#She loves me enough to accept me as a hostage when the time comes

[eimearkuopio]

I think Cain might have been Lilith's btw. Maybe call Him Oberon for now.

[thirtysomethingloser92]

Could you do fic for Aaron Hotchner with wife reader? She and Jack were out buying things for the baby (she was pregnant) and they were trapped in a hostage situation somewhere. The BAU heard about it and they immediately took notice of this to help them. She comforts Jack because he is scared while she was praying for them to get out safely. A little angst and eventually fluff. You decide how it ended. Tag me later!! Thanks :))

@pear-1206

I have no idea why this never came up in my asks, but I found it now, so here it is! I hope you enjoy sweetness <3

The mall was bustling with activity as you and Jack navigated through the aisles of the small store, picking out baby clothes (him showing you the grey elephant onesie that he swore the baby will love) and accessories. Jack, holding tightly to your hand, was excited about the upcoming addition to the family. It had been so long since you felt like you were somewhere you belonged, but when you met Aaron Hotchner and his young son, you couldn't help but to fall hard and fast for the older man; both of them accepting you with open arms. At first, Jack was cautious. Of course he was, he thought you were trying to replace his late mother; but as time went on, you proved to him that if anything, you were trying to keep her memory alive. From making sure he said goodnight to her every night, to setting a place for her at the breakfast table, soon enough, Jack came to accept you and love you the way his father had. Within the year you had found yourself carrying Aaron's baby, Jack himself excited at the prospect of being an older brother. You couldn't help but smile at the young boy's enthusiasm as he added another two stuffed toys to the basket you were carrying. At first you were worried about how Jack would respond to your impending birth, but the further along you got, the more and more excited he got.

"Can we get this one?" Jack asked, holding up another tiny onesie adorned with cute little footballs.

You chuckled, ruffling his hair. "Of course, sweetheart. Your little brother or sister will love it."

Just as you were about to move to the next aisle, a sudden commotion erupted. Shouting, followed by the unmistakable sound of gunfire, filled the air. Instinctively, you pulled Jack close, your heart pounding in your chest.

"What's happening?" Jack's voice trembled with fear.

"Shh, it's okay, baby. Stay close to me," you whispered, guiding him behind a display of baby cribs.

At the BAU headquarters, the team was busy working on their latest case when Garcia's voice came through the speaker, urgency evident in her tone.

"Guys, we've got a situation. There's a hostage situation at the mall, and... and Y/N and Jack are there."

Aaron Hotchner's heart dropped at the news. His mind raced as he processed the information, fear for his wife and son gripping him tightly.

"Let's move," Hotch commanded, his voice steady but his eyes betraying the turmoil within. The team sprang into action, each member knowing the stakes had never been higher.

Back at the mall, you held Jack close, your heart aching at the terror in his eyes. "I'm scared."

You cupped his face in your hands, trying to keep your voice steady. "I know, sweetheart. But we're going to be okay. Daddy and his friends will come and help us. We just have to stay strong and quiet." You knew about his past trauma, his survival on the day his mother passed. You wished nothing more then to take him away from here.

Jack nodded, his small body trembling against you. You placed your hands over his ears, making him close his eyes. If you couldn't physically take him away, you would make sure his mind wasn't here. You closed your eyes, sending a silent prayer for your husband's swift arrival and safety.

Minutes felt like hours as you waited, your thoughts a chaotic mix of fear and hope. Suddenly, you heard a familiar voice over the mall's intercom.

"This is the FBI. We have the building surrounded. Let the hostages go and no one will get hurt."

Relief washed over you at the sound of Aaron's voice. You knew he would do everything in his power to get you and Jack out safely.

Outside, Hotch coordinated with the SWAT team, his mind focused solely on getting his family and the other hostages to safety. Prentiss, Morgan, Rossi, JJ, and Reid stood by, ready to move at a moment's notice.

"We need eyes inside," Hotch said, his voice calm but determined.

"On it, boss," Morgan replied, moving swiftly to deploy a small drone through a side entrance.

As the team gathered around the monitor, the drone's feed showed the hostages huddled together, guarded by armed men. Hotch's eyes zeroed in on you and Jack, relief and anger battling within him.

"Garcia, I need everything you can find on these guys. Now," Hotch ordered.

"I'm on it, Hotch," Garcia responded, her fingers flying over the keyboard.

Inside, you clutched Jack tightly as the tension in the room grew. The kidnappers were getting agitated, their demands growing more frantic. You could see them starting to argue among themselves.

Suddenly, a flashbang exploded, filling the room with a blinding light and deafening sound. You shielded Jack as best you could, praying for his safety.

Within moments, the BAU team burst in, swiftly taking down the kidnappers with practiced precision. Hotch was the first to reach you, his eyes filled with relief and worry.

"Y/N, Jack, are you okay?" he asked, his voice tight with emotion.

You nodded, tears streaming down your face. "We're okay, Aaron."

He pulled both of you into a tight embrace, his body shaking slightly as he held you. "I was so scared," he whispered, his voice breaking.

Jack clung to his father, his small body trembling. "Daddy, I was so scared too."

Hotch cupped Jack's face, pressing a kiss to his forehead. "You're so brave, Jack. I am so proud of you."

Later, as you sat in the ambulance getting checked out, Hotch never left your side. He held your hand, his eyes never leaving yours.

"I'm so sorry you had to go through that," he said softly, his thumb rubbing soothing circles on your hand.

You shook your head, giving him a reassuring smile. "It's not your fault, Aaron. You got us out. That's all that matters."

He leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss to your forehead. "I love you so much. Both of you."

Jack, sitting beside you, looked up at his father with a small smile. "We love you too, Daddy."

You gave the small boy a small smile, "He did such a great job at picking out baby things. We found the cutest elephant onesie didn't we Jack?" Aaron smiled at the scene before him, never in a million years did he think he would find such happiness again; but he did. With his son, his wife and his soon to be newborn baby. It was something that made his heart ache with excitement, something that gave his life so much more meaning then what it had; before he was barely surviving. Living just for his son but now, he had a life to really live for.

[in1-nutshell]

What about buddy as Miko’s older (adult) sister who is in a well known Rock Band, and is someone Miko looks up to a lot…. How would the bots react (both Autobots and deceptions if possible please ☺️)

That's a fun concept! Miko would definitely look up to her big sis and would aspire to be similar to her. I added a little twist to this prompt on meeting Buddy. Also tried a new writing format than what I usually do. If this is not what you wanted, please let me know and I will do a another prompt for you.

Hope you enjoy!

Autobots and Decepticons reaction to Miko’s older sister the rock star and being in a relationship with a special someone...

SFW, familial, platonic, romantic, mentions briefly of kidnapping

TFP

Miko had called the base one evening. It wasn’t strange for Miko to call, in fact, she called Bulkhead when there was free time. This weekend she was going to be spending time with her older sister, Buddy. Miko had always gushed about her sister being a great rock singer in the area, but rarely had time for each other. Today the two were finally going to have some ‘girl time’, as Miko called it. No, what raised alarms was that she didn’t call Bulkhead. She called the main com line to the base. It was a quick call. ‘Get here now.’ Bulkhead was the first out of that bridge, followed by the rest of the team. Miko was trying to stand in front of another human, which they could assume was the older sister, from a Vechicon drone. Weapons were drawn from both sides. Suddenly the older human rushed in front of the Vechicon begging everyone not to shoot. Both sides hesitantly put down their weapons. As it turned out, Miko’s older sister had a serious relationship with this Vechicon named…Steve?

 Wait… he rejected the Con’s cause?! For Buddy?!?!

“What do you mean rejected?” --Ratchet

“I don’t want any part of a plan that ends up with my partner or her planet dead. I’d rather leave the cause and stay with her than be in it and never see her again.”-- Steve

“That’s what you were going to tell me today? You’d really--”--Buddy

“Of course, my spark. And if we ever met in another lifetime, I’d do it again if it means being with you.”--Steve

“And I’d always look back at take the short cut to meet with you. Even if it means accidentally chucking that bat at your helm.”--Buddy

“…”--Autobots

“…WHAT!?”--Miko

Group that is confused, but later accepts it

This is the group that is against the relationship at first. For the Autobots on this list, they do not want Steve interacting with Buddy, at all. They think that he is lying about all of this and wants to get information out of Buddy or use them as a hostage. They do not let Buddy out of their sight for a long time and keep tabs on the former Con. They slowly start thinking about their choice again when they see some of the couple’s things they do together.

Late night drives and talking about random things.

Singing love related songs during Karakoe nights at the base.

Cuddling under a tarp/ blanket during movie night.

Car washes on sunny days.

The longing stares from across the room…

The list goes on. They eventually treat this as another normal thing in their lives.

As for the Cons’ on the other hand…

They just don’t understand. Why would you want a partner that is so weak? A partner so puny? A partner who is so tiny and squishy and cute—

Oh… maybe that’s why…

List includes…

Ratchet

Arcee

Smokescreen

Ratchet

Predaking

Group that just accepts it as it is:

For the bots on this list, they just know something just happen because life is unpredictable. For the Autobots on this list they just accept it. Not right off the bat per say, but more accepting than the last one. They will take Steve’s backstory with a grain of salt and let time tell whether he is telling the truth. They aren’t exactly leaving the room when Buddy and Steve are by themselves, but close enough to come in running and deck someone. They see quicker than the last list that Steve and Buddy are genuinely in a loving and serious relationship and congratulate them on it in their own way.

This happened when the exchange of pet names grew and the amount of PDA increased with time.

The Con’s on this list simply do not care enough for Steve.

As sad as it is they don’t care too much about one lone Vehicon defecting when they still have a clear advantage over the Autobots.

That being said… they are a bit happy someone in their ranks found love and decided to pursue it.

List includes…

Optimus Prime

Wheeljack

Ultra Magnus

Soundwave

Group that ships it:

This list of bots sees the appeal the fastest out of the past lists. Some almost immediately. For the Autobots on this list, it was a near 50/50 in how they could have reacted. While most of the bots had interacted in one way or another with Steve on the battlefield, they haven’t gotten to know Buddy too well either. So, the pair is neutral ground until a ship name is created. It starts out with domestic things a couple would be seen doing.

Eating together and talking about their day.

Exchanging glances and having full conversations.

Gifting meaningful gifts.

Whispering loving words.

Hand holding despite the size differences.

They are hooked.

Many of the bots on the list will offer help if the couple needs to be covered. Suddenly have patrol on date night? Don’t worry someone will cover for the couple.

Miko, while she was skeptical of her big sis and the Cons relationship at first, she keeps an open mind about it. Buddy would never lie to her about something like this. After a week or two she has become fully invested in the couple. She will be giving Steve the shovel talk inside the Apex Armor.

She is the captain of this ship and will die for this ship.

The Con’s on the list are just happy that someone found love. Finding love in the Decepticon ranks is rarer than finding Megatron being nice to Starscream. They don’t have a problem with Steve defecting and actually encourage him to do date ideas for Buddy. It’s the least they can do, love shall rule!

List includes…

Miko (afterward shock)

Bulkhead

Bumblebee

Knockout

Breakdown

Group ‘Who is Steve?’:

The Decepticons on this list didn’t even know who Steve was, much less that he defected. He is just another drone in the army anyways, they still have more. Half of these Cons don’t care and let it be.

The other half become a little bit invested in this freakish ‘romance’.

Perhaps with a little bit of manipulation and kidnapping…

Nothing like a good hostage situation to tip the balances of war.

It’s not like the Vehicon would retaliate anyways, right?

List includes…

Shockwave

Dreadwing

Megatron

Starscream

[givethemsmut]

The Pack | Chapter Four

Characters: Dylan O’Brien, fem!reader

Pairing: Dylan O’Brien, Dylan x You

D Y L A N ‘ S P O V

It was hours later and I still hadn’t come out of my room until it was time to eat again or all the deliver pizza was gone. I headed to the kitchen and ran into Posey with Alex, the new blonde, hanging on his every word and muscle.

I was still pissed at him and purposely let my disgust show at their flirting in front of me. “Hey man. Sorry about earlier but you had to hear it.”

I slammed down my water down and turned to him, “Take your own advice. You don’t know her but it’s okay she’s over and you’re screwing? Whoa slow down, killer.” I turned to Alex, “You’re like the fifth girl this month. Makes you wonder if he cleans his sheets, huh?”

I took my keys off the counter and headed towards my car. I needed a break from my best friend. I just started driving with no destination until I texted her.

ME: Let’s meet up. I’ll come to you.

She was reluctant. She said she was busy but we both knew it was a lie. I had to settle for texts.

ME: Sorry about Tyler. Ignore him. You aren’t some rebound okay? As soon as I bumped into you I knew I wanted to know you.

HER: Six years is a long time. You must be heartbroken. You have to heal.

ME: I’m bummed but I’m not devastated. I’ve seen you more in two days than I’ve seen her in months, okay? We were trying to hard to make it work.

HER: What do you mean?

ME: All we were good at was having sex. We didn’t talk anymore. We didn’t wanna see each other. We weren’t being there for each other anymore.

HER: Still…

ME: Still nothing. So what we got wasted and fucked. We made it right - we hung out, talked. We didn’t bail and call it a regret.

Y O U R P O V

I didn’t text him back at all. I had class to focus on and avoiding Brody who was waiting across the street to make sure I wasn’t being held hostage by a stranger. I pretended not to see him in the meantime.

Making a violent work place for my Dad wasn’t an option so forgetting Dylan ever happened was my only option left.

