#'the fool' is very accurate for him i fear

[calmcoldevening]

Slashers x reader who can control shadows

@klerns-birdie

Thomas Hewitt

• Thomas loved you with all his heart and cared about you, but to be honest, sometimes he was really scared of your ability to control shadows. It's not that he was afraid of you, no, he was just very worried about you.

• Other family members, in particular Hoyt, were quite delighted to learn about this ability of yours. Hoyt was glad that the chance of catching potential meat increased by a whopping 200%.

• Whenever you transform into your shadow self, Tommy is haunted by the fear that you won't come back. At such moments, it was as if an animal thirst for blood and violence really woke up in you, not that Thomas encouraged it. But he understood that all this was to protect the family, and the family always comes first.

• Thomas is extremely fond of physical contact with you. Because of your ability to control shadows, sometimes it seems that your skin is as cold as ice or grave earth, so he likes to squeeze your palms in his big ones and keep you warm.

• Thomas is a big boy, very big and big. Sometimes it's even embarrassing to watch when the victim manages to fool him and simply run away from home. It's at times like this that you show up. Such a sweet and fragile girl instantly turns into a cold-blooded killer with a crazy smile sparkling in the dark. Your translucent body gracefully moves softly and smoothly around the unsuspecting victim, and your shadows wrap cold tentacles around the body of the poor victim. You act quickly and accurately, and Thomas can only watch from afar as lingonberry drops of blood cover your dark body.

• After your little 'hunts', you turn back into your 'I' and smile, gently brushing the blood off your clothes. Thomas's heart swells with warmth from your sudden change of emotions. The way you tenderly examine him for wounds and tell him that everything is fine. Your shadows gently glide over his skin, causing goosebumps. Like the touch of a wet tongue, they calmed and brought a sense of comfort, because Thomas knew for sure that everything was under control.

Michael Myers

• Your abilities definitely arouse his genuine interest. He had spent his entire life in a hospital, so he could not even imagine that such a thing really existed.

• He will watch you and your shadows like a curious little child, but he will never admit this to you or ask you to show him anything at his request. In this regard, he is quite closed and does not know how to fully express his feelings.

• You and Michael have some kind of unspoken games like hide-and-seek or catch-up. There's something hot about him knowing that you're always watching him from the shadows. To know that you are watching his every move, every murder and stabbing, causes his body to tremble, and his breathing under the mask becomes rapid and moist. And he gladly accepts this challenge and looks for you in this dirty darkness, hoping at least this time to win this game of cat and mouse.

• Sometimes Michael gets so carried away with you that he forgets about the victim in front of him. The unfortunate man is trying to escape, but he does not even suspect your presence. You easily wrap your shadowy arm around the fragile throat and squeeze it to a nasty bone crunch. Michael lowers the bloody knife and listlessly watches the scene unfold in front of him, unable to contain a slight smile.

• After the murder, you slowly come out of you, your body turns back into its usual self, small droplets of blood flow down your face when the victim coughed up blood a little. You approach Michael and freely take him by the elbow, leading him towards the house through the deserted streets of the city at night. As if you were the most ordinary couple who had never done anything wrong. Michael feels your shadow wrapping around his waist, and it brings a sense of comfort.

• Michael is terribly fond of your coolness and cruelty with which you kill victims. Like a crow, shamelessly pecking out the eyes of sinners hanging on crosses. Sweet and dangerous at the same time. A wonderful combination, warming Michael's blood up.

Bo Sinclair

• Bo loves you madly. But this does not mean that he will talk about it directly. After all, since childhood he has had certain problems with aggression and the manifestation of his emotions and understanding of others. Therefore, sometimes he can be quite persistent and too clingy.

• He likes to make you jealous, knowing full well about your ability and cruelty. Bo can deliberately flirt with another tourist just to see how later your shadows will close around her delicate neck and tear the unfortunate girl into pieces of meat. This bloody show causes a pleasant shiver in his body. Perhaps he would also not mind if your gentle shadows and cold hands walked over his body.

• Bo really likes to realize that such an amazing and ambitious girl is his and only his. He doesn't intend to share you with anyone. If he's hanging around other girls (solely to annoy you), then he won't tolerate anyone else around you. If some new tourist gets too close to you, Bo will come up to you and put his arm around your waist, hugging you closer to him so that everyone around knows whose girl you are. It is better for this person to quickly understand his place if he does not want to die a very painful death.

• You often use your abilities just to tease him or get on his nerves. On the one hand, it annoys him, but on the other hand, he likes your attention, but he won't tell you about it. And he won't say that your cold weightless shadows on his skin cause pleasant sensations in his body. But you'll probably see it in his smug grin.

• You often go to his gas station when there are another couple of tourists on it. Seeing such a sweet, nice girl really calms future victims and weakens their vigilance. This strange man has such a sweet girl, obviously he only has a stern appearance, but a kind heart, there's nothing to worry about. Oh, how wrong they are, because it is this little sun with an innocent smile that poses a much greater danger to them. You'll be happy to hear the crunch of their bones under your tight grip a little later.

Vincent Sinclair

• Your cold shadows feel good on his scarred face. At first, he was worried about this and did not want to show you his face, but the tenderness with which you stroked his rough skin gave him a pleasant calm. He clung to those black tentacles like a little kitten craving affection. The touch was both cool and strangely warm and gentle, it sent shivers down his spine.

• At first, Vincent was afraid when you literally came out of nowhere, although in fact you just turned into a shadow and followed him almost everywhere. Over time, Vincent got used to it and even learned to find your presence in this sepulchral silence of the basement. He likes how your dark translucent body moves in the light of a dozen candles, how graceful and beautiful your body looks. He finds a strange comfort knowing that you are almost always there, watching him from the shadows. After one of the victims attacked him at the most unexpected moment and broke his mask, which led Vincent into a momentary stupor, he was incredibly grateful when you killed this scoundrel on the spot. It took him a few minutes to realize what was happening, but your gentle touch made everything bearable. Although now he will have to wipe off the blood and the basement floor, but these are just small things.

• You're like his guardian angel, his shadow protector. It's a very pleasant feeling. Vincent knows that you are always on the safe side, that you will always help him if necessary. Because of this, he tries to do everything carefully so that you enjoy the show presented to you in full.

• Sometimes you use your shadows to hide Vincent himself. It helps a lot when the victims find the basement themselves and do not suspect anything about the danger. This creates a good surprise effect. And the proximity of your body to his own gives comfort and a sweet aftertaste of the upcoming murder, because after Vincent's flesh and blood, your soothing cold hugs are always waiting.

• He likes that most of the time, because of your abilities and temperament, it is you who take the initiative and a more dominant role. Vincent loves it when you tell him what to do, when you gently touch him with your cold shadows, when you shower his skin with wet kisses, in stark contrast to the coldness of your cold hands and shadows.

• Sometimes he really worries about your cold hands because he's afraid you'll freeze. That's why he likes it when you spend time together in a warm, almost hot basement. Vincent also likes to sculpt wax with you, because the wax is warm, and it will definitely warm you up a little.

Ghostface

• Billy and Stu really like that you have such abilities. This is very suitable for their kind of activity and the image of a Ghostly face, so they almost immediately initiate you into their business. At first, of course, you don't really like it, but something inside you really wants it.

• They both like the surprise effect with which you kill an unsuspecting victim. One moment they were being chased by a tall man in a black suit and a ghost mask, and the next they were literally suffocated by cold air while your shadowy limbs grabbed the body of the unfortunate.

• After particularly successful kills, the boys clamp your still translucent shadow body between them like a sandwich. The blood from their suits is slowly soaking your clothes, but you didn't seem to care. The guys' hands slide over your body, hips and waist as they hold you closer to them. The sight of you covered in blood causes a sticky, almost animal desire inside them.

• Billy is usually a more reserved boy, while Stu relentlessly says all sorts of obscenities that you could do with your interesting ability. The idea that you can watch them while they're doing some personal stuff and they don't even know it makes them both damn hot.

• They love the horror that flashes in the eyes of the victims whenever you kill them with amazing dexterity and weariness. Guys love to take pictures of it. They have a whole photo album with similar pictures, one is better than the other. Stu even has his own collection of photos, but of a more explicit nature, which hangs above his bed in the bedroom.

[gorbo-longstocking]

Do Not Blame the Sea | Chapter 2

Pairing: Emperor Geta/Reader, Emperor Caracalla/Reader

Summary: Aelius shares his reservations about Marianus’ plan to give you to the emperors to become their personal physician. After a night of mindless chattering, and a near endless trek to the heart of Rome, you meet Emperors Geta and Caracalla in all their terrifying glory.

Tags: Dehumanizing treatment, hair pulling, Geta and Caracalla being dicks, mentions of slaves and slavery, medical inaccuracies probably, as historically accurate as possible, mentions of parasites and parasitic infestations, dissociating from a pov character, unbeta’d. That’s it I think

Note: Italicized words are both Latin, and when the POV character speaks English

Word Count: 6.5k Words

Chapter One.

Playlist

Upon entering Aelius’ tent, he was quick to make his displeasure for Marianus’ decision known. You blinked rapidly when his hands clasped your wrists, his distressed face inches from yours as he lowered his voice to a whisper.

“Centurio Marianus must be mad!” A bit of anxiety crept into his edges and he cast a furtive glance outside to check if Marianus heard him. After breathing a sigh of relief, he pulled the flap shut, his mouth set in a grim line. “The emperors are— are— I cannot even say for fear of being heard, medicus. That is how bad this is.”

You felt your lips pull into a frown, the guilt on Marianus’ face making more sense by the second. “They are corrupt?”

Aelius nodded, his sweat-damp hair flopping with the motion. “More than that. They are bloodthirsty and known for their quick tempers, especially Emperor Caracalla. Do not let his appearance fool you, he is quick to demand death to those who displease him.”

History wasn’t your best subject, and while the name Caracalla was familiar, you didn’t know enough about him, or his brother, to put a name to the face, nor to their actions. All you had to go by was what Aelius said. He was one of their subjects, the average legionary. If even he had poor things to say about his emperors, spoken in whispers for fear of who could be listening, it meant their rule was certain to have spread dissent within the people.

Unbidden, a cold shiver shot up your spine. If you died in your dream, would you wake up? Or, perhaps, a more sinister fate awaited you if you let your guard down for even a second. Especially now that you knew exactly the kind of men these emperors were. A sharp stab of anger towards Marianus lanced through your chest. Putting you in such a precarious position with no choice was cruel, even if he was right that the opportunities for you in the empire were limited, to say the least. Surely, there was a better option than this.

Your terror must have shown on your face because Aelius looked both guilty and ashamed. “I apologize, I shouldn’t have frightened you like that. My worry got the better of me, it won’t happen again. I— I just do not wish to see the man who saved my life suffer a terrible fate and—” He snapped his jaw shut. “Now, I will stop. Is there anything else you wish to speak of, medicus?”

A deep inhale steadied your racing heart, and you met Aelius’ nervous eyes with a smile. “Are you having any trouble breathing? Shortness or breath, a headache, any chest pain?”

Surprise made Aelius’ eyebrows disappear into his sand-colored curls before that boyish grin spread across his face once more. “Some chest pain, though I suspect that is from the bruises you left during your procedure.” Scooting back, he sat cross legged on his bedroll. “You are very strange, medicus.”

You let out a pleased hum at Aelius’ status. Still, you intended to observe him through the night in case of any complications. “How so?”

“You are more worried about my wellbeing than your own,” Aelius responded with a shrug. “It’s odd. There are not many like that.” He tilted his head, looking off in thought. “Then again, I suppose that is what makes for a good physician.”

Heat flooded your cheeks and you gave him a bashful smile. “I try to be.”

Aelius huffed out a sigh, crossing his arms. “I apologize for bringing this up again, but this is exactly why Centurio Marianus shouldn’t hand you away to the emperors. Talent and kindness such as yours should not be wasted on those—” Swallowing his criticisms, he continued on a different tangent, “Yes, you are far too soft for the legions, and yes, you are unmistakably foreign, but there must be a better option before us…”

He was right, there must be, though whatever that option was, it escaped you. Even if Aelius helped you abscond into the night, you knew you wouldn’t be able to outrun Marianus, let alone the soldiers he was sure to send after you, likely on horseback. You frowned. That was another problem, you didn’t know how to ride a horse, so that method of locomotion was out of the question. Then, there was the issue regarding your rights as a free-man. You remembered a little bit from your ancient life classes you took in college, and most of that revolved around the fact that, until you were a citizen, any minor infraction could have you named a slave. The prospect was terrifying, even in a dream.

You blinked, remembering yourself. That was right, this was a dream, and this was the path that it wanted you to take. A physician for two Roman despots. Who were you to deny your subconscious? You would simply have to be careful to not earn the emperors ire while in their service.

“I… How quick are their tempers, Aelius?”

He stopped muttering, he had been the entire time, his Latin too quick for you to pick up, to glance up at you, his eyebrows furrowed. “Well, I have never been in the presence of either emperor personally, all I know are rumors, and the rumors are not flattering to say the least.”

Mirroring his position, you sat on the earth across from him, your eyes firmly on his. “Tell me, please. I must prepare for my future.”

Aelius let out an uncomfortable noise as he shifted in place. Unable to meet your eyes, he looked off towards the lantern that illuminated the small space. He appeared nervous, as if he was preparing for you to burst into tears.

“They say that Emperor Caracalla relishes in bloodshed, to the point of finding it sexually stimulating. His brother, Emperor Geta, has a similar thirst for blood, although not for the same reasons.” Leaning closer, Aelius brought his voice down to a barely there murmur. It was then that you became aware just how badly he stank and, despite yourself, your nose wrinkled. “I hear he knows that he and his brother are unpopular with the people and he’s terrified of losing control, so he reacts to even small infractions with the highest of punishments. You must be careful.”

You gave him a distant nod, your mind elsewhere despite his grim warning. “Why do you smell so bad?”

“Huh?” He muttered, his tanned skin becoming a shade darker as he pulled back the collar of his tunic to give himself a sniff. A grimace made his features scrunch and he gave you an apologetic smile. “Eheu, I do smell bad. I apologize, Centurio Marianus assigned me to help with the horses as punishment for what happened earlier.”

“Punishment for dying,” You deadpanned.

Aelius laughed, good natured and hearty. “I may not agree with his decision to give you to the emperors, but he is a good superior. Any other centurion would have beaten me bloody with his vitis. Many say Marianus is too soft with his men, though I would follow him into even the most hopeless of battles.”

Shoulders slumping, you felt yourself deflate. While your anger at Marianus for basically selling you off was still there, you couldn’t help but respect the man. “What is a vitis? I do not recognize the word.”

“Ah, yes, somehow, I forgot how foreign you are,” Aelius laughed, clapping you on the shoulder. “Your Latin is decent and you are civilized, you cannot fault me.” He reared back his arm and mimed hitting someone with what you assumed to be a stick or a rod. “A vitis is a staff made of grapevine that symbolizes a centurion’s authority. With it, he can discipline even citizens.”

You opened your mouth to ask if Marianus ever hit anyone, only for Aelius to quiet you with a raised finger. A boyish grin adorned his face as he began to dig through his pack to retrieve a spare tunic. It was an off white color with two complimentary red stripes down the sides. After he pulled out a belt, he handed both to you, his expression both proud and teasing.

“Put these on, medicus. Trousers are the mark of a barbarian, and while I am aware that you are civilized, the emperor's may not be. You need to make a good first impression.”

Examining the tunic, you stood and held it up to your body. Aelius was a bit broader than you, so it would be baggy, and the hemline would hit below your knees, but it would do. You gave him a grateful smile. “Thank you, you are very good to me.”

“That is unnecessary,” He said, parroting your words from earlier back at you, playfulness glinting in his honey eyes. “I am merely doing my duty.”

You gave him a swat on head, your laughter bubbling from your chest. “Turn around, soldier.”

“A modest and a shy, medicus? You are an enigma, my friend,” Aelius teased, though he readily obliged your request, giving you the privacy you desired. After you were dressed, he offered you a pair of sandals similar to his own. It was an easy pass. The shoes you currently wore, while strange to him, were made for working long hours and you would rather die than march tomorrow with no lumbar support.

