#The dust protection squad is forming

[brisquad-unit-4402]

sitting with vox and the truth

(spoilers obvs)

happy the demon hungers everyone :D i did two watchalongs with my friends i hope we all show our appreciation to vox. he’s worked very hard and he’s very considerate of us his fans

this is all just to say that after a long, long, long two weeks i would like to rest so nicely on his chest. naturally i walked into this planning to write that but it turned into another vox breakdown fic which, really, couldn’t be a better description of unit 4402 if you tried

tags: gender neutral reader, angst, themes of self-hate, vox has a breakdown, spoilers for the demon hungers and the truth, ambiguous relationship (romantic intended but can be read as platonic; reader says “i love you”)

⚠️ spoilers for the demon hungers / the truth, vox akuma.

⚠️ contains self-deprecating dialogue

─── ･ ｡ﾟ���: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

wings of melded leather and flesh writhe in the home of vox akuma. a dethroned lord, a wretched infernal. such a a wide reach. the talons of the wing threaten to scrape the ceiling with his greater height, while the membranous tatters hang loosely. if he represented Hell it would be a king’s robe. under wall and lamplight the sheet of skin is his chain.

gravity weighs down his voice all the same. it sinks his shoulders, drips off his hair and down his back. seven feet tall, with a shadow to cast over your body so small in comparison, and yet wind could knock him over as he stands his ground. the familiarity of gold within his eyes is gone but the guilt behind it is all the same, tainted in burning-coal. the smoke around his mouth and the embers along his tongue match the char. there is no fire. he’s put that out long ago. but what was scorched refuses to dwindle down to ash, remaining orange and red and that pink you swore you could see when there was nothing good on his mind.

nothing good, you thought, jokingly and enticingly. lightly. you see now that you were right, but without the fortune of intimacy.

he is scared, if he would be willing to admit it, and he is protective which he does. it’s why his hands are buried close to his chest, the swirling black-red, clasped together as if they were weapons. they are.

“do you understand?” vox asks. “i don’t deserve your pity.”

his frame is full with rage and power held dormant.

“i don’t deserve your attention, or your patience. or your love.”

a bead of ember rises from between his teeth. it fades to room dust as he grits them together.

when they snap apart an arc of flame accompanies it.

“It’s never been deserved. It’s never been okay. I have never been okay!”

the flames curl out of the air, following where the ember once went, room dust and hot air. without his hair in his face he can’t hide from the firing squad.

he can’t hide when you step forward, either.

“Don’t.” that’s what gets him to quit yelling. it’s replaced by inhaled cinder under his breath. “No, no, don’t. Don’t. Don’t.”

and quiet, you say, “you’ve held me before.”

“Don’t. Don’t. You can’t. No. Don’t.”

“and i’m nowhere near death.”

he backs away. “You don’t know that, you don’t know that, you don’t know, you don’t.”

“we don’t choose the bodies we’re born in. or the biology we function by.”

another step back. he doesn’t trip on anything. it’s the pure magma under his blood that sends him to his knees. “Get back.” a hiccup. “Get back!” his hands form tighter to his body. “Get away from me!”

“i trust you.”

“Don’t! Don’t! No! Away!”

“you aren’t hungry anymore. and i’m not in danger. i love you.”

vox’s back thumps against the corner of the wall. his hands tear apart. a prominent vein glides down the oil-slick arm. they tangle themselves into his hair. pale fingertips along bloodied streaks. white knuckles pulling at black locks.

he screams.

he screams again when you place yourself next to him, up against the wall, and bump your leg to him.

“if you could hurt me…” your eyes lower to where your legs are placed upon his. “then this would count. but i’m still alive.”

you look up to the ceiling. his talons didn’t scratch it but his horns certainly did. “and i’m still alive, and my soul is where it should be, with me.”

you cannot recognize the sound the voice demon emits.

“so i’ll stay with you. and we’ll figure things out.” with river under your hands you rub his arm. “do you remember this? it’s what i always do when you want me to help calm you down.

“that’s what i’ll do. just let it out. and i’ll be right here, and i’ll always be here no matter what.”

it’s a guttural, throaty cry across his register. a frog scratch.

“come on.” his blood twists under your touch. veins alight as live wires. “i have all the time in the world.”

“But I have been nothing but a blight.”

“i love you as you are.”

you place your head over his chest.

the first thing that happens is the draft from his wing wrapping around your face. your vision colors red. branches of uneven membrane along the wing’s flesh. so tight around his chest you don’t see a glimpse of the outside.

the next is how vox wracks himself over the lava within his throat.

your free hand takes over attending to him as much as you can, swaddled close to his chest.

through the wing, you can see how he forces his head away when he spits a flamethrower.

when the unpredictable flames raise to you and the wing-shield, it suffocates against the flesh. you don’t feel a shred of heat.

each fire is a bellow of pain gone unacknowledged for years. you don’t think he realizes his instinct to cover you. it would be a welcome validation if he weren’t lost in his own grief.

you spend the night beside the voice demon, listening to the shred of his screams. when he finds the courage to open his eyes, he shrieks for every moment that passes with your hand upon him, and soul within your confines.

.　 . • ☆ . ° .• °:. *₊ ° . ☆

✧. ┊ masterpost ✧. ┊ kofi

[yuus-sentient-teddy]

Old Note: This came to me the night before Book 7 got updated on the JP server. I'm also waiting for translations, but from what I've been hearing, there's speculation that the squad will be traveling to other dreams and waking up the rest of the main cast.

New Note: Tada *jazz hands* here it is after how many months.

The Hall of Mirrors is in shambles, and the cause for its state is still wrecking havoc.

"Those ear. . . there's no way that's Grim!" Ace says. He and the others didn't enter this dream by falling from the sky. They all just opened their eyes and found themselves lying on the broken ground, wearing their ceremonial robes and lightly covered in dust.

"Hang on, where's Yuu?"

"Over there!" Silver hurries over to a dark shape that almost blends against what remains of a stone column. Anyone would have missed the shape if that person couldn't see the white glowing bird circling over Yuu's head.

They're groaning while slowly sitting up. "Are you okay, Prefect?"

"Yeah. What about you? Are you and everyone else okay?"

"We're fine, just a little scratched up," Ace says as he and the others gather around.

Yuu nods. "Good."

They look at the menacing form of their partner and their eyes immediately fill with despair. "God. I can't believe he turned into that," they say quietly. "And the Mirror. . ."

Gasps erupt as multiple eyes spy it among the rubble.

"It's. . . shattered?!" Deuce says.

"Prefect, are you okay?" Epel asks, remembering their longing for home.

Yuu swallows and smothers whatever emotion is on their face, quickly donning an expression that would suit a calm advisor (it's an expression all the boys know from the Overblot situations). ". . . We'll talk about that later. Right now, we need to get Grim back to normal. I think we should do some recon to get a sense of what he can now do."

"I agree with the suggestion," Rook says. "I volunteer myself to go." He then invites a few others whose skill sets may be helpful, such as Leona and Epel.

"Prefect, are you able to stand?" he asks.

"Yeah. You need me to watch out for you guys?"

"Yes, and perhaps to notice anything from a distance in contrast to us who will be closer to Grim."

"In the meantime, we'll discuss possible strategies and update them once you all come back," Vil says.

Once the recon team leaves, Ace says, "I'm just going to say this right now: why is Yuu dreaming something like this? This doesn't seem like something they want to happen. You guys saw how they acted, right?"

"It also wouldn't make sense if this is a memory," Riddle adds. "It seems like all of us are supposed to be present, but we would surely remember a disaster such as this."

"It's not just that. Something is different about this dream," Silver says. "You both are right in that it's not based on a desire nor a memory. It's something else entirely different, but I can't quite place what it is."

". . . What if it's a vision?" Ace suggests.

"What do you mean?"

"Yuu has been having weird dreams throughout the school year. They said that some of them are about the Great Seven acting villainous and that the rest are quick flashes of a black carriage and a blue beast."

There's a long period of silence as the information settles in.

"Has the Prefect have these visions while awake?" Lilia asks.

"I'm not sure--hang on." Ace's eyes widen. "Sometimes they look dazed or like they're about to faint."

"Like while they were talking to me at my farewell party?"

"Yeah. . . like that."

Another long moment of silence. In the background, someone shouts something while the chimera stomps on what's left of the ground and screeches.

"Okay, so we know the person from another world may be a seer of sorts," Idia says. "Let's get back to figuring out how to turn Grim back into a cat and get Yuu to wake up."

Somehow, despite how quickly he tried to get out of the way and the protective barriers he put up, he got hit with one of Grim's curses. It made it so hard to breathe, and his legs suddenly weren't able to support him. He wracks his brain for counter spells--but is suddenly interrupted by desperate shouts from around him.

He lifts his head as best as he could. His eyes widen.

Yuu was standing before the beast, a hand reaching. He was too far to hear what they were saying, but it was no doubt soothing words to try to get their partner back to his senses. They were even smiling calmly.

But Grim suddenly roars and lunges forward.

"Prefect!"

He shoves himself off the floor and into a run. Others are doing the same around him or are lifting their pens to summon a protective shield. He lifts a hand, but the motion gets slower and slower with each second even though he's sure he's moving quickly. It's not like he's moving through molasses, though.

No. It's more like--

Time slows to a stop. Grim's jaws are just over the Prefect's head. From what he could still see, their eyes are wide and full of shock.

. . . Then he and everyone are suddenly floating in a void, semi- surrounding an unconscious Yuu.

"What. . . the hell is this place?" Ace says. His voice echoed slightly, like he was in a small cave.

"I'm guessing Yuu didn't mention this?" Floyd says rather casually.

"Shh! Listen!" Leona interjects.

Somewhere in the darkness, there's a low voice. It grows louder until it is clear and seems to surround the NRC students; by then, they were able to identify the speaker. "The Headmaster?!"

"Guided by the Mirror of Darkness. . ."

"Guys, look up!" Numerous mirrors that look exactly like the Mirror of Darkness are suspended above them, looking down but reflecting nothing but darkness.

". . . If your heart bids it, take the hand of the one reflected in the mirror."

Yuu's eyes are still closed. A couple seconds pass, then their arm lifts and their hand reaches for something above, to the side. As if summoned by that gesture, a mirror comes down and floats above them. Their eyes slowly open.

Someone realizes he can lower himself to get a better view of the mirror, and the others follow suit.

They're just in time to see a hand coming from the darkness within the mirror. It passes through the glass, the surface momentarily rippling, and its palm is facing up. Without hesitation, Yuu takes the hand.

Light shimmers from the hands then expands, filling the whole void and momentarily blinding everyone. Once it's gone, Yuu and the mirrors are nowhere to be seen.

The Headmaster's voice rings clear:

"As flame reduces even the stars to ash,

as ice seals away even time itself,

as great trees swallow even the sky,

fear not the power of darkness. Now... demonstrate your power."

There are flashbacks to the earlier battle against Grim, except it was like the battle was repeating over and over: different combination of groups going against Grim, each combination losing regardless of the power of the spells. There was a vague sense that they've fought countless times now.

Suddenly, Yuu is back in the void, donning their ceremonial robe and lying on their back with their hands folded over their stomach, like they were sleeping in a coffin. A new voice speaks, and it's not someone any of the boys recognize.

For me, for them, for you. Time is growing short. Whatever you do, don't let go of that hand.

Blink.

They all are standing at the gates to Ramshackle Dorm.

None of them know what to say.

One of the boys is looking at his own hand, thinking back to when the person in the mirror offered their hand. "Hang on. There's a face in the shadow. It looks kind of like. . ."

He thinks he can feel the phantom sensation of someone holding his hand.

[alitheakorogane]

Freedom's Protection: Please Forgive Me

Summary: Venti tries to visit you while you're still recovering from your injuries and tries to apologize. At the same time, you found out the truth about the Divine Creator from Venti.

This is the sixth part of Mondstadt's storyline for the Reader Protection Squad SAGAU series.

Warning: There are mentions of blood but it's nothing major. Also, there are instances of grammatical errors and incorrect lore because this was written on a whim.

Note: I apologize for the delay, it's been a month or two since I updated this! This draft was been gathering dust for months and decided to add some ideas little by little. To those who are actually waiting for Archon Venti, just be patient, this was cut into parts so this wouldn't be too long for a chapter, I can assure you he will appear in his Archon form in the next chapter (as of this date). I still had to write them, review the next chapter for errors and place some additional ideas.

Chapters: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 (current), 7

You woke up with the most pounding headache you had ever felt in your entire life.

You had no clue what happened, as you were still adjusting to the situation you're currently in. With difficulty, you slowly sat up and looked around the place, ignoring the aches and pains you felt, trying not to shake your throbbing head. By the looks of it and the fact that you can smell the lingering scent of disinfectant, it seems that you were placed in some sort of clinic.

You reached your forehead to calm yourself but were surprised to feel some kind of fabric on your head, possibly bandages wrapped on your head.

You were confused as to why you were lying down on a bed in an unfamiliar room when you were supposed on your room. After all, since the pandemic has begun, you're on online modality and you are supposed to be at home right now, playing Genshin or doing something worthwhile to kill some time. You wondered what place you are currently in and why you woke up with a killer headache.

Suddenly the door opened wide, making you nearly jump up off your bed in surprise. A young woman then entered the room, holding a cart full of medical supplies and medicine. By the looks of it, she looks like a nun... a fancy nun who looks like a nurse. You couldn't help but notice how she looks so familiar to you but you couldn't pinpoint what.

As she closed the door behind her, the young woman saw you try to sit up so she rushed to you and abandoned her cart beside her so she could help you get up.

"Thank Barbatos, you are finally awake..." the young nun spoke up as she grabbed a glass of water from the pitcher she had carried. You gratefully received the glass and drank the liquid, feeling the cold water rushing on your parched throat. You were still groggy from being recently awake alongside the throbbing feeling on your head, so your mind was still as blank as a clean slate of paper.

As you focused your sight on the woman in front of you, a plethora of memories regarding your recent escapades in Teyvat suddenly rushed into your mind, causing you to wince over the throbbing pain in your head. The woman, the lovely Deaconess Barbara, noticed your pained expression so she tried to heal you with her Hydro Vision, but it wasn't as effective as you expected it to be. But at least the pain was slightly reduced due to her efforts.

So your unfortunate trau... adventure throughout Tevyat was not a dream after all. It was real as it had been.

"How long have I been asleep?" You groggily asked the young nun as she was preparing to give you some herbal medicine that you assumed the nuns of the Church of Favonius had made them. Of course, they are not as modern as in your time, and had to rely on healing and elemental magic rather than science and technology to cure people in this world.

You then saw her sprinkle some herbs on the glass of purple juice and waved her glowing hand, signaling that she used her Hydro Vision on the drink.

As she had finished preparing the drink, she then sweetly smiled at you as she offered the glass in front of you, "I hope you like it, it's actually Wolfhook juice mixed with some healthy herbs to help you recover. I even made sure that you can't even taste the bitterness of the herbs I freshly plucked a while ago."

You received the drink and looked at it with a hesitant look and a grimace. The young Deaconess had noticed your strange expression so she cutely giggled, "Don't worry, it has no poison on it, I could assure you. After all, I'm a healer by trade."

Then she crossed her arms with her right hand raised in the air as she waved her finger for emphasis, "And to answer your first question, you have been asleep for two weeks. We are even wondering why you slept that long without food or water."

You were flabbergasted as your eyes looked at the nun as if she had grown a second head, and you should have seen your jaw drop if you were in a cartoon, "WHAT?!"

You still can't believe what you have heard, until you remembered how time flies on Teyvat compared to your world and you suspected that even though you were isekai-ed to the fictional world of Teyvat (which is apparently real in some other universe), you were still bound by your world's time.

You found this out when you first came to this world, when you noticed how you can spend days without food or never slept for weeks. After all, according to the game, 24 hours in Teyvat is 24 minutes in yours.

Barbara nodded as her face turned into a serious look, "But of course, I wouldn't be surprised if you do that, but we're still worried. Based on the ancient book our family had treasured for centuries, which was given and written by Lord Barbatos, the Divine Eminence has been gone, probably asleep, for centuries. And you're actually the Cre-"

Suddenly there was a knock on the door, earning a slightly annoyed look from the Deaconess and a curious look on your face, "I'll be right back."

She went to the door and opened it, revealing a tired-looking bard clad in green and gold accents, his cape flowing through a non-existent wind and you were not surprised that he was currently in his mortal bard form. After all, he has an identity to hide.

He seems to be holding a bouquet of fresh Cecilias and a bottle of apple juice in his hands, a well-thought gift that you assumed he possibly stole from Master Diluc's winery basement.

"Ven-Lord Barbatos!" The young Deaconess exclaimed as she bowed gracefully toward the new visitor. You did the flabbergasted look on your face once again, and by the looks of it, you did it a thousand times already ever since you woke up.

The Archon in question, Venti, entered the room, his beautiful face was struck with guilt and self-loathing as he walked towards you and the young nun, who paved way for the Anemo Archon to come inside the room you were in.

"You can call me Venti and you don't need to bow. I am just a regular bard at the moment," he replied to Barbara with a crinkled smile on his young-looking face, as Barbara blushed in embarrassment over her mistake, but you could see the guilt and child-like wonder in her eyes. You can probably guess that she was still thinking about her embarrassing moments with Venti during the Holy Lyre incident.

He then set the apple juice on the tabletop beside your bed, but he looked around for something to put the flowers in. Barbara could notice the bard fidgeting nervously so she offered her help to place the flowers in a vase, her arms now free from medical supplies she had carried a while ago.

Venti thanked the young nun gratefully while giving the flowers and the apple juice to the young woman, who sensed that you needed some time with Venti. She excused herself to grab some nice containers for these beautiful flowers, leaving you and the guilty Archon in the room.

As Barbara was gone, the young Archon was still standing near the door and fidgeting nervously, as his eyes were staring at the ground and his lips quivered as if he was about to cry. You just sat on your bed with your forehead covered in bandages, your eyes looking at him with a sympathetic gaze.

"Just come here beside me, I won't even bite," you teased him, as you patted your right leg in emphasis, signaling him to sit on the chair beside you. The bard hesitated to follow suit, but you made a puppy eye stare at him, complete with a pout, and he then gave up when he saw you still maintaining the look for minutes. He quietly sat on the chair, but he was still bowing his head down, his eyes were still covered under his bangs.

