#1 & 2 a lot earlier. people will forgive i promise. we want to forgive. we love the content and the vibes. otherwise we all would've left

[wings-of-flying]

could i, an eighteen year old with zero experience running a d&d podcast and a patreon for said podcast, do better than the council who've had several years of experience and amassed a fan base who so willingly offer (sometimes constructive) criticism on all that's not working? well i don't know, because i don't have the resources or time or energy for a project like that, but i do still understand that their current system isn't working

[mi-rae07]

Song Mingi : What I Deserve (Part 1/3)

Pairing : Song Mingi (Ateez) and named character (Oh Mina)

______________________

A/n : This story ends on a meh note as well (as I had intended it to), but I’m not sure another part would be something people would read. But if some of you do end up wanting it (please tell me if you do), I shall surely make another part for it. We will see how this goes, though.

_________________________

Mina : min-ah, where are you going?

Mina's sleepy mumble made mingi turn around, her hand holding onto the cuff of his suit. It was only 7am, she wasn't supposed to be awake right now.

Mingi : work, mina.

Mina : this…this early?

Mingi : I've always gone this early.

Since the past few months, mina knew. But every time she woke up, she wished her husband wasn't so distant with her, she wished he would stop being this unknown person he turned into 2 years after their marriage.

Mina : don't you want breakfast?

Mingi : no, I'm leaving.

Mina couldn't say anything further as mingi left, leaving mina alone in their room. She sighed, falling back onto her bed as she laid her hand against her eyes. She was slowly starting to get tired, there was only so much she could handle. And this had gone on for a while, with mingi going to work too early and returning back too late.

He had already missed at least 5 of their dates and had apologized every single time, promising not to repeat the same mistake. Except he had, again and again. And mina had still kept on forgiving him.

But could she, anymore?

____________________________

Mina looked up as she heard the door opening, quickly standing up as she heard mingi enter the house with a tired sigh.

Mina : why are you so late?

Mingi flinched as he looked up, not expecting his wife to be awake. It was 3:30am already.

Mingi : you're not asleep.

Mina : clearly not.

Mingi let out a breath, keeping his shoes away as he said

Mingi : I had work.

Mina : everyone has work, mingi, and yet no one comes home at 3:30 in the morning!

Mingi : I am the CEO, I have things to do that other employees might not. I'd thought you'd know all that by now.

Mina : for me you're only my husband, mingi, I need you with me some days. I need to see you, talk to you-

Mingi : well you're seeing and talking to me right now, aren't you?

Mina hummed in frustration, looking away as she slowly felt anger take hold of her. He was being so nonchalant, he didn't even care anymore.

Mina : mingi, I cannot keep doing this any longer. You need to fix your work timings.

Mingi : I need to fix my work timings for a matter as trivial as this?

Mina : trivial? Mingi, this is our marriage! Our love! I-

Mingi : do we really still love each other, though?

Mina flinched at that, her hands clenching itself at his words. Mingi chuckled as he said

Mingi : love requires understanding, and we do not seem to have that between us anymore, do we? So are we really still in love, hmm?

Mina : mingi.

Mingi : lot of couples live this way after marriage, and maybe this is what we're destined to, as well?

Mina : I do not believe in destiny. What I do believe in, is correcting your mistake-

Mingi : I haven't made a mistake here, mina. I still provide for you, I still take care of your external needs. The only thing I do not do, is spend time with you. And that I am unable to do because of my work, which you must understand as well since you work too!

Mina : I am not asking for your whole day, I am asking only for a few minutes of your time.

Mingi : then I am sorry I am not able to give you that, mina. But I cannot change any of this. Either you will have to deal with it, or…leave.

Before mina could say anything more mingi turned around and left, leaving a teary eyed mina behind.

_____________________________

Mina walked towards mingi's office in his tower, a bag of food in her hands. It had been a week since their fight and mingi was being as cruel and cold as ever. Earlier even if mingi had been cold to her, he would give kind answers to her questions. But now, all she heard from him were words that stabbed right through her heart.

Well then, if he wasn't going to fix it, she was. Mina didn't have much self-respect when it came to matters as such.

Mina opened the door and was about to say something when she paused at the sight in front of her, her grip on the plastic cover tightening. One of the female employees were leaning too close towards mingi on the table, who was looking up at her with eyes that made mina sick to the bone. The employee's blouse revealed too much and mingi didn't seem to move from his position either.

So this was why mingi was the way he was right now.

Mina : am I interrupting something?

The employee flinched at her voice and stepped aside, bowing at mina. Mingi just looked at mina blankly, not saying anything. He didn't even bother.

Mina scoffed, looking at the employee before saying

Mina : I'm not going to fight with you, you don't deserve that much from me. Get out, you're fired.

Mingi : you don't get to fire her, mina.

Mina : are you being for real, song mingi? This woman was trying to seduce you!

Employee : I wasn't doing anything like that, ma'am, I was only-

Mina : I never asked, miss. I never asked and I don't wish to know anything from you either. So get out before I do something I regret.

Mingi : miss yoon, you may leave us.

The employee nodded and left the room, leaving both mina and mingi alone. Mina threw the plastic cover on the couch before looking at mingi with hurt eyes.

Mina : you're cheating on me?

Mingi : that's the only accusation you have left to say, right? So then say it, go ahead.

Mina : mingi!

Mingi : WHAT?

Mina flinched at that, stepping back as mingi stood up from his seat and said

Mingi : what? What do you want from me now, mina?

Mina : do you not have anything to say about the sight I just saw? Huh?

Mingi : what the fuck am I supposed to say when I know all that you're going to think is that I'm lying.

Mina : are you? Are you lying to me?

Mingi : maybe I am. Maybe I've been lying to you the entire time and maybe I've been fucking another, better woman behind your back. What are you going to do about it, Oh Mina?

Mina sobbed, stepping away from mingi as tears streamed down her cheeks. Mingi's eyes turned soft as he realized what he had said, trying to step forward in order to try an explain. But mina only shook her head at him, stepping back before running out of his office room.

_____________________

Mina downed her 3rd bottle of beer despite it being only 7pm, asking the bartender for yet another. The bartender sighed and placed yet another bottle of beer in front of mina. She was about to have a sip when she felt someone step forward, pushing her against the back of table before leaning close towards her face. Mina looked up with hazy eyes, realizing it was a man unknown to her. He smelled like alcohol, but she supposed she did too.

Mina : what-

??? : such a beauty you are.

Mina opened her mouth and was about to say something when the man shut her off with a kiss, pressing his flushed body against hers. Mina felt her head muddle, her focus only on the man and the excess amount of alcohol in her body. She was drunk, and he was a distraction.

Mina pulled back, breathing heavily as she whispered against his lips

Mina : what's your name?

??? : do you really have to know?

Mina smirked against the man's lips before kissing him again, wrapping her arms around his neck before saying

Mina : take us out of here, right now.

??? : as you wish, my lady.

__________________________

Mina woke up, looking around her with a small groan. She was in a hotel, an expensive one and the space next to her on the bed was empty. Mina quickly sat up on the bed, feeling her heart race as she heard the shower sound from the bathroom a few meters away from the bed. She flinched as she realized she was naked, her clothes lying all over the floor. She had…had she…shit.

Mina quickly stepped out of the bed with wobbly legs, putting her clothes on with trembling hands as she felt tears stream down her cheeks. She had cheated on her husband, she had…she had slept with another man when she had a husband.

Mina quickly wrapped her scarf around her neck in order to hide her hickeys before rushing out of the hotel room, not bothering to even see that man any longer. She had no idea what she had done, all she knew was…she had fucked up, big time.

___________________________

Mingi let out a breath as he turned around to look at the dining table filled with food, all of that now probably cold. He had come home early from work today, setting up dinner and candles since it was mina's birthday today, or…was. Tomorrow they were supposed to leave for Hawaii, as vacation for a month. It was why mingi had worked so hard for the past few months, in order to make sure things were in order before leaving. And today was the beginning of it, the beginning of correcting his mistakes. He had worked hard for 3 hours, preparing all of mina's favorite foods and making sure to buy the right scented candles.

But she never came home, the candles had gone out and the food had grown cold. It was 4am and mina still had not returned. Mingi figured it was his fault, for giving mina that impression in the afternoon. But he hoped she would forgive him.

Mingi stood up as he heard the door to their house opening, feeling a small smile spread on his face as he realized mina had finally come home. But his smile fell as soon as he saw mina walking towards the living room with wobbly legs and unsure steps, her eyes red and her entire face flushed. As if…as if she had just slept with someone.

Her hair was a mess, and mina's hair was never a mess. Her scarf was tied loosely around her neck, and her breathing labored. As soon as mina saw mingi, she ran towards him, falling into his arms with a hoarse cough. Mingi's eyes watered as he smelled the cologne of another man on his wife, knowing this could never be mina's. mina hated strong smells, and it was the reason mingi had stopped wearing colognes with strong scents and switched to something soft instead, one that would be comfortable for mina as well.

So this new smell all over her, it couldn't be hers and neither could it be his. And for the first time, smelling mina suffocated him, it filled his lungs with despair instead of comfort and coldness instead of warmth.

Mingi : mina.

Mina didn't say anything to that, just holding onto mingi as she leaned her head against his chest further. But as she did that, her scarf lowered down, revealing the marks on her neck to mingi. Mingi pressed his lips together, now knowing why mina had been so late to come home.

Mingi did not say anything further and held onto mina's shoulders, bringing her closer to him as he hugged her with trembling hands.

Mina : mingi?

Mingi : it's okay, go to sleep now.

____________________________________

Mina woke up the next day, looking around as she realized she was in her own bed at their house. She sat up and looked around, realizing mingi was nowhere to be seen and that she was wearing the same clothes as yesterday. She quickly stood up and changed her dress into something that would cover all her hickeys, wondering whether she had gotten herself into bed without being seen by mingi last night or whether he had put her here himself.

Had he realized? Or did he not even see it? Mina supposed there was only one way to know.

And so she walked to the kitchen with slow nervous steps, ignoring her headache and clenching her hands together as she heard noises from the kitchen. Mingi hadn't gone to work today, probably because it was a Sunday. Except he usually worked on Sundays as well.

Mina stepped into the kitchen, barely breathing as the sight of mingi trying to make pancakes without burning them came to her view. And looking at her husband who had his lips turned up into a confused pout, his eyes focused only on the pancakes, she felt her stomach turn. Whether it was from the hangover or not, she didn't know and she didn't care. She felt disgusted by her actions, absolutely disgusted.

Mingi : minnie, good morning.

Mina flinched at her husband's cheerful voice and the usage of that nickname, realizing that he might not have seen her last night after all. Good, she didn't have the courage or the energy to face any of that right now.

Mina gave mingi a fake smile before walking up to him, asking in a low voice

Mina : when…when did you come home last night?

Mingi : I actually didn't. I spent the night at the office since there were some last minute works to finish, so I only arrived an hour ago.

Except mingi was lying. Especially after seeing mina enter the kitchen while looking like she was having a hangover, mingi decided to play his part of being an unknown husband. Everything in him wanted to ask her why she had done it. But this was going to be better, this was going to tell mingi whether his wife was actually a cheater or last night had been just a mistake. And he wanted to see whether she was a liar, and how long it would take her to tell him the truth.

Mingi had trusted his wife to not do all these things, but that felt like a long time ago to him now.

Mina let out a breath of relief, meanwhile, knowing now that mingi hadn't known. He could never know unless mina tells him now. But even after knowing that fact, mina still felt like she didn't deserve any of this. Because of what she had done to their relationship last night. And now that mingi didn't know and was being all nice to her, it only made her feel even worse.

Mingi : come on, sit down. I made pancakes for you today. And, I'm on leave for today as well. Let's go to the amusement park, hmm?

Mina bit her lips, nodding as she sat on a chair in the dining room. Mingi smiled, placing the dish before saying

Mingi : I'll start correcting my mistakes from now, mina-ya.

________________________________

Mina mumbled a thank you as she took the ice-cream from her husband, holding it with both hands as mingi sat next to her on the bench with his ice-cream as well. It had been 5 hours since the both of them had arrived at the amusement park that mingi had rented for them and he had still not been exhausted. Meanwhile for mina, every ride that mingi had taken her to, it only made her hate herself more and more. She couldn't be happy with him, not when she knew what she had done. And she couldn't help but feel as if mingi deserved someone way, way better than her.

Mina flinched as she felt mingi rest his head on her shoulder, eating his ice-cream as if nothing had happened.

Mingi : do you love me, minnie?

Mina : w-well you are my husband.

Mingi : yes?

Mina : I did agree to marrying you.

Mingi : mhmm?

Mina pressed her lips together, looking away as she felt her heart break apart in guilt. She loved mingi with her entire life, but what right did she have to say that to him anymore after what she had done?

Mina : m-mingi-ya.

Mingi felt himself stiffen, wondering whether mina was going to say it to him.

Mingi : yeah?

Mina : I…I wanna go to that ride there.

Mingi felt disappointment fill his heart, putting on a smile as he said

Mingi : of course, whatever ride that you desire, wife.

__________________________

3 weeks later :

Mina washed the last dish, deciding today was the day. She was going to tell mingi the truth when he came back home. She couldn't bear it anymore, not when mingi was being the most wonderful husband ever, changing his work timings and spending tons of time with her during the weekends as well. He would take her on movies, beach dates, parks, resorts, he was amazing to her. He was correcting all his mistakes.

And though mina knew she could never correct her mistake, she supposed admitting to it was the bare minimum she could do. After all, he was her mingi, wasn't he? Maybe…maybe he wouldn't leave her like that after all.

Mina flinched as she heard the door opening, quickly keeping the dishes away as she walked towards the living room. She hated every second of this, she felt like her heart was going to burst inside her. But she kept the façade on even after seeing mingi remove his shoes with a small smile on his face.

That smile, that smile she loved. Was she going to wipe it off of him now, when she tells him what she had done?

Mina : mingi-ya.

Mingi turned around, his smile widening at the sight of his wife

Mingi : sweetheart, hi! How was work-

Mina : I need to tell you something.

Mingi nodded at her serious tone, keeping his bag aside as he walked closer to mina and looked at her with expectant eyes. She didn't want to play with him anymore, it would be better to just cut to the chase, she thought. And so mina fiddled with her fingers, looking away as she said

Mina : I…I cheated on you.

Mina stood like that for a few seconds, waiting for mingi to do something to her. Scream, hit, leave, but all she heard was silence. Mina looked up at mingi in half surprise half confusion, mingi's blank eyes looking right back at her. He wasn't even surprised.

Mina : mingi?

Mingi : mm.

Mina blinked, taking time to understand what was really happening. But as soon as she did, she stepped back, her eyes immediately watering as it grew large in pure shock and horror.

Mina : no. no no, you knew.

Mingi : I knew it the night it happened, yes.

Mina gasped, her heart falling apart at his words. This was the worst that could happen. Of the thousand answers mina had expected from mingi, this wasn't it. Mingi scoffed at her as he said

Mingi : how could I not know, mina? How could I not when you came back home the night of your birthday, covered in some other man's scent, hickeys all around your neck, looking like an absolute mess?

Mina : my…my birthday?

She hadn't even remembered it.

Mingi : yes, your birthday! I had made your favorite dishes, put up candles, hell, I had even booked a trip to Hawaii for both of us, mina.

Mina crumpled her hair on her hands, feeling all her doings hit back on her with such force, she felt herself lose balance.

Mina : that's why you…you worked for a month like that-

Mingi : yes, in order to take time out for you. And what you saw that day in my office room? That was her trying to explain to me what gift would be best to buy you for your birthday. She was trying to show me that on my laptop.

Mina sobbed, covering her mouth as she felt the world spinning around her. What had she done.

Mingi : everything I had ever done, was for you, mina. But after all that, you slept with another man, coming back home as if nothing had happened. And then…and then you came and hugged me, as if you were absolutely perfect and right. As if you weren't covered in some other man's…his…

Mingi cut himself off with a shaky breath, trying to regain his posture as he said, cold as ever

Mingi : so I pretended. I pretended to see how long it would take for you to break, for you to tell me.

Mina : and if I never…never would have?

Mingi : then I just would've pretended forever. Pretended to love you, when never truly loving you. And lived a life with you that we both knew was fake and made of sand. I would've pretended to be your husband, oh mina.

Mina looked away, small sobs falling from her mouth as she felt her entire body shake. This was all her fault, if only she had ever listened, ever talked to him, none of this would've happened. Mingi was always only a good husband to her, but she had cheated on him.

Mina fell on her knees with another cry, holding onto mingi's legs as she sobbed desperately

Mina : I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, mingi…mingi please forgive me, I'm so sorry.

Mingi shut his eyes tightly as he looked away from mina, feeling tears stream down his own eyes. Mina wailed while hugging her husband's feet, trying to beg for his forgiveness.

Mina : please, I wasn't thinking, mingi. I was dr-drunk, I was drunk and I thought you were seeing someone else so I…so I-

Mina cut herself off with another sob, not being able to formulate thoughts or see straight with the condition she was in right now.

Mingi : you slept with another man, mina. Do you understand that? Sober or not, sad or not, YOU CHEATED ON ME!

Mina flinched at that, feeling more tears escape her eyes as hiccups now accompanied her sobs.

Mingi : you broke all the vows we made on our wedding, you broke every single promise you had ever given me, you threw our entire past and ruined our future, FOR THAT ONE FUCKING STRANGER, MINA!

Mina cried harder at his words, feeling guilt swallow her up as a whole. She felt dying would've been easier than this.

Mina : I'm so sorry, I swear I'll never do it again-

Mingi : how can I trust you? How can I trust you when you've broken it into pieces, mina.

Mina lowered her head, sobbing as mingi stepped aside, shaking off mina's grip on him as he said

Mingi : I'm done.

Mina looked up at mingi as fear filled her teary eyes, her heart racing at the words she had never wanted to hear

Mina : wait no, no no, mingi no-

Mingi : you cheated on me, you know what happens to people who cheat, mina.

Mina shook her head desperately, trying to hold onto mingi. But he only stepped away, breathing shakily as he looked at mina who was now crying on the floor pathetically

Mingi : no. no, mina, I cannot love you anymore. And I cannot be your husband anymore either.

Mingi took off his wedding ring, throwing it on the ground beside mina as he said

Mingi : you and I, we're done.

Mingi turned and left, ignoring mina's screams and wails, her desperate pleas stabbing right through his heart. But he couldn't bother to turn back to her any more, because after all, it was what she deserved.

____________________

A month later :

Mingi walked into the prosecutor's office, hoping to find mina there. After that night mingi never saw her again, not even when he woke up in the morning. It was like she had never happened, except for her things. She hadn't taken anything of hers when she left, nothing. All her things were still at their place, and although mingi had waited a month for her to come and retrieve her things on her own, she never did.

So he assumed he would have to ask her to take them himself.

But as he entered her office room, he saw it empty, void of any belongings. Her name plate wasn't anywhere to be seen either. Mingi turned around as he felt someone walk up to him, realizing it was mina's assistant.

Mingi : miss bae.

Assistant : oh, mingi-shi! What brings you here?

Mingi : uh, where's…Oh Mina?

Assistant : your wife? She resigned almost a month ago, sir. I thought…I thought you'd have known?

Mingi's eyes widened, shocked at her words. Mina, had given up her position of being a prosecutor that she had worked hard for her entire life? Her job was mina's most precious thing apart from mingi, and for her to have given up that…

Mingi : are you…sure?

Assistant : I am, sir. She's resigned, effective 3 weeks ago.

Mingi let out a breath, mumbling a thank you before rushing out of the office. He had to see mina.

__________________________

Mingi clicked the button to the top floor of the apartment, wishing the lift could go faster to mina's old penthouse. The penthouse had been where mina used to live before her and mingi got married, it was where she would be right now. And mingi needed to see her.

He rushed out of the lift and ran towards the entrance of the penthouse, pausing right on his tracks as he noticed people moving boxes filled with things into the…empty penthouse. A couple was standing right outside, giving directions to the movers.

Mingi : excuse me?

The couple turned towards him, confused.

??? : yes?

Mingi : do you know what happened to the last lady who was living here?

??? : she sold the penthouse to us, why?

Mingi let out a shaky breath, stepping back as he felt his heart race. Mina had resigned and given up her house, then where the hell was she right now?

??? : sir?

Mingi looked up, realizing that the couple was staring at him in confusion. Mingi shook his head, putting up a small smile as he said

Mingi : i-it's nothing, thank you.

The couple nodded as mingi walked out, taking out his phone and calling mina's number. Except all it said was that this number didn't exist anymore. Did she throw away her phone too?

Mingi : no, where are you mina.

______________________

2 years later :

Mina coughed, wiping her forehead as she continued planting the seeds for the next harvest. It had been 2 years since she abandoned her posh city life to move to a small village in Jeju, cultivating the small land her father had left her with a long time ago and harvesting that for the money she required to buy her necessities.

She didn't have to buy a house, at least. Her parents were once farmers before they died and mina left to Seoul to become a prosecutor. And hence they already had a small cottage next to the farming plot, where mina had grown as a child. And although it was much humbler than the penthouses and mansions mina had lived in before, it was still enough for her.

This was the life she had to lead after what she had done to her innocent husband, and the more far away she was from him, the better. In that way he could find a better woman and live with her for the rest of his life, happily. And although that thought hurt mina, she knew it was what she deserved.

Mina sighed and kept her tools aside, finally having done with the planting for today. She smiled and slowly started walking towards her cottage, deciding to have a good dinner before going to sleep, something like sleep, at least. She had already told the other ahjummas that she was going to have dinner alone. After all, they were her parent's friends and after they had died, these people had become like parents to mina. They were the only family mina had anymore, and their happiness were hers now. But for them mina was the rich prosecutor from Seoul, the daughter of their bestfriends whom they had all grown with, together. If anything, they wanted to make sure she never had to work so hard. But even though they made a fuss out of someone like her having to make food for herself, mina told them it was needed some days.

Today was her birthday, the day she had made the biggest mistake of her life and ruined her happiness forever. Today was the day she was going to have soju and drink herself to sleep, just like she had done last year.

Mina entered through the back door, closing it behind her before walking towards the kitchen. She was about to turn the stove on when her doorbell rang, making mina groan as she rushed towards it.

Mina : aish, I told these ahjummas-

Mina cut herself off as she opened the door, not bothering to look at the person as she said

Mina : ahjumma~, I told you I'd eat by myself today-

Mina paused as her eyes finally landed on the person in front of her, her eyes widening in shock as she took in the person she had longed to see for so long, yet knowing she didn't deserve to. His black hair with new streaks of blue in them, his eyes shining under the stars, he was perfect as ever. Except, how was he here?

Mina : mingi.

Mingi : I've finally found you.

______________________________

[purgemarchlockdown]

ask game

from tsuwmya 2, 4, 11, 12, 13 for Muu and 1, 2, 3, 5, 21 for Mahiru I hope it's not too much 👉👈

It's no problem! I enjoy doing ask games a lot they're really fun!

Muu:

2. favorite mv moment/frame?

