuring

[x] intimidating [[ she's a badass, rough, strong willed force of nature x3 when he firstly met her, Rick was a little intimidated...but in a good way. It made her look even more attractive in his eyes. He was (still is) addicted to dangerous things after all. ]]

[ ] annoying

[ ] tedious

[ ] terrifying

I think we should:

[ ] talk more

[x] hang out more

[x] date [[ this before they actually started to date, but I can also see Rick making jokes about how he wants Clarissa to date him when she's being particularly awesome, even after they got together. ]]

[ ] adopt each other as found family

[x] fight (friendly) [[ Bickering is totally part of their love languages. ]]

[ ] fight (hostile)

[ ] avoid each other if at all possible

If we spent an evening together we would:

[x] just hang out

[ ] talk about deep stuff

[x] cuddle

[x] go to bed together (to sleep) [[ Normally, in Rick's book, tumbling in bed with Clarissa means sex, but they definitely had softer, calmer nights when they cuddled and then fell asleep together, without going past a little making out. ]]

[x] go to bed together (to… not sleep)

[x] go out and party till sunrise

[ ] both get arrested

[ ] probably wind up killing each other

If we kissed it would be:

[ ] a chaste press of lips

[x] a playful smooch

[ ] swift and stolen

[x] deep, sweet, and sincerely meant

[x] all teeth and tongue and hot as heck

[ ] not happening

[[ Different kinds of kisses for different moods! ]]

If we had sex it would be:

[x] romantic and luxurious

[x] fast, rough and hard

[x] against the nearest wall

[x] fantastic

[ ] awkward

[ ] a really bad idea

[ ] an all-around disaster

[ ] not happening

[[ Same as the kissing, they are both passionate people, so I can't really see them to be super soft, but the kind of passion would depend on what they are in the mood for / what happened to them before they met for the day. ]]

If I woke up and found you unexpectedly in my bed I would:

[x] cuddle you

[x] offer you breakfast [[ He totally makes her breakfast in bed from time to time. ]]

[x] attempt to seduce you [[ This first and foremost, even if it's be mostly playful and Rick doesn't necessarily expect it to go somewhere. It's more of a game for him. ]]

[ ] kick you out

[ ] demand to know how you got there

[ ] scream

-----

Now...

I find you to be:

[x] interesting

[ ] cute

[x] attractive

[x] sexy

[ ] reassuring

[ ] intimidating

[x] annoying

[ ] tedious

[x] terrifying

[[ The italicised parts are what Rick thinks of her, but won't admit or acknowledge. He's still attracted to her, for all the reason he was when they firstly met, but everything is tainted by their bad history now. ]]

I think we should:

[x] talk more

[ ] hang out more

[ ] date

[ ] adopt each other as found family

[ ] fight (friendly)

[x] fight (hostile)

[x] avoid each other if at all possible

[[ Ah, the struggle between not wanting to see her at all, having the urge to unload his hurt and frustration on her. Not to mention that small part of him who still longs for her and is tempted to reach out in a more peaceful manner. ]]

If we spent an evening together we would:

[x] just hang out

[ ] talk about deep stuff

[ ] cuddle

[ ] go to bed together (to sleep)

[ ] go to bed together (to… not sleep)

[ ] go out and party till sunrise

[ ] both get arrested

[x] probably wind up killing each other [[ It's a concrete risk xD ]]

If we kissed it would be:

[ ] a chaste press of lips

[ ] a playful smooch

[ ] swift and stolen

[ ] deep, sweet, and sincerely meant

[x] all teeth and tongue and hot as heck [[ It would definitely be an outlet for their mutual anger, frustration and all those other feelings they don't want to acknowledge because it would make things too complicated. ]]

[x] not happening

If we had sex it would be:

[ ] romantic and luxurious

[x] fast, rough and hard [[ Same as the kissing. However, I remember you saying that Clarissa wouldn't go this far (while Rick would be all in for angry / bitter sex). And since she is sober now, it can't even be the 'they were both smashed' scenario. ]]

[ ] against the nearest wall

[ ] fantastic

[ ] awkward

[x] a really bad idea

[x] an all-around disaster

[x] not happening

If I woke up and found you unexpectedly in my bed I would:

[ ] cuddle you

[ ] offer you breakfast

[ ] attempt to seduce you

[x] kick you out

[x] demand to know how you got there

[ ] scream

[[ Basically the total opposite of what used to be their old routine when they were dating. ]]

[neominthe]

SPOILERS FOR SCTIR FOR +CH 200

CW: (possibly) Eating disorder ED, depression

Something that keeps me awake at night: at the beggining of the story, Yoohyun's death isn't so painful for the viewers, because we only see what is on the surface of the Han brothers' life. It's through memories and flashbacks that we get to learn 3 facts: Yoojin dedicated his entire life to Yoohyun, they parted ways and in the end they reunited, only for one of them die. That's the introduction of SCTIR for us. Moreover, Yoojin is desesperate to leave the past behind, so he doesn't linger on his traumatic memories for too long, hence why the pain of reading SCTIR isn't instant.

It is gradual.

Yoojin and we learn that the past was never erased. It still happened, and exists in the form of Yoohyun's body out in the cold. Gradually, it becomes more apparent how Yoojin is still so affected by his previous life, despite his fear resistance skill. It starts with small things like him avoiding eating unless someone tells him to do so, always occupying himself with tasks that could be handled by someone else, negative thoughts about himself for every single action he takes and so on. I love, with all my heart, the manhwa, but the novel makes it so much more apparent how Yoojin loathes himself, to the point he keeps wishing he wasn't a human being, rather an item for his brother to use. It's so messed up to want to abandon all your humanity, feelings and concept of self just so you can be of help.

SCTIR is fun to read, but even more so with the unreliable narrator that is Yoojin. He sees what he does as nothing impressive, considering the people he is surrounded with, despite running the kisengsu facility, negotiating with the hair loss company to develop a new product, managing Seok Hayan's research team, mantaining diplomatic ties with Japan, training and helping other hunters and, most importantly, caring for all the S classes. He worries for their well-being because it's only natural for him to do so, as the Perfect Caregiver.

And, in the middle of it all, the only thing Yoojin spares for himself is hate. He doesn't want to live long for himself, but rather for Yoohyun, even though Yoojin already has been through the pain of loss. When Yoojin died in chapter 241, the first thing that he thought was Yoohyun. He didn't even think about how much it hurted dying (with a freaking shot on the head)! He just wanted to reunite and soothe Yoohyun that he was okay.

Speaking of which, in Sigma's arc, as Yoojin was alone, he really stopped caring for his well-being, so Sung Hyunjae took that role and did everything he could to help Yoojin. But, for him to even have to create a quest just so Yoojin could eat is what sparked my lizard brain to write this post.

My point is, there isn't an arc dedicated for recovery (at least until the chapter I have read that is like, ~300) and that is beautiful, because Yoojin is still processing what he went through, and we get to see that. Yoojin has such an interesting character arc as he begins wanting to forget the past, as it is too painful, to start running after it. He can't let go of it, because letting it go means letting his little brother go too. Which is why he says he will never be okay again in chapter 278.

[supremechancellorrex]

Avatar in my head and I was thinking about Maiko and Mai.

Now, Mai's character arc in Avatar, from my interpretation, is rediscovering herself and her wants and personhood that has been stripped from her as a noblewoman part of a family that submitted to the Fire Nation Imperialist structure and Ozai. We see in Book 2 set up for this. Mai in early Book 2 does not resist Azula's will aside from brief sparks of rebellion where she isn't present. "Of course not, Princess Azula" she notes formally and apathetically when Azula asks if she "minds", knowing she has no choice as Azula 'just' ponders if Mai's hostage brother is worth an Earth King like Bumi. Mai is always aware that Azula, as Princess in an authoritarian nation where the Fire Lord is God, can have her executed and her family punished. The unequal power dynamic is surprisingly consistent in the show.

Mai can't even insult Azula back in Zuko Alone as a child. She just lets Azula put an apple on her head (as Ty Lee loyally sniggers along), set it on fire, and when Zuko pushes her into the fountain to put it out, Mai, drenched, glares and says "You two are such… ugh". We know Mai can have an acid tongue, yet her fear of Azula prevents her from using it. Her most rebellious act in Book 2 is when she says "She can shoot all the lightning she wants at me. I am not getting in that wall sludge juice". Mai actually has self-respect, but she can't express it in the presence of greater threats, meanwhile Ty Lee merely says "Come on! Azula said we have to follow them", because Ty Lee follows Azula's will even when she isn't there.

Even when Mai gets with Zuko, she falls into a subservient role. When Azula interrupts Maiko's smooching, lazily dismissing Mai with "Oh Mai, Ty Lee needs help untangling her braid" Mai responds quickly "Sounds pretty serious" with only a touch of dryness and leaves, only able to muster throwing Azula a dirty look a split second after passing her. However, this little ember of rebellion will grow.

Mai has continued difficulty understanding Zuko's anger and reactiveness, or how to even function in a relationship. She initially tries to joke in a dismissive fashion, as if saying 'ugh, feelings are lame, right?', but that would only work with Azula logically. The Beach episode is a key Mai episode. She continues to be emotionally repressed, to the point Zuko, Ty Lee and Azula comment on it. However, Zuko's insecurity at her talking to Ruon-Jian to the point he physically removes him from her presence, and his accusative comments like "You like him, don't you?", also makes Mai feel a little boxed in, controlled, and that does irritated her given her history. However, at the Beach's emotional narrative climax, Mai is able to finally express herself at the rest of the group (Azula included) for the first time, telling them to "Leave her alone" and that she's "still mad". After Zuko explosively reveals the extent of his pain and confusion, we see a 'smoothing' effect on her attitude. She realises her and Zuko are dealing with pain in different ways and his way is understandable.

