#an arrow went right through my heart haha

[dirubtrentfree]

What BUCK-TICK song made you fall in love with the band?

[kekaki-cupcakes]

Yoooooo still curious and excited anon here!

Could I please request for a Jason Grace meeting and falling in love at first sight with a “bad girl/punk” demigod at camp half blood?

Bad girl in the sense of like rebellious, chaotic, the kind with motorcycles and black leather jackets and so if it explains the vibes better?

Idk it would be like fun ‘cause Jason is kinda the good boy of the group.

And idk he reminds me of a golden retriever.

Idk I tend to associate animals to ppl for no real reason.

If u were an animal which one would u be?

Sorry for the long ask!

Bye! Have a great day!

First time writing Jason so he might be a bit OOC but I went with a very oblivious lovesick golden retriever energy haha. Tiny bit of angst in there because you know, its Camp Half-Blood.

Big Brothers big sisters Best Friend

»»————-　★　————-««

Finding Thalia couldn’t be that hard, right? It wasn’t like she was the leader of The Hunters of Artemis, who were visiting camp, meaning she would be off beating the Ares cabin at games, or recruiting even more hunters with talk of immortality, toasting marshmallows every night, and Hawkeye merch.

Jason strolled through camp, dodging the spears being thrown as the Hermes kids ran past to the arena,  grass crunching underfoot and sun shining brightly. When the Hunters showed up, it was like an unofficial holiday for Camp Half-Blood, Jason’s orange shirt standing out in the sea of casual clothing and silver jackets. The [usually] strictly followed timetable for the day was more of a mere suggestion at this point, everyone preparing for an intense game of capture the flag, and a general prank war.

“Move along you little fuck nugget!”

There she was.

“Thalia!” Jason called, feeling the scar on his lips stretch as a grin broke across his face. His sister was yelling at a group of Iris kids, who ran off giggling a moment later. She sat back down behind the fold out table with a deep frown, which pulled on her eyebrow piercings. 

It quickly disappeared when she spotted Jason jogging over. “Little brother!”  

Thalia vaulted over the table, scattering leaflets into the wind as she picked Jason up in a hug, spinning him around until he was dizzy. “Woah, okay you can put me down now before I puke.”

She threw her arms up, cropped silver jacket catching the sun and nearly blinding him. He re adjusted his glasses and blinked a few times while she wheeled him back over to the fold out table, which was now a mess of papers, pens, and arrows. “Listen up fuckwits, this is Jason, my little brother, no maiming him in capture the flag or I slit your throats in your sleep, deal?”

Two hunters with undercuts and summer dresses didn’t bother looking up from the quiver they were adjusting on a daughter of Aphrodite. The girl at the table did though, after screwing up a sheet of paper and tossing it over her shoulder. 

Jason’s heart stopped.

Not literally, of course, but he would happily let the girl stab him with the knife strapped to her back, over the top of her leather jacket. He caught a glimpse of painted musical notes in a messy neon pink decorating the dark leather, and then realized he was staring. “Sorry, what?” 

“I was just saying imma maim you in capture the flag,” Thalia explained with a wicked grin.

Jason blinked, “weren’t you just saying-”

“Irrelevant,” Thalia cut him off, throwing an arm over his shoulder and yelling something to a boy with green hair a few meters away. Jason took the opportunity to take another peek at the girl, who was now popping a bubble of purple gum as she watched Thalia brandish a blood stained arrow at the crying kid. 

His eyes skipped from a crown tattoo around her arm to the chunky doc martens poking from underneath the table, then to her eyes, which were on him. Shit. Jason looked away with warmth in his cheeks, hoping the girl hadn’t realized he was blatantly staring at her. How could someone look that scary and still be so attractive at the same time?

Hot people should be approachable, so he didn’t have to hide behind his sister with wide blue eyes, like he was now. Thalia ran a hand through her spiky dark hair, blue streaks flicking around, and Jason finally remembered why he was actually here, apart from wanting to stare at the girl who’d slipped white headphones over her head and gone back to the clipboard. 

“Thal’s, Chiron wanted to talk to you, something about knives?”

“Shit,” Thalia grumbled, folding her arms. She glanced up at the big house and then back at the girlTM. Then a smirk spread across her face, probably clocking the pink dusting Jason’s face. She was just so…nice looking. Jason could stare at her forever.

“Her mum’s teaching her to ride a motorbike, she wants a doberman, and she graffiti's.” Thalia said, clapping Jason on the shoulder with a cocky wink. “lLso a swiftie, don’t tell her i told you though. Good luck!”

“Huh?” Jason whimpered, his shoulders falling as his sister left him in the sign up area with a bawling green haired child and a lot of scary teenage girls. “Wait, no come back-”

He stood there for a minute, glaring at Thalia’s retreating figure, who was hiding knives underneath rocks as she went. He tapped his fingers on the table, trying to look casual as his brain drooled over the lip piercing the girl had. WHY DID SOMEONE GET TO LOOK THAT ATTRACTIVE?

She pulled her headphones down around her neck and looked up at Jason with a brow raised. She had sharp eyeliner and a low voice. “So like, you gonna sign up, or…”

“But… I’m a guy?”

“I don’t assume,” she shrugged, eyes lidded, and popped another bubble of purple gum. 

Jason felt his heart drop through his stomach and land in the grass when he realized what the girl would be doing here. He hoped his voice wasn’t wobbly as he spoke. “You’re a hunter?”

“Nah,” she grinned, leaning back on the fold out chair and propping her chunky shoes on the table, dirt smearing on the sign up sheet. “My mum’s Tyche, Thalia asked me to stand here and increase the chances people will sign up.”

Jason thought for a moment, trying to remember who Tyche was. His brain still thought of everything the roman way, figuring out who deities were was a headache. She blew another bubble, and it popped on her face, which she pulled off and stuck on the bottom of the table without a second thought. “Fortuna for you, goddess of chance, dispenser of good and ill fortune.”

“You know I’m roman?” Jason may have focused on the wrong part of the conversation. All he got in return was a smirk and a shrug. SHE KNEW HIM?

She watched him for a moment, probably wondering if he was sunburnt, and then got to her feet. Jason realized he was way too far gone once he found out she was taller than him. “I’m teaching arts and crafts next, wanna help?”

“Yes.” 

»»————-　★　————-««

Jason had been tricked. How it only occurred to him once he was standing in the middle of the arts and crafts supply closet, arms full of stolen spray paint, he didn’t know. 

One minute he’d been helping this really cool girl, and the next minute Malcom Pace was opening the door with wide gray eyes. “You’re the one stealing all the cans?”

“There is a perfectly reasonable explanation for this,” Jason started, hoping it would give him enough time to think of a perfectly reasonable explanation. Nothing came to mind, so he called on his roman roots and lifted his head high, hoping he didn’t look like a deer in headlights with a spinal problem. 

“I’m stopping the thief.”

Malcolm just stared at him, moving out of the way as Jason sidled past him into the room filled with ares kids and glitter bombs. “If whoever’s stealing all the paint doesn’t know where it is, then they can’t take it. Chiron asked me to take it all to the big house until he figures out who’s stealing it.”

“It’s totally the Stoll’s, who else would be drawing penises on my cabin?” 

Jason blinked. He had not come prepared enough for the spray cans stealing expedition, but to be fair he had no idea he was stealing until he saw the sign saying ‘ask permission from Butch or Malcom to use. “Well yes, but are you gonna dob them in?”

Totally something that would happen at Camp Jupiter, if somebody was stupid enough to steal the paint in the first place, but Camp Half-Blood was a little different. Malcolm snorted. “No, it’s hilarious. But if you see Connor, tell him to do the Ares cabin, Clarrise stepped in my waffles this morning.”

“Will do,” Jason managed to mutter, and then strolled through the arts and crafts center like he was supposed to be there. He nodded at one of the Athena kids who was sculpting a statue of an anime character, and then ducked his head as he left. 

When he made his way around the back, he saw the girl who’d tricked him, without even thinking that he could get in trouble. “Hi!”

She just blinked in shock, her jaw dropped. SHE HAD A TONGUE PIERCING. Jason grinned as he dumped the armful of multicolored spray paint canisters in her arms. “I got them!”

“You- that was a trick you tiny punk!” She laughed, and Jason felt his face heat up as he noticed the sparkle in her eyes. “How did you pull that off?”

He ducked his head and shrugged. “I dunno, I guess people just assume I’m doing stuff I’m supposed to do?” 

Jason had to look away when she bit her lip, teeth clicking with the silver metal ring looped through the right side of her bottom lip. “I like you.”

“Thanks.” His voice cracked.

“You’re mine now.” She stuffed the spray paint cans into a satchel jingling with pins of various bands and slogans, then looped her arm through his, yanking him along as they made their way to the horseshoe shape of cabins. 

Jason grinned as he followed happily, looking up at her smug expression. She stopped outside the silver cabin, and Jason faltered when he saw that one wall had been painted over with a dull shade of gray, then overlapped with a beautiful mural of the night sky. Constellations glittered as if painted with stardust themselves, and drip lines ran down the arrows the girls in the painting were holding. 

The tallest girl had a serious expression, long thick hair tied back in a plait that flowed over her shoulder. The brightest set of stars were wrapped around her shoulders. One arm was gripping the shoulder of a girl Jason recognised.                                                                    

He had never known her, but he recognised the small smile and the slope of her nose, the color of her hair, he recognised her because he was friends with her little brother. “Is that-”

“Zoe and Bianca.”

»»————-　★　————-««

Thalia stomped her foot in the dirt and scanned the muddy clearing again. Where was he? 

A battle cry echoed through the woods, and there was the familiar screech of the monster, but then she heard Clarrise yelling, so they had it under control. Her blue flag, which was safely protected by Phoebe and a new recruit, was about to be joined by its friend, the red flag, securing the hunters win and furthering their streak.

“Jason?” She called. He was on the hunters team, only because cabins weren’t really supposed to split up, and like hell Thalia was fighting her hunters. 

Naomi stomped up, her quiver empty, and someone was screaming in the distance. “Have you seen that Tyche girl who’s supposed to be giving us a bigger chance of winning? Where is she?”

“Yo, guys! That blond jock’s getting the life snogged out of him behind Zeus’s fist!” Another new recruit fell out of a tree, binoculars in her hands as she grinned. 

Thalia smirked. “Dad will love that.”

»»————-　★　————-««

[thatcritterthatskitter]

Who is Critter Skritter?

Just some little guy who ran from the thought of home, only to stumble upon another in the process of said action. Their old home is dead and encased in crystal, so by winds and rumour do they wander in search of new experiences and sights to fill them. Such a shame that such wanderings had grown from of clearing out monster-infested mines and pirate dens to slaying gods left and right.

Had only recently worked out that they're not a girl halfway through a war. And had figured out that they had found a home in others through the next.

Why is Critter Skritter...

1, a lalafell?) I originally wanted to see what playing as a tiny little guy was like in terms of gameplay and other things like cutscenes and cosmetics (not much for the first and second, and a tonne of things for the last) and grew massively attatched to them as time went on!

2, looks like they're going through alot?) Most of the time it's me projecting my own feelings onto them as I play and witness a plethora of things in ff14.

3, transgender?) I was working on the same feelings too tbh. I suppose eventually, as I grew more attatched, Critter was a reflection(?) distillation(?) fragment(?) of what I would rather be? I suppose I'm still working on it myself, but I'd like to think that Critter eventually figured it out and settled onto something that they're ultimately comfortable with, be it on their own or with loved ones.

How does Critter fight...

1. Alone?)

On their own, Critter plays to their own strengths but is far too aware of their own weaknesses to be truely risky. As a bard with a background in conjury and summoning, they do their best to suppliment any weak points some way or another. The flesh can be bolstered by spell, if they can't meet a foe head on, then why not a construct to take the blows? There's always terrain to scout, people to question, poisons to mix, and so on and on and on...

2. With others?) Critter is a Bard who empowers others through song and presence. They aim (haha) to keep their eye on the enemy, and create opportunities for others to strike! Should their expertise prove to not be enough in these situations, then they defer to their close friends or those more experienced. May heavens have mercy for those groups that Critter themself leads.

3. Desperately?) Intent and willpower is honed into a blade by the power of song, meter by bellowed breath to fuel destruction in the hands of one man. Here, is where reality loosens it's grip on the reigns of natural order. Where fey lights shimmer and dance to no wind, where summoned constructs swell in size and hunger, and where air grows heavy and laden with lightning, the foe mets their end, perhaps by arrows of blinding light, or with their throats torn out by tiny teeth, or by shattered heart. And should the foe stand, victorious, then Critter will die like the simple animals that they named themself to be.

Favorite things?

A good nap! And good food! Maybe some time to chat with the locals or to find a tiny (or large) animal and give pets! I think Critter likes to make friends in strange places and find friends in even stranger places! They'd love to listen and learn new songs, even if they could only sing and remember a few reliably. Critter would be happiest with their friends, wherever they may be.

[dynamic-k]

hi i'm supposed to be doing latin homework but oh well XD

I don't have that many questions left that aren't too direct to the plot.

ok, I think I have a new one???

Has Chosen ever thought about doing villainous actions??

What about Dark?? Like- what if Alan was right???

Of course he wasnt, Chosen would never do that... right?

idk i think i can imagine him snapping and having a villain arc.

Probably in the fight with Primal. Maybe she went too far and actually stabbed him? Ballista and the others weren't fast enough to stop her. Primal what is it with you and stabbing people I swear-

But then the others come seconds [haha what have you done to me Scarlett] later and then Dark sees Cho nearly dead.

Dark goes feral, and Vics like oh god not again.

Second goes to heal him, and Ballista.. yea I dunno about Ballista :'D

I think if Chosen were to have a villain arc, Second and Ballista would have to be removed from the plot. They're too nice-

Dark and Chosen just committing crime while the other villains just stare and think: "what on earth- Hey! THATS MY JOB!!!"

And then plot twist the villains have to work together to become heroes and stop them.

How the turns have tabled XD

wait i this is actually so far off my original question wot happened

Well, thanks for reading listening to me ramble and good morning/night/whatever,

-R

SS!Chosen thinking about villainy?! :O

WHat an iDeaA! Stick, no- He's very very heroic at heart, really and truly.

Cho dislikes harming people, and mostly uses his powers to trap, headlock, restrain, or take out of commission. UNLESS somebody hurt his family. XD Or, you know. Really-hard-to-defeat villain. He can get riled up, but he's mostly a quiet figure who has a heart for people's wellbeing and safety.

He's an AWESOME babysitter, he's protective, caring and loyal, and sticks [*silly grin*] his neck out for others' sake on a regular basis.

Even if Chosen did snap and get greatly upset, he isn't going to take it out on anyone. He tends to either grow very tense and grit his teeth and take on a dangerous tone of voice, lashing out with words rather than violence... ORRRR he leaves and calms down elsewhere. He isn't one to resort to reflexive violence.

SS!Dark. He is much the same way, although he might leave and go take it out on a pillow. Dark has the self-control to not punch someone, even if they're being really rude or insensitive to something and deliberating riling him up. He isn't going to do much aside from glaring or very hilarious and Dark-styled clever comebacks... although I suppose it is also possible he may knock the offending stick's lights out, no real harm done.

Dark has had nightmares of himself doing more than violent things, and it's not something he ever wants to come to fruition, or be made a reality. He's a careful stick, despite his reckless abandon. Oxymoronic, I know, but we did talk about how precautionary his designing of the button-bots' functions was. And even as careless as doing a surgery on himself sounds, he WAS steady and watchful in the process. He thought things through and understood the gravity of the situation he was about to do.

What is it with Primal and stabbing people- XD

She has always held a bit of a high and uncontrollable temper, only milded and mitigated to near nil or none when Ballista is around, seeming to sooth any and all violent reflexes by his presence alone. Primal loves Ballista dearly and is quite protective of him, in a similar manner to how protective the Beckers are-

So of course, the temper worsened to dangerously high levels when Ballista was in jail. :D /smile-of-"I-Love-Angst" insanity, hehe

Plus, knives and sharp things are some of the easiest projectiles for her to conjure up. Ease of summoning, plus "first-thing-she-thought-of"ness, not to mention that when you think of throwing or send-flying an object at another, it's usually an arrow or something just as sharp. TECHNICALLY, she only really stabbed Vic- She only tried to stab Chosen, which is saying a lot since this was all shortly after she felt sick to her stomach due to "killing" Vic, in her perspective.

To be fair, she was a little out of it. The serum she'd taken was meant for Vic and Vic only, and was having quite the adverse effect on her thinking and her health as a whole. Ballista was still in jail to her knowledge, Chosen was in her way ONCE AGAIN, and she was DONE. She snapped there, and for once, instead of merely paining the eldest Ladybug brother, she actually wanted to full-on drive something sharp into him so that he would not bother her.

Primal did not want to kill him, she had enough clarity of mind to decide this, but she knows where to aim her weapons so that Chosen will be weakened by injuries, but not on the verge of death. She wanted to disable him, but not fatally. She was not adverse to the sight of his blood, in fact, she was paying attention to it so she didn't overstep, even as hard as she was fighting.

There is also the adrenaline factor, and the rush that the serum granted her. It was a miracle she had enough sense to make decisions like not killing Chosen, when her mind is fuzzed by energy that her body isn't used to having, the pounding of her heart and code resonating through her ears but easily ignored because she's on top of the world and nothing can stop her.

Stick. I feel like I could have done better with Arc One, I really do. Sure, a lot say that it's really good, and I don't disagree with that, but... I see a LOOOTTTTT of room for improvement and structuring when I look back at it. HENCE! I want Arc Two to help fill in those missing spots Arc One lacked!! Might be why I'm taking so long to decide things, and probably contributing to the hiatus somewhat.

Overthinking everything... Timeline plotting for the plot on a diagram with mixed results of success...

...

