#“i know a tavern that can take us in for the night” oh im sure

[bisclavret]

ea robinson said merlin/dagonet camelot final girls AND endgame???

[prolix-yuy]

ok bangathon request

gentle romantic after argument sex missionary.

im so boring but there it is

There's nothing boring about missionary! And with one of my favorite couples, it's sure to be much more than that too...

Pairing: Pero Tovar x F!Reader

Position: Missionary

Word Count: 900

Warnings: Explicit, 18+ MINORS DNI, PiV sex, unprotected sex (don't be a fool, wrap your tool), creampie, discussions on infertility, Pero being a dumbass but he makes up for it.

Notes: A continuation of the Pero Tovar and his Guerrera series.

Many would say that Pero has little tact with women. He’s brutish in all ways a man can be, and that must extend to the people he lets into his bed. Anyone who’s seen him with his Guerrera would only think it proof of their opinions. The way they snarl and scratch at each other, their constant biting remarks, the sheer amount of eye-rolling as they listen, all point to Pero being impossible to deal with.

They’re only partly right.

Most days the barbs are playful, their conversation scalding because they can both handle the heat. Pero could not imagine a partner that’s soft and simpering to him. He loves her sharpness and how quickly she will join him in a debate. 

Sometimes, however, he does take it a step too far.

When he enters their bedroom tonight, he’s soft of foot and quiet. The door snicks shut behind him, his clothing removed and laid out of sight. You’re turned to the wall, coldly ignoring him preparing for bed. 

Get your hands off me.

Oh don’t be so dramatic, Pero. 

Then do not go about flailing your sword at every moment.

So five men against you is fair odds?

I am - just go and do…whatever it is you do.

What do you think I’d be doing if I wasn’t saving your skin?

Being a real woman somewhere far from here.

Pero knew he’d hit something far more painful than he intended when you were silent, the easy smile falling from your face. What he didn’t expect were the tears that bubbled to the surface, ones you hotly scrubbed from your face.

Of course, because a real woman will tend your home and have your babies.

Pero’s stomach drops at the memory, knowing how he pulled something so fresh and painful to the surface over a tavern brawl. How after his seed didn’t take one drunken night you told him it never would. That you could never be with child, and how you’d come to accept it. Pero had felt the twin pains of sadness and relief, knowing that this life was not for a child but still mourning the loss. He told you it did not change the color of his love one bit, but in his petulance he used it as a weapon against you.

The bed sinks under his weight as he sits on the edge, watching you curl into yourself. Pero sighs, words failing him as they always do.

“Mi vida,” he says, stroking his fingertips along the back of your shoulder. To his surprise you turn to your back, eyes puffy and tired, but the anger he expected drained from your bones. His hand slides to your hip, stroking his thumb into the flesh. His eyes meet yours, and a subtle nod urges him under the furs. Clamoring between your legs, he settles on his elbows over you.

“I’m sorry,” he says, searching your face for anything you’ll give. Another pause, this one aided by your hand on his cheek, before you give him another small nod. Pero leans down and presses a chaste kiss to your lips, your arms wrapping around his neck.

“You are my life,” he murmurs, your legs wrapping around his hips as he presses you into the mattress. 

“I know,” you say, placing a kiss of your own on his plush lips.

Words dissolve on your tongues as Pero shows his remorse better than he can say. Between the long devotions of lips, he lifts your legs higher to press into you, sheathing his cock inside. The roll of his hips is slow and languid, sometimes forgotten altogether in favor of returning to kiss you more. He cups your head and nips along your jaw, lets his thumb trace your nipple to a gentle peak. When you start to pant with his motions he teases you with the tips of his fingers, finding the place that clenches you around him. He doesn’t care to cum, he just wants to be as close to you, as deep within you as you’ll take him.

Your first peak flutters his lashes, nails biting into his back as he grinds you through your high. He follows that with a second, quieter one that shakes you in his arms. Your final one comes when you nod at him to chase his release, the slap of skin on skin and hushed confessions drowned out by the roar of his spend painting your walls.

When he comes down enough to curl you into his body, he finally finds the words.

“You are every part the woman I want, and need,” he says, tangled up with limbs and feelings he’s trying out for the first time. “You are everything.”

“Thank you, Pero,” you say, pulling back to rest your head on the pillow beside him. “And if you ever say otherwise I’ll take the only part of you that can continue your lineage.”

“I would be so lucky to lose them to you,” he rasps, the tremble of your giggle easing his mind. He stays inside you until he softens enough to slip out, and even then he considers plugging you up with his fingers to keep his seed inside. It’s a dream he will never speak to you, not willing to hurt you so deeply again, but he’s willing to nurse it. He’s seen greater miracles, after all.

END

LJ’s Bangathon 2023

[l0viez]

May I request a reader who feels like they're falling behind in life? I feel this profound sadness when I realize others are further along where I want to be.

I'd like Kaeya for this one (And Zhongli if you have time).

Really sorry that im late for this! i had a busy scheduleT.T!, also sorry in advance if some of my writings is abit.. confusing? or not rlly that understandable! im still a newbie at these! This was in a rush so if i have some extra time ill rewrite and make it more better^^

This can be seen as romantic or platonic!💟

🗡️Kaeya! ;

Kaeya's first and honest reaction was .. kind of mixed

He felt abit little bitsy upset for the person you always look at and compare yourself too

He felt alot of concerned and sadness , concerned because of the fact you would stop talking or just go to your own world whenever you see them

He was very saddened over the fact you look and felt miserable just because of it

the first time he knew about your situation and what you were feeling these days

He felt guilty and mad at himself because he didn't get to manage to see it more earlier

Kaeya WILL visit you daily with flowers!

Theres are no ifs or buts

you will see him at the front door waiting for you

it will become a daily thing until you finally feel better again

(unless you want him to visit u everyday🤭! just request him xox)

Kaeya will be inviting you to tavern to make you feel calm down and to distract you from you feeling upset

knowing kaeya he will still tease you but he will lower it down too make sure it doesnt say anything to tigger you

he isnt a afraid to make himself look like a fool just to distract you and make you laugh

he will even skip some of works to hang out with you to distract you from all those stress or

a little headcannon : since he got em 💵💵💸 whatever your hobbies are he will buy you the items needed for your hobbies!

Cooking? you have a whole kitchen for yourself to make foods and make your own recipes!

Singing? He will rent out a whole year room just for you to sing, it has a mic and everything

Drawing? .. yeah he would probably ask albedo for some tips on what to buy good materials LMAO

Kaeya is the type of person who would distract, make you forget about your worries, spoils you rotten, be more 10x clingy, make you laugh during your bad times❤️

Kaeya is super supportive of you and respects your decisions but sometimes he worries to much for you thats why he's always looking out for you!

He will even take you to some sceneries or areas that you havent went before and explore abit !

he just wants to express his love to you and to tell you everyday that your more than good enough and that what ever you have or got is something to cherish for and that one day you will be like someone you idolize!

he will wait for you to succeed to the things you want to be in life, he will be there at your comfort <33

he's honestly so proud of you like he would be like "yess💅🏻thats my boyyy/girll!" (hes a silly lil goofy man dont mind him) if you ever surpassed or succeed on the things you want to be or you want to succeed in

(he would even throw a celebration on it too😭‼️)

He's that hype man you didn't ask for but still (thankfully) got/jk

(he gives me that "its us againist life"/jk im unfunny like cyno im sorry)

" Oh (n/n), took you long enough, almost thought Id have to spend this night by myself.. drinking (your favorite drink) by my self... Ow! that was a hard one — hey hey! I was just kidding you didn't have to hit me that hard haha.. here come sit with me! .. what's that? you still have work to do? heh. Your staying here with ME tonight. Relaxing! The night is young, how about you relax abit? Don't worry I'll help you with your problem tomorrow! Would it really kill you if you don't work for one day? "

His first reaction was most likey confused..

Dont blame the poor old man he is still learning

Ofc he would be also half upset bout it too

Cause like.. what his DEAR IS UPSET? HE is UPSET as well😤‼️

Zhongli would be so confused because like he will catch you looking down or feeling down

he would ask you if you were alright and you would tell him you were okay

but more days went by he FINALLY gets the clue

He brought you both to a fancy expensive looking restaurant (ofc childe payed for it)

When both of you got comfortable now

He legit straightward asked on what was goin on with you for the past few days

he would give you the most OBVIOUS things and asks you the most OBVIOUS things as well (his trying his best😭💔)

(but then again, I feel like he will get it already but he will act like he wouldn't just cause "communication is the key" and he didn't want to be rude and assume on what was going on so he has to make sure of it"!)

When you confessed on what was going on and how you felt down because of it

he will also visit you everyday like kaeya's! but no flowers.. well probably a pretty rock but who knows

he will use his wallet/childe to get you both in some fancy resturants whenever you both have spare times!

Zhongli would be like your spotify premium but instead of music he is like a radio.

He will tell you stories non stop to "distract" you from feeling upset

good thing his voice is calming

so while your doing your thing he would be talking in the background

Zhongli will probably even give you his specialty dish just for u<3

zhongli will be the type of person who likes to think that making things from your heart or homemade is more special that buying

(he just dont wanna admit he has no cash to buy you gifts/jk)

just like kaeya he would maybe take a day off to spend time with you

Instead of buying you newest items you wished you had, he will give you some items they used before when he was still a archon younger!

Unlike kaeya who likes to distract you and make your worries clear off ur mind, Zhongli will instead give you some "wise" advices on what you want to get good at and be more more supportive of your decisions!<3

He understands that there's a huge difference between a human and an archon but that won't stop him from giving all his best to help you get what you think its missing from you‼️

He's that "proud father" or "proud old grandpa"

He's more layback and chill than kaeya, like he will also tell you to relax and to not overwork yourself as well

If you manage to overcome or succeed or surpassed the people that you used to look at with sadness

Zhongli will most likey to celebrate that and even invite some people from liyue!

He will even take you on a peacefully calming date while you tell him about what happened

Zhongli is willing to listen to you 24/7

he will probably request you to do your hobbies or the things you love infront of him

and he will even act dense about it (sly mf)

" Greetings (Y/n) , I have some plans for us to visit somewhere special. Ah ah. *holds your hand* don't even think about going back and overworking youself now. You don't have to rush yourself always you know? Im worried about you, you might even get a fever from thinking too much.If you ever need someone to comfort you I'll be there at your call now.. I ordered us some relaxing tea at Yanshang Teahouse, let us go and grab it shall we?

This is just a little bonus message, if you ever feel sad about people who are futher along where you want to be in. Remeber to not pressure yourself to becoming a "improved" you. to not overwork youself for it. Don't be hard on your self because sooner or later you will be on the top or be the version you wanted to be. Dont rush and try to have fun along the way and to stay safe always<3.!

[pwblogarchive]

November 2003

November 10, 2003

6:51 pm

“paris hilton sex tape”

it's so weird to be homeless. to throw the dirtiest pillow into the corner of rooms just to get by. i never write in here anymore. i don't really feel the need to anymore for some reason. words feel stuck behind my tongue and my hand. i feel ashamed of how words make me feel and sometimes i want to stay asleep forever.

maybe i'll stop by here again soon.

peter

November 13, 2003

“you feel first kiss good”

So. Portland. Thanks for the underground tunnels and sweet words. Couple of kids said they read this thing. Who wants to read about a kid who just complains and plays video games? You ever look in the mirror and say god I am so fucked up and that's okay. Thanks for taking the time to read this though I fear it maybe a waste of your eyesight. I'm doing guest reccomendations with roze harding over at absolutepunk.net this sunday, so go check it out. Then next week it'll be patrick. Then joe. You get the idea. Also I'm playing bass with less than jake during their encore. Maybe you'll see it. Who would have thought me in a ska band.

Portland has this system of underground tunnels called the shanghai tunnels. They go down from the river and port up to the basements of taverns and the local hoods used to sneak up them and kidnap people from bars, drug them and sell them to ships as sailors. They would wake up out at sea forced to work. How insane. Little bit of history. There is a good book on it by chuck palahuick. Read it. Hang out with us after shows.

'You'd think by now I would have died. I'm sorry girls I tried.'

peter

November 14, 2003

“we just played a show in vietnom during the 1970s amongst guerilla warfare tactics

it was sold out.”

things have been good. we're acutally in san frantastic right now. i was pretty upset the past few days, but today i feel a lot better. the shows have been awesome, so no complaining about that. less than jake is sound checking right now and i'm humming along.

oh yea, that baby picture to the right is me, im not sure if that was ever made clear.

November 14, 2003

“i used to compare myself but i don't care anymore”

downstairs at the warfield in SF. getting fed on tours is crazy, today we got fed twice. it means i can spend my per diems on things to fill the home i don't have. a modest mouse song is reminding me of you. ive got the ipod on shuffle but i can't mess with that kind of luck so i keep skipping to it. i think my band hates it. my mom reads this thing. its pretty rad cause i know someone back home cares and i was kind of always the "mom look at this" kinnd of kid. at the same time i figure i might have to censor it a bit, haha. california is gonna be rad, theres something about driving to the coast. i can see patrick and andy talking from here, i can't hear it. its so weird that i am paid to hang out with my friends. for the record it makes me smile when you copy the things i say, its almost cute.

the show was rad- mostly because a few kids were really esxcited to hang out and talk. it made us feel at home. sweet girls and boys. got to play with less than jake, pretty amazing.

kiss me. breathe life into my old failures. i want to feel them at the speed of light.

i got paris hilton's number. what do you got?

peter pumkin eater

November 14, 2003

8:14 pm

“i want my funeral to be a party. play all the hits and dance the night away.”

morrisey.tupac.love,love will tear us apart, yes it will. unbroken. it doesn't go the way you think it does, nothing ever does. mountain drives. scars and middle fingers. club food, club stomachaches. phonecalls that feel first kiss good. northern california nights, southern california hearts. tonight is all about we miss you.

we miss you.

November 17, 2003

“when i was young, your word was the word that always won.”

so i am writing this entry and i am not really sure what to say or whats going through my head. things only go wrong when you are a half a world away. you have to read this whole thing for it to make sense, don't start and then not finish. yesterday when we were driving to las vegas i had this bad dream that my mom had chemo and died from it. i was than woken up by a phone call from my sister who told me to call home because my grandpa had just died. we were expecting it, so this didn't completely shock me.i just feel totally fucked when i think about how sad it is for someone to die completely alone, with noone there. it makes me feel really guilty for some reason- that i am out here and living. and everytime i try to talk to anyone about anything the words get choked in my throat. don't mistake this as me asking to have you say "pete you can talk to me". i know i can, but i can't. because something is messed up inside of me. i feel stupid because this is just some dumb tour journal and i am just airing the dirty laundry and catching the unaccounted for ghosts. i don't need a shoulder, i just need to figure myself out. and the only thing that gets me through anything is my three friends in this band and 30 minutes a night we play. it makes me think about how rad my own dad is and how much trouble i give him all the time. nomatter what he is a safety net. whenever i bend he doesn't let me break and it scares me that there will be a day when might not be around. i am sitting in l.a. at one of the greatest hotels around about to play the house of blues and then go hang out with blink (it doesnt feel real and doesn't feel deserved). i'll write more later tonight. my sidekick broke so i don't know when i'll get on the net again.

tonight is all about we miss you...

i miss you.

p

November 19, 2003

“we write music not soap operas.”

so l.a. was amazing, the kids in anaheim were amazing. anyway, p.s. i got paris hiltons number from some dumb A&R guy at a show of ours and never called it- she doesn't know i exist, i don't care. so dear drama on our webboard, if you don't like what i have to say than you can check out this other thing.... called 'the door'. leave, don't read this. stop focusing on our jeans and haircuts, stop believing gossip on the internet. we write music, not soap operas. my head has gotten so big i can barely hold it up to type this. its such a joke. if you only knew how insecure i felt, so sick in my own skin- if only you knew how nervous you all make me.

thankyouforbeingsupportiveofus.

i may take a break from writing in here for a bit, maybe not. i am pretty obsessed with words. we'll see. i don't want this to feel like i am just going through the motions.

thanks, i can RU(i)N my life myself.

peterrabbit.

you are like fucking cancer.

