#We wouldn't want you straying from the path now would we?

[desi2go]

Proposing to you

How would they propose to you?

Pairings: Stray Kids x reader

Warning: fluff

Hyung line maknae line

~~Bang Chan~~

You two were together for a while now. Today was your fifth anniversary. Five years. That's a long time but for him it was like he just met you. The time flew by so fast. He remembered the day you met like it was yesterday. You wore a simple blue hoodie and a black jeans. You looked so stunning even in that simple outfit. He met you in the JYP building. You worked as a manager and from the first moment on, he fell for you.You two were friends for some time, til he confessed his feelings for you. That was five years ago.

Now, for your fifth anniversary, you two took some days off and visited his family in Australia. Today, it was only your day. In the morning he brought you breakfast in bed and you exchanged your presents for each other. It was like a tradition. On your first anniversary, he gifted you a bracelet with a jewellery pendant. Each year he gave you another pendant. Every single one held memories and you love this gift. You wore it every time and everywhere.

After your breakfast, you two decided to spend the sunny day at the beach. You stayed til the sun sets, admiring the beautiful sunset that painted everything in a light orange. You two walked through the shallow water, holding hands, until Chan let's go. Confused you turned around. Chan had his hands in his pockets and looked nervous. He took a deep breath and finally looked into your eyes. " Y/n. We know each other for over five years. And the first time I saw you, I knew that I want to be with you, forever."

He took another shaky breath, went slowly down on one knee and took something out of his pocket, a ring. Your eyes widened and you gasped.

"Y/n, will you marry me?"

You nodded as your eyes were filled with tears. "Yes... yes. Of course, Chan!" you answered. He gave you the ring and smiled widely. He closed the short distance and hugged you tight. "I love you, Y/n." You kissed him and played with his hair. "And I love you"

~~Lee Know~~

Minho wouldn't date for fun. So when you two became a couple, it was his intention to marry you someday. You two know each other for seven years. The first time he saw you, he was mesmerized by your breathtaking beauty. You were Han's best friend and visited him in the dance practice room. You two instantly clicked and talked after the practice for hours. After that Minho and you started dating pretty fast, after he had kissed you at a party. In this seven years, you two went through ups and downs together, creating a incredible bond.

Minho thought about a proposal for a while now. He even asked Han about his opinion. As Minho's and your best friend he was so excited and helped Minho to organise everything. They chose the perfect location and bought the perfect ring.

For you it was just a normal date with your beloved boyfriend. You two went to your favourite restaurant and then you walked through the city and in the park. It was already night and the park was barely lit. As you nearly reached this one special spot, you noticed that the path was illuminated with candles. You were confused but continued walking. You reached your favourite place, it was at a small lake, where Minho asked you for seven years if you want to be his girlfriend. Everywhere stood candles.

Minho let's go of your hand and drove through his hair. "Y/n, this is our place. For seven years, I asked you here if you want to be my girlfriend. I love you. I enjoyed every moment with you. You are my soulmate." He let out a shaky breath and fumbled in his pocket, then he goes down on one knee. "Will you marry me?"

The first tears start to fall and you could just nod. You closed the distance between you two and hugged him tightly. "Yes, of course. I love you so much" You stumbled between sobs.

You heard a rustle and the cracking of sticks. You looked up and saw your best friend jumping up and down with a huge smile on his face. "Congratulations Minho and Y/n!" He shouted excited. You chuckled and leaned your head on your fiancés chest.

~~Changbin~~

Changbin and you were together for four years. He met you on a festival as you ran into him and spilled your coffee over his jeans. You apologised instantly but he laughed it off and said that as a reparation you should buy him a drink. You two got something to drink and got to know each other. At the end of the day, you exchanged numbers. The other members immidiatly knew that he fell for you. You met each other regulary and the friendship turned into love pretty fast. It was love at first sight.

You often visited him in the studio and when he had dance practice, you watched him, giving everything for you. The other members of Stray Kids adored you and from time to time Changbin got jealous, because especially Felix, Han and Innie were attached to you. You laughed as he glared at them, turning his face towards you and gave him a quick kiss.

After two years of relationship, he couldn't wait any longer and told STAYs that he was taken. Luckily, many fans were excited and were happy for you two. You could work from everywhere so that you could sometimes go with him on tour and watch your boyfriend singing and dancing. The fans screamed as Binnie lead you, at the end of a concert, on stage, introducing you to the fans. It was the first time you showed your face as his girlfriend in public.

The thought of marrying you came pretty early. He even mentioned it as joke to you sometimes. You would smirk and answer that you couldn't wait to become his wife. So, after four years of relationship, he thought that it was time to make you his fiancée. He bought with the help of Chan a beautiful ring and decided that he want to propose to you on stage, where all the persons were he loved. His friends and STAY.

The concert went on effortlessly. The crowd was cheering and singing as your boyfriend gave everything. You stayed backstage to watch him from the side. It was breathtaking. The concert approached his end and the last song was played. Then you could here your boyfriend stopping the music. " STAY before this concert is finally over, I want to say something" You frowned irritated. Chan walked towards you and lead you on stage. There you stood: stiff and confused. "Y/n, my soulmate. You're my everything. In the last few years I became fond of your love and I can't live without you."

"I want to use this moment to ask you something" He pulled a little box out of his trousers and knelt infront of you. The fans went bizarre. "My love, will you marry me?" He looked in your eyes, his eyes full of love and adoration. You gasped and ran towards him. You nearly knocked him over as you hugged him tight. "Yes...yes, Binnie" You kissed him as he put the ring on your finger. STAYs cheered and clapped. Now, you just remembered that you stood on stage. Shyly you leaned your face against his chest to hide your blush.

~~Hyunjin~~

You were Hyunjin's muse. Since he met you four and a half years ago at a art gallery, you were his inspiration. Whether it was while dancing, singing or painting, you were the centre of his creativity. The other members noticed it too. Whenever you were with him, it was like he shone brighter and strove harder to show you what he can do.

He loved to draw you, his entire art room was decorated with paintings of you. Even your entire office was embellished with his beautiful drawings and you adored it. It was like he was there the whole time.

The thought of marrying you came to his mind one night as he was painting another masterpiece. He really wanted to become your husband, but he was anxious. Would you say yes? And how should he propose to you. You too never talked about this topic. So he asked Felix and Chan about it.

They helped him to set up everything. It was a Friday evening. Hyunjin and you were on a date and since you two were interested in art, you like to go to different exhibitions together. Today you wanted to visit a exclusive one, as Hyunjin told you. You were excited and chatting happy with him. As you got there, he opens the door for you and let you in first.

Suddenly the lights go out. "Jinnie? Where are you?" "I'm right here, love" he answered and lead you in another room. "Hyunjin what are you doing?" You asked as he released your hand. In this moment the room was lighted with the help of fairy lights, turning everything into a soft orange. You admired the room. It was filled with pictures of Hyunjin and you and you recognised a drawing that showed you two on your first date.

You stood there in shock because you didn't imagine that something like that would happen. And there was Hyunjin, your love of your life, standing on the other side of the room. His hair was messy as he kept running through it. "What's that all about, Jinnie? Did I miss an anniversary?"

"No, absolutely not. I just want to make this special" He took a deep breath and continued. "Y/n, you're my muse, my inspiration. Living without you would be grim and colourless. I can't imagine a life without your love and support. My love, will you marry me and live with me until death do us part?"

"Oh Jinnie" You whispered. "Of course I will marry you" You ran into his arms as he lifted you up and swirled you around.

[undreaming-fanfiction]

Part 2 to the Kas!Eddie thingy. Please read that for this to make sense, but you can just ignore this good ending bit and pretend that they never learned their lesson.

When they come to, they are safely tucked in beds, still in their clothes, but their bruises and scratches have been treated. There's a small table too, with some fruits, coffee, juice and a healthy breakfast they haven't had in ages.

Next to it, they see a handwritten note: "Come see me downstairs when you're ready. Steve Harrington."

They are cautious. Terrified. But the windows have bars, their stomachs are empty and even if they could escape, that winged creature wouldn't let them leave, they think. So they eat, some of them even use the warm shower in the guest room, and then they take the stairs down, to their fate.

Steve Harrington is sitting at his kitchen table, sipping coffee. He is wearing a yellow sweater, reading glasses and even though his hair has grey streaks and there are wrinkles around his eyes, he doesn't seem like someone they could take on. They don't even think about trying it.

"Ah, good morning. I hope you liked the breakfast. Now, I hope you got everything you needed out of your system yesterday, so we can get down to business. What would you say to having a job and a roof over your head?"

They stare, but he's not joking. Harrington explains to them that he's willing to house them and feed them for some work on his house and the grounds until they get back on their feet. He needs the help anyway, he has the money to pay them a reasonable amount. They already saw the accomodations, so...are they interested?

They are, this is their chance and they all see it, but one of them has the presence of mind to ask - what about the monster?

"The boyfriend!" one of them corrects him quickly.

Steve smiles and gets up. "Ah, that is good question indeed." He knocks on the door of the small bedroom on the main floor and calls out: "Eddie? Can you come here for a second?"

It - no, he - doesn't like a monster. He's a normal young man, maybe a bit too old school rockstar looking to be completely inconspicuous, but still a man. He has a mane of curly hair, a lazy smile with teeth that are just a bit too sharp...and a swarm of bats tattoed on his forearm.

Harrington gives him a brief peck on his cheek. "Our guests want to know if the monster is going to be a problem. Care to tell them? I need to get something done in the town anyways."

Eddie sits down and winks at them. He waits for Steve to leave and then he explains it all.

Steve is all about second chances. He also can't bear to leave strays outside, much to the group's luck. And Eddie respects that, he wants to believe that they all had just a lot of bad luck, just like he once had. But he'll be watching them so that they don't end up hurting anyone, including themselves.

"Like you didn't hurt us yesterday?" someone chimes in and Eddie laughs.

"You stupid twerp," he says and it almost sounds loving, "No matter what you think happened yesterday, I did save you. I heard you coming from a mile away, saw you arguing in the woods. I smelled your anger. That's why I could afford to just scare you, knock you around a little. But if you got past me and attacked Steve..."

"You would have killed us?"

But Eddie shakes his head. "No. Not me. But Steve would have. You'd stand no chance. Against monsters, maybe. Against a man who's been to the hell and back? No way."

---

They work on the grounds of the Harrington mansion, do the maintenance, mow lawns, clean and dust everything, and in a few months, they have enough money to move away. They thank Steve and Eddie, promise to call and stay in touch.

That day the last one leaves, Steve drives to the pawnshop and when the owner comes to the counter, Steve tells him: "They're gone now."

"Good job, Steve. Another group of misguided youth brought back to the right path. You're so good at this, it's almost disgusting." A glass of vodka finds its way to Steve's hand and he laughs, drinks with his friend to success.

As Steve turns around to leave, he nods at Murray. "Just warn a guy the next time, okay? You're lucky Eddie got to them first."

Murray grins back. "Saved by a monster. How poetic."

And he mouths along with Steve's words, when he corrects him: "Not a monster. My boyfriend."

[emsprovisions]

The Substitute

I couldn't get this cozy idea out of my head and I wouldn't even have this little story if not for @ironheartwriter and I cooking it up last night. So Lana, this one's for you 💕

Carlos hates shifts that run opposite of TK’s. He hates shifts that run late into the night and keep him away from his husband even more. 

Carlos knows TK hates sleeping alone, that even when he tries to fall asleep, he doesn’t sleep well until Carlos can crawl into bed beside him. Carlos understands it. He’s always all too aware of when his husband is absent from their bed. He’ll reach for TK across the mattress in his sleep and wake up when his hands don’t register with anything. He’ll remember TK’s on a 24 hour shift if he’s not home, or he’ll get up and drag him back to bed if he’s having a late night snack.

Tonight though, Carlos is expecting the routine welcome he normally gets when he comes home in the middle of the night. TK blinking as he sits up from the blanket cocoon he made as he tried to wait up on the couch, or TK’s sleepy voice calling for him from their room, or even the sight of TK alert at the island barstool, eating leftovers and scrolling through his phone. 

