#But you'll have to pry it from her cold dead hands

[bernardellinewsagency]

"You'll have to pry this knowledge from my cold dead hands! But even the Stellaron Hunters can't get dead men to speak, right? I'll never tell you what you need to know, never!"

Dan Heng sighs. "I told you, we wouldn't get anything out of him. He's a waste of our time."

"Are you sure?" Welt presses the tip of his cane right below the man's throat, watching the way his breathing hitches, then speeds up. "It could take us a while to find someone else who can tell us the passcodes. We certainly could take the time to look for another officer, but there's no guarantee we'll find another of his rank. It may be more efficient to find a way to force him to talk."

"Men like this one are often too set in their own ideals for their own good," Himeko chimes in, "I doubt he'd try to save his own life by betraying the company. This script comes with a time limit, I suggest we save our time by not needlessly torturing him until he dies."

March 7th thinks back to her own script, and the note penned in red at the bottom. At first, she thought it was just a reminder to take care of herself, probably just a sentiment from Himeko. "Don't worry about the time, March 7th. When in doubt, just take things slow. You may find that even a five minute break will do you wonders."

Drawing upon her Six-Phased Ice, the temperature in the room plummets as she walks over to the bound man. "Cold dead hands?" she mutters. "That's a poor choice of words."

"Wha- what are you doing?" the man cries out, trying to back away from her the best he can. "Help, help help!" he yells. As if anyone would hear him now.

The ice starts by his feet, then spreads up his legs and down his arms until every part of him but his head is encased within layer upon layer of reflective ice. She can see herself when she looks at him, just like looking in a mirror, she can see the smile that spreads across her face and doesn't match her downcast eyes.

"Shh," she whispers to him, pressing a finger to her lips, "I'd save my energy if I were you! Frostbite is going to set in to your extremities first, and with this ice, it'll probably be necrosis by the time I get back from taking a nice little walk around this place- maybe I'll even find somewhere I can get myself something to drink! Dan Heng, would you buy me a milkshake?!"

"Wait! You- you can't-!"

Unsurprisingly, he shuts up the moment she moves as if to encase his mouth in ice too. "Don't plead with me, that's so boring! There's nothing worse than someone who goes back on their word. You said that I'll have to pry this knowledge from your cold dead hands, and so I will. You'll still be alive though, and we can even make sure you get medical attention... after I get back, though. A cute girl like me needs to make sure she takes breaks to relax, after all, because stress just makes everything totally not cute, don't you agree?"

"You're not cute," he says, teeth chattering from the cold, "you're a monster!"

Even the other three look like they might try and stop her, or claim that the man is already ready to talk and spill the passcodes to them. But she's just following Elio's advice, that's all. Spinning on her heel, she starts walking away, ignoring the man's protests and the glances from the others.

Cute, monstrous... who says they have to be opposites?

started thinking about a stellaron hunters/astral express swap, and then immediately got myself hooked on the thought of march 7th as a stellaron hunter.

plucked from the six phased ice by the stellaron hunters, constantly searching for a past that isn't even mentioned in elio's scripts and wondering how she managed to be frozen in the first place. she also has to wonder how long a human could survive in such conditions. how old is she, really? did something put her in that ice so that she could be found at some point in the future, at whatever time that she would be needed in the scripts? maybe all the memories that she lost are of a time long past, or maybe they're of a not distant past that she still wouldn't know even if she found it.

she's a girl with a frozen heart, like her emotions are still encased in ice. surely she used to love something, but she can't remember, and nowadays she feels cold apathy towards much in life. she surrounds herself in pink and cute things, because those are things she should like, the color of her hair and what girls her age typically like. she doesn't actually "love" them though.

she doesn't have any trepidation about facing down danger, or about not holding back. she doesn't have the same compassion or empathy- maybe towards the other stellaron hunters she'd feel something like that, but towards those who get in the way of completing the scripts, the one purpose she has in life, possibly the only reason she's still here? she has no qualms about freezing them the same way she was. perhaps, when she views six phased ice as something beautiful, these ice sculptures she creates are some of the only things that can bring a smile to her face.

i'm just. stellaron hunter march 7th!! her but fucked up and evil!!

[psycho-net2000]

@Psycho-net.com

Status: Online

Greetings, fellow humans. My name is Chloe Barge. You may know me from a few articles in true psychic tales magazine, or from my work on the latest Psycho-location satellite. I am here to tell those of you seeing this, that for a limited time we are having this special email put out in the open for all of you to see. I am happy to announce that you can send me and my lab partner you may have heard of, Razputin Aquato,questions using this special email!

Questions of any kind and anyone are welcome, but please keep in mind that this is a business email, so remember to keep things professional. Also, emails may or may not be monitored.

(Pfp by @borderlineseaweed :D)

Alright everyone, you heard the lady! I've got this sideblog up for all of yall to ask some questions as if you were in the AU itself! I thought it'd be kind of fun!

Here, you'll be able to ask future Chloe and Raz questions, see some art and comics, and wips/behind the scenes to some of said art and comics!

Alright now for some rules and stuff for this blog:

If you want, you can ask questions as your own OC(s) and for fun, you can make up a fun little email for them using the "@psycho-net.com!" Keep in mind it's a made up email, and you just put your OC's email name in front of it and then put in your ask underneath it.

You can ask questions as if you're referring to comics or recent events! Example: "Hey, is it true you fought and befriended a mutant lung fish? Or was that just and exaggeration to fill up the magazine?" Remeber to get creative! :)

Won't do prompts or role-play scenarios/requests. These are supposed to be as if the characters are answering emails and not actually interacting with irl people.

I won't answer any asks that have "magic" or bring things into reality like food, gifts, etc. It's not that kind of blog, and as stated before, it's supposed to be just answering emails.

As Chloe said earlier, keep things professional! Any asks that make me uncomfortable to answer, or arent relevant to the blog will be ignored. If you have questions non relevant about the blog, please refer to me, Mod Doodle (@doodle17).

Some asks will get answered with text, images, or both! If I see a question I want to answer with images more than words, then I'll answer with drawings. If I see one that I think would be easier for me to write then that's what I'll do. But it'll mostly depend on whether or not I'm able to access my computer for illustrations (or if I'm too excited about the question to draw anything and want to answer right away)

If you have a specific question for Chloe, Raz, or both, please state it in the ask! If not, then I'll choose who answers it. So if you want a certain person to answer, please refer to them!

In case you're still wondering, you can ask them anything! About their coworkers, family, jobs, friends, stories, etc.

Thats all I've got for now! I'm gonna refrain from answering any asks until December-ish, while I get some things together... I just really wanted to get this out because I've been working on it for like- a week and was itching to show it off

Until then, feel free to send your questions now! And yes, you can ask more than one question

[soup-child]

The fact that Adaine "i don't know if im asexual im 15" Abernant and Riz "why is everyone so horny im definately aroace" Gukgak both being in the same show is incredibly important to me

[supercantaloupe]

slapping judaism onto my favorite characters without any justification is always fun but it’s especially great when i actually have textual or metatextual justification for doing so. i love it when i can prove i’m right

[aberooski]

The semi parallel with Alexis and Fuyuhi in the GX x Fatal Frame 5 crossover has me in a fucking choke hold and I haven't even written enough of the fic to really even get into it.

In the game, Fuyuhi comes to the shop looking for Hisoka for help finding her friend, she can't get Hisoka's help since she's already gone missing herself so Yuri's left to help her. Fuyuhi goes off to the mountain by herself to look for Haruka, and even though Yuri goes after her and catches up with her, they get separated and Fuyuhi is ultimately killed. Yuri couldn't save her.

But Alexis comes to the shop looking for Hisoka for help looking for Atticus, but Hisoka wants to help but is hesitant to get involved after the events of the game. So Alexis is ready to just go up onto the mountain to look for him herself, but Yuri doesn't let her go alone and goes up there with her. She doesn't want the same thing that happened with Fuyuhi to happen with Alexis.

All the way back to when Alexis first shows up at the shop asking for Hisoka, having been pointed to do so by some locals, Yuri is reminded of and haunted by the memory of Fuyuhi, she's afraid Alexis and Atticus will end up like Fuyuhi and Haruka and both end up dead. And when Alexis and Yuri eventually run into Fuyuhi's ghost up on the mountain, having been one of the ghosts that's been pulled back from the afterlife by the mountain to defend against what's being done and going on up there by the baddies, Yuri freezes for a second. Alexis notices this and after the ghostie fight, Alexis asks her what her hesitence was about and why she was so affected by this ghost.

"Did you know her...?"

Yuri only nods, though she didn't really know Fuyuhi that well at all outside of the very short time she spent with her that fateful night.

"Fuyuhi Himino. She was you."

[consoledacup]

I have spent so long trying to feel less, trying to be the kind of man society expects me to be. And for a moment, I thought I had succeeded. But these past few weeks have been full of confounding feelings. Feelings like a total inability to stop thinking about you. About that kiss. Feelings like dreaming of you when I'm asleep, and in fact, preferring sleep because that is where I might find you. A feeling that is like torture, but one which I cannot, will not, do not want to give up.

