#T: Midnight Rider

[devilsanddarlings]

@ofblackskies

“You should probably stop talking and get driving, if that’s the case. The only grocery store on this side of town closes at nine.” Ziggy pointed out with a grin of her own, reaching in her bag to steal a curly fry and pop it in her mouth. “That much I know. I can’t promise they have more than one kind of apple, though. This is Shadyside.”

A grin broke out across Nick's face when she agreed, and even the contingency that they needed to stop at the grocery store didn't push the grin off his face. "We can do that." He replied easily. Little did she know that he also intended to get all manner of other snacks for the evening. Why not, right? "Should we get two kinds of apples?"

[raidensharkgun]

Whirlpools riders in a nutshell ( I guess)

[hhnguyen]

make me proud

Bringing my Sully Reader series to a bittersweet, yet hopefully comforting end.  

♢ Pairing: Tuktirey x Oldest sister!Reader, Sully family x Oldest sister!Reader

♢ Word count: 3.2k 

♢ Genre: angst, sibling love, fluff, grief - Warnings: cursing, major character death

⌲ Description: Time was passing by, and with hazy memories Tuk finds herself reminiscing about the person her sissy once was. 

M A S T E R L I S T

R e c o m m e n d e d   p l a y l i s t : 

⌲ ashes - Celine Dion ⌲ brother - Kodaline ⌲ the nights - Chlara  ⌲ the call - Regina Spektor

“Hello there,” Grinning, Tuktirey watched from a safe distance at the insistent yapping from a nest of Viperwolf pups. 

This pack specifically was only a couple of months old, but friendlier than those residing further away from her village, thus more used to the comings and goings of the Omitikaya and not trying to kill anyone who came too near.

Tuk found herself visiting the energetic pups several times a week, always making sure their protective mother and pack weren’t too near when she snuck closer than anyone would recommend. 

But she was confident in her abilities to protect herself, the bow slung over her body never left behind when outside the borders of her home. Not to mention the two extra daggers strapped to each thigh with firm leather holsters. 

Allowing herself a couple more moments of silent admiration, she swallowed back a giggle as one of the bravest of the pups came bouncing over in her direction, stumbling clumsily over its legs and trotting the last couple of feet before rubbing its leathery body against her ankle, no sign of viciousness present. 

Bending down to give the creature a little scratch behind its ears, the wolf gave a yip in satisfaction, tail thumping against the ground until a far-off howl sounded. 

Forgetting Tuk’s presence all the pups started to howl in reply and she used their distraction to swiftly turn back around and climb up the tree she had come from, safely keeping herself a distance away as the rest of the pack came running through the bushes with their newest prey for the day, growls mixed in with the barks of the youngest. 

With one last glance, Tuktirey started her short journey upwards before giving a sharp whistle. 

A screech replied her quickly, a shadow flying over her only for a few seconds before landing down on the large branch before her, leaves fluttering down the ground from its appearance hidden within. 

“Hey there boy,” Tuk trailed a gentle hand down her Ikran’s neck, somewhat feeling a little melancholic today, tracing the midnight blue skin with yellow and green marks. “Mawey Atanzaw.”

The old ikran listened, calming down and nudging his head against her hands as she smiled, nuzzling him back. She wasn’t the only one seemingly restless today. 

Atanzaw himself was aware of what day it was, having acted impatient from morning until now. 

Oh, what a shock that day had been for everyone; Tuk’s iknimaya was a moment still prone to come up in discussion to this day, four years later. 

She had followed the same rites of passage as all her family before, making it all the way up to the Hallelujah Mountains without much issues. And just when Tuk thought she had found her bond, Atanzaw had swooped down from the sky like the vicious beast that he was known for. 

Chasing away her first prospective Ikran and snarling at her. 

No one had seen the animal since your death nearly seven years ago, the ikran having taken to the skies and never seen again after your body was brought back to Metkayina village to be buried with the ancestors. 

She had been frozen to the core, all reason of what she was doing vanishing, until the realization that the ikran wanted her to fight; prove her worth to become his newest rider. 

An occurrence that had never happened before in the history of her clan. 

Once a rider died, it was well known their mounts refused to take any other. 

But there she had been, faced with the fiercely loyal best of her long passed oldest sister. 

“You want to see her, don’t you?” Tuktirey whispered, gently tracing the lines of his face as Atanzaw scuffed. “How about a little flight, then we’ll go.” 

Swinging herself up on the saddle, the ikran didn’t need any more direction to follow their usual flight route circling her home forest. 

Leaning forward to rest her whole body upon the warm skin of her mount, Tuk took a deep breath; eyes closing and feeling the wind whip past her as they soared above the trees. 

The sun was slowly setting, painting the sky in a beautiful picture of soft oranges, pinks and yellow, bathing her in a backdrop of warmth and comfort. 

Ten years have passed since your death. 

Tuk remembered that day more clearly than the others. 

When her family had finally managed to pry her and Kiri away from the grasps of their enemies, her eight-year-old mind thinking everything was going to be alright from there out as they floated above the water on Payakan’s fin until she noticed the usual bright absence of her oldest sister. 

Her questions had been answered in the worst possible way as she was led to the flat surface of rocks in the middle of the dark ocean, the flames of the sinking boat being the only light to illuminate them

But it had been bright enough for her eyes to take in the scarily still form of you. An image of cold serenity with a wet cloth covering your body from the neck down, eyes closed as if you were dreaming. 

Tuk had thought you were. 

Simply sleeping that is. 

Sinking slowly down to her knees beside you, small hand shaking your shoulder to wake up, to hug her and assure her that everything was okay now. That their family was safe and they could go home. But you wouldn’t wake up. 

“Why won’t sissy wake up, daddy!” Her child self had sobbed, hiccuping and whipping around to stare at her dad for an answer. 

He had only scooped her up in his arms, tugging her head into his neck with comforting nothings, apologizing for something she couldn’t hear through her sobs of denial. Kiri had stared, seeing but unseeing, fists clenched by her side as their mother sank down and pulled your damp head into her lap. 

The bright roots from the tree of souls brought her back to the present as Atanzaw swooped down slowly. The area was empty from what she could see, because Tuk had arrived late to her family’s tradition of visiting you on your death anniversary.

Instead of heading straight to the tree and connecting her queue, she found a slab of high rock several feet away and sat down. Her ikran settling down on his stomach beside her with a grumble as she absently traced his neck. 

“Come on, Tuk Tuk! Atanzaw won’t wait for us forever!” Your voice seemingly whispered in her ears, your bright laughter following as the memories of her small self rushing out of the hut for your weekly sister bonding time. 

“Tuk Tuk, mom and dad won’t be happy if you don’t clean up before dinner!” What an ongoing issue it had for you to force her to simply clean up after a day of adventures outside. 

“Why are you crying, Tuk Tuk?”

“I-I had a n-nightmare of you leaving m-me…”

“Awe, my sweet little Tuk. I’ll never leave you, okay?”

“Y-you promise, sissy?” You had grinned so widely that it seemed like you could shield the entire world from her. “When have I ever broken a promise?”

Tuktirey couldn’t help but scoff, the sound feeling loud in the emptiness of the space as she plucked out handful of grass and letting them flutter to the ground. 

“You’re a goddamn liar, sissy,” She couldn’t help but mutter bitterly. 

“Careful now. She won’t be too happy hearing you say that.”

Looking over her shoulder to face the familiar deep voice of Neteyam, grinning almost innocently. 

Tuk rolled her eyes, never stopping her aggressive little plucking of nature. She would apologize to Eywa another time. 

“What are you doing here, Teyam?” 

Her oldest brother heaved a sigh as he sat down on her other side, his ridiculously broad shoulders brushing her own. Just like everyone else, he had grown into himself as a strong male Na’vi. She knew that if their father decided to step down today as Olo'eyktan, Neteyam would be more than ready to take his place. 

But alas, Jake Sully was still a stubborn male who assured he was more than capable for a couple more years before letting the role of leader go to someone else. A stubborn old fool, their mother had berated him to their amusement. 

“I assumed since you didn’t show up earlier, I would find you here sooner or later.”

Her brother, now twenty-five was one of the respectable leaders of their clan, as a general and heir to their father. Neteyam even surpassed Jake in build and height, all the teenage softness melting into a strong wide jaw and high cheekbones. 

“You didn’t have to wait,” Tuk muttered again as he chuckled.

“And let you remain here alone ruining that poor grass?” Her hand stopped at his pointed words with an inward sigh. 

Pulling her knees against her chest, she wrapped her arms around them, never taking her eyes away from the gently swaying branches of the Tree of Souls. 

“What’s the issue, Tuk?”

“What makes you think there is one?”

She didn’t have to look to know about the brow Neteyam raised at her. “You’ve been acting odd the last couple of days. Even mother and father have noticed.”

Tuk gnawed at her bottom lip. “I don’t know how to say it.”

“Since when have I ever judged you?” 

That was true. Neteyam was always willing to offer an ear for her problems, often ending the conversation with a comforting hug to brighten up her days. 

“I…think I’m forgetting her.” Tuk’s whispered admission floated into the air with a shuddering breath, eyes welling up with tears she let trail down her cheeks. 

A guilt that had bothered her ever since she realized with horror how she couldn’t seem to recall how your smile had looked like, if the colors of your eyes had been as yellow as she remembered, or a more dark orange. 

“Oh Tuk…” She didn’t fight the hold Neteyam slung over her shoulder, pulling her into his side, lips pressing against the crown of her head. “Why are you beating yourself up over that?”

“I can’t forget her, Teyam,” Tuk’s voice shook. “She’s…sissy. What kind of sister would I be if I can’t remember what her smile looked like? How her laugh sounded. It’s not right.”

“Who told you that?” Neteyam’s voice was a low comfort. “It’s the truth isn’t it?”

“No, not even close, Tuk Tuk.”

Tuktirey shook her head. “Don’t do that. I don’t want your lies, Teyam.”

“Do you believe Y/N would call you a liar?” His question made her pause because she didn’t know. 

She didn’t remember what you would have said in moments like these, and it was that exact feeling that was eating her up from the inside. 

“You were eight, Tuk,” Neteyam continued seriously. “A child in the midst of war and mayhem. We all were. Trauma has haunted us all since then, you as a child couldn’t even escape it. Your memories warp over time, and no one would blame you for forgetting details of scenarios over a decade ago.”

“But it’s sissy!” She repeated vehemently. 

“Sissy would tell you to suck it up and stop being a wimp.” 

Words that your oldest brother would never use on a daily basis made them both freeze, before sharing an airy laugh together at how you would 100% say that to their faces. 