I love this frame from It's Not My Fault so much, it's just so pretty and lovely to watch. I love how slow it feels...

4. favorite minigram episode/moment?

I think bread Muu is really funny. Second place goes to Raincoat Muu though.

11. what are your favorite points about their story and the narrative surrounding them?

TOXIC CYCLES AND ENVIRONMENTS I LOVE YOU (IN STORYTELLING)!!!!!

I love it when characters are...kinda the worst. I am a Worst Girls Enjoyer and I like it when characters are horrible so Muu's already appealing from that point.

But Muu is so much More than just Horrible and that's really what sells her for me, cause there is a lot of depth to her as a character. Muu's a victim and a bully, she tries her best to keep herself satisfied with this shallow form of love and attention, one predicated on being at the top and hurting the people under you. As long as you are not the worst you can continue to get the "honey." Which leads to very destructive and unhealthy environments and situations.

It's not really surprising Haruka and Muu gravitated towards each other, both use "pity" to gain a form of "love" and in the process demean and hurt themselves. Muu's self hatred is a very real thing and it's not something she can easily grow out of.

Muu's kinda stuck, she's unwilling to take responsibility for her own faults but also due to the horribly toxic school environment she finds herself in she's unable to really grow Either since the place basically discourages growth and development and she's also horribly insecure and self-hating which really doesnt help anyone.

Plus as I said she uses that "pity" to gain love and that kinda means she Needs to be in some sort of bad situation for that to work. The "ideal" situation for Muu is one where she's in pain so that people care about her and that's just...depressing.

I could talk about it forever honestly but there's a lot more questions so-

12. what do you wish would be discussed more often about them in the fandom?

I want to see more discussion on her horribly toxic cycles and self-destruction! I don't think there's much of it and its sad since its such an integral part of her story. She's really channeling Shiori fr and I think that's really interesting! Plus I'd also like if if people stopped treating her like a mastermind...she isn't...she's really impulsive actually...

13. any ideas on what would they and their MV be like if they got a different verdict in T1?

Plays up the pity factor by a lot, you thought After Pain was sad? Muu's playing that thing up to eleven now. She's desperate to gain love and attention so please please please forgive her now, she won't do anything bad she promises! It be real depressing alright...

Mahiru:

1. favorite song lyrics?

Even when I test you, even the times we do the breakup ritual, Is because I love you

This is the most quietly horrifying line in TIHTBILWY for me and I love it. Mahiru "Love is Pain" Shiina Just Admitted to testing how much her boyfriend loves her and how willing he is to stay with her. "Breakup ritual" is so horrifying in this context I love it.

2. favorite mv moment/frame?

Cat moment fr.

3. favorite non-mv official illustration?

(I can't find a big version of this for some reason) I Love her album cover! It's really striking and pretty I think, plus I really like all the flowers around it.

5. favorite voice drama line/moment?

Mahiru: What? No, no. There’s no such thing as that. Being in love is like a landmine. It’ll explode someday, you know? The only thing that differs is whether it happens earlier or later in life. It’ll happen to you too. Even if you don’t have any interest in it now, one day it’ll explode for you as well. All because you’ll have that fateful encounter with your special someone.

Can you tell I Really like it when Mahiru is horrible? It's subtle here but her insensitivity and the way she can ignore what other people say and want because She thinks she knows whats best is shown here and I really like that about her. Plus the amatonormativity is Real in this sentence.

21. do you have any similarities with them/relate to something in them?

Not really, I don't really relate to Mahiru much. I'm not a romance person (I'm...90-97% sure I'm aro depending on the day) and she can honestly be a bit overwhelming for Me. I can sometimes be a bit overindulgent with my interests though so I guess that counts.

[ayayiiie]

I’m not worried Pt.2 - Y.Jungwon

Scenario : You and your little family are facing an Earth Apocalypse. Everything around you is desert as you search for a safe place. But at what price ?

Words : 2k.

Pairing : survivor dad! Jungwon x survivor mom! reader.

Genre : tiny bit of fluff, overall angst, Major Character Death.

Warning : Non Identified Monsters Apocalypse, cursing, violence, blood, mentions of covid-19, a lot of crying lmao.

Author's notes : I have two things to say : I’m too lazy. And… : Please forgive me for it. 😭 Also I recommend you to read Pt.1 here before reading this one ! I pour my everything in this one lmao.

This is a work of fiction, it is not a reference to reality. I do not copy, or had plagiarized any work, every scenes familiar to other works are just pure coincidence ! Reblog if you like :p  

Tag list : @hiqhkey (I know you waited for part 2 TT)

——————————

*now play Tori Kelly - Paper Hearts*

April, 2029.

A few days after his departure…

« Where did Daddy go ? » asks your son of three years old. You can feel your heart breaks into millions of pieces at the sound of his innocent voice and big doe eyes… just like him. « Did he go to work ? Is Daddy working ? » he continues to ask, slowly tugging at your sleeve. You nod and hum, caressing his chubby cheek ever so gently. « So Daddy will come back, he will come back. » You show him your best smile, trying to hide your anxiousness and sadness. He shouldn’t know at all cost. Your daughter then comes besides your son, tugging at your other sleeve, « Mommy I’m hungry… I want to eat curry ! » Just like him. Every time you look at your children, they remind you so much of him, from the way they talk, their favorite food, their round faces and habits, indeed he is their father. Damn how much you miss him right now. It’s like a part of your world is missing. Feeling like someone take out a part of your heart. How you wish to have him by your side, playing hide and seek or tag along with the children. How you wish nothing happened this day.

*Flashback in February 2029*

Children's laughter were heard from the garden as you hang out the washing on a clothes horse. It was a beautiful day, a sunny sky with not a cloud in vision. You took a day off to spend some time with your daughter and son while your husband, Jungwon was at work. He promised to finish earlier so you were more than content.

Your family was perfect for you. No, your life was perfect. Being a doctor, Jungwon a succesful taekwondo athlete and soon a to-go coach, your children were happy and healthy. Everything was perfect.

Until you turn on the television during dinner time.

Oh you wished you never turned it on.

Reporters were asking people to stay inside their house for emergency circonstances. Was it a situation like the Covid-19 ? Or even worse ? Up to where humans were able to commit crimes ? As you were asking those questions in your head, panic slowly started to make its way into your veins when you saw one of the reporters being assaulted by someone. The camera was then cutted right away.

You took out your phone to scroll through Twitter, only to see the chaos. People were screaming and running everywhere, giant hideous dark monsters with a slim body, multiple eyes and bony fingers were trying to infiltrate the houses.

You were petrified and your first reflex was to look at your husband. Jungwon seemed deep in thoughts. You didn't know if he was thinking or if he was shocked, you were too anxious to tell.

What will happen now ? Unknown creatures ? They are not zombies, nor aliens ? This is a dream right ? You will wake up in your bed while hugging Jungwon tightly... right ? Your children will be sleeping in their own bed and everything will be perfectly fine, like it has always be.

« We need to leave. Our house is not a secured place. » your husband finally spoke.

« Then where are we going ? » you respond, stressed.

« Mommy , what is happening ? Why are you scared ? » ask your daughter.

« Mommy is tired birdy. It's getting late, take your little brother with you and go wash your teeth. » he smiled at them and did some silly movements to tell them to hurry up. They giggled and run away towards the bathroom.

After making sure they were away, he took your hand in his and stared deeply in your eyes.

« Firstly, we need to calm down. Everything will be perfectly fine darling, okay ? »

« B-but- » you stuttered, on the verge of crying.

« Calm down, I'm right here baby, I'm not gonna let you down. I'm right here and I will protecting you all at all cost. » he reasured you as his hand was caressing the back of yours.

You took a big breath before nodding. It wasn't the time to break down. You were the mother of two children, they were more important. You didn't wanted to show them how much you were scared. You had to be strong.

You and your family officially left your house two days after the news broke.

*End of the flashback*

« (Y/S/N), you need to wear properly your protection. » you said as you adjust your son's piece of metal on his chest. Not long after your departure from your house, you found out those creatures were feeding themselves with humans' hearts. That's why y'all have a piece of metal around your chest constantly.

« Mommy... What is this ? » you heard your daughter soft voice while she points at something far away.

You feel your hairs ruffling and quickly look at the direction she pointed. You saw the familiar slim body and bony fingers’ monster standing a few meters away, looking around. You inform her and your son to not make any noise by putting a finger infront of your lips and silently start to gather up some of your belongings while looking at it. You then inform them you have to leave. As you do silently, you scrach your knee, a few droplets of blood falling. But it was your least concern, you just hope your son will not make any sound.

*Flashback*

« (Y/S/N) » called strictly Jungwon with a frown, « don't make any noise when we tell you, understand ? » he said.

« Understand Dada. » answered your son, a pout on his face.

Jungwon kneeled down and ruffled his hair, face now adorning a smile, « Good job, little hero. »

*End of flashback*

As you're now running in the woods, hands clutching with your loves, your daughter suddenly speaks up.

« Mommy... » she calls, almost inaudibly.

« What is it sweetheart ? » you stop and look at her.

« I forgot my binky... » she confesses, looking up at you with big doe and tears in her eyes. You know how much she can't fall asleep if she doesn't have it and you can't afford to make her cry.

« Shit... » you silently curse. You have to go back and get it.

You were now standing at fifteen meters from your previous camp, and was tetanized. If before there was only one, now there were five. They were smelling and one of them was licking the ground. « Shit, my knee », you thought while looking at your bruised knee.

« Listen up babies. You have to stay here, understood ? No matter what, you ARE staying here, well hide behind these leaves, did you understand me ? » you insist without actually yelling.

They just nod at you. « Good. (Y/D/N), count to 300, you know how to do that right ? », she nods again. « Good girl. If Mommy is not here after you finish, you know where you need to go, right ? Do like Mommy and Daddy teached you, alright ? » you tell her and hug them tightly, not wanting to let go. The tears are welling in your eyes but you stopped them before they fall.

« I love you so much my darlings » you lastly say before kissing their forehead. You hope it won’t be the last time you will see them. You can’t imagine your two babies running in the forest without protection, without you, without nothing.

You quickly stand up and go far at your right, heart about to explode. Five minutes. You can do it.

You gently place a phone on the ground. It was situated far away from your children and enough from the camp. You then return to your previous position and wait for the alarm that you set to ring.

You began to sweat, tension at its peak. It was not the time to flinch. You steady your breath and focus.

*Ding ding ding ding*

The five of them rush towards it while you run towards the camp. Quickly entering it, you grab the binky and come out. But what you did not expect is that the precious bracelet Jungwon gave you on your first anniversary got stuck with one of the corner of the tent. Wanting to remove it, you are suddenly expulsed from where you were. Feeling dizzy, you hurry yourself up, grab the sword on your back and try to defend yourself against the monster facing you, a smile on its face.

« You fucking bastard, come on. » you say, preparing yourself.

Blood is spurting on the floor.

*now play - Westlife - I’ll See You Again*

*Jungwon POV*

I was finally running towards the camp where my family is when I saw a bunch of monsters in circle.

« FUCK ! Y/N ! (Y/D/N) ! (Y/S/N) ! » I scream while running towards them. One of them turn around and I saw its mouth, full of blood. Rage is taking over me as I take my gun and shoot them all. Fuck it if I end up bringing them all. I want to see them and check if they’re fine. As I come closer, I only perceive one body lying on the ground, I feel my heart stopping at the view infront of me. She has blood everywhere and is severely injured. Her right foot is missing and the blood is flowing endlessly… No… tell me it’s a lie… Plus the children are nowhere to be seen, she must have hide them.

« Baby can you hear me ? It's me, your kitten. Darling please, tell me you hear me » I cry while holding her head on my laps.

« J-Jungwon...? Is that y-you ? » she replies, faintly. Her eyes slowly opening as I see the emptiness in them.

« Yes baby, it's me, I'm right here ! Stay with me, will you ? Please don't close your eyes ! » I say, cupping her bruised face in my hands, making sure to be careful.

« The babies... They are... in the forest, around fifteen meters... from here. Give this... Give this to my princess... » breathless, she handed me the binky with a trembling hand, she protected it, so it wasn't soak with blood.

« You will give it to her yourself, okay ? Stay with me, hold on tight, I will treat you baby. » I tear a piece of my shirt, put it around her calf, tie it then take a little stick of wood and turn it as hard as I can before putting her on my back. Her moans and grunts of pain were broking me.

« Darling... They got my leg... The chances to survive... from an haemorrhage are poor... » she says, voice trembling, as if it will fade out anytime soon.

« No ! You can do it ! You will do it ! You're strong I know it ! » tears were already streaming down my face at this point as I walk quickly towards the hiding place that is shelting my children.

« (Y/D/N) ! (Y/S/N) ! Come out ! It's me ! Daddy ! » I shout, voice cracking. They quickly complied and run towards me.

« Daddy ! » they call, happy to see me. They hug me tight and look at Y/N on resting on my back.

« What happened to Mommy ? Is she sick ? » asks your son. Our daughter was too shocked to speak, being old enough to understand your situation. She slowly take her mom’s hand and squeeze it.

« We need to run little guys, Mommy is sick okay ? Hurry up ! » I say and start running.

« Jungwon... My kitten... My lovely husband... Thank you for everything... » I can feel her faint breath on my neck.

« Stay with me baby ! Don't leave me ! I need you ! We need you ! No..! I love you ! » I cry desesperately, still running alongside the children, vision blurred by the tears. I don’t even know what I’m supposed to do, we are in the middle of a wide forest, where can I find the necessary to heal her ?! The place I come from is too far from here and monsters can appear at any moment. With her on my back I will not be able to protect the children !

« Take care of them for me, will you ? I love you all so much, thank you... for making me feel love... for » she grunts, « for making me your wife... thank you for those beautiful children... Tell them that I will always... always love them... and... » she coughs up, « and... I... will always be... by... their side... » the weight on my shoulder indicates me that she gave all her strenght left. I stop and lay her down.

« Baby ! Answer me ! Please ! Y/N !! Y/N !! » I call out, looking like a mess, tears won't stop and the children start to cry. I shake her by her shoulders, scream, I try everything to wake her up.

She opened her eyes one last time before whispering…

« I'm not worried... I Love You... » were her last words.

----------

*You have reach the end of the story ! We invite you to chose another world or another story here !*

Hohoho I hope you enjoyed the work of our majestuous Queen ! She will be delighted if you write down your feelings on this paper !

Hoping that you, my Highness, try other worlds suggested.

Please may I be excused.

[hiroshikoi]

Romanticizing Your Toxic Traits

Pick a Pile: Intuitive Reading

Pile One-Pile Two-Pile Three

Not that the traits that will be mentioned is all bad, but we’re also talking about what may contribute to you accidentally treating someone badly/making someone (ultimately) feel (and be treated as) less than.

This is a shorter reading but it may be because y’all are just great people yk.

Thank you for 200 followers already 😳

How to Pick a Pile: Take the time to look at each picture above. Which one sparks a memory? What emotions do you feel? Do you feel anything at all? If all piles spark a memory, choose which one is the strongest. If none, try to go with the one that draws you in the most otherwise, these messages are not meant for you (at this time).

1 • Pile One

“I love the way you come home to me with your skin flushed. Sweat somehow thinly coated throughout your whole body, the strong smell of your cigarette, having lit not too long ago mixed with a faint scent of floral perfume.

Tasting cherry chapstick on your lips…you kiss me, not to make me feel good or because you’re in love with me but simply because you could. I hope you forgive me for raising my voice at you earlier I didn’t mean it! I-I’m so—uh.. N-nevermind.”

Some of your toxic traits may be that you can be independent to a fault. You do whatever you want. You don’t ask for anyone’s permission (on how to live your life). Quite nonchalant, and when you’re unhappy with how someone treated you, you give them the silent treatment or give them the cold shoulder. You don’t do it “purposely” in the sense that… you’re just like “so that’s how its gonna be? Well okay then.” You’re detached and its so hot. You may also have a resting bored or resting b*tch face.

2 • Pile Two

“You’re right, you’re always right. What I did was humiliating, not just for me but for you. I’m sorry. It won’t happen again, I promise.

Yes, we could buy that. You need to borrow some of mine? I-uh well.. of course. Here you go, I know you just need to own one more of those.

I can’t se—actually I’ll just sit over there. You can sit however you like.”

One of your more toxic traits may be you calling out people’s behavior. Toxic in the sense that sometimes, you may simply dislike how someone acts but you come off as if it is an objective truth that their behavior isn’t “acceptable”. You may care quite a bit of your reputation and are a little more logical than most and with that comes people respecting/putting a high regard to your opinions and what you say, almost again, taking it as the truth. You may also push people’s boundaries/are a little inconsiderate as you’re assertive with getting what you want (“If you didn’t like it why didn’t you just tell me? You didn’t say anything”).

3 • Pile Three

“I’ll follow you wherever you want to go. It’ll be the two of us!

Are you sure I can go here? Well okay, I’ll do it for you. (Ah this is so embarrassing though, oh well…)

I’ll show it to you like you said. I’ll wear this, you told me to.

Yes this is so much fun! I love being with you! *giggles*”

Your toxic trait is that you somehow have this authority over people (maybe based on experience, you seem to be with people who have less experience than you therefore they follow you. Whatever you do) and almost use it to your own pleasure. You like to make fun of people, and in the toxic sense, it can become sadistic as you may enjoy purposely putting people in some kind of distress (this could be in the super small scale to a bigger one. e.g. pointing out something someone explicitly told you they were feeling insecure about). Only a few can see this too, as a lot of the time you may influence the people with you to enjoy it like you do (even though they don’t) and they would really laugh with you.

[jrob64]

One Thrill Ride Leads to Another - Sneak Peek of Chapter 4 (More Thrilling Rides)

I apologize for not having Chapter 4 ready to post this week. I have three valid reasons for the delay: 1) One of my best friend’s husband died last weekend and the visitation and funeral were this past week, so it’s been very emotional 2) both people who are the betas for this story were on vacation at least part of this week and 3) the chapter is currently over 10,000 words long and I still have several more scenes planned to add to it. I hope you’ll forgive me for not living up to my promise of posting the new chapter today. 

This story still looks like it will have a total of five chapters, unless I decide to split Chapter 4 in half since it’s becoming such a monster. If you would like to start reading or get caught up, you can find the story so far here:

Tumblr: Ch 1  Ch2  Ch3

Ao3  or  ffn

Story Summary: While working at Universal’s Islands of Adventure, Killian Jones meets Emma Swan, slips his name and number into her phone, and later sends her a text asking her out. His snap decision could lead to her blocking his number, or to an adventure much more thrilling than a ride on a roller coaster. 

Rating: M (for smut in Chapter 4)

Words: (Chapters 1-3) 16,790

Thank you @kmomof4​​ and @hookedmom​​ for your beta skills and a special thank you to @snowbellewells​​ for your wonderful, heartwarming reblogs! I’m so glad you’re enjoying this story!

*********

They quickly stored their belongings, keeping their towels, sunscreen and sunglasses, and went in search of beach chairs in a convenient area of the park. It didn’t take them long to find four chairs together, where they spread out their towels. The guys tugged their shirts over their heads while Emma and Ruby removed their cover ups.

As soon as Killian laid eyes on Emma in her high cut swimsuit, his mouth went dry and his cock twitched in his trunks. Catching her eyes, he could see the hunger in her gaze, too.

Tendrils of heat were coursing through her as she took in his body, now clad only in low-slung swim trunks. She’d gotten a brief glimpse of him after his shower earlier that morning, but standing this close to him made her long to run her fingertips over the defined muscles of his chest and arms.

“Now we’re all gonna do the responsible thing and put on sunscreen before we do anything else, right?” Ruby stated emphatically, handing the bottle to Graham, who was taking in her suit with hungry eyes. “I don’t want to get so sunburned that it hinders other, more enjoyable activities tonight. I’d like to maintain the option of being flat on my back.” Graham returned her wink, then eagerly took the bottle, squirted some into his hands and started applying it to her exposed skin.

Killian looked at Emma. “I can put some on your back, if you’d like.”

“Sure,” she said, plucking the bottle off of her towel and tossing it to him. Then she sat on the end of the chaise lounge and pulled her ponytail over her shoulder.

He straddled the seat behind her and popped open the lid, pouring a generous amount into his palm. After rubbing his hands together, he began smoothing it over her upper back, spreading his hands toward her shoulders.

Emma closed her eyes and bit her lower lip as his fingers massaged her skin. Every swipe of his hand spread a warmth through her that had nothing to do with the sun, and everything to do with her attraction to him. It was all she could do not to moan at his touch.

At the same time, Killian was fighting with his libido, too. Her skin was soft and silky beneath his fingers and he wanted to explore more of it. A lot more. When he finished liberally applying the lotion, he was disappointed not to have an excuse to keep touching her, at least for the time being.

“All done,” he informed her, rising from the chair.

She gave him an appreciative smile and took the bottle from him. He bent to retrieve his own bottle and when he turned toward her again, the feelings he had just fought down rose to the surface again. She was slathering lotion on her chest, her straps pulled down a bit so she could get underneath, giving him a tantalizing peek at the top of her breasts.

Swallowing hard, he sat down on his own chair to hide the evidence of his reaction, and busied himself with applying sunscreen to his legs and the tops of his feet. Every once in a while, he would sneak a glance at Emma, just to see her rubbing lotion on the glistening skin of her arms and standing to apply it to the front and back of her legs. He knew sunscreen was supposed to protect people, but he was beginning to think it was going to be the death of him.

“Want some help with that?” her voice cut through his thoughts.

Her question caught him off-guard, wondering if she was offering to help him with the issue she was responsible for causing. Surely she wasn’t suggesting what his mind was picturing? He shifted in his seat, hoping his trunks weren’t noticeably tented. “Um, with what?”

“Putting sunscreen on your back.”

“Oh, uh, yeah. That would be great, thanks.”

Only it wasn’t great when her hands touched his heated skin, causing his problem to continue to grow. By the time she was finished, he was well past half-mast and was wondering if he was going to be able to hide it when he stood up.

The contact was affecting Emma, too. She spent far longer than necessary rubbing her hands across the broad expanse of his back, over his shoulders, and down his biceps, her fingers on his bare skin sending sensual and pleasurable shivers throughout her body.

“Are you guys ready?” Graham asked, bursting the bubble of lust around the couple. Emma gave Killian’s shoulders one more squeeze, then stood up on wobbly legs.

“Where,” Killian began, his voice cracking on the word. He cleared his throat and tried again. “Uh, what do you want to do first?”

“I think a nice, cool dip in the wave pool sounds good,” Ruby said. “Why don’t we start there since we’re close to it anyway?”

“Makes sense to me,” Graham agreed. “How about you guys?”

Killian sighed in relief. Cool water within close proximity was just what he needed. He looked at Emma, who nodded with an eager look on her face. “We’re in. Lead the way, Ruby,” he said.

Waiting until all of them turned to walk away, he stood up, adjusted himself the best he could in his swim trunks, and waddled after them.

*********

Please hang in there. I will definitely post Chapter 4 next Sunday!

