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galacticwildfire · 2 years ago

Text

found.

Twenty Five

Pairing: Kenobi!oc x Din Djarin

Summary: Satine and Obi-wan’s daughter fought in the war against the Empire and lost her faith when she lost Mandalore. Until she found him. A lone Mandalorian searching for a Jedi.

Warnings/tags: Trigger warnings for flashbacks: suicide attempt, violence, gunplay, trauma. For the rest of the story: near death, jealousy, violent impulses, threatening, descriptions of ptsd and injuries, mentions of miscarriage, angst angst angst, Din and Lando united against Boba

Word Count: 7.9k

A/N: it gets worse before it gets better but the next chapter is angst to the extreme. I have the proceeding fight between her and Boba written but it would have pushed the chapter to 10k words so expect it in the next one. I wanted to spend some time in Boba's pov exploring the other side of their story from his eyes. Also one scene is very much inspired by the "we don't like him do we" one from ginny and gerogia,

ALSO THAT NEW EPISODE. NOW THAT IS MOTIVATION TO WRITE.

Boba Fett

From the cockpit I can hear the Mandalorian talking to her as if that alone could undo a missile impact. He loves her. Not that I can blame him. Once I was in the same state as him after pulling her out of that rubble after the oxygen in her lungs had been replaced with chemicals, not that she was conscious to see it. Much like now, but something tells me she'll know.

She always does.

Perhaps I said the things to the Mandalorian that I did out of spite, perhaps I respect the man, maybe I want to kill him, maybe it's the fact it was easier to voice the hate in my heart than to look at her dying in another man's arms.

He's terrified, I was as well when I saw the missile impact.

But I was right when I told him she's both too stubborn to die and too hard to kill. A trait the rest of the Jedi didn't share, one I attribute to her sheer spite more than Mandalorian blood, but what keeps me calm is knowing I've seen her perform stranger miracles than surviving a direct hit from a missile.

Fennec and I sit in silence as we enter the system until she finally breaks it.

"You neglected to tell me the woman who had your armour was formerly pregnant with your child."

There is frustration in her voice, almost repulsion, not that I can criticize it when she heard the whole of it. "Was. A long time ago."

She is hardly one to judge, but she does. "That information would have been valuable before engaging."

I scoff, forgetting most aren't familiar with warriors like Kyra "How so?"

"I hadn't accounted for a vengeful Jedi," she says and shakes her head, touching her throat from where Kyra strangled her. Her willingness to use the force to commit violence is something I had not accounted for, but I should have known threatening her would only make her snap.

"Well it seems she is the only one of those left in the galaxy," I say, glad to know at least one of us has not changed.

"We owe them Boba," she says stiffly. "For the child."

"I know," I say quietly. I owe her. If she has claimed this child as hers, whether as a padawan or a foundling, or more likely both, it's my duty to return it to her. "And we will help them if she lets me live long enough."

Physically I know she can kill me, she may be one of the few people still alive who can. I haven't been on the receiving end of an attack from her, not truly at least, but I've seen enough to know what she is capable of, it's only ever been her heart and damned code that's held her back from committing massacres.

I've heard the rumours, that her and Skywalker walked into a room with Vader and the Emperor and only they left alive. I hope she killed them, with Skywalkers strength and her skill they are they only people in the galaxy who could.

I'll never forget the day I stood in that throne room on Mandalore when Viszla challenged her, a hulking man with a full foot on her and still he ended up beaten.

And that was without her Jedi tricks.

"Mando filled the space you left in the guild after the Sarlaac," Fennec warns me, I'd done my research and came to the conclusion that Kyra would only find herself in league with a man who could rival her. "I can assure you that he's just as likely to drop you once she's safe."

"Great," I find myself saying. He's taken my woman and my reputation without even realising it. "He can take what he wants, but there is no other bounty hunter like me. Only me."

"Except for the fact you're in love with the same woman," she says, more frustrated I withheld important information from the mission than anything else. "That you had also neglected to inform me of."

"Fucking the same woman," I correct. "I never said anything about love."

"I'm not deaf," she shortly, no doubt having heard the conversation below. "I thought living with the Tuskans was what made you soft, not her."

"She did," I force myself to admit. "And it got me all but killed."

"Better not make the same mistake twice then," she says and that's the end of the conversation, yet for just a moment I remember what it was like to have Kyra beside me in this cockpit, remembering it all too well. Right from the first time we met, when she paid me to smuggle her to Mandalore after her mothers death, hiding behind a veil and giving no name.

"First time dealing with a bounty hunter?" I asked her, having picked up on the fact she was some aristocrat but I never could have known the Mand'alor herself was sitting beside me.

"Something like that," she answered. "I sat in that Cantina for hours, I approached you because of that armour you wear, those who follow the old ways have a code of honour about them for the most part."

"Then why are you suspicious of me?" I asked her, her body cues obvious enough.

"Because suspicion has kept me alive."

I was almost impressed although cautious when I realised I had a refugee onboard. "Would I be right to assume you aren't quite friends with the Empire?"

"No one is friends with the Empire," she said, and there was a regal yet frustrated tone to her voice that should have alerted me to who she was as it was all too similar to the Duchess Satine's. "We all live under their rule, for some that is more difficult than others."

"We all do what we must to make a living," I told her, just wanting to make my way through the galaxy with some credits in my pocket. "Why make life more difficult for yourself?"

"That's a good question," she said, she was a young woman but spoke with a self righteous wisdom that felt too familiar. "Some of us are born into difficult situations, it's all we know."

"With the wealth you have it can't have been that difficult," I dismissed. "You sure have enough beskar to keep yourself comfortable."

"Blood money," she replied and those words sparked my intrigue.

"What money isn't blood money?" I asked her, but she knew that and still judged it with the true hypocrisy of a Jedi. "Did you forget who you hired?"

"A bounty hunter," she answered simply. "And from the price you charged that man on Tatooine a very good one I suspect, expensive enough for these parts anyways."

"If you've lived your life on Tatooine you would know it is the rate for Bounty Hunters of my experience, it's in the outer rims where blood money runs thick," I said and tilted my head towards her. "Unless that is just another part of your story."

"You doubt I'm Mandalorian," she said and then left me stunned as she spoke in Mando'a. "I am more than most who claim to be."

Oh little did I know just how much until we were entering Mandalore's atmosphere and she was telling me to fly past Imperial ships straight for the palace and I felt like the greatest fool in the galaxy realising I was sitting beside the spawn of a Mandalorian duchess and a Jedi, a Jedi I'd once tried to kill.

She'd kept up her game of disguise all the way from Tatooine until that moment, even after I'd found the bodies of the stormtroopers she'd left on a layover planet the moment I'd let her out of my sight. I'd sat here in this very cockpit dumbfounded at having been blindsided for one of the very few times in my life, that the aristocratic woman I'd agreed to smuggle was a very capable killer and I didn't even know it. That I didn't know I was sitting beside someone who moved like a ghost and shed blood without blinking an eye.

I think that was the very moment I knew I was fucked.

Maker knows I still am and she might not even make it to Cloud City. But I can't afford to think like that, after all she's endured she won't die today. She can't. Not like this.

She's older now, closer to the age I was when I met her, and with age has certainly come both beauty and bitterness. She's no longer a girl shouldering the weight of Mandalore and the Jedi on her shoulders, but a battle scarred woman who has lost more than most could ever fathom. Something I did not understand, not until the murder of the Tuskans. It is easy to blame those with a responsibility until you are the one carrying it, and having failed.

I went to her on Tatooine not just for the armour, I didn't beat Cobb Vanth just for beskar, but for her. That was when I discovered the Mandalorian and knew something had changed.

All those years during the war, from retaking Mandalore after her mother surrendered it to that day on Tatooine, we found our way back to one another. No amount of hate or betrayal could ever change that. Even that last night together no matter how much she hated me it didn't stop her from pulling me into bed.

I tried to convince her to abandon it all, but she wouldn't. Even so, after Cloud City I turned on Vader. She can scoff at me and deny I'd ever draw a blade on him, but I did when he told me he knew she was pregnant when he tortured her but it was too late to undo the damage that had been done. I never knew she'd lost the child then. For months I tried to get back to her until I lured her to Tatooine, expecting her to be half a year or more pregnant and there she stood as I'd last seen her with such rage in her eye that I believed what Vader told me she would do and she let me believe it.

Vader twisted both our minds, and now I know the truth all I feel is shame. Shame that the one good thing in my life, my one chance at a future to be a good man as my father was, I ruined it.

I ruined her.

And yet I can't accept what is right in front of my eyes.

That she loves this strange Mandalorian in a way she did not love me.

All those years of running around the outer rims together so her family would never know about us and now this Mandalorian seems to know them all. That was what told me all I needed to know in my questioning. She loves him, I knew that when I watched her find him bleeding out on Tatooine, but here she suddenly is with a child and a man she'd brought to meet the people she loves most. The two things her and I never had, the two things that were impossible for us despite how close we came to having it.

Everything I wanted for us, the freedom to travel the galaxy with just her and our child, a life together without the war or the Empire or the Rebellion. Just us.

Everything I wanted, everything I spent years fighting for, suddenly she has with another man.

That wounds me more than any words she could ever say.

I would have done anything for it, but she would never abandon the Rebellion for anything, not me, not Mandalore, nothing.

We were in bed together in an inn on a world where no one would know us, it was the unspoken condition of our arrangement following our reunion after Mandalore. We were each others secret.

My arm was around her shoulder, tired smiles on both our faces as I watched her inspect my new blaster. She was warm in my arms, the only soft thing I had in my life.

"It's expensive," she said, despite her insistence that blasters were uncivilised in comparison to a lightsaber she had no problems wielding one.

"I'm expensive," I reminded her, not that she needed it.

"Oh I know," she assured me and it earned a low chuckle. I watched in quiet amusement as she lined the blaster up with a decorative plate on the wall, making blaster sounds with her mouth.

I raised an eyebrow at the display "It sounds a bit more sophisticated than that."

"Yeah alright shut up," she laughed and I reached around to put a hand over hers. She didn't need any instruction with a blaster but I knew she liked it and so did I.

"It's silenced," I told her as I watched her face. "Yet still able to penetrate the thickest of armour. It's a smooth design, not bulky. Perfectly rounded edges."

"Hmm," she hummed as her already naked body warmed and I ran the barrel along her jaw knowing how she liked it, and there was nothing more erotic than watching her face as I fucked her with my blaster. Nothing. She bit back a moan as I ran it over her lips, getting her just how I wanted her as she tilted her chin up towards mine, her eyes fluttering closed as she murmured my name "Boba."

"Princess," I said, liking how she melted with a single touch and tried in vain to get her to leave that damn inn with me when I had her in the only state I could ever get her to beg in "You should come with me for a while, wherever you want to go."

Her eyes opened and that lovestruck look was gone. "You know I can't."

"You can, you just won't." With that she sat up and held the blankets to her chest and I sighed as I tried to bring her back "Kyra-"

"Don't," she said harshly as I broached that one subject that was sorely off limits.

"Is it so wrong to want you with me?" I asked her and pressed my lips to her shoulder. "Would anyone know if you disappeared for a few days..."

"Yes, considering I'm leading an attack in a few days they would," she revealed, always in anger giving more than she would otherwise and sighed "Boba, you know I want to."

"Then what's stopping you?" I asked her, bit by bit trying to get her to see what she was too stubborn to admit. "The rebellion will survive without you."

"If you want me that badly then come with me," she countered, as defiant as ever.

"That would make things more complicated than necessary," I said, by then she'd had to have known what I was doing and who I was working for, how couldn't she when I was running into her rebel friends in the field.

"You're the one making things complicated by hunting down my friends," she finally snapped and I leaned back in defeat knowing it was only a matter of time before she brought up the last altercation. "Fuck Boba, of all the targets you could take-"

"Solo pays the most," I said and the way she shook her head in anger spurred something in me. "Why do you care?"

She said it as if it was obvious, painfully in denial Solo would fuck her if given the chance and she was far too defensive of him for my liking. "Because he's my friend."

I scoffed "Why are you fucking him too?"

Her eyes widened and I knew I'd certainly hit a nerve in the way she slapped me hard without a moment of hesitation and I grabbed her wrists, pinning her down beneath me despite how she struggled and spat out "Fuck you Boba."

"Are you?" I repeated and saw a sick pleasure in her eyes at riling me up how she did despite how deeply the accusation angered her.

"Why would you care if I was?" she countered, and this time it was her who crossed one of our many unspoken lines. "Don't tell me you love me?"

It had been two years since she'd found me in that cantina, since she'd paid me in beskar to take her to Mandalore and had somehow convinced me to stay as her commander. She was arrogant enough not to take no for an answer and for some reason I allowed it. Of all the work I'd taken, being paid to fight for her and then fuck her every night was far from the worst of it.

Until it became more than that.

I never expected to want to stay, I never knew how invested I'd become until she decided to give it all up to return to the rebellion and left Mandalore in the hands of her aunt. Being the daughter of a Jedi and a pacifist the vengeful temper was a surprise I couldn't place, not until I met Bo-Katan Kryze. They both knew that Bo-Katan was everything Kyra could grow to become, while Kyra was everything Bo-Katan could have been.

Bo-Katan had been defending the palace with the darksaber Kyra had handed to her upon pointing her regent whilst Kyra fought on the front lines against Darth Vader and his legion before the bombs came. They both survived, I don't know what words were exchanged but it was enough for Kyra to bring down the ruins of the palace upon herself while her aunt and her Nite Owls lived.

I didn't know I loved her until I pulled her out of that rubble on Mandalore, but I couldn't admit it, not to her. I was Boba Fett and she was an inconvenience, one I found myself indulging in every chance I got.

"Don't be stupid," I said but she looked right through me and I hated it. "I don't like other men touching what's mine."

"Last time I checked I'm not yours, not when the only time I can have you is like this."

"I'd beg to differ."

She pushed against my hold on her but I didn't let up until she said "No I'm not fucking Han you jealous bastard." Maybe I wanted to believe it so I had an out but the moment I released her wrists she grabbed my face and pulled me down between her legs as she told me "I have what I want." Her next words were the closest either of us could come to telling ourselves and each other the truth. "And that's you Boba."

I watched her eyes darken at the feeling of my blaster between her legs and knew I had her as I gave her a single command "Show me."

And even as she sunk down onto the blaster she still believed she was in control, but if there was one thing she knew how to do, it was to take what she wanted.

It was that attitude that put her on the throne of Mandalore but it was her loyalty to the rebellion that lost her it, her misplaced loyalty that put us on opposite sides of this war. For a moment I was more than a bounty hunter, I was the right hand of the Mand'alor, an honourable man. I watched her fight every challenge to her reign, I watched as she tamed the clans who would have overthrown her if they saw a moment of weakness.

That was until she received one call from the Princess of Alderaan and she put the darksaber in her aunt's hands to run off to the rebel base with her battalion of warriors. That was when it fell apart, the screaming match in the empty throne room in the dead of night. All because she was too afraid to lose her so called family, all because she was that vengeance mad after her parents deaths. I understood the thirst for vengeance and would have been by her side to take it with her, but not when she thought vengeance meant returning to the rebellion.

She should have been glad she was born after the fall of the Jedi order, or else she would have been cast out for her insufferable heart. Her one and only weakness.

Mandalore would have withstood the Empire under her rule if not for it. If she'd made decisions without it instead of letting her own stubbornness and vendetta against the Empire leave Mandalore unstable and open to attack. She was always too much like her mother in believing through sheer willpower alone she could save Mandalore and they both lost it. In the end her mother surrendered it to the Empire so it would survive whilst Kyra did it so she could avenge her parents.

Now she's running around the galaxy with a Mandalorian who won't take off his helmet and a kid that was one of Yoda's species without a clue in hell what she's doing.

If I know anything it's that she protects and avenges what she's lost with the fierceness of a true Mandalorian. I left the Mandalorian to die and the kid was taken whilst we had them at blaster point. We enter the planets atmosphere and I know if she doesn't murder me when she wakes up I'll call myself a lucky man.

"Slave I, turn your ship around or be met with force," the air traffic controller says and I just sigh having anticipated no less.

Before I can try to tell them their beloved rebel hero is on board the Mandalorian comes up to the cockpit and buts in to speak into the com.

"This is Din Djarin, tell Lando Calrissian I have Kyra Kenobi on board and she is gravely injured."

There's chatter in the background before being asked "Is Boba Fett on board?"

"Yes but the General needs immediate care or else she will die," he says, sounding how I feel. "Let us land without violence, either Calrissian or Solo will vouch for me."

I can't help but scoff at him being chummy with those two and Fennec gives me a warning look, clearly acquainted with this Din Djarin and not wanting a fight.

"Alright, proceed to land."

And so I land the ship in the same spot where she ran to me upon arriving on Cloud City, not knowing the Empire was already there and it being too late for her to escape.

Perhaps this time I can make things right.

I have to.

Din

The moment the landing dock opens I'm carrying her limp body out of that ship, being met with city guards and finally Calrissian who rushes out.

"What happened?"

"She has internal injuries," I say, knowing how is not urgent right now. "She's barely breathing.

"We've got a bacta tank," he says but just as we rush forward towards the building he comes to a stop, only just taking in the ship and immediately reaches for a blaster "Did he do this to her?"

"No," I say, gathering Calrissian knows their history. "We can deal with him later she needs help now!"

I can't keep the urgent edge from my raised voice, not when she's all but dead and we run inside. I'm cradling her head to my chest to keep it as still as I can as he leads me through the halls until finally we reach a medic bay. Calrissian immediately starts giving orders for the tank to be readied while I strip her of her armour to her underclothes without hesitation, this not being how I'd planned on taking it off when I first saw her walk out of that ship guns blazing in beskar.

Calrissian brings over the harness to hoist her into the tank and the two of us get her inside it, in any other situation I'd cut a man's hand off for touching her in this state of undress but it hardly matters now when she's minutes from death.

"Be careful, her head-" I begin as the nurses secure the breathing apparatus and it's in the way her limp body hangs as she's hoisted inside the tank for a moment I'm sure I'll be sick and I'm bracing myself on the wall, trying to keep myself from collapsing on the spot now she's out of my hands.

"Sir I need to ask you some questions," the doctor says and I struggle to compose myself as he begins "How did she obtain these injuries and how long ago?"

"Direct missile hit around an hour ago," I answer and watch the colour drain from her face. "She- she's a Jedi. The same missile blew my ship to ashes but somehow she survived."

Calrissian's swearing under his breath and nothing feels real as I'm bombarded with more questions he ends up answering.

"Age?"

"Twenty eight."

"Pre-existing health conditions?"

"Severe post traumatic stress," Calrissian answers as I step closer to the glass, putting a hand on it as if I could touch her, feel her pulse no matter how faint to assure myself she's still alive. "Previous head traumas, long term damage to her organs and nervous system from electrocution."

My head snaps around towards him at those words, suddenly finding myself overcome by panic at having not known this whilst she was dying under my watch.

"Force lightning it," he tries to explain but those words don't help. "It doesn't matter how but she's had heart palpitations for years but stopped taking medication for it. She has cognitive processing difficulties, memory loss and disassociation as lasting effects of torture. It's a long list of health conditions but nothing overly out of the ordinary for a war veteran."

Well it's too long for me and I repeat "Lightning?"

"The Emperor," he says and I only tilt my head in confusion. "She hasn't told you about when her and Luke went to kill the Emperor?"

I feel my eyes widen beneath the helmet and I look back at her in pure shock, I knew about Darth Vader but somehow she never mentioned that.

"They killed the emperor?"

"No, technically not but she definitely tried-"

It's then we're interrupted by Boba Fett "She still alive?"