The rest of the night was spent talking with Aelius. Maybe it wasn’t your smartest move to deprive yourself of sleep before what was surely going to be nearly twelve hours of walking, but you didn’t want to risk falling asleep and something going wrong with Aelius’ recovery. In solidarity, he offered to stay up with you. It was sweet, and you found yourself becoming even fonder of the man. When you awoke, you would miss him terribly, and if you were even an ounce more sentimental, you’d dare to call him a friend.

He told you about his family back home. Of his little sister who he loved dearly despite not getting to see her often since he joined the military, his matercula, a woman with a seemingly endless well of kindness at her disposal, and his pater, a former playwright of some renown who was known for his comedies. After Emperor Geta and Caracalla rose to power, at the request of his wife, he stopped taking part in theater out of fear of retribution. Unfortunately, this meant that Aelius’ pay as a soldier was most of his family’s income.

In return, you regaled him with censored tales of your life in reality. Your long hours, how your focus on your studies rendered you unable to make the connections with others that you wanted, and how your parents' iron grip on you never seemed to loosen. It was the first time in a long time that you had managed to be so candid with someone else. Honestly, it was nice. You never had much time for friendship, maybe this was your brain’s way of telling you to try harder once you woke up. You weren’t on bad terms with your peers, you could always start there. All you had to do was wake up.

It wasn’t until you heard the camp begin to stir did you realize the sun was beginning to rise. You let out a yawn and stretched your arms over your head.

“What I wouldn’t give for a cup of coffee right now,” You muttered as Aelius began to pack up his belongings in preparation for taking down the tent.

“Coffee?” The English sounded strange coming from him, an accent you couldn’t quite place draping itself around the word. He finished rolling up his bedroll and put out the lantern before shooing you out of the flap. “What a strange word. What is it?”

“It is…” You trailed off, thinking of the best way to explain. “A dark, bitter drink that energizes you upon consumption. If you are tired, all you have to do is finish a cup, and you will be awake as if you were well rested.”

Aelius chuckled, and you watched as he expertly took down the tent and rolled it into a small enough fold to place in his marching pack. Around you, other men did the same, in various states of completion. Once he was done, he straightened and handed you a waterskin. “Will posca do, medicus?”

“What is posca?” Marianus had mentioned it was what most soldiers drank and was on par with boiling water — even if you didn’t quite believe that — though you didn’t have a chance to ask what it was. With a curious sniff, you recognized the sharp smell of vinegar emanating from the waterskin.

“It’s a mix of water and wine vinegar. Sometimes, if I have it, I mix in some honey.” With a hand between your shoulder blades, he hefted his pack higher onto his back and began to lead you elsewhere. “The vinegar helps purify the water.”

You tied the waterskin back on Aelius’ marching pack without taking a sip. “I can see the benefits. The vitamins would help prevent scurvy and if I recall correctly, vinegar has antimicrobial properties. However—“ With your hands on your hips, you gave him a disapproving glare “— It does not protect against parasites. You must be full of worms! I insist that from now on, you only drink boiled water, Aelius.”

Aelius raised a teasing eyebrow. “That is not where worms come from, even I know this, medicus.”

“Where do they come from then, dominus?”

At the sarcastic honorific, a sharp bark of a laugh echoed through the open air. Aelius shook his head with a smile. “You get worms if there is too much food in your belly and it begins to rot.”

“Wrong!” You exclaimed. “You get worms from drinking dirty water, coming in contact with infested fecal matter, or eating raw meat. That is only to name a few.”

“… Are you certain?” His brows were furrowed and his lips were pursed into a thin line. Uncomfortable, he cast a glance at his waterskin hanging off his pack behind him.

You gave him a firm nod. “Absolutely. I would not lie to you. Boil water if you have the time.”

Aelius let out a huff. “If you hadn’t saved my life, I would think you were speaking nonsense. I will take your advice. Unfortunately, we do not have time to boil any water before we begin our march, so posca will have to do.”

“I’m not drinking that,” You said, firm in your decision. Dream or not, you would not be besieged by worms. Given how vivid and realistic everything had been so far, you wouldn’t put it past your subconscious to give you a whipworm infestation.

Aelius only shrugged in response, a knowing glint in his eyes. Whatever he was thinking he kept to himself, continuing to follow his fellow men towards the horses where Marianus was sure to be waiting.

As the sun began to rise, you and the rest of the century continued your slow, miserable trek to Rome. Once the two of you caught up to Marianus, he informed you that he sent a carrier pigeon to the emperors, warning them of your arrival. Apparently, he told them that you were a physician who could bring the dead back to life. Fantastic.

Marianus defended this decision by insisting that you needed to play to your strengths, and Aelius was clinically dead when he was pulled from the water. You weren’t the only one to check his pulse, you merely happened to be the one to bring him back. Your only response was a tired grimace as you turned back towards the horizon as you prayed for a pair of sunglasses to fall out of the sky. If the heat didn’t kill you, the glare was sure to blind you. Your mother would call you dramatic if she was here, but she wasn’t, so dramatic you would be.

It must have been summer because the sun was oppressive and unforgiving. You let out a low groan as a bead of sweat trickled down the side of your nose. Now that it was afternoon, the heat was unbearable, and you were still a few hours out from the city. Though you had refused the posca Aelius offered you over the course of the march, you were so dehydrated, you were considering the worms to be worth it if only to cure your horrible dry mouth.

Earlier in the day, you had checked on your patients, who were being transported together in a horse drawn cart. Unfortunately, the man with dysentery died in the night, something you felt immense guilt for. You shouldn’t have been talking to Aelius, not when there was a man who needed you. While you knew that Marianus would have dragged you back to the tent, kicking and screaming, as soon as he caught wind you were working again, that didn’t mean you should not have tried. The veterinarius assured you he lasted longer than expected under your recommended treatment. You couldn’t help but let out a frustrated noise. If you had access to more modern supplies and medication, you would have been able to save him.

Thankfully, your other patients were doing well. The maggots had eaten a majority of the necrotic flesh on the man you were most worried about. After removing most of the maggots, but leaving a few to eat what dead tissue remained, you gave the man with a fever another ibuprofen and hoped he’d receive better care in the city. For now, you had to keep his body from cooking him alive.

Unfortunately, though, you were exhausted, even more so than before. Coupled with the heat, your headache was bordering on unbearable. Aelius had slowed down significantly to keep in time with your dragging steps, and you couldn’t help but glare at him out of the corner of your eye. He was practically skipping. How was he not suffering as much as you were? You both pulled an all-nighter. Maybe it was because he was keeping hydrated with his evil worm juice. You licked your chapped lips at the thought.

Damn this dream, damn it all to hell.

After ten more minutes of walking, you said fuck it, and climbed into the cart carrying the sick and injured. At this point, you were sure to be so dehydrated, you were considered one of their kind. Flopping face first into the hot wood, you only closed your eyes for a moment before the world faded to black.

What woke you wasn’t the furious snapping by the side of your head, nor Aelius’ frantic shaking of your shoulder. It was the stench. The smell of sweat mingled with incense, and strangely enough, piss, mingled to create the tragic symphony of stimuli that accosted you. Jolting upwards, the top of your head nearly slammed into Aelius’ nose. You blinked wildly at the sight in front of you. If you didn’t already know you were dreaming, you would be certain of it now.

Before you was a bustling city, but like none you had ever seen. People in unfamiliar clothes, mostly tunics on men and long dresses on women — stolae you recognized distantly — all in a multitude of bright shades danced around your cart. Some shot dirty looks at you, and the horses leading you onwards, for taking up half the road. With wild eyes, you took in the beautiful, but strange architecture that surrounded you. Once before, in reality, you had visited Rome, and even then the remaining ancient structures drew your awe. Now, though, they left you speechless. You had to crane your neck as you passed by the colosseum to see the top. Statues sat between arches, almost judging your humble nature, stared down from above. You squeezed your eyes shut. To keep from becoming hysterical, you fixated your gaze on the bottom of the cart. It was plain, like you. A comrade in arms, you supposed

There were two unfamiliar men driving the cart now, and the only people in the back with you were Aelius and Marianus. A flick to your cheek drew your attention elsewhere.

“Boiled water, just for the spoiled medicus.” Though Marianus was frowning, his words lacked any real heat. He handed you a small tin pot full of water. Greedily, you chugged the contents faster than you would recommend for one of your patients. Whatever, you were never good at taking your own advice.

“Where are we?” You mumbled, a part of you still stunned by the sights around you. “When did you find the time to boil this?”

Aelius laughed and wrapped an arm around you. You noticed he was in his armor now, the sharp edges digging into your side. “We are in the City, my friend. Marianus had some boiled when we arrived on the outskirts. That is where the rest of our men are camped, waiting for the rest of the legion to arrive from up north.”

You cast a glance at the men driving the cart. They had their backs to you, crimson armor glowing in the afternoon sun. “Who are they?”

“Two of the Praetorian Guard. The emperors sent them to escort us,” Marianus muttered under his breath, his mouth set into a stern frown. “Best behavior from here on out, medicus.”

“Explains the dirty looks, doesn’t it?” Aelius joked only to snap his jaw shut after a withering glare from Marianus.

Dread squirmed in the pit of your gut the closer you got to Palatine Hill, and subsequently, the emperors themselves. These were the men Aelius warned you about, the men that even Marianus felt guilt for handing you over to. As far as they knew, you were a magician capable of necromancy, or at least that was what your heat-addled brain supplied. You knew that CPR was a valid technique for saving someone’s life, and you knew how exactly it worked. The average Roman — though, twin emperors were nowhere near what you would consider the average Roman — wouldn’t know any of that. You were lucky Marianus didn’t order you dead to begin with.

Uncomfortable, you clutched your duffle bag to your chest. You were thankful Aelius thought to bring it, you had all of your supplies in there. If the emperors didn’t order you to be executed where you stood, you would need your stethoscope and sphygmomanometer to perform a basic checkup on them. Clenching your jaw, you shook your head to clear your anxiety. Focus on the brightest outcome and how to get there, you told yourself. You must remain optimistic.

For a realist, such as yourself, that was easier said than done.

When you looked up, Aelius offered you a reassuring smile, though it was strained at the edges. You returned it, your own wobbly and unconvincing. He squeezed you tighter against his side in an effort to comfort you before allowing his hand to drop. Sitting on the edge of the wagon, Marianus kept his eyes focused on the horizon, waiting for the palace to come into view. Almost on cue, you saw it off in the distance, both elegant and imposing, growing closer with each passing second. Oh, how you wanted to run away. The muscles in your legs clenched as if to prepare for such a fate, even if you would never dare to give into the urge.

You were about to enter the lion’s den. Or, perhaps the wolf's den was more fitting. Romulus and Remus were twins too, after all.

The flow of time was always strange for you, especially in times of high stress. You seemed to have a knack for gliding through life, working on autopilot as your brain fogged over into nothingness. Thankfully, this never happened at work. That wasn’t the kind of stress that got to you. Having another’s life in your hands helped ground you. Your own, on the other hand, that was when you shut down. The world blurred at the edges becoming fuzzy, almost like television static.

Distantly, you recognized Marianus informing you that you had arrived. It felt as though you were moving through water as you climbed out of the cart, your duffle bag hanging on your shoulder. Aelius must have noticed you were off. Instead of wondering what he was whispering to Marianus, you stared off at a fixed point in the distance.

A hand on the back of your neck startled you. “Fix yourself, medicus. We need you at your best.”

“I know,” You muttered.

You weren’t an idiot, you knew what this was. Dissociation was a habit your brain always latched onto in the worst of times. As you walked down the opulent halls, led forward by the praetorians, you did your usual techniques in an effort to calm yourself. It was strange, grounding yourself in a dream rather than reality, but it, thankfully, worked the same. Five things you could see — the marble columns, a bust of a man you didn’t recognize, a beautiful tapestry hanging upon the wall, a peacock parading about in the gardens outside, and Aelius’ concerned expression — four things you could hear — the patter of feet on marble, slaves whispering amongst themselves as they watched you pass, the sound of birdsong, and Marianus’ pointed ‘ahem’ — three things you could touch — the rough strap of your duffle bag, the hair on Aelius’ arm, and your own skin — two things you could smell — cooking pastries carried on the wind and incense, perhaps frankincense — one thing you could taste — the bitter tang of your own fear. It was simple enough. By the time you raised your gaze from your feet to catch a glimpse of fiery red sitting atop two thrones, you were nearly back to normal. There was still a bit of distortion in your vision, and for a moment, you realized that it had been like that for a while now.

Before you were able to assess that thought, Marianus bowed his head. You didn’t have a chance to see who he was bowing to. On instinct, you followed suit, your fingers clutching the strap of your duffle tight enough for your knuckles to go white.

“Caesarēs,” Marianus said.

Out of the corner of your eye, you watched him, only lifting your head when he did. Upon two twin thrones sat two twin emperors, both with hair bright as a sunrise behind their golden laurels. One was taller, sitting straight backed with one leg crossed over the other, twisting a ring on his finger as he examined you. There was a paranoid air about him, as if the three of you were vipers he had noticed at the last second. The other looked completely disinterested in the entire ordeal, one leg up on his throne, the other outstretched in front of him as he rested his head on his fist. They were both wearing makeup with enough pale foundation for it to look cakey, but where one had kohl rimmed eyes, the other had doll-like blush adorning his cheeks. Their clothes were ornate and the gold that hung from their ears and around their neck clacked together with each minute movement.

“Centurion,” The one with kohl around his eyes stated as he stood, his gaze trained on you. More specifically your hair before darting to your shoes, his lips pursed into a thin line. “You are Lucius Marianus and this is the physician you brought us.” He stopped in front of you and you noticed his jaw was clenched so tight, a muscle in his cheek jumped. “The one who can bring the dead back to life.”

That got the other emperor’s attention. He perked up and you fought the urge to shiver under their dual stares.

To his credit, Marianus did not cow under the intimidation. “Yes, Emperor Geta. I witnessed the procedure myself along with a handful of my men. I can give you their names if you would like their secondhand accounts.”

So, the tall one was Geta. That meant the little one who was staring at you with a predatory smile was Caracalla. Your duffle bag was sliding off your shoulder, but you didn’t dare heft it any higher. You felt as though you were in the presence of a tiger about to pounce. The slightest movement would send either emperor on the offensive, and you really didn’t want to deal with that.

Geta’s pupils slid from Marianus, to you, before landing on Aelius, who visibly flinched under his stare. This seemed to please Geta, his lips twitched upwards ever so slightly. “And this is the so-called ‘man who died?’ I am sure you and the witnesses are from the same century, no less.” He sighed and took a few steps backwards, examining all three of you with his hands behind his back. “A century can be a very tight knit band of men, though I’m sure you already know this, centurion. They can be coerced to lie if their superior orders it.”

“It is no lie, Emperor,” Marianus replied, voice steady.

Caracalla spoke up for the first time, his voice a high-pitched rasp, “Perhaps a demonstration is in order, brother.”

“Yes, a demonstration of your skill, medicus.” Geta snapped his fingers and a praetorian stepped forward, his hand on the hilt of his gladius. “I will have the centurion’s throat slit and you will prove to me that you can truly bring the dead back to life.”

“Wh- What?” Dumbfounded, you weren’t able to keep yourself from muttering in English. Marianus tensed, his mouth open to speak, though no words came out. Beside you, Aelius looked horrified, his face three shades paler than before. It took the praetorian unsheathing his blade for you to find your voice again. “Caesar, no, wait! That is not how the procedure works! If you slit his throat, I will not be able to save him without surgery!”

Geta raised an eyebrow, but before he could speak, Caracalla let out a sharp laugh. “Your accent is repulsive, foreigner. You speak Latin as a child would.” He grinned at you, blue eyes narrowed in cruel amusement. “See-zer. How ridiculous. Speak again, medicus, I want to hear more of your foolish words.”