November 21, 2003

“how does my name taste on your lips?”

yeah so i have given alot of thought on the drive. the shows have been fun. we are getting to hang out with alot of old friends. i have always thought that what i say in here is overdramatic. that is a fault of my own. but i want to give you an honest portrayal of what our/my life is like on tour and going through this process. its not all shitty. its not all fun. it is different from how my life was before. everyone in this band can write on here- i guess some of them are smarter and have better stuff to do- which i should go do now. it's hard to not let people get you down when you put yourself out there. i have to work on that.

go listen to kent "isola" if our new record doesnt sound something like that i will be disappointed.

peter

November 22, 2003

1:35 pm

I.C. you are feeling Drake

you know how it goes. its been awhile. i hate the fucking drama everywhere. yet somehow i feel pretty attached to it. the west coast was rad. we're making our way back. i think i may be spending thanksgiving on a plane. more for me to complain about. my throats hurting pretty badly and i have van neck from sleeping in it last night. on a positive note i got "my life with morrissey" this documentary on hardcore morrissey fans (bring on the freaks). i'm hoping i might see myself hahaha. tommy two tone might jump on this tour for a minute, you know "jenny 8675309" haha how good?

it can't get much better/worse.

call me up on my cellular phone just to see how i'm doing. it would make my day.

November 24, 2003

“who could ever love a kid with eyes this blotchy and red”

joy division

the hills have eyes

vinnie and roger ltj

midwest hearts

breakfast all day

old pictures

van conversation/van sing along

when you smell like baby sweat in your sleep

headphones as medicine

complaining online, new bruises (to the face and the ego)

867-5309 (yeah they're on this tour)

love, love will tear us apart

give up the ghost

photo shoots for dirty looking tired kids

you won't understand so don't try to.

these are the lives the world would lead but they are too against injury.

peter pumpkin eater

November 25, 2003

11:29 pm

“the pity party is officially over.”

i am single if you wanna hang out, bros and stellas.

also, i am moving to another journal at some point so the drama in this stupid one can stop.

November 25, 2003

“over the years i've kept more grudges than i have kept promises and friends…”

i am sorry i have been so out of touch lately. this tour has proved to me that being in this band is the best thing that will ever happen to me.

for the record i know you are going through a hard time-

it's good to know you are doing okay and that someone is there for you.

cause i can't be anymore.

peter

November 28, 2003

“the breaking of the fellowship”

detroit - philadelphia - d.c. three amazing shows in a row. detroit felt good, like at home. philadelphia was one of the biggest rooms we played on this tour. that being said we still felt really connected and the disco dance after party was rad. d.c. we had never played before so we were pretty nervous about it. in the end there was no need for it cause everybody had a good time. it just felt pretty right lately.

after the d.c. show everything felt weird when the band all went our seperate ways for thanksgiving. it felt off. it's like i spend all my time with these guys and it felt strange to be not doing it. it sounds dumb but if this ended i don't know what i would do. everything was so different before and i feel like they are the only people who understand me.

this thing saved my life. blah blah. who cares.

happy thanksgiving.

peter

November 29, 2003

“the act is getting old (so are you).”

its funny with all the things you had to say.

the truth never found its way in.

see you around.

November 30, 2003

“I got you in my headphones.”

Reading: touching from a distance. I.C. I know how it feels to be off. Watching: glengary glen ross. You feel like an old lead.

Drove all night from home to pittsburgh. Thank you for making it worth it. We got the best reaction we have ever gotten there. Saw a ton of old friends and kids from other towns. Left late today for new york city. I am in love with this band. I spent most of my free time answering email though I fear I will never catch up. Why do I always pick the worst times to fall apart?

I've got the remix of sincerity playing in my head. We're all falling apart again. I must confess how much I believe in love. You're who I'm dreaming of.

p

[primofate]

im feeling kinda akward since its my first time requesting,i really really really like your writings and im wondering if you could do some angst for albedo, anything you feel like tbh, but if may i be a little selfish i was thinking on something like he hurt you, so you break up with him or maybe he break up with you and regret later, im in love with the genius and your writings so why not lol, hope you are doing well, xoxoxooxox

Thanks for the request anon. <3 Sorry it took so long, but I’m feeling angst today so here goes. Let me know what you think <3

QUEUED POST

Scenario: Breaking up

Characters: gn! reader x Albedo

Warnings: angst, break ups, regrets, did I say angst?

Categories: angst in Part 1, comfort in Part 2 (It was getting too long so split it into two parts)

Read: (Part 2) (Part 3 - Final)

Albedo

Alone.

These days you found yourself alone in your shared home. It had been nearly a year since the two of you decided to live together. Maybe that was a bad idea.

You were smitten. He was such an intelligent man, and truth be told you loved how his mind worked. He was silent and mostly kept to himself at first, but with you, there were subtle touches, fleeting kisses. Oh and his eyes, the way his eyes brightened or the way his lips turned up at the sight of you. The way he held you close at nights, up until the morning.

Gone were those days. 

He was hardly home. The intelligent man you had fallen in love with, was also a workaholic. Perhaps you should’ve seen it coming. There were so many signs.

Maybe he changed. Maybe you changed. But the little things weren’t enough anymore. He came home just to sleep and wake up, and he was off again. 

“Bedo, have you got some time off on the weekend? We haven’t been up to Starsnatch Cliff in a while,” you had prodded him a few days ago, wondering if the problem would be solved if you made the first move. 

“Sorry, Y/N, we’re just about to discover more about the properties of electro crystals... It’ll be useful if we want to sustain higher energy concentrations on...” and just like that he had gone off a tangent explaining the whole thing. You smiled a little, it was still endearing how excited he got discussing those things. 

But you couldn’t help but be lonely at how he seemed to love his research more than you. 

‘Maybe I just need to be more proactive. That’s it! I’ll go and visit him at the lab today!’ Surprising him was one of the things that you had always wanted to do. But not a lot of things got past Albedo. He was observant like that. You made a quick run to the bakery, getting him some croissants and welcomed yourself into the Favonius Headquarters. 

You looked up at the sign on his laboratory door. That sign was always there though, Klee had told you about it, and Sucrose had also talked about it once or twice before, telling you that it wouldn’t be a good idea to go in if the sign was up. But when was it ever down? So, you shrugged, and pushed the door open with a wide smile.

“What are you doing here?!” There’s a wild look in Albedo’s eyes the moment you step in. He didn’t appreciate being disturbed. You tilted your head a little at his reaction, you weren’t expecting that.

“Oh, since you’ve been so busy these days I just thought I’d drop by and give you something to--”

“Y/N, did you not see the sign on the door? No disturbances, even from you,”

“I’ll just be quick, I’m just dropping this off,” you lift the paper bag from the bakery and lay it down on the nearest table. Albedo closes his eyes with a sigh. 

“...We’re working on something dangerous right now, I don’t have time to eat. Please take it back,”

Surprisingly, you obey quite quickly, and take the paper bag back into your hands. Annoyance start to pulse in your veins. “Anything else you want me to do? Maybe disappear so I don’t bother you or your research so much?”

Sucrose had been standing there the whole time, and you can see the slight wince on her face at your cold statement... But Albedo had returned it ten fold, snapping an answer back. “Yes, Y/N, that would be excellent, don’t get in the way. Stop being irritating at the wrong moment,”

You didn’t expect how much it would sting. Your shoulders slump downwards at the realization that this... had gone too far. You couldn’t take it anymore. Sucrose opens her mouth, but doesn’t know what to say looking back and forth between you and Albedo. 

The Kreideprinz had continued with his task as if nothing had happened at all, but he knew what he said. He didn’t want any interferences nor accidents happening in the lab and that was the only thing he cared about at the moment. 

Your foot moves to step back, but your eyes are glued to Albedo. You can only see his back. His hair tied up neatly, the shoulders that you loved to wrap your arms around and his hands that were always gentle. You took a good look, drinking the whole scene in like you hadn’t had a drop of water in days. 

This was the last time you would lay eyes on him and it broke you into so many pieces. You turned away without another word, Sucrose staring at the door, before she decided that she needed to follow you. “I-I’ll be back, Master Albedo,” she rarely ever abandoned an experiment, but she knew that you needed a friend right now. 

Ironic, because it should have been Albedo running after you, but instead the green-haired girl caught up to you just as you reached the fountain in the middle of Mondstadt. “Y/N!” she jogs, and stops when you do as you hear your name.

Tears prickled your cheeks, but they were more of frustration than sadness. You stand there for a moment, drying your tears and turning around towards Sucrose, gaze on the pavement. “Y/N...” Sucrose approaches carefully, hand resting on your shoulder.

“...I don’t know anything other than Albedo, Sucrose,” you start, a curtain of memories flashing through your mind. “...Without him, there isn’t much reason for me to stay in Mondstadt,” Sucrose shakes her head rather hastily. “H-He’s just... a little occupied right now, Y/N, I’m sure he doesn’t mean what he said,” You close your eyes, the scene repeating in your head.

“Anything else you want me to do? Maybe disappear so I don’t bother you or your research so much?”

“Yes, Y/N, that would be excellent, don’t get in the way. Stop being irritating at the wrong moment,”

A hard lump forms on your throat at how hard you try not to sob. How hard you try to keep yourself together and Sucrose sees it from the way your lips tremble. “Sucrose, please watch over him,” and that is also the last that Sucrose sees of you. 

That night, Albedo arrives home exhausted, just as he always does. But now that he was home, he could at least expect a warm meal and a warm hug. A soft smile tugs on his lips at the thought.

When he turned the lights on, he was met with a strange stillness instead. His hand stays on the switch as his eyes scan the living room. It was...quiet. There were no plates on the table, and there were no sounds from the kitchen.

Deep in the pits of his stomach there’s an anxiety that starts bubbling up. He brushes it off, opting instead to check the kitchen. “Y/N?”

Empty. 

His footsteps hasten as he opens the bedroom door, expecting you to be curled up there, asleep. 

Empty.

Albedo takes in a shaky breath. You were probably just out in town, doing some late night shopping. Yeah, that’s it, perhaps you just didn’t have enough ingredients for dinner today and--his eyes land on the bedside table.

The photo frame is gone. The photo of the two of you standing side by side together with comfortable smiles on your faces, his hand on your waist, and the house on the background. 

He throws open the closet doors. Your clothes are gone. Your shoes are gone. Even your scent seemed to have disappeared. The anxiety that was once a small bubble in his stomach had started to claw it’s way out, wrenching his heart in places that he didn’t know could hurt. The tears pooling in his eyes were so foreign that he didn’t even know what was happening until he hears himself gasp back a sob.

You’re gone. 

Suddenly it was so hard to breathe, but he pulls himself up and out the door. There’s no way. Where would you go? Perhaps you were just around Mondstadt, trying to get a breath of fresh air to calm your nerves. He searches everywhere. The church, the tavern, the Good Hunter and even atop the rooftop of the Favonius Headquarters. There was a decent view of the city there, and his eyes roam the streets, just to get a glimpse of you.

“...Please...” There’s another lump in his throat, his eyes dart around looking for any small sign of you. 

“Albedo? Tired?” you ask as he returns home one day. He merely lets out a small “Mm,” and pulls a chair out from the dining table to sit on. You walk into the kitchen to fetch him a cup of tea, and he snatches your hand to press a soft kiss on the back of it. “Thank you, love,” 

“...Please!” his grip on the stone walls of the rooftop tighten. His vision blurs.

“Al! Don’t do that!” you try to swat his hand away from the pot, a short laugh coming off of your lips at how mischievous he could be sometimes, trying to dip his finger into the sauce. He has a grin on his face as he successfully tastes the sauce off his finger, making a sound of approval as he draws you in for a light kiss on your forehead, “It’s good, as always,” 

His legs buckle, and he finds himself on his knees, hands fisted upon the cold stone wall. “At least tell me where you've gone! I can’t--” he doesn’t know when the last time he cried was, but whenever it was, he doesn’t remember it to be this bad. The pain was unlike any injury he had, it grasped so tightly at his heart.

“Anything else you want me to do? Maybe disappear so I don’t bother you or your research so much?”

“Yes, Y/N, that would be excellent, don’t get in the way. Stop being irritating at the wrong moment,”

He furiously shakes his head because he knows that it was his fault. “I didn’t mean it, please give them back,” as if there was someone else who took you away. As if there was a God listening to him right now. 

He realizes that the worst of it was not that you had left, but that you had left no traces of you behind. No photo. Not a piece of clothing. Not a trace of your existence.

Nothing for him to hold on to.

That night, he dragged himself back home. Face flushed and hot from the tears he had shed and the ones he was attempting to hold back.

That night, he painfully got into bed.

Alone.

Taglist:  @larkspyrr @rim0na @sweeti-pie @l3mon-mxshroom @hai-q-haikyuu @tkshoki @kyquu @KimbapSana @fanfictionenthusiast

Crossed out means I couldn’t tag you! Sorry!

Masterlist

https://primofate.tumblr.com/post/653296890583154688/masterlist-for-mobile-version-main-links

Taglist (Want to be notified when something new comes out? Sign up!):

https://forms.gle/VZmJXQssHcv7YzQc6

If you’d like to be extra sweet and donate, here’s my kofi link:

https://ko-fi.com/primofate

[lotus-flowerz]

hello hello I love your writings so far sobs I couldn't help but do an ask myself aa (it's my first ask ever help hwkajd) could I request perhaps gn reader that flinched away from the boys by reflex? (preferably with Diluc, Kaeya and Kazuha but you can add or remove someone if you want to!) like they were hanging out and reader was lost in thoughts and suddenly when they see in the corner of their eyes how the boys raise their arm for smth reader quickly raises their arms above their own head to protect it- how would they react and how would they comfort the reader? I hope it's not too much or if you're uncomfortable with it you can ignore it if you want to whaaaa

AHHH TY IM SO GLAD YOU LIKE MY WRITING! i actually do this too, some of my old friends would make fun of me for it, so i hope that my writing here is accurate >.<

i also added beidou in here, hope you don't mind, i just had to since she's my favorite character <3

TW!! FLINCHING, ANXIETY, PAST TRAUMA, MENTION OF DEATH AND INJURIES

SLIGHT INAZUMA ARCHON QUEST SPOILERS

KAEYA BACKSTORY SPOILERS

The cherry blossoms fell silently from the trees under which you and Kazuha were sitting. Those had remained unchanged since you and Kazuha were children. The beauty of the pink blossoms falling towards the green earth without a care.

It had remained the same through the vision hunt decree, through the war, through watching Tomo get killed by the shogun, through both of you getting injured during said fight. Kazuha's hand was burnt from Tomo's vision, and your body had a large scar running from your knee to the side of your neck from a stray bolt of lighting from Tomo's divine punishment. If not for Kazuha's determination to not lose another friend and Beidou and her crew caring for you, you would be dead.

These days, although you and Kazuha both carried the same trauma, he seemed to be doing leaps and bounds better than you were. Your eyes flitted to Kazuha, who was writing poetry. The only sound that could be heard was his pen gliding across the paper, filling it with his eloquent words that always seemed to flow so smoothly.

You were deep in thought, when out of the corner of your eye you spotted something coming towards your face. Instinctively, your hands flew out to shield yourself, leaving a very confused Kazuha, who was only scratching his head, looking at you with concern in his eyes.

"Dove.. did you think I was going to hurt you?"

You slowly lowered your arms, guilt washing over you.

"No! It's just- sometimes, when movements are too sudden.. I.. you know, I try to protect myself because uh.."

His eyes drifted to your scar, then looked up at your face, only to find it tilted to the ground. He put a finger under your chin, bringing your eyes up to meet his, then kissing your forehead.

One hand snaked around your waist while the other traced lightly over your scar, sending shivers down your spine. You wrapped your arms around him as well, putting a little of your weight onto him.

He kissed your lips, squeezing you tight against him.

"I'll never let anyone hurt you again. I promise."

"Kazuha, it's not-"

"I know it's not my fault. And I know I couldn't have prevented it. But I promise you, you're safe now."

He brought his hand up to cradle the back of your head as you buried your face in the crook of his neck.

"Thank you." you said, squeezing him a little tighter.

"No need to thank me. I love you, Y/n."

"I love you too, Kazuha."

You had been a part of Beidou's crew for just over a year now, after meeting her in the wharf of Liyue harbor after finally finding the courage to leave your abusive and toxic partner. You didn't have a place to stay and you were clearly distraught, so when she asked if you were okay and you immediately began to cry, she offered you to come on her ship. You trusted her, since she was the well-known captain of the Crux. After you had explained your situation, she offered you to join her crew. You agreed, and began dating her about six months after joining the Crux.

Because you had been aboard the Alcor for a year, you knew the crew was loud and prone to get drunk. You had never liked to drink, preferring to quietly sip a small glass of dandelion wine while sitting next to Beidou while she drank a few beers and talked with her crew.

