#'dangerous and cannot be trusted' to 'god he's annoying i'm leaving now'

[clemencetaught]

Psst :3

gossiping from the knight ( behind their back gossip meme w/ @velvetineblue )

Send “Psst” for 10 5 Things My Muse has said About Yours Behind Their Back.

“…I don’t think anyone Quinn considers a lover should be considered good news.”

“Who’s worse, him, or his girlfriend? I can’t quite decide. Yet.”

“It doesn’t matter if the Black Fang wants to change the world. And I don’t care if he has the means to do so- what they’re planning is insane. No one is going come out unscathed, least of all civilians.”

"Sometimes, there's the urge to just...stab him. Lightly. I won't, of course, but it has become an increasingly...tempting idea."

*rubs temples and gives a heavy sigh* “…Where would you suppose I would find the nearest exit?”

[cordidy]

Just needed to get this out of my head after Sylus's Myth so i hope you like it :)

TW : drunk MC, fluff, it's sad I guess ? No proof read cause i'm a savage, english is not my mother tongue

“......tail ?” 

“What did you just say kitten ?” Sylus asked, gently patting the back on your thigh while steadying you on his shoulder as you exited the elevator together, .

At first he had been quite surprised to receive your call.

Even more so when you bluntly asked him if he would be ok playing bodyguard and keep an eye on you while you indulged in a night of carefree debauchery at the club but hey, who was he to judge ? 

Besides, if you felt safe enough to be in such a vulnerable state around him, going as far as trusting him with your safety and your apartment key to make sure you would make it back safe and sound, he was not going to complain.

“I….I said…ooooh that spins…do…do you ever miss your tail ?” you repeated, your voice tired and slurred, words barely comprehensive despite your best effort.

Sylus couldn’t help the chuckle that came as you poked his lower back through his jacket.

You really were wasted…

But you had a good reason !

Your week has been shitty as hell.

Your nights were even worse lately, barely getting a couple hours of sleep only to wake up either with a sore throat, screaming or crying at something you could not recall.

And, on top of that, you were off duty as Zayne decided you needed a break and refused to sign your abilitation.

“Come on Zayne, look, I’m fiiiiiiiiine” you tried to convince him with a huge smile and so much concealer on your face you could open your own makeup shop.

“As your physician I cannot let you go on field with such results” he retorted not even looking away from your chart “You should be dead with such a high blood pressure”

“I’m a tough cookie !”

“And you’re going to have to stay in the jar until these get better. You’re not only a danger for yourself right now but also for your partner”

That was a low blow but he had a point.

Clearly, you needed a break, something to unplug your brain, something fun, a good night out to leave all your problems behind and get shitfaced to oblivion. What you did not need though was the unwanted attention a young woman alone at the club would probably get and, while you were very capable of handling those kinds of situations, you did not really want to have to be on the lookout constantly or end up in a cell for assault.

You tried Tara, back to her family for the Holidays.

Simone ? Night shift.

Xavier….doing God knew what God knew where….

So, with a heavy heart you picked up your phone and called your secret weapon…

“Not necessary,” Sylus finally answered in a calm, composed voice, as he opened your apartment door, being extra careful as to not bump you in the doorframe. Based on the current humming coming from you right now and your kicking feet, your head was already going to kill you tomorrow.

Better not add “commotion” to the list of your impending issues.

“To be honest, being half human half cat was quite annoying” he admitted, walking you toward your bedroom to tuck you into bed. “I don’t like not being in control of myself and beside, it was bad for business to be away from the N109 zone for so long...although…I kind of enjoyed having to hide here and spend time with you…” he added with his signature smirk, poking your side before tossing you onto the bed, making you giggle like an idiot as you plopped on your back. It was the first time you allowed him into your room and, although he did plan on being a gentleman despite what you could think of him when sober, he couldn’t help the loving smile on his face as he watched you mumble something about a potato bag while fighting with your plushies for room.

“I miss you tail” you retorted in your drunk voice, closing your eyes in hopes it would help with the dizziness while Sylus started to remove your shoes and socks.

“I quite remember you telling me how insufferable it was” the man said in a collected tone while making his way to the kitchen once he was done. 

“Yeah but it was sooooo pretty…I miss how you used it to grab me with it and…and toss me around ! That was funny !” you laughed, mimicking being tossed around like a ragdoll in the middle of your plushies as Sylus was coming back in your room, a glass of water in his hand.

He stopped in his tracks, a puzzled look on his face.

“I never use my cat tail to...toss you around” he corrected. His Evol, yeah, on a daily basis at some point actually, just to annoy you and enjoy those little lovely sounds coming from your mouth, threats mostly.

He had not been able to use it at all during the time those damn kittens from Hell had turned him into one of them though.

Your foggy brain did not hear him though and just kept mumbling in your drunken state, propping yourself on your elbows, trying to focus your gaze on him.

“You would think scales are cold and harsh…” you started, raising a finger to look all serious before falling back onto your pillow, not registering the look of surprise on his usually steady face.

“Kitten wh…” his voice was faltering as he looked at you getting all comfy like you had not just shaken his world upside down with your words.

“...but it was sooooo soft and sooooo warm…” you continued, grabbing your pillow to hold on tight as if you were looking for said warmth. 

Your voice was starting to fade as sleep was settling in.

“...felt safe when you wrapped it around me…I kept holding mine to sleep after…but…”

The glass in his hand fell to the ground, shattering as he froze in place, eyes wide open in shock. 

“…it was not…not the same…” you mumbled before losing consciousness, your body going limp against your pillow, before starting to snore.

______________________________________________________________ Pssssst, you liked it ? P2 is already up here :) https://www.tumblr.com/cordidy/770227784125677568/a-few-days-ago-i-wrote-this?source=share

[uselesslexbian]

the battle of the labyrinth by rick riordan sentence starters.

it's not a date!

not even my luck could be this bad.

i didn't get your full name last time when you tried to kill me.

you called me a mortal. like you're not.

tell me. you know what it means. all these horrible things i see?

for years i thought i was going crazy. i couldn't tell anybody.

i'm not a monster.

you don't need that. how about a kiss instead?

such a pretty little blade. what a shame it stands between us.

it would be merciful to end your life now, before you have to see that.

what did you do this time?

i'll make up some story. i'll tell them it wasn't your fault.

she's kind of cute.

promise not to kill me if i put my sword away?

i'm talking about justice. vengeance.

you will learn differently as you get older.

do you want revenge or not?

he was driven insane. he didn't die.

your armor is crooked.

we're fine. we fell in a hole.

there will be no killing today.

i don't fear you.

are you going to help me or not?

don't tell me you're scared.

you don't understand anything. i'm never going in there again.

we've had plenty of problems before, and we solved them.

you wanted power. i gave you that.

i told you not to disturb me.

you know my heart belongs to you.

you're in charge now. all the decisions are on your shoulders. that's what you wanted, isn't it?

i didn't think you liked heroes.

didn't you try to kill him, like, a lot of times?

getting something and having the wits to use it... those are two different things.

if you thought your first imprisonment was unbearable, you have yet to feel true torment.

demigods are cheaters.

i have nothing to offer. i have lost everything.

you should sleep.

how about i take first watch? i'll wake you if anything happens.

my friends are in danger.

you pick fights for no good reason.

i was hoping you would give up.

you have to forgive. you have to promise me this.

you should not fear power. use it.

some of us... the way we learn not to trust people is even more painful.

no. i'm not leaving you.

do you support the gods because they are good, or because they're your family?

be careful of love. it'll twist your brain around and leave you thinking up is down and right is wrong.

you could stay with me. i'm afraid that is the only way you could help me.

we thought you were dead.

you are the single most annoying person i have ever met.

she will calm down. she's jealous.

sometimes things go wrong. heroes get hurt. they die, and the monsters just keep coming back.

do me a favor. if you find him, don't trust him. don't ask him for help. just kill him.

i'm calm. every time i'm around you, some monster attacks us. what's there to be nervous about?

i could be gone a week and my parents wouldn't notice.

you've gotten better with the sword. i'll give you that.

hey, i'm usually about to die. don't feel bad.

you don't have to act like that.

i regret what i did. i was angry and bitter. but i cannot take it back.

there's something evil down that tunnel. something very powerful.

i'll be quick. i won't do anything stupid.

i renounce the gods. what have they ever done for me?

we needed to help you or you'd mess things up.

i didn't want you to die. you owe me too many favors. how am i supposed to collect if you die?

well, i did not miss this place.

maybe it's okay to still be a kid once in a while.

i was beginning to feel better, so i thought i would talk with you a bit. you always manage to annoy me.

you will regret this insult.

it sounds like we've got a lot to talk about.

[faebriel]

ok ok I'm insane and couldn't pick one so have two (no need to answer both if you don't want to)

“You talk to him.” Not kindly, but he does.

“I’m used to him,” he shoots back. “I’m the only person who is.”

That makes Niki feel something, some uncomfortable tug in her chest. She mentally kicks herself. It’s not jealousy, she reminds herself, because despite the near-cliff jumping and the long nights without food and the nuclear fallout that has punctuated her last few months, being jealous of Tommy would be the least reasonable thing she’s allowed herself to be, maybe ever.

“You don’t believe me,” Tommy says flatly. “You never - eugh.” He cuts himself off with another ragged sigh, running a hand down his face. “Look, Niki, it’s - we were all together in Pogtopia, right? But I was there first. With him. And you didn’t see the start of it, it was horrible, and I’m glad no one else saw the beginning of it either but it was still just so shit and he kept saying all these terrible things about Tubbo and Fundy and you and,” he takes a shaky breath, “then, when I died, I saw him.”

Her breath catches in her throat.

Well, the voice in the back of her head whistles. If you were still wondering about all this afterlife bullshit, if you want to know where you’re going after your third life, here you go.

and

“You didn’t even - this isn’t about L’Manberg, Wilbur!” Niki shouts.

And then he stops, breathing hard, and he looks at Niki the same way he does whenever her voice is being drowned out in a crowd - the way he does when he wants to hear her, when he wants to know what she has to say.

“What else is there?” he asks.

Niki freezes. Stock still, unable to move, unable to breathe, ice threading its way through her gut, her chest, her shoulders, chilled down to the bone. With slow-dawning horror, she can feel hot tears welling up behind her eyes, sitting in her throat, threatening to spill over into a sob. She swallows - to keep her cool, to stay calm, to keep it together -

And then, something in her chest just snaps.

“You said you’d come back for me!” she cries, and her voice hitches on the lump of tears at the back of her throat and god, she sounds absolutely pathetic. Wilbur’s face softens immediately, which somehow just makes her feel even worse. “In Manberg. When Schlatt put me in prison, and you and Tommy were in Pogtopia, you said you’d break me out when it was safe. I waited for weeks , Wilbur. It was… it was horrible.”

“Niki…” a kaleidoscope of emotions flicker across his face, and he seems unsure which to settle on. “We got you out though, right? After the festival.”

“You looked for the button first,” she says quietly, and he stills.

Her sniffling sounds embarrassingly loud against the quiet background of night.

thank you sm!!! i’m gonna put these under the cut because they got a little long sorry (tw for discussion of suicidal ideation)

to preface: tommy is kind of the accidental but incredibly necessary invisible support beam for niki and wilbur’s making amends in bitter. niki cannot accept wilbur’s actions and apology without first acknowledging her own actions and making steps towards an apology, because otherwise it kind of falls flat? in that ending scene niki finally gets what wilbur is feeling and wilbur finally gets that someone else knows how he feels (it’s not perfect 100% yet, but…. that’ll get explored later)

onto the actual snippet! “tommy talks to wilbur - not kindly, but he does” was very important to me! tommy has stuck by wilbur ever since pogtopia, but the tragedy is that he is not equipped to deal with wilbur’s issues, and it shows. wilbur’s first stream after revival depicts this really clearly, where tommy tails wilbur around the whole time but insults him, is still stuck on calling him the villain, physically fights him at some point, etc. on one hand this isn’t healthy but on the other hand tommy is actually around, which is more than can be said for basically any other ally wilbur has had on the dsmp, maybe excluding his dad, who literally killed him lmfao.

this whole issue is exacerbated by the fact that tommy believes that he is the only person who properly understands wilbur, the only person who gets what happened to him, and feels like wilbur is generally his burden to bear. he failed to stop wilbur from both 1. hurting other people and 2. killing himself after the pogtopia-manberg war - and he doesn’t trust wilbur not to do either of those things again, so he’s stuck hovering around wilbur while wilbur is inadvertently setting off his own trauma and feeling responsible for any way he might fuck up and hating that but not wanting to leave. tommy’s memory isn’t perfect and he isn’t a perfect narrator, what he remembers from pogtopia the most were the scariest parts and that’s understandable but it means he’s holding wilbur to the worst expectations of behaviour (and he does so very vocally). the others showed up later, sure, but in tommy’s eyes he’s the only one who saw wilbur’s descent, and by the time they showed up wilbur had already changed irreversably. tommy tries to rationalise this by splitting the ‘different wilburs’ apart from each other in his head (he does this in canon too - there’s one quote from like late 2020 where he says he and tubbo need to keep on going for who wilbur used to be, not who he became, even though they’re,, the same person), and no one challenges that perspective, so he just keeps doing it even though it’s not healthy for him or wilbur.

and then limbo happened and, oh geez, THAT didn’t help jhfaskjjfsa

tommy is on a bit of a knife edge with niki in this fic. niki’s in this state of “ok, he’s annoying whatever, i’m moving on”, but all tommy knows is that she tried to kill him that one time, disappeared off the face of the map, joined a book club with two people who definitely do not like him, and now is just acting weirdly mellow and polite. she is not someone he wants near wilbur bc what the fuck is she gonna do? what is he gonna do? who knows. he’s frustrated that niki doesn’t seem to acknowledge how he’s feeling (especially bc once upon a time she would have been someone he trusted to acknowledge them - they were friends, they fought together) and he’s taking a big step by telling someone about his concerns here, especially bc tommy doesn’t really like talking about them at all. he wouldn’t be saying absolutely anything to niki if he didn’t truly believe she should stay away from wilbur, even if he’s wrong about him. (sometimes i think i write tommy as a little too emotionally mature here but it all goes out the window when wilbur’s brought up. idk if that balances it out)

ok onto niki: this is the first she has actually heard of limbo! she’s only just come around to the fact that resurrection is possible at all. death is kind of a touchy subject for niki both in general and re: wilbur in the fic - she’s coming off of a period in her life where suicidal ideation was, uh, a big thing (whether you want to read that into canon or not is subjective, that’s just the angle i went with in this fic). the sudden existence of a life after death, miserable as it is - and whether she really believes in such a place, when it only exists in tommy and wilbur’s words - that is a lot of information for her to absorb all at once. death is a weird connection point for tommy and niki here, coming right off of the fact that they’ve just acknowledged each other having those problems - tommy, out of, yknow, altruism, would very much like to keep niki out of that place, and niki is quietly reckoning with the fact that that is where she would have sent him. the concept of limbo from the perspective of a character with no experience of it, even secondhand, is so interesting to me like what kind of eldritch location would you feel like you’re living in asghjkl

(also - i gotta be honest the jealousy angle here but mostly when she’s talking later about dream not deserving wilbur’s companionship kinda came out after this post came across my dash while writing. whoops /j)

-

fun fact, this is the very first snippet of bitter that i ever wrote! all the way back in may!! this is like the moment of the fic - it's where the miscommunication that niki and wilbur have been having is shattered entirely - and so sticking the landing was uhhh kinda important to me lol.

wilbur's entire being in this fic is basically consumed by L'Manberg - he equates his self worth to it entirely. in his eyes, everyone (rightfully) hates him because of what he did to L'Manberg, because L'Manberg was corrupted and he himself with it, etc. niki tries to tell herself this, and while it definitely does form part of her issues with him, it was the betrayal that causes her this much pain - that he seemingly brushed her and their friendship off entirely when he supposedly left her for dead in manberg. because here is what we as the audience know: wilbur couldn’t leave niki in trouble when he heard her life was in danger, even when he was trying to find the button (pretty much the only thing he sees himself as having left at this point) and so he returned. here is what it looks like from niki’s perspective: wilbur told her to wait in manberg until it was safe to come to pogtopia, laid the place with TNT, went to blow up the place, and only returned when he couldn’t find the detonator (and then the first thing she saw him do in pogtopia was encourage the pit behaviour but that’s not what we’re talking about asdfgh). that is massive miscommunication and it’s been brewing between them for months - to make a quirky little reference to the title, niki has been carrying that anger with her so long it's gone bitter. it was never just about l’manberg with niki - not that anger, not her and wilbur’s friendship (hence the little flashback earlier in the fic, bc niki’s relationship to anarchism and statehood or statelessness juxtaposed with her friendships with wilbur and eret - she loves l’manberg bc she loves wilbur, but she loves eret too and those national ties don’t undermine that - is Real Interesting to me) - so when wilbur asks what else there could possibly be (because in his mind, what else could she have bothered staying around for?), she just fucking breaks.