–Colin Bridgerton, "Old Friends," Bridgerton

So the fact that I just typed all of that out by memory means that this is the best romantic declaration. As tender as Colin and Penelope's speeches to each other are at the Dankworth-Finch Ball and the Bridgerton study respectively, Colin's desperate plea quoted above is the passionate sound bite of the season.

And it is so in line with Colin's character. For anyone that had any doubts about how he was playing a role earlier this season, he explains it plainly. He said, I've done everything unnatural within me to finally try and fit in, and wouldn't you know, it worked! God, the fact that he was aware that he was forcing himself to feel less??

He says, you may have forgotten about that kiss, but I sure haven't. You've asked me to stay away to avoid more scandal, but you've never escaped my thoughts.

I think the line about seeking sleep because he can always find Penelope in his dreams is probably the most romantic thing I've ever heard. To me, it harkens back to what Colin said about Leander to Daphne when he was desperately wanting to talk to Marina:

"Leander swam Abydos to Sestos every single night in complete darkness just to see his love."

He believed himself in love with Marina then, but he was merely posturing about it. His pride was wounded and his savior complex was ignited.

But saying that he welcomed the darkness of sleep because he knew every single time he'd see Penelope in his dreams? That is some next-level yearning. And we're privy to one of those dreams, so we know his words are true.

Then he concludes with, these feelings are driving me mad and making me sick, but you'll have to pry them from my cold dead hands because they are now a part of me. I may have been trying to feel less before, but I refuse to feel less in this. Because as painful as they are, they are also real, and for the first time in my life, I have found that sense of meaning that I had been feverishly searching for.

He says this all to simply share how he feels. He's hoping that she at least somewhat reciprocates, but it's been tearing him apart to keep his feelings for her hidden. He knows that he could love her so ardently and worship her so reverently if she'd just let him. He is on his knees, begging for her to listen to him. It's high time that they're finally honest with each other, and he takes the first step with this perfect speech.

[cctinsleybaxter]

that's right gomens isn't even at the heart of my neilman lore- i went to an in-person bookstore event with him as a teenager and brought my copy of stardust for him to sign 🚬 😑

[poppy-metal]

POPPPPPY!!!! do you think in the arranged marriage!au reader will ever get her love confession in the rain moment w patrick?? also i feel like patrick is just softer w her in general.. like after the whole trying to out her face down on the bed moment, if anything goes further between them he’ll actually take it soft and slow (and correct me if i’m wrong but she’s prolly a virgin right..? cause she hasn’t rlly been in any other romantic relationships or anything along that lines of seeing other people and she doesn’t seem like the gal to go out and js hook up)

well, of course she's gonna get her confession in the rain moment it's only fair given what she's put up with- and when patrick falls in love we all know what a pathetic fucking yearner he is. pathetic HUSBAND patrick....... im sick to my bones....... and yes! you'll have to pry the virginal innocent trope from my cold dead hands I love it so dearly

[paleghostinthecorner02]

Anyone else think Gabi look like she could have some East Asian in her?

Liiiiiiike, maybe her mom was of EA descent?

Liiiiiiiike, I dunno,

FUCK YOU, YOU'LL PRY XINA BEING GABI'S MOM AND MIGUEL'S WIFE FROM MY COLD, DEAD HANDS

[gamerbearmira]

Cryptid madrigals au-

I forgot to add, whether you get a gift or not, you're going to have some kind of ability no matter what, thanks to Alma's genetics.

So, what I've heard about the moth man, he can swipe people off their feet as he flies into the darkness.

Therefore, Mirabel is strong enough to lift people up without an issue while flying. She's not as strong as Luisa, but she can lift people up if need be. Only two at a time of course, maybe three if she's pushing it.

She's also really fast when it comes to flying. So, there's no point in running if you piss her off.

Mothman is described as being a human-bird hybrid larger than a normal man. So, Mirabel is taller than people her age without the amulet.

Canon Mirabel is 5'2, so in this au, without the amulet she's probably reaches her abuela's shoulders or a few inches above them.

Proximity to the Mothman causes confusion, extreme fear, and psychological distress that can last months and lead to death or insanity.

Mirabel can do that too but only with intent and so far, she hasn't been given a reason to kill anyone. She only needs to cause confusion, extreme fear, and phycological distress to villagers who need a humbling lesson. (I'm sure she probably gets this trait from Alma tho)

There's a movie called "Bodysnatchers" and basically these aliens take over people's bodies, and if these aliens know you aren't one of them, they'll point at you and scream.

Seeing as Dolores is a banshee, I can imagine her doing that. And from what I've read,

"Banshee, (“woman of the fairies”) supernatural being in Irish and other Celtic folklore who's mournful “keening,” or wailing screaming or lamentation, at night was believed to foretell the death of a member of the family of the person who heard the spirit."

So, give her a reason to scream if you want to, YOU are someone you care about is going to meet the maker in the clouds.

But let's be clear, no madrigal is a killer, if you don't prove as an actual physical threat to them, you'll just get "visits" at night to scare you into being a little nicer.

MORE STUFF YIPEEE❗❗

I'm not surprised that they get abilities. I mean Alma has some, so it's exoected that even without a gift, they have some kind of ability tied to whatever kind of cryptid they are. Her powers are pretty rad though, and you can obviously see where she gets her height from 💀💀

Dolores screaming is so real. I imagined she probably burst a couple ear drums, especially in her younger years when random grown people would just sneak into the house. Homegirl is trying to get sime water and some random dude is in Casita being tortured by Pedro 😭

Night visits, so real <\\33 ALSO. Is Mariano is in this au?? Or like the Guzmán's in general??? And are the cryptids too. Like. I need a reason 🙏🙏 silly idea where there are, albeit very, very few, cryptic families in the Encanto. Again, not many, and they aren't big families either. But they're at the very least known to the Madrigals. Idk, I'm spitballing again 🦀🦀

Dolores and then random drawings. Mirabel can't wear shoes, just ribbons, and Antonio acts a lot like an animal given he's a chimera. I also read that most chimera's breath fire so. Do with that what you will 💀💀 and then Félix, cause why not 🧯

You'll have to pry this damn family tree out of my cold dead hands because I genuinely love editing it to fit other aus. Like any given chance I WILL do it, even if its low effort 🙏

[dragon-kazansky]

Spirit of the sea

Izzy Hands x Reader (GN)

SEASON 2 CONTENT AHEAD!!!

Blackbeard rules the sea. Despite wanting his captain back, Izzy realises his mistake. Protecting the crew is his concern. Protecting you is his life mission. Stede's return brings hope, but there's a lot of work to be done before this crew becomes a family.

{Masterlist}

{Previous Chapter} - {Next Chapter}

Warnings: Spoilers. The ending he deserved. WHEN I CATCH YOU RICKY.

Chapter Seventeen - The unicorn and his sparrow

♡♡♡

It was funny. In a way. This whole thing had started with you in Stede's brig and now you were locked up with his crew. So much had happened since then.

The fucking Navy. Not even just that. Richard Banes.

Zheng had intended to use the Navy, but the prince as used that against her. He had given each ship a gift, a grandfather clock, as a sign of "peace." Only they were full of explosives and he had used them to destroy her fleet.

Now the Republic of Pirates was flooded with the English.

You were sat in the cell below Jackie's bar with the rest of the crew. Izzy hadn't left your side the entire time. When the bar got flooded with Navy men, Izzy had pushed you behind him. When you were caught and being manhandled, Izzy swore more than you had ever heard before. It was a constant "get your hands off them." He did not like seeing you being pushed around.

As soon as the cell was locked behind you, Izzy gathered you in his arms and held you to his chest. You had to reassure him you were okay.

Prince Richard decided to come pay you all a visit. "Hello, friends."

You reach for Izzy's hand. He squeezes yours back.

"This is bittersweet. I mean, here we all are at the end of piracy and you'll all be hung in the next few minutes and all your stories will be lost for the ages. Which is a shame because I do love a good pirates' tale. But don't you worry. Because I will not be hanging you by the thumbs like that deranged Captain Kidd." The prince rattles on.

"That's not what he did, you twat," Izzy says from the back of the cell. His hand was still holding yours.

"Oh, my. The great Izzy Hands," the prince claps.

"And you're... Pinocchio?" Izzy asks, mocking the man. You laugh with the others.

"A new one. Bring him upstairs."

You stop laughing.

"Sir, aren't we going to hang them?" The man beside the prince asks.

"Oh, yes. But they're not going anywhere." Richard smiles. "So I have time for a drink with a legend."

As the prince walks away, Izzy is summoned closer to the gate. You squeeze his hand, silently asking him not to go. Izzy turns to you. You look at him with leading eyes, shaking your head softly.

"Don't." The word falls from your lips in a soft whisper.

"I'll be alright. I'm coming back for you," he says softly. Your expression doesn't change and it hurts Izzy's heart to see you look so worried for him.

Izzy let's go of your hand and exits the cell. He turns to you once more before going upstairs.

You sink against the ball.

"Fuck."