ANYwaY-

| But then the others come seconds [haha what have you done to me Scarlett] later and then Dark sees Cho nearly dead. |

:D PUNS! :D

XD Nice notions, although I know even without the existence of Ballista and Second, even with the two sweeties gone, Chosen would still be a hero. It's interesting to think about how his villain arc would go, but we kinda already saw a taste on that in canon what with all the terrorism and destruction of sites. I know Canon!Chosen didn't kill anyone since that is exactly what worried him with Dark's whole Virabot scheme, but he DID help destroy a lot of homes at first.

Prettyyyy villainy.

SS!Chosen, thoughhhh- ehhh, nope. He good.

PLOT TWIST THE VILLAINS HAVE TO HERO AGAINST VILLAIN-CHOSEN- XD HELp- That would be hilarious-

HOW THE TURNS HAVE TABLED INDEED- sticks i love saying that so much- XD

....Anyway- I will go and answer those other two asks in my inbox-

:3 Might be slow today, I'm currently at my shift, but there was a slow moment so- I got this one done. U v U

I LOVE this. Rambles are epic.

[othermooobiledevices]

AN: wel ok u guyz im only writting dis cuz I got 5 god reviuws. n BTW I wont rite da nxt chapter til I git TIN god vons! STO FLAMING OR ILL REPORT U! Evony isn't a Marie Sue ok she isn't perfect SHES A SATANITS! n she has problemz shes depressed 4 godz sake!

Draco and I held our pale white hands with black nail polish as we went upstairs. I was wearing red Satanist sings on my nails in red nail polish (AN: c doez dat sound lik a Maru Sue 2 u?). I waved to Vampire. Dark misery was in his depressed eyes. I guess he was jealous of me that I was going out with Draco. Anyway, I went upstairs excitedly with Draco. We went into his room and locked the door. Then…

We started frenching passively and we took off each others clothes enthusiastically. He felt me up before I took of my top. Then I took off my black leather bra and he took off his pants. We went on the bed and started making out naked and then he put his boy's thingy in mine and we HAD SEX. (c is dat stupid?)

"Oh Draco, Draco!" I screamed while getting an orgasm when all of a sudden I saw a tattoo I had never seen before on Draco's arm. It was a black heart with an arrow through it. On it in bloody gothic writing were the words… Vampire!

I was so angry.

"You bastard!" I shouted angrily, jumping out of the bed.

"No! No! But you don't understand!" Draco pleaded. But I knew too much.

"No, you fucking idiot!" I shouted. "You probably have AIDs anyway!"

I put on my clothes all huffily and then stomped out. Draco ran out even though he was naked. He had a really big you-know-what but I was too mad to care. I stomped out and did so until I was in Vampire's classroom where he was having a lesson with Professor Snape and some other people.

"VAMPIRE POTTER, YOU MOTHERFUCKER!" I yelled.

Chapter 8.

AN: stop flassing ok! if u do de prep!

Everyone in the class stared at me and then Draco came into the room even though he was naked and started begging me to take him back.

"Ebony, it's not what you think!" Draco screamed sadly.

My friend B'loody Mary Smith smiled at me understatedly. She flipped her long waste-length gothic black hair and opened her crimson eyes like blood that she was wearing contact lenses on. She had pale white skin that she was wearing white makeup on. Hermione was kidnapped when she was born. Her real parents are vampires and one of them is a witch but Voldemort killed her mother and her father committed suicide because he was depressed about it. She still has nightmares about it and she is very haunted and depressed. It also turns out her real last name is Smith and not Granger. (Since she has converted to Satanism she is in Slytherin now not Griffindoor. )

"What is it that you desire, you ridiculous dimwit!" Snape demeaned angrily in his cold voice but I ignored him.

"Vampire, I can't believe you cheated on me with Draco!" I shouted at him.

Everyone gasped.

I don't know why Ebony was so mad at me. I had went out with Vampire (I'm bi and so is Ebony) for a while but then he broke my heart. He dumped me because he liked Britney, a stupid preppy fucker. We were just good friends now. He had gone through horrible problems, and now he was gothic. (Haha, like I would hang out with a prep.)

"But I'm not going out with Draco anymore!" said Vampire.

"Yeah fucking right! Fuck off, you bastard!" I screamed. I ran out of the room and into the Forbidden Forest where I had lost my virility to Draco and then I started to bust into tears.

Chapter 9.

AN: stop flaming ok! I dntn red all da boox! dis is frum da movie ok so itz nut my folt if dumbeldor swers! besuizds I SED HE HAD A HEDACHE! and da reson snap dosent lik harry now is coz hes christian and vampire is a satanist! MCR ROX!

I was so mad and sad. I couldn't believe Draco for cheating on me. I began to cry against the tree where I did it with Draco.

Then all of a suddenly, an horrible man with red eyes and no nose and everything started flying towards me on a broomstick! He didn't have a nose (basically like Voldemort in the movie) and he was wearing all black but it was obvious he wasn't gothic. It was… Voldemort!

"No!" I shouted in a scared voice but then Voldemort shouted "Imperius!" and I couldn't run away.

"Crookshanks!" I shouted at him. Voldemort fell of his broom and started to scream. I felt bad for him even though I'm a sadist so I stopped.

"Ebony." he yelled. "Thou must kill Vampire Potter!"

I thought about Vampire and his sexah eyes and his gothic black hair and how his face looks just like Joel Madden. I remembered that Draco had said I didn't understand, so I thought, what if Draco went out with Vampire before I went out with him and they broke up?

"No, Voldemort!" I shouted back.

Voldemort gave me a gun. "No! Please!" I begged.

"Thou must!" he yelled. "If thou does not, then I shall kill thy beloved Draco!"

"How did you know?" I asked in a surprised way.

Voldemort got a dude-ur-so-retarded look on his face. "I hath telekinesis." he answered cruelly. "And if you doth not kill Vampire, then thou know what will happen to Draco!" he shouted. Then he flew away angrily on his broomstick.

I was so scared and mad I didn't know what to do. Suddenly Draco came into the woods.

"Draco!" I said. "Hi!"

"Hi." he said back but his face was all sad. He was wearing white foundation and messy eyeliner kind of like a pentagram (geddit) between Joel Madden and Gerard Way.

"Are you okay?" I asked.

"No." he answered.

"I'm sorry I got all mad at you but I thought you cheated on me." I expelled.

"That's okay." he said all depressed and we went back into Hogwarts together making out.

whoever you are, just know, i will find you.

[realityescapee01]

Title: Making up (part 3)

“Stiles!” -Scott popped up beside Stiles’s jeep, startling the brown eyed teen.

“What the fu-Scott?!? I almost had a heart attack.” -Stiles spooked.

“I found my mate.”

“Oh? That’s great, man! Who is it?“

“Y/N.”

“Whattareyou waiting for? Ask her out.”

“I don’t think she’d even consider me anymore.”

“Why not?”

“… She confessed to me and asked me out but I turned her down.”

Stiles was running towards his jeep, practically dragging Y/N by her hand. He yanked his jeep door open, nudged Y/N in, ran to the driver's side and drove off.

part 2

"S-Stiles?!? What's happening? Where are we going? How about Scott?"

"The animal attacks. The dead bodies. Murders. It's because of that thing on the field. It's a werewolf!"

"Werewolf? They're real?!?"

"Yes! There are things that are not... quite just human.."

Stiles jeep brake squealed to a stop. They jumped down and hurried inside Deaton's vet clinic through the back door, using the spare key.

Y/N clutched Stiles's flannel sleeves as she struggled to keep up with him.

"Okay okay. Right here. Let's hole up here." -Stiles with a bat in hand.

Y/N sat beside Stiles, shaking a little bit.

"So... uhm, werewolves... The creature back in the field. And also Scott."

"S-Scott is a werewolf?!?"

"Yes. He wasn't born, he got bitten then he turned."

"Oh my god....Scott? Then... you?"

"Nope. Just human."

---

Scott hit the ground 3rd time. Being thrown off by the alpha. Scott's vision blurring from all the pain. The alpha approached him but was tackled over.

"Derek!"

"Come on!" -Derek stood him up. Touched his hand a while, to take his pain away, just enough to get Scott running through the woods.

"I know who he is, Scott."

"What?!?"

"He's my uncle. Peter."

"What do we do now?"

They ran towards the Hale house. Where they were shot at by arrows. The Argents were there.

"Scott, get out of here!" -Derek pushed him.

"But- "

"Leave, now! Go!!!"

"I'm gonna fight with you."

There's been a lot of revelation as they fought. It was proven that Kate burned down the Hale house years ago, making Chris lose faith in her. Peter then ripped her throat out. After he did, Chris pulled out his last resort. A quick throw of a vial with flammable gas, and blast arrow, sent Peter ablaze. As he burnt out, Derek had the chance to finish him off. Getting his alpha powers.

Chris Argent, took his sister's body with him. And left. Leaving Derek and Scott, so long as they do not go off killing people, they will not be hunted.

Derek approached Scott, wanting to heal him again. But Scott was pissed being lied to. Told that he can be cured of being werewolf. He punched Derek and walked off. Still having those wounds and bruises from the fight.

---

Stiles and Y/N sat silently in the vet clinic.

"Do you think Scott is..." -Y/N

"Nope. He's okay. He's okay." -Stiles repeated. Assuring himself as well.

Then they hear a thud at the back door.

Both of them jumped to a stand. Stiles signals Y/N to hide behind him.

"Grab something! Anything, as a weapon."

Y/N frantically looked around. She grabbed a crowbar hiding in the corner. The thud went louder and louder as it got nearer.

"Y/N, if ever we don't make it. I just wanted to tell you. Scott likes you. A lot. Hell, I think he loves you. And he deeply regrets hurting you- ohmygod!!!"

The backdoor flung open. Stiles was about to swing...

"W-Wait! It's me! Stiles it's me." -Scott said, hunching over, hand over his wounded stomach.

"Scott!!! Haha ohmy you're alive!!!" -Stiles dropped his bat and helped Scott onto the metal table in the middle of the room.

Y/N just stayed in the corner, watching them.

"Y/N? She... okay?" -Scott heaved.

"Yeah... You?"

"Healing now, but still painful. Did you... tell her... everything?"

"Yeah... she's still a little in shock I guess."

Scott looked at Y/N at the corner. "Is she... scared of me?"

"Uh... just give her a little more time."

Scott winced in pain as Stiles took a look at his stomach wound.

"What do you want me to do? Is there a medicine here? Should I call Deaton? Yeah, I should call Deaton. I will call Deaton. Now." -Stiles stepped away a bit. Slowly walking towards Y/N. "Hey. Don't be scared. That's still Scott."

Y/N just nodded. She was looking Scott over. He doesn't have those glowing eyes. Those clawed hands. The changed face. He still looks the same. But somehow different.

Scott suddenly jerked to the side and threw up. Y/N dropped the crowbar she was holding and ran towards Scott.

'What am I doing? This is Scott! The guy I like for a long time. I shouldn't be scared. He saved me back there.'

Stiles, still on the phone with Deaton, smiled as he saw Y/N rushed towards Scott, holding him. Comforting him.

"Scott! Oh god... I think you need to be in the hospital."

"I'll be okay after a while. I'm healing... Just painful." Scott took her hand. "Look, I understand if you... don't wanna... go out with-"

"Yes." -Y/N cut him off.

"What?"

"My answer. Yes... I wanna go out with you, Scott."

"Even... knowing... all these?"

"Yes."

Scott feeling a little better, smiled weakly at her. "That's good..."

Y/N brushed off stray hairs from Scott's face. Wiping off some blood and sweat. Scott grew up well, Y/N thought to herself. He still looks young and boyish, but Y/N could catch a glimpse of Scott's matured look. The man he would become. Y/N leaned down, to kiss Scott. Scott smiled and closed his eyes...

"I'm here!" -Deaton walked in.

Y/N stopped right before her lips touch Scott's.

"Ohmygod, Deaton. Timing, please." -Stiles winced.

Scott opened his eyes, disappointed yes, but just let out a little laugh. Y/N holding back her smile, she walked away from Scott and let Deaton do his job.

Scott's just lying there, looking at Y/N the whole time. Smiling. Their first date already planned in his head. And also the second. And the third. And next after that. And the next after that one.

---end---

part 1

[mxtcha-tea]

and that's how i met you mother

✎desc; love at first sight with shiratorizawa (honestly, not all of them are love at first sight but ignore that)

✎pairing[s]; shiratorizawa 3rd years x f!reader (separate)

✎genre; fluff, crack

✎language[s]; english

✎chef note; just an excuse for me to write lovesick boys💗 (I can’t do Shirabu, Kawanishi and Goshiki’s part cause I ran out of ideas🤸‍♀️🚆)

Ushijima

It would just be a normal day in his class, learning and stuff like usual

Then after the teacher finished explaining and hand out the tasks, he'll went through his pencil case and couldn't seem to find any pen

Ushijima frowned at that and looked throughly in his pencil case but with no luck, there's none

He swore that he had put some inside, maybe his mind slipped a little?

A tap on his shoulder caught his attention as he turned his head around to make eye contact with you

You're holding out one of your pen to him with a neutral look,

"You can have it," Ushijima look at you surprised, does that mean he can just take it from you? That's a little absurd

But he didn't question it and nodded, slowly taking the pen from your hand and continue studying

The pen doesn't really sit right in his hand, it's not being his and literally someone else that he doesn't have the chance to talk to

He'll spare a glance at you every minute (ngl, he's complimenting your side view internally)

And when you caught him looking at him, he'll just blink and slowly look back at his work with a light blush on his cheeks

(Istg it's so cute)

After the class ends and before you can leave for lunch, Ushijima caught your attention first,

"Here, thank you for lending me this. And unfortunately, i can't take it from you"

You're just looking at him with a dumbfounded look before taking the pen from him,

"Ah, no problem, um..." "Ushijima Wakatoshi"

You nodded at that, scratching the back of your head "...Ushijima. And it's [y/n]"

Both of you are just standing there in front of each other but it's not awkward, surprisingly

It's as if you two are waiting for one of you to speak and end the convo

(Spoiler alert; none of you wanted to end the convo since both of you find each other interesting)

You cleared your throat, fiddling with your pen a little, "Okay, see you after this, Ushijima"

He nodded at that and with that, both of you went to your separate ways

'[Y/N], YOU AWKWARD BASTARD! THAT WAS SO EMBARRASSING, I BET HE THOUGHT THAT YOU'RE WEIRD NOW!'

Ushijima's just walking towards the gym with a fairly visible blush across his cheeks as he look down

"Ushijima..."

"[y/n]..."

"I guess he's fine..."

"I guess she's fine..."

Ushijima Current Mission!

Trying to figure what other scenarios he can drag you in to have a convo with you again

Good luck Wakatoshi~!

Tendou

You and Tendou have talked with eachother a couple of times but it's nothing more than that

And Tendou actually want to talk more with you (at first for friendship points but y'know...)

Today, you look more beautiful than ever to him today

It's not like you're not beautiful every other day (he thinks you're pretty so that's why he kept on having a convo with you)

And he caught into that

Somehow, he can't help bet stare at you in a distance and he tried his best to avoid getting caught

(Tendou's scared that you find him creepy for looking at you all the time and he don't want that thought to flood you mind)

Then, you came to him to explain about the work your science teacher gave since she's absent for the time being

And you can bet that he doesn't hear a single thing you said because he's too focused on yourself

It's kinda like in those scenes in manga where the main character stare into the main interest

The main interest looking as beautiful as ever with flowers around them

Pretty eyes, angelic face, kissable lips

For him, you're perfect and he even thought that you might be an angel in disguise

No matter how you even see yourself, he would always think that you're fascinating, adorable, enticing—

"Tendou, are you okay?"

The redhead snapped out from his thought and got caught by you

By now, his face is literally mocking his hair color as he chuckled nervously,

"Ah, I'm fine! It's just that..."

He was about to stop mid sentences but thankfully he still got that crumbs of courage and just goes with it,

"...you look pretty today,"

Tendou said with a closed eyes smile, peeking an eye open and trying to see your reaction (ngl he's nervous)

You blinked

Before you literally exploded at that which is what make him surprised in his seat

You fake coughed, looking away and avoiding eye contact,

"Thanks...."

[love meter +10!]

If this is an actual manga or anime, there could've been hearts dancing around him

Timeskip to Tendou at his home and squealing quietly to himself (he can't let his family hear him fanboying for someone in his school lmao)

"We're totally going to marry 3 years from now on~" he says to himself in the mirror with so many confidence

(I just love it when Tendou act like that, let him have his moment)

"Haha, thank you gods for creating me and [y/n] in the same world,"

Tendou's Current Mission!

Getting to know you better and give tons and tons of compliments, just like in the simulations! Specifically otomes and dating games

Try your best Satori~!

Semi

It was another day, another practice session

Except that it went longer than Semi expected, he managed to run from the gym to the main entrance

But before he can even put on his shoes, heavy rain started pouring down

He look at the dark grey sky, resting his forehead onto the shoe locker with one shoe already in his foot while the other in his hand

Sighing, Semi thought about asking to come with Tendou and Yamagata since he didn't bring his umbrella

But on second thought, he realized that they prolly forgot theirs too

And all 3 of them have to run under the rain again like last time

Yamagata and Tendou: "We can avoid the rain if we're fast enough!"

He shivered at that their words and the thought of getting terribly sick again

And before Semi's brain can process a strategy for himself, he was caught off guard when an umbrella was opened next to him,

"Ah sorry,"

In those few seconds, everything went slow motion when your eyes catches his

(He swore it felt like in the anime)

He can feel his cheeks flushing a little but thanks to the wheater, it's not obvious

"Hello?" Semi snapped from his thoughts, shaking his head before focusing on you again,

"Sorry, sorry, um—" "You don't have an umbrella?"

He blinked, shaking his head slightly

It's a pretty peaceful staring between you two with the rain hitting the ground as background sounds

Until you lift your umbrella up, and pointed at the small spot next to you with your thumb,

"Here, I'll help you,"

"Eh?"

