#against a cliff on the way. she expects you to stay up all night - she says you must be a researcher and an artist and an investor

[faaun]

the ultimate goalpost-mover says she loves you very much.

[marysfics]

Through the Dust

Alexia Putellas x DownhillRacer!Reader

Status: Ongoing

Other Chapters: click here

This is a multichapter fic, and trust me, you’re in for one wild ride. No warnings so far. Just awkward fluff for now.

Word count: 2k

Chapter 2: "The Unsteady Ground Between Us"

You spent the night nursing a bruised shoulder and sore muscles, wincing as you applied ice to ease the swelling. But none of that discomfort compared to the restless buzz in your chest, the memory of that moment when you locked eyes with her—Alexia, as you’d learned from some fellow riders who were as intrigued as you were by the famous visitors. Her gaze had stayed with you, imprinted in your mind, sparking a strange thrill every time you thought back to it.

The next morning, the trails were less crowded. The early sun was low, casting long shadows across the mountain, and the chill of dawn clung to the air. As you prepared your bike, checking the tires and adjusting the suspension, you felt a familiar prickle on the back of your neck. Someone was watching you.

You looked up, and there she was again—Alexia, standing with her teammates just a few yards away. She had a distant look on her face, as though she hadn’t expected to see you this early. Her mouth was a straight line, her arms folded across her chest in that careful, almost protective way. But her eyes—those expressive eyes that seemed to flicker between fascination and doubt—told you a different story.

Your heart did a strange little leap. You weren’t used to feeling self-conscious, not on the mountain, not with your bike and the rush of the course to distract you. But with her here, it felt like every move you made was amplified, as though you were performing for an audience of one.

“Go talk to her,” Mapi’s voice teased Alexia from the sidelines, jolting her out of her stare. “You’ve been staring since yesterday. She’s going to think you’re some kind of creepy fan.”

Alexia scoffed, her cheeks flushing as she quickly turned her back. “I wasn’t staring,” she muttered, brushing off Mapi’s remark as if it was absurd. But her heart pounded in a way that felt foreign and dangerous, like standing on the edge of a cliff.

Mapi laughed, nudging her shoulder. “It’s okay to be interested, Ale. She’s clearly interested in you too. I saw the way she looked at you after the fall.”

Alexia’s jaw tightened. “I don’t get it, Mapi. She risks everything for what? A thrill? A medal? I don’t… I don’t understand her.” But even as she spoke, she could feel the lie hidden in her own words. She wanted to understand, wanted to know why anyone would choose to be so reckless, so daring. There was something almost… alluring about it.

Or maybe, she thought with a jolt, it’s not just about the sport.

The next few hours passed in fragments. You caught Alexia watching you again between your runs, her gaze intense, almost assessing, as though she was trying to solve some unspoken mystery. You couldn’t deny that the attention thrilled you, even if you tried to focus on your training, forcing yourself to ignore the way her presence made your heart stutter.

During a break, you decided to take a walk along the edge of the trail, needing a moment to clear your head. The thrill of speed, the adrenaline, the freedom—all of it was different with Alexia here. She seemed to add a new layer of complexity, a subtle tension that wound its way through your focus.

As you rounded a sharp corner on the trail, your tires screeched as you had to brake hard to avoid colliding with someone standing right in the middle of the path. The abrupt stop sent your balance wobbling, your back wheel skidding on the loose gravel. You barely managed to steady yourself, irritation flaring as you pushed a foot against the ground to keep from tipping over.

“Hey!” you blurted out, breathless and annoyed, “Are you kidding me? Who just stands right on a blind—”

But the words died on your lips as you saw her face.

Alexia turned to you, her eyes widening in surprise as she took in your frustrated expression. She looked so different from how she did on the field or even in the company of her teammates. Her gaze softened as she registered your surprise, her posture a little awkward, as if she’d been caught somewhere she wasn’t supposed to be.

You fell silent, the rush of anger melting into something else entirely. The sight of her here—alone, bathed in the soft, dappled light filtering through the trees—disarmed you completely. She didn’t look like the superstar you’d seen between her teammates, the assured captain who commanded attention on the field. Instead, she looked… almost uncertain, her brow slightly furrowed as though she was lost in thought.

“I’m—sorry,” she said finally, her voice quiet, and you noticed the faint trace of a Spanish accent, the unexpected softness in her tone. “I didn’t realize this was such a dangerous spot to stop.”

Without thinking, you reached out, your fingers closing around her wrist in a quick, instinctive movement. Before either of you had time to react, you gently tugged her to the side of the trail, out of the dangerous blind spot and safely off to the edge.

“Come on, you can’t just stand there,” you said, your voice softer now, the frustration melting as you became hyper-aware of the warmth of her skin under your hand. Your fingers lingered, and for a brief, suspended moment, neither of you moved.

Alexia looked down at where your hand held hers, her eyes wide, surprise flickering into something more as her gaze lifted to meet yours. She didn’t pull away, and you didn’t let go. The world seemed to narrow to just the two of you standing there, the forest around you quiet and still.

Her lips parted, as if she was about to say something, but the words caught in her throat. Her expression was caught somewhere between surprise and… something else, something intense that you couldn’t quite read. You realized, with a jolt, that your hand was still on hers. Slowly, almost reluctantly, you released her wrist, feeling the loss of warmth as your fingers slipped away.

“Sorry, I just…” you muttered, rubbing the back of your neck, suddenly flustered. “Didn’t want you to get, you know… run over.”

Alexia’s lips quirked into a small smile, a hint of color rising in her cheeks as she brushed a strand of hair behind her ear. “Thank you,” she murmured, her voice so soft it barely reached you. Her gaze lingered on you, her usual composure faltering as she looked at you with an expression that was open and unguarded, her eyes filled with curiosity and something deeper—something hesitant, almost like uncertainty.

For a moment, you were both silent, the sounds of the mountain fading into the background. You were caught in the intensity of her stare, feeling your heartbeat quicken as her presence washed over you, grounding you yet somehow leaving you breathless.

“Guess I’ll stay out of the way,” she finally said, her smile growing as she held your gaze a beat too long. Her voice was light, teasing, but her eyes told a different story, a silent question you couldn’t yet answer.

Before you could stop yourself, you blurted out, “You… you don’t have to, really.” Your voice came out quieter than you’d intended, and suddenly you felt a strange flutter of nerves. You cleared your throat, looking down and kicking at a loose stone on the trail. “I just… I don’t want you to get hurt, that’s all.”

The words hung between you, and when you glanced back up, you caught the look in her eyes—a spark of surprise, her expression softening as if you’d given away more than you meant to.

For a moment, her teasing smile faltered, and she looked at you with a gentleness that caught you off guard. Her gaze softened, her lips parting just slightly as if she wanted to say something but was searching for the right words.

“Oh,” she murmured, her voice almost a whisper. She shifted a bit closer, her smile turning into something warmer, something real. “Thank you.”

You felt your cheeks warm, the air thickening with a tension that felt as fragile as it was electric. The confident Alexia you’d seen yesterday, was nowhere to be found—instead, here she was, looking at you as if you’d just broken down a wall she’d been guarding carefully.

Summoning the courage, you took a deep breath, feeling the words form before you even fully decided to say them. “Hey, if you’re interested, I could… show you around sometime?” You hesitated, a little shy but hopeful, the invitation hanging there, vulnerable and unpolished. “I mean, if you’d like to see the mountains up close…”

But before you could finish, a voice cut through the stillness.

“Ale!” Mapi’s voice rang out from down the trail, unmistakable and playful as it echoed off the trees. You both startled, the moment between you snapping back into reality. Mapi appeared a second later, jogging up the path, eyes scanning until she spotted Alexia. “There you are. We’ve been looking everywhere.”

Alexia’s expression shifted, a small flash of reluctance passing over her face as she glanced back at you. She looked like she wanted to say something, her eyes lingering as if memorizing the moment.

“I—” she started, but Mapi gave her a nudge, clearly in a hurry to drag her back.

“You coming, or what?” Mapi teased, oblivious to the moment she’d interrupted. “The team’s waiting.”

Alexia exhaled, a faint crease in her brow as she looked back at you. “Maybe… another time?” she said, her voice soft but warm, as if she, too, wished things could’ve paused just a little longer.

“Yeah,” you replied, managing a small smile even as the moment slipped away. “Another time.”

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

End of chapter 2.

[rookiesbookies]

Captain John MacTavish x His wife x Sergeant Johnny 'Soap' MacTavish

I dont know how it would happen but i'm imagining sweet little Johnny ‘Soap’ Mactavish meeting Captain MacTavish and his wife. I guess this is me rewriting what happened bc Im made we’ll probably never see Neil as his boy again. 

Masterlist is pinned on profile as always, don’t forget to leave me a comment or a request in my inbox to let me know what yall want to see!

Smut smut smut under the cut for my lovely mutual @shotmrmiller of my John and his wife meet sweet little Johnny au thing.

Also @glitterypirateduck this one is for you and #soapitup

“Bhean,” he whispers loudly, following it with squirrel noises, motioning for her to follow. She walks out of the recreational room. He nuzzled bis face into her neck, letting her know he was nervous about what he was going to say. “I'm getting serious deja vu.”

“Talk to me, Goose.” A shameless quote of their favorite date night movie from when they dated made his nervous face crack a smile.

“I have this crazy memory,” he mumbled into her neck, she always worried he’d hurt himself craning it down like that so often.

“What about, don’t leave me on cliff hangers, Mr. MacTavish.”

“Do you remember our first time together?”

“Skiing or fucking? Because I remember both very well.” He chuckled at her bringing up his failed skiing attempts from a vacation they went on.

“Making love, Bonnie.” He hummed, “would you believe me if I told ya it’s because I had done it before?”

“Considering baby you told me he’d call me mommy? Yes. Yes, I would.” She hummed. “You also found my clit really fast which makes that really reasonable in retrospect.”

“What if, like my future self taught me at that stage, we teach him how to make love to you so he can charm you with the monster.” It came out more as a question, making his nerves hammer against his chest. He was more than sure he beloved wife would say yes, but he didn’t want to risk making her uncomfortable or saying it wrong. 

“He does really want to impress me,” she mumbled. “Fine. But there’s ground rules.”

“Of course, Mo chridhe, anything.”

“Just the tip, you know how I am about hygiene. I don’t fully try young you to keep everything clean. He swears to secrecy and if I ever think for a second he mentions this im ending his blood line. And you stay with us. You are my husband after all, not the boy.” The Captain nodded with every word. He’d make sure. He knew the Sergeant would want no harm to come to his future wife, and the Captain didn’t need a scorched relationship.

“Thank you, Mo leannan, it’s what helped me keep up hope I could lock you down when I met you when I was his age.”

“So it was a memory and more than deja vu?” She asked with a raised brow.

The Captain just simply nodded, planting a kiss on her temple, “you’d tell me if you wanted to back out right? If it made you uncomfortable?”

“John.” She was serious, she never called him just ‘John’. “I expect the same from you. And you’d know I’d never keep that from you.”

She reached up to his face and gently rubbed it. He melted just a little bit into her touch. “I assume you don’t plan to do this on base?”

“No, but that’s the hard part.” “I’ll handle it, go tell the mini you,” she said softly, planting a kiss before walking away.

The Captain sighed and let his shoulders relax, he knew he was so lucky to have her. The sergeant was about to be the lucky one though.

He made his way down the hall and stole his past self from a conversation with Gaz. “My wife and I have decided to give you an opportunity to learn more about her.” He said in a low deep voice. “I will be teaching you about her body so you can please her but there are ground rules she set and a few of my own.” Once he covered his wife’s, he got on to his own, “do not bite her, dig your nails into her, or ignore me if I tell you to do something. No coming inside either and don’t try anything.” Sergeant Soap nodded along, “I’m not sure you’re actually listening, sergeant.” The Captain growled. Soap’s eyes went wide, “Captain me, sir, I prayed last night for an opportunity to feel her skin, honestly I was just expecting to be allowed to shake her hand.” The younger Soap grumbled, “believe me, I’m all ears.” “And none of that ‘I have a latex allergy so I can’t wear condoms’ crap. I know we don’t have that allergy. You will be wearing one.” “You’re so no’ fun,” Soap mumbled. “Fine.”

The Captain didn’t entirely know how he felt about the kid creaming his wife. Sure, it was him, but it was a younger, rowdier, dumber him and not his same body. Getting married meant he was the only one allowed to cream pie his wife, and yes, it is a version of him, it wouldn’t be the same as him doing it. Even if his wife is on birth control and enjoys them, he knows he’d get jealous, way too jealous. Besides it’s his job anyway, he signed a paper to be able to do it, and this kid version gets to just randomly do it.

“So when do I get to show mo bhean how a younger body is better to make love with?” Sergeant asked, patting his older self on the back. This made the Captain flip until the voice of an angel spoke up.

“Ya mean when you meet yer own damn wife. Ya wee-” the Captain’s rage was cut off. “Tomorrow night. I’ll be there ahead of schedule to prepare, my husband will drive you.” She said, walking past the two with effortless grace and a sway of her hips. She flicked a piece of hair back over her shoulder. 

The next 24 hours were full of different forms of tension for younger Soap. He was eager, so eager, almost too eager in the Captain’s eye. The Captain’s raging jealousy made him almost want to shut down the whole thing. 

When he loaded the sergeant and himself into the old truck he sighed. “Remember the rules?” “Of course.”

“Can’t believe you still own this truck.” “She’s carried me through a lot.” “When you meet YOUR wife, she’ll appreciate it. Square bodies are her favorites.”

The rest of the drive was small talk. The sergeant saw a notification appear on the Captain’s phone and snatched it up, since the captain was driving. He back read the short conversation from this morning between the Captain and his wife, who had been the notification. ‘Mo chridhe you better not warm yourself up on that clarty vibrator’

‘You expect him to be able to get me warmed up enough?’

‘Its a teaching experience, mo leannan’

‘I don’t want to make him wait too long, I remember how impatient you were <3’

“Does she think ima div?” Soap looked at the Captain and asked. “Reading my personal texts? Real professional, ya eejit.”

“Does she think I can’t make her feel good? Or make her feel like she’s on Eccie?”

“No, she just doesn’t want you to wait too long. She does this. I bought it for her first time I left on a long mission, now she uses it to take away the fun part of getting her warmed up.”

“So she thinks I'm a fandan.”

“Dinnae fash yersel.” The Captain sighed, “we’re here and the least ya can do is make her feel good as a thank you.”

When he dragged his younger self into the hotel room, it finally set in that he was going to be cucked. By a younger him. Fucking his wife.

He knocked on the door twice and it kind of felt like his wedding night all over again. There she stood in a silk robe, eyes only on him with a gentle and soft smile. It's a smile she only gave when she was nervous, he gave a similar smile back to let her know he felt the same. It was subtle, but he reminded him this was indeed his beautiful wife.

“Go strip in the bathroom and sit down in the chair when you’re done, we need to talk.” The Captain said sharply. 

“Aye aye Captain,” the sergeant mumbled, walking into the bathroom. 

The Captain’s hands immediately found his way to his wife’s hips. 

“Are you nervous?” He asked, holding her close with his mouth near her ear between kisses he placed in her hair.

“Of course,” she said softly into his chest.

“Do you need to back out? We can leave and forget all about this if you need.”

“Do you need me to want to back out?” She asked soft, turning her head to look up into his eyes.

“No, I don’t think so, mo bonnie lass.” He said, planting a kiss on her forehead. “Give me a safeword to give him and a safeword for emergencies.”

“Two levels of safe words?” 

“Just in case I don’t hear the first one, he’s kinda loud.” She giggled and placed a kiss on his neck.

“Bubbles for him and Soap for emergencies.”

“My old callsign?”

“I never call you anyway,” she said softly, wrapping her arms around his neck.

“Can I undress you and keep that privilege to myself?” All he needed was the little nod she gave before he moved to untie the robe. 

The lace blue bra she had been taunting him with with the matching panties drove him crazy. She ran her hands up and around his chest as his opened the clasp with one motion and undid the hooks holding the straps over her shoulders so she didn't have to remove her hands from his torso.

He sunk down lower as he planted sloppy kisses down her body and removed her underwear. Lovely pacing a kiss at her lower lips before trailing bite marks backup as the Sergeant exited the bathroom.

“I thought you said I couldn’t bite!” He accused as he watched the Captain leave a hickey on his wife’s chest.

“YOU can’t, I can.” This made the younger Soap look offended. The Captain smirked at the Sergeant’s face. “My wife, remember. Not yours.”

His wife just ran her fingers through his slightly grown out mohawk, a means to sooth him. 

Captain MacTavish moved to his wife’s ear and whispered softly, “may I told yer hand through this, mo ghraidh?”

“Gu sìorraidh is gu bràth,” she said back, pointing to the tattoo on her collarbone. When Soap heard it he almost fainted.

“She knows the language?” Sergeant Johnny asked.

The Captain hummed, pulling his mouth away from the dark hickey he was leaving on her neck, “learned a little bit for me.”

The Captain gave his younger self a once over before landing a sarcastic remark as his eyes landed on the bush, “glad to know you haven’t started shaving yet.”

“You trim?”

“Occasionally,” the Captain pulled his waistband down a bit, nuzzling into his wife, “I wax for special occasions. Yer lucky I found one who doesn’t care.”

The Captain locked his fingers with his wife’s, gently herding her to the bed. He laid her down gently and got her into a good position, shoving a few of the lousy pillows under her waist to offer a better angle.

“How are you?” He asked softly, rubbing his thumb over the back of her hand. “Ready as I can be,” she said with a soft giggle, as he bent down to plant a kiss on her lips.

“Sergeant, come here.” The Captain commanded, pointing at the foot of the bed, his wife couldn’t help the laugh that escaped her as she dropped her hand over her face. The Captain moved his wife’s knees apart with his free hand, the other still lovingly holding her’s. Johnny got on his own knees as John commanded him as he spread his wife’s pussy lips apart with his fingers. “Ya see that?”

“Yes.”

“Yes, sir,” John corrected Johnny. He basically gave his younger self a tour of his wife’s softest pieces. Telling Johnny her favorite things that he does and what she reacts best to. Johnny was so enthralled with her body he could move his eyes anywhere else. Especially when John put his fingers inside and curled them suddenly making her gasp so Johnny knew how far in her g spot was. The way her body jolted and softly raised as the gasp left her lips was his new favorite thing. He was so jealous he didn’t have her yet. That she wasn’t his wife yet, that he didn’t have the liberty to mark her body yet. “Get to work,” the Captain said, patting Johnny. He didn’t need to say it twice because Johnny went right in.

The wife brought her free hand down to her mouth to hold in the gasps and moans as Johnny ate so eagerly. John was usually slow and sensual, to the messy and a vehement eating that was happening at her core was a much different sensation. John gently pulled her hand away.

“Checkin in with ya, are ya doing good?” he asked his lovely wife. Her eyes couldn’t focus, her mouth gaping and shutting. 

She gave a nod and a hum as her body started to clench as Johnny inserted fingers between her legs and curled, making her body lurch towards the sky and gasp. The Captain gently placed kisses on her face, her velvety cries just make Johnny want to do it again. “She’s even prettier from this view,” Johnny mumbled, spreading her apart with his fingers.

“She donnae like condoms but imma make ye wear one anyway,” Captain Mactavish told his younger self before placing a kiss to the forehead of his flushed wife, still coming down from her orgasm as her husband ran his fingers through her hair as her breathing slowed with her closed eyes. John threw the condom at Johnny, who quickly rolled it on before standing up. “Donnae force it in, go in slow.”

Johnny positioned himself, putting one of the lovely wife’s ankles to his shoulder before giving it a soft kiss. He didn’t dare pull her down the bed like he would have normally done, he walked on his knees to meet her. Hands sliding down her legs to lift her ass, one he saw as so perfect.

He slowly slid it in as John kissed his wife’s face, holding her hand. She was more than used to John’s dick by now, but she was far from used to Johnny’s pacing. So much energy and stamina, not to say John didn’t have it but John was definitely more about making love than he was about fucking or just having sex.

Once she started to grind her hips, Johnny’s face lit up and he immediately started a toe curly, back arching pace. His tip bullied her g spot, making her mouth fall open but no sound falling from her lips.

John cooed at her as Johnny bullied her soft parts, not caring about his own pleasure, solely the pleasure of this goddess in front of him. Once he was sure he had found the spot, Johnny folded her a bit more to hit it a bit deeper, making sure everything was dragging against her.

The only thing that left her were whines, she felt her melted brain might just spill out her ears as the white, staticy heat built up. 

A nice ring built up around Johnny’s cock as he began to roll his hips. Her pulsating cunt milked him so much he felt an almost numbness in his fingers as all he could do was hold her and roll his hips as she let out a broken moan and came. Her husband’s voice echoing around her head with praises and loving words.

It was down right impossible for Soap to not come from her body's pulsations so he did. He wished it hadn’t been into a condom but he was grateful he just got the chance.

John gave him a look and Johnny took it knowingly, going to get a warm and damp towel. He handed it to John who began to clean his wife up, nodding to Johnny to let him know he could leave. 

Johnny didn’t know it was so John could reclaim his wife with some slow sensual sex and lots of love bites.

John, unlike Johnny, was going to come inside. Johnny looked at the photo he had taken of himself with the wife of Captain John from the night prior, "I'm going to marry you. Yer the one I've been looking for."