Tagging: @xsajx​​ @hookedmom​​ @kymbersmith-90​​ @kmomof4​​ @lassluna​​ @pirateherokillian​​ @teamhook​​ @stahlop​​ @elizabeethan​​ @whimsicallyenchantedrose​​ @resident-of-storybrooke​​ @therooksshiningknight​​ @jennjenn615​​ @lfh1226-linda​​ @ilovemesomekillianjones​​ @killianswannn​​ @stories-enchanted​ @eleveneitherway​​ @withheartfulloflove​​ @kday426​​ @lyssapup27​​ @swanlovato @djlbg​​ @kristi555​​ @laschatzi​​ @xarandomdreamx​​ @lkles08​​ @wyntereyez​​ @bubblegum1425​​ @xhookswenchx​​ @yasbio2015​​ @tiganasummertree​​ @winterbaby89​​ @wefoundloveunderthelight​​ @hollyethecurious​​ @let-it-raines​​ @jonesfandomfanatic​​ @searchingwardrobes​​ @dreamingdreamsalways​​ @oncechicagolove​​ @andiirivera​​  @gingerchangeling​​ @everything-person​ @klynn-stormz​​ @qualitycoffeethings​​ @vampcoffeegyrl23​​ @enchanted-swans​​ @ohmakemeahercules​​ @donteattheappleshook​​ @bluewildcatfanatic​​ @the-darkdragonfly​​ @demisexualemmaswan​​ @lavenderbudd​​ @grimmswan​​ @spartanguard​​ @flslp87​​ @ultraluckycatnd​​ @thisonesatellite​​ @captainswan21​​ @zaharadessert​​ @mariakov81​​ @snowbellewells​​ @xouatxcs​​ @kiwistreetswan​​ @batana54​​ @nadine200179​​ @probalicious17​​ @courtorderedcake​​ @julesep3026​​ @jackieorioncat​​ @whatthehell102082​​ @jarienn972​​ @sthonour​​ @linda8084​​  @pirateprincesslena​​ @daxx04​​ @winterbythesea​​ @artistic-writer​​ @cocohook38​​ @captainswan4life85​​ @molly958​​ @kingofmyheart14​​ @badwolfreturns​​ @itsfridaysomewhere​​@fallingforthecaptain​​  @onceratheart18​​ @strangestarlighttree​​ @omgmarvelousmorgan​​ @justanother-unluckysoul​​ @mrs-potato-but-likes-tomato​​ @anothersworld​​ @deckerstarblanche​​ @purplehawkcaptain​​  @superchocovian​​ @k-leemac​​ @citygirlscowboy​​ @laughterandbooks​​ @sotangledupinit​​ @apiratewhopines​​ @huntressandlioness1​​ @cosette141​​  @gingerpolyglot​​ @motherkatereloyshipper​​ @cs-rylie​

[makeste]

BnHA Chapter 325: Deku VS the Outside of U.A. ~Conclusion~

Previously on BnHA: Ochako was all “dear bloodthirsty mob, this kid you see standing before you has fought harder than anyone and put his life on the line to protect you all, so please chill the fuck out, jesus christ. like, putting aside that he’s humanity’s best hope and so it’s very much in your best interests to let him rest and recover someplace safe so that he can keep fighting for us, are y’all seriously going to turn away an injured and exhausted child in front of his sobbing mother?? seriously?? come on now.” I’m paraphrasing here but that’s basically how it went down. Anyway so then the mob was all, “...” and Deku collapsed to his knees in tears, and Gigantic Fox Lady and Kouta ran over to give him a hug but then the chapter ended.

Today on BnHA: Horikoshi is all “FINE, YOU CAN HUG HIM”, which, was that so hard?? The U.A. Clown Mob is all “come to think of it, we’ve kind of been taking the heroes for granted this entire time, maybe we should be less passive in the future. anyway so Deku if it’s not too much to ask, can you please save everyone and fix everything.” Deku is all “I sure can, and by the way I forgive you for swarming around all menacingly two minutes ago and trying to deny me basic shelter and stuff.” Ectoplasm is all, “hey Todogang get a load of this. [walks in a circle].” Hawks is all, “that’s literally the greatest thing I’ve ever seen.” Rat Principal is all, “anyway so that’s what your students did today, hope you’re enjoying your new *~*ROBOT LEG*~*, Aizawa.” Aizawa is all “[lots of exposition about Kurogiri and for some reason, Toga, while being all brooding and sexy].” All Might is all “[standing here right outside of U.A. doing absolutely nothing and being foreboding AF]” and that immediately sucked away all of the warm fuzzy feelings from the hugs, goddammit.

each new week has become a waiting game of “when will Deku finally get to take a bath so people will actually be willing to go near him and give him the hugs he deserves.” the stakes have never been so compelling. I’ve almost forgotten about AFO entirely

lmaoooooo

me: for the love of god will someone please give Deku a hug before I die of old age

Mineta: YOU GOT IT!! --

Iida: [SWIFTLY CUTS HIM OFF] NOT YOU

fucking losing it at Mineta’s crying face. he really wanted to hug him. I legit feel bad but this is also the funniest thing I have seen all week, omg

somehow Kouta, who last week was only a hand’s breadth away from touching Deku’s head, is now twenty miles away from him in this new chapter

can I make a Loki reference here. is this recap a good place to insert a joke about someone using a TVA time-rewinding device to fuck with my poor boy Kouta over here. well anyway there it is

AND NOW HE’S BACK ALL OF A SUDDEN OMG

(ETA: since when is he “niichan” omg?? can’t handle this cuteness.)

BUT THEY’RE STILL NOT HUGGING HIM FFFFKFFFFF. WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO. WHO DO I HAVE TO BRIBE AND/OR BLACKMAIL

OH NO KOUTA IS CRYING THAT’S IT I’M DONE FOR

“when I heard that lady I knew that I had to go, but then stop again within inches of actually touching you because you smell like week-old rotten onions.” listen Kouta, I’m not saying I don’t get it, but you all can’t keep doing this to me. it’s the way you guys keep teasing it. like, if you’re gonna hug him, hug him. don’t just stand there with your arms held rigidly out in front of you like a molded action figure

OH MY GOSH BUT HE SAID THE THING

KOUTA SWOOPING IN AT THE LAST MINUTE TO TAKE ALL THE CREDIT FOR FIXING DEKU LIKE THAT ONE KID IN THE GROUP PROJECT WHO DOES ABSOLUTELY NOTHING BUT STILL TAGS HIS NAME ONTO THE REPORT ANYWAY, WHAT A KNAVE

GASP

(  ´͈ ᗨ `͈ )

SHE PICKED HIM UP LIKE A LITTLE BABY OMG?? she just leaned right over and lifted this child like he was a small animal. like a lil baby futon that she was about to hang up to dry. oh my god

-- HEY WHAT

(: well that’s extremely fucked up. though sadly not too surprising given what we just saw these past couple chapters

incidentally, I hope that anyone who was legitimately defending the civilians’ perspective earlier takes note here of how quickly that line of thinking -- “we’re just trying to keep our families safe” and all that-- can lead to straight up bigotry. if you’re willing to deny a child shelter and protection simply because he’s not YOUR child, and because you’ve decided based on Internet rumors (no real-world parallels there, I’m sure) that he might present a threat, it’s really not that much further of a leap to discriminating against entire groups of people simply because you perceive those groups as being dangerous. I’m sure the people who turned Gigantic Fox Lady away also told themselves afterwards that they did it to protect their families. “better safe than sorry.” “she’ll be fine, someone will take her in, but as for us, we can’t afford to take that risk.” people can come up with all kinds of justifications for treating other people as less than human, and the really scary thing about it is how fucking easy it is

one last quick side note, which is that Horikoshi does a great job here of showing how scapegoating works, given that AFO is the one who’s really to blame and who presents the actual threat, and yet Deku is the one who ultimately winds up being the target of the mob’s fear and outrage despite him being as much of a victim as they are. gotta love that irony, which unfortunately plays out far too often in the real world as well.

anyway I’ll get off my soapbox now, sorry about that. let us continue

YES, FINALLY OH MY GOD!!!!

AND THAT’S THE STORY OF HOW GIGANTIC FOX LADY BECAME THE GREATEST HERO. PACK IT ALL UP, WE’RE DONE HERE KIDS

holy shit. the real MVP right there. thanks for getting it done champ

jesus christ I have had it up to here with these people

literally the bar is set so low at this point that I’ll go ahead and take it. helping him because it offers them a tactical advantage is at least one step up from not helping him at all

“WHY NOT SHIKETSU” MOTHERFUCKER I SWEAR TO GOD

-- thank you!!

okay this one guy with the antennae hair is having himself a character development speedrun here

-- okay, but this part?? fucking this part, right here??

can we repeat that again?? the part where this guy acknowledges that the problems of hero society were caused not just by said heroes, but also by said society?? the part where he acknowledges that they treated the heroes like celebrities who were putting on a show for them?? the part where he acknowledges that when push came to shove, the vast majority of those heroes, when faced with a situation that offered no reward, were nonetheless willing to put their lives on the line to protect the very same people who then turned around and blamed them rather than thanking them?? are the civilians of BnHA even allowed to have actual deep thoughts about this stuff. holy shit

bro!!

ANTENNAE HAIR GUY SHOVING KOUTA AND GIGANTIC FOX LADY OUT OF THE WAY TO SLAP HIS NAME ONTO THE END CREDITS AS EXECUTIVE PRODUCER. CONGRATULATIONS SON YOU FIGURED OUT THE CORE PHILOSOPHICAL QUESTION AT THE VERY HEART OF THE MANGA. WAY TO GO BUD

meanwhile, on today’s episode of “one more chapter to go till the big volume cliffhanger, how else can I drag things out let’s see”

it’s a panel. of people’s feet. just a bunch of normal feet. with sneakers and shit

this All Might shirt guy is getting more screentime in this arc than 90% of the class 1-A kids

I guess I’m supposed to feel sorry for this dude now that he’s all “if we let you stay here do you promise to somehow magically fix every single problem that we are now currently facing?” those are some ridiculously exacting standards my dude. come on now

KACCHAN SIGHTING

thank fuck I’m not the only one who’s thoroughly unimpressed by absolutely all of this lol. I feel better now. meanwhile Iida and Kouda and Kiri are ready to run over there and hug them all. you guys are way too forgiving. damn you and your pure hearts

anyway so Deku’s like “yeah, definitely”

(ETA: almost forgot to comment on the “I’m no longer alone” part – he basically corrects the guy and says “sorry, but you’ll need to direct that question towards all of us, not just me, because moving forward we’re a team.” good stuff.)

you know what though, all joking aside... fuck yeah. because perfect victory, right. the strongest guys don’t settle for anything less. so I guess Deku has pretty exacting standards himself

also can you all just take a look at this fucking kid who’s got so much light in his eyes now that I’m gonna need eclipse goggles. hot damn. “you’re welcome” says All Might Shirt Guy as he is frantically interviewed by several local news networks asking him how he daringly managed to save Deku all by himself. “well I guess I’ve just never been the kind of guy who can sit back and let a bunch of rabble-rousers blame a little kid for all of humanity’s problems. someone had to step in and take action, you know?”

oH MY GOD THE SCENE IS FINALLY ENDING

don’t let the door hit you on your way out All Might Shirt Guy

but meanwhile, sudden Tododrama action??

oh shit

there are honestly so many ways in which Ochako’s very moving speech could have wildly backfired that I genuinely have no clue where this is headed lol. how exciting!!

so now Horikoshi is once again stalling for time with random filler panels, but this one is 10x better than the shoes lol omg

(1) was Ectoplasm’s jacket always this oversized. (2) did you guys know that if you go back to chapter 319 you can see that Horikoshi gave us a sneak peak at Enji’s Sad Detective disguise and I in fact made a joke about it in the 319 recap not realizing it was actually the stone cold truth. (3) did Shouto deliberately speed up out of impatience because Hawks was walking so fucking slow and he couldn’t take it any longer. (4) and what, I ask you, is up with these dramatic speedlines. so many mysteries here. what a masterpiece

everyone is acting all shocked about something ahh what’s going on

wait what

what the heck. did they just loop around behind everyone. what was the point of that lol. “anyway, so this is what they look like from the back” well okay, thanks for that Ectoplasm

(ETA: so it seems like they were actually hanging out someplace else away from the crowd this whole time, I guess? here I thought they had more faith in Enji’s disguise. I guess Shouto and Hawks don’t particularly want to attract this crowd’s attention themselves right now either, though.)

I am so fucking confused lmao

speaking of All Might WHERE THE FUCK IS HE lol. but yes, good, OFA brings everyone together, and Hawks is very deeply moved about this out of the blue all of a sudden. you know how it is

aw heck yeah now this is another filler panel I can get behind

Mineta really wants that hug, good lord. I genuinely love this actually. Mineta if you could just stay little and cute and keep crying about how much you love your classmates in a non-gross way for the rest of the series I would be so appreciative. you’re doing great

IIDA IS HOLDING DEKU’S HAND THIS IS NOT A DRILL. ONE TIME WASN’T ENOUGH FOR MY MAN HE’S ADDICTED NOW

what did I tell you. Kiri wants to get all of the mob’s autographs now. Kiri you’re a peach

Shouji having a conversation with another mutant type is a very nice touch! we really need to get to his backstory soon. I feel like that casual remark from GFL earlier was kind of hinting at more to come

is this the first time we’ve ever seen the Yaoyorictionary in action?? never forget that Viz tried to call it the “Yaoyorozu Reference Book” because they hate fun

last but not least, KAMIBAKU IS BACK ON THE MENU, FUCK YEAH. Kaminari trying to spice things up and introduce a little bit of controversy by smacking Kacchan on the back of the head for god knows what. I will be deeply disappointed after this if I can’t find at least one person unironically declaring that KamiBaku is now toxic and abusive

lfkdlWLWK TODODRAMA??

oh my god. Shouto’s face. Enji’s face. the back to “oyaji” again. the blunt, not-taking-no-for-an-answer, “I don’t know how much louder the universe can scream at you that doing things alone is not it, so hopefully you got the point” directness of it. fffdlkslj I’m so ready for this Horikoshi please don’t fuck it up my expectations are so high

HOLY FUCK

I SCROLLED DOWN AND HE WAS ALL “( ❛‿❛)” AND I JUST WASN’T FUCKING EXPECTING THAT OKAY. JESUS CHRIST. GIVE ME A SEC

lol okay moment over and now Enji’s pulling his hat down all dramatically like a world-weary Cowboy

OH MY GOD WERE YOU FACETIMING??

AHHHHHHHHH

(ETA: not to put Iida down or anything, but it’s kind of strange that Aizawa is all “the class rep sure did great” when Ochako is the one that was giving that whole big speech for like twenty minutes just now lol.)

(ETA 2: “thank god Iida stepped in just in the nick of time to keep Mineta from hugging Deku.” sorry Mineta I really do like you lately but it’s still low-hanging fruit lol.)

HE LOOKS SO SAD??! HE LOOKS LIKE HEARTBREAK ITSELF??! I AM BESOUGHT WITH THE URGE TO REACH INTO MY SCREEN AND PULL HIM INTO THE SAFETY OF MY ARMS??? MY GOD, AND I THOUGHT DEKU NEEDED HUGS

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH okay I was gonna just hold down the letter H for a full minute and count it out loud but within about ten seconds I realized I needed to chill lol

-- but then again NO, I DON’T NEED TO CHILL, I HAVE ZERO CHILL, ACTUALLY, BECAUSE IT’S AIZAWA WITH A ROBOT LEG AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

COMPLETE WITH ROBOT TOES FOR THAT EXTRA TOUCH OF AUTHENTICITY!! I LIKE HOW HORIKOSHI PUT ALL THIS EXTRA “!!!” EMPHASIS AROUND IT IN CASE WE COULD SOMEHOW POSSIBLY FAIL TO TAKE NOTICE. “REMEMBER, EVERYONE?” SAYS HORIKOSHI HELPFULLY. “REMEMBER THAT TIME AIZAWA CHOPPED OFF HIS OWN LEG?” oh wow now that you mention it we somehow forgot all about that. like who do you take us for

OH NO NOT THE SAD BOYFRIEND ANGST THAT I WAS SECRETLY LOOKING FORWARD TO WITH GLEE

well at least he’s not M.I.A. or back with the villains again like I thought he might be. still, that’s gotta be brutal to know your friend is in there somewhere, but to not be able to reach him again no matter how hard you try. that’s the kind of angst that pays off in final battles just when you most expect it. such is my hope, at any rate

what’s this now??

trying to decide if this is Horikoshi’s way of saying don’t worry about that, or his way of saying definitely worry about that lol

anyway so Aizawa is out here being all irresponsibly handsome once again. when is someone going to do something about him

here for Sexy Robot Leg Eyepatch Aizawa clenching his fists and making speeches about revenge. pretty sure we’re all here for that

WELL, WELL, WELL

IT’S ABOUT FUCKING TIME

I’M VERY GLAD YOU’RE ALIVE AND SEEMINGLY WELL, THOUGH!

BUT WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK THOUGH, ALL MIGHT

ffff. bracing myself for that cliffhanger next week. you’d better not touch one hair on this man’s head Horikoshi. I’m watching you 

[jechristine]

I’m still thinking about Peter’s decision at the end of NWH to renege on his promise to MJ. She asked him come find her after Dr. Strange’s spell, to come remind her of their love and lives together. Peter said he would and then decided not to.

One main theme across all of MJ’s lines in NWH is that she and Peter and Ned? were a team, were going to face threats and suffering together, were going to help each other. I thought this was a lovely set of sentiments to give to MJ because they show that she’s not only loving but potentially heroic, too, at least in spirit.

But then what?

I’ve contrasted Peter’s donut-shop decision with one of Peter & Gwen’s final exchanges in TASM2.

(Relevant part starting at 1:35):

I think this is an obvious comparison given that Andrew’s Peter was dropped into the middle of Peter & MJ’s love story in NWH. I wonder what Andrew’s Peter would have thought about Tom’s Peter’s donut shop decision. Did he learn anything from Gwen? I’d love an interviewer to ask Andrew that, actually.

But ANYWAY.

There is another context that’s been in the back of my mind. Maybe it’s random but it’s been there lol!

It’s about John Milton, a seventeenth-century English political activist and poet. Milton’s most well-known work is Paradise Lost, one of the best things that’s ever been written in the English language imho.

PL is about Genesis’s Adam & Eve story. One question that Milton tackles is why would God put the tree in Eden if he, omniscient, knew that Eve would be tempted, bite the fruit, and share it with Adam? Why not just omit the tree to sidestep all the suffering?

For Milton, the answer is that the tree is a symbol of free will. Without the choice to disobey, there is no choice to obey. Without the tree, Adam & Eve would be little more than robots programmed to honor God, and that’s not what God wanted them to be. He wanted Adam & Eve to freely love him because he wanted to be freely loved (I’m paraphrasing Milton lol)

Earlier in his life, because he was a political activist, too, Milton wrote essays on a bunch of things, but relevant to my thoughts here are his essays about 1) divorce and 2) book-banning. By the standards of his time, he was very progressive. He argued for legal divorce because he believed that the sacred commitment of marriage was worthless without both partners’ ongoing choice to stay in it, and they would only have that choice if they knew they had an out. He argued against the banning of books because he believed that people should have the opportunity to read bad or even evil ideas so that they could make the noble choices to reject them. (And this was an era when the literally Puritanical gov’t was literally burning books, and obviously there were no back-up clouds or even enough printed copies to make sure that the ideas survived the bonfires at all.)

Anyway, Milton’s idea, which he worked out over a lifetime and which culminated in PL, was that choice is a necessary part of the human experience, and this is so not only despite the risks of bad decisions that lead to suffering but, in fact, because of those risks. Without the opportunities to make bad choices that may harm us, we cannot truly choose, and so we cannot be fully human.

Another way to think about Milton’s idea is that without the opportunities to make heroic choices—and moral, intellectual, emotional, and physical risk that those choices entails—we cannot become heroes (in spirit, at least).

Actually, I think NWH is very invested in this set of ideas, too. The film gives Peter lots of opportunities to make heroic choices: the decision to direct Dr Strange’s final spell is the most noteworthy, and I suppose Peter’s decision to walk away from MJ is another example.

But this very opportunity is what Peter takes from MJ.

P.S. I know NWH left open the possibility that MJ, if she returns on screen, will figure out Peter’s Spidey identity. That’s fine but a separate point. I don’t forgive Peter just yet, and I hope MJ won’t either.



[cow-smells]

You’re Mine [Eli Hawk Moskowitz x Reader]

Requests: 1. there’s a new girl on miyagi-do, she’s classmates with sam, hawk, miguel, tory, robby, demetri, etc... for some reason, she and hawk didn’t like each other (he can be on cobra kai or eagle fangs, that’s your choice), and one day they make a bet, which this girl wins. hawk has to be her slave for a whole week. BONUS IDEA: a stolen kiss during a fight. maybe admitting feelings for each other? i’d love that! ( @berriewrites​ ) 2. love the hawk smut but i’d also love some fluffy hawk about him secretly liking the reader who’s in miyagido but he tries to act all tough and hide it (anon) 3. AHHH CAN WE GET SOME HAWK FLUFF!? I love the idea where you swear that you don’t like him and you guys make eye contact from a distance when he’s standing with his friend group and you’re standing with yours and you get flustered and he can tell and he smirks and just ahh (anon)

A/N: this took so longggg this came out longer than expected (and honestly i could go on, but i wanted to get this out already) + real life has come hitting all at once and its been overwhelming lol. thanks for being patient and sticking around <3 i enjoyed writing some fluff (amidst a flurry of smut reuests loool :)

Words: 2981

Warnings: none

Read this on AO3

Summary: You don't like Hawk. He's a bad person, that much you know for sure. You're ready to make his life miserable when he loses a bet with you, but then you actually have to spend time with him...

   You didn't like this.

Forgiveness seemed to be a virtue that evaded you. Eagle-fang and Miagi-Do were uniting and everyone seemed to be all for the union – except for you.

Some things were simply unforgivable. For you, Hawk breaking Demetri's arm was one of them.

You and Demetri became nearly inseparable friends when you both joined Miagi-Do. He had told you all about his former friend Eli and how he'd abandoned him in the favor of bullying him in any way he could come up with; that bullying taking a turn to the extreme when Hawk took to breaking bones.

    Demetri had since forgiven him, but you hadn't.

Demetri had a softer heart than he let on, and he missed Eli terribly, so when the latter suggested they work together he gladly accepted.

But you were more objective about the situation, as you weren't a part of it, and forgiving such cruelty was beyond you.

    The one good thing about the dojos coming together was the intense dedication that grew on everyone. Now that you had a common enemy, many participants would hang around in Miyagi-Do's dojo long after training sessions, training until you could hardly move your limbs.

     The sun had ago long fallen when you and the remaining students took places around a mat, ready for the sparring session to begin.

With Daniel and Sensei Lawrence gone, you had taken to writing down names and pulling them out of a bowl to decide on sparring partners.

    All the negative emotions you felt channeled in to great excitement when Miguel called your name – followed by Hawk's.