Semi was flabbergasted a little at your statement but would he decline it?

Of course not,

"Just tell me where your house is then I help you go there,"

And that's how he find himself back at his house's entrance with you in front of him,

"And that's why I just let you walk with me for the afternoon,"

"Is that so, oh wait! I haven't known your name, and you prolly haven't known my name either..."

He scratched the back of his neck before looking at you with a smile,

"The name's Semi Eita, thanks for the walk back home,"

Your lips parted a little before in turns into a tooth rotting smile,

"[y/n], no problem and thanks for the company, Eita,"

An arrow pierced through his heart as his face is literally the color of Tendou's hair

And just like that, you left him on the entrance with a funny expression upon his face

Cutting the scene to Semi punching his pillow (rip pillow)

"You already caught me off guard already but you really had to look at me like that...."

Semi's Current Mission!

Try to find you the next day after first period and try not to be awkward with you and his convo after the eventful day

You can do it Eita~!

Yamagata

Let's just say that,

Yamagata went through the late anime girl scenario

But with his toast falling down from his mouth while running towards his school

And his stamina almost running low despite being a volleyball player and a libero

(His house's prolly far from his school, cut him some slacks sheesh)

He's pretty much stumbling a lot when he enters the school and speed walking up the stairs

Some of the students look at him weirdly but that doesn't become his main concern because a strict teacher is going first

Yamagata's almost there, almost reaching his classroom's door

But god had other plans and place an invisible rock in front of him

And as you can tell, he slipped on it and now facepalming the floor

(The sound is so loud my lord)

He groaned, shaking a little while trying to sit up from his position

The male look up and is now face to face with you, who's looking down at him

Okay he might be delusional from the impact but is he actually looking at an angel right now?

"Dude, you okay? That's gotta hurt from the sound that it made—"

Your words drowned inside his mind as he widened his eyes with pink tints decorating his cheeks

'This...THIS IS IT!'

"—also I think your nose is bleed—"

"PLEASE MARRY ME!!"

You flinched at that but keep a calm face, a little bit concerned that he may hit his head too hard

While Yamagata is just having heart eyes for you, sparkles around him after saying those words almost too confidently

He doesn't know what's in him that make him think that you're the one,

But he definitely can feel it

You sighed, crouching down while searching through your pocket and pulling out a small pack of tissues,

"I think we're going so fast right now but no, maybe 5 years later or never,"

"Does that mean you agree??"

"I don't know, you're handsome but also stupid, a himbo I think,"

You wipe away the blood dripping down his nose, taking his arm, opening it and put the bloodied tissue on it before closing it, giving a light tap,

"Now go to the nurse office,"

"Will you be there for me?"

"No,"

You help him stand up, dusting his shoulder and walk away as if nothing happened

Yamagata watches you from the distance with a lovesick smile

Tendou laughed behind him with Ushijima and Reon next to him and Semi looking at Yamagata, confused,

"Hayato, I have no idea if you had your alarm on but you just came to school during recess,"

"She's perfect...also, I think I need to go to the nurse right now cause my head hurts,"

Yamagata's Current Mission!

Marry [y/n]

Have fun, Hayato~!

Reon

(He will have the best love at first sight cause I say so)

It was the school festival and it's lively in every corner of the school, the outside, inside the classrooms, even the hallways

Reon had just finished his part of his classroom and now can walk around to enjoy the festival

Honestly, it's a pretty normal day to him despite being the school's festival

The students of Shiratorizawa has always been this lively so it's good that they can be keep the atmosphere as how it is like any other days

Since the others are still working on their parts, Reon was all by himself

Sure, the quiet sounds without Tendou, Semi and Yamagata is fine but he prefer it being loud anyway

A short of way to fill in the boring silence

But what's the bad thing to enjoy the peace once in a while?

So he take a small walk outside the Shiratorizawa building

Stalls decorated the outside with students busy serving the customers

He was greeted by some of them as he greeted them back with a warm smile

Hands inside his pocket while looking at the sky every few seconds

Baby blue sky with fluffy white clouds, it is the spring afterall

It was at that moment where he turn his head around and caught your eyes

It was something between those few seconds that a lighting strike between the string connecting you two for a second

Reon knew he did from the moment you two clashed with each other so suddenly

It was...not love at first sight exactly,

But rather, familiarity, like,

'Oh, hello, it's you. It's going to be you,'

The staring prolly lasted more than he expected before you snapped out from your thought, shaking your head,

"Sorry! Didn't mean to..." "But you didn't do anything?" He rose an eyebrow, smiling sheepishly and watch your panic slowly dissolves

"Well, technically yeah but It was bad of me to stare off at you like that,"

He chuckled, your heart clenching at that,

"Don't worry, I think I did it too...maybe both of us did,"

"Ah, yeah! Probably..." you fiddled with your fingers, visibly nervous facing him since he's basically a stranger even tho being in the same school,

"Reon Oohira," "Eh?" You look at him with confusion at first, while he just offers you a smile,

"My name, since we have...how to say it, meet each other? And I don't want to make you uncomfortable after all that so I think it's best if we introduce ourselves,"

Your heart's basically beating out loudly that you'll afraid that he'll hear it

But, that doesn't seem so bad, does it?

You mirrored his smile, this time more confidently than before,

"[y/n] [l/n], nice to meet you Reon!"

"Please,"

Reon put his hand onto your head, "Just call me Hira,"

You fainted

"She's interesting, I love her,"

Reon's Current Mission!

Get to know you better and honestly, there's nothing else to do after that other than asking you out

You'll do great, Oohira~!

[cdroloisms]

Dream thought that he can bring server together, he thought that they can be one big family... Well at least he really bond them, even if they bonded to fight against him. Even if that mean he's not part of this server anymore.

right,, the one big happy family thing always destroys me

bc it’s really the driving force behind everything he’s done, the reason why he’s cut off everything he’s ever loved, moved forwards despite everything he’s ever lost. it doesn’t make what he does right, by any means, but c!dream’s longing for a better past, his clinging to a family he loved and lost - it’s so desperately, painfully human and is very much the cherry on top of his whole tragic story. it’s something that tugs at my heart every time i think about it - especially how in the end, pretty much nobody knew what drove him to the lengths he went to, and how everyone still sees him as being motiveless, or doing it all for personal gain and power. it’s reasonable, with their limited povs, but oh man does it hurt when we know his real reasoning.

this,, ended up weirdly long haha but oh man was it fun. have some dream team angst as i cry abt c!dream for the millionth time 

tws: death, grief, off-screen murder, implied mental deterioration

Two weeks after Dream dies, Sapnap asks George if he wants to come to the vault.

He almost says no. It’d be an early journey if they want to get out without anyone seeing, and he’s just- tired. He’s been tired for months even though he spends most of his time sleeping, usually can’t even find the energy to pull himself out of bed. The weird dreams hadn’t helped in the slightest, though they’ve been gone for a few weeks, and he’s not seen XD in a long time, save for a few minutes after he first heard the news. In all honesty, he doesn’t want to deal with the mental strain of anything to do with Dream at all.

But- Sapnap is still his best friend, even if they’ve grown apart ever since that fateful night with Dream, and he still knows the Netherborn better than nearly- well, everyone, now, with Dream gone. As much as Sapnap tried to put on a strong front, Dream’s death had taken its toll.

Killing Dream had taken its toll.

He’d been asleep (again) when it all went down, but he knows that somehow, Dream had escaped prison. Somehow, it ended with Sapnap’s sword stabbed hilt-deep in Dream’s chest, an unmarked grave in the forest behind the Community House that he knows Sapnap visits when he thinks nobody’s watching.

So when Sapnap asks, dark bags under his red-rimmed eyes, if he wants to come with him to see what belongings they can find in Dream’s old blackstone-brick vault- he says yes.

���There,” Sapnap gestures over the crest of a netherrack cliff above a bubbling lava lake, and George strains to look at what the other is pointing at. There, settled over a small outcrop of netherrack and gravel, a messy bridge of various blocks leading from it, lies the signature black and purple silhouette of a nether portal. “It’s just across that.”

George hums in acknowledgement, and they clamber down in sync. It’s been a while since he’s spent time one-on-one with Sapnap like this; George had half-forgotten what it feels like, to work with someone so different and yet know them so well. Years and years of teamwork means they fall in step almost without thinking, Sapnap easily sliding forward to block a skeleton’s arrow while George nocks one of his own to shoot it through the skull. It is a partnership built on years of bickering and banter and deep-set trust, of having to face a stronger, more agile opponent together through wind and rain and snow.

He missed it, though he’ll never admit that to anyone but himself.

He hesitates in front of the nether portal, pulling Sapnap back automatically by his sweater sleeve. “You sure the other side is safe?”

“Yeah, yeah- it should be,” Sapnap pulls his arm away, lets him enter the portal first before stepping into the frame himself. “Not a manhunt.”

“Mm,” George laughs, tired. “Just checking.”

The portal hums, purple creeping into the corners of George’s vision and filling it until it’s all he can see, and he rubs at his eyes to clear his vision as he stumbles out the other side. Sapnap walks out, seeming unfazed - it’s always been something that George has envied in the other, how unaffected he is by portals, but he’s also always had worse portal sickness than most- “We’re here.”

The place is - put lightly, a wreck, wooden planks scattered all over the floor and inch-deep water sloshing around his shoes. “What’s with the water?”

“I don’t know, someone must’ve come here after for something,” Sapnap frowns, points across the room to a chute leading upwards, filled with a crude spiral staircase of oak. “We’re going up there.”

George nods, letting him take the lead. The staircase is rickety, the bottom steps waterlogged; Sapnap grimaces the whole way up, makes some comment under his breath about how unsafe it all is, but they continue without much issue. The top of it is surprisingly unassuming - there’s really nothing around, just a small hollowed out space carpeted by savannah grass, shorn short. Sapnap tosses him a pickaxe.

“He respawned up here, that day - he’s gotta have a bed up here somewhere.” He gestures at the plain stone walls surrounding them, “My guess is that it’s just behind one of these walls. Just mine two or three blocks in all the way across, I’ll start from this side.”

“Whatever, Snapnap,” George takes the pickaxe anyway, walking over to the other side of the room and ignoring the protests Sapnap throws at his back. Mining the stone is simple, methodical; it’s a steady rhythm of the pick hitting stone and blocks falling into his inventory; if he closes his eyes, he can almost pretend that they’re in the middle of a manhunt, and Dream has holed himself into the wall as he always does for them to find him. He doesn’t, because thinking about manhunt does nothing but make something cold and choking claw up his throat, almost like guilt, almost like regret, and he doesn’t have the energy for that in the slightest.

His next swing rings oddly hollow, and when the block drops neatly away the wall opens to a narrow corridor. He calls Sapnap over.

“Here.” Sapnap moves with large, heavy strides, face tightening into a foreign expression of grim determination when he catches the darkness behind the one-block hole George mined, “I found it.”

“Well, obviously,” he rolls his eyes as he takes out the bottom block, looking at George from the corner of his eye. “Nice observation, genius.”

“Hey! You told me to find it, and I did, unlike you- you should be thanking me, Sapnap.”

“Whatever, Gogy,” Sapnap sighs, looking into the corridor, feet settling against the ground into a wide stance that George recognizes as the one he’d usually use in a fight. It makes something long-forgotten ache in his chest, joining the dull ball of hurt that has been there for what feels like months, “You ready?”

“Yeah, yeah, hurry up, will you?” The retort rings hollow, dying on his lips even as he says it, and George watches as Sapnap turns his head away and pretends not to notice.

“Let’s go.”

The hallway is dark, dusty, a hastily made thing as shown by the rough gouges made on either side by a quickly working pickaxe. It opens into a tiny room, similarly carved into the mountain with roughhewn walls of stone; George’s lips thin and press against each other as he takes a closer look at the room, stepping in behind Sapnap.

“This place is a mess,” he states drily, scuffing his foot against the floor and cringing at the trail it leaves in the dust. There’s a bed left in the corner, a thin little thing with the covers thrown off, lying halfway on the floor, and a few chests and furnaces scattered aimlessly against the walls and making the whole thing look more cramped. There are papers strewn over the floor and chests, piles of coal and wood left to collect dust in the corners. It looks like a whirlwind swept through the place, and it’s almost eerie to see this room, completely untouched since the twentieth, a snapshot in time of Dream in the middle of his spiral into madness.

Sapnap kicks at one such pile with a humorless scoff, “That’s an understatement.”

“You looking for anything in particular?” George jabs his thumb at the mess in front of them, “Because I’m not cleaning all of that up.”

“I guess- just look through the chests?” Sapnap’s face darkens visibly even despite the dim lighting, and George stifles the urge to poke fun at how the younger clearly didn’t plan this far ahead, per usual. “Just look for anything useful, worth taking back I guess.”

“Mmhm.” He moves to the left-most chest as Sapnap moves to the right, watching from the corner of his eye as the other strikes up a torch to place in the middle of the room. The lid creaks open, and he rummages through the contents, vaguely surprised when his hand meets row after row of glass bottles. He pulls one out, squints at the contents. “Hey Sapnap, is this a regen?”

Sapnap looks over. “Yeah,” he says, rolling his eyes when George pockets it. “Seriously- you know Sam literally has an automatic potion brewer, right. You can just steal from that instead.”

“Or I could just steal from here,” he closes the lid, moving to the next chest. “That’s just his pots chest. He really stacked up, didn’t he?”

“Well, you know Dream. Always had to plan for the end of the world.” Sapnap closes the chest that he was hunched over, tossing over something in a flash of gold, “Was just his food chest. Don’t know why someone needs eight stacks of gapples, but whatever. We can split the god apples later.”

“Sure,” George nods, distracted as he fiddles with clasp of the next chest. This one, unlike the last, seems more worn over the bottom edge of the lid, the wood almost seeming to bear dents where fingers had pressed into the areas right by the clasp again and again. The lid eases open, and he frowns at the chest’s contents; there’s no rhyme or reason to them at first glance. There’s a half-stack of stone in the top left, a couple pieces of leather thrown in the bottom corner, a low-durability crossbow, unenchanted, that he briefly runs his hands over before throwing it back into the chest. He rummages through it for another second, about to dismiss it as a junk chest, when a well-worn book near the back of the chest catches his eye.

He pulls it towards him with careful hands, breath having caught in his throat. The cover is leather, scuffed and scratched in several places, not bearing the dull shine of a book that’s been signed and preserved magically. It doesn’t seem to be titled, no ink against the usual places on the front cover or spine, but the whole thing looks well-loved, the thread of the spine slightly frayed the leather heavily creased from where the cover had been eased open again and again.

He opens the front cover, and sucks in a breath through his teeth.

“Sapnap? I think I found something.”

There, nestled between the front cover and the first page, lays a pile of photographs. Unlike everything else in the room, these are clearly well-loved, well-cared for, the corners are sharp, the surfaces shiny, despite how often they must have been thumbed through and looked at. He plucks the first one off the top of the pile - it’s one that was taken from the inside of the old community house before the floor was replaced with crafting tables, string lights hanging from the ceiling in an impromptu party, Alyssa’s legs dangling from where she’s sitting at the edge of the spiral staircase, Callahan leaning against the wall with a slice of cake held between his hands. Sapnap’s sitting in the middle of the floor across from himself, both of their faces glowing softly in the flickering light - his own face is caught in a grimace, Sapnap bent over himself in laughter- Sapnap walks up behind him, gasps at the sight.

“What are-”

George passes over the photo wordlessly as he moves to the next; there’s Sam, grinning at the camera with a newly tamed Fran by his side, tail a white blur against the green of the grass; Bad, hands clutched around a bucket as he yells at someone off the frame, a salmon head poking slightly out the top; Ponk, sitting proudly in the top branches of his first lemon tree.

His breath catches at the next; it’s dim, the sky a pretty blend of purple-pink from the last remaining dregs of light of a sunset, hovering over the dark edge of the ocean stretching out towards the horizon. They’re sitting in boats, the bottom edges lit softly from the coral sitting in the shallow waters below them, brilliant halos of reds and pinks and yellows and oranges and blues dotted with the soft lights of sea pickles painting the wood in muted rainbows. Sapnap’s smiling from one in the back, head tipped to the side cheekily, right hand lifted in a cocky two-fingered salute. George is sitting in the back of a boat in the foreground, glasses lifted to his forehead, eyes mid-roll even as he grins obligingly at the camera-

And then, in the front, there’s Dream.

His mask is pulled to the side of his face, exposing his freckled skin and brilliant green eyes; he’s smiling widely, all teeth, hair wet and sticking up in a ring of untamed swirls and spikes. His eyes are crinkled at the corners, cheeks red, arm stretched forward off-frame from where he’d held the camera in front of them to take the selfie. George’s thumb brushes over the photo, pressing lightly against the dusty mess of hair framing Dream’s face, pausing at the sight of his pure, unadulterated joy.

What had happened to them?

A soft, choked sound comes from behind him, and George tucks the photos away, pressing them between two random pages in the book. His eyes flicker to the book’s contents, finally, finding Dream’s familiar, looping scrawl written on the first page. The words are big and messy, all capitalized and underlined several times, the last four circled roughly.

REMEMBER WHY YOU’RE DOING THIS: ONE BIG HAPPY FAMILY.

He snaps the book shut.

“George-”

“Let’s go home, Sapnap.” He throws one last look at the room, at the messy, desperate edges, the remnants of a man lost in his own reckless belief that he could build something beautiful out of blood and ash. He swallows, blinks back the image of a brilliant smile, freckled cheeks ruddy with laughter, at the golden glow of memories long-forgotten that threaten now to burn him with their warmth. He can imagine Dream, settled in the middle of this mess, pressing himself closer to the fire contained in these photographs, these memories, and not realizing how he’s being burned, can nearly see a ghost of him tucked in these shadowed corners, haunting the hopes that he had clung to against all reason with the promise that it could all be worth it.

