#I wish I had anwered earlier

[bskarsgardlove92]

My Comic Con 2021 Winter experience

As some of you know, I also went to the German Comic Con Winter Edition on 04th December 2021. 

I told some of you via DM how it was, especially meeting Gustaf Skarsgård, now I share for everyone. As always under a read more.

This time I didn’t stay in a hotel in Dortmund. They were so expensive in December! I drove there very early in the morning and drove back home after the con. By train by the way. 

Anyway this con was much bigger than the one in September. This one was only a “Limited Edition”, only one hall and outside. The Winter Edition was in 7 halls. A hall for the autographes, a hall for the photo OP’s, a hall where you could eat etc.

I immediately went to the autograph hall and stood in line for Gustaf’s autograph. There were only like 4 people in front of me, so yay. I didn’t have a VIP ticket, just a normal one, so I was happy that there weren’t too many people yet.

The actors weren’t there yet, but came a little earlier than scheduled (I think the beginning time for the autographes was 11 am, they were around 15 minutes earlier). I was so excited to see them! I saw Georgia Hirst, Clive Standen, Alexander Ludwig, Travis Fimmel....and then omg Gustaf! Is this the real life?? Alex Høgh Andersen sadly sat too far away.

The four people in front of me were very quick, so I finally stood in front of him. He was soooo sweet!! I told some of you already, that he smiled a lot! Next to Gustaf was again a staff member and she wrote my name on a note, so that it was written correctly on the autograph. He saw my name and said it like a question. I answered, yes it’s an Italian name. He thought then I was Italian, I told him half Italian. He then asked if I lived around Dortmund. I anwered, that i had a three hour train ride and he was like Wow! I then told him how excited and happy I was that he was there. He looked at me and said that he’s happy to hear that. Yeah he signed the autograph for me and I wished him a good day. I’m a little sad that I was so nervous. I wanted to tell him how much I love his acting, his potrayal of Floki or Merlin. But cat got my tongue.

Later I took the photo with him. But these photo OP’s are always very quick. I nearly forget to take off my mask! (You were allowed to take them off for the pic).

As it’s December and I’m still only working half time til the end of the year, I couldn’t take more pics with other stars. I took one with Ashley Greene, as I used to be a big Twilight Fan.

I watched the Panels of Christopher Lloyd (It was so amazing to see a legend like him in real life! I love Back to the Future!), Ashley Greene and the Vikings Panel of course! It was so fun and entertaining! I’m so happy the panels are uploaded on youtube. So if you love Vikings, please check out the panels on youtube! You can contact me for the links.

Clive Standen seemed to be very sweet, he even hugged people at the autograph table! Also Travis Fimmel seemed to be fun. Whoever I talked to said, that he’s amazing. I met Alex in September, so I know he’s amazing ;) Georgia is very pretty! She sat next to Gustaf’s table, so I could see her very well. Alexander Ludwig also seemed very nice.

Many people said that Friday and Sunday were much more relaxed than Saturday. I even thought about driving there on Sunday. But I need the money for christmas presents and well, to live.

But it was a beautiful experience! My wish for the next con is, that all the Vikings actors come again, maybe an area just for Vikings (they did this for Pretty Little Liars or Riverdale before. You need to pay extra though).

I hope that I can drive again, preferably to Dortmund, that I can go more than only one day and I hope that some of you drive, too and that we can meet!

I already posted my Vikings Panel photos. In a reblog I add the link again!

[seungminotes]

Charming Worries Away

Hello @n8dlesoupguk I was your skz secret santa! I had so much fun talking to you this month and you are so so sweet I wuv you now. I know this is a bit later for you because time zones boo :( but I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and enjoyed today to the fullest! Hope you enjoy this, much love. 

word count: 1.5k 

desc. / warning: hogwarts au, Gryffindor!Jisung x reader (no house specified), gender neutral

note: hope you enjoy!

It was already past the newly implaced strict curfew, but you couldn’t get the sound of Jisung’s frantic whispering of enchantations out of your head. There was no doubt the guy was practicing his charms that evening when he skipped supper in the Great Hall, without even giving you the usual heads up when he missed.

You knew his upcoming NEWTs were stressing him out as of late, his Charms exam more than any other, as expected from the forgetful boy. He’d always managed to change up spells a bit, placing emphasis on the wrong parts of words, even replacing some with awfully incorrect ones. You wish you could somehow help the troubled Gryffindor, but you knew Jisung was often too prideful to ever actually accept your help. 

Which is why you were currently tiptoeing towards the astronomy tower, exactly where he was to take his exam next week. He’d been practicing there for the past few days, figuring out mnemonic devices he could possibly use from the surroundings to little avail. He was well aware of the great possibility he had in failing this one NEWT and it slightly discouraged him in his hopes of someday becoming a great auror, like the ones he’d see on the daily newspapers the owls would drop during breakfast. Ever since his first year, he’d dreamed of becoming such a figure, having been muggle-born though, he knew there was a lot to learn. But he never thought his forgetful tendencies could ever hold him back this much. 

When you opened the creaky door to the Astronomy Tower’s roof, Jisung was sure enough hunched over his Charms notebook that you had binded the week prior, insisting that he stop lugging around and losing dozens of sheets of paper around campus. You had even offered to transcribe them into a separate book for him, worried his awful handwriting was only contributing to his trouble in remembering the right words to charms (though you hesitated in specifying this reasoning). He of course rejected your offer, adamant on getting by on his own somehow. 

“Sung,” you called. 

Jisung promptly looked up, sighing internally as his gaze was met with your glowing eyes looking down towards him. He immediately took notice of the aluminum wrapped bowl you held, surely from the kitchen you so often would sneak to this late at night with him on weekends. 

He stood to take the bowl from your clammy hands, placing it on the roof’s concrete barrier, just at his own chest height.

“It’s late,” he sighed, this time externally, heaving a deep breath after. He wouldn’t normally mind meeting up with you this late, but this wasn’t the time to be fooling around, his Charms NEWT was the very first he was to take next week, he couldn’t risk getting distracted now. 

“Benefits of a prefect in training-in-training I guess,” you shrugged before pulling out the badge given to you earlier that night. 

Jisung’s face quickly ridded itself of any signs of exhaustion and frustration, his bright gummy smile on full display at the sight. You’d wanted to be a prefect for a while now, and though he never understood why, he was suddenly so full of happiness for you, momentarily forgetting his own worries.  

He quickly pulled you into a tight embrace. 

“Sneaking out will be a lot easier now huh,” he teased. 

“I could deduct points, watch out,” you countered, causing him to scoff with a  feigned hurt face. 

Your banter soon died down from the news and Jisung’s worries suddenly came crashing down onto him once again. 

“I’m gonna fail,” he signed, still somehow maintaining a small smile from before. He knew his dream of becoming an auror was crushed if he couldn't pass this measly test. 

“So what if you do?” you stood by him, looking over the roof’s barrier over to the darkness of the Forbidden Forest

He scoffed again. “What do you mean ‘so what?’ I can’t be an auror if I fail, stupid,” he ruffled your hair harshly.

“You could always retake it you know, there’s no shame in it, but Jisung…” you began to reason, but soon trailed off not knowing how to put things into words correctly enough for this conversation to be of any help for Jisung. 

“But…” he mocked. 

“I probably couldn’t be an auror anyay, right? Are there even muggle-born aurors? Do you think I could make it?” he asked, turning his gaze towards you, surprised to meet your eyes on him again. He was letting his thoughts eat him up now and you of course knew this because Jisung would never voice out such insecurities, he was your token Gryffindor, prideful, strong, self-assured, sometimes cocky kind of Gryffindor, a poster boy for the damn house, though muggle-born. 

“Jisung, of course you can make it. You’re Han Jisung, the best seeker Hogwarts has ever seen, the ‘best Defence Against the Dark Arts student’ Snape has ever had, you’re good at everything you’ve ever touched, are you kidding me? I wish I was half as good as you with the spells you can barely cast sometimes and I’ve been in this magic shit my whole life. Are you seriously doubting yourself now, oh so prideful Gryffindor?” Your attempt at reassuring him was not a complete miss, Jisung’s heart swelled at the mention of your admiration for his skills, but that Snape comment did the trick in getting him to show off his bright smile again.

“Snape did not say that,” he laughed off. 

“Best muggle-born I’ve ever met,” you mocked in the best impression you could muster, placing that hateful emphasis on the ‘muggle-born’ as your dreaded professor so often does. 

“That’s a compliment if I’ve ever heard one, take it or leave it, that’s the best you’re getting from that grinch.” 

“I’ll make him give me a better one, one of these days,” he sighed. 

“That sounds like my Sung,” you reach over to his hand clutching his notes, gently taking them from him, unknowing of the red spreading all over Jisung’s face at your comment. ‘Your Sung’ he repeated in his head. 

“You should eat and get to bed, you’re pressuring yourself too much these days, you’re gonna jumble up your spells in there,” you playfully knock on his forehead. 

Your caring nature isn’t unusual, but for reasons unknown to Jisung at this very moment, it makes him nervous. He feels a slight bump in his throat, keeping him from voicing out his refusal at the idea of heading to bed and taking back his book, his nerves are tingling and he feels his heart speed up and his hands begin to clam up as he takes of the aluminum foil of the warm container of food, most likely charmed by you to stay so hot on such a cold night. 

