#Who faced an angry Crystal Palace and stood his ground

[that-ineffable-devil]

A moment of affection and respect for Crystal Palace who, when told "nothing leaves Hell alive" told Charles to stfu she's coming anyway.

[1001scoganmusings]

Thoughts of you consume me

Warnings: [18+], glory hole kink, oral, brief mentions of vaginal sex, teterophilia

What!? Black hat discovering he might have feelings for Flug in the middle of fucking someone else? More likely than you think babes.

Word count: 3.3k

Minors for the love of god plz stay away

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

Black hat looked at the business card in his hand then up at the neon sign that read pleasure palace in big bright red letters as it flashed on and off above him.

It was a private club who solely catered to high ranking villains only. You could only get in if you had been invited or were brought as a guest.

They were pretty hard to find considering the location changed from week to week. This insured absolute secrecy not only for the patrons but also the staff.

He had heard about this place from a business associate of his and had been told it was great for, letting off steam. He pocketed the card placing it in one of the hidden pockets of his coat as he walked up the front steps pulling on the brass handle of the door and walked in.

His footsteps clicked against the pristine flooring that was polished white marble with a gold trim.

He heard soft chattering as he walked through the lobby full of other villains waiting to get in.

Some of them were buyers from him and not even high ranking. The nerve to even claim to be he thought.

Delicate roses cut from ruby were scattered along the marble columns. Emerald cut in to exquisite leaves and vines that spiraled down the length of the column complimenting the dark red walls behind them.

Along the walls were Grecian paintings in golden frames. The paintings showed star crossed lovers or forbidden romances such as Eros and psyche. Classy but maybe a bit too over kill thought black hat as he passed by them.

A thin and lanky werewolf rushed over to greeted him. “Good evening lord black hat.” He said giving a polite bow. “If we had known you’d be coming we would’ve had someone greet you upon entering our fine establishment.”

“It’s fine,” Black hat said waving away anymore apologies the wolf might have. “ -just lead the way.”

“Right.” The werewolf said uttering a nervous laugh. “Please right this way.”

He could feel the indignant and jealous stares from the other guests. Angry that they had not been treated with the same level of respect.

But really he didn’t see why he needed to be checked in seeing as he was the highest ranking villain there.

Ridiculous really. The werewolf led him through the mahogany double doors to a huge room where people were dining and drinking. The werewolf bowed one last time leaving black hat on his own.

Inside up above a large crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling reflecting the soft candle light from the tables giving the room a romantic feel to it. Soft music played in the background as men and women of all kinds sat at tables drinking and smoking. Flirting with one another trying to gain attention from the patrons.

He saw a gargoyle man heatedly kissing an incubus woman in one of the corner booths.

His strong arms wrapped around her waist as she ground her hips into his.

Their limbs tangled around one another making it hard to tell where one ended and one began.

Further in a minator stood in front of a large glass tank with a love stricken expression on his face as a mermaid with pale blue skin and black eyes blew heart bubbles at him from underwater.

She batted her lashes at him coquettishly. The scales of her tail reflecting the room’s warm light giving it a dazzling shimmering effect.

He passes by a group of scantily clad werecat women that were already entertaining it seemed.

A goblin sat in a secluded corner of the room on a loveseat with his head thrown back and was moaning softly as two of the werecat women had their heads in his lap.

Each massaging one side of his large balls in the palm of their hands while simultaneously running their tongues up and down his shaft, purring as they did so. He brought his head up to look down just as one of them took the tip in to her mouth as the other laved at one of his balls. His big hands tangled in their hair carful of their sensitive ears as the other women kissed on his mouth and neck. One of them caught black hat staring and winked at him. Her jade green eyes playful as she threw him a flirtatious fanged smile. He paid her no mind and kept walking to the desk in the back of the room.

A pixie woman with tawny brown skin greeted him as he arrived. She wore a dress that looked as if it was made out of delicate white butterfly wings that accentuated her own translucent gossamer wings.

Her beautiful opal eyes even more striking against her green eyelashes.

She smiled at him dimples showing as she tucked a lose piece of her green hair behind her pointed ear revealing a golden ear cuff encrusted with rubies.

It ran from the tip of her ear all the way down to her earlobe.

“Hello Lord Black Hat.” she said in a high cheery voice also bowing her head politely, her Scottish accent thick.

“I am Mrs. Demir. How may I be of service to you this fine evening?”

“I was told there were fine entertainments to be had here.” Her eyes glittered with mischief as he spoke.

“Oh yes we have all kinds here.” she smiled at blackhat, showing a full set of small razor sharp teeth. Her mouth stretched thin at the corners making it look as if her skin didn’t fit her body quite right. As if it were too small for her. She was in his opinion horrifyingly beautiful. The kind of woman he might try to bed any other night. “What per say were you wanting sir?”

“Something private.” He emphasized the last word.

“All out rooms are private sir. Its what makes our establishment the best.” she said trying her best to sound reassuring.

“No,” he said correcting her. “- I mean I prefer for this encounter to remain completely anonymous for both parties.” Black hat wasn’t in the mood for fake pleasantries tonight. He wanted to fuck and get out as soon as possible.

“Oh, of course my mistake sir. Forgive me for misunderstanding.” She said flustered at having gotten such an important customers request wrong. She quickly continued on trying to cover up her mistake. “Will this be an overnight visit or-“

“No I will be leaving right after.” He said gruffly sliding a hefty wad of cash to her across the desk.

“I see.” she said thoughtfully as she opened the register and deposited the money in to it. Her thin long fingers reaching under the desk an pulling out a key card. “Then if I may, I suggest room 27. They have such compliments from their regulars. I think they’re exactly what your looking for.”

She gave him instructions to go on through the double doors and up the flight of stairs to the 2nd floor. Once there she instructed him to be sure to only enter the second to last stall once he was inside the room.

Black hat did as he was told going through another set of mahogany double doors and up another set of stairs. The inside was much larger that it looked from the outside. He supposed it was part of the enchantment that was placed on the building.

He walked down the hallway following the numbers 17, 18, 19, he passed a couple who looked as if they just couldn’t be bothered to wait till they were inside their room.

A woman, human it looked like with her dress hiked up panties moved to the side, and a tall hulking Sphinx man who was wildly driving in to her.

Her hands and face pressed up against the wall as one of the spinx’s clawed tipped hands that was wrapped entirely around her waist and was he pulling her back on to his cock making wet squelching noises as he did. His other hand held up her leg gripping the back of her knee. The angle letting him drive deeper in to her sopping wet cunt. Juices running down her leg as her body shook from the force of his thrusts. His wings expanding each time he bottomed out. Her cries of ecstasy echoing in the quiet hallway. 25, 26, 27. Thank hell he thought done with seeing others in the throws of passion. He scanned the key card through the card scanner and pushed open the black door to room 27 hurriedly walking inside. He heard the soft click of the door closing behind him echoing through the room.

The room was bathed in a dim neon pink light that lined the ceiling giving the room an eerie yet seductive air about it. He had half expected it to be dingy and filthy but to his surprise it was relatively clean. Not a very common thing for places like this but a very welcome change.

He passed by a single sink and mirror followed by urinals that lined the walls on both sides as he went further in to the room till he came to two stalls in the corner. He could hear a heart beat on the other side indicating that there was indeed someone in there.

He opened the door to the unoccupied stall as he was instructed and went in locking it behind him. There was a sign on the stall wall written in black cursive letters that read knock and insert here with an arrow pointing to a hole in the wall.

Excitement ran through him. He’d never tried a glory hole before. He undid his belt and fly pulling out his 11in cock already half hard. He sighed softly giving himself a couple of firm strokes feeling himself harden in his hand. It had been awhile since he let himself indulge in the pleasures of the flesh. His schedule was so booked lately that there just didn’t seem to be any time for it. The last straw being when he started to imagine what Flug would look like on his knees with his lips wrapped around his cock as he gagged on it during a meeting with a very important client. The thought shocking him enough to reschedule and rush to the bathroom to take care of his problem. He knew right there and then that something had to be done before he acted out of foolishness. No good would come of having liaisons with employees. None.

Black hat knocked before sliding his erect cock through the hole. He let his hands rest on the wall in front of him as he waited. A warm hand on the other side took hold of him and kissed the tip. The warmth of their palm making him sigh as they rhythmically stroked him from base to tip.

He shivered as warm soft lips trailed up and down his shaft leaving hot open mouthed kisses in their wake. Tongue occasionally peaking out to trace up and down all the veins and ridges on his cock.

Black hat let his head fall back as he felt the tension in his whole body melt away with each caress of their hand and lips. This. This is what black hat had been craving, no needing. Someone to just worship his cock. No questions or useless polite talk of any kind. Just someone who gave him exactly what he asked for with out any hassle or emotional crap.

He groaned low in his throat as the tip of their tongue teased the underside of his cock making it twitch for them. Maybe it really had been too long if they were so easily able to pull these reactions from him black hat thought to himself.

He didn’t need to see to know that pre was dribbling out from his slit in thick rivulets. He felt their tongue lap at his leaking slit and lick up the cum that leaked down the sides of his shaft making sure to leave him clean and shiny with spit. The image of Flug down on his knees lapping up his cum came to mind. The image making him utter a choked moan. Why the fuck was he thinking about Flug right now?! What the hell was wrong with him?!

He shook his head trying to clear his mind but again his ridiculous mind brought up the image of Flug on the other side of the wall on his knees swirling his tongue slowly around the head teasing his slit with the pointed tip of his tongue.

Black hat bit his lip to keep from moaning as warm breath wafted over his cock driving him crazy with want. Maybe not seeing had been a mistake.

“Fuck.” he gasped, his hips gave small thrusts trying to get them to get on with it. But to his dismay they just continued their onslaught of tantalizing and teasing touches. Black hat tried hard to picture someone else. Anyone else, but it was no use. No matter who he imagined his mind kept turning back to Flug. He no longer was trying to fight his traitorous mind about Flug. Letting it win in what it wanted to see.

He pictured Flug closing those pouty pink lips of his around the head and bobbing in earnest, massaging the underside with his tongue just as they were.

Fuck picturing his pathetic and clumsy scientist doing something so perverse, so delectably sinful, was turning him on like nothing else ever had.

He’d need to revisit why later. But for now he threw it to the dogs and let his mind wander back to his fantasy.

His legs shook at how rough imaginary flug was being. Tugging on him just right with every pull back making sure to hollow his cheeks giving just the perfect amount of suction. It was pure bliss.

Drool dripped down black hat’s chin as he could hardly contain his noises anymore. God it was humiliating to be heard like this but at the same time so exhilarating. He could let go and not worry about anything because this person would never know who he was. It was maddening to him how relinquishing control during sex was turning him on so much as if he was a young demon again getting his dick wet for the first time. He wasn’t used to giving up control seeing as he had no one he could really trust. Not true his mind whispered going back to Flug. As a demon it was just unheard of for something like that to happen. But then again when had he ever followed demon societal norms.

He heard an inhale from the other side as felt the head of his cock slip into their throat wishing with all his being it was Flug. The in human roar he let out echoed in the empty bathroom. Tentacles sprung up from his body slithering up the wall and over the floor as they gaged around him. He pictured Flug looking up at him with those big doe eyes filled with worship and adoration. Gaging his reactions to see what best pleased him. And god was Flug good at pleasing black hat, even if black hat never acknowledged it.

Flug kept going till all of him was sheathed in his throat. His legs shook from the effort it took to just stand still and just enjoy the wonderful wet heat around him. It was taking all his self control to not just phase through the wall and just start face fucking whoever was on the other side.

Flug hollowed his cheeks pulling back torturously slow, lewd slurping noises sounding too loud in the quiet of the room. He kept going till only the tip of black hat’s cock was in his mouth before going back down taking him all the way down again and again and again.

He let his forehead rest against the wall as the claws on his hands dug in to it leaving deep scratch marks. He closed his eyes pressing himself as close to the wall as he possibly could surrendering to the talented mouth on the other side all the while imagining it was his idiot scientist.

Fuck it felt good. Too good. Black hat could feel himself nearing his end already and the session had only just begun. His cock feeling as though it was melting from all the wondrous attention it was receiving. How Flug’s tight hot throat was squeezing him just right every time he swallowed around him.

Was it simply the anonymity of this encounter making him feel this good? Or was it his fantasy of Flug so attentively sucking his cock? He wasn’t sure and at the moment could be bothered to care as they moaned around his cock. The vibrations threatening to send him over the edge when they suddenly pulled off.

He let out a menacing growl that reverberated throughout the room. He felt them line themselves up with his cock and thrust back on to it. Their walls fluttering around him as they tried to accommodate his monstrous size. Black hat waisted no time and began thrusting into the tight channel.

The image of Flug laying flat on his stomach sprawled out on black hat’s bed. Black hat’s hands on either side of Flug’s head as he drove in to him wildly from behind making Flug scream his name. Oh how he’d fuck Flug, fuck him until flug begged him to stop. And even then he might not.

Fuck he was close, so close. The flimsy stall wall shaking with each rough thrust. Liquid fire pooled in his belly ready to burst at any moment. Hurried wet slapping noises and muffled moans came from the other side as their body suddenly clenched down hard on his length. His eyes slamming shut from the intensity of the pleasure. The acrid tang of blood filled his mouth as he bit his lip to conceal his voice as he thrust in a few more times before he too came. Hilting in them one final time before stilling his hips as he shot thick hot spirts of cum in to them, a soft whisper of Flug’s name falling from his lips. Black hat’s thighs trembled as their walls milked him so deliciously.

All that could be heard now was his own labored breathing. Black hat let his softening cock slip from their body. Tearing off a few pieces of toilet paper from the holder and wiping himself clean before tucking himself back in and zipping up his pants.

He exited the stall and walked out of the room. Black hat snapped his fingers and teleported himself back to the mansion, not particularly in the mood to see people rutting against one another like animals.

As he walked the halls back to his office he accidentally bumped too hard in to Flug as he turned a corner knocking the man down to the ground.

“Sorry boss I didn’t see you there.” He said in a nervous tone as he looked up at black hat.

There they were again. The disgusting thoughts. His mind telling him to pin Flug to the ground and fuck him till he couldn’t walk properly.

“Boss?” Flug said confused by black hat’s silence and intense stare.

Flug’s voice bring him out of his thoughts. “Stay out of my sight you pathetic worm.” He said as viscously as he could walking right over Flug and continuing on to his office. Keeping his desires in check was going to be a lot harder than he thought.

[chickenmcstucky]

From the Shadows

Bucky Barnes x reader

Angst, fluff || ~2k

She’d been watching him. Always silent, always alone, the White Wolf carried on. When she overhears the plan to test his recovery, she is inexplicably drawn to the place where he - Bucky - will be tested. But the night won’t hide her forever.

She wasn’t supposed to be here. She shouldn’t even know it was happening. A hushed conversation in Shuri’s lab had fallen on carefully tuned ears listening from a vent above. She knew eavesdropping was wrong, but she was drawn to the long-haired man who couldn’t hide the sadness swimming in his crystal eyes.

***

To be honest, she wasn’t sure he even knew of her existence past stolen glances around the palace complex and gentle waves through golden grasses in the border lands where the man kept his home. She knew his story - how could she not - knew why he was there in Wakanda. He sought peace, healing. Safety. He - Bucky, her mind supplied - drew her in inexplicably. Perhaps it was the foreignness of his presence in her home, perhaps the quiet way he carried himself so as not to impose on the world around him, perhaps the wistful longing on his face when he thought no one was watching. But she was watching.

Sometimes, she felt guilty about it; shame for spying on this man’s life when he so clearly removed himself from those around him. Yet she was convicted - a man with such depth shouldn’t be overlooked. He deserved for someone to watch him, to notice him. Her heart broke watching him go about his life alone. She had always had a bleeding heart but this was something new even to her. They had never even exchanged words yet her day was incomplete if she didn’t rest her gaze on his lonely silhouette. She yearned to reach out and touch him, feel him, know him. She sensed a kindness within him and yet her fear of rejection, of overstepping kept her at arm’s length.

Until now. Until she was in the right place at the right time and learned what was planned for that night. All afternoon she agonized over it, terrified it would go wrong, that Bucky would hurt himself or others and retreat further into his shell, never to come out again. She thought part of her heart might die if she lost even this most tenuous connection with him.

***

Now, instead of holding her back from him, her fear spurred her forward into the warm night. The lump in her throat grew with every step along the hidden path to the clearing where she knew she’d find Ayo, find him. Every inch she stole closer to the distant fire brought fear anew she would be caught, reprimanded. Sent away from her blue-eyed boy. She knew she was intruding, was sure he would be angry that some young girl he barely knew was watching this ugliest part of him be bared to the starry sky. Still, she kept on.

Slowly, she crept to the edge of the trees, miraculously unnoticed by the two figures shrouded in flickering shadow. Suddenly the flame jumped, the small fire bursting into the air, and she saw his face. Framed by loose tendrils of chestnut hair, he was beautiful even as his expression twisted in pain. The calm voice of Ayo carried across the clearing to her ears as she realized the process had already begun. Her breath caught in her chest as she watched Bucky’s sobbing form. She ached to run to him, to take him in her arms and shield him from the danger, but the beast was inside him and she was helpless but to watch, and hope for his healing.

Tears cascaded down her cheeks as she watched Bucky’s face contort with pain and fear with every new word that fell from Ayo’s lips, and yet the warrior showed no fear. The girl began to believe it was working, that the broken man could become whole again.

His voice, thick with tears, cut through her reverie. “It’s not gonna work,” he gasped, defeat and terror in his voice. Her heart tore its way out of her chest, yearning to soar to him and revive his fractured soul.

Ayo continued, determined and confident. “Рассвет,” she intoned. “Печь.” Bucky’s chest heaved with gut-wrenching sobs; she could see the fight within himself.

“Девять,” the wretched man grimaced, thousand-yard stare boring into the flame as he battled demons she could not see. “Неопасный,” a fresh waterfall of salty tears escaped her traitorous eyes as she saw the pain etched on his face, saw the tears swimming in his eyes.

“возвращение домой,” Ayo’s voice grew stronger, louder. The moment of truth approached as the flames flickered across their faces, one composed and determined, the other fracturing infinitely. “Один.”

Bucky bared his teeth as she crept forward, her feet moving without permission, inching her closer to the freedom of the clearing. “грузовой вагон,” his glassy eyes spilled over, tears running down his ruddy cheeks.

His body shook violently, his piercing gaze never leaving the fire, as if he feared what he might see if he looked up. His beautiful face scrunched in agony as Ayo’s final word hung in the air, its specter holding the girl’s breath hostage. Enraptured and terrified, she couldn’t tear her eyes away from the scene.

Ayo’s graceful expression gave way to a small smile as she uttered salvation. “You are free.”

This man, this beautiful broken soul that she knew held fathoms of love, kindness, and pain, this brave warrior, crumpled. Disbelief twisted his face as he sobbed, his teary eyes bright in the fire light. Finally, he raised his head as his gaze met Ayo’s in cautious joy.

“You are free,” the kind warrior repeated, and the girl’s heart soared. It had worked. She let out a breathy sob, slapping her hand over her mouth as she realized what she had done. It seemed the pair didn’t notice, and she peered on as Bucky broke down in true sobs, no longer reigning himself in. His heart clear on his face, she saw the relief in his eyes, the agony in his tears, the joy in his red cheeks. This defeated man had finally reached the promised land, and it was tearing him apart. It was tearing her apart; she felt her soul rupture and rebuild around his. Though merely an uninvited witness to this sacred moment, she felt part and parcel now of his new beginning. She felt hope grow within her, and, closing her eyes, she willed it to him.

He clenched his fist to his shaking lips. Hope glimmered in his crystalline eyes; she wondered if it was hers.

An eternity passed as she beheld his reckoning. He racked with sobs, a man brought back from the dead and given a new life.

***

“You can come out now.”

She should’ve known she wasn’t unnoticed. The sharp voice tore her from the trance Bucky’s salvation had put her in. Ayo’s command left no room for running or pleading. She stepped forward into the clearing, revealing herself to the pair.

Her mouth opened, but nothing came out. Shame pierced her to her core as his eyes met hers across the flames, confusion in his still shining eyes. Then - recognition. Her shame gave way to warmth.

His sweet lips formed her name, and she was reborn. She had never allowed herself to believe he might find her worthy of the same courtesy she had granted him, that he would see her and ache to know her. Yet the care with which her name left his lips left her with no explanation but this. A strange sensation of being known came over her, and she wondered if he shared in it.

Drawn forward by the promise of his teary eyes, she made her way to his side. The heat of the fire licked at her skin, yet she was chilled by the prospect in the air, the idea she might finally share a moment with this man she’s warped her life around these past months of his recovery. Until this moment, neither had realized how deep the other had burrowed themselves, irrevocably building a home in each of their broken hearts.

Caught in a trance once more, neither of them noticed Ayo slip into the darkness, towards the path back to the city.

Still standing over his seated figure, she reached a hand to caress his wet cheek. His eyes fluttered shut as he gently leaned into her soft hand. It felt like a homecoming.

He placed his larger, calloused hand over hers, cupping her nimble fingers in his own as he pulled her hand from his cheek and grasped it tightly. He moored himself to her, no longer adrift in agony and unrest. He was found.

Slowly, he stood and her gaze followed him up, refusing to leave his. Her name left his lips again with a smile. “You’re still watching me, little one? After all this time?”

Heat rushed to her cheeks, but her eyes didn’t leave his. She had been found, right where she wanted. No longer did she need to hide from him.

“I thought you didn’t see me,” she whispered, disbelieving even as his blue eyes stared right into her soul that he would take the time to notice her, to know her.

“You’re all I see, now,” his voice caressed and grounded her as his hand clutched hers tighter, her own hand tightening in return.

Gently, she reached her other hand back to his face and wiped away the lingering tears, yet more took their place as he smiled into her touch. Suddenly he was in her arms as if the earth herself had moved them. His sweet face pressed into the crook of her neck as he sobbed anew, his arms clutching at her sides as she wrapped her own around him, caressing down his back and running her fingers through his unruly locks.

“It’s alright, it’s alright now,” she cooed, heart breaking and mending in tandem with his. She wasn’t sure how long they stood like that, as she gave him the comfort he so desperately craved. A celebration of his renewal, a mourning of his lost past. A vision of their now mingled paths.

Finally, he broke from their embrace. “Ayo...she’s gone,” he said, his voice raspy.

“The Dora do not often dawdle after a successful mission,” she replied. “Her job is done.”

“You are free,” she whispered. “Free,” louder this time.

And - oh. He laughed and her heart ascended to the stars, yearning for more of his sweet sounds.

“Thank you,” his soft voice was convicted.

“But..I did nothing,” she was bewildered. How could he thank her, when she’d merely stumbled upon a forbidden moment?

“I felt your eyes on me, felt you watching from a distance. You made me feel worthy even when I knew I wasn’t,” his voice broke. “You gave me the courage to fight, and to make it to this night. I found myself so that I could look back at you and feel deserving of your grace.”

“But,” she gasped, tears running down her cheeks once more, “how could you feel all that? How could you - me?” she breathed, her eyes widening with incredulity.

Not finding the words to answer, he simply leaned down and pressed his lips to hers with a gentleness that could move mountains. Her eyes drifted shut as he chastely kissed her.

“You,” he affirmed as he pulled back. “You.”

Now his turn to wipe away her tears, his hand lingered at her cheek as he leaned in once more for a soft kiss. Innocent, but filled with promise.

“May I walk you home?” his voice was sure, but the uncertainty lingered in his eyes.

Smiling, “It’s a long walk,” she laughed wetly, the tears not long gone.

“I’ve got time,” his own soft smile matched hers, and he lifted their clasped hands to his lips, brushing her knuckles. His lips met hers once more, and they walked on into the night.

***

[bisexual-inuyasha]

The Hook

Chapter 2: Getting to Know You

Prompt: “I shouldn’t be here.” “Well you are. Don’t even think about leaving.”

The next morning, Ling woke up alone. Ed had reminded him Al expected him back. And besides, Ling was all talk. He could kiss Edward Elric but anything more would have to wait until he dealt with his suitor situation. It wasn’t cheating, he knew. But that didn’t mean it was right.

Was he a suitor when he never bothered to ask? Ling’s eyes were itchy with lack of sleep. His cheek tingled from where he’d slept on it. God, mornings sucked. Especially early mornings after a late night.

Even still… he smiled. Last night had not been a total waste. He wrapped his fingers around something warm and smooth, something that had rested against his curled stomach through the night.

“Young Lord, I’ve brought you a snack before your meeting. You barely ate yesterday, so I brought extra.” Lan Fan’s voice carried through the doorway, especially loud. “Do you need anything to drink?”

“He’s gone, Lan Fan.” Ling sighed, sitting up. He was decidedly less dressed than when he’d gone to his rooms. By the time Ed left he was too tired to shrug into his sleep clothes. He’d been missing a shirt and his pants had already been half off. He’d just stripped into his undies and fallen asleep under a mountain of blankets.

“What’s that?” Lan Fan sat across from him, her legs crossed and posture careful. “A gift?”

“You could say that.”

It was only a small cat figure, crudely carved from a soft wood Ling had never gotten around to figuring out on his own.

“It’s. Um, cute?”

It wasn’t. It looked awful. Edward wasn’t artistically inclined in that way. Ling couldn’t care less. “Thank you.”

“Speaking of gifts, you’ve got another. It arrived this morning.” Lan Fan took a bite of Ling’s food. “You should eat.”

“What was the gift?” Ling scooped up a mouthful of rice. “Who was it from?”

“Not Edward Elric.” Lan Fan spoke around her food. “The other man you’re supposed to be involved with.”

Ling’s throat felt dry. He coughed. “We’ve certainly not been meant to be involved yet, Lan Fan. That won’t happen for another month. You know there’s quite a long engagement process in Xing.”

“Yes, Sire. I’m aware.” She closed her eyes. He watched as she considered for a moment. “When you are ready for my opinion I will be sure to give it.”

Irritation flared through Ling but he let it pass. Lan Fan was always free to give her opinion. The only thing putting him off was that he knew what her opinion was. And that she was right. He took a deep breath and pushed a smile onto his face. “I await the day.”

Today was not like the last two. He had so much to do. It was not like his engagement meant the kingdom stopped running. And his hands-on approach to ruling meant he couldn’t shove many duties onto his advisors and court. He was entangled in all of the decisions, from clan relations to trade negotiations. He had all the details and all the paperwork.

So he dragged himself up, splashing cool water on his face. Lan Fan raised an eyebrow at his undress.

“It’s not like it’s anything you haven’t seen before.”

“No, that’s true. I used to kick your ass when you’d wake up half naked after getting mugged in the Hua clans.”

“I wish you wouldn’t remind me of starving days.” Ling put on a pouty face. “Don’t you know you’re supposed to respect me now, Lan Fan? I’m working hard as emperor.”

“I have the utmost respect for you, Sire.” She smiled at him, and it was genuine. She wasn’t too angry at him, then. “I just want you to be careful. You are walking in a thin place. The thin places are difficult to keep you safe in.”

“You don’t have to protect me from everything, Lan Fan.” He gathered up his robes. With a celebration came the expectation of finery. “Though if you want to help me into this ridiculous outfit, I’d appreciate it.”

She did, and by the time his first round of consultation was to start, he was fully dressed. His hair was pulled back today, in the proper style. He arranged his expression into an indifferent coolness.

“Don’t forget, Sire. You’ve got the matter of the gift to deal with.”

His stomach clenched. “Don’t worry. I won’t forget it.”

When she wasn’t looking, Ling snuck the little cat into his pocket.

The mysterious suitor’s gift was on his mind through the whole morning. As his constituents asked about the borders of their fields and the negotiation, he ran his thumb over the figurine in his pocket and tried not to look towards the table where the gift waited for him.

A maze of questions and conflicts and negotiations later, he was being led to the gift. A no stuck in his throat. Refusal built like a physical pressure in his chest. The urge to leave was so strong his hands shook with it.

