#She keeps on trusting them and they keep on betraying

[lakeofbutterflies]

No because before starting the show I always figured it was like Merthur or something in the way that like. It was clear but more subtext? But NO???? It’s just there???? (I’m only in s9 fyi)

The way they ALWAYS look at each other? Cas rebelling for Dean within one season? Dean keeping the trenchcoat in s7 when he thinks Cas is dead? Dean repressing the memory of Cas choosing to stay in Purgatory? Cas fighting Naomi when she tells him to kill Dean????

Dean ‘I never trust anyone or ask for help but I’ll pray to this one angel when I need something’ Winchester giving his trust to Cas so much that in s6 he refuses to believe Cas could’ve betrayed them??

Dean and Cas mirror each other so well it’s not even in the script it’s in the story itself. Dean doesn’t say ‘I love you’, he asks for help and shows he trusts someone enough to do so. Cas wants to be needed, shows his loyalty to everything around him by trying to help and coming when Dean calls like all his usefulness resides in how he can help and Dean trusts him enough to ask for it (sometimes). Not to mention one of the FIRST things Cas does is clock the fact that Dean doesn’t think he’s worth saving, and then all Cas does is try to save him.

Like do the showrunners KNOW what they did or are they just seriously blind?? Anyway that’s my rant for the day I’m having such a fun time with this show.

I love opening tumblr everyday to find another post from someone watching spn for the first time & realizing destiel is actually THAT homoromantic from the start

[bwat5-blog]

Why Didn't We See Cait Tell Vi About Jinx?

**Spoilers For Arcane***

There has been a tremendous amount of conversation regarding Jinx's fate in the end of the show. I think by now, most of us seem to agree she is alive. There is a significant amount of evidence. But one of the conversations I have enjoyed reading different takes on, is did Caitlyn tell Vi her suspicions? should she? and why didn't we see one way or the other? This will be fairly short compared to my usual work, I just wanted to delve into these questions, offer my thoughts, and hopefully get some good discussion out of it!

THE EVIDENCE: (In no particular order)

The Shimmer streak right as the explosion occurs

I have seen some argue that it's simply the purple inside the bomb. This is possible of course but it seems extremely directed.

2. Caitlyn's investigations

When it is all said and done, we have a quiet moment with Caitlyn investigating the cooling/vent system of the tower where Jinx died, as well has holding the mostly intact head of her monkey bomb. the implication here is quite clear. But of course it is not definitive. They are only telling us she reason to be thinking about Jinx being alive.

3. Full Circle

The second shot is the last one of the show.. if we didn't have the first shot to fall back to it would feel quite random but if you think back to that, it seems quite clear what they are implying. Additionally although I don't have a good way to share it here, the score in this moment is variation on "Dear friend across the river" which we hear Powder singing to open the whole show.

4. Glitched The End

That is the very last shot we are given and the animation is very in line with the glitch style of Jinx we have come to know so well.

5. Arcane Afterglow For Act 3

Skip to 1:19 if that is all you are here for

________________________________________________

There are others for sure. I saw someone in the community post some pages from the artbook showing things like "i'm still here" I believe it was. And I know there have been other interviews and such. This is just what I am personally aware of. And while of course I am just a regular fan and I don't know any better than any of you, this is all enough for me to feel confidant saying she's alive. I am of a similar opinion to many I have seen. I do not think Caitlyn had told Vi by the end of what we saw, but I think it's because she herself is not 100% sure yet.

Why isn't she sure?

Well even using the evidence I listed, only one out of those five points is something Caitlyn would be aware of. Now I do think she is probably fairly confidant, as the implication of her investigating at all was very clear. But keeping in mind that she knows how badly Vi wanted to save Jinx, and the enormity of the guilt Vi must feel given that Jinx had to save her (Vi was legitimately having a dissociative episode born of her PTSD and there was nothing she could do. Don't start with me Anti-Vi'ers), I think Caitlyn would be very careful to not give Vi false hope.

Would Caitlyn Even Tell Vi and Risk Her leaving?

I think so. And my reasoning is that she has done it before. When she paved the way for Vi to free Jinx, there was every possibility the sisters would vanish into the night and Caitlyn would never see them again. With that in mind, and their dynamic in general with Caitlyn probably feeling she has a tremendous amount of trust to keep rebuilding between them, I seriously doubt she would risk hiding something so large from Vi if she felt confidant Jinx was alive. Jinx wanted Vi to live free of their past and find her happiness. I think Caitlyn would honor giving Vi the choice and hope for the best. Especially taking into account the whole dynamic around Caitlyn showing Vi how much she loves and respects not only her, but her heart. She cherishes the heart that drives Vi to protect those she loves. I don't see Caitlyn betraying that by trying to control her.

Is it better for Vi to know?

This one is tough. On the one hand, we have to factor all the things we already discussed in. We know Vi wanted them to be together. We know she is probably torturing herself over her sister's perceived death. But, we also have to consider the other side. Because by the end the Sisters are family again. So why would Jinx leave and not tell Vi the truth?:

Jinx herself will never know peace in Piltover or Zaun (at least as things are now). I'm not doing a whole thing here, but in Zaun they all want her to be their symbol. And in Piltover, regardless of her heroism or the reason she did what she did, there will always be stares and whispers for her crimes. Not to mention the whole process of whatever resolving the issues of her crimes would mean in the first place. It would not only be trouble for her, but probably for Vi and Caitlyn as well. She gave Vi permission to move forward with her life, and we saw Vi take it which is a reason to be hopeful. But if I were Jinx, and I had decided to leave, I would be very aware of the possibility that Vi would feel honor bound to leave the love she had found, and turn her back on the peace Jinx tried to convince her she deserves. Because while Vi is full to the brim with wonderful qualities, her journey to believing her own self-worth is still very new. And I think Jinx wisely would be worried Vi could not let her go alone. Just as Vi has to start finding herself free of their past, Jinx needs the same. It's not that she doesn't love Vi. I think she has made it EXTREMELY CLEAR that she does. But in terms of her mental state and her arc, I think she has resolved the conflict between the shattered ghost of Powder, and Silco's terrorist daughter. she IS JINX. She is no longer A JINX. And I think to find out what that means, she has to step away from the shadows of her past and start completely over. Just as Vi has to start finding out who she is without the crushing guilt and pain of their childhood. Listen yall, I know I can be quite harsh on Jinx especially because Vi is my favorite. But let me bring you back to something I first realized in my deep-dive on the sisters relationship.

Vi is a courageous, loving, and loyal sister who would fist fight the devil himself with one hand tied behind her back for her loved ones. But she is still only a person. And as always, the brilliantly heart wrenching writing of this show tells us exactly how Jinx feels about her older sister in the opening of the show, and proves it again at the end:

Even when they were little girls on that bridge, Vi walked tall, trying to shield Powder from the horror around them. But when it became too much, when the horror, and the pain, and the loss overwhelmed her, Powder threw her small body over her big sister trying with everything in her to be that shield for Vi.... Just as she would the next time Violet needed her...

I am firmly and completely convinced she would not leave Vi like that unless she truly felt it was the right thing for both of them. She has come to far and been through too much. Agree or disagree, I think she is doing her best to be that sister Vi deserves once more. Even if its painful.

What I Hope:

My hope, is that Caitlyn shares her information with Violet when she feels she has enough to not devastate her beloved with false hope. And that hearing that, Vi will choose to honor her sister's decision, as well as see the truth that she herself deserves love, and peace, and safety, and be at peace. My hope is that in the end, Vi can see Jinx's decision was not one of neglect, or abandonment, or crisis. But just as Vi had always tried so hard to be Jinx needed, in that moment Jinx saw what they both needed, and made the hard call, to give them both the chance the world tried to steal from them.

Thank you all for reading. I know I have been a tad feisty lately and I wanted to get back to talking about what I love about this show! These characters and this story connect with us all on such deep levels because of their humanity. Their flaws, their strengths, the moments they succeed and the moments they fall short. Ultimately, we can't know if Violet will do the right thing if and when she finds out. But she and Caitlyn give me hope. I hope this has done the same for you.

Never stop standing for the stories that matter. See yall next time!

[little-miss-fandom-freak]

could you do Dr phosphorus x former justice league member reader who feels betrayed by them simply because they were falsely accused without hearing them out

Oooooo LOVE IT

Dr. Phosphorus X Former Hero!Reader

You found yourself resting on the one if the many balconies looking over the palace grounds. The sun casted a beautiful array of warm colors as it began to set; your team was below, drinking and partying with the guards of the palace. It was almost sweet seeing them all enjoy themselves, it almost reminded you of your old team...

You were snapped out of your depressive thoughts at the sound of light footsteps behind you.

"Not a fan of the festivities, babe?" The gravelly voice spoke behind you. You could feel Phosphorus' heat radiate off of him as he sat down beside you.

You shrugged as you picked at the chipping paint of the balcony railing. "I've got a lot on my mind..."

Phosphorus pulled a metal flask from his coat pocket and handed to you. "Care to share with the group?"

You smiled softly as you took the flask; the heat from his hands burned the metal, but didn't bother you in the slightest. You took a small sip as you debating on what to say.

With a sigh, you handed back the flask before you spoke. "I was just... thinking about my old team."

"The Justice League?" You nodded, your gaze turning to the team below. Phosphorus took note of your gaze before he chugged some of the alcohol. "It's funny, we've been together almost as long as you've been in Belle Reve, and you've never said what really went down that day."

"You never asked." You shot back.

He chuckled. "Guess I didn't... Do you want to talk about it?"

You closed your eyes, trying hard not to lose control at the memories. "We were on a mission in France... some terrorist group tried to blow up the Eiffel Tower. We stopped them, of course, but when I was trying to save a group of citizens I... I dropped one..." Tears threatened to spill from you eyes as you held back your sobs. "She was just a kid and-and I tried to save her but I... I didn't make it..."

Phosphorus was silent, letting you have your moment of peace. You sniffed as you tried to clear up your tears. "According to eye witnesses, I purposely dropped her. The jury didn't believe me, the judge didn't believe me, hell, even my own team didn't try to believe me. So here I am."

Phosphorus clenched his fist as he tried to keep calm. "But it was a mistake, why didn’t your team defend you?"

You let out a pitiful laugh. "When half the world is already against heroes, they'll do anything to see us behind bars. The Justice League couldn't handle any more controversy, so it was just easier to put me away than fight for my freedom. I don't really blame them-"

"Well I do!" He exclaimed, startling you. "Look if that League of Ass-Clowns can't defend one of their own, then some team they are. You'd never see anyone in this team not defending one of our own. What a bunch of bitches..." He sighed as he held your hand and pulled you twords him. "You shouldn't even be here. You didn't deserve it. We're all scum, we're monsters. But you... you're innocent."

You shook your head. "It was just fate."

Phosphorus rolled his metaphorical eyes as he groaned. "There you go with that fate bullshit again."

You chuckled. "What? I've had literal gods and aliens on my team. At this point, fate is all I can trust." You gently rested your head on his clothed shoulder, looking out at the sunset. "And I wouldn't have it any other way."

"Why?" He asked softly. "You could be free right now, living a normal life. Instead you're stuck here, with us freaks."

"It's because of you "freaks". I wouldn't have met you if I hadn't ended up in here."

Phosperpus took in your words, letting them sink in as wondered how lucky he was. Not only did he find love again, but it was with someone who looked past the green flames and saw the man beneath. You never saw him as a monster, only a man.

He placed a small "kiss" on your head and leaned his head against your own. The two of watched as the sun slowly casted a shadow over the land.

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

I hope you enjoyed this and if you have anything you would like me to personally respond to, message me or put it in my ask box because as of right now, Tumblr won't let me respond to comments :)

[tubbytarchia]

apologies if you've already expressed them before, but any thoughts about mounders from secret life? (including joel ofc)

Love them. so dearly. Pearl being surrounded by people who support her and don't treat her like a ticking time bomb who's gonna morph into that DL image of an ostracized witch again any second and be a burden (coughs.) is exactly what she needs. BigB in Limited Life was similarly good to her but aughhh Mounders were really sweet

Arguably the most notable aspect of the Mounders is Pearl's desire for Bdubs to secure a win. She expresses wanting one of them to win and outlive her on multiple occasions, but Bdubs is the one she singles out, not unlike Impulse in WL, except she clinged to Impulse as the one member of her team that didn't make quips and remarks about her being untrustworthy but didn't show any genuine connection or desire for one otherwise (reflected in how she tended to not spend a lot of time with him one-on-one and that of those times the subject matter most often circled back around to him hopefully winning, always framed like a secondary goal for Pearl aside from the one she was trying to achieve with Gem), in the end clinging less to Impulse than she clung to the idea of someone winning as per her wish and help. With the Mounders and especially Bdubs, it was much more based in connection and less so in Pearl seeking direction - something to achieve that she could feel good about. She cared about Bdubs and Bdubs greatly cared about her too (There's this one scene where he goes "Your cloak is turning red, Pearl, careful..." in a very concerned dad way and it makes me feel things), and he did want to win for her sake although he was clearly uncertain and dancing around the idea on at least one occasion. It's genuinely very heartwarming to see him want to do well because Pearl believed in him, helped by the continuously enforced (and not surface-level) trust between them

Which, of course, applies to the rest of the Mounders too. I never and I mean never stop thinking about that scene where Pearl is ready to flee from Joel for his ability to guess her very obvious task, only for him to intentionally guess it incorrectly and Bdubs following suit. Earlier in that session too, Scott told both Joel and Bdubs what pearl's task is so they could guess it, which Joel vaguely brushed off but Bdubs was vocal about not betraying Pearl. Likewise Pearl doesn't snitch on Joel when she clearly knows his task to backseat game her. Mumbo... did try to hurt/kill them for his red tasks so. lol. But he's a sweetie. There were still cute moments where he was looking out for the others even if he became kind of a desperate wet bag on his red life. Mounder for life.

Joel and Bdubs also are very cute just between them two. Bdubs accidentally made Joel succeed Grian's task once and I think he keeps trying to make up for it because later he's just snitching to Joel nonstop about all the intel he has so that Joel could try and guess people's tasks. Except for Etho's of course. Something about Joel digging underground calling Bdubs his favorite snitch as he yaps away above ground. He also praises Joel whilst he's digging as if it's his task to do so. And also at the start of one session, Joel is low on hearts and Bdubs is persuaded to give him his, saying "you deserve it". Then he lies to Etho that Joel was so intimidating and scary and forced him. Then he lies to Impulse that Joel was pathetic and begging for it.??? Something wrong about him. That guy is hashtag not normal about Joel. The way they went out was really saddening (and maddening) to me but it was one final cute moment if even a very bittersweet one when Joel accidentally shot Bdubs, Bdubs tells himself to eat his golden apple, which reminds Joel to eat his right before Bdubs dies, followed by Joel. Scott taunting Joel about killing Bdubs makes me go GRGGGGRAHHHHHHH and of course Scott would do anything to fuck with Joel GGRAAHHHHHHHGGGG sorry. And it makes sense, they were teammates, but still important to me that Joel cares that much to begin with, especially in the context of being within his first stable allyship outside of his soulbind in DL

Joel in general being in a proper alliance was really nice to see. Like idk when I was first watching SL I lowkey expected him to be missing from the question ritual at least once but no <3 he was always there <3 The questions they did for each session in general was so cute. It's so much like, following the text-book example on how to bond, and then they all flee as soon as they get their questions for the first several sessions with very vague confirmation that they can turn to one another as needed. But they did bond!! Even Bdubs with how god awful abnormal he is about Etho, which I already went into depths about but it's so important to me. Genuinely such an awesome dynamic... Also I love that when Joel had to make a cult, he kept just recruiting the Mounders into it even after finishing that task

[onebadassunicorn]

Can’t Help Wanting You

pairing: Cassian x Reader

content warnings: pining, war, injuries, blood, angst, LOTSSS OF GLORIOUS SMUT (18+), mating frenzy

word count: 11.6k

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Taglist: @motheroffae @annamariereads16 @tele86

Image owned by Shauna the Author.