You stand so close yet so unaware of the fumbling feelings of the boy standing right beside you, flipping through his notes and once again eyeing his scribbles inscribed messily with the quill he was somehow still so ill-accustomed to. 

“My offer to rewrite these still stands, you know, can you even read this?” your eyes narrow to attempt at reading a page yourself. 

“I think I can read what I write, thanks,” he awkwardly laughs off, cheeks full of rice.

“Hmmm, I think I’ll do it anyway, free of charge, you won’t even owe me anything, promise,” you insist, watching his head slightly tilt down in embarrassment. 

“Jisung, you know that I’m always willing to help you right? You don’t have to ask. I’m right here for you.” you assure him.

‘You don’t have to though,” he explains, sighing once again as he lifts the spoonful of rice to his mouth again. 

“Jisung, I want to,” you argue, firm in your words, this time clutching the boy’s arm gently, applying slight pressure to assure him of your presence. Your eyes deadpanned on his, your expression was so serious yet so vulnerable at this very moment and Jisung woud have to be stupid to not realize the implictness of your words. 

Jisung’s heart surged at the contact and he suddenly wished he would've just brushed off your offer and let you go through the pain of copying his notes for him. 

He was suddenly all too aware of your hand on his arm and the gaze you held so intently on him and the meaning of every little thing you two had ever done together. He wondered how long he’d felt these nerves for and could not pinpoint an exact moment when this increased heartbeat began to feel familiar with your touch. It could have been years ago for all he knew. His thoughts were spiraling way too fast for his comfort. 

“I want you to,” he suddenly blurted much louder than he intended to, he realized as he watched you flinch. 

“Good,” you meekly responded, taking a deep breath of relief at his anwer.

“Good,” he whispered before slightly closing his eyes with the cool breeze and sighing one more time.  

[mythicalavengermakeup]

I've decided I've made you all wait long enough. Here is Saito x OC, almost everything I have. I honestly don't know when the new Sano x oc will be up ^^;

Remember, this is not the second chapter in the series. Enjoy!!!

NSFW NC 17 M RATING SMUT EROTICA 18+

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They ran as fast as their legs would carry them. Saito was having no issues, especially in the rain. Midori had stripped most of her Tayuu garments off, leaving just the socks and the white kimono undergarment. The rain had soaked it, adding extra weight which was slowing them down earlier. The garment stuck to her skin, her pink strands of hair stuck to her face. The rain was coming down hard, and it was hard to see.

“Almost there Sugumi-san!” The male voice yelled from the front, his hand holding hers tightly while guiding her and helping her keep pace. 

“Saito-san.. Your wound..” Midori started, referring to the stab he got from earlier by a Ronin. It wasn’t deep, but it did need stitches.

“We’ll worry about that once we get a little further.” Saito replied, not slowing his speed.

It was a good five minutes before Saito led Midori to the side of a mountain. The entrance is covered by falling branches and leaves from a willow tree. The only way one would know this was here, is if they knew beforehand. Stepping inside, it was dark, the only light from the moon that shone inside. The rock was a bit slippy, and Midori was thankful she didn’t have those Tayuu shoes on, and just her socks. Just down a bit further on two more rocks and she was on the ground. In the distance she could barely make out a couple of old dried up trees, and some more rocks, even some piled on top of eachother to make sitting or stairs. 

Midori breathed heavily, her lungs short on air. It felt like she was out of shape compared to Saito who barely looked like he was bothered by any of it. She wanted to ask how, but her need for air over took her need to know.

Saito rested his sword against the rock, moving immediately to the tree she had seen early, beginning to break branches off to start a fire. Midori followed his lead, despite the cold shivers, and gathered up rocks to make a circle for the fire. With the help of the moonlight, she found a good area that was all dirt, and began making the circle.

“Here.” Saito offered her a handful of broken down dry twigs for the kindle. He handed her a few more before moving to break down the trunk for more wood.

Midori took the handfuls, placing them in the circle, trying to keep them as dry as possible. She began the process of starting the fire, while Saito continued to gather wood. “Did you know of this place before Saito-san?” Midori asked, not liking the silence.

Saito nodded, though Midori could not see it. “Hai. I found this when I was running a while back from some Choshu men. I came back and placed supplies of some handmade beds, some sake, and a little bit of extra wood." He turned and placed the wood he had just broken down in front of Midori.  His eyes widened in shock at her state as she started the fire. He knew she was taking off layers as they ran since the fabric weighed heavy. Did he notice her strip down to the thin white kimono garment? Honestly he couldn't remember from all the hype. Now, seeing it, the way the fabric clinged to her body.. he could feel the temperature rise in his face, immediately averting his eyes. 

The flicker of light caused Saito to glance back. It only served to further increase the redness on his cheeks when the visual got clearer. The outline of her breasts, the nipples that poked to attention through the fabric, the way the kimono clung to the inside of her thighs made him wonder where it went, and what treasure he might find between them. 

Immediately he turned his head down, hiding his lower face behind his hand, his wet strands of hair hiding his face. He shouldn't have looked…

Midori got the fire started, the warmth hitting her skin. It felt good. Holding her hands out, she warmed up for a moment. "Hand me your Haori  and I will hang it up." Midori offered, and stood up, forgetting she herself was soaked from the rain as well, and hadn’t caught on to what might be peaking through the white wet fabric. 

Not looking her way, Saito slipped the Shinsengumi colors off his shoulders, handing it to Midori to hand up. “Don’t forget your own..” Saito commented softly. He turned, to give them both privacy, Saito removing his black kimono top left the white one on, laying the black one down on the ground for them both to sit while they waited for the pieces of clothing to dry.

Grabbing his Haori from his outstretched hand, Midori hung it flat over a rock near the fire. With Saito’s comment, Midori looked down at herself, her face flushing. D-did.. He see? Was it always so.. Clear?  She panicked internally, her face flushing deep red. Taking off her own soaked Kimono, she rang it out to the side before hanging it near the fire. The few needle hair ornaments that remained in her hair she took out, squeezing what excess water she could from her hair before rolling it into a bun, securing it in place with the 3 ornaments. The bun was already breaking, a long piece falling down the side of her face. Better than nothing she thought, blowing on it to make it move. It did little good. 

“D-Don’t you dare look!” Midori warned, making her way over to where Saito sat with her needle and thread. Her eyes burned at the back of his head while making sure he didn’t peak. Deep down she knew he would never.

Sitting down behind him, she placed the needle and thread in her lap before looking at his wound. Throwing the long piece of loose hair behind her shoulder, she began using the small bucket that was inside the cave that she filled with rain water from outside earlier. Tearing some of her kimono undergarment, she made a makeshift rag to clean around the wound before sewing it up.

Saito slipped the kimono off of his shoulders, allowing Midori access to clean and sew it when she arrived behind him. Just like he promised he did not look. What he didn’t admit to was that he wanted to.

He could feel the fabric and her fingers put pressure around his wound while cleaning. He did not flinch. “So tell me..” He began, wishing to make conversation. “Where did you learn to sew up wounds?”

Dipping an edge of the blood soaked fabric in the water baisen, Midori resumed cleaning around the wound. “Thats a funny question. Why do you ask?”

Funny..? Saito thought. He wasn’t sure how it was funny. “Ah.. Well most women can not handle the sight of blood from battle wounds.” He responded.

“Oh?” Midori said, but did not have a surprised tone. “Well I’ll have you know men see lots of blood, women see just as much.” Midori laughed. “Well I wasn’t always such a woman of status. In the village I grew up in there was a high birth rate. We all chipped in when we could. Do you have any sake?” Midori asked, looking over Saito’s bare shoulder.

Saito listened to her story, rummaging around in the bag he had hidden away for some Sake. Popping the top off, he was just in the middle of lifting it to his lips before Midori asked if he had any. “...Hai..” he replied, almost not wanting to anwer.

“Perfect.” Midori spotted the medium sized sake jug and grabbed it straight out of his hand. The problem wasn’t that she grabbed the sake from his hand. The problem that Midori didn’t realize is that when she did it, she pressed her bare breasts against his back, hardened nipples and all. Saito almost let out a groan of protest when she lifted off, the breasts on his back having felt really nice. The way they flattened against his back, and how the hardened nipples dragged on his skin. He wasn’t sure if she was doing  on purpose, or if she didn’t know what she was doing. Thank god he wasn’t facing her. She would have seen how red his face got.

Midori poured Sake over the wound for disinfectant, returning it back to Saito, this time from the side. Her other hand was busy holding the cloth to catch what fell. Saito took the sake bottle from her, clutching it tightly in his hands. He had no intention of letting it go again, taking a huge gulp of the liquid.

“Alright, don’t flinch.” Midori warned. Sitting up on her knees, she placed the cloth on his opposite shoulder, cold fingers working around his wound. The needle was in and through, the thread following behind. “Why did you pour sake over it?” Saito Inquired.

