#IR x greek mythology

[hashtagartistlife]

ichiruki x orpheus and eurydice 

Excerpt is from ‘Eurydice’ by Sarah Ruhl screencaps are from FTB

[downthe-f4ndom-rabbith0le]

Always Been You (Dick Grayson x Reader) - Chapter 5

Always Been You (Dick Grayson x Reader) Reader Insert: she/her pronouns Word Count: 6164 Warnings: death, violence, fighting, bloody wounds, angst, infuriatingly oblivious love interest, slowburn Spoilers: Young Justice Seasons 1-3 plot partially, but it ended in 2022 so catch up.

Y/N Prince - miracle daughter of Wonder Woman and Steve Trevor - and Dick Grayson - first adoptive son of the Batman himself - have been best friends since day one. They went to school together, trained together, kept each other's alter ego secret from everyone else, and they founded the Young Justice alongside their friends together. 

But as time progressed, Y/N and Dick grew up and Y/N found herself wanting more than friendship with Dick. But he never seemed to indicate that he reciprocated her feelings. And when Wally died and Dick abandoned the team, Y/N realised he never would. So she heads to the one place she knows will help her become a stronger warrior so that one day she can take her mother's place: Themyscira.

Two years after his leave, Dick reaches out to his old friends to help him with a mission. But when he finds out Y/N left too, he chases after her in the hopes to bring her back.

However, when the two finally reunite, it isn't as warm as he hopes. Not to mention Themyscira becomes under siege as they go to war against Echidna, the Mother of Monsters in Greek Mythology, and her army of monstrous children.

Will Dick and Y/N be able to put their past behind them and save the Amazonians' homeland? Or will they fall, unable to tell one another their true feelings?

~~~

The next day, Dick wandered about the palace in search of anything to pass the time. He initially thought he could sleep out the rest of his day in the infirmary - gods knew he was going to need all the energy he could get for his journey home - but found himself instead pondering a certain warrior princess a little too much for his liking.

So here he was, wandering aimlessly looking for something, anything, to occupy his mind. But even so, Y/N's hard stare couldn't be shook from his mind.

Dick groaned, stopping to lean up against a pillar in frustration, figuring his wandering was not helping him. What's her deal? he thought, rubbing his temples in an attempt to be rid of his bothering thoughts. He was to leave at sundown, and probably never return to Themyscira again.

I know who I am, and I know my place is here, with people who actually care about me.

She'd said it with such fierceness, such ire. As if he could never understand her pain.

This is my home, and by sundown tomorrow, you will be on a boat headed back to Gotham City... and out of my life. For good.

Does she really want that? He pondered the question over as he walked to the window opposite him. It was more like an opening framed by marble pillars and fenced by an edge. He leaned against edge and looked over it.

He had to admit, it was a beautiful place. Isolated but untouched by Man's destructive hand. Dick couldn't believe such a place existed. All he'd known all his life was destruction and pain and loss. The Death he knew didn't discriminate, though sometimes Dick was sure Death favoured the sinners, taking any saint it could get its cruel hands on.

Like Jason. Like Tula. Like Wally.

Dick's attention was caught by the open field just a little way from the palace grounds, heading towards some higher mountains. It was the same field he was brought to when he first got to Themyscira. The same field that Y/N knocked him royally unconscious with one blow.

The clanging of steel echoed up to the palace, and Dick's eagle-eyed gaze latched onto a familiar h/c haired girl as she fought against five other warriors. She looked just like them - wearing the same uniform, wielding the same swords - and yet, she wasn't one of them. She was above them, meant for more - just like Kaldur, M'gann, and Connor had told her.

This is my home, and by sundown tomorrow, you will be... out of my life. For good.

Not if I can help it, he thought, racing through the palace halls, down several flights of stairs, and into the streets of Themyscira. If that is what Y/N truly believed - if that is what she wanted - then she would have to prove it to him.

~~~

Y/N jumped back as Calliope slashed her sword at Y/N's neck, then quickly leaped forwards again and slamming her shield into the warrior. Calliope stumbled back, but regained her footing easily.

'You have gotten better, my Princess,' she said, an evil glint in her deep brown eyes. 'But you still have much to learn.'

Y/N barely had time to duck as Calliope sprang forward, sword slashing across Y/N's body swift as the wind. Y/N rolled away as Calliope slashed at her again, slamming her sword into the grass beneath.

Y/N quickly sprung to her feet, then lunged at Calliope's side, tackling her and sending the two of them into a messy wrestling match, both their swords forgotten.

Despite initiating the struggle, Calliope managed to get on top of Y/N, straddling her waist and pinning her arms above her head. 'See, Princess?' Calliope gloated, a smug smile on her lips. 'Still so much to learn.'

'Yeah?' Y/N asked. 'Well, I guess the same goes for you.'

Calliope tilted her head in confusion, but Y/N answered by flipping Calliope over her head in one swift motion. Calliope landed on her back with a loud exhale of air, but Y/N was already straddling Calliope, pinning both Calliope's arms above her head in one hand while Y/N pulled out a hidden dagger from underneath her skirt and held it to Calliope's neck.

Y/N flashed Calliope a wicked smile. 'Lesson number one: never ever count me out.'

Calliope struggled for a moment before relinquishing the fight. 'Fine, Princess. I yield,' she said, offering a defeated smile.

Y/N jumped to her feet and offered her hand out to Calliope, to which the warrior took. 'I yield, today, Princess,' Calliope said. 'But I promise next time will not end the same.'

Y/N laugh jovially. 'I look forward to the challenge, Calliope.'

A round of applause resounded through the field, drawing Y/N's attention back to the crowd that had gathered around her and Calliope. She'd started off fighting five warriors, but they'd slowly dwindled down to just Calliope, the rest now clapping with other onlookers who had paused their training to witness the spectacle.

'That was most impressive, Princess,' one of the original five said as Y/N and Calliope rejoined them and the crowd slowly dispersed. 'You are turning into a fine warrior.'

'Thank you,' Y/N said with a gracious nod. 'But Calliope is right. I still have much to learn if I am to be your champion, or my mother's successor.'

'You are too hard on yourself, Princess,' Calliope said, resting a comforting hand on Y/N's shoulders. 'The last six months, you have grown in leaps and bounds, becoming stronger than all of us - though I hate to admit it. You are more than worthy to be our champion, and to carry on your mother's legacy.'

Y/N's heart fluttered with hope at the sound of those words. Did they really think so? That she was worthy?

But just as swiftly the hope came, it fluttered just as quickly away as Y/N shook her head. 'Worthy is not the same as ready,' Y/N argued, though she offered a grateful smile. 'But I am sure with more time, that will be the case someday.'

Calliope smiled encouragingly back at her. 'Well, until then, I guess we'll just have to try and beat you.' Calliope's hand that gripped Y/N's shoulder slid down to her wrist and lifted her hand high above. 'Who will it be, then? Who dares to challenge our champion, Princess Y/N of Themyscira?'

It was a joke of a declaration to which the remaining warriors laughed or dismissed the challenge entirely. But one voice emerged strong from the crowd.

'I will.'

The five warriors surrounding Y/N split so they could see Dick Grayson standing alone, staring intently at Y/N. He wore just his civvies still, but the intensity in his bright blue eyes told Y/N that he was being dead serious.

Calliope scoffed with amusement beside her. 'Run along, foreigner,' she called out in English so he could understand. 'Or do you want to be embarrassed?'

The other women laughed, but Dick called out, 'No. I came here to fight Y/N. I've fought her plenty of times before. I even managed to beat her every now and again. Haven't I, Y/N?'

Y/N didn't like how casual he was being about this, and what he was implying. Calliope and the other warriors looked to one another with confusion and shock. Not that Y/N ever boasted invulnerability, but she was one of that strongest among her peers. To hear that a man - a mortal man, at that - had bested her was news to them.

'I thought I told you to stay in the infirmary,' Y/N said, silencing the murmurs around her.

Dick just shrugged his shoulders, looking around the field. 'You did, but I got bored, and I figured there are many more interesting and lovely things to see outside.'

Y/N rolled her eyes. 'Still the same ignorant boy.'

'Still the same stubborn girl,' Dick countered, setting Y/N's cheeks ablaze with his quick wit.

'What do you want, Nightwing?' Y/N said. She was growing tired and irritated with every second she looked at him.

Y/N didn't miss the slight scrunch of his eyebrows at the mention of his vigilante name - how, just for a moment, his carefree facade cracked - but he answered as if unbothered. 'I just want to talk, Y/N. But if the only way to do that is to fight you, then so be it.'

Dick took a few quick steps up to Y/N so that he slightly towered over her. He'd been tall when she last saw him, but he had grown once more and not just in height. His broad shoulders and chest made him seem gargantuan compared to two years ago.

But Dick isn't the only one who's grown up.

'So, what do you say, Y/N?' he asked, his breath dancing gently across Y/N's face. 'For old times' sake?'

Y/N looked up at him, trying to ignore the intense pounding of her heart against her ribcage. His eyes were irritatingly piercing as they had always been. One look into them and he'd always been able to get her to do exactly what he wanted.

He was goading her, she knew that. Backing her into a corner she couldn't get out of even if she tried. She could deny him, but make a fool of herself in front of her people. Or she could fight him, and risk losing her dignity and pride to him if he won.

Not an option.

'Fine,' she said, stepping away to catch her breath and settle her mind. As she did, she swore she saw him lean after her. 'If you won't go back to the infirmary willingly, I'll put you back in there myself. Just like I did the first time around.'

Y/N didn't wait for a witty remark from Dick, already turning and walking into the open field to reclaim her sword she'd discarded in her fight with Calliope. She picked up Calliope's sword too, and threw it to Dick, who clumsily caught it.

'Uh... I was thinking more of hand-to-hand combat,' Dick said, looking at the sword worriedly.

'Ah uh,' Y/N chastised. 'You challenge me to a duel, we fight under my terms.' Y/N held out her sword, the sharp point of it poised towards Dick. 'Now, raise your sword, Nightwing. And come meet your fate.'

Dick looked like he wanted to say something stupid, perhaps a joke, but Y/N glared a silent threat at him and he wisely closed his mouth. He walked to where Y/N stood, and raised his sword to meet hers. Y/N never took her eyes off him, determined fire coursing through her every fibre. You will not win, Dick Grayson. You will not win.

Calliope came to stand between the two. She was to act as their referee, it seemed. She raised her hands, looked between the two. 'Ready... And fight!'

Calliope leaped out of ranged, and before Dick could react, Y/N knocked his sword out of her way and charged at him. Lucky for him and his acrobatic past, he easily dodged her charge. But she expected that.

She swung her sword down in an overhead arc but was met with Dick's sword, the clashing of steel echoing throughout the field. She swung again, he blocked. Swing, block. Swing, block.

Y/N growled in frustration. He knew her too well. Even after two years, he still anticipated the same moves.

They clashed swords again, this time holding and pressing against one another to see who would fall first. 'Fight me properly, damnit,' Y/N groaned out.

'Not until you stop calling me Nightwing,' he answered, and to Y/N's satisfaction he sounded hard of breath.

'Is that what all this is about?' Y/N asked, slightly bewildered. 'Why you wanted to fight? You're lucky that is the only thing I call you.'

Y/N stepped aside of the fight, letting Dick's momentum force him forward. Y/N stepped behind him and kicked him hard in the back, sending him flying forwards a few metres. Dick hit the ground hard, and for a moment Y/N worried if he had broken something. She'd forgotten her strength wasn't like mortals. But that worry disappeared when Dick picked himself up with barely a wince.

Dick ran at her and she braced for the slash, but instead leaped over her and swept her legs out from under her feet. Just as he went to pin her down though, she punched him in the jaw, sending him stumbling backwards and giving her enough time to stand up.

'Damn,' Dick said, rubbing his jaw with an amused smile, 'I almost forgot that you can pack a punch.'

'Stop wasting my time!' Y/N was beyond irritated now, rushing at Dick and making slice after slice at him. Again, his agility and nimbleness kept just a hair's breadth from the tip of her sword, which only irritated her more.

'Then tell me why!' Dick yelled back, ducking under another swipe of Y/N's sword. 'Why do you refuse to call me by my name, Y/N?'

Y/N was surprised by his sudden aggression. In all the time she'd known him, he'd never really lost his cool unless it was at Bruce because he wouldn't let Dick come on a mission, or go to the movies as a child.

Her surprise cost her, as Dick knocked her sword from her hand, twisted her around so her back pressed against his chest, and pinned her against him with an arm around her waist and his sword against her neck. 'Come on, Y/N,' he said softly so no one else could hear. 'You're my best friend. What happened?'

Y/N couldn't believe it. He truly didn't know? His question was sincere, which made it all the more worse. How could he not know that he was the cause of all of this?

Y/N saw red then, that determined fire in her burning hotter and fiercer. With all her strength, she heaved Dick over the top of her, effectively throwing him a good two metres away and cracking the earth with the impact.

She ran for her sword, and by the time he was on his feet, she was on swinging at him fervently, relentlessly, mercilessly.

'You left, that's what!' she cried, slicing at him without a single thought of the next move. All she knew is that if she let up now, she would lose. 'You left, and you didn't even care!'

'Y/N, listen, I-'

'Shut up!' she said, kicking him in the stomach and sending him to the floor. He raised his sword just in time as she brought hers down upon him. 'You don't have the right to come here and tell me what to do. Not when you didn't contact us even once, knowing we needed you!'

Dick rolled out from beneath Y/N, sending her stumbling forward as he got on his feet. But Y/N just swung with a cry, the clashing of their swords almost deafening as she swung at Dick again and again and again.

Dick grunted as he fended off every attack, not even bothering to try and return the favour, but merely hold his line. His defensive strategy just made Y/N even more mad. Was she not a worthy opponent? Had she ever been worthy to him?

'I said I'm sorry,' he said between laboured breaths. 'I realise now that leaving wasn't the best way to cope with Wally's death, but-'

'But nothing!' Y/N swung her sword so hard against Dick's that she knocked it out of his hands. He looked after his weapon in shock but Y/N was already punching him so hard in the stomach that he flew high in the air for a moment before crash-landing, cracking the earth he laid on.

As Dick groaned with pain, Y/N walked on over and pressed a foot hard against his chest, preventing him from getting back up. She pointed her sword at his throat, forcing him to look up at her with those piercing blue eyes that looked at her like she was unrecognisable.

Good.

'But. Nothing,' she said softly this time, coldly. There was so much more she wanted to tell him, to shout and yell and scream in his stupidly beautiful face to make him understand. But no clear enough words came to mind, so she stepped off Dick and retracted her sword.

She turned to see a larger crowd of warriors had congregated to watch the fight. And although she had won, Y/N didn't feel overly victorious. Some of the warriors were smiling and cheering, but Y/N spotted Calliope in the front, eyeing her Princess with curiosity and worry.

Her deep brown eyes asked a silent question: are you okay?

Y/N nodded upwards in a dismissive manner, as if to say: we will discuss this later.

Calliope nodded in understanding, and that was the end of the conversation.

'We're done here,' Y/N said for all to hear as she made to head back to the crowd.

'Wait, Y/N,' Dick grunted out as he pushed himself to his feet, holding his ribs that were no doubt bruised if not cracked.

Y/N stopped in her tracks and turned to face him, stone cold expression on her face. 'That's Wonderess to you, Nightwing. I suggest you head back to the infirmary like I told you to before and rest up. You've got a long voyage ahead of you tonight.'

'But-'

'Goodbye, Nightwing.'

Y/N didn't wait for his reaction as she turned to rejoin her fellow warriors. Internally, she just wanted to be alone, but the women looked up to her, respected her. They would want to congratulate their princess on her victory.

So that is who she became once more, the smiling and proud warrior princess she had forced herself to become in order to block out her former weaknesses.

In order to block out him, who she spotted in the corner of her eye being aided by two women in blue nurse robes. And as much as she tried to block him out, a pinprick of guilt punctured her heart as she watched him be taken down the stairs and back to the palace.

'Congratulations, Princess,' Calliope said softly, drawing Y/N's attention back to the present. 'That was... a brutal fight.'

Y/N stood up straighter, shook herself slightly to get back into character. 'Nothing I couldn't handle. He is but a mere mortal after all.'

'I wasn't talking about the physicality of the battle, Princess,' Calliope said with a knowing tone.

Y/N's facade cracked slightly as Calliope gave her a knowing look. Calliope was more perceptive than Y/N gave her credit for.

She quickly regained her composure and flashed Calliope an easy smile as she patted her on the shoulder. 'Well, just as well we are not only warriors in strength, but of the mind, too. Like the great Athena herself.'

Before Calliope could stop her, Y/N strode past her and down the stairs. She wasn't heading for the palace or the markets or anywhere really. She just needed to be alone.

Y/N didn't stop walking until her feet hit the waves of the ocean lapping at the white sand of Themyscira's shore. She'd be back down here at nightfall. It will be the last time I see him, she realised, and despite her anger and her hurt, tears sprung to her eyes at the thought.

You're my best friend. Always have been...

Always will be.

And right there, alone on the beach, Y/N allowed herself to cry her heart out. In anger, in hurt, and all for a love that refused to let her go. It was so cruel of him, of the universe, to seek her out just when she thought she'd found a new home.