Carlos is greeted by none of these things. 

In fact, the loft is silent and–save for the kitchen light–dark. 

Huh, Carlos thinks, because it’s strange for TK to not leave most of the lights on for Carlos. He sees TK’s set of keys in the bowl when he drops his own set in, and he knows he saw TK’s car when Carlos parked his own beside it. 

Carlos quietly toes off his shoes and shrugs out of his jacket, setting his things down behind the couch before creeping towards the open doors of their bedroom. 

There’s a large and dark lump on his side of the bed. Frankly, the lump is too large to be TK alone. Carlos quirks a brow at the sight, his mouth drawing into a pinched line. He knows the path to the closet even in the dark, and flips on the switch, letting a soft light spill out into the bedroom and cast over the sleeping face of TK and his companion. 

And whatever annoyance Carlos momentarily feels gives way to complete awe at the sight of TK actually peacefully sleeping while snuggled up with their dog, an Australian Shepherd named Lizzie. 

They adopted her about a month ago, after Carlos took TK on a date to the Humane Society with the promise of “we don’t have to find the one today.” He was wrong of course, which he probably should have known, given his husband’s love of strays. But one look at the good-mannered and sweet-natured Australian Shepherd in the kennel, with her bright blue eyes, and her brown and white fluffy coat, and they were both goners. 

Lizzie has been a great addition to their home. She’s curious when she spots Lou II through the glass of his enclosure, nose sniffing as he scuttles up to the front to inspect her too. She goes to the firehouse with TK on most of his shifts and gets her fill of socialization by being doted on by the 126. And although there is a very strict vacuuming routine to keep the shedding at bay now, Carlos would not trade the happiness she provides them with for the world. Carlos has fulfilled his wish of having a pet to pet, and TK has fulfilled his wish of wanting a dog since he was a kid. 

She’s also definitely way more protective of TK. He often finds her laying on top of him or near him if he’s not beside TK himself. This is probably why he finds her curled up against TK’s chest in bed now. Carlos had set a firm rule that he doesn’t want Lizzie sleeping in their bed, but honestly, if her presence can soothe TK enough that he can actually fall asleep without Carlos, he’s more than okay with dropping that rule. Plus the sight of them really is the cutest thing Carlos has ever seen, and he’s very tempted to pull out his phone and take a picture if he knew it wouldn’t set off the flash.

Carlos quickly strips out of his jeans and button up, trading them for sleep shorts and a t-shirt before heading for the bathroom to brush his teeth. He rushes through the routine, in a hurry to go climb into his warm bed and hold his husband, so he can take over his duties from the dog. 

Carlos sits down beside TK’s hip, reaching forward to brush his fingers through TK’s hair. Lizzie lifts her sleepy head and regards Carlos with a lick to his arm and a yawn, before tucking back in. 

“TK,” Carlos whispers, continuing to brush TK’s hair back. “Baby.”

TK stirs. Carlos hates waking him but he needs TK to shift over so he can crawl in behind him. 

“Baby, I need you to move over so I can get in bed.”

TK’s eyes blink open and he catches sight of Carlos leaning over him. His face immediately breaks into a big smile.

“There you are,” Carlos fondly murmurs, hand running down to cup TK’s cheek.

“Hi baby,” TK whispers back, his voice thick and sleepy. “Sorry Lizzie’s in the bed. I was lonely.”

“I know, baby, it’s okay. I’m glad she helped you sleep.” He leans down to press a kiss to TK’s forehead, and before he can pull away, TK wraps his arm around Carlos’s waist to keep him tugged close for a kiss. Carlos has an awkward arm braced over the other side of Lizzie so he doesn't topple all of his weight on top of TK, and he laughs as TK holds him in place. “You have to let me get in bed, babe.” 

“I’ve got you where I want you,” TK says back, his voice muffled where he’s buried his face against Carlos’s neck. 

“Babe, come on,” Carlos laughs. 

At this point, there is too much noise and too much movement on the mattress for Lizzie to stay comfortable where she’s laying against TK. With a targeted huff, she stands up and moves towards the foot of the bed, throwing a glare back at her dads as she completes a few circles and rolls herself into a tight ball, nose tucked aggressively under her tail.

They both begin to laugh harder at the sight of their annoyed dog and then TK does finally shift over, closer to his own side of the bed, to allow Carlos some space to move in beside him. He rolls into Carlos’s arms, nose tucked in against his chest, all warm, soft, and heavy from sleep, and Carlos can’t help the kiss he presses into TK’s hair.

“Lizzie’s good, but she’s not a Carlos substitute,” TK sighs happily, nuzzling his face against Carlos’s neck. 

“I’m glad I’ve not been replaced, then,” Carlos chuckles.

TK looks up at him with a smile in the dark, before pulling him down for a goodnight kiss. 

“Never.”

[disregardcanon]

a few ways others influenced how Billy manifested "The Road"

the conversation about "taming your fears" and then "trials" and agatha claiming that they would face a trial for "each skill" shapes not only the setup as A Series of Four Trials, but also the emphasis on PERSONAL GROWTH. Billy ends up focusing in on what he knows about these different women whose minds he can read and who he keeps getting to know more and more as they go around

"i thought this would be obvious, but we should stay on the road" and then teen adding "I STRAY NOT FROM THE PATH!" happily like a student eagerly raising their hand in class. and then agatha is able to say "hello yes favorite student PLEASE make our situation go by what happens in the song i made up with my son. if you believe it then that'll become our reality! yay!"

agatha keeps asserting that billy is the familiar because oh boy! if he doesn't think of himself as Part of the Coven in the same way maybe his brain won't turn on him and get us all killed! yay!

For the first trial, Jennifer says that she "looks like one of her customers", and her business and clientele are BOTH something that Billy is familiar with. From the different versions of the Ballad, he already considers Personal Trauma to be something that's confronted on the Road, so of course he subconsciously chose something that created traumatic hallucinations, and then Agatha is still figuring out How This Thing That Shouldn't Be Is Going to Work so of COURSE she's reticent to drink the weird ominous now surely poisoned wine. she knows that the road isn't a real, cosmic entity that has set rules the way that others think. she fights against the idea that they all have to drink because if she had convinced billy that they didn't... she wouldn't have to! but with the combination of his preconceptions and the rest of the coven, who thinks that this is One Hundred Percent Real... he stays set on the idea that them, the Coven Members, all have to drink.

agatha stops fighting for HEY NO WE DON'T HAVE TO DO THIS as soon as billy decides if she doesn't, he will. she doesn't want to die for this, but she's also not stupid enough to have The Kid That Almost Definitely Is Making This Happen drink the wine instead of her. it actually IS better for her to be incapacitated and them have a chance to get out than to poison the kid who's clearly Doing The Magic Here,

For the second trial, Billy has some information from Alice about how her situation with her mom went via Being Right By Her During Her Hallucination and Alice Telling Him Things. from the hallucination: we get lorna playing with the cigarette lighter, saying she could feel alice's grandmother die thousands of miles away, smoke, and "I CAN'T PROTECT YOU!" he was right outside the door, where i'm sure he could hear her thoughts. this gives him enough to clearly connect Alice with fire in his mind. the rest of the trial was just... him knowing that alice has issues with her mother and her mother's version of the ballad, and creating a circumstance where she'd work through that issue. he really lucked into it being a protection spell for a proper generational curse.

other bits of trial number two: "seriously, we're an album cover waiting to happen!" teen exclaims. the walls of assorted Bad Things That Happen to Witches and then lorna wu merchandise.

he doesn't actually know nearly as much about agatha as the others, because he can't read agatha's mind. i think that the ouija board trial was the first one where his brain was just "huh, okay... what are the vibes of talking to spirits?" lilia establishes that spirit magic can't be hers because it was a con and establishes herself as divination for later, and then RIO is the one that makes it agatha's. i haven't totally figured out why, though. or what his subconscious had in mind for what "passing" the trial would look like. evanora and nicky were definitely the real ghosts pulled in with the help of the ouija board, but the reasoning behind it is a lot less... clear to me than the others.

the outside of the road was treacherous enough to keep sharon inside, but it didn't kill him and i don't think that it would have. the goal of that subconscious bit of magic was a fence, vs the subconscious use of the Trials, which according to the ballad, being used to construct it, COULD be deadly. (if one be gone we carry on, spirit as our guide). then of course when agatha, lilia and jen got sucked under it, despite how angry he was... it was a conscious enough use of magic and he didn't ACTUALLY want them dead.

the divination trial was pretty clearly set up in his brain for lilia. the tarot, the old timey european aesthetic of the set, and then the different witch costumes assigned to different witches to represent how he views them. it also makes sense that they couldn't figure out how to "pass it" before lilia got there because neither billy nor agatha are very good at tarot and they were just sniping at each other about how to do it, vs lilia who divined her whole life and was able to use the power boost billy's powers gave her to go out with a bang.

the green trial, i think, was a desperate last moment brain attempt to just shove them in a room and get results. the aesthetic was Scary Morgue because he finally had rio/death to slot into the green witch part of his brain. the idea, then, became Give the Survivors What They Came For, then they can leave. they got jen unbound and she got to disappear. agatha guided him through getting tommy a body and then he got to disappear, and then his brain kept agatha there until she was able to get at her own reason for being on the road: starting anew. then it let them all out.

[georgeweasleyslostearhq]

FRIENDS?

pairings: Xavier Thorpe x Fem!reader summary: Xavier doesn't like seeing you around other people. warnings: swearing, mention of alcohol and drugs. jealous Xavier, mention of sex. Xavier being a bit possessive. characters are 18.

note: don't forget to request anything that you would like to see. I made a post on who I take requests for

"what the hell is wrong with you?!" you shouted at Xavier

"nothing, what's your problem?" Xavier said aggressively

"leave, get out of my room. I don't want you here!" you demanded, pointing to the entrance of your room

"I'm not leaving" he shook his head, taking a slow step closer to you

"Xavier, get the hell out my room right now" you yelled at him, taking a step back.

"fine, but don't come crawling back to me when they leave you!" he screamed in your face

"oh trust me, I won't" you laughed sarcastically.

Xavier walked away from you, out the door where you slammed it in his face. you leaned against the door and bit your tongue, trying your hardest not the let the tears fall from your eyes, but they did. and they wouldn't stop.

---

that was a month ago. and since then, you haven't talked to Xavier at all, you had lost your closest friend of years to something he was jealous about.

"hey, darling" said an annoying voice, you turned to the blonde boy

"I've already told you not to call me that, we're not dating, we're not together and we never will be, what we did was a one time thing and I was partially drunk. so please. whatever your name is, leave. me. alone" you rolled your eyes at him.

he had been following you around like a lost puppy for the past two weeks because you slept with him at a party and you had gotten sick of it, but up until now, you could just bare it.

the boy gulped before leaving your table

"don't you think you should take a break from sleeping around with guys?" your friend, Danny suggested

"It's not like I do it on purpose, its the alcohol and drugs that does it" you shrugged.

lately you've been experimenting with those type of things at parties. you don't mean to but it's like a routine. you go to the party, you see Xavier staring at you, you take a dink or a smoke and end up all over a guy.

you wouldn't say it's to make Xavier jealous, but you do it because of him.

but again, you don't mean to, you just help yourself.

XAVIER'S POV

something about seeing her with all these guys just pisses me off. she knows what she's doing, and she knows I don't like it.

I even said it to her.

she started ditching me for her new 'friends' and sleeping around having sex with almost any guy she crossed paths with.

I told myself I was looking out for her. but I know it's more than that.

it's been a month since she threw me out, meaning she has a whole month to cool off. so when I saw her walking the corridors to the poe statue alone. I took my chance.