"I'm sorry for hurting you, (Y/N)," the green-clad bard suddenly apologized up to you for the first time since he came here. Your eyes widened as it was the kind of first time seeing Venti nearly breaking up in tears and begging for forgiveness in front of you.

"I...um," you stuttered out, not knowing what to react.

"I know you can't forgive me, I even knew that even my own people can't forgive me for what I have done," he raised his head slightly as his eyes sparkled in unshed tears, "I nearly killed my own people, (Y/N), and I couldn't forgive myself for that. I could have killed lots of innocent people just like what I had done a few centuries ago. I feared that I was starting to become like Decarabian... Worst of all, I could have killed you, even though I know you're not what I have perceived you to be."

You smiled sheepishly as you spoke back, reassuring the bard that you were fine even though there was still a lingering headache caused by his outburst a while ago, "No need to apologize, in fact, I was grateful that you were one of the people who defended me that time! So don't cry, Venti."

The bard just said nothing, as he sniffled with quivered lips, but you could notice the tears started to fall in his blue-green eyes.

"I supposed that you are really involved in the Cataclysm 500 years ago since you said you had experienced killing innocent people a few centuries ago. The Khaenri'ahns, isn't it?"

Venti looked away in shame as he had heard your remarks, making you wince at the words you just released, so you try to salvage the situation, "I don't want to pry, though. I know it's kinda traumatizing for you after all."

To be honest, you never even knew what happened during the Khaenri'ah disaster, as the game was still in the Sumeru patch, and the nation was still mysterious as it was when the game was first released. All you know is the latest dump info about it in the recent patches, where Nahida once said that the six Archons are involved in the Cataclysm, while she was protecting the Irminsul.

"I guess you know all about that, after all, you're the Divine Creator of Teyvat themselves. You were supposed to know as Celestia must have been doing all of this shit in your honor," Venti whispered but you could still hear him, his eyes still looking at the window behind him, "And here I have thought that you're just an imposter."

Your eyes widened once again, for this is the first time you hear him curse, and his tone suddenly filled with a little spite. Also, the words he had said to you made you a little confused, so you asked him with a confused tone, "Why do you say that?"

Venti shook his head with hesitation before he replied to your question, "The blood, you're actually bleeding in your head because you bumped your head to the floor and it actually glittered gold like the legend says. The Divine Creator in the legends of old was supposed to have the blood of pure gold, with constellations shining in their eyes. I dunno about the constellation thing, but the gold blood we had seen coming from you was the legitimate indication that you are really the legendary deity."

"Fortunately, the citizens had been evacuated to safety thanks to the brilliant minds of Acting Grandmaster Jean and Master Diluc, along with other Knights, and that means not everyone knew about you bleeding an aureate color. But even though Bennett and Razor had to carry you to the Cathedral without gaining attention from other people, we need to have someone look at your wounds and protect you while you're still recovering."

You nodded as if you now understood everything, but deep inside, confusion and doubt was still simmering on your mind. You had known your whole life that you were born a regular human, a normal speck among billions, but being the greatest god of Teyvat that can bleed liquid gold? Last time you remembered, your blood was red. You have been in too many blood tests to confirm that.

You theorized that it has something to do with you being isekai-ed to Teyvat. The phenomenon has made your biology change to fit the essence of the game. Then you suddenly remembered how Barbara reacted when she saw Venti.

"But what about you? Based on Barbara's reaction, everyone now knew who you were..."

Venti rubbed his neck with a sheepish look, "Well, it's bound to happen sooner or later, but honestly, I wouldn't expect that I would be revealed while being in an unstable state."

He then smiled brightly but you could see the empty look in his eyes, "But on the bright side, they now gave me free wine and good food to eat for free. But to be honest, I don't really deserve their kindness after what I did as their absentee Archon who suddenly shows up and tries to hurt them."

You nodded again as you looked at your hands which were still clenching on the blanket covering your legs. Since you were just recently conscious after being knocked out for weeks, your memories of the past events were kinda fuzzy.

Yet, you were curious about what happened after you were knocked out, so you asked the bard, causing him to look at you in the eyes, "Can I ask you something?"

Venti nodded as you took a deep breath and the question was now dropped from your lips.

"What happened after I went unconscious?"

-----

Taglist: @vvyeislazzy, @chocolatekuns, @mmajoko, @jaxielous, @mulandi, @code-roevember, @the-real-fandom-person, @dilucpegg3r, @yoascheeksplayin, @kithewanderingme, @justarandomweeblol, @3there4l, @5sos-wdw, @leyla3x0, @totallyntsarcat, @tartarsaucechi1de, @uchihaeirin, @ello-its-me-ya-boi, @konzumeken, @05aaphrodite, @pix-stuff, @osamu-miya-wife11, @bajifairyy, @valka-230, @thedevioussmirk

[lizzie-is-here]

lonely is a man without love

part vii- choice

“hug me like the night holds the moon” - alexandra vasiliu

summary: fighting egyptian gods honestly isn’t that bad, especially when marc and steven look so good in their suits

wordcount: 2.1k

warnings: language, violence, honestly i think that’s it, not much fluff but i’ll make up for it in the last part i promise

a/n: thank y’all for being so patient with me, this isn’t the last part, there will be one more bc i want the moon boys to meet the avengers 😏 also wondering how oscar isaac feels knowing he’s played some of the hottest characters to exist bc my miguel obsession is concerning 💀 i hope y’all enjoy, love you all sm, have a great day 🫶🫶🫶

taglist: @thefictionalgemini @ravenz-hope @undiscl0sed-d3sir3s @iateall-your-cookies @disregardedplant @sunflowers-4 @yellowumbrelllaaaa @bagsy-not-it @local-mr-frog @thescarletredwitch @jupitersmoon167 @creamecafe @stevenknightmarc @theluciansystem @kingtwhiddleston @spider-biter @mxltifxnd0m @sgt-morgan @no-dont-be-suspicious @onzayhe @namorslit @i-cant-write-for-shit @vainillasmil157 @doublevirgogirl @boofy1998 @seninjakitey @khaleesihavilliard @gaypoetsblog @letmehavemyfictionalmen @bitchotine

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“That’s fucking disgusting,” you murmur to yourself as three bullets fall out of your slowly-healing wounds.

Coming back from the dead was remarkably unremarkable, you think. However, the sensation of ammunition leaving your body on its own was rather unpleasant.

Heaving strained sighs, you wring out your hair as you make sure the room is empty.

“Ok, Taweret, what now?” you ask.

You don’t expect your body to seize up, and for her voice to leave your throat as you uncontrollably spew words.

“There will be an opening in a nearby wall to where Khonshu’s ushabti is at the Chamber of the Gods. Do you see it?”

You gasp, coughing from the intrusion. A few yards away, the bricks open, revealing a shady tunnel with glowing hieroglyphs. You still don’t fuck with small, dark, magic tunnels. But, you suppose you don’t have much of an option.

“Alright. I’m going in.”

The tunnel opens up to a massive chamber, and you can see Harrow and his team at the entrance, confronting what seem to be more avatars. You sneak past in perfect silence, weaving through tunnels on an instinct you suspect is controlled by Taweret.

Finally, you reach a wall of lamps. In front of each one is a tiny statue. Scanning each one, your eyes land on one that seems newer than the others.

“Surprise,” you singsong. “I’d recognize that ugly face anywhere. Now what?”

The same uncomfortable sensation takes over your voice.

“Smash it on the ground, it’ll free him.”

You raise the ushabti above your head before hurling it with some personal spite. It shatters on the floor, and the fog that emanates from it rises into a form.

“I do not sense Marc Spector in this world,” he announces. “He died fighting, no doubt.”

You raise a brow. “Yeah, no shit. Doing your dirty work.”

“It’s far from over. If Marc is truly gone, I am in need of an Avatar. Would you protect the travelers of the night-“

You wave your hands, cutting him off. “Would you shut the fuck up? I’m already Taweret’s temporary Avatar. Go resurrect Marc before I get Wanda to curse you.”

The god disappears in a cloud of dust, and you hear his voice echo from the main chamber. You listen in silence before a loud beeping interrupts.

When you look down at your gauntlet, the small screen displays words that make you audibly groan.

“Shit, shit shit shit,” you hiss, hurrying to the main chamber while also desperately trying to hang up the call. “Not the time, Nat!”

As you turn a corner, you come face to face with a squad of Harrow’s followers, and in your panic, you press the wrong button.

“Hey (Y/N)!” a chorus of voices say. Team dinner, shit again.

“Sorry guys, kinda busy right now!” you shout back, shooting down three people as you whip out a baton.

Wanda’s voice calls out through the fight.

“I felt your heart stop, (Y/N), what’s going on?”

Grunting, you throw a man into the wall before hopping on a woman’s shoulders to fling her backward.

Sighing, you tap the gauntlet, projecting the call so you can see their worried faces gathered around the phone.

“No biggie, I died for a little bit, but I’m all good.”

At the instant outburst, you wince. Probably should’ve chosen different words.

“Маленький паучок, ты такой мертвый, когда вернешься домой [Little spider, you’re so dead when you get home]!”

You roll your eyes, brushing off the term of endearment. With the room cleared, you run out of the Chamber of the Gods, right out the front of the Great Pyramid. Left and right, Harrow’s followers are judging the souls of civilians. Great. More headaches for you.

“Shit, kid. You need me and Buck to come over there?”

“He’s right, I’ll kill whoever did it.”

Firing blasts of energy from the gauntlets, you start taking down as many fanatics as you can. You’d rather not shoot them, but it would be easier, you have to admit.

“Did you at least die in a cool way?”

“Yelena, not the time.”

“C’mon, Cap. Let her have her fun.”

“Don’t start with me, Tony.”

“Guys!” you yell over the arguing. “I’m fine. We might have a new recruit, too. If he gets revived.”

Yelena gapes at the phone.

“You died together? Wow, pretty serious.” She wiggles her eyebrows as you strike down a man trying to grab at you. “Have you two kissed yet?”

You blush. “…Yes.”

The loud reactions have you cringing, but the blonde assassin grins.

“Awww… That’s disgusting. But I’m happy for you!” She shoves the phone to a very worried Natasha.

The redhead sighs as the team goes back to lighthearted bickering.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” she asks.

You duck behind a corner, catching your breath. “Yeah, yeah Nat. I promise. I’ll be home soon, okay?”

She nods, and with one last goodbye, ends the call.

You slump against the wall you’re hidden behind, groaning and mumbling curses. When you peek out, you see a giant crocodile goddess swallowing souls.

“Oh, wonderful,” you sigh. “How the fuck am I supposed to fight that?”

“I have an idea!” Your voice says, once again not your own. “Plus, it comes with a rather fashionable outfit.”

Coughing as Taweret invades your senses, you shake your head. “Sorry, I don’t do those weird superhero costumes.”

“Please? It has wings- Ooh, and swords!”

“Ok, how about a compromise,” you suggest. “Just add the wings and swords to my suit?”

Apparently, the goddess is happy with that, because large metal wings form down your back, glinting silver in the candlelight. You can feel the handles of swords under them. When you wave an arm, the corresponding wing follows your movements.

“Oh…” you chuckle. “Sam’s gonna be SO jealous.”

Your moment of pure glee gets interrupted when a small white blur flies by, carrying a screaming man along.

“Ah. Glad to see you back, idiots,” you whisper to yourself, preparing to run over to where they fell. Instead, the wings boost you up onto the nearest building.

Taking a moment to balance yourself, you quickly adapt to the feeling of gliding on the metal wings and swoop in in time to kick Harrow’s ugly face before he strikes Marc.

Marc takes you in. The wings, the smirk on your face, the fact that you’re okay. He can’t help but be amazed.

When Harrow tries to strike again, you cross your arms, repelling the blast with the wings.

“Marc, are you-”

You get cut off by a tight hug and a kiss planted on your forehead.

“You’re alright,” he whispers, almost like he doesn't believe it. His hands hold you like you’ll disappear. He barely pauses before pulling you into a kiss, tension leaving his body as he sighs against your lips.

You smile. “I’m alright, it’s okay.”

In a flash, his suit changes, along with his voice.

“Wow, you look amazing. Where’d you get the wings?” Steven asks.

“Hi, Steven,” you chuckle as you turn. Harrow is finally standing up from where you knocked him on his ass, and dozens of his followers have gathered.

Steven perks up. “Hey, I’m really jazzed about showing you these new skillsets we have.”

It’s impossible to not grin at his antics. “Alright, let’s see it.”

You both break into a dead sprint, with you using the wings to boost you. The new swords fit perfectly in your hands, becoming deadly as you combine them with your baton training, twirling and twisting the blades as you slash through men.

When you turn around to check on Steven, you see Marc instead.

“It’s good to know you two are getting along now,” you chirp before charging forward, cutting down whoever you need to to get to the man at the center of it all.

You strike Harrow’s staff with both swords, tag-teaming him with Marc. You make a deadly combination. That is, until he slams the staff on the ground and sends you flying,

He holds you down, hand raised above you, before Steven tackles him away, leaving you to catch your breath.

The fight only escalates from there. Marc and Steven switch seamlessly, leaning into each others’ strengths. They fight Harrow to a standstill, holding him back from wrecking the world. Usual superhero stakes.

You, however, are preoccupied. Namely with ripping the doors off of vans and helping civilians.

A purple glow blooms behind you, and you can spot Marc holding back Harrow’s magic as you rush pedestrians away from the area.

Blocking bullets, you dive back into the fight as soon as you clear the area. But you don’t get far.

A stray blast of magic throws you to the ground. Hard. You groan as the tingling, nauseating feeling rushes over you. Your legs are too shaky to get up.

When you fight to raise your head, you see Marc. He took the brunt of the strike, evidenced by the crater he lays in. Harrow is stalking closer, raising his staff above him. When he brings it down, you can see the power leaving Marc’s body.

And you can’t have the first boyfriend (kind of? maybe?) you’ve ever had die before he even takes you out on a date.

The brick you hurl at Harrow hits his knee with careful precision, and he stumbles. With a vicious kick to his ribs, you knock him far enough away to help Marc up.

But it’s not Marc.

His suit may be the same, but the eyes are different. More tired. His posture is guarded, and the way he holds the crescent dagger is more offensive than defensive.

He says nothing as you head into the fray. Whoever he is, it’s the same alter that was on the roof in Cairo, and he’s ruthless.

Steven fights with blunt weapons. Marc fights with knives, but more on the defensive. Whoever this is… He fights like you.

You fight in tandem, whittling down Harrow’s strength until eventually, you break his staff over your knee and whoever’s controlling the body nearly kills him with the force he uses to take him down.

His eyes roll back, and Marc returns.

The fear in his eyes is enough to know that he has no clue what happened. He stands with your help, shakily surveying the area.

“That wasn’t you, was it, Steven?”

The other man fronts effortlessly, gripping your arm a bit tighter.

“Not a chance, mate,” he gasps.

“Whoever it was,” you say. “He’s been hiding all this time. And he’s definitely more violent than either of you.”

Far away, Ammit begins dragging an unconscious Khonshu away. You curse under your breath, watching the two giant gods disappear from your sight.

You turn to Marc. “Get Harrow. I know how we can stop Ammit.”

Dragging an unconscious man is easy work for him, and Marc tosses him onto an altar inside the Chamber of the Gods with little regard to further injuring him.

The chamber may be destroyed, but the magic still lingers. It’s residual energy, and takes a while to dissipate, you’ve learned. You’ve stumbled into Wanda’s red swirls and had horrible flashbacks for hours too many times to not learn your lesson.

“If you can imprison a god in a statue, why not a person? The power in this room should help us bind Ammit to Harrow’s body.” You glance up to the ceiling. “Taweret? Got a spell for us?”

Instead of losing control of your voice, you can hear her in your mind, merely guiding your actions.

You nod after a few seconds. “Ok. She says to take my hand, and we can start the spell.”

The strange sensation is back, and this time you’re chanting in Egyptian, hardly understanding the words as a lavender glow wraps around the room.

It circles the statues of the gods. For how destroyed the room is, they’re still intact. It completes the loop, leaving Marc’s hand and ending in yours.

A lavender haze streams from the ceiling, funneling into Harrow’s mouth as his eyes snap open.

“You can never contain me,” he says, voice overlapping with Ammit’s. “I’ll never stop.”

Khonshu appears next to you. You’ve grown used to it now, barely reacting.

“Finish it,” he growls. “And leave neither of them alive.

As Marc stands above Harrow, knife at the ready, your stomach twists.

“While he lives, so too does she.”

“I have to finish this,” Marc whispers to himself. “If not, I’ll never be free.”

You furrow your brow. “Marc. You are free. This is your choice.”

Khonshu cuts in. “The choice is vengeance. We cannot take the chance that Ammit finds a way out. She will kill again.”

“Now you sound just like her,” Marc says.

He drops the man on the altar, and your heart swells.

“If you want them dead, do it yourself.” You can’t control the smirk on your face as he stares the god dead in the eye.

Right before he speaks again, he glances at you for reassurance. You nod.

“Now, release us.”

[kandadze]

Ep 32 loose thoughts

Oh hell that was a *bad* idea, WX! And why is she by herself? Was PSJ not in the dungeon after all?

Ahhh okay she still *is* in the dungeon, oh ffs

She at least has her brother when things get *real* bad... I spoke too soon. Hello there, another illusion! Get him, PSJ, punch that goddamn smirk off of his face!

I see this episode will be a montage of at least three fight sequences going on at the same time. Oof, I felt ZYZ taking that fireball in the back to protect ZYC right in my gut, how many times will they be each other's shield before one of them shatters?

Speaking of which. Can someone shatter this asshole already???

Come on, ZYC, you know there's no way WX and PSJ could be there for real! All of this is just another illusion feeding off your biggest fear!

....................

Right, it's an illusion within an illusion. I can't with this drama.

How many times did ZYZ let himself bleed on ZYC's blade at this point? I should go back and count. Look at me, I know that no matter how the end might break me, I *will* go back and rewatch the whole thing...