But as Y/N cried and her tears joined the ocean lapping at her feet, she found she had never felt more alone.

~~~

Dick's hands weren't shackled, but as the entourage of guards escorted him from all sides down the long staircase from the palace to the docks, he'd never felt more imprisoned.

Only a small party of people had come to send him off. The sunset was approaching dusk, so Dick figured most of the women would be preparing or sharing a meal together already. Queen Hippolyta stood by the small boat at the end of the dock with another squad of guards.

To Dick's surprise, Y/N stood beside her grandmother, but she didn't look too happy. In fact, she wasn't showing any emotion, just was staring ahead of her as if in a trance.

Or she's just trying to ignore me. All afternoon and throughout dinner all Dick could envision were Y/N's pain-filled eyes as they'd sparred. She was normally so calculative, calm, composed when she fought, always trying to de-escalate a situation even with the villains back home.

But she'd fought like a cornered animal, where her only way out had been to fight. Lashing out wildly, dangerously, carelessly. And at the end, when she'd stood above him with that cold expression, he realised it was all because of him.

He'd done this to her, pushed her away, ignored her, discarded her as if she hadn't been grieving too. He'd been so naive to think she'd always be there for him, that she'd be waiting for him after all that time, not when he hadn't spared hers or any of the teams' feelings a single thought after he left.

But he'd seen her smiling with Calliope and the other women, the way she used to with him and Kaldur and M'gann and Connor and Wally. They used to be a family, but he'd single-handedly destroyed that.

But Y/N had found a new one. All on her own. So what right did he have to tell her she had to leave when she'd finally found happiness again?

Dick couldn't even answer that himself, but the guilt that weighed him down was answer enough.

The guards surrounding him walked him to the end of the pier and then dispersed as they approached their queen, fanning out to stand behind him. Dick spared a glance to Y/N but she just looked straight ahead, not even acknowledging his presence.

'Well, it is time to bid you farewell, Nightwing,' Queen Hippolyta said, motioning to the sailboat to her right. 'This vessel has all you need for your journey home. There are maps and a compass for you to use, and we have packed some fruit and bread for sustenance.'

Dick nodded his head in gratitude. 'Thank you, Your Majesty,' he said sincerely. 'You have been a most generous and understanding host.'

'I am sorry we couldn't help you with your task,' the Queen said, then looked to Y/N knowingly. When she didn't respond, the Queen nudged her granddaughter slightly, bringing Y/N back to the moment.

'I am sorry, too,' Dick said, turning his gaze to lock with Y/N's. 'Truly.'

He wanted to say more but Y/N had made it very clear that whatever they had been two years ago, they certainly weren't that anymore. And he didn't blame her, but he needed her to know that he wished things were different.

For a brief moment, Dick thought he saw Y/N's face soften at his apology, like maybe she wished for the very same thing. But the moment - if it had happened at all - went as quickly as it came, and Y/N's face was blank once more.

Dick let out a breath of defeat, then flashed a polite smile to the Queen and the guards around him. 'Well, it's been a pleasure.'

He gave a final nod of thanks, to which the Queen reciprocated, and then he made his way to the boat. But before he jumped on, he turned around to speak directly to Y/N.

'I'll tell them all you said hi,' Dick said, a half-amused smile on his lips.

Y/N's jaw tensed then, and Dick imagined it was taking all her will not to do anything. It annoyed him slightly that she couldn't even say one word to him, not even about their friends who also missed her. But he just turned back to the boat.

But just as he went to jump aboard, the whole pier rocked, sending everyone stumbling a little.

'What was that?' the Queen asked.

Her answer came in the form of another rock of the deck, this time hitting much harder. Some women fell to the ground while others clung to each other to steady themselves.

Dick looked out at the ocean to see the once calm waters now rising and falling and swirling rapidly. It was a full moon night, but even the moon couldn't control the waves like that.

'What in the name of Tartarus is out there?'

Dick turned to find Y/N standing beside him, looking out at the mass of water swirling and surging violently. Dick retuned to the waters, and his stomach dropped at where the violent waves were headed.

'I don't know,' he said, 'but it's coming right for us!'

'Everybody, get to higher ground!' Y/N called out, then ran straight to her grandmother. Dick followed Y/N as some of the guards helped their Queen and the others scrambled up the stairs.

As they reached the base of the stairs, the boat cracked as a wave crashed over it, splintering it in seconds.

'Keep going!' Y/N cried out, pushing her grandmother higher up the stairs as the water splintered the pier and rose up the stairs.

Suddenly, out of the water surged a tentacle, striking the stairs just below Dick's feet. The marble crumbled like sand and tumbled down into the still rising water.

Another tentacle struck out, this time grabbing a hold of one of the guards and throwing her into the side of the mountain.

'Dimitra!' Calliope called out beside Dick, frozen on the steps as she looked after her fallen friend.

Dick looked up to see another tentacle emerge from the rising water and grabbed Calliope and hauled her up more stairs. 'Keep moving!'

The tentacles kept coming out of the water, slamming into the stairs, crushing or throwing any warrior they could get their slimy suckers on. All Dick was focussed on was dragging Calliope up the stairs as fast as he could until they were safe.

They reached a small landing in the stairs and finally the water stopped rising just a few steps below them, and the creature fully emerged. Seemingly hundreds of tentacles flayed around, all coming from the bulbous, slimy head of a creature Dick thought only existed in books.

'Kraken,' Queen Hippolyta said in disbelief.

'They exist?!' Dick asked, not truly believing what he was seeing.

'Of course they exist,' the Queen scolded. 'Hades created the Kraken to help defeat the Titans long ago. They are powerful but usually docile and dormant creatures.'

'Well, I'm afraid to say Your Majesty, but this one seems very much awake and destructive,' Dick said

'Duck!' Y/N cried out as a tentacle came swiping at their heads. Dick ducked with everyone else as the tentacle cut through the stairs, cutting the group off from the city above.

Another tentacle struck out towards Y/N but she sliced it with her sword, and a piercing screech echoed through the cove. No doubt the whole island heard it, and hopefully backup was on their way.

'I don't understand,' the Queen said, exasperated. 'Why is it attacking us? I didn't even know krakens lived nearby!'

'It doesn't matter why it's attacking,' Dick started. 'We've got to put it down. Any ideas?'

'Fire,' Y/N said. 'That's one of its weaknesses. We need fire.' She frantically looked around her, probably for anything flammable. But all that surrounded them was marble and the kraken.

Dick immediately started pulling off his jacket. 'Here, use this,' he said, handing it over to Y/N. She hesitated for a moment, looking at his jacket like it had the plague. Dick rolled his eyes and said, 'Come on, what else you got?'

Y/N gave him a hesitant look, but took the jacket anyways. She dropped to the ground and picked up two pieces of marble rock broken from the stairs and started clinking them together to get a spark.

Dick got distracted from her work at the sound of women's pain-filled cries. Tentacles were striking everywhere now, even the ones the women were able to sever were still attacking. The mountainside beside them crumbled more, and more warriors were being crushed or flung off the mountain.

Their party was dwindling, and fast.

Dick picked up a discarded spear and started lunging at the tentacles. 'Hurry up, Y/N!'

'I'm trying!' she called out, striking the rocks harder now. Suddenly, a spark lunged from the rocks onto the jacket, and it quickly caught fire.

'Yes!' Y/N cried, then turned to Dick with a hand held out. 'Give me the spear!'

Without hesitation, Dick threw her the spear, to which she stabbed the sharp end of the weapon into the flaming jacket, twisting it so it wrapped around the spearhead tightly. A proud smile flickered onto her lips for a moment as she looked back at Dick, and he couldn't help but smile too.

Until a tentacle wrapped around Y/N's middle and lifted her off the ground.

'No!' Dick cried as he chased after her, but she was already hundreds of metres in the air, dangling over the kraken's open mouth. Hundreds and hundreds of teeth ringed around the actual mouth, making bigger digestions easier for the creature, but Dick was almost certain it wouldn't need any of them to swallow Y/N whole.

But Y/N was unfazed as she hung over certain doom. She steadied herself, then raised the spear behind her. For Dick, time slowed down, as he was certain the kraken would drop her into its mouth at any second.

But she threw the flaming spear before it could, aiming it true straight down the kraken's throat. Instantly, the kraken's mouth caught on fire, eliciting a horrifying scream from within the flames.

All it's tentacles retracted and wriggled in pain, and the one holding Y/N flung her high in the air.

'Y/N!' Dick ran for the edge of landing as she fell hard and fast. He leaped just as she levelled with the landing, and Dick's eyes briefly met with hers, and he saw the terror she felt then.

She disappeared beyond the edge as he reached over, closing his hand in the hopes of catching her in time.

His hand closed. There was something there. Dick's heart thrummed so loud in his ears he couldn't even hear his own breathing. He laid there for a moment, holding on to something, until his heartbeat quietened.

And then he heard it. Another person breathing. And then he felt it. Skin beneath his fingertips.

He dared to look over the edge, and relief washed over him as he saw Y/N dangling from his hand, looking up at him in disbelief.

'I've got you,' he said with a shaky smile, then started pulling her up with all his might.

The remaining guards helped him too, pulling him backwards until Y/N could pull herself up onto the landing. Dick immediately went to help her to her feet. 'You okay?' he asked.

But Y/N just pushed his hands away and stood up shakily. 'I'm fine,' she said bluntly, giving him a quick side-eye that wasn't quite mad but definitely not grateful.

Annoyance riled up in him again, but now was not the time to be petty and childish. Both he and Y/N looked over the edge of landing to see the kraken limply sinking back down into the water. But the water didn't sink with it. In fact, it rose even more until it levelled with the edge of the landing, small waves gently lapping at Y/N's and Dick's feet.

Suddenly, the water started bubbling, and ghoulish green light emanated from deep under.

'Stand back everyone,' Y/N said, and they all did, weapons primed at the ready for the next monster to rise up.

But instead of a giant kraken, a human-sized figure rose up from the water. Although, as soon as they fully emerged, Dick knew the being wasn't human.

It looked like a naked woman, but she was covered in emerald green scales like those of a snake, and had such hypnotic green eyes that Dick struggled to look away from. Her hair flowed like liquid midnight down her back, contrasting the golden crown she wore. The scales that covered her arms and breasts fed down into her green serpent bottom that swivelled so as to keep her afloat.

The woman smiled a sickeningly sweet smile, eyeing everyone on the landing with a calculative stare. 'Well that wasn't a warm welcome, was it?'

Y/N grabbed a discarded sword from the ground and pointed it at her. 'Who are you? Are you the one who sent the kraken to kill us?'

'Kill you?' The woman sounded amused as her smile widened somehow. 'If I wanted to kill you Princess, I would've sent one of my stronger children to finish you off. No, the killing will come later, I'm afraid.'

'Children?' Dick asked, but it was the Queen who answered.

'It cannot be,' Queen Hippolyta said breathlessly, horror contorting her face as she gazed at the woman in the water. 'In all my years...'

'Who is she, grandmother?' Y/N asked.

The Queen swallowed thickly before answering. 'That is Echidna, Mother of Monsters.'

'Monsters is such a cruel name for children,' Echidna countered. 'But then again, I guess they can be... destructive.'

'We are not afraid of you, Echidna,' the Queen asked, stepping forward. 'We are daughters of Artemis, with the spirit of Athena, and the blessing of Hera. Begone before we make you regret it.'

While the Queen was an intimidating woman, her threat fell flat on Echidna, who simply laughed.

'My, I must admit you are humorous, Your Majesty,' Echidna said mockingly. 'But even with all your blessings, you still wouldn't be able to defeat me.'

'So you are here to kill us,' Y/N said, pointing the sword accusingly at Echidna. 'Why?'

'Patience, Princess,' Echidna said cooly, slithering across the water towards where the landing met the water. 'My kraken was just a warning.'

'Warning? For what?' Dick asked, and he immediately regretted it because Echidna turned her gaze on him and gave him a sinister smile that sent shivers down his spine.

'That war is coming,' Echidna said, slithering towards where he stood near the edge. 'My children haven't feasted on the flesh of humans in a long, long time. Although, you're handsome to look at. Perhaps I will spare you from the slaughter.'

Before she could lean in closer to Dick, Y/N stuck her sword between them and pushed Echidna away and stepped in front of Dick. 'Enough games,' she said. 'Why are you doing this. The Amazons have lived peacefully for centuries. What did they ever do to you to warrant war?'

For the first time that night, Echidna's smile disappeared, and the cold, cruel expression that replaced it aged her by a hundred years or so. 'For centuries, my children have been hunted and killed for sport and glory by those you admire. And while, yes, the Amazons have never harmed me personally, they are the product of all the gods' love and what is good with the world.

'My children are products of gods, too, yet they are hunted and killed, while the Amazons - who are just as powerful and destructive as my babies - are praised and adored. And so for that - for Zeus and Hera and all the gods killing my children - I will kill theirs.'

Echidna's tail rose up to brush Y/N's from her face, that cruel smile returning. 'You have three days to prepare, and then I will rain terror down upon Themyscira like you've never seen before. Terror, that will make you wish you were dead afterwards.'

To Y/N's credit, she didn't flinch as Echidna leaned in closer again until practically their foreheads were touching. 'Three days, Princess. And then you're done.'

'Three days, and your head will be on my spear,' Y/N spat back, gaze never faltering as she held Echidna's.

Echidna's chuckle unsettled Dick as she slithered away and sunk back into the water. As she did, the water slowly sunk back down to the normal height, revealing the broken boat and pier but no signs of the dead kraken or Echidna.

Everyone was silent, unsure what to say after the terrifying encounter. Until Dick couldn't handle the silence any longer.

'All right,' he started, turning to Y/N and the Queen. 'What do we do now.'

'The only thing we can do,' the Queen said solemnly as she stared down at the ocean. 'Prepare for war.'

'And pray,' Y/N said, following her grandmother's gaze. 'We're going to need to.'

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Tag List:

@valiantbouquetcloud | @epicy0n | @resistanythingbuttemptation | @lunaizhere | @nameunknownsthings | @tqrgvryen | @pariahsparadise | @edgycat | @b4tm4nn | @cynwing | @lilylovelyxo | @herondale-lightworm | @animeflower26 | @tiny-marie | @jedigrayson

[leviackermanscleaningbuddy]

SKZ DRABBLE-BANG CHAN

A loose retelling of Hades and Persephone-modernized and darker than before, but beautiful all the same.

A/N: I'm not happy with this. But you guys can have it anyway.

Tags: SKZ, Stray Kids, Stay, Bang Chan, Chan, Christopher, Christopher Bang, Y/N, Femreader, Chan as Hades, Y/N as Persephone, Underworld, Greek Mythology, Hades and Persephone, Smut, Fluff, Angst, Chan x you, Chan x reader, Chan x y/n, SKZ x you, SKZ x reader, Other members make guest appearances as various Greek gods, Greek Gods

Genre: Fluff, Smut, Angst

Warnings: Underworld Shit, Dark Undertones, Underhanded God and Mortal shit and dealings, Death, Dying, Triggering Themes, Toxic Relationships (not main characters), Chan's fucking in love with reader to the point of obsession.

Playlist:

🌸I’ll Be Damned-Gavn

🌸Seven Nation Army-Stevie Howie

🌸Call Me-ShineDown

🌸Granite-Sleep Token

🌸Say Don't Go (Taylor's Version)-Taylor Swift

Title: Every Last Seed

He goes by many names.

He always has.

Hades.

Ploutos.

King of the Underworld.

God of the Dead.

Bringer of Death.

Lord of Darkness.

But by far, his favorite name is the one that only you are allowed, dripping from your lips, soft and sweet, like honey, like a deadly nectar he's become addicted to-

Mine.

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"Where the fuck is he?" Chan storms through the door to his office, terrifying the wraith he employs as his secretary, her throat jumping with a gulp, as she straightens her glasses, and clasps her clipboard to her opaque chest.

"Ah, sir, I was just asking his Lordship if he'd prefer tea or coffee-"

"No need." Chan growls, not even bothering to look in her direction. "He won't be staying."

Hyunjin grins from his position behind Chan's overly large desk, his feet planted directly in the middle of some important treaties Chan had been working on the day before for some particularly pesky mortals.

"Ah, is that any way to treat your baby brother, Channie?"

His given name. The only ones who dare call him by that name are his brothers and you.

Everyone else just refers to him by the name the mortals gifted him when he became God of the Dead eons ago-Hades.

Chan stalks toward his brother's reclined form and promptly shoves his feet off the desk with a little bit more force than necessary.

"The perfect way, actually. Especially when said brother is impeaching on my very valuable and limited time, uninvited, I might add."

Hyunjin sniffs, straightening the highly expensive baby blue suit he wears, and plants his feet firmly on the ground, swiveling in Chan's chair to face him.

He tucks a strand of his golden hair back behind his ear and levels Chan with a self important look that makes him grind his teeth in agitation.

"Fine. You obviously want me to get straight to the point, so I will."

Chan feels a muscle tick in his jaw as he taps his foot impatiently, motioning with his hand for the man before him to continue.

"Great. What is it?"

Hyunjin sighs, making a show of straightening the crown on his brow, and then he gives Chan a grimace which he tries to soften with a halfhearted smile that Chan sees through immediately.

It makes his clench his fingers into fists at his side.

"How's the new little wife, hm, big brother? Satisfactory, I presume?"

Chan feels himself prickle at the mention of you, but he keeps his expression unreadable, dark, as he stares back at his clearly prodding brother.

"Fine. Anything else? Or did you travel all the way here and risk your wife's wrath just to ask me how my honeymoon was?"

Hyunjin blanches at the mention of Hera, and clears his throat, clearly uncomfortable now in the face of Chan's obvious ire.

"Yes, well-" He stands up, planting his hands flat on Chan's desk and leaning toward him, as if to appear intimidating.

Chan wants to laugh at the pathetic display.

"-there's been a problem. I'm sure you've noticed the influx of extra souls ever since you uh, tied the knot, without her mother's permission?"

He fidgets nervously under Chan's unwavering, blank stare.

Tugging at the collar of his expensive suit once more, Chan watches as his younger brother, the supposed God of the Gods, seems to wilt under his penetrating gaze.

Finally, he sighs heavily, and seems to implore Chan to give him something, anything, he can work with.

"Her mother's fucking pissed with you, Channie, all right? I'll just come out and say it. I need you to fix this."