"You can get out!" Calrissian snaps at him and immediately my hand is on my blaster as he appears in the doorway too calm for my liking.

"In the purge she suffered chemical burns to the insides of her lungs and crush wounds," Fett reveals whilst I stand there ashamedly ignorant of this information, knowing none of it aside from the effects of torture. "She suffocated and I had to restart her heart manually before I could get her help, you'll want to keep an eye on her vitals."

"Noted," the doctor says and hesitantly looks between the three of us before asking "Now before we can do a full body scan I need to ask if there is any chance she could be pregnant."

I freeze beneath my armour, utterly still at the possibility that has not occurred to me before now. I don't know how many times I've been inside her in these past weeks, countless, almost every chance we've gotten away from the kid and everytime I was always as deep inside of her as I could have been when I finished. She never mentioned any protection and I never asked despite knowing I should have, perhaps selfishly wanting the consequences of such an act to happen and silently hoping so did she as she always wrapped her legs tight and held me inside of her after we'd both finished.

Now after everything I've learned, that she was once with child... there are so many things we never discussed that we should have, so many things I never knew.

Finally I stammer "Yes- she could be."

Boba Fett stays wisely silent, that is until Calrissian awkwardly steps in and says "She has a birth control chip, it shouldn't be expired."

He doesn't look at me and I don't want him to, having tried to forget what I heard in the cockpit when she spoke to Solo after the attack on Tatooine. I was stressed over Fett coming after us when I'd heard Solo telling her they should let off some steam together, I certainly saw the panic that took hold of her and then the frustration when I asked if I'd have to worry about this one coming after us as well after she took off to hunt Fett down in the night.

She told me the truth about Calrissian with little emotion other than guilt, that he wanted to marry her and she ran away. Something that hadn't surprised me after that night. Although I was more than surprised to see him when I met her family, but quickly realised if she deems him family that is something I have to accept.

And as far as I'm concerned right now he isn't the one I need to worry about.

"Well I'll be damned," Fett says and realise Calrissian can't look at him either. "She let you fuck her after what you did?"

I'm caught off guard, trying to keep an eye on Kyra in the tank to see if she's making any visible improvements, but those words certainly draw me back into the conversation.

"What I did was nothing compared to what you did," Calrissian says but that sparks enough alarm in me that my hand is on my blaster.

"What you did?" I repeat and Calrissian's eyes are on the floor, guilt written across his face.

"Ah, you don't know," Fett says, almost amused.

"I know what you did," I counter and draw my blaster on Fett, Calrissian quickly drawing his own as well. "I know you're the one who betrayed her."

"I couldn't have done anything if Calrissian hadn't betrayed Solo and the others first by inviting Vader into the city to ambush them."

I keep my blaster hand still as Calrissian replies "I never invited him, and if I recall you were the one by his side as they laid siege to the city."

"But not before you'd told Solo they were safe here," Fett argues. "She would have never stepped foot in this city if you hadn't betrayed your old friend first."

"I was there that day Fett, I heard her screaming for you to kill her after you turned her over," Calrissian says, repeating what I know from Kyra to be true. "Don't act innocent."

"Oh I know I'm not innocent," Fett replies. "But neither are you."

"Enough," I say sharply, not having the patience for any more of this and tell Calrissian "Moff Gideon took the child and I need to find a lead. He had to take Kyra out with a missile to stop her from cutting through his troopers and I'll need her with me. How soon will she be awake?"

His face falls and he tells me "I'm sorry, I know what that child means to both of you." He looks at Kyra before saying "I don't know how long it will take, but you got her here in time to save her life that's what matters. As for the kid I'll call in the cavalry and we'll make a plan."

I give a single nod, it will have to be enough for now. It has to be enough to keep me from losing my mind. She trusts her family, and I have to trust they won't let any harm come to her child.

"You should leave," I tell Fett and Calrissian points his blaster at him. "Or she won't be the one to kill you."

"Her and I have business," Fett replies and looks at me as he says "I'd say find me when she wakes but I have no doubt she'll do that herself."

He leaves and Calrissian and I stand there, the doctor stands in the corner of the room with her head down going over the vitals and organising the medical droid to run tests.

"Fett's going to be a problem," I immediately say, not wanting to know what business he has planned.

"He always is," Calrissian warns. "I was there when she found out he was still alive, I broke the news to her and she went straight to Tatooine to kill him so why is he still alive?"

A good question, one I don't want to answer.

"I've learned she likes to draw these things out," I tell myself, I'd settle for watching her torture him over the alternative.

"You going to kill him?" he asks and I have no doubt he wants to almost as much as I do.

"He tries anything I'll take care of it," I answer, my finger itching over the trigger, the only thing stopping me is Kyra. It's her blood to spill not mine, no matter how badly I want to.

But what is truly stopping me as much as it makes me want to kill him where he stands is the thought she doesn't want him dead. That somehow she still loves him.

I'd suspected it from the start when I knew she'd come to Tatooine to kill the man that armour belonged to, with every piece of information she revealed I'd suspected it but it wasn't until that night after the attack when I woke to find her gone I realised it went far deeper than I could have known.

Unfortunately something tells me I'm about to find out just how deep.

Hours later I'm sitting there alone, the doctor out running the test results and from what I can gather she's confused as well as concerned. She should be dead, but after spending this much time with the kid I know these are things no scientist or doctor could understand let alone explain.

All I can do is guard her body as she rests before me suspended in the tank, as unresponsive as she was when I brought her in despite the doctor assuring me her vitals are growing stronger.

Despite knowing she will live nothing has ever felt so dark.

The kid is still gone and nothing will feel real until I have them both in my arms, until I can kiss her and do the one thing I thought I'd have more time to do.

I won't make that mistake again

Calrissian's called Solo to Cloud City since he's in the outer rims, if she's still unconscious by tomorrow morning I can rely on him to get me to Navarro so I can put a team together to get the child back. Time is running out and I need to do it with or without her as much as the thought terrifies me.

I want to keep her safe, I don't want to put her in the field if she isn't able to fight, but she's the best fighter I've got. She was able to cut through those battle droid looking troopers with her lightsaber when our blasters could barely take out the Death Troopers. If we face the ones who took the child I doubt blasters will do the job.

I'd dreamed of seeing her in beskar and it was as much of a sight as I'd imagined it to be if not more, having never seen armour in such a design before but considering her fighting style it makes sense. Seeing her wearing a helmet made me want to get down on my knees as much as I'd anticipated it could.

I just never thought it would be on my knees screaming her name in vain.

I eye her saber sitting beside her armour and take it, having only held it to give it back to her and study the mechanics of it, wisely pointing it away from myself as I activate the ignition and the yellow blade ignites. It's lightweight, making a sound as I move it through the air, easy enough to maneuver so simply but nothing like how I've seen her move it. I can't imagine the years of training required for her to be able to wield it how she does with such deadly precision and mastery.

I disengage it as Calrissian enters the room telling me what I already know "She should be dead but she isn't and the doctors can't explain it."

I find myself repeating Fett's words "She's hard to kill."

"She is," he says and begins "Her and I... that had finished a long time ago, years ago, I only knew about the chip because we'd slept together a few times since then but that was over well before you two met."

While it's assuring to know she isn't still sleeping with him I don't care about that, not now. Now when she isn't in my arms and someone else is waiting for her to wake up.

"How much as she told you about Boba Fett?" he asks me, going where I didn't want to.

"Enough," I answer. She had told me everything important, except for one detail that I've gathered she'd convinced herself wasn't real, or at least tried to force from her memory. "She was pregnant when he betrayed her?"

He gives a stiff nod and lowers his voice "The empire had already garrisoned the city when she arrived. I saw him give her to Vader, saw her screaming for him to kill her and I saw the aftermath." He shakes his head, unable to look at her. "Leia and I found her in the cell after Han was taken away, we'd heard her screaming and trying to break out, there was blood all over the floor and she kept saying to Leia she didn't know."

I feel sick knowing now the true extent of what the Empire did to her and understand now why she's so fiercely sought to protect the child by any means necessary. I now understand her vengeful streak towards the Empire and know when she wakes I'll be by her side as she takes it.

"In all these years we never spoke of it, I think part of her had blocked it out completely," he says, confirming my suspicions. "I never knew her before that day, I only knew who she was after that but Leia told me she was never the same as what she had been before. Leia was the only one who'd known her before the Death Star. I loved her, but I wondered what she would have been like if not for the Empire."

"She told me you bought her a ring," I say and he nods in confirmation and that dark paranoia in the back of my mind from that night she ran haunts me. "She told me Boba Fett was what caused her to run."

"It seemed like it should have worked her and I, but it didn't. I loved her in one way but in these past years it's been in another, as family," he confides in me, not hiding his care for her. "I would have married her but I was never what she wanted or what she needed. Boba Fett was what she wanted and in her own twisted way she still loved him after she struck him down. That was until you and the kid came along." I still at hearing those words from a man who once loved her, words that couldn't be more different from Fetts. "You're what she needs and I know you're what she wants."

"And I need her," I say and it's then I catch movement out of the corner of my eye from the tank. "Kyra?"

We both stand and what was a movement of her fingers quickly turns into kicking and thrashing as she tries to free herself and I'm yelling "Help me get her out!"

Kyra

I stood in the ashes of Mandalore after having escaped Vaders ship. My aunt, the last of my blood, turned her back on me and left me there on my knees.

The world was dead, and so was I.

Cold tears ran down my cheeks beneath the beskar of my helmet. There was not a thought in my mind, only the crushing weight of the darkness. Vader had felt it too as he twisted my mind. Death would have been more merciful, but he would not let me die. No. He wanted to turn me, to make me his apprentice in his final act of vengeance against my father.

Everything was still, a wasteland of the life I'd once had and the girl I'd been.

Vader would come for me again, he was likely already on his way.

For the first time I believed if he finished what he started I would fall to the darkness. That despite my fathers counsel on the strength of those who resist the darkside I was no longer that strong anymore.

And so I slowly removed my helmet in the ultimate act of defiance against the Empire, against Vader. I would not die at his hands like my parents did.

The air was toxic, that much I knew with the first breath and I raised my gauntlet to record one final message knowing Leia would find me. Knowing she was the only person in the galaxy who would understand why I did it.

"Leia," I said, hearing the rawness of my own voice. "I survived the bombings but Mandalore is glass and ashes. There is nothing left." I knew it would break her heart, but she would understand. "Vader won't kill me, he won't stop until I turn and become a monster." My voice broke "I will not let him touch me again." The tears came and I whispered "I love you, and I'm sorry, but I can't let him make me into what he is. I can't live knowing my people are dead because of me. I can't." My voice was a mere whisper, feeling as if I'd broken the sacred vow between us two princesses after watching her survive her own planets destruction and Vaders torture, something I could not do. "I'm so sorry."

I wasn't afraid as I left my helmet in the open so they'd know where I was buried and stepped inside the ruins of the palace, it and I both barely standing. With each step forward I heard my fathers voice telling me to turn around and go to Luke and Leia and that was the first time I cut myself off from the force so all I would hear was silence as I got down on my knees and raised my hands to bring the palace down upon me, channelling the force for long enough I could hear my fathers voice in that final moment.

In the darkness my life flashed before my eyes from the start to an end I'd never seen before and the rubble crushed me, my chest feeling as if it would collapse from its weight and my lungs burned from the inside out. I was all but gone from the world when I heard a ship circling above and then a voice screaming my name as the darkness closed in on me.

"Kyra!"

In my slow death as the last bits of consciousness slipped I fought one final time at the sound of his voice and gasped out with ashes in my burning lungs, choking on the chemicals that replaced any oxygen left in the atmosphere, everything pure agony as I tried to dig myself out of the ruins.

"Kyra!"

But it was not the voice I remembered. No. It's his.

"Din!" I scream finding the strength to truly fight this time. This time my limp body won't be dug out of the ruins as I barely cling to life, this time my hand breaks through the rubble and reaches for his. "Din!"

"I've got you," he says as he grasps my hand, pulling me from the darkness. "You're safe."

I'm gasping for air as I come to, finding myself weighed down until I'm pulled free, my body falling against hard familiar beskar. "I've got you, I've got you cyar'ika."

"Din?" I gasp out and cling to him as he clutches me in his arms, dripping and shaking with no comprehension of where I am, only that I'm with him. That I'm safe. "Din."

He cradles my head, his own hands shaking as he pulls a blanket around me and I look up at him, hardly hearing Lando leaving the room yelling for someone to contact Leia until the door slams shut and I don't understand the fear, the pure devastation that consumes him.

"Din?" I whisper, my head spinning as I try to make sense of where I am and what's happened, but I don't even have a moment to think before he's pulled his helmet off and his lips are on mine, hard and desperate as I taste tears.

I'm frozen in bewilderment until he pulls away and orders "Open your eyes."

The request leaves me shaking my head, knowing something isn't right. "What-"

"Please," he whispers so heartbreakingly that I have no choice but to obey and my eyes open to look upon his face for the first time, finding beautiful brown tearful eyes and reach for his face wondering if this too is a dream. "Cyar'ika."

In my dreams he'd smile not weep, and I'm too overwhelmed by his own agony to truly take him in as he deserves to be. In my dreams I'd kiss him and tell him he's beautiful and mine and that I adore him. But in this moment all I feel is fear.

In this moment nothing feels real.

"Din?" I breathe, trembling as I search his eyes and my heart stops knowing only one thing could do this to him. "Where's Grogu?"

He shakes his head and pulls me to him, hand buried in my hair with my face pressed into the beskar of his chest as he quakes "He's gone, they took him."

Those words all but convince me this is a nightmare and suddenly I'm ten years old again, screaming as I was stolen from outside the palace walls of Mandalore except this time I'm feeling my own fathers horror at his child being taken from him.

Pure devastation washes over me as he clutches me tight and my shaking hands come to touch his beskar and yet I feel nothing as my fingertips run over what should be cold and know this can't be real.

But with the sound of a ship flying past it comes back to me in flashes.

Slave I.

Boba.

The child.

The Empire.

The missile.

My body jolts as I step out of Din's embrace, hyperventilating while I search for my saber, my armour, until I find them both nearby.

"Kyra," I hear Din say but the words echo around me, nothing is real. Not him, not me, nothing. Nothing but the cold rage that overcomes me. "My love."

"No," I whisper, my trembling hands moving to arm myself. "No-"

"We're going to get him back," he tells me as I struggle to even hold my armour with the feeling in my hands all but gone. "Cyar'ika-"

He turns me back to him and I look upon his face with cold tears running down my cheeks and he takes my hands in his, bringing them to his lips as I stand there a trembling mess, unable to remember how I got here. Unable to remember anything but flashes.

"We're getting him back," I grit out, looking into the eyes of the man I love as I swear to him "We're taking our son back, now help me with my armour."

He does, but not before kissing my forehead, the weight of what he's done unable to truly sink into either of us in this state and I pull his lips to mine, tasting his tears and mine both before the sound of footsteps has him pulling his helmet back on and helping me dress myself in my armour.

He's pulling my sleeves up and securing my weapons belt when I sense Lando and blink in confusion, it's only then as I truly look around I realise where I am.

Cloud City. Din must have brought me here knowing I'd be safe with Lando.

"Are you alright?" he asks me as he rushes in, speaking too fast for me to comprehend. "Leia knows you're here and the Falcon's just arrived." Still I struggle to comprehend the words being spoken to me until he says "Boba Fett is still here."

Boba.

Still all I remember are flashes, guns blazing and threats made until one sticks.

"I can kill the kid, like you killed our son."

He did this.

And he's going to die for it.

#din djarin #din djarin fanfiction #the mandalorian #the mandalorian fanfiction #the mandolarian #the mandalorian x oc #din djarin x oc #din djarin x original character #wildfirewildflower #the mandalorian x original character #Din djarin fanfic #the mandalorian fanfic #found.#din djarin x female oc #boba fett x oc

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namjooningelsewhere · 3 years ago

Text

War Of The Hearts: #4B

✽Pairing - OT7 x reader (DJ) and OT7 x Lily

✽Word Count - 3.4k

✽Ratings - 18+

✽Genre(s) - Mafia Au, Angst , Fluff, mentions of smut.

✽Trigger Warnings - Mentions of Death, Mentions of Trauma , minor alcohol consumption, mentions of torture and shootouts and mentions of bloodshed, Mentions of Drugs, Attempted Murder, A little manipulative behavior, A shootout, a lot of cursing.

✽Summary - You’ve been lurking in the shadows, protecting the seven of Bangtan even if it means you must give your own life. After all, that’s what you do when you are in love with someone irrevocably. That pain seems to be minuscule in light of their safety. But it was never about you, for all you are is a speck of dust in the universe they have created for them and their girlfriend. Your heart’s at war, but it’s fine, you can smile through the pain as long as it means they smile- for her.

✽A/N : So this part is a little flashback of what happened after Yoongi shot DJ, and a little from when she left to get Ivanov. I thought a little flashback on the boys pov would be nice. Let me know if you want to be added to the taglist.

✽Taglist : @bri-mal @2ne1unni @shatzkrinslinzki @zae007live, @gukieater @tinyoonsblog @skylievin @2ne1unni @lovelgirl22 @euphakid @embrace-themagic @didi-9310 @loisje123 @iamhereforbts @silscintilla @2ne1unni @rp171198 @aboredboredboreduniverse @blaaiissee @top-crop @sa7kou @chhungi-bawihtlung @aquariushoesss @definitelythinkimanalien

@juju-227592 @rinkud @aria-grace-scott @theestrangeddreamer @babycoffeefire (The ones tagged in bold arent getting tagged.)

✽Part One Here ✽Part Two Here ✽Part Three Here ✽Part Four Here

“DJ wake up.” Yoongi gently shook your cheek, but those hands were trembling hard. What is mind reeled back to the second he saw DJ aiming a gun at him. There was no way he could have figured out she was aiming at someone who was behind him.

He shook you again, But you didn't respond. Blood was seeping through your abdomen to his hands, Yoongi was losing his calm, He heard footsteps in front of him, The others were coming running towards him.

“Yoongi what happened?” Jin asked, His eyes nearly bulging out at the sight of you laying in his arms and Yoongi’s gun right next to your knees.

“Somebody was about to shoot me, DJ saw it and she aimed the gun at that person and i thought she–”

“Was about to shoot you?” Namjoon Uttered the words in utter shock, He didn't know what to make of this situation. As a leader of Bangtan, Namjoon had been into the trickiest situations but never in one like this. It would be a question, A big sticky situation. How the hell was he supposed to justify this lest anything happened to DJ.

“Let's take her to the hospital first, We can figure out the details later.” Namjoon quickly made a movement to help Yoongi with DJ but Yoongi stopped him, carrying DJ himself.

They quickly started their cars and they had one of the vans to put DJ, Yoongi didn't let go of Dj even for a single minute keeping her close to his chest.

“Where is Jeh? I didn't see him at the party either and Dj was nowhere to be seen either.”

“Both of them were not there either.”

“Hyung she will be fine.” Yoongi nodded slightly but he was still shocked, shocked from all the events of today.

“She saved my life.” Yoongi clasped your hand a little tighter, You were breathing a little more shallow, The blood still seeping through although a little slow. Yoongi's white shirt was all red down from the chest.

“Speed the bloody car Hoseok, We aren't on a picnic.” Hoseok placed his legs hard on the gas pedal at yoongi’s outburst.

They reached the hospital and Yoongi literally ran with you in his arms. They entered the lobby through the private entrance and the doctors immediately rushed to your aid, recognising Bangtan.

The doctors wheeled you in, And Yoongi stood outside the room with the rest of the others waiting anxiously.

“We have to take her for the surgery, The bullet needs to be taken out before there is any infection.” The doctor's statement increased the already heavy tension in the corridor and Yoongi sat down on one of the chairs with a thud.