Mai says softly, "I know one thing I care about, I care about you". This is the one thing Mai can grasp in the confusion. This is where Mai betraying Azula becomes inevitable. We see Mai continue to be more supportive with Zuko, more actively trying to cheer him up in Nightmares and Daydreams with big smiles and jokes while Zuko remains shut down over the War meeting and is acting irritated and repressed due to his family trauma. When Zuko later leaves and joins the Avatar, Mai is hurt and angry, which shows in the Boiling Rock, saying "All I get is a letter? You could have at least looked me in the eye when you ripped out my heart". They have a tense conversation, but it's their most honest one. I actually think Mai already made up her mind in this scene to support Zuko over Azula, and she doesn't quite realise it. "Save it? You're betraying your country" she accuses, to which Zuko replies, resolute, "That's not how I see it", and in response Mai just folds her arms and turns her head away in an almost defeat.

I find it very telling she doesn't respond. It's because she realises Zuko is more passionate and resolute about his mission than she is hers. It's because she knows the Fire Nation under its current authority is not exactly great. Sometimes in life we fall into a box and we need someone to give us that little push so we can realise we can climb out of it, that the toxic space we're in isn't normal, and we don't have to tolerate it. I like to think Mai was thinking in that moment where Zuko locked her in the cell and he and she gazed into each others' eyes, what she was really thinking about was what life she actually wanted to live. She was thinking of Azula and being under her thumb, and she was thinking of all those moments with Zuko, like when they were lounging on the sofa together, smiling and joking in Nightmares & Daydreams, and she realised how ridiculous it was to be afraid of Azula killing her when the real fear should be being Azula's servant until her dying days, decades of repression and misery.

After all, what does Mai have left to fight for? Fear of Azula? Hah, what a joke. She remembers "I know one thing I care about. I care about you" and when she sees Zuko about to die she has to intervene.

"I guess you just don't know people as well as you think you do. You miscalculated. I love Zuko more than I fear you" Mai says to an increasingly-enraged Azula's speak of 'consequences', because Mai did fear Azula, but now in her love for Zuko she has found a purpose she has been lacking, her feelings and wants over Azula's will. Zuko being true to himself is contagious. Iroh's love for Zuko puts him on the right path, and in turn the love Mai has for Zuko saves her. As a consequence Ty Lee chooses Mai and their friendship over Azula's toxic, fear-based one and even later bonds with former enemies like the Kyoshi Warriors. Like Zuko says to Ozai, "an era of peace and kindness" will replace an "era of fear". In the face of fear, love and empathy win.

[spaceorphan18]

The Rogue and Gambit Project: A New Beginning (X-Men #1-3)

The true beginning of Rogue and Gambit's story really comes with the new and somewhat iconic era of X-Men. X-Men: The Animated Series drew its inspiration from the relaunch designs, and for someone who grew up with this era, it feels nostalgic as well as historic. Rogue looks and sounds like the character I grew up with. Gambit being crucial to the line up and no longer an afterthought feels pivotal. I feel like we've finally arrived.

And while I know this era isn't void of problems -- believe me, I know... I kind of enjoy this early Rogue and Gambit dynamic. It's fun and flirty and has a little bit of an edge to it. And the angst. So. Much. Delicious. Angst.

The funny part is... there really isn't a whole lot of it in these first few issues. Things don't really heat up until issue #4. Not only that, I'm gonna have to bring up Rogneto again... I'm so sorry, guys. Blame Chris Claremont.

Alright, let's dig in...

X-Men #1

Rogue in her now iconic new uniform -- this is going to be a standard for quite awhile. Get ready to see this pose a lot - Jim Lee, and artists after him, really like to do the whole one leg up, one fist out thing. Anyway, despite the fact that I (shockingly) don't like that much yellow on her - she's so pretty. I've always loved this era's hair.

Anyway, you want plot details you say?? This is Chris Claremont's last hurrah on his initial, epic 17 year run with the X-Men. And of course you can expect two things -- space shenanigans and coming full circle with Magneto as the villain. The crux of it is about Magneto possibly being a threat, despite the fact that he wants to be left alone, and of course, the X-Men get sucked into the drama.

X-Men #1

Gambit's redesign - which uses his initial costuming but man does he look so much better. He looks 'cool' in the way that all the X-Men look cool in this era. The dude can pull off the color fuchsia. That isn't easy to do. I do like, however, in color theory that the pinks and purples of Gambit goes well with the greens of Rogue's coloring. But more to the point - Gambit is pretty now, which is what we're all really here for. ;)

Anyway - because this is a relaunch, after our initial Magneto based prologue, we get a (re-)introduction to the entire team in one of my absolute favorite sequences of X-Men comics. The teams will eventually be divided into two groups; the Blue Team -- Cyclops, Beast, Rogue, Gambit, Wolverine, Psylocke, and Jubilee and the Gold Team -- Storm, Jean Grey, Iceman, Angel, Forge, and Colossus, but for now, they're one happy family doing a classic danger room sequence as designed by Charles Xavier.

X-Men #1

The whole sequence is really pretty awesome, but it leads to one of my favorite comic book moments -- where Gambit just goes for it and kisses Jean. It's a fake, robot Jean, but it's a bold move. And leads to Cyclops wanting to drop a truck on him. It's such a classic moment and I love it.

X-Men #1

Our first Rogue and Gambit panel happens right after Wolverine wins the whole training sequence (because of course he does). (Also - Claremont can't quite resist and we get a final 'bang, you dead' moment.) Meanwhile, Rogue and Gambit still haven't spoken to each other - but at least they know the other one exists. Progress, right?

X-Men #1

I really need to take a moment and appreciate the fact that most of the time during this era, when Gambit isn't in his uniform, he's running around half naked.

X-Men #1

Ug, alright, let's talk about Magneto again. This whole arc is about Magneto kind of having an existential crisis (which, you know, happens when they need to reset you to villain again). And, unfortunately, we'll get a few of these moments scattered throughout these issues of Rogue trying to talk sense and reason into him due to their 'spark' in the Savage Land. I get that someone should be a reasonable voice -- especially when the rest of the X-Men are attacking the guy before any kind of provocation. But I'm still rolling my eyes that it's Rogue. Notice he calls her 'child' during this? He'll do that throughout. Eesh.

Magneto claims that he has no beef with them and offers them all safe haven on his floating asteroid base -- Asteroid M. And guess who doesn't join him? That's right - Rogue at least has enough sense to stick with the family she knows and cares about over a possible, not really fling. Btw - I hadn't mentioned it back when I was talking about the Savage Land, but there was nothing to suggest Magneto can actually touch her. (I think that might be an Age of Apocalypse thing?)

Also, in case you think any of this sounds familiar - pretty sure X-Men '97 drew heavily from this arc for their Season 1.

X-Men #1

The first time either of them mentions the other one, and it's Gambit being sassy about whether or not Rogue should be a considered a lady. I kind of love it, actually. And love that Beast is like -- oooh, you're playing with fire on that one.

X-Men #2

They're getting more on panel togetherness! Granted it's group shots and they're taking down Magneto, but I'm taking all the scraps!

X-Men #2

Alright, well as much as I'm not a fan of the Rogue/Magneto dynamic, I'm still going to be fair and talk about it. Because it is part of Rogue's development. The key thing here though is that Rogue isn't going to compromise her values and beliefs because she may feel something for Magneto. And this will continue to ring through always through the comics. Of course, how nice of Magneto to swat her away like an annoying fly. Romance for the ages, guys.

X-Men #2

More on panel time! They're really going for all the group shots these days - probably to milk sales. But I mean, Rogue and Gambit look good just standing next to each other, so who am I to complain?

So, back to the plot... Magneto is getting pissy because the world governments are seeing him as a threat. He kidnaps Moira MacTaggart and berates her and blames her for all of his issues (because, you know, she messed with his genetics after he was de-aged, in an attempt to make him /not/ a villain). It was... a whole thing don't worry about it.

Anyway, he has Moira (somehow) brainwash the Blue Team into joining Magneto's side. Because they can't otherwise be convinced. Which, oh my gosh - what's with all the brainwashing lately?? Of course, this means it's Gold Team to the rescue...

X-Men #3

I'm going to try to document every time they're on the same cover. Also, it isn't X-Men unless there's at least an X vs X brawl every other month.

X-Men #3

Another group shot with Magneto in between them?? What can this mean??? Actually, nothing, I think it's just a coincidence. But - I really like the art here.

But.. you guys! YOU GUYS! We get our first real Romy moment in this issue! Granted - they're still brainwashed! But it's another first! Here we go...

X-Men #3

So, they're all hanging out on Asteroid M, taking it easy because - apparently that's what you do when you're a brainwashed Magneto fan. I love that Cyclops is still in his full uniform while Gambit has managed to strip down to his undies. I'm sure we can all tell who is the real fun one of the group.

You know what I like about this exchange, though? Gambit was casually complementing her diving skills and Rogue is the one who decides to get flirty about it. Of course, Gambit's going to push it further - see how far she wants to really go, and that'll cause her to run -- a dynamic that we're going to see a ton of as we go through all of this early stuff.

But for all that Gambit's going to push - it's not completely unwarranted or completely out of nowhere. Yeah, he gets flirty with the ladies on principal. Yeah, he went for kissing (fake robot) Jean unprompted because he thought he could. I won't defend some of the ickier aspects of these comics.