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Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

********************

Chapter 5

Cassian POV

Cassian and Y/n moved through the war preparations like two stars orbiting the same sun but never colliding.

The tension between them was palpable, a silent storm simmering beneath the surface, but both seemed determined to avoid igniting it. Each kept to their respective tasks, their interactions brief and strictly professional, their gazes never lingering long enough to betray the emotions they struggled to suppress.

Cassian threw himself into drilling the Illyrian legions, barking orders as if sheer volume could drown out the gnawing awareness of her presence. Every clash of swords, every shouted command, was a distraction—a way to bury thoughts of the sharp, fiery woman who haunted his every waking moment.

Y/n, meanwhile, kept to her work as she poured her energy into the magical defenses that would shield their armies. When their paths inevitably crossed in war councils or training fields, she maintained an icy veneer, her words clipped and devoid of the heat that had once sparked between them.

Others noticed, of course.

Azriel’s quiet glances lingered a second too long, Feyre’s brow furrowed with concern, and even Rhysand’s casual remarks seemed designed to test the fragile truce between the two. But Cassian and Y/n gave nothing away, their silence an unspoken agreement to keep their distance for the sake of the greater fight.

Still, the war loomed closer, and with it, the understanding that avoidance could not last forever. The battlefield would force them to rely on one another, to trust in ways neither was ready to admit.

But for now, they remained locked in their delicate dance of avoidance, knowing that the storm between them was not a question of if—only when.

********

Cassian POV

The war with Hybern began not with a clash of armies but with a single, bloodied messenger stumbling into Velaris, his tunic torn, his face pale with terror. The Spring Court had fallen. Hybern’s armies were marching north, their banners a sea of black and crimson, promising death to all who opposed them. There was no time to delay. The Inner Circle convened at once, their faces grim as they prepared for the inevitable confrontation.

Y/n stood among them, her fiery eyes sharp and determined. Though not an official member of the Inner Circle, she had become indispensable in recent months, her mastery of defensive magic became a cornerstone of their strategy.

Cassian barely glanced at her, his focus on the maps spread across the war table, his jaw tight as Rhysand outlined their plans.

The war with Hybern began with a brutal efficiency that left no room for negotiation. It wasn’t a clash of honor or strategy—it was a slaughter designed to terrify. Villages burned in the distance, their smoke rising in plumes that darkened the horizon, and scouts returned with grim reports of Hybern’s numbers. Their army stretched across the land like a tidal wave, swallowing everything in its path.

The Inner Circle stood on the battlements of their war camp, staring into the distance. The enemy was coming. Feyre gripped Rhysand’s hand, her knuckles white, while Azriel cleaned his blades in silence. Morrigan’s usual levity was nowhere to be seen, replaced by a steel-cold determination.

And then there was Y/n, standing apart, her posture tense but her face calm, her fiery golden-brown hair pulled back into a severe braid. She had been invaluable to their war preparations, her strategic mind a sharp weapon, but her relationship with Cassian remained frayed and unspoken.

Cassian didn’t so much as glance her way as he tightened the straps on his armor, the crimson light of his siphons reflecting off the dark metal. He barked orders to his Illyrians, his deep voice carrying over the clamor of soldiers preparing for battle. But even as he focused on the task at hand, he couldn’t ignore the creeping unease that settled in his gut. This wasn’t going to be a simple fight.

The battlefield was chaos from the moment they arrived. The rolling hills and open plains that had seemed so vast during their initial scouting were now cramped and suffocating, packed with soldiers and beasts from both sides. The Illyrian legions took to the skies as soon as Hybern’s forces appeared, their wings cutting through the smoke like shadows. Feyre and Rhys led a ground assault, Azriel slipping ahead to dismantle Hybern’s siege weapons. Y/n was stationed in the middle of the ranks, flanked by spellcasters whose wards and enchantments would hold their lines together.

As the armies clashed, the world became a blur of sound and fury. The shrieks of beasts mingled with the clang of steel and the roar of magic. Cassian fought at the forefront, his siphons blazing with fire as he tore through Hybern’s ranks. Each swing of his sword sent shockwaves rippling outward, and yet he kept glancing back, searching for her amid the chaos.

Y/n was a storm unto herself, magic blazing from her hands as she flung fire, her magical power, into the fray. Her sword was a blur of steel, each strike precise and deadly. She moved like quickly, between attacks, her wards shimmering in the air around her. She fought with a ferocity that belied her smaller stature, and her fiery hair marking her as a beacon on the battlefield.

And then all of a sudden, an explosion.

It ripped through the center of their lines, sending soldiers and debris flying. The blast was Hybern’s doing, a coordinated magical strike aimed to splinter their forces. The earth trembled, splitting apart beneath the force of the spell. Cassian was thrown backward, his wings snapping open too late to stop his descent. He hit the ground hard, skidding across blood-soaked earth. When he scrambled to his feet, the world spun, and Y/n was nowhere to be seen.

He cursed loudly, scanning the battlefield. “Y/n!” he roared, but his voice was swallowed by the cacophony. His heart pounded as he searched, but Hybern’s soldiers closed in fast, forcing him to engage. Every second spent fighting felt like a lifetime, the distance between him and her growing wider with every swing of his blade.

********

Y/n POV

You had been caught on the wrong side of the blast, thrown far from the main lines. When you regained your footing, you realized you were surrounded. Hybern soldiers closed in, their weapons gleaming with malicious intent. Blood trickled down your temple, but you wiped it away, your focus narrowing to the immediate threat.

“Come on, then,” you muttered, raising your sword. Your free hand sparked with magic, flames licking up your wrist. The soldiers rushed you, and you unleashed a torrent of fire, engulfing the front line. Their screams filled the air, but more came, undeterred by the carnage.

You fought like a force of nature, your magic crackling in the air as she cast spell after spell. Your sword was a blur, slashing and stabbing with deadly precision. Each time they thought they had you cornered, you blasted your way free, the ground around you scorched and littered with bodies.

But the sheer number of enemies was overwhelming. Your wards were fraying under the constant onslaught, and your reserves of magic were dwindling. Still, you fought, a defiant spark in the middle of the chaos, refusing to go down without a fight.

********

Cassian POV

Cassian fought like a man possessed, carving his way back toward where he’d last seen her. His siphons burned bright, his sword a whirlwind of destruction. But Hybern’s forces were relentless, and every step forward felt like a step farther away from her.

“Hold on, Y/n,” he muttered under his breath, his jaw clenched tight. His heart thundered in his chest, the thought of her alone in this hellscape driving him to push harder, fight fiercer.

But even as he fought, a sinking feeling settled in his gut.

The battlefield was vast, and the chaos unyielding.

He had to find you.

And soon.

********

Cassian POV

The war against Hybern had been brutal. The battlefield was littered with the remnants of armies that had clashed for days, blood soaking the earth and smoke curling into the sky. But it was over.

They had won.

Hybern was defeated, and the Night Court had emerged victorious.

The inner circle gathered in a large tent on the edge of the battlefield, the air inside buzzing with relief and exhaustion. Feyre and Rhys sat together, their hands intertwined, while Mor poured celebratory drinks. Azriel stood silently in the corner, his shadows unusually still, and even Amren seemed lighter, a faint smile tugging at her lips.

Cassian, however, couldn’t bring himself to celebrate.

Not yet.

He’d spent hours searching the battlefield after the final clash, his heart pounding as he scanned the faces of the wounded and the dead. Y/ n had been there—he’d seen her fighting, her golden-brown hair streaked with blood, her hazel eyes blazing as she took down enemy after enemy.

But somewhere in the chaos after the explosion, he’d lost sight of her.

And she hadn’t been among the injured who were brought back.

Now he sat at the edge of the tent, his wings sagging, his fists clenched as dread gnawed at him.

He couldn’t lose her. Not now. Not after everything they’d been through.

“Cassian,” Mor said softly, handing him a drink. “She’s strong. You know she’s strong.”

He took the glass but didn’t drink, his hazel eyes fixed on the tent flap as if willing her to walk through it. “She should’ve been back by now,” he muttered, his voice low and rough. “She wouldn’t stay out there this long.”

“She’s alive,” Mor said firmly, though even she looked uneasy. “She has to be.”

Cassian didn’t respond. He couldn’t. The thought of her lying out there, broken and alone, was more than he could bear.

And then the tent flap shifted.

At first, he thought it was just the wind, but then a figure stumbled inside. His heart stopped as she appeared, her red-stained leathers barely clinging to her battered frame. Her golden-brown hair was matted with blood and dirt, and her hazel eyes were glassy, unfocused, as she swayed on her feet.

“Y/n,” Cassian breathed, already moving.

He reached her just as her knees buckled, catching her in his arms before she could hit the ground. Her weight sagged against him, her breathing shallow and ragged. Blood seeped from a deep wound on her side, staining his hands as he pressed them against her to stop the flow.

Y/n,” he said again, his voice trembling as he cradled her against his chest. “Stay with me. You’re okay. I’ve got you.”

Her eyes fluttered open, hazel and faintly glowing in the dim light. A weak smile tugged at her lips. “Cassian,” she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. “You’re… such a pain in my ass.”

He let out a shaky laugh, his throat tightening as he brushed a bloodied strand of hair from her face. “You’re one to talk.”

“Don’t let me bleed all over you,” she muttered, her words slurring as she reached up and patted his cheek weakly. “Ruins your good looks.”

“You’re not bleeding on me,” he lied, his hands trembling as he applied more pressure to her wound as the blood kept pouring out. “You’re going to be fine. You’re too damn stubborn to die.”

Her lips twitched, but her eyes were already closing again, her body growing heavier in his arms.

“Y/n!” His voice cracked, and the others in the tent rushed over, their celebratory mood vanishing in an instant.

“Get a healer,” Feyre ordered, her tone sharp as she knelt beside them.

“Stay with me,” Cassian whispered, his forehead resting against hers. “You don’t get to leave now.”

Her eyes fluttered open again, hazy but focused only on him. “You’re… always bossing me around,” she murmured, her voice so faint he had to lean closer to hear. “It’s so annoying.”

“I’m not bossing you around,” he said, his voice rough with emotion. “I’m telling you to fight. You hear me, Y/n? Fight."

"Fight like the hellfire you are.”

Her lips twitched again, and for a moment, it looked like she might respond. But then her eyes slid closed, and her body went limp in his arms.

“No,” he choked out, his wings flaring as panic gripped him. “No, no, no. Y/n—wake up. Wake up.”

She looked so fragile, so pale.  He held her tighter, his hands shaking as he pressed his lips to her forehead. “You’re not allowed to leave me,” he whispered. “You hear me? You’re not.”

The healer arrived moments later, her hands glowing with magic as she worked to stabilize Y/n’s wound.

Cassian held Y/n tightly in his arms as the healer worked, her glowing hands pressing against the deep wound in her side. Blood still seeped through his fingers, staining the dirt beneath them, and her breaths were so faint that he strained to hear them over the chaos of his own heartbeat.

“Y/n,” he whispered, his voice cracking. “Stay with me. You’re not leaving. You hear me? You’re not allowed.”

She didn’t respond. Her head lolled against his shoulder, her golden-brown hair damp with blood and sweat. Her hazel eyes, those eyes that had challenged him, infuriated him, captivated him, stayed shut.

“Cassian,” Feyre said softly, touching his arm. “Let the healer work. She needs space.”

“I’m not letting go,” he growled, his wings flaring protectively. “I’m not leaving her.”

The healer glanced up, her face tense as she worked to close the wound. “She’s slipping. I’m doing all I can, but she’s slipping.”

The words hit him like a blade to the chest.

Slipping.

That couldn’t be true.

Y/n was too stubborn, too strong to give up. But as he looked down at her pale face, her lips tinged with blue, something in him cracked wide open.

And then he felt it.

A rush of warmth, fierce and undeniable, poured through his chest. It was unlike anything he’d ever felt before—an unbreakable tether snapping into place, pulling tight between him and the woman in his arms. It hit him with the force of a storm, making his breath hitch and his entire body freeze.

The bond.

It wasn’t just the overwhelming love and protectiveness he’d always felt for her. It was deeper, sharper, something ancient and primal, something that connected his very soul to hers. It burned through him, raw and unrelenting, and for a moment, he could feel her—feel her pain, her fear, her determination to hold on despite everything.

“Oh, gods,” he whispered, his voice trembling, his hands shaking. “It’s you. You’re my—”

He couldn’t even say the word aloud, the weight of it too much to bear in the moment.

Mate.

She was his mate.

“Cassian?” Feyre asked, her voice filled with concern. “What’s wrong?”

He didn’t answer her. His eyes were locked on Y/n, on the faint rise and fall of her chest, on the bond that pulsed in his soul like a second heartbeat.

“You’re not leaving me,” he said fiercely, gripping her hand as tears burned in his eyes. “Do you hear me, baby? You’re mine. You’re mine, and I will never let you go.”

The bond throbbed, pulling taut as if responding to his words, and he poured every ounce of his will into it, into her. His voice dropped to a whisper as he pressed his forehead to hers. “Come back to me, baby. Please.”

For a moment, there was nothing. Just the shallow rise and fall of her chest, the weight of her limp body in his arms. Then, faintly, so faintly he thought he might have imagined it, he felt her hand twitch in his.

The healer placed her hand on Cassian’s shoulder.  “I’ve done everything I can for her. It’s all up to her now. She might not wake up.”

Cassian couldn’t even bring himself to acknowledge her words.

“I will be back to check on her in a little while but if anything changes before then, send for me immediately.”

********

Cassian POV

Cassian sat in the makeshift healing tent, his arms wrapped tightly around her unconscious body, refusing to let her go. She lay limp against him, her fiery hair dull with blood and dirt, her skin pale as death. He didn’t care about the blood soaking into his leathers, didn’t care about the bruises or cuts that littered his own body. All that mattered was the fragile, shallow rise and fall of her chest.

She was breathing—but just barely.

The battlefield outside had quieted, the clash of steel replaced by the moans of the injured and the cries of those mourning the dead. The healer had done what she could, stitching her wounds and weaving spells to stabilize her. But she had warned him her condition was dire.

Too much blood lost.

Too much strain on her body.

“She might not wake up,” she had said softly, the words like a dagger to his chest.

Since then, Cassian hadn’t moved.

Days passed, and he remained exactly where he was, holding her as if the strength of his arms could keep her tethered to life. The cot beneath them creaked under his weight, but he refused to lay her down. He didn’t trust the frail canvas to protect her—not like he could.

His hands trembled as they stroked her hair, fingers tracing over the soft strands. Her face, usually so sharp with fire and defiance, was slack and unresponsive. He pressed his lips to her temple, his throat tight with words he couldn’t say aloud. The bond that had snapped into place still thrummed in his chest, vibrant and full of promise, but it was muted now, flickering weakly like a flame struggling against the wind. He could feel her there—distant, faint—but it wasn’t enough to calm the storm raging inside him.

“Y/n,” he murmured, his voice cracking. “You’re too stubborn for this. You don’t give up, baby. You’ve never given up.”

She didn’t stir. Her head rested against his chest, her body unnervingly still. He shifted her slightly, cradling her closer as if that could shield her from whatever forces tried to drag her away from him.