Fuckkkkk the way I cheered when the swirl of leaves appeared! (Also, ZYZ using his hand to protect ZYC's face... I repeat, how many times will they be each other's shield??? 😭)

Oh LL, joining the self-sacrificial idiots squad! And ZYZ's concern for him coming out of his cultivation too early. LL's smile in response! Fuck the things that could've been 😭

Ngl it's kinda funny how they're having those prolonged and emotional conversations while the villain just stands there, totally hearing every word even though he's way too far for it to be possible (unless he added some hearing related mcguffin to his demonic upgrade), and not really doing anything of substance. Not sure if it's intentional to show how much he believes in his own advantage, or is this a thing in xianxias in general, either way, thanks for the (choked, but still) laugh, now let's see if Qing Geng can help detoxify the poison in ZYC. (Seriously, what's with cdramas and poisons?)

Ah, fuck, I knew that they showed us the red glowing eyes on Fei for a reason. Seriously, I hope WZY *burns*.

OMG the sound of Bai Jiu's bell woke ZYC up enough for him to reach for the antidote!!! Team effort once more! I love how they show us again and again that our gang's strength comes from their love for one another! 😭😭😭 (And fuckkkk, Qing Geng used her inner core for the antidote! The scene in the MV, of these three watching golden dust dissipate in front of their eyes, was of her death... oh man, I know I said I'd prefer everyone to die if it meant no one was left behind to suffer, but it's as if they heard me and went, let's start with the secondary characters who gutted you the most the first time around, shall we? 😭)

Meanwhile, the villain is still alive and well, and LL's taking the brunt of his fire attacks, while being, y'know, a *tree* demon. *Both* ZYZ and ZYC reaching out to steady him!!! What a shot! No matter what happens next, this was *so* satisfying to see. (Also, can I just say how I love LL's hairdo here, and how all the adornments are made of things you can get or make out of various tree parts! A+)

Seriously, the piece of garbage does *not* deserve such a beautiful "true form". Please die already, you've wasted enough of everyone's time. Hopefully knowing where his inner core is will help in achieving just that.

The way I cheered when PSJ finally landed a killing blow on the lackey. And then I promptly choked at the candy bit (flashed way back to The Untamed lol). How dare they make me feel emotional like thissss!

And that's the end of the ep? I feel like the girls got seriously sidelined in this one, but at least we got some badass sequences (PSJ) and some aesthetic slamming against the pillars (sorry, WX). I'm also  afraid that sending Bai Jiu away, even though done for his immediate safety, is gonna backfire horribly... only one way to find out! (Ngl, I'm really scared for what's still to come.)

On to ep 33! (Will I get any sleep tonight? Probably not. I might post the rest of the commentary only tomorrow though, I'm getting really drained.)

[samcurrentlywriting]

"It's just a scratch"

Summary: The Clone Wars is still raging, and the Bad Batch has a new member. Echo is adjusting to this new squad as much as they are adjusting to him. One day, on a mission, he gets injured and realizes how protective of him Crosshair has become.

Word count: 1096

Prompt: "It's just a scratch." (main prompt)

Notes: Just a very short story, mostly just brother fluff. I have this headcanon that Crosshair and Echo would be super close, but we just never really got to see it because Crosshair was separated from the rest of the Bad Batch so early in the series. Anyway, enjoy! (banners and dividers by @summer-of-bad-batch)

The smell of hot dust fills the air. From a distance, Crosshair can hear the sound of explosions and blaster fire. Tech, Hunter and Wrecker’s diversion is going well. Him and Echo are walking in utmost silence, approaching the separatist base from the back. 

They don’t talk, but again, they never really do. Crosshair isn’t really good at conversation, and Echo isn’t the kind of person to start and fuel a conversation. But, somehow, they do end up spending a lot of time together. Neither of them likes to be alone. Neither of them minds the silence. 

Hunter, ever so watchful, noticed, and had them working together on a few missions. They made a good team. The sniper and the ARC trooper. Echo liked that Crosshair didn’t pity him. He was compassionate, in his own silent way, but he never gave him empty words of reassurance. He never acted like nothing had happened either. 

They move in closer to the base, both of them counting the droids. Crosshair uses the scope attached to his helmet and analyzes the situation. 

“What do we have here?” He says with a smile. “A tactical droid, with no obstacle in the way.”

“Hit it in the neck, just below the head. I can extract the data from its memory banks.”

Crosshair nods and gets in position to shoot. Echo gets ready to run and attack the rest of the droids not dispatched in the front. The younger clone takes the shot, sending the droid head flying. 

“Good shot!” Echo compliments, giving him a kind pat on the back. 

They both run to the base. The few droids left to guard that side are quickly overwhelmed, and they make it inside in no time, ready to grab the tactical droid’s head, plant a few bombs and get out of here. Crosshair suddenly hears a noise he hates. 

“Commando droids.” He grunts to Echo. 

Four of them enter the corridor in front of them, and start blasting. Though Crosshair is a long-range shooter, he is never too out of his depth in close quarter combat. That is, against droids at least. The few times he has tried fist-fighting Hunter haven’t turned out too well for him. Echo, on the other hand, is in his element. 

Working with him has changed Crosshair’s view on the regs, though he would never admit to it. The way Echo fights, the way he moves during combat, Crosshair has to admit he’s a good fighter. 

“Get the head, I’ll hold them off.” Crosshair shouts. 

Echo nods and makes his way to the command room, followed only by one commando droid, leaving Crosshair to handle the three others. He finally manages to shoot one and plants a mirror on the wall. He waits for the droid to move, then takes the shot. The closest one is hit, but the other one manages to avoid the shot. Crosshair grunts. Just as he is about to try and shoot the droid again, it falls to the ground, hit in the back. Echo stands behind it, a smirk on his face. 

“I had him.” Crosshair snarls, as a matter of principle. 

From the corner of his sight, he sees movement, and shouts, too late:

“Echo, watch out!”

Not completely deactivated, the droid tried a last attack against the clone. Crosshair shoots the commando droid multiple times, before running to Echo. 

“Are you alright?”

“Don’t worry, it’s just a scratch.”

Crosshair frowns. Echo is bleeding, red liquid dripping from his arm, already forming a small pool on the floor. 

“Ah, look at me, I’ve had worse.” 

He’s still smiling, but he somehow is paler than usual. Crosshair activates his comm and contacts the other three:

“We have the droid head, but Echo is injured. You need to pick him up while I’ll plant the bombs to destroy that base.

None of them have time to respond before Echo interjects:

“I’m fine, no change of plans, we meet at the rendezvous point.”

And he stops the comm. With a sigh, he detaches the piece of fabric hanging from his waist, and asks Crosshair to use it as a bandage on the wound. 

“A scratch doesn’t need a bandage.” Crosshair whispers, tying the fabric tightly to quench the bleeding. 

“It’s a big scratch.” 

Echo shrugs, grabs a bomb, and throws it to the ceiling. It attaches and starts blinking. Crosshair grunts but says nothing. Quickly, they plant all the bombs they have, and make their escape via the front of the base, where the fight is still raging. 

“You are late.” Tech says in the comm channel. 

“Yeah well, you know, it’s not easy deciding where to put the bombs, you have to pick the right place for maximum effect…” Echo replies. 

Crosshair can almost see Hunter rolling his eyes under his helmet. 

“Ok, lads, we’re done here, now let’s blow this base.”

Crosshair, inexplicably in a good mood despite being worried about Echo, throws the detonator to Wrecker. He’s only half wearing his helmet, so Crosshair can see how his face lights up. They run in the direction of their ship and once they’re in the sky, Wrecker presses the button. The whole base blows up, flames rising towards the sky. 

“Yeah, haha !”

The Marauder jumps to hyperspace, and Crosshair turns to Echo. He hasn’t gained much color on his skin in his time with the Bad Batch, and it’s hard to say if he’s sick or not. They walk to the end of the ship, where Crosshair grabs a medkit. Slowly, he helps Echo remove the makeshift bandage. The wound is deep, but the bleeding has receded. 

“I told you it was just a scratch.”

“Mmh.”

Crosshair disinfects the zone before applying a fast-heal bandage. 

“Thanks.”

They sit in silence as Crosshair packs up the medkit. 

“You know you don’t need to protect me like that?” Echo eventually asks. 

Crosshair pouts briefly but doesn’t find anything to retort. The truth is, he does feel the need to protect Echo. Which is stupid, because Echo is older, and an ARC trooper. But he is also the newest member of the Bad Batch. For a long time, Crosshair was the youngest. Though they all felt the same age, he still was the youngest. But now, Echo was the new one and his addition to the team had triggered a protective instinct in Crosshair. 

Echo chuckles and pats him gently on the back.

“I’m glad I get to fight by your side, Crosshair.”

Crosshair smiles. He is glad to have Echo by his side too. 

[selmasemlan]

Finding Those That Can´t Protect Themselves

Summary: Where Luna protects others

Pairing: Zoro Roronoa x Luna (OFC)

Author note: This Luna is one of my favourite ones, truly

Warning: mention of violence

Word count: 1212

Series Masterlist

Finding Those That Can´t Protect Themselves

The city of Alubarna was in turmoil, the sounds of clashing weapons and cries of battle filling the air. Dust and sand swirled in the wind, obscuring the chaotic scene as the rebels and the royal army clashed in the streets. The Straw Hats, scattered throughout the city, fought valiantly to turn the tide of the battle in favor of the people of Alabasta.

Luna, her heart pounding with anxiety, stood at the edge of the battlefield. The harsh desert sun beat down on her, but she kept her focus on the task at hand. She wasn’t a front-line fighter like Zoro or Luffy, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t help. There were people everywhere—civilians caught in the crossfire, rebels injured and overwhelmed, their cries of pain and fear pulling at her heart.

With a deep breath, she moved into action, her hands raised as she summoned her powers. Vines sprouted from the dry ground, spreading out in a delicate network of green. They curled around fallen debris, creating makeshift shelters for those too weak or injured to move. She guided the plants gently, forming soft cradles to lift wounded rebels out of harm’s way and carry them to safer areas.

“Hang on,” she whispered to a young woman cradling a child, fear etched into her face. The vines wrapped around them, forming a protective cocoon and gently lifting them away from the chaos. “You’ll be safe soon.”

Nearby, a group of rebels were struggling against a squad of Baroque Works agents, the odds clearly not in their favor. Luna’s heart clenched as she watched one of the rebels fall, his leg caught under a heavy stone. Without thinking, she sent a wave of plants surging forward, the vines wrapping around the agents and pulling them back, away from the rebels.

The sudden appearance of the plants took the agents by surprise. They struggled, but the vines held firm, binding them in place, just as she had done before. Luna stepped forward, her voice trembling but firm. “Please, stop fighting. You don’t have to hurt anyone else.”

One of the agents sneered, his voice dripping with disdain. “What do you think you’re doing, little girl? You think you can stop us with some flowers?”

Luna flinched, but she held her ground, her eyes shining with determination. “I’ll do whatever I have to, to protect these people. I don’t want to hurt you, but I won’t let you hurt them.”

The agent’s mocking laughter echoed through the street, but Luna ignored it, focusing instead on the injured rebels. She waved her hand, and the vines shifted, lifting the fallen rebel gently out from under the stone and carrying him to safety. His comrades looked on in astonishment and relief, their expressions softening as they realized what she was doing.

“Thank you,” one of them murmured, his voice rough with gratitude. “Thank you for saving us.”

Luna nodded, her cheeks flushing with a mixture of relief and embarrassment. “I’m just glad I could help.”

She continued to move through the battlefield, her powers flowing around her like a living, breathing extension of herself. Wherever she went, she used the plants to create barriers, shielding civilians from stray attacks, or forming bridges over the rough terrain to help the rebels navigate the city more easily. Her presence, calm and focused, became a beacon of hope amidst the chaos.

As the battle raged on, the sky above Alubarna darkened, ominous clouds swirling as if reflecting the tension below. Luffy, determined and unyielding, was making his way to the royal palace to confront Crocodile directly. Luna knew she couldn’t match Luffy’s raw power or his fighting spirit, but she could still do something to help.

She moved towards the outskirts of the city, where clusters of civilians huddled in fear, the battle closing in around them. The chaos was overwhelming, the air thick with dust and the cries of panic. Luna’s heart ached at the sight of children clinging to their parents, tears streaming down their faces, their small bodies trembling with fear.

Taking a deep breath, she raised her hands, her eyes glowing softly as she called upon her powers once more. The plants responded eagerly, shooting up from the dry earth and forming a protective dome around the gathered civilians. It wasn’t much, but it was enough to shield them from the worst of the battle.

“It’s okay,” she murmured, her voice gentle and soothing. “You’re safe now. Just stay inside, and everything will be alright.”

A little girl, her face streaked with dirt and tears, looked up at Luna with wide, frightened eyes. “Are you really gonna protect us?”

Luna knelt down, smiling softly. “I promise, I’ll keep you safe. Just stay close to your family, okay?”

The girl nodded, her tiny hand clutching at Luna’s sleeve before retreating back into the arms of her mother. Luna’s heart swelled with determination. She had to keep them safe, no matter what.

Suddenly, a massive explosion rocked the city, the shockwave sending a plume of dust and debris into the air. Luna stumbled, her breath catching in her throat as she saw the palace in the distance, its walls crumbling under the force of Crocodile’s power.

Luffy was up there, facing Crocodile alone. Luna’s hands clenched into fists. She wanted to help, to be there by his side, but she knew she had a different role to play. Luffy was fighting to defeat Crocodile; she needed to protect the people here, to keep them safe from the destruction that threatened to consume them all.

The ground beneath her feet trembled as another explosion echoed through the city. The civilians huddled together, their fear palpable. Luna closed her eyes, drawing in a deep breath. She needed to stay calm, to be their strength.

She felt a presence beside her and turned to see Zoro, his swords drawn, his eyes sharp and focused. “How are you holding up?”

“I’m okay,” she replied, her voice steady despite the turmoil around them. “Just trying to keep everyone safe.”

Zoro nodded, his gaze scanning the surroundings. “You’re doing great. Just keep doing what you’re doing. We’ll handle the rest.”

Luna smiled, feeling a surge of reassurance at his words. “Thank you, Zoro.”

With renewed determination, she turned back to the civilians, her hands moving gracefully as she strengthened the barriers around them, the plants growing thicker and more resilient. She couldn’t fight Crocodile head-on, but she could do this. She could protect these people, keep them safe from the chaos that threatened to tear their home apart.

As the battle continued to rage, Luna remained steadfast, her powers flowing around her like a protective shield. She was a calming force amidst the storm, her presence a beacon of hope and safety for those who had lost everything.

And though she couldn’t see him, she knew Luffy was out there, fighting with everything he had to save Alabasta. She could feel it, the unwavering strength and courage that defined him, and it gave her the strength to keep going, to hold on, no matter what.

Because they were the Straw Hat crew. And together, they would protect this land, and its people, no matter the cost.

[thatcheeseycandle]

PROTECT OLIVIA GANG

Maybe the baby will have gold dust powers it seemed to react to Scot and its not wven born yet

YEAHHH WE'RE FORMING A SQUAD OF ANONS NOW HEHAHAHHD (Im dubbing the Olivia protectors the Protect-nons)

Though you may be correct on that ngl, but I mean Gold Dust technically doesn't give full abilities when so little of it is given (from my understanding since it kinda took awhile for Scotsman to activate and control his abilities)

But hey maybe since it was already exposed to Gold Dust at such an early stage of life maybe they'll absorb it in a way where it does give the baby abilities?

[13thpythagoras]

So apparently Brian Cocks

ahem Brian Cox

was saying usually large gas giants fall inward and end up closest to the star, very odd of our solar system to not have that; and that would have erased Earth and basically meant Jupiter would exist where the orbits of the inner planets are and the inner planets would be simply dust within a slightly larger Jupiter- in most solar systems this is what happens, according to Cox

but it's the pull of Saturn, the unlikely other gas giant, that pulls Jupiter back into the outer solar system early on- saving Earth's chance for later existence as a warm rocky planet.

Jupiter also deserves credit for acting as a giant gravity shield against asteroids and other stuff that might be hazardous, often times Jupiter just eats it like candy so the dangerous flying "candy" won't hit us and vaporize our continents...so big thanks Jupiter for like, vacuuming up that wild ass drunk comet in 1994

Is this a narrative that parallels the Babylonian creation myth of Enki and Enlil?

The two Gods who created our world, as best friends?...keeping each other in check so they don't go too crazy?

Sounds so familiar to how, while Jupiter protects our world, Saturn reined in Jupiter and stopped Jupiter from destroying us himself too.

Highly plausible that ETs were advanced and spacefaring before our solarsystem was born; we are in a region of space that has factors of a thousand more gold than surrounding regions of our galaxy. There's no natural way to explain this. It's exceedingly, basically airtight likelihood we are living in a solar system that *was* terraformed from the beginning to basically mine gold. That's why we're here, gold is apparently a necessary ingredient in space/time travel equipment, so aside from being pretty, gold is also just very useful, moreso than other elements. Not implausible to consider "sci fi" hypotheses about ET societies tweaking and tinkering with proto-stellar discs, making it more likely rocky inner warm planets will form; thus making it cheaper and easier to later mine gold; that kind of thing actually makes total sense to me.

Sci fi concepts to explore include space elevators, asteroid mining, the perils, the piracy (human and/or ET), the legal challenges after arrival back home with golden asteroids.

Wild to consider taking a $50 trillion gold brick 99% of the way back to earth's orbit only to get held up and mugged at laserpoint by a squad of UFOs

[casspurrjoybell-25]

The Healer of Shakkara - Book One

*Warning Adult Content*

Chapter 3 - Training - Part 1

Galen ducked as a wooden staff, thick enough to crack a skull, swished past his head.

He held a similar weapon and raised it just in time to block another blow.

The impact sent a jarring pain through his hands.

His opponent moved for a third strike and Galen prepared to block it but this time the enemy wasn't aiming for his head.

He blocked nothing.

Meanwhile, the staff whistled past his head, swung in a wide arc, hit the backs of his knees and swept his legs out from under him.

His back hit the ground, knocking the air from his lungs.

He lay stunned, staring up at the vault of sky while the world spun and raucous laughter ricocheted around the semi-circular outcrop of stone that formed the makeshift training arena.

Fortunately, only his two closest friends were there to witness his disgrace.

Behn, who sat on the flattened grass nearby, helpless with laughter and Triss, who'd been beating the crap out of him for an hour already.

Her freckled face blocked his view of the sky and she frowned down at him.

"Are you okay?"

He coughed and sat up, removed the leather cap protecting his head and brushed bits of grass from his hair.