Midori tried hard to not pull too hard at the thread, not wanting to hurt him. He did make no indication of being in pain, which was good when she had to pull the thread tightly together. “During my time in America, alcohol was always the number one disinfectant to use if nothing else was around. It’s something I remember, as well as carrying a sewing needle and thread everywhere I go. Sake isn’t ideal, but it is better than nothing in this case. Never know when it just might come in handy, like now!” Midori pointed out with an optimistic tone, tying off the second stitch. The wound size itself was about an inch in a half. Planning on putting four stitches originally, the further she got the more she realized she would need to add just a few more if she wanted it to heal nicely.

Saito could feel just how cold her fingers were. It troubled him. “Your fingers are cold. You need to warm yourself. Let me at least share with you my Kimono.” Saito offered, trying his best to not peer over his shoulder.

Third stitch complete. At Saito’s offer, Midori paused, not sure what to make of his words. “Ah..” She paused, trying to think of the right words. Before they came, she began the fourth stitch. “Ah. Iie. It’s quite alright. Besides, the kimono will be dry soon, and the fire is quite warm. Being injured, you need to make sure to stay warm. I will be just fine.” Midori tried to play it off as best she could. True it was a bit chilly, and the kimono’s would be done.. In a longer time than Midori stated, she didn’t want to trouble Saito. Instead, she presented a different idea, one that wasn’t quite as smooth as Saito’s. “We can always put our backs against each other, that is always another idea!”

After a couple of more moments, Midori was done with the stitches. “Finished. Make sure not to do any hard labour for the next few days. If you tear it and I find out you’re getting a smack. I worked hard to try and make sure it wouldn’t scar.” Midori placed the needle and thread back in it’s pouch that she carried, placing it near the fire. She sat, and turned her back to Saito, pulling her knees up to her chest to stay warm, arms wrapping tightly around them.

Saito turned, opening his kimono and scooching closer to Midori until she was wrapped inside his undergarment Kimono with him. He felt her ice cold skin, his tone sounding upset with his words. “You lied. You are quite frozen.” She gasped, surprised by his actions. Her back was now pressed up against his chest, Saito’s arms around her shoulders, his legs on either side of her. Midori knew he had a point earlier when he said they should get under for warmth, but she did not want to touch Saito. It wasn’t because she was embarrassed, but because she wanted to touch him.

It had honestly been a crazy week. First Sano, then Shin, then Heisuke… It was like all the men were hungry for Midori, and the more Midori felt with each one of them, the more she wanted to reach out herself. Would Saito say yes, or would he not be interested? They had awoken something inside of her, a need to continue to feel that pleasure that only a man could give. Was it always like this between a man and a woman? Was it only Japanese men that knew? Was it her late husband that had the issues? So many questions flooded Midori’s mind that she did not feel Saito rest his forehead on the back of her head until his hot breath hit the back of her neck causing a noticeable tremble from Midori, her back arching away from him and the top of her chest pushing into his arms. “S-Saito-san..” 

Saito tightened his arms around her shoulders, his face coming to rest on the side of hers, allowing her head to use his shoulder as a rest. He had felt the shiver and had assumed she was still chilly. "Gomen..you should be warm soon.. the fire will not go out for a little bit." He could still feel the chill in her skin, even before it shuddered. Saito was surprised when the faint scent of Olives hit his nose. She smells good.. Despite the fire being on, Saito's temperature was already on the hot side and the feel of Midori’s cold skin against him sent a pleasurable sensation through his body. Her skin was soft and smooth on his. She was already squeezed up against him tightly, could she fit any more? As Saito wondered, he instinctively wrapped his legs around hers. There was nowhere for her to go now.

As Midori ended up locked in, her hips began to squirm, thighs squeezing together then releasing, repeating the action. He was so entirely close that she could feel almost every inch of him. The thoughts of what could possibly happen plagued her mind, and it turned her on a lot. She could swear she could feel his sleeping meat on her lower back. The anxiety coming from her wanting him to touch her was intense, and she tried hard to squash said feelings.

“A-Arigatou…” Midori mumbled, her skin quickly heating up. Was it hot in the Kimono? 

Saito could feel her squirm, her hips and lower back massaging him in a dangerous area unknowingly to her. She would find out soon if she kept it up. He could feel her thighs tighten then loosen and every time they did it made Saito's imagination run. Was she possibly that turned on? Being curious, Saito decided to test this by turning his head down, letting his lips brush against the part of her neck that curved into the start of her shoulder.

“Uh!” Midori gasped, body shivering from the top of the spine to the bottom, her hips squirming even more. “Nt!” Saito let out a sharp breath, positive she could feel him poking her in the back by now.

Midori could feel him on her back. His shaft that was resting on it would twitch when Midori squirmed from his lips. The feeling of his warmth on her back made her wet, and the thought of knowing she caused it, the man who showed no emotion, made her that much wetter. 

[pomegranates-and-blood]

hello!! if you’re interested, i have a winter-adjacent nostalgia question! this one might be more about my historical ignorance than analysis BUT!! I was wondering about the epopteia the priestess mentions in Κόρη.

in my super cursory research, epopteia is the final initiation rite into the mysteries, but I wasn’t totally sure if that meant her initiation into the cult or her initiation as a hiereia. if we don’t already know and it’s not a spoiler, what did she see? and why is it that she can’t tell ivar but she can tell their future kids? very sorry if these questions are super obvious and thanks sm for taking the time to answer these!!

Hi lovely, thank you for asking! I'm always welcoming these, but I am by no means a trust-worthy source, especially when it comes to historical things, because while I do try to keep a degree of realism to things, I make a lot of changes (ignore things, switch things, and add things) to make it fit the plot or make itmore interesting plot-wise.

I'll answer to the best of my abilities under the cut!

Again, I am not a good source, but if I remember correctly the epopteia is the final initiation within the Greater Mysteries, so to the canon of Nostalgia she was a Hiereia from that point onward, but she had started her initiation in the Lesser Mysteries a few months before that, and thus was close to the temple and the women by then (she would have been a priestess that was devoted to the Gods and never married, until the Saracens became a bigger threat and she decided to persue/accept being persued by Narses). Many things about the Thesmophoria and the cult of Demeter are gone by the time the Priestess actually becomes a Priestess, since a secret/limited set of rituals really do not survive the christianization very well, but the basis that remain of the Greater Mysteries are the procession from Athens to Eleusis, the honors to Iambe, the structure of descent-search-ascent, the role of women (though figures as the High Priestess of Demeter are long gone by the Priestess' time), and the psychodelics-induced visions of (what I think was) the last night of the festivities. In Nostalgia, these festivities happen within the context of the hellenic Greeks seeking to push back against the religious persecution, so the involvement of the people is much greater and thus the few Hiereiai that are initiated are given a greater role than they would have in earlier times; and thanks to Danae's legacy and everything else, the Priestess ends up being raised as this quasi-mythological figure for them.

The vision that she has (that if I could find the source I handled for Kore I would tell you with more certainty about) I think is deemed a thing that happens to few within the rituals, and it is a sign of closeness to the Gods; and what it entails is less about what she sees and more of what she feels, and one day I might write it, but it was more or less a whirlwind of everything that happens within Nostalgia canon that is also a representation or mirror of Persephone's journey (the desperation of the choice taken from her, the reclaiming of her choice, yada yada yada; which you can take to mean is contained within Nostalgia, from Ivar abducting her to the end of the series; or you can consider the broader scope of her whole journey, from returning to Greece to staying with Ivar); but she wouldn't make sense of it, if ever, unless she sat down and looked back at it all, because suspension of desbelief, she doesn't realize she is retracing Persephone's steps.

She can presumably tell (some of it) to their children because they will be raised to her Gods as much as his (and they won't be little shits that insist Keres are the same as Valkyries and the Greeks just change the name of things lol) and so it wouldn't be a tale to them, it would be what it is to her. Does that make sense? She could still only speak of the aporrheta if they have any daughters that wish to be close to her Gods (specifically Demeter and Persephone) the way she is, and even then she would be skirting around the rules because she cannot exactly initiate them as she was initiaed. But then again, with this fear that she might be the last, she has to accept things will change, and this would be her way of keeping her Gods and traditions alive even far away from Greece.

I hope this answer made sense, and that it was to your liking! Thank you so much for asking, and I'm so happy you're liking the story! If there's anything else, don't hesitate to drop another ask, I love anwering these!

Thank you, sending you my love!! 😘🥰

[maggyme13]

The Last Mission (10/?)

AN:next part :)

Wordcount: not counted sorry

Warning:

Masterlist

TLM- Masterlist

Part 9

That was until you sat on a medical bench in a sterile room, dressed in a hospital gown, with the team of Police officers that had ´found´ you on guard.

Well the last three did, the two that had helped you during your birth were not there. Probably speaking to a shrink or something like that. You could not blame them for still being on guard, you could be a threat after all they knew.

“I need to pee.”, you whispered after a while, though your eyes kept cast onto the floor in front of your dangling feet.

“Do you want to walk, or do you want us to get a wheelchair?”, the leader of the group asked wth a warm fatherly voice. Instead of an answer, you simply stood up and made a few wobbly stepped towards the door.

“Our Phsychologist wants to talk to you later, and then we have to ask you a few questions as well.”, he informed you, opening the door for you to step through.

“Sure.”, you mumbled, not really caring.

Your escort and you stopped infront of a female changing room, just as a woman in a suit and with long blond hair stepped next to you.