“Niki freezes. Stock still, unable to move, unable to breathe, ice threading its way through her gut...with slow-dawning horror, she can feel hot tears welling up behind her eyes” - prose discussion time! heat and cold are two big throughlines in this fic - particularly for niki, cold is what she is. admittedly when i started with it i mostly wanted to subvert hot = angry and cold = dead but i kinda ended up enjoying this take on it for what it is instead of just as a subversion (also i like the idea of revived people running hot, their bodies r working hard to keep em going). she’s holding onto her feelings and refusing to deal with them, she’s frozen over. descriptions of cold are key to niki’s mental state throughout the fic - cold weight on her chest, feelings of frostbite when she and wilbur hug the first time, ice cold water during the dinner scene, waking up in the cold flat, etc. this was an attempt at describing a more visceral feeling of like, when you’re really mad and you can just feel the adrenaline running through your veins. always felt more cold than hot to me. when she starts to cry, the facade she’s been putting on is finally thawing out and cracking the ice she’s buried her feelings under. (also gives an excuse to write warm comforting hugs towards the end /hj). it’s a loss, it’s catharsis, it’s a whole mess.

and ofc this is all news to wilbur and he feels terrible, because as unintentional as it was, he really really hurt her - because the destruction of l’manberg fucking sucked but above all else wilbur hurt the people he loved because they loved him so much and not in spite of it, because they cared about him so deeply and his death was a massive blow to them. this hasn’t even dawned on him, because how could it? he respects deeply niki (lowkey respects her opinion more than his own at this point) so he has to listen, because it’s niki (“and he looks at Niki the same way he does whenever her voice is being drowned out in a crowd - the way he does when he wants to hear her, when he wants to know what she has to say” - because he does), and what she says fucking floors him. in his eyes, he failed her by putting her in danger and then by destroying her home - the idea that she valued him and their friendship so much flies entirely over his head until this moment, and he is forced to re-evaluate the mindset that has motivated him since… basically since pogtopia! the way i write wilbur is like… yes, he’s one of niki’s closest friends and he’s more aware of her insecurities and issues than most (which is why he does always take the time to listen to her, etc) but he does over-idealise her a bit. tbf, i think he does to some extent with everyone (calling tubbo strong on the anniversary stream, for example). also the fact that he really wasn’t around for niki’s lowest moments as a character! he still thinks of her the way she was in l’manberg - confident, steadfast, respected - and this moment shatters that for him as he realises exactly what effect he and his death had on her and everyone else, not just by his actions, but because they loved him and cared for him so deeply.

sorry that this got horrifically long!! and thank you so much for sending snippets in <3333

[starlocked01]

Seldom All They Seem

Intrulogical Week 2020!  Unlike Soulmate September, I’m writing one continuous narrative for the whole week based around the prompts :)

Summary: Remus asks Roman for a favor. Janus is terrified that Roman agreed. They enlist Logan's help to pull Remus out before he's in too deep to wake up from this Daydream

AO3 Next

Chapter 1 Hesitancy- Into the Unknown

“I know you; I walked with you Once upon a dream I know you; the gleam in your eye Is so familiar a gleam And I know it's true that visions are Seldom all they seem But if I know you, I know what you'll do You'll love me at once The way you did Once upon a dream”

"I can't do this anymore, Ro," Remus paced back and forth across the creative side's room, nearly knocking over the tv by bumping the cabinet.

"Careful there! Also, you still haven't told me what it is you can't do and you've been pacing for over 20 minutes now," Roman hadn't invited his brother in and had been in the middle of a rather important birthday gift that he wanted to finish.

Remus whipped around to face Roman, "hypothetically, have you ever had feelings for someone and you know they'll never like you back so you go slowly crazy watching them talk to everyone but you?"

"Oh! this is about Lo-"

"Don't say it out loud!" Remus jumped and covered Roman’s mouth, "this is a hypothetical; I do not have feelings for any other side no matter how smart and attractive he may be," Roman pulled him off and retched.

"God! Why does your hand taste like muddy peanuts?" he swiped his tongue on the back of his own hand to wipe off the odd and unpleasant taste.

"I was making mud pies and eating peanuts yesterday, duh," Remus smirked before returning to his pacing.

"And didn't wash your hands… ewwwww Remus!" Roman conjured a toothbrush to wash his tongue and backed another two steps away from his brother, disgusted.

"Can we please focus here? I need to get away from all of this. No one likes me- you can't deny that- and I need your help to pull this plan off."

Roman looked quizzically at Remus, cocking his head to the side and putting a hand on his hip, "my help? Okay, what's the prank?"

"Roman, this is serious!" Roman looked in his eyes and knew he was telling the truth, "I know you don't like me so I wouldn't be bothering you about this if it wasn't serious."

Roman sighed, "you absolutely would bother me regardless, but okay, what do you want me to do?"

"Hide me in a daydream," Remus asked earnestly.

"A daydream? You can do that yourself."

Remus pleaded with his eyes, "yeah but my daydreams always go off track towards my usual brand of terror. I need a break so I need you to create the dream for me."

"I don't know… that seems risky," Roman stroked his chin in thought, "but I just might be able to pull it off."

"Thank You!" Remus tackled Roman to the couch.

"Get off! You've had too many of Patton's cookies lately; you're smothering me!" Roman laughed.

"Hey…" Remus frowned and rolled off onto the floor.

"Okay no, you're not fat, just more of you than the last time you tried to crush me," Roman grimaced.

"No wonder he's never gonna like me," Remus groaned, grabbing a pillow and smothering his face in it.

"I thought these unrequited feelings were hypothetical," Roman smirked, grabbing Remus' wrist, "up up! I'm not knocking you out on the floor."

Remus begrudgingly got up and Roman fluffed the pillows, stacking them all on one end of the couch. At Roman's insistence, he laid down and took a few deep breaths.

"Alright, if you need out before I wake you up, I'm creating a beacon at the edge of a lake so that when you touch it you'll get pulled out immediately. Otherwise, I'll wake you up in a few days," Roman instructed, laying a light blanket over Remus.

"It's gonna be weird not having complete control over this. I don't suppose you could make a strip club for me to perform at?" Remus grinned, trying to hide his nervousness.

"You'll still have some environmental control. But if you want a break, I'm not creating any of your usual shenanigans," Roman smiled, almost fondly over his brother.

"Okay… I think I'm ready," Remus looked hesitant but Roman gave him a soft smile.

"You'll be fine, now go to sleep," with that Roman placed two fingers on Remus' forehead and snapped his fingers. Instantly Remus was asleep and Roman sat there crafting the daydream. He wanted it to be immersive enough for Remus to keep his mind off his hypothetical crush and general unwantedness. He almost wished it wasn't like this so they could do things like joint daydreams and projects more often.

Three days later and Thomas had finally started to relax without Remus' contributions. Everyone, even Virgil, felt more at ease and couldn't really pinpoint why. Roman wondered why he hadn't done this for Remus sooner.

Six days later Thomas' friends began to worry. He wasn't completely himself, not as spontaneous. His humor was blander. They asked if he was sick and he just shrugged. Janus was perturbed by Remus' absence but wasn't sure where to look for him. He could sense something was off and likely had something to do with the obnoxious side.

"Where is he, Roman?" the snakish side asked with an annoyed grin.

"He who? You'll have to be more specific there are several of us," Roman grinned, focused on lunch instead of Janus.

"Your brother, of course," Janus sighed.

"Am I my brother's keeper?" Roman rolled his eyes, "he's fine. And safe. He asked for this so don't worry. He wanted a break so he's getting a break."

"A break from what? How is he taking a break?" Janus looked alarmed.

Roman rolled his eyes at Janus, "relax, snake-eye, it's just a daydream."

Janus’ eyes widened in fear, "you sent him into a daydream? Do you know how often I have to keep him from putting himself into those?"

"He's fine! My brother can handle it; daydreams are where we're at our best and strongest," Roman scoffed.

"That is exactly what you shouldn't be worried about, " Janus advanced on Roman, eyes burning with fear and anger, "how smart are you?"

"Smart enough to never listen to you again," Roman looked away, hurt but starting to worry, "he hasn't tried to come out yet and nothing abnormal has happened with his body so… he can stand to be in there a few more days."

"Yes, a whole week was definitely a good idea," Janus groaned, "please don't try to wake him up right now. Immediately. Or else."

"Or else what? You'll try to humiliate me again?" Roman shot back.

"This is absolutely about us right now. I know it's difficult, but please trust me. We need to wake Remus up before he's in trouble," Janus sighed, sinking out to go to Roman’s room without waiting for a response. Roman huffed and followed.

Janus was violently shaking Remus by the time Roman rose up mere seconds later, "easy! Look it's my daydream so I'll just end it," Roman bumped Janus aside and placed his hand on Remus' forehead.

He could tell something was very wrong. Roman couldn’t feel Remus at all.

"Well?" Janus asked impatiently.

"I can't wake him up now. I don't know what's wrong but I won't risk him disappearing with the daydream," Roman shook his head, "someone needs to go in after him."

"No. I refuse," Janus stated flatly without a hint of sarcasm.

"I wasn't going to ask you, cobra lie," Roman scoffed, "I know exactly who it has to be." ---- "What? You want me to go into a dangerous daydream that you cannot control and in which logic holds no sway? Janus, did you put him up to this?" Logan scowled, upset at having been interrupted while scheduling the next week.

"As much as I wish this were a prank, no I did not," Janus glanced too casually down at his gloves.

"Look, I know you don't particularly care for Remus, but you are the only one he'll listen to," Roman pleaded.

"Leave me alone, this is too important," Logan rolled his eyes and turned back to his work, "please shut the door on your way out."

"We're leaving. You're not going to help him. Remember, Logan, you didn't accidentally tell me your secret," Janus smirked.

Logan turned around slowly, "and why won't you go save your only friend, Janus?"

"Well, I'm not scared if that's what you're asking," Janus’ human cheek tinged red as Roman snorted, trying to hold back his laughter.

"Fine, if you're a coward I guess I will have to 'step up to bat' as the metaphor goes," Logan stood with a smirk, "but if Thomas suffers in my absence, just know you're both on the top of my list."

"Yes, fine. Thank you, Wonder Nerd-" Roman winced as both Janus and Logan glared at him "sorry, thank you, Logan. I appreciate your help, honest." Logan grunted in response and followed Roman and Janus back to Roman’s room.

He looked so peaceful, lying there in immediate peril. Logan would not allow himself to smile. It's not like he was ruled by emotions like the others. The way Roman explained it, he was the figurative and literal logical choice to send in after Remus.

And yet Remus looked genuinely happy without the need for extra blood or violence hiding behind his eyes. Was this so bad? Of course, it was that bad. He'd do what he'd have to, for Thomas, of course.

"Okay, how do we do this?" Logan asked quietly.

"Well, why don't you snuggle up next to him-" Logan glared at Janus, stopping him mid-thought, "what? It was a joke."

"Just lie down on the other half of the couch and I'll send you in," Roman pushed Logan towards the couch.

"And if something goes wrong you'll be able to pull me out?" Roman could see the fear of the unknown in Logan’s eyes.

"If all else fails, find the beacon. If I can manage it I'll pull you both out but the beacon is a fail-safe. Please, find Remus. I'm… worried for him," Logan nodded his understanding and sat down.

"I'll try," he stretched out across the couch and Roman knelt to lay his hand on Logan's forehead.

"Thank you, Logan."

Logan closed his eyes, heard the snap, and felt darkness overtake his thoughts, color and shadow swirling and becoming lighter until he was standing on a plateau overlooking a large landscape, a single figure in the distance on the edge of the hill.

Tag List: @fandersides1234567​ @sirprplsnail @bisexualdisaster106​ @intrulogicalweek2020​

[xbellaxcarolinax]

Forging A Heart (Ivar the Boneless) 18- Protection

Pairing: Ivar x Artemis (OFC)

Word Count: 4461

Warnings: None

17- Goddess

...

"Are you afraid of me?" He asks.

"...Should I be?"

"You once were."

"I was. You were an ass." Ivar chuckles.

"And now?"

"And now it is you who looks afraid." Artemis smiles, shifting under the furs. He sucks his teeth.

"I do not."

"But you are nervous."

"Are you not?" He asks, tugging her arm when she tried to leave the bed. She giggles in his warm embrace, laying her chin on his chest as she brings her eyes to his.

"I am," She says, "But I trust you.

Ivar grunts as he hobbled his way toward the church. He barely paid any mind to the meeting, thoughts of the night before circulating in his mind. Heat creeped up towards his neck and onto his chiseled cheeks.

He hoped Hvitserk paid enough attention to explain whatever the meeting was about.