But... I'm fascinated by the idea of - what if she could touch? Would it still be a game to him? Would she have let it continue? Would they just have had a little fling right off the bat? Are her powers what really pushes them to have a deeper relationship than what they might have had? Just all the thoughts I'm throwing out there.

I also like that, that little moment of humor, where she knocks him into the pool, is so genuine it shakes her out of her mind control.

I also like that Gambit's genuine concern for her stops his playfulness.

It's such a tease of some great stuff coming up, and I am here for it.

X-Men #3

And that's really all we get guys. The Gold Team shows up to save the day but not before some X-Men fighting amongst each other. Magneto monologues for a while. Charles tries to get him to see reason. The people of Earth try to nuke Asteroid M and everyone gets outta there while Magneto decides to go down with the proverbial ship.

X-Men #3

This is in the closing moments of the issue - and I'm putting it here because it is Rogue talking about Magneto again -- but kind of seeing reason and how their ideologies do not work. She's trying to get Xavier to see this, and it's funny that Xavier is having a very hard time trying to let his old 'friend' go. Rogue, however, is fine. Maybe there had been a small, romantic spark of being caught up in close quarters in a shared moment. But that was all it was.

There is more to a longer lasting romance than fleeting moments due to circumstances. ;)

The X-Men take off leaving Magneto and his real followers to their fates. Of course... we know that it's never the real end of Magneto. Asteroid M may blow up, but he'll be fine.

However, I'll take a moment say that it's a poetic ending. Chris Claremont closes it out with a sort of goodbye. His tenure on X-Men is now complete, and we've fully stepped into a bright, new era!

X-Men #4 is gonna bring it. Let's do it! ;)

[compressedrage]

Could you gift us with some Hollow Heads Siblings interaction hc's? Maybe with some redeemed Dark and Vic?

I just love them sm and they need to be happy!! Plus, we don't have enough of them

I agree, we don't have enough of these dorks

I do have a recent post about my headcanons for the Hollowheads as siblings in general, but your ask is a bit different, so I will do my best to think of some more.

I think that despite himself, Chosen picked up some art abilities from his time watching Alan. Once Orange learns of this, he makes Chosen draw with him as a bonding activity. Well, "makes" is a strong word. Chosen is secretly glad to cover up the bad memories associated with art with better ones with his little brother.

There are multiple ways Dark could be redeemed, but no matter which path he takes, it's going to take a bit for Orange and Dark to warm up to each other. Chosen remembers the Dark who was a goof, running around experiencing the world for the fist time. Orange only knows Dark as the terrifying figure who killed his friends. And Dark only knows Orange as the kid who suddenly flipped a switch and shot him into the stratosphere. They both have trauma connected to each other, so they're gonna have to figure that out before they realize how similar they are. However, once they get past that obstacle they are gonna be best friends. Dark is the fun big brother, always down for the craziest adventures.

I have a very hard time thinking about headcanons for Victim in a redeemed sense, because I just don't really know what his motivations are in canon. I haven't gotten a strong sense of who he is, so I don't know what he would do if he ever had a redemption arc. HOWEVER I am also an older child, and know if I ever did something to my siblings and they forgave me, I wouldn't let them out of my sight. Victim might become a bit protective over Orange, but also Chosen and Dark. (this would confuse Chosen so bad; he's literally The Chosen One, he can take care of himself) They have to get used to being cared for, and caring for others.

I think it would be funny if sometimes the older hollowheads forget that Orange might be the most powerful of them all. He doesn't use his powers that much, and come on look at him, he's so little and cute. But then Orange pulls out an absolute devastating insult, or beats Purple in a spar with a crazy move without his powers. Orange was scary before he knew he was The Second Coming, but he also sparks lightning when he gets angry and his older brothers suddenly remember why Dark died.

Dark starts to like Victim because of his affiliation with technology. The amount of cool stuff Victim has access to makes Dark's head spin and they have to make sure Dark doesn't get his hands on any possible weapon technology. He might get carried away and destroy something.

Also on the note of redeemed Dark, he and Chosen probably wouldn't be able to go out in society very often due to them being literal former terrorists. They would hate being cooped up, but it's best for everyone that they don't get spotted and consequently arrested. Because the cops would try to arrest them, and Dark wouldn't be able to resist causing more chaos. He'd just dig himself a deeper hole.

[infiniteetcetera]

Hot take of the day is Gwynriel has loads of chemistry and Elucien plenty of potential but I’d still rather see Elriel together for the sake of the plot…

What I mean by that is I think an Azriel/Gwyn & Elain/Lucien love story is the path of least resistance for SJM. It fits perfectly into the “everyone is mated and happy together” stereotype much more so than Elain/Az, especially if (as most people predict) Emerie and Mor also wind up together.

I love the Valkeryies and their relationship too much for them to just be absorbed by the IC and that’s exactly what I feel would happen if we get Gwyn/Az, Elain/Lucien, and Emerie/Mor. If Azriel winds up with Gwyn it’s highly likely we’ll get an “i told you so” moment from Rhys who will continue believing he is right about everything and that its totally okay to control the lives of his so called family. Nessian will remain strong and Nesta will be even further solidified in the Night Court (FREE HER) if her two closest friends become IC equivalents.

On the Elain side of things, so many people seem to imply her being with Lucien would be an escape from the Night Court but Rhys wants Elain with Lucien because it’s a way to drag Lucien further into the Night Court. He’s already using their bond to manipulate diplomacy with Lucien and no matter where Lucien ends up, if he’s mated to Elain he will be stuck with strong ties to the Night Court and so will she.

I think Elain/Azriel are the only option that could really push and fuel change for the IC. Rhys drawing a line in the sand about their relationship forces the members of the inner circle to genuinely have to pick sides and I think it would really push Feyre and Nesta to confront their own relationships with their mates and the Night Court. And honestly I’ve always found it ironic that so many people use the “Elain doesn’t belong in the Night Court” argument against Elriel because Azriel doesn’t belong in the Night Court either.

As early as ACOMAF Azriel tells Feyre he doesn’t feel like he belongs in the NC. We’ve seen countless times throughout the series he is left out, ignored, and manipulated by his so called family. People like Rhys and Mor who are the “closest” to him have admitted to being lowkey afraid of him, most of the IC admits they know little about his thoughts/feelings, and its not one of his oldest friends but Nesta who comforts him while he isolates himself during a holiday when he’s feeling like absolute trash because he feels that lonely and unworthy.

I think it would make perfect sense for Azriel to leave the Night Court with Elain, maybe even with Nesta and the Valkeryies considering both him and Nesta have been tied to the Dawn Court now and Nesta made a point of saying she is not a member of the NC. I’m not saying we’d get a full on Nessian break up (I can dream) or that Feyre is going to leave Rhys (SJM will never do this) but I do think Nesta and Feyre would both pull for their sister’s happiness. Especially for Nesta, I feel like part of why she takes how Cassian and the IC treats her is because she feels worthless and doesn’t think she deserves better, but if there’s anyone Nesta will stand up for it’s Elain and hearing that Rhys is manipulating her love life could be such a good catalyst for this girl to move on (my dream crack theory, she leaves Cas in Elains book, Lucien’s book is Autumn Court centered and we get a Nesta/Eris redemption romance arc)

Overall I think the effects that would result from Az leaving the NC with Elain however it happens has the potential for the most complex and intriguing story. I’m sure both Gwynriel and Elucien could be perfectly happy couples, if they get books I will read them and they will probably be fine because SJM knows how to write romance (tho sometimes, I have my doubts recently 👀) but these two relationships don’t have much potential to spark the big changes in the ACOTAR universe Id like to see for the Archeron sisters (and babyboys Az and Lucien). If SJM doesn’t keep doing weird things like the necklace situation, I think Elain and Azriel make perfect sense as a couple and the breaking of the status quo they symbolize is just what the world at large needs.

[mysticstarlightduck]

Villain Sneak Peek (Supernova Initiative) - Eldora Thalax

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☆ ・・About/General Info ・・☆

A violent and ruthless woman, Eldora was banished by her people for wanting to indulge in a warmongering effort against the Junction's galaxies, seen by the Elders - including her mother, who was heartbroken by this realization - as too dangerous. And they were right. Leaving with a burning rage in her heart, Eldora sought out to collect as many conquests as she possibly could, amassing an army that rivals that of most known warlords - in hopes that one day, her mother would "see her potential" and welcome her back. She married a young nobleman named Damen in a political alliance to increase her military powers and eventually took his family's lands for herself through a coup. Eldora's violent nature showed her true colors once more when she proved herself to be an extremely abusive woman to both her husband and their child, Kye Thalax, something that would lead to the incident that sparked Kye's vengeance arc later in the main story.

☆・・More Info ・・☆

Pronouns - She/Her

Age - 43

Current Role - Antagonist, part of the Main Villains

Appearance - Eldora is a fearsome woman with a lithe stature and striking features, her presence being one that strikes uncertainty and fear into the hearts of those around her. She has long, bright silver hair - the trademark hair color of the females of her alien species - which she often ties into a sharp ponytail, styled with silver and gold ornaments. Her attire is practical and bulletproof, being both dangerously beautiful and invulnerable like the armor she often wears, appropriate to a General/Warlord of her reputation. Instead of nails, she has sharp, charcoal-black claws. Eldora also has a cruel, violent gaze.