His advisors were clueless. And of all the days, Lan Fan was busy with other affairs. She wasn’t even in the palace. For the first time since he was inaugurated, a clammy sweat broke over his forehead.

He stood at the box. He didn’t care what was in it. It wouldn’t change his mind, whatever it was.

But accepting the gift was a furthering. For every step into Xingese tradition he took, the expectation he would follow through grew. Maybe this is why he just stood, staring at the box, for several minutes.

The longer he took, the heavier the silence around him grew.

Low rumbling started in the back of the crowd. A few people grumbled and a couple shouted as someone aggressively, and rudely, shoved their way through.

Ed pushed his way near the front, a notebook in his hand, his metal fingers clasped around a pen. Ling heard him shout over the thin wall of people ahead of him. “Well, get on with it. How else are any of us supposed to know what’s in it?”

Ling laughed. He pulled the fabric wrapping from the box. It was a nice enough fabric. From far away, the cloth had just looked like a boring eggwhite, but up close he could see damasked swirls twisting around the corners. The box was equally almost boring--cream, slightly darker, with a line of gold around the opening. His expectations were low.

And good thing.

The gift was a simple, expensive shaving set. Ling felt like this was something Fu would have enjoyed. However, he, with his lack of facial hair and attachment to his other bodily hair, had no use for it. He quirked a brow, put the nice, ivory handled blade back into the oversized box beside the crystal container of what he could only assume was cologne. Maybe?

A single boom of laughter sounded from the general vicinity of Ed, but no one else seemed to think anything of the gift. And then, to his horror, one of his advisors cleared their throat.

“For when he is here, Sire. To shave your husband.”

Ling carefully closed the box. He was trying, and failing, to look nonchalant.

“Sire, should we respond with a gift in kind?”

Ling ground his teeth. “I will be in my room, crafting a response for my… suitor.”

He’d chosen the word specifically for its connotation of uncertainty. A suitor has not been accepted yet. The advisors all glared, and a few of the crowd closest to him gasped. He could feel the burning in his cheeks. Anger, embarrassment, and maybe a smidge of disappointment flooded his thoughts. He needed to be out of here.

Murmuring grew behind him, growing to a small roar as the heavy doors to the court closed behind him.

It was hard to stomp through all his layers but he did his best.

The kitchens were busy when he arrived. Lan Fan was elbow deep in a bowl of dumpling filling. She took one look at his face and picked up the bowl to move towards him.

“We should go, Sire,” she finished kneading the ingredients together and dumped the bowl into the arms of another kitchenhand. “Your face may frighten the staff.”

He shuttered his expression, pushing the emotions and thoughts deep inside until he could be somewhere private. It was not easy, and from Lan Fan’s face he could tell he was not fully successful. He tried, though, and that was the best he could do.

“It was bad?” Lan Fan spoke under her breath while she washed her hands.

He couldn’t speak on it. It was insulting, actually. The kind of gift given to a stranger. But worse so, because it was a gift truly meant for the gifter--a gift of expectation. A note that said one day, he expected Ling to serve him.

He did not become Emperor to serve over-confident old men.

The thought made him bristle. His face contorted into a sneer, despite his best efforts to keep a neutral expression. He turned away, so that only Lan Fan could see him. “It is best discussed somewhere else.”

She didn’t respond, only dried her hands and hurried from the room. Ling followed, though he could only go so fast without tripping over the length of his robes. The hindrance was especially frustrating, and even more so because he wanted to move. To push himself, quicken his steps and his body until he couldn’t hardly breathe.

He already didn’t want to do this.

He had a growing list of reasons to refuse.

Except.

Except there was a reason he accepted in the first place.

It was enough to fuel the fire inside him higher, until he was nearly bursting at the seams in his shuffling pace.

Finally, they were in an empty room. A quick glance around told him it was an empty washroom, and if not for Lan Fan’s very blatant disinterest in men, they may have been in trouble. As it was, she only slammed the door closed (a cathartic sound, though it did nothing for his thrumming body.) When she turned towards him, there was only concern. He hadn’t realized he’d expected anything less. But now, some tightness around his lungs loosened.

He’d been expecting a reprimand.

“What was the gift?” She started pulling his robes off of him.

Briefly, he wondered if this was unusual. The thought left his mind as soon as it crossed. He shifted his shoulders to help her remove the uppermost layer. “It was a shaving set.”

“Hm?” She moved to his front, untying a sash. “But you don’t have any facial hair.”

“It wasn’t for me to use myself.” Ling’s hands shook again. “Hua explained. It was for me to use, on him.”

Lan Fan’s fingers fumbled on the sash. “That doesn’t make sense, Sire.”

“It was meant as exactly what it was.” Ling stepped back and finished undoing the sash to his underrobe himself. “A notification of expectation. A signal that he wants me to be a doting husband.”

“I can see how in some twisted way that makes sense.” Lan Fan frowned. “Though he must be aware it doesn’t give a good impression.”

“He doesn’t think he has to care. He offered his hand in marriage without knowing me, Lan Fan. He wasn’t taking me into account at all. He wants Xing.”

“No.” She sat on an empty countertop. Her expression bothered him. “Not just Xing. He wants you, too. Sire.”

His skin felt raw. Only a few days ago, that may have been a relief. Now it was an irritation digging its way into his blood. “What makes you say that?”

“He’s been keeping tabs on you through the advisors. He has asked specifically after your health and happiness. The reports have been mixed, but he’s asked more than once.”

For a moment, Ling went cold. “Have any of them mentioned--”

“No. No mention of him. But the Amestrian does seem interested in you, specifically, Sire.” She frowned. “Though, I can say from your reaction to the gift that it’s a hopeless cause on his part.”

“What do I do?” He sat on the floor. At least a dozen tailors would be scandalized at his treatment of his clothing, but what did he care? Those same tailors complained every time he wore an outfit a second time.

“I cannot answer you, Ling. I’m sorry.” She smiled. “You should go to breakfast.”

“I’m not hungry.” He was too angry to feel hungry.

“Ed will be there. Surely, he will calm you down.” Lan Fan smiled. “Besides, you should at least try.”

Ling closed his eyes. “I’m not putting the robes back on.”

“You’ll scandalize us all, Sire.” But she was still smiling when she said it. “Please, at least keep your head around the boy.”

Ling blushed. He left, tired and still irritated.

He ignored the stares of the others. Admittedly, his under robe and darkest, loosest pants were not the usual outfit for an emperor. It would take until tomorrow for the rumors to reach outside the kingdom. And when they did, he’d solidify them with his announcement of withdrawal from the marriage.

What had Ed called it?

A soft rebellion.

He sat, heavily, in his seat at the top of the table. Ed and Al sat near him, like they had the night before. Soon, this would become noticeable. Soon, he’d have to deal with all of the fallout from there. Right now though…

“I like your new look.” Ed tapped his fingers on his glass, taking a deep drink. He stared Ling down, questioning. “It’s certainly to stir up some talk around here. Especially with how you stormed out earlier.”

“Surprised you noticed over all your laughter.” Ling stretched in his seat. The dining hall was chilly as the flame of his anger started to wane. “Al, you wouldn’t believe how loud your asshole of a brother laughed at me in my own court.”

“I’m sure he didn’t laugh half as loud as he snored.” Al contemplated, rubbing their chin. “Though I guess he didn’t do much snoring in your room last night.”

Ed and Ling both squawked a protest but Al just snorted.

“I gotta say, though. Your kitchen knows how to make a roast quail that just melts.” Al took a bite, a nibble really, and savored it.

“Al’s a bit of a foodie. In fact, I don’t think they’ve ever enjoyed a place we’ve visited as much. They go on and on about the food here in the room. Do you know how much I had to hear about the sugared sweet potatoes? That was a half hour rant at least.”

“They were good! And one of the cooks said she’d share her recipe with me.” Al’s eyes narrowed, a slow and innocent smile spreading across their face. “Besides, it’s not like I haven’t had to hear--”

“Ha! An-any way.” Ed waved his arm, the shine glinting with the bright lights of the room.

Ling caught the metal fingers in his, and Ed’s face lit up like a cherry sparkler. “Did you polish this?”

“Uh…” Ed’s mouth fell open as Ling openly observed the newly cleaned screws and gleaming plates. “Well, yeah. I mean, if I’m going to be modelling for an emperor, I figured it best be up to emperor’s standards.”

“Silly Edward.” Ling pulled the hand towards his face, checking the wear and tarnish. The scuff was still noticeable at the thumb, bits of unreachable fade peeking out from beneath overlapping metal. “I like your hands either way.”

Al coughed. “People are going to notice if you guys keep all that up.”

Ling dropped Ed’s hand and turned to his food. “So you say the quail is good?”

His appetite did return. He ate steadily through baked quail, quail egg dotted rice, taro starch candies, fried squash blossoms, sweet tomato filled dumplings. Occasionally Al would ask about a dish and he’d explain whatever he knew--not usually very much--and they’d write down a few notes to ask about later. And occasionally, he’d glance over to see Ed, a wide grin on his face, eyes alight, cheeks still tinged pink, and his heart would stutter.

This was the feeling he’d dreamed of as a kid. This excitement buzzing through him whenever he looked at Ed. The easy comradery between himself and the two brothers.

Ling leaned over, keeping his voice quiet and his body language inconspicuous. Al didn’t even look up.

“Let’s meet up where we met the first time, tonight.”

Ed nodded, and they continued through their meal until Ling had to excuse himself.

If Ed’s face turned a deeper shade of red, Al didn’t mention it.

As much as Ling was enjoying his scandalous outfit, he couldn’t justify doing any more official work in it. He changed into a simpler, less heavy version of the outfit he wore that morning. He hadn’t seen Lan Fan at breakfast. He assumed she had a good reason for wherever she was. Still. He wanted to tell her he’d made up his mind.

He toured through the city, overseeing repair projects and brokering deals between bickering businesses. The people weren’t quite sure what to do with him. And he was still learning exactly how to be what they expected of him. His advisors had tried to shepherd him into similes of past emperors. He chafed under their pressures as they tried to fill a shell they’d formed for him. The worst times were when they could cite legitimate reasons for their herding.

For example, he was exposed and in danger while out in the towns. So therefore, they must be able to have him well guarded. This very logical set of observations was followed with therefore every step he made had to be very meticulously timed and prescreened. Theoretically, he would spend only a small allotted time at each job, and no more.

One thing was always true, no matter how meticulously planned his outings. Each job multiplied. If he showed up to discuss the demarcation of a farming plot, the result would mean that already grown crops would have to be divided. Inevitably, a dispute would have to be settled. Then, as is only polite when you’ve just told at least one person they’ve less crops than they thought they did, he’d sit for a tea.

Today he didn’t get to lunch. Or back for another round of celebrations. And this was the way it always went, for any of his days he spent out with the people.

It was his favorite part of the job.

By the time he returned to the palace he was exhausted deep in his very bones. The robes, lighter he’d thought than the earlier ones, weighed him down. And still, he had dinner to go through. And the aftermath of this morning to handle. He wanted to sleep.

Then, he remembered.

He had a meeting. After dinner.

His steps still dragged, but a little less.

He made his way to his room and collapsed in his bed.

Only to jump up a moment later, shouting. “What the hell?”

A body wiggled under his covers. Fighting his way from a mountain of plush blankets, Ed’s head popped up. “Oh, you’re back. You were supposed to be back hours ago.”

A soft smile lit his face despite the heaviness of his limbs. “I can’t half ass a job with the people. They’d never forget and the bitching wouldn’t end for years. Probably until I died.”

“Even during your engagement?”

Ling scoffed. “Don’t play with me. You and I both know that’s a sham.”

“You sure?” Ed hugged the covers to his chest. Ling thought it was awfully cheeky that the Amestrian could sleep in his bed, wake up, and immediately start asking prying questions. Maybe he should have been bothered. Instead he was mildly impressed.

“Am I sure that the supposed suitor of mine who I’ve never met, who has no reason to have any interest in a decades younger new emperor in a country with an assassin problem, is nothing more than a sham of political leverage?” Ling slid his top off. He’d put it back on before dinner. But now, he needed to be lighter.

“Leverage? And what does that mean, for you?”

This conversation was a heavy one. Heavier than the exhaustion in his bones. Heavier than the robe he’d allowed to slide onto the floor. Heavier still than the thoughts that had been running through his head all day. “Do you know how I became Emperor?”

Ed frowned. “You fought your way through the other heirs, made alliances, made deals. That’s how every Xingese emperor ascends, right?”

“No. I’d have never been able to fight my way through 43 heirs.” Ling rubbed his eyes. “Promises. I made promises to those I didn’t need to fight my way through. Promises that their clan wouldn’t starve. Promises that I wouldn’t mercilessly kill those clans whose heirs I did have to fight through.”

“Sounds better.” Ed smiled. Ling didn’t.

“If I promised you, right now, that I would fix Amestris for you. That utilizing my marriage to your ruler, I would root out and destroy the corruption that causes Amestris to spread into neighboring countries like a virus. How would you feel?”

Ed’s face shifted, first to anger then to thoughtfulness, before finally landing on doubt. “How could you, even if you did marry him? Amestrians aren’t trusting. They’ve been in war after war--”

“Exactly. And yet, with the resources of Xing, the possibility arises that I could. And this is the possibility I’m faced with. Right now, I’m new, and my rule is based on promises that are thin until I fulfill them. And some of them will only be fulfilled when I die and haven’t killed off the opposing clans. When people aren’t used to honesty, believing in good things will become impossible.” Ling sat on the bed, pushed aside the covers. Ed was still dressed in this morning's clothes. As any normal person would be, Ling decided. “Having a strong military force behind my decrees would go a long way to making people take me seriously.”

“Sounds cowardly to me.” Ed crossed his arms. Ling was going to have to reign this conversation in, or he’d get no sleep before dinner.

“Yes, cowardly,” Ling wrapped his arms around Ed’s waist. “I’m certainly cowardly enough, but maybe not enough for this.”

Ed fought back his grin, but to no avail. “Well, I can’t believe I was lured all the way to the palace under false pretenses.”

“You mean you don’t want to become my mistress?” Ling placed a kiss against Ed’s throat. He wouldn’t usually be so forward, but he had found Ed in his bed.

“Don’t think I’ve got the legs.”

“I wouldn’t ask you to anyway.” And then Ling pulled Ed down, curled around the small statured boy, and fell asleep.

This way, exactly, was how Lan Fan found them. Ed, lying awake in Ling’s arms, and Ling, deep asleep.

“He seems relaxed.” Lan Fan shut the door quietly behind her. “This is good. I wanted to talk to you privately anyway.”

Ed sputtered. “He’s right here, it’s not like we’re alone.”

Lan Fan gave him a deadpan stare. Then she opened her mouth, talking loudly. “Ling! Oh, Ling, it’s an emergency, Ed is cutting off my leg with his automail arm. He’s going to kill me Ling, watch out!”

Ed gaped, waving his free hand in her direction. “Stop it stop it stop it! What are you doing?”

But Ling didn’t wake up. He only snuggled deeper into Ed’s chest, wrapped his arms tighter around Ed’s waist, and hummed contentedly.

“So, as I was saying.” Lan Fan on Ling’s desk, glancing through some of his pictures. “You came here before he got back. Before lunch. You must be hungry.”

“Starving, actually.”

“Careful, he’s got to be starving too.” She rested her chin on her hand, staring him down. “He’s been known to nibble in his sleep.”

“You two are close, yeah?”

“What are your intentions with the Emperor of Xing?” She uncrossed her leg, hopping down from the work desk. “How can I trust you?”

“We had an interesting conversation about trust earlier.” Ed looked up to the ceiling. “I don’t have any intentions, to be honest. I barely know him.”

Lan Fan was at the edge of the bed now. He could feel her cool touch on his leg, a threat more than a comfort. “That’s not a very comforting answer, considering what’s on the line.”

“You couldn’t very well trust me if I lied to you, could you?” Ed swallowed. “I like him. I have since I saw him half-passed out in the garden. He was so far gone he couldn’t stand, and he thought the flowers were stars.”

“It’s hard to understand why you went out after him.” Lan Fan’s grip on his leg tightened. “I had assumed he wanted to be alone. Why didn’t you?”

“I--” Ed hesitated. How much did he want to tell her? “I’ve had that look on my face before. The one he had when he went outside. I hadn’t wanted to be alone, then.”

“So you just took a chance? Followed a hunch?” She sat on the bed. Ling shifted beside him. “And then stayed out there with him, until we found you.”

“He doesn’t remember that part, I think.” Ed spread his fingers over Ling’s arm. “He asked me to lay with him. I didn’t want to disappoint him.”

“You really don’t want anything from him, do you?”

“Just a chance.” Ed turned his face into Ling’s hair. “A chance to get to know him.”

“He wants you to.” Lan Fan sighed. “It’s time to get ready for dinner, now.”

“Right.” Ed ran his fingers through Ling’s hair, careful to keep the metal from tangling. “I should probably go. You probably wanted to talk to him, yeah?”

“I think it would be best.” Lan Fan didn’t move. “After all, it wouldn’t do for you two to arrive at dinner together, again.”

Ed moved carefully, lifting Ling’s arm and sliding out from beneath him. “He sleeps like a log.”

“Only after his visits to the people. It drains him but he loves it. He doesn’t do well sitting still.” She stood before Ed could reach the door, hand outstretched. “I think you’ll love him, before too long. I wish you good luck, Edward Elric. It is no easy task loving Ling Yao.”

He frowned. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Don’t get me wrong. It’s worth it, every step.” Her hand hung in the air, waiting. “But he is emperor. And he doesn’t understand how important he is.”

“I make no promises.” He shook her hand and left, feeling somehow that he had made a vow, despite his claims.

Maybe he was already a lot deeper in than he thought.

They didn’t sit together at dinner this time. Ling was dressed in the robe he’d worn to town, only slightly rumpled, and smiling at everyone. A few people had attempted to ask him about his show over the gift this morning. He waved off their questions easily and changed the subject.

He’d even had one of the waiters sneak a baked taro bun over to Al, who had greedily devoured the whole thing. But he didn’t look at Ed.

Lan Fan stuck to his side, slyly moving him away from the less pleasant visitors. Ling pretended not to notice, but at one point he grew frustrated with a conversation, grabbed her around the waist, and did a circle around the room with her, ignoring any woh tried to talk to him. She laughed at him, and he ended up laughing with her. It was only a single round but it was enough to stir up the murmuring all over again.

The abrupt change had successfully signaled a change, however. The groups of people chattering needlessly started to break up into smaller groups, and music began playing. Ling watched as people stopped paying attention to him, concerning themselves with their own conversations.

He took a deep breath and sat down, rubbing his hands over his face. “God, that was becoming insufferable. I receive one shaving set and everyone has jokes and questions.”

“I think it’s more than that, Sire.” Lan Fan stretched. “Are you keeping your appointment?”

“A good emperor always does, right Lan Fan?” He grinned at her.

She squeezed his hand. “Just guard yourself, sire. We don’t want anyone getting hurt.”

He stuck his tongue out. “You’re always so serious. Never want to just have fun.”

“I have all sorts of fun when I’m with you, Sire.”

They both burst into giggles. He stood, brushing at the wrinkles on his top. “I’ve best get going. Ed disappeared quite a few minutes ago. He’ll be worried if I don’t show up soon.”

“Sire?” She tugged on his sleeve. “You do deserve to be happy. Don’t let any of us make you doubt that.”

A lump rose in his throat. “And is that your official opinion, Lan Fan?”

“That is always my opinion, Sire.”

He was still riding the high of knowing he’d be able to rely on Lan Fan, even if he made the selfish decision, even if he allowed his pride to rule just this once, when he made his way to the archway. Ed sat beneath, staring up at the tiny white flowers that dotted overhead.

“They do kind of look like stars, if you cross your eyes a bit.” Ed thumped back, stretching his arms above him.

“You’ll never reach them. They are the stars, after all.” Ling sat down and matched Ed’s pose.

“Do you remember asking to watch the stars with me?”

Ling shook his head. “No, I don’t. But I’d like to get the chance to try for real.”

“Well, that’s all up to you. I could always be your mistress.”

“You wouldn’t, you’re far too moral for that.” Ling hummed. “No, I’m going to call off the engagement. I can’t follow through with it.”

“Is this because of me? Don’t make a decision like that because of me. We just met, after all. What if we like different music or something?”

“Don’t worry. I’d probably have made this decision even if I hadn’t met you.” Probably. Maybe. Ling hoped he would have. “I’ve given up a lot to be Emperor. But I feel like this would be giving up more than I could actually bear.”

“I won’t argue with you.” Ed turned on his side. “I can’t say I wasn’t hoping.”

Ling opened his mouth to respond, but was interrupted by a hand grabbing his arm. Lan Fan was here, and she’d obviously hurried.

“Lord, there’s been a development. We’ve just received word.”

Ling frowned, his brow pulling together. “What is it? Is everything ok?”

Lan Fan looked towards Ed, and then back to him. “Your fiance is heading here, to meet. He cites a misunderstanding as the cause, but I fear he may have learned of,” she made a vague gesture towards Ed. “Your extracurriculars.”

Ed’s face turned red again, a sight that would have usually sent Ling into cheery, warm feelings. But now his stomach felt it was digging its way into the dirt.

He would be meeting his suitor after all.

Ed grabbed his hand, already sitting up. "I shouldn't be here. People are bound to start showing up soon to congratulate you."

Ling didn't let go of Ed's hand as he moved to leave. "Well, you are. Don't even think about leaving me here."

Ed stopped, looking to Ling uncertain. "But--"

"Please."

And so Ed stayed, waiting for Ling as advisors came to tell him he only had two days before the King of Amestris arrived.

[jessiewritesthings]

Saudade - Pt. II

Prince Zuko x Reader

Hiiiiiiiiii!! I done made myself even sadder and i’m not sorry about it! Thank you all for reading you are all my children and I love you dearly xx

Part I - Part III - Epilogue

The Crystal Catacombs were cool and damp, with the strange green hue almost making you feel queasy. Your hands were extended out in front of Prince Zuko’s face, fingers just inches away from him. They quivered in hesitation, before Zuko, trepidation evident in his gaze, leaned closer to you. His hands reached for yours, softly pulling you closer and placing your palm on his cheek. Your fingers grazed his scar, and you were pleasantly surprised at the warmth that seeped from his skin. It had never occurred to you that Firebenders would be able to keep themselves warm at all times, even though it made perfect sense. Zuko closed his eyes at your touch, and your fingers gently traipsed over the map of his scar, brushing dark strands of hair from his forehead.

No one had ever touched him like this before – gently, delicately, as if he were made of precious porcelain. Only his mother had ever held him so carefully, and the vicious taunts from his father and sister had forced Zuko to grow out of that earlier than he would have liked. It made him feel safe and secure, and as he took a deep breath in he imagined a world where there was no Hundred Year War – no Fire Lord, no Azula, no hunting the Avatar to regain his honour – just the two of you, spending an eternity in soft gazes and caresses.

Smiling softly, you raised your other hand to cup the right side of his face, running your thumb over his cheek. He looked at you now, amber eyes piercing through yours as a surge of breathlessness ran through your body, halting your breath at your lips.

 Bowing his head towards the ground, Zuko exhaled, his shaggy hair drooping to cover his face. Your hands, now resting on his folded knees, were clammy, and you couldn’t prevent the occasional twitch of your fingers as you willed yourself to remain calm.

 “I-I don’t understand.” His voice was tight, as if he was being held together by a set of strings neither of you could see. Zuko watched you through wisps of his hair as you bent your head closer to his, foreheads almost touching. Your grip on his knee tightened, giving it a quick squeeze to encourage him.

 “How you can bear to touch it,” he whispered, hoarsely. You pressed your forehead to his now, moving your hands to the back of his head, running your fingers through his thick hair. You felt shattered, unable to fully fathom the pain that Prince Zuko had been through. His lineage and place as Prince of the Fire Nation aside, who would be so cruel, so full of hatred for another, that damage like this could be caused? The way his scar draped across his face, curving from the edge of his nose through to his left ear – it was entirely obvious that this was a deliberate attack, which made it all the worse. As if the culprit had held a ball of fire in their hand and held it to Zuko’s face, ensuring the damage would be a permanent marker, something that would distinguish him forever. A burnt, scarred, Firebender – what sort of message did that send?

 Zuko was allowing his vulnerability to completely fall away with you, allowing you to come inside and open all of his locked doors and inspect all of the cobwebs. His heart was pounding, thick and heavy and in his throat. The feel of your fingers in his hair, on his skin – he knew in that moment that nothing would ever compare, shuddering as your nails lightly scratched his scalp. A soft moan escaped him, and his cheeks roared in red. He could feel your questions, unspoken, but hanging limply in the air. His head still bowed and your fingers still twisting through his hair he attempted to explain the red mark on his skin.

 “I… disrespected someone I shouldn’t have. My punishment was to duel… an Agni Kai.”

 Pulling away, your hands returned to Zuko’s knees. You watched him intently, his hands forming fists on top of yours.

 “I didn’t want to hurt anyone. Everyone knew I wasn’t the best bender. It is punishment, for my betrayal,” he continued. His left hand reached up to gingerly touch the scar, before he flinched and pulled it away. “I can’t even touch it myself.”

 “You must have been so young, Zuko.”

 “Thirteen,” he replied, lips parted as if in disbelief himself.

 “But surely – you’re the Prince of the Fire Nation – your father-”

 “My father gave it to me, as a parting gift,” Zuko said coldly. Momentarily, the warmth of his body disappeared and a wave of cold, harsh air ebbed through you. Rising on to your knees, you wrapped your arms around Zuko’s shoulders and pulled him closer, cradling his head as he slowly allowed himself to return your embrace. He was stiff and awkward, and you wondered when he had last been embraced like this.

 “You are more than what he makes you to be,” you murmured softly. “You are more than a mark on your skin.” Slowly, the warmth that Zuko radiated returned, just as suddenly as it had vanished. Zuko held you tight, flooded with memories of his mother, and how good it felt to receive true care.

_____

 It had been two months since you’d arrived on Capital Island – or rather, you thought it had. You’d been aptly thrown into a new cell, not entirely different from the one you were holed up in on the ship, except this one was attached to the ground and not floating on the open ocean. The cell walls were made of heavy bricks of stone, with iron bars inside – a cage within a cage. Heat seeped through the atmosphere, a constant sweat coating you.

 When you had first arrived, you’d been dragged to the Caldera, along with Iroh, to pay your respects to Fire Lord Ozai as Azula had instructed. Cold, clammy fear ran through you when you were thrown at his feet, once again falling on your wounded leg. The burn itself was healing, albeit slowly – Azula had permitted the use of water for healing only once more whilst onboard, and the constant presence of guards meant you weren’t able to attempt healing it with your own sweat.

 Fire Lord Ozai had merely glanced at you, face shrivelling in disapproval, before moving on to inspect his older brother. Your heart swelled for Iroh when Ozai raised his hands, angry flame flickering in his palm, convinced he was going to do to his brother what he had to his son.

 It seemed as if Ozai was looking for some sort of retaliation from his brother, but Iroh did not give him the satisfaction, instead merely listening as the Fire Lord declared his brother a traitor to the Fire Nation, before ordering the guards to accompany him to Prison Tower.

 “Let him rot.”

 Ozai returned to his seat on the throne, a quick wave of his hand indicating he was finished, before he halted and stood once again.

 “Wait. Bring the girl back. She can heal, you say?” The Fire Lord looked to his children for confirmation. 

“Yes, father. You see how she has prevented further damage to her burns, with only two healing sessions.” Your brows furrowed as Zuko spoke, his voice raspy. It was confusing, and almost painful, to see him stand with his father – one who had caused him so much pain.

“Show the Fire Lord your wounds, water rat,” Azula sneered.

You rose to your feet, delicately peeling off the fabric you’d used to cover your wound.

“Closer.”

Keeping your eyes on the Fire Lord, you shuffled closer as he had commanded. You were in pain, tired and drained, but you’d be damned if you relented now.

“A mark that will be with you forever. How does it feel to be branded?”