“Doctor, do what you have to.” Taehyung was the first one to speak up, The rest of them agreed with him, The doctor got to work immediately, instructing prep instructions to his staff.

Everybody took a seat, some worried sick, Some confused and Yoongi still shaken.

“Yoongi Hyung, Tell us what happened?” Jungkook asked Yoongi, who looked at the youngest with tears in his eyes, and the younger squeezed his shoulder lightly assuring him it was okay.

“I was at the balcony on the first floor, A car came rushing that caught my attention. Dj got down from the car and I got pissed.” Yoongi took a pause. He wasnt exactly sure how to tell the others that he had uninvited you from his party, But Hobi caught onto it quickly.

“Hold on, Why did you get pissed at her?”

“I had specifically told her not to come to the party.” Jin raised his eyebrows at Yoongi’s confession. They were all there when they left the invitation at your house, Then when Yoongi invited you.

“And why was that?” Yoongi sighed at Jin's question, This was bound to come. The rest of the others kept looking at Yoongi impatiently, Too many questions in their mind but answers to none.

“I was doubtful of her okay? I don't know, I thought she had ulterior motives in getting involved with us. I thought she manipulated Lily into joining us.”

“And I am no child to being manipulated like this.” They looked up and saw Lily standing there, arms crossed in front of her chest, She glared Yoongi down and he looked down again. He had been wrong. So wrong.

It was clear now that if you had any motives, Why would you save his life?

“Continue.” Namjoon spoke quickly, afraid of starting an argument between Lily and Yoongi. Lily had already left the house once to get you in. There was no telling what she would do next.

“I saw her and went running towards her. She was doing something under the car, I thought she was muddling the cars and I lost it. I yelled and she looked up, And suddenly out of nowhere she pulled out her gun and aimed at me.” Jungkook gasped at Yoongi’s words while the others widened their eyes, this story was certainly getting more interesting, and shocking.

No one would know what you were actually doing under the cars, But they had a lot of time to figure it out.

“She suddenly shot and out of impulse i shot her too, i realised she didn't aim for me and there was a man standing right behind me, It took me ten seconds to realise i was directly in line of fire and Dj saved my life. But–”

“It was too late.” Hobi finished the sentence for him and a tear slipped out of Yoongi’s eye, reminiscing the scene again.

Namjoon placed his hand over Yoongi’s shoulder, reassuring his hyung. They could figure this out. Lily came and sat down beside Yoongi taking his hands into hers.

“It's going to be okay baby, Don't worry it will be fine.”

“I did it out of impulse, I swear I didn't mean to hurt her.” Lily stroked her fingers on his hand, And Yoongi broke down in his woman’s arms.

“Where is Jeh?”

“Shit i forgot about him. Something doesn't feel right. Jeh never leaves her alone.” Jimin wondered.

“Taehyung ask Chaeyong to speak to his cousin, Chongin. Send our men to her warehouse.” Namjoon yelled out orders and the younger one immediately got to work.

Everyone waited with bated breaths for the surgery to get over. Nothing could happen to You. You were at no fault, You saved their brother's life, And most importantly what would they explain to the circle for taking out a member?

Lily was terrified the most, A major part of her plan would go down the drain if something happened to you. One moment she was at the party and the next moment there were gunshots and chaos.

For the first time in her life, Lily prayed with all her faith to save you. She can't be losing now. Not after getting so close, She was very few steps away from her plan. She had already probed the guys by leaving the house that they had literally rushed over to your house to convince you to come stay with them, And she knew very well you being you would obviously oblige at their every request.

The things that she was doing for love and the things that you did for love.

Taehyung came rushing in after a few minutes, Panic very clear on his face.

“Jeh’s injured too, He's not in a good shape. Someone killed their few men too. Our men are bringing him here.” Everybody fell silent at this information. What exactly was going on? You were here trying to search something under their cars, Jeh was beaten up badly. What had you both gotten yourselves into?

Finally after what seemed after ten years, the doctor reappeared and everyone rushed towards him in hope.

“She's out of danger, But her body is still in little shock. It may take a while for her to gain consciousness, And we will keep her under observation until then.

“Oh Thankgod.” Yoongi breathed a sigh of relief and the others did the same thing. They released a breath they had caught up for a long time.

But their relief was short lived because right at that moment, Jeh was wheeled in and the other froze when they saw what condition he was in. He was beaten up badly, There were blood clots on his face, bruises scattered all over his body, His clothes torn and bloodied. Shit they were worried for him now.

The doctors wheeled Jeh immediately into the room, an army of nurses rushing behind them. Everyone took their seats again, This time waiting for Jeh.

Another hour passed and it still seemed like an eternity, There were no people who they could call. They knew a little about your relatives staying abroad, But they didn't know you so well to have their contact information.

“Yoongi Hyung, you should change.” Jimin tried to convince his hyung to freshen up, He was pretty much shaken up, and his clothes looked like they were dipped in blood. Yoongi shook his head and Jimin frowned. He knew Yoongi was stubborn sometimes and there was only one person who could get him to agree and that was his only hyung, Jin.

“Yoongiah go freshen up, If you're gonna stay here then at least stay in a state that's decent enough. You don't want her to wake up and see you like this and go back to unconsciousness do you?”

Yoongi got up reluctantly, Jungkook and Taehyung offered to drive him and get some food and comfortable clothes for others as well. It looked like they could be staying here for a few days.

“I hope Jehs fine, he has to be.” Namjoon patted Lily’s hand who just rested her head on his shoulder.

“Jeh has sustained a lot of internal injuries, I'm sorry but he's in Coma.” There was a pin drop silence in the corridor, Jeh was in coma ? This was devastating. They were now worried about your reaction. Everyone in the circle knew your and Jehs strong bond. You were two peas in a pod, If anybody didn't know better, They would literally think you were related by blood.

“We stay here until both recover, we are going to do whatever it takes. Either we take turns or we all stay here. Choose.” Everyone nodded at Lily’s instruction, Both of you werent out of danger yet. Someone was out there to kill you both, So they couldn't take chances. You saved Yoongi’s life, This was the least they could do.

“Everyone keep your guns handy, The hospital won't say anything. Shoot at sight if anybody tries entering these two rooms. And lily you, Keep a gun with you. It's enough to scare them away by just flashing the gun.” Namjoon handed his gun to Lily, While Hobi went down to fetch everybody else’s from the car.

_____________________________________________________________

You were wheeled into the VIP room, and Jeh in another. Lily, Hobi and Yoongi and Taehyung stayed with you and Namjoon, Jin, Jimin and Jungkook stayed in Jeh’s room. Well armed and alert.

Yoongi stayed close to your bed, Checking up on you in regular intervals. He looked at your sleeping face, Sleeping like you weren't shot just a few hours ago. Your face looked at peace if you were just taking a nap.

For the first time Yoongi looked at your features, You were beautiful, those eyelashes and that sharp nose and the soft glow that illuminates your features. Something stirred in him. He couldn't forget that moment when you were standing tall in front of him with a gun, ready to shoot. You saved his life without any thought. The fact that you didn't budge when you saw him holding a gun, and the fact that you still went ahead and pulled the trigger knowing that he would shoot you next. This fascinated Yoongi.

It looked a lot to intrigue Min Yoongi, And you had intrigued this man the most that anyone ever did. Yoongi felt ashamed of doubting you. See, now the thing was Yoongi wasnt ready to accept the fact that Lily was the one who wanted to bring another woman into their relationship, after three years of happily dating each other. How was it possible that suddenly she would want to bring someone else? There had to be something else, But sadly that something else existed only in Yoongi’s mind.

Lily didn't sleep a wink the entire night, Her mind wandering off to the possibilities of so many things. What would happen if Jeh wakes up and knows Yoongi shot you? Will he let you stay with the boys? And what happens if you don't want to stay with them anymore?

Everything that she worked for so far would go down the drain, It had taken so much convincing the guys to get you in the relationship, then to get you to move in with them. There was no other way they were going to fall in love with you, If they didn't spend their every waking minute with you.

“Why are you awake?” Taehyung's voice startled Lily and she immediately straightened up and took the coffee from Tae’s hand that he had brought for all of them.

“Uh nothing. Just thinking about how drastic life changes, Yesterday both of them were doing just fine and today they are in the hospital.”

“Yeah life changes drastically you know, Take us for an instance. Yesterday we were happily dating our girlfriend and today she wants to bring in someone else.” Lily frowned at Taehyung's taunt. This man hasn't stopped taunting her once since you were involved.

“Let that go Tae, You've all accepted her already.”

“Oh no we didn't Lily, We said yes because you said so. You're all we’ve loved all these years and god knows what kind of assholes weve been to this woman because we wanted to project our anger somewhere.”

“Too late, She's a part of us and She is going to stay with us.” Taehyung clenched his fists at Lily’s comment, who just stood her ground stubbornly.

“I'd like to see your face if your boyfriends really end up falling in love with her. To tell you, I think we have a start.” He pointed at Yoongi and Lily smirked. So what if they fall in love with you, That's exactly what she wanted.

“Quit it you two.” Yoongi snapped.

Taehyung and Lily quietly sat down on the couch, Hobi glared at the two of them. What had gotten into them?

“What's wrong with the both of you?”

“Tell him.”

“Lily, I said quit it.” Yoongi's voice raised to another three notches and Lily squeaked and immediately shut her mouth. Taehyung smirked looking at Lily, And she glared at Taehyung. Hobi raised his eyebrows in question looking at both of them to which Lily just threw him another glare. Hobi ignored the two of them and quietly went back to scrolling on his phone.

In the other room Namjoon wasnt any better, Everything had gone to shit. Literally everything. They had agreed to give this relationship with you a chance only for Lily, Only because Lily said so. Namjoon felt devastatingly guilty now that he knew you saved Yoongi’s life. He was the one who had given the boys free reign to do whatever they like when it came to you, And in turn he had done the same what others had done, Ignore you, project onto you for no reason when maybe you weren't even responsible.

Namjoon had yet to decide if he really wanted to be in this relationship, Not just for the sake of it, Or not because Lily wanted it. He had enough now, He had enough of beating around the bush. He would think about it. Playing with someone's emotions wasnt funny, He had done it once. He wasnt about to do it again.

When you would recover, He would sit you down properly and decide. One last time, one last conversation, If Lily had a problem then it was her problem.

_____________________________________________________________

The room to your room flew open and Yoongi immediately stood up pointing his gun at the intruder. The said man pulled out a gun himself and pointed at Yoongi, Who gestured at the other three waiting to shoot.

“I am her friend you fucking asshole, Put the gun down.” Yoongi scoffed at the man's sentence moving a little closer, The said man standing unmoved.

“Im Marco, Jeh’s Boyfriend and her very good friend.” Yoogi backed down a little but kept his guard, Marco quickly bought out his phone and showed him a picture with Jeh and You and the rest of them put their guns down.

“All of you, Out of here.” Everyone looked at Marco like he had lost it. He moved to your bedside and gently patted on your head. He looked at yoongi with eyes that screamed murder.

“Don't think I don't know what you did.” He thundered and Yoongi moved towards the man with his fists tightly clenched and Hobi and Taehyung immediately jumped in between them.

“Okay guys quit it, This is a bloody hospital.”

“You guys can wait in Jeh’s room if you want. Not here. Only she can stay here.” He pointed at Lily and Hobi pulled the guys out of the room to avoid any drama.

Marco was hell bent on not letting any of the guys near you, Why? It was known only to him. The fact that Yoongi had shot you without any thought, and the moment Chongbin had called him to inform him about Jeh and You, MArco had taken the first flight to Seoul from Malaga.

_____________________________________________________________

Days kept passing and there was no sign of any improvement in you or Jeh. Marco and the guys kept staying at the hospital only taking turns to go home and get their clothes. Marco never spoke a word to any of them.

Whenever he spoke it was always like someone had to jump in between. The boys were tired of not getting any answers. But I still kept going. Yoongi was the grumpiest among them. He was always near you until Marco came, And now Marco was holding him responsible like he did it out of some vendetta.

Six days later the boys were more than thankful that you woke up. Literally.

But what shocked them more was the moment you woke up, You had gone frantic searching for Jeh. And what surprised them even more was that you had set up a deal with the godfather himself. Yoongi was startled to say the least, You went to these lengths for him?

You tried to keep his Ivanovs fillers away, Yoongi knew what he was getting into when he had tried to strike a deal with Ivanov. The drug that he was coming up looked promising and Yoongi was still finding out a way to eliminate his fillers and he was surprised when Ivanov had clearly mentioned that fillers would be kept out of here.

Everybody knew Ivanov and his fillers, it was his second name. But nobody wanted to mess with him. So it came as a genuine surprise when Ivanov himself kept them out of it.

Everybody was shocked at the length you had gone, For them?

Talking to the godfather himself was a privilege and you had gone and done that, For them?

They had literally felt like shit when they recollected what happened between them and you a few days ago, How they had ignored you and been rude towards you.

What shocked them even more was the way you had marched off to the lion's den itself to drag Ivanov. The courage that you had was something they were admiring to no end.

You were more like a puzzle to the boys now, Not a single word of what Marco had said left their mind, It didn't leave even when you went to Moscow, Not when they saw you dragging Ivanov to the hospital and killing him off with your friend's hand.

The boys were in awe of your loyalty, A question plagued their mind- If you could go these lengths for your friend, What lengths would you go for the people you loved. And you going and striking a deal with the godfather himself told a lot about you as a person. You were a person who went to any lengths to protect their loved ones.

For now, They didn't know much of how things were going to turn out, But they knew for sure they were taking you home. Until you healed. They knew you stayed alone. They would bring you home with them. Once you healed, You could choose if you wanted to keep staying there or if you wanted to go back.

They owed you at least this much.

_____________________________________________________________

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inventors-fair · 2 years ago

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Couldn't Have (Un)done Better

Congratulations to our winners this week! @shadow-tag with Prismatic Conduit, @hiygamer with Once More with Feeling, and @izzet-always-r-versus-u with A War on Two Fronts!

Prismatic Conduit

Holy cow you almost gave me a heart attack with that first ability! Then the second one made me snort a bit. What a clever way to answer this prompt. This card is very unique, and though it’s a little tough to interpret at first for inexperienced players, it’s pretty easy to figure out afterwards. Essentially, this makes it so that the first mana of each color of each spell can be paid with any color of mana. It’s not insanely powerful, but it can be super useful. If you’re playing a Jengatha deck, all your stuff can be spent with colorless mana! It’s also a mana rock, so it has other uses. It’s clearly a reference to chromatic orrery and prismatic lens (at least to me), but a weaker version of the former in ways I agree with. I also love that there’s potential combos with this. It’s amazing with devoid cards (1 mana Herald of Kozilek!) and ghostflame, and terrible with Sphinx of the Guildpact. I really really wish this worked with Ghostflame Sliver, but sadly that doesn’t affect sliver spells. This card is useful at its base, has combo potential, and met the prompt in a way that made me chuckle. The only thing I wish this card had was a rarity. I could see rare or maybe uncommon if it were a more advanced set. But honestly, I’m willing to ignore it.

Once More with Feeling

Now this is a strange remand. It’s very hard for me to think of fair uses for this beyond cantripping. It doesn’t stop counterspells or mess with the stack all that much. It’s good against flings and other additional cost cards I guess? But no, what you’re doing with this is hitting your own stuff, Tibalt’s Trickery style. The obvious one is eldrazi with cast triggers, but it’s also really cool in cascade decks. You can cascade into this, draw a card, then recast the cascade spell. I’d also love if there were exactly one card like See the Truth that it was meant to work with. There also might be some mechanics that work with it well. For example, I think this would let you un-flashback a card? I like this card because while the fail-state is pretty banal, a little cantrip, or perhaps letting you get around an opponent’s counterspell, I think a lot of players would have fun trying to break this, and if it does I feel like it’s deserved. You’re only ever hitting a spell you were already able to cast, so it’s never cheating anything that you didn't earn some other way. I really like it.

A War on Two Fronts

Wow, this one really makes me think. How would this play out? You can attack with your massive creature, then if they don’t block, leave your little creatures behind and not block anyway. If they do block, then you know your second attack gets through. At first I wondered why you made the first ability a trigger on attacks rather than just a static that gets you an extra phase, but I guess this makes it so you don’t have to go through combat twice if you didn’t need it the first time. I really really wish there were a main phase in between those combats, but it doesn’t break anything if there isn’t, I just think it would have made some extra decision points. This one definitely fits the concept better, though, of combat just sort of being split in half. I also think the cost is good. It doesn’t do anything (as the contest so desired) but definitely has an effect, so two mana is nice. Legendary I guess is nice in order to fit the name, but I don’t know how necessary it is. I feel like after the second combat the rest aren’t doing much, so why not just let players realize that on their own? But it also keeps things simple. But yeah, I really like this card and would love to see what happens when it’s in play.

And there we have it! Congratulations again to our winners, and a thank you to everyone else who entered, I’ll be back soon with the runners-up.

-Mod Mr. ShinyObject

#mtg #magic the gathering #inventor's fair #winners #commentary #becoming undone #custom magic card

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indecisive-behaviors · 3 years ago

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Originally I was just going to add this as a reblog to my previous post about the parking lot scene in KK2 but it’s almost 2k words so now it’s getting it’s own post. Be forewarned- this is fucking long.

TW for discussion of PTSD, child abuse, neglect, injury, and death, in relation to topics surrounding the show, under the cut-

Obviously, Cobra Kai is a show based around the premise of “what happened to that Lawrence kid after he got kicked in the face?”, which is honestly a pretty cool idea for a show. Johnny’s story is never explained past sitting on the sidewalk with his head in his hands at the tournament, and there are no real context clue’s to figure out what may or may not have happened.

In the show we get to learn early on that Johnny’s life spiraled after the tournament, going from bad to worse to “holy shit how are you still alive”-dropping out/never going to college, working jobs he seems to hate, becoming an alcoholic, presumably many dead end relationships, and not being there for his kid. And yeah, obviously, this would be a hard pill to swallow for anyone watching the show if Johnny had just lost the tournament. If we never got the scene in KK2, he would have just been some kid who lost a tournament- we see at the end of the first movie that(through tears holy shit Billy) that Johnny is the one who gives the trophy to Daniel with his famous line, “You’re alright, LaRusso.” There’s a level of grudging respect in that moment that isn’t lost on anyone who sees that movie- that Johnny, who throughout the movie only sees Daniel as some whimpy kid, gets proven wrong and respects that. If we didn’t have that scene, there’s reason to believe Johnny would have apologized, tried to make amends, Something, even if it was just being less of a dick at school.

But then, we get the parking lot. We get a far off shot, intended to distance you from the scene, framed over Daniel’s shoulder. This makes sense, Daniel is the main character, the protagonist, the underdog hero- why wouldn’t it be framed in his perspective? But the scene is about Johnny. We get the shouting match, the back and forth- “No, you’re the loser man.”- and again it’s fairly obvious how Johnny sees this situation. This is a man who we assume(and is later confirmed) to be a surrogate father figure, who set his friend up for failure, and then basically forced him to do the same by targeting an injured opponent, and forcing him to fight without honor. This same man presumably follows a teenager out to the parking lot, to harass him, to tell him he’s off the team, to tell him he’s a loser, that he’s nothing.

But at that point, Johnny knows the truth, even if subconsciously. At the end of the day Johnny knows that Daniel LaRusso was a worthy opponent, and that regardless of the cheating and manipulation, Daniel could have won anyway, and did win, despite of it.