You could have sworn you saw a look of something you couldn't read – concern, perhaps, or fear? Before he seemed to share your excitement as he stepped on to the mat with a grin that was almost predatory.

    Two could play at that game.

    “You're as good as dead,” you said, your voice dripping venom. Hawk's smirk just grew.

    “Is that so, princess? I'd like to see you score as much as a point.”

A light bulb lit in your mind.

    “Yeah?” you taunted. “What if I get three?”

Hawk laughed. “You got a lot of confidence, don't you? I'll tell you what. If you can score three points on me and win, I'll...” He bit his lip as he thought. “I'll let you boss me around for a week. Whatever you want.”

The blood rushed through your veins, ready more than ever to fight. You were grateful for the lack of your sensei, knowing this nonsense wouldn't stand if he were here.

    “Deal.”

    “Are you guys done?” Miguel huffed, standing between you two, ready to referee. “Good. Bow.”

    You bowed without intent and got straight to attacking. Hawk didn't expect it; he came from the dojo that prides itself on strike first and yours cared mainly about defense. You earned your first point within seconds.

    That only served to throw Hawk off his game further. He dived in right away for the attack and was caught unprepared when you fell, sweeping his leg.

    You earned your second point.

By that point, Hawk might as well have been fuming out the ears. His brows furrowed in anger as he looked at you like you were the most vile thing he had ever seen; that satisfied something within you.

    The flurry of hits and misses was so rapid you were caught unprepared when you managed to land a punch on Hawk, Miguel's voice rising as he named you victor.

    Hawk huffed, clearly exerted. You smiled. “You're mine.”

You were fully intending to use this bet to its full potential.

The next day was Saturday, and Hawk, true to his word, showed up at your doorstep at 9 p.m sharp, just as you had ordered.

You paid him no kindness when you opened the door, not exchanging a word with him before demanding: “Helmet?”

Hawk handed you a helmet, not looking particularly pleased about the situation but not being able to stop himself from taking in an eyeful of you anyway.

You needed a ride to tonight's party – that's where Hawk came in, beginning his work for you as a personal valet. Accordingly for the event, you were dressed meticulously, showing off your best features – and if you were to judge by Hawks reaction, you were on your way to turn heads.

You climbed on the motorcycle after him, circling your arms around him loosely; but when he kicked off and started the ride, you couldn't help but tighten your hold.

    The party was overcrowded with people from the moment you got there; Yasmine's parties tended to get a bit... excessive.

You ditched Hawk the moment you got sight of your friends, ditching the helmet on his bike to run over to Sam, Moon and Yasmine.

Yasmine didn't hide the dirty look she sent at Hawk. “Ew. Who's the freak?”

You grinned proudly. “My valet. Ignore him. Actually...”

You looked over to the drinks table; someone had tapped a keg and it was being swarmed with people.

    “Hey, Hawk!”

Hawk turned to you, the slightest furrow in his brow as he had already joined his own friends. You pointed at the drinks table. “Vodka soda!” you ordered.

He rolled his eyes, but did it anyway. Your friends watched wide-eyed as he obeyed you wordlessly, bringing over the drink. “Anything else, princess?”

    “Yes,” you gave him a judging once-over. “Don't drink tonight. I want to get home in one piece.”

He bit his cheeks and glared at you before growling “Fine” and returning to his friends.

At some point you didn't even want a drink any more, it was just fun ordering Hawk to go fetch you another one; and so, you found yourself unintentionally drunk, laughing mindlessly at anything said and swaying on your feet.

You didn't even know how late it had gotten when Hawk came in the living room looking for you, ready to go home as most the others already had.

You had earlier made him promise to take you home as well, and – something you were quickly learning was, Hawk was definitely a man of his word. He spotted you half-sprawled on the couch, laughing with Yasmine at something you didn't fully register. Your cup was askew in your hand, contents about to spill over when Hawk grabbed it out of your hand, placing it on a table nearby.

    “Come on, Y/n. It's time to go.”

    “Not yet!” you grinned gleefully, taking hold of his wrist and shaking it dumbly as you spoke. “Later! We're having fun!”

Hawk placed his free hand on yours that held him. “It's four AM, Y/n, time to call it a night.”

    You didn't reply, instead resorting to pouting like a child.

His eyes softened (the puppy eyes never failed to work) – but his jaw clenched. “If you don't come now I'm leaving you here.”

    “Fine!” you hurriedly rose to your feet, using Hawk for balance. “Bye,” you pouted at Yasmine childishly as Hawk pulled you away from her and out of the house.

The sudden quiet of the outside was nearly overwhelming, Hawk's voice sounding too loud for you. “How am I supposed to get you home when you're this drunk?”

    “I'm not drunk,” you answered instinctively, knowing that you very well were.

    “If you can make it to the bike in a straight line, I'll believe you.” You look at his bike, ten feet ahead. You decide to keep holding on to him. “That's what I thought. Listen. You gotta stay awake, okay? I can't have you falling off in the middle of the road, or making me sway, because then we're both dead. Got it?”

    “Dead. Got it.”

Hawk didn't look convinced, but placed a helmet on you and buckled it anyway.

It was about ten minutes in to the ride when Hawk pulled over. He turned to you, his voice as serious as he could make it; you simply smiled, somewhat dazed. “This isn't going to work.”

    “Hm?”

    “Y/n!” Hawk called, trying to wake you up a little. “Don't fall asleep!”

    “Yes, sensei.” you slurred. Had you been any more awake, you might have noticed the way Hawk's eyes widened at that.

Hawk had to refocus himself to go on. “I'm serious. Look... My house is closer than yours. You can sleep it off at mine, and I'll take you wherever tomorrow. Okay?”

    “Okay,” you shrugged, your mind not caring about much other than regaining the warmth of Hawk's body pressed against yours.

Minutes later you pulled up at an unfamiliar house. Hawk unbuckled your helmet and set it aside, helping you off the bike and guiding you inside, motioning Shhh as he led you through the corridor of his darkened house until you reached his room.

The most natural thing for you to do the moment you saw a bed was to collapse on it. In the seconds Hawk turned his back on you to find you Pj's to wear, you had fallen asleep.

    Looking at you on his bed, Hawk exhaled heavily. He was very aware of your hatred of him; what he couldn't understand was, if everyone else forgave him, why not you?

It certainly didn't help that you looked the way you do, that you were talented, and that everyone loved you.

So Hawk undid your shoes and pulled them off, laying a blanket on you before leaving you to sleep.

    You woke up groggy, somewhat hungover and in a strangers room; an interesting start to the day.

You didn't really want to leave the comfort of your lonesome in the room but it was clear you would have to face the music at some point, so you womaned up and left the room.

Following the smell of food cooking, you walk down a hallway to find a red-haired man in the kitchen, his tattooed back to you, muscles flexing as he flipped a pancake.

With his hair down, it took you a moment to register who you're seeing; who's bed you spent the night in.

    Hawk.

Your first instinct was to groan, to cower in to yourself in regret; but then you remember how tenderly he treated you the night prior, making sure you got safely to a bed, letting you have his bed.

You swallowed your pride and stepped in to the kitchen. “Morning.”

Hawk's shoulders jumped in fright as you startled him; you couldn't help but giggle. He quickly rightened himself, straightening his back and flexing his abs as he turned to you.

    He was good looking and he knew it. You hated him.

However, you felt your power returning to you as he couldn't help but look you up and down, your disheveled clothes revealing a bit more than they had the night before. Hawk inhaled sharply, reminding himself of who he was, how he was supposed to act: unfazed.

    “Bout time you got up.”

You frowned, looking at the kitchen clock. “What do you mean about time? It isn't even noon yet.”

    “Yeah, well,” Hawk flipped a pancake on to a nearby plate. “You wanted me to take you to the mall today, right? I have practice later, so it's gotta be now.” The Eagle-fangs were holding weekend practices of their own, something you weren't a fan of.

    “Jeez, fine,” you sneered, allowing yourself to sit at the kitchen table. Amidst the chaos that was waking up in Hawks bed, you had totally forgot you previously asked him to take you out today. Yasmine's parents were making her take tutoring lessons, Moon was doing some spiritual healing thing and Sam was with Miguel, so you were left all alone – but you certainly didn't intend on spending Sunday at home, doing nothing.

    Hawk finally shut off the burner and joined you at the table with a stack of pancakes and two plates in tow. “Eat away your hangover. I'm not gonna hold your hair up if you hurl.”

Breakfast with Hawk ended up being a surprisingly civil affair; so was shopping. There was something exciting about dragging him along after you, shop after shop, having him carry your bags and modeling clothes for him. And honestly, you were loving the effect you had on him. You knew he was trying to hide it, but you could see the way he grew antsy when you tried on bikinis. You loved teasing him, knowing he couldn't have you.

    What also didn't hurt was the way you two turned heads walking down streets together. You were undeniably gorgeous, and he... While at first you thought it was the bright red mohawk that grabbed peoples eyes, after a close inspection you couldn't deny he had fair features, too. You had to look away whenever he tensed his jaw, accentuating his jawline, or if God forbid he smiled, you had to deny the way his smile made your stomach knot up.

    As though to top off the experience of him, by the time you finished shopping, Hawk would have been late if he was to take you home, so you suggested he take you to practice with him and just take you home once he was finished. And oh my... You did not need to see him fighting. Having a whole hour to see his biceps flexing as the threw punches was doing you no favors; when you were both practicing you were too busy with yourself to notice him, but right then you had a whole hour to do nothing but stare.

At the end of the practice you rose when Hawk approached you, ready to go. When his sensei understood you were waiting there for him, he asked Hawk, “Yours?”

Hawk didn't answer; he merely smirked that Hawk smirk of his. His sensei nodded proudly. “Nice.” Creep.

You had a couple more days to squeeze the most you could out of your bet, and by all means were you planning on using them.

Hawk was taking you to school and home every day on the back of his bike – to Miyagi-do, too. It became a regular thing to see you two together, and if anyone was expecting you, they expected Hawk, too.

Just as the previous mornings, you and Hawk walked in to school together. Seeing your friends, you bid him goodbye and went to join them, your eyes lingering on him a bit too long as he said hello to Miguel.

Yasmine's jaw dropped as she looked at you, her expression scandalized. “What?” you asked.

    “You're totally in to the freak!”

    “What? No,” you denied – but even as the words left your mouth, you could hear your lack of conviction. “No.”

You looked back to where Hawk and Miguel stood; this time, he caught your eye. Then, with total audacity, he winked at you.

You felt heat rush through your body.

The smirk that grew on him suggested he knew exactly what he was doing to you.

    You hated it.

Deciding to put an end to this madness, you wordlessly leave your friends and march up to Hawk, a new rage running though you.

He stopped talking with Miguel when you reached him; Miguel visibly tensed at what he felt was a dangerous situation for him to be in.

    “Sidebar,” you ordered. Hawk smirked.

    “After you, princess.”

You hoped no one would notice when you lured him in to an empty classroom, but in all honesty, it was you and Hawk. There were always eyes on you two.

You turned to him once you were engulfed in the silence of the room. “Listen. I don't know what you're playing at, but cut it out. I own you, got it? Don't go winking at me in the hallway like I'm your girlfriend or something.”

You expected to see him cower, blush, show any sign of intimidation – but there was no such emotion. The smirk he wore only grew in confidence. “You sure about that?” he asked cheekily. “Because it seems to me like you'll find any excuse to be around me.”

You couldn't believe the audacity of this boy. You were stunted for words; he went on. “Be honest with yourself. Once the week is up, you'll still find reasons to talk to me.”

You bit your cheeks; you hated how he was right, how he read you so easily. “And look, I'm done playing this game too.”

Your stomach dropped. Was he about to reject you, without you even confessing? “I'm not playing with you,” you tried to say intimidatingly, but your voice came out too small for comfort.

    “Me neither. So...” Hawk looked down at you; you could have drowned in his ocean eyes. You averted your gaze to the side, crossing your arms.

    “Fine. We can call it off early.”

Hawk chuckled. You wanted to punch him. “You still don't get it, do you?”

You returned your eyes to Hawk, ready to chew him out when he placed his hands on your cheeks, pulling you to him for a kiss.

You could feel yourself melting in to the kiss, feeling a rush of adrenaline run through you as you finally got to experience what you didn't want to admit to yourself that you craved so deeply.

When he finally pulled away, he kept his hands on you, your noses nearly touching. “I've wanted to do that for a long time,” Hawk admitted.

You half-smiled. “It's only been a week.”

Hawk had burst in laughter, his thumbs caressing your cheeks. “You still don't get it.” Before you could protest his words, his lips met your once more.

    Maybe you could find it in you to forgive him, after all.

[chubbyreaderwriter]

Joke Pt 2

Sirius Black X Chubby/Plus Size Reader

Imagine: Sirius really likes you but his reputation makes you think he’s using you for a joke. He has to prove his feelings for you but it goes horribly wrong.

Word Count: 2.3k

Warnings: none?

Part 1

Masterlist

previously

You looked him in the eyes and you sighed, “I’m sorry, I do forgive you but I don’t think we can be anything more than friends at the moment. I’ll see you around.” You turned around and walked away, wondering if you did the right thing or not. Meanwhile, Sirius was frozen in place, he admit it could’ve gone a lot worse but it wasn’t what he hoped would happen. He was glad that you forgave him but he still had to prove he was serious about you. He wanted to show you that he liked you, in fact, he was probably falling in love with you. But he wasn’t going to give up, he’d get you to fall in love with him by the end of the year...

You stared up at the ceiling of your bed, lying on your back with your hands interlocked over your stomach. It was after hours but still just a Saturday which meant you didn’t have to worry about accidentally sleeping in for class the next morning. You were lying on top of your sheets in your gryffindor-themed pyjamas, thinking about the recent events in your life. The last day or two had been unlike any other. You couldn’t believe that Sirius had humiliated you in such a way. Every time you thought about how everyone pointed and stared and laughed at you, you felt like there was a lump in your throat, feelings of dread bubbling as you realised you would have to see those people again on Monday. You could see now that Sirius might have thought it was a harmless joke, but you were sick of being the butt of the joke all the time, you were sick of being someone people thought it was okay to point and laugh at. You didn’t want to be a laughing stock.

A tap on your shoulder brought you out of your thoughts and you turned your head to see Lily’s familiar red hair falling down her face and into your view. She gave you a sympathetic smile and lightly tapped your side twice with the back of her hand, a silent request for you to move over. You complied and watched as she lay down next to you, mimicking your position, though had her head tilted to face you, “I’m really sorry (Y/N), I know he’s a prat but I thought he would at least consider your feelings. I’ll talk to him if you want? Make sure he stays away from you.” You released a deep sigh and gave Lily a small smile, she was always looking out for you, “That’s okay, you don’t need to do that. I’ll be fine.” Lily’s eyes still held a considerable amount of concern, “Are you s-”

A loud snore interrupted Lily’s next words and the two of you looked over to the bed opposite yours where a fast asleep Molly Prewett lay, open-mouthed and messy ginger locks splayed all over her pillows. You and Lily shared a look before covering your mouths to muffle your laughs as not to wake the other girl. Lily rolled onto her side to give you a quick hug, “I’ll let you go to sleep now, you need to be rested if we’re going to do all our homework tomorrow like you promised.” You mentally groaned, you’d forgotten about that. You had at least six different pieces to complete by Wednesday, but Lily liked to do it all together with you, to make sure it wasn’t late. You gave her a smile and flicked your wand to shut your curtains, muffling the noise of Molly’s snoring to help you sleep. You turned over onto your side and let out a deep breath before closing your eyes and slowly drifting to sleep.

The next day, you’d tried your best not to think about Sirius and you’d been doing well, thanks to Lily and Molly. You had all sat together with a couple other girls in your year at breakfast so your view of the marauders gang was blocked and therefore, you had no reason to think about one of them in particular. As soon as breakfast had finished, you’d been dragged away to the library to uphold your promise. You moaned and complained about all the work you had to do but one stern look from Lily shut you up as she went over the instructions for the potions homework. You hadn’t been given an opportunity to think about anything else other than work when studying with Lily. You and Molly kept trying to make excuses for why you couldn’t do the work today, but Lily reminded you both that you agreed to do this with her. You put your hands together, elbows on the table, and whined, “Come on Lily, we’ve been doing this for 3 hours straight, can we please take a break?” Molly nodded along to your begging, adding, “Yeah, my hands all cramped up from writing so much, I need twenty minutes to get back some motivation.” Lily rolled her eyes, “Fine, 15 minutes, but not a second longer.” You grinned, perking up in your seat, “Yes!”

Amidst your victory, you hadn’t noticed four gryffindor students sneaking their way into the library, desperately avoiding the librarian, and making their way over the table next to your own until they were pushing their chairs in. Their table was coincidentally located behind a large bookshelf so the librarian wouldn’t be able to see the group sitting there. You tensed up and both Molly and Lily shot you worried looks but you shook your head, silently communicating with them to say that you were fine. You heard someone clearing their throat quietly but you didn’t look up, choosing to ignore whoever it was. Lily looked over Molly’s head to see James waving her over to them. She shook her head and crossed her arms, ignoring the defeated look on Potter’s face. She turned her attention back down to the parchment paper in front of her, sorting it all out into the different subjects.

Molly leaned over to whisper in your ear, “Reckon me and you should hex their arses into next week, filthy toads.” You gave her a look of mock disappointment, “That’s not nice, toads are much better company.” Molly snorted and you giggled under your breath. Sirius heard the sound and looked over in your direction, one hand on the back of his chair and on the table to turn his torso around to gaze at you. The sound of your laughter was like music to his ears and he only wished he was the one making you laugh instead. He wished for a lot of things when it came to you actually. He wished he could hold you in his arms, he wished he could kiss you, he wished he could sweep you off your feet, he wished you had the same feelings for him as he did for you. But of course, he couldn’t make those wishes come true and was having to settle for watching you from a distance. Remus, who was sitting next to Sirius, nudged him with his shoulder, “Cut it out, you’ve been staring for ages.” Sirius reluctantly turned back around in his chair, facing James and Peter. He huffed and sulked, looking down at the table as though it was responsible for all of the wrongdoings in his life. James scoffed at his friend’s attitude, “Why are you so hooked up on this girl? You’re Sirius Black, you don’t do relationships.” Sirius only sighed in response to James’ question. It was true, he’d never felt this way about a girl before, it had scared him at first, but every time he saw you, it made him excited and it felt like there were butterflies in his stomach trying to get out. 

James and Remus shared a look with each other, if their friends was acting like this, then they knew it was serious. James pushed Peter onto his feet and told him to distract the librarian and when she saw him, she wasted no time in dragging the plump boy out by his ear, presumably to Dumbledore’s office. Sirius was oblivious as he still hadn’t taken his eyes off of you. You could feel his gaze on you and it was starting to make you feel uncomfortable, but not as much as when you saw James approaching your table. He pulled a chair up between you and Lily, resting his arms on the table, “Good morning ladies, now i believe we have to talk about the elephant in the room.” You tried not to laugh at the bored look on Molly’s face. James was unbothered by the silence and continued, turning to face you. “So, (Y/N), now that Sirius has apologised and all, what do you say you give my boy a chance huh? Don’t tell me you haven’t thought about being with the Sirius Black.” As much as you could appreciate how good of a friend James was being right now, you really wanted to punch him in the face. James flinched back and seemingly lost all his courage when he saw your face twist in anger. “I don’t care if he apologised, he embarrassed me in front of everyone. I was humiliated. How would you feel if everyone was pointing and laughing at you everywhere you went. I couldn’t even go into the common room without people whispering about me. I’m sick of being laughed at, so you go back and tell your friend that if he wants to come talk to me, then do it himself because if i hear his name come out of your mouth again, I’m going to hex you into next week.” 

James slowly nodded his head, choking out, “Message received. I’ll leave you lot to it then.” He was only too eager to head back to the others and gave Sirius a sympathy tap on the shoulder, “Yeah, I wish i could say I helped but that would be a lie, you’re welcome anyway.” Sirius visibly drooped in his chair out of defeat and Remus pulled him onto his feet by the arm, “Come on lads, we should get a move on before she comes back, I don’t feel like having my ear yanked on today.” The trio left but Sirius kept his eyes on you until you were out of sight. James and Remus stood either side of him, James put his hand on Sirius’ shoulder, “Mate, you’ve got to get over her or do something about it. You can’t just be a creep and stare at her.” Remus scoffed, “‘Cause what you do to Lily is completely different.” James went silent so Remus grabbed his friend’s attention, “Why don’t you try getting her something she likes? Think of it like a peace offering before you talk to her again.” Sirius nodded along, “Yeah alright, thanks mate.”

Earlier in the evening, you had been walking back from the Great Hall on your own, but you didn’t quite mind it that much. Sometimes it was nice to have some alone time with your thoughts. It was a bit too cold to walk outside so you headed straight for the common room, sitting on a couch, staring at the fire. You sighed as you checked your watch, deciding to wait until Lily returned from whatever she was doing to go to bed. The portrait opened and you heard soft footsteps. Out of curiousity, you turned your head to look behind you to see Sirius with something in his hand. For a brief second the two of you made eye contact and your eyes widened as you quickly turned back around to pretend like you didn’t see him. When that brilliant plan failed and you heard him walking over to you, you winced and mentally cursed yourself for not going straight upstairs. To your surprise, he didn’t sit down next to you, instead stood by your side, a little far aways as to not be too close.

He was quieter than usual, which made you look up to see his mouth open as though he wanted to say something but he couldn’t get the words out. He looked nervous and almost worried and you couldn’t believe that the man before you was actually Sirius, this was so unlike him. You furrowed your brow in concern, “Are you okay?” The worry on your face was enough to snap him out of it and he gave you a small smile, looking down at the black box he held in his hands. It was square and not overly large but not very small either and neatly tied with a dark red ribbon complete with a bow on top. He fiddled with it as he spoke, “I wanted to apologise once more about.. you know what. It was wrong of me and I hope the two of us can begin to become friends again. This is for you, I wasn’t sure what you’d like but I saw these and thought of you and so..” he paused to catch his breath and you reached your hand out to place over his, giving him a half smile, “Friends?” you said. Sirius nodded in return, handing over the box, “Friends.” Once you held the box in your hands, you started to unwrap the bow on the top of the box. Out of the corner of your eye, you noticed how he couldn’t keep still as he anticipated your reaction. Carefully, you pulled the lid off and you let out a small gasp as you looked in the box. Inside were a beautiful pair of earrings that had a gold wire wrapped around a deep red crystal. They seemed to shimmer in the reflection of the fire and you were in awe.

You put them back in the box and turned to face him once more, “I can’t accept these, it’s too much.” Sirius stepped back out of your reach in protest, “You’ve already taken them.” You rolled your eyes, gesturing towards him with the box in your hand, “Stop it, just take them back, it’s too much I mean it.” Once more, he denied your request and firmly told you, “As your friend, I insist you keep them.” You sighed in defeat and slouched down back into your seat, “Oh alright.” Sirius grinned in victory, “I’m glad you like them, so I’ll see you around then, eh (Y/L/N)?” You shook your head but were secretly smiling to yourself, “Sure thing Black.” You heard his footsteps retreating and then ascending up the stairs to the boys dormitories. Now that you were pretty much alone again, you pulled out the earrings once more to admire them, holding them in your hands and you had to urge to bring them up to hold against your chest. You’d never received such a gift before, you loved them. Maybe he really didn’t mean to hurt your feelings?