It was now the one year anniversary of when you had left Liyue Harbor, and conveniently, the Alcor was anchored there for a bit for a supplies run, imports drop off, and exports pickup. While out and about with Beidou, you had seen your ex in the wharf. They were about to come and talk to you, when you had pointed them out to Beidou. Beidou had slipped her arm around your waist, glaring at your ex, who glared back and turned heel to walk away.

Now, you sipped your wine beside Beidou, deep in thought. The loud atmosphere wasn't helping your anxieties, and you couldn't get your ex's glare out of your head. You didn't even realize you were completely zoned out until Beidou raised her arm to sling it around your shoulders, after she noticed you were zoned out.

Your arms flew up to shield yourself, and you spilt wine all over the both of you. The cup clattered to the floor, but luckily no one else noticed what just happened.

Beidou's face dropped and she quickly picked up the cup, setting it back down on the table.

"Men!" she called out. "Y/n and I are turning in early tonight! Make sure you scallywags have this cleaned up by the morning!"

The crew cheered their goodnights, raising their beers to their captain and her first mate. Beidou smiled, slipped an arm around your waist, and led you back to your guys' shared quarters.

"Alright doll, what happened just now?"

She closed the door behind her and sat on the bed next to you, looking at you with a certain softness that made you melt.

"I'm.. I'm sorry, I was just thinking of my ex, and how we saw them earlier, and I couldn't get their glare out of my head.. and I left them exactly a year ago.. I don't know why I flinched away from yo-"

Beidou cut you off by taking both of your hands into hers.

"Y/n, don't say sorry! You know, your ex wouldn't stand a chance against even my weakest crew member. They will never hurt you again."

"I don't doubt that for a second," you said, a small smile growing on your face, "Thank you for taking me in, Beidou."

"No, the pleasure is all mine. I couldn't ask for a better first mate. You're safe now, okay?" she smiled, squeezing your hands.

You looked into her eyes for a moment before throwing your arms around her. She squeezed you back, kissing your head.

"C'mon, let's shower and get this wine off of us." she giggled.

You laughed. "Yeah, let's."

Kaeya had told you his backstory, but you never mentioned yours. You just weren't ready to talk about it. Your parents had never been great, you always walked on eggshells around everyone, and everyone was all too rough with you, emotionally and physically.

You had met Kaeya in the tavern one night, while trying to drink away what you were feeling. Kaeya had noticed how obliterated you were and let Diluc know he was taking you to stay at the Knights Headquarters, and would keep an eye on you. The rest was history, and now you and Kaeya had been dating for a little over a year.

Kaeya had told you his backstory on Monday. That same day later on, you had a run in with your parents at Blanche's, where they had yelled at you for deciding to become a Knight, and proceeded to pick you apart from your very core.

In turn, you had been drinking a little more than usual for the entire week. You seemed more withdrawn and just not fully there. And it all came to a head when you were laying in bed next to Kaeya.

He went to put his arm over you, a loving gesture, but your arms came up on instinct to shield yourself. He sighed loudly.

"You're scared of me."

"Oh Archons- I didn't mean to- no, I swear it isn't-"

"You've been acting all angry and cold ever since I told you about my roots. I thought you would be the one who didn't leave me after I told them."

"No, Kaeya- please, just let me explain!"

"I'm listening."

You began to hesitantly tell him about your parents. His face grew angrier and angrier every time you told him another thing your parents had done to you.

"I'll kill them. I had no idea that that happened though. I'm sorry for assuming."

"It's alright, Kaeya. I didn't even consider that you might think I was acting weird because of where your confession."

"I swear they'll never get near you again, alright? You're safe now. It's alright."

He pulled you into him, wrapping you up in his strong arms and putting his legs over yours, making you feel protected and safe.

"No one will hurt you, not on my watch. I love you, Y/n."

"I love you too, Kaeya. I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner."

"No need for apologies, you were gonna tell me when you were ready. Now let's get some sleep, that dandelion wine I downed earlier is starting to get to me."

You giggled, burying your head further into his chest.

"Alright. Goodnight, Kaeya."

"Night, prince/ess."

You and Diluc had been dating for a few months now, you had met when he had needed to hire a new bartender, and you volunteered your mixing skills to the Angel's Share. You had caught his eye immediately, and he had asked you out on a date soon after you began your work there.

Your ex wasn't a kind person, to say the least, so you had been hesitant to say yes. You assured Diluc that this was just because your ex was unkind to you, but you had never mentioned physical harm. You hadn't wanted to worry him.

You were sitting on the couch with Diluc, his arm slung over your shoulders while you stared into the crackling flames of the fire burning before you. Diluc wasn't paying attention, as he was reading a book in his free hand.

He raised his arm up, attempting to adjust to a more comfortable position, but you misread this. Your arms were shielding your face in an instant, and Diluc was looking at you with a shocked and concerned face that quickly morphed to anger.

"I'm going to kill him." he growled/

You lowered your arms and looked down, avoiding looking him in the eye.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to do that."

"Did he hit you??"

"I, um, didn't want to worry you."

"Barbatos.. and this domestic abuser is just, what, roaming around Mondstat? No punishment for the pain he put you through?"

"I didn't tell anyone because I didn't want him to come and hurt me. I also didn't want to cause any trouble."

Diluc rubbed a hand over his face, before wrapping you in a hug.

"You're safe here, alright? I will never lay a hand on you to hurt you. I won't let anyone else hurt you either, okay?"

"Thank you.." your eyes welled up with tears, "I thought you would be upset that I didn't tell you."

"No, never. It's a hard thing to talk about. If you'd like, I have connections. We can have him arrested."

"I don't want to cause trouble.."

"You won't. He won't be able to hurt anyone else this way. But we can discuss this later. Would you care for a cup of tea?"

"That'd be nice. Thanks, Diluc."

"You're welcome, angel. Tell me if anyone hurts you again, alright? I'll protect you."

"Will do. I love you."

"I love you too."

[kissesandcream]

a smol sibling.,

w/ xiao, kaeya, & venti

— • request from anon : being the trio’s younger sibling! (separately)

xiao p1 || kaeya p1 || gn ! sibling ! reader || headcanon format || 1.5k words

; masterlist.,

; a / n - i’ve done xiao and kaeya before, but i had some more ideas so i’m making some more! links above if you’d like to read the others <3

xiao .,

• the other hcs i made for him where general, but here anon specified a younger sibling, so i’ll do that!

• he’s that sibling who’ll pretend ur the most annoying thing on the planet but would do anything for u so much as you ask

• “xiao when u come back could i have some glaze lilies” “get them yourself im the vigilant yaksha not a flower picker🙄” mhm then why did u literally wipe out qingce village’s flower population hm xiao 🤨

• teaches u how to fight!! but he’s not teaching he’s “helping you discover things yourself so you can be a functional person”

• it takes way too much effort to get this man to admit he loves you but you know it as much as he does so it’s okay <3

• cloud retainer has so much dirt on him it’s crazy. if you ever need some blackmail material head over to hers. also you can find some embarassing pictures she’s got a heckton

• verr goldet takes care of u a lot too, xiao’s a great brother and all but he lacks in this department called self care

• idk if you’re mortal or adeptus or half adeptus but if you need to eat and do basic body functions he does not got u covered

• mans would try to raise u on almond tofu until verr goldet bought out a food pyramid and explained about these things called nutrients 

• he also doesn’t understand how important sleep is so,,, “xiao i’m gonna stay up” “yeah sure whatever” passing out two days later “y/N WHAT’S WRONG-”

• yeah verr goldet and the innkeeper guy give him a guide to basic survival talk and all through it he’s glaring at you like why did you never tell me you needed human things to live >:( 

• now that he knows you need sleep, he makes u sleep at 8 pm every night like a grandpa!! good luck trying to get him to stop!!

• are these getting too guardian-like and less sibling-like??? 😭 but that’s the vibes he gives yk!! ur over protective adeptus parent-brother who has no clue how u work but wants to try to understand a little

• in the game u can tell how much more open he gets wit the traveller as friendship levels progress, and if you’ve maxed it out he’d basically do anything for you and would want you to trouble him than yourself

• and he’ll probably be closer with you than he’ll ever be with traveller since you’re siblings and whatnot, so it would make sense that he looks out for you more than your typical older brother yk

• plays the flute for you!! if he hears u humming a tune under your breath he’ll find it and learn it to play for u 

• he may not fully understand how relationships work but he’s trying his best for u <3

 kaeya .,

• my other kaeya hcs were in relation to you being close / living with diluc, but these will be more general and central towards kaeya!

• kaeya fits literally every older brother trope that exists. the brother who’s always got ur back? you got it. the brother who keeps secrets you don’t know about from you? heck yeah. the annoying brother who makes u do his chores for him? maybe a little too much.

• pls he (lovingly) shoves all of his small tasks onto u it’s infuriating but you can’t even say no bc then he gets all dramatic 

• “y/n 😩 you’re abandonning your dear brother like this 😩 how could you 😩 i didn’t know you were so cruel 😩” sir shut up <3

• since he’s a people person everyone knows u very well too, heck all the senior citizens probably voted u as second best in law after him or smth idk man 

• hanging out with best boy bennett!! he canonically sees kaeya as an older brother too so y’all def go on little adventures together <3

• ur one of the only people who have ever looked under his eyepatch, diluc and crepus being the only other two

• sometimes he forgets to take it off when he goes to bed and it leaves a bruise bc it’s pretty tight, so he let’s you change it for him 

• “i can do this myself, you know” well he can but you both know he likes it better when you’re there

• does not allow your closet to be anything less than exquisite, you’ve got a bunch of scarfs like his whether you like it for not

• makes u buy his wine from diluc for him bc every time he goes to the tavern diluc raises the price tenfold just for him

• he’s that sibling who will rile you up on purpose just for the fun of it. i have a cousin who used to do that when he was younger and it was annoying but he still adores me sm so i don’t mind <3

• besides even if he does get on ur nerves amber’s got ur back- you can rant to her about him for hours on end and she’ll add with her experiences with kaeya’s bullying

• what are siblings if not for sibling rivalry, yes he picks on u constantly but he also picks u up when you’re feeling low <3

venti .,

• oh my gods he would be sO FUN

• the two of you are the bane of diluc’s existence, venti loops u into his winery pilfering plans a lot 

• venti pulls the archon card if the two of you get caught by him idk what excuse you’ve got but it better be good 😭

• no way the god of wind and song’s sibling doesn’t love music- even if you’re tone deaf, or hard of hearing, music is about the pleasure it brings and he’ll bring it to you

• you guys go wind gliding a lot of the time too!! y’all don’t even need gliders you’ve got the power of anemo 😎

• he’s that cool brother who’s only rule is that you do whatever you want to do, life is too short for regrets so live in the moment and be spontaneous!

• even though he’s older he seems much younger than you at heart 😭 will wine if you don’t do something for him it’s hilarious

• you’ve got other things to do and he’s just “but hanging out!!!” and ur like “but work!!!” 

• it’s very hard to be productive with him around, he will distract u with something as mundane as an apple- it’s not his fault tho bb just has a poor attention span 😭 

• he’s very clingy, if you’re together he’ll link your elbows like everyone did in sixth grade, and in turn u can kick him in the kneecaps when he does stupid things

• he’s the ceo of stupid things so u get to kick him a lot, it’s a mutal symbiotic relationship we love to see it <33

• my brain is dead and i can’t english rn but. his vibes yk he’s so fun to be around, he gives out surprisingly killer advice too

• i have this man’s teapot lines plastered on my wall bc they help me deal with stuff, so if you’re ever down you can always, always, always go to him and he’ll have the exact things to say

• if it’s words, he has them, if it’s silence you need he’ll lend you his shoulder; but there was never an instance he doesn’t leave you better than before

• you haven’t seen his archon side a lot, since he doesn’t show it all that much, but it’s so far from venti it’s a little scary; but in a sort of admiring way yk

• you guys visit zhongli sometimes, and it’s a free real estate for blackmail material bc of how terrified venti is of him

• zhongli is like that long lost uncle who visits once a year, and you’re his favorite child so he gives you candy and picks on venti for not taking good enough care of you

• “i’m their sibling not their parent” “you’re older have some responsibility >:(”

• if you ever get drunk he will hear about it and will come all the way from liyue to i will have order venti’s head, regardless of whether he was the cause of you being drunk or not

• that about wraps it up! im sure i could think of more but my brain is sorta dead rn so this will have to suffice 😭 i can’t think of a closing statement sO i hope u enjoyed!! bye bye!! <3

[geo-winchester]

DEAR BROTHER PART 16

Summary: after they were suck from the sand Yn and her friends found something they were looking for.

A/N: hey everyone! So it’s finally here the next chapter of Dear brother, im not going to write for you’ll be back until I finish this one, I want to complete this story, I hope you like it and let me know if you want to be tag in this story!

DEAR BROTHER MASTERLIST

———————

Poe try to make his way through the city, he knew how important was to found Babu but every time he turn to an alley he found a bunch of stormtroopers, he saw how a few citizens hide in their houses, he turn around and made his way back to his friends. He curse, he thought this was going to be a lot easier than this but the amount of stormtrooper make this more difficult than he thought it would be. He knew where they need to go, Finn and Rey look at him expecting his orders.

-They’re everywhere- Poe said, the sound of a woman begging distract them for a moment -all right I know what we should do.

-So do I- Threepio said - we should leave.

-No, Threepio, we’re going to stay- Poe said -Now follow me.

Poe lead them through the alleys, every now and then they stop to check if no one was following them or if there was a stormtrooper on the sight, when they were clear the keep walking.

-all right- Poe said -Let’s head down this way…- the sound of a gun making stop, everyone look at Poe.

-I heard you were spotted at monk’s Gate- a woman said -I thought that you wouldn’t be stupid enough to come back here.

-Well you be surprise.

-Who’s this?- Rey asked.

-Guys this is Zorii- Poe said -Zorii this is Rey and Finn.

-I can pull this trigger right now- she said.

-Can we just uh… talk about this?- Poe said finally looking at her.

-I prefer to see your brain in the snow…

-So… you’re still mad?- he asked -Please we can used your help, we need to crack this droid’s head open and fast…

-Excuse me!- Threepio said.

-We need to found Babu…

-You know he only work for the crew…

-Crew? What crew?

-Oh that’s funny, you dear friend here never mention his old job? He was a spice runner…

-You were a spice runner?- Finn ask.

-You were a stormtrooper- Poe said, he rolled his eyes when Rey ask the same question -You were a scavenger, we can do this all night…

-But you don’t have all night- Zorii said -I’m still trying to get out of the hole that you put me through when you left- she stop in front of Rey -You, the first order is looking you, I bet they paid a good price on you- she look at her crew as she scream -Djak ‘kankah!

-No, No Djak ‘kankah- Poe said but Rey was faster and hit Zorii taking her dow some of the crew approach to fight her but Rey was quick and hit them too, Zorii point her with her blaster but Rey take her lightsaber.

-Not that you care but I think your ok- she said.

-I care- Rey said as she help her get up -please we really use your help.

When Yn finally woke up, she didn’t expect to be in a room, chewie was beside her, he was handcuffed just like she was, her eyes landed on a figure in the dark, Kylo was standing in front of them, he was making sure she was fine.

-Hello sister- she couldn’t speak -do you really think I’ll let you talk, I know you been training, I can feel it.

-Come on Ben- she said projecting her -he’s playing with you, just like he did to our grandfather.

-I know that’s why I’m going to kill him- he said, he look like if he want to do something else -where’s the Rey?

-I’m not going to tell you.

-Why? because your boyfriend is with her?- she didn’t say anything -you’re going to tell us, one way or another.

They took them a little longer than they expect it but finally they get in to the tavern where Babbu was. After they connect 3PO to the computer Babbu start to working on 3PO as Rey and Finn look at him, the droid keep talking about how bad idea was.

-Babu Frik?- Rey ask -Can you help us?- Babu answer her in a language she or Finn couldn’t understand -Zorii? Is this going to work?

-He says he’s found something- she said after she ask Babu something -something in your droid’s forbidden memory bank, words translated from the sith -she turn to Poe -Who are you hanging out with that speaks sith?

-I’m sorry have you meet my girlfriend?- Poe asked but then he turn to the window when she remember what happened, he hide his pain and get close to the droid -can you make him translate it?

-Yes- she said translating babu’s word -but it will cause a complete…

-A complete memory wipe- 3PO finish the sentence.

-wait, we make him translate he won’t remember anything?

-Droid, memory go blank- babu said -Blank blank.

-There must be some other way- 3PO said.