[bing-whoops]

NEXT

TO BE LOVED IS TO BE CHANGED | DIAVOLO . *. ⋆ ⊹ ౨ৎ˚₊

prologue: "villain and violent, infant and innocent"

꒰ summary ꒱ being friendly with those who lived nearby in your apartment building can come in handy especially while living outside of campus; this is highly recommended if you also have a roommate. Until a nice weekend at the house in the beach ends up with a three dead bodies, a roommate in a cult and — a demon baby?

꒰ pairing ꒱ diavolo x reader

꒰ warnings ꒱ child endangerment, suicide, death, mention of drugs, swearing, and brief vomit scene.

꒰ word length ꒱ 3.4k

꒰ author's note ꒱ this is my first series in general so any comments regarding it (or dm’s) are appreciated and encouraged! I would love to hear you guys' thoughts on it

꒰ MASTERPOST ꒱꒰ NEXT ꒱

The coldness of the night settled in your bones like an old friend. The waves splashed harshly against the boulders that were seen laid at the bottom of the cliffs that adorned the beach where you were currently residing at. The moon was was gleaming with a potency that you hadn’t quite seen before — or maybe you had and just hadn’t had the time to appreciate it as much as you should have.

Perhaps you should have thought more before deciding to take the weekend off in a house in front of the beach. Although, house would be a little bit of a stretch considering it was not only lacking any sort of electricity, but you were sure you had heard rats scurrying around the bathroom.

‘Well, there’s no use lamenting after the payment is done.’ You thought as you continued to lament the money spent to stay here — was this the regret every horror movie character felt after doing something that lacked survival instinct?

You tightened your grip on the jacket that you were currently wearing to try and ward off against the night that seems to become increasingly more freezing as the minutes pass. You shifted around in the medium sized boulder you were currently sitting on, and dragged your knees close to your chest to get more comfortable.

It had been what? Two hours since you arrived? Maybe a little bit more, maybe a little bit less. You didn’t care much either way as this had been the most relaxed you had been in weeks.

Of course just as such thought crossed your mind all of it went down the drain.

You flinched from where you were sitting as a commotion started being heard — above you?

The sand made your frantic attempt at getting away from where you were sitting a little harder than expected, but it could have been just the way that the screams had startled you into action. You warily stepped backwards, inching away from the bottom of the cliff while trying to crank your neck upwards, and narrowed your eyes after seeing flashing blue and red lights coming near the edge.

“The police?” You muttered with resignation, it seems as if a single weekend without anything occurring is too much to ask for, and a little of wariness. What could be the reason for a police car to be here?

The situation became more confusing as shouting erupted once again from the top of the cliff that you was still too close for comfort.

The muscles in your hands tightened as you clenched them after seeing a women with short black hair inch closer to edge of the cliff until you were able to realize what her intentions were. Your eyes widened in fright as dread settled inside your mind as you realized exactly why the police’s shouting seems to become more frantic the closer the woman stepped to the edge.

Are you about to witness a suicide?

No other thought had the time to cross your mind because in the next second the woman stepped backwards and slipped down her doom.

Faster than you could comprehend she crashed close to where you had been sitting less than five minutes ago. The sound that her body made when it finally reached the bottom was the most nauseating noise that you had ever heard (you wish you could wrench it from your memory)

You froze where you stood for a moment before your eyesight finally focused on the blood that was dripping from her forehead onto the sand. This made you quickly approach her unresponsive body and settle as close as you could to her head without actually touching her body in fear of making any injury that she had worse.

The only thing that stopped the automatic thought of her being dead was the pained groans she was still making.

“Hey! hey — I need you to try and stay awake okay?” You tried to frantically say while tripping over your own words while trying to search your pants and jacket for a phone to call emergencies. Only to realize that you had left your phone inside the bedroom after realizing how low the reception was in the area.

Your breathing started picking up the longer it passed. Remembering that you were not the only one that saw this you quickly looked up to see if the police officers could at least indicate what you should do with their speakerphone. Yet surprises did not seem to be ending today because once you looked up you witnessed a baby falling off the cliff in the exact same spot the woman had thrown herself off.

Faster than you could realize your body stood up from where it had been kneeling next to the woman and raised your hand up to your chest in a straight line while bending them slightly; you frantically went through everything that could go wrong trying to catch a baby falling from such height.

Before you could keep stumbling around trying to calculate where the baby would fall your hands buckled as they tried to hold the sudden and harsh weight dropped on them. A yelp almost left your throat as you stumbled to the ground while holding a baby.

The baby that had fallen

The baby that had somehow fallen and not landed on your head and broken it

The baby that did not demolish your arms after falling on them

The baby that was without injury —

It was almost miraculous that there were no visible injuries on the baby that was currently being held on your arms while you still trembled from fright of what had just occurred.

But just because there were no visible injuries didn’t mean that nothing was wrong either. You warily changed the way you were holding the baby to be able to face it and check its face.

Now that you didn’t have to actively worry about someone else trying to free fall off the cliff you observed the odd child that was quietly being held by you. Its hair was an odd reddish color that seemed more bold than any ginger you had ever seen in your life — you were almost willing to believe it was dyed rather than natural.

But even that was nowhere near as startling as her eyes. (He? she? You weren’t sure) The eyes that were staring back at you were the unsettling ones you had ever seen in your life.

For a faltering second you even asked yourself if what you held in your arms was an actual breathing human baby and not a doll.

The eyes’ shape and size was not the problem rather its color was the reason for your momentarily surprise. It was as if somebody had taken gold and melted it in the baby’s eyes. An unsettling color for an unsettling baby. You pursued your lips before quickly beating yourself mentally for focusing on such meaningless description while the woman was still bleeding out — miraculously still alive; the only sign of her condition being the whimpers of pain she was letting out.

“Agh!” A scream startled you as you approached the woman once again. The scream that had left her mouth was louder than any other she had let out since her fall. This did not seem to be a one time occurrence as short scream kept leaving her mouth while you tried approaching her.

You clutched the baby to your chest as you stopped in your tracks less than a step away from leaning down to check on the woman. You weren’t sure why but it seemed as if the more the distance shortened between the two of you the more frightened she seemed.

“Please hang on! The police already called emergencies they’re on the way.” Your words stumbled out of the way in a attempt to comfort the woman that was dying in front of you. But you truly didn’t know if the police had in fact called the ambulance or anybody that could help this women. You had just lied and hoped that it was the truth.

A gurgled sound seemed to leave the woman in the floor. This time in a lower volume.

Cautiously you lowered yourself slowly in fear she would start screaming if you approached too hastily once again.

Another attempt seemed to leave her mouth at speaking yet only indecipherable gurgles were heard. Just as you were about to attempt to stop her from wasting energy trying to speak you watched as her eyes settled on the baby and her face twisted into something ugly.

( Later as you settled down in your bedroom you would chastise yourself for describing a dying’s woman expression as ugly out of all things )

Her lips trembled as her mouth opened and close as if in fear. The woman’s last word would be engraved into your mind for a long while.

Yet they would only make sense months down the line.

“Demon.”

The police were useless.

You had no idea how someone could be so incompetent. You would like to say that you have met a long variety of people with different personality and intelligence in your lifetime; there is not much confidence in you to be able to say you have met people more incompetent than the ones sitting in front of you.

“Is emergencies on their way?” You asked with resignation after leaving the body of the woman on the other side of the beach to be able to speak with the officers inside your house about what you should do next.

The police officers glanced at each other, a cue seemed to be passed between them in that sort second, then at you who was still holding the baby that both of them refused to hold unless necessary.

Both of them felt sympathy towards you, really! But neither of them had ever held a baby before and this situation had escalated from a supposed teenage bonfire party to a dead woman; neither of them felt very confident on the possibility of it getting better.

“Possibly,” One of the police officer commented with a shrug not realizing how nonchalant he was coming off the the college student he was speaking to, “This area is quite far from civilization and getting down here took us a couple of hours it is highly possible they will take even longer.”

Those words caused a sigh to leave your lips. It was not one of exhaustion rather one of annoyance.

The baby you held in your arms was now more energetic; from limply laying in your arms to excitedly playing with the zipper of your jacket and holding onto your arms as tight as he could. Apparently it was also a he.

This what what the police informed you the woman had been using when referring to the child; they had also said that she had screamed about the baby being a demon spawn. So yeah, anything she had said was taken with a grain of salt.

Giggles erupted from the baby in your arms as you took your hand away from his hand. At least someone was having fun today.

“What are we supposed to do then?” You asked the officers after seeing them shuffle unsurely around the house each time they heard a creaking sound resonate around the house.

“You should keep yourself reachable,” The second one piped in as if he was worried you would object, “We will probably have to take that little guy in your arm to the station to find any other family member.”

“Or if there’s any missing babies around this zone…”

“What was that?” You asked with a frown adorning your face. The one who had been interrogating you not too long ago had muttered something incomprehensible that you couldn’t figure out.

After realizing he had been a little too loud the police officer cleared his throat and waved it off. With a quick shake of his hand.

“Nothing! Just thinking about the procedures that will soon take place.”

You warily nodded shifting your weight from one foot to the other keenly aware that neither of them seemed eager to leave or take the baby or deal with the dead body that was probably still rotting and bleeding in the sand after her death.

‘Are they waiting for water to be offered?’ You wondered after seeing the same police officer walk around the very limited space that this house gave you under the reasoning of looking for evidence.

‘Evidence for what? The woman that fell half a kilometer away from here?’ Your annoyance was barely tampered under your self reasoning that this could not last too long and once they left with the baby plus the body everything would settle down.

Deciding to take the initiative you shifted your hold on the baby who was clinging tightly to your jacket and walked closer to the second officer who tensed in nervousness.

“Well officers! Please do contact me if anything comes up that involves me.” You tried to say with some cheer in your voice (who could blame you really? Your pants were still dripping with blood from the woman the officers had not looked thrice at and your palms were still shaky from what had occurred and what could have been)

The reason for this sudden friendliness was to make the baby transaction easier. And it was.

Because as soon as you showed signs of giving the baby over the officer panic clowned his face as once he finally took the baby he held it as far away from his chest as possible with his two arms.

The first officer awkwardly stood around — his hovering did not help soothe anybody’s nerves in this situation.

This silence continued until the radio attached to the pants suddenly received a message that startled the three of you. Not the baby though, he just seemed to hate his new babysitter enough to try and kick himself out of his arms. The baby still held his arms towards you.

Like the professional you were you ignored it and instead discretely (indiscreetly) eavesdropped on what was being communicated.

“… her name was reported to be Laura Bolton.”

Your stomach dropped.

Before you realized you intersected the police officers before they could do what you had been trying to make them do for a while, leave.

“Right — sorry did you just say Laura Bolton?” You asked with cautiousness knowing that there was a possibility of someone sharing a name with your roommate.

“Well that was the name we heard.” The man who was still holding the baby wrong responded.

“I couldn’t quite hear the rest did they describe what she looked like?” You asked with apprehension while trying to keep a smile in your face. It became in readily harder as you realized you didn’t even hear why they had communicated her name through the radio.

“Late twenty’s, approximately six feet tall, white, dark-haired woman.”

That fit the description too well.

“What did she do?” It wouldn’t be the first time your roommate had gone to jail; each time it happened it only made you wish for time to go faster so you could leave that damn apartment complex behind.

“She was found with the woman you saw not too long ago and this baby,” A pause was made as if unsure of what he should say next, “It seemed as if they were doing some sort of — of well religious ritual.”

There’s an odd emphasis on religious.

Why is there an odd emphasis on religious.

‘Oh god.’

You had an epiphany.

‘She joined a cult didn’t she?’ You thought as you stared blankly at the officers who seemed uneasy at the sudden change of atmosphere.

You said your goodbyes to the officer and wished them good luck but your tone was flat in the rest of your interactions.

Perhaps that was why you didn’t pay much attention to the baby in the officer’s arms was still reaching towards you while making grabby hands.

It was a cute sight.

You would have probably tried calming down the baby in any other situation. However, it had been a taxing day.

(And you had no idea how bad it was gonna get)

You roughly pushed the door with annoyance — somehow the hardest part to deal with was opening and closing the door.

You sighed, your hand came up and massaged your forehead. It was an attempt to stop the migraine that usually popped up when you become too stressed.

Your steps caused the wood under your shoe to creak loudly as if demanding you to notice it. You couldn’t find it in yourself to care enough for it at this moment. You headed for the mini bridge you had brought yourself to get a cup of water (or wine, you weren’t feeling too picky)

But once you had opened the bridge and were about to reach for the water bottle a defeating crash was heard outside. There were no screams.

You gazed longingly at the bottle of wine and closed the bridge quietly.

Trying to make as little sound as possible you approached the front window next to the door to gently lift the curtain and sneak a peak outside.

Was it dangerous?

Maybe not.

However a little precaution never hurt anybody.

What you saw was not carnage only because everything had been covered. Your hands let the curtain go as if they had burned you; outside of this little house were supposed to be the police officers. Alive officers.

What you saw was a giant boulder being where the police officers were supposed to be in. You would have thought that they already left had you not seen a grown’s human hand peaking out from under the boulder.

There only seemed to be a survivor.

The baby.

The laughing baby.

You opened the door and wearily looked up the cliff the old lady that had allowed you to rent this house had assured you was as sturdy as cliffs could get. Fear settled in your heart of you also adding to the kill count today. After seeing nothing out of the ordinary you quickly sprinted to where the boulder still stood and grabbed the baby by his stomach and sprinted back inside the house. The baby gurgled with glee as he clapped his hands in excitement. At least someone was having a good time.

You tightened your hold on the baby who already had his finger tightly wrenched in your jacket — a little tighter than you would have thought was possible for a baby.

In the privacy of your mind you wondered whether this child was lucky or unlucky with what had happened today.

Trying to place the baby on the bed did not end well. No matter what you did you couldn’t dislocate his grabby hands from your jacket. As nausea gripped you and didn’t let go you stumbled to the bathroom trying to not have a fourth death in a single night by dropping the baby and promptly threw up.

The baby quieted down after seeing you breathing heavily and simply patted your head.

In the end you went to sleep with a migraine, a nausea filled stomach, and an energetic baby that did not let you out of his sight without throwing a tantrum.

You contemplated the possibility of walking back to a police station and reporting what had happened only for your body to hit you with the worst migraine imaginable. Its pain was enough to make your knees buckled.

Strangely enough it left as soon as it arrived.

While this occurred the baby that had been screaming had quieted down after seeing you hold onto a wall for support.

His unsettling gold-like eyes stared as if they could see through you. Perhaps you would have been more scared had pity not overcome you — this was after all a child whose mothers last word was calling him a demon.

Not the best way to be greeted into this world. You refused to acknowledge the strange way he looked just to avoid the possibility of ending in the same train of thought his mother had after calling him a demon.

Just because he looked different didn’t mean he was the devil’s spawn.

Right?

[stardewsnail]

Can you write head cannons of how the bachelors would react when jealous? Perhaps they heard their farmer was giving gifts to other bachelors. Can be NSFW. K love you byeee

This is a bit inconsistent because of how familiar I am with them/how interesting I thought their reactions would be–some of these are head canons and some of them are drabbles. Somewhere along the way I realized I switched from they/them pronouns to she/her so I guess this is about a fem farmer now lol–hope you enjoy! 

Bachelors get jealous 

MINORS DNI; cw: sexual activity, jealousy, sad boi hours

Shane 

- very different if he’s with the farmer or not bc I feel like he’s used to being envious of others 

- When he sees the farmer bringing Elliot a bottle of wine or Sam a cactus fruit he feels like he has no valid reason to be jealous. He’s just embarrassed and ashamed of his own feelings.  

- Like, obviously the pretty, successful, kind farmer isn’t going to be interested in him? He’s working at the Joja mart and drinking away his money—he’s barely keeping it together and he comes with a kid. Not exactly the biggest catch

- After the cliffs he had come to terms with his crush and is just sort of leaving it because he cannot imagine her reciprocating his growing feelings. That’s fine, he loves having her in his life regardless. He doesn’t have the expectation that they’ll ever return his feelings and that’s okay. He gets a therapist and focuses on getting better for himself and the others in his life

But if they’re together it’s different

- He retreats into himself and has a bit of a mental spiral (ranging from “it was bound to happen eventually” to “oh god our chickens are going to come from a broken home”) 

- Fortunately he has a therapist to work through things with so he’s able to actually express himself to the farmer in a healthy way and receive the emotional validation that the farmer does in fact love them and their chickens will grow up with parents who love each other 

- He’ll pull her onto his lap or against his chest and if the vibe is right the cuddling might turn into a make out session which might get handsy—Shane is extra needy after all this, lingering through the motions. After sex he stays inside her for a minute, just sharing breath and being as close as possible

- Shane alternates being big and little spoon don’t @ me 

I feel like Shane having a therapist pulls a lot of the “drama” out of him being jealous because he’s so focused on developing healthier coping strategies so him talking about his feelings directly is a big step!

...

Sebastian 

Pre relationship

“Motherfucker-!” Sebastian snarled, watching his avatar die yet again. In his headset Sam groaned, quickly meeting a similar fate. Abigail, now left alone, didn’t fare much better. 

“Okay, it’s 4, I’m calling…” A yawn cut through Sam’s words, “….it.” 

Sebastian winced, glancing at the clock, “Damn—yeah. Night, guys.” It was stupid late. He was going to regret this tomorrow. No, actually, he was already regretting it. Now he was just pissed at the game and at—he shoved that thought down, feeling heat rise to his face. He dropped heavily onto the bed, arm thrown over his eyes. His head hurt. 

And he really didn’t want to deal with the bolt of anger that shocked him when he saw Alex throw his arm around the farmer. Her face was lit up with laughter as they shared some joke—the jock had only touched her for a moment and sure, it might not actually mean anything—but he was jealous. And even a solid nine hours of league had done nothing to subdue the feeling that boiled in his chest. It wasn’t even like the farmer didn’t talk to him either—and while she brought everyone little gifts, he’d had the thought that maybe his were special. A foolish, hopeful thought. Alex was outgoing, athletic, and only still lived at home to care for his grandparents. Sebastian was a twenty-four year old college dropout living in his mom’s basement filling his time with gaming. God, he really was a loser. Fortunately he was unconscious before he really had to deal with that. 

… 

Knock, knock, knock

Sebastian groaned, burrowing farther under his pillow. His mom always woke him up when she made breakfast even if he wasn’t actually required to get up. Maybe later he could ask her what she knew about the farmer. He was pretty sure she was still working on upgrading their coop anyway. It wouldn’t be an odd question. He rolled over, trying to relax back down into sleep. 

He wasn’t sure how much time had passed when the second knock sounded. If he ignored it, chances are his mom would leave him be. But then she knocked again, a little harder this time. He swore under his breath as he hauled himself out of bed, not bothering to hit the lights before throwing open the door with more force than strictly necessary. 

The farmer’s hand was still raised to knock and she froze, looking up at him with raised eyebrows. 

Sebastian’s entire brain blue-screened. It crashed. It attempted to restart. It failed. It tried again but all that came up was how he must look—an old band t-shirt, unbrushed hair, stubbled chin, frog-print boxers—holy shit he wasn’t even wearing pants.  

“Good morning!” She said, cheeks pink. It certainly wasn’t morning, that much he knew.  Sebastian wished the floor would swallow him right then and there. “Sam said you guys were up late playing games so I brought you this,” she held up the coffee in her other hand, “Robin said I was fine to come down, I didn’t think you’d be asleep, sorry—“ 

“I needed to get up anyway,” he said, a bit too fast. He ran his hand over his hair, trying to judge its state and was quickly dismayed. Fuck, she was pretty. Great impression Sebastian. Great job. 

“Thank you,” he added, finally accepting the warm paper cup. 

“I started growing coffee beans a while ago,” she continued, fidgeting and definitely noticing his lack of pants, “This is the first of it. Let me know how it is, I’m still experimenting with roasting.”

“Oh wow,” he took a sip realizing not only was the coffee delightful, she’d also added cream and just a touch of sugar–exactly how he took it, “This is really good. Thank you.” 

She lit up, “Oh good! I was hoping you’d like it.” She was hoping he’d like it? Him specifically? The caffeine hadn’t hit him yet, but the taste of coffee still got his brain moving. He noticed the fishing pole sticking out of her pack.

“Are you headed to the lake?” he asked, before he could really think it through.

“Yeah–I wanted to do some fishing,” she rocked on her feet, “I’ll let you get back to it–”

Shit, that hadn’t been his intent.

“D’you want company?” he cut her off, flushing when she just looked up at him with a smile.

“That would be really nice–you can tell me about your game. It sounded fun but I didn’t quite understand when Sam was talking about it.” 

“Great,” he said, “I’ll uh…meet you out there?” He still wasn’t wearing pants.

 Dating 

Sebastian trusted his girlfriend. That wasn’t the issue. The issue was that seeing her smile and shyly give Elliot a bottle of her mead had shaken the dust off his old companion, jealousy, and now he didn’t know what to do with the itch in his skin.

He’d spent the day working on his bike, music blasting, a scowl etched on his face. At some point Demetrius had come out to say something, but a glance at Sebastian’s face had him simply turning tail back to the house. 

It was better he got it all out of his system before he met up with the farmer at the saloon. 

Some time and a hot shower later he was entering the saloon, wondering if she had beat him there–and she had. 

And Elliot was there, fawning over the farmer who had a hand over her mouth to stifle her giggles as the writer told some dramatic story, talking with animated hands. 

He was across the bar in a second, wrapping an arm around her shoulders and pulling her against his side. The lazy grin he gave Elliot was more a challenge than anything–he didn’t know where this sudden boldness was coming from–Elliot didn’t seem like the type to pull something but there was a primal need to mark his territory. The farmer was his.  

