cronicadeunengano

[collectorcookie]

(Mhyk) More northern twin thoughts and i basically try to guess what happened to them when they were actual children

So, first of all, what we DO know about them:

They have two dolls that function as parent substitutes

They don't actually remember their childhood at all besides each other and the dolls

They love dressing up

They love giving and receiving gifts

They definitely have a vague idea of what human relationships LOOK like...but it's very weird? Like it's dry textbook knowledge, almost

They're from north and there, even in ancient times, since humans can't survive on their own, human groups usually rely on one wizard leader for survival

Their bodies stopped aging REALLY YOUNG

So, the fact that they are born at all means that they were born to humans. Unlike figaro, who probably immediately got worshipped as a god and had zero proper socialization, or oz, whose parents i will assume died during his birth, i think snow and white actually were taken care of and loved by their parents. At least really early on.

But i also think that snow and white never really knew their parents that much.

I think their parents locked them away. Not out of neglect, but out of love. I imagine being a human and relying on a wizard for survival and then giving birth to wizards is HORRIFYING. Especially considering how prideful northern wizards are, i can imagine that the village leader might have been killing any wizard born to consume for mana stones/strength and also to eliminate any potential competition. S&W's parents, not wanting their babies to die, probably had to hide them away.

And i think that's where their love for gifts and dressing up comes from. Maybe their parents felt guilty locking them away and would then shower them with gifts to keep them happy and to make up for the fact that they can't actually be there for their kids. And obviously one of those gifts would be the dolls.

And afaik this is the one time we get an explanation as to what these dolls could be. And it makes me think, why not both? They could have been given to you by your parents as a substitute.

But here's the thing tho...the dolls have the same eyes but a different hair color from S&W themselves...and this could be the dolls being faulty ooooor S&W themselves had changed.

And there's also the fact that something must have happened to them for their bodies to have been shocked into no longer aging (there's also the possibility of "ooooh what if they're just genius magic child prodigies that unlocked their full potential really young" i am ignoring that) and maybe they ended up fighting that village's leader anyways? Ok so here is what i am envisioning

S&W locked in a room -> parents out doing whatever -> S&W sneak out to leave because they don't wanna burden their parents any longer -> leader finds them by feeling magic presence around -> leader kills parents first for betrayal and then goes for S&W -> they defeat him because 2 vs 1 but also they ended up maxing out their magic potential because this is a life or death situation

And then maybe, after consuming the mana stone of the leader they defeated, their hair turned from blonde to black (because consumption of mana stones you are not ready for might take over parts of you, including changes to physical features) That's the only explanation i can think of for the hair color difference between them and the dolls who supposedly represent their parents.

And maybe the reason why it was so easy for them to forget their family because they have not actually seen them that much in the first place.

[askinkiskarma]

ᴋɪɴᴋᴛᴏʙᴇʀ ᴅᴀʏ xxɪɪɪ - ʙɪᴛɪɴɢ

pairing: stepbrother!neteyam x omatikaya!reader

➽ words: 1.3k words

➽ a/n: i am unbelievably hot and bothered in an airport, so you better like this besties :((

➽ warnings: it goes without saying, but all of these works (kinktober-related) are smut and therefore minors should NOT interact with them. other warnings include: stepcest(!!!), degradation, mention of spitting in mouth, blood, kinda mean!neteyam

➽ taglist (x) ➽ kinktober masterlist (x)

“You’re in trouble now, little sis.” It was soft and deadly, like the freshly sharpened blade of a knife - his whispered voice, so close to your ear, his hot breath fanning over your face like the breeze of the bright night. It was just as beautiful as it’s always been, but the edge in it scared you almost as much as it turned you on. Your step-brother was always poised, always put-together, always calm. It didn’t feel this way right now, his nose flared and fingers clenched in a tight fist as he was trying his best to maintain the facade, while he turned away from you in order to face the warriors you were casually flirting with at the village celebration, a sweet, too-sweet smile adorning his otherwise threatening features.

“If you’ll excuse us, my sister and I have some… family issues to discuss.”

“Teyam, I—“ his glare was enough for you to stop whatever half-assed apology was about to come out of your mouth. Truthfully, you had no intention of following through with any of the men you managed to seduce in the few hours you did the rounds at the party. No, there was no one that could hold even a pinky to the man you actually wanted, but you knew it wouldn’t happen without a little, well… machiavellian planning on your part. Neteyam and your relationship teetered on a fine line, an unsteady rope that would cause an unsightly fall at the gentlest gust of the wind. There were touches, intimate and moan-inducing, lingering stares that made you question your own sanity and dreams, so many of them, so many that you could never repeat out loud, that you could never even think about without blushing violently, without your loincloth dampening and nipples hardening. You could barely look him in the eye for days when they first started, but then... then you realised he felt the same when you caught him one night, vigorously pumping his throbbing, hard, thick cock, spilling whimpering moans and broken cries of your name. He came violently, moaning praises and hymns of what he'd do to you, and fuck, you knew then you wouldn't rest until every inch of your body memorised his touch by heart and his cock was buried in you so deep and often you couldn't remember what your womb felt like without it.

But time came and time passed and nothing ever happened. He was too good, too in-control of his own emotions and troubling feelings, too focused on the image he tried to hard to reflect to others to succumb to such horrible, nefarious actions. Until now, that is. You smirked a little, unable to help yourself, not when you got him exactly where you wanted him, not when it was stirring animalistic desires in you you knew he'd manage to fulfil.

“My little step-sister's such a little slut, isn't she? You obviously need to be reminded who you belong to.” 

You yelped silently as Neteyam yanked your hand and pushed you away from the crowd, manhandling your much smaller frame with ease as he dragged you to a dark, isolated corner of the village, before pushing you roughly until your back made contact with the hard, gravelly surface of a tree.

It was heaven, breakable, forbidden heaven, the way he pushed apart your legs with his thick, lustrous thigh and gave you some much-needed alleviation. It was hell, the way he didn't move or go any further, wrapping his fingers around your slim throat and squeezing until whatever little breath he didn't manage to already take away was trapped in you, just like you were trapped in him.

"What do you have to say for yourself, huh? Throwing yourself at anyone with a pulse, like a whore. You're a Sully now, that fucking means something, do you hear me?"

You could hear him, but you couldn't answer, not when he was still holding you by the throat, restricting your movement and your ability to speak, not when your head felt lightheaded and your tewng wetter with every second passed.

"Are you so desperate to get fucked, little sis? This needy little cunt so desperate you'd settle for any low-life, huh?"

He released you then and you moaned, bucking your hips so you'd get the friction you desperately wanted, almost euphoric when he seemed to listen and he undid your loincloth expertly, uncovering your dripping folds. He wasted no time stroking his fingers against you, circling your clit with his thumb while pushing two long digits in your sopping entrance, finding the spot that made you see stars instantly, incessant in his attempt to bring you to your knees in the shortest amount of time possible.

"But it's not just any of them you want, mm? No... not when you whisper my name in the dead of night when you think we're all asleep. Not when you touch yourself while calling for your big brother to come and show you how you need to be treated."

He didn't stop until you came, loudly screaming his name, hoping no one could hear the way you were coming apart on your big brother's fingers.

When the high settled, he took off his own clothes, lifting you in the air by the back of your knees, holding you easily up while he dragged his tip teasingly against your folds, over and over, enjoying seeing you squirm from both overstimulation and need.

"You're mine. Do you hear me?"

He thrust his whole length into you in a one fell swoop, easy at it's ever going to be with the amount of slick running down your legs and down his heavy balls, yearning to spill their load in your tight pussy. You felt him everywhere - so fucking big, so full of him you could feel it in your belly, in the way he was pushing the skin there upwards, a bump clearly visible as he entered you to the hilt.

"Y-yes! Fuck, yes!"

You sobbed when he buried his head in your neck and sunk his sharp, deadly canines into the sensitive skin, the piercing pain heightening the pleasure of his ministrations, the way he was bouncing you on his cock like you were a weightless doll, using you as his own personal cock-sleeve.

"Fucking. Say. It."

He increased the force of his thrusts with each word uttered, highlighting their importance and the feral ways by which your presence in his life possessed him, it made him an unleashed animal who needed to own you, to rut into you until every ridge of his cock was imprinted in your walls. You tried to speak in between each impetuous onslaught, the pleasure so earth-shattering all you managed were stutters and whimpered attempts.

"Yours! All yours! On-only yours!"

Lapping at your neck until every drop of your blood was coating his tongue, he kissed you, rough and untamed, moaning when your tongue pushed past his lips and danced with his own, loving the feel of you on him, impatient to taste your own cum when he'd spit it in your mouth.

"That's right. Mine." he was so big, splitting you open with every bruise against your cervix, and you could feel another wave of pleasure close to crashing into you with enough force to crumble you. So close... oh, so close.

"Squeezing me so well, fuck. So fucking needy for big brother's cock, you want to milk me dry, isn't that right?"

You nod wildly against his lips, and he smirks as he breaks the kiss to look at you, to take in all your fierce, ethereal beauty.

"Come for me, then. Come for me and take it, sis. Don't you dare waste a single drop."

taglist: @pandoraslxna @sulieykte @blue-slxt @eywaeveng @neteyamsikran @elenamoncada-ibarra @spicymayyo @itsjazzsworld @daddysmurfslefttoenail @eyrina-avatar @iameatingmyhair @hadesbabygurl@linydoll @the-mourning-moon@kasai-https @dvxsja (if your tag doesn't work pls check your settings x)

[netesecretlover]

HEYHEYHEYYY SAW UR REQ POST AND THIUGHT ABOUT ASKING !!!

SOOO I WAS THINKING ABOUT SOME LOAK X HUMAN!FEM READER DRABBLE !! Just a random idea but I'd love to see some cute fluffy fuc about loak taking a liking to reader and has spent some time with her, and eventually his feelings grew but he doenst know how to confess without being a fumbling mess so he does that one scene from Love, Actually with the cards and all that with a hint of reader accepting it and saying right after "I kinda always knew" and Lo'ak js passes out HAHAHAHHA

You can do whatever you want and add some of your ideas too! XOXO

★ Starry Sky

Lo'ak Sully x humain!fem!reader

丨Words: 3k

丨Summary: Growing up on Pandora with the Sully family, you share a routine of daily adventures. Lo'ak, secretly in love with you, struggles to express his feelings. Encouraged by his family, Lo'ak decides to finally confess his love under Pandora's stars. The outcome remains uncertain, but the enchanting atmosphere sets the stage for a heartfelt revelation.

丨Warning : pure fluff, some Arabic love quotes (only two), Lo'ak is so whipped for reader, first fic <3 Not proof read too

丨Notes : Anonym request ! I hope you'll like it, I started writing and I couldn't stop haha. I'm sorry if it wasn't what you asked for.

!!ENGLISH IS NOT MY FIRST LANGUAGE!!

After the Sky People were sent back to Earth, some humans were allowed to stay on Pandora alongside the Na'vi. Among them were your parents, two scientists who had always advocated for the Na'vi alongside Grace, Norm, and Jake. A few years later, you were born. Thanks to the connections your parents had with Neytiri and Jake, you spent your youth alongside the Sully family. You had established a small routine at a very young age. In the morning, you would wake up and have a quick breakfast with your parents. Then, grabbing your little pouch and bidding your parents farewell, you would hurry to join your friends. Every day on Pandora was an adventure for you.

Walking on the cool forest floor toward the village, upon arrival, everyone was already up. Some Na'vi went foraging, while others went hunting. Children sat around an elder of the village, listening to a story. You smiled gently and made your way up to the Sully family house.

As you approached the entrance, suddenly, Tuk appeared, running. She screamed with joy before Neteyam caught her and tossed her into the air. You chuckled slightly, catching Neteyam's attention.

"Oh, hey Y/N," Neteyam said with a smile. He held Tuk in his arms, and she also greeted you with a big smile. "Lo'ak! Your sweetheart Y/N is here!" Neteyam called to his brother.

Your face turned a shade of violet, and Neteyam burst into laughter. Sounds could be heard from inside the house—footsteps—and finally, Lo'ak emerged.

"Hi Y/N…" Lo'ak said with a shy smile. "I didn't know you were coming to the house today, not that I don't want to see you! I like seeing you; you're pretty, I mean, not that you weren't before! Yes—" Lo'ak stammered and spoke very quickly; you didn't quite catch the end.

"Kiri invited me to gather pearls together." You replied, smiling.

At that moment, time seemed to slow down for Lo'ak, his eyes lingering on every detail of your face. He seemed captivated, as if simply hearing your voice or seeing you smile brought him indescribable joy.

"Pearls, huh?" he repeated, searching for his words. "That's great. I mean, you'll surely look beautiful with pearl bracelets. Well, you already are, you know… beautiful, I mean."

A slight blush tinted Lo'ak's cheeks as he tried to compose himself, continuing to smile mischievously. His words seemed to jumble in his head, perhaps reflecting the confusion of his feelings.

You chuckled at the scene. He was cute, you thought. Neteyam and Tuk had stepped back a bit to give you some space. Neteyam sighed, looking at his younger brother; he had a long way to go, he thought.

At the same time, Kiri came out of the house with a handcrafted pouch around her waist. You gave one last smile to Lo'ak and greeted everyone before heading, with Kiri, towards the village's exit.

"Pearls, huh? That's great. I mean, you'll surely look beautiful with pearl bracelets. Well, you already are, you know… beautiful," Neteyam said, mockingly mimicking his brother. "You could have at least told her to be careful in the forest; you really have things to learn."

Lo'ak remained there, watching you walk away with Kiri, his persistent smile and dreamy gaze. Neteyam shook his head, looking at his brother with a mischievous smile.

"You are truly hopeless, Lo'ak. You look like a hopelessly in love teenager every time she's around," teased Neteyam.

Lo'ak rolled his eyes but couldn't help but laugh slightly. "Oh, leave me alone, Neteyam. You don't understand."

Neteyam raised an eyebrow, teasing. "Really? And what don't I understand?"

Lo'ak hesitated for a moment, then opened up. "It's just… it's been a long time, you know. Since we were kids. I can't quite remember exactly when it happened, but there's something about her that has always… captured my heart. Since our childhood, Neteyam."

His older brother looked at him with a knowing smile.

Lo'ak's smile softened. "Everything about her appeals to me. The fact that she's smaller than me makes me want to protect her, even though she can defend herself without me. She's so good with the clan's little ones, teaching them English and games from her world. There isn't a memory where she isn't present. It's like she's always been there, an integral part of my life. And today, seeing her, I realize that it hasn't changed. My heart still beats faster when she's around. It's… it's more than just an attraction, Neteyam. I think I'm really in love with her."

Neteyam looked at his brother with sudden understanding, his teasing demeanor giving way to genuine respect. "Well, little brother, maybe it's time to tell her. You'll never know if she feels the same unless you try."

Lo'ak sighed, knowing that Neteyam was right. "Maybe, but it's scary,

you know? What if she doesn't feel the same? She's human, and I'm… I'm just me." Lo'ak looked at his hands. "I'm nothing special; she'd probably prefer to be with another human, even if there aren't really any her age, or someone skilled in something."

His brother placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Lo'ak, don't talk about yourself like that. You know, she has admired you since she was little. The biggest regret you could have is never trying. Life is too short not to pursue what you really want. And who knows, maybe the love you've felt for so long is reciprocated. Have you ever noticed how she looks at you when you're not paying attention? It's like she's waiting for you to make the first move."

Lo'ak watched you disappear into the forest, a mix of apprehension and determination in his gaze. Perhaps it was time to let his heart speak, to share his feelings with the one who had held a special place in his life for so long.

The golden rays of the sun filtered through the dense canopy of Pandora's forest, creating a mosaic of light and shadow dancing on the emerald-covered ground. Towering trees with twisted trunks and bioluminescent leaves stood majestically above the two friends, creating a mystical and enchanting atmosphere.

The gentle murmur of the breeze blended with the songs of exotic birds, forming a natural symphony that seemed to envelop each of your steps and those of Kiri. Vibrantly colored flowers blossomed along the path, attracting butterflies with shimmering wings. The endless shades of green in the vegetation ranged from the soft foliage of plants to the darker tones of lush shrubs.

As you walked, Kiri broke the silence with a teasing question. "So, Y/N, how's it going with Lo'ak?"

You smiled, reminiscing about Lo'ak's earlier awkward moments. "Oh, you know, the usual stammering and slightly awkward compliments. Nothing new."

Kiri joyfully chuckled. "He's so cute when he tries, isn't he? But seriously, between you and him, how is it really going?"

You pretended to ponder, picking up a few pearls along the way. "Well, we've been friends forever. But recently, it's different. Well, maybe it's me starting to notice something different in him…"

Kiri arched an eyebrow, smiling mischievously. "Different? Like what, for example?"

You blushed slightly. "I notice his awkward side, which I don't mind. He may seem immature, but when things get serious, he can be serious. He cares about the people around him, even if sometimes he acts on his own… but I don't mind that."

Kiri, instead of directly confirming Lo'ak's feelings, teased you with a mischievous smile. "Ah, love is in the air. It feels like the beginning of a grand adventure. What do you plan to do now?"

You shrugged, not quite sure what to say.

"Wait for him to make the first move, if he likes me, of course. But there are so many talented girls in the clan. Ti'avin, one of the best singers, and her sister who seems to float when she dances. I'm just human; I could never be skilled enough… I have this feeling that he likes me. Sometimes his lingering glances, how he hugs me when he's happy, and when he blushes. I really feel like he likes me, but I'm not sure."

Kiri, sensing the note of doubt in your words, shook her head firmly. "Well, listen to me, Y/N. You're amazing in your own way. Beauty isn't just in singing or dancing. It's in the way you walk through this forest, the way you smile when Lo'ak awkwardly compliments you. You are unique, and no one else can do it like you."

She gave you a friendly shoulder bump. "And don't underestimate Lo'ak. You don't need to compete with anyone. Just be yourself."

You looked at your best friend, your gaze reflecting gratitude. "You always have a way of lifting my spirits, Kiri. Thank you."

Kiri smiled. "That's what friends are supposed to do, right? Now, forget the doubts and let's quickly gather the pearls."

She pointed to a spot where a sparkling waterfall merged into a natural pool, creating an enchanting tableau. "And how about picking some of those flowers? They'll add a special touch to our pearl bracelets."

You smiled, grateful for Kiri's reassuring presence. You continued your walk through the forest, pushing away dark thoughts and letting yourself be carried away by the magical beauty surrounding you.

