#Earthly Transformation

[dailymothanon]

After enough consideration of my own I have concluded the reason these two are the odd ones out because they are actually bugs that think in very different ways than everyone else 😌 it’s a sound assessment… must be why they just stare at things happening like you just lifted up a rock they, the insects, were under

[ryanranney]

Visions of the Great One

I cried out to the angel of He who comforts, And I looked and behold the earth! How beautiful she is – as if being healed And to the right of the earth was the face of the angry one Almost as large as the earth itself Red were his eyes, full of rage towards the earth Red flames adorned his face as if painted on markings Blackness also lined his markings He was known to me by many names through…

[muanpurr]

Dadwave !!

[scobbe]

Once again defying the idea heaven is all white clouds and bright light. Heaven is rainbow jewel-tones, deeply saturated, somehow still translucent, ablaze with the soft but intense light we describe as ‘golden hour’. I’m not just saying this, it’s literally in scripture and in every decent house of worship since 255AD.

[sarenssight]

Earth Signs Healing

Get ready to ground yourself in the nurturing embrace of the earth signs: Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn. These down-to-earth souls find solace in the tangible, practical aspects of life. Let's embark on a journey to discover the unique ways in which these earth signs approach healing:

Taurus, the grounded bull (April 20 - May 20): #RootedHealingRhythms: Imagine Taurus, finding harmony and healing through the rhythmic connection with the natural world. These earthy beings revel in sensory experiences that nourish their souls, such as gardening, cooking, or indulging in soothing spa rituals. Taurus finds solace in grounding their energy, whether it's through grounding exercises, meditation, or spending time in nature. They thrive when they create a stable foundation for their well-being.

Virgo, the analytical maiden (August 23 - September 22): #MindfulHealingBlueprints: Picture Virgo, meticulously constructing their healing journey like a master architect. These analytical souls seek healing through attention to detail, organization, and self-reflection. Virgo finds solace in planning, setting goals, and creating routines that promote self-care and personal growth. They thrive when they engage in mindful practices such as journaling, mindfulness meditation, or exploring therapeutic modalities that align with their desire for self-improvement.

Capricorn, the ambitious sea-goat (December 22 - January 19): #EmpoweredHealingAscent: Envision Capricorn, ascending the mountain of personal growth with resilience and determination. These ambitious souls find healing through structure, discipline, and goal-oriented pursuits. Capricorn embraces self-care practices that promote their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. They thrive when they set clear boundaries, practice time management, and engage in activities that align with their long-term aspirations.

Remember, astrology is just one aspect of understanding our healing journeys. The earth signs have their unique approaches, but everyone's path is beautifully individual. So, ground yourself in practicality, nurture your senses, and explore various healing modalities to create a grounded and harmonious healing journey that resonates with your earth sign spirit! 🌿🌍

[theeminentlyimpractical]

I just put together that Crowley, despite his whining, fully accepts the idea of "our car," which fundamentally transforms the Bentley.

That's why Shax then has to play Hitchhiker instead of just popping in like she had previously - now that it's the Earthly property of an angel as well as a demon, she needs an invite.

[wittywords]

𝐀𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐬

uh-poth-ee-OH-siss

1. The action of ranking, or fact of being ranked, among the gods; transformation into a god, deification; divine status. 

2. By extension: The ascription of extraordinary, and as it were divine, power or virtue; glorification, exaltation; the canonization of saints.   

3. The deification, glorification, or exaltation of a principle, practice, etc.; a deified ideal. 

4. In loose usage: Ascension to glory, departure or release from earthly life; resurrection.

[muanpurr]

I love you.

[the-nerdy-libra]

Ἀφροδίτη, βασίλεια κάλλους, θεὰ ἔρωτος καὶ πολέμου

Aphrodite, Queen of Beauty and Goddess of Love.

She is the goddess of Love, Beauty, Fertility, Pleasure, Sexuality, Marriage, Sea and Maritime Protection Harmony, War, Victory, Healing, Transformation, Nature, Creation and Mysticism.

Her symbols are Doves, Sparrows, Swans, Roses, Myrtle, Seashells, Pearls, Mirrors, Girdles or Belts, Apples, Swan Chariots, Eros' Arrows, Planet Venus, Foam of the Sea and Golden Light.

Notable sites of Worship

In Cyprus, Paphos was home to one of her most ancient and famous sanctuaries, possibly linked to her birthplace. Amathus was the centre for the worship of Aphrodite in her fertility aspects, and Kouklia was another site with strong ties to her cult and ancient rituals.

The island of Cythera was considered her mythological birthplace and housed sacred spaces dedicated to her.

Corinth was renowned for its temple of Aphrodite and the practice of sacred prostitution as part of her worship.

In Athens there were the Acropolis Temples dedicated to Aphrodite Pandemos and Aphrodite Ourania, as well as the Demosion Sema, the public cemetery, which honoured her as a goddess of civic harmony.

Sparta venerated Aphrodite Areia as a protector in battle.

The island of Delos featured a sanctuary dedicated to Aphrodite, alongside other major deities.

Thebes was important for the worship of Aphrodite, particularly in connection with her role in love and beauty.

Mount Eryx was an essential sanctuary for Aphrodite in her role as a fertility goddess.

Aphrodisias was a city named after her, with a grand temple dedicated to her worship.

In Magna Graecia, then later as Venus in Rome, her worship continued and merged with Roman cultural practices.

Epithets

Aphrodite Ourania, Representing spiritual and celestial love.

Aphrodite Pandemos, Goddess of common, earthly love and civic unity.

Aphrodite Philommeides, “Laughter-loving,” associated with joy and charm.

Aphrodite Kallipygos, “Of the beautiful buttocks,” celebrating physical beauty.

Aphrodite Genetrix, “Mother,” emphasizing fertility and motherhood.

Aphrodite Praxis, Associated with the practical aspects of love and relationships.

Aphrodite Epistrophia, “She who turns to love,” guiding affection and attraction.

Aphrodite Anadyomene, “Rising from the sea,” reflecting her birth.

Aphrodite Pontia, “Of the sea,” protector of sailors and maritime journeys.

Aphrodite Euploia, “Of smooth sailing,” ensuring safe sea travel.

Aphrodite Areia, “The Warlike,” associated with war and protection.

Aphrodite Nikephoros, “Bringer of victory,” tied to success and triumph.

Aphrodite Androphonos, “Killer of men,” highlighting her paradoxical role in love and destruction.

Aphrodite Antheia, “Flower goddess,” linked to blooming nature and gardens.

Aphrodite Melainis, “Black Aphrodite,” associated with the chthonic or underworld aspects.

Aphrodite Ambologera, “Delayer of old age,” granting beauty and youth.

Aphrodite Peitho, “Persuasion,” influencing harmony in relationships.

Aphrodite Limenia, “Of the harbor,” ensuring safety in ports and harbors.

Aphrodite Areia Pandemos, Civic love linked with wartime unity.

Aphrodite Morphou, “Shaper of form,” tied to transformation and beauty.

Aphrodite Urania Kourotrophos, “Heavenly nurse of youth,” nurturing life and vitality.

Worship and Practices

Rituals included offerings of flowers, incense and perfumes as well as libations and the sacrifice of animals such as doves and goats.

The Aphrodisia festival was celebrated annually in many Greek cities, particularly in Cyprus, involving rituals of purification, processions, and sacrifices.

The practice of sacred prostitution, particularly in places like Corinth, was a controversial yet integral aspect of her worship in some areas, symbolizing devotion and fertility.

Modern Practices

Personal altars are adorned with symbols of Aphrodite such as seashells, roses, mirrors, and candles in colours like pink, red, or seafoam green, serving as sacred spaces for prayer and offerings.

Common offerings include flowers (especially roses), perfumes, honey, milk, wine, and items symbolizing beauty or love, such as jewelry or makeup.

Practicing also involves meditating on her attributes and visualizing her presence to foster a deeper connection.

Worship often takes place near bodies of water, such as beaches or rivers, to honor her connection to the sea. Gardens and flower-filled spaces are also favored. Devotees also set up altars in private, serene locations within their homes.

Many worshippers focus on Aphrodite's role in fostering self-love, confidence, and personal empowerment. Modern worship also emphasises Aphrodite's acceptance of all genders, sexualities, and identities, reflecting her universal appeal. Devotees may also honor her through artistic expressions, such as painting, poetry, or dance, celebrating beauty and creativity.

Aphrodisia

The Aphrodisia festival is typically celebrated during the ancient Greek month of Hekatombaion, which corresponds to July and August in the Gregorian calendar. However, the exact dates can vary among practitioners:

Some choose specific days, such as July 13-15 or July 27-30, based on historical references. Others align the festival with the lunar calendar, celebrating it on the fourth day of Hekatombaion, which is sacred to Aphrodite.

Cleansing rituals are performed to prepare sacred spaces, often using water, incense, and/or symbolic items like rose petals.

Devotees present flowers, perfumes, honey, wine, and other items associated with Aphrodite. Unique offerings like phallic-shaped bread or salt may also be included, echoing ancient Cypriot practices.