“Yeah, she would…” 

How Tuk hated the truth of those words. You would have told them much more than that with narrowed eyes and hands on your hips. Probably including a couple of cuss words followed by your signature whack to the head. 

“A day does not go by where we don’t miss her,” Neteyam’s voice had taken a note melancholy, Atanzaw in his silence seemingly agreeing with a rumble from his chest. 

“Y/N will always leave a mark within our lives long after we’re gone as well. Just look at Lo’ak. That fool has managed pretty well for himself.” 

Giggling at their inside joke, Tuk could see what he meant. 

After the war ended, everyone besides their second brother decided to return to the forest. Lo’ak had been firm in his decision of remaining with the Metkayina, Tsireya by his side as mates and to lead the future generations to come. They were doing incredibly well last time the family had heard, welcoming a healthy baby girl as their first child and naming her after you. They had promised to come for a visit the moment the babe was old enough for long travels. 

None of the family had expected Lo’ak to be the first one to create a family and life for himself, but he had put all the credit on you. How he promised to be strong for your sake; A promise he had now fulfilled to its brim to the pride of everyone else, your parents especially. Kiri herself had taken over the role of Tsahìk, with their grandmother only growing more weary by the day, and there was no one else suited better to the role than her. 

 That left only Tuk, with her eighteenth birthday having passed, she was officially an adult in human terms. She had chosen to become a part of the hunters, often led by Neteyam as well. 

She took after you a lot in that sense, her sense of adventure and adrenalin. 

“You think sissy would be proud?” Tuk asked carefully. 

Neteyam nudged her enough to catch her eyes as she followed his gaze to the tree, his small smirk obvious. “Why don’t you go and find out?”

“W-what?”

“I think of all days, that today is when Eywa might feel a bit more giving than usual.”

Despite her confusion over his mysterious words, Tuk listened and stood up. Walking the distance towards the closest root, she expected the same familiar connection to Eywa and hearing the whispers of the past brush over her mind as well the warmth spreading through her body. However her heart hammered when she felt her mind being pulled in further, as if dragging her away from the ground itself. 

Where was she? 

Slowly looking around, Tuk could vaguely recognize it. It was still home, in the forests on one of the many wide branches belonging to their trees. But it was taller than most she remembered, somewhere further away from their village. 

“Should I be offended that you look confused?”

Gasping, Tuktirey whirled around quicker than she had ever moved. Her hand covered her mouth, blinking as if in a dream as you grinned at her. 

Looking just like you had back then. Burnt orange like the sunrise, that was your eye color. 

“...sissy?” She was too afraid this wasn’t real. Because it didn’t feel like it.

Your grin widened, beaming almost - arms opening wide. “Hey Tuk Tuk.”

Tuktirey propelled into you mid sob, somehow still feeling smaller than you despite her couple inches on you. The familiar warmth of your grasp around her body brought her back to her childhood almost frighteningly fast, making her think how she managed to ever forget that feeling. 

“How tall you’ve become,” You murmured gently, hands trailing down her long braids, kept neatly within a leather tie. 

“I-I can’t believe this. How-”

“Eywa has granted us the gift of seeing each other again. A rare occurrence.”

Although not wanting to part from your arms, Tuktirey forced herself to pull back slightly. 

Only to be startled by the fact she had to look down to meet your sparkling gaze. You had always seemed like a larger-than-life figure to her. Towering above like an impregnable shield, it was now she realized how you had only been sixteen. How young your features looked now compared to her own eighteen. 

Had you always been that slight? 

“I don’t know what to say.”

You chuckled, reaching up to brush a singular braid back and tuck it behind her ear. “Do you have something to say?”

“I-I thought I did,” Tuk admitted, grasping your smaller hands tightly as you watched her patiently. “But now I’m not so sure.”

“Well, then how about I start?” Meeting your eyes, she watched them crinkle. “I missed you, Tuk Tuk.”

Eywa knows how she managed to smile, a light laugh following despite her tears. “I miss you so much, sissy.”

“You are stunning. I always knew you would be.” 

“How could you?” The words slipped out before she could stop. “You’re not here.”

But you simply snorted, obviously disagreeing. “I’m always there, Tuk. Even if you can’t see me, or feel me. Or even want to remember me. I’ll always be there.”

“Then why did you leave?” Tuktirey couldn’t help the choked question, knowing better than to expect an answer to it. 

You had been shot. Not chosen to die. But you defied all expectations as always, answering with a smirk. 

“Shit happens.”

Their dad would have been proud to hear that. 

“You are so much like Dad,” She huffed out almost exasperated. 

“And don’t you let him forget,” You winked.

A cribble crawled over her skin, the leaves of the trees rustling almost in warning as your face tilted up towards the sky, smile faltering the slightest.  

“We don’t have much time.”

“No,” Tuk shook her head, gripping your hands tighter, probably near painful but you gave no indication of it. “I want to speak with you more. Apologize or something, I can’t forget you!”

To her surprise, you laughed. Loud and coming from your belly. “Forget me? Oh Tuk Tuk, you worry too much.”

“What?”

“You fear the natural sides of life. Apologize? For what? How do you expect to forget your favorite sibling?” Your joke did not dry the fresh tears gathered in her eyes, before your eyes softened. 

Hand coming back up to cup her cheek, thumb gently brushing against it. “You are allowed to forget my face. Even my voice. I would never hold it over you, Tuktirey. But this,” You patted her heart. “That will never be gone. You’ll always find me there, okay?”

Lips wobbling, Tuk sniffled almost pathetically as she nodded. “Okay.”

Her blurry vision took in your face carefully, for what felt like the very last time for a long while. 

Looking at your shining eyes, loving wide grin with the same hint of mischief you always carried around. 

The wind rose as you reached up to press a gentle kiss to her forehead, hands squeezing hers one last time before stepping back and letting go. 

“I love you, sissy.” Tuk managed to croak out as the surroundings were starting to brighten. She swore it was a tear running down your cheek as your grin widened enough to show your teeth. 

“I love you too, Tuk Tuk.” And then a classic you-move; offering her a two-finger salute with a wink. “Make me proud, tiger.”

With a sharp gasp, Tuktirey was back; eyes flying open and stumbling back only to be balanced swiftly by Neteyam.

But he didn’t look concerned. There was a knowing glint in his expectant smile as she stared at him silently, almost stunned. 

That smile widened at the look on her face. “So what did she say?” 

As reality caught up with her, Tuk straightened before huffing out a laugh, wiping away the stray tears on her cheek. 

With twinkling eyes, she ran her tongue against the inside of her mouth in thought before blurting out. 

“That you’ll always be a sniveling crybaby!” 

Cackling, she ran away with a squeal towards Atanzaw as Neteyam growled playfully behind her, bringing up the chase as she took to the skies; heart and soul lighter than she could ever wish for. 

Am I crying? Maybe.

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[biowaredisasterbisexual]

Sharing Sunday - April 13th

Yay! It’s Sunday, and that means I get to shout and share! Some awesome stuff this week, from both Dragon Age: the Veilguard and Baldur’s Gate 3. So go check them out, and shoutout to the folks (other than me, as I am shameless and this is my blog) who shared this week!

Last week’s Sharing Sunday can be found HERE, and all prior Sharing Sundays are under the #sharing sundays tag.

This week:

- From @katuary, A Little Air, a Tav/Halsin/Shadowheart fic from Baldur’s Gate 3! From the author: “Worried about Shadowheart as they work their way through the Shadow-Cursed Lands, Astrid seeks guidance from Selûne. Instead, she receives comfort from Halsin.”

Note: Author provided a warning for religious trauma/abuse

- TWO gifts from @thedissonantverses this week!

First, the latest chapter, Violent Lullaby, from the Davrook fic I’m A Midnight Rider. From the summary: “An AU where Davrin and Rook meet as Grey Wardens. Explores a more FWB relationship between them while navigating Warden politics and Rook getting kicked out of the order. There will be smut, there will be some angst, there will be "unrequited" feelings, since it's my Rook there will be explosions.”

Note: Rated E, Archive warning for graphic depictions of violence

But wait, there’s more! Yes, also The Last Train to Nowhere. From the summary: “Davrin is just trying to keep his and Uncle Eldrin's ranch afloat. Rook is new in town and trying to find her way. A wealthy stranger has their eye on the Anderfels.

And Lavendel is the last stop on the line.”

Note: Rated M, Archive warnings for graphic depictions of violence and major character death.

- And, since it went up this week, Oh No, a Neverook fic by yours truly, and an entry in the Getting Into Trouble series. Neve’s thoughts and struggles in the immediate aftermath of the near-kiss in her office; Bellara does her best to help, but no one can get trapped in her own head quite like Neve can.

Note: This fic is rated T, but the ratings in the series vary

[everybodylovedcontractors]

This was for @evolnoomym and their birthday challenge. I got Jack Daniels and horseback riding.

Moonlight Rider

Jack Whiskey Daniels and F! Reader

Word Count - 1,510

Summary - You learn how to ride a horse from Jack Daniels.

Warnings - Some alcohol use. Unprotected sex.

"Horseback Riding?"  You questioned.

You had to admit you were a little afraid of riding horses.  They were incredible creatures, so wild and free.   You envied that because so much of your life was structured.  All work and no play back in the city.  So, when your friend asked and then convinced you to go horseback riding out in the country, you didn't know what to think.  They owe you one, that's for sure.  

When you arrived at the ranch, it was sunset at the time, the violet and orange hues blending together.  You met up with the owner and his cousin, and they got you two magnificent horses to ride on.  They felt giant next to you, like mythical creatures one just discovered in another place and time entirely.  

You had a little trouble getting up on the tall horse. The owner helped you up, gripping onto your waist to help boost you in the saddle.  His touch was surprisingly gentle compared to his rough exterior.  His deep brown eyes peeked from under the brim of his cowboy hat.   

He could see your nervousness and said, “Don't you worry about a thing.  These horses are gentle giants.  Ol' Cinnamon here will treat you right."  He took his large hand and ran it down the horse’s neck gently.   The horse neighed in delight.  The trust between the animal and its owner, what a beautiful sight.  Suddenly, you felt a little more at ease about the whole situation.

Your friend went off with the cousin, a young buck of a cowboy, and you were left behind with the owner.  While they galloped away, the two of you took your time exploring the property.   The owner was an older man in his mid-forties named Jack.  He fit the part with his black cowboy hat, flannel shirt with a cotton white t-shirt underneath, tight blue jeans, and leather cowboy boots.  He held the reigns of the horse with ease, like he belonged there.   You could tell he has experience riding and that he's probably been doing it his whole life.

