#Mikkel the Reader

[not-poignant]

Hi! 24 for Mikkel, please

24. What is an alternative life path your OC might have gone down? How different would their life be if they'd made those decisions?

I'm picking Mikkel from the Fae Tales canon vs. Spoils of the Spoiled, since you didn't pick a universe, anon!

But the answer is that...an alternative life path in an AU scenario is literally Mikkel in Spoils of the Spoiled. He turns his childhood trauma into something functional, and he saves people's lives. He doesn't die tragically.

The reality is that I could never imagine a different life path for Mikkel in the canon without changing a) his trauma and b) his being a Reader. And honestly, removing either of those things kind of destroys his character in Fae Tales, and the purpose of his character, so I can't really go there mentally.

Mikkel was made to be a character who eventually dies by his own hand / choices in response to the world treated a fundamental truth about him (and I'm not going to change the whole world dlakaslkjf). Even if he didn't do it to be a hero for Gwyn, he would have done it on his own at some point anyway, and that was really his only alternative, aside from being imprisoned by someone and forced through torture to read for them until he got old enough to will his own death (usually past 10k years).

In a way, his path in the Fae Tales canon was the most heroic one he could have chosen, and to do anything else that forced him to live to me actually feels like a weird disservice. I had to literally transplant him out of the universe entirely to give him a different ending! So that's what I did :D

~

From the edgy OC meme!

[alessiamalfoyzabini]

Dark Moon | Chapter Fifteen - The End

Pairing | yandere!Jimin x Reader

Word Count | 3k

Warnings | +18, yandere themes, wedding, Stockholm syndrome, murder, smut, messy bathroom sex, fingering, blowjob, teasing, vaginal sex, unprotected sex, body worship and kissing, this is not for minors

This fanfiction is yandere, if you don't like the genre, don't read and if you are not of age, don't read.

I don't want to hear any complaints in the comments, thank you.

This does not reflect my way of thinking or living at all, it is just a work of fiction, it is like watching a horror movie, many of us love horror movies, but we would never dream of what we see in those movies happening in reality as well.

Simply put, this story was written for entertainment purposes, it should not be seen as a reflection of my values, opinions or morals. I absolutely do not condone such acts.

⤷ Summary | She just wanted to escape her past, take charge of her life and break out of her steel cage, praying in God for a miracle that could change her life for good.

And her prayers were heard, but it was not the Divine that answered her.

That was certainly the devil in the guise of an angel, she thought as those corrupted and empty eyes searched her soul with extreme voracity.

He turned a sweet, false smile on her, before pushing her into the abyss.

➢ Author's Note | Hi, guys ❤️

This is the last chapter of Dark Moon, a story that I wrote in a period that was not easy for me, in fact the dark tones come from the negative emotions that pushed me to write this story to test myself with this genre, so I really hope you enjoyed Dark Moon, I would be happy to receive comments about it ❤️

As for possible extras, who knows, maybe they will come just like what happened with Happy Ending 😉

Also, it was really nice to be able to talk with you! Thanks for all the love and support, see you with the next story I am already writing 🤧

Taglist: @katherine-kookie, @dragons-flare, @m00njinnie, @seokjins-luigi, @pjmsneverland, @jimincrystal, @ajkwww, @ungodlyjoon , @hecateslittlewitchling , @namjoonsbuspass , @darkuni63 , @xicanacorpse , @jiminismine4ever , @btssimpjaneth , @antisocial-mochi267 , @reallygenerouskoala , @velvet-stardust2002 , @angelicsmilesworld

Chapter List - Previous - The End

"Where is Y/N?" asked Taehyung, receiving a glare from Jimin.

"Stop it, Taehyung, she's afraid of him, and I'm certainly not going to force her to attend because you think it will help with her trauma," hissed Jimin, looking around.

He had let Y/N fall asleep in his arms before silently leaving the apartment to finish her uncle's execution.

Taehyung wished she was there, he argued that seeing her own nightmare die would help her heal faster, Jimin on the other hand was convinced of the exact opposite, she had run away from the bastard, dead or alive she never wanted to see him again, that was the gist.

"It was just an idea..." put the other's hands forward.

"Jimin, everything is ready" Hoseok warned him electrified, it had been a long time since they had proceeded with a real execution and this was the time to enjoy another one.

The boy nodded as he continued down the dark corridors of their base with the others, the room they were holding the man in was a cell like any other, it was only the way they were torturing him that differentiated the prisoner from the others.

Mikkel was bound hand and foot by a thick rope, which went to twist around his neck with a noose still wide enough not to suffocate him completely.

He stared at everyone with spirited eyes, and Jimin noted how disgusting and repulsive the man looked more like an ugly gray rat.

"You have the wrong man, I'm just a loan shark, the Kims would never say anything important to me," he licked his lips nervously, he had a horrible accent.

Jimin walked around him, his shiny black shoes made a sinister ticking sound.

Heel, toe.

Heel, toe.

He stopped in front of him again, bending at the knees.

"The Kims are our allies, we don't need to know shit about them," he said squaring him with disgust, "And we certainly wouldn't use shit like you for our own purposes."

Mikkel looked around agitatedly, Jungkook rocked back on his own feet, smiling cheekily at the man.

"Then why am I here?"

Jimin's eyes thinned, "Let's clean up, Mik," he said making the man fidget, "Does the name Y/N mean anything to you?"

Surprise and panic soon won out and he began to struggle, unaware of the damage he was doing to himself, the more he moved the tighter the noose around his neck tightened.

"You thought you were getting off scot-free by abusing a little girl who was part of your own family, threatening her parents and then making the poor mother look like a fool," Jimin began, approaching until he could read every distorted thought in the man's increasingly swollen eyes, "You took advantage of their miserable financial status and threatened to throw them out on the street if they talked, even naming certain acquaintances, who didn't like the publicity you gave, so... one way or another you're dead anyway," he growled, grabbing the knot and pulling to speed up the choking.

Mikkel coughed airlessly, tried to wriggle and escape Jimin's death grip, but to no avail, the more he moved, the more he urged Jimin not to let go.

"That's nothing compared to what you put Y/N through, you son of a bitch," he shouted, throwing a punch at the man now with no more air in his lungs, blood began to come out of his nose as his body was invaded by jerks and survival impulses, he cried out mute for mercy, but the boy's eyes remained stone.

Jimin backed away retrieving his gun, but when he pointed it at the monster he had second thoughts, with one bullet he would have died too quickly, so he just watched along with the others as he suffocated in the ropes and his own blood, in the last moments when Mikkel looked desperately at Jimin once again, the latter smiled.

"Y/N, my wife, sends her regards and wishes you to burn in hell," he greeted him amusedly, emphasizing how Y/N was now simply his.

When they saw the eyes turn glassy, with no more life behind them, Hoseok huffed.

"That was too fast," Jungkook commented, pulling out his own gun and unloading it on the body to make sure he was really dead.

"He's dead, that's all that matters," said Seokjin who had been merely observing in silence, "Get rid of the corpse cleanly, I don't want any surprises," he ordered, but everyone's attention was on Jimin.

"Wife?" asked Taehyung with a smile.

"He actually said wife, this jerk decided to settle his head," laughed Namjoon, interrupted by Yoongi who also laughed.

"No, that little head will always be crazy."

"So you're getting married with a celebration?" asked Jungkook, joining the confused chorus of questions and jokes.

"My guess is he's already signed papers, he seemed overconfident," reasoned Hoseok, both Jin and Jimin were getting nervous.

"Listen, you-!"

"When and how they get married is Jimin's and Y/N's business, as for us, we must realize that there is a new family member to protect," he clapped his hands vigorously, "Now, get rid of the body," he repeated.

Jimin nodded in Jin's direction in thanks, then turned to Jungkook, "Make sure that not even the bones can lie on this earth, you understand what I mean, right?"

Of course it was clear, the seriousness and awareness of having to do one's duty well had returned to the room.

The ceremony had been small and for a few friends, Jimin did not like to show off, and Y/N could not bear to see unfamiliar and dangerous faces staring back at her.

The wedding dress, on the contrary, was wonderful.

It wrapped the girl's figure gracefully, her shoulders were uncovered thanks to the bodice's boat neckline, which was white with light blue highlights and had many small flowers woven along the neckline and hips, it then continued with a long skirt made of silk and fluffy tulle, with her hair made slightly wavy and scattered loosely on her back and the thin, shiny tiara placed on her head, everyone had agreed that she was an adorable and pure fairy.

Jimin, for his part, in his sleek, total-black smoking with crystals sprinkled across his chest and shoulders, had never taken his eyes off her, like a hawk aiming at its seductive prey. There was a change in him too, his hair had been dyed blond, for Y/N had been like seeing a fallen angel waiting for her at the altar, she had smiled shyly at him arm in arm with Seokjin.

It had been frightening to meet him again initially, but in time she had realized that if taken gently, Jin was by no means evil and had always been very calm and gentle with her.

Now she was there, joining her hand with Jimin's, and emotion invaded her.

She paid no attention to the priest's words, the ritual they were performing was being handed down in the Bangtan band, it was the man who had to do everything, the bride simply had to say,

"Yes, I do."

It had been so easy to say it, no hesitation, no flash of fear, she looked at Jimin through the foolish eyes of love, he lowered himself onto her who discovered she was swept up in a fiery and electrifying cloud, when their lips touched Jimin held back no longer, he held her by the waist and pulled her into a deep and dead-end kiss, he was possessive and passionate and sought her out every time she tried to catch a breath.

The few guests applauded, giggling at the fierce hunger of the blond, who let her go only to gaze contentedly at those swollen, scarlet lips of kisses.

But it was not his intention to stop there.

They accepted the congratulations of the Bangtans and some of their relatives, Y/N met Taehyung's mother and father and found them a delightful couple, almost unable to believe it when the father said with some pride that he too had been a Bangtan before his son.

In contrast, there was no sign of Jimin's parents, probably not even knowing that their son was alive.... From what Jimin had confessed to her one night, his mother was a street prostitute and his father was a singer who toured the world, Jimin had been born by mistake.

Y/N had immediately rebuked him, he was not a mistake, he was her complex and sweet boyfriend, although he had not been a saint at first, now he was showing her that he was a caring partner and madly in love. Perhaps even too madly.

"Anyway, my husband and I wish you well and happy life together," trilled the woman, gently pinching the cheeks of the girl, who blushed under such motherly attention; now she understood why Taehyung was the most affectionate of his friends, he had not grown up with terrible parents.

"Treat her well, Jimin... it's not easy to find someone who understands and accepts our kind of life," he tapped the young man's shoulder with a hand that was anything but playful, despite the boxy smile his son had inherited.

"Oh, I'll treat her like a queen," he smiled sweetly, but Y/N saw the shadow of something more evil, something that manifested itself exactly forty minutes later, when everyone was now occupied with the banquet.

"W-We'll have to wait," stammered the girl, trembling under the velvety kisses the young man was leaving all along the portion of skin the cleavage had left, free to be cuddled and adored by him, "If you leave me marks they will show!"

Jimin laughed on her neck, "I won't leave you any marks, I just want to have a taste," he promised, licking down to the cleft between her breasts with his erection pressing into his pants.

He cast a glance at the girl and let out an approving cry, he had taken her in his arms making her sit on the sink, her back was resting against the large mirror behind her and her legs were held open, with the skirt pulled up over her hips and the white fishnet stockings on display, all for him and she was so sexy in his eyes...

"You've already had a taste this morning!" hissed Y/N, glancing occasionally at the bathroom door.

Jimin returned to leave moist trails of kisses on her chest, suddenly lowering her bodice and noticing to his pleasure that she was totally naked, Y/N gasped praying that nothing had been torn off, cast a reproachful glance at the man, melting away soon after, however.

Jimin's condition was no better, his once perfectly coiffed hair was now messy and scattered across his forehead, his tuxedo jacket had been tossed into some corner of the bathroom, and his dark, gleaming shirt had been opened by almost every button, which made her quietly admire the invitingly toned appearance of his abdomen, cased with deep attractive and manly lines, with her hand she followed one, entranced, to his waistband where a more than obvious bulge made her throat tighten.