-Doesn’t R2 back up your memory?- Finn asked.

-Oh please?- 3PO said -R2’s storage units are famously unreliable.

-You know the odds better than any of us- 3PO look at Rey -Do we have any other choice?- 3PO took his time to answer.

-If this mission fails- he said -I was all for nothing, all we’ve done all this time… master Solo, master Yn…- Poe look down for a second, then he notice that the robot was looking at them.

-What are you doing there, 3PO?

-I’m taking one last look, sir, at my friends- everyone smile at him, but the moment were broken when a light came through the window.

-Night raids are gonna start soon, I’ll keep lookout.

-I’m coming with you- Poe’s said.

-You still don’t trust me, huh?

-Did you ever trust me?- Poe asked her.

-No.

-Then there you go- he said as he follow her through the stairs, they sit in the roof, they keep looking at the town, Poe couldn’t recognized the city anymore -How long’s it been like this?

-First order took most of the kids a long time ago, can’t stand the cries anymore- she said, Poe nod at her -So where’s the girl who make you joins the resistance and leave us?- she asked -I saw the look on your eyes when your droid said her name.

-She… um… she was catch by the first order, the transporter where she was…explote.

-I’m sorry.

-It’s just that… I’m mad, she told me that she’ll be careful- he said -she suppose to be alive, to survive this- he look away.

-It’s ok that your mad- they stood quiet for a moment -I’ve save up enough to get out of here, I’m going to the colonies.

-How? All those hyperlanes are blocked- Poe asked, she show him the captain’s medallion, he look at her surprise -I’ve never seem one.

-Free passage through any blockade, landing privileges any vessel- she let him see his eyes, he look at him a little surprise and amaze -we used to made a pretty good team before so wanna come with me? We could start over together…-he look at her for a second before he sighed.

-I can’t walk out of this war… not until it’s over- he said -but maybe it is- he said -we sent out a call for help at Crait… nobody came, Ren is getting stronger and now everyone’s so afraid, they’ve given up- he said and scoff -But maybe they’re right, everyone has lost because of this war, I lost everything…

-Hey- Zorii said -they win by making you think you’re alone, remember that there’s more of us- he smile at her, both of them got distracted by a destroyer, they run downstairs and inform the others.

-We gotta go now- Poe said -did we get it? Babu?

-Yep- babu said -droid is ready.

-The emperor’s wayfinder -3PO start to said -is in the imperial vault at delta 3-6 transient 9-3-6. Bearing 3-2, on the moon in the Endor system from the southern shore, only this blade tells -3PO powers down.

-The Endor system- Finn said -where the last war ended?- they heard something rumble, Rey made her way to the stairs and look at the sky,

-Is Ren destroyer.

-He’s here?- Poe asked -we need to go- but Rey didn’t listen she was trying to process something.

-Chewie… Yn…- Poe look at her at the name of her girlfriend.

-What about them?

-They’re in the ship… they’re alive, I can feel them.

-Are you sure?- Poe said -You can feel Yn? Is she ok?

-I just know they’re in there, they must’ve been on a different transport- Rey said.

-We gotta go and help them- Poe said.

-That’s risky- Zorii said.

-I don’t care, if Yn is in there I need to go, I can’t let her die in there- he said, suddenly 3PO wake up.

-might I introduce myself, I am C3-PO, human-cyborg relations, and you are?

-Ok there’s a chance that she’ll be mad about that- Poe said, and they made their way to the ship.

-Poe- Zorii said and show him the medallion -might get you on a captain ship.

-I can’t take it.

-Take it- she said -this can help you to save her.

-Come with us- he said.

-Poe that’s not my mission, but when you need me, I’ll be there- she said -now Go- he get close to the group.

-Let’s go guys- he said -let’s go save my girlfriend and Chewie.

-That’s cheesy- Finn said.

Xxxxxx

Tag list: @thescarletknight2014 @chloe-skywalker @reading--mermaid @ahookedheroespureheart @itspdameronthings

[machine-gun-casie]

tavern music

synopsis: corpse hears tavern music coming from your room (gn!reader)

warnings: rpf, reader gets cheated on, kind of unrequited feelings, mostly hurt/comfort and physical affection tho (what im trying to say is that this is mostly self indulgent)

wc: 1.7k

a/n: havent written in a while but i found this in my arsenal, fixed it up a bit and viola. original plans for this was definitely something longer that would end with them being together but im not up for writing rn. been feeling really shitty lately and ive been needing something like this in my life. hope u guys like it ♡

He couldn’t hear it at first. His headset was on and everyone was being so loud on the discord call. When he started the stream, he really thought it was gonna be a long one. But he’s only two hours in and he’s ready to get the hell off because something was definitely wrong.

“Corpse?” His name being spoken finally broke him out of his trance, he only hummed in response. “You’ve been really quiet. Are you sure you’re up for another game?”

“Actually,” he starts as he closes a few tabs, “I think I’ve gotta go. Today was fun, though. Thanks for having me guys.”

After a chorus of ‘goodbye’s and ‘see you later’s, Corpse disconnected from the discord call. “Thank you guys for being here,” he addressed the chat, “sorry I’m ending so early today. I promise I’ll make it up to you next time. Take care of yourselves. Later.”

After hanging up his headset and getting out of the chair he’s been sitting in for far too long, Corpse made the short trek to your room. 

You had only been roommates for less than four months, but Corpse could confidently say that you have become one of his closest friends. Getting a roommate was the last resort that he never wanted to actually resort to. But alas, medical bills were piling up and youtube and music don’t make half as much money as people think they do. So cutting rent in half was the best plan he could come up with. He did have an extra guest room that no one ever stayed in. Of course having someone move into his personal space was terrifying to him. He didn’t just want to post an ad on craigslist or something. So he asked a couple trusted friends to ask a couple trusted friends… And that’s when you came in.

You were the trusted friend of a trusted friend of a trusted friend. When you met, you didn’t make a comment about his voice. Your face sure as hell showed your surprise but you didn’t say anything. To Corpse, this meant one of two things. You either knew who he was but didn’t want to freak him out, or you didn’t know about his online persona and were just genuinely shocked by his voice. It only took a few minutes of knowing you to know that it was the latter. Thank god. You were like anyone your age with social media. You had a few accounts, followed a few people, but mostly used it to stay in contact with friends. 

It only took you guys a week to realize you had way too much in common. After many a late night when he wasn’t streaming, and many an early morning when he was just done streaming, you two became inseparable. Nothing could keep you apart.

Except for one thing.

You had a boyfriend.

There was nothing wrong with your boyfriend, per se. Just the fact that he was your boyfriend and Corpse was not. 

Yeah, Corpse definitely had feelings for you. 

But right now, feelings didn’t matter when he could hear tavern music coming from your room.

He knocked lightly and pushed the door open slowly. “y/n? Can I come in?”

No response came, just sniffles and sobs. The lack of refusal on your part gave him the courage he needed to open the door wider and step into your room. He had only been in your room a couple of times since you had moved in. But he had never been in a room that gave off the feeling of a person so well.

You were curled up on your bed, facing your open laptop screen and the tavern music coming from its speakers. With every sob shaking your chest, Corpse felt his heart break. “y/n,” he murmured softly, “what’s wrong?”

“It’s not working.” Came your reply, heavy with tears. “You said it would make you feel like you're going on an adventure but I still feel like crap.”

“What happened?” Corpse asked as he sat down on your bed, facing you. You slowly sat up and crossed your legs at your ankles in front of you.

“He-” You sighed heavily. “He cheated on me.”

“What?”

“He cheated on me -has been cheating on me- with my best friend. My little brother found out.” You groaned and dramatically dropped your head onto Corpse’s thigh. His hand immediately came in contact with your cheek as he brushed a few stray tears away.

There was rarely any physical contact between you and Corpse. Sometimes you’d give him a high five, sometimes he’d give you fist bump. And there was that one time you came up behind him at the grocery store and hugged his arm to your chest. You immediately whispered something along the lines of ‘creep won’t leave me alone’ followed by a loud ‘hey babe!’

Corpse could barely admit to himself how much he liked that.

But this? This felt good. Corpse’s large warm hand on your face somehow made you want to cry more but in a good way. The tenderness with which he held your face made your heart squeeze as it remembered moments like this with your boyf- ex boyfriend. But then it remembered your brother’s words.

“Hey, what’s up?” You spoke as you answered his call. Your brother wasn’t much of a caller, so it made you worry. 

“Hey, where are you right now?”

“I’m home, why?”

“y/n… There’s something I gotta tell you.” He sighed and you could clearly hear the guilt.

“Did you break my DS!” It was your first thought as you had given it to him the last time you had seen him. “Dude! I’ve had that since I was seven!”

“No no, I called about something else.” He cut you off mid-whine. “But also I did lose the pen.” You huffed out a sigh of frustration but stayed silent so he could tell you what he wanted to tell you. “I saw your boyfriend at the park today.”

You furrowed your eyebrows. “And?” How did this warrant a phone call? 

“He was with Bob.” 

When you had met your best friend, your brother was only a toddler. He had decided that her name was Bob, so it stuck. You always called her Bob, she was saved as Bob in your phone, your whole family called her Bob. But you still didn't understand. Why was he calling you to tell you that your boyfriend and your best friend were at the park? 

“Why are you calling me about this? You know that they’re friends, right?” You let out a chuckle, albeit still pretty confused. “They’re allowed to hang out without me.” 

“They weren’t hanging out.” You could hear your brother push out a strained sigh. What wasn’t he telling you? “They were making out on the swing set. As in, both of them on one swing. And I double checked, it was definitely them. I-I told mom and she said not to tell you, but I couldn’t not tell you when I’m the one who saw it!”

You couldn’t bring yourself to say a word.

“I’m sorry, y/n.”

There was no lying to yourself, you had doubts about your best friend and your boyfriend. But you constantly brushed it off. He wouldn’t hurt you like that. Hell, she couldn’t hurt like that. Not after everything you had been through together. 

But you had seen his call log by accident one time, he called her more than he did you. She face-timed him one time to ask his opinion about a dress she was going to buy while you were in the changing room. She had done a handful of things since your relationship with your boyfriend started that made you uneasy. If this was their first kiss, which was something you doubted, then they’ve both been emotionally attached to the other for far too long.

All those tender intimate moments, all those dates, throughout everything, he wasn’t faithful. Not emotionally, at least. None of those moments that you cherished meant anything to you anymore. He had played you. With none other than your best friend since middle school. You didn’t know who to be more mad at.

The thoughts of betrayal from someone who you considered a sister and the hurt of being cheated on made you nauseated.

So when the large warm hand on your face stroked your cheek again, you didn’t mind it. This was Corpse. Not your cheating boyfriend. Not your lying best friend. Corpse. And you knew that he would never hurt you.

“He’s been cheating on me for a while I think.” You mumbled against his sweatpants. “Maybe a couple months. I don’t know.” 

Corpse furrowed his brows in thought. You had told him you were going to visit your boyfriend for your one year anniversary next week. “Weren’t you go-”

“Yeah.”

“And Bob’s been your friend since-”

“Yeah.” Your chin wobbled as you answered. You brought your arms up around Corpse’s thigh and hugged it. It was a strange position, but you didn’t care. He was so warm and nice and hugging him properly required more movement on your end than you were willing to do.

“Oh, sweetheart.” Corpse sighed and reached out to untangle your arms from his leg. He gently pulled you across the few inches of bed between you and sat you in his lap. You wrapped your arms around his neck and your legs around his waist, immediately sobbing into his shoulder. “Do you want me to turn off the music?” You shook your head no against him and he chuckled before he solemnly sighed. “When did you find out?” 

“When I came home.”

“But you came home hours ago. Have you been in here this whole time?” You nodded. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“You were streaming, didn’t wanna interrupt.” You shrugged.

“y/n,” he sighed disappointedly, “you’re my best friend. I can end a stream if you need me.”

“Okay.” Your voice, broken and weak and tired, made him feel so guilty. You had been crying your heart out for over two hours just down the hall from where he was.

He gently grabbed you by your hips and tried to push you away, but you only held on tighter and whimpered. “I just wanna get you some water.”

“I don’t want water.”

“Then what do you want?”

“You.” You whispered. “Please stay.” 

Fuck. How could he say no to that?

So he stayed.

[agoracactus]

Pt. 10 -"This is an order"

hi sorry im still alive

Pt.1   Pt.2   Pt.3   Pt.4   Pt.4.5  Pt.5   Pt.6   Pt.7   Pt.8   Pt.9  Pt.9.5

Pairing: Geralt of Rivia x reader

Word Count: 7329

Warnings: the ushe

Tag list: @theojuicee @ayamenimthiriel @imthesnowinthedark ​ @distinguishedkryptonitecreator ​

§

You sat at the corner of a tavern, with a mug of warm mead between your palms, and a hood over your head, quietly watching people drinking and laughing, dancing to some bard’s stupid ballads.

There’s a war happening in the south, you heard that it’s moving north. But people in this tavern seemed to not know. Perhaps not care. But you do. That’s why you left, in the middle of the night, with a simple note on your bed saying you wanted to help. You don’t know how long you’ve got before they find you, but before that you were going to enjoy being on the road.

As the night grew old, people getting drunker and drunker. Some guy wobble past your table, tripped and spilled half of his drink on the floor. His friend--- equally drunk if not more--- came over to laugh at his buddy, and spilled more ale all over the table. You stood up, decided that it’s probably time for you to continue on the road. “H-hey beautiful.. W-where do you think you’re going?” the man said with hiccups and a terrible stinky breath, stood way too close to you. You took a step back, “Please excuse me, I’d like to go back to my room and rest now.” you gave him a polite smile, one hand hiding in your cloak ready to poke your finger for some blood. “Don’t leave so soon! C-come have a drink w-with us!” his friend reached forward to grab you.

“Gentlemen!” someone squeezed in between you and the drunks with an unnecessary spin, “Are you enjoying the night? Any request of the ballads?” “What? We don’t care, fuck off!” “Nothing? Shame, then I guess that’s it for me tonight! We can leave now my love-” the bard, still blocking the drunks, turned around and stick out his arm. He froze when he saw your face. You took the opportunity and hooked your arm around his, “Yes my love, I’m so tired, we should go now.” and dragged him towards the exit.

You made sure you were far enough from the tavern before you let go of the man. “Thank you for that, they were being... rude, and I’m glad that someone is willing to help.” you gave him a polite smile. “...It’s you.. It’s really you! Oh praise the gods!” he exclaimed, “You have no idea how much I’ve missed you! -So is Geralt! He misses you and he is very sorry-” You raised a finger to cut him off, “That’s enough, bard. There’s no one here now, you can quit the acting.” you took a step away from him. “Wha- No! Nononono you don’t understand! We’ve been lookin- HE! He has been looking... Oh I’m so excited he won’t believe this...” “Jaskier.” A voice came from behind.

You gently traced small circles on the pad of your finger with the sharp point of the ring, readied to draw blood. This man and the one behind you could be another group of scammers, hell they could be working with those two drunks back in the tavern. Men taking advantage of women traveling alone wasn’t news--- and you are more than happy to get rid of one--- or two--- more scumbags who prey on women.

“We need to go now, did you get all your things?” “Geralt! Look who I found! Of all the places, this shit hole is the answer! Ha! Look for yourself!” The bard was jumping around, throwing his fists in the air, yelling. You took another step away, turned to the man behind you. “...Witcher.” you recognized him. “... It’s you.” he didn’t seem surprised, though you swear you could tell he was. “I’m the best! I knew I’d find her!” the bard was dancing at the back. “Didn’t think we’d meet again.” you ignored the bard. “I don’t intend to be a competition, but I did just took care of the drowners outside the village.” You blinked, then couldn’t help but chuckle, “...I should apologize. I was quite a bitch last time.” “I wasn’t nice to you either. I’m sorry, for calling you a fraud.” “Well, most people are frauds. Can’t blame you for being cautious.” “...” “...”

“Wai- That’s it? Aren’t you suppose to be more excited?” the bard finally realized the situation wasn’t what he expected, “Give her a hug! A kiss! Pick her up and spin in circles! Oh and apologize, whatever happened that you wouldn’t tell me it’s your fault, you need to apologize.” “... Is he always like this?” you gave the bard a side-eye. “...Yes.” the witcher sighed, “Where’s your..” he looked behind you, eyes searching for something. “Sidekick?” you adjust your cape, “He’s not here. I, um, ran away. Sort of.” the witcher frowned. You bit the inside of your mouth, wondering why you’re telling him this, “...There’s a war, if you haven’t heard. I’m on my way there.” “Joining the army?” his frown deepened. “No. I don’t care about who’s ruling where, I want to help the people. Who are innocent and shouldn’t suffer from stupid ambitions of those men.” “But that’s dangerous!” the bard jumped in, “It’s a mess down there! And there’s nothing we could do!”