Ivar felt like a child, worse, he felt like Arvid, the hopeless dope. But while Arvid displayed his hopeless romanticism, Ivar buried his true feelings, only displaying, well, his usual self. Cranky, bitter, and dissatisfied. Ivar could only hope that he wouldnt mess it up.

He couldn't mess it up.

The harshness of his braces scraped along the stone floors of the church. He could never be inconspicuous like he wanted, but not even he could disturb her from her prayers. The light shinning through the crucifix shaped windows casted over her, giving her an ethereal appearance.

Ivar blinks, biting his lips before grunting again.

"Must you do that?" He calls out to her, his voice palpitating against stone walls. The response was immediate.

"Yes. Must you always interrupt?"

"Yes," Ivar snorts, "Is your cross not enough?" Artemis flutters her eyes open, craning her head slightly to flash Ivar an annoyed expression. He never forbade her from praying to who ever she was praying to, but he didn't prefer it. He'd rather have her on her knees for him.

Before he could conjure up more inappropriate thoughts like a prepubescent boy, she interrupts him.

"You are ridiculous." Artemis stands, dusting off her skirts before making a sign of the cross.

"And you are like the bishop, always in prayer." Ivar grumbles, sending away the guards and sinking himself down onto the alter steps behind her to rest his aching legs. He twisted round to gaze at her "What are you even praying for, hmm?"

"Forgiveness." She says without hesitation.

"What for?"

"Fornication." She mutters, already knowing Ivar could not make sense of the word.

"What?"

"For mounting a heathen." She says, plopping down again on her knees beside him.

Ivar narrows his eyes, a pout ready to form as pink dusted over his cheekbones. He was more timid and introverted about such things than she was, for obvious reasons. He knew she'd heard the stories back in Kattegat, the rumors of his impotence. But they were just stories concocted to shame him, as he had been shamed the entirety of his life.

Perhaps she regretted it.

He prepared his words, fiery and dangerous on the very tip of his tongue in retaliation but cut himself short when she broke out into a grin.

"Ivar," He liked the way his name fell from her her lips, "I'm only teasing."

Oh.

He supposed he earned her teasing humor, it was her way of settling the score.

Ivar huffs with a roll of his eyes, but he couldn't stop the smile that itched at the corners of his mouth, eyes twinkling in amusement as she lowered her head upon his shoulder.

"You're not funny." He mutters.

"I think I am." She says, shyly playing with his fingers.

Ivar had...very skilled fingers.

"Protection." She clears her throat.

"Hmm?"

"I was praying for protection." Confused, Ivar nudges his shoulder to get her to look at him.

"Do you think I cannot protect you?" He asks, leaning forward enough to trace his nose along her face. He feels her smile, her lashes tickling his cheeks

"No, I know you can, but..." She pauses in all seriousness, struggling to find the right words, "Who will protect me from you?" He pulls away from her, the question hitting him full force, like a blow upon the head.

Ivar's eyes were wide in shame, brows curved in worry.

He hadn't forgotten that day, nor what he had done. He shamed her. He remembered her angry red back and the tears streaming down her face in humiliation. He wouldn't forget it, thinking it could be put into the farthest corner of his mind, but it was clear she couldn't do the same. He didn't blame her.

That night he had gone to see her, for no other reason than to sit with her, but once he saw Sigurd there attempting to comfort her, he crawled away in his anger. Sigurd was always-

Oh. Sigurd.

Had he forgotten already? His death had caused turmoil and distrust, and Ivar still wasn't sure if his brothers would ever forgive him. And Artemis? Perhaps she thought him a monster.

"I don't know what to say," Ivar frowns, his shoulders sagging, "My heart grieves for the pain I've caused you."

"Then say nothing," Artemis replies with a shrug, "But just so we are clear, I expect nothing of the sort to happen again." There was a sternness in her tone, a warning.

"Forgive me," Ivar pleads, shyly bringing her closer into an embrace. She melts against him, closing her eyes when he runs a hand down the expanse of her long hair. "I will always protect you, I swear it, upon all the gods. Do you believe me?"

"I believe you," She smiles into the crook of his neck, "But that is not up to us."

"Mmm," Ivar hums, finally loosing his patience and lack of courage, carefully hoisting her onto his lap, "I suppose you are right." She yelps in surprise, her arms going around his neck in support.

"It is up to the gods."

"Or God." Ivar scoffs.

"Explain to me what it is your God can do that Odin or Thor cannot?" Artemis places her brow against his temple as she thinks for a moment.

"He can give a man wealth and strip him of such luxuries, like he did in the story of Job." She says.

"I don't know of this Job."

"He was a rich man under the protection of God. One day the devil decided to test him, stripping him away from his luxuries and family to see if he would stray away from God. But he didn't. He remained faithful, and God restores him his wealth." Ivar didn't look impressed.

"A man can just take wealth," He snorts, "As I have here in York."

"A hainous act, if you ask me."

"Well, it is good I didn't asked you then." Ivar smiles against her wild hair, breathing in her scent. They sat like this, in comfortable silence with only the outside bustle as a disturbance.

"Do you... pray for me?" He asks hesitantly, lowering his chin onto her shoulder to shield his face away from her.

"I have," She nods, "I have prayed for the Lord to soften your heart." Ivar let's out a soft chuckle, tightening his hold on her. She felt so small in his arms, fragile and innocent, yet he knew she was capable of much more than a weak disposition. She could probably hammer a man to death if she wanted.

"Then I suppose your prayers were answered," He mutters, "Like...a miracle?"

"You know about miracles?"

"The bishop has attempted to enlighten me on such things."

"A heathen learning of Christian ways? Are you ill?" Artemis places the back of her hand upon his brow, checking for a fever she very well knew wasn't there. Ivar rolls his eyes but smiles, grabbing her hand to give her knuckles a quick kiss.

"There you go again believing you are funny."

She ignores his comment, bringing her fingers to probe at the tightness of his hairstyle. His hair was twisted away from his face and pulled back towards the nape, his preferred style. It made him look regal, but she missed his silken hair splayed out on his shoulders. It so easily slipped through her fingers.

"Baby bird?"

"Hmm?"

"Your mind wanders again." He chuckles, already knowing how easily her mind distracts her.

"Oh, well, I'm only thinking of you." She says, her eyes leaving his twisted hair in favor of looking at him.

"Good thoughts I hope?"

"Good thoughts," She repeats, offering him a bashful smile, "And how warm I feel in your arms." His brows shoot up, a smirk curling at the corners of his lips.

"Then I suppose you shall never leave my embrace."

...

There would be an attempted invasion of Kattegat, and Ivar's mission was to dethrone its queen. Ivar had grown weary of such ill feelings towards Queen Lagertha, and his desire was to end her life and take over his home as its rightful king.

Many claimed it to be a war that would bring about Ragnarok, the end of their world.

His mother was dead, living on in his memory, but his heart would never be at ease until Lagertha's blood was on his hands. He spoke of it many times in the past, but now it was becoming all too real. It was a dangerous mission, Lagertha was not a weak woman and neither were her warriors. The fortifications around her city were well guarded, and she was well loved by her people.

Such thoughts plagued Artemis, and for once, she truly worried for Ivar's life. He was never afraid to prove himself, and such was his pride, made to smile in the face of danger. So young yet so ambitious, Ivar could not be persuaded otherwise. He was certain he would be victorious with his gods by his side.

The journey back to Norway would not be long, but the winds worried some. The days of storm clouds finally broke into clearer skies, the perfect sign that the gods favored their journey. King Harald had left soon after the 2 kings were defeated with the intentions of carrying the news to Queen Lagertha. It was Ivar's hope that the king had made it back safely into his own lands. They would reunite soon enough.

Ivar's warriors were itching for war, blood thirsty men that were insatiable. Their entire lives were centered around war and the honor of dying on the battlefield. Valhalla was only a throat slit away, but imbedded in them was the lack of fear to be taken in the arms of the Valkyries.

Ivar was no different.

Although he wanted Lagertha dead, he did not mind dying for his cause, so long as he took her from the earth as well. He always thought his life useless, perhaps for his legs, and once Artemis had heard Sigurd say their father practically left him for dead. It didn't bother Ivar in the least, not anymore. He had come to terms with death since he left his mothers womb. He didn't fear it then, and he would not fear it now.

The anxiousness plagued her. It settled in the pit of her stomach uncomfortably. She felt this way when forced from Crete, and again when leaving Kattegat. Leaving meant more wars and no peace, more death and blood, and more distance between who she was and who she is now.

Day after day she felt less of a Christian, less of what she knew and who she was raised as. Ivar was keen on her forgetting her old ways, her old life, as it would serve her no good. At least, that was what he believed. But how could she? Heahmund was a bitter reminder, and although he was of western faith and she of eastern, they did believe in the same concept.

Odin, Thor, Loki, Frejya, Freyr, Baldor...these entities that were taught to her in constant lessons by Ivar and Hvitserk couldn't overshadow her own beliefs, not just yet, and not in the way they wanted.

Whenever the winds blew and carressed her cheeks, Ivar said it was a blessing from Frejya, or when the english skies boomed with thunder it was Thor riding his chariot towards the heavens. But they were just stories to her, greatly reminding her of the ancient tales of her ancestors.

Yet, in Ivar's eyes, she could see how he wanted her to take part in his traditions, in his warrior culture, and most importantly, in his life. To know their language was one thing but to completely assimilate into it was entirely different.

Artemis was reminded of Helga at such times, how the blonde woman would want her to be a part of them, even as a slave. How the woman would laugh if she knew how far she has come. She thought of her every now and then, reminiscing the few memories she had with the kind woman. Helga would be greatly missed.

She struggled with this, even now, with the sight of the dragon headed boats bobbing by the waters edge, intimidating, as they begin their preparations to sail away, back to where they came.

Artemis would be sailing back, not as a slave, but as a free woman. It was strange. Before, she wanted nothing more than to run, to escape and never look back. But things were different now.

Ivar was no longer just a crippled bastard, and she was no longer just a thrall.

Ivar said it was the gods who placed her there, and it was the gods that saw to her destiny.

It didn't make sense to her, but Ivar was certain everything was for a reason, that she was taken from home for a reason, and that his affections for her was for a reason.

Everything was for a reason.

Being taken away from home, only to get involved in foreign wars did not seem reasonable. But then again, love wasn't reasonable, and her new relationship with Ivar was beyond anyone's understanding, sometimes even her own.

She just hoped he was right.

...

Everything was set for departure, and the shoreline was littered with Ivar's army, scattered about in excitement for what was to come.

Artemis leans far over the side of the ship, swirling her fingers into the clear waters. She was thinking, that much was evident to Ivar. He sat behind her, watching her with keen eyes. If he wanted to, he could probably read her thoughts.

"Be careful, you might fall over." He warns.

"I'm fine."

"No, you are thinking again."

"No, I'm not." She calls from over her shoulder.

"What are you thinking of?" He tries again. She sighs, moving away from the edge to look at him. His brows were raised in question, motioning for her to sit. She drags her feet, plopping down in front of him.

"Well?"

"I was thinking of my father." She says quietly, her eyes appearing quite sad.

"You must miss him," Ivar comments, reaching for her hand to run his thumb over her skin, "I understand."

When his mother died, he was inconsolable, mourning her death deeply. It has been a year after her death, he still silently mourned her. Artemis was ripped away from all she knew, from her only family. He recounts the time she had mentioned the death of her mother and then her brother, leaving only a father in her life.

Although Ivar's family has been severed at this point, with his own brothers battling for dominance, he was always surrounded by family, slaves, and even Floki who watched over him when Ragnar never did.

He sympathizes for her.

"I do." She sighs, "He could be dead and I would never know."

She had twisted the scenarios over and over in her head till she mentally exhausted herself. The prospect of her father's demise sent pangs of pain to her heart. If he wasn't dead, then surely he was dying of heartache for a lost daughter, just as she had been suffering the heartache of separation. She hoped that he wasn't guilt ridden for her disappearance. It wasn't his fault.

Ivar continues to eye her, admiring her simple beauty. He smiles, mentally thanking the gods for her. She was not at all what he thought her to be.

Ivar let the silence fall upon them as he thought for a moment, pursing his lips before speaking.

"I will be king of Kattegat." He announces suddenly, almost haughtily, his chest puffing out in pride.

"...Indeed you will," She replies bewildered, "So?"

"So, as king, I will organize many expeditions." There was a smile on his face. He was speaking to her as if she already knew where his ramblings were going.

"And?"

"And perhaps one would be to the Mediterranean." She blinks, her face twisting into further confusion. She stares at him, their eyes in a constant battle.

"To raid?" She asks suspiciously.

"To explore," He corrects. Artemis snorts.

"You want to explore the Mediterranean?"

"Your island, Crete," Ivar shrugged, playing with his axe as he usually did. He runs his calloused thumb over the freshly sharpened blade before continuing, "We could inquire on your father, if you'd like."

He had never seen such a look on her face, mostly because he couldn't describe it. It was a mix of confusion, happiness and shock, all in one. Her mouth opened as if to speak but she immediately presses her lips together as she couldn’t find the right words to express her thoughts.

"Ivar, are you being serious?"

"Why would I be lying?" He demands, placing his axe aside in favor of pulling her closer to fill the gap between them. He kisses her as he so loved to do. He never realized how much he liked to kiss.

"So let me understand this," She says over his persistent lips, giggling when he takes a nip at her, "You are willing to take me back home to inquire on my father?"

"You sound doubtful." He mutters over her lips, still on his quest to devour her.

"It sounds impossible." She sighs, ducking away from him. Ivar frowns.

"Why? It wasn't impossible for Bjorn to bring you to Norway, why would it be impossible to bring you back?" Artemis licks her lips, shrugging her shoulders as she begins to play with the ends of her braided hair.

"You would do that for me?" She asks shyly, keeping her eyes low.

"I think you deserve it." He pushes a few loose strands of hair behind her ear.

"Please, just make sure not to make any promises that cannot be kept." When she finally brings her gaze to his, he sees the glossiness in her eyes. He gently pulls her forward into an embrace, and she immediately borrows within him.

"Once I secure Kattegat, it shall be done." He whispers in her ear, smiling when he feels her nods against him. She pulls away, offering him a peck to which he beams, right before catching a glimpse of someone that soured his mood immediately.

Annoyed, Ivar cocks his head, sneering at Arvid before crossing his arms like a child.

Artemis knew exactly what bothered him, and with a sigh she turns round to see Arvid at the shore line with Alfhild, bidding their farewells to the men. Alfhild waves at both Ivar and Artemis with a grin on her face before retreating back to their camp, leaving Arvid alone to brood. His eyes catch hers as if begging her not to go.

"Well go on, you have my permission." An annoyed Ivar says, clearly daring Arvid to try something.

"I am not sure I should." He sucks his teeth.

"He needs to understand you have chosen."

What he meant to say was that he needs to understand she has chosen Ivar.

Artemis cracks a smile at Ivar's brooding form, standing up slowly as if dreading the meeting.