Every day that passed without her waking felt like a lifetime. He sat there through the nights, refusing food, ignoring the worried glances from Rhysand and the others. Azriel had tried to convince him to rest, even offering to keep watch over her, but Cassian had snarled, the sound feral and full of grief.

“No one touches her,” he had growled. “No one.”

And so, he stayed. He spoke to her in quiet whispers, his deep voice rough from exhaustion but steady with determination. “You’re my mate,” he told her one night, the words heavy with both fear and reverence. “You can’t leave me. Not when I just found you. Not when we haven’t even had a chance to—” His voice broke, and he buried his face in her hair, his body trembling with the weight of it all.

Every time her breathing hitched or slowed, his heart stopped, the terror that he was losing her tightening its grip.

But then her chest would rise again, shallow but steady, and he would exhale a shaky breath, holding her closer.

By the third day, his hope began to waver. She hadn’t moved, hadn’t opened her eyes. The healers were cautious but unwilling to give him false comfort. He sat with her, his forehead pressed to hers, his wings curled protectively around them. His voice was raw as he spoke to her again. “I can’t do this without you, baby. I won’t. So, you fight, damnit. You fight like I know you can.”

It was in the quiet hours of the fourth night, he whispered again, his voice rough. “I don’t care what the healers say. You’re stronger than this. You’re my mate. My fierce mate. You are fire and fury and the only one who’s ever managed to drive me crazy. You’re my Y/n. So don’t you dare leave me.”

The words slipped out before he could stop them, but it didn’t matter. She wasn’t awake to hear it, wasn’t awake to feel the bond thrumming between them. It ached, raw and unfulfilled, a tether pulling on his very soul.

And then, as if answering his desperate plea, her bond flared—not brightly, but enough. His head jerked up, his breath catching, and he felt her stir faintly in his arms. Her breathing hitched, and he froze, barely daring to hope.

“Y/n?” he whispered, his voice trembling. “Come back to me.”

Her eyelids fluttered, her lashes dusted with grime. Slowly, achingly slowly, her fiery eyes opened, unfocused and heavy with exhaustion. She blinked up at him, confusion clouding her gaze as her dry lips parted.

“Cassian?” she rasped, her voice barely audible.

A sob tore from him, raw and unrestrained. He leaned closer, his tears spilling freely now, dripping onto her face. “You’re awake,” he choked out, his hands shaking as they cupped her cheeks. “You came back to me.”

She blinked again, her brows furrowing weakly as she took him in—his bloodied armor, his tear-streaked face, the way his hands trembled against her skin. “You’re… crying?” she murmured, her voice rough but laced with surprise.

Cassian let out a broken laugh, pressing his forehead to hers. “Of course I’m crying. You nearly died, Y/n. You—” His voice cracked again, and he shook his head, unable to finish the sentence. “You scared the hell out of me.”

Her gaze softened as she stared up at him, but the confusion remained. And then, as she looked into his tear-filled eyes, something shifted. A feeling bloomed in her chest, deep and all-encompassing. It wrapped around her like a warm embrace, tugging at her very soul. Her lips parted, her breath catching as a golden thread seemed to snap into place within her.

The bond.

She felt it now, clear and undeniable. The warmth of it, the pull that tied her to him as surely as life itself. Her heart stuttered in her chest, realization flooding her gaze as tears filled her own eyes. “Cassian,” she whispered, her voice trembling. “The bond…”

He nodded, his tears falling freely now as he held her closer. “It snapped for me when you stumbled in here injured and I thought I was losing you,” he said, his voice hoarse with emotion. “I felt it. I felt you. And I thought I’d lose you before you even knew.”

She stared at him, her lips trembling as her hands, weak and shaking, lifted to press against his chest. “I feel it,” she said softly, awe and disbelief coloring her tone. “I… it snapped for me too.”

A broken laugh escaped him, and he crushed her to his chest, his arms tightening around her as though he would never let her go. “You scared the hell out of me, baby,” he murmured into her hair, his voice still trembling. “But I’ve got you now. And I’m never letting you go.”

Her lips curved faintly, the smallest smile ghosting over her face as exhaustion claimed her once more. But this time, she didn’t slip into the abyss. This time, she slept, safe and warm in his arms, tethered to him in a way that neither war nor death could sever.

********

Cassian POV

Y/ns recovery stretched over weeks, every painstaking step taken within the towering walls of the House of Wind. After the battlefield and the war camp, the quiet refuge of the mountain estate was both foreign and welcome. Its vast halls were quiet, its windows offering views of the sprawling city below and the endless skies above. Cassian had carried her there himself, his wings shielding her from the chill wind as they soared to her new sanctuary.

At first, she had been confined to bed, the golden light of sunrise spilling through the tall windows. Cassian never left her side, setting up a chair near the bed but rarely using it, preferring instead to sit on the edge of the mattress, keeping her hand in his or adjusting the blanket over her as if the smallest chill might harm her. The bond between them thrummed quietly, a steady presence neither could ignore.

The healers from the city came and went, murmuring about her strength and stubbornness. “She’ll recover,” one had said with a faint smile. “But only because she’s as hardheaded as her—” The healer had faltered, her gaze darting to Cassian. “Her companion.”

Cassian had grinned, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Damn right she is.”

The first time she walked again was a week later, her body frail but her will unrelenting. Cassian had helped her stand, his large hands gripping her waist as she wobbled unsteadily on her feet. “You don’t have to push yourself,” he had murmured, his tone unusually gentle.

“Don’t you dare coddle me, General,” she shot back, her voice weak but her spirit undiminished. She took her first shaky step, his hands hovering just behind her, ready to catch her if she faltered.

She did falter, more than once, but Cassian never let her fall. And when she finally managed to walk across the room without assistance, the pride in his eyes was enough to make her forget the exhaustion burning in her limbs.

The days turned into weeks, and Y/n slowly regained her strength. The House of Wind became her sanctuary, its halls filled with the quiet hum of life. She spent her mornings on the balcony overlooking Velaris, her fiery hair glinting in the sunlight as she practiced her fire magic, her hands weaving defensive wards and offensive spells with renewed precision. Cassian would often join her, watching in awe as her power flickered and danced in the air.

“You’re incredible,” he said one morning, leaning against the balcony rail as she finished a particularly complex ward.

She glanced at him, her lips curving into a faint smile. “Flattery doesn’t suit you, Cassian.”

“It’s not flattery if it’s the truth,” he shot back, his grin as infuriating as ever.

She rolled her eyes, but her cheeks flushed faintly.

The confession came one night after dinner, the two of them sitting by the fire in the common room. The others had given them space, Feyre and Rhysand retreating to their own quarters, Azriel disappearing into the shadows as he always did, and Mor off on one of her mysterious errands. It left the House feeling quiet and intimate, the firelight flickering across their faces.

Y/n sat curled in a chair, a thick blanket draped over her legs, while Cassian lounged across from her, his wings hanging lazily over the back of his seat. They’d been talking about nothing in particular—training plans, the recovery of the Illyrian camps—but the conversation drifted, the silences growing longer.

Cassian finally broke it, his voice soft but filled with determination. “Y/n, I need to say something.”

She glanced up at him, her fiery eyes meeting his. “That sounds ominous.”

“I’ve known I loved you since the moment you came back to me,” Cassian murmured, his voice low and raw, his hazel eyes locked on hers. “Not just when you woke up, but when I saw you—broken, battered, and still you. Still fierce. Still fighting to hold on.” His voice cracked slightly, and his hands tightened on her knees, as if grounding himself in her presence. “You were so close to slipping away, baby, but even then, you were the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen.”

Her breath hitched, her fiery eyes softening as his words sank in. She opened her mouth to speak, but he didn’t give her the chance, the dam of his emotions breaking after weeks of holding it all inside.

“You terrified me,” he admitted, his voice trembling. “Watching you fight for your life—seeing you so still, so pale—I’ve never felt so helpless. And when you finally opened your eyes, when I saw the fire in them again, I knew I’d never be the same. Because I realized then that I wasn’t just afraid of losing you as a warrior or a friend. I was afraid of losing you. The only person who’s ever made me feel like I’m more than just a weapon or a leader.”

Her heart pounded in her chest, her throat tightening as she reached out, her hand brushing his cheek. His skin was rough beneath her fingers, but warm, and he leaned into her touch, his eyes closing briefly.

“When you looked at me,” he continued, his voice softening, “and I felt the bond snap for you too, I thought my heart might break. Because even after everything, I wasn’t sure you’d want me. Not like this. Not… fully.”

“Cassian,” she whispered, her voice trembling. She slid from her chair onto her knees to face him, their bodies mere inches apart now. Her hand slid down to his chest, feeling the steady, powerful beat of his heart beneath her palm. “How could you ever think I wouldn’t want you?”

He let out a shaky laugh, his hand covering hers where it rested on his chest. “Because you deserve better,” he said simply. “Someone who isn’t loud and reckless, someone who doesn’t drag you into battles and bleed all over your quiet moments.”

Her lips curved into the faintest smile, and she shook her head. “You think I want quiet moments? Cassian, I am fire and chaos. And so are you. You are everything I never thought I’d have the chance to want, everything I didn’t think I deserved until now.”

His breath caught, and for a moment, he simply stared at her, his hazel eyes shining with an emotion so fierce it made her chest ache. “You’ve always deserved this,” he said hoarsely. “You’ve always deserved everything.”

She leaned in, her forehead pressing against his. “Then stop doubting,” she murmured. “Because I love you. I love all of you, Cassian—your fire, your stubbornness, your strength. You’re the only person who’s ever seen me for who I really am and hasn’t turned away.”

His arms wrapped around her, pulling her flush against him, and for a moment, they stayed like that, breathing each other in, the bond between them blazing like a second heartbeat. When he finally pulled back, his hands cupped her face, his gaze unwavering.

“You’re mine,” he said softly, the words not a demand but a promise. “And I’m yours. Always.”

She smiled, her eyes glistening as she leaned into his touch. “Always.”

And when he kissed her, it was slow and deep, a confession and a vow, sealing everything they had finally allowed themselves to feel.

The world around them fell away, and in that moment, they were simply Cassian and Y/n - two halves of a bond that had found its place, its purpose, its home.

********

Cassian POV

As Y/n continued to recover, Rhysand approached her and Cassian to talk. “I think it’s time the two of you took some… time away.”

Cassian turned, his brow furrowing. “Time away? In the middle of everything? What are you talking about, Rhys?”

Y/n glanced up from her book, her fiery eyes narrowing. “If this is some clever way to assign us a mission, Rhysand, I—”

“It’s not a mission,” Rhys interrupted smoothly, a knowing smile tugging at his lips. “It’s a suggestion. For both of your sakes. Feyre and I talked about it, and we think you two need some time alone. Away from distractions. Away from… everyone. Go to the cabin. It’s private, quiet, and far enough away that you can… work through everything without any interruptions.”

Rhys clapped Cassian on the shoulder, his smirk returning. “Think of it as a favor. Trust me, you’ll thank me later.”

********

Cassian POV

The cabin was nestled deep in the mountains, its warm, cozy interior a stark contrast to the crisp chill of the surrounding forest. Cassian and Y/n arrived at sunset, the fading light casting a golden glow across the wooden beams and plush rugs. It was the same cabin Feyre had once used to recover after her ordeal in the Spring Court, but now it seemed transformed, brimming with an intimacy that was both comforting and unnerving.

She stood in the center of the room, her arms crossed as she surveyed their surroundings. “So… this is the famous cabin.”

Cassian set their bags down near the door, his wings shifting restlessly. “Yeah. Famous for being the place where Rhys meddles in people’s lives.”

She shot him a look, but her lips twitched upward. “It’s not terrible.”

“It’s not,” he agreed, his gaze flicking to her. She looked radiant in the warm light, her fiery hair catching the glow of the setting sun through the window. The bond between them hummed faintly, a constant reminder of what lay just beneath the surface.

The silence stretched, tension crackling in the air. She turned away, busying herself with unpacking, but her movements were jerky, her hands trembling slightly. Cassian took a deep breath, his fists clenching at his sides as he watched her.

“Baby,” he said softly, his voice thick.

She froze, her back to him, her breathing uneven. “Don’t,” she murmured, her tone almost pleading.

“I can’t help it,” he admitted, stepping closer. The bond flared, bright and insistent, tugging at his very soul. “You feel it too, don’t you?”

She turned to face him, her fiery eyes blazing with both longing and defiance. “Of course, I feel the bond,” she snapped, though her voice cracked. “It’s impossible not to feel it.”

“Then why are you fighting it?” he asked, his tone both gentle and frustrated.

“Because” she said, her voice trembling, “once we give in, there’s no going back. It’ll change everything.”

He stepped closer, his hands reaching for hers. “It’s already changed everything,” he said softly, his hazel eyes locked on hers. “And I don’t want to go back. I don’t want to fight this anymore.”

Her breath hitched, and for a moment, she looked like she might bolt. But then, slowly, she let out a shaky exhale and took a step toward him. “Neither do I,” she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

That was all he needed to hear.

The moment she whispered those words, Cassian’s hands were on her—no hesitation, no second-guessing. He pressed her against the wall, his mouth claiming hers with a hunger that had been building for months. Her lips parted eagerly, inviting him in, and he groaned as their tongues met in a dance that felt like fire and desperation all at once.

Her fingers fumbled with the buttons of his shirt, her breath hitching each time her knuckles brushed against the heat of his chest. ”This – “ she gasped between kisses, ”this has been too long coming.”

Cassian didn’t reply with words. Instead, he yanked his shirt off himself, tossing it aside before his hands moved to the hem of her sweater. His touch was electric as he pulled it over her head, revealing the delicate lace bra beneath. His eyes raked over her, dark and hungry, and he whispered roughly, “Gods baby, you’re even more beautiful than I imagined.”

She blushed, but there was no shyness in the way she reached for his belt, her fingers trembling slightly but determined. The sound of leather sliding free filled the room, and then his pants hit the floor. Her gaze dropped to the bulge straining against his underwear, and her breath caught. “Cassian…” she murmured, her voice shaking with desire.

He stepped closer, one hand tangling in her hair while the other traced the curve of her waist. “Tell me what you want,” he said, his voice low and demanding.

You,” she whispered, looking up at him with those wide, pleading eyes. “I want you.”

Her answer came with her hands pushing his underwear down, freeing his cock. She couldn’t help but stare, her mouth going dry at the sight of him.

He was… magnificent. Thick and long, with veins running along the shaft that promised endless pleasure. Her own body pulsed in response, her core aching with need.

Cassian noticed her staring and smirked, clearly pleased with her reaction. “Like what you see?” he teased, his voice dripping with amusement.

She nodded mutely, unable to form words as she reached out to touch him. Her fingers brushed against the velvety skin, causing him to suck in a sharp breath. Encouraged, she wrapped her hand around him, marveling at the way he fit so perfectly in her grasp.

He groaned, his hips bucking involuntarily into her touch. “Fuck, baby…” he muttered, his control slipping even further.

She stroked him slowly, experimentally, watching intently as his reactions grew more intense. His breathing became ragged, his muscles tensing under her ministrations until he couldn’t take it anymore.

Gently but firmly, he captured her wrist once more, stopping her movements. “As much as I’m enjoying this,” he said huskily, “if you keep going, this will be over before it even begins.”

She blushed furiously but couldn’t suppress the thrill that ran through her at his words. He wanted her—badly enough that she had the power to unravel him completely.

It was intoxicating.

His control snapped. In one swift motion, he lifted her off her feet, carrying her to the bed. She giggled breathlessly as he laid her down, her hair fanning out around her like a halo. But there was nothing angelic about the way she looked at him now—her lips swollen from his kisses, her chest rising and falling rapidly, her legs already parting to welcome him.