“I’m sorry, do I know you?” you were finally done with the annoying bard. His eyes widened, words stuck at his throat. “Jaskier, she’s not her.” “What?” “I’m Itzel.” you gave the bard a quick smile, “I’m aware that I look like one of your acquaintances?” “...Acquaintance? Acquaintance?” the bard yelled, “She’s not just an acquaintance! She is- How- No! I can’t believe it!” he suddenly looked like a deflated balloon, “How?” “Jaskier, she’s never coming back. It’s about time you accept that.” For a moment you swear the witcher was going to cry, and for some bizarre reason you felt like crying as well. You shook your head.

§

You agreed to the witcher’s offer to travel with them, hoping traveling with others would throw your pursuers off the track, or at least confuse them and slow them down.

It’s not like you wanted any of this to happen, running away and hiding like a criminal, betraying who saved you and taught you how to protect yourself. You still remember the face of Helvit'tar when you told him you wanted to leave, it’s the first time you saw him getting angry. Even Eyle was visibly upset- although it’s possible he’s upset because his master was, and no one should upset the master. They were so upset you thought you could see their shadows cast on the wall turning into their true form.

You wondered if they were coming to get you. It’s not like you were really Helvit'tar’s daughter, you were more like a stray cat. Disobeying your master’s direct order, stealing his horse and basically betraying him after all he has done for you... If anyone was coming after you, it’s more likely to eliminate you.

The sound of the witcher sheathing his sword broke your messy train of thought. He does routine maintenance on his swords every day before he beds down. Your gaze fell onto the gold coin hanging from the hilt.

“Why do you hang a coin on your sword?” you asked quietly, didn’t want to wake the snoring bard, “Does it bring you more gold?” He let out a chuckle through his nose, “It should, it’s supposed to bring me luck.” he put the sword away. You gave him a puzzled look. “It’s a lucky coin.” he shrugged. You scoffed, “What are you, 5?” He shrugged again, adding more wood to the fire. You immediately regretted your tone. He didn’t seem bothered by your sarcasm, patted off the dust on his hands and finished making his bed.

“Good night Itzel, don’t stay up too late.” he said before laying down. “...Yeah good night.” you cleared your throat, feeling awkward about your absurd rudeness.

You spent some time contemplating why you tend to go aggressive towards the white hair witcher, before sleep finally found you and put you into the peaceful darkness.

§

“You m’lady, is a very well educated woman!” the bard with the name of a flower said, stroking his lute, “And what do you think about the Noir? It has to be one of my favorite poems, the raw emotions of their words-” “Ok that’s enough.” you raised your hand, cutting him off before another endless literature lecture, “I’m not really interested in liberal art.” “But you’ve read every great poetry out there!” “Well I wouldn’t say I read those... More like glancing through them?” you grimaced, “I only read them cuz Eyle was reading them and I needed conversation starters, and I fell asleep on the second page most of the time.”

You were riding side by side and the bard had been talking none stop, engaging in all sorts of conversation with you. You were actually quite amazed at how good he was at random small talks. The witcher, riding at the front, had been quiet all morning- not like he’s been a talkative person, but somehow you felt like he’s in a sour mood.

In the afternoon, you found a small stream and decided to take a break, let your horses have some water.

You parked your horse next to the witcher’s while the bard took off his boots and stepped into the cooling stream. “Are you sulking?” you casually asked, took out your almost emptied water skin. “...No.” the witcher frowned. You pursed your lips and shrugged, “M'alright.” walked away to fill your waterskin. The witcher stared at your back.

Two men stumbled out of nowhere.

“He- help us!” one of them yelled with a hoarse voice, “Please help!” You looked up. Their clothes were torn and there were some bloody scratch marks on their forearms. “Oh dear! What happened?” the bard exclaimed. You listened to them telling a story about some bandits robbing their house in the woods, burning everything down and killing the animals. “You need to help us! Please!” one of them said while holding onto their stomach. “You came to the right person! How lucky of you! This fine gentleman here, is a witcher! If anyone can help, it’s-” “No.” the witcher crossed his arms.

“B- but you have to!” the man with the hoarse voice and burn marks on his hands fell onto his knees, “I beg of you kind sirs and lady! My family... I left them behind... There’s nothing I could do!” “I’m a witcher, I fight monsters.” the witcher said firmly. The bard quickly looked at the witcher, then the two men, “Geralt, you can’t turn them away! They would die if we left them in the forest!” he yelled quietly. “We can’t help them.” the witcher turned away, tending to his horse.

“Well I can.” you hung the water skin to your hip, “This house of yours, is it far?” The two men quickly shook their heads. “I’ll go, you guys don’t have to wait up.”

The witcher grabbed your arm while you took a step towards the two men. You turned to look at him. “They are frauds.” he made sure only the two of you could hear. “You don’t know that.” you scoffed, pulled your arm away. “Look at them, all their cuts are at the front, if they were running away it should be at the back. Plus, why would they ask random people for help? If what they’re saying is true, how can three people fight off a group of bandits?” “Well, I’m not asking you to join.” you crossed your arms, “You could leave if you want.” “Please!” the one holding the side of his torso said, “We can pay you! I had some coins buried at the back of my house, I can pay!”

“I doubt you have enough to hire a witcher.” you turned to him, with a pitiful smile, “I, however, don’t require you to pay me with your lifelong savings. Just a little vial of your blood would do.” you reached inside the little pouch hanging on your waist, pulled out two small vials, “Here, you two already got cuts on yourselves, bet you wouldn’t mind adding one more?” The two men exchanged a look. “C’mon, chop-chop! Your families are suffering!” you said cheerfully.

The witcher snapped the two vials from your hand. You chewed on the inside of your mouth, narrowed your eyes and stared at him. He took out a dagger from his boots, made a small cut on his forearm, filled the two vials and handed them back to you. “Happy?” he said, sourly, “Lead the way.” he put away his dagger, grabbed his swords and helped the kneeling man up by his collar, “Now.” he gave him a little shove before letting go of his collar. You rolled your eyes.

§

You left the bard to look after your horses and belongings, following the two men deeper into the woods.

“I thought you said it’s close by.” you were a step or two behind the witcher, and was looking left and right at the scenery like you were just sightseeing. “We’re almost there, over this hill.” the man with the hurting side said, he’s no longer holding onto his side. “I don’t see smoke.” the witcher commented, “Nor do I smell any, I thought you said the bandits were burning everything down.”

“Oh? Did I?” The man with the hoarse voice turned around with a wide grin on his face. Two other men emerged from the back of the trees, one on your left, and two more behind you. “Oops, I must have mistaken.” the hoarse voice man high fived his companion. You turned your head to the side, eyeing the two behind you- they were obviously checking out your bottom.

“Careful, this one’s a witcher.” the man who no longer suffered from a hurt torso pointed at the white-hair one. “Relax, there’s six of us. We can take care of a witcher or two.” one of the men was swinging his club with confidence. “I strongly advise you to walk away.” the witcher said, “The odd for you isn’t very good.” “Ha! Listen to this guy!” the hoarse voice guy laughed, “Can’t you count? There’re six of us and only two of you!” “Wow bravo, and do you know what comes after six Billy?” you smiled. Other guys laughed. The hoarse voice guy turned red, “Wh- What the fuck did you say? Are you making fun of me?” “I am! Glad you figured that out!” “Itzel, stop.” the witcher gave you a stern look.

The hoarse voice guy got even redder, “I’m gonna kill you! I’ll let my boys have their fun with you after we took care of him and that skinny bard!” he drew out the rusty sword hidden behind the tree and charged at the two of you. You heard the witcher sighed.

The whole fight ended rather quickly, a bunch of bandits hardly were a match to a well-trained witcher. You mainly stood there, dodging the spraying blood and flying limbs, adding a few gasps here and there for flavor.

Then you spotted the hoarse voice guy sneakingly trying to crawl away.

“Going somewhere?” you stepped right on his wrist, putting most of your weight on, “Tell me, do you belong to a larger group of people?” The man desperately trying to pull his arm away. You squatted down, “Answer the question, Billy. Is there more of you?” He shook his head frantically. “Oh, you’re not very bright then. Should’ve joined some larger bandit group during this kind of time, would’ve worked out better for you.” you gave him a pity look, then smiled, “Well this has been fun, it was nice to meet you!” you grabbed onto his neck, fingernails dug into his skin. “No please!-” “Bye Billy.”

You curled your thumb, let the sharp ring sink into his neck. Billy’s skin started to grow darker, then wrinkled, as if something was sucking him dry. Your eyes were once again covered with a deep maroon, a malicious smile tugged at the corner of your lips. When you finally let go, Billy was merely a skeleton wrapped in wrinkly leathery skin.

Standing up, the fight was already over. You turned around, to find the witcher staring at you.

“Well,” you shrugged at all the deads around you, “I guess you are right then, they are frauds.” and clasped your hands together, “Glad we settled that! Should we go then? Shouldn’t let the bard wait-” “-Is this fun to you?” he asked in a cold tone. His gaze was awakening something deep within you- something familiar, something sad, and weirdly, you felt scared.

“...What? Are you feeling bad for these guys?” you scoffed, “They weren’t doing this world any good you know?” “So you weren’t really wanting to help them.” “Look I don’t need to explain shit to you ok?” “You don’t, I just thought you might be- Nevermind.” he turned and walked away. You felt this burning irritation rising from your stomach. You walked up and stopped him, “Hey! You don’t get to treat me like this!” you stared at him angrily, “I don’t know what kind of expectation you had of me, they are wrong. You don’t know me. Quit judging me with whatever standard you had in mind.”

“Yes, I don’t know you.” He stared back coldly, “That’s very clear now.” he took back his gaze and continued walking away. “...Fine!” you yelled at his back frustratingly.

§

The rest of the ride was pure awkwardness. With you and the witcher refused to talk or even look at each other, and the bard anxiously trying to find out what happened in the woods.

There’s no way that you were in the wrong. He’s the one assuming shit from you, and snapped when you couldn’t meet his expectation.

“Did Geralt do something wrong again?” the bard snuck up on you when you finally arrived at somewhere with an inn. You were busy taking things off your horse, didn’t want to make any comments towards the bard’s curiosity. “I’m sure whatever he did he doesn’t mean it! And he’s very sorry!” he tried to try harder, “Please, just talk to him-” “Are you his mother?” you scoffed, “Does he need his mommy holding his hand to a fight? Is he gonna cry if I tell his mommy to fuck off?” you said mockingly, untied the last string attaching your bag to the horse. “...You don’t have to be mean!” the bard looked hurt. “Boohoo, guess I’m the evil one here, what are you gonna do?” you swung your bag onto your back, rolled your eyes and walked away.

That’s it. You’re evil. That’s what’s wrong here. You got demons strapped to you, and they turned you into a monster. So what? You owed them nothing, you didn’t do anything to hurt them. And it’s actually rude of them to assume something totally not true about you.

So why do you feel bad? Why do you feel like you need to explain yourself to them? And why do you feel awful thinking about them considering you ‘evil’?

You grew grumpier when you found out they don’t serve hot meals in this particular inn, and practically stomped your way to the pub the innkeeper suggested you go.

The moment you pushed open the door, you were hit by a wave of different smells, food, drinks and body odors all mixed together and rushed into your nose. Your eyes immediately met the witcher’s--- he’s sitting with a bunch of dwarfs, they were huddling together and talking quietly amongst themselves, looking quite nervous. You didn’t bother to hide your disdain on your face, turned and walked to the table furthest away from him, and sat down with your back towards his direction.

§

When your meal came, it wiped away your sour mood.

For a short while.

"Good evening, Master Itzel." the cloaked figure sat down in front of you. You froze, slowly put down your spoon and stared at him cautiously. "You're allowed to finish your meal, then we are leaving." "No." you said firmly, "I've made myself very clear, I'm not here for sightseeing. I won't go back till this war is over." you sat back, crossed your arms to make yourself look more intimidating and firm. "Itzel," He said with a firmer tone, "don't make this more difficult for yourself."

"....Or what? Is that a threat?" He didn't reply. You pushed your untouched soup forward, "You can have it, I'm not hungry." stood up and quickly walked out of the pub.

Eyle swiftly caught up to you, "Itzel!" "I ran away once and for quite some time, I can do it again!" you were walking so fast it almost felt like running. "You don't really think that's true, do you?" Eyle was walking right next to you, without any effort. He took a few more steps to get ahead of you, blocking your way. You stopped, slightly panting, staring at him. "Please." his voice was soft and quiet, like always, "Come home." "..." you tried to look for any anger or disappointment, but there was none. All you were seeing was his calmness, and the worry flickering in his eyes.

You sighed. "...Can we at least stay for one night? I haven't slept in a proper bed for days and I'm really tired." "One night." his shoulders seemed less tense.

"Is everything alright?" the voice came up from behind. You turned to the white-hair man with annoyance, "..None of your business." you grabbed the corner of Eyle's cloak and was going to drag him away. Then you stopped, turned back only halfway--- so you didn't have to look at the face of the witcher, "I'm leaving tomorrow, thanks for looking out for me these days." and resumed walking.

§

"Itzel, wake up."

It was dark outside, the sun wasn't up yet. But there were a lot of noise outside.

Eyle was at the side of your bed. Orange light poured in through the window, swaying, flickering. Fire.

"...What's going on?" "We need to go." he handed you your cloak. You shook your head to wake yourself up, stumbled towards the window.

It was chaotic outside. People holding things weren't supposed to be weapons, shouting and dragging people out of their house. Blood splattered on the ground, glistening under the flickering torches. Smoke arising not far away and was spreading, families shutting their windows and blocking the doors. You heard screaming, begging and crying.

"Itzel, we don't have much time." Eyle putting the cloak on you. "Wh- what is happening? Are the soldiers here?" "No." Eyle quickly packed your bag, "It's the people, they are hunting down all non-humans." "What?" you snapped your head towards him, then turned back. Some of the mobs started banging on doors.

"..I can't go..." you mumble. "Itzel, now is not the time." "I have to help them!" you pointed towards the growing living hell, "Can't you see? Everything lead me to this place, this exact moment! We can help them!" Eyle stood there, lips pressed into a thin line. "Eyle, this is what we're here for." "..." he set down your bag. "I'll be right beside you."

You rushed downstairs, the innkeeper was hiding behind the counter.

"Are there any non-humans staying here?" you asked. The innkeeper was so scared he could barely form a comprehensible sentence, you managed to figure out that there were a dwarf and an elf staying in the other two rooms upstairs. "You don't want people die in your fine establishment, do you?" He hesitated. Some woman screamed outside, the innkeeper hid even further down behind his counter. "Look, you have to block the door. You don't know what they would do to you if they found out you got non-humans staying here right? Do you want to die for them?" he quickly shook his head. "Block the door behind us, now."

Walking out, the smell of smoke and blood made you winced. An elf woman holding a child in her arms almost bumped into you when she turned around the corner. She looked at you with eyes filled with fear, soot smeared across her face and a cut above her eyebrow. She held on tighter to the child. You quickly pushed open the door behind you --- and hit the innkeeper who's trying to black the door with large kegs, "Get in, and help him block the door." She gave you a grateful nod and rushed in.

Eyle got his pair of twisted daggers in his hands, took down some mobs who were coming your way, slit their throats with a clean-cut, then followed you towards where seemed like the main event.

§

You were rushing, you weren't sure where to, you let your legs carried you. You had this heaviness sitting in your stomach, a terrible feeling, and you knew you had to get there before it's too late.

§

The white hair one.

He's dancing with his sword, turning in circles knocking those holding shovels and torches and butcher knives back. Behind him were the few dwarves he was drinking with, swing their swords and shouting.

You stopped at a distance, panting, realizing you were running.

You saw a young man holding a rusting pitchfork. He's probably no more than 16 years old, a child if you were in your world.

...What world?

And you saw the witcher, sword in hand, hesitating.

Why is he hesitating?

You saw the determination and hatred in the kid's eyes.

You uncorked the little vial of blood.

§

At first you didn't feel anything, as if your body couldn't comprehend what just happened.

Then the pain caught on. The piercing paralyzing pain. Even breathing was too much for you to take.

You held onto the handle of the pitchfork before the too-young-to-be-called-a-man guy could pull away.