♡♡♡

"Can't believe I have an audience with the great Israel Hands. That's absolutely astounding." Richard is in awe.

Izzy just focuses on the candles on the table.

"I've always thought you were underrated. I mean, it's absurd, isn't it? Isn't it? That Blackbeard, he gets all this praise, when you are quite clearly the brains of this operation?"

"Ya don't know the first thing about piracy, do ya?" Izzy asks him, looking up from the candle.

"Don't I?"

"It's not about glory. It's not about gettin' what you want. Its about belonging to something when the world bad told you you're nothin'. It's about finding the family to kill for when yours are long dead. It's about letting go of ego for something larger." You and the crew cross his mind. "The crew."

"Oh, my goodness. You've just grown so tedious." Richard chuckles dryly.

♡♡♡

Archie and Fang are trying to help pry the bars open enough for someone to slip through. You're sat on the cold ground of the cell staring at your dirty old boots.

What was this prince fuck talking about with Izzy? Why did he have to take him upstairs? Was Izzy okay?

Frenchie sits down beside you. "You doin' okay?" He asks.

"Peachy..."

"They'll bring him back. Izzy won't go down without a fight."

You sighs softly. "I know..."

"And he's not going to leave you here. Izzy cares for you more than he does for anyone. He's not gonna let you down."

You smile. "He could never do that."

Frenchie nudges your arm lightly.

"I worry about him. Like, all the time. I've sailed with Izzy Hands for years. I've known him deeper than anyone else ever has. He's let me see sides to him you would otherwise think didn't exist. I love him so damn much and now we're trapped here surrounded by the fucking Navy... And that prick has Izzy up there. I swear to god if that dick touches my Izzy, I will drive my sword through his eyes."

Frenchie grimaces. He gets the picture.

"Sorry."

"Don't be. I get it," he says, smiling.

You chuckle softly.

♡♡♡

"I destroyed the Republic of Pirates and that makes me the ultimate pirate," Ricky said to Izzy.

Izzy is amused. "You're not a pirate, lad. You're a spoiled, entitled bunch of twats dressed in puffy, blue nighties."

"Shame, I was going to let you live."

"Kill me." Izzy smiles. "Kill us all. Our spirit will last throughout your entire fuckin' empire because... we're good." Izzy states, full of emotion. "And you... are a rancid, syphilitic cunt."

The sound of vast footsteps entering the bar has everyone turning their heads that way. Stede has entered with Zheng and Ed behind him.

"There's a lot of them," Stede says, looking around the room.

Within second of the Navy drawing their swords, they all keel over. Poison.

"Is that us doing that?" Stede asks.

Roach and Pete look around the room in confusion. Jackie laughs from behind them.

"What the hell was in that brandy?" Roach asks.

"Nothin' you want to fuck with." Jackie grins.

While Jackie assures the Swede he will be fine, Zheng walks over to Ricky and grabs him by the coat. "This is for Auntie."

"No!"

Zheng looks up to see Auntie there. She's fine. The rest of the crew flood into the bar. Auntie hits Ricky over the head and the crew greet their captain.

You waste no time making your way over to Izzy and checking him over. He smiles at your fussing.

"I'm fine," he assures you.

You take his face in your hands and look at him, sighing softly. "I was worried about you."

"I know," he smiles.

He brings one of your hands to his lips and kisses it gently. His eyes don't stay from yours.

Zheng and Auntie hug.

Everyone is together again.

"So we should probably make a plan here," Stede says, looking around.

"Still surrounded by English Soldiers."

"I think a royal hostage could prove valuable," Stede states.

Everyone gathers to hear the plan. It's completely diabolical. Probably the most insane plan you had ever heard. So dangerous and risky, anyone with sense would never go through with it.

"So, that is the plan." Stede says proudly. "We all live to fight another day."

"Or it's a complete suicide mission," Ed says.

The crew agree with that. You and Izzy glance at each other. Once again his hand is nestled in yours.

"It's only suicide if we die."

♡♡♡

You shrug on the blue coat, a size too big for you. You pick up one of the hats from the floor and place it on your head. The crew do the same. Stripping down the soldiers and taking their gear.

A disguise.

Izzy stares at the coat he is holding in his hand. You look at him softly. He doesn't react as you come over to him and slowly take the coat from him. He lets you take it from his hands and lets you help him put it on. You will the coat around him and smile.

"Very handsome."

"I'm not wearing the fucking hat."

You chuckle. "Course not. But I like the coat. Maybe we should get you a nice long coat."

Izzy rolls his eyes and shakes his head with a smile. "Don't be daft."

Once everyone was dressed, Ricky was trusted to you and Izzy, and everyone left the bar. Including Jackie and the Swede. Everyone was going to get off that island.

You were all going to take down as many English as you could. Groups of them were littered around the island.

The crew just needed to reach the shore.

Izzy handles Ricky. You follow him, staying close. The others follow.

"Hello," Ricky greets the group of soldiers. "The operation is over now, so we're just gonna head back to the ships, please."

It could have gone so smoothly.

You hadn't seen Ricky gesture down where he parted his legs enough for Izzy's wooden one to be seen. In a split second Ricky drew a gun and shot it.

"They're pirates!" He yells.

You hear Izzy groan, having been close enough to beside him. Your head snaps to him to see him holding his side. Blood is oozing out.

"Izzy!"

The crew fight the soldiers as you push Izzy to the side. You try to get a good look at the wound, but he refuses to move his hand.

"Izzy..."

"Come on," he grunts. He marches past you and onward. The crew follow. You hurry to catch up to him.

Izzy has been shot! That fucking prick.

The prince gets away.

The path down to the shore is clear. It's a straight run down. The crew will just have to watch behind them.

Izzy is falling behind. You refuse to go on ahead. You come over to his side and hold him where he hasn't been shot.

"Izzy?"

"Just... fuck off." He says it softly, no malice behind his words. He's hurting. When Izzy is in pain, you hurt too.

The crew are being shot at from behind. You hold onto Izzy as best as you can. Ed slows and hurries over, taking Izzy on the other side. You both get him to the boats.

Once everyone is on the ship Ed lays Izzy down. You remove the coat you're wearing to make a cushion for his head. Roach left immediately to get medical supplies.

Izzy looks up at you. There's a lot of blood and everything hurts, but still he sees you clearly. You're keeping pressure on the wound and giving out orders.

He smiles. He likes it when you're bossy.

You look down at him, tears welling up in your eyes. "Look at me, okay? Keep your eyes open. Don't you dare close them."

Izzy just smiles up at you.

"Why are you smiling?" You ask.

"Because you're beautiful," he says.

"Shut up. You're literally bleeding out," you say, but can't help but smile.

"I'm a lucky man."

You look at him, not sure what to say, but at least he was talking to you. You should keep him talking.

"Yeah?"

"Any man would kill to have a partner like you by their side. Especially in our line of work."

"You're getting sentimental..."

"I have that right, don't I? As a dying man."

"You're not going to die. I won't let you." You frown at him.

He continues to smile.

Roach returns with the stuff. You instruct him on exactly what to do. Izzy lays there and looks at you. His beautiful sparrow.

Eventually he passes out.

♡♡♡

Izzy wakes up feeling a horrid ache in his side. He inhales sharply, trying to get himself together before he opens his eyes properly. His mind is a little confused.

Something warm slips into his hand.

Izzy smiles.

His eyes open slowly and he turns his head to look at you. You're watching him closely. You lean forward when you see him wake. His smile brightens.

"Hello, love." His voice is hoarse.

You smile and let out a sigh. "You moron."

"You alright?" He asks.

"Me? I should be asking you that! Do you have any idea how worried I was about you? You passed out on me. I thought... I thought I lost you."

His smile fades as he gazes at you.

"I promised ya, didn't I? I'm never leavin' you again."

You lean over the bed and wrap your arms around him tight. You're careful of his wound. Izzy moves his arm so it wraps around you. He gives you a gentle squeeze.

"I'm sorry, love."

"I was so scared." You look up at him. "What would I do without you?"

He offers you a gentle smile, caressing your cheek gently with his finger. "I don't know. But I do know I'm one lucky man."

You laugh softly. "You already said that."

"I've been shot twice. Both times I've had you nurse me back to health. I'm very lucky." His gaze on you is full of fondness.

"I love you."

He pulls you closer and kisses you. It's slightly desperate, well needed.

"I love you too."

♡♡♡

Lucius and Pete just got married. Despite needing as much rest as he could get, Izzy insisted on being there to watch. It was lovely.

The crew cheer as they kiss.

You smile and look at Izzy. He smiles at you. "Maybe we should try that," he says.

"Try what?" You ask.

He shrugs lightly. "Marrying."

Your expression softens. "Is that a joke?" You ask, not entirely certain.

He shrugs again.

"You thought about it?" You ask.

"It's crossed my mind."

You smile softly. "Guess we'll see what the future holds."

His hand finds yours.

♡♡♡

Ed and Stede stood on the shore. On the horizon The Revenge sails away. The two watch their friends go, leaving them behind. Behind them was a run down building. They hoped to turn it into an inn.