"I will be here," He reassures, though it was not as if he were going anywhere else. He shoos her off, watching every step she took off the ship, onto land, and straight to Arvid.

The annoying prick.

Artemis timidly smiles at Arvid, mostly because she had no idea what else to do. He stood with his arms crossed in a disapproving manner, his eyes swimming with many questions.

"Have you forgotten you are a free woman now?"

"I haven't forgotten." She says.

"And still, you choose to go with him?"

"Clearly that is what you see, Arvid." She calmly says, not wanting to attract attention.

"I don't think it wise."

"And I am not seeking your approval."

"Hmm." Arvid snorts. He shakes his head but says nothing more of it, "I want you to have this." He says, fishing into the pocket of his trousers and revealing a leather cord with a small pendant hanging from it.

Artemis takes it in her hands, and upon closer inspection she comes to find it is Mjölnir, a small representation of Thor's hammer. She noticed it everywhere, Arvid wore it about his neck, as well as Hvitserk, and even Ivar, hidden under all his leather and armor.

"Do you know what this?" He asks her, watching her run her thumb over the grooves of the small pendant in curiosity.

"Thor's hammer," Artemis replies, peeling her eyes away from its details in favor of finding answers in Arvid's eyes,"Why are you giving this to me?"

"So that you may always have Thor's protection," He says, his eyes looking past her and onto a more focused point, "To protect you from those who would hurt you."

Artemis looks behind her, only to meet Ivar's cold eyes staring back at them with such intensity, a sneer settling on his handsome features. Arvid stared back just as fiercely, both stubborn men resembling hungry wolves with an innocent doe between them.

"I don't know what to say," She says, turning back to him, "This was thoughtful of you. Thank you."

"Take care of yourself." He says, finally looking away from Ivar and onto Artemis's softer features.

"You as well, and may your child come safely into this world. I shall keep you and Alfhild in my prayers." Her genuine words soften him a bit, and he rubs the back of his neck.

"Perhaps we shall cross paths again?"

"Perhaps."

Artemis smiles, casting him one last look before heading back towards the noisy docks. Ivar sat patiently waiting for her in the lead ship, Bishop Heahmund's sword appearing at his side suddenly, leaning against his left leg while he held his axe tightly in his right.

Ivar always had the appearance of being shrouded in mystery when wearing his black cloak, watching like a predator as Artemis came back to him.

She collapses beside him, running her fingers on the surface of the silver pendant over and over again.

"He is absolutely besotted with you." Ivar snorts.

"I haven't a clue why."

"You are a treaure." Artemis snorts this time, but the seriousness in Ivar's tone meant he was not jesting.

"What? I am but a woman."

"And?"

"A foreigner."

"So?" Ivar smiles, crossing his arms and leaning back against the ships railings.

"I thought you didn't favor foreign girls."

"Artemis, shut up." He breathes, draping an arm around her shoulders to bring her as close to him as possible.

She laughs, stretching her legs out right beside his. She watched his hounds whine in their cages in the farthest corner of the ship for their fear of the seas. The little hound that ran between her heels sat away in his own cage, attempting to sleep with all the noise going about.

Ivar grips the pendant in his own hand, and she was afraid he'd throw it over board. Instead he admires it.

"Certainly made by Arvid. His work never disappoints," He remarks, placing it back into her hands, "It's for protection."

"Just like yours." She says, placing her fingertips gently onto the delicate skin of his throat before reaching to grab his necklace that remained hidden. Ivar's Mjölnir was larger and in more detail compared to Artemis's dainty one.

She felt him swallow thickly under her touch, a much desired reaction that excited her.

"Mhm." He hums with a sigh, leaning in to plant a kiss to her brow, smiling against her skin. She leans against him, closing her eyes as the winds swept across her cheeks, and the small waves rocking the ships lulled her into comfort. There was a moment of peacefulness that happened often when they were alone, a comfortable silence where the singing of the sea birds brought about tranquility.

"Ivar," Hvitserk calls out to him, "Everything is ready for departure,"

"Very well, tell the men to sound the horns."

His older brother runs off, shouting for the horn signals. They were heard immediately, and men started to remove the ropes from the masts, the ships slowly drifting off into the calm waters.

The nervousness came back to haunt Artemis, settling again in the pit of her stomach. It must have shown on her face for Ivar quickly grabbed the pendant from her hands and gently placed the leather cord over her head and onto her exposed collarbone.

"Worry not, baby bird," He says to her with a reassuring smile, "You have our protection."

...

"Welcome Ivar, Hvitserk." Harald's smile was brighter than the sun, even from quite the distance away across the docks, his grin was blinding.

"Is that not Astird?" Artemis heard Hvitserk whisper to his limping younger brother, who only shrugged as best he could while maneuvering on his crutch.

"Seems Lagertha is running out of alies." He whispers back before politely smiling at Harald, who greeted both Ragnarssons with a firm shake of hands.

"My queen," The king introduces, "Astrid." Lagertha's former shieldmaiden wore a passive expression, her blue eyes outlined in the blackest khol. She was pretty, and quite tall, dressed in the finest of fabrics and jewels, but she still carried the air of a warrior.

"Welcome." She says to them, inclining her head in respect. Harald's intense stare falls behind the brothers and onto Artemis's small form, carrying her hound in her hands like a babe upon its mothers breast.

"Artemis?" He says her name with a chuckle, "Ivar hasn't killed you yet?"

"Not yet, King Harald." The king belts out a laugh, turning to look at Ivar who was not particularly amused.

"She is my companion." Ivar answers the silent question.

"Oh?" Harald turns his eyes back to her, brows raised.

"I am a free woman, King Harald." It felt strange to say such words.

"Well then, you shall be recieved in my home as a free woman. I welcome you all to Vestfold."

...

@heavenly1927 @didiintheblog @rastakami23 @inforapound @leilabeaux @ostra814 @zumzum96

[fortheloveofkuroo]

HAIKYUU AU:

Part 1 Part 3

Karasuno boys are having a sleepover in your place, their Manager!

4. Nishinoya Yuu

Yea boi he's excited.

Yuu have been always a fan of yours. Sure he loves Shimizu Kiyoko more than anyone (expect Tanaka lmao) But you, you're just so different that you shines in his eyes.

"Sleepover at (Y/n)'s home?! Not Bad!"

He is excited as hell.

"(Y/n)! (Y/n)! Is your house bigg?" He excitedly asks. "Well, you'll see." You answered.

He cannot calm down geez. Unlike Asahi, who's nervous as hell he's very excited and everybody can tell.

"You guys can dry yourselves here, i'll shower first and prepare your dinner!"

Something about seeing your domestic self seems very unusual to him. He's not used to you who's not yelling and controlling people in the Gym.

You seems very famous for your strictness to the boys. But they're not complaining though.

He waits (strangely) patiently and being his usual self, with Tanaka he guards the bathroom.

"We, as a real gentlemen we have to guard our lady from danger. Especially when she's in her vulnerable state." Nishinoya explained. Tanaka answered with his nods.

Ofc you can hear everything from inside. "OI YOU TWO GET OUT FROM THE DOOR!" you opened the door, with bathrope on and wet hair.

Ofc these two guys arestunned. "Omg (Y/n), you're actually so hot-" "GET OUT!" you kicked both of them to the living room and quickly change to your clothes.

Doesn't took too long before you finished cooking dinner with Sugawara and bring them to table.

They all eat so much. You barely eats. That's alright, they worked so hard. It must be tough for them.

This guardian deity noticed that you don't eat much. So he gave a few portion of his Karaage to you. Without you even noticing.

"Eh,? I'm sure i finished mine though." You wondered. Nishinoya grins, "It seems like the Kaarage fairy likes you, (Y/n)!" Followed by cheering from Hinata asking if Kaarage fairy is real or not.

You know it's from him. It's not rare for Nishinoya sharing his food but it warms your heart.

"Um.. Due to lack of the space, one of you have to sleep with me."

"I VOLUNTEER MYSELF!" Nishinoya shouted before Sugawara holds himself. "No you're not! I don't trust you!"

"Nishinoya-senpai is tiny so i'm sure he can sleep with the others just fine." Kageyama adds. "HAAH WHAT DID YOU SAAAYYY?!"

Omg the chaos. You had enough for some point.

"Geez! I'll sleep by myself. Don't make a ruckus and Good night." You snaps while closing the door. Leaving some of them guilty.

You can't lie that you feel a little upset. Maybe you're tired. Yeah, you're prolly tired. You're gonna apologize to everyone in the morning.

It's been hours since you turn off the light. Hell it's already midnight and you can't seems to fall asleep. You're mentally and physically tired but your eyes don't want to close even an inch.

So you left your room. Moving around a little hoping you'll get (even) more tired. You move slowly, making sure you don't make so much noise that loud enough to wake everybody.

A glass of water is enough to calm yourself down right? Nah it's not. You're still hungry.

"Psst. Hey."

You turn your head around, a boy with dark drown locks and a little golden blonde highlight on his bangs. It's undoubtly him.

"Noya? You haven't sleep yet?" You whispered to him. He shakes his head, but both of your movement is too loud for the first year that ate sleeping in the living room so you dragged him somewhere else.

Should you bring him to your room? Dang it but you're still upset. So you dragged him outside to terrace. Letting go of his hand as you two sits.

"Why are you still up?" Noya shrugs. "I don't know. How about you?" You shrugs back. "Idk. Prolly-" your stomach suddenly shrieks, cutting your words and Nishinoya cannot help but laugh.

"D-Don't laugh! You'll wake everybody!" You hit his arm as he coughs. "Um, wait here 'kay" he left. You have no idea what he's planning but oh well.

You hug your knees as you looks up, the sky is so clear. Thanks to the rain and storm earlier.

You nose picks up something. A savory delicious smell coming from inside the house. Wait is this his plan?

Not so long, Noya came back with two noodle cups. He gave one to you and place himself right next to you. He only give you a grin before you two busy enjoying your instant noodle.

Not only your stomach but your heart warms up now. It's the little silence that you two in.

You smiled. After putting your cup of noodle away you chuckles.

Nishinoya confused. "What? You still hungry??"

You shakes you head, "I just don't remember keeping instant cup noodles though.." "Oh it was mine. I brought spare food everywhere, because y'know i eat a lot." Nishinoya grins.

You thanked him as you ruffles his golden bangs. And your hand quickly got snatch from his head before you know it you already cornered between him and the cold concrete wall behind you.

Is this what kabedon looks like?

He slowly release your hand and apologize. Very ashamed of what he have done. He excuse himself but you stopped him.

"...Stay for a while."

God how can he say no?

Being in the same grade as you provide him with a lots of opportunities. Not only he can see you everyday outside the club activity, he's given the opportunity of interacting with you because you two are in the same class ans apparently, you sat beside him.

He nods and sits back while you quietly watch over his side profile. Damn, you never knew that Nishinoya is actually.. Pretty good-looking.

"Sorry, i acted without thinking earlier."

"Nah, it's fine. Don't worry about it. Also, gotta admit though, you look cool with your hair down, Noya."

You can tell he's surprised. A girl? Tell him he looks cool? What? In? The? World? Is? Happening???

It seems like the cold air and the full stomach is now making you drowsy. Noya notices this, he grabs your hand and leads you to your room.

"There there. Sleep tight kay?" He spoke as he cover your whole body with blanket. It's warm.

But it's not enough.

"Hnnh.. Noya, cold." You whine.

"Haa?? Then what do you want me to do? Cuddle you up?" He jokes. Well suprisingly you nods.

Noya shocked, but why not right? He smiles as he enters the soft blanket of yours and sighed.

"Fine i'll spoon you."

5. Tanaka Ryuunosuke

OMF THE CHAOS

He's literally dreading to go to your house.

"Oh shit nvm Kiyoko-san is number one- ...but sleepover at (Y/n)-san's house though, BUT KIYOKO-SAN!! B-But (Y/n)-san.."

Yeah that's what his mind probably looks like. He obviously loves Kiyoko but heck, when you appear infront of him. It's like another flower has bloom.

He swear to himself that he only devotes himself to Shimizu Kiyoko and not do anything weird but protect you as Karasuno's manager and that's it.

But when he enters your house, and seeing everybody so relaxed, he thinks "heh why not?"

Especially when he saw you getting out from the shower. He feels like he just cameback fro a long day at work and his wife is serving him-

WAIT NO THINK OF SHIMIZU KIYOKO.

Dang it, he hates himself. He can't pick. He loves Kiyoko so much but you.. You keep disturbing him.

And ofc you don't even know that this is what's going on. You only think that Tanaka loves Shimizu-senpai so it's cool he acts very defensive to the managers especially when they're outside the school.

But why is so nervous yet so happy when he sees you?

You cameback from the kitchen, placing the dinner on the table with Suga-san helping you out.

The entire scenario of you being his wife serving him right after he cameback from his work is very vivid.

He shakes his heaed as he stuff and chomps down his rice. Secretly stealing a gaze over your direction. Everybody's attention is slightly moves towards you too.

The way you eat, the way you speak, the way you smiles..

He ignores those all and focus on his meal and moves his focus elsewhere by teasing another member whose embarassed or flustered just because they're in your house.

But he's secretly overwhelmed too.

And not so long it's sleeping time.

"Um.. Due to lack of the space, one of you have to sleep with me."

"I'LL DO IT!" "NO YOU DUMBASS! STOP COCKBLOCKING ME TANAKA!" "STOP IT YOU TWOO!!!"

Sugawara was quick to respond. But you already sighs and shakes your head. "Nevermind i'll sleep by myself.. Goodnight Guys."

Shit. He felt guilty now.

He tried to erase his feeling of guilty away, Nishinoya and the others are very quick to fall asleep. They left him alone. Awake in the darkness.

He can't sleep with this guilty feeling on his chest. As a true man, he must deal with his problem straight away.

So he brace himself and lightly knock on your door.

No answer. "Shit, she's probably already asleep. I should just wait untill tomorrow-" and the door opens.

Revealing you with a sleepy face and messy hair. So you did already sleepy.

"S-SORRY! I DIDN'T MEAN TO INTERRUPT. PLEASE GO BACK TO SLE-" "Tanaka shhh.. Not so loud.." you yawns as you rubs your eyes.

"It's fine, what is it? I'm awake now." You smiles. He want to say something. Tanaka is a simple guy, if something is interrupting him, he will told you immediately.

"No ah.. I'm sorry (Y/n)-san. You should probably go back to sleep-" "Geez.. Be quite!" A shout suddenly startled both of you. Causing you to quickly drags Tanaka inside and shutting the door.

"Okay, what do you want to say?"

Man, Tanaka Ryuunosuke is stop working.

He's inside your room, he always wonder what a girl's room looks like. (His Onee-san's room is a very different one in his perspective)

"Hellooo? Earth to Tanaka? Ya there?" You wave your hand infront of him as you tap his bald head.