"Peachy."

Triss reached down and grasped his hand, pulling him to his feet.

"You can't just defend, Gale. You have to attack, too or else your opponent just wears you down. No matter how skilled you are, eventually you get hit."

Galen scowled and dusted himself off.

Like a cadet in the Junior Scouts, he wore a thick leather tunic, protective arm and shin guards and a reinforced leather cap, fitted with a wire face-shield.

Triss wore none of these things and fought in a comfortable cotton shirt and breeches and soft suede shoes.

There was almost no chance he'd hit her, anyway but her absolute confidence in this was a little insulting.

Not that it wasn't warranted.

"I asked you to show me how to defend myself, not to kill me," he complained, glaring at her and rubbing the back of his head.

Triss rolled her eyes.

"Nobody likes a drama queen, Gale. You wouldn't last one day in my squad."

"I know that," he grumbled, shooting a glare at Behn.

"Hence the lessons."

Triss leaned on her staff, the muscles in her bare forearms putting Galen's to shame.

She was tall and broad-shouldered, with long red hair she kept in a thick, plated braid.

With a small, upturned nose, gap-toothed grin and sparkling blue eyes, her appearance skewed towards cute more than fierce but Galen pitied anyone who would dare to tell her that.

"You still haven't told me why," she said.

"I've been begging you to train with me for years and now you come to me with the idea? What changed?"

Galen shrugged and lifted a hand to touch his pendant, a habitual gesture of reassurance and found it not there.

He trusted Triss more than anyone... Behn too but Behn couldn't keep a secret any longer than he could resist eating a hot honey cake.

Which wasn't long.

Behn and Triss had each grown up a few houses away from Galen and the three of them had been friends as long as he remembered.

Triss was a few years older and Behn was the same age as Galen and while Triss's love was fighting, Behn's was food.

His father was a baker and a brewer and Behn had inherited a passion for both.

He was plump, quick-witted and good-natured... even if he did laugh at Galen's pitiful attempts to ward off Triss's staff.

Triss, on the other hand, was a warrior born and bred.

She adored physical challenges and contests of strength and excelled at a variety of weapons and combat styles.

She'd joined the Junior Guard on her fourteenth birthday... the second she was old enough to qualify.

At seventeen, she'd graduated with the highest honors and the Watchers... the most elite branch of the Guard... had snapped her up almost as soon as she walked off the stage in the grand amphitheater.

Now at twenty, she was already a second lieutenant, with a squad of eight under her command.

Galen couldn't ask for a better or more enthusiastic teacher but she also didn't pull her punches and treated him the same as she would any cadet his age... which is to say, without mercy.

When he'd asked for lessons in defense, she'd jumped at the chance... literally and as soon as she had a couple days' leave from duty, she'd taken him out here to get started.

Behn had tagged along for the show.

Their 'arena' was a secluded spot just outside of town, along the north side of the wall.

An outcrop of rocks sheltered it from the constant winds blowing in off the plain and the tall grasses made a good cushion when pressed flat.

The three of them had cleared all the stones from a small area and flattened the grass in a circle.

Then Triss had launched into Galen's first lessons with the staff, while Behn looked on.

He'd had to remind himself several times already why he was here... forcing himself to recall the fear he'd felt with the stranger's knife against his skin and the shame of being unable to prevent someone from taking something precious to him.

It wasn't hard... from his iron-and-silver eyes to the infuriatingly self-assured curl of his lips, the stranger's face was burned in his mind.

"Gale?" Triss prompted, when he failed to answer in a timely fashion.

"Darek's not bothering you again, is he? 'Cause I swear to Thrynis, I'll break both his arms this time, if he is."

Galen blinked and dropped his hand from his throat, brought back to the present.

"What? Oh, no... nothing like that. I just... I want to be ready... is all."

Maybe he'd tell Triss later... if he could get her alone.

She narrowed her eyes at him, hawk-winged brows pinching close and then punched his shoulder just hard enough to hurt.

"Alright. Fine. That's enough punishment for today. I'm guessing this isn't Harrald's idea and if you don't want him to find out about it, you'll need to be able to walk tomorrow. Let's go and get some lunch."

Behn showed enthusiasm for this idea and helped Galen struggle out of his protective gear, which Triss had borrowed from the surplus Junior Guard supply.

Nothing made for typical Thrynian adults fit Galen, anyway.

As Behn fumbled with the straps, Galen felt a sharp jolt, followed by a sensation of shaking.

Already tired and a little annoyed, he pushed himself away from his friend.

"Gods, Behn. Don't be so rough."

He turned to find Behn with his hands raised, pale blue eyes wide and tufty blond hair in disarray.

"Wasn't me," he said, looking at the ground.

"It was the... the..."

"It's a tremor," Triss said, pointing to the outcrop of rock.

Galen followed her gaze and saw she was right.

The rocks were faintly but perceptibly, shaking.

The three of them stared for a moment, almost spellbound and then it stopped.

"What the..." Behn wiped a hand over his shiny forehead, his pale skin reddened with excitement and the beginnings of fear.

Triss shrugged and picked up the rest of the gear.

"It's nothing. They're getting more common. Though that's the first I've felt so close to Dern. I'm sure the priests will have something to say about," she added and spat.

She wasn't wrong.

When they returned to town, they found it in a stir of commotion, as if an ants' nest had been disturbed.

It seemed the 'tremor' had done very little damage, other than shaking loose objects off of shelves but the novelty had people in a borderline frenzy of excitement and fright.

Thrynians liked threats they could see and understand... threats that could be killed or conquered.

The earth itself shaking was another matter.

[worldweaverofmediocrity]

Overlord: Dungeon Crawl

It was a peaceful day, the fish grew in the prototype farms of the lizardmen tribes, Carne villagers hummed to themselves as they toiled in the noon sun, and a dual black and white haired woman fiddled with a toy that shouldn’t exist for centuries. All of that (and more) was interrupted when the World shook, knocking most of the population (save the more elite like the aforementioned toy-fiddler, a wise and compassionate knight-captain, and a blue haired bandit) flat on their asses.

A massive pillar of blue energy pierced the heavens themselves, those in Carne and the Lizardmen swamp (or those skilled in Divination like the Toy Fiddler’s subordinate/ally) saw a huge rock mass descend in the pillar of energy. Again the World shook as the rock mass impacted, jolting the hidden innards and leaving the inhabitants toppled like the World outside. The impact was much closer to Carne Village than it should have been. Eleven unseen tendrils phased through the walls and various protections of the rock mass, reaching outwards to the world. Wrapping themselves into a cord or cable in the process.

Like the northern skylights, the cable spread across the world hidden in the upper layers of the World’s Magic and the lowest layers of Space. Before dividing again and again and again and again as the tendrils plummeted downwards, connecting themselves to everyone in the World. Save, of course, the inhabitants of the rock mass. Putting the exact location of the rock mass into everyone’s head and whispering sweet, maddening, nothings and the promise of the Adventure (and reward) of several lifetimes.

While there were many other threads, they lacked the pull of the cable. The individual threads were like a human child blowing on the ocean. Yes, said action will create ripples, but nothing that affects the entirety of the ocean. The cable on the other hand, had the strength of the Moon on all of the World’s water.

For the Power of entire worlds condensed into a roughly human sized object is foolish to contain, even more foolish to hoard. And the Great Tomb of Nazarick? Hoarded Eleven. 8 more than the next highest Hoard of World Items in the entire game of Yggdrasil.

For this is Overlord: The Dungeon Crawl.

Message magic flew to the Slaine Theocracy’s Black Ops squad to halt their attempt at assassinating Gazef Stronoff and hold the line near the tomb until a specialized team was formed to craft a Dungeon town. A Courier of the human variety was sent by Gazef’s King to redirect his Personal Sword/Warrior-Captain to investigate this ‘Tomb’ forced into everyone’s minds.

A few days passed as Gazef and his men rode to the location, easily tackling the hills (which unknown to them didn’t even exist the week prior) surrounding it. The sound of earth crumbling and falling echoed across the hilly plains. Around one last hill the warriors rode and a cloud of dust settled, revealing a young Dark Elf girl grasping a stick-like staff as tall as she was. A clump of her blonde hair in her free hand. But most importantly was the wall she was standing on, the wall which refused to have a speck of dirt on it. The wall which perfectly fits the location affixed in every New World’s mind.

“I-If I can’t d-doo th-this simp-ple task, th-hen Lord Momonga will leave us!” the Dark Elf Druid let go of her staff to cry into her hands.

The sound of hooves jolted the girl out of her sorrow. Gazef’s men stopped near the wall as she bent down to pick up her staff.

“H-Hal- Oh, you al-already did that.” the girl muttered. “U-Um, why have you come to Lord Momonga’s Great Tomb of Nazarick?”

“So, you are unaware that your tomb has embedded itself and its location into everyone’s minds three days ago?” Gazef frowned, rubbing his chin.

The girl yelped and fell on her ass, raising a hand to her ear and rapidly muttering into the air.

Gazef eyes narrowed, “who uses Message any more?”

AN:I was very stuck on how to do this story past the point where Gazef and his men met Mare. and then I remember “Slaine Theocary probably dealt with this before”. So the safe dungeonering bits? Blame ST.

[topazshadowwolf]

GoopTales part 6

GOOPTALES, WHOOO~! An interview with babybones Horror. And again, a warning: these are child versions of the bad sanses, and they have childhood trauma.

Parts: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6(you are here)

---

The child continued to apologize all through the time that Nightmare washed up Dust and changed his shirt. No matter what Nightmare said, Dust didn’t acknowledge any form of comforting words. This was not new for Dust. Anytime he feels he did something terribly wrong, he gets like this. Still, it annoyed Nightmare that this behavior started while he was so young.

Finally, the Guardian set the child down near the table once he was cleaned up. “There you go,” He said, setting his hand on the child’s head. Dust flinched at the touch….

The fear Dust had been feeling was replaced with confusion and frustration. That was all too common to Nightmare. Once Dust didn’t receive the treatment he expected, he would not know what to think and be angry with himself for his behavior. As much as he wanted to find out what happened to cause Dust to throw up, Nightmare knew he wouldn’t have the emotional strength for the other two if he spoke to Dust now. But then, the Guardian hadn’t expected an emotional moment between him and Killer. He just hoped he would have the strength to get through all four.

Nightmare sighed, “Rest; we will talk soon. Horror?”

“my turn?” Horror asked, and Nightmare nodded. Horror crawled out from under the table and looked at Dust. “see, he wasn’t angry.”

Dust just stood there until Cross grabbed one of his hands, and Killer took the other. “let’s keep playing cave explorer!” Cross said.

“that sounds fun!” Killer said as he and Cross pulled Dust under the table.

Horror asked to walk instead of being carried, and Nightmare allowed it. Once in his office with Horror, Nightmare was ready to start the process over again. There was more he could have learned about Killer… but he learned enough. What he did know still bothered Nightmare. Did Killer still have that pain in that malformed soul? And what about Horror. Nightmare figured out he had headaches, but Horror was good at hiding them most of the time. Years of living with it made him used to the constant pain.

This was the child version of him, who wasn’t used to that wound.

Horror climbed into the chair on his own, and Nightmare walked over and sat at his desk. “You seem fairly independent.”

“dad’s usually busy… he gets babysitters for me, but he forgets sometimes,” Horror explained.

“I… see, so you take care of yourself when your father forgets?” Nightmare asked.

“… mr night, i don’t hate my dad. i know he’s trying, but he’s just busy,” Horror shrugged. “he’s the royal scientist. it’s a big job. i used to be angry about it, but i know he doesn’t mean to forget about me, so i now just accept it.”

“I understand. It must be difficult on you as well as him,” Nightmare replied.

“yeah…,” Horror sighed and shrugged, “sometimes i just go to the lab and sit in his office….”

“You walk there on your own?” Nightmare confirmed, and Horror nodded.

“he’s been talking about making a brother for me… i know he wants another son, so i guess i won’t be lonely,” Horror said as he reached up and touched his skull.

“Horror?” Nightmare asked as the child seemed lost in thought.

Tears were filling his sockets, “how did i get hurt… i can’t see out of my right socket….” Horror then looked right at Nightmare. “i’m so scared…, i’m trying to not be around the others. they're younger, and i don’t want to scare them, but….”

“You are a child, Horror… you have the right to be scared,” Nightmare stood up and walked over to the young skeleton.

“but…,” He was gasping a little as he pulled his legs up and to his chest. “… being scared never helps….”

“You were alone then… when you were scared?” Nightmare saw Horror nod and look up at him, tears in his sockets.

Was this why Horror seemed to have trouble with anxiety? He never learned to cope with stressful moments in a healthy way as a child. Instead, he forced it down, acting brave until it reached a point he could no longer handle it. Nightmare reached down and picked up the small skeleton. “I am sorry, I wish I could heal you, but those are wounds beyond my help. But that doesn’t mean you have to ignore your feelings. It is natural to feel scared and to acknowledge that fear so you may move forward.”

Horror cuddled into Nightmare. Usually, the taller skeleton was the one caring for the others and even keeping an eye on Nightmare. He was gentle and tolerant. There were times he needed comfort, but now Nightmare saw he may need more reassurance than he asked for. There was so much that Horror was willing to put up with, but was that because he learned to suppress his feelings? Nightmare inwardly scolded himself for not noticing this sooner. It was something he should not have overlooked.

Sitting down in the chair, he held Horror as the child sobbed into his coat. It seemed like this was the theme of these interviews. Gain some information about the henchmen in question and then spend the rest of their time comforting them. Nightmare was already starting to tire from the waves of emotions he had to deal with. But he couldn’t stop yet. There were two more, and one of them he was silently dreading.

Eventually, Horror’s crying quieted, and Nightmare rubbed circles into the small spine as Horror slowly calmed his breathing. “It is alright, Horror. I will be here for you and the others.”

“for now…,” Horror said softly. “eventually, i’ll be going home.”

“Even then, I will visit, and you can stay with me when you need someone while your father is busy,” Nightmare said, which seemed to calm Horror.

“you’re nice, mr. night,” Horror smiled and leaned into Nightmare. Seemed like a good stopping point for this one.

“Just do not tell anyone outside of the castle. I have a cruel and evil reputation to uphold,” Nightmare chuckled as he stood up.

“yeah, right; dad wouldn’t let me stay with you if you did,” Horror gave a tired giggle.

“Only because he knows me. Anyone beyond my alliances fears me,” Nightmare grinned as he started towards the kitchen. “That way, I can keep you safe.”

“well, i don’t feel scared around you… it’s like i knew you… but i’ll tell anyone new that you are mean and horrible,” Horror said, and Nightmare nodded.

“Good.”

As they entered the kitchen, Killer and Cross jumped out from under the table. Both were holding straws they must have found in one of the draws. He didn’t want them getting into things, but at least they didn’t have anything he worried about as dangerous. Though they both had serious faces as they glared up at him.

“who goes there?” Cross demanded.

“You tell me who you are, and perhaps I will tell you?” Nightmare replied.

“we are the knights who protect the last cave dragon hatchling!” Killer announced with a big smile.

“A little cave dragon, huh?” Nightmare mused as he set Horror down.

“yup!” Cross replied while pointing back at Dust. The “cave dragon” had summoned a blaster that was placed on his skull. “killer and i were pretending we were looking for a dragon. dust said he could make something dragon-like. we decided he could be the cave dragon since he can make those dragon head attacks, and we are guarding him.”

“I see. Well, perhaps there can be a change of guard, and Horror could take over for you, Cross. But please, do not get into any more things without me here,” Nightmare said.

“ok, mr. night!” Killer replied as he took Horror’s hand, “come on, let me introduce you to the dragon!”

“Stay here a bit longer, Cross. I would like to make a phone call,” Nightmare said, and Cross nodded before joining the others under the table to explain the game.

Nightmare stepped out of the kitchen and pulled out his cell phone to call Sci.

“how are they?” Sci asked without even a greeting.

“You said your tests were showing memory loss?” Nightmare said as he leaned against the wall.

“yes, further tests have proved that. two had memorized a maze, and they were acting like they had never been in it. there was a button one knew to press to get treats, and he is currently relearning how to use it.” Sci replied.

“As far as they are concerned, they were just with their fathers yesterday… and have no idea they were adults,” Nightmare sighed, and he heard Sci sigh as well.

“i’ve been looking over the chemicals of that orange stuff, and there is nothing, absolutely nothing, about it that makes sense,” Sci said.

“That is because you are looking at it as a scientist who only cares for the laws of science. This is a different matter,” Nightmare replied. Then smiled as a thought came to his mind, “Sci, free up some time tomorrow.”

“no can do. this has set me back already,” Sci said.

“Sci,” Nightmare said more sternly.

“hey, i’m not one of your ‘idiots,’ okay?” Sci replied, voice sounding annoyed.

“You forget, you made me your friend, Sci. I helped you when you asked. They helped you,” Nightmare continued to grin.

“yeah, think i’ve already paid off that debt,” Sci muttered.

“No, that’s not how it works. Now, frankly, Sci, I do not bother you that much, and I am not asking. I am telling you. This is for your own good, as you need to open your eyes. Being in that lab every day has blinded you to the wonders of the world that the science you cling to can not explain,” Nightmare replied.

“sorry, noot, i like my science,” Sci sounded annoyed at that point.

Nightmare chuckled darkly, “Oh, my friend, if you had a choice before, you lost it when you just called me that. I will be by to get you tomorrow, be ready.”

As he hung up, he heard Sci asking when but he just chuckled and ignored the scientist. A following flurry of dings from his phone indicated the panicked text messages Sci was sending. He turned his phone to silent, one of the few things his boys taught him that he managed to learn.

Now, it was time to talk to Cross.

---

Next

[fanfic-gallery]

Comfort crowd [Part Three]

✎ Hashira x Reader [ Individual ]

✎ Part Three: Tomioka Giyuu, Shinazugawa Sanemi, Himejima Gyomei [ Part One || Part Two ]

✎ Tags: hurt/comfort, gn! reader, child! reader [ Gyomei - family/platonic ]

✎ CW: Involves spoilers from the manga

: ̗̀➛ Manger’s/Author’s note: For those who thought I forgot about this series- guess again! Hai.. sadly this is the last part, but if anyone is interested in stuff like this but with the Kamaboko Squad, let me know (づ￣ 3￣)づ

Yeah, I just needed company now Yeah, I just needed someone around Yeah, I don't care what song that we play Or mess that we make Just company now

Giyuu, despite a man with great power, holds the guilt of his past within the clutches of his duel toned haori. The red drenching his right, reminding him of the bloodshed he had to witness, his sister’s blood pouring over her body, ruining her lovely kimono. The squared boxes of green, orange and yellow on his left, tripping guilt when only founding out his friend death, yet he was the one rewarded for all his achievements. Some could say, he didn’t mind death breathing down his neck, and when time comes, he’ll embrace the cold blade curved around his neck.

