#NOT HIM CASUALLY PICKING HER UP TO LET HER VIEW THE FULL SCENERY!!!!

[sylvia-forest]

[CN] Shaw's 6th Anniversary event - Day 2

⚡ Warning: This post contains detailed spoilers for an Event which hasn't been released in EN yet!⚡

[Day 2]

MC: What exactly is it? Can you give me some hints? MC: Why are you always so mysterious! Shaw: Don't bother trying to test me; I won't tell you. Shaw: Just carry your curiosity to the next stop, and you might find some clues.

—

MC: Even though driving these past few days has almost driven me crazy QAQ... MC: But seeing the heavy snow here makes everything worthwhile. MC: Now I'm going to build a super giant snowman! The colossal kind! Shaw: I know you're eager, but don't be in a hurry. Shaw: Haven't you noticed that your hands and feet are freezing now? Shaw: Come on, let me take you for a hot pot to warm up. MC: Food is still more tempting for me. Let's go quickly before we have to wait in line.

—

Shaw: You have two choices now: one, challenge the snowy mountain, two, go to the skiing town for some "retirement."

In front of the registration desk of a snow club, Shaw presented me with a multiple-choice question.

MC: ...

I looked at the two brochures in my hand. One displayed the magnificent sea of clouds, while the other depicted cozy wooden cabins in the small town.

Although both were attractive, the snowy mountain was a local feature. When planning the route, I frequently encountered related travel videos—

The panoramic view of the world from the mountaintop was irreplaceable in the skiing town.

MC: Hmm, the scenery on the snowy mountain seems more unique...

Shaw: Okay, let's go with that. MC: Wait, wait a minute!

I quickly grabbed his arm and pointed to the brochure's description.

MC: The entry-level altitude of this snowy mountain is 5000 meters... Considering my sedentary office lifestyle, I should...

Sensing the hesitation and melancholy in my tone, Shaw turned back.

Shaw: How would you know if you don't try? MC: But still…. Shaw: Have some confidence in yourself. You've been doing sports for a while, you should be in better shape than a few months ago, right? MC: Well, that's true. I do feel that my fitness has improved a bit.

Encouraged by his rare words of motivation, I rallied some determination and headed to the front desk.

MC: Hello, we'd like to sign up for the snowy mountain trek.

The staff member handed out the materials, and one of them was a liability waiver that made me hesitate for a moment.

MC: Do we need to sign a liability waiver? Staff member: Yes, but the guides are very professional. As long as you follow their instructions, there won't be any risks.

Seeing Shaw's expression of "Are you scared?" I decisively wrote down my name.

MC: Oh, by the way.

Thinking of not wanting to miss out on anything, I put down the pen and looked at Shaw.

MC: Don't forget to arrange for the skiing town; I want to go there too. MC: Only boring people make choices, so I want both.

Guide: Everyone, we will first hike 11 kilometers to reach the base camp at 4000 meters and camp overnight. We'll start the ascent to the summit early in the morning.

After changing into the professional mountaineering equipment provided by the club, the guide led us along the horse trail on foot.

The mountain tops around us were already covered in white snow, and I envisioned myself standing at the summit, becoming more excited as we progressed.

But everything changed after a "watershed" appeared in the trek, about four kilometers into the hike.

The mountain road became even more rugged, and despite resting many times, each step felt as heavy as if my feet were filled with lead.

MC [panting]: So tired... How much longer?

Gasping for breath, I checked the step count on my watch—it was still a long way to the base camp.

This time, Shaw laughed and covered my eyes.

Shaw: Don't look, the more you look, the more desperate you'll feel. Besides, regrets won't help now. You've already boarded the "thief's ship," and you can only grit your teeth and keep going. MC: Aren't you tired? Still have the energy to tease me... Shaw: It's okay, at least better than those who sit in the office all day.

While saying this, Shaw intentionally slows down his pace, gently pulling me to a relatively flat mountain path.

Shaw: So don't think about how long it will take to reach the destination. Just look ahead. The process is always more interesting than the destination.

For the rest of the journey, Shaw didn't rush me. However, from time to time, he used some provocative methods to make me take a few more steps with determination.

When we finally reached the base camp, after dinner, we were instructed to go inside and sleep.

MC: Shaw, do you know what time it is now? It's only 6:30! How can I sleep at 6:30!

I tossed and turned in my sleeping bag, and finally rolled over to Shaw's side.

Shaw: If you can't sleep, then don't. Shaw: But let me remind you, it's still several hours away from the mountaintop now, and it's only going to get steeper at night. MC: But I really can't sleep!

Before I could finish speaking, he pressed me into his arms, and the warm breath on top of my head felt especially comforting in the night.

Shaw[sighs deeply]: Close your eyes and shut up. No talking from now on. Whoever breaks the rule will get their head bumped. MC: Huh? Shaw: Once.

He tapped my forehead and closed his eyes, not giving me a chance to retaliate.

Feeling a bit helpless, I raised my fist toward the empty space, but he skillfully caught it and placed it in front of himself.

Shaw: Try any tricks again, even if it's just twice for you. MC: I...

As he slightly opened his mouth, I quickly pulled back my neck and closed my eyes.

—[Flashback starts]

But soon, the continuous mountain ranges in the daytime and the bright and lively Shaw under the sunlight began to appear in my mind.

Traveling together is said to be the best test of a couple's compatibility. Although we argued along the way, everything we did was remarkably harmonious.

[Flashback ends]—

Thinking of this, I secretly opened my eyes, only to meet his gaze directly.

Neither of us spoke, the dim light flickering, allowing the tranquility of this moment to linger gently.

Finally, I spoke softly.

MC: Didn't we agree not to open our eyes? Why are you looking at me?

Before I finished speaking, he lightly tapped my forehead.

Shaw: Eyes open, time for a penalty. MC: You clearly opened your eyes too, don't try to escape! Shaw: Why should I be penalized? If you don't open your eyes, you won't know that I did. MC: Shaw!!

I was about to give him a playful response, but he once again held my hand in check.

Shaw: Seems like you're not tired enough during the day. Let's just forget about sleeping. I'll keep you company until you're exhausted.

When I woke up again, it was already 2 a.m. We quickly packed up and followed the guide to continue our journey.

The high mountains that were bright in the daytime now appeared as dark shadows, overlooking numerous climbers facing the challenge.

The latter part of the journey was indeed steeper than during the day. I stumbled over rocks, feeling my energy rapidly depleting.

Not only me, but some fellow travelers even gave up on reaching the summit, brushing past us and heading back.

MC [panting heavily]: Huff …..

Shaw: I know you can still persist, but rushing won't help. Stick to the pace we had during the day.

He slowed down our pace, and gradually, we became the last ones in the group.

The wind and snow continued to blow, stealing the already thin oxygen. I could only breathe heavily, gripping the climbing rope and moving upward.

Until a faint light illuminated the foothills, I belatedly looked up, realizing the snowy summit was still far away.

I instinctively took large strides forward, but my knees went soft, and I was supported by Shaw.

Shaw [sounding concerned]: Hey, holding up okay? MC: I-I can still go on.

As I stood panting, Shaw walked in front of me and crouched down, patting his own shoulder.

Shaw: This snow mountain is a bit more challenging than I imagined. Come on, I won't count it as slacking off.

Feeling a warm surge in my heart, I made an effort to catch my breath and smiled at him.

MC: Some people always say you should experience things for yourself, so I want to climb up step by step on my own.

Shaw smiled and turned to brush off the snow on my knees.

Shaw: Quite determined. I'll follow your lead this time.

I nodded and then held his hand.

MC: But you still need to hold my hand, just like you always do.

Shaw tightened his grip on my hand and took on most of my weight as we ascended together.

Silently, the sun had poured all its light onto the vast white mountains, creating a dazzling golden glow.

Even though we hadn't reached the summit yet, I no longer felt in a hurry. Instead, I held the hand of the person beside me tightly, savoring every step of the journey.

Until I saw the monument marking 5025 meters close at hand, excitement surged within me.

MC: Shaw... I did it! We reached the summit!

All the determination finally relaxed at this moment. I rested on my knees, looking down at the sea of clouds bathed in golden light.

But in the next moment, my vision flickered, and Shaw lifted me high.

Strong arms securely held me, widening my perspective at this moment.

Shaw [in a cheerful voice]: The scenery is undoubtedly better the higher you go. How about it, can you see clearly now? MC: Mm!

The smiling voice reached my ears through the wind and snow. I took a deep breath, looking around the endless snow-covered expanse.

The entire world seemed to be covered in a pure white blanket, with the lazy sun lying on top, casting extremely dazzling light.

In the face of nature, humans are so tiny, yet I was fortunate to stand at the top of the world under its gaze.

MC: Experiencing things for yourself is indeed essential. The scenery in videos is not even one-thousandth as beautiful as what I'm seeing with my own eyes! Shaw [softly]: That's why, if there's a next time, don't dismiss yourself beforehand. Otherwise, you won't know how much you've missed.

After Shaw put me down, I naturally hooked my arms around his neck.

MC: Then I'll continue to engage in sports, because I want to see many more beautiful sceneries with you.

I paused, smiling at him.

MC: Consider it my way of adding a little extra beauty to the future~

He smiled and looked around the mountains before shifting his gaze back to me.

Shaw [chuckles]: Next time, when I ask you to go skateboarding, you better not chicken out, or I'll have to tie you down and take you there.

—

🚐 Day 3

[etherrreal]

“when you pass out at practice”

Pairing: tsukishima x reader ; kyotani x reader ; aone x reader Genre: comfort-fluff ; drabbles & headcanons Summary: the reader hasn’t been taking care of herself which leads to her passing out at practice  Word Count: 2295 Warnings: fainting, or passing out, from sleep deprivation/not eating/heat exhaustion, some explicit language because i’m an adult A/N: thanks for the fun request! i took a little bit of artistic liberties with the scenario to keep it from being so repetitive so I hope you don’t mind! -Luna

it was rare that you had a beautiful sunny day on a weekend with no chores to attend to or work to complete

so when your boyfriend Tsukishima texted you and asked you to come join him for casual volleyball practice outside, you decided to take him up on that opportunity

however, not even a cap and some cold water could stave off heat exhaustion

Despite it being 95°F and so humid that the air feels thick when you breathe, it is a beautiful day outside. The sky is completely clear of clouds; the sun is shining directly on you as you, your boyfriend, and Yamaguchi head out to practice at the open field nearby Karasuno. The change of scenery was refreshing and even with it feeling just as hot as it usually does inside the school gym, the occasional breeze and lack of sweaty stench was a huge welcomed change. 

There’s very little shade provided by the trees, but you lay out a small blanket under the nearest one anyway. You become the bag and bottle keeper when Tsukishima and Yamaguchi hand you their items, your boyfriend dropping it haphazardly onto the blanket while Yamaguchi delicately places it down with a ‘thank you.’ 

You usually don’t get to see Tsukishima practice, seeing as his normal practices run until the dead of night, so it was fun watching them set and serve the ball back and forth. When the occasional ball lands by your feet, you get the chance to enjoy setting it back to them, even if it often falls short or misses the target completely. 

“Thank god you’re not on our team,” Tsukishima teases, as he watches the ball you set fall 6 feet away from him.

“Yeah, because I’d kick your ass. I know I’m a threat, and you should fear me,” you retort sarcastically. Before he turns away to retrieve the ball, you see him crack a small smile at your tomfoolery. 

However, after a few hours of getting up and down repeatedly to send the balls back under the beating sun, your head starts to pound. Your body is radiating so much heat it makes you want to remove your skin. You know it’s just a matter of time before you start feeling physically ill, as well. You loosen your cap and drink some cold water in hopes that it will relieve some of the tension, but you just feel the same.

You decide to lay down on the blanket, cap laid over your face to block out the sun. You don’t know if you passed out or if you simply tuned out everything around you for a bit, but you jump when you suddenly feel something wet and cold touching your neck.

You reach up to swat it away, thinking it was a bug when you hear Tsukishima’s voice. “Stop that. I’m trying to help you, dummy.” 

Relief washed over you to know that it wasn’t a beetle crawling up your neck but instead your stoic boyfriend pressing his plastic water bottle there to cool you down.

“Yamaguchi thought you died,” he brought up suddenly. “He actually ran to the store to get some more water after I told him to stop overreacting.”

You chuckle, picturing Yamaguchi already mourning over your body just because you were lying down with a cap over your face. “It’s sweet that he cares though, in his own weird way.”

Suddenly, the sky and Tsukishima’s crouching figure are in full view as he flicks the hat off of your face, feeling annoyed that you praised his friend and not him. “What do you think I’m doing, huh?” 

“Aww, do you want me to tell you how you’re the bestest, sweetest, most handsome boyfriend I’ve ever had the privilege of knowing, and that I’m so grateful that you’ve graced me with your help?” you whine in a sarcastic tone, making grabby hands at the tall blond hovering over you.

He slaps your hands away, knowing that if you get your hands on him, you’d squeeze his cheeks and ruffle his hair like you always do. “Well, that’s the last time I ever take care of you.” 

You know he doesn’t mean it and that, if you were ever in some form of peril, he would casually stroll rush to your rescue to make sure you’re okay. You hope that when you look up at him he can see how much you appreciate his efforts.

“Thank you, Kei,” you say sincerely.

“Yeah, whatever.” He sounds dismissive, but you can tell by the scrunched eyebrows and soft look in his eyes as he gazes down at you how much he worries about your well-being, and you’re genuinely grateful to have him be your unofficial nurse. 

you heard from some classmates that your math teacher was seen printing out math quizzes

*cue studious panic*

 you decided to completely skip lunch and use that time in the library to hit the books hard

your stomach was rumbling, your head was hurting, and your vision would become spotty if you stood up too quickly

you completed your quiz at the end of the day, but by then, you were starving and ready to get something to eat

in your panic, you forgot that you were supposed to meet kyotani after school so you could force him to go to practice that day (or else Iwaizumi would have your ass)

he heard your stomach make monstrous noises and when you let him know you hadn’t eaten, he looked more upset than usual to see you not taking care of yourself

“Let’s skip practice and get some food,” he suggests.

“What? So you can skip out on one of the few practices you go to? Absolutely not!” you reprimand.

“But you need to eat.”

“Look at you being a sweet boyfriend who cares,” you tease, watching him roll his eyes like he’s annoyed, but the pink hue dusting his cheeks says otherwise. “I’ll be fine. I should have an extra granola bar in my bag somewhere.” 

"Whatever, if you say so." He turns his body diagonally, a gesture you know means 'walk with me.' Kyotani has never been keen on PDA, but one thing you have noticed is that he prefers for you to walk directly by his side at all times. To others, it may look like he’s uninterested in you, but you can tell by how often his arm brushes yours that it’s his way of showing affection. 

You stroll across campus together, enjoying a quiet conversation with Kyotani about your day thus far. It doesn’t take long for you to reach the gym entrance, already hearing the balls slamming against the ground inside. You both switch out your shoes before walking in, him going to join his teammates and you finding a seat on the sidelines, seeing Iwaizumi give you a thumbs up for your job well done. 

You take a moment to search through your bag for that granola bar you mentioned earlier. After sifting through books, loose notes, and forgotten pencils and pens, you realize you have no snack to tide you over until the end of practice. 

The market is just down the road. I could probably go pick something up and be back quickly.

You wave Iwaizumi over, figuring you’ll tell him your plans while Kyotani is distracted so he won’t follow you out. You see his back turned to you as Oikawa speaks to the rest of the team, gesturing wildly with a volleyball in hand. 

As Iwaizumi gets closer, you stand up and immediately begin to sway. Your vision grows spotted, and your head feels like it’s floating. 

You hear Kyotani yell out your name before everything goes black.

When you wake up, the lights are beaming overhead as you lay in some sort of bed. Once you’re coherent enough, you sit up, looking around to see that you’re in the school nurse’s office. You pick up your hand to hold your still aching head when you notice a very angry Kyotani attached to it, already glaring at you.

Your mouth opens and closes repeatedly, not quite knowing what to say after you just passed out in the middle of practice.

"I told you that we should've gotten something to eat," he starts, growling out each word.

You shrink into yourself, feeling embarrassed that you've upset him and couldn’t even take care of yourself properly. "I'm sorry, Kentaro.”

He notices you plucking the lint off your shirt to avoid direct eye contact with him. His eyes close as he collects himself, realizing that now’s not the time to lecture you for something you couldn’t have predicted.

He sighs, standing up slightly to lean over your slumped figure, laying a kiss on your temple. He mumbles a quiet apology against your skin, feeling bad for snapping at you when he should’ve been more kind. He’s working on that, slowly but surely.

“Let’s go get something to eat,” he says, holding your hand while you stand slowly from the bed. You wobble slightly, Kyotani quickly wrapping his arm around your waist to stabilize you. You give him a nod when you’re firmly on your two feet.

“From now on, if you’re hungry, tell me.”

You agreed reluctantly, not exactly wanting him to worry so much but knowing he wouldn’t let you leave without your compliance. 

From then on, he always makes sure to check on you to check if you've eaten or if you need one of the many granola bars he now carries, and while sometimes it's annoying to have him acting like a mother hen, it's also very heartwarming to know that he cares about you that much. Not to mention, he’s saved your ass many times when you have to study overtime for another intense math quiz. 

the end of the semester was coming to a close and you were scrambling to get everything done on time

there weren't enough hours in the day to study for finals, finish projects, complete homework, and also take care of your human needs, like eating and sleeping

so, you just didn't sleep one night, opting to stay up with some caffeine to power through all of your work

at the beginning of the next day, you felt energetic and peppy, but as it went on, the sluggish feeling started to settle in

by the end, you were feeling absolutely exhausted and ready to drop at any moment

however, you still wanted to accompany Aone to practice that day, as it was your favorite part of your week

aone initially insisted that you head home without him, but he realized it might be safer to go with him after practice, just in case you fell asleep on the train

It feels like it takes ages, but eventually, practice begins to wind down, soreness seeping into each and every team member’s muscles after hours on their feet. A few of them are still practicing quick attacks with each other, but Aone is one more move away from passing out from exhaustion.

He walks over to you sitting on the sidelines, watching you take longer and longer between each blink. Yet, when he gets close enough, you still manage to give him a small smile that kicks his heart into overdrive, his face, no doubt, resembling a tomato because of the gesture.

He sits on the creaky folding chair beside you, taking gulps of his water to try to cool himself down. He almost chokes when he feels your head press up against his shoulder, hand resting on his forearm gently. Sitting still as a rock, he tries to take his mind off his cute partner cuddling up next to him.

"We should stop somewhere and pick up some food on the way to the train,” he suggests, doing his best to ignore the warmth filling his cheeks. “Do you want anything specific?"

You're silent beside him. At first, he thinks you're contemplating what to eat, seeing as you're very particular with your cravings. But when two minutes pass, and there's not even a peep from you, he looks down carefully to find you knocked out against his shoulder, face squished uncomfortably and mouth parting with each deep breath you take.

Aone never pictured this happening to him –mostly because he didn't think he'd ever have a partner who'd feel comfortable enough around him– so he didn't quite know where to go from here. He could wake you up to at least bring you home, but if this is the first time you've slept in over 24 hours, he didn't want to deprive you of more necessary sleep.

The only way Aone can think of bringing you home is to carry you all the way to the train station and... Well, that's as far as he manages to get, but future Aone will figure the rest out.

He asks Futakuchi to gather his things for him because he doesn't want to risk waking you. After some light teasing, he hands Aone his packed duffle and helps put on his jacket with minimal stirring from you.

Aone thanks his friend with a nod before turning to you and slipping his arms under you, one beneath your knees and the other behind your back. He freezes when you begin shifting around, but relaxes once you settle into him.

Aone waves at his team on the way out, with what movement he is allowed, and begins his trek to the train station nearby. 

His arms are aching after hours of practice, but it doesn’t matter, because you nuzzling into his neck with an adorable sigh gives him enough strength to carry you halfway across the country if he needs to. 

Written by: Luna

[canary3d-obsessed]

Restless Rewatch: The Untamed Episode 20, part two

(Masterpost) (Other Canary Stuff) (Previous Post)

Warning: Spoilers for All 50 Episodes!

So much happens in this episode that I couldn’t stop the meta and had to break it in thirds. Part one is here, part three is here. 

Owie Owie Owie

Wen Zhuliu takes exquisitely tender care of Wen Chao, despite presumably disliking him quite a lot. He wipes his tears away, saying that the tears will infect his wounds, which...isn't likely, but ok. 

I will note that he didn't get the "no sting" kind of medicine, however, so maybe there's a limit to his kindness.  Wen Chao screams and yells at him while he puts a tiny amount of medicine on one tiny spot of owie. It's going to be a long night for these fellas. Except it isn't because they're going to die, so at least they won't have to put more medicine on.

The candles blow out and we hear the sound of a flute, which Wen Zhuliu hilariously says is just the wind when Wen Chao starts freaking out. They have two days to go before they get to safety, and Wen Chao is pretty sure he's not going to last two days. And you know...he's right!  

As usual he blames Wen Zhuliu for the situation, but then gets afraid that WZL is going to leave him, and starts making promises of status. WZL says that's not necessary. He is a loyal sonofabitch, I'll give him that. 

The Man Comes Around, Redux

And now Wei Wuxian enters the scene, climbing menacingly up the stairs carrying his own hair fan, just like Lan Wangji did in the previous episode. (Gifset here). Wen Zhuliu doesn't look optimistic. When the boys on the roof see Wei Wuxian they don't look too happy either.

Wei Wuxian stops in front of Wen Zhuliu and proceeds to have a philosophical conversation with him. Wei Wuxian has come to fuck your shit up, but he has also come to pass judgement on your ethics because he is, fundamentally, still himself. 

Wen Zhuliu takes the opportunity to justify his actions, giving a heartfelt statement about what he owes to Wen Ruohan. Wen Zhuliu knows his number is up and that they obviously didn't kill Wei Wuxian hard enough, but he still feels righteous.

(more after the cut)

Here Wei Wuxian asks a question that shows the fundamental difference between himself and Wen Zhuliu. In many ways they are similar: neither of them was born into their clan. Both were appreciated by the clan leader and placed in high positions. Both feel an obligation to those clan leaders. When Wei Wuxian asks "why do other people have to pay for your gratitude?" he's foreshadowing the moment when Jiang Cheng demands the death of the Dafan Wens.  

Wen Zhuliu doesn't hesitate to murder people because his clan leader wants him to. Whereas Wei Wuxian doesn't hesitate to pay a terrible price--his golden core-for his gratitude to Jiang Fengmian. But he won't let the Dafan Wens pay the price of his continued membership in the Jiang clan; he chooses exile while Wen Zhuliu chooses murder.

Wei Wuxian is done talking and very very slowly brings his flute into position and starts to play. Wen Zhuliu doesn't make a move to stop him, but he might be frozen in place...everything happens at weird speeds in this scene.

Lan Wangji is super horrified when he sees what Wei Wuxian is doing with his flute. So horrified, in fact, that by the time they are face to face, he's moved past any other emotion.

Lady in Red

As Wei Wuxian plays the flute, the camera moves around him (or they spin him on a turntable) and the scenery around him shifts to a 360 view of...the burial mounds! That's so fucking cool! 

You can take the boy out of the graveyard but you can't take the graveyard out of the boy. He is carrying it within him now.

He summons up the hottest ghost lady ever, to scratch the shit out of the Wens with her fancy fingernails. She's all in red, not the dark Wen red, but super-saturated bridal red. 

She's not dressed as a bride, but she is very pretty and the color is awesome, particularly when she turns into red smoke. Presumably having actual ghosts attacking people is ok with the censor board as long as they are pretty ladies in nice clothes, since there are two in this episode and this one is absolutely definitely a non-corporeal being when she wants to be.

Camera Operator: What did I ever do to you?

She fights with Wen Zhuliu, who tries to put his core-melting hand on her, unsuccessfully, and then figures out that Wei Wuxian is the better target, so tries to put his core-melting hand on him. 

Wen Zhuliu, you need to have some different moves! Not everybody has a core for you to melt.

Zidian’s Revenge

As soon as Wen Zhuliu targets Wei Wuxian the boys break in from the rooftop, with Jiang Cheng snapping Zidian up over a rafter and down around Wen Zhuliu's neck in a single move, and then hauling him up and hanging him. 

This is a pretty gratifying moment; Jiang Cheng finally gets his vengeance using the weapon his mother gave him before this fucker killed her. He also gets to come back at the guy who melted his core and kill him with a spiritual weapon. All around nice work, Jiang Cheng.

Meanwhile, Lan Wangji initially placed himself between Wen Zhuliu and Wei Wuxian, which is a pretty strong show of devotion, given that his chest was directly in line with Wen Zhuliu's hand. 

He watches intently while Wen Zhuliu dies...Lan Wangji is actually a pretty vengeful guy, isn't he? He's not into torture but he seems to like executing bad people, and he enjoys chopping off arms a whole lot.

Welcome Back

Having disposed of Wen Zhuliu, Team Where The Fuck Have You Been is ready to greet Wei Wuxian. This is Lan Wangji as he prepares to turn around and face him. 

This is not "relieved that my soulmate is ok" or even "feeling betrayed because you didn't even send me a text." This is cold, hard, fury. He's plowed right past relief and joy into full on disgust and vehemence.

Jiang Cheng is also pissed at him, but he's so used to being pissed at him that it's not a remarkable emotion, and it passes quickly. He gives him his sword, calls him a prick, punches him in the shoulder while Lan Wangji looks grumpy Wang Yibo tries very hard not to smile, and fails. 

Then Jiang Cheng gives Wei Wuxian an enormous squishy hug. 

Wei Wuxian, who has probably wanted that hug for the past decade, does not return it, and looks stricken, eventually raising his flute hand behind Jiang Cheng's back.

Lan Wangji glares at him while Jiang Cheng hugs him, and then shifts to glare at the flute.

Let's talk about Lan Wangji's body language here. This scene is often talked about, including by OP, as "Wei Wuxian picks a fight with Lan Wangji in order to push him away." But since their very early days,Lan Wangji's nonverbal communication has been an essential component of his relationship with Wei Wuxian. Wei Wuxian has been reading his microexpressions from the very start, and he's the only one besides Lan Xichen who does that. 

Lan Wangji's anger and disapproval are written all over his face and posture, so much so that even a casual observer can tell what he's feeling.  For Wei Wuxian, with his extreme awareness and having shared actual literal telepathy with the guy previously, this has got to feel like Lan Wangji is screaming at him.

Lan Wangji is the one picking this fight. Wei Wuxian is trying to defuse it by giving him time to calm down before engaging. For perhaps the first time since meeting him, Wei Wuxian ignores Lan Wangji to focus on Jiang Cheng.

Jiang Cheng asks him a bunch of questions and Wei Wuxian slides out from under most of them, giving half answers, non-answers, and what All The President's Men calls a non-denial denial.