A heated wave ran through you – you couldn’t even be sure if it was your own anger at this point, but you swallowed it down anyway as your eyes met with Ozai’s. Like his son, his were also amber – but there was something that seemed off about them – there was anger and greed and hunger, but he lacked any sort of real human depth.  

“I’ll wear this with pride,” you retorted, a scowl slowly forming on your face. Hatred was all you felt. “My people will revere me. They will tell stories about how I stood against your children.”

Ozai’s eyes widened in shock, orange flames flaring from the palms of his hands. From the corner of your eye you could see Azula and Zuko reacting to your statement – Azula more than happy to wrap more flames around your right leg.

“Brave, aren’t you? You dare enter my nation, my palace, my throne room and insult me!? Tell me girl, which scum of the Northern Water Tribe do you belong to? I’ll be sure to send some… parts their way.” Ozai’s hot breath washed over you as you glared up at him. His black hair flared over his shoulders, stepping closer as he gripped onto your forearm.

“Master Pakku is my grandfather. Your great nation burnt my parents alive before I could even speak.”

The Fire Lord considered your words, his menacing glare doing little to frighten you. Behind his father, Zuko glanced to the floor before returning his gaze to you. Azula looked immensely pleased, and you wondered how she planned to make it through life with everyone fearing her – surely something would go wrong, somewhere. 

“Y/n is a master healer and waterbender. I have no doubt she will prove useful in the coming weeks,” Azula urged, looking at her father with a raised eyebrow. Fire Lord Ozai seemed to think his daughter’s words over, releasing his grip on your arm.

“You may be right, daughter. Send her to the Prison Tower with my brother – in the deepest, driest cell you can find. Don’t remove those chains.”

 _____

Just as Princess Azula had suggested, you had been deemed useful for your healing abilities. Talk of your healing sessions while onboard the ship had spread like wildfire, and you were frequently put to work healing a myriad of different Fire Nation citizens – while under close, careful supervision. Your water supply was limited, and even though you were recuperating well, you knew better than to attempt any sort of escape. Besides, even if you were able to fight the guards, there was nowhere to run.

Sighing, you raked your hands over the iron bars of your cell. You’d spent the last few days in the infirmary, healing various superficial wounds. It was tiring work, and the soldiers always liked to taunt you, as if being grateful for your ability to heal their wound was a concept they couldn’t simply comprehend. Guards always flanked you, and your feet were always in chains. When you’d first arrived, someone had shoved a bundle of clothing into your arms, and you’d been pleased that you’d at least be able to change out of your dirty, damaged Water Tribe clothing. When Azula saw you being traipsed from the Prison Tower to the infirmary for a day’s work, her eyes had gleamed maliciously – how better to break you down than turn you into one of them? At least your scar was hidden from view – that was one small mercy.

Light flooded through your cell as the door opened, two guards entering, one holding a hot flame and the other holding a tray, which held a small bowl of rice.

“Dinner, water rat.”

The bowl was sloppily placed on the ground, in front of the iron bars. You leant forward to retrieve it, before a heavy boot was pressed onto your forearm.

“Not so fast. You’ve got some guests, first.”

The guard removed his foot and you pulled your arm back through the bars, folding your knees and resting your palms on top of them.

Princess Azula entered the cell, followed by her two friends. You’d come across them before, back when Azula had been chasing you all across the world in order to capture Aang. You’d been surprised to find that Azula even had friends – though sure she had it within her to force a friendship if she so desired.

“Ah, my favourite guest,” Azula remarked as she cocked an eyebrow, hands on her hips. 

Behind her, the other girls watched you carefully. One had her black hair fashioned to fall down the sides of her face, with two buns on top of her head. She looked awfully severe, her tawny eyes looking straight  through you. The other girl had large, round brown eyes but they were missing the same, cold look you’d seen in Azula and the girl to her left. Raking over the three of them, your fingers tapped in anticipation. 

“As much as I’d love to make some new friends, I’m rather hungry. How can I help you, Princess?”

Azula snorted, hot smoke coming from her nose. 

“Your negative attitude is not becoming, water rat. This is Mai, and Ty Lee.”

Azula gestured to the girls behind her as Ty Lee stepped forward, next to Azula’s side. 

“Hi! It’s so great to meet you officially! We’ve heard so much about your healing abilities - you’re quite the talk of the Caldera you know,” Ty Lee began excitedly, bouncing up onto the balls of her feet. 

Azula rolled her eyes, seemingly unimpressed with Ty Lee’s enthusiasm. Giving Ty Lee a soft smile in return, you returned your gaze to Azula. Mai stood behind her, completely disinterested in you as she picked at her fingernails, flicking the broken pieces away.

“You’re not here to make friends, Ty Lee. Y/n is still a prisoner of the Fire Nation. And, in any case, we’ve come to inform you of an important… event happening in a few week’s time. I’m sure you’ve heard from your little friends about the upcoming eclipse?”

The atmosphere seemed to freeze around you, goose bumps shivering their way across your body. You opened your mouth to speak, but the air felt thick, too heavy, your brain unable to put the right words into your mouth.

“Bingo.”

Resisting the urge to put your face into your hands and scream, wail and howl in frustration, you calmly looked up at Azula, taking a deep breath before you spoke.

“I’d sooner feel your fire one hundred times than fight for the Fire Nation, if that’s what you’ve got in mind.”

Ty Lee’s brows furrowed in concern, Mai watching you from the corner of her eye as Azula laughed.

“Oh, don’t be so silly! No, you’ll be out there. You are aware of your healing abilities, right? You’ll be right where we need you, healing our loyal soldiers. Of course, it’s unlikely we’ll take any damage – we do know they’re coming, after all.”

Triumph bloomed across Azula’s face as she folded her arms, waiting and hoping for a dramatic reaction from you – but you knew better than to rise to the occasion.

“If that’s what you so desire, Princess Azula,” you responded dryly. Inside, your body was raging, and you craved water like you never had before – to even just smell it, would help to quench the anxiety racing through you.

“Oh, not just me, water rat. Prince Zuko thought you would be an excellent asset for us on the day, as did my father. There’s nothing better than a fun day out with friends, after all.”

At the mention of Zuko, Mai’s gaze finally flicked back to Azula. It was apparent that she had no real interest in what Azula had to say, and merely came along to get a good look at you.

“Speaking of Zuko, can we please go. This is boring, and he’s waiting for us in the palace,” Mai exclaimed, voice low and husky. She wasn’t wrong – she looked entirely bored.

“Zuko can wait!” Azula retorted, her voice rising. “It’s important our little pet knows her place in this. Besides, it’s not like your boyfriend even wants to go on our little vacation. Father has his meetings with his advisors, and precious Zuzu just can’t bear to be left out.”

“Gee, I wonder why. The family dynamics so great and all,” you muttered, though your heart did a quick few somersaults in your chest at the new revelation. Not only was the Fire Lord aware of the invasion, but Zuko – Prince Zuko – was out here dating one of his sister’s best friends.

Before you could blink, Azula had thrust a ball of flame in your face, her stare angry and menacing as she bent closer to you through the bars. The flame caught you off-guard, and you tried to shuffle back, getting tangled in your chains.

“If you don’t watch your mouth, water rat, I’ll give you a mark to match the Prince. It’s a shame for you he likes his women unmarked, otherwise you’d make the perfect pair. Both weak.” Just as quickly as she had pulled out the flame, Azula snatched her hand away, extinguishing it. Her eyes were deranged, almost animalistic. Ty Lee had one hand to her chest, and Mai stood with her arms folded, watching you with a careful expression. With a sharp turn and no goodbyes, the trio left your cell, slamming the door as they departed.

The scar on your leg stung, a phantom burn slowly scalding it. Letting out a deep breath, you sighed, running your hands over your leg. Your body shivered as it remembered the pain from Azula’s blue flame and in an effort to calm yourself you closed your eyes, imagining yourself sitting in a pool of spirit water, your energy being restored. Exhaustion seeped through you as you leant forward, finally able to collect the bowl of rice and eat. A small, tired sob escaped you, and for a very real and confronting moment you realised that perhaps, just maybe, Azula was right. Maybe Aang wasn’t supposed to defeat the Fire Lord – maybe he really was dead. You couldn’t confirm anything from your cage. Another short, sudden burst of sobs fell as you curled into a ball on the cell floor.

_____

A soft creak roused you, as a flickering orange hue seeped into your cell. Without even looking, you could tell that someone had brought you water, and the scent alone was enough to entice you, bringing you to the bars on your knees.

A hooded figure knelt in front of you, face shielded from view. The bowl was placed to their left, hands resting on their lap.

“For me?” you asked, throat hoarse from your previous tears.

“I’m… sorry it’s taken so long.”

“S’fine. I can tell you’re hiding,” a smile evident in your voice. “A real-life master of disguise.”

“Admittedly, not my best work.”

You both laughed, a secret little chime tingling through the air. Placing your hands on the bars, your eyes drifted back to the water bowl and you licked your lips without even realising.

“Can I?”

Another chuckle came from the robe, before the bowl was pushed towards you. “Go ahead.”

Without a second thought your palm reached out, pulling the water into your palm. You felt a release of pressure in your body like nothing you’d ever countered before – this was the longest you’d gone without being able to use your bending, and it had felt like you were missing not just one limb, but all of them. Crossing your legs, you straightened your back and pushed the water above your head before opening your palm and letting the water cascade over you like rain drops. A soft breath turned the water to ice, and you revelled in the cooling sensation. With a flick of your wrist, you sent the water to softly drizzle over your robed guest, laughing as they flinched but relented anyway. You continued to focus on the cascade of water, slowly turning into snowflakes as you recalled your last evening at home in Agna Qel’a.

“Why have you brought me this, Zuko?”

Sending a flurry of snowflakes at him, the hood fell back, confirming what you had already known. Zuko’s neck flushed a hot red, his pulse quickening. He wasn’t entirely sure how to answer your question – what exactly had brought him here? Other than that annoying, nagging feeling he’d had since you’d been thrown in here, his interaction with Azula after she’d returned from her own visit to your cell had reinforced the feelings he’d been having all along. Azula had commented on your appearance – bruised, battered and burnt – but the one that struck Zuko the most was wilted.

He’d once picked a magnificent fire lily, a gift for his mother, but distraction in the name of Azula had caused him to forget it, leaving it without water on his nightstand. When he had remembered it, he ran to collect it, hopeful that it would bring a smile to his mother’s face. Of course, it had wilted, and no amount of water was able to bring it back to life. The thought of the same thing happening to you – an absence of water wilting and drying you out for good – was not something that Zuko wanted to consider, and so he had evaded his sister, evaded his girlfriend, in order to deliver a bowl of water to a waterbending prisoner. Smiling to himself, Zuko thought of his Uncle Iroh – it seemed the exact type of thing that he would do if he was in this situation himself.

“I just don’t want you to dry out,” he answered, simply.

 _____

Day of the Black Sun

“You can’t be here,” you urged, hands clasped around the seam of Zuko’s robes.

“Come with me, then.”

Zuko had approached you in the infirmary, wounded soldiers filling the space quickly. The Fire Lord’s plan for the invasion was working, and there was nothing you could do to help. Zuko had his robe on, hood up, shielding himself from view.

“Zuko, please. Azula has threatened me with more than just fire. Just one week ago I was taken down to Harbor City, to heal. Azula has promised me, that if I attempt anything today, they will all be toast.”

Zuko watched you, eyes low and hands in his sleeves.

“Children, and families – innocent people will be harmed if I go with you. And-” You cut yourself short, words almost spilling from your lips. Your hands left Zuko’s robes and went to your chest, feeling your thumping heart.

“And what?” he said, darkly.

Glancing down, you picked at your nails, a sweet sweat coming over you. Spirits, did you want to believe in Zuko, you really did. But how could you be sure?

“Zuko… how can I,” you started, voice shaky. “You’ve hurt me too. How do I know you won’t do it again?”

A violent shudder rippled through Zuko at your words. He wasn’t surprised, though there was some small part of him that had hoped you had been able to see through the layers to the real Zuko that had lain hidden and dormant for years. Placing his hands over yours, he pulled you closer to his chest, foreheads once again touching like they had months ago in the Crystal Catacombs.

“Y/n, I will become the man you deserve,” Zuko murmured, his fingers delicately rippling through your hair.

I will. I will I will I will. 

Closing your eyes, you fumbled through the pockets of your robes before ripping into the seams, pulling out a delicate silver hair clip, adorned with white and blue gems and beads.

“Take this. Give it to Katara. Let the others know I’m okay,” you murmured as you placed the clip in his hands, holding your palms in his.

Gulping, you raised your eyes to look at him. Zuko framed your face with his hands, pressing a chaste kiss to your lips, before he slipped away – away from his father, his sister, his nation, and away from you.    

_____

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eridanuswave

coldlilheart

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[quazartranslates]

Welcome to the Nightmare Game - CH132

**This is an edited machine translation. For more information, please [click here]**

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Chapter 132: The Dream of the Holy Nun (XXII)

To be or not to be?

This is really a simple choice.

But at that moment, this choice was extremely difficult.

Qi Leren slowly closed his eyes. He couldn't reveal his emotions. At this moment, his heart was beating so fast that an emotion that could be called ecstasy surged in his mind.

He had a great opportunity.

Originally he didn't even have one in ten thousand possibilities, but now, he did.

He needed acting ability, 200% acting ability, just like when he played Red.

Qi Leren took a deep breath and slowly opened his eyes.

Those brown eyes revealed the human struggle. He moved his lips, as if he wanted to question Su He about why he did this, but in the end the bitter accusations all turned into a trembling in his eyes. His eyes, his expression, and his shaking fingertips were filled with the desire to live.

For a moment, Su He almost thought he was going to give in, but he shivered suddenly, took a step back, and looked at the closed stone door. He seemed ashamed of his weak will, so he wanted to look in the direction he had come, wanted to escape and ask for help, but he knew that he couldn’t escape his fate. Finally, he only turned around in despair, shame, and helplessness, and looked at Su He again.

They stared at each other for a long time. The Devil's scarlet eyes were only interested in observing the human, while the observed humans had too many emotions, from resistance to struggle, from hesitation to compromise, and finally it turned into deep despair and he began to cry.

Those beautiful brown eyes closed, and when they opened again there was only an empty desire to live.

The Devil smiled and looked at him with encouragement, but he stopped looking at the Devil. He was still suffering for his weakness, so he didn't dare to look at him.

Trembling, he took the first step towards his journey.

Descent begins with this small step.

After this step, there was numbness, compromise, and submission.

He had come to the Devil King, quietly looking at the goblet filled with the Devil’s blood in his hand. If he drank this cup of the Devil's blood he could gain great power, but at the same time would degenerate into a demon.

The human being lured by the Devil King took the goblet with both hands. The blood in the goblet was like wine. He stared at the red liquid his Adam's apple rolled.

The Devil smiled.

The goblet tilted, the glass pressed on his lips, and the bright red liquid was about to catch his lips, but another transparent liquid rolled down from his eyes first. The humble man’s brown eyes gazed at the Devil, wept silently, and silently swallowed the temptation from hell.

The moment the blood flowed into his mouth, the transformation had already started. His brown eyes became scarlet and the devil sigil climbed over his cheek from his earlobe, leaving a thorn-like mark. Black wings sprouted from his back and pierced his clothes. They were as beautiful as a black swan’s, like an angel who had fallen from heaven.

The new demon held the empty goblet in his hand and his blood-red lips parted slightly, looking at his master.

"You look like an naive and innocent lover, beautiful but so enjoyable to see destroyed." The Devil King leaned down, kissed the forehead of his beloved demon in reward, and whispered softly, "From today on, your name is 'Depravity'."

The devil's blood slipped from the new "fallen’s" lips, and the viscous scarlet liquid flowed down his chin and fell to the earth.

At the moment when the blood fell to the ground, a violent explosion engulfed the two people who stood opposite each other, and they vanished in an instant.

　　&&&

In the scenes where reality and illusion were interweaved, countless illusions passed by the two people pitted in combat -  demons crawling in the lava of hell growled, blazing angels falling from heaven prayed, and the holy light and the demonic energy intertwined together, overturning large areas of trees and even distorting this space, making the two people fighting seem to be in another time and space.

The land under the Witch of Jealousy's feet had turned into a burning hell where countless demons hatched from evil and were shot through by the unreal blazing angels one by one. The witch looked at Ning Zhou with red eyes hidden behind he black veiled hat, with a smile on her mouth: "Are you in a hurry? Are you worried? Is it for Qi Leren? I remember him. He gave me my sister's things in the underground palace. He is really a kind and good man. I should thank him..."

"He has a pair of beautiful eyes, brown, but my Lord thinks red eyes are more suitable for him." The Witch of Jealousy’s scarlet eyes flashed, maliciousness pouring out from her painted red lips, "As long as they drink the blood given by my Lord, ordinary human beings can easily become demons just like me and get unimaginable power. You see, you’ve been studying hard in the Holy See for so many years, but I’m tied with you. No one can refuse the temptation of strength, no one.

"He’s going to betray you, poor knight, he’s going to betray you!" The witch laughed madly, shrill laughter with hysteria.

Ning Zhou, who was intercepted by another demon, waved off the giant demon and landed lightly on a rock in the hellish lava. He said coldly to the witch, "You’re jealous."

The witch's laughter came to an abrupt end and the smile that died on her mouth slowly turned into anger: "What do you know?"

At this moment, the Witch of Jealousy perfectly interpreted the appearance of jealousy. She stepped forward on the lava and said sharply in a distorted voice: "You don't know anything! I was so careful, so I walked on the edge of the cliff with every step and climbed out of hell little by little, just to see him again. I tried my best to reach what I am today, but it happened that some people are so lucky that they could easily ascend to heaven. He likes him, praises him, seduces him... Why, why is my Lord so fond of him?!”

The witch's anger triggered the illusion of hell and the lava turned into flames and shot at Ning Zhou. The two knives in Ning Zhou's hands crossed and he stood in front of her, but he rushed past regardless - the magma was split by holy light and his sharp knives passed through the furious lava and appeared in front of Isabel.

The angry witch smiled grimly and raised her sword to stab him.

The angels and demons in the false image collided together and a magnificent disillusionment broke out from them.

Suddenly the boiling magma died down, the shaking earth died down, and even the surging night wind died down.

Among the hills where the Vatican was located, there were only sacred songs and music coming as if from nowhere under the bright starry sky, compassionate and holy.

Blood flowed down the tip of the thin sword, trickling into the fertile soil, and the two people who were so close that there was almost no distance between them stood motionless, then suddenly separated.

The thin sword had pierced Ning Zhou's abdomen, but the short knives had penetrated the witch's chest.

More and more blood flowed down.

Isabel's black veiled hat had fallen to the ground, revealing her dim scarlet eyes. Covering her chest, blood streaming through her fingertips from her beating heart.

She seemed shocked, but the surprise gradually turned into self-mockery and loneliness. A gust of wind blew and she slowly fell down, looking at the night sky with her eyes empty.

"It's too late..." the Witch of Jealousy murmured. "Even if you go there, it's too late. He doesn't belong to you... You’ve lost him..."

Ning Zhou stepped forward and came to her. Blood flowed out from his abdominal wound, but he didn't feel it.

Blood was trickling from Isabel’s mouth. She looked him in the eye and asked dreamily, "Do you know the taste of jealousy?"

The bloody knife hung over her head, and the blood trickled down the blade and fell on her forehead.

The witch looked into his eyes and showed an understanding smile: "Ah, that’s the taste."

The knife fell and pierced the witch's head, and her demon crystal was broken in the holy light.

The demons condensed from rocks disintegrated, and the illusion of the dying demons screamed silently and dissipated in the night sky. The space dominated by the witch was gradually restored to be in line with reality. The ghostly angels stayed in the void for a while, bowed to the broken church on the top of the hill, and then disappeared into the night of the new moon.

Ning Zhou coughed softly, but the movement of the lungs disturbed his abdominal wound, making the blood flow faster. He leaned partially against a half-fallen tree, took a deep breath, and bandaged himself with a straight face.

After only doing the simplest medical treatment, and even having no time to clean up the demon energy that had infected his body through the wound, Ning Zhou hastily put on his clothes and ran towards the church on the top of the hill.

White gauze was quickly dyed red, but Ning Zhou’s training had accustomed him to being injured and he numbly adapted to this degree of pain. He had to go quickly, quickly…

There was an earth-shattering noise and the church on the top of the hill began crumbling.

Ningzhou's footsteps stopped, and his heartbeat seemed to stop with the explosion.

As his chest stuttered, blood gas rolled up from the depths of the throat and Ning Zhou spat out one mouthful of stagnated blood. The pain that he should have been used to was overpowered by the feeling of his heart breaking. He wiped the blood from his mouth, dyeing the silver cross embroidery on his gloves red with blood.

God, if I am guilty, please let all the harsh punishments come on me, even if I have to pay for it in hell for all eternity.

Please, bless him and let him be safe.

-----

The author has something to say:

Although the author thinks that the plot is quite clear, there are still many girls who don't understand it. Simply put: Su He is the Devil of Fraud, male (three years ago, he appeared in the appearance of a woman during the Witchcraft Sacrifice). His status has changed from before, but he was originally a player. There are witches and demons like Isabel under his hand, and there will be other devils/witches acting under others outside. The master of the Witch of Nightmares (the little girl who was like Maria) is not the Devil of Fraud, but the old Devil.

The Nightmare World is equivalent to another real alien world. It is not surprising for either NPCs or human beings to become Devil Kings. For example, it is also possible for someone to aspire to the Holy See and become the Pope after decades of hard work (provided that they are not dead).

At the same level as Su He, there are also the Devil King of Power and the Devil King of Slaughter. The relationship between these three people is not peaceful, and we will talk about it later; It was not them who were killed by Maria, Ning Zhou's mother. It was the old Devil who led the demons to invade the underworld for the first time more than 20 years ago. After he died, it was peaceful for more than 10 years. Three years ago, the text began, and three new Devil Kings led the demons to invade the human world for the second time.

Is it clear =v=

-----

Editor’s Notes: To take this opportunity to clear some things up a bit more, so far “Devil”, “Devil King”, and occasionally “Lord” have been used interchangably, though some devils who are of lower rank will appear in part 2. So among the Devil Kings we have the Devil of Fraud aka Su He, the Devil of Slaughter who was worshipped by the secret society in the previous arc, and the Devil of Power who has yet to appear in any notable capacity. All three of them are currently at the same level but are vying for supremacy, which was why Su He wanted the old Devil’s demon crystal. I would like to also clarify that despite being called Kings, not all of them are men.

Details about the old Devil will become much more clear in part 2, but for now all you need to know is that he was the former supreme ruler of the demons who was killed by Maria. :)

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[ofdragonsdeep]

10: Heady

The energies of summoner and summoned war for dominance.

A frown of concentration creased Ar’telan’s brow as he moved his fingers across the summoning sigils for emerald carbuncle. A few moments of work, the aetherial energies aligned just so, the lines of arcane ink in the grimoire humming with energy, and the little creature appeared with a flash of light and the sound of sparkling chimes. The sparkles that fell from its body reflected in the crystals around them, a humming blue and orange that kept aloft the ruins of the floating city of Nym.

They had come to this place, steeped in the energies of wind, to attempt to summon a shard of Garuda and bind her into an Egi, just as he had done before with Titan and Ifrit. Y’mhitra, his teacher and guide, walked among the rocks with her aetherometer at her eyes, scouting out a suitable location for their tiniest of summonings.

It was an odd feeling, to be doing that to which he stood so staunchly opposed. There was a gulf of difference between the tiny carbuncles, creatures of magic and aether, and the Egis which he could summon in their place. He had not intended to learn summoning, exactly - the work had found him, as he scurried from problem to problem in pursuit of both Eorzea’s salvation and mastery of the long-forgotten art of the Scholar.

He would have preferred to have the faerie at his side then, though she had no offensive arts to speak of. There was something comforting in her presence, though he did not truly understand her nature yet. It was difficult to tell, after the encounter with the Tonberry, if she had a will of her own or if she was akin to the carbuncles, but she felt like a friend and a guardian to Ar’telan.

“Here will do,” Y’mhitra decided, beckoning Ar’telan and his carbuncle over to her. “It shall be much the same as before. Begin when you are ready - I shall stand well back, despite my excitement!” Ar’telan smiled faintly as Y’mhitra retreated to the edges of the earthen channels that had, in ages past, held the rocks that now floated above the earth.

His fight with Garuda had been - what had it been? Frenzied, at a word. Titan had shown purpose and Ifrit he remembered as little more than a blur of terror and blood, but Garuda had been consumed by madness from the moment of her inception. A screeching mass of flesh and feathers, claws sharpened to flensing points, ever keen to sup on the aether around her. She had not cared whether the source had been living or dead.

Still, the procedure was clear. He closed his eyes, turning his focus to the wind that now roiled within him. The Echo was not a requirement for being a summoner, at least not according to Y’mhitra, but it certainly made the process easier. Who else could stand before the Lady of the Vortex and not be lost?

The canyon’s wind picked up to a hurried pace, tossing his newly-unearthed robes and his long hair all about him in a rush. Still he focussed, tried hard not to lose himself in the rush of the hurricane, let it seep out of him and around him and leave him, alone, in the eye of the storm.

He heard the shriek of fury, and stepped back without thinking, only narrowly avoiding the rush of aetherial feathers that sought to mark the egi’s manifestation. It glowed and roiled, a half-formed mass of light and wind that seemed, if one squinted, to bear the same form as Garuda - a winged humanoid, all sharp and cruel. The wind gathered around them, enclosing them in a makeshift arena of the egi’s own devising, as Ar’telan ordered his carbuncle forward to intercept.

It was different this time. When he had faced Garuda, he had had the protective magicks of the scholar at his command, weaving aetherial shields to protect him from her onslaughts and knitting together the wounds of those he could not fully weather. Here he had naught but his book and his carbuncle, unless Y’mhitra managed to find him amid the storm and use her own conjury to knit his wounds. The core was the same - he sickened its aether with corrupting magic, he ducked out of the way of her slicing claws and angry razor-sharp feathers, he threw the energy of barely-formed aether back at her as he ran - but he felt exposed.

“Ar’telan!” Y’mhitra called, and he ducked instinctively at the warning. Behind him, a smaller creation had manifested, this one a far deeper hue of blue than the initial egi. Ar’telan could see the flow of aether between them, tethering the essence of the one to the other. It would protect its creator, but if it died, the egi would be wounded sorely for it. It was clear from Y’mhitra’s confusion that the link was not an outwardly visual one, and he quietly thanked the Echo for making things easy for him yet again.

Despite taming their aether, Ar’telan had been loathe to call upon the egis of the other primals, still feeling that sense of deep-seated wrong. But desperate times called for desperate measures.

He flipped through the pages of his book, found the symbol, and swiped his hand across it. With a squeak the carbuncle vanished, its last act to slam a blade of aether into the newest foe. In its place, glowing yellow aether coalesced into the rocky form of something that might, once, have been Titan.

Garuda’s Egi shrieked in offense at this display, Ar’telan sidestepping her blustering wind as Titan-Egi slammed its rocky arms into the earth. The mud around them roiled and bubbled, seething up from the ground below to mire the aerial egi in its maw. With the moment of respite, Ar’telan drew on his knowledge of the Tonberries, trapped in their palace-prison in the lake so close to them, and warped the egi’s aether. Quick and precise, the arcanist’s way, he drew a little of the egi’s aether from it and turned it back against it, settling the sickness in deeper and stronger.

When the little egi rounded upon him, Titan-egi raised his fists in defiance. As the blades of wind bounced back and thudded into the wall of wind, Ar’telan gathered the sickening aether in the initial summoning and forced it across the link. Both egis staggered, thrown off-balance by the rot in what passed for their lungs, and with a final turn of the aether-knife, the smaller of the two winked out of existence.

Garuda-Egi shrieked in agony, and Ar’telan had to dive to the floor to avoid another flurry of cutting feathers. He wiped the blood from his cheek as he got back to his feet, feeling Y’mhitra’s healing magic already soaking into the wound, and directed Titan-egi forwards.