Pupils gaze between the duel toned zouri and the pillar before you, his hands placed in a across meeting at the enclosed gap of his legs. Shaggy raven bangs swaying in the light breeze, hazy blue staring at the ground, patiently waiting as you sew his coat. With a tug and snap of the tread, you stuffed your equipment back into your box of string and needles, strolling off for what seemed like a while before returning, a cup of warm freshly brew tea in hand. Cupping his cheek with your free hand while setting the glass down, tilting his head towards you, who in turn, hesitantly melted into your palm.

“Dearest.. please.. don’t think you’re life is not worth living for.. ”

“As your life means as much to me.. ”

Sanemi, the wind pillar, brash, hot-headed and impulsive. Many avoid him, scared of what he’ll do when he gets his hands on them. Who would have thought the troubling hashira was once a gentle soul, one that takes account of everything, cherishes his loved ones. His staggering attitude is no mistake, yet it’s reasoning is nothing to sneeze at, his one dying wish, to protect his brother and darling, in order to avenge his mother, even if it means pushing them aside for the sole benefit that they stay out of the corps and demons grasp. But now that the King has died, the passing of his brother with his sacrifice in heart, he could finally put it to rest, and go home..

Clothed arm held the edges of his hilt, free hand pushing open the wooden door of his long lost home. The creaking of its bolts and hinges, making you turn towards the standing figure before you. Tears formed and drippled, as you rushed towards the pillar without a second thought, body draping over his, snuggling your head within the crooks of his neck, with arms warped against his waist ever so gently. Shinazugawa froze, hands not knowing where to place, only finding their ways to your back, patting and caressing the skin through the cloth on top. A smile slipping past his lips, tears slowly but surely dusting his cheeks as he greeted you.

“I’m home..”

“And I’m here to stay..”

As much as his heart is made of comforters, Gyomei does have doubts of those around him. Once betrayed by those close to him, leaving him for death, despite fighting for the younglings he swore to protect at all cost. Ever so often his past lingering in his present, claiming his students or newly slayers giving off similarities of the children he once had taken in under his care, which in turn, always leaves a tear in his eyes. Some would say it’s haunting him, but if you asked the man himself, he would express it as a reminder, a reminder to still protect the one he sees as deserving of it, no matter the cost.

You beamed when the pillar slowly strolled into the main entrance, your small little legs running as fast as they could, tackling the tall hashira in a big hug, arms warped around his leg. Gyomei, in turn, chuckled, hand reaching over, waiting for your guidance, dragging his palm towards the top of your head, for light ruffles on your scalp which you adored all so much. Eyes sparkled, as you begged for stories about his journey in front lines, which he happily obliged, letting you bring his frame over to the dinner table, cuisines of all sorts, steaming.

“Story time! Story time!”

“Patience, my child, I will get there in due time..”

[nefastum]

If I remember correctly I have talked to you about the recovery au, and I was just wondering if you had any thoughts on it involving griffgustca?

Hello there, love ♡ I do recall us talking about this~

My take on a recovery AU is actually woven into the springboard for my happily ever after AU, which eventuates in the oc children I designed for them.

Post Griffith's rescue, the band remains on the move, laying low from Midland. They use up what elf dust they have left soothing Griffith's injuries, which helps but can not recover old healed wounds. They eventually run into Puck's carriage somewhere along the road where bandits have given them some trouble. Guts and Co help (mostly to get the robbers out of the way of their forward momentum) and end up rescuing Puck. He is able to repay them with a bit more elf dust for Griffith, but he also can't help much beyond surface wounds. Luckily, he mentions that perhaps the king on his home island could help Griffith recover even more and offers to lead them there if they let him stay safe and ride along. It's worth a shot.

Knowing that they can't possibly drag the entire band along with them, they break into two groups. The Griffith escort team: Guts, Casca, Judeau, and Pippin as Griffith’s protectors and caretakers. And the Band of the Hawk, now nameless for self-protection, under the command of Corkus (he's only too happy to be the man for the job) and Rickert to keep Corkus in line. They are going to continue toward the border, keeping a low profile as the king of Midland's vendetta against the Hawk remains unperturbed.

Guts' squad make way for the coast. The journey takes far longer than they'd hoped. Griffith’s condition, Casca's eventual condition (which they were not planning for despite Casca having a sneaking suspicion. She put off worrying about it for weeks until it wasn't deniable anymore) and being men on the run, not helping. But they do meet helpful people along the way. Casca offers to stay behind, which Judeau agrees with and offers to stay with her, but Guts is torn. Griffith refuses leaving her behind, opting to rest in place with her if they can find somewhere safe for the upcoming months. To him, he cares too much about Guts to risk his heart if they leave her and something should happen. Clearly, something between the two occurred, and no matter Griffith's complicated feelings on it, he wasn't going to lose them over it. Not when Guts willingly came back to him. Casca was precious to him, as well. He had long looked after her wellbeing, abandoning her to childbirth was unconscionable.

Griffith's recovery arc on Elfhelm and his eventual return to the mainland is something I want to share eventually in art + fic form, so I will leave this summary here ♡ Thank you for the interest, love. I know this wasn't super shippy for GriffGutsCa, but the early portions of this AU are focused a lot on Griffith’s recovery and slow burn. I do have some cute images in mind, like bath time shenanigans or piggyback rides for Griff on Guts ♡ those will probably get drawn eventually as well ^ ^;

[alrightberries]

Hi! So like what if Levi & F!Reader are like cuddling, and Levi over slept (maybe misses a meetings?) and Eren and his squad have to go find him and they see Reader and Levi all cuddly and stuffs. AND THEN Levi become super pissed bc they went into his quarters without permission and blah blah blah (you can decide the rest lolll) basically crack, fluff and humor lol. Please& thank uuu

the short end of the stick

❈ pairing: levi ackerman x reader

❈ genre: fluff, semi-crack ❈ word count: 3.3k

❈ summary: In which the 104th cadets were not prepared to find out that the terrifying and ever-intimidating Captain Levi... is a little spoon.

❈ trigger warnings: implied sex. brief mentions of blood and death. profanity

a/n: i made the reader gender neutral, hope y’all don’t mind. i had too much fun writing this and got kinda carried away. this is my first request ever and i’m glad that i finished it. enjoy!

Eren was shaking.

Sweat dripped down his forehead and his knuckles turned white from how hard he was clenching his fists, nails piercing his skin so harshly he swore it would draw blood. His heart angrily pumped inside his chest, every beat so strong he nearly anticipated for it to jump out of his ribcage at any given moment.

Fear.

He felt fear.

He puts a name to the feeling and it doesn’t make him feel any better. Ears ringing, lungs breathing rapidly as he tries to steady his fear-induced heart. He was hyperventilating. His eyebrows crease from his anxiousness and he feels his knees weaken, daring to give out beneath him. Was he actually shaking right now? He couldn’t even tell.

Vulnerable.

He felt vulnerable.

Eren had seen many horrors throughout his short lifetime. He saw the colossal titan rear its ugly head over Wall Maria as its foot smashed into the wall’s gates, debris flying throughout the district as a boulder crushed his home with his mother still inside. He saw his mother get snapped in half and eaten by a titan right before his very eyes at a tender age as he sat by and could do nothing but watch.

He was orphaned. Forced to grow up too soon, too fast just so he could say he survived. His entire district was left homeless, forced to become refugees as titans rampaged throughout the outer walls, forced plow the fields to combat the famine and hunger, forced to have 250,000 people go on what was essentually a suicide mission to appease the growing population.

He trained in the military. He trained for three gruesome years and had his physical and mental psyche crushed into dust beneath the boots of the commanding officer, only to be thrown into a battle—completely unprepared— with the titans once more before he could even graduate.

He saw his friends, his family, his brothers and sisters in arms get eaten. Killed. Murdered. Swatted away like flies by the very beasts he swore he’d kill.

And yet, nothing could prepare him for this.

Nothing could prepare him for the blood-pumping, adrenaline-induced terror at the mere thought of having to carry out his mission.

Nothing could prepare him for having to wake up Captain Levi from his nap.

Jean groaned. “Dammit, just fucking do it already.”

Eren is snapped out of his reverie, suddenly reminded that he wasn’t alone. His fellow soldiers stood behind him.

“Well if you’re so brave then why don’t you do it, horse-face?” He grits back, turning around and clenching his fists at his side.

He glimpses around the hallway and his eyes loom over his teammates’ amused faces, each painted with a shit-eating grin. Everyone was relieved that they weren’t the ones tagged with waking up the Captain from his nap.

Rumor around the base is, the last person from his original squadron (may they rest in peace) who had to wake up Captain Levi almost had his ear sliced off. Levi wasn’t even carrying any gear or anywhere near a knife.

One look at Mikasa told Eren that even she was glad she didn’t get picked for this task, and he shudders at the thought of being the poor bastard who had to lose his ear just so the Captain wouldn’t be late for his meeting. He quite liked having both of his ears attached to his head, thank you very much.

“It’s your task.”

“Yeah but why is it my task?!”

“Because you drew the short end of the stick, genius.” Jean replies easily.

Oh. Right.

“There has to be something we can do! Another plan. One that doesn’t involve waking up Captain Levi.” His eyes are pleading as he looks at his fellow soldiers, yet none of them seem willing to switch places with him.

Dammit. They were really going to make him work for it.

All his dignity is thrown out the window as Eren quickly gets on his knees and starts begging his friends, the shit-eating grins on their faces turning into wicked smiles as they watch him beg for mercy.

“Mikasa? What about you? Are you seriously going to let them send me to my death?” He asks, but Mikasa simply turns her head the other way as she speaks.

“He won’t kill you. Just sever your ear.”

Eren’s eye twitches.

She looks at him once more. “I’ll pick up your ear and ask the medical unit to sew it back on you. I’m sure they’ll understand.”

As proof, she holds up a glass jar and some tweezers. She had gloves on her hands.

God, he was going to kill his teammates.

Jean, apparently fed up with Eren’s incessant whining, marches towards him and grabs him by the collar, forcing him to stand up.

“Yeager, you trained in the military for three years. You’re a goddam titan shifter. You got kidnapped and held hostage. Three times. Waking up a growth-stunted man won’t be the last of you.”

Jean’s words are reassuring but it doesn’t quite reach his eyes. No, his eyes are still amused. Very amused.

Scratch that, he wasn’t going to kill all his comrades. Just Jean. Jean and his extremely punchable horse-face.

Before he could even reply, Eren is shoved inside the Captain’s office with a quick “Off you go!” and the door is quickly shut behind him.

Fear.

This was truly fear.

Captain Levi’s office is empty, Eren notices. It’s spotless as always and tall shelves line every wall, each filled to the brim with books and documents. A lone door sits at the far right wall.

The Captain’s bedroom.

Slowly, with bathed breaths, he forces his legs to walk closer to the door that held his fate. Briefly, Eren thinks about getting some protective ear covers (just in case) but he quickly shoves that idea aside when he realizes that Jean and Conny were likely blocking the door from the outside.

That, and he concludes that the Captain would just break another part of his body. Maybe his hands. He didn’t need ears for handling ODM gear but he did need his hands.

“Captain?” Eren’s voice is weak but clear as he knocks on the door. “Captain Levi, you’re late for your meeting.”

He holds his breath for a few seconds, and there’s no response. He tries once more.

“Captain,” he repeats, louder this time. “Captain, you really need to wake up. Commander Erwin says your attendance is required for the meeting to start.”

But there’s still no response.

His hands are shaky and he’s still extremely nervous, but he knew Captain Levi’s presence was urgent to the meeting. Classified, Commander Erwin had said when he asked what it was about. 

The third time Eren repeats his fruitless endeavors, he realizes that Captain Levi really wasn’t waking up any time soon.

He runs back to the door he came in from.

“Let me out!” He yells, hands throttling the doorknob as he tries to pull the door open but just as he suspected, Jean and Conny are sealing the exit and pulling at the doorknob as well.

“Let me out, dammit! Captain Levi won’t wake up, I don’t wanna die— just let me out!”

His feet are pressed up against the wall at this point and he manages to yank the door open by a few mere inches. A quick glimpse outside confirms his worse fears: all his friends are holding onto the doorknob as well, trying to keep the door closed. Even Mikasa.

He’d never felt so betrayed.

“You got this Eren!” His eyes drift to the back of the group where Sasha was smiling at him with a cheeky grin. “I’m sure the Captain won’t hurt you too badly when you wake him up.”

“No, fuck that! He’ll murder me and say it was because I went ape shit in titan form. He won’t even get arrested!”

It was when he made eye contact with Mikasa when he realized what true betrayal felt like.

“Good luck, Eren.” “No, don’t—!” Mikasa yanks the door close with one strong pull and he falls to the floor, on his ass.

The room is quite once more (save for the cheeky giggles on the other side of the door) and Eren brushes himself off as he stands up. He eyes the door to the Captain’s bedroom and he breathes in deeply when he comes to terms with what he has to do to wake the Captain from his deep slumber. He has to go inside.

He finds himself in front of the door once again, and this time his knocks are a little louder, a little more unsure, as he speaks. “Captain? I don’t think you’re waking up soon. I’m coming in.”

Slowly, he tells himself. Slowly.

Eren wasn’t sure what to expect when he opened the door to Captain Levi’s quarters. Maybe a torture chamber. Maybe swords and skeletons on the wall. Maybe a book on How To Murder With One Glare on a coffee table. He didn’t know.

But oddly, he thinks as he glances around, the Captain’s bedroom is... normal. The room’s dark, with its curtains drawn and the candles unlit. Tall shelves holding an impressive collection of books still line a portion of the walls. A bed is pressed up against the wall opposite the door, and there are two lumps underneath the blankets—

Wait.

Two lumps.

Two.

Captain Levi’s in bed with someone?

“Captain Levi,” Eren quietly calls out. He wonders who the hell managed to catch the Captain’s attention... or if someone even caught his attention at all. Captain Levi could just be hugging a pillow, he reasons. But Eren’s curiosity overtakes his fears and his legs start to walk closer towards the bed. “Captain?”

The blanket was pulled over the two sleeping lumps, and Eren gently tugs it down to reveal their faces.

No way.

No fucking way.

Briefly, Eren is speechless. His words get caught in his throat, hand frozen mid-air as he marvels at the sight of Humanity’s Strongest Soldier cuddled up within the arms of his lover. His normally stoic face is gone, replaced by relaxed eyes and a slightly ajar mouth, one cheek puffed up as it’s squished into his lover’s chest and his head is nuzzled into the crook of their neck. His arms disappear underneath the blankets, but judging by the fact that his lover’s arms were around him, Eren surmised that the Captain’s arms were most likely wrapped around his lover as well.

He looked innocent— cute, almost, and if Eren didn’t have to train under him everyday he might have actually believed that the Captain’s innocent sleeping face could be taken at face value.

Eren recognizes you, as well. He’s seen you around the base with your own squadron, an elite soldier with your own team of other elite soldiers. You’re known around the base as the squad leader who works their team to the ground, training your members so hard that they genuinely considered going to Captain Levi for comfort. But it wasn’t for naught, of course. Your squad’s survived longer than Captain Levi’s (again, may they rest in peace), barely making it out complete when the fiasco with the Female Titan occurred.

“Oi, Eren.” A voice behind him speaks, and Eren is briefly caught off guard as he turns around and makes eye contact with his comrades. Most likely, they got impatient with waiting for him and decided to see if he’d been murdered already.

Great, so now they decide they weren’t scared of going inside the Captain’s room.

“What’s taking so long?” Jean asks.

Eren is still speechless, opting to instead shakily point his finger towards the bed where Levi lay wrapped in your arms.

“H-he’s... he’s—“ “He’s what?”

He gulps and sighs deeply, speaking out so quietly his friends almost didn’t hear, speaking out in a mere shaky whisper as he utters his words.

“He’s a little spoon.”

Chaos is what Eren would use to describe what happened next. His comrades immediately jumped to stand next to him and take a look at the sight on bed, crowding around them as if they were a soap opera.

“Oh my god, he looks so...” Sasha starts in awe, hands on her cheeks and stars in her eyes but unsure how to finish her words.

Eren nods his head, understanding her speechlessness. “Innocent.”

Silently, his friends nod as well. But he couldn’t just stand here and gawk at Captain Levi’s sleeping form, he came here with a mission. “We need to wake him up. He’s already really late.” He says, more to himself than to his friends. He doesn’t wait for his comrades to exit the room as he gently places a hand on the Captain’s shoulders to shake him awake.

“Captain Levi—“

Eren learns his mistake too late as Levi’s eyes immediately snap open, hand clamping down on Eren’s and twisting it behind his back to disarm him.

“Eren!” Mikasa yells behind him, making a move to free him from Levi’s iron clad grip. From the corner of his eyes, Eren sees the person lying down next to Levi quickly sit up and throw something silver, flying past his comrades and towards Mikasa’s head, embedding itself deep within the wood next to her face.

Eren stares at his friends, all silent, frozen with fear, and rooted to their spots as their mouths hang open.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Levi sneers, pushing down on Eren’s arm.

“C-captain, you’re late for the—“ “Holy shit, we’re late for the meeting.” You cut in, eyes wide in realization.

The Captain briefly glimpses at you and clicks his tongue as he releases Eren from his grip, the young soldier immediately slumping to the ground in relief. His arms and legs felt like jello and he could already feel himself melting into the wooden floor.

“Can someone explain to me why you brats thought it would be a good idea to enter my private quarters?” Levi glares. “Without my permission?”

Oh shit. They didn’t think this through.

A cold shiver runs down the soldier’s spines as they unanimously realize their mistake, something that Eren undoubtedly would’ve felt as well if he wasn’t too busy gawking at the realization that Captain Levi was shirtless (probably naked underneath the sheets), and you were shirtless as well (also probably naked underneath the sheets).