Chan remains unmoving, stoic, in the face of his brother's obvious plea.

After another moment of silence, Hyunjin throws his hands outward and exclaims with obvious exasperation, "C'mon, help me out here. Lord knows I've helped you in the past when you asked."

Chan arches a brow. "Helped me?"

His voice is flat, cold, deadly, and Hyunjin winces subtly.

"Okay, listen-" He holds up his hands, as if the weak gesture of peace will stop Chan's building fury. "-you know the delicate balance we have between the mortals. We worked decades for that, and if Demeter keeps fucking offing them left and right, just to spite and overwork you, and the Underworld, we're gonna have a much bigger fucking problem on our hands than a petty little feud between you and your recently acquired mother in law."

Chan hates to admit it, but Hyunjin's right, as much as it pains him to agree.

Fucking Demeter and the chip on her shoulder toward him.

God forbid, her perfect, innocent, naive daughter-the goddess of Spring-fall in love with someone as twisted and dark and wicked as Chan-god of the dead and ruler of the Underworld.

No, the Goddess of Harvest was not bound to let this go lightly, and it seemed he needed to put a stop to this before it ever really began.

A few extra mortal souls on his workload was nothing really, but if she even thought about dissuading you-

Chan pinches the bridge of his nose and screws his eyes shut. He can feel a headache building.

"Fine." He grits out, and he can practically hear Hyunjin breathe a sigh of relief. "I'll handle it."

Ignoring his brother and his babbled platitudes of thanks, he steps toward the window and looks down over the city below, flickering to life beneath the coming darkness.

"But know this-" He turns and levels Hyunjin with a dangerous, black gaze. "-if I even hear a whisper of you and Demeter's little foolish escapades putting my wife in danger, I will end you both without a second thought and with one snap of my fingers."

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He still remembered the first time he ever laid eyes on you. How could he forget?

Attending one of his younger brothers garish and old fashioned parties-he'd thought they'd stopped doing these kinds of things centuries ago-he'd been dragged over to rub shoulders with some of the greats, one stiff tuxedo away from going the fuck home where he belonged.

And then, he'd seen you, hidden in Demeter's shadow- though nothing could truly hide your exquisite and rare beauty, not even your mother's sour, pinched expression-and his feet had moved toward you without permission, as if drawn by an invisible thread of fate.

Your mother had looked at him as he approached with such disdain it would've set him on fire had he not been a god, but he'd ignored her, striding boldly forward through the party goers until he stood directly in front of you.

"Hades." Demeter had hissed in greeting, dark hatred flashing in her eyes as she'd put a protective arm out in front of you.

You stared up at him with the biggest, most beautiful eyes he'd ever seen, and extended one slender, soft hand out toward him, breaching the threshold of your mother's protection without a second thought, as if you could feel the tug of the persistent string too.

"Persephone." You had whispered, than blushed, your cheeks going red, as his fingers found yours. "Or Kore. O-or (Y/N). Whatever is to your liking, your highness."

Your hand was like velvet-warm and silky in his own-and his fingers dwarfed yours, making them feel delicate and almost fragile in his grip.

"I know who you are, Goddess of Spring." He had replied, with far more confidence in his low tone than his quivering gut felt in the moment.

Your expression had flashed surprise at his words, and you glanced away under his direct gaze, red, full lips parted, cheeks taking on an even deeper hue of scarlet.

The look of sudden shy demureness on your features intoxicated him, and his dick immediately took notice.

"I am honored that one such as yourself, your highness, has taken notice of me already."

He had cleared his throat, subtly adjusting himself in his too expensive slacks-some high end shit Hyunjin had insisted he wear-at the soft tone of pleasure your voice took on at his attention, and finally, reluctantly released your hand, even as Demeter ushered you back behind her looming form.

"We really must be going." Her expression went from pinched to furious as his eyes lingered on you just a bit longer than necessary. She ushered you away. "Say goodbye, Kore."

"Goodbye." You had murmured, eyes flitting up to his briefly, before you let your mother lead you away and out of his sight.

Chan took his leave shortly after, giving Hyunjin some bullshit excuse of the Underworld not running itself, and had hightailed it home, his skin itching beneath the ridiculous suit he wore, and his hard-on aching for a release.

That night, he came with his cock in hand, and your name on his lips.

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He arrives home to find you in the garden, kneeling in the dirt, fingers dug deep into the soil.

It's a common occurrence, a sight he's grown used to, but he still pauses, watching you silently for a few moments, enjoying the way your hair falls around your face, the way the curves of your body are accentuated against the early evening light.

Cerberus notices him first, raising his giant, blocky head from his paws where he lays beside you next to the garden plot, ears erect. His thick tail thumps the ground-once, twice-at the sight of Chan and you glance up, following the dog's gaze.

Chan steps from the shadows, and the most gorgeous smile he's ever seen graces your features as soon as you catch sight of him.

It takes his breath away, and as you stand, brushing the dirt from the dress you wear, he thinks, not for the first time, that you're the most fucking beautiful thing he's ever had the pleasure of calling his own.

"Channie." You breathe sweetly, throwing your arms around his neck as he draws closer, burying your face in the juncture of his throat. "You're home."

"I am." He agrees, wrapping you tightly in his embrace, taking a moment to let his nose skim your hair, the smell of blossoms and springtime filling his senses.

You pull back, just enough to gaze up at him, and he lets his finger go beneath your chin, holding you there, so he can study and memorize, once again, every single intoxicating line of your features.

Your lips quirk into the start of a smile, as if you know what he's doing, but you don't say anything.

He's grateful for that.

"Did you have a good day?" You ask softly, your breath warm on his fingers, as he traces the part of your full, soft lips.

"Eh." He lifts one shoulder into a shrug and lets it fall back down heavily. "Not as good a day as I would've had staying here with you, little blossom."

You arch a brow, and he sees it, the stubborn expression wash across your face that lets him know you know he's trying to deflect.

You put your hands on your hips and stare him down, and he resists the urge to lean forward and kiss the tip of your nose.

Fuck, you're adorable.

"I heard Zeus came to see you."

"Is that so?" He questions, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth, as he watches you hold your ground.

He leans forward, fingering one of the loose strands of hair that frames your face, before he lets his gaze dip to your throat, the golden chain you always wear dipping tantalizingly out of his line of sight where it disappears between the swell of your breasts.

"You're correct." He acquiesces, his fingers itching now to reach up and tug the chain free, so he can dangle the wedding ring he knows lies safely between your breasts between the two of you, just so he can remind himself who you belong to once more.

His dick swells at the thought.

He clears his throat, and brings his gaze reluctantly up to meet yours once more, noting the dark flash of stubbornness that washes across your eyes.

"However." He smirks now, stepping closer, letting his hand gently close around your throat, your pulse thready beneath his palm, like a fluttering bird beating against the bars of a cage. "I don't really want to talk about my brother right now, do you?"

He leans forward, and begins to suck kisses along the column of your throat, and you giggle, batting him away and stepping back before he can distract you further.

"Channie." You whine, putting your hands once again on the swell of your hips, and he thinks, not for the first time, that your delicious curves are going to be the death of him one day. "I'm serious."

He sighs, and tries to ignore the hardness of his eager dick between his thighs, knowing you're not going to let him off the hook-or let him fuck you dumb-until he's told you what Hyunjin wanted.

"Fine." He sighs again, and drops onto one of the many benches he had had installed in the garden solely for the purpose of watching you do what you love most.

You step toward him, and he opens his legs so you can slide between them, putting your hands on his shoulders as his fingers find your hips through the thin material of your dress.

"Tell me." You insist, staring down at him and Chan tilts his head back to look at you, arching a brow at your commanding tone.

"Goddess of Spring, are you really telling the Lord of the Underworld what to do?"

An amused smirk flickers across his lips at the look of exasperation that crosses your features.

You stick your tongue out at him, and he chuckles, tugging you to him. You protest a little, but let him do it anyway, burying his face into your stomach, the soft feel of your dress caressing his skin.

He breathes in your perfume, once, twice, and then leans back, meeting your gaze.

"Your mother is throwing a little temper tantrum it seems."

Your eyes widen minutely, and Chan sees your lips flatten into a determined, serious line.

"Because of our marriage?"

Chan gives a slight nod. "It would seem so."

One of your hands clenches into a tight, white knuckled fist at your side, and your chest stutters with a sharp intake of breath.

Beyond your shoulder, a vine springs to life, fraught with large thorns, curling around a nearby tree, up and up, tight enough to strangle the bark beneath its hold.

Cerberus raises his head, scenting the sudden unease in the air, and lets out a small whine.

You take in a deep breath, and the vine begins to slowly retract its hold on the tree.

"Little blossom." Chan murmurs, tugging you down onto his lap, and encircling you in the safety of his arms, pressing a kiss to the crown of your head. "It's nothing to worry about, I promise you. I'll handle it."

He feels you shake your head beneath his chin.

"You shouldn't have to handle it. She's my mother. I need to stand up to her."

Chan glances beyond you as Cerberus whines again, and sees the vine's thorns growing dangerously long with your distress, piercing through the trunk of the tree, cracking the bark into splinters.

"Pet." Chan warns quietly, nudging your chin in the direction of the destruction. "Take a deep breath."

You gasp, and let the air out on a long, shuddering breath, and the vine halts its upward progress almost instantly as you collapse against Chan, slumping into his chest.

He can hear the tears in your voice when you whisper, "I'm sorry."

His finger finds your chin again, and he raises your watery gaze to his own.

"Never, and I mean never, apologize for the power you hold, my love. For it will bring gods and mortals alike to their knees, and one day, when they all pass beyond this life, you will be known as their queen."

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"You know, it's usually easier to get into the palace through the front door."

The unfamiliar, male voice startled you and you lost your hold on the branch you were currently coaxing toward the palace wall, snatching it up again with a curse just in time to stop yourself from tumbling all the way back to the ground below.

"Fuck." You glared over your shoulder, down to the newcomer, but could only make out a tall, dark silhouette, cloaked in a hood.

The man tilted his head, as if he was looking up at you, and you swore you could feel his smirk even through the darkness.

"Yes, thank you for the advice." You snapped back with a huff, already reaching out for the next branch as your magic grew it down toward your outstretched fingers. "But I think I'll stick with this."

"Suit yourself, little blossom." The mystery man leaned against the thick trunk of the tree, and crossed his arms over his chest, staring out at gods knows what.

You paused, catching your breath, and glared down at him, even though you're sure he can't see you.

"Don't call me that."

You saw his chest rise and fall in a silent laugh. "Why?"

"Because." You huffed, reaching for another branch, out of breath as you work around the gods awful gown your mother had insisted you wear to visit Olympus. "I don't know you."

"Oh, but I think you do."

You paused to consider his words, racking your brain for anyone you knew in Olympus well enough to give you a nickname, and came up with no one. Your mother didn't let you visit often from the mortal realm.

"I don't." You insisted, standing up on your tiptoes to try and reach the top ledge of the wall.

You heard the man chuckle again as you stretched-up, up, up-and just as your fingers had grazed the cool marble, your foot slipped off its hold on the branch below, and you tumbled, shrieking, back down through the tree and toward the hard ground.

You closed your eyes, waiting for the impact, but it never came.

Cracking open one eye, you stared straight into the face of the mystery man, safe in the warm, strong curve of his arms.

His hood had fallen back in the act of catching you, and your eyes widened as you recognized the handsome face before you.

Fucking. Hades.

Brother of Zeus.

God of the Dead.

He grinned at you, and arched a brow, reiterating softly, "But you do."

Your heart did one sharp staccato against your ribcage, as he set you carefully to your feet, and stepped back, and almost instantly, you missed the warmth of his skin against your own.

"Thank you for saving me." You stuttered out, curtsying deeply, now that you had your wits about you.

He chuckled, staring at you as you straightened back up, and you hoped it was dark enough to hide the blush staining your cheeks.

"Oh, I have no worries that if I wasn't here, little blossom, you would have saved yourself."

He motioned upward with a jut of his chin, and you followed his gaze to the tree, gasping as you saw a thick, dark green vine wrapped around its bulbous trunk, stretching down from the palace wall and to the ground below, curling around your feet.

When you glanced back to the man before you, he was already pulling his hood back up over his face, ready to disappear back into the blackness.

"Wait!" You called out before you could think better of it, and he stopped, cocking his head.

You swallowed hard, and took a step toward him.

"Will I see you again, your highness?"

You swore he smiled beneath the hood.

"Call it what you will, Goddess of Spring-fate, destiny, the will of the gods-but I think you and I will be seeing each other again very soon. Very soon indeed."

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"You can't have her, you know."

Changbin took another long sip of his drink, cheeks already rosy, and followed Chan's hungry gaze across the room to you, standing close by your mother's side.

He simply shrugged when Chan turned to shoot him a glare.

"Her mother would never allow it. She hates your fucking guts. Not to mention-" He leaned over and lowered his voice, as if he was telling Chan a secret. He could smell the liqueur on the younger god's breath. "-the whole 'Underworld Ruling' thing."

Chan is saved from having to respond by the appearance of Minho, flute of champagne in hand, look of annoyed disgust on his face, as he slid past the hulking god beside Chan and took a seat on the duvet across from them.

His brother glanced dismissively at Chanbin, leaning back to take another long swallow of his drink.

"Nephew."

Changbin grinned and wiped his mouth on his sleeve.

"Uncle."

Minho arched a brow and his nose wrinkled slightly in open distaste. "Do you ever not wear armor?"

Changbin grinned bigger, and slapped a loud palm to the armor fitted perfectly to his broad chest.

"Of course not! I'm the God of War. Always have to be ready for anything, Uncle. You know how it is."

"I'm sure I don't." Minho sniffed, raising his champagne delicately to his lips, and taking a tiny sip. "The Ocean does not concern itself with the dealings of mortals. Let alone their trivial pursuits of war."

Changbin merely shrugged, and stood, slapping a powerful hand to Chan's shoulder, which sent him jolting forward in his seat, rubbing his offended arm and glaring up once more at the towering figure of his nephew.

"I'm off to find another drink. And maybe a few maidens." Changbin announced, giving Minho a mock salute, as the man stared him down with annoyed disdain. "Take care, uncles."

And with that, he was gone.

Minho's gaze flitted to Chan, and he took another long, slow sip of his drink.

Chan felt his eyes unwittingly pulled back to the other side of the room, but you had disappeared from view, probably dragged off by your mother for more introductions.

"I'm surprised you came."

Chan let his gaze drift back to his brother across from him, and offered him a tilt of his head in acknowledgement, reaching for his own glass of forgotten champagne.

"Yes, well, that makes both of us. I'd hoped to not find myself at another one of these damned archaic, presumptuous affairs for another eon or so."

The corner of Minho's lip flickered with amusement, and his eyes roamed past Chan to the dozens of gods and demi gods currently mingling on the expanse of Hyunjin's vast dance floor.

"Our baby brother is good for very few things, and throwing amusing soirees is indeed not one of them."

Chan felt his own lips quirk into the hint of a smirk, and he raised his glass to Minho in silent salute.

Minho tilts his own champagne in response, and they both take a deep draft of the shimmering, bubbly liquid.

His brothers were hard to tolerate on the best of days, but he'd always felt like Minho understood him just a little bit more than Hyunjin ever had.

Standing, Chan places down the now empty glass and nods to Minho in farewell.

"I've made an appearance. Now it's time to take my leave."

Minho watched him in silence for a moment, an unreadable expression on his face, and then with a flick of his fingers, he filled Chan's empty glass back up with water.

Chan stared at him, and he arched a brow.

"Drink some water before you go, brother. It'll help with the hangover tomorrow."

He sighed, reaching for the glass, and downed the water in one gulp.

"There. Happy?"

Minho's mouth flickered again. "Almost." He cocked his head, and let his gaze roam over Chan's body, as if he could see the way his muscles tensed, the way his mind swirled, already thinking about running into you on his way out.

When Chan went to move past him, Minho put an arm out, stopping him in his tracks.

"Careful, brother." Minho murmured, eyes dark and discerning, trapping him in place. "Interest is a fickle, fleeting thing, but obsession is fatal."

There was a beat of tense, deafening silence, Minho staring at him like he could see right through him.

Chan shook his head, and broke the spell.

"Thanks for the advice." Chan grunted, pushing past him without another glance, stalking toward the exit, not caring as he shouldered past the partygoers, earning himself a round of nasty looks.

The cold night air of Olympus embraced him as he pushed through the double doors and into the opulent garden beyond.

Unlike the swirling colors and lights and noise of the party inside, the garden was deserted at this time of night-dark and quiet and abandoned-just how he liked it.

Taking in a deep breath, holding it as the frigid air seared his lungs, Chan strode deeper into the garden, walking between the towering, shadowy rows of hedges, clearing his head.

The music had almost faded out of ear shot, when he heard it-a small, unfamiliar sound that immediately caught his attention.

He paused, freezing, and listening.

There it was again, just around the next bend, somewhere near the center of the hedge maze, beside the fountain he knew graced the large stone courtyard lined with benches hidden amongst the neatly trimmed foliage.

Taking another quiet step so he could round the corner, he heard it once more.

It almost sounded like-a gasp?