And then Kreese grabs him, too fast to react to, Johnny too surprised even knowing that Kreese is the bad guy here, not believing that he would ever willingly hurt him- and Johnny isn’t strong enough to fight him off, none of the boys are, so Johnny is forced to suffocate for almost a full 30 seconds(which I double checked for the record- also as a reference, 30 seconds is about the average time it takes for a person voluntarily holding their breath to pass out- this does not account for the oxygen lost during a struggle, and the lack of preparation from both surprise and panic. The only silver lining here is the fact that Kreese was most likely compressing his windpipe, not his jugular, which would have made him pass out in about 5-10 seconds, and would have caused permanent brain damage or death in about 15).

Now, PTSD is a complex thing. I’m not a psychiatrist, and what small amount of information we have is all we have to work off of, but I feel fairly comfortable in saying Johnny mostly likely developed it after the incident. This not an uncommon take in the fandom as far as I’m aware either. But, if we assume this, we also have to assume that after the fact nothing would have been done about this. Not just in the sense that we still don’t really know everything that happened right after the tournament, but that in the early 80s, PTSD wasn’t really a thing yet.

Sure it was absolutely a condition that existed, but Post Traumatic Stress Disorder wasn’t even added to the DSM-III until 1980- and for a long time afterward, was only seen as a condition that affected primarily war vets. Even after an event as traumatic as having a man you considered a father trying to kill you, in public, without remorse, would not have been seen as something to warrant the diagnoses, let alone treatment.

Johnny Lawrence was 17 when Kreese tried to kill him, and this boy would have been offered no resources beyond filing charges with the police. And as we see in KK3, either this didn’t happen either, or someone(presumably Silver) got the charges dropped. So on top of almost being murdered, Johnny had to live with the fact that the man who did that to him was still out there, and to top it off, still ran a dojo at least for a few months after the event. The only relief he could have gotten is after Kreese faked his death.

And sure, Mr Miyagi may have gotten Kreese to let go eventually, but as several people have pointed out in comments and tags, left him and the other boys alone with Kreese still standing there in the parking lot and just... drove off. Kreese has already been established to be a psycho with no problem hurting children, a little bit of glass might not have prevented him from trying again.

So why did I talk about all of that? Because it all contributes to why Daniel LaRusso works as a credible antagonist in season 1 of Cobra Kai.

Think about this- Johnny blames losing everything on Daniel in season 1, but we specifically get a shot in KK1 and later KK2(”You’re alright, LaRusso” and “I did my best” come to mind) where he seems to be at least mostly accepting of the fact that he lost(with what was actually an illegal kick but that’s a rant for another time). So why does he blame him for everything 30 years later?

Because 30 years later, Johnny is forced to go outside, go to work, and pretend like he doesn’t see what feels like every street corner(including right outside his apartment mind you), a literal billboard sized reminder of what happened to him.

The rest of this is mostly speculation but it makes sense in my head so bear with me.

When we get introduced to Robby, it’s made pretty clear that Johnny has not been in his life for a bit. In season 2 we get Johnny’s heart to heart with Miguel, where he divulges that he missed the birth, because he spiraled after his mom’s death. This however doesn’t suggest that he stayed gone, especially knowing that it wasn’t long enough for Robby to not consider seeking out his dad. Because tacked up to the fridge, is a picture of Robby in his soccer uniform as a kid. It’s an early detail you can see in previous episodes, and says a lot about how Robby grew up. To be fair, this could have been given to him by Shannon, and not taken himself, but it’s the sport Robby’s playing that makes me question this. KK1 dedicates an entire scene to Johnny being on the soccer team in high school. Soccer, while maybe not as important to him as karate, is still part of his character. Robby does not know karate in season 1, Johnny obviously didn’t share it with him, but that doesn’t mean Johnny didn’t share anything with him.

So Johnny’s back in his kids life, maybe doing better for himself, maybe cutting back on the drinking. LaRusso Auto is already established to exist at this point but it’s in Encino, a place Johnny has no reason to go to, and probably doesn’t want to. He’s trying again and things are okay. But Robby knows enough about Daniel to know that going to him will piss off his dad. So Johnny had to have talked about him at some point. The billboards here are what’s important- they’re in the first episode, the first scene montage, Johnny draws a dick on one of them as some petty revenge.

The first billboard goes up in the late 2000s to mid 2010s. Johnny sees it, maybe he has Robby with him at the time, maybe he goes home and says something there, but he says something in a way that sticks with even a child as being important. More billboards go up. Dealerships starting popping up more and more. Daniel’s face, and by extension, the memories, the flashbacks, become inescapable. Johnny, for a third time, spirals again. Before he even knows what’s happening, he’s lost his relationship with his son. And it’s all Daniel’s fault. Of course Daniel doesn’t do it deliberately, but the constant reminders are enough to send him back into a tailspin and Johnny blames him for it.

Because it’s Daniel who is a constant reminder of his failures- it’s Daniel who caused him to lose the tournament and almost get killed, Daniel who put up the billboards that trigger his flashbacks, it’s always Daniel Daniel Daniel.

And then Johnny gets it in his head that he wants to be better. He opens a dojo, teaches Miguel and the other kids, wants to try again- and he almost succeeds.

Johnny up to this point has not deliberately antagonized Daniel in any way. Sure he named the dojo Cobra Kai, but Cobra Kai is all he knows. Besides Johnny doesn’t blame karate for his failures, his best memories are Cobra Kai and he’s trying to be better than Kreese. So what’s the harm in this really? His building is in Reseda, there’s no reason for Daniel to ever be there, he doesn’t do it out of spite, it’s because he lives there and rent is cheap. He doesn’t know about KK3, doesn’t know about Daniel’s own trauma. This isn’t an attack. Johnny sincerely just doesn’t know.

Enter Daniel, stage left. Daniel makes no attempt to talk to him- he simply makes demands and accusations, before he starts making active attempts to put him out of business.

Sure, we as the audience know Daniel has good reasons to not want Cobra Kai back. But Johnny doesn’t. All Johnny knows is that the kid he picked on in high school- who won, who got everything Johnny wanted, who grew up to be successful, has a wonderful wife, two kids who love him, a thriving business- is doing everything he can to make his life hell 30 years after the fact.

And this could only have happened because in 1986 John G. Avildsen decided to add in a scene meant for the original movie into the sequel, for absolutely no fucking reason.

#meta analysis #ranting about cobra kai cuz I can #johnny lawrence #daniel larusso #cobra kai #karate kid #I will never get over the fact that that was an actual scene that they filmed #and then got no resolution #FOR 30 YEARS #I apologize to everyone for this post #obviously I have a lot of feelings about this

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sword-of-summer · 4 years ago

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okay so i did a breakdown and prediction for WandaVision before the show started and It's Turning Out To Be True, Guys, so I'm posting it below and just tell me if it's okayish or not-

Now, WandaVision marks the beginning of Phase 4 of the MCU, and it is in itself a pathmaking event because it shows normal life without the original Avengers. Now, the show explores Wanda's mental state after Vision's death in Infinity War, and how she uses her Chaos magic to create a 'pocket reality' where things are just what she wants them to be.

The entire series is set over 6 decades, and has a running theme of couples living in sit-coms throughout the years, the late 50s, the 60s, the 70s, the 80s, the 90s, the 2000s and present. Now, my theory is that WandaVision is the beginning of a Multiverse Act that continues in Spiderman - 3 and culminates in Doctor Strange in The Multiverse of Madness.

Now,Â as for the shots within the trailer, it seems that Wanda and Vision are changing their localities as time passes, and that is through the decades I mentioned above. Now, all the posters have this unique red-blue television static rip in the upper left corner, which is also the transition effect used by the editors whenever Wanda warps reality and tries to adapt to the passing, and this actually represents Wanda's warped reality fading away and opening up a multiverse. In the late 50s poster, there isn't much that suggests anything, just we know that this involves the b/w part of the show where Wanda and Vision are a newly married couple and Vision as a human, which is strange, because in all trailers/posters after that time, Vision is shown as the Android he is, from the 60s black and white where Wanda acts as Vision's assistant in the magic show, and now, the next transition is the most interesting for me because they shift into the era of coloured television and during this warp, Wanda becomes pregnant and slips into the stripes of the 70s - another fact is that the upper left rip is not normal, not it is a wood panel torn apart, like by a demon, which leads me to the obvious villainous entity for the show, Mephisto.

This marks Wanda's descent into confusion as to who is in control of this warped reality, because it may not be Wanda, it may be some evil entity who is using Wanda to get into MCU's Earth-199999 and is proved later when Jimmy Woo's voice is heard out of the radio saying "who is doing this to you?". Now, the 80s poster has a ton of references in the 2 paintings it has, one being a hybrid phoenix chicken, aka representing Vision, who here is both a hybrid between human and metal, and like a Phoenix brought to life by Wanda's magic from the ash he was left in by Thanos, and the second bird is a wren from Australia with varying plumage which is like Wanda, because her magic clashes with life in the same way. The next 90s poster is the most indicative too as this is the time where they have the twins, Wiccan and Speed, but interestingly, there's a picture on their wall with three, yes, three not two eggs, which is another reference to the fact that snarky Mephisto has snuck up into this reality using Wanda's magic, also the TV still here is of them in their original Avengers' goofy hallowe'en costumes, and the last shot is a trailer and poster mix where Wanda races out into their frontyard but there are 2 small bikes parked, meaning that is the 2000s where they live as a family of four, but what Wanda doesn't realise that Mephisto's using this fake family to claw his way into this reality and wreak havoc.

Some other shots that stood out to me were of Monica Rambeau constantly transitioning from friendly neighbour to outright "I don't know who (I am)", then the character of Agnes who I suspect is none other than Agatha Harkness from the West Coast Avengers comics where Mephisto, yet again, played with Wanda's chaotic magic and in a way it also merges with the House of X comic series where Wanda yet again creates a pocket reality (I mean, what is up with all the reality stuff) - another interesting thing is the beekeeper seen in the second trailer, which I propose is a reference to the way in which we make honey commercially, wherein the queen bee is kept incharge of a beehive with her subordinates, and she thinks that she is in charge, but the actual person benefiting from this is the beekeeper looking from above the hive, collecting the honey, just like it is here where Wanda thinks she is the queen but in reality it is Mephisto the Beekeeper looking from above the pocket reality using Wanda's brand of Chaos magic to enter into this reality.Â

I believe that the base of this entire series by which it will continue into the wider MCUÂ is The Mind Stone, because it was The Stone that gave Wanda her powers and also to the two men she loved the most - Vision and her brother Pietro. Now, there is an amazing amount of screen time given to shots of the Mind Stone in the trailer, the most intriguing of which is a tired Wanda with greyish hair looking up at the Stone with slivers of blue around it - this is the incident where Wanda received her Enhanced powers from Stucker is Sokovia and this indicates that there will be some flashbacks to earlier memories which may involve Quicksilver returning. Now, the Mind Stone is the smart one, so it has a certain intelligence which it imparts to those affected by it, as is evident in Wanda's Chaos magic and tele-abilities, Tony Stark's vision of the Earth ravaged and the Avengers dead, and maybe even Thanos's curse of Titan's fate. Now, for sure, the mind stone has been destroyed but this does not mean it hasn't already affected given the Universe changes.

Now, back in 2015, Marvel wasn't allowed to use the term "mutants" but now with the Disney-Fox merger, yes they can introduce the idea of mutants with Wanda and Quicksilver as the first in Sokovia, and then Wanda's Chaos-Mephisto born mutant kids Wiccan and Speed which of course may tie to the New Mutants storyline. Also, my theory is that mutants are made by a combination of both their mutant gene and exposure to cosmic radiation, just like Wanda was exposed to the Mind Stone. Also, the mutant gene may exist in specific closeted spaces of the earth like Sokovia, or just for the sake of an example, in Chernobyl cause well the incident. Now these mutant genes become activated on exposure to radiation, and well we have had Four Omega Level Cosmic Infinity Snaps by Thanos, Thanos, Hulk and IronMan, and there is plenty of reason to suggest that this may have triggered the mutant abilities. That is my first theory.

The second one involves Wanda unleashing her chaos magic in an exponential wave at the end just like she did in Age Of Ultron, maybe because she realises that in reality, Vision is dead and manipulation won't help, and in grief she lets out her power that rips upon the Marvel Earth 199999 to the Multiverse which will continue later for Doctor Strange and SpiderMan to put back to normal. This mega event was teased in the trailers where the S.W.O.R.D. helicopter escapes from a wall of red television like static energy, and yes, I expect S.W.O.R.D. to be fully involved in the last part of the show headed by Jimmy Woo and Darcy cause Darcy has had encounters with otherworldly beings and thus may be consulted here. The last act will culminate in Wanda and Vision rising back up to their original title of the Avengers and fighting Mephisto to stop him, but something turns and thus Wanda/Mephisto releases that wall of Magic to wreak havoc.

Also a side note - Vision will also play the act of a realist in the show where he makes Wanda realise that this is not the real earth and he realises that the Eastside/Westside area they live in as well as the people there are unusual, not real, but at the end comes to his usual humane proposition that they save them and the reality from the demon trying to wreak havoc.

TL;DR Wanda creates a pocket reality where she lives with Vision, maybe reincarnating him using her brand of magic in the grey android left after Infinity War, and as the decades pass by, their reality deteriorates due to the Satanic entity that is Mephisto, making his curses seem like blessings, but at the end Wanda and Vision try and stop this reality shredding with S.W.O.R.D and that leaves us with an indecisive future of the mutants, Vision's reincarnation(like said by Banner in Infinity War)/Vision's death and the coming of the Multiverse into focus.

That's it, I guess.

Sorry a bit long ik but i do this.

Enjoy?

Thanks for reading...

tagging @aredhel-of-gondolin cause it was in that chat i realized i have a blog ugggh why am i so stupid

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talpup · 4 years ago

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Lost Song:10

Summary: The war between the Dragons and Griffons ended 233 years ago, and both races right along with it.

Or so it was believed. There are three individuals that will soon change that.

Kai is the last of the Dragons and he seeks to take what he sees as his rightful place and rule over all of Oblvi. Meanwhile, Shouta, the last Sphinx, wants nothing more than to do his job; keep the peace and and teach the young Fourth’s to hopefully avoid the mistakes of their ancestors. And Teris, a Foundling who is just trying to understand and survive in this strange new world that is supposedly her own.

All three have their own wants and desires, but Kai’s plans, Teris’ existence, and Shouta's past mean that none of them may get what they want.

This fic is rated explicit and has warnings of sex, violence, and other possible triggers. For a full list of story tags please check the fics AO3 (link to that at the top of my tumblrs homepage).

Notes: Flashbacks/memories are in italics. I decided to give Pops a name. Ryuu. For those of you who haven't read BNHA Vigilantes. His Purple Highness is a character from there.

10.1

Shouta entered the library of his Ilca dorm carrying a stack of essay’s to grade. His student's complained every time he assigned them homework. As if they alone suffered. If anything, they had it easy. They only had to write a single paper. Where as he had to grade them all. He set down the pile and frowned at the top page. ...And try to decipher Kaminari’s handwriting, he thought with a tired sigh.

Shouta shuffled the Venti-High Elf’s essay with its chaotic scrawl to the bottom of the pile and sat down. At least he had the next few nights off from patrol. Though it was doubtful he would get any rest from the time off. Not with members of the Council arriving and the truth of Teris being a griffon needing to be guarded. If anything, he’d probably get even less sleep than usual.

The thought of Teris had Shouta reaching into his pants pocket in search of the item he had been carrying around for two days. His hesitance was illogical and had to end. With Elders of the Council arriving later this evening, he could no longer stall. He had to give Teris the gift today.

A soft humming growl reverberated in Shouta’s chest. Not gift, he corrected himself. Why did he keep on thinking of the thing as a gift?

He growled again at the other, far more crucial failing on his part. With the Council Elders arriving this evening, Shouta should've given the thing to Teris this morning. But the infuriating woman had had been spoiling for a fight. And with the little sleep he had invaded by dreams of her. Shouta, in his irritation, had given in and snapped back. Because of that he had held off giving Teris the bracelet. He couldn’t say why, but he didn’t want to give her the gift in anger. It’s not a gift, Shouta told himself inner voice stern in it’s scolding. It’s a necessary thing for her protection.

Shouta entered Nedzu’s office. “You wanted to see me.”

“Yes. Please come in and have a seat. We have a concerning issue. Tea?” The Director of Traverseen Hall offered.

Shouta sat before the Hybrid’s desk and shook his head. When Nedzu didn’t even make himself a cup, Shouta realized just how serious the matter was.

“I’ve been informed that some Elders of the Council will be coming to Traverseen Hall. They wish to see the Foundling’s.” Nedzu said.

The heckles on the back of Shouta’s neck rose in protective aggression and worry. “Teris… There a those on the Council that will know her for a griffon at first scent.”

Nedzu nodded. “I’m aware. It’s not an easy thing to tell a Fourth's species by scent alone, especially when both parties are in human form. But there are those on the Council who were high ranking in the Griffon Court and dealt with griffons often and closely enough to know Teris is one at first whiff. While a few others would be able to do the same, having specialized in hunting and stalking out griffon locations for the dragons. If one such Elder is part of the group that’s coming. I fear there is little we could do to stop them from taking Teris before the panel. And we both know what that would mean.”

Shouta's chin ducked, teeth baring in a snarl that was hidden by his capture weapon. Teris was his. He would end anyone who dared tried to take her from him.

Nedzu went on. “It’s why I called you here. I’m aware the Dryad King found a small library of books near where he discovered you. And that he kept those books secret from the Council, gifting them to you as your inheritance as the last Sphinx. I was hoping somewhere in that small portion of what remained of the vast stores of Sphinx knowledge is something that could assist us in this.”

Shouta had barely been able to focus on teaching his class that day. When the school day finally ended he had filed out quicker than his student's. He had missed dinner and evening lesson with Hizashi and Teris. Having called in a favor with Nemuri to cover his patrol, Shouta had spent a sleepless night locked in his chambers scouring the books in his personal armory for something to help. An hour before sunrise, he had found a solution. If he combined a specifically forged charm and overlayed a certain spell on it… The following night had been another sleepless one.

An echoing clang of metal hitting metal sounded from deep within the bowels of Traverseen Hall. Even in the middle of winter the furnace room was as hot and sweltering as hell. The place was windowless and dark. The sole light of the furnace fire throwing long flickering shadows.

Tired and slick with sweat, Shouta set down the hammer and examined the layered mix of salted iron and shining silver. He pushed back his plastered hair and wiped the sweat from his brow with a leather gloved hand. One more turn in the fire and a few more hits of the hammer, and the charm would be complete.

The cuff bracelet he was making could've been made from of any metal. It definitely would've been easier and far quicker if he opted not to blend two separate metals. But given the dangers Teris would face on the patrols she and Hizashi would go on with him, Shouta found it illogical to waste the opportunity to add other layers of protection.

Sweat rolling down his bare chest, Shouta smiled, pleased with how the gift was turning out. He frown at the cuff. Why did he keep thinking of it as a gift? It wasn’t a gift. It was a necessity. He wasn’t doing this to court Teris. He was doing it because the Council was coming and Teris needed protection from being sniffed out as a griffon. Him making this thing had nothing to do with his care for her. He had no care for her. The only reason he was doing this was because it was his responsibility as Ilca leader to see both Teris and Hizashi protected.

Shouta didn’t dare ask himself if he would’ve put the same amount of time and effort into making the item look perfect and pleasing if it were for Hizashi's protection instead of Teris’. Shouta did his best not to examine his thoughts where Teris was concerned. Why would he? Teris was an annoyance he’d rather not think about at all.

Black pants hanging low on his hips, Shouta stepped back to the fire. It was cathartic to thrust the confounded item he kept thinking of as a gift into the blaze.