Levi catches Eren’s eyes staring at you, and he silently pulls the blanket over your chest and up to your collarbones without breaking his glare at the cadets.

Fuck. Eren thinks, eyes snapping to the ground as a blush creeps up his neck. Captain Levi’s definitely going to cut off both my ears now.

Conny, apparently already cracking under the pressure, flails his arms and yells as he tries to make a run for the door. Before anyone could even blink, another silver blur whizzes through the air, stabbing the wood directly in front of Conny as he freezes.

It was a knife. A fucking butter knife. Why the hell the Captain and his lover keep a butterknife next to them on the bed is something Eren doesn’t want to know.

“Since none of you lot have tongues,” Levi speaks. He’s not going to get an explanation soon. “We’ll discuss punishment later. For now,” He stands up, grabbing a still flustered Eren by the collar and dragging him towards the door, pushing out the rest of the team as well.

Eren doesn’t have time to be relieved about the fact that Captain Levi was not, for a fact, naked and was wearing black boxers. He was too busy getting pushed out the Captain’s bedroom and dragged through the office before finally getting thrown out into the hallway.

“For now, you leave me alone. I have a meeting to attend to.”

Levi slams the door shut at his awestruck soldiers, breathing in a frustrated sigh as he rests his hand on his forehead. He was getting a headache. He feels arms wrap around him from behind, hands resting on his chest. He sighs once more, this time in content, as he leans into your touch.

“Hey,” you kiss neck. “Thought you said you locked the door.”

“I did.” He turns around, still in your arms, and gently places his hands on your face as he kisses your nose. “Someone must’ve accidentally unlocked it when they were trying to grab onto something. Y’know, when they were getting fucked from behind.”

You chuckle. “Well, I’m sure that someone probably got sweet talked into getting fucked against the door.”

You break away from his arms after giving him a kiss, making your way back inside Levi’s bedroom, no doubt to get dressed for the meeting.

He stares at you as you walk, still naked and looking gorgeous. His face may be stoic but his heart was leaping, the gold ring on your left hand that matched his own glimmering in the light.

Your head peaks out from behind his bedroom door. “Round two before the meeting?” You ask cheekily.

Levi rolls his eyes as he makes his way to the bedroom as well, patting your bum as he passes by. “No. We’re already late.”

Eren clutches the pillow to his head, exhausted from the laps he’d done. He glances around the room, eyeing the tired faces of his comrades.

As punishment for invading your privacy, Captain Levi assigned them laps around the base until sundown plus two weeks of stable duty. As punishment for invading his privacy, Captain Levi deemed them unworthy of having their own private space and made the entire squadron bunk together in the small room beside his own. 

Well, the entire squadron except for the Captain himself, at least.

Eren was pretty sure the room they were made to sleep in indefinitely was supposed to be a supply closet of some kind, but it fitted enough bunk beds for the entire team and was deemed a worthy location to carry out the rest of their punishment.

“How long do we have to sleep here?” Sasha asked dreadfully, hands covering her ears in attempts to block out the noises coming from the other room. The sound of a squeaky mattress and a wooden bed slamming against the adjacent wall continued.

“Until we learn our lesson,” Jean quotes the Captain. He himself looked extremely tired but he wasn’t trying to cover his ears like the rest of them were, undoubtedly because he’d already given up on getting a good night’s rest if the bags underneath his eyes were anything to go by.

“I don’t even care how long we have to sleep here anymore.” Conny interjects tiredly. “I just want to know when they’ll ever stop.”

As if to prove his point, a moan is heard through the walls. The soldiers flinch, still not accustomed to the sound. Mikasa silently runs her hands through Eren’s hair to calm him down.

“They’ve been at it for hours,” Jean whispers in horror. “How much stamina do those two have?”

Armin sighs, the bags under his eyes feeling heavier by the second. “They’re elite soldiers who’ve trained for years. They have more stamina than all of us combined.”

The whole room heaves out a collective groan, finally accepting that they weren’t getting any sleep tonight. 

In the other room, Captain Levi bangs his fist against the shared wall. “Oi,” he calls out. “Shut up, you brats. We can hear you.”

Levi thrusts his hips, eyes glancing down at your pleasure-struck face as he grinds into you more. The action causes you to throw your head back and let out a desperate moan, finger nails scratch down his back. He grabs your hands to pin them to the sides of your head, leaning down to whisper “Not too harsh, darling. We don’t want you leaving marks now, do we?” He continues his pace, the bed’s wooden frame slamming against the wall as he once again speaks to his soldiers.

“We have thin walls, y’know.”

alrightberries © 2020. do not modify or repost.

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[lacheri]

when you can’t sleep at night // wake me (sequel)

pairing: captain!Levi x cadet!fem bodied reader

content: angst, canonverse, mentions and talks of death/portrayals of death, depictions of violence, blood, overall dark themes, unestablished relationship, fingering, mutual loss of virginities, overstimulation, takes place sometime before the 57th expedition (didn't follow an exact timeline), there is a lot of talks about dying in this, levi asks a lot of intrusive questions, minors DNI.

summary: levi finds he holds an affection to a certain cadet of his. you find that maybe the comfort of your captain can quiet the thoughts plaguing your mind, even if just for one night.

wc: 10.7k

The clouds were so fluffy, so white and pure as you longingly watched them swirl above you. Your entire body was numb, back flat against the dirt with all your limbs stretched out. Your brain felt fuzzy, and for a fleeting moment you were flying in the clouds. You could feel the water vapor skim past your fingertips, the air whooshing against you as you soared. You looked down at the earth beneath your form, all the trees and even the walls looked so tiny from this height. This peaceful daydream was pulled from you with a start, your chest heaving with coughs.

“I’m so sorry!” you heard a voice call out, your line of vision intruded by the hazy form of a person leering over you. “I didn’t mean to hit you like that!”

“‘S okay,” you choked out, the numbness fading into aches all over your body. “I’ve gotten you good a couple of times too, Eren.”

“You know what, on second thought,” Eren’s lips spread into a smirk as he extended a hand down. “Consider this payback for beating my ass all those times in the Training Corps.”

“Good on you for finally landing a hit,” you chuckled, wincing as he hauled you to your feet. “Only took you three years.”

You rocked on your ankles, steadying yourself quickly before your legs gave out on you. Eren had gotten you good, roundhouse kicking you in your chest to lay you out on your ass. His training sessions had begun to pay off, used to the reverse happening when the two of you sparred. Mikasa would look on intently, a small smile on her lips when you’d punch Eren’s smug face with a sharp hook. You and 104th cadets were a friendly, strong group, bonded over the horrors of the titans, especially after what happened in Trost.

“What are you brats doing out here?”

Your heads whipped in the direction of the strong voice, meeting the steely hard set eyes of Levi, your captain and soon to be squad leader. His arms were crossed, and you gulped upon taking notice of how his biceps strained under the grey linen of his button up. You quickly flickered your focus back to his eyes before he caught you eyeing him up.

“Just sparring,” Eren hadn’t released the grip on your hand, nor had he noticed he was still holding onto your palm as he addressed the superior. “Prepping for the mission tomorrow.”

Levi frowned, “And who told you it was okay to do so when I gave you cadets instruction to clean the headquarters from top to bottom?”

You pulled your hand from Eren’s as you responded, “Sorry, Captain Levi. We’ll get on it right away.”

Levi only let out a displeased ‘tch’ as he turned on his heels, walking away without further commentary. Eren shot you an eye roll, and you held back a snicker as the pair of you followed shortly after the ravenette. Maybe the two of you had snuck away to leave the rest of your comrades to attack the former Survey Corps headquarters with dusters and cleaning rags, not wanting to participate in your weekly assigned duties. Eren had been adamant in the cobwebbed hallway on the second floor that he had to practice his hand to hand combat, just in case your squads ran into some problems on tomorrow’s mission. You had eagerly agreed, wanting to be as far away from the unsettled dust that assaulted your nostrils, itching at your allergies.

As the three of you entered the building, Levi abruptly turned to the two of you trailing behind him, you and Eren jumping in fright, “Eren, go to the dining hall, you’re going to wipe down underneath all the tables. As for you, brat, you get the honor of cleaning my room.”

Eren shot you a sympathetic look discreetly, nodding to your captain as he hightailed it to the hall.

You swallowed a lump in your throat, alone now with the captain. He studied you for a brief moment, gesturing with his head for you to follow him. Your feet moved before your mind could will you, and the soft thuds of your footsteps across the wooden planks of the floor was all that was heard. You snuck glances at the man before you, taking notice that his undercut was slightly grown in, his longer hair uncharacteristically out of place. Levi looked disheveled in a way, his tan leather jacket creased.

You opened your mouth to make a comment, but decided against it in the end. You were going to offer your assistance, to help freshen up his fade and to do his laundry, but figured Levi was a grown man who could take care of himself. You had a soft spot for the man, humanity’s strongest soldier. You knew a title like that came with a weight you could not fathom, especially after the horrors you had seen at Trost when the titans broke through the walls. You could remember everything so clearly, almost as if it was happening right now. You had nearly died that day.

Your older age amongst your fellow cadets was not one of gain you found out. After learning about the tragedy of Wall Maria, the wall closest to your village, it inspired you to join the Survey Corps in order to help the world. Humanity was dying, almost completely obliterated. Distant family members had died in Shiganshina that day, and the reality of the titans weighed heavily on you. How could you sit idly by as the world you knew was being destroyed before your very eyes? What would’ve happened had that attack been on your small village instead of the Shiganshina district? How would you have protected your own?

So with those thoughts in mind, you joined the training corps. Your parents had disagreed with broken hearts, knowing the likely fate of your choices. Your mother had insisted that you were of ripe marrying age, and that they had no other children to carry your family name. They begged and pleaded for you to settle down and find a husband, to help humanity in a different way by bearing children. You knew this was just a fantasy, and you knew it would be entirely possible that if you were to follow their wishes, the family you would create would be devoured and destroyed. This was the only way you could help, no matter your age or being in your reproductive prime. You needed to slaughter the titans, one by one until none remained. You kissed your beloved family goodbye the day you left for training, and you frequently sent them letters to let them know you were well and alive. One day, they all were returned back to you as you sat in the barracks, and one of the captains informed you that your village was destroyed, your parents and friends from home all dead.

You thought of them as you sliced through a five meter titan’s nape in Trost, your first kill. The citizens of the district ran stampeding in retreat, and caught up in the heat of it all, you had failed to account for the seven meter barreling behind you. When it’s burning fingers wrapped around your body, you sobbed, preparing to meet your family in the afterlife, whatever that would look like. You could feel the hot spats of drool hit your cheeks as the titan opened its mouth, bearing teeth and a cruel grin, and then suddenly, you were flying, caught in the arms of a savior. You stared in disbelief at the cut off fingers on the graveled stone of the street, to only be brought out of this state as Mikasa held you close and questioned if you were alright.

After the dust settled and the casualties were counted, you could feel a fire blazing deep within you. You never wanted to be vulnerable like that ever again, you wanted to be strong like Mikasa. Then, you met Captain Levi. You didn’t know much about him, but his reputation spoke volumes. You wanted the strength of the Ackermans whom you so deeply admired. You begged Commander Erwin to be assigned to Levi’s squad, and your wish was granted. You had been in the top rankings of your class, and you had a solo kill under your belt, aside from the near fatal clutch of another titan. Most of all, you had survived, a bigger feat than most of your comrades.

“Oi, you done daydreaming?” Levi’s cool voice brought you out of your train of thoughts as you arrived outside a wooden door, presumably his temporary living space.

“Sorry, just thinking,” you mumbled as he opened the door.

“Didn’t think you were capable of that. All the supplies are in the box on my desk, I want this room spotless, I don’t care how long it takes,” your captain grumbled as he made strides to his desk in the center of the room.

The room was fairly large, a double bed pressed against the left wall and the dark wooden desk was littered in paperwork. Half filled bookshelves lined the right wall, some mismatched couches and chairs filled the empty space. Honestly, the space was nearly perfect, even the bed was made. You knew better than to point this out to your superior though, so you had simply nodded and began to sort through the various cleaning supplies.

The scratch of Levi’s pen filled the hour long silence as you worked, dusting every surface and wiping it down with disinfectant spray and an old rag. After sweeping thoroughly, you flickered your eyes to the single window in the entire room, surprised completely as the sun had nearly set. The two of you were probably going to miss dinner, you realized as Levi poked his head up from the pile of papers he was concentrated on, a clear look of distaste on his features.

“This is what you call clean?” he spat, running a hand through his bangs. “Mop the floors, cadet.”

You sighed, feeling the subtle growl of hunger in the pit of your stomach. The mop laid in the left corner by the bedroom door, where you had found the broom. You swapped the two, picking up a bucket on the floor. You filled the wooden container with disinfectant, not seeing any polish in the box Levi had provided. He only rolled his eyes at seeing this, but said nothing. At least the floor would be clean.

Levi had lit a few lamps around the room to provide lighting as the sun dipped lower in the sky, swallowing the room in darkness. The floor was sparkling as you finished the last spot, a feeling of satisfaction filling your chest.

“Better?” you interrupted his concentration. He gazed around the room silently, face blank.

“Much,” Levi finally spoke. “That’ll be all, cadet.”

You smiled, setting the cleaning supplies back to their original locations, “Do you want me to bring you anything? I’m going down to grab dinner.”

Levi’s eyes widened at the question, not expecting your offer, “Some tea would be fine. Don’t fuck it up either, brat.”

You nodded as he dismissed you, and you treaded down the stairwell from the second floor to the kitchens. Some of the other cadets littered the dining hall as you passed, seeing some of your comrades laughing at a table, but you paid them no mind. In the kitchen there was hardly any leftover food from the dinner, scraps of potatoes sat in a large bowl on one of the counterspaces. You sighed, scarfing down whatever was available while you set a rusted kettle to a flame. The water was boiled within minutes, and you poured it over tea leaves in two teacups. You cleaned up your mess, and made your way back to Levi’s room.

You knocked twice on the door, hearing his grunt to signal you to enter. Levi was still positioned in his chair at his desk, head in his hands as he scanned over his documents. You placed his cup down silently, ready to leave the man to his work.

“Why are you here, cadet?” your captain called out as you went to open the door.

You turned your head to look at him, his eyes never leaving the words of his papers, “What do you mean, captain?”

“The Survey Corps,” he clarified, finally making eye contact. “Why?”

“To save humanity, sir?” you didn’t mean to speak as if you were questioning him, but your eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

He scoffed, setting his paperwork aside, “Humanity, huh? You’re a bit too old to be in the graduating class you’re currently in. Why join now?”

“I’m sorry, but I’m confused,” your body was facing his entirely now. “Why are you asking me these questions?”

“Because it doesn’t make sense,” he more so mumbled to himself. “You shouldn’t be here. You should be pregnant with your first born, with a husband. Instead, you’re here, trying to fight titans.”

“With all due respect, Captain,” your voice was laced with controlled anger. “I don’t see how that’s any of your business.”

“Aren’t you scared?” Levi continued, ignoring your question. “You could’ve picked the easy way.”

“It would’ve been in vain. My village was wiped out shortly after Wall Maria fell.”

He hummed, his hands coming down to rest on the wooden notches of his desk, papers forgotten, “You were in the top ranks. You could’ve joined the military police.”

“And hear how my comrades died instead of helping them?” you gawked.

“It’s a lot better than watching.”

You shut your mouth then, lips pressing tightly together. You didn’t understand why your captain was questioning you like this.

“I see the way you are with them,” his tone softened, not looking you in the eyes as he spoke. “How you all are.”

“Just because I’m friendly doesn’t mean I’ll forget the purpose of the scouts,” you said defensively, crossing your arms. “I have my own ass to account for.”

Levi pushed off his chair suddenly, scraping the just mopped floor and jolting up to his legs, “You have no idea what it’s like out there. Your friends are going to die, cadet. There’ll be nothing you can do to save them. Are you prepared for that? Collecting their bodies, or whatever’s left of them to take home to their families?”

Your mouth went dry, jaw slacking, “Captain, I know what loss feels like. My family is dead, some of my so called ‘friends’ died in Trost. I know what I signed up for.”

He scoffed, circling around his desk to stand a few feet away from you, “Haven’t you seen enough?”

“Are you trying to get me to quit the Survey Corps?” you asked incredulously.

“Yes. You don’t belong here,” his tone was rough as he spat at you. “Go find a husband. Get the fuck out of the military.”

“I don’t want to,” your anger simmered as you stared down at your boots. “I don’t have a home to go back to. I can’t leave. I know the other cadets aren’t my friends. I’m just trying to make the best out of my life before I die. I know I’m going to die. What’s so wrong about trying to find comfort in others?”

“You are a fool,” he seethed, teeth clenched. “You want to die?”

You shook your head, not bothering to keep the conversation going, “I’m going to bed, Captain. I’ll see you tomorrow for the mission.”

“I didn’t dismiss you, cadet,” Levi towered over you now as your hand wrapped around the doorknob.

You brought your fist up to your chest in a salute as you began to exit, “With absolutely no disrespect, I’m exhausted. Have a good night, Captain.”

You pushed the door shut in front of you as you stood in the hallway. You knew you would be getting an ear full from Levi in the morning, but honestly, the conversation was beginning to stir up feelings you’d rather not address. Intrusive thoughts filled your mind as you made your way to the first floor where your temporary bedroom resided.

You couldn’t answer Levi’s question because in a way, in a very selfish train of thought, you didn’t want to be a part of the titan’s world anymore, whether that meant death or something else. How easy it would be for you to greedily pack your things and leave the military and take refuge in some random village to live out the rest of your days, however long they would be. Or to just simply become fodder for the titans in your quest to rid the world of their reign.

Your uniform was folded on your bedside table, a cotton shirt and shorts on your body as you sat on your bed over the covers. You could hear the soft snores of Christa as she slumbered peacefully in the bed across the room, and you gazed over her body under her covers. You knew the people you trained with, fought with, grew fond of, were not your friends. How could they be? It’d only make things harder in the end. Like Levi had said, you might be the one collecting their deceased bodies after a battle. How could you ever grow close to someone that you knew their days were numbered?