Chan came around the hedge quietly, on full alert, his footsteps silent, and as the fountain came into view, he caught sight of a figure leaning back on one of its edges on the other side, obscured through the haze of the water.

Another creeping step forward, still hidden by the shadows of the bushes, and the person came into view.

It was you-sitting on the marble edge of the fountain, dress hiked up around your knees, leaning forward as you focused on something intently.

Chan narrowed his eyes, trying to see what it was you were doing, and when he realized, as another little breathy moan left your lips and your wrist spasmed, he halted, feet suddenly leaden.

Gods above, you were touching yourself.

He should move, he should announce his presence, he should leave, he shouldn't be watching you in this very private, very vulnerable moment, but he can't seem to get himself to break the spell, watching you silently from the shadows of the hedge as you pleasure yourself.

You let out that sound again-a breathless sort of stifled release of breath-and Chan felt his dick start to swell in response, straining against the fine fabric of the slacks he wore.

You let your head fall back, eyes screwed closed, lips parted, as your fingers continue their work, and Chan's eyes are drawn to the way your chest heaves for breath, the perfect swell of your breasts straining against the corset you wear.

Suddenly, he can move again.

Stepping quietly from the shadows, he approached, moving to stand in front of you, and as if you could sense his sudden presence, his eyes on you, your eyelids fluttered open, your mouth forming a perfect 'o' of surprise as you caught sight of him.

"Y-your highness-" You stuttered out, cheeks immediately blooming pink, and Chan was enthralled by the way the rosy color spread rapidly down your chest.

You made a move to remove your fingers, tugging at your billowing skirts, but Chan held up a hand, his eyes meeting your own.

"No. Don't stop."

You froze, staring at him, wide eyed, like a fawn caught in the daylight, and he made an attempt to soften the gravel of his voice, repeating again, softer this time, "Keep going. Please."

You stared at him for another long moment, and he couldn't breathe, maybe you were going to run, maybe you were going to tell on him, what a pervert he'd been, maybe you were disgusted-

And then, slowly, eyes still holding his own, you let your fingers dip back beneath the folds of your gown.

He could tell the moment you made contact again, because your body stiffened, and that sound-the one that went right to his cock-passed your parted lips once more.

Chan watched you, mesmerized, as you let your fingers do the work, arching your body on the edge of the fountain to find the right angles, all the while, holding his gaze unwaveringly.

You were brave, he'd give you that.

You gasped, mouth falling open, and he saw the way your wrist twisted, picking up pace.

He imagined how wet you were, how easily your fingers slid in and out, and he clenched his hands at his side to keep himself in place, to force himself to let you be.

"What do you think about?" He asked suddenly, licking his lips, his mouth desperately dry.

"What-" You started to question, the words breaking off into a breathy moan that had him painfully hard, even harder than before.

He took a step closer.

"What do you think about? When you're getting yourself off?"

Your eyes had screwed closed as you grew closer to release, but you managed to flutter them back open to meet his gaze, your face twisted into the start pleasure, your fingers never stopping.

"You!" You gasped out desperately, chest heaving, free hand digging into the marble ledge of the fountain, fingers white with the effort of holding back.

Chan watched as you came then, crying out and body vibrating, and when the orgasm had finished ripping through you, you slumped back, breathing hard and cheeks flushed.

Pulling your hand from your skirts, Chan tried not to focus on the way your fingers glistened as you wiped them off on your dress.

He was rooted to the spot, watching you come down, cock aching and leaking down his leg, wishing he was the one who'd undone you so fully, when you finally met his gaze once more.

Your expression was unsure, lips pressed into a thin line, when you repeated softly, defeatedly, "You. I think about you."

You sat up, straightening your skirts with your clean hand, and Chan resisted moving closer to you with what very little willpower he had left.

You were biting your lip, staring at the ground between the two of you, when he conjured a trace of shadow, using it to caress your chin and tilt your gaze back up to meet his.

Your eyes widened slightly in surprise, your skin pebbling into goosebumps beneath the touch of the shadow, but you didn't move, you didn't look afraid.

Chan felt the corner of his mouth lift into the hint of a smile as he let the shadow trace your cheekbone, brushing back a loose strand of damp hair into your elegant braid.

"You know, little blossom, my brothers say you're a problem."

Your eyes widened a little more, and then a flash of indignation crossed your pretty features.

"Why?"

Chan cocked his head, studying you, and you stared right back.

"Because I want you, but I can't have you. And I tend to have a fatal flaw of getting obsessive over things that are kept from my grasp."

He flicked away the shadow with his fingers, burying his hands into the pockets of his slacks as he let the words settle between you.

His dick was still unyieldingly hard.

Your lips parted slightly, as if surprised by his admission, and then a brief, mischievous smile flashed across your lips, catching him off guard.

You tilted your head, and your lips quirked upward into a bigger, sweeter smile.

"Your highness?"

"Yes?"

You hopped down from the ledge of the fountain, and found your shoes, slipping your feet into them as he watched, waiting for you to continue.

When you stepped toward him, closing the distance, he resisted every urge to grab you and slot his mouth hungrily over yours.

You looked up at him curiously, studying his features, your eyes large and dark, framed by the longest eyelashes he had ever seen.

When you finally spoke, your voice was quiet, as if you were telling him a secret only known to the two of you.

"What do you think about when you come?"

He stared at you, trying to put the words with the movement of your lips.

Finally, he swallowed, watching your eyes flit down to follow the movement of his throat.

"You."

"Hm." You hummed beneath your breath, lips twitching, as you finally slipped past him, headed back in the direction of the party.

Chan whirled, watching you go, and as if you could feel his eyes on you, you turned and paused when you reached the hedges, fingers trailing over the dark, emerald leaves, leaving shining pink flowers behind in their wake.

"Interesting." You arched a brow, giving him a half, knowing smile. "And here I was, thinking my little obsession was one sided."

Chan let a shadow slink from the hedge beside you and trail around one of your ankles.

You grinned at him once more, and slipped silently from view.

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Chan steps off the elevator and is immediately met with the largest bouquet of flowers he's ever seen, shoved directly into his face.

He swats them away with annoyance, and the person carrying the atrocity comes into view, panting like they've just carted weighted rocks up the floors of the building and not obnoxiously perfumed flowers.

"Oh, hey boss." Jeongin beams, adjusting the vase of flowers in his arms, so that he can reach up and push the cap he wears back slightly, revealing a sweaty swath of dark hair.

"I got you flowers!" He holds up the arrangement, as if Chan can't see them, and follows him when he stalks past him toward his private office.

Setting the bouquet down on the front desk as they pass, flashing Chan's assistant a winning smile, Jeongin hurries to keep up with Chan's long strides, floating slightly above the floor.

"Well, Persephone did, technically, but you know, she asked me to give them to you so-"

Chan ignores the chattering messenger god beside him, and turns a left down the hall, already silently going over the meetings he has scheduled for today in his head.

Turning another corner, he's just about to push into conference room two, when Jeongin slides in front of him, spreading his arms out to block his way and trying to catch his breath.

"Whoa, boss. You can't go in there."

Chan stares the kid down, expression stoic.

"Jeongin. Get out of my way."

Jeongin doesn't budge, though Chan can see a flicker of fear flash across his dark gaze as he stands in front of Chan's looming, annoyed figure.

He reaches up, scratching at the back of his neck in clear discomfort, and shuffles from one winged foot to another.

"Okay, but here's the thing-" He starts, hemming and hawing, glancing past Chan and to the hallway, then back to the god standing in front of him.

"Jeongin." Chan warns, beginning to think there's something going on that he doesn't know about, and nothing pisses him off more than to be oblivious.

Jeongin clears his throat and gives him a half hearted smile. "Persephone kinda asked me to keep you out of the conference room today because she's kindameetingwithhermomtodiscussthingswithoutyou."

Chan stares blankly at the boy in front of him, wringing his hat now between anxious hands, and then asks quietly, dangerously, "She what?"

Jeongin swallows, the gulp is audible in the tense silence, but still holds his position blocking Chan from the doorway.

It's admirable, he'll give him that.

He gives a little shrug and a sheepish smile. "Sorry, boss?"

Chan growls beneath his breath in frustration, and pinches his nose.

He can feel a headache coming on.

"Fine." He grinds out, the muscles in his jaw popping with his irritation as he clenches his teeth and glances past Jeongin to the waiting conference room. "But you're to come and get me as soon as they're finished." He points a stern finger into the middle of Jeongin's chest. "And Demeter is not, I repeat not, allowed to be alone at any time while she's in the Underworld, understood?"

Jeongin nods and gives him a little salute, even as Chan is already stalking away.

"Yes, sir!" He calls out down the hallway, voice echoing off the walls and exacerbating Chan's growing headache. "I won't let you down, boss! You can count on me!"

Chan mumbles something beneath his breath about hiring new wingmen, and locks himself in his office.

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Chan doesn't get to see you for the rest of the day.

The hours slip by, and he's faced with problem after problem-mortal souls unhappy with their judgement, wraiths he employs needing his every attention and signature, accountants wanting to see him about the toll to cross the Styx ('inflation is happening you know!')-and by the time he finally gets home, well after sunset, his every muscle is tight with irritation.

He walks in to see you in the kitchen, apron tied tightly around your waist, Cerberus at your feet, dozing with his head on his huge paws.

The dog gives a thump of his tail when Chan appears, alerting you to his presence, and you glance up from whatever it is you're chopping, giving him a wide, bright smile.

He's not fooled. It doesn't reach your eyes.

Pushing aside the monstrous bouquet from earlier that now resides in the middle of the giant, granite island that takes up a majority of the kitchen, he raps his knuckles on the stone, watching you carefully, his head cocked.

"I heard your mother stopped by today."

He watches the way your chopping stalls, but you don't look up at him, chest inflating with a silent breath before you turn, tossing the carrots into the large stew pot on the stove.

"Yes." You finally say, back still to him.

He tries to force the irritation simmering just below the surface down, relaxing his whitened fingers one by one, as he blows out a long, slow breath.

"(Y/N)."

You turn then, at the use of your given name said in his stern tone, and resume cutting, chopping blocks of beef into smaller cubes.

Chan blows out another breath, harsher this time, and rubs at his temple.

The headache from before is still lingering, pounding now that he's finally left the office for the day.

"What did you talk about?"

You flick your eyes briefly up to his, and then back to the meat beneath your knife.

"Her 'temper tantrum' as I believe you put it."

Chan winces slightly. That wording probably didn't go over very well.

"And?" He prods, leaning against the counter, leaning down so he can glance into your face.

You bite your lip, and he sees you blow out a breath, before you look up at him and force that smile back onto your face-the fake, overly saccharine one from before, the one he doesn't buy for a moment.

"Do we really need to talk about this right now? You just got home, and dinner is almost ready-"

Chan flattens his hands, palms down, on the cold granite, and doesn't let you look away.

"Yes."

Your fingers tighten around the knife, and he sees you let out a shuddering breath.

At your feet, Cerberus cocks his head, your obvious display of uncertainty grabbing his attention.

"Channie-" You start to say, and he watches the way your throat bobs with a swallow.

Anger swirls into embers in the pit of his stomach.

He leans forward, dark eyes flashing. "What did she fucking do? If she so much as made you feel bad for any of this, I won't hesitate to pay her a little visit in the mortal realm-"

"No, no." You wave your hands, finally meeting his gaze once more, your bottom lip wobbly and your eyes shiny. "It's nothing like that."

Chan feels his heart immediately sink.

A tear drips down the length of your cheekbone, and he resists the urge to lean across the counter and swipe it away.

You rub at your eyes with your hands, and breath in an unsteady inhale.

Cerberus stands, butting his blocky head into your hand, until you let out a slight, watery chuckle, and begin to pet his dark ears.

"She-" You start to say, then stop, and Chan stares at you, frozen in sudden fear.

The flowers sitting in their vase on the counter begin to wilt and turn brown and brittle, dropping leaves to the granite like snow fall.

Chan ignores them.

You take in another breath, and pick the knife back up, moving to chop again.

"She wants to make a deal. She wants me to spend Spring in the mortal realm, with her, so I can fulfill my duties every year. And then I'll stay here, with you, the rest of the time."

You look up at him, your expression vulnerable, unsure. There's hurt in your eyes.

Chan's thoughts stop. His body goes cold. There's a buzzing in his ears, and he doesn't know if the shadows are lengthening, or if his sudden loss of control is causing everything to creep in.

He turns, and without a word, flicks a shadow out to send the vase of now withered flowers crashing to the ground.

You yelp, jumping at the noise, and Chan stands, back to you, staring at the mess he's made, chest heaving, hands clenched into tight fists at his sides.

The mess he always makes.

After a beat of silence, he hears you put down the knife, and then your soft footsteps, as you pad around the counter and kneel on the ground next to the shattered vase.

Slowly, without looking at him, you reach out and begin to pick up the broken pieces.

Chan breathes in, breathes out. His headache is pounding.

"Little blossom, leave it-"

He starts to say, moving to crouch before you, just as you pick up another piece of sharp ceramic and wince, instantly dropping the piece back down with a clatter, as you pull your hand back against your chest.

Chan reaches out and tugs your hand back into view, watching as the cut on your palm starts to slowly leak golden, shining ichor down the line of your wrist, dripping on the floor between the two of you.

His breath stalls as he glances up to your pained expression, all the anger leaving his body in an instant.

"You're bleeding."

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"You're bleeding."

Chan glanced up at the sound of your voice behind him, meeting your concerned gaze in the mirror, where he remained, leaning over the basin, palms on the cool ledge of the sink, watching the water swirl away down the drain.

"Yeah, well-" He gave a little humorless chuckle as he watched the water shimmer with the ichor he washed from his knuckles, before he straightened and dried his hands, glancing once more at you in the reflection of the mirror. His mouth quirked up into the hint of a smirk, and he winced as it pulled at the split skin of his lip, tasting fresh ichor on his tongue. "-luckily for me, my brother hits like a pussy when he's been drinking."

Your eyes widened. "He hit you?"

Chan turned, swiping a hand across his mouth now, tossing the towel to the side. "Yeah, well, I probably deserved it."

He'd no more than finished the admission than you're at his side, taking his hand in yours, your eyes raking across the golden liquid that marked his knuckles, tacky and congealing.

You glanced up at him, curiosity flashing across your pretty features.

"What did you do?" You questioned in a whisper, as if asking him to divulge a dark secret.

Chan almost grinned-you're too fucking adorable-but he leaned in, his forehead brushing yours, expression serious, and lowered his voice to match yours.

"I told him, little blossom, that there's no way in fucking Tartarus that I'm going to another one of his stupid, historic parties, unless of course, it's thrown for us and planned in celebration of our marriage."

You stared up at him for a silent moment, and Chan almost backtracked, wondering if he'd been too bold, when a slight smile curved your lips up mischievously.

"Well." You released his hand and straightened the collar of the suit he wore, before stepping back, eyeing him up and down, head cocked with interest.

The look on your face took his breath away.

"Then I guess you'd better get me a ring, hadn't you?"

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Chan slips your ring carefully from your finger, lying it beside the sink, before he tends to the wound on your palm.

You protest the whole time, claiming it's fine and you're fine and he's being dramatic, but Chan's heart won't stop pounding in his chest until every last drop of your golden blood is wiped clean from your skin.

When he's satisfied with himself, he helps you get down from your position atop the bathroom counter, and pushes you gently toward the waiting shower.

"I'll just be a minute." He says, as you roll your eyes, but strip your clothes anyway, waiting before he hears the water turn on, before he darts back to the kitchen.

He cleans up the mess he made in his anger, and goes back to the bathroom.

He watches you for a moment, through the steamy, hazed glass surrounding the large shower, your perfect outline stretched back beneath the pounding water, and then gets rid of his own clothes, tossing his suit to the side, before he slips into the shower to join you.

You glance at him over your shoulder as he enters, wet hair plastered to your skin, lips pulled into a worried pout.

"Channie-" You start to say, but he steps to you and pulls you flush against his bare chest before you can get any of the other words out.

Your arms go around his waist, fingers tickling the skin of his back, and he lets out a long, slow breath, the exhale rustling your hair, your face buried in the planes of his chest.

"I'm sorry." He apologizes softly, and you pull back to look up at him, eyes wide and soft.

"You don't need to apologize." You say, reaching up to shove some of his thick, dark hair back off his forehead, starting to grow heavy with water.

"I do." He nods, staring down at you, letting his finger go beneath your chin, as he traces the line of your lips with the pad of his thumb.

You're so fucking beautiful.

"You're my wife, yes, but you're also a Goddess, and I need to remember that."

You stare up at him silently, letting him continue, and he lets out another breath, reaching his hand up to cup the side of your face, your skin warm beneath his fingers.

"You have your own duties and responsibilities, and I'm being selfish keeping you here. I can't hide you away forever."

The corner of your mouth wrinkles, as if you're thinking about smiling.

"Are you sure?" You nuzzle into his hand, pressing a kiss to his palm.

"As much as I would like to-" He starts, leaning over to press a kiss to the corner of your lips, moving up along your cheekbone. "-I can't. The mortals-and Demeter-need you."

You sigh, he feels it in the way your chest brushes his, and lay your head on his chest, listening for a moment, to his heartbeat.

He strokes your damp hair, and finally you say quietly, "All right. But I don't have to like it, right?" You pull back, looking up at him with a tremble in your bottom lip.