Sapnap frowns at him tiredly, photos pressed against his own chest. “George,” he says, cautious, and George’s shoulders hunch defensively.

“Let’s go home,” he stands up, hearing more than seeing as Sapnap does the same. “Whatever closure you’re looking for- you’re not finding it here.”

[imissjoongsmullet]

My Prince (6 - final)

Pairing: Minghao x reader

Genre: fluff/(angst)

Summary: Life is not exactly easy being the royal gardeners’ daughter but at least it’s simple. When you’re suddenly called upon to serve as the prince’s personal servant, things get a little more than complicated, especially considering the secret history you and the prince share.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Warnings: general angstiness, a bit of a slow burn, very romantic, very soft, the fact that this will most likely become a long series cause I have no chill

Word Count: 6.5K

Author’s Note:

This final chapter finally fulfills the premise that this is in fact fluff. I promise I’m done breaking your hearts now, woohoo!

My Prince has grown so near and dear to my heart. I don’t usually write long fanfics so this was really quite special. I know I might sound overly dramatic or corny to some of you (and that’s okay). It’s just, I try to be intentional with everything I do. That’s why I wanted to do this right. That’s why I’ve gotten so attached. That’s why it’s taken me forever to finish as well probably haha!

This story is far from perfect. There are countless things that I would have liked to sculpt out more... but I think for that to have happened this would have to become a full on novel and that’s not what this was ever meant to be, so I’ve got to let go of those thoughts and just send it out into the world as it is.

In any case, I sincerely hope you’ve enjoyed reading this story as much as I’ve enjoyed writing it. As always, please let me know what you think. As a writer, any type of feedback makes my heart flutter~

Thank you for all the love and support ♥

►

You fell to the floor, your shriek buried in the chaos that surrounded you. There was so much noise so suddenly and none of it sounded good. Panicked, you raised your head to see the entrance to the room had been broken wide open and soldiers in silver and black attire were pouring in, brandishing swords, fire and crossbows. Yientan. Another cry left your lips as you scrambled backwards until you hit the wall behind you. They were here. They must have found out about the wedding and wanted to stop it before a legend could take away their power.

Strong hands grabbed you by the collar and you screamed out for help. You struggled in your attempt to pry the stranger off of you until you noticed the face that belonged to it.

“Come on!” Minghao ordered, dragging you up. He took your hand and set off at a sprint, leaving behind the bulk of the commotion. You could hear banging and screaming from other directions as well though. They must have the whole castle surrounded. Luckily Minghao knew all the secret, little passages attackers tended to overlook. It didn’t take long for you to realize where he was taking you. Before you could come to your senses, you were dragged through the heavy doors to Minghao’s private chambers and sat onto his bed.

“Stay here,” he said, kneeling at your side, clasping your palms in your lap, “don’t leave until it’s all over.” He got up and turned to leave.

“Wait!” you called, stopping him midway, “you can’t go out there!”

“I have to,” he replied stone faced.

“No!” Now it was you holding onto him. “Please don’t—” Your fingers dug into his robes with desperation.

“I have a responsibility,” he said, “I have to go—”

“Then I’m coming too,” you cut in but he shook his head.

“You can’t help,” he explained, “I can so I’m going.” He eyed you sternly for a few more seconds before softening. He sighed, brushing his hand over your cheek lovingly and finally saying, “do not follow me.”

“Hao, please,” you called as he pulled away. You ran to him just in time to keep him from shutting the door behind him entirely. Only a sliver of his face was visible in the gap.

“Stay safe,” he said, before vanishing.

In stunned silence you let the doors fall shut. You walked over to the bed and sat down because your legs felt shaky and your head dizzyingly light. Outside, the uproar continued to grow but Minghao had told you to stay. Your heart ached. It pulled and tugged at you, trying to get you to move but you couldn’t. You didn’t want to disappoint him. Your fingers wrapped around one of the silk pillows on his bed. Closing your eyes, you hugged the thing close. It was all you could do not to cry. You just wanted everything to be okay— for everything to go back to normal. But you supposed none of Minghao’s life had ever really been normal.

A loud crashing sound made you jump. Some large piece of glass must have just shattered somewhere. You got up from the bed and began to pace the room. You clamped your hands over your ears in a miserable attempt to shut out the madness. Shutting your eyes didn’t help either. The itch to do something was growing unbearable. When a few minutes later a crack so deep it was like walls crumbling made the wooden floor tremble, you decided that enough was enough.

Head in overdrive, you went for the window. Its balcony was wide and looked out over the east side of the gardens. Tonight, there were only balls of fire within the dark. With a sickening lurch, you thought of your parents. Had they managed to hide or escape? Or had the attackers set flame to their house while they slept, trapping them in an excruciating death? Panicking, you went for the balcony ledge. Once your feet found balance, you grabbed onto the ornate pillars and started to climb. The plan seemed insane and yet, somehow you felt like the adventurous prince had definitely made this climb before. With that information fueling your confidence, you made it onto the roof above the prince’s chambers.

From here, you could see most of the castle and its grounds. A landscape of hills and valleys lay before you in the form of various curved rooftops. It would have been quite beautiful if it hadn’t been for the screams and the fire. You didn’t know what you were doing, really. You just wanted to know everything was going to be alright. Besides, you’d never forgive yourself if something happened to Minghao while you hid away like a coward.

How many people were fighting down there? How much of a chance did they stand against Yientan? And what could Minghao possibly do in all this? You didn’t even know if he knew how to fight.

Hunching down to a crouch, you made your way toward the center part of the castle. You looked down wherever you could, trying to get a feel of the situation. You saw two servant girls running on a deck as they cried. You saw men fighting in little courtyards, blood staining their clothes. You saw the wooden walkway towards the prince’s library collapse in flames. All of this roused an anger in you that surprised you. You’d never been the bravest of people— you still weren’t. But something was taking over you. It didn’t matter that this castle had been the bane of your existence for the past few months. The castle was under attack and you felt it as you’d feel an attack on your own family. You jumped from roof to roof, wracking your brain over a way to help.

Something sharp whooshed past you and you gasped. You were just in time to turn around and see the Yientan soldier standing on a nearby rooftop, reaching for another arrow. You ducked away towards a lower part of the roof, suddenly feeling the sharp sting on your cheek. There were hurried footsteps behind you and you were running out of options. Your rooftopped landscape came to an end as you happened upon the center courtyard of the castle, where more soldiers fought.

Hoping fiercely you weren’t making the wrong decision, you jumped.

The landing was harsh and you failed to stifle the noise that fought to come out your mouth. A man dressed in silver and black turned your way.

Wasting no time, hopped onto the deck and dashed into the nearest corridor, running as fast as you could in your clumsy servant’s robes. You were disoriented and scared but also determent to outrun the soldier. The long hallways of the castle once again felt like a devious maze, trying to suffocate you. You turned a corner and half-fell-half-jumped down a narrow flight of stairs. Ignoring the sting in your left leg, you rushed along a half open deck, ducked under a low archway that lead you down to the underbelly of the castle. Here, it was pitch black except for the spaced out torch light that hung from the walls. Luckily, you knew where you were going. This lowest level of the castle was used for storage and servant work deemed too dirty to be looked upon by the masters. You took a right through a small door, finding yourself in one of the washrooms the servants used. Just as the soldier’s feet hit the wood floor behind you, you opened one of the closets and grabbed as many fresh sheets as you possibly could, throwing them over him. You watched him struggle for only the fraction of a second before escaping through a side door. You knew exactly where to hide.

You reached your destination within a minute, lowering yourself into a little crawlspace underneath the floorboards of the broom closet servants used to hide from Tou Ma when she was angry. You’d only have to wait a few minutes for the soldier to give up and leave and then you’d be safe. You were about to close up the floorboards when you heard the most dreadful sound in the world.

It was Minghao. He was screaming.

Without a second thought, you burst back into the corridor. You followed the echo of the scream in your mind. It wasn’t far off. It was right here, under the castle. You tried every door, finding deserted room after deserted room, wondering why Minghao was even here, hidden away from all the commotion.

Aside from the soldier that had followed you down, you hadn’t seen a single person down this low. Perhaps you’d imagined it, you thought, just as you slid through another open door you knew lead to the pantry.

The most shocking thing was not that Minghao was there; it was that the emperor of Namin was there too.

Minghao was knelt over his father’s form, shuddering slightly.

“Hao,” you whispered as you approached, an awkward feeling settling in your stomach. Something was very wrong. Tentatively, you knelt down beside the prince, gasping when you saw the blood. Panicked, you looked down, now noticing the dark trail on the floorboards.

“What— what happened?” you stammered. Minghao hadn’t acknowledged you yet. He was doubled over, tears falling down onto his father’s chest.

“Don’t leave me.” His voice was so thick with emotion the words were barely audible.

You knew the emperor wouldn’t reply.

“Please, father,” Minghao whimpered.

You’d never seen him like this; torn apart like an old book. Afraid of making things worse, you sat by and waited. The war outside didn’t matter now. You allowed his sobs to turn to quiet slowly.

When they had, Minghao straightened his back and looked at you. His face was red and blotchy. The pain in his eyes made you want to wrap your heart around him.

“He got shot,” he said at last. His hand reached out for yours and you took it, surprised at the tightness of his fingers around you.

“I found him back in the celebration hall I— I didn’t know what to do. I just knew I couldn’t let Yientan have him so I tried to find a place to hide him but by the time I got here he was barely breathing and—” fresh tears burned in his eyes, “he just— I can’t do this without him I can’t—”

“Hao— ” you started just as a creak in the floorboards made you both jump.

Over a dozen people shuffled into the room, each person looking more perplexed than the next at the sight of Minghao and the emperor. You blinked in surprise at the appearances of the Zhong family, a bit battered and stunned-looking but otherwise fine. Last to enter the room was Tou Ma. Her face paint had smudged, there was blood at her temple and her robe was ripped at the sleeve.

“Stay back, girls,” she said with a voice just as stern as ever before coming over. Her face turned grim the moment she got on her knees and took in the sight. Her eyes widened, her nostrils flared and her thin lips parted. She took a few moments to regain her calm. Gently, she flattened out a crinkle in her robe as she cleared her voice at last.

“My prince,” she spoke solemnly, “from the heart of Namin, I offer my deepest condolences.”

Minghao continued to stare down at his father’s chest.

“Tomorrow we mourn the end of the era— tonight—” she paused, her wrinkles tugging into a frown, “tonight lies in your hands.”

The words hung in the dusty storage room air, settling over the people within it, slowly, like bits of falling snow.

“My prince?” Tou Ma said and her voice was softer than you’d ever heard it.

Minghao hadn’t moved an inch. You couldn’t tell what he was thinking either.

Strands of messed up hair hung in front of his face as he looked down at the emperor. You knew Minghao understood what Tou Ma had implied. Now that the emperor was dead, Minghao was automatically in charge. It was time for him to fulfill his prophecy and become the legend he was destined to be. Except that Tou Ma hadn’t said it like that exactly. She’d left the decision up to him. Tonight lies in your hands. Somehow, you felt like the head servant understood the pressure that weighed on the prince. She’d left the course of action open so that, should he choose to do so, Minghao could hide away with the rest of the castle’s residents. Should he choose to do so, he could surrender to Yientan. It was up to Minghao to decide his fate, not some legend assigned at birth.

Finally, Minghao looked up at Tou Ma.

“My mother,” he said, “is she safe?”

“Of course, my prince,” Tou Ma replied at once, “she was my first priority. I sent her through the royal passage behind the west room tapestry before bringing others to safety. She must have reached the safe house by now.”

Minghao nodded. “Thank you.” He sat there, thinking for a few more seconds before he stood up.

“I’m going out there. Everyone else stay here.” His voice was monotone, matter-of-fact. “I have to speak to the emperor of Yientan and put a stop to this.”

No one spoke as he turned to leave the room. Even you were too shocked to speak. It was only after he’d left the room that you found the strength to move.

“Silly girl,” Tou Ma said, her voice sharp once more as she grabbed hold of your wrist, “this is the last time I tell you to stay away from him.”

You looked the head servant dead in the eye.

“Then this will be the last time I defy you,” you answered, breaking free from her grasp and running out of the room.

You caught up with Minghao halfway up the stairs. You tugged at his sleeve and called his name, softly, inquiringly. He looked back at you, looking apologetic.

“I’d never forgive myself if anything happened to you,” he said quietly, “you’re already hurt.” His eyes went to your cheek, where the sting of the arrow still lingered.

You sighed. “And I wouldn’t forgive myself if anything happened to you.” You took his hand. “Hao, please,” you went on, “whatever happens, let’s do it together.”

Slowly, a smile formed on the new emperor’s lips. It failed to erase the pain in his reddened eyes but rather coated them in a temporary haze. His fingers tightened around yours and he whispered, “okay.”

*

“Where are we going?” you asked as you tiptoed through the castle, slipping from shadow to shadow.

“I know where he is,” Minghao replied.

You knew he was talking about the emperor of Yientan. You had no idea what he looked like but you’d overheard plenty of conversations about him during your time in the castle. He was a fierce ruler and a strong man of combat.

“Wait, you’re not going to fight him, are you?”

“No,” he replied, “I’m going to talk to him.”

The throne room looked smaller than usual. A pillar had fallen, dust and debris littered the usually shiny hardwood and on the golden throne sat, not Xu Yilan, but a younger-looking man. He was broad-shouldered and his dark hair fell in a single braid down to his waist. His black and silver armor was still spotless aside from the couple droplets of red that had splashed onto his chest. You almost couldn’t believe he was an emperor and not a war general. Xu Yilan had surely never fought like this. Judging by the tenacity in his eyes, he was enjoying this. Upon noticing Minghao he raised himself from the throne, eyes narrowing.

“Emperor Wu,” Minghao spoke up as he walked to the center of the room.

You decided to stay in the shadows for now. It was better for the Yientan leader not to know a second person was in the room.

“My father, Xu Yilan, is dead by your men’s hands.”

You had no idea how Minghao was keeping his emotions at bay but it was clearly a good thing. The man on the platform drew back, his eyes going wide.

“You,” he said in a gravely voice, “you are Xu Minghao?” He spoke loud and clear but was unable to hide his uneasiness. It was in the way he stood, overly square, and in the stark way his eyes stared ahead.

“I am,” Minghao said, “and I want you to listen to me for a moment.”

Silence. This was good. 

“I do not want to fight you,” he went on, “I just want to talk. I want to restore the balance between Namin and Yientan.” He took a deep breath. “I want Yientan to give us back the highlands.”

A low yet booming laughter filled the empty throne room.

“You expect us to just give you back the highlands?” the emperor scoffed, “and what will Yientan receive in return?”

You watched Minghao as a silence trickled into the air. He was completely still, his mind probably racing like a warhorse.

“In return,” he said at last, his voice deep yet clear, “Yientan will be spared the dragon’s wrath.”

You could see the fear spring into the emperor’s eyes.

“You lie, young man,” he said, though it was obvious Minghao’s words had derailed him a bit. Slowly, the man unsheathed a long sword and pointed it at Minghao.

“There is no dragon,” he spat, starting to walk down the platform, “where is your dragon now, huh? Did it come when our people charged your gates? No, it did not.”

Minghao’s chest heaved but he stood his ground. You couldn’t understand how he stayed so calm. He had nothing to defend himself with.

“Did it come when your father was struck down by one of my men?” emperor Wu continued as he approached, “it did not.”

This was all wrong, you thought, panic taking over you.

“Up on the roof of this broken palace, a golden dragon stands, yes,” the emperor said, a wicked smile spreading onto his lips. He was getting too close.

“It is nothing but a symbol of wealth, a meaningless decoration!”

Minghao stood as a statue, defiant.

“It could not save your father, nor your people,” he grinned, “and it surely won’t save you.”

“Stop!” you screamed, breaking away from your hiding spot. Both men turned their heads in surprise, a moment you took to jump in between them, arms out, shielding Minghao from his attacker.

“Don’t hurt him, please!” you cried. You knew you were making foolish decisions but there wasn’t a single cell in your body capable of doing anything else in that moment.

Pain shot through your arm as general Wu grabbed hold of you.

“No!” Minghao yelled, immediately jumping for the general’s second arm in an attempt to tear the sword from his grasp. Your head spun as you were tugged around, the three of you in an awkward tangle until you heard a gasp that could only be Minghao’s. You watched him fall to the floor, clutching his side, where the fabric of his shirt started to color red.

You wanted to scream but before any sound had the chance to leave your lips, the whole room began to shake.

Emperor Wu backed towards the wall, dragging you with him and that’s when you heard it. An ear-piercing cry coming from somewhere up above. The ceiling cracked and gave away right where Minghao crouched. You cried out his name in a desperate attempt to save him when you realized the falling debris wasn’t crushing him. Instead, it turned to dust mid-fall, scattering over the floor like sand on a windy day.

Emperor Wu gave a startled shriek behind you. A massive creature burst through the broken ceiling with another deafening cry. It looked like a giant, glimmering snake with horns. Its fanged mouth was the size of two grown men and its golden scales reflected the devastation in the room. It curled itself around Minhao, who was still on hands and knees on the floor, obscuring him from view. “It— it’s— it can’t be!” the man behind you stuttered, shivering all over. You took the opportunity to yank yourself from his grasp.

The dragon let out a large huff and steam released from its dinner-plate-sized nostrils. You couldn’t help but feel a trickle of fear pulse through you as you approached the beast. But you had to trust.

The dragon’s body uncurled once more, revealing Minghao. He was standing; even more, he looked revitalized. A determent look had taken over his face. He stepped in front of the dragon and addressed the cowering emperor.

“As I said before,” he said, his voice strong and demanding now, “I don’t want to fight. I don’t want this war. Yientan and Namin can live in peace. Even better, we can make each other stronger.” He glanced at you and his eyes filled with warmth. “I know we are different but Namin will no longer fear those differences. It is by cooperating that we will learn and grow—”

The emperor scoffed. “And to achieve this peace of yours,” he grumbled, “I assume you want the highlands back?”