Cassian climbed over her, his hands exploring every inch of her body as though committing her to memory. He unhooked her bra, letting it fall away, and his mouth descended to her breasts, sucking and teasing until she was writhing beneath him. “Cassian, please—” she moaned, her hands clutching at his shoulders.

“You’re stunning,” he murmured, his voice rough with desire. His fingers brushed against the curve of her breast, feather-light but electrifying. She arched into his touch, a soft moan escaping her lips.

But Cassian wasn’t content with teasing. He leaned down, his mouth closing over one peak, and she gasped, her head falling back against the pillows. His tongue swirled around her nipple, coaxing it into a hardened bud, while his hand cupped the other, kneading gently. Every nerve in her body felt alive, alight with sensations she’d never known before.

Oh gods,” she breathed, her hands tangling in his dark hair. She tugged slightly, urging him closer, deeper. Cassian responded with a low growl, his teeth grazing her sensitive flesh before soothing it with his tongue. He moved to the other breast, lavishing it with the same attention, until she was writhing beneath him, her hips lifting off the mattress in search of friction.

Cassian’s hands trailed lower, skimming over her ribs, then her stomach, mapping every inch of her as if committing her to memory. He kissed his way down her stomach, pausing only to tug her panties down her legs. When his fingers reached the apex of her thighs, she froze, her breath catching in her throat. His touch was achingly slow, deliberate, as he traced the crease of her thigh, avoiding the place where she needed him most.

“Cassian,” she said, her voice breaking. “Please.”

He looked up at her, his eyes glinting with mischief.

“Patience, baby,” he chided softly, though the flush on his cheeks betrayed his own barely restrained arousal.

Still, he continued his agonizing exploration, his lips following the path his fingers had taken. He kissed the inside of her thigh, his breath hot against her skin, and she trembled, her nails scratching lightly at his scalp.

When he finally settled between her thighs, she let out a shaky breath, her fingers threading through his hair. “Oh my Gods…” she whimpered as his tongue found her clit, swirling and flicking with the kind of precision that left her arching off the bed.

Cassian’s hands held her firmly in place, his grip both commanding and reassuring. He lapped at her slowly, savoring her taste, until she was panting, her legs quivering with the effort to stay still.

Her cries grew louder, more desperate, and he could feel her thighs trembling around his head.

More,” she pleaded, her voice a desperate whisper.

He obliged, curling his tongue and delving deeper, finding the spot that made her writhe and gasp. His name spilled from her lips in a frantic chant as he worked her with relentless precision. Her world narrowed to the sensation of his mouth on her, the coil of pleasure tightening in her belly until it threatened to snap.

Just when she thought she couldn’t take anymore, Cassian pulled away, leaving her teetering on the edge. She whimpered in protest, her hands reaching for him, but he caught her wrists, pinning them gently above her head.

“Not yet,” he said, his voice thick with desire. “I want to see you come completely undone.”

She stared up at him, her chest heaving, her eyes wide with a mixture of frustration and anticipation. He shifted lower, his hands sliding beneath her thighs and spreading her wider. When his mouth returned to her, it was with renewed purpose, his tongue working in tandem with his fingers to drive her higher, faster.

Y/n’s moans filled the room, unrestrained and raw. She clutched at the sheets, her back arching as the pressure built within her.

Her breath hitched as Cassian’s fingers curled inside her, finding that spot that made her vision blur. His tongue circled her clit relentlessly, alternating between soft flicks and firm pressure, each movement sending jolts of pleasure through her body. She couldn’t think, couldn’t speak—could only feel. Her hips bucked against his mouth, desperate for more, but he held her steady, his strength both a restraint and a promise.

“Cassian,” she gasped, her voice trembling. “Please.”

He didn’t respond with words, but the growl that rumbled from his chest vibrated against her skin, driving her further into madness. His fingers moved faster, deeper, while his tongue pressed harder, the rhythm perfectly synchronized to push her closer to the edge. Her hands twisted in the sheets, her knuckles white as she tried to anchor herself to something, anything, but there was no escape from the storm building inside her.

“I can’t… I’m going to…” she tried to warn him, her voice breaking as the tension coiled tighter, impossibly tight, until it snapped.

Her orgasm crashed over her like a tidal wave, sweeping away every thought, every fear, leaving only raw sensation in its wake. She cried out, her body convulsing as pleasure burned through her veins, electric and all-consuming. Cassian didn’t stop, his relentless pace prolonging the waves until she was trembling, her thighs quivering around his shoulders.

When he finally eased off, she collapsed back onto the bed, her chest rising and falling as though she’d run a mile. Her skin glistened with sweat, her hair a tangled mess, and she felt utterly spent—but Cassian wasn’t done. He crawled up her body, his eyes dark with hunger, and captured her lips in a searing kiss. She could taste herself on his tongue, the intimacy of it sending a fresh shiver down her spine.

“You’re beautiful like this,” he murmured against her lips, his voice rough and low.

“Completely undone."

"Mine.”

********

Y/n POV

Your heart skipped, the possessiveness in his tone igniting something deep within you. You reached up, your fingers tracing the line of his jaw, and pulled him back into another kiss. This time, you took control, pouring all the emotions into the press of your lips, the slide of your tongue. Cassian groaned into your mouth, his hands gripping your hips as if he couldn���t decide whether to pull you closer or push you away.

When you both broke apart, you sat up and whispered, “Your turn.”

His eyes narrowed, intrigued, and a slow smirk spread across his face. “Is that so?”

You nodded, your confidence growing as you saw the way he looked at you—like you were the only thing in the world that mattered. With deliberate slowness, you pushed him onto his back, taking the dominant position. Cassian let you, watching you with hooded eyes, his body burning with desire.

“Take what you want,” he said, his voice strained but firm.

Your breath catching at the sight of him fully aroused. You wrapped your hand around him, stroking slowly, experimentally, and watched as his jaw clenched, a low groan escaping his lips.

“Tease,” he muttered, though there was no real reproach in his tone.

You smiled, enjoying the power you had over him in this moment. Leaning down, you pressed a kiss to the tip of him.

Your lips lingered on him, your breath warm against his skin. You could feel the tension in Cassian’s body, the slight tremor in his thighs as you hovered over him. He was holding back, you realized, and that only fueled your desire to push him further. You wanted to unravel him completely.

With a slow, deliberate motion, you took him into your mouth, your tongue swirling around the sensitive tip. His sharp intake of breath made you smile, the sound almost like music to your ears. You savored the taste of him, the way his muscles tightened beneath your hands as you began to move.

Your hand joined your mouth, stroking him in rhythm with your movements. Every flick of your tongue, every gentle suck, every firm grip sent waves of pleasure coursing through him. Cassian’s fingers tangled in your hair, not guiding you but simply feeling you, as though he needed to anchor himself to this moment.

“Baby,” he groaned, his voice thick with need. “You’re going to kill me.”

You pulled back just enough to look up at him, your lips still brushing against him as you spoke.

“Good,” you whispered, your voice low and sultry. “I want you to feel it. All of it.”

His eyes burned into yours, dark and intense, but you didn’t wait for him to respond. Instead, you dipped your head again, taking him deeper this time. Your free hand trailed down his chest, exploring the hard planes of his torso, your fingertips grazing over the scars that marked his skin. Each one told a story, and you wondered if he would ever share them with you.

Cassian’s breathing grew heavier, his hips shifting restlessly beneath you. You could sense his control slipping, the way he fought to keep himself from thrusting into your mouth. It excited you, knowing you had this power over him—the General of the Night Court, brought to his knees by your touch.

You released him with a soft pop, your hand still working him slowly as you moved up his body. Your lips found his neck, kissing and nipping along the sensitive skin there. You could feel the rapid pulse beneath your mouth, hear the way his breath hitched when you bit down gently.

You straddled him, your hands roaming over his chest as you leaned down to kiss him. It was a slow, deep kiss, full of promise and heat. When you pulled away, you could see the hunger in his eyes, the way he watched your every move as though you were the only thing in his world that mattered.

Your fingers traced a path down his stomach, lower and lower, until they wrapped around him once more. This time, you positioned him at your entrance, teasing him with the sensation of being so close yet not quite inside you.

“Baby,” he growled, his hands gripping your hips tightly. “Don’t—”

But you didn’t let him finish. Slowly, deliberately, you sank down onto him, your breath catching as he filled you completely. The feeling was overwhelming, the stretch and fullness sending sparks of pleasure through your body. Cassian moaned as he felt himself fill you and stretch you.

You paused when you were fully seated, giving yourself a moment to adjust. Cassian’s hands were trembling now, his jaw clenched as he fought to stay still. You could see the effort it took, the way he held himself back for your sake, and it made you love him even more.

Then, you began to move.

Your hips rolled in a slow, sensuous rhythm, your hands braced on his chest for balance. Every movement was deliberate, designed to draw out every ounce of pleasure for both of you. You could feel him inside you, stretching you, filling you, and you moaned loudly from the sheer pleasure of it.

Cassian’s hands slid up your sides, tracing the curves of your body before settling on your hips. He helped guide your movements, his grip firm but gentle, his eyes never leaving yours. The intensity of his gaze was almost too much to bear, but you couldn’t look away.

“That's right, baby. Keep your eyes on me.” he murmured, his voice rough with emotion. “You’re so beautiful. So perfect.”

The words sent a shiver down your spine, and you leaned down to capture his lips in a searing kiss. Your bodies moved together in perfect harmony, your connection deepening with every thrust, every sigh, every touch.

Your pace quickened, driven by the growing urgency building within you. You could feel your climax approaching, a delicious tension coiling in your core. You knew Cassian was close too; you could see it in the way his muscles tensed, hear it in the ragged breaths escaping his lips.

“Come for me,” you whispered, your lips brushing against his ear. “Fill me up.”

That was all it took.

With a groan, Cassian’s hips snapped up into yours, driving himself deeper as he spilled inside you. The sensation pushed you over the edge, your own release crashing over you in waves of ecstasy.

For a moment, you stayed like that, your bodies intertwined, your hearts racing as they came down from the high together. Then, Cassian pulled you down into his arms, holding you close as he pressed a tender kiss to your forehead.

“You’re so beautiful when you fall apart,” he whispered.

You smiled weakly, your hand reaching up to cup his cheek. “You make me feel like no one else ever has,” you admitted, your voice tender.

He kissed you again, his heart swelling with emotion. “Good,” he said firmly. “Because you’re mine now.”

Your smile widened, your eyes sparkling with affection. “Yours,” you agreed, as he pulled you down for another kiss.

“I love you, Y/n.” He whispered as he wrapped his arms around you.

You smiled as you listened to the steady thud of his heart.  “I love you too, Cassian.”

You laid like that for what felt like hours, neither of you willing to break the spell.

********

Cassian POV

The fire in the hearth crackled softly, casting a warm glow across the small cabin. Cassian sat at the edge of the bed, his bare feet planted firmly on the wooden floor. He watched her move about the tiny kitchen, her movements graceful but purposeful. She had pulled on one of his shirts, the oversized fabric brushing against her thighs, and he found himself mesmerized by the sight.

“Do you always cook after?” he teased, a hint of rasp still in his voice from their earlier passion.

She glanced over her shoulder, a small, knowing smile curving her lips. “Not always. But this is different.”

She turned back to her task, slicing bread with practiced ease. “Because tonight wasn’t just… that.” She paused, her voice quieter now. “It was us. It was the bond.”

Cassian’s heart clenched. The bond. He had felt it thrumming through him the moment he touched her, a pull that had grown stronger with every kiss, every breath. Now, as he sat there watching her, it felt like his soul was tethered to hers, an unbreakable thread binding them together.

“I wanted to make something for you,” she continued, plating the simple meal with care. “Something real. Something to show you that I’m not just saying yes to the bond��I’m giving you everything.”

She turned to face him, holding the plate out with both hands. The offering was humble—freshly baked bread, roasted meat, and a small serving of vegetables—but the meaning behind it was clear.

Cassian stood, his towering frame crossing the space between them in just a few steps. He looked down at the plate, then at her, his amber eyes intense. “Baby…”

He took the plate from her hands, his fingers brushing hers, and something electric passed between them. The bond sang louder, brighter. Cassian sat back down, the plate resting on his knees. He tore off a piece of bread and took a bite, chewing slowly. Then he reached for the roasted meat, savoring it as though it were the finest feast he’d ever had.

When he finally swallowed, he set the plate aside and pulled her into his lap, his arms wrapping around her.

“It’s done,” he said, his voice rough with emotion. “I accept. All of it. The bond, you—everything.”

Y/n’s breath hitched, and she cradled his face in her hands, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. “You mean it?”

He nodded, his forehead pressing against hers. “I’m yours, baby. Always.”

She smiled then, wide and radiant, and Cassian couldn’t wait any longer. 

He had already accepted the bond with a few bites.

But screw the rest of dinner. 

He wanted dessert.

And now.

He picked her up and tossed her back on the bed, spreading her thighs and diving in between them.

He began to lap at her like he was starving.

“Gods, you taste fucking incredible,” Cassian growled, his voice muffled against her thighs. His tongue circled her clit with a slow, deliberate precision that had her back arching off the bed as she gripped the sheets in white-knuckled desperation.

“Cass—” She gasped, her breath hitching as his lips closed around her sensitive bundle of nerves, sucking lightly before laving it with the flat of his tongue. “Oh Mother above, you’re going to make me come again.”

“Good.” His hands tightened on her hips, pinning her in place as he devoured her like a man starving. The sound of his pleasure—low groans and ragged breaths—filled the room, mixing with her whimpers and moans.

He didn’t just eat her pussy; he worshipped it, treating every fold, every inch of her, like it was the most exquisite thing he’d ever tasted.

And honestly?

It felt like it was.

“I can’t stop thinking about how good you taste. Your taste is addictive.” He murmured as he continued to drink from her.

Her heart raced, her body already responding to his words.

********

Cassian POV

Hours later, with Cassian had long since lost count of how many times he'd made her come. Every time she would come down, he’d start again, his mouth and hands working her into a frenzy until she was trembling and crying out his name.

“Keep going,” she begged, her hands tangling in his hair as his tongue delved inside her. “Please, Cassian, don’t stop.”

He didn’t.

The world could go up in flames around them and nothing would pull him from feasting on her.

If anything, he intensified, his tongue flicking and circling her clit with relentless precision as he added two fingers, curling them just right inside her. Her hips bucked against his face, her moans growing louder and more desperate.

“That’s it,” he murmured, pulling away just enough to speak before diving back in. “Come for me, baby. Let me feel you fall apart.”

And she did, her orgasm crashing over her like a wave, leaving her gasping and shaking. But Cassian didn’t give her a moment to recover. As soon as the last tremors subsided, his mouth was on her again, licking and sucking like he couldn’t get enough.

“Cassian,” she whimpered, her legs trembling as he pushed her toward another climax. “I can’t—I can’t take anymore.”

“Yes, you can,” he said, his voice firm but tender. “You’re so fucking strong, baby. Look at you, taking everything I give you. You’re perfect.”

His words lit a fire in her, and she arched into his touch, her body betraying her as pleasure built once more.

“You’re so wet for me,” he groaned, lapping at her eagerly. “I could do this forever. Just stay between your legs, eating you out until you forget your own name.”

The image his words painted—of him spending hours, days, worshipping her with nothing but his mouth—sent a fresh surge of desire through her. She was helpless against him, completely at his mercy, and she loved every second of it.

“Cassian,” she breathed, her voice barely above a whisper. “I need you.”

