#(for everything she refuses to say and tear she refuses to shed and pain she won't release)

[fellstcr]

⚔️ // she  felt  DISHONEST. 

            as  though  she  were  BETRAYING  HER  FRIEND  right  then  and  there  ,  by  not  staying.  as  she  walked  away  yellow  carnations  sprouted  from  her  hair.  into  the  fabric  of  her  coat  ,  bursting  through  skin  and  climbing  vines  up  her  wrists  and  ankles.  byleth  grimaced  and  tore  them  out.  she  shuddered  as  the  front  door  closed  behind  her. 

             her  chest  heaved.  

        in  her  empty  house  with  no  one  around  and  no  one  to  watch  as  pain  lanced  through  byleth’s  chest  ,  she  slid  down  ,  DOWN  ,  down  the  door  frame. 

              the  lump  in  her  throat  worsened.

       if  she  had  a  heart  ,  perhaps  it  might  stutter.  perhaps  it  might  stop.  but  it  didn’t.  and  she  fiddled  with  the  edges  of  her  cloak  before  drawing  her  knees   to  her  chest.

        . . .  perhaps  she  should go  back.  

             make  sure  he  got  his  gift.  ensure  he  was  okay.

        after  all  ,  his  abode  was  only  a  block down.  she  could  —  . . .  what?  wait  in  the   cold  for  footsteps  that  wouldn’t  come?  for  a  door  that  wouldn’t  open?  watch  while  his  eyes  burned  cold ,   if  the  door  did  reveal  him?  stay  helplessly  silent  as  dimitri  snarled  ,  told  her  it  was  a  WORTHLESS  ENDEAVOR  ,  and  turned  his  back?  (  again ?  )

       her  eyes  closed  as  fragments  of  time  spun  in  the  darkness  there.  . . .  glimmers  of  a  chapel  in  ruins  . . .  of  a  blue  cloak.  of  a  voice  that  rumbled  low  as  it  snarled  out  words  she  couldn’t  place.

           byleth’s  head  ached  as  more  flowers  bloomed there. 

           the   lump  suddenly  lodged  within  byleth’s  throat  ,  constricting  her  lungs  as  it  whistled  through  her  teeth.  her  shoulders  SHOOK  and  HEAVED  before  byleth  coughed  and  CHOKED  —  before  her  lungs  ,  with great  effort ,  spluttered  out.  she  spat  out  the  lump  - the  OBJECT  -  out  into  her hands  ,  fingers  tinged  red  and  mouth  tasting  of  copper  from  all of  the  words  she  hadn’t  said   ,  and  all  of  the  words  she  hadn’t  written  down  either.             (  and  the  iris  petals  had  fallen  from  her  desk  with  each  penned  word  ,   just   as  more  flowers  bloomed  and  choked  the  earth  in  its  place. )

        . . .  a  garden  anemone.  its  petals  were   pale  and  white  and  fragile.  they  shook  in  her  hand  as  she  lifted  it  to  eye  level.  tainted  only  by  the  red  in  her  hands.

          another  to  add  to  the  growing  pile of  dead  and  wilted  flowers  torn  from  her    hair  and  her  skin  and  her  clothes.  (  dizzy.  she  was  —  suddenly  feeling  dizzy.  with   pain  from  flowers  blooming  and  crawling  up  her  skin  ;  fatigue from -  she  didn’t  really  know  what  from  ,  anymore.  )

          byleth  twirled  the  anemone  between  her  fingers.  she  slowly  ,  slowly  ,  stood  to  her  feet.

                                                she  would  push  through  this.

                                                                     ENDURE.

            the  anemone  fell  to the  floor  with  the  rest  of  them.

            perhaps  she  would  check  on  him  another  day.         when  she  wouldn’t  choke  on  petals  and  flower  bulbs.

[novaursa]

I've been LOVING your cregan work and wanted to see if you were doing requests. I was thinking something like the reader (velaryon) was previously married to aemond had a kid with him and something happened to the kid, reader escapes aemond and is with cregan but is still morning the life she previously had and feels bad about it. Maybe she's just given up on everything and cregan just wants to help. I'm so sorry if this makes zero sense 😭

Winter's Solace

Requests are closed!

- Summary: Specters of the past came back today once more to hunt you, but Cregan holds them back.

- Paring: velaryon!reader/Cregan Stark

- Note: The reader is bonded with a dragon Grey Ghost.

- Rating: Mature 16+

- Tag(s): @sachaa-ff @alyssa-dayne @daeryna @melsunshine @21-princess

The cold wind howls through the ancient halls of Winterfell, but inside your chambers, the fire crackles softly. The warmth from the hearth does little to pierce the chill that’s wrapped around your heart. The North was supposed to be your sanctuary, the place where you could forget. But the past clings to you like a cloak you cannot shed.

For days now, you’ve sought solitude, slipping from the bed you share with Cregan before the dawn, curling yourself into the furs by the window, watching the sky but not really seeing it. You barely eat. Every mouthful seems to turn to ash on your tongue. The memories—the life you had before, the life taken from you—haunt your every waking moment.

The son you lost, taken by blood and treachery.

Your breath trembles as you draw it in, eyes falling to the grey stones below. You told yourself you would never cry again after that night, but the tears threaten to spill all the same.

A quiet knock at the door stirs you, though you do not answer. You know who it is, and part of you wants to tell him to leave. To let you sit here in silence, to let the grief eat at you until there is nothing left. But he’s stubborn, like the North itself. He enters without waiting for your permission, the familiar sound of his heavy boots crossing the threshold.

"Cregan…" Your voice is barely a whisper, hoarse from lack of use. But you don’t turn to face him.

He doesn’t say anything at first. He knows better than to rush you. Instead, he stands in the doorway for a moment, his presence filling the room with a quiet strength. Then, slowly, he crosses to where you sit, his broad figure casting a shadow over you.

"You haven’t eaten," he says gently, kneeling beside you, his eyes dark with concern. His hand finds yours, rough and warm against your cold skin. He squeezes it, hoping to ground you, to pull you back from the abyss you’re teetering over.

You pull your hand away, though it’s not from any anger toward him. It’s because you’re ashamed. Ashamed of the broken thing you’ve become, ashamed that even now, after all this time, the past still holds you so tightly in its grip. You think of Aemond, of the life you once shared with him—however brief and painful—and the child you lost. You think of the vengeance that Daemon and Rhaenyra sought in your name, a vengeance that tore at what little remained of your soul.

"I can’t…" Your voice breaks, and for a moment, you press your lips together to stop the flood of words that want to spill out. "I can’t pretend anymore, Cregan."

Cregan’s eyes, soft yet strong, search your face. He understands. He’s always understood, more than anyone else ever could. When you fled to the North on the back of Grey Ghost, seeking an end to the torment, it was Cregan who saved you. He didn’t ask for explanations, didn’t demand that you be strong. He simply gave you space, gave you time. But now, the time has come to face the wounds that refuse to heal.

He moves closer, sitting beside you, pulling you gently into his arms. At first, you resist, stiff in his embrace, but the warmth of his body, the steady beat of his heart, begins to melt the ice that’s hardened around your soul.

"I don’t need you to pretend, Y/N," he says, his voice a low rumble in your ear. "Not with me."

You close your eyes, leaning into him, allowing yourself the comfort he offers. His hand strokes your hair, gentle and slow, as though he’s trying to calm a wild animal.

"I left them to die," you murmur, the words slipping out before you can stop them. "Aemond… our son. I should have stayed, should have fought harder—"

"You were never meant to stay with him," Cregan interrupts, his tone firmer now, as though he’s reminding you of something you’ve long forgotten. "The life you had with him was built on lies and violence. It wasn’t your fault, Y/N. None of it."

"But it was my mother…" Your voice breaks again, the bitterness of it burning your throat. "It was Rhaenyra. She sent them—Daemon sent them—to kill him. To take my son."

Cregan holds you tighter, his breath warm against your hair. "You’ve carried that guilt too long, my love. What your mother did… that’s on her. Not on you. You didn’t ask for their blood to be spilled."

The tears come then, hot and heavy, spilling down your cheeks as you sob into Cregan’s chest. You hate yourself for it—hate how weak you feel. But he doesn’t let go. He doesn’t pull away or flinch from your pain.

"I loved him once," you confess, voice barely audible. "Aemond… I loved him before all the bitterness and rage. Before the war tore us apart."

"I know," Cregan says softly. "And you loved your son. That’s why you grieve. But you can’t let it destroy you. You can’t let the ghosts of the past steal the life you have now."

You’re silent for a moment, listening to the crackling of the fire and the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. His words are true, but they don’t erase the pain. Nothing ever will.

"I don’t know how to move forward," you admit.

"One step at a time," Cregan says, pulling back slightly so he can look into your eyes. His gaze is steady, filled with a determination that gives you something to hold onto. "I can’t take the pain away, Y/N. But I’ll be here, every step, until you find your way."

You look into his face, seeing the man who saved you when you thought there was nothing left to save. The man who offers you not just comfort, but a future, if only you can let yourself reach for it.

"I don’t deserve you," you whisper, guilt still gnawing at the edges of your heart.

"Deserve me?" He smiles, a soft, crooked smile that warms you in a way the fire never could. "I think it’s the other way around. You’re a Targaryen, a Velaryon, bonded with a dragon. And yet, here you are in the North, sharing your life with me. If anyone is undeserving, it’s me."

You shake your head, tears still glistening in your eyes. "No… you saved me."

"And I’ll keep saving you," Cregan says, his thumb brushing away the tear on your cheek. "For as long as you need me to."

For the first time in days, something like hope flickers in your chest. It’s faint, fragile, but it’s there. You lean into him again, closing your eyes, letting his warmth and strength anchor you. The grief will always be there, lurking in the shadows. But with Cregan by your side, you feel like maybe, just maybe, you can face it.

Tomorrow, you’ll eat. Tomorrow, you’ll take another step forward. But for now, in this moment, you allow yourself to simply be held. And for the first time in a long time, that feels like enough.

[biggestsimponhere]

“don’t touch them” with obi wan x reader please!! a little angst/comfort with obi wan getting protective ☺️

Protective - Obi-wan kenobi x reader

Warnings - Mentions of torture, blood, sharp objects

A/N: sorry this is so late omg 😭

A mission went wrong, this isn’t unusual in most cases except the way it went wrong. You and Obi-wan Kenobi had been sent on a mission on the outer rim. You’d gotten the supplies to the town and all was going well until you both began to make your way out of the town. You had both been too exhausted to sense someone sneaking up on you. Which effectively led to where the two of you are now. Chained up on Dooku’s ship with Obi-wan chained up next to you.

As you began to stir awake you could hear Obi-wan grunting in pain next to you. You reach out with your force to Obi-wan as you slowly wake up. “Well look who decided to join us” Dooku said turning his attention to you. “Don’t touch them, you’ll have much bigger problems than the order if you do” Obi-wan said glaring at Dooku. “Oh? So you do have a soft spot, here I was thinking it would take much more to crack you” He said looking back at Obi-wan. Obi-wan continued to glare at the man, while subtly trying to make sure you were alright. Dooku moved over to the table to pick up what appeared to be a very sharp knife.

You stared as you watched him move over to Obi-wan with it. He crouched in front of him moving the knife to Obi-wans face and running it down his cheek, nicking his face. Obi-wan grunted in pain as blood ran down his cheek. “Stop, d-don’t hurt him, hurt me” You said firmly. “I mean if that’s what you want” Dooku said before shocking you with his force lightning. “Stop! Stop please” Obi-wan yelled. Your face had begun to pale and obi could see you sweating. “Just stop” He said defeated. “Tell me what I want to know and i’ll let you both go freely” Dooku said stopping the lightning.

Before Obi-wan could say anything an alarm went off on the ship. Obi-wan smiled lightly as he felt Anakins force signature enter the ship. Dooku fled from the room quickly. “Y/n, hey, wake up please” Obi-wan said trying to nudge your force with his. He received no response verbally or otherwise. Then Anakin bust into the room. “Master” He shouted as he ran and undid Obi-wan’s cuffs. Obi-wan quickly moved over to you. You were still breathing but very lightly. “What happened?” Anakin asked almost on the verge of tears. You had raised him almost ad much as Obi-wan had. “Dooku happened” Obi-wan said before calling for medical.

Everything blurs as you’re rushed out of the room. Obi-wan watches as your taken away. To medical. Not away. He follows behind them slowly. Feeling awful, like he should be the one on the stretcher and not you. He distantly hears his name. He doesn’t respond. He can’t. “Obi-wan?” Anakin says again. Stepping in front of him. “Yes?” He says but it’s like he can’t even hear himself talk. “You need to get checked out” Anakin says laying his hand on Obi-wan’s arm. “I can’t, not until she’s okay” Obi-wan says. “She’ll be fine, but if she’s gonna be fine you have to be too” Anakin said before dragging obi-wan over to medical.

“Please Anakin, check on her” Obi-wan says as he sits on the bed. Anakin nods and heads out of the room. Obi-wan profusely refuses treatment until he knows your state. Eventually Anakin comes back into the room. Obi-wan looks up immediately. “H-how is she?” He said quietly. “She’s going to be alright master,” Anakin responded softly “You need to be treated” Obi-wan nodded and let the droids finally work on him. As soon as he was treated he rushed out of the room to find you. Once he was in your room he sat by your bedside quietly. If the other Jedi saw him shed a few tears they pretended not to notice.

He grabbed a hold of your hand and laid his head to rest at your side. A few hours later you woke up, reaching to move your hand you noticed a weight on it. You looked down and noticed obi-wan. You smiled lovingly before waking him up with a soft call of his name. He immediately perked up upon hearing your voice. “You’re awake” He smiled. “Thank you” You say quietly. “For what?” he replied immediately. “Keeping me safe” you say, reaching out to cup his cheek. Understanding that he doesn’t believe he did you sigh lightly. He turns his head to place a kiss on your palm before interlacing your fingers. You nod to the space next to you and he climbs into the bed. The two of you drift off into a peaceful sleep. Safe in each other’s arms.

[mindisrotting]

𝐈𝐓’𝐒 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐖𝐇𝐎 𝐈 𝐇𝐎𝐋𝐃 𝐎𝐍 𝐓𝐎 | simon "ghost" riley

tags | wife!reader, parenthood, a little angst, fluff, mentions of murder, not proofread (sorry for any mistakes)

special thanks to @athanasialove for inspiring this little fic <3

Imagine Simon Riley, who sometimes before going to bed thinks about the things he went through. He found friends, and he found love, unconditional love, but he will never forget what Roba put him through, all that torture and grief of having to see his lifeless family on the floor of his home.

He's become a tough guy, a ghost, but he still has feelings and emotions. Sometimes he feels paranoid, the thought that in some corner of this cruel world there's someone who wants to cause him pain by hurting those he loved, his wife and precious kids, won't leave his mind. They're his reason to live, to survive, to give the best of himself. His little family will always be the light at the end of this dark tunnel. So no matter how much he wants to brag about them—to tell his squad about the perfect goal his son scored on his last football match or how his daughter recently learned how to read, and now she will read every word she sees aloud—he's terrified. Until Task Force 141 is coming back from a mission that ended with him getting shot twice. The surgeon had told him that he got lucky, if the second bullet had perforated a few centimeters more up, he would be in a body bag instead of laying on a hospital bed.

When you picked up a phone call from an unknown number, the last thing you expected to hear was your husband shaky’s voice. With tears in your eyes, you listened as he told you everything. Even though that wasn't the first time he's got hurt on the job, it was the first time he did since growing his own family, and it unlocked a new fear he never experienced before. He never wanted to leave you, not like this. When he asked you to do something, he wasn't thinking about the enemies he's made in all his years of service, he wasn't thinking about everyone seeing them in broad daylight.

When the military plane landed, and everyone got out to reunite with whoever was waiting for them to come home, everyone assumed Ghost would just say goodbye to Johnny and be on his way alone. But he went down the aircraft steps rapidly, because in the distance, he saw two little people running towards him with an older person walking behind them. He got down in one knee and opened his arms, waiting to feel the impact. When it did, he cried—the last time he shed any tears was when his daughter was born at only 28 weeks, she was so fragile and small, but she was a survivor—feeling the warm hug of his seven and four-year-old, it was the best feeling in the universe having two tiny humans yell “Daddy!” at the tops of their lungs and saying how much they missed him. Johnny was bewildered, because he never knew those people existed. He looked at Price but he was just as shocked, he looked away knowing it wasn't his business. Then came you, his beautiful wife of nine years, the mother of his children, his bridge, his strength, his everything. You, too, cried as you hugged him, knowing that he’s home safe and well. You stayed like that for longer than normal because Simon refused to let go of you.