A slam from one fist, an uppercut from the other, and a mountain of soft earth was upended into the egi’s raging face. The winds began to fade as the dust settled, the egi’s aether flickering and fading with every moment, and Ar’telan could feel the very moment it acquiesced.

“Masterfully done, Ar’telan!” Y’mhitra congratulated, running across the pockmarked earth to join him. Ar’telan reached a hand out towards the egi, heart still pounding from the adrenaline of the fight, and it shuffled towards him with an imperious head-tilt towards the sky.

“I did not know they could summon friends,” he said. Y’mhitra grimaced.

“Well, perhaps something to bear in mind if you are ever unfortunate enough to face this one’s progenitor a second time,” she decided, and Ar’telan winced at the thought of it. Of all the beast tribes, the only ones who could rival the Ixal in fanatical, almost self-destructive devotion to their god were the Amalj’aa, but at least they still had some semblance of order and sense left in even their most Tempered members. “Still, this will make for a fascinating write-up. If you are quite ok, we should return to Apkallu Falls.” Ar’telan nodded, letting his grip on the egi of earth fade in order to more closely touch his newfound ally. The wind still howled within her, and within him, twin storms of wrath that longed for an outlet, but with the egi made manifest it seemed all the easier to shunt his own wind-aspected energies to the side. A benefit of summoning he had not needed to consider, but one that might prove a boon for those summoners Y’mhitra theorised of, who did not have the fortune of the Echo. And if nothing else, it made him think outside the box.

[darkdevasofdestruction]

Lau - Pink Lotus Princess

(( Just a little disclaimer - I chose to find a nice name for the Reader as well, mostly because I wanted that name to be symbolic and have the meaning that I wanted it to, to be in a clear anti-thesis to her sister. 

Yahui (Elegant, Graceful) Lianyi (Intelligent, Unique)

I did quite a lot of research on things from the Quig dynasty and how things were around that time...And also some influences from the phone game Royal Chaos that I used to play a year ago, more or less because the plot was pretty interesting, so I hope didn’t do any errors or stuff like that x ))

---

The whole kingdom had a reason to party as the Empress gave birth to a little Princess, and although it wasn't an heir, as everyone hoped for, they were still content with it, being his first child.

The Emperor stood by the Empress' side on her bed, stroking her hair as she smiled exhausted down at the little angelic creature she gave birth to, leaning her head on her husband's side, and at least for that night, there would be no Harem troubles. 

That happiness was short lived, as the main Consort also gave birth to a little girl, a little over 2 months later, which made for everyone comparing the 2 little Princesses in everything they did. 

And thus comes the story of the little Princess Lianyi, a girl of merely 10 years of age, seemingly so innocent to the world, and yet, knowing so many of the harsh realities that she witnessed or heard of from her mother, the Empress, who thought the nest birthday gift for her little Lotus was to take her in town to see the world.

Her father gifted her a beautiful pink dress with long sleeves, which she used as pockets for little coin bags and a hair pin, just in case. The maid brushed her long, beautiful hair that looked like black silk in a beautiful half-braid, the upper part being a complicated, royal braid, while the lower part she let loose, dancing to the rhythm of the gentle Spring wind. 

The Empress let the girl do as she pleased, keeping an eye on her from afar, and she realised she admired the beautiful craftsmanship of various hair accessories, when she suddenly heard a huge commotion at a food stand, and a furious man furiously yelling at a boy about her age who looked terrified. 

The little princess frowned and went to the booth, realising the boy must have stolen to feed himself, as he looked like an orphan, and she took out one of the little coin bags and threw them at the booth owner.

"Here, I'm sure this is enough for what he stole and some more, correct?" she spoke in a light voice, yet her eyes were unwavering. "Who tha' hell d'ya think ye are, kid?! Get outta mi sight!" the booth owner shouted at her, making her raise her chin and stare at him offended and condescending. "You dare disrespect Princess Lianyi? How unsightly! But I am merciful today, since it’s my birthday. I will give you a second chance to redeem yourself before I call over my guards." her words shocked the man as she spoke so maturely, almost as of the Emperor himself was in front of him. "Y-Yer the P-Princess...?" the man jaw-dropped, his eyes wide like saucers, before falling to his knees, bowing to the ground in front of the girl. "F-Forgive me rudeness, Yer Highness! That rat stole food and with no money, I can't take care of me own family! P-Please take anything ye'd like!" he sobbed, making the girl crouch down and pat his head awkwardly. "That's enough, I forgive you. Take the money for your family and let me take the food from here. This boy here is just a child without family. Next time you are so ride towards an orphan, imagine what would happen to your child if you were to die right now." she explained in a gentler voice, before taking the food bag and dragged the boy away to a beautiful koi fish pond that was shded by a Peach tree.

The girl lifted the hem of her dress, sitting on the ground and drawing shapes with her finger on the sheen of the crystal clear water. 

"Well? Aren't you going to eat? I thought you'd be famished." she mused in a playful way. "Why...Did you help me? You're a Princess...Nobody from the royal family ever helped the homeless..." he spoke in a hushed voice, almost as if afraid. "Oh, I see you're brave. Nobody would dare drag the royal family in front of the Princess herself. Tell me your name." she smiled deviously, shifting her gaze completely to the boy. "Lau, Your Highness. My name is Lau." saying his name, a soft smile started to creep on his face. "Aww, look at you, you're smiling, how cute. Here, take this. Spend it wisely, I'm not sure when we'll be seeing each other again. Now that I practically bribed you, tell me why are you so at ease with talking to me." the Princess smirked, making the boy muse and grin wider. "You see, Princess, I can read people very well, and I can tell that you have something...Unique about you. Just like a Lotus flower. So tell me, my pink Lotus, what do you do at the palace? Sing like a little songbird for the Emperor? Or do a graceful dance for your suitors?" Lau rested his chin on his palm, looking completely at ease, fox-like features gracing his visage. "Goodness, no, that's my sister...My job at the Palace is to be the China's disappointment." she chuckled drily, looking away. "If I were a bird, I could fly away and be free...I could do anything that I wanted and nobody would judge me or treat me as an object for political means. I could discover the world and...I could be happy." she sighed, closing her beautiful jade-coloured eyes in resentment. "You are just like a butterfly, my Princess. A caged bird, trying to break free. What are you going to do?" he mused in a lower voice. "What is there to do, Lau? I'm a woman! There is nothing to do! My father is already angry enough on me for being such a weird daughter and now I have to learn how to behave, so to speak, so at least he wouldn't kill me or send me away to some nasty old man." she bit her lip without realising, before she felt a gentle hand on her face. "And what are you interests, little flower?" he asked, caressing her face. "I'm...Sneaking to the healers to study medicine. It's my passion. If I could, I would become a healer...But I can't. My fated was sealed to me the day I was brought into this world." she sighed once again, looking down. "If I could marry you, I would, and we could live our life away from all these terrible people. Isn't it sad how fate works sometimes? But I'm asking you, my dear Pink Lotus...What if we were to fight destiny?" he smirked mischievously, making her widen her eyes in disbelief. "Fight fate...? Is that even possible...?" she whispered, barely able to find her voice. "We can do anything we want to, my dearest. All we have to do is be smart about our little plans. So, what do you say? Do you want to escape your fate together with me and get away from this place? Or will you continue to be the Emperor's little doll that will get thrown away in a few years? I believe you're almost old enough to marry, am I right ~?" he slurred his words, almost as if entrancing her in his spell. "How old are you that you know so much?" she raised her eyebrow in confusion. "Barely 15, but my little sister is just a bit younger than you, and I would be devastated if she were to have such a terrible life ahead of her." he spoke with slight amusement. “How nice...You have a sister that you love...And she loves you back. I and my sister have been pitted against each other since birth. I expect death every day by either her hand or the Consort’s.” she scoffed, looking away in disgust. “Who would have thought that such beautiful ladies would be so much deadlier than war generals.” he chuckled in amusement, making the girl nudge him. “Don’t joke like that...Instead, tell me your plan.” she leaned in closer, motioning for him to tell her everything. “Hmmm...? Plan? What plan? I have no idea what are you talking about.” he shrugged simply, a wide, innocent and clueless grin on his face, making the girl look at him in complete shock. “Excuse....Me....WHAT?! You did all that build up, giving me hope that I could somehow get away from all this madness, only for you to destroy everything...Just like that?! How cruel can you be?!” she glared at him, getting to her feet, rushing to leave, before he caught her wrist, turning her to face him. “Wǒ qīn'ài de fěnhóng sè liánhuā    (My dear pink lotus) ...Don’t turn your back on me like that, you’re breaking my heart. You showed me kindness, and I have to repay my debt in a way. Even if you decide to throw away your status, you’re always going to be my dear little Princess. Life works in mysterious ways, don’t forget that.” Lau caressed her face, planting a soft kiss on her forehead, leaving her awestruck, little beads of water glistering in her eyes. “You better not betray me, Lau, or I swear I will have you publicly executed and I will swing the sword myself.” she threatened, despite her voice being so light and shaky. “I shall remember that.” he mused, finding her words rather cute.

---

Years passed faster than anyone expected, and while Lianyi wasn’t able to go visit her friend too often, at least once per year, during her birthday, she managed to see him, thanks to her mother’s kindness, seeing her only daughter being so infatuated with the boy that treated her so gently.

Her mother only got into the Harem and accepted to marry the Emperor because her brother was a powerful War general and she was the eldest daughter of the family, so it had to be done.

She never loved the Emperor, and she wished for her daughter to find and marry a man she loves... The Empress knew from the second she gave birth to her little angel, she knew that she was special and had a great future ahead of her...But she had to be far away from this terrible place...Far away where she wasn’t a Princess and she could marry the man she fell in love with and practice healing, just as she always dreamt of.

However, the Princess’ 15th birthday gift was her mother’s death, which she realised was due to poison from the Consort, and her father arranged her marriage with the enemy War General to make a peace pact, which made her heart break and whole life shatter in front of her.

Lianyi ran to the meeting spot where Lau was waiting, this time, without his little sister, Ran Mao, with whom the girl played with or braided her hair or gave her gifts like hair pins or other nice clothes.

She threw her arms around the only person apart from her mother who showed any bit of love to her and let tears stream down her soft, porcelain like cheeks, making the man worry and put her to his chest, stroking her hair.

“What ever could have happened to make you cry, wǒ de húdié  (my butterfly) ?” he asked in a gentle voice, wiping away the tears. “They killed her, Lau! Those harpies killed her! With monkswood, nonetheless! How much more cruel can they get? Don’t they realise that it’s an act of treason and they could be killed? And if that wasn’t enough, my father is sending me away to marry some 60 year old general that’s our enemy nonetheless...Next week...I don’t know what to do! I’m losing my mind!” she sobbed in his warm embrace as he tried to calm her down, but she was lost beyond reason. “My poor little Princess, so young, yet burdened with such sorrow. I wonder how you will get out of this mess.” he cooed at her, making her grit her teeth in anger. “If you’re not going to help, at least don’t be a jerk about it! I going through a crisis right now, and despite you being the only person I can rely on, you’re mocking me! I am still the Princess and with the little influence I have, I can still have you killed!” she sneered at him, pushing him away, but it only made him chuckle. “Please forgive me, my darling, it’s just...You’re just so adorable when you respond to my teasing. It just makes me want to squish your cheeks and gush over how cute you are. Here, as a way to apologise, I’ll let you braid my hair. How is that?” he unbraided his hair, letting his ebony hair that almost reached his waist fly in the soft wind. “Sure...” she muttered, sitting on the ground behind the man, gently playing with his hair, slowly letting peace wash over her. “If I run away...How will we ever see each other again? I don’t want to lose you, Lau.” she sighed, finishing the braid and hugging the man, resting her forehead on his shoulder. “I would never leave my little Pink Lotus alone. This only means that we have to act sooner than expected. We shall be just like this Peach tree, blooming earlier than our time, but just as beautiful. Lianyi, my darling, will you listen to what I have to say?” he got up, helping the girl stand as well, putting his hands on her pale face, looking deep into her jade-like eyes, feeling his heart warmer as he noticed how divine she looked with her face rosy, in the divine light of Mother Moon. “Of course I will listen to you.” she spoke breathlessly, gazing shyly into his dark eyes. “Then follow your instincts and know that even if you don’t see me next to you, I am still guiding you from the shadows, and soon, we will see each other again when you least expect it. I made a promise with you and I intend to keep it. If you stay around me for now, you will be in grave danger, and I will not allow that to happen.” he spoke firmly, letting her know he wasn’t being playful, as usual. “What have you gotten yourself into...?” she frowned in worry. “Nothing that you should worry over, wǒ qīn'ài de xiǎo gōngzhǔ ( my dear little princess ).” he soothed her gently, letting his sleeve fall down a bit down, revealing a dragon tattoo. “Oh, Lau...Please be safe. I don’t know what I’d do if I knew something happened to you.” she pleaded with her eyes, glimmering like jewels in the light, making the brunet man smile gently at her, tracing her soft, luscious lips resembling the petals of a pink lotus, with his thumb. “I promise you that we will both be okay, if you promise me you’ll still love me so beautifully when we see each other again. No matter what happens, never lose this innocence of yours, my dear.” speaking so softly, he put a strand of your hair behind your ear. “Why is a man so invested with a woman? Surely you realise I won’t be a Princess anymore when we next see each other. So...Why...Do you behave so differently from everyone else...?” she raised her eyebrow in naive confusion. “I imagine for you, this feeling would be foreign, but I didn’t lie when I said I wanted to spend my life with you. Now, should we seal this promise of ours?” he smiled softly at her, raising her face to gaze at him. “How...?” she asked in that sweet voice that sent shivers down his spine.

There was no need for an answer, for Lau slowly leaned in, capturing her lips softly, pulling her closer to him, before pulling apart and gazing into her eyes, seeing stars and love.

He had never seen such a pure and lovely person in his life, especially one to show him such warm and genuine emotions, and over these 5 years they spent together, his love and need to protect her only grew more and more.

He didn’t know how long he will have to be away from her, nor did he know if he was going to survive being a top official of Qing Bang, and more, quickly reaching up the ladder and being close to becoming the manager of the Shanghai trading company, and very soon, having to move to Great Britain and extend his influence there.

Lau’s life has always been unpredictable and dangerous, so until he somehow manages to settle in a more relaxed environment where he’s sure no assassin may attack or use her as bait or bribe, there was no way he could have her around any longer.

He was an ambitious man, he wanted to be so much more than a street rat, he wanted money, he wanted luxury and riches, he wanted the world, he wanted to indulge in sins...

He wanted everything.

And he WILL get everything.

---

While Lau was busy making a name for himself, the girl was forced to dance for her soon to be husband, who was nothing less than a lecherous scum of a human being.

She was fed up, she’s had enough of this life.

She was going to end it all.

She was finally going to take the reigns of her fate in her hands.

Nobody was going to control her anymore.

She followed the advice that her mother gave her on her deathbed, took her trusted servant with her, and ran away on a horse, disguising herself as a man and acting as a travelling healer.

She already had enough money at her, courtesy of her mother’s shrewdness, so for the rest 5 or so years, she lived peacefully with her servant in a decent home, working as a physician at a smaller palace.

But due to a series of unfortunate events, she was found out and she was Physician Yi no more, but a woman once again, who was not allowed to work as a healer. What was even worse, was that the Lord of the palace forced her to join his harem, otherwise she would get executed for treason, all while they killed her servant in an attempt to warn her.

But she wasn’t going to let men take control of her life again.

That night, she created a poison and dipped her hair pin needle in it, killing the guards that stood by the gate, leaving with her horse far, far away.

What she wasn’t expecting, however, was to arrive to a ship that was sailing to England, so she decided to change her fate completely, with no regrets, and see if maybe other continents, other countries, would treat her better.

The whole thing was a mess and the living conditions on the ship were horrible, but she wasn’t Princess Lianyi anymore, nor was she Physician Yi, so she couldn’t afford to complain, and nor she could afford to give any money away recklessly.

She arrived at what she would find out is called East End - London, where poor Oriental people would try to find work...But she wasn’t going to do any physical work. She wasn’t strong enough, she knew her strengths, and that wasn’t one, so she started searching around for physicians and doctors where she could work, of course, disguised as a man, but nobody would hire her without a proper license.

She was going to give up and look for an inn to rest at, when she stumbled upon a Mortician parlor, and thought it wouldn’t be too bad to work there - Better than nowhere, at least, so she knocked on the door, entering nervously.

She was met by a creepy laugh and a man with long silvery hair coming out of a coffin, grinning carefree at her, asking her what she was looking for, and as soon as the man heard she was looking for work, addressing to herself as a man, instead of a woman, he started laughing, which slightly freaked her out.

“Darling, I understand you had to worry about being a woman, out there, but here, you don’t have to hide anymore. I will hire you regardless. I have a spare room here, not that I was expecting to hire anyone, but it sure comes in handy.” he spoke in a low, playful voice, taking away the hat from her head and letting her beautiful, long, ebony hair cascade down her back. “Is it...Really no problem...At all...? No catch? Nothing? Just your heart’s kindness?” she asked in a broken English. “Hmm...I suppose I’ll have to teach you proper English, but that’s no problem at all. You see...I have a few special people that I know and I don’t charge them money, but something much more important in these grim days. It’s laughs. And dear, your attempt at imitating a man, no matter how cute that was, failed. I wonder if it failed because I already know a Chinese man...Who knows?” he giggled, lifting her face up to inspect her. “If you don’t want money, what do you want? And who’s this Chinese man that you’re speaking of?” she asked, hoping, at least for a second, that this is the fate Lau was talking about. “Tell me your story, and you won’t have anything to worry about. You, little mouse, piqued my interest. And the man I’m speaking of usually walks around a little guard dog...I’m sure he’ll come around sooner or later, and you’ll see him yourself.” he explained, intertwining his fingers together. “...I am Princess Lianyi, the Emperor’s and the Empress’ only child. I ran away from home 5 years ago when I got fed up with being used like a doll, married off and mistreated, only for political reasons, and I decided to pursue my dreams. However...I’m not sure if I can settle with only being a healer. I want to kill the Emperor for treating me that way, despite being his first child, and I want to kill his Consort and their daughter for poisoning my mother. If they are dead, then I can be Empress and nobody would dare pressure me again.” she spoke timidly, knowing very well that her ambitions were far beyond reason. “What a marvelous story! To think I’d find myself in the grace of a Princess with such dark ambitions! Hehehe, that’s rather amusing! Don’t worry, little mouse, I will help you with anything I can. You can wear any outfit you wish, it may bring some colour to this gloom place. After all, the beauty of life is like a blooming flower, isn’t it?” the Undertaker hummed, stroking a strand of her hair. “Pink Lotus...That’s what someone special used to call me...Never mind that. Thank you, Undertaker, for your kindness. I truly appreciate it.” she spoke in a soft voice, bowing slightly, not knowing the customs of this new place.

No matter that, however, for the Undertaker was there to teach her everything she needed, be it the language, the customs or medicine, which in this place was so different, yet incredibly efficient.

She quickly learnt of his connection with the underworld and how, before, he meant that people come to him to buy information and this was mostly a facade hobby of sorts.

The Undertaker, for some reason, never called her by her name, but by random nicknames, only using “Pink Lotus” when there was something more important, knowing how many emotions that would bring to her. He would, however, use “Physician Yi” when referring to her in public, not wanting to potentially give away her identity, but also, playfully mocking her 5 years of living as a man, which would greatly annoy the girl and would either glare at the silver haired man, or throw a dog biscuit at him.

Weeks and months passed rather fast and working for the mortician became a rather pleasant routine, until a certain dog bark disturbed their peace.

She was in the back, preparing a tray of tea, before fixing her pink outfit and gold hair accessories, and putting the tray in front of the Undertaker’s table, not sparing any glance for the new comers.

“Wonderful as usual, my dear. This is the guard dog I was telling you about. Isn’t he cute?” the silver haired man giggled, but she only glared at him, remaining silent. “I wouldn’t have expected you to hire Chinese servants who can’t speak English.” the midget smirked, irritating the girl, who cursed him in Chinese, barely audible. “Tiān nǎ (goodness gracious), how amusing!” the Chinese man chuckled dramatically. “What did she say?!” the dark haired child raised his voice impatiently. “Oh, I wonder...!” he smiled deviously, which made her raise her eyebrow at him in confusion. “Do you need me for anything else, Undertaker? Or can I go back to my work? I don’t fancy wasting time with meaningless things, like you.” she spoke in a harsh voice, looking down at him, like a true Empress would. “Well, I was thinking you could present our guests our newest case! As Physician Yi, I’m sure you’d find some joy in showing your expertise, wouldn’t you?” he teased, making the girl harden her glare. “How pathetic. Besides, why should I help them? Jack the Ripper case solved or not, there’s nothing in it for me, is it? I’m not here to do charity work.” she crossed her arms, scoffing. “Ohhh, I see! Then, darling, what is your price? Or do you want jewelry? Fine clothes? Just name it, and in exchange for your services, it’s all yours!” the Chinese man walked in front of her, grinning just like a fox. “Kill the Emperor for me, and I’ll tell you everything.” she matched his grin, her face glowing with a poisonous and fake innocence, leaving the man open his eyes in shock. “...Eh?” he managed to blurt out, certainly caught off guard. “HA! Never mind that, your dumb face was enough to pay me.” she laughed patronising, making the man stare at her in shock, not knowing what to say. “Gods, you’re just like him...” the kid muttered in annoyance. “If you don’t mind...All of the victims were female prostitutes and all of them had a missing, representative organ. If you haven't guessed by now, it's the uterus. It's been carefully taken away. One might conclude that, despite being few people on the streets at night, the culprit has at least the minimum anatomical knowledge, to perform such a clean and specific organ removal...In pitch black.” the girl explains simply and professionally, as if she wasn’t trash-talking them just a second earlier. "Very well, my dear Pink Lotus, you did your homework well~!” the Undertaker chuckled, making the girl hit his chair, making him fall off, in a fit of rage. “How many times must I tell you NEVER to call me that? You’re incurable.” she gritted her teeth in anger, before leaving the parlor.

What she wasn’t aware of was that, for a few seconds, the talk of the day was still about her.

“Why would you get such an irritating servant?” Ciel rolled his eyes in annoyance. “She’s not my servant, Earl. You could say she’s my little apprentice, but it was her who came so timidly at me, asking to be hired, since no one would hire a healer without a license. Poor thing, and she’s such a brilliant young girl.” the mortician commented with a vague smile on his face. “I would say, Young Lord, that you’re not as amiable as you think you are.” Lau teased the young boy, who gasped, offended. “What did you say?!” he glared at his associate with such hatred. “People who had bad things happen to them don’t act as they feel. You should know that by now, shouldn’t you?” he explained, extending his arms to his sides. “Does that mean that you know who she is or what she’s been through or what?” the dark haired child raised his eyebrow questioningly. “I have no clue.” Lau deadpanned, leaving everyone facepalming. “Undertaker, would it be too much to ask you to let me hire your little assistant for a week or 2? I promise I’ll bring her back home safe and there’s no underground business involved.” he averted his gaze to the Undertaker, his heart beating faster after seeing the girl. “If she accepts, who am I to come between the work of fate?” the man hinted, making Lau grin even wider.

It was all he needed to be sure that the girl that made a fool of him was actually the little Princess he loved so much. Oh, how she matured! Alas, she had to experience so many terrible things to make her so cold and harsh, unlike before!

But it’s no problem, he was going to heal her - After all, his little Pink Lotus mustn’t hold so much hatred towards the world! She should just be happy in indulge in anything that would make her smile! Let him bear the darkness of the world and worry about tomorrow.

---

After a bit of pushing from the Undertaker, seeing how uncertain she was, but she followed the man to his home, which she found out was above an underground opium den, which only made her even more reluctant to her next steps, but him putting his arm around her only made her feel a strange feeling of reassurance.

Is this Lau? Is this really HER Lau?

But what happened to him? His clothes changed...He even cut his hair...She wondered why would he have such short hair? And more, where his little sister would be?

She was afraid to ask anything, and was rather timid in replying to any of his trivial questions, until they got this his room, after he gave her a tour of the whole place, except the den, saying a lovely lady like her shouldn’t be exposed, at least right away, to drugs and dirty business.

“So, uhm...Why did you really call me here? I’m sure it wasn’t so you would give me a tour of your house or tell me what you do for a living.” she asked, shifting in place, not looking at him. “Why, my dear Pink Lotus, should I feel hurt that you don’t recognise me? Although, I have to say, so many years passed...And you became even more beautiful than before...I didn’t think that would be possible...Princess Lianyi.” he spoke in a low, fox-like voice, as he leaned down to her height, as she was so much smaller and delicate compared to him. “I...I did suspect it was you, but...Your hair...And Ran Mao...And...And your clothes...” she stammered over her words, looking down, her face warming up from emotion. “Only details, my dear. Besides, Ran Mao is here, at home, and she’s eager to see you as well. But until then, my darling, shouldn’t you tell me how much you missed me?” Lau grinned, extending his arms towards her, expecting a hug. “Did...You...Miss me...? Just like you said you would...?” she whispered, looking up at him with teary eyes, barely able to stop herself from jumping on him and never letting go. “You were on my mind every day so far.” he spoke gently, seeing her bottom lip quivering as she threw herself at him, holding him as tightly as her delicate arms could. “Don’t leave me again, Lau. It’s so terrible being alone, in such a huge world...” she managed to say, as she felt herself being picked up and gently laid on the bed. “I’m going nowhere, my dear. I made a promise with you, and my feelings haven’t changed. If anything, they’re more powerful than before.” he put a hand on her cheek, looking down at her, before putting his forehead to hers, while his other hand had his fingers intertwined with hers. “I love you so much, Lau...So much...I missed you...All this time you were away...” she closed her eyes briefly, as she felt his lips on hers, the electrifying feeling surging through her veins, just as it did the first time they kissed, many years ago. “Lianyi...Will you marry me? My life has been tied to the underworld for more years than I can remember, and no matter how much I want to keep you away from that, I can’t stay away from you. I’m no angel like you, and you deserve to be happy, but I can’t keep you away from all dangers and darkness.” he confessed, his voice serious, trying to bring her back to reality. “You...You’ve never called me by my name before...I...I would want nothing more than to stay by your side, no matter what. I don’t care what you’ve got yourself into, I just want to be with you. Yes, Lau, I’ll marry you, I’d love nothing more than to be able to stay in your arms and love you.” she put her arms around his neck, pulling him closer to her in another kiss.

But just as they kissed again, the bedroom door opened, revealing Ran Mao looking at them with the same serene look as usual, making the princess push Lau to the side and throw herself at the girl that grew into such a fine, beautiful lady...But what the hell was she wearing...?!

“It’s nice to see you again, Lianyi.” she said, patting her back. “Ran Mao, goodness, I missed you so much...But what are you wearing?! Lau, why would you let her wear something so revealing?!” the princess freaked out, her face bright red in embarrassment. “This is the new fashion, my dear! Combining traditional with modern, we created the Cheongsam! All the girls below in the opium den are wearing it! It’s rather alluring, don’t you think?” Lau chuckled in amusement, putting his hands on her shoulders, resting his chin on her head. “But...But...But...” she stuttered, not knowing what to say. “We have one for you. It’s green with golden thread patterns, to highlight your eyes.” Ran Mao explained, going to fetch the dress, and seeing how short it was, the girl could feel her knees weakening. “I can’t wear that! That’s too revealing! Wh-What...W-Wait, Ran Mao, where are you pulling me?!” the girl pulled her in another room, alone, where she started quickly undressing her and helping her into the new dress, just a bit shorter than knee-length. “You’re beautiful. Now go, Lau is eager to see you.” Ran Mao dragged the flustered girl and pushed her back to the bedroom, as she could only hide her face in her hands. “My, my, what a gorgeous little Pink Lotus. Come here, my darling. I will show you how much I missed you.” Lau watched her shyly approach him, like a little lamb, before catching her wrists and putting her on his lap with the same teasing grin on his face. “This...This is so...Embarrassing...” she clutched her fingers on his messed up blouse as she hid her face in the crook of his shoulder. “You are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever had the privilege of seeing in my life, Lianyi, and your shyness only makes you more endearing...It only makes me want you more. You managed to keep the same sweet and pure innocence, just as I thought you would...Wǒ ài nǐ  (I love you) , my dear Pink Lotus Princess.” he spoke, slowly tracing her legs, making his way up to her sides, her arms, before touching her face and bringing her in for a more passionate kiss that sent fire through her system. "I love you so much, Lau. I don’t care what you’ve got yourself into, but I will always stay by your side. Forever. I want to help you and support you with anything I can, just as you did for me.” she confessed, her arms around his neck, pulling him closer to her. “How would you feel helping me with the girls? That’s the least risky thing I can let you handle. But nonetheless, it would let us spend more time together, if that is what you truly wish.” he smiled vaguely, planting more and more kisses all over her face. “That would make me very happy.” she smiled, letting herself get lost in the warmth and love she felt, feeling their hearts beating so fast and in sync, as if they were one.

