#Dogs Wolves Death Heat

[aria0fgold]

Trapped in a time loop with the bestie, oh whatever will they do now? (Die countless of times).

[blueberryarchive]

—the sketch and the smaller eye; kth

Lonely man Kim Taehyung leads a fairly stable routine in his life away from civilization affected by an infection without a cure. Stability ends the day you arrive, no one knows how you got there, but one thing is for sure: Taehyung won't let you go.

🌿pairing; Artist!Taehyung x Fem!Reader

🌿word count; 8.1k

🌿tw; widower!tae, post-apocalitic scenario, mentions of disease, weight loss and death, very brief mention of arms, age gap (21 & 30-ish), smut (manhandling, whiNY Taehyung, edging, spanking, oral (f. receiving), creampie, dirty talk), gruesome details of the virus.

🌿themes; strangers to lovers, slow burning, cottage-core.

🌿inspired by; ⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚

ᵗʰⁱˢ ⁱˢ ᵐʸ ᶠⁱʳˢᵗ ˡᵒⁿᵍ ᶠᵃⁿᶠⁱᶜ ⁱⁿ ᵉⁿᵍˡⁱˢʰ ᵖˡˢ ᵇᵉ ᵘⁿᵈᵉʳˢᵗᵃⁿᵈⁱⁿᵍ

˚₊‧꒰ა ☆ ໒꒱ ‧₊˚

The walk all the way home was always one of his favorite things to do when it was hunting day, the way the wind danced between the dying leaves and made music inside the hollow trees, the sun setting with the most beautiful tones of pink. It always reminded him of the times he spent just drawing all alone until you came into his land.

The day was August 8th, the heat was overbearing and like all of the other days around the same time, probably four or five (he wouldn't know because his only clock died a year ago), Taehyung sat down in the shadow of an old oak tree that has been his only friend, besides his dog, since he came to this lonely and God-forgotten place, were he was blessed and cursed with solitude and the cruel nature.

He had a small tin box with all of his drawing supplies, broken pencils, a piece of eraser gum the size of a nail, and a reddish tint drying up in a baby food crystal jar. Every day he told himself that he was making more yellow with the few sunflowers in his backyard, but today of all days he actually stood up to look for the petals.

The flowers were right outside the kitchen window, the sun was going down, and they were hunched over, withered, and full of little flying butterflies. His calloused hands took a pair of petals, the most vibrant and alive.

The sudden sound of cracking leaves and the barking of his dog disturbed him.

Taehyung perfectly remembers the moment he saw your frightened eyes, the color of the sunset over your weak body clinging to a log, an improvised cane. Torn clothes, dry mouth like a corpse, wet hair for some reason. Did you cross the river?

The first reaction of both was primal, like two animals that didn't plan to meet. Taehyung only turned on the fireplace at night, only for a couple of hours, so as not to attract attention. 

So what were you doing there? Were you lost? Impossible, he was too far from civilization. Were you infected? The wolves would've eaten you by now. Either way, he didn't like the idea of someone new.

The petals sweated their amber ink on Taehyung's hand, you tried to maintain your position, your gaze... almost afraid to blink. The man was not afraid to take action, hand already inside his overall pocket. Without much, his hand raised a pistol, sleek and silver. He was pointing straight at your face, your hair in a ponytail revealing your exposed forehead, like an invitation to explode it with a bullet.

"No, please." You muttered. So soft and yet, Taehyung got scared hearing someone else's voice. It wasn't a growl, nor the crash of stones from the river, nor the rain, nor the cawing of crows, nor his own grunts when chopping wood, nor the barking from his old dog. "I'll go." You begged again, letting go of the log. Taehyung tensed, even more, hearing you again.

So soft and sad. So delicate when the world around was burning.

"Are you coming with someone else?" he growled, getting closer and looking around. The forest seemed quiet, and his dog would have warned him.

"No, just me."

"If you lie it'll be worse for you."

"I know." You lowered your head to avoid the black eye of the gun.

"Are you sick?" the question was simple. Taehyung was trying to look for signs of infection. He hadn't felt this fear since the last time he lost his wife to that fucking disease.

You denied it, slowly.

"Show me," he said with a lowered tone, calm eyes as you undressed as quickly as possible. No marks. Elbows, hands, neck, eyes. All clean. With a sigh from both, the barking stopped.

"Walk to the tree over there, and if you try to do anything funny I'm going to put every fucking bullet in your head," he said giving a simple condition. He started moving with you in front.

Without saying anything else, you both walked slowly to the trunk. The afternoon was already turning blue, cicadas were playing a tense melody. Your bare back revealed your vertebrae, hard balls under your skin looking as if it was going to break. You hugged yourself, trying to keep the heat of your body, perhaps even your modesty.

With a whistle, Frank appeared: an old dog with red eyes and floppy ears. Seeing the naked stranger, he growled loudly. Your hands began to tremble, the weapon and the animal made a cry of pain come out of you, a plea with tears falling down your ashy cheeks. But you didn't see a drop of mercy in Taehyung's eyes, you knew that having this kind of loneliness was not achieved without having to kill several from time to time.

The eyes of the man in front of you were unbending and cold, lips pressed into a thin line, thick hands gripping Frank's chain and his gun. Stains of watercolors and charcoal on his fingers.

"C'mon, buddy," he whispered and the dog came closer little by little to sniff your body. "Bend down." You obeyed.

The animal took its time sticking its wet nose into your hair and skin until it snorted as it sat down. Taehyung lowered the gun.

That was the beginning of your recovery, long days lying between rough, thick sheets. Yellowed pillows that smelled of Taehyung's hair, hand-rolled cigarettes on the nightstand. Every morning he would get up before the sun came up and carry his hunting artifacts over his shoulder. Frank stayed with you while you tried to kill time in the cabin.

You learned how to garden and cook, roll the cigars, and dry the tobacco in the sun. The books were plenty, but reading was an activity you only did if Taehyung was the one reading to you, he did it every night. Even when the fever was so high you couldn't keep up with the story.

When you were at your worst, he held your head to put you in one of his sweaters, and even left the crackling fire all night to keep you warm in the cold.

Every night he started, with a rough and tired voice, around 8 o'clock, to read you a chapter from a book of poems or letters; or the list of lost people in the old newspaper.

"I do it to keep me sane," he said. "I went a long period without saying a word, and I started to forget how to say them, my tongue used to get jammed." He explained to you while drawing an empty cup of tea next to you.

You could only tell him a couple of questions each night, he used to get tired very easily. The first two weeks you couldn't even pronounce two words before he started to lose his patience.

"You don't have to know anything about me," his eyebrows locked in a frown. "When you get better, you can go and it will be like we never met."

But now it has been three months, you think. You recovered pretty well, and you can do the chores while he's out. You try your best every day so he notices that you won't be a bother if he lets you stay.

He doesn't ask questions about how you came to be on this side of the river, and you thank him for that. The memories blurred in your mind, like a sketch that's been erased again and again. 

Taehyung get's home at sunset, you are outside breaking some newspapers into pieces. The notebooks he used to draw in were already full, so you decided to make him a new one. 

You are wearing a dress he found in an abandoned house, it was a teen size but he loves it. He doesn't know your age yet, but he knows you're probably in your early twenties. He loves when the sun is scorching hot and your only choice is to let your thighs and shoulders out while you cook and clean. The hem flows with the wind letting him see your bare ass while you put the paper to dry.

You two haven't had sex, you never gave him signs, maybe because he looked a little bit older. He never felt like he had to hide an inexistent lust, until a few weeks ago. 

Two, to be exact. 

You were in the nearest river. A flimsy white t-shirt, wine-drunk, and talking so much. You were so irksome with your questions. The cold water sticking the fabric to your body like marble while you asked about Taehyung's boring routine. Your babble was such, you started asking about him jerking off and how sex works in solitude.

The way you laughed made him blush with anger. Sketches he was trying to make from the water lilies turned into ones from your eyes. 

That day he had to take a cold shower in the river after leaving you by the fire in the house. His face was boiling red, tired of your babbling and hard as a log.

The idea of you making him horny made him mad for some reason; it made him feel like a high school boy, but it was natural. He had years without seeing a woman. And you were pretty. So pretty for no fucking reason.

He knew that being in his early thirties probably made him less attractive to you, he was a grumpy man, almost a caveman how he reacted to your ways. That's why he didn't try, not even think about it... not always.

Now you have him going to abandoned houses on the other side of the river, looking for things for you: like a small bottle of perfume, a broken mirror, and old photos of people who are probably dead by now. A way to show he cared without using words. 

When he got to the rock path, the crackle made you turn around, you were smiling like always, and his heart felt warm.

"I told you to do that earlier. The paper won't dry today," He grunted, acting more tired than he was so you leave everything behind and get near him. You get a cigar from a basket near you and light it for him. You pass it to him after taking a puff.

"But you can draw on one piece of paper."

"That's not how it works."

"It'll have to work."

Taehyung pressed his lips together, he knew you enjoyed arguing with him, but more than those few words would not come out of him. You rolled you eyes going back to hang the wet paper.

"I'm making dinner tonight," he muttered like ten minutes later and then silence again. Another cigar, the old Frank by his side while he watched the sunset disappear.

The reading hours were around six to seven, right after dinner. It was the same routine when you first stayed, and it is the same now: After dinner, he gets comfortable in bed, takes a cigarette from the nightstand, and with the gas lamp he lights the tip. Book in hand. 

The words he didn't say all day would overflow as he read chapter by chapter. In an appropriate tone, pauses at the commas, giving life to each character. A treat for the ears.

After looking for a book on the first floor, he entered the room and stood up, his eyes went to the corner where there was a broken mirror, and in its reflection, you were, combing your hair in a ponytail, so poorly done that it was better to leave it loose. But the strands that were floating in the air, in front of your eyes, made Taehyung's fingers tingle, wanting to take every strand and pull it towards him.

There was a heaviness in the air that early autumn night. The silence was thick, and the yellowish lamplight cast heavier shadows on every piece of furniture. Abrupt and defined as in a baroque painting.

The curve in which his eyes concentrated more were the ones that defined your waist and your stomach, how it bulged slightly like a hill stamped with the flowers of your skimpy dress.

"Turn around," you muttered, like you didn't care if he did it or not, as you started to remove your dress; snapping Taehyung out of the sketches he was drawing in his head. He went to open the window to let some of the heat out of the room, letting the smoke creep through the curtains.

"I think I know what I'm going to read to you today," he cleared his throat, looking down at his bare feet pacing anxiously across the room. The shadow of your silhouette moving on the floor, the bone-white nightgown falling on your curves, exposing one of Taehyung's weaknesses: the connection of your neck and your shoulders, subtle but lethal.

He wanted to press his face between and close his eyes, inhaling the scent of your skin. Rich and peachy, like when the trees have so much fruit that they start to ripen on the same tree.

"You haven't finished showing me the stamp book yet." You dropped on the bed.

"I'm already bored of it."

"Odd." you noticed, watching him bend down and open a suitcase under the bed. "And those?" As you approached you saw a collection of books.

They were small, wrinkled, and minimalist in cover. Some were yellowed papers seized by the red wax on the spine.

Taehyung snorted at the question and looked up, daring you to keep acting innocent. He knew that you knew every corner of the house.

"I want you to say it," you smiled.

"Force me."

"I want you to say that Taehyung, the hard-faced man, has a collection of erotic books under his bed."

"You already said it. I don't have the need."

"Why do you have it under the bed?"

"What are you talking about?" Taehyung moved the books until he found a small book in Spanish. The pink cover with a painting of a mischievous Renaissance woman smiling.

"Kept under the bed, in a suitcase. Like a secret."

"I'm not ashamed of reading erotica if that's what you assume." he closed the suitcase and dropped his body next to you. His head near your legs, yours lying on the opposite side.

"And why do you have it like they're illegal." you held the cigarette he offered you.

"Habits of a human who lived in a society, I suppose."

You inhale the cigarette while he searched for the short between his long fingers, the book opened softly. His thumb pressed down the middle of the pages.

The glass of wine had you sparkling, you still hadn't gotten used to the alcohol. You had not drunk in so long that you did not remember its effects. There was something on the tip of your tongue, a confession that couldn't wait, an itch that needed to be scratched.

Before you could speak, Taehyung let out a soft "Ah" as he found the story for the night.

"A man who came about five years ago translated this story by Anaïs Nin for me. When he found out that I painted, he told me that he had a story for me."

"What's it called?" Without realizing it, your hand began to caress Taehyung's leg.

"La Maja," he pronounced. "Like Goya's painting"

Your head fell back on the stacked pillows, Taehyung's lips moved as he read a homemade translation of the story.

"He pulled back the sheets that covered her and slowly lifted the silk nightgown. He was able to lift it over her breasts without her giving the slightest sign of awakening. When it was uncovered all over the woman's body, he contemplated it for as long as he wanted. Her arms were detached from her body; her breasts stretched out before his eyes like an offering. He was aroused by his desire but he did not dare to touch her. Instead, he brought paper and pencils, sat by her bedside, and took notes. As he worked, he had the sensation of caressing each of the perfect lines of the woman's body."

Taehyung's eyes would lift to yours after reading the paragraph, turning back to the page with embarrassment flushing his cheeks. The human habit of blushing when you want things so badly, he thought.

The smoke from the dying cigar between your fingers snaked through your hair and the softness of your chin. Taehyung was never more jealous of something so ephemeral.

He couldn't find where he had stayed and the silence became so loud that you could only do what was right.

"I followed you today."

"What?" Taehyung didn't understand, you had spoken so low that he almost didn't notice it.

"To the woods, when you left this morning."

When he closed the book, you knew that what little sweetness Kim showed you turned sour. 

"I have told you that you must stay here, with Frank. Safe." You both got up at the same time, you followed Taehyung looking for his gaze which he averted.

"I'm not asking you to keep me safe, Kim" you replied.

There was a pause as he pricked at his bottom lip. Was that in his pupils the sign of an offense? Taehyung clucked at you, turning around.

"Kim," you tried to fix it by brushing against his shoulder. "It's not that I'm a helpless deer, I know how to protect myself." You laughed to lighten the mood. Bad idea.

A question, like a small forgotten flame, reappeared in Taehyung's brain. Out of courtesy when you got sick in the first few weeks, he didn't ask where you came from, why you were alone, or how you came to cross the wide river that divided a civilization almost thousands of kilometers to the left. When politeness turned to infatuation, the question was no longer so important. He felt that he could trust you and that he had a new purpose besides survival: to keep you safe.

Fallacies.

"How did you come to find me?"

"What?" the smile faded from your face.

"I'm not going to repeat myself."

Your eyes moved erratically in his gesture, a frown. Just like when you came in drenched that August. No trust.

"Don't know."

He just snorted denying, he didn't believe you, and that irritated you.

"Sure, of course."

"Do you think I'm lying to you?"

"I don't believe it, I know." His body moved from side to side, arranging books and picking things up off the ground.

Your flushed face and clenched fists. Boiling alcohol in your veins.

"Well, you can go to hell with your lonely man farce."

"OK." Taehyung sighed daring you to continue insulting him.

"You do know that things aren't as horrible as at the start of the pandemic anymore, right?"

"Oh yeah?" His eyes widened in theatrical surprise.

"The infected are controlled and-," Seeing how he continued to feign interest, you pushed him aside and grabbed your dress from the floor, beginning to change. Tears accumulated without permission in your eyes. "Whatever," you mumbled.

"Then you do know something about your past."

"Fuck you, Kim."

"No, because you lied to me and now you say things like how you know how to defend yourself in a forest full of wild wolves and that you traveled several kilometers by water and land to get here. And you want me not to ask questions about it." He moved closer to you so close that he could see the torment in your eyes.

"Exactly." You muttered putting on your garden boots.

"That request is absurd and you know it." his laugh was careless. He was drunk too.

"I know."

You both stared at each other, your hair was no longer tied up and its shadow hid both of your features under its shadow. Your lips parted at the sight of his.

"I don't remember how I got to this place," you whispered, a tear fell to your cheek and you cursed how sensitive alcohol made you. You saw how Taehyung's face softened in the presence of your pain. "I swear I would have told you if I knew."

Taehyung swallowed hard and looked out the window. He hated seeing others cry, he hated when his wife did it, and he hates seeing it now in your lost gaze. There was something in the way you were, in the quality of your emotions and your hope in everything that reminded him so much of her. His wife died at the same age you were.

Taehyung and her were both idiots and thought that living far away was all it took to escape the infection.

It was stupid of him to let her go hunting alone that day, he shouldn't have let a simple fever keep him in bed when she was out there.

He spent years waiting for her to come back. Waiting for some afternoon that he will hear her quick steps coming down the gravel road. Much later, he found a piece of her shirt floating on the bank of a river.

Taehyung closed his eyes and nodded. It was dangerous to let you stay, he still didn't fully trust you. But what was the use of being alone so much when he only waited for the next day and the day after until one day he could die naturally?

Your body tensed as his hand rose to sink into your hair and kiss your forehead. So delicate, without causing any noise.

"Sleep well," he whispered leaving the book on the table. His chest hurt with the immense amount of feelings you make him feel in one day.

It's overbearing and he loved it. But his poor soul needed time.

For the first time in all that time together, he decided to sleep on the first floor.

You didn't know what to say, you were already ready for him to just ask you to leave. So you were thankful he actually just…left.

When the door creaked shut, you let loneliness engulf you. You cried, glued to the pillow like a child. Of relief, of uncertainty, for that kiss.

The days are long when there is nothing to say. When you don't look at him, when you ignore him with your unsubtle ways: you leave your clothes poorly folded, you don't finish the dishes he makes for you, your cigarettes are badly rolled, and you punish him by wearing those shirts that reveal your cleavage.

If you knew what you did to him, would you take advantage of him? Would he hate it?

Taehyung can feel your eyes on his back as he tries to light the fireplace at night, the cold is cruel in the mountains, even crueler than the tension in the small living room. You find yourself sitting watching the flame grow and grow, Taehyung trying to appear as calm as possible as if he didn't have the gears of his brain fed up trying to figure out how to talk to you.

Apart from a 'what do you want for dinner?', a 'yes' or a 'no'.

He felt he talked more with poor Frank, who slept about eighteen hours a day.

He cleared his throat at the smoke and held up his hand for more newspaper. You gave it instantly. And suddenly, a miracle: for the first time in weeks, your voice.

"Tomorrow is my birthday," you said embarrassedly, arms crossed.

With a tight-lipped smile on Kim's mouth, he nodded and looked into your tired eyes.

Your voice was still just as sweet and calm, you wanted to try to sound weary. But he noticed every afternoon when he came home from hunting, the way you moved through the little orchard and sang while you bathed Frank. Your laughter was his antidote, it healed his tiredness and the ache of his soul.

"We should celebrate it." He proposed, but you instantly denied it.

"I want you to take me."

"What do you mean?" he blushed, looking deep into your eyes.

"Take me somewhere."