"A-Ah yes! It's.. I want to apologize about earlier." "Huh? Oh, that's alright. I was just tired so a little ruckus kinda bugs me. But that's okay, i'm sorry too for sounding so annoyed, eheh."

Your awkward pure genuine smile moves his heart.

He smiles. Is that it? Is this his choice?

"Say (Y/n)-san.." "Geez Tanaka drop the suffix. We're in the same year." You protest. Tanaka awkwardly chuckles and nods.

"What is it?" You wonder. Anticipating an answer from a boy who's sitting infront of you.

"Do you.. Have someone in your mind?" He looks down. Didn't even that brave to look at your eye. Untill he feels a little thud in his shoulder. He looks up..

You fell asleep on his shoulder. Oh my God.

The panic.

He's panicking inside and it shows. You, who's now asleep and sound on his shoulder suddenly slides to his lap.

He quickly carry you to the bed and tugs you in.

"This is bad this is bad this is bad this is bad"

Poor boy lol.

But one things he notices, your hand.. It won't let go of his hand. Even though he relase your hand, you kept looking for his hand.

"How adorable," he think to himself.

"...Don't leave."

"..I won't. Because, i think i love you.."

6. Kageyama Tobio

Honestly, this boi can't behave himself when he's near you.

HE ADORES YOU AWWW.

Y'know ya boi Tobio never really cares about the outside world of voleyball. So he never notice any stuff that's going around even if A LOT of girls in his class are crushing on him.

In the middle school everybody seems so distant from him because of his past attitude, but he's willing to change when he came to Karasuno and boom, he met you.

What a spark of fireworks.

So now his world revolves around two things. Voleyball, and you.

Kageyama doesn't want to bother you, so he decline. But his poor self didn't bring umbrella. He already made up his mind that he'll sprint to home untill he (accidentally) heard your quarel with Daichi.

Well, why not?

So this boy tags along, and being the polite boy he is he behave SO POLITE IT HURTS YOUR EYES.

"Jesus Kageyama, you don't have to be so polite." You laughs as the other members starting to notice. Kageyama's forehead form a confused expression.

He's actually pretty quiet and calm in your house. Your house remind him a lot of his Grandma's house. The atmosphere, and the living room is practically almost identical.

He tried to enjoy the moment but ofc Hinata Boge will annoy tf outta him.

When you distribute the towels, something struck your mind and he snaps you out of it.

"(Y/n)-senpai? Is anything wrong?" You shakes your head and gave him a thumbs up, i forming everything's fine. He's happy with the little interaction that you're both having.

That's just enough for him.

It's almost his turn to shower, some of the member that showered first already back, and Hinata decided to go ahead and shower first. Taking over Kageyama's turn and leaving him behind.

He was about to chase after him but Daichi pulls him back. "Don't make any ruckus." He advised Kageyama.

But Hinata strangely came back with a pale face. As if he runs to a ghost or something.

"Oi what happened? You run to a ghost or something?" He asked, mocking him.

Hinata face turns to serious yet doubtfull. Oh shit something serious must have happened. Kageyama nudge him. "What happened?"

Hinata gulps, "... I saw Suga-san and (Y/n)-senpai in the kitchen.. They were.." Kageyama scoffs. "Yea they were cooking. What else they should be doing, huh?"

"No! Listen.. They were.. Ugh.. S-Suga-san.. Cornered (Y/n)-senpai.." Hinata whispered to him. Kageyama's heart almost stopped. So it's true.

A while ago, while he was practicing his jump serve, his ear caught something rather interesting. The third years were discussing about the managers. Including you.

"How about (Y/n)?" Daichi asked. "Aaah, i think everyone in the team atleast have a crush on her though. I mean ofc i had a crush on her, who wouldn't?" Sugawara jokes. Bur Asahi agreed too.

What? So he against the senpais too?

And the first years and second years too. Wow you sure are popular.

He gets up, clenching his towel between his fist and walked to the kitchen. While Hinata tried to hold him but poor guy he gets thrown away :(

Once he stepped to the Kitchen, he saw you and Suga. But both of you are blushing. Shit, he doesn't want to admit this but he think Hinata's not telling a lie.

"Oh Kageyama? The bathroom's that way." Sugawara's finger gesture over the bathroom and helped you with the meal. He can see a glistened of rivalry in his kouhai's eyes.

"Thanks." As Kageyama shuts the door. He curse to himself. Now he have to compete with Sugawara too? Not only the setter position but.. Girls too?

He spent his showering session by collecting himself. He must not show any emotion of upsetness. Then he gets out and surprise surprise he bumped into Sugawara.

The silence between them omg.

"Excuse me-" "Hinata told you, didn't he?"

"Shit. He knew. Now play dumb Tobio."

"H-Huh? What did you say, Suga-san?" He lies. Sugawara know from the start that Hinata will run to Kageyama and spill everything. And Kageyama Tobio is bad at lying.

"You know, that me and (Y/n)-" "Food's ready!! Everybody let's gather aroundd!" His words were cut off by Daichi's announcement.

The whole dinner session are spent well, Kageyama's usual quarell with Hinata about the food and you being so wholesome and kind about it.

But the way you and Sugawara's movement after that kitchen incident keeps bothering his mind. What if Sugawara..

And dinners ended. It's turn to sleep now. He's kind off sleepy already because of his routine. So after the room division, he will go straight to bed, he think.

"Um.. Due to lack of the space, one of you have to sleep with me."

What

"I VOLUNTEER MYSELF!" Nishinoya shouted. But he gets hold back by Sugawara. No no no. He cannot let anyone especially Sugawara to sleep with you.

"Nishinoya-senpai is tiny so i'm sure he can sleep with the others just fine." Kageyama adds. "HAAH WHAT DID YOU SAAAYYY?!"

"Let's go to the distributed room first and see, who's the one left. He gets to stay with (Y/n)-senpai." Kageyama proposes. Actually not a bad idea.

At first everyone doesn't want to take their place but their tired body forces them too. One by one, they all collapsed on the futon or matresss once they saw one. And that left us with Sugawara and Kageyama.

"You should choose, (Y/n)." Sugawara smiles.

Kageyama's almost lost because of his consciousness running out. He's THAT sleepy yall.

"Well then, i think i'll pick.." "Sugawara! There's one spot left here!" Before you can decide, (again) Daichi interrupts. And Kageyama's eyes almost rolled back because of his sleepiness.

"Fine then. Goodnight (Y/n), Kageyama." Sugawara smile as you both walk back to your room. Holding back his emotion.

You told Kageyama to wait and prepare his bed. You feel sorry for him, he must be so tired and yet he still force himself to fully awake.

"There, Kageyama. You can sleep now- Ehhh!" Whaddya know sis, he falls down. Face first to the matrass luckily not the floor.

You chuckles a little. This boy is very adorable. You know how he adores you when you help hin with his set practice. You ran your fingers trough his jet black hair, combing his hair.

"...Nyam, i like you.. (Y/n)-senpai..."

WOW. Didn't expect someone will confess to you trough sleep talking but sure i guess. A little laugh burst from you lips. Cheeks a lil' warm.

"Sweet dreams, Tobio.."

Part 3 coming upp~

[stimmypaw]

Stimmypaw reads Darkest Night! The fourth text post!

Back with these uh live reading comments! Remember those? yeah! I'm on the fourth book of Warrior Cats: A Vision of Shadows :D I read The Apprentice's Quest and Thunder and Shadow and Shattered Sky and now!! I'm here :D and boy did I have a time. Click read more to see it!

NEEDLETAIL?????????

Needletail???????????

What?????

OH???????

Wh THIS GUY IS TALKIN 2 DEAD PEOPLE????

HOW WHO IS THAT

OH MY GOD

These guys are weak and dumb skyclan is epic and sharing the territory with them is good, but of course sparkpelt isn't dealing well with change wink wink nudge wink nudge nudge huh???? (this is a nod to how I project into her and say shes autistic)

I am getting anxious for tinycloud SERIOUSLY how much longer until those kits??? Everyday you show up and its WOW my tummy ssure is HUGE AND BULGING I just Wonder Oh When They'll Be Born, probably pretty soon!!! :) and then they arent!!!! Birth dammit!!!

Cherryfall cut the sick and hurt cats some slack jeez youre Fine, youre not feeding half the forest and you have THREE medicine cats ready to help you if youre not feeling well

Bastard Cherryfall I hate you /lh

Dovewing and Tigerheart have relationship drama again. What is UP with those two I simply do not understand them

Watching Bramblestar trying to control this bizarre situation is actually funny he is so close to screaming "PLEASE dont be mad :c"

SOON WHEN???? JUST KIT THOSE KITTENS DAMMIT

Get her, Alderheart

They LITERALLY said something about sharing the territory, they were like "Stars have five points baby and we need those 5 clans togetherrrr" what else do these cats want??? I know its a big change but its necessary

Wait everyone shut up that cat is named Podlight this is so important to me

Dang these cats are really still struggling :c I wish they didnt blame each other

Harestar is so cool

What the FUCK mistystar????

God what a disaster of a gathering Starclan is gonna be so pissed everyone is doing the opposite of what they should

I was holding my breath oof

I hope thunderclan gives some territory too thats too small a space for Skyclan

Oh boy oh boy oh boy i am Anxious for these Kitties

Violetpaw is me having nightmares every night

Macgyver is a heavily gringue name and I have No Clue how to say it how the hell do you say it

Update its either Mick Guyver or Mac Guyver apparently

Its fun to see how different the sisters are from one another, I love them both

I also love their mom with the name identical to puddleshine wish I got to meet her

IM CRYING BRO........M...MDB.....NFBANN.....VIOLETPAW BELONGS MY DARLING MY DAUGHTER

Sadly Twigpaw is for gender binarism 😔 /j

Twigpaw is often in her thoughts and doesn't pay attention to anything around her and I love her for that

Bad news Finpaw is gonna lose his tail, good news I can draw his tail fin-shaped

Puddleshine surgeon moment!!!

I love Graystripe and Millie

And I love that being flirty is a part of Sparkpelt's personality, I don't know what Alderheart is talking about she's always been dandelion-headed

Ok this is epic, I’m glad we’re breaking gender roles in Warrior Cats my heart dropped when the books called Briarlight cr*ppled, that’s the thing they promised not to do anymore recently right? I’m not sure but, I could use some uh less ableism on my Warrior Cats, the series is old but the newer books should be better, so yeah, good modernize these cats babyyy

OH COOL Skyclan journey!!! Fun I hope they find someone :] also fuck Molewhisker and Cherryfall bastards.

Jayfeather is gonna miss Alderheart too much for him to leave hehehe

ALL of Starclan showed up just to call out Riverclan pahahah

oooo is shadowclan haunted?????

FINALLY TINYCLOUD IS KITTING YES GOD YES GO QUEEN GOOOO!!!!

I wonder why Twigpaw wants to stay behind, there has to be more than just the camp stuff

"I wish I were more positive like Twigpaw, but at least I'm just as scarred by the death of my loved ones as my dad :] I like being like him"

Violetpaw witnesses a car crash 😔 that was a bit messy what happened to those cars also why the hell was one of them smaller was it a bike??? Or ???? Idk what's up with it!!!

Needletail just happens to have slow-down turned on for her on the discord chat so she can only say like a few words each hour :/ why the hell is she here tho Violetpaw needs to get OVER your death!!!!

This short exchange has made me love Dewpaw

Also, I love Twigpaw, I still wonder why she stayed behind tho

Ahh, is it cus she feels too estranged from her family :c ? I wish her mom was around maybe that would help

Jee Twigpaw be a tad more empathic, I can see Twigpaw struggles with that sometimes

You can't cheer him up right now he's grieving, just find him on common ground, talk to him, don't try to make him happy just try to keep him company

Oh wow finpaw that's a dangerous thing to say I hope Twigpaw doesn't crumble under the pressure to never be sad because people like her because she's happy and her being sad would be bad

ALSO I JUST REMMEMBRERD UH TWIGPAW MENTIONED BRIARLIGHT BUT BERRYNOSE IS RIGHT THERE???? HE IS RIGHT HE DIDNT DIE OFF SCREEN IM SURE OF IT WAIY

BERRYNOSS IS RIGHT THERE I CHDCKED!!!! HE LOST HIS TAIL TOO AND HES A GREAT WARRIOR, TWIGPAW!!!! YOU SHOULD HAVE MENTIONED IT ITS MORE RELATABLE

Okay I'm glad they're getting along this is nice

Oh look twigpaw you Are like your father :] this is cute

Skyclan begins to fish competitively I'm glad

I like it when medicine cats bicker about their leader's behaviors ehheheh, Jayfeather talking about how weak Shadowclan is, Alderheart being annoyed at his father for wanting to stay silent, the others worried about the tensions this is all cheff the kisser

Jayfeather spitting the truths about how Starclan doesn't know shit, and he is very much one to speak

Puddleshine: Rowanstar stepped up the patrols :c

Leadstar: He has warriors enough for that?? Damn good for him

Dang poor Skyclan I hope they manage stuff better soon

Oooo the girls are fighting!!!

Alderheart starclan anxiety time dang

Sheep :]

Needletail :[

I'm sad Ravenpaw isn't here, this is a lovely reunion scene but knowing Barley will be alone when they all leave breaks my heart

Oh, maybe not, but if they stay I'll be sad also cus Skyclan needs its warriors

Aw man, Twigpaw is struggling :c

OUCH

I WANT SKYCLAN 2 SWIM THO......

Omg crimes

That sounds kinda possessive twigpaw!

DOVEWING?????

T

WhHAHAGAHAHA WHERE DID THAT COME FROM

omg tigerstar 2 real

Whats he gonna do to rowanstar???

ALRIGHT THATA OVER THEN PAHAHA

Aw, I'm glad they're having fun tho, and that twigpaw sees herself as skyclan

Alderheart, as he meets someone for the first time in a while: ARE YOU OKAY???

Blackstar protagonist moment

The medicine cats: our gods are toying with us again and destiny is uncertain

Leaders: I cannot DO this right now PLEASE leave and let me care for The Real Issues

Alderheart: YOU WILL hang out at my house Willowshine this isn't up for debate

Riverclan suffered enough and it's their turn to throw a tantrum about it, honestly good for them hsghahah

Alderheart asks his father to go on a quest to check people's feet

WHAT THR HELL IS A CANTANKEROUS

Alderheart and Willowpelt sitting there watching Shadowclan fight

This is really funny

HEWWO????

Puddleshine, in his eyes: help help

I love Skyclan

Ok this sounds like it's gonna be very very fun

Mission impossible: Escape From São Paulo

Oh, is Fallowfern deaf? That's so poggers omg I wanna see more of her

Edit: fallowfern is an elder that lost her hearing with age and retired after that happened :/ boring

I love leafstar so much

Juniperclaw: aren't you gonna punish her????