When he was laying in the bed of his cold hospital room, he knew he needed to see you as soon as possible. He couldn't wait for the aircraft to land at base and then take another flight and drive an hour to his home in the countryside of England. He begged you to go with the kids to the base, and without hesitation you agreed, knowing this is what he needed.

He unwrapped his arms from you and took your face in his hands, wiping away your tears with his thumbs while his kids stood patiently. Then, your gaze directed from his brown eyes to the man standing looking at the scene, you motioned to Simon to turn around. He told you who the man was and crouched down to meet his kids’ eyes.

“wanna meet uncle Johnny?”

[acute-crashout-jeyuso]

Possession: a Jey Uso x Rhea Ripley x Jimmy Uso fanfic.

Chapter One: Intro

The Pensacola air was thick with humidity as Rhea stood at the front door of the home she shared with Jey, her fingers hovering over the knob. It was supposed to be a sanctuary, a place of comfort after grueling days on the road. But today, it felt suffocating as this was their first day back from the hospital and sadly Rhea’s last day before she had to fly to Houston for Smackdown.

She swallowed hard, her throat tight, and pushed open the door. Jey had insisted on walking inside on his own, despite the sling securing his injured shoulder. His stubbornness was equal parts admirable and frustrating, and it gnawed at her that she was the reason for his pain.

“Let me help,” she offered, her voice soft, almost too quiet to be heard over the door closing behind them.

Jey shook his head, giving her a small, forced smile as he navigated toward the living room. The smile didn’t reach his eyes, and she hated herself for noticing.

“Just get me some ice, babe. I’ll be fine.” His voice was calm, but she caught the wince as he lowered himself onto the couch. He was trying to be strong for her, like always. It only made the guilt burn deeper.

Rhea set down his bag, the weight of the moment pressing down on her. She moved through the house mechanically, fetching ice packs, arranging pillows, anything to keep herself busy, anything to avoid the gnawing ache in her chest. Every movement felt heavy, deliberate, as though her body had forgotten how to function without the guilt twisting her insides.

When she finally sat next to Jey, the room was quiet. Too quiet. She stared at him for a moment, his face relaxed but strained, the pain etched in his brow. He’d always been her rock, the one person who could steady her in the chaos of their lives, and now, he was sitting there, hurt because of her mistake.

She cleared her throat, trying to shake the dark thoughts away. “I can stay, you know? I’ll call in, tell them—”

“Don’t.” Jey cut her off, his tone gentle but firm. He shifted slightly, turning his gaze to her, his dark eyes soft but unwavering. “You need to go. We’re still in the tournament. You can’t let this stop you.”

Rhea bit the inside of her cheek, the words she wanted to say caught in her throat. It wasn’t just about the tournament—it was about leaving him like this. After everything she’d put him through, after the injury that might sideline him for months, how could she walk away?

But Jey, as always, saw right through her.

“Hey,” he said softly, reaching out with his good arm to take her hand. “It’s not your fault. You hear me?” His grip was strong, reassuring, even if his body was broken.

Rhea blinked, her eyes stinging with the tears she refused to shed. She couldn’t show him how much this was destroying her—not now. Not when he needed her to be strong. She squeezed his hand back and nodded, even though the words felt hollow.

“I’ll check in after the show,” she promised, standing abruptly. The weight in her chest only grew heavier as she moved to grab her suitcase she had packed earlier in the day before leaving to get Jey from the hospital. The silence between them stretched, thick with unspoken words, unexpressed feelings.

She lingered in the doorway, casting one last glance at Jey. He gave her a reassuring nod, the same look he always gave her before a match, as if to say, Go handle business. But this wasn’t the same. It wasn’t a match. It was her life, their life, spiraling in directions she wasn’t sure how to control.

The door clicked shut behind her, and as she stood on the porch, staring into the dimming Pensacola sky, the knot in her stomach tightened.

Her flight to Houston would be leaving in about an hour, but her mind was still back in that living room, with Jey, where she should be. The road was calling, and so was WWE, but for the first time, it felt like she didn’t belong anywhere. Rhea forced herself out of her thoughts, suitcase in hand, making her way to the Uber to leave Jey…

-- Next Day, Smackdown.

The Houston arena for SmackDow buzzed around Rhea, a cacophony of chatter, excitement, and the familiar pulse of the show running in the background. She tried to focus, but her mind was miles away in Pensacola with Jey. Just as she was about to slip away for a quiet moment, she felt a hand clap on her shoulder.

Turning around, she found herself face-to-face with Hunter. His expression was as unreadable as ever, but the hint of a smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth. “Got some news for you, Rhea,” he said, crossing his arms. “I’ve found you a new partner.”

Rhea’s face fell instantly. “Hunter, I…I should just drop out. Maybe go for something different down the line. It doesn’t feel right—”

Hunter’s chuckle cut her off. “You’re not dropping out,” he said with a slight shake of his head. “Besides, I’ve got the perfect partner lined up for you.” He motioned to someone just behind him.

Rhea’s stomach dropped as Jimmy Uso stepped into view, a wide grin spreading across his face. Rhea crossed her arms, fixing Hunter with an exasperated stare. “You can’t be serious.”

Hunter laughed again, looking between her and Jimmy. “Who better than your boyfriend’s twin brother? The fans are gonna eat this up,” he said with a satisfied nod. He slapped Jimmy’s back. “Make sure he knows that finisher you and Jey do,” he added before turning and disappearing down the hallway, leaving them alone.

Jimmy’s grin hadn’t faded, and he tilted his head as he studied her. “Look, Rhea, I know you probably aren’t thrilled about this,” he said, scratching the back of his neck, “but…I need this, too. Just as much as Jey did.”

His voice softened, and for the first time, Rhea saw a glimpse of something genuine beneath Jimmy’s usual confidence. Her annoyance wavered. He did need this, didn’t he? She could relate to that desperation for a push, that craving to step out of the shadows and prove himself. Jey had needed this, and maybe, in his own way, so did Jimmy.

After a long pause, she sighed. “Fine,” she murmured, though her voice held a slight edge of reluctance. She was still adjusting, still trying to convince herself that this was the right choice.

Jimmy’s smile returned, broader this time, as if he’d won her over. “Good. We’ll make this work.” He looked down at his attire—a bright red getup that screamed anything but “Rhea’s partner.”

She huffed, gesturing to his clothes with a wave of her hand. “Are you going to dress like this?” she asked, her irritation creeping back in. “Do you have anything in black? Jey always matched with me in blue and black.”

Jimmy blinked, glancing down at his outfit. “Uh, yeah, I think I’ve got something. I can switch it up,” he said, looking more amused than offended by her annoyance.

“Great,” Rhea muttered, pressing her lips together in a line. She wasn’t quite ready to trust him, but for now, it would have to do. Hunter had made his decision, and her path was set.

Jimmy extended a fist, his smile now mischievous. “To new partners?”

After a brief hesitation, Rhea tapped her fist against his. “To new partners,” she echoed, though she couldn’t shake the feeling that things were about to get complicated.

--

The arena darkens, and the crowd roars in anticipation as Rhea’s music hits, her signature brooding entrance filling the stage with smoky shadows. The commentators’ voices cut through the din of the crowd.

Wade Barrett: “Ladies and gentlemen, we’re about to witness something absolutely unprecedented here on SmackDown. Rhea Ripley is walking out alone tonight, but it’s what happened last week in Pensacola at RAW that’s on everyone’s mind.”

Corey Graves: “That’s right, Wade. In a shocking twist, Jey Uso—Rhea’s tag partner and, let’s not forget, her boyfriend—suffered a devastating shoulder injury after an unfortunate misstep during their match. A torn rotator cuff, as we’ve heard, and it looks like Jey will be out of action for months!”

The camera cuts to Rhea as she reaches the ring, her face set in a determined expression as the audience begins to cheer. She slides under the ropes, standing tall as her theme fades and the lights come up. Rhea’s gaze is fixed, her silence adding to the anticipation.

While continuing to play Rhea’s music, the titantrons showed a recap of Jey’s injury, including seeing Rhea rush to his side and seeing Jey get strapped to the stretcher. The camera then reverted back to Rhea as she had a somber look on her face.

Wade Barrett: [in a solemn tone] “It’s a heartbreaking situation for both of them, Corey. They were favorites to win the first-ever Mixed Gender Tag Team Titles, and now Jey’s dreams have been shattered—at least for the foreseeable future.”

Corey Graves: “Rhea has got the heart of a champion, Wade. She’s clearly here to finish what she and Jey started, but the question everyone’s asking is… who’s stepping into the ring with her? Who could possibly fill Jey’s shoes?”

Wade Barrett: [speculatively] “Rhea Ripley isn’t one to just team up with anybody. Whoever this mystery partner is, they’ve got to bring something special to this team—and they’d better be ready to keep up with The Eradicator herself.”

A few beats of silence pass as the crowd simmers in excitement. Then, Jimmy Uso’s music hits, and the audience erupts in a mix of cheers and gasps, recognizing the familiar notes.

Corey Graves: “Wait a minute… No way. Are you kidding me?”

Wade Barrett: [genuinely shocked] “This is…this is unbelievable! Jimmy Uso is Rhea’s new partner?!”

The camera catches Rhea’s reaction—a brief flash of surprise mixed with what looks like reluctance before she schools her expression. Meanwhile, Jimmy appears on the stage, a wide grin lighting up his face as he soaks in the crowd’s energy.

Corey Graves: “Talk about making a statement! Jimmy Uso, Jey’s own twin brother, stepping into his shoes? You’ve got to admit, Wade, this is some next-level storytelling! Who better to partner with Rhea than Jey’s own flesh and blood?”

Wade Barrett: [recovering, now intrigued] “Absolutely, Corey. The symmetry is perfect—but let’s not forget the very real emotional weight here. Jey’s sidelined, and now his brother is stepping up? It’s bound to be complicated for everyone involved, especially for Rhea.”

Corey Graves: “Complicated? This is a goldmine of tension, Wade! Just imagine what’s going through Jey’s mind right now, watching his twin and his girlfriend out here in the spotlight together. And if I know Jimmy, he’s ready to seize this moment.”

As Jimmy makes his way down the ramp, he throws a playful gesture to Rhea, who nods, but her stance remains guarded. The crowd is still roaring, caught between excitement for Jimmy and concern for Jey.

Wade Barrett: “There’s no doubt Jimmy is charismatic, but this isn’t just any match, Corey. This is the semi-finals for the Mixed Gender Tag Titles that we temporarily paused just so Rhea could find a partner and now Rhea and Jimmy have one shot to prove their teamwork is more than just a storyline twist.”

Corey Graves: “And it’s a smart move from management too. These two might have the family connection, but tonight will show if Jimmy has what it takes to go from Jey’s backup to a true partner for Rhea.”

As Jimmy joins Rhea in the ring, the two exchange a quick, loaded glance—Rhea’s eyes narrowing slightly, Jimmy’s grin softening into a look of determination. The crowd’s cheers swell again as the two prepare to face the next challenge.

Wade Barrett: “Whether she likes it or not, Rhea’s got her new partner. And Jimmy Uso? Well, he’s got the chance of a lifetime to show what he can do alongside one of the most ruthless forces in WWE today.”

Corey Graves: “This is either the start of something incredible—or a recipe for disaster. And I, for one, am here for it.”

The camera pulls back, capturing the electric atmosphere as the crowd’s energy reaches a fever pitch. The stage is set, and all eyes are on Rhea and Jimmy.

The arena buzzes with anticipation as the bell rings, signaling the start of the Mixed Gender Tag Team Semi-Final match. Rhea and Jimmy stand in their corner, both visibly determined, while Scarlett and Karrion Kross exchange confident smirks from the opposite side.

Wade Barrett: “Here we go! This is what we’ve been waiting for! Rhea and Jimmy are set to face off against Karrion Kross and Scarlett, and you can feel the tension in the air!”

Corey Graves: “This is going to be a war! Each team has something to prove, and it’s clear that Rhea is still feeling the emotional weight of Jey’s injury.”

Rhea and Scarlett start off in the ring, circling each other before locking up. Rhea quickly gains the upper hand, shoving Scarlett back into the corner. The crowd roars as Rhea delivers a fierce shoulder block, followed by a series of hard strikes that back Scarlett up.

Wade Barrett: “Rhea is showing no mercy early on! She’s got that fire we know her for.”

Scarlett manages to dodge a punch and retaliates with a swift kick to Rhea’s midsection, gaining control. She follows up with a sharp DDT, driving Rhea’s head into the mat. The crowd gasps as Rhea crumples to the canvas, and Scarlett pulls her up by her hair, showing a ruthless streak.

Corey Graves: “Scarlett is bringing the fight to Rhea! This is a brutal matchup, and you can see that she wants to make a statement.”

Scarlett tags Karrion Kross in, and the atmosphere thickens. Karrion steps in, his gaze fixated on Jimmy, who is seething at ringside. Karrion grabs Rhea by her hair, taunting Jimmy with a sadistic grin.

Wade Barrett: “This is a mind game, Corey! Karrion is getting into Jimmy’s head, and it’s working!”

Jimmy leans over the ropes, fists clenched, but the referee quickly reminds him he’s not the legal man. Karrion laughs, reveling in the chaos, and continues to talk trash to Jimmy while holding Rhea’s hair.

Corey Graves: “Karrion knows exactly what he’s doing! He’s playing with fire, and Jimmy looks ready to explode!”

Suddenly, Rhea drives her elbow into Karrion’s eye, breaking free of his grip. The crowd erupts as she scrambles toward Jimmy, her hand outstretched for the tag.

Wade Barrett: “Rhea’s got to make this tag! She needs Jimmy in there!”

She reaches him just in time, tagging Jimmy in, and the crowd goes wild as he storms into the ring. Jimmy wastes no time, launching into Karrion with a flurry of punches that sends Karrion reeling. The energy shifts as Jimmy gains momentum, delivering a series of kicks and a powerful Samoan drop that has the crowd roaring in approval.

Corey Graves: “There’s the Uso we know! Jimmy is bringing the heat now!”

As the match continues, Karrion attempts to fight back, but Jimmy keeps him at bay. He tags Rhea back in, and the duo launches a series of quick tags, keeping Karrion off balance. The audience is on their feet, rallying behind the makeshift team.

But then, Scarlett pulls Rhea down by the hair again, drawing a loud chorus of boos from the audience. Rhea fights back fiercely, but the damage has been done. She and Scarlett continue to trade blows, with Scarlett eventually gaining the upper hand with a stiff kick to Rhea’s midsection, knocking her back into the corner.

Wade Barrett: “Scarlett is relentless! Rhea’s got to dig deep to pull this back.”

Scarlett tags Karrion back in, and he steps forward, eyeing Jimmy with a smirk. Rhea tries to rally, but Karrion overwhelms her, using his power to ground her. He continues to taunt Jimmy, who is practically vibrating with anger on the sidelines.

Corey Graves: “Karrion is not letting up! He knows how to push Jimmy’s buttons, and it’s working beautifully.”

As Karrion prepares to give Rhea his finisher, she manages to dodge the big move, and in a moment of instinct, she shoves Karrion toward the ropes. He stumbles, and Rhea takes the opportunity to tag Jimmy in again, the crowd erupting into cheers as he charges in.

Wade Barrett: “And here comes Jimmy with a fresh burst of energy!”

Jimmy goes after Karrion with a series of explosive moves, including a superkick that sends Karrion reeling. The action intensifies, with Rhea and Jimmy coordinating their attacks. As the match nears its conclusion, Rhea looks at Jimmy and whispers their plan.

Rhea: “Let’s do the double superkick! I don’t want to use our old finisher.”

Jimmy nods, determination shining in his eyes. They position themselves, waiting for Karrion to rise. As he turns, Rhea and Jimmy execute the double superkick perfectly, sending Karrion crashing to the mat.

Corey Graves: “There it is! What a combination! This could be it!”

Rhea quickly tackles Scarlett as Jimmy covers Karrion for the pin. The referee slides into position and slaps the mat—

1!

2!

3!