"No, you don't, little blossom." He gives you a half smile, bending his head to press a kiss to your throat, than to the swell of the start of your breast. His cock twitches at the feel of your soft skin beneath his tongue. "I'm sure as fuck not going to like it."

You give a little laugh, slightly watery, and reach up to swipe the tears from your eyes.

"What will you do?" You ask with a shaky breath, staring up at him in a way that makes Chan's heart squeeze, his insides feel tight with all the love he has for you. "While I'm gone?"

He gives a slight shrug, leaning against the shower wall, as you move to start shampooing your hair into a lather.

"Run the Underworld. Judge the mortals. The usual stuff. I mean, what did I do before I had you?"

"Brood." You reply back instantly, glancing at him cheekily over your shoulder as you turn to rinse your hair.

He leaps forward and pins you to the wall as you shriek, tickling your sides as you wriggle to get away from him, laughing so hard it makes you breathless.

He pulls back, letting you breathe, and you push some wet hair from your face, taking in a couple of calming breaths, before your eyes meet his once more.

The mirth disappears from your pretty features, and Chan feels his chest tighten.

"Seriously though, Channie, I-" You swallow, Chan watches your throat bob, and your eyes grow shiny again. "-I don't know how I lived all those eons without you. And now, to have to leave-"

"Hey, hey." He steps toward you once more, caging you in the protection of his arms beneath the warm spray of water. You bury your face in his chest. "Pet. Look at me."

Finally, you do, raising watery eyes to his, and he gives you what he hopes is a reassuring smile.

"Listen to me, little blossom." He reaches up, stroking your hair behind your ear. "We're talking about months here. Just a few months topside, to soothe your mother, and then you'll be back home with me before you know it."

You sniff, swiping at your nose, and then nod.

"You're right. I know you are."

Chan gives you a half smile, gentle and soft, and leans down to press a kiss to the part of your lips.

The thought of you leaving his side is ripping him apart, but he manages to keep his expression neutral, if only for you.

He presses another, longer kiss against the column of your throat, and takes a moment to breathe you in.

"I love you. I always have, even before I knew you, even before I saw you, and nothing, and no one, will ever change that. You are, and always will be, my obsession, Goddess of Spring."

You look up at him with tear filled eyes, and lean up to press a kiss to his own lips.

"I love you too, God of the Dead. You're the only thing in my entire, immortal days that has ever managed to bring my heart to life, and I thank you for it."

A genuine smile tugs at Chan's lips now.

"Ironic, coming from the Goddess of Rebirth about the Ruler of Souls."

You give a little laugh, eyes sparkling as you look up at him. "I guess so."

Chan tugs you to him and, determined to memorize how you feel, kisses you long and hard beneath the cooling water of the shower.

Inside his chest, his heart flicks out a shadow to meet the flowering vine snaking from your own.

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"Do you think we're all fated to another?"

You ask, lying beside Chan on the grass, the cool night breeze kissing patterns across your bare skin.

He turns his head to look at you, staring up at the stars overhead, fingers twined within his own.

The ring on your finger brushes his knuckle, and a warm sensation washes over him at the thought that you're his now-for eternity.

"Isn't that mortal shit?" He asks teasingly, and you turn to give him a glare, but it only succeeds in making him more endeared, your nose crinkling up and your lips pursing.

"Well, yes, but-" You shrug, turning back to the sky, reaching up your free hand to splay your fingers against the backdrop of the shimmering stars. "-do you?"

Chan considers.

He's never put much stock in fate, or destiny, or anything else the mortals believe in, and he says as much, rolling over to look at you, his hand skimming your bare hip.

"I don't know. But what I do know is this." He props himself up on his elbow, looking down at you, where you lie, watching him, from the grass.

He lets his finger trail over the marks of his teeth blooming on your shoulder, the love bites already turning purple up the column of your throat, soothed by his tongue.

"Fate is fickle, I don't like to rely on it. Fuck, sometimes, I don't even think I can rely on myself, but I do know, without a shadow of a doubt, that you and I, little blossom? We were meant to be. And nobody, not fate or any of that other shit that mortals believe in, made that happen. We did."

He watches you as you pause, considering, and then you give him a smile that steals his breath, sitting up beside him to throw your arms around his neck, pressing a kiss to his mouth.

"Fuck fate." You breathe against his lips, and right now, in this moment, with your skin pressed against his, your warmth settled firmly in his lap, his ring on your finger, Chan thinks he has to agree.

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Chan trips over one of Cerberus' toys and gives the big dog a glare, tucked safely away under the kitchen table, his head on his paws.

"I swear to god, your mom is coming home today, and if she sees the state you left this house in-" He threatens vaguely, waving the toy around, before tossing it into the basket in the corner.

"I'll what?"

Chan whirls so fast at the sound of your amused voice that he almost gives himself whiplash, turning to face you in the doorway, a grin on your lips and your suitcase in your hand.

You give him a little wave, suddenly shy, as he continues to stare at you, rooted to the spot.

"Hi?"

He's moving then, crashing into you and sweeping you up into his arms with such force that you lose your breath, dropping your suitcase to the floor, as he pulls you in tight to his chest.

You're laughing and crying, and Chan breathes you in, nose pressed to the top of your head, like he's a starving man seeing food for the first time.

You pull back, just enough to smooth your palms over the side of his face, your eyes still shiny with unshed tears.

"I missed you, Channie."

"Fuck." He breathes out, crushing you back to him again, never letting you go. "I missed you too, little blossom."

You laugh again, a watery sound, and press kisses to every inch of his face you can reach from his embrace.

Chan feels like he can finally breathe properly for the first time in months.

"What did you think about while I was gone?" You ask, your eyes sparkling, as if you already know the answer.

He lets out the breath he's been holding, and leans forward to kiss you breathless.

"You." He breathes back in response, and your lips part with pleasure at his answer. "Always you."

And then he kisses you long enough to make up for all the time missed-past and present.

[prettyiwa]

AO3 | Mythos Collection | SFT | Playlist (🎵)

Pairing: Akaashi Keiji x GN!Reader Rating: Teen Content Warnings: Greek Mythology!AU, God!Akaashi, Cursed!Reader, Angst, Hurt/Comfort, Suggestive Themes (Nothing Descriptive), Fluff, Purple Prose Summary: Punishment for a crime committed by someone else leaves you trapped—weary and wanting—with no end in sight. Despite the cold words of the prophecy that haunt your dreams, relief is found with a visitor, one reluctant to tell you his name, one who always leaves come morning. Word Count: 1,425

A/N: My first submission for @/pleasantanathema's Through Ink & Quill Collab! Inspired by Cupid and Psyche in Roman mythology as is recorded in Lucius Apuleius' The Golden Ass. I had a lot of fun with the collab and the idea behind it (thank you thank you thank you!!), even if I kept trashing the drafts for this.

Loving you was loving the first warmth as the sun makes its ascent through the sky—invigorating, hopeful, profound. A deep breath as the earth comes to life, the air tinted with the smell of dew on tired leaves.

Loving you was loving the push and pull of the sea at your feet—mesmerizing, shocking, rejuvenating. The crashing of waves against the cliffside in the distance, the wind bringing mist with it as it whips around his being.

Loving you was loving the soft strumming of the lute and the heavenly lilt to your voice—thoughtful, impassioned, achingly gentle. A melody that borders a lament, tired and homesick, yearning for freedom.

Loving you was loving the first bite of a plump nectarine in the residual warmth of a summer day—succulent, rich, tender. Sweet, sticky juice dripping down his chin with the first bite, quenching his thirst with a tart aftertaste making him hunger for more.

Loving you was loving twilight, the shift from the bright oranges and yellows of the day to the deep blues and dark purples that blanket the sky—anticipating, aching, arousing. The crackling of the fire as it eats through the tinder, masking his approach, his return.

Loving you was loving long talks through the night—companionate, enlightening, cherished. Holding you in his arms, ensuring your safety, earning your trust. The only time when he can come back to you, when he can relieve some of the pain put upon you by your curse.

It was the boasting of others—at first your mother, trying to find you a suitor, then the would-be suitors, intimidated by your beauty—that drew her attention, that caught her ire, that demanded your punishment. It was Akaashi’s role in granting love that made her choose him, that put him on your path because even he believed that you were too captivating of a mortal for the Fates to leave you be. No mortal that exquisite has led a quiet life, not while the gods exist, not while they meddle in the affairs of humans.

Seeing you for the first time was understanding, fully, the love which he grants. Akaashi’s seen the catastrophic results, watched as it’s torn apart families, ruined lives, sparked wars. He’s seen the unparalleled bliss, the way it changes how they see the world, how they see each other, never understanding how it justified the former. The moment that he had defied her to save you from her wrath, he understood. That kind of love, the love that he grants to others but not himself, it’s epochal, devastating, the most desired thing in the world.

Calamitous and disastrous as it may be, it is epochal, revolutionary.

Before he had tasted you, before he had felt you, he knew that he would do anything for you, anything to protect you. Even if that means you’re tucked away on this island, keeping you away from where she can see you, where she can make you miserable. Even if it means he can only visit in the darkness of night.

You accept him willingly, even as he tells you not of his name—for words have power, names even more so. To you, he’s not the god of desirous love, maddening love, divine love. To you, he’s a visitor, one who offers intimacy and companionship, one who treats you as an equal, not as an object to be coveted, not as the subject of envy or awe, not as anything more or anything less than you are.

Limbs tangled together, reveling in the warmth of the other, you find comfort in him. He’s been your light in all of this, your constant. Unwavering, despite telling him of the goddess’ wrath, her determination to make you pay for the transgressions of others.

He comes each night, telling you not of his name, though he tells you much else. He brings you books with beautiful prose, offering stories from his life and the lives of others. His eyes are sad, contemplative, perceptive, but when he looks at you, he softens. When he looks at you, you see the moon, your beacon in the night.

You feel as though you know him completely, as though he knows you better than you know yourself. He’s intoxicating, transcendent, serene, the calm before the storm. You love him, truly, would do anything to be free from her ire, would do anything to give him a partner bound not by the words of the Oracle.

But, even without the goddess to contend with, you are bound by the words of the Oracle. Left atop the cliff’s summit in a dress for mourning, you were abandoned by your family, fulfilling one piece of the prophecy. As night fell, you fell with it, tired of waiting for your monstrous husband, one that you will be unable to resist. Instead of finding a monster, you woke on this island, secluded and tucked away with no way out, though no monster was found.

Your husband is no man but a monster, Alluring to mortals and gods alike, Inescapable your fate, inescapable your suffering.

Even while knowing this, your visitor returns each night. Even while knowing this, your heart aches when he must leave each morning.

But these moments in between, filled with lingering touches, soft hymns, quiet conversations, these are the moments you live for. These are the moments that help build your courage, to beg forgiveness, pray for reprieve, to free yourself from this prison. As much as you value these stolen moments in the cover of night, you want to stand in the sun with him, to feel his embrace in the light of day.

“How will I find you?”

“Find me? Why would you need to find me? I come to you each night,” he murmurs into the soft skin of your neck.

“If I ever leave this island, how am I to find you if I don’t know your name?”

Answers don’t come from him, not tonight, not while he trails kisses up your being, dedicated in his pursuit to memorize the curves of your body with his lips alone. You’re unable to ask again, too focused on his loving caresses, too busy offering sweet moans that err on the side of reverent prayers to whichever gods allowed this man to cross your path.

When you learn of his name, it’s a mistake. It’s the curse, it’s heartbreaking, it’s ruinous. His whispers from one of your first nights together ring in your ear, reminding you that there’s power in the utterance of names. It strikes him, hurting him, leaving a trail of ichor in his wake.

When you learn of his name, you nearly lose him. You nearly lose yourself, too.

To love you must be to dance with fatality, to prepare for cataclysmic destruction, to provoke a monster. But to love him?

You’d do anything to bring him back, to ensure his life, to guarantee his safety. You’d sacrifice yourself so he could live, for nothing compares to the love you hold for him, nothing would be an equivalent offer, save for the inability to be with him. And you know, deep down, that should he survive, he’ll do anything to keep you near.

Instead, you’re offered trials by the very goddess who scorns you, who wishes above all to witness your failure.

Not until your second to last trial does he become aware of your efforts, of your quest to undo that which has been done. She’s amused, an ugly vanity spoiling the air around her as she watches you struggle, watches as that flicker of hope within is nearly snuffed out.

The perseverance of the human spirit, the dedication of your love, laid out for all to see. Enough that the others take notice of her petty little games. Enough that the king of the gods grants you mercy and lifts the curse placed upon you. Enough that when the trial becomes too much, when it tears your soul from your body, you’re granted a second chance.

You’re given a choice, the opportunity for immortality, for life everlasting by Akaashi’s side, or the opportunity for peaceful existence, unencumbered by the presence or interference of the gods.

Loving you is loving the feel of your palm in his—amaranthine, enduring, exhilarating. The guarantee of today and the promise of tomorrow. Curving lips and passionate kisses, the soft tickling of his skin with your breath, knowing that there’s nothing you can do to hurt him now.

“I love you, Keiji.”

Haikyuu!! Masterlist

[opaljm]

ii. turbulent (m) – kth

➻ female reader x taehyung ft. jungkook

➻ greek gods/olympians au  +  hades!taehyung + persephone!reader + enemies to lovers + marriage au

➻ genres: angst, romance, smut

➻ length & status: 2.5k words; incomplete

➻ rating & warnings: 18+: i don’t know how to explain the warnings but basically she is fondled and touched by an invisible presence is controlled by Taehyung. Just Taehyung abusing his powers for sexy times lmao. No penetration bc I want them to both be there corporeally  for their first time.

➻ summary: While at your mother’s, you struggle to deal with the pressure from both of your godly parents. The war god, Jungkook, is the only one who seems to help make things more bearable as you even find yourself find yourself risking it all for him. Taehyung bypasses the safety measures your parents thought would keep him away from you in an entirely unconventional way.

➻ disclaimer: Not historically accurate or mythologically accurate. Mild anachronisms (avoid this fic if that annoys you). Beta read by @certainpeanutt.

⋆ my masterlist ⋆ 01

Your husband had been nowhere to be seen when Hermes had shown up a little after you had eaten your breakfast, of berries and bread, to take you back to the surface. You had frowned at his absence; you had thought that Taehyung would have at least bade you farewell or given you a kiss to remember him for the next six months. Though you and Taehyung rarely showed affection, he was never one to miss out on the opportunity when the occasion arose. You could only suppose that your husband was still angered at Zeus for making it possible for you to part ways with him for half the year, every year. With a tightness around your mouth, you had still striven to greet Hermes enthusiastically, nonetheless. Your brother did not deserve your ire after all.

That had been a month ago. Now you were at your mother’s home once more. Only this time, your mother was not as controlling as she had been previously. She watched over you like a mother hen, fearful that Taehyung would come and steal you away, breaking the conditions that had been set forth by your father. But even under your mother’s ever-watchful eye, you were still more at peace than you had been before. Your mother had given up on the idea of making you a proper woman, which you supposed was because in her eyes you were no longer a maiden but the married Queen of the Underworld who ruled beside Taehyung.

The respite was a welcomed one and you were careful not to upset its balance, taking care not to reveal much about your life with Taehyung to your mother. However, one day when your mother had asked you about the consummation of your marriage, you had accidentally revealed to her that Taehyung had not actually made any overtures towards you as he was waiting for you to make the first move when you were more comfortable. That had been a dire mistake, as you would later come to realize.

Your husband, Taehyung was determined to make you fall in love with him and make your marriage a real one. Unfortunately for him, any hope that he could have had for a meaningful relationship with you had disappeared the moment you had discovered his deceitfulness and realized that he meant to entrap you with the pomegranate seeds you had eaten. Before that, you two had been flirty; the sexual tension and attraction had been smoldering. You had even allowed Taehyung to steal kisses from your lips and push your gown so far down that your upper body and soft curves had been exposed to his heated gaze. But it all went south when your, not yet immortal body, fell victim to its hunger pangs and you had eaten that dratted fruit.

When Taehyung would not allow you to go back up to the surface to visit your mother, you had begun to have some misgivings about the male. Sure, Taehyung was eccentric and even forgetful, or so you had thought at the time. But when you had realized he was willingly keeping you from going back home? That was the start of the end for the two of you. Taehyung hadn’t ended up being the savior from your parents that you so badly wanted him to be. He had instead turned out to be a jailer like your mother. Although, during those bitter months of living with him, ignoring his presence after you had found out that his refusal to give you back to your mother meant that Gaia was going through a miserable long famine, you realized that while Taehyung forbade you from going out exploring and kept you generally trapped in his palace he left you alone and gave you the freedom to live your days as you pleased, unlike your mother.