He looked up then, his eyes dark with lust, his chin glistening with her arousal. “You have me,” he said simply before lowering his head again.

And he meant it.

Wholeheartedly.

There was no part of him that wanted to be anywhere else. Not tonight.

Maybe not ever.

Her pussy was his addiction, and he had no intention of quitting.

As the night stretched on, Cassian continued to plead and praise, his filthy words driving her wild. “You’re so fucking sweet,” he muttered, his tongue swirling around her clit. “I could drink you up all night. Hell, I think I will.”

“Please,” she begged, her voice breaking as he added a third finger, stretching her deliciously. “Please, please, please.”

“Such a good girl,” he murmured, his breath hot against her skin. “Taking everything I give you. So perfect for me.”

Her next orgasm hit her like a freight train, sharp and intense, and she cried out, her body convulsing under his relentless attention. But still, he didn’t stop.

“Cassian,” she sobbed, her nails digging into his shoulders. “I can’t—”

“Yes, you can,” he insisted, his mouth never leaving her. “One more, baby. Give me one more.”

And somehow, she did, her body rising to meet his demands even as she thought she had nothing left to give. When she finally collapsed back onto the bed, utterly spent, Cassian pulled her into his arms, holding her close.

But even as her eyelids grew heavy, she knew he wasn’t done.

Not yet.

“Sleep,” he whispered, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “When you wake up, I’ll be right here. Ready to start all over again.”

********

Y/n POV

The morning light spilled through the windows, painting soft stripes across the bed as you stirred. Your body was still tingling from the night before, your muscles loose and languid, but even in your half-asleep state, you could feel the heat of Cassian’s gaze on you. You didn’t need to open your eyes to know what was coming.

His hands slid up your thighs, pushing your legs apart with a possessive urgency that sent a shiver down your spine. “Cassian,” you murmured, your voice thick with sleep, “you’re insatiable.”

“You have no idea,” he growled, his breath hot against your inner thigh.

“Your pussy looked so good in the morning light, glistening and inviting.” He groaned as his tongue lapped up the small drops running down from your entrance.

“Your taste is driving me insane.” He growled as his tongue flicked out, teasing the delicate skin there, and your back arched off the bed involuntarily. He chuckled, low and dark, before burying his face between your legs with a hunger that left you gasping.

His tongue moved with practiced precision, swirling around your clit in tight circles before dipping lower to lap at your entrance. Your fingers tangled in the sheets, your hips lifting instinctively to meet his mouth. “So fucking good,” he muttered against your flesh, his words muffled but no less potent. “I could eat your sweet pussy all day.”

You moaned, your head falling back against the pillows as pleasure surged through you.

Cassian’s obsession wasn’t just physical—it was all-consuming. He worshipped your body like it was his only purpose, devouring you with a fervor that bordered on mania.

You had heard the mating frenzy was intense…but holy Gods.

You were becoming addicted to Cassian’s face between your legs just as much as he was.

“I’ve been waiting all night to taste you again.” He growled, his tongue teasing the sensitive skin.

Then suddenly, Cassian paused, his hands gripping your hips firmly. “Turn over,” he commanded, his voice leaving no room for argument.

You hesitated for a moment, curiosity flickering through your drowsiness. “What are you—”

“Trust me,” he interrupted, his tone deliciously demanding. “On your knees, baby. Face down, ass up.”

A flush of heat spread across your cheeks, but you obeyed, shifting onto your hands and knees. The position exposed you completely to him, and you could feel how open and vulnerable you were.

He slapped your ass and made you jump.

It was thrilling.

Cassian let out a low groan of approval, his palms sliding up the backs of your thighs. “Fuck, baby, you look so good like this. Spread wide open for me.”

His words sent a rush of arousal spiraling through you, and you bit your lip to stifle a whimper. When his tongue finally touched you, it wasn’t the gentle teasing you expected—it was hungry, almost desperate, as though he couldn’t get enough of you. He licked you slowly at first, savoring every inch, before burying his face deeper, his tongue plunging into you with relentless intensity.

“Oh my Gods,” you gasped, your fingers clutching the sheets. His new angle gave him access to places he hadn’t explored before, and the sensation was overwhelming. You could feel every stroke, every flick of his tongue, driving you closer to the edge.

“That’s it,” Cassian murmured against your pussy, his voice thick with arousal. “Let me hear you. Tell me how good it feels.”

“It’s… so good,” you panted, your hips rocking back involuntarily. “Don’t stop…”

“Never, baby” he promised, his hands gripping you tighter, holding you in place as he devoured you. “Your pussy tastes like fucking heaven, baby. I could eat you forever.”

His dirty talk only heightened your pleasure, each word sending electric jolts through your body. You could feel yourself getting wetter, your core tightening with every passing second.

Cassian pulled back slightly, his breath hot against your slick folds.

 “Do you know what you do to me?” he asked, his voice dripping with need. “You make me fucking obsessed. All I can think about is tasting you, feeling you come on my tongue.”

Before you could respond, his mouth was on you again, his tongue lapping at you with a fervor that left you trembling. He alternated between broad strokes and precise flicks, hitting every sensitive spot with unerring accuracy. When he added his fingers, curling them inside you just right, you nearly screamed.

“Yes!” you cried, your body bowing under the onslaught of pleasure. “Right there, don’t stop!”

He didn’t.

He drove you relentlessly, his mouth and fingers working in perfect harmony until you shattered, your orgasm crashing over you in waves. You could hear yourself whimpering his name, your voice broken and raw, but Cassian didn’t let up.

He kept going, pushing you through one peak and straight into another.

When he finally pulled away, you collapsed onto the bed, your body quivering and spent. But Cassian wasn’t done—he climbed over you, his cock hard and pressing against your backside.

“Tell me you want more,” he demanded, his lips brushing against your ear. “Tell me you need me.”

You nodded, your voice barely a whisper. “I need you…”

With a groan of satisfaction, Cassian thrust into you in one swift motion, filling you completely. You moaned, your body still oversensitive but craving his cock, nonetheless.

He set a relentless pace, his hands gripping your hips as he drove into you again and again.

“You’re mine,” he growled, his voice fierce with possession. “All night, all day—I’ll never get enough of you.”

As he buried himself deep inside you, you knew he meant it. And as you both came together, you knew Cassian was consumed by you, addicted to your, and nothing could tear him away.

Not now.

Not ever.

********

Cassian POV

For a long moment, they stayed like that, tangled together, their hearts pounding in unison. Finally, Cassian rolled onto his back, pulling her with him so that she lay sprawled across his chest. They were both silent, save for the sound of their breathing gradually slowing.

Y/n traced idle patterns on his skin, her head resting over his heart. “That was…” she began, trailing off as though no words could do it justice.

Cassian chuckled softly, his hand stroking her hair. “Yeah,” he agreed. “It was.”

She lifted her head, meeting his gaze. “What are you thinking about?” she asked, her voice soft but probing.

He hesitated, his fingers stilling in her hair. “You,” he admitted. “Always you.”

Her smile was slow, almost shy, and she leaned in to kiss him. “Good,” she murmured against his lips. “Because I’m not done with you yet.”

Cassian grinned, his hands already moving to explore her body once more. “Oh, I wasn’t planning on stopping.” he replied, his voice low and promising. “You’re not leaving this bed for at least a week.”

She laughed, the sound light and carefree, and then her lips were on his again, her hands roaming over his chest. The tension between them reignited instantly, their kisses growing deeper, more urgent.

“Again?” he asked, amusement dancing in his eyes.

She nipped at his lower lip, her eyes gleaming with mischief. “Again, and again and again,” she promised.

Cassian was more than happy to oblige.

HIs hands trailed down her body, fingertips grazing her skin like he was memorizing every curve, every dip. His lips followed suit, pressing soft, open-mouthed kisses along her neck, her shoulders, her collarbone. She sighed, her fingers tangling in his hair, urging him lower. He didn’t need much encouragement.

His tongue flicked out, tracing a slow, deliberate path down her sternum, pausing to circle one nipple, then the other. She gasped, arching into him, and he smirked against her skin. “You’re so responsive,” he murmured, his breath hot against her flesh. “I love how your body reacts to me.”

Her response was a breathless moan, her hands tightening in his hair as his mouth moved lower still. He kissed his way down her stomach, his tongue darting out to tease the sensitive skin just above her hips. Her thighs trembled beneath him, legs parting instinctively as if beckoning him closer.

He paused for a moment, looking up at her. Her chest rose and fell with each rapid breath, her eyes dark with desire. “Tell me what you want,” he said, his voice low and rough.

She bit her lip, her gaze locking with his. “You know what I want,” she whispered.

Cassian smirked at her. “Use your words, baby.  Say it.”

“I want you to eat me.” She said breathless, her pupils blown wide with desire.

He grinned, lowering his head once more. His tongue dipped into her navel, eliciting a soft giggle from her that quickly turned into a moan as he continued his descent. His hands slid beneath her thighs, lifting them slightly, opening her further to him.

When his tongue finally made contact with her clit, she cried out, her whole body jerking in response.

He groaned softly, the taste of her overwhelming his senses. “Gods, baby. So fucking sweet,” he muttered, his voice muffled against her.

He started slow, teasing her with light, feathery strokes, alternating between long, languid licks and quick, flickering movements. Her hips rocked against his face, her moans growing louder, more desperate. One hand clutched the sheets while the other remained tangled in his hair, pulling him closer.

“Cassian…” she whimpered, her voice trembling. “Please… don’t stop���”

He didn’t. Instead, he intensified his efforts, his tongue lapping at her with increasing urgency. He could feel her body tightening, her muscles clenching as she neared the edge. He reached up, sliding a finger inside her, curling it just right, and that was all it took.

Her back arched off the bed, a cry tearing from her throat as she came undone. He drank her in, savoring every wave of pleasure that coursed through her, not stopping until she was spent and trembling beneath him.

When he finally pulled away, he looked up at her, satisfaction etched across his face. She lay there, panting, her chest heaving, her eyes half-lidded and dazed. “Wow,” she breathed, her voice barely audible.

Cassian chuckled, crawling up her body to kiss her deeply. She tasted herself on his lips, and it only heightened her arousal. “You’re incredible,” she murmured against his mouth.

“And we’re just getting started,” he replied, his voice filled with promise. His hand slid between them, fingers brushing against her sensitive flesh once more. She shivered, her body already responding to his touch again.

“Again?” she asked, her voice tinged with both disbelief and excitement.

He grinned, nipping at her lower lip. “Again, and again and again,” he echoed her earlier words, his fingers slipping inside her once more.

[lil-bri]

BEWARE, long “EPIC: The Musical” rant ahead, [Spoilers] for the Thunder Saga:

I'm surprised nobody has said this, but in Scylla's song she's not talking about Odysseus, about how she and Ody are the same monsters. She's talking about Eurylochus.

Im surprised by how many people think she's talking about Ody since the beginning, but she doesn't talk about him until the last moment, after he's already offered six of her men as an offering for her to let the rest leave in peace

When Scylla says, "you hide a reason for shame", it's just when Eury says that he has a secret he can't keep any longer, one that's been eating him form the shame and guilt When Eurylochus says "I opened the windbag while you were asleep", the animatic focuses on Ody as Scylla says

"leaving them feeling betrayed", because Ody felt betrayed that his best friend, his second in command would betray him in such a way, would be the reason why he couldn't reach his home sooner

"Breaking the bonds that you've made" again with Ody's silence, how he was mentally preparing and planning to make Eurylochus part of the sacrifices, as that was the final straw for him to become ruthless and "a monster"

"There is no price we won't pay", with Eurylochus begging for forgiveness, not because he actually is sorry, but to try and get into his captain's good side because he knows he fucked up. By that moment, he no longer trusted Ody, and I'm sure he didn't felt any actual remorse But he had to get on the man’s good side because 1. He had almost committed a mutiny (I think) when he tried to make Ody abandon their men in Circe’s island. And 2. Because Odysseus was still his captain and King. Who would want to be on their king’s bad side?

It's not until Odysseus tells Eury to light up six torches (six men to sacrifice) that Scylla is actually talking about him. And it's not till the final verse ("We are the same, you an I") that Ody actually admits he's become like Scylla.

Thank you for coming to my TED talk.

[whrfchnn]

에이티즈 ! ୨ KEEP IT JUICY JUICY, EAT THAT LUNCH .ᐟ

⭑ Ateez with a chubby girlfriend .ᐟ

Ateez x chubby!fem!reader (individually)

Warnings ! Not edited :( I fear I went a little overboard with the drabbles in seonghwa’s part + lil suggestive in hongjoong’s at the end also some ethel cain vibes with yunho but we love that. I’ve got a sweet drabble for each members which will be posted soon :3

Mona’s notes ! Something soft for my darlings, I hope you enjoy. 3462k words…whoops. Reblogs are appreciated!

✦. ── kim hongjoong .ᐟ 김홍중

𖤐 Joong would 100% design clothing for you all on his own, he knows some brands are blind when it comes to size inclusivity and he hates seeing you go from super excited to self conscious when you finally get the chance to shop for clothes.

𖤐 He’ll spend hours sketching out ideas, finding the right fabrics knowing you’re sensitive to certain materials. Plus this way, he gets to include small meaningful things into his designs that only you two know about, like his initials.

𖤐 He’d constantly remind you that society’s standards are a scam, joong will make it his life mission to make you feel like the most beautiful gorgeous person in the room not only with his designs but with his actions and words of affirmations.

𖤐 I feel like his favourite feature of you would be your waist. When he brings you to a fashion event or anything, he loves wrapping his arms around you so he could slowly and gently rub the side of your tummy.

𖤐 I also feel like if you’re taller than him, he’d be so smitten.

𖤐 Literal stars in his eyes when he looks at you, adoring that soft smile on his face like, “wow…she’s really my girlfriend”.

𖤐 LIKE He loves looking up at you with that cheeky grin, resting his chin on your shoulder he be like, “And what about it?” to anyone who comments on the height difference, “She’s my goddess, of course she’s taller.”

𖤐 If you’re ever feeling down, he will pull out his camera and convince you to model for him. “Trust me, babe, you’re stunning,” he’ll say, positioning you under the best light and capturing candid moments of you laughing or simply existing. Later, he’ll compile all the photos into a little book, labeling it My Favorite Masterpiece.

𖤐 ALSO OMFG

𖤐 Istg he’d wear your initials, either on a charm bracelet, rings, or necklace. He’s wear your full name with zero hesitation or shame but you insisted on the initials for now because of his job sigh.

𖤐 Lil suggestive BUT have you seen those videos of woman doing self portraits with their body? Like sitting on the canvas butt naked with paint on them and going over it to enhance it?

𖤐 YEAH SO imagine gifting him something like that, the outline of your sweet ass and hints of your camel toe drove him up the wall. He hugged the canvas to his body when San tried to see just what was on it that sent joong into a frenzy.

✦. ── park seonghwa .ᐟ 박성화

𖤐 My love, when Seonghwa first saw you it was as if you picked him up by his neck and claimed him as yours.

𖤐 On day one my man was hooked and wanted nothing more than to show you what devotion is.

𖤐 He’s a foodie so he will ensure you eat your meals and snacks daily. I feel like he’d prepare you an over the top dish and write cute notes with it if he’s out and can’t eat with you.

𖤐 Expect self care nights, he loves to take care of you both and pamper you ranging from bubble baths and skincare routines. I’ve got a small drabble for both;

𖤐 Bubble baths !

⤷ The warm water lapped at the sides of the tub as you leaned back against Seonghwa, bubbles piling high around you. It was peaceful, the scent of lavender and vanilla filling the air. Your eyes were half-closed when you felt the subtle shift of his arm behind you.