Jimin licked his swollen lips stained with her lipstick, "I can't go back that way."

"No, you can't," murmured Y/N as she got off the shelf and knelt in front of him, who inhaled in eagerness to touch her.

She took off his leather belt and lowered the zipper of his smartly cut pants, watching raptly as his cock pushed against his boxers, there was already a wet spot staining the fabric, and she licked gently there, already finding the taste she now knew by heart and could no longer do without, Jimin clenched his fingers around the edge of the sink until his knuckles turned white, with a small smile the girl also freed him of his men's underwear and finally took the swollen, heavy shaft into her mouth, standing still for a few moments, trying to get used to that girth once again.

"Fuck," breathed Jimin tremblingly, his balls clenched as he registered the image he was experiencing, "Oh, fuck, you're sucking me off in a wedding dress," he cursed, risking coming immediately, Y/N closed her eyes and holding her breath swallowed a few more inches until her nose brushed against the man's pubis and she felt her throat fill with his cock, she slid over the entire length again, licking insistently the sensitive frenulum area, her intimacy was on fire when she noticed the tremor in her husband's legs, giving him pleasure gave her pleasure, it was a sensation she had never experienced with anyone else. It made her feel powerful and weak at the same time.

Jimin moved his pelvis against her mouth, each discharge was a violent lash that he needed, the tone of his voice rose, and, they were both sure, if anyone passed by the bathroom door, they would hear a man enjoying thanks to a dreamy blowjob.

"Y/N, stop," he ordered in a guttural voice, but the woman sucked harder on his entire length, letting her saliva slowly slide all over his cock to make the job easier, in response Jimin grabbed her head, giving one last thrust that made her choke for a few seconds before releasing her completely, "Get up," he hissed, his taut and vibrating cock was already on the verge of releasing his cum.

The girl licked her lips with a sly smile, pleased that she had reduced Park Jimin to a quivering little thing, as if grappling with his first blowjob, but Jimin was not of the same opinion.

"You little bitch."

He made her turn, bending her over the sink and raising her glitzy skirt over her hips again, that position was the same as that night before everything went to hell, but she didn't feel the suffocating anxiety of the first few times, with time she had realized that Jimin would never hurt her again, and now she quivered every time she found herself bent over with Jimin behind her, watching her desire-laden body.

The blond man pulled her panties of the same color as her fishnet stockings, felt her intimacy with two fingers to see how wet it was and found it deliciously soaked and quivering, he hummed with satisfaction at that result and penetrated her lightly, Y/N opened her mouth sighing, her belly contracted recognizing that pleasurable stretch between her yielding flesh.

Jimin removed his fingers now soaked with her wetness and used them to gently caress her swollen, sensitive clitoris as he penetrated her all the way down, slowly sliding his cock into her who more than welcomed it, Y/N's head dangled forward as she responded to Jimin's rhythmic thrusts with hushed, choked moans, the fingers around her rosy bud amplified the sensations of the cock pinning her down in that bathroom, where everyone could have found out in a very few seconds what was going on.

"Oh God ... oh God ...!" she exclaimed unable to say anything else, Jimin went deeper with a sometimes desperate cry.

"My wife," he sighed in her ear, bending entirely over her with his hips clicking faster and rougher, "I'm fucking my wife," he gasped causing her walls to clench as they flickered in mad pleasure, with wide, glazed eyes she listened to Jimin repeat those words, she loved hearing him say them, her heart was swollen with love and pride, now no one would dare to hurt her, ever again.

The blond lifted her up against his chest, fixing his eyes straight into hers through the mirror that gave a sinful image of their bodies joining sensually, he held her tight like that as he intensified the rhythm of his thrusts, by now sinking into that slippery heat breathlessly, his hand worked under her skirt faster, Y/N moaned seeking his lips, Jimin also penetrated with his tongue into the young woman's mouth, pinching a florid nipple as a provocation.

It worked, with a shrill scream between their joined mouths Y/N came violently, clutching his cock that discharged moments later in her belly between thick boiling filaments, they continued to move in unison until the pleasure turned totally to discomfort due to overstimulation.

They sighed exhaustedly, but without moving.

"I told you not to leave marks on me, but you did worse," she laughed wordlessly, observing his devastated state, not that Jimin was any better off.

He kissed her neck gently, leaving her, who groaned annoyed at the loss.

"We have a valid excuse now."

"What excuse?"

"Well..." he helped her up her bodice by lacing it from behind, shooting her a mischievous look, "To get out of here without anyone noticing and finish in our room what we started."

Y/N widened her eyes, "We can't! They came here for us and then I'm too tired now to-" she could not finish the sentence, Jimin took her in his arms without any effort.

"It's our wedding, we can do what we like," he said with a smile that gave him a cheerful and absolutely adorable air, "And I want lots of children," he blew on her lips kissing her repeatedly, she laughed between their lips, unable to retort.

She did not know how exactly she had ended up trusting her fallen angel, but she was sure of the fact that she was now hopelessly in love with him, as he was with her.

[blairsanne]

Pretend to Be Nice - 1 - Oh No

For the @deanobingo 2023 event!

Prompts: Anders Johnson - Honesty The Almighty Johnsons - Anders & female Reader 4619 words

Summary: You are secretly in love with your friend, Anders Johnson. When your other friends find out, they encourage you to let it go.

CW: Alcohol consumption, discussion of hookups (mild). Angsty? Slow burn I guess? (This is a multi-part story.) Series masterlist here

You stood in the kitchen of Michele’s house, topping pieces of baguette with various things while music filtered in from the living room. 

The gods and goddesses surrounding the Johnson family had gotten into the habit of weekend parties, and you were having a quiet moment inside while the crowd was in the yard, enjoying the summer weather.

Anders sauntered in through the back door and flashed you a smile as he looked you over.

“There she is.” “Here I am.”

He walked up to you and leaned in as though to tell a secret as he pinched at the fabric of your dress. “This thing is dreadful. Bin it.”

“Oh? What would you have me wear then, my lord?” you asked sarcastically. 

It wasn’t completely out of the norm for Anders to tell you whether or not he approved of your fashion, but this might have been the harshest he’d been to something you were actively wearing.

Still, it seemed mostly light-hearted.

He was grinning back at you, his blond hair aglow in the late afternoon sun shining through the window behind him, looking every bit like the piss-taking god he was.

“Well if we’re talking druthers, I’d prefer you without, but I think killjoy Mikkel would complain.”

You rolled your eyes. “Ha ha.”

Anders snickered to himself and ate one of the appetizers you were still preparing, earning him a brief dirty look from you which only served to make his dimples more prominent. 

He could tell he was pushing your buttons, but you always indulged his mischief, so he figured you’d forgive him.

He gestured to the chilly bin. “Can I get you a drink?”

“I dunno. Last time I drank with you, you left me alone at the bar.”

“Hey, you left me.” He pointed, recalling your night out together the week before. “I went to the bog for a quick pash and when I came back you and Axl had gone home.”

You narrowed your eyes at him. “You have a skewed sense of quick.”

He shrugged, unapologetic. “What can I say? I’m a generous god.”

You snorted, and he let out a humming giggle in reply as he pulled two beers from the bin. He opened the first one and placed it on the counter beside your handiwork before opening his own.

“So how’d you end up on food duty when there’s a perfectly good handmaiden present?” “You’d best hope she doesn’t hear you talking like that.”

He grinned as he sipped his drink.

“I’ll take my chances.” “Brave man.”

He gave you another lookover and winced. “Seriously, you look like an old woman in that frock.”

You raised your brows in offense. “Understood, Bragi. I shan't damage your eyes with it again.”

Sensing that you were taking it personally, he tilted his head and added lightly, “I liked that purple one you wore to Ty’s.”

You snickered, knowing which - revealing - dress he meant. “Wonder why that might be.” “Just saying, you should play to your assets.” “My ass-ets?”

Anders wagged his eyebrows, turning to stick his own ass out as he gestured at his chest to imply large breasts.

You shook your head and went back to your task. “Always so charming.”

His bright laugh won you over, however, and you couldn’t help but smile when you looked up to see his eyes wrinkled and his dimples in full view.

He caught sight of Michele and Stacey walking over and winked at you, as though to keep his previous comment a secret.

“Need help?” Stacey offered.

Anders snickered, but turned away to sip at his beer in an attempt to hide it. You threw him a warning glance despite your own amusement, then offered Stacey a warm and genuine smile. “I’d love that, ta.”

Michele hummed and leaned against the counter, giving Anders a lookover as Stacey started helping you. “It’s not like Anders is of any use.”

“I don’t see you cooking,” he retorted.

She shrugged. “I’m not very domestic. My talents lie elsewhere.”

He nodded, his eyes training over her form. “I’m sure they do.”

Olaf stepped in the back door. “Ah, sustenance!”

Before anyone could stop him, he nabbed a couple of the completed appetizers off the plate.

“Leave some for the rest of us, eh?” Anders teased.

Stacey shooed Olaf away. “Get out, both of you. We’ll take them outside when they’re done.”

When Olaf began to protest, Anders put his hand on his back to steer him toward the door. “C��mon Grandpa, let’s let the women do their work.”

“Like it’s the role of goddesses to feed useless gods?” Michele challenged.

“Well not you, obviously; we don’t want to be poisoned,” Anders called behind him as he exited.

Michele flipped him the bird, though he didn’t see, then turned to you and shook her head. “Dick.”

You laughed under your breath and got back to work.

--

Later on, you found yourself standing with Anders outside, talking about plans.

“Axl and I are gonna hit up that new club on Fort Lane tomorrow night. You should come with.” “So I can keep Odin company while you get your end away?” He grinned. “We can trade off.”

You grimaced, then looked away, playing it off. “Yeah, nah. I’m not up for it.” “What?” Anders nudged you playfully. “You always come.” You shook your head. “Mm. Not this time.” “Oh, is it that time of the month?”

You smacked his arm. “No! God.”

He let out a humming laugh at your reaction. “Then what’s your problem?”

“I just…” You rubbed your arm and looked away again, shrinking somewhat into yourself. “I just don’t feel like hooking up with anyone right now. That’s all.”

“You should hit him harder,” Michele suggested, walking up with a glass of wine in hand.

You snorted as she and Stacey joined you.

Anders scrunched his face up in mild offense. “All I did was invite you out. Usually you’re keen on it.”

“Finally get sick of babysitting the Johnsons?” Michele wondered. “You’d know all about that, eh?” Anders challenged.

You shrugged, wanting the topic dropped now that there were more people involved. “I’m just not up for it.”

Anders pointed, squinting his eyes at you playfully. “Or maybe you’ve got some boy toy on the side you haven’t told us about.” He fingered the fabric of your dress again. “Would explain your sudden off-putting attire.”

“Anders, couldn’t you just pretend to be nice?”

He clucked and winked at you. “Nah, I respect you too much to be dishonest.”

You snickered as Stacey rolled her eyes.

“Oh please.” Michele crossed her arms. “As if you have any idea how to respect goddesses.”

Anders placed his hand on your shoulder. “Just the ones I like.”

“The ones who put up with your crap, you mean.” “The ones who aren’t frigid bitches? Always a pleasure, Michele.”

He turned to you then, pointedly ignoring her and squeezed your shoulder a couple times. He flashed a crooked, conspiratorial grin, his tone coaxing. “We’re gonna have fun…”

“I’m sure you will.”

He clucked again, but gave you a wink as he started walking off. “Change your mind, you know how to reach us.”

Michele watched him walk off, then turned to you with a raised brow. “I don’t know how you can stand going out with him.”

You shrugged defensively. “It is usually fun. And he usually pays for my drinks.”

“You don’t need a wanker god buying your drinks.”

“Well I don’t need a mum telling me who to hang out with either. Besides, it’s good for Axl to have someone a little less…” You glanced towards where he was now joining up with Olaf to partake in a joint. “-Anders with him.”

Stacey and Michele both laughed. “That is true.”