“Yes, speak.” Geta was fidgeting with his ring again. He seemed to realize this, folding his hands behind his back, his eyes like coal. “Tell us how this procedure works then.”

“It- It, uh…” Licking your dry lips, you cast a glance at Marianus for support.

“Eyes on me, foreigner!” Geta barked. Your head snapped back to him, eyes wide and terrified.

“I apologize, I—”

“I did not ask for an apology, I asked for an explanation. Now, will you give me one, or must I have these men killed for you to find your tongue?”

A bit of cold sweat trailed down the back of your neck. It took everything you had to meet Geta’s gaze. “It’s a procedure called cardiopulmonary resuscitation. It works best on drowning victims and those who are suffering from heart problems. With your hands, you manually beat their heart, and with your mouth, you blow air into their lungs. If there is a wound, a disease, or some other problem that caused death—” You couldn’t believe you were relying on the metaphysical to explain this. What would your professors say? “— Then the spirit, no matter how strong, cannot return to the body as it has been deemed uninhabitable.”

While Geta seemed satisfied by your explanation, Caracalla was visibly disappointed. He turned his hunter’s eyes from you to Aelius. “And you, soldier. You are the one who died?”

“Yes, Caesar.” Unlike Marianus, Aelius was unable to keep the tremor from his voice. If you weren’t so close to Geta, you would have missed the pleased puff of air from his nose.

“Tell me,” Caracalla began, his grin growing wide enough to show off his singular gold tooth. “What was it like to die?”

“I do not rem— remember much. It was cold and dark, it felt as though I was both asleep and awake at the same time. I could have sworn I heard the ferryman approaching before suddenly I was… torn into awareness, my chest aching fiercely.” Gentle, he placed his hand against his chest. You were thankful you didn’t break any ribs. Once you had a moment away, you wanted to check over his bruises once more.

A strangely disappointed frown pulled at Caracalla’s lips. “That is it? No agony? No sorrow?”

“No, emperor, I felt calm. At peace, even.”

With an annoyed huff, Caracalla turned away, clearly done with the conversation. That left room for Geta to turn his attention back on you. “Where are you from, medicus? I had assumed you would be Greek considering your occupation, but I don’t recognize your accent.”

“Our last physician was Greek,” Caracalla piped up, eyeing your hair with interest. “He did not last long.”

“I- I am from…” What did you say? You couldn’t tell them that this was a dream, and saying you were from the future felt like a quick way to get killed. After a moment, you decided to rehash what you told Marianus. “I am from a country far across the western sea. It is large and civilized, much like Rome, th— though I am very impressed with what I have seen of your Empire. It’s beautiful, unlike anything I have ever seen before.”

The compliment made Geta’s chest puff out, no small amount of pride creeping into his features. “Yes, the Empire prospers under our rule.” It didn’t take long for him to remember himself, his expression steeling over once more. “I have never heard of a country to the west. Why is that? Why are you the first visitor I have ever heard of?”

“We are…” You didn’t know the Latin word for ‘isolationist,’ which left you floundering. “Our government likes us to be alone and not interact with other countries. We are not allowed to leave and no one is allowed in. I cannot return now that I am in Rome.”

“A shame,” Geta hummed, looking pleased. “And without citizenship, your options are limited.” Slow and predatory, he began to circle you. “Are you aware that an emperor is capable of granting citizenship?”

Shifting uncomfortably from foot to foot, you gave up on trying to keep him in your line of sight. With him behind you, goosebumps crept up your arms. “I assumed so.”

In front of you again, Geta ceased his circling. He seemed to have come to a decision. A flash of anger flickered over his face before it became stony once more, his hands clenched into tight fists behind his sides. “You will be the new imperial physician. If you serve me and my brother well, perhaps I will grant you citizenship.”

“And the reward I mentioned in my letter?” Marianus spoke for the first time in what felt like hours.

When Geta took his focus off you, a part of you relaxed. You couldn’t imagine being under either man’s piercing eyes for the foreseeable future without popping a blood vessel. “Yes, your men will be given respite before their next assignment. You, however, will remain here with this man.”

Marianus opened his mouth, probably to protest, before he thought better of it and clamped his jaw shut. “Yes, Caesar.”

“Physician,” Geta said, his voice sharp. “If you fail us in any way, you and these men will die. If you try to harm us in any way, you and these men will die. Am I understood?”

“Y— Yes, Caesar,” Was all you managed. Your heart thudded an angry rhythm in your chest. Having your own life forfeit was one thing, being responsible for two others, while familiar, was no less terrifying. It helped your mind sharpen, however. While you understood the human body innately, these games you would have to play with the emperors were new to you.

“Kai-sar,” Geta corrected through clenched teeth.

“No, don’t correct him, brother, I quite like his accent. It grows on me like maggots on a wound,” Caracalla laughed. It was squeaky and high pitched, almost mousy in tone if not for the harsh edge. With two fingers, he gestured for you to come to him. “Come here, medicus.”

It took everything in your power not to look at Marianus for permission. That had irritated Geta before, and with Aelius’ warnings ringing in your head about Caracalla, you would rather not earn his wrath either. Especially now that you knew it wasn’t only your life on the line. Cautiously, you took a few steps forward.

“Closer,” Caracalla intoned as he leaned forward in his throne.

With nervous, shuffling movements, you obeyed.

“Lean down.”

Your fingers twitched in front of your chest as you leaned down to be eye level with Caracalla, not even a foot away from him. In a blur of red, he lunged forward and grabbed a fistful of your hair, giving it a harsh yank. A scandalized yelp tore from your throat and you stumbled backwards as far as you could get the second he let go. It didn’t hurt too bad, but it was enough to startle you. When you looked up, he held a few wispy strands of green hair in his closed fist.

Caracalla let out a mean laugh. “His hair is real, brother. I knew it! Tell me, medicus, is that shade natural where you’re from.”

“I dyed it,” As hard as you tried to keep the annoyance from your tone, you failed miserably. To soothe the pain Caracalla left behind, you rubbed your knuckles against your aching scalp.

Geta looked amused at your expense, the harsh lines of his face softening once his brother was in view. Caracalla was oblivious to this change, his attention focused solely on you. “What is your name?”

When you told him your name, his nose scrunched up in disgust. “What a horrible noise. I refuse to call you that.” Caracalla turned to Geta, his hand lazily cradling his cheek as he rested his elbow upon his throne. “Brother, any ideas? Perhaps, viridans?”

Geta hummed, deep in thought. Given the speed at which he answered, it sounded as if whatever name he intended to give you had been on his mind since he met you. “Alga.”

In response, Caracalla let out another hyena-esque giggle, clapping his hands together with glee. “Yes, yes, Alga is perfect, brother!” Without missing a beat, he turned to you, gold tooth glowing in the sunset with the rest of his jewelry. “You are Alga, now, physician. We expect you to answer to it.”

Your mouth pressed into a thin line. It was the only sign of your displeasure you would let show. The emperors seemed to think of you as a stray dog or a new toy that they could tease and name as they saw fit. For as much as it irritated you, you had enough self preservation to let it go.

“Of course, Caesarēs.”

And just like that, you could practically hear the bars to your gilded cage lock shut.

A/N: Yayyyyyyy, chapter two is done. I am so, so worried that Geta and Caracalla are OOC or their dialogue seems off. Fuck it, we ball. I hope I was able to get it across well, but Geta is playing 5d chess with everyone in his head because he’s convinced Marianus and company are all traitors and spies. The only reason he agreed to let them become a physician was to catch them in the act and then make an example out of all three of them. In his defense, bringing someone back to life doesn’t seem very plausible. Caracalla, on the other hand, is too busy being like ‘tralalalala’ to keep up with the Kira Deathnote levels of insanity Geta is on.

Also, in case you missed it in the last authors note, ‘alga’ means ‘seaweed’ or ‘something of little worth’ in Latin. Those two are pricks with a capital ‘P’ let me tell you.

Oh, BTW, if you noticed that yn’s dialogue is stilted or weird in some placed, that’s on purpose! I’m trying to mimic the eay they sound speaking Latin, as it’s not theie first language and they are rather clumsy with it.

Anyway, thanks for reading!!! Comments mean so much to me btw, I love feedback. I need it to survive. And, if you have any questions about the Latin or cultural stuff, PLEASE ask, I would love to tell you. Yayyyyyy, that’s it, love you, bye!!!

Taglist: @snazzynacho @t6gse370

[thatfreshi]

I Want to Mean It - Astarion x Reader

Your wedding is fast approaching, and you have one last preparation to make.

Recommended Song: Sick of Losing Soulmates - Dodie

You and Astarion are set to get married tomorrow evening. After nautiloid crashes and illithid parasites, you never really thought you'd get to do some romantic ritual like this. After all, both of you should have been long gone by now, yet Lady Luck stuck around.

Despite how soon the ceremony is, you've been quite busy working with Gale, who just so happens to be your best man. A powerful wizard like that is good to have on your side, especially when marrying a vampire. After yet another long day of perfecting spells and testing magical methods, you return home to your lover, who is making last-minute stitches into his wedding outfit.

"If it isn't my soon-to-be spouse, come here my love."

Despite his cold skin, it's a warm embrace. You're tense though, and he can sense it.

"What's the matter darling?"

You try to swallow the nervousness, but it sticks in your throat.

"I'm sorry I've been so busy this week. I just wanted to make sure everything was perfect for us."

"Why of course. It has to be a night to remember after all. Wouldn't be our wedding if it wasn't."

You go to grab something out of your pocket, wrapping your hand around a small vial, almost shattering the glass with your grasp.

"What have we here?"

He slips his hand past yours, easily removing the vial from your hand. To his surprise, it's empty. There is a slight coating of what used to be a liquid inside.

"Astarion, I love you so, so much."

He investigates the vial further, almost ignoring your sentence.

"Well of course my love, I know that."

He uncorks the vial, and is immediately hit with a sickeningly sweet smell, a scent he can't quite place.

"My god, what is this. Or better yet, what was this?"

You're shaking, unsure of what he'll say if you tell him. Instead, you move to your other pocket and grab a rolled-up piece of paper from Gale's journal. Putting it in his pale hand, you go to sit on the bed, head in your hands. He begins reading.

"On the sixth day of attempting to perfect my spell, I have confirmed the following:

It was successful

The research I found was accurate and correctly documented

The subject has gained immortality."

There is more listed below, but he doesn't read it.

"Tav, you idiot. You absolute fool I-"

Astarion is unable to speak, both dumbfounded and emotional.

"Ambrosia, you're playing dangerous games. Games you don't know the rules to."

He's angry, you expected him to be. As someone who has lived for centuries, he knows what you've asked for, what you've done. Ambrosia, a liquid of pure joy, one of the only things that can grant immortality. You spoke to Gale for weeks on end, trying to figure out the safest way to live forever. Turns out, there are very few, and this one was quite difficult to perform.

"Astarion I-"

"No, we have to reverse it, we have to go to him right now and figure out how to stop this."

"Aster, my love, you know as well as I do that's not possible."

"Well damn it he'll make it possible!"

You shudder a little. He doesn't raise his voice often, usually only ever out of fear. Then the tears roll.

"Why would you do this to yourself."

You get up from the bed and wrap your arms around his shoulders. He turns away, almost as if he's ashamed of your choice.

"Because when we say our vows tomorrow, and I tell you I want to be yours forever, I want to mean it."

You begin to sob too, not out of fear, but out of how much you love this man. Years ago you never would've drunk something like Ambrosia, you never would've asked to live forever.

"But you'll be stuck with me forever. Hells, I'm stuck with me forever and sometimes I wish I wasn't."

You don't know what to say, how to tell him you knew this was right, how you and Gale fought about what you were asking for, how he said that Astarion would react this way. While you try to gather the words, he turns to look at you again, still overwhelmed by this information.

"What if... what if you get sick of me?"

You wipe a tear away from his eye, and give him a bittersweet smile.

"You know damn well we're already sick of each other."

You chuckle, he does too.

"You should've told me."

"Well, I wanted my wedding gift to be a surprise."

While the mood lightens, he loses some of the tension, all of the anger dissipates. He realizes he's not alone anymore, that he won't have to watch you pass on into the afterlife without him.

"Well, it's a phenomenal gift my sweet."

You both become enraptured in a deep kiss, something ravenous behind his lips, something relieved in his heart. That kiss multiplies, until you're both out of breath.

"Save some of that for after the ceremony dear."

You wink at him, and you both burst out laughing. The hysteria in the air, it's something you've never quite felt before, and you'd get every chance to feel it again, alongside with Astarion, and you realize you've never felt more sure about anything in your life. This is one decision you'll never question, as long as he's yours, and you are his.

[echooefrost]

TGS MEDIEVAL AU :0

Is this Historically accurate? no. Does that matter? no.

Alright, This is gonna be a lot, so thou shalt be warned

In the Au, Robert is a prince and Lanyon Sr. is the King, they rule over a small kindom somewhere in England - name TBA (so not like real monarchies which rule over entire countries etc.) The premise is basically; The Lanyon's personal/private doctor recently passed away so they call in a new doctor/chemist from Scotland - did you guess? yep, It's Jekyll. Hyde exists before Henry/Edward meets Robert (I haven't worked out the exact logistics about it yet, but I will) Jekyll/Hyde are more Chemists/Alchemists than Doctors but they are both still very good doctors regardless (so they don't really wear the 'plague mask' thing) I aged only Jekyll, Hyde and Lanyon down to about their early 20's so it matches around the original timing of when J&H met Robert in TGS. There are other smaller reasons but they aren't to important, all you need to know is that it doesn't really change anything

Lanyon is betrothed to Everly from a neighbouring kingdom -this is where it differs slightly from TGS, it's a political marriage not a lavender marriage. Neither Robert nor Everly are happy about this however, they are both only children in royalty so they don't really have an option.

Hyde is essentially the local gremlin that has in-built eyebags and a sense to sell you things not very discreetly that he probably shouldn't be selling. His Cape is comedically large and has a very extensive collection of illegal powders, drugs, and other nefarious items. Almost everybody knows Hyde becasue at some point they have all needed some rare item from him. - this is where the blackfog comes in (yes it exists!) the Blackfog is basically the same but Hyde really wants to go so he can buy/sell lots of items for his little side-business he has going on, however Lanyon Sr. is opposed to it and it's existence because well... illegal.

*Hyde also goes by: The Spirit of [insert Kingdom's name] at night (soooooo original, ik)

Jekyll stays pretty much the same, He really cares about his reputation so he can move up on the social ladder and create his own Science business at some point, and I mean he doesn't want to make a fool of himself in front of the King of all people, that wouldn't be a very good look, would it?

In this universe, The lodgers are all citizens of the small kingdom and they all sort of have different occupations/roles in the town. They can't all be scientists, but do not fear because they still as equally crazy and chaotic as before. Rachel is the Lanyon's personal chef but she also helps run the bakery in town with Mr. Doddle. Jasper looks after most of the animals and creatures in the kingdom, he used to be a farmer but moved to get away from home. I am yet to work out how Jekyll and Jaspers relationship dynamic stays the same in this universe but I will figure something out.

There is A LOT of Jekyon and Lanyde going on here, so I've got something for everyone, (there may or may not be a masquerade at some point...) and it's not just centred around romance, there is lots of other plot stuff happening so do not fear my ace/aro friends (or just people who aren't a fan of romance)!

That's most of it for now... I'll draw some more stuff at some point and give some extra details, If you have any questions please ask (my asks are open) I'd love to hear from you all!!! Don't be afraid to offer any suggestions or other criticisms. Maybe I'll write a fanfic one day who knows, we will see.

Thanks for listening to my rant (*^▽^*)

*Footnote - I don't think you guys realise how hard it was to make hyde not look like either A.) a fucking elf or B.) Link. Did I succeed? not sure.

[wayfayrr]

Here is the menace with your chosen word Farewell. So gather 'round, sit back, relax and please stay in your seat. Kick your feet up and grab some popcorn. Oh, and of course, lest we not forget, enjoy the show.

Now here is a Reader, that one of the boys is looking for, what seems like for millennias. This is Navi!Reader.