[screamin-abt-haikyuu]

A Comedy of Errors. Chapter 3: The Way of the Aces.

Please read the previous chapters before proceeding!!

Click here to read Chapter 1: Negotiations.

Click here to read Chapter 2: Suga the Setter.

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Background: Y/N is a transfer student who joined Karasuno High in her second year because her family shifted to Miyagi. She is a volleyball player and plays as a wing spiker (ace) in the Girl’s Volleyball team.

Pairing: Karasuno x fem reader || Romantic Pairing: Asahi x fem reader

NOTE: Y/N plays volleyball in this. I am not familiar with all the rules of the game so pls 2 forgive if I get any of the technicalities wrong.

Genre: Fluff and comfort with sprinkles of comedy this time! || SFW

A/N: At last, the final chapter. Hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did writing it. I really poured my entire soul into this. --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Say, since you guys are already here. Why don’t you stay and watch us practice?" Asahi's lifespan is being shortened with every word as Suga invites Y/N and Michimiya to watch them practice. Asahi waits with bated breath. Even though he is extremely nervous, a part of him does want you to stay. So, when you do say yes, he doesn't know whether to feel happy or run out of the gym screaming. As they walk off to warm up, Suga whispers to him, "I know you're probably thinking about how you're going to fuck up your play and embarrass yourself in front of her. But while you're at it, maybe you should also think about what will happen if you actually play well." Asahi nods. "Suga." "Hmm?" "Thank you. For everything you just did. I really do appreciate it." "Of course! I'm just glad it worked out well." "And you are right, I do like her. I don't know her much but I would like to." "Aha, finally some truth around here! Well, then we just gotta make sure you give her a show worth remembering!" Suga says, winking.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Michimiya had been watching the game intently, as was evident by her gasps and comments on everything. But you? You hadn't been able to keep your eyes off of Asahi the entire game. So much so, that you had barely given a second thought to the first years' amazing quick attack or Nishinoya's outstanding libero skills.

Asahi's spikes, his serves, his receives, his posture, his spirit, and his determination had you just...rapt with attention.

"In case you are wondering, yes, he is single." Michimiya's whisper startles you.

"W-what?" you start to blush. "I'm just taking notes!"

"But I didn't even specify who I was talking about."

You turn redder.

"He's really nice too, you know. A very genuine and kind person. I think you two would make a cute couple."

Your face is so hot now that you're sure you'll hear a sizzle any moment. You turn your head back towards the game to avoid Michimiya's gaze.

"I- I don't know who you are talking about."

Michimiya chuckles. "Of course you don't."

Even though you can feel Michimiya's gaze on you, you can't help but smile as you watch Asahi land another beautiful spike in the opponent's court.

You didn't know, of course, that you being around and watching him had been a huge boost of motivation for him to perform at his peak. You didn't know how he had been wondering what you were thinking about him the entire game. You didn't know how hard it had been for him to not glance at you after every move he made, just to see your reaction.

But he didn't know how you had felt either. He didn't know how your heart rate sped up every time he came on to serve. He didn't know you had also felt frustrated whenever his spike got shut down, feeling as though you had been shut down. He didn't know how you had wanted to shout and cheer him on but you hadn't because you didn't want to come off as a weirdo.

Truly, you would make a good couple.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Practice is now over. Asahi's team won both the practice matches (of course they did, Suga would not have had it any other way). You and Michimiya walk over to the third years. As Michimiya starts gushing to Daichi about their game, you turn to Asahi.

"You were really - glorious, brilliant, like a God, I wish you were spiking me instead - amazing out there," you say, your eyes full of admiration.

Asahi instantly turns a deep shade of red.

"Th-thank you." He says with a smile.

"See, I told you he is great!" Suga says with a proud smile on his face.

"You were right. Karasuno really has a very talented ace."

"No, it has two of them," Asahi says, looking at you with a smile.

Now it is your turn to blush.

"Aah, I wish. I'm not quite there yet. I'm definitely nowhere close to your level," you say.

"I would love to help you any way I can."

"I would be honoured to learn from you," you say with a bow.

Suga piped up, "It's Saturday tomorrow! The boys' gym will be free till 10AM. If you want, we can practice here early morning. Say, around 7? Asahi can teach you the techniques and I can set for you both. We'll ask Daichi and Michimiya too if they want to join." and before you can answer, Suga is off to ask Daichi and Michimiya.

Wow, he really doesn't wait for an answer, huh.

Asahi looks at you and he can see you're a little unsure. "Everything okay?"

"Yeah, it's just... I really don't want to bother you guys so early in the morning like that."

"It's no problem at all, we usually practice early on the weekends anyway." Asahi says with a reassuring smile. That seems to melt your doubts away.

Suga walks back to you. "I've spoken to the two of them, they will join us but a little later."

"It's sorted, then." you say, smiling.

Of course, Asahi was the one who ended up walking you home that night.

Of course, Suga was "late" for the morning practice the next day, giving you and Asahi a lot of time to get comfortable around each other get nervous and DIE.

Of course, situations like these happened more than a few times.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Before you know it, two months have passed. With Asahi and Michimiya's help, you improved tremendously and the Karasuno Girls Volleyball team cleared the first set of qualifying rounds for the Spring Interhigh. And so did the boys.

During this time, you and Asahi have become really good friends. Since you two live in the same area, you often end up going to school and walking home together, giving you a lot of time to talk about every topic under the sun. It took a while but you are now very comfortable around each other. In fact, Asahi himself wonders how he is able to tell you things so easily.

Both of your friend groups (and your entire school, also the neighbouring schools, random passersby, street dogs, birds flying past - you know, basically anyone with eyes) can see that you two are absolutely head-over-heels for each other. The only two people who don't know it are you two.

The way Asahi had gone out of his way to teach you everything he knew; how patiently he had walked you through every technique, every mistake; how he had sweetly asked you for permission every time before correcting your posture and showing you the right finger placement (mind outta the gutter fellas, we talking about volleyball here); how every time he did that, you felt a jolt of electricity whenever his fingers touched you (I promise it is still about volleyball); how he cares about even the littlest things regarding you; how every time he smiles reassuringly at you, the world feels all right again; how supportive and encouraging he has been through it all: You have fallen for him harder than you have ever fallen in your entire life.

And you just keep falling harder and harder every moment you spend with him. He has become your comfort now. No matter how stressed or nervous you are, just having Asahi around makes you feel much calmer and confident.

Asahi, on the other hand, has smiled more in these last two months than he has ever smiled. He can't help it, being around you just makes him feel like he is floating. He was blown away by how talented and hard working you are and is so proud of the progress you have made.

The way you are so kind to him. The way you always speak up whenever someone makes fun of him. The way you always hype him up and believe in him. The way the world seems to stop every time you smile at him. The way your laugh has become his favourite sound in the world. Asahi could not be more enamoured by you even if he tried. You too, are his comfort now. He knows he can talk to you about every "sentimental" topic on earth without being made fun of.

The only problem is: You both are afraid that this comfort you find in each other will be ruined if either of you confesses and the other does not reciprocate your feelings. It is now a waiting game to see who spikes their ball into the other's court first, if at all.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You are shaking. Partly with excitement, partly with nerves. After defeating Tohoku High, only one school remains between you and the nationals: Niiyama Joshi, one of the most powerful schools that always makes it to nationals when it comes to the Miyagi prefecture.

The boys' game had ended earlier than yours and they had already left the stadium. You were absolutely delighted to hear that they beat Seijoh. Now, they have to face Shiratorizawa, another powerhouse school that always makes it to the nationals.

You and Asahi both have your own mountains to climb tomorrow.

As you are walking out of the stadium with your teammates, you spot something.

"Hey, you guys go ahead, I will be right there." you say and turn back.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It's been a very long day but you cannot sit still at all. You cannot stop thinking about the match tomorrow. Your hands are sweaty knees weak, arms are heavy because you keep clenching your fists open and shut as you pace around your bedroom. You had hoped to be able to meet Asahi and maybe feel a little better but by the time you had reached school, the boys had already left. You know how big a day it is for him tomorrow too so you don't want to bother him by asking him to meet. However, you should at least text him and congratulate him on his victory. You open your phone and see you already have a message from him:

Asahi: Hey, I heard you guys beat Tohoku! Congratulations! I knew you could do it.

You smile.

You: Thanks, I still can't believe we did that!!! Congratulations on beating Seijoh!! I heard it was a close match.

Asahi: Thanks! Yeah, it was anyone's game by the end. It was really intense. But we managed to win. Also, I had full faith that you would make it!

You: Damn, wish I could have seen it. Sooo, Shiratorizawa next. How are you feeling?

Asahi: Really, really nervous. They're really strong and I don't think anyone believes we can beat them.

You: Well, you just gotta prove them wrong, then! I truly believe that you guys can do it.

Asahi: I really hope so. Anyway, what about you? How are you feeling about going up against Niiyama tomorrow?

You: Honestly, I cannot stop shaking and thinking about tomorrow. We are so close and I just don't want to screw up and let my team down.

Asahi: Can you get out of your house?

You stare at your phone for a moment before replying.

You: Yeah, I can sneak out the backdoor. Why?

Asahi: Sneak out after 5 minutes. I'll be there.

You: You sure about this? It's late and you need to rest for tomorrow too.

Asahi: I'm sure and I'm already on my way.

You grab your schoolbag and quietly make your way out the backdoor. You see Asahi standing outside your house. He's wearing a purple t-shirt and is carrying a bag in his hand. He smiles and waves at you as you make your way towards him. The knots in your stomach are already starting to loosen.

"Hey, Asahi!"

"Hey, Y/N, I'm sorry for making you sneak out like this but... I couldn't help myself when I read your messages."

"No, it's completely alright. Actually, to be honest, I was kind of hoping to meet you too. I-I always feel calmer after talking to you."

Asahi blushes.

"R-really?"

"Yeah."

"I always feel better after talking to you too."

You can feel the heat starting to build in your face as you smile at him in response.

Asahi continues, "I-I know I am not good with words. But I want to tell you that I know exactly how you feel. You won't let anyone down. I have seen you play and really, you have nothing to worry about. You have made it this far and you are strong enough to take it further."

His words make you want to cry. He has always shown so much faith in you. You look at the ground and don't say anything as you try to hold back your tears.

"-And I - uh - got you something that I thought might make you feel better."

You look up in surprise and you see him reaching his hand into the bag he brought with him. As you watch, he pulls out a light blue cloth. It's a t-shirt.

You gasp as you recognize what it is.

He holds the t-shirt open by the sleeves so that you can read what's written.

It's a "The Way of the Ace" T-shirt.

"Oh my God!!" you say loudly.

He is completely thrown off by your reaction as you throw your head back and laugh.

Oh no. Does she think this is lame? Asahi starts to panic.

You reach into your own bag and pull out a similar looking light blue cloth. Asahi's eyes widen.

"I bought this today at the stadium for you. I know how important tomorrow's match is for you and I knew you'd be nervous so I wanted to give you this as a motivational sort of good luck thing." you say as you hold out a larger sized "The Way of the Ace" T-shirt.

All of your tension and nerves melt away as you both stand there laughing and holding the T-shirts.

"I hope I got the right size," Asahi says as you exchange the t-shirts.

"Same."

"It's perfect!" You both say at the same time and erupt into a hearty laugh again.

"Thank you, Asahi. I feel a lot better now. Really, thank you for everything. We wouldn't have made it this far if not for your help."

"It was all you, Y/N. All I did was show you the way. You walked it on your own."

"Yeah, you showed me the way of the Ace." you say, smiling.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The score is 30-31 and it is match point for Karasuno Girls' High School against Niiyama Joshi for what seems to be like the 100th time. It has just been ties after ties after ties and every set has stretched well into the 30s. Somewhere at the beginning of the fifth set, you looked up to see the Karasuno boys piling into the stands to cheer your team on. From the looks of it, they won their match against Shiratorizawa.

Playing such intense 5 sets back to back has taken a massive toll and the players on both sides of the court are at their limit. However, it is now your turn to serve and if you manage to get this point, you will be through to the nationals.

"Y/N, GIVE US A NICE SERVE!!" the boys cheer for you from the audience.

Your knees are quaking and you feel like you can barely stand, much less run or jump. You are so out of breath that you feel like you are going to pass out any minute. As you somehow force yourself to walk into position, you can feel your knees buckling under you.

As you stand there, waiting for the referee to blow the whistle, your eyes instinctively search for Asahi. Even though he is far, you can easily spot him due to his height and the familiar light blue t-shirt he has changed into after his match.

As your eyes meet, Asahi cups his hands around his mouth and BELLOWS.

"JUST ONE MORE. YOU GOT THIS!"

The whistle blows.

BAM.

You barely have time to realize what happened as you are tackled to the ground by your teammates. There's a lot of hugging and crying and shouting.

As you recover from your shock, it finally registers. It was a service ace. Niiyama's libero had tried to dig the ball but it had bounced out of bounds.

You've won.

Tears of exhaustion and exhilaration start to flow from your eyes as you hug your teammates.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Your feet are killing you as you walk out of the locker room towards the bus, wearing your own WotA t-shirt. It's late and the corridor is silent and empty as you're one of the very last few people to leave.

"I told you you could do it."

You look up and see Asahi standing a little further ahead, smiling at you.

You don't say anything, you just walk up to him and hug him. He seems taken aback but only for a bit as, barely a second later, you feel his large arms wrap around you tightly.

You both stand there for a while, both too exhausted to speak but finding comfort in each other's arms. It just feels so...right. Like this is exactly where and how you are meant to be.

When you finally break apart, you can see that Asahi is looking a little nervous.

"S-say, Y/N. I was wondering... i-if you would maybe want to go on a- on a date with me?"

Your eyes widen in surprise.

"It is completely okay if you don't! I'm sorry I shouldn't have said anythi-"

"Yes, yes, YES! I will go on a date with you."

"Really? You really want to go out with me?"

"Yes. Honestly, Asahi, I fell for you a long time ago. I was just afraid of freaking you out and ruining our friendship. So, I didn't say anything."

Asahi let out a little laugh. "It's freaky how we think so similarly because same." He takes your hand in his. "I fell for you the day I met you. And I just kept falling harder and harder the more I got to know you. I just never imagined you would feel the same way for me too."

"I do, I do, I so do! I always have!"

Both of you have the biggest smiles on your faces as you stand there holding hands and looking into each other's eyes.

You suddenly start to blush furiously.

"So...um...since we usually seem to be thinking the same thing. Um, would you like to kiss me?"

Asahi's eyes open so wide that you're worried they'll pop out of their sockets any minute. He is blushing furiously as he simply nods and leans in.

Your heart is thundering as your lips meet. But, it's Asahi. He kisses you with such tenderness and affection that you just melt into him.

The two aces of Karasuno walk out of the stadium hand-in-hand, wearing their matching WotA T-shirts. You're going to nationals, you've found some really great friends and you have found each other. Life is good.

FIN.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Finally, I am so happy with how this turned out. I was stuck for a while trying to decide where to go with this story and I was panicking a little about not updating sooner. But I am glad I did not hurry this up because I really LOVE the turn this took in my head which it wouldn't have if I hadn't let the ideas stew in my mind for a while.

I know this was a long read but I really hope you guys enjoyed it and it was worth the read and the wait.

Likes, comments, reblogs and follows are always appreciated. Please DO NOT repost

Buy me a Kofi! <3

[acourtofsnakes]

Tome - Rogue, Chapter 10| The Mandalorian x Force Sensitive! Reader

Summary: You find yourself talking to a mysterious stranger, whom you can’t help but feel a pull towards. Will the Mandalorian get there in time? And what will happen when he shows up?

Warnings: Gonna put this as an 18+ but it’s not SUPER graphic,  Swearing (this is a given by now), a little angst, sexual tension – a lot - &mentions of sex that are kinda detailed, WE GETTING HOT IN HERE TODAY

AN: I was trying to hold off on the sexual tension but I couldn’t wait any longer and I needed to add some of Din’s darker side – I blame all the fanfics and Tik Tok, and i’m not ashamed 

Word count: 6.5k+

As always, credit to whoever owns the gif. I usually find them on Google or Pinterest, so message me if it’s yours ♥︎

Rogue Taglist:

@snipskixandbeskar @weirdowithnobeardo @the-bottom-of-the-abyss @jackgrzs @sarahjkl82-blog @boomtownboy @goldielocks2004 @seninjakitey @what-iwish-you-knew

Rogue Masterlist | Introduction| 1: Solus| 2: Arir | 3: Tor | 4: Gaa'tayl | 5: Kyr’am | 6: Cabur | 7: Ret'urcye Mhi | 8: Haran| 9: E’tad | 10: Tome |

Mando’a translation: Tome – Together

You studied the man as he drew off his hood. 

He had inky black hair, so dark the loose waves caught a blue tone in the light of the cantina, like the wings of a crow or a raven. 

His skin was softly tanned, yet still a little pale, the pallor set off by the darkness of his hair. 

But it was his eyes that drew your attention first. 

They were the colour of melted amber, shockingly bright, like they almost glowed from within. They sparkled with flecks of gold, watching you with a keen interest, seeing what you would make of him and his offer. They glimmered like they already knew the answer before you did yourself. 

He was heartbreakingly beautiful, and he knew it. Almost flawless. 

So, where was his mark, his tell of a dark past, twisted with horrors and darkness that always seemed to follow beautiful people?

There. 

As the light shifted, you saw that he bore two long, wicked scars on his face. 

One began just above his eyebrow, parting through it and narrowly missing the edge of his eye, before coming to a thin point on his high cheekbone. 

The other was smaller, drawn across the plush curve of his lips. It twisted it only slightly, just slightly tugging up one corner, but they did nothing to mar his sheer beauty. 

It was.. almost otherworldly. Disarming. 

That, combined with his watchfulness gave you a distinct feeling that you were dancing the line between prey or… company?

Or maybe it was the way the light seemed to shy away from the planes of his face, whereas the shadows clung to him like a second skin, like they were an extension of him. 

You remained perched on your seat, torn between immediately leaving and putting distance between yourself and this too-beautiful man… or joining him. 

He tilted his head, leaning back in his seat and he motioned gracefully to the stool in from of him, “Join me, love. I won’t bite.” His lips curled up into a wider grin and you swore you could almost see fangs, “Not unless you want me to.” 

You rolled your eyes, but something about the comment made you realise he probably wasn’t going to kill you if he was flirting with you. “Well, since you paid for my drinks.” You shrugged lightly, slid off of your seat and then joined him at his table. “I’m not so easily won over though, just to inform you.” 

The man’s smile turned lazy, feline and he chuckled. The sound of his laugh was like velvet, sliding over your bones and whispering in your ear, “Oh, I don’t doubt that for a second, love. I can tell you need more than a few looks and drinks.” He ran those ridiculous eyes over you, taking in every inch and it felt like was seeing straight into your soul. He made a thoughtful hum in the back of his throat, lifting his eyes to yours again, “No. You strike me as the kind of girl who needs to be truly impressed with more than empty promises.”

Your skin warmed with his gaze, your eyes narrowing a little, but you mirrored his feline smirk, leaning forward and dropping your voice, “And you think you’re the one to impress me, do you?”

He looked over your face, leaning forward and the scent of rain-kissed cedar and thunderstorms washed over you, swirling around your head and filling your lungs, “Maybe. Though something tells me that I might have a contender.”

Unbidden, the thoughts of that night on the Crest came back in a rush, Lori’s bare hands tracing over your skin, your throat and pulling through your hair with utter adoration. 

You tensed, an ache of longing ripping through you and it blew your cocky response out of the water. 

The man blinked a little, his eyes softening as he read your response that was obviously clearer than you’d like it to be, “Apologies. I didn’t mean to step over the line, so forgive me if I have.” He leant back again, raising his drink to you. 

You shook your head softly, giving him a smile that was perhaps only a little forced, “Don’t worry about it, really.” You clinked your glass to his and then sipped your drink, maybe taking a deeper drink than the situation required. “So, what really made you pay for my drinks?”

The man looked a little bashful, gazing at the back of his gloves, “I’ve only been on the planet for the day. I saw you practising with the Marshal earlier and I was impressed. And… wanted to meet the woman who fought like she was dancing.” With his eyelashes lowered, you could see that the scar just tugged at the edge of his eyelid, and you briefly wondered how he managed to walk away with his eye still in his head. 

However, his words had you frowning slightly because… they were the exact same words the Mandalorian had spoken to Greef, in awe of you.  “Mmm-hm…” You raised an eyebrow at him, starting to believe you may have made a mistake in sitting here. “What’s the real reason?”

He lifted his eyes back to you, and had the good grace to look a little awkward, “I…” He sighed, “I fear I’m giving you the worst first impression of myself.” He spread his hands on the table almost in a gesture to show he meant no harm, “There have been rumours that… The Mandalorian who stole the Child had taken off with another bounty. And that…” 

Your gaze was level and hard on him, wanting an answer and wanting it now, “And?”

He bit his lip, that curl of hair still resting over his forehead and making him longer especially with the guilt in his expression, “That there was something between him and his old bounty. Him and… you.” He inclined his head toward you slightly. 

Warning bells began to tinkle in your head. “And where did you hear that?”

He shrugged lightly, lifting a hand, “Oh, one hears many things. Especially about you, my love. You’re famous in planets that don’t even know about the Mandalorian. Everyone knows someone who’s seen your puck.” He was reaching toward the sword on his back, his hand closed around the hilt.

Within a blink, your hand was on your own knife again, “I am going to give you thirty seconds to tell me the truth, or I swear, I will run my knife through that pretty eye of yours so quickly you won’t even have time to breathe.”

He blinked, something flickering in his expression, but he held his hands up further, “Easy.” He pulled his sword free of his holster, setting it on the table between you both. “I’m not here to take you in. I was shown your puck, but I refused. I had heard you were here, and I wanted to warn you.”

Your hand didn’t budge from the knife, “Warn me? Of what? I know that everyone is after me. I don’t need some stranger telling me that.”

The man tilted his head, adjusting the hood of his cloak over his shoulders now that his sword was out of the way, “Don’t you want to know who employed them all? All of the people who have been after you?” 

Is he playing with you?

You were entirely focused on him, ready to fling the knife and bolt should you need to. You knew how to get out of here, how to get up to the rooftops and dart across them. 

Don’t. Don’t ask him, just in case. Get out now.

He knew… He knew who sent everyone after your head.

No. 

This man knew who was responsible for the lives of friends and strangers.  

You shouldn’t ask. This was a mistake. You needed to leave. 

You looked away from his golden stare, drawn to look at the sword lying there on the table. 

Your brows furrowed imperceptibly as you beheld the strange symbols carved onto the sheath. 

Something about them seemed… familiar. Strangely so. They itched at the back of your mind like a forgotten language. 