Picrew (note, she has pointy ears, typical of anyone from her species, but I couldn't find that option in this picrew)

Personality Types -

✶ Enneagram: 5w6

✶ MBTI: INPT

Occupation: Warlord, General/Commander of Armies, Killer

Species & Place of Birth: Khylet; Thypsiell

Sexuality: Straight

☆・・Extras・・☆

✶ Character Playlist (A full Character Playlist is still To Be Made)

Belle's Villain Song - Lydia The Bard

True as it can be Watch the petals fall Desperate as you crawl On your knees to me It's your final page Fairytale complete You see in this world we're merely players But the truth is I'm your beauty, you're the beast [...] You thought we were a match Sweetheart, I am far smarter than that There is no one living that can challenge me You’re unworthy and that, love, is a fact [...] You are nothing but a monster to me Less than nothing you're not worth my pity Not even one of you Is a rival to what I can do Underestimated all this time Don't you get it this is my design I've made all my moves Seconds from the truth

Bad - Jake Daniels

Bring me down to the dark, muddy waters I think I need my soul cleaned Got a saddle full of miles, and a shot gun on my side That I'm not afraid to wipe clean I'm a bad, bad man everybody knows my name From the dirt all the way to the sea If you wanna try your chance, at a one way dance to the depths, come straight for me 'Cause I'm bad, oh I'm bad, 'cause I'm bad 'Cause I'm bad 'Cause I'm a doctor of the wild wild west Where the bad men are wanted and the law don’t rest I'm a simple man, but my fingers on the trigger Didn’t have no choice, I'm just a stone-cold sinner In the valley of the shadows ain’t no land of the free Best believe that I'm gunning if they come for me I don’t got a way out, but I had a way in Guess I'm gonna have to live in the life full a sin

Through War - HalaCG

I'm the queen of the cold and you'll learn to bow to me Cause the strong rule a world where the weak aren't built to breathe And are you blind or what? Look at all I've got and love me I've seen your strength pretty boy, pretty boy You'll be with me you don't get a choice [...] Armies kneel when I blink, no resistance stacks to this hey It takes less than you think to make a dog out of a prince And I know what don't think l will stop until it's won [...] We'll have everything Or go be a shadow I'll show you everything that I am If we have to be this know: even through war I'll reach your hand

Mother Knows Best (Reprise) - Tangled

Just proves you're too naive to be here Why would he like you? Come on now, really! Look at you, you think that he's impressed? Don't be a dummy Come with mummy, Mother - [...] No?! Oh. I see how it is [...] This is why he's here! Don't let him deceive you! Give it to him, watch, you'll see! Trust me, my dear That's how fast he'll leave you I won't say I told you so

・・・

✶ Tags:

#wip supernova initiative #oc: eldora thalax

・・・

Supernova Initiative Taglist (-/+): @ray-writes-n-shit, @sarandipitywrites, @lassiesandiego, @smol-feralgremlin, @kaylinalexanderbooks,

@diabolical-blue @oh-no-another-idea

@cakeinthevoid, @clairelsonao3, @sleepy-night-child

@thepeculiarbird

@the-golden-comet, @urnumber1star, @ominous-feychild, @anyablackwood, @amaiguri, @lyutenw

@finickyfelix @elshells, @thecomfywriter

Let me know if you'd like to be added!

[grimreaperofroleplay]

Spoiler for 2 of Dragons rising

Okay so like I just finished my little Ninjago season 2 dragons rising marathon, it was with all honesty something that was very exciting, and it's only part one part 2 will probably roll around I'd say October November ish from the pattern I have seen through part 1 and part 2 upload schedules of Ninjago seasons

In my opinion this season was a really amazing season, the plot was awesome the A&B plot of episodes was also awesome the main plot of the season was also very interesting and for the J fans we get to see a bit more of him we will probably be seeing him more in part 2

Let's start off with the obvious the two dragon warriors/ninja (I don't know how to spell their names) they were amazing the two paired up was like bad cop and good cop you can never go wrong with that trope and honestly the whole thing in it was just amazing,

I think one of my favorite arcs for part 1 is going to be Arins the development that he goes through just in this first part is already immaculate and as time goes on that's going to develop into something much bigger and with how he's already feeling I feel like that's going to be a lot of help

Also one thing I want to point out while I was marathoning drs2 is the fact that Lloyd probably / is implied to have PTSD. Like the paranoia with visions and the need to stop those visions are like flashbacks you have a PTSD but they're not flashbacks for Lloyd they're visions of things that could happen but it basically takes on the same concept of what PTSD is like for people who experiences it, and like as the visions come in there's this resistance that he wants to stop them that he wants them to stop that he doesn't want them there he wants them to go away and it just ends up in this mental break

And honestly the way they interpret this is a lot like PTSD and it's really fascinating to me, it has crossed my mind that but probably has a lot of issues and disorders from what has happened to him and what probably is going to come but actually seeing Lloyd actually as vulnerable as he was in this season was really exciting actually, vulnerability is placed differently in people and seeing how they interpret it with Lloyd was really fascinating

Since I have seen a lot of different shows that doesn't really allow their character to seem vulnerable, but from what I have seen the writers in Ninjago doesn't seem to be one of those people who refuse to give vulnerability to their character Lloyd is a great example that has a pinpoint a vulnerability in this season

But a little cameo of another vulnerability is Jay and I believe episode 8 if not 7, it's shown that he doesn't remember who he was bonzel says that she knows his heart isn't and it's right place and that he doesn't really want to capture her, and he admits it he doesn't know anything about him before that

He doesn't know how he got to the administration he doesn't know anything before that all you know is that his name is Jay walker, and then Sprite (the glowing orb) approaches Jay and starts to like go around him and when she looks ahead or into Sprite it shows him this image of him best splitting image of what Jay looked like before the merge or well while the merge happened

The sense of of vulnerability comes from when Jay touches the image lightning sparks into his hands and he panics cuz no one can know he has elemental powers, he knows he's an elemental master but no one else could know because he's afraid that if they know something bad will probably happen to him, something so bad that he insist to say no one can know about his powers

Even if it doesn't seem so this is a good example of a moment of vulnerability same goes for Lloyds multiple breakdown and visions, these are the things I want to see in shows them showing the actual character being vulnerable around others, and the writers not being afraid to push the boundaries of their writing to go to extent like this

Use Wyldfire as an example, she's a really complicated character on the surface rough as a stone with rusted edges but inside she's this kid that wants to show the world that she can do what everyone else can do no matter what anyone else is saying, she likes doing her own things but sometimes that's not a bad thing, and most times she wants to be included as the ninjas are one of the first people she's interacted with and that's fine because people get attached and protective and comfortable with the people they surround them

And I feel like I can relate to that feeling I get attached to people I'm comfortable with it I sometimes don't want them to leave my side so I stick close by observing conversations and just being by their side, and if there's a group of activity I sometimes don't want to be left out if it's with the people I'm really comfortable with and when I am left out because of something it most have frustrate me, I feel like that's how Wyldfire feels

There is a lot of the Season that is amazingly done is absolutely fantastic and I can't even start to phantom how greatly written the characters are getting, despite like the past seasons before dragons rising I'd say this was one of my favorite seasons for the new releases if it's DR S2 then it would be prime Empire but I'd say for the new releases dragon rising season 2 is my go-to the writing is just amazing

It goes unappreciated a lot of times and sometimes frustrate me that a lot of people don't see the characters other side the characters deeper meaning or the characters arc in general it frustrates me to see the kind of people complain about characters just because they don't understand their motive or compliant of said character, because a lot of these Ninjago characters are very well written

I'll probably have a separate post regarding everything from the season I think the one after this you'll be seeing is a Geo x Cole (Coleo) one and then a Lloyd one I'll probably leave my favorite one the Jay ones for last there will be a kai one thrown in there somewhere In the mix of things, I think you will be seeing a long paragraph for a Jay rant soon tho, it was gushing over him when I saw him I was so excited my dad asked me if I was okay

[starker-sorbet]

🌸Cosmos🌸 -symbolizes order, peace, modesty and harmony (I'm sorry for this (^人^) but not really )

Iron Heart (Tony) and Webspinner (Peter) joining the mane six making them instead the mane eight as the elements of Protection and Compassion

Applejack, who reassured me when I was in doubt, represents the spirit of… honesty! Fluttershy, who tamed the manticore with her compassion, represents the spirit of… kindness! Pinkie Pie, who banished fear by giggling in the face of danger, represents the spirit of… laughter! Rarity, who calmed a sorrowful serpent with a meaningful gift represents the spirit of… generosity! And Rainbow Dash, who could not abandon her friends for her own heart's desire represents the spirit of… loyalty! Iron Heart, who put himself in-between us and danger represents the spirit of… protection! Webspinner who helped keep us calm and safe as we travelled the forest represents the spirit of… compassion!

The spirits of these seven ponies got us through every challenge you threw at us

You still don't have the sixth Element! The spark didn't work! But it did! A different kind of spark. I felt it the very moment I realized how happy I was to hear you, to see you, how much I cared about you. The spark ignited inside me when I realized that you all... are my friends! You see, Nightmare Moon, when those Elements are ignited by the... the spark that resides in the heart of us all, it creates the eighth element: the element of... magic!