I followed her and snapped twice. down the stairs quietly I noticed her talking to a guy

"yesterday was fun, so. did you want to go out again. maybe tomorrow?" the guy said. standing a little too close for my liking

"I'd like that" she giggled softly. my stomach flipped, and not in the good way, my hands formed into finsts as I watched the scene unfold. he tucked a stray hair behind her ear and smiled at her.

she looked at him like he was the only guy in the world.

"well I'll see you then" he said

"I can't wait"

I quickly hid when I saw him coming up the stairs to leave. i held a breath as he walked past. I didn't want to hurt him.

but I did

--

"she's mine" I growled as I stared down at his unconscious body laying on the concrete floor.

I go back to the secret library and see her standing there, back turned to me. she looked like she was doing something, but I couldn't see.

I get to the bottom of the stairs with my hands in the pockets of my pants. I walk up behind her without her knowing and grabbed the notebook floating in the air.

the pen that was writing on it dropped and she turned to me out of shock

"give it back" she demanded. she looked cute

"come and get it" I smirked hiding it behind my back so she can't access it.

"give it back to me please" she sighed

"tell me what you you were doing with that other guy" I said

"what?" her eyebrows were lifted, acting oblivious

"you know I don't have patience. what where you doing?" I stated

"none of your business" she had her arms crossed against her chest, she look annoyed, but she made it look so cute

"are you wasted?" I asked

"no! why do even you care anyway? it's not your problem" she rolled her eyes

"you know your friends have been here too long" I took a step forward

"oh my god I can't believe you right now, I am aloud to have friends, I don't know why we're having this conversation again" she groaned

"no no, you can't blame this on me anymore. at first I did too, but over the past month I've realised this is on you, that you were too busy lying and sleeping around with guys to even hang out with me" i dropped the book and took a step closer to her

"I don't need to explain myself to you- why does it matter anyway, it's not like we were together!" you yelled at him

"well what the hell were we?! you can't seriously tell me that we were just friends, cause you and I both know we were more than that!" I took another step forward, making her back up slowly

"you're being ridiculous!"

"oh I'm being ridiculous because I'm fucking protecting you?!" I screamed

"Protecting me from what? my friends? they're better friends than you will ever be" she growled

"trust me they are not your friends, and that guy you were talking to is seeing three other girls" I paused, licking my lips frustratedly "but yeah, if they're better friends go on then, leave again" I laughed

"fuck you!" she yelled

"please do" I smirked

"my friends are great" she defended

I took a look around the room, pretending to look for her 'friends'

"and where are these great friends of yours right now, hm?" I huffed in amusement

"I-"

"-I can tell you where they are" I smiled "they're out in town, probably in the cafe, drinking coffee while talking shit about you"

"you are such a fucking dick" she ran her hands on her face

"I'm a dick for stating the truth? ok sure" I shrugged

"why are you even here?" she threw her hands in the air and back down to her sides

"because I'm fucking sick of seeing you with other people!" I screamed, backing her up into a bookshelf

"so you're jealous? we're not even friends anymore, you don't have the right to be mad at me for it"

"I'm aloud to be mad, I've been watching the girl I love ditch me for idiots for the past two months!" I yelled

"oh so now you love me, great" she said sarcastically

"I've always loved you, you fucking idiot, you're just to blind to even notice!" I ran a hand through my hair.

-

you went to say something but he cut you off

"don't you dare try to tell me you don't feel the same, cause we both know that we had something. you just threw it away to sleep with people"

"I was drunk and high, I didn't know what I was doing" you said quietly

"that hasn't stopped you from doing it again" Xavier growled

"I- I'm sorry" you whispered

"no you're not" he shook his head in disappointment, looking down at his feet, he didn't want to look at you.

"the only reason I did it was to get over you!" you yelled

"what the hell do you mean?" xavier questioned

"don't act like you haven't slept with other people. I only slept with them because you did it with Bianca!" she choked out

"what the hell are you talking about?"

"don't act fucking clueless! I know you slept with her, there's no point in denying it" you sighed, moving past him and walking away

"I never slept with Bianca" he denied

"bullshit" you cursed, not turning back

"don't fucking walk away from me, turn around" he said, trailing after you, stopping at the stairs where you were walking up

you stopped but you didn't turn around

"she told me" you smiled sadly, turning around for him to see your eyes become watery

"I can promise you that I didn't, you are the only girl I've had my eyes on in years" he gripped onto the railing of the staircase while looking up at you

you walked down the stairs and stopped in front of him

"I promise" he muttered to you, looking down at you lovingly

you gripped onto the collar of his shirt and pulled him down your level, placing a desperate kiss on his lips.

he situated his hands on your hips and moved closer to you, rubbing your hips against his own.

"so you love me?" you said amused

"don't act like you don't love me back" he shook his head, chuckling

"we're just friends" you teased, trying to hide a smile

"friends? yeah, I'll show you friends" he smirked, picking you up, wrapping your legs around his torso and kissing you.

------------------------------------------------

i swear this took way longer than it should've.

this is loosely based of friends by Chase Atlantic

[musamora]

hi muse! could you possibly write a dazai oneshot where he takes care of the reader after a hard day? lots of angst please. thank you! (´｡• ᵕ •｡`) ♡

𝖕𝖑𝖊𝖆𝖘𝖊, 𝖑𝖔𝖔𝖐 𝖆𝖙 𝖒𝖊 「𝔬𝔰𝔞𝔪𝔲 𝔡𝔞𝔷𝔞𝔦」 ༉‧₊˚

content. gn!reader. hurt no comfort, death of a child (not your child), ambiguous unhappy ending, mourning. not proofread.

author's note. i highly suggest reading this with laufey in the background. i accidentally made myself cry a bit.

would you like to see more? fill out the taglist or comment under this post.

The buzz of infectious energy that normally surrounded the agency had abandoned the hearts of each individual, leaving in its wake a trail of mindless typing and mournful sighs. An unrelenting clock ticked onward. It had started as an average morning, with some agents assigned to a simplistic mission regarding another dangerous ability user. The same old routine. However, something was different — something had gone awry.

In the events of the morning, a child had been killed in the crossfire.

You couldn't help but remember the expression of the parents, watching sorrowfully from the windows above as Kunikida broke the news. Your trembling fingers closed the window and pushed the others away as the mother's hollered cries echoed across the street, wailing for a life that had been lost too soon. 

The rest of the hours had been a complete blur, your numb mind forcing you to follow the routine as it hazed in synchrony with the pouring rain above. You wanted to embrace that rain, to feel the water slick the hair against your neck as it chilled your skin. To feel your brain blank as lightning scattered in the sky, to lay in the puddles as you succumbed to the storm. But there was no time to grieve a life that had barely intertwined with yours, one that had crossed paths with your own by sheer coincidence. 

Still, you couldn't help the occasional quiver of your lips, biting back the urge to scream into that same storm but not having the strength to even try. And so you carried on, your body working mechanically as your mind strayed far away. It needed to be a normal day — if you just pretended it was, then it would be. The hours ticked by, blurred footsteps blending together until you found yourself inside the kitchen you shared with Dazai — the young detective stood and watched carefully from the entrance of your apartment.

"I'm gonna start dinner. Do you want crab or-"

"Stop."

You paused as you were rustling through the ingredients, his stern tone rattling your already cracking foundation.

"(Name), look at me."

An invisible hand squeezed at your throat, any words that you tried to muster failing to leave your lips as your eyes scrambled to find something to save you from looking at him. You wouldn't look at him; you couldn't. It would break you.

"I don't - I don't think we have enough radishes left. I'll have to - have to go to the store." You pivoted on your heel, the door feeling too far as your footsteps pounded heavily against the floor. You refused to look at him. "I'll be back home in a bit."

"(Name)." A bandaged hand caught your own.

"Stop pretending you're okay."

You struggled to swallow down your shattered heart, the jagged edges painfully scraping against your throat as it clung to the air. Hands gathered your own — warm hands that kneaded and pressed circles into your cold, shaking ones. You trembled at his gentle touch, your heart yearning to succumb to his comfort as your mind prayed that he would slap you out of your emotional stupor. But he would never do that. Not now. Not to you.

"Baby," his voice shook ever-so-slightly. "Look at me."

A soft touch brushed against your chin, slowly tilting your head so that your matching pairs of somber eyes could meet. Your lashes fluttered stubbornly, but you were unable to hold back anymore as your heart leaked from inside your chest. You leaned into him, hiding your face from the rain.

"It's not fair," you croaked.

He brought you in further by the waist, nestling his nose against the crook of your neck as he held you tight. He kissed your shoulder with firm protectiveness, but even you could feel the way his lips trembled against your skin. The dreary weather worsened out the window, enveloping you both in a reality neither of you wanted to accept. And in that sorrow, you stayed, knowing that there was nothing you could do.

"I know."

© MUSAMORA 2023 — do not repost or modify my works for any reason. do not steal graphics w/o explicit permission. reblogs are appreciated.

[blueberrypancakesworld]

Promised words and deeds

John Allerdyce x tva agent!reader

warning : emotional, hurt/comfort, revival, kissing, cuddling, fear

Summary : He had relied on the organization of time and now he was lying dead on a road, his neck broken in a universe that wasn't even likely his. But a soul in the Time Organization had promised him something, and she wouldn't let her own boss do nothing. Was there any hope for the flame tamer? Was there the peace he had always wanted in the end?

info : Soo something very angsty sad it just had to be he had experienced too much sadness not to use it. So have fun reading and have a nice day :)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The TVA was an organization that only a handful of people knew about, an organization that was necessary to monitor the flow of the timelines, to correct them or to let them die.

An organization guided by duty and loyalty, each group, each team had a task to do precisely, all except for one team that was to take care of a very special universe under the supervision of Paradox.

A man who liked to hear himself talk, but most of all her boss who had made a promise to her beloved, a deal that involved John Allerdyce working as a spy to keep Cassandra in that damned void…to the point where everything broke down and the tva agent had to watch all that precision and rules end in chaos.

,,What about John!" she had shouted at her superior as he was still nursing his broken nose and looking stressed at the flickering and flashing screens, he didn't seem to hear her plea to do something to finally pull him out of the void after Wolverine had knocked him unconscious.

They had left John there for too long, it had been years since they had said goodbye, since she herself had sought him out, a lost mutant who would otherwise have strayed from his path, it was he who showed her for the first time how beautiful something without rules could be and all this freedom, this love and possibilities.

It was all a devilish creatures blown paradox who had her in his hands and wanted to do something good for John for the first time, which is why he had gone instead of her to be your pawn.

But this sacrifice now seemed to end with a blow as she saw her beloved lying unconscious on the floor, ,,Paradox! Get him out!" she called out again, rising from her seat at the desk and rushing to the larger main console, seeing the older man only now turn his gaze to her and make a puzzled expression, his hands suddenly gripping her shoulders before he shook her.

,,Are you completely stupid! If we intervene now, she'll understand what we've done!" he shouted back as they heard a flicker and bede looked at the screen in shock and worry as Cassandra had actually found some semblance of kindness when it came to her life and actually let Wolverine and Deadpool go.

It was all just a matter of time but the fear that tightened around her heart turned to panic as she realized that John was now alone ,,She's going to kill him" went through her mind and she tore herself away from the man before punching him in the nose again ignoring the yelp and grabbing the timepad that was taken from her for "reasons" so she wouldn't do anything.

She still heard the ban, heard the guards who wanted to capture her, who wanted to prevent her from doing what John had told her for the first time and disappeared into the bright golden portal.

Moments, fractions of seconds could be like years when it came to someone you loved, someone you would defend with your life. John back after the battle between the X-Men and the Brotherhood of Mutants was an outcast among outcasts, a wanderer who wanted to give up on his path as a villain.

She knew and he knew that he was tired of killing that he wanted to go back to the people who could truly be like a family but it wasn't meant to be and so they met, those bright eyes looking at her with interest he demonstrated his power to her and she was assigned to take care of him.

It was almost cute how he seemed puzzled by the technology as if there were hundreds of years between them, his compliments and flirting attempts as much as she tried to ignore it set her heart on fire and the hand-holding hid soon after work became kissing and more.