As you and Jack rode through the fields, you have to admit, this horseback riding thing isn't so bad after all.  Maybe it was because you found the perfect teacher or that Cinnamon really was a gentle creature. She did most of the work after all.  You gently caress her neck, forever thankful to the horse for the new experience.  And the views... are spectacular.  As you both gallop through the grass, you find a meadow.   You stop there and stare at the beauty of the earth in all its glory.  

Jack looks over at you and chuckles.  "You know darlin' this might have been scary for you at first, but I reckon' it's exactly what you needed.  To be wild and free."

You nodded in awe of everything at that moment.   Including him.  The sun sets over the meadow, disappearing from view.   The light disappears, and the two of you sit there admiring earth in all its glory.

After many peaceful minutes, you two decide to head back.   On the way back, you and Jack talk about life for a while.  You find out you have more in common than you thought.   You both like Johnny Cash, apple pie, and the smell of rain at midnight.   When you arrive, your friend is nowhere to be found.   Too busy on her own with her new cowboy, but maybe you found one yourself.

Jack dismounts from his horse. He walks over by you.  While looking up at you, you hear him whisper, "Such a good girl."  Your mouth goes dry, and your body tingles.  

"Thank you." You say.

"I was talkin' to Cinnamon, but you're a good girl too, darlin'."  He responds with a chuckle.  

You could just die at that very moment from embarrassment, but you laugh it off.   He helps you down from the horse, and the two of you walk back to the stable.

"Well, sugar, I don't see your friend, but if you'd like, we could have a beer and sit in the back of my old pickup truck.  Watch the stars and that full moon for a lil' while."

"That sounds nice, cowboy."  You respond.

Jack puts down a blanket on the bed of his truck.  He helps you up into the truck bed and sits down beside you.   You crack open two cans of beer and sit in the back of the pickup truck.   A quick cheers later, and you take a drink of the beer, letting it slide down your throat.   The warmth of the alcohol runs through your body.   You look up at the inky sky and see the twinkle of the diamond like stars in the night.  You look over at your host and see his child like wonder as he does the same.  In the moonlight, he tells you a story of the man in the moon, and you laugh. 

"Nah, really.  I swear, there's a man in that there moon, and I tell you what else, I'd lasso that whole moon just for a pretty thing like you right now."  He says, pretending to do so.

You giggle and look over deep into his dark eyes, and the air is thick between the two of you.   Your breath hitches as you watch him take off his hat and lean in slowly, his lips mere inches from yours.  You close the distance and kiss him back softly.   You feel his hand on the back of your neck, calloused and warm.  Your whole-body shivers in anticipation.

You're locked in a hungry embrace.  His lips crash against yours as his tongue seeks entrance.  Your two tongues dance together in perfect harmony.   You pull him closer, and he groans.  "Atta, girl."

He lays you down on the truck bed, and you feel his hands wandering your body.  His large, hard-working hands reach your delicate skin as he kneads your ass.   Even through the blue jeans’ fabric, he can feel the warmth of your skin.   Your hands roam his muscular back as your kiss intensifies.   He grabs you by the waist again, although this time there's a hunger there, and he's not gentle.   You moan into his mouth as he begins to unbutton your jeans.   "I need you, darlin'.  I wanted to ride you all day..."  He admits.  

You help him unbutton your jeans, moving them down and exposing your thin cotton panties, already soaked with desire.  He groans at the sight in the pale moonlight.   His hands move to hitch under your panties as he slides a digit inside your warmth.  "So fuckin' tight."  He takes his finger out and licks off your juices with a guttural moan in delight.

Your hands move to unbutton his jeans his arousal just aching to be freed.  He helps you bring down his jeans, exposing his naked skin.   His thick cock springing free against his flannel shirt.   Your eyes widen, in pure lust and wonder as it bobs there just for you.  

"You like what you see, darlin?"  He breathes out, his words reckless with desire.  

You nod, taking your hands as you reach out for him.  Your body aches for his touch.   He moves closer.  He hovers over you, his body encasing yours.  He lowers himself until he's inches from your warmth.   He taps the tip of his cock against your aching cunt.  Covering it in your slick, he slides in slowly letting you adjust to his size.  You grab at the blanket a wanton moan escapes from your lips. 

He moves slowly at first, taking his time with each thrust.  Like he was riding before taking his time with each movement.  But then his movements became more erratic.  He begins to ride you harder and faster like the bucking bronco he is.  You can feel him grow tense, and soon after, he shoots his thick, hot cum inside you.   He grunts and collapses on top of you.   Breathless and wild. 

You take your hands and rub his back.   You gently caress his shoulders as he comes down from his high.  

"Sorry, darlin' been wanting to do that since the moment I saw ya."  He admits.

You smile and whisper in his ear, "I have a feeling we're just getting started."  You surprise him and flip him over so you're on top now.  "I learned, I really like riding today, myself."  You say leaning down to kiss him hard.  You can feel him twitch in anticipation and giggle into his mouth before continuing your night of passion.

The next morning, the two of you wake up in each other's arms.   The warm blanket wrapped around you both, like a cocoon.  Both of your feet hang out of the truck bed, boots still on.   You smile as you look over at the rugged cowboy beside you.   He stirs awake and shakes his head, looking over at you.   "Never thought a city girl could keep up with a cowboy like me."  He quips.

"Like you'd have it any other way, cowboy..."   You respond knowing you've got him wrapped around your finger.

This, this, would only be the beginning of your moonlight rides together from now on.

Dividers by @strangergraphics-archive

[camlovesjace]

GHOST RIDER, modern Jacexoc!fem

SUMMARY: Jacaerys had been acting weirdly, going out many nights and coming back in the mornings, Cellys is suspecting he was cheating...but the truth was far away worst. WARNING: violence, cheating suspicion, use of bad words, murdering, graphic descriptions (also, writer is not an english native, had patience pls)

Once again, he was gone. He had slip out of the bed at midnight and didn't come back, as usual lately. Cellys was worried, freaking out was a most clear description, her friends had talk with her, saying he was probably sneaking around with some other girl and that she should dump his ass away from her before he break her heart deeper or found him red handed. That thought made her shiver, she could barely think of it without feeling the knot forming on her throat.

Jace. Her Jace. Sneaking around with other girl?

It sounded so unrealistic, but nothing else could explain his behavior. He always arrived home in the mornings, tired and exhausted. His abstinence in home was like an empty place without solace, and she didn't realized she was getting distant when he was around.

She used to look at him, she notices everything he does or don't does.

He looked disturbed, his mind anywhere else but not there.

Then she heard the door opening, his lazy steps entering in the apartment, the sun was shining with it´s first rays of golden, it was a constant reminder of the day embracing the night. She pretended to be fall asleep, covering her back with the sheets and blankets, she heard his soft gasps of tiredness, he was coming to the bedroom.

He walked in, his presence itself was relieving, but it didn´t made her felt better. The idea of him in the arms of someone else, with his hands touching other skin, his lips kissing someone else...his love being torned apart from her, it was killing her.

His weight get into the bed, he was moving quietly but his lazy movements made the mattress move up and down slightly.

"Babe..." he murmured, his voice was low and hoarse but she didn't opened her eyes, trying to look as slept as possible. She could felt his hazel gaze on her back, then his arms wrapped her waist under covers as he cling behind her, like a hurted dog.

He buried his face on the back of her neck, his nose smelling the sweet aroma of her hair, a smell that always bring him home. She could smell a strong burning smell, like the smoke of a bonfire. The way his arms felt so heavy around her showed her how tired he truly was, and once again, that knot on her throat felt tighter than ever.

She broke down, crying as his warm body held hers, her soft almost inaudible cries hitted him like a punch in the guts.

"Hey, hey...what´s wrong?" he whispered, sitting in bed and turning her to face him, his grip was firm but gentle, seeing her eyes covered in tears all of them pouring down her cheeks -like if she were holding them for so long- while her chest moved up and down quickly in a painted breathe.

A wave of protectiveness washed over him, as he pulled her into his arms deeper but she broke the hug, getting away from him in bed. Then the realization made him felt sick.

"No" he spoke, his tone sounded more hard than he would've wanted, but into his chest he only felt guilty. Guilty for making her feel like this, for making her think he was doing that to her. She the love of his life, the best thing that's ever been his and the most precious he has.

"Do not do this worse" she whispers, trying to clean her cheeks but it was useless, tears were locked in for too much weeks and now they were scapink in a tsunami of emotions that made her stomach twist in pain "Jace, i know...i know-"

"No" he interrupted her, he moved quickly over her, holding her wrist and pinning her on the bed, his eyes held a plea on them "You need to believe me, please, please, my darling" he begged, desperately.

Knowing the truth would be dangerous for her, but he knew staying by his side would be much more. He didn't wanted her to leave, to go away from him and never see her again, to never heard her laughter or to feel her warmth on the bed every time he need solace from the dark curse on his soul.

"Aren't you? Tell me you're not doing it, tell me that even if it is a lie" she says, her lips on a soft pout, her heart was sinking on her stomach. He looked down at her, still pinning her body under his, not wanting to let go.

"I'm not! Cellys, i'm fucking not" he shouted, but his own tears made his confession sound weaker, not because it wasn't true but because he knew he was being selfish. He wanted her to stay, he told himself he would be able to protect her, to not hurt her in the path...but he was doing it by lying to her "I would rather die than betray you that way, you heard me? i would rather to be a damn rotting corpse buried in the darkest place of the world and the hell before hurting you like that" his tears were pouring down his cheeks, his grip on her arms tighten but not enough to make her feel pain.

She felt completely devastated, torned by the suspicion of his cheating and his sincere voice when he said he would never, she wanted to believe him so bad. She wanted to say she choose to trust in their love, but what if she was wrong? what if he lied? once again.

What if...?

It´s been a while since they talked, Cellys was out with a female friend on Verona, for the long weekend. But he knew it was an excuse to stay away from him, from home. She didn't believed him, and he understood why, he was lying after all. But not in the way she thought he was lying, her suspicions of cheating made him felt offended, but how could he blame her? He was, in fact, being distant and having an erratic behavior.

But there he was, sitting in a dark place in the middle of nowhere. The blood slipping through his fingers, the bone still noticeable under his knuckles. His body was sore, he could feel the heat of the fire around his neck. Even if his own fire could not hurt him he still felt the wound.

The sun was still hiding, extending his course.

The man sat next to him, in the bench, his pale skin was similar to the white tone of his bones, that were covered in an orange and blue flame.

"It is done" he announced, not disappointed but neither proud. The dead body of a man behind them, his soul was lost...as well his own.