During the week, Lo'ak seemed to be elusive. Whenever you approached him, he found an excuse and fled. Initially, you thought he was probably busy, but after five consistent days of lies, you began to be hurt by his actions. Several times, Kiri caught your gaze, which was devoid of any joy.

Had you done something wrong?

That was the question you had posed to your best friend. You could see the disappointment in her eyes. She reassured you throughout the evening until mealtime.

During dinner, the Sully family noticed Lo'ak's absence. He was there, but his gaze was lost. He hadn't even touched his food, which worried Neytiri. Kiri stared fixedly at her brother. At the end of dinner, before he could come up with an excuse to escape once again, she took her brother by the arm and led him in front of the house. She made him sit on the edge, feet dangling.

"Lo'ak, what's wrong? You look troubled," she asked with concern.

Lo'ak sighed, feeling a bit overwhelmed. "It's Y/N. I wanted to confess my feelings to her, but every time I try, I lose my words, or worse, I feel paralyzed. So, I run away like a fool. And I can see that it hurts her, but I don't know how to go about it."

Kiri looked at him with understanding. "You know, Lo'ak, Y/N might have already noticed your feelings. She is very attentive, you know."

Lo'ak lowered his eyes, a mix of sadness and frustration on his face. "I've tried, you know. I wanted to court her seriously and give her gifts every day, in the Na'vi way, but I don't know if that's what she prefers. I feel like I'm acting like a child, and I don't know how to tell her what I really feel."

Kiri gently placed her hand on her brother's shoulder. "Lo'ak, you are sincere, that's what matters. And maybe you can ask our old father for advice."

Lo'ak nodded, appreciating his sister's advice.

Kiri left, smiling at Lo'ak, giving him some space to think. As calm returned, Jake approached and sat next to his son.

"Is everything okay?" asked Jake, noticing Lo'ak's troubled expression.

Lo'ak sighed. "It's Y/N, father. I wanted to confess my feelings to her, but every time I try, I lose my words, or I feel paralyzed. I don't want to hurt her, but I don't know how to go about it."

Jake placed a reassuring hand on Lo'ak's shoulder. "Feelings are complicated, Lo'ak. But there's something I remember from a movie I saw back on Earth, before coming here. It was a movie called 'Love Actually.' There was a scene where a boy confesses his feelings to a girl with cards. Since you can't seem to speak, maybe that could work."

Lo'ak looked up, intrigued. "Cards?"

"Yes, cards. He wrote his feelings on cards, one by one. It was a sincere declaration of love, and it was beautiful because it was honest and authentic. Maybe you could try something similar, express what you feel through carefully chosen words."

Lo'ak pondered the idea, wondering if this approach could be the key to overcoming his difficulties in expressing himself. "It might work. Thank you, father. I'll think about it."

Jake gave him an encouraging smile. "Don't forget, Lo'ak, love doesn't follow a script. Be yourself, and it will all happen as it should."

Lo'ak nodded, grateful for his father's advice.

Night fell gently on Pandora, painting the sky with shades of orange and purple. You stood at the edge of a cliff, contemplating the celestial spectacle unfolding before you. The stars shone with brilliant intensity, creating a magical tableau in the darkness.

As you lost yourself in the stars, a slight noise behind you made you turn around. It was Lo'ak, holding large cards in his hands. He seemed awkward, but his eyes sparkled with a determined light.

"Lo'ak?" you said, surprised to see him here.

Lo'ak stammered for a moment before taking a deep breath. "Y/N, there's something I've wanted to tell you for a long time. I… I don't always manage to find the words, so I thought maybe, cards could help me."

He carefully unfolded the first card, hand-written words displayed. "You are like the stars, Y/N, lighting up my life with your presence. Every time I see the starry sky, I think of you."

You read the words, Lo'ak's emotions expressed through each line. You looked up at him, and he continued, a bit more confident.

"When you're around, the world seems to slow down." You read before he changed the card. "Your smiles brighten my days, and your presence fills me with joy." Your cheeks began to warm.

"You are the most beautiful fate."

"You are the love of my soul."

These were such romantic phrases. Your heart was racing.

"I know I'm clumsy with words, but I want to tell you that…" Lo'ak lowered the card, looking at you with an intensity that reflected his deep love. "I see you with my heart, not my eyes. Oel Ngati Kameie."

You were moved by the sincerity of his words, remaining speechless for a moment.

"Lo'ak…" you finally whispered, a radiant smile lighting up your face. "It's beautiful."

Lo'ak offered you a shy but joyful smile. "I was afraid you wouldn't understand, that my words wouldn't live up to what I truly feel."

You approached him and gently took his hands. "Lo'ak, your words are perfect. And you… you are perfect."

Lo'ak stepped towards you, letting the cards fall from his hands, and embraced you. Your face was buried in his chest, and he held you a little tighter, the warmth of his embrace enveloping you.

The stars shone above you, silent witnesses to this magical moment. Then, without a word, Lo'ak wrapped his arms around your waist to lift you slightly. Your head was now at his level. His freckles glistened, and without saying a word, he captured your lips in a sweet and passionate kiss.

As you separated, you rested your head against Lo'ak's shoulder.

After a few moments in silence, you sat together on the edge of the cliff, your hands still entwined, and looked up at the starry sky.

"You know, Lo'ak, I had a feeling," you admitted softly, a teasing smile on your lips.

Lo'ak looked at you, surprised. "Really?"

You nodded. "Yes, but I wanted you to make the first move. And I'm so happy that you did."

You stayed there, marveling at the beauty of the night sky, sharing laughter, knowing glances, and silent promises for the future.

Your differences were just an insignificant detail in the infinite brilliance of the stars, a symbol of love that had finally found its way.

[nobully]

❛   hand !

𝐋𝐎𝐔𝐃  &  𝐃𝐄𝐀𝐅𝐄𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐒𝐈𝐋𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄 | hand .   hold  out  a  hand  for  my  muse  to  take .

"The views up here are incredible!"

' Mhm. Hard to imagine we're still in the same world as the city. Do you want to take pictures? '

"Oh, that's not a bad idea!" Zhilan clapped his hands and smiled at Wang Yi. "Where should we take it? Maybe just around here?"

' Well, the locals were raving about the orchid fields, right? ' Wang Yi gestured to the colorful spread somewhat below them on the cable car platform. ' I think that'd be a nice spot. '

***

Once again, Wang Yi was taking a trip to the City of Glass—a much calmer version than the one he tried with Ryuujin, since this time his feet stayed on solid ground the entire time. Zhilan came because he was interested in the plants, while Wang Yi just wanted to visit places he'd missed last time.

Orchid's Peak framed the ridge of Mt. Key volcano and the flowers were still blooming, so going there with their resident little orchid was a no-brainer. The way to get there was only accessible on foot, but despite Wang Yi's reservations, Zhilan picked out a path with ease.

"Liyue has a lot of mountains," Zhilan was saying. "especially where I lived as a child, in Qingce Village! The qingxin—they're these clusters of white flowers—only grow on the mountaintops, so you have to climb if you want to see them up close."

Wang Yi nodded along, content to follow his pace as always. ' That sounds dangerous. '

"It's really not so hard if you know where to step. Oh—watch out!" Zhilan quickly held out a helping hand as Wang Yi half-slipped on a loose rock. The latter took it gratefully, marveling at how steady Zhilan was walking despite his robes and large sleeves.

' Thanks. '

"You're welcome!"

***

After they actually reached the flowers, it was time to figure out how to set up the shot. In the end, it was agreed that they'd use their cameras and take pictures of each other before trading the photos. Zhilan had Wang Yi go first before they switched, and then the duo put their heads together to review the different snapshots.

Despite being a new hand to Spirale technology, Zhilan's shots are well framed, giving the viewer a sense of perspective. There's a shot of Wang Yi against the orchids with a bright blue sky behind him and the jagged ridge of the volcano in the background; closer shots that's just him with flowers, wind ruffling through his hair just so, and a joke one that catches him posing mid-air as he pretends to fly. In comparison, Wang Yi's shots are more...

' They're kinda zoomed in, huh. ' Wang Yi pauses to peer at them. There's Zhilan bending over to smell the flowers, a small smile on his lips as light reflects off a corner of his glasses. Zhilan sitting comfortably in a clearing surrounded by wild orchids, represented by colorful, out-of-focus blurs around him. A closeup of Zhilan's face looking excited as he turns around to point something out to Wang Yi. ' Oops, looks like I was taking them on portrait mode instead. '

"That's okay," Zhilan began, but Wang Yi just tugs him back to the flowers to pose again as he takes a second round of pictures that show off the blooms as much as their model.

' I'll send you the new shots, ' he says simply when he's done. ' How about taking a last one together? '

Zhilan swallows whatever he was about to ask to beam at him. "Right, we definitely should!"

With nobody around to help, their shoulders take turns bumping into each other as they shoot their respective selfies. Wang Yi almost knocks Zhilan's glasses askew once and laughs good-naturedly when it's his friend who apologizes instead. When they end up forwarding their best pictures into the group chat, he has fun poking at Nicolette who complains about not being there with them. Honestly, it just means they have to come again sometime.

It's a happy end to a beautiful day.

***

Later that night, Wang Yi lounges on the carpet while browsing his camera roll. Of course he lingers on the portrait shots of Zhilan most—serendipitously captured, refreshing and natural. It's amazing to think that humans can just look like that without a second thought.

' Hmm...his expressions are cute. '

Haha, I'm almost tempted to copy them.

But that's not very nice and kind of borderline creepy, so Wang Yi does the sensible thing and selects his favorite shots from the screen.

And then he presses Delete.

[sukunarii]

shinsen; plaque

Pairing: Sukuna x Vessel! Reader (kinda platonic)

Theme: Plaque (ft. Sonnet 18)

Synopsis: Yuuji was not Sukuna’s first vessel. There was a girl 500 years prior who was Sukuna’s first vessel.

A/N: I’ve been meaning to write another poem fic for a while and this word seems to fit with this sonnet. Also requests might take a while, I’ve been having writer’s block lately >_>

Part 2

Should I compare you to a summer's day?

(Name) was like summer. While Sukuna was winter. The two of them were the polar opposite but ironically, (Name) was Sukuna's vessel. They were the moon and the sun, the ying and the yang. And somehow the warmth that (Name) carried balanced out the coldness of Sukuna's heart.

There were days that they argued.

"You pathetic brat, you're losing to an opponent so much weaker than you," Sukuna mocks the girl who just got kicked down by a curse. However, his words didn't bother her, she got up again.

"Shut up and watch Sukuna, I'm not gonna fucking lose!", the girl shouts back.

After a lot of struggles, she did eventually manage to win and proved Sukuna wrong.

There were also days that they got along.

"Sukuna, what do you think of my new dress?", she asked the curse for his opinion while standing in front of the mirror. An eye and a mouth appeared on (Name)'s cheek, and it eyed the girl's reflection.

"Can we not wear a dress?", Sukuna said annoyed.

"Why not? It looks great. Not like I'm going to let you switch with me," (Name) says gullibly.

Sukuna sighed. This girl...."Don't call me for something like this next time," he said and disappeared.

(Name) laughed, she seems to find Sukuna's grumpiness amusing. And Sukuna also noticed that ever since then, she stopped wearing dresses as often.

There days that they worked together.

"Sukuna, Sukuna, Sukuna, please tell me you know where we are," she whispered to him.

Sukuna sighed again. What an annoying brat...getting lost in a forest and doesn't know how to get back to the village.

"Asking me for help, how desperate have you gotten?", Sukuna mocks her.

However, he didn't expect (Name) to cave in, "Yes, please I'm begging you."

Sukuna grins, "Then what will I get in return?"

"Umm....we won't have to sleep outside for tonight if I can get back, that's a win for both of us," (Name) tries to argue with him.

"I refuse," Sukuna says coldly and disappears from her cheek again.

"Wait, no Sukuna! Don't go!", (Name) tries to call him back but falling to deaf ears. And as if to make matters worst, it started raining. (Name) bends down beside a tree and hugs her knees closely to her chest. She was shivering from the cold.

"No matter how you look at this, you're an annoying brat," Sukuna sighs. It's been three hours since then and (Name) has passed out from the cold allowing Sukuna to take control of the body. Despite Sukuna's initial refusal, he did eventually take (Name) back to the village, saving her from dying of hypothermia.

They were polar opposites. 

But (Name) being Sukuna's vessel, they learned to coexist. And even learned to appreciate each other to some extent after all, Sukuna got to see life through (Name)'s eyes. He watched her struggle. He watched her get stronger everyday, never giving up despite fighting powerful curses, despite being ostracized by her village for being Sukuna’s vessel. She still tried her best to get along with him even if he is the root of her troubles. 

And Sukuna has to give it to her, she was a lovely girl. She was like summer, warm with kindness, patient like the long summer days, sweet like the flowers that blooms, cheerful like the clear sunny summer skies. Perhaps even lovelier.

Overtime, (Name) has earned the respect of the King of Curses. He did not view her as an equal, but  she was one of the few people that he was willing to acknowledge.

But summer will eventually come to an end.

(Name) was not able to suppress Sukuna's powers. It was too much for her body to bear and she turned into an urban legend of the girl who was once Sukuna's vessel.

Gojo showed Yuuji a plaque that was displayed in the hallway of Jujutsu Tech. He pats Yuuji's back nonchalantly and says, "(Name) (Lastname), legend says she was Sukuna's vessel 500 years ago. Nothing much else is known other than she wasn't able to contain his powers and died. Do you think that'll happen to you?"

Yuuji shook his head with too much confidence, 'simpleminded', Sukuna thought.

"I think I can take it," Yuuji replies bluntly.

Gojo laughs, "Good then."

From inside Sukuna's innate domain, he observes the plaque. It was simple.

Just (Name)'s name, a date and a small line in bracket that indicates that she used to be Sukuna's vessel.

"Is this really what's left of you, brat?", Sukuna thinks to himself.

Bonus:

Sukuna was uncharastically cheerful as he sat on Yuuji's back inside his innate domain.

"I'll fix your heart if you accept my terms," Sukuna proposes.

"Look at you, talking all big but you wanna live to, huh?", Yuuji retorts back to the curse, not fearing him at all.

Sukuna ignored Yuuji and continued.

"My conditions are, one: you agree to let me take over your body for a minute when I say 'enchain'. Two, you will forget about this agreement," Sukuna pauses. Yuuji thought Sukuna was done, however he adds a third condition, "And three, there is something I want to add on (Name)’s plaque."

As long as people can see and read, I'll keep the memories of you alive eternally with these lines.

[spicyicymeloncat]

Rewriting Ninjago s11 part 3

Ice chapter episodes 16-23

Okay first of all I think I’m retconning the whole over hype of the never realm being the worst realm ever because like in actuality, there’s still the realm of dragons and Oni, and like the realm of the departed. Sorry a few icicles don’t hold a candle to the realms of devils and eldritch horrors respectively. Instead Wu tells us that his father said it was horrible, yes but mostly lonely, hoping that Wu would never have to go there. Instead of being just horrible, we’ll place a little more emphasis on the sadness, the point of no return (I mean ig this still works as canon, I just wanna emphasise it).

16 The never realm

The ninja enter the same as the show, Cole losing the tea leaves and the bounty falling. Apart the bounty falls into a large body of water and sinks. Before that water immediately freezes over. Huh. An important thing to note is that when they find the frozen village, the corrupted ice is strange. It actually works kinda like the mirror in the explorer’s club, showing someone their fears or at least a terrible vision. As well as this, it’s still corrupting and spreading, nearly freezing one of the ninja’s hands off when they tried to touch it. The ice doesn’t seem to affect Lloyd as much though, due to his dragon/Oni heritage. The ice continues to spread outwards as if it came from a source within the trees and it turns out the ice wolves prowl around the outskirts, notably not nearing the edge of the ice. Wolves they can outrun, untouchable ice floor they cannot. So they flee until they find the tribe of Ice fishers, a lonesome yet lively village of fishers who make do and scrape by with what they’ve got. They meet Sorla who showed them to the hearth fire which she explained was the source of life and joy in the village. She explains that the ice of the never realm reflect many things, the dark fears within people’s hearts, the loneliness that lingers in the snow, but that with a little hope, the hearth fire can answer much needed questions. They use the fire to find Zane, but they only see the Castle of Ice, filled with ice samurai. The same scene plays out but I’d like to note that I want to change Vex’s design, because I have a different idea for how that character concept should be used. Idk what I’d change it to, maybe remove his icicle moustache lol (Ik it’s iconic but it wouldn’t make sense later, we can give it to someone else I promise). Meanwhile, Vex, spying, tells the ice emperor that strangers have arrived. Vex starts to say “maybe-” before the I.E waves his hand, and with hesitation, Vex turns around and orders the ice samurai to March. We get a shot of the ice emperor’s face and end episode. So yeah sorry vex enjoyers (if there are any), but I’m uprooting and yeeting the canon vex out of the show lol.

17 Fire maker

This episode Kai learns how to play support. It starts off the same but when Kai asks about lighting a new hearth fire, the people tell him that no other fire could be lit, it was lit by a strange man a long time ago (it’s the fsm but the theorists can figure this one out) and that this fire is their only hope. When Kai tells Sorla about how he wishes he could’ve used his elemental fire to make more fire, she says “it’s not about burning bright, but saving firewood for when it matters”. Kai doesn’t understand but oh well. They have to defend from the ice samurai, nothing new, the ice samurai snuff the fire. Everyone is sad, because that fire was their only hope. perhaps the corrupted ice starts to creep in and Kai sees he’s reflection, a sad lonely Kai, who failed to protect everyone. Then Kai gets up and points out how they’ve always been cheerful before, that they’ve braved the harshest winter without falter and that their hope was in each other. And he’s not gonna let some ice tell him he has to feel sad or scared with out his powers, because it only limits him. Even if he has to try everyday in every how, he’ll light that fire. Everyone gets inspired, because they’re in it together and even if it’s hard they’re gonna hope and try, so they all get fire wood, and then Kai tries, fully tries. And the wood starts to spark. Even if it’s a small spark it catches, and they have fire, and Kai is named fire maker. And fire means hope, which Kai made for them and himself. (I just thought this ep could’ve been more emotional and less “your elemental powers are still there lol”)

18 An unlikely ally

It starts the same with Nya and Jay moving snow, however Cole is kinda distant/distracted but he does start to run on about how Nya could have just used her powers, Nya throws the snow ball. Would like to point out that Jay tries to ease the tension (I’m gonna do something with him I swear). Then they go over to Kai who’s living the good life and Nya gets more upset. Sorla tells her that’s she’s more than just her elemental powers, that as a person, she’s enough, no one is asking her to be the water AND ice elemental. Nya responds by saying “but the ice elemental isn’t here”. Then Lloyd shows up and firstly tries to comfort her “you’re not useless!” And secondly he tells her that he’s going to launch a sneak attack on the Ice Emperor. As the only one immune to the corrupted ice which has frozen over a sea surrounding the ice castle (Note: yes in this rewrite, Zane is on an island in the middle of an albeit frozen ocean, as a homage to his father’s lighthouse >:) ), he’s the most logical choice. (Nya tells Lloyd that he sounds like Zane and that he should be careful not to end up like him. Lloyd “what? Being saved by the bravest ninja doesn’t sound too bad an ending does it?”. Later that day he leaves. The journey happens the same, although there is no Vex and the prisoner scene (there’s no prisoner in this rewrite). Red the wolf saves Lloyd from the ice wolves and we’re not doing the samurai in mala-wojira, instead we are just merging those scenes for time (so Lloyd shouts wojira at the wolves who then get buried before proofing into nothing), because instead, the second fight of the episode is between Lloyd and the reflection he sees in the ice, Garmadon, who taunts him being alone, thinking he could make it without his friends, and it starts to get to him before Red says stfu and bites IceReflection!Garms. Lloyd then realises he does have a friend and they continue on their merry way until they see the Titan Mech.