--

A while later, Stacey leaned over toward where you were sitting against the back wall of the yard.

“Alright, so spill.” You looked over at her with raised brows. “Spill what?”

“Why don’t you want to go out with the boys? Was Anders right? You’ve got your eye on someone?”

“Oh.” You took a swig of your beer. “Yes and no. It’s- not going to happen.” You laughed under your breath and shook your head.

“No way, you’re a catch,” Stacey argued, pushing your shoulder playfully. “And Anders can totally talk any mortal into bed with you.”

You snorted. “Yeah, that’s not the issue. I’m sure he’d be down for a root, but that’s not-” You shook your head again. “I don’t want that.”

Stacey’s teasing air faded and her voice turned soft. “You really like this guy, eh?”

You shrugged, but nodded. “Mm.”

“So what’s the deal? Is he, like, married or something?”

“Nah.” You shook your head and took another deep drink of your beer.

Michele walked over and sat down facing you both. “What are you two plotting without me?” “Nothing.” “She’s fallen for some guy.” “Oh? Who’s the lucky mortal?” “Not that lucky. She hasn’t made a move.” “Oh, no. That’s pathetic. You need a little Sjofn push?”

“No!” you said a bit too panicked, putting your empty hand up. “Definitely not. I’m just going to swallow it down until it goes away.”

Stacey laughed, but Michele narrowed her eyes. “Why?” “Because it’s just never going to work out.” “You don’t know that.” “I’m serious. If I told you who it was, you’d laugh at me.”

“No way!” Stacey insisted. Michele crossed her heart, confident she could get you to tell her. “Goddess’s oath.” 

You contemplated it, looking around. You seemed to be alone in the yard, and the music from inside the house was loud enough that talking quietly should make it impossible for anyone to overhear you.

“You can’t tell anyone.” “Promise.” “Absolutely.” “Not even Ingrid. She’ll mean to keep it quiet and then tell Colin or one of the Johnsons by accident or something.”

They laughed but nodded in agreement.

You let out a quiet groan. This is probably a mistake.

“It’s…” You leaned closer and whispered. “Anders.”

Stacey nearly choked, laughing incredulously before falling into a coughing fit.

Michele just stared at you in alarm for a beat that faded to pity. “Oh, no.”

You huffed and rolled your eyes. “I know. I know. Hence nothing coming of it.” You got up and walked away before they could tell you any of the countless reasons it was never going to work out for you. You’d already agonized over them yourself plenty. 

Sure, you could probably talk him into a root or two, but you’d only end up upset and hurt when he didn’t want more from you.

Anders did not have partners; he had notches in his bedpost, and that was it. There was no point making things awkward for everyone by trying to change that and becoming a bitter ex. 

--

A week later, you were back at Michele’s for another god-party, arriving late after debating whether to come at all. 

It wasn’t that you didn’t want to be around them, but you knew that Stacey and Michele would be judging your interactions with Anders now, and you knew that he was probably going to talk about his exploits - which shouldn’t hurt your feelings, even though they did.

Eventually the barrage of texts - from your goddess friends as well as Anders and Axl - had convinced you that you should just suck it up and attend. The more you acted out of the norm, the more they would question why, and Michele or Stacey might let it slip.

Your two goddess friends spotted you the moment you arrived, and before you could stop them, you found yourself whisked into a bedroom to be stared down.

“Finally!” Michele crossed her arms. “Is this really about Bragi?”

You wrapped your own arms around yourself as your shoulders raised defensively. “Look, I’m here now, okay?”

“You need to get over him.” “She’s right, it’s for the best.” “I’m not trying to be under him! I can’t help how I feel-”

“Yes, you can,” Michele argued. “Stop playing along with his bullshit, and letting him treat you like the wanker-wingman he’s trying to turn sweet Axl into.”

You looked up and sighed. “So, what, just stop being friends with him?”

“Absolutely.” “I can’t do that. He hasn’t done anything wrong.” “Except be himself,” Stacey muttered.

You winced. “I like Anders. He’s funny, and smart, and he’s nice to me.” Michele raised a brow.

“He is!” You shifted, breaking eye contact. “In his own way.”

Michele softened, realizing that arguing with you about the subject of your crush might not be the most efficient route to solving this problem.

“And yet, boyfriend material he is not. So swallow down the butterflies, have a few meaningless roots, and for the love of Asgard, move on.”

You shrugged, pouting. “Yeah, that’s… more or less the plan.”

Michele wrapped an arm around your shoulders to lead you back out into the party. “Perfect.”

--

Michele and Stacey hovered around you for a good while, but eventually Michele went off to find Mike, while Stacey helped Ingrid to not destroy the food that she was trying to make for everyone.

You found yourself standing alone in the backyard, staring up at the sunset painting the clouds in warm hues. The soft blue that was fading from the sky suddenly reminded you of Anders’s eyes, and you felt a twist in your gut.

It wasn’t fair, you thought, to be so close to the man - indeed, a common companion on pub crawls and confidante of drunken exploit reports after his trysts - and yet unable to cross that invisible barrier.

Maybe he would be down for a root; it was Anders, after all. The problem with that was you; too much of a romantic to be satisfied by a bit of fun, you knew you’d feel lower than dirt to see him bedding mortals again after having his way with you. Being a meaningless root would be worse than being his undesirable friend.

“Ah, here she is. The cause of my sexual frustration.”

Anders’s voice caught you off-guard as much as his comment, and you raised a brow as he stepped up from behind you. You felt a flutter of anxiety, but played it cool.

“Excuse me?”

He placed his hand on your shoulder and leaned in close. “Went out with Axl as planned, but since you weren’t there, I wasn’t able to have any fun. Could have taken this fit blonde to the bog but Ax’ was getting into trouble without your supervision.”

You shut your eyes and pursed your lips, swallowing down the feelings of rejection that were rising like bile in your throat.

“And I’m sure that’s stopped you from Bragi-ing anyone else to bed since, eh?”

Anders laughed brightly. “Well, no. Of course not.” He gave you a glancing look-over. “Nice dress, by the way. Much better than the last one- But come with us next time. It wasn’t as fun without you there.”

You rolled your eyes. “To keep Axl company?”

“And me? And to have fun? Why are you being so weird about it? You usually like coming out with us.”

Anders hadn’t missed the offense in your voice, but he meant what he was saying; he just had a better time with you there.

Which is why he’d texted you multiple times trying to coax you to join them that night; why he’d been bothered by your lack of response.

He shook the beer he was trying to give you enticingly.

“Pass.” You took the bottle from him, but turned and walked off, feeling irritated that he really had no idea how you felt.

No, it’s my fault…

How would he possibly know, after months of following him and his baby bro to the bar, watching him take chick after chick home (or to some dark corner), that you didn’t want to hear about his sex life?

How could he know that finally voicing your feelings to Michele and Stacey had made them impossible to ignore; a dam that had secretly burst.

It wasn’t fair to treat him differently as a result, but you had to somehow. You simply couldn’t stomach it no matter how much you wanted to be around him.

Ugh… Michele is right.

He caught up to you before you could make it inside, blocking your path.

“What’s your problem?” “Sorry?” “Is there something the matter?”

You took a defensive step back. “What would be the matter?”

His nostrils flared, his voice low with irritation. “I don’t know, you’re the one suddenly too good to go out with us.”

You scoffed and tilted your head. “I never said that.”

“Then stop being so fucking weird-” “Stop asking me to babysit your brother so you can fuck every blonde in Auckland!” “Okay, fine!”

You could read the confusion and offense in Anders’s expression even as he took a step back.

“But just so you know, you’re starting to act a lot like your friend Michele.”

You knew what he meant, but you couldn’t help the offense you felt at him implying that was a bad thing. She was your friend, after all.

“So what if I am?” “Kinda prefer you acting like you?” “Oh- well- let me just change my personality to suit your taste then! Just like my wardrobe.”

Anders frowned. You’re offended by that now, too?

“Why don’t you go boss around a mortal?”

You saw the subtle twitch of his cheek as he clenched his jaw, his eyes searching yours.

He didn’t get where this sudden disdain was coming from. You’d never been so pissy with him, and never about him using his powers.

You felt your heart in your throat, anticipating some biting retort as he glared at you, but instead he suddenly turned and stormed off, leaving you alone outside again.

--

Anders stalked through the party until he found his brothers standing around chatting.

He threw himself into the conversation, acting aloof and lighthearted despite his mind being distracted by your odd behaviour.

He’d assumed you declining the invite last week had been a one-off, but now it seemed like the mere idea of going out with him and Axl - a longtime regular occurrence - was entirely bothersome to you.

He wondered if it had to do with your little goddess friends giving you shit; he knew they didn’t like him much. Or maybe you really did have some beau you’d neglected to mention. Neither option sat particularly well with him.

The light-hearted conversation was interrupted by the sound of a smoke alarm going off in the kitchen.

“Shit-”

Mike and Ty immediately ran toward it, even as Stacey started shouting that everything was fine - ‘just a little cooking mishap’ - over Ingrid’s apologies.

Anders laughed at the chaos and looked up at Axl. “Hey, while I’m thinking of it-” He leaned in close to ask Axl if he knew what was going on with you.

“What d’you mean?” “She doesn’t want to come out with us all of a sudden.”

“Really?” Axl cocked his head in surprise. He hadn’t truly questioned you not being there last time, but now that he thought about it, Anders did usually drag you out with them.

“When I asked her why not, she acted… fucking, weird, I dunno.” He sipped his beer. “Pissed off at me, but I can’t suss out why.” He glanced up at Axl. “Thought maybe you knew something I’d missed.”

“Nah, she seemed fine last we talked, but…” “But?” “Well… You can be kind of a dick, even if you don’t mean it.”

Anders scoffed, an insulted grin on his face as he briefly tucked his bottom lip into his mouth. “Love the vote of confidence from the baby bro.”

“Nah, just- you know how chicks are. You probably- didn’t even realize, or- didn’t mean it however she took it, you know? Just say you’re sorry, I bet she’ll forget all about it.”

Anders pursed his lips. He wasn’t exactly a stranger to upsetting people, though he couldn’t think of what he’d done this time. He was used to being himself around you - blunt and teasing - and you’d never gotten upset with him about it before.

In fact, that was part of why he liked hanging around you over the other gods and goddesses.

He had fun getting you to laugh despite yourself at the inappropriate things he said. You always took things the way he meant them, and you always seemed happy to see him. You never made him feel like he was some monster for using his power, or wanting to root. 

So then, whatever he’d done to upset you, it must have been pretty bad.

Maybe Axl was right that he just needed to apologize. Still, he wasn’t the sort to apologize without meaning it, or knowing what he was supposed to be sorry for. He was going to have to ask you what was going on, which he’d already tried with poor results.

“Goddesses,” he muttered in annoyance, resigning himself to having to talk to you about it.

“Chur.” Axl let out a small laugh and clinked his bottle against Anders’s.

--

You stayed outside while the fire alarm chaos went on, sitting at the edge of Michele’s pool to kick your legs in the water. 

You’d come out at their insistence, but all you wanted now was to go home. I’m not even in there anyway.

Once the commotion seemed to die down, you dried off using one of the towels Olaf had left out and slipped your shoes back on.

You found Stacey and Michele pouring themselves glasses of wine in the now-empty kitchen and gestured for them to follow you into Michele’s bedroom. 

With the door shut for privacy, you let out a defeated huff.

“Right. I’m gonna head out.” “No, stay,” Stacey whined. “No, I’ve made enough of an ass of myself for one night.”

Michele frowned. “Meaning?”

“I’m pretty sure Anders hates me now.”

Michele and Stacey answered over top of each other. “Well that’s no issue-” “I’m sure he doesn’t-”

You winced and let out a groan.

Stacey’s tone was full of concern. “What happened?”

“I was pathetic.” You held one hand to your forehead. “I got cross with him for no reason.”

“That’s not possible,” Michele muttered, rolling her eyes. If you were cross with Anders, it was probably justified.

“It’s not his fault that I fancy him and he doesn’t fancy me. And it’s childish to get hurt by it. I just need to…” You sighed and gestured half-heartedly. “Get over it somehow. It’s pointless.”