Wei Wuxian, who is adept at sounding like he's speaking truth when he is lying, here sounds like he's lying when he's speaking something very close to the truth. He spins a particularly outrageous-sounding tale of finding a cave and learning an ultimate power there...but that's actually what he actually did, actually.  Xue Yang does this "lie so much that the truth now sounds like a lie" thing by accident, years later in Yi City, but Wei Wuxian is using it as a deliberate tactic to hide the truth from his brother. Which is basically his main occupation at this point.  

He acts offended that Jiang Cheng doesn't believe him, but he does it playfully to cast everything in the conversation as a joke.

Lan Wangji is not as inclined to accept utter codswallop as Jiang Cheng is, and he has already figured out an important underlying layer of the situation--the turn away from the way of the sword--while not seeing the very bottom layer, the "I don't have a golden core" layer.  

Unfortunately, he continues to be judgy and pissed off. He says "Wei Ying" gently enough, but his body is braced for conflict. 

Wei Wuxian looks at him wearily and stands up to have the fight Lan Wangji is asking for.

Maybe you were right But baby I was lonely I don't want to fight I'm tired of being sorry

I'm standing in the street Crying out for you No one sees me But the silver moon

Soundtrack: 1. Sympathy for the Devil, The Rolling Stones 2. Tired of Being Sorry, by Ringside

Writing Prompt: Who is the lady in red and what is her deal?

[wasabi-mommy]

Wasted Talent ( DIO X FEM FEADER)

Lurking the Streets of Cairo is an interesting man, but his so called interest lies in you and the portraits you paint.

(Warnings: uh none, I'm too lazy to proofread deal with it)

Another day and nothing. Not even a single tourist would give you the time of day- or even night for that matter. Now the sun had long set and a full moon and subtle street lights were the only luminescence casting a faint glow on the cobble stone path below your feet. It was disheartening to say he least. Ever since your parents had past, the only way to get by or at least make a living in the city you found yourself glued to... was by selling your art, painted pottery and canvases.

Although, for most of the tourist that came to the luxury that was Cairo, their interests fall into jewelry and tapestries.

Some of your paintings where of the locals, wildlife, or scenery. Locals would praise you; "you're an amazing artisan!" "A gift has been granted to you dear!" "This is breath taking!" And of course your heart couldn't bring yourself to charge the people you knew in the town you lived all you life (stuck) in.. so you would let them have it, barter,or make them pay 1/3rd the price.

"Makes me wonder why I even try..." you mumbled loading up another canvas into your small caravan. Another day and nothing, not even enough for a loaf of bread. You stared blankly at the 2 egyptian pounds sitting inside your change box.

In the shadows his amber orbs glistened.

He watched your routine for a while now. 2 weeks , to be precise... at first he wanted nothing but a quick meal, and you were a perfect target. Alone at 11 o clock at night, in an empty market place that by this time was completely abandoned. He caught you painting that night. As you stepped away from your creation he felt an odd feeling wash over him. A peak, an interest, a desire. A desire to see more of what you may create. The beauty that was the texture, the blending... and it wasn't even the foreground but a beautiful gradient background...for what. Dio must know.

Soon enough Dio made you and your art gallery one of his normal stops while he casually strolled the quiet streets of the Egyptian city. He wondered how you got by most of the time selling such works, not that he would care.. you were another human the only difference is that you seemed to be more fluent in how you were able to depict images on to a surface, atleast deep down that's what he told himself. It brought him to the memories of when he himself lived in a similar type of poverty over a century ago.

You felt a cold chill brush over your shoulder and instantly the hairs of neck stand up.

"Alone at such an hour.."

"Eek!" You jumped dropping the small pot you were carrying. The pieces shattered, small bits of clay spreading everywhere.

Dio chuckled deeply walking out from the shadows. " now, now, that is not a proper way to greet a customer" his voice rang through your ears, sultry and smooth. You reluctantly turn you heard over your shoulde to see a man. A man who is atleast a foot taller than you, blonde hair that seemed to dery gravity and His eyes could've been shining as they stared down at your small form.

"Y-you want to buy my- my art?" You stumble over your words in disbelief as you pick up the pieces of clay pot that had fallen to pieces.

The man's chuckled was deep... almost belittling at the very sound.

"You have talent, do you not?"

You furrowed your brow in question, was this some sort of test?

"Uh.. I mean I guess.. I'm sorry I usually don't get a lot of customers-"

"How shameful must that be," Dios eyes found the painting..the one that had caught his eye the moment he was about to drain her of all her essence. A subtle portrait of a woman, surprisingly much resembling his mother.

".. that people haven't an eye for your talents" he muttered, impolite pushing his way past your dumbstruck form.

Dio reached out, letting the dark nail of his index finger trace the frame of the decently sized canvas. He felt a warm within his very being, by just looking at the portrait of the woman.

You were speechless. One because was kind of rude and two.. This man, this attractive man, was actually admiring your art! Sweat, a nervous sweat broke on your forehead as he leaned closely. You have no idea, did he like it? Why is he so close? He's not going to grab and run i hope!!!

These thoughts were soon trampled by the man's form looming over your own. You flinched and held in any noise that could've been made.

"You talents are wasted on tasteless buffoons my lady, remember that" his eyes drifted from you to the painting.

"But.. all I have is this city" you said softly in your defense. That amused him, a mere human speaking politely back at him..

Dio scoffed, " You waste the talent you're gifted, I know a place my dear.. where your art can be viewed by the masses"

You felt the heat rush to your face. Could this man be your ticket out of this hellhole?! Suddenly a heavy weight dawned on you. Friends.. the locals.. and of course the money..

"Thankyou sir.. you see i have not the money to travel. I must stay, but one day I will leave Cairo" you were humble.. and Dio admired that.

It was an instant, but the money hit your hand. Then he was gone.. and so was the portrait of the woman. Your eyes wandered to the over exceeding amount of money on piyour hands, "HOLY SHI-"

That was rare. An extreme rarity at that. Dio usually tends not to pay attention nor spend money on the common wealth of this day and age. Though he had come from poverty, when he rules one day, and day forever turned night.. there will be no poverty. Only the followers of a world that is Dio.

He stared at the painting, how he did very much so wish for his mother. He closed the closet door of his chambers, sealing the portrait into it hidden place.

Your talents are wasted in this place, but Dio will stop by again and again, to buy your art and admire the talent you so helplessly waste on the city that is Cairo.

[yukheisrosie]

F4!! BTS X EXO CHAPTER 3~

Hii!! I suck at making these posts aesthetic so uh- enjoy lmao.

Word Count: 2,040

A BTS x EXO Fanfic

Based off of the Netflix series- Meteor Garden :-)

Part 1. Part 2.

Chelsy stabs her fork into her salad vigorously as Namjoon and Yoongi casually eat their food

Yoongi pokes at the noodles on his plate before looking across the table at Chelsy's repetitive moves

"You wouldn't have won." He simply states, then going back to his food and stuffing a bite of vegetables into his mouth

"Not only are there four of them and one of you- but it'd also be a bad image, especially since we're only freshman and this is legit the first day of school."

"Mm, he has a point." Namjoon comments in with mouth full of food

"He saved not only your ass, but ours as well." He mumbles while stuffing another bite in

"Now that's what I call 'teamwork'."

Chelsy looks at the both of them with annoyed eyes before sighing deeply and sitting up, letting her fork fall

"Of course you two aren't really phased by this because it's not your phone!" She snaps

"Do you know how expensive that thing was?"

"And he stepped on it like it was a piece of gum!"

"Must be one hard piece." Namjoon snorts and Yoongi just nudges him rather harshly

"Even if that was the case-" Yoongi sighs

"And let's say it WAS my phone-"

He pauses for a second before responding

"I would get a new one and let bygones be bygones."

"That-" Chelsy pauses with a smile

"Has to be the most stupidest thing I've ever heard you say in your entire life." She replies sarcastically

Yoongi just furrows his eyebrows before going back to his food

"You go ahead and get yourself into unnecessary trouble and drama." He pushes, mid chew

"But when you're the talk of the school on your first year of college, at that point- I don't know you."

Chelsy's mouth gapes open as Namjoon looks between the both of them before perking up

"I'll still be your friend, Chelsy- don't worry." He smiles cheerfully

"If those four outrageously filthy rich boys take you down, I'll go down with you."

"And this is why I appreciate you more than I appreciate Yoongi." Chelsy smiles, placing a hand across the table

"Thank you."

Yoongi lets out an eye roll before going in for another bite, unbothered

The three of them continue to eat in a comfortable silence until they were joined by a unfamiliar face

"Namjoon, right?" The girl asks, catching all of their attention

The boy looks up, swallowing the rest of his food and sending her a small smile

"Michi! Hey, what sup?" He replies in a friendly tone

The girl just sends one more smile, impressed at how he remembered her name already The two look at each other for a moment more until Namjoon calmly introduces her to the other two members at the table

"Chelsy, Yoongi, this is Michi." He smiles

"We're in the same homeroom."

The two wave and smile as the girl bows respectfully as a saying of hello before turning back to Namjoon

"I've been looking for other people in our class, but alas- you're the only one I could run into." She lets out a small laugh

"I was just wondering if you had the syllabus? I tried going back to pick up another copy, but professor had already left."

"Of course!" Namjoon replies, leaning over to unzip his backpack

"I could just take a picture and you could take my copy." He smiles

"Saves us more trees."

He lets out a little laugh and Michi couldn't help but laugh along before saying thank you

"You're a real lifesaver." She sighs contently, watching the boy shuffle through his backpack

"No worries." Namjoon replies with another smile

As the girl was waiting, Chelsy and Yoongi noticed her attention went somewhere else for a split second

"Oh how I would love to walk next to those four." She sighs in an admirable way

"I have never seen four beyond handsome guys as close friends in my entire life, I could tell you that."

Chelsy and Yoongi turn to see where she was referring to before Chelsy clenches her jaw at the familiar faces from before

The four had entered the lunch room, catching everyone's attention, and almost instantly- people started talking and staring in what seemed like awe

Once they took a seat at their table, that's when the girls started giggling

Chelsy just rolls her eyes, staring directly at the boy she had an encounter with earlier in annoyance

"You know them?" Yoongi asks, intrigued

"You don't?" Michi laughs in response

"Only everyone who goes here knows them."

"Care to elaborate?" Chelsy questions, looking up at her and trying to remain calm

Michi just looks at the girl before smiling

"They go by F4." She says

"Their families are very close and apart of only the biggest industries here."

She lets out a small sigh

"There's Jungkook, Baekhyun, Lucas and last but not least- Sehun."

She let's out a small hum

"In which my opinion- is the most handsomest." She giggles

"We could agree to disagree on that." Chelsy mumbles underneath her breath before jumping a little as Yoongi kicks her shin from under the table

"They seem like amazing guys." Yoongi agrees, pretending to be interested

"They are." Michi nods, still looking their way

"Whoever ends up dating any of them- especially Sehun- is one lucky girl."

Chelsy goes back to looking at the boy who had broke her device as Namjoon finally takes the paper out, handing it to Michi

She analyzes him a little more and stares at the way he laughs at anything the rest of the guys seem to be saying

She lets out a sigh and suddenly feels her heart begin to beat-

And next thing she knew, she was up and out of her chair-

on her way to their table

Michi and Namjoon perk up quick, watching the girl walk away as Yoongi just sits there, watching along with no emotion

"Hey-" Chelsy clears her throat as she approaches the guy's table, then catching not only theirs- but everyone else who were in the lunch room as well's attention

She meets eyes with the boy from before, who's eyes and smile automatically fell once he saw her fully

"What now?"

"Sehun ah-" One of the boys from across the table comments

"You know her?"

"Not since today." Sehun replies

"And I wouldn't want to know her even if I had the choice." He scoffs as Chelsy continues to stand there

"I'm right here." She squints, crossing her arms as Sehun just keeps his smile up

"And how may I help you?" He asks, cocking his head to the side

"I didn't come over here to argue." Chelsy replies calmly, biting her tongue

"I was just upset that you stepped on my phone and broke it completely-"

"Then get a new one." Sehun interrupts

Chelsy lets out a small scoff before adjusting her stance

"Well, it's not that easy-" She tries to get out

"Then work harder." Sehun smiles and at this point Chelsy felt as if her head was about to explode

"Look, the least you can do is apologize." Chelsy says, getting straight to the point

"How when it wasn't my intention to break your phone in the first place?" Sehun questions in response

"I shouldn't apologize for something I didn't do on purpose." He explains

"What's the point in that?"

Chelsy was going to reply when Sehun stands up

She moves back a little at how much he was towering over her

"I think we're done here." He smiles, adjusting his jacket before brushing past her, having the three other guys follow along with

Chelsy just stands there, turning around to see all eyes on her

Hearing the small mumbles and comments from everyone, she suddenly feels her skin become hot as she walks away in a hurry, catching Namjoon's  attention

"Hey!" He calls out, standing up from his seat

"Where are you going?"

"I need some air-" Chelsy replies, feeling her hands clam up, leaving the room completely

Chelsy tries to contain her breathing as she runs up the stairs and up to the rooftop of the building

She then runs up to the edge, looking out into the distance before letting out a frustrated scream

"Stupid boy." She breaths, trying to calm her heart rate down

"A decent human being could've at least apologized." She sniffed, now wiping her eyes from the tears that were now forming up

"Some first day of school." She groans

"So you're a freshman? That explains a lot."

Chelsy jumps up, quickly turning around to face one of the boys that was by Sehun's side just moments before

"What are you doing here-" Chelsy begins

"Who-"

She starts to stutter as the boy just remains in a calm position, sending her a smile

"You're not the only one who's allowed up here to let their anger out, you know." He laughs, now coming up next to her to look out into the view

Chelsy just continues to stare at him, amazed and intimidated at how calm he was

"I'm Jungkook by the way." He introduces himself, not bothering to make eye contact

"I apologize for my friend." He says

"He doesn't really know how to handle confrontation without wanting to fight."

He then steps aside to get a full look of Chelsy before turning back to the scenery

"Especially with a freshman girl like yourself."

"Despite my age or gender- I feel like anyone would be mad if they had their expensive phone stepped on." Chelsy replies, crossing her arms across her chest

Jungkook looks over once more, this time fully facing her

"An iPhone 7?" He asks, tilting his head a little, having Chelsy gulp before taking a step back

She was more wrapped around the fact at how mad she was for not realizing how handsome these guys were

"Mhm." Was all she could get out, along with a small nod in agreement

Jungkook looks at her for a bit before forming a small smile again

"Then it's not that expensive." He teases

"If anything- he did you a favor, don't you think?" He asks and before Chelsy could gain all her anger back, the boy lets out a quick laugh, throwing her off

He leans forward, meeting eyes with her, faces only inches apart

"I'm joking, freshman." He smiles

"Loosen up a little, would you?" He nudges lightly

He smiles once more and Chelsy couldn't help but feel her hands clam up again

Jungkook then stands all the way up again, now looking down at her

"Don't let Sehun's cocky attitude ruin your first year here." He says

"You'll gain wrinkles at an early age if you continue to do that"

He smiles at her teasingly as Chelsy does nothing but let out a small breath

"Pay for a new phone and then maybe I'll let this go." She scoffs and Jungkook just stands there again, staring at her

The two look at each other for what felt like an eternity (at least to Chelsy) when out of nowhere Jungkook lets out a quick sigh

"Okay."

"Okay?" Chelsy repeats, kind of caught off guard

"Okay."

He smiles once more

"What time does your last class end?"

Chelsy tried to wrap her head around what was happening until Jungkook came in again

"Answer, freshy." He teases

"One forty five." Chelsy quickly replies

Jungkook nods, smiling

"Okay." He replies

"We'll go after that."

Before Chelsy could come in again, Jungkook was already on his way back down to the building

"You don't even know where my last class is!" She then yells out and Jungkook turns around

"You're in nutrition right?" He asks, and Chelsy nods

"Then you won't be that hard to find." He scoffs

"See you at one forty five, freshy." He says before turning back around

Chelsy stays there for a bit, letting out a deep breath and running a hand through her hair

"What in the world just happened?" She asked herself

She looks out into the scenery of the school campus before looking down at her hands, replaying how close they were over and over again before smiling to herself

[aster-risks]

A Good Day to go Sailing

Because it's MerMay, I was thinking of writing this one shot based on an idea I think I posted here before, when someone's ashes are thrown into the ocean turn into a mermaid.

(Warning : It's a bit sad but not really. Plus it gets better)

Staring out to the sea, Hermione patted the vase in which contained her late husband's remains.

"You always did love the ocean, didn't you Malfoy?"

She told him, she told him a thousand times to be careful, that being an Auror would only risk his life even more after everything that happened in the war. And a thousand times, he promised to come home safe and in one piece.

But he broke that promise.

That arsehole.

Only 25 and already a widow, but as they all say, it's better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all.

Although she agreed with the saying, she just wished she had never lost.

Watching the sun set, signaling the end of the day, she took note of every moment and every second of the scenery. The sparkle in the ocean imitating the look in his eyes when they said 'I do'.

But she wasn't there to just enjoy the sunset, she had to fulfill the one thing he asked for.

-

"Granger, if I die-"

"If?"

"Let me finish, okay when I die, I want you to throw my ashes in the ocean"

"You want to be cremated?"

"Yes, and promise me you'll throw my ashes in the ocean"

"You know that's illegal right?"

"And since when did the great Hermione Granger not break the rules?"

-

Of course, those words were said when they were both pissed with Firewhiskey but she remembered that moment because the thought of him dying scared her.

She stood up from the cliff and picked up vase. Holding it tightly to her chest, she gave it one last hug.

Looking down, she watched the waves splash against the bottom of the cliff.

Tears formed in her eyes but refused to drop.

"I love you Draco"

She spilled all the contents of the jar, watching every spec of ash fall to the ocean down below.

As the ashes dropped, so did her tears.

-

A full year had passed and the Potters decided to go sailing. It took a long while of convincing, but Hermione accepted the invitation.

"Are you sure you want to go sailing? I mean Ginny's already 3 months in" Hermione sent a wary look at her pregnant friend who sent a determined smile.

"It's only 3 months, you and I both know that Ginny is as tough as a rock" Harry's eyes gleamed in Ginny's direction, waving like a maniac beside the big boat. Hermione couldn't be any happier for the two.

"Plus, if anything were to happen, Ron and Theo are coming along just in case" Harry smiled.

"Ron and Theo do seem to be getting along well" Hermione smirked and Harry just shook his head in amusement. "Nott flirts with everyone like there's no tomorrow, I remember the first time I met him-" Harry paused realizing the name he was about to mention.

Hermione chuckled "It's alright Harry, I'm okay now. Sure I miss the pointy faced prick but I'll be fine. We're going sailing and I love the sea, can't let anything ruin our mood".

"We won't go far, we'll just go a few miles in then circle around and come right back. Ginny wants to enjoy every moment before the pain of pregnancy kicks in for the 4th or 5th month" he adjusted his glasses.

"Oh, here come the two love birds" the bushy haired with motioned to the two Aurors jogging towards them.

"Hey, sorry we're a bit late, Nott here thought he should flirt with everybody he laid eyes on and lost track of time" Ron sneered at the Slytherin beside him.

"You're just jealous cuz I didn't hit on you today" Theo laughed as Ron's face turned as red as his hair.

Harry clapped his hands together calling everyone's attention "well then, let's get this show on the road".

-

2 hours in and the weather was beautiful. Hermione leaned on the railings of the boat and just stared into the horizon.

"Like the view?"

Turning, she found Theo's smug face.

"I did, then some face spoiled it" she joked as he pouted, acting offended by her remark.

He joined her as they stared at the sea, mirroring the color of the clear sky.

"Oi Nott!" Ginny shouted "come help the boys with the drinks, there's so many it's bloody heavy".

As he left to help, Ginny smirked at Hermione "you know, Theo's quite fit and single".

Hermione laughed "I think Theo's more into red heads".

Ginny giggled "too bad I'm married and pregnant, but seriously, it's been a long time since I've seen you- you know".

Before Hermione could say anything, the sky rapidly turned gray. The clouds suddenly gathered above them. "I don't think this weather is good for sailing" Hermione looked at Harry who was steering "I think we should head back to shore before it starts to rain".

Ginny nodded grimly, disappointed by the change of weather.

"Or it could be just a drizzle and it'll fade quickly but just in case, I think you should sit down and rest"

The wind then picked up and Harry began to struggle with the wheel. "Somebody help me with the sails!" he shouted and Hermione and Theo immediately ran to it while Ron took care of his sister.

As Hermione pulled on the sails, the thunder roared in her ears making her lose her grip on the ropes just when Harry made a turn to head back to shore.

"Granger!" Theo yelled as he ran to her but she was already falling into the water.

The water engulfed her. She felt it hold her. She felt the grip of the ocean around her. But for some odd reason, she didn't feel scared.

Instead, she felt an odd sense of reassurance just like in her fourth year in the Black Lake. She knew Victor Krum would save her, she knew she'd be out of the water as quick as she got in.

She floated in the water, she floated like a star in space. Out of nowhere, she felt the same wave she felt in the Black Lake when Krum saved her, but this wave was different. It was gentle and... familiar.

Before she knew, she was gasping for air and pulling herself onto a boulder for dear life. Coughing out all the water in her, she heard yelling from behind her.

"HERMIONE! THANK MERLIN! WE'LL BE RIGHT THERE!" Harry yelled and their boat pointed towards her slowly coming her way to pick her up.

"I'm glad you took my advice and put them in the ocean"

She gasped at the voice behind her, casually leaning on the boulder with her.

That hair... It was unmistakeable, she recognized it and she prayed to whatever God that she wasn't wrong.

"M-Malfoy?"

He turned to face her. Silver orbs meeting her brown eyes, he smirked "last I checked, you're a Malfoy too".

"But- But how-" for the first time in her life, she didn't understand what was happening.

He pointed at the gills on his neck and his tail that splashed on the water, "ashes turned me to a Merman, why else did you think I wanted my ashes in the ocean".

"I- I thought it was a myth" she whispered.

"Well it's not and-" before he could say anything else, their boat neared and he had to leave.

His hands, now scaly, took hers and placed a small sea shell in her palm.

"If you need me, use this, I trust that you'll be able to figure it out" he smirked and kissed her lips.

Unlike before, his lips were now cold as ice and since she was drowning only minutes ago, so were hers. But as they kissed, both souls seemed to have warmed right up. Both souls longing for the other, finally reunited.

As they parted, he whispered against her lips "I love you" and with that, he was gone.

"Hermione!" Theo screamed "You gave me a bloody heart attack! Come here before Malfoy crawls out of his grave and kills me for almost letting you drown".

Hermione beamed at her friends as she climbed back on the boat with the sea shell safe in her hands.

Her friends crowded her, asking if she was alright, apologizing for what happened, and covering her with towels.

Just like her mood, the sky was bright and clear again. She looked up and just couldn't get the smile off her face.

"Hermione? Why are you smiling like that?" Ginny asked "I think she hit her head when she fell".

Hermione shook her head "I'm fine" she laughed and stood with the towels on her shoulders "let's continue sailing, shall we? Let's not let a little accident ruin our trip, plus the weather is great now".

They all paused and agreed "you heard her!" Theo said to Harry "steer the boat captain!" he saluted. "You shouldn't be the one ordering the captain" Harry mumbled.

"You heard the man Potter! steer the boat!" Ginny saluted as well, making Harry roll his eyes.

"I'll get the food ready" Ron said as he heard Hermione's stomach grumble.

"You really did give me a heart attack Granger" Theo stood beside her "I lost Malfoy, I couldn't bare lose you too".

Hermione smiled at him "he'll always be around".

She stared at the shell in her palm, immediately planning all the reading she'll be doing and when she could punch Draco in the nose for leaving her for so long.

She whispered under her breath "Always".

[chazz-anova]

My official Far Cry 5 fanfic!

Alrighty everyone! After a LONG time, I’ve finally finished the first section of this fic and I am so excited to start posting it everywhere lmao, so please feel free to leave your comments in the replies I’d love to hear what people think! Now without further ado; here’s chapter 1!

Veronica glanced lazily at the clock, which read 3:28am. She'd gotten off work about 4 hours earlier, but couldn't seem to lull herself to sleep no matter how many drinks she had or smoke breaks she took. Lately, the young sheriff's deputy had felt unsettled, like she was stuck in a rut. Ice clinked in her Crown Royal glass as she raised it to her lips, finishing it with a swig. "What's wrong with me Olive?" She asked the calico cat that padded silently into the room. The cat replied with a dainty mew and climbed into Veronica's lap. While petting her companion, she glanced around her modest townhome. 

It was a tastefully furnished two story home with a balcony and a neighborhood pool. She sat on a powder blue couch that was joined by an armchair off to the side. The TV screen in front of her read 'Are you there? Press X to continue" Answering the question aloud, she muttered "Sometimes I wonder if I am still here" She lifted Olive off her lap and replaced her with an engraved silver tray, a baggie of weed, and a Cherry Dynamite flavoured Swisher. She may be a deputy, but some vices she was reluctant to give up. 

A few moments later- Veronica stepped out onto her balcony, blunt in hand. She slowly took in the familiar scenery, living right on the outskirts of Hope County afforded her one of the best views. The Whitetail Mountains towered over the town beyond, the neon lights of various restaurants and gas stations glowing upwards and framing the tall peaks in a surreal glow. Her gaze turned up to the stars, dazzling like diamonds on the velvet black sky. As she lit up and the lighter illuminated her balcony, the atmosphere shifted a degree 'Everything will be different soon.' The thought flew through her mind without warning, and she shivered as though possessed. "Jeez..." She murmured and took a long drag of the sweet smoke, shaking her head and praying for rest to come quickly, after this she’d go and try to lay in her bed until sleep overtook her finally. 

Running. Feet pounding the ground. Lungs shriveled and screaming for a full breath. Tears welled up in Veronica's eyes as she wind cut at her skin. In front of her, millions of faceless souls reached their hands out; grasping for her as she ran, seemingly suspended between them and what she ran from. The group was insistently whispering "Help. Help us." Veronica turned around, slowing a fraction. Behind her there was a plume of green smoke billowing out of an unseen source, threatening to take her mind and steal her heart if she got too close. The entities in front of her were murmuring "Please help us" "We need you". With each  pleading moan their voices grew; louder and louder until their words were a guttural, rasping cacophony of screams. And just as suddenly as they appeared, they were gone and replaced by deafening silence. The air seemed to be holding its breath, and Veronica turned to see the smoke gone as well, leaving her alone in the blackness. 

Upon waking, Veronica gasped and clutched her heart, which was fighting to escape her chest with each beat. “Fuck!” She exclaimed and looked around her room. In the darkness she saw everything was normal, her desk and computer stood in front of her and no one occupied the chair in the corner to her relief. She took her phone from the nightstand and saw that it was only 6:20am. “Man, screw this.” She burrowed back under the black covers and pulled them over her head. 

