#Midsommar imagine

[entitled-fangirl]

Little bird.

Pelle x reader

Summary: the reader has had enough of the Harga, and is determined to leave. Pelle would never let that happen.

Warnings: Manipulation, kidnapping, drugging, cult shit idk

A/N: this was based off an ask!

Masterlist

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Y/n leaned against Josh as the group all chatted and watched the locals in their traditions of the day.

She wasn't exactly sure why she was invited, and it was eating at her. 

Maybe just because she was Christian's little sister, and they felt pity leaving her behind. 

She had nothing in common with them besides their college. 

She was a sophomore health major with no interest in studying anthropology, yet here she was in the middle of god knows where in Sweden with her brother and his friends. 

It was becoming overwhelming. 

She sat forward and rubbed her forehead, as if trying to wipe the bad thoughts away. 

Pelle noticed from beside her and leaned towards her, "Is everything alright?"

She looked up at him with a furrowed brow. "w… what?"

"You look troubled," he replied. 

Christian turned his attention to her, "What's the matter?"

She sighed and pushed herself up to stand. "I'm just tired. I… I think I'll go rest."

Christian nodded and his attention was gone from her once again. 

She walked away, the steps feeling like forever. 

But Pelle watched her the entire way, his eyes set on her nervous frame and frustrated movements.

He turned to Mark, "Do you think she's upset with us?"

Mark shrugged, "She'll be fine. Probably her period or some shit."

Josh scoffed, "Wow. Real nice, Mark."

The rest of the conversation was lost because Pelle couldn't stop his mind from wandering. 

Finally, he stood as well, "I have work to do. If you need anything, anyone would be happy to answer questions."

The group seemed disinterested from questioning him and barely acknowledged him as he left. 

…

Y/N had rushed into the Harga. Her breath was ragged and a panic attack was beginning to form. 

She had to get away. 

She began to clumsily throw all of her belongings onto her bed. 

"What are you doing?" A soft voice asked. 

Her head snapped up to Pelle.

"What are you doing?" He repeated. 

She said nothing, beginning to pack faster as she felt her eyes water. 

"Hey. Hey. Talk to me." He began to talk steps towards her. 

She shook her head, "I can't. I can't."

"You can't what? Stop." When she didn't, he quickly closed the gap and took her wrists in his hands gently, "Stop that."

She now looked to him and watched his eyes soften at the sight of her watery eyes. 

"Oh," he cooed. "I've never seen you so upset, little bird."

"Please, Pelle. I wanna go home."

His blue eyes watched as a single tear fell down your cheek. "I have been an awful host to you, haven't I?"

"No. No." She pulled her hands from his to wipe at her face, "It's not that."

"What is it then?" 

"Why am I here, Pelle?" She asked with a light hiccup and sob.

His brows furrowed for just a second before he recovered, "What do you mean?"

"Why did you invite me?"

"I wanted to." He tried to reason with her. "You're close to me, and I wanted to show you my homeland. I'm quite proud of it…."

"I know. I know. But…"

His voice lowered, "But what?"

When she didn't answer, he continued, "I know it's unlike American customs. And I know it's a lot to take in. But it's home."

"It's your home, Pelle. Not mine." 

The slightest of twitches came to his eyes and a dark look flashed over them, "While you're here, it's your home, too."

She cried out, "I don't want this! I don't want to be here-"

"-You don't mean that."

"I do!" She yelled, "I do, Pelle!"

"Quiet yourself."

"Do not," she grunted. "Do not tell me to shut up."

"I would never say those words," he continued. 

The two stared at one another, both with a look of fire behind their eyes. 

"I'm going home," she stated bluntly.

"This is home," Pelle rebutted.

She picked up her now packed backpack and slung it over her shoulder. "Tell Christian I'm getting a ride to the airport."

"No."

Her brows furrowed, "Why not?"

"You're staying," he said as if it was obvious. 

She scoffed, "Only if you fucking make me."

His head tilted, "If I must."

She stiffened and the two stared at each other once again. She couldn't tell if he was being serious or not, but if the fire behind his eyes and his body being closer to the door was any indication, she'd say he was serious.

She took some steps back and watched him carefully.

He took each step with her as his arms began to move out in front of him, as if trying to calm a wild mare, "Don't make me do this."

She broke out into a sprint past him, feeling his hand brushed her arm and a string of Swedish curses leaving his lips. 

She managed through the door and outside of the Harga. She followed its walls, leading her into the woods that laid not far past.

Pelle had longer legs, and made good use of them.

That, and he was more determined than ever to catch her. 

She dodged trees and bushed carefully, not caring about the cuts on her legs they sometimes left in their wake. 

She grunted and pulled herself to a sudden stop, grabbing a tree trunk near her. 

She eyed the area in front of her. 

"English Ivy," Pelle panted from a few feet behind her. "Poisonous."

She looked over her shoulder, noting the sweat that dripped from his forehead. 

Her eyes must have betrayed her thoughts because Pelle sighed, "Please don't."

But she dove to the right, rounding the poisonous area and Pelle in the process, continuing her run.

She tried to zigzag occasionally to throw him off when he neared too close, but even she knew she couldn't do it forever. 

She felt a tug on her shoulders.

He had grabbed her backpack.

She quickly pulled her arms free from it, causing an ache in her left shoulder from the jerking behavior. 

He grunted and abandoned it, making a mental note to come back for it.

But at least without it, she was quicker on her feet.

The run continued, and she began to see a clearing.

She had run in a circle, and began to see the bright painted building of the Harga.

Maybe Christian would help her. 

Josh would see reason.

Mark would protect her.

Only a few more feet until she'd break the tree line.

Two arms pulled her back by the waist. 

She grunted from the force of her back on his chest.

She opened her mouth, but one of his hands brought a cloth to her lips.

She began to hold her breath.

"C'mon, little bird." Pelle cooed in her ear, "You can't hold off forever."

She growled and fought his grip on her.

"C'mon." He pressured. 

When she began to see stars, Pelle decided to speed up the process. 

He brought the hand on her waist up to her throat, squeezing lightly.

She gasped at the pressure involuntarily, and breathed in the substance on the cloth.