He was a love, a real love for them both and it could have been something if it wasn't too late this damn deal and this universe, the timeline had turned against them both.

When she had stepped through the portal nothing had happened she was in her office in the place where she had last seen him, still seeing the blood on the floor where the fight had taken place she still seemed to see him in front of her that grin she knew he had every right to freak out she blamed herself as well as Paradox that all this had happened.

The hit wouldn't kill him but Cassandra that crazy psychopath would, it was just a question she didn't want to get answered at the moment.

But he would only have to wait a moment, a moment that had passed and her gaze still saw the portal of magic, there he was there she would have to endure a moment of uncertainty and death and she would try to free herself from Cassandra's clutches all in a moment as she stepped through her own portal. She wanted to feel his warmth again, to know he was with her and to rekindle his hope, his flame of hope together in a shared future.

But the second time through the portal, arriving at the subway entrance, the underpass with the steel bars, the smoke and the bald woman who walked past her in the blink of an eye, neither noticing nor killing her, left nothing but death.

A man lying motionless on the floor she had heard the crack within a heartbeat knew what had happened as tears filled her eyes she rushed to her John and knelt beside him on the floor, ,,John…it's me-I'll-I'll bring you back" she sobbed tears blurring her vision as she shakily reached for her small device she knew she didn't have forever as she carefully lifted him with it.

It was only a moment but he was clinging to life, she was clinging to his heart and he was clinging to hers. she would not lose him even if she had a dead man in front of her. The promise of the future and life would both be hers while her apologies and tears fell on mute ears.

His body that slowly extinguished the warmth of life, the fire as she looked into his fearful expression, wishing she could warm him, wishing he could hear her as she took him back with her to the tva, directly to the center for emergency medical care.

The moment of his last life his breath was decided when she took him to her known of the ward knew it was against the rules but with her attention, the greater threat and a threat he was taken care of immediately, a matter of simplicity but it would take some time a horror as he slowly came back to consciousness while she could only be beside him.

She held his hand in state as his condition slowly improved, staying with him for hours until the doctor told her she could now take him with her, breaking the rules by stealing someone from the organization to testify against Paradox afterwards and then disappearing from her time with John, but it was all worth it when he woke up.

When she rushed out of the hospital with John her evidence had long since gone to the right places but none of this mattered when they found themselves in the apartment the agents had been given as a hideout in alternate universes it would serve as home and a new beginning she continued to hold his hand as he lay in the dark bedding his breathing calm the only sign he was alive.

She knew that at some point he would wake up, that he would be able to feel his fire again and that he would not only experience justice but also peace, ,,I'm sorry-I'm sorry I didn't act sooner," the guilt she gave herself finally burst out of her as she grabbed his hand again and kissed it, feeling the light warmth of life clinging to him.

Tears threatened to well up in her eyes again, the cracking of his neck and everything he had to suffer, all of which would not have been done sooner.

Laying her head on his stomach she tried to cuddle up to him lightly tiredness was slowly pulling at her she had barely slept the coffee was keeping her body awake but not her mind ,,I'll stay with you John" she mumbled before giving her eyes a little rest listening to his calm heartbeat before drifting off into a light sleep.

A sleep filled with memories of the past with John, of beautiful loving moments that meant everything to her and that she had looked at again and again.

His warmth seemed so close and his voice called her, he reached out his hand to her and held her close, finally lying in his arms again, it was the only thing they both wanted.

Until she saw the shadow in her dream, the dark shadow spreading over her, the fingers reaching out to destroy her, she saw those crazy eyes, the mutant who could kill her if she wanted to, the destroyer who had already killed him.

Fear flooded her body and her fingers automatically clung to John unconsciously that when she felt a hand on her head her eyes opened and she looked into a soft painful smile, ,,Hello Flame" she heard his voice slightly scratchy from the use but his warmth was back his hand caressing her head, he held her and didn't let go as she fell into his embrace.

Tears flowed down her cheeks as murmured words of apology and love left her and she felt his hand run down her back, ,,John I'm-I'm sorry I should have-" she began to stammer between tears and relief as he placed his hand on her cheek, wiped away some of the tears and pulled her into a long, deep kiss.

She saw his own devastation, the slight tears in his eyes as he realized it was past time he realized he was safe and didn't have to be afraid, ,,You saved me…it's over, isn't it?" he dared to ask, sniffling and blinking to get the tears away as she nodded hastily, hearing the relieved exhale as he dropped into the pillows and pulled her back to him.

Practically sitting on his lap, he had his arms wrapped around her again and she heard his heartbeat quicken and life was truly back with him, a quiet moment between them as she listened to John's almost relieved breathing while she was simply relieved to have him back.

The fear she had of not having his death recalled vanished, ,,We can finally have our own future," she said, feeling his hand on her cheek again as he placed a kiss on her head and reached out his other hand to feel for a source of heat until a heart flamed in his hand.

A heart like the one he had made when they parted, a heart of flames that would burn away the past to make room for a new beginning together in love in their own self-created timeline.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

@thefandomqueen2882 , @oceansrose2002 , @girlypieee , @paintmekala , @gingersnaps-obsessed12 , @arisja3701

[imagine-knowing-a-name]

we could be heroes

summary: with Natasha dead and forgotten to the world, your hurt leads you down a path she never wanted for you. It's up to Yelena to stop you before it goes too far.

Word Count: 2660 Pairing: Natasha Romanoff & daughter!Reader. Yelena Belova & Reader Warnings: Bit of angst with comfort at the end. Nat is dead. A/N: This is based on a prompt given to me by @lovely-nighttt. I also wrote this within a day and proofread it at 3am, so please excuse any mistakes lol. Hope you enjoy and let me know what you think! :)

—————————————————

Nobody cried at her funeral, if it could even be called that. Just a handful of people gathered around an empty coffin. 

Clint's family alone accounted for half the attendance. Then there was you, Steve, Bruce, Maria, and Fury... that was it; nothing like Tony's funeral, with everyone in attendance and expert planning. This one was an afterthought, organised by a newly-orphaned 16 year old when no adult stepped up to do it.

She deserved a big procession. She deserved mournful tears and celebration for her actions. She deserved to be buried, not left on an unfamiliar planet in an unfamiliar time. 

If you flew out to bring her home now, all you'd find is a skeleton left 9 years to rot.

You deserved to see your mother alive.

The world had changed now that she was gone; you were changed. And as hard as you tried, tears wouldn't come to your eyes because that wasn't what you were feeling. Without her to keep an eye on you, nobody noticed the anger bubbling just beneath the surface.

The speeches finished and you slipped out. You didn't want to hear the sympathy, regret, or straight up excuses from those who had been alive during the Blip. You just wanted your mother, but the world wouldn't bring her back.

16 years old and alone in the world, you let anger fuel you. None of the Avengers offered you help, and bitterness stopped you from asking them for it, not when they cared so little about your mother that they wouldn't even check up on her child. You had no place of your own and no money to your name, but you were determined to get by on your own without any of their help.

—————————————————

Natasha had never neglected you for work, she'd come home from missions undoubtedly tired, but still cook you a meal and ask about your day. Her days off would be spent with you, from cuddling up in a pillow fort for a movie marathon, to sparring in the fields outside -- but only because you'd asked to learn.

She was everything you wanted to be when you grew up, so her free time was spent training you to achieve that. You weren't as skilled as she had been at 16 but, unlike her, your survival had never depended on it. Natasha had never pushed or punished you in her training, but her calm teaching still gave you skills beyond the average person, and you planned to put them to use.

—————————————————

You had lived well within the law all your life, never daring to stray even close to the line, lest the consequences come back to target not you, but your mother. Her grimace was still ingrained in your mind from when SHIELD agents came to talk to you. She had stood behind you when an agent knelt before you, and wrapped her arms around your shoulders in a subtle show of protectiveness.

You couldn't have been older than 5, but the agent explained the 'bad things your mommy did in the past' and emphasised the importance of the law to both of you. The threat of consequences on Natasha went over your head at the time, but now it was clear as day. You had looked back at her for confirmation of the truth, since her word was everything to you back then, but all you had seen was a blank glare at the agents, then a polite smile, before she caught your eye and gave the first genuine smile of the encounter.

Once they had left, she sat you down and explained her past in ways you could understand, namely that she had done some bad things, but now she was good, and that you should always be good.

"The difference between a hero and a villain," she had explained, when you were still young enough to believe in such things, "is not to do with the law. It's to do with morals. I need you to stay within the law for me, Y/N/N, otherwise the agents will come back again." You remembered the eye roll that accompanied the 'again', designed to make you laugh. "But when you're older... follow your morals, do everything you can to help people, not hurt them, even if it's against the law."

She had smiled after that and ruffled your hair. "Nothing to worry about for a long, long time to come," she had promised.

But now was that time.

—————————————————

At the start, you contemplated what Natasha would have wanted before each step you took. Realistically, she would have wanted you to go to Clint, or someone else she considered family, but that wasn't an option right now.

You needed food, and you knew how to get away with stealing it, so that was what you did. If you break the law, don't get caught – that was your mother's advice.

You targeted large stores, the ones which always dealt in excess, then slipped small snacks and packets into your pockets in places where you knew the cameras weren't pointing. Walking out with confidence was the next important step, you couldn't let guilt display on your face or else it would betray you. Pockets full, head high, walk out and don't look back.

Until your fortunes changed, you would stay on the move. Nobody in that shop would see you again.

—————————————————

Things spiralled quickly; your actions got harder to justify, but you were just trying to survive.

You travelled from town to town, breaking into empty houses for shelter in the nights, stealing the essentials you need, and most importantly, not getting caught. That was, until you returned to New York City. Memorials of Tony Stark and Steve Rogers plastered the skyline, from illuminated billboards to alleyway murals, the world mourned for them, but never for Natasha. Steve wasn't even dead, but he got more thanks than your mother, who gave her life just to give them a chance.

The anger returned to your veins and you began to get reckless. You didn't care if you got caught because if your mother's actions don't matter, then why should yours?

It was only a matter of time before the darker side of New York caught up to you. They'd noticed you, when you thought nobody in the world blinked an eye at your actions, they'd seen you. Your small skills drew interest, they knew you could be a valuable asset, but there was one more thing they had to test before approaching you.

Muggers were sent to attack you, 3 against 1, armed against unarmed, but you didn't weaken in the face of a gun. You walked out of the alley without a scratch, while the three men lay beaten, bound, and disarmed, ready to be embarrassed when their boss picked them up.

Not long after that, another group approached you, unarmed this time, but the strongest candidates the gang had. Unlike before, these ones didn't start a fight but made you an offer. Protection, pay, and shelter in exchange for your skilled services. It has been months since the funeral at this point, and your luck was yet to show any signs of changing. You agreed.

The bosses never asked for your full name, thankfully, because you wouldn't have given it, but they gave you an alibi for each task they required of you. You knew by now that Natasha would never have approved of either your company or your actions, but you continued on regardless; it's not like she was around to stop you.

Besides, all they asked you to do was to rough up their enemies. They gave you an address, you'd find your way in and hit them with a few warning blows. You got paid, and the victims survived without even any lasting damages. It was the best you could get and if they made you do worse, you could just leave, right?

You justified it well enough to cover the guilt seeping around your heart; you wouldn't let that bother you. You couldn't let that bother you.

—————————————————

As the months passed, the bosses started to push you. They'd request more injuries, stronger hits; you were put into training with their bodyguards and, unlike Natasha, they didn't hold back. When they spotted a weakness, there was no stopping to correct you, they capitalised on it instead and hit you as hard as they could to leave you littered with bruises and patching your own broken bones.

You cried at night for Natasha, wishing she could still patch your wounds and rescue you from the hell you had gotten yourself into. But she couldn't.

The training shaped you into the tool your bosses wanted, and that was all they cared about. The pain that came with it was yours to bear alone.

You put up with it and followed orders, if they said to hit harder, you would, even at the expense of the victim's pain and your own moral guilt. There was no place for your feelings here, only the job that needed to be done.