The bell rings, and the crowd erupts in cheers as Jimmy and Rhea’s music hits. Rhea leaps onto Jimmy, who catches her in a tight embrace, spinning her around in celebration.

Wade Barrett: “What a victory! Rhea and Jimmy Uso have done it! They’ve secured their spot in the finals!”

Corey Graves: “What an impressive performance! The tension between these two could become something spectacular moving forward.”

As they celebrate in the ring, Rhea’s expression shifts between joy and determination, and Jimmy holds her tight, a sense of shared triumph settling between them.

Wade Barrett: “But you can’t help but wonder—how will this affect Jey? The fallout from this match could have serious consequences for the entire Uso family.”

The camera fades out on their celebration, leaving the audience buzzing with anticipation for what’s to come in the finals.

--

As the match concluded, the arena reverberated with cheers, and Rhea found herself swept up in a whirlwind of exhilaration. She hadn’t expected to feel this lighthearted after such a tumultuous time. The weight of Jey's injury had hung heavily over her, but in this moment, she felt a spark of joy, a glimmer of hope for what lay ahead.

Rhea and Jimmy made their way backstage, the adrenaline still coursing through their veins. Laughter bubbled up between them, breaking the tension that had existed since the beginning of the tournament. Jimmy nudged Rhea playfully, his excitement infectious.

“Did you see the look on Karrion’s face when we hit that double superkick?” he chuckled, glancing at Rhea with a grin. “I thought he was going to cry!”

Rhea chuckled, shaking her head. “You could hear the crowd’s reaction all the way in the back! I think we’ve found our chemistry, partner.”

Just then, Cathy Kelly approached them, her camera crew ready to capture the moment. Rhea felt a surge of energy; she was no stranger to the spotlight, but tonight felt different.

“Hey, guys!” Cathy greeted, her smile wide. “What an incredible match! How does it feel to secure your spot in the finals?”

Rhea exchanged a glance with Jimmy, who nodded at her, giving her the go-ahead to answer. “It feels amazing, Cathy! I didn’t expect to be here after everything that’s happened,” Rhea replied, her voice full of emotion. “But tonight, I felt like I was finally able to break free and show what I can do.”

Cathy leaned in, her eyes gleaming with curiosity. “Jimmy, you stepped in to replace your brother. What was it like to partner with Rhea tonight, especially given the circumstances?”

Jimmy straightened, his confidence shining through. “It was an honor, honestly. Rhea’s one of the best in the business, and I knew I had to step up my game. We’ve got the skills, and together, we can make some noise in this finale.”

Rhea felt a swell of pride at his words. Despite their initial hesitation, she and Jimmy had forged a partnership that felt electric. Cathy’s next question caught her off guard.

“There’s been a lot of speculation about how Jey feels watching you two work together. Any thoughts on that?”

The atmosphere shifted slightly, the happiness in Rhea's chest being overshadowed by a twinge of guilt. She bit her lip, glancing at Jimmy before responding. “Jey and I have been through a lot together. I know this isn’t easy for him, and I want him to know that he’s still my priority. But I can’t ignore the opportunity in front of me.”

Cathy nodded, sensing the weight of Rhea's words. “And Jimmy, how do you feel about your brother's situation?”

Jimmy hesitated for a moment, the question hanging in the air. “Look, I care about Jey. We’re brothers, and I want him to be back in the ring as soon as possible. But I also see this as a chance for both of us to shine. I know he’ll understand.”

The three exchanged a moment of silence, the implications of their situation hanging heavy in the air. Rhea felt a mix of happiness and sadness, grateful for the moment but acutely aware of the familial ties that were being tested.

“Any final thoughts as you head into the finals?” Cathy asked, eager to close out the interview.

Rhea smiled, determination flashing in her eyes. “Just that we’re going to give it everything we’ve got. This tournament means a lot to me, and I won’t let anyone down—especially not Jey.”

As they finished the interview, Rhea felt a renewed sense of purpose. They had overcome the first hurdle, and now it was time to focus on what lay ahead. With Jimmy by her side, she felt ready to take on whatever challenges awaited them.

The locker room was empty and the air was thick with a mixture of sweat and excitement. Jimmy sat on a wooden bench, packing his bag with quick, deliberate motions, still riding the high of their victory. The post-match adrenaline coursed through him, but it was more than just the thrill of winning that occupied his thoughts.

Once he finished, he glanced up to see Rhea making her way to the showers, a casual confidence in her stride. The energy around her was intoxicating. As she disappeared into the shower area, he felt a pull of emotions—excitement mingled with something darker that he didn’t want to acknowledge.

After a few moments, Jimmy noticed she started to undress, Jimmy felt his breath hitch in his throat. The reflection in the locker room mirror caught him off guard; he was captivated by the way her curves moved under the soft light.

He tried to focus on his bag, but his eyes betrayed him, drawn to Rhea’s silhouette. There was an undeniable beauty in her confidence, a grace that made her stand out even among the strongest competitors. In that moment, the reality of her being Jey’s girlfriend felt miles away, overshadowed by the intensity of his desire.

What the hell am I doing? Jimmy thought, feeling a rush of heat flood his cheeks. She was his brother’s girlfriend, a sacred bond that he knew he should respect. But the way she moved, the way her skin glistened with moisture, ignited something possessive deep within him.

As Rhea became completely nude, he couldn’t help but admire the curves that had always made him a little weak in the knees. Her confidence in her own skin was both exhilarating and infuriating. He felt a familiar tightening in his chest, a primal urge to protect her, to claim her. It was an irrational thought—she wasn’t a possession, and she belonged to Jey, but in that moment, it didn’t matter.

A darker part of him, a part he didn’t want to acknowledge, whispered that he could be the one to make her feel desired. To show her what it meant to be with someone who truly appreciated her strength. The possessiveness wrapped around him like a heavy cloak, blurring the lines between loyalty and longing.

You know he’d want you to take care of her, the voice in his mind taunted, feeding into his desire. The thought sent shivers down his spine. You’re just doing what family does. Protect her.

But as the reflection of Rhea continued to captivate him, he knew the truth. This wasn’t about protecting; it was about wanting. And that want was growing more consuming by the second.

What I would do to push her up against the wall and fuck her mercilessly.. One time Jey had spoken about Rhea craving rough sex and now, seeing her nude, it made his dick ache at the thought of how she sounded when she moaned and just imagining how she felt.

Rhea, blissfully unaware of the turmoil brewing within Jimmy, hummed softly to herself, entirely absorbed in her post-match glow. She didn’t see the way his gaze lingered on her, the intensity of his stare that spoke volumes. In her mind, they were teammates—friends bound by circumstance, not the tangled emotions that were quietly unraveling within him.

As she turned to grab a towel, Jimmy broke the gaze and pretended to finish packing his bag.

“Hey, you ready?” Rhea called, breaking the spell.

“Yeah, just about,” he replied, forcing a casual tone as he finished packing. But inside, he was a storm of conflicting emotions, grappling with the undeniable truth that the lines between friendship and desire were becoming dangerously blurred.

As he watched Rhea continued to dry herself and get changed, the possessive nature that simmered beneath the surface would only grow, and for now, Rhea remained blissfully unaware of the tension threading through their dynamic—a tension that promised to complicate everything.

--

Rhea and Jimmy made their way to the hotel, a mixture of excitement and lingering adrenaline coursing through their veins. The arena's energy still buzzed in Rhea's mind as they approached the reception desk.

Jimmy checked in first, flashing his trademark smile at the receptionist, who blushed slightly as she handed him the key to his room. “Thanks,” he said, winking at her before turning to Rhea. “All set! Room 305.”

Rhea stepped up to the desk, feeling the anticipation of the night settle in. “Hi, I’d like to check in for Demi Bennett, please,” she said, her tone bright.

The receptionist’s fingers danced across the keyboard, her smile faltering slightly. “I’m sorry, but it looks like there was an issue with your reservation. It was never properly booked, and unfortunately, we have no available rooms at the moment.”

Rhea’s heart sank, her excitement replaced by frustration. “What do you mean? I booked that room weeks ago!”

“I’m really sorry. I can check with other nearby hotels if you’d like,” the receptionist offered, her expression apologetic.

Rhea sighed, feeling the weight of the situation press down on her. “No, that’s alright. I’ll just—”

Before she could finish her sentence, Jimmy interjected, his eyes lighting up with a mischievous glint. “Why don’t you just stay with me?”

Rhea blinked, momentarily taken aback. “What? No, I couldn’t do that.”

“C’mon, it’ll be fun! We just had an awesome match together. It’s not like we’re strangers,” he said, his tone teasing, but the underlying intensity in his eyes didn’t escape her notice.

She hesitated, glancing back at the receptionist, who looked as if she were trying not to eavesdrop. “Are you sure that’s okay?”

“Absolutely,” he replied, his confidence radiating. “Plus, you can’t sleep in the lobby. It’ll be great. I have a king bed!”

Rhea raised an eyebrow. “A king bed? And what if I take up too much space?”

Jimmy chuckled, a playful smirk tugging at his lips. “I think I can handle it. I promise I won’t kick you out. Just think of it as a continuation of our tag team bonding.”

Rhea rolled her eyes but felt a flutter of excitement at the idea, despite her better judgment. “Alright, I guess it’s better than sleeping on the floor.”

As they made their way to the elevator, a sense of tension filled the air, electrifying the space between them. Rhea’s heart raced, unsure if it was due to the thrill of their match or the thought of sharing a bed with Jimmy.

When they reached his room, Jimmy swung the door open and stepped inside, gesturing for her to follow. Rhea stepped in and froze for a moment as her gaze swept over the room. It was stylishly decorated, but her attention quickly honed in on the bed—a massive king, yet still a single bed for the two of them.

“Wow, they gave you a nice room.." she said, trying to keep her voice casual, even as she felt a wave of uncertainty wash over her.

“It's not bad” Jimmy replied, clearly pleased. He dropped his bag onto the floor and turned to face her. “Make yourself at home.”

Rhea took a hesitant step forward, her mind racing. This was not how she envisioned their night together. The reality of sharing a bed with her boyfriend’s brother felt increasingly surreal.

“Uh, so… what do we do now?” she asked, trying to deflect the tension.

“Honestly? I think we should celebrate our win,” he said, grinning as he reached into the mini-fridge, pulling out a couple of bottles of water. “Here, hydration is key.”

She accepted a bottle, grateful for the distraction. “Yeah, we did great tonight,” she replied, her smile genuine but tinged with nervousness.

They stood in the middle of the room, a subtle tension hanging in the air. Rhea’s heart raced, partly from the excitement of their victory and partly from the uncertainty of sharing a space with Jimmy. She took a deep breath, willing herself to shake off the weirdness of the situation.

As the minutes passed, they chatted about the match, the conversation flowing easily. Yet, each laugh and playful jab between them drew them closer, amplifying the undercurrents of unspoken emotions swirling beneath the surface.

Finally, Rhea glanced at the bed, her mind racing. “So… how do you want to handle sleeping arrangements?” she asked, feigning casualness but feeling the heat rise in her cheeks.

Jimmy’s gaze flicked to the bed, and he leaned back against the wall, crossing his arms. “Honestly, I don’t mind if we both sleep on the bed. But just so you know, I’m a blanket hog.”

“Great,” she replied with a playful roll of her eyes. “So, it’s a battle for warmth, then?”

“Exactly,” he said, a grin spreading across his face.

As they settled into a rhythm, Rhea couldn’t shake the feeling that this was a pivotal moment. The playful banter masked a deeper tension, and the longer they spent together, the more she felt the boundaries shift.

With those thoughts swirling in her mind, Rhea took a deep breath, preparing for whatever the night had in store.

Later that night, Rhea laid on the bed, the adrenaline from the match still coursing through her veins. Jimmy had retreated to the bathroom to shower, leaving her alone with her thoughts. As she stared at the ceiling, a sense of calm settled over her from their victory, but it was quickly interrupted by the sharp trill of her phone.

She glanced at the screen, her heart skipping a beat as she saw Jey's name light up. Excited yet nervous, she answered, “Hey, babe!”

“Rhea,” Jey’s voice came through the line, steady but laced with concern. “I just watched your match.”

“Yeah? What did you think?” she asked, trying to keep her tone upbeat despite the unease creeping in.

“I thought you did amazing, but…” He paused, the weight of his words heavy in the air. “But I didn’t like the idea of Jimmy filling in for me. It felt wrong.”

Rhea felt her stomach twist at the mention of his brother. “Jey, listen. I had no choice. I didn’t want to let the opportunity slip away. The tournament is important for both of our careers.”

“Right, but it’s Jimmy. You know how he can be. I just…” Jey’s voice trailed off, and she could hear the concern in his tone. “I don’t want him getting any ideas, Rhea.”

She took a deep breath, knowing how to soothe him. “Jey, you know I love you. I would never do anything to break your trust. You mean everything to me. I’m with you, not him.”

“Yeah, I know. It’s just… seeing you two together, working so closely… it makes me feel uneasy.” He hesitated again, and she could almost hear the wheels turning in his mind. “What if he gets too comfortable? I don’t want him thinking he can come between us.”

“Jimmy isn’t like that,” Rhea reassured him, though she could sense the unspoken jealousy lingering in the air. “We’re just focused on the match. You’re my boyfriend, and that won’t change. He’s just a partner for this tournament.”

Jey sighed, and she imagined him running a hand through his hair, a habit he had when he was stressed. “I know it’s just wrestling, but it’s hard not to worry. I can’t be there to protect you right now.”

Rhea’s heart warmed at his protective nature. “I appreciate that, Jey. But I can take care of myself. And you have to trust that I love you. That won’t ever change.”

“Yeah, I guess you’re right,” he finally admitted, his voice softening. “I just miss you, you know?”

“I miss you too,” she replied, her heart swelling at the thought of him. “But we’re in this together, remember? We’ll get through it. You’ll be back before you know it.”

“Yeah. I just want you to be safe, and happy. That’s all that matters to me,” Jey said, his voice full of sincerity.

“I am happy, Jey, especially when I’m with you. I love you,” Rhea said, her voice firm, wanting to drive her point home.

“I love you too, Rhea. Just… be careful, alright?” Jey urged, and she could hear the hint of vulnerability in his tone.

“I will. I promise. Just focus on your recovery for now, okay? We’ll celebrate when you’re back.”

“Deal,” he said, relief seeping into his voice. “Talk to you later?”

“Of course. Bye, Jey.”

As she ended the call, Rhea felt a weight lift off her shoulders. But as she turned to share her joy with Jimmy, she found him standing in the bathroom doorway, freshly showered and dressed in a pair of sweats, his expression unreadable.

“Everything okay?” he asked, but his tone carried an edge of irritation.

“Yeah, Jey just called to check in. He was worried about me teaming with you,” she replied, trying to keep her voice light.

Jimmy’s jaw clenched slightly at the mention of Jey’s name, the jealousy in his eyes unmistakable. “Right, because he thinks I’m going to try something.”

Rhea frowned, not wanting to stir the pot. “It’s not like that, Jimmy. Jey just cares about me. It’s what boyfriends do.”

“Sure,” he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “And what about you? Do you care about him? Or is this whole thing just a fling for you?”

Rhea’s brows knitted together in confusion. “What do you mean?”

“I mean, you and Jey have a history. You’re not exactly just some random partner for me. I know that,” he snapped, his jealousy surfacing more openly now.

“Jimmy, it’s not like that. Jey and I are solid, but this is about the tag titles. You’re a great partner,” she said, trying to diffuse the tension.

“Right,” he said, his tone darkening. “Just remember who you’re sharing a bed with tonight.”

Rhea met his gaze, the playful atmosphere of earlier gone, replaced by an undercurrent of tension. “It’s just a hotel room, Jimmy. We’re still a team.”

“Yeah, a team,” he echoed, but the possessive glint in his eyes told her that this situation was far more complicated than she realized.

With that unspoken challenge hanging in the air, Rhea felt the delicate balance between them shift once more. She had to navigate not just the expectations of the tournament but also the emotional turmoil brewing just beneath the surface.

[welldonekhushi]

The Aftermath of Scarlet

Warnings: Character death? So it's all angst, be prepared, haha

Summary: Scarlet's life after Soap's untimely death.

Pairing: John "Soap" MacTavish x Samantha "Scarlet" Wright (OC)

Many years after Soap's death, Scarlet couldn't even think of moving on, and refused to marry. No matter how many times they've said to start a new life and marry someone another.. she always kept saying one thing.