She flashed him a grin, her hand coming to rest in his back pocket, and finished what she was saying. 

“Hey, babe,” she said, pushing to her toes to press a quick kiss to his lips, “I got here early–want to get in some practice before Sam and Abby show up?”

“Need a warm up?” he teased, “Think that will help you beat me?”

“One of these days,” she bumped his hip with her own, “I’m gonna win. Talk to you later, Elliot!” she added. Elliot said something in response before slinking back to where Leah was sitting, watching as if this was her very own reality TV show.

...

Harvey

Harvey wasn’t jealous. The farmer was just a friend–she was kind and generous and liked giving gifts! Most mornings she popped by the clinic to bring him a coffee and chat for a few minutes between appointments. 

It was only natural for her to prefer someone less devoted to their work, younger and more aligned with the pop culture she was familiar with. Sam was a ray of sunshine, and seeing him light up when the farmer had offered him a cactus fruit had sent a spike of something that was not jealousy through his chest. 

He spends all his free time for the next few days pouring over his model planes, completing two kits in record time. Between that and the kids in town catching something nasty and viral, he hadn’t even seen her in a week. Which was fine. 

He hadn’t anticipated her to be waiting right outside the door of the clinic, swinging it open as soon as the lock turned. If he had been any slower, she probably would have hit him with it. Her eyes were piercing as she held out the coffee, a small frown on her face.

“Have you been avoiding me?” her words were blunt and heat rose to his face, hands raised as if that would be enough to convince her of his words. 

“No–no, I just–well–” he swallowed, looking anywhere but her face, “You just seemed busy and like you were spending time with Sam and–” She was giving him this small smile that had his stomach turn to jelly, and now he didn’t know what to do with his hands. She held out the coffee. 

“Want to meet up at the saloon later?”

“Yes!” His reply might have been a bit eager,  but he didn’t care because her face simply lit up. 

“Great, it’s a date.” and then she turned out the door, going on her merry way before he could even process her words. 

...

Alex

- to be honest before they’re dating I think he would just AGGRESSIVELY do push ups where the farmer could see 

- or he’ll make a comment about how hot Haley is looking to the farmer

- Either way he tells Haley about “how well he handled it” and she is so, so tired. 

Alex doesn’t care that the farmer went all the way into the mines to find that special rock for Sebastian. It wasn’t even Sebastian’s birthday or anything, she was just nice and he was not bothered. 

He wasn’t bothered when he was doing push-ups.

He wasn’t bothered when he was squating. 

He wasn’t even bothered while doing his deadlifts. 

And while he showered, he totally wasn’t thinking about how she looked so pleased when she showed him the gem, mentioning that it was Sebastian’s favorite.

Now they were sitting on her bed, watching some movie that he couldn’t quite parse over his churning thoughts. He’d been inching closer and closer without realizing, and now he shifted to rest his head in her lap watching her instead of the movie. 

Immediately her hands found their way to stroke through his hair. She smoothed his brow, and he realized he’d been frowning. 

“What’s up?” she asked, ever perceptive. 

“Nothing,” he replied reflexively, and she paused the movie, waiting for him to continue.

“You…like me, right?” His voice was quiet, and if it wasn’t her he would be too embarrassed to ask such a vulnerable question. 

“I love you, actually.” She said it so casually he took a second to process the confession. Her smile was soft. 

Never one for words over actions, he sat up, closing the distance between them with a kiss.

...

Sam 

- I feel like Sam would try to cover any jealousy with a smile and positive attitude but something about the farmer “doting” on Alex and making him baked salmon really bothered him 

- He asks Shane for advice because that’s his work dad/adult and Shane just looks up at the security camera like it’s the office but does try to give advice because he’s fond of the kid 

- His advice is literally just for Sam to make a move because so help him god if he has to head about the farmers eyes one more time 

...

Elliot 

- He’s in denial that he’s jealous 

- I feel like Elliot’s solution to every emotional problem is writing

- He would probably end up projecting it onto his characters writing a scene where somebody is jealous (because he’s not jealous nope. He’s not jealous at all) 

- He’s a little moodier, a little more sardonic and eventually the farmer asks what’s bugging him–he assures her that it’s just difficulty with his novel

- He doesn’t say he’s jealous nope

- He's just gonna go full Gomez Addams and make love to them in a bit of a frenzy—I’m talking a trail of clothes, fucking her right on his desk.

- He’s leaving hickies, the farmer is being claimed 

- The farmer is being RAVISHED 

- He probably won’t bring it up bc he does trust the farmer completely and knows it’s his own anxiety and the farmer more than reassured him on the reg and he can trust that

...

I’m hiding my dumbass notes waaaaaaay down here

I wrote this while zoinked and made up a whole ass bachelor named Mike and sat there for a good min wondering why I could remember anything about Mike, who the FUCK is Mike????

Am I writing Elliot ravishing the farmer on the desk? Yes, but this reply was getting a little long so it’s coming later

I’ve been a little slow on requests lately, but my spouse is going to be out of town for the next month so I should have a lot more time to working on these :) it brings me such joy every time I get that lil notification, thanks y’all <3

[writingsofwesteros]

The air in Casterly Rock was cool and quiet as night fell, thick with the scent of sea salt drifting from the cliffs below. Tywin stood by the fire in his chambers, fingers curled tightly around a glass of wine he barely tasted. His expression was as severe as ever, but there was a tension in his stance, a restless energy he couldn’t suppress. He had been away from Stev for three months, and though he had carefully restrained any outward sign of it, her absence had settled into him, deeper than he had expected.

When he heard the door open, his eyes snapped up, and there she was, framed in the dim light. She had just arrived, her cheeks flushed from the journey, her hair slightly tousled from the ride, but to him, she was a vision he had missed with an intensity that defied words.

She had come all the way from King's Landing. Back to home

For a moment, they simply looked at each other, the silence charged, the air between them heavy with all that had gone unsaid. Then, as if on impulse, Tywin crossed the room in quick strides, closing the distance between them. He took her face in his hands, his fingers rough yet gentle against her skin, and she let out a breath, her eyes flickering up to meet his. In that look, he saw everything he had missed, everything he had longed for—her strength, her defiance, her quiet resilience.

“Stev,” he murmured, her name a rough, low whisper, almost reverent.

Before she could respond, he kissed her, his mouth finding hers with a fierce, unguarded passion that he rarely allowed himself to feel, let alone show. It was as if the month apart had stripped away all his carefully constructed walls, leaving only raw, undeniable need. She returned the kiss just as fervently, her fingers tangling in his hair, pulling him closer, as if she too had been counting the days.

They moved together, their bodies instinctive, finding each other as if they had been molded to fit in just this way. He backed her up against the wall, his hands running along her arms, her waist, memorizing the feel of her as though he had been deprived of it for years instead of weeks. She held onto him, her touch grounding him, pulling him closer until he felt as if there was no distance between them at all.

“You… you shouldn’t stay away that long,” she whispered between kisses, her voice breathless, a soft admonishment that made him smirk against her lips.

“Is that so?” he replied, his voice low, his breath warm against her skin as he leaned in, his mouth finding the sensitive spot just below her ear. “Then you’ll have to stay here yourself, Lady Lannister.”

A shiver ran through her at his words, and she tightened her hold on him, her nails grazing the back of his neck. He felt her relax, her defenses melting away as she surrendered to the moment, to him. There was no pretense between them now, no titles or duties—only the two of them, reunited, the space between them filling with all the words, all the longing they had denied.

He lifted her effortlessly, his hands firm yet gentle as he carried her toward the bed, his gaze never leaving hers. She looked up at him, her lips parted, her eyes dark with desire, and for the first time in a long time, he allowed himself to feel vulnerable, to let his guard down fully. She was his wife, his equal, the one person who could see him like this, and in her eyes, he saw the same fierce love and need reflected back.

They came together again, their movements a blend of urgency and tenderness, each touch and kiss a reminder of the longing that had built in their time apart. He whispered her name against her skin, his voice uncharacteristically soft, as if it held every emotion he couldn’t bring himself to say aloud. And when she whispered his name back, her voice trembling with the same intensity, he felt something in him ease, a quiet satisfaction that only she could give him.

He took her with care. The hurry of their longing turning to languid touches as If they could make the clock turn slower just by taking their time. They take their time, forgetting how many times she is brought over the edge, she is a puddle after they are done. Pleasantly sore, pussy filled to the brim, her sweet bum sore from his fingers...his cock tender from her having managed to pull two orgasms out of him.

Hours later, as they lay together, their breathing slowing, Tywin wrapped an arm around her, pulling her close. She rested her head on his chest, her fingers tracing small circles along his skin, and for the first time since he had left her to King's landing, he felt a sense of peace settle over him.

“Promise me,” she murmured sleepily, her voice barely above a whisper, “that you won’t stay away so long next time. That you'll come visit...and that-that next time I get to come home with you”

He glanced down at her, his fingers brushing a strand of hair from her face. “I promise, and you shall not be going to your brother any time soon” he replied, his voice quiet, though it held the weight of an oath. And in that moment, he knew he meant it. For her, he would find a way to be here—to be with her, no matter what.

Both unknowing she was already three months pregnant at this point. Poor thing had lost weight without his presence. But as she stays in Casterly Rock. Her belly soon starts growing in size. And so the maester confirms, their farewell had been as productive as their reunion.

EEK I ADORE THEM!!

[butmakeitgayblog]

Medusa and the Blind Woman

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

Come to me, my love

Across fields full of lilies at night

The stars shining overhead 

Are witnesses to our love 

As bright as the sky.

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

(Coming sorta soon to an AO3 tab near you)

She crashes in on an easterly wave. 

One that threatens the bare spindles of a long dead port. The wind bites at stilts gnarled by sea salt and the negligence of time, threads of frayed twine whipping in retaliating lashes against the onslaught versus sturdy grecian wood. 

Lexa watches from on high, eyes on mastheads and white sails in the distance when she takes a moment to admire her only non-hissing companion, the sea. She stands an eagle in her nest of serpentine thorns, as the speck of a sailor draws near from the horizon, boat marching on the back of winds that carry it onward. The ocean howls of intruders long before they arrive, the swishing churn of embattled rip tides announcing the threat among rustled gusts and spits of algae foam. 

It's all become so painfully predictable. 

Lexa sighs at the sight of them marching on toward her fortress. 

A sinking weight floods her stomach, weary resignation presses heavy against her throat.

The grip of her spade tightens as she reminds herself they mean nothing to her morning, to her schedule, that must be kept. What with the chill slipping through the cracks of a waning afternoon sun setting quick on the intruder's horizon. 

She doesn't bother to watch their approach further, instead keeping her thoughts to steady hands that churn earth and crumble stone, driving her blade against charcoal and turning it to soot. She checks her moorings to the west and fells a few fresh saplings for kindling. Nuisances in that particular corner of her nest of thorns, ones she's been waging a losing battle with for ages.

Her thoughts scatter like the seed and silt that pour through the calloused cracks of her fingers, wondering—

A sharp whine fills the air below, followed by a screech and crash of splintering wood. A thunderous boom echoes along the rockside loud enough to shake the very gravel under her feet followed by a full chested bellow.

"Gods damn it all!"

Lexa straightens from her work at the cry of anger, loud enough to have her dropping her tools where she stands. Loud enough to send a shiver across her scalp that hisses and spits its welcome in return. 

She slips past brambles and thickets of overgrowth. Moves between boulders and shrugging aside the hang of vine, winding her way to the edge of her oasis. The sweet scent of honeysuckle mixes with sea water as she moves close to the rocky ledge of the cliff shore. 

Careful to stay hidden, tucked neatly in the shadows, she lifts a few leaves on the tips of her finger to see her would be… captors…

Or. Captor.

The waters are littered with floating bits of dock and warped wood, now useless and broken into a thousand tiny shards that bob their way back out into the wild. 

In its place is a boat. 

A rather meager boat, Lexa notes to herself at the feel of a nose nudging her cheek. A vessel of one lonely single seat, barely a rod for a mast, with two matching oars on each side. 

The very sight of its paltry build makes her frown. Her lips drop open shock as she looks past the debris of the wreckage to the fleeing white sails receding into the burgeoning twilight distance. 

Another screeched caw from a circling bird above makes Lexa jump, ignoring the snap and hiss in her ear at the same time the air fills with a strained, "Oh shut up!"

Well.

This is certainly not what she had expected. 

Because…

She's blonde. 

Her apparent assassin is… blonde.

And decidedly less muscular than she'd become accustomed to. Not the type bearing rippling muscles, or the thuggish brawn born of beating one's own chest.

This assassin is downright… dainty. 

Dressed in a simple white shift in place of the bronze and pounded silver chest plate that Lexa is used to, stands a woman with sun laden ribbons of spun gold hair, bare of the usual swords and shield expected of such a journey and instead grasping a rather pathetic looking stick. Her face is cloaked in a curtain of wispy strands of gold, darkened by sea spray and the looming cliffs above as she fiddles with a satchel tied to her hip. She tussles with the strings, fingers awkward as she struggles to keep hold of the long spindle stick while fighting a losing battle with a knot that ignores her angered muttering. 

Lexa watches from the safety of the shadow's edge as the intruder goes about her various tasks. She watches her reach out and smack the end of the stick in her hand along the ground in sweeping thunks. Watches her do a slow sort of pirouette, a kind of turn here and there as she taps each stone and rock around her in a series of dull clicks. Her steps seem timid, calculated in the way they shuffle and pause and then go again, as her head twists slightly at every creak of the trees that bend toward the skyline, every crash of the tide, every chirp of a bird that follows. 

She watches the woman zigzag a line away from the wreckage of splintered wood and sails, weaving her way in measured footsteps and the incessant tapping of her stick. 

Lexa glances toward the two beady eyes staring at her and gives an equally mystified shrug. 

It's only when she comes close, dangerously close to the ridge cut in the cliff face that leads to the well worn path inland that Lexa finally finds her voice. 

"Who are you?"

The peculiar tapping stops on the sharp cut of a startled scream. "Hades in hell!" 

The hand not brandishing the stick clutches at her chest as she takes a half spin, the stick coming up in a wild arch like a sword apparently ready to slice the air in battle. 

Lexa frowns from the safety of her shadowed nook at the ridiculous display below. "If you wish to keep your life, turn back. Now."

The woman makes another half turn in her direction, face lifted and eyes screwed shut. "Where are you? This place is like an amphitheater."

"Your search is in vain! I said—"

"Give me a left or right, lady," she cuts her off impatiently, the stick shaking but still held vaguely menacingly aloft. "Clap or something so I at least know I'm not talking to a tree."

"Leave," Lexa booms with all the might of her weary bones, feeling her words reverberate against the stone embankment and echo into her chest. Power courses through her as she watches her idiotic, would-be killer startle and stumble back… only to right herself and throw her hands up in a huff. 

"Fine! I'll just shout at whatever, since apparently that's what you do here!" The stranger slams the stick down on its point, burying it deep into the sand and leans her weight against it, wobbling only slightly with a heaving sigh. "Listen. Just relax a minute and listen to me."

Only the crashing waves and panting drags of her breath echoes in the silence.

"Alright," she says as Lexa seethes and looks on. "My name is Clarke. I'm not… one hundred percent sure where I am, but if I am where I should be, I need you to know that I was sent here by my people, okay? I didn't choose to be here—"

"That does not matter!"

"I know that!" this woman, this Clarke, snaps right back. "I know you're pissed, you've made that abundantly clear, but what I'm saying is, whatever you think I'm here to do, believe me when I say, I am not."

"I think you're here to kill me," Lexa says in all but a growl.

Clarke throws the arm she's not leaning on into the air. "Then it's a wonderful thing we're having this chat, because I'm not."

Lexa's jaw aches with how hard she grits her teeth at the snark soaked rebuttal. "Then what are you here for?"

"I already said I didn't have a choice. I was just shipped off here and told to—." Lexa watches the woman swallow down the rest of her words, blonde hair swaying with the shake of her head. "Look, it doesn't matter what I was told to do. I'm not interested in fighting anyone else's battles right now. All I plan to do is squat here for a few weeks, work on my tan, fix my gods forsaken boat, and get out of your hair… Or uh, not your— The, with the— I'm assuming, if you are— If you're —"

"Why shouldn't I strike you down where you stand?" Lexa calls over the pathetic bumbling of the woman below. "I stay to the shadows for your safety, grace you with an opportunity to flee for your life. Why should I not step forward and let you see the face of your end?"

All Clarke does is snort. "Yeah, good luck with that."

Fingernails digging into the weathered bark of the tree does nothing to soothe the surge of anger that rises in Lexa's chest. She watches as the stranger seems to sigh to herself. The stick gets yanked from where it'd been buried in the sand and shook off.

And then the damn tapping starts again.

"What is that you are doing?" Lexa calls in a huff.

The woman flops a careless hand in her general direction as she calls back, "Playing a real fun game called trying to not break my neck. You can't tell?" and taps the stick against a hip sized boulder along its side and up the top, and then moves on to it's sister to the right in a few series of clicks. 

Lexa watches her repeat this process several times over, wandering in short bursts until finding another object of interest before starting the process all over. She watches that face turn up, eyes still shut tight, pausing and leaning and listening to every roll of the waves, every rustle of wind, every minute chirp of birds.

It's only when a head butts her temple and black beady eyes slip closed and stay closed, when the tip of Clarke's stick finds the gnarled roots of an upended tree and the woman chances a feel with her hands along the rough bark that it all finally makes sense.

"You're blind."

She says it more to herself than anyone, long since used to the lack of audience that can talk back, but the astute observation still earns her laugh. One topped with a tired smile from that unseeing face as she eases down onto the overturned tree for a rest. 

"Whew. Nothin' gets past you."

[imnotasuperhero]

You play dead, but you never bled

Wanda Maximoff x Reader

Summary: You never thought a calm, lazy Tuesday night would end this way. Angsty fluff

A/N: AHH! First of all.. HAPPY BDAY BEAR!!! This one goes for you! Thanks for allowing me to explore new sides of our baby Wanda. Hope I did it justice.

I hope you guys enjoy this little something and your tears fill my cup. I promise it has a nice ending. You can find the prompt here!

The ringing on your door took you out of the trance estate you were into.

Pausing the movie, you walked to the door with your mind peeling itself to find out who could it be. You hadn’t asked for deli.

“Hi,” you smiled at the person on the other side.

“Long time no see,” the brunette stepped inside without waiting for an invitation. Not that she needed one, anyways.

Giggling, you closed the door and followed her to the kitchen, taking two glasses off the cupboard. “You’re a savior,”

“Eh. I do my best.” Wanda shrugged and took a cold bottle of wine from your fridge. “But seriously. Why you ignored me?”

“I didn’t,” you sighed, trying to formulate something believable. “I just got super busy these past weeks and all I wanted to do was sleep.”

“We do,” you swallowed hard, feeling the walls starting to constrict around you. She didn’t need to know.

Sitting on the couch, Wanda left the bottle on the coffee table before she turned to face you.

“We know each other.” The green eyes staring intently at you sent shivers down your spine.

“Tell you what,” the brunette handed your glass. “We eat and watch some movie and then we make up for the lost time.” She raised her glass expectantly.

The pressure on your chest grew exponentially when Wanda started leaning against you. Her warm breath on your skin was something intoxicating.

Closing your eyes, you waited for the kiss that never came. At least, not how you expected.

Wanda pecked your nose before sitting back again, busying herself serving you both a glass of wine.

And that’s what you did for the next two hours. Just enjoying each other’s company with your favorite take out and a nice bottle of wine. But something in your gut told you to stay alert. There was always calm before the storm.

And boy, did the storm hit.

“I’m not gonna change,” Wanda barked, never faltering in her posture.

“I’m not- I’m not asking you to,” you sighed, trying to calm the sudden chaos in the air. “Look, I didn’t mean for you to react this way.” You sat down at the edge of the bed, extending your hand for Wanda to take.  All the way forcing yourself extremely hard to keep your eyes on hers and not let them wander down her naked body. You owe her that much.

After a few seconds that stretched way too long for your liking, Wanda sighed and sat beside you, ignoring your hand.

“Don’t do this to me,” she begged. Her tears finally starting to form.

“From the beginning I knew this was just a companion thing. And I accepted it, bc I knew i wasn’t the only one.” Your heart squeezed at the crude look in Wanda’s eyes. “But it’s been a year,” you sighed trying to find the right words to express your feelings.

“It’s been a year where I got to not only have your body, but also your soul- No, wait.” You held Wanda’s hand before she got to stand up.

“In that year, I’ve got to know the girl that lies beneath the sexy outfits and the killer lips. I’ve got to know your heart.” You paused, gathering the courage to say the next part. “And I-”

“Just hear me out?” You asked hopefully, feeling your own tears about to fall.

Wanda nodded curtly, allowing your lungs to finally reach for the oxygen you unconsciously deprived them from.

“No.” Wanda stood up, hurriedly dressing herself, dropping your heart down a cliff, falling to its imminent crash.

You had to do something. Anything. You couldn’t let her go without telling her what you hid inside you. God knows you couldn’t be able to function if you let her slip through your fingers without fighting.

“I don’t intend to change you, Wands. I don’t own you and I don’t want to. I just-” pausing once again, you looked into those teary green orbs looking for answers. Anything would do, now.

“I want that girl in my life,” you changed your words. You knew this wasn’t easy for her.

Walking the distance, you cupped her cheek, obliging her to look at you.

“Let me be a part of you?”