Humans might’ve needed protection against the furnaces heat and sparks. But even in human form Shouta didn’t have to worry about such things. The only thing he had to worry about was getting this right the first time. While he had enough material in the stores of his personal armory to make the gift. He only had enough for one attempt.

Shouta turned the long tongs, evenly heating the salted iron and sliver. More strands of inky black hair fell from the messy bun. The escaped dark waves clung to his face and neck. Sweat sizzled on his body and evaporated. It rolled down his chest and pooled in his navel then continued on and caught in the dark trail of hair that disappeared beneath the waistband of his pants.

Thoroughly heated, Shouta pulled the red hot metal from the flame and returned it to the anvil. The firelight highlighted the rolling muscles of Shouta's back as he took up the hammer and lifted it. He brought it down with a clank and mass of sparks.

With the charm forged he now had to place the overlaying spell on it. But something made him pause. The charmed bracelet would muddle the scent of the wearer’s species. While the spell would stop the charm from interfering with the wearer’s personal scent. It meant that Teris would still smell like herself; but she wouldn’t smell like a griffon. But what if one of the coming Council members were so familiar with griffons that muddling the smell of Teris’ species wasn’t enough?

If he added a few strands from his mane. No. The underlying scent of a Fourth’s species became stronger and much more prominent in their true form. Such a powerful scent of hereditary marker would garner attention in itself. But if he were to add some hair from his human form, the charmed bracelet would carry and muddle his species scent along with Teris’.

Shouta hummed, pleased at the thought of Teris having a part of him so close. He frowned. What kind of silly youngling thought was that? Why would he even want Teris to keep a part of him close when he couldn’t stand and didn’t want to be near her? Growling, Shouta blamed his exhaustion. He rubbed his tired eyes and read over the instructions for making the charm to be sure the addition of his hair would work. Satisfied that it would, he pulled the tie holding his hair back. The dark, sweat drenched locks fell with a plop.

He smirked at the thought of how Teris would react if she knew she would be wearing his unwashed hair around her wrist. But it was more than a petty vengeance. His beastly scent would be more potent this way.

Shouta reached up and sectioned out a bit of hair from the nape of his neck. Mind wandering back to the thought of Teris keeping a part of him close, Shouta carefully braided the strands unaware of the smile that crept onto his face.

Shouta stared down at the bracelet in his hand. Like all creators he easily picked out every minute flaw in his creation. Even though he had been careful in braiding, and selected the best portion of the strand to use. His critical eye found the braid sloppy. It’s weave marginally tighter at one end of the cuff and looser at the other.

At least he had done a bit better with the actual metal work. The layers sandwiched silver and salted iron so thin a Fourth would have to be in their true form and squinting to see them. The cuff looked like one solid piece. The salted iron giving it a charcoal color. While the silver gave it a sheen. His braided hair looked like a decorative black metal detail. And with the charm finished, its spell set in place, it may as well have been. Even in their true form, only a small handful of Fourth's would be able to see it as the hair it truly was.

Shouta ran a calloused thumb over the bracelet. He wondered if Teris would like it. The clock in the great room chimed the hour. Teris would soon be returning from her lessons with Kai. A slight nervous excitement bubbled up inside him. He scolded himself. This wasn't a courting gift. It was something he had to do protect Teris from the Council.

What if she did more than not like it? What if Teris rejected it? Maybe he should have Hizashi give it to her. Teris would surely be more accepting of the bracelet if given from Hizashi instead of him. A low growl rumbled in Shouta’s chest at the thought of Hizashi giving Teris the gift he had worked so hard on.

Shouta stared at the bracelet and sighed. Truth is getting harder and harder to ignore, he thought. He shook his head and told himself to shut up.

It’s an illogical waste of time and energy to continue attempting to deny the truth, his inner voice continued. You’ll have to face the fact of it sooner or later. Why this stubborn insistence on delaying the inevitable?

I don’t know what you’re talking about, Shouta told himself.

Stop trying to convince yourself otherwise. Just admit that you want her, his voice of reason sounded. This blatant denial of facts is childish and doesn’t suit you.

I don’t want her. I can barely stand her, Shouta argued with himself.

Then why worry if she’ll like the cuff and accept it?

You’re right, he told himself. It’s a necessity not a gift. As her Ilca leader, I’ll simply order Teris to wear the thing.

That’ll certainly warm her to you and win her favor, his inner voice taunted.

What do I care if Teris warms to me, he thought.

You did proposition her with seeking release, he told himself.

That was simply so I wouldn’t have to go to Nemuri. It’s not like I asked Teris to mate or be companions, he reasoned.

You wanted to though, his voice of reason pressed.

No. I didn’t, Shouta thought getting annoyed with himself.

You were disappointed when Teris turned down your offer of release.

Release, he thought. There’s no feelings involved with that.

There can be, his rational side argued.

Yeah, well, there wouldn’t have been if Teris accepted, he told himself.

You should ask her again, he thought. With her around you’ll be needing release more often. You need it now. No doubt she’s needs it too. Maybe after you give her this gift…

The main door to the dorm opened drawing Shouta’s attention and ending his inner argument. He rose to his feet and exited the library. The sight of Teris made him pause. She was beautiful. Lips slightly swollen and redder than usual. The ends of her hair damp and wetting her shirt. Wait… The smell of sex carried across the great room and assaulted his nose.

Shouta growled, heckles rising. The light excitement he had felt upon seeing Teris darkened and disappeared. His heart clenched. Chest aching as if physically wounded. Incisors lengthening Shouta pressed teeth painfully together, trying to get himself under control. The image of biting down and ripping Kai’s throat out danced in his mind along with other far less desirable scenes of Teris and Kai together.

A faint burning red mixed and tinted his charcoal colored eyes. He was kill the Dragon for taking what was his.

She’s not yours, his inner voice of reason taunted. You don’t even want her. Remember?

Right, Shouta gruffly thought. He had no interest in Teris. No desire to take and claim her and make her his. She was free to seek release with whomever she pleased. The only reason it mattered to him was because Teris was a griffon and Kai a dragon. That was why he was upset. No. Not even upset. Just concerned. As Teris’ Ilca leader, it was his duty to protect her. And Teris had just unknowingly put herself in further danger by seeking release with Kai.

Teris’ nerves were still on edge from the encounter with the red winged man. Relief instantly filled her at the sight of Shouta. His presence alone made her feel safe and secure. Shouta would know what to do and how to deal the winged man.

Teris rushed across the room to him. “Shouta--”

Shouta stepped back with a hard blowing exhale. The smell of sex and Kai on her was too much to handle. He couldn’t bare it. He shoved the bracelet at her, letting go without a care if Teris had a grasp on it or not. “For you.”

Teris fumbled with the item thrust at her. She didn’t even look at it. “Okay. But first--”

Shouta made his way to the still open door. He needed to get away from the stench of Kai and sex on her.

“Shouta! Where are you going? I need--”

“I don’t care what you need. Either deal with it yourself. Or wait till I get back.”

Teris stared after him, hurt and angry by his dismissal. She wanted to ask when he’d be back. Wanted to yell and demand he stay and listen.

Shouta slammed the door behind him.

Teris jumped, startled by the resounded sound. Left alone with her worry and growing anger.

10.2

Even after a long hot shower Kai was still upset he hadn’t been able to bring Teris back to his rooms and properly tend to her. Though she had assured him she was fine with a quick cleansing dip in the hot springs, he had wanted. Needed. To do more. It was his own propensity for cleanliness, mixed with the instinct to care for his chosen mate that had left him angry and distressed about his inability to properly tend to her.

Next time, Kai thought as he buttoned up his shirt. Next time he would show Teris what a good, caring attentive mate he would make her.

His cock stirred at the memory of Teris beneath him. The feel of her tight silken heat was something he would never forget and couldn’t wait to feel again. His eyes closed remembering the way she had moaned and cried out his name. He frowned recalling how she hadn’t been blushing or nervous at the start. Even in the heat of the moment with beastly instincts running high from the chase Teris hadn’t behaved like a virgin.

A growl bubbled in his chest. It was cut short by a knock at his chambers door.

“Enter.” Kai called, tightening his tie in place.

The door opened revealing Hari. “Master Ryuu has been seen on his way. He will be here shortly.”

“All work has been stopped?” Kai questioned, wanting to make sure.

Hari nodded. “All work ended late last night, just as you ordered. The Ilca has informed your followers to cease and conceal all doings until they have been told it is safe to begin again.”

“Good.” Much as Kai hated having to pause his efforts to reclaim the lost Dragon throne. Continuing them while members of the Council were here would be reckless and foolish. Especially when one of the visiting Council members was the man that had found his egg and raised him.

Kai exited his room and walked down the long hall. Hari turned and followed a respectful half-step behind the Dragon.

“I hope it’s alright. I took it upon myself to order the Ilca to busy themselves elsewhere this evening.” Hari said.

“Excellent. There’s no reason for them to meet Ryuu anyway.” Kai’s eyes slid to Hari. “Though if they do happen to find themselves in his presence they are to show him every level of respect.”

Hari nodded. “Of course, Sir. Master Ryuu is the reason you are here to give us purpose and hope. He deserves the utmost respect for that. I will make sure the Ilca knows it.”

“He’s a kind man who might suggest you stay with us. But we both know you have work to do. So after I introduce you, take your leave. Understood.”

“Yes, Sir.”

A knock on the door sounded just as they reached the great room. Hari quickened his steps to answer.

“Master Ryuu. It’s an honor.” Hari bowed. “Please. Come in.”

Ryuu looked about the Ilca dorm. The space seemed to expand and contract, perspective changing in direct response to his focus. He had known Traverseen Hall had been built by some of the most powerful Dwarf clans a thousand or so years before the rise and rule of Dragons and Griffons. But that didn’t make it any less impressive to finally see the ancient and powerful magic the place was imbued with.

“Do you ever walk around in your true form in here?” Ryuu questioned, a desire to try himself welling up. As a Tengu, his true forms size wasn’t hugely different from his human form. Still, to see and experience how the space altered to accommodate the change…

��That would be unseemly. You raised me better than that.” Kai said.

Ryuu’s eyes fixed and focused on the Dragon. A warm smile sprung to life. “Kai. My boy.” He looked the young Dragon over. “Not such a boy anymore. Look at you.”

Kai cleared his throat, glad for Hari’s preemptive removal of the rest of his Ilca.

Ryuu smirked and glanced out of the corner of his eye at Hari. “I’ve embarrassed him. He was never good with being fawned over. Now praise. That’s a different matter entirely. Kai’s never had any issues with being told how smart and special he is.”

Hari ducked his head and looked away, uncomfortable. He could feel Kai’s molten eyes on him. Judging and waiting for reaction.

After a brief moment, Kai spoke. “This is Hari. My second.”

Well aware Kai was subtly telling him ‘enough’, Ryuu inclined his head. “And I’m sure Kai’s told you all about me.”

Hari bowed again. “Master Ryuu. It is an honor.”

“You already said that my boy. Are you looking to make this old Tengu blush?”

Kai felt the beginning of a growl at Ryuu’s informal address. It didn’t matter whether Ryuu had called Hari ‘my boy’ because the Tengu already felt a warm favor toward him. Or simply because Hari was introduced as his second. Kai didn’t like it. Ryuu was his mentor. Hari his second. His things didn’t converse or bond without his say.

Even though the Ilca dorm was empty save for them, Kai extended a hand toward one of the private sitting rooms. “Shall we sit.”

Ryuu nodded and stepped in the direction Kai had gestured. He stopped when Hari bowed and turned away. “You’re not joining us?”

“He has work to do.” Kai answered for him.

“Ah. Of that I am far too familiar with. Even here work follows me.” Ryuu said, entering the sitting room.

Kai paused, respectfully waiting for the Tengu to sit first. “If I may ask. What brings you here?”

Ryuu’s eyebrows lifted in surprise. “They didn’t tell you?”

Kai stared across the coffee table. A tight tenuous smile graced his lips. “I am rarely told anything.”

Ryuu chest lifted and fell in a sad silent sigh. He wasn’t some deluded old man that thought if people were more kind and welcoming Kai wouldn’t being looking to reclaim his throne. But he liked to believe that Kai would’ve softened and responded if he was treated with less guarded animosity simply for being a dragon. And yes, Ryuu was aware of Kai’s plans to claim the lost dragon throne. Even if Ryuu’s clan of spies hadn’t reported hearing such whispers. He knew Kai too well having raised him.

“We are here to meet the Foundlings.” Ryuu said, speaking of himself and the other Council members he arrived at Traverseen Hall with.

Kai blinked, pretending this was news. Just because that Rat Director hadn’t informed him of anything didn’t mean his wasn’t fully aware of things. He simply had wanted Ryuu to be the first to bring Teris up.

“I was charged with the females Foundling’s instruction.” Kai said.

A proud smile tugged at Ryuu’s lips. “So I’ve been told. What can you tell me of her?”

Kai took in a breath, resting forearms on knees.

Ryuu’s sharp eyes narrowed slightly noting a subtle change in Kai’s expression.

“She’s smart. Clever and capable. Eager to learn and able to retain what she’s read or been told.” Kai could go on forever talking about Teris’ desirable attributes. But he didn’t want to appear like a lovesick fool.

“High praise coming from you.” Ryuu commented. And it was true. Kai was a hard man to please.

Wanting his mentor to properly meet and get to know his chosen mate, Kai offered. “I’m sure you’ll be seeing her during tomorrow’s gathering. But if you wish, I could have her join us for dinner tomorrow evening.”

Thinking of the reason he and the others were here, Ryuu nodded. “I would like that.”

Kai inclined his head. Glad to have his plans so easily set. Now all he had to do was invite Teris who would surely and readily agree.

Oblvi Facts 1

(aka info dump cause I’m a lazy writer who’s not making the effort to fit this seamlessly into the fic)

A bit about Dryads:

Dryads of Oblvi were one of the first earth Spirits in existence. Like Venti, they are elementals. Though not the Elemental of earth.

They are ruled by either a king or queen. Their current ruler, His Purple Highness, is also an Elder on the Council. His reign as King began 380yrs into the 867yrs Dragon-Griffon war. And he has ruled as the Dryad King for a total of 711yrs.

Dryad’s do not mate/bond. It is against their nature and something they are incapable of doing. Occasionally Dryad’s will take on or become companions with one or more Fourth’s. But as a whole they simply seek and provide other Fourth's with release. Unmated Fourth's or those lacking a companion will often seek a Dryad out for release. Though not compelled by their nature or some order to accept a Fourth seeking release. A Dryad will rarely, if ever, turn the seeking Fourth away. Release/sex is not needed for a Dryad to live. But it does provide many benefits to the Dryad, their home tree, and consequently surrounding flora.

A Dryad’s home tree is the tree they were born from. It more than houses their soul. It is their soul. The only way a Dryad can be away from their home tree for more than a day is by taking and carrying a cutting of their home tree. Even then, if the cutting were removed for whatever reason the Dryad would weaken, wither, and die sooner than the usual day they could survive away from their home tree. This is why the chosen Piece of Their Person for all Dryad’s is a cutting from their home tree.

Since a Dryad’s home tree is their soul, the physical and emotional state of a Dryad will effect their home tree. This is most noticeable when having sex. As a Dryad’s arousal heightens flower buds will appear on the cutting and home tree. During the act, those buds will grow. Upon orgasm/release the buds will blossom and bloom. The magic imbued within the pollen of a Dryad’s release will carry on the air and spawn a reaction in the surrounding plant life causing those plants to blossom and flower in kind. While it’s not necessary for a Dryad’s sexual partner to orgasm for this to happen. Their partner's release does strengthen the magic in their pollen thus creating and supporting further life in the area surrounding them and their home tree.

10.3

Along with her own personal quarters, Nemuri had a different set of chambers where she took Fourth's seeking release. While she wouldn’t have minded allowing some of her regulars into her personal space. Having separate rooms was all together easier for a number of reason. Not the least of which was the feelings of one of her three companion's.

Poor Sekijiro. Tonight was suppose to be his night. But when Shouta who rarely sought release and always scheduled appointment several days in advance had shown up without one, Nemuri couldn’t send her friend away.

Thankfully she had been the one to answer the door and had been able to tell Sekijiro of their evenings delay without Shouta hearing. Cause let’s face it, Shouta had already been apologizing and trying to leave despite his clear need for release.

The Sphinx's level of control amazed her. As a Beast still early in his prime one would've expected Shouta to come seeking release at least once a week if that little. Yet it had been months since Shouta had last sought her out. And she knew for a fact Shouta didn’t have agreement with anyone else to seek release from.

Speaking of agreements. Along with scheduling before hand, despite Nemuri telling him it wasn’t necessary, Shouta had a list of set rules. Lists of preferences or strict no’s were rather common. But Shouta's list was extensive. Nemuri supposed it was part of Shouta's nature as a Sphinx to want to be prepared for every possible outcome. Never mind his need for control as an apex alpha.

Despite one of his rules being no cuddling after, Shouta always provided other forms of aftercare. It was an unnecessary thing. And most who sought release didn’t do it. If she needed tending after Nemuri had her companion's for that. But whether it was because they were friend's. Or Shouta was simply such a caring lover it bled through even in this professional setting of release. Shouta always asked if she needed anything. If he had tied her up, his calloused hands would smooth over her body seeking out tense muscles or knots to message away.

Shouta hadn’t tied her up this time. There had been no scene to lengthen his release. There hadn’t even been much foreplay. Not that Nemuri was complaining. Shouta always satisfied. And tonight was no different. Already having one orgasm, Nemuri was well on her way to a second.

Panting and sweating Nemuri's nails raked up Shouta's strong arms encouraging him along. She delighted in the way his biceps quivered and rolled under her touch. Shouta growled. His powerful hands gripped her hips, holding her still.

The head of his cock hit that spot inside her. Nemuri threw her head back and moaned. Her sensitive pussy clamping down around his thick pulsing length.

Shouta's hands tightened, fingers digging into Nemuri's flesh, adding a delicious pain to her pleasure. Nemuri moaned again. Shouta’s betraying mind once again wondered what Teris would sound like. His teeth scraped over and bit into his bottom lip wanting to bite at Teris’ tender flesh. He wanted to feel Teris dig her nails into him. Wanted to hear Teris moan and scream his name. He would mark her and claim her as his. Would feast on her lips and…

The cutting of Nemuri's home tree laid at the base of her throat jostling with Shouta's every hard, deep thrust. Three new dark purple buds sprung out near the already blossomed flowers.

“Fuck.” Shouta cursed, thrusts growing ragged and rougher.

Nemuri's back arched, pressing her breast into Shouta's large groping palm. He tweaked and twisted her nipple. She moaned again. The coil within her tightened further making her vision go white.

Shouta's eyes squeezed further shut. Teeth gritted, he shook his head. It wasn’t working. Why wasn’t it working? Balls heavy and tight. Cock throbbing and ready to burst. He was so damn close to cumming. But it wouldn’t happen. Why wouldn’t it happen? Why couldn’t he cum?

Growling, Shouta stopped.

“Wha--” Dazed by her impending orgasm, Nemuri lifted her head.

“Sorry.” Shouta mumbled.

Despite the set rules Shouta had about no kissing or touching of the face or lips, Nemuri reached out to cup his handsome face. It was an instinct born of desire to help her friend and happened without thought.

Shouta jerked his head back. He grabbed her wrist and pulled it away. “What are you doing?”

“Taking care of you.”

Shouta let her go and pulled his cock out of her wet heat. He rose to his knees, chest rumbling with a noise of disapproval. Deep voice stern, Shouta shook his head. “No. You know I’m not looking for connection or affection. Merely release. Nothing more.”