“My name is Helmholz. I have to accompany you, I fear.”, shed spoke with a formal but warm voice.

You shrugged.

“Go ahead. I can arrange for you to take a shower later. Might do you good after... everything.”

A nod in understanding was all you could muster.

Taking care of your business, you thanked for the amound of painkillers the doctors had given you. You felt nothing, almost not even the toilet-seat.

Finished, you joined Ms Helmholz back in the dressing room, when a rucktus outside the door caught your attention.

“Ready to go? Don´t worry about that. THe boys will make sure nothing more happens. You are our prisoner, as bad as it sounds, but that means that General wont be allowed to bother you without our commanders approval.”, Helmholz stated while opening the door, only for you to run into the back of one of the police officers.

“It is simple. I just want to see the unknown female that was with Barnes!”, the Widow sneered, but the officer stayed unfaced.

“No. And now take your leave, please.”, the leader stated.

“This is-”, she wanted to argue.

“We don´t care Ms Romanovd. The only person who will talk to her will be our phsychologist who is already waiting fpr her. Now make room, before we have to make room.”, he continued.

“Fine, but trust me. Cap won´t be so easily persuaded. If she is who I think she is, then he is looking for her for months now.”

Sure

Helmholz talked with you while the group consistend of you five walked back to the medical room, you had been staying in.

___

“Miss, I have to ask you for a few personal information. I hope you understand.”the psychologist smiled at you.

“Sure.”, you shrugged.

“Name and first name?”

“(Y/n) (Y/LN)”

“Date of birth”

“(DD/MM/YY)”

“How did you get into this situation?”

“Your men burst into the appartment I was staying at.”

“Alright, I will rephrase the question. How did you come to be with Mr Barnes.”

“I was taken as a hostage after that Helicarrier-shit. Been with the Soldier and Barnes since then.”

“Barnes and the Soldier-”

“Two personalities.”, you answered with a frown,” When the soldier was in charge Barnes slept and the other way around.”

“I assume the child was from your captor.?”

“Yes.”

“Why didn´t you try and run?”

“How? I was in the middle of Nowhere most of the time and never alone on top of that.”

“What about your time in Bucharest?”

“THe same. Never alone, this time pregnant on top of that, in a foreign land-”

“What about 22nd June this year. Where was your captor?”

“With me and then at the marked in town for a few hours.”, you stated.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.”, you squinted.

“Absolutely sure?”

“Yes.”

“Thank you. Now-”

“You just lost a suspect for something that happend that day, and that made it all of the sudden possibleto locate us. After I know that the Star Sprangled Asshole and the Black Bitch knew I was taken hostage. Mighty Heroes indeed.”

The silence that followed your statement was answer enough for you.

“What did he apparently do? Killed someone?”

“I am sorry, but that information is classified and I am not allowed to give it to you. But please excuse me, I have to talk to my colleagues.”

“Sure.”, you mumbled, looking up into the room to see who was tasked with watching you. It was once again the leader.

“We will get you somethiing to eat soon. Any preferences? Vegetarian, Vegan- or something entirely different?”, he asked you.

“Don´t care. “,You answered, “Just no plumbs please.”

“I will let the others now.”

__

Almost an hour went by, until Helmholz entered the room you waited in.

“Ms (y/ln), Secretary Ross wants to speak with you. Please follow me.”

You were escorted through a few hallways until you reached a big room filled with monitors and people.

A grey haired man stood in the center, you at once did not like him.

“That´s the one that was with the WInter SOldier when you stormed the place.”, he asked dissmissively.

“Yes, this is the woman you forgot to tell us about.”, another older man answered coldly, the insignia on his uniformed made him out as the Commander of the whole police special force. He sounded pissed.

“With that body count in Wahsington we were sure she was laying in some ditsch. Or somehting like that. But she is still alive, so I don´t know what all the fuss is about.”

Excuse me?

“An baby died because of your bigot information.”, the commander almost shouted, and pain stabbed at your heart.

“A Baby of a murderer and monster. Not a big lost if you ask me.”, Secretary ross shrugged.

You acted before you could think, asn a second later, you hand stung from the force you used to punch the Secretary. Who  cursed in return. You wanted to jump him, but a strong arm around your body kept you from doing it.

“Miss, I can understand, but I can´t let you do this.”, it was the giant of the team.

“You little-”, the Secretary shouted and made a step towards you, you got ready for pain, but the men stood in his way.

“You are even more stupid than I thought. Tony Stark, and you must be the woman Capsicle tried to find, but was not able to. How did you be able to not be found by my AI?“

“No civilisation and then not leaving one appartment.”, you squinted.

“I see. Well, good to have you back. Cap was all crazy with worry and guilt.”

“If you say so.”, you mumbled.

“I am sorry what happened to you. I wished I had been able to find you earlier.”, the billinaire continued.

“Why is he in a super villain fish-tank, if he has an alibi?”, you frowned when you saw the way Barnes was held under control.

“States his whore.”, sneered General Ross and almost everybody started cussing at him.

“No, he is right. I bought my life through allowing him to fuck me. THat might make me a whore, but it kept me alive and mostly unharmed- at the beginning.”, you stated.

“Why only at the beginning?”, someone asked.

“Once I got pregnant he became -soft? Made sure I ate healthy. Injected me with vitamins. Got a doc to see me when I was not well. He is hurt.”, you continued after a few seconds, “He lives in constant fear of pain and torture by Hydra. He always said he would be in a lot of pain, once they dfound us. In a way I wasnt the only prisoner.”

An awkward silence followed.

“So, who wants the pleasure to let Mr Terminator that his kid is dead? I for sure sonßt want to be in the same room as him when he finds out.”, Stark asked.

“I will.”, secretary Ross answered with a sadistic grin, “Why don´t your men lead the way? It´s the GSG9s Headquarters after all.”

“-1. You and your team will make sure he behaves. But get out of there if things go south. Your safety is priority.”, the commander announced.

“Yes Sir. Ms (y/ln), You wil need to stay here.”

“Can I maybe take the shower I was offered earlier?”, you mumbled at the female commanding officer.

“Of courdse. THough you need to be under surveilance.”

“-”

“Two female officers will be with you in hte locker-room. Two male will stay outside in front of thedoor.”; she assured you upon seeing your worried face.

“Sure.”

___

You were just washing your hair, when the sounds of shots reached your ears.

Hurriedly you grabbed a towel and pulled it around your body. Not caring to dry.

You knew it had something to do with the bad news your captor had just had just recieved. And so you ran throught the corridors with your guards shouting something after you, you couldnt hear.

Following the sound of fighting, you turned a corner and noticed the General being knocked out on the floor, with dead Us military next to him.

THe Soldier was just aiming a gun at one of the german police offivcers that had watched you. He was pure fury and ready to kill.

“Soldier!”, you shouted, not wanting the man who had been so nice to you to be killed.

At once his body turned towards you, his attention never fully leaving the man he was just about to kill. They were a threat and had already killed his son, in his mind.

Slower, you closed the distance between the two of you. Stepping over the Secretary ( you accidentelly slipped and kicked him inot his face, breaking his nose), you stood in front of the soldier.

He adjusted his grib on the gun (now holding it in his fleshy one) and reached with his metal hand for you. His fingertips brushed over your exposed skin and slippen through a few strands of your wet hair.

Confusion and questions entered his gaze.

“I was just taking a shower,”, you anwered his unspoken question. His eyes roamed your body to look for any visual injuries. They lingered on your now flatter stomach. His jaws clenched and he growled.

It was then that the men you had to learn to be called Team 5 moved, what caught the soldiers attention.

With a careful and quick movement he shoved you behind his bulky body for protection.

Part 11

AN 2.0:  Sorry not sorry…

Nothing is more discouraging than no feedback at all and maybe you get a quicker update … OR IS MY WRITING THAT BAD; THAT YOU HAVE TO SAVE OTHERS FROM READING IT??????

Thank you all for reading and until next time ;)

~MaggY

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[dylshoney]

the actress

This is my first time writing smut so bear with me. Requests are open!

Words: 3k

Warnings: mentions of drinking, swearing, oral (female receiving), teasing, marking, fluff and smut

Recently, you had gotten a small role on one of the biggest shows on TV. You were to play the one-night stand of the main character that would later make him realize how in love he was with the female protagonist. You would only be in one episode and have a few lines, but it would definitely launch your career further.

 Currently, you were seated on David’s plush white couch, surrounded by all your friends. Corinna was seated on your right, tightly gripping your hand. Tonight was the premier date of the episode you had starred in, and all your friends wanted to witness it with you. This, although it warmed your heart, made you nervous out of your mind. They all knew you as the happy, innocent friend of Corinna that had joined the group just recently, and now they would watch you practically have sex on screen.

 Your heart pounded in your chest as you watched the main character walk into the pub where he would meet Mila, you. He sat down at the bar, and ordered a beer, a gruesome expression on his handsome face.

 “You look like you could use something stronger than that,” you recognized your voice as the screen panned over to you, seated two seats over.

 “There she is!” Matt shouted from behind you, making you smile.