Instead of Navi, Time called them Reader.

They have blue wings and they change colour depending on their emotions.

Their glow also changes it's colour depending on their emotion.

Red is anger/ worried.

Yellow is focused/ determined.

Green is happy/ sick (like when you spin to often).

White is fear.

Blue is calm.

Pink is embarrassed/ flustered.

With that they are one of the very few fairies that doesn't have white wings and glow pink. And now the only one.

Beneath the light Reader wears a blue toga with green ends and a Sakura petal pattern, that petals 🌸, with golden a vein-like belt and pair of shoes, which looks more like an accessory than shoes.

They are the last fairy of the Kokiri and knows what happened to them.

They also saw how the Kroks came to life.

They hide inside the Deku Tree since they left Time as a child.

Sage found them as he slept inside the Deku Tree, since then he always has them around.

They call him "my little Zonai".

He knows that they went through something horrible and they told him about the time travels, the Kokiri, the Kroks. But they left Time out, as he maybe wanted to keep his privacy.

They feel incredibly guilty for leaving Time behind, but they had to.

If they wouldn't come back to the Deku Tree after their purpose was fulfilled they would've died in Time's hands.

I'd like to believe that Reader is Time's first love. He only got along with Saria for as long as he can remember, but then there comes Reader. His very own Fairy the very thing that caused him of being an outcast as he didn't had one.

Since then Reader was with him, nevermind if it was underwater or in a volcano. Reader was by his side and is the only one who REALLY knows how Time feels as they also got kicked back in time before Ganondorf attacked.

Reader was his partner, friend and guide. They teached him how to hold the sword and shield properly. They told him about the monsters around him and how to kill them easily or their weaknesses or helped him focus by flying around the monster's weak points. So he can kill them easier or that his shot is more accurate.

As a fairy they are immortal as long as they have a purpose they don't die beyond the borders of the Lost Woods, if their purpose allows them to cross it.

They love sweets and kinda act like a hummingbird as they normally ate/ drank(?) sweet nectar from the forest flowers.

They are scared of Skulltulas and they got stuck in their webs a few times in the Forest Temple and the old Deku Tree.

Time was their very first friend and so they always hope that he lives a good life.

If anyone would've told them that he went into the Lost Woods to look for them. They would be happy and disappointed as they don't want him to hold onto them.

They were his mouth for the first instances as he was too overwhelmed with everything, from being destined to purge the evil to stepping outside of the forest. He was just shy at first as he never met adults so they talked for him until he got the courage to do it himself!

They call him "my Kokiri".

Their Song is "Airplanes" from BOB feat Hayley Williams and Eminem.

How they met/reunited.

Reader's PoV:

I flew around searching that idiot who put me in a bottle! I flew around and saw him, Link. I was seeing red and completely disregarded the group that was talking to him.

„YOU IDIOT LINK! I APPRECIATE YOUR CONCERN BUT DON'T PUT ME IN A BOTTLE!! I ALMOST DIED AS IT SHATTERED!! I AM IMMORTAL BUT THAT ONLY MEANS THAT I CAN'T DIE OF AGE NOT INJURIES!! YOU IDIOT! MORON!! FOOL!!!“ I stomped with my foot the air in anger and he looked at me surprised and shocked.

„Sorry? But how should I protect you?! You are a frail and tiny fairy!! I thought you are safe in there!!“

„I WAS WITH ONE HERO ALREADY!! I WAS WITH HIM THROUGH HIS WHOLE JOURNEY!!! I KNOW, HOW TO DODGE ATTACKS AND AVOID MONSTERS!!! I DID IT MULTIPLE TIMES!! YES, I'M SMALL BUT DOESN'T MEAN I'M HELPLESS, LINK!!!“ I screamed at him but he didn't budge.

„But you don't know how the monsters here are you hid inside the Deku Tree for millennias! You saw more of the changes of Hyrule than all of Hyrule together! And You where only inside the Lost Woods! In your little house!!“

„Uhm... Excuse me?“ Our heads snap to the interrupting Hylian and screamed unison.

„WHAT?! DON'T JUST INTERRUPT OUR CONVERSATION!!“ but the Hylian just looked at me.

„Reader, is that you?“ he came nearer to us.

„That's my name how do you know... Wait a minute...“ I flew around him and his eyes looked so hopeful and scared at the same time.

But this sparkles in his eyes as he looked at me. I immediately knew who it was and hugged his cheek.

„Link?! The little Link!? My Kokiri!!“ he held his hands carefully around me, in fear to hurt me or that I will disappear any second.

„Reader it's really you! I thought, I will never see you again!“

„Me neither. As my purpose was fulfilled, I had to go back to the Woods or I would've died in your little hands and I didn't want that! So how have you been? You look so tall compared from the last time I saw you and I see you have sons! Many of them.“ one of the hero's children spit out his water or whatever he was drinking and was coughing roughly.

„They are not my children, Reader! Twilight is my descendant but the others aren't mine.“

„Twilight? You were never good with name giving were you?“ I shook my head disapprovingly.

„It's not like that! We all are called Link and Twilight is the Hero of Twilight that's why he has that nickname!“

„Ohhh... Sorry, just thought as they look a bit like you, especially the young one, his eyes promise that he is a gremlin like you.“ the man before me began to blush.

„Stop that!“

„Wait! You were with Time as he was child?“ asked one of the boys, he had a white cape with the Master Sword on his back.

„Well, kind of. I heard much about him from other fairies but also witnessed it myself. I was with that little Kokiri since the beginning of his journey and travelled through time with him.“ I looked at my now hero who looked shocked at me.

„You never told me, you were the guide of the Hero of Time!“ I tilted my head.

„Well, I wanted to respect Link's privacy and I was confused as I didn't know if you knew him as the Hero of Time or not. As we got send back in time and it was before Ganondorf tried to get the Triforce. So I didn't know how to explain that part very well. I'm really sorry, my little Zonai!“ I flew towards the young man with difficulty as my Kokiri didn't want to let me go but he just hugged me.

„I'm not mad and never would be. You've been through so much so I forgive now come we have to go. Hyrule doesn't save itself.“ he smiled something he did very rarely nowadays but it seem off like their was something sinister and possessive behind it. But my purpose was to travel with him and help him open his heart!

„Okay... See you again my Kokiri. I'm sure of it and it was a pleasure to met the other heroes and your descendant!“ I waved with a green yellow glow before following my Zonai who walked away but I didn't see his smug smirk or the glare that Kokiri gave the Zonai.

After the Zonai defeated the Demon Dragon I was about to fly back to the Deku Tree as my purpose was fulfilled but Link put me into a bottle again.

„Link! Let Me Out!!“

„I can't do that you will leave me again!!“

„Please! I have to go back to the Woods! You can visit me but please let me go!!!“ I sounded desperate as I felt my strength dwindling.

„NO! I WANT YOU WITH ME!! YOU WERE WITH ME!!!“

„This time you don't pack up and leave like back then Reader! I should have put you in a bottle back then.“ My Kokiri... His voice sounded so stern...

My consciousness disappeared more and more that I would wake up and fall back in the black every now and then.

„Reader...?“ I didn't know who spoke but it was like I could hear the bottle opening but I already lied there on the bottom of the bottle I was to weak.

I only felt how I fell out of the bottle into a hand. „Woods... I... Need... To... The... Woods...“ I whispered and suddenly I hear the two which normally fought the most running for their or my life.

Then I got snatched into the hand of another hero he gave me sugar water but that only kept me alive for a little while longer. Then he took of running again. He was definitely faster than the other two. But I didn't know if we could make it to the Lost Woods in time. Then I felt the familiar fog around me and I got my strength back.

„Ah... You came back, my child of the past.“ I sat up in the hands and looked at the Great Deku Tree.

„Sorry... For the delay... Had some... Challenges to conquer...“ I breathed in and out before turning to my hero, which was the Hero of Legends.

I kissed his cheek before circling around him. „Thank you! You are my hero!! If you wouldn't got me here, I would have died!!“

He got little red in embarrassment as the heroes didn't get much gratitude and appreciation but he nodded. So I flew to the Deku Tree.

„Purpose fulfilled, Great Deku Tree. The evil was purged and the hero is save and sound with the princess! So mission was successfully accomplished!!“ I said cheerfully.

„Can I ask something?“ said the hero.

„Of course, young hero. What can I do for you?“

„Is it possible that Reader can come with us? They know more about the shadow than any of us. They just have to see him and know as what he is hiding. We really need that help.“

„I understand. Reader get the light.“

„Really but Deku Tree that should be kept hidden until the world needs it again!“ I called out to him.

„I know young one, but you are the only being here old enough to use it and move. So your new task is to help this heroes with the light.“

„Understood, Deku Tree! I will go and get it!“ I disappeared into the Deku Tree and up to the crown, where I found the Minish hiding like me.

I didn't have to say anything. The little creatures gave me the Force. It may be not as strong as the Triforce but its for use for the heroes. I hoped, that these two calmed down by now. The light disappeared into my body and my body lighten up as I grew. My wings were bigger same with my body. It was strange but my shine was now dimmer, that means they would be able to see my toga I HAVE NO UNDERWEAR!! Good, flying is now forbidden Reader!! I stepped out of the Deku Tree and only saw the heroes standing on the resting place of the Master Sword with their jaws dropped, wide eyes and red.

„Seems like you still have a guide my dear heroes. I'm Reader, your fairy guide! If you have any questions just ask away!“ I said with a wink and a mock salute.

That's how they got Navi!Reader in their group until they fulfilled their task. But the Chain will find a way to keep them with the group until then. That's also the only Chain where Sage kinda listens to Time. Well, mostly because of Reader as Time was their partner in the past and they wouldn't be happy if they would fight. But as soon as all of them fall in love they will also notice that Reader doesn't fly as much as usual. Well as soon they find out the why, they are red with a nosebleed while Reader is screeching in embarrassment and explain that as a fairy they never needed things like underwear. Well, Wild hopes for a try again for his camera, Sage too. Wind wants them as his guide like Time, maybe with a little puppy crush. But at the end they try to solve the issue with the Triforce that Reader doesn't die when they leave the border of the Lost Woods. But Reader doesn't understand courting traditions from the Hylian as they are a Fairy. But Hyrule as a half Fae so he has more modern versions of Fairy courtship. So he is the only one who gets Reader to understand that they are being courted. But the others will see that and do the same, which confuses them dearly as it's a very sudden change in their opinion.

Navi!reader is an interesting concept, seeing as there is going to be one hero with a giant attachment to them first and foremost.

Time, if he gets the chance is never going to let them go ever. especially now that they have a more hylian form and can

[gachagon]

I love it when characters who were previously incredibly pompous and egotistical realize that the pedestal they've placed themselves on is actually worthless given the current situation they're now in.

Kaiser is realizing now that his idea of what it takes to be on top, to be the best striker is wrong and that it's probably been wrong for a while. And that's really got to suck, because while Kaiser has accomplished a lot of great things, ultimately his goal pales in comparison to the people he now has to go up against. Isagi and the other Blue Locker's aren't just there to rise up the ranks slowly, this is a last man standing program and Kaiser isn't strong enough to stand on his own.

He had become a great player, but he's not the best player. And he needs to be better in order to even have that position of acclaim in the first place. I am reminded of what Isagi taunted him with earlier, calling him a "Naked Emperor/King" which is an obvious reference to the "Emperor's New Clothes".

In that short story, a king orders himself new clothing that outshines everyone else and so the court creates "Invisible Clothing that only he can see" for the King. The king accepts the clothes and "wears" them, and so to him he is wearing the finest cloak imaginable, but to everyone else he is just a naked man making a fool of himself.

In a way, Kaiser ended up being the naked emperor in that he only came to the realization that his past achievements weren't good enough to stay in the team until this very game with Isagi.

I really think that fear of losing everything he worked for was always holding him back from really going above and beyond as well, because while he does have the support of a partner to do passes for him and he's able to read the field accurately, he doesn't take chances that tougher opponents hand him.

His backstory as a thief really puts this into perspective too because thieves wait for the right moment to strike instead of going out into the open to steal. And just like a thief, everything they get is "unearned" because they just take it from other people. In a way, you could almost say Kaiser's position as the best and the king was unearned because he hadn't actually done what needed to be done in order to get to that level.

And that's why I think this makes him so upset when Ness rattles off all of the thing's he's done, because ultimately none of those things will really amount to anything if he can't keep control of this team and be the best among them. It won't matter if he's scored a goal in every match, or if he's gotten offers from top teams, his goal is to be better than everyone and right now some dude from a no name prefecture in Japan is wiping the floor with him, and easily.

You really gotta feel sorry for Ness too, because he thinks of himself as one of Kaiser's "accomplishments" in a way, but Kaiser literally doesn't care about him enough. He just see's Ness as a tool to use, someone who's easily replaceable and loyal like a dog.

My moot (@miyamiwu) made a really good observation about how Ness might just leave Kaiser soon if he doesn't keep playing in that magical way that captured Ness in the first place, and I think that's true now especially since Kaiser himself seems to also realize it. When he's thinking about all of the achievements he could potentially lose if he doesn't win this, Ness is one of them.

"I thought I was becoming human." Is so sad too because I think deep down he really did think that by being close to Ness that he was truly becoming a normal player, that he was on the fast track to achieving his goals. But because he doesn't really know what that goal is anymore, the rug has been pulled from under him now and he has to literally reevaluate what is probably years worth of self reflection.

I also think this chapter is Kaiser ditching the rose as a symbol of his ego because he's truly looking back on things and realizing that the object that really gave him solace wasn't that symbol of the impossible, but the soccer ball itself. He is coming to terms with the fact that without soccer, he doesn't have anything at all, and that it is the only reason he was even able to get this far or have the courage to fight back against his abusive shitty dad.

Instead of the rose tattoo being here, we see there's a new tattoo that's prominent now and it's in the shape of a crown. And rather than being in a place where he's most vulnerable (his neck), the tattoo is on his hand, which I think symbolizes how he is able to take his own freedom and by extension his own place as a king with his own two hands.

Kaiser's solitude is something he really needs to become the best, because if he can't do it alone, than he can't do it at all. He is clinging desperately to the things he has managed to gather throughout these years, including Ness' loyalty and he's so afraid of losing even one of those things that it's making him a worse player.

However, whether or not being totally alone is what he needs to heal as a person is another thing entirely, which is ultimately why I don't think Kaiser will ever beat Isagi and that if he does it'd actually be the worst ending for him. Throughout this entire manga, Kaiser comes off as a really calculated person who's always thinking ten steps ahead, but inside he is just a damaged kid who is using soccer as his one means of coping with the trauma he faced as child.

And that phrasing "I thought I was becoming human" really just makes me feel so sad for Kaiser, because to him if he doesn't have soccer he is less than human and has nothing to give back to the world. He has never allowed himself any time to just be a normal teenager and just make friends in a healthy way, and the one friend he does have might just up and leave if he's not playing in a groundbreaking way. He thinks so lowly of himself that he hinges his entire identity around how other people perceive his abilities in the game, and if he's not the best at the game, he surely can't matter that much as a player, no matter how much Ness tries to placate him with words about how he's "already done enough".

Ego Jinpachi said it as well after Nagi made his really good goal, that some people are content with just being average and "good" instead of being great. And that it's because they're content with where they are in life, that they never advance at all. The idea that they are totally fine in their current position makes them lose the drive they normally would have if they weren't still thinking about trying to get better.

And Blue Lock's philosophy hinges on the player wanting to always get better and better and beat the other players on the field. Being "good" is never enough, hell being "Great" isn't enough at times, you need to be the best forever. You need to make it so that dethroning you is an uphill battle.

[saltydoesstuff]

King Bowser! Raph head canons

Wanted to hop on the train of the Four kings au with some head canons! Going off of the 2023 Mario movie and just what I know about Bowser in my experience (which isn't a whole lot so I'm sorry if some things are not accurate)--

CW: Kidnapping, Implied violence?