“True.” Michele nodded. “I could help you find a man for the night?”

“No, I just want to go home and sleep. Ta.”

Stacey patted your head, then pulled you into a hug while Michele shrugged.

--

Anders spotted Stacey and Michele coming into the living room after seeing you off, and he stepped over with a raised chin to ask where you were.

“She just left,” Stacey replied without hesitation, thumb pointing toward the door.

Michele elbowed her, but before she could say anything to Anders, he was already heading for the exit.

“Way to go, Stace,” she hissed.

--

Anders caught up to you just as you were about to get in your car.

“Hey!”

You raised your shoulders and sucked in a breath as you turned to face him. “What’s up?”

“You don’t say goodbye anymore?”

It was true that you normally made a point to do a goodbye lap at god gatherings, but you hadn’t been up for it tonight.

You shrugged. “Bye.”

“No- wait.” Anders put his hands on his hips and licked his lips. “Clearly there’s something going on.”

“No, nothing,” you lied.

“Look I know I’m a prick, but I am actually capable of behaving when I need to. Whatever I’ve done to upset you, if you just tell me, I’ll stop.”

You read the sadness in his face, and felt a tug in your heartstrings. Not only were you feeling like shit being around him, you were making him feel bad now too.  Oh, well done.

“No, Anders- I know that. You didn’t do anything. You’re fine.” You reached out to tap his cheek consolingly. “You’re perfect.”

“Then why do you keep looking at me like that?”

You retracted your hand, hunching your shoulders. “Like what?”

“Like that. Like I hurt your feelings or something.” “No. No, you didn’t. Really. There’s nothing wrong.”

Anders scowled, his cheek rippling in frustration. “Don’t lie to me.”

You swallowed, then looked down. “It doesn’t matter, really. It’s no worries.”

“What’s with you? Just tell me.”

It wasn’t like you to be so vague with him. The idea that you wouldn’t tell him what it was pissed him off for reasons he couldn’t explain to himself; maybe more than the idea that you were upset. You’d always been so open with him before. Did this mean you hated him so much you wouldn’t even give him a chance to make it right? Did you think only the worst of him suddenly?

You hugged yourself, not wanting to be honest, but knowing things were going to keep escalating if you didn’t. You could easily imagine the drunk texts or the scene he’d make at the next god gathering; him blaming Michele or trying to rope Mike into figuring it out for him. Your stomach turned and you fought back a wave of nausea.

“I thought… I could just get over it, or ignore it, or whatever. I wasn’t going to say anything, but- Now I guess I’ve let it ruin things.” 

You groaned, holding a hand to your face. This is pathetic.

“What?” Anders stared at you in confusion, still convinced that he’d done something and you were being too polite to tell him what. It must have been pretty bad to upset you this much, but he couldn’t think of anything out of the ordinary or particularly egregious that he’d done - particularly to you, who he’d considered one of the better gods in the group.

You met his concerned blue eyes with an earnest expression. “Anders, the truth is I-” You licked your lips, fighting the sting of tears. “I’ve sort of- Fallen in love with you? And I know nothing will come of that, so I didn’t want to make things weird by saying so.”

His face was slack with dumbfounded shock.

In love with me?

That was the opposite of what he’d been expecting to hear. You’d been so cold and avoidant that he was sure you were going to tell him how awful of a person he was; you wouldn’t have been the first.

But in love with him? Sure, he’d heard that before from mortal women who he’d Bragi’d to bed, who didn’t really know him at all but found him charming. He’d always shrugged it off as a bit of an insult, or an unintended lie. They loved some incorrect idea of him.

But you knew him better than that. You’d been there through messed up god business, and kept his secrets that even Dawn had no inkling of. That meant that you’d seen all the bad parts of him - bickering with his family; using his powers on everyone; drunk, and high, and being a prick - and concluded that he was lovable?

Really? Even his own family was always chastising him.

You took his stunned silence as confirmation of what you’d already known; he didn’t feel the same for you.

“Sorry,” you managed in goodbye, then climbed into your car.

He watched as you drove off, blinking and at a loss for words, Bragi no help this time.

---

Part 2 here

---

A/N: I wasn't sure I'd end up finishing any of my bingo WIPs given what's going on IRL right now... Shoutout to everyone who has been posting so much for the bingo event! And special shoutout to @laurfilijames, whose fic broke my writer's block.

Tags: @the-poldarkian @i-did-not-mean-to @the-butterfly-blues @laurfilijames @midearthwritings @feeweeeee @ichoosechoasandbeingqueer @missihart23

As always if you'd like to be added or removed from tagging (for a specific character/fandom/everything) just let me know any time!

[aspeccharactersoftheday]

Mikkel the Reader from The Fae Tales Verse is aromantic asexual!

[bowieandqueen11]

Dating Magnus Nielsen Would Include...

Request: we need more DARK content on this app! you are honestly one of (if not THE) best writer for DARK on tumblr! anyways... dating magus nielsen headcanons for dark pleaseee :)) magnus is very underappreciated within the small fandom

That is honestly so sweet thank you! I hope these are okay <3

Comments are much appreciated!!

Dating Magnus Nielsen would amount, more often that not, to countless mornings being spent trying to speak out of his house and past his mother before school. Cue the two of you waking up, his arms heavy over your back and feet entangled tightly together when his alarm clock goes off. He only groans, pulling you closer against his chest and pressing a sloppy kiss against the back of your hair, eyes fluttering back to sleep again. Martha usually leaves a last warning knock on his door, making the two of you scramble up and down the stairs, a flurry of shirts stuck over foreheads and tripping over shoes.

Ulrich, however, usually catches the two of you when he comes in after his morning jog. Rustling your hair, he murmurs a hoarse ‘good morning, you two’, before pulling out the chair next to Mikkel’s at the dining table. This is when you know you’ve been caught for sure, and Magnus gives you one of his ‘I’m sorry’ glances before grabbing your hand and kissing your knuckles.

Most mornings, therefore, you usually have breakfast at the Nielsen’s house. Mikkel loves this, as he’s very fond of you, since you always take an interest in whichever magic trick he’s been practicing for the day.

‘What’s new, Houdini?’

He smiles at you, tugging slightly on his skeleton costume as you tip down his top hat. You find Magnus kicking your legs under the table, a small smile on his face when you glace up at him.

‘Come on, we’re going to be late for school.’

After Mikkel disappears, most nights are often spent just lying arm in arm in Magnus’ room, not sleeping. 

after he disappears, nights are often spent just lying arm in arm in his room, not sleeping.

You unfurl the corners of his duvet, softly wrapping it around the two of you, revelling in the toasty snugness as he wraps his arm tightly around your waist, settling slightly as he senses the weight of your head gently landing on his shoulder. Instead of saying anything, he settles himself instead to just smile fondly through the tears that leaked out of the corners of his eyes no matter how hard he tried to hold them back.

Sometimes, when he’s having a particularly bad night, you’ll struggle to pull him up out of bed, palms pressed together as you gently open his bedroom window. You shove him out, the two of you climbing out and up onto his roof to sit shoulder by shoulder, just gazing up and watching the stars swirl over the trees, and the nuclear power plant in the distance. 

It’s moment like these, when you feel as if destiny has something greater than this in store for you two.

Afternoons, after school, are often spent with Bartosz and Magnus down by the lake. While the other two are busy chatting, you and Magnus swim off a little distance, finding a little dip over in a shadier area where the two of you can just be by yourselves.

One time, he pulled you down by the ankles and under the water. You came up spluttering, him laughing, before you thwack him harshly on the chest. The two of you are quiet for a moment, just grinning at each other, before Magnus leans in and steals your first kiss.

It’s soft, and hesitant, and warm, and he tastes slightly of weed and raspberry jam, but it was the first of many and you couldn’t be happier.

The first time he confesses that he’s in love with you, was under the bridge. The morning light was warm, and the two of you had decided to skip gym period to just go hang out for a while. The sun glowed, gold and orange flits of light filtering through the reddening leaves and bathing you in a halo as you walked along the train track next to him.

He couldn’t keep it in then, he just had to blurt it out. The look of shock on his face, the way his jaw slightly unhinged and his eyes popped when you smiled and said you loved him too was enough to send your heart fluttering.

Rolling his eyes when his mum gives you two the raised eyebrow look in the school hallway after you sneak back in.

The two of you growing old with Adam, and Magnus never leaving your side, not even for a second.

[savage-rhi]

Immortal Shield  Chapter 7: Vote Abandon

**Let me know if you want to be tagged in updates 

Readers: @seradyn

King Notics has announced that more of the Insomnian walls will be coming down within the month, “...For centuries, my forebearers had closed off this great city in order to protect the people. I now see that over time, the walls did the opposite and even closed off the hearts of previous kings. My father included. As a further sign of peace from the Lucian Kingdom, I am liberating borders and working with a counsel comprised of Lucians and refugee Imperials to redistrict points of protection.” More than 85% of Lucians agree with the kings policy. An uptick from the meager 50% at the polls three years ago.

In the Leide region, reports of a man bearing resemblance to Ardyn Lucis Caelum, has been spreading. Word is said that the man attacked and killed several innocents. Authorities say this person may be a copycat since Ardyn Lucis Caelum died five years ago in the war for Eos, fighting alongside king Noctis. “...We are taking the matter seriously.” A spokesman for his majesty stated last week when the king couldn’t be reached for comment.

Ardyn Lucis Caelum was also known as the immortal Adagium, the bringer of the Dark Decade. He also held the title of chancellor, representing Niflheim. He has since been pardoned of his involvements with the fall of Insomnia posthumously and even gifted the title founder king by his current majesty. If you see anyone bearing suspicion to said person, please contact your local crownsguard and or Accordo trooper.

More war criminals have been captured due to the alliance of Accordo and Lucian soldiers. Madam Secretary Camelia had this to say, “...It is a triumph we’ve been able to bring so many to justice who have taken advantage of others during the Dark Decade.” An aid of Madam Secretary has brought forth a list of most wanted for war crimes, “...The following, Jayler Thomas, King Paulina, Gertz Mikkel, Zamfir Caelan, and Luridum Tempus are wanted for questioning pertaining to genocide and murder.”

“Would you mind turning that off, please?” Ardyn piped up in the diner. The chef who was busy making food orders, looked over and gave a nod. Ardyn sighed in relief when the noisy static died down from afar. He rubbed his forehead then took another sip of the coffee he ordered. He was about to glance outside the window, until Caelan’s form was brought to his attention.

“Nice using an actual bathroom again,” Caelan sighed in relief as she took a seat across from Ardyn at their booth. He gave a nod then gestured at the extra coffee cup nearby.

“I figured you needed it as much as I,” Ardyn remarked as Caelan smiled and murmured a ‘thank you’. She grabbed it and allowed the warmth to radiate in her palms before taking a drink. Ardyn made a face soon after.

“I’m growing tired of sleeping on a mat.” He commented sluggishly.

“And here I thought you were beginning to like camping,” Caelan mused with a grin, much to Ardyn’s chagrin as he made a face.  

“I believe the arrangement of having our feet to each others faces isn’t working out. You keep hoarding my side of the tent when you move your legs. For the sake of my face avoiding being kicked in, we should consider sleeping beside one another in a more normal fashion. I know you must have issues with intimacy, but I assure I have none of those intentions towards you in mind. I merely want better sleep, for both of us.”

“Your side of the tent?” Caelan’s voice raised a little as she appeared flabbergasted at his comments and suggestions. The intimacy remark made her face red, but she paid it no heed.

“The whole tent is my side of the tent!”

“I paid for it’s recent patch job. You’re quite welcome.” Ardyn said in his defense, crossing his arms.

“And I own it.” Caelan countered. "If you don't like the way I run things, go buy yourself a tent, your highness."

Ardyn sighed, shaking his head. “Did you even listen to a word I said?”

“No, not really, no.” Caelan said sarcastically. She too sighing tiredly. Her gaze traveled towards the arcade area of the Crows Nest, debating about playing a few rounds of Justice Monsters 5 until Ardyn and herself were more fully awake and less grouchy. Caelan soon became distracted by Ardyn smiling her way.