Taehyung dropped the newspaper on the fire. He sighed softly, (not in relief, but disappointed) and sat in the old chair in the corner, legs apart as he rolled a cigarette.

"Where do you want to go?"

"To the house on top." you pointed east.

"How do you know there's a house on top?"

"Because I saw it in your drawings." your pupils let you see its shine for the first time in weeks. The cold made you look so beautiful. The little contact he had with you, he missed it so much.

Your cheeks took on color with the coming of winter, your lips like two slices of ripe fruit, red and full of juice. "And I found your binoculars in the warehouse."

"Mm," he couldn't even get mad at you and your insatiable curiosity. He was glad to hear you. Besides, who was he to deny you going up to that abandoned mansion, even when fear consumed him that they would attack you?

"Sure, we'll go." you let the corner of your lips rise, Taehyung feigned seriousness. "But it can't be tomorrow. We need at least two days of walking to get there, and we have to prepare."

You licked your lips and got up, letting the cloth that wrapped you from head to toe fall to your shoulders. You raised your arms, and Taehyung frowned, not understanding the gesture.

"Come here, it's almost twelve, and I'm going to be twenty-one."

Although they both knew that no clock gave them a certain time, Kim didn't care and you less. Leaving the cigarette next to him, he stood up and awkwardly let his strong arms swallow you, your head on his chest.

The hug was a thank you from you, but with just a few more seconds, you realized that Taehyung didn't want to let go. You opened your eyes, he could feel your confusion.

"Just-" he stammered, tensing his arms a little more to bring you closer to the warmth of his body. Silence.

Rich and peachy.

"What?"

"No, nevermind."

"Kim." you wanted to look at his eyes but didn't let you.

"I haven't hugged anyone in years." he murmured, a sigh of relief.

The confession made your chest sink. The breathing of the man in your arms was soft and ragged. As if he was nervous.

"Can you play with my hair?" he hummed, timid and needy, warming your shoulder with his breath; chills covering your skin.

You let your fingers explore his fluffy hair, the little ripples covering your palm and fingertips. You heard another sigh from him and felt how his arms slid to hug the sides of your waist.

"Feels good?" you dared to ask, breathing the musk on his jacket. He just nodded longingly, closed eyes and brows knitted; the crackle of the fire in the fireplace melting his heart.

Your throat was dry, and your lips parted, God knows you wanted to enjoy that hug, how Taehyung bent his body slightly to hide his head in your neck. Perhaps it was the lack of contact or the fire in the fireplace, but your body bubbled over a slow fire with each exhale that collided with your neck.

"Tae-" you swallowed and grabbed his shoulders so he could see you.

The drunkenness in the eyes of the man in front of you was so short but so sweet. Discovering his attitude, he pricked the bridge of his nose and cleared his throat.

"Sorry, don't worry about the trip. We can start packing tomorrow."

"I think I remember some of what happened to me."

"Oh." His eyes widened, gesturing as he tried to ask you to explain. You loved the gestures that came out of Taehyung when he didn't know the protocol of conversations. It wasn't 'thank you', but a tightening of the lips into a brief smile; no 'Don't move' when he painted but a little grunt and a deny.

You both took a seat on the furniture and got as close as possible, there was no one around, but this was how both of you got used to talking to each other. Whispers, watching each other's lips and laughter, when it was intended, with the hand on the mouth.

"I remember a boat, I remember several women and two men," you murmured, your eyes tilted into the fire. "A group came on another boat and threw us on the shore, they beat the men so much that they died and left the women to suffer."

Kim bit the inside of his cheek, he knew the day you would remember your past would be difficult. The beginning of the lethal virus was so surreal for him.

"I don't remember their faces much, just their hair. I remember…one feverish night, the women covered me with a blue coat that they had taken from one of the men." your hand trembled, and Taehyung took it without hesitating. "When I woke up, they were all in stage two."

Stage two of the virus was when their bodies began to slow down, sleep being the main activity, even at times when they needed to urinate. Your body didn't feel like getting up.

Taehyung remembers how one of his college classmates slept fully for two days, he opened his eyes when called but closed them instantly.

"When I saw them I thought the same thing was going to happen to me, apparently they killed an infected animal and ate it among themselves without giving me a piece. I don't blame them. I also thought the fever was going to kill me that night," you shrugged. "When I woke up I found trash, fruit, and headless bugs on the floor. The virus searched for everything it could to feed before going into coma…, and then, um-"

Your gaze drifted away, as if you saw the women sprawled on their backs with their mouths open and sunken eyes on the cabin rug.

"Their bodies started to swell, their chests and stomachs and throats. The eggs-" you denied and Taehyung felt chills. "They began to grow and incubate, I cried for hours and hours in silence, sitting on a log." your voice quivered. "I crossed the river at low tide, and stayed on the rocks to wait."

"You were sent to explore the area. You were the same as I was years ago." Taehyung bit his lip, squeezing your hand.

"I don't understand."

"I thought they didn't send scouts to this area anymore. The infection is so old I thought they wouldn't need any more information."

"What do you mean when you say you were the same?" You frowned and stared at him.

"I was a soldier, my family needed money, and the doctors found a way to make us think they could save my dad from the virus." the memories made his tense neck move involuntarily. "They sent me to this side to find information about the virus, the source."

"You and how many others?"

Taehyung shook his head with a sad smile. Maybe he was even making up the story of his father getting sick, who knows at this point?

"I still don't remember. I just know that I kept walking and walking wit this girl by my side,until we found this hill, and even she disappeared."

They both fell silent. Taehyung had already told you about the disappearance of his wife, unlike other topics, this was the one that seemed like a fable. There were no traces, like smoke that vanished on a sunset.

You can see on his eyes that ache every time he mentions her; you wish you could lick his old wounds, not to cure them, but to soothe the pain.

The way he was holding your hand and the fire trembling on his tan skin made him look like an angel. An untamed one leaves instead of feathers, strong arms to carry the world around him.

You couldn't take it anymore.

"Taehyung," you called, and he didn't have to move because your hand took him by surprise. Guiding him to your hungry lips.

He moaned lowly, making his free hand into a fist to control the euphoria that was running through his body. The wet sound of your mouths devouring each other, he didn't know how much he needed that, the warmth of your tongue licking his lips, the little pant coming out of your strawberry lips.

Oh, how much he hated the fact that he was getting hard just from a kiss, but how couldn't he, good God? You were so delicious.

He snatched his hand from yours and took both of your hands to squeeze above your head. Your back arched, and you mewled as you felt his hand squeeze your wrists.

Taehyung's eyes flickered to your face. Was he doubting what he was doing? Did you do something wrong?

"If you want to stop-"

"No," he growled desperately. With ease, his free hand grabbed the hair at the nape of your neck and kissed you again, clashing teeth.

"Slow down, Kim." you gasped as he devoured your neck, covering in saliva the fabric of the coat that covered you, almost tearing it apart.

Your hand explored his corduroy pants until it reached the tight bulge against his thigh.

"No. I don't want to," he screeched as he watched what you were doing. "Please, I'm too sensitive right now." It was a plea for you to let him enjoy touching you for a few more minutes, his glassy eyes and red lips.

You were cruel, and God, how he hated you for that. You chuckled low and spread your legs to climb into his lap. The sudden movement knocked the air out of him, hands on either side of the couch.

In one sitting, you were pressing his cock against your clothed pussy.

"Oh no, please. Let me-," his hands went to his mouth, squeezing it hard, the words coming out muffled.

With so few moans he had you addicted to his susceptibility. To his droopy eyes and his angelic whimpers over every little thing you did.

"Please," he asked again but it was in vain when you started moving back and forth and licking his neck. "Fuck me, i can't. Baby-" he mumbled rolling his eyes, reaching heaven with so little. The 'baby' scaped again and again from his lips until it died out.

It was embarrassing, but so sublime.

You loved it. No. You became obsessed.

When he finished, you could feel the wetness on his thigh. You laughed again, taking his face in your fingers; he hung from your fingertips like a puppet. His chin resting on them.

"You look so cute when you're sweaty in the middle of a blizzard," you said. He closed his eyes, enjoying the compliment.

Without saying anything else, leaving a wet spot on top of his zipper and his mouth open; you got up and went up the rustic stairs.

You were going to be the death of him.

The morning arrives quietly and with the sun coming in gently through the windows, you are grateful that the snow has stopped as you get up to put on your socks. Frank was sleeping between woolen sheets in the closet. When he heard you calling him he opened his eyes and lazily moved his thick tail.

The bed was made on Taehyung's side. Last night you hardly slept thinking about what you two had done in the living room, you waited anxiously for him to go to the room to finish what you had started, but you fell asleep waiting for him.

Maybe he was upset because you rushed him or he was embarrassed. Either way, you could still feel the moisture your pussy had let out just thinking about his face coming. Like a broken record, just as his pelvis raised to make one last contact with your clit.

You sighed and let the cool water calm your arousal. The small mirror showed your reflection, you were pale. Since the sun doesn't rise so often, you feel like you're withering. The tinting of your cheeks was already disappearing.

Your eyes were guided to the small photo pasted on the mirror, it was an ID with your face. The ink on the image was fading, with your name and date of birth right next to it.

It was the only thing you had for sure, maybe your face wasn't even that one. You returned to your reflection and began to notice every little detail: the dark circles under your eyes and the dry lips from biting them so much, the slightly yellowish teeth, and the eye that was smaller than the other. 

That's new, you thought. Only if you looked hard enough could you see how your right eye involuntarily closed a little more than the other, the more you looked at it in the mirror, the more obvious it was.

The sound of a pot falling followed by a grunt made you snap out of your morning exam. You walked quickly to the stairs going down in a hurry.

You were surprised to see Taehyung in the kitchen, his hands covered in whipped cream and the sweet smell of freshly baked bread. A small tight smile apologizing for waking you up.

"Uh," he wiped his hands clean and leaned closer to you, placing an awkward kiss on your forehead. "Happy Birthday."

"Thank you." You smiled softly, his hand found yours to guide you to the rustic table that he had made years ago, it was heavy and robust. It combined with everything that was seen in that kitchen, small details you had done here and there, but the smell of oak and the thick fabric of the curtains and the tablecloth were essentially Taehyung.

"I made you breakfast. You must eat it all or I'm really going to stop talking to you for a month."

As if he could.

"Because?"

"I spent all night trying to make whipped cream, found a book in the stack and it took me almost a dozen eggs to get it right."

"That's where you were last night." You smiled and he tensed, embarrassment painting his cheeks red. "Did you need a book to know how to follow our...?" You made an obscene gesture that made Taehyung turn to finish breakfast.

"You are so intense in the mornings."

"You've stopped smoking in the morning, have you noticed?"

Taehyung frowned. "It's true."

"I annoy you so much you don't need the nicotine to wake up."

"If that achievement makes you happy, go ahead." He crossed his legs as he sat down next to you. "Bon appétit."

You looked in front of you, on your plate was a piece of freshly baked bread toasted in the color of the sun. The whipped cream was smooth and slightly eggy, with peach slices decorated on top creating an attempt at a flower. The smell was intoxicating and your mouth watered from it.

Taehyung's chest swelled with joy as you took the first bite and inhaled. You looked at him tenderly. That human habit of food being the perfect language to show love without touching.

"It's good," you agreed taking another bite. "Did you try it?"

Taehyung denied raising his hand to ask you to continue tasting.

"I have something else for you," he said before you took another bite. You could see and hear in the silence of the kitchen how his foot bounced with eagerness to show you the other things.

Taehyung took a paper bag from his jacket hanging on the door and put it on your lap. His hands didn't let you open the material, kneeling on the floor in front of you.

"Slow down, Kim. For God's sake." you laughed looking at him. He imitated you.

"Sorry, it's just that I've been saving this for a long time."

You couldn't stop seeing him, it was impossible how much you loved him in such a short time. You looked down at your lap as he lowered your chin with his hand.

Inside the paper were many trinkets, colorful and very varied. Buttons, an old lighter with a rose carved on it, a ring in the shape of a butterfly, a deep red dried ink, and underneath it all the pale lace of a lingerie set.

You smiled as you put everything else aside and looked at the pieces in detail.

"Isn't there a more subtle way of saying you want to fuck me?" you joked

Taehyung didn't laugh, again he was looking at you with nervous eyes.

"I want to give you a portrait."

You put the lingerie on the table and looked at him. You knew that his painting materials were becoming more and more scarce. You denied it instantly.

"Don't worry, I'll use some oils that I have saved, they are in perfect condition and I want to use them with you." he rose clutching your face in his hands, like something ethereal. How could he see you in the morning and make you feel so lovely?

"I want to paint your lips," he ran his thumb over your bottom lip, "And your eyes."

"Even when one is smaller?"

He chuckled slightly at your sweet question.

"Especially the smaller one."

His hand grabbed the last bite of toast and opened your mouth with his thumb, delicately inserting it. "I told you to eat it all." his face was serious.

His thumb began to smear all the cream that remained in the corners of your mouth, pressing your lips while your tongue tried to lick his fingers.

"That is my girl." he hummed cocking his head at you.

Your toes tensed when you heard him say that.

"Open up," he commanded and you obeyed, opening your mouth to remove the sticky cream from his finger. He swallowedwhen he saw you lick every drop.

Your beautiful face, your messy hair, and your mouth covered in peach juices and whipped cream. So sweet and erotic that it made his stomach clench with the urge to eat you.

"I would like you to paint me in the summer, though."

"Because?"

"Because that way I could return the color to my cheeks, to see myself more..." you didn't know what the word was.

Taehyung could have cared less.

"Fine." he sighed and tossed the plate to the side with a crash. Suddenly, you were in his arms, he laid you down gently on the wood of the table.

"Tae?" a squeal came from you when you felt the cold in your pussy, Taehyung ripped your panties and began to rub his digits on your clit with such delicacy.

"Shh," he responded, grabbing the chair to walk over to the table and sit down. With one hand he brought your body closer to his face and began to run his tongue through your folds.

This is what he wanted to do last night and you didn't let him.

Your legs began to shake and he looked up through narrowed eyes. Your surprised face was so funny, it almost made him want to let you cum as fast as you let him.

"Spread your legs, let me see you." there was something so obscene about the way his voice deepened. He embarrassed you. "Aren't you going to let me eat you?"

You didn't know what to say.

"What happened that pretty girl who wouldn't shut the fuck up, huh?" His wet lips kissed your entrance with each word. "Where are your smart answers and the fucking questions about how I jerk off?" With one hand he hit your clit and you whimpered. "There it is." he smiled.

"God," you moaned so loud trying to get your nightgown down, it hurt so good. Taehyung squeezed your wrists with one hand and started devouring you again, your juices flowing on his nose and his tongue and you knew how much he liked it by the way he growled and bit the inside of your thigh.

It hurt but you couldn't stop moaning, your hands turning into claws from the tension wanting to grab his tangled hair, to see his face covered with it in a transparent and shiny layer.

"Atta, girl," he inhaled, snapping back. "Look at you," he smiled at you as he licked the edges of his lips. "The color is returning to your cheeks."

"What?" You stuttered before you felt how his hand collided with your ass. You screamed biting your lip.

"Come here."

His hand carried you to help your weak legs. With his hands under your armpits, he led you to the nearest wall.

"Get naked, pet."

"It's cold."

"Still?" Taehyung asked confused and piled the fabric of your dress in his hand until he found your wet pussy again. Without saying much, he inserted two fingers, curling the tips.

"More," you whispered, you were short of breath and you felt like you were in another cosmic plane with the long fingers of the man behind you.

His other hand began stroking your tummy until it reached your neck, squeezing gently. Hearing your sweet request, he laughed.

"You're a mess and I haven't even fucked you. Are you sure?"

You nodded awkwardly, your head pressed against the wall. A third finger was unexpected and burned.

"You're so wet, it's not fair." Kim sighed. "I want to do everything for you but you won't let me with that little body of yours."

"Mm," was all you could answer, your tongue was heavy and the knot under your stomach had you seeing stars.

"Those short dresses and the laughter and the erotic books and your perfect tits." he moaned turning you around to remove your dress.

Seeing your face again, Taehyung made up his mind; he couldn't take it anymore. Whipped cream decorated your cheek and your open mouth.

"Are you still cold?" His eyes saw you straight into your soul. You denied hugging his neck, hitting your lips with his.

If you didn't kiss him you felt like you were going to implode. His furrowed brows and his broad shoulders, the way he'd talk dirty to you but he'd kiss your shoulder calming your nerves.

There it was again, that tickle in your throat of saying things at the wrong time.

Shut me up with kisses, you thought, shut me up by sealing your lips with mine.

"More." Now it was Taehyung's turn to ask, moaning as he felt how your naked body hung from his waist.

He quickly lowered his pants until he took it off completely. Then his coat.

"Down," he murmured kissing you one last time crashing your body into the wall.

With one hand you grabbed his cock and started to move your hand. A cry came from him and you both nearly fell to the ground in a crash. Taehyung's legs failing from the sudden touch.

You laughed at Taehyung's irate gesture.

"In four. Now," he barked, after kissing you softly. "I want to fuck you, I don't want games anymore, 'kay?"

You nodded drunkenly at the way he spoke to you.

You stopped smiling when he repositioned you like a doll on your knees and hands.

You arched your back as you felt the tip stretch your entrance, you closed your eyes in pure pleasure. The sting was unbelievable, perfect.

"Mmhm," Taehyung ran his finger down your back, "Let me listen to you, love."

How can he call you that without melting?

You pushed yourself into him until your ass touched his pelvis. You both moaned each other's name.

"Fuck," he mumbled, grabbing both sides of your waist to guide your movements. The sounds that filled the kitchen were indecent, your cream accumulated at the base of his cock and your moans drove him crazy.

Yes, he was like a schoolboy when it came to you, he couldn't see your cleavage without wanting to touch himself or look at your lips without wanting to bite them so badly that they bled. You were in addition to his antidote, his new favorite morbidity.

"Atta girl, squeeze me more," he hissed at you slowing his pace down. His moans turned to whimpers as you began to feel the cum dripping down your thighs. You were about to cum and he could feel it. "Let me feel those walls, baby. Cum for me."

You lifted your upper body so you could move against him and with two brushes of his fingers on your puffy clit you began to scream his name letting your face fall into your hands.

You both panted hard, abruptly, Taehyung pulled his cock out, revealing how his cum came out of you. God, he prays that this is the one that knocks you up.

Getting up, he grabbed your delicate body and took you to the sofa, lit the fireplace, and left you alone for a few minutes. When he returned he brought with him a blank canvas the length of his forearm and a couple of charcoal pencils.

The afterglow had your cheeks with the most beautiful tint. Flushed and plump lips from biting it so much. You let your hair do what it wants, just how he likes it and you smiled at him when he sat down in front of you. You squinted your eyes when you smiled and his shoulders relaxed.

"Stay still, please," he whispered while he took a pencil in his hands.

[scarlet-witchery]

Ruthless Devotion

they'll make a hundred men bleed raw for the chance to prove themselves. (on canine coded milkoviches.) (ao3)

Put your fucking guard dog on a leash.