Your superior eventually called you into his office, a sombre air about him that made your hairs stand on end, but still you followed him in.

He took a seat at his desk while you stood ready on the other side. The man watched you carefully, judging your every move as he relaxed further into the chair. Eventually, he spoke. "I have a different mission for you today."

Natasha's voice haunted your brain no matter how hard you tried to suppress the memory. It wasn't the time to reminisce, but your mind wandered back to all the times she has said the same line to you as a child. When she used to call all of your chores 'missions' because she knew you wholly, and she knew you wanted to be like her and have her job more than anything else.

You got your wish, in a way, but you'd broken your mother's wish to get there. 

"When you're older... follow your morals, do everything you can to help people, not hurt them, even if it's against the law"

How had you gone so wrong?

You snapped back to the present. You couldn't afford to keep your superiors waiting. "What is the mission, sir?"

Instead of speaking, the man reached into the inside pocket of his blazer and, very slowly, so as not to startle you, pulled a small pistol out of it before setting it on the table. He beckoned for you to assess it.

"You've had gun training, I presume?"

"A little. When I was younger."

"Then here's a way to get more practice. Follow me."

You nodded, checking the safety and holstering the gun just like Natasha had taught you before following him out and into the adjoining warehouse.

"Wait there," the boss ordered when you were just through the doorway. You saw another man seated in the centre of the room, and the boss carried on towards him.

It was only when the seated man struggled to get away that you noticed he was bound, tied to the chair and gagged, but his uncovered eyes met yours with frantic pleading.

"You have great potential," your boss announced. He leant on the back of the chair and kept his eyes on you. "I think you could even take my place one day, with a bit of work, but I need to know you're committed. You joined for the money, I know, but at this stage, I need you to be willing to die for us. More importantly, I need you to be willing to kill for us."

The gun felt heavy in your hand; you knew where this was going.

"Shoot him." Your boss laid a finger gently on the forehead of the bound man before continuing, "right here."

You aimed the pistol and even though your body trembled, your hands stayed steady. If you pulled the trigger, you knew it would be a perfect shot.

The boss ambled back to your side. The buzz of his smartwatch faltered his carefree attitude for just a second before he recomposed himself and stood upright beside you. "Take the shot," he urged, "this is someone who deserves it; you'd be doing the city a justice."

Still you hesitated. The other injuries you'd afflicted had been minor, whereas this was permanent, a slight movement of your finger and this man's life would be over, his death permanently on your hands and your record. There was never a justification for that, no matter what he did, your action would follow you forever.

Another gun clicked, and black metal filled your peripheral vision. "Take. The. Shot."

The options were weighed now. You either live with blood on your hands, or die for keeping a clean slate; you know which one your mother would have chosen – the one she did choose in the end. But that was her at the end, in her life before that, when her sacrifice would have meant so little, she had killed without mercy to survive. Would that be you? Could you go that far?

The 'shing' of a knife blade wedged a third option into the mix and proceeded a threat: "get that gun away from my niece." Your answer was determined for you; you could choose the out.

Tears blurred your vision when you looked to the side, but you recognised the figure from her voice alone. Yelena had a knife to the boss's throat, gritting her teeth as she subdued him until eventually he relented and dropped the gun to the ground. 

Your will was unthreatened once again, but your gun was still pointed at the man. Your body desperately looked for approval and success even when your mind protested.

"Don't," Yelena warned. With a well balanced punch, she knocked the man in her hold unconscious, then approached you slowly, her hands empty in front of her. "I'm sorry I wasn't there afterwards. I was too late into America for the funeral, then swayed down the same path as you were, likely by the same grief."

She sighed. Yelena was right beside you now; you let her wrap her hands around yours and take the gun from your grasp.

"Clint brought me out of it when I tried to kill him, let me be the same for you. Without the killing."

"You tried to kill Clint?" Your voice was small, it lacked the bravado you had put on in the recent months. Now it was just you and your aunt, she brought out the side of you that you'd thought died with your mother.

"I was told he killed Natasha," Yelena defended, smiling when she saw the faintest hint of a smile return to your face; she swore to bring you back completely. "And for my honour, I could have killed him. It is not try, he just put sense back into me."

"I think I need that right now," you muttered.

Yelena pulled you into a hug, both of her arms over your shoulders to pretend that you weren't taller than her now. The familiarity gave you cause to smile, but also had your sobbing on your aunt's shoulder when the grief and the guilt hit all at once.

"Let me be that for you, Y/N/N" she offered, "come stay with me. We'll try this grieving thing over again."

You left the building like that, Yelena's arm around you guiding you out. You were protected in her arms and together, you would work out how to live without Natasha.

"Yelena," you said, just before getting in her car, "we forgot to untie the guy in the chair."

"Гавно. We just walked all that way," (shit) she moaned, "can we just leave him?"

"My mom wouldn't. She said it was a hero's-"

"No, no, I heard that speech enough times. Okay. Let's be heroes."

—————————————————

[lucidlivi]

Chosen For Pleasure (VI)

Series Masterlist/Warnings

Tag List: @ladysparkles78 @suckitands33 @little-x-wolf @stoneyggirl2 @creative-writing92 @jc-winchester @mrsjenniferwinchester @lessons-of-red @jamerlynn @deans-baby-momma @willow-sages @ritz-hell-hotel @perpetualabsurdity (If you would like added, please send me a message, it's easier to keep track of! Much love to everyone already on it!)

soft ass chapter for you all!

I walked back down the dirt path towards Jared's house, a few stray tears slipping from my eyes. I quickly wiped them away.

I wouldn't give Jensen the satisfaction of seeing me cry.

It's not like he would anyways.

He was already practically at the door, taking larger strides than me. I noticed him stop, his hand on the handle, his shoulders slumped over. I thought he was going to turn around and apologize but instead he sulked inside the house with a huff.

I sat down on Jared's porch steps, taking a minute to collect myself. It wasn't like I could just leave, we were almost three hours away from Laredo, and I came here with Jensen.

Fuck.

Why did he have to make this so difficult?

I was trying really hard to understand him, but I won't fight for something if he won't even meet me halfway.

I heard the door open slowly a body slipping out.

"can you please just give me a minute Jensen.." I started but was cut off.

"It's Jared."

Jared sat down beside me placing a comforting hand on my shoulder.

"sorry, I just uh needed a minute." I said playing with my hands.

Jared nodded his head as I took a shaky breath.

"he's kind of a asshole sometimes." Jared spoke making me smile.

I thought asshole was putting it mildly but I wouldn't say that.

"just a little." I spoke biting my lip.

"look it’s really not my place, but he's been through some really bad shit, and so for him it's just easier to push people away then deal with his feelings which is why he acts like an ass." Jared explained.

I was silent, fighting the tears that threatened to fall any minute.

"but I can honestly say, him bringing you here, him grabbing your hand in front of the guys, that's him trying, something he doesn't do very often." he added.

"why can't he tell me this himself?" I asked placing my head in my hands.

Jared didn't say anything as he rubbed a hand down my back in comfort.

"he makes it so incredibly hard to get close to him." I spoke finally picking my head back up.

“I’ve watched Jensen push away many good things in his life, but I don't want to sit by and watch him lose this too. I think you're good for him, whether he'll admit it or not. you...you push his buttons, and you don't allow him to get away with his bullshit. that's exactly what he needs. I guess what I'm trying to say is to give him some time, he'll come around, and when he's ready, he'll let you in."

I chewed on my bottom lip contemplating his words.

"Jared, what did Jensen whisper to you the day I first met you, when you came to his house?" I asked nervously, turning my body so it was fully facing Jared.

Jared beamed with a smile looking in my eyes.

"he said you were definitely not like the other girls who've been there."

I couldn't fight the smile that appeared on my face. I guess if I really wanted Jensen, I'd have to take him flaws and all. I was just hoping that Jared was right, if I just gave it time, he'd finally let me in.

"thanks Jared." I smiled giving him a hug.

"of course, now you have to come in and try Gen's dessert, it's to die for." Jared smiled helping me up.

As he opened the door for us to go in, Jensen stood on the other side, like he was coming out.

"I'll uh, give you guys a minute." Jared said smiling at me and stepping to the side so Jensen can come out.

I stood in silence, my arms folded across my chest.

"what did he uh say to you?" Jensen asked hesitantly.

"don't worry, he didn't spill any of your secrets... said you were an asshole though." I smirked satisfied with my jab.

"I am." Jensen said.

It hurt me to hear him talk badly about himself. Even though he totally deserved it.

"he also told me that you were trying, and that you push people away because it's easier for you." I said uncrossing my arms.

Jensen looked slightly relieved at my words.

"I am trying, god (y/n) I've never had to try this much with a woman before, I slept with you in my bed, I.. I threatened a douche bag at the bar for you, I even went looking for a stupid sd card…” he rambled but I cut him off.

“you went looking for my sd card?”

“yeah, I mean I needed some excuse to see you again, so I went looking for it.” He said rubbing his neck nervously.

I felt my heart rate increase, the butterflies in my stomach erupting.

He does care.

“I’m trying and it's driving me crazy, you're driving me crazy." He murmured, his large hand cupping my cheek.

"Jensen I'm not trying to drive you crazy" I said laughing.

"you're driving me crazy because you're changing me."

I felt the breath get caught in my throat. I bit my lip looking up at him. I could tell this wasn’t him acting, he was being real and raw right now.

"how about this I won't push you about your past as long as you promise me you'll at least try to meet me halfway?" I offered him with a smile.

"I promise I'll try." Jensen said bringing his lips down kissing my forehead while pulling me to his chest.

I wrapped my arms around him, squeezing him tightly. He removed his arms, but settled one around my waist as he led me back inside.

"oh there they are, thought you two were screwing somewhere on the property." Jeff laughed, a shot glass in his hand filled with what appeared to be whiskey.

"I think he's drunk." Jensen whispered in my ear.

"no we uh save the screwing for his house." I joked with Jeff sending Jensen a wink.

I could see his eyes go dark with lust.

I walked in to the kitchen, wanting to apologize to Genevieve for my leaving. Jared was on his way out with a bottle of rum. He quickly caught my elbow.

"everything okay with you guys?"

"thanks in part to you." I said offering him a smile.

"yeah well, like I said he needs someone to keep him in check." Jared laughed.

It was a rather uneventful rest of the night. All the guys sat around a small fire pit on Jared's deck swapping stories while sipping on some rum from Jensen's business.

Well with the exception of Jeff who was chugging it, and was clearly wasted.

I sat beside Jensen listening intently to them talk, laughing at their antics. Jensen's hand stayed at rest on my thigh, stroking his fingers gently making me flinch every time he did so. Everyone started to say their goodbyes. I gave Genevieve a big hug.

"please come around again, it's nice to have another female here." she said smiling.

I gave a hug to Misha and Jared, and a handshake to both Mark's and Richard, not having the time to connect with them as much as Misha and Jared. Jeff gave me a big hug that lasted a little too long, forcing Jensen to pry me away as I laughed.

"ah come on don't be such a party pooper Ackles." Jeff slurred with a smirk.

He wasn't serious, it was all just in good fun.

“get your own Jeff.” Jensen laughed.

Jensen led me back out to the ferrari opening the door for me. Once he was in he looked my way with a smile.

“I think they liked you, some of them a little too much.” He said.

“I liked them too… especially Jeff.” I shot back biting my bottom lip.

He was an asshole tonight, so I was going to push his buttons, I mean it was only fair after all.

“oh is that right?”

“uh huh, he’s my favorite character from the show.” I smirked.

I could see Jensen’s jaw tense as I continued to tease.

“In fact I always found him kind of sexy.” I pushed further.

“sexy huh?”

“sexiest on the show.”

Jensen growled. He kept one hand on the wheel while the other rested on my leg running up my thigh. He continued upwards until he was rubbing his fingers over my lace thong.

“how sexy is he now?” Jensen asked rubbing his thumb over my sensitive spot.