You didn’t know how it happened, but with your back against the wall and those intoxicating lips of hers on you, the sob that escaped you collided into that burning kiss, allowing your tears to mix with hers. And the next moment, the air between you became too hot and the heat inside you asked for permission to finally combust and…

“You’re an asshole,” Wanda breathed deeply, leaning her forehead against yours.

You giggled at her affirmation, wrapping your arms around her waist. “The best one you have.” This time, you were the one who chased her lips, tugging on her shirt for permission.

To say that night you showed Wanda what she really meant to you was an understatement.

After all, your love had no limits and you would make sure Wanda knew it, for she deserved to know she was more than just a call to ease your needs.

Granted, you knew this ride wouldn’t be easy peasy. You weren’t the only one who got to worship her body, but you were the only one who have her soul. And she had yours.

And for that bond that only shone brighter at that moment, you swore to never allow her to feel she wasn’t enough or that her feelings didn’t matter.

It was in that soft moan that filtered through the kiss when your hip pushed against hers just right, that you vowed to always be waiting for her return to home.

And tonight, you didn’t want to sleep. Tonight, you wanted to keep on loving her.

As always, comments and reblogs are appreciated 💕

Taglist: @summergeezburr @red1culous @wandabear

[rayassecretlife]

Know my mind.

Pairing: 16 year old!Neteyam Sully x Fem!Metkayina!Reader

This is part 3 of The series! Read part 1 and part 2 first!

Summary: It’s been two months since you arrived in the forest and the clan had been training yeou in many ways, but when Jake decides your ready to hunt and you end up costing the clan a meal, you can’t help but confide in Neteyam with your shattered past.

Warning(s): Mature language, blood, there’s not much to warn of in this chapter :))

It was a cold day in the forest. The trees were brushing against one another in the air and the breeze was hitting all the right places, birds chirping in the air as well as the large Ikran’s that flooded the sky.

Today was the day after you arrived to the forest. You spent the night in one of the abandoned huts Lo’ak had brought you to, and Neteyam stayed with you the entire night, watching you like a hawk as you slept. He still wasn’t completely sure whether to trust you or not, which is exactly why you were meeting his father today. His father would make the final decision, and you hoped he’d accept you. You didn’t want to go back home—not yet at least. You didn’t want to deal with your father or ao’nung, you just wanted to get away.

“Are you dressed?” Neteyam’s voice calls from outside the hut as you tie the loincloth to your waist, sighing out a yes. He had been rushing you all morning, almost as if he was a completely different boy then last night. “Come” He grabs your arm, pulling you with him until you reached a ledge, the large Ikran sitting there patiently waiting for him to hop on.

“What about Lo’ak and kiri? I thought-“

“My siblings will meet us there. Let’s go” You sigh, throwing your leg over the Ikran so you had been between the animal and Neteyam, his stomach pressed against your back as he made the bond with the animal. “Hold on tight” His arm is still snaked around you to hold you close while his free hand is clasp around the Ikran, taking off from the cliff only a second later.

Ever since you woke up, the forest boy had been acting so different. He was acting like he did at first last night, but it was like he completely forgot about how he was talking to you normally before you went to sleep. He was more strict now, like he had been trying to play some part he wasn’t fit for. He was trying to be rude and cold, but you saw right through the boy’s demeanor. You weren’t afraid of him.

Neteyam would’ve expected you to be nervous but you were quite the opposite. Your eyes were glued to the ground under you, taking in the beautiful forest and it’s floating islands. It was so beautiful, you could only imagine flying at night.

“Is that…” Neteyam hums in response, flying over the glowing purple tree. “Your spirit tree? It’s so beautiful” you admire its beauty, it looked so different from yours. Soon, Neteyam’s Ikran lands on an edge where multiple of them sit, and you could make our way more warriors surrounding your arrival.

The people were staring hard at you, as if you were some monster. Neteyam had a tight grip on you, as if he was detaining you or something which made your forehead crease in confusion. It wasn’t until you heard that sweet little voice, that your eyes ripped away from the peoples and to hers.

“Y/N!” Tuk runs toward you and Neteyam, pushing past him to hug your leg. “Your here! Are you meeting my dad?” Neteyam glares at the two other siblings approaching, knowing how bad this looked on him to the clan.

“Nothing to see here! As you were!” Kiri tells off the large group around you, removing your arm from Neteyam’s grip. “She’s not a dog, Neteyam. I thought we agreed-“

“We agreed on keeping her safe during the night, but it’s morning now. I won’t let dad see me take it easy on her when she is an outsider!” The two siblings argue and Lo’ak walks to you with a laugh, watching as you pick Tuk up and place her on your hip.

“He was good to you, right? I know he can be a pushover but that’s not really him talking, you know?” You nod, glancing over at the two who still argued, remembering how he reacted when you explained how hard your father was on you. It must’ve been the same for him. “Let me take you to my father”

The boy takes you through a longer trail until you approach a large cave, a woman’s voice echoing from the inside. You enter with hesitancy and could hear Lo’ak speaking to the woman once he went farther, and you could tell she was angry. In that exact moment, a much taller man entered the cave, and you knew that was him; Toruk Makto, and the Omatikaya clan’s Olo’Eyktan.

Jake sully.

You’ve heard many of his stories and how great of a warrior he was, also how he was a dream Walker before he was an avatar. I see you, Jake Sully You sign to him with a gentle hand, and you set Tuk down on the ground while Lo’ak brought the woman into the room as well.

He gestures to outside and you hesitantly nod, seeing the village circled around the main point, waiting for you to enter. The people’s eyes burn holes in your skin and give you nasty looks but Jake silenced them, the woman grabbing onto his arm.

That day had only been two months ago, and you still remember it like it was yesterday. You met the clan and it’s people, and Jake surprisingly took you in but with one condition; you had to learn their ways, and his children had to teach you. Kiri showed you the way of healing along with her grandmother, while Neteyam trained with you to really see if you were the great warrior you were said to be.

Which you were.

Which brings you here; Standing above Neteyam with your knife pointed to his face and his body pinned to the ground. It made you laugh, he looked so angry. “How’s that for a warrior?” You hum cockily, standing aside and holding your hand out for him to take which he only pushes away, standing to his feet by himself. You roll your eyes, “someone’s mad today, huh?”

“That was awesome, Y/N!” Lo’ak’s loud chuckle tares your eyes from Neteyam, and you couldn’t help but laugh as he pushes your shoulder playfully. “Dude, she totally just bitched you” it was clear you were joking, but Neteyam wasn’t engaging. His father was well on his way over and he never felt so embarrassed in his life, scared his father would get mad at him for losing.

“That was good. Looks like you do got something to offer” You smile at Jake with a soft nod to your head, watching him pat his oldest son’s shoulder. “Alright, Lo’ak. We’ve got to go but we’re leaving in twenty minutes for hunting, I want to see you there, Y/N” He instructs and your ears instantly perk, nodding your head more happily now. Neteyam doesn’t bother to look up as his father and brother leave, walking over to where his bow laid on the ground.

“Where are you going? We still have to practice shooting” You ask the Omatikaya boy, watching as he stands back up and sighs, not bothering to look back at you. It was only then when you notice the slight break in his bow, that you felt that guilt flood your body. “I… Neteyam I’m sorry” You walk to him and grab hold of his arm, turning him to you so you could see more of the bow. “I can fix this—I can-“

“You shouldn’t be sorry. Your a great warrior, Y/N” The boy states truthfully, his voice barely above a whisper. You look up to meet his eyes, noticing how disappointed in himself he had been. Neteyam never lost a fight, let alone to an outsider. “I am proud of you for learning, I’m just not used to losing” He admits with a small chuckle and you follow, letting go of his bow.

“I guess that makes too of us” You admit with a soft smile, and Neteyam can’t hide his own. You’d been there for two months and Neteyam had been training you ever since you got here, but he still didn’t know anything about you. Hell, he didn’t even know your favorite color. Truth be told, you were avoiding telling him anything about the reef. You didn’t want to reminisce on something you didn’t want to rehash—at least not until you had to go home.

He gestures you to move over and you do, taking your position in front of a tree where you had practiced shooting before. “A little more to the left” His words guide you, and you soon feel his hands touch your waist to reposition your stance. He’s humming in your ear and you can now feel his large figure right against your own, his large hands overlapping yours on your bow to show you the way. “And… there”

You let go and watch it cut clean through, hearing Neteyam’s laugh behind you which made you do the same. “That was it!” You turn to the boy with a smile so big it hurt, and he jogs over to retrieve the arrow, pulling it from the wood. “I think I’m a much better fighter, though” He chuckles with a shake of his head and slips the arrow back in its holder against your back, causing you to look at him with furrowed eyebrows.

“Hunting party is leaving in fifteen minutes, we should go meet with everyone” His words make you smile even harder and your quick to scurry past him, more then excited to go on your first trip. Neteyam follows hot on your tail up until you reach high camp, noticing all of the warriors were already lined up and ready to leave.

“There you are, kid. Thought you’d be more eager” Jake jokes with a hand atop your head, ruffling your hair which makes you hiss. You call to your Ikran, but Neteyam lays a hand on your shoulder before you could interact with it.

“Are you sure you want to ride alone? I don’t want you to get lost” Neteyam asks and it’s almost clear he wants you to ride with him, but you shake your head with a smile, reassuring the boy you would be alright. He lets you go with a slightly worried sigh before going to his own Ikran, and the rest of the warriors began to hop onto theirs.

“We’re just going a little outside the barriers, nothing too bad, kid” Jake pages to you and you look over to him, nodding your head. Flying was never a problem for you, but it was night and the forest was usually somewhat dark outside the barriers which meant it would be harder to see. Neteyam feared they’d lose you and you’d get caught up with animals you don’t know how to deal with.

You fly very close to Neteyam most of the time, following the party’s cry when they did so, and following Jake wherever he went. Your Ikran was the prettiest shade of blue that matched your skin perfectly, along with little details of purple and yellow. You named her atan which meant light in Na’vi, due to her yellow patterns being the first thing you notice about her. She was very friendly, especially with Lo’ak and Neteyam, like they already had a built in bond with her.

“Over there, Kid! You see it?” You follow Jake’s eyes and slow down, scanning the area for what he had been speaking of. You finally spot the animal and alert him, reaching back to pull an arrow and your bow from its holder.

“Y/N, wait!” Neteyam tries to speak but your already shooting the arrow, watching as it sped right past the animal making it run. “Y/N, Bank!” Neteyam yells at you and finally catches your attention, but just as you fly lower, you couldn’t go fast enough to miss the cliff in front of you.

It all happened so quick. From the moment you fell from your Ikran, to the wind blowing in your hair when you were free falling, and the impact of getting caught. Your heart was racing and you couldn’t even see who caught you, but you could hear the calls above to move back to high camp, and feel the blood dripping down your arm.

“Your alright, Kid” Oh no. It was Jake… the only possible person you could think of when you fell. You were terrified of the costs this would bring you, and hated yourself for being stupid enough to miss a shot you took many times. you push your hair from your face to look at him just in time when his Ikran sat back on the ledge at high camp, and helped Jake lower you back onto your feet. “Took a nasty hit, ill tell you that”

Jake’s hand rests on the small of your back for just a second when you shake your head frantically, looking up at him with pleading eyes. “I… I had it! I swear I-“

“Y/N” Kiri’s voice chimes in and cuts Jake’s gaze from you, your worries only growing ten times larger by this. You can’t look away from Jake. You were so afraid he’d think differently of you now that you failed your first trip, and you embarrassed yourself in front of his oldest son who spent so long training you. “What happened? Your arm-“

“Olo’Eyktan—sir, I’m so sorry! I had it I just-“ You try to grasp his attention again but Jake shakes his head with a slight chuckle, cutting your words off before you could beg any longer.

“Im not mad at you-“

“No no, I should’ve banked I… Neteyam taught me how! I know how to hunt I swear!” The man sighs and all eyes are now on you, taking in your desperate voice and appearance. “Please, just let me go again”

Jake places a gentle hand on your back with a sigh, causing your body to wince. “We will try another time, okay? Your bleeding, you need to get patched up” Before you could even try to protest, He’s already back on his Ikran, calling to the rest of the warriors to leave with him once again. No, no! You couldn’t make the same mistake you did with your father—you couldn’t disappoint Jake when the clan already felt so differently about you. Kiri’s hands are soft against your skin and her voice only grows louder, trying to gain your attention that was so obviously set on her father who had flown away seconds ago.

You didn’t understand. You practiced so hard… you did so good with Neteyam. You didn’t want to disappoint anyone, especially Jake. You couldn’t make the same mistake you did when you were at the reef.

“Y/N” Neteyam steps in front of you to capture your gaze to see your obviously on edge, and he doesn’t miss the way your eyes are starting to water as soon as you look at him. “Hey, it’s alright. It happens-“ his words aren’t helping soothe you even a little bit. You couldn’t fix what happened, and you had made a total fool of yourself and Neteyam. The boy’s words slowly fade as you push past everyone till you got to your Ikran, hopping onto it without giving it a second thought. Neteyam calls loudly for you when you fly off, but he’s quick to go after you, following you through the forest sky.

By the time you land, tears are brimming your eyes harshly, threatening to fall down your cheeks to which your vision became blurry. Your Ikran sets itself just at the top of the mountains, and you land with your hand clasped around the animal, trying your hardest to fight off the emotions you couldn’t control. you don’t pay any mind to the boy who lands next to you.

You don’t pay any mind to the boy who lands next to you until his voice is urgent, worried almost when you slip off your Ikran and he’s already right next to you, reaching for your arm. “Y/N, you are still bleeding-“

“I’m fine, Neteyam. I want to be alone” You push the boy gently but with intent, walking forward until you reached the small pond you had been so familiar with from your past training sessions. Neteyam knew this had been your favorite spot. Beside its amazing view of the forest, this was where you took your first Ikran ride together, and the two of you could still remember it like it was yesterday. Your about to sit when he grabs your arm gently, forcing you to turn to him. You quickly notice his eyes only on the huge cut on your stomach that had been gushing blood, like he had been blaming himself for it.

“Sit down” He states in a soft demanding tone, all while pulling you over to the water and your eyes caught glimpse of the bandages he must’ve grabbed from kiri before he left to follow you here. You open your mouth to protest but he already snaps, “I’m not asking. Sit down” He pulls you down to sit on the ground under you, pushing on your shoulder to tilt you back once he’s in front of your body. “Yeysu, ‘evenge” The boy mutters under his breath, setting down the bandages next to him before pulling out a small capsule that made your eyebrows furrow.

“What is that?” You ask, still annoyed that he even followed you in the first place. He ignores you and dips a rag into the water next to you, soon enough running it along your wound to which made you hiss defensively at the boy. “Tìftang si, You Skxawng!” You grab his wrist, urging him to stop or at least to slow down a bit. Neteyam didn’t care though, all he could think about was how you were bleeding profusely and the cut was huge, he couldn’t stop.

“Mawey, taronyutsyìp” (Calm, Little Hunter) Neteyam soothes in Na’vi, putting pressure on your wound to stop its ache. He looks up to see your face twisted in pain, and he couldn’t help but feel for you at his next words, “I have to clean it. This will hurt” He opens the capsule to reveal a paste like substance and your instantly familiar with it. Yalnabark was so popular, how didn’t you think of that? Neteyam looks at you once more before putting some on his finger, and gently placing it along your wound. “I know, I know” He repeats over as your biting so hard on your lip you were sure there was blood there as well, crying loudly at the pain in your stomach. He continues to cover your cut with it, wrapping a bandage around your stomach as soon as he could so it would stay tight against your skin.

“I’m not a kid. I didn’t need you to-“ You try to protest but you aren’t able to before he’s giving you those death staring eyes, and interrupting you quickly.

“Eywa, can you ever just say thank you?” Your ears bat at the boys annoyed tone, looking down at your lap when he released you and put aside the medical supplies. “I’ve gotten much worse wounds then that, it will heal quickly” Neteyam points out when he notices you looking at the bandage, but you had only been doing that to avoid eye contact with him.

“Thanks” Was all you said, just above a whisper when it leaves your mouth. Neteyam studies your state while crossing his legs, leaning on his elbows against his thighs to try and examine your face that’s unfortunately hidden by your long hair. If it wasn’t for his curiousness, he probably would’ve left you alone but who was he to leave you? It was clear you weren’t yourself. You weren’t the fighter he had been training in this moment.

“Why did you run? Kiri was going to-“

“I don’t need to explain myself, Neteyam” You snap and Neteyam knows you are right. He couldn’t make you explain yourself or admit to it not being your fault, but he sure as hell was gonna try to pry at that soft spot you were so obviously holding back from. Now you sit drawing circles on your leg with the pads of your fingertips, while Neteyam can’t help but stare at your fidgeting movements and notice the sniffle you inhaled through your stuffy nose—like you had been crying. “Could you leave me? And tell your father I’m sorry” Ah, there it was. it was all starting to come to him now.

“He is not mad at you, Y/N” Neteyam hopes to reassure you with his words, fighting back the urge to touch you to let you know he was actually there and listening. It seemed you had been in your own world, and you felt like you couldn’t talk to him but that was everything but true. Neteyam wanted you to talk to him, he wanted to know you at least a little bit. His lips parted in an act to say something else but he couldn’t seem to get anything out. Maybe talking wasn’t right for this? He didn’t know. He didn’t know your mind well enough for this.

So instead he places a gentle hand on your knee, ceasing it’s slight shake with his warm touch. Heat travels throughout your leg where his hand lays and you slowly look up to the Omatikaya boy, watching as his face softens at your sad state. Your eyes glisten with tears against the sunset, and he could tell in that moment that you needed someone there, even if it had to be him. You were disappointed in yourself with hunting, and now with the simple fact you were crying in front of Neteyam.

“I just wanted to do it right, You know? Always seemed like I could never get it right in the reef—I thought I could-“ The firm squeeze on your knee ceases your rambling words and you wipe your tears from your cheeks almost instantly, thinking about how embarrassing you probably looked. You clearly weren’t done and Neteyam knew that. Anyone could see that you were breaking inside, like you wanted nothing more then one hug.

which is why he moved closer to you, spreading his legs out to where they grazed yours which makes you look up at him. The look he gave you was enough to make your tense body soften, and you let him encase you in a hug. You hesitated for a moment before laying your head in the crook of his neck, soon feeling his arms wrap comfortably around your small frame.

“You don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to” His words are simple but warm, and you can’t help but relish in his arms, feeling your tears build up once again when he rubs your back. There was something about his voice and body language that your body found soothing, and the way he held you hesitantly but close made you forget you barely even knew him.

“This is how I ran away” Your words are meant to come out gently but were filled with hesitation and fear, your shaky breath coating them. Your body is now tense in Neteyam’s arms and he can tell clearly, now caressing your arm gently with his fingertips in an act to calm you. “When I missed that shot… it reminded me of the night I left home. I never truly told you why I left, Neteyam” His eyes are now on yours, almost tense himself just by your words.

“I had went hunting with my father and a few other warriors, and everything was fine until we saw a few outsiders. People that didn’t have a clan, Neteyam. I… I don’t know why, but my head got the best of me and I ended up taking a shot I shouldn’t have”

“The group came after me and my party, and… and i cost two of our greatest warriors their lives because of my stupid decision. I’ll never be able to forgive myself for that” Neteyam listens to your every word, heart burning for you in a way he never had before. Your cheeks are practically painted with tears now, staining Neteyam’s skin with every new bit. He probably thinks your a danger to them, wishes he’d never trained you in their ways.

But that wasn’t true, and he made that clear with his words. “No one is perfect, Y/N. My father is the same way, that’s the reason I am who I am. Lo’ak is very similar to you, I know exactly the type you are” He begins and you couldn’t help but look up at the boy with some fear in his next words, but to your surprise, the corner of his lips peek into a closed mouth smile, and one of his hands move from your back to the side of your face.

“You didn’t earn that band by being perfect” He pushes your hair away from your face with a soft smile, wiping your tears away with the pad of his thumb. “And I know we don’t always get along, and I know I’m a pain to train with sometimes… but I want you to know you can talk to me. I’m sorry you had to keep that in for so long” His eyes are tortured against your own, his hand still holding the side of your face with care. Neteyam didn’t understand how the two of you got here, he wanted to kill you months ago and now he sat comforting you when you cried. He watched closely as you lay a gentle hand on his heart, letting out a small sniffle before smiling through your sad expression, nodding your head.

“I’m sorry for making this hard for you” You apologize genuinely but he only shakes his head, reaching down into one of the holsters on his chest piece. The corners of your eyes crease at his every move, confused as to what he was to pull out during a time like this. Neteyam chuckles when he notices your worried expression, pulling out something that had been caught in his palm.

“I have something for you” Neteyam releases your face slowly and your eyes follow his, glued to his closed palm until he opens his hand to reveal a small band covering it. You look up at him as if he had been joking or toying around with you, to which makes him laugh at your completely in shock expression. “My father gave me this the moment you shot your first arrow with him. He told me to give it to you when I thought you were ready and I think that’s now”

You look up at him in disbelief, shaking your head unknowingly “But I… I messed up-“

“Exactly. Your first mess up and it probably won’t be your last, but your an amazing warrior, Y/N. You deserve it, and you deserve to let go of your past” His words make your heart warm, and you can’t hide the smile that forced your lips curved, watching as he returned the same. He grabs hold of your arm gently, tying the warrior’s hand around your arm just loose enough to stay snug against your skin but not leave a mark. “Now you have two” His accent thickens with his words and it makes your heart pound, a feeling you’d never felt before. He looks to you again, but before he could say much else, you can’t stop yourself from pulling him into a firm hug once again.