Mickey's hands chase over Ian's sides, his teeth nipping at the soft and tender flesh of Ian's lips. There's a soft growl that starts in Mickey's throat and ends up in Ian's own, the two of them pressed as close together as it's possible to be. Heat sears through Ian's body, a delicious high that drugs can't ever seem to replicate. Just Mickey and the way his hands, his lips drive Ian up a wall. There's nothing like him.

Fuck, Ian, he hears Mickey say against his ear, his voice a breathy huff of laughter. Ian can hear the slightest whine in the sound. He'll never admit it, but Mickey likes when Ian makes him just a little bit desperate. There's a lot of things Mickey can't and won't admit to. Like when that guy outside the club told Ian to put your fucking guard dog on a goddamn leash and Ian saw Mickey's shoulders broaden, his whole chest expanding as Mickey inhaled, sharp and sudden.

His guard dog. Protective to a fault, snarling and chasing away anyone he deems unworthy. Mandy had been the same, snapping like a junkyard dog at girls who got too close to Ian in the halls; Ian had to fight the grin that always threatened to cross his face when they did things like that.

He loves fiercely, he knows, but Milkoviches love violently. They love with claws and teeth, loyalty a pale, weak word for what it truly means. Ian doesn't think his love compares, but Mickey and Mandy both stay by his side, refusing to leave. And maybe he had to hold a hand out, let them bite his fingers and draw blood before he gained their trust, but it was worth it. No matter what anyone thinks, they're worth the pain, worth the wounds. Where others see rabid dogs, Ian sees wounded, starving strays in need of protection themselves.

Of course he'd never say it. He'd never tell them that he knows what they are on their insides. Mandy calls herself a bitch, says it proud, dares others to turn it against her. Mickey says he's anything but, that he likes what he likes; the dark and knowing looks he gives to Ian sometimes say otherwise. Where Mandy's all claws, Mickey's all teeth, both of them desperate to dig in and claim territory that they'll defend to death.

Ian's become part of that territory; he's been snapped up by these Milkoviches even with the Gallagher blood in his veins. Like he's a lost fucking sheep they're trying to herd back to safety before the wolves outside can get him. And maybe Mickey's eyes darken when he sees those wolves stalking at Ian's door—Ian knows there's more gazes than Mickey's that linger on his shoulders and his hips, along the hard planes and soft lines of his body. Mickey's there every time he turns around, though, and Ian isn't afraid for himself as long as he has Mickey.

It's not that he's stupid, either; he knows they need protecting, too. They're both the type to leave themselves bleeding, ignore their jagged wounds in favor of his papercuts. So Ian has to look out for them—both of them, because as much as Mickey has clawed his way and made himself a den of Ian's insides, Mandy was always first. And she's always been more fragile. A dog can bite to defend itself, but beat it enough and it learns to keep its teeth in its mouth. That's what Ian's here for, though; he'll keep a knife ready to fight off any man who hurts her, and let her hide her beautiful bruised face in his shoulder so she doesn't show weakness.

And then there's Mickey—Mickey, who even now traces the lines of Ian's ribs, a little too easily seen against the pale skin of his torso. Mickey, who kisses hard like a punch to the jaw and yet sweet like spring rain. Mickey, who has eyes the color of Lake Michigan and just as impossibly deep. Mickey, who came into Ian's life like a car crash and who Ian never wants to let go. It's selfish, maybe; dangerous, certainly. They grin against one another's mouths and Ian traces his tongue over Mickey's teeth.

Mickey is a guard dog, fierce in devotion and determined to protect what's his. And maybe Ian shouldn't like the way that Mickey snaps and snarls, straining to be let off the leash and bring down violence on anyone who dares look at Ian like he's only there to be used up and spat back out. It doesn't matter that Mickey looks at Ian like a piece of rare meat, because from him there's a longing and a neediness that goes with it. There's a craving, a desire that goes beyond the surface—he knows that his body is only one of the many things Mickey wants, unlike those other men. Mickey will take anything Ian gives him, the pain and the pleasure mixing between their bodies.

It sends a perverse kind of lust through Ian when he sees Mickey's inked knuckles causing bruises to bloom on the jaws and eyes of nameless men with bad intentions. There's a delicious sort of dizziness, knowing how much Mickey enjoys it, too. And maybe Ian and Mickey have bad intentions with each other, too, but those are dark desires that they only share with each other. The way Ian nuzzles against Mickey's neck, smelling the heady, sharp scent of his cologne, and Mickey clutches at him with need. He wants, he wants, he wants…and he knows Mickey wants to give him everything.

Guard dogs off their leashes—that's what Mickey and Mandy are. Ian would never claim to know how to tame them, would never want to anyway, but they're both so beautiful in how dangerous they can be. It's different, the way he loves each of them, how they love each other, but the three of them have found a way to carve out some existence that fits them well. Ian knows what it feels like to cradle their jaws in his hands, to press his lips against the pale skin of their cheeks. They've let him in and let him see their vulnerability. Guard dogs who guard themselves fiercely. Mickey sleeps curled up by Ian's bed each night, putting himself between Ian and whatever threat might come.

And Ian knows it might be wrong. Hell, he sees the looks his family gives him, when Mandy would defend him a little too loud, when Mickey does anything for Ian without being asked. He knows what it looks like. But god, he doesn't care. That kind of devotion means everything coming from them. Coming from a Milkovich, it's a declaration of love.

Right now he's buried himself deep inside Mickey, the rough brick biting into Mickey's back as they move together. Ian bites down on perfect, smooth skin as Mickey growls Ian's name against his ear. The want and need, the pleasure and pain, it all comes together in this single unmatched moment. He hitches Mickey's leg up higher and tightens his grip in Mickey's hair, dull teeth sharp against Mickey's delicate neck.

He's not the only one with claws and fangs.

There's a pull and a groan, heat scorching through Ian's body as he moves; he feels Mickey's body pressed against his own, tight and tense like a live wire. There's a frenzied kiss, blood on their lips and it doesn't matter whose. The sounds of their breaths coming harsh and jagged break through the distant noises of the city. Ian doesn't fucking care about anything else in this moment, this white-hot moment where he can love Mickey Milkovich exactly as he deserves. Loyalty and devotion rewarded, as they should be. The only one who gets this from Ian, and it's all Mickey's alone. Those other men don't own Ian's heart, not even his body, despite what they may think.

Mickey's head nearly smacks against the brick as he comes apart, shuddering, unable to hold himself together. This is the part that Ian loves, that he always tries to watch if he can. Watching the moment where Mickey takes something for himself instead of giving it away so easily. And he still gives it to Ian—he gives his body to Ian so many times, every day and every way he can—but this, this moment where he breaks into pieces and pulls Ian's pleasure into himself. Like he'd devour Ian whole if he had the chance.

And Ian knows he'd let him. Would do it without a second thought. He knows he'll never find it again, this ruthless devotion that came to him with harsh, clear blue eyes and bruised, gentle knuckles that threaten violence at every moment. He buries himself inside Mickey—he doesn't want to come up for air, just wants to breathe him in until that scent is all he knows. It's the way Mickey sends him out of his head and yet grounds him unlike anything else. His guard dog, his leashed protector. Mickey would make the world bleed for Ian. Maybe it should scare him.

It only makes Ian love him more.

[ak319]

Yan General sister x fem reader (Platonic)

(So I actually wrote 2 different stories regarding this Yandere OC. I will release the second story soon. Much love and enjoy😊💗)

Warnings: ( Possessive themes, references to assault/rape. Animal abuse, language, violence)

"Shit! Why today?!" I whined as I wandered through this thick forest. The Sun was about to set and my body was sweating,  not because of the heat but due to nervousness and fear. My sister, Jara, would be coming back from the battle. I didn't know it was today or maybe I had forgotten otherwise, I wouldn't have done the foolish act of coming to hunting in the Redwood forest with my dog, Tic.

My sister was the General of the army, not forgetting that our father was the previous one, and after his death, Jara was chosen as the next General. Our family was very close to the imperial family, hence I was a noble. I had five sisters and Jara was the oldest and I was the youngest so including me, we were a total of six. I still don't know why she treated me like a kid out of everyone? Even though I was an obedient child I still had to face so many restrictions and I feared that a day would come when Jara would probably lock me in my room. Three of my sisters had been married off to good families and now Flora and I were left. She knew how much I loved being outdoors and so assisted me secretly to escape the mansion in a cart of hay so I could hunt. We both were unaware that Jara was to return today. I had only found out when I was strolling through the market, as people were getting ready to celebrate her homecoming and chatted about the victory in the battle.

Despite being an expert in hunting and always returning safely home, unfortunately, today when she had to come back, the ribbon which I had tied to the tree probably flew away or an animal tore it and now Tic and I were roaming aimlessly like fools to find our way back. So far, no success or maybe wait...

"YES! I hear the stream! Let's follow the sound Tic."  We both trudged through the foliage and luckily found the stream, by now the sun had almost set and seeing this I quickly lit up the torch which I carried in my bag after filling up my bottle.  Tic had also fully satisfied himself with enough water and I got up to continue our search way back.

However, I almost screamed seeing three buff men standing near the tree line above the stream, staring down at us, smirking.

"What?" That's right, I am not afraid.

"Why did you get up honey?. We were rather enjoying the view." UGH! Disgusting creeps. 

"I have important things to do. Come on , Tic."

I grabbed his leash and began to walk the other way instead of going up, but the sudden sound of their boots sliding across the sand caught my attention. Seeing this. Tic began barking at them and I had to turn around as he was being angry at the men and constantly pulling on the leash. However, my mind screamed to just get out of here and run. I couldn't fight these buff men and judging from their appearance, it was evident that they were bounty hunters as they had a specific way to dress. How did they get the permission to enter the forest is unknown to me. I will make sure they don't ever if I get back safely because this forest was deemed to be safe for hunters like me from such people.

"Tic , let's go!"

"Woah , don't know which is more feisty one , you or your bitch." I turned around , taking a dagger out of my belt , and in just these milliseconds , Tic was shot by one of the men's arrows.

"NO! YOU ASSHOLE! TIC!" 

"HAHAH! One down, the other to go." I had to be strong right now so I maintained my stance as they circled me like wolves. It was clear what their intentions were but I was not going down like a failure, I was Jara's sister after all.

"You have no idea who I am. I am Jara Armani's sister and if you dare touch me , she'll skin you alive assholes."

"Hmmm, General Armani, that wrench. Thanks for telling  us sweetie."

" Yeah , this is a cherry on top. Hey , Storm , imagine her face when she discovers her little sister all naked and covered in blood."

Geez. Someone grabbed me from behind in a tight hold and I tried kicking his shins but the other one grabbed my legs. I screamed as loudly as I could to grab someone's attention if there was any other hunter present in the forest. In reply, I could only hear birds chirping as they flew back to their trees. Was this my end? I couldn't even get to meet my sister even though I hated her because she was too protective but now, I needed her. I realized she was right about the cruelty of this world.

"LET ME GO! YOU'LL REGRET IT! DON'T YOU HAVE MOTHERS AND SISTERS AT HOME!?".

They started chuckling as one of them tore my skirt. 

"Even if we did-" The man named Storm who was taking his belt off in front of me was struck by an arrow right in the head which came from behind and the other two instantly got up to fight whoever did this but soon they too fell to their deaths by none other than my sister who came riding with her men in tow.

"Take their bodies to my basement."  Is she really back? She looked so different compared to months back. She silently walked over to me and without saying anything , picked me up and carried me home. I could tell she was pissed and didn't know if I should hug her or thank her. 

.

.

.

"YOU NEVER LISTEN, DO YOU! WHY THE FUCK WOULD YOU GO THERE ALONE! HUH?!"

"I-the weather was great today and Tic-

"I DON'T FUCKING CARE! DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT THEY WOULD'VE DONE IF I HADN'T REACHED THERE?. THOSE FILTHY ANIMALS, PIECES OF HORSHIT! HOW DID THEY EVEN HAVE THE GUTS TO TOUCH YOU!"

She had been yelling constantly and Flora, my sister was also grounded for not taking 'care' of me properly.

I stood like a statue as she took out her steam. Suddenly I was pushed on the wall behind and I could sense her fuming breath on my face. Her rough hands can nearly break my arms from the force she's holding me.

" This was the day I warned you about. Always! But you never listened. " She rubbed her temple and continued. "You will not even step out of your room for as long as I say. And I am shifting you to the top floor." 

"The attic? Jara...please no," I whimpered her name. How can she do this? The attic is cold and said to be haunted by my own parents' ghosts!. I don't know if it is true or not but I am not going there. Her eyes were still cold, unwavering as if only filled with the desire to cage me which was the thing I had nightmares about. I prayed that my tears would somehow melt her heart.

"No, please. Sorry. I won't go out. I promise!"

"I trusted you when I left you here but not now. " Surprisingly she hugged me as I cried. "You will stay there ... forever my baby sister. Nobody will see you, except me. "

[will80sbyers]

Do you still have the list of movies that inspired ST4? I had a picture of it but I lost it and I haven't been able to find it since. Please and thank you in advance.

Yep!

Long post warning lol

300

2001: A Space Odyssey

47 Meters Down: Uncaged

12 Monkeys

28 Days Later

13th Warrior

Ace Ventura: Pet Detective

Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls

Altered States

Amelie

American Sniper

Analyze This

Annihilation

Aristocats

Armageddon

Assassins Creed

Avengers: Age of Ultron

Arrival

Almost Famous

Batman Begins

Batman V. Superman

Basket Case

Battle at Big Rock

Beauty and the Beast

Beetlejuice

Behind Enemy Lines

Beverly Hills Cop

Bill and Ted’s Bogus Journey

Billy Madison

Black Cauldron

Black Swan

Boondock Saints

Borat

Bram Stoker’s Dracula

Burn After Reading

Broken Arrow

Blade Runner

C.H.U.D

Con Air

Cast Away

Congo

Constantine

Children of Men

Cabin in the Woods

Crank

Casablanca

Carrie

Crimson Tide

Clueless

Dukes of Hazzard

Don’t Breathe

Death to Smoochy

Doom

Dark Knight

Dogma

Deep Blue Sea

Dreamcatcher

Drop Dead Fred

Die Hard

Die Hard 2

Die Hard 3

Don’s Plum

Dances with Wolves

Dumb and Dumber

Edward Scissorhands

Enter the Void

Ex Machina

Event Horizon

Emma (2020)

Forrest Gump

Fargo

Fisher King

Full Metal Jacket

Ferris Bueller

Fallen

Fugitive

Ghost

Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Ghostbusters

Good Fellas

Girl Interrupted

Godzilla: King of the Monsters

Get Out

Good Will Hunting

Hackers

High Fidelity

Hellraiser 1

Hellraiser 2

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Hidden

High School Musical

Hurt Locker

Heat

Hunger Games

Highlander

Hell or High Water

Home Alone

I am Legend

It’s a Wonderful Life

In Cold Blood

Inception

I am a Fugitive from Chain Gang

Inside Out

Island of Doctor Moreau

It Follows

Interview with a Vampire

Inner Space

Into the Spiderverse

Independence Day

Jupiter Ascending

John Carter of Mars

Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom

James Bond (All Movies)

Julie

Karate Kid

Knives Out

Kingsmen

Little Miss Sunshine

Labyrinth

Long Kiss Goodnight

Lost Boys

Leon: The Professional

Let the Right One In

Little Women (1994)

Mad Max: Fury Road

Magnolia

Men in Black

Mimic

Matrix

Misery

My Cousin Vinny

Mystic River

Minority Report

Mr. and Mrs. Smith

Neverending Story

Never Been Kissed

No Country for Old Men

Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors

North by Northwest

Open Water

Orange County

Oceans 8

Oceans 11

Oceans 12

One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest

Ordinary People

Paddington 2

Platoon

Pulp Fiction

Papillon

Pan’s Labyrinth

Pineapple Express

Peter Pan

Princess Bride

Paradise Lost

Primal Fear

Prisoners

Peter Jackson’s King Kong

Reservoir Dogs

Ravenous

Rushmore

Road Warrior

Rogue One

Reality Bites

Raider of the Lost Ark

Red Dragon

Robocop

Shooter

Sky High

Swingers

Sword in the Stone

Step Up 2

Spy Kids

Saving Private Ryan

Shape of Water

Swept Away

Star Wars: Return of the Jedi

Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back

Superbad

Society

Swordfish

Stoker

Splice

Silence of the Lambs

Source Code

Sicario

Se7en

Starship Troopers

Scrooged

Splash

Silver Bullet

Speed

The Visit

The Italian Job

The Mask of Zorro

True Lies

The Blair Witch Project

The Lord of the Rings Trilogy

Tangled

The Craft

The Guest

The Devil’s Advocate

The Graduate

The Prestige

The Rock

Titanic

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

The Fly

Tombstone

The Mummy

The Guardian

The Goofy Movie

The Peanut Butter Solution

Toy Story 4

The Ring

The Crazies

The Mist

The Revenant

The Perfect Storm

The Shining

Terminator 2

The Truman Show

Temple of Doom

The Cell

To Kill a Mockingbird

Timeline

The Good Son

The Orphan

The Birdcage

The Green Mile

The Raid

The Cider House Rules

The Lighthouse

The Book of Henry

The A-Team

The Crow

The Terminal

Thor Ragnarok

Twister

The Descent

The Birds

Total Recall

The Natural

The Fifth Element

True Romance

Terminator: Dark Fate

The Hobbit Trilogy

Unforgiven

Unbreakable

Unleashed

Very Bad Things

Wayne’s World

What Women Want

War Dogs

Wedding Crashers

What’s Eating Gilbert Grape

Welcome to the Dollhouse

Welcome to Marwen

Wet Hot American Summer

What Lies Beneath

What Dreams May Come

War Games

Who Framed Roger Rabbit

Weird Science

Willow

Wizard of Oz

Wanted

Young Sherlock Holmes

You’ve Got Mail

Zodiac

Zoolander

[shebeafancyflapjack]

Ghost OC: Markus

Some facts about this bastard whumper oc of mine (art by @idiotwithanipad ). Tw: mentions of abuse, conditioning and SA.

Died 70 AD in his mid thirties from pneumonic plague. Served in the Roman army most of his life, reaching the rank of Legate, also served as an overseer for the armies captured slaves. Because of this, he carried a flagrum (whip) attached to his armor, which he took with him in death, as well as his dagger. Despite having left Rome as a young boy to travel with his father, he idealised his country and dreamed of returning as a hero.

Markus loved his Empire to the point of obsession. He only had respect for his fellow Romans, in particular his fellow soldiers. All other nations he viewed as savages or barbarians, destined to be beaten down and subdued, but he held a special contempt for Britons and was looking forward to finally leaving the wet, miserable country shortly before his death.