The next time she awoke- gentle sunlight streamed in through the half open curtains and her eyes fluttered open. Checking her phone, it was now 10:42am, and relief filled her. Looking underneath the time she saw a message from her co-worker and good friend, Joey Hudson. It read “Come to your shift ready for some bull today!” Veronica sighed, typing out her response “Always do!” 

Soon enough, Olive jumped onto her bed and sat, giving her an impatient look. “Alright you little beast, I’ll get up.” She smiled at her furry friend and swung her feet over the side, striding into the kitchen and grabbing the cat food while also setting her coffee pot to brew.

In about 20 minutes- she was sitting on her balcony with a hot cup of mostly cream and sugar with a little coffee, and a quickly rolled joint. ‘Please let today go by quickly...:’ she prayed to no one in particular. Her work outfit looked creased from not being washed recently, and she knew Sheriff Whitehorse would have something to say about that. ‘After this joint I should probably get going.’ V thought, looking through the balcony windows at the clock. 

Veronica stepped into the grey/white walled sheriff’s office; seeing Nancy at the front desk on the phone, examining her long nails disinterestedly. She gave her a quick wave before heading back to Sheriff Earl Whitehorse’s office, where a commotion could be heard. 

“I don’t care how scared of him all you backwoods hicks are, where I’m from we get shit done!” An aggressive man declared, venom dripping from his words. ‘This must be the aforementioned bullshit Hudson mentioned.’ Veronica sighed before pasting a professional smile over her frown and stepping into the room. “You’ve got no right to just come in here like-” Hudson’s confident voice was absorbed by the same angry voice that had started the yelling, “Oh I’ve got every right missy. Know why? Because I’m a federal marshal, and what I say goes.” The tension in the air was malleable. Between Hudson glaring daggers at the stranger and Whitehorse’s dejected look, Ronnie knew she had just walked into a shitstorm. “Woah, let’s take it down a notch okay?” She said, directed at the man in front of her. He was of a bulkier build, and his stance said he was used to having things his way or the highway. “Oh great, another dumbass deputy to deal with! Sheriff, get your team and your shit together.” The man pushed past Veronica and Joey, shouldering his way out of the room. “Nice to meet you too!” The youngest deputy called before turning back to Hudson and Whitehorse. “So, who pissed in his cheerios?” 

Hudson just shook her head angrily, as Whitehorse replied grimly “Joseph Seed.”

“That pastor who’s been causing trouble in Hope County?” 

“That’s the one. He’s formed some kind of militia and is kidnapping folks… I’d get yourselves ready, because as soon as the judge fills that warrant we’re all going to pick him up.” 

V met his words with an incredulous look, retorting “He’s bad enough that we all get to join Captain Sunshine there on a simple warrant like that? I mean, every time we’ve had to deal with him and his followers it’s never seemed that severe.” Hudson spoke up, pulling her phone from her pocket and presenting a video “Look for yourself. Someone sent this in a couple days ago.” 

Grainy footage showed a tall, shirtless man in aviators preaching to a flock of similarly dressed people. The video zoomed in on the man’s chilling blue eyes; and the camera suddenly fell to the ground, showing the owner of the device being dragged forward and put on his knees before the preacher. In a casual manner he reached forward and placed his thumbs against the man’s eyes, pressing while his victim’s screams grew louder and more pained. Soon the man fell to the ground, and Joseph flicked the blood from his hands as though it were water. Veronica’s eyebrows raised in surprise as the scene was cut off and a new image appeared on the screen.

The recording was now taking place outside. There was a sizable wooden stage and Joseph stood in the center, a large curtain obscuring what was on a stand behind him. “My children, we must repent for our sins!” Joseph called while pulling the curtain down with some flourish. Veronica gasped in shock upon seeing the man from before who’d had his eyes crushed. He was lifted up onto a wooden pole, his eyes had been replaced by a white flower in each eye socket. Looking down his body- it was clear someone  had mutilated his chest cavity as well, carving out space for a bouquet of the same flowers.  On both sides of his head antlers had been impaled into his skull, where dried blood decorated the base of each antler in grotesque detail. 

When the video finally faded to black, Veronica handed the phone back to Joey. “Wow, I’m glad I didn’t have anything heavy for breakfast.” She deadpanned, shaking her head. “This is a mistake, we need more people.” Whitehorse murmured and walked out of the room with an exasperated look. “Old man’s taking this real hard… I think he saw something real messed up on the last call out to Joseph’s compound.” Hudson looked after him with worry clear on her face. The other deputy nodded, unable to clear the images from the video from her mind. “Even though he’s clearly an ass, maybe the Marshal is right and we’ll just go snatch him up real quick.” 

“Hopefully..” Hudson murmured and left the office as well, leaving Veronica alone. 

The rest of the day- Marshal Cameron Burke holed up in a back office making heated phone calls, trying to find a judge to sign his warrant. V spent most of the day riding with another deputy, Staci Pratt. Veronica couldn’t stand Pratt, so every call they went on was a chore. However, the shift was finally drawing to a close as the pair pulled up once more at the station. 

As soon as they walked in the door, Burke was on them. “You two, I suggest getting some rest tonight, because I found a judge. Once I’ve gathered everything I need, we’ll be flying out to Joseph’s compound.” Veronica checked the clock in the lobby, nodding “Well it’s 9 now, when are we leaving?” The Marshal sighed, as though responding was a chore, “We leave when I call and tell you we’re leaving.” V narrowed her eyes while crossing her arms, “You know, I’m not sure what your problem is, but don’t talk to me like that. You’re an adult, not a petty child, act like it.” The federal marshal was shocked someone had stood up to him, and unsure what to say. Seizing the opportunity to make her escape before her mouth got her into more trouble, Ronnie rushed past the man, shaking her head. ‘What an asshole!’ She thought as she punched numbers into the timeclock, hurrying out of the building without further incident.

About 20 minutes later, Veronica was speeding down the winding country roads in her beat up Mazda Miata. The roads were entirely empty, save for a deer she saw on the side of the road while taking the next turn. Upon rounding the corner- a large flare of light and an earth-shaking explosion caused her to slam on the brakes. “What the hell…” She peered out of the window. “Guess I should go check on that.. being an officer of the law and all…” Her murmured words were enveloped by another explosion, causing her to jump. Some days the job of a deputy wasn’t all it was cracked up to be. 

Ronnie had finally reached the area where the explosions had been coming from, after breaking several traffic laws to get there. Stepping out of the car, she drew her gun and took a preliminary look around the clearing. There were almost cartoon-worthy scorch marks on the ground that had wiped away any sense of greenery on the ground, but no one seemed to be around. V kept the gun at her side and started her sweep of the area. Right as she was going to start heading back to her car to report this to the station, she heard someone walking through the woods to her left. “Note to self, don’t light the fuse before you’re ready to have it blow up..” She heard someone mutter to themselves before she yelled “Freeze! Who are you and what’re you doing here?” A man of medium build walked out of the treeline, holding his hands in the classic ‘I surrender’ style. He wore a green sweatshirt, and a matching ballcap. “Charlemange Victor Boshaw at your service ma’am, I apologise for the bother-” 

“You describe an explosion as a ‘bother’?” Veronica interrupted, gun staying trained on him. 

“Well yeah. It sure bothered me that it exploded.” 

“May I ask what you were exploding?” 

“So my totally awesome cousin Hurk gave me some dynamite that he made himself, and of course being a good buddy I told him I would try it out! Well, silly me I didn’t realise that Hurk only knows how to make short-fused dynamite! So when I went to light it, it exploded preemptively so that’s why there’s those scorch marks… ma’am.” 

Veronica cocked her head to the side, giving the man an incredulous look, “Would you be offended if I said that was the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard?” He thought about it for a moment before responding sincerely “Nope.” The deputy nodded, saying “Well I appreciate the honesty! Unfortunately, I’ve gotta call the station for this one.” She fished her badge from her pocket. The man crossed his arms, asking “Well what exactly are the charges?” 

“Uhm… detonation of an explosive device and illegal possession for one.” 

“I supposed I can’t argue with that.” He said amiably, watching Veronica reach for her radio off the utility belt she still hadn’t removed after work. 

The pair sat on the curb together, one handcuffed one not. “So you’re the Sharky Boshaw?” Ronnie asked, giving him a mischievous smile. Sharky grinned and shrugged modestly “The one and only!” 

“You’re a legend around the station, I’m surprised I haven’t seen you before! Out of curiosity… why choose this spot for blowing shit up?” 

“Well I was actually on my way to the store when I saw this spot and thought to myself ‘That would be a good field to set off some fireworks’. Then I remembered Hurk had put his stuff in my backseat, and that dynamite is just a less pretty firework, so here we are!” 

When his story was finished, V gave him a look that was part amused, part withering glance. “I can’t tell if you’re joking.” He shrugged with a lackadaisical smile. Before either of them could continue the conversation, a light brown Crown Vic pulled up and the sirens on the roof let out a quick whoop before one of the night shift deputies stepped out. “Hey Veronica! Boshaw, the backseat’s ready for you!” He said, helping Sharky stand and turn towards the car. Veronica stood with him, and gave a curt nod to her coworker, “Thanks for coming out, Sam.” 

Finally after that detour, V was almost home. It was a relatively long drive back and forth, but she didn’t mind it. Working with Sheriff Whitehorse was worth it since she’d known him almost half of her life. Veronica and her mom had moved to Hope County when she was only 12, her mom found work as an officer and then an office administrator for Earl until Nancy came along and gave her mom the chance to take her pension, and start a new job as a conservation officer at a small national park nearby called Polebridge. 

The actual sheriff’s office was in Missoula, about two hours away from Hope County, making Veronica’s drive home take about an hour since she lived practically in between the two. 

 Keeping her eyes on the road, she dug one-handed through her purse for her phone. Once it was in hand she said “Hey Google, call Mom.” and a soft chirp came from the device, processing the demand before dialing. Three rings in- a cheery voice answered. “Hey sweetie!” 

“Hey, mom, I just had a question?”

“Sure what’s up?”

She paused, rethinking her request for a moment. In that second, her nightmare from last night danced through her thoughts and her mind was made up. “Oh um, well I’m going out on a warrant tonight, and I was wondering if you could watch Olive for me? It’s probably nothing, I just had a weird feeling.” 

“Of course! I’d love to see my grandkitty! I’m glad you know when to listen to your gut.” 

“Well I learned from the best! I just got home now, can I pack her up and head over?”

“That’s fine! I’ll be here for a bit. Can I plan on you staying for dinner?”

“Uh… yeah that’ll work, I don’t have any plans. I’ll see you soon, love you!” 

“Love you too!” 

The line disconnected with a click as Veronica pulled into her driveway and stepped out of the car, fetching her keys from the caribinger she kept it on. As she approached the door, she heard insistent meowing on the other side. “I’m comin’…” She chuckled and pushed the door open to reveal Olive, who immediately rushed to hug her legs as she stepped over the threshold. “Hey monster, ready to see grandma?” She asked in a baby voice and grinned at her, reaching down to pick her up. As soon as she did- the cat clambered up to her shoulder and balanced precariously “Why are you like this?” She joked, removing her before making her way to the hallway closet and pulling out the cat carrier and a half-full bag of cat food.

Once she’d put a few more odds and ends into an overnight bag, she took out her decorative, pink bong and loaded a bowl. The water bubbled and pure white smoke filled the center chamber as she lit the greenery in the bowl. After coughing her lungs up for a few moments she set the glass piece on the table and stood up, “Okay, now we can go!” She declared and bundled Olive and all her things into the Miata. 

In a quick 15 minutes- the two of them pulled up in front of her mom’s. It was a tidy ranch style home, painted robin’s egg blue with crisp white shutters. V knocked on the door, Olive’s carrier in one hand. 

Her mom answered the door with a sweet smile on her features, immediately wrapping the deputy in a tight hug, “Hi Ronnie!” She exclaimed before pulling back. “Hi mom!” She responded and stepped through the door, setting Olive down. Sarah Rook looked like an older version of Veronica except her hair was a chestnut brown as opposed to V’s dirty blonde; they shared aquamarine eyes and a light spattering of freckles.

The younger woman pulled the zipped and freed the hyper cat, who immediately jumped from containment to survey her surroundings. “Someone’s impatient!” Her mom chuckled and watched the cat sprint off into the hallway. “She takes after me I guess.” Veronica smiled and inhaled deeply, “Is that steaks and mac and cheese I smell?” 

“Well I thought I’d at least fatten you up before you leave tonight.” Her mom said and ushered her into the dining room. There was a round white table there that was joined by a tall china cabinet filled with memorabilia. The places had already been set, two red and white checkered table mats sat across from each other at the corresponding seats and the silverware was laid out neatly. “Sounds good to me, I’m starving!” Veronica took a seat and watched her mom buzzing about the kitchen as she put the finishing touches on their meals. 

Once everything was done, the table was filled with food. A bowl of salad in the middle, with a basket of rolls to the side. Their plates were adorned with juicy t-bone steaks, mac and cheese, and potato salad. “I knew there was a reason I hadn’t put you in a nursing home…” V joked as she savored a bite of the rare steak, just how she liked it. Her mother scoffed, and took a sip of water, “As if you could.” They both shared a smile and then turned to see Olive padding into the room, her head in the air as she scented the air. “What a brat.” Veronica said as she jumped up on the table expectantly. “You did say she took after you!” Her mom retorted, picking up the naughty cat and setting her on the floor. “So, what’s this warrant you’re going on?”

“Mom, you know I’m not supposed to divulge any details...”

“Oh please, I used to be in the game, and still kind of am. I worked for Whitehorse long before you did, I don’t think I need to be counted as a citizen.” She said, rolling her eyes. Veronica looked uneasy as she considered it for a moment, then relented; “It’s some doomsday cult leader… Joseph Seed. Something about him really freaked me out.” She confessed, almost hanging her head. Being freaked out was not the norm for this deputy. “Why’s that?” 

“I think it’s just his ability to brainwash all of these people… anyone who can do that has too much power. Also Earl is scared of him, which is weird. He’s usually so gungho about catching the bad guys, but he doesn’t even want to go on this warrant.” 

“That’s certainly odd. I’ve never seen that man back down, there must be something seriously bad going on.” Her mom looked off, her brow furrowed in deep thought. “Hopefully this mission will just be in and out. That way I can get back to my baby!” She said the last part in a higher pitch, directing it at the cat, who was sitting in the window behind them. “I hope so too sweetie. People like him are the reason I’ve got a bunker.” Ronnie smirked, saying “Yeah you and everyone else in Hope County, it seems like.” 

“It never hurts to be prepared!” 

“I guess so.” She relented, standing and grabbing their dirty dishes. 

After all the dishes were cleaned and hugs were shared, Veronica stretched and glanced at the clock which showed 10:45pm. “Man how’d it get so late so fast?” She mused and stroked Olive’s soft little head. “Hopefully a late dinner won’t give you any nightmares.” Her mother thought out loud and wrapped Veronica in another suffocating hug. “It was nice having dinner with you baby, I love you!” She smooched Ronnie on the cheek before pulling away and giving her a loving grin. “I had a good time, and the steaks were amazing. Thanks for having me over, I love you too!” She returned the kiss on the cheek and put her hand on the doorknob. As she stepped out her mother wished her luck on the warrant later, and then she was in her car once more. 

20 minutes later, V was brushing her teeth, staring at herself in the mirror wearing a simple black night dress that fell to her thighs and was fringed with lace at the bottom. Long day… who knows when that asshole Burke is gonna call me.’ She thought, spitting out the toothpaste and wiping her mouth with the back of her arm.  As she flopped into bed, the black sheets felt cold without Olive’s presence, but she felt it was for the best. It was 11:11pm as she glanced at the clock. “Make a wish…” She murmured while her eyes shut, the feeling of a full stomach lulling her to sleep. 

A blaring ringing tore through the dark silence in Veronica’s bedroom. It was her phone, blasing her generic android ringtone. Her eyes snapped open and she grasped for her phone, having to blink the bleariness away before seeing that it was Hudson calling her. She looked at the clock for the second time that night to see only two hours had passed, making it around 1am. She slid the green answer icon across the screen and answered, her voice thick with annoyance, “Hello?” Instead of Joey’s pleasant voice, she was met with Marshal Cameron Burke’s gruff one, “Rook, get your ass up and get dressed. We’re executing this warrant now.” 

“Do you have any idea what time it is?”

“Yeah, time to arrest that asshole Joseph Seed.” Burke practically shouted, and then Veronica was met with a dial tone. She scoffed, pulling the phone from her ear to look at it and see only her lock screen, a photo of Olive in a taco costume. “Guess I’m getting ready.” She grumbled and turned on the lamp sitting on her nightstand. The light flooded every corner of the room, forcing V to squint as she flipped the covers off and walked over to a chair in the corner of the room that was covered with clothes and blankets. She snatched her green work button up before finding a tank top and some jeans. On top of her dresser, she eyed her jewelry box and plucked out a rose gold heart-shaped locket with a matching chain. It was engraved ‘To Veronica, Love nana’ Once she was dressed, she buckled her utility belt and hurried down the stairs to the front door. 

Something forced her to stop and take a look at the open plan townhome. All was calm and nothing stirred in the living room, yet she felt eerie as she left. Almost like she was abandoning her castle. She shook her head, shaking the thought off and stepping through the door to lock it. As she was walking to the car she pulled out her wallet from her back pocket, it was a replica of the one used in Pulp Fiction that said ‘BAD MOTHERFUCKER’ on the side. She opened the zippered secret pocket, pulling out a faded scrap of paper. On it was written ‘Good luck on your first day! -Mom’. She’d slipped her that on her first day at the sheriff’s department. At the time, V had laughed and said “I’m not a kid!” But stowed it away nonetheless as a good luck charm. A sudden, bone-chilling breeze whipped across the land, forcing a shiver to wrack her body. Veronica stepped into her car, feeling like this was going to be a long night. 

The deputy’s hands clenched the steering wheel- frustration written all over her features. She’d already been to the station only to get redirected to some field by Nancy, who was the only one not joining this adventure. Apparently the sheriff had asked her to come in and man the scanner, just in case things got out of hand and they needed to call reinforcements. Ronnie shook her head as she saw Hudson, Whitehorse, Pratt, and Burke standing in front of a matte black helicopter that had a badge on the side. Upon walking up to join them, Veronica called “Well this is fancy!” Staci stepped up next to the marshal, exclaiming “Yeah, the feds decided to help us out on this one!” He clapped Burke on the shoulder- earning him a heated glare. “Anyways… everyone pile in. Hudson, you’re flying us.” The grumpy man got to the point, motioning everyone into the copter. 

In no time they were in the air, flying to Joseph’s Compound on an island in the middle of Hope County. Veronica looked at the screen of the gps in the front, searching for the time. She found that it was 2:37am, and asked “So what exactly is the benefit of going to get him so late?” Cameron replied- his voice dripping with unearned confidence “The benefit, Rook, is catching him by surprise.” As Ronnie was about to speak up, Pratt cut in with, “You don’t catch men like Joseph Seed off guard.” 

At that moment Joey spoke up, “Crossing the Henbane now.” Everyone looked out of the wide windows, only to catch sight of a perfect rendition of Joseph Seed’s face captured forever in stone in way of a towering monolith. “Crazy motherfucker…” Burke murmured, his gaze held by the monument. “Jesus Christ.. we’re officially in peggie country.” Hudson shook her head before looking back to the skies. “You know, they call this Angel’s Peak. It’s a holy place for them.” Pratt said, sounding almost wistful.

“How much longer?” Cameron asked. 

“Just long enough for you to change your mind so we can turn this bird around.” Whitehorse insisted. “You want me to ignore a federal warrant, sheriff?” Burke scoffed.

“No sir, I want you to understand the reality of this situation. Joseph Seed… he’s not a man to be fucked with. We’ve had a few run ins with him before and it hasn’t always gone our way. Sometimes.. sometimes it’s better to just leave well enough alone.” 

Burke scoffed, lifting up the warrant. “Yeah, well we have laws for a reason; and Joseph Seed’s gonna learn that.” Instead of replying to that, the sheriff radioed Nancy to make sure she was still there, and told her that if she didn’t hear from them in 15 minutes to call backup. V looked down and saw a white church surrounded by other smaller buildings, she was mystified. The whole situation didn’t even seem real. ‘Maybe it’s just because it’s late and I haven’t gotten any good rest lately.’ She thought, trying to comfort herself. Somehow it didn’t help. 

“So what’s with calling them ‘peggies’? I’ve never heard anyone at the station call them that.” Veronica asked, hoping to lighten the mood. “Project Eden’s Gate. P. E. G. It’s what the locals call them.” Earl explained. Somehow she knew he was trying to distract himself as well. 

As they got closer, it was obvious there were people everywhere. “So much for taking him by surprise.” She muttered, shaking her head and thinking ‘I could be asleep right now.’ The helicopter jerked slightly as it landed on the ground, the blades whirling to a stop. All of them exited the bird, taking in their surroundings. Peggies surrounded them on all sides and the compound had as many as 12 buildings; dorms, a barn, and various other houses. The cult members regarded them suspiciously, casting daggers their ways and muttering insults. Ronnie looked to her left as they walked down the main path, there was a man wielding a flamethrower and keeping a pire of fire sufficiently lit. “They don’t fuck around…” V commented, her brow furrowed. 

The group made their way into a fenced corridor topped with an arch that said ‘Church of Eden’s Gate’ with the cross adorning the center. As they walked, a creaking then metal clanging could be heard behind them, causing Veronica to whip around only to witness them closing the gate behind them. “Why are they closing the gate?” Joey asked, looking to her partners for answers but receiving nothing. They approached the door to the church and could hear a choir of members singing a hymn as Whitehorse motioned for them to hold up. “Going in there, we do this my way, quietly.” He said sternly, mainly for Burke’s benefit. Cameron smirked and put a hand on Earl’s shoulder, “Relax sheriff. You’re about to get your name in the papers.” Veronica couldn’t help but shake her head, something was wrong here. 

As the white double doors swung inward, V took in the scene and was enthralled. Joseph was standing at the front of the church delivering a sermon, “Something is coming… you can feel it can’t you? We are creeping towards the edge, and there will be a reckoning. Because we know what happens next; they will come for us… to take from us. Take our guns, take our freedom, take our faith. We will not let them!” The church patrons were captured by his presence, hanging on every word. 

The deputy, marshal, and sheriff made their way to the platform Joseph stood on. White candles surrounded him, casting a holy glow on his features. “We will not let their greed, their morality, or their depravity hurt us anymore!” The preacher’s voice grew as Marshal Burke reached him and held the paper warrant aloft. Whitehorse murmured “Goddammit…” and Cameron said forcefully “Joseph Seed, we have here a warrant for your arrest, under suspicion of kidnapping with intent to harm. I’m gonna need you to step down with your hands where I can see them, and come with us.” Veronica noticed three figures she hadn’t seen practically melting out of the shadows to stand behind The Father.

“Here they are, the locusts in our garden. They’ve come to take me from you, to destroy all we’ve built!” The peggies started to converge around Joseph, their voices joining together as they objected. He parted through them, his calm demeanor quieting their shouts. “We knew they would come. This is what we’ve prepared for. Go…” He sent them off and came to stand in front of the pews, raising his hands up. “I saw the lamb of the first seal and I heard the noise as if of thunder as one of four beasts sang ‘Come, see’-”

Cameron cut him off, “Step forward!” Joseph stepped closer- undertered from preaching, “And I saw and behold, it was a white horse... and Hell followed with him.” He finished while looking from Earl to Ronnie and finally holding out his hands, a worn brown rosary dangled from his wrist. “Rook, cuff this son of a bitch.” Burke growled. 

V stepped forward, about to pull out her cuffs when the people behind him caught her eye once more. She recognised them to be his family. From right to left; there was a gruff looking man with scar tissue climbing up his side, next to him a beautiful young woman wearing no shoes and a lacey, floral dress. Veronica’s gaze lingered on her a moment before she took in the last figure- a tall man wearing an expensive looking duster. His piercing stare found hers and she felt as though he was seeing straight into her soul. Ice filled her veins and she froze in place, suddenly feeling like a gazelle who had just realised the lion was upon her but only when it was already too late. There was so much animosity in the man’s eyes, like he hated her for even thinking of taking his brother. 

“Earth to Veronica.” Burke’s annoyed voice snapped her from the trance she was in, causing her to shiver before finally producing the cuffs. The metal clinked around Joseph’s small wrists, and right as she was about to secure the second ring, he turned his hand to grip her wrist tightly and V looked into his eyes. “God will not let you take me.” He said calmly without an ounce of doubt. “Good thing God doesn’t get to decide in the end.” She retorted before shaking off his hand and slapping the final cuff on with a resounding click.  

As they walked out the church doors with Joseph in cuffs, armed peggies started to surround them. “Back up!” Hudson yelled, taking lead. Burke pushed a woman down when she got too close, and the crowd became more riled up, closing in as they walked to the helicopter. Soon, they started throwing rocks at the group and screaming, trying to defend their Father. The whole time Joseph stayed eerily silent, even as they were getting into the copter. Pratt fired off a few warning shots to the cultists that were trying to mob the vehicle, Veronica and Burke pushed a few of them from the copter as they gained height, yet the peggies continued trying to swarm them.

One of the cultists did something, because the helicopter went into a tailspin, and the engine sputtered. Joseph looked skyward and began singing Amazing Grace, his tone calm despite the chaos. They made impact with a tree, then another and everyone but Joseph was screaming, their lives flashing before their eyes. Upon impact, the whole world cut out and everything was black.

Veronica’s eyes opened, and the world spun in streamers of color. Nancy’s frantic voice could be heard over the ringing in her ears, she was yelling into the helicopter’s headphones. She looked around and saw Burke across from her, dangling by his seatbelt, Earl was next to him, doubled over; and Joey was to her right. She tried to take in a deep breath and sputtered on thick smoke that was no doubt coming from the engine. Before V could swing forward and grab the headset to alert Nancy, she was pushed lightly back into her seat by a battered Joseph Seed. He smiled at her softly, grabbing the headset on his own while maintaining eye contact. “I told you that God wouldn’t let you take me…” He murmured soothingly. “We’ll see about that…” Veronica persisted. He shook his head and spoke into the headset mic, “Dispatch? Everything is just fine here. Call no one.” Veronica scoffed, ‘Surely Nancy will know something is wrong-’ The thought began to cross her mind before she heard her last hope’s response: “Yes, Father. Praise be to you.” Her mouth dropped open in shock and horror, watching the man she came to apprehend smirk before whispering “No one is coming to save you.” 