She let out a slight whine as she felt her legs go numb and her vision blur. 

"Oh, I know, I know," Pelle cooed as he pulled her more into his arms, "It's alright."

"I won't let you leave home," is all she heard before seeing black.

…

Christian held his hands on his head in worry, "You checked everywhere?"

Josh nodded, "She's gone."

Pelle approached the group with a curious brow, "What is going on?"

Mark sighed, "We lost Y/n."

"Haven't seen her since this afternoon," Christian said. 

"Well, I just talked to someone, and they said they took her to the airport," Pelle lied easily.

"What?" Christian exclaimed, "Why the fuck didn't she tell me?"

Pelle shrugged, "Maybe she did not want to worry you."

"That's unlike her," Christian mused. "And you're sure?"

Pelle nodded. 

He was sure that to Christian, she was gone. 

After all, he couldn't risk her telling him before the Midsommar festival ended. 

She sat in a room, hands and feet tied until his love rune worked well enough to guarantee her want to stay with him.

But he knew that would take a while.

So, he gave sympathetic cooes to Christian all evening.

And he went to her that night with dinner. 

His little caged bird. So pretty in the wild, but will be content in captivity.

He's sure of that. 

...........................................................

[morelikecommunitydick]

The fact that Annie lost her virginity to a closeted gay guy who cried the whole time and then went on to have a crush on troy, a closeted gay guy who cries all the time. Like, shawty had a type ig

[mymitochondriaforpresident]

Wilmon Midsommar

[smth-intheway]

(Not my pic I took it from Pinterest!)

And I suppose that Mr. Perry is in a bear costume.😀

[softmangoes]

among the sunflowers

18+ only | inspired by the cloudy town cult au by @lichilly

as you walk through the field, it almost feels as if the flowers part for him. they rustle in the wind so tall, full, and golden as they whisper their devotion to the sun beaming from above.

you can smell smoke in the distance, like charred corn and smoldering charcoal. there's laughter. the crackling of a great fire.

"you came at a good time," the strange man says as he leads you deeper in the labyrinth of blooms. "our summer feast is one of our most sacred of celebrations."

jack, he said his name was. just a few days ago, he offered to take you and your friends in after your van had broken down. you had offered him cash, but all he wanted was company in return. you'd enjoy the feasts, tour the town, maybe help with the harvest if you were able.

it was a good deal. almost too good to be true.

you follow him through the field, a basket of flowers slung in your arm. earlier, you had woven wreaths for the children of the town, taking joy in the way they delicately prodded at the blooms resting atop their heads.

before you packed up to join your friends, jack himself had asked for one.

"if you don't mind," he said, almost sheepish.

"i'll make it special," you replied, twisting the stems of the freshly picked sunflowers into a soft circle.

"just like you?" there was an air of amusement in his voice, light and sweet. he took a seat beside you on the hill overlooking the children as they played. "i'm a lucky man."

you looked away, trying to hide the blush that warmed your cheeks.

he had been nothing but kind to you, after all. always so doting as he made sure that you were fed, clothed, and comfortable. if the repairs to your van weren't almost done, you probably would have considered staying just a little longer.

when you finished, his eyes widened at the crown of red blooms.

"for my savior," you said, presenting the wreath to him. "how could i ever repay you?"

although you had said it with mock fealty, jack lowered his head solemnly. you placed the crown, so brilliant and full, so that it rested perfectly amongst cerulean curls that were as vivid as the sky above you.

"payment isn't necessary," he said as he looked up, eyes warm with delight. "when being beside you is already such a gift."

you took that moment to stand up faster than you wanted to, proclaiming that you were going to look for your friends. his laugh was bright and hearty as he helped you retrieve the fallen flowers.

now, he was leading you deeper into the field. there was a forest full of effigies celebrating the rise of the sun, he said. there were many things in this town you would find beautiful.

"we weave flowers into the bundled hay," he says, adjusting his crown. "i'm sure it's something you would also appreciate. maybe you could even contribute."

he tells you that some of the townsfolk had already taken your friends there, excited to join the summer festivities.

"already?" you say, surprised considering all they've wanted to do is leave. "but—"

a scream cuts through the quiet. it's blood curdling. pained. familiar.

you take his arm, fingers creasing the soft linen sleeve. "what's going on?"

the man, eyes golden in the sunlight, merely turns and smiles at you. it is a warm smile. a beautiful smile.

despite your fear, you find yourself returning it.

"that," he says, his fingers gently curling over your own. in the light of the waning afternoon, the flowers atop his head are a brilliant scarlet. like sunset. like fresh blood. "is the sound of a new dawn."

[darling-i-read-it]

Requested: by anon, Hello hello hello 👋 I just read your new Pelle fic and.. thank you for reviving my Midsommar obsession ❤️ It gave me an idea for a request, too. Something on the creepy vibe (if you're okay with it) with Pelle and a shy reader, like super shy. She can be friends or a sibling of the group (to justify why she's there). He is completely smitten, and she doesn't understand why.

I hope you enjoy love! I hope you don't mind I made it with headcanons, I thought it would flow better. I love doing a subtle creep, the horror fan in my goes wild lol.

You had known grown up as a childhood friend to Mark, which turned into you both going to the same college, which turned into you being friends with his friends

You quickly grown close to Dani, as the only other girl who frequented the boring testosterone filled dinners 

But you had otherwise been friends with all of them, comfortable with being around overnight if you needed to be, to go out drinking and trust them to watch over you if you had a little too much 

Other than that you remained shy and quiet. You had your friends with no real reason as to branch out further than that. You had never been sure if it was a mix of social anxiety or just sheer uninterest but when you were out, you tended to be silent 

The group brought you out of your shell but you had known some of them for years, they had broken down past your walls and been granted access to your personality 

When Pelle came you were unsure how to feel about him

He brought a warm composure with him, as well as a natural need to pry about everyone's lives

You lived in the middle of being unsure with him, never positive if he was too be trusted, never sure if you could believe he was part of the group or not

Pelle on the other hand, was enthralled 

He had never seen someone he so easily wanted to get along with. Was it the challenge of having to get past your natural boundaries? Was it the way your silence indicated a deeper understanding of everything around him? Was it the fact that you were the only person who was suspicious of him, able to see past the expert front he was putting out? 