Pony Tony and Peter made here while their cutie marks were added later. Full pics alongside rambles below

I don't think much would change early in the show and haven't really thought this au through season by season. So other than extra episodes devoted the pining between these two and others trying desperately to get them together it could in any direction. What I have definitely thought of though is that Canterlot Wedding would change significantly as the gang would realize something is wrong with Cadence. Because as soon as Twilight tells them she's the Alicorn of love and they see Crysalis as Cadence doing nothing to get these two idiots together the mane 6 would immediately be on guard. It would be unfathomable to them she wouldn't start locking the two in closets together and other such antics if she really was the Alicorn of love. And so those episodes would certainly change as maybe even Celestia was eagerly anticipating Cadence sorting the two out and finds it odd (She would have read all about the pair's pining from Twilights letters they were practically her favourite soap opera at that point)

If anybody has any other ideas for story changes please tell me them

Iron Heart (Tony) would have gotten his cutie mark when the sonic rainboom shone through the window behind him and showed him gave him where the coding errors in his first magic based ai (DUM-E) were. I imagine Tony would focus on building things that help others straight up as there doesn't really seem a need in Equestria for weapons and that here the arc reactor is a magical storage device that allows for Earth and Pegasus ponies to 'cast' magic or use magic powered tools that work like spells do for Unicorns. He would I like to think also be a favoured source of guard armour for Celestia due to his skill so he could also act as a guide for Twilight around Ponyville due to the two of them maybe already having met and being sort of friends. This allows him to help her to get settled in the early episodes. Such as advising Twilight to act as the organiser in Winter Wrap-Up from the start. The reason he lives in such a small town as opposed to Canterlot or Manehatten has absolutely no relation to his crush Peter and is only because he likes the nature of the town, honest.

Webspinner (Peter) gained his from helping some of his childhood (colthood sorry couldn't resist) friends from falling by catching them by making a cloud that stops them falling. Not extra ordinary on its own but considering they weren't Pegasus ponies it was extremely unique and shows his talent at cloud making as well as his core being about looking after others. This would relate to the rainboom as the rainboom would have been what shocked the other ponies and caused them to fall while also illuminating the perfect cloud for Peter to use his pegesus magic to altee the clouds structures. I kinda imagined Peter's role in Ponyville would be similar to how he acts in the mcu and other timeline, helping ponies out who need help and stopping others from harming anypony, but on a more official level. A possible episode he could have a major part in changing is Lesson Zero maybe by realising early on what's going on with Twilight and manages to get her to deal with the problem before casting an unsafe spell on other ponies.

[thecleverqueer]

Pure speculation and likely a lot of head canon, but this is how I think everything likely happened between Ahsoka and Sabine…

(While I think the Master/ Padawan relationship was the best complex relationship to explore with Ahsoka since a romance or her own child would be super lame and out of character, it is odd that Filoni chose Sabine. But, part of me thinks that it all either clicked in his head and he assumed we all knew what happened, or he wrongfully thought Fandom could fill in the blanks)

Anyway, here goes:

In my mind, and likely right after the Battle of Lothal, Ahsoka showed up there looking for Ezra as promised to find a broken Sabine trying to hold it together after losing 1/3 of her Ghost Family to death/ disappearance and the other 2/3 to the larger Rebellion. Sabine had made a promise to watch over Lothal, and that was what she was primarily committed to doing. Ahsoka and Sabine likely trauma bonded pretty quickly, and began going on adventures together in Ahsoka’s T-6 shuttle with Huyang (who I think likely joined up with Ahsoka early on in the Rebellion. It is my theory that he was the one that inevitably rescued her from Malachor).

One of their first adventures was likely a failed attempt to find Ezra (this is what I think they were probably doing during a New Hope).

After being unable to find their long lost friend, Ahsoka and Sabine likely helped the Rebellion when necessary, but were probably more likely just helping people or pockets of resistance than fighting the Empire directly. Anakin’s betrayal shattered Ahsoka in many ways, and the politics behind it all likely twisted her stomachs (yeah, togs have two of those). Sabine probably liked this better as well because it reminded her of a simpler time with the Ghost Crew.

They likely met Luke Skywalker for the first time during this time. Hera likely kept in close contact with Sabine, and she told her about the destruction of the first Death Star. And while Ahsoka was likely incredibly reluctant to disclose any details about her fallen Master, Sabine knew his name and Luke’s existence intrigued Ahsoka (albeit probably also weirded her out a bit where she was unwilling to stay around for too long).

All the while, Sabine likely needled Ahsoka to train her as a Jedi. She probably mentioned it often, and dropped it into conversations frequently. Sabine would want to cling to something that reminded her of Kanan and Ezra, having been raised by the former and grown up alongside the latter. Ahsoka probably saw something within Sabine, possibly a force spark. There were teases in Rebels that Sabine had very slight sensitivities to the force (rewatch “The Trials of the Dark Saber” arc and the “Wolves and the Door” / “World between Worlds” arc as reference, and REALLY squint). A reluctant Ahsoka probably thought to herself, “What the hell, right? She’s not THAT force sensitive! It’s not as if her power will damn the galaxy to fall into a sinking hole of darkness if the worst aspects of my dumpster fire of a lineage seep into her by my teachings.”

Ahsoka likely began to impart her wisdom on Sabine, but was not fully committed to it herself. Ahsoka looked at her legacy and saw a wake of death and destruction that shook her to her core. She thought of her time fighting in the Clone Wars being trained more as a warrior than a Jedi (likely the source of her “I’m no Jedi” sentiments; questions and concerns more than a lack of commitment to the ideology or code). She remembered encountering her older self in the cave on Mortis, warning her that the seeds of darkness were planted inside her by her master. It scared her. Also knowing exactly what happened to her master at that point (with the knowledge of Luke’s existence), she likely became even more cold, stoic and detached; fearful that her own attachments to people could make her vulnerable to the temptation of the darkness.

Their adventures continued… but then, the destruction of Mandalore happened.

As soon as Sabine caught wind of this, she flew furiously off of the rails as Sabine does. Sabine was always impulsive and emotional. She wanted to take the Empire on, full-frontal once again. Ahsoka likely contacted Bo-Katan to assess the situation, and to see if there was anything that they could do to help. Bo-Katan told Ahsoka that it was a lost cause, and to protect Sabine at all costs (Ursa’s dying request for maximum pain), one of the few remaining Mandalorians and the last remaining member of Clan Wren. Sabine and Ahsoka fought hard, loudly and contemptuously about this. Ahsoka tried to reason with Sabine, but she wanted to go scorched-Earth. Sabine’s rage panicked Ahsoka. Ahsoka stayed to keep Sabine in check on Lothal until the dust settled, and then Ahsoka left without a word. Sabine thought that it meant that Ahsoka didn’t trust her to do the right thing, or to fight for the right causes. Ahsoka thought if Sabine had any capacity to use the force, this deep-seated anger and her inability to let go could become problematic.

Sabine remained on Lothal to keep her promise to Ezra, broken and downtrodden. With Ahsoka and her family gone, and with Hera, Zeb, and Chopper busy with the New Republic, she felt incredibly alone and refocused her energy on finding her long-lost friend …even though that felt hopeless too.

Ahsoka, also broken and downtrodden, continued to travel alone with Huyang to protect the people in the galaxy; quietly working towards peace and justice, following the Jedi ideology and code, but never truly feeling worthy of the title. When she ran into Din requesting her to take on Grogu as a padawan, not only did it frighten her further, it stung.

Din said, “A Mandalorian and a Jedi? They’ll never see it coming.”

Ahsoka smiled fondly, a deep regret inside her formed as her failure with Sabine marinated, missing Sabine dearly, and she thought, “If you only knew the half of it…”

[finn-m-corvex]

Whumptober 2023 Day 4 - Cattle Prod

Day 4! Not my best one by far cause this prompt was HARD but I did it! And I think I got some pretty good whump out of it too!

@splinnters tag number four! You're a trooper!

Words: 2.1k

“You won’t get what you’re looking for out of me,” Jay panted, head hung low over his chest. He could feel the blood leaking from the blow he had taken to the head, and he struggled to keep drool from slobbering down his chin. This man was not going to get what he was looking for.

Whoever he was, he must’ve had connections, because Jay couldn’t think of how else he and Cole would’ve been located and kidnapped in the middle of the night.

The man only hummed behind his black mask, putting down the now bloody brass knuckles that he had just used to knock Jay’s ribs in. Every breath made him feel like throwing up, except he had already vomited all over his lap. Jay tried to get a look at whatever other tools were being kept on the table, but it was no use, especially with one eye covered in blood flowing from a gash in his forehead.

“It’s only a matter of time before you talk,” the man said, reaching for another thing on the table. Jay couldn’t see it properly in the darkness of the room, but he heard the low whine of charging electricity as the man flicked a switch on the side of the tool.

He walked towards Jay and into the dim light of the one bulb overhead, and Jay clocked the tool immediately: an electric cattle prod.

Gritting his teeth, Jay knew that this interrogation was about to get even messier, but he couldn’t let his composure slip. It wasn’t the first time and it wouldn’t be the last that he had to endure under harsh conditions, and with any luck this time would be better than the time he spent on the pirates’ ship.

Bright blue electricity arced between the two prongs in a mesmerizing dance that Jay was more than familiar with, and the man had a look of fascination under his mask as he watched. “Pretty, isn’t it? Sometimes I like to hold it just like this and stare, because how could nature ever make something so beautiful?”

“Look in the sky once and a while and you would see it there too,” Jay retorted, his tongue bleeding where he had bit it after letting out a scream earlier.

Snorting, the man turned back to face Jay, and the ninja was suddenly very aware of how vulnerable he was when the prod was shoved right under his nose. He could smell the ozone, a harsh scent in his broken nose, and the light was blinding. “I’d watch your tongue if I were you, blue ninja. We both know that your lightning resistance doesn’t work with vengestone.”

“And?” Jay said, bored. It was a role that he knew how to play. “We both know you don’t have the balls to try it.”