19 The absolute Worst

…is the absolute best episode I’m not changing anything

20 The message(//secret of the wolf)

So I’m merging these two episodes together, and switching the ep order around so the last of the formlings happens before the travellers tree and Krag’s lament and secret of the wolf does not exist. It’s basically the message but instead of the bird, its the ice dragon, Lloyd finds the message and akita is revealed. Idk how exactly it fits together, all ik is that the bird and the ice behemoth fights are so freaking unnecessary. I’m aware squeezing two eps in one might frick with the pacing but would you rather watch Lloyd get eaten by a bird or watch Zane angst? Also lloyd takes Zane’s recording with him, idk he puts the hard drive into his hand held device. Which I’ve decided, had a strap. Which the ice dragon snags, trying to drag Lloyd in the air before Lloyd let’s go. Now the Zane recording is in a hand held device on a strap wrapped around the ice dragon as it flies away.

21 The last of the formlings (formally the travellers tree)

So Akita explains her tragic backstory tm.

She says that the never realm has always been harsh, coated in ice that only reflects despair, but the formlings have a secret grove, beautiful and peaceful. She explains that she and Kataru were to get their animal forms. Akita was worried she wouldn’t achieve hers whilst Kataru confidently proclaimed his predictions. Vex does not storm the ceremony, everything is as planned. The problem is, after the ceremony, Akita fails to reunite with her brother, and spends days looking for him, calling his name and finding no response until one night, when that response found her. The ice emperor appeared, saying something about the only the only way to save everyone was to numb away their pain. He started freezing the village. Then Akita was attacked by his henchman, Vex. She cried “who are you! What are you doing to my village” to Vex who responded “letting it have the fate that befell your brother”. Vex pushed her to the ground. “The ice consumed him, as it will to this village! And you too if you do not hurry now”. And with that Akita fled. The anime flash back stops and Akita tells Lloyd that that was when she found out that the I.E took her brother. Lloyd consoles her says that they’re after the same goal. Which Akita points out that Lloyd wants to save his friend whilst Akita wants revenge. Lloyd expresses his worry as he knew plenty of people who let their life become ruined due to vengeance, but Akita tells him that they took her home her family and her life is already ruined. (Is this too edgy idk??)

22 The traveler’s tree

This ep can be basically the same.

23 Krag’s lament

This ep is also basically the same. There’s a bunch of little memorials or something that indicate that there used to be more krags (but not burial mounds because their bodies aren’t here), and Cole goes back to Krag and asks him where they went, to which Krag doesn’t know. Krag doesn’t want to leave the safety of the mountain out of fear but Cole encourages him to not live in fear anymore. They go all the way to the travellers tree where they find another memorial but not one made by Krag. Although it has ninjargon script on it, Cole tells us that it says “until spring”, and he is briefly confused. Also to their disappointment, the travellers tree hasn’t flowered due to the cold. Nya and Jay (Jay complaining about everyone splitting up) walk up, meet them, are briefly startled by Krag before they all decide to head out back to village as they see the ice dragon head towards there

Links:

Part 1 (intro)

Part 2 (fire chapter)

Part 3 (ice chapter episodes 16-23): here!

Part 4 (ice chapter episodes 24-30)

Part 5 (outro)

Bonus art!

Never trust a human episode cover

Ice chapter all banners

[schtroumpf-a-lunettes]

Rainy Days, Part 3

Be sure to check out Part 2 if you haven’t already! I fear it may not have shown up in search because I linked back to part 1 in that post :’D Here’s the next part for everyone <3

--

“He calls himself Rainy,” Papa said, addressing the smurfs gathered in the centre of the village. “He… Well… He seems to have developed an essence of his own, different from Brainy’s. He seems to be… His own smurf. He’ll be coming here shortly and I think we should give him a warm welcome.”

“But Papa Smurf, what about-”

Papa Smurf raised a hand. “There will be time for questions later, I think we should focus on one thing at a time right now, my little smurfs.”

--

Seeing the village again would have been overwhelming even if everyone wasn’t watching him. These mushroom houses… It had been so long since he’d set eyes on them. The memory of his fleeing from this very place came to his mind, but things were a little different now. He wouldn’t be erased.

As it was, the other smurfs gathered around him tentatively and slowly, and conversation started up. They all got to talking about all manner of things. Everyone was very curious about him, and Rainy supposed that was understandable. After some prompting, he tried to tell them about how it had been for him at the very start… How he hadn’t slept at all and seemingly hadn’t even needed to. But then he found that when he tried… He was capable of sleep, and soon enough he needed it just as much as anyone else. He didn’t know how to explain the empty spots in his mind that he was able to fill in over time – that he could keep filling in whenever he encountered them… the spacing out that was such an issue at first that had then started to fade… But he tried his best. And then there was the way the blue of his skin had gotten deeper and deeper. And now, here he was.

“Smurfaroo… So you really don’t remember anything from before you lost your essence, huh…?” one of the littler smurfs – Mr Snappy – had said. “But… Isn’t that more than a hundred years of your life just… gone?”

Rainy shook his head. “That’s- That’s not….”

“Gee…” one of the other children – Mr Nat – was speaking up now. “I mean, if I’d lost more than a hundred years of my life… I’d sure want ‘em back again, you know? I’d want to remember. Who knows what important things I might’ve forgotten about…?”

“Well,” Rainy shrugged, “Good thing it wasn’t my life then, was it? Because I didn’t lose my essence. I’ve got my essence. This Brainy Smurf and I have nothing in common… Okay, apparently our voices are kinda the same and we both need glasses, but… Besides that. You know what I mean.”

Mr Dreamy seemed to be lost in thought. Before Rainy could ask him what was on his mind, Mr Ytinav was speaking, or Mr Nav for short.

"Maybe he's kinda like me? I originally came from Vanity's reflection and I even have the same voice, but... I'm my own smurf now. I don't even wear the flower on my hat much these days... Since I know Vanity prefers being the only smurf to do that. I'm not really all that much like Vanity at all."

"Yes, well, I'm certainly far more handsome than you," Mr Vanity added.

"This village just isn't big enough for two Vanitys, it seems," Mr Greedy chimed in with a rueful grin.

"Hmm… You might be onto something, Nav… Maybe..." Mr Dreamy said, bringing the conversation back into focus. Rainy couldn’t help noting that he did not sound entirely convinced, but despite evidently still mulling something over, he declined to comment further.

It was Mr Jokey that rushed to fill the lull in the conversation, because of course he did. Both him and Mr Hefty spoke far too much for their own good. How on earth did the village put up with them? Even as nice as Miss Smurfette could seem at times, she was just the same… It was a marvel that anyone ever managed to get a word in edgewise sometimes.

“Rainy, do you want to smurf down to the smurf?” was Mr Jokey’s question.

Rainy only blinked back at first. “Um… Come again?”

“Do you want to smurf down to the smurf? We can all smurf there together. I thought it might be smurfy of me to suggest since you smurfed that your nickname is Aqua and everything.”

“Uhh… do I want to… what…?” Rainy leaned in closer. “Mr Jokey Smurf, sir, is this another one of those ‘jokes’ you were telling me about…?”

Now it was Mr Jokey’s turn to be confused. “How much clearer can I smurf it to you?”

“I ask you, what kind of a smurf can’t smurf in smurf…?” he heard Mr Hefty mutter.

“I’ve got a smurfier idea,” Mr Dreamy said then, a smile now on his face. “Instead of smurfing down to the smurf… There’s something else a smurf nicknamed ‘Aqua’ might also enjoy. How about smurfing aboard my ship for a short cruise, Rainy? I’ve only just used it recently so it’s just about ready for us to jump on.”

“Oh, I think that would be wonderful, Mr Dreamy!” Rainy beamed. “I’ve never been aboard a ship before, but it sounds fun. To be surrounded by sea and all of its interesting wildlife… I’d love to!”

--

A short while later, a couple of other smurfs accompanied Mr Dreamy and himself aboard the ship. What a contraption it was… He looked over the railing at the sea below and the sight calmed him. Such fresh sights and smells were in abundance…

Mr Dreamy set the ship in motion and then they were off, the waves crashing against the ship steadily, the ship rocking… rocking… the floor… tilting…

After a little while, Rainy stepped carefully over to the railing to grab hold of it, feeling more unsteady on his feet by the minute.

“Anything wrong, Rainy?” Mr Vanity asked pleasantly from nearby.

“No, n-not at all… It’s… nothing…” he just needed a little longer to adjust to the motion of the ship, that was all. This was supposed to be fun, and he didn’t want to ruin it. He wasn’t one to complain, after all.

Rainy’s grip tightened on the railing. He no longer trusted himself to let go.

“Having fun, Rainy?” Mr Tracker asked in a casual tone a little while later. Rainy hadn’t noticed him approach. “How are you feeling?” he added with a smile.

“I’m f-fine… I think. I feel… nnnghhh…” he couldn’t quite finish that sentence right now. A few deep breaths. “…Actually… M-Mr Tracker Smurf, Sir, I don’t believe I feel well at all…”

Mr Tracker was still smiling. “Well, why didn’t you just say so? The real Brainy got seasick very easily too.”

The real Brainy.

The words made him feel ill. They made him feel even more ill than any of the ship’s movement possibly could. His grip on the railing loosened and he tried to sink down to the ground with little fanfare, lurched to the side with one of the ship’s rough movements instead. He didn’t bother trying to get up.

“…You tricked me…” his voice was shaking and he needed to refrain from speaking as much as possible in his current state.

“We didn’t trick anyone,” Mr Tracker insisted innocently as he stood above him. “How could we have known you’d get seasick just like Brainy would?” But he was still smiling that awful smile.

“Stop the sh-ship. Let me off. Or… Or I’m going to be sick…”

--

Dry land again. But it was still some minutes before the world finally seemed to stop spinning around him. The nausea had thankfully cleared up without consequence.

The other smurfs had chatted nonchalantly amongst themselves as they waited for him to gather himself. He didn’t look at them. His eyes were on the ground.

He felt that most of his strength had returned, and yet…

When he spoke, his voice sounded so weak. Insignificant.

“…You still don’t see me as my own smurf. None of you do.”

He was chancing to look up at them now. Mr Vanity had registered the words, but continued to look into his mirror, apparently having deemed Rainy not significant enough to warrant a passing glance at that moment, even while responding to him. “What do you mean, Rainy?”

Rainy’s fingers dug into the dirt before him. “You all… tricked me.”

Mr Dreamy knelt down in front of him. “Hey, now… I just thought… Well, you did say you and Brainy have nothing else in common, right? I figured there was no harm in putting that to a little test. Turns out there might be a little more overlap than you thought.”

“It doesn’t mean anything. It’s just a coincidence.” His throat was closing up and getting out the words was becoming more difficult, but he struggled onwards. “So I get seasick too, so what? Does anyone who happens to get seasick… Does that mean it’s only because they all have some sort of link back to Brainy too? But you’re all leaping at the chance to… to use this against me as if it means anything at all…!” He’d gotten back on his feet now. He wouldn’t cry. He turned away from them before they could respond.

--

Mr Clumsy found him some time later, sitting by a stream, watching the water flowing by.

“Hey, Rainy.”

“Mr Clumsy…”

They sat in silence for a while.

Whenever he gazed at a pool of water, whether it be a pond or a lake or what have you… He’d always think about the world that lay just beneath the surface, where everything seemed to work so differently. But sometimes, when the water was still and reflected the world around it, he liked to imagine the situation as reversed – to pretend that he was the one submerged, and that the reflected image was what actually lay beyond the surface - that he was gazing up out at it. When he imagined that, it made it feel like he was already in that secret hidden world, safely tucked away. The surface of the water was the dividing line splitting apart two different realms, and it was fun to imagine those realms being flipped.

In truth, he didn’t know much about what life must be like for creatures underwater, just as there was much he didn’t know about many things. But he liked to imagine, to create and shape in his mind an image of what it might be like. Even while knowing it may not correspond with reality, it was still nice to have it there in his mind, a comforting notion to return to of a mystical underwater life, completely separate from the one he lived.

But in the end, he wasn’t capable of living underwater. He had no choice but to make a life on solid ground. The idea of the underwater world was nothing but a fantasy to return to whenever he wished to daydream.

The water of the stream he was looking at now was not still, and so offered no reflection to gaze at. Only opaque, running water with the occasional rock jutting out of it, but there was no true insight on offer as to what specifically lay beneath the surface.

“I just wanted to try finding a life for myself,” Rainy said at last. “To see if maybe there was a life for me here… to live among other smurfs like me. But… I guess not.”

“Gosh, Rainy… I’m sorry. It’s… hard for everyone. I’d be lying if I said we didn’t kinda want you to take Brainy’s essence back…”

“But it’s not… It’s not my essence!”

Mr Clumsy looked at him, expression difficult to discern in that moment. “…I know.”

“I don’t really know what I expected… Given everything. I guess I was just… naively hoping I could try to make my own way without being overshadowed.”

Mr Clumsy picked up a nearby rock and inspected it. It was small enough to fit comfortably in his palm. “We just miss Brainy a lot… He’s been gone so long now. We wish real bad we could have him back.”

“…Why?” Rainy found himself asking. Every single thing he knew about Brainy pointed to him being nothing but trouble. The three smurfs that bore his essence were overwhelming evidence of that. Rainy always tried to see the best in others but he could not make out a single redeeming quality in what seemed to consist of that most intolerable know-it-all smurf’s personality. Any of the goodness he could find in Miss Smurfette, Mr Hefty and Mr Jokey… all of it appeared to be drawn from their own original personalities and simply made worse by that other smurf’s annoying essence. He had known them for a brief time before they’d been splashed with the essence and become infected by it, after all. Why they willingly continued to put up with that essence mixing with their own was far beyond his comprehension.

And they all only had part of the essence. To think of it all being condensed into a single smurf… How could someone so awful even put up with themself? As harsh as it was… Maybe they were all better off without him.

His attention was drawn away from that train of thought to the way Mr Clumsy was smiling wistfully. “What d’ya mean, ‘why’? Maybe Brainy could be a bit mean at times an’ all that… But he was one of us. He cared about us an’ we all cared about him. A lot of the time I think he was really just tryin’ to help out or smurf things better, you know? He had plenty of smurfy qualities.”

Rainy couldn’t help but feel that the words were a grand exaggeration. A fundamentally kind-hearted smurf like Mr Clumsy was surely unable to truly tell it like it was for a smurf like Brainy and speak the harsh truth of the matter. Not to mention the bias that would come into play during someone’s absence… you were bound to exaggerate the positives and even find positives that were never there to begin with. ‘Smurfy’ qualities, good qualities… Hah… He would beg to differ.

“If he was so mean, did no one tell him so and hold him accountable?”

Mr Clumsy laughed a small laugh. “Oh, yeah, the other smurfs would make it clear whenever he was goin’ too far. They were kinda mean back to him too, but it didn’t seem to bother him much. When it got pointed out he was bragging too much or putting others down and smurfs got real mad at him… He didn’t really seem to listen; he could be back at it again right the next day. It was just who he was. But no smurf is perfect. Besides… his ability to bounce back like that, and the way unsmurfy comments seemed to just bounce right off him… Y’might even say it was uh, impressive.”

Impressive… Well, that was certainly one way of putting it. Rainy, on the other hand, would describe what sounded like such wilful blindness in quite a different manner. But he didn’t dare interrupt Mr Clumsy, especially when he noticed the way the other smurf’s eyes seemed to be misting up.

“…He was my bestest friend,” Mr Clumsy finished, wiping at his eyes.

“Perhaps I could be your friend, Mr Clumsy,” Rainy suggested then. This Brainy must have been lucky to have a friend like Mr Clumsy… He doesn’t seem to have deserved such a friendship at all. Mr Clumsy deserved better friends than that, who wouldn’t always put their own needs first, as this Brainy seemed to have done.

“Well in that case… I think you should smurf another try at mingling in with the village. We can show ya how to play smurfball.”

He hadn’t been planning on returning to the village, not after what had taken place on the ship… He’d planned on going back to Mr Mildrew’s place at the earliest opportunity. But Mr Clumsy made him want to give things another try.

(To be continued)

[tigerseye46]

Some peachpigshiping with B6/13/58/60 and C30/41/60, please?

B6. “What if I told you that there’s a surprise for you outside?” B13. “I’m not the person you want in your life.” “Yes you are.” B58. “You look amazing.” B60. “I’ll continue doing this until you smile.” C30. “I love you, but I wish I didn’t.” C41. “Fuck you! Get out of my house!” C60. “Oh, now my opinion matters? I wish we had never met!”

I had fun with this one, here's some jealous Pigsy content!

Pigsy watches carefully as the two disguised monkeys interact with each other. Wukong says something snarky that the pig can barely catch, Macaque stutters and blushes then the king’s hand goes up to his mouth as he lets out a laugh. The scene makes Pigsy’s hand clench around the spoon he’s holding, tempted to throw it in between them.

Macaque has been around them for months, forced by MK and Wukong to join the group. At first the shadow monkey obviously loathed the idea at first, citing that being around the group was a fate worse than death, but he had gradually warmed up and repaired his relationship with Wukong.

Now the two monkeys were side by side most of the time, rarely did Pigsy see them alone together and he hated it with a burning passion.