 “Look at you baby, dressed all sexy!” Zane hollered, bringing hotness to your cheeks, making everyone chuckle. It was true, you had never worn anything so revealing in your life. The costume department had you in a tight black lace dress, with a plunging neckline, which left barely anything to the imagination. You had on black pumps, shoes you previously referred to as stripper height, and bright red lips.

 Everyone quieted down as they watched you flirt with Leo, the actor who was currently rubbing his hand up and down your thigh on screen. You remember filming that scene vividly, it was exciting to play a confident, sexy character that wasn’t afraid to go after what she wanted. You let your eyes flicker to your left, where David was seated next to you. He hadn’t said a word since the episode started, his eyes locked on the TV, watching intently.

 Since becoming friends with the Vlog squad, you had grown closest to him. He was the dorkiest, kindest, craziest person you had ever met. He made you happier than anyone and always seemed to surprise you. It was hard not to fall for him and you weren’t strong enough to resist your feelings. Especially recently, when he would lay his head in your lap while watching a movie, or would hold your hand when you got scared, or the late nights when he would stay up editing and you would have the deepest, most genuine conversations.

 You didn’t know if he felt the same, and you were never one to assume. You knew how hard his break up with Liza was, and although it happened almost a year ago, it still made you question everything.

 It didn’t help that the others weren’t oblivious; they saw all the touches and glances, making sure to tease you loudly, the situation always turning awkward. 

 David took the teasing in stride, sometimes putting it in the vlog, joking along. This, more than anything, made you realize that he didn’t feel the same. He wouldn’t joke about something so serious, right?

 So, you kept your mouth shut and smiled whenever anyone teased, making it your mission to get over him. But of course, David made it impossible, he was everywhere. Every party, every hang out, and he always made sure to be somewhere near you, almost teasing, with his glimmering eyes and wide smile.

 Your heart hammered as you looked back at the screen, tightening your hold on Corinna’s hand. You were in a taxi with Leo, looking at him with hooded eyes.

 You could hear Corinna squeal next you, she was the only one who knew what was coming next.

 You could hear gasps around the room as the scene changed, and you were suddenly pressed up against the door of his apartment, making out with him.

 “Holy shit.” You could hear Natalie mutter from behind you.

 Your face was hot as he pulled your dress off, showcasing the red lingerie underneath. His hands were all over you as he kissed down your neck.

 He carried you across the room, his hands gripping your ass as you landed on the bed. You practically ripped his shirt off, bringing him closer.

 Everyone was silent as the rooms filled with your moans, making you suddenly regret letting David set the volume so high.

 You were now naked, thankfully nothing major showed, but everyone could get the idea. The episode ended with Jennifer, his ex, bursting through the room and catching you.

 “Holy shit.” Natalie repeated as she shut off the TV.

 “You were so good!” You were suddenly hoisted off the couch, as Toddy hugged you tightly, spinning you around.

“That was crazy!” Heath laughed, making everyone shout out words of encouragement.

“We need to celebrate!” Corinna was on her feet as well, as the rest of the group began to agree.

 You let your eyes flicker over to David, who stayed on the couch, his eyes locked on his phone. You tried not to let his lack of commentary affect you, but it was hard with him seemingly disinterested.

“Where are we going?” Matt asked excitedly, bringing your gaze back to your supportive friends.

 *

Two hours later and you were quietly sipping on a martini, eyes glancing around at the sweaty bodies in the night club your friends had dragged you to. The flashing lights and intoxicated people were definitely not your scene, but everyone was so excited to celebrate your success that you couldn’t disagree.

You watched as your friends got drunker and drunker, Zane and Heath being their usual hyper selves with David trailing behind them with his camera, hoping to catch something for his Monday vlog.

 You let your eyes follow his frame as he walked over to the bar, where Zane was preforming a striptease.

 Your eyes narrowed as you watched him laughing, having the time of his life. He hasn’t said a word to you, about your episode or otherwise. You had attempted to forget about it, thinking he would at least say something, anything, but it had been hours.

 You glanced down at your drink, making a split second decision, downing it in one go and standing up. You let the alcohol in your veins lead you to the boy you had been wrapped up in all night.

“Y/n?” David’s brown eyes widened as you reached him, “What’s – ”

You cut him off, “Did you not like the episode? Did I do a bad job?”

His mouth opened in shock as he processed your words, “What? No! I –”

 “Because you didn’t say anything, and any normal person would assume that – ”

 He didn’t let you finish, grabbing your arm and leading you to a secluded corner in the club. You huffed as he let go of you, turning to you with narrowed eyes, “What’s wrong with you?”

 “Me?” You stepped back in shock, anger spreading through you, “You’re supposed to be one of my best friends! And this was the biggest step in my career! You could have fucking said something!”

 “Said something?” His voice was low but fiery, “Like what, y/n?! What did you want me to say!”

 “Anything!” You cursed at how shaky your words were, “Fucking anything would have been enough David! I wanted anything!”

 “No, you didn’t dammit!” He shouted, running a hand through his hair, “Did you fucking want to hear how much you fucking turned me on, huh? How much I wished it was me your legs were wrapped around?! Me that was bringing all those sounds out of you?! Did you want that?!”

 You were stunned, eyes trained on him as he spoke, “I couldn’t exactly fucking say that y/n! Goddammit why couldn’t you just leave it alone!”

 He stopped, his eyes wide in disbelief as he looked up at your teary eyes, “Fuck – I didn’t mean to yell. I’m sor –”

 You cut him off, pressing your lips to his. He stumbled back, mouth open, before quickly recovering, wrapping his arms around you and kissing you back. You let his tongue explore every crevice of your mouth, until your lungs burned and you had to pull away.

 He leaned his forehead against yours, breathing deeply as he looked down at you, “You have no idea how long I’ve wanted to do that.”

 You sniffled, a smile spreading across your lips, “I think I might have an idea.”

 He reconnected your lips, arms tightening as he brought you closer.

 You pulled away, relishing in the slight whimper he released from the lack of contact, and took his hand, “Do you want to get outta here?”

 He groaned as you bit your lip, “More than anything.”

 You waited excitedly in his tesla as he said goodbye to everyone, telling them you were sick and he would be taking you home.

 He was back in a matter of minutes, an excited grin on his face as he slipped into the car.

 “Someone’s eager.” You smirked, trying to channel some of the confidence you used while being Mila. He looked at you, eyes darkening as his gaze traveled over your exposed legs, “You have no idea.”

 You laughed, throwing your head back, “Eyes on the road Dobrik!”

 He snickered, “It’s a tesla, baby.”

 You shivered slightly, the sound of the pet name coming from his lips, bringing a heat to your core. He seemed to notice, bringing his right hand and placing it on your thigh, his thumb drawing circles on your skin.

 You clamped your legs together, “Can’t we go any faster?”

 He didn’t anwer, his hand traveling further up your thigh, dangerously close to the hem of your skirt.

 “Stop teasing,” You whimpered, placing your hand on his to stop it from moving.

 He shook his head, “No, baby. I want you to feel exactly how I felt when I watched you earlier, making all those pretty sounds. Do you have any idea how hard it is to keep a boner secret?”

 You sniffled a laugh, “You could have just told me, you know? I would have been able to help,” you spoke innocently, silently celebrating as his grip on you tightened, the car accelerating.

 You were back at David’s in record time. He shut the car off and was out the door before you managed to undo your seatbelt. He opened the door for you, pulling you out, slapping your bum as you released a small squeal.

 You were quick to connect your lips, hands traveling up to the back of his neck, gripping some strands of his soft hair. He groaned into your mouth, both hands on your ass, lifting you into the air. You didn’t hesitate to wrap your legs around him, letting him carry you across the driveway and into the house.

 He didn’t disconnect your lips as you traveled through the dark hallway, leading into his room. He brought you down onto the bed, landing gently on top of you, hands traveling to touch every inch of your body.

 You brought your hands under his top, smirking as he released a hiss at the feeling of your cold palms touching him. You pulled his shirt over his head, as his hands wrapped around your top, ripping it off, “David!”

 He ignored you, staring down at your exposed chest, “So fucking beautiful.”

 You shivered at the look in his eyes, his cheeks red and his lips puffy. He had never looked sexier; you couldn’t wait, leaning back up to reconnect your mouths.

 He hands traveled behind you, unzipping the skirt, before sliding it down your legs.

 His lips traveled from yours, down to your jaw, kissing and nipping as he made his way down your neck. You could feel his hands on your thighs again, your core aching for him.

 “David, please,” your words were soft.

 “Tell me what you want sweetheart.” He nipped your ear, making you shudder, “F – fingers, please.”

 You could feel him smirk against your skin. He hands gripped your panties, sliding them off, throwing them behind him, before he disconnected from you. He sat back on his knees, looking at down at you under him, exposed, panting, your hair creating a halo around your head. He moaned, leaning down to connect his mouth to one of your nipples.

 You gasped as his hand brushed your clit, fingers moving around it, making your toes clench.

 “You’re fucking soaked,” He hissed, slipping a finger into your waiting pussy.

 Your back arched off the bed, giving him greater access to your perky tits, as he kissed and licked each one.

 “David!” You couldn’t resist the moan that left your mouth as he slipped a seconding finger inside, your core clenching around them.

 He shivered at the sound of your moans, moving down from your tits, backing away from you to be eye level with your dripping center.