When he died, the ghosts who inhabited the land were Robin (then Rogh), Penelope the former slave-bard, and Gaius, a fellow Roman who died a few decades prior after the local tribe sacrificed him to their water goddess by drowning him in the lake. Markus respected Gaius, who had outranked him in life, and saw him as a close friend. He lusted after Penelope, but she refused to submit to any man with a whip again, and also had the protection of the other men there. He hated Rogh at first sight, disgusted by the sight of him, the epitome of a savage. But it was seeing Penelope happily let herself be touched and kissed by the caveman that boiled Markus' blood.

Despite hostilities, Markus concealed his feelings for the most part for Gaius' sake, who wished to keep the peace between their little group. Gaius was fond of both Rogh and Markus and never quite saw his fellow Roman's true colors. Markus would keep trying it on with Penelope but Rogh only became more protective of her, which made things more heated between them.

After Penelope moved on, Rogh attempted to make peace with Markus at Gaius' prompting, only for Markus to begin abusing Rogh. He discovered that it was possible for ghosts to hurt each other with enough force, even if they did regenerate quickly. As wild and capable as Rogh was, he stood no chance against a man in armor, with a sword and whip at his use. When Markus threatened to hurt Gaius if he spoke up, Rogh reluctantly agreed to let himself be hurt in secret. This was his biggest mistake.

By the time Gaius moved on, Rogh's sanity was already beginning to wear thin, but losing his last friend and being trapped with this psychopath was the last straw. Likewise, Markus was just as infuriated to lose his 'brother' and be stuck with a filthy savage. He saw it as his right to 'tame' the beast, just as he always fantasised he'd done to Penelope. Markus took advantage of Rogh's unstable mental health and conditioned him to believe this was what he deserved and that he was no better than a dog, not worthy to speak, stand or sleep on a bed or sit anywhere but the floor. Rogh, starving for any sort of human interaction, was eventually broken.

Markus had never been a stable man to begin with, but his time as a ghost made him start to go mad too. Instead of seeking company with the one other ghost he had with him, he chose to take out his pain on Rogh, beating him and whipping him and shouting him down for seemingly no reason. He started to fantasize about the gods coming to take him to Elysium, to see his father again, to know he'd made something of himself instead of being forgotten to history. Rogh could only cower in the corner and watch the other crazy man mutter to himself about his apparent glories, while waiting for his next random beating.

It's only when, after many decades of isolation and abuse, Markus begins to have other desires and tries to assault Rogh one night which makes the caveman finally snap. He left and sought company in a pack of ghost wolves who took him in, and Rogh was able to get them to help him attack Markus viciously, tearing beneath his armor and mauling him over and over until he ran and hid. Rogh's mind was gone, for now, given into becoming the beast Markus thought him to be, but at least he was free (don't worry, he got better).

No one saw Markus ascend. Robin is certain he's gone as he could no longer smell him, just over a year after he left him to join the wolves. But who is to say if he went up or down....or if he's still somewhere hidden on the grounds. Robin continues to have nightmares about the man and refuses to watch epic films about Ancient Rome (like Gladiator) because the sight of the armor gives him ptsd.

[dairy-farmer]

hi! do you have more fic recs? (batcest)

I joined these two similar asks for 1 reply hope you don't mind!

and yes! i have a few more recs !!

BruTim

Breathe Me-resurrectedhippo- omega tim hits his first heat when bruce, who promised to help him through it, is recovering from banes attack that broke his back

A Lead- jayzelnut- Bruce realizes Tim has been taken out clubbing for his 21st Birthday and refuses to admit to himself or anyone that he's jealous

the dirt and the dust-future86- years ago bruce fathered a child and he knew he wasn't in a place to care for them so he kept quiet and never sought to learn more. years later something about tim is so familiar but he can't tell what.

rich raw carrion- future86- tim has never had "the talk" and decides to go to bruce for help

Doesn't Let Go- Jane St Clair (3jane)- in the immediate aftermath of his father's death, tim needs comfort and bruce perhaps does something ill advised

Meaningful Little Kisses- Avanalae- bruce kissing tim and getting caught by different family members

By Your Side-Val_Creative- bruce stumbles into his room and finds someone with short hair in his bed and legocially makes the leap that its selina. it is not.

Peekaboo-berryblack- little timmy is a naughty omega and sometimes his daddy bruce has to punish him

DickTim

enclose (me)-astrodeities- dick is de-aged to 16 and gets a crush on 17 year old tim + it has a sequeal!!

Midnight Elegy-vellaphoria- i LOVE grief fucking so much, after bruce's funeral dick and tim comfort each other in more ways than one

Turn the Wheel-Captin_Ursula- a/b/o fic where gotham has fallen into an eternal winter and the only way to end it is for an alpha and omega to have sex on the marriage bed

The Fearson Drakes-meyari- role reversal where tim was born into a family of circus performers and dick was the rich kid

Revelations in the Past-bewaretheboojum- tim uses time travel to lend a helping hand to dick and tim during no man's land

DamiTim

Puppy Rut-IWannaBeYahtzee- tim is in heat and triggers a puppy rut in damian

Take Care-GrowlGrowl- damian and tim are married and tim is helping take care of their dying father. damian cannot accept that bruce is dying and puts a strain on their marriage.

Your Debt To Me-redbirb- alvin draper gets his debt cleared by lil matches

The Wolves Between the Walls- WeirdAlterEgo- tim gets stuck in a wall

Involuntary Ties-TimmyJaybird- damian spends the night at tim's place, they hook up

i've waited for you to choose me-blueberry_muffin- pwp kitchen sex damtim

JayTim

Freezing-blitzturtles- Tim doesn't respond to a check in by comms and Jason finds him passed out from ketoacidosis

Die a Hero, Become the villain-arabmorgan- Jason is forced to either SA tim or allow a group of people to do it- he chooses the former

The Red Hoodie-WeirdAlterEgo- tim desperatly tries to fuck dick during a dry spell and decide to use a red hoodie he found lying around

Time Bomb Town- Moxibustion(RyuuzaKochou)- tim's last straw hits him and he leaves, determined to make his own way until he gets hired as a janitor at a hospital and ends up discovering the presumed dead body of bruce's son in a coma at that same hospital

wrong place, wrong time-catlads_and_batboys- a two face goons stumbles across the sight of jaytim

Please Fuck-Rawrbin- cheetah jason and tim need to mate with the help if their emotional support dogs dick and damian

MultiTim

jaytim+dicktim+dickjaytim

Should've turned around (glad I didn't)-MySecretStories-multiple times that dick came across jason and tim fucking and stopped to watch

dicktim+jaytim+damitim

Desperate Measures-WeirdAlterEgo- tim uses magic sex toys to be able to fuck his brothers

[star0mania]

Twilight OC because I don't fucking know anymore-

"The word students mostly use is..." "Tempestous?" "More like bitchy"

Name: Alexis Robin Cullen

Name Meaning: First Name: Alexis- Protector of humanity  Middle Name: Robin- a bird Last Name:  Cullen- Good-looking lad

Title: The  Hellhound

Nicknames: Alex (preferred name) Al (Bella and Alice) Rory (Edward, Jacob and Jasper) Robin (Emmet and Rosalie) Mittens (Edward and Alice) Little one, my little star (Belinda) Sis, Ri-Ri (Bea) Auntie Ria (Hailey) Ria (friends)

~~~

Age:   Physical Age: 17

Ages throughout the saga: Twilight: 15 Twilight New moon:  16 Twilight Eclipse: 17 Twilight Breaking Dawn pt 1: 18 Twilight Breaking Dawn pt 2: 19

Gender: Female

Pronouns: she/her

Sexuality: Bisexual

Zodiac Sign: Leo

Species: vampire

~~~~

Date Of Birth: August 10th 1990

Place Of Birth: Miami, America 

Date Of Death:  N/A

Place of Death:  Forks, Washington

Cause of Death: N/A 

Abilities:  Basic vampire abilities Improved speed Exceptional self-control

Special Ability: shapeshifting (can shapeshift to any human or animal)

~~~~

Nationality:  American

Languages:  English Korean Spanish Italian 

~~~~

Schooling: Forks Highschool

Previous Occupation: Ice Cream place employee, student at Forks Highschool Current occupation: Music Producer

Previous Resident:  Miami, America 

Current Resident: Forks Washington 

First Appearance: Twilight

Last Appearance: The twilight saga: part 2

Status: alive

~~~~

Played by: Julia Stiles and Raegan Revord for younger self Voice: Julia Stiles and Raegan Revord  

Eye color: dark blue

Hair color: dirty blonde

Hair texture: wavy/curly

Hair length: long

~~~~

Appearances: 

Twilight The Twilight Saga: New Moon The Twilight Saga: Eclipse  The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn part one The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn part two

~~~~~

Mental Health: Anxiety Disorder  Hypomnesia

Fears: Hydrophobia: Fear of water Nosocomephobia: Fear of hospitals

~~~~

Positive Traits: Confident Kind  Caring Loyal Courageous Brave Sassy Bold Adventurous  Independent Protective

Negative Traits: Sarcastic  Rebellious  Secretive  Childish (rare trait) Lazy(rare trait) Can feel guilty easily Struggles to open up to people

Skills: Hacking Coding Writing Art Lock-picking LyingSoccer

Hobbies: Baking Singing Writing Reading Archery  Dancing Skateboarding  Playing soccer

Likes: Animals Her guitar  Her computer Wolves Nature Music HorsesReading

Dislikes: Dresses Snobs The volturi Socializing  School  Homework Makeup The heat homophobics Salmon Her cat sneeze Needles

~~~~

Drinking: sometimes

Smoking: sometimes

Addictions: n/a

~~~~

Pet: Batty- Australian Cattle Dog- female Simba- Golden Retriever- male

~~~~

Best Friends: Bella Swan Alice Cullen Jasper Hale

Close Friends: Rosalie Hale Carlisle Cullen Emmet Cullen Esme Cullen Edward Cullen Jacob Black (long lost friend)

Friends: Eric Yorkie Mike Newton Angela Webber Jessica Stanley 

Frenemies: The werewolf pack

Enemies: The volturi  James Victoria Laurent 

Family: Carlisle Cullen- Father Esme Cullen- Mother Edward Cullen- Brother Alice Cullen- Sister Belinda- Bio Mum (deceased) (played by Idina Menzel) Jaybird- younger bio brother (deceased) (played by George Henry Davidson)  Bea Austin- older sister (deceased)  (played by Sophia Carson) (age: 17-20 in Alexis's tale) Jack Austin- brother-in-law (deceased) (played by Joseph Quinn) Nick- Bio Dad (unknown) (played by Dwayne Johnson)   Jacob Black- Imprint/Mate Mindy Black- daughter (played by Jenna Ortega) (special power: Fire control) Jazzy Black- daughter (played by Zendaya) (special power: water control) Chad Black- son (played by Mason Gooding)(special power: electricity control) Annika Austin- niece (Played by Sadie Sink)(special power: Ice/snow control) (age: 1- 8(in Alexis's Tale(a book I'm finna write), same ages as Seth in the rest of the saga) (Crush: Seth Clearwater)

Annika in the rest of the saga:

(Alexis's tale)

(Twilight)

(New Moon)

(Eclipse)

(Breaking Dawn)

"Ugh, you want me to shift, you don't want me to shift! Choose a lane!" "And now you're a boy." "I am today."

~~~~

"Before you ask, I brought the dog in."

Love Interests:

Past Love Interests: None. Well, a teen named Rick had a crush on her but they're just good friends

Current Love Interest:  Jacob Black

                             ~~~~~~

Ship Name: Jalex

Relationship trope:  Long lost friends to enemies Starcrossed lovers enemies to friends friends to lovers soulmates 

Relationship headcannons: -TBA-

Relationship playlist: Love will find a way- TLK 2 I Won't Say I'm in Love- Hercules Bella Notte- Lady and the  Tramp A Thousand Years- Christina Perri True Love- P!nk Rewrite the Stars- The Greatest Showman You Belong With Me- Taylor Swift Love Story- Taylor Swift Someday- Z-O-M-B-I-E-S We're of the same pride- TLG Neverland- Zendaya Faded- Sara Farrel version Photograph (female and male version)- Ed Sheeran Perfect- Ed Sheeran Happier- Ed Sheeran Shut Up and Dance- WALK THE MOON Marry You- Bruno Mars Beautiful  to me- Ollie Murs Mary on a Cross- Ghost Hello Hello- Elton John and Lady Gaga Love me like you do- Ellie Goulding 

Relationship variants: Gamora + Peter Quill- GOTG Wanda Maximoff + Vision- MCU Max + Lucas- Stranger Things Kiara + Kovu- TLK 2 Bluestar + Oakheart- Warrior Cats Brightheart + Cloudtail- Warrior  Cats Bella + Arrow- Survivors Hanna + Caleb- Pretty Little Liars Kat + Patrick- 10 Things I Hate About You Maggie + Glenn- The Walking Dead Michonne + Rick- The Walking Dead  Millie +  Moxxie- Hellvua Boss Elle  + Tao- Heartstopper Katherine + Danny- Just Go With It Angel + Scamp- Lady and the Tramp 2 Lady + Tramp- Lady and the Tramp Jenna + Balto- Balto Juliet + Gnomeo- Gnomeo and Juliet

Relationship Aesthetic: 

~~~

Trivia: Alex lives in her own huge house with the help from  Carslie so she can provide for Hailey after her sister died.She mostly shapeshifts into a lioness. Its basically her  spirit animal lolShe met Jacob when she was in the forest one timeOut of everyone in the family, Emira likes Alice and Rosalie the bestAlex loves to play with her dogs and play on her guitar She got bullied when she was little Alex used to own a bunny named Frothy but he went missing ;w;

Backstory: Alexis was born to Belinda, a vampire and Nick, another vampire on the 10th of August before her brother, Jaybird and along with their younger sister Bea. Belinda was a huge role model in her life where her dad was hardly around. Their mom warned them about the werewolves. They hanged out with the Cullens whenever both of their parents were busy. When she was 8, she met Jacob and played with him but was cut short when her mom took her away from him, telling him his family was part of the werewolves. So, she never hanged with him again.  Soon enough, when a fight between the Volturi and their family broke out, the dad ran away in cowardly fear and her mother and brother died. Alex and Bea cried next to their mother and brother that night and she grew distance between her sister.

A few years later, Bea and a vampire named Jack  Austin, soon having a child with him. Alex noticed something off with Jack and tried to tell Bea but Bea wouldn't  listen. Alex gave up and looked after Hailey whenever her sister or brother-in-law were busy and grew attached to her. She soon met Jacob again when she told him off for going onto vampire territory. Bea and Alex continued going to school, hence Carlisle helping them with school fees cause he's ✨rich✨. After getting into an argument  with Bea one time, Bea got ran over   by a car and passed away and Jack left, leaving Alex with Hailey. She soon started hanging out with Jacob,  giving up with everything and they both slowly started to develop  feelings for each other. By the time they were 17, they started to secretly date, the pack and Cullens soon finding out and who   knows what happens next :)

Character variations: Gamora (ROTG) Kiara (TLK) Kat Stradford (10 Things I Hate About You) Megara (Hercules) Sidney Prescott (Scream) Mindy Meeks-Martin (Scream) Bella (Survivors) Missy (Young Sheldon) Bluestar (Warriors) Loona (Hellvua Boss) Octavia  (Hellvua Boss) Megara (Hercules) MJ (Spiderman) Nimona (Nimona) Hanna (Pretty Little Liars)

Memorable Quotes: "What is this, asshole day?!" -Alex to a few classmates when they didn't leave her alone

"I guess in this society, being a male and an asshole makes you  worthy of our time" -Alex to a few classmates when they were being jerks

"Who's ready to get FUCKED?!" -Alex to a few friends when they're drunk

"Hey...you have a   bit of oceanic blue glimmer in your eyes" -Alex to Jacob when they're hanging out at night

"Holy shit, Carslie!" -Alex to Carslie when he showed her, her  new house

"I hate the way you talk to me, and the way you cut your hair. I hate the way you drive my car; I hate it when you stare. I hate your big dumb combat boots, and the way you read my mind. I hate you so much it makes me sick, it even makes me rhyme. I hate the way you're always right; I hate it when you lie. I hate it when you make me laugh, even worse when you make me cry. I hate it when you're not around, and the fact that you didn't call. But mostly I hate the way I don't hate you. Not even close, not even a little bit, not even at all." -Alex in English and Literacy class, reading a poem out loud about Jacob lol

Theme song: All Is Found

Annika and Alex:

Bea and Alex:

Jaybird and Alex:

(Art not mine) (If ya see any references, ykwyk)

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

OC #2

"Hey, leave him alone!"

Name: Annika Daisy Austin

Name Meaning:  First Name:  Annika- grace Middle Name: Daisy- a small plant Last Name:  Austin- capital of Texas

Title: The Hellhound's Cousin

Nicknames: -TBA-

~~~

Age: Physical Age: 

Ages throughout the saga: Alexis's Tale: 1-8 Twilight: 10 Twilight New moon: 12 Twilight Eclipse: 14 Twilight Breaking Dawn pt 1: 16 Twilight Breaking Dawn pt 2: 18

Gender: Female

Pronouns: she/her/they

Sexuality: Pansexual

Zodiac Sign: Taurus

Species: vampire

~~~~

Date Of Birth: May 8th 2005

Place Of Birth: Forks,  Washington

Date Of Death: N/A

Place of Death: N/A

Cause of Death: N/A

Abilities: Basic vampire abilities Improved speed Exceptional self-control

Special Ability: Ice powers (elsa)

~~~~

Nationality: American

Languages: English

~~~~

Schooling: Forks Highschool

Previous Occupation: Forks Primary Current occupation: N/A

Previous Resident: Forks, Washington

Current Resident: Forks Washington

First Appearance: Alexis's Tale

Last Appearance: The twilight saga: part 2

Status: alive

~~~~

"The Volturi? Really? We gotta be afraid of a guy who looks like a rat?"