Your arms wrap comfortably around his neck and his around your waist, his forestry scent radiating off his skin when you press your face into his hair. You felt much better, almost as if him being here soothed your horrible nerves. It scared you truly, but you were too far in the moment to realize that now. “Thank you” Your words are just above a whisper when you let them slip and the boy under you chuckles in a relieving way, rubbing your back softly.

“We may not be hunting right now, but I think I have a pretty good idea of what we could do in the meantime?” He says in a questioning tone which makes you slowly pull away, looking at him for his explanation but he only smiles, standing to his feet. “I think it’s about time we get to know each other. Don’t you think, taronyutsyìp?”

Neteyam holds out his hand for you to take, earning a cheeky smile from you when you take it, allowing him to pull you to your feet. You glance down at your now double-banded arm with your hand still in his own, admiring how different they had been from each other. Your eyes once again meet his after glancing down at your locked hands, nodding your head.

“So where to, Forest boy?”

My babies are so cute ugh :((( sorry for the inactivity once again, life has been so busy.

Taglist: @mashiromochi @luvagirlsworld @doggyteam2028 @angelsamor @lu-the-ghost-reader @chiro-chiro-kun @yootvi @ssc7514 @mazemymirror @tejas-kris @jakescumdump @viajaeger @littlelilies @myh3artttt @erenswife5 @rinizitos @luz15sstuff @lalamac125 @countryandsweetbabygirl @queenmizuki @neytirishottie 😘

[paigeswiftsea]

this is my last prewritten chapter..... im a shell of a person.

link to ao3

wc: 2.6 k

Sabine stared at the swirling energy of the portal, her heart thudding in her chest. She had always been so sure of herself—cold, calculated, and unflinching. But seeing Blaire thrown into that abyss by Darko, seeing the fear in her eyes before she vanished—it was a crack in the armor Sabine had built for herself over the years. The façade she had so carefully crafted, the one that had kept her at the top of her game, now felt like a prison.

She leaned against Khaan, her trusted steed, his warmth grounding her as her mind raced. She didn’t want to be trapped between light and dark, forced to pick a side in a war she didn’t fully believe in. Sabine wanted more—her own path, something that didn’t align her with Garnok’s madness or the Soul Riders’ naïve ideals. She wanted to live by her own code, her own morality, not constantly bound to Mr. Sands’ orders or Dark Core’s ambitions.

But it wasn’t that simple, was it?

As the last of the Dark Riders vanished into the night, Sabine remained behind, her gaze fixed on the spot where Blaire had disappeared. She felt trapped in a way she had never been before. She kept up her tough exterior, masking her hesitation and doubt, but the thought of Blaire being harmed gnawed at her. The girl had become a complication, a constant in her mind, and it wasn’t just the kiss. It wasn’t just Blaire’s stubbornness or determination. It was something deeper, something Sabine didn’t know how to deal with.

She didn’t want to watch Blaire suffer. She didn’t want to hurt her. But how could she protect Blaire without betraying the others—without betraying herself?

Sabine closed her eyes, her fingers gripping Khaan’s reins tighter as old memories surfaced. Her parents. The never-ending struggle to please them, to be the daughter they wanted, and when that failed, the suffocating feeling of disappointment. That’s when Sands had found her, swept her up in his promises of power and respect. He had been proud of her, or at least, he had made her feel that way. Sabine had swallowed it all, every word, because it was better than feeling worthless. But now, after years of following orders, she wondered if it had been real at all.

Was Sands proud of her because he truly cared? Or was she just another pawn, manipulated to fit his schemes?

Sabine hated the uncertainty. She hated the fact that no matter what she chose, someone would be disappointed. Sands, the Dark Riders, Blaire. No matter what, she would let someone down.

With a heavy sigh, she stood, patting Khaan’s neck before turning toward the sea. The night air was cool against her skin, a reminder that time was running out. She couldn’t stay here forever, wrestling with her thoughts.

Maybe that’s why, after what felt like hours, Sabine found herself walking toward the small boat docked at the edge of the cove. She hadn’t planned it, but her feet carried her forward, her mind too clouded to stop herself. The boat rocked gently as she stepped aboard, the sea quiet and still, as if waiting for her.

She was going to Cape Sorrow. Sabine didn’t know what she was expecting to find there, but she knew she had to go. If she didn’t confront this, if she didn’t make a choice, she would lose herself completely.

As she untied the boat and pushed off from the shore, Sabine felt the weight of her dilemma pressing down on her, but for the first time, she allowed herself to feel it. To sit with it.

Sabine wasn't sure who she would become by the time she reached Cape Sorrow, but she knew one thing—whatever happened, it would be on her terms.

Blaire looked up at sabine, trying to make her way over to blaire over the rocks and cmall cliffs and rocky edges. "Hey, you came." Blaire said softly.

Sabine paused, her boots crunching against the jagged rocks as she carefully navigated the uneven terrain. The night was cool, a faint breeze coming off the sea as the waves crashed below. Blaire's voice cut through the quiet, soft but filled with something that made Sabine's chest tighten.

"Of course I came," Sabine replied, her tone more casual than she felt inside. She hopped over a small crevice and landed near Blaire, steadying herself on the rocks. Her gaze shifted to Blaire’s weary face, the shadows under her eyes, the exhaustion that radiated from her in waves.

Blaire sat perched on a narrow ledge, her knees drawn up, staring out into the dark waters. She looked like she had been through hell—because she had. The weight of it all was etched into her features, but there was something else in her eyes now. A quiet strength, a resilience Sabine had never quite seen in her before.

"I wasn’t going to leave you here alone," Sabine added, lowering herself to sit beside Blaire. She didn’t look at her right away, her eyes focused on the horizon. "Not after everything."

Blaire turned her head slightly, watching Sabine for a moment, trying to read her. "Why?" It wasn’t a demand, but a simple question, layered with confusion and curiosity.

Sabine stayed silent for a few heartbeats, her mind racing with thoughts she hadn’t quite figured out how to express. Why? Because she couldn’t bear the thought of Blaire being alone in this nightmare, or because her own feelings had become a tangled mess she couldn’t untangle?

"I don’t know," Sabine finally admitted, her voice low. "I’m trying to figure it out."

Blaire looked down at the rocky ground beneath her feet, her fingers absentmindedly tracing patterns in the dirt. "I thought… maybe you wouldn’t care. Not really."

Sabine clenched her jaw, feeling a pang of guilt at Blaire’s words. "I do care," she said quietly, her voice more honest than it had been in a long time. "More than I want to admit."

Blaire glanced up, surprise flickering in her tired eyes. "Then why do you stay with them?"

Sabine shifted, the weight of the question heavy in the air. "Because... I’ve been with them for so long, Blaire. I don’t know how to be anything else. But that doesn’t mean I want this." She gestured vaguely to the dark island, the chaos they were both caught in. "It doesn’t mean I want to hurt you."

Blaire gave a weak laugh, though there was no humor in it. "You sure have a funny way of showing it."

Sabine winced, but she didn’t argue. Blaire was right. "I know," Sabine said softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "But I’m here now."

The silence between them stretched out, both of them lost in their thoughts. Sabine could feel the pull of the sea, the isolation of Cape Sorrow, and for a moment, it felt like they were the only two people in the world.

Blaire eventually leaned her head back against the rocky ledge, her eyes closing for a brief moment. "I don’t know what’s going to happen next, Sabine," she murmured. "I don’t know if I can keep doing this."

Sabine’s heart clenched at the vulnerability in Blaire’s voice. "You don’t have to do it alone," she said, almost to herself.

Blaire’s eyes flickered open, turning toward Sabine. "And what about you? What side are you on, Sabine?"

Sabine looked at Blaire, her heart hammering in her chest. "I’m still figuring that out," she admitted. "But right now? I’m on your side."

For the first time in what felt like forever, Blaire gave a small, tired smile. "Good. Because I don’t think I can keep going without knowing that."

Sabine didn’t respond, but she reached out, her fingers brushing against Blaire’s for a moment—a quiet promise. They sat there in the dark, the weight of their choices pressing down on them, but for now, it felt a little less heavy.

After a few moments of silence, Blaire looked up again, watching as Sabine sat next to her stretching her legs out. Blaire opened up her mouth to speak, then closed it. With a small sigh she eventually asked, “That night, after… you know the whole Erissa thing. You told Linda that my Balnace idea was stupid. Did you mean it?”

Sabine flinched, her gaze dropping to the ground. The question hung in the air between them, sharp and unexpected. She hadn't been prepared for it, but she should have known Blaire wouldn’t forget something like that.

Blaire was staring at her now, her eyes tired but steady, searching Sabine’s face for an answer. "Did you mean that?" Blaire asked again, her voice quieter this time, but no less firm.

"I—" Sabine started, but the words caught in her throat. She took a deep breath, trying to sort through the tangle of emotions she felt. "I didn't mean to hurt you," she said finally. "What I said… it was in the heat of the moment. I was angry and frustrated."

Blaire’s gaze was unwavering, though it was clear she was trying to mask the hurt. "It felt like a personal attack. I was trying to do something good, something to help us all, and you dismissed it like it was nothing."

Sabine winced, her heart aching at the pain in Blaire’s voice. "I’m sorry. I should have been more thoughtful. I was caught up in my own issues and didn't see things clearly."

Blaire looked away, her eyes fixed on the horizon. "It's just that, despite everything, I wanted to believe that we could find a way to make things better. But when you said that… it felt like everything I was fighting for was being dismissed."

Sabine moved closer, her hand reaching out but stopping short of touching Blaire. "I was wrong, Blaire. Your plan, your vision—it's important. I was too caught up in my own confusion to see that. I’m sorry for how I acted."

Blaire turned back to face Sabine, her expression softening slightly. "It’s not just about the plan, Sabine. It’s about feeling like I’m on my own, like my ideas don’t matter. And right now, it feels like everyone is fighting against me, even you."

Sabine’s gaze dropped to the ground, her thoughts racing. "I understand. And I’m sorry for adding to that feeling. I know I haven't been the best ally lately. I want to be, though. I really do."

Blaire nodded slowly, taking in Sabine’s words. "It’s just… hard to trust people when they keep letting you down."

Sabine nodded, knowing all too well what it felt like to not be able to trust. "I get it," she said quietly, her voice softer than usual. "I've been there, too. More times than I'd like to admit."

Blaire raised an eyebrow. "Really? You?"

Sabine let out a small, bitter laugh. "Yeah, me. I know I don’t exactly seem like the type to care about trust or… anything else, really. But I've been let down more times than I can count." Her gaze drifted toward the horizon, her thoughts wandering to the people in her past who had failed her, from her parents to Mr. Sands. "That’s why I built walls. It was easier to push people away than to give them the chance to hurt me."

Blaire remained silent, her eyes watching Sabine with a new understanding.

"But you’re different," Sabine continued, her voice barely above a whisper. "With you, I feel like… maybe those walls don't have to stay up. And that scares the hell out of me."

Blaire blinked, surprised by Sabine’s vulnerability. She hadn’t expected her to open up like this. "I didn’t realize…"

Sabine shrugged, her tough exterior slipping for just a moment. "No one does. I make sure of that." She glanced at Blaire, the edge of her usual smirk returning. "But I’m trying, Blaire. Trying to be better, to trust more. You just have to be patient with me."

Blaire’s expression softened as she realized how much Sabine was offering her in this moment. "I can do that," she said quietly. "I just need you to meet me halfway."

Sabine smiled, a real one this time, without her usual bite. "I will. I promise."

Blaire hesitated for a moment, studying Sabine’s face, trying to figure out if this was real—if she could actually believe her. But something about Sabine’s expression, the rawness in her eyes, made Blaire feel like, for once, she wasn’t putting on an act.

Slowly, Blaire stepped closer, feeling the tension between them shift into something softer, something unspoken. Her heart pounded in her chest as she took a leap of faith, closing the distance between them. "You promise, huh?" Blaire asked softly, her voice barely a whisper.

Sabine's gaze flickered, a rare vulnerability in her smirk as she nodded. "Yeah, I do."

Blaire’s breath hitched. Before she could second-guess herself, she leaned in, brushing her lips softly against Sabine’s. It was tentative at first, testing the waters, but when Sabine responded, pulling her in just a little closer, it felt like the weight of everything around them momentarily faded away.

The kiss was brief but enough to leave both of them breathless as they pulled back. Blaire searched Sabine’s eyes, finding a flicker of something deeper—something that felt like it could be real.

Sabine grinned, a bit of her usual confidence returning. "Took you long enough."

Blaire laughed softly, shaking her head. "Shut up." But there was no malice in her tone, only warmth.

“ Cmon, I brought a boat to get us back. Wanna come?”

Sabine extended her hand to Blaire, who hesitated for a moment, then took it. As Sabine helped her up, their eyes locked, the tension between them palpable. They stood close, the air thick with unspoken words, emotions hanging just beneath the surface.

Blaire swallowed, feeling a warmth creeping up her cheeks. “You didn’t have to come, you know.”

“I did,” Sabine replied, her voice barely a whisper. “I couldn’t leave you here.”

For a moment, they were both still, the world around them fading. Sabine’s thumb grazed Blaire’s hand, sending a spark of electricity through her. Without thinking, Blaire leaned in, closing the small distance between them, and their lips met in a soft, tentative kiss.

It was brief but filled with everything they hadn’t said. When they pulled back, Blaire’s heart raced, her gaze flickering between Sabine’s eyes and the ground.

Sabine gave a soft smile, her tough exterior softening once again. “Let’s get out of here,” she said, nodding toward the boat. “We’ve got a long way back.”

Blaire nodded, her chest feeling lighter as she followed Sabine to the edge of the rocks. The boat waited for them, gently rocking against the shoreline. Together, they boarded, leaving Cape Sorrow behind, yet taking with them raw and real.

As they boarded, Blaire promised herself she would let her guard down, just a little. Sabine had come for her when no one else had, and that meant something. The walls she'd built around her heart were high, but maybe Sabine didn’t intend to tear them down—just to find her own way in.

The boat gently swayed as they settled in, the sound of the water slapping against the hull a steady rhythm in the quiet night. Blaire sat beside Sabine, their shoulders brushing as Sabine took the oars.

Blaire looked out over the dark waters, the weight of everything that had happened still sitting heavily on her. But for the first time in a long while, she didn’t feel completely alone.

“You didn’t have to do this,” Blaire murmured, breaking the silence. “But I’m glad you did.”

Sabine glanced at her, a faint smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. “Maybe I needed to do this—for both of us.”

Blaire’s heart thudded softly in her chest. As they drifted further from Cape Sorrow, she realized that, for now, she wasn’t afraid of what came next. Not with Sabine by her side.

[radioactivepeasant]

Fic Prompts: Free Day Thursday

Adopted Dadmas using the prompt from the poll: Damas vs Teen Driver

Damas Ariidas Maridius had many regrets in his life.

He regretted ever trusting Aldrik Praxis.

He regretted putting his faith in Onin when she told him it would be safe to bring Mar with him into Haven.

He regretted not learning to cook sooner.

He certainly regretted wearing a kilt the first time he learned to ride a Leaper.

And currently, he very much regretted ever letting Jak get behind the wheel of the Slam Dozer.

"Jak, the cliff- the cliff-!"

Feet pressed into the floorboards, back braced against the seat, Damas wedged himself in place in the passenger's side with wide eyes.

"Yeah, I know." Jak was entirely too calm. "Gotta wait til we get to the edge to get the right turbo boost."

"Turbo boost?!" Damas yelped in a most un-kingly fashion, "There was a perfectly good ramp down!"

Jak gunned the engine, sending the Slam Dozer flying off the edge of another islet and back onto the mainland. He glanced over at Damas and burst out laughing. Even the icy glare sent his way couldn't dampen his mood.

"Oh come on!" he snorted, "I do this all the time!"

Damas gripped the safety harness tighter.

"With my Slam Dozer?!"

"No, with the Dune Hopper."

Damas turned his head slowly and stared at his adopted son in flabbergasted horror.

"That's worse! You took us off those islets expecting the same spring suspension as the Hopper?!"

Looking mildly insulted, Jak shifted gears and headed inland. "No?? I'm not that dumb, Pa! I tested this thing out on the bridges in Tributary first!"

The bridges in Tributary.

The shattered bridges in the burned out ruins of what used to be one of Spargus's towns? Jak was taking his favored vehicle and driving off of broken bridges-

On purpose?!

"Why?!"

Damas clasped a hand to his head.

"I know recklessness is all in a day's work for the young, but- Just-! Why?!"

Jak shrugged. "Trial and error! That's how I learned to drive!"

This child was going to give him a heart attack, Damas just knew it.

"Trial and error," he repeated flatly. Then he inhaled slowly and silently counted to four before asking, "You learned to drive through trial and error?!"

Daxter unwound himself from his death grip on the machine gun for just a moment to point at Jak. "You see what I live with?! I'm amazed I don't have gray fur by now!"

Jak rolled his eyes and Damas sent the ottsel a skeptical frown.

"And yet you're the first one demanding an encore during dark eco battles. You are not, I suspect, as adverse to danger as you pretend."

The buggy swerved to stay in a silvery patch of moonlight -- for no other reason than its driver's whim. Jak took them on a bizarre, zigzag path through the dunes, in no particular hurry. They weren't to the canyons yet, and the tires weren't kicking up dust. He wanted to enjoy breathing unfiltered air while he could.

"I assume there is a purpose to this pattern of movement?" Damas remarked -- although he suspected there wasn't. His son looked too relaxed to be racing or shaking off pursuit.

"The purpose is "driver makes the decisions"," Jak retorted with a smirk.

"Maybe I should drive, then, so we can actually make it home before sunrise."

"Loosen up, Pa! When was the last time you took a night drive, huh?"

Damas resisted the growing urge to drop his face into his palm.

"Well, son, I was being shot at by Marauders at the time, so you'll have to excuse me if I wasn't focused on enjoying the scenery."

He leaned back to slap the side of the machine gun, snapping Daxter to attention.

"Keep that thing ready. We're too close to Egil's territory for there not to be Marauders about."

"With this much space?" Jak lifted a hand from the wheel and gestured around as the dunes gave way to dusty scrub grass and cactus. "I can see them coming a mile away! Way more room to outmaneuver enemies here than in Haven, that's for sure."

"Don't tell me you drive like that around buildings?" Damas sighed. "This is why my predecessor only allowed Leapers past the gates, isn't it."

Now Jak's mood began to slip a little. "Well what was I supposed to do, stand still and let the KG take me back to the labs?" he huffed, "It's not like they gave prisoners a driving course."

A little knot formed in Damas’s gut. The boy had a point. No one had taught him to drive, he'd learned on his own, under fire. Was it any wonder he was so reckless? And here was Damas, complaining and criticizing instead of offering correction. As a father: not his finest hour. He swallowed down his still thrumming adrenaline and forced himself to loosen some of his muscles.

"You're right. I'm sorry."

The Slam Dozer jerked to a halt, throwing them all against the safety restraints. Jak blinked owlishly at Damas. He clearly hadn't expected an apology. Damas cleared his throat and folded his arms awkwardly.

"That was more critical than I meant it to be. I could have simply asked you not to take that kind of risk again and left it at that." Damas again cleared his throat and tightened his arms to avoid the temptation to fidget. "I do not mean to belittle your driving skill. I just...worry."

It was difficult to admit that, especially in front of his son. But as impressive as Jak’s driving was -- even more so now that Damas knew it was self-taught -- that adrenaline-chasing behavior was going to end in a crash sooner or later. Damas just wanted to ensure that it was a crash Jak could walk away from.

A quick glance at Jak revealed an expression that was more confused than anything else.

"You know I can take care of myself," he protested, "Why are you worrying about me?"

Damas reached over to drop a hand over Jak's scalp, pushing his head back and forth with a wry playfulness.

"I'm your father. That's my job."

If anything, Jak looked even more baffled.

"I don't get it." He made a half-hearted attempt at shoving Damas’s hand off his head, then gave up. "What does being a parent have to do with worrying?"

The sentiment was as tragic as it was comic. Damas let his hand slip down to rest on Jak’s shoulder and tugged until the boy had turned to face him.

"Do you and Daxter worry about each other?" he asked pointedly.

"Yes!" Daxter interjected instantly, as Jak reluctantly admitted, "I mean, yeah."

"Because you care deeply for each other, yes?" Damas squeezed Jak's shoulder affectionately, then released him. "Well, there's your answer. Good parents worry because they love their children."

He watched the gears turn behind Jak's eyes for a moment before the teenager abruptly yanked his scarf up over his face in a futile attempt to hide the blush sweeping over his cheeks.

"Papá!" he groaned, "You can't just say things like that without warning me!"

"Yes I can," Damas snorted, "I have a license."

"What license?"

A smug grin tugged at Damas's face.

"The record of your adoption in the city Archives."

Jak covered his face grumbling about embarrassing adults, and Daxter laughed so hard he almost fell off of the machine gun perch entirely.

[emilyhufflepufftlk]

My Person | Sihtric & OC

Part of my Fire In Her Eyes series

‘Finan is the love of my life, but you are my soulmate.’

A/N: I have been obsessively watching Grey's Anatomy recently and I love Meredith and Christina's friendship and the way they call each other their 'person'. It inspired this little fic, which was supposed to be happy and sweet but actually turned out quite sad (I just couldn't help myself!).

Warnings: angst, spoilers for Fire Turns To Ash

Word Count: 706

Sihtric smiled as he walked across the meadow outside Coccham, the scatter of different coloured wildflowers gently swaying in the breeze. Lucinda lay in the grass, her eyes closed as she enjoyed the warmth of the sun on her face as she rested her hand on her swollen stomach. She looked so peaceful lying there, her red hair splayed out across the ground around her head, glowing golden under the sunshine.