He climbed from the wreckage and met a handful of his flock, reassuring them in a hushed tone. V started to struggle against her seatbelt, which was stuck fast. “Fuck, fuck, fuck..” She muttered and beat at the clip. Her companions began to wake and she turned to see Joseph standing on the hood of a car, his hands raised as he delivered an impromptu sermon, “The first seal is broken… now we must take what we need, for this world will be no more. We must stop all those that stand in our way- including these harbingers of doom. Begin the reaping!” He screamed the last sentence into the night air, his followers cheering. 

They swarmed the copter for the second time that night, Veronica, Joey, and the others squirmed trying to get free. Hudson freed herself finally, only to be savagely pulled from the wreckage kicking and screaming. “Joey!” Veronica yelled, reaching after her only to just miss her hand. More peggies ran over and were about to reach in, when a ring of flames surrounded them instead. “Fuck!” V exclaimed, pulling frantically at her seatbelt. Burke was able to free himself and dash out of the small opening in the wall of fire. Heat was searing her skin and desperation made her claw at the restraint harder and harder, finally the belt snapped and she tumbled forward to what used to be the roof of the vehicle. Ronnie caught herself just barely and found herself sprinting away into the foreboding woods. 

Branches whipped at her face, scratching her cheeks and forcing her to hold her hands out in front of her. Not far behind, the men who hunted her yelled, “She’s escaping! Grab her!” Emotions overwhelmed her; panic, fear, anger, confusion. “Goddammit give me a break!” She huffed, breath ragged from sprinting. She spotted a soft light in the distance, a campfire. V ducked behind a thick tree trunk- whipping her head around in both directions wildly, adrenaline and fear coursing through her. The angry voices were distant enough for her to turn and survey the campsite. 

There were two lawn chairs on either side of the fire, and a cabin beyond that. One of the cultists patrolled the perimeter, both hands on his handgun. She caught sight of a sizable branch in front of the fire, and knew what she had to do. Ronnie crept forward on the balls of her feet, trying to avoid any stray twigs as she made her way to the branch. Finally she was there, taking the worn wood in her hands and feeling the weight of it. ‘This should do..’ She thought with a grim look. The deputy continued forward, waiting for just the right moment to slip behind the guard. Veronica gripped the bat harder and was about to swing when the guard turned around, surprise on his features. She wasted no time slamming the branch down on his head with a crack as he turned his gun towards her. The first blow slowed him- and for good measure she delivered the finishing blow. Through the branch, she could feel his skull give and an initial spray of blood shot from the wound, flecking V’s face in red freckles. She gasped and looked down to see his body twitch twice more before stilling, his heart steadily pumping out his life force.

Veronica felt cold as she watched the light drain from his eyes, shock starting to take over. She’d never actually killed anyone before. The world faded back piece by piece as she grabbed the man’s gun, and more screams came from the woods. She had to keep moving. A small drop off into the woods was her escape, and she crouched in the ferns on the woodland floor. There was another fire in the distance, and her enemies were scouring the area for her and Burke. 

Suddenly- her radio crackled, causing her to jump and grab it from her belt to muffle the speaker. “Hello? Hello.. it’s Burke… I think I lost them.. I see a trailer ahead across a bridge and I’m going to try to get inside. If anyone is still alive, if anyone is out there...” The signal was lost and it cut out. “Well I guess that’s where I’m going.” V sighed, and started slowly making her way through the woods. She passed the second fire, narrowly avoiding detection by two guards standing there. From there, she ascended a small hill that led to the bridge the marshal had mentioned. It creaked as she took to the wooden planks, practically crawling her way to the other end. When she got there, a white trailer with a green roof stoof in front of her. There were steps leading up to the back door which she pushed open cautiously, eyes darting side to side straining to catch any movement in the darkened abode. 

As soon as she cleared the door Burke was to her left, hands out and ready to attack. Veronica grabbed his arms, stopping him in midair before he regonised her. “Oh my god, Rook… you’re alive!” He cried with relief. “Yeah, no thanks to you, asshole. You left me to die back there!” She scoffed, glaring daggers at him. “I… It was just fight or flight, I was-” He struggled to defend himself.

“It doesn’t matter. Whitehorse told you this was a bad idea, this is your fault no matter what you have to say.” Ronnie cut him off, pointing an accusatory finger at him. When he had no retort she continued, “Now we have to find a way out of this shit show, and to rescue the others. Did you have a plan?” Burke sighed, walking further into the trailer, motioning for her to follow. The walls were wood panelled, and words were scratched into most of the walls; ‘The Father’, ‘Walk the path’, along with other mantras and bible verses. Pictures were also posted all over the spots that had no words. They all depicted the members of the Seed family in various poses and situations. One such picture was a framed portrait of all of them, Cameron grabbed this and stared into their eyes. He looked haunted. 

“The plan is to put all of these fuckers in jail. No matter what it takes.” He gathered himself before tossing it on the table and going to point out of one of the front windows. “To get out of here, I was thinking I could try to hotwire that truck, unless the keys are in it. It’s probably only a couple hours back to Missoula, then we’re gonna come back here with the National fucking Guard, and take care of these lunatics.” 

“Fine, let’s just get out of here before-” Veronica was cut off by a shot ringing out, and one of the windows behind her shattering into a spray of glass. “They’re in there!” Screamed a man, and more shots were fired at the trailer. “These guys just don’t give up!” She exclaimed, exasperated. Burke took shelter against one of the walls, pulling out his gun to fend off the attackers. V scanned the room and found a gun mounted on the wall, she grabbed it and cocked it before crouching under the shattered window, sitting up to aim outside. There were four peggies firing at them. She took aim at the first, shooting him square in the chest and knocking him to the ground. Burke took out one on the other side then turned to say “Cover me! I’m gonna go get that truck started!” Veronica nodded curtly before turning to shoot out the window twice more. 

Even more cultists were arriving at the scene and taking up arms, it seemed almost hopeless. V fired shot after shot, taking out as many as she could until she finally heard the sweet roar of an engine, and Cameron shouted for her to join him in the truck. “Finally, fuck!” She gasped, dashing from the trailer and ripping open the door to the vehicle. “Let’s fucking go!” He yelled while she slammed the door and immediately leaned out of the window to shoot at the peggies behind them. Burke careened down the simple dirt road, Veronica shooting at their enemies as they approached a chain link fence and busted through the gate with no problem, then they were crossing a bridge to the main road. 

Burke was gasping, close to panic, while V just felt numb. ‘Shock must be setting in, great.’ She thought distantly. “God, I had no idea Rook. I didn’t know how bad it was, how right Whitehorse was… I wish we’d never served that warrant.” He rambled, glancing between the deputy and the road. “It’s too late for wishes, Burke… they’ve got the road blocked!” She exclaimed at the sight before her; peggies had their trucks and sawhorses blocking off the next section of street. She lifted her gun once more, shooting at them while Cameron swerved wildly to avoid the obstacles. One of the cultists to their right set off a flare, letting the rest of them know where they were. 

The pair crashed through another barricade, and Ronnie kept shooting at the people pursuing them that were in an identical looking truck. “We aren’t losing them marshal!” She shouted. “Alright, I guess we gotta try something else.” He huffed before taking the truck off road, almost going airborne as they crashed through a wooden fence. Blinding headlights were blazing behind them as more and more peggies joined the chase. Veronica happened to glance in the bed, and spotted some red sticks. “Oh fuck yeah.” She chuckled, reaching out of the window and grabbing a stick before producing her simple purple lighter that had miraculously stayed in her pocket. She lit the fuse on the dynamite, squinting her eyes as the cord came to life and the flame hissed. V chucked it at one of the trucks behind them, causing a loud boom and fire bloomed from the wreckage. “Shit! That’s pretty satisfying.” She commented, turning to Burke who still looked too scared to be impressed. 

After lighting a couple more sticks and tossing them out, causing some major chaos, they found themselves about to go under an overpass. Right before they passed underneath, a sleek white plane flew out of the clouds and began shooting at them, hitting some green crates on the side of the road only for them to explode. Keying into this as they finally passed under the bridge, she fired quickly at the crates scattered around an upcoming roadblock, sending people flying in every direction. “A plane, are you kidding me?” Burke yelled and pounded a fist against the wheel.

A gargantuan bridge waited on the other side of the roadblock, there was a sign mounted near the top that read ‘Henbane River Bridge’. As they raced across, Cameron took a deep breath before saying “Home free, after this we are home free!” Veronica wasn’t so sure as more planes swooped overhead, and suddenly a high-pitched whistling could be heard getting closer and closer, before V yelled “Bomb!!” and orange flames whooshed across the bridge, enveloping their truck and sending them tumbling into the river below. 

The vehicle was in a freefall with chunks of concrete, the river’s waters rushing up to meet them. Neither of them had time to say anything before they made impact. Veronica was incapacitated for a moment and when her eyes opened they were underwater, trapped once again. She saw Burke across from her pounding on the window, shattering it on his third try and swimming up to the top, leaving her to drown. Ronnie gathered together her last bits of energy, slamming her elbow into the passenger side window until it finally broke, and she maneuvered her way from the descending car. Her arms flailed as her lungs screamed, daring her to take a breath before breaching the surface, and then it went black. 

Not too long later, her eyes snapped open and she grasped at the wet silt underneath her, she was on the shore. On the bridge there were countless flashlights casted down upon the water, looking for her. She heard Marshal Burke yelling off in the distance, and saw a group of peggies pulling him away as he shouted “I am a federal marshal! You can’t do this!” Veronica tried to get the will to get up and run, knowing she was next; but her muscles screamed with exhaustion and wouldn’t cooperate. She was able to lift herself to crawl maybe a foot before collapsing once more, staring up at the sky and trying to accept that this was the end. 

A figure came into her field of vision and the barrel of a shotgun was dangerously close to her head, she didn’t even have the energy to protest as the person lifted her over their shoulder with a grunt, and began carrying her through the woods. Her vision faded in and out, allowing her to see them pass by a radio tower and then a cabin, only to walk down some metal stairs. Then she could fight no more; and everything went black. 

[kwrittink]

Nothing Is What It Seems 4

Pairing: Im Jaebum x Hybrid!Reader

Genre: Fluff

Warnings: language, mentions of anger issues, mentions of trauma, mentions of blackmail and threatening.

<three

It had been a week since you were first brought to JaeBeom’s apartment. A week of being curled on the couch with the excuse of recovering from the trauma that didn’t leave a single scar on your body besides a small fever, eating three good-sized meals a day, and taking hot showers every night, letting your hair be dry with care. None of you were complaining, but you're trying to make yourself decide to leave, before getting too used to the house life again. The owner's life you swore to never get back to.

“I’m going to buy groceries, do you want anything in special?” JaeBeom’s head popped from the kitchen’s entrance, making you glance back from your spot at the window - it was snowing and you found it so pretty - to look at him, pensive.

“I eat whatever, you know me,” you started with a shrug. “But are you going out right now? It’s starting to snow…”

“Yeah I know you love my food, but you do have your favorites.” He teased, walking towards you as he stuck his wallet on his pocket, glancing towards the window and missing the way you rolled your eyes at his witty remark. “As for the snow, it’s fine since the place is nearby and I’m taking my car. I’d even offer you to go with me but you’re still not a hundred percent to face snow yet…” he rambled as if he was talking to himself rather than you. Later on, you’d think how much of that was an excuse to keep you in the apartment but at that moment you only focused on the fact that he did indirectly offered a car ride.

“I could go, help to buy some stuff… I’m stronger right now, the fever’s already gone down.” You stated, feeling slightly embarrassed by your eagerness on getting out of the house, do something on the snow. Even if you’ve suffered an attack, it wasn’t the season’s fault and you weren’t afraid of the cold. Humans were the scary ones.

JaeBeom hummed in thought and there was a tightness in your heart as you thought that he was going to say no to your proposal, and was about to take it back when the back of his hand pressed on your forehead, a little frown between his brows as you sat there stunned.

“Yeah, you’re not so warm anymore, that’s good.” Taking his hand away he smiled satisfied, while you were still feeling the heat of his hand on your skin. “I’m going to lend you an extra coat just to be sure before we head out, okay?”

You nodded as he turned back to the hallway to get said object, and you tried to get your bearings together after the caring touch knocked your defenses off so easily. It wasn’t a feeling of just being taken care of like an owner would care for a pet, even if as genuine. It was something else, you couldn’t exactly place it, the casual and so well-accepted touch just stirred something inside of you.

Brushing it off, you decided to focus on the next thing: You’d go on a car ride.

Of course, that brought you some memories, things of the past you used to avoid but at that moment they were funny to recall. In total, you’d gone in a car ride 5 times in your whole life. All of them were with your brother JiMin, all of them extremely fun. You loved the feeling of being seated in the passenger seat and see the world outside pass so fast as if you were running at full speed without losing focus of the sidelines. It felt like magic. JiMin had said you resembled a dog rather than a cat for that feature, and as much as you didn’t like it, you had to admit it was true.

“Here, this one is a long coat, will keep you warm as a whole.” The beige long coat was handed to you from the side and you snapped out from your thoughts to grab it. As usual, it smelled like JaeBeom and you had to stop yourself from sinking your nose on the fluffy insides. As you got up and tied it on, it looked just like a dress, reaching the floor and hiding the top of your feet. JaeBeom snickered and you glared at him.

“What?” You questioned with a squint, to what he scoffed once more.

“Nothing. I was just thinking about how my clothes look so much better on you, that’s all.” He commented off-handedly, turning away and walking towards the door as you tried to get your shit together, warmth blooming up your neck.

That was nothing. Maybe you had misjudged about the fever subsiding, after all. Surely, you wouldn’t make any comments about it.  

—

The ride to the supermarket was short, but you enjoyed it nonetheless. The windows could not be open because of the snow but you still had a good view of the streets passing by quickly. It even felt just like before, even prettier because of the season.

There was also the ride back anyway, so she was looking forward to that when stepping inside the grocery store.

After a while, you could only ask yourself how JaeBeom was thinking of carrying all that by himself if he had come alone, seeing that you were already pushing a second cart already halfway full behind his.

“Do you want anything?” JaeBeom asked, turning to face you as he finished checking the shopping list on his phone. You were taken by surprise with the question, never in your life asked what you really wanted, rather given what the others thought you deserved. Lately, it hadn’t been good things at all, so maybe that’s why you felt your heart squeezing a little. “Something yummy for the ride back?”

“Uhm no, I’m not even hungry yet-” but to prove you wrong, that was the moment your stomach decided to announce loudly that mealtime had come. JaeBeom snickered, quirking an eyebrow as he picked a box of pocky, handing it to you.

“Here, I’ll pick another for myself on the way out.” His tone was still soft, breathiness that still indicated the need to chuckle at the indignant sound produced by your body. He was such a child. Still, you grabbed it, placing it at the small basket inside the cart, pouting in embarrassment and resuming to follow him, as JaeBeom moved toward the cashiers.

Thinking about it, you had learned quite a lot about Jaebeom in the time you spent at his house. He was really hard-working, leaving early and getting back home late from the restaurant, even if he was the owner of it; he was kind and warm, sometimes a little shy and awkward around you, but respectful. Nothing like the man that once owned you, JaeBeom treated you like a human rather than a hybrid or a pet, and that was probably the thing you liked the most about him. You’d miss seeing him every day once you had to get back.

“Y/N?” As soon as you stepped outside the store, heavy bags in hand and a pocky half chew in between your teeth, GeoJong’s figure materialized itself in front of you, looking kind of rough, but mostly surprised. Oh yeah, it had been some time since you last saw him. Maybe something of what happened to you reached his ears, but probably no one knew about your situation. “Holy fuck, you're alive!”

You breathed out, feeling the presence of JaeBeom behind you the next second. GeoJong’s eyes landed on him and you immediately felt the hairs on your nape stand as the astonished expression turned into a smirk. Clearly he was up to no good. He’s never been. “And you’ve got yourself some owner, huh?”

“I’m not her owner, mister.” Was JaeBeom’s response, then turning to look at you as you still stood there, not knowing what to do exactly. “Everything okay, Y/N?”

“Yeah… Yeah.” You nodded, eyes still boring into the hybrid in front of you. “What you want, squeak?”

The way of you addressing him made GeoJong snort, holding his chest in false hurt. “Whoa, easy there tiger. I’m just happy to see you, that’s all. I heard someone punks had tried to… You know, send you to a better place as a Christmas gift and seems like you did huh?” You rolled your eyes at his remark, his characteristic laugh showing how he thought himself witty with the bad joke. Behind you, JaeBeom was eerily silent.

“You’re so funny, really.” You quipped, and sarcasm was heavy in your tone. “Well, now you know I’m alive and unfortunately, I know you are too. If you’ll excuse me, we’re leaving.” And like that you twirled around, JaeBeom following suit without hesitation.

“Hey, I just want you to know that I’ll be here, in case you need my help with this one… Again.” GeoJong shouted when you weren’t still far away enough, making you stop walking and literally hiss over your shoulder at the now scurrying rat. Nothing could have been worse than meeting that scum that night. You prepared internally for the questions that would come.

Though they never came.

You were expecting that JaeBeom - reasonably so - would bombard you with questions about who was that hybrid and what he had meant with his last shout, but besides looking mildly upset, he didn’t utter a word. You weren’t sure if he was angry at you or not, so you decided to just look outside the window, trying to calm your nerves with the scenery.

“Hey,” you started off timidly, reaching to grab his sleeve as you two went to unload the trunk. JaeBeom turned to look at you with a frown, softening as he saw you step back at the expression. He’d never looked at you like this and it kind of triggered your flight instincts. Clearing your throat, you continued: “About earlier I-”

“Don’t worry about it, Y/N. It’s not my business.” He cut you, shoulders relaxing. “I’m not angry at you or anything, by the way. It’s just…” as he trailed off your heart immediately sank, thinking that he was going to ask you to get out of his home. It was only reasonable. “I don’t want you to feel like I’m caging you here, Y/N. You’re welcome to stay as long as you want, or come back when you need to, okay?”

You stood there, wheels in your head turning as you tried to make out the man in front of you. There was a tickling feeling in the pit of your belly that sizzled up slowly towards your throat, coming out in a short scoff seeing how JaeBeom was actually upset at himself, for some reason you couldn’t decipher.

“Then I guess I’ll be using more of your hospitality, JaeBeom.”

[crackimagines]

Everyday Sunshine (FE: Three Houses Short Fic)

Child!Byleth Professor AU

After working hard for several months straight, the tiny professor and the Golden Deer class goes to enjoy some time off from the Monastery life, the beach.

Child!Byleth Post Masterlist here!

--------

Byleth stared out at the calm waters of the beach, feeling the cool wind blow gently across his face, blowing a little bit of his hair back.

(Byleth) “So, this is-”

(Hilda, Raphael, Dorothea, Sylvain) “THE BEACH!”

The four ran to the water and started frolicking, feeling how cold it was and laughing at their reactions.

Byleth saw the classmates he had recruited dash into the waters as well.

First was Sylvain and Dorothea, with Ingrid being dragged by the two against her will.

Caspar and Ashe tried going into the water and were not ready for how cold it was.

Bernadetta and Ignatz started painting the waters as the other classmates rushed in.

Felix simply decided to train for the moment with the wind feeling nice out in the distance.

(Hilda) “Come on, slowpoke!”

(Marianne) “A-Ah, it’s s-so cold!”

(Leonie) “You get used to it! I gotta train up while we’re here!”

(Raphael) “You said it, let’s go!”

(Ingrid) “How does the water get colder and colder?!”

(Dorothea) “Need me to warm you up, Ingrid?~”

(Ingrid) “BACK OFF-”

(Ignatz) “What lovely scenery!”

(Bernadetta) “I know, right? I can feel my art juices flowing!”

One by one, the other students started to jump in.

(Sothis) “What a beautiful location for a moment of respite, child! You really know how to pick them!”

(Byleth) Wasn’t me who picked this place.

(Catherine) “So kid, how’s the place?”

(Shamir) “I was the one who found it, thanks.”

(Catherine) “We found it together, details, details! Anyways, you not going in?”

Byleth was in a casual outfit, but it didn’t seem like he was going to swim with the others.

(Byleth) “No thanks. I never understood why everyone just splashed around. Swimming as a training exercise I could understand but...-”

(Lysithea) “I agree.”

Everyone turned to Lysithea who was in a full swimming suit that covered her entire body, one wouldn’t be faulted for thinking it was some weird form of a onsie. (a diving suit).

(Lysithea) “It’s so childish...”

(Catherine) “You say that, but I saw you eyeing the others enviously.”

(Lysithea) “I-I was not!”

(Byleth) “You don’t have to hold back on our account. We brought you here to have fun.”

(Annette) “Yeah, come on! You always work so hard, we won’t tease!”

Annette and Mercedes were in swimsuits, looking excited to go into the waters.

(Mercedes) “Please, join us!”

(Lysithea) “I...I won’t be made fun of?”

(Claude) “Hey, we all came here to act like kids, didn’t we? If it means you’ll enjoy yourself for once, I promise that I’ll act as childish as you will.”

Lysithea then smiled and looked to Annette.

(Lysithea) “Very well! Let’s go ahead!”

She joined Annette and Mercedes, and met up with the rest of the girls.

Meanwhile, Caspar, Raphael, and Sylvain were carrying Lorenz and Ferdinand to the water.

(Lorenz) “U-UNHAND ME AT ONCE! I MAY BE IN MY SWIMSUIT BUT I CANNOT GET WET-”

(Sylvain) “Oh ho, you aren’t getting away with that!”

(Byleth) “Hah...everyone’s having fun.”

(Flayn) “Ah, Byleth, there you are!”

Flayn ran up to his side and had a bright smile on her face, looking at Byleth with anticipation.

(Flayn) “Come on, the water looks amazing!”

(Claude) “You said it yourself teach, we all came here to have fun! Don’t disappoint the lovely lady now-”

(Byleth) “Ugh, shut it. Besides, I’m not even dressed for the water-”

(Catherine) “Eh, who cares! If you don’t go in, I’ll throw you in!”

(Claude) “...On second thought, stay put! I wanna see the great Catherine toss you like a ball!”

(Shamir) “Heh, that’d be interesting to see-”

(Byleth) “L-LET’S GO, FLAYN!”

He grabbed her by the hand and walked quickly over to the waters.

Claude laughed as he watched his classmates enjoy their day at the beach.

(Catherine) “How about you, kiddo? You joining them?”

(Claude) “I will in a second, I’m just...admiring the view.”

(Shamir) “Sure that’s a topic you wanna be discussing with only girls around?”

(Claude) “Well, I can’t deny that aspect of the view is nice but...that’s not what I meant. I don’t think I saw the Professor engage with the class this much.”

(Catherine) “Now that you mention it, the kid wasn’t exactly what you’d call sociable at the beginning phases of your class.”

(Claude) “It’s crazy to see how much he’s changed. He’s acting more like...well, a kid his age.”

(Shamir) “Here I thought I wouldn’t find anyone who had less emotions than me. I don’t think I ever saw him smile until just now.”

(Catherine) “Think the kid’ll actually thank you for these emotions?”

(Claude) “Doubt it. Well, at least in public. In private, he’s a like a little brother, funny one at that too. At first, I was really skeptical that a kid would be teaching our class but now? I think he fits right in with us misfits.”

(Shamir) “Hmph...Speaking of emotions, his seems to flare up around Flayn, huh?”

(Claude) “Her and Lysithea I seem to notice, though its different from what he usually has with us. Me and Leonie for example, piss him off. Raphael confuses him to no end, I’m pretty sure he’s exploded with anger around Lorenz, and for Marianne, his gentle side comes out.”

(Catherine) “What, he has a crush?”

(Claude) “Probably, but doubt either the teach or Lysithea would ever confirm that. As for Flayn, I’m pretty sure she’s been dropping hints.”

(Shamir) “...Good luck to her with that...”

(Catherine) “Well, we’ve been lazily staring for too long! Come on Shamir, let’s get wet!”

(Shamir) “Ugh, check your phrasing please-”

(Claude) “Hah, she’s right ya know. HEEEEY, HILDA!”

Claude, Hilda and Marianne enjoyed splashing each other, and began terrorizing the other students by splashing the freezing waters on everyone else.

Felix eventually joined Sylvain, Dorothea and Ingrid in the waters.

Caspar, Leonie, Raphael, and Ashe all had a contest of who could swim the fastest from rock to rock.

Bernadetta and Ignatz continued painting a beautiful portrait of the scene before them.

Lorenz and Ferdinand enjoyed chatting with each other while calmly enjoying the water instead of being thrown in.

Mercedes was trying to help Lysithea and Annette to swim considering how short they were, which led to very amusing lines from both of them.

Flayn and Byleth walked alongside the beach line together, casually chatting about how nice the weather felt and eventually went shell hunting.

BONUS: Nighttime Event (Flayn, Lysithea, Claude)

Flayn

Byleth heard rustling from the sleeping beds and saw Flayn get up.

(Flayn) “Oh, did I wake you up?”

They decided to walk alongside the beach’s waters since neither of them could fall asleep. After a silent walk, Flayn and Byleth sat together, watching the moonlight shine upon the waves.

(Byleth) “You know, it’s my first time actually enjoying my time at a beach.”

(Flayn) “But, you’ve been to beaches before, right?”

He shrugged.

(Byleth) “Sure, but I never got to take in the scenery. I was always there for missions. Frankly I hated beaches before because of so much problems preventing our cavalry moving faster, like sand.”

(Flayn) “Well, I’m glad you’re enjoying it now! The beach is truly a wonderful thing.”

(Byleth) “You went to beaches with Seteth and your mother, right?”

(Flayn) “Yes. Father, mother and I loved to fish at the oceans, there were so many peculiar types of fish to see!”

She had a sad smile as she reminisced about those days she spent.

(Flayn) “I miss it quite so but...thanks to you, I’m able to make new memories like this one!”

Byleth smiled back, nodding.

(Byleth) “I’m glad to help out, Flayn. I’m glad you’re in the class as well.”

They both stared out again before Byleth cleared his throat.

It wasn’t unusual to Flayn to see the professor’s true emotions, but this time it surprised her. It seemed like he was...blushing?

(Byleth) “If...If it helps I’d...like to go fishing with you since you miss it, and Seteth doesn’t have much time due to his work but...-”

(Flayn) “I’d love to fish with you, professor!”

(Byleth) “...Good. It’s a promise, okay?”

(Flayn) “Promise!”

Lysithea

Lysithea made sure to not wake anyone as she went to the nearby cliff and watched the stars above.

This was the most fun she’s had in a while, and she was going to cherish this memory. After all, she was going to die soon.

(Byleth) “Can’t sleep either?”

Lysithea turned around and saw Byleth walk to her.

(Byleth) “Mind if I join in?”

(Lysithea) “Be my guest.”

He sat down, and they looked at the skies together.