"I was always married to Johnny. By heart and by soul. And no one can take it away from me."

How can she still remain loyal to her lover even after his death? What became so special inside of her that she had the urge to protect the love they made together all this time? They were surprised by the soldier's words. They were helpless, yet they couldn't do anything about it to change Scarlet's mind. They were worried too.. would she spend the rest of her life, being alone?

But she kept saying those same lines again. "Soap and I were already married.. he knows that and so do I. Even after his death, I'll still be his wife, and protect the love we made together."

Scarlet would often visit Soap's grave every year on his birthday, and on his death anniversary, with the bouquet of flowers she brought from Jade's floral shop. She would sit in front of the grave, talking to him like he was still alive, and thriving. She laughed, and chuckled, despite knowing the pain of her not seeing Soap ever again. She even brought the blanket which they used to cuddle with each other since they were kids, and wrapped it around his grave, hugging it as if she was embracing Soap.

She kept doing this.. every year, hoping there could be a miracle. That she'll see Soap again. She'll see her husband again. And reunited like how John moved into her town, when they two saw each other in the SAS after a long time.. and now, she wanted to see him again.

Scarlet was now old. Retired. She now couldn't properly walk as she would now require a cane for support. She even had a sickness that would make her grow weaker. Even if the doctor said she cannot go to visit Soap's grave due to her condition, Scarlet protested that her old age cannot stop her from visiting her lover's grave. This absolutely worried everybody, as her stubbornness would have almost put her life in danger, but Scarlet was somehow expecting like this.

She visited Soap's grave again on his death anniversary, struggling to walk and even standing straight in his honor, but she didn't let that affect her at all. She gripped the bouquet of flowers and placed them on the grass, smiling. Soap still looked ever so young in her eyes, and she grew old and weak. She always did the same, wrapping a blanket around his grave and herself, and hugging the stone, even rubbing her hands on it as if she was rubbing his chest, feeling and sharing the warmth and love as Soap embraces her back.

She stayed there for a few hours, everything seemed fine. But unfortunately, the grip Scarlet had on the gravestone loosened, as she kept laying on it as a support. It became evening, it became night.. she still remained there, in that same position.

The next day, a few people who worked in the cemetery arrived and saw a woman who had herself laid over the gravestone. They were curious to know if she maybe fell asleep on it, but when they tried to wake her up, she instead fell over the ground, much to their surprise. She passed away.

Even after her death, she held that smile on her face. She died the same day when Soap died. They died together.

Meanwhile, Scarlet opens her eyes, finding herself in a dream-like space.. she was confused about where she really was, but she felt peaceful, calm, and belonged. When she looked more closely, she saw Soap in a tuxedo, waiting for her in the distance. He smiled, and Scarlet's eyes widened, as they sting in tears.

"Johnny?" She said in a croaked voice, as Soap was so happy to see her. She shed tears and loudly grinned, as she dropped her cane, and started to walk towards him. Step by step, her movements began to improve, and miraculously she ran as life restored back. Her body began to change, into the same, young Scarlet and her clothes transformed into a bridal dress.

Jumping over Soap, she hugged him tighter like never before, they two finally saw each other in Heaven, sharing a heartfelt reunion. Scarlet cried onto Soap's chest, not wanting to let him go, never. But, John pulled her back, and wiped off her tears.

"Now it's okay, lass. We're not going to leave each other now."

With that promise, they two held each other's hand, and walked into the light. Back on Earth, they had to put her to rest. Her friends joined the funeral, including her squadmates, which she joined missions with. Jade, who was likely more distraught from Scarlet's death, went to bid her farewell, with the bouquet of lilies.

Aly who was also shattered at the loss of her friend, including many others.. but they well know Scarlet wouldn't have to live in sorrow anymore.

As now, she was forever back with her Johnny.

• OC MENTIONS (though likely all my mutuals' OCs are here in the story, but for special mentions!)

Charlotte "Jade" Le Jardin — @sleepyconfusedpotato

Alyssa "Aly" Martinez — @alypink

[warabidakihime]

A Love Discovered in the Darkest of Times

Characters: Chuuya x Reader x Dazai

Synopsis: Sometimes, the love we seek has been right in front of us all along, waiting for us to see it clearly.

A/N: Don't mind me. I'm just taking advantage of the sudden surge of creativity and inspiration in my veins. :D

Also, I'm a sucker for happy endings.

Read the first part first here: Part 1: Love's Melancholy Farewell

--

Several months had passed since Chuuya and you parted ways, each carving out separate paths in their lives. Chuuya immersed himself in the demanding tasks assigned by the Port Mafia's leader, Mori Ougai, while you took the necessary time to heal. The initial three months proved to be the most challenging for you, with countless nights spent shedding tears and drowning sorrows in alcohol.

During one particularly difficult night, you found yourself succumbing to the temptation to reach out to Chuuya. In a drunken haze, you called him, offering apologies for the pain you caused and desperately pleading for another chance.

Chuuya was taken aback as he answered the phone, recognizing your voice on the other end. Her words were slurred, and the pain in her voice tugged at his heart. "Y/N? Is that you?" he asked, trying to maintain composure.

"Chuuya, I'm sorry," you slurred. "I'm so sorry for hurting you. I didn't mean to break your heart."

Chuuya's grip on the phone tightened. "It's alright, Y/N. We both needed time apart," he managed to say, though his heart conflicted.

"But I miss you so much," you continued. "I miss your smile, your laugh, and your touch. I miss everything about you."

Chuuya felt a pang in his heart. "Y/N, please don't do this. You're drunk, and you don't know what you're saying," he said, his voice breaking.

"No, Chuuya. I know exactly what I'm saying. I love you, Chuuya. I've always loved you," you confessed, sobbing.

Chuuya's heart skipped a beat. "Y/N, I..." he trailed off, uncertain.

"Please, Chuuya. Give me another chance. I promise I won't mess things up again. I love you so much," you pleaded.

Chuuya felt his resolve faltering. "Y/N, please... don't do this. We're not good for each other. You know that," he said, his voice laced with sorrow.

Your voice was slurred, clearly heavily intoxicated. "But Chuuya, I love you. I need you. Please," you begged.

Chuuya's throat tightened. "Y/N, you need to stop. You're drunk. Rest and take care of yourself," he pleaded, his voice breaking.

You were about to speak, but Chuuya couldn't bear it anymore. He hung up, tears streaming down his face as he cried for the love he couldn't have.

Chuuya buried his face in his hands, body shaking with sobs. He wanted to be with you, but he couldn't ignore the pain you had caused him. "Why did you have to call me now, Y/N? Why did you have to make me relive everything again?" he shouted to no one.

The room shook as Chuuya unintentionally activated his ability, unleashing his fury on the walls. "Damn it, Y/N! Why did you have to do this to me?!" he screamed, his voice hoarse and raw with emotion.

He collapsed to the floor, tears streaming down his face. "I want to be with her, but I can't forget everything she's done," he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.

Chuuya spent the entire night engulfed in a tumult of emotions, the weight of your feelings too heavy to decipher. As he scrolled through his phone, images of you stared back at him, each one reopening wounds that refused to heal. Tears streamed down his face unchecked.

In a sudden surge of frustration, he hurled his phone across the room, watching it shatter against the unforgiving wall. "Damn it!" he yelled, his voice trembling with a mix of anger and despair. Rising to his feet, he kicked the wall repeatedly, his foot growing numb, and his knuckles bloodied.

"Why am I like this?" he asked, voice cracking. "Why can't I just let you go? Why do I still love you after everything you've done to me?" Another punch to the wall echoed his inner turmoil. Collapsing onto the floor once more, he succumbed to the waves of sorrow shaking his body.

Chuuya remained in that agonizing state, time slipping away unnoticed as misery and self-loathing consumed him. When he finally lifted his head, the gentle morning sunlight bathed his room. Sitting there on the floor, drained and helpless, his heart continued its feeble yearning for you.

-

Nearly a year had passed since you returned to Yokohama after an extended mission abroad that you had actively proposed. Despite the time away, the weight of your pain lingered. Training and casual encounters with strangers served as distractions, but nothing could erase the memory of your heartbreak.

Seated at the bar, nursing your drink, a guy sidled up beside you. His charming smile and engaging conversation about jobs and favorite movies drew you in. Laughter ensued, creating a momentary escape.

"Can I buy you another drink?" he asked, his hand brushing against yours.

A thrill surged through you at his touch. "Sure, why not?" you replied, your heart racing.

As the conversation deepened, so did the flirting. Leaning closer, your eyes locked in a heated gaze. A shiver of desire ran through you as his hand trailed up your arm.

"Let's go somewhere more private," he whispered, his lips hovering over yours.

You nodded, and they made their way to a hotel room. Once alone, you started to kiss. Initially, your thoughts drifted to Dazai, but soon, they veered to Chuuya. Tears streamed down your face, but you didn't stop. You needed this, a brief respite from the haunting memories.

Amid the continued intimacy, a sob escaped you. The guy pulled back, concerned. "Hey, are you okay?"

Taking a deep breath, you forced a smile. "Yeah, I'm fine. I just... I'm just a little emotional right now."

Concern filled his eyes, but you leaned in and captured him for another round of searing kisses, it was your attempt to distract yourself. As you moved together, tears fell again, but you pressed on. Anything to feel something other than pain and heartbreak.

Afterward, lying on the bed, catching your breath, tears still streamed down your face. Hollow inside, the fleeting pleasure did nothing to ease the gnawing pain in your heart. As the guy left without a word, disappointment in yourself settled in.

You sat up, contemplating calling Chuuya, finger hovering over his number on the screen. Should you? Would he even want to talk after all this time? With a deep sigh, you placed the phone back on the bedside table, lying down again, the weight of your pain still heavy upon you.

The next morning, you left the hotel and headed down to the lobby. Surprise struck you when you saw Dazai there, talking to Kunikida. They were likely on a mission together. The air was knocked from your chest at the sight of the man who was once the love of your life. Initially, happiness flickered, but it soon dissipated, replaced by rage and hurt. Not ready for a confrontation, you tried to avoid them, but Dazai saw you and called out your name. Turning to face him, your heart raced with anger and fear.

"What do you want?" you snapped.

Dazai held up his hands in a placating gesture. "I just wanted to say hello. It's been a long time."

You scoffed. "Yeah, it has. And it's been even longer since you broke my heart and abandoned me."

Dazai sighed. "Can we talk somewhere else?"

After a few seconds, the detective managed to convince you, and you followed him to a quiet alleyway, your heart still racing with anger and fear. You knew this conversation was going to hurt, but you had to know the truth.

"So? What happened, Dazai?" you demanded. "Why did you leave me?"

Dazai looked pained as he spoke. "You know why, Y/N. After Odasaku died, I couldn't stay in the mafia anymore. I had to leave, and I couldn't take you with me. It wasn't safe."

"You could have at least told me," you said through gritted teeth. "You could have given me a choice."

"I didn't want to put you in danger," Dazai replied. "I thought the mafia was where you belonged."

A wave of anger washed over you. "How dare you decide what's best for me! You had no right to leave me like that!"

"I'm sorry, Y/N," Dazai said, his voice softening. "I never wanted to hurt you. But I had to do what I thought was best."

You shook your head, tears streaming down your face. "You don't get to decide what's best for me. I can take care of myself."

Dazai reached out to touch you, but you flinched away. "Y/N, please. I still care about you."

Turning away, your voice trembling, you said, "I don't want to hear it. You broke my heart, Dazai. And you left me with nothing."

Silence fell between you, and you took a deep breath, steeling yourself for what you were about to say next.

"Chuuya was there for me when you weren't," you said. "He understood me, and he accepted me. He loved me more than you ever did."

Taking a deep breath, you closed your eyes as memories of Chuuya flooded your mind. His unconditional love, constant support, and non-judgmental acceptance of your flaws came rushing back. You thought about the times he held you close, wiping away your tears, reassuring you that everything would be okay. Recollections of how he prioritized your needs over his own and willingly endured harm to protect you filled your thoughts.

As you spoke, tears streamed down your face—not just tears of pain or guilt but tears of realization. Finally understanding your true feelings, you admitted, "I am in love with Chuuya. I love him with all my heart, and I can't imagine a life without him. He loved me unconditionally, even when I pushed him away. And I am so stupid for doing so.”

The biggest realization hit you, "I love him more than anything in this world."

Silence hung between you and Dazai. Opening your eyes, you met his regretful gaze, but you no longer cared about his judgment. You now knew what you wanted, and nothing was going to stand in your way. With a determined look, you walked out of the dark alleyway, disregarding Dazai. Despite the hurt he caused, he silently wished you well, sending his most genuine good luck.

It wasn't much, considering the pain he inflicted, but it was better than nothing. He genuinely hoped for your happiness, even if it meant letting you go.

As you walked down the street, thoughts of Chuuya consumed your mind. Your finger hovered over his number on your phone screen, conflicting emotions rushing through you. Uncertain if you were ready to reach out after everything that happened, your heart raced at the thought of him. Stopping in your tracks, the overwhelming feeling inside you couldn't be contained. A silly grin spread across your face as thoughts of the redhead filled your mind, both scared and excited at the same time.

-

Several days had passed since your encounter with Dazai, and you couldn't shake Chuuya from your thoughts, despite your efforts to distract yourself. Hours were spent staring at your phone, contemplating whether to call him or not. Each time you picked it up, fear gripped you, preventing the call.

Days turned into weeks, and your anxiety and guilt intensified. The nagging feeling persisted—had you missed your chance with Chuuya? Was he now happy with someone else? You hesitated, not wanting to disrupt his life and complicate things after everything that unfolded between you.

Even as you tried to convince yourself it was for the best, your heart ached with longing and regret. You missed Chuuya's laughter, his smile, and his touch. The way he looked at you lingered in your mind, as if you were the most important person in the world.

One night, unable to sleep, you finally made a decision. You knew you had to talk to Chuuya, to express your feelings and apologize for everything and well, hope for the best.

-

You stood outside Chuuya's office at the Port Mafia headquarters, your hand poised to knock on the door. Each attempt to summon the courage ended in a retreat. An hour had passed, spent pacing in front of the building, trying to muster the nerve to face Chuuya.

The need to talk to him, to express your feelings and apologize, lingered in your mind. Yet, every attempt to knock on the door faltered as nerves took over, causing you to back out each time.

Footsteps approached from inside the building at one point, prompting panic. You ran to hide behind a nearby utility closet, waiting in anticipation. The minutes felt like ages, heart racing with fear. Eventually, the footsteps faded away, and you peeked out from behind the storage closet, relieved that you hadn't been caught.

You knew you couldn't keep stalling forever, but the fear remained insurmountable. All you could do was keep trying, hoping that eventually, the courage to face Chuuya would find its way to you.

-

Chuuya found himself deep within a rival organization's stronghold, on a mission assigned by Mori Ougai to gather vital intel. His stealthy entrance, owing to exceptional fighting skills and the gravity-manipulating ability, "For the Tainted Sorrow," went unnoticed. However, a moment of carelessness led to an ambush. Surrounded by heavily armed guards wielding weapons designed to counter ability users, Chuuya faced a formidable challenge.

Remaining composed, he knew he had to act swiftly. Focusing his energy, he activated his ability, shifting the gravity around him and catching the guards off balance. Seizing the opportunity, he engaged in a fierce battle, combining martial arts prowess with the manipulation of gravity.

The fight was intense, and despite his best efforts, Chuuya found himself outnumbered. Each blow he delivered drained his energy, but he refused to yield. The mission had to be completed.

Finally overcoming the last guard, Chuuya paid the price with severe injuries. His wounds bled profusely, and awareness of the urgency to escape gripped him. Stumbling out of the building, weakened by the ordeal, he collapsed on the ground.

Meanwhile, you received a message from Mori, urging you to assist Chuuya as reinforcements alongside a few mafia goons. Recognizing this as an opportunity to reunite with him without things becoming too awkward, you willingly accepted the orders. Arriving just in time, you witnessed Chuuya lying on the ground, barely conscious.

Without hesitation, you sprang into action, using your own abilities to repel the enemy. Yet, the opposition was overwhelming, and the fight grew increasingly fierce. Unaware of your presence, Chuuya fought valiantly for survival.

As the enemy closed in, you realized you had to get Chuuya to safety. Lifting him up, you began to carry him away, but the enemy was relentless. Surrounded on all sides, your situation became dire.