Played by: Sadie Sink

Voice: Sadie Sink

Eye color: ocean blue

Hair color: red

Hair texture: wavy/curly

Hair length: long

~~~~

Appearances: Alexis's  Tale Twilight The Twilight Saga: New Moon The Twilight Saga: Eclipse The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn part one The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn part two

~~~~~

Mental Health: N/A

Fears: -tba-

~~~~

Positive Traits: Confident Kind Caring Loyal Courageous Brave Sassy Bold Adventurous Independent Protective

Negative Traits: Sarcastic Rebellious Secretive Childish (rare trait) Lazy(rare trait)

Skills: Skateboarding  Baking Painting Drawing

Hobbies: Singing Writing Reading Skateboarding

Likes: Animals Her guitar Her computer Wolves Nature Music Horses Reading

Dislikes: Snobs The volturi Socializing School Homework The heat homophobics Salmon Needles

~~~~

Drinking: n/a

Smoking: n/a

Addictions: n/a

~~~~

Pet: Batty- Australian Cattle Dog- female Simba- Golden Retriever- male

~~~~

Best Friends: Bella Swan Alice Cullen Jasper Hale

Close Friends: Rosalie Hale Carlisle Cullen Emmet Cullen Esme Cullen Edward Cullen

Friends: Eric Yorkie Mike Newton Angela Webber Jessica Stanley Jacob Black Seth Clearwater Leah Clearwater

Frenemies: The werewolf pack

Enemies: The volturi James Victoria Laurent

Family: Belinda-grandmother (deceased) (played by Idina Menzel) Jaybird- younger bio brother (deceased) (played by George Henry Davidson) Bea Austin- bio mother (deceased) (played by Sophia Carson) (age: 17-20 in Alexis's tale) Jack Austin- bio father (deceased) (played by Joseph Quinn) Nick- grandfather(unknown) (played by Dwayne Johnson) Seth Clearwater- Imprint/Mate

"For the last time, I ain't Elsa-"

~~~~

"You're not bad yourself"

Love Interests:

Past Love Interests: none

Current Love Interest: Seth Clearwater

~~~~~~

Ship Name: Sethikka

Relationship trope: Friends to Lovers Starcrossed lovers soulmates

Relationship headcannons: -TBA-

Relationship playlist: True Colors- Anna Kendrick and Justin Timberlake Didn't Know I could Feel This Way- Lady and the Tramp I Don't Care- Emma Heesters 

Relationship variants: Cloudtail + Brightheart- Warriors Scamp + Angel- Lady and the Tramp 2 Nala + Simba- The Lion King  Rani + Kion- The Lion Guard Elle + Tao- Heartstopper Gwen Stacey + Peter Parker- TASP