“She’ll warm up to you,” Mark promised. “She’s just shy. We’ve all known her for like…forever.” Pelle nodded, watching you interact with Dani. You were sitting at the table in the other room. He could only see a sliver of you, a gentle smile and a soft laughter. He ached to make you laugh like that, to make you understand him in the way he wanted to understand you. 

“Yes, yes. I understand being naturally unsure,” Pelle said, though he didn’t mean it. He wished, not for the first time, that he had brought things from home. Things that would loosen you up, things that would get you to talk. 

He truly didn’t think this was wrong. This sinister streak was all he had known. 

“Just don’t take it too personally alright?” Mark asked. He was distracted, on his phone. Pelle looked towards him, watching him. A fool. A natural fool who could never read between the lines. 

“Of course not.” 

Pelle watched you with a natural eagerness, a desire to understand, a desire to completely hold 

He started to do subtle things. Things that you should be able to chalk up to coincidence. Going to the same library as you so that you didn’t have to talk to him but knew he was there. Getting the same coffee order. Always being around when you planned to stop by. 

You wondered if you should consider him a nuisance, stalker or a soulmate. The lines blurred as you saw him more

Finally you started to open up. It was slow. You talked to him, to be polite, but never more than you had to. And then you would answer his questions with longer answers. Then you wouldn’t mind being around him for a longer period of time. 

You couldn’t figure out why he was seemingly so enthralled

“He’s smitten,” Dani explained. She was sitting on the couch beside you, legs up beneath her. You shook your head. 

“He doesn’t even know me,” you argued. She shrugged. 

“I think he knows more than you think. He’s been nice to you right?” You feared that. You feared that he knew more than he was letting on. Something about him said he would observe and absorb. You understood that and you understood how that could be used for less than good reasons. “Just give him a chance. We all like him.” 

“I know, I know. I guess it’s just this gut feeling.” 

It was the pressure from the others that generally sent you into being closer to him. He was so happy to see you more likely to talk to him. You asked him questions about home and he gave you cagey answers. You pressed some of the answers. He never seemed to give you the full picture

He loved that about you

You were smart and you were observant

He was extremely hopeful you would come back home with him. You would see how he lived and you would understand everything. It would all fall into place

Pelle knew how to bide his time and he knew that there was no use in pressuring you. It would undo all of his progress! 

Instead he just let you instinctively become more used to his answers. You would chalk it up to cultural differences. You didn’t want to be rude right? 

He wanted you to be May Queen. He wanted you to stay forever, to be by his side. You would make such a beautiful May Queen, covered in flowers. You would no longer have to hide within yourself. 

“Everyone’s going to Sweden?” you asked. Your voice was always quiet, like you were contemplating staying silent. Pelle nodded. 

“Even Dani, I believe. It’ll be her birthday and she wants to celebrate.” You hardly believed that. Dani surely wanted a distraction from the horrors of her current life. You couldn’t blame her. “You should come. I think you would enjoy my home, as I’ve enjoyed yours.” 

You nodded slowly. You didn’t like long trips, filled with all those new people. It was draining. 

“I’ll have to ask Mark if he thinks I can tag along.” Pelle nodded. 

“I hope you will. It’s beautiful and extremely educational. You might not want to leave.”

[fatherforgivethem]

“Are these the May Queens?”

“…You'll actually be here for that.”

…

…

…

“And - Who are your May Queens?”

“Eh, every Midsummer we have this dance competition and the winner gets crowned, in this.”

“Oh! Wow. Beautiful.”

[clownboy-yeehonk]

.

[liquidjapanesetit]

Now that i watched beau is afraid i think we as a society should be glad that the mother in midsommar was killed early in the movie

[seal-writes-stuff]

Valentine’s

Word count: 1.4k

Warnings: extreme angst with fluff (I’M SORRY), grief, mental health struggles

Summary: It’s the first Valentine’s Day in your and Dani’s relationship. It’s also the first one since the events of the winter.

A/N: Continuing with a time-honored tradition of posting things a month after they’re supposed to be posted. Written per Dani anon’s request (love u bby <3). Also this came out incredibly angsty, just a fair warning. Hope you enjoy it nevertheless!

It's been months since the night. Somehow you've barely noticed. An eternity has passed; no time has passed at all.

While you've managed to help Dani get through the absolute worst of it, things hasn't gotten better, not really. Any time she hasn't spent crying quietly, she's spent either sleeping or lying still and staring at the wall, too exhausted to do much else. She hasn’t been able to talk about it with you anyway, even though you suspected that she really, really wanted to at times.

It's all just been too painful. Too horrific to put in words.

Naturally, you've been doing your best to support her. Naturally, you've spent your every free moment being there for her, even when you didn't have anything too helpful to do or say. Not once does it occur to you that you could've done something different. That's what lovers are for, after all: taking care of each other.

Your phone pinging with a calendar notification is the only reason you find out what day it is today – and more importantly, what day it will be tomorrow.

You can still remember setting it up. You've only been dating Dani for a week or two by this point, yet you were already enamored enough to start planning your first Valentine's Day together. You were giddy with excitement; it felt like nothing bad could get through the love you had for each other.

It's been a long time.

In a panic you call every fancy and not-so-fancy place you can think of, only to find out that everything's been booked weeks in advance. No surprises there. It doesn't get you discouraged, though: you'll figure something out. You know you will, as long as it makes Dani happy.

You settle on a classic – a breakfast in bed, some pancakes topped with strawberry jam. It’s cheesy and a bit on-the-nose, but it has its charm. At least you hope so.

Early in the morning you manage to set everything up in the kitchen, tiptoeing around quietly enough to not wake your girlfriend up. Dani’s always said that cooking calms her down, helps her relax. You couldn’t say the same before, but you can see it now; the whole process is soothing. There’s something nice about seeing the result of your efforts right away. To have real, tangible proof that you can do something, as small as it is.

She hasn’t cooked it in a while, too consumed by her grief to do anything else. The thought alone is enough to break your heart. It’s not about food, of course; it’s about Dani not dancing with you in the living room anymore, about her interest in psychology withering, about her leaving books she’s been excited to read half-finished. It’s about your lover being devastated enough to abandon everything that’s brought her joy before. Devastated enough to sideline everything that makes her her.