“There anything on my face?” Caelan asked as Ardyn shrugged nonchalant and took another drink.

“Besides your endearing looks of disdain towards me, nothing eye catching.” Ardyn teased. He watched as Caelan rolled her eyes, crossing her arms and no doubt her legs too underneath the table.

“Did you catch anything new on the radio?” Caelan asked, and stretched her arms. Her face lighting up when their breakfast orders arrived. She offered a thanks and a smile to the cook as he nodded and went back to his routine.

“Afraid so,” Ardyn started as he glanced over the eggs, bacon and toast presented before him. He normally wasn’t hungry at this hour in the morning, but he knew he needed to eat. The drive Caelan and he were taking was going to be long and they’d more than likely have no room for pit stops.

“Seems that Lucis is aware of my existence, or someone bearing resemblance to yours truly. You were also mentioned in a list of people wanted for questioning and or suspect.” Ardyn didn’t divulge further, too tired to go into the details as he picked up his silverware and started cutting into the toast.

“I’m surprised nothing about you was said sooner. Then again, the Einherjar were probably keeping it to themselves so if they happened to capture you, they’d be seen as heroes. ” Caelan said sincerely, though she was visibly upset.  “It’s been a month since we had that run in with my dads former unit. My guess is one of them got arrested and squealed about you in some desperate attempt to get off the hook.”

“They really are a dishonorable bunch, aren’t they?” Ardyn sounded less than enthusiastic as he recalled the men and women he had shielded Caelan from. If he had known then, what he knew now about their history, Ardyn would’ve made sure none of them had a leg to stand on after their battle.

“You don’t know the half of it,” Caelan said sadly as she started eating one of the sausages on her plate. “It didn’t use to be that way. Now, they make you look like a saint that never did wrong.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment.” Ardyn’s lips pulled into an amused smile for a time before he went back to eating. His eyes darted to one of the condiments nearby, raising a brow he grabbed a hold of the red container and examined it.

Caelan’s attention fell upon Ardyn as she did a double take from her plate, giving a small snort at how perplexed he appeared to be.

“Did the ketchup bottle stare at you funny?” Caelan teased.

“Ketchup? That’s what this is.”

“Wait, you never heard of ketchup?” Caelan exclaimed.

“It’s not ringing any bells.” Ardyn admitted. He popped the cap open and carefully put a small amount on his plate. He took a piece of bacon and dipped it then brought it to his lips and munched. The look of awe and disgust that crossed his face had Caelan laughing hard. When he reached for his coffee to tamper down the flavor, it made her reaction worse.

“That was the most atrocious thing I’ve had in a while,” Ardyn stuck his tongue out, making one last grimace before settling down.

“If we weren’t on the run, I would’ve filmed and put that on the Kwee!.” Caelan mused as she took in a deep breath, her laughter calming as Ardyn once more became inquisitive.

“The Kwee!, isn’t that not the sound chocobos make?”

“Yeah,” Caelan nodded, and then pulled out her phone from her pocket. She leaned over the table meeting Ardyn in the middle and opened up the app and began scrolling through.

“Kwee! is also a social media website. You can blog, post pictures and videos. It became popular during the beginning of the restoration movement. It’s not limited to only Lucians. Anyone from Niflheim, Accordo, or Tenebrae can have an account and interact with each other.”

“You don’t say,” Ardyn was intrigued as he gently took Caelan’s phone from her and scrolled through more of the site. He smiled here and there at some of the pictures people captured and raised a brow or two at some weird remarks people blogged. He wasn't even going to begin asking Caelan what half the stuff meant or how nuances on such sites worked.

“Why is it you can’t have such an account while we are on the run?” Ardyn asked, genuinely curious as Caelan looked at him flabbergasted.

“Because if we have any social media presence, that’ll tip off the authorities?” Caelan replied. To her, it was common sense.  “I mean none of the kingdoms have the technology or the finances to track people via their phones yet, but I for sure don’t want to risk it. You have a banking app on your phone, I’m surprised you didn’t see an advertisement for Kwee!. When you were chancellor, wasn’t this sort of thing available to you?”

Ardyn knitted his brows, setting the phone down and shrugged.

“I feel so dated,” he sighed. “I used my phone quite often, but--it’s hard to explain. I once had a plethora of knowledge about the modern world and was well caught up on current events, slang, you name it. Now, its like learning to walk again.”

“Oh,” Caelan could feel a small jab of guilt hit her for making assumptions as she reached for her phone and put it back in her pocket. “Is it like having amnesia?”

“Sort of,” Ardyn spoke honestly. “I did have the minds of thousands at one point at the helm of my body. Each time I daemonified someone, I took their memories into myself. That’s how I caught up on over 2,000 years of history when I was freed. It surely accounts for how insane and erratic my behavior was.”

“And you’re no longer insane now?” Caelan teased as Ardyn raised a brow at her, looking unimpressed but he soon shook his head and smiled.

“Sorry, I shouldn’t have said that at your expense.”

“No point in arguing with the truth,” Ardyn remarked with a laugh. “I’m still a little crazy. If my reaction to ketchup tells you much”

“Well, you’re in the right company. Besides, I don’t like ketchup either. ” Caelan laughed, reaching over to give a playful hit to Ardyn’s shoulder. He let out a grunt and smiled her way before averting his gaze.

During the past month he had gotten to know Caelan better, it was still a surprise for Ardyn at how she took in this sort of knowledge. Most people wouldn’t have been as understanding, nor would they even want to bother hearing his side of things. He couldn’t help but wonder if there was a catch to any of this. Nevertheless, it did feel good to get some of his deeper seated issues off his chest. At least he wouldn’t have to endure his current existentialism alone.

“Anyway,” Ardyn sighed. “I don’t think I can finish eating. May I suggest we get a box to go and depart?”

Caelan nodded in agreement. She looked outside the window near their booth, seeing the sun was now coming out more. Caelan also surveyed the parking lot in front of the Crows Nest, making sure there was no one suspicious. Ardyn and her had been lucky thus far not to bump into anyone from Einherjar, or the Accordo-Lucian troops, save for a round of scuffles last week. She thanked whatever Astrals were left that Ardyn and she made it out with no consequences.

“I saw some interesting jobs on the bulletin board near the bathrooms,” Caelan started as she got up and went to the counter, grabbing herself and Ardyn a box from the self serving table then came back.

“There’s a young Behemoth wanted near Wiz. Apparently, its the offspring of some big one from a decade ago. Ate a bunch of chocobos. The reward is 12,000 gil. Then there’s a lady who is looking for her lost husband near the Slough and--” Caelan paused as Ardyn gave her a look of contempt.

“I can’t tell if you’re grouchy from lack of sleep or if you want to reach up and hit me.” Caelan said as a matter of fact. He didn’t say a word to her as Ardyn packed his food and made his way out of the establishment with Caelan following close behind.

When they both respectively arrived at the Scepter, Ardyn leaned against the car and crossed his legs and arms. Caelan tilted her head curiously, then mirrored his current movements as she frowned. Caelan braced herself for the verbal onslaught, knowing from experience that if Ardyn leaned against the car, he had a lot on his mind. It was an amusing and aggravating quirk of his.

"Ardyn?"

"Hm?"

“You know you can’t avoid not talking to me forever,” she chortled.

“Cahl, not that I don’t believe your little escapades to help others are engaging, but I meant what I said earlier. I am growing tired of camping. I suggest we head for Lestallum, find a motel, and hunker down for a time. The compassion fatigue as of late has been quite strong with me.” Ardyn made it known in his tone of voice how much running around had been wearing him thin.

“We’ve been through this, we can’t afford to go to a city right now. Especially not after you told me you were announced on the radio. I know I suggested Lestallum when we first had to take off from Leide, but that’s exactly where the Einherjer would be at. I’ve been running away from them for years, I know how their patterns work. And helping people puts more money in our pockets, and I don’t have to mooch off of you. I’m not denying odd jobs” Caelan said in her defense.

“At the very least if we could stay in a cheap hotel, caravan or--something other than swamp, forest or ground, I could bite my tongue.” Ardyn wasn’t going to budge from this. He was willing to forgo Lestallum yet again, but if he put himself through another round of camping, his back would never show mercy again. The thought made him feel older than he should’ve and he frowned as Caelan took in a deep breath.

“A compromise?” She gestured her hands out in offering as Ardyn smirked.

“Name your terms.”

“If you help me with the Behemoth and the couple, we’ll stay at the most fanciest pit stop hotel we come across. I’ll cover the expenses with my share, and when we go camping again, I’ll fix up the sleeping arrangement you bitched about earlier. Sound swell?”

Ardyn’s smile began to widen as he had another idea come to mind.

“I agree to your offers,” He rose away from the Scepter, patted Caelan on the back then headed for the drivers side of the muscle car.

“And I get to drive the Scepter too.”

“And of course you get to drive the--no, no, no! Wait a god damn minute!” Caelan exclaimed, beating Ardyn before he could go inside. She slammed the door shut, standing defensively in front of her vehicle like it was a child that needed to be defended from some stranger.

“I don't agree with this, at all!” Caelan said firmly, shooting a glare up at Ardyn as he towered above her. He hummed in thought, giving a shrug as if he couldn’t be bothered by her little theatrics.

“Then sweet girl, the deal is off. C’mon, I only got to drive when you blacked out. Besides, don’t you want to have more naps? You’ve complained about it. Now I’m giving you a swell opportunity to catch up on your beauty rest.”

“Yeah, and the minute I close my eyes you’re gonna get us into trouble. It ain’t happening.” Caelan said.

“Suit yourself.”

Caelan was in utter bewilderment as Ardyn took a seat on the pavement, stretching his legs as he let out a relaxed sigh. It was as if he was getting ready to fall asleep on the spot.

“What are you doing?”

“Simple, I’m performing mutiny.” Ardyn smirked. “I won’t move from this spot until we settle our dispute.”

“You know, for a man over 2,000 years old, you act like a child.” Caelan’s bluntness merely made Ardyn laugh as he snorted.

“Takes one to know one my dear, but I must say, acting like a child is part of politics and I’m quite adept. Remember, the clock is ticking!”

Caealn rubbed the back of her head, letting out a defeated groan. It was approaching 8am. She knew she didn’t have the energy to handle Ardyn’s antics, let alone they couldn’t afford to remain at the Crows Nest in Ravatogh for hours without risk of someone tipping off the authorities. With great exasperation, Caelan shook her head, rolled her eyes and marched over to the passengers side. She quickly got in and slammed the door.

“Changed your mind, have you?” Ardyn hollered.

“If you don’t get in the damn car, I’ll drive off without you.” Caelan shouted back.

“Oh, I knew you’d come around!” Ardyn taunted.

“Brat.” Caelan muttered begrudgingly as Ardyn got up, entered the drivers side, and put the keys in the ignition. Her eyes widened, feeling the spot on her pants where the keys should’ve been to begin with. As the Scepter came to life, and Ardyn took the vehicle to the highway, he grinned mischievously at Caelan.

“I simply borrowed them when you weren’t looking.” He said with great delight.

“Ardyn, shut up.”

Time passed while Ardyn drove. Once their banter had reached its end, neither he nor Caelan said anything for quite some time. Ardyn was focused on the road, enjoying the freedom of driving while Caelan looked out the window.

Caelan had to give Ardyn credit with offering to drive, she had more time to really take in the scenes of how beautiful the Cleigne region was and how it held a natural presence unlike most places in Lucis. The month she spent hopping around with Ardyn was probably the longest she had truly stayed within the area.

Furrowing her brows, Caelan wondered how many more years she had left in herself to be doing this. Never settling, and moving one place to the next before she could form any attachment. Something had to give, but Caelan had been so used to this lifestyle, she wasn’t sure how to break from it. Nor could she wrap her mind around getting pardoned without Ardyn being the sacrifice. It was a day she looked forward to, being met with honor within Insomnia. It wouldn’t undo all the hardship nor pain she had carried, but it would be the start of something new.