I loved Brody and that hurt enough being rejected for something so lame. I can’t imagine Dylan’s heart being rejected after six years worth of memories. For the next two weeks I kept to myself, Alex, school, and Starbucks. Those were my GPS markers and I realized how lame I was but it kept the organ in my heart from breaking.

My dad was actually home one Tuesday night which was odd considering he had a lot of night shoots lately. I was heating up some soup when he sat down at the island inquiring about Dylan.

“So what’s going on with Dylan?”

I raised an eyebrow confused, “Well that was weeks ago. Thanks for asking.”

I sat down with my soup and a water across from him at the same kitchen island as him. “No, seriously. He’s been a raging teenager on set.”

“He’s young enough. He also plays a teenager. Method acting?”

“Him and Tyler are normally full of laughs, energy. Did you guys fight? Break up? Was it the sex part…? Not everyone will be Brody.”

“Dad! God! You can reserve this conversation with Dylan on set. I’m not talking about this with you.” I stood up completely overwhelmed and pushing my soup aside.

His eyes withered down to pure sympathy, “I don’t know a lot but I know Brody pressured you… if Dylan is pressuring you…”

I let my eyes fix on him while I spoke, “You can’t have issues with sex when you have no comparison. And we didn’t break up because we never dated. Look, I don’t know what his tantrum is about. I haven’t spoke to him in weeks.”

Abandoning my dinner entirely, I tossed my MacBook on my bed and closed my bedroom door behind me. The chirp immediately jolted my head towards the open computer showing Alex was trying to FaceTime me. Once I hit accept, I saw Tyler next to her once I was paying attention.

“Girl! Where have you been?!”

“School, Starbucks, home. Repeat. I see you’re chilling with Tyler still…” Maybe giving Alex a GPS marker was to just make myself feel better.

She must have been on her phone because he fell out of frame and was moving, “You probably don’t wanna hear this but it’s like going really well. He’s so sweet. Let’s be real… a total babe too. He’s been staying with me. He has to escape Dylan for while.”

“Why is everyone concerned with Dylan? And telling me?” I groaned between my words, sighing too heavily after.

“Girl. You happened. You left him without any word or explanation.”

I shrugged, “Talk to your new man. He’s the one who pulled Dylan from his room to tell him I was a bad idea. I just agreed.”

“Well he’s been acting crazy. Being a diva on set, giving Tyler attitude, booking up with random girls and drinking. It’s crazy! Completely downhill as far as Tyler has told me.”

“Well he can’t act like a child because one girl blew him off. He’ll survive. Girl, I gotta write a paper. I’ll text you tomorrow.” I closed my computer so fast I felt the fire ride up my neck into my cheeks. I was embarrassed and a little in love with being his downfall.

Brody pressured me to give him every ounce of me but not having me didn’t ruin him either.

The next morning I stopped at Starbucks for a venti iced coffee before class. I could feel my eyes burning and watering at the exposure of the LA sun from not sleeping. All I did was turn and turn, physically wrestling my decision to not even give Dylan w chance.

My only morning class was a lecture too as if I wasn’t already struggling. Sitting in the back I hid in plain sight when about 30 minuets after a packed class was losing focus the old, heavy, door sounded. I couldn’t see without glasses but I heard his voice and instantly slipped deeper in my seat.

Shit. Dylan.

He interrupted the teacher, “Hey, um sorry sir it’s an emergency. Life and death.” He raced up the stairs to me after scanning the room and I hoped my blending in skills finally worked.

I could hear the entire class was whispering, clamoring, trying to place his familiar face.

Am I literally the last person alive to not watch Teen Wolf? Really?

He kneeled down whispering, “Hey. Can you come with me? I pulled a lot of Teen Wolf strings to find your classroom.”

I closed my MacBook quietly before swallowing my pride, “Dylan. I’m in class.”

He grabbed my bag, “And? I just got you a hall pass.”

I didn’t move so he turned to the class, addressing them like he was about to make a speak. “Hey guys. I’m Dylan. I play Stiles on Teen Wolf on –“

I grabbed his arm urging him to stop. “Fine. You win,” as I got up leading him outside. Soon as we were safely in the hallway I asked him, “Mind telling me what this about?”

He shrugged, “I wanted to see you. My car is over there, blue Jeep, hop in.”

I sat in the bucket seats of his car, climbing inside the same car I parked next to the day I ran into him. “Heard you’re being awful to everyone.”

He played shocked well, mouth open and almost laughing because he knew it was true. He said, “Me? Nah. I’m always a peach.” He smiled big and started his electric blue colored Jeep. After driving 10 minuets in silence he said, “Okay. Caught me. I was a dick to everyone… I didn’t wanna stop knowing you okay? I don’t like being the guy who fucks for the sake of getting off.”

I was shocked he felt that way. He must of saw how shocked I was because he continue, “Okay, calm down. You don’t have to be so shocked. Your dad is our produce, he doesn’t tell you things?”

“Not about the cast and sex…”

Dylan pulled into a small local shop, “I refused to do a sex scene in Teen Wolf. They added it for ratings. Not for the character development.”

I was now even more shocked. His job is to act, really anything, and he refused because of personal morales. We both got out and I asked him, “If we weren’t wasted would you still have had sex with me?”

He opened the door to the shop for me, “Kissed you sure but not sex. Welcome to my favorite restaurant. We’re going on a real date so you can reject me like a normal person.”

I couldn’t help but smile some, he was smooth and he view on sex was genuine. Similar to mine instead making myself fit into someone’s box. We found a small table in the corner with a large window and he started ordering everything when half way through he turned to me, “Can I order for you? Do you want anything or just me…?”

I laughed knowing he was anyways. “So Alex and Tyler…?”

Dylan laughed, “This month. I mean no offense. Girls like the abs and the wolf status then get bored and leave. But yeah she’s been around. She was on set the other day too.”

“Two divas on set, wow. My dad was complaining and trying to blame me for your behavior. Somehow our not existent relationship is effecting you. He even asked if we had an argument.”

Pushing himself closer to me, “I may have lost it a minuet. He’s a hypocrite! She’s on set, new, they don’t know each other and fucking like bunnies. I actually like you and he tells me it’s a problem? Fuck off, bro. We have bad timing, isn’t that every romantic comedy?” I laughed seeing him fired up was funny as anything. “Least your dad thinks I’m boyfriend material.”

I laughed again the food arrived my mouth salivated at how perfect a meal this was. Our conversation felt endless. Everything from his sister’s journey on coming out, his parents, worrying about the future.

After we made it back to the car it was hours later. Both of us settling in the car he turned to me, his hand reaching out to touch my leg. “So I shouldn’t be asking you this but how’s adjusting to life post virgin?”

I nearly hugged myself feeling very vulnerable at the time, “It’s different… before I could focus but now I’m like distracted constantly. It’s like an itch you can’t scratch. Anything can distract me and I’m all of a sudden I’m… you know.”

He jumped in and finished my sentence, “Horny?” Putting his hand on my thigh and gently squeezing, “You gotta get it out of your system. Your body knows it’s new.”

I got excited just from his hand so much I quivered inside against the butterflies. “So I’m just suppose to sleep with anyone until I’m use to it and it’s not distracting anymore?”

I was being sarcastic but he turned to me even more, “No. Just with me. My place or yours? Let’s avoid our best friends judging us.”

[nereidprinc3ss]

so um, i wanted to rant in here for a little bit. so far, i have loved your dybmn series and this makes me think that the way you write your characters complexities is so good. i’m a little afraid of sharing this as everyone here seems to love dybmn spencer.

because god, spencer is so unfair and insufferable. reader is insecure but not as unbelievable unbearable as spencer, i understand if i might be misinterpreting this but it was easy to deduce he would be the one projecting his own insecurities on reader.

it annoys me how he won’t give her the opportunity to truly enjoy her body as she wants to sexually engage with him. he claims he wants her and cares for her pleasure but sometimes it doesn’t really look like it, it feels like some sort of manipulative traumatic tactic to actually hold her hostage even though he says he’s not.

it’s contradictory. just because everything went wrong with elle, which is WEIRD considering his whore phase doesn’t gives him the right to expect that much from reader. god, he’s a profiler. he might not be able to actually read minds but i’m pretty sure he’s perfectly capable of picking up clues with his IQ.

specially during her first fucking time with a man. how would he want her to tell him she loves him if she’s still soooooooo inexperienced? literally how? i feel bad for reading it this way but the andromeda chapter fucked me upppp. there were all sorts of theories going on my mind after i read it.

she knows nothing about relationships and is constantly put into the dangerous position of wanting to please him, he never forces her but it’s pretty obvious she TRIES. how is that not enough for him? and it’s not just the sex, he has always had her affection at his disposition (i say this according to the way she’s agreed to accept his invitations to events like the bar or film festivals, the way she’s constantly kissing him without being sexual and always asking for him).

nevertheless, i’m really excited to see how the series will be evolving as they go. every chapter comes up with something new and i love that we’re able to theorize about it. i just really hope we get a big apology from spencer because….

i’m keeping this one:

💐

thank u so much for taking the time to share ur thoughts!! I rlly appreciate it lovely!! and honestly i don’t think you’re alone in disliking dybmn spencer😭 he gets a lot of hate!!

me explaining stuff abt reid below👇 there are reasons for him being the way he is it’s not ALL inexcusable i promise!!

he is honestly probably more insecure than reader. one thing a lot of people have asked me is “how does it make sense for him to be so traumatized from what happened with elle and still have slept with a ton of women after” and honestly psychologically speaking it’s really not a reach that he would have done that! often when people are really insecure about themselves they seek reassurance and validation from other people, and sometimes they go about getting that validation through sex! i imagine since elle he’s never had a real committed romantic relationship and it’s all been very casual hookups, sometimes w the same people but never breaching into romance territory (don’t mention maeve idk if she’s canon or not in dybmn universe lol)

and I don’t think he’s holding her hostage, he just truly can’t imagine that she loves him back. and if you think about it he has every reason not to. his affection hasn’t been reciprocated or received well for most of his life (elle, his dad, his mom, jj (sorry for bringing up jeid)). even if you’re receiving all the input that someone likes you, if you hate yourself enough you’ll go to crazy lengths to not believe it.

i agree that it’s not super healthy, but he knows that! in my mind that’s actually why he told her on the phone that they didn’t feel the same way—he was trying to essentially be like hey girl you should know im pretty sure you don’t like me as much as i like you, and that’s fine, but if it makes you uncomfortable then we should talk about it because i don’t want you to feel like there are terms and conditions on our relationship that you didn’t understand.

also it might be helpful to realize that in some ways spencer really is not more experienced with romantic relationships than she is. he had a situationship with elle that never went anywhere and a bunch of hookups (and maybe maeve but even if that happened it was like a fake relationship lmao they were e dating and I don’t believe he really loved her but that’s a post for another day). but he doesn’t know how to exist in a healthy relationship with a partner who really cares for him any more than she does. most of dybmn is from readers perspective and she FEELS that he’s way more experienced but that experience is pretty much limited to sex which is obviously a big hang up for her so not surprising that she focuses on it so much and his experience seems so vast. but yeah romantically he is also a late bloomer and fairly stunted. he’s kinda figuring it all out for the first time just like she is!

so anyway that was me defending reid for four paragraphs!! but also maybe he’s just an asshole idk men suck why am I defending one of them

thank u again for giving me an excuse to talk abt this!!! ily

[starstruckunknown-princess]

Anemone - Jaime Lannister x Stark!OC

Anemone (Anemone) - Meaning: Forsaken love

Summary: After ignoring her for weeks, Jaime confronts his past love, Lorelai Stark, in the hidden grottoes of Winterfell with a warning.

Pairing: Jaime Lannister x Stark!OC

Word Count: 1420

Warnings: Mentions of past sexual assault (no detail) and the day Jaime became the Kingslayer, mentions of smut and sluttiness (we don't slut shame here, we slut encourage), vague threats/warning

This may be the start to another series I wanted to write. Would y'all want to read a series following Lorelai? Let me know your thoughts.

In Bloom Masterlist

Likes, Comments, Reblogs are SUPER appreciated! ❤️

All throughout the feast, Lorelai Stark kept trying to make eye contact with him, but he had expertly avoided her. Had their time in King’s Landing as joint hostages meant nothing to him? 

She knew that wasn’t true — that time had bonded them in irrevocable ways. They’d found comfort in one another’s arms, he would bring her books, he had apologized for standing by while the Mad King had brutally assaulted her. He brought her to the heights of pleasure night after night until the horns of House Lannister announced their arrival in the city. The rest was history. 

She’d assumed their history would’ve at least warranted a passing glance from him. Apparently not. 

When the royal retinue had arrived at the keep she’d been hopeful that Jaime would seek her out, even if it was only to make stiff pleasantries. He had danced with her once at the welcome banquet, but answered her questions monosyllabically and refused to look her in the eye. There were a few times she’d caught him looking her way in the tiltyard or at dinner but he was always quick to avert his gaze. 

Lorelai hadn’t expected him to drop to his knees and declare his undying love for her in the sight of gods and men, but she also hadn’t expected his terse coldness toward her. Some sort of acknowledgement of their shared history would’ve satisfied her — a wink, a smirk, a “hello,” even. She’d received nothing.

Too tired to do much else, she excused herself to her rooms and left the noisy feast hall.

Later that night while Drella finished brushing out her hair, Lorelai took in her reflection. The years had been kind to her, only showing a little around her eyes. She’d never thought herself a great beauty, but she had been pretty enough to entice a Myrish prince into her bed. 

And a Pentoshi merchant or two. 

And once a muscle-bound Dothraki bloodrider who spent the entire night growling at her in a language she didn’t understand. For all she knew, he had been insulting her the entire time.