“Oh?” the man asked, wiggling the prod as if it were a toy. “Is that a chance you’re willing to take?”

“Always.”

“Then that will be your downfall.”

Jay screamed as the man shoved the prod into his thigh, prongs shoved deep into his skin and sparking rapidly. Electricity ran up and down his leg, frying his nerves and making it feel like someone had doused him in gasoline and set him alight. The pain only lasted for a few seconds, the man pulling the prod away, but Jay’s stomach turned at the smell of burnt flesh left behind.

He cracked his eyes open to assess the damage. It wasn’t a normal cattle prod; standard ones wouldn’t have left behind such a large burn mark, angry and red and swollen on the top of his thigh. Lines snaked out from the injury, lines that he knew all too well: Lichtenburg figures. His leg was tingling, and his fingers couldn’t stop twitching behind his back. All of this felt way too familiar to how it felt using his lightning when he was younger: out of control, wild, untameable, and incredibly painful.

Goddammit, they weren’t going to make this easy for him, were they?

“Where is your master?” the man asked, holding up the prod. Jay’s brain almost short-circuited itself; that’s all they wanted to know? They were looking for Master Wu too?

If they were willing to go this far, to kidnap two of Ninjago’s most powerful heroes out of the shoddy campsite they had made in the middle of the woods, then he couldn’t let them get close to the others or Lloyd, or god forbid Master Wu.

Luckily, he knew jackshit about Master Wu’s location, but that wasn’t what the man wanted to hear.

“Your guess is as good as mine,” Jay spat out a hunk of blood onto the floor at the man’s feet.

“Now isn’t the time to be cheeky,” the man chastised. He flicked a switch on the side of the instrument, and Jay watched as the light turned brighter and the arcs grew in size. “Where is Wu?”

“I have no idea where Wu is-” but Jay barely had time to prepare himself before the prod was shoved into his other thigh. The charge was definitely higher, and Jay slammed his eyes shut and screamed, feeling his leg jerk against the restraints. His back arched off of the chair as the man moved the prod, digging it in deeper. Finally pulling it out made Jay slump in exhaustion; only two shocks and he was already on the verge of quitting. He was out of practice.

The man quickly flipped the prod around, slamming the butt of the blunt side into Jay’s temple. “Let’s try this again. Where is Wu?”

His head was spinning, everything around him rotating as if he had spent too much time on a tilt-a-whirl. Blood dripped down from his temple and onto his gi. “I don’t know.”

Clicking his tongue, the man looked disappointed with Jay’s resistance, and Jay watched as he flicked the switch again and again and again. Full power. “I can keep going for as long as it takes for you to crack, lightning ninja. But can you last that long?”

“Are you kidding?” Jay gave a toothy grin, making sure to show off every single one of his blood-stained teeth. His ribs were screaming, his stomach was revolting, and every time he moved his legs he felt like he was going to pass out; but he had never been better. “Bring it on, tough guy. You haven’t even broken into the top five all-time torturers on my list.”

Because all of those spots would be held by the pirates, now and forever.

All his words did was make the man’s face contort in anger, and Jay braced himself as the low whine of the electricity grew louder and louder. This wasn’t going to be good.

He hated being right.

Powerful shock after shock, not just on his legs but on his arms as well. There were a few well-placed points on his chest, but the most painful one by far was when the man stabbed it into the small of Jay’s back, chasing as the blue ninja’s back arched against the restraints. He did actually pass out for a few seconds that time, quickly coming to when the man splashed ice cold water onto his face without any fanfare. It felt good against the bruises, and Jay felt some silent relief when it washed away part of the blood coating his face.

Maybe they were finally done, because the man pulled back and put the prod back on the table. Jay panted heavily, catching his breath, watching as the man picked up a pair of gloves and slid them onto his hands. He made a quick hand motion, and suddenly Jay felt two more pairs of hands on his arms and shoulders to hold him in place.

Jay’s fight or flight instincts kicked in, struggling against their grips and fighting to free himself. The rope binding him dug hard into his wrists, and Jay could feel the rope-burn setting in as he twisted from side to side. His legs wouldn’t budge, and he even tried to flail so that the chair would fall backwards and knock the other two off-balance.

One of them slammed something into the back of his head, dazing him and subduing him long enough to tie a blindfold around his eyes; it was tight enough to make stars swim across his vision,  and he started bucking his head to dislodge it, knock it off, anything to let him see what they were going to do to him.

This was the most violent response they had coaxed out of him so far.

Anxiety churned in his gut, looming large over him and pressing in from the corners of his mind. He had to get free before anything else could happen.

He wasn’t afraid. He was terrified.

“If that’s all it took to start breaking you, then I would’ve called them in so much sooner,” the man mused, and Jay heard the cattle prod even though the tool had been left alone on the table. His eyes darted around, looking for any sort of pinprick of light to give him his bearings. It was far too familiar to the pirate ship.

“Whatever the fuck you want, you’re not getting it,” Jay snarled, but even he could hear the tremor in his voice.

Chuckling, the man grabbed his chin, tilting it up and to the side. Jay grimaced when he felt eyes roving across his face and body; he knew when someone was admiring their handiwork. “So much pain, and for what? To protect your pitiful little master? How are you even sure if he’s alive?”

“Well, he must be if you’re making this big of a deal out of finding him,” Jay quipped, and he grunted when the man gave his chin a harsh shove.

“You better watch your tongue before I decide to cut it out,” the man growled, and Jay hated the way even the image of that happening made him start shaking. He couldn’t afford to show any more weakness in front of these people.

And yet, it only took a snap of his fingers for Jay to start screaming again.

Both of the men holding him had cattle prods of their own, one going for his abused thigh and the other going for his chest. Jay had nowhere to go, as trying to escape one only pushed him farther into the other, and he could feel the tears start to sting at his eyes as they turned the charge up. Before, the man had never kept it on for more than a few seconds, possibly afraid of causing critical damage since he was right; Jay’s resistance wasn’t nearly as powerful with vengestone on.

These men didn’t care about the damage.

Grabbing his chin again, Jay could hear the man snicker at the way his blindfold was changing colors due to his tears. “Ah, there we go. Just the reaction I wanted to see.”

He stroked Jay’s chin with a single finger as the prod in his thigh finally pulled away, but Jay sobbed as he was stabbed right in the small of his back instead. The smell of burning flesh assaulted his nose, and Jay could feel his hands clenching and unclenching as his muscles contracted and loosened and contracted and loosened and it hurt it hurt it hurt—

“Please!” he finally begged. “Please!”

In an instant the electricity was gone, and Jay collapsed in an exhausted heap; the restraints were the only things keeping him from falling onto the ground. He could feel where the skin had rubbed raw against the ropes, tender and bloody and burnt from the prods. Even the light breeze blowing from a vent above him irritated the wounds, but Jay had nothing to cover them with. None of his muscles were working properly, and Jay was paralyzed with something entirely different than fear as a cloth gag was shoved into his mouth and secured.

Looking proud of himself, the man stepped back, and Jay felt sick to his stomach as he realized what he must look like to his captor: a prize, something to be controlled and praised for when it did as it was told.

He was nothing more than livestock to these people, so how fitting that he was tortured with a tool meant to contain them.

“Well,” the man said brightly, “how nice of you to finally beg. Unfortunately, we have other matters we need to attend to. If you’re not going to talk, then maybe your friend will.”

Jay’s eyes widened. Were they talking about Cole?

“Get him up,” the man said, and Jay yelled into his gag when he felt the two men on either side of him haul him to his feet as if he were a sack of potatoes. “We’re going on a little trip. Let’s just hope that for your sake, your friend is more cooperative.”

And the only thing that Jay could do as he was marched out the door, legs shaky and dripping in blood, was hope and pray that Cole could hold out more than he could.

[fishandships]

Salvation

Universe: Identity V (Time of Reunion/Ashes of Memory) Summary: In the midst of a match, Norton realizes he has gained something precious. Word Count: 1,448 A continuation of the AoM arc following Salve.

--

The cipher machine discharged with a loud pop, causing Norton to jump back with a curse, shaking his hand to dispel the numbness caused by the electrical shock. He hoped the noise had not drawn the Hunter’s attention, but he had never been a lucky man. The camera directly across from him slowly moved into ready position as if guided by a ghostly hand. Norton made a rude gesture in its direction. “Capture this.”

He ducked behind a nearby crate for a moment until the camera flash went off, then he finished decoding the cipher machine. Immediately after the machine lit up, signaling to the whole world exactly where he was, the ghostly image projected by the camera shimmered tellingly. Norton reached for one of his magnets, ready to put up a fight, but the figure who emerged from the photograph was not The Photographer - it was Rosario who stumbled through and promptly crumpled to their knees on the ground. “Hi,” they gasped. “Sorry. That son of a bitch got me pretty good.”

Norton knelt beside them to look them over. A quick inspection revealed two injuries - a graze on their left cheek and a more worrying slash across their back. “Let me get you patched up,” he said, producing a bandage roll from his pocket.

When he reached for them, they pushed his hand away. “It’s superficial. Focus on decoding.”

“Our teammates can take care of it. There’s only one machine left. We can still get out of here,” Norton told them, pushing back. “Take off your vest and lift your shirt.”

Rosario did as he told them with no more protests, which further worried him. They were usually so stubborn and determined; their lack of resistance was an indication of how weakened they were. When he was finished bandaging, Norton lightly chucked them under the chin. “Since when are you a quitter?”

They lifted their head, and Norton was relieved to see that familiar spark of defiance flashing in their eyes. “I’m not.”