Relationship Aesthetic: -tba-

~~~

Trivia: -TBA-

Backstory: Annika Daisy Austin was born on the 8th of May 2005 to Bea and Jack Austin. She loved her parents and aunt dearly and they loved her back. Whenever her parents weren't around, she hanged out with her aunt, Alex. But everything took a turn for the worse when her parents died. Alex was forced to look after Annika. But everything sorta worked out for the both of them.

A few years later, she meets Seth when they are training to fight Victoria's vampire crew in Eclipse. They became friends and as time passed, she developed a small crush on him. She teased him playfully sometimes but other times, she was good friends with him. They met again when Edward and Bella got married and hung out secretly when no one was looking. They soon became a couple while Edward and Bella were on their honeymoon. And time will tell what happens next :D

Character variations: Brightheart (Warriors) Gwen Stacey (TASP) Angel (Lady and the Tramp 2) Hailey (TMF) Milly (TMF) Claire (Tales of Arcadia series)

Memorable Quotes: -Tba-

[redrydersrequiem]

The Raven and the Vampire

Ch 5

updated 11/21/25

font in purple is inner thoughts

Marvel and twilight crossover

once again long chapter, has jaspers back story from the book but I feel that's important to his character which is why I added it

After talking to Bella, it took another two days for her to contact me to let me know she was meeting the wolves after school and wanted to see if I could come. I was ecstatic; this was an excellent opportunity to study the wolves' magic up close. 

Loading into Bella’s old truck, soft old rock pours from the radio. On the way, she explains to me that Jacob and a bunch of his friends are part of Sam Uley's pack, which currently has about ten members and their respective significant others.

Like any good diplomat, I brought a gift to break the ice. Mila made her death-worthy chocolate cookies that even Dad could be buttered up with. Passing all the trees on the way to the reservation, we finally pulled into a clearing with a quaint home in the middle. Five shirtless boys were currently running out. 

“Well, well, look who showed back up.” One of the shirtless boys chimes in. He’s a little smaller and has a boyish, Bieber-like hair cut.

“Well, well look who still hasn’t learned what clothing is,” Bella replies in a sassy tone. 

“So this is your friend. You told us about the other leach lover?” The tall, bulkier one with a sour expression on his face asks

“Excuse me? What did you just say?”

Setting the basket of goodies down roughly on the edge of Bella's truck. I take a step forward. My hand clenched tight. Ready to smack the look smug off his face, Aurelius disguised around my wrist, ready to intervene if he must. When another voice from inside the house stops me 

“Knock it off, Paul, all of you; Bella and her friend are our guests.”

A taller man, thankfully in a red shirt, walks onto the porch, approaching Bella and I

“Bella, welcome back.” 

“Thanks, Sam; I wanted to introduce you to Elara.”

“Welcome in, Sam Uley.” He reaches out to shake my hand. I can immediately tell he’s not human, with the heat coming off him, let alone the strong smell of wet dog.

“Elara Mani”

‘Bella said that you’re involved with the other Cullen”

“Yes, Jasper and I are dating, and due to current circumstances, I was told everything that's been going on, so I wanted to meet you and your pack.”

“Very well, come inside. The food should be about done.” One of the former group saddled up to us with a smirk on his face 

“It is an honor to meet you.” He reached out to shake my hand, kissing it. Pulling my hand away, I chuckled at the silly boy.

“Not so fast. Sorry to burst your furry bubble, but I'm taken. Nice try, though.”

“Hey, I had to try, but yeah, Emily made some BBQ, and is that chocolate I smell.”

“We’ll see if anyone gets any yet.”

 He just laughs and starts heading into the house. Bella just smiles and nods at me to follow. The inside of the house is very quaint, and the delicious smell of cooked meat and bread fills every inch. A young woman stands with her back to us, finishing pulling things out of the oven while all the boys pile around the large table.

“Boys, I swear if you eat all the food before I can set everything out, I won't cook for you for a week.”

Turning the young woman's face is visible. I can feel the others stare at me, waiting for some kind of reaction; I'm guessing to the scar running down the woman's face, but unfortunately for them, I'm royalty and have seen a lot worse.

“Oh, hello, Bella and Bella’s friend; I'm so glad you came back over.”

“Hi Emily, this is Elara. She’s Jasper's girlfriend; she already knows everything and wants to meet everyone.” 

“Oh well then, welcome elara. There’s plenty of food for everyone.” 

“Thank you so much; your home is beautiful, and the food smells amazing.

“Why, thank you.”

 “I brought some desserts; they're my aunt's special recipe.”

Her face lights up with a smile, and I can tell by the girl's energy that she’s glad I didn’t comment on her scar. Judging by the almost pregnant pause earlier, this has probably happened before and made her feel horrible. I swear some people have no etiquette.

“Come sit and help yourselves before the boys, or you’ll get no food. I'll hide these for now.” She smiles and takes the basket from me. Taking a seat at the table, everyone’s eyes were on me.

“So what’s your deal?”  The boy at the other end of the table Asks 

“Shouldn’t you introduce yourselves before trying to grill me, or have you not learned your manners yet?”

“Oh, shit, she got you, Paul.”

“Shut up, Quil. Fine, I’m Paul,” The one at the end of the table starts; next to him, the younger skinner boy from earlier pipes up.

“I'm next. We’ve already met, but I'm Embry.” He winks at me, and all I can do is lightly chuckle 

“Ignore him; we all try to. I’m Jared. It's nice to meet you, Elara. Welcome to the reservation. Leah, Jacob, and Seth went to get some stuff real quick but should be back soon.”

 “In the meantime, please dig in.” Emily chimes, joining everyone at the table, Sam pulling her onto his lap

“Thank you, Emily.”

“Now that we’ve introduced ourselves, I'll ask again what your deal is, new girl.”

For Norn's sake, Odin, help me not pop this knucklehead before this day ends. That would break my cover, let alone further disrupt my plans. 

“Well, to start, puppy, my name is Elara, not new girl. Secondly, I just moved here a couple of months ago with my aunt and uncle. I became involved with the Cullens and was told what's been happening, so I wanted to meet you all. I'm trying to find a way to protect my new friends and family from whatever the hell is going on, and I'm hoping we can all agree.”

“I'm sorry you want to come to an arrangement with the pack and the Cullens?” Sam asks quizzically 

“Yes, so we should probably wait until everyone is here. I would hate to leave anyone out.”

“Bella, you have anything to say about this? Does Jacob know?”

“I’ve been trying to get Jacob and Edward to see reason for long enough; I'm fine letting Elara try her hand. She’s very diplomatic and understanding.”

Before anyone can make another comment, the sound of a car pulling up to the house and three other voices come closer

“That will be Jacob and the rest of them.”

“Hey, we're here. Is the food ready? I'm starving.”

“Your always hungry, Seth,” a female voice speaks up. 

“Hey, I'm a growing boy. Oh, hello. I’ve never met you before.” 

Walking into the room, a young boy, possibly in his early teens, is followed by a statuesque woman behind him. Finally, a well-built other male sporting a shorter hairstyle and stance, much like Sam did when I first met him, until he saw Bella, walks in.

“Hey Bella, you came.”

“Hey Jacob, thanks for inviting me over. I want to introduce you guys to my friend Elara.”

“Hello” 

“Hi, nice to meet you. Any friend of Bella’s is a friend of mine.” Jacob reaches out and vigorously shakes my hand.

“Bella said you wanted to know more about the pack and everything that's going on now that you’ve been brought into everything.”

“Oh, you're the new one the blonde leach is with.”The woman, I'm guessing is Leah, speaks Norns; the wolves don't like the Cullens 

“Jasper is my boyfriend, and I adore him and his family. Now, I came here to be friendly, but if you wish to continue bashing others when they aren’t here to defend themselves, maybe I should leave.” 

“Hey, it's fine. We're cool; we all just need to calm down. Please, Elara is my friend, and we’ve been over this before; no bashing. I don't let the Cullens talk bad about you guys.” Bella quickly directs the conversation 

“Whatever.” Leah lets out with a scoff, going to join Paul on the other side of the table. 

“Maybe we should just get this over with. What is it you wanted to ask my pack, Elara?”

“Well, I'm not here to grill you guys, so we don't all have to be so serious. I was simply interested in learning about your history and shifting capabilities. But if that's not my place, I'm fine with sharing a delicious meal with some of Bella's close friends.”

“No, it's fine. I'm sorry they aren’t very trusting, but we'd happily tell you about our culture and its history. Hell, the black family has been here forever, and what I don't know, I can easily ask my dad; he’s even on the tribe's counsel.”

“That would be amazing.”

Once the wolves got some food in them, the very air seemed much more relaxed as Jacob regaled me with the same tale he had told Bella before 

(If you know the story, you know. If not, you may want to google)

“Wow, that story was incredible.”

“Why, thank you, Elara. You know you're pretty lucky not many non-natives get to hear our tales.”

“That’s a shame; your people have such a beautiful culture and history. I hate it when others trample on it simply because it's not theirs.”

“I feel the same. You know you're pretty cool; I thought you’d be different for some reason.” 

“Oh, I'm a very complex person. You're just catching me on a good day.” Laughs go around, and I feel very at peace with the atmosphere 

“Question for you all, though: is there any way I can see your wolf forms, or is that a sensitive topic?” 

“Well, I don't know, Sam, what do you think”- Jacob. 

“It's up to you all if you want to show her. Sam said. 

“I'm all up for it, beautiful; maybe you’ll fall for me instead.” Embry flirtatiously states  

“Keep dreaming, Embry,” Jared says as he smacks Embry's shoulder. 

“I guess that settles it. Come on, let's go outside.”

Walking out with the boys bickering and fighting like little wolf cubs. Jacob finally turns to me and Bella.

“Okay, well, I'll show you, but stay here and don't get so close when we shift. OK, you've got to promise. Bella already knows not to.”

“Ok, I promise scouts honor. “ I watch as Jared, Embry, Seth, and Paul all go behind the tree line for a moment, and then the next four beautiful giant wolves emerge. They were much taller and broader than regular wolves of the world but nowhere near the size of Fenrir.

“Wow, you're beautiful,” I say as I approach the dark silver wolf. Huffing comes from the wolves around me, almost like a canine laugh. 

“Aw, look, Paul, at least someone thinks your ugly hide is pretty,” Jacob says snidely from beside me. 

“I'm sorry. I meant you all very handsome wolves.”

“Embry says he doesn’t mind being called beautiful if you say it.”

“How do you know.?” 

“We have a mind link to understand what each other is saying. I don't mind translating for you, though.”

“Thanks, Jacob; which one is Embry, though.”

“Hahaha, he’s the small gray one with the black spots and gray nose.” 

“Well, then, you are a very beautiful Embry.” The wolf smiles and promptly nudges me with his head, wanting pets like an overgrown golden retriever. I pet Embry while the rest are fighting and running around us. The atmosphere is very zen as the sun slowly falls into the horizon of trees.

“You guys, I know that you don't like the Cullens, and I know you have a reason not to, but I can tell you would be an amazing aid in stopping what is to come. I sincerely hope we can come to some kind of agreement.”

Sam rustles behind me as Embry takes his head off my lap to return to the tree line with the other boys. 

“We understand your point, Elara, but I must do what’s best for my people and my pack, and I won't put them in unnecessary danger. We will discuss it and decide as a pack, but you must understand it may not be your wishful decision.”

“I understand. You're a good leader, Sam.” 

He just smiles and nods his head. The others finally rejoin us, and I thank them all for showing me their wolf forms and allowing me to hear their stories. I doubled back to say goodbye to Emily and exchange numbers with her. Her food was to die for, and I wouldn't mind having another friend in this world before BelIa, and I rode back to her house. 

The ride is silent, the rain hitting the window as we collect our thoughts. We can get the two clans worked together for the better, but based on the number of missing people Lucas had discovered, I knew they would still be outnumbered even if they joined. 

(Authors note: i know things are out of order i'm trying to make it work for my story)

“I have nothing to wear.”

 Bella moans next to me as she slumps down on her bed. Every item of clothing she owned strewn about her room

“Bella, it's just a graduation party; it will be fine. And besides, Alice is on her way over soon anyway, so you know she'll be able to find something for you.”

“Yeah, yeah, you're right. I guess it’s just stress. School stuff colliding with this vampire stuff is not mixing well.”

“I understand, Bella, but the Cullens will keep you safe. And didn’t you invite Jacob? He'll probably bring some friends, so there’ll be even more protectors. It finally seems like the pack and the Cullens are getting along. Heck, we might be looking at an alliance soon.”

“Yeah, about that.” The way she said that was not comforting. 

“What happened?

“Jacob came over yesterday and kinda tried to kiss me, and I punched him.”

“WHAT!”

“Yeah”

“Is that why your hands are all red? I thought you might have fallen on the ice again or something.”

“Oh, thank you for your vote of confidence.” 

“You know what I mean, Bella. Is everything ok? Are you ok?”

“I mean, I don't know. Jacob has been a big part of my life and greatly helped me. I don't want to lose him, but my heart lies with Edward. I know the Cullens will need the pack to help, and now I fear I've messed everything up.”

“Oh, Bella, no, no, it's okay. Come here.”  I bring the girl towards me and hug her shoulder. I can understand her stress.

“All will be ok, I promise. Now, let’s get back to what you want to wear.”

“ I knew exactly what I would have worn, my favorite red blouse. If it weren’t for that Stupid, thieving, annoying vampire.”

“What did I do?”  Alice demanded, leaning casually beside the open window as if she'd been there the whole time. Scaring the crap out of me and Bella in the process.

“Knock, knock, " she added with a grin after seeing our shocked faces. Casually, she threw a flat white box onto Bella's bedside.

“Is it so hard to wait for me to get to the door?” Bella asked from beside me.

“Yup, besides, you knew I was coming anyway.”

“Whatever. Can you believe this, elara?”  Bella asks once again, Turning to me 

“Hey, I have no comment.” Barely able to keep the smile off my face at Alice’s shenanigans

“Just look in the box, Bella. Trust me, it's the perfect thing to wear tonight.” 

Bella opens the box and pulls out a pretty dress that is perfect for Bella. 

“Go ahead, admit it, I'm amazing.” 

“Thank you, Alice.” Bella mumbles 

“You’re welcome, bells. Now get ready, and Elara, you've got to go get ready as well.”

“I know I was just waiting around for you. Everything will be ok, Bella. I promise you now, get ready tonight. It will be fun.” I pick up my things and wave bye to Bella as Alice and I walk our separate ways to get ready for the upcoming ceremony and party

It was an exciting experience from a Midgardian perspective. I can understand why the event is so celebrated; it felt almost like a naming ceremony in Asgard when young gods and goddesses received their godheads. Although I am already a master magician at the magic tower of Asgard, I have yet to gain my godhead officially. I had Mila and Lucas record the ceremony if my parents wanted to see it. 

While we changed out of the unappealing yellow robes, they chatted with the Cullen matriarchs; the four had become good friends, which I was glad for.

“Hey, there’s our little raven,” Mila says lovingly.

“Little raven?” Jasper asks questioningly 

“My father has been calling me that since I was small..”

“You looked lovely out there, sweety. Your parents would be proud. 

“Thanks, Aunty.”

“yes, you looked like a beautiful banana,” Lucas laughingly states  

“Uncle!” Everyone simply laughs as we all enjoy the end of the ceremony 

Several hours later, the party was in full swing at the Cullens house, and many students were in awe at the fabled Cullens home. Covered in graduation decorations courtesy of the resident pixie-like Cullen

The party was in full swing when the doorbell rang just hours after the last time. Swinging the door open, I see Jacob on the other side of it. Rosalie asks quietly who invited the werewolf, which Bella guiltily claims she did. Odin, I could already tell this probably wouldn’t end well. 

Bella walks over to greet Jacob, and I trail behind, not wanting to leave the young girl alone with said male.

As Jacob greets Bella, more heads pop up beside him. Not only had Jacob shown up to the Cullens home and brought along Quil and Embry. Boy, was I gonna have to steerEmbryy towards someone else. I'm sure Jasper would have his furry head if he tried to flirt with me again. Heated words bring me back out of my head as I hear the last bit of Jacob and Bella’s conversation. 

“What are you doing here?” Bella asks with a grumpy look on her face.

“You invited me to remember,” Jacob says snidely back.

“In case my right hook was too subtle for you, let me translate that as me uninviting you.”

“Oh, come on, Bella don't pretend like I'm not here.” 

The drama ensues between the two when I notice Alice has gone deathly silent, her significantly turning gray. She’s in the midst of a vision, and judging by her and Edward's faces, it was not a good one. Before I could say a word, Alice, Edward, and Jasper all but ran to the kitchen, leaving a confused Bella, the wolf trio, and I in the wake.

Turning into the kitchen behind them, I see the worried expressions on their faces. 

“Alice, what happened? What's wrong?” I say, crouching in front of the sitting pixie, taking her shaking hands into mine. Still, she says nothing. I can only register Edward and Jasper grumbling before the others join us.

“Edward, what's going on? Did Alice see something?”

“Bella I.Elara, can you take Bella back to the living room? I think we all need to talk real quick.”

“No, Bella and I deserve to know what’s going on,

“Darlin. Look at me; I need your help. You can do this kindly, but can you and Bella get the party to stop quietly? We need the humans to go home.”

“Jasper, what happened? What’s going on.”

“Elara, please.” 

It's rare for Jasper to call me by my name now, so I know the situation is serious. I nod at him before grabbing Bella; she complains as we leave the kitchen to return to Frey. I push her to start breaking the news, following her before I stop around the corner. Using my powers, I look into Alice’s mind to see what shocked them. To my horror, my worst dreams are confirmed.

Alice's vision slowly plays, the Cullens facing an army of newborns. Like a movie playing, I see Rose tossed to the side as newborns tackle emmet. Esme and Carlisle surrounded front and back, Alice kneeling in the snow-covered ground, Rue cradled in her arms, unmoving as newborns grabbed her.

Jasper is nowhere to be seen as the scene swings around. I see him now, fighting off four others when another gets their hands on him from behind. Jaws closed in on his neck, and then...NOOOOOOOO……I break out. I can’t, I can’t see this happen. I, i

Bella's voice breaks me out of the episode I'm spiraling into.

“elara, I need help. I can’t think of an excuse to get everyone to leave.”

“I'm coming.”

We announced that a family emergency had occurred, and unfortunately, the party would have to wrap up and be over in the next hour or so. Everyone seems slightly disappointed, but they all understand. People start saying their goodbyes and getting one last drink or snack. Most of the Cullens returned from the kitchen they all disappeared into. Ever the gracious host, I see Esme making final rounds, saying goodbyes and instructing the others to maintain their cover.

Everyone is having a good time as a slower song comes on to help wind the party down when Jasper saddles up to me, pulling me into him to sway softly to the music. 

“I don't believe I've told you how beautiful you look tonight, my star.”

“You did cowboy every chance you’ve gotten, but I don't mind hearing it again. You look just as handsome, even when you're trying to redirect my attention,” I reply, kissing his cheek.

“I know you’ve been worried about everything going on, darling, but I want you to listen to me. I truly want you to embrace this moment. It might not seem like much, but it's a human experience I want you to have without worrying about the newborns and things going on with everyone. You're only human, and just like Edward does for Bella, I want this life for you.” 

“Oh love, you need not worry about me. I am embracing every moment I have in forks, but you also have to know nothing will stop me from worrying about you and the others. Especially after what happened, I know how Alice and Edward reacted to that vision, which wasn’t good. Please tell me what’s going on. I can do so much more than you think.”

“Darlin, it's fine. Edward got Jacob to call the pack over so we could all talk. But You're right. Alice’s vision was not great, but I don't want you to worry about it because it's not a Definitive future. Her visions can change just as quickly as they start. I promise you everything is going to be okay.”

All I can do is hold my love close. He was trying to reassure me, but it only strengthened my conviction. I would not let anything happen to my new family.

The humans had finally dispersed from the Cullens' home. Everyone had cleaned up, and the pack finally arrived at the Cullens' house.

“So tell us, Carlisle, why was Jacob so adamant my pack should be here?”

“Of course, Sam, Alice had a vision during the party, and it seems Victoria has made up her mind.”

“You’re all going to Seattle then,” Sam asks.

“No.” Alice pipes up from her spot beside Rue. “They’re coming here.”

“To forks!!!!.”

“Yes.”

“So you’ve brought a pack of bloodthirsty leeches to our front door,” Sam growls. 

“Sam, that's not fair. Bella and the Cullens have no say in Victoria's choices; she decided to start a war with them, not the other way around. They were trying to protect their family. Just as you would if situations were different.” I corrected, trying to keep the peace as best I could in my frazzled state 

Jacobs' expression was disapproving. Until he finally spoke up, I couldn't tell if it was what I had just said or the situation itself.

“We can’t let them come that far; there aren’t enough of us to protect the town.”

“I apologize for what my family has done to your tribe, Sam, but we must come together. Neither group is strong enough, but together we would be.” Carlisle spoke eloquently.

“How many? Embry asks from the other side of the room. We all look at Alice expectantly. 

“It changes twenty-one today, but the numbers keep going up and down.”

“Why?” One of the boys asks 

It's probably cause Victoria isn't controlling them. She more than likely lets them fight amongst themselves.” Jasper adds it seems he knows a lot about newborns

“We were already planning a strategic meeting, but if we're all going to work together, you will need some instructions.” Jasper continues 

 The wolves all looked disgruntled at that last part. 

“This will be odd,” Jasper added thoughtfully. I never considered working together; this has to be a first.”

“But I know it will do you all good,” I add to the end of his statement. 

“We need to start training as soon as possible; it's too late for all of you.” The wolves all roll their eyes at Jasper's statement. 

“Three o'clock? Tomorrow? Jared asks the room. Heads all shake in agreement.

“Where?” Carlisle 

“About ten miles due north of the hoH forest ranger station. You guys come in from the west, and you’ll be able to follow our scent.”

The next day 

Much to Jaspers's dismay, I joined everyone at the training site. The tension in the air is thick even as they all pretend it's not by stretching and chatting. 

Jasper Bella and I are sitting on a rock by the cars, waiting.

“Hey, elara. Jasper letting you practice too.?” Emmet asks, coming up to Jasper and I. Jasper just pushes his brother away with a grin.

“Please don't give her any ideas.” They laugh and play wrestle with each other 

Are you leading this exercise, cowboy?

Yeah, Jasper, you don't seem as anxious as the others,” Bella adds.

“I'm guessing Edward didn't tell you?

“No, I didn't,” Edward says, approaching the group. “That's your story, not mine, plus I didn't know what all you'd told Elara or if you even had. 

“Jasper? I say, seeing my mate's solemn mood.

“Sorry, love, it's time to tell you my story. And I'll be honest with you, it's not great. I hadn't said anything because I didn't want you to look at me differently, star.

Jasper, believe me when I say there is nothing you could have done that I would stop loving you.”

“But Elara”

“NO!” I can tell my outburst turns everyone's heads, but I don't care 

“You’re my heart, Jasper. Whatever you've done or had to do has you standing here with me, and that is all that matters to me. I love you.”

“I can tell Jasper is struggling, but he simply pulls me forward, hugging me tight to him as I feel him place kisses on the crown of my head,

I don't know what I'd do without you. I love you too, elara.”

Steeping away from him, we turn back to the others. When I saw him start rolling up his sleeves, I'd never seen him without sleeves, thinking it was his preference. But I wasn't prepared for what lay underneath them. 

He held his wrist up so that Bella and I could see clearly. At first, my eyes could not make sense of the texture, which was layered thickly across the skin. Curved half-moons crisscrossed in a feathery pattern that was only just visible, white on white as it was, tracing his finger across one of the raised crescent marks. It wasn't till I saw Bella pull  her sleeve up and show her scare I realized what the marks where 

Bite marks

Jasper, what happened to you? Bella gawks. 

“The same thing happened to your hand,” Jasper answered quietly. “Repeated a thousand times.” He laughed a little ruefully and brushed at his arm. 

“Our venom is the only thing that leaves a scar.” 

“Why?”I breathed in horror, feeling rude but unable to stop staring at his subtly ravaged skin. 

“I didn’t have quite the same . . . upbringing as my adopted siblings here. My beginning was something else entirely.” His voice turned hard as he finished. 

“Before I tell you my story,” Jasper said,  “You must understand that there are places in our world where the lifespan of the never-aging is measured in weeks and not centuries.”

The others had heard this before. Carlisle, Esme, and Emmett go back to their previous conversation. Alice moved silently to sit with Rue and Rosalie on the other side of the clearing. Only Edward remained as absorbed as I was; I could feel his eyes on my face, reading every flicker of emotion.