The crew of The Revenge promised they'd be back someday, but they had a mission of their own.

The Revenge was under new command.

Captain Izzy Hands. His first mate, you.

There was a prince that needed hunting down. The Revenge would live up to it's name.

A calm came over the ocean. Like everything was how it should be.

Edward Teach knew deep down everything would be okay. The ship was in good hands and the crew would thrive.

Izzy Hands would thrive. He would live. He has everything to live for. He has you to live for. Just like how Ed had Stede.

Good luck to anyone who tried to mess with the unicorn and his sparrow. They were not people you should trifle with.

Izzy Hands is happy. Happy and in love

♡♡♡

@grippleback-galaxy - @askmarinaandothers - @godlikegallagher - @for-fuck-sake-im-alive - @whiskeyswriting - @lxsm2 - @bloody-bunni666 - @the-chocoholic-writer - @bugbugboy - @callmemana - @the-shenny-of-azkaban - @cool-ontherun-world - @outer-space-beech - @ahewi24 - @grace585 - @innertimemachinegirl - @dmitrytherat - @emilynissangtr - @fruitymoonbeams-blog -

[idkyetxoxo]

Five | Allure | The Last Kingdom

"One way or another, you will be mine,"

"The only way she'll be yours is if you can pry her from the cold grip of death, and even then, you'll find yourself in a fight you won't win,"

<- prev || masterlist || next ->

───☆⋅☾⋅☆───

Returning to Aethelflaed's estate in Mercia, I tended to my horse with the same care Uhtred bestowed upon his own steed. As Aethelflaed entered the stables, I stole a glance at her, then at Uhtred, and sighed before withdrawing to afford them privacy.

The intensity in Aethelflaed's gaze spoke volumes, she had succumbed to my brother's charm.

Seated on the ground, absentmindedly pulling blades of grass while Osferth and Finan honed their skills in the distance, a solitary figure on horseback caught my attention. Brida's silhouette emerged into view.

I rose, moving towards her as Uhtred joined me. Brida's visage was contorted with anger, her eyes ablaze with a raw, unfiltered fury. 

"What's wrong?" I pressed urgently. "Ragnar waited years for you both to return, only for his younger siblings to forsake him days after," she spat, her words laced with venom. "You should have left Aethelflaed to die," she cried out, igniting a pang of apprehension within me.

"What's happened?" Uhtred inquired, and the ensuing revelation sent shivers down my spine. "Ragnar is dead. He does not feast in Valhalla. Instead, he lies beneath a mound of stone. There was no honour in his death," she disclosed.

At first her words didn't quite register, but with each passing moment, the truth dawned on me. The weight of her revelation settled heavily, undeniable in the honesty etched on her face and the anguish in her expression. I knew without a doubt that her words held no deceit.

My body betrayed me, collapsing to the ground as sobs wracked my frame. My heart thundered in my chest, threatening to burst free. Brida's accusations blurred, her blame falling upon us for Ragnar's untimely death.

"He's gone, and it's my fault," I sobbed, my voice trembling. Uhtred knelt beside me, his anguish mirroring my own. "He's gone," I repeated, the words echoing in the desolate recesses of my mind. "He's gone because we abandoned them," I cried out, pushing Uhtred away with a force borne of despair.

"We allowed it to happen," I continued, swiping harshly at my tears. "It's not..." Uhtred began, but I shook my head vehemently, rebuffing his attempts at consolation. I lashed out, striking his chest repeatedly until someone pulled me back.

"Do not blame yourselves" Finan interjected, attempting to console Uhtred, but my anguish refused to be placated. I shoved away the others, refusing to accept their hollow comfort.

"It is our fault" I declared, rising to my feet. "I will ensure every man involved will be held responsible" I vowed, dismissing Finan's suggestion of Skade's involvement with a vehement retort. 

"We march to Alfred, and we gather an army in Aegelsburg. I will not rest until my brother's killer is brought forward," I screamed, my voice raw with anguish, tears streaming down my face like a torrential downpour. 

With every fibre of my being shattered, I pushed past the trio and strode away, consumed by an overwhelming sense of heartbreak and a fierce determination to avenge Ragnar's unjust death.

──☆⋅☾⋅☆──

The journey to Aegelsburg stretched across several agonizing days. Every fibre of my being urged me to press forward, but the relentless march of time forced halts upon us. Reluctantly, we paused, weary souls, seeking respite amidst the trials that beset us.

"Will you bring this to her?" Uhtred's voice cut through the silence, nudging a bowl towards Sihtric. The latter raised his hands in surrender, his countenance reflecting apprehension. "She hates my guts. She won't accept food from me," he confessed, a hint of resignation lacing his words. Uhtred sighed heavily, weariness etched upon his features.

"She hasn't eaten in three days. Everyone has tried. You are my last resort," Uhtred implored, his voice tinged with desperation. With a reluctant nod, Sihtric accepted the bowl, no longer resisting the plea that hung heavy in the air. With measured steps, he ventured towards where I lay amidst the grass, my gaze fixated upon the  darkening sky above.

"Here," Sihtric murmured softly, collapsing beside me and extending the offering. I turned away, unwilling to confront his presence. "Please," his voice pleaded, punctuated by a note of earnest concern. 

I drew a sharp breath, his words piercing through the veil of my anguish. "You haven't eaten, haven't slept, haven't spoken to anyone," he observed, coaxing me gently into awareness.

"I can't, Sihtric. I just can't," I confessed, my voice barely above a whisper. "He's gone. My mother is gone. My father is gone but I remain, tethered to this realm as if the gods themselves delight in my torment," I lamented, the weight of loss bearing down upon my soul. His expression softened, an understanding gaze meeting mine.

"The gods aren't torturing you. They have greater plans for you," he reassured his words a balm to my fractured spirit. I drew my knees close, seeking solace amidst the turmoil that engulfed me. 

"You need to eat. If not for yourself, do it for Uhtred. He is consumed by worry," Sihtric urged, nudging the bowl towards me.

With trembling hands, I accepted the offering, the weight of sustenance a burden I could scarcely bear. "Finish that before Finan scours around for remnants," he jested, a fleeting smile gracing my lips.

"Sihtric," I called out, halting his departure. As he turned towards me, I felt the weight of gratitude pressing on my tongue, but the words remained trapped, unspoken. Instead, I shook my head slightly and murmured, "Never mind." 

A glimmer of appreciation flickered amidst the shadows that engulfed us. With a smirk, he acknowledged the sentiment, though it was left unspoken.

Upon our arrival in Aeglesburg, we were cautiously permitted entry by Aldhelm, Aethelred, and Steapa, albeit without our weapons.

I drew my sword and handed it to Steapa, who positioned himself in front of me, expectant. "I don't have anything else," I fibbed, meeting his scowl with a nonchalant gaze. "We both know that's a lie. You carry at least four different weapons on you at all times," he retorted, his tone stern. I rolled my eyes in response.

Reluctantly, I retrieved the dagger concealed at my waist and extended it to him. However, Steapa remained unmoved. "I don't have anything else. So unless you plan on conducting a thorough body search, this is the best you'll get," I asserted, my patience waning.

"Don't argue with her, big man. We both know who will lose," Finan interjected. Steapa, hesitatingly, allowed me to proceed, acknowledging the futility of further resistance.

"No one wants to experience the wrath of the little devil today," Sihtric remarked, his smirk trailing along as he followed behind us.

The summons to the witan, where Edward stood in lieu of the king, prompted my inquiry. "Has Alfred finally bit the dust?" I asked only to be met with reproachful gazes from Beocca and Pyrlig, to which I merely shrugged, unfazed by their disapproval.

Aethelflaed's report of nearby Danes, accusing Haesten of assault, incited further tension. Aethelred and Aldhelm's interrogation of Uhtred, suspecting his collusion with Haesten, only deepened the animosity in the air.

Alfred's confrontation with Uhtred marked the breaking point. 

"Ragnar is dead," I declared, watching as Alfred's countenance faltered. "My brother is gone, I'm sure it brings you joy," I sneered, my voice laced with bitter conceit. "The Dane army is now halved," I added, the desperation in Uhtred's plea resonating in my own heart.

Despite the raw truth laid bare and Uhtred's desperate plea, Alfred rejected our proposal. He then offered us the ambiguous refuge of outlaws under Aethelflaed's protection, allowing us to depart at will.

With raw, bitter truth and the searing fury of a woman scorned, I unleashed my condemnation upon Alfred. 

"Your dream of a united England will remain just that, a dream," I hissed, each word dripping with the venom of betrayal. "You are a cowardly king, unwilling to take risks and relying on others to pave your path to success." My words cut through the air like a blade, leaving no room for misinterpretation as I stormed away from the witan, knowing no words could assuage the gaping wounds in my heart.

"Well, Alfred surely felt the weight of your fury," Sihtric remarked, settling across from me in the alehouse with Osferth by his side and Finan at mine. 

"Uhtred has offered nothing but his unwavering support, and this is how he's repaid," I spat, my voice laden with disillusionment and resentment.