"I know it's fucking done" Jace says, his voice was lifeless and rough, like if it carried a demoniac tone with it. The sun started to rise, the golden color was heavenly, and it reminded him to Cellys. Her sweet smile, her gentle touch, how it was to feel her breath against his neck when he held her.

He was losing her...

"Be careful in the way you spoke at me, child" the man says, the rage on it was heavy but Jace was not afraid of him, he was mad too. This was ruining his entire life, he wanted to give up.

He would rather die but not let his girl to think he would cheat on her like a bastard. No when he would fight with the devil himself to protect her and her feelings.

"I don´t wanna keep doing this, i wanna go home..." he says but the man only laughs.

"You think you have an option?" he mocked, then his gaze darkener "if you don't do what i say, i guess i must start to give you reason to..."

Jacaerys felt his skin burning as the sun rises more and more, he gasped in pain when his flesh started to cover his bones back, his fingertips found his jaw when the skeleton under was being replaced by skin and muscles, the fire dying.

"What...do you mean?" he asked, breathless. The smell of smoke burned his nostrils, it was the smell of his flesh killing the fire that was around his bones. The process was painful but more bearable than the first time he was turned into this monster.

"The girl" the man says, a smile pulling of the corner of his lips "She is pretty, isn't she? An angel"

A shiver ran down his spine with that protective instinct over him he had felt so many times before, but this time was much stronger than ever.

"Touch her and you're dead" Jace threatened but it sounded like a pathetic and useless warning in the ears of the devil.

"Oh, boy, i'm already are"

dt; @nebulamorada <3

[richieshepard]

march dalpony round up

decided to go ahead and expand this to both an art section and flashback fic rec section for older fics to get their shine. i 100% implore people to leave comments, give some kudos, reblogs, and have fun. 🩷 if you have any suggestions, lmk.

march fic round up

before the storm — alternate universe, indiana jones fusion, greekverse. complete. rated m.

Ponyboy and Dallas get home from an adventure to some interesting news. A day in the life, one sentence at a time.

Acts of Violence — alternate universe, dallas backstory. (by @gothiclines) ongoing. rated m.

Blessed be the children Each and everyone come to know their god through some senseless act of violence The most important lesson Dallas Winston ever learned was to look out for himself. This was followed by a second lesson learned much later on: Ponyboy Curtis was always going to be able to see into his soul.

holy is a brother holding another brother  — trampsverse, brother fic. established dalpony, rated m.

Antonio and Dallas meet. The Draft Lottery alters lives.

earth angel (will you be mine) — soc au, omegaverse, slowburn. rated t.

Ponyboy comes home after some time with Dallas.

beleaguered and beset — retro-future omegaverse au. rated m. complete.

Creation is a very complicated thing, from conception, to birth, to death.

midnight rider — wolfskin dalpony au. rated m. complete.

Dallas meets a very unlikely ally in the American West: Ponyboy, captured member of the Shepard gang. Humans aren't his favorite, you had to make do.

march art round up

mermaid au by @demon-witch05

When you bring home a gift to your husband and he gib you a kith by @demon-witch05

dalpony mermaid au by @dallaswins7on

dalpony ghostface au by @dallaswins7on

march flashback ficrecs

Paint Like Bruises by pyrchance

Ponyboy keeps finding smudges of color on his skin. The girls in his class whisper about soul marks.

Can’t Fight This Feeling by GuiltyBitch

Dallas knows you can’t fight your feelings, but you sure as hell can ignore them. Too bad for him that Pony isn’t interested in doing the same when gifted with an opportunity to explore those feelings.

My Favorite Fantasy by Guilty Bitch

Dallas and Pony spend the day together after Dallas gets out of jail.

Fire and Ice by Phoenix-Fire1986

This is SLASHPCDW. Dallas, the cold, tough hood and Ponyboy the sensitive, dreamy, youngest of the greaser gang. This is definitely AU, folks, and it's rated M for a reason.

[azsazz]

Hiii 👋 just wanted to say I adore your writing ☺️ I always get so happy when I see you’ve written something new 😁

I was curious to ask, what are some of your favourite modern AU jobs/roles for the bat boys (whether you’ve written about them or not)? Or just any ACOTAR characters?

CEO Rhys has been done a lot, but for good reason, it’s so perfect. He almost has to be effortlessly rich and/or in some position of power, like a prince, or a mafia boss.💰 I also kinda like to imagine him as a nepo baby set to take over his father’s company, but he breaks away or gets cut off, so with his very little actual job experience (as he was all set to inherit), he gets a barista job at a lil coffee shop. ☕️

Cass would definitely suit something physical, like an ice hockey player, or a firefighter, or a personal trainer. I could so see him being a gym teacher as well, imagine him coaching a kids ice hockey team. 💪🏽 He would SO volunteer to be a nude model in life drawing classes in his free time 😆 Though I hadn’t considered it before I read your stuff, I think he really fits a small town rancher too. I can so picture him in jeans, boots, and a flannel shirt, driving around in an old rusty faded red truck 👨‍🌾

Az could easily be in the FBI or something, but choosing something further away from his canon role, I seriously think he’d be an awkward computer programmer / software engineer nerd, or a twitch gamer, 👨🏻‍💻 with a secret anonymous OnlyFans or erotic audio patreon on the side. 😏 And I reckon he’d ride a motorcycle and tinker with it in his spare time, so might also enjoy working at a garage. 🏍️ I really love him in Midnight Muse, and think he suits a shy amateur artist / tattoo artist as well.

I also love the bat boy band idea I’ve seen a lot recently, where Rhys is the charismatic lead singer and guitarist, Az is the quiet songwriting bassist, and Cass is the energetic drummer. 🎶

Sorry it’s so long, I just love thinking about this stuff 😄

Hiiii!! Thank you so so much! I saw this message this morning but wanted to wait until I could give it my full attention and have my computer around, so thank you for your patience! 💙

Okay, some of my favorite AUs for the batboys? This is a wonderful question!

Rhys: Normally, I just think of Rhys as always having some sort of money/job inherited. So CEO, mafia, anything that puts him in a position of power, really, but i think it's mostly because those just reflect the books.

I do, however, love love love art school rhys. painter rhys. working at the local art supply degenerate rhys who still has wealthy parents but is trying to stick it to the man rhys. steals erasers and petty things from the art supply rhys. love him so much.

There's also something to be said about young adult rhys who's messing around with his little sister's best friend rhys. he gets me going too.

also captain of the hockey team rhys is a solid choice for him as well.

Cass: LOVE ME SOME RANCHER/COWBOY/SMALL TOWN CASSIAN. but, these are all very different. small town cass doesn't trust women, heart broken at a young age with the girl he thought was his forever. doesn't want to leave town, likes the ranch because its safe and its what he knows. cowboy cass or bull rider cassian, famous for breaking horses and backs. grumpy, gruff rancher cassian always gets me going tbh he's fucking hot as shit

i also always see him in a blue collar role like a mechanic or welder are the two i mostly attribute to him.

def something physical as well, we love hockey cass, rugby cass, wrestler (wwe lol) cass, dang i had another on my mind for sports cass but i forgot. sad. OH surfer cassian. jock type tho i can see him as. love the firefighter vibe for him too, he'd fill out the tight fire department t-shirt WELL LADIES and also volunteers for wet t-shirt contests. omg gym teach cass would be adorable as hell! oof another thought, contractor cassian ffs that would be so yummy

Az: Az i agree fits the FBI (stalker) vibes. i also like to think of him in finance or computer science too. omfg the erotic audio that's iconic and i'd def subscribe to that. hmmm what else could i see azzy doing...maybe something with music or writing...i could see him being a ghost writer of some sort and then one day his song plays on the radio and he's like hey i wrote that and literally no one believes him. something behind the scenes or where he can go unnoticed is mostly where i place him, tbh. honestly maybe even something military because he takes comfort in having a set schedule and people telling him what to do at every minute of the day. he'd fare well i think. perfect. operative because if the mission goes south and he gets captured he's not telling a soul anything.

Eris: idk why this thought came to my head but i was thinking about architecture but i think eris would be a fantastic interior designer lol. like i could see it. maybe i was just thinking about him furnishing az's new place and having a lil sparky. i could also see him as a lawyer too or something like that, something where he can be the know-it-all, smirking at them and looking down his nose at them...

Lucien: Architecture for sure. or professor. I could see him doing either of these. maybe even lawyer tbh, he would be good at that too, though i know he's immaculate at twisting stories and words so you gotta be careful of that.

Tamlin: poet? lol. professional gaslighter? jk i love tammy. maybe he installs security systems? haha just kidding just kidding. he's a tough one tho. idk why i added him but i guess also a musician but low-key soothing music, instrumental for sure...prob has a podcast where he just bullshits all day

hopefully i didn't rant for too long about this 🤭💙 this was so much fun though thank you for asking!

[sots-nxck]

genuinely thank you so much for your nellis sfms. this fandom has been so small for a long while now, so creators like you really are what keep everything afloat. even though you may not post frequently per se, your work is so amazing and i look forward to every single one of your posts!! i wish i could show appreciation in other ways than just liking and reblogging! guess that’s why im writing this long paragraph haha.. again, thank you so much!!! also… what are some of your headcanons for nellis, or the survivors in general? :D

T^T this brightened my day oml ty <33 The fact the fandom is so small is what got me into figuring out SFM in the first place and I appreciate all nellis creators out there helping keep this ship alive! <3 Thank you for all the love! I'm actually thinking of opening up commissions for anyone who's interested and wants to support further, but I still have to think of pricing and make the post :') Honestly I'd probably need a whole post of its own to go over my nellis head cannons so I'll stick to a some character ones I have. Nick: It's cliché but he definitely had a really shitty childhood, a single child to absent parents, drug addiction, etc. He had trust issues and pushes everyone away but he's secretly a romantic when he actually loves someone. Poor guy is just touch starved. He's also bisexual as sin. Ellis: Idk why but I always assumed Ellis's dad was abusive/ was taken away when he was young (mainly because it's the only person Ellis never mentions in game so he was either a bad part of his life or not there at all). He was raised by his mother and grandfather who got him into old rock music and cars (midnight riders and jimmy gibs) His first crush was one of keith's guy friends but he never told anyone and everyone he knows still thinks he's straight. Rochelle: She isn't super close with any of her family so the 3 other survivors mean the world to her. She lived with her boyfriend, Jacob, before the infection and is very career motivated resulting in several arguments about their future. Their rocky relationship is also why she moves her interest to Francis (another ship I have) x) Coach: He's 100% a family man. The kind to invite his friends and family over for Sunday barbecues and drinks. He falls into the father figure roll of the survivor group because of his want to be an actual father. He lost his wife to illness after 10 years together and never remarried or had children because of her inability to conceive.