 You practically screamed when his tongue made contact with your clit, rolling it around, making you twitch on the bed.

 You threw your head back, eyes shut tightly as you felt the familiar tingles reach your center, “I – I’m close!”

 At your words, he started moving faster, his tongue drawing shapes that brought stars to your eyes. You moaned louder than ever before, David holding your legs open as you shook, coming down from your high.

 He placed a gentle kiss on your core, bringing shivers to your sensitive body. He leaned back to connect your lips, making you moan at the taste of yourself on him. You sat up onto your knees as well, hands traveling down to his jeans, before beginning to unzip them, attempting to slip them off his legs.

 He shifted, making it easier for you, leaving him in his black Calvin’s. You didn’t hesitate to rid him of those too, mouth watering as his hard cock sprung up to slap his stomach. He was bigger than you expected.

 You eagerly moved closer, taking him into your hand and beginning to pump. He was quick to stop your movements, grabbing your hands.

 “Dave?” You looked up, confused.

 He shook his head, bringing you down onto your back, “I have to be inside you.”

 You smiled, nodding at him. He got off the bed, grabbing a condom from his nightstand, before slipping it on. He climbed back over to you, gently positioning himself at your core. He hesitated for a second, warm eyes locking with yours, “You sure you want this?”

 You almost audibly awed at the look on his face, “Yes David. More than anything.”

 He leaned forward to kiss you softly, his movements no longer feverish and hurried, before slowly sliding himself into your core.

 You moaned into his mouth, clenching around him as he halted his movements, letting you adjust to his size.

 Once you were ready, you nodded into him. He began moving again, his cock sliding in and out as he released groans of pleasure.

 “David!” You gasped as he hit every spot, “Oh my God!”

 He moaned at your words, picking up his pace and gripping your hips to let himself slam into you.

 Your tits bounced, legs locking around his back as he adjusted himself to hit deeper and deeper.

 “David!” You threw your head back, clenching around him, your orgasm almost in reach.

 “Look at me, y/n,” he gasped, “Look at me when you cum.”

 You groaned but obeyed, eyes wide and mouth open as you moaned. He bit his lip, looking down at you, “God, baby.”

 He pushed into you, his cock reaching deeper than ever as you practically screamed. His eyes locked on yours made you feel more connected than you could have ever imagined.

 He removed his hands from your hips, one reaching down to lightly rub your clit, the other moving to the side to grasp your hand, which was tightly gripping the sheets. He took it in his grasp, connecting it and bringing it above your head.

 You gasped at the feeling of him holding your palm against his, the feeling more intimate than ever.

 “Cum, baby,” He groaned, slamming into you, “I know you’re close.”

 His fingers moved faster against your clit, the pleasure building up as you began to shake under him.

 “C’mon baby,” he said. His words brought you over the edge, your orgasm washing over you as you screamed his name.

 At the sight of you falling apart under him, his movements became sloppy, his legs shaking.

 “Fuck, y/n!” He moaned, letting go.

 You were both silent for a few minutes, breathing heavily as you tried to regain your thoughts.

 He rolled off of you, onto his back, bringing his sheet to cover your naked bodies.

 You felt his arm wrap around your waist, bringing you flush against him, “Y/n?”

 “Hmm?” You mumbled, wanting to fall asleep, cuddling into him.

 “I – I don’t want this to be a one time thing.” He whispered, fingers digging into your hips, “I really like you.”

 You opened your eyes at this, his warm gaze meeting yours, “You do?”

 He chuckled, nodding, “I thought that was pretty obvious.”

 You hummed, leaning closer to him to reconnect your lips, “Well, David Dobrik. I really like you too.”

 You squealed as he smiled against your lips, arms wrapping around your hips bring you on top of him.

[shenglingyuan]

title: for lotus is a symbol of resurrection and unwavering faith (ao3) pairing: wei wuxian/jiang cheng summary: It’s because a promise still binds his heart, and the blind hope of someone’s miraculous return stops him from being able to move on.

day 18: a pairing that deserves more love: Lotus Bros ship, XianCheng ;A;

If Jiang Cheng has to sit through another matchmaking, he’s afraid he’ll turn into a monk and live the solitary life in the mountains instead. If it isn’t for his resolve to rebuild the Yunmeng Jiang Sect to its former glory, he would have ran away long ago. People tell him he has too high of a standard. There isn’t anything wrong there, is it? Why must he settle for less if he knows what he rightfully deserves?

 Well, that’s what he tells everyone. Deep in his heart, Jiang Cheng knows his ultimate reason for not being into the idea of settling down. It’s because a promise still binds his heart, and the blind hope of someone’s miraculous return stops him from being able to move on.

 -

 The Cloud Recesses hasn’t changed much from the last time he has been here. After all, only a season passed since he visited. He’s reading the numerous rules of the GusuLan Sect on the stone walls when he feels the presence of Lan Xichen approaching.

 “Sandu Shengshou, you’ve graced us again with your presence,” Xichen greets him with a familiar smile. This isn’t the first time he’s been to their sect, but Lan Xichen has remained polite to him nevertheless.

 “Zewu-jun, as before, thank you for accommodating me.”

 Xichen’s smile doesn’t fade, but a tinge of sadness fills his eyes, “Then please, follow me.”

 The two sect leaders walk up the flights to the Frost Room. Jiang Cheng needs no guidance to go Xichen’s room; among his handful of dreams, this pathway is one of the two peaceful scenes. Green leaves decorate the cold steps and cold air sweeps against Jiang Cheng’s face.

 “I imagine the summer is making the Lotus Pier lively these days,” Xichen comments, filling the silence. “I have always admired the sight of the flower blooming whenever we travel through the river.”

 The polite thing to do is compliment the Cloud Recesses as well. Jiang Cheng is already used to this courtesy between sect leaders, but he knows Xichen will understand even if he does not reply. The other man knows anyway the sole reason why he even came in the first place.

 Not long after, they arrive at the Frost Room. Jiang Cheng enters first, followed by Lan Xichen who only closes the door after making sure no one is around the area. They go further inside the room. Jiang Cheng takes his place in the middle of the small hall as Xichen draws the windows closed.

 “It’s been almost thirteen years. I admire your tenacity, Sandu Shengshou,” Xichen remarks, sitting directly in front of him. He takes out Liebing. At the same time, Jiang Cheng pulls out a flute as well: Chenqing. “Ready?”

“Thank you for your guidance,” Jiang Cheng bows slightly before putting the flute to his lips.

 Both leaders take deep breaths at the same time, and then, the same melody started to play from their respective flutes.

 The duet resonate within the closed hall, reaching out to an unfathomable realm that Jiang Cheng wishes he could just glance into. Just a simple vision, or a simple answer...he can’t truly ever feel peace until he finds him .

 After repeating the whole melody thrice, the two finally put their flutes down.

 “You still remember all of it,” Xichen comments, “That’s good.”

 “Nothing has changed.” Jiang Cheng clenches his fists, his knuckles turning white. “Zewu-jun...is it just because he won’t answer to me ?”

 “The song we played might not be as powerful as Inquiry , but its melodies are based on that. Technically, it should serve and provide the same purpose. If even Inquiry doesn’t work, then I don’t think the problem is with you.”

 His words catch Jiang Cheng’s attention. “ Inquiry doesn’t work? How do you know this?”

 Xichen seems caught off guard, but he is quick to smile as if nothing is amiss, “We had Wangji play it during the earlier years. To make sure. The Yiling Patriarch never heeded the call.”

 -

 During the early years of Wei Ying’s demise, several cultivators have tried to summoned him back. Jiang Cheng isn’t among them. How could he, when it is by his own hands that his closest friend, the person he trusted the most, came to die. Among Jiang Cheng’s handful of dreams is a never-ending loop of him driving the blade through Wei Ying’s body.

 He can’t quite remember when, but at some point, on a quiet night as he was about to sleep, he wept for the friend that he himself killed. The next day, he went to Cloud Recesses to ask for Lan Xichen’s help. To his surprise, the Lan Sect leader easily agreed, only that what they would be doing must be kept a secret to anyone. Inquiry is a piece especially made for the guqin so Xichen took it upon himself to compose a similar melody for the flute with the same power. It has been as effective for other souls, but never did Wei Ying anwer.

 Words about the fall of the Yiling Patriarch spread through the lands like wildfire, and along with it is Jiang Cheng’s name and his big part in the siege. Many cultivators see him as a hero, doing the grand act of killing his own shige despite their years of being as close as real brothers.

 But what is the truth? Only he himself knows that as soon as that his blade went into Wei Ying’s chest, it felt as if he has also killed a part of himself.

 -

 “Jiang Cheng! Jiang Cheng!” Wei Ying’s bright voice cut through the humid summer air.

 It was a few months after Jiang Cheng’s return from studying at Cloud Recesses. Madam Yu just reprimanded him again, telling him that he was being laid back. Are you not the next Sect Leader? Start acting like one! Ever since his return, it seemed as if his mother had been even more on the edge. What was she being too hurried for?

 Ignoring the calls from Wei Ying, he picked up a nearby pebble and threw it into the river as strong as he could.

 “There you are!”