Statues or representations of Aphrodite are carried in processions, accompanied by hymns and prayers.

Celebrations often include communal meals, fostering unity and joy.

Artistic expressions such as poetry, music, and dance dedicated to Aphrodite are common, emphasizing creativity and beauty.

The Aphrodisia serves as a time to honour Aphrodite's domains of love, beauty, and fertility, while also promoting self-love and empowerment.

Personal Notes

Aphrodite is many things to me. She has been calling to me since at least 2008 and I, stupidly, did not recognise this until around August 2023. In my time working with her however, through meditation and personal prayer, I have come to see her as my main patron and guide.

She is a teacher and advisor, guiding me towards a self love that I never truly had, teaching me to be fine with how I am yet to improve as I wish because it's what I want for myself, as opposed to some vapid desire to be more attractive to others. She is patient, kind, loving (naturally) and honestly? She is the mother I never had, or rather, the mother I wish I had. She does not judge me for my preferences nor my appearance, she does not hold me to an impossible standard or see me as a failure. She sees me for who I am and, rather than finding me wanting, accepts me as I am and aids me in bettering myself for my own benefit and no one else's.

She also acts as a guardian, not just a guide. There have been many times lately I have felt overwhelmed emotionally and yet, simply following breathing exercises and focusing upon Her washes those worries and fears, the pain and doubt, all of it away with the feeling of a gentle hug and the sound of waves lapping the shores. She has also helped me learn to find confidence in myself and gather the determination to do what I must in life. To me, this is simply proof that no matter the refusal of her status, She remains a fierce warrior goddess.

It's certainly..interesting, being a man and worshipping Her. I don't think I have ever actually met or heard of another who does as, understandably, She typically attracts women to Her. I would like to say though that there's no shame at all for a man who does and anyone who says otherwise is deeply insecure about themselves in my no-longer-so-humble opinion.

Aphrodite is not just the Goddess of Romantic love; she is love in all its forms. She is a true Libra in that sense as she becomes what it is you need of Her. A mother, friend, guardian, protector, teacher or a mix of all the above and so much more.

Orphic Hymn to Aphrodite

Heav'nly, illustrious, laughter-loving queen,

sea-born, night-loving, of an awful mien;

Crafty, from whom necessity first came,

producing, nightly, all-connecting dame:

'Tis thine the world with harmony to join,

for all things spring from thee, O pow'r divine.

The triple Fates are rul'd by thy decree,

and all productions yield alike to thee:

Whate'er the heav'ns, encircling all contain,

earth fruit-producing, and the stormy main,

Thy sway confesses, and obeys thy nod,

awful attendant of the brumal God

Goddess of marriage, charming to the sight, mother of Loves

whom banquetings delight;

Source of persuasion secret, fav'ring queen,

illustrious born, apparent and unseen:

Spousal, lupercal, and to men inclin'd,

prolific, most-desir'd, life-giving., kind:

Great sceptre-bearer of the Gods,

'tis thine, mortals in necessary bands to join;

And ev'ry tribe of savage monsters dire

in magic chains to bind, thro' mad desire.

Come, Cyprus-born, and to my pray'r incline,

whether exalted in the heav'ns you shine,

Or pleas'd in Syria's temple to preside,

or o'er th' Egyptian plains thy car to guide,

Fashion'd of gold; and near its sacred flood,

fertile and fam'd to fix thy blest abode;

Or if rejoicing in the azure shores,

near where the sea with foaming billows roars,

The circling choirs of mortals, thy delight,

or beauteous nymphs, with eyes cerulean bright,

Pleas'd by the dusty banks renown'd of old,

to drive thy rapid, two-yok'd car of gold;

Or if in Cyprus with thy mother fair,

where married females praise thee ev'ry year,

And beauteous virgins in the chorus join,

Adonis pure to sing and thee divine;

Come, all-attractive to my pray'r inclin'd, for thee,

I call, with holy, reverent mind.

[high-priestess-house]

𝖀𝖓𝖉𝖊𝖗𝖘𝖙𝖆𝖓𝖉𝖎𝖓𝖌 & 𝖀𝖘𝖎𝖓𝖌 𝕸𝖆𝖌𝖎𝖈𝖆𝖑 𝕮𝖔𝖗𝖗𝖊𝖘𝖕𝖔𝖓𝖉𝖊𝖓𝖈𝖊𝖘

Witchcraft magical correspondences refer to the associations made between various objects, substances, times, and events with specific magical effects or purposes. These correspondences have deep historical roots and derive from a blend of multiple sources, including ancient alchemy, early science, cultural symbolism, religious beliefs, and intentionality.

Ancient Alchemy

Alchemy, the precursor to modern chemistry, played a significant role in shaping magical correspondences. Alchemists sought to understand the mysteries of matter and the transformation of substances, often imbuing their experiments with spiritual and mystical significance. For example, the seven classical planets (Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn) were associated with specific metals (gold, silver, mercury, copper, iron, tin, and lead, respectively). These associations were believed to reflect the planets’ influences on earthly matters and human affairs. Alchemical texts also explored the relationships between colors, elements, and spiritual principles, influencing the development of magical correspondences in witchcraft.

Ancient alchemy holds a significant place in the history of science, philosophy, and mystical traditions, influencing various fields and practices, including witchcraft. The importance of ancient alchemy can be understood through its contributions to the development of modern science, its philosophical and spiritual dimensions, and its enduring influence on magical and esoteric traditions.

The Great Work (Magnum Opus): Central to alchemy is the concept of the Great Work, which symbolizes the alchemist’s quest for spiritual and material transformation. This process involves the purification and perfection of substances, often mirroring the alchemist’s inner spiritual journey toward enlightenment and self-realization.

Symbolism and Allegory: Alchemical texts are rich in symbolism and allegory, using metaphors to convey complex philosophical and spiritual concepts. Symbols such as the philosopher’s stone, the ouroboros (a serpent eating its own tail), and the four elements (earth, air, fire, water) encapsulate profound ideas about the nature of reality, transformation, and the interconnectedness of all things.

Hermetic Tradition: Alchemy is closely associated with Hermeticism, a philosophical and spiritual tradition based on the writings attributed to Hermes Trismegistus. Hermetic principles, such as “As above, so below” and the unity of opposites, permeate alchemical thought and emphasize the correspondence between the macrocosm (the universe) and the microcosm (the individual).

Magical Correspondences: Alchemical principles and symbols have been integrated into various magical and esoteric traditions. The associations between planets, metals, and elements in alchemy have become foundational correspondences in many forms of magic and witchcraft.

Transmutation and Transformation: The alchemical goal of transmutation, particularly the transformation of base metals into gold, has a symbolic counterpart in magical practices. This idea of transformation is applied to personal growth, healing, and the manifestation of desires through magical means.

Ritual and Practice: Alchemical rituals, with their focus on purification, transformation, and the attainment of higher states of being, have influenced the structure and content of magical rituals. The use of specific substances, tools, and processes in alchemy has parallels in magical workings, emphasizing the transformation of both the practitioner and the environment.

Alchemy in the Renaissance: During the Renaissance, alchemy experienced a revival as scholars and practitioners sought to integrate ancient wisdom with emerging scientific knowledge. Figures like Paracelsus and John Dee contributed to the development of alchemical thought, blending it with medicine, astrology, and early chemistry.

Psychological Alchemy: In the 20th century, Carl Jung, a prominent psychologist, explored alchemy as a metaphor for psychological processes. Jung’s interpretation of alchemical symbolism as representing the individuation process—the integration of the conscious and unconscious mind—brought new insights into the relevance of alchemy for personal development and psychotherapy.

Contemporary Practice: Today, alchemy continues to inspire both scientific inquiry and spiritual exploration. Modern alchemists, both literal and symbolic, seek to uncover the hidden principles of transformation in nature and the self. The enduring appeal of alchemy lies in its holistic approach, integrating material, psychological, and spiritual dimensions of existence.

Early Science and Natural Philosophy

Early scientific observations and natural philosophy also contributed to the development of magical correspondences. Ancient and medieval scholars often categorized the natural world into elements (earth, air, fire, and water) and humors (blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile), each with specific qualities and effects. These classifications were used to explain natural phenomena and human health, and they found their way into magical practices. For instance, herbs and stones were categorized based on their perceived elemental qualities, and their uses in magic were aligned with these characteristics.

Cultural Symbolism and Mythology

Cultural symbolism and mythology provided another rich source of correspondences. Different cultures imbued animals, plants, colors, and objects with symbolic meanings based on their myths, legends, and folklore. For instance, the oak tree was sacred to many ancient European cultures and associated with strength and protection, while the owl, often seen as a symbol of wisdom in Greek mythology, became associated with knowledge and divination in magical practices. These symbolic associations were passed down through generations and integrated into the magical correspondences of witchcraft.