[salvatoraes]

stats questionnaire !

background.

full name: stefan salvatore. nicknames: stef, steffy if you hate him, stefano, the ripper, rippah ( klaus only ) birthday: november 1st, 1490. astrological sign: scorpio. age: 18 ( physically ) + 520+ ( biologically ) height: 5'11. hometown: florence, italy.

appearance.

piercings: none. tattoos: a crescent moon on his left wrist ( matching a half sun on @klaeus' wrist ) & a rose on his upper arm / shoulder area. eye color: forest green. hair color: light brown / darker blonde. hairstyle: usually quiffed, styled with gel. clothing style: comfortable, relaxed, jeans and t-shirts kind of style with a leather jacket on top.

relationships.

parents: lilian & giuseppe salvatore. ( both deceased ) siblings: damon salvatore. significant others: elena gilbert, katherine pierce, klaus mikaelson, valerie tulle, rebekah mikaelson. & of course all of my lovely ships with my mutuals. children: none. pets: a black cat named midnight in his main verses & two golden retriever pups ( in a private verse with @forbaes ) other: silas + tom avery, doppelgängers. zachary salvatore, nephew. sarah nelson ( salvatore ) , great niece.

favorites.

foods: anything italian, steak, roasted potatoes, broccoli. drinks: blood, black coffee, bourbon, green tea. desserts: red velvet cupcakes, cannolis, pizzelles. books: he literally cannot pick just one but the great gatsby is up there for him. tv shows: his old ass likes the food network & documentaries. but he also loves the sopranos & i love lucy. movies: scarface, taxi driver, & goodfellas. musicians: bon jovi, patsy cline, dean martin, miley cyrus, jimi hendrix. animals: deer ( lol ) , dogs, giraffes, bunnies. colors: maroon, grey, dark green, navy blue. hobbies: writing in his journal, reading, crossword puzzles. holidays: christmas for sure. disney characters: he's not really into disney, he's just so damn old but if he had to pick he'd say stitch, flynn rider, belle & maybe eeyore because the depression matches lmao.

more questions.

what hogwarts house would they be in? : he's a ravenclaw for sure. though, he doesn't really keep up with harry potter.

when was the last time they cried and why? : god, i don't know. stefan cries often, he's a pretty emotional person. if i were to guess the last time he cried was probably from a book lmao.

if their life depended on them reciting an entire song’s lyrics with no mistakes, which tune could they bust out with confidence? : wanted dead or alive by bon jovi.

are they more likely to pursue a relationship or wait to be pursued? : he's more of a pursuer, if he likes you he's going for it.

do they believe that every person has a soulmate? : yes, absolutely. lexi once told him she believes everyone has more than one soulmate & he would have to agree.

do they have a “type”? : not really, some might say his type is doppelgangers but no he likes who he likes.

do they plan to get married one day? : he really wants to, he's hopeful !

has a boy/girlfriend ever been unfaithful to them? : yes, & with his god damn brother of all people. rude.

have they ever been unfaithful to a partner? : never.

are they holding on to something that they need to let go of? : he's holding onto a lot of things that he needs to let go of, he has 500 years of guilt.

are they self-conscious about they physical appearance? : i mean, occasionally when he's going through a depressive episode but usually no, he knows he's handsome.

do they think crying is a sign of weakness or strength? : a strength, while stefan doesn't always share his feelings he definitely finds crying to be therapeutic & thinks everyone should have a good one every now & then.

would they consider themselves to be more of an introvert or an extrovert? : he's the most introverted person out there lol. only an extrovert when he has to be.

are they a cat person or a dog person? : he loves them both ! but he does lean more towards dogs.

what’s their biggest regret? : he has many but i would say his biggest one or at least one that's high up there is when he tore through whole villages & left everyone in them dead ( including the children unfortunately ) when he first turned into a vampire.

do they have a best friend? : yes, lexi was his best friend in the whole entire world & caroline quickly became his best friend once lexi died.

where would they like to travel? : he's traveled to a LOT of places but he'd love to go back home to italy. he'd love to visit japan, amsterdam, australia & greece.

what are their bad habits?  : oh, we all know his worst habit is his bloodlust problem. but also you know sacrificing himself for people, not telling people how he feels until he's ready to break, putting himself in danger if it's to keep someone he loves safe.

tagged: nobody i stole it <3 tagging: @forbaes , @klaeus , @kindofuneven , @malka-lisitsa , @d4ughter , @hatesoccer, @jedilone, @presidentlaufeyson , @c0rdelias , @c0veys , @hellsurvivr, @qui11s, @venustrape ( for rachel ) & you, reading this !

[maccreadysbaby]

OPERATION: ULTRAVIOLET

alex rider + oc insert

tw: none

wanna read more? here’s the table of contents!

and the truth comes out! kai takes it about as well as we all thought poor dude

part four

❝ MI6 ❞

WEDNESDAY — MAY 4, 2001 — 2:13AM

THE NEXT PLACE KAI FOUND HIMSELF, WAS THE BACK OF A CIA VEHICLE, THEN HIS FATHER'S OFFICE IN MIAMI.

He'd never seen where his father worked before. The building was unlike anything he'd ever seen -- it looked like something out of a movie. It was tall and white, with sharp lines and what had to be hundreds of windows that reflected the Miami skyline and didn't give a single hint about what lay inside.

He was led into the building by a CIA man who never spoke. He looked... well, not like CIA men on TV with their perfectly pressed suits and sunglasses. He was wearing a t-shirt and jeans, with greasy, slicked back hair and a toothpick that never left his lips. Kai guessed he was trying to fit in with the rest of the people in Miami, which made sense if he wanted to be covert. (Why didn't they do that in movies?)

To Kai's surprise, when they walked into the building, they were greeted by... a coffee bar. A nice, modern one, with wood paneling and sleek lights, filled with bustling baristas and people chatting or talking on their phones. Which was not at all what Kai expected.

The CIA man didn't seem phased. He merely walked Kai through to an elevator, where they ascended to the tenth floor.

The doors slid open to a large lobby, with one big, curving desk that had two women behind it, working on computers and talking on the phone. There was a large, backlit sign on the wall behind them that read: CENTURION INTERNATIONAL ADVERTISING.

CIA. How very clever of them.

"Here for Byrne," The man with the toothpick said. The girls looked at him for a moment, entering something on their keyboards. One of them gave Kai a particularly long stare.

Kai wondered what they were thinking, seeing him like that. Of course, none of them knew who he was; he was just a kid turning up with an agent with blood all over his face, dirt all over his clothes, zip-ties on his ankles and no shoes. Did everyone know a child was coming to the office? Had his father briefed them? Or was he a rogue variable that was now freaking out the receptionists?

"I'll take it from here, thanks,"

Kai glanced off to the side when a familiar voice came. A figure moved out from an adjacent hallway.

It was Joe Byrne, his stepfather. He was taller than Kai, but not by much, and his skin was dark as midnight -- another thing that helped their case if people looked into familial relations. He had a ring of white hair on top of his head and a white mustache, his eyes a deep brown, scanning Kai's frame from top to bottom.

Part of Kai wanted to start crying; as a child did when seeing their parents after something traumatic. But the other part of him -- the part that had been trained in secrecy for as long as he could remember -- forced him to stay completely still, and completely blank, looking at his father as though he'd never seen him before in his life.

The agent that had brought him in turned and went back into the elevator, disappearing behind the sliding doors, and Joe Byrne turned back down the hallway. "This way."

Kai followed him without much protest, his eyes lingering on the receptionists as he passed them, working diligently at their posts. Did the CIA really use receptionists like that? Taking calls and sending emails and booking appointments? Or were they just a front incase someone walked in looking for the Advertising company? Did the advertising company even exist, or was it a ghost, too? Like Kai was?

He followed his father down a bare hallway, and through some sort of tube-looking metal detector that closed around him and then let him out again. Then the bare hallway continued back until they turned into a large office with a frosted glass door and the name: J.R. Byrne on the front.

It was much like his office at home. A large, one-way, single panel window behind a big mahogany desk. Bookshelves and wood-paneled filing cabinets lined the walls, and a large rug outlining the desk and three chairs lay spread across the floor; one chair was on the window side of the desk, two sat opposite it.

Joe Byrne closed and locked the door behind them. Kai reached for his arm as he passed, but the man didn't even seem to notice. He simply headed over to his desk, took a seat, and left Kai hanging and confused.

"I need you to tell me exactly what happened," Was the first thing he said. No hi, no are you okay, no do you need anything?

Kai exhaled heavily and took a hesitant seat in one of the chairs across from his father. "I'm… fine, by the way."

Joe Byrne sighed heavily, running a few fingers over his brows. "We don't have time for this, Kai. This is a very severe security breach and I need you to work with me so we can get it closed up before more damage is done. The longer you stay here, the more questions will be asked, the more suspicious you become."

Kai stared at him, dumbfounded. He didn't see his stepfather very much, maybe once every two months, maybe. But when he did, the man usually stayed the night at the penthouse, had dinner with them, and played games with Kai and Lionel until far too late. He laughed and smiled and said extravagant hellos and even more dramatic goodbyes. This... wasn't that Joe Byrne.

This was CIA Joe Byrne. A cold, over-stressed, overworked Joe Byrne that turned off his personal life like a light switch. Kai had never seen that part of him before, and he wasn't sure he liked it very much.

"Dad," He tried, hoping that maybe he could spark just a little of his less concrete-solid side. "I just got kidnapped."

"Malachi," His stepfather breathed, the stress of the whole thing making him look a bit older than he normally did. "I need you to tell me everything that happened tonight."

With a strange, empty feeling settling in his gut -- because he was sitting in front of a man who looked so much like his father but wasn't, at least not right now -- Kai relented.

And he told him everything. Starting with the phone call that he never heard the other end of, going through the fight in the penthouse, the abuse in the bungalow, and his frantic escape. His father was typing on his computer the whole time, maybe taking scarce notes. Kai told him about Sergeant Wilhelm, and about the younger man that was afraid, and the couple whose house he’d busted into begging to use the phone. He didn't leave out any details -- because the CIA would probably figure them out anyways.

“We got recordings of the phone call,” Was the first thing Joe Byrne said after Kai had finished. How they’d gotten the recording so quickly, he would never know. “It was a simple one-line order: You’re going to give us the boy. Lionel was going to shut you in your room with the panic button right after, but he didn’t have the time.”

"Lionel. Where is he? Is he okay?" Kai asked hurriedly, leaning up toward the desk. Joe Byrne merely held up a hand in a dismissive sort of way that did nothing more than irritate him.