The 104th cadets were your comrades, not your makeshift family. You had to remind yourself of that every time Sasha would ask for your leftovers, batting her big eyes at you. When Eren would spar with you, telling you how strong you were and commending you on how far you had come since the first day of the Training Corps. How Mikasa literally saved your life, and how you had admired her ever since. Armin’s unmatched potential and growth. Jean’s relentless taunting, giving you the nickname of gram because of your age. Connie, well frankly, just being Connie. Reiner and Bertholdt’s strong will and passion. Annie’s unwavering willpower and prowess. All the other cadets who you’d gotten to know so well, you had to constantly imagine their corpses as they smiled at you and tried to get to know you. So, you stayed back, opting to be alone at any opportunity, so their deaths would be easier to swallow when the time came.

You squeezed your eyes shut, shaking your head to try and rid yourself of your thoughts. It was of no use, and with a sigh you pushed yourself out of your bed. You deemed it would be yet again another sleepless night, and you realized sadly you had left your tea cup in Levi’s office completely untouched. You didn’t bother to entertain the thought of going back to retrieve it, instead you slinked through your bedroom door and out of the headquarters.

The night air was chilly, and you felt regret for not grabbing your jacket on your way out. The moon was gone, a completely black night, and you could see the stars crystal clear. The sky was your favorite sight, especially on nights like this.

You found a nice patch of soft grass, and laid on your back to gaze up at the sky. This was always your comfort, even as a child, to go outside and watch the sky, day or night. Your mother would warn you that your eyes would fall out of your head if you stared too long at the sun, at the moon. You didn’t care, because in those moments you felt so free. Free of the walls that caged you inside, of the world around you. You were the clouds, the stars, the wind as it rolled past. Maybe you were never meant to be human, you mused. You were meant to be nature, never to experience the trials and tribulations of sentinel living. You were supposed to be free, all knowing and ignorant at the same time, existing without the weight of consciousness.

“Thought you were going to bed, cadet?”

You were startled by the boom of a familiar voice behind you, collecting yourself and clearing your throat, “I couldn’t sleep.”

Levi’s head bobbed into your field of vision, “Thought too hard today?”

You rolled your eyes, feeling guilty as you caught the action afterwards and hoped your captain wouldn’t find it as a disrespect, “Yeah, you could say that.”

“Why are you out here of all places, without a jacket?” out of the corner of your eye you watched as Levi brought himself down to sit next to you.

“I like watching the sky,” you put simply, trying not to make eye contact. “Makes me feel better.”

“About dying?” he said, and you knew that he wouldn’t let your previous conversation go. You decided to humor him, if only to get these thoughts out of your mind.

“Yes.”

“Like what?” he almost sounded uninterested, but from his line of questioning you knew he was anything but.

“I don’t want to die,” you admitted, digging your fingernails into the grass by your waist. “I don’t want to watch anyone die. I never wanted to join the military. I felt like I had no choice.”

“We always have a choice,” he leaned his back to see whatever had your attention draw above you.

“Either fight the titans or get eaten alive when they attack the walls?” you snorted. “What a hard decision to make.”

“Why’d you join the Survey Corps?” he asked once again.

“I didn’t want my family’s death to be in vain. I had cousins, aunts and uncles in Shiganshina.”

“What about your death?”

“I hope it’ll mean something,” you breathed, feeling your chest get tight. “I hope this all will mean something.”

Levi looked at you then, a glimmer of something you couldn’t identify in his eyes, “You sound like Erwin when you talk like that.”

You made eye contact, a small smile on your lips, “The Commander’s an amazing man. I’m going to take that as a compliment.”

Levi scoffed, “Take it as you will.”

“What else could I do? I’m trying so hard to make a difference, to make life easier for others so they don’t have to suffer this fate. Isn’t that why we all joined the Survey Corps?” you continued your train of thought. “Maybe we all have a death wish. Fuck, I know I have one. It all just fucking hurts, Captain. I can’t help but think of others all the time, of all the loss and the grief they've gone through, what I’ve been through. At what will keep happening until all the titans are gone for good.”

“Why the sky?” he changed the subject, seemingly bored of your repetitive narrative.

“Because there’s no titans up there,” you joked without humor. “There’s no walls, no boundaries, no rules. It’s never ending. Where are the stars? How does day and night occur? Where does the moon go when the sun’s out? It amazes me, that’s all. Makes me think of how big the world is, of what’s out there besides this.”

“You think too much for a brainless brat,” Levi grumbled, laying on his back and joining you.

“I know,” you chuckled, turning your body to face him. “Wish I could turn off all my thoughts, it would probably make life a whole lot more livable.”

He hummed, eyes drawn in to your face, “I understand. What you said earlier, too, about finding comfort in others.”

“What do you mean?” you propped your head on your hand and you positioned your elbow to support you.

“I guess I never thought about it before tonight,” he blinked, expression unreadable. “Life as a soldier isn’t a comforting one. I guess that’s what I was trying to tell you about.”

You read between the lines of his words, recognizing it as his form of an apology, “I know. But it’s still the life I chose. At least I’m trying to make a difference, we all are.”

“Y’know, I’ve been paying attention to you for some time now. I didn’t understand when Erwin came to me and told me you had asked to be put on my squad. I took a look in your file, and I saw you after the attack on Trost, and I still didn’t understand,” Levi spoke slowly. “I don’t think I get you at all, even now.”

“I don’t think I understand myself,” you laughed dryly, returning your attention to the sky.

“You should get some sleep, cadet,” he advised softly, pushing himself off the ground. “And for fuck’s sake do it soon, I won’t be taking care of your ass if you get a cold.”

Levi stalked off before you could utter a response. You sighed, and decided his words were wise enough to follow. A few moments after your captain had left you, you followed his pathway back to the entrance of the former headquarters. You entered, making a hasty retreat back to your room where Christa was still knocked out cold.

Under your covers, you replayed your conversations with Levi. You still couldn’t figure out why he had questioned you like he had, why he even cared in the first place. Maybe it was his own gnawing curiosity, trying to understand why some random twenty-something year old girl insisted on being in his squad like you had. Maybe, you thought egotistically, you had your own reputation. You inwardly snorted, probably not.

Images of your captain under the moonlight played beneath your eyelids as you finally managed to drift off into a dreamless sleep.

The mission had gone horribly wrong. At least for you, to be honest you had no idea where the rest of your comrades were as you raced on your horse, desperately searching the sky for flares. You hadn’t seen a single one in a while now, at least ten minutes, and your heart was thudding hard as thoughts that the entire fleet of soldiers you had joined had been decimated. You were completely alone, the walls distant behind you. All you knew is that you couldn’t stop, couldn’t turn around or else you’d really be lost.

The 104th had stayed behind at the former headquarters, this having been a smaller expedition to clear out some titans before the planned 57th expedition in a few weeks. Levi, Oluo, Petra, and Gunther, as well as a few other squads accompanying you, were in a near perfect formation when an abnormal titan had broken through, killing a few unnamed soldiers at your side that you had never met before today.

In the far left distance, you could see a large forest full of trees. Your jaw slacked open, relief running through your veins when you caught sight of some men on horses heading that direction. Green flares shot up high in the sky, and you pulled the reins of your mare to follow. Your plan was brought to a screeching halt though, as you heard the thunderous footsteps shake your horse, and your body. You threw a glance behind your shoulder, a ten meter titan running straight towards you. You reached to your side quickly, shooting a red flare above you to warn any close by comrades.

The titan was gaining speed, about a dozen yards now behind you. You really wanted to avoid confrontation was much as possible, but as those yards closed between you and the titan, you growled and prepared yourself. You gave your horse a soft pat on her neck, and heaved yourself to stand on the saddle. You gaged your surroundings, seeing complete flat plains all around you, not an ideal situation for fighting at all.

Your odm gear shot you straight to the titan’s legs, a plan instilled in your head on the best way to take it down. It was fairly thin and muscular, but you decided it was just a plain titan as it dumbly stared at you with its wicked grin. Your dual blades locked in your hands now, you swung behind the titan and sliced through its ankles. The ten meter fell swiftly, giving you the perfect opportunity to land on its nape and kill it. It stilled completely beneath you after your swift cuts, and you ran as fast as your body willed you to rejoin your mare.

You placed your fingers to your lips, whistling as loud as you could. Your horse, at least 100 feet away, perked its ears and turned at a rapid speed straight back to you. She neighed as she reached your form, and you hauled yourself back on her saddle, kicking your legs for her to break into a full gallop to where the green flares still lingered in the air.

You didn’t bother to signal another flare in the air, seeing no other flares around you. As you neared closer to the forest, you felt incredibly relieved at the sight of your squad, now able to make out their faces. Petra waved her hands high in the air, about 20 feet away now. You saw Oluo, Gunther, and Levi, unharmed, as you got closer, bringing your horse down to a slightly slower gait, seeing no titans around.

“Are you okay?” Petra shouted at you once you reached the group. “Are you hurt?”

“No, I’m okay!” you spoke as fast as you could. “The other cadets I was with were killed by an abnormal, I got split up from them.”

“What was that red flare?” Oluo questioned, worry riddled in his eyes.

“It’s fine, I killed it,” you breathed shakily. “Where are the others?”

“Retreating back to the walls,” Levi answered, voice hard and commanding. “We’re out of blades, and there've been too many casualties. The others have the deceased’s bodies.”

You and your squad nodded, and with no further delay, you broke your horses into a full sprint back to the walls. The sun hung low in the sky, sunset merely a few hours away. Now in a formation in the clear open plains, you noticed out of the corner of your eye some movement.

“Abnormal titan to the right!” you screamed, turning your head to watch the titan’s arms flail, running in an irregular pattern.

“Holy fuck,” Gunther’s eyes widened in horror, shooting a black flare into the sky. “That’s got to be a 15 meter!”

“Don’t engage!” Levi barked, eyes trained straight ahead at the walls. “Keep an eye on it!”

“Sir!” the four of you quipped.

It seemed the abnormal titan had other plans as it caught sight of the five of you, its pace changing with intentions.

“It’s heading straight towards us!” Petra called out, flickering her eyes between the running titan and your captain. “Orders, Captain?”

Levi kept silent, much to your horrors. It was only a few yards away now, speed not slowing. Levi’s attention was completely ahead, the walls almost in full view. You were so close, not close enough though and the abnormal titan’s legs moved faster.

“Captain Levi!” Oluo shouted, eyebrows shot into his hairline.

The titan was less than three yards away when Levi finally spoke, “Petra, Oluo, make it fast!”

You shot off your horse before Levi’s lips opened, his commands unheard by you. Your odm ropes attached right into the titan’s ankles, just like how you had done before. There’s a reason they called it an abnormal titan though you discovered as its fingers closed around the wiring of your gear, yanking the ropes out of its skin and hauling your body up.

You squirmed, mashing your buttons desperately to get your hooks out of its fist as you were brought to the titan’s mouth. It was an ugly son of a bitch, teeth on full display in its evil smile. You couldn’t believe how badly you had fucked up again, the titan’s other hand gaining momentum as it lifted to wrap its disgusting meaty fingers around you. You watched as the fingers were sliced off before they could reach you, and suddenly you were free falling as the hand holding your odm ropes fell from its arm. You redirected yourself back to its ankles, back to your original plan of taking out the nerves to allow the titan to fall, your nerves entirely shot, your adrenaline in full control.

Levi had both his swords drawn as he met you at the back of the 15 meter’s legs, “Are you trying to get yourself fucking killed? You should’ve let the others handle it!”

“I thought I had it, Captain!” you curtly shouted, cutting through the tendons and getting sprayed with steaming blood. The titan did not falter though, but thankfully you and Levi had created a useful diversion as Petra, and Oluo took out the titan’s nape. You and your group shot back to your horses as the titan fell from its height, dead on impact.

The opening of the gate of Wall Rose was a fucking blessing, and your squad couldn’t have ran through it any faster. You heard the roaring of the gate as it closed behind you, and you were choking on shallow breaths as you slowed your mare’s gait.

None of you spoke a single word as you returned to the former headquarters, exhausted after the adrenaline of your mission wore off. You returned your horses to the stables, where feed and water awaited them. Your squad practically ran off, and you were confused until you saw the pissed off look of your superior aimed directly at you. Gulping down spit, you turned on your heel, ready to take off.

Levi’s arm shot out around your bicep, harshly tugging you to stop your escape, “Are you a fucking idiot, cadet? What the fuck were you thinking?”

“I thought I could take out the titan by its ankles!” you defended quickly, gritting your teeth as his fingers dug into your clothed arm. “It’s how I took out the other titan I killed, Captain!”

“You better learn quickly that all titans are not the same! Or did you not learn that in training?” Levi growled out between clenched teeth.

“I thought I could take it out,” you grumbled, ripping your arm out of his grip.

“You betrayed my orders. You listen to me and my commands, cadet,” he spat out, his eyebrows furrowed, his eyes burning holes into yours. “Remember your place.”

You pivoted yourself away from your captain, trotting ahead to head inside the headquarters, voice laced with malice as you grumbled, “I’ll do as I see fit.”

This would be the second time Levi hadn’t dismissed you before leaving him behind, you realized as you arrived at the communal bathroom. You sighed heavily, leaning back against the closed door, completely alone. Thankfully, it was very late in the evening, and if your comrades weren’t in bed already, they would be heading to sleep soon. You were so relieved to get some much needed alone time, especially now that you had such a terrible day.

You changed out of your blood soaked uniform, not bothering to fold it as you laid the clothes on the floor. Stark naked, you began to fill the bathtub basin with running water, a very rare luxury due to the previous care when the headquarters was up and running. With the porcelain half filled, the water steaming, you sunk your aching body into the scalding bath. The water turned a deep pink as you scrubbed your skin with a rag that had been resting over the rim. You untied your hair and dipped your head back, threading your fingers through your knots after generously coating the strands with soap. You drained the dirty water, refilling it back up now that most of the dirt and blood had been washed away. The tub held a pastel pink hue now, but you felt much cleaner and you sunk back in the tub, stretching out as much as you could.

You didn’t dare close your eyes for too long, picturing the events of today. You didn’t try to reflect on the lives that had been lost on today’s mission, the strangers you never had the pleasure, or perhaps displeasure, of getting to know. It made it easier in a sense to forget, to keep pushing forward. Still, the gore and the cruelty of what being a part of the scouts was truly about haunted the corners of your mind as you absentmindedly rubbed soap along your limbs. Maybe you were trying to wash away these memories, too.

Half an hour later, you decided it was time to dry off and get into comfortable clothing as the water cooled and your skin had pruned. You unplugged the drain, standing and reaching for a towel. Wrapping the fabric around your chest, you stepped out of the tub, feet leaving wet prints on the floor as you treaded to your bedroom, soiled clothes in hand.

An oversized white long sleeve hung off your frame, accompanied by your favorite cotton shorts as you sat on your bed, completely alone. Christa had briefly mentioned before your mission this morning that she’d be spending the night with Ymir, to which you were inwardly grateful for the promise of solidarity. As you sat hunched over, you found yourself longing for the comforting presence of someone, anyone, to distract you from the images that plagued your mind, no matter how hard you tried to push them away.

You jerked with a start as you pictured the angry face of your captain, feeling immense guilt pool in your gut. You had never spoken so much with Levi before yesterday, realizing the weight of your words and actions, reckless and undermining his authority. Maybe you owed him an apology, for if nothing else to at least calm your mind enough for sleep.

You didn’t remember the walk when you had arrived outside the captain’s door, or could recall if you had knocked before it swung open, revealing Levi’s surprised expression.

“I’m sorry,” you blurted out, nervously tugging at your sleeves as you avoided eye contact. “I’ve been disrespectful, Captain, and I’m sorry.”

“Cadet,” his teeth clenched tightly. “Do you understand what time it is?”

“I couldn’t sleep,” you whimpered, legs ready for a moment's notice of a retreat. “I’m sorry, I’ll leave—“

Levi’s hand shot out to circle your wrist, and you finally looked up into his charcoal eyes, “Don’t, come in.”

You couldn’t protest as you guided you into his room, shutting the door behind you after you passed the entry. Levi was dressed casually, beige cotton shirt hanging off his torso, plain grey pants on his lower half. The bags under his eyes told you he had also not been able to fall asleep. He led you to sit on his neatly made bed, towering over you with his arms tightly crossed.

“I was on my way to check on you.”

You furrowed your eyebrows, “What?”

“You didn’t knock,” Levi clarified, looking anywhere but at you. “I was already at the door. You’d seen a lot today. I don’t need my soldiers having breakdowns after every mission.”

He was worried about you, your breath halted in your throat.

“Oh,” you dumbly said.

“Seems like you did me a favor by coming here,” he mused, sighing as he ran a hand through his bangs. “Why can’t you sleep?”

“Thinking, again, about everything,” you crossed your thighs, body language signally how uncomfortable you were upon talking about these feelings.

“Your brain is going to cause you more grief if you don’t stop,” Levi’s spare hand grasped your chin gently, bringing your head up so you could look him in the eyes. “Why do you insist on being alone with these thoughts?”

“Captain, weren’t you just saying it’s a bad idea to have friends?” you could feel the pounding of your heart in your chest at his gesture, unsure of his intentions.

“Weren't you just talking about finding comfort in others?” Levi leaned down, you felt his breath against your lips as he spoke. “I’ve been paying attention to you for awhile, cadet.”

“You looked in my file, you told me already,” you whispered, unsure that if you spoke at full volume your voice wouldn’t quiver.

“No, I’ve been watching you. You’re not exactly quiet when you sneak out at night, y’know. I’ve seen you,” he hesitated briefly before continuing. “I’ve watched you cry all alone, how you try to distance yourself from the others. I was testing you yesterday, brat. I think I understand now, though.”

Your captain crouched down to meet you at eye level, fingertips never straying from your chin, and you felt your lip quiver as he rasped, “I understand, because I get it. You’ve always felt alone, haven't you?”

You nodded, scared to voice the truth, he continued, “I’m not going to explain myself to you, and if I hear a single word spoken about any of our conversations, I will personally sign your extermination paperwork. You’re different, you’re not like the others. You know what grief is, what pain and loss feels like. Your mission, your goals, it keeps driving you forward. Who couldn’t notice that?”

Levi scoffed, and you managed out a tiny, “Captain Levi.”

“Yes?”

“Why are you telling me this?” you could feel the harsh prick of tears try to escape your eyes, blinking furiously to not allow them to fall.