He told Wukong that it was a bad idea to bring that monkey in and despite the fact that Macaque has changed, he still didn’t trust him. In fact, he wanted to murder that monkey when he had learned what he did to Xiaotian. That monkey could betray them at any moment! No way was he letting his guard down.

Although, he would be lying if the kid was the only reason he refused to trust Macaque. Wukong was his main reason. He had fallen hard for the king months before the other monkey had shown up.

They clashed for a long time, mostly due to Pigsy’s anger, before they were able to reach an understanding. He found things about the king that made his heart flutter, how beautiful poetic verses would slip out of his lips, how he was surprisingly thoughtful at times, his care for those around him, his determination and so many many things that showed why Wukong was so amazing, why he was so beloved.

But unlike most people, he saw Wukong, not just as a hero, but as a person.

He really likes the king and all he wants is the feelings to be returned.

The pig is brought back to reality when he hears more laughter, he lets out a sigh and furrows his brows.

Tang taps him on the arm. “Pigsy.”

He stares at the scholar. “What?” He hisses under his breath.

Tang giggles and comments, “If looks could kill, those two would be dead by now. Although, I’m sure Macaque is your intended target.”

“What are ya talkin’ about?”

The scholar places an elbow on the table, a hand underneath his chin as he gives a wide smirk. “That you like Wukong.”

He stomps his feet. “I do not! Shaddup, Tang.” He’s already told Tang about his feelings in private but no way is he letting Wukong overhear.

“You do,” Tang teases in a sing-songy voice.

“Quiet! They could hear!”

“Hear what?” Wukong questions as they walk up to them. Beside him, Macaque has his arms crossed, his chin puffs out and on his face is a smug smile. Pigsy growls, of course that six-eared bitch heard it.

“Nothin’,” he answers, sending the six-eared monkey a threatening look.

“Alright. When will the kid be back?” Oh, that’s right, the two had come here so they could get MK for training.

“A few minutes. The kid should be finishing his last order soon, if he doesn't get distracted, that is.” He chuckles then gestures to the seats next to Tang. “Sit down. I’ll make ya somethin’.”

“Okay.” The king’s smile makes his heart skip a beat. He turns around, not noticing the way the king gazes at with complete adoration and appreciation.

“Peaches,” Macaque starts, “remember that time we stole a whole bunch of candy and random items from that human village?”

Wukong snorts. “I remember. Didn’t one of those villagers throw a shoe at you?”

“And a barrel of hay!”

They laugh together which makes the pig fume. As he’s cooking, more stories and inside jokes are shared between them that he (and well, Tang) will never get. He wonders how many memories they’ve had with each other, he knows part of their history, how Macaque tried to replace Wukong to get him back for leaving, along with trying to replace his friends.

“You chose them over me?!” Macaque shouts with his teeth bared. “They’re pathetic!”

“Maybe so but they’re my friends! I won’t let you touch them!”

“You consider them your friends?” He gestures to four on the sidelines. They are a monk, horse, fish demon and a pig that has an aura that reminds him of his own. The group’s faces are a mix of panic and fear. “You’ve really downgraded, Peaches.”

“More like upgraded. Now, are we going to do this or not?”

The other monkey doesn’t answer him and instead wraps some shadows around himself, turning back into the perfect reflection of Wukong. They lunge at each other, confusing the others about who is who, the fight goes on, destroying rocks and creating cracks around their area.

At a certain point, one of them looks back at the group, concern and worry present in his eyes, and for a second, Pigsy can tell that’s the real Wukong. The scene feels so familiar, like he was there but that’s crazy, right?

He is brought back to reality when someone snaps their fingers, he turns and sees Tang with his fingers touching. “Uh, earth to Pigsy, you were kinda just standing there. You okay?”

“Hm? Yea, I’m fine.”

Wukong tilts his head and says, “Really? Because you haven’t even paid attention to your soup.”

“What?” The pot is almost whistling and the broth is bubbling way too much. “Oh shit,” he mumbles and lowers the heat. He finishes it quickly, pours it into two bowls, and adds the noodles. The smell wafts in the air. He passes it to the two monkeys. “Here.”

“Thanks, Pigsy,” Wukong says with a smile that shifts Pigsy’s cheeks to a tint of red.

“Yea, thanks Pigsy,” Macaque repeats with an eye roll. Pigsy ignores him.

They continue their stories while eating, Tang nods at certain points, laughing with them and commenting about different aspects. Pigsy enjoys getting to know more about the king but at the same time he’s boiling, like a volcano about to burst, it’s not a new feeling by any means. It’s probably the most familiar feeling out there for him, besides protectiveness, begrudging acceptance and masked contentment.

This whole thing is a reminder that he will never have this with Wukong. The king hardly notices him, sure, they talk and they understand each other now yet to the chef, he’s only a small presence, just acknowledged as the kid’s boss and not much else, barely a friend. He’s positive the king doesn’t give him much thought and that hurts the most, remembering that he’s considered one of the million unimportant people in Wukong’s immortal life. All he wants is to be part of Wukong’s world. A world that scarcely anyone is let into, somehow that includes Macaque, stupid monkey.

“Hey! I’m back,” MK greets as he walks into the shop and waves.

Wukong waves back. “Hey, bud. Ready to train?”

“Yep! Is that alright with you, Pigsy?”

The pig bobs his head. “Yea, go ahead, kid.”

“Thanks, boss!”

“Mhmm.”

Macaque ruffles the boy’s hair. “Can’t wait to kick your butt in training.”

“Bring it!”

Wukong rolls his eyes. “Try not to hurt each other too badly.”

“I’ll try, Peaches.” They both ruffle the kid’s hair again and Pigsy notices how they look like a happy family, he absolutely despises it so much so that his knuckles turn white.

He hates Macaque, if he gave the monkey a chance maybe he would like him but he doesn’t want to. The pig is clouded by jealousy. Wukong and Macaque’s closeness makes him sick to stomach. The king is sentimental, blind to the fact that the six-eared monkey will no doubt stab them in the back, maybe he needs another reminder.

He grumbles as Macaque leaves with the kid while Wukong lingers. Wukong spins around and takes something out of his pocket, money. He holds it out for Pigsy. “Huh?” Since when has the king paid before? Delivery orders aside.

“It’s for the noodles.”

“Ummm… ya don’t have to do that.” Maybe not having to pay for noodles will make Wukong happy, it’s a small gesture.

“Really? Aren’t you the one who complains when people don’t pay?”

Tang slams his bowl down with a thud and whines, “Yea! You always get mad at me for not paying.”

“That’s because you’re a freakin’ freeloader, Tang,” he snarls. “It’s on the house, Wukong.”

Wukong raises an eyebrow. “Are you sure? Are you sick or something?”

“No, just in a good mood.”

“Yea, I can tell by the bright smile on your face,” the king jokes.

The pig emits a small ‘tch’ noise. “Wow, you read me well.”

The monkey grins at that comment and leans over to hug him, he sucks in his breath. Tang sips his soup in the background, letting them have their moment. The hug is warm and gentle, the chef’s stomach does a light flutter, briefly he can pretend he matters to Wukong. He doesn’t notice when the other slips the money in his pocket, preferring to focus on the warmth and his imagination. For a moment, he can think I matter to him. He cares about me.

That is broken when Macaque peeks his head in and calls, “Peaches!”

Wukong separates from him, he holds in his disappointment, his fingers twitching to pull the king into another hug. He receives a playful wink. “See you!” The second monkey puts an arm around the king’s neck and leads him out.

Pigsy scowls and grips the inside of his pockets, when he feels something foreign, he takes it out, rolling his eyes fondly when he finds the yuán Wukong slipped in. He goes back to work, attempting to push down his anger and longing then receiving a small jab to his chest when he remembers again about how he doesn’t matter to the king.

Weeks pass by and the longing continues, growing stronger with each passing minute, each passing day, as it has been for a while. He dreams of finally having Wukong’s smile, yearning for the day the king will call him his, that they’ll get closer eventually, at least enough to finally matter to Wukong. It blinds him to Wukong’s loving gaze along with the small and soft touches.

Despite Pigsy's gruff nature, he is a pure softie underneath, he makes sure to give Tang an extra bowl of noodles if the scholar is having a hard day, never kicking him out of the shop. He takes it easy on Xiaotian, making sure the kid takes care of himself and so many other things. That same softness applies to when he’s in love.

One day, all of them decide to hang out together and unfortunately, that includes Macaque.

They’re walking together, Pigsy is in the back with his arms crossed while Tang, Sandy, Xiaojiao and Xiaotian are in the middle and a disguised Macaque and Wukong are in front, smiling and laughing. The pig is absolutely glowering at the pair, his eyes soften when Wukong turns back and shoots the group a small smile because no way is it directed solely at him. The monkey goes back to focusing on Macaque, the pig’s stomach twists and turns.

He balls his fists and lets out a low hiss. He watches as Macaque nudges the other monkey, whispering something, how the monkey’s cheeks shift to pink and a triumphant smirk appears on the six eared monkey’s face.

Pigsy decides at that moment to storm off, he can’t be there, he can’t watch as Macaque flirts with Wukong.

He misses it when Wukong glances back again with his brows raised.

Pigsy goes far away from the group, getting lost in the crowd of people. “Pigsy,” a familiar voice yells. He shakes it off and keeps walking. “Pigsy! Pigsy!”

He growls and spins to see Wukong running up to him. “What?”

The monkey stops in front of him. “You okay? You left without saying anything.”

“Fine,” he answers while his teeth grind together in anger. He stomps towards the direction of the shop with Wukong following.

“Really? You seem angrier than usual.”

“I’m fine,” he repeats.

“Uh huh. Someone’s grumpy.”

He huffs. “Not in the mood.” Go away.

A look of concern flashes across the king’s feature before going to a wide and charming grin. “You know I forgot to say this earlier but you look amazing,” he compliments and gestures to the blue flannel.

Pigsy’s pulse quickens and he suppresses the rosy red. “Thanks,” he mumbles, a frown still present.

“What? That didn’t make you happy? I’ll continue doing this until you smile.”

“What? Botherin’ me?”

“Exactly. Now come on. Let’s go back to the others, it might cheer you up.”

He grips the pig’s hand, Pigsy gasps and yanks it away. “Don’t touch me,” he hisses.

The king’s palm remains in the air, his mouth agape, he shakes it off. “Sorry. So where do you want to go? We can go anywhere you want.”

“I’m goin’ back to the shop by myself.”

“Sounds boring. Hang out with me, just the two of us.”

Just the two of them? No, he’s not going to stay. “I… I’m good.”

The king seems almost disappointed but why would he be? “Come on! It will be fun! We can spend some quality time together!”

He opens his mouth to reject Wukong again when a “Peaches” rings in the air. Macaque is a good distance away from them.

Wukong gives him a small wave and a gesture to stay where he is. The pig scoffs. “You should go to him. After all, I know how much he matters to you,” his voice drips with venom.

“Huh? Of course, he matters to me, you all matter to me.”

“Yea, right.”

Wukong lifts a brow. “Pigsy, what’s wrong? You can tell me anything.”

“Why do ya care?”

“Because you matter to me.”

“No, I don’t.”

“Huh? You do. Is something wrong? I can make it better. I promise.”

He reaches for the pig again and the pig growls, “I said, don’t touch me!”

The king swallows roughly. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know you hated being touched. I’ll try not to do it again.”

Pigsy fumes, “Oh, now my opinion matters? I wish we had never met!” The last part slips past his mouth and he bites his lip.

The monkey’s ears droop. “Wh-what? Did I do something to upset you?”

No turning back now. “Yes!”

“What did I do?”

“Everythin’! Like makin’ my kid your successor and puttin’ him in danger!”

“Huh? I thought we were over that.”

“I thought we were too and it’s not just that. It’s every little bit of the things you’ve done. It’s how you laugh, your smile, your humor, every bit about you, includin’…” He clutches his chest. “Includin’ the way you make me feel. Bein’ around you makes me feel happier than I’ve ever been but at the same time it hurts. Knowin’ that ya don’t feel the same and never will. That there are a million other people you’d let into your world before me. That I’m so unimportant to you. That you look at Macaque more than you do me… that’s part of the reason I didn’t want him around because I knew you would rather be with him and I couldn’t bear it. Because… I love you but I wish I didn’t.

Something tightens in his gut at finally admitting this. He wrings his hands, focusing only on Wukong’s slacked jaw and widened eyes, not seeing the looks from people passing by them or Macaque’s smirk and crossed arms, head tilted in amusement.

Wukong is still like a statue and Pigsy feels like sinking into the ground where the king will never be able to find him. “Aren’t you goin’ to say anythin’?”

The king opens his mouth slowly. “Pigsy, I…” then he closes it.

Pigsy scoffs and lets out a laugh. “Gods, I knew it. I knew it would be this way.”

“No! Pigsy, I…”

“Don’t worry about it, Wukong. I already know your answer. Just confirms what I knew.”

“No! I-”

“It’s okay. I’ll… see you.” He rushes off, tears of frustration prick his eyes. When he gets back to his shop, he leans his head against the counter and sits there for ages.

Wukong doesn’t come to the shop for a few days and Pigsy’s mood sours significantly. He snaps more than usual and despite the others’ best attempts, he doesn’t open up to them, won’t smile.

He was aware of how Wukong would react, doesn’t make it hurt any less.

Pigsy is in his apartment when he hears knocking on the door. He growls and rubs his eyes. Who could be knocking at this time of night?

“Alright. I’m comin’. Hold your horses.” He opens it to reveal Macaque. He hisses, “Get out!”

“Nice to see you too and nice pajamas.” He snorts then pushes past Pigsy, he observes the place. “Interesting decor. We need to talk.”

He narrows his eyes and slams the door shut. “I don’t want to talk to you.”

“You don’t have much of a choice. Peaches is upset.”

“So? Shouldn’t you be with him then?”

“No. I should be with you. To tell you how stupid you are.”

Pigsy balls a hand into a fist. “Screw you!”

Macaque puts his hands up in defense. “Calm down. I meant no disrespect, well yes I did but that’s besides the point. You couldn’t have waited for Peaches to answer you?”

“I already knew his answer.”

“No, you didn’t. Peaches is an idiot. He wanted to answer but didn’t know how to start. Now he’s moping. It’s pathetic honestly. He misses you.”

“Why should he?”

“Because he likes you, idiot.”

“No, he doesn’t.”

“Yes, he does. Look I don’t get what you and Peaches think I have.”

“A relationship obviously. You like him, he likes you.” Macaque roars with laughter. “Why are ya laughin’?”

“You- you think Peaches and I are together? Oh my gods. You really are an idiot. No wonder Peaches likes you!”

He stomps his feet and points towards the entrance. “Fuck you! Get out of my house!”

Macaque cackles and wipes a tear. “Hear me out first. Look, I know you don’t like me but what I’m saying is the truth. Peaches likes you, gushes about you all the time. He and I are just friends. All we’ll ever be. But you, he loves you.”

He rolls his eyes and yells, “Sorry if I don’t believe the monkey who clearly has a habit of lying!”

“That was before. I’ve changed, I promise. And I’m trying to pay back Peaches’s kindness. He loves you a lot. I don’t think I’ve seen him happier.”

“That’s a lie.”

“It’s not. What if I told you that there’s a surprise for you outside?”

“A surprise?”

The six-eared monkey swings the door open to reveal Wukong on the other side, his tail and ears are droopy and his gaze cast down on the ground. “Peaches!”

Wukong perks up, his golden orbs sparkle when he fixates on the chef. He lunges forward to wrap the pig in a bone crushing hug. “Pigsy!” His tail thumps to the ground.

Pigsy’s face flushes and he rests a hand on the king’s back. “Wukong…”

The king steps back and rubs the back of his neck, Pigsy holds back a whine at the loss of warmth. “Sorry! You said not to touch you.”

Macaque watches them then shrugs his shoulders. “Alright. Have fun. I’ll be off.” He walks away, leaving them to their own devices.

They exchange glances. Wukong starts with “Pigsy, I missed you.”

The king missed him? “I… ummm…”

“Can we sit down?”

“Huh? Oh! Uh. Sure.” They sit down on the couch. “Wukong. I…”

“I’m sorry.”

“Huh?”

“I’m sorry. Did I really make you feel that way? That I didn’t care about you?”

“Well… ummm… Wukong. It’s not that you didn’t make me feel that way. It’s just I thought ya didn’t. It’s silly.”

“It’s not silly. Why did you feel that way?”

“Well, look at me. I’m not you. I didn’t go on a journey, become a hero. I’m just some angry pig demon that runs a noodle shop. I don’t have any amazin’ powers. I’m nothin’ special. I’m not the person you want in your life.”

“Bite your tongue! Yes you are. I don’t care what powers you have. You’re amazing just as you are and you are a hero. I hear what you’ve done for the kid and the others… and you’re great. Really. You mean a lot to me.”

“I do?”

“Yea. I think of you a lot. Too much if you ask me. Despite your grumpiness, you have a great heart and… you aren’t afraid to tell me when I’m wrong and stuff. And I like you a lot. When you mentioned that there are people I would let into my world before you, that’s so untrue. You are one of the people I let see the real me.”

“Wukong…”

“I love you, Pigsy. I really do. I’m sorry I didn’t say it back before. I was surprised. I didn’t think you felt the same way. I tried to show I was interested. Did you never notice the way I looked at you?”

Pigsy blinks slowly, recalling everytime Wukong has ever looked at him, it’s more than he thought, there was always something unrecognizable in the king’s eyes and now notes it as pure love. “No, I didn’t.” He smacks his forehead. “I’m… I’m an idiot.”

Wukong laughs, his laughter sounds sweet. “Yea, you are, my dear idiot.” Pigsy flushes slightly at the affectionate tone that comes with the nickname. “But I am too.”

“I’m sorry I got jealous and snapped at you.”

“Pigsy, it’s okay. Your jealousy was kinda cute, hot even,” he adds with a wink.

“Sh-shush. Gods, I feel stupid now.”

“Oh, you should.” He receives a smack to his arm and he laughs again. “After you confessed, I was thinking a lot. I wanted to give you space but I got sad at the thought of you never wanting to see me again since I never responded. I’ve been wanting to confess for a while and I bought you this.” He pulls out a box and unlocks it to reveal a round golden bracelet with two gems.

Pigsy is amazed at the object. “Wow. This is gorgeous. Is this a courtship bracelet?”

“Yep. If you want it that is.”

“I do, it’s absolutely gorgeous but are ya sure you want to give this to me?”

“There is no one else I would rather give it to. May I?” The pig bobs his head, the monkey slides the bracelet onto his wrist and holds his hand. “Beautiful. It looks wonderful on you.”