I bit my lip not wanting to moan at his touch.

He wasn’t winning this one that easily. I put my hand on his thigh starting to massage it. He groaned as I let my hand linger over his crotch. He was already hard.

He pulled my panties to the side, easily inserting his two fingers, and rubbing up and down my slit. I panted heavily, it was getting harder to choke back the moans that wished to escape.

okay then, two can play your game. I reached over undoing the button on his pants and palmed him through his boxers.

“you better stop that if you don’t want me to crash this car.” He groaned.

“stop what?” I asked innocently.

I slipped my hand into the waistband of his boxers, gently running my fingers over his length He removed his fingers gripping the wheel tightly with both hands.

“fuck.” He groaned throwing his head back.

I rubbed up and down his length with my hand, his hips instinctively bucking up to meet my palm.

“fuck, you gotta stop, can’t focus on driving.”Jensen panted.

I slowly pulled my hand out of his boxers making sure my fingers danced over him one last time.

“oops” I smirked.

Jensen looked over at me, his pupils dilated with pleasure.

“take your panties off.” Jensen ordered.

“hm what for?”

“cause as soon as we get out of this car I’m fucking you senseless… or I could always rip them off, up to you.” He growled.

I leaned over peppering light kisses to his neck.

“I think I’ll go with option two..” I whispered seductively in his ear.

“as you wish angel.” Jensen growled.

I felt the car speed up, making me clutch the door handle for stability. I laughed as Jensen ran a stop sign trying his quickest to get back to his house.

“okay easy there race car driver, we can’t fuck if we don’t make it back in one piece.” I said as Jensen increased his speed a little more.

I gasped as he did a burn out in to his driveway. Once the car was stopped he grabbed me pulling me over to straddle his lap. His lips went to my neck kissing up and down it feverishly. I could feel him throbbing through his jeans. I ground my hips down on to his causing a throaty moan to escape his lips.

His hand traveled to my panties. The sound of ripping fabric filled the car.

“Jensen please fuck me.” I whined.

I’m not sure how he did it, but he somehow got out of the car with me still straddling him. My lips sucked on his neck, kissing his bearded jaw. He fumbled with his keys, trying to unlock the door.

Fuck he was taking too long.

He finally got the door unlocked. He walked me over to his dining room table laying me down gently. He quickly disposed of his shirt, before pulling his pants and boxers down to his ankles. I yelped as he pulled me by my legs down the table until my butt was dangling off the edge. He wrapped my legs around him, lining himself up with my entrance.

I let out a breathy moan as he thrust in to me.

“fuck you feel so good.” Jensen groaned.

He worked at a quick pace thrusting in and out of me. Jensen worked my dress over my head leaving only just my bra.

“better take that off, or I’m gonna rip it too.” He groaned thrusting deeper.

I quickly unclasped my bra, sliding it off and throwing it to the floor. Jensen’s lips came down to my breast, his sweet lips wrapping around my hardened nipple.

“fuck Jensen.” I moaned as my hands came up to his hair tugging it.

“that’s right angel moan my name.” He growled, his thrusts becoming noticeably sloppy.

“Jensen.” I moaned again feeling my high approach.

Jensen snapped his hips harder and faster.

“I’m not making it much longer sweetheart.” He moaned.

“that’s fine me either.” I panted.

Another snap of his hips had Jensen spilling out, a string of curse words leaving his lips. Just that sight alone was enough to make me reach my high. His name leaving my lips as I orgasmed.

My body went limp as he pulled out.

Fuck.

I don’t think I’d ever get tired of that.

Jensen picked me up bridal style bringing me over to his sectional, laying us down so I was on top of him. My head lay on his chest as his hands rubbed up and down my back.

“do you really have to go to California this weekend?” He asked hands now playing with my hair.

“yeah I do… I have to meet Richard.”

“but you already met Richard?” Jensen said confusion in his voice.

“not that Richard you doofus.. my moms new boyfriend.” I laughed.

“Oh and how do you feel about that?” He asked in concern.

“I feel that she deserves to be happy, and if this guy really makes her happy then I’ll be fine… she was really hurt when daddy died, she told me she’d never find another love like that, and she did… so maybe that means there’s hope for the rest of us.” I said biting my lip.

I noticed Jensen was quiet again. Oh no, he wasn’t shutting down again was he?

“Jensen? I didn’t say something that upset you did I?” I hesitantly asked.

“maybe some of us are just hopeless.” He whispered.

I quickly picked my head up to look in his eyes but he was glancing at the floor.

“Jensen look at me.” I said placing a hand on his cheek and forcing him to look in my eyes.

“you are not hopeless.” I spoke sternly.

“how can you say that, I’ve been nothing but an asshole to you?” He said.

that wasn’t entirely true.

“yeah well I guess I have a soft spot for you Ackles, I mean you did go through all that trouble to find my sd card.” I said smiling.

“do you know how hard that little thing was to find in the dark?” He asked laughing.

“oh I’m sure it was.”

“I spent over an hour looking for that thing, had Cole and a couple other guys helping me.” He said laughing still.

I felt the heat rush to my cheeks. I leaned down pressing a soft kiss to his cheek.

“and who said you didn’t have a heart?”

“I guess I let it come out every now and then.” He murmured licking his lips.

“well I really like when it does.” I whisper brushing my fingers across his cheek.

He cuddled me closer to his body. I laid my head back on his chest wishing we could just live in this moment forever.

however that wasn’t reality….

and reality sucked.

Author Note:

Damn another cliffhanger, I be doing this to myself too don’t worry. Remember if you’re enjoying and want to see more, show some love! It’s all appreciated!

xoxoxo

Part (VII)

[sparrowsarus]

Walter and Susan; Or, When the Gates of Fairie are Shut

@gogandmagog since you were curious on the why.

When we think of Susan Pevensie, we think of a girl who became a queen; a girl who lost her kingdom, a girl who decided she wouldn't love anything who wouldn't bother loving her back.

We think of siblings betrayed--Lucy, hurt and confused by "Susan The Gentle" caring about boys, and lipstick; about Peter's short "Susan is no longer a friend to Narnia."

We think of a sensible girl, a doubting girl, a girl, not a woman, though she had to grow up twice over.

We think of "The Problem With Susan", a girl cast out of Narnia (Heaven; Salvation; call it what you will) for the crime of perceived femininity.

(So often we forget that Susan made a choice to leave.)

(Is it fair, how we think of Susan? I don't know.)

"There is such a place as fairyland - but only children can find the way to it. And they do not know that it is fairyland until they have grown so old that they forget the way. One bitter day, when they seek it and cannot find it, they realize what they have lost; and that is the tragedy of life. On that day the gates of Eden are shut behind them and the age of gold is over."

(Montgomery,L.M)

A girl: Just a girl, or a "silly, conceited young woman", who cared more about lipstick and boys than she did anything else--a girl who lost her entire family at the age of twenty-one.

Was it a punishment?

Was it a kindness?

It was a cruelty, regardless.

(Susan was Susan the Gentle, and don't tell me that wasn't a choice she made, every day she ruled.)

CS Lewis mentioned that Susan may find her own way back to Aslan's country; whether Susan would want to remains a mystery.

In contrast, we have Walter Blythe. The "hop out of kin", the dreamer, the coward (until he isn't.) The bard, the chronicler, the sacrificial lamb. Walter is not "sensible", or practical, or inclined to doubt (Note we are told he's a church member, while Jem Blythe isn't, despite being romantically linked with Minister's Daughter Faith, and isn't that interesting?)

Walter has to die in the Great War. There is no other future for him; this starry-eyed boy who knew he was signing up to die. Walter Blythe knows stories, knows he's in one, knows there's no happy ending.

Because even if had Walter lived, I do not believe the gossamer-fairy part of him would never have returned from France. Like Susan, he too would need to find Narnia on a longer, harder road, and there is no guarantee it would be the land he knew as a boy.

Only a few, who remain children at heart, can ever find that fair, lost path again; and blessed are they above mortals. They, and only they, can bring us tidings from that dear country where we once sojourned and from which we must evermore be exiles. The world calls them its singers and poets and artists and story-tellers; but they are just people who have never forgotten the way to fairyland."

The Piper called Walter, and there was no denying that call. Walter's way was set before him, and he could not stray; a different, harder path than he was promised as a boy. Walter is no exile; Walter chooses to leave, so others can take his place.

Walter dies, and everyone he loves lives.

Susan lives, and everyone she loves dies.

Now all that remains is:

Can they find their kingdoms again?

[artistsfuneral]

The Road to Kaer Morhen - p.8

this turned out longer than expected so most of it, the fanart and the vote are under the read more so people don't have to scroll past this for 5min

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It was good that Cat Witchers were already considered a bunch of madmen, otherwise Aiden would've started to worry for his sanity as he watched Jaskier's blue eyes light up with joy. “Good, because I have already named them!” Of course he had.

Following the bard on wobbly legs to where the four horses grazed, Aiden almost forgot about all that had happened a couple of hours prior. Then he accidentally kicked his foot against a stray helmet and the clattering sound of metal reminded him of the fresh cuts across his chest and the awful ache in both his shoulders and he couldn't help but to stare at the back of the bard's head, wondering what exactly a protector was.

But then Jaskier turned and smiled at Aiden with such incredible warmth that his heart fluttered inside his chest and he found himself mimicking the smile without the all too familiar voice inside his head telling him, warning him not to and he suddenly understood that despite it all, despite the horrors of having seen what Jaskier could do if angered, despite not knowing and therefore not understanding how or what or why Jaskier was who he was- Aiden wasn't afraid of him. Aiden trusted him. Aiden, who – much like any other witcher – from the very first day of his training had been taught, no, had been drilled to never trust anyone on the path that wasn't one of his own brothers. He knew of the world's cruelty, had learned first hand not to seek comfort and friendship where he wouldn't find it, but Jaskier- Jaskier was different. How long had they been traveling together? A month? A month was a time hardly worth mentioning, passing in the blink of an eye for someone who would possibly live up to three, maybe four hundred years or longer. Sure, Aiden was on the younger side of the Cat school, only having followed the Call of the Path for around sixty or seventy years, but even compared to that a month was nothing. And yet-

“Are you alright, sunshine? Are you in pain? Should you have rested more before getting up? We can take it slow, you know, no pressure.”

Aiden chuckled, “I'm fine, Jask, no need to worry. Simply got lost in my thoughts for a moment.” Not so easily persuaded, the bard gave him a look that was eerily similar to Lambert's 'don't bullshit me' face. Thankfully Aiden knew how to deal with that. “You said you already have names for the horses?” Success. Jaskier's face lit up again and he took hold of Aiden's hand to gently pull the witcher along. “I have! Or at least for three of them, I'm not quite sure what to name the fourth one, but I still want to introduce you to them!”

The horses waited at the sidelines of the camp, heads rising curiously as the two men made their way over to them. Untacked except for their bridles they stood closely together, showing that they had been traveled together long enough to form a bond between them. Jaskier had been right, they were friends, given the way they bumped their heads together. Aiden hadn't owned a horse in some time now, so the prospects of riding again had him smiling, even if he still believed four horses to be excessive. Though, all complains he had went right out the window when they reached the small herd and almost immediately a soft nose bumped against his head, warm breath tickling against his skin. Jaskier laughed warmly and gently nudged the big horse head away from Aiden's face, so the witcher could properly look at it. “That's Sprout,” the bard dutifully introduced Aiden to the tricolored pinto. “I'd say he's the youngest, certainly acts like it, but from what I've seen today the others keep him in check quite well.” Aiden hummed, taking in the gelding's lively eyes. He was the smallest of the four, his mane and tail cut short like it was custom for military mounts. He was pretty, almost too pretty to be ridden by a soldier, not that that was the case anymore, but it still seemed a bit odd.

Next to them one of the two bay horses snorted at him, making Aiden turn towards it. Jaskier rolled his eyes fondly and petted her neck. “This feisty lady is Roachie.”