Leafstar: why

Juniperclaw: when I tell rowanstar he's gonna be pissed

Leafstar: don't tell him

Juniperclaw: the fuck is wrong with you and your clan??? Where is everyone???????

Leafstar: busy

Icon

I don't trust abled people specially able-bodied people telling disabled people they just have to train harder and feeling sorry for yourself won't help.

But this is the closest to a positive message to disabled people we have ever had in warriors so I guess I'll take it but I want better

IVYPOOL!!!💖💖💖💖💕

Dang ivypool what a way to show someone you miss them hahaha

Twigpaw: uhhhh how's dovewing?

Ivypool: what do you mean did she do something illegal I'm sure she did

Ivypool is a seriously funny character WHY are you yelling at the young adult about your sisters illegal activities she doesn't know anything about it!!!!

Alderheart goes on an adventure

Feet inspector on the road!!!!

Jasper is so funny I love him

Omg what's he got against clan cats??? What's his sad backstory????

YEESSSS SPARKPELT MY LOVE 💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💕💕💕💕💕💕💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💕💕💕

Sparkpelt your opinion sucks but I love you

I'm really really glad they had this moment this is really sweet, they hadn't talked for a while but this is genuine like, we hadn't had this sort of relationship in so long in the books with just, dialogue yknow??? THEYRE TALKING ABOUT THINGS

And the pause Sparkpelt takes between her speaking to fix what she's saying "I'm sorry for saving you :c no wait uhh not exactly but like" this is so good so natural so fun I love you sparkpelt

I get why she has a diferent opinion on Skyclan it's good for someone close to Alderheart to have a different mindset from him and for him to have someone like uh be opposites from him a lil yknow contrats his characteristics makes both siblings fun round and full of kitty do you get what I'm saying???

I love this

I love Sparkpelt, love her lil anxious moments, love her, love that she just wants to fool around with toms and enjoys Larksong but doesn't want to get serious you go girl

They wanted to write smart-ass they wanted to write smart-ass so bad

They're doing this in the rain?????

I'm quite certain Violetpaw is a young adult by this point its valid for her to go

Wh why did you let your cat out in the rain dude!!! When it comes back it's gonna dirty up the whole place it's wet out there!!!! And the cold is gonna get in the house!!!!!!!

I WAS HOLDING MY BREATH OH LORD

That was SO INTENSE AND SO FUNNY AND SO MUCH, IM SO GLAD SHE MADE IT I GOT SCARED

Oh this is so epic

That moment when your cat nearly dies and then it runs off and you go after it and then a bunch of other cats show up and start running with it

I hope Twigpaw can see the others soon

Glad to see her keeping her medicine cat knowledge ehehehe

???????

Sandynose I hate you you are so abled

Sandynose: I don't want my son to feel distanced from his peers so I'm distancing him from his peers

DOVEWING???

SANDYNOSE SHUT UP IM GOING TO KILL YOU ANS MURDER YOU

I'm so upset with Sandynose WHY isn't leafstar seeing this WHY DOESNG ANYONE SEE THIS SOMSONE PLEASE CONFORT AND LOVE MY CHILD TWIGPAW DOESNT DESERVE THIS

Angry sad upset why

Piscina

Thanks graystripe

Ok who's dying this time

Ok no one just a background cat got hurt he will survive otherwise it would be relevant

This was intense though what will happen now???

YES FINALLY

Oh this is lovely so good they're here!!! The rest of skyclan has arrived and we are all happy together

That dream felt good

NEEDLETAIL??? AGAIN

Where were you at!!!!

What!!!

Check this man's feet how many toes are there this could be good

What

Hegshahwha what the fuck is up with this guy

Okay I like him

Ohhh THATS tree

Change your name if you don't like it you sound trans already

Yeah nothing makes one smarter like dying

This is very fun I'm excited for more of whatever happening

Twigpaw :c

HIS SNIFFLES

Oh no

Hhhhnn I want Twigpaw to be happy so bad, I hate seeing her struggles

Sandynose you are so evil and very detested by me

You can and you SHOULD feel angry at Sandynose he SUCKS and he is being needlessly mean at you!!!!! There are much better ways to bring up the possibility that maybe you'd be happier with thunderclan!!! Fuck off Sandynose

Oh so Snowbush hasn't improved, maybe he will die?

Poor Alderheart

Oh fuck there he goes

Yeah

Aw man, rip to the background cat

That was a heavy death too

Aw, I was hoping the rest of Skyclan would show up before the gathering, maybe just after it???

I wonder what's going on in Shadowclan

TIGERHEARTS MISSING HUH???

The couple was kidnapped

HUH????

Oh my lord oh fuck

Can't anyone step up to lead why do they depend on Tigerheart so much???

Jesus christ

Alderheart kills his gods

This is so chaotic and funny I'm worried as hell for shadowclan but excited a lot is happening

HI TREE AGSGAHAH

Tawnypelt >:(

Puddleshine: WAIT DONT KICK HIM OUT, CHECK OUT HIS FREAKY FEET INSTEAD

Oh dear

Twigpaw :c

TWIGPAW :CCCC Man rememebr when I said I hope Twigpaw doesn't crumble under the pressure of being happy for others? yeah

GET OUT SANDYNOSE I DONT CARE YOURE BEING REASOMABLE FOR ONCE YOU SHOULD HAVE BEEN LATER

:C

I'm so heartbroken for them

Uh pdhsgahab okay then

Bye finpaw

Wow that was easy for him

This is fun

I'm still sad as hell

Okay there's a lot going on right now wow

The owl scene was funny as hell to picture, this dramatic prophetic moment and the cats just "uuggh is that a prophecy??? Nooo"

Okay so

There's some shadowclan cats missing, considering the many sleekwhisker maps I'm sure she's up to no good but I have no clue what happened to the others and I hope they're okay

Wow! That was really something

Fantastic ending to a very good book its, definitely a different energy from the third but I'm really enjoying this I'm still excited as hell!!! I got worried things would get kinda bad from here but nope!!!! Very fun stuff for now this is very very good and I am enjoying it

This is definitely one of the most fun arcs I've read so far!!! The drama the stakes the little moments everything is tying together really well into a very fun story I'm enjoying a lot!

I worry for Twigpaw and hope for her happiness, and Violetshine too, hope her and Hawkwing deal well with missing her. Tree is being interesting. Alderheart wasn't much of a focus here but always fun to see him trying to solve the damn prophecy no leaders seem to care about. Mousewhisker was okay??? Lots of very fantastic turns for all events and uh let's see where this all goes next!!!

[orange-waterfalls]

Say It Back (2/2)

The Host x gender neutral!reader

@thekillingjoke-haha ty for the request(still)

Part 1

A/N: ok i know i made a playlist called "songs to cry to" and listened to it while writing a sappy fic but..... I didn't think I'd actually cry??? I had no idea how to end it I'm sorry ahvsgsvs. also I feel like should point out that I do headcanon that Host is on the aromantic scale, so that's why you are the literal only person who he has fallen in love with. Because. You're special???? I guess????? But uh I hope u like this. Rated T for cursing. Enjoy???

Word Count: 2.4k

Requests are open!

--

“Host, what the fuck are we doing?” Illinois asks with his hands on his hips.

Host sighs and stops pacing the floor. He turns to the egos- excluding Bim, who is behind him- who he has lined up in the living room. A day has passed since you went on that date with that guy. Host has no idea who he is, but he doesn’t like him.

“Host needs you all to help him,” Host states, his voice managing to stay flat though he was experiencing many emotions at the moment. Not all of the egos were present. The more serious/dangerous ones(i.e. The Googles, Darkiplier, Yandere, etc.) were not there. He’d also kicked out the ones he didn’t trust with something this important(i.e. Ed, Silver Shepard, King of the Squirrels, etc.). There is still a fair amount of them, however.

“Help? Wit what?” Yancy asks. The Host takes a deep breath.

“Host… wants to tell Y/N he’s in love with them…” A series of cheers, groans, and sounds of money being passed follow his statement.

“Okay, but what do we have to do with this?” Dr. Iplier gestures to himself and the nearly identical people next to him.

“Host… is not the most familiar with romantic relationships…” Host explains softly, “He does not know what to do… he needs help…” The room is silent and the Host’s heart beats softly in his ears.

“Oh, hell yeah!” Bing cheers. The other egos join and agree to help. Host swells with joy. These people are maniacs but, dammit, they’re family. Basically, anyways. “So, what do we do?”

“Hm?” Host is snapped out of his thoughts.

“Well, what are we supposed to do? Is there a plan or something?” Host stares at Bing. He… hadn’t thought of that. A plan… would be useful… in this specific situation… hm…

“Uh…” Host scratches his neck while he thinks. Bim rolls his eyes.

“Oh, Christ. Fine,” he pulls a chair up to the coffee table in front of them while the others sit across from him on the couch and in the seats.

“Does… Does Bim have a plan?” Host’s eyebrows raise in surprise.

“I have a lot of free time and believe you me, I knew you wouldn’t be able to do this yourself,” Bim explains. Some of the egos chuckle while Host blushes.

“Now,” He leans forward, as do the rest of them, “Here’s what we’ll do…”

--

Host does not know how he let himself get into this situation.

He is holding a bouquet of flowers, standing in the middle of your house, wearing a bowtie, of all things, waiting for you to get back. And when you got back, he’d take you to the movies, then to dinner, then the park and he’d finally confess his everlasting love for you while you watched the sunset. And then he’d go in for the kiss. Perfect.

Except… not perfect. Bim neglected to explain what he was supposed to do while all these activities were taking place. He didn’t do romance! He didn’t know how to talk to people! What is he supposed to talk about? The weather? His job? The goddamn election? What?!

Host took a deep breath to slow his beating heart. He could feel the blood threatening to drip from his eyes. He squared his shoulders and faced your door. You should be here soon. Bim said you’d be here soon.

Bim had a plan. Like, a plan plan. An “I have been waiting for this moment for so long that I already have every single detail planned down to the letter” plan. Illinois and Yancy would pretend to get in a fight outside your work. You’d go outside and break it up. You’d ask them what the fight was about, they’d give a stupid answer and you’d tell them to go home. Then Eric would show up, tell you that he thought he left something at your house the last time he was there and he really, really needed it. You’d tell your boss you needed to go home. You’d go home, open your door, and boom! Host takes you out. On a date.

Bim, King, and Dr. Iplier would take care of the rest. Bim would make sure the theater was clear… by doing whatever he does… Dr. Iplier would call the people who reserved a table at a fancy restaurant that they’re dying and need to get to the hospital immediately. King would make sure the park was clear by getting his squirrels to scare people away. It was perfect.

...

What the hell is he doing? He isn’t… like this. This is false advertising for what would actually happen if you two are to date. He’d probably spend a whole day writing and then hug you when you went to bed. Maybe a kiss.

But this? Movies(that he can’t watch)? Fancy restaurants? Watching the sunset? This isn’t him. Is it too late to cancel?

Host stiffens when he hears your car pull into the driveway.

30 seconds to make a decision. A) He can stay and go through with the plan or B) he can throw himself out the window.

He hears your keys in the lock and there is apparently an unforeseen third option where he walks out the back door like a sensible person. He breathes heavily once he’s in your backyard.

Okay. Bim’s plan is officially ruined. Great. What now?

He can go home and tell the other egos how he’s an absolute failure and literally cannot do a single thing right.

Or…

Or he could ask you out. His way. On his own, without any help from Bim. He heard you walk around your apartment, talking with Eric.

“So, what did you leave?” You ask. Host feels the dopamine flow through his brain at the sound of your voice. Unknowingly, he smiles.

“I-I-I don’t know. B-But it w-was i-important!” Eric stutters. He’s a really bad actor…

“Okay, it’s okay, we can look,” You respond gently. Host clutches the flowers tightly. You’re so… gentle. You’re so wonderful with Eric, so patient with the kid. You know what he’s been through, and you try to help and understand him. You did the same thing with Host. Maybe that’s why he likes you so much…

“U-Um, I-I think this is it,” Eric says after a few minutes of rustling around.

“Really? I thought this was mine…”

“O-Oh, uh… m-maybe i-it’s n-not--”

“No, no! You have it! Better safe than sorry.”

“O-Okay… um… a-are y-you sure?”

“Yeah, absolutely. I can get another one, it’s fine.”

“A-Alright… thanks!”

“No problem. Bye, Eric! Have a great day! Don’t forget to take your meds!”

“Okay… B-Bye, Y/N!”

Host bites his lip to suppress the happy chuckle that threatens to come out. He thought your interaction was the purest thing in the world. You’re… so… great.

Great? Really? That’s the best word he can come up with? Not “exceptional”, not “tremendous”, “marvelous”, “magnificent”, “stupendous”, “extraordinary”, “outstanding”...

He’s an author, for Chrissakes!

How was it that you took away all of his cognitive ability by just… being you?

Goodness, he had it bad, didn’t he?

Host jumps at the buzzing on his thigh. He takes the phone out of his pocket and answers. He hesitantly brings the phone to his ear. He has a feeling about what’s going to happen.

“Um… Hello?” He whispers.

“What the fuck are you doing?!” Yancy yells. Host flinches at the volume.

“I-”

“What the hell happened to the plan? What is your problem?” Illinois interrupts.

“Well-”

“Dude, we were rooting for you!” Bing takes the phone next. Host frowned, starting to get annoyed.

“If-”

“We’re trying to help you,” Dr. Iplier said, calmer than the rest.

“Everything was ready,” King said from somewhere in the background.

“Host,” Bim finally took the phone, “What happened?” Host was silent for a minute. “Host?”

“Oh, is Host allowed to speak now?” He teases. Bim chuckles.

“Yeah, sorry… Just… what happened?” Host sighs.

“Host… realized… he wants to do this… his way. Without help. He doesn’t need it. Y/N will either like him, or they won’t. All this… fancy stuff won’t change that. Host needs to do this on his own,” Host explains. The phone is silent. He’s begun to realize that silence does not equal upset. Bim snorts.

“Well, you could’ve fucking said that before we convinced that young couple that they’re dying,” He laughs. Host flushes and he’s glad no one’s around to see it.

“Host is sorry…”

“Eh, it’s fine. I’m sure if I ask Wilford, we can do all the shit you were supposed to,” Host can hear Bim’s smile when he talks, “Good luck Host.” He hangs up, and Host is left sitting on your back porch.

Ok. New plan.

Host tears the bowtie off and throws it in your trash, along with the flowers. Hopefully, you wouldn’t mind.

He straightened his back and cleared his throat, raising his fist to knock on your door. He paused.

Wait. What if you didn’t like him? What if you were already dating the guy? Did romantic relationships work that way? He wouldn’t know.

He shook his head and knocked three times. He’d deal with that when he got to it.

The door opens to reveal… you. You’re wearing sweatpants and a Pokemon hoodie. You raise an eyebrow at him, a slightly annoyed look on your face.