“They belong to Namin,” Minhao replied calmly.

“And what’s next?” emperor Wu went on, his pitch rising, “you’ll invade us with your big dragon protector and we’ll have to give up everything?!”

“No.” Minghao shook his head. “Namin doesn’t need any more. Just the highlands and harmony with Yientan. If you promise me these things, emperor Wu, this dragon will never be used for violence. It too can be a symbol of peace.”

The emperor of Yientan stood there, fighting a fight within himself. All you could do was wait. Minghao didn’t look scared anymore though. The dragon had taken his fear. The cold mask had vanished as well, leaving his eyes exactly the way you remembered them from years ago; kind, curious, inviting. Years of pressure had fallen off of his shoulders, allowing him to stand up straight and confident.

His gaze went to you for a moment and he reached out his hand.

Heart swelling with joy, you took it, feeling more than ever before, like you belonged.

Emperor Wu observed all of this with pain in his eyes. You still had no idea what the man was thinking but you felt safer now, so close to Minghao.

“Alright,” he said finally, starting to walk towards you, “you win, little emperor.” He shook his head in defeat. “You’ve still got a lot to learn about ruling and, mark my words, you will regret the things you’ve said today— all this talk about peace and harmony—” he stopped just a couple feet away from Minghao, “but at least for now, Yientan will bow to Namin.” He bent over into a ninety degree bow and Minghao let show just the tiniest smile. He was proud— and he should have been. You squeezed into his hand and felt him squeeze back when, all of a sudden, a lot of things happened.

Emperor Wu raised himself, drawing from a loop in his belt a tiny dagger and driving it into Minghao’s chest. At the same time, the dragon behind you let out a magnificent roar as it charged at Yientan’s emperor, knocking the breath right out of his lungs. All this time, you stood, frozen to the spot in complete and utter shock.

When you felt Minhao’s hand slip from yours, you cried out his name. You caught him as he staggered and the two of you landed with a soft thud on the floor. Panicked, your hands dove to his chest, looking for the stab wound as tears began to stream down your cheeks.

“Hey,” you heard someone say softly, vaguely but you didn’t have time now. You had to stop the bleeding.

Something took hold of your chin, lifting it. It was Minghao. He was smiling the sweetest smile and you didn’t understand.

“I’m okay,” he said, pulling aside his robes, revealing nothing but a light cut along his ribcage.

“Hao,” you sniffled as his thumb came to wipe away some of your tears.

“I’m okay,” he said again, nodding softly.

And so all the adrenaline fled your body. Without a second thought, you flung your arms around his neck and hugged him close. It was a hug such as you’d shared when you were children; one made of pure happiness. His arms wrapped around you, holding you close. You were still crying, sort of, but you were sure it was the good kind of crying.

A gentle hand landed on top of your head, patting it in a soothing manner. You took it all in, the feel of him, his scent, the way his heart beat against yours.

“Everything is gonna be alright now, right?” you mumbled into his chest.

You felt him sigh.

“I think so.”

*

The following days were some of the strangest of your entire life.

The emperor of Yientan wasn’t dead. The dragon had hit him pretty bad but it had ultimately left the decision up to Minghao. Minghao, who of course decided to have the foreign emperor nursed back to health by Namin’s finest doctors. He still believed that peace between the two lands was possible.

You and Minghao, along with all remaining castle staff, had temporarily moved into the castle gardens. Most of the garden staff huts had apparently been spared from the fight. It wasn’t spacious by any means, but it was enough for the time being.

Not that you didn’t have any other options.

News of the attack and especially the return of the dragon had spread like wildfire through the cities and towns of Namin. Wealthy traders and investors offered their own residences in honor of the new legendary emperor but Minghao had turned them all down. He said he wanted to help rebuild the castle.

“Besides, I don’t know if I’m ready to face them yet.” Minghao’s face was contemplative as you two sat overlooking the rose garden from a hilltop.

“What do you mean?” you asked.

He leaned back onto his hands. “I don’t know,” he said, “I’m not ready to be their legend, truly this time. How am I supposed to— after my father.” He shook his head. “I’m no better than him. He was just a man and so am I.” 

Up in the sky, the golden dragon trailed patterns in the afternoon clouds. It had fluttered around the gardens all day; a beacon of hope.

“I know I have a job to do but—” he said finally, “I still can’t help but feel like I’m losing something precious.”

You nodded, leaning your head onto his shoulder. “Things will be more complicated,” you admitted. It was true. You didn’t want to sugarcoat that for him. However, you weren’t worried.

“But you won’t be doing any of it alone.”

You could feel him start to smile as his arm slid around your shoulder.

“Thank you,” he said.

“Your majesty,” a tense voice said.

It was Tou Ma. You were surprised to find you were happy to see her.

“We have received word from your mother. She will be coming home in a few days. The Zhong family meanwhile have arrived home this morning. They are well.”

Minghao nodded, his face stony but a lot going on behind his eyes.

“Should I send word back?”

“No,” Minghao was quick to answer but then he caught himself, “I think I’ll write Zhong Mei and her parents a letter myself. They deserve that.” He was frowning to himself now. “And tell my mother I’m sorry— and can’t wait for her arrival.”

“I will,” Tou Ma said solemnly, her eyes trailing off. She was searching for words.

“What is it?” Minghao questioned.

Tou Ma pursed her lips.

“He is awake.”

*

You followed Minghao to one of the larger huts in the garden, where emperor Wu was being treated. The room was bare, save for a bed and a night stand upon which stood a bowl of water and a clean cloth. A middle-aged lady in simple blue robes stood by his bed. The moment she noticed Minghao, she fell into a deep bow.

“That’s alright,” Minghao said, taking her hands as she rose, “thank you for your amazing work.”

The woman went red in the face but smiled brightly back at him.

The emperor of Yientan still suffered a few bruises, one below his left eye. You couldn’t help but feel a bit uneasy around him so you watched Minghao approach from a distance.

“How are you feeling?” he asked the man in the bed.

Emperor Wu let out a heavy sigh as his eyes landed on Minghao.

“I’ve been better,” he said.

There was a silence you weren’t sure of the meaning of. Minghao seemed to be waiting.

“I’ve sat here for a while now, you know,” he went on, “been awake since sometime last night— in and out of it most likely— but I’ve been thinking.”

The man in the bed looked nothing like he had during the battle. He’d been full of fire then. Now, he had a depleted look about him.

“Do you know what I was thinking?”

Minghao shook his head softly.

To your surprise, the emperor of Yientan let out a chuckle. Maybe he really had suffered brain damage after all.

“I was thinking, why am I in this comfortable bed?” he snickered lowly, “I thought I might have died. Thought it might be the afterlife. But then I was informed of your decision to let me live. To let me go.” His face went sad suddenly, brows furrowed. He looked almost silly.

“I realized I admire you, your majesty. You chose to spare the life of the man who invaded your land and took it for his own, the man responsible for your father’s death, the man that might have been responsible for your own death—” he let out another chuckle. “I thought you must be either mad or genius— I, um— I’m still not truly certain which one it is but I can say one thing for sure: you’ve got more bravery in that little body of yours than I’ve seen in any ruler of my lifetime. And I have no choice but to respect that.”

You couldn’t believe what you were hearing. Your hands were anxiously clutched in front of your chest.

“Thank you, your majesty,” Minghao said, his shoulders relaxing a bit.

Emperor Wu raised himself in the bed, took the cloth from the nightstand and wiped his face with it. When his face was revealed once more, he was smiling.

“Alright,” he said, looking up at Minghao, “let’s get this over with. Let’s talk.”

*

This is how Namin was restored. The highlands were returned and multiple treaties were formed between Namin and Yientan, promising peace and collaboration for all time to come.

Minghao hugged his mother close a few nights later, and a ceremony was held for the death of Xu Yilan. It was a sombre meeting in a nearby temple, the only other attendees aside from direct family the thousands of fireflies that lit up the air.

Then, finally, it was time to go public with everything that had happened. The coming of the legend emperor had to be celebrated and the people of Namin were not going to let that opportunity go to waste. Banners were raised, fireworks set off, as a magnificent parade made its way through the capital.

Throughout all this, you found yourself completely overwhelmed, not only because so much was happening at once, but also because Minghao wanted you to be a part of it all.

“Are you alright?” Minghao whispered into your ear.

You hardly knew how to respond to that. You were sitting in a luxurious golden carriage, wearing the most beautiful silk you’d ever laid eyes on. Layers of pale pinks and greens, adorned with gold thread fell from your shoulders. Your hair had been elegantly put together by Tou Ma herself that morning, with flowers and ribbons she’d handpicked for you. If all that wasn’t enough to make your heart do cartwheels, Minghao, the new emperor of Namin sat beside you, holding your hand while he waved at the people cheering. And there were a lot of people around you. It seemed as if all of Namin had come out to watch the procession. You weren’t as confident as Minghao, darting your hand up occasionally to wave at the public, only to change your mind the next second and put it back down.

“I’m terrified,” you replied, “ecstatic and overjoyed and terrified.”

“That sounds about right,” he said, grinning, “but don’t worry, we’ll be there soon.”

Surely enough, the procession halted in the main square of the capital. A tall platform had been put up in the center of it. As you’d expected, your carriage opened its doors right beside it. It was time for Minghao to give his speech. With one last smile in your direction he left for the platform. You watched him breath in and out, visibly shaking the nerves out of his body before he began.

“People of Namin,” he spoke loud and clear, “in the last week, a lot of things have happened and rumors have run rampant. I believe you all deserve to know exactly what has happened at the castle and what this means for the future of Namin.”

You looked in complete awe and adoration, as Minghao explained the events of the past weeks and even before that; the protests, the arrival of the Zhong family and their plans, the attack, death of Xu Yilan and finally, the legend of the dragon.

“It is true,” Minghao said, “the dragon lives once more.”

Just then, a bright glimmer fell all over the square and the people squinted upwards to see the golden dragon fly overhead.

“It will protect Namin for as long as I live and hopefully longer.”

The crowd erupted in jubilant cheers. Minghao took this opportunity to look back at you. You were suddenly highly aware of the ridiculously wide grin that had been plastered on your face ever since he’d begun his speech. He returned it gladly and, to your surprise, beckoned you to join him onto the platform.

Your eyes went the size of daisies as you vigorously shook your head at him. He only smiled kindly at you and turned back around as the commotion had died down mostly.

“My dear people, it has been a glorious day!” he yelled  “but I have one more announcement to make.”

This turned the whole crowd silent.

“Throughout the challenges of the past week I have had to be strong. In order for the dragon to arise, I’ve had to be strong. I’m the true leader, I’m Namin’s hope, I am a legend come to life— I’ve been hearing these types of statements all around and I would like to say that, while your praise is appreciated, I fear I’m not entirely deserving—”

“There’s a reason I’ve been able to be strong. There’s a reason I’ve been able to keep my head on the right track, there’s a reason I feel like I can be a worthy leader to you all and it is a reason entirely outside of myself.”

He turned back around to face you. Your face went hot when you realized he was actually coming down to fetch you. He took your hand, gave you the most loving smile and pulled you up.

Everything looked simultaneously tiny and overwhelming from up on the platform. Luckily you had Minghao holding onto your hand or you for sure would’ve fainted.

“I can be the leader I am because of this woman,” he said, “she has been the one thing that’s grounded me in all of this and if it hadn’t been for her, I’m not sure I’d be standing here making this speech today.”

Your heart was pounding out of control and you felt lightheaded. You were grateful when Minghao’s arm slid around your waist and steadied you.

“On this special day, we celebrate the resilience and rebirth of Namin,” Minghao stated confidently, “but I would also like to use this day to profess my undying love for the girl standing beside me.”

A sea of murmurs welled up from the crowd. Minghao came to face you again and suddenly, he looked less like an emperor and more like the boy you’d always known.

“I’ve always loved you,” he said quietly, “it’s always been you.” His hand came to hold your face gently. “I know the life I lead from now on will be full of challenges and responsibilities, it will be a life in the spotlight, maybe—” he sighed, “maybe nothing like the life you’d imagined for yourself but—” he was really searching for words now, his eyes darting in all directions until they finally landed back on yours.

“If you’ll have me, I would love for you to share that life with me.”

It was as if a collection of fireworks set off inside of you, shooting from the top of your head all the way down to your toes, setting you aflame. It was an overload of feelings. You didn’t even notice the tear trickling down your cheek until Minghao wiped it away.

“So, will you?” he asked, looking like he might collapse from nerves as well now.

The smile burst free from its own accord as the reality of the situation finally sank in.

“Yes, of course!” you let out and your arms flung themselves around Minghao’s neck.

Now the people of Namin were really cheering, their noise like drums in your head as you embraced Minghao. Even when you broke apart the cheering didn’t stop; it only grew wilder as Minghao pressed his lips to yours. 

In all your life you’d never thought this would be yours. Even as a child you’d known that Minghao, your playmate wasn’t to be wanted. He was different, above others, untouchable, and for years you’d struggled to come to terms with that grim fact. And yet here he was, in front of you and all of Namin, telling you he loved you. It was the beginning of a new era for Namin and it seemed that its residents were ready for change. And you were more than certain Minghao was the right person to lead the people with justice and, above all, love.

♥

[ddixons-angel]

Prove It

Requested by @pastanest​​

I’m trying to roll out these requests as quick as possible but writer’s block is not allowing that... sorry for the wait!!! I’m also trying a new thing with super long intros apparently haha hope you like it!

Prompts:  8. “Why do you even care? You barely know me!”  22. “I never knew I mattered this much to you.”

Reader cares for Daryl but he pushes her away because he’s afraid to get too close to anyone.

Season 2; The Farm

A tragedy. That’s the only word that could describe the situation, a horrific, devastating tragedy. So many things had happened in the last five days alone. Things were quiet on the farm, peaceful with all things considered at the end of the world. That was until two men came running across the field of your best friend’s farm, one of them carrying an unconscious boy in his arms. The others from their group had arrived at the farm the day after Hershel had stabilized the boy; after losing Otis. That was when you found out that they were trying to find a little girl, Sophia. She had gotten lost in the woods. When you heard about this and saw how distressed Carol, the girl’s mother was, you had to step in and help, despite Maggie telling you not to. 

“There’s a little girl lost in the woods, we have to try and find her,” that’s what you told Maggie.

With that mindset, you had volunteered yourself to their search party. You knew that Hershel wasn’t going to like it, but as you were able to convince Maggie, she reassured you that she would talk her dad into it. You didn’t wait for his approval though, you knew that every second that little girl was in the woods alone it was dangerous for her. The world proved to be a much more dangerous place now and it could only take a matter of seconds for something horrible to happen. 

You knew that the group that arrived at the farm knew this too, and that’s why it rubbed you the wrong way when you found out only a single person seemed to take the search seriously. You understood why Rick, the father of the boy, couldn’t go out to search as he had given a lot of blood to his son the night previously, but you didn’t like how no one else looked like they wanted to go out to find Sophia. Although, the one person who actually cared about the search seemed to be the best candidate since he was a hunter; he knew the woods better than anyone on the farm. Daryl Dixon wasn’t the friendliest of the bunch though, he’d brushed you off when you asked him to take you on the search. 

Being as persistent as you are though, Daryl telling you that you’d just be a burden and to stay behind on the farm didn’t sway you. Instead, it made you more motivated to prove him wrong. 

“You’d have a better chance shooting me with that crossbow before you can stop me from looking for this little girl,” you told him. 

That either convinced him to let you follow along or he just didn’t care to stop you since he didn’t say anything else afterwards, even with you following him. Even though you two didn’t converse at all during the search in the woods, you began to admire him. He was motivated, determined to find Sophia as if she were his own daughter. That was certainly a trait that no one else in his group seemed to have. The determination you saw in him inspired you and that’s what made you go with him again into the woods. You had to find that little girl. 

The only difference this time was that you two had taken horses; you were aware that Hershel had one he liked to call Nervous Nelly, but you weren’t sure which one that was. There were a bunch of horses in the stable so you didn’t think that Daryl would have taken her. Unfortunately, that was the farthest from the truth when you heard the horse he was on let out a frightened neigh. The next thing you knew, you were hauling him back to the farm after he’d impaled himself with one of his arrows. Daryl told you to leave him alone after Hershel helped patch him up, but you wanted to help him. You felt guilty that he got hurt even if you did help him back to the farm. Even if you had just met Daryl a few days ago, seeing him hurt like this pulled at your heart and that’s when you knew you were starting to really care for this man.

Your care for him only strengthened when you went over to his tent where he insisted on staying to help him with whatever he needed. You wanted to help Daryl, nurse him back to health no matter how much he told you to leave him alone. When the sun went down, you told him that you would be back the next day to help him again. Unfortunately, you saw him near the horse stables the next morning, persistent on going out to find Sophia. You ran over to stop him, you knew he wasn’t in any condition to go out there with his injuries and you hoped the news that Rick and the others had put out a proper search party would be enough to convince him. 

Before you could get to him though, Shane, the man Otis had risked his life to save, came rushing towards the group with a bag of guns, handing them out to “fix the problem at hand”. You heard from Maggie that Glenn, the young man she had gotten quite close to, told them all about the walkers in the barn that morning; you took an educated guess that that’s what the problem Shane was referring to. Before you knew it, guns were going off as Shane had ripped off the chained locks on the front of the barn. Walkers filed out of the barn into the line of fire, each one dropping dead after the other. The storm of gunfire had ended and you thought that was the worst of it, but you were wrong. A single snarl sounded from within the barn and out stepped the corpse of a little girl. Carol,  let out a heartbreaking cry, letting you all know that this little girl was Sophia. 