Even if the years had been kind, seemingly they hadn’t been kind enough to tempt Jaime Lannister back to her. After all this time, everything they had shared meant nothing to him. And she had to accept that — she wasn’t going to throw herself at a former flame who had been ignoring her presence since his arrival. 

She dismissed Drella for the night and pulled on a dressing gown. Once the maid was gone she pulled on her darkest cloak and made her way outside. She grabbed a torch from the wall and used it to guide herself to the far side of the Great Hall, into the secret entrance that led down to the hot springs that provided warmth to the keep. 

Sometime long ago, one of her ancestors had dug out three grottoes deep underneath the keep and directed the warm waters into them. Some maesters believed they had been used as baths before tubs were readily available. Most of the denizens of Winterfell had forgotten about the grottoes, but Lorelai and Lyanna had come across them one day while exploring. 

The dark stone steps led her down, down, down into the bowels of Winterfell. Deeper even than the crypts on the other side of the keep. The movement of water could be heard as soon as she got to the bottom of the steps. Around a corner she entered the hallway that had three curved arches, two on her right and one on her left, each one leading to the private coves. 

Lorelai hooked the torch inside the arch on the left after lighting two more. She unclasped her cloak — the air was humid and warm down here. Her dressing gown soon followed. The pool on the left had always been her favorite, even though it was the smallest. She stepped onto the wooden walkway above the pool and sat down, dipping her feet into the water. 

Her loud sigh of relief echoed off the two thick stone arches that bisected the space above the pool. 

“Hello?” a voice said through the dark and she nearly leapt out of her skin. A soft glow turned the corner, the sound of boots scraping the floor coming closer and closer.

“Who goes there?” Lorelai demanded, pulling her feet out of the water and standing, cursing herself for not bringing a weapon — especially in light of Bran’s fall. She snatched her dressing gown off the wall and hastily tied it shut.

“Ser Jaime Lannister,” he said, voice echoing slightly. Lorelai poked her head out of the archway and sure enough, the golden knight of Lannister stood a few yards down the hallway. Torchlight lit him, making his golden hair glow and highlighting his features.

If the years had been kind to her, they had been downright magnanimous to Jaime. His jaw had sharpened and his body had filled out into that of a man. Any trace of boyishness she remembered was gone, replaced by features that were somehow rugged and ethereal at the same time. 

“What are you doing down here?” she asked as he sauntered closer. He hooked his torch in the hallway sconce and crossed his arms across his broad chest. 

“Looking for you, of course.” 

She exited the archway and gave him her full attention. “Nearly a month of living in the same place and you seek me out now? When we are set to journey together in two days?” 

Nothing but stolen glances. And now he’d followed her to her secret space in the dead of night.

“Yes,” he said, his words clipped and sharp. “I’ve come to warn you not to return to King’s Landing.” 

She quirked an eyebrow at him and took a step closer, the stone tiles cool against her bare feet. “Why not?” 

Jaime’s green eyes locked on hers. “Something may happen to you if you do.” 

“Are you threatening me?” A step back. 

He stepped forward, throwing his hands out toward her, “No! Not me, I would never. It’s���I worry for you, that’s all.” 

It was her turn to cross her arms, which enhanced her cleavage. “Am I supposed to believe you after how coldly you’ve been acting since you arrived?” 

Jaime’s eyes glanced at her chest, landing on her eyes again. He had the audacity to look contrite. “Keeping my distance from you is the only way I can keep you safe. If you go to King’s Landing, I cannot guarantee your safety.”

“You…you’re concerned for my safety?” She softened toward him. The truth showed in his eyes, but only those who had seen behind his mask could detect it. And she had seen behind his mask many, many times.  

“Of course I am. I’ve never stopped caring for you,” he said, closing the distance between them and brushing a swath of her hair over her shoulder. He let his fingers linger on the exposed skin of her collarbone and his other arm snaked around her waist. He pulled her closer and Lorelai felt warm all over. “Please, Lorelai, stay here, far away from the Red Keep.”

Her hand drifted to his chest, palm searching for his beating heart underneath his hot skin, just like she used to. Memories of their time together flashed in her mind’s eye. She looked up at him from under her lashes, heat flooding between her legs. “I survived there before, I can do it again.” 

Their breaths mingled, adding to the humidity of the space around them. His voice low, he murmured, “It’s an entirely different game this time, Lore.” 

“Then you’ll have to tell me the rules.” She shifted her weight to the balls of her feet and pushed herself up, seeking his lips. 

Jaime all but shoved her away. The sudden distance between them left her cold. He averted his eyes from her and shifted his weight between his feet. “I…I can’t.” 

Humiliation rose in her chest and she clenched her fists. “Then I’ll figure it out on my own. Leave now, Ser Jaime.”

Much to her chagrin, he did. Without a word, he lifted his torch out of the sconce and she listened to the sound of his boots against the floor until they faded entirely. 

Lorelai entered the underground pool and slipped into the warm water, nightdress and all, sinking until every part of her was underwater, including her head. Only there did she feel comfortable screaming out her frustration.

[manic-sapphic]

ok haha ~ i just need to take a moment to share some true appreciation for the evolution of the bfs and their dynamic between one another. like even tho it takes catra years to admit that the understanding & acceptance of friendship & love are literally all she's ever wanted (but has been scared to let herself feel for some time for fear of losing it again honestly), i don't think it takes her very long to enjoy having it. even if it consists of bow teasing her all throughout "shot in the dark" or glimmer smackin her with a big ol' cheek smooch out of thanks. (side note: love that glimmer says "catra saved the day!" right before she does it cause after 4 seasons of tryna be the villain, catra even saves the day at the end too)

even perfuma sees catra actually isn't a bad person, and that's after initially resisting accepting her cause of knowing how she treated scorpia. but all it takes is catra's feeble attempt at sorta kinda tryna bond w her, simply by offering a hopeful/positive remark about chipped scorpia and perfuma's friendship w her that i doubt she ever woulda expected to come out of catra's mouth tbh. so then yeah, she says to catra in s5e10: "it's hard keeping your heart open, it makes you vulnerable.. but it doesn't make you weak" like tbh tho why couldn't someone have said this to catra in s1 lol the gurl's needed to understand that for so long and guess why she never could before oh wait, it's cause of things sw said to her and how she treated her since childhood haaa but i'll digress on that..

cause this is meant to be an uplifting share lol. cause yeah, tbh i think in the season 2 episode "the ties that bind" the dynamic between catra, glimmer, and bow is already absolute fucking gold dude lol like bow and glimmer tryna find entrapta and ending up taking catra hostage instead? and how she just uses it as an opportunity to mess w them till she gets bored and signals scorpia w her force captain badge? i mean, when you realize that's all catra had to do to get found the whole time... hahah c'mon dude. these three were destined to bug tf out of each other for life but in the best possible way lol~

and i love it. esp the fact that in that last still w glimmer hugging catra, catra actually - while initially taken aback as she always is w physical contact - only takes a couple seconds this time to relax into it. allows herself to be embraced w love and appreciation and then even returns it. like tf lol it's so sweet. i think it's the only other person aside from adora we see her manage to be comfortable enough w to do that during the course of the show (bow joins in on the hug after a few secs too and catra's still smiling softly, like too cute tho tf) and it's just amazing. the development, the evolution, the progress, the change - things that, unfortunately, aren't really being celebrated as much these days as i'd love to see. but ik there are so many ppl out there like me too, who just knowing those kinda things are possible means so much to. and ur my kinda people <3

~ps i honestly never intended to make the caption for this cute lil collage so long but if you're familiar w me and my spop rants at all by now, i bet ur not surprised that i did lmao oh and gold stars to everyone who actually read to the end here omg why can't i stop, and why haven't u?? lol

[uh-niran-really]

Heeellooo! This is my first time requesting a fic so sorry if its a little messy.. if requests are still open i'd like to ask for a lifeweaver x fem!reader angst fic where reader is niran's assistant and she has a huge crush on him, one week while niran was working on his project non-stop with barely any sleep he accidentally lashes out on reader on the day she was supposed to confess, the reader leaves upset and gets kidnapped by the people trying to steal niran's biolight and getting severely injured, shes held hostage and her kidnappers use her as a way to get the information for biolight. Niran receives this information and insert a whole sad sequence where the poor boy is scared bc he also loves her and feels scared and/or guilty bc of the last words he said to her and gets the help of sym to get reader back? Idk- 🥹as long as it has a happy end. Sorry if this was too long/messy!! (🥹Idk where to send this request sorry if i sent it twice)

Assistance (Lifeweaver X Fem reader)

Content: Angst, including blood mention as well as cuts and bruises. Small fluff at the end.

Word Count: 4,000+

A/N: This was just a joy to write, my apologies for taking a little longer with this one, and for the length! Thank you so much for your request and I really hope that you enjoy it! 🪷

The week was coming to an end, though you wish it wasn’t. You didn’t like the weekends, they were long and boring without him. Niran Pruksamanee. You were his gorgeous lab assistant, working with him to achieve greatness in the form of living light.

“Good morning Y/N, I’m happy to see you!”

“Good morning Mr Pruksama-“

“I’ve told you Niran is perfectly fine darling, no need to be so formal with me. Come see what I’m working on.” His smile was radiant and warm. Something you often found charming about him. Niran was excited, really excited. He was so close to a breakthrough, he could feel it. He spent the next few hours talking you through his progress. There had been so much! Biolight was evolving, growing. You were stunned.

“You work so hard Niran.”

“Not hard enough I fear.”

You wanted to hug him and tell him he was the most amazing man in the world, because to you he was. Nothing else compared to the kindness he showed you and others, nor the way he dedicated his life to healing the world. Niran was so pure and not to mention handsome as hell. You found yourself sneaking glances most days, hoping he wouldn’t notice, though often he did, smiling back at you. You were crushing on him, hard. Had been for sometime. Working so closely together caused you to develop feelings for the man, deep feelings. Though who could blame you?

“Are you going to stand there gawking at me all day dear?”

“Huh? What? Oh… sorry.. I spaced out a little.”

“You are just the cutest thing when you space out. Tell you what, you help me with this last bit of paperwork and I’ll let you leave early.”

“Oh.. no! It’s okay. I want to stay here.” He cocked his head to the side, unsure what you meant by that, yet he smiled anyway.

“You’re too good to me Y/N! But it’s going to be a long weekend for me here, I’d feel better if you were getting some rest.”

It was nice to know he cared. He would make such a caring partner. Always so gentle and sweet, very quick to compliment all the things you do, no matter how small. He notices how hard you work too, something not many people notice.

“Okay, then allow me to finish up the paper work for you and grab you a coffee.” Your smile could light up a room.

He smiles too, accepting your sweet offer, even going as far as to kiss your forehead, which of course makes you blush and twirl your fingers through your hair. In this moment you decided you would confess. Declare your burning crush on him and hope he feels the spark too. Niran was sweet to everyone, but you swear with you it was different. The weekend would help clear your thoughts ready to confess to him on Monday, a day that both excited you and terrified you.

——🪷——

You practically skipped to work on Monday morning, feeling a mix of butterflies and a twinge of nerves. Still, you were excited to see Niran, he hadn’t returned your calls or read your texts. He often updated you on things when he went home for the day, but this weekend was different. You decided to do something nice for him and stop by the florist to get him some flowers, a gesture you hoped would make him smile that gorgeous smile he did. He adored flowers, and you were sure the real kind would be even sweeter than biolight flowers. You had written a love letter ready to hand it to him after confessing your feelings. This would accompany the flowers nicely.

Flowers in hand, you walked up to the lab, ready to confess your love for him. You step in the lab, setting the flowers down briefly before taking your coat off and switching it for a long white lab coat. You tuck your hair back neatly and find a compact mirror in your pocket which you use to look at yourself, wanting to look your best for him. Taking a deep breath, you walk over to him.

“Niran! Good morn-“

“Not now.” His tone was flat, hinting at tiredness and frustration.

You were a bit surprised by this, Niran had only ever shown you affection in the mornings. He looked tired though. Really tired. Almost like he hadn’t slept since you last saw him.

“I got you some flo-.” You offer in hopes that it would make him smile, before you are cut off.

“I said not now! Can’t you see I’m busy?!”

“Oh.. I’m so sorry.. I.. didn’t mean to inter-“

“Y/N! HUSH! I don’t care what you have to say right! I’m so stressed out.” Niran spun to face you, the bags under his eyes giving away this mental state, he looked incredibly stressed out. You hated seeing him like this. “Great now I lost where I was SO THANK YOU Y/N! THANK YOU FOR THE DISTRACTION. I HOPE IT WAS WORTH IT, AT MY EXPENSE NO LESS.”

He watched as you trembled, feeling like a fool. Tears came quickly, his words prickling at your skin like tiny needles. You could feel your heart race with despair. He had yelled at you.. you had Interrupted him.

“I-I- I’m sorry..”

You drop the flowers and run out of his lab, sobbing heavily now, your heart pounding and head a mess. You had fallen for him so much that this stung. You missed the kind Niran, the sweetheart who would do anything to make you smile. Niran watched the flowers drop to the floor and you run away in tears. He groaned feeling awful right away. He didn’t mean to upset you, he didn’t even want to yell. He never yelled at anyone, he was just… so tired and stressed.

“Y/N, Please come back!” He reached out for you debating to pull you back into his arms but he was fast enough as you disappeared from his sight. He scooped up the flowers noticing how beautiful they were, just like you. He felt sick with guilt knowing that he had just hurt someone he cared about deeply. It reminded him of how he had hurt Satya..

You ran outside, still wearing your lab coat, which would prove to be your downfall as you were snatched up by a pair of strong arms.