"I pray the gods grant him no mercy, for his path leads only to death," I confessed, the fervour of my words echoing the depths of my despair. Around the table, silence reigned, and all I could do was bow my head, closing my eyes against the tumult of emotions swirling within.

──☆⋅☾⋅☆──

As the haze of sleep lifted, I found myself roused by the insistent shaking of my shoulder. Blinking groggily, I peered through half-opened lids to see Sihtric standing before me. "What?" I grumbled, my voice thick with drowsiness.

"Edward has pledged his support to Uhtred. Expect an army at Beamfleot," Sihtric announced, his words snapping me to full alertness. With a sense of urgency coursing through my veins, I rose to my feet, brushing aside stray strands of hair that clung to my face.

"Uhtred, Finan, and Osferth have already departed they're convincing Haestan to fight," Sihtric continued, his tone brimming with determination. Without hesitation, I declared, "I won't waste another moment waiting. Let's move" and with that, I set off, Sihtric close on my heels.

As we joined the others, gathered in anticipation of Haestan's arrival, I couldn't help but inquire about the time spent in idle vigil. "How long have you been waiting?" I queried, drawing my horse alongside Uhtred.

"Half a day," came his weary response, prompting a resigned sigh to escape my lips. Dismounting, I allowed Finan to tend to my steed, frustration simmering beneath the surface.

"Why wasn't I woken up for any of this?" I demanded, turning my gaze to Uhtred, who met my inquiry with a knowing look. "You hadn't slept in three days, and I could handle it," he explained, a hint of weariness in his voice.

"Well, then I'm ready to shed some blood let me have at the men whose greed caused my brother to leave this world thinking I betrayed him," I said determination in my eyes. 

"She looks like she's ready to carve up anything in her path," Finan muttered to Osferth, a wry smile playing at his lips. "I'd tread carefully if I were you don't let her mistake you for one of them," Sihtric added, eliciting a nervous glance from Osferth as he clutched the cross around his neck.

The tension hung thick in the air, anticipation mounting as the silhouette of Haestan's approach loomed on the horizon, signalling the imminent clash that awaited us all.

He finally arrived, accompanied by Skade and an imposing army. Uhtred's command was clear. Form two lines, build a shield wall, prepare for the impending clash. Yet, despite our efforts, the odds stood dauntingly against us. Our numbers paled in comparison to the enemy's, and the realization weighed heavy upon us all.

Haesten's offer of surrender hung in the air like a foul stench. "I would sooner face death's embrace and the halls of Valhalla than kneel before you," I retorted, my voice dripping with defiance. My gaze pierced through the ranks, landing squarely on Dagfinn, whose smirk only fueled my ire.

"Don't think I've forgotten about you," I growled, levelling my sword at Dagfinn, whose grin only seemed to widen in response to my challenge.

"I haven't forgotten about you either," he retorted, his voice dripping with sinister intent. "In my dreams, you belong to me, you do everything I desire," he added, his words laced with a twisted fascination. "One way or another, you will be mine," he proclaimed, his tone leaving no room for misunderstanding.

"The only way she'll be yours is if you can pry her from the cold grip of death, and even then, you'll find yourself in a fight you won't win," Sihtric interjected, his voice a low growl that resonated with an undeniable authority. His gaze burned with an intensity that matched the fiery chaos surrounding us.

As the words left his lips, Sihtric found himself grappling with a profound sense of confusion. He couldn't quite comprehend why he felt compelled to make such a promise, especially for someone who, by all accounts, has considered him his enemy. 

Yet, in that fleeting moment, it felt unquestionably right, as if some unseen force had guided his actions and imbued them with a sense of purpose beyond his understanding.

Perhaps it was the shared moments experienced in the face of adversity, or the unspoken bond forging. Whatever the reason, Sihtric knew one thing for certain, despite our differences, he felt a newfound consideration for me and felt a desire to defend me.

With Haestan's command, the battlefield erupted into chaos. Men clashed with the ferocity of beasts, steel meeting steel in a cacophony of violence and death.

Every fibre of my being thrummed with a potent mixture of fury and rage as Haestan's men pressed their assault. The air crackled with the intensity of battle, my breath coming in ragged gasps as I fought.

Amid the frenzy of combat, a grim realization settled upon me like a shroud, our forces were being slaughtered, the men falling before the relentless onslaught of Haestan's. The bitter taste of defeat hung heavy in the air, casting a shadow over our once defiant resolve.

Where was Edward ? Where was the promise he had made? The questions lingered like a bitter refrain, echoing across the blood-soaked battlefield, as I grappled with the harsh reality of our desperate situation. 

───☆⋅☾⋅☆───

it's so hard trying to write his feelings because the whole story is written in the first-person BUT Sihtric realising a little something at last, it obviously isn't love (yet) but at least he knows he wants something😋 

[wejusthereforthefanart]

I Want To See Ragatha Be Self-Aware

Okay now when I say "self-aware", I don't mean in the way an AI like Caine could be self-aware. No, I want to see Ragatha prove that she knows EXACTLY what she's doing when it comes to her behavior in the digital circus. I want another character to psycho-analyze her, point out her unhealthy coping mechanism of excessive optimism that forces her to ignore the clear issues she and the rest of the cast face, and for her to respond with "Yeah, I do that. And I'm not going to stop doing it. You'll have to pry my toxic positivity from my cold dead cloth hands, and I'd like to see you try."

I want to see her facade crack and break, and give the other characters a glimpse of her inner demons before she rejects their offer to embrace the negative side of things and continues to actively suppress her negative feelings. We often see characters embrace a different mindset after interacting with the protagonist in a show in order to develop, but given the bleak situation that Ragatha has been stuck in for longer than Pomni knows, with no escape and being powerless to help anyone that's abstracted after they lost all hope, that typical formula doesn't really fit for her. Who knows what she's already tried and seen fail before settling on her current strategy to keep herself together?

I admit right now that I have absolutely no idea what Gooseworx plans to do with Ragatha in the official series, and this whole prediction is something that I thought up without any hints or confirmations from the creator, it's just how I'm currently interpreting the character after two episodes. And I also understand that they might not take her in this direction because it's not at all a good message to convey. You should NOT ignore your problems. However, it's pretty realistic that people will knowingly adopt and keep unhealthy coping mechanisms when they believe it's effective for them, and as painful as it may be to watch, Ragatha doubling down on hers can work if it's executed the right way.

[angelsandarsenic]

Queen

ok, this ended up a bit longer than I meant it to be but here ya go. Dividers by CafeKitsune!

You can pry song fics from my cold dead hands. Series warnings: mentions of manipulation, child abuse and canon typical violence

Uzui Tengen x f!reader pt.1: No Use Crying

        "My life is ending. My life is ending, Himari, and I'm not even fifteen yet." For all your dramatics as you lamented, you were being deadly serious. 

        "You are being presented for an Omiai, it's not the end of the world." Himari wasn't unaccustomed to your rants, but it was generally a toss up on whether or not she entertained them. The maid shuffled around you, straightening your kimono and smoothing your hair. 

        "I can't believe you're not on my side here," you complained. "I feel like I've already been sold wearing this thing." The fine silk wasn't quite formal, but it certainly wasn't casual. Red camellia blossoms cascaded gracefully down the length of the kimono, coalescing at the bottom. Tasteful accents of gold were stitched along the collar, showing off the Shimizu family's wealth. It was almost long enough that you might have to hold up the hem as you walked. 

        "You're not being sold, miss Y/N. Your father is a traditional man, that's all. I'm sure you'll be quite happy with whomever he finds you to marry." 

        "This is completely unfair. I should be in school. Girls are getting official educations now, Himari. How can it be the most I'm good for to get married and have children?! I could have a life! I could be learning maths and science! Or learning bujutsu with Takeshi!"

        Himari whacked you, and you yelped, rubbing your arm. "Hush! If the madam hears you saying that-"

        "If I hear what, Himari?"

        Immediately, both ladies straightened. The maid bowed respectfully. In the doorway, the lady of the house stood, her own long kimono decorated similar to her daughter’s, with only slightly less of the white underdress showing. She looked young for her age, so with her beauty, she could get away with it. "Only the usual ma'am. The young miss doesn't seem to want to get married, is all."

        Your mother sighed. "Y/N, we've been over this," she warned.

       You looked away with a glare. You would always be grateful for the maid’s cover, but it didn’t mean you appreciated being scolded over anything lesser either. “Your father will not appreciate this petulance, girl. I suggest you change your attitude before we go. And don’t dawdle. Himari, hurry and tie that obi. We can’t keep the Suzukis waiting.”

        ”Of course, ma’am.”

        With a mournful tilt of your eyebrows, you looked one last time in the mirror. You weren't married yet, you supposed, but you might as well be. Makeup accentuated your lovely features and decorative ornaments sat prettily in your hair. You looked beautiful, you weren't too humble to admit it. So why do I feel like a sow up for auction?

        As your mother turned away to wait in the hall, the maid whispered kindly in your ear. “You’ll have a better time in a house of your own miss. And meeting your husband so young should make him more amenable to your thoughts and wishes.” She offered you a smile. “This is a good thing. Try to appreciate it.”