The atmosphere on the farm was different now. No one was okay after what had happened, not you, not Maggie, not Beth, not Daryl. He’d moved his tent further down the field, isolating himself from the group, from the farm, from you. You wanted to talk to Daryl, maybe help him through the pain he was going through with losing Sophia. He didn’t seem to have anyone else who was close to him, not even in his own group, and that’s why you were now making your way to Daryl’s tent. You weren’t going to let him push you away, he needed someone to be there for him, you were sure of it.

“Crossbow?” you call out the nickname you’d gotten used to calling him. 

You sigh when you don’t hear him respond, you had predicted this already. Daryl had always been a man of very few words in the days you knew him, so it wasn’t a surprise to you when he ignored you. 

“Hey, Crossbow, I know you’re in there.” you say, stopping just outside his tent, “I’m not leaving until you talk to me.”

“Leave.” he says after a few minutes, he had to get how persistent you were by now.

“I’m not leaving until you talk to me,” you repeat.

“I did talk to ya,” Daryl says, “I said leave!” 

“You know that’s not what I meant.” you say, sighing softly. 

“The hell d’ya want?” he asks, his voice rough.

“I want to make sure you’re okay.” you tell him.

“Okay? Ya wanna make sure I’m okay?!” Daryl snaps as he storms out of his tent, glaring at you, “ we jus’ found out Sophia’s been in that damn barn this whole time, how the hell can anythin’ be okay?!” 

“Daryl...” you call softly, you see the hurt in his eyes and it breaks your heart. 

“We went out lookin’ for that lil’ girl every damn day! I almost died tryin’ to find her, but she was right under our damn noses! So, tell me, how d’ya expect me to be okay!” Daryl yells, huffing in anger as he gets in your face. 

You stay silent as Daryl continues to yell at you. Even when he was shouting directly at you, you could feel that his words weren’t directed to you. He was just shouting in anger, frustration, sadness, you could hear it in his voice. He needed someone to vent to and even if it was just yelling, you knew it would help him to let his emotions out. In a weird way, you knew that you were still helping him and that comforted you, even enough for a tiny smile to pull at your lips. 

“The hell is wrong with ya?!” Daryl growls when he sees the small smile on your face, “‘m yellin’ at ya and you’re smilin’ ‘bout it?! What the hell ‘re ya smilin’ for?! Are ya happy we found Sophia dead?!”

“No!” you say immediately, a frown now on your face, “I’d never be happy about that.. I just...”

“What?” Daryl says in a dangerous growl.

You sigh and look down, “I’m just glad you’re letting out your emotions... that’s all.”

You dare to look back up at Daryl when you hear nothing but silence. He was staring at you in disbelief, as if he was processing what you had just said. 

“Never knew I mattered this much to ya,” Daryl scoffs, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

“I do care about you, Daryl, a lot. I know I just met you a few days ago so you might not believe it, but it’s true. I knew it the day you got hurt...” you speak again when Daryl doesn’t respond, “I wanted to be the one who got hurt instead of you...”

“Bullshit...” Daryl mutters after taking in what you just told him “tha’s all bullshit an’ ya know it!”

“No, it’s not!” you insist.

“Yeah? Then prove it! Prove ya ain’ jus’ some lying bitch, spewin’ shit outta yer ass to make me do whatever the hell ya want me to do!” Daryl shouts angrily. 

You frown at his words. You had a feeling that he felt like the group had taken him for granted and those words he said were more for them to hear rather than you. Still, that didn’t mean they didn’t hurt. 

“How?” you say.

“What?” Daryl frowns at you.

“You said to prove that I care about you, so tell me how I can prove it to you,” you stand your ground.

He scoffs at you, running his hand through his hair in frustration, “go out there an’ bring me a walker.”

“W-what?” 

“Ya heard me, go out there an’ bring me a walker! Ya said ya wanted me to let out my emotions, right?! I can do that by killin’ a damn walker!” Daryl yells. 

You stare at him, shocked and dumbfounded by his request. Whenever you came across any walkers in the woods, you killed it without any hesitation, but you never brought them back to the barn. Otis was the one who did that which is how the barn was full of walkers in the first place. You knew that Daryl knew this was hard for you and that’s exactly why he asked you to, he wanted you to give up proving that you cared for him. He just always seemed to underestimate your determination to prove yourself to him.

“Okay,” you say, then you start to make your way back towards the barn. 

You hear Daryl scoff, as if he already believes you had given up, “hey, woods are that way.”

“I need a snare pole, jackass.” you retort back without stopping your steps. 

You don’t look back to see Daryl’s reaction, you just keep heading towards the barn. You remembered that Rick, Hershel, and Jimmy had walkers on snares near the barn so you pick one up just before heading out towards the woods. You had your hunting knife equipped in case you ran into more than one. You pass Daryl’s tent just before you enter the woods and figured that he went back into his tent when you didn’t see him outside. You sigh to yourself as you think that this is definitely the stupidest thing you ever did for a guy you met just a few days ago but here you were, hunting down a single walker in the woods. 

After around an hour, you finally hear the familiar sound of walkers snarling about in the forest. You take a breath as you carefully step towards it, you whistle to get its attention then twist the bottom of the pole to widen the loop. You step with the walker, taking a step back whenever it takes a step towards you, you couldn’t take your chance and let it get too close. It reaches for you and you catch the walker’s head in the loop of the pole. Quickly, you twist the bottom of the pole the opposite way and that tightens the loop. 

“Okay...” you say breathlessly, trying to calm your nerves; hopefully Rick or Shane wouldn’t be on the lookout and shoot you once you emerge from the woods. 

Unfortunately, as you try to drag the walker back to the farm, you hear more snarls from behind you. Two more had come out and were now headed straight towards you.

“Shit...” you say under your breath.

With one hand still on the pole, your other hand reaches for your hunting knife. You pull it out and glance back and forth between the walker you’d caught and the two heading in your direction. When they get closer, you kick one away, leaving the other to lunge towards you. You let out a grunt as you stab it’s skull then pull out your knife, letting the walker fall to the ground. Your grip was still tight on the snare pole as you ready yourself for the other walker you’d kicked away. When you try to stab this walker though, you’re only able to get its cheek, and so it grabs you with both its hands. 

You whimper when both of the walkers growl at you, wanting to rip your flesh from your bones. You do your best to compose yourself, tightening the blade in your hand, you stab at the free walker’s eye and it stills. However, as you were being backed up by both walkers, you weren’t able to see the half of a log that protruded from the ground. You trip over it, falling back with the walker caught on the snare pole.

You groan in pain from the fall then you push yourself to sit up. You furrow your brows when something didn’t seem quite right. The walker you’d caught had fallen right on top of you so it should have started devouring you, but you were still in one piece. You look at the walker and that’s when you see the arrow piercing its skull; Daryl. 

“Ya mus’ be some kind o’ stupid...” you hear him say as he emerges from the woods, eyeing you.

You push the walker off of you and get up from the ground as Daryl reaches down to pull his arrow from the skull. He seems to be avoiding eye contact with you now as he wipes the arrow on his pants. 

“Thanks for saving me...” you say, slightly embarrassed.

Daryl hums in acknowledgement, “ya really tried to bring me back a walker?”

“I wanted to prove to you that I really do care about you,” you say with a smile, “even if it was one of the stupidest things I’ve ever done.”

“Why d’ya even care? Ya barely know me!” Daryl says, raising his voice slightly, “ya really are some kind o’ stupid, ain’t ya? Ya almost died for someone ya hardly even know!”

“I don’t know, okay! I just do! You’re nothing like anyone I’ve ever met before, I mean, you’re right, I barely know you but there’s just something about you... maybe the fact that you’re so damn selfless that you’re willing to throw your life away for those people... or maybe because you don’t think you deserve to be cared for... I don’t know what it is... I just know that you’re in my life now, and I want to care for you.” you rant; you didn’t even know where all of that came from, but you knew everything you just said was true. 

Daryl stays silent and you didn’t expect him to say anything to your rant. You sigh then pick up the snare pole, you twist the bottom of it so that the walker’s head falls out of the now loose loop.

“Alright, time to find you another walker then,” you say nonchalantly, but before you can walk away, Daryl snatches the snare pole from you, “hey, I need that!”

“No, ya don’t,” Daryl mumbles, “you’re coming back to the farm with me... don’t make me use this on ya.”

Although his words were threatening, you sensed no hostility from him. Instead, you felt that his tone was lighter, cheerful even, as if he was trying to joke with you. This put a smile on your face as this was Daryl’s way of slowly letting you in. From what you could tell, Daryl wasn’t the kind to just tell you that you were his friend or anything of the sort, he just showed it in his own way. You had a feeling you would have a lot more time to figure him out, and possibly get closer to this man you truly and deeply cared for. 

“Hey, ya comin’ or not?!” Daryl snaps when he sees you just standing there.

“Coming!” you call out, then you rush over to follow him back to the farm.

---

Writing snarky Daryl is always so much fun hahaha hope you all enjoyed this as much as I did writing it! ^^ Please let me know what you thought~

Taglist (please let me know if you’d like to be added/removed!):

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[mxchowind]

Love? Not

Xiao x reader

Warning: angst

You lost him before you knew what the heart desired.

But when you finally figured, you could never have him.

Ah, no, you’ve seen how much she adores him. There was no way you could split a couple apart. 

No, Lumine did not belong in Liyue, then why does it hurt so much? Why- a puppet under the emotions of love, was that who you were all along?

You don’t have an answer. 

When did it start? Faintly recalled, four months ago to be precise. When she first arrived at Liyue, gracing everyone with her charms. Even the stone-cold Adepti was somewhat warm around her- it hurts.

Of course, Xiao would have no interest in a mortal like you, right?

Lumine wasn’t a mortal. She lived for what? Hundreds of years already. Life of yours wouldn’t even last for a week in theirs. Then why does it hurt? You found yourself tracing those very words again and again, unable to settle. He has never made exceptions for anyone, well, now her.

No, it wasn’t jealousy. How could you be jealous of her when she has done everything to help Liyue? You were in no place to talk, let alone even think about that. 

There we go again. You tried to avoid working at Wangshu Inn but duty was called. It hurts, it hurts, it hurts. Averting your gaze from the top floor, you smiled at the Boss. But she saw through your mask too easily- facades.

‘‘Have you not slept properly, [Y/n]? Your face is pale- Are you here to find Xiao? He’s with Lumine upstairs.’’

Xiao- even more, Lumine.

You found yourself flinching at both names mentioned. 

‘‘No- no. I’m here to report that the duty is done.’’ Laughter could be heard overhead. It hurts. 

‘‘Ah, I see- he’s been spending lots of time with her, ain’t that right?’’

Words were like invisible arrows, piercing your heart. Yes, it is his freedom to spend time with her. Yes, so please, go away.

That was until footsteps were heard. The ever so familiar pair of amber eyes darted on you, only resulted in you hurrying away without a sound. Don’t look, don’t look, no matter how much you missed him. 

He’d like it better with Lumine.

-

‘‘Come on, Xiao! We’re nearly there!’’

The one mentioned only sighed as he followed after your footsteps, wondering where you would lead him. The sun gleamed brightly in the vast sky, it made everything seem so small and insignificant. 

‘‘Ta-da! Isn’t this place beautiful?’’

‘‘Yes. It is.’’

Despite him being a man of few words, the sight in front of his eyes was truly dazzling, whether it was the help of the sun or just naturally beautiful. 

Words caught up against your heart- of course, the real sight wasn’t the field of blossoming flowers that radiant of jade colour, but him. Smiling like an idiot, the warm feeling in your chest fluttered. A gentle breeze pushed your locks of hair backwards, as the light danced in the meadow.

Enlightening to see you bask in the lustre, a tremble in his heart. 

But that was never felt again.

-

Tears won’t stop sliding down from your cheeks.

No matter what, flashbacks haunted you like the very own death of your friendship with him. If you could even call it an amity. Night was cold, and no reminisce could save you. It didn’t matter, right? Perchance, you were the only one caught in such marvellous nightmare. It had been your own stupidity ever since the start.

And the Adeptus wouldn’t even bat an eyelid.

It was all useless, helpless struggles. Daydreams made without realising the troubles. It hurts, of course, but you were more than content to give them your blessings when you heard they were..

Getting married.

-

‘‘[Y/n]!’’

You hummed in return, not knowing who it was to call out all of a sudden, interrupting the established peace. 

Oh, 

Lumine. 

She held your hands tenderly and when they left, you found an invitation. 

‘‘Please do come, it’s Xiao and I’s wedding! As much as he wouldn’t hand this to you personally..’’

All the rest of the words were unheard. 

Wedding?

But he- he was an Adeptus. Never had you once thought he would marry. 

‘‘[Y/n]? Are you okay? You look- exhausted.’’

Haha, yeah, damn the Archons you were. Exhausted from what? The mere hallucination that left you broken? Those memories that no longer served as happiness? Impotent. That was what you were.

‘‘Perhaps I do need a break. Thank you for the invitation, I will attend, of course. Congratulations are saved when that day comes by.’’

That was supposedly enough to satisfy the blonde, seeing as she went away. In all honesty- no, you didn’t want to attend, not one bit. But what good could it do to not to? None. So why were you torturing yourself like this?

Even one last time, you had to tell him.

-

‘‘Xiao.’’

The ravenette turned to find not Lumine, but the ever-so-familiar you. His eyes widened for a split second, but you had seen it. Was it disappointment? You do not know. His eyes- those honey amber like jewels that you wished to take into your own gaze, stared at you with curiosity. 

‘‘I’m leaving Liyue.’’

Now that truly brought shock to him. A mixture of everything, he supposed. Why were you leaving? Questions bombarded his brain. But to keep his demeanour, he hummed and it was a sign for you to go on.

‘‘It hurts to be here, that is all.’’ 

‘‘Who hurt you?’’

Pathetic, the person who had your head clod in drowsiness came back and asked who hurt you, so oblivious that you just want to hold his hands and kiss him right there. Xiao, so helpless. Why does he have to be like this?

You laughed. It was painful.

‘‘It’s about time I should make it clear, shouldn’t I? Even if it is unrequited.’’

‘‘What is?’’

You turned your back to his focused gaze. 

‘‘My love for you.’’

[ratcandy]

Gimme some hat kid headcanons please my Kinnie brain is hungry

ANON I'm going to weep and cry you're giving me an opportunity to think and ramble about something??? I'm going to go. Off the Rails!!! Let's see what I got for ya!!

This is really really long and probably gets largely incoherent at a certain point, sorry dghKSJGH

- She/They because I said so

- Cannot stand still at all, constantly fidgeting in some way! I know the idle animations pretty much prove that for me but yknow like. Even sitting. Constantly kicking their feet, tapping their fingers!! Looking around everywhere! Straight up vibing!

- I'm not qualified to say which of these exactly but I've always seen Hat Kid as semi-verbal or have selective mutism in some cases, often talking more through movement than with words and/or using shorter sentences when talking

- She carries her diary with her to journal what she sees/questions she has about the world. And then god forbid someone give her the opportunity to ask all those questions because then she will pester them endlessly

- Distracted very easily!! This is just me projecting my playstyle onto canon, but man. I'm the type that gets really into secret-hunting and scouring around for easter eggs or other hidden things, even while the plot is tryna push me along. So. Hat Kid delivering mail through subcon but then WAIT stop wait hold on what's over here wait stop hang on hold on wait wait wait wait are there secrets??

- On that note, the only person Hat Kid was ever truly scared of was Vanessa. Snatcher spooked her at first only with the suddenness of his arrival, and then the removal of her soul, but as she got to know the Big Idiot she just "oh haha okay" and never really took him seriously after that

- On THAT note, Hat Kid is way too forgiving and empathetic. We've known this. Potential way to look at this may be old philosophy of whatever Hat Kid's species is, as. I mean. What's the point in holding grudges when time is finite, and anything could happen to reverse everything at the drop of an hourglass? That or yknow! Hat Kid is a child; the full ramifications of her/other people's actions doesn't really process with her.

- but (and this totally isn't relevant to NS whaaat what are you even talking about), the moment someone hurts a friend of hers, then it's VIOLENCE, and a "Why!!!" and a "Apologize right now or get punted!!"

- 100% cried after learning what happened to the Prince and went running to Snatcher about it like "NOOO!!" and then she wanted to beat up Vanessa but she's terrified of her so she's just like >:(( draws a lot of pictures of vanessa with "mean" and "stinky" and "i hate u" pointed towards her with little arrows

- on that note she absolutely has a drawing somewhere titled "my family! <3 <3" with everyone drawn on it. and someone's going to find it and just get sucker-punched in the heart. (snatcher would just say "gross" and gently place it back down where he found it, notably not burning it, nor crumpling it, and then later he's going to go home and go :AUUUGH_NOOOOOO: with Feelings and Emotions. Fucking idiot)

- I saw this headcanon in a fic somewhere, I think, but I like the idea that her hat has some magic element to it or something that allows her to understand the languages of all the lifeforms on earth. because otherwise how would she be able to understand all of them. but when there's a word that doesn't have a one-to-one translation, or just a big word she's never heard, she looks at whoever said it funny until they explain themselves. snatcher has been victim of this many times

- ever since DJ Grooves told her not to say peck, she's been saying peck a lot. Conductor approves of this because he's a Bad Grandparent (affectionate)

- The age of Hat Kid is an elusive mystery and I don't believe I will ever pinpoint it, but regardless, despite being 100% a child and meant to be seen as one, I'm left to wonder how many years this child has been alive. Like yes a child either way, but. The centuries of experience this girl could have, thus explaining some of her odder behavior or relationships with people, or how she's able to fight pretty well despite her age and size... as she also tries to bite into a fuckign burger cushion-- "Centuries" could also be time paradoxical centuries, because. That's the fun thing about messing with time, amiright? How old are you really if you've been messing with time your whole life? Even if you don't age physically, your memories and experiences are intact. If she stayed in a time rift for three years and came out th

- WAIT WHAT IF THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED

- Sorry I'm having this potential headcanon as I type this. Okay. Listen. Hear me out. What if Hat Kid was coming out of a time rift or other time anomaly and heading home after being left in it for however many years? We see in the beginning of the game that she's leaving some explosion-looking icon and going towards Home. What if that explosion was actually (and/or led to) a time rift, trapping Hat Kid inside of it for a long time? When she finally freed herself - maybe having to get a timepiece from inside the rift and break it, so it created a glitchfest mess until it basically spit her out - she kept all the experiences and memories of living in there, but physically/mentally didn't age otherwise. So. Like. She got trapped in there at age, say, ten. She experiences the horrors of whatever creatures - or projections of such - inhabited the rift, as well as the general nonsensical/extravagant nature rifts can take on. But her rationalization skills, her creativity, her thought processes in general, all alongside her physical body... were left unaltered. Hence why she's so largely unphased by weird happenings, though curious by them. Hence why she has no problem being violent and defending herself, yet is (almost naively) forgiving and kind. Hence why she understands the full power of the timepieces and the dangers in rifts, but also knows how to deal with rifts with relative ease.