Caelan snapped out of her thoughts as Ardyn turned on the radio. He flipped through some channels, then settled on one that played a variety of different genres. The song that came on was a classic, go figure. For someone as old as Ardyn was, he’d have an appreciation for it.

“I meant to ask back at the diner, was there any updates on the restoration movement?” Caelan piped up as Ardyn hummed.

“The king is bringing more of the walls down, that’s the extent of my knowledge.”

“You sound disappointed.”

“No, quite the contrary,” Ardyn thought it over for a moment before responding. “My grand nephew is a naïve fool, but his heart is in the right place. Can’t say the same for his predecessors. I didn’t much care for my other nephew, Regis nor his father. They reminded me too much of my brother Somnus, then again it’s his blood. I shouldn’t have been surprised.”

“It’s weird hearing you say that. Calling the king your nephew.” Caelan admitted with a laugh in disbelief.  

“I could stop?” Ardyn offered, sensing maybe it was too much.

“No, it’s fine.” Caelan shook her head, waving him off. “It takes some getting used to, you know, considering you’re--”

“Ancient.” Ardyn interrupted with a grin.

“More or less.” Caelan shrugged. “Can I ask you a personal question?”

Ardyn snickered. “You may get a personal answer.”

“Okay,” Caelan breathed. “If things didn’t turn out the way they did, you were never found by Niflheim and say you were freed of Angelgard, do you think would’ve helped your descendants, like the current king?”

To say Ardyn was taken back by the question was quite the understatement. He was ready for just about anything Caelan had to throw at him. Now, he felt like she threw a ball and he slammed his face right into the blasted thing. It wasn’t a terrible question on her behalf, it was just something Ardyn never thought of. Ardyn wouldn’t allow himself to pry into such nonsense when he worked for Niflheim. He didn’t have the time nor destiny to even appreciate the mere concept of what she was asking him of.

A sadness graced his features. Two songs passed before he finally answered, much to Caelan’s surprise.

“No,” Ardyn began. “To answer your question, no. Not that I wouldn’t, but no in the fact that knowing how all the Lucian kings have behaved in the past, I don’t believe they would’ve given me the time of day. You have to remember, I was a mythical monster passed from one generation to the next. I have no doubt you yourself heard the tales.”

“But you would’ve helped them if given the chance?”

“Perhaps,” Ardyn mused. “Even if I wasn’t goaded on by the former rulers of Niflheim upon my awakening to seek vengeance, I can’t help but believe even with my good intent, it wouldn't have stayed peaceful for long. The Astrals had peculiar means to ensure their little puppets kept marching. Mind games and tricks to name a few.”

“King Noctis seems understanding. You ever thought about talking to him? Not just about you dying, but burying the hatchet with what happened?”

“You ask so many questions,” Ardyn sighed, shaking his head. Nevertheless, he wasn’t offended. He could’ve sworn he saw Caelan smile out of the corner of his eye.

“You never had the king’s blade to your throat. Understanding and empathy isn’t something most Lucis Caelums possess in my experience. Arguably, me included.” Ardyn said as a matter of fact.

“How about you? If you had the chance to make amends with your father, would you take the leap?”

Caelan’s features grew pale as the question registered. She swallowed nervously. Unsure of how to even navigate what he was asking of her.

“I barely even knew him,” Caelan murmured, looking ahead. The heaviness of the truth in her words hung over her head. “All I know was that I’d never fit his shadow.”

Ardyn winced at the reply. Several implications to Caelan’s words came to his head, and he felt the weight. He didn’t say anything. There was no clever comeback, nor did he feel the need to pursue with relentless questions. The melancholic nature of Caelan’s voice was enough to paint a picture he was all too familiar with. Being the son of a once great leader, before kings were such a thing, Ardyn could relate to the pressure of never rising above his own parent. In fact, it was a chance he never got to fully experience. The deaths of his and Somnus’s mother and father were sudden, and they left behind two boys that still had much to learn about the ways of the world. So much conflict could've been avoided if he and his brother had more time with them.

Ardyn visibly came to his senses when a familiar song started playing. The strong beat and simple tune sure enough had Caelan humming as he held a look of surprise.

“You know this one?” He inquired.

“Yeah, who doesn’t like Vote Abandon? They’re one of the greats in Lucis.” Caelan responded with an equal amount of astonishment Ardyn was familiar with them. “I didn’t take you for a pop rock kind of guy.”

“The song they’re singing was an ancient tune once upon a time. I do like its contemporary.”

“Damn. I never would’ve known that.” Caelan said surprisingly. Shaking her head in disbelief.

There was a mutual calmness that fell in the car, but then as if on cue, once the more upbeat main lyrics of the song played, both Ardyn and Caelan felt compelled to sing it at the top of their lungs off key. Their voices a mix of laughs and embarrassment while focusing on the present moment.

"You ruin everything," Caelan sighed with a laugh once they got through the main chorus. "Completely butchered it."

"So I've been told on numerous occasions," Ardyn laughed. "Tell me, what else do you listen to?"

"Oh man, do I have a great playlist!" Caelan happily pulled out her phone and began searching for the list of her tunes. All the while, Ardyn glanced over periodically. He hadn't felt this content in a long time.

[strawwritesfic]

Clint Barton x Pregnant!Female!Inhuman!Reader: Where Gods Do Fear to Tread [Ch. 4]

Summary: Even Prince Charming can’t ensure a happily ever after.  

Challenge: “9 Months” challenge by crackleviolet on Lunaescence Archive -- Single Motherhood

Rating/Warnings/Tags: T (sexual reference; pregnancy; not canon compliant; canon character death; canon character death does not reflect canon; physical violence against androids; some foul language; canonical Barney; no Laura Barton; Inhuman!Reader; Avenger!Reader; Avengers Compound; Wanda & Reader friendship)

Pairings: Clint Barton/Female!Reader; Wanda/Vision

Tag List: @imaginesfire​

Master List

Chapter 4: Picking Names

Dawn broke over the grounds of Avengers HQ one morning to the unusual sight of you and Wanda sharing breakfast. She was already dressed for the day; you wore workout gear. Your pregnancy meant even longer in human form than originally planned, and your resulting tantrums had forced Steve to assign you to join Bruce for yoga and meditation each day. Of course, the good doctor had to have his sessions at four in the damn morning. The one upside to getting up so early was that Wanda was always awake by the time you were finished. If Vision wasn’t around, she was usually willing to eat with you.

“What about…Aspen?” you said as you tucked into a bowl of oatmeal.

“How about Lukas?” Wanda countered.

“Knowing you, you’ll want me to spell it with a ‘k.’ What do you think about Jace?”

“After that horrible boy in that horrible book?” She wrinkled her nose. “I like Rune.”

“Denver.”

“Mikkel.”

“Shawn.”

“Otto.”

“What are you two talking about?”

Steve entered the kitchen after his daily many-mile run. Even though he’d been working out much longer and harder than you had, he looked as perfect as ever. Stupid Steve. But you didn’t want him to assign you more anger management lessons for insulting him, so you held your tongue and did your best to remain civil.

“Trying to pick a name for the baby,” you answered.

He turned to you with eyebrows raised. “You find out what you’re having?”

“I had my ultrasound a few days ago. It’s a boy.”

“You told Clint yet?”

“He’s…aware,” you said evasively.

“Found any good names yet?” He pressed a button on the coffeemaker and waited for his mug to fill.

“Nothing yet.”

“I can’t convince her to go with anything from where I come from,” said Wanda.

“He’s not growing up in Sokovia. I just want him to have a nice, normal, American name.”

Steve, having obtained the coffee that would do absolutely nothing to wake him, pulled out a chair at the table and took a seat next to Wanda. “If you want normal, what about Walter or Edwin?”

“I said normal, Cap, not ‘meant for a senior citizen.’”

“There are lots of people named Walter and Edwin.”

“Lots of grandpas, maybe. Try again.”

“I had an older relative named Erik,” Wanda put in.

“What’s going on?” came a new voice. Bruce appeared. He blinked owlishly at your trio.

“We’re discussing possible names for [Name]’s son.”

“You’re having a boy? Congratulations!”

“Thanks,” you said.

That was enough invitation for Bruce to join you as well. “Have you considered Albert?”

You threw your hands up in frustration. “Why are all of my friends so old and-slash-or obsessed with Germany?”

“Anthony is a good name. Not old or German, in my very humble opinion.”

“I am not naming my child after you, Tony.”

When had he got there anyway? The kitchen might have been large enough to accommodate everyone, but it didn’t prevent you from feeling seriously crowded. What, was the whole team going to show up to give their thoughts about who was currently renting out your womb?

“You could have my old name, if you’d like it,” Vision said as he drifted in as well.

“It might be nice to have another Jarvis around,” Tony agreed.

“No offense,” you said, struggling to stay calm, “but I’m not naming my child after a glorified butler.”

Wanda narrowed her eyes, but didn’t get the chance to scold you before someone else showed up:

“You all discussing names? This I’ve got to hear.”

Natasha, too? “Who are you texting over there?” you demanded.

“Sam. He won’t want to miss this.”

“You’ve got to involve your boyfriend?”

“Of course.”

Sure enough, the entire team found its way to the kitchen shortly thereafter. Thor wasn’t even on the planet last time you’d checked, and he made an appearance as well. Everyone chattered on top of everyone else. Cold sweat broke out across your forehead. If only you could have turned into a puddle and escaped between the tiles. Since you couldn’t, you had to just sit there and take it.

“What’s everyone doing?”

They all fell silent upon spying Clint standing in the door. All of them, that was, except for Natasha, who said:

“Picking names for your kid.”

“Uh…shouldn’t I be involved in this?”

She shrugged. “You weren’t here. Jealous?”

“Kinda!”

“I believe Troels would be the most appropriate choice in this instance,” Thor declared. He was met with several vehement arguments against his decision at once. You couldn’t pick one voice out from the throng. Then:

“All right, everybody leave!” Clint shouted. Again, silence fell. “You’re freaking [Name] out. Go on. Get out.”

Mildly as he spoke, the team listened to him. They filed away, chatting amicably among themselves and clapping Clint on the shoulder as they passed him. Once the room was empty, he came to sit beside you.

“Thanks,” you said weakly.

“Don’t mention it. You really picking names without me?”

“No.”

This was a bald-faced lie. Although you and Clint had gone on several dates by then and you definitely liked him, you still felt weird discussing the baby and the future with him. Like a whole lot of decisions were being made without either of your consents. Like certain choices weren’t really choices. If you did things yourself, maybe you’d stop feeling that way—but Clint wasn’t going to make it easy.

“Right.” He drummed his fingers against the tabletop. “Got anything good yet?”

“Nothing at all.”

“Hmmm. You like Benjamin?”

“Benjamin Barton? Double ‘B’s? That’s cruel.”

“Hey, my brother’s Barney Barton.”

“Is that the same brother that abandoned you at the circus?”

“The point stands.”

“No,” you laughed, “it really doesn’t. No double ‘B’s.”

“But he’s definitely getting my last name either way?”

Your face went hot. Why had you told him that? At this rate, Clint really would be in your life forever, and you’d never be able to shake the feeling he was with you out of pity. If you’d just gone with Anthony like Tony wanted, Clint never would have had to be involved. The cat was out of the bag, however, so all you could say was:

“I guess.”

He grinned, scooting closer to you. “Okay, then. No ‘B’s. Let me think…”

“Let me guess. Clinton Barton?”

“Absolutely not!” Clint looked horrified. “I’m not gonna saddle a kid with being a junior. What’s there to live up to here anyway? Skylar? No, too on the nose. Hm. Thomas?”

“Thomas?” you echoed.

“Sure. Normal, right? We call him ‘Tommy.’ Nothing too formal. Just a good, solid name.”

“Tommy Barton.” The name felt right on your lips. Slowly, a smile of your own spread across your face. “I like it.”

“Good enough for now?” Clint reached down to take one of your hands in his. You settled your head on his shoulder.

“Good enough for now.”