(Byleth) “It felt good to be ourselves and not have anyone call us out on it, doesn’t it?”

(Lysithea) “For me, sure. I didn’t know you were capable of showing emotions, professor!”

She said it in a slightly mocking tone, but at the same time she was also a bit serious.

In response, Byleth chuckled.

(Byleth) “Neither was I. So, is there anything on your mind? It’s not like you to be up this late unless you were studying.”

She faintly blushed due to the amount of he detail he paid attention to her, but it quickly faded away when her thoughts were brought back up.

(Lysithea) “...You already know about how the crests have shortened my lifespan right? I was just...making sure I enjoy today. I don’t exactly have much time left-”

(Byleth) “Don’t speak like that.”

(Lysithea) “Huh?”

(Byleth) “As long as I’m here, you’re going to live. I don’t know what I have to do, but I promise you that. I am not going to outlive any of my students...”

(Lysithea) “...Thank you, Byleth.”

Byleth nodded, and they both continued to quietly watch the stars above.

Lysithea felt her blush come back.

Claude

Byleth was on a hill nearby, overlooking all of his students.

Even though he didn’t hear anything in particular to set him off, he still said something.

(Byleth) “Hey, Claude.”

(Claude) “Ah, I see you were able to see right through me! Dang, was going to give you a good scare too!”

(Byleth) “Heh, course you were...come on, best seat in the house.”

Claude sat down next to him. Byleth was right. This little hill looked over the ocean’s waves, the stars in the sky, and the students.

(Claude) “So, whatcha thinking about, teach?”

(Byleth) “Nothing in particular. I’m just looking over at all the kids...”

Everyone was sleeping so soundly. Byleth was starting to wish that everyday could be like this.

(Claude) “So, how’s it feel being a parent?”

Byleth laughed, turning to Claude.

(Byleth) “If these are my kids, then these are the most idiotic and insane kids I’ve ever seen.”

(Claude) “Don’t deny it, you still love us!”

(Byleth) “That I do, Claude...that I do...Ya know, I’m going to miss you guys when the classes have to leave. All of you will be off in your own territories, doing adult things. And I’ll still be here, teaching for the next 5 years until you all come back.”

(Claude) “...Ya know teach I’m...quite proud of you.”

(Byleth) “How’s this punchline going to end?”

(Claude) “Nope, no joking here. It’s coming straight from the heart this time. Are you aware of how much you changed from when you first came into the monastery to the way you are now? The fact you’re saying you’d miss us is proof!”

(Byleth) “Hm...I suppose I didn’t show much emotion back then.”

(Claude) “That’s putting it lightly. I didn’t see as much as a brow furrow whenever I tried to get ya to react!”

(Byleth) “That I wish did stay. But...you know, it was thanks to you and the rest of the class that got me to where I am.”

(Claude) “Hah, that’s true. But at the same time, we wouldn’t be the people we are today without you too. Marianne probably would’ve never spoken to any of us, Ignatz would be too scared to talk to people, Lysithea never getting her head out of the books, the list goes on! This class needs you, just as much as you need us.”

(Byleth) “Hm...I gotta say, it feels good to hear that, considering it’s you, Claude.”

(Claude) “Yeesh, I’m not allowed to have my moments, teach?”

They both laughed and noticed that the stars were shining brightly all of a sudden.

Streaks of light flew across the skies and they both went back to being quiet. 

The two didn’t have to say anything at that point, they could guess what they were going to say.

(Sothis) “They’re so beautiful!”

While Claude was distracted, Byleth looked at Claude, then to the students as they continued to sleep soundly, shooting stars flying across the skies.

(Byleth) Yes...Yes they are.

[detroitbydark]

Moonbeams and Ridinghoods Chp 3

Pairing: werewolf!Haz/reader

Summary: first dates are great...until they’re not

Warnings: None

Words: 2800+

A/N: someday my laptop will be fixed and I’ll be able to make a cut and quite jamming up your feeds. Until than I’m impatient. Thank you to my favorite child @aossi for putting up with me while I write this. Also thanks again to @sandersonosterfield for the mood board.

Harrison texts you daily and it becomes the highlight of your day opening each message to see what he has sent. He’s totally random and you’re on board for every minute of it.

On Monday you get a picture of a burger around noon and a picture of his roommates feet at dinner. When you question the feet he explains that his roommate, Tom, had the grossest feet imaginable and he had to share the horror with someone else. He segways into telling you about his other roommate, Emily, and their friends that spent an inordinate amount of time at their place.

The surgeon making rounds through the department gives you a raised eyebrow and asks about the smile your sporting. You merely shrug and school your features. When you get home you call him and he asks about your day. He sits quietly, makes all the right agreeable sounds as you recount funny stories from the day. When you whine dramatically about needing to have some fun he teases lightly.

“Well lucky you, is already scheduled for a coffee date with yours truly.”

He’s really too cute for words and you reinforce that, yes coffee with him was a thing that would be happening. You can hear his grin through the phone.

You send him a pic of your sad cafeteria sandwich on your lunch break Tuesday. The turkey and cheese looks rather anemic and you find you just have to share it. He sends a gym selfie that makes you feel all kinds of ways when you ask what he’s up to. Sweat clings to his brow in the mirrors reflection. His shirt is soaked and his hands are taped as if he’s just gone a couple rounds. A smooth smile is plastered across his face as a curly mopped brunette poses up behind him. You get a topless one after that. The view down his pecs and over abs is truly obscene. He shoots back a cursory ‘LOL’ when you remind him you’re not supposed to be looking at porn on hospital hours. When you get back to your apartment you strip out of your scrubs and change into your own gym clothes. He seems to like the spandex shorts and tank top you’re sporting if the howling wolf emojis are anything to go by.

By the time Wednesday rolls around you are so primed to see him you’re absolutely vibrating. Picking up your phone half a dozen times, you have to remind yourself that it’s not cool to look too excited but you can’t help it. You craved more than text messages and phone calls were giving you.

A chill is in the air so you opt for jeans and a trusty pair of combat boots you’d picked up at a yard sale years ago. You layer a loose cream knit sweater over a black tank. The collar hangs loosely off your left shoulder as you look at yourself over in the mirror one last time. Neither of you had said this was a date but you’re treating it like one. It had been so long since you had genuinely been excited to meet up with a guy that you refuse to call it anything but.

You give the taxi driver the address Harrison had sent you earlier in the day. You watch the scenery change from tightly packed apartment buildings to manicured sidewalks and decadent older homes. You’re not familiar with the area at all but it doesn’t stop you from taking in the sights. You begin to wonder if you’re under dressed as the driver pulls up to a stop in front of a cozy looking cafe. You slide him a wad of bills and a smile before your eyes are catching on the man you’d come to see. He’s worth openly drooling over, dressed in dark slacks and a button up with the first pair of buttons undone. His dirty blonde locks have been tamed and gelled into place and he’s wearing a pair of glasses that only add to his handsome appearance.

His eyes dance over you and you soak up the attention. He pulls you in for a quick side hug.

“Really glad you came out.” He says opening the door for you. You can’t help but ducking your head. You can hear him chuckling behind you, “don’t go getting shy on me now, darling.” He teases and you turn your smile up at his unspoken challenge.

“Atta girl.” He mumbles, his hand rests across your lower back as he guides you to a table near the window. The sun is shining in, chasing away the bit of cold you’d felt between the cab and the cafe. You move to sit but he steps in a pulls your chair out for you. You’d thought maybe that was something that only happened in movies and romance novels. You whisper a soft ‘thank you’ as you sit down and he slides it back in. You must look confused because he cocks his head as he sits.

“What?” He questions, leaning back languidly in his seat.

You spin the bracelet on your wrist, an old nervous habit. You watch the beads shimmer as the light travels over them with each twirl around your wrist.

“Nothing. Just trying to figure you out.”

Harrison leans forward, forearms pressing into the table, “how much time have you got?”

He flashes that smile that made your stomach flip when you’d first met and, like a trained animal, it does it again.

The smug bastard has got to know what the grin does. There’s no way he hasn’t used it before.

The server comes over and deposits some menus and dutifully reads off the days specials.You watch Harrison’s polite smile and well practiced manners put on display. Somewhere along the line someone had drilled them into his head and you appreciate their effort.

You roll your eyes playfully as his attention comes back to you and the conversation at hand.

“What can I say? I know I’ve got layers.” He says with a lazy shrug.

“Like an onion?”

His laugh is a low rumble. “Just like an onion.”

You order a short time later, you get a coffee and a danish while Harrison order his drink and turkey and Swiss on a croissant.

When it comes out you wish you’d have ordered it. It looks amazing.

“Not quite what they’re serving at the hospital.” He laughs, offering you a bite.

“I couldn’t, that’s your lunch.” You mutter with a bit of embarrassment.

“Ah, come on now. I insist.” He slides the plate over to you and watches intently as you take a bite. Your eyes close and you hum happily. It may be one of the single best bites of food you’ve ever had.

“Good, right?” He laughs. You nod while you chew. “My friend, Em...the roommate I told you about? Well, this is her place.”

You rest your coffee cup between your hands, sipping contentedly. “You’ll have to give her my compliments. Are you close?” You question. The way he spoke about his friends was unlike anyone else you’d ever heard.

“Well, yeah, we’re like… I guess the best explanation is we’re like family.” You see him choosing his words carefully.

“That has to be nice.”

“It is, I mean I’m close with my parents and sister too but to have the boys and Emily in my life day in and day out...I’m sure you're probably thinking it’s odd…”

You shake your head quickly, “No not at all! I mean, I think it sounds really nice. To know there’s always someone there? Isn’t that kind of the dream?”

Harrison’s look is assessing, like you’ve quickly become the most interesting thing he’s ever seen. “What about you? It has to be hard being away from everyone, your family and friends?”

Looking down into your cup you watch the brown liquid swirl with the gentle tip of your hands. Your bottom lip slips between your teeth as you think.

“I can see the gears turning.” He says collecting your attention again. “Why?”

“Just trying to figure out if I should lay the tragic backstory out?”

“Tragic backstory? We all have them don’t we? Tell me.” It’s not a question. You’ve noticed that Harrison did that a lot. He didn’t so much as ask questions as he made gentle demands of you. You shrug, letting your eyes skip out the window and onto the street. Dead leaves, crisp and dry, are blowing down the sidewalk, skittering into view than back out again.

“It was always just me and my Mom growing up. My dad...wasn’t ready to be a father.” She can hear that line in her mother’s voice. A truth she’d been told since she’d been old enough to ask about him. “She got remarried the year before I graduated.” Harrison nods for you to continue as your eyes drift back over to him. “I guess it was kind of her second chance at a family. I’ve got a pair of twin sisters now. They’re three. I’m not really close with them though.”

His fingers brush against yours when you set your cup down.

“Why’s that?”

“I just kind of feel like I don’t belong there? Maybe it doesn’t make sense. We love each other but it just…” You end with a shrug. “And friends? Life happened and we moved away and grew apart.” It’s not the full story but it’s all your willing to divulge. He’s got a small frown marring his features when you look back up and you feel a flush of embarrassment for oversharing.

“Haz!” A bright voice interrupts any apology you might offer as a brunette in an apron walks over. Harrison’s eyes light up as she gets closer and he stands to wrap her in a hug. He turns to you after a moment, arm still wrapped around her waist, as he introduces you.

“Y/n, this is Emily, the brilliant woman I was telling you about.” The casual affection between the two is apparent.

Emily rolls her eyes at the obvious flattery.

“Oh hush, Haz. Who’ve you brought by?” She questions him not looking away from you.

“Em, this is y/n.”

You’d wondered if the knowing look in her eyes had meant anything but when she claps once excitedly you realize that Harrison must have mentioned you to her.

“I’m so glad to meet you.” She enthuses dropping in a chair next to you. You offer your hand politely and she takes it and pulls you in for a hug. You glance at Harrison awkwardly. He’s smothering a laugh, dropping back into his own seat as Emily lets you go.

“This prat has talked about you nonstop I hope you know.” You spare him a glance and he simply shrugs, his blue eyes dancing merrily.

“I’m so glad you brought her!” Emily says glancing at her friend. “What did you get? The danish” She makes a tsking sound and glares at Harrison.

“Why didn’t you get her something good. The danish are rubbish on good days.“ she explains. “Not my best work but a work in progress…”

You smother your own smile. Emily seems to have enough energy to power the better part of London and it’s very easy to see why Harrison had spoken highly of her. If all his friends were like this you really did have to envy him for it.

“Boss?” A tall server shyly interrupts the brunette and she glances over quickly giving a studying look. “We’ve got an issue with the oven.”

Em huffs quietly, “If it’s not one thing it’s always another.” She glances back at the pair of you as she waves the server off.

“Haz, you need to bring her by the house.” She scolds lightly and Harrison gives a sage nod. “And y/n, get my number from the div here and call me, we’ll do lunch.”

Before you can do as much as concur she’s up and moving through the small dining room and into the back.

You can’t help the giggle that escapes, “Is she always like that?” You question.

“Mostly. She has her down days but with Emily, what you see is what you get.” The two of you relax back into conversation. Refills come for your drinks without asking and a takeout container full of goodies miraculously appears as Harrison pays the tab.

“That means she likes you.” He says gesturing to full styrofoam container.

“She doesn’t even know me?” You mumble a little embarrassed by the show of generosity.

“She’s a good judge of character. So am I.”

He’s got you in the passenger seat of his car again. He thought you looked good there, like you were meant to be there. Harrison tries to shake off the feeling. Too much. Too fast.

“Why’d Emily call you Haz” You ask as he focuses on the road.

“All my friend do, really. Just a nickname.” He explains. You sit quietly for a moment.

“Haz…” you try the name out. The soft way you say it makes something inside him burn bright. He wouldn’t mind hearing you say it in another situation. He tamps back those thoughts as he reaches your place and parks.

You’re biting your lip again and he has the urge to lean over and kiss you, to soothe the swollen skin with his own. As you unbuckle he shuts the car off. Your questioning look makes him chuckle.

“It’s not a date if I don’t walk you to your door, yeah?” He enjoys your shy smile.

“So this is a date.” You mumble. “Good”.

“Very.” He adds getting out and moving around the front of the car to open your door for you. You readily lace your fingers between his as he helps you out and you don’t let go as you make your way up the steps.

“You’re going to spoil me with all this attention.” You sound serious as you reach your door and he uses your joined hands to tip your chin up to look at him.

“It’s my job to spoil pretty girls.” He explains softly. Your lips part delicately and he watches with fascination as your tongue wets your lips.

“Do you do it often? Spoil pretty girls?”

“No, it’s been a while since I’ve seen one.” You take a small step closer to him and he pulls your hand up, brushing a gentle kiss along your knuckles. This close, he can hear your heart pounding in your chest. He can feel the soft rush of breath from your lungs.

“I’m going to kiss you now.” He warns and you nod, rising up in your toes to meet him as his lips smooth over yours. It’s tentative, a chaste kiss that’s over too soon as he pulls back, enjoying the way your eyes flutter open. But then something changes and you’ve let go of his hand, moving to fist his shirt and pull him back down. He doesn’t fight it, not when your teeth clack together or even when you lose your balance and his hands fall to your hips to steady you. He gives back every ounce of want you pour into him, growling lowly when your teeth nip his lower lip and quickly regaining control, pressing his tongue against the seam of your lips, demanding entrance. You open for him and he luxuriates in the feel of you, the taste of coffee and sweets left on your tongue, the soft whine you make when his tongue strokes against yours. The wolf inside him all but howls with delight. The beast, usually so quiet and docile, wants you. It wants Harrison to lay claim to you for their own. It’s a first. The sudden clarity of it is like a pail of cold water splashed over him. He nearly stumbles back, trying to hide the sudden shock he knows is written across his face. Your lips are swollen from his kiss and you have a nearly drunk look on your face that quickly turns to confusion. Harrison feels so many things in that moment and they are all far more serious than the passing fancy he’d known he’d had for you.

“I had a great time today, Haz.” You say softly, your eyes not meeting his. You pull away from him his hands releasing your hips suddenly, only then realizing how tightly he’d been holding you, hoping he hadn’t hurt you, hadn’t left any marks. You rise up to him one more time and he’s nearly trembling as you press a soft kiss to his cheek, his arms limply at his sides. You disappear into your flat before he can say anything and he’s left staring at your closed door. His hand runs roughly through his hair before he turns and heads back to the car.

He stares straight ahead out the window, the engine growling softly. That other part of him, the wolf had never made himself known like it had tonight. It leaves him feeling unsure and at a loss.

“Fuck.”

[ladyboltontoyou]

Arthur Morgan x Reader: Farmer’s Daughter. 2

Warnings: Cursing probably. Smut. 

Pairing: Arthur Morgan x Reader

A/N: HELLO AGAIN. Listened to ‘Home’ by Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros while I wrote this lmao.(Okay I listened to it like three times in the span of the three hours it took me to write this) You should all listen to it, gave me young Arthur x reader vibes tbh, it’s super cute and happy. RIGHT OK so I hope you guys like this one as much as you enjoyed the first one, didn’t plan this to be more than a one-shot but more than one person wanted it to be so here I am. Hope the smut didn’t feel too rushed! I was going to do a few time skips but this just felt right to me. Thanks so much for your notes, comments, and reblogs, they mean the world to me.

It had been a week without any sign from Arthur, and on the seventh day you had almost given up hope. But he showed up right when you were about to fall asleep, knocking over a vase on your table when he climbed through the window it sat in front of.

You sat up in bed and pulled the sheets over you, frozen solid in fear for a good ten seconds before your eyes adjusted to the light and you made out Arthur picking up the vase from the floor. 

“You scared the daylights out of me.” You whispered as you calmed down from the near heart attack.

“Your doors were locked, so I uh, knocked on the window. You didn’t wake up and, well, here I am.” He sounded slightly embarrassed, taking his jacket off to put on the floor. “Sorry about that.”

“You don’t need to do that, a little water is okay.” You said as you climbed to the foot of the bed, but his jacket had already soaked up the spilled liquid. 

“Exactly. I’ve got other coats. At least it ain’t leather.” You both laughed a little at that and then you lit your bedside candle. 

“Close the curtains, will you?”

He looked over his shoulder and realized he’d not only left the window open, but he gave a good view to anyone who looked up at the balcony. He quickly did as you asked, closing the window too. “You draw anything while I was gone?” He asked as he walked back over and sat in the chair at your table. 

Another reason he was such a good man, he sat a respectable distance away from you when there was a whole bed he could have taken advantage of. 

Which damn, you wished he would. 

If there was anyone in the world who was sexually frustrated, it was a tie between you and Arthur. You had sex only once in your life, and it wasn’t even good. You had many other opportunities with pretty attractive people, but your family was almost constantly on you so you had no time to sneak away. And for Arthur, well, it’s self explanatory. 

“A few things.” You admitted and crawled back to the head of your bed and pulled out the drawer of your nightstand. Your brand new sketch pad laid in there, your father had bought it for you a few days before since you had already filled up your last one. 

“Really? Well, I’d love to see them.” He hated how vulnerable he felt then. Snuck into some girls room, knowing damn well he was a fool for being there. He fawned over you a little too much for his liking, last time he had butterflies over a girl he was very, very, very young. But that was the last thing on his mind for once. All he cared about now was the farmers daughter in her silk night-dress with the sketch book in her hands. 

You opened to the first page where a simple sketch of a cat waited to be praised. “This is my cat Scully.” 

Arthur got up from his seat and walked over to where you sat on the edge of the bed, squatting down at your knees so he could see properly. “Well, look at that.” He grinned and you handed the book over to him, which he gladly took. “How’d they get that?” He pointed to the right ear which was missing the top half. 

You leaned over to look at what his finger pointed to and sighed. “One day when I was real young, I was playing outside and the neighbor's dog came over, guess he didn’t like how I smelt so he started growling at me. Scully, she saw me crying and came over, kicked its ass then chased it off.” You laughed when you remembered how your parents treated the cat afterward, taking her to the most expensive vet they could find. She was queen of the house from then on out. 

Arthur snorted, his head bobbing slightly as he did so. “That so? She’s braver than any man I’ve ever met.”

You smiled and nodded in agreement. “You can go through them, there's only two more in there.” Your heart sped up in excitement when you remembered the last picture was something you’d done for him, a silhouette of him standing on your balcony overlooking your farm land. 

He turned the page slow as to not wrinkle the expensive paper. When he saw the next one he raised his brows. “Christ, girl. You need to be selling these.” 

The one he was looking at was a more detailed sketch, one you had done the day before. You still needed to do a little more shading on it, but it was mostly done. It was your parents sitting outside at the bench in your garden, they were both laughing and holding wine glasses. Your father had told your mother something funny and she was almost doubled over, one hand in front of her mouth and the other holding the glass outwards so she didn’t spill any on herself. They were surrounded by their roses and jasmine. 

“How do you remember something like this?”

You shrugged with the biggest smile on your face and a blush in your cheeks. “Something like that just sticks.” 

He looked up to you and shook his head before looking back down. “You’ve got me speechless.” He flipped to the next page and completely froze. He didn’t say anything for a minute, which worried you, but then he just let out a huff-like laugh of disbelief. “This me?” He knew it was him but for some reason he felt like he had to ask, just to hear you say it.

“Yes, it’s not weird, is it?” You asked while you chewed on your bottom lip nervously. 

Arthur scoffed and stood up before sitting down on your bed next to you, his eyes on the paper the whole time. “I’ve never seen myself the way you draw me. Even though this is just my damn figure.”His words really hit you. You knew what he meant by it and although you wanted him to explain it himself you knew it was something he wouldn’t go into detail about. He probably didn’t even mean to say it, it was most likely a slip of his tongue. 

After what seemed like several minutes he closed the book and handed it back to you. “No, this is for you.” You opened the book back open and cleanly tore the page out, handing it to the man sitting next to you. 

“I appreciate it. I really do.” He said and walked over to the table, setting it down on top of his satchel. His hand lingered there momentarily, considering taking out his own journal and giving you the paper he had spent days perfecting. Anxiety gnawed at him and he pulled his hand away, turning back to you. “Sorry I didn’t come back earlier, by the way. Got caught up in some business and ended up in Valentine for a while.”

“No, don’t apologize.” You waved him off. “You didn’t even have to come back, we barely even know each other. You got what you came for the first time anyways, you could have taken my hundred dollar drawing and sold it to make yourself a rich man.”

He laughed and sat down at the foot of your bed, making sure to keep a proper distance from you so he wouldn’t scare you off. If only he knew you wanted the complete opposite. “Now, a hundred-dollars isn’t very rich, why do that when I could keep coming back and get more? That would be one hell of a business.”

Where on this cold earth did this man come from? How were you so lucky to know such a good person? Given, you had only seen him two times, but he had still made a name for himself. He had a good sense of humor, he was polite, and goddamn he praised your art like it was god. If there was one sure way to your heart it was through that. And not to mention he was incredibly attractive. Fit as could be, well-groomed yet he had this dangerous look about him that said he could put you down in two seconds flat if you tried him. 

You wished he would.

In an attempt to clear the dirty thoughts that had flood your head you brought up a new subject. “The last time you were here you said my drawing was better than yours, you never answered me when I asked if you drew too.” You said and tried to look casual as you watched him for a reaction. 

He cleared his throat and looked away from your gaze, his eyes landing on everything in the room besides you. “I said that? Of course I would. That sounds like something I’d say.” He laughed to try to chase his anxiety off. “Sure, I do. A little bit.”

“Do you have anything you could show me?” You asked and pulled your legs back up onto the bed, making yourself comfortable as you continued watching him. It was hard not to, every single thing he did was mesmerizing.

He scratched his chin and sighed. “Yeah, I do.” He reluctantly grabbed his satchel from the table and pulled his own journal from it. “They’re not the best, but, well, look for yourself. There’s some writin’ in there too, pay no mind to that.” He handed you the worn leather book and you flipped through it. It was mostly full of wildlife, plants and scenery. 

“These are really good. This wolf looks like a photograph.” You said as you went through the pages. Some of his work was way better than anything you could ever dream of drawing, but he probably thought the same about yours. There were a few small doodles that made your heart melt, like one of a poodle that looked like he drew under sixty seconds. 

You had gotten so wrapped up in looking at the pages you didn’t even notice the way he was looking at you. He looked at you like he was seeing something so magnificent, and if he dared look away he would miss something. The way your eyes scanned over the paper, the way you would smile when you saw something you found his drunk doodles, it made him feel like he was drunk then and there. He had almost forgotten about what he drew you, on the newest page. When your expression changed to something unreadable his heart sped up and he shifted anxiously on the bed.

“This is me?” Your voice was barely a whisper. You couldn’t believe what you were seeing, it was the most beautiful thing you’d ever seen. Not because it was you, but because you knew it was the way he saw you. You were wearing that pretty white sundress you had worn the day he first saw you and you had jasmine flowers in your hair. You looked like you were in the middle of walking, your left hand trailing through the tall grass he had drawn you in. You had a small smile on your face and you were looking directly in front of you as if you knew you were being drawn. It looked amazing, so beautiful you couldn’t believe that was actually you. But sure enough it was identical. “I look so pretty.”

Arthur scratched the back of his head, torn between feeling utterly in love with you and feeling disgusted at how sappy and vulnerable he was. “I draw what I see.” 

That was all you needed. You set the book down beside you and threw all your inhibitions out the window, crawling to the foot of the bed to kiss him. You took his face in your hands and pulled him towards you. His trimmed beard felt rough in your hands but you loved every bit of it. His lips felt even better against your own, they were hot and tasted raw as if he had been chewing on them for hours. 

Arthur inhaled sharply through his nose, his eyes wide and his hands raised off his lap in surprise. He wanted to push you off because he knew it was wrong and you’d regret it later. He told himself you had to have been drinking, there was no way any woman like you would kiss someone like him. 

You were the one to end the kiss, but only because you were running out of breath. It seemed he had been too, since when you parted he sucked in a breath. 

“Now why did you do that?” He asked immediately, his voice faultering.

“I don’t know.” You admitted with a shrug and a soft laugh. “I just wanted to. I’m sorry, I should have asked. I just, really… really like you, Arthur. I know we haven’t been in the same room as each other a total of ten hours… but I don’t know. I’ve never felt like this. I don’t know what the normal thing to do is when you like someone like this.”

Arthur shook his head and sighed. “Don’t do that. Please. Don’t.” 

“Give me a reason.” You were still so close you were practically touching, your knees a hair length apart. “Because I don’t see any good reason not to.”

“(Y/N), I’m not a good person. I don’t know if I’ll stay around here long, I don’t normally stay in one place for too long. You’ve got your whole life ahead of you, you’re a young beautiful woman. You could have any man, hell, any man or woman you’d ever want.”

“Really? Well, I want you.” 

He sighed and closed his eyes, shaking his head again. “Don’t say that.”