        You hummed, near silently. “I…understand what you’re saying. But if I leave this house, I lose my only passion; even if I have to train in secret, I couldn’t do that at the Suzuki house.”

        Himari tutted. “Passion or not, martial arts will never serve you, it’s only going to harm you if someone finds out. You like to read, and play music; not to mention you’ll have plenty to do managing a household. You need to throw yourself into something more practical now.”

Uzui Tengen was not happy to be here.

        As flashy as a large city such as this was, the other Mizunoe on this mission with him was only slowing him down. Tengen grit his teeth, waiting for the boy who was struggling to keep up. “This is not flashy,” he muttered. 

        The boy—Satoshi? Seichii? He had already forgotten—made the valiant effort to smile brightly at him as he skidded to a stop where Tengen was already standing. “You’re so fast!” He complimented between huffs. “It’s hard to believe that you’re only a Mizunoe.”

        Of course, because I’m a Shinobi. He didn’t say it out loud. “Are you ready to continue? The longer we wait, the more people could die at the evil hands of these demons.” 

        “Y-yes! Of course! I don’t think we need to rush so much though, it’s hardly dusk. We made good time.”

        Tengen scoffed. We could have been here hours ago. 

        He didn’t say that either. He didn’t want to be harsh, like his father. Still, he’d much rather have had his wives on this mission with him. They’d work together much better, despite not officially being demon slayers themselves. 

        Yet again, Tengen considered encouraging them to take the final selection exam. Suma, Makio and Hinatsoru would easily pass, he had complete faith in them. Especially after seeing the unflashy ametuers that had also successfully passed. Unfortunately, that would afford them a lot less freedom and put his wives in far more danger than if they weren’t corps members. So this is what I put up with instead.

        ”Let’s head into the city now. Perhaps we can find the creature's lair before it even starts skulking about.” With a huff, Tengen blew his hair out of his face.

        The other boy straightened and nodded. “Yes! I’ll follow your lead.”

        There was nothing wrong with the Suzuki boy, per se, only that he inspected you more than properly became acquainted with you, and that throughout the entire meeting, your father bitched with Mr. Suzuki. It was all the usual rants—he complained about the fall of the Samurai and how degrading it was to be reduced to merchants, about the direction the country was going, the horror of young women being allowed in schools and the integration of western fashion. Personally, you didn’t think any of that made for tactful or appropriate Omiai conversation topics, but it wasn’t up to you. All in all, you were very tired when your family finally left.

        You didn’t speak on the way home. Frankly, both on the walk to the Suzuki estate and back, you had felt like the entire city was watching you. It was your imagination, surely. That reassurance didn’t stop the pervasive sense of eyes on your back or the grandiose air of parade as you went.

        Normally, you were perfectly fine being watched. You knew you would be, always. In the Meiji reformation, nobles had been reduced to a memory of the past, but wealth and a powerful family lineage was still a highly valued subject. So too, to have a beautiful daughter and equally handsome son. This felt different though. Your parents would say it was all in your mistakenly progressive mind, but this felt malicious. Dreadful. Somber.

        You need to grow up, you told yourself. There really wasn’t anything you could do about it. You had considered running away before, but where would you go in a world filled with demons? Maybe the tales of those beasts were over exaggerated. Your father was prone to doing that. Even being able to see it for the manipulation tactic it was however, you had no way of confirming it and no way of protecting yourself. Normal weapons had no effect on demons.

        Besides, how do you know you could fight well enough not to be devoured? Your mind whispered. You train in the shadows, you've never practiced against a living opponent. 

        If you go out there you'll die. 

        It was dark when you all left. It was largely suggested to all citizens to be inside by nightfall, but the bright lights of the city and the decorative lanterns hanging in the streets created a bubble like sense of security. There were so many people here, a demon would never dare to attack. The city was safe. 

        The streets weren't quite as full now as in midday, but curfew was largely disregarded and your father felt no fear in having his wife and daughter out after sunset. 

        It wasn't so bad, you tried to console yourself. Still, your heart weighed heavily in your chest. We are wealthy, and maybe I can convince him to travel somewhere with me and then I can run away. Yes, that sounded like a reasonably solid plan. It was the best you had, at least. I suppose there's hope with Suzuki. With my father…

        In your father's house, you'd never dare do many of the things that were becoming options now. It almost made you excited to hurry up and get married. I won't cower before-

        A terrible scream ripped through the air. Immediately, the procession stopped. Yanked from your melancholy thoughts, you whipped your head around to find the source of the commotion. The crowd around you murmured and shifted, too dense to see anything through. 

        Your father grabbed your arm tightly. "Come. Let's get back quickly."

        Just as you were being pulled in the opposite direction, someone else screamed. The sea of people began to part like falling cards. You could see brief flashes of amber and blue, and could make out the sound of clashing metal.

        The creature that sped towards you was moving too fast to make out at first. You thought it must be wearing a violet kimono--or shreds of one--but the rest of the mass was too grey-ish green to be human skin, too bulging and twisted in its shape and you were reacting far too slowly. Your father's hand released your arm as he stumbled back with a shout that sounded dull on your ears. That- that creature was coming right towards you-! 

        And then you were gone. You blinked as that metallic sound flashed below you. With a gasp, you realized you were in the air, cradled in warm arms as your rescuer dropped back down to the cobblestone streets. The boy holding you took your breath away just as soon as you had gotten it back. With pure, silvery white hair falling around a bejeweled headband and eyes like rubies, he was beautiful. And strong. He stared at the monster with grim indifference and at last, you noticed the handles of swords over his shoulders.

Ba-thump

Was that your heart? Surely not. But surely you would be justified if it had been.

        The boy huffed and glanced down at you. "Too slow," he muttered, and deposited you on the ground. Instantly, indignation and embarrassment heated your cheeks. Not that he was wrong, but- but-!

        The boy was already gone, leaping back into the fight. Without even thinking, you chased after him, towards the hideous creature. A demon, you realized. Then these must be demon slayers. There was a second boy with a sword as well, dressed more plainly in what looked to be a black uniform of some kind, as opposed to the white haired boy's more colorful outfit. They sped around the beast, narrowly avoiding sharp, talon-like claws and swings of meaty fists. With every attack, the white haired boy would almost disappear with how fast he was moving, then reappear, holding whatever hapless civilian had nearly become collateral damage. And the demon...

        You had only ever seen paintings of demons when you would sneak around the dojo. This was nothing like that; this was so much worse. It was a grotesque thing, of sickly pallor and viciously sharp teeth. An extra set of arms and two tails protruded from the lower half of its body. The hair it had left on its balding head was patchy, and it drooled, its voice grating on your ears with some inhuman tone. Blood stained its skin and clothes.

        The people had given the demon a wide berth, but many, like you, were too shocked from horror to do anything but stand and watch. Your own family, and the servants that had come with them were frozen as well, fallen to the ground and were staring, horrified, up at the creature. "Run!" Someone yelled. The demon slayer with the blue sword. "You need to run! You're in danger here!"

        Yes. Yes! Right! "Go!" You shouted as well. You pushed the people next to you, shaking them out of their stupor. As each went with hurried, frantic whimpers, you forced your way further through the crowd. "Run! Get out of here! Go home, find safety!"

        You glanced back to the demon and the fight. It knocked a string of lanterns out of the air with its tail. The boy rolled under a swipe from one arm. The white haired kid got knocked flying from a back hand by another. 

        The demon's eyes were fixed on you. Maybe...I've drawn too much attention to myself. With an ugly cry, it rushed forward, only to shriek as the plain boy slashed a long line across its stomach. 

        He turned to look to where the demon had been going, and in that moment of distraction, the creature slashed at him. The boy screamed, and all you could see was red. 

        You flinched as his body flew past where you were standing. His sword skidded uselessly across the street, glinting in the night lights. No...

        There was no time to dwell. The demon was making its way over now. The people around you screamed and ran, no urging necessary this time. Instinctively, you looked over to your brother. He trained with swords, he was the one you had always watched and learned from, he was the pride of your family's dojo, descended from samurai.

        Takeshi was still flat on his ass, tears streaming down his face when he locked eyes with you. 

        You cursed under your breath, a word that would have made your mother faint. The sword was there, just a few feet away. You could maybe reach it in time if you went now. Well, if I'm gonna die, there's no use crying about it. 

        You ran. 

        You didn't stop to swipe the poor boy's sword off the ground, you didn't hesitate to think. The grip was familiar and sent a rush of confidence through your veins. The metal was sturdier than your bokken, an even, calming weight. "Your sword is an extension of your body. Breathe deeply and strike."

        As the demon bore down on you, you slashed upwards. Papery skin and gooey insides gave way like warm butter. You risked a glance up, seeing the demon's wide, indignant eyes. The large claw that had been poised above your face dropped to the ground at your feet with a thunk. But the line that split the creature was already knitting itself back together. 

        You hardly had to think. Your body moved through well practiced forms, up the creature's body until at last, severing the head clean from its shoulders.