Her main concern when Mustache Girl wanted to become crime-fighting time travelers was less "I just wanna go home" and more "making another disaster time rift and getting stuck in it again would really suck and I don't want to do that (let alone get all my new friends stuck in it too)."

(This could also explain why she'd get so afraid in the alternate ending of the Mustache Girl confrontation. Where she runs back out of the castle in tears, falling over and just giving up. If she was previously stuck in a time rift, which is essentially what Mustache Girl created here, she'd carry a lot of trauma relating to it and know just how awful it can be to be trapped in one. So. Here she is, trapped in one again, and now her friends are here, and it's all her fault, because she brought the timepieces here and she was careless enough to let them fall into Mu's hands and--)

- do you realize the further potential of that, though. like. do you realize what that could mean? Hat Kid got out of the initial rift, gets to her ship, and hastily punches in the coordinates that should bring her home. Not realizing how long she's been gone, how much it could have changed. If it's even around anymore. So after the events of the game, she gets "home" - because while I'm cruel and angsty I refuse to acknowledge a timeline where she runs out of fuel and gets stranded in isolated space forever - but it's. Completely different, or just straight up destroyed. And so SHE GOES BACK TO HER FOUND FAMILY ON EARTH AND,

- speaking of I am a firm believer in the Dadtcher idea but it would need a lot of development to reach a fully paternal state. until that point it's borderline sibling-esque rivalry

- anyways........... shifts my eyes around...... Mustache Girl and Hat Kid also have a sibling relationship post-canon but it takes a long time to reach the wholesome aspects, thanks for coming to my tedtalk

[fe-semi-decent-scenarios]

Hey! I wasnt the one who requested it, but I loved your how would the Blue Lions react to killing their SO! May I ask the same but for the Golden Deer if its alright?

{That was actually one of my favorite requests to write! It’s been a long time so I might be a bit rusty, but let’s give this a shot :)} 

Claude: 

 He had accounted for the possibility of you betraying him. Your disappearance had not been something he took with ease, yet the lack of contact or declaration of death for so long had him thinking 

Emotions are fleeting...the human mind was complex. Your loyalty was never something he wanted to question but he could never put his complete faith in you 

Even when you stood at his side protecting the crests, befriended his people, treated him as a true partner...he just couldn’t completely put his faith in you. Not with so much on the line 

 He wonders if that’s where he went wrong. Heavy rain clouded his sight but the sound of your voice rang dominant across the field. As you stand at Gronder with your weapon focused on his friends- your friends; Claude could not help but momentarily reminisce over the times you instead showed him your smile. The one that temporarily alleviated the weight of his dreams and expectations from his shoulders 

He would be the one to get it back. The professor had already converted other students to their side so there was a chance 

One you didn’t want, as you aimed at their head with tears pricking your eyes. He dismounted his wyvern instantly 

“Was it all a lie? Tell me...is this what you want for your home (Y/N)? Come fight with us” He slowly begins his approach, but the words die out as you attack him this time 

 A shrill battle cry is all he hears before he watches an axe lodge into your side. He’ll never hear the answer, but he didn’t need to. It finally clicked

White hair 

You planned to die 

His brows pressed in further as Lysithea gasped at your fallen form. Before he would have killed to know more about the hidden experiments going on in the empire, but not like this. They’ll come to collect the body before Hanneman can conduct any research, but he’ll give them more. Much more 

Raphael: 

Raphael doesn’t like to think on the battlefield. It’s not that he enjoys pummeling people without a glance, but if he looks back then he won’t look foreword. He’s confided in Ignatz many times after being scolded for running ahead, but when thinking can cost you your life he prefers not to waste the effort 

 Especially because he takes longer to process complex emotions and thoughts compared to the others. He trusts them to be tactical while he uses his muscles to save the day

Back in the day he had a perfectly reliable head to think for him. He cleared their path and they took care of all the important business. The classic ‘brains and brawn’ duo that no one would expect to ever find genuine interest in one another. Aren’t they stereotypically supposed to fight and be at each other’s throats? Not in this case 

“Haha! THAT WAS GREAT! Nice Job (Y/N), I hope today’s menu has meat because you need brain food and I need to feed my muscles!” 

 You knew Raphael and how to predict his movements, and he had complete faith in your judgements. Even at the monastery you both made the most efficient team to do chores  

 Instead of trying to change him, you worked to match his pace and became his partner. On the field and in life. Raphael knew he didn’t have to second guess with you at his side, and he felt what he wanted to feel.

He loved you. Your brains, your laugh, your heart, your cooking no matter good or bad...you. It was an emotion that came easy to him.

Though sometimes he berated himself for not thinking. Sometimes you’d get in trouble if he broke equipment or did something else out of line. Yet you remained patient and calmed him down at the same time.

It was difficult to adjust to fighting without his partner. He essentially had to relearn everything through experience, but he had full hope that you’d come back 

That hope clouded his judgement when he saw you conversing with the professor at Aillel. He was so overcome with joy that he mindlessly pushed aside enemies to get to you without actually examining the scene

His fury took over when the professor’s sword went straight through your stomach.  He tackled them to the ground and it took both Lorenz AND Hilda to pry him away. 

“You idiot! They’re the enemy!” Hilda shouted at him as he settled down. He couldn’t process it. They wouldn’t hurt their family, him.

 Yet, they wore red. Red that grew darker as their blood seeped in 

 Ignatz: 

“Can you paint my portrait?” You asked him one evening long ago. After a particularly grueling training session with the rest of class he had snuck off to sketch the trees by the market. The year was young and he still wasn’t too familiar with all his classmates 

You were new and he had took to your appearance instantly. He could replay your introduction mentally over and over. Your smooth words, slight bow, and the way your feet glided effortlessly to the closest seat you could get to the window. He was of course too shy to approach a new student since he wasn’t the social sort, but luckily he did not have to do much. 

You took the liberty of following him to his painting spot. He was flustered at being found, but you merely plopped at his side and began to eat your lunch. Where you had it stashed beforehand? He still doesn’t know 

 He had never been more aware of another’s presence, and his art showed it as the paper crinkled in his grasp. Yet somehow you seemed enamored at the picture forming on the page, so much that you asked to model 

He grew anxious instantly and decided to head back for his own meal. With no given answer you had left the topic behind, and from then on he began to find you nearby often. From acquaintances to friends, and from friends to ‘lovers without definition’. No confession was ever spoken but he knew you made decisions easier, life joyful, and the rest of his peers agreed as much as he. 

He drew that portrait. He drew it over, and over, and over, and over because he refused to forget your face. He would remember you and fight twice as hard to make up for what you couldn’t give. He swore that to Claude and everyone else when you were pronounced missing in action.

 and now? His eyes glisten as a body fitted under a white tarp lays yards away. You hadn’t tried to harm him but you were healing the enemy. It was decided that you were not with the Empire, but instead travelling through and became swept in the battle. Perhaps you didn’t know? Perhaps you simply decided to help whoever needed it no matter their side? 

He clutches his bow to his chest. One arrow, and you were down. He didn’t know 

He didn’t know but the pictures would never let him forget. The pages never felt the same from then on 

Lorenz: 

Relationships should never be formed unless you have something to gain

It is a nobleman’s duty to protect the weak, the poor, the sick; yet, there must always be distance.

A nobleman must always carry themselves with a sense of professionalism. They must not display weakness, and a true leader is born of being able to separate their personal affairs from that of those they govern. 

 One day Lorenz will be the head of the Glouscer territory, and soon the Alliance as a whole if he has his way. Death must not phase him and he must be willing to sacrifice everything for the sake of his people

He follows the laws of a noble. He knows them on paper, but not in practice. 

 Only as he grew during an age of dispute and fighting did he begin to learn that actions differ from voice. All that he pledged as a young man held no meaning, because gradually he began to realize that he is not the most fit to govern Fodlan. He was incapable of completely tossing aside his personal desires or making the best decisions with certainty. Yes, he was well educated and would make a great right hand

Yet the title of leader would never be his. Why? Because he is a noble by definition 

The professor was a noble by heart. A true leader who let actions speak for them and selflessly protected the entirety of Fodlan instead of one singular portion.

 Lorenz is a noble in name, but in nature he is a man. He is a solider, a son, a friend, a politician...a human. One not immune to temptations or the grievances of loss no matter what face he may display for the public eye.

 There was a soul he once found vibrant. They were a mere commoner yet full of dedication. He placed a barrier around them immediately, one he was not allowed to cross no matter how tempted. They did not fit the criteria he sought

 Yet the night of the ball he allowed “them”  the curtesy of a dance. Their warm hand on his own, their body held tightly in his embrace, and lighthearted small talk being tossed between quips about their poor dancing skills 

They left his mouth dry as he bid them farewell to their next partner. He allowed the barrier to resurface as he went his own way

“You must rethink this (Y/N). How could siding with the empire lead to any promising future/ They will kill us all and then themselves in the process! Please, join us” 

“Spoken like a true noble, Lorenz. This social hierarchy has divided people for too long and you would realize that if you’d only look beyond Alliance borders!” 

If only he had grasped their hand longer- listened. They were the first to show him a world beyond his bubble, if only he popped it sooner. 

 Hilda:

You really annoyed her in the beginning. The way you carried yourself like some kind of prophet, or how you’d question everything the professor taught. Was it so hard to just do what was needed and move on? Even with something as simple as weeding the courtyard you always had to add your own two cents

It was like always being under analysis. She got that enough from Claude and didn’t need two people trying to read her. On many occasions she tried to gain traction over you, but somehow her efforts never bore fruit 

For a try-hard you were very accepting of her shortcomings. So long as what you were tasked with got done, the performance of others was never a secondary priority 

If only she could be that carefree about other people’s opinions. Maybe then living would be easier? 

Perhaps you were what she wanted to be? Satisfied with who you were enough to question the world around you while remaining secure with what you had 

Someone with the ability to step beyond your comfort zone and make your own decisions. Respected, knowledgeable...loved for who you are. Maybe that’s what drew her to you and lead to her envy forming into adoration 

and that adoration being trampled by sorrow 

“I still love you so no hard feelings, okay? I can’t back down” is what she told you. It was a taunt, but she did not expect your smile 

“Of course. I’m glad you’ve decided to show your backbone, just think of this as a spar like old times”

The casual talk did not fit the clash of blades that followed. Nor did it suit the battle roaring nearby 

A spar- just like old times. It was a familiar battle but this time her axe did not halt before delivering the deciding blow. 

Her hands shook as your body fell, yet you still appeared at peace despite the gash adorning your back. Perhaps you knew this would be the outcome before the day even began

Hilda did not cry, but asked for you to be buried on alliance soil. If anything she owed you that curtesy

Leonie: 

She would never forgive you. Not today, not ever. 

How dare you choose to side with the people who killed the captain? He never did anything to anybody, and if you chose to betray everyone than Leonie would return the favor

She decided that any history between you two was nonexistent the moment you lifted your weapon. Mercy was a word you forgone long ago when instead of defending Garreg Mache, you slaughtered it’s inhabitants 

She thought you felt the same as well. Yet, fate always liked to twist in ways to hinder justice 

She watched from a distance as the professor approached your fallen form. They had insisted on trying to sway her old classmates, but she scoffed at the mere thought 

What made them think traitors would be good allies? Did they want to be stabbed in the back like their father?...like the captain 

She ignored the sting in her chest as you swatted their hand away. You had some nerve to reject their kindness and it pissed her off. She wanted this entire situation to simply end but- 

Her feet moved on their own

“Why are you such an idiot? Were you always this irresponsible?” her words cut deep, clearly shown by how you turned away. She could only grit her teeth at the stubbornness and reach for her lance 

You made your choice, and clearly it was up to her to deliver justice if no one else would 

So she did what she’s always had to do, the brunt work. With one swing it was over and you were just another count among the others 

She doesn’t know if the captain would praise her for remaining strong or scold her for remaining indifferent 

Lysithea: 

Everything always boils down to one thing: people cannot be trusted. Each and every time Lysithea has allowed someone close it has blown up in her face 

and somewhere deep down, she knew this situation wouldn’t have ended any differently. The world always found new ways to crush what she cared for 

The only question that remains is how much longer will she have to endure? How much longer did she have to fight? 

because now she had to fight for two. She had to find a cure or die trying 

During the battle for Garreg Mache many had been taken prisoner. She hadn’t the empire to conduct unethical experiments; maybe torture, but nothing like what she was witnessing. 

It was a fever dream one couldn’t fathom, but the mindless husk killing without remorse kept her in reality. What had they done to you?

She noticed the white hair in an instant. One of her worst fears had come to life seeing you at the death knight’s side, but the way you hadn’t even flinched when she called your name made her terrified 

Not even a whack of thoron could snap you out of it. She began to lose hope...were you even there anymore? Is this what they had planned for her if she didn’t flee?

“Say something you jerk! Don’t tell me you’re letting some petty magic keep you grounded, fight it!” 

No matter what anyone said it did nothing. When moral dwindled the only solution left was to free you through other means 

The death knight escaped after you fell. Next time...next time he would die at her hand. 

Lysithea instantaneously moved to further her research after your burial. Not for herself, but to find out if you were gone long before they found you. She needed to know if your death was peaceful, if you could see that she tried 

If you would forgive her 

Marianne: 

“This is Nova. I have to leave for a mission, would you watch him for me Marianne?”

 Bright blue eyes bored into hers as she gingerly took hold of the bunny. It’s fur was soft, well groomed. She took notice of how it snuggled into her arms as if it feared no human. Marianne knew instantly that the animal was well loved and cherished. The though made her almost refuse the favor in fear of hurting it, but her classmate’s insistence wasn’t something to fight. 

  Despite her warnings (Y/N) never listened, and at some point Marianne gave up on pushing them away. Their company was appreciated yet she would never say it, and the cuddly creature in her arms truly proved their trust in her 

 She could only nod in agreement as they skipped off to prepare the bunny’s necessities to bring to her room. Marianne hoped she could care for the animal properly, and that nothing would happen to it

She worried for the wrong reasons, as (Y/N) never returned home. They were sent to face Solon and avenge the death of the Professor’s father. Marianne was asked to remain and help in healing injured soldiers from the most previous confrontation. 

·If she knew that would have been the last time (Y/N) would show up in her room, she--no, she wouldn’t have done anything. She may have tried to convince them to stay home but Marianne knows she would have not confessed anything

  Not that she valued their friendship or that she worried for their wellbeing. Not that she was grateful they trusted her with Nova, or that they help her care for her horses. She wouldn’t have even thought it. 

 She didn’t think of it afterwards either. Her fondness for her deceased friend wouldn’t have been noticeable at all if not for the bunny. Despite everything she cared for it as if it were (Y/N) themselves. 

When she sees a familiar figure take charge at Gronder, time freezes. She remembers the bunny sitting in her dorm without an owner. She wonders how abandoned it must have felt to never see it’s best friend again. She feels for the bunny because it’s how she felt.

Without thinking she shoots a blast of magic their way and watches them crumple on the floor 

Why did they abandon their precious bunny? Did they give up on it? Did they give up on her? 

Did you...finally realize you had befriended a monster?

[lisinfleur]

She Wolf

The request:

Author’s Notes | I think you gave me a lot of good material for a single shot. I placed this request between the scenes of the 6th Season. Think about this happening before the day in which Ivar decides to speak to Hvitserk, and they have a fight that costs Ivar's face and a huge scar. I may think about making this a big Ivar x OC fiction, but not for now. Let us see what the future will bring. For now, I hope you like it! Universe | Vikings Pairing | Ivar x OC Info | Requested by anon for 5CW II, posted for HTGI Event. Words | 1060 ⁑ Warnings: Mentions of death, violence, blood.

She was like the wild winds of Winter: coming out of nowhere, going away before he could figure out where she was going. For many years, Ivar thought that black-haired woman was some kind of goddess, spectrum, something who liked him enough to order her wolf to eat a man's neck, just to keep him safe from the assassin’s attack. He was fifteen at the time, and he was alone at the hunting cabin that night.

His brothers thought it was him who killed the bastard, but the truth was that he watched as her wolf bit the man to death, tearing his flesh so precisely that it was not possible to really say it was an animal attacking and not a violent man.

It was the first time Ivar watched death happening in front of his eyes without being frightened by it, and since then, he was never tired of watching it over and over again.

But it was never like her.

It was never precise like her wolf's teeth.

And he could never figure out who she was, despite seeing her through his whole story like a shadow following his steps. He was sure her wolf was the shadow attacking archers in England to prevent them from hitting his chariot. He could swear he saw her black cloak flying around the crowd when he yelled at the Christian army. Ivar was sure it was that woman who he saw killing the few men of his brother who would've been able to reach him before he could flee from Kattegat after his defeat.

But she didn't act against the Rus.

Was she killed by Oleg's men?

Was she afraid of the Russian prince?

Did she leave him before the Silk Road was finished for his steps?

Despite the tension in Oleg's palace, Ivar couldn't stop thinking about that nameless woman he so many times owed his life to.