Deep in your thoughts, you miss the rustling in the bedroom. You miss the quiet creak of the door and you miss the careful steps behind you too. All of a sudden, Dani wraps you in her arms – followed by a flurry of apologies mixed with quick kisses when you get startled. You don’t mind, of course. Honestly, what’s a better way to get interrupted?

“This was meant to be a surprise,” you mumble, bringing her hand to your lips, “Happy Valentine’s.”

In lieu of an answer Dani hums, content. It sure isn’t a surprise anymore, you think, but so what? It doesn’t matter. Maybe it never did.

For a while, you simply linger in that position. No words are needed, you’re together and that’s more than enough. But even then, you know something weighs heavy on her mind. You can feel it in her posture, in the way she holds you right now. It’s so unlike her too; Dani’s never been the one to bottle things up before. Since the beginning of your relationship and even before that, the two of you could talk about anything in the world, complicated or simple, deeply emotional or completely frivolous. You’ve always been grateful for her endless trust in you, something you’ve been happy to return generously.

So you don't push her into talking, yet she’s the one to break the silence anyway.

“I’m sorry I didn’t prepare anything,” Dani says in that low, apologetic voice that shatters your heart. “I should’ve done something for you.”

Suddenly, all of it clicks in your mind; you shake your head, turning the stove off. You turn to her, cupping her face in your palms, tracing your beloved girlfriend's soft features. The truth is, she did something for you. She did everything for you – just by being herself, just by choosing you she’s done more than she could ever imagine for you. Dani’s love saved you every day without patronizing, without need for anything in return, without guilt. It saved you as is.

And that settles it. Long, silly love confessions spill out of you, painfully genuine in their simplicity. You tell Dani how much you adore her. You tell Dani how happy you are to have her in your life, how lucky you are to be with her. You tell Dani how every love song, how every valentine’s card seems to take on a new meaning when you think about her. How the world without her would be worse, how your life without her would be miserable.

Simply put, you tell her the truth.

And you let Dani cry in your arms. You let her hide her face in your shoulder, for her sake and for your own. You know how she is – pushing people away to push through the pain. Thinking of it as a burden to others, thinking of herself as a burden to others. If only you could show Dani that it’s not true. If only you could convince her, once and for all, that she doesn’t have to do this alone.

That’s she’s loved.

“I miss them so much,” she sobs, and you bite the inside of your cheek to keep yourself from crying too. “I-I wanted you to meet them on Christmas and… Maybe if I called her earlier-”

“No-no-no, don’t even say that,” you squeeze her in a tight hug, as if she might disappear if you let her go for even a second, “You did everything right. I promise. You did everything right.”

And you stay together. You go through it together, and after one moment comes another. Maybe that’s what true love really is, the way it’s supposed to hurt. Or maybe it’s the way Dani’s hands travel up and down your back on better days, the way she puts on your t-shirts instead of hers on without noticing or caring, the way you’ve been sharing the kitchen, the space, the apartment for all this time. If true love is anything else, you don’t want to know it.

When Dani recovers, she offers to help you with cooking and you couldn’t agree faster. You know her pain didn’t go away, not really - maybe never would. As hard as it is, you’ve made your peace with that. If the pain isn’t meant to go away, it can at least be shared, and in that become bearable enough to keep going. That’s all you can hope for.

You spend the rest of the day side by side, marathoning various silly romcoms between long, languid kisses. You make Dani a heart-shaped card out of a random paper scrap just to make her laugh and she actually keeps it. You tell her how you’ll go all out next year, just to promise her another year in your company, filling it with love in the meantime.

Dani tells you it’s the best Valentine’s Day she’s had in years before drifting off to sleep.

You play with her untied hair, golden in the late sunset, and hope that it’s true, at least for now. After all, there are so many Valentine’s Days ahead of you.

[entitled-fangirl]

Adjustment.

Pelle x American!reader

Summary: Three summers ago, Y/n became a part of the Harga. With Pelle returning for midsummer with American friends, she begins to rethink her life here.

Warnings: MANIPULATION TO THE MAX Y'ALL!!! But if you've seen Midsommar then you already knew that I guess. This is a dark one so discretion is advised.

A/n: To the anon that asked for this- I HAVE DELIVERED! This is the first fic since like June that hasn't been GoT related, so it was a nice change of pace, despite that it's just Pelle manipulating the reader

Masterlist

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She watched Pelle approach, a radiant smile coming over her face. "Pelle!"

The man's head shot up, and his eyes brightened, his arms opening wide. She ran to him. He wrapped his arms around her tightly, one around her waist, the other in her hair. "Oh, how I have missed you."

"I promise I've missed you more. You've gotten to explore, and I've been stuck here without you."

"I trust you have adjusted well," He mentioned as he pulled away, his hands coming to cradle her face. 

"As much as I can. You've brought others?"

Only then did he remember the others. "Ah, right." He turned and pulled her to his side, gesturing to each person. "These are my friends. Josh, Mark, Christian, and uh, Dani." His thumb rubbed at her waist, "Everyone, this is Y/n. She is uh, my spouse, of sorts."

Mark's brows came together. "Like, you're married?"

Josh chipped in. "You didn't mention that."

"No, no," Pelle assured. "Here, we do not believe in the typical marriage that others do. She is my one. But we are all of one family, so legal marriage seems unneeded."

"I see," Josh nodded.

"It is lovely to meet you all," she chimed. "You are American, no?"

"Yeah," Christian agreed. "You're uh, you are too?"

She grinned. "Yes. A dear friend of mine was from here, and she brought me along for midsummer a few years ago. I met Pelle, and the rest is but chance."

"More than chance," Pelle beamed. "She is a beauty, is she not?"

"This friend of yours that brought you," Josh mentioned, "Is she here?"

Her face fell a bit. "No. No, uh. She has died."

Pelle was quick to comfort her. "Her pain is our pain. And you know her life was well lived. There is no death in life, huh?"

"No," she agreed. She quickly fixed her upset features. "Ingmar has made a tea, if you wish for it."