Religious Beliefs and Practices

Religious beliefs and practices also shaped magical correspondences. Many magical traditions borrowed from the rituals and symbols of dominant religious practices in their regions. In Western Europe, for instance, Christian symbols and saints were often syncretized with older pagan deities and symbols. The use of incense, candles, and specific prayers or chants in magic often mirrors religious rituals, emphasizing the importance of intentionality and spiritual alignment in magical workings.

Intentionality and Personal Experience

The role of intention and personal experience cannot be overlooked in the development of magical correspondences. Practitioners of witchcraft often develop their own associations based on personal experiences, intuition, and the results of their magical workings. This process of individual experimentation and reflection allows for a dynamic and evolving system of correspondences that can vary between different traditions and practitioners. The intention behind the use of a correspondence is believed to be a critical factor in its effectiveness, highlighting the importance of the practitioner’s focus and purpose.

Synthesis and Evolution

Over time, these diverse influences have synthesized into the rich tapestry of magical correspondences used in witchcraft today. Texts such as the “Key of Solomon,” “The Picatrix,” and various grimoires have codified many of these correspondences, while modern practitioners continue to adapt and expand them based on contemporary understanding and practice. The integration of psychological insights, ecological awareness, and cross-cultural exchanges in the modern era further enriches the system of correspondences, making it a living and evolving aspect of witchcraft.

No single person or group decided these correspondences; rather, they evolved organically through the accumulated wisdom and practices of different cultures. Here are some key influences and sources:

Ancient Civilizations

Egyptians: Ancient Egyptian priests and magicians developed extensive knowledge of correspondences. They believed that everything in nature was interconnected and that specific plants, stones, and symbols held particular powers. Their practices were recorded in texts like the Ebers Papyrus and various temple inscriptions.

Greeks and Romans: The Greeks and Romans contributed significantly to the development of correspondences, particularly through the work of philosophers and physicians like Hippocrates, Theophrastus, and Pliny the Elder. Their writings on herbalism, astrology, and natural philosophy helped establish connections between natural elements and their supposed properties.

Celts: The Druids of the Celtic world had a deep understanding of nature and used various plants, trees, and natural phenomena in their spiritual and magical practices. Their knowledge was passed down orally and later recorded by Christian monks.

Medieval and Renaissance Europe

Medieval Herbalists and Alchemists: During the Middle Ages, herbalists and alchemists in Europe studied ancient texts and conducted their own experiments. They documented the properties of plants, minerals, and metals in texts like the “Materia Medica” and various grimoires. Alchemical traditions, which sought to transform base materials into higher forms, also contributed to the understanding of correspondences.

Astrology: Medieval and Renaissance astrologers played a significant role in establishing correspondences, particularly through the association of planets with specific days of the week, metals, and plants. The writings of figures like Ptolemy and later Renaissance magicians like Cornelius Agrippa and Paracelsus were influential in this regard.

Eastern Traditions

Chinese Medicine and Taoism: Traditional Chinese medicine and Taoist practices developed a system of correspondences based on the Five Elements (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water). These elements were connected to various aspects of life, including organs, emotions, seasons, and directions. The “Huangdi Neijing,” an ancient Chinese medical text, is a key source of this knowledge.

Indian Ayurveda and Hinduism: Ayurvedic medicine and Hindu spiritual practices established correspondences between herbs, gems, times of day, and deities. Texts like the “Atharva Veda” and various Ayurvedic treatises documented these associations.

Modern Influences

Grimoires and Occult Literature: From the Renaissance onward, numerous grimoires (books of magic) compiled and expanded upon earlier correspondences. Notable examples include the “Key of Solomon,” “The Lesser Key of Solomon,” and “The Picatrix.” These texts were influential in shaping modern Western magical practices.

The Golden Dawn and Modern Witchcraft: In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn and similar occult organizations synthesized various magical traditions, creating detailed systems of correspondences. Influential figures like Aleister Crowley and Dion Fortune contributed to this synthesis. In the mid-20th century, Gerald Gardner and others who founded modern Wicca drew upon these traditions, further popularizing and systematizing magical correspondences.

Conclusion

Magical correspondences are the result of centuries of observation, experimentation, and synthesis by various cultures and traditions. They were not decided by any single individual or group but evolved over time through the collective wisdom of countless practitioners. Today, they continue to be an essential part of many magical and spiritual practices, providing a framework for understanding and working with the interconnectedness of the natural and spiritual worlds.

[valacre]

: ̗̀➛ The moon is beautiful, isn’t it?

Optimus Prime x Reader - transformers prime

Delightful music lulled him gently as the moon's bright glow lit up the land around him. Optimus revelled in these quiet moments where it was only him, the silence of the night and the stars, the soft hum of earthly classical music, and your voice occasionally humming quietly. He’d been hesitant by the idea of becoming your guardian, thinking Ratchet had been the better choice seeing as you were quiet and preferred to stay at base, but the medic had been against it… in the beginning.

Now, Optimus wondered whether his old friend had grown to regret his choice as you were nothing like the children. Of course, you were an adult, so that was already different, but your temperament was soft and gentle; timid. You didn’t speak often and when you did it was with a soft voice, one that always caused a hush to fall over the base. Everyone grew to know that once you spoke, they had to quiet down, or else they didn’t hear you.

Your voice reminded Optimus of the harps and the violins singing out through the radio, yet as he listened to you hum along, he found your voice to be more pleasant than the already pleasant instruments. It made him smile.

You’d been so careful in the beginning, keeping your distance and opinions to yourself, as if afraid of speaking out of line or saying something offensive. Yet even now Optimus realised you often preferred to listen and watch, your eyes analysing and soaking up all the information they possibly could. It had been one of the many reasons why you’d thrown such a beautiful Christmas celebration for them all, surprising even Ratchet as you’d stayed up the night to prepare. Gifts had been wrapped, a fake tree set up with wonderful ornaments, lights decorating the space and casting a cosy glow, and you, most wonderful of all, standing with a beaming smile despite the clear tiredness in your eyes.

It'd been well into the night before you’d passed out, exhausted after a whole night and day, and it’d been Optimus who’d picked you up and cradled you within his servo before he’d carefully transformed around you to bring you home.

Ah, your cosy little home so far away, tucked within a valley covered in snow and frost at the height of winter in your country, yet the warmth emanated from within your windows, and though Optimus had been reluctant to awaken you from your lovely slumber, he’d seen it as worth it once your eyes opened and you sleepily spoke his name.

“Oh, thank you for taking me home, Optimus. You’re lovely,” you’d said, and when you’d leaned close to kiss his dashboard, his engine had stuttered, and he’d been rendered speechless. It had been entirely unexpected, but your barely conscious self hadn’t noticed his reaction, only wishing him a ‘Merry Christmas’ before you’d left and begun your short walk through the gate and towards the front door of your home.

Optimus had stood long after you’d gone inside, watching your figure move about before lights slowly flickered off, the last one coming from your bedroom. Only then did he leave, driving slowly to think through what had happened, and how it’d made him feel.

It hadn’t taken him long to realise his growing love for you, though it would take him months to accept them fully within himself, yet as he now drove with you, putting on an excuse of going on a late night patrol as a reason for being alone with you, he found that although he was worried for your wellbeing, he didn’t entirely reject the idea of allowing himself to love you.

He wouldn’t say it. Couldn’t say it… not yet. Maybe once the Decepticons were no longer an issue. Maybe if they somehow managed to win the war so that Earth could be left in peace… maybe then he could confess. Maybe then he could allow himself to hold you, to kiss you, to love you fully.

“The moon is beautiful, isn’t it?” you asked, gazing out of the passenger window at the full moon, standing out as a bright silver light upon the black night sky. One of your hands held onto the seatbelt, thumb gently stroking the material, feeling it tighten ever so slightly against you.

“Yes, it is,” said Optimus, slowing down slightly to draw out more time with you.

You made a gentle huff as you smiled, so quiet he barely heard it, and you turned to look at his steering wheel, the Autobot insignia in the centre glowing slightly. The look in your eyes was tender and it made Optimus’ spark hum pleasantly.

“I’m glad you asked me to join you tonight,” you said, hand reaching to stroke along the inside of his door. Optimus shuddered at the touch. He wondered whether you knew what you were doing, whether you were aware of how much your touch affected him. “The sky is so clear, and I’m not sure I’ve ever seen so many stars before. I’m glad I get to experience it with you.” You leaned against the door and let out a quiet sigh. “I like spending time with you, Optimus. You’re lovely to be around.”

“As are you, y/n,” said he, trying to calm the aching yearning which had so quickly flooded his spark. Only allowing himself to gently squeeze you with the seatbelt which held you, he took a moment to reflect on the words you’d said earlier to distract himself, the comment regarding the moon. It had sounded so familiar, as if he’d read about it somewhere on the few occasions he had enough free time to indulge in Earth’s literature.

Perhaps he’d ask you about it later so you may enlighten him, but for now, he allowed the sounds of violins, harps, and the piano to fill the silence, sending you both into a lovely trance as he slowly drove at a crawl back towards the base.