“But it’s true, I want you, Arthur. I don’t want anyone else, not right now at least. And right now is all that matters.”

At your words he groaned, hearing the sentence ‘I want you’ coming from your mouth was too much for him. “But-”

You shut him up with another kiss, this one shorter but more heated. “Listen Arthur, I’m a big girl, okay? I won’t be heartbroken if we never see eachother again. I’ll be sad for a while, sure, but like you said. I’ve got my whole life. I’ll get over it.” You smiled and took off his hat, setting it beside him. “You think pretty highly of yourself if you think one night will be the end of me.”

Arthur laughed and finally looked at you. “You’re stubborn. You know that?”

“Of course I do. But now you’ve got me interested, what’s so good about you that you want to protect me from missing?” You questioned with an innocent smile, placing a hand on his knee. 

He grew serious again and the playful smile disappeared. “(Y/N), I don’t think this is such a good idea.” He warned while he still had the mindset to think that deeply. Your hand on his knee wasn’t helping his good intentions. “If your folks-”

“Don’t worry about them. They sleep on the other side of the house with the river right outside their window. The only thing that will wake them is screaming, or the dogs outside. But don’t worry, I can be quiet.” You winked and took his hand in yours, impressed by how huge they seemed compared to you. “Please?” 

There was no way of explaining how you got the idea to start kissing his fingers, it just felt right. Arthur closed his eyes and groaned in the ‘What have I gotten myself into’ type of way. There was no way he could say no to you, not when you were doing… that. “Christ, woman.” He hissed when you pulled him forwards towards the head of the bed. 

He took a quick second to take his boots off and blow out the candle, providing you with a more comfortable sense of safety. There was no way anyone besides the two of you could see what was going on in your room.

He climbed back on the bed and kissed you, one hand on your cheek and one on the bed beside you. Arthur kissed so sensual and deep that you felt like you were kissing someone you had been married to for your entire life. Your heart swelled and all the blood made its way between your legs in a hurry. “Take this off.” You whispered against his mouth as you unbuttoned the front of his shirt. 

He finished the rest of the buttons, sitting up on his knees to pull his arms out of the shirt. Once it was off he hurried back to kissing you like his life depended on it. He loved the feeling so much he totally forgot about the rest of his clothes and only stopped when you placed your toes on his belt buckle and gently pushed him back. 

You smiled when he laughed and shook his head at you. “What? Don’t like taking your time?” He teased and lowered his hands to unbuckle his belt. The imagery mixed with the gentle clink of metal as he took his belt off drove you mad.

“I do once the clothes are off.” You meant to tease him back but you sounded far too serious. He had nothing to say to that so he just finished taking his belt off, laying it with his hat at the foot of the bed. When he leaned forward again you stopped him with your foot on his chest. “Keep going.”

“Maybe you should've been the one warning me.” He breathed and pulled his pants down his hips, standing from the bed to pull them off the rest of the way.  “There’s no way I could have you just once.” 

Good. You thought. You didn’t want him just once either. 

Once he finally got his pants off you felt it was unfair that you were still fully clothed so you reached under your dress and pulled down your panties. He watched as you pulled them off of your raised feet with a look that just screamed sex. “Am I dreamin’?” He asked with a laugh, sliding back onto the bed in front of you. 

“Come here and find out.” You grinned and spread your legs a bit, just enough to notice but not enough for him to see anything exciting.

“Jesus, woman.” His voice was barely a whisper and he leaned back into you, grabbing your waist gently to pull you flat on your back, his hips pressed flush against you. You could feel how hard he was through the thin fabric of his underwear and it drove you fucking crazy. He finally started taking the lead then and he slipped his hand between the two of you, sliding his fingers down your slick folds to your entrance. When he pushed a finger inside of you the both of you gasped, he didn’t expect you to feel so good around him. 

“Oh, fuck.” You muttered and closed your eyes, grabbing onto his biceps. His arm muscles tensed under your touch, mostly his right arm since that was the one with its fingers inside you. 

He kept at that for a while, curling it inside you in sync with the beat of his heart. You came just from that. When he felt you tense up around him mixed with the feeling of hot cum oozing down his hand he lost any patience he had left. He took his hand out from between your legs and kissed you again, using his right hand to take the last article of clothing he had off. When he pressed back down into you the breath hitched in your throat. 

“God.” You moaned and moved your hands from his arms up to tangle into his hair. “I want you so bad, Arthur.” 

As if he couldn’t be in any more of a hurry, you had to go and say that. 

“You have no idea.” He said with a grunt and used a hand to guide the tip of his cock against you. He rubbed it up and down your slit a few times and you let out the filthiest sound he had ever heard. You locked your ankles around his back and pushed him into you, catching him by surprise. 

The feeling of his cock fully inside of you was indescribable. You arched your back and rolled your head back into the pillows. He groaned and grabbed the bottom of your nightgown to pull off of you. You had to help him get it off your shoulders. After it finally came off he sighed, looking down at your body.

“You’re going to be the death of me.” He whispered and leaned back down into you. His thrusts were slow, but only for a few of them. Once he was sure you were ready he let himself go completely. You pulled his head down to yours and kissed him again as his cock drove in and out of you at a quick steady pace. He felt so amazing inside you, the feeling of his cock rubbing against that one special spot gave you your second orgasm. 

Your third came when he rough handled you a little bit for the first time, he had grabbed your thighs roughly and slammed himself inside you about four times. The sheer force of it all knocked the air out of your lungs and left you paralyzed. The fourth time you came he had flipped you onto your stomach. The way he could manhandle you to easily was so hot to you that you swore you fell in love with him then. 

When he pushed his cock back into you at the new angle was when you came, and god, he felt it. He almost came with you but he thankfully had the will to pull out and give himself a few seconds to calm down. Once he had enough time he continued fucking you into your mattress. 

This all went on for what only felt like a few minutes. You had no idea that you’d actually been at it for nearly two hours. You probably would have gone longer if you didn’t decide to sit in his lap, that had been what finished him off. 

When you were on top of him his cock reached deeper inside you than it had ever been before. He was stunned for a second, unable to move as you rode his cock and pulled his head back by his hair. When you sunk your teeth into his neck was when he truly lost it. He came undone in you, grabbing you by your hips and forcing you down further onto his length. 

The noises that came from him sounded so primal it led you to your final orgasm. Thank god you came with him because there was no way he’d be able to go again after that. He’d be surprised if he had the energy to climb down that lattice and onto his horse. 

No one said anything for a good while but that was okay. You couldn’t talk if you tried. You were too busy gasping for breath to form words.

Arthur was the first to speak. “I should probably leave now, I told Dutch I’d only be out a few minutes.” He sighed when he remembered that the older man had told him not to stay out too long since the law was keeping an eye out for them. You had no idea who Dutch was but you nodded anyways. 

“Alright. I should go to sleep anyways, I’ve got to wake up early in the morning to go to town with my mother.” 

Arthur nodded and ran a hand through his sweaty hair, noticing how messy it had become. Before he came over he had made sure it looked nice but now he was sure it looked as if he had no idea what a comb was. 

You watched him pull his clothes back on, almost forgetting his hat and belt. He slipped your picture for him in his journal and safely secured it, sliding it back into his satchel. 

After he gathered his things he gave you one last kiss at the doors, full of more passion than any others you had previously shared. “Could I come see you again sometime?” He asked after you parted with the most adorable smile on his face. 

God. He was right in his warning, there was no way you could get over a smile like that.

“Arthur, you know the answer to that.” 

[suitofvibraniumarmor]

The American Initiative

Part Eight

Summary: Grace Cleveland and Eleanor Baker both thought their lives were over, until they became part of something much bigger – the Avengers. Pairing(s): Clint Barton x OFC, Steve Rogers x OFC Word Count: 1428 Blanket Warnings: Death, mentioned a couple of different ways, but not detailed; canon divergence; more based on Marvel movies. In the infamous word of Steve Rogers, “Language.”

Masterlist Wanna be tagged?

For a couple weeks after that rooftop kiss, Grace and Clint both acted as though nothing happened. The kiss had been electric, and it was a lot to take in for both of them. They went back to training and bantering as usual, when Grace wasn’t in Tony’s lab, putting the finishing touches on hers and Ellie’s suit.

“I think you’ve done about all you can do here,” Tony finally told her. “Barton’s got somewhere to take you — go meet up with him.”

Grace nodded, knowing that meant her time as an official Avenger was close. She kissed Tony on the cheek before practically skipping out of the lab. She took the car Tony had ordered for her back to the facility, excited for her outing with Clint. She knew it wasn’t a date, and that was okay — especially considering she was pretty sure this was the day she was going to be told her codename.

She dressed casually, grateful for a day to be out of training clothes. Clint was waiting for her in a cab in front of the facility. She was anxious to know where they were going, and Clint was kind enough not to keep her in suspense.

“Alley Pond Park,” he informed her. “Hopefully we’ll see what I wanna show you.”

Grace clapped her hands excitedly, watching out the window for most of the ride. Before The American Initiative, she had never been to New York, and she loved taking in the scenery when she could.

The drive wasn’t awful; soon enough, the pair was getting out of the cab and venturing into the park. They made their donation at the vistor’s center, then picked a walking trail. They made small talk until coming to a wetland area with a pond. It was quiet and peaceful; Grace took a seat on the grass, Clint followed suit. They wowed over the animals they did get to see, darting back and forth in front of them.

“Whoa! Did you see that hawk? Came down so quick, back up just as quick, and still caught itself a fish!” Grace exclaimed.

Clint nodded. “That’s what I wanted you to see — an osprey. They come down quick and catch their prey. They’re stealthy and quick, as you can tell. They can live anywhere. They have these unique characteristics and behavior that helps them hunt and catch their prey — so unique, in fact, they have their own genus and family. So, even though it is a hawk, it’s still —”

“It’s own bird,” Grace smiled.

“Exactly,” Clint smiled back. “That’s why you’re Osprey. You and I have a lot of similarities, but you’re still your own.”

As another osprey came down over the water to catch its prey, Grace took in a deep breath; she felt an overwhelming sense of pride and only hoped that she would live up to the codename she had been given.

Ellie checked that the duffel bag Natasha had dropped off to make sure she had everything she would need for an overnight trip. They weren’t going far, just a trip into the city, but Steve was adamant that they also stay out for the night.

“You’ve never been anywhere but the facility and Tony’s place, as far as you can remember. We’re going to expand your horizons a little,” Steve explained.

Ellie simply shrugged; she trusted Steve with her life and then some. If he said she needed time away from the facility, he was probably right.

In the couple of weeks since discovering her ability to control a mind enough to make someone see her where she was not, they had discovered another of Ellie’s new abilities: she could take that mind Control and channel it to her hands. She could use it as a shield, or divert weapons and bullets and whatever object was thrown her direction. This was something that would aid her when reading a mind or controlling it wasn’t an option, but it also helped Steve pick a codename for her.

After checking into the hotel — which Ellie was grateful to see had two beds — Steve took them out on a tour of the city. They saw Central Park, including the zoo, Times Square, and took a ferry out to see the Statue of Liberty.

“She stands for the place our country is supposed to be — a place of freedom and comfort and strength. In the last few months, you’ve found yourself. You found your strength, your abilities, who you are.” He leaned on the rail of the ferry. “You, Eleanor Baker, are a force to be reckoned with, whether you realize it or not.”

In a moment of excitement, Ellie read Steve’s thoughts. “Liberty Force?”

Steve nodded, chuckling at her anticipation. “Liberty Force. That is, if you don’t mind being teamed up with ole Cap.”

Ellie shook her head. “Not one bit.”

The sound of running water woke Ellie the next morning. The hotel bed compared to her bed at the facility was infinitely more comfortable, and she had slept all the more better for it. She rubbed the sleep from her eyes, and looked up to see Steve coming from the bathroom, drying his hands with a towel.

A half-smile tugged at her lips at the sight of him in jeans and an undershirt, muscles clearly defined. He was a man if there ever was one – Ellie knew in that moment, when all she wanted was to close her eyes and not see him, but feel him close to her, that she had fallen for Steve Rogers.

“Hey, good morning,” he greeted, noticing that she was awake. “Hungry? I’ve got room service bringing up the best breakfast in Manhattan.”

Ellie nodded, sitting up fully. “Good morning. Breakfast sounds great.”

Steve tossed the hand towel back to the bathroom counter, then went to his bag and pulled on a t-shirt. “What would you like to do after breakfast?”

“Oh, um … I don’t know. I don’t really know what the options are, I guess.”

Steve nodded, sitting on the edge of his bed. “Well, there’s a few more sights we could see, or we could go to –”

“Tony’s,” Ellie said, reading his thoughts again. “I want to see Liberty Force’s suit!”

There was a knock at the door. “After breakfast?”

She nodded. “After breakfast.”

“Liberty Force,” Tony said, “you, my dear, we went roundabouts on a shield for you – that is, until we found out you have a shield of your own.”

Ellie smiled sheepishly, stamping down her pride over the uniform in front of her. She could see that it was derived from Steve’s suit, but was going to be more fitting. She loved the fingerless gloves and the Avengers patch on the shoulder.

“What’s this?” she asked, pointing to the weapon on a stand beside the suit.

“That was my idea,” Natasha spoke up. “Similar to my Bite, yours will land a harsh electroshock to your opponent. We changed up the color, of course, so that Liberty Force also has a Torch.”

Ellie couldn’t hide her excitement anymore. She let out a full on grin and approached the suit, checking it out up close and admiring the suit she would get to proudly don when she was deemed ready for a mission.

“Gracie,” Tony beamed, putting his arm around her and bringing her to a suit not far off from Clint’s. “With the coloring of the osprey, we went with grey instead of Barton’s very manly purple.”

Clint rolled his eyes.

“You’ve got your bow, your arrows, all same as Barton – but I have upgraded you a bit, as requested.” Tony pressed a button on bow, and wings expanded out from the quiver. “The osprey is able to dive down to hunt and catch its prey, and now, so can you. The boots are complete with repulsors, not unlike mine, the wings are aerodynamic, and the quiver has a repulsor as well.”

“Fall-safe,” Grace smiled, winking at Clint.

“A fall-safe,” Tony repeated. “Is there champagne in this facility? I think we need a toast to the two newest Avengers – Liberty Force and Osprey.”

There was applause all around, the sound growing louder as Nick Fury entered the room. The six original Avengers took their chance to view the suits up close, and Fury approached Grace subtly.

“Agent Cleveland, may I speak with you in private?”

Grace looked to the tall man beside her; she didn’t have Ellie’s mind reading capabilities, but somehow, she knew what this was about.

[doctorgerth]

Prompt Winner #1

Winner: @one-piece-dumpster-fire

Prompt: “Really? You wanna have sex...here? Now?”

Description: Michelle has gone too far by teasing Cracker in the underwear store, time for her to be punished in the dressing room.

Rating: 100% Biscuit-Daddy filth

Warnings: extreme sexual content, unprotected sex, public sex  

Note: I will be posting the prompt winners randomly! Some do not wish to be tagged so I will keep it anonymous. The winner for this chose to use her personal name, so that is the name you will see in this story. Please do not read if you do not like sexual content! I really didn’t intend for this to turn out so...lengthy, but oh well. Hope it’s good!

Here and Now (Charlotte Cracker)

Prompt Story

NSFW

"Michelle, I swear, if you take me into one more goddamn shoe store I'm going to kill us both."

The girl giggled to herself, nevertheless tightening her grip around her lover's arm. Cracker huffed in exasperation, not taking her reaction to his comment too lightly. Shopping days were never his favorite, why did she always want him to come along? It's just hours of her trying on various clothes and shoes and him telling her 'you look fine' over and over again. He could think of a million other things that would be more entertaining than this.

As the shoe store approached, Cracker held his breath, begging to the biscuit gods above that she wouldn't turn left into the doors. He let out a confused sigh as she continued past the store, instead taking a right into a different building. This one was accentuated with hot pinks and blacks. Probably a silly dress store, Cracker thought to himself, but anything was better than another shoe store at this point.

He became increasingly intrigued when they approached the doors, the smell of perfumes permeating the air. They smelled different somehow; more mature. The couple headed inside and as Cracker's eyes adjusted to the light of the store, he found himself among walls littered with posters of models in undies, shelves upon shelves of bras and panties, and lingerie adorned on mannequins. It was none other than Cookie's Secret. He had heard of this store before, but never had he expected his innocent girlfriend to waltz in here so casually, let alone with him on her arm!

"Oh..." was all Cracker could manage past his lips as he scanned around, eyes becoming fixed on the lingerie and models. It's not that he was lusting after these random women. In fact, his brain was only seeing Michelle everywhere on the posters, posing in the various bras and panties all for him. He gulped, feeling his body rising to dangerous temperatures, there was no doubt that there was a blush on his cheeks. He looked down at his girlfriend, who only offered a big, innocent smile in return.

"Nervous, darling?" She teased up at him. To say Michelle was unaware of Cracker's desires would be a lie. They both knew it as she loved to tease him. Cracker took it all in stride of course, knowing this was her way of becoming comfortable with him. Anything remotely sexual caused her to be nervous and Cracker would never want her to feel uncomfortable around him. But teasing him in an underwear store? That was pushing it a bit far.

"No, I'm just the only male in here is all. Plus, what would the town think of me? Shopping with my girlfriend in Cookie's Secret? How improper." He muttered, looking away from her, desperately trying to find a valid excuse for his reddened face. When he looked back, she was already observing the various panties in front of them, picking them up and studying the patterns and designs.

"Do you like these?" She questioned casually, displaying the lace panties in front of him. His face reddened even deeper, studying the skimpy underwear and imagining just how hot her ass would look in them. He looked away in embarrassment, trying to maintain his desires, but offered her a simple nod.

For about another 20 minutes or so, the pair observed and picked out a few bras and panties. He was a bit disappointed that she avoided the lingerie section, but he knew she wasn't ready yet. Cracker ignored the eyes of judging passerbys, actually enjoying this change of scenery for the two. The impending tightness in pants every time she made him see or feel her choice of underwear was beginning to make him a bit uncomfortable, though.

"Alright, I'm gonna go try these on." She stated, making her way to the dressing rooms, "You coming?" Cracker's eyes nearly bulged out of his skull at his girlfriend asking him to join her in the dressing room. Michelle was too innocent for this, just what was she planning?  

The dressing room was surprisingly pretty private for a smaller store. It was also later in the evening so most people were gone for dinner, making it just the two in the private room. Cracker awkwardly sat down on the bench outside the dressing room. She kissed his cheek sweetly before disappearing behind the door and Cracker huffed in frustration. Due to the rather large gap between the bottom of the door and the floor, Cracker could see her feet, and ultimately her shorts dropping to the floor. That sight alone was enough to have his attention in every way, watching as other various clothes were discarded on the ground, signifying that his lover was getting naked behind that door.

Cracker swallowed hard, trying desperately to control his urges and desires. His legs bounced in impatience, trying to focus on anything other than the boner aching to spring free from the cage. The clicking sound of the door opening brought him back to the real world, his eyes instantly looking for Michelle. As she emerged from the room, his jaw nearly fell to the floor. He noticed how she had tried on the bra and panties he picked out for her, and god did she look absolutely divine; perhaps more than he had ever imagined.

"Like it?" She questioned, doing a 360 degree to turn to give him a full view of the underwear set. The panties were hugging her ass cheeks so tightly that the little curves were sticking out from beneath the fabric, showing off just enough skin. The bra held her boobs together nicely, perking them up and squeezing them together to show off her cleavage. Cracker was absolutely awe-struck as in the whole year of dating he had never seen such a sight of his girlfriend. That whole year of wondering, the whole year of imagining just what she had underneath those clothes, all of that anticipation was tangible now. No need to imagine anymore.

"Cracker?" Michelle was a bit worried as he showed no sign of response, just eyes fixated on her figure, jaw tensely shut tight. It already took all the courage in her to reveal herself in this outfit for him, she couldn't stand the feeling of being under his eyes. Just a little bit of innocent teasing was all she planned, giving him an idea as to what he could expect later tonight. She had decided a few days ago that she was ready to take the next step, she just needed the courage to set the plan into action. She figured buying a sexy outfit was a good start, but now she wasn't so sure. Did he not find her sexy?

Before she could think anything else, Cracker stood to his feet, walking over to body, face wearing the same emotions. She mindlessly trailed back herself, one, two small steps before she was back in the dressing room, this time with Cracker's enormous figure looming over hers. His eyes remained on hers as he reached behind him to close and lock the door. Michelle's face was flushed now, heart beat racing at dangerous speeds.

"How about I show you how much I like it?" He muttered, not hesitating in slamming her back against the wall behind her, lips attaching to her neck in desperation, hands quick to press against every inch of her body. She gasped in surprise, but her gasps were soon replaced by sweet moans at her lover's lips devouring her neck. Michelle shamelessly craned her neck, allowing him more access, but she still remained nervous as hell. She couldn't deny the excitement pooling in her stomach however, eliciting a slick sensation she could feel in the new panties.

The feeling of his hands on her bare skin was new for them both, Cracker groaned in delight as his hands trailed along the fabric of the underwear, not even stopping himself from ripping the clothing off of her.

"Cracker! We haven't even bought that yet!" She hush-yelled, trying to not get unwanted attention. It'd be absolutely embarrassing to be caught in a dressing room half naked under her lover. Cracker could hardly care less about anything else at this point, all he needed was to be one with her, he could no longer control himself.

"I need you." He retorted, pulling away from her neck to breathe for a second. His warm breath against her sensitive skin sent chills down her body.

"Really? You wanna have sex...here? Now?" She responded incredulously, legs shaking underneath her in sheer nervousness. She was ready too, but she had hoped their first time would be in the sanctity of their bedroom, not in the dressing room of an underwear store. Guess that's what she gets for teasing him all this time.

"I need you, now." Cracker responded, lifting her up to wrap those shaky legs around his waist, slamming her back against the wall once more. His lips made way again to her neck, this time trailing down the bareness of her torso. He could practically feel the beating of her heart as he trailed further, lips connected on her left breast. A sigh fell off her lips at the tingling, foreign sensation. Once his lips connected with her pert nipple, her head fell back against the wall in ecstasy, eyes shut lightly.

His tongue encircled the sensitive area, lips sucking while his hand roamed over to her right breast, giving it some attention. Her breathing became ragged, not used to such attention on her boobs. His hips bucked against her core in response to her delicious moans. Cracker's lips left her breasts and he looked at her, silently seeking confirmation that it was okay for him to continue. Though, he didn't believe he could stop himself either which way.

The way she looked back at him so lovingly, face already flushed from such little touches sent Cracker reeling. While still holding her up Cracker fiddled with the belt of his pants, ultimately dropping his trousers to the floor. Michelle gasped, she couldn't see his member, but she could feel the hardness of him poking at her inner thigh.

"Let's get you ready." He smirked, fingers eager to find her treasure trove. His hand made its way into her panties, fingers already becoming slick from the juices that soaked the underwear, "Such a naughty girl, so wet for me already."

Before she could respond a single digit pushed its way inside her, causing her head to slam back at the new sensation. Her legs tightened around him in response, and her nails began clawing into the skin of his shoulders.

"You're so fucking tight, my love. I can't wait to feel you around my cock." He whispered against her ear, finger beginning to pump in and out at a steady rhythm. Normally she would be absolutely embarrassed by his filthy words, but she couldn't focus on anything except the absolute pleasure he was bringing her just by his single finger alone! Her body jolted when his thumb connected to her ultra-sensitive button, running small circles along her clit.

Cracker contained her moans with his lips as she was becoming increasingly louder at the wild and carnal feelings he was giving her. It's as if he already knew the ways of her body, he kept bringing her closer and closer to the edge of something great. His finger was pumping sporadically now, the sloshing sound of her juices sounding like music to his ears. He entered another finger inside, living for the way her back arched at the feeling, her hot breathy moans filled his mouth.

"Cracker, I...ahhh, I can't...I'm gonna..." She cried desperately against his sloppy kisses, her knees buckling as her body prepared her for what was to come. A strange tingling sensation shot throughout her lower body at his relentless speed, all the way down to her toes which curled and uncurled in desperation. Suddenly, a flash of light illuminated her tightly shut eyes and an electric shock waved throughout her entire being. Her tense body relaxed in ecstasy, her legs feeling heavier than usual.

"So beautiful." He whispered, enamored by her flushed, sex face. His fingers removed themselves from her dripping core, making way to his lips, going for a taste "And so delicious." He smiled down at her devilishly. Though she looked so peaceful right now, basking in the aftermath of what he presumed to be her very first orgasm, he couldn't wait any longer. Just as her mind returned to her, the feeling of his lengthy cock beginning to snake its way between her thighs made her body shake from nervousness.

"Hold still, my darling, this might hurt a little." He placed a gentle kiss to her parted lips, replacing his lips with his hand to cover the lewd noises that he knew would escape her. Michelle's panties were simply moved to the side as he placed the tip at her entrance, her body already jolting from the size difference. Little by little, he pushed his way in, allowing her body to adjust to his size. As he continued pushing, a loud cry emitted from her throat into his hand, while he kissed her face for comfort, "You're taking me so well, baby...fuck, you're so tight..."

With a low groan, Cracker had reached the end, shoving as much of him inside her as possible. The tightness was unbearable, his body shook from the sensation, yet he remained still for her sake, allowing her body to get comfortable before he moved even an inch. Surprisingly, no tears left Michelle's eyes. It was painful, yes, but her body was actually adjusting really well. So it didn't take long before she gave the reassuring nod, allowing Cracker the movement he desperately ached for.

The slickness of her pussy aided in his removal; he reared back to where only the tip was inside, before he pushed back inside at a slightly faster speed. Michelle's eyes rolled to the back of her head as he rocked her body, speed picking up at each reassuring moan from her. Cracker gripped her body tightly with the hand that was supporting her, fingers digging into her thigh. She returned the favor as one hand grasped desperately at his hair, nails scratching at his scalp, and one hand was clawing at his back.

"I love you so much, Michelle," Cracker whispered, forehead against hers, as his pace picked up little by little, "I've wanted to be one with you for so long."

Though she could barely focus on him, her eyes hazily looked at him, tears brimming in her eyes from his loving confessional. She grabbed his hand to remove it from her lips, pulling his head into hers for a deep, passionate kiss. It was wet, sloppy, and messy, but it was an act of love as the two basked in the feeling of deepening their connection, at last being one.

They pulled away for air, Cracker's teeth barring as he pounded her against the wall faster and harder, the two not caring who heard them now. Her back arched, their chests connecting, allowing Cracker a new angle in which to please her. She was practically screaming now, his name rolling off her lips so desperately. He groaned as her pussy only became wetter and wetter for him, allowing him to easily slide in and out at rigorous paces.