“Aren’t you a pretty one?” A female voice purred. She was a short woman with purple hair and an undercut.

“Sombra.” A raspy called in annoyance.

“Aye, sorry.”

You watched in horror as she reached out and hacked a car, which slammed to a stop. She opened the door and pulled the driver out, almost effortlessly.

“Cars here!”

The raspy man sighed, clearly annoyed before dragging you to the car, forcing you inside. Of course you tried your best to resist, but it was futile.

“NIRAN!” You screamed before you were knocked out with the barrel of a shotgun, car door slamming shut as you blacked out.

——🪷——

The room was dark, but you could make out the faintest smile of a woman who sat in the corner by candle light. You felt groggy and your head felt sticky from warm blood that matted its way into your hair and down your face. The hit from the shotgun barrel had cracked your head open, and it hurt, pain throbbing through your body.

“You’re awake I see, grand, I can begin.”

“What.. what’s going on?”

The women ignored your questions and took a few steps closer to you, bringing the candle with her. She was a tall pale woman with short cropped red hair. She dressed almost like Niran, lab coat and a suit, but instead of his prosthetic she had a decaying purple arm.

“Now, you can confirm you know Niran Pruksamanee, is that correct?”

“Yes..”

“Judging from your lab coat is safe to assume you work with him at his lab?”

“I.. I.. won’t tell you that.”

“Tell me or don’t, it makes no difference.”

She pulled over a camcorder and began to set it up. Your heart began to pound just like your head. What did these people want? You didn’t know for sure, but you did know they were dangerous.

“You’re going to send him a little message, though, you don’t quite look the part. That can be fixed however.”

You hear the sounds of footsteps walk closer to you from behind, the fear you feel growing, just like the coming pain. A chuckle in the dark tells you all you need to know.

——🪷——

Niran paced around his lab, worried about you. He had tried to call and send you apology texts, yet he heard nothing. He was a fool for hurting you like that. You were such a joy in his life and he would never forgive himself for the way he acted. He swore that when he next saw you he would set things right.

He felt a presence behind him, suddenly turning to find… nothing? He could have sworn there was someone there, but maybe his eyes deceived him. Then he noticed a tap with a small note, that wasn’t there before. Strange. It’s as if an invisible person had come into his lab and dropped something off.

“Play me if you want to see her again”

The look on his face was akin to shock horror as his thoughts went to both you or Satya Vaswani, his closest friend. Either outcome being a worst case scenario for him. He fumbled with the tap placing it in a player and hitting play on his remote.

“Hello Pruksamanee, my name isn’t important but I can assure you, you’ll know soon enough.” He thought he recognised the man, but he couldn’t be sure. He thought this was the leader of Talon.

He watched as the camera panned to you, tied to a chair, a gag in your mouth, face cut and bruised. They had beaten you, if not worse. The could only see parts of your body, but what he did see was enough to make him dizzy. He felt his blood boil realising that you had been kidnapped, and it was all his fault.

“I imagine you’re confused, but please allow me to clear things up for you. You give us the information on your biolight and we’ll let this.. lovely thing go.”

He watched as the man on camera walked closer to you, a hand resting on your bruised cheek, taunting him. Niran hissed watching as he gripped both your cheeks in one hand, hating the way you cried out in pain.

“You know what we are capable of, you aren’t a fool. We are more than willing to make a trade. Your choice.”

He felt sick. He could hardly breathe as panic set in. Niran had feelings for you, deep feelings. Seeing you so beat up and bruised hurt him, though he knew his pain was nothing in comparison to what you must be feeling.

“Y/N.. no.. no..no..” His breathing increased, almost sending him into a panic attack. “Get a grip Niran.. get a grip.. it’s fine.. it’s fine..”

But things weren’t fine. If only he hadn’t snapped at you, you would be by his side right now chatting away and flirting with him. He should have been more patient. You were just trying to be sweet, something he adored most about you. He hated himself for putting you thought that, hated the way he treated you, hated how he put you in danger with criminals that would stop at nothing to get what they wanted. Before he could get a handle on his breathing he broke down, tears consuming his eyes as he staggered over to a desk to hold himself up.

“No.. no.. no..”

Then he saw it. On the ground a letter in a pretty pink envelop, with this name printed in your gorgeous hand writing. Your love letter. It had slipped under the desk when you dropped the flowers. He hesitated before picking it up, unsure if he should open it, guilt already getting the better of him. His mind already in a fragile state. Was this what he thought..?

“Niran,

I wanted to let you know how special you make me feel. I love the way you smile at me and tell me how special I am. It’s nice to have someone notice my work ethic, especially someone as amazing as you.

I have feelings for you… and that’s because you make me believe I am beautiful, even when I don’t always believe that. I’m falling for you and I just had to let you know. I think you are the most amazing person I have ever met. I love hearing about the way you want to heal the world, the way you stop at nothing to achieve your dreams. I love your selflessness.

You are right, Vishkar doesn’t deserve you. You put others needs first and that’s a beautiful quality to have. I’m glad I can come on his journey with you and I don’t want it to end. I really like you Niran.

Yours (If you want me)

Y/N.”

Niran stifled tears, feeling so much worse for yelling at you. He would have loved to hear you confess to him, he imagined the moment would have been so sweet and tender. He just had to yell at you and send you running, straight into the arms of armed psychopaths that wanted to steal his tech. He pictured your beautiful face again, twisted in fear, bruised and cut up. Who knows what they would do to you, he could only imagine the horrors in store. He cared so deeply it hurt. He would do anything to get you back. You were special to him and he wanted to tell you that himself.

He hurried over to his phone, picking it up to call his best friend, knowing she would help him in anyway she could. He needed to hear her voice, to get a sense of calm for his thoughts. He needed to be babied in this moment, to be Instructed on what to do, a regime. Who better than her.

“Satya?”

“What do you want Niran? I’m at wor-“

“They took her.. the girl I told you about.. THEY TOOK HER!” His breathing got worse, panic once again setting in. “I’m worried sick Satya.. they hurt her… they aren’t going to stop!”

“Bua, calm down. I can’t help you if you’re hysterical.”

Niran paced the lab again, free hand combing his hair with his fingers as a way to cope. He couldn’t wait any longer. He needed to save you. Still he did as she asked and tried to focus on his breathing. She listened, allowing him time to breathe and get his head in a better frame of mind.

“Okay.. okay.. I’m calm.. I’m calm.. Satya please.”

“Tell me what you know. I’ll help where I can.”

——🪷——

Everything hurt. The pain you felt was almost unbearable. They had beaten you for the camera, wanting Niran to know they were serious. They promised to do much worse if they didn’t get what they wanted. You worried how Niran must be feeling. You loved him after all. A part of you wondered if he even cared about you, quickly dismissing this thought. Of course he cared, he just had a few too many sleepless nights, causing him to lash out. Of course he cared for you.

“Niran..” You sigh, just thinking of him. He was your person and you couldn’t help but daydream of a better situation for yourself, with him.

“You love him, don’t you?” A French accent called out into the dark.

You jumped, not realising that anyone was even there to begin with. The voice laughed, before you heard the click of heels trail down the hallway, closer to you.

“I.. I won-“

“I loved someone once. I killed him for it. You’re a smart girl, you must know he’ll come for you soon enough.” The voice almost reassuring. You weren’t sure what to believe.

——🪷——

“Niran, are you sure you want to do this?”

“What choice do I have Satya?”

They pair hugged. She had come as quickly as she could, knowing her friend needed him. Together they went through the information and pieced together a plan for how they would get you out, safely. Niran was ready to give up his Biolight, though Satya wasn’t so eager, insisting that he keep his Biolight and find another way.

“We’ll get her back. I’m excited to meet her.”

“You’d honestly love her.. she’s.. so sweet. I think you’d be great friends Satya.”

“Then I am happy for you, Bua. Be safe.”

“You too.”

The pair hugged again, before splitting off to commence their plan. Satya would act as the negotiator, whilst setting up teleports in and out for Niran to use to get you out. It would be risky, but Niran was willing to do anything he could to rescue you. Satya volunteered to be the one to get you out, but he declined on the basis that he would not loose her too. If things went wrong, he’d be the one to take the fall.

Satya set up the first teleport whilst she made the phone call to the group, attempting to buy Niran some time.

Once inside Niran searched for you. He was certain they would keep you deep inside the building and he was correct. The walls all looked the same, expect for the walls that appeared in the tape he was sent. He just needed to find them. Sure enough, the walls changed and he was on the right path.

“Y/N?” He whispered around, trying his best not to draw attention to himself. He listened in waiting to hear a reply as he walked down the long halls.

“N..Niran..” You stutter. He freezes, unsure of where your voice came from.

“Y/N where are you dearest? Keep talking to me.”

You were unsure of what to say. You were so tired and beaten. Everything hurt. You just wanted to get out of this place. Back home. Back to normality. Back to Niran. He called out again pleading with you to talk to him.

“Please Y/N.. I’m so sorry… please.. talk to me..” He sounded heartbroken, scared you would hate him for what he did. “Please.. I’m begging you.. I love you..”

His words hit you like a freight train. He loved you. He really loved you. After all this time you worried for nothing because Niran was here and ready to save you. You just needed to call out to him.

“Niran.. I’m here. Can you hear me?”

“I can! Stay there, I’m coming. I’m going to get you out of here.”

You smile as you see a flicker of cream hair pass the dark room you are in. It was only for a second but it filled your heart with such joy to know he really came for you and it wasn’t just a ploy to toy with your emotions.

“Niran!!”

You watched as his ears picked up on your voice, his face finding yours, eyes meeting. He looked relieved, but also distraught. Quickly, he hurried over to you dropping to his knees and placing his head on your bound lap.

“Please forgive me.. I am so deeply sorry for how I treated you..”

He cuts the restraints with his Biolight thorns, watching as your exhausted body waterfalls down the chair, slumping into your arms.

“I have you. It’s okay… I’m going to get you out of here my love..”

“That would be nice..” You feel him scoop you up, resisting the urge to kiss you. To him, seeing you so beaten and scratched up was hell. Your pretty features bloodied and swollen. Your pretty H/C hair matted with blood, the wound on your head still sore and tender. The sight of you was enough to destroy him, and it did.

“I’m so sorry beautiful… my.. what did they do to you Tii Rak..”

With all the strength you could muster which wasn’t much, you wrap your arms around him to hug him, wincing and hissing through the pain.

“Let’s get you out of here..”

He pulled a device from his pocket and pressed it, alerting Satya to create a teleport to his location. She of course wasted no time, allowing Niran to carry you out of the horrible place and into a safer location. His apartment. He placed you gently on a plush coach, kissing the top of your head softly.

“There.. you’re safe now.”

“Bua! I was worried.” Satya called, she stood out of the way knowing Niran would want to focus on you.

“We’re okay. I need to heal her, but we made it out thanks to you. Truly, thank you Satya.”

They hugged again, it was a beautiful sight to see. Niran often spoke about Satya and how much she meant to him. It was nice to see him interact with her in the way he did. You could tell they had been friends for years, a deep bind that could never be broken. You wanted something like that with him.

Turning his attention to you again he flicked his right wrist, a small lotus flower pulsing in his hand. He held the flower watching as it bloomed, before firing it towards you.

“This might feel a bit.. odd. My apologies.”

The feeling was a little strange, like a vibration seeping into your skin, but it felt so wonderful, like you were being given a warm hug. The pain melted away, letting you breathe a sigh of relief.

“I’ll leave you to it Bua. Talon are still on some wild goose chase. You should have enough time to move things and start over.”

“You truly are the bestest friend a man could ask for.”

“I know, so you tell me.” She smiled before turning to you. “Niran tells me you are someone special. I would like to get to know you once you are feeling better of course.”

You nodded, relieved that she wanted to get to know you. Niran spoke about her so often that it warmed your heart to know she was as sweet as he recalled. With a small wave goodbye she was gone.

Focus was on you again, Niran took your hand in his and held it close to his chest. The way he acted today had caused you a great deal of pain and that is something he would never forget. You saw the pain in his eyes, the tears that formed, threatening to spill.

“Allow me to offer my deepest apologies Y/N. I was… a horrible person this morning. You didn’t deserve that. I understand that I have caused you so much pain.. I understand I could have caused your demise.. I will NEVER stop working to make sure you are safe and cared for..”

“Niran..”

“I understand if you want to quit.. I wouldn’t blame you.. but.. I just want you to know.. I’ve developed feeling for you too.. I.. read your letter.. and it was so moving. I too love how you smile and the way your face lights up a room.. being with me.. is dangerous.. that’s why I have to leave.. I don’t expect you to-“

“Then I’m coming with you.”

He stared unblinking, tears finally falling. He felt his heart pound in his chest. You too couldn’t help but tear up. You forgave him for everything, knowing it wasn’t his fault. He had always been so good to you, it was inevitable you would follow him to the ends of the earth.

“You will? Oh Y/N.. you’re too good to me.. I will never stop hating myself for what you went through today.”

“Of course Niran.” You pull him in for a hug, sighing at the safety you felt. He melted into your body, silently sobbing, grateful you were okay. “I love you.”

“I love you too, Y/N.”

He scooped you up again, carrying you lovingly to his bathroom, to draw you a nice hot bath. You snuggled into his chest, feeling safe and warm. He was so caring. You felt the love he poured out.

“Niran?”

“Yes dearest?”

You reach up and plant a soft kiss on his jaw, watching as a smile spreads across his face, before turns his head and captures your lips in a soft and sweet kiss. The first of many he would give you today.