Music: Vaughan Williams – The Lark Ascending

[aphroditelovesu]

Hey, i'm also from brazil and i love the way you write! Taking advantage of the fact that I saw you talking about yandere apollo pjo, could you do some headcanons about what he would be like due to the differences? like, in today's world. Would he look at your phone or something?

❝ ☀️ — lady l: it's a headcanon, in a way, but also an imagine, a combo of both! I ended up geting excited and focusing more on the platonic part and I hope everything it's! I hope you like it and forgive me for any mistakes!

❝tw: obsessive and overprotective behavior and fluffy.

❝☀️pairing: yandere pjo!apollo x gender neutral!reader.

❝word count: 742.

Apollo is the god of poetry and will always be writing the most beautiful poems for you. All of his hymns will be dedicated to you and any pop influence he will use as inspiration to worship you. Apollo dedicates each verse to you, each word carefully thought out in the overwhelming love that the god feels, transforming pop influences into hymns of worship.

In the intervals between his divine exploits, Apollo is captured by the passion of modern melodies. Transforming pop influences into passionate songs, his lyres resonate in heavenly places, echoing the immortal feelings he has for his earthly muse.

Apollo as a divine father is smothering and protective. He doesn't give a damn about the rules that govern the gods, not when it comes to his favorite child. He will distribute gifts, presents and will help and support them in everything he can. Apollo will always make it clear that they are his greatest pride.

As you face challenges and monsters, Apollo protects you, interfering in divine destinies when necessary. The sun god becomes a constant presence, guiding and encouraging his favorite child to embrace its heroic nature. Apollo, the divine father, defies heavenly rules in the name of love for his child, doling out divine gifts and guiding them along the path to greatness.

One day, while you were facing a particularly difficult challenge, Apollo decided to intervene in a more direct way. He descended from Olympus, enveloped in golden light, and appeared at your side. His presence was warm and comforting, like the rays of the sun emanating from his divine form.

"My dear child," Apollo said with a beaming smile. "The time has come for me to join you on this journey. Together, we will face the challenges that present themselves, and I will guide you with my divine light."

Apollo watched with beaming pride as his child flourished under divine tutelage. He guided the mortal steps with the light of knowledge, shaping the favorite's destiny as a sculptor carves a masterpiece. Each of his child's deeds was a glorious echo of the pride Apollo felt, reflected in the rays of sunlight that illuminated his celestial face.

Apolo is very connected to modern technology, oddly enough. He would have a cell phone, the best and most expensive, and it would be full of photos of you. His music playlist would have all genres, an eclectic god, after all, he is also the god of music and appreciates all types, honoring his essence as the god of music.

He wouldn't touch your cell phone unless you allowed it or if he had some kind of suspicion. In this case, you can be sure that the god will search your cell phone in search of something. And he will definitely take selfies of himself to leave for you.

During moments of rest, Apollo shared divine stories and ancestral teachings with you. His words were like ethereal songs, dancing in the air and penetrating your heart. Each narrative was filled with wisdom and profound lessons, like the notes of an eternal melody.

On a starry night, after an especially epic victory over a colossal beast, Apollo gathered the gods and goddesses for a divine celebration on Olympus. Heavenly music filled the halls as everyone rejoiced in their achievements and the union between the divine and the mortal.

At the height of the party, Apollo raised his golden lyre and began to sing a song that transcended the limits of Olympus. His melodious voice resonated, telling the saga of his favorite child, full of courage, triumph and divine love. The song inspired tears of joy in the eyes of the gods and goddesses, witnessing the success of his protégé.

At the end of the performance, Apollo looked at you with pride in his eyes. "My child, you are a masterpiece that surpasses any divine song. Your heart is a melody that enchants the gods and transforms Olympus into a more radiant place. May your journey continue to shine like the stars that adorn the night sky."

Since that day, the bond between you and Apollo has only grown stronger. The god's blessings continued to guide you, while the teachings shared under the stars became a beacon of wisdom on his journey. And so, under the protection and love of Apollo, the heroic epic unfolded, marking destiny with the eternal light of the god of music and poetry.

[whytheylosttheirminds]

I Remember Everything - Rafe Cameron (Chapter 4)

Summary: You left the island two years ago, leaving the love of your life a shattered man in your wake. Now, when you return, you find the sweet boy you once loved has transformed into a monster of a man. How can you detangle the real Rafe from the terrible things he's done?

Timeline: begins toward the end of obx season 3 and is mostly canon.

Content: this story contains sexual content, alcohol and drug abuse, and brief mentions of violence. All chapters are 18+, minors do not interact!

⯎series masterlist⯎

Rafe had his head down on the rusting metal table. The sheriff’s deputies had all taken turns trying to interrogate him about the events of the day before, but none of them had succeeded in getting him to admit his father was on that plane. His hands were still bloody from the fight and he was exhausted, having been awake for nearly 48-hours.

The door creaked open again, but he didn’t bother lifting his head, anticipating another round of questions he wasn’t going to answer.

“Well,” Shoupe said with a sigh. “You’re free to go.”

Rafe raised his head with a smug smile. “What’s the matter, Shoupe? Couldn’t make anything stick?”

Shoupe rolled his eyes, “just stay on the island, alright? We’re not done with you yet.”

“Actually, sounds like you are,” Rafe stood and patted Shoupe’s shoulder condescendingly as he started walking towards the door.

“Funny, I didn’t think there was anyone left on this island who cared enough about you to wait in the station lobby all night, but apparently I was wrong,” Shoupe said as Rafe opened the door.

Keeping his back turned, Rafe stood in the doorway with his brow furrowed. He didn’t want to give Shoupe the satisfaction of knowing he also had no idea who could care enough about him to be there. 

As he passed the rest of the officers, standing there watching him in disgust and disbelief that he was getting away again, he gave them a smirk and a mocking salute, “a pleasure as always.”

You shifted in the uncomfortable lobby seat, continuously fidgeting both from discomfort and panic at the idea of seeing Rafe. When you had approached the front desk and told them you were here to post bail for Rafe Cameron, the woman behind the counter looked at you annoyed and informed you that you couldn’t, as Rafe hadn’t officially been charged yet.

“Charged with what?” You asked.

She rolled her eyes at your naivete and returned to the sudoku she had been working on.

“Okay, then,” you said as you took a seat in the empty waiting area. 

That was six hours ago, but you figured if he hadn’t been charged, they would have to release him eventually, and you’d be here waiting. You had no earthly idea what you would say to him when the time came, but you’d be here, and maybe that would be enough.

He strutted into the lobby like he owned the place, his cocky walk coming to an abrupt halt when he looked up and saw you sitting there. You rose to your feet, shocked at the sight of him even though it was all you had been thinking about since you ran out of the cemetery hours ago.

Rafe looked at you with an expression you hadn’t seen before. In his eyes, you could see his brain at work, like he was calculating. What choices he was weighing, you weren’t sure, but you certainly didn’t expect the move he made next.

“Hey, baby!” He called out, striding toward you quickly, pulling you into his arms. Just as you opened your mouth to respond, he kissed you. It was sloppy and crude, his tongue invading your mouth as hands grabbed your ass, lifting you into the air. Your face burned with shock and embarrassment, knowing all of the cops in the station could see you two. Then it clicked - that’s exactly why Rafe was doing it.

Before had a chance to decide if you were going to play along or slap him, he broke the kiss and threw his arm around your shoulders, walking you toward the front door.

“Later, Shoupe!” Rafe called over his shoulder, turning the two of you slightly, allowing you to get a quick look at Shoupe standing with his hands on his hips, red in the face. What the fuck did Rafe do to make Shoupe look at him like that?

You stayed silent as Rafe walked you through the door, leading you down the block and turning onto a side street. The second you were out of sight of the station, he pulled his arm away and took several long strides to create as much space between you as possible.

He looked at you for a long moment, once again calculating his next move. You froze in anticipation as he opened his mouth to say something, heart dropping when he changed his mind and closed it again. Silently, he turned and started walking away from you down the street.

“My car’s the other way,” you said, feeling stupid for saying such a mundane thing in such a heated moment.

“Have a nice walk then,” he called back sarcastically.

“Where are you going?” 

“Home,” he was almost too far for you to hear now. You started after him, needing to jog a bit to catch up with him.

“Let me give you a ride,” you panted once you had caught up to him, stepping in front of him to stop him from getting any further away.

“Think I’d rather walk,” he said dismissively. 

“It’s 10pm, and you’re gonna what? Walk through The Cut in the middle of the night? I know I’ve been gone for a while, but I don’t think they’ve changed their opinion on having Kooks in their territory,” you were pulling out any logic you could think of to get him into your car so you could finally talk to him.

Taking your point, he rolled his eyes and turned around, walking in the direction you had indicated your car was in.

You drove in silence for what felt like an hour, but couldn’t have been, as you knew the drive to Tannyhill was fifteen minutes tops. Rafe was looking out the window, hands anxiously rubbing up and down his thighs as he kept shifting uncomfortably in his seat, like he was fighting against some invisible restraint. You were trying hard to keep your eyes on the road, but couldn’t control the way they kept drifting over to him, eyeing the blood on his battered hands. The remnants of what was clearly not a good forty-eight hours all over him.