        The people that still hadn't fled murmured and gasped. Then those gasps turned to cheers and clapping erupted across the street. The demon crumbled away into dust. As the last burning remnants faded, there was the white haired boy, staring at you from across the square. 

        You didn't have time to appreciate his wide eyes, or even check on the injured demon slayer who had unwittingly lent you his blade. As soon as the threat had disappeared, your father was back at your side, gripping your arm tight enough to bruise. "Drop the sword. Now," he hissed. 

        The first demon slayer was starting down the empty street. How’s that for too slow? You raised your chin to watch him approach.

Your father pulled you back. "Y/N, we're going home."

        You flinched. You dropped the sword with what seemed like a deafening clatter. "Yes sir."

I don’t usually write x readers so please let me know what you think!

READ PART 2 HERE

[fullofgutsndopamine]

sway (you’re swimming in my veins)

or: hasan is too big of an idiot to say he likes you, so he gets into fights to get your attention

or: you'll have to pry drunk, frat hasan from my cold dead hands

tw/creepy men, toxic masculinity, drunk people, alcohol, cursing, excessive use of “princess” as a pet name

the music is so fucking loud, you can't hear yourself think. Your hands are wrapped around a red solo cup of water, mostly to try to fit in it, to not draw attention to yourself- your eyes scan the crowd as you nod to the music, even though you don't know what this music is at all-

"You're staring." Your friend comes over, elbows you in your side, a smirk is covered up by the rim of the solo cup.

"I have no idea what you're talking about." You lie,

"Frat guys are gross and I simply like to stare at them like they're creatures at a zoo. Some sort of odd creature to point at in awe."

"Right," Sam, your best friend snorts at your elbow, "And this has nothing to do with that hasan guy, right?"

"hasan," you snort, eyes everywhere but at Sam, “i didn’t even remember that’s his name-“

Sam rolls her eyes, "You need to leave him alone. He's bad news. And no-not in the 'i can fix him' sort of way-in-the-this guy needs to be looked at professionally sort of way."

Your voice drops, "What happened?" You ask, like it's a conspiracy theory. And it almost is, in the way you've heard whispers of him, of the bad things he's done, friends grabbing each other's elbows and pulling each other in close, cupped hands to the others ears when he walks in-but no ones ever elaborated beyond a warning to keep away.

Sam sighs, a deep breath, like it's the weight of the world on her shoulders, even though she's just telling someone else's tragic backstory.

"He's-" another sigh, "Just a dick, okay? He talks with his hands, not his mouth. He's always trying to get into a fight. Just-watch him, alright?"

Your head whips around to the guy pushed in the corner, throwing ping pong balls into red solo cups, stopping long enough to yell and throw his fists over his head.

"We're looking at the same guy, right?" You push.

This guy has a mop of unruly curly hair on top of his head, how he stops every once in a while to nervously mess with it, a too big black hoodie on, these dark bags under his eyes-you wouldn't talk to him for the fun of it, but he definitely doesn't look like he'd cause any real harm.

"Just because someone looks harmless, doesn't mean they are. Remember that. I'll be right back, I gotta tell James we'll be ready to go soon."

and she squeezes your shoulder and is off to find her boyfriend. You roll your eyes, the two of them are practically connected at the hip, and it makes you even more self aware of how alone you are.

"Y'know, you look like a creep in the corner?" A voice enters next to you, making you jump. You've never seen this guy before, short, blonde hair a mop on top of his head. "Did I scare you? I'm scott” when he smiles it reveals a partially toothless smile.

you can feel your heartbeat in your ears. a hard thump in your ears. something is wrong, you can tell.

"N-No, I wasn't scared." You try and play it off with a smile, "My friend Sam is around. I should go look for her. Drunk people, yknow-" you laugh, turning to leave, when he reaches out, his hand grips your wrist, hard.

"Stay."

in the corner, hasan is half listening to his two fraternity brothers attempt to talk politics ("Bruh. if you actually think Trump is bad-“) begging his eyes not to glaze over, just nodding his head, when his eyes meet yours.

Originally, he's caught in almost a dead space stare, just somewhere to rest his tired eyes (he'll insist later that it was just that, nothing more. nothing less.) but when he sees you try and move your arm away from this guy and him advancing on you more, well-

"Hey-" He's by your side before he can even stop himself and his Ma's voice is in his head immediately: why are you putting yourself somewhere you don't belong? but he shakes his head, pushing the thought down deep, "What's the problem over here?"

and he stands up straight, arms crossed over his chest, eyes narrowed, trying to look intimidating because he always insist he isn't scary at all, even if his bruised knuckles say otherwise-

And you look, well-relieved and he hates how visibility less stressed you look now that he's here, like he's some sort of hero or as if he did anything big-

"No problem." The guy speaks right away, a slight slur on his lips that makes hasan roll his eyes.

"I think you should leave, Scott. I think they're uncomfortable." hasan keeps his voice low, you have to strain to hear it over the music.

"I think they're big enough to talk for themselves, yeah?" Scott smiles and it makes your skin crawl, an involuntary shiver coming out as you shrug his hand off your shoulder again.

"Get your hands off of them," hasan is taking a step towards Scott, "I'm not telling you again to leave them alone."

"hasan-"You try, not even knowing this guy, trying to talk him off the ledge, wondering if you're about to see what his reputation is here for.

"Yeah, hasan," Scott smirks, his voice high pitched, obviously making fun of you, "Listen to the little-"

Later, you'll insist you didn't see who threw the first punch, even if you definitely saw hasan’s knuckles collide with Scott's jaw first.

A small crowd forms around the two, and in Scott's defense, he gets a few good punches to hasan’s left eye before he's yanked away by a friend.

Sam finds you, tries to get you to leave, especially after this run in with Scott still has you on edge, but you insist you need to talk to him after his little stunt.

So naturally, that's how you find yourself holding his hand, dragging him upstairs to the bathroom, ripping off the out of order sign on the bathroom and shutting the door behind you. You set the toilet seat down and nudge him to sit down and he does, with a groan as goi go through cabinets.

"I didn't even get a thank you." He mumbles.

"Are-" your head pops out from behind a cabinet, where you're digging to find some kind of disinfectant, your narrowed at him, "are you pouting right now?"

He shrugs, staring straight ahead.

"I'm so sorry, but i can't take you serious with that bag of peas on your face." You manage to finally say, barely getting it out without laughing at him as he sets it on the counter.

"Here," You roll your eyes as you finally squat in front of him (even if he towers over you) "So you don't get an infection at the very least. Jesus, that's a nasty cut."

Your hand touches the edge of it and he winces,

"You sure you know what you're doing, princess?"

You look up long enough to glare at him, pouring some alcohol into the lid, decide his comment doesn't deserve an answer.

Instead, you do what you usually do when you're uncomfortable, and make jokes: "charming. haven’t been called princess in years-“ Sure, you've never talked to him but this feels like something someone would usually add onto the nasty impressions they do off him.

he pulls away as you put your hand to his face, his eyes narrowed, eyebrows one, "thanks, i like to think it’s original-“

You stare at him hard because he has to be joking.

“sure,” you level, knowing he won’t remember this in the morning, “i’m lying.”

He nods, satisfied with himself until he sees you unwrapping various supplies, spreading them out in front of you.

"You sure you know what you're doin', princess?”

your hand is against his face as your try to bite your tongue from pointing out the pet name , instead giving him a hard look as you bring the alcohol soaked pad to his eye.

"Fuck!" He finally yells, his hand flies to yours, rests on top of your hand, "Warn someone next time, why don't ya?"

"Can't handle a little alcohol?" you tease with a smirk, bringing gauze up to his eye to blot at it.

"You're a mess."

"You should see the other guy." He mumbles flatly with a groan, "So-that thank you? i'll take it now."

you finally look up and meet his eyes and he's smirking at you.

"Let me get this straight." You grab the peas and hold them, "you just got into a huge fight-in the middle of a party your frat is hosting and you want me to say thank you?"

"I was defending your honor, princess." He insists, that stupid smirk doesn't leave his face.

"I don't need anyone to defend me, certainly not you." You pick the peas up and put them back on his face, maybe with a little more pressure than necessary you hold them there for a second, "I'm leaving, so i won't be here to patch you up. Don't do anything stupid."

and you turn to leave before you do something stupid, like thank him for helping you, or worse-sees the pink splashed across your face.

three weeks pass before you see him again, and honestly-between midterms, your job and everything else in your life, you almost forget about his existance.

That is, as usual, until your eyes wander over to his again.

He sees you staring, and before your head can whip away from his, he gives you a smirk, a wink, throws back what's left in his cup and makes his way to you.

"Funny seeing you here, princess'" He smirks, leans down to talking your ear.

You roll your eyes, "Your frat is with mine. don't act like i'm here for any other reason."

you don't tell him how happy you are to have someone to talk to, always feel out of place at these parties, and he's like a forgotten puppy in a room at a party and you're happy to see him.

"Nah, not for another fifteen minutes or so” He smirks into his beer bottle, almost empty.