“Tha-thanks. I love it.”

Wukong kisses his head. “I’m glad.”

“Ummm… Wukong, you kinda missed.”

“Oh?”

Pigsy cups his cheek. “Yep.” He kisses him on the lips, he can taste the peaches that no doubt has resided on the king’s mouth.

“Mmmmmm.”

They separate and lovingly stare at each other. “I’m sorry again.”

“Don’t be. I love you.”

“I love you too. Y’know maybe I’ve actually started likin’ Macaque after all.”

Wukong chuckles. “He’ll be glad to hear it especially now that I’m not “moping” as he puts it.”

“I’m glad you’re happy.”

“I’m glad you’re happy,” Wukong mimics and smooches him for a second time, his tail swishes from side to side. “You mean the world to me.”

“You do too.”

They kiss a few more times and as Pigsy leans against Wukong’s chest, it fills him with unspeakable joy to recognize how much he matters to the king, his boyfriend.

[salamanderdr]

Lost Family in a Mad Town

My ‘Town That Went Mad’ one-shot

By @salamanderdr

tw: death/child death/trauma

Featuring: c!Karl, c!Dream, c!Corpse, and Robin

Authors note: Also I am in no way a writer so sorry for any typos. I’ve never actually written a fanfiction so the only place I can put it is here. I wrote this because I couldn’t get the idea out of my head and I had to get it down. Karl and the others did such a good job on the stream. I literally wrote this in one sitting, I hope ya’ll like it qwq. 

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Karl had been having these dreams for a while now. It didn’t seem like anything special. To him, they were just interesting stories to tell his friends. These stories are what he became known for, and he enjoyed the attention. What made the dreams so special is that most of them involved Karl’s friends getting into unusual shenanigans, which inspired most of the young men’s hangouts. However, one dream, in particular, caused Karl to reconsider if there was more to them. 

~Once asleep, Karl finds himself in a rather interesting dream. In the middle of a small village, Karl stands next to the town’s water fountain. The setting is more rustic than he is used to, and his bright multicolored hoody stands out among the bustling villagers. Despite his appearance, the quaint villagers paid him no attention. Concerned, Karl realizes that he can't interact with the townspeople. Unsure of what to do with himself, Karl spots a familiar neon green hood. Karl walks up to the figure and lays his hand on their shoulder, whispering, “Dream... is that you?” The brightly clothed man whips around, shock in his voice, “H-how… who are you?” Karl tilts his head, “It’s me Dream, Karl. Don’t you remember me?” Dream put his head in his hands, “I-I… Karl? Y-yes.. I re”. Suddenly a deep voice pulls both men’s attention away, “Cornelius! You still waiting for us?” Karl looks behind Dream to see a pale man with cat ears and tail, holding the hand of a sweet-looking boy with a hat full of lovely wildflowers. Karl’s heart became warm, something seems familiar about the boy, like if he could be an old friend. Karl speaks again, “Dream, who are they? Did he call you Cornelius? Jeez, what the honk is going on?” Dream quickly turns to Karl, “I’ll explain it later. Just go on, I’ll find you.”  Karl shakes his head “Oh, it’s fine I don't think they can see me.” Dream sighs, “fine, just stay quiet for a bit so I can focus.”

Dream walks over to the two who patiently wait for him “Sorry Corpse, I got sidetracked.” He gently offers his arm to Corpse. Still holding the boy’s hand, Corpse hooks his arm with Dreams. Dream smiles towards the boy, “Y’all didn’t miss me too much, did ya, Robin?” Robin giggles, “If anything, we’re better off without you.” The three laugh as they walk down the path as Karl follows close behind, also laughing to himself.

As the day ends and the night comes, Karl finds himself sitting beside Dream outside his little cottage. Slowly rocking in his chair, Dream speaks, “ I started remembering a little more, not much but enough to kinda understand what’s going on.” He looks at Karl, “I know you later down the line, don’t I?” Karl nods, “Yeah… so this really happened? You had a little family Dream?” he smiles. Dream frowns, “I did, a very long, long, long, long time ago,” he sighs, “this happened like hundreds of years ago, Karl, and you weren’t here. I guess those dreams you have are actually real things that happen.” Karl scratches his head, “I guess I’m learning new things about myself every day, haha. Hey, why don’t you tell me about them… if you want”. Dream looks longingly through the window where Corpse and Robin sleep, “ I found them. I was just planning to mess with the village for a bit, but then I got attached”. Karl's smile grows wider at this, knowing how Dream can be despite his usual dark intentions “and?” Continuing, “I found a boy and his blind friend, and I decided to play house… t-that’s it…” sweat starts to pour from Dream’s forehead “I lo-lost them, and it’s my fault.” Karl's face drops “W-what?”

Suddenly the dream changes and Karl faces a gruesome scene. Dream is on the ground, blood flowing from a deep wound in his chest, being held by Corpse, who is crying. Karl falls towards Dream, shaking him, “Dream! Dream! What’s happening? Who did this?” Dream splutters, unable to speak. Corpse cries for help, “Please someone! R-Robin, go get help!”. Not noticing him till now, Karl watches as Robin flees into the night in search of someone to help his dying adopted father. Corpse turns back to Dream, his voice shaking, “It’s gonna be okay Cornelius, Robin’s getting help.” In Corpse’s arms, Dream lifts his hand to Corpse’s face and wipes the tears from his sightless eyes, “Sorry, Corpse.” Karl watches helplessly as Dream takes his final breath, shocked about how tragic things have become. Karl stumbles to his feet and runs into the forest.

After several minutes, Karl leans against a tree, gasping for air. A voice suddenly speaks up, “Tragic, huh?” Karl jumps at the voice with a welp. He searches the empty trees to see Dream in his bright outfit, and this time, his disturbing clay mask with the eerie smile. Karl catches his breath and stutters, “W-wait, you died?” Dream moves closer, sitting in front of Karl, the morning sun reflecting off the mask, “Oh come on. You really think it's that easy for someone to get rid of me?” Karl shakes his head, “Of c-course not. It’s just, it was so convincing, it scared me. I’ve never seen you like that… What’s happening, what happened to you? What happened to Corpse and Robin?”, concern and millions of questions fill Karl’s head. Dream rolled his hidden eyes, “I guess I’ll be honest with you… it won’t really change anything. Well, you know I’ve been around for a while, and of course, you know I’m hard to kill. Those idiots didn’t know that though.”, he turned his head away “Karl, I bring chaos wherever I go, and I knew whatever that was wasn’t gonna last long, but I ignored it.”  Seeing the Dream he was familiar with sitting in front of him, the one who terrorizes many of his friends in the present, his voice hardens, “Yeah, that’s for sure. So you left them thinking you were dead. That’s cruel. Even for you. They cared about you, Dream.” Dream looks back to Karl, “Well, it was a different time I couldn’t just reveal myself. The ones that ‘killed’ me already saw I would only bring trouble, but they didn’t realize it all started when they decided to take a man’s life. It only fanned the flames of chaos. Hahaha, if I did reveal what I am, I’d be in real trouble. Then I would have hurt Corpse and Robin.”, he looked towards the ground. Karl narrowed his eyes, “You didn’t want them to know you’re actually a monster.” Dream didn’t respond. Then in the distance, a bell rings. 

Karl and Dream appear in the middle of the village to see the villagers in utter disarray. Dream speaks, “The Dream you spoke to was able to remember you only a little bit. When I was 'killed' I was able to show up. He should be watching right now. Heh, I guess I showed up so I could finish the story for him”. Karl looks at Dream, “so what is that story?” Dream looked at the crowd of angry townspeople, “Just watch for now.” Karl turns his attention to the mob. The people are angrily fighting about who killed the man known as The Wise Cornelius, paying no attention to the poor blind man and his adopted son, who were the real victims. As Karl watches, he begins to understand Dream’s role in the village. Yes, he was part of the family made up of a blind cat boy and a tragically orphaned child, but he also brought a lot of new knowledge to the villagers. His brilliance also seems to be what made him a target for the murderers’ Dream mentioned. To Karl, at least, the killers just didn’t understand Dream’s ideas and saw it as some sort of sin against God, knowledge, only meant to drag them all to hell.

Karl is snapped out of his thoughts to see two villagers dragging Corpse toward a prison, “W-wait! Dream what’s happening? What’re they doing to Corpse''. Dream didn’t speak. Robin’s cries rose above the crowd as he ran toward Corpse “Please don’t! It can’t be Corpse!! We’re all family, He would never hurt Cornelius!” Grabbing the arm of the villager, Robin is pushed to the ground “shut up kid! It couldn't be anyone else but him”. Corpse calls out to Robin as the other villager pushes him into the cell, “It’ll be okay, bud. It’s ok.” Tears running down his face, Robin grabs the bars of the cell as the villagers lock it, “Corpse, I can’t lose you too! You’re like a father to me!” Corpse places his hands on Robin’s “I-I know b-buddy.” Robin’s cries echoes throughout the village prison grounds, “P-please don’t go! I need you!”. Karl couldn’t help himself and began to cry too. Dream places his hand on Karl’s shoulder “They didn’t like how chummy I was with them, they framed Corpse because they believed I had already corrupted him” his grip became tighter, making Karl wince “they targeted my family Karl and I didn’t do a thing about it!”

The whole village, along with Karl and Dream, watched as the friendly local cat boy dropped into a lava trap, dying instantly. Robin fell to the ground, broken, weeping uncontrollably. No one comforted him. Dream speaks once more, “Robin was an orphan. His mother disappeared when he was very young. His father died in a war. He was so strong, and he was able to make his own family, but he lost that too. A child can only take so much really”, his voice grows cold when he says this. Karl nervously glances at Dream. 

It was suddenly night, and Karl stiffened as a blood-curdling scream came from one of the cottages. From the dark, Dream sighs, “Another innocent life lost.” Karl stutters, “H-how long do they keep this up?” Tired, Dream answers, “Till there is no one left. They let their paranoia corrupt them. The feeling they had about me doesn’t leave, so they turn to just taking everyone else to hell with them”. A shiver runs down Karl’s spine. Dream voice is ice  “They kill and kill and kill because they are too stupid to realize they are the evil they fear! Now that they have started this whole mess, they can’t stop”. Nervously, Karl whispers, “You really to cause people to go mad…”. Ignoring the comment, Dream asks, “And do you know who they blame all these deaths on?” Karl’s vision changes and his eyes widen in horror at the person in the prison cell. “A poor, innocent, orphan boy.” Karl looks directly into Robin’s eye, but the boy isn’t looking at him. He is looking at a figure behind Karl. Karl turns to find the ghostly figure of Corpse. The spirit walks through Karl, speaking to Robin and placing his hands on the doomed boy’s head, “Straight to hell buddy.” Just like that, Robin is gone. 

Karl jumps awake, his bed soaked with sweat, fear being the only thing he feels. He cries for a long time. After a while, there is a knock at the door, and wiping his face, Karl opens the door. He finds Dream in his doorway, “Well, that was a weird dream, wasn’t it, Karl?” Dream lets himself in. Karl's eyes follow Dream, “W-was that real?”, Dreams sits down on Karl’s bed “Yes, that was real. Now you know one thing that happened in my past... that I caused”.  Concerned, Karl asks, “Jesus Dream, there’s more?!” Dream lets out an unsettling laugh “Hahaha, of course, Karl! You don’t even know a quarter of the chaos I’ve caused, the villages and countries I’ve destroyed by just existing!”. Karl backs up, “so you let that happen? To your family, Dream?”  Dream leaned back on his elbows, “Don’t worry too much about Robin… Did he seem familiar to you Karl?” he nodded, and Dream continued, “That’s because he came back as Tubbo. He got another chance at life. Pffft, not like it’s any better really! Don’t know about Corpse though, bet he’s still in hell”. Shocked, Karl angrily speaks over Dream, “How can you say that? Do you not care about them anymore, Dream?”. Though Dream’s mask was covering his face, Karl can tell Dream is grimacing, “Corpse, Robin died ages ago. I could care less now”. Horrified, Karl truly realized the monster he let into his house and into his life. 

Karl didn’t sleep again for a while.

[dameronology]

things we lost in the fire {obi-wan x reader}

summary: on a slow morning in tatooine, you and obi-wan reflect on how lucky you are to still have each other 

warnings: swearing, angst, mentions of death 

another obi fic based on a bastille song?? more likely than you think!! but i swear, despite, all the warnings, this isn’t going to rip your heart out completely 

enjoy,

- val xx

Things had never been darker.

The stars still shone at night, silvers and steels and greys against the canvas of the midnight sky. The sun still came up everyday - doubly so on Tatooine. You woke up every morning to the twin suns blaring down on your new home, illuminating the place with a hauntingly golden glow. For a place that seemed to be so fundamentally built on black and white beliefs - good and bad, right and wrong, light and dark - the world seemed too bright. 

The stars shone at night. The sun still came up every day. The world seemed bright - but things had never seemed darker. 

You missed the life you had - no, you didn’t just miss it. You yearned for it. You ached for it. You wanted to wake up one of these particularly hot Tatooine mornings to find everything was just a dream; that Anakin was alive, that Padme was alive, that you still had a temple to come home to. Everything you’d ever loved had been thrown into the fiery pits of Mustafar, left to burn and turn to ash. 

Well, not everything.

You still had Obi-Wan Kenobi and you thanked the stars everyday for it. 

It was clear that he was hurting too - there was always a tinge of pain in his sarcastic quips, a sense of tiredness in his eyes whenever they creased with laughter. He was doing it for you, staying strong for you. He was holding you both up - after all, helping people was all he knew. Even when he’d lost everything, that didn’t change. 

Searching for positives was hard and after desperately seeking, you’d found a few. 

You were no longer sneaking around, so you could walk hand-in-hand through the winding streets of your local market together. You could lay-in every morning, not worried about meetings or missions or operations. The pressure to be a good Jedi was off and now you could just be together. It wasn’t much - but at the same time, it was everything.

It was a warm morning on Tatooine; the suns were high in the sky, even though it was barely 7AM. You were sprawled out on your mattress, sheets tangled in your legs from where you’d kicked them off in the night. The sunlight was streaming through the cracks in the curtains, showering you in a warm glow as you lazily stretched. You rolled over on your side, eyes falling on the half-awake man next to you.

Obi-Wan’s eyes were vacantly staring at the ceilings, lids heavy with post-sleep tiredness. Having sensed that you were awake, he lazily reached a hand out towards you, covering yours where it was splayed out on the mattress. You tangled your fingers with his, lighting squeezing his hand. 

‘You’re thinking about him, aren’t you?’ You quietly murmured. 

‘Always.’ He whispered back. 

You felt that - you really felt that. Anakin was always on your mind; not Darth Vader, not the twisted, dark person he’d become. Anakin. The cocky Jedi, the one who you’d called your best friend for years. He hadn’t died in the physical sense but emotionally and mentally, he was long gone. He’d gone insane trying to protect the woman he loved and he wasn’t coming back. 

You didn’t necessarily understand. You never could, but you were able resonate with his innate desire to stop at nothing for Padme. You would have crossed the galaxy ten times over and back to protect the man you loved. The panic you felt in the moments after Order 66, not knowing if Obi-Wan had survived was going to stick with you for a long time. 

The way you held each other, after colliding into one another in the middle of a jet? The way you cried, relief washing over you despite the fact that every you’d ever known was gone? That’s when you knew that you were never going to stray away from him again. Everything you’d argued about, everything you’d ever worried about or bickered about suddenly seemed so menial. It was the peak definition of not knowing what you had until you’d almost lost it.

But you hadn’t lost him - you’d got lucky. He’d got lucky too. 

‘I miss him too.’ You said. You softly brushed a few strands of hair out of his face, your free hand still holding his. ‘And I hate to say it, but there’s nothing we can do.’

You hated having to be the voice of reason - that had always been Obi-Wan’s job. It felt like a bit of a dick move to remind him that you could never return to your former life, but reality was harsh. It was a goddamned bitch. The acceptance of the situation had hit you like a ton of bricks and you couldn’t make it any easier for Obi-Wan. You wished that you could; that you could take his pain away and turn it into something better. All you could do was guide him through it in the same way he’d done for you every time that you’d been hurting throughout the years. 

‘I know.’ Obi-Wan finally turned to look at you, a forced smile playing on his lips. ‘I can’t help but think would what have happened if-’

‘- don’t think about the ifs.’ You cut him off. ‘Try as you might but you can’t change the past.’

‘I wish I could.’

You leant forward, pressing a kiss to his cheek. ‘I know.’

With that, you shuffled out of bed, reaching down to grab a shirt. You pulled it over your head and slipped on your shoes, peaking over your shoulder at him as you did. You tried to give him a reassuring smile, but it faltered slightly. 

For once, you were trying to be the strong one. He had been your driving force for so long, the reason that you’d got out of bed in the morning. If you hadn’t had him after everything that had happened? You didn’t know where you’d be. You probably owed it to him to take the weight of everything for once.

‘I’m gonna go make some caff.’ You said.

‘I’ll be out in a moment.’

You stood up, the footsteps of your unlaced boots echoing off the walls as you headed through to the kitchen. Your dwelling was humble; big enough for both of you (and more, if that was what the future held). It felt like home for no other reason than the fact Obi-Wan was there with you. 

After assembling a semi-decent cup of caff, you kicked open your front door and headed outside. There was a small bench at the front of the house, overlooking the village ahead. The early morning sun was beating down on you, the air fresh and untainted. The day felt new - full of hope, despite everything. 

Pulling your knees up to your chest, you cupped the warm drink between your hands. The road ahead of you was still empty - most people around here were older, retired or out of employment. They didn’t rise until much later in the morning - you wished you were capable of that, but years as a Jedi had drilled early starts into your system. 

‘I don’t always think about the past.’

The sound of Obi-Wan’s voice announced his present. 

‘Yeah?’ You replied, tilting your head to face him. He was stood in the doorway, leaning against the frame. He had a cup of caff in one hand and a book in the other. ‘So what do you think about?’

‘You.’ 

Tossing the book to the doorstep with a dusty thump, the Jedi moved to take a set next to you. He reached his arm out towards you and without having to say anything, you dropped your feet to the floor and fell into his side. He pressed a kiss to your temple, hand gently carding through your hair. 

It was so domestic - so simple, so suburban and ordinary. But, behind your small gestures of affection and words of love, there were galaxies of grief. The place you were now might have seemed peaceful and quiet but the journey to get there had been anything but. Between you, you’d experienced enough loss and enough pain to last ten lifetimes. 

‘That’s a grand statement.’ You shot back.

‘A grand statement for a grand person.’