You had so many things you wanted to say, so many questions you wanted to ask him, that you almost couldn’t think straight. You were still reeling from the news that his father had died, and now the sight of him walking out of the sheriff’s station covered in blood. If so much could happen to him in just a few weeks, you didn’t even want to think about how much of his life you missed in the last two years.

After a while, the silence so tense it almost hurt, you decided to dip your toe in the water.

“Is it yours?” You asked, forcing your eyes to stay on the road.

“What?” He mumbled as he ran his hands over his buzzed head, still not looking at you.

“The blood,” you clarified.

“Some of it,” he answered honestly.

You nodded, as though this was all super normal. “And the rest of it?”

He threw his head back on the seat and let out a forceful sigh, pointedly not answering your question. You decided you’d tested the waters enough and remained silent the rest of the drive.

When you pulled up to the gate at Tannyhill, you rolled down the window so you could reach the box to put the code in, looking at Rafe expectedly. Your attempted nonchalance didn’t work, he rolled his eyes at you, pulling out his phone. As he typed the code into his app, he used his other hand to cover the numbers from your view. Long gone were the days he’d text you the code the second Ward changed it so you could sneak in and out to see him whenever you wanted. The days he’d hold you until you fell asleep, whispering to you about how someday he’d inherit this house and share it with you. As you watched the gates slowly open in the glow of your headlights, the future you once believed in so fiercely had never felt further away.

You drove slowly down the long drive toward the house, surprised to see it was completely dark.

“Where is everyone? Where’s Sarah?” You asked. 

“Just drop me here,” Rafe ignored your question.

You stopped the car a few yards from the front door, and Rafe immediately climbed out, closing the door loudly behind him and walking toward the house. You weren’t exactly expecting him to invite you in, but this non-goodbye was so abrupt you felt cheated. Your mind raced with all the things you still wanted to say as you watched Rafe walking toward the house, your chance to finally say them going with him.

You snapped out of your haze and threw open the car door, not bothering to close it behind you as you ran after him calling, “wait!”

He turned on you quickly, making you stop in your tracks a few feet from him. Suddenly, all the things you wanted to say disappeared from your mind and you swallowed hard.

“What do you want?” He prompted, looking annoyed at how long it was taking you to form a sentence. “Why the hell were you at the station?”

“I just…” you could feel him preparing to turn and keep walking back towards the house, you needed to say something, fast. “Your dad.”

Rafe clenched his jaw, he didn’t know what you had heard and wasn’t sure he wanted to find out.

“I’m…” you took one step towards him. “Rafe, I’m so sorry.”

“Sorry for what?” He left the question open ended, forcing you to reveal exactly how much you knew.

“I saw his plot, at the cemetery,” you didn’t need to tell Rafe what you were doing at the cemetery, he had been there with you on multiple occasions, including the day they buried your own father.

Rafe just shrugged, looking at the ground to avoid your empathetic gaze.

“Rafe,” you said quietly, the sound of his name on your tongue sending chills through you both. When he still didn’t look up at you, you stepped closer. He tried to dodge your eyeline, but you reached up gently and placed your fingers under his jaw, looking him straight in the eye as you asked, “what’s going on?”

For a long moment, the two of you just stood there, chest to chest as you searched each other’s faces in the glow of the moon. If he’d let you, you would stand there for hours, just studying him, trying to read it all on his face. You used to know the meaning of every expression he made, every glint in his eye, every twitch of his lips. The two of you used to be able to have full conversations without saying a word. Now, your eyes searched every inch of his face, and you were coming up with nothing. 

He snapped his head back suddenly, ripping it away from your hand like you were burning him. He shook his head, and he wasn’t sure who he was saying no to- you or himself. 

“Just go home, y/n,” he said, arm outstretched, gesturing towards your car dismissively. 

“I can’t,” you spoke into the darkness. 

Rafe caught himself before asking you why, trying to preserve the image that he didn’t care. He assumed it had something to do with your mom. He had spent countless hours of his life listening to your stories of fights with your mother, even being present and involved in several of them, often being the source of the conflict. He swallowed the temptation to ask you what happened, pushing away the desire to have you laying with your head in his lap, gently playing with your hair as he let you rant as long as it took for you to feel better. He pushed the memory away, an action that was muscle memory to him at this point. 

“Well you can’t stay here,” he told you.

“But I just want to-”

“Just leave! We both know you know how to, you’re a fucking professional at it!” His booming voice echoed through the evening air and shot straight through you.

Tears sprang to your eyes, the sound of his raised voice so jarring. He had never screamed at you like this. Even in moments of frustration, just the thought of making you cry was enough to break him. 

You closed your eyes, letting the tears slip through and slide down your cheeks. You turned from him, but he’d already seen them. Guilt and fury battled in his chest, wanting to hold you and push you away at the same time. He hated the sight of your tears, but being able to release the hurt and anger he’d been feeling for two years felt somewhat satisfying, too. He felt like he was two completely different people, not sure he wanted to be either of them.

You sniffled and wiped your tears with the backs of your hands, gathering yourself before turning back to him.

“I know that I hurt you,” you said. “But I have my side of the story, too.”

“The story?” he scoffed. “You said you’d love me forever and then you didn’t. You said you wouldn’t disappear into the night and that’s exactly what you did. You’re a liar. That’s the story.”

Every day for two years, you had broken your own heart. You had never stopped trying to fight the demons of that night. You had devoted your life to trying to figure out what the hell had happened that could’ve ended with you on a train, riding off into the night against your will. For two years, you’d spent your nights praying to any God that would listen to let you go back in time, to undo this twisted fate. 

But none of those agonizing nights hurt quite like this. He really thought you had wanted to leave? That you just up and stopped loving him? You knew he had no way of knowing what really happened, but you were still clinging to some small shred of hope that he’d give you the benefit of the doubt. Clearly he hadn’t. 

“Is that what you think?” You asked in a small voice.

“That’s what I know,” he corrected. 

No words came to you as all of the tiny cracks in your heart you had worked so hard to fill ripped open again. Rafe only took your silence as confirmation.

“Let it go, y/n,” he said, turning to walk towards the house. “I have.”

With that, he closed the door firmly behind him, the lock clicking loudly.

So that was it then. Seven years of friendship, five years of wild love, two years of heartbreak. Fourteen years of him gone, the rest of your life without him a sprawling void ahead of you. The kiss you shared in the sheriff’s station would be your last. Your last kiss and it wasn’t even real, the agony of that thought pushed you ever the edge and the tears you’ve been trying to stifle flowed free. Shoulders shaking with your sobs, you forced yourself to walk back to the car, no idea where you’d go once you were in it.

The door was still open, but the light had gone out. Once inside, you turned the key and the engine sputtered meekly as you tried and failed to turn it over. 

“Shit!” You screamed, slamming your hands against the steering wheel. Leaving the door open must’ve killed the battery. You cursed your mom for insisting on still driving this piece of shit even though she could easily afford an upgrade.

A professional leaver, Rafe had called you. The irony that just minutes after he said that you were literally unable to leave made you chuckle humorlessly. All of the emotion of this week weighing on your shoulders, you sat and cry-laughed into the darkness, feeling completely unhinged. What was supposed to be a quick, uneventful trip to your hometown had turned into a complete shitshow, you don’t know why you expected anything less.

You sat in the dark, giving up on trying to start the car. What were you supposed to do here? You could either knock on the door and chance another verbal bruising from Rafe, or walk home in the dead of night and face your mother. You fell asleep trying to decide which was worse.

Seven Years Earlier…

There were so many people packed into your house, you assumed nobody would notice when you slipped out and hopped on your bike. You were wrong. Rafe saw your bike lying on its side on the path leading down toward the beach, you hadn’t even bothered to put up the kickstand. 

He followed your footsteps down to the water. It was chilly and raining, the beach completely clear of people. The rain was falling hard, washing your footsteps from the sand, but he managed to follow what was left of them to the abandoned lifeguard tower you used to climb on as kids. There you were, sitting underneath the wooden structure for shelter, feet digging into the sand as you hugged your knees to your chest. Rafe stopped short, he hated seeing you upset, but he wasn’t sure what he was supposed to do to make you feel better. He had never been very good at feelings.

He decided he would approach you anyway, not saying anything in order to avoid saying the wrong thing. He ducked down and slid between the stilts of the tower, finding a space on the ground next to you.

You didn’t have to look over to know who it was, you could feel him. You were relieved when Rafe didn’t say anything, you were so overwhelmed by the chaos of the day, you couldn’t form words to explain it if you tried. After a few minutes, you couldn’t hold back the tears any longer and they began rolling down your face in big, fat drops. 

“Hey, hey,” Rafe said, startled by your sudden outburst. He put his arm around your shoulders and pulled you into him. You laid your head on his shoulder and he awkwardly rubbed his hand up and down your back. “It’s…it’s gonna be ok,” he said hesitantly, terrified he’d somehow make you feel worse.