“What are you doing?” you asked, voice lazy with relaxation.

“Nothing,” he replied, though the playful lilt in his voice betrayed him.

A moment later, you felt it—bubbles being stacked atop your head, the slick slide of foam as he carefully shaped something.

“Seriously?” you laughed, sitting up slightly to catch his grin.

“Hold still,” he teased, leaning closer to perfect his work. His brows knit together in faux concentration, lips quirked up in amusement. “I’m almost done.”

You rolled your eyes playfully but let him continue, feeling the unmistakable shape of a shark fin forming. When he finally sat back to admire his creation, the pride on his face was impossible to ignore.

“There. Perfect,” he announced with a triumphant chuckle. “My very own bubble shark.”

You turned to face him, water sloshing gently as you scooped up a handful of foam. With a quick swipe, you smeared it across his nose and cheeks, earning a gasp of mock outrage.

“Now you’re next,” you said with a smirk.

𖤐 Skincare routine !

⤷ Seonghwa’s lap was warm beneath you, your knees resting on either side of his hips as you faced him. The faint glow of candlelight flickered across the room, casting a golden hue over the array of skincare products spread out on the table beside you. The soft cotton of the Light Fury headband around your head kept your hair neatly away from your face, and you couldn’t help but smile at the sight of Seonghwa’s matching Toothless one.

“One second Princess,” he murmured, voice low and soothing as he smoothed the face mask over your cheeks with gentle fingers. His brow furrowed in concentration, tongue peeking out slightly as he carefully applied the cool, creamy mixture.

“You take this way too seriously,” you teased, though the fondness in your voice betrayed you.

“And you don’t take it seriously enough,” he countered, his lips quirking into a soft grin as he leaned back to admire his work. “There. Perfect.”

You smiled softly and but couldn’t hide the warmth in your chest as he reached for a towel to clean his hands. Before you could shift or move, his hands found their way to your waist, sliding slowly down to rest on your stomach.

The touch was light at first, his palms gliding up and down your sides, the warmth of his fingers seeping through your oversized shirt. Then he gave your tummy a soft, affectionate squeeze, his thumbs brushing over the gentle curves there.

“What are you doing?” you asked, your voice softer now, almost shy.

“Appreciating you,” he said simply, his gaze meeting yours with an honesty that made your breath catch. His hands continued their slow, loving exploration, his thumbs drawing lazy patterns as he squeezed you again, this time with a little more intention. “You’re so beautiful.”

You huffed a quiet laugh, trying to hide the way his words flustered you. “We’re supposed to be waiting for these masks to dry, not… whatever this is.”

“Waiting is boring,” he said with a sly smile, leaning forward to press a soft kiss to your nose. “This is better.”

You sighed, feigning exasperation, but melted into his touch as his hands stayed firm and comforting on your body, grounding you in the moment. The quiet hum of music in the background mixed with the sound of your breathing, and for a while, the world outside didn’t exist.

✦. ── jeong yunho .ᐟ 정윤호

𖤐 Just carve out his heart and eat it please. Let him become one with you.

𖤐 He’s the kind of man who views his love as sacred, almost religious. To him, loving you feels like fulfilling a divine purpose. You are his universe, his North Star, and he orbits around you willingly.

𖤐 He adores your softness—physically, emotionally, spiritually.

𖤐 He’s constantly touching you, whether it’s tracing circles on your thighs, resting his head against your stomach while lying on the couch, or pressing kisses to your arms while you cook.

𖤐 I’m telling you right now, yunho isn’t shy about expressing his love. He tells you daily, in ways that range from poetic declarations—“You feel like the home I’ve been searching for my whole life”—to soft-spoken affirmations, whispered against your ear when you wake up.

𖤐 He loves seeing you confident, but he thrives on the quiet moments when you’re vulnerable, trusting him enough to show the parts of yourself you usually hide. To Yunho, those moments are where your beauty shines brightest.

𖤐 To me, he’s more so protective than possessive on occasions, always prioritizing your comfort and well-being.

𖤐 Anyone who even tries to make a comment about your body in a negative way will be met with that cold, cutting stare. Yum.

𖤐 He wants to become one with you—not just physically but spiritually. He dreams of the day he can say, “This is the life we’ve built together.”

✦. ── kang yeosang .ᐟ 강여상

𖤐 Yeo-yeo is more of a subtle admirer, he is quiet about his affection but his actions speak volumes.

𖤐 He’d casually drape his jacket over your shoulder, pull you closer with an arm secure around your waist, and compliment you in ways that make your heart flutter.

𖤐 His eyes OMFG, he talks with his eyes. If you were out with friends having dinner or something and see him looking at you, you can easily interpret what he’s saying, “You look beautiful” or “Come here, I want to hold you.”

𖤐 He’s your personal photographer, and not those who stand in one place and take a picture no, he will do whatever to get the perfect shot. If he has to get on his knees or raise his arms while already standing on an elevated platform, he will.

𖤐 He loves capturing candid pictures of you. Whether it’s your soft smile, your laughter, or just the way you look at him, he treasures every photo. And when you criticize yourself in photos, he’ll firmly say, “What are you talking about? You look incredible, don’t you ever disrespect my girlfriend like that.”

𖤐 Also 🥹

𖤐 Yeosang remembers everything you tell him, no matter how insignificant you think it is. Months later, he’ll bring up that obscure snack you mentioned liking as a kid or a book you said you wanted to read, often surprising you with it. “You said you wanted this, right?” he’ll say casually, like it’s no big deal, even though you’re stunned he remembered.

𖤐 If you have a unique fashion sense, he doesn’t just hype it up, he matches your energy. He’ll subtly coordinate his outfits with yours, ensuring you both look like you stepped out of a fashion editorial without stealing your thunder TEHE.

𖤐 This made me cry but

𖤐 If you ever feel down or insecure, Yeosang’s words are like a balm. He’ll remind you of your strengths and beauty without hesitation, often framing his encouragement as a matter of fact. “You’re incredible. Anyone who doesn’t see that doesn’t deserve to know you.”

𖤐 While he’s fine with going out, his ideal date is staying in, curled up with you under a blanket while you watch a movie or talk for hours. He loves the intimacy of those quiet moments where it feels like the world is just the two of you.

✦. ── choi san .ᐟ 최산

𖤐 AGH I LOVE THIS MAN.

𖤐 He will NEVER miss an opportunity to tell you how beautiful you are. He’s the type to bombard you with compliments like, “You’re so cute” or “You’re so sexy,” often in the same breath.

𖤐 SAURRR MUCH PDA

𖤐 And he’s unapologetic about being affectionate in public. Whether it’s holding your hand, a thumb stroking your knuckles, full-on bear hugs, wrapping his arm around your waist, or outright kissing you in front of others, San LOVES showing the world how proud he is to have you.

𖤐 He loves wrapping his big arms around you from behind and holding your tummy in his hands, he’d sway you side to side just chilling on you like a koala. If you try to move, he’ll groan and pull you closer, mumbling with a pout, “nope, you’re stuck with me now.”

𖤐 I feel like he’d definitely tease you, he’ll poke your cheeks or pinch your sides and call you adorable, but he never crosses the line.

𖤐 How to keep it playful and always follows up with a sincere, “I love every part of you.”

𖤐 I also feel like if he ever found out he made you cry after teasing you, he’ll dig his own grave. he’d do everything in his power to make it up to you, but he’ll never be able to forgive himself or get rid of that ache in his heart :((

𖤐 If you jokingly ask him something like “can you even lift my weight?” he’ll bench you right there and then, no need to go to the gym to show you.

𖤐 He’s your biggest fan in everything you do. Whether it’s a hobby, work, or even just picking out an outfit, he’ll hype you up like you’re the greatest in the world. “That’s my girl!” he’ll shout playfully, clapping dramatically, making you laugh and blush at the same time.

𖤐 Yk despite his playful nature, San has a deeply emotional and nurturing side. On tough days, he’ll hold you close, stroking your hair and whispering affirmations. “You’re everything to me, you know that? I’m so lucky to have you.” His voice is calm and steady, grounding you in the warmth of his love.

𖤐 If you jokingly ask him something like “can you even lift my weight?” he’ll bench you right there and then, no need to go to the gym to show you.

⤷ “San, I don’t think you can lift me,” you teased, a mischievous grin playing on your lips.

His head snapped toward you, eyes wide with mock offense. “Oh, really? Is that a challenge?”

Before you could respond, he was on his feet, grabbing your hands and pulling you up with him. “San, no!” you squealed, laughing as he wrapped his arms around your waist.

“Too late,” he said with a playful smirk, easily hoisting you up bridal-style. “See? Light as a feather.”

You couldn’t stop laughing, your arms looping around his neck as he spun you around. “Okay, okay, I believe you!”

He set you down gently but didn’t let go, his arms still secure around your waist. Leaning in, he kissed your forehead softly. “Never doubt me again,” he murmured, his voice low and teasing, but his eyes were filled with nothing but love.

𖤐 He’s so serious about you I can’t even type I’m blushing so hard bye.

✦. ── song mingi .ᐟ 송민기

𖤐 GIVE HIM A CHUBBY BADDIE AND HE WON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO HE’S THAT WHIPPED.

𖤐 Like he’s already smitten, but if you dress up or put in any effort, Mingi is left absolutely speechless, stammering out compliments like, “You… you’re literally the hottest person alive.”

𖤐 He LOVES cuddles and is all about physical affection. He’ll wrap himself around you like a blanket and tell you how soft and cozy you are, he loves pressing his cheek against yours and resting his hands on either your lower back or love handles, being close to you is his happy place, and he’ll never pass up a chance to cuddle.

𖤐 NUMBER ONE HYPE KING.

𖤐 He’ll randomly yell things like, “THAT’S MY BABY!” if you’re walking by him or just doing anything that makes you look confident.

𖤐 He loves boosting your self-esteem in the loudest, most Mingi way possible.

𖤐 I feel like you guys would have this little playful thing where he pretends he doesn’t know you and when walking past you he double takes, turning his body around to check out the bunda with them elevator eyes. He’d jog up to you and ask if you’ve got a boyfriend, also throwing in ‘mami’ mhm idc I said what I said.

𖤐 OOO he’d definitely bling you out so you’re matching. If he’s wearing a chain, you’re wearing a chain. If he got them rings on, so do you.

✦. ── jung wooyoung .ᐟ 정우영

𖤐 Woo is all about showing you off yessirrr.

𖤐 He’ll post pictures of you together on his social media with captions like, “My Queen 🤗” making sure everyone knows he’s proud of you. He’ll talk about you to his friends, constantly raving about how lucky he is. “Have you met her? She’s amazing,” he’ll brag to anyone who will listen — actually that doesn’t matter, he will make them listen.

𖤐 He loves cooking for you, especially if it means seeing you enjoy food without guilt or self-consciousness. “Food is meant to be enjoyed, babe,” he’ll say, feeding you bites of whatever he’s made. He’s adamant on making sure to remind you that there’s no need to feel guilty for indulging.

𖤐 OML ON THAT NOTE he’ll definitely spoon feed you, making sure it's not too hot by blowing on it and checking the temperature with his lips before feeding you (yk where this came from mhm)

𖤐 He’s always got your back and will defend you no matter what, wooyoung has zero tolerance for body shaming. If anyone makes a rude comment, he’ll roast them into oblivion and then reassure you and make sure their stupid comments don't get to you.

𖤐 Wooyoung is extremely protective of you, especially when it comes to anything that could affect your confidence or self-image.

𖤐 If anyone dares to make rude or body-shaming comments, he won’t hesitate to speak up. He’ll roast them in oblivion and make sure they know exactly where they stand. Afterward, he’ll be there for you, reassuring you and reminding you how beautiful you are, inside and out. “They don’t know what they’re talking about. You’re perfect, babe, and I love you

𖤐 He’s the type to always want to be physically close to you. Whether it’s holding your hand, resting his head on your shoulder, or wrapping his arm around you while watching a movie, he just loves being near you.

𖤐 He’ll even sneak up behind you for surprise hugs or kisses, just to make sure you know you’re loved. “I just want to hold you,” he’ll say, snuggling up to you on the couch or in bed.

✦. ── choi jongho .ᐟ 최종호

𖤐 Baby bear 🥹

𖤐 Jongho’s love isn’t loud or showy, but it’s steady and unwavering. He’s the type to show his devotion through actions rather than words.

𖤐 Whether it’s making sure you’re comfortable or going out of his way to do something thoughtful for you, he always lets you know that you’re a priority in his life without needing to shout it from the rooftops.

𖤐 Jongii is so incredible observant when it comes to you. He’ll remember your favorite foods, the things that make you laugh, and the small gestures that bring you joy.

𖤐 If you’re feeling a little off, he’ll notice it before you even mention it and do something to make you feel better, whether it’s bringing you a hot drink or quietly holding your hand. “I noticed you were quiet today,” he’ll say, his voice soft but concerned. “Is everything okay?”

𖤐 Jongho loves showing off his strength, but he’s soft with you. feeling down about your body, he’ll remind you of all the ways you’re amazing, saying things like, “Your body is strong and beautiful, just like you.”

𖤐 Jongho is a quiet romantic, and nothing says “I love you” to him more than sharing his music with you. He’ll often hum or sing softly when you’re together, his voice like a lullaby that wraps around you.

𖤐 Sometimes, he’ll even make up little songs just for you, serenading you in the most tender way. “You make me feel so lucky,” he might sing, smiling at you as you relax by his side. His voice is comforting, and hearing him sing just for you feels like a gentle, loving embrace.

𖤐 Jongho doesn’t need grand displays of affection to show you he cares; it’s in the little things. He’s the type to send you thoughtful texts during the day, reminding you to take care of yourself. If you’re feeling tired, he’ll offer to take on a chore for you, or if you’re out together, he’ll carry your bags without a second thought. His gestures might be small, but they’re full of meaning, and they’re his way of saying, “I love you and I’m here for you.”

𖤐 Honestly? When Jongho loves you, he loves you deeply. He’s not the type to fall in love lightly, and once he’s in, he’s all in. You’ll find him sharing little details about his life, his hopes, and dreams, trusting you with the parts of him he usually keeps hidden. “I’ve never been able to open up like this before,” he’ll admit, his voice sincere. “But with you… it feels easy.”

Copyright © 2023 whrfchnn! All fanfics belong to me and only me, I don’t give permission for my work to be translated, published to another site, or copied.

[thebaldursmouthgazette]

For all their screaming and crying about how Solas deserves compassion I feel like a lot of S/lavellens lose their credibility when they bend over backwards to defend Solas's every flaw but do not extend any of that grace or sympathy to characters like, Vivienne, Blackwall, Dorian or Sera, whom they tend to boil down to being arrogant, a liar, pro-slavery and racist. It's really telling that it's about their romance and nothing else. Like, girlies, your man has all 4 of those qualities going on at once and is, if anything, less justified because given any opportunity to grow or change he says "no". I do not want to see you in the Blackwall critical tags after you wrote a 1000 word essay on why Solas should be redeemed.

Yep. I think sera is a particularly good example of this (though they’re all fair examples), because their actions are so similar (though with wildly different reasons) and the reaction so different. Sera expresses her disconnect from elven culture due to being raised by humans and only really having it acknowledged she’s an elf when someone is being racist to her or bothering her about why she’s not elfy enough, and gets almost no sympathy. She’s called racist even though, if you take five minutes to actually listen to what she’s saying, it becomes clear that it’s internalised due to how she grew up. She is also literally like 20.