Who would have thought that fate would play such an important role in their life...They fought it, they escaped fate, only to let destiny reunite them both, just as the red string of fate would always bring them back together, nothing able to stop them.

Finally, they were in control of their own life.

They were together.

[crimson-mage-02]

Looking Through Her Eyes

Summary: Two best friends, Prince Keith of Egypt and his most loyal friend Lance, both ran away from Egypt to escape the cruel world they had lived their entire lives. They both stumbled across the Midian people as they welcomed them with open arms for a new path. 

A/N: Hello everyone!! Merry Christmas!!This Kallura and Plance fic is based heavily on the movie The Prince of Egypt. This gift is for  @magiesheartlove​ I hope you like it!!! 

Enjoy reading, feel free to comment and give feedback! Just press keep reading to see the rest of it! Merry Christmas @magiesheartlove and everyone!! 

@idyllchatter-plance-and-kallura

Keith and Lance both walked into the hallway, sewing a little bag while whistling a tune and leaned on the railings of the balcony. “Well, that went well.” Keith commented, leaning on a statue.

“Just go away.” Lotor groaned in annoyance not wanting to deal with his brother and his best friend as well as joking around.

“Could have been worse.” Lance said, looking up at him with a grin.

“’The weak link in the chain.’ That’s what he called me.” Lotor said with distain in his voice as Keith and his servant friend Lance looked each other trying to find a better way to cheer him up.

Keith sighed and continued to sew. “Well, you are rather pathetic.”

“Irresponsible, ignorant of the traditions. He practically accused me of bringing down the dynasty!” Lotor exclaimed, looking down at Keith and Lance.

“Yeah, I can see it now. There goes the pyramids!” Keith chuckled, shaking his head while Lance snickered softly. 

“You two can laugh about it!” Lotor jumped down from the statue, walking towards his brother and friend.

“Statues, cracking and topping over. The Nile drying up. Single-handedly, you will manage to bring the greatest kingdom on Earth to ruin.” Lance smirked with Keith laughing with amusement while filling up the bag with some liquid from a bowl.

“Tell me this, Keith and Lance. Tell me this. Why is it that every time you start something, I’m the one who ends up in trouble?” Lotor asked, watching him smirked evilly as he dropped the bag down and hide away.

Lotor looked over down below seeing the bag had hit their parents advisors. They looked furious and he looked back to look for Keith and Lance. He turned to the other side, seeing Lance was holding a bowl. “You might as well.” Keith smirked.

Lotor smiled and dumped the wine on their parents advisors, hearing more angry exclaims. “Hey, I figured it out. You know what your problem is, Lotor?”

“What?” Lotor asked as they walked along happily with the two following him from behind.

“You care too much.” Lance pointed out with Keith nudging Lotor on the arm.

“And your problem is, you don’t care at all.” Lotor chuckled, spin his little brother’s wig, and walked along happily all cheered up.

“Oh, in that case…” Lance grinned and winked at Keith who nodded.

“I suppose you care a lot more than I do that we’re late for the banquet, for example.” Keith said as he adjusts his wig and smirked seeing his older brother froze in fear with Lance snickering quietly.

They all immediately got themselves in their formal garments with Lance running after them in such a big hurry. Fearing for their father’s wrath. With Lance fixing Keith’s wig, he made sure it is in a perfect form. He heard Lotor was breathing heavily with Keith pushing him towards the banquet.

“I’m done for! Father will kill me.” Lotor said as he was being pushed by his brother.

“Don’t worry. Nobody will even notice coming in.” Keith assured him as all three men entered into the banquet with the crowd cheering as well as their parents. Lance walked away presuming his duties.

Lotor glared at his younger brother. “’Nobody will even notice’” He stood taller with Keith chuckling nervously and rubbed his arm.

“Ah, the young princes!” Queen Honerva gleefully greeted her sons with a tight embrace. And then whispered to her eldest. “Lotor, you were just named Prince Regent. You are now responsible for overseeing all of the temples. I suggest you get over there and thank your father.”

She urged Lotor to thank his father, Zarkon and she turned to her youngest son while clapping for his new title along with Keith. “Apparently, Keith, someone thought he just needed the opportunity.”

Keith smiled brightly and ran up to his father and brother. “My Lord Pharaoh! I propose that the high priests off their tribute to their new regent.”

Pharaoh Zarkon beamed with a smile turning to his most trusted royal advisors. “An excellent idea! Zethrid, Ezor!”

Zethrid grumbled seeing her food was all over the table. “Zethrid.”

“Hmm?” She turned to Ezor, seeing her grinning from ear to ear.

“The Midian girls.” Ezor said with a smirk on her face.

Zethrid mirrored her smirk. “Go get them!” She walked to the centre with the spotlight on her. “By the power of Ra, we present for your delegation and delight, an exotic apparition stolen from a faraway land.” Spoke appeared around her as it exploded with covers appearing and revealed two Midian girls sitting on top of the camel. Keith gasped seeing such rarest hair colour and her eyes sparkled like a thousands of diamonds in his eyes. She had white and red clothing with her hair tied up braided past her waist. She had purple crystal earrings with a golden tiara with a blue gem.

Meanwhile Lance was starstruck by the younger girl dressed in green and blue clothing with purple accents. Her honey brown hair was pulled in a ponytail with green earrings. He stood there completely in utter shock to see her stunning beauty. Both girls were struggling in their restraints as the two Princes gasped in amazement.

“We offer you with these two desert flowers.” Zethrid pulled the rope that tied up one of the girls towards to the princes.

“Allura!” The second young girl cried out to her.

Allura stumbled and fell on the ground, but still had a scowl on her face. She growled softly, seeing the two princes were smiling at her. Lotor stood up with a smile, grabbing her face in his hand. “Let us inspect this delicate desert flower.”

She looked at his hand and attempted to bit him, scaring him away and scurried to Keith’s side. “More like a desert cobra.”

Keith chuckled and crossed his arms. “Not much of a snake charmer, are you?”

“That’s why I give her to you.” Lotor grinned, pushing Keith towards Allura.

Keith’s eyes widened as he was being pushed by his brother towards Allura who was glaring and growling at the two princes. “No, that’s generous but….”

“I won’t be given to anyone. Especially an arrogant, pampered palace brat!” Allura exclaimed angrily while trying to get out of the ropes. Then heard her friend was being pulled onto the floor with the crowd laughing. “Katherine!”

“Oh another desert flower.” Lotor smirked, lifting her chin up but she headbutted him and everyone exclaimed in shock. Lotor groaned holding his chin and tried to soothe the pain. “Another…. Desert snake.” In that moment, Lance cannot be any more in love with the younger woman. So fierce and beautiful.

“And are you going to let her talk to you like that, Keith?” Lotor asked his brother who turned to Allura.

“You two will show the proper respect for a Prince of Egypt.” Keith declared pointing his finger at Allura.

“But we are showing the respect you deserve. None!” Allura exclaimed while pulling the rope away and swung it around with Keith stopping the guards with her and grabbed the rope.

“Untie this rope! I demand to set us free!” Allura demanded angrily, pulled the rope.

“Be still!” Keith grunted, still holding onto the rope.

“Let go!” Allura growled with Katherine getting up and trying to help her friend but was pushed away by the guards and was in Lance’s arms, just in the nick of timing to save her from falling down on the floor.

Keith looked to the side, seeing there is a little pond and smiled. “As you wish.”

Allura yelped and fell down in the water with everyone in the banquet laughed. She tried to get up from the water but slipped. Keith stood up, laughing, and looked back at his mother who hung her head as she didn’t approve what he had done.

Keith immediately frowned seeing his faults with Lotor laughing in amusement whole holding onto his shoulder and glanced at Lance. “Lance my good friend! Have them dried off and sent to Prince Keith’s chambers. If it pleases you, Father, my first act as regent, to appoint Keith, as royal architect.” Lotor placed his purple ring into Keith’s finger. Everyone applauded and cheered for Prince Keith.

While they were celebrating, Keith admired his new ring then looked at Allura in the crowd, seeing her walking away from the crowd and all soaked. She was being aided by Lance and her friend towards the hall to get dried up. He winced seeing her glare and walked away with Lance to get dried up.

On the way to his room, Lance had a bowl of dried towels in his hands. “Well, that went well.” Keith groaned in annoyance and rubbed his face tiredly while hearing the guests were cheering loudly in the banquet.

“Tell me about it. How is she?” Keith asked his friend.

“Hmm, well the girls are all dried and are resting your quarters as we speak.” Lance replied. “Oh! And they are mad about what happened at the banquet.”

“No kidding.” Keith sighed bitterly as he walked towards his room until they heard muffled sounds from inside his room. Both men ran inside seeing a servant was tied up and gagged. Lance tapped him on the shoulder looking at the window where ripped curtain was being tied up on a pillar as a rope. They both went to the balcony seeing Allura and Kathrine both walking with their camel, trying to escape. Keith climbed down the rope and jumped on the ground with Lance falling down but quickly got up and got some dirt off of his robes.

Keith saw the guards was walking towards to the exist. They were going to get caught. “Guards.”

“Prince Keith.” Both of the guards stood up straight looking at him in the eye with Lance glancing at them and at the who froze, thinking they were going be captured again.

“Uh, there’s a…. a man tied up in my room. Well, look into it.” Keith ordered as the two guards complied and scurried away with Lance sighing in relief. They both turned to see the girls, but they ran off ahead with their camel.

Both men followed the girls into the slaves’ houses and found them getting water and begged for water from a young woman and young man. They were given water for their long journey to escape Egypt.

Then that night he didn’t know it would’ve changed his life as he had seemingly met his true family, his older sister and brother, named Acxa and Shiro. His older sister had claimed he is their younger brother. Keith did not understand and thought they were lying.

Acxa looked at him in disbelief. “They never told you?”

“Who never told me what?” Keith asked in confusion.

“But you’re here. You must know.” Acxa trying to reach out to him but he took a step back.

“Be careful, slave!” Keith exclaimed, taking his hand away from Acxa, somewhat confused about the situation with the sibling he and Lance had met.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you.” Lance stepped in for his friend.

Shiro grabbed Acxa by the arms and looked at the two with an apologetic look. “Oh, my good prince. Um, she’s—she’s exhausted from the day’s work. Uh, not that it was too much. We…We quite enjoyed it. But-But she’s confused and knows not to whom she speaks.”

Acxa grew irritated and shoved his arm away. “I know whom I speak, Shiro. I know who you are. And you are not a prince of Egypt.”

“What did you say?” Keith asked with anger and felt offended.

“Your highness, pay her no heed. C-Come, Acxa. May I discuss something with you?” Shiro asked nervously seeing his sister won’t give up.

“No, Shiro. No!” Acxa exclaimed. “Please, Keith, you must believe!”

“That’s enough.” Shiro said softly, dragging her away from Keith and Lance.

Lance frowned seeing Keith was getting more angry by these slaves who claimed that they are siblings. “You were born of our mother, Krolia!” Acxa exclaimed trying to get out of her brother’s arms despite his protests. “You are our brother!”

“Now you go too far. You shall be punished!” Keith pointed his finger at her with Shiro kneeling down before him.

“No! Please, uh, Your highness. She’s ill. She’s very ill. We beg your forgiveness. Please, Miriam, let us go.” Shiro pleaded, dragging her away from him.

“No, Shiro. Our mother set you adrift in a basket to save your life!” Acxa exclaimed.

“Save my life? From who?” Keith asked with a frown.

“As the man that you call ‘Father’.” Acxa replied with Lance gasped softly and saw Keith had enough of this.

“How dare you?” Keith growled at her.

“God saved you to be our deliver. And you are, Keith. You are the deliver.” Acxa said, clenching her hands, pleading to her younger brother.

Keith grabbed her wrist tightly with Lance calling out to him. “I said, enough!” He threw her on the ground, and he glared at her one last time. “You will regret this night. Let’s go, Lance.”

He reluctantly followed Keith back to the palace until he saw him stopping hearing Acxa singing a lullaby that he had heard from before. He turned to see Acxa smiling with tears falling down. Lance saw how shock and confusion in his face.

Then he ran away from the two with Lance trying to catch up to him. Accidentally knocking a man down along the way. He got up quickly with lance helping him as they arrived at the palace with Lance panting heavily. “Let me catch my breath!”

Keith huffed and panted heavily. He looked up at the statue of his family in the temple. This is where he belongs, not as a slave. He found himself questioning his whole life, wondering, and thinking it was all a lie. He never thought himself as a slave and a Hebrew.

A few days after that encounter, he walked into a slavery work place, seeing his older brother Lotor had granted a vision from the Gods to rebuild the temple. He looked around at the tired looking slaves around him. All worn out, starved for food, and are parched. Pulling the ropes, carrying heavy loads, and had whip marks on their backs a sign of punishment.

Keith saw an elder man was being whipped as a punishment while hearing his sister’s pleas to attempt to stop the guard from torturing the man. He looked away for a moment while seeing Lance was looking at the slave nervously but still stayed by their side. Until he heard a loud cry, the poor older man was getting more hurt by the guard. He cannot believe what he had done. He… he needed to get away from here. He ran away from the crowd while Acxa had grabbed him, but he didn’t have enough courage to face her, Lance or Lotor.

He needed to get out of Egypt. He doesn’t belong there. He ran and ran away as he was almost to the gate way out of Egypt. He heard horses footsteps from behind him, hearing Lotor and Lance calling out to him on the chariot.

Lotor made a turn to stop him from running and try to talk to him. “Keith.”

“Keith… it wasn’t your fault.” Lance said to him, trying to comfort him while Lotor tried to convince him to stay back with him and all of his problems will be solved now that he is Pharaoh. Ruler of Egypt.

“Let me go!”

“No, wait.” Lotor cried out to his brother.

Keith gritted his teeth in anger and turned to them. “You saw what happened. I just killed a man.”

“We can take care of that. I will make it, so it never happened.” Lotor promised, holding his shoulder but he shrugged it off.

“Nothing you say can change what I’ve done.” Keith pointed as he continued on walking away from him.

“I am Egypt!” Lotor exclaimed and he went in front of him trying to convince him to stay and walked backwards while speaking to him. “The Morning and the Evening Star! If I say, ‘Day is Night’, it will be written, and you will be what I say you are! I say you are innocent.”

Keith swat his arms off his shoulders with Lance trying to calm him down. “Keith, your brother is right, he can help you. Just listen to him.”

“What you say does not matter. You don’t understand. I can’t stay here any longer.” Keith said softly as he was prepared to leave.

“Keith!”

“No! All I’ve ever known to be true is a lie. I’m not who you think I am.” Keith said, not looking at him in the eye.

“What are you talking about?” Lotor asked in confusion.

“Go ask the man I once called ‘Father’.” Keith replied as he walked away from his brother with Lance following him.

Lotor had called out to him once more and he turned to him seeing a sadden and broken expression, pleading him to stay. He had said his goodbyes to him and ran away from Egypt with Lance running behind him into the warm and hot desert, while hearing Prince Lotor’s cries.

Keith and Lance both ran into the hot desert with no plan or what direction they are going in whatsoever. They both went into the canyons, experienced extreme winds, and walked down field of rocks. Until Keith fell down with one of the rocks ripping the sandals, groaning in pain.

“Keith!”

“I’m fine.” Keith said softly in frustration seeing his sandal was ruined. He took off his necklace, his golden accessories and was about to toss the ring away. He looked at it as it was his last connection to Egypt. To his brother, Lotor. Lance took off his robes and ripped the bottom bit of the robe to have more room to walk in.

“Oh, that’s so much better.” Lance sighed contently.

“Why did you come along? You could’ve stayed by my brother’s side.” Keith said.

“Well, you and I have been friends for a very long time before I become friends with Lotor…. So I did promise I stay by your side. Even though we argue a lot.” Lance chuckled dryly with Keith joining in as he took off his wig. “Wow, when was the last time I saw you with your mullet?”

“Come on, what is with you and my hair?” Keith asked quietly with the wind coming by. They closed their eyes until they were buried underneath the sand. Then moments after Lance got out of the sand coughing, getting the sand out of his mouth and spit it out. Then a camel came by and tried to eat their hair.

“Ugh! Ow!” Lance exclaimed in pain as Keith grunted in annoyance until he saw water coming out from a bag that was on the camel. “Hey, wait. Please!”

“Water!” Lance exclaimed as the two went after the bag and was being dragged by the camel. Lance was holding on to the tail while Keith was holding onto the bag filled with water. Both were exhausted from walking in the hot scorching desert.

Continued to being dragged by the camel, Keith hit his head on a well with Lance falling down on top of him. “Lance!”

“Sorry.”

“No, look, water!” Keith exclaimed as he smacked his lips together before drinking the water. They both put their faces in the water. At long last, they drank the nice and cold water. Both sighed in relief and saw a sheep looking at them and dropped the water out of its mouth.

Lance shook Keith’s shoulder and pointed at some man fighting against three young girls. “What are you doing? Help! let our sheep drink! Leave us alone! Get away!”

“Stop it! My father’s the high priest of Midian. You’re going to be in big trouble.” Exclaimed the eldest sister.

Keith looked to the side and saw the men’s camel. He stood up and walked towards them. he held onto the railings with Lance standing by his side.

“Hey, you! Aren’t these your camels?” Keith called out to them.

The two men looked with shocked expressions as Lance beckoned them to run. “Hut-Hut!” They all watched the two men running off after their camels with the girls looking at Keith and Lance in shock.

Keith groaned and leaned down the well but fell down as the bricks broken down. “Keith!” Lance tried to grab his leg, but it was too late. The girls looked over the well and decided to help Lance get him out of the well. “Pull!”

“Merla, Romelle and Luka! What are you girls doing?” Allura asked with a smile. “And you!”

“Hahaha, hi! Please don’t hurt me!” Lance exclaimed in fear while hiding behind the well. Allura rolled her eyes and turned to her younger sisters.

“We’re helping this kind man to get his funny and weird friend out of the well.” Luka replied while pulling the rope.

Allura looked at the servant who smiled awkwardly and then turned to the girls with a grin. “Trying to get the funny man out of the well? Well, that’s one I’ve never heard before.” She looked down and gasped seeing there was really a man down there. “Oh, my. Oh, uh, don’t worry down there! Uh, we’ll get you out. Hold on!” Allura exclaimed as she helped her sisters to pull him out of the well. Until she recognized him as the Prince of Egypt. “You.”

“Huh?” Keith gasped seeing the Midian girl in front of him. She grinned and then let go of the rope with Keith falling down into the well again as a little revenge for what he had done to her. “Mm-hmm.”

She walked away with Lance and her sisters watching her leave. “And that’s why papa said she’ll never get married.” Merla said to her younger sisters.

“Hang on, buddy. I-we’ll-Ahh!” Lance cried out as he fell into the well and crashed onto Keith. Allura groaned in annoyance seeing the two morons had fallen in the well and saw her sisters were urging her to help the two men out.

“Please Allura, they must need assistance from us.” Romelle pleaded.

Allura huffed and went to get help and a new rope from their home. “Fine. But the elders will be cleaning them not us.”

After a few moments, they managed to get help to get Keith out of the well and was summoned to a tent to get cleaned by the elder women with Allura, Merla, Romelle and Luka watching in amusement. “Katherine. Come on, you better come and see this.” Allura chuckled while Lance perked up covering himself.

He saw Pidge in her green-blue dress, with her hair tied up in a ponytail. She saw him covering himself up while Keith was being cleaned by her mother. “You don’t have to do this.” Keith said so bashfully.

“Yes. Ladies, please, we’re really…. We’re really quite…” Lance chuckled nervously seeing Katie was washing him. He cleared his throat nervously while she blushed softly.

“No, not there, please.” Keith laughed softly. “That tickles. Ladies, you’ve cleaned every inch of us.” He yelped and then looked behind him. “Whoa, I… was wrong.”

The two young men heard Allura and her sisters were all laughing at him. She saw the shadow of their father coming towards the tent she gestured her sisters to move to let him through. “Let me through. Let me through. I want to see him.” Appeared Allura’s father, beaming with a bright smile, greeting Keith and Lance with a warm smile.

He hugged the two of them tightly. “AH! You are most welcome. You should not be a stranger in this land. You have been sent as a blessing. And, tonight, you two brave young men shall be my honoured guests.” He put his robe around Keith as Lance was already wearing his blue woven jacket.

Allura stood by Keith’s side with a smirk. “My father, Alfor, high priest of Midian.” Keith sighed covered himself from Allura and the other girls just walked of the tent. Lance had his eye on Katie who was holding a little bowl in her hands and walked out of the tent.

(~)

Keith walked out in a black shirt with shorts and a red jacket with gold accents while Lance came out with a blue-long sleeve shirt with cream pants. They both looked at the crowd, sitting in a circle in front of the fire.

They both looked over at Allura’s youngest sister, Luka beckoned them to sit. “Come on, sit with us.”

“Um, all right.” Keith smiled nervously with Lance following him looking around for Katherine in the crowd and then saw she was sitting next to Allura. He fidget nervously and bit his lip. He went over to sit next to her. She seemed to move to make room for him.

“Hi.” Lance shyly greeted her.

“Hello.” Katherine smiled back at him.

Keith sat next to Allura, she may not or have acknowledge him sitting next to her while he took an orange until Romelle stopped. “Psst. Not yet!”

“Oh, sorry.” Keith apologised putting back the orange back in the basket.

“My children, let us give thanks for this bountiful food.” Alfor announced patting a young boy’s head as he made his announcement. “And let us also give our thanks for the presence of these two brave young men who are here tonight.”

Everyone all clapped with Lance nodding his head bashfully with his friend seemed to be ashamed of himself for what he had done. “Please, sir. I wish you wouldn’t. I’ve done nothing in my life worth honouring.” Keith said looking up at Alfor while his daughter looked at him with sympathy.

“We were just trying to do the right thing, sir.” Lance spoke up with Katherine giving him a small smile.

Alfor smiled and then spoke in a soft and clear voice. “First you rescue Allura and her friend Katherine from Egypt, then you defend my daughters from brigands. You think that is nothing? It seems you do not know what is worthy of honour.”

Keith gave him a confused look and glanced at Allura who was grinning and heard the Priest was had started singing with the people around in the circle started to dance. Lance saw Katherine was trying to get him to join. “Oh, no, no. No, no, no! I do not dance!” Lance exclaimed shyly.

“Oh come on!” Katherine giggled, pulling him into the dancing circle with Keith laughing in amusement. He also saw Allura joining in with a tambourine with her sisters. He clapped along to the rhythm as he saw the people were filled with, love, joy and happiness. It was much better than his life in Egypt.

And so Keith and Lance stayed in Midian and helped them around their home. Keith helped putting up the tent with Merla giving him some water, Katherine gave Lance some water as well. Then he dumped all of the water over his head. They both laughed cheerfully, and Keith drank the whole vase of water and then looked where Allura was. Making some fabric in a tent with the other woman. He smiled watching her interacting with the other kids who were running around the field.

Allura smiled brightly as she put her hair back behind her ear and saw Keith was watching her with a smile. Once he noticed her, he tried to walk away but tripped over the rope with Lance and the girls laughing. She chuckled seeing his nervousness and awkwardness. “Oh, are you alright, Keith?” Lance laughed while wiping his tears.

“Yeah, peachy.” Keith chuckled and saw Allura was walking away with her friends. “She did see, right?”

“Yup. She did, my friend.” Lance nodded as they both moved on to get another tent up with Katherine following them. “So, uh, Katherine, right?”

“Call me Katie.” Katie smiled with her honey brown hair blew in the wind gently making Lance blush at her cute and bright smile while Keith nudge him on the arm, seeing him all flustered. He ruffled his hair playfully. Lance laughed and pushed him gently away from him.

Then Lance walked to a herd of sheep and pet one while Keith watched over them with a smile. Allura called out to them as she handed Keith a staff while Katie gave Lance a scarf. They had become shepherds as their job.

Keith was helping a female sheep giving birth with Allura watching closely with a smile. Once the baby sheep was born, he cradled it gently and with care. He watched Allura carrying the baby sheep in her arms, wiping it softly with a blue blanket and gave him a warm smile before shyly walking away.

Keith stood up on his feet and heard Lance was being chased by some sheep with Katie. “Lance, you are scaring them because of your screaming!”

“Is he always like this?” Allura asked, coming to his side, and put down the sheep to be with its mother.

“He is a good friend of mine and I have seen him being this overdramatic all the time.” Keith chuckled as the two sat on a big rock. They both sat and enjoyed the breeze while Lance and Katie were spending time with the sheep. He looked over at Allura and saw her white-silver hair blowing in the wind gently.

He cleared his throat and rubbed his neck nervously. “A-Allura?”

“Yes, your majesty?” Allura chuckled.

“Actually, I-it’s Keith. Just Keith.” He smiled nervously. “I-I want to apologise. F-For letting fall into the water back in Egypt.”

“Oh that, yeah, got what you deserved back there in the well.” Allura chuckled as Keith laughed softly. “But no hard feelings. We are even, your majesty. Now go out there and look after the sheep.” She nudged him and saw him having a grin on his face.

She reached down behind the boulder to grab his staff and saw bouquet of flowers attached to it. Allura smiled looking at Keith who was chatting happily with Lance and Katie. She cannot possibly be falling for the former Prince of Egypt, is she? She doesn’t know what to feel now as the young man continues to confuse her at times.

Keith looked back at her seeing her enjoying the flowers. He smiled seeing she had accepted. Once he turned around, he saw Lance was looking straight at him. “What is it Lance?” Keith asked irritated.

“You are falling in love with her, aren’t you? And hmm, that is a very smart and bold move there. I am trying to impress Katie. But nothing is working.” Lance said worriedly.

“Lance…just be yourself. She really does seem to like you too. I can see it.” Keith smiled at his best friend. “Also, Allura and I are j-just friends.”

“Hmm, denial!” Lance said in a singsong tone with Keith ruffling his hair playfully.

(~)

During their stay Keith and Lance both enjoyed their life with the Midian people especially with Allura and Katie. Lance was getting to know Katie every day in his new life and the rest of her family. He had started living with Katie in their own tent and eventually got married.

Keith also got along with Allura’s sisters, teaching them how to draw and telling them stories from the stars. Later that night, he clapped along with the music and saw Allura dancing with a red cloth in her hands. He smiled seeing Lance and Katie also dancing in the circle.

“Keith, dance with me!” Allura giggled, putting the cloth around his neck.

“No-No! I don’t dance!” Keith tried to get the cloth out of neck but was being pulled into the circle in between Alfor and Lance. He didn’t know the steps until he finally got the hang of it and smiled brightly. Then Keith and Allura danced in front of the fireplace as they held onto the cloth. Allura let her lower her guard to get closer to him as he moved the cloth towards him to get her twirling around.

Lance, Katie and Allura’s sisters all crowded behind a camel, whispering to each other, trying to figure out what Keith and Allura were talking about to Alfor. They saw Keith’s shadow of himself, explaining with gestures with Allura explaining the situation to her father.