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Much like Bowser, King Raph would be a powerful and often feared ruler to the other Kingdoms. He is seen as aggressive and impulsive, quick to react with a fight if anything offends the King. His anger can blind him, which as much as it can get him what he wants- it also can be his downfall.

But he is not heartless. Raph takes good care of his kingdom and his people, which leads to his citizens being very loyal to his cause. So long as you follow his rule, you are protected under his care. I mean, have you seen how the King fawns and babies the stray animals he finds?

Big puppy energy. This man is very lonely and kind of awkward when it comes to anything outside of war and conflict. He leans more towards a tsundere way of dealing with his feelings, brushing them off as quickly as they come with a huff of smoke from his nostrils or a growl. He is the King. He must not show weakness. But around you, he like an excited puppy. Stumbling over his words and twiddling his claws like a love drunken fool.

Would do absolutely anything for you. Want to sit on his throne? Go ahead! A piranha plant bit you? It can't bite you anymore when its ash! He would conquer any land or defeat any foe if it meant keeping you by his side. Just say the words and he's sending armies to take care of it. Has absolutely no idea how to be normal about crushes. Raph always just takes what he wants, why would you be any different? Expect to be kidnapped a lot by this big guy. Doesn't matter if you live in his kingdom or not, he will always find a way to snag you away to spend time with you. Though he is very gentle with you, so you are never harmed in these schemes. You seem to be the only person he can't be truly angry at. It's... a bit unnerving to his guards sometimes. But if keeping you around means they get thrown into the dungeon less, they don't really mind. If you choose to come with him willingly, he is over the moon! He is all over you giving you affection, carrying you around in his arms like the princess he sees you as (Though he hopes to soon make you a Queen). Despite all his spikes and his horns and sharp teeth, he is very cuddly. He'll often rest his head in your lap with his arms wrapped around you, churring loudly as you give him head rubs and gentle scritches. His tail will thump loudly behind him as well, which has knocked things off of shelves and tables more than once with the mini earthquakes it produces. Is very quick to jealousy. King Raph is often seen as scary or seen as a monster most times, which leaves him insecure about his appearance from time to time. He's afraid that you're scared of him too and will leave him for someone less 'monstrous' like his brothers, making him very clingy each time he thinks you're showing any signs of disinterest towards him. You're the one person he does not want scared of him. Please don't leave him or see him as a monster. His heart wouldn't be able to take it. :(

Overall, Raph is very brash and impulsive, but very kind and compassionate as well. Gives kind of wet cat energy in a weird way. He really is just trying his best here, even if his actions come off as intense.

[doctor-hopper]

Tbf I think there will always be a variety of ways to interpret him anyway! Ask 5 different theorists or fic writers a non-surface-level question about him and you'll get 7 different answers.

The idea of a komaedologist hierarchy is sending me though. We should all be put in a killing game and the winner gets to declare their takes canon.

Yeah!! Komaeda pluralism, baby! Honestly, I think no one in the world can write the very same Komaeda as someone else. And even if I fundamentally disagree with them, I love reading Weird Takes more than cookie-cutter ones. If nothing else, they can help you clarify your own position in a dimension you never thought of befo—

Er, I mean, Komaeda is mine, move over Megumi and move over God, he’s mine, what fools these mortals be, he’s my OC and if anyone thinks they can out-Komaeda me I am going to…

…Actually, no, probably not “be the first Blackened”. More accurately I am going to curl up in my cabin, paralyzed in fear and overanalysis, questioning the very foundations of my autistic sphere of confidence, going “but what if they’re right though”.

[bsverryin]

: ̗̀➛ Rizz-ing up genshin men pt.2

Who?

╰┈➤ Alhaitham, Kaeya, Wanderer, Neuvillette, Childe

Plot?

╰┈➤ how you became friends to lovers from rizzing them up.

✎ possible warning ⚠️ mention of alcohol. Neuvillette is not CHARACTER ACCURATE I just wanted to include him because he's hot Fluff/wholesome how you became their friend, lover after. HEAD CANNONS ONLY !! I don't know if it's character accurate enough but I tried my best, again I can't assure you of PERFECT grammar, enjoy!

: ̗̀➛ ALHAITHAM

Alhaitham didn't let it slide right after you tried to rizz him, he didn't have time for these childish things such as the thing called rizz, but this man also has that unspoken rizz. I can't even deny that

Alhaitham saved you from mentally dying because of you being careless around the sumeru, basically you were about to get tricked to spend all your money to have someone to guide you throughout the sumeru, turns out that doesn't exist in sumeru. They can't blame you, you're a visitor from another nation.

"Does the nation you live in teach you to be a fool or are you just that naive?" Alhaitham said. He was annoyed because you gave him more work which is saving you from being too nice and careless.

"No but it's important to be nice at all times." You said a little concerned, you were about to spend all your money on random strangers you just met, it was because they looked nice. It was your reason.

"That doesn't apply here." He sighed and he walked with you inside the sumeru watching you buy things that you won't even need. You're a rich person from the other land, he can't stop you and all he did was watch you. I guess it wasn't so bad for alhaitham to spend his free time with you.

After a few hours, you finally stopped shopping and you felt as if alhaitham felt happy and relieved that you're done. You stood in front of him to smile and you gave him a gift as a thanks, it was the most expensive jewelry you found on sumeru that fits alhaitham's style.

He was going to refuse your gift but you said it was your thanks and asked for his number, he was hesitating to give his number to someone he just met but he thought that it won't be that bad, that's what he thought. He regretted his decision when you kept texting him and rizz-ing him up all the time, he might've just put his phone on do not disturb but then finds himself looking for your messages.

You got closer through chats despite him leaving you on read most of the time and telling you to stop sending unnecessary messages sometimes you meet him and give him expensive gifts, it was your love language.

After months and months of being friends You confessed first, if he rejected you, you'd go back to your hometown but if he didn't maybe you'll stay for a while.

"What made you think that I don't appreciate someone like you? Y/N?"

: ̗̀➛ Childe

Childe knows what rizz is and he lets you rizz him because he doesn't see why not?! You both rizz each other up and boost each other's confidence, you have this very healthy relationship with him which is really good for the both of you.

You were up all night strategizing how you can steal toys for your little brother, your little brother doesn't show much emotion but this time your little brother showed so much interest over a toy, it was the first time he did, you wanted to be the best big sister and give him the toy he liked, however you didn't have much money for the toy.

"Hey girlie, it's not right to steal a toy.." someone behind you said as you shiver in fear, feeling scared that someone caught you from stealing something expensive.

You were about to run but he caught up to you saying that he will buy it for you since he's buying it for his little brother too, the man didn't look so bad and had fun talking about how much he loves his family. You thought it was weird at first but he wasn't so bad.

"how can I repay you?" You said curiously, he chuckled and said you didn't have to but you're so persuasive that he just asked for your number and that's all, he texted you first and started rizzing you up but he tries his best not to creep you out, in fact he was the one who taught you how to rizz someone up.

For some reason you got much better than him at rizz-ing up someone, you both got along so well and he was such a nice guy he may have confessed that he was part of a harbinger which made you act really surprised but didn't really know what it was about.

He confessed first, he loved the way that you're family-oriented just like him and you got along so well talking about your families and yourself at the same time, you loved him too much to reject him.

"You're really cute. Do you know that, YN?"

: ̗̀➛ WANDERER

Wanderer is always annoyed by you trying to rizz him up, but some part of it he can't deny that he likes it but he still hates it, he may have blocked you a thousand times but still unblocking you days later because you're his little pet.

"You crazy creature, what are you doing with that low-life creature?" Wanderer said with his annoyed and disgusted glare after looking at you trying to experiment the abyss mage he killed.

"I'm scientist Y/n at your service!" You gave him a positive-smiling look while you're putting your gloves on in the middle of a forest. Yes, you're experimenting an abyss mage in a forest. He gave you a look while you're experimenting the dead mage.

After finishing, you asked for his number so that he can kill those monsters who you'll use for your experiments, but he didn't give his number easily. You persuaded him successfully in return you'll do everything he asks. That's when you started to message him all the time, trying to rizz him which he ends up blocking you. You had to meet him and ask for him to unblock you sometimes.

"One more message like that and I'll never unblock you again." You chuckled when you heard his words as he started to kill the next abyss mage you're gonna experiment on, after that he made you run a lot of errands for him just because he killed the abyss mage for you. You had no choice but to do anything he asks.

The only time where you get along with each other is when you're both not talking and minding your own business because if not then it's always gonna be a war. You both are prideful and too much for each other but it wasn't that bad.

Again, you both are prideful that it took years for you to confess your feelings towards wanderer, you realized that you loved it whenever you're with him and annoying him as much as you can because he doesn't get mad as much as before but he still does. Surprisingly, he liked you back but you never knew the reason why.

"You're so silly thinking I don't like you. Scientist Y/N"

: ̗̀➛ Neuvillette

Neuvillette is so nonchalant but he loves it when you rizz him up, it makes him real happy but he doesn't show it, another man who doesn't like showing emotions.

You met this man when you were wandering in the streets around Fontaine, you didn't know where to go. Everyone was so private that they thought you were an enemy because you didn't dress like them.

That's where you saw neuvillette, he was having a little break and walking around Fontaine, it was his usual hobby walking around his own city and you knew him because everyone kept talking about him, some are good some aren't. You decided to go off and talk to this man and everyone around Fontaine looked at you like you were crazy.

It was a good decision at least, you got his number because you kept telling him you're poor, had no place to live and you're thrown out maybe he felt a little pity for you but he may have regretted the decision of telling you his number because all you did was rizz him up message him about what's the best thing to do in Fontaine, you didn't seem and sound like a poor person at all so he considered himself tricked by you but he still has a good heart and didn't block you.

You were cheerful around him, he was having a great time with you but for some reason you try and rizz him up whenever you had the chance too.

"Stop saying the same pick-up lines over and over again." He said as he sipped his tea while you ate a lot of good Fontaine specialty, it was his treat of course.

"It's not my fault you look heavenly!" You smiled and teased him a lot. After all, you couldn't pay him as much as he was spending to you.

He liked you first but you confessed first because of trying so hard to rizz him up you really did fall in love with him he was everything you could ever ask for.

"Y/N, just tell me when you want to meet me, I'll be waiting for your cheesy pickup lines."

: ̗̀➛ KAEYA

Kaeya owns the word rizz tbh he just has too many rizz and both of you just exchange your rizz lines and you both just got used to it, he likes it when you rizz him up as he does the same with you. You were casually drinking and making friends when you spotted kaeya, You decided to rizz him up without any questions, it was the best thing you ever did because you got his number easily, you message him a lot and send over the most rizz lines. It was a little unfair because he had all the world's rizz and he's just so cool all the time, he may be busy sometimes but you're his favorite lady and gives you half of his time, you drink with him and talk about many life related things. "Do you think I have more rizz than you?" you asked before drinking the dandelion wine you ordered. "I don't know, you wanna find out?" Kaeya said with the most flirtatious tone with his little smirk, you both kept flirting with each other overtime. You appreciated the way he gives you time despite his pretty busy schedule after all he was part of the knights of favonius. You both didn't confess at each other because you both knew you liked each other mutually, you both started a relationship because you knew it yourselves. He was sweet and all you could ever ask for. "Let's have another drink for the night, Y/N"

[16eggsforxio]

cheat code

Joshua x Reader

1386 words, fluff, established relationship

Summary: Joshua isn’t eating his vegetables. Thankfully, you have a trick others don’t.

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“Do you think you could get Joshua to eat his carrots?”

Clive had approached you in the Ale Hall, somewhat hesitantly. Only a fool wouldn’t have figured out he was asking for a favour, so you had coaxed it out of him, and after a few reluctant sighs and furtive glances away, he finally blurted out the question.

You stopped chewing on your bread. “I beg your pardon?”

He shook his head. “I know it sounds ridiculous.”

“Well… it’s just sudden.”

“No, it is quite ridiculous, to be asking for your assistance in feeding my brother… vegetables.” Clive was frowning, but you were starting to find it amusing. “I’d turned a blind eye to it for the longest time, but Tarja and Jote have been more vocal about it recently.”

“Ah.” You dropped the piece of bread back onto your plate, leaning backwards. “And you ask me… because?”

You knew why, but you also knew Clive was funny to tease. He furrowed his brows. “Because you are his beloved?”

“Annnnnd..?”

Clive crossed his arms, eyes closed and heaved a sigh. “And you are the only one I could possibly count on to convince him.”

Your mouth stretched into a grin and you stood up, leaning forward to slap Clive on the arm. “Consider it done, Lord Rosfield!”

A string of grumbles left his mouth—probably something about always having to pay praises to you to get you to do something, but whatever. You had a very important assignment, and it was to deliver some very important nutrients to your very important, very adorable blond little prince.

You brought your arms up to stretch, taking a few paces forward. First, you weren’t a chef yourself, so you’d have to acquire an assortment of vegetables…

Before you could make a move on, Clive gripped your shoulder. You turned your head to glance back at him. He had an oddly grim look on his face, for the topic of vegetables.

“I know he can be stubborn. I won’t fault you if you fail.”

Yes, you knew, but you liked to think you were equally stubborn—or even more so. You grinned confidently. “Don’t worry. He can’t resist me.”

-------------

Unfortunately, it turned out that he could.

You’d found him at Harpocrates’, where you accurately guessed he was. Holding a plate with Joshua’s sworn enemy (carrots), you decided a blunt approach would be the simplest for now.

“Joshua, you need to eat these.”

He turned around the moment he heard your voice, soft blue eyes brimming with glittering excitement, which promptly died when his eyes fell on what you were holding.

“I’m sorry. I can’t do that.” Joshua turned away from you and back to his open book.

You blinked once, affronted by his initial rejection. You sidled up to his side, pressing your cheek against his shoulder.

“Seriously?”

“Seriously.”

“C’mon, they’re just a few carrots.”

“My sincerest apologies, but no.”

“Tarja and Jote said you should be eating them.”

Joshua just made a disgruntled sound. Of course! If he wouldn’t even listen to you, why would he listen to anyone else?

Tugging on his sleeve with a free hand, you tried again. “Clive wants you to eat them.”

“Is that so?” Joshua continued to flip another page in the book. So he would seal a horrible, eldritch entity inside of him for his own brother, but not eat a few carrot slices. You found the way Joshua weighed the severity of different circumstances odd.

Your simplest and most straightforward plan had clearly failed, but that was okay. You had backups. Pulling away from him, you folded your arms, careful as to not spill anything from the plate, and straightened your back, regarding him with rolled eyes.

“Then, I guess the almighty Phoenix trembles in fear in the presence of a few measly orange roots?”

That cracked a mirthful smile from Joshua, but he shook his head. “Very much so.”

“You are afraid of them?” you crowed.

“Petrified, even,” he agreed.

All of your backup plans were caving in. This man was not giving in. You huffed.

Harpocrates suddenly raised a hand, drawing your attention. He smiled with that gentle old man smile that could convince two aggressive countries to come to a ceasefire, and gestured at your plate. “I apologise, but I’d prefer to not have any food near the books.”

“Oh!” Right, it had completely slipped your mind. You hadn’t intentionally ignored it; you’d just been so set on your assignment that it hadn’t crossed your mind. Sheepishly, you took a few steps back. “No, no, I apologise.”

You were about to leave, head hung low in temporary defeat, when Joshua closed the book he had been holding, slotting it back into an empty space on the shelf. He faced Harpocrates and bowed his head, a practised, poised gesture he always did when leaving, then turned to face you again, touching your arm. With the sweetest of smiles: “Shall we go?”

Words weren’t quite forming properly in your mind, so you just nodded. Your steps fell into sync with his as you left.

Sometimes he really caught you off guard.

But only for a few seconds. The moment you stepped foot out of the books’ territory, you swung around back at Joshua, pushing the plate towards him wordlessly. He looked down at it and raised a hand to slowly push it back towards you.

You looked away, huffing dramatically. “You must not love me anymore.” Then you glanced back at him for a reaction.

Brows knitted, he maintained his smile towards you. “That’s not true. Please don’t ever think that.” He leaned over and pressed a chaste kiss to the side of your head.