The soft fabric of the black dress your mother had chosen for you to wear to your father’s wake felt nice under his fingertips. His hand grazing softly up and down your back felt nice as you let the tears fall. You let Rafe soothe you for a few minutes, before taking a deep breath and wiping your tears away with the back of your hands.

“Sorry,” you said with a self-deprecating laugh.

“You don’t have to say sorry,” he assured with a sincerity that almost made you start crying again. 

You looked over at him for the first time, his hair messy and wet from walking all the way here from your house in the rain. His cheeks were pink from the chilly air and the bashfulness he was feeling from sharing such an intimate moment with you. You had always thought he was cute, but in this moment, you realized you absolutely adored him.

“I just didn’t want to be there anymore,” you explained. “I don’t even know half of those people and everyone just kept hugging me.”

“I wouldn’t want to be there either,” he reassured you.

You nodded, sniffling, and giving him a thankful smile. Without really thinking it through he reached out a shaky hand and wiped the remaining tears off your cheeks. His hand lingered, and you placed yours on top of it, squeezing gently with appreciation. The contact made both of you blush and you looked away from each other. You had been friends since you were both six-years-old, of course you had touched before, but something about this time felt different.

“I know how you feel,” he said in a voice so quiet that you could barely hear it over the pattering of rain on the wooden structure above you and the crashing of waves. 

That’s right. In the storm of your own grief you had almost forgotten that Rafe had once lost a parent, too. It was about a year after you got to the island, he had missed two weeks of school in the third grade. When he came back, he started his still-running reign of principal’s office MVP.  

“I know it feels like maybe you won’t ever be happy again,” he looked out at the ocean, afraid you would notice the water starting to collect in the corners of his eyes. “But you will be. You’ll find something that makes you happy, and soon it won’t hurt so bad.”

“Did you?” You asked.

“Did I what?”

“Find something that made you happy again?”

“Yes.”

“What was it?”

Rafe looked down at his feet shyly, his hand scratching the back of his neck in discomfort. You teasingly elbowed him, making him laugh. He swallowed hard before mumbling, “you.”

Your stomach flipped and your face went beat red, completely caught off guard by his answer. Once again, your heart ached with the affection you felt for him. You reached out and lightly tucked your fingers under his chin, pulling his face up to meet your gaze.

“You make me happy, too,” you confessed. 

You had never done it before, and you weren’t really sure how to, but you knew that you just had to kiss him. Rafe had the same idea, and met you half-way with his own lips puckered. 

It was quick and innocent, the first of a million kisses you’d share. You didn’t know how it was possible to feel so sad and so happy at the same time, but you felt as though you could face anything now that you knew you wouldn’t have to face it alone.

Now…

TAP TAP TAP. Your eyes flew open as you lifted your head from the window and took in your surroundings, unsure of where you were. As your blurry surroundings came into focus, you were pulled down from your post-sleep haze by the looming figure of the man on the other side of the window. Rafe stood outside your car window, holding up a steaming mug of coffee. 

You rolled the window down, smiling shyly at Rafe as you blinked rapidly in the soft morning light. 

“Hi,” you said weakly.

“You sleep here?” He asked with neither amusement nor annoyance in his voice.

“The car wouldn’t start,” you explained. “I think the battery died.”

“You could’ve told me, I could’ve called Triple A,” he chided.

“I wasn’t sure you would’ve opened the door if I knocked,” you pointed out.

“That’s fair,” he agreed. The gentleness he was speaking to you with now was in such stark contrast to the tone he’d used last night. You didn’t want to say anything, scared to disturb the calm waters.

He handed the coffee to you, which you accepted gratefully. You took a sip, two creams and one sugar - he remembered. 

“Thank you,” you said softly.

“You can come inside while I call someone to come jump the car,” he offered.

You were so confused, but didn’t want to question it. You simply nodded as he opened the car door for you so you could climb out without spilling the coffee. 

After calling Triple A, Rafe joined you on the back porch, now with his own cup of coffee.

“Still take yours black?” You asked.

“The way coffee should be?” He teased. “Yes, yes I do.”

You smiled and you shook your head at him, clutching your coffee and looking out at the sun rising over the sea. The two of you sat in silence for a while on opposite sides of the wicker patio couch, sipping your coffees and avoiding each other’s eyes. 

You thought through the events of yesterday, remembering everything Rafe had said, and everything you wanted to say but hadn’t been able to. Rafe’s words were so cruel, but you got the sense he had fully believed everything he said. You thought you would never get the chance to respond to his accusations, but your car troubles had given you this extra time with him, and you didn’t want to waste the second chance. Should you make a joke? Try to tease him some more about his coffee preferences? Should you ask about his dad, or the reason he had been taken in to the sheriff’s office for questioning? Rafe clearly didn’t want to talk about his dad, and if this was your last chance to talk to him, you didn’t want to waste it on small talk. You decided your only option was to talk about yourself, about how you are feeling, and let him decide if he wanted to hear it or not.

“You’re wrong,” you said, sitting up to look at him. 

Your direct words startled him and he snapped his head to you, also sitting up straight.

“About what?” He says defensively. 

You look at him, hoping he can’t tell that your heartbeat is spiking and your throat is tight with anxiety. You need what you’re about to say to come out confidently, you need to say it with your chest or you may as well not say it at all.

“I never lied to you,” you told him. “And I never stopped loving you.”

Rafe’s face went pale, not at all expecting you to say that. He set his coffee down and got up from the couch, walking quickly back into the house and leaving you sitting alone, heart in hand. 

You followed him into the house, feet padding on the wooden floor behind him.

“Please just talk to me,” you pleaded.

He rounded on you, forcing you to step back.

“Don’t say shit like that!” He yelled.

“Don’t yell at me!” You matched his energy. “You never used to yell at me.”

“You left, y/n! What was I supposed to do, stay exactly the same and wait patiently for you to come back from God-knows-where like a good boy? No!” He jammed his finger into his chest, “I grew up! I became a fucking man! And now you wanna just waltz in like nothing fucking happened? It’s too late for that!”

You didn’t cower, but got closer to him with each proclamation he made. You found something in you that you hadn’t had last night, something like courage.

“You’re fucking right you changed! You know how I know? The old Rafe would’ve listened to me for two fucking seconds so I could explain!”

“I don’t wanna hear any fucking excuses-”

“I’m not making excuses! If you’d let me speak for two fucking seconds, you’d know that!” 

“There’s nothing you could say that would make me not pissed at you,” his voice was lowered but still filled with vitriol.

“You know what? Fine,” you shot back. “Be pissed at me. But I’ve had a long, unbelievably shitty two years and I’m not gonna stand here and let you scream at me as if you’ve never done anything wrong, ‘cause we both know that’s far from the truth.”

Rafe looked at you like you had smacked him, surprise flashing across his face. Of course, he knew you were referring to the accident and the things that happened before you left, right? His face smoothed over with recognition, maybe even relief.

“You’re talking about the accident,” he confirmed.

“Yes, I’m talking about the accident,” you crossed your arms over your chest. “What else would I be talking about?”

He shook his head, “nothing.”

“Unless there’s something you want to tell me?” Like maybe why you were held for questioning by the police for 24-hours, covered in someone else’s blood. 

Rafe studied you for any sign that you knew what had really been going on the past few months. You were looking at him so intensely, it was impossible to read your face. He couldn’t bear the thought that you knew what he’d done, what he’d become. And even though he was still pissed at you, still hurt, no matter your supposed explanation for leaving, he was desperate for you to remember him as the person he was before. He needed you to believe he was good. 

He drank you in for a long time, standing there with your arms crossed, looking up at him expectantly. Your hair was still messy from your night of tossing and turning in the car. You definitely looked older, but you were still so essentially you. He knew you wouldn’t let him stall much longer, that he would need to respond eventually. So he did.

Rafe stepped closer to you, his tall frame requiring you to tilt your head back to look up at him. He grabbed each of your forearms, pulling them apart, forcing you to uncross them and lose your defensive stance.

“There’s a lot of things I’ve wanted to tell you,” he whispered in a low voice, sending a shiver down your spine. “And things I’ve wanted to show you.”

You feel your new-found courage faltering, but try your best to maintain your confident facade as you respond, “like what?” The small amount of air between you is so tense, you’re being pulled to him like a magnet. You know, you know, you shouldn’t do this. There is so much you need to talk about, so many things left unresolved. But then he licks his lips, an action that used to mean I want you in your own secret language. And fuck if you don’t want him too.