Pelle hummed. "That is quite the idea." He turned to the others. "That would help relax us, yes?"

She pulled from his arms and moved to Dani. "Perhaps us women may speak of finer things. I would enjoy the company."

Dani's eyes pulled into a worried expression that she tried to hide. "Oh. That… That would be nice. I've been in a car with four guys for hours. I'd like the change of pace."

Y/n smiled. "Then it is settled. Pelle?" She asked, turning to him.

His head tilted in an admiring way. "Of course. My company is lovely, but I'm sure Dani would appreciate that."

They watched the men walked off, no doubt going to get high and stare at the grass for the next couple hours. 

"I miss it, you know," Y/n admitted.

"What?"

"America." She looked out over the mostly empty field. "The sun shines differently here. And… I miss the color."

"It's beautiful here," Dani tried to ease.

"Yes, but I meant," she trailed off, gesturing at Dani. "The clothes. I miss my shirts and the pants I had."

"Is that all you wear? The white?"

"Hm?" She looked down at her dress. "Yes. But I have the stitching in both blue and red."

Dani chuckles lightly. "I don't think I could live without sweatpants."

"It gets easier after a while. Pelle promised to bring back books for me. I have not adjusted as well as he was hoping. I know it worries him."

Dani nodded. "He did bring some books. I admit, I didn't want to pry him about why, but that makes sense now."

"He really did? Oh, what kind? And… and how many? Are they popular ones? In America, I mean?"

Dani's eyes widened. "Oh, uh. I don't know. I didn't really look."

She forced her excitement down. "Right. Right. Well, enough of me. Please. I want to know about you," she smiled as she began to lead them down the path to the Harga.

Dani shrugged and put her hands in her pockets as she walked. "Um, let me think. There's not that much to know, really."

"You're in college, aren't you?"

"Yeah. But I'm not in anthropology like the guys-"

"-hmmm. That's odd," she mused. "I studied anthropology as well. For a year or two, anyway."

"Oh," Dani remarked, trying to smile at that. "That is kinda strange. Small world, I guess."

"Yeah. Strange…"

…

Quite a few hours later, the boys stumbled their way into the Harga, Pelle slightly more conscious than the others. He immediately crossed the field, hugging his relatives along the way as he went.

Upon seeing them again, Y/n ushered Dani back over to them.

The more Dani had talked, the more Y/n was beginning to grow concerned about the Harga. 

Like maybe she should have trusted her mind in the first place all those summers ago.

"So many thoughts in your mind," Pelle chimed as he approached her. "I could feel them across the field."

"Dani told me you've brought books," she immediately admitted, not bothering to try to do small talk with him.

Pelle gave a soft chuckle at her eagerness. His hands cupped her cheeks. "I did. Just a few. I know it is not quite everything you want, but I could not bring an entire library. Not when there is so much here for you to still understand."

She couldn't hide the light disappointment in her eyes. It had been such a long year without Pelle. The people of the Harga were comforting and understanding, but there still were the few that stared at her during dinners, like they could read the growing fight in her heart.

She missed home so much. And everyone knew it.

It worried Pelle to no end. 

That's why he brought small things to help her adjust. Books, magazines, art, each summer visit back to the Harga included Pelle's way of reminding her that the rest of the world existed.

Just outside of her reach.

Last summer had been the worst when her friend had offered herself as a sacrifice. Y/n begged Pelle to let her join his travel back to the States.

"I'll be good! I can… I'll do anything! Just don't leave me," she pleaded, her hands in tight fists that gripped his clothing. "I can't do this again."

Pelle gave her a pitying look. It pained him so much to do this to her, but he knew the moment she made it back in the States, he'd lose her. It was not something he was willing to bargain.

"It is only for a few months," he tried to ease. His voice always managed to sooth her. "I am almost done with all of my classes, then I'll return back home. Forever. You just have to be patient." He tilted her head up, ignoring the ugly tear streaks across her cheeks. "Can you do that? Be patient for me?"

"I… I'm feeling sick," she admitted to him. Her mind was so flooded with conflicting thoughts that a headache had began to form.

"How awful," he cooed, his hand rubbing at the back of her head. "Surely they can manage without you for the day. I will walk you to bed."

"No," she covered. "I'm rather hungry-"

That sparked his need to provide for her. "I will go and get you something. I'll bring it to your bed." He kissed her forehead. "Go on."

"Can Dani walk me?" She asked.

Pelle's brows pulled together as he looked from her to Dani. He wanted to say no, but he couldn't understand why exactly. "Okay."

Once the two women got away from the group and into the large building, Y/n grabbed Dani by her biceps. "You have to leave," she warned lowly.

"W-What?" 

"If you stay, you'll stay forever," she cried. "I can't- I can't go home. I've begged. And they'll kill me if they find out I've told you. Please. You have to leave."

"Y/n-"

"-Please!" She cried again. "You must trust me!"

"But Pelle understands we're just visiting."

"I was just visiting," she pointed out. "Until I wasn't. Pelle is a small silver lining in a dumpster of shit. Promise me you'll try."

Dani ran a hand through her hair. "H-How?"

"I don't know," she admitted. "And you can't let them know what you're thinking. They're smarter than they look."

"Alright. Let's just get you in bed for now. We'll talk when you feel better."

"Dani, I'm not crazy. Please-"

"I know." Dani tried to ease. "Let's just get you in bed."

Dani tucked the woman in, making sure all was right before promising to return later to check on her. As she left, she almost ran into one of the older members of the Harga. "Oh. Excuse me."

"She's sick, that one," the older woman, Irma, mused. "We've tried to help her. But her mind is quite plagued. You understand, yes?"

"I…" Dani hesitated. Everything was still so new that she didn't know who to trust, and it was clear that this woman didn't trust her. "Yeah," she lied. "We all say things when we're sick."

…

Pelle came in not long after, Irma catching him on his path and speaking to him in a low voice and handing him a small pouch. Pelle's face dropped at whatever the lady said before nodding and going on with his mission, the skip in his step now gone.

"I've brought you some stew," he chirped when he stepped to Y/n's bed. "Ulla tells me that has been your favorite as of late."

She sat up with a groan, watching Pelle set it at her bedside. She moved to speak, but he beat her to it.