[fxnfiction]

Buddie Fic Recs! (pt 1)

A few months ago I shared my FirstPrince fic rec list- today it's time for Buddie fics! (part one- 2023 fic edition!)

happy reading!

All My Shattered Oaths by letmetellyouaboutmyfeels | 107k | E

Eddie wants to stay away from his family’s legacy and give his son a normal life. Buck’s desperate to find a way to get over the love he lost.

Fate has other plans for both of them.

-

still by brewrosemilk | 9k | T

For the first time, Buck longs for a bullet wound to treat. Dirt to dig at. A door to break through. Something. There’s nothing.

“Your guess was correct, Diaz,” the bomb technician tells them, as he gestures to the orange circle. “You’re standing on a large sensor plate, wired to a detonator. It’s incredibly important that you don’t move. Don’t shift. When you put your weight down, it was like cocking a gun - you take your weight off, this thing is powerful enough to take the entire house with it."

Inspired by Castle, S05E22: Still

-

come close, let me be home by Daffi_990_ao3 | 4k | Not Rated

“Looking good out there, Buckley” Eddie says as he hands him a beer.

Buck accepts the bottle and takes a seat beside him, popping the cap off to take a drink. “Any chance we’ll see you bust some moves on the dance floor, Diaz?”

“Maybe, if I have the right partner”.

Eddie’s looking right and him and Buck can feel a blush creeping its way across his cheeks. It’s shit like this that has him thinking maybe this thing between them isn’t just one sided. Buck takes another pull of beer, keeping eye contact with Eddie and watching how the other man tracks the bob of his adams apple as he swallows.

“The night is still young and full of possibilities.” Buck replies, and he swears he sees Eddie’s eyes sparkle

OR

Buck and Eddie slow dance at Maddie and Chim’s wedding

-

if i'm honest (it felt like love by sparegarbage | 2k | G

“You have a good partner, Eddie.”

Eddie flushes, because he knows that her partner isn’t the same as work partner. It’s an assumption they had never bothered to correct at Christopher’s school, mostly because it made it easier for people to understand why Buck was around so often, versus best friend or colleague or legal guardian in case I die.

“Yeah,” Eddie responds, his voice thicker than he expected. “He’s the best partner I could ask for.”

Or: Christopher hosts a sleepover, Buck helps, and Eddie realizes he hasn’t been a single dad in years.

-

i’ll bandage up your body and your bones and your bad days too by oklahoma | 6k | T

Eddie’s day is going pretty well until he’s held hostage at gunpoint in the Dollar Store five minutes from his house.

Okay, that’s a lie. Not the being held hostage at gunpoint bit—that’s very much real, if the gun in his face is anything to go by—but the good day part.

Because it’s been a bad day. A shit day. A stupid day. A horrible, no good, very bad, awful, ugly day, and it all started when he woke up this morning.

-

You, all the way down by justhockey | 8k | Not Rated

Suddenly, between one moment and the next, there are hands on him. Hands that Buck would know anywhere; hands that Buck knows maybe even better than he knows his own. The touch is exquisitely gentle - tender to the point of devastation, even though the calloused palms scratch against the soft skin of his cheeks.

It’s Eddie, because of course it is. Because who else would it be.

“Breathe for me,” he says, loud enough that everyone can hear, but meant only for them. Only for Buck.

-

It’s Not the Roaring Dream, It’s the Silent Lightning by giselleslash | 15k | M

Buck gets struck by lightning and wakes up in another life where he has everything he’s ever wanted, but soon that life starts to crumble around him and the painful pull back into reality nearly breaks his heart.

(or the one where Buck is married to Eddie in a coma dream and he doesn’t want to let the dream go.)

-

feels like I'm closer to a revelation every night by wafflesofdoom | 2k | G

She sees me.

Like Eddie didn’t? Like Eddie didn't know Buck better than anyone - better than he knew himself, sometimes? Eddie sees him for exactly who he is – kind, and caring, and wonderful, and fundamentally changed by those three minutes and seventeen seconds he was dead.

or, a look inside of Eddie's head during their conversation at the cemetary.

-

I’m Not Breathing Unless I’m Giving You CPR by letmetellyouaboutmyfeels | 51k | E

Evan Buckley fascinates Eddie. And when Eddie's fascinated by something, he wants to play with it. Especially when the thing in question hates him so much.

But then something odd happens - Buck sees past Eddie's mask for what he really is. And it turns out, Buck's the same way. And he's not something to play with. He's something to keep.

Now the real game begins: the game of being who they are, what they are, together, without their well-meaning friends and family finding out. Because now that they've found each other, they're not going to let anyone separate them. Buck is keeping Eddie, and Eddie is keeping Buck.

By any means necessary.

-

The one where Buck can’t leave by buddiefication | 1k | G

At the end of movie night, Buck usually goes home. This time, he can’t seem to force himself to leave.

OR: Buck and Eddie curl up on the couch together, and somehow don’t know they’re in love.

-

wishing to be the friction by ipretendtobesane | 97k | E

Buck and Eddie are straight best friends who start having no strings attached sex. Eddie has a hard time having sex with someone he doesn't trust, and Buck's tired of hookups after being with Abby. Besides, they're both comfortable with their sexuality, and there's nothing wrong with giving your friend a hand. What's surprising is how long it took them to fall into bed together, really.

What's entirely unsurprising is how quickly strings start getting attached.

or; the straight eddie friends with benefits fic

-

heart in hands, hands in pockets by soyxunxperdedor | 5k | G

In which Eddie tries to move on.

-

not all of us are heroes (not all of us are brave) by withmeornotatall | 6k | G

Buck shakes his head and grimaces apologetically at Marisol. "I'm so sorry for interrupting your night," he tells her. "I'm gonna leave you guys to it, but it was nice to see you again." "Nice to see you too," Marisol replies with a smile. "Sorry again," he addresses this one to Eddie. "I didn't think. I just—" "You thought Chris needed you," Eddie says softly, eyes so warm Buck wants to stay here forever. "Don't apologise for that." "Right, well." Buck takes a deep breath to calm his still pounding heart before saluting at Christopher. "Forever at your service, Superman." He backs out of the kitchen in an exaggerated bow, ducking to hide his smile when Christopher's laugh follows him out.

(OR: buck and natalia break up, eddie decides to introduce his girlfriend to his son, christopher knows way too much, and the 118's wine night has never been quite so eventful)

-

translate the magic (show me) by extasiswings | 8k | E

“I think I might be bad in bed.”

Eddie rolls that thought around in his head, trying to decide the best way to respond, weighing the options of what Buck needs to hear versus how to say it. It’s not a conversation he wants to be having, is part of the problem. Thinking about Buck desperately seeking connection through fleeting sexual encounters with strangers already makes him swallow back a wave of petty jealousy and possessiveness. But there’s an added level of insult to injury to the idea that Buck wasn’t even having good sex. Which maybe explains why despite his initial commitment to delicacy and tact, what comes out of Eddie’s mouth is—

“You probably were. Bad at it.”

Buck’s eyes widen, a strangled noise sounding from his throat.

“Don’t pull any punches,” he shoots back as he hunches in the chair and drains the last dregs of his beer.

“I didn’t mean it like that.”

[Or: the one where Buck has a crisis and Eddie teaches him what good sex really is]

-

Enjoy! Find part 2 here x

[mrs-hollandstan]

You & mob Tom fell out over you not wanting to move in with him or being part of his mafia crew

I changed this a lillll bit to fit one of my fave tropes of leaving when y/n is pregnant and Tom doesn’t know sooooo I hope you still enjoy hehe

You tried your best to pretend you didn't see him but he demanded all attention. Especially with that gaze directed towards the little girl in your arms. You'd seen Harrison around recently and you just knew that your baby girl looked just like her father and that he'd reappear, demanding you finish the conversation you refused to have nearly three years ago, settling instead, for walking out and never looking back. He'd never been fine with the decision, but now he was upset about the decision, seeing as your shared little girl was here and he'd known nothing about her. 

You'd only told him you didn't want to move in and that you didn't enjoy his career. He'd just shrugged it off, but what hurt was when you'd collected your things and disappeared in the night, blocking his number and moving out of town. But he'd found you anyways. He approaches, your eyes hooded as you stare at him, hoisting the three year old higher on your hip. He licks his lips, 

"So… when were you gonna tell me?" 

"I wasn't. And that right hand man of yours had no business doing it either." You spit. He hums, 

"Right… because it's totally acceptable to keep my daughter from me." The urge to fight him, tell him she's not his is strong, but you ignore it. You look to Evelyn, 

"You're staying with me." You scoff, 

"Yeah. I'll pass." He shoots daggers,

"Would you like me to take full custody Y/N?" He threatens. You swallow as he turns to you, staring down into your eyes, "Give me a reason to take my daughter from you." He growls. The whimper you release, at least, isn't loud enough for him to hear. He grips your arm, dragging you after him while you cradle your daughter to your hip. He practically shoves you into his car, a car seat being slid in before he climbs in beside you. He gestures to it, 

"Teach me how to use it." You don't necessarily do as you're told, you just buckle her into it, glancing up when she's settled. His eyes linger on her for a moment before they flick up to you ans then ahead at the road. You buckle yourself in, sitting quietly as his driver drives you back to the mansion you escaped from years ago. You sigh as you stare up at the dismal house, quickly unbuckling Ev from her carseat the second the car is parked. Tom moves around the car, pressing a hand to your lower back, leading you towards the front door. He gestures up the stairs once you're inside, 

"New stuff in the guest bedroom for the both of you. If you need anything, let me know." 

"Yeah, extra bedsheets and a basket." You murmur. He frowns, 

"Yeah… I'd love to see your daughter from a third-story window." He grumbles back. He turns on his heel and heads for the kitchen while you head upstairs. You inspect the guest bedroom, smiling as Evie immediately gasps and goes for the drawing table in the corner. It's easy to lose time when you're watching her create things like she always does, and before you know it, Tom comes into the room, glancing down at the little girl in the corner, 

"Look at that… didn't need the basket after all." You roll your eyes as he sits beside you, shrugging his suit jacket off. He sighs, 

"She's beautiful Y/N." He murmurs, leaning his elbows on his knees. You nod, 

"I know. She looks just like you and you've always been beautiful." He smiles,

"And yet I can't seem to keep you around." You glare at him, 

"And yet here I am being held hostage." He gestures to the door,

"I didn't lock you in. You could've strung your sheets together and made a run for it into the forest. But yet here you are, watching her have the time of her life." Glancing back at Evelyn, you chew the inside of your lip, 

"Yeah… I always seem to do that." There's a moment of silence before he speaks again, 

"I could've helped you." You shake your head, 

"I was not subjecting her to the same fate I had." You mutter. He frowns, 

"What's that supposed to mean? You let me get you pregnant. I couldn't have been that bad." 

"It wasn't you Tom, it's the fucking job. It would have killed me to have her used against us so your goddamn enemies could've gotten to you." You tell him. He frowns, 

"So… you don't hate me…" You shake your head, 

"No." He scoffs,

"You still fucking love me." 

"That doesn't matter anymore-"

"Of course it matters! I spent all this time thinking you hated me. Ans then Harrison finds out you have this little girl and I was heartbroken. That," he gestures to Evelyn, so much vulnerability in his eyes, "That's my little girl. I don't even know how she became this person because you left me." He has tears in his eyes now as you stare up at him. You swallow, 

"I can't have her used against me-" 

"I can give you a detail. Protection 24/7. I just… I hated feeling like the one person I was supposed to trust was double crossing me. I thought you hated me. Please… please, don't take her from me again. You think I liked not having you around? I fucking loved you." He explains. You blink up at him, 

"I'm scared." 

"You don't have to be. Trust me." He tells you. Glancing at Evelyn, you swallow, 

"I just don't wanna lose her." He takes your hands, 

"I… have you both." Finding his eyes, you sigh after a moment and nod, 

"Fine… but the second something happens to her, that's it. I'm done." He nods,

"You're not gonna have to worry. Anyone that touches either of you… dead on the spot." He tells you. You sigh, 

"And I don't wanna stay in this house. I've always hated this house." You admit. He nods, 

"Done." Moving in, he drags you in, his lips covering yours in a searing kiss. He drags you into his lap, stroking your hair back, 

"Fuck I missed you." He grumbles." You smile, staring down at him. He swallows, 

"What'd you name her?" Glancing over your shoulder, you smile,

"Evelyn Nicole." You admit. He smiles, 

"My mum will be… you've just inflated my mum's ego so hard." You giggle, 

"She's the best part of you." He shrugs, 

"She was… that little girl over there is the new best part." You stroke curls from his forehead, 

"This is true. Hence the name. Passing it from one to the other." He smiles, 

"She deserves the world." 

"And you know what… her father can give it to her." He nods, 

"And he intends to do so." You smile down at him, "starting now." He practically dumps you onto the couch, moving towards your daughter. When he crumbles onto the floor next to her, crossing his legs beneath him, you remember why you've loved him for so long. 

[heliads]

'time to spare' - genya safin

Based on this request: "my beloved male Squaller is somehow stuck with Nikolai and they just… bicker and ma boi is just teasing him with Zoya like “I know you love her! Because you look like me when I talk about Genya! … and Zoya does too. When she talks about you.”"

masterlist

Keeping a king safe is a difficult and dangerous thing. The task is made exponentially more challenging when the king you’re meant to be protecting is even a little bit obstinate or hotheaded. When the king has lived a separate life as Sturmhond, one of the most infamous privateers to grace the True Sea, you might as well give up hope. Nikolai Lantsov may be the current king of Ravka, but that doesn’t seem to have stopped him from taking just as many risks as when he had commanded warships on the open ocean.