"Sorry."

you can tell by his smirk he isn't sorry at all.

and you aren't either, but you have a role to play up, so you groan.

"I gotta check on Sam, make sure she's still alive." you sigh, standing up, wiping imaginary dust off your pants.

"Awe, come on, princess. just five more minutes."

"Goodnight, hasan." you roll your eyes again, walking away.

so naturally, his first thought when Adam, who's equally as drunk as him, gives him a shove, is well, at least he'll see you again, as his hand collided with Adams jaw.

"we've gotta stop meeting like this." he smirks as he holds up the bag of peas to his nose, the fight now over and he sits on the hard title of the bathroom, his knees to his chest. you only knew about the fight because when people were tending to him after he asked for you specifically, by name.

"Is that the same fuckin' bag from three weeks ago?" you ask instead, "Jesus fuck, do y'all ever grocery shop?"

But, against your better judgment, your opening and closing cabinets for cleaner.

"They're frozen, it's fine." he insists as you kneel on the floor next to him and eh closes his eyes immediately when you sit next to him. "You smell nice." he adds.

"Fuck off, hasan." You groan, but you're grateful his eyes are shut so he doesn't see you blushing.

"i'm only speakin' the truth, princess' he smiles, his eyes shut, and he's feeling too confident-until there's more alcohol on his nose and he's groaning-

by first instinct-purely, first instinct, you insist-your hand reaches out and you wrap your hand around his. "You're fine. this should probably warrant a visit to the hospital." you sigh, his hand "You're fine. this should probably warrant a visit to the hospital." you sigh, his hand stays around yours.

"I'm fine." he sighs, opens one eye, still has his teeth barred from the alcohol. "Just stings a lil is all. Listen, lemme get you a drink.

“Just one."

"if i say no am i going to meet you in the bathroom again to patch you up?" you sigh.

"Probably." he smirks, shrugging. at least he's honest.

"One drink, that's it. And no more fights." he laughs, doesn't say anything at first as he stands, offers his hand and helps you up.

"Deal. c'mon, i know just the place." and you let him wrap his hands around yours, fingers interlocked as he leads the way.

[kindestofkings]

never go out of style

josh jenkinson x stylist! reader

authors note: I had loads of fun with this one! this one is for the josh girlies. also its so fluffy, as all my stuff is, life is sad enough so my fics will probs always be soft lol !

bryantartists

liked by harry_lambert and others

bryantartists we just wanted to re-introduce our wonderful SENIOR stylist. yourusername has diligently carved out her place in our team, harry_lambert's prodigy is stepping into her rightful place!

Her work ranges from musicians to actors, and we're just as excited to see what she gets up to !!

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yourusername such a pinch me moment !

harry_lambert the hardest of workers

yourusername never a hard task working for you <33

1975fan1 omg is she still working with matty? I miss those outfits

1975fan2 fr the part of the band outfits where so dark.. yourusername heya lovelies I'm not currently working with sir healy for the up and coming album! we are friends tho so if things get too dreadful I'll step in xx trumanblack too dreadful wtf is this..

yourusername

liked by joshjenkinson_ and others

yourusername incase you dont follow bryantartists, I've been PROMOTED! they did a truly lovely post featuring some of my clients but I had to note my love for the boys who to a risk on a no name stylist who was looking for her first client. inhalerdublin a girl never forgets her first 🤠 (@eli please give the leather jacket a rest some more xx )

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joshjenkinson_ thanks for making us look cool

yourusername its easy making the cool cooler 🫶

ryanmcmahon_15 too big for us now 💔

yourusername for you ryan NEVER bobbyskeetz fr we do not have the budget for you anymore.. yourusername I tell you to drop the trackies for free EVERYDAY

elijahhewson you'll have to pry that leather jacket out of my cold dead hands.

yourusername you MANchild inhalerfan1 dont fix whats not broken I say

yourusername posted to their story!

replies:

elijahhewson now why do I also feel targeted by this 1975fan1 please please date him!

trumanblack posted to their story!

replies:

yourusername I know I made this and practically forced you to post this, but thank you hahaha yourusername I didnt think far enough ahead tho cause all your fans think we're dating 😭😭 trumanblack ouch what does the secret boyfriend think of that? also you're not my type sorry love xxx yourusername 🙄🙄

inhalerdublin

liked by yourusername and others

inhalerdublin we are back to work and yourusername has removed all leather jackets from the premises... the withdrawl symptoms are kicking in.

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yourusername MWHAHAHHAHAHAH

yourusername inhaler girlies bare with me, it'll be worth it I promise !!

inhalerfan1 I'm so obsessed with you, I'll do anything you say.

elijahhewson really regret hiring her again

joshjenkinson_ I dont bobbyskeetz oh well we all know you dont joshie 😏 joshjenkinson_ literally stfu inhalerfan2 ooohhh now what is this

inhalerdublin

liked by harry_lambert and others

inhalerdublin love will get you there. link in bio.

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inhalerfan1 people died.

inhalerfan2 🤯🤯

inhalerfan3 sooooo excited omg

bryantartists

liked by yourusername and others

bryantartists inhalerdublin for british gq styled by yourusername !

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inhalerdublin wow are we cool...?

yourusername the boys killed it as per 🔥🔥

yourusername joshjenkinson_ you are lucky you're so cool or I'd be more annoyed about the leather...

joshjenkinson_ I feel so special &lt;;3 bobbyskeetz what about me am I cool too?yourusername hahahaha robert don't make me laugh!!

yourusername

liked by elijahhewson and others

yourusername a gift for the inhaler girlies !! so I usually get my clients to send me pics of their outfits, for the portfolio and what not. but the lads pics have gotten increasingly more dramatic over time, so I guess enjoy ? 🤷

tagged: inhalerdublin

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inhalerfan1 you are the peoples princess thank you

inhalerfan2 josh looks so cute in the second pic awwww

yourusername stop I know he can do it all, cause look at the serve in the third pic!! inhalerfan2hahahah OMG hi! I love that you're a secret josh girlie bobbyskeetz nothing secret about you being a josh girlie yourusername for once in your life SHUSHH

bobbyskeetz feel like you could appreciate these masterpieces more

(liked by elijahhewson, ryanmcmahon_15 and others)

joshjenkinson_ (private)

liked by yourusername and others

joshjenkinson_ glastonbury bits.

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bobbyskeetz now when oh when did you see our favourite stylist.....

ryanmcmahon_15 suspicious that it was kept a secret... elijahhewson huhhhh wonder why were we left out of this little rendezvous ?? bobbyskeetz care to comment sir jenkinson ??? joshjenkinson_ jesus cause you act like this 🙄

yourusername wowww i've made it to the insta :o

joshjenkinson_ is this what they consider a hardlaunch...? elijahhewson a HARDlaunch ?!?? yourusername the DRAMAtics

yourusername

liked by joshjenkinson_ and others

yourusername later in the summer, I sit beside the sea

view all comments

harry_lambert well earned break, you never stop!!

yourusername says the one haha! pleasing, love on tour, zara collab, gucci editorials... the list goes on and on xx

elijahhewson huh good lyrics them

joshjenkinson_ whos picture are you looking at?

yourusername no picture needed I've real thing infront of me, which is wayyy better bobbyskeetz yall are sick

inhalerfan1 oh not my wife soft launching a MAN

inhalerfan2 omg imagine it was josh!!

inhalerfan3 so random wtf inhalerfan2 no hear me out! shes a self proclaimed josh girlie !!

inhalerfanclub

liked by inhalerfan1 and others

inhalerfanclub guys GUYS so I just thought id post these here incase some of you dont follow josh on twitter, BUT LOOK HE'S SOFTLAUNCHING A GIRL

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inhalerfan1 wow i dont know how to feel..

inhalerfan2 these photos are so delicate I cant

inhalerfanclub fr to be seen in this point of view ! a need!!

inhalerfan3 I am CONVINCED its yourusername, their recents are such similar vibes !!

inhalerfan1 wait no you're right inhalerfan2 and that dress is soooo something she'd wear, our stylish queen <3

yourusername

liked by joshjenkinson_ and others

yourusername give it up for josh jenkinson (my fella !)

and my boyfriend's boyfriend (robert keating 🙄)

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joshjenkinson_ haha what happened to the soft launching

yourusername its no funnnn I've pictures to post god damn it ! joshjenkinson_ <333

bobbyskeetz oi whats with the full name

yourusername stop stealing my boyfriend and I'll stop using your full name 😤 bobbyskeetz no way I was here first yourusername but I'm WAYYY cuter bobbyskeetz and I have nicer hair !! yourusername damn I've been bested joshjenkinson_ I think you have beautiful hair love x bobbyskeetz thank you yourusername thanks love inhalerfan1 hahahah this is the best thing ever

inhalerfan3 ohh it feels so good to be right

trumanblack finally can the people stop shipping us now?

1975fan1 yeah we were so wrong, he's wayyy better for our mother yourusername ahahhaha imagine getting abuse from your own fanbase

-finished-

would LOVE to know you're thoughts! come chat about this fic or even ideas you have for my next one??