 He bent down to pick up a pebble and threw it himself onto the river. It bounces off a few times before sinking at a point farther than where Jiang Cheng threw his. Feeling satisfied, he sat with a playful smile.

 “Don’t you have duties with the juniors?” Jiang Cheng asks as he picks another pebble. He threw it again with all his strength. The pebble bounces off and sank just a bit behind where Wei Ying’s pebble ended up.

 “Just finished. I heard what happened at the hall, hey,” he reached for Jiang Cheng, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder, “Don’t take it to heart. For the juniors, and especially for me, all the things you’ve done have already made you worthy to be our next Sect Leader.”

 A warm feeling tickled at Jiang Cheng’s heart. He didn’t know quite what to say. There is literally no one who trusted and believed in him so much as Wei Ying did. With him by his side, it felt like he could do anything, be anything he believed he can be. Jiang Cheng finally smiled, his shoulder losing the tension he’d been holding since his encounter with his mother.

 He clasped the hand that was on his shoulder, holding tightly. “You better be around to see me be one.”

 “Ha. Is there anywhere else I can go? I’ll be staying by your side even when you don’t want me anymore.”

  And why wouldn’t I want you? Jiang Cheng almost spoke the words. Instead, he said, “Don’t be an idiot,” and pushed Wei Ying, causing him to fall down.

 “Ow, what was that for?”

 Jiang Cheng had already stood up with a satisfied smile on his face, his arm out. Wei Ying looked at it once and grabbed on to it, pulling himself up.

 “If you plan to stay for a long time, then better make yourself useful now. Come, we have things to do.”

 Wei Ying smiled brightly, “Whatever you wish, Sect Leader .”

 -

 Upon his arrival back at Lotus Pier, he finds Jin Ling waiting for him. He pats the flute hidden within his clothes, making sure it will not be seen especially by his nephew. The boy grew up hating on Wei Ying because of what happened to his parents. Jiang Cheng can’t begin to imagine how betrayed he would feel if he finds out what he’s been doing all these years.

 “Uncle!” Jin Ling puts his hands before him and bows, “Welcome back.”

 News of hauntings in Dafan Mountain has reached them. Several cultivating clans have already made their move. Jin Guangyao has asked him, upon Jin Ling’s request, to train the boy in night-hunting.

 “I assume you’re more than ready for tonight.”

 “Yes, Uncle,” he stands straight, one of his hands automatically holding onto the sword on his waist. Jiang Cheng notices the pile of diety-binding nets stacked on the floor. Good thing his subordinates are able to purchase it before his return. He points them to Jin Ling.

 “Good. With all those things with you, don’t even think of asking me again to train you if you fail tonight.”

 Jin Ling visibly flinches at his words, his hands tightening around the hilt of his sword. Jiang Cheng can’t help but be strict with his only nephew. It’s the way his mother has trained him after all. There’s no way he’d turn away the only remaining family he has left.

 Jiang Cheng returns to his room to prepare. His eyes land on the scroll he has kept hidden inside his cabinet. On it is a sketch of a lotus flower, drawn by Wei Ying himself. He places a hand over his chest, his heart hurting anew at the memory of its creation. He placed it himself in that place knowing he’ll always see it. It’s his quiet devotion to always remind himself of the things he did, the things that he should have done, and the things he lacked.

 -

 “What are you doing out here?” Jiang Cheng found Wei Ying alone by the pagoda. The moon was bright up on the sky. Fireflies illuminated the surroundings like stars. “ Jie said you weren’t feeling well.”

 “Ah,” Wei Ying groans, “Why did she tell on me?”

 Jiang Cheng could tell he’s trying to make light of his situation, but he could feel Wei Ying’s troubled emotions. He took the spot next to him, bumping his shoulder lightly.

 “So, what kind of thing can actually put you down like this?”

 Wei Ying let out a laugh. “It’s not as much as ‘putting me down’. I was just thinking.”

 “Thinking? I’m pleasantly surprised, didn’t know you’re capable of that.”

 “Hey!” Wei Ying made a face at him, “I probably do it better than you.”

 “You!” He hit his shoulder a bit too hard. Wei Ying yelps in pain. “Don’t you have more important things to say?”

 Jiang Cheng looked at Wei Ying’s face then. His playful expression was suddenly gone, replaced by something wistful and incomprehensible. “Indeed, I do.”

 “Then tell me.”

 Wei Ying let out a huge sigh, craning his neck to the side. “Sometime ago, Yanli- jie talked to me. It was when her betrothal to Jin Zixuan got broken off. She mentioned about wanting to search for her true love.”

 Wei Ying paused, as if something suddenly occurred to him. The sound of crickets overtook the silence. Jiang Cheng waited patiently for him to continue. It was rare for Wei Ying to talk about something so serious, especially in such tone. It was obvious whatever his thoughts were, it weighed heavily in his heart.

 “Jiang Cheng,” Wei Ying spoke again, his voice lower, “Have you ever thought about searching for love?”

 He frowned at the question. “That’s-”

 “Answer me honestly,” Wei Ying interrupted, “I know you’re going to say it’s not your priority. But I’m sure you’ve thought about it.”

 It was futile to evade the topic.

 “You’re right. I’ve thought about it. In passing.”

 “And? What kind of person would you like to spend the rest of your life with?”

 His heart almost skipped a beat at the question. The answer was literally a breath away.

 “Spend the rest of my life with? Then that topic, it doesn’t have to be about love, does it? Because the answer to that question is someone like you. Ah, no,” Jiang Cheng shook his head, “Not someone like you. It has to be you. You promised me, didn’t you? You’d stay by my side. You’re all I need.”

 Wei Ying’s face even become more unreadable. He looked away, towards the lotus flowers that were hiding in the water, a smile lining his face.

 “Lotus flowers have different colors, you know. And each color holds a different meaning. I’ve learned that one of those is ‘unwavering faith’, do you know of it?”

 “Now you’re on a different topic entirely. Tell me, what’s bothering you?”

 “No, this is about your answer to me. Really, Jiang Cheng, where have you learned to say such words?” Wei Ying laughed. “I have faith in you, and you have faith in me. Jiang Sect’s lotus symbol might mean a different thing, but for the two of us, it means our unwavering faith in each other.” He pulled out a scroll from the waist of his robes and gave it to Jiang Cheng. “Here, have this.”

 Jiang Cheng took the scroll without question. He unrolled it, not knowing what quite to expect. To his pleasant surprise, it was a drawing of a lotus flower in full bloom.

 “A testament of your faith on me?”

 “That lotus has no colors, so you can interpret it as you like,” Wei Ying smiled, hinting at something Jiang Cheng couldn’t quite figure out. “I have my own meaning in my mind when I was making it.”

 “It’s so rare of you to be this enigmatic,” Jiang Cheng rolled the scroll again, keeping it by his side this time, “Nevertheless, I’ll treasure this.”

 “As you should,” Wei Ying crossed his arms, raising his chin haughtily, “I took time in making that. My ghost will haunt you forever if you even destroy a fiber of that masterpiece.”

 “Alright, alright. Come on now, you’ve stayed here for far too long,” Jiang Cheng stood up, getting ready to leave. “ It’s getting cold.”

 The other boy remained in his seat. “I’ve promised I’ll stay by your side. But do you promise the same thing to me?”

 “Is that what has been bothering you? Things like this, do you still have to ask? When I become the Sect Leader, and even until my cultivation level becomes low, or even if I’m gray and old...as long as you and I breathe, we’ll be on each other’s side. It’s a promise.”

 The face Wei Ying made remained engraved in his mind. A face that was so profound, as if he has found something so precious and once in a lifetime. At that moment, Jiang Cheng didn’t know what it meant.

 And when he finally did, it was already too late.

 -

 “Who is your uncle, anyway?”

 Jiang Cheng hears the words nearby. A youth with a messy hair and worn-down clothes is standing over Jin Ling who’s on the ground. Who dares touch Jin Ling within his sight?

 “I am his uncle,” Jiang Cheng reveals himself, appearing from the overgrowth. “Any last words?”

 The moon, previously covered by clouds, shows itself, illuminating the dark forest.

 “Jin Ling, I accompanied you to hunt, not to see you disgrace yourself. Get up this instant.”

 Jiang Cheng suddenly feels the presence of dark cultivation energy. In reflex, he takes hold of the leaf talisman that was removed from Jin Ling, destroying it in his hand. The young boy immediately stands up and runs behind him.

 It’s only then that Jiang Cheng finally looks at the perpetrator —

 It feels like waking up from a dream.

 Jiang Cheng doesn’t understand how, but looking at the person standing in front of him, he knew . No matter what form he takes, it’s as if the bond of their souls led him to recognizing the person he promised to stay with.

 Jiang Cheng sees the terror in his eyes and he can’t help but feel pain. Understandable. What he did to him in his first life, he doesn’t know how to completely make up for it. Jin Ling is still standing behind him, but he pays no mind. He steps forward, slowly. The person before him takes a step back.

 “It’s you,” Jiang Cheng slowly approaches him, afraid that if he scares him away, he might not find him again. His next words, he whispers, “Wei Ying.”

 The person obviously looks caught off-guard. He freezes in place, his eyes now wide in shock.

 Thirteen years. The last time they’ve been in front of each other, Jiang Cheng drove a blade through his body. What is he supposed to say?