“You're kidding, right?” One truly had to be a fool these days to not know the name of the White Wolf's horse. Jaskier had written several songs about Roach after all. “Certainly not,” Jaskier grinned. “They share the same color, the same temperament and I think it is time I get a Roach of my own. Can't be the Witchers' Bard without a Roach now, can I?” Aiden hid his face in his hand and giggled like a child. It was so stupid, such a petty thing, but at the same time the most brilliant name Jaskier could've come up with. “Alright then,” he grinned at the bard, “Roachie and Sprout. Who's next?”

“Chicory!” Jaskier said and wiggled his finger in front of a sheer mountain of a horse. A kaedweni draft, if Aiden was correct. It had that distinct gray color that ranged somewhere between a dapple gray and a grulla silver. The soldiers must've obtained it somewhere along the border from a farm and used it as a carrier or cart horse afterwards. The name Jaskier had picked fitted the horse perfectly. “She's a mare too, definitely on the calmer side I'd say, but given her size she'll be able to handle the boys just fine.” Introducing himself to Chicory by softly petting her rosy nose Aiden was reminded of the horse he had learned to ride on. “Our caravans are pulled by draft horses, they're good animals, sturdy too. I always liked them better than other breeds,” Aiden admitted. Jaskier bumped their shoulders together in silent reassurance. The witcher hadn't told him yet what exactly was going on with the Cats, but from what he understood so far the school of the Cat was going through some disagreements concerning the leadership, fractioning it into two or three sides and a handful of witchers that preferred not to intervene and therefore split off with the rest of the Cats for now. Aiden was one of them.

Turning towards the fourth and last horse, the second bay that was almost identical to Roachie except for the missing blaze, Jaskier sighed. “And this is the little fella I couldn't seem to find a name for. He's a bit more careful than the others, needed some convincing before I could give him a treat, but nothing I came up with really fit him.” Aiden hummed in agreement, seeing the shyness Jaskier had spoken of, but also the strong legs and firm muscles underneath the gelding's timid character. Unlike the other three it was almost obvious that he was a military mount. The poor thing was, in a way, so horribly normal that he'd be entirely invisible surrounded by other horses and that thought made Aiden gasp. “He's Horse!” Jaskier slowly turned his head towards the other man and blinked in confusion. “Uh- yes? He's a horse, well done, Aiden.”

“No, listen, Jask. He's Horse, like Geralt's horse is Roach and Lambert's horse is Horse.”

“Lambert's horse-horse? Huh?”

Aiden slapped his hand against his forehead. “No, Lambert named his horse Horse,” he explained, over-pronouncing the name. Now it was the bard's turn to gasp for air. “That poor Horse!” The two men blinked at each other once, twice before bursting into a loud fit of giggles.

After taking their time to get to know their new horses, Jaskier and Aiden tacked them up, going for the simple brown reigns and saddles and avoiding anything that looked too much like the redanian horse armor. They hopefully wouldn't encounter anyone else on their way to Kaer Morhen, but better safe than sorry. For now, Jaskier and Aiden would ride on Roachie and Sprout, securing their packs on Horse and Chicory. The plan was to swap the animals' tasks every few days, the rotation hopefully keeping their spirits up and prevent any sores or strains.

Jaskier's little looting session was thankfully providing them with everything they needed to take care of the horses for weeks, if not two months. Not that they planned on taking so long to search for the Wolves' keep, but you never knew. Aside from that Jaskier had scraped together whatever bits and pieces of armor Aiden could use in the future, some additional food and water skins and miscellaneous items like a bigger cooking pot and a nice set of knifes that would do them good. They stored everything in the horses' saddle bags, keeping just a handful of their belongings in their own packs. Jaskier of course, kept his lute close to him, just like Aiden refused to remove the swords from his back.

For a while the two rode through the underbrush of the forest, leading the horses in a circle to hide any possible tracks, then followed a well used deer trail further east until it came to a natural stop next to a small, rocky stream. Allowing the horses to drink, Jaskier turned in his saddle to find Aiden's eye. “How are you holding up, sunshine?”

Aiden, who's shoulder's had been aching for quite some time now, sighed loudly. “I'll live. Think, I will drink another Swallow and fight through it. We lost a couple of hours because of me, so we should keep riding until night falls.”

“I will ignore the fact that you said it like it was your fault Vizimir's toadies caught up with us and remind you that the sun will not set for at least four or five hours.” Jaskier replied, while Aiden fetched the reddish potion out of his sea sack and proceeded to drown it in one go. The bad rolled his eyes, “I mean it's not like our arrival at Kaer Morhen is expected on a agreed upon day, since we – you know – aren't expected at all. If Vesemir is at the keep at all. As stingy as Geralt is with details, I at least know that his father still hears the Call from time to time. So really, we don't need to hurry.”

Aiden gave him a deadpan look. “Have you forgotten why we're trying to find Kaer Morhen in the first place? We aren't looking for a summer house, Jaskier, we are refugees hoping the grandmaster of the Wolves will hide us from the rest of the continent. If not for you being- well, you, I'd still be chained to that tree right now. So can we just ride on and get enough distance between us and everything that's trying to fucking murder us? Please?”

please like and reblog if you voted

✨🌿🌼✨

I gave up when it came to drawing the saddles, that shit just didn't want to be drawn, so use your imagination to make their tack more realistic pls 🤫

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[pomplalamoose]

Hey bae 🙏 do you think we could get something about turning sith!luke to the light side?💗

Hiii dear anon, thank you for your ask🩵

It's been a while since I received one and I'm sooo excited, especially since I get to talk about Sith!Luke, my beloved

I wasn't sure what exactly you wanted but I hope you like this discussion of possible scenarios anyways <33

• when it comes to turning Sith Luke back to the light, I think it really depends how and why he choose the dark side in the first place and what interpretation of him we're talking about

• if, for example, he turned during the original trilogy, you'd have to approach him differently than it would be the case if he grew up raised by Vader

• while his struggle to remain on the right path for himself and the galaxy is often highlighted in the movies and books, trilogy Luke never strays too far away from what Obi-Wan and Yoda taught him

• he certainly has his darker moments in which he considers everything he loves lost, but ultimately, even then, he'd rather sacrifice himself for the greater good than reach for the power Vader, and later the Emperor, offer him

• "Never. I'll never turn to the dark side"

• "Soon I'll be dead and you with me"

• so should he fall or, for whatever reason, deliberately make the decision to join the dark side, I see two possible ways in which this could turn out, his stubbornness and wish for justice and equity being one of the more important factors

• 1) he's convinced it's for the best and in favor of many

• it's hard to resist a seemingly easy solution in times of crisis, especially if it's offered in a tempting way and Luke is by no means unreceptive to manipulation

• however I do believe he'd realize his misconception rather quickly and so the most prominent thing keeping him from pursuing the light again wouldn't be his ignorance but his deep shame

• because of the weight he carries he's very hard on himself and no less so as a Sith

• consumed by the dark side he'd probably be less focused on improvement but on self doubt and hatred instead

• he may even go as far as to remain in this situation willingly as a way to punish himself

• not only would he think himself deserving of being miserable but also think it's for the better if he never comes near his loved ones again, afraid to hurt them

• here his stubbornness hurts him decidedly more than others because obviously there's still good inside of him, he just isn't allowing it to be there in favor of another misconception and self doubt

• ("I don't deserve to be around my family after what I did.", "Because what if I'm truly evil and don't know it?", "What if they fall victim to one of my mistakes and get hurt?")

• in this case it'd definitely be possible to make him see reason

• Luke is able to and eager to learn from the past, as well as adapt to a new point of view

• if he can believe it's for the best to join the dark side, he can believe the opposite once more

• it may need patience and coaxing, much affection, assurance and insistence but through your love (romantically as well as platonically) he'd be able to find himself again

• 2) his opinion of the galaxies political situation changes to such an extent that he's convinced his fall to the dark side is genuinely important in order to implement a just system

• I will be honest, I have no idea how that would even happen but let's stick with the idea anyways because we're taking about Sith!Luke here

• (maybe he was brainwashed???)

• in this scenario I imagine it to be rather difficult to make him reconsider

• not only is he now convinced of what he's doing is inherently good but also of the fact that the people not sharing his opinion have some devious plans to make those he's so set to protect suffer

• Luke firmly stands by what he believes in and while that is a wonderful attribute to have it's rather problematic when it's used for harm

• that man is ready to fight for his convictions and I see him defending them in a way similar to how he resisted the dark side in RotJ

• he's still Luke though and not stupid, I belive it still possible to reason with him especially if you're someone he admires or otherwise holds dear

• in order to get him to listen to you though you'll need time and patience to get under his skin

• now let's take a quick look at the interpretatiom of the Sith!Luke I write about

• to some extent he's still the same person as trilogy Luke but while they share certain traits, they turned out like opposites due to the circumstances they were exposed to during their lifes

• basically my Sith!Luke is a "What if Luke and Leia were raised with the dark side by Darth Vader"-version in which he grows up in a galaxy after the Empire defeated the Alliance and thus doesn't know anything about Jedi since they just,,,don't exist anymore

•(granted, this is a rather dark AU but I saw no other way in which Luke would act like he does in my fics, without any hope of him changing his ways)

• (there are of course works that discuss a different outcome, exploring Luke turning to the light side despite being raised as Sith, so it is of course a possibility if that's what he's set up to do)

• (I, however, like to center my Sith!Luke around the idea of just that being unthinkable since it's so far fetched and ooc for a person so full of light and good)

• (please keep that in mind when continuing to read, xx)

• this too is the only case in which I think it wouldn't be possible to turn him to the light side because the concept in itself is a foreign and outdated one

• it does exist, yes, and Luke is aware of it too, after all he's well studied and educated, has to be if he is to be the successor of his father

• but it is nothing that seems worth looking into further since the classical "fight" between good and bad is a thing of the past

• because while Luke may not agree with every political stance his family takes he knows he'll be the Emperor sooner than later, able to make changes as he likes

• in this regard, depending on the role you take on in his life, you might be able to slightly influence his decisions and/or his treatment of a certain group of people

• if you're important enough to him he'll listen to what you have to say, though he won't necessarily implement it into the system

• you are well advised to approach such attempts carefully though since you don't want him to suspect you of disregarding his status and position

• or, even worse, want to alienate him from his family and loved ones

• because no matter the universe, Luke would move worlds for those he cares for and accordingly (mainly Sith!Luke) grows easily suspicious when someone so much as questions their behavior, motives, etc. or insinuates to be against them

[kerrikins]

New: Righteous Villain or Straying? 

New’s story is deeply tragic and one that a lot of people can empathize with. He’s been put through hell beyond most people’s imagining - first with the disappearance of his little brother and the guilt and fear that came along with it. Then that was compounded with the double loss of his parents, and not only that, all three had one thing in common - they happened when New was not around. 

So, bearing a burden of guilt and rage, New became the hero for the audience, with one target in mind: avenging his little brother. His laser focus became clear as we moved deeper into the story, with New having one goal in mind: find out what happened Non, along with another goal seeming to appear as well: make them pay. With the best wishes of the audience at his back, his path as a righteous avenging hero seemed clear.

Is New straying into dangerous territory, however? 

Let’s think about New’s history before this. His place in the narrative is that of an older brother who has already failed his little brother. They weren’t close and he wasn’t there for Non in his time of need. Part of New’s story is one of absolution and redemption as he wasn’t there for Non and wasn’t a good brother to him in the past. He’s redeeming himself for his wrongs to Non by finding out what happened to him - seeking justice - and possibly making them pay - revenge. 

In this episode, however, we caught a glimpse of something else for the first time… New straying from having Non at the forefront of his mind. Phee asks him if this is what Non would want, and New’s reply is that he doesn’t care. 

In terms of horror, this can sometimes be a mistake. Because it’s different to be killing in the name of righteous revenge vs killing because you want to. In horror the latter is often viewed as straying from the ‘purity’ of the goal and can spell doom in the narrative. 