With no other option, you summoned your ability, unleashing a powerful wave of energy that pushed back their attackers. Running toward safety, Chuuya's grip on consciousness continued to slip. You, determined to save him, used all your strength to carry him towards the Port Mafia headquarters.

-

Finally, they arrived at their destination, and you handed Chuuya over to the medical team. Anxious, you watched as they worked tirelessly to save his life, utilizing their expertise to treat his severe injuries.

As you waited, your mind raced with worry and fear. Chuuya had never appeared so badly hurt, intensifying your concern for his life.

Sitting by Chuuya's side, you waited for him to wake up. Watching him sleep, you realized the depth of your feelings for him. It became clear that you couldn't conceal your emotions any longer. Even if he were to reject you, that was okay; expressing your most genuine feelings to the person you love was more important. Letting Chuuya know how you felt was more than enough for you.

Chuuya slowly opened his eyes, groaning in pain as he attempted to sit up. He winced, feeling the throbbing ache in his body. Surveying the room, he realized he was in a hospital at the Port Mafia headquarters. Memories of the mission flooded back, recalling how he was on the brink of death before someone saved him.

His eyes widened in shock as he noticed the sleeping figure by his bedside. Lost in his thoughts, he hadn't noticed your injuries before. Staring at you, he did a double take to confirm that it was indeed you lying there.

You appeared peaceful in your sleep, but the bruises on your face and the bandages on your hands served as stark reminders of the danger you both faced. Guilt washed over Chuuya. He never liked seeing you hurt like this.

Continuing to gaze at you, a mix of emotions overwhelmed him. Gratitude for saving his life, worry for your injuries, and an indescribable feeling. Though aware of your skill as a fighter, seeing you injured highlighted your vulnerability.

Chuuya's eyes flickered to your face, and he couldn't resist reaching out to brush a strand of hair away from your forehead. His fingers lingered on your soft skin, and he let out a small sigh.

It had been so long since he had seen you, and he had missed you more than he could express. Yet, with you lying beside him, the reality of your situation and painful memories resurfaced.

A wave of conflicting emotions washed over him. He yearned for you, wanting nothing more than to hold you close and never let go. The thought of what might have been made his heart ache. Fear of change between you and the possibility that you had moved on or didn't feel the same way haunted him.

The fear of rejection and the prospect of getting hurt again made him hesitate. He wasn't sure if he was ready to face the pain of losing you once more.

As he ran his fingers through your hair, a tear slipped down Chuuya's cheek. He quickly wiped it away, not wanting to wake you, but the yearning in his chest lingered.

As you stirred from your sleep, Chuuya was already wide awake, watching you with a mix of surprise and confusion. Lost in thought, he heard your movements and observed as you quickly sat up, scanning the room before your eyes eventually landed on him.

"Chuuya!" you exclaimed, relief and concern evident in your voice. "Are you okay? How do you feel?"

Taken aback by your sudden shift in demeanor, from deep sleep to frantic concern for his well-being, Chuuya cleared his throat before responding.

"I'm fine, Y/N," he said, his voice a bit raspy. "Thanks to you."

Your eyes softened as you looked at him. "I'm glad you're okay," you said, your voice filled with sincerity.

Chuuya felt his heart race at 

the sight of you, the way your eyes searched his face for any signs of pain or discomfort. It had been so long since he had seen you, and he had almost forgotten how much your presence affected him.

"Y/N..." Chuuya started, but the words caught in his throat. He wasn't sure what to say or even how to say it.

You reached out and touched his hand, interrupting his thoughts. "What is it?" you asked, your gaze unwavering.

Chuuya took a deep breath before speaking. "It's just...been a while," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

You nodded slowly. "Yeah, it has," you said softly, your eyes downcast.

The palpable silence that followed weighed on them, and Chuuya could feel the burden of their past pressing down. Taking a deep breath, he tried to think of something to say.

"So, how have you been?" he asked, hoping to break the tension.

You looked up at him, and for a moment, Chuuya was lost in your eyes. He could see the pain and sadness there, but he also saw something else—something that gave him hope.

"I've been...okay, I guess," you said, shrugging slightly. "I've been on a few missions, but nothing too exciting."

Chuuya nodded, grateful for the small talk. He knew that they needed to address their past, but he also knew that they needed to ease into it.

"And...how about you?" you asked, a small smile playing at the corners of your lips.

Chuuya felt warmth spread through him at your question. He had been so focused on you that he had forgotten about himself.

"I've been busy," he said with a chuckle. "Work's been crazy, as usual. But I can't complain."

You nodded, and the two of you fell into an awkward silence once more.

"I saw Dazai a few days ago," you suddenly said, breaking the silence. Chuuya tensed up at your words, but tried to keep his composure.

"Oh?" he asked, trying to sound nonchalant.

"Yeah," you continued. "I had a talk with him. I gave him a piece of my mind for leaving without a goodbye and how betrayed I felt. I even got angry for your sake."

Chuuya's heart skipped a beat at your last words. "What do you mean?"

"I mean, I was angry that he left you too. You deserved a proper goodbye from him," you said, looking at him with a sympathetic expression.

“I see…”

“Yeah.”

You took a deep breath and looked directly at the redhead, "Chuuya, I need to tell you something," you said, your voice shaking.

Chuuya nodded, his expression serious.

"I...I just want to say how sorry I am," you continued, your voice breaking. "I was such a stupid person for wasting your love like that. I didn't deserve it, and I took it for granted. I hurt you so much, and I regret it every single day."

Tears streamed down your face as you spoke, your words filled with genuine remorse. "You didn't deserve any of it–I'm so sorry for hurting you. I know I can never make it up to you, but I just want you to know that I'm truly sorry."

Your sobs grew louder as you spoke, your emotions getting the best of you. Chuuya could see the pain and regret in your eyes, and he felt his heart soften towards you.

He reached out and pulled you into a tight embrace, holding you close as you cried. "Shh, it's okay," he whispered, rubbing your back gently. "I forgive you, Y/N. I forgave you a long time ago."

Silence enveloped the room as your sobs gradually subsided. Chuuya's heart ached witnessing your tears, yet a glimmer of relief surfaced. Finally, the weight of unspoken thoughts was being addressed.

"Hey now, don't cry like a baby," Chuuya teased, attempting to lighten the mood. "Your face is as red as a tomato." He chuckled at your muttered response of "Shut up."

Oh, how he missed you.

As your sobs quieted, Chuuya continued to hold you, reluctant to let go. "It's okay," he whispered, his voice a soothing balm. "I'm here for you."

You looked up at him, your eyes still watery. "Do you really forgive me?" you asked, your voice barely above a whisper.

Chuuya nodded. "Of course I do," he replied, his gaze softening. "We're okay."

Your eyes widened in surprise and relief, a small smile breaking through. "Thank you, Chuuya," you said, your voice cracking. "I don't deserve your forgiveness, but I'm grateful for it."

Before he could stop himself, Chuuya leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss to your forehead. "You don't have to deserve it," he murmured. "I'm giving it to you anyway."

You wiped away your tears, took a deep breath, and locked eyes with Chuuya. "I need to tell you something," you said, your voice hoarse from crying. "When I talked to Dazai, I realized something—something that I had been too blind to see before."

Chuuya's expression softened, and he reached out to take your hand. "What did you realize?" he asked gently.

"I realized that I love you, Chuuya," you declared, your voice filled with passion. "I love you more than anything in this world. But I was just too blind to see it, and I can't keep denying it anymore. I need you in my life, and I want to be with you."

Your confession left Chuuya in a state of disbelief. For so long, he poured his heart out to win your love, enduring the pain of your partial reciprocation and the near-fatal heartbreak caused by Dazai's presence. Now, you finally admitted your love for him.

Chuuya couldn't help but chuckle at your confession. "Took you long enough," he teased, a smile spreading across his face. "I mean, I'm way more attractive and charming than that idiot Dazai."

You pouted but later chuckled, your face flushed with happiness. "I know, I know," you replied, still wrapped up in his arms. "Better late than never, I guess?"

Chuuya scoffed playfully, "When you put it that way," he mumbled, his voice filled with mirth.

After a moment of silence, Chuuya gently took your hand in his and looked into your eyes. "Y/N," he said, his voice steady and sincere. "I need to hear you say it. I need to hear you tell me that you love me with all your heart. Can you say it again for me, please?"

You smiled softly and leaned in to place a soft kiss on his lips. "Chuuya," you said, your voice soft and affectionate. "I love you. I've loved you for so long, but I didn't realize it until now. You're the one I want to be with and the one I want to share my life with. I love you more than anything."

Chuuya felt his heart swell with love and happiness as he looked into your eyes. "I love you too, Y/N," he said, his voice filled with emotion. "I always have, and I always will." You leaned in for another kiss, your love for each other filling the room.

As you lay in the hospital bed together, Chuuya and you exchanged soft whispers and gentle caresses. You had been through so much, but finally, you were together, your love stronger than ever before.

Looking at Chuuya, you couldn't help but feel a sense of peace and contentment wash over you. For the first time in your life, you knew you had found your true soulmate, the one person who completed you in every way.

And as you shared one last kiss before drifting off to sleep, you knew that no matter what the future held, you would face it together, your love as unbreakable as the bond that held you together.

-

Last part: Evermore in Your Arms

[alicelufenia]

So yeah had the chance to sleep on it and gonna give my full thoughts on the (unannounced) new dialogue for Minthara when Durge makes the decision to reject [SPOILER]. Gonna keep it under the cut but also read @shoddynomenclature's flashfic about it, it echos a lot of my feelings on the subject.

I think this had the potential to be something that makes her character even more nuanced and interesting by showing an uglier side of herself. Yes she has been abandoned by gods before, and the pain of that can't be understated. So seeing Durge reject Bhaal, to walk away from an inheritance when she was taken from Lolth against her will? Must feel frustrating. Seeing a character work through those emotions and fucking it up could be really good. COULD be.

This one conversation, where she throws everything about her relationship with Durge aside and turns her back on them with just a single non-critical response and no follow up? This ain't it.

I hate to say it, but this addition has all but killed my interest in playing Durge, if this is what it does to her character.

I'd LIKE it if there will be future additions, conversations you can have back at camp after the stress of the day has passed, to ask her what's really going on here. Yeah it WOULD be nice if there were some follow up where we can talk to her about our reasons for rejecting Bhaal, with the option to reconcile. Which could even lead neatly into her post-Orin speech, y'know some of her best writing in the game where she realize that Bhaal is no different than Lolth, or the Absolute.

Or, the chance to refuse to get back together with her after that. The only other way to break up with Minthara currently is cheating, which sucks, whereas having a big ugly argument and deciding "We've both said our peace, and understand each other better now, but we can't be together. Not after all this." THAT'S Really Good.

But unlike others, I have no confidence that any such addition is coming.

Because (if I understand it right) this dialogue was datamined from release, but was always inaccessible until the recent hotfix. So it was easy to ignore, treat it as cut content like the pregnancy plot (which I still don't get and frankly at this point I don't wanna know).

By deciding to make it accessible, Larian has made it clear that they want this to be a part of her character. But unlike this dialogue, there isn't any follow up sitting in datamine waiting to be turned on.

As far as we know, this is it. It's useless to speculate on what they could add (why add to her writing so piecemeal like this anyway?) because they didn't wait until they HAD more, to make this a part of her writing. Hell, it wasn't even worth mentioning in the hotfix notes!

Loving her partner to the degree she's willing to put aside her thirst for power is such a key part of Minthara's character that this dialogue completely abandons. What Larian is saying here is that her love for Durge was just a ruse to entice someone she could control into acquiring power, even at their expense. And if that's Larian's vision for Minthara's character, then why stop with Durge?

Why does she break up with Durge for rejecting Bhaal, but not with Shadowheart for rejecting Shar?

Or Astarion if he remains a spawn?

Why shed all those real tears for Karlach if she'd rather die than return to Avernus?

Why continue to share Tav's bed if they refuse the Astral Tadpole? Why offer no real objection if they destroy the brain, though she's rooting for them to take control of it right up until the moment? Why can she find power enough in the two of them with the Absolute gone to continue their plans for conquest, but Durge refusing to become just like Orin, her tormentor she swore to kill, is a dealbreaker?

If she tells my Tav the bond they share is called alurlssrin, can I even believe her, when she said the same to Durge only to call them stupid for believing in love right after?

Do you see the problem here?

Do you see why people would rather this dialogue not exist, if this is what it does to her character?

[w3r3theli0nshunt]

Intertwined destinies

Simon ‘ghost’ Riley x Noora (fem reader)

Summary: You, Eleonoora Lintu, born in Finland were forced to be taken away due to the war. However you thought your life would be miserable and full of despair until a military man gets full custody of you and you meet your childhood sweetheart, Simon Riley. You two become best friends, both of you living a miserable life, you both gets stronger thanks to each other. That is until you get taken away by finnish soldiers, separating you and your best friend. It’s been over 20 years until the two of you meets again. Now being adults, you have much more than friendship in mind..

Warning! War, blood, gun shooting, trauma, mentions of abuse, alcohol, smut, violence, reader is called Noora, slow burn romance, mentions of miscarriages.

Part I: The pain, the grief, the relief.

You hold on tight to your mom like your life depends on it and your fear screaming in your heart as you hear the close gunshots from outside your window. Your mom is crying and cradling you at the same time. You two crying together as you both fear for your lives. The fear grips your heart so tight it turns into pain. Your mom accidentally screams as she hears the gunshots getting closer and more clearer to the ear. It almost cracks your skull open, by loud bangs it makes. You can almost feel how your lungs burns after oxygen as you unintentionally holds your breath, not wanting to be heard.

You hear a door open and a loud shot. You can feel the bullet blow in through your hair and the shot almost making you go deaf. The gun continues to make sounds as you can feel your mom falling back against the floor, pulling you with her as she holds a tight grip of you. And you let her pull you down, and now you lay down cuddling with her, your face buried in her shirt as you feel your head getting wet and a heavy smell of blood up your nostrils. You gaze up to see your mom gasping after air while blood gushes out of her mouth. On instinct your eyes tear up as you understand what is happening but you refuse to acknowledge it. Your hope burning in you still after everything.

Your mom lets go of you and grips your face as she forces you to look at her. That’s when you realise that your tears as streaming like rivers on your cheeks. You still hold on to your mom, it’s like you’ve gone limp lying close to her. Her eyes also tears up as she knows her time is well limited.

“My little bird, look at me, it’s not the end of me. You’ll meet me up there” she says as she gasps for air, making more blood come out of her mouth. She looks up against the roof, she sees it as the sky. Where she’ll be anytime soon. And she lets her tears stream down her cheeks as she knows she must leave you behind for good.

You also gaze up on the roof, now fully crying and sobbing.

“Promise to fight, my child. Promise to be strong. For me. Do it-…for me” Your mom says as her eyes completely shuts and her chest stops rising.

You don’t know what to do anymore. You feel lost. You have always had your mom for guidance, it was through her excellent guidance you could become something. It was through her excellent guidance, you became a better person. It was her who made you into a sisu and you were gonna hold your promise to be strong and keep fighting. You have the will and you will fight.

You hold your mom for the last time, give her a kiss on the temple, then doing a prayer to keep her soul at peace in heaven. You take of her heart locket that contains a picture of you and her, that you put around your neck to keep as a memory. Allowing a few more tears to fall as you force your unsteady legs up as you move your way to the door that was open since the shooting. You stop as you stare into the hallway mirror looking at yourself. You’re covered in the blood of your mom, you shed a few more tears as you take a last glimpse of your lifeless mom that laid limp on the living room floor. Blood pooling around her, destroying her beautifully blue coloured shirt that she loved so much.

You didn’t wanna linger in the house that only smells like blood and despair anymore, so you make your way outside to be met by the ray of the sun caressing your face. You feel the warmth of the sun on your body, but also the voices of men. Soldiers. But the didn’t sound like the soldiers that shot civilians. The language that the men spoke sounded oddly familiar. English. It was English. You’ve learned a bit English in the Finnish school, but you couldn’t speak it fluently. These radiated with a sense of safety and trust. You could trust them, that’s what your gut was telling you. You ran to them, standing in front of them.

“Please help, please help, my mom she’s-“ You pleaded in Finnish while pulling the arms of their shirt, almost like you tried to drag them away. They didn’t understand you, they didn’t understand Finnish. But they took one look at you, seeing you all covered in blood, they knew something was wrong. They knew someone had died, probably someone close to you for be begging them like this with pure desperation. It made their heart crack, seeing a child in this kind of state.