After all, time remained before the baby was to be born. Time to get to know his father better. Time to pick the perfect name. Time for all the worries that prickled at you that morning at Avengers HQ. For the time being, though, you could put them out of your mind, and enjoy Clint’s company and care.

[kaizsche]

crowdsourcing for my wip, a klena viking au

i initially did not want to change their original names, but i decided to do so to suit the era (some names are not of viking descent)- but it is all completely up to my readers since they'll be reading this fic in the future (however long it may take lmao):

Rebekah = rebekka

Elijah = egil

Elena = elin

Ansel = ansgar

Esther = ester

Mikael = mikkel

[autistic-lalli]

What are your thoughts on why those 3 young men (and not Mikkel or Sigrun) had a shared vision of the past, including events Lalli could not have personally witnessed?

OHOHOHO EXCELLENT QUESTION

First of all, I suspect the incredibly unusual nature of the dream is actually due in part to Reynir’s presence. While the dreams of seiður are ordinarily prophetic and future-based, it would make sense that, if there were past events that were equally vital to know, I don’t think it’s a stretch for the gods to drop him in the past.

Second of all, I reread the scene, and it doesn’t seem like there’s anything Lalli couldn’t have witnessed directly. We see the events unfold according to his point of view, which is... horrifying, to say the least. Any dream wandering stays pretty generic, while the actual tragic events Lalli did witness directly.

On a more meta level, the backstory dump is obviously important to us as readers. We now know the details setting up adventure 2, yadayadayada.

But! Minna is an extensive outliner--she has to be for the genre and medium she’s creating in. So this raises a few questions.

Why is this how we learned about the past? Well, there’s the practical answer that a flashback is just an effective and engaging way to deliver a lot of backstory quickly, when it’s done right. But I suspect that it’s going to have more significance down the road.

Now, this plays into some of my loose predictions for the future of adventure 2. The stakes are insane in this adventure, way higher than adventure 1. We’ve got Onni’s timer to deliver two souls, the threat of surma, the bears, and the kade itself. And that’s on top of the normal dangers of being in the Silent World in the height of summer. Potential fallouts from this adventure range from mauled by a giant to getting sucked into the afterlife.

Stories with stakes this high rarely come without sacrifices. Tuuri was the casualty of adventure 1. And this alone helps us predict a few things. It’s hard to escalate the stakes past death and maintain an engaging story, especially in a horror genre. Death is a constant risk, and we’ve seen the threat of death already carried out. I think it’s unlikely for death to be the cost of success again, because at this point it becomes predictable.

So how do we escalate? Well...

What’s worse than death for these characters under the current circumstances?

I don’t think I can answer that question specifically at this point. There’s Tuonela weirdness, kade threats--all kinds of possibilities, and also additional possibilities I’m sure we don’t know. There are plenty of ways to suffer in this story without necessarily dying.

But what does this have to do with the dream flashback? If we give the flashback any credence outside of practicality in storytelling, then it does matter that Reynir and Emil were the ones to see it. Because I think that something is going to happen to Lalli.

Obviously Lalli can’t deliver this backstory in the waking world, and I think we all know that he wouldn’t even if he could. It’s possible this was just the only way the backstory could have gotten communicated to Emil and Reynir.

But the problem with that is--why do Emil and Reynir have to know?

It’s an odd choice. Neither Emil nor Reynir would have asked for that backstory, in my opinion. Lalli would have communicated any relevant safety information, leaving the personal aspects out of it.

Which implies to me that Lalli will be unable to communicate that backstory at some point.

On a practical level, Sigrun and Mikkel couldn’t have seen the dream. Reynir can obviously waltz into whatever dreams he likes, and Emil and Lalli’s heads are a permanent venn diagram. But they’re both there. They have corroborating witness and are now able to describe specifically what happened in Saimaa.

Because Lalli won’t be able to.

Am I correct? I have no idea; this is just speculation. But do know that every day I live in fear of where adventure 2 is going.

[plus-size-reader]

Blessing

Ragnar Lothbrok x Plus size!reader

Word Count: 1320 words

Warnings: none 

Summary: Ragnar wants to marry the woman he's in love with but first, he has to convince her two sons that he is good enough for her.

——————————————————————————————————

Ragnar’s wandering eye was known far and wide throughout all of Norway. 

However, you weren’t going to let that scare you, just as it hadn’t when you’d first met. You two cared about each other, and that wasn’t going to change even if he had been with many other women in his past. 

He was a lover, and who were you to shame him for that? You thought that Ragnar was amazing in everything that he was, and you couldn’t have been more in love if you tried…

And surprisingly, Ragnar felt the same way. 

It was true that he’d fallen in love often in his life but there was something different about you. At his age, he no longer had to worry about passing on his family line through sons and he was no longer king. 

Being with you was simple, because it could be.

In fact, there was only one thing that he had to worry about when it came to you and that was getting married. 

Marrying you was something that Ragnar knew he wanted to do, and that should have been enough. However, it could never be that simple because any wedding to be had wasn’t between only you and the former King of Kattegat. 

You both had families who would need to be involved in such a decision and while Ragnar’s sons were all for the matrimony (Save for Ivar, who had yet to get over his mother’s murder) your sons had yet to even meet the man you cared so much for. 

Both of your boys, now grown men, were incredible warriors who spent most of their time voyaging and raiding but they were scheduled to arrive in the next few months for the cold season. 

When the water turned to slush, it didn’t exactly make for ideal travels. 

Still, even you had to admit that you were a bit apprehensive to see how they would react to the news that you were planning on remarrying. Since their father had died when they were young, the idea of you ever finding another husband didn’t even cross their minds. 

...But they weren’t children anymore. 

Mikkel and Kolli were your children yes, but they were also adults now. They were grown men and they had to come to terms with the fact that you were in love again. 

Even if they didn’t want to.

It was just going to be that way, no matter what happened in the meantime. 

No amount of planning was going to make their meeting Ragnar any easier, but you didn’t understand the gravity of the situation until the ship carrying both of your boys, and their shipmates. 

You had no idea how they would react to Ragnar, but you did know that they would be anxious to see you, as they always were. So, without even thinking about it, you made your way over to the dock where they were waiting. 

Both men had changed quite a bit since you’d seen them last, for the better of course. 

Mikkel had grown much since you’d seen him last, and his hair was much longer too. His hair was down to his back in a few braids, and he had a single scar across his cheek that was brand new. 

Beside him was Kolli, who was a few years younger with his hair hanging free and curly. He had no scars to speak of but you knew that would change before his last days. 

It was only a matter of time before battle turned him into just as hardened of a warrior as his older brother was. 

“How was the voyage boys? I’m so gladdened to see you” you allowed, grinning from ear to ear as you wrapped them both in a big huge. 

Even at your size, both men swallowed you up in their huge arms, covered with furs and tanned skins. You had no idea when they’d grown to this size, but you didn’t mind. 

As far as you were concerned, they were still children. 

“It was wonderful mother, we raided a few villages along the coast” Mikkel spoke first, reaching out toward the boat where a few others were unloading their gold and trophies. 

You smiled, nodding as you watched. However, you didn’t really care all that much for their winnings. More than anything, you were just glad to have them back. 

“I’m glad to hear it, my darlings. I’m very proud of you both” you grinned, looking between them. You couldn’t have been more proud of two men-you were sure of it. 

No matter what they did, nothing would ever change the fact that being a mother was the chief thing you’d ever be. 

“I actually have something I’d like to tell you about-” you started, but before you could finish your sentence, you were interrupted by a second voice over your shoulder. 

It was Ragnar. 

You didn’t know what he was going to do but you knew that you weren’t going to enjoy it. Ragnar didn’t know your sons like you did, and he would surely make a fool of himself. 

“Hello, you must be Y/N’s sons...I’m Ragnar Lothbrok” he tried, reaching out to take either of their hands. However, neither of them moved to help him in his quest. 

They had heard stories of Ragnar Lothbrok and they respected who he was but they had also heard stories about him and all his wives. 

…It was no secret that he had a bit of a wandering eye and they didn’t want him anywhere near you. 

“Ragnar, I’m Mikkel, this is my brother Kolli” he introduced, gesturing between the two of them. You had no idea what was going on, all you knew was that both your sons were much taller and wider than the man you cared for. 

You had never really understood how much larger they were than most other men and you knew that the only other man in Kattegat around their size was Bjorn.

...It was sort of funny. 

Not that Ragnar seemed intimidated in any sense.

If anything, he thought that they should have been intimidated by him due to his social standing in Kattegat. 

“Wonderful. It’s a pleasure to meet you” he hummed, doing his best to stay as kind and gentle as humanly possible, though you weren’t sure what you would do in his place.

After all, you had never had to face something like that. 

Kolli said nothing more about it to Ragnar, instead turning to you with a questioning look on his face. He had no idea what you were doing with the man in front of them and you were sure you’d have to hear it later. 

For right now though, both men kept to themselves and minded their manners and mouths, just as you’d taught them to. 

~

“You intend to marry that man?” Mikkel scoffed, his voice booming in the small room as he spoke, not that he minded. As far as he was concerned, it didn’t matter if Ragnar Lothbrok was the king of all Norway, he still didn’t deserve you. 

He couldn’t believe it. 

How could you be so foolish?

Everyone in all of Kattegat had heard the stories of his various wives and concubines and neither of your sons could believe that you were so eager to join the list. 

It just didn’t seem like you. 

However, as soon as you opened your mouth to speak, Mikkel closed his own. Even at his age, he knew better than to treat you with any sort of disrespect. 

“I do” 

There was nothing but certainty in your voice, and that meant that there was no room for either of your sons to argue with you. It was in no way the end of this conversation, but it would do for now. 

...It would have to, because you weren’t going to rethink your engagement. 

[emikochan]

A spooky request for the Nordics, how would they react to coming home early from a business trip to find a big wolf on their couch not realizing that their s/o was a werewolf and thought that they wouldn’t be home til the next day so they just chilling in their wolf form. XD

If we were to translate "Werwolf" it would mean "man-wolf". This creature is a humanoid wolf hybrid. Reader-chan is not a werwolf, they simply got the ability to transform into an animal.

We do not stan the incorrect Twilight version of werwolfs on this blog.

~~~

Sweden:

Berwald actually lost track on how many times he had to save other's from wolfs, so he's not that shocked upon first sight.

He saw that you were online a few minutes ago, so you couldn't be dead either. Nothing shocks him anymore really, not even when you explain everything.

~~~~~

Finland:

Panics.

He's about to smash your head in with the vase when you transform back and stop him last second.

Tino starts lecturing you afterwards on why you didn't tell him and is pretty down because he almost killed you and also because "What else is there that you just didn't bother to tell me??"

Don't you guys trust each other anymore? Is this his fault?

~~~~

Denmark:

AAAAAW SHIIIII-

"BABE? YOU UPSTAIRS?"

Mikkel yells out to you, yeets his lugagge at the wolf as a distraction and storms to the kitchen to get the knifes when you clear the whole situation up.

He was so ready to fight and now you're telling him you got magic powers?

Wow.

He's a bit...bummed at first, but he recovers more quickly from the following doubts as Tino and interrogates you about your ability afterwards.

~~~~~~

Norway:

He knows it's you, don't even try.

He would recognize your eyes everywhere and he knew something was off when he first met you, so the most of an reaction you might get is an:

"Hei, I'm back."