Arousal fading, the purple buds on Nemuri's piece withered and fell away leaving only the blossomed flowers from her first orgasm. “I’m well aware. I just thought that with everything going on you might need something more to help you along.”

“Going against the boundaries I set isn’t going to make me less tired or distracted by the Council’s presence.” Shouta said, face expressionless.

Nemuri blinked rapidly eyes rolling in her head. Is that the excuse he was going with? They both knew full well him being tired and distracted had nothing to do with it. Still, he was right about her crossing a line. It didn’t matter how pure or earnest her reasoning was. It had been unprofessional and wrong.

“I’m sorry. I overstepped. It won’t happen again.” Nemuri said.

Shouta gave a curt nod of forgiveness, the matter over and forgotten the moment she said it wouldn’t happen again.

Nemuri propped herself up on elbows. Her piece fell safely between her breasts. The cutting of her home tree hanging by a smooth, shining cord of black leather. “But if you ever want to properly kiss or allow the touching of faces. I would be okay with it.” She shrugged. “Who knows? It might make what you were imagining feel more real.”

Shouta's eyes sharpened. The rest of his face an expressionless mask. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“I’m not offended. Plenty of Fourth's seeking release close their eyes and pretend to be with someone they favor.”

“My eyes were closed because I’m tired.” Shouta said.

“So you were falling asleep while fucking me? Now that would offend me.”

Shouta sat on his haunches and sighed. He knew Nemuri had been close and felt guilty for leaving her in want. “I could finger or go down on you.”

Nemuri smiled gently. Shouta was such a sweet, caring person. Not that many knew it. Seeing only the cold hard exterior of indifference Shouta displayed to protect himself. “You already gave me one release. This was for you, Shouta. What’s going on? Why couldn’t you finish?”

Irrational as it was Shouta refused to accept the known facts on why a Fourth was unable to finish. He rose up and moved from between Nemuri's legs to sit on the edge of the bed. “This arrangement works because it’s of benefit to both of us.”

“This arrangement works because you tell yourself it’s of benefit to both of us.”

Shouta looked back at her.

Nemuri sat up and shrugged a shoulder. “It’s true and you know it. Even if I didn’t have three companions. There are countless others who regularly provide me with release when they seek it for themselves.” She looked over Shouta's strong, naked frame and smiled. “Not that release with you isn’t some of the best I have.”

Shouta huffed. He shook his head and looked away. Wavy dark hair fell across his face hiding the light blush Nemuri's praise evoked.

Nemuri got out of bed and slipped on a robe. “So what’s the matter?”

Shouta took the tissues she offered him and wiped his softening cock clean of her arousal. “Just tired.”

Well aware of the same facts Shouta was blatantly ignoring, Nemuri challenged. “You’ve been tired before and always finished.”

Shouta tossed the tissues in the bedside trashcan and reached for his clothes.

“Does it have anything to do with a certain member of your Ilca?” Nemuri pressed.

Shouta’s head snapped back to her. “Don’t be ridiculous.”

Nemuri smirked at the Sphinx's furrowed brows and bared teeth.

Fingers fumbling with his pants zipper, Shouta muttered. “This has absolutely nothing to do with Teris.”

“Who said anything about Teris? I was talking about Hizashi.”

Shouta's eyes narrowed. He didn’t need to see Nemuri's dancing blue eyes to know the Dryad was toying with him. He could hear the smirking tease in her tone. “This has nothing to do with anyone.”

“Fine. But I’m here if you need to talk.” Nemuri sighed.

“There’s nothing to talk about.” Shouta brusquely pulled on his long sleeve shirt.

“As you say.”

Shouta suddenly softened. “Sorry. I didn’t check. You need anything. Water? Warm towel? I could draw you a bath.”

Nemuri smiled in thanks. “No, Sweetie. I’m good. Just gonna take a quick shower and meet Sekijiro.”

“Alright then.” Shouta turned and made for the door.

Nemuri opened her mouth to ask one more time if he was alright, but stopped. There was only one reason why a Fourth in their prime wouldn’t be able to finish. Shouta knew that just as well as she. If he wasn’t ready to admit to it there was little she could do to help. At least at the moment.

Shouta walked through the long hallway of Nemuri's Ilca dorm. Lost in thought it took him a moment to register Sekijiro’s presence.

Waiting for Nemuri to finish with her unexpected caller, Sekijiro had left the doors to his rooms open. It was bad enough he had to suffer sharing Nemuri with her two other companion's. Never mind the Fourth's that continually called on her for release. But tonight was suppose to be his night alone with her.

Having heard Shouta exit the hated chambers Nemuri used for those seeking release, Sekijiro moved to stand in the doorway of his quarters. The smell Nemuri and sex on the Sphinx invaded his nostrils. His red eyes glowed. A deep, dangerous growl echoed through the long hallway.

Sekijiro would’ve thought that as a beast Shouta would understand. Or at least have sympathy for his situation. It wasn’t as if the Sphinx didn’t know about his predicament. Badly kept secret that it was. There wasn’t a single Fourth in Traverseen Hall, aside from the student's, who wasn’t aware Sekijiro was emotional mated to Nemuri. That as hers and hers alone Sekijiro couldn’t have sought release elsewhere. Even if he wanted to it would've been useless. He wouldn’t have been able to finish.

Shouta inclined his head in stiff greeting as he passed. “Kan.”

“Aizawa.” Sekijiro growled out between clenched teeth.

Bad as Shouta had felt for Sekijiro. He had seen it as the mans own fault for falling in love with Nemuri when Dryad’s were incapable of mating. It had struck him as irrational that Sekijiro had let his feelings grow to the point that the Vampuric Gargoyle was essentially one-sidedly mated. That was until tonight. Until Shouta discovered first hand that no matter the effort you didn’t always have a say in who you fell in love with.

10.4

Teris had grown more and more furious as time progressed. How dare Shouta leave like that when she needed him. Of course Hizashi, ever the peacemaker between her and the ill-tempered Sphinx, had tried to soothe her anger saying Shouta was probably on edge about the Council’s arrival. So what? For some reason everyone at Traverseen Hall was on edge about the Council’s arrival. Far as Teris saw it that didn’t excuse Shouta’s behavior. Kai never would’ve ignored her and walked out like that. Kai would've listened and…

Teris shivered. She had never seen Kai act violently. But something told her the Dragon was more than capable of doing so. She pushed aside the foreboding feeling and inner knowledge that she never would've gone to Kai about the winged mans kiss, and continued pacing the great room.

She hadn’t told Hizashi about the encounter with the strange winged Fourth either. Hizashi had only stopped by the dorm to change and get ready for his date with Oboro. Teris hadn’t want to ruin his time by worrying him. Or worse have Hizashi call off the date to stay with her until Shouta returned.

It wasn’t really that big a deal. Angry as Teris was about the unwanted kiss. It had been the look in mans eyes that truly disturbed her. The sharp dissecting gaze that seemed to pierce deeper than skin and bone. Like she was some sort of puzzle to examined and solved.

Teris unconsciously rubbed the bracelet Shouta had given her. The act brought a calming comfort. Her muscles relaxed then tightened when she caught herself. Teris growled and pulled her hand away from her right wrist. A petulant urge to take the thing off welled up inside her. But she couldn’t bring herself to do it.

Why had Shouta given it to her? More like threw at her, Teris thought with a huff. ”For you.” Shouta's gruff words as he thrust the bracelet toward her replayed in her mind.

Teris looked down at the bracelet for the hundredth time. Not overly large or ornate, it held a reserved, subtle beauty. Her fingers traced over the braiding wondering what metal had been used for the decorative detail. The thing was flawless. Certainly the finest piece of jewelry she had ever owned.

With another growl, Teris made for the door. Waiting around here was driving her crazy. The night was nice. Maybe a stroll would take her mind off everything. Besides, the last thing she wanted was for Shouta to return and discover she had been waiting for him.

Teris opened the door and walked straight into the Sphinx. She crashed into Shouta's solid chest and stumbled back a step. Strong arms wrapped around and steadied her. The smell of sex and someone she vaguely recognized as Shouta's fellow Ilca leader friend Nemuri burned her nostrils.

Face an inch from hers, Shouta stared into Teris’ wide eyes. Her mouth was slightly open, warm breath ghosting over him. She had showered and changed. The smell of Kai and sex was gone, leaving her scent alone to delight in. Shouta’s humming purr went unnoticed by Teris who pushed and pulled away.

“Get off!” Teris tripped over her feet and stumbled again.

Shouta reached to steady her. Teris slapped his hand away.

“Don’t touch me.” Teris hissed through bared teeth.

A low displeased sound came from Shouta's throat. The known facts were wrong. There was no way he loved this irritating, ungracious woman.

Teris’ gut twisted, heart aching. Was that where Shouta had been? Having sex with Nemuri. Had it been a scheduled meet up for release? Or just something that happened? Both prospects were equally upsetting.

Why, she asked herself. You had sex with Kai only few hours ago. What’s it matter who Shouta seeks release from?

It matters because I was unsettled by that winged man and needed him, Teris thought. Shouta's my Ilca leader. He’s suppose to be there and help in times of trial. If he left in a rush when I needed him just to— Her mind stopped, forcing the abhorrent image of Shouta and Nemuri from her head.

She took shallow breaths through her mouth trying to lessen the sicking stench of sex and Nemuri from invading her senses. Needing fresh air more than ever Teris took off down the hall.

“Teris. Get back here.” Shouta stared after her a moment. When she didn’t stop and return he stormed after her. His longer stride saw him quickly catch up. “Where are you going?”

“Away.” Teris puffed, trying and failing to pull ahead of him.

“It’s late. Get back in the dorm.”

“Don’t tell me what to do!”

“Teris…” Shouta’s hand brushed her arm.

Teris spun right hand swinging out.

Shouta grabbed her wrist before the slap could connect. Teeth bared he pulled Teris to him by the forearm he held. “What’s wrong with you?”

“You! You’re what’s wrong.“ Teris accused, free hand pushing against Shouta’s firm chest.

Shouta stood immovable. His eyebrows knitted together. “Me?”

“You with your face and hair and way you move. That voice that makes me—“ Teris didn't know if she caught and stopped herself. Or stopped because someone was approaching.

“No!” The man approaching complained. “Don’t stop on my account. I just love watching confessions of love. There’s nothing better. Well, there is. But I wouldn’t watch that unless you two invited.”

Shouta stiffened. His eyes darted down to Teris’ wrists. Relief washed over him. She was wearing the bracelet. A warm exhilaration blossomed in his chest. She was wearing the bracelet.

Shouta’s thumb brushed over the metal made warm by its contact with Teris’ wrist. The spell broken when Teris pulled her arm free of his hold and turned on the newcomer.

Shouta did the same. The both of them telling that a there had been no confession of love because neither felt anything of the sort.

The Dryad King smirked at the way the two spoke over each other in their rush to assert their mutual dislike. This era’s youth sure were curious. Why did they insist on making everything so difficult? Granted in his day there had been a war raging. The youth of his time having serious matters to contend with. Still, was this ages young ones that in want of tension and spectacle? Surely they could find meaningful trial elsewhere. Love was suppose to be easy.

Shouta stopped. He frowned at Teris who continued on for a time.

“Your Highness.” Shouta inclined his head to the tall, slender man. “Are you lost?”

The Dryad King placed a manicured hand to his exposed chest. The buttons of his dress shirt undone all the way down to his tailored vest. “I came to see you, Shouta.”

“We’ll be seeing each other at tomorrow’s afternoon gathering.” Shouta said.

The Dryad stepped ever closer. His footfalls eerily silent on the wooden floor. Teris noted the mans apple green shoes perfectly matched his three piece suit down the shining gold embroidery that depicted lush swirling leaves.

His Purple Highness shook his head and sighed in disappointed disapproval. “You’re always so gruff and distant, Shouta. No wonder you and your lady friend are unwilling to accept the truth of your love.” Shouta and Teris opened their mouths but His Purple Highness went on. “It’s been years since we last saw each other. Can you blame me for not wanting to wait to see how the young Sphinx I found and finished raising is getting on?”

Teris turned to Shouta. “This is His Purple Highness?”

Shouta heaved a tired sigh and nodded.

“You’ve hear of me?” A large beaming smile cracked the Dryad King’s face.

Teris looked back at the man and blinked. He was… Different from what she expected. Though she couldn’t really say what she had expected. Certainly not some ostentatiously dressed man wearing a dark purple wizards robe over an impeccably tailored skinny cut suit.

The Dryad wagged a finger at Shouta and tisked in teasing censure. “Have you been sharing story’s of me, Shouta?”

“No.” Shouta deadpanned.

His Purple Highness looked at Teris. “Whatever he’s told you. I swear it’s a hundred times more salacious.”

The man stopped in front of Teris. He held his hand out, knuckles up. Teris quirked a brow. Did the Dryad expect her to kiss his ringed fingers? He was the Dryad King. Maybe it was expected protocol. Kai had never mentioned what to do when faced with a species royal leader. The only time he talked about them was to dismiss and belittle their authority.

She glanced at Shouta for direction. Shouta gave a small, subtle shake of his head.

Relieved, Teris gripped the Dryad’s fingers and shook his hand. “Nice to meet you. I’m--”

“It’s you.” His Purple Highness breathed.

With the smell of sex and Nemuri perfuming the air, His Purple Highness hadn’t registered the woman’s scent. But when Teris had moved, her scent had wafted through the air and tickled the Dryad King’s nose. Her scent was warm, fresh, lovely. And the underlying scent of her species… Muddled as it was, His Purple Highness wouldn’t have been able to tell what she was if he hadn’t smelled this particular Griffon before.

It was early spring. Snow still clung to small shaded patches of earth. The Dryad King walked through the forest alone. Nature was a living thing. If left alone for too long it would grow sinister and violent. This forest had been void of life for quite some time. Why? What was warding the lesser creatures away?

His Purple Highness followed his senses. Pulled to the thing that was keeping everything else at bay. Green shoots of new plant life sprung up and spread in his wake. Deep in a cold stone cave he found him. A young Sphinx frozen in time by a Gargoyles stoning spell. The boy was hold something. Clutching it in his hands. His small frame curled around it as if to protect it.

A feather.

Not just any feather.

Stoning spell removed the young Sphinx was slow to wake. It gave the Dryad King time to realize the youngling held a griffon feather. As he plucked the speckled grey and white feather from the Sphinx's tightly balled hands the Griffon’s scent wafted through the air, tickling his nose.

His Purple Highness had hid the feather for Shouta’s safety. Even then it had taken calling in several favors and making countless promises for his fellow Elders on the Council to agree to let the Sphinx live. Even now Shouta was watched. The ax hanging over Shouta's head ready to drop at the first mistake he made.

Eventually Shouta forgot about the feather he had been found clutching to his heart. Yet even without it, the Sphinx had managed to find his Griffon. And with her, the dangers His Purple Highness had tried to protect Shouta from.

Love was suppose to be easy. But that didn’t mean it always was. Sometimes love came with great hazard and difficulty.

This fic will have a LOT more world building than my others. Please feel free to comment or send me an ask if you have any questions.

Thank you to those who have left hearts. And a special thank you to those who have left comments and/or reblogged. They really mean a lot.

Special thank you to @inorganicone2230 who knows of my love for the mythic and encouraged me to start this fic without stressing about the other two I’ve got going. Your friendship means the world to me.

#aizawa shouta #kai chisaki #nemuri kayama #yamada hizashi #kan sekijirou #His Purple Highness #lost song

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wolf-with-a-pen · 3 years ago

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Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door Part 4

TW: Lots of Swearing, Unreality, Kidnap, It Gets Really Dirty At One Point

Previous, Masterpost, Next

Sorry it is a week late, I should be able to write more now that I don't have to go out for just under 7 hours a day by law. If you want me to mention you when I post, ask, if you want me to tag something or add another trigger, also ask.

Enjoy!

Word Count:3975

EDWARD HAD NO CLUE WHERE THEY WERE. All they knew was it was within an hour of the flat, and that they weren’t there by choice. What’s going on you might ask me? Why are they there? Well, in order to tell you that, I have to go back to just after they arrived back at home, around 8 hours before.

Edward had spent the last half an hour trying to adjust their room to be exactly how they wanted it, however, they were failing dismally. Despite the lack of actual stuff to put in the room, they physically could not find something that felt right enough and a way that the room felt like home. Probably just because of the aftermath of being forced out of their home literally less than 24 hours before, but still, they tried everything and just gradually made a bigger and bigger mess of the place, eventually just stopping to look at what they’d done and realising they couldn’t see half of the stuff. It was at this point they decided to stop. Grabbing the few things they’d need urgently, they managed to find a way to the single bed in the corner of the room looking out at it. To their right lay the white door, and in front of them was the single window. To the left of the window was a bookshelf with stuff strewn over it and on the opposite side was a desk and chair. Next to them was a small chest of draws that they stored the few things they grabbed in, before laying down and trying not to think. It was at this point the welcome distraction of Isi knocked on the door.

“Can I come in?”

“Yeah, sure, could use a distraction.”

“Why?” it asked, gently pushing open the door. “Oh…it looks like you’ve dropped a bomb in here.”

“Yeah. It does, doesn’t it?”

“You want some help after what I came here for?”

“Please.”

“Ok, now, what did you think of Vanny?”

“Why?”

“Just want to know.”

“Okay. Not how I was expecting, but in a good way.”

“Why, what were you expecting?”

“Heavily opinionated, extrovert. Can’t really explain it more than that.”

“It’s cause of Biff right?”

“Probably. Still thought she’d be an extrovert though, even without Biff.”

“Cool. And how is Vanny different to how you were expecting?”

“She’s pretty quiet, to the point, and honestly she seems cool to me.”

“Cool. That’s good. Now then, how about this room?”

It was another half an hour later when Vanny called them for their sleepover, and honestly, it looked worse than when it started. Somehow, despite it already being war zone, Isi turned it into a nuclear bomb site. You could not see any of the surfaces. But Edward did not care that much- all they knew was they had fun with a friend. And in the process made more work for themselves, but, oh well, they wouldn’t need their bedroom tonight, and they could probably sort it out tomorrow. Quickly they slipped on some comfortable clothes, before emerging to find Isi in the most laid-back clothes they had seen them in and Vanny somehow looking less laid-back than normal. “Come on in Edward and sit down. We’re planning on starting with movies and pizza, before moving onto games. Any requests?” Vanny inquired, beckoning them closer.

“No, thank you,” replied Edward, gently sitting down on the floor, taking a few of the cushions off of the pile to sit on.

“Ok, well we’re starting with Lilo and Stich, then Coraline and finally RED. You ok with all of those?”

“Sure.”

“Ok, good, shall we get started?”

It was half an hour later that the silence was broken. Edward had spent the time either sat on the arm of a chair, or on the cushion on the floor, while Vanny and Isi were cuddled up on one end of the sofa. Surprisingly, Edward was the one that broke the silence. It took them a quarter of an hour to get the confidence to ask. “Should we build a pillow fort?”

“Yes, I haven’t built one since I was a kid!” Vanny exclaimed in approval.

“Why did you think we brought all of the blankets out? If we order pizza, by the time we’ve built it, it’ll be here.” Isi inputted

“Thank, you, that sounds good.” Edward replied

“Of course, and don’t worry too much. This will be the best pillow fort ever.” Isi, replied realising that it was probably with Ansel that they last built one.

“Yeah, it will.” Vanny confidently added.

If you already guessed from the fact that with more than one person, all they did was create a bigger mess, you can imagine what the room looked like. I mean, what did you expect? I mean, they managed kind of a pillow fort. There were walls and a roof and pillows on the floor, but the rest of the room that they couldn’t see looked like someone dropped a bunch of pillows on the building, and if they even tried to leave, half of it would fall down, but they had fun and managed something. That was all that mattered. The pizzas had arrived before they blocked themselves in and they had grabbed as many drinks and sweets as possible to stock the fort with. By this point they were all laying on the floor. “So, what should we do next?”