 “To understand why, you have to look at the world from a different perspective. You have to imagine the way it looks to the powerful, the greedy . . . the perpetually thirsty. You see, there are places in this world that are more desirable to us than others. Places where we can be less restrained and still avoid detection. Picture, for instance, a map of the western hemisphere. The picture on it shows every human life as a small red dot. The thicker the red, the more easily we — well, those who exist this way — can feed without attracting notice.” 

I shuddered at the word feed. But I squeezed Jasper's hand, signaling him to continue.

 It's not that the covens in the South care much for what the humans notice or do not. It’s the Volturi that keeps them in check. They are the only ones the southern covens fear. If not for the Volturi, we would be quickly exposed.” 

I frowned at how he pronounced the name — with respect, almost gratitude. The idea of the Volturi as the good guys was hard to accept after all the stories I had been told. 

 “The North is, by comparison, very civilized. Most nomads here enjoy the day and the night and allow humans to interact with them unsuspectingly — anonymity is important to us all. It’s a different world in the South. The immortals there come out only at night. They spend the day plotting their next move or anticipating their enemy. Because it has been war in the South, constant war for centuries, with never one moment of truce.

“what are they fighting for?” I asked. Jasper smiled. 

“Remember the map with the red dots?” He waited, so I nodded. 

“They fight for control of the thickest red. You see, it occurred to someone once that if he were the only vampire in, let’s say, Mexico City, well then, he could feed every night, twice, three times, and no one would ever notice. He plotted ways to get rid of the competition.

And I'm Guessing Others had the same idea. 

“Correct, love. Some came up with more effective tactics than others. “But the most effective tactic was invented by a fairly young vampire named Benito. The first anyone ever heard of him, he came down from somewhere north of Dallas and massacred the two small covens that shared the area near Houston. Two nights later, he took on the stronger clan of allies that claimed Monterrey in northern Mexico. Again, he won.”

“How did he win?” Bella asked with wary curiosity. 

“Benito had created an army of newborn vampires. He was the first to think of it, and, in the beginning, he was unstoppable. Very young vampires are volatile, wild, and almost impossible to control. One newborn can be reasoned and taught to restrain himself, but ten and fifteen together are a nightmare. They’ll turn on each other as quickly as on the enemy you point them at. Benito had to keep making more as they fought amongst themselves; however, though newborns are dangerous, they can still be defeated if you know what you’re doing. 

They’re incredibly powerful physically for the first year or so, and if they’re allowed to bring strength to bear, they can easily crush an older vampire. But they are slaves to their instincts and thus predictable. Usually, they have no fighting skills, only muscle and ferocity. And in this case, overwhelming numbers.” “The vampires in southern Mexico realized what was coming for them, and they did the only thing they could think of to counteract Benito. They made armies of their own. . . . “

“And All hell broke loose.” 

“Correct again, love immortals have our histories, too, and this war will never be forgotten. Of course, it was not a good time to be human in Mexico. When the body count reached epidemic proportions, the Volturi finally stepped in. The entire guard came together and sought out every newborn in the bottom half of North America. Benito was entrenched in Puebla, building his army as quickly as possible to take on the prize—Mexico City.”

“The Volturi started with him and then moved on to the rest. Anyone who was found with the newborns was executed immediately. The Volturi were cleaning house for almost a year.” Edward adds

“It was enough that the fever for conquest did not spread from the South. The rest of the world stayed sane. We owe the Volturi for our present way of life. But when the Volturi returned to Italy, the survivors were quick to stake their claims in the South. 

It didn’t take long before covens began to dispute again. There was a lot of bad blood if you’ll forgive the expression. Vendettas abounded. The idea of newborns was already there, and some could not resist. However, the Volturi had not been forgotten, and the southern covens were more careful this time. The newborns were selected from the human pool with more care and were given more training. They were used circumspectly, and the humans remained, for the most part, oblivious,” Edward states.

“The wars resumed, but on a smaller scale. Occasionally, someone would go too far, speculation would begin in the human newspapers, and the Volturi would return and clean the city. But they let the others, the careful ones, continue. . . .” Jasper was staring off into space.

 “Is That how you were changed.” My realization was a whisper. 

“Yes,” he agreed. 

 “When I was human, I lived in Houston, Texas. I was almost seventeen when I joined the Confederate Army in 1861. I lied to the recruiters and told them I was twenty. I was tall enough to get away with it. My military career was short-lived but very promising. People always liked me and listened to what I said. My father said it was charisma. Of course, now I know it was probably something more. But, whatever the reason, I was promoted quickly through the ranks.

The Confederate Army was new and scrambling to organize itself, providing opportunities. By the first battle of Galveston — well, it was more of a skirmish — I was the youngest major in Texas, not even acknowledging my actual age. I was placed in charge of evacuating the women and children from the city when the Union’s mortar boats reached the harbor. It took a day to prepare them, and then I left with the first civilian column to convey to Houston. 

“I remember that one night very clearly. We reached the city after dark. I stayed only long enough to ensure the entire party was safely situated. As soon as that was done, I got myself a fresh horse and returned to Galveston. There wasn’t time to rest. Just a mile outside the city, I found three women on foot. I assumed they were stragglers and dismounted immediately to offer them my aid. But, when I could see their faces in the dim light of the moon, I was stunned into silence. They were, without question, the three most beautiful women I had ever seen. They had such pale skin; I remember marveling at it. Even the little black-haired girl, whose features were Mexican, was porcelain in the moonlight. They all seemed young, still young enough to be called girls. I knew they were not lost members of our party. I would have remembered seeing these three.

Jasper paused, taking a breath and squeezing my hand to recenter himself. 

“A few days later,” he said, “I was introduced to my new life. Their names were Maria, Nettie, and Lucy. They hadn’t been together long — Maria had rounded up the other two — all three were survivors of recently lost battles. Theirs was a partnership of convenience. Maria wanted revenge and her territories back. 

The others were eager to increase their herd lands. They were assembling an army and going about it more carefully than usual. It was Maria’s idea. She wanted a superior army, so she sought out specific humans who had potential. 

Then, she gave us much more attention and training than anyone else had bothered with. She taught us to fight, and she taught us to be invisible to humans. When we did well, we were rewarded. . . .” He paused, editing again.

 “She was in a hurry, though. Maria knew that the massive strength of the newborn began to wane around the year mark, and she wanted to act while we were strong. There were six of us when I joined Maria’s band. She added four more within a fortnight. We were all male — Maria wanted soldiers — making it slightly more challenging to keep from fighting amongst ourselves. I fought my first battles against my new comrades in arms. I was quicker than the others and better at combat. Maria was pleased with me, though she said she had to keep replacing the ones I had destroyed. I was rewarded often, and that made me stronger. Maria was a good judge of character. She put me in charge of the others — as if I were being promoted. It suited my nature exactly. The casualties dropped dramatically, and our numbers swelled to around twenty. This was considerable for the cautious times we lived in. My ability, as yet undefined, to control the emotional atmosphere around me was vitally practical. We soon began working together in a way that newborn vampires had never cooperated. Even Maria, Nettie, and Lucy could work together more efficiently.

“Maria grew quite fond of me — she began to depend on me. And I hate to admit this, but I worshipped the ground she walked on. I had no idea that any other life was possible. Maria told us this was the way things were, and we believed. “She asked me to tell her when my brothers and I were ready to fight, and I was eager to prove myself. I pulled together an army of twenty-three unbelievably strong new vampires, organized and skilled as no others before, and Maria was ecstatic. After successfully fulfilling her plans, she became greedy. It wasn’t long before she began to eye other cities. 

That first year, she extended her control to cover most of Texas and northern Mexico. Then the others came from the South to dislodge her.” He brushed two fingers along the faint pattern of scars on his arm. 

“The fighting was intense. Many began to worry that the Volturi would return. Of the original twenty-three, I was the only one to survive the first eighteen months. We both won and lost. Nettie and Lucy turned on Maria eventually and were killed quickly.

My life continued in the same violent pattern, and the years passed. I was sick of it all for a long time before anything changed. It wasn't until decades later I developed a friendship with a newborn who’d remained useful and survived his first three years against the odds. His name was Peter. I liked Peter; he was . . . civilized — I suppose that’s the right word. He didn’t enjoy the fight, though he was good at it. “He was assigned to deal with the newborns — babysit them, you could say. It was a full-time job. “And then it was time to purge again. The newborns were outgrowing their strength; they were due to be replaced. Peter was supposed to help me dispose of them. We took them aside individually, you see, one by one . . . It was always a very long night. This time, he tried to convince me that a few had potential, but Maria instructed us to eliminate them all. I told him no. “We were about halfway through, and I felt it was taking a significant toll on Peter. I was trying to decide whether or not I should send him away and finish up myself as I called out the next victim. To my surprise, he was suddenly angry, furious. I braced for whatever his mood might foreshadow — he was a good fighter but never a match for me. 

“The newborn I’d summoned was a female, just past her year mark. Her name was Charlotte. His feelings changed when she came into view; they gave him away. He yelled for her to run, and he bolted after her. I could have pursued them, but I didn’t. I felt . . . averse to destroying him. “Maria was irritated with me for that . . .

 “Five years later, Peter snuck back for me. He picked a good day to arrive. Maria was at her wits end with me. He told me about his new life with Charlotte and options I’d never dreamed of. They’d never fought in five years, though they’d met many others in the north. Others who could co-exist without the constant mayhem.  He soon convinced me to just leave with him, and I was ready to go; it was a relief I wouldn’t have to kill Maria. I’d been her companion for as long as Carlisle and Edward had been together, yet our bond was nowhere near as strong. 

I think it's because when you live for the fight, for the blood, the relationships you form are tenuous and easily broken. I walked away without a backward glance. I traveled with Peter and Charlotte for a few years, getting the feel of this new, more peaceful world. And though everything was better, I still felt hollow and empty, like an empty killing machine putting on a mask to try to hide. That lasted years until one day Alice found me. 

“He kept me waiting long enough to, " Alice says, returning to the group now that the story's horrors are over. 

My apologies, ma’am.” 

“If it weren't for Alice telling me my future, I wouldn't be here. I would never have met you, my star.” Jasper said, smiling sadly at me, almost as if waiting for me to leave him for the story; instead, I once more curled myself in his arms, partially to hide my sad face from his tell but also to bind him to me. The faraway look in his eyes scared me more than anything. 

“I'm so sorry, Jasper. You didn't deserve any of that. I wish, I wish.”…(

I would have thought to find you sooner; I could have saved you from so much pain.)

“It's all right, love. While the past was hard, waiting for you was worth it,” he says again, kissing me softly.

Norns, I wish I could kidnap Jasper and take him back with me where nothing would have to hurt him again, somewhere he'd be happy and free—all of them. That's my wish. Yet the natural world continues to stop me as I notice Alice stiffening up and staring into the far treeline.

“Alice, are you okay?” I ask, separating from Jasper as he also goes to check on his sister.

“She’s fine, you two,” Rue says, coming to hug her girlfriend. She's just nervous. Her visions don't work when the wolves are involved. She doesn’t know how this will play out, which is not a feeling she is used to. 

And they’re almost here.” 

Seeing Rue, has Alice handled. Jasper gently nudges me in Bellas's direction. The young girl is now even more depressed if that is possible,

I give him a final squeeze, kissing his cheek and leaving him with Emmett. He gives me a cheeky smile, nudging me towards her. 

“hey, bells.

“Hey elara”

‘You ok” 

“No, I'm not. This is all happening because of me, and now all my friends have to learn to fight deadly newborns and have the chance of getting seriously hurt or dying.

“Bella, I promise you it will be ok. Everyone here is here because they love you and want you to be part of their family. Like my mother always tells me, family sticks together; everything will work out if you have the love of your family behind you. 

“Thanks, Elara. Are you ok? After that story

“I can't lie and say I am, but Jasper says the past is the past, so I believe him. For now, anyway, I smile laughingly. 

Edward announces to the crowd, “The wolves are almost here, but I'm going to have to translate for them.” 

“What, why?” I ask  

“Cause they don't trust us in their human forms.”

“Understandable. This is hard for them. I'm just grateful they are coming at all,” Carlisle adds solemnly. Bella just stares at Edward. 

”They’re coming as wolves?” He stares back, gently nodding. I see thoughts forming behind his eyes. But before I can comment on it, a strange gleam enters Edward's eyes as he quickly turns away from Carlisle and the others. 

“Prepare yourselves; they've been holding out on us.

“What do you mean?” Rue asks from next to Alice 

Shh, he cautioned and stared past her into the darkness of the woods. The Cullens' informal circle suddenly widened into a loose line with Jasper and Emmett at the spear point. I could tell Edward wished he was in the front with them, but he tightened his hold on Bella's hand. 

Damn, Emmett mutters under his breath. Did you ever see anything like that? Esme and Rose exchange wide-eyed glances 

“What’s the problem?

“The pack has grown, "Edward mutters to me. I guess the Cullens didn’t know others had joined the pack; as I finally saw the ten wolves step into the clearing, I could recognize a few like Paul, Quil, and Jared, but the others I hadn’t seen in wolf form that day at the pack's house. Carlisle took a slow and deliberate step forward. 

“Welcome,” he greeted the wolves. 

“Thank you,” Edward responded in a flat tone. I immediately realized that the words were coming from the large black wolf at the front of the group. I'm guessing this was Sam.

We will watch and listen, but no more. That's already asking a lot of our self-control.”

“That is more than enough,” Carlisle answered. “My son, Jasper,” he gestured to where Jasper stood, tensed and ready. 

“Has experience in this area. He will teach us how they fight and how they are to be defeated. I'm sure you can apply this to your hunting style.” Carlisle finishes stepping behind Jasper's tense form. 

“They are different from you? Edward asked for Sam.

Carlisle nodded, “They are all very new—only months old to this life—children, in a way. They will have no skill or strategy, but they will have brute strength. Tonight, their numbers stand at twenty, according to our dear Alice. That's ten for you and ten for us. It shouldn’t be too difficult.”

“And there’s also a chance the numbers may go down,” Alice adds quickly. Or you could add silently.

“Yes, Alice is correct; the new ones tend to fight amongst themselves if not adequately trained and corralled,” Carlisle states. A rumbling sound and a low growl pass down through the shadowy line of wolves.

“We are willing to take more than our share if necessary.” Edward translated his tone somewhat less indifferent if that was possible.

 Carlisle, ever the diplomat, just smiles. “ We’ll see how it plays out.”

“Do you know how they will arrive 

“They’ll come across the mountains in four days in the late morning. That information makes my eyes go wide. I'll have to start preparations for everything sooner than I thought.

“Thank you for the information. We will watch.”

With a sigh and some rustling, the wolves found a suitable place to rest and watch the Cullens. It was silent momentarily before Jasper stepped into the space between the vampires and the werewolves.

“Carlisle is right. They’ll fight like children. The two most important things you’ll need to remember are first, don't let them get their arms around you, and second, don't go for the obvious kill. That’s all they’ll be prepared for. They'll be too confused to respond effectively if you approach them from the side and keep moving. Emmett?” Jasper jesters him over. Emmett stepped out of the line with a massive smile on his face.

Oh, Odin, I can already tell where this is going.

Jasper backed towards the far end of the clearing and waved Emmett forward. 

“Okay, Emmett will demonstrate first; he’s the best example of a newborn attack.” Emmett's eyes narrowed quickly, turning his head to me. 

“Elara, I'm going to have to apologize to you later; after I beat Jaspers ass, do know I'll try not to break anything.” He says, turning back towardsJasperr.

Jasper just grinned. “What I meant is that Emmett relies on his strength. He's very straightforward about his attacks, the same as the newborns. Just go for the easy kill Emmett.” Jasper backed up a few more paces, his body tensing.

“Ok, Emmett, try to catch me.”

At that,t they were off. If I was mortal, I’m sure I wouldn’t be able to see anything happening if the bewildered look on Bella's face said anything. Jasper was a blur as Emmett charged him like a bear, grinning while he snarled. While Emmett was incredibly quick, Jasper was quicker. Jasper became a ghost, and whenever Emmett seemed like he was going to catch him, his fingers would find nothing but air. I see Edward keenly forward, eyeing the battle intently. Then it all froze Emmett at a standstill; Jasper had him from behind his teeth an inch from his throat. Emmett cussed as a muttering rumble of appreciation was heard from the watching wolves.

“Again.” Emmett barks out, ready for round two.

 “Oh no, it’s my turn,” Edward protests beside Bella. I watch as her fingers tense around his hand.

“In a minute, I want to show the girls something. First, he says, winking back at me. I just shake my head at his sudden cheekiness.  Going back to Edward, he says, "I know you’ve been worried about Bella as I have Elara. So Alice, if you please." 

Alice dances into the circle, looking as meek and small as possible. Rue just watched on with a smile.

“I know you worry about her; I want to show you why that's unnecessary.”

Though I know, Jasper would never hurt Alice. I mean, she was his best friend. I was still anxious to see what would happen. Jasper sinks back into a crouch as Alice still stands there motionless. Jasper springs towards her, using his inhuman speed to disappear suddenly, only to reappear on the other side of her. Alice appears not to have moved at all.

“Wait, what?” Bella says out loud. Rue just laughs and tells us to keep watching. Jasper wheeled and launched himself at Alice again, only to land in help behind her, just like the first time, all while Alice stood there smiling.

Interesting. I watched Alice now instead of looking for Jasper and finally saw what was happening. She was moving- I missed it, distracted watching my love train. She was taking small steps to the side just as Jasper was about to grab her. Jasper closed in, and Alice began to move even faster. Like a lethal dance, Alice spun and twisted and curled her body in on herself as Jasper continued to lunge and reach for her, never being able to touch her. Then, as we finish the dance, Alice finally disappears, leaving Jasper to look around quickly. Out of nowhere, Alice reappears perched on Jasper's back, her teeth hovering at his neck. 

“Gotcha. She laughs out, jumping down. Jasper just chuckles and throws his hands up in surrender.

“Alice, you are truly one frightening little thing,” I say, studying the girl.

 “Alice is a perfect example of not underestimating anyone due to their stature. Just because someone may look like an easy kill doesn't mean they will be.

Weary mutterings are heard from the wolves as Edward slyly smirks. I look at him puzzled. He shrugs and says it's good for the wolves to learn some respect before loudly saying he called the next dibs on training.

Alice and Rue come to take Edward's place. 

“Cool, huh?” Alice asks us. “Very,” Bella replies. I agree. I am not looking away from Edward as he glides noiselessly towards Jasper, and his movements are lithe like a cat.

 When I hear Alice tell Bella, she has her eye on her. My gaze flicked back over to them; Alice’s expression was reproachful. 

“I'll warn him if your plans get any more defined.” She threatened in the same low murmur she had just spoken in. “It doesn’t help anyone if you are in danger, Bella. Both of you. Elara, I may not be able to see your future as I can, Bellas, but I know you're just as worried as she is; what you both need to understand is none of us would stop; we would all still fight to protect you guys.”

 I desperately want to tell Alice I can protect myself and everyone else who will let me, but the words refuse to come out of my mouth. If I were to say to them now, it may change the future that's already been set, and the fear of it becoming the one where they get hurt is a dead weight in my stomach.

A sound pulls me out of my thoughts; I see Edward has closed in on Jasper now, and the fight is more even than the others. Jasper had centuries of experience to guide him, but Edward could read thoughts, which put Jasper at a tactical disadvantage. They came at each other repeatedly; neither one could gain the advantage. Instinctive snarls and smack talk erupting constantly. It was almost hard to walk but harder to look away. Now and then, the sharp eyes of the wolves would catch my attention, seemingly to be learning a lot, even though I can’t decide if it's a good thing. 

Eventually, Carlisle cleared his throat, ending the match. Jasper laughed and took a step back. Edward straightened up and grinned at him. 

“Back to work,” Jasper consented. “Well, just call it a draw.”

The rest of the Cullens take turns, all under Jasper's careful eye.

As Carlisle stated at the end of the training period, the time came and went: “We'll be doing this again tomorrow. Please feel welcome to observe again.” 

“Yes,” Edward answered in Sam’s incredible voice. We’ll be here.” The pack also thought it would be helpful for them to be familiar with all of our scents so they don't make mistakes later if we could hold still for a moment.”

“Certainly,” Carlisle says to Sam. 

The Cullens and Bella all come forward. I step towards Jasper. The pack comes forward and takes their sniffs, the Cullens stiffening. I can’t blame them, but all I want to do is pet them all. I'm an animal lover. What can I say?

Everyone is lightly chatting, the wolves huffing and growling at one another. I wish I could keep this scene in mind and keep everyone here safe and happy. But I know this needs to happen, and I can do nothing to stop it.

 All I can do is make sure the outcome changes. 

[papermonkeyism]

wurr questions! beware i am being exceedingly nosy, and also willing to wait for my answers!!

1. within the crater, how common are deepblood females? what happens when such a female is found pregnant, or in heat ( and is heat even a thing among the wurrlings? ) ? if born, would all her children be considered deepblooded for safety's sake, or is that judged on a case-by-case basis?

2. what other canids of the wurrworld are sophonts? i remember mention of african painted dogs in the south. what are relations between them, dogs and wolves like? what are the societal stances on hybrids between those species and dogs? how are those species dogs cannot interbreed with treated?

3. are hounds genetically closer to dogs or wolves, or are they essentially a third species at this point? can even a deepblood mate with dogs/wolves, or is that still unsafe?

4. in your art, how do you distinguish between actual wolves and dogs that just have pointy ears, thick coats and augoti colours?

1: Okay so the definition of a deepblooded is one who's mutations are hard or severe enough that if they had puppies A: they would all be stillborn B: die shortly after birth, probably painfully and/or C: kill the mother at the process of giving birth. That's basically a scale of tragedy from "losing all your babies" to "suicide by breeding". I'm sure you can use your imagination.

Pyramos is deepblooded because of his skeletal deformations that basically made him impossible to be born (he was cut out of his dying mother, and was the only one of his litter to survive). Crippled is deepblooded because of his innards not being functional, including barely functioning digestive system and having two hearts neither of which work properly. His parents technically weren't, on their own, but their personal mutations were too similar and stacked, which made their blood "too deep" when combined, and he's, again, the only survivor. Iacar's aunt Crom is deepblooded because she's physically incapable of getting puppies out of herself.

On the contrast, despite his size and shape, Morri is not considered deepblood because he was born a normal (seven eyed) puppy, who got his growth spurt around puberty, so he's not a case of murder-by-breeding.

2: I prefer not to waste energy and mental resources on worldbuilding something that's never ever going to be even remotely relevant to the plot/story/making of the comic. I want the story to reach its end someday, I don't want to derail it by turning it into an epic of discovering uncontacted continents and political intrigue on the other side of the dang planet when the story happens in relatively limited area that's still basically neolithic. Please, this thing has eaten enough of my life, I don't need to make it a globe spanning monster. Feel free to fanfic, but I, personally, do not have the spoons.