‘Oh, you always have been a sweet talker.’ You chuckled. 

‘I mean it.’ He replied. ‘I don’t say often enough how grateful I am for you.’

You peered up at him, a small sigh escaping your lips. ‘You don’t have to.’

‘I should though.’

‘And so should I.’ You shot back. ‘You have done everything for me since the day we met, Obi. I owe you so much-’

‘- you don’t owe me anything, darling.’ He softly murmured. ‘Simply staying by my side has put me in a lifetime of debt.’

You almost laughed at the thought of doing anything else. Staying with Obi-Wan had never even been a question - you were already packing your bags before he could even finish saying I’m moving to Tatooine. Neither of you had any idea where you were going, nor what you were doing. But, just like everything else, you were going to figure it out together. 

‘We’ll call it even.’ You leant up to kiss him, lips brushing against his.

‘I talk about what I’ve lost.’ He murmured, forehead resting on yours. ‘Anakin, Padme, the Jedi.’

That was the first time he’d said his name his everything had happened. It hurt - maker, it hurt - but the proud look on your face when it happened was almost enough to make it worth it. 

‘But I never talk about what I still have.’ He added. ‘You.’

‘You don’t need to talk about it.’ You shook your head. ‘I know the feeling.’

‘You do?’

‘Of course.’ You replied. ‘I think about that day all the time and all I can remember is that you were my first concern. I could only focus on finding you, on making sure that you were okay.’

‘You mean everything to me.’ Obi-Wan admitted. ‘You always have but even more so now.’

He hadn’t mean to become attached to you, even less so to indulge his addiction. Years ago, when you were both still sworn to a code, it had been hard. Choosing you over the very Order that he’d committed has life too had been a struggle - but now? He’d never been more grateful that he’d chosen you. 

‘It’s the same for you.’ You offered him a watery smile. ‘Guess we’re kinda stuck together, huh?’

‘Even if you strayed to the other side of the galaxy, we still have a Force connection.’ He reminded you. ‘So yes - I suppose we are stuck together.’

Obi-Wan was your backbone; the glue that held you together these days. It was easy to look at him as though he hung the stars in the sky - and as far as you were concerned, he did. You were living in dark times but he felt like the light at the end of the tunnel.

And, little did you know, but he felt the same. Having you by his side meant more to you than you’d ever realised. There was one specific second on the day of Order 66 that he held onto: the moment you met again, the moment that you tossed yourself towards him, not caring about whether or not he was going to catch you. That was when, despite everything, that he felt like things were going to be okay. 

The stars still shone at night. The sun still came up everyday. It felt like you were the reason why. 

tags: @cherieboba​ @valkyriesandbrokenhalos​ @cptnrex501​ @thespareoom​ 

[robron1609]

Robron Week 2021 - Day 1

Meet-Ugly + "That's not an explanation."

New Beginnings

(ao3 link)

Aaron’s eyelids fluttered like a candle in the wind, the hustle and bustle of the city pecking away at his head with a sledgehammer. The bitter taste of ale, the fruity taste of wine and all the combined spices of every spirit known to man were stagnant on his tongue as he peeled his damp limbs off the leather sofa beneath him.

He let out a dry cough and it felt like someone had shot him in the brain during his sleep. But other than that, he was as right as rain.

It took him longer than he would care to admit to remember that he did, in fact, not own a single item of furniture that had even an inch of leather on it, and he lived in the in the middle of bloody nowhere where the only thing (apart from his mother) that made him shake a leg in the morning was the bellows of Moira’s cows when their troughs were being topped up.

So, there’s that.

His brain caught up and he bolted upright, his whole face moulding into a sculpture of what, where, when, how and why. He took in his brand-spanking-new surroundings; a lavish penthouse overlooking London’s skyline, decked out from head to toe in a fusion of ultra modern and industrial pieces. Not really his style, to put it nicely. It looked like something straight off the front page of one of those overpriced interior design magazines on the top shelf of David’s shop that no one ever bought.

Aaron could only hope that whoever lived here was some bloke he’d pulled in the haze of last night, if it wasn’t then… what the actual fuck was he doing here?

When the room had stopped spinning on all its axis and Aaron was eighty-nine percent sure that he would be able to hold his vomit in if necessary, he braved the hallways in search of other life. He detoured to stand in front of a back-lit mirror that had beckoned him over, and he was introduced to his reflection. It gawked right back at him, dressed in nothing but a pair of neon yellow boxers and a Scottish flag that he was wearing as a cape. The flag was fastened loosely around his neck with a frayed shoelace and there was a big tear down the centre of it.

Jesus fucking shit. Absurd didn’t even begin to cover it.

Sweat dripped down his top lip when he heard a deep voice through the wall. He teetered around the corner until he was close enough to pick up most of the words.

“I won’t be in today.” There was a pause. “Does it fucking matter?” Nice manners, then. “Look, unless you want me hurling all over the new contact, I suggest you grow a pair and attend the meeting without me.”

Aaron gripped the glossed door frame, his clammy hands squeaking on the wood as he snuck a look at who the voice was coming from. The man was stunning. He was all sun-kissed skin, choppy blond hair, and a gorgeous mouth that dipped dramatically in the corner.

“Shit!” With a jolt, the blond dropped his phone and it landed on his face with a mocking smack.

“Sorry-”

“Why are you in my house?!”

“I’m Aaron.” No shit, Aaron.

“That’s not an explanation!”

“Sorry.”

Aaron cringed. All of a sudden he was big on apologies, apparently. Blondie was now sitting up, scratching the fluff on the nape of his neck as he shuffled out of bed and adjusted his duvet accordingly whenever it slipped below his waistline. He just glared at Aaron, waiting to hear something that made sense.

“I was kinda hoping you could tell me,” Aaron said, using all of his self-control to stop his eyes from drifting downwards. “My head’s mashed. I remember being on the train with Adam and Vic, and then-”

“Vic as in my sister Vic?”

Aaron just stood there, catching flies. “I- I dunno, I think so. Sugden?”

“Uh-huh.”

Ohhhh, Robert Sugden. Aaron finally put a name to the face and felt like giving himself a pat on the back.

…..

“Here you go. Extra strong.”

"Ta."

Aaron warmly accepted the cup of coffee, the steam flying off it and dissolving in his pores. He used the piping hot liquid to swamp down some paracetamol before tightening the strap on the dressing gown that Robert had lent him a little earlier with a side-eye and a grumbled, “Make sure you give it back.”

With the current cycle rumbling the machine into the ground, Aaron glanced at the digital timer displayed on the appliance. Just forty-eight minutes until he could grab his screwed up clothes, slap them on, and leg it to the underground with his tail between his legs. The longest forty-eight minutes of his life, no doubt.

Hoping to make a crack in the ice, Robert led Aaron to the scene of last night’s crime. Through the sliding doors, across the patio and up the spiral stairs, secluded in the corner and illuminated by the steady flicker of the firepit. Robert was surprised that it hadn’t burnt out in the early morning under the April showers.

The rooftop terrace was what sold this place for Robert. It was his haven, complete with everything that made his superficial heart weep. This morning, however, it looked how he felt.

He absorbed the aftershocks of his party (shards of glass littering the outdoor table, remains of finger foods welded to the deck, and a pair of nude stilettos abandoned on the bar) and sagged. Turning thirty was dismal enough without having to clean up after his colleagues. Or, as he liked to call them, a bunch of wound up, hoity-toity pen pushers who didn’t even know his middle name—just a sniff of free booze and they were squeezing into a Ralph Laurent polo that still had the label on, and patting him on back with a bout of boisterous laughter as if they were best mates.

Wow, he was in dire need of some proper friends.

Aaron propped himself up on the bar. “Bet you don’t get tired of this,” he said, looking out at the sparkling city.

“It’s a great hangover cure,” Robert said, nursing his Americano and watching the ripples dance over the surface as he lightly blew it. “It can be lonely, though,” he admitted, unsure as to why. This handsome and hungover stranger was just waiting for his ticket out of here, he didn’t want or need to become Robert’s agony uncle to fill the time, that was for sure.

“Why’s that?”

Oh. Perhaps Aaron, for one reason or another, cared. Or he’s got nowhere else he needs to be and Robert’s left him with no choice but to sit and listen because it's the polite thing to do. Aaron looked at Robert all doe-eyed and Robert wanted to stay here until he’d told Aaron every single intricate detail of his life up until this point. But that seemed a little crass.

“Don’t know, really. I just… don’t like to be alone with my thoughts, I suppose. And being up here, well, it’s a whole lot of that.”

“I know what you mean,” Aaron said. “How long have you lived here?”

"Nearly two years on the whole." Robert calculated, Aaron giving him an amicable nod in response. Robert licked the coffee froth off his lips, clearing his throat. "I've lived in London a while, though. Since I left the village, pretty much."

"And you never thought about going back?"

"I couldn't." That would mean looking back. And after the trail of destruction he'd left in his wake, that was never going to happen. They were better off without him. Or at least his Dad and Andy were. Vic and Dianne never stopped reaching out, however, offering their support through texts and unanswered voicemails.

Aaron changed the topic, sensing that Robert's internal trip down memory lane wasn't a smooth ride. "You heard anything from Vic and Adam?"

"They were both flat out in the spare room last time I checked," Robert answered. He'd been less than pleased to find them entwined together on top of the duvet, dead to the world as Adam slobbered away on the satin pillowcase like an excited dog, and Vic let out a mishmash of unconscious sounds from sniffles to whistles, her makeup crusty and her outfit dishevelled by a night's sleep in it.

"Vic had a whole itinerary planned. Some museum, Leicester Square, and then this ridiculous hipster coffee shop near the station," Aaron said with a dreary eye roll. "Even though our train leaves just after two."

"She's just excited. She doesn't come here often."

"'Suppose not."

"Anyway, I recommended that coffee shop so you better not miss it," Robert said. Aaron snorted because of course he did. "Come on."

Robert rose, perking up a bit as he stretched his arms until they clicked with satisfaction. Aaron followed in his footsteps, literally, but they stopped in their tracks, coming face to face with a rumbled Victoria.

She looked dead and alive all at the same time as she swung her phone about. "There they are, the newly engaged couple."

Robert choked on air and Aaron gave him a splash of side-eye before snatching Vic’s phone. "What are you on about?" And Aaron had to check that the digital date displayed in the top left corner of the screen wasn't April the 1st. Nope, it was indeed the 23rd. And under that was a Facebook post on his profile; a blurry, backlit photo of him and Robert flashing the camera with two rings that didn’t even match, accompanied by a slurred caption.

yayy ENGAAAAAGED! whoop whoop!! hears to many many many many many year <3

Aaron groaned, throwing his head back in sheer embarrassment when Vic grabbed a hold of his and Robert’s left hands. Sure enough, the rings were still there. “Oh my God,” she cackled, her voice like a siren in the middle of the night. “This is brilliant. A few more of those cocktails and you’d be halfway to vegas, ey?”

Robert massaged his temples, kneading roughly at his dry skin. “Whatever’s in them is lethal,” he grumbled, peering over Aaron’s shoulder as he watched him scroll through the comments and squeeze his eyes shut in disbelief at each one.

“It’s your bar, mate. You should know what it’s serving,” Aaron said. He had a point. “Let’s just pray we left it at cheap rings.”

(Aaron couldn’t even begin to fathom at what point during the party he and Robert had fled the penthouse and ended up at a jewellers of all places. Who’d thought a proposal was the perfect end to a not-so-perfect night? Who’d taken that photo? And who in their right mind was selling giant fabric flags in the early hours of the morning? It would be a miracle if he becomes sober enough to answer at least one of those questions.)

Robert pouted. “That’s a shame. I’ll cancel the tickets to Vegas, then,” he teased.

“I dunno, I could do with a holiday just to get over the shame.” Robert grinned at the younger man’s flirty tone.

“Cheers,” Robert scoffed. Aaron handed the phone back to Vic who watched the pair with a knowing glint in her eye, her head bouncing back and forth between them.

“Only joking,” Aaron said. “Could be worse.”

Vic pocketed her mobile with a yawn and tightened her ponytail. “Right, I’m gonna drag my lump of a boyfriend out of bed and start gathering our stuff. I’ll leave you two to plan the wedding of the century, shall I?”

Vic left the rooftop, her flats scuffing all the way down the metal staircase. Robert gulped down the remains of his coffee and turned to Aaron with a smirk.

“So, fiancé,”–Aaron shot Robert a fiery glare which, if Robert didn’t know any better, would leave a bruise on his ego–“I know a great place where we can get some brunch. Why don’t we ditch Vic and Adam and I’ll drop you off at King’s Cross after.”

Aaron pulled a face. “ Brunch? I’m not paying £8.99 for a plain scone.”

“My treat.” Robert offered, hoping that would seal the deal.

“Like a date?”

“If you want it to be.” Aaron paused for a beat, not that there was ever much to contemplate.

“Fine.” Robert didn’t miss the bashful smile taking over Aaron’s face. Robert bit the inside of his cheek when Aaron began to descend the stairs. He crammed his hands in his pockets, his heart going into overdrive as he kicked his feet into gear.

[butterfrogmantis]

So anyone who knows me even vaugely will eventually work out that I like Somebody Smurf. But in watching then episode again I gotta say ... it’s kinda fucked up. From a Smurfish standpoint.

Obviously in my personal headcanon I’ve gone with the narrative that Somebody is Vanity’s reflection because to me that makes sense - a Smurf that was never technically meant to exist outside of becoming a living reflection would probably feel a bit ostracised from his natural peers and feel as though he had no true talent as he never got the chance to develop one. But that’s just me, if we’re gonna assume Nobody is, in fact, a regular Smurf, then it’s just a wee bit sad.

For starters Papa Smurf notes that he can’t just go handing out new names to anybody, fair enough its supposed to be reflective of personality, but it’s also safe to assume the Smurfs get their name from either displaying those specific talents or their first word - in which case Nobody’s first word would have to have super depressing or nothing at all and Papa essentially just said “eh this one’s Nobody” and ... left it at that?

And again, I know he was a one episode character but we more or less have to take it as fact that Papa ignored or didn’t try to sort out this anomaly earlier, he certainly doesn’t seem too concerned about this essentially neglected character despite being the first one to seek out the villagers if they usually seem depressed. If every other Smurf has a clear cut personality where was his ‘amazing’ at a one off huh?

But I think worse than that is - once more assuming he was supposed to grow up in the village, that his own friends don’t know who he is.

Even Hefty’s like “Who’s that?”. So imagine growing up in a village with 99 of your friends for over 100 years and some of them still outright don’t even recognise you - I’m starting to understand why he had so many self esteem issues at this point. Like at least my version makes a bit of sense but the canon is just rough man 😭

I know this episode was probably meant as a joke and of course I take everything too seriously because that’s half the fun but if anyone else has any personal headcanons or thoughts to share plz let me know because my boi deserves better 😔

[aggresivelyfriendly]

‘Tis the Damn Season- Chapter 2

Winter Wonderland

Hello loveys! Here is chapter two, a new year, a new world, a new Harry video! Thank you to @dirtystyles for fixing my tenses, which I promptly messed up by revising and adding. All remaining mistakes are mine.

Happy reading- reblogs are love!

Emma was annoyed before she even caught her flight, but she loved airports, so she got lost in watching the peculiar things people did in the there to sublimate what was probably just anxiety. She'd once watched a boys' trip, maybe a bachelor party, get on a plane and begin toasting at 5:30 am. The groom had almost bought the whole plane a round, but one of his mates had stopped him. She assumed this wasn't his first beer of the day, but maybe it was the last of the night before?

People acted different in airports.

That had been her first flight to Holland. When she went to her interview at Wageningen University and Research Center. She really needed to impress, she'd pressed her outfit more than she had ironed anything since she'd been taught to do it. This was her dream school and the climate research they did was groundbreaking and she wanted to be part of it so much that she was willing to do whatever it took. Beyond the heavy course load she could expect during the regular school years, the top students got amazing summer work or internships. She'd promised herself she would not be going home for breaks for some time. Honestly she was just fine with that. There wasn't much left for her in Holmes Chapel.

There wasn't much in Holmes Chapel at all.

She'd wanted to move from the little village the minute they'd moved there when she was eleven. Sure it was cute, picturesque and maybe something out of a Jane Austen novel, but Emma did not read much Pride and Prejudice. Though she definitely had seen Mr. Darcy come out of the pond. Honestly, she was more of a nonfiction girl, and she like investigative reporting. She'd missed London pretty much immediately and begged to go back for months. It was a time in her life she would have called the absolute worst, until it became the foundation for the best years. Emma made really good, motivated friends. Big dreams were common in little Holmes Chapel, so Emma fit right in. It may have never felt like home exactly, but she made a home of those friends.

Gemma was one of them. She had done her share of Austen reading. Reading in general, and she had the sweetest family. Her little brother Harry was so nice to their mum, though he loved nothing more than bugging Gemma. Like all little brothers. She'd heard at least, Emma was an only child.

All her parents' hopes and dreams rested right on her shoulders.

But theirs weren't nearly so weighty as her own. Even then she knew she was going to save the planet, or at the very least reduce the number of climate refugees.

Now, after two summers in Reykjavik, she was more into sustainable energy and zero waste production, but she was still trying to change the climate game.

She would really rather be going back to Iceland now. A friend had invited her to see the Northern Lights. They were most active in the winter and she'd only caught glimpses of them during her summer internships. It may have been the experience of a lifetime.

But her mother had laid on a major guilt trip. Emma hadn't been back to little Holmes Chapel in two years. She'd come home that first Christmas because she was tired, overwhelmed, still adjusting to her school schedule, and a little homesick. Her mother told her so. She'd even skipped the Twist's Christmas party, which was the shindig of the season. She'd slept right through it, and only seen Gemma at the pub later. She hadn't been up for company, but Gemma was family.

This year? After a year's absence, she'd be going. And she'd receive the hometown-hero-returns treatment. Though she was sure her reception at the airport would consist of her mum with a single sign. When she did make it to the pub, she might see a few friendly faces besides Gemma. Last time? Since she'd missed the party, she didn't have anything to contribute to the discussion. She'd just listened to everybody else rehash it. Normally, that would be fine, but she already felt removed, and had always felt a bit like a screw among nails in Holmes Chapel, so she was determined to go to the party this year. She had all kinds of plans, how many hours she'd socialize, rest, and read.

The flight was easy at least, and the train up to Manc doubly so. She liked to sleep on trains, something about the rocking, and she resumed her old habit of sleeping wrapped around her backpack.