‘I know you are there,’ she murmured, opening her eyes and smiling up at him.

He smirked a little – he had never been able to sneak up on her.

She patted the patch of grass beside her. He lowered himself to the ground and laid down beside her, looking up at the blue sky.

She let out a sigh. ‘It’s good to be home.’

Sihtric said nothing. It had only been a week since they had returned from Winchester, a week since the siege had ended. He had spent the past month consumed with worry, fear gnawing away at his insides as he lay awake every night thinking that she was dead. Everything was alright now, they had all survived and Lucinda was happy, expecting her and Finan’s fourth child, but that fear of losing her and stayed with him.

He reached for her hand and held it tight.

‘You know I love you, don’t you?’ he said softly.

Lucinda looked over to him with a small frown. ‘Of course I do. What made you ask that?’

‘I came so close to losing you…’

‘But you didn’t,’ she said firmly. ‘I am right here, with you.’

He gave her a smile which was tinged with sadness. ‘I’d be lost without you. Finan acts as if he’s the only one who couldn’t live without you, but I couldn’t imagine my life without you in it.’

‘Me neither. You are my person.’

‘What does that mean?’

‘Oh, you know. You understand me, you know what I’m thinking, you’re always there for me no matter what. You’re my person,’ she smiled and gave him a slight shrug.

‘Shouldn’t Finan be your person?’ he asked, playing with a blade of grass between his fingers.

Lucinda thought for a moment. ‘Finan is the love of my life, but you are my soulmate.’ She let out a small chuckle. ‘Platonic soulmate, before you get the wrong idea.’

He laughed with her.

‘You’re my person too,’ he said softly, looking over to her. ‘But don’t tell Eal I said that.’

She let out a laugh. ‘I think she already knows. She always jokes that we come as a pair.’

He shook his head, a wide smile on his face. He felt her squeeze his hand tight. ‘You mean so much to me, Sihtric. Never doubt how much I love you.’

Sihtric smiled, a warm feeling in his chest. He thought back to his childhood in Dunholm – back then he would never have imagined he would be lucky enough to feel so loved. He closed his eyes, and they laid in silence for a long time, the sound of birdsong above them.

Sihtric opened his eyes and felt tears roll down his cheeks.

He could hear the now familiar crash of waves against the cliffs below Bebbanburg, the harsh northern winds whistling through the shutters and bringing a draft into the room.

He let out a sigh, wiping his face with his hand tiredly as he rolled onto his back.

He often dreamed of Lucinda, of days long ago. Some nights he got to relive happy memories of them together, to see her laugh and smile again. Other nights he relived the day of the battle, the day his fears became real, the day he lost her. Even after years had passed, the memory of losing her still stung as fresh as the day it had happened.

He looked over at Ealhswith who was still asleep beside him, and he smiled softly, learning across to kiss her cheek. He tried hard never to take for granted the family he had, knowing too well that the gods could take them away from him.

He then got up and readied himself to face another day without his friend; without his person; without his Lucinda.

@morosemagick @solinarimoon @lauwrite1225 @93xdiagonxalley @trenko-heart @anotherwinchesterfangirl @muddleofnervouswords @cibs @blah-blah-blah-bla @medievalfangirl @persephones-journey @magravenwrites

[aladaylessecondblog]

Fallen Star, pt. 6

Author's Note: Hot springs sex, biting

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

When Sadara had mentioned wanting to see the sunrise, Voryn had asked her not to do it. Not that he would deny it to her, but that he needed to be sure she would be safe in the journey. For she could not do see such a thing in the Red Mountain region--he wouldn't let the blight winds cease--so he had to plan for a location that would be safe for her to travel toward.

The corprus monsters might try to harm her due to their madness, after all, to say nothing of the daedric creatures or cliff racers. So he'd made her promise to wait, said he would send one of the ash poets or ascended sleepers with her.

"There's really no need for such caution, Voryn. I got here just fine. I can get out just fine, too."

"I do this for your safety, moon-and-star," he'd said, bringing both hands up to hold her face, "I lost you once. I will not lose you again."

He meant treacherous murder, but she could not be sure if he thought it would come from her, or be enacted against her. She told herself it could be either - he had to be careful, didn't he? She hadn't brought Wraithguard to him, so maybe he wished her to be watched as well as protected. But every gesture, every touch was speaking a language of its own, telling her that it was all the latter.

In truth she wanted, no, NEEDED, to think. About everything.

She couldn't do what Azura asked of her, she knew that already. But Voryn's plan...she couldn't be part of Voryn's plan. Too much pain and suffering, too many dead...or as good as dead. And he thought he was doing the right thing!

One or two nights she stood before the heart, shut her eyes, and hoped Lorkhan heard her thoughts.

Show me the way, she half-prayed, Show me the way to help him, to save him. Show me how to save everyone from him, all of it.

But though she felt the faintest tingle of emotion in her mind, something almost like appreciation, no answer ever came. But perhaps, she thought, that was the answer. Perhaps she must be the one to find it. Certainly no one else WANTED to.

A few days later, Voryn told her he'd arranged for her to go to Kogoruhn. They were bathing in the hot spring together, which had become a thrice-weekly event.

"It is outside the Ghostfence, and perhaps the safest place you could see the sunrise from," he said, before giving a slight little smile. "I have been working at my plan for so long that I forget wanting to see such things. Once my victory is secured, I will have to be sure to watch one with you."

She was washing her hair, but still listening carefully, and schooled her face so it didn't drop into anything like a frown. He seemed to accept that she didn't much like the plan, but she preferred to show him as little of her disapproval as possible.

Not only because she didn't want him to see the indecision she was feeling, but...

...but because it felt almost cruel to let him see it when he was so happy she was there.

She realized she'd drifted off a bit, hadn't been paying attention, so after rinsing off her hair she looked back in Voryn's direction.

"...and your absence will give me time to have the ash slaves time to better arrange your room."

"What's wrong with my room now?"

"It's little better than a large closet I had to have them put a bedframe in. Do you really expect me to let you languish in such--"

"The room is FINE, Voryn, I've slept on the ground a lot since coming to Morrowind, even HAVING a bed to call my own is an improvement. And I haven't exactly slept in that room much since..." Sadara said, trailing off. She didn't know what to finish that statement with. 'Since I started staying here', maybe? She went on hurriedly with, "Highly improper for the head of a Great House, you know."

"If you cared about propriety we would never have done what we did in the Heart Chamber." Voryn gave a devilish grin at that. "You can't tell me that you mind this now, and expect me to believe it."

"Still, to have a strange woman sleep in your bed so often?"

That riled him at once, and he moved closer, seizing both of her hands in his own.

"If you care for me at all, never speak of yourself that way again. You are not just some stranger, and you KNOW that."

"But--" Sadara winced slightly as his grip tightened, "It was only a little joke, Voryn. I might be Nerevar incarnate, but...I'm still me. A seed grown in different soil. Not...not that I deny what I am, but...we are one soul that has been in two bodies. You know him, but...but not me, as such."

"Fair enough." He let one of her hands go, but kept the other encircled in his. "So we will have to remedy that. I will know you, Nerevar Sadara, as once I did when you were Indoril Nerevar."

The unsettling feeling in her stomach abated just slightly, and she gave him a soft smile.

"There's my Nerevar."

my Nerevar

my Nerevar

my Nerevar

It echoed in her head several times, like the sweetest notes of a symphony. And despite the wish that he'd once more use HER name, there was still the flutter in her chest at having been called his.

The part of her that was Nerevar absolutely wanted this, of that she was certain. Wanted to touch Voryn, hold him, feel him - within and without. The part of her that was her was wary of this blighted god before her, but...she wanted him too. Having gone so long struggling for scraps before coming to Morrowind, then once there being pushed into duties and a prophecy she didn't understand or even care for, having a daedric prince she didn't even worship whisper orders to her--

She just wanted a place to rest, and the loving pair of arms that so often encircled her of late.

"Perhaps tell me," Voryn said suddenly, "Why do you keep that lute instead of buying a new one? Certainly you can afford it now."

"Because my mother gave it to me, and it's been my friend through thick and thin ever since. My best source of income, a comfort on the bad days, even. If I have my lute I can make music, and if I can make music I can eat, sleep, and drink. No other instrument has gone through that with me."

"Nerevar was like that...holding on to things well past their usefulness. Of course an instrument is different than a piece of armor, but he would patch and rework until the item in question could hardly be called the same thing."

"It's been that way for me, but...more out of necessity than attachment. I don't want to throw my old things away, but...it's more because I'm half-afraid I may need them later. Not that I doubt your gifts, it's just...once you live in poverty...you can escape it, but it still clings to you. Habits you formed to survive it persist. What if, it whispers, what if you lose this new thing you have? Throw nothing away that you could use. It will just take time to get used to the idea that...I can relax."

In the matter of prosperity, at least.

"How much you have gone through. The Lady of Dawn and Dusk thinks her heroes must suffer to prove their worth to her." He brought one of her hands to his face, and an (only slightly veiled) expression of contentment spread across his face. "I, on the other hand...I do not ask that of you. I ask only devotion."

"Obedience, you mean."

A slight huff, not mad in the slightest. He let her hand go, but moved his own down to cup her cheek. Then he leaned down to whisper in her opposite ear, "Your god asks no more than you've already given, Sadara."

She shivered. To hear her name from Voryn's lips was one thing, but to hear it in that dark tone? He was overwhelming, overwhelming and yet alluring at the same time.

With Voryn, the two were as one, with no means of separating them.

"My god, are you?" She teased it only a bit nervously, "How lucky that I never swore myself to the service of another."

"Lucky indeed," his voice husked, lips still breathing hot against her ear, "For now I have your service all to myself, and I, my dear...I am a jealous god."

"And what would my god have to be jealous over?"

It was easy, so very easy to please this man. The faintest tremor when she called him a god, that she had seen. But more than that, calling him her god--

Sadara was pulled into Voryn's lap. She straddled him, buried her face in his neck, let the void-curtain of his wet hair block her vision of anything but him. And far from immediately pushing into her and taking what would obviously please him--he held her at first, reveled in the closeness of skin against skin, of that which he'd not had for so long.

"Never again," he said, in a voice so low she was SURE he'd not meant her to hear it.

She relaxed and let the lingering tension seep away.

"He may be worried that he will lose you to another," Voryn finally said. "That the poison in your mind before would come for you again."

I've only known you two weeks, one part of her thought, while another countered with, No, we've know him our whole life.

(And the more time she spent in close proximity to him, to the Heart, the more she remembered.)

"I was serious when I told you I would not kill you," she finally replied, having been unsure of how to proceed without ruining the moment or angering him, "I don't...I will never like the suffering that the blights cause, but--"

The grip of his arms around her tightened, but only just slightly.

"It is fortunate, then, that this time it is I who leads and you who follows. Those who lead must make the most difficult decisions...and as I have said before, you will understand in time. I regret that there must be suffering, but not all can withstand the presence of the divine in their minds."

Sadara nuzzled closer, tried to put the thought from her mind--as if, she scolded herself inwardly, any kind of cuddling could do that! She knew she would not see things his way, but still the hope he would see her way was there. So to dwell overmuch on what he saw as so certain wasn't helpful.

It was so easy to keep her face there against his neck, to let the warmth of the water and his touch ebb away the doubt in her mind. To enjoy him as the one who paradoxically felt like both the first to stir her heart and the one she'd longed for for years beyond count.

How long they stayed like that, she didn't know. But it was Voryn to finally break the silence, just as she was beginning to nod off.

"What was that you were saying about propriety earlier?" A more capricious tone sounded off, "I doubt our current position could in any sense of the word be considered proper."

"I don't care," Sadara said against his neck, "In any case the only one seeing anything of this besides us is her ladyship."

She tried not to say Azura's name now, as if not saying the name could keep her from hearing the Lady's words in her mind. There had been no words of late, only anger, a feeling that she had displeased Azura.

And beneath that was the fear.

Sadara shifted slightly, and realized in all the luxuriating she'd done in his touch that there was a part of him she'd forgotten. He was hard, and she found herself wondering how long he'd been so without her noticing. And why he hadn't done anything about it.

Perhaps he was simply enjoying the embrace as she was, or...perhaps he was simply exercising his will in a way he likely hadn't had to in centuries.

"I suppose this is further proof of your divinity," she teased, raising herself enough to brush her lips over his. "I'm certain a mortal man would already have me on my back, but I suppose you have more self-control than that."

"Not to say, of course, that I have not been tempted."

"And I thought the point of this room was to be clean..."

Neither of them would remember afterward who it was that closed the minute distance between their lips into a kiss, but the end result was the same. It was a small enough gesture, but became the catalyst to so much more, like that kiss a few weeks ago.

Voryn's hands moved to her hips, and tried to urge them down. There was a slight growl when she didn't immediately obey, and a groan when she speared herself on him a moment later.

"I hope," Sadara gasped slightly when they parted, "That you aren't waiting for prayers."

He didn't respond, so she raised her hands to his shoulders and started to roll her hips. Slowly at first, slowly enough to luxuriate in the feeling of being spread and filled. With him above her it was good enough, but this position--

Something, perhaps Azura in the back of her mind, beneath the haze of pleasure that was settling over her, was practically seething with how utterly wrong this was. You are meant to slay him, it said, meant to destroy him and all that he is, and NOW look at you!

But on the other hand, there was him, and his arms, his lips, his warmth. There was a stronger sensation to counter that feeling of wrongness, that whispered to the contrary. That this was the right thing, that this was how it should have been. A recurring thought that had taken hold ever since that first night.

Voryn reached up, tilted her head back, planted a series of kisses on her neck--even bit down, after a moment of hesitation. It was a sudden shock of pain that faded into a dull throb, and would bruise in the morning, she was certain. Yet the idea that there could be evidence of all this was intoxicating. Whether her or Nerevar, the source did not matter, only the thought.

His, his, his

He had been one of the only friendly faces she'd yet seen in Morrowind, and certainly the only one to welcome her so nicely.

A sudden buck beneath her wrenched another moan from her lips, and finally, his mouth drew back.

"We are not beasts," Sadara started, and paused to moan after a second buck, "Why bite--?"

"Forgive me," he murmured, "I was...simply struck by the urge. I can heal it--"

"No," Sadara replied. Pleasure leaped in her gut. She rolled her hips faster over his own, took him deeper than before, and let out words impossible to hold back, "Let it go, imagine the mark that will show up. Or do...or do you not want others to see...that I..."

For a moment nothing more was said besides a few soft gasps of names. His arms moved up tightly around her, keeping her pressed close against his chest, keeping her exactly where she was supposed to be.

(Was this Nerevar, or was this her? Did it matter now?)

The end struck Sadara without warning; a rush of ecstasy shot through her and burst out of her mouth with a, "Voryn!"

She groaned, buried her face in his neck as she shuddered, planted lazy kisses on his neck, nipped briefly at his skin. Her hips still moved, but were slower--despite the overstimulation, she wasn't going to let him go without.

Her chest, pressed to his. Two bodies, only one heartbeat.

He was nearly there--she could tell from the groans--when she felt the push of one hand against the back of her head. Not knowing what else to do, she bit down gently on his neck, just enough a soft shock of pain, just enough to sting.

Beneath her Voryn's body jerked, and she felt the rush of his warmth inside her, the pulse and the spill.

"Nerevar..."

It was a slight sting, but she was practically glowing from their joining. Tired, but satisfied...so utterly satisfied.

And if I can change his mind, Sadara thought, Gods, I could keep this feeling...

(They would need to bathe again, but neither was of a mind to complain)

------------------------------cfffffffffffffffffff

The next morning she packed for the journey to Kogoruhn, and was re-introduced to Dagoth Rather.

"He cannot speak, but he can understand you," Voryn said, "Dagoth Uthol has been told to expect you, so there will be someone ready to receive you, too."

"I still say this is not necessary, Voryn," Sadara gave a slight smile. He'd given her another red robe, this time with a leather belt bearing a symbol of House Dagoth as the buckle. He was making it clear, wasn't he? "Nerevar would--"

"Nerevar complained like this about escorts, too." There was a slight chuckle. "Now, go, and be sure to cover your face to protect against the blight winds."

A lengthy black silk scarf had been provided, this one stitched all over in red with the symbol of House Dagoth, and she was shown how to tie it about her face before she set off.

"Good travels," Voryn said, as she was about to leave, "And expect me in your dreams."

Of course, she thought, He doesn't want to go a single night apart, does he?

It warmed her from within, buoyed her hopes despite everything. This was Voryn, this was him, HIM, and this was a sign that he was not lost.

Exiting, walking out with a head full of happy thoughts, she hardly noticed Dagoth Gilvoth, until Dagoth Rather stopped and gave a bow.

"A pleasure, Lord Gilvoth," Sadara gave a slight bow, feeling a little--unnerved from the glower on his face.

(Could he see her indecision?)

"I do not counter my Lord's will," Gilvoth said in a dour tone, "But you do know, do you not? That it is not you he wants, but Nerevar?"

Her joy sank, though it could not be felled entirely. She swallowed, mouth dry, and replied, "I know."

She walked onward, head still consumed with Voryn, but with that thought now kicking around as well.

It was a thought she would never forget.

[wallflowers-in-the-wind]

Twilight retcon fanfiction idea

Honestly this is partially to get feedback for the story but if anyone wants to write their own version you have my permission cause I’d love to see different interpretations.

The story takes place after the events of Eclipse. Edward and Bella chose to stay in their cabin for the sake of their daughter and Jacob but not everything is picture perfect. Bella had been suffering from random memories she never recalled happening.

She picked up her sweater one day for a date night and a memory of Edward breaking into her room plays in her mind. But this was the day after their weird first meeting in chemistry. She demands him to leave but he’s too focused on why he can’t read her thoughts then everything fades to black when she tries to scream for Charlie.

At first she brushed it off as odd and that Edward would never do that to her. But more memories she never had before start playing and now she isn’t sure. When she talked to Edward about it he brushes it off as nothing to worry about. But the more she insists it’s like a switch goes off and he goes from her sweet husband to an emotionless monster.

“You just couldn’t leave well enough alone could you.” Edward says. He explains how his powers to read into minds just scratches the surface. Manipulating memories is a handy little trick. He had used it against girls for years and planned to have Bella be another girl on his list but she ruined the game. It was fun at first and he planned to have her killed in some freak accident on their honeymoon but then she got pregnant and well, with Jacob’s constant interference and the rest of the tribe knowing of their relationship his game was out of hand.

Bella is heartbroken and is unsure what to do. She wants to leave but where could she go? She could leave her daughter or Jacob behind with this monster she thought she loved. Then emotions hit her like a freight train. The love she thought she had for Edward didn’t exist. He manipulated her love for Jacob to be redirected toward him. And now her daughter is mated to the man she was kept from.

Life grows much more difficult, Edward becomes more emotionally abusive now that he doesn’t have to pretend. He is upset that she knows what he has done and didn’t expect her to remember.

But Bella is trying to make things work. In her mind because she chose this life she must face the consequences. But when the opportunity presents itself Bella runs. It has become her way to cope and to feel like she isn’t trapped just for a moment. Day after day she runs and runs until she is at the cliff she had jumped off of all those years ago. She looks over the ocean and while she knows the fall won’t kill her anymore the wish to take the step is overwhelming.

Bella’s thoughts are interrupted by Renesmee. Her sweet innocent daughter. They talk and Renesmee tells Bella a secret, she can turn back time. She knows how miserable her mother is and wishes for her to be happy. Bella insists that she can’t and that she couldn’t leave Renesmee behind but her daughter insists. They can hear Edward running toward the spot. Renesmee insists Bella to jump of the cliff. While her powers are strong of anyone touches her while she is going back in time they will be brought with them.

With one final parting goodbye, Renesmee activates her powers, and Bella jumps off the cliff. When he asks where Bella is Renesmee tells him that she is gone, somewhere he will never reach her.

Bella awakes in the water, she is human again but she can’t get past the harsh waves to swim ashore. As she loses consciousness once more she feels someone grab her. When she awakes once again she is on the beach shore. She is back in the past, human once more.

The story follows Bella navigating the events of the rest of new moon with her memories but she chooses Jacob and doesn’t go to save Edward. Jacob reveals that he imprinted on her but doesn’t want that to make her feel forced into the relationship but Bella reassures him that it just makes her love him more.

With help from Jacob and some of the others on the reservation they make charms that ward of mental attacks from vampires and Bella has her happily ever after moment. When Edward returns and tries to get Bella to chose him she refuses, he almost breaks the treaty trying to get her back but eventually decides she isn’t worth it.

At some point Bella tells Jacob about the time travel and while he is confused and a bit upset of what happened in the past he reassures her that he’s glad she chose to come back for him because he can’t understand how his other self could live with what happened to her.

Bella and Jacob get married and the epilogue shows Bella in the hospital having her first child with Jacob. She has been terrified of the imprint transferring to her daughter and prays for all of this not to be for nothing. Bella gives birth to a baby girl and Jacob reassures her that the imprint didn’t transfer but that he now has twice and much love to give.

There is a sequel planned out as well but this is the first one and I wanted thoughts on any improvements that could be made. I plan on including the other vampires like Alice to add to the plot such as how some of them knew what Edward was doing but couldn’t really stop him before.