“Truth or dare?” Vanny asked.

“Really?” Isi groaned.

“Come on, it would be a good idea to get to know each other. You down Edward?”

“Fine,” Isi sighed

“Sure,” they answered.

They had all just about managed to drag out three rounds of truth or dare, and it had landed on Edward. All of them were running out so they were expecting them to just pass their round to the others. “Both of you, truth or dare?”

They looked at each other, kinda worried. “Truth,” they replied, almost in unison.

“How did you meet?” They inquired, not realising what they had got into, while Vanny and Isi were both stuck remembering how they did meet.

It was 10 years ago that they first met, aged 16, though not in the best circumstances. For both of them everything seemed to be going wrong that day, literally everything. Big and small. But still, they regarded it as one of their better days- just because they found each other. [A/N: will be writing a short dedicated to this later]

However during this flashback, they left Edward alone in a sense- both were zoned out looking into the distance, and after a while, they began to worry about them. It’s not every day you see your friends just completely go unresponsive while still being awake. Kinda creeped them out. So, they decided to wait it out in their room, where they couldn’t see the creepy half-dead look the others were giving everything. But they had forgotten the fact it was a chaotic mess, despite everyone’s best efforts to clean up. Not even they knew how it wasn’t better. So, they grabbed a few things off their bedside table that they might urgently need and shoved them in their backpack, slinging it on their shoulder and entering the kitchen, grabbing the pen and piece of paper they saw when they entered. Once they had done this, they grabbed a second piece of paper, wrote a note for when the two woke up, picking up a set of keys and leaving, quietly and carefully through the front door.

You see, Edward did not know the city. That they’d already established, from the fact that Isi was practically leading them around by tugging on their sleeve. Yeah, they didn’t particularly like that, knowing that they would be useless if the Guardians arrived and they had to leave quickly. So, they had decided to create a map of the surrounding area, noting the landmarks along the way. Hopefully they wouldn’t get lost. If they did they’d have to talk to people, but oh well. It would make them feel better they decided, as they noted down the number flat and the name of the flat block as a dot in the centre of the paper. As they walked down to the ground floor of the block, they realised how late it was- you could barely see the sun, and light was quickly fading beyond the horizon. Unfortunately, this meant it wasn’t as safe as first predicted. Thankfully, angels don’t get hurt unless a guardian or demon does it.

“Hello?” an unfamiliar voice called out. “I couldn’t help but notice you came out of Vanny’s place, and I was wondering if she was ok, I haven’t seen her in a while.” Turning on their heels, they looked for the source of the voice, finding it to be an older looking woman, on the second floor of the building.

“Hello, yes I did come from Vanny’s, currently me and my friend are staying with her,” Edward replied as calm as they could manage, trying not to let slip that said friend was most likely known to be dead.

“So, she’s finally letting people in, that’s good. She’s been so lonely since Isi died, all of us were worried about her. Look after her for me will you?”

“Of course.”

“Thank you. What is your name?”

“I am Edward. And you?”

“Margret, Margret Grey. Nice to meet you.”

“You too.”

“I’d better go, see you around.”

“See you.” They replied, watching as she picked up a newspaper of the floor, before disappearing into a flat. Number 25. They made a mental note of it, in case they ever needed any help. The conversation went better than they were expecting. Almost too well. They turned on their heel, leaving through which ever path they believed would be the best, making a note of every junction and landmark along the way, keeping an eye on the rapidly fading light.

It was only an hour later that Edward realised how stupid an idea they had. First, it was now dark. Very dark. Almost pitch black. Second, they had chosen the wrong path. Somehow they ended up in an alleyway, somewhere. It looked vaguely threatening, with the graffiti and sense of someone watching you. Plus, the little canisters of who knows what were coating the floor. All they knew is it was probably a drug, and likely not a legal one at that. Never a brilliant sign. And finally, they had no clue where they were. Unsurprisingly, their map was practically useless, and just a jumble of lines. Literally, it looked like someone had grabbed a piece of paper and randomly squiggled on it. Almost certainly, they were regretting their choice. And the lack of forethought to check they had their phone on them. “Just wander around until you find a main road,” they thought, “What could possibly go wrong?” They didn’t bother answering that. They knew something would.

As you know, it was 8 hours after they got home. At least, as far as they knew. Who knew how reliable the weird people’s word was? They remembered that decision, and nothing else. It was as if they passed out then. I mean, they knew they had passed out at some point, but it wasn’t right there in that alley was it? They strained trying to remember what had happened, and was severely failing. Then they checked the rope tied around them. Solid- no way out. As far as they knew they would be trapped there forever. This increasingly depressing train of thought was disturbed by the sounds of the person returning, not that they could see who had taken them, not with the lights off. The only thing they could tell was that they were under another floor, and that the floor was concrete. That was it. The mysterious voice of the person holding them hostage startled them from this tangent.

“Hello Edward. You’re probably wondering what you are doing here. Well, you’ll never know. So, stay here for a while. Not that you can leave. Anyway, you just have to stay here until our friend comes back, then you might be able to go. OK?”

Edward nodded, confused as the kidnapper removed the gag they had placed on them. They got a small idea, one that would be unwise, but it worked in Dungeons and Dragons campaigns, why wouldn’t it work in real life as well?

Above them, Salami was sat. Yep, the three of them had kidnapped them. Despite telling Satan they wouldn’t interact. I mean, what did he expect? You can’t tell someone not to do something and expect them to not then do it. Especially the three who were unfazed with breaking his rules, and who he didn’t mind breaking the rules because they usually managed to complete the job. They had no clue how they found them so quickly- what was the chances that they would stumble into the road leading straight to their house, and that they would be so easy to just take. That was the only reason they realised how much help Isi and Edward would need. If they could barely defend themselves, how did they expect to take over heaven? So, they interfered. Eventually, Sal decided to go check on the two, finding them locked in combat. They were at opposite each other, and so, they pulled up a chair next to Sprite.

“Are you that interested in me that you want me to stay?”

“Fuck you.”

“Why don’t you darling?~”

“Why don’t you shut your pretty mouth?”

“Why don’t you do it for me?”

“You know, you’re pretty handsome for a bastard.”

“Aww, you think I’m handsome?”

“No, bitch. Go fuck yourself.”

“Why don’t you fuck me instead?”

“What’s up?” asked Sal, raising their eyebrows.

“I don’t know, wanna see?” Edward quickly replied, with no idea how they managed to keep it up for this long.

“No thank you, why would I want to see a matchstick?”

“It may be a matchstick, but I sure know how to show you a good time.” Edward lied. They really didn’t.

“Who says you’d be the one showing the other a good time? By the end of the night, you would be a blubbering mess.”

“Don’t be so sure, you look like you wouldn’t hold up that long.”

“Looks are deceptive dear, just like you looking like you would be unable to flirt. And like a virgin.”

“As you said, looks are deceptive.”

“h, but I can tell, the second part is true. Honestly, I’m surprised you aren’t a slut.”

“And I’m surprised you’re able to talk. I thought I would have broken you by now.”

“Try harder then.”

“Oh, I certainly can if you want me to.”

“Yeah right, you look 5 seconds away from being shattered.”

“You’re the only ones who will end up shattered. Don’t think I didn’t notice you watching us, person 1.”

“Well, I couldn’t miss that conversation, if it goes any further, I might have to gag you.”

“Kinky.”

“I’m done now, let’s go back upstairs.”

“Don’t be too loud now, the walls are thin.”

“Yeah right, as if you wouldn’t enjoy it.”

“Oh, I would, but the neighbours wouldn’t, I’m sure.”

“Fuck off.”

“Oh, but we’re having so much fun.”

“You might, asshole.”

“So, you’re denying the truth now are you? Why would you stay if you weren’t enjoying yourself?”

“To break you. Let’s go.” Sprite answered turning on their heels.

“God that was exhausting. And impossible to end.” Sal stated, not thinking that Edward would hear him.

“It would be even more tiring if I did what I wanted to you, and it wouldn’t have to end if you didn’t want it to.”

“Dream on, whore.” He said closing the door on themselves.

“Wow, that went better than I expected,” Edward thought, “I kept up for who knows how long.” Then they sat and waited, falling back asleep pretty quickly.

Meanwhile, Isi and Vanny were panicking. I mean, who wouldn’t? It was about half an hour after Edward left that they snapped out of whatever trance they were in, and realised that they were gone. Both took a few minutes to realise what had happened, and after looking at a clock realised they had left Edward alone for way too long. Vanny was the one who saw the note, calming Isi who had ran around the flat looking for them worried that they had been kidnapped or worse, taken back to heaven. That didn’t fully tell them that they were Ok, and the fact they didn’t take their phone- it couldn’t help but worry. Not after everything. Eventually they had managed to get to sleep, reassuring themselves that they would turn up in the morning, but it was to no avail-while Edward was happily flirting with their captors, it had realised they were not coming home anytime soon. Something odd for the size of the city. But it knew it couldn’t do anything so it stayed where it was.

It was half an hour later that Edward woke back up, and even then, only because the door had slammed. Muffled above they heard 3 voices. The two from earlier, and a third, deeper voice. An unfamiliar one, yet it still felt as though they had heard it before. Straining, they listened in. “I couldn’t find them anywhere. This is going to be hopeless isn’t it?”

“We found them, they’re in the basement. I will warn you their flirting is on par with yours.”

“Thanks darlings. I’ll check them out later. Any other news?”

“Not beyond finding a map with only one legible location written down, that must be their place.”

“Perfect. We can check that out later, if we can’t get them to work with us.”

“OK.”

“I’ll go down then, since there is nothing else to do.”

“Good luck, you’ll need it.”

They heard the door gently click, and watched the person descend down the stair they could now just about make out from the time they had to let their eyes adjust to the gloom. The room was mostly empty, except for the shelves they could see out of the corner of their eye with what seemed to be some sort of weaponry on it. They hoped they wouldn’t use it on them.

“Hello, Edward. Might I say, you look so much more handsome in person than from your photo.”

“Thank you. How did you get my photo?” They asked, knowing they wouldn’t reveal it, but hoping to disarm them slightly.

“My sources shall stay unknown. The reason I’m here is to ask for you to join us darling. You’d be a fool not to.”

“Why should I join you? I haven’t seen any of you yet and how am I supposed to trust a kidnapper?”

“We are not going to keep you forever, the second we have your answer you are free to leave, but I recommend you don’t be rash. We have something you want. You have something we want.”

“So, you are suggesting an alliance? What is it that you want from me?”

“You and your little friend Isi on our side, helping us.”

“And what would I get in return?”

“Protection, information, and help with your so called “revolution” of 2 people against all of the angels. I know you are looking for help. But are you willing to accept it?”

They pondered the kidnapper’s offer. It did sound good. They needed help, and protection would be good as well. The information they could give would probably be priceless. However, were they really meant to trust a faceless person who could easily stab them in the back? They didn’t know.

“I will consider it, but only if I can know who you three are and why are interested in me and Isi.”

“Alright. My name is Riley, he/him. I will untie you. All of the windows and doors are locked and we know where you live. You will not be able to escape.”

“Ok.” Edward replied.

“Now then, no running or shifty business. I wouldn’t want to have to ruin that pretty face of yours,” he said warningly as he gradually untied the mass of knots holding them to the chair. Gradually he became more and more frustrated, as the knots simply wouldn’t come undone. At all. You couldn’t even cut it- it was all tied together. “Who the fuck tied these knots?” he shouted upstairs. Both of the people wandered downstairs to watch him fail at untying them. “We did,” one of them replied. “You going to help?”

“No, I think you’re doing fine on your own.”

For Edward and Riley it went painfully slowly, but you could tell the other two were enjoying themselves at their pain. It felt like hours later that he had managed to get them untied. Mainly because it was- it took him around an hour and a half just to get them loose.

“So, can I meet all of you properly now?”

“Why?”

“Go along with it, they said they’d consider joining us if we showed them who we are and why we wanted them.”

“Alright. I’m Salami, but call me Sal, I’m a he/they,” said the second person.

“Fine, I’m Sprite,” the first begrudgingly revealed.

“Thank you. Now why do you want me and Isi?”

“We are all demons, well except Sprite, they’re a half demon, half angel. And our Boss heard of your escape, and finds you interesting. He wants us to help you, and in return you give him information. You see, we all want rid of the Guardians- all except the worker sheep that you call angels. You used to be part of them my dear, but you managed to break out of that way of thinking and heaven. That’s rare.”

“Ok. So, because we have insider information, you want me to help you.”

“Yes.”

“And if I don’t agree?”

“You’d be a fool not to, but I would be unable to stop you. But remember we know where you live, and if our leader gives us the order we will kidnap both of you and force you to co-operate.”

“Ok, I’ll work with you, but only because there is currently no other option.”

“Thank you.”

“Now, can I go home, the others will be worried, since I’ve been gone a while.”

“And how do you expect to get home when you were already lost?”

“I’ll find a way.”

“No, you won’t. I’ll take you home, my damsel.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

“Ok, thank you.”

Half an hour later they arrived home, waving Riley off. Most of the journey was a flirting battle between the two of them, and it only ended when Riley had their number. Somehow they had already managed to memorise it. Before long, they were back inside the flat, being confronted by a worried Vanny and Isi.

“Are you ok?”

“What happened?”

“Why were you gone so long?”

“Just, don’t ask, you don’t want to know. I made some allies though. 2 demons and a half demon half angel.”

“Ok. Wait, was one of them called Sprite?”

“Yes, why?”

“Not brilliant but ok.”

“Why?”

“They work for Satan, and not just in a sense that they are down the command chain form him, they are his personal group of investigators and only really work on secret important stuff. This means Satan not only knows we’re here, but is interested in us. That could be good or bad, but we will have to wait and see. What did they ask you?”

“If I would help them in return for them helping us.”

“Did you accept?”

“Yes.”

“Did you see their faces?”

“Yes.”

“Ok. Good. Now, shall we continue where we left off yesterday?”

“Yes please.”

#Knockin' On Heaven's Door #Original Content #TW swearing #tw unreality #tw kidnapping #I don't know if it's a trigger but when they start flirting it gets way too dirty #tw dirty stuff

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brooklynboysficrecs · 4 years ago

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Skyshadow3246: “Up and Up”

Again, thank you @ibuckybarnes for the suggestion!

It's been 2 years since the Helicarrier crash and Bucky has slowly been struggling to rebuild who he is. Living alone on the fringes in Bucharest is not without it's challenges but at least he is safe while he tries to piece back together his shattered memories. Until a slip up in a moment of panic brings Steve and Natasha into his far removed life. In hopes of restoring his broken mind, he returns with them to Stark Tower to begin the long road to recovery. The road is full of potholes and wrong turns but along the way he grows close with his new friends and as time goes on begins to fall head over heels for Steve.

An angst ridden story about Bucky Barnes’ recovery from Hydra's torture.

(Don’t skip the warnings on this one)

Up and Up by @skyshadow3246 is an absolute beast of a fic. Like, yeah, I know in this fandom there’s a fic that’s like 700,000 words, but Up and Up is close to 300,000 and it is chock-full of all the angst. And -- alright, so I normally do warnings towards the end, but as good as I think this fic is, I need to really cement how much angst someone reading this is gonna have to deal with. The tags gave me a decent idea: PTSD, flashbacks, torture, you know, sort of the standard Winter Soldier warning, right? Panic attacks and all. Okay. But the torture gets pretty graphic -- it’s Bucky vividly recalling what we went through, how Hydra and Zola specifically broke him down, the different techniques they used on him, like sleep deprivation and the awful, awful conditioning they put him through to make him forget his own name. This is also covered by the tags, but Bucky drops a fair amount of homophobic language -- sometimes in reference to himself and what he and Steve got up to before the war, sometimes about other people. Eventually he realizes his way of thinking is wrong, but. You know. Be kind to yourself and heed the warnings here. Bucky and Tony experience a lot of panic attacks in this fic. Bucky has several suicide attempts. There’s underage (consensual, but still) sex between Steve and Bucky that Bucky remembers in detail. Also, I don’t think this one is tagged but I know it threw me off a little -- Bucky and Steve, when they get together, at some point enter into a dom/sub relationship, which is especially prevalent because of Bucky’s associations with his triggers and his time with Hydra. It’s discussed by Steve and Bucky, and Bucky seeks advice from other people, but there is some concern from him about whether or not it’s healthy to want the things he wants. And then Bucky’s recovery is as in-depth as his torture -- so much time is spent on how he breaks his conditioning, and for a lot of it Bucky is willing to hurt himself in order to work towards getting better. So. Like I said, be kind to yourself, very much heed the tags/warnings here, and if there’s anything specific you wanna ask about, I just finished this so it’s pretty fresh in my mind.

Alright. Shit, that’s done, so. Let me talk about the fic itself. I really did like it. I was confused at first, honestly, because this is technically like a prequel to another author’s universe of Tony/Loki fics, but acts as it’s own story as well. The angst really hits you from the get-go when we meet Bucky trying to cobble together a life for himself in Romania, and it literally does not stop until the very end of the fic. Not that there isn’t a lot of fluff and love interspersed throughout the story, but I think there’s a lot more hurt than comfort, which I do like reading sometimes. Bucky’s dog, Pup, was lovely and remains a major feature of his story. I also loved the development of Bucky’s relationships with other people, not just Steve (though the build-up for them was amazing, too, and I was so so happy I didn’t have to wait until the very end for them to push into the romantic aspects of their relationship). If you like Tony and Bucky being best buds then you’re gonna enjoy the hell out of this. Also!! The way the author handled the mechanics of Bucky’s arm was absolutely fascinating -- I thought it was insanely original and I loved seeing the journey Bucky goes through, from letting others do maintenance on his arm to eventually trusting Tony (and Peter and Shuri!) to make him replacements. I will say this fic took a lot of me to read -- it’s heavy, in more ways than one, but it’s compelling, too, and I wanted to see Bucky get better and better, I wanted to stay until he’d really integrated into life in the Tower, with Steve and everyone else. So, yeah. Good fic. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys slow-burn recovery fics!

#stucky #stevebucky #steve rogers #bucky barnes #captain america #winter soldier #chris evans #sebastian stan #fic rec #post-WS #slow burn #canon divergent #heed the tags

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dogcopter · 5 years ago

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Rose Ghost Theory (Comprehensive)

This is the wrapped up version of various Rose theories. You don't have to believe me. Just getting it all out there before Future ends next month. We'll see what happens. I think it's gonna be an awesome plot twist if this is all true.

TL;DR Rose gave up her physical form, but her soul has been astral projecting and watching over Steven, primarily in the body of Lion and others along the way. This is also why he sees visions of her memories.** There may be more to this than I've identified, but this part is nearly certain. Show gets exponentially more emotional upon rewatch when you see her everywhere.

Meta It all comes back to Rose. This is going to be the last, most recent worst decision that when he learns the truth will send him over the edge of his crisis of avoiding his feelings about her. (And send the fandom over the edge too, lol.) Because her absence shaped his whole life and she was there all along and could have been there. He will be rightfully angry, but I also think she will be able to help him, and like with all of her bad choices maybe he will understand why she did so even if he doesn't forgive her. It will also be her character development opportunity, to finally change.

Whose body will Rose Quartz inhabit

She is most of the magical NPCs that aid Steven in his journey. She is Lion, the Tiny Floating Whale and realistic Rose in Rose's Room, Dream Dogcopter, Baby Melon and the melon dogs, the source of Steven's Pink Diamond visions, Pink Steven, "Shy Rose" and probably Cactus Steven too.