And your reprieve from your mother was short-lived when she realized that Taehyung’s uncompleted consummation of the marriage bed meant that the two of you were not truly wed in body yet, although the bond your soul had with the Underworld was undeniable. You had the feeling that your father, Zeus, God of the Skies and King of Olympus, would have been very upset if he had learned that your mother was actively trying to break your marriage and destroy the uneasy tenuous peace that he and Taehyung had come to. Your mother didn’t seem to care, however, as she was constantly giving you the most gorgeous gowns to wear and sending maids up to your room to help with your hair before the, what she had decided were necessary, daily visits to Olympus.

Your mother thought you could do a lot better than Taehyung as a husband. Although, if your mother wanted a powerful son-in-law, you had no idea why she was discounting him so quickly. After all, Taehyung was said to be evenly matched with his brothers. Perhaps even more powerful, if the whispers were to be believed. But your mother, whose end goal had always been making you an Olympian, had thought that Taehyung not being an Olympian meant that he was the worst type of degenerate. She had set her eyes on Jungkook, the War God, to be your new mate, thinking that the Ruler of War, known for his sheer brutality, would be more than enough to stand up to Taehyung if he turned volatile and bloodthirsty after the stealing of his bride.

Perhaps, you should not have encouraged Jungkook. There was no telling of how Taehyung would take his revenge if he had ever found out that you were being unfaithful to him during your time apart. But Jungkook, brash and uncontrolled as he was, was a breath of fresh air. You got the sense that he was severely misunderstood and came to anticipate your time together. For all that Jungkook was said to be insensitive and impertinent, you did not see it to be true during your time in his presence.

He was a rugged type of handsome. Broad and beefy with his entire body being lined with thick muscles. There was something undeniably attractive about Jungkook’s massive frame and how his entire being seemed to scream protector. When you compared your tall, slender framed husband with him, you began to find Taehyung lacking. And as you feel deeper into your attraction with Jungkook, you had no idea how close you were to danger in the murky waters of your ill-advised infatuation.

Tonight, you had decided that you might sneak out to visit Jungkook and let him aid you in the act of getting rid of your virginity. The illicit nature of what you wished to do had made you wait for the dark of the night, even though you knew your mother would have wholeheartedly supported your actions. After all, there was nothing Taehyung could do to break the bond between you and the first man you decided to give yourself to.

You were dressed in the most scandalous article of clothing you had ever owned. It could not even be called a nightgown. The carnal red clothing was more like two scraps of gossamer-thin fabric that was held together at your waist with a silk ribbon tie. It parted down the middle of your body, with nothing to hold it together, and the massive slit would reveal the hidden treasure between your legs at the slightest movement. Your breasts were unbound under the sheer scarlet fabric, revealing everything but still leaving the slightest air of mystery.

This was perhaps the most audacious thing that you had ever attempted to do in your entire life. As the new goddess of the Spring, Rebirth, and Cultivation, you had decided to use the help of your plant friends to get yourself in and out of your balcony without your mother waking up. The vines could wrap themselves around your body and lower you to the ground without the slightest noise or disturbance.

However, as you went towards the balcony, you found your path blocked. There was an invisible wall keeping you within the confines of your room that would not even let you stretch out your hand to feel the cool breeze and refreshing air outside. Your eyebrows were quirked in confusion, there was no way that your mother had set up those wards. Her type of protection always had the earth involved in some way. Once when you were young, she had woven a wall of thick trees and vines around your home to keep out unwelcome trespassers. You had even seen her trap her enemies within thick walls of dirt and stone before.

Deciding to take the door to leave your room instead, you placed your left hand on the wooden knob, only to let go of it immediately, letting out a hiss of pain. The doorknob was scalding hot, like it was made of metal and had been heated by a fire. Your palm was an angry red blistering patch of flesh but even as you stared at it, it appeared as though something ghostly and vaporous was covering the injury. It was a filmy dark substance that seemed as intangible as a shadow. When it finally removed itself from your hand, you found your palm looking as good as new.

There was an invisible presence in the room with you, you could sense it. Your hairs prickled against the nape of your neck as you murmured a soft, “Taehyung?” There was no response, but the air changed, becoming slightly warmer, enveloping you as though someone was laughing at you. You bit your lips in surprise. Your parents had told you that the half year away from Taehyung meant that he could not come and visit you or encroach on your time on the mortal plane. Your father had even used his powers to create a sort of repelling charm that was meant to keep your husband away. How exactly had Taehyung gotten past Zeus’ wards?

Suddenly your cheeks paled to an unattractive white. Your husband was here, with you, you were certain. Although you couldn’t see him, you assumed that he could see you. And that meant that this was probably not the first time that Taehyung had spied on you. While you did not care if your husband saw you naked or bathing, you blanched at the thought that he might have seen you flirting with Jungkook or sharing kisses with him. You hadn’t meant to hurt Taehyung in this way. You had thought that he would be completely unaware of what you did during your time apart, just as you were blissfully unaware of how your husband spent his days.

“Taehyung please,” you panicked. You thought you felt his hot breath tickling the back of your neck. You knew that Taehyung would never hurt you, he had always treated you with respect, but the weight of his rage was insurmountable, filling up the room with its heat.

A gust of warm air knocked you onto your bed. You felt two unseen chains wrapping themselves around your wrists, binding you to the bedpost. You could feel the bed sinking as Taehyung’s invisible presence got on the mattress beside you. There was a heaviness on top of you, one that you knew was Taehyung. You could feel something thick and unrelenting pressing against your mound as though Taehyung’s hard length was trapped between the two of you.

You closed your eyes, your senses becoming more heightened, you could now feel Taehyung’s scratchy hair strands tickling you as you felt invisible teeth nip at your flesh, the wetness of his tongue swiping over the marks he made, and the plush weight of his lips pressing against your skin. Even as your thighs were parted by unseen forces, and you felt the prodding from multiple invisible pressures, you knew they had to be Taehyung’s fingers pleasuring you. With a startled laugh, you wondered how ridiculous your husband looked right now in his bed, in the Underworld palace, attempting to pleasure his wife who was thousands of miles away.

You knew there was no way Taehyung would attempt to have you like this. He would want the first time that the two of you had sex to be an explosive unforgettable affair.

Suddenly it was easier to enjoy the onslaught of passion brought by your husband using his powers in the most imaginative ways. At one point, it felt like there were a dozen of hands grabbing at your body, gliding over your curves, clutching your ass, and plucking at your breasts. You weren’t entirely comfortable with the idea of kissing your husband while he was invisible. How foolish would you have looked? But that did not seem to bother Taehyung. You could feel the pressure of his lips on your skin, leaving a multitude of kisses ranging from hard and punishing, to soft and fleeting.

You had never actually been this intimate with Taehyung before and as you felt a third presence slip in between your folds, you wondered if your husband’s fingers were truly that long or if he had been taking advantage of his powers again. When you felt the wet heat of his mouth covering one of your breasts, you let out an embarrassingly loud and wanton moan.

“I want you,” you let out an unbidden whisper, “Please.” You felt helpless to the onslaught of emotions that Taehyung was able to wring out of you.

The heaviness on top of you increased, the intangible forces pressing against you, tightening around you like a vice. Was Taehyung clutching you? Trapping you within his arms? You thought you could feel a shifting pressure against your mound, as though Taehyung was grinding himself against you. Was your husband dry humping his bed? Pounding into the silken sheets, wishing he were pounding into you instead?

The intensity increased to a fever pitch until you finally felt yourself let go. You could feel the heavy weight of Taehyung slumping over you moments later. After a while, you felt the weight leave your body and you were able to sit up, still slightly dazed about what had just transpired.

Amid your confusion, you watched the red scrap of fabric that could hardly be passed off as a garment disappear, no doubt returning to Taehyung in the Underworld.

“Taehyung?” you whispered. The uncomfortable confusing emotions that had plagued you about being unfaithful to him, that had disappeared while Taehyung had pleasured you, returned with a vengeance. But you knew that Taehyung was gone; the air was icy and unforgiving. You didn’t have to wonder if he had forgiven you because you knew with a certainty that he had not and that he was still irate beyond belief.

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution - Non Commercial - No Derivatives 4.0 International License

©OPALJM 2020

[margridarnauds]

pagan-soul replied to your post “My absolute HATRED for the term “Celtic Mythology” VS my desire for...”

Why do you hate that term? ��

So, I decided to give this its own post because I really feel like it does deserve it, since it’s the kind of thing that I think most people outside of the field don’t really think about and you deserve the best answer you can get, though I’m not sure how clear I’m being. If there’s a point that I’m not clear on, please ask me to clarify, since I can never tell if I’m being entirely coherent. I’m not sure if I can give you a FULL answer, since some of this is slightly outside my pay grade (given I don’t get paid, that isn’t hard), but I’ll try to do what I can. 

For most of us in the field, I think, we generally hate it because it’s very, very imprecise and a little misleading. There really ISN’T a singular “Celtic Mythology”, just like there was never really a singular “Celtic people”. There were a vast variety of Celtic-speaking groups, spread as far out as modern-day Turkey, and each one of them had a unique cultural environment. Cernunnos, for example, does not have anything to do with, say, Bres mac Elathan or Rhiannon. And, in fact, in terms of the times that each one of them would have been popping up, there’s a SIGNIFICANT difference in ages. 

(Taken from David Stifter’s Sengoidelc)

At some point, as you can see on the linguistic map.....during the Proto-Celtic period, they WOULD have had roughly the same cast of characters, BUT that is a time that we really know little to nothing about, and even then, I do believe there would have been localizations depending on family group and region. We can TRY to reconstruct it by comparing different figures/names and then putting them in an Indo-European context. If, for example, you see similar things pop up in India, Ireland, Greece, etc., you can be fairly certain that it is [1] A pre-Christian survival and [2] Specifically, a Proto-Indo European survival, aka going back to really some of the EARLIEST belief systems we have. If you have the same things popping up in Irish and Welsh contexts AND you have the name popping up in Gaulish inscriptions, we can be fairly certain that the figure is a REALLY old ass Celtic figure. Figures like Lugh, Ogma, and Nuada.....they are probably VERY old. Not that we won’t argue over it. Because Celticists argue over everything. (If you want to know about some of what Celticists have conjectured, I highly recommend Proinsias Mac Cana’s ironically-titled , given the topic of this post, book, “Celtic Mythology”. Now, some of what he said has been debated, because.....see above. Celticists. Arguing. We love it. BUT he’s a respected figure in the field, and my supervisor likes him so I’m legally required to like him too.)  WHICH brings us to our next problem, which is that the way that each figure developed. Lugh, in an Irish context, is not Lleu in a Welsh context. They probably share the same root figure, at some point in their shared history. Their names match up TOO PERFECTLY for them not to. But the way they developed was specifically in the cultural context of Wales/Ireland. Lugh in particular is a VERY malleable figure. You can read three works where Lugh is in and get a VERY different reading of him in each one. (Good king? Machiavellian schemer? Flawed pragmatist trying to unite a people who won’t be united? A figure who’s more a symbol of kingship than an actual CHARACTER? Depending on the source and the time/context, you can get any combination. For what it’s worth, in the Early Modern period, there is quite a bit of matieral that shows a darker side to Lugh.) Saying, “Yes, these two are related” SOUNDS like it’s admitting a lot, but in reality, that still doesn’t really tell us anything about this hypothetical figure. If you put a knife to my throat and made me GUESS, I would say that he had some connection to kingship and sovereignty. Possibly, in relationship to that, sacral kingship, given that both Lugh and Lleu are betrayed by a woman to their deaths. But that is HIGHLY speculative and again, doesn’t really SAY anything. Lugh is Lugh and Lleu is Lleu. It’d be like trying to say that, because you and your cousin come from the same grandma, you’re exactly the same. Now, you might be able to INTUIT certain things about your grandma from any common traits you and your cousin have, and that’s a valid line of inquiry, and it’s definitely one that plenty of solid Celticists have done, I am NOT denigrating their research, but you’re still you. 

Finally, “Celtic Mythology” really is.....rather bombastic, as a term, for a group that almost always consists of Irish Mythology (and, sometimes, Irish folklore, which is VERY different from the mythological texts), with Medieval Welsh literature sprinkled in for a bit of flavor. (Even the term “Welsh Mythology” is controversial, simply because, really...it’s much harder to pick the MYTHOLOGY from the literature. Even harder than the Irish.) And, in the field, even saying “Celtic Studies” is something that we kind of do through gritted teeth because we don’t really have a better term for what we do. See that big-ass linguistic family tree up there? Yeah, I’m not too proud to admit that there are exactly two languages on there that I am in any way equipped to talk about: Middle Welsh and Old Irish. Now, an IDEAL Celticist, aka some of the best in the field, is a jack of all trades, someone who can talk about the linguistic evolution of at LEAST Old Irish and Welsh (including their modern descendants), with a solid background in Proto Indo European and the ability to at least comment on the various other Celtic languages. (There are some scholars who specialize in, say, Scottish Gaelic, Breton, Cornish, and Manx, but they are basically a niche in a niche. The field, as a WHOLE, is VERY much dominated by Irish, both modern and medieval. Which suits me very well, but does make me feel very bad for the other languages that get left out of the mix.) But that is a VERY small number of people in the field. Hell, I got met with basically crickets when I said that I wanted to study Breton, not because people didn’t WANT me to, but because the resources simply weren’t available, much less as an English speaker. (I still want to take it up, though.) I know of some professionals in the field who NEVER would call themselves a Celticist, simply because the term doesn’t really fit them. My paleography professor was, incidentally, one of them. Personally, I DO use it, because again, I don’t have another term. 

But, and I can’t emphasize this enough, what I study isn’t a SINGULAR Celtic Mythology. What I study is Medieval Irish Literature, with a focus on the Mythological Cycle and, when needed, I can sometimes comment on the similarities to Welsh figures. I don’t LIKE it, because I feel like I can’t do the richness of the Welsh material justice, but I can do it if you put a knife to my throat. With stuff like, say, Gaulish Mythology....we can make very educated guesses based off of inscriptions and things that the Romans/Greeks said and comparing them to Irish/Welsh material, but we don’t really know. Can’t really know. And with others...there were no written materials during the medieval period, or at least none currently surviving. (This is why Old Irish and Middle Welsh to tend to dominate mythological discussion: The bulk of our medieval material does come from those sources. People can say all they want about the scribes who wrote down the Mythological Cycle, but the simple fact remains that, if it weren’t for them, we wouldn’t be studying these texts.) 

For me, the term “Celtic Mythology” kind of lumps all the individual Celtic materials into one massive soup bowl, regardless of time, context, culture, or any other distinguishing features, and, most of the time, would be just as easily done by saying “Irish Mythology” or “Welsh Mythology”. There are very few times, unless you’re talking about the ENTIRE POSTULATED HISTORY of a figure, that “Celtic” is really needed and it tends to assume that Irish = “Celtic” (most of the time, I see posts where Irish, in particular, is treated as being the same as “Celtic”, and my ire in this instance is directed towards them) instead of admitting the full variety of what that term actually means. Irish IS a Celtic language, yes, absolutely, but it is not the be-all, end-all, and the two terms are not synonymous. “Celtic” is a very broad term that can only really be useful in a few contexts, mainly linguistic, and is insanely controversial in the field as it is. 

On a religious perspective, since I know that this is inevitable in conversations like this, does this mean that I’m saying, going back to my original example, “No, you cannot worship Rhiannon, Bres, and Cernunnos at the same time?” No. I am VERY firm on my stance that I can only speak from the perspective of my knowledge of the field, NOT on other people’s belief systems. This is similar to if someone was to ask me about the function of a given postulated deity, where I can only say “The material as it was written down indicates x, y, or z, and most of us in the field are VERY hesitant to apply a solid function to these figures, but if you feel that this figure is guiding you to a given conclusion, that’s fine. It isn’t ‘inaccurate.’ I don’t believe that there’s any way for a religion to be ‘inaccurate' so long as it’s harming no one.” (Use Celtic Studies as a smokescreen for white supremacy and I WILL roll down your throat faster than a hot dog on the 4th of July, though.) If all three of them are calling you, that’s something that I have no call on. I personally think that it’s a HELL of a combination, and I’d wish you the best of luck, but....it would certainly be an interesting one. If you want to take the reconstructionist root and try to figure out how they would have been worshipped in the Proto-Celtic times, that’s fine (though I do strongly advise against human sacrifice.) You’d have a devil of a task, but it’s certainly a fine one, and in many ways, not too unlike what scholars like Mac Cana did. And, if you want to worship them as they appear in the texts or how they’re personally guiding you, that’s not something that I can make a call on one way or another. Again, this is about my own personal feelings, from inside the field, on the term and how it can be rather misleading. 

[skywalkerwitch]

You asked ,You got it.

Part one-Lesson learned

Sebastian Stan X Hispanic!Reader