Solas, meanwhile, belittles and demeans modern elves literally just because he’s an asshole. There’s no childhood trauma here. There’s no internalised racism. He just doesn’t think modern elves are people and thinks the culture they lovingly cultivated and insisted on keeping, despite constant efforts to wipe it out, is stupid. But he’s not called racist, no he’s oh so wise and insightful, please solas bless us with your wisdom while we kiss your feet.

Solas committed a genocide, created the blight, treated his victims with contempt for continuing to exist, killed multiple people, used people as tools, killed trusted allies for so much as questioning him, arranged major attacks killing swathes of people, denied those people personhood to justify it, lied, manipulated, gaslit and betrayed everyone in more ways than you can count, and it is less acceptable in some areas of this fandom to criticise him at all than it is to act like the 20 something lesbian dealing with internalised racism is an evil racist witch with no redeeming qualities, or to act like the black woman who is trying to work within a system to protect her people as much as she can is an evil oppressive witch with no redeeming qualities (they’re comparing Vivienne to Mythal now. I wish I was joking. Apparently having a flawed but well intentioned approach to protecting innocents who are discriminated against is comparable to running an empire fueled by slavery).

Like lots of these characters have flaws, but none of them are approaching Mr Genocide, yet they’re attacked and given no grace while if you say one critical thing about mass murdering pookie bear you get called a slur.

[goodolddumbbanana]

Evil Earth is hot. I repeat, failure manic power hungry girl is hotttttt. Girl seems like about to have a breakdown, and god I want to know everything about her dimension!!!

Like what is her relationship with everyone???

Monty loves her surely (simp) but she seems to get disgusted by that, like treating a bug. They are not actually lovers.

And Moon and Lunar?? Moon seems completely under her palm, also Lunar and the rest of the family.

But Lunar also betrayed her multiple times, snap out of the brainwashed and switching sides to the rebellions, which Moon didn't do that, because if the rebellion has Moon on their sides, Earth will already fail.

And did she reprogrammed her father???? Damn that cold!!! And hot! Babygirl now is just a brain, a big fat silly brain but also a brain. Lol. He deserves it.

Make me question when she snapped? Is this when Solar dies? And also, do they have Solar? A jack? A Dazzle??? A nexus? Did this dimension Sun kill Moon or Nexus too?

And I am really interested in her relationship with Sun. Like, Moon and Lunar are smart and powerful, also with the rest of the family, he totally can use the heck out of them.

But Sun? Sun is not smart. At least not like the level of Moon or Monty or Creator.

Why does she keep Sun? Why does she trust him and put him at such a high level? And why do we rarely see her Sun? We had heard Moon's talk, we had met Monty, we knew about Lunar and even Creator. But Sun? Nope, not a single news.

Is it because Sun is loyal? Is it because Sun is the first person she has helped, maybe even in this dimension too?

Makes me wonder for the angst effects, when all things fall down, will anyone willingly stay with Earth?

Moon and Monty and Lunar are cold headed, they may be the one who fights against her. But Sun, what will he do?

I don't know,... I am still obsessed about the pact bond and how Earth also Sun promised will never be betrayed or hurt each other. Lol angst idea am I right

[randomnameless]

imma vent about that bit with the empire making claims on the relics bc it really pisses me off for some reason lmao

First, I think Rhea should have never allowed Fodlans people to keep any of the sacred weapons or relics.

After everything she's seen and experienced, centuries of seeing humans fuck up and commit endless atrocities , how can she give these weapons to humanity KNOWING how prone to corruption they are ?! knowing the chances of them abusing that power is so high.

Like they already have crests (stolen from her kin) that extend their lifespan and give their bodies power. Is this not enough? They already abuse crests, do they need powerful weapons to abuse too?

Even more hilarious is that it's Willy's descendents doing it.

Anyway!

If anyone should be seizing those sacred weapons and heros relics it should be the Nabateans. It does NOT belong to anyone else.

Honestly the whole thing just pisses me off. Not only is it irresponsible on Rhea's part (who IMO should have spent her centuries seizing every relic , sacred weapon, and Crest stone) , but the Empire pulling that shit reminds me of Europeans stealing artifacts and making claims on them when it was never theirs.

And Of course it's the Imperialist Adrestian Empire thats going around waging wars of conquest that's stealing sacred artifacts and making claims on them when it DOES NOT BELONG TO THEM . Hilarious that edelstans think their waifu and corrupt Adrestian Empire is even remotely progressive.

Ooh !

I think the relic thing is more or less explained/revealed in Nopes, or at least one of the reasons the families recovered the relics.

Iirc, a Gautier Leader "reclaimed" it to fight back against Sreng ? From pk we also have this (Googled I know :() :

As long as you use the power of the emblem correctly, the Lord will protect you.

When she fights with crested (from the Elites) allies. Now jury's out in the "use the power of the emblem correctly", but imo, it shows how to Rhea, humans can still be trusted to do "right" things.

Leti Gautier was given the relic to protect her border (iirc isn't matthias worried in Fe16 the CoS will recover the relic after the Miklan issue ?), idk, why and how the other houses came to recover their relic though.

As for the sacred weapons, some of them were most likely forged for humans (tfw no brawling Cichol) or given to trusted allies, so it would kind of make sense those allies gave them to people they trusted, etc etc (unless it was a nabatean loan ?).

I still don't think Rhea gave crest stones to people though, it's way too personal and cannot be used by humans- the ones if Tru Piss aren't explained where they came from, is it from Cornelia's own stash who kept some harvested eons ago in Zanado, or Rhea "saved" some before escaping Garreg Mach ?

Imo it's the same "mistake" Sothis herself did with the Agarthans, teach them stuff most likely because she liked them and trusted them, but they turned that tech against her. Rhea lends weapons to humans to protect themselves and do "correct things", and they turn (Tru Piss and Golden Shower special mention) against her, using the very same weapons.

It's her fatal flaw, but also the one that helped her survive after Zanado, Rhea is shown to always trust humans, and in the events of the Fodlan games, we see that trust being misplaced.

Seiros the Warrior trusted Willy (with her brother's shield) and in turn he saved and supported her. House Fraldarius was entrusted with her sister's shoulder plate, and now their motto is to be their land's "shield". Mercedes uses the power Lamine stole to heal the wounded and support people. Ultimately, both VW, AG and AM see Rhea's trust being rewarded as the people with relics, humans she trusted, ultimately save her life.

Granted, the dark side of the moon comes from Adrestia, people who were trustworthy once and haven't been since a long time lol. But is it bcs Ionius used a shiny axe to chop house hrym to pieces for the grave sin of disagreeing with him that house Goneril's shiny weapon to protect their land and people from Almyrans who want to "snatch souvenirs" should be removed ?

Back to the paternalism post, say Rhea prevented humans from crossing the street, telling them 1100 times to wait until the light for pedestrians is green. She lets them cross the street on their own for the first time. Adrestia is hit by the first car, crossing when cars have their green lights. Leicester is hit by the fifth one, and Faerghus hasn't been hit once, always looking right and left and waiting for the pedestrian light.

Was it a mistake to let them cross the street on their own ?

About Adrestia, what I found fascinating from that random is how (s?)he thinks the church's shinies belongs to the Empire, when even during the WoH both church and empire worked together, but were separate entities. What kind of nonsense was this random fed, or worse, this Npc really believes in MAGA, pushing the step further and thinking even the Church of Seiros was part of Adrestia ? They bought the "Willy was on top" Adrestian smut regarding his relation with Seiros the Warrior ?

I'd say it's a bit different from the European razzia on artifacts, back then the excuse used was "those people obviously won't know how to preserve them besides I found it first they don't count", but Adrestia's mindset seems to be the general imperialism/revanchist one "it used to be part of me once so everything they have belongs to me".

[trappedinafantasy37]

Welp, I just did the embrace Bhaal ending with Daedra and I gotta say, this is objectively the worse ending. And it is very much the ending I never wanted for her. Because this was always going to be the ending for a Durge who embraced Bhaal. And Minthara being killed was always going to be her ending too. What makes all of this worse is that Minthara saw it coming too, she just did not realize it.

When she first tells you about Orin, she criticizes Orin by saying that if she could turn the plot of the Absolute towards slaughter, she would take it. Minthara also criticizes Orin for wanting to be Daddy's Little Girl who would do anything to please Bhaal. She perceives these to be character flaws within Orin. Sadly her analysis is incorrect, because these are innate characteristics of Bhaalspawn in general, including Durge. All Bhaalspawn are born with the same urges: kill other Bhaalspawn, breed more Bhaalspawn, and then kill everything. Of course, a Bhaalspawn can fight these urges. But it is a never ending fight, one we see Durge struggle with throughout the entire story. They only "beat" these urges by having Bhaal's blood removed from them.

But because Minthara sees these as character flaws within Orin, she fails to see them in Durge as well. And when Minthara learns that Durge is a Bhaalspawn, of course she is elated. Durge is the child of a god. A deeply religious Minthara would obviously admire that, almost as far as borderline worshiping Durge (cause old habits die hard). She truly believes that Durge is nothing like Orin and would never be anything like Orin, and she has to believe this to be true because she does not want to be afraid of Durge like she is of Orin.

Despite popular belief, Minthara is indeed capable of love and has a strong desire for it. I have always read Minthara as a person who strongly wants what she feels she cannot have. And in Menzoberranzan, genuine love is frowned upon (or at least making it known). So of course she wants it. And there is no shame in that. It is trust that she struggles with, and she always has good reason to be distrustful. And the moment she became an exile, we see her start to deconstruct her previous ways of life, but with great difficulty as it is hard to let go of the only things you have ever known. She wants to love, she wants to trust, she doesn't want to be afraid, and she doesn't want to kill her lovers.

Thanks to the business with the Absolute, Minthara finds herself in a unique position in which she actually can read someone else's mind. And for the first time in her life, she has guaranteed certainty that the person that she loves won't hurt her, or betray her, or use and abuse her, or kill her. And that was a promise Durge made to her. And so she openly embraced Durge with everything that she has and becomes devoted.

Sadly, devotion is Minthara's fatal flaw. There is nothing wrong with being devoted to someone or some god, of course. But Minthara is too devoted in which her devotion makes her blind, and she has spent so much of her life being devoted to someone other than herself, and she does not know how to live a life without being devoted to someone. She does not realize the crux of her devotion until she is turned into a sacrificial lamb by Orin. It is Minthara who questions the worth of devotion if it only leads to death and she starts to become a little more selective of who she devotes herself to. Cause she was once devoted to Orin and was willing to be devoted to Bhaal if given the chance, and yet she was still put on that altar. But this never happens if Orin never takes her.

Edit: I forgot that Patch 7 added in the second part of Minthara's dialogue about Orin. Meaning Minthara can still come to question the worth of devotion, even without being a kidnap victim to Orin. However, she questions her devotion after Durge has made their choice in regards to Bhaal. Despite her beginning to question devotion, she still remains devoted to Durge as she perceives Durge as her savior, and not being like Lolth or the Absolute or Bhaal.

Her devotion to Lolth, still ended with her being abandoned (or so she feels) and left vulnerable to the Absolute, because her devotion to Lolth did not make her an exception. Her devotion to the Absolute still led to her mind being ripped apart, because her devotion to the Absolute did not make her an exception. Minthara may be of a feline nature, but she does not have nine lives and cannot always get lucky. Every time she has devoted herself to someone, it always led her close to the grave. Her devotion to Durge, encouraging Durge to embrace who they are, will get her rewarded with death. And death was always going to be her reward.

And of course she thinks this could never happen to her. She read Durge's mind and Durge did show her that they would never hurt her. That Durge would never do to her what Lolth or the Absolute did, or even previous lovers did to her. That her devotion would be rewarded with mutual devotion. But this is coming from a Durge who has not embraced Bhaal just yet and does not yet want to become Daddy's Special Baby. And Minthara is not stupid for believing that Durge was sincere. No one wants to believe that the person that they love would ever hurt them. That does not make someone stupid or weak. Minthara could only read Durge's mind, not Durge's future.

When Durge embraces Bhaal, she still believes them to be the same exact person with the same exact desires as when she read their mind. Durge has finally followed her advice and embraced themselves, become exactly what she always saw them to be. Durge is now on the path to ascension, to true godhood. And Minthara's proximity to it all will keep her safe from all threats because she would be that god's consort. She can finally have a life without fear or distrust. She will have a god to worship, someone to love, and a new house in Durge's name. She will have everything she could have ever wanted and all she had to do was be devoted. All she had to do was be herself.

In that moment, her devotion to Durge makes her blind to the reality that Durge has changed and has become the very thing she herself criticized about Orin. She still believes that Durge won't hurt her and that Durge won't use the Absolute as a tool for slaughter. Her devotion makes her blind to the fact that Bhaal is like Lolth and the Absolute and most certainly will use Durge like a puppet. Her devotion makes her blind to the reality that Durge has only become a master of their urges, because they are willfully giving in to them and no longer fighting them. And the urge wants to kill everything, no exceptions. Her devotion makes her blind to the knife that Durge will inevitably turn against her, because her devotion was never going to make her an exception.

[brionysea]

for the record I'm keeping my #arcane and #arcane critical tags separate because 1) it's rude to go into a show's main tag to complain about it and 2) this way I can still go into the arcane tag on my own blog to enjoy season 1 stuff without being perpetually disappointed by season 2

[galilea-naerie]

When Rhys returned to the kitchen, Galilea’s soft smile deepened as she listened to him confirm Sandrina would take the potion. His trust in her warmed something deep within her, though the weight of what it meant was not lost on her. She met his gaze with reassurance. “We will take care of her,” she said simply, her tone quiet but firm. As Rhys stepped out to check on his sister, Galilea turned to October, who was already rolling up his sleeves. “We’ll need two doses,” she stated, her mind already fine-tuning the formula as she spoke. October tilted his head curiously. “Two?” Galilea nodded, already reaching for the herbs and tools laid out before them. “The first to slow the worm and observe the immediate effects. The second dose will aide her immune system, replenishing her strength and aiding her body in fighting the whatever the worms did to her body.” She glanced at October, her dark eyes filled with determination. “We are buying her time. If this works, we’ll know how to help the others.” The pair worked in seamless rhythm, their movements deliberate yet quick. October measured and ground the green herb, while Galilea mixed it with other ingredients to stabilize the potion’s properties. They debated proportions, adjusting ratios based on their knowledge of the herb’s potency. The air grew heavy with the faint aroma of herbs and crushed roots as they worked, a calming contrast to the tension in the room. By the time Rhys returned, they had crafted two small vials of pale, greenish liquid. Galilea didn’t hesitate. She picked up the first vial and followed Rhys to Sandrina’s room. Kneeling at the bedside, she gently guided the vial to Sandrina’s lips, tilting it slowly to ensure the liquid went down smoothly. Sandrina’s labored breaths and the slight flutter of her eyelids made Galilea’s chest tighten, but she forced herself to stay composed. Stepping back into the hallway, Galilea retrieved the second vial, holding it against her palm as though weighing its significance. A hint of exhaustion flickered across her face, and she instinctively brushed a strand of dark hair from her forehead. October caught the gesture, his sharp eyes narrowing. “You need to rest,” he said, his tone light but firm. “I will,” she replied softly, though the line of her jaw betrayed her stubbornness. “Once we finish this task.” October sighed dramatically, throwing his hands up in mock exasperation. “Stubborn as ever, aren’t you? Fine. But I’ll be the one questioning Aimon about why he’s immune. I’m overdue for some quality time with him anyway.” His smirk was playful, but Galilea didn’t miss the faint blush that crept into his cheeks. She chuckled, the sound soft and warm despite her fatigue. “You’re impossible,” she muttered, though her tone carried no malice. Once they’d finished preparing additional batches of the potion, a sudden sound from Sandrina’s room startled them both. They rushed in to find her hunched over a bucket, vomiting violently. Galilea was at her side in an instant, her hands gently pulling Sandrina’s hair away from her face. “It’s all right,” she murmured, her voice steady. She glanced into the bucket and felt a flicker of hope. The liquid and the worms writhing within it confirmed that the potion was working. The parasites were being expelled from her body. October returned with a glass of water while Galilea checked Sandrina’s pulse. Relief washed over her as she noted the increased strength in her heartbeat. Sandrina even managed a faint smile, her voice raspy but coherent. “I’m hungry,” she whispered, her words like a small beacon of hope in the dim room. Galilea met Rhys’s gaze, her expression a mix of relief and determination. “The potion is working. She’s expelling the worms, which means her body is fighting back. Keep her hydrated and watch her closely. This is progress, but we’re not out of the woods yet.” She placed a reassuring hand on his arm before stepping back. As Galilea and October left the house, the night air felt cooler, a faint breeze carrying the scent of flowers and damp earth.