"Welcome home, love!" Her mother shouted and Emma actually got a little misty, just like her Mum. Maybe she should try to get home more than once a year, but there's just so much she wants to accomplish. She even had a list. All the things she wanted to do before she turned thirty. It's been revised of course, she'd not unrealistic. Once the list is complete, she can have a life outside her ambitions, like a real boyfriend.

There's not much time for anything but hook-ups for the next ten years., and Emma was ok with that.

Up til now. She might need another pass at her bullet points, or to at least read her goals again when she got to the Twist's new brick beauty of a house. Harry had bought his mum a new home, one not watched as closely by his obsessive fans. They hadn't found this one yet.

Emma could see why they followed him around so, and why some people risked it all for a certain face. His face, his very famous, gorgeous face.

It was so weird that Harry wasn't just Gemma's little brother who grew up cute anymore. His music wasn't really her style, though some of the songs were catchy and Emma did like his latest album. She caught herself humming about life stories long after she heard it, and she seemed to hear his latest single playing in lots of shops and restaurants, even in Holland.

At the party, she also found herself in the same room as Harry more often than she can find an excuse for. Her eyes also seemed to find him a lot, she knew because of how many times she had to whip her head away quickly. As a tactic, that didn't work because he was always either already looking at her,or he immediately turned like he knews where she was. Maybe her gaze had weight, or she was as subtle as an axe.

When he smirked at her the tenth time their eyes lit upon each other, she choked on her wine.

What the fuck?

She'd finally got herself calmed from that little encounter. Mostly because she left the room to find a loo. The water she splashed on her face was cold and woke her up. "What are you doing, girl?" Emma asked her reflection but found that she couldn't help but smile at herself, and bite her lip. The flush on her cheeks was lovely; she could blame the wine, everyones favorite excuse.

An hour later she was pleasantly tipsy, the kind of buzz you could maintain and still wake up the next day not regretting, and she'd gone to the kitchen to grab another glass to nurse her merry state. "Be right back. We need another round!" She was calling back to Gemma when she bumped into a tall lanky body. She caught his hips with one hand and found them with just enough give to grip. "Oof!" She exclaimed before looking up to see how much damage her wine had done. Good thing she drank white, there was a growing spot ok his sweater. Wait a second! Then she coasted her head up the lovely lilac sweater toward his face. "That's my sweater." She said first off, bopping his chin.

"Um, no, mine now." Oh, his voice was adorably thick with drink too. "You give it to Gem or something?"

What was he talking about? Her eyes stayed with his and she was kinda trapped in his greens when she realized he meant the sweater. She had, right. "I'm yeah, years ago. Was my favorite and we shared it a lot. I decided she should have it before I moved. And I guess she decided you should have it when you moved. Though I expect your life change was a little different than mine. Yours was like overnight and mine a life long plan, and oh my god, Emma stop talking." She would have kept rambling except, well, he kissed her, right on the mouth and held his overfilled lips to her own. No, overfilled wasn't true. They were full, but not crazy big, they just were so plump at the edges. God, when had she thought about Harry's lips so much.

Right now, as much as she could think of anything, it was Harry's lips. She'd relaxed into his rhythm and was following his lead when her free hand took on a mind of its own and coasted from his hips up his back and into his hair. He groaned a little before he disengaged and then chuckled.

"Well," he said as the offending hand went to her mouth. Maybe she did need to stop drinking. That was bold, unlike her, and strange. But wait! What just happened? Why did he kiss her?.

"Huh?"

"I think that beat my last mistletoe kiss and I'd convinced myself that was impossible!" He was giving her a knowing look, like a wink in his smile. Did he kiss somebody else tonight? She looked up at him and tried not to be annoyed, or feel jealous, or focus on the shape of his mouth, still a little wet from her kiss. Was he just hanging out by the mistletoe like a weirdo? Seemed odd for a bloke people were lining up to meet, let alone kiss.

"Why'd you do that?" She found her voice to ask. It was rusty, like she hadn't just been laughing and talking for hours with people she'd forgotten how much she enjoyed.

"You bumped into me under the mistletoe. I assumed you wanted me to." Well, she did while he was kissing her, but now he was being a bit of an ass.

"Um, you were just in the way..."

"Well, I'll have to find myself in your path as often as possible then." Ok, that was cute, a bit cocky, like the smirk on his face. Then his face flushed and his dimples were so deep and she decided that shift, from smirky pop star to hometown mumma's boy was the best quick change she had ever seen. "Ah, see, that got you to smile!" He bopped her nose and she knew her own dimple pressed in even further.

"Nah, you're a little shit, but I like your smile. Especially when you blush." The color he turned then made her laugh out loud. She felt drunk when she realized how long they'd been staring at each other grinning. She was counting her drinks a second later when he caught her off guard again.

"Where'd you just go?"

"Wha'?" Oh boy, she'd dropped her t, she was really home now.

"We were having a moment." He motioned between their faces. "Then you went in your head. Lost your attention, didn't like it at all."

Then he caught her hand, their fingers entwined together like their lips moments before. It was hot in there. Emma shook her head and glanced around, but she didn't untangle them. She looked at her boots and felt shy. But Emma wasn't shy, Harry used to be shy, though now he was bolder than her, apparently.

"Listen," he started and she looked up to his eyes again. When had they gotten so attractive? What had gone on with him in the last couple years? Other than the international superstardom she supposed, but he'd grown into himself, like expanded his skin and presence. He was cute, but all she could think was that the end of puberty was rarely so damn kind. His fingers even seemed attractive, long and slim and she was imagining him playing piano, but then the instrument was her body, and damn, she was in her head again. She could feel that her eyes widened comically. She knew her pupils were blown. When was the last time she'd gotten laid? Apparently too long if holding hands had her imagining unspeakable things and holding in moans.

He smirked then, she guessed he knew where she went then. "Listen," he leaned in close and she nodded, their noses brushed. He exhaled and her lips tingled. "Where are you staying?"

"Huh?" She wasn't sure what she'd expected him to say, but that wasn't it.

He giggled, and it was cute enough that Emma felt a splash of awareness hit her face. She looked around to see if anybody saw them flirting if she could disengage her gaze. "Are you at your parents?"

"Oh, um yeah?"

"Are you sure?" He laughed then and the brush of his thumb across the back of her hand was warmer than the mulled wine in her belly.

"No, I'm sure, just not sure why you are asking." She nudged him and realized a bit too late that her nipples touched him first, she was only half sorry this top meant no bra when she felt the friction.

It was his eyes' turn to widen. "Um," he exhaled and she missed his eyes when he quickly glanced down her dress like there might be a cookie there and then up quickly like he remembered he wasn't supposed to have any sweets. "Ok, um," he said after he visibly took hold of himself, "I was just hoping you had a room above the pub or something."

She knew her face called him idiot better than her mouth could.

He rolled his eyes, "I know, it was a shot in the dark!"

"Did you expect me to slide you my room key if I did?" Emma flashed her eyebrows like she wasn't imagining him finger fucking her with his piano hands a moment ago. "Isn't that your move?" She teased, kind of. She imagined he knew his way around hotel rooms, and women in them.

"Heeeey," he was being cute but the corners of his eyes dropped a moment and the green dulled. "It's not like that."

Emma scoffed.

"Well, I mean," his other hand found hers and now if anyone was watching them they were getting a show. "If it was like that, I wouldn't say no, but just want to hear about Holland, seems so amazing, and where you are in the summers..."

She could see him racking his brain.

"Iceland." They said together. And then giggled together too.

"You been keeping tabs on me?" She leaned forward and enjoyed the brush of him on her again. He shivered.

"Yeah, always admired you." He looked at her through his lashes. "I'd like to hear more reasons you're the most impressive person I've ever met."

"But I don't have a place." She reminded him.

"If I got one?"

"What?" She thought she knew what he was asking, but she wanted a minute to think about her answer, to quiet the resounding YES that echoed in her body and her mind. Because he might have said it wasn't like that, but they were chest to chest and had been holding hands since they kissed moments ago.

He looks down chagrined at his pigeon toes, before his gaze lit on their hands, then her face. "If I got a room at the Vicarage? Would you come with me? Really! We can really just talk." He assured and then the cocky boy who found his stride in hotel room assignations showed out, "if you want." Those dimples were deadly.

"Can it be the Boar's Head?" She knew she'd showed her cards, by asking for a room the town over.

He nodded and grinned like he'd just hit the hotpicks. "It can be the Boar's Head." He nodded like a dashboard bobble head. "I have to make nice here a bit longer, but I'll call now, and put your name on, so you can go when you're ready."

They'd been standing close for just a few more seconds when Gemma said- "Harry! Get off. God you are such a flirt!" But she was in her cups too, so they laughed it off.

The next hour, Emma stayed near Gem, but her eyes tracked Harry. Once, he came by and stole a sip of Gem's cocktail off her and Emma was glad her friend's ire distracted her, because Emma was watching him giggle like a fiend and the contraction of his throat. When their eyes met, she knew hers made a promise. One she wanted to keep.

So now she was alone in a couple of quaint rooms a town over, waiting to have sex with Gemma's little brother, Harry Styles.

She was torn, half of her wanted to open the bottle she'd swiped from the alcohol table at the party. The other half wanted to call an Uber and go back to her parents' house, where she should have stopped and grabbed some clothes so she wouldn't have to do the walk of shame.

But getting clothes would have meant forethought; she will deny that, especially to herself.

Emma had just opened the uber app and cursed their rural area when she heard a key in the lock.

Like a gun at the races.

They were never going to just talk. She'd just dropped her phone on the couch before Harry laid the first kiss on her.

The first kiss she planned to really remember, that is. Their mistletoe kiss had caught her off guard enough that she could only remember the feelings, not the details.

Yet, she was here, kissing him in a rented room after sneaking out of his mum's Christmas Eve party, on the strength of those feelings.

The kiss started strong and sweet, just like she takes her tea. He didn't taste like tea, he tasted like wine, Merlot maybe, but it could have been any red. And his tongue had this delicious slither to couple with its intoxicating flavor. She was in for a penny when she rode over here, but now there was no way she was going anywhere but to bed with him, no matter how pound foolish. He was nipping at her bottom lip and mouthing at her jaw before he sucked an almost mark into her collarbone and love bites onto the sides of her neck. He was just about to hit a particular sweet spot while working off her clothes, his hands were at her zipper. The cheeky boy, and she felt like they should at least hit pause even if stop was off the table.

"Harry," she moaned, or breathed, it was a sound she'd never made before.

"Hmmm?" He asked without stopping any of his forward momentum.

"I thought we were gonna talk." That one was like a laugh, there was a trill in her voice certainly.

"We'll talk afterwards." He said it like a statement, but looked to her for confirmation. At her nod, her skirt dropped and his hands were all over her bare ass above the stockings she'd worn to feel sexy but hadn't expected anyone to see. She normally would have worn tights. Thick ones, certainly, in Amsterdam. It would have been smarter here too. It was at least as cold. She'd been feeling that mix of confidence and self consciousness one gets when seeing people from your past when you think you've leveled up. She wanted to feel her best, look her best. Sexy, even if no one was interested. She's thankful, both for his interest and her unintended preparation. When he caught the sides of her knickers while her shirt and bra were as untouched as his clothes, she figured she needed to get with it. She'd been clutching his shoulders and his gorgeous hair instead of doing anything of use to their current pursuit.

Emma pulled at his shirt until it came over his messed up disheveled hair and laughed at the hodge podge of black ink haphazardly spread over his torso and one arm. "What's this then?" She said between licks of his tongue.

"After, we talk after!" He'd gotten her shirt unwrapped. She liked that detail of the shirt too, a sexy secret, like her matching bra. He pulled back to stare and was distracted long enough for her to give him another look over. He does look sexy in his decorated skin.

"What do they mean?" She liked things to make sense, her world was ordered, scientific.

Harry shrugged. "Lots of different things. Or nothing. Now can we please go to bed and we can discuss my stupid tattoos after I've had you."

"Oh fuck,'' was all she could say to that. He smirked and hoisted her up his hips to carry her through the open frame to the bedroom. He pulled her knickers free as soon as she was done bouncing.

She'd just about caught her breath when she saw him go for the button of his jeans. She lost it again when his thick bulge became visible and he pushed his tight jeans forcibly down his thighs. "Damn!" She looked at him with a glint.

He mounted the bed and spread her open, kissed her right knee over her stocking, which he seemed intent in keeping on, and looked pointedly at her center. She was swollen, his eye contact with the evidence didn't help. "Damn!" He echoed and she would have laughed but Harry, Gemma's sexy little brother, was kissing up her right thigh, with just a few licks and nips to her hip creases and so damn close to where she wanted him before he was testing the fuck out of her by kissing and licking and loving her left thigh. Ignoring her desperate need.

"Fuck, Harry. Please." She'd got the bedspread balled in her hands and she would normally have removed that before considering getting into the bed but she was also usually in pajamas and alone.

The filthy things he was saying were way worse than whatever could have been on the bedspread. Though she enjoyed them a great deal more, and it made her happy to have taken off everything already.

Harry had finally gotten to the main course. Only After her begging got loud enough to be heard by the room next door and the innkeeper, she won't make eye contact with anyone tomorrow. Maybe not even Harry, if he stayed. Emma had his full attention now, she could learn about all the things his mouth could do. The wet flat of his tongue caressed her like she was a bit of deliciousness and sunk down to find her creamy center.

"Fuck!" She yelped when he sealed his mouth over her for a tight suck and rub until she was rolling and writhing and fighting against the arms banded around her thighs. He laid one across her belly to hold her down.

"Do you like that?" He kept going because her answer was obviously yes. When the arm not restraining her passion made its piano fingered way between her thighs to do the thing she'd imagined earlier, sliding in tightly where she was wet and wanting, she clenched down on his three fingers and said his name.

He slid up her body and reached for the condom, but Emma had gotten her head back around to stop him before he got it on. She hated the taste of rubbers, and she'd like to know his flavor first. "Wait." She leaned forward between his legs and stroked him base to tip. He really was well favored, and not just from the neck up. She pressed his length to his stomach and licked the seam from his balls around and up to his head before she got a mouthful of him. Now he was her dessert. She didn't even think to try the pies and things at the party, she had been so preoccupied with the taste she'd had of him. It was but an appetizer for this. He leaked on her tongue and she moaned and hummed.

"Jesus! Emma! Stop, I'm gonna!" He pushed her back. And she was a little mad he'd taken away her sweetie. "Enough. I'd like to get inside you."

That was a suggestion she could take. So, she lay back and thought of anything but England while he stroked his skinned cock and spat over the tip. God. The way his stomach flexed caused an aftershock to recapture her. "Harry?" His name a plea. His knees hit the bed and her heels pressed him toward her, toward them.

"God, I've never seen you like this!" She'd have to ask him what he meant by that, later. Then he nodded, using his thumb to press his cock head inside the tight ring of muscle at the top of her entrance. Except he was a little low.

"Uhh!" She glanced down and grabbed him to redirect. "Wrong one." She tried not to laugh.

"Sorry, might be a touch too eager." He confessed: She's now laughing, openly. "Hey! It may have went right in, as wet as you are?"

Now she'd be indignant if he wasn't so ridiculous. "Are you really complaining about how wet my pussy is?"

"No, no, that would make me an idiot right?" He asked and found the right spot to start pushing in.

This was always her favorite part, and since this was her favorite fuck already, she knew the pop when he got the lip of his head in would be enough to begin her tip over the edge.

She moaned even before he caught the exact right angle to square her desire and she clutched his back and lifted her bottom to chase his withdrawal. "It would, god, you're perfect, an idiot."

"Oh God, Em!" She liked that. And the kisses to her mouth and chin and neck. Messy and wet and out of control. He'd gone from deliberate and self possessed to a man overcome as he rolled his hips up and into her and against that delicious place inside.

"Harry, don't stop. I'm close." Her head fell back when he slowed down just enough to draw out her orgasm, bring it to the surface and ride it home. He stroked her through and then brought his hands under her ass to lift her pelvis up to his driving thrusts, more deliberate and direct than the ones he used to get her off. She watched his face scrunch, and then open, his jaw down and his eyes closed until he smiled and licked his lips.

It's that face she decided she wanted to see as much as she could.

And she did, it was made better when he bit his lip and laughed. "Am I a perfect idiot then?"

She was blissed out and couldn't stop herself saying, "no you're an idiot with a perfect cock!" He was just pulling out of her then, and she was so embarrassed when he stood up to tie off the condom and preened.

"Am I now?"

She was the idiot. "I'll Pay you to forget I said that!" Emma wants to scurry to the bathroom and get out of here. She's already feeling shame, may as well get the walk over with.

"I don't need any money." He's laughing now. Shes scooting to the restroom when he catches her hands and holds her close. "Where are you going. You owe me, you're gonna pay me in conversation."

Wait, he still wants to talk, even after they've done what they came to do. "Ok." Shes still a little embarrassed and pulling away.

"No, no, stay and talk, come back to bed and tell me about my perfect co—" she's clamping her hand over his mouth.

"Only if you shut up, and I have to have a wee first."

"After!" He begged. "I wanna hear about school and everything. What exactly you're doing to save the world."

"I'll tell you, I have to go after, prevents uti's and such." She hated being clinical, well right now.

"It does?" He asked and she nodded. "That's good to know."

She wants to be embarrassed, but his ease when she comes back from washing up, the way he is still naked and opens his arms to her, helping her find the right spot on top of him where they are both comfortable, it makes her less self conscious, about her little factoid, her nudity, or that she's essentially slept with him right off.

She sighs and is about to ask about the giant butterfly, moth, when he speaks. "Tell me about Holland, about school." His voice is like molasses, and her words come out as slow.

"It lovely, and school is so hard, some times I might as well move onto campus, live in the library-"

"You don't live on campus?" She shakes her head. "Do you ride your bike into town?"

"Yes, I do."

"Oh, you must send me a picture of you on your bike. In a dress." He wants to text.

"Then I want updates on any stupid tattoos you get!" She counters.

"You think my tattoos are stupid?" He pouts, and she's captivated by that face.

"Very." She kissed both sparrows beaks. "But their also sexy."

He likes that, his dimples say so. Then he asks about Iceland and they talk for an hour or more before she's over him, swallowing his moans. They have another go in the morning before leaving, he's hard to convince that she'll be fine with an Uber. If he drives her, it'll blow their cover.

She wound up in his suv anyway.

For the next week they snuck out to warm up the backseat of his Range Rover, her mother's kitchen counter, his childhood bedroom, and then the inn again the night before she left. Just for a few hours, she'd told her mum she was going to the pub to say goodbye to mates.

Their goodbye meant his face remained her go-to for the next year whenever she was alone in her room, at night, missing him.