"...!! Magic! She's a witch-" "Y/N!!"

You heard Eyle's voice, like he was screaming and yelling and hollering at the same time with three different voices. He showed up right next to you in a puff of maroon mist. The guy who stabbed you was almost ripped in half, a giant hideous claw mark ran through his torso. Eyle tried to support you by gripping your elbow, while you fell to your knees.

"...Don't worry, Master is close by... He can fix this... We'll go to him..." You heard his frantic mumble, almost wanted to laugh for you finally seeing the day of him losing his cool.

You look to the side, where you were standing. The witcher was staring at you with disbelief, still processing what just happened.

It always felt nice when your magic worked.

"...Get him out of here..." you grabbed onto Eyle's hand, the other hand barely holding onto the pitchfork, using all your strength not to faint. "What are you talking about? We need to take you to Master now!" "...This is an order, Eylediön... Get him out..." "...." You've never seen that kind of expression on his face. The next moment, he vanished with the white hair witcher, leaving an afterimage of a shadow.

Foreign words leaked through your lips, at first it was broken, with shaky breaths. You slowly pulled out the pitchfork, blood poured out from the visible holes in your abdomen.

You squinted your eyes shut in pain, focus solely on the chanting. The air around you grew thicker, heavier. Blood slowly streamed down your face from the inner corner of your eyes. The night grew darker, the flames of the torches dimmed.

"Kill the witch!" "Kill her!"

Few of the braver men stepped forward. Thin black threads appeared from the ground and latched onto their feet, the threads wove and intertwined into something like a living web, climbing up their torsos and swallowed half of their bodies. In mere seconds their bodies fell onto the ground, dry like mummies.

You readjusted the pitchfork, one of its rusty tips aimed right at your heart.

You muttered the last word, raised your head and face the sky.

You pushed the pitchfork in with a thrust.

[kittydcoxx]

Stay with Me.

KAEYA X READER.

Warnings: light angst/heartbreak but nothing bad (happy ending)

The tavern was as crowded as usual, and by that meaning almost completely baren for a rainy Wednesday afternoon. As you order a apple cider from Charles, the tavern door bell rings and you instinctively turn to check.

"Ah~ it is pouring out, I need a drink to combat the dissapointment of getting my fur cape wet."

Kaeya. Of course he wasnt the last person you'd expect to see open the tavern doors, he just wasnt much of a "afternoon delight" type drinker. Still, you stare as he tries to cooly swipe off the wet rain from his uniform as he walks towards the counter and takes a seat next to you.

"Well, well! Good afternoon y/n! What a suprise to see a beauty such as yourself here at this hour."

He raises an eyebrow and smirks as he turns to look straight ahead and run his fingers through his hair, not allowing time for you to respond before he has a drink in his hand.

"Afternoon Captain,"

You face him and smirk with the same intensity of flirty-ness as he just had.

"Of course you would be surprised to see me at this hour, you usually drink yourself to sleep before i order a evening drink."

You chuckle and look straight ahead and take a swig of your beverage, the confidence of your little witty come back replays as the cider burns your throat.

"Oh ho, well thats quite the attitude! I must ask, whats the purpose of this?"

"Hmm?"

"The occasion? I've never seen you drink three days in a row, I've been sober enough to pay attention to that."

The truth is, the last few days you've been at a bit of a crossroads. You know you and the Cavalry Captain share feelings, but you have a job offer in Natlan. This job is a dream to you, ever since you were a child. You could never dream of passing this opportunity, but you question if this possible romance could be the first significant one. You've been meaning to bring it up to him, but recently you just havent seen enough of him to bring up the subject. As a result, you turned to the more than occassional drink at the tavern to brighten your mood from the decision that faces you.

"Well then if you're interested, it actually... might concern you."

Your face is flushed red due to nerves, of course it doesnt directly concern him since nothing astronomical has occured in order to absolutely weigh your decision based on a man, but you didnt want to leave without warning.

"I see, well, we haven't..." His cheeks grow the slightest bit red as his eyes skip to look around then back at you.

"we haven't progressed to that yet, have we? I mean, you're not pregnant are you?"

"What?!" You're taken aback by the direct-ness of his statement, about the fact that he thought it could even have been a possibility. Was it confirming your suspicions of him returning feelings? "No, i- its not that! That is out of the question completely!" You yelp as you shake your hands as a frantic meaning of saying "Absolutely no way".

"Of course! of course.. i just figured i'd ask in case, but i guess drinking for a few days regularly isnt particularly healthy for a baby."

You roll your eyes and take another swig. Oh boy.

"It's actually more of an advice thing, i suppose."

"Ah~ well! lets discuss then, hm!" He happily takes a sip of his wine, his face surprisingly relieved.

"So? What do you need the great Master Kaeya's guidance on?" He smiles and giggles slightly.

"Actually, I'd like to take this outside."

"But its raining cats and-"

"Outside. please."

Your tone picks up more aggresively and he gets the memo. He takes one more sip of his beverage and you do the same with yours. You pay Charles and meet Kaeya right at the door.

"Get ready for the rain, sweetheart"

Your heart jumps as he grabs your wrist and swings open the door, pulling you with him down the street, stopping at a small archway behind a building, big enough to comfortably converse without being cramped or drenched.

"Now, where were we?"

"right.. well.." You look down and fidget with your thumbs, only to look back up at him and see him gazing into your eyes, examining your soul and what felt like your heart. Did he already know? It sure felt like it.

"I have a big decision to make, but i want to ask you before i come to a concrete decision."

He nods as a sign to continue talking, acknkowledging his position in helping you decide.

"I might have to move away. To natlan more specifically. I've recieved a dream~ job offer that i simply cant refuse, unless i was faced with new circumstances here in Mondstadt."

"Hm, And how do i play a role in this?" He asks as he folds his arms and leans back against the stone wall.

You explain to him his part, and he lets you talk until you are completely finished. you tell him your feelings, your worries, your doubts, and your hopes. Every single one that included him in the package. He looks at you sternly the whole time, but he looks hurt at the same time and you wonder why.

"Well, i honestly dont know what to say to this y/n. You know i cant leave Mondstadt if we were to persue eachother."

"I know."

"Then why bother telling me? Why not just leave, hm? Before damage could be done? before you told me all this, confirmed my hopes in our relationship but crushed it with the fact that you 'might' leave? You should have just spared me and left!"

He looks emotional and teary eyed, much more that you're used to seeing from a man who held such a cool composure 24/7. Have you hurt him that much? Does he hate you?

"I can always stay if you wan-"

"No. Its your dream job, and you shouldnt pass it off. I just cant promise that i'll wait for you."

He steps closer to you, inches from your face. His breath is warm and it contrasts with the cold rainy air. He slowly takes your hand and hold it in his, then lands a soft passionate kiss onto your lips. A few seconds of the kiss pass and he breaks for air and looks at you, making strong magnetic eye contact with you.

"Y/n, I can't wait for you."

"You dont have to. I can stay."

He runs his hands up your arms and grips firmly onto your shoulders and kisses you again, and when he pulls back he lets out a heavy sigh.

"There's no staying, just be safe. Please."

Your throat swells like a rock is stuck and your eyes burn hot along with your ears. You cant muster any words, you just stand there maintaining a sorrow eye contact for a few seconds.

As you both stare in silence, he slowly lets go of you, and as soon as his hands depart from yours, he turns and walks out and into the road. The further he walks and fades from your vision, the further you slide down the wall until your behind hits the wet floor as you curl up to your knees. Hard, Hot tears stream steadily down your cheeks as you hide your head in your knees, sobbing hard yet silently. Your heart aches and your stomach churns.

You want to run and look for him, grab him by the waist and embrace him in a hug from behind as you cry against his back, but he has already erased you from his plethora of memories as he sulks in his room with a drink. The night is weary and so are you. You walk home, replaying the scene in your mind over and over, and the instant you step into your home, you fall to your knees and sob once more.

You dont even close the door behind you. You cant do anything but cry, you had no idea you felt so strongly for Kaeya, but you had to put it all behind you.

He probably had.

What feels like an hour or two goes by and you barely made it to the couch, where you lay sprawled out, half on the couch and half not as you stare into empty space, thinking of nothing but everything at once. Why did his mood snap so quickly? Why did he cut you off? Was it self defense? What could he gain by pushing you away? You had no clue, but you didn't want to dwell on it and start crying again, so you just lay there trying to fall asleep.

Suddenly, a warm, slender hand grazes your back and rubs up and down softly.

"I'm sorry."

You jolt a little, but you dont get up immediately.

"How long have you been like this? Its almost night again y/n. Have you gotten up at all!? Your door was wide open, I was worried."

No response from you as you try to analyze the voice. It sounds like Kaeya, but you had remind yourself that he wanted nothing to do with you.

The man sighs and walks away. A hallucination for sure, you thought. The male comes back and lifts you by the shoulders. He sits on the couch and then lays your head onto his lap.

You look up and are met with blue eyes, one scarred and one as normal as you're used to seeing on him, though both glossy as if about to cry.

"Kaeya?"

"Mhm. Sit up Darling, you need to drink water."

You obey and sit close beside him, sipping the water he hands you with both hands on the glass like a child. He puts his arm around you and his hand on your head and gives you a soft yet quite long kiss on the head as you finish your water.

"Im sorry. We can work something out. I know that i shouldn't.. I can't push you away."

You dont fight his embrace as it gets firmer, and his body trembles slightly as if he is crying.

"Do you want me to stay?" you ask sheepishly.

"My dear, its up to you what you want. I'll follow you in whatever you decide. Im choosing to persue you, the rest is yours to seal."

"I want to stay." you state calmly.

"As you wish." He eyes your empty glass of water and gets up to pour you some more. When he comes back you sit against him again, and drink the glass empty, then put the glass on the coffee table and lay your head on his lap.  

"Sleepy?"

"Mhm.."

He chuckles and holds you as you fall asleep, giving you tender kisses all over your face. When you fall asleep, he carries you bridal style upstairs to your room and tucks you into your bed. For a moment he stands there and ponders leaving you to rest, but the guilt of the words he said yesterday and seeing your state today convinced him to stay at your side. He walks to the other side of the bed and crawls in beside you, wrapping his arms around your waist and gives you one more peck before falling asleep.

You wake up once in the middle of the night to use the restroom, and when you come back to your room you're awake enough to process the fact that Kaeya was indeed in your bed. You crawl up into where you were in the bed before but this time facing him. You run your fingers along his face, feeling every bone and inch of his smooth skin, his tan beauty enhanced by the glow of the moonlight that peeked in through the window across the room from the bed. Your run your fingers down his hair and admire how his hair falls down his body. You've only been this close to him once, but never had you touched him like this. Your face was red and your smile was definitely pronounced, and as you stroke his cheek his eyes slowly open to see your expression.

"Good morning y/n~" he smiles and wraps his arms around you softly.

"How did you sleep?"

"Actually, its midnight."

"Oh, i see. Well, lets fall back asleep shall we? Or are you wide awake?"

You don't respond immediately but instead wrap your arms around him and hide your face in the crook of his neck.

"Back to sleep.."

He chuckles and brings you closer to his body, rubbing your back and stroking your hair until you both are hazy and about to fall asleep.

"I love you..." you whisper, half aware of what you just said and half not.

He pauses for a second, then gently squeezes your body as if to be his response back.

"I love you too.." he whispers back, his words echo in your mind as you drift to sleep, your dreams filled with nothing but happiness and him. 

You would stay in Mondstadt, but occasionally take trips to Natlan for a few weeks, and would try to take Kaeya with you if he wasn't too busy. The two of you became inseperable, and quite the item for some time, the story of your romance left most who heard it in tears.

After every time you tell the story, he grips your hand and grabs your face softly making you look into his eye.

"I'm glad you stayed."

He says as he pulls you in for a tender kiss, which is usually embarrassing in public but you dont mind in this case, because it was of genuine emotion and not of his flirtatious teasing.

You really do love him.

NOTES!!!!!!!!!!!

This was my first fanfic LMAO

[all-hail-the-witcher]

leaves

this started as a hc but turned into a long thing about geralt being a huge softie.  enjoy.

___

jaskier collects leaves that he thinks are pretty during the fall and presses them in his song writing notebook so he can look at them during the winter when all the leaves are gone. and, he'd never admit this to anyone, but he knows exactly where each leaf came from, and what he and geralt were doing when he found them, so they help him stay close to geralt in the cold months when he's away at kaer morhen.

geralt doesnt understand the fascination cause “they're just leaves jaskier” and gets kinda grumpy when jaskier walks extra slow during the fall to admire and inspect the leaves. but he secretly enjoys the way that jaskiers face lights up in front of their camp fire at night as he shows geralt each leaf he collected that day and tucks them safely into the pages of his notebook. 

jaskier used to show them to roach to inspect but after she ate a particularly beautiful one on accident he does not allow her anywhere near his precious leaves.

one year jaskier and geralt part ways a little earlier than normal, geralt deciding to begin the trek to kaer morhen sooner than he normally would due to a lack of contracts so jaskier goes to oxenfurt earlier as well. the leaves are just beginning to change color as they part ways. 

a few nights into the journey geralt is making camp for himself and roach when he sees a bright red leaf sitting on the forest floor, exactly the kind of leaf that jaskier would pick up and admire and wax poetry about before tucking it into his notebook. but jaskier isn't there, and geralt feels a little pang. he glares at the leaf the entire time he's setting up camp. 

the camp fire has burned down to the embers by the time geralt is ready to lay out his bed roll, but he can still see the leaf at the corner of his vision. he sighs and gets up, knowing that it will continue to bother him unless he does something about it. he picks up the leaf, brushes off the dirt far more lightly than he would ever care to admit, and goes to tuck it in to his saddle bag in the roll of parchment he keeps on the off chance he has to write a letter. 

roach snorts at him. “shut up,” he mutters back. “its just a leaf.” roach nuzzles his arm. “no, i don't miss him. im just...bringing him a souvenir. we had to part early this year.” another snort. “yes, i know you know. but he didn't get to see the leaves this year. i don't want him to be disappointed.” roach headbuts him as if to say, you dumb witcher. geralt ignores this, but gives her some nice pats before retiring to his bedroll. 

in the next town geralt buys a random book. he doesnt know what it is, he bought the cheapest one he could find. but he's not going to read it, he just needs something to keep jaskiers leaf in so it doesnt crumble to bits before the spring. he swears roach laughs at him for that. 

throughout his trip up to kaer morhen, geralt finds himself progressively walking slower, taking time to admire the leaves as the bard had once done. 

he picks up the second leaf a week later after a battle with some drowners. he’s heading back into the town, having come across his first contract in weeks, holding the head and covered in river muck and guts when he sees a perfectly yellow leaf on the ground in front of him. he picks it up gingerly, trying his very best not to get guts on it (and he nearly succeeds). if the alderman thinks its weird, a witcher coming back with a drowner head in one hand and a yellow maple leaf in the other, he doesnt say anything. roach does tho, whinnying the second she sees it in geralts hand. he ignores her, and presses the maple leaf into the book a few pages after the brilliant red one. 

after that he adds to the collection more frequently. an reddish oak leaf he finds on the ground outside of a tavern, a brilliant orange leaf he finds at his campsite, a yellowish orange leaf the size of his face that he finds along the road and so on. roach makes fun of him every time he reaches for the book, but geralt ignores her. they're merely souvenirs for jaskier, nothing more. 

collecting leaves slows him down considerably, but he cant bring himself to care. he's even disappointed when the last of the leaves disappear and the first snow sets in. 

but that doesnt stop him from collecting things to add to his book. he gathers different small pine branches, holly leaves and other things that he knows jasper has never seen before because they grow too far north. he becomes so caught up in his hunt for interesting plants that the snow is already falling thickly by the time he reaches kaer morhe, despite him leaving for the keep so early. eskel and lambert chide him for being late, but he ignores them, happy that he managed to fill most of the book with leaves for jaskier.

that whole winter the book remains in the bottom of geralts pack, wrapped carefully in his spare shirt. he thinks about it often, but doesnt dare bring it out for fear that one of his brothers will catch him and make fun of him for being a sap. he's not a sap, he just found some leaves for his friend. 

winter drags on far too long in geralts opinion and leaves as soon as the passes are clear, antsy to get back to his friend and give him the book. but on his way down he discovers yet another beautiful thing that jaskier would love: wildflowers. roach is slightly more appreciative of this because wildflowers are things that she is allowed to eat. geralt often feeds her them to see if she approves. if she spits it out or refuses to eat it, then it doesnt make it into the book.

in the space he has left in the book he fills it with wildflowers, sometimes going out of his way to collect them. there are buttercups, dandelions, little blue ones the color of jaskiers eyes, poppies, apple blossoms, daffodils, and even a few rose petals that he buys from a stall in a market. the book is brimming with nature now. he has to be careful not to lose any of his treasures. 

finally, he arrives at his and jaskiers meeting spot. he stables roach who gives him a headbut of encouragement and he grabs the book carefully wrapped in his shirt before he makes his way to the tavern, suddenly very nervous. 

jaskiers voice is already wafting out of the tavern as he draws closer, having beat geralt to the meeting spot for once, and geralt hesitantly steps inside, knowing jaskiers eyes will be on him the second he goes in. he’s overcome with thoughts, what if jaskier hates it? what if he thinks it's dumb? what if he laughs at him? 

he enters anyway, because he's a witcher for fucks sake and he can handle his friends scrutiny. immediately he sees jaskier, sitting in the corner, working a crowd. as always, jaskiers eyes snap to him the second he steps foot in the tavern and he winks. geralt gives him the smallest nod and heads to his table in the corner after ordering an ale. he tucks the book out of sight on the bench next to him. 

minutes later jaskier barrels over, eyes bright with the life of the crowd he had been entertaining. 