They walked in companionable silence for a while before stopping at a small stall selling soaps and balms. Galilea’s gaze fell on a particular bar of soap, its soft hues of white and gold catching the moonlight. She picked it up, bringing it to her nose. The scent was delicate yet soothing, a blend of chamomile, and a hint of sweet honey. It reminded her of late afternoons in her kingdom’s garden, surrounded by blooming flowers and warm sunlight. “This one,” she said softly, holding it out to October. He raised an eyebrow at the price the merchant quoted but didn’t hesitate to pay. “Rhys was not jesting when he mentioned things were in short supply,” he said with annoyance. “Galilea agreed before pocketing the soap. The scent clung to her, a comforting reminder of her purpose. Their conversation turned lighthearted as they walked, a rare moment of levity amidst the weight of their tasks. But as October headed toward the cemetery to question Aimon, Galilea ventured into the woods alone. She walked until the sounds of the village faded, replaced by the gentle rustle of leaves and the distant murmur of water. She let out a low, melodic whistle, a nymph’s call that carried on the breeze. It wasn’t long before she found a secluded waterfall cascading into a crystal-clear pool. Moss and wildflowers surrounded the area, the air thick with the earthy scent of damp stone and blooming petals. Galilea set down her belongings and slipped into the water, the coolness soothing her tired body. She lathered the soap in her hands, the chamomile and honey scent enveloping her as she cleansed away the day’s grime. Each movement felt deliberate, almost ritualistic, as though she were washing away not just the physical toll of the day but the emotional weight as well. Once she finished, she lay on the soft moss by the water’s edge, the stars above casting a faint silver glow. The rhythmic sound of the waterfall lulled her into a deep sleep, her body finally succumbing to the exhaustion she had been ignoring. When Galilea returned to Sandrina’s home in the early hours of the morning, she moved quietly, hoping not to disturb anyone. To her surprise, Rhys was awake. She paused in the doorway, her cheeks flushing slightly. “I’m sorry for being gone so long,” she said softly. “How is Sandrina?” She stepped inside, the faint scent of chamomile clinging to her still. “I’ve been thinking I do not want to waste the time we have gained. I will take a sample of your blood.” Knowing that the time they gained was valuable and she needed to find the cure before she overstayed her welcome.

Rhys nodded, understanding her point they hadn’t explored all possibilities yet. Rhys was not impatient with her, but only eager to get things going. Time was still loss of life, but he knew they were hoping to slow the course first to buy them time for whatever solution they needed. He just felt a growing sense of unease, especially with the presence of the army checking the streets and going door to door. It made Rhys wonder why all of a sudden there was concern or questioning. He didn’t know what it meant for sure yet. It only meant he would need to go around asking if others had been visited and what they were asked and if anyone had overheard any discussion amongst the men who visited. The list of things to address continued to grow. All Rhys could do was continue forward, but there was always the exhaustion that lingered, the irritation that could come with that from knowing he had put himself in this position, but resenting it at times. He could not turn his back on his people. He would not be able to live with himself if he did, but the idea lingered there when he found himself too tired or presented with another task he must flesh out that was tedious and time consuming. Time just did not feel on his side. “Well, whatever you need to know about my lifestyle I’m willing to offer. I’ll grab anyone I know who hasn’t fallen ill so they can tell you also. Whatever I can do to make this easier or faster I’ll see to it.” He had told her that, but he felt no harm in emphasizing the point again. He would do whatever he could to help her and help his dying people and his family. As he sat with Galilea again their arms touched and the contact remained, impossible for him to not notice. She was soft and warm. Selfishly he relished in her touch and the desire to know what it would feel like to hold her in his arms, to feel the softness of her skin press against his uninhibited by any clothing. Their eyes met and he fought away lecherous thoughts that wanted to appear. His expression grew bashful as she spoke, "I am only doing what anyone would." He dismissed the idea though he had seen with his own eyes how many others simply chose to run. He saw no wrong in their running, but he simply could not do the same. "Others are bound by having children of their own they need to protect and provide for. I have no such obligations so I am simply the one with the opportunity to help." Rhys had seen others step up though. Aimon being someone who continued to bury the dead in as dignified a fashion as he could despite how the bodies piled up as plague continued to infect their people. Rhys had other friends or acquaintances he had enlisted to help check in on everyone who remained. Rhys just happened to be the one who found himself in some kind of leadership. He saw the need for it and stepped into place. But none of his actions would he allow himself to think too highly of himself for. They were far from being out of treacherous waters in spite of all he had managed to do. A positive result remained to be seen. And until then he could not allow himself too great excitement or confidence in his own abilities. He looked to her, listening as she explained how her life was quite different from his own. He supposed he expected it to be, but Rhys knew very little about the way nymphs lived their lives. Rhys' scope of knowledge truly did not extend far outside the borders of the kingdom he was brought up in. He wanted to asked her more about her family, more about what she was sharing with him about herself, but soon October's voice rang out excitedly. Galilea had risen to her feet and broke the pleasant contact they had been making. Rhys also rose to his feet and followed her over into the kitchen, but remained a few paces back from the pair. He looked between the two of them as they spoke, listening to October explain the green herb he was holding up. It wasn't a solution they were offering, but it sounded like the exact thing they were looking for in order to buy them a little time and that Rhys could be grateful for.

Rhys' eyes met Galilea's, noticing her softer expression and feeling something in him feel pulled toward her, like something in him changed whenever she looked at him with those eyes. He felt her hand on his forearm, contact very much welcomed again by him, "If you say it is safe to use then I see no issue in using it on Sandrina. She needs time, her condition doesn't seem to be improving greatly." Rhys did not wish to lose his sister yet. He needed her. He needed her to be healthy for Carina. He needed her to be healthy for him. Especially since he had taken on the role of caring for everyone else in the kingdom. "I can try and rouse her again and see if she will agree, but if I cannot rouse her then you at least have my permission to continue." He was trusting them. He was trusting them with the life of the person he loved most in this world. He trusted that Galilea knew that and would not lead him astray. He nodded to Galilea, "Thank you." He said to her. He lingered in the room a bit longer and then went to Sandrina's room to check on her. "Sandrina?" he asked as he stepped and walked to her beside. He sat down on the edge of the bed, hoping the shift in the weight would rouse her. It slowly did, her eyes opening, but not free of the exhaustion the disease caused, "Rhys," She muttered his name softly and inhaled deeply after she spoke, the sound as labored and cracked as it had been. "Sandrina, there's some medicine I want you to take. It will not cure you, but it will give us more time to find something that will, but it is new. It is something I'm not familiar with and many people have not taken before. I don't know for certain of how much time it my give us, but I feel assured we will have more of a chance of healing you of this plague if you take it." He explained to her. Her eyes had remained on him, her expression unchanging. She did not seem to fully be able to grasp everything he was saying, illness weighing too heavily on her and exhausting her too greatly, but she nodded. "If you feel it's best, Rhys. I have to be here for Carina. I'm still fighting." She muttered softly and her eyelids came back down over her eyes and her breathing relaxed back into its restful state. Rhys remained in the room with her for some time, enjoying the quiet aside from the rattling of her breathing. It was just a few minutes to himself, a few minutes of not having to speak and mull over his own mounting thoughts. But eventually he rose from the bed and walked back out into the kitchen where October and Galilea continued their work, "She will take it." he informed them and sat down at the table.

[lovesickeros]

in the meantime come to horrifying realization there's like zero yan clorinde content so everyone sit down and listen to my ted talk (this is a requirement I have locked the doors and blocked the fire exits)

personally don't think Clorinde leans towards threats to be honest. she'd feel horrible and guilty if she did and I don't think she could handle you hating her or being afraid of her (maybe if you pushed her far enough then maybe she could justify it because she's trying to protect you but you'd really have to push it).

imo? leans more towards following you around with a hint of subtle manipulation behinf the scenes0. even if it's within the confines of the Court of Fontaine and the place is swarming with Gardemeks you can never be too sure. absolutely fumbles the excuse if you catch her though (if)

the epitome of gentleman, too. she "bumps" into you a lot and always offers to help– even if it's just a few small bags she takes them from you to help ease your burden, basically following you around like a lost puppy. it's a lot easier to trust the nice, polite woman who helped you then the stilted, awkward woman desperate for your attention.

her reluctance to threaten you or force you to do anything doesn't extend to people you know, though. she can cook up any manner of crime that'd get them stuck fighting a duel with her or dealing with a trial that'd get them sent straight to the fortress.

of course, the first thing she'd do is make sure you're okay. she still cares about you (and she really doesn't mean to manipulate you, but really, don't you find it odd that everyone around you is so sketchy? you should be more careful about who you trust. you trust her though, dont you?).

clorinde is very much in for the long game, in the end. she'd only kidnap you as a last resort. she'd much prefer slowly getting closer to you and having you come with her of your own free will (even if it's because she's been planting ideas in your head that you really aren't safe all alone like this. all your friends turned out to be criminals, after all, and what if they start to blame you and try to hurt you? it's best that you stay with her for a while)

if you had a lover, though? oh, she's livid. she makes sure to pin an absolutely heinous crime on them– one that would involve you. after all, she could swoop in and play savior after killing that wretched pest. she did save you from their alleged plan, after all.

a bit awkward with physical affection to be honest, but she tries in her own way. she does what she can to make your life easier– protects you, makes sure you have a roof over your head and nice clothes, a bed and warm baths, expensive foods..anything you want, she would get you without even asking.

why would you ever want to leave? don't you know how dangerous it is outside? who would take care of you if not her? she provides you with all you need, and with only the best (please don't leave)

basically your personal guard dog. she won't bite if you just listen to her and stay put.

and she's just absolutely smitten. careful if you actually use her gifts, because she'll think you're reciprocating her affection whether you are or not. you'll be drowning in new clothes, always trying need food..and she'll always be hovering over your shoulder, watching.

[theonescreencap]

i'm serious when i say this is one of my favorite moments in all of fiction. i got to this part and i was like where has one piece been all my life???

i love the way luffy cares about people. he doesn't do good deeds or help people because "it's the right thing to do" but he fights with all his heart for others to have the freedom to achieve their dreams, if he feels like taking action when he's asked to step in. he doesn't ever want to get in the way of someone else's fight. but just because he doesn't go out of his way for everyone he meets doesn't mean he doesn't love and cherish his friends! he knows exactly what he wants to do and be and he values the people closest to him. not because they're useful to him, as he openly refutes a handful of episodes after this, but because they're kindred spirits who share the same drive to achieve their dream. he gives 200% always and he wants to know that you will too; a plea for help means you're still fighting and he fully understands that

and i love nami so much she is such a good character. even though she had to put up a mask for so long and stay detached and alone she cares so much and loves so fiercely. at her lowest point, she finally has the courage to ask someone for help, and it IS courage... that can be the most difficult fucking thing to do and the narrative doesn't treat her as weak for it. luffy is so strong and so unbothered by everything that she finally feels like this is someone she will not hurt by asking for help. he is the embodiment of freedom. help me. of course i will.

this is such an early arc and the stakes aren't anywhere as high as they get later on but the character stakes are still so intense. this moment is when i went "oh okay nami is fantastically multifaceted and interesting and i love her more than i ever knew i would" and when luffy's character first fully clicked for me. i think one piece really understands the "power of friendship" thing - it's not just some flimsy "well friends are good so i can do anything because i have friends" but instead "friendship and trust and loyalty enrich your life and give you the power to do things you can't do alone because everyone brings something to the table, and relying on others and taking up space is good actually" it shows this to you over and over and over again until you believe it too. i love one piece <3

[kariachi]

Midnight Rant #5 billion and 12 on Charmcaster and Kevin- That woman's fucking AF premiere.

Because we have Kevin, very obviously in a very bad place. He's being retraumatized, his girl's cut back hard on spending time with him with no explanation, our boy is going through it. And then he makes a friend, according to WoG over the course of a few months, in a grown woman. And it's great, it's fine, and then she starts macking on him. And then she plants a kiss on him despite him shutting her down. And while doing that she literally takes control of his damn mind, just fucking harpoons that poor boy's bodily autonomy, forces him to turn against his loved ones. All because she never actually gave any sort of shit about him and from the very start was using him to get to and hurt his girl. This relationship that he thought was forming for months was all a ruse, her using him and then abusing him. And this is

So painful for poor Gwen. Can you believe that Kevin didn't have faith that her pulling back with no explanation meant she was working hard to fix him, after the whole three-odd months they'd been together? And to have Charmcaster come back starting problems. Oh poor Gwen, everyone is so mean to her.

And it's not just in the fucking show, it's in the fandom as well, this idea that the shit Kevin goes through matters in how it affects Gwen and not in how it would have to affect him. Just, that had to be such a fucking painful if not straight up traumatizing event. Charm fucked with his goddamn mind. She made him think she cared about him only to hurt him.

Congrats, Charm, I'd say you were only a few steps below Servantis but he at least let the kids have a degree of autonomy and wasn't on screen macking on them. Slow clap, you're even keel.

Just, I sometimes remember that we have a whole episode surrounding Kevin, already openly in an awful headspace, being groomed and straight up mindcontrolled, and the big take-away is how much the situation hurt Gwen and how bad a boyfriend he is for not reading her damn mind. And it drives me up the fucking wall.

Especially when you remember that he spends that season in his underwear, I'm sorry but the parallels to the treatment of imperfect SA victims write their damn selves.

And when you also keep in mind that when Mike is pulling the 'charm them and thrall them' bit it's treated, by the show and fandom, as him being an irredeemable predator and his victims have every right to hate him forever and wish horrible things on him, but Charm gets to have the 'oh poor Charmcaster' treatment and Kevin's thinking she can go fuck herself is treated as a flaw in his character by the show and ignored by fandom.

Because in the end the disparity comes from the same place as the repeated physically abusive acts Gwen commits against Kevin, as Looma's threats being treated as humor, as Gwen's thinking they're romantic being treated as humor- plain old misogyny. Mind the misogyny isn't all of it, but the age old belief that this sort of shit committed by women against men isn't a concern, and in fact may even be treated as ridiculous, because women are too weak to hurt men plays a big role. Doesn't matter if it's a grown woman grooming a mentally ill teenager or a teenage girl shoving her boyfriend into freefall- she's just a girl so of course what she's doing isn't actually dangerous or harmful, because women aren't capable enough for such things. Which then plays into the age old sexist bullshit that men are simply too strong and rough to be hurt, and to be hurt by a girl especially- physically, mentally, however- is funny because it means they're weak.

And that's not even getting into the 'a guy is always eager' bullshittery.

Just, for the love of fucking christ...