As a Squaller, you’ve been blessed with gifts beyond what a normal man could ever dream of achieving. Over the years, you’ve honed your ability to control wind and air to a knifepoint’s accuracy. You can hear intruders coming from leagues away. You can steal breath from a man’s lungs in the blink of an eye. However, there is one thing you can’t do, and that is to talk Nikolai out of a suicide mission when he feels it’s the right course of action to take.

You had tried, this time. Really, you had. While returning home from an important meeting with Ravkan nobles situated near Tsibeya, Nikolai had heard that some important hostages were being held in a keep just a short distance over the Fjerdan border. He had insisted that he would lead a charge to rescue the hostages, and despite your arguing that this was a terrible idea, the attack had been launched accordingly. You and Nikolai had gone along with maybe half a dozen other Ravkan guards.

Despite your best intentions, however, you were caught in the act of freeing the hostages. Nikolai had directed a couple of his guards to take the hostages and run. Seeing as you haven’t heard of them since, you can assume that they got to freedom, but you and Nikolai weren’t so lucky. A pair of other soldiers are imprisoned in a cell down the hall, and you and Nikolai share a similar block. Your hands are chained above your head, giving you just enough room to sit on the stone floor and lean against a wall for some semblance of comfort. 

Since your hands are bound, you can’t summon your Squaller abilities and Nikolai can’t pick the lock from his angle. The only thing left to do, then, is to wait for the guards to get back to camp and bring reinforcements. Unfortunately, neither you nor Nikolai are very good at waiting.

Barely an hour or two has passed before the two of you start getting impatient. There are Fjerdan guards somewhere out in the hall, although they’ve been careful to keep out of sight so as to disguise their numbers.

Nikolai whistles quietly under his breath. “D’you reckon they’d give me a deck of cards if I promised not to break out of here?” He asks you. “I’m kind of bored.”

“Your hands are chained together,” you note. “How in the Saints’ name would you play cards?”

Nikolai frowns. “I hadn’t considered that. Maybe we could use our toes?”

“I’m not touching cards that your toes have touched,” you tell him.

Nikolai makes a face. “They’re royal toes. I hear some people would consider anything touched by my toes a holy relic.”

“I believe the fact that I don’t think that is a strong reason that you hired me in the first place,” you remind him. “You were afraid that I would sell off your used handkerchiefs or something.”

Nikolai nods slightly, accepting this. “It was a real concern. Of course, you could sell off my handkerchiefs even if you didn’t believe they were religious relics, but I appreciate you abstaining from that. It would be dreadfully difficult to explain to the palace seamstresses if I constantly needed new ones.”

“That would be awful,” you remark. “Also, keep your voice down. If these Fjerdans haven’t clued onto the fact that you’re the king, I’d like to keep it that way.”

“Of course, my trusted guard,” Nikolai says. He attempts to salute you, but the chains make it difficult to fully complete the gesture. “I assumed they would have known by now, though. I saw them sending a scout out. Plus, they kept pointing at my face. I know it’s irresistibly attractive, but there’s no need to single me out like that unless they suspect something.”

You roll your eyes. “Maybe they were commenting on the fact that they’d never seen such a vain prisoner in their entire lives.”

“Or maybe they suspected a Lantsov,” Nikolai murmurs. “I’m out of royal uniform since we were traveling. Unless they’d personally seen me before, they’d have no reason to suspect I was anything more than a highly placed guard.”

You shrug as best you can despite the chains. “True. Then the only thing we can do right now is make sure we’re not here when they send someone who can recognize your face.”

Nikolai glances obviously at the chains securing both of your wrists, then the locked cell door. “That makes perfect sense to me. What’s your plan for getting out?”

You meet his stare unblinkingly. “I’m just the muscle, your highness. I believe you’re the one who’s meant to be coming up with plans.”

Nikolai mutters a few uncharitable curses, then adds on, “I suppose you’re right about that. Maybe Zoya will come and save us all. She’s prone to fantastic rescues.”

You can’t help but chuckle at the soft expression that comes over his face. “Of course your first thought goes straight to Zoya.”

Nikolai narrows his eyes at you. “What exactly is that supposed to mean? I am perfectly capable of referring to my second in command. I thought that was expected of first in commands.”

You bite back a laugh. “Of course it is. It’s just that you’re hopelessly in love with her, and that makes the whole affair rather amusing to watch.”

Nikolai’s jaw drops. He attempts to swat you on the hands for that sort of remark, but he just can’t manage it with the position of his chains, so he settles instead for sort of aggressively tapping your boot with his. “How dare you? Take that back at once.”

This time, you can’t help a proud grin. “Of course I won’t. You’re stuck in here with me, so I’ll say what we’ve all been wanting to say for a long time. You are in love with Zoya Nazyalensky.”

Nikolai’s brows jump comically. “Oh, all of us, huh? I want names, L/N.”

“I’m not going to rat out my own men,” you say exasperatedly, “Besides, I’d have to tell you the names of everyone in Os Alta. Except Zoya, of course. For some reason, she’s just as oblivious as you are.”

“Don’t call Zoya oblivious,” Nikolai says fiercely.

You fight the urge to groan. “See? This is exactly what I’m talking about. You can’t go an hour without bringing her up or otherwise defending her honor. You’re in love, Nik. Admit it.”

Nikolai purses his lips, looking studiously out the bars of the cell door instead of at you. “I don’t have to do anything of the sort. This is pure speculation.”

“It is not speculation,” you insist. “I know you’re in love because you look just like me whenever I talk about Genya.”

Nikolai frowns. “I don’t talk about Genya. No more than my job requires, of course.”

For such a clever fox, Nikolai can be decidedly thick-headed when he puts his mind to it. You fight the urge to scream and instead carry on with your argument. “I should hope you’re not talking about my wife like that. I’m right, though. There are parallels here, Nikolai. Serious parallels. I’m in love with Genya and you’re in love with Zoya. Can we agree on that?”

Nikolai is silent for a moment. At last, the tentative peace in the cell is broken by his quiet question, “Do you really think she loves me?”

You snort. “You don’t even have to ask.”

“I do,” Nikolai tells you. He looks directly at you, as if he could tell your truth from lies by just the movement of your pupils. “Does Zoya love me?”

“Yes,” you say firmly. “She loves you just as much as you love her.”

Nikolai releases a breath, crumpling back against the cell wall again. “Saints. I didn’t even know.”

“You were scared to admit it was a possibility,” you correct. “But I think you did know.”

“Maybe,” Nikolai says. “Kings aren’t supposed to be scared.”

“Men are,” you say simply. “It’s not a bad thing. Saints know I was positively petrified to tell Genya how I felt.”

Nikolai chokes out a laugh. “Oh, I almost forgot about that. You were a mess for days leading up to it.”

You shrug. “And look where it got me. I’m a married man, Nikolai. Things work out.”

“Things work out,” he repeats slowly, going over the words like they were a mantra or a prayer.

Maybe he really did mean it as a prayer, because silence has hardly settled over the cell again before the door at the far end of the hall flies open, slamming into the wall with a deafening thud. The Fjerdan guards rise to meet the challenge, but they’re immediately forced to the ground by a mass of fierce wind so strong it might as well have been a solid wall.

A grin rises to your lips. You’ve only seen one Squaller quite so powerful as that. “Looks like you’ll get the chance to tell her sooner rather than later.”

Nikolai sits up interestedly. Seconds later, two women are standing in front of your cage door. The Squaller who had taken out the guards is unlocking the door, her sapphire kefta dotted slightly with ice crystals from the journey to the stronghold, but you can’t spare one glance at Zoya Nazyalensky, too interested in the the woman next to her, the one in the ruby kefta who’s beaming at you.

“Genya,” you croak out.

She smiles, flying into the cell the second Zoya gets the door open. She falls to her knees in front of you, hurriedly undoing your chains so she can take you into her arms the second the cuffs are off. You can feel the slow rush of blood and power returning to your veins, but that doesn’t feel half so good as being back with your wife.

“How did you find us?” You ask, cupping Genya’s face gently with your hands.

She smiles. “The scouts sent word as fast as we could. After that, we wasted no time saving you.”

“No, you didn’t,” Nikolai says. Zoya has let him out and they’re standing opposite each other, exchanging nervous and tentative glances. You know those sorts of looks, you’ve had your share of them with Genya.

You glance back at Genya, who’s smiling softly at the scene, and take her hand. “Let’s free the other guards,” you suggest quietly. “I think these two might want some time to talk.”

Genya nods, leading you back out into the hall. Once you’re free of the cell, you pull Genya in for a sweet kiss. “Thanks for the rescue,” you tell her.

She beams again. Alina Starkov may be the only known Sun Summoner, but you swear there’s pure sunlight in each one of Genya’s smiles. “Any time,” she says. “Just don’t make it a habit.”

“I’ll do my best,” you promise. It’s one oath you don’t mind swearing. Your favorite promise of all has already been made, but this one isn’t all that bad, either.

requested by @reinekes-fox, i hope you enjoy!

grishaverse tag list: @rogueanschel, @deadreaderssociety, @cameronsails, @mxltifxnd0m, @story-scribbler, @retvenkos, @mayfieldss, @eclliipsed, @gods-fools-heroes, @bl606dy, @auggie2000, @baju69, @crazyhearttragedy, @budugu, @aoi-targaryen

all tags list: @wordsarelife

[buckrecs]

2022 Bucky Barnes Fic Rec 3

masterlist | req masterlist

All of them are COMPLETE Series.

✨- fav fics

Status - Completed

1. The Two of Us by @bucky-bucket-barnes ✨

Bucky x Avenger!Reader WandaVision AU

You and Bucky go to investigate the phenomenon happening in Westview, New Jersey. While attempting to understand the issue, you yourselves are sucked into Wanda’s world of pretend. Now, you believe yourselves to be the happily married Mr. and Mrs. Barnes; in real life, you are most definitely not a happy pair. It is up to you and Bucky to piece together what’s happening while dealing with one another inside the hex.

2. Wordpeddler by @heli0s-writes

Bucky x Reader Social Media AU

An online petition for the Avengers to be interviewed turns into a series of misadventures with the so-called wordpeddler.

3. Almost Had Me Believing It by @tuiccim

Bucky x Reader

An undercover operation playing Bucky Barnes' wife is a dream come true. Playing house in the suburbs while trying to take down a drug ring brings you and Bucky closer but a nosy neighbor causes trouble in paradise.

4. Who’s She? | The Long Run by @itsapeterthing ✨

Bucky x Doctor!Reader (2 parts)

when sam gets injured during a mission and isn’t able to go to a hospital, bucky brings him and natasha to his own home to get cared for by his girlfriend, y/n, who he’s been keeping a secret.

5. trilogy by @buckycuddlebuddy

Fuckboy!Bucky x Reader College AU

he was toxic. most of the time you were with him, you were used for pleasure only, you knew that, and he wasn’t hiding it. maybe it was how good he made you feel that made you fell in love with him, or maybe it was the fact that he somehow made you feel like you were someone ─ but you fell in love with him. although you knew in the beginning that you shouldn’t have, it was way too late for that, now. you were in too deep.

6. I’m With You by @wkemeup ✨

Bucky x Reader Modern AU

When two strangers meet on a layover in the Charlotte Airport, they are sent on a whirlwind weekend filled with cancelled flights, painful questions over giant checkers, an ex-boyfriend’s wedding, and a confrontational graduation. They find that a lifetime can sit in the span of three days and it doesn’t take very long at all to fall in love.

7. Cheek to Cheek by @wienerbarnes

Bucky x Criminal!Reader

Mentions and descriptions of kidnapping, torture, and being held in prison, crime stuff, warnings will be more specific depending on the chapter

8. Tinman by @indyluckycharlie

Bucky x Prosthetist!Reader

Bucky survives the fall from the train and comes home, hoping to return to his old life. But he’s not the man he was before. He’s not sure he’ll ever be.

9. Say It by @sgtjbuccky ✨

Bucky x Reader

In where you loved Bucky unconditionally, enough to sacrifice your life for his happiness, now Bucky tries to save yours.

10. Peach Scones by @sgtjbuccky ✨

Bucky x Reader

In where Bucky has it so bad for you, he cannot find the words to confess his feelings. After an entire year of failed attempts, plus a declaration of love for scones, he decides it’s about time the words come out of his mouth. Only Bucky knows himself and is certain it’s gonna be one hell of a challenge.

11. Hostage of Your Eyes by @sinner-as-saint

Mob!Bucky x Reader

You accept an unusual offer made by a very familiar, but dangerous mob boss. And despite the rather bizarre situation and all the troubles which come along the way; old flames rekindle – and you find love again, where it wasn’t supposed to be.

12. No Such Thing by @sanguineterrain

College!Bucky x Reader

You’ve been assigned to write a column for your school paper on the team’s spectacular running back. You don’t care very much for your university’s football team; you just can’t understand the hype, okay? Turns out your distaste for football bigheads was exactly on point: James Barnes is insufferable.  

13. Take it Back by @allandoflimbo

Bucky x Reader Modern AU

About five years ago, a one night stand with Y/N tore Bucky’s life apart. It was also the night before his wedding. Now he’s married to her sister and she needs a place to stay.

14. Who I Was Looking For by @soopranatural

Bucky x Reader Soulmate AU

Even after you started wearing cuffs, the words are engraved in your mind as well as your wrist. You know you’re not destined for love as soon as you learn how to read. How could you? When the words “Sorry, you’re not who I was looking for” are written in black ink on your skin.  

15. Tinder Match by @sunflowergirl522

Bucky x Reader Social Media AU

You look at the older people on Tinder joking about finding a sugar daddy. That’s when you stumble upon a man claiming to be 106. Intrigued you swipe right and match with him.