“Calm down, child, we will not do you any harm” One man said holding his hands up to show that he meant no harm.

But the exhaustion caught you. You were tired mentally and physically. Your legs were trying to disagree with you, that you didn’t have the energy to keep on. Even how hard you forced your legs to stand, they wouldn’t listen to you. They were rebelling against you, until you finally gave in. Collapsing in front of the soldiers, but thanks to their training of instincts they instantly caught you before you could hit the ground. One of the men picked you up in his arms, holding you close to him as if you were his own child. It reminded you of your mother’s embrace, so you leaned into to him. Burying your face in his neck, while crying out for your mom.

“Should we take her with us?” One of the men asked.

“We probably should, this poor fella doesn’t seem to have any family left” The man that was holding you said.

The other men nodded and agreed as they made their way into their military aviation, setting you in a seat while putting on the seatbelt on you like you couldn’t have done it yourself. But even if you were to tell them, they wouldn’t understand anyways. And it didn’t make the situation any better that your English was very bad.

“When we get back on base, we gotta run her a bath. Poor fella stinks of blood” One man said with a heavy British accent.

“Gotta get Jones to do it, she probably don’t want men in their 40s to help her with that” The man that sat beside you said before turning his attention to you.

It was the captain, you could tell by the way the men commanded to his will. How they always “yes, sir. No, sir” him. The captain was looking at you, mostly to the blood stained all over you. With a look of pity and a tint of sadness, he started talking to you.

“What’s your name, little one” He said as calm as he could as military men wasn’t used to being gentle and subtle.

You stared at him in response, with a look of confusion in your face as you dried your tears from before. He understood that you didn’t understand him so he tried explaining with body language instead. He at least wanted to put a name to your face and not addressing you as ‘little one’ or ‘fella’ it felt more like names for puppies rather than human beings.

“My. Name. Is. Matthew. Matthew” He said slowly, pointing at himself to show that he’s talking about himself. What he is called.

That definitely shed some light in what he was asking before, now that he made it clear that all he wanted was your name. You did hesitate at first, but then you said it.

“Eleonoora” you said softly even though everyone used to call you ‘Noora’ but only friends could call you that. And you haven’t really considered these men as friends yet.

The captain sigh in relief as he finally got an answer. No more puppy names, only Eleonoora from now on. He nodded to the men, silently telling them that it’s your name now. Not puppy names. The men nodded in approval as they all looked on you as you looked back at them confused. You wondered why they all were staring at you like you were performing on a stage. It’s been a while since they’ve seen a child, let alone being gentle since vulnerability is a weakness and weakens their chance against enemies. Most of the men were dads that haven’t seen their kids in a while. You shed some light in their dad hearts, reminding them of what they have waiting for them at home. It made them happy, but at the same time sad that you were drenched in someone else’s blood indicating someone close to you died.

After a few hours, the aviation landed and the men unbuckled their seatbelts which made you do the same. Before anyone could do it for you. Even if you were 9 years old, you could take care of yourself. You have pretty much been independent your whole life and you enjoyed it rather than being babied around. Your mom taught you how to take care of yourself from a very young age, as growing up in a poor town would make her to work a lot to earn every coin just to have a stable life. To have a roof over your head, food on the table and a little extra just because being a child is when you should have fun. You have never met your father, you don’t know how it feels to have a father. Your mother was pregnant with a baby boy before getting pregnant with you, but she ended up getting a miscarriage due to the constant stress and physical harm she would suffer at work. That made her more careful when she got pregnant with you. You had always wondered how it would feel like to have an older brother. And have a siblings bond is something you have dreamed of.

The captain held his hand in yours as he walked with you into the base, introducing you to all of the people. They all greeted you happily with such gentleness you’ve never experienced before. It was a little intimidating, but also comforting. It almost made you forget about the death of your own mom. You kept hearing your name come out of the captain’s mouth every person he passed by and it made you look up at him, because that’s usually what you do when someone calls out your name. You listen and look at them. He would always meet your eyes with a gentle smile as if he already saw you as his own daughter.

You got to share room with the captain, he told his roommate to take his current room. He wanted to be your guardian, and he wanted you to see him as one too. It was already getting late and it was bedtime. He had made the with fresh new sheets and put a few extra pillows to make it more comfortable for you as they didn’t have any stuffed animals there. He put a little desk lamp next to the bedside table, just in case you didn’t like the dark. He tried his best to make it look as child friendly as possible. You like it, it was more luxurious than your room at your old house. You only had one bed and a closet, it would get cold at night making you fall asleep shivering. It was also very dark, which made you have nightmares at night.

You got help with showering from a female military woman. She was very kind. She had red hair, blue eyes and freckles sprinkled all around her face. She had such gentleness in her face that made you trust her the moment you laid eyes on her. She had a daughter of her own, you realised it the moment she gave you clothes that looked were about the same size as you and a little too girly for your liking. Pink wasn’t your favourite colour, but you were grateful nonetheless. She was very gentle and soft with you, she tried expressing through body language to try and communicate with you. Sometimes you gave her confused looks which made her giggle a little.

When you were changed into fresh clothes and finally had that blood smell out of you, you made your way back into the room where Matthew was sitting on his bed reading a comic. Not noticing you and the kind woman standing at the door frame.

“She’s all clean now. She only smells of my shampoo now” she giggles and gives you a smile as she walks away.

“Hey, Eleonoora, are you hungry or tired?” Matthew asked showing with his hands, mimicking someone eating and sleep in which makes you understand what he means.

You point at the bed, telling him that you’re tired and want to go to sleep. He nods and helps you climb up your bed and he tucks you into the blanket like a father does to his child. He hesitates but then gives you a kiss on the forehead. He wasn’t sure if you were ready to let him in. After all you’ve been through today. Losing someone and then letting someone new in, could be to abrupt. Matthew is about to make his way to the bed until you call out for him.

“Matthew” you called out softly, with a heavy accent as Matthew is not a Finnish name.

It makes his heart soften and his eyes water, he turns slowly around to find you run to him giving him a hug. You sob into his shirt, telling him that you don’t wanna sleep alone tonight. He picks you up and put you down on your bed before lying down in bed. You still hanging onto him, not wanting to let go. He has always wanted a kid, he tried a dozens of times with his wife, but she kept getting miscarriages and sometimes didn’t even end up pregnant. But seeing you taking him in as a dad, really made him consider himself a lucky man. His wish came true. Yours too. You always wanted a dad.

It’s been six years now since your mom died. You still remember her, keeping her locket close to your heart. And your English has gotten way better, but still have an accent that reminds you that your home was once in a foreign country. And Matthew is referred to as ‘dad’ as he has been nothing but kind and loving to you. Rest of his crew too, you were their little sister. It’s your birthday today and you’re turning 15. Matthew can’t believe how fast these years have passed. You were a little girl, now a teenager. His dad heart was bursting.

“I can’t believe my little girl is turning fifteen today!” Matthew says excitedly while hugging you. You start giggling to his enthusiastic behaviour. He was more excited than you.

“Dad, I’m not a little girl anymore” You’d argue, but in vain, because you’d always be his little girl no matter what.

“What do you want as a gift?” He said letting go of the hug to look you in the eyes. To try and read whatever was going on in your head.

“I wanna see the town, get away a little from base” you say looking back at him.

He nodded in approval and you made your way towards the car, driving into the town. Manchester was so beautiful and fascinating that you can’t help but stare at every single detail that comes into view. Savouring every single thing. Matthew spots the bakery, he always bought your favourite cookies from there, so he stops the car telling you to wait in the car. Matthew runs into the shop and you see there’s a long line in there. Bored, you looked around the car and outside unbothered. TIL you see a boy running away from a couple of other boys, they were bullying him you could tell. So you unbuckle your seatbelt and run towards the same road they chased the boy. You found them cornering him, as they were beating him and degrading him. Telling him how he’s a freak, abomination and how his father doesn’t love him. You clench your fist, getting mad a their cruel remarks.

“Hey, quit that, before I show you how I handle assholes” you say in a dominant tone, that usually manages to scare people but these imps didn’t get scared. They now completely looked at you with nasty grins.

“Look who’s here, a simple girl defending the freak boy. It must be his girlfriend” one of boys said before they all started laughing.

You could see the bruises and the small cuts on the poor boy’s arms and face. How he was cowering, how he knew he had no chance against the four of them. Hating how right they were about the part where they mentioned how his dad hated him.

“Oh I see, so these are your boyfriends then?” you say with a nasty grin on your face and giggling as you see them go from arrogant to embarrassed. They were speechless, they kept opening their mouths as if they wanted to say something but nothing came out except “uh”

“That’s what I thought, now move it before I’ll make you drenched in your own blood” you say giving them an intimidating look as the run away afraid like babies.

You turn your attention to the bruised boy standing before you. He shivers and silently grunts, he’s clearly in so much pain. He’s bleeding from his nose and he has a bite mark on his cheek, almost looks like a snake bite. He had bruises on his arms and on his face. He noticed you staring at him, with a look of pity and he has never been met with such compassion before. He has never had someone to rescue him or care for him. Even if you were a stranger and you two recently met, he felt something about you. Trust and empathy. He never thought he would be met with kindness, not after all of the abuse his father put him through.

“Such cowards” You say as you slowly approach him, extending your arm.

He was confused at first. No one ever cared to have his. No one. Yet you care, and you’ve only known him for a few seconds. He slowly, hesitantly places his hand in yours.

“I’m Eleonoora, and you are…” you say with a gentle tone and a friendly smile, that confused him more.

“I’m Simon” he says quietly, almost mumbling, but you could make out what he said.

He was confused by your sudden approach, people used to be disgusted by him, not even wanting to stand a meter close to him. And your smile didn’t seem full of fake affection, but of full of warmth and empathy. A feeling that was unfamiliar to him. A feeling he thought he’d never had the privilege of experience.

You flip his hand, making his palm face up towards the sky as you root in your pocket til you find two bandages and places it on his hand.

“It’s unfortunately all I have to patch you up with, but I have to go now. If my dad finds out I’ve gone away, I’ll be in boiling water. Take care!” You say as you make him close his fist with your hand, then pull away to run back to the car.

Simon can feel his mouth going up to a slight smile as he watches you hurry back to the car. He felt this small interaction plaster some of his wounds up around his heart. He was determined to find you again. He promised himself that no matter what, he was going to find you again.

(Sorry if there’s any wrong with the grammar or any spelling, I apologise as English is not my first language and I type quickly which can sometimes lead me to miss some words or spell wrongly)

[teyums]

Until We Meet Again. | Neteyam Oneshot

wc: 1.3k

a/n: apologizing in advance for the future tears shed, today was a gloomy day and i got inspired </3 play the song “listen before i go” by billie eilish for enhanced reading experience

contains: intense angst, feelings of guilt, grief, mention of unalive

summary: after neteyam protects you in the line of fire and takes a bullet for you, you desperately try and tend to his wounds. his fate is sealed, and now you and his family must deal with the aftermath of losing your loved one.

Your world had officially gone dark. Everything around you stilled; everything but the little time you had left with him. Neteyam had protected you from the line of fire on the ship, shoving you out of the way and into the water before jumping in after you. You heard the bullets ring out, not knowing they had made contact until you looked back to see him struggling to stay afloat in the water. You assisted Jake and Lo’ak in carrying him onto Three Brother’s Rock, making sure to cushion his head when he was lowered and trying to slow your breathing to no avail. You stared down at Neteyam’s bloodied body with sheer panic in your eyes and sat up on your knees, hovering your hands around aimlessly as you didn’t even know where to start. Neytiri’s wails were heart wrenching, holding onto his leg and pressing her forehead against it while she prayed to the great mother not to take her eldest son.

“Pressure, apply pressure!” Jake’s voice pierced through the ringing in your ears and brought you back to reality, forcefully grabbing your hands and pushing them over the bullet wound in your mate’s chest. You nodded frantically, tears welling in your eyes as you felt his blood seeping through the cracks of your fingers regardless of your attempts to stop it.

“It’s okay, bro. It’s okay, we got you,” The younger sully tried his hardest to reassure his older brother, Neteyam’s hand firmly grasping his bicep while Lo’ak nodded at him. Though his words sounded positive, he looked just as unconvinced as Jake did.

A choked grunt could be heard from Neteyam, crimson splattering onto his chin when he coughed. He shakily raised his hand to your face— a small, pained smile inching onto his lips at how hard you were trying to help him, knowing your efforts were futile but grateful to feel your immense love in his last moments. You leaned into his touch, wanting so badly to hold his hand but refusing to remove your hands from his wound. Hoping. Praying your attempts would save him. “My love, we will meet again.” He croaked.

“No, no, no,” You shut your eyes tightly, vigorously shaking your head back and forth. “Don’t you dare talk to me like I’m about to lose you. You’re gonna be fine, okay?” Your voice wavered while you tried your best to assure him. Something in your mind told you this wouldn’t turn out like you hoped, but you pushed the thought away.

“Tell me,” A tear rolled down his face and you felt his chest shuddering under your hands as he struggled to breathe, “Tell me you will visit me.” He forced out, his voice breaking in the middle of his sentence.

You bit your lip to stop it from quivering. “I can’t. Please don’t make me say it. I can’t lose you, Neteyam.” Tears rushed from your eyes and he used the energy he had left to wipe one away with his thumb. Even at a time like this, in his dying moments, he still felt the need to care for you.

“Say it, [Y/n]. Please, I need to hear you say it.” He hastily repeated himself in between short-winded breaths, as if he knew he was running out of time.

You hurriedly nodded your head, staring down at the love of your life starting to slip away from your grasp. “Yes, yes! I will visit you. Just, please, hold on a little longer. Help is coming, stay with me.” You pleaded, voice coming in and out due to your throat beginning to tighten. He blinked dazedly, his eyes threatening to roll back as he tried his hardest to stay awake. You felt his hand that was cupping your cheek slip away, your eyes flicking down to his now limp arm then back up to his face. “Neteyam,” You urged fearfully, watching his pupils dilate for the last time, then shrink when the life left his eyes.

It was quiet for a moment, then Neytiri’s desperate howl for her son split through the silence. Jake looked stunned, forcing his tears back as he pulled his wife into his arms, shushing her and stroking her hair in an effort to calm her down. Your lips parted and you stared down at your mate in disbelief, reluctantly pulling your hands away to see that the blood pouring from his wound had stopped. Your body trembled at the sight of red against your blue skin, instantly leaning forward to cup his expressionless face in your hands. A distressed, horrified scream involuntarily left your lips before you could hold it back, his head limply rolling from side to side while your shaky fingers tried to caress it.

“No, no, no. Please,” You begged to whatever spirits were listening, denial shrouding what was clear as day in front of you. You dropped down and pressed an ear to his chest, your eyes wide as you searched for a heartbeat that would never sound again. “Neteyam, Neteyam!” You shot back up and shook his shoulders in a desperate attempt to bring him back, anything to stop Eywa from taking him from you. His body lifelessly rocked back and forth from the force of your actions and you snapped your head around to look to Jake for help, ears falling flat. “Why isn’t he waking up? Do something!” You sobbed between broken gasps for air, Jake only shaking his head to tell you there was nothing else that could be done.

Lo’ak reached forward, grabbing you and hurriedly bringing your body back and into his as you continued to cry. “No!” You screeched and clawed at his grip, desperately trying to fight your way back over to his older brother. He locked his hold around you, his large frame easily keeping your back to his chest while you flailed around, refusing to accept what just transpired. “Lo’ak, let me go!” You choked out, kicking your legs in retaliation and helplessly pulling at his forearms in hopes he would release you. He wouldn’t. “Please…” You cried.

“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry...” He trembled as he held you in his arms, using all his strength to quiet the whimpers that were threatening to leave his mouth while aimlessly repeating himself.

You had insisted on coming along to help them save their friend, and in doing so, Neteyam died saving you. This was your fault. The blame was yours and the blood was on your hands to prove it.

You took a deep, stuttered breath, the adrenaline leaving your body along with the rest of your will to fight. You weeped in agony, your shrieks of anguish deafening as you sunk back against Lo’ak. He tried his best to comfort you, using one of his arms to hold you and the other folded over his mouth to stifle his approaching sobs. Your shoulders slumped, bloodied hands raising to clutch your cramping chest as you winced in pain. You physically felt your heart shatter inside your rib cage; the one person who had the power to piece it back together laid out in front of you, the rocks below him stained ruby.