(chapter five)

a/n: y'all. not me making myself cry with this one. your support has absolutely blown me away and made me so happy to be posting my writing again!!! Doing my best with this taglist but if you asked and I left you off please let me know!! ch 5 on it's way!

taglist: @maybankslover @dark1paradise @lmg-stilinski24 @idkdudsworld @mimipanini09 @patis643 @readingsmuts @nymphetkoo @xoxohoneymoongirl @hangmanscoming @azrielsgirll @laniirackssss @rubixgsworld @sweetienans @dasguccier @brain-palacee @ymnizuh @wearemadeofstardust0 @rafesgiirl @thewalkingdeadsmut @themindofmoe @my-fabulousness-has-arrived @aerie717 @kickenkricken @st0rmyt @sage-burrow @adoreleeknw @mudisgranapat @sugarmelonwater @blue-greener-weiner @vilentia @sunny1616 @namelesslosers @groovycass @zizuras @lifeonawhim

[ennn]

Recontextualisng the Ballad and Road with the Con and the Hex

I know some folks are upset or disappointed that the Witches' Road here was revealed as the product of Agatha's long con and Billy's Hex magic – that this seems to devalue or invalidate what was being explored about covenhood and sisterhood, or maybe "made it all about a guy".

Here's how I've processed it:

The heart of a good con is a story that rings true

The first version of the Witches' Ballad that Nicky performs for others already has a certain darkness to it. Because even though it was born from their love, the song was used to con and kill witches.

After Nicky's death, Agatha further expands the Ballad for her new deadly long con, adding more flourishes to it, including the mention of "death's hand in mine". It's dark, enticing, powerful, magical. Very much on brand for Agatha Harkness.

What's interesting are the changes between this version and the Sacred Chant version we got in Episode 2. And it's these more recent changes that seem to trip up Agatha with the coven.

For example, the version Agatha used across many years (the one overlaid with her killing witches) does not contain the lines mentioning:

"wake thy power earthly and divine"

"a coven true / two"

" fire, water, earth, and air" – Agatha's earlier version does contain spirit however

I think this speaks to how the Ballad and legend of the Road have gotten away from Agatha. At the heart of the con is a story, and this story has out in the world for centuries.

And it's not like Agatha would have stopped it: For the con to work, the story has to spread. The more witches who know about the Road and the Ballad, the more witches Agatha can target.

But people tend to change the stories they come in contact with, making it their own.

Consider that the story under the long con didn't even come from Agatha: a random witch interpreted the Ballad as a way to get to the Witches' Road, and the Road as an actual place. The con worked because Agatha saw what people wanted, a Road to what they want.

People infuse stories with their own dreams and desires, interpret and transform them to fit with their own lens. That there are apparently multiple versions of the Ballad in the show (more than we see as they mention Lorna's version being the most popular) speaks to this, I think.

The Sacred Chant version of the Ballad is probably a relatively recent attempt by Agatha to update the song she uses given the more modern interpretations of it. She knew about Lorna's version and how popular it is, so I wouldn't be surprised if she pulled elements from that.

So Nicky and Agatha created the Ballad, and Agatha developed it as as a killer con, but over the centuries, I'd say that the Witches' Road has become something bigger than two people.

This lore and ballad has become part of this world's witchy history and culture, reflecting the community's hopes and dreams, beliefs and fears: First with its promise of glory and reward – because that's Agatha's hook – and then thanks to artists like Lorna, with the promise of love that never dies, love that cannot be turned.

So what if the Road doesn't really exist? There are stories that are true that never happened. That doesn't make them less true or important.

It was probably... not helpful that we only get Agatha in full asshole mode addressing this reveal. Her dismissing the song as not meaning anything might be the biggest outright lie she’s ever told, given that the song began with Nicky.

Remember Agatha lies. The Road is not just a con and the song actually means everything, especially to her.

And it is significant that it is the Lorna Wu version of the Ballad – the version Billy is shown listening to – that the Hex Road is built around. It is this version that brings the Ballad back to a place of undying love and family and hope, promising "I'll see you at the end".

We probably wouldn't have gotten the Road we did get if it wasn't for Lorna Wu’s selfless love and sacrifice for her daughter. Because that’s the version Billy connected with. Not the ones Agatha used for her long con.

What's real is what you make of it

So Jac Schaeffer has mentioned that this twist was inspired by The Usual Suspects movie. Not just how the reveal was done – with Agatha framed as the mastermind figure who knew all along (camera wink) and Billy piecing the revelation together from clues with growing horror – but more importantly, how it didn’t detract from how the viewer felt about the characters and what they went through:

When you learn it was all a made-up story, it doesn’t undermine your experience of the movie. You still care about Gabriel Byrne’s character, you still care about Edie, and you care that Fenster died.

Does the Witches' Road being a creation of Billy's chaos magic, led by his subconscious invalidate what the coven went through, what these women and this boy did together?

I don't think it does. Because the experience this coven had was real. Their emotions, decisions, triumphs, lessons learnt, the moments of connection they had with each other — all of it was real to them.

Schaeffer wrote for the Black Widow movie and I'm reminded of the scene where Yelena rejects the idea that her family wasn't real because it was rooted in them being deep undercover:

That wasn't real – who cares. Don't say that. Please don't say that, it was real. It was real to me.

With the exception of Agatha (and Rio at least by Episode 8) who were aware that the Road was a hex, there was no filter on what the coven took away from the Road.

After all, chaos magic bends reality and creates.

Consider Jen at the end of this journey. She may never know the Road was conjured by Billy and rooted in a con of Agatha's but she did have her arc and incredible growth – to the point where she was committed to saving Agatha as part of her coven in the earth trial.

Jen got her power back and embraces being a witch again, as a sister in the craft, because of their shared experience on the Road.

For Lilia, her divination magic didn't care where the Road came from or what conjured it. Outside the hex, she still had the vision to place a sigil on Billy, and later the vision of her coven – the coven she needed – and their destiny together.

Lilia's beautiful journey, her remembering herself and her power, is still intact.

For Alice, she still discovered the truth about her mother's quest to keep her safe from her curse. And with the help of her coven, Alice did lift her curse. She did let go of her anger and found new peace in with a coven.

All of that is still real and still happened.

Agatha is more complicated because she knew from the start that the Road was a Hex. But this is also a deeply hurt love-starved person who also allowed herself to believe for a brief period that Billy might be Nicky despite all evidence to the contrary, until Rio made it clear otherwise.

Did Agatha genuinely find herself caring about this coven by the end of Episode 4? I think she did. I think the fear of losing Billy that episode was genuine too, as was her regret and remorse for killing Alice, because she did feel the loss of that coven relationship that had just started to form.

Agatha's knowledge of the Hex further explains why she lashes out at Billy after Alice's death, aside from his moralising. The spirit trial was a product of his subconscious after all. It was just set up for tragedy because of how the Hex worked (more on that below).

Ultimately, the bonds these witches did make with each other, them coming together as a coven even for a limited time, did matter I think. Jennifer, Alice, and Lilia had their arcs.

Agatha's is more of a mess – and that's a whole other discussion to go into – but I'd say that she's made progress on her arc. With Jen healing Billy, Alice stepping up to protect her, the earth trial moving her towards acknowledging the indiscriminate nature of death. She did see and feel what a coven could be for her, and she does remember them, and what could have been.

The magic of the Road

I think part of the magic of the Road was how it seemed to have purpose in bringing a coven together. How "the Road changes for the coven". Well uh it still did... just with different mechanics behind the curtain.

As a reference point: Why did Wanda create her Hex? To get a reality where she could have a happy family. Why did Billy create the Road? He immediately needed somewhere to escape the Salem Seven, but ultimately he wanted a way to find Tommy.

Note that it's not like Billy made up a version of Tommy just waiting at the Road. His Hex doesn't have a solution or answer, his Hex manifests a Road to find a way forward.

It helps to contextualise the Road as not only the product of out-of-control magic, this Road is also a manifestation of:

a genuine love and curiosity for witchcraft, including its culture and history (let's not forget Billy is a witch who doesn't have a coven)

a need for family and community

a desire to help others find personal growth or what they are looking for (Billy is a good kid that's been raised by a loving family)

Most importantly, as a telepath Billy isn't creating the Road only for himself or using only his own thoughts: with his mind-reading his subconscious is pulling from the coven members around him.

That's why the trials are designed for the coven members, with the spirit trial being so weird because Billy has trouble reading Agatha's mind. And what does Billy learn at the start of Episode 5 with the Salem Seven reappearing? Agatha killed her own coven and doesn't seem remorseful about it at all.

Safe to say Billy's subconscious did not like that.

I hear Schaeffer has confirmed this thinking in a recent interview with House of R, saying there were deleted lines in Episode 9 with Agatha explaining that the trials were informed by Billy's subconscious mind-reading. Agatha was not a fan of how Billy's subconscious wanted personal growth and team-bonding.

So while we were joking about the Road forcing these witches to get therapy, it actually closer to what was happening than we realised. It just wasn't driven by some mysterious cosmic force or divine entity, but by a kid subconsciously who meant well.

There's perhaps something to be said about how there isn't a magical Road already existing out there for Witches to find themselves.

Unlike sorcerers in the MCU who pull magic from the universe or other dimensions, the magic of witches comes from within.