You paused, blinking up at him.

Joshua tilted his head and continued walking.

Foul, unfair, beautiful demon…

Running forward a few steps to catch up with him, you sulked, nibbling at the tines of the fork you had brought along. Yes, you had known he was going to be stubborn… and you had resolved to be even more stubborn… but it wasn’t going to go anywhere with just brute force, clearly.

Joshua interrupted your thoughts. “Isn’t there anything else you would rather have me do?”

Most of the time you had a quip ready, but this time you were too lost in thought to. “Let me think about it.”

“I would do anything else for you,” he said earnestly. You believed it.

“It doesn’t matter because you won’t do this for me.”

You were just being dramatic, and he knew it.

The two of you were walking somewhere. You didn’t know where exactly, but it happened often enough where Joshua would be heading to one of his destinations and you followed him around just to be by his side. You liked to think his pace slowed to a leisurely stroll whenever you did. Sometimes you’d also get to steal a kiss or two on these walks…

Oh, you had an idea.

You skewered one of the carrot slices with the fork and popped it into your mouth. Reaching out to Joshua, you tugged on his arm to get him to stop walking. He obediently ceased and cast a curious gaze down at you.

One of your hands was occupied with the plate, so you grabbed his chin with your free hand, thumb pressed against the front of it and index finger tucked behind it, tilted your head back and pressed your lips against his before he could react. He squeaked a muffled sound of surprise; you tumbled the carrot from your mouth to his without much resistance. Then you sealed your lips with a cheeky smile against his mouth, blinking triumphantly into his confused eyes. It took a couple of seconds, but you felt his mouth move in a chew, then swallow.

Finally, you pulled away.

“You’ll eat all of them this way, right?”

Joshua gave you a blank look. He tilted his head backwards and stared at the ceiling thoughtfully, then down back at you. “Hm. I’m not quite sure about that.” He raised an index finger and pressed it against your lips. You resisted the urge to clamp your mouth over his pretty finger. “Would you like to try again?”

(It worked only another two times, and the rest of the afternoon was spent wrestling with him.)

[rainhadaenerys]

Madness and greatness are two sides of the same coin

I wrote about this before, and I made an edit about this as well, but I wanted to write a separate post just for this topic because I think people really don't understand what "madness and greatness are two sides of the same coin" means. I see many people taking at face value that half of the Targaryens are mad and that Targaryens are ticking time bombs, and I also see other people criticizing GRRM for including the madness theme for the Targaryens, criticizing him for supposedly adding genetic determinism and stigmatizing mental illness. But I think both are missing the point.

The madness vs greatness theme is not about half of the Targaryens being mad or great (this isn't even accurate with what we're shown in the books, as very few Targaryens were mad). The madness and greatness theme wasn't introduced just to add some cool mythos to House Targaryen. The madness vs greatness theme is a commentary on what it takes to be great: madness. And it's a theme pertaining to Dany specifically.

The theme was introduced explicitly for the first time in a Dany's chapter, as something that is said TO Dany, right after she liberated three slave cities:

"I am no maester to quote history at you, Your Grace. Swords have been my life, not books. But every child knows that the Targaryens have always danced too close to madness. Your father was not the first. King Jaehaerys once told me that madness and greatness are two sides of the same coin. Every time a new Targaryen is born, he said, the gods toss the coin in the air and the world holds its breath to see how it will land." - Daenerys VI ASOS

In fact, this is the ONLY time in all the books in which the Targaryens are stated to be mad or great (sure, there are times where the books talk about the Mad King, or say that this or that Targaryen was mad, but this is the only moment in the books where the coin toss and the theme of madness vs greatness are explicitly mentioned). It's not something that is brought up several times or given much emphasis, it's something that appears only this time, and is only said to Dany.

And why is this concept introduced only to Dany, and at this moment? Because it's meant to be a thematic reflection on what she just did. Because what she did was MAD. To think that you have the power to defy an institution as ingrained as slavery, to think you have the power to make such a huge change in the world, and to actually attempt it, it's something that most people would consider madness. Because it's seen as an impossible thing, it's seen as crazy, it's seen as suicide. But that's exactly what greatness is: to do things that most people would consider madness.

And this theme doesn't even start in ASOS, it starts back in AGOT. The only reason Dany is even in a position to attempt to end slavery, is because she did a mad thing in the first place: walk into a pyre to hatch her dragons. And the narrative points this out several times:

"No. He cannot have my son." She would not weep, she decided. She would not shiver with fear. The Usurper has woken the dragon now, she told herself … and her eyes went to the dragon's eggs resting in their nest of dark velvet. The shifting lamplight limned their stony scales, and shimmering motes of jade and scarlet and gold swam in the air around them, like courtiers around a king.

Was it madness that seized her then, born of fear? Or some strange wisdom buried in her blood? Dany could not have said. She heard her own voice saying, "Ser Jorah, light the brazier."

[...]

When the coals were afire, Dany sent Ser Jorah from her. She had to be alone to do what she must do. This is madness, she told herself as she lifted the black-and-scarlet egg from the velvet. It will only crack and burn, and it's so beautiful, Ser Jorah will call me a fool if I ruin it, and yet, and yet …

Cradling the egg with both hands, she carried it to the fire and pushed it down amongst the burning coals. The black scales seemed to glow as they drank the heat. Flames licked against the stone with small red tongues. Dany placed the other two eggs beside the black one in the fire. As she stepped back from the brazier, the breath trembled in her throat. - Daenerys VI AGOT

~

She could feel the eyes of the khalasar on her as she entered her tent. The Dothraki were muttering and giving her strange sideways looks from the corners of their dark almond eyes. They thought her mad, Dany realized. Perhaps she was. She would know soon enough. If I look back I am lost. - Daenerys X AGOT

~

As she climbed down off the pyre, she noticed Mirri Maz Duur watching her. "You are mad," the godswife said hoarsely.

"Is it so far from madness to wisdom?" Dany asked. - Daenerys V AGOT

When Dany says she is determined to conquer Westeros, even though it seems impossible for someone who has nothing, she is called mad:

"I mean to sail to Westeros, and drink the wine of vengeance from the skull of the Usurper." She scratched Rhaegal under one eye, and his jade-green wings unfolded for a moment, stirring the still air in the palanquin.

A single perfect tear ran down the cheek of Xaro Xhoan Daxos. "Will nothing turn you from this madness?"

"Nothing," she said, wishing she was as certain as she sounded. - Daenerys III ACOK

Later, when Dany ends slavery, people call her mad for it, for daring to challenge an institution that is seen as the right order or things:

"I have a gift for you as well." She slammed the chest shut. "Three days. On the morning of the third day, send out your slaves. All of them. Every man, woman, and child shall be given a weapon, and as much food, clothing, coin, and goods as he or she can carry. These they shall be allowed to choose freely from among their masters' possessions, as payment for their years of servitude. When all the slaves have departed, you will open your gates and allow my Unsullied to enter and search your city, to make certain none remain in bondage. If you do this, Yunkai will not be burned or plundered, and none of your people shall be molested. The Wise Masters will have the peace they desire, and will have proved themselves wise indeed. What say you?"

"I say, you are mad." - Daenerys IV ASOS

~

Xaro caught it in the air and took a bite. "Whence came this madness? Should I count myself fortunate that you did not free my own slaves when you were my guest in Qarth?" - Daenerys III ADWD

And we also see people looking at Dany as if she is mad when she approaches the sick Astapori, because this is something people consider to be very dangerous:

By the time Aggo returned with Grey Worm and fifty of the Unsullied loping behind his horse, Dany had shamed all of them into helping her. Symon Stripeback and his men were pulling the living from the dead and stacking up the corpses, while Jhogo and Rakharo and their Dothraki helped those who could still walk toward the shore to bathe and wash their clothes. Aggo stared at them as if they had all gone mad, but Grey Worm knelt beside the queen and said, "This one would be of help." - Daenerys VI ADWD

That's what the madness vs greatness theme is about. It's not about how half of the Targaryens are great and half are crazy. It's about how to be great you have to be mad (not in the clinical sense, like the ASOIAF fandom thinks, but in the sense that you have to do things most people would consider mad). That's the whole point of the theme and it's why it’s been applied only to Dany's character so far: she is an extraordinary person, someone who would DARE to do something that most people would consider impossible and mad. And even GRRM points this out in his interview:

The whole point of the scene in A Game of Thrones where Daenerys hatches the dragons is that she makes the magic up as she goes along; she is someone who really might do anything. (source)

Finally, I just want to mention that Aegon the Conqueror, who is considered to be the greatest Targaryen for conquering Westeros, was also called mad for this:

“A bold plan,” Grand Maester Orwyle said cautiously, when he heard it. Mushroom prefers “madness,” but adds, “they called Aegon the Dragon mad when he spoke of conquering all Westeros.” - Fire and Blood

[ironmandeficiency]

silly king

pairing: thorin oakenshield / half-elf!reader

word count: 1025

summary: silence is nigh but unobtainable with your joining of the company

req: Can I ask for 🎶 do doo do do 🎶 "FUCK!" with thorin oakenshield pls?

a/n: giving a MASSIVE hug to the darling and stupendous @nicole-lightfoot who beta’d this for me & helped me with writing the ending

none of the company believed they could find someone in all of arda that spoke as loud as sugar-rushed kíli or sang as cheerfully as bofur deep in his ale

you proved this assumption very wrong very quickly, loathing the silence that made you feel like your head was dipped in molasses

there was always some form of song flowing from your lips when your hands were too full to tap them to whatever song you’re hearing in your head, every footfall against the earth synchronized to the same tune (sometimes you skipped as you sang, hummed, or whistled, much to the disbelief of the others)

your joining of the company happened in rivendell. as a half-elf, there was only so much respite you could find in the last homely house, surrounded by what many (somewhat accurately) believed to be the uptight half of your bloodline. it was safe, yet stifling, and you felt akin to a caged bird yearning for the open sky

the presence of a half-elf in their company didn’t bother as many of the dwarrow as you believed it would. your jovial disposition rubbed off on them quickly, and soon you were joining several of them in a modified chorus of ‘that’s what bilbo baggins hates’ to coincide with more recent events of the quest

bilbo took the playful jabs with a grin, getting small bits of payback by “accidentally” knocking members of the company in the ankle with the walking stick you procured for him

bofur, nori, and the princes took to using you as a shield when they feared the hobbit was about to strike, laughter all around

despite the grim nature of what lay ahead of the company, you’d never had so much fun. it’s why you found such joy in your new companions, your new friends, because that’s what they were

you ignored the tense glances from the king under the mountain and his stalwart captain during these moments. there were vague ideas to be had of why the two royals saw you as a liability at best and a threat at worst, and many of them pertained to your blood

logic (and well-meaning princes) reminded them early on that you were of neither faction that caused such strife for the dwarves of erebor, and had proven yourself as a loyal member of the company ten times over

the distrust ended, but you could still tell they were wary of you even on a good day

in the beginning, your charming disposition and lackadaisical attitude had thorin seething. every smile and laugh and song boiled the blood in his veins. did you not take this quest seriously? was he saddled with a jingling fool of an elf by lord elrond as a plot against his mission?

now, months later, watching you dance with the princes in beorn’s fields, he realized just how faulty those thoughts were

kíli was riding fíli’s shoulders while you held his hands, the three of you playing merrily around to bofur and nori’s raunchy tune

thorin was sitting on a stump nearby when he heard your voice across the field, your laughter joining the silly little ditty

thorin knew better than to let himself grow distracted while cleaning his blades, but he was so lost in your merriment and sweet-sounding do-doos that he didn’t notice his hand moving wrong before it was too late

“FUCK!!”

his exclamation scared some of the local fauna away and startled several members of his company. fíli whipped around so fast to check on thorin that he forgot his brother was on his shoulders until he suddenly wasn’t, and the two princes found themselves toppled in the grass in a true dwarfling pile

you were on your knees in front of thorin before he could fully register the pain and embarrassment of slicing his finger on his own blade. your nimble hands held his wounded one gently, tending to the cut with precision

you gently cleaned his ill-gotten wound while he growled with all the dignity of a wet cat. “oh you silly king, just let me take care of you”

“this is all your doing.” you smiled at his facade, knowing that his grumpiness wasn’t actual malice and he was just frustrated at his own folly

you felt his gaze on your head while you threaded the needle. “tell me, my king, how exactly is this my fault?” the words were an almost teasing whisper, a small attempt to goad him into better spirits once again

in the distance, you could hear various members of the company whispering amongst themselves like a group of gossiping old biddies, and it took strong effort to not cackle in thorin’s face. he was already iffy about you tending to his little scratch, you didn’t want to jeopardize what pride he had left by calling attention to his nattering company

the small huff of exasperation that escaped him would have been mistaken for a wince by someone who didn’t know him. “you’re distracting. it’s difficult to get things done when you jaunt around with your heart on your sleeve and a song on your lips. you weren’t made for battle, nor for the hardships of the world, so i have to keep an eye on you lest you fall victim to your own nature.”

when thorin noticed you smiling at his chiding, he was not amused. this was exactly his point! you didn’t take his warnings seriously, which attested to how desperately you needed to heed them.

“thank you for your concern, thorin. it’s touching. but you must know by now that i don’t ‘jaunt around’ anyone i don’t feel safe with, i have at least a few skills in self-preservation, you know.” your voice was soft as you finished the last suture, securely wrapping the wound and taking a risk by placing a small kiss atop the bandages

he stared at you speechless, mouth gaping like a fish and cheeks ruddy. you give him a smile as you walk away, feeling every moment his eyes stayed on your back and hearing his personal scolding about keeping his head straight around you

[starwell-tarot]

What are stans of different Stray Kids members like? A tarot reading ✨

Hello stay! This is the Skz version of the social experiment i did for Ateez: what are fans of different Ateez members like? A tarot reading ✨

It is a social experiment where I ask my cards three questions per member:

1. What are the stans of the member like in general?

2. What do stans of the member all have in common?

3. What about the member's personality attracts his stans to stan him?

And then we see how different the stans are from the idol themselves and discuss! Like last time, you guys are the judges if this is accurate or not! Let me know who you stan and if you find it accurate or not! Let's get to know each other 🖤

Disclaimer: This is for fun purposes only and should be treated as such. Tarot can absolutely be wrong.

TW: mentions of anxiety, struggles and insecurities

Bang Chan stans: The weight lifters

or mini bang chans to be more accurate

How are Chan stans like in general? // The fool R, Ace of Wands R, The Devil

Chan stans constantly feel like they're stuck between a rock and a hard place. They want to go out there and live their lives to the fullest but something is always holding them back. They want so badly to be spontane and reckless, at least once, but their fears always pull them back. They tend to overthink the consequences of all of their actions and they somehow always convince themselves their lives should be lived according to a perfectly crafted plan. One that doesn't really satisfy their heart's desires, unfortunately.

What do Chan stans have in common? // X of Wands R

Chan stans are always carrying way too much weight on their shoulders. They convince themselves they're responsible for way too many things, or take on way too many tasks or burdens. They have difficulties with putting themselves first and they're always tired, albeit it's doubtful if they actually show how exhausted they are to others.

What about Chan's personality attracts Chan stans? // King of Wands R

His leadership qualities is what pulls people in - he makes people feel safe and looked after, like he has the back of both his members and his fans, and every decision he makes is for the best of everyone. Besides being a protective figure, he also inspires his stans to be strong willed like him, achieve self-discipline and calm under stressful situations and learn to be caretakers themselves, too.

Chan stans might have prominent Aquarius, Capricorn, Leo, Aries, Sagittarius placements in their natal chart.

Lee know stans: The lone rangers

How are Lee know stans like in general? // The Chariot R

Lee know stans might have a cold and tough exterior. On the outside they appear like they have it all together, everything is under control and there's nothing they would ever fear. The truth is obviously not like that, but they have a tendency to hide their hurt and choose to struggle on their own even if they are completely lost in life. They are probably the type of people to raise and parent themselves. They are forever on a quest for self expansion and once they pick a road to go down on, they never stray.