Abilities in use

All these powers are established by Steven, Rose is using them as well.

Steven has gone into dreams like Kiki's, where he changed the dream imagery. In Steven's Dream, after Steven wants to learn more about Pink Diamond, he sees her fallen palanquin in his dream and is crying. This was Rose communicating to him.

He spoke to Lapis while she was fused. In Jungle Moon, Stevonnie has a Pink Diamond memory dream that shows them the passcode to Yellow's moon base so they can call Lars. Rose again.

He took over the bodies of Lars and Watermelon Steven. Rose uses Lion's body and the melons with the same ability. Note: Lion himself is just a normal lion who Rose revived, his backstory remains intact. But most of the time when we see him around Steven it's Rose in disguise using his body.

Steven astral projecting in Reunited Steven enters an astral projection dimension where the others can't see him. They can hear him if he touches them. Rose may be present at times when not pictured.

Appearances

Rose's Room The Tiny Floating Whale has Rose's voice actor. Steven has never heard his mother's voice. He hears it later in the VHS tape but not at this time.

Storm in the Room In that scene when a more realistic Rose speaks to Steven, she refuses to listen to what he says unlike the room and reassures him instead. This is Rose stepping in to change the vision because Steven is spiraling.

Dream Dogcopter In Lion 3: Straight to Video, Dogcopter tells Steven to hold his breath before Steven wakes up in Lion's mane. In Chille Tid, Dogcopter shows Steven where to go while dreaming to find the real Lapis (inside of Malachite) after he exhausts himself looking for Malachite and has a nightmare about her.

Watermelons

Baby Melon winks at Steven and runs back after being stolen by Onion. When the melons fight each other, Baby Melon hits Steven and sacrifices himself. The other melons are enraged at that action. The melons don't tolerate a threat to Steven, so why would an ordinary one hit him even in this situation?

Melon Dog 1 brings Steven to offer himself (the watermelon he's possessing. F) as a sacrifice to show him where Malachite is during the arc where the Gems are looking for Malachite, much like Dogcopter led Steven to mindscape Lapis. She also knows what the Cluster is.

Melon Dog 2 tries to distract Steven from getting off the island when he's trapped in Pink Diamond's cell on Homeworld and astral projecting home for help. She tries to entertain him with escapism.

Lion I have a whole tag for this and analysis of all of Lion’s appearances if you need more info on this. Condensed version: Lion shows Steven the mane when he wants to know more about his mom, and shows him the landfill when he wants to know more about the truth of why he was born. He knows an unusual number of secrets for the pet of Rose Quartz, a notoriously secretive and impulsive gem who left Greg and the Gems without instruction or any plan to raise Steven and kept secrets even from Pearl, who knew her secret identity. He appears to know more about Pearl and the Diamonds than he should. He ditches Spinel at the Sadie Killer concert after glaring at her all day.

Can't Go Back When Steven and Lion go to the moon to find Lapis, Lapis and Steven talk about her feelings of watching everyone from afar and being lonely. She's afraid to return

Steven: So why didn't you just come back? Lapis: I want to. But I just can't. Not after the way I left. What would Peridot say? What if the Diamonds show up? What if something bad happens? Steven: Well, what if something good happens?

but Steven reassures her it could work out.

Lapis: Maybe I'm tired of running away. Maybe I'd rather be with everyone and be in danger than be safe and alone. Steven: They'd be glad to have you back. Lapis: I don't know. If I went back now, there's no way things could go back to how they were. Steven: Yeah, but that's alright. Things would just be different.

Steven then has a dream explaining how Pink Diamond tried to convince the other Diamonds to leave Earth alone and was refused. He also sees Pearl with her sword, prompting him to talk to Pearl. This finally reveals Rose's secret of being Pink Diamond to him. (Lion brought him to Pink Diamond's ship when he showed Steven the landfill and Nora VHS a full season earlier.)

Diamond Days & Change Your Mind

Steven has stress dreams about Pink Diamond's memories. I think in this case it's possible Rose is with him "in spirit" and being home is triggering flashbacks. When Steven goes back to her bedroom he dreams about playing with Volleyball before Pink hurt her or lost her. When in the cell she used to be trapped in, Steven wakes up in a memory of being punished there. In the case of other visions I think they were typically intentional from her, given the plot relevance, but these might be unintentional nightmares. Unfortunately, Steven is stuck with them too.

She's Gone

(People tend to hate this idea and refuse to entertain it, but I believe) Pink Steven was also Rose. When his gem was removed she reformed in it, choosing Steven's appearance because the gem belongs to him now. She was focused on getting the gem back to Steven to save him and had rage at White. Her protecting Steven despite seemingly afraid of White and telling White Diamond directly that Pink Diamond is GONE is major character development for her. Steven is not two independent bodies if split up, he is himself, a human boy who has a gem.

Shy Rose Finally, the Rose who looks just like Rose Quartz in Rose Buds. She's actually Rose. She acts like Lion and she picks up on Steven's distress more than any other character has so far - it's because she knows him best and has seen/heard the most build up of things affecting his mental health in Future.

People hate this idea too. Idk what to say. It's true. If I'm right then Rose Quartz blatantly came back in episode 4 wearing her own face and we as the audience collectively missed it. If I’m wrong I have a fanfiction AU idea to tell you about next month.

Cactus Steven - in this case I also like Cactus Steven as his own cactus, bc the mirror metaphor works so well, but given all the other examples I have my suspicions about him. If she *is* the cactus too then: Cactus Steven is happy to be an ear for Steven to listen to, but concerned for him when he's upset. Cactus Steven tries to talk to him and tries to get him to talk to the gems.

TL;DR long text picture of Rose Quartz character arc speculation below. You can skip this theory wise as it's just guessing at the story.

One possible version of this story: During the war on Earth, Rose had already planned to give up her physical form. She somehow specifically designed the Rose Quartz gem that she now inhabits to have similar features to the fantasy Rose that Pearl originally created. (For one thing none of the other RQs shown have curly hair) With Pearl's help, she faked Pink Diamond's shattering and assumed her new identity with a permanent reformation.

After things died down without Pink Diamond and the Diamonds left Earth alone, she would switch to the new gemstone and live as a Rose Quartz with Pearl, giving up her power forever and leaving behind her abusive family to become a new person. As we all know, things went very differently.

Eventually (her origins with Garnet and Pearl as shown) Rose meets Amethyst, an unusually “blank slate” gem who learns and grows who’s also similar to herself in many ways. Then, Greg Universe, who *wants* to know the real her behind the persona, and who also tells her that being in love is torture. (Pearl is in love with her.) She becomes fascinated with humans, especially the way they change and grow, and decides to have a child. The events of SU occur. Rose doesn't tell Steven she's here because she thinks everyone's better off without her and she only makes things worse, and the evidence of things getting better and her bad choices and mistakes being revealed seems to support that. When he tries to get Lion to play the role Steven wants, she refuses, because that's what went wrong last time. Just like she stopped raging after hurting Volleyball.

Now that Steven's actions have led to peace among Gems and the other Rose Quartzes were unbubbled, Rose had the opportunity to finally take her own physical form. Having given up her physical form in the meantime and needed a new one, she will now have her own body to return to. Now she knows how badly Steven is messed up about her, kind of like the Gems coming to terms with how he's grown up in Snow Day. Now that she's hurt Steven she's going to change her behavior again, like after hurting Volleyball, and after hurting Pearl, and finally just tell the truth at the end of Steven Universe Future.

This resolves the question of Steven's Rose stuff entirely. Steven isn't Rose, he's himself. He's not receiving her memories from some weird magic repressed gem data, it was because she was using astral projection powers both intentionally and unintentionally. His gem doesn't have its own consciousness that splits in two, he's both human and gem.

The big twist is that they *can* both exist, and *anyone* can change, including god damn motherfucking Rose Quartz. Like everyone else in the show, after seeing her through everyone else's eyes, in the end she's just a person - a flawed, weird individual who has made mistakes and hurt others. Steven doesn't have to forgive her or even like her, but they can finally know each other as themselves, the core theme of the show. It's a hopeful ending to a hopeful show that ties off both character arcs. Thanks for reading, love you, can't wait to see the finale.

#steven universe #rose quartz #su theory #steven universe theory #su meta #rose is lion 2020 #rosedemption 2020 #steven corrupts bc his mom is alive and thats even more fucked up than the mom baggage he already has piled sky high on his plate.

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jasper-hale-protection-squad · 5 years ago

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(Fic) Battle Scars

Warnings: Fireworks, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, panic attack, war flashbacks, mentions of the confederacy, blood, gore, violence, and self-hate

Ship(s): Alice/Jasper (main), Carlisle/Esme, and Emmett/Rosalie

Tag list: @thought-u-said-dragon-queen @reprehensibleghost @actuallybennyweir

Jasper Hale was many things, but he was proud to say that a coward was not one of them. He’d fought newborns, looked death in the eye on the battlefield as a human, and denied his true nature as a vampire to feast on animal blood. Having a family as supportive as the Cullens and a mate like Alice certainly helped Jasper overcome his rather violent and traumatic past. He would do anything for them. Including, apparently, going into town to watch the local fireworks show even though he had no interest or idea of what fireworks were. It didn’t sound like such a bad idea, from what Edward had described. They lit up the sky in bright colors and flashes. Alice told him they were beautiful. He had his doubts, but he trusted their judgment. Carlisle stashed a blanket for all of them to sit on in the back of his car. Jasper got in there with Alice and Esme, while Emmett, Rosalie, and Edward took Edward’s car. The family arrived at the top of a hill overlooking the town. It was only their first summer there, but the small area was already becoming familiar. Alice helped Carlisle spread out the blanket and everyone took a seat. Alice immediately made herself comfortable in Jasper’s arms, snuggling into his chest and tangling their legs together.

“When exactly are these...fireworks supposed to start?” Jasper asked her quietly, observing his siblings and adoptive parents as they chatted among themselves. Alice hummed softly and played with the collar of his jacket.

“Soon, it seems like they’re just finishing the-“ Alice suddenly froze, gripping tighter onto Jasper. The blonde vampire immediately became concerned, sensing his mate’s distress. He cupped her face with one hand, gently encouraging her to meet his gaze. The silent question that hung in the air was easily detected by Alice. “We need to go, right now,” she whispered earnestly, grabbing Jasper’s hand and dragging him to his feet with her typical vampire strength. Jasper’s brow furrowed in confusion.

“Why? Alice, what did you see?” Jasper asked, gripping her hand in both of his. Before Alice could reply, Jasper’s attention was caught by a streak of gold shooting into the air. Was that a firework? Jasper’s curiosity piqued until the firework exploded into a burst of blue, the loud crashing sound echoing through the air. Jasper’s entire body tensed and he stared at the sky in horror. But he wasn’t really looking at the sky. No, Jasper had been transported to a different place entirely.

As fireworks continued to explode in the air, Jasper found himself on all too familiar terrain. Men in uniforms or tattered farm clothes shouted and ran for cover as buckets ricocheted through the air. A group of men, all who couldn’t be any older than 18, were blown backward as a cannonball landed directly in front of them. There was blood, so much blood, and the screams… Jasper fell to his knees, his throat tightening involuntarily. He was lucky vampires didn’t need to breathe to live because he couldn’t have sucked any air in even if he wanted to. He scrambled backward as a body mangled with bullets and shards of metal fell in front of him, the face of the soldier covered in so much blood he was unrecognizable. Jasper needed to get out of there, find safety.

The vampire tried to move but he was frozen in place with fear. Even with screams and explosions and young boys dying at his feet, Jasper couldn’t move. Every muscle in his body was drawn taut and screamed for him to run, but refused to let him move. Finally, he managed to crouch, pressing his knees and forehead against the ground and wrapping his arms around his neck. He jerked and let out a choked scream as another cannonball whistled overhead and exploded just inches away from him. He faintly heard someone crying out his name but he couldn’t move, couldn’t speak, couldn’t look up to see who had spoken to him. He couldn’t do it.

“Jasper? Jasper, come back to us,” Emmett was saying earnestly, shaking the man he loved as a brother by the shoulders. Jasper looked at him without seeing him, eyes sharp and wide in terror. He was muttering things under his breath, gripping hard at the grass and the blanket underneath him. Emmett tried not to panic, knowing Jasper would sense it and only get worse. Carlisle rested a hand on his back and Emmett looked up to see Edward looking down at them solemnly.

“We need to get Jasper out of here, away from the fireworks. It’s triggering some sort of trauma-related reaction,” Edward said. Emmett nodded curtly and hefted Jasper Into his arms, guessing the other man was in no state to walk by himself. Jasper, however, seemed to have other ideas.

“No!” Jasper screamed, thrashing in Emmett’s grip, eyes blown wide. Emmett winced as Jasper dug his nails into his chest and clawed at him. There would definitely be marks later.

“Put him in the back Emmett, I’ll help calm him,” Alice said earnestly, getting into Carlisle’s car. Jasper resisted Emmett’s attempts until Alice grabbed his wrist, her eyes set firmly in determination. Jasper’s eyes finally began to focus and he grabbed on to Alice, shaking and breathing in heavy pants despite not actually needing air. His eyes still clouded with fear, were at least focused on the current world and not the past one. Another firework went off and Jasper cried out, practically flinging himself at Alice and shaking. Emmett wanted to say something, to comfort Jasper, but then Rosalie was grabbing his arm.

“The sooner we get to my car, the sooner they can get Jasper out of here,” Rosalie said to her husband, taking him by the arm and leading him to her car. Emmett kept stealing worried glances at the other car as Carlisle and Esme got in and quickly sped off to return home. Jasper was still shaking and flinched at the increasingly distant explosions. Carlisle gripped Esme’s hand, tense and worried as his adoptive son’s terror didn’t seem to fade, even when they were well out of earshot of the fireworks. Alice pet Jasper’s hair and whispered to him, holding him close to her and not letting go. Jasper’s eyes grew distant again, but he seemed more aware this time around. He suddenly reached out a hand and grabbed Esme’s wrist, sitting up weakly. Surprised, Esme let go of Carlisle’s hand.

“M-Ma,” Jasper murmured, his hand shaking as he gripped Esme’s wrist. “Ma, I’m so sorry, everyone was so excited about tonight and I ruined it. I’m sorry,” Jasper continued, his voice quivering. If vampires could shed tears, Jasper would have been bawling. Esme’s eyes softened and she squeezed her son’s hand.

“You haven’t ruined anything. Your brothers and sister just want you to be alright, so do Carlisle and I. You don’t need to be sorry,” Esme reassured him, running a thumb over his knuckles. Jasper, still trembling, nodded and withdrew his hand. Alice nuzzled into him, continuing her gentle whispers and making sure Jasper could sense the calm and the love she felt to help ease him. Jasper closed his eyes and leaned against her, holding her hand and wrapping an arm around her waist to keep her close.

Rosalie, Edward, and Emmett were all waiting anxiously back at the house. As soon as Alice entered the home with an exhausted and shaken Jasper leaning against her heavily, Emmett strode over to them. Jasper tensed instinctively and the older vampire stopped, putting his hands up in a surrendering gesture.

“I’m not going to hurt you, I just wanted…” His voice trailed off. Jasper glanced him up and down, seemed to get the message, and parted away from Alice to wrap his arms around Emmett. Emmett immediately pulled him close, the embrace tight but comforting. Jasper was almost dizzy as he felt the concern and worry rolling off of his brother in waves. He shook his head but the room kept spinning. He groaned softly.

“Couch?” Jasper mumbled. Emmett ended the hug but kept an arm around his brother, guiding him to the couch and helping him settle. Emmett pulled away but Jasper gripped hard onto his wrist, head shooting up. At Emmett’s confused look, Jasper grimaced and whispered, “You’re calm, surprisingly. It’s comforting.” Emmett immediately sat beside Jasper, willing himself to relax further and concentrating on channeling that emotion as much as possible. Alice, appearing from the doorway, sat on the other side of her husband and held his hand. Jasper closed his eyes and leaned his head on her shoulder, his own shoulders slowly becoming less tense and his body slowly relaxing.

“Are you alright, Jasper?” Carlisle asked as he entered the room with Esme. Jasper hummed softly in response and nodded, not feeling up to saying anything. He could feel how worried they all were, how scared they were for him, and it made him uneasy, Emmett and Alice’s emotions were strong, however, and Jasper could tell they were trying to project them as much as possible, which did help. Carlisle sat on the couch opposite the three vampires, Rosalie, Edward, and Esme joining him. “Can you tell us what happened?” Carlisle continued. Jasper’s eyes opened and he met Carlisle’s gaze. It was pleading. “Is it alright if Edward tells us?” Jasper hesitated before nodding, then buried his face back in Alice’s shoulder. Carlisle turned to his other son and nodded slightly. Edward looked at Jasper for a moment.

“The fireworks made him remember his time as a Confederate soldier. Specifically, the battles. He was in the middle of the battlefield and was watching soldiers dying. Apparently, the fireworks reminded him of the gunshots and explosions,” Edward explained the best he could. He could read thoughts, not see people’s memories, and Jasper’s thoughts were somewhat incoherent and panicked at the moment. Carlisle gazed at Jasper thoughtfully, taking Edward’s information and picking it apart.

“That sounds like Post Traumatic Stress. It’s fairly common in war veterans and abuse victims. Have you heard of it?” he said. Jasper nodded and turned his head to face Carlisle to show he was listening. “I’m not trained in mental illness, so I can’t diagnose you officially, but based on what Edward said and how you acted back at the celebration, that’s exactly what it sounds like.” Jasper’s expression became pained when Carlisle brought up the Fourth of July celebration. He opened his mouth to speak and Edward glowered him, cutting him off.

“Don’t you dare,” he hissed, golden eyes flashed dangerously. “You did nothing wrong, Jasper.” Carlisle raised an eyebrow at him and Edward angrily said, “Jasper thinks he ruined the night and we’re all angry at him.” Jasper made a pained noise in his throat and Alice frowned.

“We aren’t angry, Jasper. We’re worried for you,” Alice said, cupping Jasper’s face in both of her hands. Jasper met her gaze tiredly. His shoulders sagged and he placed a hand over one of hers, gently tracing a finger over the back of her hand before removing it from his face and gripping it tightly.

“You should be. First, you couldn’t take me anywhere because of my bloodlust, now you can’t take me anywhere because I panic over loud noises,” Jasper said. His voice was bitter and his gaze dropped again. He slid away from both Alice’s and Emmett’s grip, standing from the couch. He was gone in a split second, disappearing up the stairs and into the room that he and Alice shared. His mate followed quickly, and Emmett stood to follow as well, but Rosalie grabbed his arm.

“Let them have a minute,” she said. He tried to protest but Rosalie wasn’t having it. “Jasper needs space. We can talk to him later, ok?” Her voice was firm but loving. Emmett stared at the staircase for a moment before nodding, letting Rosalie lead him back to the couch.

“I never knew his time as a soldier affected him so much,” Emmett told him. He and Jasper were close. He was the one Jasper trusted the most after Alice, and they were both fairly open with each other. Emmett would never admit it, but it hurt to know Jasper had kept such an important thing from him when he told him almost everything. To be fair, Jasper didn’t like to share much. He never had, but Emmett and Alice could usually coax him into talking about things.

“Battle scars are not always physical, Emmett, and sometimes even the person suffering doesn’t realize it until something terrible happens,” Carlisle said solemnly. “I’m certain if Jasper had known about this he would have told us; he would consider it something to warn us about. But don’t take the fact that you didn’t know personally.” Hearing his father figure’s words made Emmett feel guilty, but he just nodded and said nothing, glancing at the stairs again and wishing that he could do something to help his brother.

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