It didn't take much longer for Cracker to feel his impending orgasm. His legs grew tense as that familiar sensation jolted through his body, but it was more intense than he had ever felt. Michelle could tell he was close as his thrusting had become hasty, a bit clumsy now. With a loud moan of her name and a last harsh pump, Cracker buried himself deep inside of her, releasing every bit of his seed. The feeling of him filling her up with his juices sent a shock through her body. Though Cracker was really sensitive, he was determined to make bring Michelle that same pleasure again. He lazily pumped a few more times before gaining a rough rhythm against that special spot he had found earlier.

"Cracker, ahh, you d-don't have to..." She stated, body jolting from his thrusting. She was content with him reaching his satisfaction, but as he continued pumping, she could feel the tingling sensation from earlier returning. Cracker could feel her pussy tightening around him.

"Cum for me, Michelle. Cum all over my cock, baby." He pleaded, nails scraping at the wall behind her head as the sensitivity of his dick was driving him mad, he needed her to release soon. It took one last good pump for her to release all over him, body shaking from the sensitivity of cumming yet again.

With shaky legs, Cracker sat them both down onto the bench in the dressing room. He removed himself from her throbbing core, leaving a mess along her thighs. The pair cleaned themselves up to the best of their ability, gathering their clothes from all corners of the room, laughing to themselves as they ran out of the dressing room to the check out counter.

To their amusement, it seemed the lady had no idea of what had just happened. She checked them out, acting a bit concerned at the ripped underwear, but choosing not to question their smiling faces. Michelle grabbed her things and the couple headed out of the store hand in hand, like giddy teenagers.

"You know, I didn't even get to try on my other outfits for you." She stated, looking up at him with lustful eyes.

"How about you give me a show when we get home." He winked down at her.

[jahaanofmenaphos]

Art by the awesome @tommieglenn!

Of Gods and Men Summary:

When the gods returned to Gielinor, their minds were only on one thing: the Stone of Jas, a powerful elder artefact in the hands of Sliske, a devious Mahjarrat who stole it for his own ends and entertainment. He claims to want to incite another god wars, but are his ulterior motives more sinister than that? And can the World Guardian, Jahaan, escape from under Sliske’s shadow?

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QUEST 09: OUR SPIRITS, KINDRED

QUEST SUMMARY:

When Ariane is kidnapped and the signs point to Sliske, Jahaan is forced to confront the Mahjarrat once again. But this time, things take a turn for the twisted, and Jahaan uncovers the truth behind Sliske’s obsession with him. Can Jahaan survive Sliske’s games? After all, broken bones heal faster than a broken mind…

CHAPTER 5: A MALICE UNLEASHED

Meanwhile…

“So we need to make sure Sliske doesn’t notice Jahaan’s missing?” Ariane surmised.

Rolling her eyes, Idria remarked, “How are we supposed to do that? The creep doesn’t take his eyes off him…”

“Leave it to me,” Ozan assured, leading them all into the next chamber, trying not to let it show just how exhausted he was. His injuries were flaring up again, pain pulsing inside his bandages, and the stress of the situation threatened to bring forth a migraine. His shattered ankle was a new kind of agony, making the simple act of standing up a tremendous effort, but he tried not to let it show. There was no time for wallowing or self-pitying, Ozan told himself, knowing he had to do everything he could to get Ariane and the others out of there safely.

He’d never forgive himself if anything happened to Ariane on his watch.

Unfortunately, he had very little to work with under the circumstances. Like Jahaan, he had been stripped of all his weapons. Nevertheless, Ozan’s smart mouth was as deadly as any bow he could wield, succeeding in getting him both in and out of trouble on many an occasion. So, he thought it best to utilise it here, hoping he could keep Sliske talking long enough to help out Jahaan. Any time he bought was a victory.

Already suspicious, Sliske peered over Ozan’s shoulder, glaring through the group. “Where’s Jahaan?”

“He’s still throwing up after the whole Sir Tenly thing,” Ozan crossed his arms over his chest, hoping his conviction came across as genuine and not a facade. “Give the guy a break.”

It seemed to take, for Sliske rolled his eyes and chuckled, “You humans with your fragile consistencies. Fine, fine. I suppose we’re in no rush.”

Sizing Ozan up with a keen eye, Sliske said, “We haven’t properly been introduced, you and I.”

“It feels like we have, though,” Ozan replied, carefully dangling out his words like they were fishing line. “I know a lot about you from what Jahaan has said. Or, in some ways, what he hasn’t said.”

Ozan had met a ridiculous amount of characters on his travels, a fair few of which he needed on his side for one reason or another. To accomplish this, each had to be handled in the right way in order to not let the stove pot boil over, so to speak. It was like picking a lock - find what makes them tick, don’t apply too much pressure, be patient. From what he gathered, Sliske was one wrong step away from disengaging completely, and he needed to give Jahaan more time. So, Ozan knew to keep it fairly light, to not back the Mahjarrat into a corner, and to favour simpler questions over the more pressing, problematic ones.

He also needed to keep Sliske entertained, curious and baited. In many ways, it was like keeping a small child distracted, though with vastly different consequences for failure.

It seemed to work, for an intrigued glimmer shone across Sliske’s features. “Oh really? Do tell.”

“Well, he spoke of you at the Ritual, the way you saved his life,” Ozan began, carefully. “Then of course, the way you masqueraded as that archeologist to get inside Guthix’s chamber. You really made him paranoid with that one, you know.”

Friendly, colloquial, casual. Ozan had to keep Sliske relaxed, had to talk to him like he would anyone else. “He attacked me in a bar once thinking I was you. So that was nice,” Ozan allowed a light chuckle into his words, relaxing his stance.

“I know. I was there,” Sliske’s grin doubled in size.

Eyes wide, Ozan was legitimately surprised. “You’re kidding!”

“Not in the slightest!” Sliske assured, gleefully. “I had a great view of the show! Of course, Jahaan cottoned on soon enough and ruined the game, but it was fun while it lasted.”

Chuckling, Ozan remarked, “He can be a little dangerous with too much liquor in his system.”

“Ah, I know that too,” Sliske’s eyes flashed, casually rubbing his chin. “He’s an interesting specimen.”

“But he’s more than just a specimen to you, right?” Ozan’s tone was slightly hushed. He didn’t give much time for Sliske to formulate a response, continuing, “I mean, you were the one that got Jahaan and me out of harm’s way. I see what he sees in you.”

Crinkling his brow, Sliske’s tone became guarded, yet fused with curiosity. “What do you mean?”

“Well, let’s just say, there was a reason he kept that invitation box of yours all this time.”

Ozan was near certain this was exactly what Sliske wanted to hear. It kept him enraptured, at least, which was what they needed now.

Capitalising, Ozan tested the dangerous waters, wading in by asking, “With that in mind, why did you bring Cyrius to him?”

From the way Sliske’s expression changed, Ozan knew he’d made a mistake. “That is not your concern. Cyrius played the part that he needed to play.”

“You knew how Jahaan felt,” Ozan guessed. It wasn’t a stretch. “And you know what happened when he lost him. If you cared about him, why would you bring back such memories?”

Ozan knew he was losing the thread here, but his own anger was getting the best of him. He wanted - no, needed answers - and biting his tongue was becoming more painful than how his burn scars felt.

“We must confront our demons if we are to ever conquer them,” Sliske’s stance grew more guarded, his face slightly colder and more neutral. “We both know that Jahaan changed on the day that Cyrius and the others were killed. Gone were the days of monster slaying, scaling treacherous mountains and freeing comatose Mahjarrat from their pyramid prisons. No, he lost the light behind his eyes. Then, he found service in the Imperial Guard, fighting Bandos’ mindless beasts. While it was good to see him fighting instead of moping, the routine… ah, it grew so stale. It was counterproductive.”

“It was stability,” Ozan corrected, his eyes narrowing into slits. “It was what he needed.”

“Repetitive, tedious…” Sliske continued, as if Ozan hadn’t spoken at all. “No, he needed a change of scenery. So, I played my part and set the wheels in motion.”

“Let me guess, you got to Commander Denulth?”

“He was easy to persuade,” Sliske confirmed, wringing his palms together. “Everything fell into place after that.”

Ozan could see how pleased Sliske was with himself, his ego getting a generous boost as the conversation continued. “So you planned for him to become the World Guardian?”

“Ah,” Sliske clapped his hands together, long fingers pressing against each other to emit a soft squeak from the leather of his gloves. “That was more of an... unintended consequence. But a fortunate one, wouldn’t you agree?” Ozan bit his lip. “Fortunate? Not how I’d put it.”

“How would you put it, then?” Sliske went on to say, “It’s not everyone who gets to mix it up with Gielinor’s divine. And yours truly, of course. In many ways, he’s better than ever.”

Ozan caught onto the slight edge in Sliske’s voice, one that betrayed what the Mahjarrat was really thinking. It was clear that neither of them believed a word Sliske was saying.

Jahaan was a great fighter, a decent man and someone Guthix deemed worthy enough to declare Gielinor’s guardian. But Jahaan was now under pressure, too much of it. He could be volatile and reckless, and though he tried his best to hide it from everyone, Jahaan was fraying at the edges. He’d been thrown back into the adventuring world of his past too forcefully, and with too much at stake. That letter from Commander Denulth had sparked Jahaan’s undoing. Ozan knew it, and he was certain Sliske did too. The only one who seemed oblivious was Jahaan himself.

While they were conversing, Mary Rancour edged over towards Idria. Rancour had her arms huddled across her chest, hugging herself, despite trying to keep a steely resolve. “How much longer do you think Jahaan will be?”

“I don’t know,” Idria confessed, disheartenedly. “But we’ve got to buy him as much time as possible.”

“I wonder how many more of these sick games Sliske has planned for us.”

“Hopefully this’ll be the last,” Idria bit her lip. “I guess we'll just have to tough it out and help Jahaan as best we can.”

Mary Rancour responded by grumbling something under her breath; Idria could sense her distress, inquiring, “What’s the matter?”

“It’s just… That's kind of the point of all of this, isn't it? We're reduced to holding out for Jahaan to come swinging in and save us. We wouldn't even be here if Sliske wasn't so obsessed with him. Don't give me that look. I feel I have earned at least a little rant. Look, I lost my husband and two sons to the trolls. I have broken every bone in my body fighting those monsters. I've grown old and grey before my time, and for what? Sliske captures a magic stone, the gods return and now nobody cares about monsters killing villagers in Burthorpe. And even if they do, they turn to the 'World Guardian'. Not Major Rancour, who bled and struggled to keep them safe. I caught two guards the other day; both of them were slacking off in their duties. I reprimanded them, and do you know what they said? 'It's fine, Jahaan will take care of any trolls that get through’. I… I almost overreacted. It’s like they think he’s some sort of superhuman now. He’s just a man, no better than me, or you, or any of them.”

Idria considered this for a moment. “Wow. I had no idea you felt this way. I… I’m sorry. But I guess it puts it all in perspective.”

“What?”

Idria turned her gaze towards the Barrows Brothers, who were keeping silent guard around the edges of the chamber. “The way the Barrows Brothers sold out to Sliske all those years ago. Why settle for mediocrity all your life when you can lead a glorious crusade? Imagine how easily you could best the trolls with some of those weapons, or an army of wights?”

Mary Rancour’s half-hearted smile was wry. “Believe me, I’ve thought of it. But the price…”

“...Is never worth it,” Idria finished. With a genuine smile, she said, “It was good speaking to you, Major.”

“You too, Idria.”

By now, Ozan realised he was struggling to keep his words in check. Sliske was capable of bringing the worst out of Jahaan, and it seemed like Ozan suffered similar side effects from the Mahjarrat’s dark presence. Everything Sliske had put his best friend through, the world through… now culminating in the kidnapping of Ariane… Ozan’s mind was full of storm clouds, and he fought with everything he had to stop them from breaking open.

However, he didn’t last much longer, and having taken too long to formulate the right answer to Sliske’s latest question, the penny dropped.

“Come to think of it, where is Jahaan?” Sliske wondered, drawing out his words with a suspicious rattle.

“Uhhh… he’ll be here soon,” Ozan gulped, taking a tentative step backwards, wincing as he accidentally put the wrong amount of weight on his ankle. “What, can’t stand five minutes without him?”

He trailed off with a nervous laugh, but the second the words had come out of his mouth, his throat went dry. He knew he’d cut the wrong wire.

There was a beat of silence that seemed to last for a lifetime, causing the air around them all to turn thick and cloying.

As he cottoned on to Ozan’s plan, his sulphur eyes went wide before narrowing into slits; shadows converged around their master with malicious intent. “Oh you’re good, Ozan. Very good. But I’ve had enough of your stalling. Tell me where Jahaan is, or you’ll live to regret it, however briefly.”

“I’m here Sliske,” Jahaan announced, strolling into the chamber with as much confidence as he could muster.

Jahaan’s timing was impeccable; Ozan let out a shaky breath, trying not to let anyone know just how relieved he was to have the Mahjarrat’s eyes away from him, for now at least. But the relief didn’t last long as soon as he clocked that Jahaan had returned alone and unarmed.

At this rate, Ozan knew he’d have to try something drastic. So, when the Barrows Brothers were summoned to guard himself and the other hostages, Ozan made sure to shuffle next to Karil, who had a pouch of bolts just out of reach. Knowing that obtaining one of them could be a game changer, he waited for the right time to put his nimble fingers to good use.

“Where have you been?” Sliske snapped, before shaking his head and instead saying, “It doesn’t matter. Your lies would only annoy me. You know what? Game over. I've had a good time, and whatever you were planning would ruin that. So congratulations, time for the winner to claim their prize!”

“Enough bullshitting, Sliske,” Jahaan rested his hands on his hips, defiance in his eyes. “Let the hostages go and we can talk about why you really brought me here.”

Raising an eyebrow, Sliske entertained him. “Oh? And why did I really bring you here, hm?”

“I read your notebooks, or journals, or whatever they are,” Jahaan stated, enjoying the flash of indignation in Sliske’s eyes. “When I refused to give you my soul, you decided to take it for yourself. These sick games were a way of making me ‘compatible’. And all of this because some lunatic guessed my name centuries ago…”

Inhaling a sharp breath, Sliske demanded, “How do you know about him?”

With a self-satisfied sneer, one he’d seen on the Mahjarrat too many times, Jahaan replied, “Ego loqui Infernal, vos retorta irrumabo. What’s the matter, Sliske? Not what you were expecting?”

Sliske was too stunned to formulate one of his usual witty replies. No, instead, he looked genuinely shocked, confused… and with a steadily building fury in his eyes.

Moreover, he looked fit to hurt. “You weren’t supposed to read that...”

“Well I have. All of it. So you might as well be honest for once in your miserable life.”

“I was honest with you,” Sliske growled, venom in his fangs. “I told you of my intentions. We had an agreement. You reneged. You could have made this much less painful for yourself.”

“You felt betrayed?” Jahaan let out a sharp laugh, his teeth bared and challenging. “Don’t like the taste of your own medicine, hm? Well, what did you expect me to do? Hand over my soul to you on a silver platter? You’d get an afterlife, but I guess you don’t care where that leaves me. You never cared at all, did you? Oh, you were good at pretending - hell, you… you had me believing - but you were just using me this whole time. So tell me, why didn't you just rip my soul out of me the first chance you got? Why not send me screaming into the abyss?”

Sliske’s fists were shaking now, erratic breathing struggling to be calmed. "To… to even think for a second that-"

The bolt whizzed passed the back of Sliske's head, a good foot away from the target.

Jahaan was just as startled as Sliske, seeing the bolt fly past him too. Only once he saw Guthan and Karil manhandle Ozan to the ground did he realise where the attack had originated. Unfortunately Ozan’s attempt at assassinating the Mahjarrat had failed, his normally perfect aim hindered by his lasting injuries. Nevertheless, Jahaan knew he had to try and make the spontaneous opportunity count. Surging forwards, he whisked the letter opener from his belt, hoping to make it to Sliske before the Mahjarrat realised what was happening.

It all seemed to go so well; Sliske’s interest was on Ozan, his back turned to Jahaan. Even as the man got closer to striking, Sliske didn’t even seem to register his motions.

Until he did.

Jahaan was so close, too close, when Sliske slipped out of the way, using Jahaan’s forward momentum to his disadvantage as he spun around, grabbed Jahaan’s wrist and snapped the blade from his hands, along with snapping the bone in the process. The sickening crunch confirmed as much before the pain even registered. Tossing his hand aside, Sliske then grabbed Jahaan by the throat, lifting him high into the air before launching him thirty, forty, fifty feet across the room. Jahaan crashed into the stone wall behind him with a shattering force, falling to the ground in a heap.

The lights cut out for Jahaan as soon as his head impacted the wall. Begrudgingly, he was pulled awake by Sliske dragging him to his knees by his hair, though at the rate his mind was spinning, he didn’t register the movement, nor the inherent pain that came with it.

It took a punch across his jaw that knocked out a tooth to force him back into focus.

Several more blows landed across his nose, chin and stomach. Sliske was punctuating each jab with words, but Jahaan couldn’t make a single one of them out, struggling to remain lucid among the beating. Until, that is, Sliske held Jahaan by the collar of his shirt and growled, “I told you, World Guardian… actions have consequences.”

Sliske targeted three more precise and fearsome strikes against Jahaan’s previously cracked ribs, easily reigniting the previous damage. Jahaan fell forwards, but Sliske caught him, sharply kneeing him in the stomach before slamming his head back into the wall. He held him there, watching Jahaan’s half-lidded, barely conscious eyes roll into the back of his head. Once he released his grip, Jahaan crumbled lifelessly to the ground.

Finally sated, Sliske walked away.

Idria, Ariane and Mary Rancour watched in horrified, aghast silence as Jahaan fell to the floor. Inside the grasp of the Barrows Brothers that were restraining them, the three were visibly shaking. Mary Rancour’s mouth hung agape, loosely trying to form a call, a cry, anything to try and rouse Jahaan, but it was for nought. In her line of work, she’d seen battle, bruises and brutality, but nothing so… malevolent. Ariane’s eyes darted between Jahaan and Ozan, the latter struggling fruitlessly in the hold of Guthan and Karil, screaming obscenities. His face was a dark shade of crimson, his eyes bloodshot and tone quickly becoming hoarse.

Gulping, Idria’s eyes were locked solely on Jahaan as she mumbled, “By Armadyl, is he still breathing?”

Her question was answered in the form of Jahaan slowly beginning to stir. He moved an arm first, then a leg, slowly regaining life into his limbs. All the while, his head was a pounding mess of screams and colours; with each throb, his vision blurred more and more. Clawing at the ground, he struggled to right himself, attempting to pull himself up to his knees. Instead, his limbs protested agonizingly, buckling under the weight and forcing him back down with a whimper. Roughly, his face scraped against the stone cold floor, his body convulsing as he coughed up blood.

Looking down upon Jahaan, Sliske’s eyes were empty of compassion. “So, you want honesty. Is that right, World Guardian?”

Through the ringing in his ears, Jahaan could barely string his own thoughts together, let alone decipher Sliske’s words. He was too busy trying to remember where he was, and why everything was hurting so damn much.

Sliske’s eyes practically burned with yellow fire, though the face housing them was deathly stoic. “Then here’s the truth for you: I didn’t want to say this, but your soul is damaged goods. It was shattered into a million pieces and barely put back together. You should be grateful that I’m even interested in it.”

Summoning the Staff of Armadyl to his hands, the shadows slithering around the room converged at Sliske’s feet. “But you’ve read my notes. You know why I am. If it’s any consolation, I have grown rather fond of you. I believe the bond we share is greater than that of friends, brothers, or even lovers. If I had to put a label on our relationship, I’d say we’re akin to soulmates.”

Letting out a hollow, mirthless ghost of a laugh, Sliske said, “A fitting term, wouldn’t you agree?”

Motioning towards Guthan and Karil, the two brothers brought Ozan closer to Sliske, forcing the young man to his knees as he groaned in protest, failing to shake off their grasp. Sauntering over, Sliske gazed down in cold amusement as Ozan glared daggers at him. Cupping the man’s chin, Sliske remarked, “A clever one, aren’t you? Yes, you’ll do quite nicely…”

Stepping back to the centre of the expanse, Sliske turned back to Jahaan, who was still curled over on the ground. The corners of his mouth upturned cruelly.

Loudly, so to break through the volcano storming inside Jahaan’s head, Sliske continued, “None of this had to happen, World Guardian. You chose to betray me. I was happy to sacrifice one of my kin for your cause. Had you kept up your end of the bargain, none of your friends would have had to suffer, I would have extracted your soul without such torture, and you could have spent eternity as a youthful wight. But plans have changed…”

Turning with a cruel sneer to Ozan, Sliske was all malice. “I no longer care for your presence, World Guardian. I’ll still have your soul, though. But one of the last things I want you to see before I send you ‘screaming into the abyss’, as you so poetically put it, is another wight to be added to my collection.”

“NO!” Ariane screamed, struggling desperately against the hold of Ahrim, but he easily outpowered her. “DON’T TOUCH HIM!”

But such an outburst only made Sliske laugh, a terrifying, haunting cackle that rattled inside Ariane’s chest. Ozan was wide-eyed and terrified, helpless against the weight of two brothers holding him down, their half-dead claws digging into the burns on his arms.

“S-Stop…”

The ridges of Sliske’s eyes lifted in perverse amusement. “What was that, World Guardian?”

Dragging himself to his knees, Jahaan coughed up another cocktail of bile and blood, trying to orient himself to being upright while the world spun around him. Blinking away the tears in his eyes still left light pulsing through his retinas in crude splotches. Everything was out of focus, Sliske included, but Jahaan managed to lock onto the tall silhouette. Fragments of his memory were returning at a snail’s pace.

“Stop…” Jahaan repeated, clutching his broken ribs, wincing through the pain. He was shivering violently, his head hung low, unable to lift it. “Please... stop…”

Lowering the Staff, Sliske slowly turned around and looked down at Jahaan with the satisfied glint of a predator who had cornered their prey. A stiff slash of a smile stretched across his face, warped like broken glass. “Well, isn’t this a sight to behold. The mighty World Guardian, Gielinor’s brave hero and Guthix’s chosen one… on his knees and begging.”

“You don’t need to hurt him,” Jahaan’s speech was slurred, blood dripping from the gaps in his knocked out teeth, but he managed to stop shivering enough to speak somewhat coherently. “You don’t need his soul. You need mine. I won’t fight anymore. You can make me a wight, you can kill me, I don’t care. Take my soul and let them leave. Please…”

Clenching his fist tightly around the Staff, Sliske’s low voice was ever so slightly wobbly as he said, “You know, Jahaan, I believed you the last time you said that. For all the chances you had to end me, you couldn’t, and I believed you truly didn’t want to see me gone. You accuse ME of only pretending to care, but perhaps you should examine yourself before throwing around such accusations.”

He turned away from Jahaan, a determined resolve acting as his mask. “It’s too late for us now, Jahaan. You’ve… hurt me. And now I’m going to return the favour.”

In the blink of an eye, Sliske reeled back the Staff, then thrust it forward and channeled a spell from it. Blue energy poured from the tip, striking Ozan’s chest. The heaviness of the energy pulled Ozan down like gravity; he felt like he was going to be dragged through the stone underneath him.

“NO!” Ariane cried out, watching in horror as Ozan writhed in pain, attached to Sliske’s beam. Idria and Mary Rancour were paralysed, transfixed by the sheer torturous power on display.

It could only be described as a miraculous bolt of adrenaline, but something gave Jahaan the strength to pull himself to his feet. He propelled towards the light with the desperation of an crazed animal. Everything was just blurs and colours and shapes, but Jahaan ran headfirst regardless, no plan in his mind except for ‘KILL’.

He didn’t make it far enough; while keeping the Staff and his grip on Ozan firm, Sliske shot a powerful bolt of shadow magic behind him. The spell collided with Jahaan at such force that he flew back to where he’d just crawled from, causing the world to go black.

When the beam from the Staff ceased, Ozan fell lifeless to the ground.

After a few beats of horrified, sickening silence, Ozan suddenly began to stir. Slowly, he came to his feet at an almost robot pace. Ariane only allowed herself a mere second of relief before she realised what was happening, and reality sunk in. Ozan marched over to Sliske’s side and turned around, staring through her with hollow, pupilless eyes.

Ariane knew she couldn’t let her emotions, her desperation, her grief control her in that moment. She needed to remain strong. She needed to keep calm and focus.

Ozan wouldn’t want her to break down, not now, when innocent lives were at stake.

They had to escape or this cavern would be their tomb.

Then, miraculously, an idea came to her. Using strength she didn’t know she had, she wrestled one hand free from Ahrim’s grip, disorienting the undead brother with her rapid movements. She reached out for the wand that he kept holstered at his hip, but could only brush the edge with her fingertips. The next thing she knew, she was on the ground, as was Ahrim.

“Ariane, NOW!” Idria shrieked. The Guardian of Armadyl had launched herself and the brother holding her into Ariane, causing all of them to topple to the floor. Fortunately for them, the downside of wights is that, without constant instruction, they were slow on the uptake. Thus, Ariane managed to throw herself towards Ahrim’s wand and snatch it up before she could be subdued.

Knowing she only had one chance, Ariane had to make this spell count. Taking aim at Sliske was far too risky. Instead, she aimed at the rocky ceiling above them and channeled the strongest spell she could. Upon impact, the cavern’s supports crumbled instantly. Rocks crashed to the ground, effectively creating a barricade between them and Sliske. But as she could still hear the Mahjarrat’s booming voice, she knew it wouldn’t be long at all before he broke through.

Now, they had to RUN.

Throughout all of this, Jahaan was slipping effortlessly in and out of consciousness.

So, he didn’t notice when Mary Rancour picked him up and slung him over her shoulder.

He also didn’t notice the four of them charging through the maze of tunnels, praying at every turn they’d find a rope or a ladder to ascend them to the surface.

He didn’t notice when the Barrows Brothers broke through the rocks and stormed after them, nor did he notice Ozan among their ranks.

He did, however, notice when they found a rope ladder leading up towards a trap door, as Mary Rancour accidentally dropped him trying to steady herself on the ladder.

With his head spinning like a throwing disk, he tried to blink the blurriness out of his eyes long enough to go, “W-Whereee am-?”

But the very next second, he was being hauled to his feet, his hands placed onto the ladder as he was furiously instructed to “CLIMB!”

Oh, he tried to protest - his body practically screamed with objection - but the sound of Idria’s pleadings, the sight of Ariane’s fearful eyes, and the way even Mary Rancour looked like she’d seen a ghost she was desperate to outrun triggered some residual survival instinct within Jahaan, and it allowed him to climb the ladder.

When all four made it out, Mary Rancour quickly found a sharp-edged rock to cut the rope ladder behind them, and her and Idria sealed off the trapdoor by heaving a large stone slab on top of it.