[optimusprime12]

Poly Transformers x Human! Reader x Decepticons angst

"Ratchet! Please tell them I didn't-" "Shut up." You never seen how cold they could be. All of them. All because this new girl came along... She spread lies.

'I see you as you see yourself through all the books you read'

You looked at them all, with a smirk (Rival Name) next to them. Her smile made you want to attack her, but she sat in Bee's palm. "I-I..." You stopped talking. Everyone stared daggers at you.

'Your Vampire Empire'

"You may now leave." Optimus says, staring at you coldly. "Fine. Jackie-" You felt tears come out of your as Wheeljack turned around.

'I see there, rejecting all your earthly power.'

'Protecting and dissecting 'til you've emptied every hour'

"Just go. You've done enough." Ratchet said, it's like you all where not dating. The bridge opened up, and you where still in shock. "R-ra-" "Don't say my name." Ratchet was cold. You wanted to pull off your hair. "Fine. But don't expect me to come back!" You ripped the promise ring from your hand that they have you, and stormed out to your home.

'I wanted to see you naked, I wanted to hear you scream, I wanted to kiss your skin and your everything. '

The next month, it was so bad. You had no friends, besides Miko, who was the only one to believe you.

'I wanted to be the one you could understand'

You wanted to badly to hurt yourself. You wanted to.

But you kept moving. Getting rid of everything they gave you was the first step.

That's when you finally met the Decepticons.

'In her Vampire empire I am Falling ya'

'Falling ya'

After a few months of getting to know them, you can't help but to feel loved. A kind of love you never had before.

But you couldn't tell Miko.

But she found out and told the Autobots they kidnapped you.

'Well, I walked into your dagger for the last time'

Megatron had you up on his shoulder, as his new Queen. Starscream was also very pleaseed.

'Where you can't seem to hold, me can't seem to let me go'

'So I can't find surrender can't keep control'

Optimus, and the others watched as you can down on the battled field, on Megatron's shoulder. "I Sw- (Y/n)! What are you doing!?" Wheeljack asks, lowering his arm. The fighting stopped. "Oh, you mean my queen?" You looked so high and mighty un on his shoulder. Just like how you use to do to them.

'You say you want to be alone and you want children'

'You wanna be with me, you wanna be with HIM'

Ratchet tried to run to you, but was stopped by you kissing Megatron's helm. "Trader!" (Rival Name) called from the sidelines. "Yes, but I'm no trader since I'm not the one who made me get kicked out." Your words hurt Bulkhead and the others dearly.

'I am empty until she kills'

'In her Vampire empire'

"We had no choice-" Megatron glared at Ratchet to shut him up.

'Falling ya'

'Falling ya'

"You did. And you choice to run MY Queen from her once home." Optimus felt jealous. They all did. "Ya! And for once we're the good guys." Knockout said. Optimus looked to (Rival Name). "Care to explain?" Ratchet asked, glaring at (Rival Name).

"Look... I may have lied about (Y/n) being really mean to me, but you guys wouldn't hurt me right...?" They felt betrayed by (Rival name). "T-that means..." Bee looked to you, and with big eyes full of tears, tried to ran to you, but Shockwave stopped him. "It is illogical of you to do that. It's logical that (Y/n) is ours now." Shockwave said coldly. Bee taken out his gun, but was stopped by Optimus. "We- Sweetspark-" "Do not call them your 'sweetspark'." Megatron growled. Wheeljack looked to you, pleading eyes that you would come with them, be happy again. Bee tried to get past Shockwave, but it failed.

Megatron turned to the spaceship, and started to walk away. Optimus held his hand out, but it was no use, you slipped right past his fingers.

[ghostlyferrettarot]

✨️🧚‍♀️Asteroid Hekate in the signs🧚‍♀️✨️

❗️All the observations in this post are based on personal experience and research, it's completely fine if it doesn't resonate with everyone❗️

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🧚‍♀️Masterlist🧚‍♀️

✨️Hekate is the 100th asteroid, she is the place we go to in our astrological charts to find out what we need to do to discern our direction in life✨️

🧚‍♀️Hekate in Aries: Your drive for change is direct and bold. This position can manifest as a need to make quick and determined decisions. You have a strong sense of independence and are drawn to exploring the unknown or the forbidden. You are a pioneer on your own path, willing to break barriers and challenge the established. However, your challenge is not to rush too much and learn to listen to the warning signs of the universe, to avoid impulsive decisions. Hekate's magic here asks for patience to channel your energy towards more conscious and strategic decisions.

🧚‍♀️Hekate in Taurus: Transformation comes through the material, the sensual and the physical. Your relationship with worldly pleasures and emotional security can be a space where you face crossroads in life. You may face times when you need to let go of what gives you comfort in order to grow and evolve. You often seek stability, but Hekate challenges you to find a balance between your earthly desires and connection to the deepest part of your being. True abundance and growth come when you learn to let go of fears related to possessiveness or rigidity, allowing change to flow into your life.

🧚‍♀️Hekate in Gemini: Here, Hekate connects you to the mystery of hidden knowledge and truths that are beyond the superficial. You have a gift for uncovering what others don't see, whether in words, ideas, or connections. The challenge, however, is not to spread yourself too thin, as this energy can lead you to jump from one thing to another without going deep enough. Your spiritual journey may be through the mind and communications, but you must learn to discern what is truly important.

🧚‍♀️Hekate in Cancer: Manifests in your life through your deepest emotions and your connection to home, family, and the past. Crossroads may present themselves in your close relationships or domestic life, where you must learn to balance the need for protection with the need for release. You are capable of navigating the darkest emotional waters, but Hekate teaches you not to get stuck in the past, but to use those experiences to heal and renew yourself.

🧚‍♀️Hekate in Leo: Your path of transformation is closely tied to your creative expression and your sense of personal power. You are a magnetic person, with a deep need to shine and leave a mark. However, Hekate's influence may bring moments where you are faced with dilemmas about your identity and what it really means to "be yourself." You may go through periods of doubt or identity crises, but these are moments of profound transformation where you can be reborn from your own ashes. Learn to integrate your shadows with your light, embracing every facet of your being without fear of vulnerability.

🧚‍♀️ Hekate in Virgo: Your journey of transformation is tied to the pursuit of perfection, organization, and health. You face crossroads in how you can improve and transform your life through service and constant improvement. Hekate challenges you to let go of the need for excessive control and self-criticism, showing you that true magic is in the acceptance of your imperfections and the power of routine and daily care. True transformation occurs when you learn to balance perfection with acceptance and self-care.

🧚‍♀️Hekate in Libra: Relationships are the area of ​​your life where the biggest crossroads present themselves. Important decisions may arise around what you need in a partner or partnership, and how to balance your independence with the desire for togetherness. Hekate invites you to find the truth in what unites you to others and to release relationships that no longer serve you. Your moments of change may come through your closest connections. Balance in your relationships should be a reflection of your own inner harmony. Don't be afraid to cut ties that prevent you from evolving.

🧚‍♀️Hekate in Scorpio: This is a powerful placement, as Scorpio is a sign that naturally connects with transformation, mystery, and shadows. Here, Hekate challenges you to face your deepest fears and walk through the fire of purification. The goddess guides you through the darkest moments of your life, showing you that only by facing your own demons can you be reborn stronger. This influence gives you a deep connection to hidden power, whether in yourself or in the world around you.

🧚‍♀️Hekate in Sagittarius: Expanding your consciousness and accessing deeper truths are key. The future is presented as a constant quest for wisdom and exploration, and Hekate guides you toward philosophical and spiritual paths you may never have considered. You are drawn to the mystical and the unknown, and you may feel like destiny is taking you to faraway lands, whether literally or figuratively. But you must remember that not all knowledge is superficial - you are not alone. Some journeys must be internal.

🧚‍♀️Hekate in Capricorn: Your path of transformation is closely tied to your career, your ambition, and your sense of purpose in the world. The crossroads you face are often related to how you balance your desires for success with the need to follow your own truth. Hekate challenges you not to get stuck in rigidity or routine, but to recognize that true power comes from a deep connection to your purpose. The magic is in the integration of discipline with the desire to evolve spiritually, without letting work disconnect you from what really matters.

🧚‍♀️Hekate in Aquarius: Connects you with the future and the energies of social change. You are a visionary person, but your crossroads may arise when you try to balance your desire for independence with the needs of the collective. Hekate's influence invites you to fight for the common good, but always from a place of authenticity. Your transformative decisions can have a positive impact on your community, as long as you remain true to your vision. True freedom and social change come when you are able to maintain your authenticity without compromising your values ​​to fit into the conventional.

🧚‍♀️Hekate in Pisces: The connection with the mystical and the invisible is deep. This position gives you a gift for spiritual work, intuition, and healing. Your moments of transformation are often linked to connection with the universe, deep emotions, and spiritual insights. However, the challenge is not to get lost in illusion or fantasy. Hekate's magic here invites you to find a balance between the material and spiritual world, without falling into dispersion. The spiritual transformation you seek must be anchored in reality, using your intuition to guide you without letting the shadows confuse you.