 Jiang Cheng takes a bigger step forward, holding the person by his wrist.

 “Wei Ying,” he says his name again, much softer this time. Just how he used to call it back in Lotus Pier. Just like the old times. “Wei Wuxian. I’m sorry.”

 “Jiang Cheng,” His voice is different, but he says his name exactly as how he used to. He used to be taller than him, but now, in this new body, Wei Ying has to look up to him.

 “You can go home with me. To Lotus Pier.”

 Wei Ying stops struggling against his hold. “Do you mean that?”

 “As long as you and I breathe, remember?”

 Wei Ying’s new face breaks into a familiar smile.

 There are too many words that need be exchanged, too many truths that need to be cleared. One night may not even be enough. Jin Ling will be severely confused; he’ll have to explain later. But right at this moment, Jiang Cheng only had one thought in mind: to fulfill his promise of staying by his side.

 -

[sweetsunrayssr]

Billy, pirate to the very Bones

Warning: 4x08 spoilers

Let’s for a moment forget the player you root for, or which goal you wish to succeed: Flint’s war, Woodes’ war, Maroons freedom, revenge. Let’s put that all aside and we might understand Billy’s choices and plans far better.

By the end of 4x08 we have two major plot parallels set up in Billy’s story to what happened previously in Black Sails. First there is a parallel to the earlier cache deal with Eleanor in season 4 and how that resulted in Silver making a choice between Flint and Billy. And secondly there is a parallel to Silver trying to tow Mr. Dobbs back in line by punishing him and how Silver uses Dobbs to pretend to be a traitor to Flint to lure Hornigold into a trap on the Maroon Island. 

The cache deal parallel

In 4x04 Eleanor proposes to surrender Fort Nassau for free passage of herself and her people and the cache. While Silver says absolutely not, Flint accepts the deal and says, “Trust me,” putting Silver in a position to defend Flint’s choice and action even though he himself is against it. Billy attempts to persuade him several times to not accept this deal and sacrifice Flint in the process, and eventually offers to kill Flint for him.

As a result, Silver pretends to go along with Billy’s plan and lied about who was responsible for their defeat in Nassau bay in 4x01. He orders Jacob Garett to kill Billy. And when Jacob refuses, Israel Hands steps in to execute Billy, with Silver staying Israel’s hands (pun intended) at the last moment.

Silver has Billy severely punished and explains that he turned on Billy, because Billy forced Silver to choose between Flint and Billy, implying that Flint did not force him to choose. But of course, that is exactly the position that Flint forced him into by going along with Eleanor’s deal in the first place, without even needing to argue or utter any word about Billy to Silver.

Later, Woodes demands a ransom for Madi’s life. Now it’s Flint’s turn to argue that this is meant to divide the both of them, but as the stakes are higher in Silver’s eyes he quickly ends up seeing it as Flint making him choose between Madi or Flint’s war, warns him not to make him choose. And when Flint runs of with the cache (like Billy would have ordered the men to take the cache if it ever arrived in Nassau), Silver meets with Woodes to tell him of Flint’s betrayal, that he sent men after Flint to retrieve the cache and admits he gave the order to kill Flint.

And more to the point, Billy anticipated it all, including Silver giving the order to kill Flint, and that without ever needing to speak or even see Silver himself. What we see here is a behavior pattern. Two men (Flint and Billy) use or create a situation where they can sit back, and watch from a distance how their rival tries to argue and force Silver into siding with them but will lose the argument. If Billy manipulated Silver into breaking up with Flint over the 2nd deal, then Flint manipulated Silver into breaking up with Billy over the 1st deal. And Billy could do so, because he recognized Silver’s pattern to such situations.

The Dobbs-Billy parallel

In season 3 Mr. Dobbs attacked one of Madi’s men on the Walrus for being the one who picked out the crewmembers that were tortured on the Maroon Island, at a moment when the alliance between the maroons and pirates was in its cradle and unstable.

The first obvious parallel to Billy is not just between Dobbs and Billy, but Madi’s guy that got beat up. We have similar injuries. And with both men Silver is reluctant to release them, before he is sure what they will say to the crew.

And then of course there is the repeated manner in which Silver tries to punish both Dobbs and Billy in the hope that neither would repeat the offense. 

Flint points out to Silver, after he learns of Silver dealing with Dobbs’ actions, that nobody knows whether Silver punished Dobbs not enough, too much, or just enough to accomplish his goal, aside from giving in to the darker and more selfish motivation behind punishment.

And that should be the question we should be asking ourselves in Billy’s case too, rather than wondering whether this is just another scheme between Silver and Flint. The screen evidence for 4x08 does not support a plot between Silver and Flint to fool Woodes and Billy. Silver’s last conversation with Flint about trusting him and supporting him in which Flint anwered “yes”, was very similar to Vane’s and Eleanor’s last conversation and Eleanor said “yes”, exactly before she rescued Abigail out of the fort. Silver would not allow his men to be killed for it. And he would not look devestated just for the audience alone. Let us not forget how Flint talks into Dooley, the way Silver and Flint plotted over food to take over the Man O War from under Dufresne’s nose.

Instead I question Billy’s plan and his alliance with Woodes. On Silver’s orders, Dobbs surrendered to Hornigold, pretending to be a traitor, saying how they all betrayed him for a maroon and now they would all pay for it. He shot one of his own brothers to prove to Hornigold that he was in earnest. Then he led Hornigold, his militia and the English soliders to the maroon camp, supposedly to the cache, but it was actually a trap.

Then in season 4, Billy surrenders to Woodes, helps him catch Kofi and pirates that intended to rescue Madi for Woodes to execute as well as leads Woodes and the Walrus crew to spooky Skeleton Island to acquire the cache. Even Flint points out to Dooley that Billy chose Skeleton Island for other reasons than just an unchartered island to make the exchange. Furthermore, we ought to recognize the fact that if Billy had not pointed out to Woodes that he had Madi in his possession, that she would have been sold into slavery without Silver or the maroons knowing that Madi is alive. 

At the very least the parallels are so striking that it is very unlikely that Billy has actually turned completely like Mr. Dufresne or Hornigold. If he is Woodes’ ally, it is only temporary and for his own ends.

Aside from the parallels, there are also differences between the two situations. Firstly, Silver certainly did not order Billy to do this, but Billy did it all on his own. And at the time with Dobbs, Billy was on Providence Island, first attacking the governor’s caravan, and then volunteering to rescue Charles Vane. We can however safely assume that Billy would have learned of Dobb’s fake treason.

The last difference between Dobbs and Billy is that Dobbs was just a crewmember with little power, while Billy built and led a large number of men who swore oaths to him all on his own and led those men into battle, like a captain. Even if the majority of men betrayed Billy, Jacob Garett refused to murder Billy and stood up for him. And Ben Gunn freed Billy from his chains at the Underhill estate. Billy has become a man who has come to believe he could captain a crew rather than be the quartermaster’s sidekick.

Billy’s plan

As I pointed out already, there is no evidence at all to support the idea that any of this is Silver’s and Flint’s plan. In fact there is plenty of evidence to the contrary. All of it is Billy’s plan. But what exactly is his plan?

Does he solely seek to push Flint out and become Silver’s second man again? Does he actually resent Silver more now, because he punished Billy while having the highest form of authority as pirate king, and therefore seek to become a partner to Flint? Does he wish both Flint and Silver to kill each other? Does he wish Woodes, Flint and Silver to kill each other?

I think it is far more likely that he wishes all three of these men to destroy each other. And here is my argument for it: Billy is a proper pirate through and through. In season 1, Charles Vane orchestrated Singleton’s attempt to challenge Flint for his captaincy to get Billy on his crew. The sole reason that Billy turned it down when captured by Charles at the end of season 2 was because at the time he knew they needed Flint to marshall a defense against England once they would arrive. In season 3 Billy expresses doubts and weariness over Flint’s war, calls Charles the “best of them” and begins to plot to depose Flint from his power seat. Instead he props Silver as a pirate king, and yet in 1x01 Billy expressed the belief that pirates have no kings. Does that strike you as a man who is fully willing to be a repentant pirate and permanently work for the English, because Silver and Flint screwed him over, like Dufresne and Hornigold? Dufresne was never a proper pirate. And Hornigold always felt uncomfortable with hunting English merchants, which was why he preferred to sit in his poxy chair in the Fort.

Billy is still a pirate at heart, and I believe he will always will be. But his entire arc through the four seasons has become one where he gained the experience to captain a pirate crew, to lead men into battle, as a captain should, and to hunt, rather than support another captain or pirate king. Meanwhile, he has no interest in Flint’s war, has no personal attachment to a love interest, does not actually care much for Nassau either, certainly not the maroons or slaves or any such alliances. Billy followed Flint and Silver and aided them in their goals, but they never were his personal motivations. His purest motivation has always been to be free and be out on the sea. He loves the pirate life for the pirate life. In that respect it is interesting that Captain Flint visually hands the reins to Billy in 3x08.

Regardless whether Billy succeeds, I conclude that Billy’s intentions are to end Flint’s war, Silver’s kingship and throw Woodes as the one committed to end piracy into the mix, just so he could amass a crew together and be a pirate captain.