[lostsunlight]

CHAPTER 4 - Oculus Dei Tam Bonus Quam Mei

childe x reader, wc: 5k, masterlist

cw: blood and gore, nsfw

Ludi Harpastum was well on its way, even on the 4th day you could feel the city thrumming with energy, you could hear the shouts well into the night even high up in the cathedral. As expected the infirmary filled up quicker than usual. Mostly just drunkards who needed some wolfhook to make them vomit and then some water. One green clad bard in particular seemed to come back every night. 

The work made your bones ache, you had even been excused from morning prayer to help with the endless stream of people. You adjusted your leather gloves and kept on working, allowing your thoughts to disappear. You could help but wish you were down in the city with some of the other sisters. You hadn’t celebrated Ludi for years, you loved the wild energy of the celebration, especially getting caught up in the chaotic dances that had a tendency to start rather spontaneously.  

The wild tales some of the sisters told of what happened on the streets made jealousy curl up in your chest like a cat in front of a hearth. One story in particular recounted by Marianne was one of the blacksmith's apprentices letting a boar loose leaving the lower portion of the city on a wild chase, resulting in several caskets of wine being destroyed and a few unhappy knights. The story had the sisters you ate dinner with that night in stitches. You had poked at your meat, refusing to make eye contact with Marianne. 

Barbara however had decided that the most talented healers were to stay back all Ludi. Naturally, despite her training as a healer she made no such rules for herself. It wasn’t like you were permitted to leave the cathedral anyways, not until your sins had been properly atoned for, whatever that meant. 

It had been two weeks since you had last seen Childe and you were itching to get out, even if it was alone. You crave to feel the grass and flowers against your back, to run along the cliffs again, admire the sheer beauty of the endless sea dotted with shrouded islands. 

During Ludi you had climbed to the rooftop most nights to try and find him with no success, he was effectively a ghost. You had seen more and more Fatui Agents crawling around however, accumulating at the recently acquired Goth Hotel. One agent in particular had taken to loitering around the doors of the cathedral. You had even caught a glimpse of what you thought was the so-called ‘Darknight Hero’ prowling the stairs below. Something was coming and you did not want to be here for it.

You were once again on the roof after a long day in the infirmary, looking up at the stars you could see the outline of Celestia shadowed against the sky. A living reminder of God's eyes upon you. Looking up you could see your constellation Lucens Caduceus draped among the stars. Born under Hydro, blessed by the fates above to be a healer it seemed. 

You stood on the peak of the roof, above the large circular stained glass window that gazed upon the city. Cool summer wind was blowing through your hair. Underneath you the festival-goers milled around, you could hear the cheers of the people as they basked in the orange lights of the lamps strung above. 

After sundown the crowd tended to become rowdier, you could see one person unsuccessfully attempting to climb the large statue of Barbatos, within an instant some of the knights had apprehended them ungracefully dragging them away, the crowd laughing along. 

You had seen Grandmaster Jean milling around the streets, rumours among some of the Knights say she killed the last Grandmaster Varka for the title, wanting the Knights back in the Gunnhildrs hands. You had never met The Dandelion Knight, only hearing bits and pieces about her from others around you. That was enough to know to avoid getting on her bad side. How could such a seemingly kind woman commit such a ruthless act? Was that the extent she was willing to go for power, for control?

As expected the Harbinger was nowhere to be seen, his height and red hair would be a beacon in the crowd below. You wondered if he was getting any closer to finding Barbatos, if he could find him before the 7th day, before you made your escape. 

Standing up you stalked across the green-tiled roof careful to not lose your balance and slipped back into the room under the bell tower, glad to be sheltered from the increasing windiness and noise of the city. Leaning against the wall you activated your Vision, the blue orb softly glowing against your back from the chain it hung upon.

A small bubble of water appeared before you and you concentrated on forming the blade you had seen Childe use, moonlight glinting through the water.  For the last two weeks you had been trying and unsuccessfully trying to form Hydro weapons. If The Church forbade you from owning a sword made of steel then a weapon that you could instantly dissipate without a trace would be useful. 

You still didn’t understand why Childe felt the lust he felt for battle. The weapon was more of a utility to you, a way to fend for yourself if worse came to worst. You tried to form the water into a spear, Bending and flexing your fingers, weaving the weapon. You had control over the form of the water it was keeping in that form that was hard for you. Any spear you made wouldn't hold and dripped into a puddle on the floor along with your hopes.

The polearm formed in your hands, you liked the range the weapon gave you. You held it tightly desperately trying to keep it together but to no avail the water slipped between your fingers. Weeks of trying and no progress. You slid down the wall bringing your legs to your chest and resting your head against your knees and sighed deeply. 

Only 3 more days. You thought to yourself, you could do this, you just needed to hold on for a little longer. 

-♢-

This plan of Y/N’s was insane Childe had thought to himself, and yet he had allowed himself to get swept up into it. In the week that passed he had come to a few realisations. He had missed the candour that you gave him. To be treated as just a man, not as a feared Harbinger. He knew he could be creating a liability, another weak point, his family already gave him a glaring vulnerability to anyone that knew about them. As much as he wished to mention them they had to remain a tight-lipped secret. He had faith that Pucinella would grant them his protection. 

He had thought about climbing the cathedrals walls again, he craved more conversation with you. He didn’t realise how badly he needed a connection with someone who would treat him as an equal. He had pushed all of that away in favour of mastering his skill, the connections he made as a Harbinger were superficial, nothing more than opportunities, exchanges.

This, while at its core was a deal, you were going to be working together closely for a while. This could very easily spiral into something else if Childe wasn’t careful. That was going to be hard considering how badly he craved connection. Connection was too dangerous for someone with a life like his, he had to be detached no matter how hard it hurt him.

In the month Childe had spent looking for the Anemo Archon three of those weeks had been useless. But this last week? He had finally finally made some progress. Ludi made peoples tongues looser, secrets were easier to buy off those who wouldn't even remember the previous night. All it took was a blacked out knight, a knife and some light threatening for the poor man to spill his secrets. That he has seen a local bard calling down a dragon fro the storm above. 

He was desperate to head to Liyue and begin his assignment there. Killing a god was certainly more fun than fruitlessly trying to find one that could very well have been dead for centuries. He couldn't even finish the hunt, that was Signoria’s job this time. He couldn’t understand why he had been sent to find Barbatos. 

Reaching the glowing tavern in the back corners of Mondstadt he climbed up to a window on the second floor and effortlessly slipped into the Angels Share. He may be known for his talent on the battlefield but he liked to think he could be a good spy when needed. For a weekday it was still rowdy, something that reminded him of home. Tsaritsa knew how much he missed home; it had been almost a year, letters from Tonia being his only string to sanity. He had taken to sitting on a small dock on the edge of Dragonspine just to remind him of the cold, summer was still an unfamiliar season to him despite his travels. 

There was a bard clad in green and white standing on a table near the centre of the room on the lower floor, playing his lyre while singing a Mondstadt folk song to the roaring crowd below. Blue and black braids swinging as he spun around on the table carelessly. He didn’t look old enough to even drink, let alone be a god with thousands in years behind him. This was who they were trying to steal a gnosis from? No wonder Mondstadt was crumbling, its god was nothing more than a drunken fool Childe snarked to himself.

A suppressed smirk made its way across his face, all he needed to do was confirm his godhood, The Fatui needed the correct target after all. One of the other Harbingers might have had their underlings tail him but Childe was bored, desperate to alleviate it. His only other source was locked away in the cathedral’s infirmary for 3 more days. Ludi had given him something to do, he had considered joining the festivities but being drunk on the job was a bad idea right now, he would have to save it for Liyue. 

Swiftly making his exit to the roofs above he waited. A cat stalking its prey. His eyes shifted to the cathedral towering high above him, partially obscured by the towering statue of Barbatos, a statue worshipping the glory of a tarnished god. He had wondered if he would see your figure standing on the rooftop but the green tiles remained barren. He moved his gaze back to the tavern letting the hours pass by, occasionally throwing a hydro knife at a beam of wood.

Around 3 am the bard stumbled out significantly drunker than he was a few hours ago. Childe followed his path from the rooftops, he was walking towards the main gate of the city. No mortal would leave the city at this hour, it was too dangerous with all the abyssal creatures lurking just outside, ready to strike at any unsuspecting mortal. The Abyss of course was no threat to him, he had long known how to navigate the depths with ease. 

Slinking out of the gate he followed the drunken god across the stone bridge to the deep woods just outside the city. Venti hummed a tune as he staggered along the well worn footpath until he reached a large clearing. There he saw him wait in the centre, head tilted staring into the sky he began to sing a strange tune. What was the fool doing?

Childe’s question was quickly answered when the fabled Stormterror descended next to the god. It was huge, wings shadowing over the trees. Venti approached the abyssal beast without hesitation, a faint green glow emanating from his form, glowing brighter as he got closer. He couldn’t make out the conversation, only a few words; it was spoken in what sounded almost like Mondtadan. but that would be enough to confirm Venti’s godhood to anyone. Conversing with Stormterror and making it out alive. 

Childe turned and made his way through the forest back to the walled city, content that he had finally found the target. Mondstadt’s god hadn’t abandoned his nation, rather he was hiding in plain sight like a coward. As he approached Mondstadt he heard heavy footsteps rapidly approaching. Whipping his head round he spotted a figure clad in black rapidly approaching him. Childe dodged the attack with practised ease, conjuring a polearm and striking. The man jumped back, Childe took the few seconds he had to assess his opponent. Claymore. Pyro. strength concentrated in his upper body. 

This was almost too perfect. The claymore made the eagle-masked attacker slow but strong, and he just so happened to be best at striking rapidly, all he needed to do was dodge to avoid his heavy attacks. Moving back he rushed behind the stranger, aiming to take him out by sweeping his legs. He dodged the attack and swung his claymore at Childe once again. 

Childe jumped back from the blow and then lurched back in, the polearm's deadly tip pointed towards his assailant. A bust of pyro came his way, he immediately overwhelmed it with water, causing it to vaporise into nothing more than steam. Childe swung aiming for the back, his polearm was slashed through with a heavy swing of the claymore. 

Creating dual blades without much of a second thought me moved in on the offensive, getting closer to this opponent might work better. He ran into him, slashing his blade along the man’s chest before spinning around and attacking again. The man was too slow to dodge his attacks this time.

He continued this dance for a few more minutes, relishing the feeling of a good fight. It had been too long since he had a decent spar against a skilled opponent. He felt the adrenaline rush through his body, this is what he was made for. He moved back and threw an arrow, clipping the man's shoulder and tearing through his thick black coat, blood welling up to fill the cut.

The strangers grip on his claymore tightened, bursting into flame and going in for another strike. The blade arched high above his head, slamming it down with force. Childe moved to the side and activated his delusion. Feeling the pure power of electro burst through his arteries. He was alive with pure elemental energy, power thrumming through his core. 

His blades now sparking with electro he jumped, barely teleporting as pure electricity shocked his body. He struck true, landing the centre of his opponent's chest and overloaded the man, knocking him flat on his back.

He straddled gasping the man, placing a blade at his throat. He ripped the mask off, throwing it carelessly to the side, revealing the head of Mondstadt’s wine industry. Diluc Ragnvindr. He was slightly surprised that he was still conscious, normally an overload caused someone's heart to stop completely, the rush of electricity clawing into the organ and overwhelming it. 

Childe couldn't kill him, that would cause too much of a diplomatic mess, but he could still have some fun he decided. He kept the blade pressed to the man's throat, eyes still alight with fire glaring back at Childe’s cold facade.

“Ragnvider, care to tell me why you attacked a Fatui Harbinger?” He bit out

“I saw you follow that bard, The Fatui are nothing but a stain on my land” He spit back

“Oh so you try to strike the head of the snake then? Don't care about the consequences that might cause Ragnvindr” He glared down at the helpless man

“I’m sure Il Dottore would love to see you again, perhaps I might ask him to pay a visit so he could finally finish the job” He saw Diluc’s pupils constrict and his breath quicken “A dead Harbinger might just cause him to come back. I hear he misses Mondstadt” He taunted, trying to get a rise out of him.

Diluc pressed his lips together, refusing to say anything else. Childe moved his blade away from his neck, still straddling him “We may be on opposite sides but you fight well comrade. How about we strike a deal?”

“You take me for a fool? Absolutely not” Diluc snapped back

Ignoring Dilic’s response he continued dragging a gloved finger across the sharp edge of his blade “How’s this, I don’t kill you and you stop trying to kill me. Tell me, did you think through this plan of yours? I understand you can leave The Knights to clean up your messes but did you really think my death would go unnoticed? That we wouldn't come to Mondstadt like vultures?”

A look of realisation came across Diluc’s face, this might be his only option. Childe leans in “That your crop wouldn't be burnt and your land salted, your cellars raided, your tavern destroyed. We could so easily take away everything you own”

Diluc gritted his teeth, trying to find a loophole, an exploit. 

“There's nothing you can do, Ragnvindr” He slid a finger along the edge of his blade, eyes glancing down at him a glint of amusement flashed across his usually blank eyes.

“I accept this deal,” Diluc relented, releasing there was no way out of this 

A grin spread across Childe’s face as he spun his blade around, dissipating it into droplets that scattered across Diluc’s face. He stood up leaving the other man sprawled on the dirt and walked away.

He turned his head around to look at him one last time “I’ll give you a tip Ragnvindr, think before you strike next time”

With that he strolled back to the city, sun beginning to peak over the horizon, its rays casting an ethereal golden light across the landscape. Content to enjoy the remaining days of Ludi before he had to leave. 

-♢-

Day 6 of Ludi. The last day under The Churches control. It was an effort to keep your excitement from being visible despite your exhaustion. You could hear the echo of the hymns below you echoing off the cathedral’s stone walls. You’re standing in your bedroom in the late afternoon Marianne absent for prayer. She should be gone for a few hours considering she's made a habit of going to Barbara’s office after evening prayer. You had finally gathered the confidence to escape to the city below for the night, you pulled the shawl around you and made your way to the window, and leaned out. You were only one floor up, you could climb down easily right?

Taking a breath you swing your leg out the window, tip of your boot finding purchase on a jagged piece of cobblestone. You tested its weight, once you were certain it could take your weight you swung your other leg out, turinding so your body now faced the window. You were sure your knuckles were white underneath your gloves for how tightly you were holding the window sill. You took a deep breath in, this was no different from climbing the ceilings.

Slowly you made your way down, jumping the last metre or so and landing softly on the cobblestone below. You pulled your hood and made your way around the side of the church, wanting to get away before evening prayer ended. You skirted the edge of the cathedral wanting to avoid any knights, if they caught you it would be finished before it even started. 

This was dangerous, stupid you scolded yourself internally but it was worth it, you wanted to enjoy your last few hours here. You descended the stairs and made your way into the crowd below, content to become another face. 

You grinned to yourself you had made it out. Wandering around you came to a food stall, pulling out a few mora you had nicked from the donation bowl you exchanged it for a glass of dandelion wine. Relishing the sweet taste and the slight burn of the alcohol you made your way further down the city. The people and chaos increased as you went down the stairs. 

You had missed Ludi. You missed the dances and sneaking away with a random person to the alleys just to spite The Church. 

A bright flash of ginger hair out of the corner of your eye caught your attention. You turned around, fingers at the edge of your hood ready to pull it down. Your eyes met his, and he smiled, approaching you. 

“Fancy seeing you here Y/N” he teased, head tilting down to look at you

“Likewise Harbinger” you pulled down your hood to reveal your face, still walking down the stairs to the heart of the festival, you could almost hear the music over the crowd. 

“Enjoying the festivities?” He walked with you, not bothering to question how you got out in the first place

“Might as well before I leave forever, despite my hatred of this place it is where I was raised” you shrugged weaving effortlessly around people

“Have you found him?” You questioned, Childe gave you a short nod 

“Yes, he wasn’t too hard to track down once enough alcohol was involved” he laughed a little

Your eyebrows shot up a little So he was real after all

“Then I take if you're enjoying Ludi as well” You looked him up and down, his usual red scarf and jacket were missing a slight flush was gracing his cheeks

“Is it hot here?” you eyed him, laughter tracing the edge of your voice

“Compared to Snezhnaya, yes, but the crowd and warm winds haven’t been helping. I suppose Liyue will be worse” 

“Liyue?”

“Were headed to Liyue after we leave here” 

“Nice to know where I’m following you to” you smirked. 

He gave you a look, the same look he have you when he was going to do something impulsive “Come”

Without waiting for your response he grabbed your hand and dragged you into the centre of the crowd, towards the dance.

“You know Mondstadt folk dance?” you raise an eyebrow at him 

“How could I not, my question is do you know how to dance” 

“Of course, this was my favourite part of Ludi” You grinned, light dancing in your eyes.

This time you dragged him into the dance, grabbing his hand. You let him swing you in an arc, the two of you followed the steps, you hooked arms with another young woman and danced with her momentarily, moving onto her partner. The hem on your skirt lifting with the movement as he and Childe swapped partners returning you to him. He gave a stomp along with the music along with the others.

You couldn’t help but notice how he moved, similar to how he moved in a fight, fluid and strong and sure. The band began to increase the pace of the song, you fed off the uncontrolled energy of the crowd letting it spur you and Childe on, dancing faster and faster. 

You laughed along with him, this was the first time you had felt free in so long, your hair whipped around you as he grabbed you by the waist and lifted you up. You planted your hands on his shoulders to keep your balance. He turned and placed you back on the ground in unison with everyone else. He grabbed your hand again and raised it above your head to twirl you and then braced his hands on your waist to tip you back turning your face up to feel the warm winds across your cheeks.

He was practically glowing, a large smile plastered across his freckled face red earring catching the last few remnants of sunlight. You clapped your hands along with the song laughing, feeling the strong dandelion wine begin to hit you.  You looked up at him and tilted your head, your limbs felt looser as the wine coursed through your body. 

You glazed to the horizon, and took a sharp breath in. Now that the sun had nearly set, The Sisters would be done with their prayer, preparing to leave for the festival once again. You couldn’t risk being seen, not when you were this close. 

You pulled him in the small amount of wine giving you more confidence than you normally would have, whispering in his ear and you continued to dance “I have to leave, I’ll see you on the roof”

Before he could respond you had left, disappearing into the crowd. You ran back to the cathedral, clambering up the cobblestone wall you launched yourself into the room. Panting you looked up only to see a surprised Marianne looking back at you. Her icy glare freezing you in place instantly sobering you up. 

“Where have you been Y/N” she sighed 

“I-I went out to the festival, Just for a few hours to dance”

“Why? You know you have to stay in the cathedral, The Deaconess deemed that you must stay back” She said, exasperated

“Mari please, it was only for a few hours, I’ve been worked to the bone. I just wanted to dance again” you begged her

“Y/N… You know I have to tell The Deaconess”

“Then tell her tomorrow, enjoy the festival tonight. Let me rest at least” You couldn't let her say a word, that would shatter everything. Why did you leave, why did you think that your action wouldn’t come without consequence 

“I’m worried about you, what if you never came back? What if the Fatui took you again” Her gaze shifted to reveal something more sincere, an expression that had become increasingly rare these last few weeks. 

“Mari I’m fine, Please, go enjoy your night. I’ll be here tomorrow”

“What if you weren't fine? We can’t lose another healer” Her words slammed into you

“Another healer? Is that who I am to you now?” You spat, her words piercing you harder than you thought they would.

“Y/N that's not what I meant, I still care about you” She reached her hand out to you, which was meant to be a familiar gesture. Without thinking you stepped back to avoid her touch wanting to shove any feeling you had for her far underground. 

“What happened to you Mari? What happened to being kind, how can you love The Deaconess after what she did to you”

“Things change Y/N. I still love you but I must follow my duty”

The words you had for her were caught in your throat, you wanted to tell her you loved her too but that would be a lie. You wanted to scream at her and ask her how she could see such kindness in such a cruel figure. You wanted to kiss her like you had so long ago, give into her embrace and try to return to what you were once.

“Marianne…” Her name rotted on your tongue. “Just leave, enjoy the festival. We can talk tomorrow” Against everything in you screaming not to you meet her gaze. The sympathy that had been there just moments ago was gone along with her old self.

Marianne pressed her lips in a thin line “Fine, but you know I’ll have to report you to The Deaconess tomorrow” 

You nodded and sighed “I know, enjoy your night” 

Marianne left the room, shutting the door gently behind her . You of course would be long gone by tomorrow morning. You sat down on the bed you've slept in since you were small. Trying not to cry, she wasn’t worth your tears anymore. 

That was your last conversation with Marianne, someone who had changed into someone you barely knew, someone you could barely look at without seeing the ghost of Barbara. 

You had considered telling her your plan at the start, begging her to run away with you, but now it was too risky. She would report you immediately, your grave would be dug by the end of the day. 

It was going to sting leaving her forever, if you ever saw her again perhaps one day when you were old and withered you would have to apologise for abandoning her. You doubted she would forgive you, in her eyes you were betraying everything you knew. You were turning your back on those who raised, fed and trained you all to join The Fatui, the enemy in her eyes. This was not just stabbing her in the back but slitting her throat as well. 

There was no going back however, this is what you wanted, what you had fought for, bound yourself to a Harbinger for. You sighed, ever since the day you had gotten your vision by healing Marianne’s wounds alone after her lashings. The five festering lines across her back set the hatred you had for The Order in stone.

You could still remember the day so clearly, the bright blue manifesting in front of you, your hands shaking so badly you could barely pick it up. The eye of a god encased in a silver casing, small wings protruding from the sides.  Marianne had looked at you in awe, bandages wrapped tightly around the whole of her torso. That was five years ago, yet the memory still carried the same weight as it had for years. 