You wished it had been you instead.

[high-on-the-dying-sun]

ANGEL OF DEATH

Ville Valo x reader (kinda?)

Waring: Death and hospital stuff light mentions of past implied suicide attempt. this is just sad shit I wrote at like 3 am when listing t music.

word count: 1237

Ville could feel himself fade away, he could feel all the hope and joy and general energy fade away from him when he was in the studio with the band or on the stage; hell even the most mundane task caused him to fight for even getting the smallest bit of air back into his lungs. 

Ville doesn't understand why this is happening to him, it's almost like all the actions he's done in the past are finally chasing after him. He thought he had cheated death on that drunken July night Linde had pulled him off the edge. Or the night when he was 17 and had an asthma attack that had him in the hospital for 2 weeks. Or when he got behind the wheel of an atv drunk and without a license. 

Tonight was different. He could feel it. He feared what may come for him. Before many times he has looked into death's eyes and smiled but now. Ville was right on the edge. He was no longer looking into an angel of death's eyes but was now being embraced into it. Ville will die before he even gets to live. 

They were in the middle of recording their latest album. He is supposed to be recording his vocal tracks but instead he stands there tears streaming down his face. He knew everybody was staring at him, he could feel their eyes staring into the back of his eyes. It's funny after years of singing of death it's finally creeping up on him and he's terrified. Ville always had a feeling that his life was bound to be short. He thought he would be okay about it. But now he can feel the ache in his bones and his gums bleeding. All the noise around him stops. Migé and Linde have stopped playing their guitars. Gas has stopped playing the drums and Burton has stopped the keyboard. In a way the silence was a comfort. He knew that in maybe a mere few hours he's only going to know scilents. He can still hear the light hum from his microphone while it's still recording. Ville screams. He screams of what will nerve be. What he will leave behind to rejoice with death. He lets everything go. He needs to let everything go. He can't be thinking of the pain; his own and of his friends no his families as they struggle to understand what is going on. Ville contemplates telling them what is going on but maybe it would be better to spare them of his inner pain. 

Ville lets his knees give out from beneath him. He lets himself fall. No one is there to check him. All he hears is his name ringing in his ears as the world around him fades into a disarray of blures He can almost see Lindes golden hair shine in the fluorescent lights of the studio. And that god Awful cowboy he hates that migé refused to take off when they record. He says it brings him luck. Ville wonders why couldn't that luck be shared with him. He can feel his body being picked up off the floor. And now in a matter of seconds he can feel the cold air hitting his skin. And he swears when he hardly opens his eyes he can see a woman in a black dress following him. He closes his eyes and can feel the cold air hit against the tears he finally sheds. Yet after all the pain; all he knows is complete darkness.

When he wakes again he can see migé and linde on both sides of him. He tries to call out to his friends. His brothers. He knows he's saying their names, he knows he is screaming it. He knows both of them are awake, he just doesn't understand why they aren't answering him! Ville screams he cries. Why why. Ville begs to whatever is out there for someone to hear him, to answer to him. Anything. He shuts his eyes as tight as possible, to the point where he feels pain. He feels a hand going to his hair.  He thinks is one of his friends finally answering his pleas. No. it's the woman he swore he saw early. 

He looks up at the women. She still has her hair tangled in his hair. He leans into the comfort  of it all. Villle knows very well that it may be his last. “Why?” is the only thing he can get out his throat feels like there is something shoved down it. RED eyes look down at him. “I don't know ville. I'm just here to guide you…” she tries to sooth him. Ville doesn't feel as terfied anymore. Ville sits up and looks at the women. “I'm not ready to die.” he emits to himself more than to her. She puts her hand out onto his back. “But you can't stay, get up. Look at yourself.” ville turns his head to the side as he listens to her words. Ville climbs out of the bed. He turns back to the bed. He steps back at what he sees. 

Villes was staring at himself. Migé and Linde are surrounding him. He looks bad. His skin is pale and his body looks like he's never eaten a day in his life. And yet that isn't the worst of it. There is a rather large tube going from a machine and into his mouth and another tube that seems to be connected to some bag going into his nose. He thinks it's some type of NGT tube. And lastly there is a heart monitor and a few iv going into his arm. Ville knows now that there's no going back. It's too late.

She puts her hands on villes shoulders. “You have to come with me ville.” she whispers into his ear; he knows that he has to go. But he wonders what will happen if he doesn't. Does his body stay catatonic? Will he forever be trapped in limbo? He turns to the women. “For years I've sung of a lover joining me and death but now… it's the other way around. I'm joining death.” villes not giving up. No. he's just stating what is true. The end is here. Ville looks at his friends one last time he walks to them one last time and puts his hand on their shoulders. And for some odd reason at the same time they both look up at each other. Ville smiles watching their eyes meet. They know he's there. He hopes that there is an afterlife. He gets to hide behind the crimson door and make sure they are alright. 

He moves back from the both of them; at the same time all the heart montier his body was attached to started to beep and his body started to convulse. His eyes grew wide as he watched himself die. Doctors and nurses rush into the room. The girl, the demon or angel (he still didn’t quite know) reaches for his hand and pulls him away from all the action. He couldn't bring himself to even spare a glance to Migé and linde not wanting to see the pain in their eyes as the doctors try to reverse the  inevitable. 

Him and the girl leave the room and are embraced in a blue hue of warmth…

[howtotrainabraincell]

May I request a blurb of Desmond’s teammates insisting he has a rest for once? (Pre or post Lucy whichever)

Of course! Hope I do it justice.

Desmond was exhausted. Utterly exhausted.

He had just experienced everything Ezio felt when he lost Cristina and the overwhelming pain and guilt and anger coursing through him was too much. Everything hurt. His head, his heart, his eyes from the forceful tears shed by the sole Auditore man, his muscles. Everything.

He knew what he had to do. The recovery of his ancestor's memories was important, and it needed to be done. But that didn't mean that it wasn't hard to go through.

Experiencing Ratonhnhaké:ton's pain when he had to watch his mother die and then watch his village get destroyed. Then having to fight his own father who refused to seek peace between the Brotherhood and the Order. Altaïr's anguish when he lost his youngest son Sef and then his wife Maria. It only went further when Altaïr was consumed by guilt for not being able to save his love, and then again when his daughter in law and granddaughters left for Egypt.

Desmond's head and heart began to hurt again just thinking about everything his ancestors had suffered through. They may have had the lives of Assassin's...but it didn't mean that they deserved to suffer.

He could hear two people in the kitchen. Rebecca and Shaun by the voices and the fact that they were the only other two people in the place. They seemed to be arguing, but Desmond's head hurt too much to try and focus on what it was they were saying.

Rebecca pointed at him her eyes narrowed. "I swear to the Isu's if you say one mean or snarky thing to him, I will slap the British out of you."

Shaun quaffed and rolled his eyes. "Am I really that bad to him?"

She looked at him pointedly without saying a word and Shaun sighed relenting. "Alright. I'll be as nice as I can.

"And don't tell him to rest up for the purpose of getting him fit to get back in the Animus. Actually, try to get him to rest. You keep pushing him the way you do, and he'll actually die, instead of just dying on the inside by being emotionally and psychologically traumatized."

The man in glasses watched as Rebecca grabbed the mug of tea she had just made for Desmond.

"Take this to him." She handed the mug off to him carefully. "Without snark."

He spoke sarcastically. "Yes mum."

Rebecca swatted at him aiming to smack his head, and Shaun barely dodged, hissing when a drop of hot water splashed on his hand.

Desmond was hunched over, his elbows on his knees as he held his head in his hands. His hair was disheveled, and his skin was pale and covered in a sheen of sweat. He had bags under his eyes and dried rings of blood around his nose, from hastily wiped away nosebleeds. It seemed as though he could barely hold himself up, and if he attempted to stand, he would fall over without assistance.

Shaun could see that the man was clearly bone tired from his interactions in the Animus.

He was going to try and be nice. He really was. Lest he be smacked by Rebecca and continue to be a complete arse to the guy who was literally the only reason why they could continue their research.

Shaun's voice was gentle. It didn't sound like him, but he was trying. Far too gentle for the snappy and grouchy man Desmond had gotten to know. "Desmond?"

Desmond looked up slowly squinting as the light hit his sensitive eyes and he was met by the scent of ginger and the sight of a coffee cup.

It was Shaun offering him a cup of tea. He reached up hesitantly wincing as his muscles protested against the action and inhaled the scent. It smelled good. Certainly, better than gunpowder, stale blood, and dirt.

The assassin didn't want to assume anything, but he thought for a moment that the British man had a look of concern on his face. He was probably seeing things. Which wouldn't be a surprise in the least.

He spoke again, once more sounding strange compared to how he normally did. "You need to rest for a while. Recover for the sake of yourself. You've been going too long without proper rest."

Desmond wanted to rebuff his statement and say that he just needed a moment before continuing. But he realized that he did need to rest. He felt like death warmed over itself and something within him told him that if he didn't...he would thoroughly regret it.

Rebecca stood a bit of a ways behind him with her arms crossed observing the both of them. "You need to Des. Seriously. We're not going anywhere. We'll be right here if you need anything."

Shaun nodded in agreement. "It's time to rest mate."

[good-beanswrites]

Can I request a director's commentary for the drabble that started it all? (Mahiru visits Amane)

Though since it's over 500 words (so much for "drabble=100 words"), I'd put more weight at the beginning.

LISTEN I didn't realize, I got it confused with Sudden Fiction (to be fair, that doesn't have as nice of a ring to it as "drabble") 😂 I guess I'll need to update my tag name hmm... But yes! The very beginning of OoA! I won't include it here because I know I've talked about it before, but there was definitely a lot of pre-planning for this scene just trying to get the au to work in general. I pretty much had to go with a injury swap because any other situation in which Kotoko was left alone with Amane would have resulted in her or Mahiru dying 😭

TW for Amane's cult beliefs and indirect talk of suicide

Mahiru could practically feel her heart shatter into a million pieces when Amane finally cried in front of her. She hadn’t shed a single tear yesterday – it was the shock, Shidou said. Mahiru was skeptical. After all, she had been shocked, too, and cried plenty.

I know it's cheap to try and jump start an emotional scene by just saying "they were crying" but I didn't necessarily want the reader to be upset yet, but I wanted the crying to be a warning sign for the reader. We haven't seen Amane allow herself weakness, so it's a big deal that she was pushed to the point of doing so. Mahiru, too, has constantly looked on the bright side and stayed positive in canon, so I wanted to make audiences aware that something That Bad happened to make her heart break too.

Amane woke as she came in with breakfast. She took a moment to survey herself, bandages peeking out from beneath her pajamas and an eyepatch securely over her right eye. As calmly as one might say “good morning,” she started to cry. Mahiru might have missed it, if Amane hadn’t wiped at her good eye with her sleeve.

The reality hits Amane in this moment -- the adults aren't going to let her refuse the medical aid. She fell asleep with everything torn off, so the fact that someone came in the middle of the night to put it all back on forced her to realize no matter how many times she takes it off, it won't be enough. As well as the pain and exhaustion, it's her defeat that makes her cry.

“Oh, sweetheart…!” Mahiru rushed over to her. “It’s okay, I’m here.” She wanted nothing more than to wrap the girl in a secure embrace, but she remembered the mass of bandages that were around her chest. Shidou had mentioned broken ribs and bruises. It took everything in her not to cry along with Amane, at the thought.

“I can get you another ice pack, if you need. Or more medicine.” Her mind spun with ways to help with pain. Many of the first aid supplies had been used to keep Fuuta from the brink of death, but surely there were extras to spare for Amane. 

I knew the reader would be thinking of it already, but I tried to highlight the miscommunication as best I could -- Mahiru thinks she's crying over pain, then the fear of Kotoko "punishing" her again, and only later realizes it's something else altogether.

The girl just shook her head. 

She muttered, “I can’t… I…I’m going to be punished, I’m going to be punished…”

Also. Um. How fucked up is that. Imagine being in a supernatural prison cut off from all reality and nearly killed by someone and your first fear is "my parents might be able to get in and hurt me more for accepting help from someone else." Ah.

“No! You’re safe now.” Mahiru placed her hands gently on Amane’s arms. “Kotoko’s not coming back. We’re all watching over you. You’re safe. She’s not going to hurt you anymore.” 

“That’s not…” Amane pulled away. Her voice stayed level, despite hiccups interrupting her. A hand reached up to her eyepatch. “It’s this. It’s all of this. It’s sinful. I took it off last night, but he must have…” She started unwrapping it. “They’re going to punish me...” 

She assumes it's Shidou, but honestly it could have been anyone who came to check on her. I played around with Mahiru confessing to doing it herself, but that made things messier than I wanted for this (though we did get a taste of that later on!)

With a careful motion, Mahiru held it in place and took Amane’s hands into her own. She’d been picking up on the signs ever since they arrived here together, and a final wave of understanding washed over her. 

I know people paint Mahiru as oblivious, but I think can read people extremely well (she just chooses to overstep or ignore things she doesn't like). Amane also doesn't really keep her beliefs and past a secret, so Mahiru would have always known what her home life was like. She's realizing right now just how dire the situation was, though.

“I can’t let you do that.”

Amane’s expression twisted, though words came out far more frantic than fiery. “Let me go.”  

Mahiru didn’t. “I’m sorry. Amane, you need this treatment.”

“That is not your decision to make. That is not any human’s decision to make.”

Mahiru pressed her lips together. “I know. But I can’t watch as you… I can’t sit by again while someone…”

"... kills themself when I could have stopped them." This is a really tough moment for Mahiru, because her theme with "letting others follow their beliefs" (Kotoko, Es, her bf) clashes with the feeling of getting a second chance at her crime. She's in the same position, and can save someone who's hurting themself, but she needs to be "cruel" to them to save them, a concept she still can't fathom.

She was careful not to apply any pressure, but she could no longer fight the urge to gather Amane up in her arms. “You don’t need to be afraid of those people, anymore.”

“I’m not afraid.” Amane hiccuped. “They love me, and I love them. I need to be good for them.”

I really wanted some line of Mahiru's thoughts here, some kind of emphasis of "NO! That's NOT love!!!!" but nothing felt natural, nor would it go over well with Amane (and Mahiru knows that). I went with the safe bet of her confessing her own love.

“I love you, and I don’t want to see you in pain.”

“You just pity me because I’m young.”

“Why does your age matter? You are a lovely young woman – you are my friend – and I can’t bear to see you in pain.”

The two sat in silence for a moment. Mahiru doubted she would take that as an answer; Amane had refused to call any of the others her friend.

I don't know if that's true in canon asdfsdf. She seems the type to keep things professional with the others -- she's here for judgement, this is no place for friendships. At the same time, she's the type with a big hear would definitely be kind enough to call everyone her friend... So at least for this fic, I liked the idea of her being very isolated in order to contrast how close she'd grown to Mahiru.

At least she didn’t argue. In fact, it seemed she was leaning into the embrace a bit more. She sighed a shaky breath into Mahiru’s uniform.

“Listen, Amane. Can you do me a favor? I’m trying to be a good girl, too. To make up for something awful, I need to make sure you’re alright. Can you help me? Can we be good together?”

Amane immediately sees through the trick. She knows that Mahiru's just trying to tempt her into agreeing by framing it as Amane being a hero and saving Mahiru, instead of the other way around. At the same time, no other adult has done something like that -- when adults want her to do something, they just demand it. By offering her a gentle excuse in the first place, Mahiru sways her a bit more.

And I mean, Amane also knows how honest Mahiru is. Even though Mahiru's framing things this way for the sake of the situation, she is actually trying to make up for her murder, and Amane does want to help.

A long pause followed. Amane’s voice spoke up, ever so gently.

“I suppose I can consider it.” She added quickly, “for the sake of your redemption. Of course.”

It's the most reluctant "yes" imaginable -- I suppose I can consider it for your sake -- but the important thing is it's not a "no." I couldnt picture Amane agreeing explicitly for a looong time -- maybe ever. By speaking it out loud it becomes real, but if she creeps around it with non-denials its okay...

"Of course."

[chickensarentcheap]

First some found questions:

What are a few of their inside jokes?

In what ways do they worry about each other?

How do they handle dividing up chores and household duties?