“Hmm, must be very serious.” Lance hummed, stroking his chin.

“Oh, oh, Father looks so happy!” Merla exclaimed excitedly. They saw the shadow of Alfor hugging both Keith and Allura tightly as they were trying to escape from his embrace. The group stood in confusion and all shrugged to know what was the reason why Alfor was happy.

The white petals all fell down on a newly wedded couple that stood before Alfor, officiating their marriage. Keith and Allura both looking into each other’s eyes deeply with love. Lance was wiping a tear from his eye while Katie and the sister’s were all crying with tears of joy. Finally seeing their sister is now married.

Keith happily pulled Allura to dance in front of the fireplace with everyone watching them dancing, holding each other. He held her closely to him, had her secure in his arms with her soft touch calms him. He had lived the life he’d never thought he would have. He had looked at his life. He looked through her eyes and had begun a new chapter with her as he promised to love and cherish her with all of his heart.

[bokutosbestie2]

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Hey guys!! I hope you guys are doing well.. Enjoy chapter 5 the good stuff is about to begin!!

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Soon before I knew it.. the night of the party has come.

" Y/N! JUST PICK A DAMN DRESS ALREADY! " Suga yelled

" I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO WEAR!! SHOULD I WEAR THE LIGHT PINK LACE DRESS OR SAGE GREEN.!! "

" PICK WHICHEVER! Your little boyfriend might leave you from HOW LONG YOU'RE TAKING.. "

" SUGA! "

" I'm just saying " he rolled his eyes at me.

" Ok FINE! I'll pick Sage green and NOW LEAVE I NEED TO CHANGE! " I push Suga out of the door.

I change into the sage green dress, it had thin straps and sheer mesh corset. After that I went to go put my hair down and put some final touches on my face.

I leave my room and see Suga waiting there as he leaned on the wall.

" IM READY " I shouted at Suga.

Suga looked up

" Wow! " he said

" What's wrong?! "

" You look really good," he smirked

" Omg Suga being nice? " I say laughing.

" I'm always nice!!!! BUT COME ON NOW!! What's the plan? "

" Ok ok, so the party is at Fukrodani right?? " I asked Suga.

" Yea it is and it's going to start in 35 minutes! "

" Ok! So here is the plan, you will go to the party, and if people start asking where I went tell them I'm still getting ready. I'll try not to be there too late THAT'S it makes it super suspicious. GOT IT?! " I looked at Suga

" OK THEN LET'S GET STARTED.. GO SEE YOUR ROMEO y/n!! Suga yelled with excitement.

" SHUT UP " I yell at him.

" Ok, then I'll be going now! " I waved bye to Suga as I started to head out of the Palace.

As I was leaving I ran into Tsukishima and Yamaguchi.

" Where are you going? ARENT you supposed to go to the party? " Tsukishima said confused.

" Uh- yeah I am.. I JUST HAVE TO PICK UP A COUPLE OF THINGS!

" Oh well, we are going to guard the party.. " Yamaguchi said in a scared tone

" Yams don't be scared of them. We are all the same but yet different "

" Tch we have to get going come on Yams," Tsukishima said

" Hey don't be rude to her! Sorry y/n but we have to get going " Yamaguchi said as he bows down sorry.

" No worries! I have to get going too! " I smiled at Yams and started to head to the river of gold.

Ok, I can't get distracted by people..

After I walking for a while I see the river of gold.

Ugh finally it felt like ages, Once I got near the river, I took the old bridge to cross to the other side.

I was standing there looking at the tree where Oikawa told me he will meet me..

I was hoping he was coming..

As I looked at the stars I felt a touch on my shoulder.

I jumped to only see Oikawa laughing.

" SHEEZ YOU SCARED ME DEATH "

" HAHA, you should've seen your face. " Oikawa kept laughing.

" Ugh, whatever... " I rolled my eyes at him.

When he stopped laughing, he gave me a long glare.

" Wow, you don't look like a boy today. " Oikawa smirked

" omg yo- Suddenly I was caught off guard by Oikawa.

" you look beautiful.. "

My face turned bright red from the embarrassing comment.

" You got to stop catching me off guard " I hiss at him.

" WHAT I WAS TRYING TO GIVE U COMPLIMENT! "he began to pout.

" Anyways I have to tell you something I can't go to the other side tonight," I say disappointed.

" Let me guess you have to go to the party too huh? " Oikawa glanced at me.

" OH, YOU TOO?! WAIT then what kingdom are you from? "

" Seijoh, and you? "

" Karasuno," I say happily.

" WAIT I'M SO HAPPY RIGHT NOW!! We get to see each other at the party!! " I say as I grabbed his hand out of excitement.

Why did I just grab his hand?

" We do get to see each other but we must pretend we don't know each other or else suspicion will start to rise if we walk in together " Oikawa tightens my hand.

" Oh someone is worried~ " I say in a flirtatious voice.

All of sudden Oikawa pulled me in and whispers in my ear..

" Can't a friend be worried? " he grinned as he released me.

Why is my heart pounding?

" No, you got a point.. " I said looking at the ground.

" Don't look too sad Princess we will be more than friends soon.~ " He smirked

" YOU LITTLE DOG IM NOT SAD CAUSE OF THAT " I yelled at him.

" I'm just disappointed I won't be able to see the other side or meet your cool friends of yours. " I say

" Ahh your cruel I thought you wanted to see me only " he pouts

" Ugh, obviously I wanted to see you too. "

Why did I say that?

" AHHH Y/N!! YOU DO WANT ME " Oikawa ran towards me and tackled me with a hug which causes both of us to fall on the ground.

We Awkwardly laid there as I was on Oikawa's chest and his hands were on my waist. For the moment we got lost in each other's eyes. I wanted to get closer but I stopped myself.

" Oikawa can you kindly let go of me," I say

" U-uh Sorry," he says as he lets go of my waist.

I stood back up, so did Oikawa.

" Ok let's pretend that never happened " I looked at him dead in the eye.

" Why? I know you liked it.. " he winks at me

He is not wrong.. UGH I NEED TO STOP.

" Whatever.. So what's the plan? " I ask him.

" Ok so we can walk to Fukrodani together but once we get to the palace we must go in at different times. After the party meets me back here again, so you can have a little tour to our place!!! " Oikawa said happily.

" Ok then let's get started.. " As I begin to walk Oikawa ran up to me and hold my hand.

I didn't mind it..

As we walked in silence for a while, I started a conversation.

" So how do you think this party is going to work out.. " I looked at him

" It really depends some are fond of the idea and others aren't.. Who knows a fight could break out. "

" Hm, I hope we can get along one day! It would be amazing to see all of us get along with each other. Imagine a world where we all live and love one another. " As I rambled on Oikawa stopped and pull me into a hug.

" I wish for the same.. maybe one day we can change it together," he said in a serious tone.

I was shocked he pulled me in a sudden hug but I hugged him back.

" Someday " I smiled at him.

After hugging each other, we walked still hand in hand.

Soon before we knew it, we were at Fukrodani.

" Ok I guess it's time to separate," he said looking down at me.

" Yup I guess so.. " I looked him with a disappointed look.

" Come on now! We will see each other after the party. " Oikawa said smiling.

" Let's go then.. " I waved goodbye to Oikawa as I being to walk towards the palace.

The palace was huge, there were chandeliers everywhere. At one point a saw a crystal owl statue, which was very beautiful.

Once I found the ballroom I opened it.

As I walked in there you can feel the awkward tension. You can tell not many got along with each other.

I was trying to find Suga until I bumped into a demon.. He had brown messy hair, was super tall. And had very muscular arms.

" Uh- um SORRY! " I bowed down

" No need to say sorry, I should be the one careful next time," he smirked.

All of a sudden I recognized a voice

" IWA-Chan~ I'm Her- "

Oikawa stop to see the two of us standing there.

" Oh umm y/n??! " Oikawa whispered.

Iwa looked at Oikawa and realized you were the Angel that bumped into him the other day.

" Oh, I have to get going. " I walked out of the awkward situation to go find Suga.

It was such a strange sight to see all the kingdoms in one ballroom. I looked left and right to see if Suga was in sight but nowhere to be found.

I hopelessly sit on a chair as I see the crowd of, monsters and angels in one room.

As I sit there until someone on my right comes to sit next to me.

" If you looking for Suga he is on the left side of the ballroom. "

I looked to see who it was and it was KENMA!!

" OH KENMA?! "

" Hey y/n! Suga is talking to Kuroo and Bokuto. " Kenma said looking at the card game as he shuffles them.

" Bokuto? " I questioned.

" Yea he is the prince of this palace " Kenma said.

" OH?! "

" You want to meet him? " Kenma asked

" Sure why not!? "

We both got up from our seats and walk towards the 3 boys.

" HI SUGA "

" SHEEZ WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?! " He shouts

" HEY HEY HEY. IS THIS THE PRINCESS? " Bokuto interferes.

" Yea it is stupid owl," Kuroo said.

" WHAT YOU CALLED ME? " Bokuto yelled

" Bokuto calms down " a boy with black raven hair grabs him from the collar.

" AKASHI! " Bokuto yelled.

" Sorry about him he is very energetic," Akashi said in a monotone voice.

" NO WORRIES! I already have to deal with many crazies. " I say laughing.

As we stood there talking with the large group I look around and spotted Oikawa talking to the others.

I stared for a while until I realized I made eye contact with a boy in red hair as he grinned. He whispers something to the others then they all looked at me.

I never turned my head so fast.

" What's wrong? " Suga asked.

" Um nothing," I say Panicked

" oh ok," he said as he raised his left eyebrow.

The boys continue to talk until a boy with dyed blonde hair taps my shoulder.

Everyone looked at the boy.

" Why were you looking over there pretty girl? " he said

Umm, who does he think he is.

" I wasn't. "

"hmm yes, you were. "

I rolled my eyes at him.

" And If I were starting over there... Did it hurt you or something? " I say laughing sarcastically.

" Get that stupid smirk off your face.. " he said suddenly angry.

" and if I don't. "

" Ok listen here. I tell you what to do and if you don' "

Suddenly I found my hand hitting his face.

Uh oh...

Chapter 6

[gloves94]

Sunburn [Prince Zuko] 20

Warnings: None   Rating: PG-13   Pairings: Zuko/OC   Summary:  “You have everything you’ve ever wanted.” “No.” He said softly. “Not everything…”  His golden eyes looked at her with a melting intensity she had never witnessed before. “I guess not.” She responded with glassy eyes as tears welled up threatening to break the dam of her eyes.

My fanfiction: M A S T E R L I S T

Things were certainly looking up.

Zuko smiled as and his uncle stepped out of the carriage that had brought them to the Earth Kingdom Palace, he helped his girlfriend down of it like the gentleman he is and the three walked towards the palace together. All wearing their finest Earth Nation robes. Iroh wore green, Zuko wore a reddish brown shade and Tsai's wore her trademark golden ochre.

"Many times I imagined myself here, at the threshold of the palace." Iroh commented as he held the basket of his tea supplies, "But I always thought I would be here as a conqueror. Instead, we are here as the Earth King's personal guests, here to serve him tea. Destiny is a funny thing."

Tsai always pictured herself here, but in her head she was welcomed as an honored guest and assigned personal guards amongst other luxurious goods. This wasn't quite what she had in mind, but it would do for now. She was excited to talk to the King. Maybe he'd listen maybe he wouldn't but she wouldn't lose anything trying.

"It sure is, Uncle." Zuko agreed with a slight smile.

Moments later Zuko sat quietly beside his uncle as he poured a cup of tea in the King's meeting room. The throne was elegantly decorated with golden figurines and a mural depicting Ba Sing Se in traditional ink brush art.

"What's taking so long?" Zuko asked warily. They had now been waiting for a while.

"Maybe the Earth King overslept?" Iroh suggested.

"No," Tsai said suddenly. "It is not customary of Earth Kingdom people to be unpunctual."

What kind of royal reception was this supposed to be? Tsai shook her head if her mother was in charge of this Royal Reception none of this would've been acceptable.

Tsai stood up and dusted her palms on her dress.

"That's it," she announced in a bored tone. "I'm sick and tired of waiting. This is unacceptable. I'm going to go find the Earth King myself."

"Have you lost your mind?" Zuko reached for her arm holding her in place.

"I'll be back soon," she simply said shaking his light grip off. "You don't even know where he is." He added crossing his arms over his chest in disapproval.

"Don't worry, I know my way around a palace." She said cockily before exiting the room.

Or at least attempting to. She was pushed back into the room when several Dai Li agents came into the room and surrounded the three.

Iroh's brow furrowed in suspicion.

"Something's not right." Zuko whispered.

Azula suddenly stepped into the room and she walked past the Dai Li agents, coming to standing in front of her brother just outside the ring of agents.

"It's tea time!" She chirped joyfully, however her tone was malicious and held a sharp edge to it as per usual.

Zuko jumped to his feet in surprise and anger, "Azula!"

Azula wore a uniform similar to the Dai Li agents including a matching emerald green bow at the top of her head.

"Have you met the Dai Li?" Azula asked lightly as she smirked, "They're Earthbenders, but they have a killer instinct that's soFirebender. I just love it."

Iroh calmly picked up his cup of tea, now standing up. “Did I ever tell you how I got the nickname 'the Dragon of the West'?"

Azula rolled her eyes at her uncle, "I'm not interested in a lengthy anecdote, Uncle."

"It's more of a demonstration, really." Iroh replied and he calmly took a sip of the tea.

Tsai had heard this tale before, she knew what was coming. The three of them stood together backs pressed against each other. Zuko glanced over at his uncle in surprise then he smirked slightly and spun behind Iroh, Tsai quickly ducked and summoned her trusty hidden blades ready to attack if needed. The older man jumped to his feet and began breathing fire, scattering the Dai Li agents. Zuko quickly ran and kicked a fire blast at the wall, blasting a hole in it as Iroh continued to breathe fire as he walked backwards, then he ran down the hallway after his Tsai and his nephew.

Iroh ran in front of Zuko and threw his hand out, blasting another hole in the wall at the end of the corridor with a lightning bolt then he jumped out of the hole making a runaway opening and, landing in the bushes below. Tsai followed landing on a similar bush landing painfully on her bum.

"Come on!" Iroh shouted looking up when he saw Zuko had stopped at the edge of the hole in the second floor of the palace. "You'll be fine!"

"No! I'm tired of running!" Zuko shouted back in defiance and he turned slightly to glare down the hall with a determined expression, "It's time I faced Azula."

"Has he lost his mind?" Tsai said jumping to her feet and running towards the palace. Iroh smacked his head in exasperation at his nephew. He reached for the impulsive auburn-haired girl's hand and pulled her back.

"There' no time!" He said dragging her away with him.

xxx

"You're so dramatic." Azula sighed mockingly as she stopped between several Dai Li agents in front of her brother, "What? Are you going to challenge me to an Agni Kai?"

"Yes!" Zuko snapped back and he shifted into a bending stance, "I challenge you!"

"No, thanks." Azula replied haughtily and she smirked evilly at her older brother.

Zuko growled and shot a fire blast at her, but two Dai Li agents intervened and deflected the blast by pulling up a section of the floor, creating a wall. The agents dropped the wall then shot their rock gloves at Zuko's feet, causing him to lose his balance and place one hand on the ground, which was quickly trapped by another rock glove. Azula smiled cruelly at her brother and turned around as the Dai Li agents captured him.

xxx

Katara scowled as she paced back and forth inside the Crystal Catacombs, stopping a moment later when she heard the hole above her open up.

"You've got company." A Dai Li agent stated then he threw someone down the hole and the person rolled forward until he landed in front of Katara.

"Zuko!" Katara gasped and her eyes widened in shock before they narrowed in anger when the scarred teen looked up at her just as the hole closed above them.

xxx

"Let's go and take Azula down once and for all!" Tsai stretched her arms dramatically ready to go and cut down Zuko's sister.

"I think if we are smart, we can take her!" She said aggressively clenching a fist against her chest. Iroh remained pensive as he processed his own very complicated plan.

"Besides," She spoke after a moment. "There's something of hers I'm itching to give back to her." She closed her eyes and took in a deep breath. She always kept Azula's knife hidden on her person and was more than eager to return it to its rightful owner. "Come on! What are we waiting for! There's no time to lose!"

"Tsai," Iroh said impatiently. "I thought you less impulsive than my nephew," he flashed her a rare glare that was borderline a scold. She lowered her head. She hated to disappoint him. "You're right," she sighed accepting her mistake. If they were going to do this it had to be done right.

It was then that both made eye contact and saw two Dai Li agents standing guard outside of the palace.

"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" He said stroking his beard.

Xxx

"Are you sure they'll help?" Tsai questioned as they approached a nearby apartment. "How do you even know that they're in there? Have you known all along?!" She said tossing the body of the terrified Dai Li guard that was tied up to a corner of the hallway’s balcony.

"Those who are quiet and attentive can see all, even what may be hidden right before them." Iroh spoke wisely. She fought the urge to roll her eyes. He really did sound like her grandfather. If Zuko knew that Iroh had known that the Avatar was in Ba Sing Se all along he would go fire bananas angry over this.

Iroh knocked on the wooden door and a moment later that onyx haired blind girl that they had encountered in the forest that one day opened the door.

"Glad to see you're okay," she said.

"We need your help." Iroh beat straight to the point. Tsai watched from a couple of feet away keeping watch over the Dai Li guard. Iroh went into the apartment and didn’t come out until sometime later.

“I brought someone along who might be able to help us.”

The door opened and outside stepped Iroh, Toph and Aang and Sokka who looked horrified when they saw the auburn-haired girl standing next to a kidnapped Dai Li guard with her arms crossed over her chest an annoyed look on her face.

“Sup,” she greeted casually not particularly pleased to see any of them.

“Tsai!” Aang exclaimed his tone was more alarmed than pleased. She didn’t flinch when the earthbender stomped on the ground and made two pillars rise from the ground and raise the agent up to eyelevel. He grunted and his breathing quickened. Tsai wasted no time in yanking the rag that kept him silent. He was sweating bullets and already had a cut on the side of his face that she had worked on him.

“Alright, sing,” She threatened flickering her wrist and exposing her shiny blade again. The tip was still stained with his fresh blood.

He gasped and spilled all the information they needed. The guard spoke about how Azula and a man named Long Feng were plotting a coup to overthrow the Earth King. He also said that Katara was being kept in the crystal catacombs of Old Ba Sing Se deep beneath the palace. Which was probably were Zuko was being kept as well.

Moments later the gang had split up into two groups and Tsai was making her way with Aang and Iroh walking through a makeshift tunnel into the crystal cave. She had never regretted wearing a kimono dress more in her life.

Azula… She was truly vile. All this time she had been in control. Playing them like their little pawns. She wondered how long she had known that the three of them had been living in Ba Sing Se.

She wouldn’t put it past Azula to betray the man she was working with and singlehandedly conquer the Earth Kingdom. Whatever was going to happen next was not good. She was much too distraught to listen to what Iroh and Aang were conversing about when Aang made a hole in a tunnel revealing a chamber filled with gleaming crystals.

"Aang!" Katara shouted happily and she rushed forward, hugging the bald boy tightly.

Aang smiled then glared at Zuko over Katara's shoulder, his eyes narrowed slightly in annoyance and distrust. Zuko glared back at him over his uncle's shoulder as Iroh and Tsai embraced him in a tight family sandwich embrace.

"Aang, I knew you would come." Katara said and she hugged Aang again.

"I don't understand." Zuko said in confusion as he looked from the Avatar to Iroh and Tsai and then he pointed at Aang, "What are you two doing with the Avatar?"

"Saving you, that's what." Aang replied snidely and Zuko growled, taking a threatening step towards him, but Iroh stopped him.

"Zuko, it's time we talked." Iroh said lowly then he looked at Aang and Katara, "Go help your other friends. We'll catch up with you." He said.

"Tsai?" Aang called for her. "We'll be there soon-" she flashed him a small smile “-And ready to save the Earth Kingdom.”

Aang smiled at her and Iroh and bowed down his head respectfully before exiting the chamber.

“Why?” Zuko observed the whole interaction between his uncle and the red head and the Avatar perplexed.

"Right," Tsai added softly. "You've grown so much and believe me when I say we are both extremely proud of you, but catching the Avatar is not your destiny and you have to accept that." She said in the most caring tone she could muster.

"You're not the man you used to be, Zuko. You are stronger and wiser and freer than you have ever been." Iroh stated seriously as he looked at his nephew. “And now you have come to a crossroads of your destiny. It's time for you to choose. It's time for you to choose good."

Zuko's eyes went slightly wide as he gave a step back. His golden orbs bounced between Iroh and Tsai until they focused on her. He would expect this kind of thing from his uncle, but from her? He shook his head. He always forgot that they were both basically the same person. Tsai would always pick his uncle over him. Even now.

"What?" He repeated his eyes turning into slits and narrowing in anger.

"It's for the best," she reached for his hand, yet he stepped away defensively.

"You're supposed to support me Tsai."

Ah, there it was. That hot headed prickly side of the temperamental prince. She looked at him with hurt in her eyes.

"I am," she responded. Her mouth suddenly going dry, she didn't like where this was going. He shook his head rapidly from side to side in denial. She really didn’t like were this was going.

"Why can't you be more supportive? Why can't you see this is the only way that we both get what we want?" He shot back angrily.

"Zuko!" Iroh growled out not liking the angry tone in which he spoke to his girlfriend.

"Not now Uncle!" He barked back rudely.

Even Tsai raised a low hand in an attempt to be polite in telling Iroh to momentarily shush and stay out of their conversation. She had a feeling that this was about more than his inner demons.

"I am trying to be supportive!" She tried to reach for his hands once again. Yet he pulled away again. Stepping away from them. Creating a small distance that suddenly seemed so great.

"I don’t support this obsession because it is going to consume you alive," her tone kept increasing as her temperament reached the borderline of her already split thin patience.

Silence was his response.

"Fine!" She snapped angrily. Her head was pulsating with anger. Blood boiling.

"Fine!"She repeated. Both of her fists were tightly clenched at her sides.

"You know what?” She taunted. “The only reason your father sent you on a fool's errand to capture the Avatar was because he didn't want you. He sent you because the Avatar hadn't been seen in the past one-hundred years and he wasn't expecting you to see him for another one-hundred years- but you got lucky. You got really lucky and it spawned this unhealthy obsession that is consuming you alive!" She finished with more anger than concern in her straining voice.

"The past week- ever since you let go of-of all of this? Don't you realize how happy you were? How happy we were? Didn't you just feel a huge weight lifted off your shoulders?"

Zuko face twisted into a nasty scowl his hurtful tone now matching hers. His tone just as strained, chest heaving as he felt the anger boiling inside of him ready to unleash his infamous temper.

"What about you?" He lashed out stepping forward in a threatening matter. She wanted to stand back yet managed to stand her ground proudly.

"You come down and judge me from your high ostrich-horse. You literally abandoned your family and for what? Why? Because a stranger asked you on a lame adventure?" He tossed a stretched-out arm to his uncle. "Because your grandfather kicked the bucket?" He scoffed ridiculing her life’s story.

She felt a pang on her already aching chest. She fought so hard against herself to stand tall and proud. Her nostrils flared as she gave him a dark hurtful look. Her eyes dull and empty.

"And what about your plan?" He pressed on. "Your dream plan is never going to happen, and you know it," he paused for a moment and scoffed. "Not unless the war ends, and you know that soon everything the light touches will belong to the Fire Nation. The truth is you left because you were bored of your unassumingly dull life in the colonies and that's why YOU were so happy here. Because you could blame our current circumstances as your excuse to tell yourself why you are never going to accomplish anything extraordinary. That's why you abandoned your dream!"

"ENOUGH!" Iroh uncharacteristically roared stepping in between the two arguing teenagers. Both of his hands stretched out as he separated them.

Her eyes were dark, lips parted, her eyes welled up with hurtful fat tears as his words sank into her thick skin ripping into it like painfully dull knives. He had been more than mean. He had been cruel. It took Zuko a moment to realize just what he had done, the horrible things they had both said to each other.

A sudden explosion resounded in the crystal cave when Iroh was suddenly encased in a prison of crystal being unable to move. Zuko and Tsai were divided by a row of crystals with Iroh in the middle. Without a moment to react both quickly spun around and shifted into offensive stances. Zuko's eyes narrowing when he saw two Dai Li agents and Azula jump into the crystal cavern chamber.

"I expected this kind of treachery from Uncle." Azula commented drily then she tsk'd, "But Zuko, Prince Zuko, you're a lot of things, but you're not a traitor, are you?"

"Release him immediately." Zuko snapped in reply.

"It's not too late for you, Zuko." Azula continued persuasively, "You can still redeem yourself."

"The kind of redemption she offers is not for you." Iroh said firmly as he looked at his nephew.

Tsai had been standing very still. Her heart aching. As she tried to stand her grounds both physically and emotionally.

"Why don't you let him decide, Uncle?" Azula barked then she looked at Zuko imploringly, "I need you, Zuko. I've plotted every move of this day, this glorious day in Fire Nation history, and the only way we win is together. At the end of this day, you will have your honor back. You will have Father's love. You will have everything you want and have ever wanted."

It was completely the opposite of what his girlfriend and uncle had just said to him. He was stuck in the middle of two opposite ends. Stuck between good and evil. Right and wrong. Pinned between a wall and a sword.

"Don't listen to her!" Tsai suddenly stepped up. "You can't trust her!"

"Zuko, I'm begging you." Iroh pleaded from where he was trapped by the crystals and Zuko looked at him, "Look into your heart and see what it is that you truly want." Iroh pleaded.

"Zuko please!" Tsai begged him. Literally pleaded to him her voice cracking "Please don't do this!"

Her voice wasn't the only thing cracking.

"You shut your mouth you colonial mongrel. Dare you speak to my brother like that!" Azula barked. "Your mere existence is a disgrace to the Fire Nation!" She made a gesture and before Crystals around her moved trapping her in a glass prison similar to Iroh’s. She kept her neck raised up afraid that if she lowered it would puncture.

Azula gestured at the two Dai Li agents, who then Earth bended themselves out of the chamber while Zuko contemplated his choice.

"You are free to choose." Azula stated with a small smirk and she turned, following after Aang and Katara.

It took him a moment but Zuko lowered his eyes his eyes as he walked out of the chamber. A single tear slid down Tsai's face as he walked out. She felt all the air leave her lungs as if she had been punched to the gut. Her heart shattering at his betrayal. She swallowed her pride and her breathing became aggressive before her limbs went numb and cold, suddenly feeling as if they were made out of cinder and stone. Her heart shattering on the spot alongside any illusions of dreams of happiness in the future. She had lost everything.

Zuko had just abandoned the chamber betraying the two of them without turning back.

There was a moment of heavy silence in which the only sound that could be heard were the weak sniffles and cries of the broken-hearted girl.

"So that's what you're going to do," Iroh spoke after a minute of heavy silence.

"Just stand there and cry," he commented sadly. She tiptoed being able to speak properly. "N-No," she let out a weak howl.

"Let him walk away." He continued pressing on like her conscience.

She was quiet for a moment as she sniffled the incoming angry hot tears.

"You didn't ask me to come with you with the promise of adventure," she said. "You asked me so I could fall in love with him. Change him." The realization hit her like a ton of bricks. She almost felt broken. A part of her shattering under the crushing cruel reality.

Iroh was silent for a moment.

"I thought he could change. That he would choose good. That he would choose you." He said, his voice soft.

Tsai nodded her head slightly, "Right…" She trailed off for a moment. "I have lost everything," she confessed. "My family, my brother, myself and most importantly my dream and for what?" She cried. Her voice louder angrier dripping with frustration.

"You have your own destiny to fulfil Tsai and it may or may not be alongside my nephew, but it you must keep fighting."

There was a heavy silence between them and Iroh lowered his head. Everything really was lost... It took her a moment for her tears to cease.

"You're right." She said determined. She rolled her eyes to look at Iroh who simply nodded at her, his eyes closed a faint smile on his face.