"The elders… they don't think you should speak to Dani anymore." He sat on the side of her bed with his body facing her, though his head was down to avoid eye contact with her. "And after hearing what you said, I have to agree."

Ice poured down her veins, pausing the headache. "Pelle-"

"I think I have been too lenient with you," he admitted in a whisper, like even he didn't want to say it.

"No, listen to me-"

"I know adjusting has been difficult, but have we not been a home for you? Have I not been enough?"

She reached out to his sleeve, tugging on it. "You've been wonderful, I'm the one with the problems."

How easily she was manipulated.

"I think," he muttered, finally looking up at her. "I should stop connecting you with… outside influences."

"No!" She begged. "No, Pelle, you can't! Please!"

"The books, the art, I'll have someone come collect them tomorrow." He sighed and watched himself pick at his nails. "I knew it was a poor idea the moment I started it."

Hot tears fell down her cheeks as she continued tugging on his sleeve in a desperate attempt to make him reconsider. "I need connection, Pelle-"

"That is what they are talking about," he pointed out. "Connecting you to all of these things, making you feel like you are missing out, it is harmful to your little mind." He ran a hand over her hair as he said so. "It has made you dislike your home here." He stood. "And maybe I am the one to blame. I let you hang on to your old life. I should not have." He rubbed at his forehead in thought. "So I must apologize for this."

"What do y-" her sentence stopped in the middle as her eyes widened. "Don't take me away!"

"My American friends need to sleep here, and since we cannot have both you and them here at night, it is easier to relocate you. Perhaps a talk with Siv and a private room for a while will help this."

"No," she begged. "No, Pelle! NO! Not Siv, don't make me!" She cried in a desperate tone.

He sat again, sighing deeply and running a hand over her cheek in a calm manner. In a caring way. Like maybe he truly wouldn't make her. Like he may go back on his word. "It pains me to do so," he sighed. "So very much." His eyes searched hers, the deep blue irises studying her from the inside out, trying to find a way to be merciful yet firm. "Only until you have learned better."

He reached down to the small pouch he was given by Irma earlier, taking a pinch of the powder in it and holding it out in his hand in front of her. 

She tried to move away, but Pelle's blow was quick enough to send the powder into her face. She coughed immediately, prompting a large breath in and her eyes glazed over. 

Pelle caught her head gently, taking extra care when laying her down. 

…

When Y/n didn't show the next day, Dani finally got the nerve to ask Pelle where she was.

Pelle turned with a reassuring smile. "She had other matters. She will return soon, I'm sure." 

Dani nodded and pretending to forget about it. But the girl's words ran clearly in her head. 

They needed to leave.

.......................................................

[iamnoctisx]

[Albus Dumbledore] "Blind obedience to any god or man is foolish."

BLACKWOOD

What began as a noble pursuit of truth slowly spirals into an all-consuming obsession, where each step forward weaves another bramble in a tangled web of thorns. Hermione Granger, a dedicated mental health activist, works alongside Marlene McKinnon to seek justice for those abandoned by the system.

But as the lines between right and wrong begin to blur, the very walls of her psyche start to crumble, leaving Hermione to question not only the truth she’s fought so fiercely for, but what, in the end, is the true prison.

🔗 to chapter 1/3

[karvakera]

jumpscares you with my ocs

the first one was done today to keep my attention on the stream I was watching,,, I physically can not watch something if I dont draw at the same time.

the mermaid one was done a while ago but I wanted to share it since its dear to me (despite the godawful mistakes in anatomy and angles). I usually struggle with backrounds but I think it turned out fine there,, also something about its vibe is special to me,,, feels somewhat nostalgic

[cyber444angel]

deleted scene from midsommar (2019)

[fagrackham]

> acts superior about taste in horror movies

> ofmd fan

i never said i was perfect

[darling-i-read-it]

The Pairing

Pelle x fem!reader

Word Count: 3k

Warnings: not edited because who can be bothered, midsommar type things (cult, murder, people mysteriously going missing, a weird pairing ritual that includes murder, mentions of dani's trauma, mention of incest), I tweaked the plot a bit to fit the request

Author’s Note: Helly dear I hope you enjoy this! I left it open ended because I figured it was safe to leave the reader up to what they would do. Personallllyyyy I think after trauma bonding I could be swayed into a weird marriage lol. Enjoy(?)

Requested: by anon, Hi! Since you still write for Midsommar (which makes me very happy 🥳) and I saw your requests are open... I got one. The reader is friends with the group, she's Dani's best friend, and of course Pelle has a thing for her, he always tries to make any sort of excuses to touch her. She's invited to Sweden along the rest, and she's tricked into a sort of ritual where it's "decided" that Pelle and her are to be married. When she finds out she's mad and she wants to leave. Then you decide how to end it. Like she stays? She escapes? Is she kidnapped? You choose.❤️❤️❤️ I basically just found your blog, and I read almost all your work, and I love it! You're a great writer 👏

I don’t own these characters. They belong to author/director/creator

(not my gif)

“Do you remember Pelle?” Dani asked. You looked up from your phone. She was sitting on her bed, against the wall, arms wrapped around herself as she thought. Her phone had been recently discarded on the bed. You were sitting at her desk chair. You thought about Pelle, the gentle guy with the gentle smile. 

“Yeah sure. He’s nice. Why?” You meant he was nice in that he was nicer than the rest of Christian’s friends. They were okay but they were guys and tended to act that way no matter who was around. 

“He’s invited me to Sweden with him and the others.” You raised an eyebrow. 

“They’re going to Sweden?” 

“Pelle lives there,” she explained. “He’s going home and everyone else is going to visit where he lives. It’s supposed to be some kind of commune or something.” You sat up, putting your phone down. 

“Are you going?” She shrugged. 

“I don’t know if he wants me there. Christian, I mean. I don’t know if he just invited me to be polite.” 

“You said Pelle invited you.” 

“Well he seemed happy I was going but I don't really know him. I mean, he talks to you more than he talks to me.” You shrugged. You and Pelle had been friendly through the semester, simply because you go whenever Dani wants you to and Christian drags his friends around like dead weights. You narrowed your eyes at her, unsure what she was getting at. 