He lowered his golden eyes to the sword between you, sucking in the light of the room.

“The symbols on this sword… they call to you, don’t they?” He ran a gloved finger along the sheath, tracing delicately over the inscribed symbols. 

You bit your lip, hesitating as you watched him. 

He looked up at your expression, your hesitation and then he slowly unsheathed the sword, revealing the blade to you. 

The blade was made of a deep, dark obsidian coloured material. It was like no metal you’d ever seen. It seemed sheer almost, like a gemstone but it was a rich ebony colour, as endless as space. It pulled in the light around it, sucked it dry and seemed to use it to glow darkly from within. 

Along the centre of the blade, the same symbols were inscribed, but this time in a rich golden gilt. 

With each symbol that was exposed, something rose within you. 

He was right. 

They truly did call to you. You didn’t know how, or why, but you felt like you knew what they meant, that you should understand them. 

The caged power of the Force within you felt it too. 

That’s what they were calling to, what they were connecting with.

The raven-haired man smiled that disarming smile again, his lips twitching up in delight, knowing he was correct. He remained silent for a few seconds, “They call to your power.”

Wait. 

He… knew? 

How the fuck did he know about you?

No one knew. Not even the Mandalorian knew. 

You reached for your blade instinctively again, watching the man in front of you. 

Fear must have registered in your eyes, mixed with a defensive warning, because he held up his hands. 

“Easy, I’m not going to hurt you. I already told you that. I’m not here for you, or the bounty.” He shrugged a little, “Okay, I am here for you, but not like that. You see, my sister was the same. She had the same… gifts, as you.” He mercifully kept his voice low, soft enough that only you could just hear it. 

You didn’t speak, couln’t say anything, only watched him. Waiting. Even if curiosity did spark within you. 

He smiled softly like he saw it, the scars on his lips doing nothing to mar the overwhelming, stunning impact of that simple gesture, “That’s right… she was so incredibly talented, and I adored her to pieces. She was beautiful and had such a light within her. Much like you. And I want to help you… like I tried to do for her.” He tilted his head a little, his molten eyes shimmering with sadness as he spoke about her. IT was etched in every line of his body, the pain of losing a loved one that you held so dear. 

You swallowed, slowly letting go of your knife, “What happened to her? How do you know about me? Who is sending the hunters after me? Who are you?” The questions tumbled form your lips like rain, unable to stop them as you were faced with a man who could.. maybe help you?

He chuckled softly, filling the air with that musical sound again, “Let me answer the easiest one first. My name is Rena and-“

The doors to the cantina opened, letting in a warm, volcanic breeze. 

You felt, rather than heard his presence behind you. You could recognise the almost silent footfalls, the barest scrape of armour as it got closer and closer to you. 

With every step, it felt like you might jump out of your skin. 

He was here. 

He’d come back. 

Had he come back for you?

“Get away from her.” His snarl made the chatter in the cantina drop a few notches, the atmosphere subtly changing as everyone tried not to listen in. 

You could feel his height rising up behind you, and turned around in your seat to greet him, despite the snarl in his voice. Your elation at seeing him, the very way your bones hummed in delight made you miss what he just said. 

“Lori.. you’re here.” You couldn’t deny the way you greedily took in his tall, beskar-clad form. His armour looked… dustier, dirtier than it usually did. Like he hadn’t had time to clean it. There were a few patches smudged over the chest plates, and the fabric beneath looked a little torn. The more rugged look was good on him, giving him that edge that you knew lingered beneath the surface. 

Grogu rested at his side, in his little pouch bag. He cooed delightedly when he saw you, earning himself a grin and a wave. 

And in the Mandalorian’s other hand…

Duru. 

Held in his hand like he normally held the Child. 

You tilted your head, reaching out to take her, “Lori, why are you carrying my cat like a baby?” You laughed, holding her furry body close  

He ignored you, his helmet focused on the figure opposite you. “I said, get away from her.” The rough baritone of his voice held a fierceness you’d never heard before, the promise of a thinly veiled threat should your companion continue to ignore him. 

You blinked in surprise, at the fierceness in his tone. 

You’d expected a ‘Hello’ at least, but here he was, acting like you were invisible and giving a death stare (you presumed) to the man opposite. 

Rena chuckled softly, that laugh like flowing water over smooth stones, “Calm down, friend. I’m not going to hurt her.” He smiled at the Mandalorian, all easy charm and glowing eyes. 

Mando growled, striding forward and he flung his arm out across your body… like he was protecting you? 

“I am not your friend. And you are nothing to her. So back off.”

You frowned, something prickling at the back of your neck, a feeling you couldn’t place. You appreciated the Mandalorian defending you but… from what?

Did he think you couldn’t be trusted to sit and talk to someone? That you were dumb enough to make a foolish mistake with so many after you?

“Mando. Enough. You don’t even know Rena. Neither do I. Calm down.” Your voice was soft, but firm. To tell him you appreciated the defence, but you didn’t need him to save you. 

Besides, you wanted to know more about him, more about how he knew what lingered within you and how he planned to help. 

He barely looked over his shoulder at you, keeping his head turned to Rena, “You’re right in that you don’t know him. But I do. So forgive me, but I’m the one calling the shots in this situation. Take the kid and go back to the Razor Crest. We’re leaving.”

Your shoulders straightened and your eyes flashed as you raised an eyebrow at him, “You’re the one calling the shots?” Your voice was flecked with icy coolness, and disbelief, “I can make my own decisions, Mandalorian. Despite what you may think.” You let acid creep into your tone, let him know you were referring to him decided to dump you here. 

Rena’s amber eyes flicked between the two of you, dancing in amusement as he tilted his head, “I’d listen to her, Mandalorian. I think she knows what she’s doing. She doesn’t strike me as the kind of woman who likes to be told what to do.” The light bounced off his dark hair, making the inky curls catch a deep blue. His posture was at ease, leaning back in his chair, his sword within easy reach, should he need it. 

The cantina was silent now, everyone flat out watching or listening to the potential fight that was going to ensue… and whether it would be between Mando and Rena, or Mando and yourself. 

Mando still had his arm across your body and Duru’s too, actually. “And you don’t strike me as the kind of monster that plays with their food for so long. I know you like to have your sick little games, but this isn’t exactly your style is it.” His words were venomous, a tone you’d never ever heard before. 

Anger flashed through you, chasing away the initial delight you had at seeing the Mandalorian. You understood his wariness of strangers, but he was being out of order. You weren’t stupid. You’d been doing this for long enough that your instincts were pretty sharp when it came who to trust and who to run away from. 

You stood up, glaring at the back of his head, “Enough, Lori. This is ridiculous.” 

Mando ignored the cold anger of your voice, finally looking at you over his shoulder. “Just wait outside. Please.” 

His plea stopped you short. He had only ever used that word in such a tone once before.

In the kitchen area, with his hands on your skin and in your hair. 

Please.

And… was there a layer of fear beneath it?

You sighed, looking from him to Rena, reluctant to leave them in case the fight did indeed break out. This man… he said he could help. And he couldn’t very well do that dead, could he? 

You didn’t doubt for a single second that Mando wouldn’t go down without a fight, but you sensed there was something coiled within Rena, a slumbering beast that was waiting to be provoked. It prowled behind his eyes and his smile. 

As if reading this in your eyes, Rena smiled at you, shaking his head a little, “I’m not looking for a fight, love. Your Mandalorian will come back to you in one piece. And I’ll leave here in one piece as well.” His eyes shifted to Mando, something in them shifting, “Won’t I?”

Mando was still, his instincts on trigger mode and just waiting to explode, “I don’t like making promises I can’t keep.”

You groaned, rolling your eyes as you took Grogu from Mando. “Fine. You have five minutes.”

You rested the bag across your body, ignoring the eyes watching you as you stalked out of the cantina. “Men.”

~~

The cantina door opened, and the Mandalorian walked out. 

A quick inspection revealed no damage, so you turned your gaze back to your knife. 

You were perched on a wall, Grogu on your lap and Duru around your shoulders as you waited for the Mandalorian. 

Having spotted you, he walked over, hesitating a few steps away like he was approaching a raging fire. 

Good. Let him hesitate. Let him know how fucking furious I am with him.

You said nothing, continuing to clean the blade of your knife on the edge of your cloak. 

Silence stretched between you, broken only by the soft thump of Duru’s tail, and Grogu’s tiny huff as he looked between you both. 

Mando observed you for a moment, before placing his hands on his hips and sighing, “Come on then.”

You turned over your knife, methodically buffing up the blade, “What the fuck was that? Do you treat all strangers the way you did in there?”

The Mandalorian was still, watching you carefully, “He’s not a stranger. He’s dangerous. Deadly.”

You still hadn’t looked at him, “I am dangerous. And deadly. I’ve killed people and ‘played with my food’. Does that mean I am a monster too?”

He shifted his weight to his other leg, “I didn’t call you a monster. You know I wouldn’t do that. I’m sorry if it stirred anything up, I didn’t think” Your old argument must have flashed through his mind because it did yours. But that wasn’t the issue. 

Grogu looked at you as you shook your head, “Nope. You didn’t think, did you? You waltzed in there. And made a scene.” 

A noise filtered through the vocoder and over to you, “A scene? I would hardly call it making a scene. That guy is a stone-cold killer. He was sitting there, toying with you and no one would have batted an eyelid to help you. There are people after your head, him especially!” 

Fire simmered through your veins. “Oh, for the love of all the stars, grow up! He isn’t deadly. He knew who I was, and he didn’t once raise a hand to hurt me. He said as much himself.”

The Mandalorian laughed, that damn laugh that made your teeth set on edge, “He told you, did he? Oh, forgive me then. Of course, he was telling the truth.” He shook his head, pacing and then coming back to you. 

You frowned, watching him pace, “What is your problem with him? So I was talking to some guy in a bar, that immediately makes him a monster?” 

The Mandalorian made a frustrated noise, raising his hands, “My problem, sweetheart, is that I thought you were smarter than that! Some creep tells you he knows who you are but he ‘isn’t going to hurt you’ and I thought you’d be running the other way and he’d be laying there with a knife in his chest! Not laughing with you over that fucking sword of his.” 

This man was being ridiculous. 

“So, this about my supposed stupidity now too, is it? Because I did something that you didn’t expect me to do?” You shoved your blade back into it’s sheath, nearly slicing your leg as you did. 

Mando made another frustrated noise, “Fucking hell, you’re not listening to me, again!! This is not about you! This is about him!! He cannot be trusted. He is a monster and a murderer. And I don’t care if he was singing you nursery rhymes or telling you about the baby Porgs he adopts, he was lying! He is going to kill you and I am not letting that happen!”  

Jaw clenched, you glared at him still, “Have you seen him do such things? Where’s your proof he was going to kill me. Do you know him?”

“Not exactly. But I-“

“No. You don’t know him at all. You didn’t trust me to be able to handle the situation, even though there wasn’t a situation until you walked in.” 

Mando crossed his arms across his stupidly broad chest, “Like I said. You clearly didn’t know what you were dealing with. Again.”

You slowly looked up at him, eyes blazing and Grogu made a noise, his little body going still. “Oh?”

The Mandalorian kept his gaze firmly on you, oozing that cockiness that grated on you as much as your own grated on him, “Nope.” He tilted his head, “Someone has to keep you safe.”

It was the insinuation on the word, ‘someone’, that had you picking up Grogu and placing him on the wall. He immediately tucked his chin into his tunic, his hands coming up to cover his ears. 

A beat later, your fury exploded. 

“Someone needs to keep me safe?! And I suppose that title oh so graciously falls on you, does it? Because you know everything about everyone who comes into contact with me?” You stalked toward him, poking a finger into his chest, “I was doing just fine before you. I don’t need you to keep saving me. If I remember correctly, it was me who saved you the last time. So don’t come out here on your high and mighty hero argument, you pretentious, shiny, asshole!” You pointed at him, “You can’t just walk in and start accusing people of being murderers when you clearly don’t know them!”

The Mandalorian sighed, “Don’t start this again. You know I didn’t mean it like that. So, don’t start calling me names either. I was trying to protect you, like I keep saying.”

You growled at him, “So you’re allowed to waltz in there and start spewing accusations, but I’m not allowed to call you out for being an asshole?”

Mando walked over to the wall where Grogu and Duru were perched, “I wasn’t spewing accusations, princess. I was telling the truth. When are you going to believe me?” He scooped up the kids, placing Grogu back in his pouch over his shoulder and holding Duru in his arm again. 

For some reason, that fuelled your anger even more, that he took your cat and strolled off. You scrambled off of the wall, “Are you going to explain to me how you know then?” You followed him as he began to walk down the street, winding through the paths. 

He didn’t even look at you just kept walking, “I just know that he went in there to kill you. He was playing with you first.”

You darted around a fruit cart, the setting sun bouncing off his shiny head and getting in your eyes, “And I asked you for your proof. Which I’m still waiting for.” 

Mando stopped, so suddenly you bumped into his back with a soft oof. “Look. I just know, okay. Can’t you leave it at that for once?” You just knew there was a pleading expression underneath the helmet, but you weren’t letting it go. 

You crossed your arms, arching a brow at him, “I’m gonna give you a minute to remember who I am and answer that question for yourself.” 

He groaned, dropping his head back and looking at the darkening sky for a moment. “Fine.” He lowered his head to look at you again, “In Mandalorian culture, there are legends of a creature so foul, he was spat back out of the deepest pits of darkness. A man so cruel that darkness itself shies away from him. They say he has no soul. I didn’t believe in it when I was a Foundling. I thought it was just a story they told us to make sure we stayed in line but… I know that it’s true now. He is true. We call him Haran. It means cosmic annihilation, because that’s what he brings. He kills people for pure pleasure, but he drags it out in the worst way possible first. And he’s after you.”

You said nothing. Simply staring at him. 

He stared back at you, waiting. 

The seconds ticked by, Grogu and Duru looking between you both. 

Finally, you spoke. Your voice was very quiet, very calm, “You mean to tell me. That you walked into that cantina, after over a month of not seeing me, without even saying hello, I might add. And you walked over to this man, accused him of being a murderer and threatened him… because you think he’s a children’s story?!” 

The noise of exasperation that came from the man before you mirrored your own emotions, “For the love of- You’re impossible.” 

“And you’re talking bullshit.” You snapped the words, arms still crossed, and you were just getting madder by the second. But something was suddenly becoming clear in your mind, some dark whisper to play with him. 

Mando almost audibly rolled his eyes, shaking his head before turning around and continuing to walk. “Whatever, princess. You asked, I told you.”

There was no hesitation as you followed him again, “You’re lying.” 

“Am I?” His voice was flat now, bored almost. He weaved through some more corners and streets, the paths getting quieter and some empty buildings rising up around you.  

“Yep. And I think I know why. I know why you suddenly went alpha male protective on me. I know why you made such a scene. And I know why you’re acting like this now.” You were poking at him; sure you knew the truth now. And if you were wrong, hell, maybe you could make him as frustrated as he had made you. 

“Do enlighten me, princess. How do you know such things?” There was an edge to his voice, like he knew where you were going with this. 

“Because to me, it sounds like you walked in there, saw me sitting with someone else and…”

He stopped, putting the kids down on a wall again as he turned to look at you, “And what? Say it.” The visor of his helmet was locked onto you and you had that feeling again that you had locked eyes. 

You stared back at him, crossing your arms, voice dripping with fury and contempt, but now with an edge, “You were jealous.” 

The evening was quiet, this part of town abandoned by the look of the crumbling buildings around you. 

The Mandalorian laughed, but there was no humour in his voice, “Jealous? You think I was jealous of him?”

You bristled at the cocky laugh, eyes flashing again and that hidden part of you shimmered and trembled, “It sure as hell looked like it. You didn’t even say hello to me before you were descending upon us like an alpha male claiming your territory.” You stalked closer to him, two predators dancing around each other again, “I am not your territory, or your property. I am no-ones.”

Mando didn’t move, letting you come closer, “I know that. I never once laid claim to you. But when I walked and saw you sitting there with that.. that..”

You snarled softly, “Don’t say it again.”

He looked at you for a moment, “That creature… I lost it. You shouldn’t be on the same planet as him, let alone across the table.” He dropped his arms to his sides, displaying that restless energy that was so rare for him. 

You couldn’t help but laugh this time, “Because he’s some kind of spooky shadow man from your childhood stories? Please.”

Mando shook his head fiercely, pointing at you, “It’s the truth. Haran is real. And he was sitting opposite you, playing with you and pretending to be some bashful pretty boy.”

You prowled toward him, mimicking the shaking of his head. “No. Not good enough. Stop lying to me, Lori.” 

“I am not lying to you!! Get it through your head, he was going to kill you!!”

You were right in front of him now, peering up at him, “Admit it.”

His voice was tight, but he didn’t back away, “Drop it, princess. I already told you.”

You shook your head, “I don’t believe you. If you wont tell me the truth I’ll help you.” You took a tiny step closer, so close your chest brushed against his as he panted a little. “I think you went to my room, expecting me to be there. You saw that I was gone and Duru was alone. You immediately thought the worst, and came rushing down to the cantina, hoping you’d find me there. And you did. Only it wasn’t what you expected.”

Mando was silent, his hands curling into fists and uncurling again. 

You continued, relentless, “Instead of being on my own, you saw me sitting with another man. A damn good looking one at that.” You cooed the word at hi, dropping your tone to a seductive, needy one.

You wouldn’t have heard the soft growl if you hadn’t been this close, and it only spurred you on. “You saw us laughing, talking. And you didn’t like it.” You tilted your head a little, “You saw us and thought… how well do they know each other?” You lifted your hand, placing your fingertips on his chest, “Maybe we knew each other as friends. Or… maybe we knew each other more than that. Maybe we’d spent nights together...” You began to tap your fingers down the Mandalorian’s chest plate, as you lowered your voice to a seductive purr, “What if we couldn’t wait, couldn’t wait to get to the bed and he threw me against the wall, tearing the buttons off my trousers in his haste.” 

Mando was breathing harder now, his hands curled up tight. You knew you were pushing his buttons, edging him to possible fury but something in you ached to do this, to feel something like that night before. You wanted a reaction out of him, something more than just protectiveness and care. You wanted him to lose his cool, break free of his restraint and just… do something. 

“Maybe I tore off his clothes too, both of us kissing so fiercely we couldn’t breathe, our tongues dancing around each other as we grabbed at each other, pulling away the layers of clothes until…” 

You rose up on tiptoe, your hands resting against his belly for support, and you knew the helmet would pick up your whispers, “Until he sunk into me, pushing me against the wall and fucking me, so hard and so loud that everyone in that building heard, that everyone knew what was happening. They knew his name, they knew my name, and they knew that we did not stop going. That we had sex on every available surface in that room. That I threw him on the bed and rode him until he was clawing at my hips. Do you want to see? Do you want to see the bruises that you think are on my hips?” 

You turned your head, so your lips brushed the edge of his helmet and fire burned through you as he turned his head into your words and his hands twitched, “Do you wish it was you, Lori? Do you wish it was you that was making me scream? That you were the one leaving marks on my body? That you were the one buried so deep within me I could feel you in my belly?” You pushed your body into him, effectively pinning him to the wall with your own body, “Did you think about me whilst I was gone? Alone, in the middle of the night with only your hand to keep you company?”

Your fingers trailed to his clenched fist, curling your hand around it to bring it to your waist. 

Only for him to let out a choked growl that set your bones ablaze. He spun quicker than you’d ever seen him move, switching the position and holding your hand against the wall, his other next your head, effectively creating a cage with his body, “Shut up.” 

You grinned, hearing the rasping tone of his voice, “I knew it, I knew you were jealous. You did think I fucked him, didn’t y-“

Suddenly, his hand had left yours and was over your mouth, “For a girl who acts like a princess, you have a fucking vulgar mouth.” He tilted his head down to yours, his voice rumbly and sparking all sorts of images in your mind. “Maybe I was a little jealous. I’ll admit it.”

Your eyes flared with triumph, even if the hand on your mouth was coiling heat in your belly, making heat flood through your body – and between your legs. 

The Mandalorian leant in closer, surrounding you with his scent again, smokey leather, metal and that distinct woodsy smell. “You asked me if I think about you… but what about you, cyar'ika? Do you think about me when you’re alone?”

By the stars, the way his voice dropped and rolled along your spine like a caress. It opened up the corner of your mind that you tried to ignore, the corner that spilled out every night, into your dreams. 

“Do you think about that night on the Crest? What might have happened if we weren’t interrupted? Would my hands have gone lower? Touched where you wish it was me? Sunk into you and stroked you until your legs shook?” He chuckled lowly, a sound that would have brought you to your knees if he wasn’t caging you to the wall. He was so close you could no longer see your reflection in his visor. His head titled a little and you felt his body push into yours gently, all hard, cold armour, but beneath that… beneath his hips, he pressed into you. 

You could feel the hard length of him, feel that he was turned on by this just as much as you, maybe he wanted this as much as you did. 

Wanted the images searing through your mind, of his hands tearing around your clothes, dropping to your thighs and lifting them around his waist, gripping them so hard he left bruises as he pushed into you..  

Fuck. Fuck, fuck fuck. 

Electricity crashed through your veins and your darkened eyes rolled back a little, thighs clenching. You couldn’t help it, your lips parted and a soft moan slipped from them, muffled against the leather of his hand and without thinking, you bit down on his fingers, tasting the leather. 

His hand tensed over your mouth, his body jerking into yours a little as his breath left him in a soft huff. “Fuck, you d-“

“Uh, guys?”

Cara’s voice filtered through the haze of lust that clouded your brain, and immediately, the Mandalorian jumped backward, the two of you parting like you’d been shocked. 

Heat flooded your cheeks and neck, not from embarrassment so much as a response to his words. 

The man made you furious, made you see red but… you couldn’t deny the fire between you. The way you were dancing around each other since you met. You were seemingly in a constant stay of being polite, flirting with each other or being at each other’s throats – either through anger or pure lust. 

“What is it, Cara?” Mando turned to her, his voice coming out a little harsher than intended due to the roughness of his voice, betraying the reactions of his body. 

Her eyes flicked between the two of you, and you just knew she saw it all from the way she was holding back a smirk as she looked at you. “That guy from the cantina asked me to give you this.” She held something out to you. 

You cleared your throat, pushing away from the wall and walking past Mando carefully, like the faintest touch between you both would ignite something. “Thanks, Cara” You took the object she held out and it was a thin metal card with a code embossed onto it. You frowned, flipping it over but all that lay on the other side was a symbol. A two headed snake coiled around a sword that looked a lot like the one that had been sheathed on his back. 

The Mandalorian answered instead, thankfully staying where he was, “It’s a comms code. If you input it, it’ll connect you to him.” His voice was tight, “If he thinks-“

You held up a hand, not looking at him, “Don’t even finish that sentence.” You pocketed the card, letting out a breath, “I’m going to go and sort my things out. I… I’ll meet you all in a bit.” You allowed yourself a glance back at the Mandalorian, skin heating when you found his visor already trained on you. 