Feeling a sudden surge of inner empowerment and snapping out of her momentarily depression, a determined look blazed in her eyes. Iroh saw how she came back to life from her depressive wilt. She flashed a blade and began angrily chipping at the crystal that kept her prisoner. Some moments later she was free.

"Alright," she opened her palm stretching out her fingers they each let out a satisfying pop as she did. "Ready? Move aside," she said with a sly grin raising both of her hidden blades. Today they were going to take down the Fire Nation.

“Tsai,” Iroh said her name sagely. “After you free me… I’m afraid I still have to ask more from you.”

xxx

Iroh reached a clearing which was destroyed. Shards of crystal, rock, water and rock and other debris coated the clearing. At the end of one side opposite to a stream right under a prison of gleaming crystals kneeled a defeated Katara. Her eyes reflected a broken soul as she held the Avatar's limp, pale body in her arms. Zuko and Azula rounded her as they got ready to strike without mercy.

Suddenly, a burst of orange fire flashed before them shielding Katara and Aang from Azula's fire blast. Katara, Zuko, and Azula all turned to stare in surprise as Iroh leapt off a ledge on the chamber's wall, landing in front of the Avatar protectively.

"You've got to get out of here!" Iroh shouted at Katara who was struggling to carry Aang to the waterfall, "I'll hold them off as long as I can!"

"Very moving uncle," Azula said mockingly. "And your accomplice?" She looked around and did not realize the girl from the colonies was standing so close to her. Right in between the two siblings.

“Right here.” She said darkly.

The siblings turned to face her, ready to attack. Her blades gleaming in the dim light reflecting off the crystals. Her eyes were swollen from crying and angry as she instead ran forwards towards the Dragon of the West. Behind them Katara carrying the Avatar in her arms climbed the waterfall in a body of water in an attempt to escape.

Zuko’s jaw loosened when he saw her raise a blade at his uncle

“Go get her!” She cried out as she dodged a fire ball Iroh shot in her direction and ducked before sliding across the floor cooly and easily reaching her target.

Zuko’s eyes went wide when she grasped Iroh’s robe in a tight fist and brought the sharp blade to his neck. His Uncle opened his mouth and breathed a fierce stream of flames out from his mouth. Azula noted how she shiftily kicked one of his feet from underneath and using her weight pushed against his opposite shoulder while somehow ungracefully dodging the flames making the man quickly collapse on his back.

She had him pinned to the ground a foot stepping on his chest a sharp blade tightly pressed underneath his fat chin.

The Avatar had gotten away.

“Traitor!” She let out a heart splitting roar. Her shout echoing and resounding the nooks of the Crystal Cave. Her breathing hard as she painfully heaved over the older man. Her bottom lip trembled as a lost tear slid down the bridge of her nose. The pain almost too unbearable. Her hand holding the shaky blade trembling slightly.

She was hurt. His eyes were cold as they looked into her dark ones. Tears threated to once again spill from the windows of her soul.

“What are you doing?” Azula laughed cruelly.

“M-My best…” Tsai said in a whisper more to herself eyes wide in disbelief at what she was about to do. It took her a moment to compose herself before she stepped off the man’s large body.

“He’s a traitor!” She said louder finally turning to look at the Fire Nation siblings. Azula suddenly began to laugh and clapped her hands. “Very, very dramatic.” She said with humor.

“He’s a traitor to our Nation and must be punished!” Tsai spoke through a strained breath.

“And so are you.” Azula snapped her fingers and both Iroh and Tsai were once again encased in two giant crystals prisoners of the Fire Nation. Iroh surrendered with honor lowering his hands while Tsai struggled.

Zuko’s eyes darted from Iroh to Tsai in shocking disbelief. Iroh had his eyes closed and turned his head away from his nephew. The red head did the same not wanting to meet his perturbing gaze.

Xxx

"We've done it, Zuko." Azula said gleefully as she plopped herself done on the Earth Kingdom throne, Zuko standing quietly to her left, "It's taken a hundred years, but the Fire Nation has finally conquered Ba Sing Se.”

"I betrayed Uncle ..." Zuko commented quietly as he stared at the ground blankly. "And Tsai…" he said a little more quietly to himself. He was… confused.

Her actions. It didn't seem like her. It went against everything she stood for.

The way she threw herself and attacked his uncle like some wild animal. He still found it hard to believe.

It wasn't her. Something wasn't right…

His heart clenched in pain when he remembered the pained look in her eyes as she stared him with a ghostly expression on her face.

"No, he betrayed you." Azula replied coolly as she stood and she turned to look at her brother, "Zuko, when you return home, Father will welcome you as a war hero."

"But I don't have the Avatar." Zuko stated in confusion and he glanced at his sister skeptically, "What if Father doesn't restore my honor?"

"He doesn't need to, Zuko." Azula said in almost nice tone and she put her hand on Zuko's shoulder, "Today, you restored your own honor."

Zuko looked away from her, his lips pursed with uncertainty.

"So," Azula said suddenly intrigued. "Your girlfriend-" She began.

"She's not my girlfriend." Zuko growled out through gritted teeth. At least not anymore. At least not after that fight… That betrayal.

Azula chuckled being the vile creature she was. "The way she came after Uncle. I really thought the fat man was done for."

Zuko remained silent. He didn't want to see her. He didn't even want to think about her.

"So what's her deal? Did she follow you around like a lost puppy from her pitiful colonial life? Hm?" Azula continued to press that hot red button.

"…Yeah," Zuko agreed after a moment. Half of him agreed in anger. The other half lied through his teeth. Despite their fight - he couldn't let Azula hurt her.

It was best to have her believe whatever she wanted.

"Pathetic." Azula scoffed cruelly.

Again, he responded with a heavy silence.

"At least she's got a good head. For a time, there I had her pegged as a traitor, just like uncle."

He'd had heard enough. It made him sick. His stomach twisted with ill feelings before dramatically storming off.

Xxx

The two most infamous traitors to the Fire Nation were being kept in separate cells in the Fire Nation's Royal Navy ship. Both of their hands and feet had been cuffed with Earth cuffs and Tsai's hidden blades had been taken away from her making her feel more naked and vulnerable than ever.

Because of this she kept her body pressed against one of the prison's walls making herself small. She knew that Iroh was doing the same on the other side.

Neither had said much throughout the entire night.

"Iroh?" Tsai suddenly asked.

She kept on replaying the events of the day in her head. Today had started as such a perfect day and had now ended… well like this… She didn't think she could reach an even lower, rockier bottom. “Are you sure what we did… Do you think we made the right decision?” She asked hesitation in her voice.

She remembered the little plan they had crafted in the spur of the moment.

Xxx

She raised an eyebrow, half not paying attention as she chipped away in an attempt to liberate his body from the crystal prison.

“I’m going to ask you to betray me.” He said ominously.

“What?” She questioned an aghast expression of disbelief on her face.

Iroh was suddenly free from the crystals and calmly stepped out. She looked beyond confused and he pulled out a white Pai Sho chip from the inside of his sleeve. Suddenly it felt like they hadn’t played in ages. She took her hand and placed it inside of her palm wrapping her fingers around it. It was the White Lotus, one of the rarest chips in the game of Pai Sho. A strong game chip that could change the entire outcome of any game if played well.

“I need you to return to the Fire Nation…”

“What?” Somehow, she hadn’t been able to wrap her mind around the idea. Part of her felt as if she was hallucinating. Her mind and heart racing. This went against everything she stood for now. All of her growth, everything she had learned about the vile origins and horrible crimes that her people had done. How could she return back to that? She also doubted that they would receive her with open arms.

“What-but- how- I… I don’t want to!” She cried out and suddenly felt like a very small child. “I don’t want to!” She protested in a childlike matter. “I give up! I’ve lost everything already!” The hot rivers of tears began to once again spill down her face.

Breaking him out of a crystal prison was one thing but this-

"I-I can't do it," she spoke, her voice cracking.

“You have nothing to lose then…” he said sternly with a serious expression on his face. One that made her feel as if she had no choice.

“Do you want them to win?” He leaned in.

“N-No,” she sobbed and began to aggressively wipe her tears again.

“Then listen carefully and do as I say…”

Iroh leaned in and together they concocted a plan to sabotage the Fire Nation. However, their meeting was interrupted by a horrifying scream echoed the chambers of the cave.

"That sounded like Katara!" She said and looked at Iroh with panic.

He gave her a knowing look and he sprinted out of the chamber leaving her truly alone.

Xxx

“Tsai,” Iroh said ominously.

“There’s something else you should know.” He said quietly.

Again, he was silent for a moment. She heard him open his mouth and croak out two simple words.

"Your hair..."

xxxx AN: Wow.... This was more painful than I expected 🥺😭 I’ll admit I debated whether Tsai should runaway with Team Avatar and go rouge but it was too predictable. I also considered making her turn evil but it goes against all of her growth so- here we are. We have a spy amongst our hands. Things should be interesting... 👀

FIRST https://gloves94.tumblr.com/post/621142853126602752/sunburn-prince-zuko-1

NEXT https://gloves94.tumblr.com/post/621569264636362752/sunburn-prince-zuko-21

PREV https://gloves94.tumblr.com/post/621326239834275840/sunburn-prince-zuko-19

CHAPTER MASTERLIST

[silvergolddraco28]

Looking for help for a story I am doing called Gem in the Sunlight. It’s Aladdin style with Celestia as the main character.

Here’s the opening for the first chapter.

The full moon shined bright over the Everfree Forest. Deep in the forbidding wilderness, a clearing started to form, revealing an unnatural path that was built by creatures of intelligence. At the end of this path laid the oddly formed opening to a cave. The entrance of this cave was carved out of stone to look like that of a giant bear head with its jaws wide open. And resting on the forehead of this carving was the image of an eight-pointed golden star. The cave was designed specifically to resemble that of an Ursa Major.

Out of the midnight sky descended a dark object. A black chariot, with spiked blood red wheels, and one sole occupant in a black robe at the reins. The vehicle was pulled by a single crimson red dragon, that was no bigger than a teenager of his kind. As the chariot landed on the stone path, it came to a screeching halt that could only be compared to metal against a chalkboard. The cloaked figure stepped off the chariot and pulled the hood off his head to reveal his face to the starlit sky. He was a unicorn stallion with a smoke gray coat and jet black mane and tail. He had glaring red eyes. And a set of red crystal quartz for a cutie mark.

"Here's your stop, Sombra!" a red dragon announced breaking the silence of the night

"Good work Garble. But make it a smoother landing next time!" The stallion, Sombra, scowled at the red dragon now identified as Garble.

"Whatever, geezer.” Garble grumbled unhitching himself from the chariot.

Sombra turned his head to look down the path, his ruby eyes gazing directly at the cave with a grin slowly spreading on his muzzle. ‘Finally, after all these years, the object hidden within would be mine!’ Sombra thought.

"Hey Sombra, remind why we came to 'this hole in a rock' again." Only for the ignorant dragon with rocks on the brain to break the unicorn from his thoughts.

"Because this is where the Goldstar Amulet is kept. After 30 years of searching, it is finally within my grasp." An exasperated Sombra said for the nth time this night to the rock brained dragon. ‘Honestly why do I even keep him around?’

The unicorn proceeded to walk forward towards the cave. He was a short distance away from the entrance when something stopped him. A bright purple aura started to glow from the carving's eyes. It expanded into a dome around the cave with white stars on it that, when connected, formed the Ursa constellation. When completely formed, I looked like a sphere display of the starry sky.

The ground started to shake beneath Sombra's hooves. He turned his gaze to the nearby line of trees. Making its way through the forest, was a large, lumbering, dark figure. When it was close by, the shaking stopped. The creature stood up on its hind legs and broke the top of the tree line. In the moonlight, it was revealed to be a full-grown Ursa Major. The star on its forehead glowed sapphire-blue as it towered over Sombra and Garble.

The creature spoke, "Who dares defile these sacred grounds?."

Sombra looked up and responded, "I am Sombra, Unicorn Sorcerer!."

"What do you seek here?" asked the Ursa.

Sombra answered one again, "I seek the amulet that lies within."

The starry creature growled at the intruder then declared. "This place is protected by Ancient and Old magic against the unworthy. The only one mare who is worthy may enter, 'The Gem in the Sunlight'."

With that, the dome around the cave vanished and the Ursa retreated back into the forest. Sombra turned around angry, ‘a mare! A weak pathetic mare is worthy enough to enter this place yet I am not!? No matter… I will simply do what I always do: manipulate from the shadows.’ Sombra thought to himself.

Sombra stopped at his chariot and Garble spoke up. "What now old-timer?."

Sombra gave the teenage dragon a glare. "A minor setback. I will not let one pony deny me what is rightfully mine. Especially a weak mare." The pony snarled. The sorcerer pulled the hood of his robe back over his head and boarded the chariot. With a slap of the reins, Garble took off into the night sky. It looked like Sombra had a new challenge to face. ‘Just you wait ‘Gem in the Sunlight’... soon… soon you will help me get that amulet.’ “Let’s return to Canterlot Palace. I have something I need to do to obtain my goal.”

[nad-zeta]

(Part 1) Hi hi could I ask for a match up? I'm an ISFP and Sagittarius. I can be goofy and sarcastic when I'm with people I'm comfortable with. I tend to be quiet and serious when I'm with strangers/focusing on my work. I'm also somewhat of a smol and violent person that knows how to defend herself lol. My intuition to judge someone bc off their vibes are usually correct but even so I can be dense when it comes to romance or basic needs. I don't even notice cuts I get till a day later lol

Hehe lolz now I know your secret identity! Anyways thanx for the request love! I hope you enjoy it! And I hope you are staying safe and well!

So I match you with………………………. Masamune

The first time the two of you interact was when he had a sword at your throat, asking you who you were and where you were from. You were shook! This man must be a complete psycho. You managed to get out your name, reiterating the story you had told Mitsunari and Nobunaga about you coming from the future. You low key thought he wasn’t going to believe you and just kill you. You were surprised, however, when he just shrugged, seethed his sword, and welcomed you to the past. The two of you chatted for a bit, and then he just left. He was definitely a rollercoaster mixed with the winds of a wild hurricane

The two of you are out in the market, joking and chatting. Masamune had visited you a few times since, and the two of you were now best buds. Masa made it his personal mission to show you 500 cool things from the past. The two of you went to a famous teahouse, well, according to Masa anyways. The place was packed, and the aroma of tea and baked goods filled the air. Masamune left you for a few minutes to go order the two of you tea. When all of a sudden, some total perv started hitting on you. You ignored him best you could and just waited for Masa to come back, but this creepo was not getting the hint. That’s when you lost your temper. You stood up abruptly; all eyes were now on the two of you. You told him if he muttered one more word to you, you would not be liable for the consequences. Needless to say, the creepo perv just kept talking to you; that’s when you grabbed his arm and flipped him. Once he was on the ground, you held his arm and placed your foot between his shoulder blades. This guy had pissed you off so much; you wished nothing more than to break his arm in two.

Masamune went to the counter to order the two of you some tea. He heard a commotion behind him and quickly turned around to see what was happening. His ocean blue eye widened in surprise as he had caught the exact moment that you had taken down some sleazy looking dude and now looked like you were going to pop his arm out its socket. Masa’s crystal blue eye gleamed in delight, he knew you were going to be a lot of fun. You had promised to surprise him, and seeing you flip a guy three times your size went beyond a surprise. He Leisurely walked over to you, holding the two teas in his hands. He couldn’t help but grin at you like a mad man. “Looks like you handled that all on your own kitten, you definitely are an amusing lass.” Masamune defused the situation by handing you your tea and grabbing you by the waist. He led you outside so the two of you could sit together and drink tea in the sun. Cue masa teasing the shit out of you for being smol but feisty. The two of you spent the rest of the tea date goofily making jokes and drinking tea.

One day while the two of you were out in the market, you heard a pleading cry for help. You stopped looking around, trying to locate the source of the sound. You and Masamune were on your way to your favorite tea house to chill and goof off work for a while. You carried on walking when you heard the sound again, you stopped abruptly and pulled Masa’s sleeve to get him to stop as well. He peered into your eyes questioningly, when finally, he to had heard what had brought you to a stop. It sounded like a cat in pain. You looked at him pleadingly. Masa simply gave you a dazzling smile, “Alright, lass, let’s go and find the poor kitten.” The two of you continued to listen while you walked, trying to locate the cat in need. Masa then stopped in front of a shop, you looked up at him, and he nodded his head in the direction of the shop. It was a shop that sold animal fur. The two of you walked around the shop, pretending to browse. You were feeling sick to your stomach, looking at the various animal rugs and coats. You had heard the sound again, coming from the back. You snuck to the backroom while the store owner was conversing with Masamune, and what you saw made you so angry. A baby tiger sitting chained up in a tiny cage, he looked so hungry and thirsty. You gave him some water, and some food from a bento meant to be delivered to Mitsunari. Your heart broke in two just, looking at the poor guy, and just as you were about to set the little cub free, the owner walked into the backroom with Masamune. Needless to say, the man was not happy that some random girl was in the back; luckily for you, Masamune covered for you. The two of you pretended to be in a relationship. The shop owners continued his conversation with Masamune about intending to turn the little cub into a small rug. Masamune’s face was stone cold; he shook the owner’s hand and asked if he could think about it. The two of you then left the store; you were on the verge of tears when Masa gave you a daring smile and said, “Let’s plan a jailbreak over tea.” You couldn’t help but instantly light up in happiness. The two of you met Mitsunari at the tea house to give him the bento, poor boy hadn’t eaten since breakfast the day before. Although the poor boy just had to settle for half a bento, oops, you couldn’t help wanting to help a tiger in need. The two of you had told Mitsunari precisely what had just gone down at the fur shop, and Mitsunari’s eyes lit up; he definitely wanted to help. So, the three of you planed the cub’s daring escape over tea and dumplings.

The three of you went back to the store, but this time Masamune and Mitsunari would act as a distraction while you snuck through the back to set the cub free. The little guy was so happy; it started purring when it saw you come back for him. You whispered that he had to be quiet and not move until you could open the cage and set him free. You waited by the door for Mitsunari to swipe the cage and chain keys from the shops counter. Mitsunari appeared with the keys moments later; he said that the two you had to hurry as Masamune was starting to lose his patience with the shop owner. The two of you opened the cage door and undid all the chains. The little tiger cub leaped into your arms, licking you happily. You and Mitsunari snuck back out the back of the store with the cub gladly in your arms. Mitsunari went to the front of the store to signal Masamune that the cub had been safely extracted. Masamune left midway through the owner’s conversation. The three of you walked back to the palace wearing big smiles for a plan well executed. The next obstacle, however, would be to get mom and dad’s approval to keep the new pet. Dad Nobunaga’s approval was easy to get with enough bags of candy, but mama Yoshi was a bit trickier.

Guess who just so happened to be waiting at the gate for the three of you to arrive home safe. Hideyoshi was not pleased by the fact that you guys had brought a wild animal home with you. That is until you and Mitsunari explained the situation. Hideyoshi was still not happy, but he did also have a soft spot for animals. Plus, the fact that Masamune offered to care for it sweetened the deal, as Hideyoshi thought perhaps this would help ground Masamune a bit more. The three of you were so happy when Mama Yoshi agreed. The baby tiger was now sleeping peacefully in Masamune’s arms. The arms of his new dad. You visited Masa every day to play with the little cub, even feeding it and taking it for walks. Masamune had also grown fond of the little thing, but what made him most happy was the fact that he got to see you every day.

Your friendship slowly but surely began to morph into a full-blown relationship with the one-eyed dragon. You don’t have to even worry about being dense about romance or Masa’s basic needs cause Masamune is a very forward guy and tells you exactly what he wants and how he is feeling. He loves his lil kitten and will spoil you rotten. He will put so much love and effort into making sweets for you to share on your tea dates. This boy loves your drawings and writings and will often steal them straight out of your sketchbook and hang them up in his room, displayed for all to see. He loves receiving letters from you when he is off fighting. He will send you back poems of how much he misses you

All and all, you are the cutest couple around, always having fun and joking around. Whenever the two of you are together, lots of laughs and good times follow. The two of you could often be found playing with your lil tiger cub or cuddled in each other’s arms, just enjoying a lazy day together.

Other Potential matches..................Nobunaga 

Thanx Love; hope you enjoyed it!

[stars-and-rose]

The Sides Become the Roman Protection Squad

ITS ROMANS BIRTHDAY!!MY FAVORITE BOYS BIRTHDAY!!!! DID Y’ALL REALLY THINK I WASN’T GOING TO WRITE SOMETHING FOR HIM???

Fandom: Thomas Sanders/Sanders Sides

Parings: it was meant to be platonic LAMP (because that’s what I’ve been doing for these birthday one-shots) but it can be read as romantic because I cannot control myself

Summary: Patton, Virgil and Logan have been preparing for Romans birthday for an entire month. If only they could find the birthday boy.

Word Count: 2,337

Trigger Warnings: Descriptions of injuries, bleeding, mentions of surgery and stitches, mention of needles, Virgil curses out dragon, character is unconscious

 "Patton, will you please stop pacing?"

Patton stopped in his tracks and turned to face Logan, who was leaning against the doorframe with the faintest amount of concern in his eyes. "Sorry, Lo! I'm just a little worried."

"You're more worried than I am," Virgil called from his position on the couch. "Which is saying something. What's going on?"

"Roman still hasn't come down yet!"

"It is his birthday. Knowing Roman, he's catching up on his beauty sleep. Nothing worth you fretting." Logan reasoned.

Patton sighed, plopping down in an armchair. "You're probably right- you usually are."

In the corner of his eyes, Patton noticed Virgil fiddling with his hoodie strings. "Now that Patton's mentioned it, I've felt off all morning. I thought it was the normal anxiety with deadlines and Thomas being social, but maybe it's not."

Logan sighed, pinching his nose. "If it will calm both of your nerves, I will go check on Roman."

Patton flashed the logical side his brightest smile. "If it's not too much of bother, could you?"

Logan gave a short nod, then turned and walked up the stairs. Patton watched him go until he was out of sight. Then, he looked over at Virgil. "Are you okay, Kiddo?"

Virgil nodded, letting go of his hoodie strings. "I'm good. What did you make for Roman's birthday?"

"Red velvet macarons! I've wanted to make macarons for a while now, and I know Roman loves red velvet, I decided to give it a shot! They turned out really nice, and I was able to make a gold paint splatter effect on them too!"

"Roman's gonna love them, Pat," Virgil replied.

Patton grinned. "I sure hope he does! What about you, Virge? What did you make?"

A soft smirk formed on Virgil's face. "I need to have some secrets, Pat. What I will tell you, however, is that I'm surprised my fingers are still in one piece after how many times I stabbed myself with a needle."

As Patton winced at the thought, footsteps echoed down the staircase. Both the moral and anxious sides turned to see Logan coming downstairs. "Is-"

Patton's voice died in his throat when he saw the troubled look on Logan's face. "Roman's not in his room-"

Virgil took a sharp intake of breath. "-then where-"

"-but the door to the imagination was left open."

Patton bounced up from his chair, taking the few steps between him and Virgil and resting a hand on the other's shoulder. "Well, Roman's probably in his domain! I think we should go check on him. Is that okay, Virgil?"

"Yeah. Let's go drag Princey out of his kingdom." Virgil decided, standing and shrugging Patton's hand off his shoulder. Patton glanced at Logan, who's concerned look was growing larger by the second. It was no secret that Virgil got defensive when he was anxious. The sooner they found Roman, the better.

Silently, Patton and Virgil followed Logan up the stairs.  The door to the imagination was next to Roman's room. Golden light peaked from the cracked open wooden door.

Patton pulled open the door and stepped into the golden light. He'd stepped through his door before- they all had. Roman regularly dragged the other sides through his beautiful kingdom.

Or, at least, what was usually beautiful.

Patton's mouth hung open as he studied the scenery. What was usually a crystal blue was a dark storm. What was usually lush green grass and bright flowers was dead grass and thorns. The air, which usually smelled sweet, reeked of death.

"Something's wrong. Something's very wrong." Virgil mumbled, his finger tangled through his hoodie strings.

"The imagination is linked directly to Roman's well-being. Which would mean-"

"Logan, shut up. I don't need to hear that." Virgil snapped.

Patton felt his heartbeat quicken.

"I'm going to kill that prick," Virgil muttered, dark eyes scanning the area. Suddenly, he took off running.

"Virgil!" Patton yelled. "What- where are you going?"

Logan grabbed Patton's arm. "Virgil has the best instincts out of the four of us. If he believes he can find Roman,  I reckon we should follow him."

Patton nodded, and he and Logan chased after Virgil. They raced through the brush, thorns tearing through clothing and heavy breaths escaping from their mouths. They almost crashed into Virgil, who had frozen in a mix of horror and fear.

When Patton saw what Virgil had, he almost vomited.

A dragon stood in the clearing, with voids for eyes and knives for teeth. The monster's scales were a hideous green that clashed with its red claws.

Wait. Its claws weren't naturally red. They were covered in blood.

Roman's blood.

The prince was crumbled in a heap on the ground, his sword inches away from his hand. His white shirt was covered in dark stains, and blood dripped down his cheek and clotted in his hair. His eyes were closed. His chest was barely moving.

Not a single word was uttered between the other three sides- none were needed. They simply burst into action.

Patton ran for Roman's unconscious body, throwing his cardigan behind him to Logan. When he reached the creative side, he bent down and scooped the prince into his arms. Blood splashed against his own shirt, but Patton didn't have the time to care. Roman's breathing was slowing and blood was still spilling. From his position in Patton's arms, Roman's wounds were visible. A gash across his chest and a twin cuts on his cheek and behind his hairline were causing most of the blood loss. Countless other bruises and nicks covered Roman's body.

With the prince's broken body cradled to his chest, Patton brought Roman back to Logan, who had torn Patton's cardigan into strips. As soon Patton laid Roman on the ground, Logan began to press the fabric to his wounds. The gray quickly turned red.

Meanwhile, Virgil had picked up Roman's abandoned sword. The anxious slide wielded the blade with flames in his eyes. "HEY FUCKER!"

The dragon's attention left the prince and the moral side and devoted itself purely to emo. Virgil felt the panic rise in this throat as he stared into the dragon's midnight eyes, but he swallowed it and shouted, "YEAH, I'M TALKING TO YOU!"

The green beast cocked its head in surprise. The dragon had apparently not been prepared for the prince to have backup.

Virgil waved Roman's sword around, surprised with how right it felt in his hand. "Fight or flight," he muttered under his breath and shook away the fear clogging his throat. He was not going to submit to his fear and panic. Roman needed him. So, he tightened his grip on the sword and charged for the dragon.

Patton had just handed Roman over to Logan when he saw Virgil going for the dragon. Not exactly thinking it through, Patton called out, "Hey! Mr. Dragon!"

The beast turned it's attention away from Virgil and stared at Patton. Taking a feet steps away from Logan and the injured prince, Patton yelled, "You know, it's not nice to attack people."

The dragon looked like it was lost in its confusion. It definitely wasn't prepared be lectured for attacking the loud prince.

"It's actually quite rude to try and kill people." Patton continued, crossing his arms. He kept his eyes on the beast but kept checking the corners of his vision for the speck of violet. "There are much more civil ways to handle issues than violence. Which is a bit hypocritical, I guess."

As the Dragon was trying to understand what the moral side had said, a sharp pain stung from its chest. It looked down to see the angry side from earlier pulling the sword from its gut. Virgil glared up at the dragon, his hands shaking and his grip of the now bloody weapon slipping.

Then, because things refused to make any sort of sense in the imagination, the Dragon exploding into golden light, leaving only a pile of ashes behind.

Virgil kicked the remains. "Eat shit."

Patton ran over to Virgil, checking his kiddo for any injuries. Other than a scrap on his knee from a thorn bush, Virgil was in good shape. The anxious side stared at Patton, obviously trying to comprehend what he had just done. "Did I-"

"-just slay the dragon?" Patton finished, a soft smile forming on his face. "You did. You really are our protector, Vee."