And that's it. It takes a lot to fool/shock Lukas.

~~~~

Iceland:

As soon as he sees you he turns around and slams the door shut.

Dude is shaking and trying to call you but he won't get back in there, no way.

[not-poignant]

Are we ever going to see Mikkel in the UTR universe? I feel like he'd fit right in with that crew.

Hi anon!

At this stage there's no plans to introduce Mikkel into Underline the Rainbow.

He's a depressed guy who's never been happy in any story I've written him in, so I'm mostly just letting him rest, because it's like... his personality is very hard to make happy, and it's like 'okay Mikkel, you can take it easy now, you saved Gwyn in Spoils, go get some therapy and enjoy the really nice car Gwyn bought you.'

[orphan-with-a-stutter]

Your first I love you (Magnus x reader)

Requested by: anon

Request: imagine for Dark Netflix, where the reader is Bartosz sister and she fell in love with Magnus.

Warnings: none

(Y/f/m) - Your favourite movie

Being Bartosz’s sister had many ups and downs. One up was sharing the same friend group, the down was also having the same group of friends.

While sharing the same friends was nice it was also a downer because well it meant you were “off limits” to Jonas or Magnus. At the time when they were first told it didn’t matter to you, but now it did. Just as Bartosz and Jonas we’re best friends, you were best friends to Martha, which meant you spent a lot of time at the Nielsen house.

Even after your brother started dating Martha you were still hanging out at the Nielsen house, because of Magnus. You two were close in ways you won’t with anyone else. Magnus was in many ways like you, both loners and quiet but that’s what made the two of you close. You understood one another in ways Martha, Bartosz, and Jonas didn’t.

Bartosz kept an eye out on you though, always making sure you won’t with Magnus. He’d had rather seen you with Jonas or any other guy than Magnus, you never understood why. It didn’t stop you though from hanging out with him.

During the summer while Jonas was away your brother and Martha started dating, it was a big shock to you because you knew she liked Jonas as did most of her family, but that meant you hangouts with Magnus. You and Magnus did many different things when you hung out from just talking to play video games to even having to watch Mikkel do magic. But one day when the two of you were hanging out the two of you kissed and both of you admitted you’re feelings for each other, ever since then the two of you started dating. Since you knew your brother was against you being with Magnus you decide not to tell him or Martha and to them nothing seemed different since the two of your were already so close.

It was one of your hangout days while your brother and Martha were gone along with the rest of The Nielsen family you had prepared to watch movies with Magnus. It was your normal movie day and you were standing in front of the tv, remote in hand trying to get the movie ready when Magnus came up behind you wrapping his arms around your waste and placing his head on your shoulder. It was normal to the two of you and basically how the two of you acted that made Bartosz keep an eye on you even though you were actually already together.

“What are we watching today?” He asked causing you to pick up the movies you brought.

“First I thought (y/f/m) and then do you want to watch The Mummy or Hitman’s Bodyguard?” You asked him looking at him.

“Hitman’s bodyguard definitely.” He replied as the microwave beeped telling him the popcorn was done.

The two of you sat on the couch feet propped up on the coffee table, your head on his chest and his arm wrapped around you. You liked days like this. When you’re brother wasn’t around to watch you and his family wasn’t around to bug you. It was also days like today that made you realize that you loved Magnus.

“I know I’m nice to look at but I think you’re missing the movie.” He spoke making you realize you were looking at him and not the tv.

“Sorry, lost in thought.” You replied smiling looking back to the tv.

“What were you thinking about this time?” He asked, it was normal of you to get lost in thought.

“About how much I love you.” You answered looking back at him. It was the first time you had really said it to him since the two of you had been together.

“It’s a lot, that’s why you deal with me.” He joked and you chuckled. “And that’s why I love you.” He added kissing you on the temple.

———-

Hope you like this! It’s a little different from what I originally was going to do but still

[artemisofthebow]

My favourite reads of 2020:

According to my goodreads account, 2020 has been an excellent year for reading. (A bit self-explenatory - considering the circumstances.) Thought I’d have a look at which of the books I read I would like to recommend. I felt some books more keenly than the other ones, of course. Many of them have a message I especially like:

1. Björnstad / Us against you: Two parts of a series of which I’m eagerly awaiting the third book. They consist of several interesting stories and characters. At the heart of it all is a hockey-team, their victories and their losses. It is a story of a town so far north that the forrest keeps eating at it, one house at the time. It is about how most of the people living there need to reajust their attitudes and how hard it can be to change. 

2. Hør her’a: Best feel-good book of the year, even if it touched upon som impactful themes and questions. The main character, Mahmoud of 15, gets a visit from his pakistani uncle and has to guide him through Oslo. This allows the reader a look into his perception of the city, of “Norwegian Norwegians” and also into his neighbourhood. Mahmouds ponders some important questions on culture and identity. There are very clear obstacles in his way, but I like how it ends well. I don’t know if it’s a realistic ending, but I loved it even so. 

3. Not forgetting the whale:  Maybe I liked this one so much because it deals with a pandemic and felt so recognisable to our own situation this year. I love dystopic books, but this one managed to make me feel good as well as describing a form of apocalypse. The key to that was the unexpected factor that solved everything in the end. A perfect read for 2020. 

4. Min mormor hälsar och säger forlåt:  A real fairy-tale for grown ups, this one. I am amazed at how a grown man was able to write this wisely about mother-daughter-relations, about grandmothers and their grandchildren. The events of the book are both tragic and difficult for a seven year-old to deal with, but Elsa gradually discovers how her grandmothers fairy-tales all had some truth to them. And she learns that she actually has some of the bravest, most interesting characters from those stories present in her life.

5. Glasshjerte: The last 5-star rating om my list this year is definitely more than crime-fiction. It has beautiful descriptions, especially those seen through the eyes of mentally disabled Robin. The relation between him and his brother, Mikkel gives heart to the book. I also liked the investigatiors dealing with their own problems, one hypocondriac and one convicted fellon. A surprising, yet melancolly conclusion to it all made an extra impression on me. 

[bowieandqueen11]

Snuggles / Jonas Kahnwald Headcanons

Request: Can I request headcanons of how Jonas from Dark likes to cuddle and be cuddled? I love your writing so much!

Thank you so much darling that’s so sweet! <3

Let’s be honest, he’s just such a soft boy, no matter who’s doing the snuggling. He’ll either 100% be snoring gently against your neck, or whispering sweet delicate little declarations of love, there is no inbetween, that boy is a love sick mess

He’d often, after a long day at school, just wrap his arms around you and would flop both of you onto the sofa. You’d rest your head against his chest, stroking your hand through his blonde curls gently as he nuzzles into your neck and murmurs lightly in contentment

Before you both drift off, you make him promise to take you down to the lake tomorrow, making him grin widely against your neck and giggle lightly, before him telling you he loves you

Sometimes, if his mother was at home and he was missing Michael, you’d lead him outside, pushing him gently onto the cool grass before lying down beside him

He places his head on your chest and breathes out a sigh of relief before pulling you closer and nuzzling into your side. He spends the rest of the night tugging gently on your fingers, intertwined with his hand whilst you reach up to point out the various constellations and burning stars. He doesn’t really mind what you’re saying, but as you entangle your other hand in his curls gently, loving the way his face lights up, he’s just glad for the moment’s distraction your cuddle offers him

Surprise cuddles when the two of you are down by the lake during a sunny spring afternoon are the best! You would be lying down on the towel, him sitting cross legged next to you in his shorts, shyly shooting glances your way, hoping you’ll look up from your book and give him the attention he wants.

He grins down at you when you finally notice and drop the book onto the soil, shuffling onto your knees so you can lift his legs onto your lap, sitting down next to him. He sits up properly as well, pulling your body into his torso and squeezing you tightly, resting one hand on your back and running his other hand through your hair, letting out all the restless energy he’s had since his father’s death. He pulls back slightly, and you stare into his glistening eyes before he rests his forehead against yours

[spockandawe]

Gdi. I went to go answer a second ask, and instead of hitting the reply button like a sensible human, I went through the extra clicks and confirmation to delete the message, and only paused to think ‘wait, what’ when it was already gone. So I think these were the questions marked, but let me know if I missed something :P

3. favorite line/scene you wrote this year

Picking favorites is hard :(

Wait you know what, no it isn’t. Shout out to the emilonni idiot sandwich scene, but I just remembered this existed, and this is ABSOLUTELY the winner. This is Tarn inviting Deadlock to join the DJD:

Finally he turns back to you and sighs. “It sounds amazing. Seriously. But— my real passion is killing Autobots, y’know?”

All of your offense evaporates in a moment. You blame the engex, but you have to reset your vocalizer before you can talk and your voice still sounds a bit choked as you tell him, “That’s beautiful.”

“Bro,” he says, reaching out to grip your shoulder.

Without even thinking about it, you grip his shoulder in return. “I respect that.”

14. a fic you didn’t expect to write

emilonni, lmao

Okay, so this. Was ridiculous. I didn’t even start out interested in emilonni. I was just interested in finding Onni the love he deserves, and I was running through the limited cast feeling out my options, and Emil was in the mix, but I mean. Emilalli is already a joy and a delight. But I said, ‘not that I necessarily ship emil/onni, but--’ and then one cold c. stars was like ‘ACTUALLY THO--’

Neither of us shipped it at first, and then we both tripped and fell (dragged each other) into this emilalli pit. You would not believe the amount of screaming that happened over the course of a few densely-packed days. Most of that screaming made it into the eventual fic, though some of it was differently shaped from how the initial plans laid it out. But I hadn’t honestly had any plans to write any ssss fic?? I don’t write for most fandoms I enjoy. And I sure don’t ever write big sweeping longfics. UNTIL NOW, I GUESS. I’m so delighted it happened and that I finished it, but christ, what a surprise.

23. fics you wanted to write but didn’t

OH NO. This is... such a dangerous question. I am going to try to limit myself.

Okay, transformers first. I’ve got the next installments planned out for the starbladejack and rodistar universes, but I just... never got around to it. I’m still getting over the death of idw1. I think I’m recovered enough to write again, but I need to find my way back to my zone, and things have been hectic enough that I’m only fandoming organically, not cultivating an interest like I would need to do for these. I also really wanted to make more progress on the whirlstorm functionist universe fic. Which... now that I’ve written the emilonni, this feels much more attainable. Like the emilonni, the whole thing is outlined, in pretty significant depth. The outline is much, much, MUCH older than the emilonni was, so it’s not as fresh in my memory and it’ll be harder to get back into it, but I don’t want to abandon that idea.

Then... I really do want to write a raksura moon/river ship fic. I needs it. I’ve been putting it off, because I knew that if I dove into the raksura books again, I would lose my tenuous grip on my focus and the emilonni would have been screwed. I still want to do a little more ssss content before I risk distraction, but this is still something I REALLY want. 

And then there’s that ssss content!! I still have at least one more emilonni fic (the candle fic), which Needs to be written, plus I’m considering some alternate pov fic in that universe. That’s not as important as the candle fic, but it would be nice to make it happen. And then, okay. Hear me out. Onni needs love. I’m not rrrreally a fan of reynir/onni. I’m fine with it. I’ve got no plans to write any. Emil, I’ve done. I’m not bringing his family into the picture. Which leaves.... Mikkel and Sigrun. Now, Mikkel he’s at least spoken to, and they share a language, and Mikkel is much more sedate and patient than Sigrun. But Mikkel and Sigrun are PERFECT together, and it would be such a shame to split them up??? So. Mikkel/Onni/Sigrun. It makes sense, I kinda sorta swear. At the very least, I have an interesting idea for a short (pls) smut fic that would have a REALLY cool premise, and I think I can make it work emotionally, and also it is Important to me that everyone love Onni to the max.

And one more. Emilalli in general is on my to-do list, but there’s one idea I have where they don’t have a fight exactly, but things are Not Great for reasons I’m not going to describe here, but neither of them is upset with the other, they’re both blaming themself. The only thing holding this one up is pov struggles. Maybe it needs to be two chapters??? Because characters only have partial information and that’s important, but sharing all the information makes for such a delicious picture for readers! I live a very hard life :( But that one is maybe next on the writing list, so it’s hopefully forthcoming soon! 

Oh, also, Emilalli and pillow princess things, because I’m pretty sure a fandom is also not a fandom until I drag pillow princesses into it for no good reason at all. I’m still not over pillow princess megatron. Pillow princess emil. Which sounds like it doesn’t work, but porn with weird feelings is my happy place, and this is a sense-making weird when i add the context. And. Holy shit. This has also just reminded me of a sexy raksura fic I want to write, featuring what I have just realized is... pillow princess moon. It’s not really the CLASSIC pillow princess type thing, but honestly, it’s close enough. 2020 will be the year of the pillow princesses