You swallowed thickly, your blood simmering again but you made yourself turn around, avoiding Cara’s smirk, “C’mon, Duru.” 

You headed back to your little apartment, relieved when you heard no trailing footsteps behind you. You needed the time alone for a minute, to process what the hell just happened between you both. 

And maybe to cool down. 

He would be the death of you. 

Previous| Next

[vladdocs]

Dracula and the Boyar Mane Udrische Original in Russian: http://samlib.ru/.../dracula_ziznvzrosl_1448_1456_boyarin... Annotation: Of all of Dracula's associates, it is Mane Udrische who is the most interesting figure. The fate of this boyar deserves to be told separately, and the reason is not only that it was Mane who helped Dracula to become prince for the second time. Before us is a very unusual person - the traitor, who suddenly came to his senses and corrected the consequences of his betrayal. It's not every day, you have to admit... To begin with, it is necessary to clarify how to call this boyar correctly, because in some books, they try to hide the unsoundness of his nickname and write "Udrische". All this is ridiculous because in the original Romanian letters of the 15th century, drawn in the Slavonic language, this boyar is listed as Udrische - without any "t" - so most likely, the nickname is based on the ancient Slavic verb "drill". (note: this google translated, so don't worry about his name, it will keep changing) There is no need to be surprised, because in the Middle Ages unsound names were quite common. Suffice it to recall one of the close associates of Ivan the Terrible, a high-ranking oprichnik, called Vasily Dirty. In the Service of Father Dracula The first information about the boyar with the nickname Udrishche is found in the charter, issued no later than 1445, so we can say with certainty - this man made a career thanks to Dracula's father. Mane Udrische is mentioned in the charter together with his brother Stoyan (aka Stoyka). Both brothers are named as participants in the princely council. Sometimes this charter is dated 1439-1440, which means that Mane Udrisce could have begun service not in the 1440s, but earlier - soon after Dracula's father became prince - or even earlier, that is, at a time when Dracula's father was living with his family in Sighisoara and was only a candidate for the throne. In the Middle Ages in Romania, it was customary for any candidate for prince to gather around him a handful of trusted men from the boyar milieu to help him conduct affairs concerning politics. These people had no money or connections, but they had useful talents, such as the ability to speak well, strategic thinking, the ability to write things down on paper, etc. If the candidate became prince, all his assistants, who until then had served for free, received positions at the court, land, and other favors. Among the confidants of Dracula's father who gathered in Sighisoara may have been Mane Udrisce, but even if he came to the service several years later, it can still be said that Dracula himself remembered "Uncle Mane" from his childhood. There is also no doubt that in the 1440s Mane Udrisce with his younger brother Stoyan though established in the princely council, but did not play a serious role there. The position of the two boyars can be shown by recalling the rules, according to which the medieval Romanian charters and edicts were composed. Not only that the text had to list all the boyars, who were present at the princely council on the day of the publication of the charter, but it was also required to keep the order of listing - the more noble person, the closer to the beginning of the list. That's why the fact that Mane Udrisce and his brother in the charter of Dracula's father are mentioned at the very end of the list says a lot. Betrayal Of course, Mane Udrische considered himself destitute, and he was not willing to accept that. He wanted to continue his career, and brother Stoyan probably held the same opinion, but both brothers understood that it was unlikely to expect new favors from Father Dracula. Then came the memorable events of December 1446, when the Hungarian Janos Hunyadi came to Romania with an army, had Dracula's father beheaded, and installed Vladislav on the vacant throne. Mane Udrische supported the Hungarian protégé, and did him some very valuable service, because Mane's influence in the princely council increased dramatically. In all Vladislav's letters

where Mane Udrische is mentioned, this boyar is always the first in the list of council participants. He was the last, and now he is the first! Such changes do not just happen! As for Stoyan, he became the head of the cavalry along with another boyar - Dimitar. Awakening of Conscience With the change of prince, Mane's career ambitions were satisfied. Manet became the most influential boyar in the council, and a higher position simply did not exist. This man's thoughts were no longer preoccupied with material concerns and, quite naturally, switched to the spiritual. In the letter of January 2, 1450 it says that Mane Udrische gives a watermill to the monastery called Kozya. What caused such generosity is not specified, and this is quite strange, because the same letter tells in great detail the story of how the boyar Kazan and his brother Radu decided to make a gift to the monastery. Kazan and Radu wanted abbot Joseph to include their entire family, namely their father Radul, their mother Stana, Kazan and Radu themselves, and their late brother Sahak, in the "monastery memorial". Kazan and Radu asked for "eternal remembrance" for themselves and their kin, and in return they gave a watermill and "a place under the cell" so that one of the monks could live near the mill and watch over it. In the charter it is reported that Kazan and Radu have asked sovereign Vladislav to certify this agreement between them and the monastery, so that the next abbot will remember who should be remembered - in general, a lot of details, and in this heap somehow strange looks a single phrase that another watermill donates boyar Mane Udrische. One gets the impression that the idea of the donation occurred to Mane suddenly when, while attending the council, he heard Kazan and Radu's request. "Well, and from me, add the mill," probably said Mane, who suddenly wanted to do a good deed, but what sins he sought to atone for with this beneficence, he did not say. To Dracula for forgiveness Apparently, the gift of the mill did not help much, and his conscience continued to plague Manet, so that no later than 1455 he began negotiations with Dracula. That the initiative in these negotiations came from Manet and not from Dracula is almost certain, for we know how Dracula felt about Janos Hunyadi, the murderer of his father - a reconciliation never took place. So why would Dracula seek reconciliation with any of the traitor boyars? Dracula had no reason to negotiate with Mane Udrische, but Mane had a reason - an unsettled conscience. I want to remind that this boyar got into the princely council thanks to Dracula's father, and although after that Mane's career growth slowed down, it was not a sufficient reason for the careerist to condemn Dracula's father to death. Probably in 1446 Manet Udrisce thought otherwise, but after 8 or 9 years, having received all the material benefits he wanted, he changed his mind and decided to rectify the consequences of his long-time betrayal - to return the Romanian throne to the rightful heir, i.e. Dracula. From a purely practical point of view, it was more advantageous for Mane not to do anything, because the risk was serious: 1) Who knows how Dracula would behave at the first meeting - maybe just seeing a traitor, would cut him down and would not listen to anything; 2) Vladislav could have found out about the negotiations with Dracula, and then Mane would have been executed; 3) The coup d'état could have failed, in which case Mane would also have paid with his head. And yet this boyar decided to act - he sought out Dracula, who was at that time in Moldavia or Transylvania, repentantly bowed his head to him and offered help. In the service of Dracula. The fact that negotiations really took place is not doubtful, because of all the boyars who betrayed father Dracula, Mane Udrisce and his brother Stoyan were the only ones mentioned in the letters of Dracula himself. The other traitors (12 people) are not mentioned by Dracula even once. They are not mentioned in the letters of subsequent sovereigns. These

boyars simply disappeared, and what happened to them is clear - they were put on a stake. So why did Mane Udrishe and Stoyan escape this fate? There is only one answer - they helped Dracula to regain power and told about the details of the boyar conspiracy, which could not be found out by studying the archives. It is also important that Mane Udrisce with his brother Stoyan repented in time, because it is obvious that in the autumn of 1456, when Dracula had already overthrown Vladislav, the remaining boyar traitors also tried to beg for forgiveness. The 12 previously unrepentant conspirators were shedding tears and saying they were sorry, but it was too late. Mane Udrische and Stoian repented beforehand - no later than 1455 - and therefore survived. Secret agent for the recruitment of the boyars It is not known how Mane's conversation with Dracula took place when the boyar came to the son of his former sovereign for the first time, but the outcome is known. Dracula agreed to accept help from Mane, but set a condition: "I will no longer forgive any of my father's traitors - I forgive only you and your brother - so if you pull any of Vladislav's boyars to my side, pull only those who have recently entered his service and have not stained themselves with betrayal. Manet returned to the Romanian court and began to conduct "subversive activities" there - he spoke with several boyars from the princely council, offering to go into the service of Dracula. As Mane had promised his new lord, he spoke only to the new boyars, and eventually recruited several. These boyars are mentioned in Dracula's letters of commendation: 1) Kazan Sahak, the same one who in 1450 gave a watermill to the Kozia monastery, and he got his nickname from the name of his deceased brother. Some researchers write that Kazan served as head of the Chancellery of Prince Alexander Aldea in 1431-1436, as well as his father Dracula in 1445, but in the charters of those times Kazan is mentioned without a nickname, so it is likely that the head of the Chancellery was another boyar with the same name, and Kazan Sahakov to Vladislav did not serve anyone. 2) Stan Naegrev - the son of boyar Naegrev, who served as head of the cavalry of prince Dan. Stan Naegrev served no one before Vladislav. 3) Duka - he descended from a Greek family. He served no one before Vladislav. The subversive activities of Mane continued until the spring of 1456, and then the preparation for a coup d'état began. In a letter dated April 15, 1456, drawn up shortly before Vladislav was overthrown by Dracula, there remains evidence that Mane Udrische was not present at the council that day. Instead of Mane, his son Dragomir Udrisce sat there, and the boyar himself apparently went to Dracula in Transylvania to give an account of the work done and to discuss all the details of the impending seizure of power one last time. Further Fate Dracula came to power in August 1456, and the boyar Mane Udrische is mentioned for the last time in a charter dated April 16, 1457. His younger brother Stoyan is mentioned for the last time on September 20, 1459. Researcher M.Cazacu in his book "Dracula" hints that these boyars disappeared from the charters because they were executed, but it is unlikely that Cazacu is right. One must not forget that Mane Udrische and his brother in the second half of the 1450s were already in a respectable age. Both were under 60 years old, and Dracula was a vigorous ruler, constantly going on campaigns, so it is likely that the elderly boyars simply could not cope with the pace and decided to retire. Another argument for a peaceful departure has to do with the fate of Mane's estates. If Dracula had executed this boyar, he would have confiscated his land, but this did not happen. It is known that Mane's son Dragomir inherited the estates. Dragomir is not mentioned in Dracula's charters, but is mentioned by Radu the Beautiful, as well as by subsequent sovereigns.

[zukoszukhoes]

Don’t Speak- Part 2

// Zuko x reader soulmate au

// part 1 here

// part 3 here

//warnings: none

You slipped your cuff off and your own words came to light. The words on yours and Zuko’s wrists began to turn golden from the inside, shining brighter and brighter until the words disappeared from your wrists in a blaze of light, confirming the worst.

You and Prince Zuko really were soulmates.

Except, after seeing what he was capable of, you knew you’d never love him.

“Lotty,” you started quietly, keeping your eyes trained on Zuko. “There’s a sack of gold coins hidden in the back of my dresser. Go get it and leave this place as quickly as you can.”

“But, (Y/N)-”

“Do it. Now.”

Without another word, Lotty scurried from the clearing, leaving you and the prince alone. For a minute, the two of you just stared at each other, Zuko’s gaze full of shock.

“You know,” you started. “It makes me wonder what kind of person I am if I have you as my soulmate.”

Zuko stumbled backwards, like the words were a literal blow to his chest. “I’m- I’m sorry! I didn’t know-”

You scoffed. “If you had known, would it have changed anything? Would you have let her go?”

Zuko stayed silent. 

“That’s what I thought.” You sneered, turning away. “You’re just as cruel as the rest of your family.”

When you turned back around, Zuko was gone.

That night, dinner was... tense, to say the least.

“I apologize that dinner was so late, Prince Zuko. We haven’t been able to find our head maid.” Your mother said.

At the mention of Lotty, you glared at Zuko.

Zuko swallowed uncomfortably, shooting you a glance. “Yes, um, that is unfortunate.” It seemed Zuko would keep your secret- for now.

“If only it could have been avoided,” you said suddenly, glaring daggers at Zuko. Your parents raised their eyebrows in surprise, seeing that you were finally speaking to the prince, who looked flushed and extremely uncomfortable. Your father shot you a look and quickly changed the subject.

“I hope you’ve had a pleasant stay so far. I saw you were exploring the gardens earlier. I’m afraid I have no talent with gardening; I’m lucky to have such a gifted wife.” You father remarked, smiling at your mother.

“They are very beautiful.” Zuko said softly.

Your mother blushed with pride. “I’ve had lots of help. (Y/N) is a very proficient gardener as well. Perhaps they could continue gardening at the palace.”

You choked on your food in surprise. “Mother!” Your mother raised an eyebrow, as if, now that you and the prince were speaking, your engagement was practically guaranteed. She looked to Zuko, no doubt expecting some a look of agreement, but was met with his flushed face and uncomfortable silence.

Your father cleared his throat. “How about dessert?”

You stood up from the table suddenly. “I’m sorry, I think I’m still sick from yesterday. If you don’t mind, I’ll retire early to my room.” And before your parents could object, you scurried from the room as fast as you could.

“Please excuse (Y/N)... they can be very headstrong.” You heard your mother say weakly as you walked out. You stopped in the door, turning around briefly and catching Zuko’s molten gaze.

His eyes glittered with regret. “I know.” He said quietly.

~~~

Sitting in the quiet light of a flickering candle, a book laid flat before you, you tried to calm down. Thinking about Zuko and what he had done to Lotty still made you seethe with anger. Taking deep breaths, you thought of peaceful memories: taking walks on the beach with your friends, tending to the garden with your mother, going into town with Lotty-

You smacked your book shut with a bang. Fresh anger reignited in your chest at the thought of Lotty, knowing she was gone- at the hands of the prince, no less. Moving to the window, you took in a full breath of the clear night air, letting your feelings ebb away with each cycle of air that filled your lungs.

Suddenly, a knock came at the door.

A sigh escaped your lips. It was probably your mother there to ask you about Zuko- and that was the last thing you wanted to talk about. “Go away, mother. I’m not feeling well.” You called.

“It’s actually me. Can I come in?” Zuko’s hopeful voice answered.

You groaned and trudged over to the door, yanking it open with an unnecessary amount of force. Zuko stood on the other side. “What do you want?” You growled.

“I came to talk to you. I wanted to apologize for what happened earlier.”

You scoffed. “Sure you do. Now, if you’ll excuse me-“ you went to close the door, but Zuko pushed against it, staring down at you with yearning.

“Please,” he whispered, his face inches from yours. “At least let me explain.”

Your face burned at the feel of Zuko so near. He was so close you felt as if his warmth was hugging you, pulling you into him and hypnotizing you into never leaving. You looked away. Snap out of it! You yelled at yourself. Don’t forget what he’s done. Who he is.

But yet... his face seemed so genuine...

You stepped back from the door and crossed your arms. “You have five minutes.”

Zuko smiled briefly and nodded, stepping into the room. He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. “First off, I’m sorry that you saw me act the way I did earlier. What you saw wasn’t me. I mean, it was, but not the real me- anyways...” He took a deep breath, looking up to capture your gaze. For a moment, he stared into your eyes, like he could convey everything he was trying to say with a look. You glared and turned away, refusing to feel any sympathy for him.

“I think you know how the Fire Nation corrupts people,” Zuko started. “It takes good people and fills them with hatred towards the rest of the world. I’ve seen it firsthand, when I was banished. We’ve always been taught that it’s the Fire Nations’ job to share its success with the world, to help the nations less fortunate than itself. But the rest of the world doesn’t see us as saviors; they see us as killers.” Zuko glanced up briefly. “In the royal family, we were taught that to the extreme. After all, it would be my job one day to continue my ancestors’ legacy- to take over the world and finish the mission they started. When I was tasked with capturing the Avatar, I saw it as just one more accomplishment to add to my legacy as Fire Lord. I thought that it would make me honorable- in the eyes of my father, my family, my nation. I thought it would make me worthy to be Fire Lord.”

You felt your arms loosen slightly, a drop of pity filling your heart alongside anger.

“When I was accepted back to the Fire Nation, I thought I’d finally be happy. I had everything I wanted! My father was proud of me. I should have been happy. But I wasn’t. I was- and am- angrier than ever and I don’t know why!” His voice rose in pitch until he was yelling, fists clenched by his side. He looked up, catching your apprehensive expression, and shuddered with guilt. “I didn’t mean to do what I did today. I really didn’t. But being here- in the Fire Nation again- it’s turned me into a person I don’t recognize.”

“I’m sorry,” you whispered. Zuko looked up at you, lips parted in surprise. You wrapped your arms around your torso, averting your gaze so he wouldn’t see the pity in your eyes. “I understand how you feel. Sometimes things get so twisted here that you don’t know what’s real anymore.”

Zuko nodded silently. You took a deep breath, hating yourself for not hating Zuko, and continued. “You know, I had a brother.”

Zuko’s eyes widened. Your eyes fluttered close, the familiar wave of sorrow washing over you at your brother’s memory. “Jin-Yan. He was five years older than me. Before he-“ you stopped, taking another breath to quell the tremor in your voice. “Before he died, I believed everything the Fire Nation taught us. I thought that we were the greatest nation in the world. But when my brother turned 18, he was drafted to go to war. We were all so proud.” You shook your head. “Six months after he left, he came home for the Winter Solstice celebration and told me everything. About the thousands of people dying because of the Fire Nation. How whole cities are being burned to the ground. I’d heard stories growing up, but I’d never believed them until he told me. He said that the war wasn’t bringing prosperity to the world like we were taught; it was bringing destruction.”

“What happened to him?” Zuko asked softly, a hint of fear in his voice.

Hatred hardened the lines of your face. “They asked him to kill an innocent child, just because she was an earth bender. He refused. They were going to force him to do it anyways, so he deserted. The general caught him in less than an hour. That very same night, Jin-Yan was executed for treason.” A single angry, hot tear trickled down your cheek.

Suddenly, Zuko was beside you, a warm hand on your shoulder. “I’m so sorry.” He said softly.

You ripped your shoulder out of his grasp and turned away. “Don’t act like you’re sorry when we both know you don’t mean it. Just this morning you were ready to take another member of my family to her execution. You’re no better than the general.”

“I know,” he whispered.

You whipped around to him, heart stammering. You don’t what you’d expected from him, but you certainly hadn’t expected him to agree with you.

“I meant it when I said I was sorry, (Y/N). What I did today was wrong. I can only promise you that I’m trying to be better, and ask for your forgiveness.” Zuko vowed, golden eyes boring into yours.

You turned away so you wouldn’t have to face the sincerity in his gaze. Wrapping your arms around yourself, you squeezed your eyes shut to block out the voices telling you to forgive him, telling you that he was genuine. But then you remembered Jin-Yan, his voice whispering in your mind not to trust anything or anyone in the Fire Nation, and your willingness to forgive disappeared.

“I can’t.” You whispered, turning to meet his gaze again.

Zuko simply nodded. “I understand.” 

You meant it. You didn’t forgive him. But he was so close, his scent a delicious drug as it filled your nostrils, that your body leaned into him of its own accord. Zuko glanced down to your lips, breath hitching quietly, and placed a tentative hand on your jaw as he leaned in-

“(Y/N), darling, are you awake? I want to speak with you.” Your mother’s voice sounded from the other side of the door. Instantly Zuko and you sprang apart, clearing your throats uncomfortably and doing your best to hide your twin blushes.

“I-I’m awake. Can you come back later, please?” You called back to your mother, your voice weak.

“(Y/N), you can’t ignore me fore-“ your mother pushed open the door and stopped in her tracks when she saw Zuko. Her mouth dropped open. “Prince Zuko!”

Zuko’s face blushed to match his robes as he bowed deeply. “Mrs. (L/N). If you and (Y/N) need to talk, I was just about to leave-“

“There’s no need for that, I’ll just come back some other time-“

“Mother!” You hissed, giving her a look.

Your mother smiled sheepishly. “I’ll leave you two alone. Goodnight, (Y/N). Prince Zuko.” She curtsied to Zuko and exited quietly.

You groaned and collapsed into the closest chair, hands shielding your face from having to meet Zuko’s gaze. To your surprise, however, Zuko started to chuckle.

“What?!” You cried, looking up from your hands. Zuko was smiling down at you like you were the most precious thing in the universe. Seeing his grin, you swore your heart skipped a beat.

“Your family. They’re nice.”

You buried your face in your hands again. “They’re embarrassing. I’m sorry you had to witness that.”

“Don’t apologize. It’s kind of... nice, I guess, to see a normal family.”

You looked up once more. “What do you mean?”

Zuko glanced at you then looked away, his gaiety disappearing. “Nothing. Just forget it.”

Crossing your arms, you rose and gave Zuko a pointed look. “It’s not nothing. Tell me the truth.”

Zuko glanced at you again, his cheeks reddening even deeper. “My mother is dead. Or at least, I think she is. And my father...” he trailed off. He didn’t need to explain for you to understand. The Firelord was a cruel and ruthless ruler; you couldn’t imagine having him as a father.

“I’m sorry.” You said, this time you putting your hand on his shoulder to comfort him. Except Zuko didn’t push you away.

“It’s getting late.” He finally said after a moment of silence.

You nodded and pulled away, your hand strangely cold after being in contact with his warm skin. “Yeah. I should probably go to sleep.”

“Probably. “He moved to the door to leave, but before he could go, you caught him by the arm.

“Zuko-“ you started. He raised an eyebrow. “I didn’t mean what I said. About you being cruel.”

Surprise pushed Zuko’s eyebrows upwards, but his shock quickly melted into warmth. “Thank you.”

Your hand trailed off of his arm. “Goodnight, Zuko.” You whispered. He smiled faintly, eyes glittering, and turned down the hall. You watched his figure recede into the blackness of night, shivering as the last glimpse of his amber eyes disappeared into the dark.

When he was finally gone, you crawled into your bed to sleep, but you knew you would be awake all night. Your heart was thumping wildly and you were jittery, like you’d been electrified. A sense of dread settled deep inside of you. Every moment you were with Zuko, your hatred sifted away like grains of sand on a desert dune. Your heart kept betraying you; beating too fast and making you do stupid things like almost kiss him. Despite your best efforts, you couldn't help but like him.

You glared at the wall, pushing your feelings deep down into your stomach. Even if he was your soulmate, he was still destined to be Firelord- which meant that one day, he would continue the era of killing and destruction his ancestors had brought down on the globe. His apology was sincere, but it was no guarantee that he was the person he claimed he was trying to be. You’d simply have to try harder not to like him; because, soulmates or not, you could never stand by someone who would only bring evil to the world.

~~~

“Get up.” A voice snapped you out of your dreams. “Get up!” The voice yanked your covers off of you.

“What- mother!” You cried incredulously, launching upwards with the sudden cold. “I’m in my night-wear!”

“Oh, hush. Now, get dressed, and quickly.”

“Why?” You frowned, rubbing the sleep out of your eyes.

“Because,” your mother said, throwing you a ceremonial robe. “The Fire Lord has requested your presence at the palace.”

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[awkwardgtace]

Mira's Visit Home pt.1

This got long, eventually there's mention of some shitty treatment for Mira. Mostly being slapped and verbally belittled. It's not in this part though.