3: Depends on which definition of "species" you're using here. Proto dogs, I guess. They're dogs who got stuck at a place that turns everything living into monsters, but like, wolves aren't that far either. For deepbloods, again, it's death by breeding, do not recommend. No matter how healthy of a guy the dog/wolf would be, aunt Crom still could not squeeze live puppies through her deformed pelvis even if they somehow made it long enough in her twisted innards.

4: I mean, I hope you can see it just by looking at the comic, there is one wolf in it for a while, plus a half-wolf who looks very wolfish by design.

Wolves are wolf-shaped, and I hope I can do good enough job at it for people to tell them apart. I don't make dog characters wolf-shaped. There are internal rules for wolf-markings, that I just don't use for dog characters. If you look at the comic, you might notice I haven't designed a single dog with complete wolf markings (no matter what Grimmon might tell you), and there are extremely few who even have any gradient markings at all, and those are definetely not wolf-shaped. Wolves are also bigger (approx Surama sized) and have wolf eyes (little to no visible sclera), while all Wurr dogs have human eyes. You might also notice the only characters to have visibly drawn inner ear hair are of wolf blood.

But I honestly really hope the art itself is enough without me having to explain aloud the design choices. Kinda feels like I've failed at making them if the only way the readers can tell them apart is if I have to tell them how.

[astarab1aze]

REPOST — DON’T REBLOG. BOLD any which apply to your muse ! feel free to add to the list !

WHAT ARE YOUR MUSE’S AESTHETICS ?

COLORS — red. brown. orange. yellow. green. blue. purple. pink. black. white. teal. silver. gold. grey. lilac. metallic. matte. royal blue. strawberry red. charcoal grey. forest green. apple red. violet. navy blue. crimson. cream. mint green. bubblegum pink. sky blue. pale jade. coral.

ELEMENTS — fire. ice. water. air. earth. rain. snow. wind. moon. stars. sun. heat. cold. steam. frost. lightning. sunlight. moonlight. dawn. dusk. twilight. midnight. sunrise. sunset. dewdrops. shadows. blood. animus. divinity.

WEAPONS — fists. legs. shortsword. longsword. broadswoard. buster sword. dagger. spear. bow & arrow. crossbow. pike. hammer. twinblade. shield. poison. blowgun. bolas. guns. bats. traps. axes. throwing axes. whips. knives. throwing knives. pepper sprays. acid. explosives. tasers. machine guns. slingshots. katana. maces. staffs. wands. powers. magical items. magic. rocks. mud balls. claws. teeth. stealth. strategy. summoning an ally. sniping. rifles. shotguns. improvised weapons.

MATERIALS — gold. silver. copper. platinum. titanium. rose gold. diamonds. pearls. rubies. sapphires. emeralds. amethyst. ivory. metal. iron. rust. steel. glass. wood. porcelain. paper. wool. fur. feathers. lace. leather. silk. velvet. denim. linen. cotton. charcoal. clay. stone. asphalt. brick. marble. dust. glitter. blood. dirt. mud. smoke. ash. shadow. carbonate. rubber. synthetics. ribbon. ink.

NATURE — grass. leaves. trees. bark. roses. daisies. sunflowers. tulips. lavender. wisteria. petals. cherry blossom. seeds. hay. sand. rocks. roots. flowers. fungi. ocean. river. frozen lake. meadow. valley. forest. desert. tundra. savanna. rain forest. crystal caves. underwater. beach. waves. space. clouds. mountains. snow. mist. pond. sky.

ANIMALS — lions. wolves. foxes. eagles. owls. falcons. hawks. swans. dodo. snakes. turtles. ducks. bugs. spiders. birds. whales. dolphins. fish. sharks. horses. cats. dogs. rabbits. penguins. praying mantises. crows. ravens. mice. lizards. werewolves. scorpions. unicorns. pegasus. dragons. ladybugs. scarabs. hummingbirds. cicadas.

FOODS &. DRINKS — sugar. salt. candy. bubblegum. wine. champagne. hard liquor. vodka. beer. coffee. sake. tea. spices. herbs. apple. orange. lemon. cherry. strawberry. blackberries. watermelon. vegetables. fruits. meat. fish. pies. desserts. chocolate. cream. caramel. berries. nuts. cinnamon. burgers. burritos. pizza. ambrosia. eggs. milk. stew. whiskey.

HOBBIES — music. art. watercolors. gardening. smithing. sculpting. painting. sketching. fighting. writing. composing. cooking. baking. sewing. training. dancing. acting. singing. martial arts. self-defense. war tactics. electronics. technology. cameras. video cameras. video games. computer. phone. movies. theater. libraries. books. magazines. cds. records. vinyls. cassettes. piano. accordion. strings. violin. guitar. electronic guitar. bass guitar. harmonica. harp. woodwinds. brass. flute. bells. exploring. tea ceremonies. playing cards. poker chips. chess. dice. skateboarding. motorcycle riding. car driving. eating. sleeping. climbing. running. jogging. parkour. soccer. studying. people watching. shopping. alchemy. collecting.

MISCELLANEOUS — balloons. bubbles. cityscape. light. dark. clear. candles. mystery. growth. decay. war. peace. money. power. law. percussion. justice. clocks. ballpoint pens. photos. mirrors. lighters. pets. diary. journal. fairy lights. truth. deception. madness. sanity. death. sadness. wisdom. realism. happiness. optimism. pessimism. logic. loneliness. family. friends. clan. assistants. co-workers. enemies. loyalty. smoking. poison. drugs. kindness. love. hugs. kisses. spring. summer. autumn. winter. farmland. countryside. suburban. village. metropolitan. hospitals.

[toberjade]

Out of context Rain Code voice acting quotes (Part 3)

Spoilers for all of MDARC ahead?

I'm pretty sure the last one was fine but idk too lazy to check

Martina: "I can't wait to be domestically abused."

@toberjade: "And then the cat said 'I'm engaged!' "

@ashezeyre32: "I think Shinigamk will develop MarriageTSD."

Seth: "Did you come from a floor uterus?"

Shinigami: "Homunculus Hitler and Knife Vaginas, I'll be sure to put that in the suggestions box!"

@toberjade: "Drunk Shinigami adventures."

Shinigami (drunk): "Ball in plaaaaaateee :D"

@ashezeyre32: "OH GOD IT'S A JESUS COOKIE."

Shinigami: "Jesus ball :3"

Seth: "Little miniphone, you do not understand my sex life. It may be best for it to stay that way."

Guillaume: "I can see that it has corners."

Seth: "Jokes on you, I haven't had oral sex."

@ashezeyre32: "Lore-accurate flying Vivia."

Vivia: "My innocent eyes! Get that foul beast away from me!"

@toberjade: "There are two wolves inside you: The heat Death of The Universe and Seth's fursona."

@ashezeyre32: "Not the legs sleep on DLCCCCC :("

Guillaume: "I was an egg once, but in the bird way because I don't know yet!"

@toberjade: "sticks and stones may break my bones, but Guillaume is a trans allegory."

Shinigami: "I will put a space between YOU"

Seth: "PROLONGUED SIGH-A-LENCE (PROLONGUED SIGH-A-LENCE)"

@ashezeyre32: "Unraveling the mystery of female desire: A mystery labyrinth."

@toberjade: "Makoto's wet dog genes."

@toberjade: "Yomi California girling while standing on his office chair because he's so pissed."

@ashezeyre32: "Sword tricks to break your wrist to: a playlist."

Yuma (fem) (Full of gun in mouth): "Please don't gun my mouf"

@ashezeyre32: "I think I was a peacekeeper in a past life."

@ashezeyre32 (whispers): "*Why Fubuki*"

@ashezeyre32: "Rotisserie Yoshiko"

Makoto: "The knees are the most sexual part of the body."

[v011d]

WHAT ARE YOUR MUSES AESTHETICS?

BOLD any that applies to your muse and italicize any that kind of applies to your muse. feel free to add to the list.

𝐂𝐎𝐋𝐎𝐔𝐑𝐒 .red. brown. orange. yellow. green. blue. purple. pink. black. white. teal. silver. gold. grey. lilac. metallic. matte. royal blue. strawberry red. charcoal grey. forest green. apple red. violet. navy blue. crimson. cream. mint green. bubblegum pink. sky blue. pale jade. amber. tan. copper. bronze. magenta.

𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐒. fire. ice. water. air. earth. rain. snow. wind. moon. stars. sun. heat. cold. steam. frost. lightning. thunder. sunlight. moonlight. dawn. dusk. twilight. midnight. sunrise. sunset. dewdrops. darkness. shadows. nature. aether. quintessence. blood. life. death.

𝐁𝐎𝐃𝐘 .claws. long fingers. fangs. teeth. wings. tails. lips. bare feet. neck. back. shoulders. legs. freckles. unseen bruises. canines. scars. scratches. wounds. burns. fingernails. spikes. feathers. webs. eyes. hands. sweat. tears. feline. chubby. curvy. short. tall. muscular. piercing. tattoos. athletic. hair. fur. sleek.

𝐖𝐄𝐀𝐏𝐎𝐍𝐒 .scythe. fists. legs. sword. dagger. spear. lance. bow & arrow. hammer. shield. poison. guns. axes. throwing axes. whips. knives. throwing knives. pepper sprays. tasers. baseball bats. machine guns. slingshots. katanas. maces. staffs. wands. powers. magical items. magic. rocks. mud balls. claws. teeth. stealth. strategy.

𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐈𝐀𝐋𝐒 .gold. silver. copper. platinum. titanium. rose gold. diamonds. pearls. rubies. sapphires. emeralds. amethyst. metal. iron. rust. steel. glass. wood. porcelain. paper. wool. fur. lace. leather. silk. velvet. denim. linen. cotton. charcoal. clay. stone. asphalt. brick. marble. dust. glitter. blood. dirt. mud. smoke. ash. shadow. carbonate. rubber. synthetics. ribbon

𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐄 .grass. leaves. trees. bark. roses. daisies. sunflowers. tulips. lavender. petals. seeds. hay. sand. rocks. roots. flowers. fungi. ocean. river. frozen lake. meadow. valley. forest. desert. tundra. savanna. rain forest. caves. underwater. coral reef. beach. waves. space. clouds. mountains. snow. mist. pond.

𝐀𝐍𝐈𝐌𝐀𝐋𝐒. big cats. wolves. foxes. eagles. owls. falcons. hawks. swans. snakes. turtles. crocodiles. ducks. bugs. spiders. birds. whales. dolphins. fish. sharks. horses. cats. dogs. bunnies. penguins. deer. crows/ravens. mice. lizards. werewolves. unicorns. pegasus. dragons. monkeys.

𝐅𝐎𝐎𝐃/𝐃𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐊𝐒 .sugar. salt. candy. bubblegum. wine. champagne. hard liquor. vodka. beer. coffee. sake. tea. water. spices. herbs. apples. orange. lemon. cherry. strawberry. watermelon. vegetables. fruits. meat. fish. pies. desserts. chocolate. lollies. cream. caramel. berries. nuts. cinnamon. burgers. surf ‘n’ turf. burritos. tacos. pizza. ambrosia. eggs. milk. ramen. chips. ice cream.

𝐇𝐎𝐁𝐁𝐈𝐄𝐒 .music. art. watercolors. gardening. smithing. sculpting. painting. sketching. fighting. writing. composing. cooking. baking. sewing. training. dancing. acting. singing. martial arts. self-defense. electronics. technology. cameras. video cameras. computer. phone. movies. theater. libraries. books. magazines. CDs. records. vinyl. cassettes. piano. strings. violin. guitar. electronic guitar. bass guitar. harmonica. harp. woodwinds. brass. flute. bells. exploring. playing cards. poker chips. chess. dice. motorcycle riding. eating. sleeping. climbing. running. jogging. parkour. studying. video games. comics. manga.

𝐒𝐓𝐘𝐋𝐄. lingerie. armor. cape. dress. tunic. vest. shirt. boots. ankle boots. heels. leggings. trousers. jeans. skirt. jewelry. earrings. necklace. bracelet. ring. pendant. hat. beanie hat. crown. circlet. helmet. scarf. brocade. cloaks. corsets. doublet. chest plate. gorget. bracers. belt. sash. coat. jacket. hood. gloves. socks. masks. mittens. cowls. braces. watches. glasses. sunglasses. straw hat. visor. eye contacts. makeup. ribbons. hoodie. sweater. converses. tennis shoes. boxers. briefs. boxer briefs. shorts. cargo. cropped pants. crop top. cuffed pants. overalls.

𝐌𝐈𝐒𝐂 . balloons. bubbles. cityscape. light. dark. candles. growth. decay. war. peace. money. power. percussion. clocks. mirrors. pets. diary. journal. fairy lights. madness. sanity. sadness. happiness. optimism. pessimism. loneliness. suffering. family. friends. strength. comrades. assistants. co-workers. enemies. loyalty. smoking. drugs. kindness. love. hugs. kisses. spring. summer. autumn. winter. farmland. countryside. suburban. village. depression. longing. sloth. pride. envy. wrath. greed. gluttony. lust. melancholy.

TAGGED BY. No one.

TAGGING. @wickedslip @dgrayd @wieldsgravity @burninq @cardsknight and anyone else who sees this.

[rotworld]

Lance's Pack: What You Sow

an anon asked:

you've mentioned before with the ulfhednar that humans who are persistently antagonistic towards the wolves are in danger of being "put down". How would the meanwolves deal with an antagonistic pack human?

something like this is much less likely to happen to the shelter mountain pack than it is the ulfhednar, since they have a dedicated human wrangler to handle obedience training. of course, that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. but if it ever happens, it’s only going to happen once. this pack just isn’t capable of going through it twice.

->suggestive but not explicit. contains minor character death, gore, murder, angst, feral behavior, implied conditioning/stockholm syndrome.

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“You can go back inside.” 

The sight of Max on the front porch, his wide frame taking up the full width of the steps, is enough to make you freeze in place mid-stride. But you’re not in trouble. You have a sense for these things now, can read their body language almost as fluently as they read yours, and you don’t see anything you’ve come to associate with punishment. It’s late, pitch black outside. Soft light pours from the open cabin door and you see he’s not even looking at you. He’s slumped over, head in his hands, coiled tight with restless tension. Max, as intimidating as he is simply existing this close to you, sounds so painfully fragile when he insists, “It’s alright. Go back inside. You don’t have to watch.” 

“Where is everyone?” you ask him. You heard a noise, you thought. A bird, maybe. A rabbit shrieking. A sad, soft thing losing a fight somewhere in the woods, a scream cut short. The rawness of it made you shiver and you’d woken up, searched groggily for Lance beside you in bed but he wasn’t there. No one was. 

“Emergency meeting,” Max says. He jerks his head to one side, gesturing towards the woods. They’re close. Your vision ends beyond the cabin’s glow but you can hear them. Whatever they’re talking about has them heated and voices are harsh, quickly rising. You recognize Lance, that terse, diplomatic tone he takes when acting as alpha, and someone else speaking quickly, cutting him off and getting angrier, more desperate, with every word. 

You ask Max if everything is okay. He says nothing, which is an answer of its own. 

“Turn off the lights,” he says. “Let your eyes adjust.” You get a distinctly ominous feeling from the way he says it, like you shouldn’t be doing this. He still hasn’t looked at you even once. You move slowly, flicking off the lights in the entryway and plunging everything into darkness. It takes time for the shadows to separate from one another, familiar shapes standing out against the deeper void of night. The steps creak as Max rises to his full, frightening height and he holds out a hand, something to guide and steady you. You let him draw you closer, pulled into the warmth of his chest and shielded from the bitter night wind. “You remember where the shepherd’s trail starts?” he asks, pointing into the dark. “Everyone’s gathered around right there. Can you see Lance in the middle?” 

You can, just barely. You recognize his silhouette not just from shape or size but how it moves, the absolute authority in his posture. Someone’s shifted next to him, a large wolf with its tail curled between its legs and its back bowed in agitation. But there’s someone else in the center of the crowd, that mass at Lance’s feet another person struggling against his grip—their neck? Their hair? You can’t tell. But you can see how they twist and squirm and how effortlessly Lance holds them still, one-handed. You’re searching the crowd for more familiar shapes and trying to make guesses but the answer comes to you, delivered in a piercing scream as Lance forces them down into the snow, face-first, in submissive posture. 

“Fuck you! Fuck all of you, fucking dogs!” screams the other human, and your blood runs cold. 

It’s been months. Months of chaos, months of violent outbursts and thwarted escapes, months of watching them hiss and taunt and curse everyone in the commune. Ever since Sully dragged them here, they’ve spent every waking moment making him regret it. You’d felt conflicted about the presence of another human in the pack, desperate for the company yet suddenly unable to forget how you’d ended up here, confronted every morning with someone who fought and screamed just as you once did. It made you realize that you’d stopped, and the fact that you couldn’t remember when terrified you. 

“It’s such a mess,” Max murmurs. “Such a mess.” He rubs a hand up and down your back, the gesture mindless and automatic. 

“Are they…Will they be…?” Punished. It’s the first word that comes to mind, ingrained in you, but you stop yourself just short of saying it aloud. Punishment is deserved. Lance would strip you down and loop that slim, leather collar around your throat, and as you knelt on the hard floor, bare and humiliated in front of him, he would say, “I’m punishing you because you deserve it.” Max makes a sound like he can hear your inner turmoil, a soothing rumble as he strokes your side. “No,” he says. He takes a shallow, shaky breath. “Punishment won’t do any good. They don’t learn.” 

The pack is quiet. Only the human makes any sound, shrieking like an animal as Lance rests his weight along their back. There are growling sounds between the wolves, some last, frantic conversation happening on a frequency you can’t understand. Someone tries to intervene and Lance snarls, a vicious, wild sound that makes your heart lurch in instinctive fear. The wolf presses against Lance’s side, head bowed. Lance doesn’t acknowledge it. He moves, lets the wolf take his place on top of the human, large paws digging into the snow. The human bucks and struggles and finally wiggles loose, but the wolf snaps its jaw around their ankle and drags them back.

“You don’t have to watch,” Max says, pleading. You’re frozen. You can’t tear your eyes away. The human screams in mindless animal terror. The wolf is unyielding. There’s no joy or playfulness in its rigid stance. Their shapes blend in the dark and all you can see is a massive, frightened being, a tense spine and panicked limbs and the sharp angle of an opening maw descending—

Max covers your eyes. You hear a sickening, bone-snapping crack, and a slick aftermath. You can’t move. You can barely breathe. Max is the only thing holding you up and you whimper when he starts to pull away, his warmth and stability gone from your back as he hurries down the steps. The wolf lopes away from a limp shape in the snow, trailing liquid shadow behind it. It vanishes into the trees. 

Someone’s footsteps come crunching up to the cabin and you’re wrapped in a tight, frantic embrace. “Hey,” Blake whispers. “Hey, it’s alright. Sorry, did we wake you?” He sounds like he’ll fall to pieces at any second, his voice hoarse and thick with tears. It was him you heard earlier, you realize, arguing with Lance. He begged him to let the human live. “It’s late. Come on, let’s get you back to bed. Alpha’s busy but I’ll keep you company, okay?” 

“Max,” you say, a scared little whimper that slips out before you can stop it. You’re trembling. You just want familiar things, things that make sense, that can reassure you.

“Max has to leave for a little bit. Just a little bit, I promise,” he says, cooing softly at your sharp, frightened exhale. “He feels like it’s his fault because he couldn’t break them in. None of us blame him, but it’s his choice. And I think he feels bad for Sully, being all by himself out there during his exile period. But he’s got to learn, he’s…” Blake stops, swallows hard. “He has to be more careful about these things. We don’t lose pack members, that’s just not how we do things. This can’t ever, ever happen again. It won’t ever happen again.”

He’s just a little too forceful when he scents you, holding on a little too tightly. You shrink back, turning away from the press of his face into the crook of your neck, and he makes the most wretched, anguished sound you’ve ever heard, a whine and a whimper and a growl all at once. 

“It’s okay,” he keeps saying, over and over again, “it’s okay, it’s all going to be okay,” and you know you’re not the one he’s trying to convince.

[growling]

There was eleven of us, we lived in the lake... For breakfast, mother cut wind, I didn't know my father, as he perished of liver cancer, when he died in a tragic car accident, after self-immolation at uncle Eugeniusz's name day party. Uncle Eugeniusz was taken by the NKVD in '59. No one complained.

We were all part of hordes and plundered the area. Konin, Szczecin and Oslo were in flames. We also played in construction sites. Sometimes one of us got hit with a reinforced slab, sometimes not. Whenever our foot got impaled with a stray nail, mother cut it off and said with a smile, "you, kurna, got another one, yeah?" She didn't tremble with fear that we're gonna kill each other like that. She knew that we're all going to die eventually. No one complained.

Seasonal diseases were fought by grandma. To combat tuberculosis, scurvy, tumors and polio, we used urine and moss. The doctor visited us, unless at grandma's - for the moss and urine. We went to the woods whenever we wanted. We ate berries, which were previously pissed on by foxes and roe deer. We ate death caps, which were defecated on by rabid bisons and martens. We didn't have hamburgers - we ate wolves. We didn't have chips - we ate ants. There wasn't coca-cola back then, there was bear saliva. There was frog period blood. No one complained.

Whenever our neighbor caught us stealing apples, he punished us himself. Lime pit, knife, hunting rifle - it varied. The neighbor didn't get offended over the stolen apples, and neither did father over replacement in parenting duties. Father and the neighbor drank beer in the evening - as always. Then father came back home, and on his way he took another child. Children then were littered everywhere. On lawns, in drainage ditches, by bus stops, under trees. Just like how today are littered candy bar wrappers. There weren't candy bars back then, but children were laying everywhere. No one complained.

During summer, we climbed on top of the skyscrapers, and weren't monitored by adults. We jumped. Nobody, however, got splattered on the pavement. Everyone could fly and no one needed any special lessons in order to learn this skill. No one also complained.

During winter, some father arranged us a sleigh ride with his old fiat, and always sped up during turns. Sometimes the sleds got caught against the trees or fences. Then we fell. Sometimes that moment a jelcz or star drove by. Then we died. No one complained.

Bruises and scrapes were a normal occurence. Just like knocked out teeth, ripped open stomachs, sudden lack of an eye or amateur amputations. The school pedagogue didn't send us to the family psychologist because of that. Nobody informed us how to dial a number to the police (then MO) to snitch on our parents. The belt was then a teaching aid, and from aid, nobody had yet died from. Aunt Janinka repeated, "better a spanking than breakfast". No one complained.

We made ourselves soups from mazut, asbestos and Ludwik. We also ate crack, fingernails of strangers, animal remains, sandpaper, chemical fertilizers, thistles, aphids, cow fetuses, fish feces, kogel-mogel. When somebody got stung by a bee, they drank 2 glasses of milk and pressed it with a cold frying pan. When somebody choked, they drank 3 glasses of milk and pressed it with a heated frying pan. No one complained.

Nobody went to the dentist every month. Cavities are tasty. Whenever someone swole from an aching tooth, we played catch with their head. We had one dental filling for the eleven of us. Everyone wore it for 2-3 days in a month. No one complained.

We were young and tough. We refused car rides. We just ran after it. Our dog was tied to the trailer hitch with a steel stable and ran next to us. And no one was bothered by it. No one complained.

We were raised by gamekeepers, old witches, escaped prisoners, collegues from juvie, janitors and priests. Our mothers birthed our siblings normally - at work, in reedbeds or at the balcony. Almost all of us survived, only some of us didn't go to prison. No one finished studies, but everyone found work. Some of them started their own families and are raising their children according to psychologists' recommendations. That's sad. Currently, there is more candy bars than children.

We, the children from our lake, love our parents for how they then didn't yet know how to "properly" raise us. It is thanks to them that we spent our childhood without sweets, respect, a warm dinner, sense, and some - limbs.

No one complained.

[savagewildnerness]

“Caught The Devil’s Eye.”

(I will die in fire. Not cold, as I'd been on that mountain when the wolves surrounded me. In heat, as Claudia had died….)

Had to smoosh together 3 sections because I keep thinking I could hear people… so here they are… smooshed. And the first one reversed! How odd. Sigh. Likely tells this wasn’t the best time to try this. Also, there are pauses as *I fear people*. Oh well. It is.

“I'm going on. I'm going to a desert place. I've figured a way to end it, I think. This is not a simple matter at all.

Don't want to be alive anymore. That part is simple enough. I don't look forward to death the way you do. It isn't that. Tonight I-“ I stopped...

*I saw Claudia suddenly as if she were standing there in some other realm, staring at me, waiting for me to see her. How clever that our minds can invoke an image so seemingly real. Claudia, who had forced her long knife through my chest. I'll put you in your coffin forever, Father. But then I saw Claudia all the time now, didn't I. I saw Claudia in dream after dream . . .*

“It's time…”

*I saw that cold bedchamber in my boyhood home again, and suddenly, I had my arm around one of those big dogs, those lazy loving dogs. To see a wolf slay a dog is monstrous! I should have died that day. Not even the best of hunters should be able to slay a pack of wolves. And maybe that was the cosmic error. I'd been meant to go, if indeed there is any such continuity, and in overreaching, had caught the devil's eye. Wolf killer. The vampire Magnus had said it so lovingly, as he had carried me to his lair.*

“I came to say good-bye to you, to ask you if you're certain about your decision. It seemed somehow the right thing to tell you I was going, and that this would be your last chance. It seemed sporting, actually. You follow me Or do you think it's simply another excuse Doesn't matter really. Tonight's a fine night for doing it. No, I'm going.”

And suddenly there was a great exhilaration in me because I realized I meant it! It wasn't just some fancy.

“I've figured a method. I'll go as high as I can before the sun comes over the horizon. There won't be any way to find shelter. The desert there is very hard.

And I will die in fire. Not cold, as I'd been on that mountain when the wolves surrounded me. In heat, as Claudia had died…. I've hurt you. I've driven you deep into memories of your youth. I've made you aware of time, and you weren't so aware of it before.”

*I saw Claudia quite vividly... a tiny oval portrait on porcelain-golden hair, blue eyes. Something fierce and true in the expression, in spite of the saccharine colors and the oval frame. Had I ever possessed such a locket, for that is what it was, surely. A locket. A chill came over me. I remembered the texture of her hair. Once again, it was as if she were very near me. Were I to turn, I might see her beside me in the shadows, with her hand on the back of my chair. I did turn around. Nothing. I was going to lose my nerve if I didn't get out of here.*

“….You have to forgive me because I'm going. Perhaps there is no heaven or hell, and I'll see you on the other side.”

*I shot upwards in the cold darkness, driving through the descending snow. All life seemed utterly unbearable to me, both in its horror and its splendour.

I knew I would keep my word.*