“Lionel is fine. Not much physical damage, like you,” He explained. His voice was cool, calculating. “We’ll probably have to speak to that couple at the next-door bungalow again. Find a way to keep them quiet about you. We had Wilhelm and his accomplice brought in, so they won't be an issue anymore."

Kai nodded slightly, sliding further down into his chair.

"But..." His stepfather sighed a long, deep sigh. "There's always the issue of who else knows."

Kai blinked, creasing his brows. "You think other people know about me?"

"We can't be sure. But we also can't write it off," His stepfather said, typing a few things on his computer. "Wilhelm may have only told his son -- that was the young man that was working with him. But it's possible he could have told many people. Maybe he had backup. Maybe he told his whole family. We can't be sure if your name is in circulation or not."

"So..." Kai breathed, fiddling with his fingers absentmindedly. "What do we do?"

"You can't go back to the penthouse," Joe Byrne said seriously, shaking his head, typing on the computer. "In fact, every piece of real estate with my name, or a name in close relation to mine, is no longer a safe location for you."

"What?" Kai ordered, flicking his hands outward. "Where else am I supposed to go? I've been there my entire life!"

"I know. But after what you just went through, it's simply out of the question."

The teenager huffed, sitting back even further in his chair. He knew his stepfather was just being safe, but their penthouse had been built like a fallout shelter, for his safety, and he wasn't allowed to go back? He'd been raised there, since a baby, and he was, what? Never going to go there again?

“What about Lionel?”

“He won’t be staying there either. He’ll be going with you -- I trust him wholeheartedly. He was smart; he locked himself in your room to make a call to us,” His stepfather sighed. “If he hadn’t, Wilhelm would’ve killed him.”

“Is he still shut in there?”

“No,” Joe Byrne said. “I sent someone to get him out.”

“You told someone how to open the door?” Kai asked, miffed, shifting uncomfortably in his chair. “You told someone how to open the secret room in the penthouse, and you let some rando agent come pick me up and bring me here in a sketchy black car. For a guy so hellbent on security, you sure seem to enjoy handing out confidential information like candy.”

“The agent who brought you here has no idea who you are. And the agents at the penthouse don’t know you exist,” His stepfather said with a huff. “On our end, your name is as confidential as it gets.”

“Why couldn’t you come pick me up yourself? You wouldn’t have had to get other people involved,” Kai suggested.

“I had important things to attend to,”

“More important things than me?”

“Malachi,” Joe Byrne said, exasperated, his dark eyes searching the teenager’s face. “I was distributing agents to take care of you. I don’t work in the field.”

Kai scoffed, looking down at his lap and fiddling with the bottom hem of his t-shirt. Something like hurt ripped through him. His father wouldn’t even come onto the field for his own son?

Kai sighed. “I like the other you better.”

“What?” Joe asked, incredulously.

“I asked where I’m going now,” The teenager lied, knowing good and well his father had heard his previous statement and deciding to let it hang in the air. 

His stepfather stared at him for a few moments too long, a slightly irritated look on his face, before he relented and exhaled. “Well, Kai… I think it might be safest for you to leave the country entirely.”

Kai’s mouth fell open in an instant, and he froze, his eyes flicking up to his father suddenly. “What?” 

“I know, I know,” Joe Byrne started. He opened one of his desk drawers and pulled out a file, stamped with red ink across the front that Kai didn’t focus enough to read. “I have something I want to share with you, Kai. I know you heard that I fired Sergeant Wilhelm.”

“Okay?” Kai pressed. 

“There’s a reason your training is ending so soon,” He said, sliding the file across the table to him. It had two strings of words stamped across the front: OPERATION: ULTRAVIOLET, and TOP SECRET.

Kai merely jabbed a finger at it. “What’s this?”

Joe Byrne sighed deeply, lacing his fingers together and resting them on the table. “Kai, your training has always, always been to prioritize your safety. You being able to defend yourself in situations like what happened tonight is the most important thing I’ve ever taught you.”

“The most important thing Lionel ever taught me,” Kai mumbled under his breath.

Joe Byrne ignored him. “But your training was preparing you for something else, too.”

Kai looked up at him, scanning his grizzled features with curious eyes. “Something else?”

“Well… it has always been my hopes that, one day, you would work for me,”

Kai just stared at his stepfather, face blank, completely speechless. For five seconds, then ten. “You mean… for the CIA?”

“A field agent,” Joe Byrne nodded. “A spy. It’s all in that file.”

So, it was never really about his safety? About his protection, but about his father’s work? He wasn’t being trained because his father cared about him, but because he cared about his own job?

“No,” Kai ordered, shoving the file away. “I want to hear it from your face. You’ve been training me, my entire life, to be in the CIA? Without telling me?” 

If he was only doing it for his own job, did Joe Byrne care about him at all?

“Kai,”

“What is it, when my parents died you looked at me and instead of seeing your future child, you saw your job?!”

“Malachi, stop being so childish!” Joe Byrne ordered loudly, and Kai huffed, sinking further down in his seat and opening and closing his mouth a few times. Nothing ever came out. “The world that I am a part of isn’t always clear. There's no black, and there’s no white -- only gray. You’re either in or out. I never wanted to live a double life in front of you. I didn’t want to switch from the white to the grey, from father to agent. I always knew that, as soon as I could, I wanted you in the gray with me.”

Kai huffed loudly. “You failed. The whole don’t want to live a double life thing. You failed.”

“I know,” Joe nodded. “But there was no other way.”

“Telling your own son the truth may have been a good place to start,”

“I’m telling you now,” His stepfather said, nudging the file back toward him. “It’s all in there. The CIA’s plan to create an agent who’s untouchable. Unreachable. Invisible. Ultraviolet.”

“A minor,” Kai stated simply, not even bringing his eyes up from his hands.

“Yes,” His father replied. “Children can go places adults can’t. They can get out of situations adults never could. They can be untouchable.”

“Why me?” Kai questioned, picking at his fingernails for no apparent reason. “Why not someone else?”

“Because I could get you in the gray that way,” His father stated simply. “We could be in the same world.”

Kai looked down at his feet, whispering: “What if I don’t want to be in the same world?”

Joe Byrne said nothing.

Then he sighed. “I planned to propose the idea to you in the morning over a surprise breakfast, but it seems our plans got… shuffled. I have a first operation in mind for you that will be kicking off in a week, maybe less.”

“No,” Kai shook his head. “No, I don’t want to do it.”

“It will get you out of the country, and into a safe place,” Joe Byrne continued. “You already showed me you can handle yourself in intense situations.”

Kai looked down at his hands that were starting to shake again from the stress, the shock, the anger. “No. I want to stay here with you.”

“Staying here with me might just be the most dangerous place of them all,” His stepfather sighed, running a hand over his face. “There is another young agent. Fourteen, like you, working for British Intelligence; MI6. He’s going to go with you. His name is Alex Rider-”

“No!” Kai ordered loudly. “No, I’m not doing it. I just want to go somewhere safe, with Lionel, and I want to stay there, and I never want to see your face again.”

“I’m not asking you, Malachi!” Joe Byrne shouted, slapping one hand down on the desk to emphasize the word asking. Kai merely stared at him, his words hanging in the air like a thick fog. “The operation is investigating a summer camp in the Australian outback. Our friends in the UK are expecting you and you are going.”

His father produced another file from his drawer. On the front, it said: Alex Rider. He laid it atop the Operation: Ultraviolet file, and then grabbed another. This one had no name, but Kai assumed it was about whatever they thought was going on in Australia.

“Take them and go back to the lobby. Lionel is coming to get you. You’re flying out to London at eight -- MI6 will brief you there,” Joe Byrne ordered. “Good luck.”

Kai stared at him. “Dad…”

“Good luck, agent,” He said, sharper. “Dismissed.”

“Dad!”

“Dismissed!”

Kai stared into Joe Byrne’s dark brown eyes for a few moments more, but he never recognized them.

He rose from his chair with purposeful attitude, making the thing squeak onto the hardwood with a harsh noise. Kai swiped up the files and turned for the door. “I hate you.”

“What did you just say?” His father demanded, softly.

Kai didn’t even look back at him. He swung the door open and stepped out. “You heard me.”

And he closed the door behind him.

Maybe he wouldn’t have left that as the last thing he said to his father… if he’d have known what was going to happen in Australia.

—

tag list!

@skylathescholarly @flyrobinflyy @mcskullmun

[codihastoomanyideas]

Mashup Ideas

Below is a list of mashup ideas that I've accumulated over time that I just can't figure out how to attack personally. It's a mix of songs that sound similar enough to me; a lot of them were collected from listening to what my parents play on the radio, so expect mostly 2nd generation rock with a few left-fielders thrown in.

If anyone figures out how to mash these songs up, please lemme know with a tag! I would love to hear and share what you make!

Earthbound “Otherworldly Foe” / Bell Biv Devoe “Poison”

Foghat “Slow Ride” / Free “All Right Now” / AC/DC “Highway to Hell” / Edgar Winter “Free Ride”

Ringo Starr "It Don't Come Easy" / Eric Clapton "Let It Rain"

Bachman-Turner Overdrive “Ain't seen nothing yet” / I have no idea who sings this but it’s not ABBA “take a chance on me (there's nothing more that I can do)”

.38 Special “Hold on loosely / The Cars “Just What I Needed”

Bachman-Turner Overdrive's "Let It Ride" / Guns n Roses's "Paradise City"

Yes "Owner of a lonely heart" / Santana "Smooth"

Beatles “Ticket to Ride / Rolling Stones “Under my Thumb”

Bust a Groove "natural playboy" / Junior Senior “Move your Feet”

Nicki Minaj “Whip It” / Liz “When I Rule the World” / QT “Hey QT”

The Hollies “Long Cool Woman” / T Rex “Bang A Gong (Get It On)”

Shaun Mendes "In My Blood” / Olivia Rodrigo “Vampire”

ELO “Telephone Line” / Derek and the Dominos “Bell Bottom Blues”

Cher “Turn Back Time”/ Bruce Springsteen “Born in the USA” / Journey “Faithfully”

Offspring “Pretty Fly for a White Guy” / Gorillaz “Feel Good Inc.” / B-52s “Love Shack” / Madonna “Material Girl”

KK Bubblegum / Baka Mitai

Marshall Tucker “Can't You See” / Gregg Allman “Midnight Rider” / Creedence Clearwater Revival “Bad Moon Rising”

Bobby Darin “Beyond the Sea” / The Chords “Life Could be Dream”

Hozier “take me to church” / Pink Floyd “Breathe”

Earth Wind and Fire “Boogie Wonderland” / Jamiroquai “Canned Heat”

Cosby Stills Nash and Young “Woodstock(We Are Stardust)” / Deep Purple “Smoke On The Water”

Grease “Summer Nights” / Beatles “Twist and Shout”

[katyawriteswhump]

The Highwayman, the Stableboy & the Christmas Bride (Stobin/Minor Steddie)

Written for @steddieholidaydrabbles Day 17--Platonic Stobin Day. When Robin is forced into an arranged marriage, she and Steve take drastic action...