“Do you want to go?” 

“Yeah, I think so. I mean, I should get out of the house right?” You nodded. 

“I think it’s a good opportunity. I mean, Sweden! That’s so cool.” 

“Pelle extended the invitation to you as well,” Dani explained. You raised an eyebrow. You didn’t know the others that well and you knew Christian about as well as anyone knows their best friend's boyfriend. “You don’t have to come but I think I would be more comfortable if you were there too. I’m not sure how I’m going to react and I don’t know Christian’s friends that well and I don’t know the place and-”

“Relax Dani. When is it? I’ll check my schedule.” She grabbed her phone and started to scroll through, looking through the dates. 

“We’d get there on my birthday.” You smiled a bit. 

“That’s perfect. I didn’t think you should spend your birthday here anyway.” You shrugged. “I’ll go. I mean, I should probably look at how much it’ll cost and stuff but it could be fun. Right?” You didn’t deny how nice it would be to spend more time with Pelle, this time on his home turf. 

“Really?” You nodded, shrugging. She smiled easily, shoulders dropping the tenseness. 

“Yeah Dani. It’s for your birthday, how about that?” 

-

Pelle grabbed your hiking backpack as you approached the car. The drive was supposed to be over four hours and you were all stuck in the same van, along with all your luggage. You weren’t exactly excited for the overwhelming boy aura that would come along with it. 

“Thank you,” you said, gently. He nodded once, a kind smile on his face. 

“Of course. I’m so glad you could come,” he expressed. 

“Me too! It’s so exciting to see your home.” He shut the back of the car. Everyone else had gotten into their spots in the car. You called shotgun the second you got off the plane and you were grateful for it. Dani was squished in the back beside Christian, her window already down for some air. The sticky hot air was indicative of a nice morning turning into a nice day. You hoped this car had air conditioning. “Is there anything I should know? I’m sorry I don’t know a lot of Swedish, other than what you taught me.” 

Pelle had been giving you words here and there, trying to get you to pronounce things correctly. It was kind of a lost cause but it was fun regardless. 

“It’s probably going to be foreign at first. There are some things Americans aren’t exactly used to.”

“Like what?” “It’s easier for you to just see. But I assure you, you’re always safe.” He walked to the front of the car. You stood there a moment longer, unsure why you would need to worry about your safety. You pushed it out of your head, walking to the passenger seat. “Everyone buckled in?” Pelle asked, turning the car on. 

There was a chorus of yeah’s, followed by a couple seat belts buckling in. You adjusted to be comfortable in your seat and prepared for the drive. 

“Keep your hands, arms and feet inside at all times,” you joked. “The show is about to begin.” 

-

The hike to Pelle’s home was nice, if not a bit hot. Eventually you found yourself settled into beds, backpacks finally down, feet resting. You were itching for a shower but didn’t want to ask about it. You had been showered with kindness, large slightly unnerving smiles and flower crowns. Pelle sat beside you in the grass as everyone started to explore. They found themselves in their own bubbles, the dancers and the educators. Even Dani was able to find some sort of place alongside those who were making dinner. You kept a keen eye on her, just in case. 

The sun not going down tripped up your inner clock. It had to be closer to midnight than it was to midday. 

“This place is beautiful,” you admitted and you meant it. The sense of disconnect from the rest of the world was somewhat jarring. You could tell how someone could enjoy a life out here. “I can��t imagine why you’d ever leave.” Pelle smiled gently. He was leaning back on the palms of his hands. You picked at the overgrown grass under your fingertips. 

“It’s slightly limited,” he assured you. “I wanted to see what the rest of the world had to offer.” You shrugged. 

“Then decided to come back?”

“This is my home,” he said wistfully. 

“Home is where the heart is.” He nodded once. You looked back towards him, squinting in the sun. He seemed used to it, like it had no effect on him. “That was cheesy.”

“But true!” he promised. “Things are cheesy for a reason.” You laughed a bit. 

“I think that's a classic,” you argued. He shook his head. “When does the sun set?” 

“I thought I told you earlier that it doesn’t.” He leaned forward and gestured to the blue sky. “The midnight sun can go for days. Sometimes just a day, depending on the time of year.” You nodded, opening your mouth to ask another question when Ingemar approached the two of you. 

“Good evening,” he said happily. 

“It’s evening?” you scoffed. “See, this whole thing is messing with my inner clock. You got a wristwatch?” Both men shook their heads. You weren’t sure why you even asked. They probably still used the stick in ground timing method out here. Or maybe they didn’t even care and simply went about their days as thought time didn’t matter at all. You weren’t sure you could ever adjust to that.

“May I sit?” You and Pelle nodded. He sat down beside Pelle, getting comfortable on the hillside. “Are you both ready for the pairing tomorrow?” Pelle gave Ingemar a look. 

“What pairing?”

“It’s silly, really. It’s part of the festival.”

“You haven’t told her?” Ingemar questioned. He laughed, making you feel left out. You weren’t sure why Pelle wanted all of this to be some sort of mystery to you. You wondered if it would lose its charm if you knew what was going to happen. But the pairing sounded somewhat sexual and you wanted to know if you were entering a sex cult or something. 

“After the Attestupa tomorrow the elders make five pairings of people. It’s like…superstition. Whichever pairing seems to be best put together by the end of the festival gets to be married.” You scoffed. 

“Married? Like a legit wedding?”

“As legit as we get around here. There is no paperwork or church to defy,” Ingemar explained. 

“What’s the Attestupa?” you asked. You didn’t want to be insensitive to everything going on but you poked around for the sake of your sanity. 

“Another thing easier seen than said,” Pelle explained. 

“You are being awfully mysterious Pelle. Should I be worried?” He shook his head. 

“No, not at all.”

 -

After the Attestupa you were about to leave. Dani’s panic attack, which was justified after the events you had all witnessed, caused you to jump into protective mode. It was too early in her grieving process to be seeing death at all, let alone death right in front of her. It didn’t matter what kind of processes the people here went through, she needed to leave. 

It was Pelle who convinced you both to stay. He apologized, assuring you both that nothing like that would happen again soon. It was part of the world he grew up in and didn’t think he needed to protect you from something he saw as normal. 