Part One Summary: Y/N loves history from Ancient mythology to world history.She attends her third year of college in the City of New York.Her roommate Lorena suggest that her Greek mythology likes her as he has been giving her a hard time since the beginning of the course, but Y/N denies any of her allegations and tells her she doesn't even like his class, but Lorena knows she's lying to the core.During her Greek mythology lab, her Professor Mr.Stan suggest her staying after the afternoon lab is over after arriving to class late after.Only for her surprise to not be punished in the traditional way.Could this be the start of a romance or Y/N worst nightmare?

Professor AU!

Word Count: 3735 (lol sorry)

Warnings! NSFW, Language and a little bit of Dom/Jerk Seb (:

     It was a typical morning, nothing new apart from the new rug your roommate Lorena bought last night.I woke up exhausted from all the studying for my  Greek mythology class as if it wasn't the only class I had, I loved the class, but the professor was a pain in the ass since the course started in September and now it is November nothing really changed. I left the mess of books on the floor to take a quick shower and get ready for another pain in the ass school day.

I got out and put on a black skater skirt and a maroon long sleeve sweater and let my Y/H/C air dry since it will get wavy later in the day and apply a little bit of makeup, just fill in my eyebrows some mascara and my deep red lipstick.I gathered my shit and made my way to the kitchen were Lorena had breakfast ready.

"Buenos Dias Y/N", Lorena greeted me.

"Buenos Dias Lorena, what did you make for breakfast?"

"Well, I made chorizo con huevo and I made us some chamomile tea".

"Yummy", I sarcastically answered as I made my way to grave a plate from the pantry

"Que te pasa Y/N?you don't react to my food like this", Lorena said as she knew something was wrong.

I served myself some chorizo and grabbed a cup to pour tea on it, then made my way to the table was Lorena sat across from me."Nada is wrong, it's just I had a lot of homework to do for Professor Stan's class, he has a been a jerk to me since the course started I've only been nice to him, but he still treats me like shit."I tell her as it was bothering me to be treated like shit.

I start to eat the chorizo when all of a sudden Lorena blurs out"He probably likes you, but he doesn't know how to approach you since he is a Professor after all".In disbelief I respond "Yo no creo, he hates me nada mas "," He is good looking and shit, but he still treats me like if I was basura".

"Ayy no te hagas Y/N, te gusta the maestro", Lorena says with a smirk on her face.

"Lore, don't say that,esta guapo, but he does not like me like that".

"Oye chica, you never know? Yo, e vista la forma que te mira Cuando sales de su class".Lorena thick Cuban accent comes out from the dead and winks at the witty comment she made.

"LORENA!!!!",I yelled at her and threw some of the chorizos at her direction landing on her long brown hair.

"Que?, It's the truth, If you guys get together you guys have my total support."She smiles at me.

"Whatever mujer".I roll my eyes at her as I sip on the cup of tea.

“Bueno yo ya acabe, son las 9:30 and I need to pack my books When you are done  we can start making our way to campus we don't want to be late don't we?”Lorena winks at me again and leaves the kitchen.

I finish my tea and breakfast and wash the dirty dishes before she comes back ready to go.

While washing the dirty dishes Lorena's comment ran through your head what if he did like me?

The thought of it gave you a shiver down your spine.

“Y/N are you ready?’Lorena yells at me from the doorway.

"Si,deja y me seco las Manos and grab my backpack and sweater".Rushing to grab all of those you almost forgot your phone that was charging in the living room."Few that was close", I say with relief.

“Pendeja, you need to start charging that phone in your room”.Lorena says as she closes the apartment door.

"Perdon, I forget to charge it in my room". I stick my tongue out at her rudeass comment.

"Y/N, ay babosa what can I do with you, now vámonos que se nos hace traffic rumbo al college en esta Ciudad".

“Let's go”.

    During the drive to school Lorena still convinced Mr.Stan likes you brings back the topic.

”Y/N yo estoy convencida de que a él le gustas y a ti a él, no me puedes hacer tonta”.

"Lorena, why are you still with that? I turn to face her as she drives.

"I just know, and I'm never wrong", As cocky she is, she was never wrong about things and it was scary.

"Well for your information I don't like going to his class, I love the subject but not him", I cross my arms and scoff at her.

"Ay, no te hagas que no te gusta ir a su clase, más bien you have him twice a day nena more exciting at night".She reminds me of the god damn lab that takes place during the night more around 7:30 p.m to 8:50 p.m

"Oh fuck I forgot about that shit! Damn, I hope my partner has finished the stupid lab report over ancient Greek warriors or else I will kill him". While I was too busy complaining I didn't notice we arrived on Campus which only led me to groan in displeasure.

We get off the car and grab our stuff and make our way towards the front entrance of the massive campus.

“Aja exactly 10 am”.Lorena looked at the time on her phone.

"Ughhhhhhhhh, I don't want to go to classsssssss Loreeeeeee". Already annoyed by me she pushes me into the according to building and all the way to the classroom where you can see the professor write on the board for the morning lecture. 

   His face concentrating on the board as he writes today's assignment soo mesmerizing everything about him was beautiful his beard, his hair, the way he dresses and his fucking gorgeous blue eyes.I don't notice I'm staring as Lorena holds me still.

“Y/N stop daydreaming and get your ass inside, I can see Tommy in his seat already you can ask him if he finished the project”.Lorena pushed me inside the classroom and left running to hers.

“Bitch wtf?” I mutter under my breath.

"Good morning Miss Y/L/N, I see you have to be forced to come to class now".Mr.Stan greets me and you can't forget his sarcastic comment in the morning.

“Morning Sir”.I roll my eyes and make my way to sit next to Thomas.

"Hey Y/N, you early today".Thomas says with his smooth British accent.

“What do you mean?” I ask as I set my binder and book on the table.

"You do know we are the only ones in the class, don't you".Thomas looks at me as If I was lost or stupid.To my realization, we were the only ones in the class."Well, this makes it a first", I chuckle as he smiles at me.I notice Mr.Stan rolls his eyes at us as we laugh.

Everyone starts entering the class as it's almost time to start and sat next to their partners and took out their finished project research paper.

"Tommy, did you finish your part of the written part of the project?" I ask Thomas who had a worried facial expression.

“Shit! I have everything except the citations, Y/N do you think he will notice ?”.

"Fuccckkk Thomas ! how could you forget, let's hope he doesn't  say shit to us, you know how he is with me".

"I'm sorry Y/N, this is not my specialty" Thomas innocently apologizes

"It's fine, whatever he does he do anything to you he had to go through me first".

“My hero’”.Thomas gives me a side hug in adoration of my willingness to stick out for him. I grab my written report out of my binder and combine it with Thomas part while we wait for the professor to collect it.

Mr.Stan made his way down the row of tables to collect our papers, and as he arrived at our table and took our papers and read the title.

"Ah, Hercules, one of my favorite warriors, let's hope you guys don't mess up his name in this report or I'll have to fail you, especially you Y/N." He says with a serious look on his face and made his way to his desk. He left you with a shocked expression on your face.

‘What the fuck is his problem”.Thomas whispers as he looks at my angry face.

"I don't know what his problem is with me, but as long as he doesn't mess with you it's all fine".

“ I understand your concerns for me, but he shouldn't treat you like this.”Thomas looks at you with a sad expression on his face.

"Tommy you're like a brother to me and I won't let anyone say shit to you, I don't care what he does with me,"I tell him to stop this worrying from getting into his head.

Mr.Stan stands up from his desk and starts to set up the overhead.

"Now can everyone be silent, today we will watch a video over the demigods for the entire morning class period, but keep in mind you have to take notes as I will be asking questions in our afternoon lab". His voice was loud and harsh as said his statement.

He turned off the lights, and I made myself comfortable beside Thomas as he placed his backpack on my head to rest.

"Can you pass me the notes?, I'm too lazy to do so myself", I ask him as I yawn.

“No problem love I got your back.”

"Thanks, Tommy".I smile at him as he opens his notebook and starts writing.

A loud BANG! wakes me up in a flash as Mr.Stan lands a pile of textbooks in front of me.I face him right up and stare at his deep blue eyes with an annoyed look on his face.

“ No sleeping in my class do! Make it the last time you do that”.He says with the angriest tone in his voice.

"Yes sir", Still sorta drowsy I still manage to give him an attitude in my response.

I had to stay awake for the rest of the stupid video.Thomas had been quiet since the Professor yelled at me. I could see the guilt on his face in not being brave enough to defend me.He hated him for always picking on me ever since the first day of school, but remained down low about it.

As the class ended I grabbed my shirt and rushed my way out of the classroom and made my way to the next lecture.

Calculus physics based what a way to calm down my anger lucky me I had the most chill Instructor this year Prof.Downey he was very laid back and talked shit about Prof.Stan when I had enough of his bullshit.Not to mention I had one of the coolest friends in his class Anthony Motherfucking Mackie, now he was definitely cool me down. 

 "Hey there girl" Anthony waves at me and pats the seat next to him.

"Hello, Anthony how are you, man?"

"I'm doing just fine, what with the sour face, did prof.Douchebag piss you off again?" He laughs at the obvious response.

I playfully punch his arm and fakes a pained face. "Yes, you jerk I hate his guts, he always pisses me off." I don't watch the tone of my voice I can hear Prof.Downey chuckle from his desk.

"Lower it down will you Y/N, but he is not like this in my class, he's always cracking jokes and is nice to everyone I don't know what his problem with you."He crooks his eyebrows and changes the subject.

"Anyways is Lorena still single or nah?" He asks as he reminds me of his crush on my roommate.

“You asshole, yeah she still is available” I laugh at his victory face expression causes us to burst out laughing even louder and we can feel everyone's faces staring at us.

Prof.Downey stands up and signals us to be quiet as the class is about to start.

"Hey, don't forget to give me her number after class alright Y/N".

"No problem Mackie, Now let's get our work done"

"Oh yeah, I forgot", he laughs as we turn around and face the board

The instructor starts the lecture and the both of us like good students pay attention to the subject.

                                   ________

 After three lectures and me trying to aid Anthony in talking to Lorena for the longest time of my life, that boy was such a coward when it comes talking to girls he likes, it was almost time for my last lecture of the day when I remember what it was as the sun was no longer out.

"Fuck me ", I thought to myself. I had to go and tolerate Prof.Stan for one hour and a half and then I get to go home.Instead, I decided to go in late what is there to lose?

 I took my time walking around campus until I knew I was ten minutes late.I headed towards the labs.I knew my ass was fucking late when I entered everyone ready to partner up to analyze the sculptures.

I made my way to see Thomas waiting for me hoping not to be seen by the professor, but someone caught up to me and turned me around.

"Ah Miss.Y/L/N you're late to my class, what makes you think you can do what you want?  Mr.Satan mad as hell snarled at me.

“I'm sorry Sir there was a lot of--”he cuts me off.

“I don't want to hear it, I need you to stay after class”

"Yes, sir".Rolling my eyes at him I walked away from him to meet with Thomas.

"Jezz Y/N, why did you come to class soo late?" Thomas asked as he started analyzing the sculptures on the lab table. I shrugged my arms and took out my notebook from my bag and started to work on this stupid shit.

  As class had ended I had to stay behind with my douche bag of a teacher, I promised Thomas I was going to be okay before I gave him a hug and he left home.Mr.Stan sat on his desk staring at Thomas and I disgusted at our goodbye, he waited for everyone to leave.I waited for everyone to leave home for him to speak to me.Once everyone left he stood up locked the door and walked in my direction.

“You know I don't like my students being late to class”.Mr.Stan walked around me as if I were his prey.

"That's funny it seems to me you only care about those who please you, and certainly I don't because you hate me".  I can feel my body tense up as the words leave my mouth Mr.Stan shot his face straight at me as if what I said hurt him.and he makes his way back to his desk

"What makes you think I hate you Y/N?" calling me by my first name He asks as a smirk forms on his gorgeous stupid face.

That does it and it gets my blood boiling to where I don't know what I'm about to say."Well you have been a huge asshole since we started back in September and It's November now and  you are still mean and horrible to me" I can feel the hot tears start running down my face,"I don't want you to be mean to me I really do enjoy your class, but you just make it difficult to like it. "I can feel the relief out of my chest Mr.Stan in shock at my words he just stares and me.

"And now if you excuse me I have to go"I wipe the tears off my face and make my way towards the door when I hear a loud "NO", it was Mr.Stan stopping me from leaving."I don't want you to go", He pushes me out the way and picks me up "What the fuck let me go!!" I hit him on his back.

Oh boy, he was strong no matter if how much I fought he was not going to let me go.

He sat me at his desk and grabbed me by the hips I tried to move but his grip was too tight to move out of.He looked at me straight in the eyes and he opened his mouth "I'm sorry for being such a jerk, but ever since I saw you I knew you had my heart".Without thinking I cup his face and crash my lips into him.It took him by surprise but he kissed me back once his mind processed everything

  His hands started to trail up my skirt than to my panties making his way to my wet pussy.

“Fuck you're soo wet.” He growed

He inserted his index finger inside of me and I moaned in his mouth as our lips were still connected.I could feel my legs shiver as the pleasure his finger was giving me increased.

"Turn around "Mr.Stan demanded.He took his finger out of me as I turned around.My body shifted to where now my back was facing him and I rested on his desk.He pulled down my panties to my ankles and teased my clit with his fingers causing me to moan.I could hear him unzip his pants I turned my head and saw his huge erection that made me gasp.Mr.Stan arched my back and teased my entrance with his tip without warning he entered me.

He felt so good inside of you only a "Dios mio" escaped out of your mouth as he pounded into your pussy stretching it as you adjusted to his length.

“You have no idea how long I have waited to have you like this”.He hissed into my ear as his thrust get harder.

“Ahhh”, I moan as I'm close to orgasm.

"Fuck I'm close", I cry out, but he stops and pulls out.

"You will cum when I say you can," Mr.Stan says then aggressively he shifts me so that we now face to face.

“Now princess let me fuck you as the mean teacher hard as the mean teacher I am and let's see if you can earn your orgasm.” I realize his words refer to me calling him a mean asshole now I had to be punished for it in his mind.

Without wasting any time he spreads my legs and enters my pussy one more time.His mouth hungry for my lips, his hands on my waist pull me closer to him as he goes in deeper in me.I hold on to his shoulders and neck as moans escape my mouth.His lips move from my lips to my neck and start sucking on my sweet spot, my nails clench into his clothed arms he groans as I dig them into his skin.

“Do you like the way my cock feels inside of you?”,He asks as he places his forehead on mine and thrust even harder.

A weak “Yes” comes out of my mouth.

"Yes, what?"

“Yess Sssir”.

"That's better".

I can feel his cock twitching inside of me as he was close.My walls tightened around him.

"Cum for me Y/N, cum on my cock princess" he kissed me hard as his thrust turned sloppy the We both came out of highs, he came inside of me feeling him fill me up.

He pulled out and rested his forehead on mine and looked at me with a smirk on his face, he was all sweaty his shirt stuck to his skin.I was a mess as well but dayum he looked like a god.

“Are you still mad at me?” He asks as he cleans himself up and pulls his pants up.

"Why are you asking as if you just did not fuck me?" I scoffed at him as he hands me a towel.I got off the desk and pull my panties back up and cleaned myself up and the desk, I grabbed my shit off the floor.

"We should do this again".He grabs me by my waist, but I push him away.

"I don't want this to become normal to you", I tell him as I make my way to the door but he blocks it again."I know you are crazy about me too, trust me I am too about you", he presses himself on me.

”Can you please move, you got what you wanted now I want to go home and forget this ever happened”. He moves out the door and I leave the lab building as quickly as possible.

 It's dark outside with only a few people still on campus.I made my way to the front and took out my phone and called an uber. The uber came a few minutes later, once I arrived home Lorena was in the living room passed out I closed the main door and made my way to my room.I slammed my door room, I threw my shit on the floor and jumped on my bed face down into the pillow."What have I done".I thought to myself, but whatever happened with Mr.Stan today was still going through my head.I  shiver at the thought of it.I stood up and made my way to the shower to wash off the sex.

   I got out the shower and put on an oversized t-shirt and panties, I brushed my teeth and hair and made myself comfortable in my bed.Still thinking about today's events I turned off the lights and charged my phone to the nightstand. "Shit, whatever happened today was all my fault I asked to be fucked and that's what I got, now I have to face the consequences."I grew. I shifted myself to the right side of my bed and fell asleep.

A/N: I really wanted to put more gifs , but the stupid shit didnt let me attach any dirty one ;( Can you guys reblogged this with some dirty gifs attached to this :) and sorry if this kinda sucks I promise the next part will be better than this.

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@blackwidow-romanoff @breenieweenie @persephone-is-here-omg   @retroasgardian @themanwithovtfear @ssweet-empowerment

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Danh sách 118 nguyên tố hoá học đã biết

Bảng phân loại sau đây cho biết 118 nguyên tố hoá học đã biết.

Số, tên và biểu tượng nguyên tử đều phục vụ độc lập dưới dạng các số nhận dạng duy nhất.

Tên được chấp nhận bởi IUPAC; tên tạm thời cho các yếu tố sản xuất gần đây chưa chính thức được đặt tên trong dấu ngoặc đơn.

Nhóm, khoảng thời gian, và khối liên quan đến vị trí của một phần tử trong bảng tuần hoàn. Số nhóm ở đây hiển thị số được chấp nhận hiện tại; đối với số cũ thay thế, hãy xem

Nhóm (bảng tuần hoàn).

Trạng thái vật chất (rắn, lỏng, hoặc khí) áp dụng ở điều kiện nhiệt độ và áp suất tiêu chuẩn (STP).

Xảy ra, các chỉ định bởi một chú thích bên cạnh tên của phần tử, phân biệt một cách tự nhiên xảy ra các yếu tố, phân loại các yếu tố tổng hợp nguyên thủy một trong hai hoặc thoáng qua (từ phân rã), và thêm que đã được sản xuất công nghệ, nhưng không biết là xảy ra một cách tự nhiên.

Actinide, kim loại kiềm, kim loại kiềm thổ, lanthanit, kim loại sau khi chuyển đổi, kim loại, khí quyển, kim loại phi đa hình hoặc phi kim loại tảo, và kim loại chuyển tiếp.