WC: 939. Rating: T.

CW: none really. Tags: Historical AU. Minor Steddie. Crossdressing. A bit silly.

***

Lady Roberta burst into the stable-block, petticoats trailing in the muck. She flung her arms around Steve: “It’s horrible enough that I’m marrying a man three times my age—and that he’s a man! Why does it have to be at Christmas?”

“I suppose Lady Buckley was trying to soften the blow.” Steve rested his cheek on her hair, rubbed circles on her back. In all their years of friendship, he’d never seen her so distraught. “Surely Lord Hootenanny’s fortune cheers you?”

“I couldn’t care less.” Robin sniffed hard, in her wonderfully un-ladylike manner. “Maybe you can become his stableboy and leave with me?”

“I suppose you’ll still require a snot-rag, but… uh…” The tremble in his voice betrayed him. She peeped up, wiped her eyes—pushed his hair from his brow and gasped. 

Damn. He’d wished to conceal his latest bruise.

“What happened?”

“Your fiancé’s boot collided with my face. Apparently, his stirrups weren’t shiny enough. I don’t think he’s going to want me.”

The determined jut of her chin was as distressing to Steve as her tears. “We must run away. There’s no other choice.”

“You say that every week. We’ll be caught, and you’ll have to marry him anyway.”

 And I’ll be flogged to within an inch of my life. Or, just as likely, hanged.

“If we don’t run, we’ll never see each other again. I’ll miss everything about you—even the stink of the horses. You’re my best and only friend.” Her head sank to his shoulder again. “But I don’t want you getting hurt.”

I can’t stand the thought of you getting hurt. Or of you living in the power of that violent bastard.

He groaned softly. She was right. They had no choice.

***

After midnight struck, he scaled a rope to her window. She threw up the sash, and he scrambled through. He thrust at her the bundle he carried, which had made climbing harder than usual: “These riding britches should fit you fine. You got the gown for me?”

She gestured to some crinolines on her four-poster bed. “There you go—one of my maid’s. I adjusted it myself.”

While she changed in her closet, he slid the gown on. It slipped straight down and puddled around his boots. “I see your legendary needlework has not improved,” he grumbled. She emerged, looking delighted and dashing in her britches.

As she pinned the gown about him, however, her hands trembled, and terror gripped him too. Lady Roberta would hopefully pass for her twin brother under the shadows of night. Her rogue of a brother was often seen sloping around with serving wenches—hence Steve’s heinous disguise. The plan after that, nevertheless, was fraught with even greater danger. 

Riding together on her brother’s horse, they made it through the village. Steve cursed the skirts that forced him to sit before her, side-saddle, with the pommel gouging his thigh. Once into the forest, a full moon lit their path, ensuring they remained vulnerable prey to pursuers from Buckley Towers, or…

Robin gasped, hastened their trot. 

“What is it?” asked Steve.

“Pursuers. Only one, mayhap. We can out-speed them.”

His heart lurched miserably. “Are you insane? On a steed carrying two? Sweet Jesus, I feel my neck stretching already.”

“If we die, Steve, I vow we die together.” 

He clung, white-knuckled, to the saddle. Robin pushed into a gallop. Their pursuer proved not only faster, but knew the terrain better and overtook them. Soon, a vast stallion and its rider blocked the track, silhouetted against the moonshine. Could this be a henchman of Lord Hootenanny, who would flay Steve alive on the spot?

“Get out of our way, or I’ll blow your brains out!”  That was Robin, who’d whipped out… “I stole one of Papa’s duelling pistols,” she whispered.

“Maybe you should first ask if I be friend or foe?” came a reply that set Steve’s heart hammering more excitedly than ever.

“This is your last chance!” Robin sounded desperate, out of her mind. “Let us pass, or—”

“Robin, no!” He grabbed her arm. Her shot flew wide. The blast and recoil sent them tumbling from the saddle of the spooked horse in a cloud of choking gunpowder. They landed in the mud, in a tangle of his petticoats. Ow, ow, ow! My ribs! The whalebone corset had been a terrible idea. His ears rang with the crack of the pistol, and the sound of a familiar laugh.

“Eddie?”

“Stevie, my lad, I thought it be you. Why are ye banged up like a doxy?”

“You know him?” asked Robin; damn, he was glad she was alright. “What’s a doxy and why are they banged up?”

“He wants to know why I’m dressed like a whore.” Steve took Eddie’s hand, who dragged him to his feet. Steve offered Robin the same assistance but found her scrambling up, unaided. “Meet my lover, Robin. Hellfire Eddie.”

“The infamous highwayman?”

“One and the same.” Steve turned to Eddie. “I didn’t think you’d get my message so soon.”

“My spies act fast,” said Eddie, slapping Steve’s padded derriere.

“Not in front of a lady!” seethed Steve.

Lady Roberta, however, looked pleased as punch. “Can we join your gang? Oh my goodness, I can become a notorious highwaywoman!” She flung her arms around Steve and smacked a kiss on his cheek. “Steve, this is singularly fortuitous. Our lives can start over.”

“Till we ALL get hanged,” mumbled Steve.

Eddie insisted Steve rode with him, rather than Robin, for the journey back to his thieves’ lair. 

“Then out of that ridiculous finery,” husked Eddie. “You know I like to wear the petticoats when I plow ye.”

***

Thank you for reading :)

[aldbooks]

ACOTAR Masterlist

AO3 ALDBooks

ACOTAR 🥀

Like After Images - Valkyrie Week prompt 'Blood Rite' *TW*

Several weeks after the Blood Rite, once the excitement of Nesta's mating ceremony and the birth of Nyx subside, the Valkyrie wade through the aftermath of what they faced in the Blood Rite

The Temporary Roommate - T - 3/3 - 13,951words

ACOTAR Secret Santa 2022 gift Mor's meddling family sends her and Emerie away to her estate for two weeks. It's either the best, or the worst thing that ever happened. She hadn't yet decided.

A Strange Melody - M - 12/12 - 19,752

ACOTAR Secret Santa 2023 gift for @sunshinebingo - a Gwynriel Little Mermaid AU

ACOTAR Writing Circle 3

A Friendly Wager - M - 1/1 - 2,205 words

Gwynriel oneshot fluffy fun - Alternate storyline A Fresh Spark

“Because of you I didn’t sleep at all last night” prompt Gwynriel

“I’m guessing you stole them?” Prompt Gwynriel

Azriel and his mother headcanons

Gwynriel/Kanthony headcanon

The necklace - Angsty Gwynriel

Snap me baby one more time - Nessian 2,175 words

Inspired by all the gym bro thirst traps that keep crossing my FYP that remind me of Cassian. Here's a silly little Nessian one shot with a side Gwynriel and Emorie plot (naturally)

Bodyshop - E - 4/4 - 19,441 words

Inspired by the song Unholy by Sam Smith & Kim Petra Mor and Cassian drag Azriel to Rita's the strip club the partially own with their friend Rhysand to see a new troop of dancers. A trio of women who go by the name Valkyrie.

Don’t you wanna be more than friends? - M - 3,839 words

Azriel and Gwyn have been growing steadily closer thanks to their midnight meetings in the training ring but, tonight, something is different... TW: mentions of SA

“Who says I want to reject it?” - Elucien

Drunk confessions - Elucien

Elucien angsty Drabble & Part 2

More angsty Elucien 

The haircut - Lucien cuts his hair and Elain has feelings about it

Gwynriel/Elucien drabble

Should've Stayed Dead - M - 4,437 words

Nessian (sort of) Lucien receives a message requesting a meeting with the Night Court. Specifically, the Archeron sisters. Cassian's POV

Angsty prompts requests:

Elucien [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11]

Gwynriel [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]

Lucien/Feyre [1]

Her tears like diamonds on the floor - 1,610words

Angsty Gwynriel Starfall drabble

Embrace - E - 14/? :

Collection of Smut prompt requests including the following ships:

Amren x Varian

Gwynriel

Helion x LoA

Feysand

Elucien

Viviane x Kallias

Jassa

Nessian

Gwynriel week prompts:

Solstice Night

“You’re the new ribbon Az”

To Win a Prince - Cinderella AU

Elucien story inspired by Persuasion - The Remembrance of Regret

Unchained Melody - angsty/smutty Gwynriel

Rosaline inspired Gwynriel scene

Gwynriel sparring

My Jolly Sailor Bold - Gwynriel mermay

The Final Frontier series - part of Gwynriel Dirty Deeds December 2024

I thought my demons were almost defeated but you took their side and you pulled them to freedom - Gwynriel based on @acourtdelaluna head canon

Moth to Flame - Gwynriel Summer Solstice

Frost and Flame - Pure angst from Lucien's POV, no happy ending

The Flame of Night - Ghost Rider inspired Elucien

A Court of Light and Shadows series - Elucien/Gwynriel

This series consists of an Elucien prequel then a Gwynriel and Elucien story that run tandem to each other - the directions for the tandem read are in the notes of each respective chapter for those interested

A Breaking - M - 1/1 - 2,899 words

After witnessing the almost kiss on Winter Solstice, Lucien makes a decision.

A Court of Shadows - E - 37/37 - 94,718 words

Azriel has begun to notice that his thoughts regarding a certain priestess have begun to shift. Before he can fully set aside his more inappropriate musings, Gwyn makes a proposal he can't resist

A Court of Light - M - 31/31 - 88,258 words

A year after the events of A Breaking, Elain feels a tug on the bond and realizes her estranged mate is in danger. Lucien, now returned to the Night Court, wonders if he might have been too hasty in his decision to leave, and if there might still be a chance for him with his mate

[asknarashikari]

https://x.com/krboykisser/status/1821348956674130339?t=yHj1DwAU_qIvGxc86S6guw&s=19

Emu: *angry mom look* Shouma...

Rider's reactions?

They be looking weird at Emu for focusing on him having a midnight snack than on... whatever the hell's going on with Shouma's stomach-slash-Driver

[n0tamused]

✦Êlinsaer Peredhel. Pt.2

LOTR Universe OC

Pt. 1 - here

╭─────────╮

“A mad man sees what he sees.”