What do Lee know stans have in common? // Queen of Wands

Lee know stans are powerful, and most likely aware of it. They are bold, honest and extremely strong willed. They usually never play small and are very stubborn. Still, even if they appear quite fierce, they're generous to the people around them and they have a very magnetic personality.

What about Lee know's personality attracts lino stans? // VII of Wands

In simple words, Lee know stans get attracted to his mental strength and power to persevere. Lee know stans usually get overwhelmed or lonely fighting all their fights all by themselves, and Lee know makes them feel like they're not alone. He gives them strength and helps them get motivated. He especially motivates them to keep moving - when something is wrong, change it; when you feel you're lacking something, change it; when you're lost, reorganize. Lee know stans learn a lot from him about how to prepare for the future or how to grow stronger. Furthermore, Lee know stans probably feel Lee know is the perfect friend they'd wish they could go to when they're weak and weary.

Lee know stans might have prominent Cancer, Aries, Sagittarius, Leo placements

As a lino stan this read me a little bit too well 😡

Changbin stans: The pursuers

How are Changbin stans like in general? // X of Cups, VII of pentacles

Changbin stans are hard working and persistent, usually patient beings with a positive mindset. They don't hold back when they invest themselves in something, and love to nurture big ideas into becoming reality. They follow their heart and their happiness in life, but they're also oriented towards looking after their loved ones - for they don't really treasure material things as much as they treasure spiritual and emotional abundance, offering care and love to others. The people they love - be it friends, family or others, fuel them to a brighter tomorrow and being a better, stronger person.

What do Changbin stans have in common? // II of wands

Changbin stans all are obsessed with self expansion. They are never satisfied and want more and more - they're hungry to become an even better person, stronger, wiser. They want to keep learning more, keep trying out new things, keep expanding their minds and horizons. They will never want to stop growing as a person. Every opportunity is a potential accomplishment of something one can only imagine, and it's better to try and fail rather than regret never trying.

What about Changbin's personality attracts Changbin stans? // Page of Wands

His rebellious, outside of the box creative thinking alongside his go getter attitude is very attractive to Changbin stans. They love how he takes chances and shots in the dark with confidence, fuelled by pure passion and fire. He seems so hungry for life, so committed to himself and doesn't care his 'normal' seems 'weird or different' to others. He's living his own truth, and he won't stop forging his own path anytime soon! His enthusiasm breathes life (as well as courage and strength!) into his fans.

Changbin stans might have prominent fire placements or pisces & Taurus placements in their natal chart.

Hyunjin stans: The storytellers

How are Hyunjin stans like in general? // VI of cups R

There's something very nostalgic about Hyunjin stans. Perhaps their hearts never hardened as they grew up, and they still have the same child like innocence and sensitivity, instead of growing into a hard-shell adult. Perhaps the way they move, dress or their preferences remind you of older times, of royal families or old forgotten trends. Or perhaps Hyunjin stans themselves prefer to live inside of their memories, and nostalgia is a sweet feeling to them, not a bad one. Nevertheless, the presence of Hyunjin stans always makes you think they have stories of old to tell.

What do Hyunjin stans have in common? // V of Pentacles

Hyunjin stans are no strangers to pain and heartbreak. Be it mental or emotional distress, they've withstood a lot in their lives and still continue to, with courage and hope in their hearts. Their strong will and empathy also makes them a good shoulder to cry on, and they're always in search of communities where they can also feel emotionally safe and protected.

What about Hyunjin's personality attracts Hyunjin stans? // The Moon R

He's a sensitive and emotional man, and he doesn't run away from his emotions. He's not afraid of them and he accepts and understands them as a part of him. Hyunjin stans adore this about him. Hyunjin most likely makes them feel safe about their own emotions and gives them comfort. He's probably taught his fans to offer themselves self-validation and not dehumanize themselves anymore. As a bonus, Hyunjin stans also find him to be very dreamy.

Hyunjin stans might have prominent Scorpio, Pisces, Taurus placements in their natal chart.

Han stans: The brave scaredy cats

I was two seconds away from naming you guys Courage the cowardly dog or Shaggy from Scooby Doo istg I'm so mean 😂

How are Han stans like in general? // IV of cups, queen of wands

Han stans are the type of people that would prefer feeling the soft tickle of hiding underneath a blanket rather than the bustling of life. Life has left them disappointed, or maybe hurt, so they created their own little bubble in which they like to live in, their place of comfort. They're probably often scared; scared of trying new things, scared of failing, scared of the unknown, that's why they always search for that comfort and safety of being at home, in familiar places or with familiar people. They cherish the inner workings of their mind the most.

But don't get it twisted, since if they spend most of their time inside their heads, that makes them extremely creative. Their true power stands in this genius they carry, and the stubbornness along with it. They might be scared, but their will is so strong they'll push through it, while others view them as a confident, charismatic person they can't help but admire.

What do Han stans have in common? // V of cups, Strength

Their biggest anxieties might come from their fear and resistance to change, and they might be clinging to familiarity with claws, afraid of ending up hurt or in a loss like they have before; but when the time comes to fight against life's obstacles, they're actually the bravest warriors. Perhaps knowing the inside of their psyche so well allows them to find that silver lining every time, to be their own cheerleaders and biggest supporters. Perhaps being aware that they're scared is what makes them so powerful, in fact.

What about Han's personality attracts Han stans? // The star

Jisung's presence is pure healing for his fans. Maybe it's because he understands their struggles, or maybe it's just his gentle nature, but Han empowers his fans and heals and cleanses them of all the dirt and wounds they gather from the rest of the world. They strive to be confident like him, and want to fight and grow alongside him until everyone can find their inner peace.

Ok, Yoda

No but like you guys are so cute, the Minho stan urge to protecc

Han stans might have prominent Cancer, Scorpio, Aquarius placements in their natal chart, or fire placements.

Felix stans: The energy balls

Pokeballs? sorry

How are Felix stans like in general? // X of cups R, IV of wands, The world

Felix stans are energetic and positive beings. They wish to always be able to keep their mind optimistic, their lives filled with laughter and smiles. Their loved ones are very important to them and social fulfilment is what they hold closest to their heart. They want to celebrate the love they have for people at every turn, and keep them happy and cheer them on. They strive to live in the moment, and always want to be doing what makes them happy, following their heart. Their presence most likely makes people feel comfortable and they might be big foodies. They might get hurt easily in social situations though, and might strive to please others to a point of self detriment; they might also have issues with life not matching up to the fantasies inside their minds and that causing them disappointment.

What do Felix stans have in common? // Ace of Wands R, Temperance

Felix stans might have issues balancing out their desire for commitment with their impatience. Their ideas are big, their desires equally grand, but it's like they want everything done right now and here; they oftentimes find themselves running out of patience when they have to grow out something, try and fail at something a lot, constantly put in effort for new beginnings. I also feel most Felix stans are on a journey of learning self fulfilment and self care, but they get very frustrated over their lack of growth or very often think they're not doing enough - thus discouraging themselves.

What about Felix's personality attracts Felix stans? // Queen of wands R, The high priestess R, X of swords R

I'm not saying this because the cards are unclear, I'm saying this because the high priestess points to mysticsm: Felix stans might not have a clear answer as to why they have chosen him. There was, perhaps, a magical or magnetic pull that couldn't be understood and didn't need to make sense. Felix arrived at the right moment, when he was needed most, to lift up the spirits and encourage people to get up and try again. He could be seen as a saviour by many, who helped people overcome even the most impossible obstacles and taught them that a few failures do not matter in the long run, and that dreams are never too far away to accomplish. Good things come to those who wait.

Felix stans might have prominent fire placements in their natal chart, or pisces, cancer, capricorn placements.

Seungmin stans: The builders

How are Seungmin stans like in general? // V of Cups

Seungmin stans are the architects of their own lives. They have this undeniable survivalist skill of building something out of thin air - they can build themselves a whole castle out of stray bricks other people would throw away. They know how to appreciate the details, the minorities - they can pay attention even to a grain of sand and find a use for it. When everything crumbles down and they're buried under the crushing weight or debris - they somehow find a way to use those scattered materials to build something greater, something better, until one day life will not just be about survival, and what they've build for themselves will offer them a safe kingdom forever.

What do Seungmin stans have in common? // X of Pentacles, VII of Wands R

Seungmin stans are the eye of the storm. They're calm under pressure, they're focused on rebuilding stability and making everything right again, every time something goes wrong. As the nimble problem solvers that they are, they are probably the pillar of their family or friend group. But the truth is, that deep down, they're terrified just like everyone else. Fighting obstacles is still taxing no matter how many times they do it. Having a mentality oriented on fixing things and providing doesn't mean they never feel the pain or loss. But somehow, they always find the power and courage to maintain their strong persona and fight through life with pride.

What about Seungmin's personality attracts Seungmin stans? // Knight of swords

This is so sweet y'all

Seungmin is to his fans, like a lucky or protective charm. They carry him with them every single day, he brings them positivity and safety. Perhaps they've thought about a lot of things in life to be impossible or idealistic and that they'll never come to achieve them themselves, but motivated by Seungmin's determination and headstrong mentality, they've found that things are actually possible. That 'perfect' life they've dreamt of or perfect person they wish to become isn't actually just a fantasy if they put their heart into it. Seungmin is probably like a mentor to them, showing them that by working hard and being nimble you can always increase your own worth to the world. You don't have to settle for being less.

Seungmin stans might have prominent Virgo, Leo, Scorpio or air signs placements in their natal chart.

I.N stans: The change seekers

How are Jeongin stans like in general? // III of Cups

Jeongin stans are very very friendly. They are very sociable and open to people and a joy to be around. They know how to form connections and match the vibrations of others, and just to have fun, in general. Spending time with them rejuvenates people. One could even say they are the life of the party! They care a lot about their chosen community and support their close ones with their entire might.

What do Jeongin stans have in common? // IV of Swords R

Jeongin stans desire freedom. Something is holding them down, holding them back from being at their peak and they want to figure out a way to leave that behind. (Whether it's a bad situation, or just the past in general.) They're learning how to live and let go, because they want to build a better future rather than remain tied to the past. Once they've broken free, they'll live by their own rules and find a new, independent kind of stability.

What about Jeongin's personality attracts Jeongin stans? // Ace of Swords, Strength R, Death R

His fans tend to see what great potential he holds. Jeongin is already a strong and confident man, who is bravely and proudly himself, following his heart. But he is the future; he has the strength and courage to transform things from the ground up. Transform the music industry, transform society, you name it! He has the chance to really make a change. His fans wait with a baited breath to see what he's gonna do in the future, what kind of achievement he will have, they feel as if he's teasing them, feeding them little crumbs to prepare them for the grand things that are yet to come.

Jeongin stans might have prominent Cancer, aquarius, Leo and Scorpio placements in their natal chart.

This was very interesting. The vibe was very different than when I did the reading about atiny. It seems stay are more emotional beings who hold skz close to their hearts as comfort! (which makes sense considering the themes of their music.)

One other thing I found interesting was that in this reading, all the stans turned out to really take after the idol. In some cases I even felt the stans were like a mini version of the idol themselves or like 'they were written by' the idol. In the ateez version, there were cases in which the stans were the complete opposite of the idol!

Thank you for reading, I hope you enjoyed, and let's discuss! <3

ALSO TIP: If you're an OT8, I think you'd probably be a mix of all the readings. You probably would take a little bit here and there from all the stans. 😁

If you like this reading, consider donating to me so I can continue doing more readings!

[haileyywrites]

Summary: Tales of a mystical kitsune wandering the forest at night causes Kabukimono to go out and try his luck, for it is said they grant wishes to those who brave the night. His situation quickly turns dangerous, yet he is saved by the very person he was looking for...

Pairings: Kabukimono/Kunikuzushi x Kitsune!Reader

Notes/Warnings: Reader is completely gender neutral! Poc friendly! Platonic! Found family type of fic! Not cannon, basically an au! Not meant to be lore accurate! Little angsty possibly, but mostly just fluff! LONG!! Possible grammar mistakes you can point out!

“Have you heard? There's apparently a kitsune in the woods who can grant any wish!” An eager man gushes.

“A kitsune? Like Lady Guuji from Narukami Shrine?” Another asks.

“Yes! But this one can grant wishes!”

“Sounds like baseless rumors to me...” The other man dismisses his friend.

“Its not! Remember that beggar who hangs around here sometimes? He's now gone and rich I've heard!” He boasts.

“He could have just left and found a job, what exactly proves he's rich now? He's not even here.” The sceptical man questioned.

“Don't believe me if you don't want to, but it's true!”

Kabukimono had been listening to the two converse for some time now, he was completely entranced by the man's story and couldn't hold back any longer as he approached the two men. His eyes were glimmering with hope that the story was indeed true!

“Excuse me! Can you tell me more?” He asked shyly.

“Don't believe him, kid. He falls for these kinds of hoaxes easily.” The other man warned.

“No I don't! Anyway, it's said you need to go into the woods at night with a full moon and ask for the kitsune to appear with sincerity. If you're deemed worthy they'll appear and grant your wish!”

“Wow!” Kabukimono couldn't help, but be in awe at the thought of such a being existing.

“To me it sounds like something made up to lure fools into the woods at night to ambush them.” The other man sighed hopelessly.

“Hey, kid. If you do find the kitsune be sure to come back and prove this fool wrong!” The man smiled.

“Uh, sure!” He awkwardly answered.

Kabukimono of all shouldn't trust the words of humans or the deeds of mystical beings resembling gods, but... If there was a chance it was true then he had to take it! It wasn't like he had anything to lose if it wasn't true, but everything to gain if it was.

Every night he gazed at the dark star littered sky hoping to see the full moon shining above brightly, but only various states of crescent would show up. He waited inpatiently until the large full moon finally presented itself, he immediately rushed off to the direction the man had pointed him to.

The dark had never particularly bothered him before, but when all alone in a forest at night it was sure to make anyone anxious... The wildlife was surprisingly scarce and it was almost eerily quiet, only his own footsteps making the faintest noise. He felt like his every move was being watched by someone unknown, almost as soon as he had stepped into the dark he felt someone had their eyes on him.

Kabukimono's eyes darted from one direction to another as panic slowly settled in, he had no idea where he was going. He was all alone in the dark, all alone in a forest at night, he was all alone. Or was he? Which one was more terrifying, he wondered as his mind began racing with terrified thoughts he couldn't control. He could feel a cold sweat wash over him as his limbs began shaking.

“Wait!” He shouted before hurrying off to the direction of the animal.

Suddenly a unique looking kitsune fox jumped from the bushes before him, it delicately tilted it's head at the scared boy. He forgot all about his worries as he stared at the beautiful animal that didn't fear him in the slightest it seemed. It's eyes looked almost human as it softly gazed at him, but seeing as he calmed down soon enough the fox began walking away towards an unknown direction in the forest.

“Hey, kid!” A familiar voice called from the sidelines.

Confused Kabukimono turned towards the man who told him the story earlier that day in the village, the story that led him here in the first place. The sceptical man was behind the storyteller and was looking rather... uncomfortable for some reason. Perhaps he too didn't like treading through the dark forest at night.

“Oh, hi.” He answered before turning to look around for the fox.

“Whatcha looking for?” The man questioned.

“I saw a stranger kitsune, but I lost it...” He sadly answered.

“A strange looking kitsune?!” The man asked with excitement.

Kabukimono only nodded without paying much attention to the pair as he was still hoping to encounter the fox again, or at least find it's trace. As he wasn't paying attention the man grabbed his shoulders tightly before turning him around, his wide eyes gleamed in a terrifying way.

“It must be the one who grant's wishes! Oi, bring the rope! Did you see where it went?” He spoke quickly.

“Um, no... I lost it.” He answered quietly.

“What a bother...” The man sighed, but still didn't let go of Kabukimono's arm.

In fact - he held on tighter as the other man brought the rope that was requested earlier. Before Kabukimono could do anything he was wrapped tightly with the rough rope and tied against a large sturdy tree. There was nothing he could do to stop them and moving while bound so tightly burned against his skin.