16. Bucky Barnes x Rogers!Reader Collection by @itsapeterthing

40s!Bucky x Rogers!Reader

You’ve known your brother’s best friend Bucky Barnes since before you can even remember. As the two of you get older, your relationship grows from one of teasing friendship to an everlasting love. Despite all odds and decades apart, you never fail to find each other every time.

17. Love You Forever • 2 | Where’d All The Time Go • 2 by @coffeecatsandcandles

Dad!Bucky x Reader

Bucky reunites with you after the blip, only to find out he's now a father.

Bucky's daughter comes home to tell him that she's lost her first tooth.

18. Ladykiller by @mymoonagedaydream

Bucky x Reader College AU

By now you were pretty skilled at recognising players, but for some reason you just couldn’t fucking stay away from them

20. A Certain Romance by @wienerbarnes

Bucky x Reader Fake Dating AU

With the threat of yet another bad date at the result of Sam Wilson’s meddling, Bucky’s desperate to find a solution. As are you, another victim to Sam’s failed matchmaking. The two of you come up with a genius plan: pretend to date each other in order to escape the poking and prying nose of the Falcon.

21. Much Ado About Nothing by @wienerbarnes

Bucky x Reader

As Steve, Sam, and Bucky return home from a grueling mission where Steve has a near-death experience, he makes the last minute decision to propose to his long-time girlfriend, Sharon Carter. To pass the time until the impulsive wedding, the team decides to play a game: Get Bucky to fall in love with their residential tech expert, also coincidentally the bane of Bucky’s existence - You.

22. Flashing Lights by @pellucid-constellations

Paramedic!Bucky x Reader (2 parts)

Bucky’s worst fears come true when he’s called to a scene. If he’s the one with the dangerous job, then why is it your life that’s hanging in the balance?

23. Teach Me How to Love by @buckyismybicycle

Dad!Bucky x Teacher!Reader

Natasha leaves behind her precious daughter, Yelena, and with her dying breath asks Bucky to look after her.

24. Secret Confession by @buckysmischief

Bucky x Reader Social Media AU

After an unexpected break up with Bucky, you change a few things. Your hair, your number, even your schedule for the upcoming semester. But after weeks of dodging the topic, your roommates (MJ, Peter and the Twins) and your close friend Natasha decide it’s time to help you move on.

26. The Rumor by @sidepartskinnyjeans

Bucky x Agent!Reader

there's a rumour going around the compound about you and Sergeant Barnes, which is ridiculous because he's an avenger and you're a junior agent. How would a rumour like that even get started?

27. Our Home to Heal by @subwaysurf45

Bucky x Reader

working at the VA, you’ve found your place. helping people in the sobriety unit as well as cooking for the food bank, the VA had everything for you. Bucky Barnes has a not-so-good first impression but after dealing with a dark recent past he finds you to help him heal.

28. Sixth Sense by @buckybarnesowl

Bucky x Enhanced!Reader

Bucky struggles to find his place after Team Cap returns to the compound. People are still wary of the ex-assassin, including some of the Avengers, but you know better. You sense his goodness despite, and you’ll do anything to make feel what you feel.

29. A Half-Naked Nurse and Wrong Ideas by @urimaginespimp ✨

Bucky x Reader (2 parts)

you’ve gotten sick and Bucky takes care of you

30. This Love by @urimaginespimp

Bucky x Witch!Reader

A multi-chapter fic between the reader and Bucky in different settings of the MCU, starting with them meeting during Civil War, up to TFAWTS.

31. Sweeter Than Honey by @foreverindreamlandd ✨

Mechanic!Bucky x Assistant!Reader

It's your first international trip working for bestselling author Tony Stark as his new personal assistant, and you're desperate to prove yourself worthy of such an incredible opportunity. But when things start to go wrong whilst staying in Dublin, and suddenly you're stuck in the middle of the Wicklow Mountains with a flat tire, you're convinced that you'll be fired before the day is over. Luckily, a handsome, blue-eyed mechanic with an accent that makes your insides melt comes just in time to  save the day.

32. Solace by @winterdrag0n ✨

Bucky x Reader Modern AU

After years of living abroad, you’re finally back to New York with a failed marriage and a flashy new job at Art Gallery. In your cousin Steve’s wedding, you meet Bucky again. Your relationship with Bucky had been complicated, to say the least. He had been your childhood enemy, friend with benefits and drinking buddy. But this time, with new circumstances, the two of you might find solace in each other.

33. Keeping Me Up by @writing-for-marvel

Neighbor!Bucky x Reader

When Bucky moves in next door, you seem to get much less sleep than when your previous neighbour lived in apartment 4a.

34. The Name of the Game by @matchamunson

Bucky x Reader College AU

Bucky Barnes doesn’t do love or relationships. He does nights of meaningless sex and the occasional date before ghosting his latest victim. When his roommates bet him $200 he’ll never be able to get a girl to fall in love with him, he’s all in. Enter Y/N Y/L/N, seemingly good girl next door that Bucky knows he’ll be able to make fall for him. When she finds out about the bet Y/N only has one thing in mind: beat the bastard at his own game.

35. Paws and Pins by @matchamunson

Tattoo Artist!Bucky x Reader Social Media AU

In which Bucky runs into the owner of the animal shelter across the street from his shop.

36. Amaranthine by @kashimos-hajime  ✨

Bucky x Reader

a boy and a girl went off to war. they fell in love and the devil laughed.

37. Nightmare by @petertingle-yipyip

Bucky x Hydra!Reader

You were only in New York for a recon mission. Seek out and assess the threat. But when you get distracted by a handsome soldier, plans change.

38. Heartlines by @buckyskorpion

Bucky x Reader

When Reader moves into Avengers Tower to finish her PhD in safety, the last thing she expects is to have something in common with the shy insomniac Bucky Barnes.

39. Reset by @lunarbuck ✨

Winter Soldier!Bucky x Reader

The government has fallen, Hydra has taken over. You were an agent of SHIELD long before the reign of terror began, and became a member of the resistance when they needed you most. Everything changes when the Winter Soldier captures you from your safe house.

40. Long Black by @evanstarff

Bucky x Agent!Reader

After a disastrous HYDRA coup goes wrong, Bucky Barnes is forced to go under witness protection at a coffee shop – with you as his highly trained ‘bodyguard’. Is something brewing between you or is he just tall, dark, and bitter?

[kybercrystals94]

The Hostage

(Part 3)

Read here on Ao3!

Master Post here!

Rated: T | Words: 1736 | Summary: The boys wait, and unexpected consequences are met...

Hunter approaches their prisoner chained to the lower rack, and holds out a ration bar and canteen. The twi’lek man, Cenrar Kedess, sits up, shifting so that his back is against the wall. “It is not too late to accept my offer,” he says. 

Hunter scoffs. “Not interested.” 

“But I can give you twice whatever the price on my head is.” 

Hunter narrows his gaze. “Are you hungry or not?” he asks. 

Kedess snatches the meal, glaring up at Hunter and baring sharpened teeth. “You are very foolish, refusing me,” he growls.

Hunter ignores him, turning to Wrecker slouched in the crash seat across from Kedess. He hands his brother two ration bars. “I’ll come take the watch in an hour,” Hunter mutters. 

Wrecker nods. 

Hunter hesitates a moment, then reaches out and grips Wrecker’s shoulder, shaking him softly. “We’ll get her back.” 

Wrecker frowns down at ration bars in his hand. “They still haven’t made contact,” he rumbles softly. “It’s been five days.” 

Five days. Five long, terrible days…the monotony only broken by the small effort it had taken to track down Kedess. Between Tech and Echo, they’d quickly pinpointed the twi’lek’s location in a nearby sector, on a small, disreputable planet with little Empirical influence. Wrecker and Hunter had then convinced Kadess that it was in his best interest to come quietly…with the encouragement of Hunter’s blaster gouged into his spine, and Wrecker’s iron grip latched around his arm. 

“He’s just giving us time,” Hunter reasons, the same reason Tech gave him when he’d fretted over the delay in contact himself only a few minutes ago. 

“We’re us,” Wrecker says, “We don’t need this much time.”

“He doesn’t know that.” 

Wrecker tears open one of his ration bars, but doesn’t eat it, just turns the brick around in his fingers. “Do you think he’s giving her enough to eat? I’d hate for her to be hungry.” 

The question is only one of the many that have haunted Hunter ever since Omega was taken. Is she warm enough? Is she getting enough sleep? Is she being fed and hydrated? Does she have injuries? Is she scared? Does she wonder why her brothers hadn’t found her yet? Does she know they were coming, that they were doing everything they could to find her? 

Does she know they would do anything for her?

Does she know that they love her? 

Unable to find any words of comfort, Hunter doesn’t say anything at all. 

<<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>>

Echo is mindlessly reading through old reg manuals, not even sure when he’d opened the file on his data pad. The familiar documents feel safe and comforting, losing himself in the lingo and wording that had occupied so much of his mind as a cadet. It is better than where his mind tries to wander when it is left unoccupied. 

“We have coordinates,” Tech announces.

Echo pushes himself up, coming to stand over Tech’s shoulder. “About kriffing time.” 

“I’ll tell Hunter!” Wrecker is about to barrel out of the cockpit and nearly collides into the sergeant himself. 

“No message from Omega?” Hunter asks, pushing past their bulking brother. 

Tech shakes his head, already transferring the coordinates into the navigation system. “No, but they are close. Only three hours from our current location.” 

“Why wouldn’t he ask for proof that we’ve got Kedess?” Echo asks suddenly. “Seems strange that he would simply give us the coordinates to his location without ensuring we have the bounty.” 

“I’m not complaining,” Wrecker says. 

“It could be a trap,” Echo states. 

“To what end?” Tech asks. “If the kidnapper had wanted us specifically, why send us to find Kedess at all? It would have been advantageous to simply give us the coordinates from the start and ambush us then.”  

Echo crosses his arms. “It still feels like something is off.” 

“We’ll be ready for a fight,” Hunter says, “but those coordinates are the only connection we have right now to Omega.” 

Tech nods and prepares for the hyperspace jump. Echo slides back into the co-pilot’s seat, trying to squash down the uneasy feeling rattling in his chest…his brothers are right. This is their only link to Omega. 

What other choice do they have?

<<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>>

The ship is small, unassuming. 

Hunter isn’t exactly sure what he was expecting the monster-that-stole-his-kid’s ship to look like. However, he is relieved to see that it is not equipped with any sort of heavy weaponry. It is also alone. 

“What were you saying about an ambush, Echo?” Wrecker chortles. “I’d like to see that tiny little thing try and take on the Marauder.” 

“I never said I thought it was an ambush, I said I thought something was off,” Echo retorts. “I still do. I don’t like this.” 

A transmission chimes and Tech patches it through. Omega’s voice, frantic and breathless, filters through the speakers. 

“Hunter, I don’t have much time…something is wrong…you need to–” Her voice breaks when the transmission cuts out and the kidnapper’s ship explodes. 

<<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>>

Tech cannot prise his gaze away from where only moments before, a full ship had been. Shock and horror permeate to the very core of his being. His mind had calculated dozens of outcomes to the matter that was Omega’s capture. Not one of them had concluded like this. Even with the evidence quite literally splayed before them in mind staggering destruction, he finds himself unable to comprehend this version of reality.

“Scan for survivors.” The voice is Hunter’s, but the emotion behind it is foreign to its speaker: desperation. 

“Hunter…” Echo begins. 

“She can’t be dead,” Hunter growls. “She’s not.” 

“No one could have survived that,” Echo says. 

Tech begins the scan anyway, even though he knows that Echo is correct. There will be no survivors. He scans again, and again. 

[No lifeforms detected]

[No lifeforms detected]

[No lifeforms detected]

Tech forces his hands into fists to prevent himself from starting another scan. The result will be the same. Over and over again. 

Omega is gone. 

“Maybe she wasn’t on the ship.” Wrecker’s voice shakes. He is most certainly crying. 

“She hailed us on a short range transmission. There is nowhere else she could have been.” Tech hates how indifferent his voice sounds, as though he doesn’t care. 

Because nothing has ever been further from the truth. 

<<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>>

Hunter’s mind is silent and roaring. The static of a comm left on an empty channel. A droning hum numbing and excruciating all at once. Breaking through it all, a small voice whispers, curling around the chaos, gripping with sharp claws: She’s dead, she’s dead, she’s dead, she’s dead…

He is aware of arms wrapping around him, holding him too tight. He is aware of familiar voices speaking, saying familiar words and names, but his mind will not comprehend. He is aware of his own throat constricting around sounds that might be words or sobs or screams. He is aware, but he doesn’t understand. 

The only clarity is the whisper. She’s dead, she’s dead, she’s dead, she’s dead…

You couldn’t save her. 

She’s dead. 

She’s dead because you didn’t protect her.

She’s dead because of you. 

<<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>>

Wrecker wonders how many times Echo has felt this ache. It is so raw and physical that Wrecker looks down at his chest to make sure that there isn’t a gaping wound where his heart is. It isn’t the same pain he felt when they left Crosshair on Kamino. That is a dull throb, a constant reminder that Crosshair is separated from them. However, the little sliver of hope that he will come back makes the pain feel temporary and tolerable, like it will heal and leave a welted scar. 

This agony though, is deadly. Life ending. Bleeding out. A black hole consuming any past or present or future Wrecker can imagine. How can he keep breathing when Omega isn’t; his heart keep beating when Omega’s doesn’t; mind keep tripping over thoughts and memories when Omega’s won’t…ever, ever again. 