╰─────────╯

3.4. The breaking of the Fellowship

Lady Galadriel had presented the Fellowship with many gifts, and to Êlinsaer she gifted a slim silvery dagger, golden veins running along its hilt in shapes of lilies and leaves.

The Fellowship continued their way towards Parth Galen. Êlinsaer appeared much more energized by the time they came to land, and looked as sturdy as a rock once more. She even took to talking with Legolas as they journeyed down the river and was the first, besides Legolas, to sense the presence following them. 

After Frodo and Boromir’s disappearance beyond her sight, she began to question others about their whereabouts before Saruman’s Uruk-hai fell upon them. As the orcs fell before them, Êlinsaer fought her way through to go after Frodo’s trail to find him. Her stress was evident once she found no trace of not just Frodo, but not one hobbit. After regrouping with the others, Êlinsaer was torn between following either one or the other duo of hobbits, and was knee deep in the waters of the river before she stopped and ultimately decided to follow the others to rescue Merry and Pippin. 

The group travelled with haste towards Rohan. Despite her mixed blood, Êlinsaer proved to have much and more stamina for ‘cross country sports’ as often referred to by Gimli than one might expect. 

After the meeting with Éomer and his éored, Êlinsaer would spot her horse in the Fangorn forest who led them to Gandalf the White. 

╭─────────╮

���Love is the bane of honor, death of duty. That is our 

great glory, and our great tragedy..”

╰─────────╯

Together they travelled back to Edoras, where Gandalf freed Theoden from Saruman’s enchantment.  

At Helm’s deep, Êlinsaer stayed at the back, protecting the way towards women and children, but as the battle progressed she drew her sword and advanced further, yet still not leaving the ones behind her unguarded. 

“A wolf, a lion, a sword, a shield… A dragon. A dragon, she told herself, like in the old stories. Be a dragon that guards the realm. No dragon like that has lived in living history, guarding the dead from the living and living from the dead, she knew, but that doesn’t mean there can’t be one today. Her silvery dagger sat on her left hip, a packed quiver on her right and her black bow in her hands. There is a sword plunged in the cracks between stones some couple of steps from her, should she need it. ‘Armed with claws and teeth, guarding the living.’ "

(Movie difference: Êlinsaer would have a more active role at Helm’s Deep, assisting the other archers and shooting down at the enemy lines. She had attempted to save Haldir by shooting the enemy behind him, but the blow still landed and Haldir perished at the battle. Êlinsaer joined the battle with a sword after running out of arrows and looked heavily impacted by Haldir’s death. Êlinsaer did not rejoice at the feast, and had spent her time outside under the midnight sky, joined by Legolas later in whom she confided about being older than she looked, and how she disliked it as she has seen too many friends and cities fade away.)

Êlinsaer rode with Aragorn and the others towards Isengard, and was quick to go to Merry and Pippin after ‘finding them’. She scolded them for not turning up sooner, but also embraced the hobbits before the others. 

During the Battle of Pelennor Fields, Êlinsaer had spotted two winged beasts circling the skies, one of which was the Witch King of Angmar. The other rider remained unknown to her even when it swooped down and lifted her and her horse from the ground. She shot an arrow into the beast's eye, which made the beast screech and drop her. Unhorsed and inflicted by an odd wave of ire, she’d take out more orcs than in her entire life in Arda. Her focus went back to the beast circling the armies, proving to be able to pick up the members of the Dead Army, brought by Aragorn. Her focus would go solely to the beast; successfully she’d bring the beast to fall onto the orc lines and in its dying moments it would have taken many orcs down with it, but the rider was missing from the saddle and the near vicinity when she came closer.

Inside city walls, after battle she met with Aragorn and the two talked for a short while, sharing what they’ve done and seen. Briefly they touched upon the subject of what was to come before going separate ways to perform their duty and give aid where they could. An elven-song, sung by Legolas, led her to him and Gimli, at whose presence she showed much relief at the sight of them. However she came to struggle with catching up to the actual events that had unfolded so far, still not at terms with her immortality and the quick passage of time.

════════════════════════════

.

╭─────────╮

“I have been mortal, and some part of me is mortal yet. 

I am full of tears and hunger and the fear of death,

although I cannot weep,  and I want nothing,

and I cannot die. I am not like the others”

╰─────────╯

3.5. Battle of Morannon

“The impending doom loomed over all their heads as the battle pressed near, the Black Gates looming over them. Êlinsaer had felt particularly peaceful that day, oddly so, even if she was the most afraid she ever was and ever would be, even as adrenalin made her blood run quick. That day she donned white scale armor under a black short cloak and an elven-made helm she carried from Hornburg. She had embraced the present members of the company before they made their way to the gates. She held them for a long time, each one, and wished them luck and safety, telling them to find each other after the battle is done with.”

As the enemy force surrounded them, Êlinsaer clung close to Merry and Pippin, wielding a sword. She had done all she could to protect them, and for once she felt it was all worth it, a moment of relief intertwined with the burdens of the last 700 years; she nearly felt joyous were it not for the great importance of this battle in defeating Sauron. Êlinsaer charged ahead of Merry and Pippin and carved her way through the orc forces. 

A tall figure emerged from her side, swinging a great two-handed sword at her allies, picking up horse and men from the ground with swiftness and terrifying ease. He was dressed in black, but his armor was silver, a red sash going diagonally across his chest and unfurling in a tattered cloak behind him. 

Êlinsaer charged first, and the two engaged in combat. In one moment as their blades met, she glimpsed the eyes behind the closed helm of her opponent. Teary eyed they stared back at her and a moment of shock had rendered her paralyzed. He was suddenly towering over her, his cloak seemed to glow a burning red and all she wanted to do was run - she only knew how to do that. She ran, through orcs and men and the beast hurled behind her, stepping in her shadow. He was chasing her back to Mordor.

 She did not see the ones around her, only what little clearing she could find to squeeze through. Merry screamed in the distance, she heard, and a great scream of an eagle overhead broke through her like a strong wind through branches and Aragorn fell before her, swallowed by the moving darkness. Terrified she looked on, a knife twisting in her chest. Idly, in a moment that seemed to stretch on forever, her thumb brushed against a ring on her finger. One glimpse back and she saw ‘him’ following, his eyes having landed on Aragorn. He tightened his grip on his great sword.

‘The King must not fall’. She’d then spin back to the looming figure and charge once more, this time with no intention of backing down, even at the cost of her life. For too long she had lived, she might as well make it worth it. 

The ring gleamed on her finger, although she took no notice of it, and her attacks became even more hard hitting, scarcely missing a blow. Their battle continued, and the figure had taken out many of his own soldiers as Êlinsaer pressed him back. Along the way he had picked up a hammer after his greatsword fell from his hold, which he swung around in a spinning haze, cracking the earth under them and bringing more orc down while simultaneously swinging at Êlinsaer who danced around him to take advantage of his aimless offenses. She had pushed him to the edge of battle, where he fell upon her silver dagger in the end, and he fell back against the rocks. 

As Sauron’s ashy hand stretched out towards them, Esgali had reached for her and made her look away. After confirming his identity after taking off his helm, Elinsaer broke down - both from anger and sorrow.

But in his last moments, as his tether to Sauron slipped away and made his mind gain more clarity and power, he lifted the curse from her at the expense of his life and soul. The rings she carried broke and fell to the ground.

4.After the War of the Ring

With the choice of life and death being granted back to her, Êlinsaer once again found herself lost. She could not lie to herself that the elven kind has grown close to her heart. But she was tired, she had lived too long and seen too much - she wasn’t meant to be immortal. For all the trouble it brought her, she felt as if she had fulfilled her purpose and played her part in ridding the world of evil, and by then the elves were already  scarce across the lands and the ones left were slowly leaving Middle-Earth. The age of Men was coming, there’d be no need for elves.

In the end, Êlinsaer chose to live the rest of her life as a mortal woman, embracing the new age and the new meaning of her life. But she wasn’t rejecting the elves. She would go on to live  the rest of her years in the forest of Lothórien. 

Despite choosing mortality, she’d still live on for 303 years before passing away. At the time of her death her hair had gone silvery white. Êlinsaer passed away peacefully and was buried under an intertwined red and white oak tree which she planted upon coming to Lòrien.

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“Old stories are like old friends, you have to

 visit them from time to time.”

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Trivia

-From many trees that she planted, elven ships were made. Legolas used the planks made from her trees to make his boat to sail to Valinor

-Êlinsaer means One star. It is not her real name, but one she was given after she ventured into the world. Her real name remains hidden and known only to seldom few

-303 symbolizes personal growth, forgiveness, and inner peace

-The curse went both ways - while it kept Êlinsaer alive, it made Esgali’s existence painful and tethered to Sauron as long as he and Êlinsaer lived. Which is why he had always looked for her in order to lift the curse and free them both, but she always evaded him until the Battle at the Black Gates

-The shadow that attacked them before their arrival in Lothórien was a part of Esgali’s spirit

-She carried a golden lily brooch throughout the life up until her death as a small memoir of her past life and her people

-She wrote many books in her life, most consisting of recounts of people she met, their names and families and any deeds they've done (good and bad), but she also published books of old recipes as well as old crafts and even older songs

-She became close with Arwen, whom she welcomed to Lòrien after Aragorn passed away, and she sang at her funeral a year later

-Haldir and Êlinsaer were often seen together, walking the borders of Lòrien and talking, as well as planting trees together. Haldir would go to depart Middle-Earth only after her passing

-She would travel to visit the members of the Fellowship throughout the year

-She took up many crafts in her mortal years, from painting to embroidery

-She had come to see Glorfindel off when he went to sail to Valinor and had given him a cloak, edges embroidered with golden thread in intricate shapes

-Êlinsaer is very fond of animals, and animals of her. Her mare was a gift from a mortal woman that she saw as family, despite her traveling lifestyle. The horse's name is Sana. She ended up surviving the battle at Pelennor Fields, but Êlinsaer would not ride her again and wouldn't allow anyone else to do so either

-The crow that carried her the rings was sent by her father in those scarce moments of clarity of mind. One ring in particular was a magical ring of lesser power. While it poisoned her mind and gave him the ability to sense her whereabouts a bit better, it also served as some form of counter to the One Ring’s influence

-The ring would also assist her in her final battle against Esgali

-While she was immortal, she could still fall ill and could still tire like any other human

-Êlinsaer is very adept at using a bow

The end!

I hope you enjoyed this wiki <3 If you have any thoughts, let me know.

Ⓒ n0tamused/jarttavia_. Do not repost, translate, edit, and/or copy any of my works. Likes, comments, and reblogs are appreciated.