“What are you doing?!” He asked in a panicked tone.

“Sorry, can't let you steal my wish kid. But thanks for leading us this far.” He grinned wickedly.

“Can we go already?” The uncomfortable looking man asked with a guilty look on his face.

“Yeah, yeah! Here.” He dropped a small pouch of mora on Kabukimono's lap. “For your help.”

He stared at the pouch on his lap with a hopeless expression... He was once again betrayed and he didn't even know their names. No matter what it seemed he was cursed to be forever betrayed and abandoned by not only people he knew, but also those he didn't. What a joke of an existence. He reached out for a glimmer of hope for his miserable life and he gets stabbed in the back.

“What a typical human thing to do.” A voice from the darkness said.

“Who's there?!” The man called out.

“The one you have supposedly been seeking.” Thry answered, but still didn't reveal themselves.

“The wish granting kitsune?!” The men asked in unison.

“O, mighty kitsune! Please grant my wish and bring me fortune! My wish is heartfelt.” He kneeled down with his hands up in prayer.

“You'd be better off begging from the Shogun herself. I will only warn you once - leave.” Their cold voice said.

“What?” The dumbfounded man asked.

A deep sigh was heard before their figure stepped out from the darkness, their every feature now illuminated by the moonlights glow. The pointed ears, hair and tail were the same color as the mysterious unique kitsune he had seen earlier - there was no mistaking it. Especially those chilling eyes that glared at the two men, they were so warm and gentle just a moment ago as they comforted him...

“Enough! I gave you enough warning and chances to leave, now I'll make you do so.” Their chilling voice spoke as their eyes began glowing.

Whatever happened next Kabukimono wasn't entirely sure as he quickly closed his eyes and turned his head away in - fear? He wasn't entirely sure, but he didn't want to witness whatever it is the kitsune did to them. Only when everything went back to the serene silence and he felt his restraints being pulled off did he open his eyes. Those warm and gentle eyes you had earlier had returned as you carefully removed the ropes from around him.

Out of instinct he jumped away since you were so close to him, but when he looked closer he could see you were caressing the tree he was previously bound to. The bark had slightly worn off in some places but overall it wasn't bad at all thus a gentle smile graced your features. It came as quickly as it dissapeared when you stood up and turned towards the the unconscious men.

“Humans are so bothersome, they always seek for the easy way out. Riches, beauty and eternal life...” You mutter bitterly to yourself.

“Tell me then, what is you seek?” You turn your gaze to the frightened boy.

He stayed silent before looking away from your intense stare, he stays silent as he thinks hard about your words. To wish for anything... What is it he truly seeked the most, wanted the most, longed for the most? He honestly hadn't thought that much or far ahead, despite being the creation of a literal god he had doubted your existence. Something as good as you couldn't possibly exist in the same world he did.

“A family, a home, a purpose... I'm not sure.” He quietly answered.

“Hmm... I'm not sure if that's something a simple wish could grant. It seems like something you have to create for yourself.” You answered honestly.

“...” The boy looked at you with sad yet strikingly beautiful indigo eyes. “Do you really grant wishes?”

“No. Nor have I ever heard of one that does.”

Your answer only made him more sad to the point he had tears brimming in his eyes. It didn't bring you any joy in saying it to him, but you didn't want to get his hopes up again in risk of him continuing to put himself in dangerous situations for the possibility of wish granting kitsune that didn't exist. You could never be fully sure, but kitsune were rare as it is so if such a being existed you would surely know of them.

“Follow this path down and you'll return to the village you came from.” You pointed behind him.

You turned your back to him and began walking away for the second time that night. You had nothing to offer the poor unfortunate boy, despite how much you might have wished to help him... You quickly came to a halt and froze in place as something cool latched onto your hand, turning back you could see the boy holding onto you with tears still brimming his round eyes.

He didn't need to say a word as you understood what his eyes were silently telling you. He had nowhere and no one to return to. He was silently begging you to take him with you, to not leave him like everyone else did. You were not particularly fond of humans due to their nature, but who could possibly say no to him?

“I see...” You said before gently holding his hand in return. “Say, have you ever visited a youkai banquet? The full moon is still high in the sky and they love to party during such nights.”

The boy wiped his tears away and shook his head to say no. “Then you're in for quite an eventful night.”

You smiled brightly as you walked hand in hand deeper into the forest. The youkai could be too energetic, loud and brash for you sometimes, but Kabukimono was clearly in need of company like theirs. You could endure it for one night to see that boy with a smile on his face.

A/N: Comments, likes and reblogs / any feedback is hugely appreciated <33

[thatpodcastkid]

Magnus Archives Relisten, MAG 4 Page Turner

Analysis of MAG 4, Page Turner. Spooky book time! Spoilers ahead.

Jurgen Leitner? Stupid idiot motherfucking Jurgen-

Sorry about that got possessed for a second. Anyway, first Leitner statement! Let's get into it while I try to control my rage.

Facts: Statement of Dominic Swain, regarding a book briefly in his possession in the winter of 2012.

Statement Notes: So much in this episode! First Gerry and Mary citing, first Leitner and Mike Crew mention. Crazy how relevant this episode was and we all had no way of knowing.

Starting simple, I would just like to say that as a theatre tech, Swain is so accurate and so real. "Doing a little bit of everything?" Real. Trying to see friends work but you also work at the same time? Real. Work place romance? Real. Not being able to relax when you see a play because you know all the tech stuff that can go wrong? Really real.

What I really loved about Dominic's statement though is the highlight of the ozone smell. He walks all around London with that book, shows it to Mary and Gerard, shows it to friends, and no one else mentions the smell. Yet, when he shows it to his ex Katherine Mendes, she said it "triggered her vertigo." This happens with a lot of the cursed items in the show: they don't have one general effect, but target the specific sources of fear and anxiety in the owner. Katherine apparently gets vertigo often, so The Vast would naturally trigger than height-based stressor. But Swain has a specific fear of lightning and the ozone smell because of what happened to Mike, so torturing him with that smell is the most effective way to cause fear in him.

There's also some really classic cursed object horror going on here that I love. Swain tries to sell the book the whole episode, but calls it "his book" fleeing Mary. Additionally, he says that he thought about giving it away, but felt that "wouldn't count." Very similar to Do Not Open here and a lot of cursed object horror in that there needs to be some kind of debt or reciprocity established rid one of the object.

I also just love the line "walking felt as natural as falling." It really conjures the idea that he can't control himself, that he's stumbling to Mary's shop uncontrollable just as he would fall through the sky: completely unable to stop.

Entity Alignment: Dominic translates "Ex Altiora" as "From Higher" or "Out of the Heights." That's just such insane Vast energy, the idea that whatever the book does to you will spawn from the open empty sky and you won't be able to stop it, just as you'd never be able to stop falling.

Obviously this episode is generally Vast aligned, but that painting of the Eye really freaked me out. "Grant us the sight that we may not know. Grant us the scent that we may not catch. Grant us the sound that we may not call.” This engraving very much encapsulates the point of the Eye and the Archive, and weirdly foreshadows what Jon goes through later. It is essentially saying, "Let me witness the fear and pain of others so that I don't have to experience it myself." Why would Gerry paint this? Especially given that a giant eye gives Elias direct view into his home. What is the goal?

Character Notes: Jurgen Leitner? Stupid idiot motherfucking Jurgen Leitner god damn fool book collecting dust eating-

Sorry what happened I blacked out.

Seriously though, my biggest takeaway about Leitner in this ep is that he doesn't spell his name with an umlaut like others. Why did Jonny include that detail. What does that do for me.

I do love that the only information Swain could find on him was that he lost a bidding war over a book to "GRbookworm1818" who is so obviously Gertrude it's hilarious.

I think it's so weird that Swain couldn't find anything online about him, though. Leitners are clearly around, so wouldn't there be some kind of chat room or reddit post about one? Builds my theory that the Entities or at least the Web has some influence over internet content in this universe that it doesn't have in The Magnus Protocol universe. In TMAGP, the OIAR sorts through things found in databases and the internet, but in TMA the Archive seems to be the only source of real supernatural info, proving that Elias or someone else was controlling the stream of information in a way that the entities aren't able to (yet) in TMAGP.

Let's turn away from the most hated character on the internet to talk about the most loved: Gerard Keay.

Our first intro to Gerry is death metal music blasting from his bedroom at two am which is just, so on brand.

(Also want to point out that Dominic Swain didn't realize it was 2 am until he heard the music. Missing time is another motif that keeps coming up in this show.)

I also forgot that Gerry painted in this universe, so it's nice to see they kept that connection in Protocol.

The thing that's truly key (no pun intended) about this episode though is the ritual Mary performs, blaming Gerry for her fake murder. I believe this is the episode she binds herself to the Skin Book, but I can't figure out when/how she would attach Gerry. Also, the case against him was thrown out because a "key piece of evidence was deemed inadmissible." Was this Gertrude pulling strings, Mary using magic influence, or some other powerful eldritch bureaucrat pulling for our boy? Who's to say.

Mike Crew is really only mentioned in this episode, but it did get me thinking about the relevance of scars in the show. His Lichtenberg scar influences who he is and what he becomes as an Avatar. Very similar to Daisy naming herself after her scar and pursuing law--which would lead to her becoming an Avatar--because of the event and injury. Also, Jon's "markings" are what allow him to start the Eyepocalypse. Physical manifestations and reminders of trauma shaping who we become really is a theme in this show.

And of course, Jon. He is such a terrible liar yet him believing in the supernatural was still somehow a plot twist. Proves how good a writer Jonny is, honestly. He doesn't believe in the supernatural, but is absolutely terrified of Leitners and is working on an "institute project" to eradicate them? I would love to know how this project worked. Was it just research? Was there a team dedicated to finding and collecting Leitners? He also mentions "the incident in 1994," is that when the library was destroyed? Or is just another terrible Leitner incident.

Crazy ep, one of my favorites. Let me know what you think!

[muspellssynir]

Flowers bloom in strange places

I didn't like it enough for AO3 so here you go

AisxOC

He was mesmerizing.

Laughing around who seem to be his friends and the weird charismatic boss man of the bar, taking drinks no one else would dare, picking up challenges just for the sake of it.

He looked like so much fun.

Alain was staring so hard he felt his own drink dribble off his lips and onto his shirt, making him slam his glass against the counter as he wiped his mouth furiously.

He was making a fool of himself. He was way too good at that but in time he learned how to be unapologetic about it. He was clumsy and daydreamed way too much, often out of conversations he was having.

Still, he didn't wanna look like an idiot right now. Maybe after they exchanged names at least.

Ah, but that would take coming closer and he might not be sorry for who he was but he was, in fact, not the kind of man that would interrupt a conversation to steal someone's company.

He felt the piercing sensation of eyes staring through the back of his head and turned to see the handsome stranger gazing at him, scarlet red eyes in softer red eyeliner and a curious quirk in his scarred brow. Shit, he must have noticed him staring.

Alain couldn't think, only pulled his long almost white blind hair behind his ears and smiled shyly at him.

He might or might not have included a little kiss at the end. He couldn't even tell. It would be so embarrassing if he did.

The stranger's eyes widened before he got called back into the conversation, and Alain could swear his cheeks just reddened slightly.

Cute. He chuckled to himself and went back to his drink and his notebook, designing flower arrangements in impressively accurate sketches.

He asked for an ashtray after his drink and got told it was a non-smoking establishment: sighing, he got up to leave for the alley at the side door for a second. The habit was horrible and expensive and still came to him too intently for him not to listen.

He shrugged off the sensation of the piercing gaze against him.

He shouldn't have, as it cost him his last smoke.

“Have you lost something, little mouse?” Alain heard and effectively eeked as his body flinched in fear and flicked his just lit cigarette into a puddle of mystery liquid in the sidewalk he was not willing to get anything from.

Well. Fuck.

“Holy f-” he started but soon let his voice mellow down as a nervous grin took place. “Ah, well, that was my last cigarette, so… yeah, I'd say so.”

the stranger chuckled with a smug half smile that made him so enchanting he couldn't stop himself from staring again.

More so when he felt the stranger's calloused warm hand on his, taking the matches so softly it felt intentional to light up a cigarette of his own before handing it to him.

The smoke around his eyes made him look so eerily beautiful Alain took a moment before noticing the gesture; the tip was softly pressed down and smelled of spiced whiskey.

He lost himself in thought imagining the taste of those lips in his, maybe tender, maybe hungry, all so desired.

“My bad, I guess, but doesn't explain the way you kept staring at me.” The man retorted and Alain only grinned, the smoke circling around his smile making his hazel eyes look oddly light.

“Ah that. Well…” he started, giggling as he felt his cheeks start to turn into embers. Was it hot out there or was it just him? “You're attractive. Very much so. Very nice to look at, so…” he clicked his tongue and forced himself not to look away. “So I kept looking.”

Ais was taken aback for a second, maybe because of his fabricated boldness, maybe because he might not get those kinds of words directed at him much, seeing how they take his words away.

“You're- bold, little mouse. And not very smart.” He smiled to himself, licking his lips slowly before turning to him. “That kind of taste in men is gonna bring you to not so nice places.”

“Can it take you first so I can walk behind you?” Alain hinted and it took A while until Ais's face picked up that cute red shade on his cheeks and up the tip of his ears.

Red did look good on him.

He huffed and looked away, his lips pursed in a pout, not knowing what to say for the longest minute.

“You're a curious little thing, aren't you?” He started and his tone sounded more defensive than inviting, as if Alain's interest had startled him so much he didn't know how to react.

“I am. You can feed my curiosity whenever.” Alain added and made him stutter. Oh that was precious! He needed so much more of that! He giggled and waved him off. “I'm playing with you, it's okay: you're incredibly adorable when you're embarrassed like that.” He grinned at him so fully and it only made Ais go redder for some reason.

He wasn't really used to niceties, was he?

“You're standing in front of someone who could destroy you and calling him adorable-”

“Well you are!” He interrupted. Fuck his power and his strength and whatever he can do that Alain didn't bother finding out. He was a thing out of his dreams. Wet or otherwise. “And You're so intelligent too, you shifted in between languages - mind you, I didn't understand shit but still impressive- after like ten thousand drinks and did I hear you work at a clinic??? I'm-”

“Ok, you need to stop-” Ais tried, trying to catch a breath as he ranted as if he's been crushing for ages and didn't just find him at a random bar.

Unfortunately he didn't miss the end of the rant.

“You're absolutely the kind of man baby traps happen for.”

Ais started chuckling, before blowing into a full laugh, flushed red and leaning on the brick wall and having trouble keeping his gaze on Alain without making it worse on himself. “You're…. Fuck you're embarrassing. You're absolutely embarrassing, do you not have a fucking filter?”

“Oh I did, not the right size, fell off at some point and I never got it back.” He grinned at the man who still struggled in between wanting to look at him and blushing just by meetting his eyes.

“I uh…” Ais tried to compose himself, running his hand through his hair nervously and lighting another cigarette. “I… I can't deal with you” he shook his head before grinning to himself.

“You're fucking something else.”

“I'm not but I'd like to.” Alain taunted and got a scoff in response, the smile too obvious to be hidden, fangs flashing under the moonlight.

“you know what? Here” Ais chucked the pack of cigarettes at him and by the time Alain finished fidgeting with them in the air, his clumsiness be damned, he was already nothing but a shadow stretching under the streetlights.

He scoffed and pulled the cigarettes onto his nose, feeling the soft spiced scent of musk and sea salt, maybe on the box, maybe just ingrained into his brain.

There was nothing there in that bar for him anymore that night.

Alain chuckled realizing Ais kept the matches he brought from his shop and walked back home.

The next day he found a bouquet of red spider lillies at the doorstep of his shop, a flower that grew only in the outer lands where he wouldn't even dare to step. He whistled back into his shop and braided one of them into his long hair, putting the whole bouquet on a beautiful red stained glass vase as a centerpiece.

They got so many compliments.

For some reason Alain felt watched all that day. He didn't quite mind.

A handsome man's attention always made him feel worthy of the looks, even from the eyes above he couldn't see.