"Can I have you again, next year? For Christmas?" He'd asked.

Who could say no to that?

She faced those plans unafraid, the ones they made, for the whole next year.

[championrevali]

You said you were looking for writing prompts so how about a reverse AU type of thing where Prince Link enters a Rito archery competition disguised as a Rito (in a rito mask because the King doesn't want him fighting or competing so he does it in secret) and beats Revali (by one point) before disappearing. Now Revali is obsessed with finding out the identity of the Rito who beat him because he may or may not want to settle the score (ie court him.)

Oml I love this so much. I kinda deviated from the og idea a little bit just to work with what was going on in my head. I hope it’s okay. Also thank you to my Revalink discord friends for helping me some ideas for how to link (hehe, link) scenes, i was mega stuck for a hot minute.

I decided to split this into two parts.

(low key should I put this on Ao3?)

Italics is sign language

Word count: 1595

Ship: Revalink, Revali/Link

"Are you sure this will work?" Link asked, surveying the merchants many elixirs.

"Positive! I've tested them me'self. That elixir there will turn you into a Rito. Twenty four hours guaranteed."

Nodding, Link dropped a bag of rupees onto the counter. "I'll take five."

The merchant grinned, inspecting his new riches. "Pleasure doing business with you young man."

Link pocketed the elixirs, and hopped up onto his rented horse. The steed pulled against the reigns willfully, and Link wished Epona wasn't as recognizable as she was.

It wasnt hard to miss his royal steed, and if he had brought her he would be caught for sure.

No, he couldn't be caught. He needed to know whether his nightly training was worth it. He needed to know if he could beat the greatest archers in Hyrule.

~~

Seeing the tall rocky formation from the stable was a great relief to the prince, as the long ride had tired him out. He dropped his horse off, and walked to a nearby pond. He squeezed his eyes shut and drank the elixir.

He probably shouldnt have been as shocked as he was when he looked at his reflection. Golden feathers speckled with light blue covered his whole body. Lifting his hand- or his wing to his light blue beak, he opened and closed his mouth in amazement.

Backing away from the pond, he stumbled a bit on his taloned feet. "How do Ritos walk like this?" Link thought, as he started his way to the village.

~~

The older inspected the small boy up and down. "You're quite small to he in an archery competition... are you sure you can even pull back the string?"

Links feathers puffed up, embarrassed. "Yes I can..."

The Rito laughed. "Whatever you sat kid... What's your name?"

"Link." He said without thinking.

"Ah... same name as the pretty boy prince of Hyrule huh? Not exactly a common name is it?"

Link hesitated. "Right.".

The Rito waved him past the check in, towards the range. "Good luck."

Sighing, releaved, Link went over to pick out a bow. The range supplied bows so that no ones would have an opportunity to cheat.

"These are worthless pieces of crap" a voice announced near Link.

Turning to see who had spoken, Link saw a dark blue Rito, inspecting the bows.

"My bow is far superior to any of these... used bows..." the words dripped from the dark blue Rito's mouth as if he was talking about some muck on the bottom of his shoe.

"Isn't that the point though? That we all have the same quality bows?" Link inquired, curious as to why this Rito found used bows so repulsive.

"Tsk, and I suppose you also believe that it's not about winning it's about having fun." Sarcasm leaked from every word.

Link flushed, choosing to just pick up a bow and walk away. As he walked away he could feel the blue feathered Ritos eyes burning a hole in his back.

~~

Link lined up with the other Rito, feeling utterly dwarfed by their height. He somehow kept his julian height, and was at least a head shorter than most others around him.

The blue Rito he'd ran into before was a few spaces away from him, also looking quite short next to his competitors.

The older Rito he'd talked to earlier stepped in front of the lineup. "The rules are simple. Furthest away from the target is eliminated. Missing the target is automatic disqualification, as is cheating. Good luck."

Taking a deep breath, Link adjusted his stance. This would be where he found out whether all of his training in secret was worth it.

Adjusting his stance, Link lifted the bow. It was heavier than he was used to, but his feathers seemed better adjusted to hold the weight. He pulled back the string, and let the arrow fly.

His arrow slammed in the second outer circle. Link smiled, proud that he was still in the competition.

"Tsk." Link heard to the left of him. That Rito he'd talked to earlier was looking at his target with distaste.

He had hit in the center circle, closer to a bullseye than any of the other targets. Yet he looks disappointed.

"Oh c'mon Revali, you'll get it next time." Teased the Rito next to him.

Link looked away, this Rito was too cocky for Link's taste. He nocked an arrow, preparing for the next round.

~~

Round after round passed, Link becoming more and more comfortable with each arrow.

At last, he and one final Rito, Revali, were the only two left standing. The Rito shot him an overexaggerated, unimpressed look.

"Well I suppose we should just pack it up now... I can't imagine this will be too difficult."

Link clenched his jaw in annoyance.

"Nothing to say oh short one? Very well then." Revali turned back towards the target, tugging on the bow string lightly.

Link shook his head, turning back to the targets as well. He wouldn't let this overconfident Rito ruin this. He took a deep breath, pulling back the string.

Thunk

The echo of an arrow slamming into a tree. But it wasn't Link's arrow.

Revali was staring in shock at his arrow, stuck firmly in a tree a few feet away from his target. Link's own arrow was planted less than an inch from the center.

He had won.

"No! That was a mistake, I demand a redo!" Revali insisted, feathers fluffed up in annoyance. It might have looked cute if Link didn't know it was him the Rito was angry at.

"Revali you missed... meaning you lose... just accept it." A Ritos voice popped up from the side.

Shooting a glare that could kill, Revali slammed the bow back into the stand, and took off in the direction of the village. 

After a moment of awkward silence, Link was crowded in a large mass of Rito congratulating him. He tensed, not used to having to being so crowded. Life in the castle was mostly him doing his duty of preparing to be king someday. His assigned knight and best friend Zelda and his father were the only company he was used to having.

~~

Revali POV

Landing in the flight range, Revali cursed under his breath. "Those ridiculous bows... they're not the right adjustments... it's their fault."

He supposed the small Rito was a good opponent. Certainly was interesting compared to the usual supposed competition he crushed.

The way he held the bow was interesting as well, it resembled the bow hold of a Hylian. Perhaps he grew up near a Hylian settlement. Though that was highly unlikely. Not many Rito strayed from the village that they grew up in. Many would leave the roost and travel for a few years, but they most always returned to the village to let their family grow. 

Revali smiled as an idea came over him. “Perhaps I could convince him to a rematch. Certainly he wouldn’t want anyone questioning the legitimacy of his win.”

Climbing into his hammock, Revali was satisfied that this would solidify his win, and prove that he was still the greatest archer the Rito had ever seen.

~~

The village the next morning was buzzing with news that the great Revali had finally met his match. It took everything in him not to stop and tell the gossipers the truth, that the yellow Rito’s win was nothing but a fluke on the fault of his bow. 

He took a deep breath and steeled himself. Find the Rito first, then prove that it was a mistake. 

“Would you happen to know where that Rito would be? I would like to apologize for my outburst yesterday.” Revali lied through his beak.

“You just missed him.” The gossiper said, looking at him with- Oh dear Hylia that better not be pity he saw in her face. “The lad checked out of the inn not an hour ago, walked in the direction of the stable.”

Nodding, the blue Rito climbed up to one of the landing decks, and flew in the direction of the stable. Surely he would be able to catch his competitor before he got too far away. After all, not all birds had his gale. 

~~

Revali was frustrated. Not only was his competitor not at the stable. But no one had actually seen him leave the stable. The only thing to go by was that apparently his name was Link.

The last sighting of him was when he arrived at the Rito stable, yet no one had seen him leave.

Eventually Revali gave up. Moved on, he claimed. If anyone asked, he would deny that thoughts of the mysterious archer graced his thoughts every day.

And it was definitely because revali was angry about his mess up, not because he wanted to know how soft the others feathers were. It definitely wasn't because he was attractive. No, definitely not.

Shakes head head, Revali turned over in his hammock. It did no good to lose sleep over someone hed never see again.

But here he was, the day before he was to depart for Hyrule castle, thinking about that elusive Rito.

As the winner of first place seemed to be long gone, Revali was supposed to show off his skills to the royalty in Hyrule castle for winning second place. Perhaps king would be impressed and offer him a place in the castle.

Who was he kidding, of course the king would be impressed, he was the great Revali after all.

~~

Cont. In part 2!

If yall enjoyed this and wanna be tagged for part 2, lemme know in the comments.

Thank you for this prompt kasaru_chan! I had so much fun writing it, sorry again that it took so long

~~

@kasaru-chan @silvershadowdragon39 @imofficialbabyuwu

[irukas-son]

HELLOOO is this we’re I submit my requests?

I hope so 😭☝️

Can I get a sai x fem reader (naruto) were they’re dating and your trying to keep it a secret but sai keeps telling everyone that u guys are fucking off handedly to people 😀

🚶🏽🚶🏽

OH MY GAWD

It’s okay if u don’t tho

ur writing is amazing btw❤️❤️

bby<3 thank you so much it means a lot to me. lol i thought this wouldn’t be enough but the word count is over 1,000 so we’re good, i hope you like it!

You left the gate of your house and saw Sakura walking. Once she saw you lock the gate, she started waving wildly and half-jogged towards you. Why is she so excited?

“Hi! So, tell me all about it!” Sakura said.

“Oh, hey Sakura,” truth be told, she wasn’t your closest friend, you just didn’t have the heart to push her off, “about what?”

“About you and Sai, silly!”

You felt your cheeks heat up. She isn’t supposed to know about that! You just wanted Sai to be all yours, but people weren’t supposed to know! Your parents would be so mad if they found out you were dating a shinobi.

You were reminded about what your father told you, “Ninjas date other ninjas, I don’t want you to get hurt! They won’t love you like someone normal. They’re either off on a mission or will also die on that mission. Be like your mother and I, we both have normal jobs here and look how healthy our relationship is! It’s for your own good.” He was right, but you didn’t know Sai was a ninja at first. And now, you didn’t really care, you liked Sai for him and, honestly, he is irreplaceable. He was the perfect guy for you.

You saw him often at the library you work at, you thought it was funny how he’d borrow books on human behavior, but it also made you have a soft spot for him. He was like a lost human in this big world, but wanted to integrate well, without anyone’s help. And after all, he was cute to you. Unlike other ninjas, he didn’t wear his headband at all times. Later, after you became closer, you were in his bedroom (just visiting, nothing happened) and noticed his headband on his dresser. He confirmed being a shinobi, but it was too late, you were already in love.

“Who told you?” you snapped back at Sakura.

“So you admit to it? Sai told me!”

“Sai... Sai and I are just friends, I don’t know why he would tell you that.”

“Yeah, right, I notice you and him, the way you look at each other, I shipped it!”

“Listen I’m late to work, Sai and I are just friends, end of discussion.”

You started jogging towards the library, fuelled by embarrassment, but also rage. 

You remember one of your late night dates with him by the water, you told him to not tell anyone. Or did you forget?

“Sai, I love you,” you said.

“Love? I feel that too, I think, towards you,” he said, pensive. He tucked a strand of your hair behind your ear, while you were both sitting looking ahead at the stars reflecting on the sea.

“Uh, hmm, well I don’t know how to say this, but I really want us to be exclusive,” you declared, turning to him. Even though you consider yourself more on the shy side, he made you feel comfortable. You feel like you could tell him anything.

“Like a relationship? Okay, I can be your boyfriend,” Sai said with little emotion. It was your way of locking him down, not that you think he goes around flirting with girls, but you liked the title.

Once at the library, you saw him standing by the door, waiting for it to be open, or to see you... that’d be sweet. Seeing him made your anger dissipate, even though he’s the one that is the cause.

“Sai, hi!” You greeted him, unlocking the door of the library.

“Hey,” he followed you inside, “May I kiss you?”

You agreed, knowing there is no one in the place, leaned on the receptionist counter while he kissed you tenderly on the lips, passing his right hand through your hair and resting his left hand on your hip. You taught him more or less how to kiss. Once detached, you sat behind the counter and he started asking you about your day. Reminded of your encounter with Sakura, you frowned, and told him “can you not talk about our relationship with anyone please?”

“Why?” Sai asked you, “Are you not proud to date me?” He seemed upset, oh no.

“Nonono Sai that’s not it, I just don’t want my parents to know you’re a ninja. They don’t want me to date a ninja, you know?”

“Hmm, I guess that makes sense. I cannot stop being a ninja however.”

“I’m not asking you to stop, just don’t tell people about us.”

“Okay, I’ll stop now.”

“Wait... who did you tell?”

“Sakura...”

“Only her?”

“...yes.” He was such a bad liar, he’s not one to lie after all.

“You sure?” you teased, leaning over the counter looking up at him.

“And Naruto.” Oh, freaking great, you were not that close to Naruto, but you knew enough that he’d probably tell everyone, it’s already too late. He might even tell Tsunade!

“SAI!!!”

“Sorry I didn’t know it was private!”

“You were supposed to be my undercover lover!!! Now that you told Naruto, the whole village might as well know,” you sighed, knowing you couldn’t do anything about it. What will you ever do? 

Sai left without even saying anything, that’s so not like him... he has other things to do today, so he’s excused. You just stayed and worked at the library, rearranging the returned books and lending other books to other readers. 

“I knew it wouldn’t last long,” you heard as the door opened, you turned to see Naruto, not someone you see often at the library, with his hand behind his head and frowning.

“Huh?”

“I don’t know what you did, but he came wailing and crying to Sakura and I about him being broken up. He ruined our date.”

“Sakura would never go on a date with you!”

“She would!”

He left muttering some words. So he pretended that you broke up with him to the only people he told, that’s kinda smart, but does that mean that the other people that were aware of it will know too? Actually, can people mind their business?

But now does that mean him and you can’t even hang out together in public, not that you wanted to! You like your late night rendezvous under the stars. You both looked beautiful in the moonlight. You liked him as your undercover lover. Forever.

[so-i-dont-forget-again]

So I Don’t Forget Again: A Breath of The Wild fanfiction

Entry 216: Bannan Island

 Sidon woke me up this morning. He worked through the night to finish the armor and made the hand mirror for me. He asked me if I really was going to leave today. So he could tell that easily, huh. He asked that we just do two things before I go. The first was cuddling for a little bit. The second, he challenged me to a battle. Before I leave, we HAD to fight. He told me he’d prove to me that I wouldn’t have to worry about him, that I can rely on him, that I wasn’t alone in this, that I don’t have to carry the burden of the whole world on my shoulders. That… he wanted to prove to me things were different this time, my friends won’t die, I won’t fall asleep for another hundred years, I won’t forget anything again. We’d be happy, and safe.

We fled from the city, this was a serious battle, no training weapons, no holding back, first to incapacitate the other is the winner.

He studied my form, from Hylian to the one I’m making. He knows he can’t beat me in raw skill, I’m simply always fighting, he’s not, he doesn’t have as much experience, but he’s smart. He adapts so quickly. Every time I changed my strategy moments later, he’d catch on and change his. He took swift aim at any weak spot I showed. He even learned from me during battle, like how I use the environment to my advantage he started copying me. At first he tried sticking towards the waters, but he quickly realized that if he kept that up I’d be able to get in a sneak attack and win. You can’t be stubborn in battle, if a strategy isn’t working or takes too long, you have to drop it for something else and he did just that. He’s also much, much stronger than me, and he knew that. If our weapons clashed, he could easily push through and get to me, so I needed to rely on speed. Running wise he’s not so, but when swinging those tridents, he’s like lightning. Even in battle he smiles. He so earnestly thinks the best of any given situation it’s almost as if that wills it into truth. He never faltered, never lost confidence or got distracted. He has an iron will that never wavered.

No matter how capable there are some things you simply cannot learn without experience. Like knowing how to fight without sight, to focus on your hearing. I was able to blind him for a moment with the mirror reflecting the sunlight. Immediately he tried fighting back, but that moment was enough for me to deliver a jab to his chest with the back end of Mipha’s trident, knock him to the ground and hold Boulder Breaker right above his head.

He wanted to win, so badly, it was clear, yet he looked at me for a moment and smiled so softly. He said that was a fantastic battle. He thought it was a little funny though, one of his gifts to me lead to his ultimate downfall, the mirror no less, the one tied to the scale legend. He’s glad to show me the true fruits of his labor. He also found it amazing to fight me, fighting with me was one thing, but against me was another, it was unlike anything else. I am unmatched by all whether it be skill, strategy or whatever. And because of that he is sure I saw how strong he was, and that he can help me. He would not hold me back.

I told him I never doubted him, that I always believe him. He however said he knows I hurt and get stuck in my head, and he didn’t want to be another person who hurts me. Even if he’s weaker in battle than me, he can protect himself, that at least to an extent, we’re equals, and if I truly knew that, could see it firsthand, then I’d be okay. He wouldn’t hurt me. He says that if he could lighten my burden, even a little, he’d do it, and he simply couldn’t think of any other way to do that for me.

He just hugged me for a while. It felt so nice.

I sometimes feel like Sidon does so much for me, and I don’t give much in return, but I think I know better now. Sidon wants me to know we’re equals in this, so everything he’s done for me, from the armor, to training, to just being with me, it’s both because he wants to for him and myself but to also be on equal footing with me. That’s what he’s been doing this whole time.

It makes me feel better. But it’s still taken me so long to word it, I knew it, like back at KaraKara bazaar I touched it, how he helps me, but still lets me learn and experience on my own. He’s always been my partner in things, never taking the lead or following.

He walked us out of the canyon. The sun was setting. Since we were still technically in the Zora’s Domain, we thought it would be okay that we stay out here for the night. We talked through the night, and just watched the stars. Or tried too at least, we kinda just gazing at each other for a while. As bright as the stars are, I find his glowing spots more captivating. It’s just so soft and welcoming. He really likes my eyes. To him they’re so striking, and expressive, and earnest, they are shiny and bright like mirrors, he even admitted that his heart races a little faster if he sees himself reflected in them, I’m focusing on him, and really having my attention, it feels special to him.

He asked me when I was going to write in my journal. He actually stayed up through the whole night with me, and I never seemed to reach for it. When I told him I wanted to see this whole moment through and not cut it off short or something, I’d write tonight. He hugged me so tightly and told me he loves me so much, that I’m his best friend and he was so glad to hear those words.

As I rode away on Bossa Nova, after making sure the path ahead was safe I and Sidon kept waving to one another and yelling our goodbyes till he was out of sight and we couldn’t hear each other anymore.

So here I am. Off to Kakariko Village now.

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