“geralt!” he exclaims. “finally. i thought you stood me up, you big oaf. i never make it here before you do, i thought you may have been eaten! although im not sure by what exactly, i don't know what species has a taste for witches, dragons maybe? well never mind, youre here now and you better have a good excuse for being so late, even im starting to get bored of this town and you know how i love towns...”

geralt smiles into his ale, he missed this, but he'd never admit it. his eyes flick over to the book sitting on the seat beside him, unsure whether or not he should give it to him. 

jaskier, being the observant fucker he is, notices. “geralt what do you have on the seat there? is it a monster head? you know what happened last time you tried to hide a monster head in a tavern, i thought the town would chase us out with pitchforks they were so angry! surely you wouldn't-”

“here.” geralt mutters, cutting him off, unwilling to listen to that horrible story. 

jaskier stares at the lump of black fabric on the table. “geralt, why are you giving me your shirt? its not really my style, i’m not one for black really, makes my skin look too pale.”

“open it.” he says into his ale. 

jaskier does, and stares at the book dumbfounded. “a history book? geralt you know that i am a master of the seven liberal arts, im a professor at oxenfurt! i have all these boring books in the library, i didn't need you to get me one, although it is very thoughtful of you to- oh”

geralt, tired of hearing jaskiers babbling, flips open the book, revealing the bits of nature he had spent their time apart collecting. jasper is silent, which geralt takes as a bad sign. maybe roach was right, maybe he didn't like it, maybe he'd wasted his time for nothing. 

“cause you....you didn't get to see...the leaves this year,” he mutters, looking into the tavern, unable to see the inevitable disappointment on jaskiers face. 

“oh, geralt,” jaskier whispers. “you collected all of these for me?”

geralt doesnt say anything, but his silence is enough. 

“this is why you were late. you were collecting these, for me.”

“its okay if you don't..like them” geralt bites out. 

“oh no no no no, geralt, they're wonderful.” 

geralt looks at jaskier and sees him touching the pine branch he took form the trees outside kaer morhen, tears brimming in his eyes. “you don't hate it?”

“no, love.” jaskier smiles softly. “i adore it. and i adore you. and id love it if you tell me about all of them, please.”

for the first time in years geralt feels something like a smile tugging at his lips and he picks up the pine branch from jaskiers hand, telling him how it came from the tree outside his window, the one that he looked at everyday as a kid growing up. the same tree that lambert once dared him to climb and he nearly did before being spotted by vesemir and scolded at. jasper laughs and sniffs the pine carefully before placing the branch back in the book. 

they pour over the book for hours at their table in the tavern. geralt cant remember the last time he's talked this much, much less about himself of all things, but jaskier is more than happy to listen. 

__

if you want to be tagged in future works of mine shoot me an ask !!

[wyvernsandwitches]

What The Water Gave Me

Finally posting my first fic and obv it's gotta be a mermaid!Jaskier and it really was not meant to be this long but these idiots got away from me.

“They don’t exist,” Geralt of Rivia says, expressionless. “The creatures in your song. And the one before about the merfolk. They can’t mate with humans. There are no half mermaids.” “Ah, you’re wrong there, my friend. I myself am part merfolk,” Jaskier answers with a smile.

Or: Five times Jaskier tells Geralt the truth about his heritage and one time he shows him.

1.

Destiny is a funny old thing, Jaskier thinks when he stumbles across Geralt of Rivia in Posada. He’d left Lettenhove behind with ease, relishing the look he imagined must have been on his father’s face when he found his dresser empty and his lute gone. There is nothing for him there. He needs adventure. And oh boy, does Geralt of Rivia positively reek of adventure.

“They don’t exist,” Geralt of Rivia says, expressionless. “The creatures in your song. And the one before about the merfolk. They can’t mate with humans. There are no half mermaids.”

“Ah, you’re wrong there, my friend. I myself am part merfolk,” Jaskier answers with a smile.

The witcher rolls his eyes and stands, leaving a coin behind on the table which Jaskier quickly pockets. He makes a quick decision and packs up his lute, following the man out of the tavern.

It takes almost no time at all for Jaskier to fall head over his heels for him.

2.

Geralt is wrenched from sleep by a pounding on his door. The fire in the hearth is down to embers and the almost full moon shines in through the threadbare curtains, casting the room in an eerie glow.

He recognises Jaskier’s heartbeat outside his door a moment before Jaskier hisses his name.

Geralt sighs and gets out of bed. He throws another log on the fire and casts a quick igni to relight it, before he pulls open the door and Jaskier falls in.

“Oh Geralt, thank the gods! Shut the door, quickly!” he whispers.

“Jaskier,” Geralt growls.

“Shh! They’ll hear you!”

“Who?”

Jaskier’s answer is interrupted by a fist at the door.

“I’m not here, okay? You haven’t seen me since dinner. And for goodness’ sake make it believable, Geralt, please!” he whispers again and darts under the bed.

Geralt rolls his eyes and opens the door again.

“You, witcher. You were with the bard that was here this evening, weren’t you?” A middle-aged man with a ruddy face hidden behind a large curly brown beard stands outside the door. His breath stinks of ale and his knuckles are cluttered with scabs. Geralt recognises him as the landlord of the tavern across the street they’d been in earlier.

Geralt hms.

“You seen ‘im?”

“We parted ways after dinner. He’s on to the next village as far as I know.”

The man grunts. “If you sees ‘im, there’s a pretty reward in it for you if you turn ‘im over to us. Man’s barred from this establishment from here on out. And the tavern over yonder. Give us a shout if he comes back.”

Geralt nods and closes the door. Jaskier crawls out from beneath the bed and stands. His doublet is nowhere to be seen and his shirt is undone almost to his navel, exposing an ample amount of chest hair. In the low light, with his hair mussed and cheeks pink, Geralt can’t help but think how attractive he is. He shakes his head at the thought. Those thoughts have been coming a lot more frequently lately and he needs to put a stop to it.

“Let me guess. You stuck your prick in his wife?”

“How dare you!” Jaskier points a finger at Geralt. Geralt just crosses his arms and raises an eyebrow.

Jaskier deflates and falls into the rickety wooden chair by the hearth. “Fine,” he grumbles. “Although it wasn’t his wife.”

Geralt makes a non-committal noise and moves the logs around in the fire.

“If you must know,” Jaskier begins. I didn’t ask, Geralt thinks, but he knows from experience it is pointless trying to stop Jaskier talking. “The man’s sister walked in on me and her husband in rather a delicate position.”

Her… husband? Geralt has always thought Jaskier prefers women. Although, now that he thinks about it, he’s never really paid attention to who Jaskier takes to bed. Lately, he’s had to start making a conscious effort not to think about it, lest he start imagining Jaskier with those partners, and that train of thought only ends with Geralt frustrated and searching out the nearest brothel.

“What do you mean delicate position?” Geralt asks, making sure he’s understood correctly. He can’t quite process this yet.

“What do I mea– sex obviously Geralt, as you so insightfully guessed when I came in here! Or were you asking for specifics?” Jaskier grins and taps his chin. “Let’s see, he was on his elbows and knees and I was beh-”

“No, I do not need details, Jaskier!”

Jaskier’s grin widens. If Geralt could blush he knows he’d be blushing right now. This new information that Jaskier also enjoys the company of men sends his heart fluttering. The mental image of him with the other man sends heat pooling to his face and his groin. That settles it. The next village they stop in needs to have a brothel, so he can rid himself of these intrusive thoughts.

“Can I stay in here tonight?” Jaskier asks.

Geralt scowls and moves to the bed. “Fine, but you’re sleeping on the floor.”

“Ohh, but your bed is so big! And I’m all bruised from climbing out of the window.” Jaskier whines.

“Floor,” Geralt repeats and throws one of the blankets on the bed at Jaskier.

Jaskier pouts. Geralt gets back into bed and sighs as Jaskier makes a fuss of arranging himself on the floor.

After a few moments, Geralt throws him a spare pillow. “Take this and shut up.”

“Thank you, dear. You know, you could just–”

“No.”

“Ugh, fine. Mean old witcher.”

He’s blessedly silent for a moment.

“I knew I should have gone for the woodcutter’s son. He had better arms. But the sailor kept talking about the sea and-”

“Sailor?” Geralt can’t help but ask. They are nowhere near a coastline.

“He was saying how much he loves the sea and how he’d been a sailor when he was a young man but then his family married him off and now he’s stuck with a wife he never wanted and a tavern to look after that isn’t even his. And you know I’m a sucker for a tragic ‘my family doesn’t care about my happiness’ backstory. And then when I told him I was part merfolk he barely hesitated before he stuck his tongue down my throat. Shame our little tryst got cut short. He had a really good arse as well and they’re hard to come by round here.”

Geralt mostly ignores Jaskier as he talks about the other man. He focuses his attention on the sounds he can hear, in order to stop those images of Jaskier coming back into his mind. The fire crackling. The wind through the branches outside. Jaskier’s slowing heart rate. A few long, quiet moments pass. And then something Jaskier said snags on his thoughts.

“You told him you were part merfolk?” Why Geralt continually lets himself be dragged into these conversations is beyond him.

“Mm-hm,” Jaskier answers, his voice slow and sleepy.

���And why would you do that?”

“’Cause I am.”

“Jaskier.”

“Told you when we met, Geralt. I’m part merfolk.” Jaskier yawns.

“That’s not possible.”

“Is. I’m it. Mum was part mermaid. So am I.”

“You can’t be part merfolk. You’re either merfolk or you’re human. There is no in between.”

“Whatever you say. G’night, dear.”

Jaskier really could talk out of his ass sometimes. Honestly, part merfolk! Has he come up with that lie himself or is it a childhood tale he’d been told that he still believes?

Geralt ponders on this for a while when Jaskier’s soft voice breaks the quiet, laced with sleep.

“Had nice eyes too, like a storm.”

Geralt takes a breath and tries to tamp down the jealous feeling rising in his chest.

“Not s’nice as yours though. Yours’re like honey.”

Geralt spends most of the night trying to sort through the multitude of implications that that comment leaves him with.

Read the rest on AO3!

[guiltycorp]

Playing Genshin for a couple of weeks now and I have some thoughts about Mondstadt, its seeming prosperity, and criminal elements!! Also dunking on Diluc a little bit lol. I'm not even going to touch hilichurls, they're probably the one issue I expect the game to come back to in time! They seem to be an intelligent race that was cursed and so we might get some sad backstory and realize that we've been assholes to them, not 100% sure but hopefully. Other than hilichurls and the Fatui (and yeahhh so fun to make russians into villains, im guessing it's for attracting the american audience or something... at least the characters are interesting enough), there are also Treasure Hoarders, who in the archive are mainly described as workers who lost their jobs or some other manner of poor people who turned to looting and crime out of desperation. And yet the angle is that 'thieving is always morally wrong'. Somebody didn't read Les Mis, I guess! Another note, there seems to be a weird gameplay and story segregation where we as the Traveler do lots of looting and treasure hunting ourselves only to be commended for it. But I digress. My actual point is that interestingly enough those elements of worldbuilding come together pretty well when you look at the city itself!   In Mondstadt it is most difficult to become a small business owner, made all the more obvious when compared to Liyue's wealth of shops, services, and traveling traders (Liyue has its own baggage of problems which tbh seem more serious to me but that's another topic). It's just not the most profitable occupation! Almost everyone we see out on the streets does their own resource supply, production, and service. Naturally, this means that those people don't earn enough to hire their own workers. In turn, that means that there are no jobs to be found in those places. So, where are all the jobs? For that we have the Dawn Winery, the Knights of Favonius, and the option to leave for Springvale to become a hunter or go to a different country altogether. The winery is described as the city's most powerful industry both for local consumption and export, but how does it actually treat its workers? Well, for example there's Patton who accidentally broke a bottle of expensive wine and is now basically an indentured servant to Diluc. He says that even if he worked without any breaks he still would need 48 years to pay off his debt. We can meet his daughter near Venti's statue who has to play by herself because her father is always working. Does that really seem like freedom to you? There's also Guy's father who works at the winery itself and can't afford to rest even when he is heavily sick and old. These are the worst examples for sure but others also have their own smaller problems like Charles who confides in us that he often feels tired and only takes nights off when Diluc is in a mood to tend the bar himself etc.  It is kind of telling that we don't have the option of engaging with their problems and we can't really talk to Diluc about it either. For all that he defends the city each night, he shows no interest in defending his own workers from his business's predatory tactics. To say nothing of the great damage he does to the adult populace of the city, always supplying alcohol and tempting people with deals and sales when there are already too many drunkards even among the named characters. When the opposing tavern (which also only has Diona for a bartender even when her own father has alcohol dependence) chose to present a non-alcoholic beverage during the holiday Angel’s Share doubled down on alcohol. And it doesn't even have snacks? This one bit was probably just for joke purposes, but tbh it's pretty dangerous to drink without any snacks at all, it makes sense why people get so heavily drunk in the first place. Note that Diluc himself doesn’t drink, showing good judgment when it comes to himself. Meanwhile the only person Diluc seemingly has no problem cutting off is Kaeya and it’s not obvious whether that’s out of concern or pettiness. Nobody is cutting off Nimrod who is ruined by his addiction! Now this is probably the core reason why Nimrod turned to crime, and I wouldn’t be surprised to learn that he and his wife are dependant on Kaeya who at the very least knows to appreciate his informants. Kaeya himself is also a gleeful enabler, by the way, which makes sense considering his uh.. everything. And his upbringing at the Dawn Winery didn’t hurt, no surprise why he’s so keen on wine himself. He might be shrewd and oh so clever when it comes to getting information in taverns, but his story details and voice lines confirm that there actually is a problem even if we don’t know the full scope of it.  Now, the Knights of Favonius? Aside from being corrupt in the past they happen to hire minors (we can read that in their handbook) whom they don't even pay. What's that, free labor for the simplest of tasks? Makes sense why some of the adult knights laze about if all the work gets done by minors or the more focused and accomplished senior knights with Visions. That's a wonky structure for sure. Guy tells us that he became a squire at 16 and still has the boring job of guarding the back gates despite repeatedly showing signs of great dissatisfaction. I wouldn't be surprised if he betrays us later or something, honestly. Maybe Kaeya is preparing him for double agent work, who knows. Right now he has no opportunities for climbing the career ladder to take better care of his sick father, stuck in a pointless job for months. And that's a talented and focused young man! what about regular folk? Well. In the end, regular people have several options. They can give up and overwork themselves while spending nights looking for coins in the wishing fountain to try and scrape enough for their sister’s medicine. They can go to the Adventurers' Guild which has highly dangerous commissions with the most profitable ones taken on by Fischl and other professionals, hardly a dependant job for a regular person. There’s also Church which we know very little about. Likely it's dependant on taxes and donations and it’s the one organization that cares about the orphans of the city (no, keeping Klee in solitary doesn’t count as caring, Knights of Favonius!). There’s Springvale for hunters, farmers and chefs, a difficult lifestyle to maintain when the hunting grounds are in one of the Four Winds’ domains with strangely intelligent wolves.  And then there’s the other more accessible and obvious option! You guessed it, it’s crime!!  And there it is, the reason why there's such a big problem with bandits and overworked people in Mondstadt :)  Honestly after writing all that down, if I were to RP a normal person in Mondstadt I’d try to get into the Treasure Hoarders guild at like 5 years old I think. Better than standing around watching random people kill my pigeons anyway. Tbh this is less of a 'makes you think huh!!' take and more of a commendation towards the writers of the game. They obviously have a more conservative outlook if they're so keen on condemning the thieves who have to steal in order to survive, but the world itself makes a lot of sense. It makes the game a lot of fun to explore.