Doubled over on the ground with exhaustion, they fought for breath through rasping throats and manic-beating hearts. All except for Jahaan, who didn’t move at all.

“Oh gods,” Ariane leapt over to him. “He keeps slipping out of consciousness. We need to get him to a healer. NOW.”

DISCLAIMER:

As Of Gods and Men is a reimagining, retelling and reworking of the Sixth Age, a LOT of dialogue/characters/plotlines/etc. are pulled right from the game itself, and this belongs to Jagex.

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[car-karaoke]

Happy Birthday

This was a request from the lovely @ivarlcthbrok who had some great ideas!!

Warnings: S m u t, language, fuckton of fluff

Pairings: Alex H x Reader

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"Lan-za-rote?" You sounded out, squinting at the unfamiliar name on the card Alex had just given you. It was your birthday in a couple days, and you were beyond thankful that your boyfriend Alex's schedule allowed for him to take a week off with you. He had just arrived at your apartment with a huge bouquet of flowers and an adorable handwritten card that made you tear up when you read it. Your eyes were so blurry that Alex had to point out to you that you missed the last sentence on his card. There, in his perfectly messy handwriting said 'pack your things baby, we're going to Lanzarote'

You peeked up at Alex, who was biting his lip to hold back his enormous smile. "Did I say it right?" You questioned quietly. He simply replied with a nod of his head. You were overwhelmed beyond belief that you were finally able to spend alone time with him, let alone actually go somewhere new with him. But where the fuck is Lanzarote? You've never heard of it

"Babe, where is this place?" You wondered out loud. Alex's smile only grew wider until he couldn't hide it any more

(He smiles like this when you ask him where ^^)

"Spain" he mumbled, tucking his mouth into his hoodie sheepishly. He knew you'd freak out because you get super uncomfortable when people spend lots of money on you. Seeing your eyes widen and mouth start to open in protest he stopped you. "I got a really good deal on tickets baby!! I promise! Plus, I wanted to go there myself anyways, if you weren't in my life, I probably would've just taken a buddy along anyways"

You were still in shock at the fact that all of these wonderful things were happening to you. Things like that just didn't happen to you; you've always been weirdly unlucky. But ever since you met this incredible man in front of you, your life has never felt more complete. "Aleeex" you protested, sighing in defeat since you knew he had already bought the tickets. You leaned into his chest and curled your arms around him snugly. He beamed down at you and kissed the top top of your head. "How long are we staying there?" You asked shyly, voice muffled against his chest. You felt his little laugh vibrate through his chest

"7 days" he said happily, rubbing your back. "We're going to be staying in a private beach house" Your first instinct was to protest, knowing that kind of thing cannot have been cheap. But you knew he had the money and more importantly, he wanted to do it. For you. You get to spend a whole week in Spain with the love of your life. Reality hit you and you started to tear up again. You took a deep breath in and out and looked up at him

"I'm so excited hunny, truly. I cant even begin to thank you" you whispered, chin resting against his toned torso. He grinned down at you, using his thumbs to wipe away the tear that had spilled over

"I know baby, I know. I love you" he said as he tilted his head down to kiss you. You kissed him back right away, never able to resist those lips of his. All too soon however, he broke apart, giving your ass a light spank. "Now let's get packing sweet cheeks, we got a plane to catch!!"

~~arriving there the next day~~

"We're almost here" the cab driver announced as he turned down a private road. You and Alex were huddled together in the back seat like you had been the whole plane ride here, excitedly looking out the window. The driver pulled up to a gorgeous looking beach house and put the car in park. "Here you are guys, the place looks lovely!" The driver said happily

"Yeah it does, here you go! Thanks pal!" Alex handed the driver the money and opened the car door, walking over to your side to offer you his hand getting out. You got out of the cab and took a deep breath in, looking around in amazement

"God, this place is beautiful!" You sighed contentedly

"It really is! It's so warm!" Alex commented, hauling both your bags out of the trunk before closing it and walking with you to the front door. You held the door open for him and stepped inside after him. Alex let your bags fall to the floor as you both took in your surroundings. The place seemed much bigger in person, it was open and airy with an incredible view of the ocean. You walked over to the window in the kitchen, staring out at the beach in awe. Alex snaked his arms around you from behind, kissing your neck softly

"You know, that beach is private...we can do whatever we want on there" he teased, kissing up to your earlobe. You fought back a laugh as he hit a ticklish spot. The ache in you longed for him to take you on every surface here, but your head was so groggy that you had to push that thought away until later

"Mmm that's true" you replied, tilting your head to allow him a better angle. "But you said yourself you wanted to go see the city first. We can celebrate properly tonight" you added, rubbing your ass against his growing erection. He groaned audibly at your tease, biting your neck in retaliation. You tried to hold back your soft moan, but it slipped out. Alex laughed, backing up and kissing your cheek

"Alright you delicious thing, later" he chuckled. "Let's go check out the beach first!" He grabbed your hand and dragged you out the back door to your private backyard

"Holy....shit..." you gasped, taking in the beautiful scenery with wide eyes. Alex was just as entranced as you, staring at the nature like a kid in the candy store

"I can't fucking WAIT to take pictures of this..." he sighed. You smiled to yourself and turned your head to look at your incredible man. The incredible man who literally bought you a week long vacation in Spain....you wanted to say so much to him, but you couldn't think of words to match how you were feeling, so you just grabbed his hand instead. Alex looked down at you and squeezed your hand. "You like it baby?" He asked hopefully

"Like it???" You laughed incredulously, shaking your head in disbelief. "Alex, this is INSANELY beautiful. I...you didn't...thank you" you huffed, frustrated momentarily that you couldn't think of what to say. He just grinned down at you and kissed your forehead

"I wanted to do this Y/N. I promise I didn't spend that much. Lots of frequent flyer miles..." he joked, elbowing you in the side. You groaned softly, but smiled genuinely at him

"I love it. I love you" you tiptoed to kiss him, to which he responded by casually picking you up like you weigh less than a feather and wrapping your legs around him

"I love-you-too" he said in between kisses. "Wanna go check out the city? We can walk from here". You nodded happily and gathered your things to go exploring the city. Alex wrapped his camera around his neck and took a quick picture of the two of you on his phone, posting it to IG with a smile

"What's our caption hunny?" You asked lightly. He smiled and handed you his phone

Here's to a week in paradise with my love Y/N. She's an even better view than the ocean people, so I'm damn lucky 😍

God he was amazing. You walked hand in hand down the road to the little town, stopping every few minutes for Alex to take a picture of something. The town was full of cute little shops and you two finally decided to stop somewhere to eat. The restaurant had seating outside, which you guys gladly took advantage of

"Here you go guys" the waitress rang out cheerfully, setting down your plates and heading back inside. You both dug into your meals like ravenous beasts that hadn't eaten in days

"Holy crap hunny!" you choked out a laugh as Alex nearly finished half his plate already. "If I knew you were this hungry, I would've suggested eating before!!" You giggled. He just shrugged his shoulders and waved the thought away with his hand. You munched on your food happily and listened to the music playing in the background. You had no idea what the lady was saying, but it sounded so beautiful

https://youtu.be/LDfottS5UhY

Alex snuck out his camera and started taking pictures of the locals. Everyone seemed to be in a great mood, whether it was the impeccable weather or the lively music who knows, but every face you met greeted you with a warm smile. You noticed one of the locals who looked to be in her mid twenties in a group full of other women. They were all so stunningly beautiful and fashionably dressed. The one that caught your attention for whatever reason spun around, causing your confidence to plummet. She was one of the most beautiful people you had ever seen, and she was staring at Alex. She started whispering to her friends and then more heads turned to look. They must notice who he is...you thought to yourself. Alex was totally unaware of his new admirers, he was too caught up trying to get a perfect shot of a building. The group of women started walking up to your table and you were suddenly grateful you were wearing dark sunglasses, because you were shooting daggers at them. The one you had been eyeballing reached to her boobs and squeezed them up in her bra so that they were pretty much exploding out of her shirt. She was wearing a very smug smile as she reached your table

"Uhm, excuse me?" She asked in a fakely-high voice. You stared at her with a blank face and Alex reluctantly put his camera down to look at them for the first time. He looked confusedly at them, looking over his shoulder to see if they were talking to someone else. "You're Alex Høgh Anderson, right?" She pressed on. Alex cleared his throat and nodded in response. The girl beamed down at him, pulling out her cell phone. "Do you mind taking a picture with us??" She asked as she noticeably crossed her arms over her chest to push her boobs up even higher. You chewed the inside of your cheek in annoyance. He always says yes to fans, and you totally understand that, but sometimes you wish you could just punch them in the face

"Uhm..yeah sure. No problem" he half smiled before getting up and leaning over the table to kiss you right in front of them. You saw her face drop in disappointment and you had to hold back a laugh. "Be right back baby" Alex called to you as he walked over to where they requested the picture. You watched in pure adoration as he took the picture and waved goodbye at them then jogged back to your table. "Whew god that chick had so much makeup on, I thought the sun was going to melt it off like a crayon!" He shook his head in disbelief. "I'm pretty sure she was trying to make her tits look bigger than they were too" he added. You snorted and nodded in agreement

After you were done at the restaurant, you returned home and changed into your bathing suits to go take advantage of having your own private beach. You had confidently packed a bikini, but after seeing how beautiful and fit most of the women you saw today were, you were second guessing your warbrode choices. But it was either that or go nude, so you nervously put on the thin fabric. Looking yourself over in the mirror, you didnt hate the way you looked, but there were definitely areas you liked less than others. Pushing your negative thoughts to the side, you stepped out and made your way to the backyard. Alex was laying out some towels on the sunny deck to sunbathe. He looked fucking delicious in his swim shorts, bending over to arrange the towels and giving you the perfect view of his ass. You opened the door and slowly walked up to him, one arm draped around your torso. Alex looked up at you and his eyes nearly bulged out of his head

"God damn baby..." he marveled, eyeing you up and down with hungry eyes. You laughed lightly and shoved his shoulder playfully. "I uh....I really like your new bikini..." he chuckled, handing you a cocktail he had made

"You're not looking bad yourself my love" you smiled, taking a sip of the fruity beverage before laying down on your back and feeling the sun immediately absorb into your skin. Alex smirked at you and grabbed the bottle of sun lotion behind him

"I grabbed spf 40 because I know you burn like a stop sign baby" he joked, opening the cap and squirting some on his hand to warm it up

"Soo sexyyyy" you mumbled unenthusiasticly with your eyes closed, making him laugh. He had both hands full of lotion and he slowly and gently started rubbing your soft stomach. Your breath hitched in your throat, you weren't expecting him to lotion you. He massaged all over your torso, down by your hips, your thighs, making sure to get the top of your feet before rubbing them too. It felt like absolute heaven having him man handle your body in this way, so lovingly and tender. All you could do the whole time was mumble about how good it felt. He finally finished rubbing the lotion in and quickly got himself before joining you on the towels. After awhile, you switched and tanned your backside together, listening to some music in the background. By the time you were a few shades darker, it was sunset. And boy oh boy did you have a view

You watched in awe as the sky changed colors, completely mesmerized by the beauty nature was creating. Little did you know, Alex found you even more beautiful and couldn't resist taking a few pictures of you and your reaction to the sky. He clicked once, twice, three times until he gasped. You spun around, wondering what happened. He was staring at his camera with his mouth open. He looked....emotional? Not suprised, not scared...something like pride? "Alex baby, what's wrong? What is it?" You asked, walking towards him

He simply turned his camera around for you to see. You stepped closer only to see a gorgeous woman and a breathtaking sunset all working together with the wind to create some sort of masterpiece. It took you another minute to realize the woman in the picture was you. He captured you at the exact right moment to make you feel the most confident about yourself that you ever had. "Oh my god....that's....that's so fucking pretty Alex...." you whispered, leaning your head against his arm

"That's you Y/N. That's all you. That's how I see you every day..." he murmured, resting his head on top of yours happily. You were so overcome with emotion that you couldn't help but cry, burying your face in his shoulder. He immediately set his camera down and wrapped his arms around you tightly, quietly sshhhing you and trying not to cry himself. You were so precious to him. He knew about your insecurities, he loved you even more because of them. But because of him, you were finally able to see yourself for what you were to him: the most beautiful person in the world. Immense pride filled his heart as he held you

"You're so fucking beautiful Y/N, you really are. I'm so lucky I have you" he whispered to you while you both just held on for dear life and rocked back and forth

"I love you Alex. So damn much" you sniffled, wiping your eyes on your wrist and taking a deep breath. He took one with you and grabbed both of your hands

"I love you too Y/N" he smiled before glancing over at the crashing waves and biting his lip. "Come with me" he said suddenly, grabbing your hand and walking along the hot sand to the water. He guided you slowly into the water, which was pleasantly warm despite the time of year. You got about hips deep before he stopped and pulled you into him, guiding you onto his lap

You both ducked underwater and looked around the crystal clear blue before he grabbed you and pulled you into him again, pushing up off the bottom of the shallow ocean to come back up for air. You broke the surface laughing hysterically because his hair was all in his face and you had to wipe it away for him to see. He laughed heartily at you and looked up at the sky

"Gettin dark, the sun's almost gone" he pointed out. You looked around to see he was right. You had neighbors on both sides, but there was enough shrubbery separating the lots that you couldn't get a clear view. You heard lots of people chattering about how they were going to be headed in since it was getting dark. You weren't really sure what Alex had planned, if anything, for tonight

"Do you want to head inside?" You questioned him, still straddling his lap

"No" he said casually, giving your ass a squeeze. "I want to stay out here and make love to you under the stars". You blushed, glancing around to see if your neighbors may have heard

"What about them?" You whispered, half excited half nervous as you gestured to your neighbors

"Eh, who cares? I doubt they can see but if they can, of well" he shrugged. You swallowed hard, weighing the possibility of getting caught. You did want him. Bad. Screw it, you thought to yourself as you leaned in and started kissing his neck. Alex responded immediately, exhaling roughly as he tilted his head and pulled your center closer to his. You went to town on his neck, kissing your way down his jawline to his shoulder while his hands sneakily wove around you and untied your bikini top with one pull. You bit his shoulder lightly as he did that, grinding forward into him teasingly. Alex hissed and leaned back, letting your top slowly drift off into the water revealing your bare chest to him. He eyed it hungrily and tossed the top to shore so it wouldn't float away. He kissed his way down the valley of your beasts before kneading them with both hands and sucking one nipple into his mouth

"Fuck" you moaned, tangling your hand into his wet hair. Alex smirked with his mouth full, letting his other hand slide down your body to your remaining article of clothing. Too impatient to wait for him, you shimmied out of them immediately, throwing them to the shore as well, which made him chuckle before switching breasts and taking the other nipple in his mouth. Your hands found their way to his shorts and you managed to slide them down without interrupting his glorious attack on your chest. Tossing his shorts by your bikini, you grabbed his free cock in your hands and started rubbing it

"Oh gods" Alex growled, sounding exactly like Ivar in that moment and making you even wetter. He grabbed your face with his hand forcefully but without hurting you, causing you to look him directly in the eyes. "I love you so much woman" he panted before plunging his tongue inside your mouth. Your tongues battled for dominance for a few minutes while you both groped one another until you finally gave in and let him win. He rolled his tongue over yours and moaned deep in the back of your throat. You tightened your legs around his hips and rolled yourself forward, wanting to be inside of him desperately. He took the hint and started walking to the shore, naked as all hell and not giving a damn

"I need--to be inside--of you--right--now" he moaned in between kisses as he walked your naked bodies up to the house. You barely made it inside before Alex propped you up on the counter and lined himself up with your entrance. You were so caught up in the moment that you didnt even realize where you were, not that it mattered to you one bit as long as you could get him inside you. "You ready for me baby?" He questioned as his chest was heaving with excitement. You nodded quickly, grabbing onto his upper arms as his muscles flexed. He slowly pushed himself inside of you in one stroke, filling you to the tilt. You'll never get used to the absolute satisfaction that comes along with being intimate with him. Your bodies really became one, working together to see who will come undone first. It's almost always you. "You feel soooo fucking good Alex" you breathed

"Mmm you too baby girl, you too" he groaned, eyes closed as he held himself back from just cuming right there. "So fucking tight for me". You whimpered in response, arching your back as he pulled almost all the way out of you and slid back in with ease. He picked up his pace, unrelenting as he slammed into you again and again and again. Your hand tightened its grip on his arm as the other pulled on his hair, merely prompting him to go harder. You could already tell you were close, and so could he. He started mumbling out compliment after compliment as he pounded into you. You take me so well baby, fuck you're amazing, look at you oh my fucking god yes. His words faded away and all that filled the room for 30 seconds was both of your breathy moans and the sound of wet skin slapping together. The noise along with the sensations sent you careening over the edge, your whole body clenching around him as you came. The feeling and sight of your orgasm flung Alex into his as he shakily let go inside of you, his thrusts spasming into a slower rhythm before stopping completely. You both stayed there, a panting mess, while the soft ticking of the clock on the wall reminded you that you were on Earth. You lazily unwrapped your legs from around his waist as he pulled out of you

"God damn, that was....that was incredible" Alex said as enthusiastically as he could, looking high as a kite from the amazing sex. "Here, come here baby, let me help you down" he offered you his hand

"I'm not going to be able to walk tomorrow" you sighed groggily as you both laughed

"Hey, that means I did my job right" Alex joked, taking your hand and leading you to the bedroom. The bedroom was gorgeous too, with a view of the ocean as well. Alex dramatically collapsed onto the bed face first. You giggled and walked over to the window to open it, letting in the warm salty air before heading to the bathroom to wipe yourself up. You grabbed one for him too, tossing it over at him on the bed

"Heads up" you called as it flung through the air. Alex lifted his head just in time for the damp towel to hit him right in the face

"Oof!" Alex puffed and rolled onto his back to clean himself up too. "Baaaaaaaabe" he called out lazily. You were just putting your hair in a messy bun as he called you

"Yes love?" You called back

"Come to bed!" He responded. You laughed lightly and walked back to the bed, climbing in next to your man. You assumed your usual cuddle position and curled up as close as you could to him. He kissed your cheek, nose, and forehead lovingly before kissing your lips. "We've got 6 more days of this" he pointed out, smirking in the dark bedroom

"Mmm" you hummed sleepily. "If it was anything like this day, it will be fucking phenomenal" you yawned. Alex hummed in return

"Oh. One more thing before you fall asleep, since it's after midnight" Alex piped up, rubbing your back softly. You grinned against his skin, knowing what he was going to say. You hummed in response

"Happy birthday Y/N" his voice echoed through your head as you drifted off to sleep

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tagging people who may be interested!!

@ivarlcthbrok @ivarthebonelessvk @ivaraddict @ivarslittlebadgirl @ivarsshieldmadien @alexhoeghandersenswife @tephi101 @dangerousvikings @odinsravendutchess @therealcalicali @grungyblonde @laketaj24 @thevikingsheaux @forvalhallaandodin @headedforvalhalla @vikingsbifrost @vikingdrabbles @nikky-the-writer

[madrut16]

Day 16: Flying High

A/N: Another new pairing and MC to debut! I've been brainstorming the backstory and qualities of Zelenia (my Nightbound MC) and I’m still figuring out exactly what I want her to be like. My warm-up to Nik and hers by default as been kind of slow too because I didn’t do many of the diamond scenes in the beginning but, I kind of like the slow burn it created and now I love them so enjoy. If you want to be easily notified when I write for Nik x MC, you know the drill, let me know under this fic and I will add you to the list!

Also, kind of related, I’ve been brainstorming in my head the plot for a potential crossover fic series with Bloodbound where they have to team up to defeat the order and save mankind and creature kind. It’s still a very casual idea for now bc I tend to have them and for many not to stick but, if people want it and I have enough inspiration when I do try to write it, I’ll make sure that I actually follow through for once. 

Day 16: Uncertainty for @choicesjulychallenge by @kinda-iconic 

(sorry these are so late, life and changing my mind are to blame)

Book/Pairing: Nightbound (Nik x MC)

Rating: PG

Summary: Zelenia gets Nik to conquer one of his biggest fears when shares her favorite hobby with him. 

"Rookie, no."

Zelenia had never seen Nik so frightened before. She remembered his uneasiness of heights when they were in Lamrian but, she didn't think it was this bad.

That is until he confessed during a drunken game of Two Truth's and a Lie with their friends that he'd never been on an airplane before. The idea of being strapped into something that has meant the death of many unnerved him. From that moment, Zelenia, whose reaction to flying was the exact opposite, resolved that this was something she had to fix.

Seeing him slowly coming out of his skin behind her, a teasing smile graced her lips.

"Oh come on Nik, this will be fun. The pilot is very experienced," she commented knowingly giving his shoulder a light squeeze.

He shook his head adamantly at her, eyes full moon wide. "Zelenia no. You know all about why I haven't flown before." He strained to make sure the word fear or it's synonym didn't come out.

She placed her hands on her hips. "That's exactly why you should do it, Nik. Facing your fears is a good thing! And you're completely safe. I wouldn't insist on doing this if I didn't think so." He folded his arms, still not quite ready to budge. With a sigh, she pulled her lips down in a dramatic fake pout. "Please. You trust me, don't you?"

He rolled his eyes at her extreme gesture but she didn't back down. Finally, he let out a defeated groan. "Ugh, fine. But only cause I'm tired of Katy giving me crap about it."

A giant smile that was stunningly real grew on her face and she grabbed onto him excitedly. "I knew I'd be able to coax you into it. Now, follow me. The plane should be over here somewhere."

Before he could answer, she took off down the tarmac of the small airport, leaving him struggling to catch up. They finally stopped in front of a white and blue Cessna that looked like it could seat maybe four people at most.

Zelenia's eyes lit up and she breathed in happily. "It's just like I left it. I was worried that it would get damaged in the transport but, there’s not even a paint chip."

His roaming gaze took in the scene in confusion. "Wait, where's the pilot?"

A snicker escaped her lips, amused that he hadn't figured it out yet. "Nik, you're looking at her."

"You?" He gaped at her in disbelief.

She nodded. "I have the license and everything. My mother finally transported this baby from Wyoming and it arrived a few days ago. I know it's small but, it's surprisingly comfy."

She climbed up into the cockpit in less than a minute and looked back at him with a grin. "You joining me or are you just gonna keep looking at me like that?"

This broke Nik out of his fear laced trance. "Oh, sorry. Just trying to keep from having a damn heart attack. How long have you been doing this exactly?"

Zelenia shrugged as she helped him inside and he begrudgingly strapped himself into one of the seats. "Since I was 17. As soon as I was old enough I started flying lessons and got a private license. And then starting the second year of my bachelor’s I received even more training. You’re in good hands Nik, I promise.”

She used the words carefully, that recent part of her past a mix of emotions tainted by the last year of it and she was just starting to feel okay. Still, it was something she wasn’t quite ready to discuss yet. 

Shaking the memories from her mind, she closed the plane doors and fastened herself in before going through all of the pre-flight procedures. When she was finished, she turned to Nik who was visibly trembling, his eyes darting everywhere in the small space. 

“Ready?” she asked, getting permission from Air Traffic Control to start the engines.

He responded with a grumble, trying to cover up the anxiety he felt. “Ready as I’ll ever be.”

Taking that as a yes, she deftly wheeled the Cessna down the tarmac and onto the correct runway. Once she got the all-clear, the plane rapidly picked up speed causing Nik behind her to grip the seat tightly. After a couple of minutes, the plane lifted off the ground. 

Nik continued to have a death grip on the seat back as his stomach climbed into his throat. “Holy Jesus!”

“Sorry, you get used to that eventually,” Zelenia said sheepishly while keeping her concentration on the controls.

No other words were exchanged as she continued to keep the plane steady the aircraft as it climbed higher in the sky. Eventually, they reached cruising altitude and she finally flattened it out. 

“How are you doing back there?” she asked after a beat, having to shout over the noise from the engine and propellers. 

“Well, I can still hear my heart beating out of my chest like a jackhammer,” he replied. But...”

Zelenia raised a hopeful eyebrow. “But...”

Nik let out a long sigh and his lips ever so slightly began to tilt upwards. “This actually isn’t that bad. I could get used to this.” He visibly began to relax too, his personality slowly coming back up to the surface. 

A victorious grin spread on her face. “Yes! I told you, Ryder. You should really listen to me more often you know. I tend to have amazing ideas.”

He responded with a scoff. “Um, that’s debatable, you have a track record of doing some idiotic things. Punching a ghost?”

“Hey, it worked didn’t it?” she countered. “At least the second time anyway.”  

Nik raised his eyebrows doubtfully. “Still not standard technique Rookie. But, we can agree to disagree on that,” he said before his gaze wandered to the scenery below. “Now this is a sweet view.”

“I know right? You can see everything from up here,” she agreed. 

The bird’s eye perspective they had was simply breathtaking, the image of the emerald green bayou intersecting with lines of shimmering blue. 

This state of tranquility was interrupted when Nik posed a question. “So, let me get this straight, you own this?”

“I do,” Zelenia confirmed. “She was given to me as a high school graduation present from my grandparents. My mom finally sent it from the house in Wyoming a couple of weeks ago and it arrived Monday.”

“She? Got a name for it too?” A throaty laugh erupted from his lips. 

Looking back at him for a split second, she scowled at him before returning her attention to the front. “You say that like it’s a bad thing. And yes, her name is Amelia.”

“Of course it is.”

Zelenia immediately exclaimed, “Hey, she is an icon! It’s because of women like her and Bessy Coleman that I can do this.”

“I know who Amelia Earheart is Zelenia,” he quipped. “Just because I was homeschooled by Elijah doesn’t mean I’m dumb.”

“Didn’t say you were,” she stated. 

After a minute, he suddenly became a touch more serious. “Well, thanks for dragging me out here Rookie. You were right, this was...surprisingly fun. I mean, I’m definitely not cured yet but, I wouldn’t say no to doing this again.”

Her smile returned. “No problem Nik. It’s actually a new experience for me too actually.”

“Hmm? How come?”

She shrugged, biting her lip as her thoughts turned inward like they typically did. “I almost always do this alone, up here, it’s kind of like my little refuge. Ever since I could do so, I’ve used this to escape from the pressure of people, the world. It’s the first place I felt like I belonged and getting my license was the first time, maybe even the only time my mother actually expressed that she was proud of me for something.”

“Zelenia...”

She shook her head. “That’s a topic for another day. My point is, sharing this with someone, with you. It...it means a lot.”

“Glad to know I’m not alone in this.”

Then, a mischevious smirk grew on her face. “Does this mean that I’ll get to show off my stunts someday?”

He shot that down in an instant. “Nope, not a chance Rookie.”

She stuck her tongue out at him. “Fine, Ryder. You can just watch from on the ground then.”

She sighed blissfully, truly carefree for the first time in ages as they continued to get lost in their own little world up in the sky.