God, you’re perfect.

“Host? May I help you?” Your face softens when you see who it is. The Host swallows nervously.

“Uh… may the Host come in?” You nod and step back, allowing him to step into your house. His knees would have buckled with the sheer smell of the house if he hadn’t been here before. The whole place smells like you and he nearly collapsed the first time.

“Would you… like a drink?”

“No, thank you.”

“Okay, well…” You both stand across from each other, a few feet apart. “What would you-”

“The Host likes Y/N,” Host blurts out. You blink at him, hand in mid-gesture.

“What?” You ask quietly. The Host takes a shaky breath and grounds himself. He is going to get through this, no matter how embarrassing or traumatizing it may be.

“The Host… I… I like you. I love you. I am… in love… with you…” He says slowly, not fully comprehending what’s coming out of his mouth. “I like you. Say it back, please.”

“Say it back, please”? Really?! Could you sound any more desperate?

He looks up to see your head tilted slightly. Why were you so cute?

“Okay…” You furrow your eyebrows, “Elaborate?” Host takes another breath and swallows. His throat is very dry. Maybe he should’ve said yes to the drink…

“Host… is in love with you. He has been for a while. He’s not sure when it started, but he knows it’s a very strong feeling. He loves to hear Y/N talk and laugh and… walk around and… do anything. And… he thinks they are such a wonderful person and he wants to be the one to make them happy… he wants to be the one they go on dates with and come home to… because… he loves them…” Host holds his breath while he waits for the response. The suspense might actually kill him at this point.

“I… like you,” You finally say. Host knits his eyebrows together.

“What?” He asks.

“You… you said to say it back…” you whisper, “And… if it happens to be true… that’s not my fault…” Hosts eyebrows raise as high as they can go.

“What?” He repeats, barely louder than a whisper. He hears the floor creak as you walk over to him and he breathes heavily in response. What’s happening? What are you doing? What’s going on?

His breath hitches when you take his hand and intertwine your fingers with his.

“I love you too, Host.” You whisper. The Host feels extremely light headed. You love him? You love him? No, no, no… but…

“But… date… with… guy…” Host murmurs. There goes the brain function.

“I went out with him to try and get over you…” you admitted, “I didn’t think you actually liked me…”

“Why… not?”

“I’m not… anything special--”

“Yes! Yes, you are!” He raises his voice, “You are… exceptional! And tremendous! And marvelous, magnificent, stupendous, extraordinary, outstanding… and… so much more!” You stifle a laugh.

“You really think so?”

“Yes!” You chuckle. You shift your hand so that you’re holding his fingers in your hand. You rub your thumb over his knuckles. He begins to shake slightly. Too much. He was going to pass out.

“So… what now?”

“Hm?” Host turns his head from your hand holding his to your face.

“What do we do now?”

“Host is not sure, he didn’t think he would get this far…” You laugh out loud this time and a smile appears on the Host’s face.

“Well… do you want to awkwardly kiss?”

“That… It would be nice…”

You shuffle forward a bit so you’re very close to the Host. He stands completely still, not exactly sure what to do with himself. You lay a gentle hand on his cheek and kiss him. Not deep, not… sensual, just… a small kiss. Host still gets very flushed by it and his cheek is very hot on your hand. You pull back after a few seconds.

“How… was that?” You squeak.

“Good… it was… it was good…” He pants. You both stand there, unmoving. Then, you start to giggle.

“We… are adults… and we’re acting like teenagers…” You laugh. Host smiles.

“That… we are…” Host starts laughing as well. You laugh at each other and how ridiculous you’re being before you remove your hand from the Host’s. He immediately misses the contact. You wrap your arms around him and hold him tightly in a hug. Host hesitantly wrapped his around you. You stood, swaying a bit, feeling very comfortable.

“This is nice,” you sigh.

“It is.”

“What do you wanna do now?”

“Host is… a bit hungry…” You snicker.

“Alright. I’ll make something.” You pull away and Host chases after your warmth. You lead him to the living room and sit him down on the couch. You go to the kitchen, leaving the Host alone with his thoughts.

You… like him. You… love him. How long have you loved him? Why didn’t he know? Is he really just that stupid around you?

He sighs and traces his knuckles with a finger.

He loves you… you love him…

He couldn’t remember the last time he was this happy...

[lilac-writes]

I dont wanna be annoying so I'll pick the best ones first: 1, 4, 8, 19, 30, 37, 38 and 39 😳 I love u I'm sorry if it's too much

Ohhhh boy, here we go!

This got super long so I’m putting the answers under a read more.

1. Describe your comfort zone—a typical you-fic.

Fluffy, full of my terrible sense of humour, probably a little romantic in a sort of tender way.

4.  How many fic ideas are you nurturing right now? Care to share one of them?

I just had to go count them. Including my WIPs and everything in my “Ideas” folder there’s like twentyish (help meeeee). I talked a bit about my wips in a previous answer, so I’ll tell you a tiny bit about my other half-baked ideas. The other day @ayumilovesstars​ got me thinking about a fic in which Gaara tries to avoid an arranged marriage, so I’m still thinking about how I want to do that one. There are so many possibilities. 

I’ve been wanting to do a fairy land au for a while and @ghoste-catte​‘s The Stolen Child is making me really really want to write it. (If you haven’t read The Stolen Child yet, I cannot recommend it enough. It isn’t even finished yet, but it’s definitely one of my favourite fics. Ever.) So I’ve actually got two ideas for how to do that AU now. 

And I almost completely forgot about it until I just went to look through my list of ideas. Um, I’m actually kind of a dorky cyclist. I mean, I’ve got the super light carbon fibre bike, the lycra outfit, the whole thing. And I kind of want to do a GaaLee Tour de France AU. I know that’s ridiculous and I’m not sure anyone would read it, but I couldn’t help myself (it’s the spandex, it just makes sense.)

8.  Share a snippet from one of your favorite dialogue scenes you’ve written and explain why you’re proud of it.

Oh damn, my writing is kind of dialogue heavy. So I’m going with the first one to come to mind, which is this bit from The Question on His Lips:

"How do you say that so casually?" Gaara asked quietly.

"Say what?"

"That you're in. . .you know," Gaara turned his face away as though suddenly very interested in something on the other side of the street. "That you're in love with me."

Lee stopped walking and tugged on Gaara's hand until they stood facing each other. Gaara stared blankly at the pattern on Lee's scarf.

"Because it is the truth of how I feel," Lee explained. Gaara looked down at his shoes and chewed his lip.

"Gaara," Lee gently tilted Gaara's chin up to look him in the eye. "You do not need to be worried. I know it is still difficult for you." His eyes flickered to the mark on Gaara's forehead.

Gaara frowned. "What if it never stops being difficult?"

"Then, that is okay."

Gaara grabbed him by the collar of his shirt. "I need you to understand," he said urgently. "I feel the same way you do, it's just hard for me to say it."

"I know that," Lee soothed him.

"But if I don't say it enough, will you always know? Or will you start to doubt. . ?"

"Gaara, as long as I am the person you choose to stay up with you at night, the one you trust to have your back on a dangerous mission, the first person you run to when you need help, I will always know," Lee whispered, stroking the soft skin beneath Gaara’s jaw with his thumb. He laughed suddenly, "Here you are, walking around a foreign ninja village with just that tiny gourd and no armour, and you think I could doubt that you are in love with me?"

I still like this one a lot, just because I love fics which touch on the difference between how Gaara and Lee feel and communicate their emotions. Lee wears his heart on his sleeve and is open about how he feels. Gaara seems to have a complex relationship with his own emotions and is much more reserved about expressing them. He has an especially difficult time with love. So I enjoy them both making an effort to understand that about each other and reassure each other that they Get It. I don’t know, that’s not the best explanation. . .

19.  Stephen King once said that his muse is a man who lives in the basement. Do you have a muse?

I definitely do not have a little man in my basement. I’m not sure that I do have a muse? I draw inspiration from a lot of sources.

30.  Do you accept prompts?

Yes, I will happily accept prompts, but please just understand that I write super slowly, so it may take a long time for me to actually finish the prompt. I just ask that you be patient and bear with me.

37.  Talk about your current wips.

I answered this one here. 

38.  Talk about a review that made your day.

I have gotten so many wonderful reviews that I absolutely cherish, and frequently reread when I need a little encouragement. I won’t repost the whole thing here, but a recent one I got on Old Wounds that made my day began with the sentences “Sjdjdkshddksk I hate this! Why did this have to happen!!!!? Damn you grass village, I hope you all see god soon.” When I read this I laughed so hard that I cried in public and my best friend was extremely concerned. I love reviews where the reader just leaves me their knee jerk, in the moment reactions like that.

39.  Do you ever get rude reviews and how do you deal with them?

I have been very fortunate so far to not receive any rude reviews or comments. Here’s hoping that continues.

[rosesnink]

Interview to Hayley Parker and Ernest Sinclaire (Modern!AU) [D&DAW]

Hello my fellow friends!

Today is the last day of D&DAU and it's sad but don't be blue,babies! Because I have one final plate prepared for y'all!

I had the chance to collaborate with the fellow host @mrsbriarmarlcaster aka Ana, who made an interview to my characters from my D&DAU fanfic The Detective and The Buissnessman,Hayley Parker and Ernest Sinclaire! I know the saga is barely begining because of my slow updates,but to make it less stressing for every 7 years I update a chapter,we brought you an interview with these married lovebirds!

Let this interview commence with out interviewer... Ana!

[Ana enters the room greeting with a grin the guests as the couple awaits her and they greet her as they take a seat]

Ana: What are some annoying habits of other couples that irritate you the most?

Ernest: Of other couples? More like what habits. I'd say when they treat their partners poorly,like mere dogs. ‘Control your girlfriend’ or ‘don't wear that skirt /suit’ ‘you're looking like a slut like that’ that's not a way to treat your partner. A relationship should be based in support,trust and respect. Telling them how to behave,dress or talk is not good,you're treating your partner like an animal or a trophy to presume and we're talking about people,humans. If you treat your partner like that,are you really in love with that person? Or you just want to own him or her?

Hayley: *mumbles* you're so sexy when you talk like that,jesus. Ahem. It annoys me when they are controlling over the other. I mean,what the fuck? Giving your partner all your passwords? Telling them constantly where are you and with who? Are you dating a person or your dad? It's disgusting. I would never do that with Ernest. He's an adult and deserving of privacy as I am.

Ernest: Of course,my dear. I know that you can most certainly defend yourself from the other people *peck her in the lips*

Ana: If you could ask each other anything and they HAVE to answer truthfully, what would it be?

Hayley: *looks at Ernest thoughtfully* Good question indeed.

Ana: Oh God, now I'm scared *laughs nervously*

Ernest: I'd ask her if she ever regretted do something with me before we started dating

Ana: oof... *looks at Hayley expectantly*

Hayley: *bites her lip* well... I did and then I did not. It's complicated. I felt so alive when I kissed you for the first time, but I also knew I was betraying my vow to never get too attached and always leave. When I realized I loved you, I decided to go for it,to let you break my heart if necessary. As for what I'd ask Ernest is if he misses his old life truly

Ernest: I mean... I had an stable girlfriend,a state to take care and a court where I was kind of wanted, but that life felt to simple and empty... But then I met you and even if things fell apart,I never felt so alive or whole. I love the perfect mess we have,how I can also learn from the bad things. Now I am a brave, new and more confident man who haves the life that I always desired with true goals. Even if it hurts to live this new life, I still want it. I'd leave the simple behind to live this life all over again, because at the end of the day you're by my side.

Ana: You two are literally the cutest! *grins softly*

Ana: Do you remember the first thing you said to one another?

Ernest: Humm,as a sentence,I told her that I was hoping to meet her personally because I heard a lot about her and her lifestyle in Madrid and I was eager to hear about the endeavours of the famous Spanish city.

Hayley: I told him he was pretty hot.

Ana: *laughs* Oh God,why I'm not surprised?

Ernest: *chuckles* that's subjective but I guess you're also quite––

Hayley: Ernest,just say that you also find me hot *rolls eyes with a smirk*

Ana: You two are real dorks

Ernest: Ahem,moving to the next question,please

4. Ernest, how do you feel about the dangers and risks involved in Hayley’s job? Hayley, is there something you dislike about Ernest’s job?

Ernest: I know Hayley is perfectly capable and trained for this and I trust her gut,but I do feel anxious and frightened that she will never come back home one day,that's why every time she haves a day free I make the most of the day with her *squeezes Hayley's hand*

Ana: You're such a brave and devoted husband *sobs*

Hayley: *smiles fondly at him and kisses his cheek* You're so corny. And about the job,I have 0 complains. I mean,he works by helping the ones who cannot help themselves and fights against human trafficking and poverty as he can,alas our jobs sometimes cross paths. He knows when a woman or a teenager is in trouble and I like it because we understand each other's job better

Ana: I stan two powerful people

Ernest: I wouldn't call myself powerful... More like influential. I'm doing what other people would've

Ana: What is the best “relationship advice” someone has ever given you? Would you ever pass that advice on to your friends / children?

Ernest: My mother told me once that when you deal with an illness of your partner,you shall never focus on cure them,but give them love,support and respect their times.

Hayley: A good advice indeed. His support helped me to get through the losses at my job and when my mother died. As for an advice my father told me,it was that before loving someone else,you should at least respect yourself. And that self love have helped me to build this relationship and marriage with Ernest, so yeah,i'd pass it through everyone I can *they both take the other's hands and gaze on each other*

Ana: *mutters* I'm so lonely...

Ana: You’re both each other’s lover but are you also each other’s best friend?

Hayley: Absolutely! We talk about everything! And if we have a secret,we don't pressure on each other. Our trust is 100%

Ernest: I did told you on our wedding that you're my best friend besides Bart. I can tell her that I killed the Queen and she'll help me to hide the body.

Ana: You're so goals and powerful...

Ernest: You're too kind

Hayley: *pushes him lightly* and you are too humble! Let her flatter you as you deserve!

Ana: What are your biggest fears about your relationship?

Ernest: *gazes down the floor and bites his lip* Not being a match for her and she'll find another better than me

Ana: Oh no! Don't say that!

Hayley: Ernest... *hugs him tight* no one will ever match you. You're the man of my dreams. I will never leave you. I rather die first. And as for my fear,I *swallows hard* i'm scared for not being the wife you need. I'm always hunting down criminals and following them everywhere and–– i'm scared that you'll get tired of me *rests her head on the crook of his neck*

Ernest: Hayley,you're the best wife I ever seen. You're perfectly imperfect. I like everything of you. I love you as you are. Even if that means hiding behind the sofa when your chocolate dissapears and you have a knife in hand *he teases*

Ana: someone bring me tissues,I think I'm going to cry...

Hayley: *chuckles and punches him teasingly on the shoulder* idiot

Ana: The words that best summarise the goals of your relationship are...