[l-egionaire]

The Story Of Camila and Jane.

This little tale of romance was once again created based on chats by me and my friend @ordinaryschmuck. Warning: This post has some suggestive material. If this makes you uncomfortable, please avoid it.

The story begins just a little while post-canon around the time of Eda and Raine's wedding. Camila, having somewhat befriended Eda and wanting to support her and Raine, went along with her to her Bachelorette party at a local tavern.

After one a night filled with excitement and one too many apple bloods, Camila woke up in a bed in the taverns inn. She was bleary eyed and had a massive painful headache. She rubbed her eyes, sat up, then looked down and realized she was naked.

Camila: AAAAH!

Next to her a figure stirred. From under the covers came a large bipedal demon woman with four arms, four orange eyes, red spiky skin, and mid length silver hair.

Woman: Ugh, wah? What's going on?

Camila: AAAH!

Woman: AAAAH!

Camila: AAAH!

Woman: Why are we screaming!

Camila: Because...I don't know! Wait, who are you?

Woman: I'm Jane. Jane Atlas? We met at the tavern last night. *she notices Camila's confusion* You don't remember do you?

Camila: No!

Jane: Well, that doesn't surprise me. You were pretty drunk. I mean, I was drunk too but you were really drunk.

Camila: The tavern...right, the Bachelorette party. Wait, where's Eda?

Jane: If you mean that woman with the big silver hair, she just came by while we were kissing and told you to "have fun".

Camila: We were kissing?!

Jane: Really? We woke up in bed together and that shocks you?

Camila: It's just, I haven't kissed anyone since- that's not important right now! Why didn't Eda stop me?

Jane: She seemed too busy taking pictures

Camila: She took pictures!?!?

Camila groaned.

Camila: I'm never going to live this down.

Jane: I'm-im sorry.

Camila: No, it's not your fault I just-Wait what time is it?!

Jane checks her scroll and her eyes widen.

Jane: 9:45.

Camila: Mierda! I'm late to getting ready for the wedding!

Jane: Oh man, so am I!

Camila: Wait, you're going to a wedding too?

Jane: Yeah, one of my friends is a friend of this person called Raine Whispers, who's getting married. They invited me to come along as a plus one

Camila: ...Oh. I think we might be going to the same place.

Jane: Then, maybe I could give you a ride there on my staff.

Camila: That's very nice of you but I think want to just go and forget this night ever happend.

Later, at the reception after the wedding, Camila spotted Jane across the dance floor. When Jane noticed her, she came over to talk.

Jane: Hi.

Camila: HI.

Jane: So...pretty fun wedding. How do you know the bride?

Camila: My daughter ran away to the demon realm and wanted to learn magic so she ended up becominng her magic teacher and surrogate other mother.

Jane: Wow. That sounds pretty complicated.

Camila: You have no idea.

Jane:...So, about last night. I had a really nice time.

Camila: I'm sure it was...good, but I really don't want to talk about that.

Jane: Oh no, not just THAT! I mean, that was pretty amazing too, er, but no I mean before that we-we talked about a lot of stuff and you seemed pretty nice and well, I know this was all probably pretty embarrassing for you so I was wondering if, maybe, to make it up to you...I could take you out to dinner.

Camila: What?

Jane: I mean, not like a- it doesn't have to be a date. Just a nice meal. With us. Together.

Camila: I...I'll think on it.

Jane: Oh...Ok...Can I give you my number, or...

Camila: Um, sure.

Camila talked to Eda, since she was one of her few adult friends who understood the demon realm.

Eda: I say go for it. She seemed nice enough, not to mention being smoking.

Camila: I can't.

Eda: Why not? What? Was she bad in bed?

Camila: No! Yes! I don't remember! That's not the problem!

Eda: Then what is?

Camila: I-I-...I haven't been on a date in a really long time.

Eda: Oh boy. Let me guess: Papa Noceda was the last person you've been with?

Camla: It's mostly for Luz's sake. Losing her father hurt her so much. And If I started dating again...I don't know what she'd think.

Eda: Then ask her.

So Camila went to Luz and told her about getting asked out by Jane. She was surprised to find that Luz was super supportive.

Luz: Mom, go for it! It'd be great to see you with someone who cares about you.

Camila: And you'd really be okay with that?

Luz: I'm always going to miss dad, but I also just want you to be happy. If this woman can do that, then I'll be okay.

Camila hugs her.

Camila: Thank you Mija.

So, Camila decided to go to dinner with Jane. Luz and Vee pulled out all the stops to help their mom. They picked out a nice outfit (a simple green, sleeveless dress) and made sure she was well ready by the time Jane came to pick her up from the Owl House.

The date went well. While a little awkward at first, the two quickly came alive around each other. Camila talked about her kids and her home back in the human world and Jane talked about her own past, her interest in sculpting, and her job being a builder using her construction magic.

Then the conversation turned to dating history.

Camila: This has been a lot of fun. I haven't enjoyed a date tgis much since...actually, I haven't been on a date in years.

Jane: Why not?

Camila:....My-my husband died a few years ago. And after he did, I didn't date for years. Part of it was because I still missed him but also because after he died, I had to work hard to provide for my daughter. And since I spent so long at work, anytime I was home, I tried to spend it with her.

Jane takes Camila'a hand in hers.

Jane: I'm so sorry.

Camila sniffles.

Camila: It's okay.

Jane: If it's any consolation, I haven't been on a date in a long time either. Most guys or girls were too intimidated to talk to me. And my last boyfriend....well, he broke things off pretty hard. He just didn't like me being so-well, this *she gestures with one hand down at her body* I was too big. Too scary. Too...too much for him to deal with I guess.

Camila: ...Well, that's his loss then.

Jane: (Smiles) Thanks.

The date ends with Jane dropping Camila off at the Owl House.

Jane: I guess this is it.

Camila: I guess so.

Jane: Well... I'll see you next time. Er, unless you don't want there to be a next time.

Camila: Actually, I think I'd like that.

The two stood there for a moment, looking away from each other and blushing before Camila decided to channel some of her own brand of Noceda impulsiveness and pulled Jane down into a deep kiss.

And that's the story of how Camila got a girlfriend.

[dapandapod]

Lambert the lark

On Ao3 here! 

This one is for @mayastormborn, because singing Lambert and because Lambert looking very much indeed like Paul Bullion with his curly hair and fancy beard. I had fun.

Beware the swearing and actually rather filthy songs that Lambert likes. Oh and a surprise sentimental thing in the middle there.  It was supposed to be a 5+1 but writing is hard so it turned into a 4+1. Please enjoy!

1. The bar

Let it be known Lambert likes to sing. Let it be known that when Lambert is drunk, he sings very loud.

Most patrons of the tavern he favours in the little shit town Mulbrydale, they know.

Most people living close to the tavern know too. And all the horses in the stable behind the tavern.

Yes, it is known that Lambert likes to sing.

The poor bard entertaining for the night is looking rather exasperated, and there is a bet going on in the corner when the bard actually will just march out. Lambert couldn’t care less. Earlier that day he got paid for a job well done, a basilisk tormenting the locals' livestock decapitated and shoved into the eldermans face.

It was glorious.

So it only makes sense to have a glorious finish, beer foam stuck in his mustache and voice roaring louder that the poor blond lad trying to play his lute. How the fuck does the loud drunk ginger know every song?!

It takes another three tries at a ballad until the bard gives up. Or rather, explodes.

“IF YOU ARE SO KEEN ON SINGING WHY DON’T YOU TAKE THE FUCKING STAGE?!” He screams at Lambert.

Money changes hand in the corner, the bard storms out, and Lambert takes the stage.

Let it be known that Lambert loves Fishmongers Daughter and knows all 27 verses.

Let it be known Lambert still did a better job pissdrunk than the actual bard.

2. The bath

Hot springs are the best thing ever. Really, nothing is as good as settling in to one of the stone pools and soaking in the slightly-too-hot water. Best thing those fuckers funding Kaer Morhen back in the days ever did.

Lambert leans back against the stone, his angry orange locks curling even tighter in the steam. In the next pool over sits Jaskier and Eskel, Geralt is still wrestling with his towel by the wall.

“Hot springs are the best thing ever.” Lambert says, voicing his thoughts. If the moan from Jaskier is anything to go by, he agrees.

“Move over.” Geralt mutters after finally being defeated by the towel.

Lambert opens an eye to peer at him, then spreads his arms across the edge of the pool and closes his eyes again.

“Asshole.” Geralt says fondly, then proceeds to climb over Lambert to get down into the pool.

Stark naked.

Lucky Lambert wasn’t looking, because otherwise it wouldn’t have been Geralt calling Lambert names, but Geralt instead declaring what Lambert was seeing.

“Aaaasshoooooleee.” Lambert sings, his voice bouncing around the walls, giving it a rather otherworldly feel.

“Oooh, nice resonance! Do it again!” Jaskier sits up a little straighter.

Lambert smirks and peeks at a glaring Geralt who now is soaking too.

“Aaassshoooooooolee.” Lambert sings again, and Jaskier joins him, harmonizing. It sounds lovely, so they do it again and again, creating a little melody.

“Please.” Geralt huffs, but he is smiling.

“Nah, I rather like it.” Eskel says agreeably, and really, if Geralt dislikes it Lambert has to continue. Those are the rules.

They experiment a bit with tempo, making it canon, Lambert taking a really low note that Jaskier can only barely meet, and oh the discord of that note sounds great too.

“I'm going to steal your job.” Lambert declares to Jaskier, when they dry off. “Im going to get so much fucking coin.”

Jaskier only snorts.

“I would like to see you try.” He says, amused.

Oh, little bard, you just wait.

3. The night

Silence is different in the woods. Especially at night. The way that everything is asleep, even the trees quieter than in the day. The fire crackles merrily anyway, the wood popping and fizzing. Lambert is feeling a little forlorn, he sits close to the fire and stares at the flames, hugging his knees to his chest.

Aiden is half laying on his bedroll next to him, working on a leather braid for his saddlebags.

It is strange, Aiden is right there, but Lambert feels lonely.

Achingly alone, small among the giant trees, old in a world that forever is new.

His mother died long ago. But her voice comes to him, words half forgotten and a melody that reminds him of honey and of sleep. Before he realize it, its leaking out.

He is humming, a deep murmur in his chest. He can see Aiden look up at him from the corner of his eye, but he keeps his eyes on the flame. Idly he drags his chin back and forth on his freckled arm, letting his beard scratch and soothe him. The heat of the flames feels good, his back too cold in contrast.

“What is that song?” Aiden asks quietly, he, too, afraid to disturb the night.

Lambert finally looks over at him, the light dancing on his face, making his hair look like its own fire.

“I don’t really know. My mother sang it to me.” Lambert never speaks of her. But this is Aiden, and the world is sleeping, and he tastes honey.

“Will you sing it for me?” Aiden asks, of course he does. This is why Aiden is here.

The words are old, the language has long since changed. He sings of rolling hills and budding flowers, of rivers feeling lonely and luring travelers into their cold embrace. He wonders if that is how drowners came to be.

Aiden watches him all the while, the braid still in his hands. Lambert watches the fire, sings lowly into the night.

It feels good, singing her song to the darkness. It feels ever better when he stops and peeks through his locks at Aiden.

Aidens face is hard to read, but his actions are not.

“Get over here, wolf.”

With Aidens arms around him, with the taste of honey on his lips, the crackling of fire behind him, Lambert joins the forest in its slumber.

4. The fight

It’s raining, fuck, it’s pouring down. Thunder is rumbling ahead, the raindrops fat and absolutely much wetter than rain has any right to be. They are soaked, the drop bounce off the armor, the weapons get slippery in their grip, their hair sticks to their faces and necks.

Geralt hates it. As they fight the griffin, he grumbles and mutters.

Lambert thinks he is being dramatic, really, it’s just some water. (Though, to be fair, it’s easy to be positive when Geralt is so extremely cranky. If Lambert was alone, he would be just as miserable, if not worse.)

The griffin is very big, and very angry.

It swoops down from the sky, Lambert aims with a crossbow at it’s wings.

“One little griffin were going shopping in town” he sings, clenching one eye closed while aiming. The griffin flies right above him, his talons inches from where his head was just a moment ago. Lambert swirls around untroubled, and aims again.

“But there came a Lambert, and shot it down.” Water is dripping from his eyebrows, eyelashes, running down his cheeks, but it doesn’t matter.

The shot is clean, it hits the target and a loud shriek announces that the griffin felt it too.

“Stop that! You are just pissing it off!” Geralt yells from the other side of the field, ducking from said pissed off griffin. Lambert smirks, shoving his hair out of his face with the crook of his arm, water sloshing everywhere.

It is a small miracle that he still has a grip on the crossbow. They charge the now grounded griffin, splitting up to make things difficult for it.

“ONE LITTLE GRIFFIN IS FEELING FEELING A LITTLE CRANKY!” Lambert sings, or rather howls, swinging his sword in a tight arc, aiming for the griffins flank. From the other side of the beast, Lambert can hear Geralt harumph in annoyance. It’s fun to work with family.

“BUT THERE CAME A LAMBERT AND-” Here Lambert has to pause.

He even takes a step away, scratching at his wet beard thoughtfully. He turns and yells towards a small grove of trees.

“JASKIER?! WHAT THE FUCK RHYMES WITH CRANKY??”

“Lambert come on!” Geralt yells, and yes, alright, fair.

“OH, NEVER MIND! I GOT IT! BUT THERE CAME A LAMBERT, HE GOTTA HELP GERALT, OR AIDEN WON’T GIVE HIM HANKY PANKY!”

“Wow! A true poet!” Geralt yells again over the shriek of the Griffin. “Now come help me fucking kill it!”

+1 The competition

"You really think you are going to win this?” Jasier says, disbelief and amusement clear in his voice.

“I hope you are ready to pay for my new sword, bardling.” Lambert says with a confident grin. Jaskier shrugs, strapping on his lute.

“Your loss. You do remember I am a very famous bard and poet across the continent, and a very sought after professor at Oxenfurt?”

Lambert makes a very charming snorting sounds and waves it away.

“Work hard tonight, and don’t think of trying to cheat!” Lambert tells him, and waves Eskel and Jaskier goodbye.

They agreed that Geralt is too biased towards Jaskier, so Eskel would go with him while preforming and Geralt with Lambert, to make sure none of them is cheating.

As if Lambert would need to cheat.

They walk towards a rather shadylooking bar by the docks, another one of Lamberts favorites. More than one turn around and give a (semi)friendly nod when he enters. The two of them order their drink and settle down.

“Soooo, when are you gonna go about earning those coins?” Geralt asks, sipping on his tankard.

“As soon as the poor lad stops his wailing. Gotta give him a chance, don’t you think?” Lambert smiles, and Geralt rolls his eyes.

There is indeed a poor lad by the elevated area, trying to sing heroic ballads with an accompanying lyre. Talk about reading the crowd wrong.

As soon as the lad is sat in a corner drowning his lack of success in wine, Lambert rises and stretches.

“Alright, time to make good on this bet.” Lambert steps up and begins clapping his hands in a beat. A few patrons see what he is doing and humours him, so he adds the stomping. And proceeds to sing the filthiest song he knows.

Without going into details, it involves what a lady has under her skirt, and how she uses it when she is a lady with mighty needs. To put it nicely. It takes exactly one verse and one chorus before the coins start.

Lambert gives Geralt a victorious smile.

“Alright, how much did you get?” Lambert asks Jaskier. “I hope you won’t have to add too much from your own pocket, swords are rather expensive.”

“132 crowns and 36 ducats.” Jaskier says with a triumphant smile. “The fine ladies at the brothel where quite generous.”

“Where is Eskel?” Geralt asks, looking around.

“Oh, he found a lady with horns and decided to see if they were real.”

“Again? He really has a thing for succubuses, doesn’t he?” Geralt muses.

“Sure seems like it. So, Lambert, how did it go? How much?”

Jaskier won. Lambert blames it on the florence, being slightly less of value than the crown. He lost by three. THREE. Lambert is pissed and Jaskier laughs, but really, he is sweating big time. Lucky he dresses in layers, because fuck that was close. Jaskier declines every challenge there after.