“That’s the Naturalist I know,” he said quietly, a little smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.

The cut on their face was shallow and less concerning than the blood oozing down towards their jaw made it look. Despite this, and the fact that he had never been squeamish, the sight made Norton’s stomach turn. Undoing his neckerchief, he used it to very gently wipe the blood away, his opposite hand cupping their face to hold them still. When he did so a curious change came over them. They stiffened but did not pull away, instead freezing solid and gazing at him with wide eyes. His heart thrilled as he felt them lean into his palm ever so slightly. He couldn’t help but brush his thumb back and forth over their cheek, wishing he wasn’t wearing gloves so he could touch their skin. Rosario’s eyes drifted closed, and they breathed a little sigh as some of the tension visibly left their shoulders. Perhaps it was their exhaustion making them forget their caution. Or perhaps, like himself, it had been so long since they’d felt human touch that they were starved for the slightest contact. Whatever the reason, Norton hardly dared to breathe for fear of unsettling them and breaching this newly-gained trust.

That was when the siren’s wails pierced the air, signaling the completion of the cipher machines and the final stage of the Game. Both Norton and Rosario jumped. Immediately Rosario got to their feet, the rush of adrenaline lending them a burst of strength. Norton followed suit. “Can you make it to the gate?”

Rosario nodded, and both took off running together. By the time they reached the gate it was already open. Clearly their teammates had escaped. Norton automatically put on a burst of speed to reach the exit.

There was a flash as all the cameras went off at once. Norton glanced back over his shoulder to see The Photographer appear out of thin air, eyes blazing as he swung his sword with a vengeance. Rosario, who had fallen behind slightly, found their way barred. They managed to dodge a slash from his sword, although only barely. “Get out of here!” they shouted to Norton.

Norton had absolutely no intention of leaving them behind. Hefting one of his magnets, he hurled it with all his strength, shouting to Rosario, “Heads up!”

Rosario managed to catch it, fumbling it slightly as they dodged another attack. Norton could feel the familiar surge of magnetic energy welling up inside him, yanking Rosario forward as The Photographer’s sword came down where they had been standing only a heartbeat ago. The pull of the magnet brought them safely through the gate directly into Norton’s waiting arms, the inertia knocking him on his back with Rosario on top of him. The gate closed in the face of the enraged Photographer.

Slightly stunned, Norton lay there for a moment, chest heaving. Rosario buried their face in his shoulder as they clung to the fabric of his shirt like a lifeline. They were trembling violently and fighting to catch their breath. Norton stroked their hair. “I’ve got you. We made it. We’re ok,” he murmured repeatedly.

Rosario lifted their head to gaze at him. “Thank you. Again.”

Though their brow was furrowed slightly as if in thought, there was a softness in their eyes that hadn’t been there before. Norton brushed their bangs out of the way so he could see it better. “You alright?”

“I will be.” Their frown deepened, and a hesitant look came over their features. “I…I might need a minute.”

It took a second for their meaning to register, but when Norton realized his heart leapt in his chest. “Sure,” he replied, somehow managing to sound calm despite his surprise. “Take all the time you need.”

He scarcely dared to move as Rosario lay their head back down on his chest. Slowly he resumed stroking their hair. It was oddly pleasant, despite the inappropriate timing for noting as much, to feel the warmth and weight of their frame on top of his, their thighs bracketing his hips. He wanted to run his hand down their back but thought better of it, loath to overstep. Having them seek some form of comfort and stability in his arms, however temporarily, made him feel strong as steel. He wanted this, he realized; to have Rosario’s warmth and care and gentleness, and in exchange to protect them and make them feel safe. The revelation came not as a shock, but as a blooming of fierce heat in his chest.

After a time Rosario’s quaking subsided and they let out a heavy sigh. “We made it.”

“We made it,” Norton repeated with a smile.

They did not return his smile. “You saved me. Twice. I owe you.”

“Do you now?” His smile broadened to a cheeky grin. “Well, far be it from me to refuse a token of gratitude. What did you have in mind?”

To his delight, their serious expression was quickly replaced by a flustered one. “I…I don’t know. What do you want?”

You was what sprang to Norton’s mind, but the last thing he wanted was to pressure them when they were in such a state of stress. So he simply gave them a reassuring squeeze. “We can discuss that later, alright? For now, let’s get you back to the Manor. Can you stand?”

Rosario nodded wordlessly. Their features now held a deeply pensive look. They stood, Norton following suit, one hand half-extended to support them if they needed it. Already he felt oddly bereft of the way it felt to hold them, albeit under less than ideal circumstances; the way their smaller figure fit against his own as if they were made to, the fluttering of their breath on his neck, their warmth engulfing him more pleasantly than the softest blankets. He couldn’t help but imagine what could have transpired had the time been right. Had he got them so close under better circumstances, he could have watched those big doe eyes drift closed and felt their soft mouth mold against his own. He could have kissed them back and caressed them and showed them just a fraction of how much he wanted them.

That fierce heat from his revelation still lingered in his chest as he walked with Rosario back to the Manor. He had a new resolve: he would show them that they would be safe with him, that they would be adored by him. For once, what he wanted was within his reach. All he had to do was wait for the right moment to open his arms.

[chartreuseian]

Hey! for the heart snippets 🤎 nikola and Helen please 🥰

Hey yourself!! A chance to write Helen and Nikola kissing lots!? Count me in 😅

Set post series when they're together (somehow).

-----

🤎 multiple kisses / kisses all over / kiss after kiss

“Steady,” Helen intoned, leaning in close behind him. Nikola fought the urge to roll his eyes at her urging, rather proud of his ability to keep his mouth shut despite the myriad of jibes that rose on his tongue.

Instead he focused on the delicate instruments he was using, the fine wires that tangled together in a mess that was, to most, entirely incomprehensible. But not to him. He was, must as Helen was loathe to admit it, the only person on the planet who could likely unwind this mess without entirely overloading her systems.

No matter what the Wonder Pup seemed to think.

“Careful, Nikola,” she chastised, her breath coming in a puff beside his cheek. Holding his hands perfectly still, Nikola twisted his head until he was staring at her. Helen twisted at the same time, frowning a little. This close it was hard to focus on her eyes, his vision going more than a little blurry.

“I am being careful,” he murmured. “Stop trying to distract me.”

“I’m not trying to distract you,” she replied, still not moving back. “I just want to make sure you don’t blow this entire building up. Given it’s my life’s work and all that.”

Nikola did roll his eyes at that, turning back to his work.

“I’m not going to blow it up,” he grumbled, pushing forward a little more. It meant that the upper half of his body was all but in the wall cavity but it was the only way they were going to get this sorted if she wasn’t willing to let him rip it all out and start over.

“I put the odds at 50/50,” she drawled, a hand landing softly between his shoulder blades. “And quite frankly, that’s being generous.”

“Generous?” he muttered. “When have I ever blown up your house?”

“1891,” she said dryly. “And 1903. And 1926. And then in 1933 you can perilously close to shorting out the better half of London.”

“Not one of those involved me actually blowing up anything,” he replied, twisting a little to get a better look at the wires.

“I couldn’t make tea for a week in 1926.”

Nikola muttered a curse he was fairly sure she didn’t understand (under his breath though, just in case).

“And you let me think you were dead for three days when you actually blew up your house,” he retorted hotly. “So I feel like a brief tea-less interlude for a week when I so kindly agreed to upgrade the wiring on that crumbling monstrosity that neither James nor I could talk you out of buying, is perhaps on the lower end of our indiscretions.”

He heard Helen sigh, felt her shift where she had pressed up behind him (he was mostly certain she was unaware of doing so but then again, she had proven herself most adept at teasing him to the point of ruin), and he could feel the lecture brewing but, fortunately, in that moment, a bright spark arced between the delicate wires he was holding and he let out a cry of triumph.

“We have power!” he cried, twisting the two wires around one another before securing them back in their casing. In the distance he could hear the turbines begin to whir once more, the lights of the corridor flickering back to life.

Helen pulled back then, her hand trailing down the length of his spine as she moved to stand.

Nikola followed quickly enough, wiggling back out of the wall cavity to grin at her victoriously.

“Told you I could do it,” he said, just barely resisting the urge to put his hands on his hips and stick his tongue out at her.

Helen rolled her eyes, but he could see the lingering smile at the corners of her mouth. It made him want to kiss her. In truth, everything made him want to kiss her these days, but making her smile was definitely in the top three. Maybe top five. OK, definitely the top ten.

“You can say it, you know,” he said, raising an eyebrow as he took an experimental little step towards her.

“Say what?” She appeared distinctly unamused, but did not step away from him.

“That I’m a genius,” Nikola said with a little shrug. “That you couldn’t live without me.”

Helen scoffed loudly, rolling her eyes.

“Next time, I’m asking Henry,” she told him and though her tone was serious, the way her eyes twinkled in the low light (the light he had restored, thank you very much) told him all he needed.

“Or you could just admit it,” he said, stepping even closer. His fingers tingled with anticipation, more than ready to slide around that lovely curve of her and tug her close. They were less than a foot apart now and the heat that radiated between them felt more electric than the sparks he’d been coaxing from her shoddy wiring.

“That you’re a genius?” She arched an eyebrow at him. “Unlikely.”

Nikola knew full well his grin was predatory but none of the children were around to see it and he’d just done her a favour so he figured the odds of getting his way were the highest they were going to get. So, without worrying too much about the consequences of it, he grabbed her by the waist and closed what little space there was between them. Helen seemed unpleasantly prepared for the move, her hands shifting up to press at his chest in an effort to keep some distance.