“Because,” he brushed back your hair behind your ear with his spare hand. “We’re exactly the same, and I can’t allow you to continue living like this, knowing where you’ll end up. Are you a virgin, cadet?”

“Yes,” you stuttered, thoroughly embarrassed.

“I am too,” Levi confessed, his eyes baring his soul. “I’m in my thirties, and I’ve never taken a woman to bed. All because of my mission.”

“My parents raised me to save myself for marriage,” your lips hung open. “But, they’re dead now, and I’ll probably never be married.”

“Cadet?” Levi’s hand came up from your chin to rest his palm against your cheek. “You talk about choices, you told me about how you never followed the path set for you. Why don’t you allow yourself some peace, some comfort? If not for yourself, for others, for your fellow comrades?”

“Are you asking to fuck me, sir?” your body felt heavy, uncomfortably numb but you couldn’t will yourself to move an inch, your mind was frazzled.

“I’m asking for permission to comfort you, both of us. I’m tired of being alone, aren’t you?” his face had fallen completely, and you were in awe of how open and raw Levi was.

You didn’t answer him, instead pushing his hands off of your face to capture his cheeks in your own hands, forcing your lips together. Fuck the world, fuck the titans, fuck every single thing that dared to bother you and your existence. You were tired, tired of denying yourself pleasures and comfort and basic human interaction. Who cared if you all died? Would it be for naught that you had never gotten to know your comrades? What would be the point in dying for your military if you didn’t have a motivation, a passion driving you? You were so fucking lonely, and Levi was too as he crashed his lips against yours, wrapping his long arms around your back to hold you closer.

You felt the older ravenette pull away for a moment, tugging his shirt over his head to reveal his scarred and muscular chest. You ran your fingers over his middle slowly, taking in every dip and every flex of his body. Levi was beautiful, and you felt honored that you were here in this moment, with a man who had heard more of your thoughts and feelings than any person before. He stopped your hands as they came to his pecks, pushing your arms high to remove your own shirt.

Your nipples hardened meeting the cold air, exposed now in the dim candle light. You didn’t dare cover yourself, nor did Levi let you get the chance. His hands were all over your chest within an instant, caressing and groping as his lips met yours once again. You hadn’t bothered to tell Levi that he was your first kiss, the first man to see you naked, the first man who had shown genuine interest in you and your body. Maybe you’d tell him later, but for now, you just wanted to quell the thoughts swarming your mind.

You stood quickly, maneuvering your lips to the side of his exposed neck. Your kisses were sweet, innocent and pure as Levi began to pull your shorts off, your panties accompanying the fabric. You kicked out of them as Levi grabbed the back of your head, groaning as he slammed your mouths together once more in an open kiss.

Your hands were everywhere on his skin, trying desperately to remember every single detail, knowing that this would most likely be a one time thing. You knew the risks of becoming entangled in a romantic relationship in the military, more so the scouts. Levi or you, or anyone, could die at any moment. This only motivated you further in your desire, ripping down his pants, mildly surprised to see your captain not wearing any underpants.

Levi breathily mumbled as he grasped your waist and led you flat on your back atop his bed, “I thought you were dead today.”

“I’m not, and neither are you,” you hushed his spoken thoughts with another passionate kiss. He tasted minty from his tea, smelled of woodsy musk from his obvious earlier shower, his touch so soft as he grazed your body up and down.

You felt his knees between your legs as he loomed over you, pushing apart your thighs at the force. His right hand stroked your cheek as his tongue prodded past your willing lips, swollen from his attention. His left hand ventured south, resting upon the curve of your hip, digging his fingers to feel the supple flesh.

“You’re quite beautiful, y’know,” he mirrored your earlier ministrations, placing sloppy kisses down your jaw and neck. “One of the reasons I was so fascinated by you, I couldn’t understand how you weren’t married.”

“Maybe in another life,” you simply put, attention drawn to how sinful his lips felt against your flushed skin. He sucked on a particularly sensitive spot, and a whimper left your lips at the contact. You could feel your center slicken, cold air consuming all of your exposed skin. Levi’s hand dared closer and closer to your desire, and you made out the distinguished poke of his manhood against your lower stomach.

When his fingertips nudged against your folds, Levi let out a groan of pleasure, “You’re so wet, cadet. I’ve barely touched you.”

“Captain, I need this,” you begged, your hands wrapping around his neck to pull him flush against you. “Please, distract me, make me forget.”

Levi felt no need to answer your pleads, instead allowing his fingers to familiarize himself with your most intimate of parts. His eyes stayed trained on yours, taking in every expression you made, one catching his focus immediately as his pointer finger circled the top of your folds. It felt like a button, and you started moaning desperately as he continued his circling.

“Feels good?” your captain asked, insecurity in the back of his mind.

“Yes,” you took your right hand away from Levi’s neck, grabbing his wrist that was in between your legs, dipping his fingers to your dripping entrance. “Need you here.”

He plunged his pointer and middle fingers in, and your velveteen walls clenched around him. You had pleasured yourself many times just like this, but the heightened pleasure of someone else’s knuckles deep inside you was incredible. No one had ever touched you like this before, looked at you so lovingly and so lustfully. His fingers scissored inside you, and you knew your patience would soon snap.

When Levi’s fingers curled upwards, you thought you were going to pass out. Your eyes screwed shut as loud mewls left your lips, Levi’s free hand covering your mouth. Your hips bucked upwards in his touch, hips rolling fast as your clit caught the fat of his palm. You could feel the familiar bubble of your climax, threatening to spill over as you arched your back.

Levi pulled his fingers from your weeping cunt then, so agonizingly slowly, “No, cadet. Not yet.”

You whined, pressure settling down in your abdomen as Levi took his soaking hand to his hard cock. You couldn’t believe that you hadn’t paid attention to his girth before, he was gorgeous. All the hard work and all the violence had sculpted your captain as if he were a statue. His length stood at full attention, pressed against his belly, his balls hanging in the free space between his thick thighs. You moaned at the sight of Levi stroking himself, seeing the glisten of your arousal coat him. He let out a strangled groan, before letting himself go, falling unceremoniously to capture your lips once again.

“You ready?” Levi asked permission, his kiss so sweet and tender, and you realized then the weight of all of this. You were about to lose your virginities to each other, he would forever hold a mark on you.

You smiled, so full of adoration, there wasn’t anyone else you’d rather be with right now as you spoke, “Yes, sir.”

Levi gripped the base of his dick, bumping the engorged head against your sensitive clit and through your folds as he coated himself more in your essence. You both knew this was going to hurt you, and had either of you not been in such a hurry, you’d take the time to mutually pleasure each other until your bodies were truly ready for this intimate act. There were no coherent thoughts in this moment, only pure passion and animalistic desire.

His tip sunk in, and you felt like you were going to be split in half. Your hands shot up to his arms, nails leaving half crescents on his biceps, your ankles hooking together on his ass as you tensed up at the pain.

“Relax,” he kissed your jaw with a groan. “Gonna’ take care of you.”

You nodded, focusing on his words instead of the pain. Your pelvic floor relaxed, and Levi was able to push himself deeper into your cavern.

“There’s no blood?” Levi questioned you curiously as he glanced down to where your bodies met, not moving even a centimeter to allow you to adjust.

The pain was quickly fading as you mumbled, “Probably broke my hymen on a goddamn horse.”

You both let out a breathy laugh, and Levi’s right hand came to stroke your cheek, pushing back your hair out of your face, “I’ll have to kill that horse then.”

You were rattling your brain for a witty response to your captain when Levi shifted, stroking his length backwards as your walls fluttered around him. Your face was no longer scrunched in pain, your eyebrows unfurrowed and your mouth hung open, feeling nothing but pleasure as his left hand shot to your pulsing pussy, thumbing your clit with the lightest of touches.

“Captain,” you stuttered, eyes rolling to the back of your head. “Feels good.”

“Yeah,” he pushed his forehead to yours, his own eyes closing as he pushed his cock back into your depths, so slowly.

You placed a gentle kiss to his lips for a brief moment, neck craning off the pillow under your head. You felt a cramp as he kissed you back, so gently and so softly. You moved your mouth to his jaw, peppering kisses along any exposed skin you reach.

His right hand stayed positioned to your face, his grey colored orbs opened, focusing on your face. You looked up then, and felt your heart hammering in your chest. Levi was so handsome, his eyebrows furrowed, eyes softened without the weight of reality crashing down on him.

“I’m glad it’s you,” your arms were still wrapped around his neck as you rubbed soft circles along the ridge of his undercut. His hips held such a passionate, steady rhythm as he continued plunging into you.

Levi didn’t respond, his hand angling your face to his again. Although unspoken, you could see in his face that he appreciated your words, his thrusts faster in pace now. You couldn’t stop the moans from exiting your throat, volume increasing as his thumb worked you with more pressure. He swallowed your noises with his lips, not even kissing, the two of you just breathing into one another’s mouth.

Suddenly the distance wasn’t close enough, Levi’s hand left the curve of your cheek to wrap his arm around the middle of your back, forcing your body completely against his sweating one. His lips began to work against yours, sloppy and messy as you kissed the man back with the same fever.

Levi’s pace was solid, deep and without error. Your hips tried desperately to meet his thrusts, his wrist in between your centers blocking you from doing so. Your captain didn’t even so much as warn you to stop, his thumb rolling faster against your now swollen clit, that same heat in your stomach rebuilding rapidly. The two of you were so lost in each other, your arms leaving his neck to wrap around his shoulders and forcing his head down to your neck where he lapped and peppered kisses to conceal his own moans. You did the same, lips attached to the curve where his muscular shoulder met his neck.

His touch was unrelenting, but you felt the unmistakable shutter as he plunged right to your cervix, goosebumps rising on his skin under your fingertips. You let out a muffled moan, your nails clawing at his back, your legs somehow tighter around his backside.

Levi’s thumb rubbed harder, so much faster now than his thrusts. Your pussy was fluttering rapidly now, clenching and unclenching around his girth, you were so close. You had a feeling your captain was as well, his pace increasing even faster.

“I’m cumming,” you pulled away from his shoulder to warn Levi, sucking the sensitive area of his neck.

Levi moaned in pleasure, bucking his hips hard into you, and this was what sent you over the edge. Levi couldn’t move even if he wanted to as your cunt gripped him so tightly, contracting so hard around his length. You could hear a string of curses and ‘ah’s from his lips as your hips bucked wildly into his hand, rubbing your clit along his stilled thumb. You’d had plenty of self given orgasms before, but feeling completely filled as your walls fluttered around something was a pleasure you knew you’d be seeking again.

Your teeth were sunk into his neck, and Levi was finally able to continue his strokes as your orgasm slowed, your body limping. His thumb started once more, and you were whimpering at the overstimulation, your contractions not even done. He was pounding into you now, growling into your neck, you could feel the sharp clench of his jaw dig into your shoulder. It didn’t take you more than a minute to build up another orgasm, and as the new waves of pleasure slammed into you, Levi was pulling out.

You came around nothing as Levi rutted into your stomach, feeling the smear of hot cum rub against your middles. He was bucking desperately, moaning and whimpering. The sounds he made paired with the nonstop movement of his thumb only heightened your pleasure, your left hand coming to caress the back of his head.

He removed his touch from you, taking his dripping hand to your waist as his thrusts against your stomach slowed. It crawled under your back to meet his other arm, and he placed sensual, slow kisses to your neck. You did the same, thanking him non verbally. His head lifted, eyes half lidded as he placed his lips to yours, locking them in a saccharine embrace. He pulled away after a few moments, sliding off of your sticky body and out of the bed. Your arms fell to your sides, and he slipped his pants on, avoiding the area of his lower stomach where his cum was drying quickly. He rushed to his dresser, pulling out a handkerchief and wiping himself down quickly, returning back to your body to clean your middle as well.

“You’ll probably need to shower,” Levi broke the silence as he pulled the rag away, his empty hand roaming the curve of your side.

“Probably,” you mumbled in bliss, enjoying his light touch. “I’ll get up in just a minute.”

“You could stay,” Levi offered awkwardly, halting his movements.

“It’s okay, I think I want to be alone,” you smiled, your brain foggy. “Also don’t need rumors to start up if anyone sees me leaving your room in the morning.”

Levi only hummed as you pulled your naked body to a full stand, reaching for your discarded clothes. You pulled your long sleeve over your head first, the edges brushing against the tops of your thighs, stepping into your panties and shorts quickly. The silence was almost overwhelming, neither of you sure of what exactly to say.

“Captain Levi,” you finally spoke, ready to depart. “Thank you.”

He grabbed your wrist, pulling your body to his with no real force, kissing you passionately. You kissed him back hungrily, and had you been more experienced, you would’ve felt the flicker of sparks deep within your stomach, a signal of unconscious feelings sprouting within you.

You pulled away from him, a smile playing at your lips as he spoke raspily, “You know where to go if you don’t want to be alone.”

You threaded your fingers through his open palm, bringing his knuckles to your lips as you placed a soft peck to the back of his hand, “I will, Captain. Goodnight.”

The heat of the sun beat harshly on your back, your body in a full ache as you dodged a punch from Eren. You went to lift your leg into a kick, a yelp leaving your lips at the feeling that you were going to rip in half, and quickly shifted your hips to plan a new attack. Thankfully, your fake out worked, seeing Eren prepare himself for your leg, not for your first to go flying into his gut.

With a loud groan of pain, Eren laid flat on his back in the dirt. Your chests heaved, sweat dripping down your skin, and you extended your palm to the younger boy. You had won this spar, and Eren huffed as he smacked his hand away playfully.

“I had you last time! I can’t believe I lost again!” he complained, eyebrows furrowed as he screwed his eyes shut in a fit.

You laughed then, crossing your arms over your chest, “You got lucky, Jaeger.”

Around the two of you, all the cadets were still in their own sparring matches. Even in your weary state, you had been the first match finished, and you feel a swell of pride. You were getting stronger, more fit to survive the harsh reality of this world.

“Cadets,” Captain Levi made himself known then, stepping forward from the row of squad leaders, unbeknownst to you and Eren he had been watching with a trained eye the entire fight.

“Captain!” you saluted, Eren lazily following along silently.

Levi’s eyes lingered over you for a minute, before shifting his attention to Eren before scoffing, “Pathetic, Jaeger. You need to work on your form.”

You tried desperately to hide a smirk, eyes lit up in amusement as Eren frowned deeply, sighing, trying not to lash out on your superior. Levi continued, “Cadet, good job.”

“Thank you, Captain,” you smiled brightly, now trying to conceal the oncoming heat of your blush flaming up your neck, licking the tips of your ears.

“However, never let your guard down after you think you’ve won.”

The sound of your skull cracking into the ground beneath you sent your vision in a dizzy frenzy. Levi hovered over you, and you could make out the lingering feeling of his boot hitting your stomach, causing you to lay flat on your back. The sun was high in the sky today, not a single cloud in view or whisk of wind felt.

“Ow,” you heaved, bringing yourself into a seated position, hunched over. “What was that for?”

“You can’t always predict what a titan’s next move is going to be,” Levi cooly explained, crouching down to meet your eye level. “This is how you fucked up, both times, with an abnormal. You have to pay attention. You can’t let yourself get caught up in a victory. Understood, brat?”

You nodded, feeling your ears grow hot as multiple sets of eyes watched on in curiosity, “Yes, sir.”

“I’ll see you in my office after dinner for your punishment,” his eyes twinkled, a hint of a smirk on the corner of his lips. “Cockiness is not befitting for a brat like you.”

You groaned, biting your tongue to hold back words you knew would come across as disrespectful. You didn’t see what you did to deserve a punishment, but you huffed as Levi strolled away, yelling at Eren about something. Probably about his smirk when he watched you fall on your ass.

Turns out your punishment was anything but, instead a much rougher fucking left your body nearly in shambles. This became a routine, instead of traveling outside to stare at the stars and lose yourself in your thoughts, Levi’s body became your comfort, your relief. He felt the same, pouring his loneliness into your willing body as he claimed you night after night, week after week.

He’d tell you sometimes in the afterglow of your orgasms that this was strengthening the squad, this was for the betterment of the scouts. Because what better way was there to build trust? You’d listen half heartedly, knowing this was all an excuse to rationalize why you continued seeking each other’s comfort.

Levi was soon fiercely protective of you, and you unconsciously him. This was reinforced after the 57th expedition failed horribly, the faces of your deceased squad members haunting your dreams every night. Levi would hold you as you sobbed through the nightmares. It hurt, so fucking much. Levi would whisper to you that you just had to keep moving forward. You would nod your head and listen. Your captain knew best, and you were finding it harder every passing day to pretend that he didn’t.

You didn’t try to make sense of your relationship, just letting it exist. Some days you’d push him away, others you’d pull the ravenette closer to your body. Caught between wanting to leave the man you’d realized you’d fallen in love with, or go into hiding away from the military with Levi and marry the son of a bitch. You liked to think he felt the same, his words few, but his acts spoke volumes of his feelings.

And when you laid limp on the battlefield, titan corpses steaming around you, your breaths shallow as your tired body began to prepare to shut down, you smiled. Everything all at once came flooding to you as you stared up at the sky, completely alone.

You blinked at the clouds, painted so pretty in pinks and oranges at the setting sun. You could hear your name being screamed somewhere in the distance, the voice vaguely familiar. You felt relief wash over you as the large open wound on your stomach gushed an unbelievable amount of blood. Full of shock, your adrenaline keeping your pain at bay, you thought humorously that you had no idea you had that much blood running through your body.

Raven hair and charcoal eyes entered your hazy vision, and you kept that smile on your face. Your fingers reached up, reaching Levi’s soaking cheek, not being able to tell if it was because of blood, or tears. You smoothed your thumb under his eye, and you were being lifted. You couldn’t hear his words, only the dullness of sound as the world continued to slow around you.

You stared at the clouds, completely at peace. You had conquered your biggest fear, growing close to another, just to lose them. Images of Levi flashes before your eyes, his stoic expression, his commanding leadership, his sensual caresses, his passionate kisses as he poured all of his feelings out for you. You loved him, you realized. You were so happy that you got to experience this in this lifetime.

The colors of the sky blurred together, and you could feel the wind whisk around you as Levi shot off on his odm gear. You were finally flying in the clouds.

LACHERI © 2021: all writing content belongs to LACHERI. I do not allow reposts or translations. this is my only account.