Ernest: Trust,passion and unconditional support

Hayley: Partnership,complicity and trust

Ana: Do you have any nicknames for each other?

Hayley: Ernest sometimes in bed calls me Hayls *grins mischievously*

Ana: Uuh,I like it

Ernest: *blushes* Well,she calls me mon amour or honey

Ana: Aww,so cute! I knew you were a softie!

Hayley: *chuckles* only my best side for my best man *pecks his cheek with her index and middle finger*

Ana: Think of one other person that you love, could be a friend or another family member, how is your significant other different from them?

Ernest: The other person I love is Bart. He's like a brother and ally to me. He's been there since childhood and gave me the love and support when I felt like drowning. I cannot live without that walking mess. Alas,he's my right-hand on my job.

Hayley: Briar is my sister,my best friend,my fiercest ally and my biggest support after Ernest. She saved me and I saved her. We're bound by love,support and we're on the other's debt. Without her,I'd be dead. Or worse. I cannot live either without her. I couldn't face a life without her.

Ana: It is true that she did saved your ass and Bart helped you through your feelings for Hayley. Aaah,what a gem of people

Ernest: They're indeed. Even if both had threatened me to kill me if I didn't made at least one move

Hayley: Now you're talking about my Briar *grins proudly*

Ana: When did you realise you had romantic feelings for one another?

Ernest: *puts a hand on his chin thoughtfully* hmm,that's a good one. I think it was when I attended a concert of Katy Perry,dancing with her. I had her in my arms and I looked at her and I just knew it.

Hayley: *smiles happily* It was when I kissed him on the cheek for the first time. It was a year after meeting and I was feeling angry and sad because my boyfriend in those times cheated on me and I was still hurt. He told me an experience of his own and told me that he wished that he were half the strong I am in my weakest times. I smiled and next thing I remember,I was kissing his cheek. He asked me ‘for what was that for?’ an I answered ‘for being you’ I started falling for him like you fall for a book. At first it attracts you and then,you look at it and you know your souls cannot be parted.

Ana: You two are the cutest,stop!

Ernest: *blushes and kisses her cheek,embracing her* I love it when your soft side comes out.

Ana: What would you consider a perfect life together?

Hayley: Our life is already perfect! Catching the bad people,being badass,having the best husband and not depending on anyone's judgement and being my own woman with a man who loves me like that and he's his own man. I love it just as it is. With the good and bad things.

Ernest: I agree with you,my dear. I have my own job,a job I like,a wife that I love and she loves me,great friends and enough sources to live happily. What more I could ask for?

Ana: Literally the best life! Moving on...

Ana:Do you get jealous?

Ernest: Jealousy represents a toxic behaviour. It represents insecurity and controlling behaviour and a disrespect towards your partner's life and you violence their privacy. So,no,I trust 100% my Hayley despite my fears because I know her.

Hayley: 100% agree. Yeah,i get it,ny husband is influential and hot,alas he's very sweet and rich, but I trust him and I know he's loyal to me and I would never forbid him to live. We both have the right to have male and female friends, dance with another and have our own life outside our marriage. Afterall, he's my husband,not my owner. I am ny owner, I own myself and no one else.

Ernest: That's my wife *says with pride, kissing her lips softly*

Ana: Who said ‘I love you’ first?

Hayley: *laughs nervously* that was me. It was seconds before our first time together. It was in his house. It was raining and I was so nervous and angry because I got attached. I spitted him the words and then,next thing was that we were kissing urgently and––

Ernest: *blushes nervously and covers gently her mouth* ahem,that's not relevant. I said it the morning after,when I woke up next to her. I felt and I still feeling like the luckiest man alive.

Ana: My god,Hayley,you're such a scandal *laughs*

Hayley: *giggles* or maybe I am the luckiest woman alive.

Ana: Shit now I'm soft. *looks at her paper* oh no! This is the last question! *pouts*

Ernest: There's always another time

Ana: What was your first impression of one another?

Ernest: When I finally met her,I was really curious about her. Some said she was ruthless, sassy and cold,others said she was a whore. When I met her,she was stunning,cunning and wise,but also hurt and with lack of love and care. I thought then that she was out of my league.

Hayley: When I met him I thought he was smart,sexy and resolutive,and an incredible man.

Ernest: truly?

Hayley: yup *winks at him*

Ernest: *blushes* wow... That's a lot coming from you...

Ana: And now we have to say goodbye! It's so sad but I'm glad we had this chance to get to know you two better as person and couple! And you *points at the reader* if you're not reading The Detective and The Buissnessman,did you really lived? Check out on noeschoices's profile now! Here's the link! And for more Desire and Decorum Appreciation Week check out my profile and my lovely partners's profiles: @choicesregencygeek and @hellospunkiebrewster and see you on another post or in my profile @mrsbriarmarlcaster !

Links to the fanfic

[darklingandy]

Spirits of the Earth and Air

Chapter Twenty-Nine: Cold Blooded 

Jack used to love the night.

Now the night was black as ink. No moon, no stars; the stifling low clouds obscured it all.

Jack used to love the night: he loved it because it was quiet and peaceful, because he wasn't surrounded by people who couldn't see his existence, because he talked to the moon and the moon listened. At some point — he didn't know when — that had changed. Now the night felt lonely; someone Saw him — two someones — and the moon wasn't listening because the moon was an impersonal rock millions of miles away. And he couldn't see it tonight anyway.

Maybe the night had always been lonely. Maybe he just hadn't noticed because being lonely was who he was, and he didn't know how else to be.

Deep in the woods, Jack was hiding. Two gigantic trees leaned against one another; the earth between their roots had eroded away to create an alcove shadowed by ferns. Jack crouched here, hidden away. He was hiding from a lot of things. Himself. His feelings and actions. His fear that he was failing at what he'd set out to do. But most importantly — so he told himself — he didn’t want to take the chance that any of the court fey might find him.  

He pulled Hiccup's hoodie higher around his shoulders and buried his nose in the worn fabric.

Where was Sandy? He should have been here hours ago, and every additional passing minute made Jack more and more anxious, afraid that something had happened to him. Meeting with Sandy was supposed to be a quick rendezvous; now he wouldn't even make it back to Berk by morning. Hiccup might worry. If Jack took too long, he might start to think Jack had abandoned him.

A distant golden glow appeared through the trees. Jack held his breath and watched; he had to know it was a friend, not a foe, approaching. The glow drifted closer, bobbing its way through the forest toward Jack until he could distinguish Sandy fumbling his way along with his eyes closed. At the sight of him, some of Jack's anxiety left him in a rushed sigh, until he remembered. Any court fey that sees you must report it back to him.

He leapt up. "Sandy!"

Sandy startled. His neat sand cloud fell apart like annoyed confetti and fluttered down. He pulled himself together and formed exclamation points, throwing them in the direction of Jack's head. Not all of them missed.

"Sorry!" Jack threw his hands up and ducked.

Sandy withdrew. His face turned toward Jack — well, turned his face to the left of Jack actually — and somehow managed to radiate disapproval. What are you doing? he signed. Don't you know Pitch is still hunting for you?

He was being reckless. Avoiding one problem by trying to figure out another. Avoiding Hiccup, like a coward. Jack sucked in a deep breath of the clean forest air and pushed his jumbled thoughts out of the way. "I'm here to find out whatever you can tell me. I'm…gathering information."

You have a plan?

He wished. Shame burned in his gut. "Maybe," he hedged. "I. Just. What's going on at the court? The fearlings are gone but I haven't heard anything about what Pitch is doing. What can you tell me?"

The shadow king is angry. Sandy shook his head in despair. I fear for you. I don't like to think about what he'll do when he captures you. And he is determined to capture you.

"What about Hiccup?"

Hiccup? Confusion clouded Sandy's face. The boy? What of him?

Jack clenched his teeth, fear tightening his throat, but determined to force through it. "What is Pitch planning for Hiccup? What does he know of him?"

Pitch is bent on finding the Sight boy who beguiled his lackey away from him. There's not just orders to report on you anymore; there's a reward. For anyone who brings news of either of you, a boon from the king himself will be granted. Some have tried to bring him pretend news, and the punishment was …severe when their deception was revealed.

Jack couldn't breathe. He sunk down onto the earth, knees pulled up to his chest, willing himself to stay calm.

Sandy's hands kept moving. But some have brought real news. There's word of another human besides your Hiccup. A girl with knives. He paused in his frantic motions and felt his way toward Jack, to put a hand on his shoulder. Jack, what have you gotten yourself into?

"Astrid," Jack breathed. So, word about her had got back to the court already. Jack scrubbed a hand through his tangled hair. "Things are getting worse then."

Sandy nodded, serious. I don't know what else I can tell you.

"Something… helpful." Jack stared at Sandy. As if Sandy knew what he was supposed to do. As if Sandy could have answers for him. "Please! There must be some information you have that can help! Something! Anything! Advice, maybe! I just — I don't know what to do, Sandy."

But Sandy just shook his head sadly, a troubled crease between his eyebrows, and Jack shook his head and got up, pacing back and forth, wearing tracks into the dirt.

He was such a fool. Now the reason that he'd come bubbled to the surface of his mind: that he'd come here because he didn't know what else to do. He'd known, deep down, there wasn't anything anyone could tell him that would help. He was in uncharted territory now. He was on his own.

"I have no idea what I'm doing, Sandy." The admission hurt his throat as it clawed its way out; his voice cracked. He swallowed and couldn't meet Sandy's eyes.

Sandy hesitated. Then… why…

"I promised Hiccup that I would get him back his life, but how am I supposed to do that?!" Jack glared up at the brumous sky where he knew the moon would be, behind the thick layer of clouds. His voice was too loud; it reached through the trees enough that if anyone were nearby, they would hear him. "I have to protect him, and I don't even know if I can! But I have to."

Sandy fell silent. He watched Jack, and waited, and listened. He'd known Jack a long time.

"I know he keeps saying that we'll come up with a plan, but how can we do that? We're one human, one faery, one bairseach, and one Sighted boy — that I don't even know what he is right now, exactly — against an entire court of knights and tricksters and—and—and everything!" His face contorted with terror: pupils constricted, mouth working as his breathing sped up, skin pale white. He ran out of steam and crumpled onto the ground, curling up on himself like a wilting leaf. "I've asked too much of him," he said, voice coming out small. "And I've… I hurt him."

You have… a… bairseach? Sandy’s face went slack with awe, but Jack wasn’t looking at him.

Memories of what he'd originally planned for Hiccup came back to him: the sacrifice, the kidnapping. Hiccup saying things like you came here to kidnap someone and when were you going to tell me and you could have told me. And Hiccup was right: Jack should have told him sooner. He should have trusted Hiccup. Should have been more honest with him.

Shame smothered him so strongly it was hard to focus on anything else or think about what he needed to do now.

Sandy drifted toward him, hands moving gently. You know what the odds are. He will not likely come out of this alive.

A shudder went through Jack but he folded his arms and jutted his chin out. "Then neither will I."

Sandy's eyebrows rose toward his hair. You… feel that strongly about this human boy?

Jack opened his mouth. He was going to explain, to say something sane like yes I care for him, we're friends. But instead, what came out was laughter. Impossible, hysterical laughter. He fell back and his limbs sprawled out and he was staring upward at the black sky, laughing his heart out. Brittle frozen pine needles cracked and snapped underneath him; he grabbed a handful and threw them into the air, letting them flutter down around him like confetti. "How could I not?" he shouted. "How could I do anything else?" The laughter faded into the stifling, watchful silence of the night. A deep, weary sigh. Just a breath. "He's…" Jack searched for words. "Impossible. Brave. Fearsome, sometimes. I…" His voice trailed away, following the laugh into nothingness.

Sandy wasn't quite facing the right direction, but Jack could still see his face. Could still see the expression of dawning awe and horror, mingled on his kind features. …love him. His hands signed the sentence that Jack left unfinished. His expression was hesitant, horrified, incredulous. Like he couldn't believe that even Jack would so stupid as to fall in love with a human. How could you do this?

No. No no no no no. Jack choked as he cast a sideways glance at Sandy. Oh gods. Was he really so transparent? "……what?"

As if there were any way he could deny it. A faery cannot tell a lie.

Fall like this, Sandy signed.

Jack said nothing. The word ‘love’ left him reeling, feeling punch-drunk and dazed like he’d been hit. His mouth opened and closed. Sandy’s question — How could you do this? — loomed in his mind. How? He was fey, one of the ancient aos sídhe; things weren’t supposed to work like this. The fey were said to be heartless, cold-blooded creatures like fishes.

Jack had no proof that it was true but he had no proof that it wasn't either. What would it feel like, Jack wondered distantly, if he had a heart to beat? Did it feel like this, terrifying and vivid? Or was he imagining the warmth pulsing in his jugular when he put his hand to his throat?

Did he have a heart, or did he not?

Fall in love so dangerously.

He wrinkled up his nose and turned his face away from Sandy, cheek pressing into the cold ground with a groan. "What?" he breathed again, only half aloud. The ground, hard with frost, remained unyielding beneath him. No more soft loam of the autumn. "I…I don't…"

You're my friend. Sandy's shoulders drooped. I don't want to you die, but if you stick by this boy…Maybe you should leave.

"What?"

Sandy just kept shaking his head, still stunned like he couldn't believe what was happening to Jack. Leave Berk. You managed to get away before Pitch could manipulate the nature of your servitude. Now is the time, before he finds you again.

"I can't just run away!"

Yes, you can, signed Sandy, confused over Jack's resistance. There are no orders binding you here.

But the idea sickened Jack; emotions sitting heavy at the bottom of his stomach and chest, squeezing him. Leave Hiccup? To save himself? He could scarcely breathe."You don't understand. I'm not going to abandon Hiccup!"

Sandy held his hands up. Alright. But at least tell me you have a plan.

"No," Jack admitted. He pressed his hands over his eyes, blocking Sandy out. "But we will."

Nevermind. Just tell me you'll come out of this alive and… whole.

"I will, uh …do my best."

Sandy let out a slow, tired sigh, his head bowed. It is exhausting to be your friend, you know.

Jack propped himself up, grinning through his exhaustion. "But what a good job you do of it."

I know. Sandy preened a little. Then his face became serious again. I'm sorry I can't help you. This is getting more dangerous. Pitch has been combing every corner of the court for anyone who's helped you. I don't think I'll be able to meet you again.

Jack felt a twinge of guilt that he'd asked Sandy here. Sandy was a good friend to put himself in danger for him in the first place. He nodded. "I understand. Thanks, Sandy." He patted Sandy awkwardly on the shoulder. "For everything. I appreciate it. What would I do without you?"

Probably die.

"Always such an optimist." Jack stood up, brushing pieces of pine needles and clumps of dirt off himself. "Well… I guess I'll see you when I see you."

You're leaving?

"Yeah." Jack nodded, more to himself than to Sandy. "I need to go talk to… to the... to Hiccup."

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