List of chemical elements Z[I] Symbol Element Origin of name[38][39] Group Period Atomic weight[40][41](u (±)) Density(g/cm3) Melt(K) [42] Boil (K) C[I](J/g · K) χ[I] Abundance in Earth’s crust[II](mg/kg) 1 H Hydrogen composed of the Greek elements hydro- and -gen meaning ‘water-forming’ 1 1 1.008[III][IV][V][VI] 0.00008988 14.01 20.28 14.304 2.20 1400 2 He Helium the Greek helios, ‘sun’ 18 1 4.002602(2)[III][V] 0.0001785 —[VII] 4.22 5.193 – 0.008 3 Li Lithium the Greek lithos, ‘stone’ 1 2 6.94[III][IV][V][VIII][VI] 0.534 453.69 1560 3.582 0.98 20 4 Be Beryllium beryl, a mineral 2 2 9.0121831(5) 1.85 1560 2742 1.825 1.57 2.8 5 B Boron borax, a mineral 13 2 10.81[III][IV][V][VI] 2.34 2349 4200 1.026 2.04 10 6 C Carbon the Latin carbo, ‘coal’ 14 2 12.011[III][V][VI] 2.267 3800 4300 0.709 2.55 200 7 N Nitrogen the Greek nitron and ‘-gen’ meaning ‘niter-forming’ 15 2 14.007[III][V][VI] 0.0012506 63.15 77.36 1.04 3.04 19 8 O Oxygen from the Greek oxy-, both ‘sharp’ and ‘acid’, and -gen, meaning ‘acid-forming’ 16 2 15.999[III][V][VI] 0.001429 54.36 90.20 0.918 3.44 461000 9 F Fluorine the Latin fluere, ‘to flow’ 17 2 18.998403163(6) 0.001696 53.53 85.03 0.824 3.98 585 10 Ne Neon the Greek neos, meaning ‘new’ 18 2 20.1797(6)[III][IV] 0.0008999 24.56 27.07 1.03 – 0.005 11 Na Sodium the English word soda (natrium in Latin) 1 3 22.98976928(2) 0.971 370.87 1156 1.228 0.93 23600 12 Mg Magnesium Magnesia, a district of Eastern Thessaly in Greece 2 3 24.305[VI] 1.738 923 1363 1.023 1.31 23300 13 Al Aluminium from alumina, a compound (originally aluminum) 13 3 26.9815385(7) 2.698 933.47 2792 0.897 1.61 82300 14 Si Silicon from the Latin silex, ‘flint’ (originally silicium) 14 3 28.085[V][VI] 2.3296 1687 3538 0.705 1.9 282000 15 P Phosphorus the Greek phoosphoros, ‘carrying light’ 15 3 30.973761998(5) 1.82 317.30 550 0.769 2.19 1050 16 S Sulfur the Latin sulphur, ‘fire and brimstone’ 16 3 32.06[III][V][VI] 2.067 388.36 717.87 0.71 2.58 350 17 Cl Chlorine the Greek chloros, ‘greenish yellow’ 17 3 35.45[III][IV][V][VI] 0.003214 171.6 239.11 0.479 3.16 145 18 Ar Argon the Greek argos, ‘idle’ 18 3 39.948(1)[III][V] 0.0017837 83.80 87.30 0.52 – 3.5 19 K Potassium New Latin potassa, ‘potash’ (kalium in Latin) 1 4 39.0983(1) 0.862 336.53 1032 0.757 0.82 20900 20 Ca Calcium the Latin calx, ‘lime’ 2 4 40.078(4)[III] 1.54 1115 1757 0.647 1 41500 21 Sc Scandium Scandia, the Latin name for Scandinavia 3 4 44.955908(5) 2.989 1814 3109 0.568 1.36 22 22 Ti Titanium Titans, the sons of the Earth goddess of Greek mythology 4 4 47.867(1) 4.54 1941 3560 0.523 1.54 5650 23 V Vanadium Vanadis, an Old Norse name for the Scandinavian goddess Freyja 5 4 50.9415(1) 6.11 2183 3680 0.489 1.63 120 24 Cr Chromium the Greek chroma, ‘color’ 6 4 51.9961(6) 7.15 2180 2944 0.449 1.66 102 25 Mn Manganese corrupted from magnesia negra, see Magnesium 7 4 54.938044(3) 7.44 1519 2334 0.479 1.55 950 26 Fe Iron English word (ferrum in Latin) 8 4 55.845(2) 7.874 1811 3134 0.449 1.83 56300 27 Co Cobalt the German word Kobold, ‘goblin’ 9 4 58.933194(4) 8.86 1768 3200 0.421 1.88 25 28 Ni Nickel from Swedish kopparnickel, containing the German word Nickel, ‘goblin’ 10 4 58.6934(4) 8.912 1728 3186 0.444 1.91 84 29 Cu Copper English word (Latin cuprum) 11 4 63.546(3)[V] 8.96 1357.77 2835 0.385 1.9 60 30 Zn Zinc the German Zink 12 4 65.38(2) 7.134 692.88 1180 0.388 1.65 70 31 Ga Gallium Gallia, the Latin name for France 13 4 69.723(1) 5.907 302.9146 2673 0.371 1.81 19 32 Ge Germanium Germania, the Latin name for Germany 14 4 72.630(8) 5.323 1211.40 3106 0.32 2.01 1.5 33 As Arsenic English word (Latin arsenicum) 15 4 74.921595(6) 5.776 1090 [IX] 887 0.329 2.18 1.8 34 Se Selenium the Greek selene, ‘moon’ 16 4 78.971(8)[V] 4.809 453 958 0.321 2.55 0.05 35 Br Bromine the Greek bromos, ‘stench’ 17 4 79.904[VI] 3.122 265.8 332.0 0.474 2.96 2.4 36 Kr Krypton the Greek kryptos, ‘hidden’ 18 4 83.798(2)[III][IV] 0.003733 115.79 119.93 0.248 3 1×10−4 37 Rb Rubidium the Latin rubidus, ‘deep red’ 1 5 85.4678(3)[III] 1.532 312.46 961 0.363 0.82 90 38 Sr Strontium Strontian, a small town in Scotland 2 5 87.62(1)[III][V] 2.64 1050 1655 0.301 0.95 370 39 Y Yttrium Ytterby, Sweden 3 5 88.90584(2) 4.469 1799 3609 0.298 1.22 33 40 Zr Zirconium Persian Zargun, ‘gold-colored’; German Zirkoon, ‘jargoon‘ 4 5 91.224(2)[III] 6.506 2128 4682 0.278 1.33 165 41 Nb Niobium Niobe, daughter of king Tantalus from Greek mythology 5 5 92.90637(2) 8.57 2750 5017 0.265 1.6 20 42 Mo Molybdenum the Greek molybdos meaning ‘lead’ 6 5 95.95(1)[III] 10.22 2896 4912 0.251 2.16 1.2 43 Tc Technetium the Greek tekhnètos meaning ‘artificial’ 7 5 [98][X] 11.5 2430 4538 – 1.9 ~ 3×10−9[XI] 44 Ru Ruthenium Ruthenia, the New Latin name for Russia 8 5 101.07(2)[III] 12.37 2607 4423 0.238 2.2 0.001 45 Rh Rhodium the Greek rhodos, meaning ‘rose coloured’ 9 5 102.90550(2) 12.41 2237 3968 0.243 2.28 0.001 46 Pd Palladium the then recently discovered asteroid Pallas, considered a planet at the time 10 5 106.42(1)[III] 12.02 1828.05 3236 0.244 2.2 0.015 47 Ag Silver English word (argentum in Latin) 11 5 107.8682(2)[III] 10.501 1234.93 2435 0.235 1.93 0.075 48 Cd Cadmium the New Latin cadmia, from King Kadmos 12 5 112.414(4)[III] 8.69 594.22 1040 0.232 1.69 0.159 49 In Indium indigo 13 5 114.818(1) 7.31 429.75 2345 0.233 1.78 0.25 50 Sn Tin English word (stannum in Latin) 14 5 118.710(7)[III] 7.287 505.08 2875 0.228 1.96 2.3 51 Sb Antimony uncertain: perhaps from the Greek anti, ‘against’, and monos, ‘alone’, or the Old French antimoine, ‘Monk’s bane’ (stibium in Latin) 15 5 121.760(1)[III] 6.685 903.78 1860 0.207 2.05 0.2 52 Te Tellurium Latin tellus, ‘earth’ 16 5 127.60(3)[III] 6.232 722.66 1261 0.202 2.1 0.001 53 I Iodine French iode (after the Greek ioeides, ‘violet’) 17 5 126.90447(3) 4.93 386.85 457.4 0.214 2.66 0.45 54 Xe Xenon the Greek xenos, ‘strange’ 18 5 131.293(6)[III][IV] 0.005887 161.4 165.03 0.158 2.6 3×10−5 55 Cs Caesium the Latin caesius, ‘sky blue’ 1 6 132.90545196(6) 1.873 301.59 944 0.242 0.79 3 56 Ba Barium the Greek barys, ‘heavy’ 2 6 137.327(7) 3.594 1000 2170 0.204 0.89 425 57 La Lanthanum the Greek lanthanein, ‘to lie hidden’ 3 6 138.90547(7)[III] 6.145 1193 3737 0.195 1.1 39 58 Ce Cerium the then recently discovered asteroid Ceres, considered a planet at the time   6 140.116(1)[III] 6.77 1068 3716 0.192 1.12 66.5 59 Pr Praseodymium the Greek praseios didymos meaning ‘green twin’   6 140.90766(2) 6.773 1208 3793 0.193 1.13 9.2 60 Nd Neodymium the Greek neos didymos meaning ‘new twin’   6 144.242(3)[III] 7.007 1297 3347 0.19 1.14 41.5 61 Pm Promethium Prometheus of Greek mythology who stole fire from the Gods and gave it to humans   6 [145][X] 7.26 1315 3273 – 1.13 2×10−19[XI] 62 Sm Samarium Samarskite, the name of the mineral from which it was first isolated   6 150.36(2)[III] 7.52 1345 2067 0.197 1.17 7.05 63 Eu Europium Europe   6 151.964(1)[III] 5.243 1099 1802 0.182 1.2 2 64 Gd Gadolinium Johan Gadolin, chemist, physicist and mineralogist   6 157.25(3)[III] 7.895 1585 3546 0.236 1.2 6.2 65 Tb Terbium Ytterby, Sweden   6 158.92535(2) 8.229 1629 3503 0.182 1.2 1.2 66 Dy Dysprosium the Greek dysprositos, ‘hard to get’   6 162.500(1)[III] 8.55 1680 2840 0.17 1.22 5.2 67 Ho Holmium Holmia, the New Latin name for Stockholm   6 164.93033(2) 8.795 1734 2993 0.165 1.23 1.3 68 Er Erbium Ytterby, Sweden   6 167.259(3)[III] 9.066 1802 3141 0.168 1.24 3.5 69 Tm Thulium Thule, the ancient name for Scandinavia   6 168.93422(2) 9.321 1818 2223 0.16 1.25 0.52 70 Yb Ytterbium Ytterby, Sweden   6 173.045(10)[III] 6.965 1097 1469 0.155 1.1 3.2 71 Lu Lutetium Lutetia, the Latin name for Paris   6 174.9668(1)[III] 9.84 1925 3675 0.154 1.27 0.8 72 Hf Hafnium Hafnia, the New Latin name for Copenhagen 4 6 178.49(2) 13.31 2506 4876 0.144 1.3 3 73 Ta Tantalum King Tantalus, father of Niobe from Greek mythology 5 6 180.94788(2) 16.654 3290 5731 0.14 1.5 2 74 W Tungsten the Swedish tung sten, ‘heavy stone’ (W is wolfram, the old name of the tungsten mineral wolframite) 6 6 183.84(1) 19.25 3695 5828 0.132 2.36 1.3 75 Re Rhenium Rhenus, the Latin name for the river Rhine 7 6 186.207(1) 21.02 3459 5869 0.137 1.9 7×10−4 76 Os Osmium the Greek osmè, meaning ‘smell’ 8 6 190.23(3)[III] 22.61 3306 5285 0.13 2.2 0.002 77 Ir Iridium Iris, the Greek goddess of the rainbow 9 6 192.217(3) 22.56 2719 4701 0.131 2.2 0.001 78 Pt Platinum the Spanish platina, meaning ‘little silver’ 10 6 195.084(9) 21.46 2041.4 4098 0.133 2.28 0.005 79 Au Gold English word (aurum in Latin) 11 6 196.966569(5) 19.282 1337.33 3129 0.129 2.54 0.004 80 Hg Mercury the New Latin name mercurius, named after the Roman god (Hg from former name hydrargyrum, from Greek hydr-, ‘water’, and argyros, ‘silver’) 12 6 200.592(3) 13.5336 234.43 629.88 0.14 2 0.085 81 Tl Thallium the Greek thallos, ‘green twig’ 13 6 204.38[VI] 11.85 577 1746 0.129 1.62 0.85 82 Pb Lead English word (plumbum in Latin) 14 6 207.2(1)[III][V] 11.342 600.61 2022 0.129 1.87 14 83 Bi Bismuth Uncertain, possibly Arabic or German 15 6 208.98040(1)[X] 9.807 544.7 1837 0.122 2.02 0.009 84 Po Polonium Named after the home country of Marie Curie (Polonia, Latin for Poland), who is also the discoverer of Radium 16 6 [209][X] 9.32 527 1235 – 2.0 2×10−10[XI] 85 At Astatine the Greek astatos, ‘unstable’ 17 6 [210][X] 7 575 610 – 2.2 3×10−20[XI] 86 Rn Radon From radium, as it was first detected as an emission from radium during radioactive decay 18 6 [222][X] 0.00973 202 211.3 0.094 2.2 4×10−13[XI] 87 Fr Francium Francia, the New Latin name for France 1 7 [223][X] 1.87 300 950 – 0.7 ~ 1×10−18[XI] 88 Ra Radium the Latin radius, ‘ray’ 2 7 [226][X] 5.5 973 2010 0.094 0.9 9×10−7[XI] 89 Ac Actinium the Greek aktis, ‘ray’ 3 7 [227][X] 10.07 1323 3471 0.12 1.1 5.5×10−10[XI] 90 Th Thorium Thor, the Scandinavian god of thunder   7 232.0377(4)[X][III] 11.72 2115 5061 0.113 1.3 9.6 91 Pa Protactinium the Greek protos, ‘first’, and actinium, which is produced through the radioactive decay of protactinium   7 231.03588(2)[X] 15.37 1841 4300 – 1.5 1.4×10−6[XI] 92 U Uranium Uranus, the seventh planet in the Solar System   7 238.02891(3)[X] 18.95 1405.3 4404 0.116 1.38 2.7 93 Np Neptunium Neptune, the eighth planet in the Solar System   7 [237][X] 20.45 917 4273 – 1.36 ≤ 3×10−12[XI] 94 Pu Plutonium Pluto, a dwarf planet in the Solar System (then considered the ninth planet)   7 [244][X] 19.84 912.5 3501 – 1.28 ≤ 3×10−11[XI] 95 Am Americium The Americas, as the element was first synthesized on the continent, by analogy with europium   7 [243][X] 13.69 1449 2880 – 1.13 0[XII] 96 Cm Curium Pierre Curie, a physicist, and Marie Curie, a physicist and chemist, named after great scientists by analogy with gadolinium   7 [247][X] 13.51 1613 3383 – 1.28 0[XII] 97 Bk Berkelium Berkeley, California, where the element was first synthesized, by analogy with terbium   7 [247][X] 14.79 1259 2900 – 1.3 0[XII] 98 Cf Californium California, where the element was first synthesized   7 [251][X] 15.1 1173 (1743)[XIII] – 1.3 0[XII] 99 Es Einsteinium Albert Einstein, physicist   7 [252][X] 8.84 1133 (1269)[XIII] – 1.3 0[XII] 100 Fm Fermium Enrico Fermi, physicist   7 [257][X] (9.7)[XIII] (1125)[XIII] – – 1.3 0[XII] 101 Md Mendelevium Dmitri Mendeleev, chemist and inventor   7 [258][X] (10.3)[XIII] (1100)[XIII] – – 1.3 0[XII] 102 No Nobelium Alfred Nobel, chemist, engineer, innovator, and armaments manufacturer   7 [259][X] (9.9)[XIII] (1100)[XIII] – – 1.3 0[XII] 103 Lr Lawrencium Ernest O. Lawrence, physicist   7 [266][X] (15.6)[XIII] (1900)[XIII] – – 1.3 0[XII] 104 Rf Rutherfordium Ernest Rutherford, chemist and physicist 4 7 [267][X] (23.2)[XIII] (2400)[XIII] (5800)[XIII] – – 0[XII] 105 Db Dubnium Dubna, Russia 5 7 [268][X] (29.3)[XIII] – – – – 0[XII] 106 Sg Seaborgium Glenn T. Seaborg, scientist 6 7 [269][X] (35.0)[XIII] – – – – 0[XII] 107 Bh Bohrium Niels Bohr, physicist 7 7 [270][X] (37.1)[XIII] – – – – 0[XII] 108 Hs Hassium Hesse, Germany, where the element was first synthesized 8 7 [277][X] (40.7)[XIII] – – – – 0[XII] 109 Mt Meitnerium Lise Meitner, physicist 9 7 [278][X] (37.4)[XIII] – – – – 0[XII] 110 Ds Darmstadtium Darmstadt, Germany, where the element was first synthesized 10 7 [281][X] (34.8)[XIII] – – – – 0[XII] 111 Rg Roentgenium Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen, physicist 11 7 [282][X] (28.7)[XIII] – – – – 0[XII] 112 Cn Copernicium Nicolaus Copernicus, astronomer 12 7 [285][X] (23.7)[XIII] – ~357[XIV] – – 0[XII] 113 Nh Nihonium the Japanese name for Japan, Nihon, where the element was first synthesized 13 7 [286][X] (16)[XIII] (700)[XIII] (1400)[XIII] – – 0[XII] 114 Fl Flerovium Flerov Laboratory of Nuclear Reactions, part of JINR where the element was synthesized; itself named for Georgy Flyorov, physicist 14 7 [289][X] (14)[XIII] – ~210 – – 0[XII] 115 Mc Moscovium Moscow Oblast, Russia, where the element was first synthesized 15 7 [290][X] (13.5)[XIII] (700)[XIII] (1400)[XIII] – – 0[XII] 116 Lv Livermorium Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (in Livermore, California) which collaborated with JINR on its synthesis 16 7 [293][X] (12.9)[XIII] (709)[XIII] (1085)[XIII] – – 0[XII] 117 Ts Tennessine Tennessee, United States 17 7 [294][X] (7.2)[XIII] (723)[XIII] (883)[XIII] – – 0[XII] 118 Og Oganesson Yuri Oganessian, physicist 18 7 [294][X] (5.0)[XIII][XV] – (350)[XIII] – – 0[XII]

[hashtagartistlife]

more doodles that are getting slightly beyond the boundary of ‘doodles’ but eh 

quincy emperor au: x

fate and the hero au: x 

youkai au: x 

[hashtagartistlife]

ichiruki greco-roman mythology au!!

- Kurosaki Ichigo as an ordinary human who loses his mom at a young age, a la canon - Kuchiki Rukia as the goddess of fate

- At seventeen, Ichigo goes to the local temple dedicated to the goddess of fate and demands she tell him how to alter fate so that his mom can live 

- Rukia replies (through her priestess) that fate is not something that is so easily altered, but if he is determined, there is a long quest involved to prove his worth 

- Ichigo agrees to take up the quest and sets out on his way

- Rukia, despite being goddess of fate, is quite fond of mortals who wish to defy fate-- she has seen many mortals attempt this quest before, and she's made a habit of disguising herself as a human woman to accompany them so she can see firsthand what drives them to want to rise above the destiny set out for them by the gods

- Of course, nobody has ever managed to finish the quest. (It's just as well, because the final step in changing one's fate involves arriving at the main temple of fate in Olympus, killing the current god or goddess of fate, and taking their place. Rukia didn't see fit to tell Ichigo about that part. After all, nobody has finished the quest in all her years of being goddess; Ichigo is not likely to be any different!)

- (Except Ichigo's Ichigo, of course he is.) 

- So Kurosaki Ichigo sets out on the long and arduous quest to shatter fate and Rukia, disguised as a human woman, slots herself into the quest with him, occasionally giving him hints and guiding him in the right direction, and as with every other AU, they slowly fall in love, until-

- until Ichigo gets along further in the quest than anybody has ever done before, and Rukia starts to worry

- She didn't expect this. He's getting so close to the end. What if he really does clear the whole quest? What if he really does reach her temple in Olympus? Will he kill her? Will he be able to? She's seen the way he looks at her-- does she look at him in the same way? She didn't expect this. She didn't expect any of this-- Ichigo clearing the quest, the potential confrontation at her temple, all these feelings--

- She tries to dissuade him from the quest. She tries fighting, yelling, tears, persuasion-- but Ichigo's adamant. He's started this quest, he's going to finish it.

- And while she agonizes about a decision, they eventually come to the final and most dangerous step of the quest, just before her temple on Olympus 

- Somehow in this last leg of the quest ichigo almost gets killed, and Rukia sacrifices herself instead without a second thought

- Ofc, she doesn't actually die, being a goddess and all-- the only thing that dies is the shell that she inhabited while she was pretending to be human, and she wakes up in her temple in Olympus, safe and sound-- but in that moment, she realises that she probably loves Ichigo enough that she wants to see him succeed in his quest, wants to see him change fate, wants to see him happy and triumphant-- even if it means sacrificing her life for it 

- Having come to this conclusion, she waits in her temple for Ichigo to arrive, because by now she's seen enough of him to know he will succeed in clearing even this last hurdle 

- Ichigo, meanwhile, just saw (or thinks he saw) Rukia die in front of him, for him

- He clears the final step in his quest in a haze of grief and rage and makes his way up the steps of the temple of fate, ready to throttle this so-called goddess of fate, whoever the hell she is, first his mom, now Rukia--

- and when he finally arrives at the temple, it's Rukia waiting for him at the altar, but cloaked in divinity-- there is no way to miss it. She's not human. She's a goddess-- and if she's waiting for him here, at the temple of fate, then she must be-

- he falls to his knees in front of her. Rukia steps up to him, wearing a smile.

- 'the final step in changing fate is killing the goddess of fate and taking her place.'

- She curls his hand around a holy dagger, and points the tip of it at her heart. For a second, Ichigo grips the dagger hard, presses the tip of it into her chest, but then his grip loosens and the dagger falls to the floor. Rukia looks at him, asks why--

- "When I saw you here," he says, "I thought-- I should feel betrayed. You lied to me the whole time, kept me in the dark, made me fall in love with you only to tell me that this is the final step in my quest-- was it all just a game to you? Something to pass the time?"

- Rukia starts protesting, that she might have kept him in the dark about this final step but that doesn't mean she didn't mean everything she said and did to him, that she really does want him to succeed and that's why she's offering her life--

- "But none of that mattered. I should feel betrayed-- I don't. The only thing I felt when I saw your face was relief. I was so-- so glad that you weren't dead, that you were still alive, that you still exist--and you think I'll be able to kill you? I can't. I can't, Rukia." 

- Rukia, again, protests, tells him not to throw away what he wanted so much just for her, that she can't be the barrier to him getting his mom back and being truly happy, he can't choose her over his mom-- 

- except she's a moron. Ichigo doesn't even want to bring his mom back from the dead anymore. Sure, his family was torn apart in the aftermath of her death, but they all eventually picked themselves up and kept living their lives, as the living tend to do. They all healed in various ways, it was just him that was stalled in the past with his grief and guilt. Going through the quest with Rukia let him heal from the trauma of losing his mom and towards the end of the quest, he'd decided that, even if he managed to clear the whole thing, he won't ask to bring her back from the dead-- he just wants to see her again, one more time, to say sorry, before letting her go completely.

- And then Rukia died, and he cleared the last leg of the quest solely for the purpose of bringing her back. So how the hell does she think he'll be able to kill her? Rukia thinks Ichigo's just like... throwing away his life's purpose because of her when in reality, she'd been his new purpose and reason to live for a long time now.

- Ichigo tells her all of this. It takes some convincing, but eventually, Rukia comes to terms with it. And then she says, well, alright, fine. no fate defying today. But you did clear that whole quest, which is pretty impressive. I can grant you a wish for that. Did you want to see your mom again? 

- And Ichigo says no, I want you. 

- Rukia splutters-- you can't just say that, I'm a goddess, what does that even mean-- in what capacity--

- Ichigo: whatever capacity you'll let me have you? 

- And then they fuck in her temple against the altar of fate! (Whenever Ichigo thought fuck fate in his younger years he didn't quite expect this outcome but hey, he'll take it.)

- ..... ok that last part is just in there for self-indulgence, doesn't actually contribute to the point of this AU. I haven't thought about how this AU actually ends, either -  Ichigo probably becomes some minor god of something obscure and they both live on Olympus happily ever after or whatever. Not important. The main  point i wanted to make with this AU was: 

- Kurosaki Ichigo, local fate and destiny hater, being brought to his knees when fate comes to him wearing Rukia's smile, being unable to defy the fatedness of Ichigo and Rukia. Ichigo will fight tooth and nail against every other fate that the world presents him with, but when the universe shoves Rukia in his direction and says, here, she's your fate, she's your destiny-- he can't fight that, doesn't want to fight that. The concept that Rukia is the only fate he will accept. Great Concept! The end! 

<IR AU: Fate and the Hero> FIN