Virgil shook his head, hands still quaking a bit. "I am not thinking about that. Nope, not happening. What I'm going to do is chew out Roman for getting himself injured and scaring us and making me fight a god damn dragon."

"I suggest you refrain from chewing Roman out for now. He is in, for lack of a better term, shit shape." Logan called out, the said side held in his arms. "I managed to stop the bleeding, but I believe he needs stitches for the incision on his chest."

"I could probably do it. I sew my clothes, what's the difference between sewing cloth and someone's skin?"

"There are a thousand differences-"

"Sarcasm. But I think I can do it. But let's get him out of here before I panic and lose whatever adrenaline rush I'm on."

The three sides and their injured counterpart made the trek back to the door, the thorns fading into dust behind him and color returning to the sky. As soon as they entered the mind palace, Virgil scurried to his room to grab his supplies. Logan laid Roman, who was still out, on the couch that Virgil had been laying on only hours again.

"Patton, can you get me some fresh towels and some hydrogen peroxide?" Logan asked, removing the scraps of Patton's cardigan from Roman's wounds?

"Hydrogen peroxide?"

"Rubbing alcohol."

"Oh, gotcha Lo!" Patton ran off to the bathroom the four of them shared. He had to push away both Virgil and Roman's make-up bags to find the bottle he was looking for. Grabbing a towel from the cabinet, Patton ran back to Logan, giving the logical side the supplies.

As Logan began to clean Roman's gashes, Virgil appeared from upstairs, holding a black box. "Here starts the beginning and end of my career as a surgeon."

"Are you sure about this, Kiddo?"

         Virgil nodded, only hesitating for a few seconds. "Someone has to help this dumbass. Besides, it gives me something to put my nervous energy into."

        Patton placed a hand on his shoulders. "I'm proud of you, Virge."

        "Thanks, Popstar." Virgil shot Patton a finger gun with his free hand. Logan stood from Roman's side.

         "I finished cleaning his wounds. He's ready for stitches, Virgil, as long as you are."

       As Virgil walked over to the creative side, Logan came closer to Patton. "Would you like to get your macarons from the refrigerator and help me collect other food?"

        "Oh! Sure, Lo! But-"

         "I believe it's in our best interests if we allow Virgil to do this alone. He will only feel pressure if we sit here and observe. Furthermore, I doubt you would feel any delight in watching."

        Patton let out a quiet laugh. "Right as always, Lo."

        The two sides left for the kitchen, Patton pulling out his macarons and Logan searched the cabinets for what seemed to be protein bars. "Roman will need sugar when he awakens. It will help combat the effects of his blood loss."

       "Good thing I made all these macarons!" Patton replied, pulling the cover of his tray. Logan glanced over at the desserts.

       "Those look delectable, Patton. You've truly outdone yourself."

        A bright smile flashed on Patton's features. "Thanks! I wish that we were eating them to celebrate Roman's birthday, not to celebrate that he's not dead."

           Logan let out a humming noise as he set down the box of protein bars on the table. "That is an agreeable statement. Do you have everything you need Patton? I think Virgil will be done by now."

         Patton gripped his tray. "Mmhmm!"

        When they entered the commons, Patton almost let out a squeak of joy. Virgil had finished the impromptu surgery and currently had the creative side laying on the couch with his head in his lap. Virgil's fingers were brushing some of the blood out of Roman's hair.

       Then, Patton heard the myriad of curses coming from Virgil's mouth, and the moment became a bit less sweet. Though, Patton decided that Virgil deserved some cursing after the day.

     Logan sat down on the left of Virgil, handing the anxious side a protein bar. Virgil took the bar gratefully and bit into it. Patton sat on Virgil's right, leaning on the anxious side but adjusting himself so Roman still had room. He reached for the remote, and silently put on Heracles.

       Halfway through "Go the Distance", Patton noticed Roman's eyes slowly opening, confusion written in the brown.

          "Hey, Kiddo," Patton said. Virgil looked down at the side laying his lap, a relieved smile appearing for a few seconds. Logan's shoulders finally relaxed.

       "What- there was the dragon- how?" Roman mumbled.

         "We got you out of there, Princey," Virgil responded, wiping some of the dried blood from Roman's face.

           There were a thousand questions brimming in Patton's mind, but something told him it wasn't the time to ask. Roman looked so vulnerable, not even shying from Virgil's grip or demanding that he was all right. A glance between Logan and Virgil showed they both agreed. Questions were for later.

        Instead, Patton pulled out the macaroons and handed one to Roman. "Happy birthday Ro."

         The creative side blinked. "It's my birthday?"

         "Indeed," Logan said, leaning into Virgil and resting his hand against Roman's side.

         "Yeah, you went and almost died on your birthday,"  Virgil muttered.

         "Let's worry about that later, okay?" Patton replied.

        Roman nodded, taking a bite from the macaron. "These are delightful, Padre. Thank you."

         Patton smiled down at him. "Of course, anything for our prince."

        With Heracles playing the background and macarons being devoured, Patton allowed his smile to remain. Roman was safe, he was happy, and the four sides were going to celebrate the hell out of their prince.

      As soon as they were done cuddling, of course.

[camillemontespan]

gossip girl: cordonia’s elite [part three: marshmallow]

Warnings: Sexual harrassment. 

I’ve taken some liberties with the TRR canon.. you’ll see what I mean. 

************************************************************************************

Camille sipped her martini, eager to cloud any anxious thoughts that were racing through her mind. She wished she hadn't gotten at Bertrand but she had felt so furious about Maxwell's treatment. She shouldn't have gone to the Bash. She should have stayed home and prepared for university on Monday, like a good girl.

She noticed from her Gossip Girl notifications that someone had sent a photo of her at the Palace Hotel Bar. Whoever took the photo was now gone as Camille was the only person drinking.

Gossip Girl needed to get rid of that 'submit a post' option for her readers. Anyone could be paparazzi these days and Camille was sick of it. She knew that now she was back, Gossip Girl would be reporting on her every move.

'Hey trouble.'

Camille looked up to see Leo sauntering towards her. He gestured to the bartender. 'Can I have a scotch on the rocks, James?' he asked.

He slipped down beside Camille and studied her. Camille sighed. 'I thought you would be at the Bash. You can never resist a party.'

Leo chuckled. 'True. But I saw on Gossip Girl that you were here so I felt like saying hello. Give you a warm Leo welcome.'

Camille drained her glass and asked the bartender for a refill. 'Why do I feel like a warm Leo welcome is code for get Camille on her back?'

Leo shrugged and sipped his scotch. 'I'm Leo Sullivan.'

He eyed her and gave his best lazy smile, the one that made girls go gooey. 'You remember last time.'

Camille visibly shuddered. 'Please don't remind me.'

'I recall lots of screaming my name and back scratching.. Man, you tore my skin to ribbons-'

'Please just stop talking,' Camille interrupted. 'I'm not in the mood.'

Leo sipped more of his drink, his eyes looking at her over the rim of the glass. He placed the glass down on the bar, before gesturing for the bartender to leave. This was his family's hotel. He could do what he wanted.

'You're always in the mood,' he said.

'That was the old Camille,' she bit back, her voice laced with venom. 'I'm different now.'

Leo rolled his eyes and leaned over to tuck a lock of her hair behind her ear. 'I liked you better before,' he whispered, his hand snaking up her leg towards the space between her thighs.

Camille pushed him away. 'Leo! Get the fuck off me!'

'Come on, Cammy,' Leo teased. 'You know you want to. We're good together. I make you feel good, don't deny it. You want it really.'

His hands were snaking over her skin. Camille twisted her body, trying to get off her chair so she could escape but Leo's body formed a barrier.

'Come on, baby..' he said. 'I'll fuck you good and hard, just as you like it -'

'Get the fuck away from her!'

Leo and Camille looked around to see a dark haired guy standing at the threshold of the bar with his fists clenched. He looked extremely angry. Camille breathed a sigh of relief that she wasn't alone with Leo anymore.

Leo laughed bitterly and strolled towards the stranger, his hand up in defence. 'Who are you?' he asked. 'Why are you interrupting a private meeting in my bar?'

The stranger narrowed his eyes. 'Get away from her.'

'Seriously, who the fuck are you? Get out,' Leo replied, losing patience. He had Camille to fuck.

The guy launched forward and his fist connected with Leo's face. Leo fell to the ground, clutching his face as Drake stood over him. 'I'm fucking Drake Walker!' he shouted. 'I'm at the same university as you. I see you every fucking day. Leave her the fuck alone.'

Camille was gripping the edge of the bar. She didn't know what to do. But looking at him, at Drake, she recognised him from the train station. He had bumped into her and she had dropped her book. He had been really apologetic and awkward. She remembered he replied to her joke with 'nggggghhh..'

He was cute.

Leo got up awkwardly and gave Camille a cold look. He looked back to Drake then back to her before letting out a harsh laugh. 'Not worth my time,' he decided. He looked at Drake and smirked. 'She's a good fuck. But who wants damaged goods?'

Drake pulled him in by the shirt collar, fury burning in his eyes. 'Say that again.'

Leo blinked and stayed silent. A bruise was blooming over his right eye. 'Alright, let me go,' he croaked. 'Easy.'

Drake let him go and Leo skulked out of the bar.

                       ********************************************

Drake hadn’t meant to punch Leo. He hadn’t meant to get angry but when he had walked into the hotel bar and saw Camille struggling to get away from Leo who was saying such obscene things.. He saw red. How dare Leo treat her like that? Not only did it anger him that it was Camille who was being targeted, but Drake imagined his sister being put in the same position and he felt anger flood through his veins. 

Now, he was alone in the room with Camille and he felt like he had to explain himself. ‘Sorry, I didn’t mean to go crazy there..’ he muttered. ‘I just hate it when guys like him act entitled. He’s a prick.’

Camille surveyed him, her eyes looking him up and down. Drake sighed and closed his eyes, knowing he had blown it. He had looked like a crazy person. Turning to go, he moved back to the door but was stopped by her voice. 

‘Join me for a drink?’ 

He turned back and saw that she was smiling bashfully. ‘I owe you for saving me.’ 

Drake chuckled and walked to where she was sitting. Camille hopped off and went behind the bar, running her fingers along the bottles. ‘Which bottle should we take from the Sullivan’s collection?’ she mused. ‘I think Leo can put this towards his grovelling present.’

Drake sat down and watched her. She moved like water, fluid and light. ‘Which is the most expensive?’ he asked.

Camille laughed and picked out a bottle of whiskey. ‘This one.’

‘Nice choice.’

Camille opened the bottle and poured generous measures into crystal tumblers before handing one to Drake. Their fingers brushed and Drake felt the electric shock. Camille blushed and moved to sit next to him again. She clinked her glass against his. 

‘So, what’s your name?’ she asked. ‘Or do you not have one? Just a mysterious stranger who saves girls from creepy guys?’

Drake smirked. ‘It’s Drake. Drake Walker.’

Camille grinned. ‘Nice to meet you. I’m Camille Montespan.’

The fact that she assumed he didn’t know her name proved him right about one thing; she wasn’t arrogant like her friends. They sipped their drinks and sat in comfortable silence. 

‘You bumped into me at the train station,’ she said. ‘I remember you.’ 

‘Sorry about that,’ Drake apologised, blushing. ‘I wasn’t looking.’

‘It’s okay. I’m just saying that I remember you.’

But she didn’t remember him from their biology class in high school. That was the kicker. Drake thought to himself, trying to calm down his negative thoughts. They both looked different from high school; he was taller, broader and more muscled now. Her braces were gone. It was normal for her not to remember him like that. 

‘What do you study?’ she asked. She was so much better at making conversation than he was. Why was he so awkward? Why wasn’t he more forthcoming? Why wasn’t he sparkly and easygoing? 

‘English Lit,’ he told her. 

Camille’s face broke out into a grin. ‘Same! We’ll be in the same lecture on Monday then.’

‘Awesome,’ Drake said, trying to settle his pounding heart. Oh man. They were studying for the same degree. He would see her every day. As much as he wanted to see her every day, he still felt nervous. They would drink now but on Monday, she would pretend not to know him because that was how his life was. He expected this from people now; that way, he could avoid disappointment. 

‘Sit with me in the lecture hall?’ Camille asked hopefully. ‘I don’t know anyone on our course.’

Drake blinked. ‘Uhh… sure?’

Camille tossed back her whiskey. ‘Wow, be more enthusiastic, Walker.’ 

‘Sorry! Sorry! Yeah, that sounds great.’

Camille smiled. ‘Perfect. English buddies.’ 

‘Buddies, huh?’

Camille raised an eyebrow. ‘Drake, you defended me from Leo’s creepy advances, I think we’re buddies.’ 

‘Can we not call ourselves friends? Buddies sounds like a… 90s cop TV show.’ 

Camille rolled her eyes. ‘Okay, Drake. Friends. God, you’re such a marshmallow.’ 

Drake laughed and pushed her shoulder with his, feeling less self conscious now. Camille shot him a warm smile and poured them another drink. 

‘Bottoms up, marshmallow!’

‘I’m not a marshmallow.’

‘You so are. You defended my honour, ergo, marshmallow.’ 

‘I think you’ll find I’m a s’more.’

Camille burst out laughing and Drake revelled in the joy of it.

*******************************************************************************************

Olivia was helping herself to another vodka at the Beaumont Bash.  She was glad she hadn’t seen Camille and from what she saw on Gossip Girl, her ex-best friend hadn’t bothered to come to the Bash, instead choosing to drink alone. Pathetic. 

She had been trying her best to engage with Liam but he had seemed distracted. Twice she had caught him refreshing the Gossip Girl website on his phone, as if he was waiting for more notifications of Camille. 

Olivia spotted Leo stalk into the manor and head straight for the drinks selection. He poured himself a scotch and tossed it down his throat. He sported a purple bruise around his eye which hadn’t been there when she had last seen him. 

‘What happened to you?’ she asked him. 

Leo touched his eye gently and winced. ‘Nothing.’

‘Okay, liar.’

‘I mean it. Nothing. A fucking nobody sucker punched me.’ 

Olivia frowned. ‘What did you do to deserve that?’

Leo glowered, not wanting to answer the question. Olivia knew not to push him. She knew Leo more than most people. 

She knew what his hands felt like against her skin.

She knew what her name sounded like on his lips.

She knew that his lips were soft.

She knew he smelled like sandalwood. 

Only Olivia knew these things, these things they had both shared. Liam didn’t know that Olivia had lost her virginity to Leo when they were seventeen. It was the dark secret she kept locked in her heart. 

Despite being with Liam for so many years, she hadn’t been faithful. It had been a mistake, she knew that now. It had been a drunken night, reckless, chaotic. She had instantly regretted it. Loyalty was a big deal for her and she had gone against everything she believed in when she spread her legs for Leo Sullivan. 

But as she watched Liam from across the room who was unable to peel his eyes away from his phone, she did wonder: why are we still together?

*******************************************************************************************

Drake walked Camille home. She lived on the other side of Cordonia, right by the harbour, but he didn’t mind. It was nice just to walk with her, talking about everything they could think of. So far, they had debated about which American football team was better (Camille was pleased to discover a fellow American), talked about her grandmother, his mom being away and Texas. They had covered a lot of ground. 

When they reached her door, Camille smiled up at him. ‘Thank you for saving my night,’ she said. ‘Seriously. I was having a bad time. But you made it good again.’ 

‘No problem, Montespan,’ he said, shuffling on his feet. 

‘Look at you calling me by my last name like you’re not a marshmallow,’ she teased. ‘So cute.’

‘I’m not a marshmallow!’ he protested. 

Camille stuck her tongue out and Drake resisted the urge to pull her in for a kiss. He was rejecting every single part of him that longed to take her in his arms and kiss her. This wasn’t the moment. They had only really just met. Plus, she had already been harrassed by another guy tonight; she didn’t need another. 

‘I’ll see you Monday,’ she said quietly, her brown eyes penetrating his. 

‘See you Monday,’ he croaked. There was a silence and then Camille turned on her heel and opened the front door, calling out, ‘Grandma, I’m home!’ 

‘You’re home early!’ Drake heard her grandmother say. ‘Taxi?’

‘No, a nice guy dropped me home!’

Drake chuckled and sloped off down the street. A nice guy. 

*******************************************************************************************

Good morning, Cordonians.  Heavy heads this morning? I thought so, after last night’s Beaumont Bash.  Thank you to my source, Camille didn’t even bother attending- does this mean Beaumont Bashes are now defunct? Do you really want to go to a Bash if she isn’t going to be there? 

I hear that she was drinking whiskey until the early hours with a mysterious stranger. How quaint. Perhaps after three years, Camille is over the glamorous debauchery of elite society and has decided to try out what the rest of Cordonia has to offer? What glittering heights can he show her? A bottle of whiskey and witty banter? Who knows, but I’ll be watching. 

I’ll be watching all of you, as you know.  Now, pound that ibuprofen or order a Bloody Mary. As the always elegant Elizabeth Taylor said: ‘Put on some lipstick and pull yourself together.’

You know you love me.

GG

[ff15trashgoldenslumbers]

So recall some of the stories about me being Urban Snow White, well...this just kinda popped into my head…

~~~~~

You let out a shriek as the wall beside you exploded from the cannon fire of Nieflhelm ships. Putting your arms up to block your face you let out a few coughs, as your eyes began to tear up. Removing one of the bows from your tea dress you pressed it against your mouth and continued moving through the palace.

King Regis had explained that he knew that Neflihelm would attack and he was actually going to send both yourself and Noctis away prior to it happening but unfortunately the attack happened prior than anyone could imagine. You tried not to think of Lunafreya and Nyx trying their hardest to keep King Regis and his Shield, Clarus alive after the betrayal of Titus Drautos further in the castle when you had run off without a word.

You heard the call of the crystal asking for more life, and you knew that it was asking for either Noctis or Regis and you wouldn’t allow for that to happen! Pulling yourself up over the destroyed west wall of one of the waiting rooms, you gasped seeing the blue blur of Noctis, along with his three other friends against a large flaming creature. You weren’t certain as to what exactly it was, it looked to be a man tall enough to almost eclipse the sun, with large horns and an almost red glow to him.

Picking up your dress you raced to the battle, ignoring the danger you were in. Only to gasp as the large creature grabbed a hold of you when aiming for Prompto.

“My, my the future Princess, how exciting.”

You turned noticing a redhead man not far below you, only to gasp, “Chancellor Ardyn?”

“You’ve heard of me, how wonderful. Please, Ilfrit make the future Princess comfortable while we deal with her beloved and his friends.” Ardyn chuckled.

You twisted and turned, calling for Noctis and the other to ignore you and handle Ardyn. But that seemed to fall on deaf ears, Noctis loved you so much that he was ready to take out any and all in his way. So with a beautiful combo move between the four, you suddenly found yourself within the Prince’s arms.

“Gladio!” Noctis called, handing you over to his Sheild.

You tried fighting away from the Shield but Gladiolus was so strong. You weren’t a fighter by any means, in fact, Prompto had stated that he was certain that doves prepared your hair every morning, and that he was certain you were a fairy tale princess. Even Ignis had stated on occasion that you might be even more sweeter than Lunafreya. Never a harsh word or anger marked your face, you were so extremely patience and he found that you bought out the best in Noctis.

“Gladiolus, please.” You huffed trying to escape his arm.

“Sorry Princess under…”

Gladiolus wasn’t able to finish as Ilfrit suddenly swung, he didn’t catch anyone this time but the wave of his attack sent everyone flying.

You let out a squeak, as it seemed that Gladiolus had shielded you perfectly, but the attack left him dazed for a bit. You looked around the battlefield, both Prompto and Ignis were attempting to pick themselves up, also in the same state as Gladiolus. Your eyes scanned the rest of the once beautiful courtyard, only to see Ardyn stalking up to an incomposite Noctis, who had landed in a bush of roses.

You weren’t really thinking when you rushed across the field, kicking your heels off. You knew how to run in them, but right now you need as much speed as you could get. Your eyes widen as you saw a flash of red in Ardyn’s hands and then a sword appears, rising up above the man’s head. You hardly made it before Noctis, arms held out as the sword came down, only to stop just before connecting with your brow.

“It’s not every day that the Princess saves the Prince. Do step aside my dear, this does not concern you.”

You glared harder at the man, a look that didn’t fit your face, turning as you heard a grunt from Noctis, attempting to push himself up using his sword. You knelt beside the man cupping his face, he was fine, but that last attack would take a bit for the others to recover, right now it was up to you. Taking the sword from Noctis you clumsily held it before you, it was so heavy and you knew you couldn’t keep it up.

Ardyn chuckled as black begun to pour from his eyes. “So you are the last defense of the Great Kingdom, my how tragic.”

“Why have you returned? What business do you have here!” You barked, “You have no fight against your brother’s line, you also wish to harm what little is left of your love?”

Ardyn swung his sword, only for it clang against the one in your hands, sending an uncomfortable ring throughout your body. “What do you know, Child?”

You readjust your grip on the sword, trying to ignore the tingles within your hands, “The first Oracle, placed on the Earth by the gods had requested for those same gods to help her, but you know how the gods can be, everything must come at a price. The Oracle line was split down the middle, Lady Lunafreya who is the guiding light, and my family...”

Ardyn chuckled, “You have gone insane child.”

You felt your hands sweating, “Please let there be no more bloodshed, haven’t you fought long enough?”

Ardyn rose his sword again, this parrying it from your hands before you knew what to do. “You know nothing about me child.”

“I do not.”

Ardyn sneered as you stood your ground, holding your arms out, the scene so familiar to so long ago. For a moment his lost love flashed before his eyes in the spot you stood. He saw the same sweet face trying to appear angry, but all he saw was determination to save what she loved.

Too bad, that the part of him that cared was long dead.

“You’ve caused quite the interlude, but the show must go on. I’ll give you one more chance to run.”

You stood your ground, lips pressed in a fine line, trying to appear dangerous, but he saw the worry in your eyes. He had seen it many a time, fear of death. Something he had never truly felt.

“Do you have any final words, Princess?”

You released your stance of protection, staring him head-on. “Yes, only one.” You rose your head and in the loud voice anyone had heard you call, “BABIES!”

The entire battlefield was confused, even more so when the god of fire was suddenly taken down by two large creatures. A white creature quickly busied itself, floating over Noctis and the other, sprinkling a cloud of dust that got them back on their feet. Yourself suddenly surrounded by thousands of thousands of feathers, at your feet a small green creature. While large arched back creatures appeared in the shadows, crackling with energy.

“Everyone thank you so much for coming.” You cooed, as the white blur appeared beside you, showing it was a moogle. “Would you please see to that King and everyone are fine?”

“Kupo!”

You turned to the Tonberry at your feet, “Please go with her.” Your eyes turned to the thousands of feathers surrounding you, showing them to be Chocobos. “Everyone please assist those out in the streets, they are simply civilians. You four, please place these on the outskirts of the barriers to stop any further sources from coming forward.”

The Chocobos let out thrills as they raced off to do their job.

“Y/N?” Noctis called approaching you with the others.

“Oh, thank goodness you’re okay.” You cooed, arms wrapped tightly around his shoulders. “Oh, Ladies, please find the man in the suit of armor. I’m certain that we would like to have a word with him.”

It was at this moment that they realized the creatures within the shadows were Courels who let out roars as they raced into the Citadel now on the hunt.

“And you two.” You looked towards the large creatures holding off Ilfirt and Ardyn, showing a Cerberus and large behemoth. “Do take care of these two.”

You had expected for Ilfirt to put up more of a fight, but the annoying bug you were left with was Ardyn. He went to swipe at the Behemoth, only to find something tugging his arm. Turning he saw a chain of blinding white light, it pulled back causing him to drop the sword. In his fight to free himself from the chain, two more trapped his legs, another found its way to his other wrist and the final wrapped around his neck.

“Such foolishness girl, I am an immortal.”

You stepped forward, hand holding tightly to Noctis hands, limbs shaking at this entire ordeal. “Yes, but you are still a man. A man who had everything taken from him. Do you not wish to see your love again?”

Ardyn hissed, the black ink from his face appearing once again, “Be careful of how you speak, Child!”

Weapons raised as Ardyn attempted to break his chains to attack you. Noctis stepped before you, only for you to place your hand on his own, curled around his blade. You stepped forward with Noctis, the blade shining within a white light.

“Do rest Ardyn.” You called softly, as Noctis took the blade back before plunging it within Ardyn’s heart.

Noctis turned as he heard your faint gasp as Ardyn disappear, only to find your hands crossed and head bowed. He knew that he had quite a few questions, he went to ask only to stop as the Cerberus and Behemoth knelt down.

“Oh goodness, thank you. Are either of you hurt?” You smiled, pressing your body to snouts as if to hug them. “You were so amazing.”

“Hey, Y/N.” Gladiolus called as you turned from the two creatures currently acting like puppies. “Care to explain why you know a Cerberus and King Behemoth?”

You giggled softly, “They are my friends. Oh Goodness! The King!” You took Noctis’s hand, tugging him toward the last place you saw the King. “Your father and Lunafreya, I hope they are all right.”

“Y/N what happened?”

You sighed softly, “Titus Dratuos seems to have been working as a spy. He attacked King Regis and Clarus.”

After filling everyone in, and Dratuos being dragged in by a pack of hissing Courels, each standing guard of the man within the armor, sending electric charges through him every so often to keep him paralyzed. Members of the guard sent out to assist with any leftover MTs in the city. While King Regis, seeming quite fine due to the Moogle magic, already set into work on getting Insomnia back to it Grand stature as well as removing Aldercapt from his position due to the false treaty.

“How is it that you know so many wonderful creatures?” Lunafreya inquired, her hands busy trying to give equal nuzzles and scratches to the Cerberus peeking its head through the windows. As both the Cerberus and Behemoth were too large to fit within the Citadel.

“I would think they were the same as Pyrna and Umbra.”

“They’re your messengers?”

You giggled softly, “I would guess that’s the easy way to explain it.” You gasped seeing the tea before you held by the Tonberry. “Thank you Tonni.”

“They all have names?” Noctis inquired, having taken a liking to the Behemoth that sat at the window to his right, eating all the vegetables that Noctis refused to eat.

“Of course. Tonni the Tonberry, Mary the moogle.” You called pointing to the Moogle that seemed rather infatuated with the Amicitias, you then motioned towards the Coeruls that had taken a liking to follow Ignis, mostly due to his attire. “The Pack, Cloak, Dagger, and Shield. The Cuddle is a lot harder to name without everyone here, so I’ll introduce you later, but the two here are Lightning and Fury.” You replied, motioning toward the young Chocobos that had taking a liking to Prompto.

“And these Darlings?” Lunafreya inquired.

“Dori, Raina, and Mina. DoReMe.” You giggled, pointing the heads from left to right.

“How was it that you were aware of Ardyn?” Regis inquired.

You turned to the King, “There are two lines from the Oracles, Lady Lunafreya’s whom the gods adore, and then my own.”

“What’s the difference?” Iris asked, Mary the Moogle having found a liking to nuzzling into the younger Amicitia’s hood.

“id est, deus autem non est discipulus” You replied.

The room grew silent, only for Ignis to clear his throat.

“My Ancient language of the King might be a little rusty, but you stated ‘What is a god to a non-believer,’ is that correct?”

You nodded that soft smile on your face, “Exactly.”

“But you seen them, they fought one!” Prompto replied pointing to the two creatures outside.

You giggled softly, returning to your seat beside Noctis. “It’s not that we do not believe in them in a physical sense, more that we do not believe we need them to interfere with humans as it has caused great pain time and time again.” You explained. “When granting the first Oracle’s dying wish, they in themselves gave us the power to destroy them.”

“That would make us distant relatives.” Lunafreya inquired.

You smiled, “I never thought of that, but it does. How marvelous.”

Noctis wrapped an arm around your shoulder, unable to stop the blush that came over his face as you leaned into him. He still would get so pink when you displayed affection, even if he was the one to start it.

“You never told us this guy’s name.” He stated clearing his throat, pointing toward the Behemoth.

“Oh that Pookie.”

“Pookie!?”