You waited for Dani’s go ahead. When she said she would stay, so did you. 

Then came the pairing. 

The elders gathered everyone around the table again. They had a scroll out in front of them and you stood next to Dani, teetering back and forth on the balls of your feet. Pelle assured you there would be no deaths here. This was about the rebirth of those who had just died, the children that would be had from the couples paired together. You looked around, wondering which people had been waiting for this their entire lives. 

Then your name was called. 

Pelle and you. 

Ingemar and Connie. 

Then other names you didn’t know, people that had lived here their whole lives. Your eyes were still bursting out of your head from the time they brought you and Pelle up, gave you intertwining floral headgear and showed you to one of the private cabins. 

Simon was still yelling from outside about Connie, wanting to drag her away, unsure of the reason she had been chosen. Dani watched you go but couldn’t grab you. She wanted to give you a thumbs up but didn’t have the heart to, unsure if you were going to die the second you were away from her eyeline. 

When you were inside the cabin you took off the flower crown. You placed it on the bed halphazerdly., turning to Pelle. 

“Okay, what the fuck is this?” you questioned. “Ingemar has a crush on Connie and now they’re paired together? What is this Pelle? Please.” He approached you and you didn’t back away. You still felt safe with him, even after all the things that had happened. You truly believed he wouldn’t hurt you. 

“It’s not like that, I promise.” He put his hands on your arms, trying to center you. “They pair up some of the visitors every Midsommar,” he assured you. “I had no idea it would be you and I or Connie and Ingemar. They have to pair up some outsiders to avoid any incentuous children, they aren’t doing it from any kind of ill mind.” 

It felt weird. In this room, alone, when you had just been in a group housing situation. You already wanted to see Dani. 

“This is weird Pelle.” 

“I understand it isn’t normal. But they aren’t forcing anything on us, on you. We’ll sleep here but it would be normal, as though we were sleeping a couple feet away in the group house.” 

“So we don’t have to do anything right?”

“There will be a few pair games but those are normal. Like…compatibility games. They aren’t dangerous, I assure you. Do you trust me?” You swallowed hard, meeting his eyes. You nodded slowly. 

“I think so. Yes,” you promised. He nodded. 

“You’re allowed to leave and see Dani and our friends. Don’t worry.”

“What about Simon and Connie?”

“I’m sure Connie and Simon will see each other again soon. There’s no need to worry about them.” You nodded. 

“At least they paired me with you. They could’ve paired me with Christian and I could've drowned him in the toilet or something.” Pelle gave you a small laugh. He put his hand on your arm, softly. 

“Let’s have dinner alright?” You nodded, following him out of your cabin.

-

“So it’s like a game?” Dani questioned. “Why couldn’t they put Christian and I together. Maybe then he’d finally think about marriage.”

“You don’t wanna marry that guy,” you said, shaking your head. You were sitting by the gardens together. Pelle was harvesting some food and you watched, for moral support. “Pelle says it’s like a game. Whoever is most compatible at the end gets married.” 

“Legally?”

“As legal as this all is,” you said. 

“Did you see that Simon left this morning? Without Connie. Hitched a ride,” Dani explained. You shook your head. 

“Really?”

“Yeah. Someone took him in the car into town.” You didn't know the guy well but were surprised. They seemed really close. Engaged, if you remembered. 

“Pelle?!” you called. He turned around, putting the shovel into the dirt. 

“Yes?” 

“Did you hear Simon left?” He shook his head and walked over. He was sweating from the sun. His white baggy shirt clung to his chest. You were grateful again that you were paired with him out of anyone, the slight crush growing with the coincidence. 

“I didn’t. Who told you this?”

“Ingemar,” Dani explained. “When Connie went looking. Do you think Christian would do something like that?” You wanted to scoff and answer honestly. Instead you met Pelle’s gaze and shook your head, lying. 

“I’m sure he wouldn’t.” Pelle extended a hand. 

“Would you like to help me?” 

“Looks like hard labor.” 

“I promise I’ll make it easier. Come.” You reached out and let him help you stand. You glanced back at Dani, who smiled, squinting under the sun.

“You guys are cute. Sure to win best pair.” You rolled your eyes. 

“You get to be the maid of honor.”

“The may queen traditionally get’s that spot,” Pelle explained. You raised your eyebrows to her. 

“Better get your dancing feet ready.”

-

“Have you seen Josh?” Dani questioned. She stood in front of your cabin door, concern lacing her voice. You rubbed your eyes. Pelle had let you sleep in a bit, allowing you to skip breakfast and bringing some back. You shook your head. 

“No. Not since yesterday. Why?” Her jaw set. 

“I can’t find him.” 

“Isn’t the May Queen thing today? I doubt he’d miss that,” you offered. “Plus, I have a compatibility thing today too.” Dani nodded tightly. You were right. Josh would show up eventually. 

“Can you ask Pelle if he’s seen him?”

“Yeah of course. You okay?” She nodded but she had that melancholy look on her face that was hard to read. You weren’t sure if she was just putting up a front or if she was at all settled. You wanted to ask her more questions but she turned slowly and walked towards the main part of the commune. You squinted in the sun. Pelle passed her while he was walking back from wherever he had gone. 

“Are you ready?” he questioned. You nodded a bit. 

“Thanks for letting me sleep in.” 

“Of course. I want you rested.”

“So what do we have to do? Is it like a sack race or something? Who knows each other better? Quick, what’s your favorite color?” He chuckled. He looked down, intertwining your fingers. You let him, though you were suspicious. 

“A tad more serious than that.”

“Pelle…”

“You’ll be fine. I promise.” He was determined to win this one. He had never been chosen for a pairing before but he had seen it happen. The pairs were sent out on the cliff and had to be the last two standing after a scuffle of pushing and shoving. 

Ingemar and Connie were removed, after Connie mysteriously disappeared after causing too much commotion. There were only two more couples. 

Neither were as strong or connected as you and Pelle. 

He just wondered how he would get you up the mountain. Once you were there he had no doubt he could convince you to push for your own self preservation, along with his. 

As Dani took a drink of the special tea before the May Queen dance, you drank some offered by Pelle as you started up the mountain.