He was not deterred.

Nikola pressed a quick kiss to her cheek before pulling back, grinning.

“Say it,” he told her, waggling his eyebrows. Then he kissed her other cheek.

Helen squirmed.

“Say it.” A kiss to her jaw. “Say it.” The tip of her nose. “Come on.” Below her ear. “Just say it, Helen.” Her chin. “You know you want to.” The apple of her cheek.

Laughing and twisting in his arms, Helen’s head fell back as he continued to pepper kisses against her face and neck, stealing small touches at random spots between his every widening grin.

“Nikola,” she protested, laughing as she batted at his shoulders while he ducked his head and kissed the column of her throat. Her head tipped back, allowing him access.

“Just once,” he murmured through his own laughter, nipping at her earlobe. “C’mon. Just once.” He kissed the corner of her lips. “Say it, Helen.”

One arm slung around his shoulders, the other gripping at his bicep, Helen leaned back in his embrace, equally avoiding his kisses and offering the expanse of her throat to the next round. He seized every opportunity as it came to him, letting his fleeting kisses pepper her skin until she was panting a little.

“Never,” she replied breathlessly and Nikola found himself pulling back to look her in the eye. Her face was faintly flushed, lips curled into a confident little smirk that had him narrowing his eyes at her.

“Well then,” he muttered, tightening his grip. “We’ll see about that.”

Her laughter only grew as his fingers tickled at her sides, holding her close even as her shrieks and cries of “Nikola” and “Enough” and “I can’t” echoed back and forth through the empty corridor.

“Mercy!” she finally cried, squirming away from his fingers even as his lips continued their assault on the column of her neck. “Mercy, Nikola. Please!”

He relented, still holding her close and grinning as she met his eye. Somehow, she still seemed to look only artfully ruffled, even with the high colour in her cheeks. Leaning in close, Nikola brushed his nose against hers, enjoying the way her laughter still bubbled between their chests.

“Go on,” he whispered, grinning at her like something of a maniac. “You know you want to.”

Helen sighed a little but didn’t pull away, instead leaning forwards until their foreheads were touching.

“Infuriating,” she muttered at him, shaking her head as her arms looped more securely around his shoulder. “Insufferable. Exhausting…”

“Keep trying,” he replied, loving the way her grin only grew with each passing moment.

“Horrendous,” she continued, barely pausing for his interjection. “Intolerable. Utterly wicked and entirely atrocious.”

“Nearly…” he teased, flexing his fingers against her back.

She pulled him in close, their lips a hairs breadth from one another.

“Genius,” she whispered.

Nikola grinned.

“Your genius,” he replied, just as quiet.

And then there was not a lot more talking for either of them.  

[khutsydoh]

Realm of the elderlings ask meme thing

This seems fun!

Favourite Rote book: Fool's fate

Why: I loved the series even before this, of course, but it was after this that I knew in my heart that this series was going to be an all time favourite that nothing else could topple. It took me through every emotion imaginable, from laughter to gut wrenching despair, from anger to triumph. It has it all. Fitz's character arc goes to many interesting places. Fitzloved is at it's peak. The plot has many threads that come together wonderfully. The way fitz comes so close to accepting his love for the fool only to be left behind and going back to his heteronormative fantasy has done irreparable damage to me. The way it feels like we are slowly moving towards tragedy by the end and yet fitz fights the narrative itself to bring his beloved fool back. But it still ends badly. Peak "it mattered that the love was there" type of life changing soul altering shit I love. I still do have problems with the way fitz gets back with molly but my love for this book outweighs them<3

Top three favourite characters: Beloved, Fitz, Bee

Top three least favourite characters: Hest, Tats, Lant

Favourite ship of the floating kind: Paragon

Top 3 ships of the people kind: Fitzloved, Patience x Lacey, Amber x Althea (honourable mention to my headcanon that bee will find a female catalyst so that her, perseverance and the catalyst can be the chivalry/burrich/patience trio gone well. Gotta continue the farseer legacy afterall. Except she does not have the internalised homophobia and she has to make the cycles better as the white prophet. Edit: also Princess Caution x Felicity)

Would you rather be witted or skilled: Witted for sure

If you were witted, what animal would you bond with: My dog<3

Would you rather live in the Outislands, the Mountain Kingdom, the Six duchies, Bingtown, the Rain wilds, Kelsingra, Jamailia, the Pirate isles or Mercenia/Fool's homeland?: the Mountain Kingdom! I love the architecture there and I will be close to nature. I could live a quiet life in a cabin with a witted animal without completely leaving society. Plus I could go exploring the skill road to the elderlings marketplace and the place with the stone dragons if i want.

How were you introduced to the books: i went looking to a lot of top 10 fantasy type of lists and YouTube videos when I first wanted to get into adult fantasy. The Farseer trilogy was on most of them and the premise of a bastard prince who could bond with animals spoke to me.

Share a quote you love:

It was a long journey, in the cold and the dark. Somewhere I could hear a whimpering, and I despised myself for that, too. But as I scraped myself along, it grew, as a spark in the distance becomes a fire as one approaches. It refused to be ignored. It grew louder in my mind, a whining against my fate, a tiny voice of resistance that forbade that I should die, that denied my failure. It was warmth and light, too, and it grew stronger and stronger as I tried to find its source. I stopped. I lay still.

 It was inside me. The more I sought it, the stronger it grew. It loved me. Loved me even if I couldn’t, wouldn’t, didn’t love myself. Loved me even if I hated it. It set its tiny teeth in my soul and braced and held so that I couldn’t crawl any farther. And when I tried, a howl of despair burst from it, searing me, forbidding me to break so sacred a trust.

It was Smithy.

He cried with my pains, physical and mental. And when I stopped struggling toward the wall, he went into a paroxysm of joy, a celebration of triumph for us. And all I could do to reward him was to lie still and no longer attempt to destroy myself. And he assured me it was enough, it was a plenitude, it was a joy. I closed my eyes

- Assassin's apprentice

Why would I need therapy if I have these paragraphs from ms robin hobb.

Tagging: @apamates @lordgolden @annot8 @treezenith @kaijuerotica anyone else whose in the rote fandom. No pressure:)

[kinky-khaleesii]

i see sunset, the sky glowing in golden caramel. i look on, my arm wrapped around the waist of my man. he alternates between caressing and petting my hair, to tracing his fingers lightly down my spine. how can he resist, with the dress i am wearing? it scoops low, stopping right at my coccyx. a deep blue, royal blue. i wear golden bracelets, snakelike as they trail down my arm. i stand, emboldened with him there, yet strong as myself. my body lithe, my toes grasping the sand as i feel my legs engage. i feel him playing right at the edge of my dress, tickling my low back. my body arcs in response to his touch as his fingers become firmer. i feel a weightlessness as he lifts me easily, my head lolling naturally on his shoulder as i look at him in utter contentment. my heart aches for how beautiful this moment is with him, a sweet ache at how tender i feel with him. 

we walk back, my long curls ticking my exposed back. the air still warm despite the sun setting. our arms swing. i feel light, exuberant, so grateful. i move ahead, skipping, giggling, and look back at his serene look. he has a grin on his face, enchanted by me much like i am enchanted with myself. i love her, my inner child. i love when she can play and show off and giggle. i feel dainty.

after some time, my energy melts into that of a temptress. my mannerisms less sprightly now and more gooey. my giggles become a throaty smirk. my bright eyes become hooded. i react to him, watching him watch me. i angle my leg so that the dress pools at my inner thighs. i start to move my hips slowly, in time with a universal erotic rhythm. i use my fingers to move my straps aside, touching my collarbone on the way to my lips. i sigh and purse my lips. my eyes once again shift from provocateur to damsel as if to say, 'oh... won't you come to me?'

his hands in his pockets, he observes. affected no doubt, but in control of himself. it irks me. i beg him internally, coax him. i make a small step towards him, his eyes sparking briefly. now he's the one luring me in. i take another step and my heart starts to race as he removes his hands from his pockets. this is...predatory. his knuckles clench and he steps forward. i am prey. i lick my lips hurriedly, erotic fear coursing through me. he dips his head, as if preparing to charge. i don't know whether i should run for it or run towards him. we are locked on to each other. my breathing is shallow and rapid. i quiver and whimper softly. this seems to undo him.

he charges and i only have time to turn and begin to accelerate before i feel lifted up, yelping in surprise and fear, feeling gravity change as i land under him on the sand. he locks me to his front and i feel his hips slide along mine, not giving an inch. he's pinning my hands with one of his while his other slides under my back, cradling me, arching me so my legs, pelvis, belly, and breasts are glued to him. there is just the space between our faces. he looks almost indignant, feral as he is. how dare i attempt to escape.

i am enthralled by this possessive reaction. my lips ache in time with my low belly, wanting him. i salivate. the hand under my body now pulls down on my hair. i am forced to look forward to avoid pain and the hard pressure building contrasts with his warm breath and tongue as he grazes me, samples me. his tasting leaves ripples of pleasure coursing, colliding through my body, my breathing still shallow and pressing my diaphragm deeper into him. i am melting into the sand, melting into him. i let out soft sounds, in between mewls and moans.

please, i am thinking, please...i don't know what im asking for. just, more.

i can feel my stomach clenching. he slowly untugs my hair and releases my hands, trailing his down my forearms, elbows, arms, and finally cradling my head so that i now look into his eyes once more. his hand settles against my throat. 

'mine' he whispers. and in that claim, i feel beyond bursting. i feel alive, seen, held, wanted, chosen, loved.

'yours' i breathe out.