We were designed to resist emotional stress, Tech had said once, when they’d seen natborns in a village become distraught – inconsolable – over the death of several of their men who had fought alongside the Batch for a short time during a mission. Wrecker had sympathized, but had mostly felt bad that he didn’t share in their grief. That, Tech had continued, and we did not have a bond with these individuals. I’m sure we would feel differently were it one of our own. 

Somehow, they’d gone an entire war without losing one of their own…that is, one of their own. Clone Force 99 remained intact, even adopting a reg along the way. Echo was haunted by ghosts, but he always kept fighting, always moved forward. 

But how? How had he done it? Over and over again? 

Maybe Tech was wrong. Maybe the Batch hadn’t been equipped with that ability to resist emotional stress. Maybe that was part of their defect.

Wrecker rubs at the salty residue of tears on his face, long dried. Tucked under one arm is Hunter, having finally fallen into an exhausted sleep. He’d fought and snarled like a cornered, feral tooka when it’d first happened. He hadn’t cried as Wrecker had, or gone silent like Tech, or resigned like Echo. 

It had terrified Wrecker at first, seeing his composed brother about-face. He was scared of what Hunter might do, so he’d done the only thing he could think of…wrapped him up tight in an embrace. Hunter struggled against him, biting out indecipherable words, but Wrecker didn’t let go. Couldn’t let go. It felt like he might be the only thing holding Hunter together, and if he let go, Hunter would burst apart from grief. So Wrecker had held on until Hunter sagged into his grip with deep, gusting breaths, then he’d led his brother to the hold, made him sit down in a crash seat and sat next to him, pulling him close. 

Wrecker feels Kedess watching them, remembering their prisoner for the first time in maybe hours. Wrecker doesn’t know how long it's been since their whole world ended. 

“The girl,” Kedess says when Wrecker meets his eye. “She is gone?” 

Wrecker growls out an affirmative noise.

The twi’lek is quiet for a moment. “My sister died during the war on Ryloth. It is a pain I would not wish on my greatest enemy.”

Wrecker’s heart bleeds anew. “Me neither,” he manages to say, voice barely above a whisper.

MASTER POST || PREVIOUS PART || NEXT PART

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[sova-witch]

Here are some of my thoughts involving Freyja. Anything I state as fact comes from known and accepted lore, whereas anything phrased as speculation, are my own thoughts. If there's any confusion, feel free to ask me to clarify. I'm assuming some level of basic familiarity with Norse mythology, cosmology, and figures, but feel free to ask for more info too if need be. I've also included name meanings where I feel they are relevant. Minor cw for brief mentions of Deity incest, and non-graphic descriptions of violence/torture.

Gullveig (basically meaning "lover of gold") was Vanir Witch (or völva, a seeress and shaman) who came to Asgard. She may have been traveling and spreading Knowledge in exchange for food or shelter or other (possibly sexual) favors, as völvas are wont to do. It was said She loved gold especially, and this provoked the Æsir to try to kill Her, possibly because She seemed to Them to value the advancement of self/monetary gain, over that of community and "the greater good" (in essence, it may have been that She wouldn't teach Them Her Art for nothing). And so three times She was pierced with Oðin's enchanted spear, Gungnir (which never misses its target), and burned in Magick fire. All three times, She rose again. After this trial She was called Heiðr ("bright, shining, lovely," perhaps a nod to Her former name, a cheeky reference to Her trials, and/or reflecting the Æsir's newfound acceptance of Her), and then did teach the Art of seiðr (a Magickal shamanic practice) to Oðin, and to Midgard. (It may also have been part of Her plan that they try to slay Her, to show them the true power and value of the seiðr Arts.)

But it was this time of torture that sparked war between the Vanir and the Æsir. Eventually it was agreed that the two factions exchange peace hostages, which brought Njörðr and Freyr to Asgard. Some sources/translations also include Freyja (meaning simply, "Lady," used as a title of respect and admiration) here, while others don't seem to. So, She could have already been there, but known as Gullveig/Heiðr. In any case, after the war, She and Odin could have wed, which is when She acquired rulership of the field of Folkvangr, and Sessrúmnir, Her hall on that field, and Her right to half the battle-slain. She could then be known additionally as Frigg, meaning "beloved," as She was precious and loved by Oðin, the Æsir, the Vanir, and Midgard, and desired by giants and dwarves alike. This is also when She would have come into Her attributions of ruling marriage, midwifery, etc.

Additionally supporting this, are the stories of Freyja's husband, called Od. It was said that he often wandered, and Freyja missed him so dearly, that in Her sleep She wept tears of gold. It's sometimes speculated that Od is in fact short for Oðin, as the All-Father also was in the habit of wandering. Such a marriage also supports why a Goddess of an entirely different Divine race/tribe/class would hold such high standing in Asgard, especially one that the Æsir were so recently at war with. The gold tears also hearken back to the time when Freyja was called Gullveig or Heiðr.

One other thing to address, is the Norse people's ambiguous attitude toward Magick and Witches. It was apparently viewed with both awe and suspicion, and those considered Witches or völvas were sometimes persecuted. It's also a common enough "fun fact" that mathematics was considered a form of Witchcraft by these people. What is mathematics important for? Wealth. Money. Accounting. Gold. Therefore, associating Gullveig-Heiðr/Freyja with gold and materialism, is potentially, simply, another reference to the power of Her seiðr.

There is speculation among scholars that Freyr and Freyja were not only siblings (often twins at that), but also lovers. And, that their parents (Njörðr and an often unnamed Goddess, sometimes thought to be Nerthus) were also brother and sister. It's thought that this sort of relationship was common among the Vanir, but the Æsir frowned upon it. Thus, it's possible that after the war, Oðin married Freyja to keep Her from Her brother, and also gave Freyr lordship over Alfheim, so He wouldn't reside in Asgard so near His sister (Oðin's the Allfather. He can do shit like that).

I'm on the fence about this particular idea, but I can see it. Plenty of other cultural mythologies include sibling relations, including those resulting in children (Greek, Roman, and Egyptian come readily to mind). So I don't see why the Norse should be exempt. I also know that at least in Stregheria (old Italian Witchcraft), it was believed that the power of a Witch came from their familial bloodline, and so familial pairings were commonplace, to keep the power strong and potent through the generations.

The pages for Freyja and Gullveig on the site "Norse Mythology for Smart People" support my brief retelling here, but I've also read Norse mythology for myself, in various sources and formats. I was already aware of a Freyja/Frigg conflation theory, and recently discovered the Freyja/Gullveig idea. However to my knowledge, this retelling is unique in that it puts all three of Them together. For my own purposes and a matter of convenience, I've elected to predominantly refer to this collective only as Freyja, except when I may need to use another name, since She is the link that connects the other two. She also then represents a form of Triple Goddess, embodying Witch (Gullveig/Heiðr), Priestess (Freyja), and Queen (Frigg).

[lumi-klovstad-games]

"No Love Lost" aka "Ailani Meets The Emperor Again"

A short scene in which Ailani, the recently returned Second Primarch, meets what's left of the Emperor for the first time in 10,000 years to declare her intentions. And finally get a lot of crap off her chest.

Gonna be honest, this is basically Daddy Issues: The Fanfic.

Ailani had made it before the Emperor at long last. She barely remembered what he’d looked like, if she’d ever known even a fraction of the truth of his appearance at all, for all his psychic posturing. But what sat on the Golden Throne was barely the man who was barely her father. A massive, decrepit corpse, more skeleton than man, more deceased than deity. Yet the pressure in her brain told her that something connected to that body was still VERY much alive… and it was at least somewhat aware of her.

The Emperor’s Daughter failed to bow or kneel, and this did not go unnoticed by the attendant Custodes. She stood there, sizing up this undead monument to a single man’s arrogance, ego, and mistakes. Her green-stained eyes looked him over. Her ears heard the whirring and clicking of the ancient machinery of the Golden Throne.

There was much silence for a long while. It had been ten thousand years, and their last exchange had almost come to blows much as their first had. Her last act in his Imperium was to fire on his soldiers and betray his trust by favoring her people above his orders. What was there she could possibly say? Would it even do her any good at all? Was whatever was left of the Emperor even cognizant enough to answer in any way? There was only one way to find out.

“I've returned.” Ailani said, breaking the silence.

Her head filled with unfiltered thoughts that were not hers.

TRAITOR

DISGUSTING

DISAPPOINTMENT

ABERRANCE

The Second Primarch laughed darkly. 

“Yeah. It’s nice to see you too, Dad. I suppose we both are just going to have to accept that we’ll always be a disappointment to each other. I for not being who or what you wanted me to be, and you for being an irredeemably arrogant bastard. I mean, I admire your ability to consistently remain true to your character, even if that character has always been less than stellar. I'm not sure what was more impressive: your ability to remain consistently unpleasant around me or your knack for making enemies you didn’t have to have.”

ABOMINATION

MISCREANT

APOSTATE

REPUGNANT

“You know, I never liked you much either. But the ideals you sold me? Those were maybe the only good you ever put in my life. I never really believed in your Imperium or your Crusade. I certainly never believed in you – how could I when the first thing you ever did around me was express your revulsion for my identity and then try to kill my parents?”

FALSE

KIDNAPPERS

CORRUPTORS

HYPOCRITE 

“Still refusing to admit you’re wrong. 10,000 years and how many wars to end all wars and you still haven’t changed. Well, you may not have believed a damn word you said when you poured honey in my ears to get me to come to Terra the first time, but they were words worth believing in. And as far as I’m concerned, you already got what you deserved.”

The Custodes reached for their weapons, but did not draw. Not yet.

SANCTIMONIOUS

UNGRATEFUL

UNNATURAL

BROKEN

Ailani let out a judging laugh.

“Ungrateful? Ungrateful?! My legion and I did good work. We did what we were told to do. What we were MADE to do. Made, BY YOU, to do. And we did it well. Our lives were dedicated to your mandates, your purpose. But because I wasn’t the child you WANTED, you never trusted us. You took my family, my community, my whole WORLD hostage to ensure my loyalty. But I did the work. ‘Maybe,’ I told myself, ‘maybe if I work hard enough, if I prove my usefulness, he might ease off. He might see that I’m just as worthy as my brothers. He might realize that he doesn’t need to hold a sword over my family’s necks to make me keep my promise.’ But you never did. Nothing I did was EVER enough for you! I will ALWAYS be a deviant in your eyes. A freak. A mistake. But I’ve finally realized, that’s not MY problem. It’s yours. And I’m done letting the people of this Imperium suffer for this grudge. I’m back, and you’re not. You can just sit there and simmer. I’m done with you, and I don’t expect I’ll speak with you again. I’m a healer. I learned triage a long time ago. I know better than to waste energy and resources on a lost cause when there’s ways to use them to do more good elsewhere. So that’s what I’ll do. The Imperium is wounded. It’s sick. It’s in pain. Untold teeming billions upon billions are crying out. They need help.  So I’m going to help them however I can. They didn’t ask for any of this. Yes, they’ve done SO MUCH WRONG. They are so afraid and hateful, but that isn’t their fault. They’ve never known another way. It’s just another way they’ve been injured. And for all your faults, I know neither one of us ever wanted this for them. We both believe in a better tomorrow, and a better mankind to live in it, after all. On the oath I swore ten thousand years ago, I swear I will keep trying to make the Imperial Ideal the Imperial Reality. You can trust me, just like you always could and should have.”

The Custodes relaxed as Ailani turned to leave. She stopped at the door to the Throne Room. She had a feeling she needed to.

REMISS

THANK

YOU

̲D̲A̲U̲G̲H̲T̲E̲R̲

Ailani smiled. 

“Maybe I will see you again, actually.”

[mrblazeflappybird]

When the love interest finally becomes the hero

A man stands alone overlooking the fire that spreads. He's seen this image before; over half his life he's seen civilisation and life turn to ash and dust. He's watched buildings crumble and people wither, he's watched families cry and nature decay, he's watched people sacrifice things they shouldn't have in their desperation. But he's never had to do that himself before.

For a supposed hero, he's not sacrificed much. An eye, sure. His childhood, maybe. But compared to the people he's grouped with in the history books? He's lucky. And he knows he is lucky. He knows he is almost unscarred by the world. Each battle may have resulted in loss, but he never lost the one person he couldn't afford to lose. Unlike so many others.

He was lucky during the first war, where he survived along with his partner - his partner, who saved millions of lives and was the supposed "Chosen One". He was lucky during the second war, where he was rescued after his stupidity and was not allowed to fight in the fight that ended the war. He was lucky each time that his person, his reason for living, lived each time.

And he was lucky after the first war, where he and his loved one didn't just survive; they lived. For over a decade they raised their children; children that even before the war he never thought he would have. He managed to make a home and a life with the person he loved most in the world, second only to the children they made together.

Then the next war came. And again he was lucky. His children and partner survived the attacks and the battles and they got to safety together. But it was never safe, not really. And for the first time, he could do something about it. When they inevitably recruited an army against the attacks, on the frontline, he was one of the only people accepted.

His partner pleaded with him, of course. "Let me," she begged him, "Let me go instead. Let me go like I have every time before."

But he wiped her tears away and smiled sadly at the love of his life. "I can't. Not again. It's my turn to protect you."

"Promise me," she told him, anger and desperation creeping into her voice. "You have to promise me you'll come back or else I'll never forgive you."

And when he promised her, she let him go. She held their children, who were now old enough to understand, and she let him go. And as he watched the flames flicker around him, and is pushed by the enemy he's been fighting for 18 years as they take him hostage, he doesn't feel much other than relief he saved his children from losing their mother.

Through his relief, he is sorry. But he would do it again every time.