Steeling your resolve you grabbed a pack from under your bed and began to pack. Shoving a few items only the essentials in and leaving anything sentimental determined to leave any trace of your life at the cathedral far behind you. You climbed to the roof to wait for Childe.  

You took in the view of the city for the last time, you would miss the place a little but the stars you had spent hours staring at would still be there wherever you were going. You were sure he would tell you his next assignment once you were out of Mondstadt and safely in Liyue. 

[a-land-lacking-sleep]

PLA Fic: A New Home - Chapter 1: Prelude Beach

Here's the fic I promised you back in June, lul. I had about half of it written back then, but I just finished the second half of it today. This was originally going to be a really long one-shot, then a 3 chapter fic, and now who knows. Not me. I hope it's just 4, but it could be 6!

While this story is connected to my Electric Trains series of fics, it is also made as a stand alone! I hope you all enjoy.

Chapter Summary: Jubilife is established, and The Diamond Clan makes themselves known. Chapter Word Count: 4440

As always, read below or on AO3! Comments and reblogs always enjoyed!

September 30th, 1869

The name came from one of his more optimistic captains, Zisu Perilia of the Security Corp. Another victim of the war that Johto had endured with Kanto during the Imperial Unification, though thankfully a tad too young to endure many of the battles personally. Unlike Denboku, who had tempered his mettle with blade and tactics on the field of battle, where he watched both men and Pokemon bleed out their last.

But it was from her mind that the name of the beach landing sprung. “Prelude Beach,” she had said with a smile on her face. “The start of our new life, away from the pain that everyone had to endure back home.” A fine sentiment, and one that the other arrivals had latched onto with a fervent need. It wasn’t just Johto that had been hit by the succession crisis, but even the rural Hoenn had refugees fleeing from the nobles who felt that they were owed power and slowly crept their way south until they were trapped in Slatesea Port and either killed or imprisoned by the newly restored Imperial forces.

In fact, that was how Beni had joined him in that tiny village outside of Azalea, before the two became brothers on the field of war.

But that was all in the past now. Hisui is going to be a new beginning for them. It has to be. They will carve themselves a piece of land separate from the wilds and build themselves a village, one where they can live with jubilation and grow old without fear. And really, Denboku isn’t surprised when he finds a sign planted at the southern end of the planned layout of the settlement, and another at the northern end, both labeled “Site of Jubilife Village”.

Though he keeps his face set in the permanent scowl that is expected of him, his heart swells with joy to know that the people, the refugees of war and their protectors alike, felt safe enough to boldly claim such a name for themselves.

Nearing the end of the first week, they properly built a perimeter fence around the Village, though even calling it such in this state was almost humorous. It is a collection of tents, centralized in the middle of a large clearing split by a river and surrounded by small cliffs. The fence was barely chest high, just enough to keep curious Pokemon out, but not quite enough to keep actual threats away without a constant guard. Up against the cliffs to the east, Colza and Tao Hua are setting up the crop fields, and amongst the tents Sanqua and her right hand Flaoro are busy designating the spots where foundations will be built for houses.

It is an uneventful week, in all honesty. Their security patrols consisted of 8 men armed with daggers, along with trained Geodude and Scyther, with a Golbat to help patrol at night. And with that, the local Pokemon swiftly learned to stay away from the fences, in fear of concussions or gaping wounds leaving them as easy prey for other Pokemon. The only ones that still come close are the blue and black cats, which remind some of the Security Corp of the Manectric in Hoenn, and even they flee with a well placed Mud Bomb. 

It is the night of the 8th day in Jubilife that Denboku found himself sitting in the moonlight on the cliff east of the village, quietly meditating. He had picked up the habit while protecting the Sprout Monks back in Johto, during the war when they had become easy targets. After a long week of plotting out housing and preparing for the second ship to arrive in a week’s more time, sitting in the cool autumn air and listening to the odd big Pokémon chiming in the fields below felt like bliss. 

“Good evening, Captain,” he says brusquely as Zisu makes a spot next to him and sits down. 

“Evening, Commander,” she responds, a smile across her face as she settles into place. “You don’t mind if I join you, do you?” It was phrased like a question, but Denboku knew it wasn’t; Zisu knows she is welcome at any time.

“Are you here for meditation, or do you wish to speak about something?” Denboku hasn’t yet turned to face her, keeping his eyes closed as he slowly breathes in the night air. 

Zisu is silent for a moment before speaking. “Beni said he found a Pokémon rooting through his food supplies.” Denboku’s eyebrows furrow as he leans forward and rubs a hand against his temple. “I’m sure you know that means that it had to sneak in using more than just instinct. Especially since it was a Munchlax.”

That gets Denboku’s attention, causing him to look over at Zisu for the first time since she sat down. “Those are rarer than the Beasts in Johto,” he mutters before straightening his posture. “If there is a Munchlax ransacking our stores, then we need to stop it from continuing to do so. And if it can slip past a ninja in his own home, then it has to be well trained.”

“I already told my men to be on the lookout for any locals,” Zisu says. “If they see one, they’re to get a Captain who can speak the local language to talk with them and find the owner of the Pokémon.”

Denboku absently nods as he strokes his moustache. He was thankful that Ginter and those of the Gingko Guild were able to help his Team learn the local language, as they have been doing some trade with the natives for over two decades now. Ginter had also been keen to let them know that no foreigners ever set up on Hisuian land. “Do you think this is targeted? Or is this creature acting on its own?”

Zisu immediately shakes her head. “This Pokémon is most likely trained, but we haven’t seen anybody nearby this week since we’ve started setting up. I doubt we’re completely unnoticed, Commander, but I don’t think we’re being targeted.” Denboku huffs quietly, and nods in agreement after a moment.

As his companion starts to stand, though, he holds his hand out. “Stay awhile Zisu. I have a story to share.”

“You haven’t exhausted your stories yet, Kamado?” Zisu says with a laugh as she sits down into a more comfortable position.

“A Cianwood girl like you has plenty of Johto she doesn’t know about,” Denboku says with a glint in his eyes and a twitch of his facial hair. “I know you’ve been to the Ilex Forest when I was preparing the Galaxy Team.” Zisu nods, remembering the forest vaguely from her short time walking through it to Azalea. “But I’m sure you’ve never heard of the Protector of the Forest?”

When Zisu shakes her head, all Denboku does is nod and close his eyes. “Ilex Forest is special amongst the forests of Johto. It’s been tranquil since my grandfather’s youth, and it was tranquil through the war.” He breathes in deep as he hears Zisu settle in and lay back on the grass. “The forest has a protector, a sprite that keeps the trees tall and the waters clear. Even as the war raged and nearly burned down Goldenrod, it was untouched. All because of Celebi.

“Celebi is what allowed Azalea to be a safe haven during the war, what allowed me to go through Johto and find those in need of help and protect them, like it protected us.” He looks out over the fieldlands, the moonlight illuminating the grass and trees, and the distant river a smear of silver ink from this view. “It had fantastic powers, befitting a legend. It has taken platoons of men and moved them forward past the time of their battles. Brought us lost items days before they were lost. And so a shrine was built in the middle of the forest.”

“Never expected you to be a shrine goer,” Zisu says with a tease in her voice, looking over at Denboku with a smile to match her voice. “You always fit in with the monks, but never in that sense.”

“Wouldn’t call myself a shrine goer, neither,” Denboku says with a huff. “I would go before I left Azalea on journeys, but I wouldn’t go and leave offerings on a set schedule like a true devotee. But that’s beside the point.” He waves his hand to refocus the conversation and then strokes his moustache. “But it’s said that Azalea is not the only forest that was visited by a Celebi. Viridian was home to one for several decades, and people claim in Celadon to have seen two of them flying through the trees.

“But once war reached those forests, and people began to pare the forests down to settle in, the sightings vanished. Now only Ilex, a forest that has remained peaceful and untouched even after all these decades, has one.” Denboku looks out over the fieldlands, out to the forest beyond the silver river. “I want to ensure that our land here in Hisui would be one that Celebi would find hospitable.” 

There’s a moment of silence before Zisu responds with a soft hum. “Yes, I think that would be nice. Being able to keep this place peaceful and safe for everyone.” The two continue to sit quietly, letting the stars and the moon circle overhead.

—

October 10th, 1869

Though the cold was beginning to quickly set in on the Village as fall progressed, the men working on the foundation of the main Galaxy Building often found themselves dressed lightly. And most lightly dressed was Denboku himself, who is wearing but a gray hakama as he shovels dirt towards the ever-filling corner that his Golem is ever-emptying. And it is when he is in this state that Ress comes running from the town’s fence. “Commander Kamado, we have a local wanting to speak with you!”

Denboku sighs, and waves at his Golem to keep up its work, which it happily obliges to by rolling into the dirt and bulldozing it flat. Once he climbs out of the pit, Denboku quickly douses his face in the river water to wash any dirt off, and pulls his coat over himself, leaving it draped over his shoulders as he stalks towards the fencing to the east of the Village.

He is slightly surprised when he catches sight of the local, though he shouldn’t be as she at least seems a few years older than Zisu is despite his smaller stature. When it comes to her companion, however, he is completely unsurprised to see a rather large Munchlax chewing away at a berry.

“Greetings,” Denboku says, bowing slightly at the fence as he speaks in Hisuian to the best of his abilities. “Apologize for the state of my look. I have been at work. I am the Commander, Kamado.”

To her credit, the young woman only has to cover her mouth briefly as she holds back her laugh, then resets her face into neutrality. “I am Mai,” she says in heavily accented Kanto-ben. “I have more experience with your tongue than you with mine, so let us make this easier for us both.” While relieved, Denboku tries to hide it from his face by pursing his lips and twitching his moustache. “I believe you’ve been looking for me, Commander?”

Denboku nods, then gestures to the Munchlax absently eating beside her. “More specifically, I’ve been looking for whoever is the owner of that beast. We’ve caught it going through our food like it owns the place.”

“It has a better claim to the land than you do,” Mai says with a slight shift in posture, her hand resting on her hip as she leans slightly to the side. Not confrontational, but decidedly not welcoming. “You all showed up on your boats without warning, and he smelled food. While I didn’t plan for him to raid your storerooms, I can’t exactly blame him for getting easy food.”

“That easy food is what we need to survive, child,” Denboku says, glaring down at the young woman as she shakes her head. “We are working on getting farmland cultivated, so the food we brought with us is what we have. My people and I would greatly appreciate if you kept control over that beast of yours.”

“And I would appreciate it if you didn’t act like you were the lord of this land just because you believe you own this Village,” Mai shoots back, her tone unchanged from the neutral tone she’s held this entire conversation. “I would also refrain from telling others you own this land, unless you think you can convince my Leader, Adaman, to accept you.”

Pausing, Denboku takes a deep breath and releases it, then squares his posture and stares into Mai’s eyes. “Then how may I talk with your Leader? We don’t wish for conflict, we just want to live our lives.”

“He sent me a message this morning,” Mai says, a smirk forming on her lips. “He will be here in a few days time to discuss your ability to remain here.” Before Denboku could argue another word, she bows respectfully and turns to walk away, effortlessly scooping up Munchlax and carrying it away from the Village.

Denboku watches her walk away, then turns on his feet back towards the village. “Ress, go gather Zisu and Colza, and tell them to meet me by the main bridge. I’ll get Tao Hua and Sanqua, we need to discuss their arrival.” As Ress runs off into the Village proper, Denboku keeps his path towards the pit where the Galaxy Building will be, doing his best not to grind his teeth. Once he gets within earshot, he shouts out “Sanqua! Get on out of there!” He turns towards the store that is half-assembled across the grassy road. “You too, Tao Hua!”

There’s a bit of grumbling from the store as Tao Hua makes his way out of the building, sneering back at the way he came and holding his hip in place as he walks. “No need to yell, Kamado, I can hear you just fine!” He straightens with a grunt, his hip popping into place as he hobbles off of the store step. Across from him, Sanqua clambers up the ladder, wearing a simple white top streaked in mud, just like her hair and face. “What’s the big fuss?”

“We’re holding an Officers Meeting,” Denboku says, scratching slightly at his moustache. “That Mai woman told me that her Leader will be coming in a few days to discuss our right to be here.” Tao Hua sneers and looks in the direction of where Denboku had come from, while Sanqua gets a worried look on her face.

“Do you think they’d remove us? This is technically their land,” she says, looking back at the large hole for the building foundations that they’ve dug, as well as multiple skeletons of buildings around. Sanqua was younger even than Zisu, having gotten her position in Galaxy by being a fantastic worker and a good head for math. “This was the only good place in this area from what Ginter told us.”

“We won’t be leaving if I have anything to say,” Denboku grumbles as his Golem burrows his way up out of the ground behind the pit. He stalks past the pair to cross the simple bridge over the river to the southern side, catching sight of Ress coming his way with Zisu and Colza in tow. Giving a short wave, Ress breaks away to go cover the eastern gate again as the Captains all assemble.

“Something up, Commander?” Zisu says immediately before even stopping, her face pulled into a worried expression that seemed to mirror Sanqua’s, while Colza’s was filled with anxious energy. “Ress mentioned that he saw you speaking to a local?”

Denboku nods stiffly, setting his jaw for a moment as he thinks. “Mai is a member of one of the native Clans,” he starts, noticing the look of understanding on Zisu’s face and the grimace on Colza’s. “She says that her leader will be here in a few days time, and she’s also made it clear that she, at the very least, believes we are overstaying our welcome.”

Zisu, Colza, and Sanqua all share a look at one another, while Tao Hua simply glances away from the conversation. Finally, Colza speaks. “Are we in claimed land?”

A fair question. While a part of the reason that they had chosen this strip of land to build their homes was because it was by a river and relatively flat and protected, it was also because Ginter had claimed he’d never seen a Clans Member in this area. The Gingko Guild had even led their ships here before splitting off to land in their usual port on the eastern edge of the island, to ensure that they landed in supposedly unclaimed territory. “She didn’t say anything of the sort,” Denboku says after a moment of deliberation. “Just not to claim ownership of it ourselves.”

“Which we are by building,” Tao Hua says bluntly, looking past his juniors to look over the mostly finished structures that line the small road that they have leading toward the beach. “Homes, stores, farmland, and a large office for the Galaxy Team’s management. We even have a security detail, and signs.” Tao Hua scowls and spits on the ground in the direction of the entrance to the Village where Mai and Kamado had spoken. “Which they should have done if they wanted to claim this land themselves.”

“The Emperor doesn’t put a sign upon every shaku of land,” Denboku chides with a sharp glare. “And yet I don’t see you claiming ownership of Viridian Forest, Tao.”

“The Emperor is a mightier foe than some backcountry Clans,” Tao Hua mutters before turning away from Denboku entirely while Sanqua steps between them.

“What is the plan going to be, Commander?” Her eyebrows were knit together in worry, but her mouth was pulled into a determined frown. “Should we halt our work?”

Denboku sighs again, bringing a hand up to stroke his moustache as he thinks. “No, continue to finish the housing. Halt work on the Galaxy Hall, though.” Sanqua nods, and with a flick of Denboku’s head, she rushes to the pit where the Hall would be to stop the workers still there. “As for the preparations for the Leader of the Clan to arrive, we should prepare to ready defenses.”

“Ready the defenses?” Zisu asks with an incredulous tone, giving Denboku an unsure look. “Putting up an aggressive front doesn’t sound smart, sir.”

“You’re right, Zisu,” Denboku says with a nod. “I simply want you to have security on the southern end, and people ready to move to the eastern gate if needed. I do not want to start an altercation, but if they seek to remove us by force, we must be prepared to defend ourselves.”

Colza and Zisu look at each other, still uneasy at the thought, but Zisu eventually nods. “Alright. I’ll get people together. Hopefully the ship that Cyllene is on will be here in time for this meeting, she would do good to cover the east gate for us.”

“I’ll be sure to get some Medicinal Leeks growing,” Colza says with a sigh. “I’ll probably have to uproot one of the Sitrus saplings, but I think I still have a pot to fit it in.” With that, both of the younger Captains broke away from the meeting. With a final nod, Denboku dismisses Tao Hua back to his shop, and walks down the singular street south out of the village, back to the beach.

—

October 15, 1869

It had been just after daybreak that the young sentry Rei, fresh off of the boat, had seen the group approaching through the Fieldlands, still nearly an hour away. This gave Jubilife time to prepare, though, with the Captains all getting themselves presentable and meeting with Denboku Just outside of the simple gate that Sanqua had finished working the afternoon before. Within the town, multiple houses were now finished on the far side of the river, arranged in two parallel rows facing each other.

“How many did Rei see approaching?” Denboku asks Cyllene, Zisu’s number two, as he approaches the gate himself. Cyllene had been an unexpected friend in Hoenn several years prior when Denboku and Beni had gone down there in a chase after a rebel Lord. And with her time with Professor Zelkova Elm having ended, she was willing to join the Galaxy Team with her protege Rei. 

“He claims there were seven people,” she says brusquely, keeping a hand on her sheathed katana while her Abra hovered nearby. “There was a large Stantler-like Pokemon, and what seemed to be a large Bird Pokemon flying overhead with one of the seven riding it.”

Denboku nods and looks out over the Fieldlands. Even from this distance, the Bird Pokemon was visible as it soared through the sky, presumably keeping an eye over the group directly below. “And that is it? Seven people and two Pokemon? That Mai woman had a Munchlax with her, did Rei happen to catch sight of it?”

Cyllene shakes her head, her gaze never leaving the Commander’s. Denboku nods, and turns to watch as Zisu arrives with Sanqua. “Then we can assume that at least one of them will have a Pokemon with them, if not each of them. Zisu, how are the defenses?”

Zisu straightens her top and gives Denboku a short bow. “Ress and Wenton are on standby down the road, and Cyllene’s Abra will teleport them in if they end up being needed.”

Denboku nods, and turns to Sanqua. “And did you finish the safehouse at the end of the Village? It looked complete when I went by this morning.”

Sanqua nods as Colza runs up to the group, tying his sash in place as he does so. “It’s fortified well enough to withstand your Snorlax running into it, and the tunnel to Prelude Beach is sufficient. If needed, the entire town could escape to the boats at the beach.”

Denboku nods grimly again as Tao Hua approaches the gate and passes through. “With Celebi’s grace, that won’t need to come to pass. Let us hope that this Leader is more willing to talk than Mai was.”

The Galaxy Captains stand in an uncomfortable silence for some time. They had all made good time arriving at the gate, and if Rei’s estimate was correct (which had proven to be reliable previously), they were still some 15 minutes away. Though Jubilife was up the hill from the Fieldlands proper, the gate was actually just past the crest of the hill, thus they didn’t have a good vantage of how close the traveling group actually was.

It was near the 50 minute mark that the large Bird Pokemon suddenly shot forward towards Jubilife Village, causing Denboku, Zisu, and Cyllene to all tense as it flew over their heads. No attack came, however, as the bird went to the far cliffs on the western edge of the Village and wheeled around to circle the entirety of the Village before returning to its previous location, dipping down out of sight.

“That rider looked quite old,” Tao Hua mutters, rubbing the sun from his eyes as the bird takes back to the air after a few minutes, now without said rider. “They must be quite experienced if they wouldn’t slip at such an age.”

“Did any of you recognize that bird?” Sanqua asks as they watch it come slowly closer, its tight circles showing that it was now following the group once more, and that they were quite close. As everyone gathered shook their heads, she sighs and slumps her shoulders. “So a native and unknown Pokemon. Let’s hope we don’t need to worry about it.”

Native and unknown. “Cyllene,” Denboku says, looking over at the swordswoman, who faces him in response. “Depending on how this talk goes with the Leader of the Clan, I want you to contact our Professor friend in Hoenn. He mentioned that some professor in Galar was looking for a project to work on with grant funding?”

Cyllene blinks, then nods in recognition. “Yes, sir.” With that, she looks over at the hill, and nods slightly towards it as she begins to step back towards the gate. “It seems our visitors have arrived.”

The Galaxy Team turns to face the road as a large Deer Pokemon crests the hill, the morning sun shining off its horns and giving it a slightly golden appearance to its fur. Atop it sat Mai, perched sideways, looking up from her conversation with a young man next to her. The young man’s hair was down, hanging to his shoulders with the bottom edges seemingly dyed green and an open blue haori with white trim.

Behind the two was a small group of others in blue clothing. A taller man with long lilac hair and a conical hat; A young woman with bright red hair with a red gradient on her legwear; A tall dark-skin man who was looking around everywhere with an anxious energy; Finally, an old man who notably was using a cane with a pair of simple slit goggles hanging from his neck, and a young girl with tumbling green hair running behind him, wide eyes staring directly at Denboku.

Once the group comes closer, Denboku breaks away from his Captains and takes a few steps forward, bowing at the waist in greeting before straightening up. “Greetings, Clansmen,” he says in Hisuian. “I am Commander Kamado, of the Galaxy Team.” Unsure of who exactly to speak to, Denboku put his gaze mostly towards the old man.

The young man looks up at Mai with a sly grin, then shakes his head and steps forward in kind, raising a hand and pushing it forward in some form of salute. “Greetings, Commander Kamado-han,” he says in heavily accented Johto-ben. “I agree with Mai, it would probably be easier to speak your language.”

The young man takes a moment to look over the group, and nods with the smile still on his face. “My name is Adaman, and I am the Leader of the Diamond Clan. I appreciate you making sure to be punctually, it’s always nice to be met at the gates instead of waiting around and wasting time. Good thing, too, because I believe we have some discussion ahead of us about you being here on my Clan’s land, yes?”