How do they fight for or defend the other?

Who takes more responsibility for their actions?

What habits do they have that makes the other unhappy? (Examples: angry outbursts, disrespectful judgments, annoying behavior, selfish demands, dishonesty, or apathy.)

What accomplishments do they most admire in each other?

What small physical details does each character love the most about the other?

What would each character be willing to change in his/herself for the other, and what wouldn’t they change?

1: goodness, do they even have any? I know they one they have and it started in the second fic was 'studying together' became code language for sex. After Ovi got a girlfriend and Millie ratted on him but said they were 'just studying' and Tyler was like 'that's what the kids call it these days'. Esme said that her and Tyler love to study together and that he's a great tutor. And he lamented about sometimes having to 'study alone' and not being the same lol

2: Tyler worries about her burning herself out and not taking care of herself enough. Esme is very much a mother hen and a care taker, and nurturing and caring for others is one of her love languages. But she neglects herself A LOT and he worries about that. But also takes the load off of her and gives her that mental health time she needs. Esme worries about his mental health issues, most of all. If he's taking his meds, not having any urge to drink or go back to the pain killers. And of course worries about him still sometimes taking a job himself. Her biggest fear is something happening to him while far from home and not even being able to bring the body back :(

3. They have several chore and duty charts hanging in the laundry room. For both the things they need to do, and the kids. Everyone gets assigned daily and weekly stuff, even mom and dad. Tyler handles the outdoor stuff and if things need to be fixed around the house. Esme is the gardener and baker and she tends to be the one that concentrates on laundry, inside cleaning. But the kids help out a lot and are expected to.

4. Don't you dare say anything negative about Tyler. Esme will rip you apart. He's not perfect by any stretch of the imagination, but the way he works hard and often sheds blood, sweat and tears for their family is admirable. And she won't tolerate any disrespect towards him. And when he needed medical intervention (sent home from Dhaka2) she fought that hospital tooth and nail to get him out of there. Even after the original Dhaka when she barely knew him, she stayed by his side and refused to let them give up on him. Tyler, well he'll willingly put his body and life on line to protect Esme. And he will put her family in their places. The kids don't get away with disrespecting her either.

5. Definitely Tyler. Although it was something he had to learn. Not out of selfishness, but because for years he didn't have to worry about his words and actions hurting other people.

6. unfortunately, both tend to keep things from each other. As a way of protecting the other. And it annoys the hell out of both of them. Tyler used to have angry outbursts, but he's put a lot of work into controlling that kind of behaviour.

7. Esme definitely admires how he's built and managed the mercenary business. She's a silent partner and helps out in the office, but he does the majority of everything on his own. He's become very successful. And naturally she admires how he's beating his addictions every day and despite doing battle with his own mind 24/7 continues to a great husband and father. Tyler admires her strength and her tenacity. How she took care of him during such horrific times and how she continues to care for him. And of course, admires her mothering skills. She doubts herself, but she's a damn good momma.

8. He absolutely loves her freckles. She loves his scars. Her favourite is the one across the bridge of his nose.

9. Tyler changed the most I think out of the two of them. Having to deal with his addiction issues. One thing he won't change is how protective he is of her. Esme had to work to get past the trauma Mark caused her and rebuild herself again. She definitely wouldn't give up how caring and nurturing she is towards him. Even if he does call it babying lol

[uplifted-vibes]

To All the Warriors: You Are Not Alone in This Fight

Let’s get real for a minute. If you’ve ever faced bullying, you know it can feel like being trapped in a nightmare, with no way to escape. I want to share my journey not just to recount the pain, but to show you that you are not alone in this fight. We all deserve to feel seen and heard, and I want to remind you of the incredible strength you hold within.

From my very first day in high school, I felt the sting of being targeted. I just wanted to fit in, to learn, and to make friends, but instead, I became the punchline to their cruel jokes. I remember vividly the lunchroom—my so-called friends were right there, sitting at the same table, trying not to laugh while I was the butt of their jokes. I could feel their eyes on me, but their silence felt like betrayal. Food would be thrown at me like I was a living target, and the laughter that followed was deafening. “Look at her! Can’t she even eat without making a mess?” they’d say, and it cut deep.

The tripping was a regular occurrence. Just walking down the hall, my feet would be yanked out from under me, and I’d fall hard to the floor. The looks on their faces told me everything I needed to know—they thrived on my humiliation. “Why don’t you just go away?” they’d taunt, their words laced with venom. The worst was when they’d yell, “Go kill yourself!” as if my life was a joke to them. Those words echoed in my mind long after the laughter faded, leaving a mark that felt impossible to erase.

And what about the teachers? When I went to them, pleading for help, all I got in return were empty promises. They were more concerned about maintaining their precious reputation than ensuring the safety of their students. “We don’t want to create a scene,” they’d say, brushing off my pain like it was nothing more than a fly buzzing around their heads. I was screaming into a void, desperate for someone to hear me, to care, but the silence was crushing. I often felt like I was fighting my battles alone.

The truth is, those who bully often do so because of their own insecurities. It’s like they have to tear others down to feel better about themselves. But here’s the kicker: their actions reflect their problems, not yours. They’re projecting their unhappiness onto you, trying to drag you down because they can’t stand the thought of anyone being confident or happy when they feel so small.

Eventually, after years of enduring this torment, I made the hardest decision of my life: I left that school. Walking out of those gates felt like shedding a layer of skin, leaving behind the pain that had clung to me for far too long. But even now, I still carry the scars—physical reminders of that pain on my arms, back, and legs. Each mark tells a story, one of bullying and the fight to reclaim my self-worth.

If I’m being honest, I have regrets. I wish I had been braver, spoken up sooner, or had the courage to stand up for myself when it felt like no one else would. I regret not realizing sooner that their words held no power over me. There were moments when their taunts made me consider the unthinkable, thoughts of ending it all creeping into my mind. I let their opinions shape my self-image for too long, and I often replay the moments in my head, wishing I could go back and show them my strength instead of feeling small. But those regrets are a part of my story, and they’ve taught me invaluable lessons about resilience and self-love.

But here’s the truth I’ve learned: those experiences do not define me. Yes, they shaped my fears, and sometimes the memories creep back in, whispering doubts into my mind. But every time I face that pain, I transform it into strength. I refuse to let their words dictate my worth.

To all the girls out there who’ve faced similar battles, let me remind you: you are so much more than their words. You are powerful, resilient, and worthy of love and respect. When they throw food or trip you up, brush it off and keep moving. You have dreams to chase and a life waiting for you that is far greater than their cruelty.

And let me tell you something: you are not alone. There are countless others who understand your struggles, who’ve faced the same darkness and come out stronger on the other side. Embrace your story; wear your scars like badges of honor. They signify your survival, your strength, and your determination to rise above the hurt.

Don’t be afraid to speak up. Your voice matters. Stand tall, refuse to be silenced, and know that you are part of a fierce community of warriors who support one another. Together, we can break the cycle of pain and create a world where everyone feels safe and accepted.

So here’s my challenge to you: when those voices of doubt creep in, shout back. “I am worthy! I am enough!” Because you are. Your worth is not tied to anyone else's opinion of you. You are a force of nature, capable of achieving amazing things.

Let’s rise together, unapologetically. You are not just surviving; you are thriving. And I’m cheering for you every step of the way. You are more than their words. You are a warrior.

[alterchaos]

THE SHINING ROAD

Everyone looks to the road ahead, shining with the rising dawn…

PREVIOUS CHAPTER: LEAVES IN THE WIND

NEXT CHAPTER: HUMAN

Flickies chirped high above the grassy earth beneath their wings. Their joyous songs filled the warm air on Mobius as the sun began to rise. With the Metarex finally defeated, peace had returned across the universe.

But at what cost?

Such were the thoughts that plagued the young girl’s mind as she watched the world beyond the rolling green hills wake from its slumber. She closed her eyes, recalling the week-long journey back from the obliterated planet. Nobody had spoken a word, each grieving for the seedrian and friend lost. She recalled her petals and ashes blowing gently through the cosmos as the young fox cried out in failure and anguish. He’d stayed like that for a while, curled up in front of his control panel until he had no more tears to shed. She recalled spotting Sonic floating back towards the broken, dead planet, coming back to the ship after a short while. She’d followed him, watching silently from around the corner as he quietly approached his dear brother. After a few moments, he held out a tiny seed, though not one created for destruction like the others. No, this seed was a remnant from their lost friend, a reminder she’d left behind for Tails to keep moving forward without her towards a brighter future. He took it, burying his face in his brother’s chest as he wept. It had all been too much, especially for someone his age, and Sonic held him close until he was okay to let go, voicing his own apologies for failing as a hero.

It wasn’t just him though. Everyone felt like a failure.

Though with each passing day, the pain grew ever distant. Eve’s wounds healed quickly, her charred skin now showing no signs of injury or scarring to her brother’s surprise. By all accounts, it was a miracle, though Eve didn’t feel so lucky. Sonic still refused to speak to her, the two of them even more unsure how to move forward as friends after his stunt with the seed.

None of that mattered now anyway.

Today was the day she was to return home.

Today was the day she would say goodbye to all of her friends…

Forever this time.

—----------------------------------------------------------

“All set, Knuckles. The energy is stable.”

Eve stood there silently, eyes downcast as her brother readied the ship he built that would return them to their home dimension. The window for such travel was closing rapidly with only a few minutes now to spare.

Still, she wasn’t ready.

“Alright. Then you two better get going. The window won’t be open for much longer.”

“We’ll miss you two.”

They’d already said goodbye to the young rabbit, her chao friend, and the gang of Chaotix detectives. Tails had offered a small goodbye, but still needed time to himself, leaving only Amy and Knuckles to see the Thorndyke siblings off. As for the blue hedgehog, he’d gone silent and was nowhere to be found.

Sonic…

She’d never be able to make it up to him, not when the blue hedgehog was absent from the scene. It tore her up inside and out, yet there was nothing she could do now. 

She had to go back to where she belonged.

She had to…

It was the right thing to do…

Eve jolted as her brother’s hand met her shoulder, “Hey, you ready?”

She had no choice…

Eve nodded, keeping her gaze low.

Besides, it wasn’t as if things could go back to the way they were between them. It would never be the same. They each lost a part of themselves on that space station: his confidence…her trust…

Nothing would ever be the same between them.

“...Alright. I guess that’s everything then. Come on, Eve.” Chris tugged gently on her hand as he walked forward.

There was no point in staying.

And yet…

Eve paused, her hand falling gently from his grasp.

“Chris…”

He turned to face her.

“I-”

“Stay.”

Eve jolted, her eyes flying upwards as she met his sad but smiling gaze.

“But-”

“It’s okay.”

The two of them stayed like that for a moment, staring into each other’s eyes as Amy and Knuckles watched in shock. 

Chris turned to face them, “Can you two give us a moment?”

The two Mobians looked to each other with concern before looking back and nodding. They stepped away, allowing the two siblings to speak privately.

“Chris…” Eve began to tear up. She turned her head sharply away, “No. I’ve thought it over a-and…” She trailed off.

“And what?”

“I-I don’t…belong here, Chris! I-I’m not Mobian! I-I’m only human! You saw what happened! I-I belong on a world where I can’t get in the way because of that, a-a world where I’m safe!”

“You mean a world without adventure?”

“...”

“Without…your friends?”

Eve looked up at him, wavering in her conviction as doubt seeped into her gaze. She looked away just as quickly, guilt washing over her.

“...”

Chris took his little sister’s hands in his, “Eve…I’ve been watching over you these past seven years, ever since Sonic first showed me what it meant to be a big brother. Not once in the six years they were gone did I ever see you come to life as you have with them. They are your family just as much as I will always be…” A couple tears sprung from his eyes, “...and just as you will always be to me.”

Tears sprung into her eyes too as she raced in for a hug, burying her face into her brother’s chest one last time.

“I love you, Christopher.”

He returned her embrace.

“I love you too, Evelyn.”

In that moment, time seemed to freeze. The two Thorndyke siblings held each other in one final goodbye. Neither were truly ready to let go, but the time had come to part ways. As Chris strapped himself into the rocket seat, an empty chair behind him, Eve walked up to the door one last time with a smile.

“Tell Mom and Dad, Ella, Chuck, Tanaka…and all my friends that I said goodbye. And tell them ‘thank you’...for everything.”

“I will.”

The scientist pressed the button to close the rocket’s door.

“Eve…”

It was a quiet goodbye, but one not lost on the girl. She wanted to return it, to show her gratitude that he’d acknowledged her as she truly was in their final moments together.

But it was too late. 

The rocket released a burst of chaos energy, launching high into the air. Eve felt one foot glide in front of the other.

Tap.

Then another.

Tap. Tap.

Before she knew it, she was running after him, waving as she forced herself to keep up.

Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap.

The human girl ran through the rolling green hills of Mobius, her hair as golden as the risen sun gliding gently behind her like a cape as she fought with all her strength to keep up. Flickies and Pockies dotted the shining road she raced upon, watching curiously as each foot pounded the soft earth beneath. She gasped for air with each step, sweat flying from her small figure and glistening like the morning dew. 

TAPTAPTAPTAPTAPTAP

Her foot hit a small rock, causing her to stumble.

“AH-!!”

But she didn’t fall.

SHOOOOM!

snatch

“-!!?”

In a sudden gust of wind, the girl with the golden hair was swept off her feet safely in the arms of her dearest friend. She looked up at him, her turquoise eyes meeting those of a deep emerald as she sought the words which eluded her.

“Sonic…I-I-”

“I’m here. Let’s do this…together.”

Tears flooded her eyes as she watched him smile warmly, a smile forming along her lips as well.

“Right!”

With that, Sonic raced onward with his friend tucked safely in his arms. The two of them caught up to the rapidly ascending ship in no time, waving and smiling at the man above. He looked out the window, smiling back at them tearfully as he remembered approaching the hedgehog yesterday, making sure his intentions were clear this time so as not to cause another bout of panic.

“Sonic…I know what happened between you two back on Narcissus’s ship.”

“Y-You do?”

“Yeah…I was able to track how the fake emerald energy was responding to your rage. Then Eve showed back up on the ship with those burns…”

“...”

“Sonic…I don’t blame you for what happened. In fact, I came here to ask you for a favor.”

“What kind of favor?”

“My sister…please…watch over her for me…”

“Huh? W-Whaddya mean? Isn’t she going home with you?”

“You and I both know that her home is here. Sonic, I never saw her more alive than when she was with you. When you left all those years ago, it was as if she left too. A part of her died back then and I could never hold her back from living the life she deserves.”

“And what kind of life is that?”

“A life where she can be free…”

“Chris…Why would you trust me with her safety? After everything that happened-”

“Because I know you care about her more than anyone else. You’re also the greatest hero I know.”

“But I’ve made terrible mistakes!”

“It isn’t about that!”

“Then what is it about!?”

“You have a heart more pure than anyone else I’ve met. You just have to see it. I would have no one else watch over my precious little sister.”

“Chris…”

The older Thorndyke sibling shed a few tears as his mind returned to the present. He placed a hand gently on the window overlooking them.

The two friends shouted in unison as they continued racing along, “GOODBYE, CHRIS!!!”

Chris smiled, waving at them once more before he began to fly out of sight.

The Hero of Mobius slowed his pace as he came to the cliffside near the ocean, lowering the human in his arms to the grass beneath their feet. She continued to shout, waving as the ship flew higher and higher still until, inevitably, it became a speck in the distance. Her hair shone brilliantly like the sun beaming upon the gentle waves. Soon, a couple glimmers of light caught near her eyes as her smile faltered. She began to tremble, trying with all her strength to hold herself together.

“G-Good…Goodb-bye…b-brothe-”

She fell to her knees, releasing a resounding wail into the warm air surrounding them. Her cries echoed beyond the cliffs, bouncing off the vast ocean as blue as the sky and friend by her side. Fat tears rolled down her cheeks, no longer able to be contained. Where once she would have been glad to be rid of Christopher Thorndyke, she now mourned the loss of her dear, loving brother. 

The Blue Blur watched her sadly in this bittersweet moment. He then looked out once more beyond the shining road at the vast, endless blue of Mobius’s sky.

“Please, Sonic…Promise me you’ll look after Eve…”

Sonic shed a few tears as he placed a hand to his chest in determination, smiling at the ship as it disappeared beyond the stars.

“I promise, Chris.”

SAGA END