In terms of New’s personal journey this also matters because now he’s backsliding into the very thing he was supposed to be redeeming himself from - not thinking about Non or making him the priority. If the killings stop being about Non and justice or vengeance for him, then is New still our righteous avenging hero? That's questionable.

Now, there’s some doubt as to whether or not Non actually WOULD want this, and I agree that we don’t know for sure. We did see Non write out his script, after all. 

However when it came down to it, Non stopped when Jin apologized to him. 

We also saw the note that he left behind with Tee, a note in which he said nothing about revenge or anything of the sort. He didn’t express a desire for revenge to Tee himself, either. He was mostly in despair at his situation (which is understandable). So I'd say that we don't know for sure what Non would want at this point (if he was alive), three years out from the original events. He could be desperate for revenge or he could not be, I'd say either is possible. Keep in mind that Non was mostly portrayed as a quiet, gentle boy, and only resorted to violence when he was pushed to the absolute brink.

There was also something else we saw with New’s characterization which I found interesting, and that’s that he wasn’t doing the killing himself. Instead he was trying to get the other person who loved Non to do the killing FOR him - after having told Phee that he wouldn't have to do this in a prior episode. The combination of both going back on his word and pressuring someone else into doing his dirty work for him could be bad, in terms of the typical horror narrative. It's one thing to take revenge yourself, it's another to make someone else do it for you, especially since Phee has actually been portrayed as mostly greyish white rather than straight up grey or dark like some of the other characters.

It will be interesting to see how this plays out, and whether it means that our elder brother will emerge as a sole (or otherwise) survivor, or whether he’s now been doomed due to losing sight of his priorities.

[reccyls]

William's Chapter 0 Story

Yes I bought it... And boy, I like where it's going. I went a little more loose with this translation to try and capture the atmosphere better. As always, I make no guarantees about the accuracy.

Also, this doesn't really spoil anything. It mostly covers only the prologue.

---

If life were a fairytale, then achieving happiness would be a simple matter. Keep your hands clean, obey orders, be good and dutiful, and don't stray off safe and well-lit paths. However… if your heart yearns to go down a different road, then would quashing your true desires truly lead to a "happily ever after"? My answer? No.

---

William: "Slice your throat. Drag it out for as long as you can."

Not a single person that Crown has set their eye on has ever escaped. Tonight's target was no exception. The man couldn't even scream as his trembling hand raised a knife. I held in my hand an envelope I had found in this mansion, stamped with a "golden butterfly".

(That I'm seeing this once more means…) (Evil is something that cannot be stamped out through punishment alone.) (Not them… and not me.)

If you asked 100 different people what 'evil' was, you would get 100 different answers. Absolute evil does not exist. Rather, if it did, it would be something that lurked in every individual person's heart. Something that they found unforgiveable. Something that, if they forgave, would be betraying the essence of what made them, them.

(To me, that absolute evil is when one tramples over another's freedom.) (And the worst offender would be this "golden butterfly".)

I had no issues with doing harm so that I may pass judgement on those who commit the unforgiveable. If this were a story, that man and I would be painted with the same brush: evil.

Alfons: Quite a pathetic end, isn't it? Being ordered to "keep your mouth shut" so you can't even scream in your final moments.

Elbert: …It's because we'd be in trouble if his neighbors got suspicious.

Roger: Geez, what a convenient ability. I sure as hell wouldn't want you as an enemy.

William: Ahaha, I'll be sure to mark on my calendar if I plan on turning on you so you'll have ample warning.

Exchanging banter in the way only those accustomed to such sights can, I made my way over to the piano in the hall and sat down.

William: Since this is lying around, I suppose we can send him off with a song.

I wasn't thinking of any melody in particular. I simply let my fingers dance around the keys as they pleased.

Ellis: How wonderful. Now he'll be able to die a little bit happy, at least.

Jude: …Like hell he can. You crazy or something?

Everyone in Crown had their own way of facing someone's death. Those who sympathize, those who empathize, the cynics, the mourners, and those who saw such happenings as purely matter of fact.

(But what they all have in common is that they are all here of their own free will.)

However, not everyone has the ability to go where their hearts willed. At that moment, I recalled that desirous gaze I encountered earlier.

(It would be nice if that girl I met today could take a step towards realizing her desires.)

As the knife dug deep into the man's neck, as fresh blood spurted and gushed from his wound, that was what I was thinking.

--And then, the door to the hall slowly swung open.

Alfons: My, my, to think that we would have an audience.

(…That's…)

William: If it isn't the songbird I met this afternoon.

MC: U-um… what…?

I recognized the panicked woman who had grown pale at the gruesome sight before her. She was that postal worker I encountered earlier.

---

MC: Excuse me, sir, I need to deliver that.

A calm determination had settled in the gaze of the woman who came up to me, chasing a stray envelope.

William: Of course, my lady.

MC: …T-thank you.

William: My pleasure.

MC: …

I had handed her the envelope already, but she seemed to lose track of herself as she continued to stare at me.

(…Another one.)

People who had that look in their eyes almost always had something they were holding back. Things that they think they shouldn't say. I loved the moment when such people made a decision to voice whatever it was they were hiding. When I simply stared back at her silently, her calm gaze wavered slightly. And in that moment, I saw it: a glimmer of desire burning in her eyes. A surge of emotion, so strong that it was taking everything she had to suppress it.

"Lead me to another world." "Somewhere, anywhere."

Though her lips were pressed tightly together, it was as though I could hear her say those words.

(Ah.) (This won't do.)

I didn't know why, but she wanted change. There was desire burning within her, struggling to be set free. And yet… there was something else in her that was suppressing it.

(If she could freely follow her desires… I'm sure it would be beautiful.)

William: You have two deliveries left?

MC: …What? MC: I'm sorry, I spaced out-

William: You'd better hurry. It'll be dark soon.

(It's a shame, but I can't whisk you away.) (Even if that 'somewhere, anywhere' that you desired was the depths of the abyss.) (But… if you, of your own free will, were to take that first step…) (Perhaps we'll see each other again.)

---

(…Still, I didn't think it would be this soon. Or at a place like this.)

Liam: Is she a friend of yours, Will? Does she know about us too?

William: We met on the streets and had a chat, Liam, that's all. She doesn't know a thing about Crown.

Liam: Well, that's an issue. What to do…?

(If I told you to kill her for my sake, then I'm sure you would do it without hesitation.) (Though he'll live with the pain of taking a life even as he does it. What a commendable, lovable cat.)

Harrison: Terribly sorry about the scare, ma'am. But these are just props for a performance we're staging.

(…You never change, Harrison.)

Of course he'd try to give her an escape route. Though he appeared, he was truly strong at his core.

MC: N-no way…

Harrison: …You could have pretended to believe me for your sake, you know.

It was unfortunate, but her last chance to escape had just slipped by.

(Well, I suppose I shouldn't be surprised) (She came here because she had to, after all.)

Harrison: What do we do, Will?

William: It's obvious, isn't it? We take her to see the "Reaper of the Palace".

Jude: Tch… that's why I told you to lock the damn doors.

Roger: Haha, I didn't think that anyone would trespass into an obviously dark home. You're quite the bad girl, aren't you, little miss?

Ellis: Won't you come closer? It's not like you can escape, anyway.

As soon as she heard the word 'escape', her body stiffened. Her legs began to move.

(Sorry, but I can't let you go.) (You're a witness now, of course. But that's not the only reason.)

That one of her deliveries was to this mansion was surely a coincidence. But that she was standing here now was no coincidence at all.

(Even if the sound of the piano implied that there was still someone awake inside…) (There was no reason for a postal worker to enter an otherwise entirely deserted manor in the middle of the night.) (You chose to come here.) (Even if you haven't consciously realized it yourself…)

She took the first step.

William: Come here, poor little robin.

(Let me see more of it. That burning desire that brought you here.)

At my order, her legs began to walk her forward.

MC: S-stop…!

(Haha, and at last you're voicing her true desire.)

She stopped before me as if she was presenting herself. A splash of red stained her cheek.

(…Beautiful.)

Somehow, the color of deep sin suited her.

(If, of your own volition, you were to be dyed with blood in the future…) (…that would suit you far more than this stain now.)

William: Pardon me.

As I pulled her towards me, her eyes closed in fear.

William: That should do it.

After I wiped her cheek clean and released her, she staggered and collapsed to the floor, as if all her strength had escaped her. Her gaze, once calm and settled, now shook with emotion like a stormy sea. In her eyes I saw fear, confusion… and just a hint of anticipation. Of excitement.

(Yes, you are hiding something inside you.)

Something that made her leap without looking into the dark. Imagining being able to unravel that mystery made my heart race.

(This should be fun.)

William: I haven't introduced myself yet. My name is William. William Rex. William: I'm inviting you to dine with us tonight. Your name, honored guest?

(I'll fill you with love, as much as I can.)

So that you may be a flower that blooms beautifully in the darkness.

[marimayscarlett]

Oh, Maria, how dare you entertain such scandalous thoughts? Sexualizing Richard without his consent! 😨 Clearly you've strayed far from the path of virtue! Priest Richard is preparing a great penance just for you. 😤

I'm sure he'll come up with something truly delightful - perhaps... *gasp* a few extra hours of reciting the most exciting passages from the Bible, or perhaps a deep cleaning of the church's ancient, cobwebbed confessionals. 🙄 That'll clear your mind and spirit! Enough naughty thoughts for you, young lady! (╬▔皿▔)☝🏻

Dearest Näd, I sincerely thank you for bringing me back to the path of virtue and reminding me of my duties! 🙏🏻

I am more than ready to dedicate my time and devotion to Father Richard, to atone for my sins and, with his help, renounce unchaste thoughts. Look how stern he looks - this is a man who expects excellent and devoted behaviour, and I am sure he will able to teach me exactly that 🤲🏻

I will spend extended time on my knees, of course only to scrub and clean the holy ground, and a few intense Bible studies under his guidance will surely help change and sharpen my focus 🔎 These will be needed several times a week since there are a lot to cover and we wouldn't want me to get distracted, now would we? With all that, I'll be back on the holy track in no time 📖

[sophieinwonderland]

the trend of former pro endos switching to calling themselves endo neutral pisses me off. like you obviously know we exist otherwise you wouldnt have been pro endo in the first place. but youre just calling yourself endo neutral now because youre scared to be associated with the "bad" pro endos. but why the hell arent you standing your ground, standing with your label, your community, and showing people not all pro endos are "bad"? instead you back out of the crossfire out of cowardice. if youre that scared of conflict, do not get into discourse! conflict is like 90% of discourse?! what are you gonna do when an endo neutral scandal happens and THAT label is "tainted"? will you finally leave syscourse? I would ask if you'd become anti endo, but that side already has a million scandals and problems with it im sure you wouldn't be able to touch with a 10 foot pole

ugh anyways. sorry this is angry and im using your askbox sort of as a confession box since you were talking about it. hope you dont mind more askbox bloat </3

It's no problem. I feel the same.

I'm not really sure how much of a trend it actually is. Even if there are a small handful of examples.

In my opinion though, if all it takes for you to decide to be "neutral" on a marginalized community is a few members doing things you don't like then you never really supported them to begin with.

I'm sorry, you want a community to basically be a monolith that all thinks the exact same way rather than a complex diverse group of people, and if they can't do that then they aren't worthy of your support anymore?

There is no community on Earth that is going to meet your standards. And we shouldn't be expected to.

Here is my theory on at least some of these former pro-endos.

I think that there are at least a few white knights out there who see endogenic systems more as just being a class of "victims" than actual human beings. And if we stray from the path of the perfect victim then it's decided that we no longer deserve help or support.

And it feels like for this group that they are super focused on being on the right side and, more importantly, being seen as being on the right side. That their actual motivations for leaving is just not wanting the association with anyone who could be less than perfect. To put it more bluntly, they are only allies insofar as it benefits their own image.

If your support of endogenic systems is conditional, and something that you plan on revoking the moment that you realize that they are actual people, I would rather not have it at all.