Part 2, Part 3 (Final)

Mira's Visit Home

The storm had been going for a few days and Mira hadn’t left the walls once. Corus tried to help as much as he could, leaving things near the entrances he knew about, but she couldn't bring herself to leave. As much as she’d come to trust him, she couldn’t tell him she was a safe place for anyone from her home in emergencies. Corus would be helpful, she knew that, but no one else would like dealing with a human. It wasn’t as if she was open to it at first either. She sighed as another crash of thunder roared. It was long enough that she felt she should check the door to the yard again. She nearly screamed when she saw a squirrel coming towards her, the cloth wrapped around their neck a sign used by her home.

Mira ran forward, terrified of who she’d find. There must be something awful for anyone to be out in a storm like this. The squirrel seemed to pick up speed once seeing her, and she gasped upon seeing the rider. Black hair, tan skin, and a face she was sure she’d never see again. A squeak escaped her throat as she tried to say their name. It woke the person who’s brown eyes flooded with relief as soon as they met Mira’s. She carefully led the squirrel in through the door, only pulling the rider off once safely out of the storm. She was quick to get them on their feet to get to her home.

“M..Mira,” they wheezed out and she froze.

“Kaya, Kaya what happened?” she asked. Kaya started to shake, Mira hoped it was from the cold rain water. She’d hadn’t seen them scared like this since they were kids. Kaya used all their strength to pull Mira into a tight hug, fully sobbing as they stood there. Mira was careful in guiding them into a sitting position, the hug never letting up.

“Mira, Mira it’s awful,” they said. “Lightning, it hit a branch while I was out on watch. It fell and blocked the entrance. The wood is too thick for any of our tools. There isn’t a good way to make another exit either.”

Kaya stopped explaining, their sobs taking control again. Mira had gone rigid, she knew what this meant. No one could get out, they couldn’t get any supplies. There wasn’t any hope if the branch wasn’t moved. There’s no way any of them would be strong enough to do it without someone getting hurt, but Mira knew someone who could help. She had to take care of Kaya for tonight though.

“Kaya, can you tell me how long it’s been?” she asked. If their rules hadn’t changed they kept enough food stockpiled for about three days in case of danger. The leaders would properly ration it to last even longer if necessary. Kaya sobbed harder before answering and Mira felt hope shattering. She started rubbing Kaya’s back in an attempt to calm them.

Kaya took in a shaky breath, “About two days. They had me wait one day before leaving, to see if they could cut through. Nothing worked and...and with how bad the storm has been it took a day to reach you. Mira what do we do?”

Mira had made up her mind hearing Kaya’s weak voice. Kaya tried her best to appear strong ever since they announced Mira would leave. They shouldn’t sound like this. Mira had been on her own for almost ten years now, the pain and fear now must be worse believing they’d truly be gone forever. Mira tightened her arms around Kaya, they might never forgive her, but Mira wouldn’t abandon their people. Earlier Corus had called out the storm would end sometime in the night, they’d sleep and tomorrow she would act.

“Kaya let’s go to my home, all right? I have an idea to help everyone, but you need to rest first,” Kaya nodded, their trust almost breaking Mira’s heart. Mira tried to stay lighthearted as they walked, just telling Kaya everything will be fine. Kaya. She pulled her blanket from home out of where she stored it and helped Kaya wrap themself up. Mira had a sad smile once their exhaustion won out and they fell asleep.

At home, Mira would always come up with plans for problems, Kaya would follow without a second thought. This was probably the best for them, trusting her blindly for one last night. Tomorrow she’d bring them to a human, they’d be terrified and think she betrayed everyone. Mira didn’t care though, she had to save everyone. They hadn’t abandoned her when she first left and she knew that’s what some people at home wanted. They picked a home that was safe, gave her supplies, and helped her at first so she wasn’t in danger of starving. She’d save them and then she’d never see anyone from home again. Mira let herself relax, slowly falling asleep next to Kaya.

Mira opened her eyes feeling like she’d only just closed them. It wasn’t raining though, just as Corus had promised. She carefully extracted herself from the hug the two wound up in during the night, preparing for the day. She smiled while gathering breakfast and her supplies, they would always wake up like that when they had sleepovers too. She looked at them gathering her courage before waking them up and handing them breakfast. They looked better than the night before and she wished this was just a casual visit.

“Once you’ve eaten we need to go all right?” Mira asked, Kaya nodded. “We need to get some things from the human. Once we’ve gotten it we can move out. I know his schedule better than the guards when we wanted to sneak out to see the stars.”

Mira winked and they laughed. She was glad to see Kaya smiling before she made them hate her. The two ate in silence, a somber mood falling over them as reality set in. Mira stood once they finished, leading them to an entrance she’d made more recently. Corus didn’t know about it so there wouldn’t be anything there. She appreciated how much he tried to help her, although it would cause issues now.

She looked carefully for him, he was usually up early after storms. Mira quickly ran to the table, tossing her hook up easily catching it on the table. Kaya didn’t even hesitate to follow, trusting Mira blindly like always. She pulled the rope a few times to test it, smiling as she remembered when Corus sanded the table down. She shook the memory from her head, she couldn’t be distracted. She handed the rope to Kaya and watched as they climbed up. It felt so natural, the two taking a risk for whatever reason together. Mira was always the look out when they would sneak out as kids. Shaking away those memories as well, Mira climbed up once Kaya was halfway.

Once at the top of the table Kaya moved towards the fruit dish. Corus put it out so Mira could get fruit more easily, and it was a good place to hide if anyone else came in. It was the only thing up here, of course Kaya would assume that’s the goal. Once Mira felt sure Kaya was far enough, she freed the hook and watched it hit the ground. The sound echoed in the quiet room and Kaya’s face filled with fear. They ran to Mira grabbing her with a look of fear, trying to pull her towards the dish. She knew Kaya thought the two were in danger, but this was the best way to make sure they wouldn’t run. Mira was confident, Kaya always had a fear of heights they kept hidden, they wouldn’t run away. Kaya looked at Mira with tear filled eyes. Mira waited a little, before realizing that wasn’t enough sound.

“Corus, come quick I need your help!” she called out as loud as possible. After storms, Corus was always waiting for her to call out. He kept the house quiet so he’d hear her and she knew it. In only a few seconds the thumps of human footsteps started to come closer.

“Kaya I need you to trust me. I know how this looks, but I promise you this will save everyone,” Mira said. The look of betrayal on Kaya’s face made her want to back out.

“I always fucking trusted you and now you’re bringing a human straight to us!” they seethed, but Mira heard the hurt they tried to hide. “What happened to you, you’ve always tried to be there for everyone, why would you do this now when we’re all that’s left?”

“I’m doing this so we aren’t all that’s left, please trust me.”

“Mira!” Corus tried to stay quiet, but the shout slipped out. Mira never asked for his help, this had to be bad. “What’s wrong?”

He froze when he entered the room. When Mira called out he’d had a number of things race through his mind, a lot involved her having fallen while climbing. He never expected another person Mira’s size to be on the table holding Mira like their life depended on it. He moved closer, this person could be a risk to Mira and he would scare them away if needed. She was so careful when talking about her, or others like her, this had to be as serious as he feared.

“Corus something horrible happened, I need you to help us,” she said. He looked toward the other person, confused when Mira stepped forward as if blocking them from view.

“What do you need?” he asked. He’d do anything he could to help her.

“A branch fell at my home. It’s trapped everyone else. I need you to move it. They might be running low on food too. This is the third day they’ve been trapped. Kaya came to me, they were away at the time. We’re all that’s left, please save them.” Mira’s voice cracked and Kaya just stared. Their grip had loosened as Mira talked. Mira had just revealed everything to a human. Kaya glared at the human, their Mira wouldn’t do this. This human had tricked her, he must have.

“All right let me go get my shoes on and a bag so we can bring some food and supplies with us. Kaya, I’m Corus. I'm sure you don’t trust me, but I’ll help and then leave no strings attached.”

He quickly moved away, Kaya flinched as he did. He looked down as he stepped away, noticing the fish hook on the ground. He hadn’t imagined the small sound before she called out to him. Mira had really forced this, well he’d prove he could be trusted to both of them. He moved slowly to pick up the hook on the floor and placed it on the table close to Mira. It might help this other person to feel better when they have an escape again. He left the kitchen after to quickly gather what he needed. Mira grabbed her hook, freeing herself from Kaya’s grip. She walked away, setting the hook at the edge so they could climb down.

“I decided to do this after you got here last night. You had to be here, to see how it went and know what I was doing. I know how this looks, I understand if you leave, but we’ll still be going,” she said.

“Mira, do you really trust this human?” they asked, she nodded. “I guess I’ll have to take the risk. I mean you were the most careful before, you wouldn’t trust one lightly.”

Mira couldn’t hide the smile Kaya’s words brought on. Together they could save their home, but Mira’s plan wasn’t quite as obvious as it seemed. Kaya wouldn’t suffer from Mira’s choices. Mira had realized one time Corus was outside planting, their home was in the woods nearby. She could lead him with or without Kaya. Kaya wasn’t used to being an outcast like Mira, they weren’t going to get caught up in bringing a human home. Corus walked back in with a small bag and the jacket Mira expected. It had a pocket on the inside by the chest, perfect for hiding Kaya if they wouldn’t listen, and Mira on the way back. She wouldn’t want to see his face after this is done she was sure.

Mira quickly listed the food Corus had that would be best to bring. Kaya hesitantly chimed in admitting they’d had some poorer harvests and extra couldn’t hurt. A lot of the things Mira picked out were the things he’d bought just for her. Trail mixes, dried fruits, jerky, some vegetables that lasted better. At the end of it all he’d packed up a lot of food, more than Kaya expected. They thought the human would be less… generous, maybe Mira’s human could be trusted.

“So how are we heading out?” Corus asked. Kaya’s fear returned, they did not want to be in those hands. They didn’t trust he wouldn’t just grab them either.

“Go to the back of the house and we'll meet you there,” Mira told him. He nodded and walked away. Kaya was shocked that he didn’t argue, Mira had really had a human listen to her. The two quickly returned to the walls taking the same path through Mira’s home to grab Kaya’s things. They were walking to the door their squirrel had stayed by when Kaya gave up staying quiet.

“I can’t believe you actually managed to control a human like this.” Kaya said.

“Excuse me?” Mira had stopped. They turned to look at her, a little shocked how she was reacting.

“You’re doing something to get him to do all this right? Did you convince him you were a fairy from those old stories? Oh or did you mistake you for something else and-”

“SHUT UP!” Mira yelled, they stepped back.

“Wha-”

“Look I know that I had a reputation at home because of Elder Collin, but I didn’t do anything. Just like back then, I don’t have any special powers or skills to control people. Corus is just a kind person and he just likes to be helpful..”

Mira started to walk again. She thought back to the guilt he’d had about almost hurting her before they met. A habit of the day, she shook the thoughts away. She wasn’t going to entertain this, they had more important matters for her to focus on. Kaya trailed behind, Mira had never gotten mad at them like that before. They couldn’t even remember a time they’d heard her yell because she was angry. Corus must be amazing for her to get so upset at the idea of controlling him, she didn’t even get this mad during the years they prepped for her leaving. They were outside before Kaya could even try to say anything else, Mira leading the squirrel out carefully. Corus was standing near their entrance, making Kaya a little nervous.

Corus saw them and faster than either could react scooped up them and Kaya’s squirrel. Kaya couldn’t help but start panicking trying desperately to get out, Mira seeming shocked, but calm. That’s when they heard splashes coming towards them. The two shared a scared look, another human might have seen them.

“Corus dear, what are you doing out here?” a high pitched voice rang out. Mira couldn’t help flinching, this was the nosy neighbor. Mira couldn’t stand them, they’d told him to get mouse traps when he first moved in and nearly broke her leg with a flower pot.

“Oh Mrs. Adam just about to take a squirrel that had been hiding inside during the storm back to the woods,” he answered. Mira knew Corus was just hiding them. Kaya was stunned, he wasn’t just being cruel.

“Oh dear, I warned you to get mouse traps. Your grandparents had complained about hearing something in the walls a few times. I knew there were things getting inside. You could also get ferrets like I did, they work wonders to keep things out.”

Corus gave a fake laugh, “I told you in the beginning I would much rather let whatever it is go than risk it getting hurt.”

“You’re a braver soul than I am. I would have just called animal control when I found that thing. Plus going to the woods, you know all the superstitions about that place. It’s always better to leave it be as I say.”

“This squirrel isn’t a thing, ma’am and I should really be going. Stay dry,” Corus immediately stalked off. He kept his focus on his hands to avoid holding them too tightly. The new habit he’d picked up since meeting Mira would only hurt them right now. This neighbor always made him angry, didn’t actually care about any ‘issues’ he may have, she just didn’t want them at her home. He wouldn’t lie that he harbored a little hate since she had trapped Mira in the flower pot, she could have been hurt pretty badly. He knew this was terrifying to Kaya, but he wouldn’t risk his neighbor seeing them.

[porcelain-blue]

Stray Dogs Seem to Follow

What if Cangse Sanren and Wei Changze did not die? What if they, along with Song Lan and Xiao Xingchen, start their dream sect where no bloodlines matter, only skill and hard work?

The all-star trained-by-an-immortal cast is honestly reason enough for random rogue cultivators to start to flock to them, but the truth is the reputations that draw people are not one of battle prowess, but of human decency, humility, and a penchant for treating people equally between farmers and gentry. 

YilingWei is a small but growing power in the cultivation world, and through Wei Changze has an alliance with the Jiang Clan, and through Cangze Sanren, has an alliance with GusuLan. Many of the other sects dislike this very much, because nobody likes to see the idea that noble blood actually doesn’t really matter be proven so soundly.  Wei Wuxian has an uncanny ability for picking up strays. 

Stray #1: Wei Wuxian is ambling around Yueyang, let loose with uncle Song Lan at a good pace watching him, when he sees a kid get beaten up for asking for a reward of a snack. He darts forward, catching a fist and stepping to the side so the man is twisted under his knee in one smooth motion. Training had been going well, and he thinks mama would be proud.  The man sputters, face red, and makes all sorts of demands, puffing and going on and on about the YueyangChang. 

Wei Wuxian, professional brat and heir to YilingWei, lets the man go with a light shove that sends him kneeling into the dirt, and speaks, heaping on extra insolence just for fun.

“Ah, well. Sorry, gongzi, I’m not from here, so I don’t know who is who around these parts,” he sing-songs, moving to help the very battered kid up from the ground. He looks like he’s about his age. He beams at him, although the kid is looking at him warily. “But my mama tells me you can’t make promises you can’t keep, and a rich gongzi like you surely can buy some candy to pay for your errands, can’t you?” 

“Who the fuck are you, brat? You think you can speak to me like this?” The man seems to be reaching forward, ready to strike, and Wei Wuxian is ready to throw down, but his uncle Song Lan steps smoothly between them, bows with grace to the man and asks softly what the matter is. 

“Has our young master Wei gotten himself into trouble again?” Song Lan asks, all civil and gentlemanly and terrifying. The Distant Snow and Cold Frost is recognisable to most, and Wei Wuxian watches as the man puts two and two together. That said, YilingWei isn’t that prestigious a clan to warrant that much respect, but the man clearly knows he is outclassed. He turns in a bad temper, stomping away.  Song Lan turns to him, raises an eyebrow, and then bends down to speak to the kid who is fidgeting behind Wei Wuxian.  “Haizi, don’t worry, we mean no harm. Will you tell gege your name?” The kid looks at the two of them warily, eyeing their simple clothing, their lack of ornament. “Xue Yang,” he mutters.  “Alright, A-Yang, A-Ying, will you tell gege what happened?” Wei Wuxian sticks his tongue out at his uncle. “That guy was being an ass! Yang-di did something for him for a snack and he got all mad!” He huffs, annoyed. “We should have beat him up.”  Song Lan waits to see if Xue Yang will dispute the story, and when the kid just looks at his feet, angry tears in his eyes, he sighs. Grabs Wei Wuxian by the scruff of his robes and puts a gentle hand on Xue Yang’s head.  “Come on, gege was getting hungry anyways. I was going to get some food. I’m sure A-Ying will want too many snacks, but if there’s two of you, you can share, hm?” He starts walking away.  Wei Wuxian grins. “Uncle is really a pushover, c’mon, I want some tanghulu. Do you have any family? Our sect is great, we don’t care who or where you’re from. You wanna come see?”  Xue Yang blinks at him, lets his wrist get grabbed and towed away, buoyed by the promise of tanghulu and snacks. Maybe this time it won’t end in suffering.  ----------

Stray #2:  It’s the third day of the discussion conference in Lanling, and while Wei Wuxian had been dragged by his parents to attend and bow and get his everything commented, he had finally bargained the day off, cheeks sore from getting pinched by random and well-meaning older aunties. He grabs Xue Yang and uncle Xingchen, badgering them into going to town with him. He wants to try Lanling street food! He’s heard the baozi are really good! It’s about lunchtime when they wander into a food stall that smells amazing, but before they can order there’s a commotion.  “Stay away from us, you son of a whore!” A scuffle, and there, a kid is being pushed down, his baozi thrown onto the floor.  “Yeah, I bet you’re full of disease, just like your mother!” another kid, bigger and meaner, spits on the ground. Gross. The kid on the floor looks incensed at this, eyes flashing, but before he can do anything his hair is being yanked and he’s gasping in pain.  Wei Wuxian has really got to stop meeting peers like this. He slants a look at Xue Yang, who has gone still and tense. Xue Yang hates these kinds of people the most. They step into the stall together, and while he’s tempted to really mess around with these guys, he probably shouldn’t make a fuss during a discussion conference, or mama will make them do drills for hours.  So he nudges Xue Yang forward, and his shidi grips the hand holding the boy’s hair hard enough that the bones creak, until the bully is gasping in pain and wrenching back, letting go of the younger boy. Wei Wuxian helps the kid up, makes sure he’s alright.  “Who the fuck are you guys?” the kids say, and Wei Wuxian notices that they’re in Jin gold. Gross. It occurs to him then that they probably also cannot make a fuss during LanlingJin’s discussion conference, so Wei Wuxian just grins his most diplomatic smile, throws an exaggerated bow and says, “Wei Wuxian, heir to YilingWei, at your service! This is my shidi Xue Chengmei! We compliment LanlingJin for hosting our sect. LanlingJin must be very rich, if minor disciples can afford to waste food like this!” He waves an airy hand at the remains of the boy’s baozi scattered across the floor. One of the Jin boys sneer, “We don’t have to care about commoners and trash like that,” he spits, but is clearly not willing to challenge a sect heir outright. Xue Yang is still pissed, so he puts a hand on the sword at his hip, and narrows his eyes at them.  “YilingWei strongly discourages actions and words like that,” he says. And the threat is very, very much implied.  Eventally, Uncle Xingchen appears, smoothes things over, and sends the Jins on their way. Wei Wuxian turns round to the kid who is looking at them with wide doe eyes, half afraid, half in awe.  “This Meng Yao thanks the two honored cultivators for their assistance,” he murmurs, polite and formal, but the hands folded in front of his bow are trembling.  Wei Wuxian scrunches his nose as Xue Yang ambles off to buy three baozi from the lady at the front of the stall. It’s kind of nice, Wei Wuxian thinks absently, that Xue Yang gets to feed other kids, now. 

“Aw, none of that,” Wei Wuxian says, pulling the kid’s hands apart and lifting him back upright. “We’re all common folk here, aren’t we, Yang-di!”  “Aren’t you the heir of the Wei Sect, gongzi?” Meng Yao asks.  “Well, yeah, but my dad was born a servant. Anyways our sect doesn’t care about that sort of stuff. You want a baozi? I’m sorry yours got thrown.”  Meng Yao accepts a baozi and eats it with more elegance than Wei Wuxian has ever seen. He doesn’t finish, though, even though he’s obviously still hungry.  “Saving it for later?” Xue Yang asks, eyeing him.

Meng Yao shakes his head gently. “My mother, ah. She works at a brothel, as I’m sure you heard earlier. They don’t... they don’t feed her much if she doesn’t work enough.”  They sit there for a moment, three kids digesting the weight of the world. The moment passes, though, and Wei Wuxian darts back to the front of the store to get another baozi, and some other snacks wrapped up in paper to go. He gestures at them to come out, and the trail after him.  “C’mon, I got some extra food for your mom. Can you take us to her?”  Meng Yao blanches for a moment, obviously torn. He nods, after a moment, and they walk a ways to the establishment where Meng Shi works. Meng Yao fidgets for a moment, but gestures them in through a side door. They meet Meng Yao’s mother, who looks a lot like him, She thanks them graciously for the food, and asks them questions about their sword, and the cultivation world in general. They’re not there for long before Wei Wuxian’s yaopei glows softly, and he winces.  At the two pairs of delicately raised eyebrows, he answers, “Mama’s using her tracking talisman.”  Meng Shi laughs, then, a clear, high sound. She slaps a delicate hand on the table in mirth. “Oh, I wish I had one of those for my boy here! Your mother would make a killing if she sold those!”  Before he can reply, he hears a scuffle, a few shouts of “Excuse me, You can’t be here!” before his mother thows the doors open and stomps in, stopping before them to stare her son and disciple down. “Well boys, aren’t you two a little young to be in a place like this?” she says archly.  Meng Shi rises gracefully, bowing low. “Ah, we beg your forgiveness, your boys were helping my son with some trouble, and were kind enough to bring me some food. Please let me repay you for their troubles.”  Meng Yao looks alarmed at that, but he doesn’t say anything. Cangse Sanren looks at the whole scene, narrows her eyes at her son before waving her hands at the other woman. She pushes her son and Xue Yang’s heads down roughly, making them bow.  “No, no, thank you for keeping my boys out of trouble!” she says, and the two women stare at each other for a beat, before they both smile and sit down at the table in unison.  “Psst. Mama, can we bring them back? “ Wei Wuxian asks, tugging on her sleeve. She sighs at him, and then directs her question to Meng Shi. “Well, Meng-guniang. It looks like my boys have made friends with your son here, and to be honest, we’d like some more young disciples. Would you want to come with us?” 

Meng Shi looks taken aback. She thinks of Jin Guangshan and his many empty promises. She thinks of her son, and wonders if he will make a good cultivator in Yiling black and white instead of Jin gold. She knows, that of the two sects, only one has been kind to her son so far. But still. “I’m a prostitute. What use could YilingWei have for a woman like me?”  Cangse Sanren looks straight at her. “You can read?”  She nods. It is her one pride. “I can sing, and play erhu. I can sew” The othe woman nods. “You can teach my boys manners, too, it seems. We will take you, if you come with us. You would have to work your debt off, but, we wouldn’t ask you to do it like this. There are other girls, who come from your line of work. They help us with accounts and sewing and whatever else they are deft at.”  Meng Shi looks at her son, notes the way his eyes are wide and guileless. He has yet to learn how to lie and scheme and seduce his way into power. He looks at the two other boys, who look away at the scantily dressed women who walk by and smile at them, who are young and strong and seem to not care about her sons birth.  She stands, and bows deeply. “We humbly request a place in YilingWei.”  Cangse Sanren smiles, and leads the way, three boys trotting along at her heels as she goes off in search of her husband. It’s time to go home.