She saved him too many times to leave like that, without a trace.

In his room at the palace, Ivar was thinking about her. Thinking maybe she was some kind of lucky charm in his life.

Now that Hvitserk was around, he wasn't feeling alone, but her memory was haunting his thoughts.

What could've happened to his savior?

"I hope you're thinking about a way to leave," a female voice sounded from behind his position, and Ivar lifted his torso in bed.

A dagger in his hand ready to slaughter whoever had dared to invade his room like that.

But the sound of growls and her voice calming the wolf sitting beside her were enough to get Ivar's eyes fully surprised.

"You..." he mumbled.

"You should prepare to leave, fallen king," she warned. "Oleg has been luring your addicted brother into vicious wonders, and if you're not ready to drag him out of this place, soon, he may be dragging you down to the grave."

"Hvitserk? What are you talking about? What is your name, woman? Why are you..." Ivar started, trying to take the chance and get all his answers at the same time.

However, she giggled instead of answering, looking at him with eyes that were different from one another, reinforcing in Ivar's heart that something was divine about that woman.

Her blue and dark brown orbs dove deep into his eyes, almost as if she could read his mind.

"I don't have enough time for the whole bunch of questions I know you have so consider me someone... Loyal... To you," she said, not leaving the shadows completely.

The beautiful black wolf looking at him with bright ambers from the corner of his room.

"Hvitserk is falling on Oleg's traps. But, at the same time, Dir is almost ready to send you his sign. Ensure you'll be ready to leave when Easter comes, and I'll be there to help you sneak away."

She was so determined! So secure of her loyalty to him!

What did he do to deserve her loyalty like that?

"Who are you, woman?" Ivar's lips mumbled as his eyes could catch a smile on her lips.

"Someone who doesn't believe in false gods," she said, looking at him. "But who knows you don't need to believe in yourself as a god, to be more than the average kind of men I've ever known. Use your brilliant mind, Ivar, the Ruthless," she said, walking towards the window.

The wolf followed her.

"And don't mind the guards in your way. I'll ensure they won't have tongues to speak about your trail."

She climbed up the window, and Ivar came down from the bed, dragging himself to call her back.

"Wait!" he asked. "How can I know you'll be here? You vanished since I've lost Kattegat to my brothers!"

She looked back, smiling at him.

"No arrow reached your armor, nor sword crossed your chest. Right?"

She was there, ensuring his safety all the time?

"Oleg's eyes are better than the eyes you had around you before. I may be hiding better, but it doesn't mean I'm not here. The night hides when the sun is born, but you still can see the shadows during the day. Don't worry, my king. The wolves follow its leader wherever he goes."

Ivar was even more confused than when she started.

Who made him a leader? There was more like her?

What was that woman?

"At least, tell me your name," he asked.

But her different eyes went outside, and she noticed something that caused the wolf to be unsettled as well. Ivar could see they wouldn't have much time.

"Whistle, young king. The winds will listen to your call," she said, mysterious.

Leaving through the window with her wolf before Ivar could reach the window frame.

When the strong arms pulled his body up, allowing him to look out to the town, there was no trace of her, nor her wolf, other than a howl echoing in the wind.

Ivar spent a long time looking out of that window. And then, the whole rest of his night thinking about what had just happened. In the morning, he was determined to speak to Hvitserk about that approaching between him and prince Oleg.

And in his mind, his plans would involve whistling when that whole thing was over, in a calm place, so he could talk to his lady-wolf once again.

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[fixxofvixx]

Stay With Me - Demon Leo AU - Chapter 27

Hello!! I finished a chapter! Woohoo!!! Haha it feels like it's been forever!! I'm posting this just before I go into work so I hope you all enjoy it and I will check for replies after I finish!

Please let me know what you think!!!💖💖

😈😈😈😈😈😈

Try as you might, getting up the next morning was difficult.  When you opened your eyes, Leo was gone.  Your hand went to the empty spot where he should have been and instead found a feather, black with a red tip.  Smiling, you picked up the feather and brought it closer.  You rose up, painfully, and took a look at yourself.  You had been fully clothed and suspected that Leo had worked his magic before leaving.  

It took you almost 20 minutes to get out of bed, walk to the bathroom, and finish getting ready.  You managed to put your hair into a loose bun and, as a finishing touch, attached Leo's feather to the hair tie.  

You desperately wanted to crawl back into bed but you wanted food.  You hoped Leo had placed something in the kitchen for you.  Otherwise, you'd be at the mercy of the fruit basket on the table.  

Once you reached the living room, you spotted Sabina pacing right inside the large glass windows.  

"Hello, Sabina."

*Oh good, you're awake.*  The lynx turned to you and then stopped.  She chuffed and moved closer to you.

*Staking your claim?*

"What do you mean?"

*The feather….*

"Oh!  Um….well, it was a gift so what better way than to accessorize?"  You reached for the pendant at your neck and held it up for Sabina to see.

*You people are so strange.*

You shrugged your shoulders and went towards the kitchen.  

"Have you seen Leo?"

*He went outside earlier and let me in.  He said something about the wolves.*

You thought for a minute and then you remembered what you'd said about the wolves hating you now.  Did he go to talk to them?  You felt a little sadness because you wanted to see them for yourself and make sure that they still liked you.

You thankfully found enough food to make some toast with jam.  You had only mentioned to Leo that you liked jam and suddenly every flavor was displayed on the counter.  

You had just swallowed the last bit of toast in your mouth when Leo appeared in front of you, causing you to scream.

"Leo!"  The look on his face told you that he was amused at your obvious surprise.

"Sorry."

"No, you're not but I supposed I should be used to you doing that."

"I like to keep you on your toes….almost as much as I like keeping you on your back."  He smiled sinfully and leaned forward for a kiss.  His words caused a pink blush to spread over your cheeks.  When he pulled away, you couldn't do anything but smile.  

"Devil."

"Almost...just a demon."  He winked and you rolled your eyes. 

*I'm going outside to throw up if you need me.*

Leo also noticed Sabina leaving and snapped his fingers as she went out the door.  A light thud hit the porch and you looked at Leo, concerned.  He shook his head and smiled.

"Sabina must have found her snack." 

"You're a total pushover when it comes to animals, aren't you?"

"It was a reciprocal agreement.  She watches over you and I give her snacks."

"If you say so."

"Did you sleep well?"  Leo usually changed the subject when you mentioned his soft-heartedness.  

You nodded before leaning your body against his and humming in satisfaction.  You had always wanted a simple life with someone to share it with.  You were in bliss.

"Sore?"

"Mmm...exquisitely so."  He laughed at your content words.  His hand found the small of your back and kept it there until the sore muscles eased away.  

His actions only caused you to melt into him further. 

"Better?"  You nodded and his hand started roaming.  "Anywhere else?"

"No, everything is fine."  You wrapped your arms around his waist and squeezed.  His hand came up to wrap around the back of your neck and then stopped.  

"I see you got my present."  His fingers touched the feather hanging from your hair tie.

"Yes, I did.  Thank you.  Are you sure it's okay to take out another feather?"  You leaned back and asked.  He said it didn't hurt to pull one out but was it really okay?

"They grow back, silly girl." He tugged on your earlobe and you shook your head to break free.

"But--"

Your protest was cut off with his lips covering yours.  You immediately lost all of your anxiety on the subject and pulled him closer.  He moved forward and soon your back hit the wall.  You held on tight with your arms around his neck.  His fingers buried themselves in your hair as you pulled him closer.  You couldn't get enough of him.  His tongue moved slowly against yours and you stood on trembling legs.  

He pulled away suddenly and you groaned in protest without thinking.  He smiled at your expression and gave you one more short kiss.

"Why did you stop?"  You pouted for a moment and then looked up at him.

"The wolves are close by and I thought you might want to see them."

"Really?"

"Yes, I talked to them this morning and they agreed that what you had was a horrible dream as they would never reject you.  Even their youngest offspring know of your existence."  He smoothed away a strand of hair from your face and then teleported you both into the forest.

You stepped away from Leo to see several wolves gathered around.  From the looks of it, Leo had brought you to the north side of the forest which was close to the village.  The wolves tended to patrol the borders during this time.   You smiled nervously and then froze when the alpha came forward.  Visions of your dream that had seemed all too real flashed in your mind.  

He moved forward until he was directly in front of you.  He suddenly bowed and you gasped.  You turned to Leo but he just smiled.

"He says that he apologizes for appearing in your dream and scaring you.  Also, he wants you to know that you never have anything to fear from the wolves."

Your heart sank knowing that the alpha was apologizing.  You went to your knees and held out your hand.  The large wolf raised his head and came closer.  He nuzzled your hand and you smiled.

"Please don't apologize.  It wasn't your fault.  You can't control what I dream about, right?  I'm honored that you came all the way here."

 

Just then, Leo laughed at something the alpha must have said and he nodded his head.

"Yes, I will."  

You looked at Leo and silently questioned him.  

"He told me to make sure and keep you.  I intend to."  He crossed his arms over his chest and smiled.  

Without warning one of the older puppy came bounding towards you and sat at your feet.   He was part of the offspring that were born when you had first begun to stay in the forest.

"Well, hello."  You squatted down and scratched the back of his head.  The alpha made a sound and the pup instantly stood at attention in front of you.  Like the alpha, he bowed his head.  

The alpha raised his head to look at Leo and he nodded.  Leo came forward and put one hand on the back of your neck and the other on the young wolf before you.

*Y/N, I have been given the honor to become your guardian.  As one of the keepers of this forest, you are under the absolute protection of the Wolf Guard.  I will do my best to protect you and become a loyal companion.  In order for the pledge to be complete, I require that you give me a name.*

You stared at the wolf, completely aghast at what had just happened.  You looked at Leo and he just nodded.

"It's your choice."

"D-Do you have one too?"

"Of course, I have the alpha."  In response, the alpha bowed and then stood proudly.  

"Oh...um,"  You looked back at the young wolf in front of you and thought for a moment.

*In the case that you are unwilling, that is also acceptable.  You will still be protected by the Guard.*

You smiled at the wolf, amazed at how his voice seemed so melodic and comforting.  

"How about Danté?"

*Yes?*

"Is that a suitable name for a guardian?"

*Of course, my lady.*

You blushed at Danté's reverence.  You thought anyone would call you that.  He bowed and you felt a rush of wind surge through the forest.  Leo removed his hand from you both and stood.

"I trust you will guard her well, Danté."

*With pride.*

You gasped lightly when you realized you could hear him.  

"I can hear you without Leo?"

*Yes, my lady.  It makes it easier to call upon me when you need me.*

"Just Y/N, please.  I-I don't think I could ever get used to anyone calling me that."

*If you wish it.*

You started to reach your hand out to Danté again but Leo suddenly grabbed you around the waist and hauled you up against him.

"Leo! What--"

"Several humans just crossed the border to the forest."  Leo looked at the wolves.  "Take your pups back to safety, I'll check it out."

The wolves moved immediately and rushed into the forest.  You stayed next to Leo as he looked around for any intruders.

"What could they be doing in the--ahh!"  You screamed when Leo's arm shot out and stopped an arrow just before it pierced your skull.  Leo pushed you behind him as a few villagers stepped through the trees and approached slowly, bows drawn.

"Step aside, demon.  We will rid you of the witch that has threatened the forest and the village."

[the-broken-truth]

When Eliza Dimitrescu & Diedre Beneviento Meet In The Village

Broken Truth: Welcome to the 1st Official Headcanon of the 4 Protective Young Lords - This one is about Eliza and Diedre meeting in the village for some cousin things.

Enjoy, @snowflakestree

Eliza (Closing her cloak with her house crest brooch clip to make sure it says closed before she turned to face her sisters): I'm going to visit Lady Beneviento's Daughter in the village, do any of you need-

Daniela (Comes running into the room with a long blue scarf): Wait, Little Sister! Don't forget to wear this long cloth thingy!

[Eliza just stands there was Daniela wraps the scarf around her neck over her shoulders and around her neck.]

Eliza (Points at the scarf as she looks at Daniela):...Big Sister Daniela, you do know that I can handle the cold with my cloak alone, yes?

Daniela: But still! You have to keep extra warm to make sure you don't get sick, even if you can handle the cold!

Cassandra: That's right, Eliza. Be a good little sister and listen to your big sisters!

Bela (Calmer than her other sisters): I agree with them, you should wear that scarf, Eliza.

Eliza (Exhales): Very well, sisters; I shall wear the scarf. Thank you all for caring for me... (Looked off to the side in hopes to hide the blush creeping on her face)

Cassandra (Floats over to Eliza and moves her face to face the others): Haha! Girls, would you look at her face?! She's blushing and embarrassed! Isn't that adorable?!

[Eliza tries to hide her blush by nuzzling into her scarf.]

Daniela (Chuckling): Oops, I think we broke her, sisters!

Bela (Exhales and gives herself a facepalm): Daniela. Cassandra. Stop embarrassing our little sister.

Alcina (Walks into the room with a small pouch in her hand): Now, now, daughters. Please do not make my youngest melt into the floor.

[Alcina walks over to Eliza just as Cassandra removes herself from her baby sister's form and handed the small pouch into her hand.]

Eliza (Looks at the pouch in confusion): What is this, Mother?

Alcina: Surely you don't think I would let you go into the village without a bit of spending money, do you?

Eliza (Looks into the pouch): Mother...there is over 2000 Lei in this bag.

Alcina (Pats Eliza's head): Most certainly. Please, do tell your cousin that I said hello.

[Eliza gives her mother and sisters a light bow before she opened the castle door and went on her way to the village to meet up with Diedre Beneviento.]

[In the Village - Eliza walked down the rocky frozen path that led into the village as her green eyes narrowed at all of the stupid man-things that lazed around or reeked of booze; this made her nose scrunch up.]

Eliza (Thinking): 'Disgusting Man-Things. Do not touch my sisters. Do not touch my mother. I'll turn in their flesh wine if they so much as utter disrespect the name of House Dimitrescu.'

[Just as she stopped in the center of the village - she heard a familiar voice call out to her. She turned to see her younger female cousin - Diedre Beneviento - running in her direction with...wait...]

Eliza (Thinking): 'Isn't that Aunt Donna's Veil and...Angie?'

Diedre (Reaching Eliza with Angie and Donna's Veil in her hands): Good Morning, cousin! I'm glad you came to meet me.

Eliza: A Dimitrescu always keeps her word, Diedre. Speaking of which, why do you have your mother's veil and Angie?

Diedre (Smiling widely as she lifts the veil in front of her cousin's face): My Mother's been crying because of horrible things the villagers have been saying about her, I haven't heard it before. I'm going to wear Mother's veil and pretend to be her! (Places the veil over her head and places Angie in her arms just as her mother does) Now, let's see what she's been going through after all this time.

[The 2 Heiresses began walking around the village to make the purchases Diedre told Eliza about before the masquerade began - all the time, the moment someone's eyes rested on the veiled woman horrible rants were being thrown at her.

Random Woman (1): Go back to your forest, witch!

Random Man (1): That veil doesn't hide how ugly you are, freak!

Random Woman (2): Take your creepy ass and your fucked-up doll back the shadows so we don't have to see your asses!

Angie: Who do you think you're calling 'creepy'?! Donna is an absolutely stunning woman, are you blind or something?!

Random Man (2): She's a disgusting freak that doesn't deserve to live! The sooner she dies, the better it will be for us all, the same with that tall bitch in the castle and that moronic freak from the reservoir!

Eliza (Death Glares at Random Man 2): What the hell did you say about my mother, you disgusting man-thing?

Diedre: I think I've heard enough...(Pulls the veil from her head and looks at the confused people with black dead eyes) I've heard all of the negative things about my mother and I shall not accept this! Meaning: Every last one of you has forfeited your life and rights and privilege to live...Now...(Lifts her right hand - everyone watches in horror as long red strings come from the tips of her fingers) It's time for a show!

[Diedre thrust her hand forward and the strings shot out fasters that arrows from their bow and nailed all 4 of the rude villagers in the centers of their necks, making them gasp and fall to their knees as their air began very thin.]

Diedre (Places Angie on her shoulder before she released the strings from her other hand): Now...which of my new puppets should I make an example of.

Eliza (Walks slowly to Random Man 2): One moment, cousin. Let me have this one. He had the nerve to disrespect the Dragon of Dimitrescu and that shall not be allowed.

Diedre (Smirks): As you wish, dear cousin.

[The string from the man's neck was removed and he felt his control return but before he could move, a horrible pain ripped through his chest from his back forward before he was lifted off the ground and to his feet felt something grasp his heart.]

Eliza (Leans near the man's ear): A rat...shall not disrespect the dragon.

*RIP*

[The man's eyes widened and rolled to the back of his head before he fell to the ground with a large gaping hole in his back.]

Eliza (Looks at the heart in her hand before she takes a bite out of the muscle as if it were fruit before spitting it out and dropping it back on the dead bottom.]

Eliza (Takes a cloth out of her pocket and wiped her mouth): That was completely disgusting! Way too bitter. There's no way in hell I would use his blood in my mother's wine.

Diedre (Pouts): Oh, I'm sorry he wasn't to your taste, Eliza. Now (Looks at the other captives) I think I know which puppet to break in.

[Diedre's other hand reached out to Random Woman 2 - causing the strings to connect to the top of her head, the back of her hands, and the back of her calves. The woman's eyes widened as she was lifted off the ground and the others watched in horror but were unable to speak.]

Diedre (Smiles up at the strung-up woman with a sickening smile before looking at the two on the ground before lifting them to their feet by their necks): Now, pay close attention, little mice. (Looks at the strung-up woman again.) First, let's fix that arm for having the nerve to point at me.

[The strings attached to her arms began to turn, twisting her arms until the joints stopped them but the strings forced them...and broke them completely. The woman screamed and the others shivered but Diedre didn't stop - next were her legs, shattering the knees to keep her from walking. The woman screamed again before she was dropped to the ground, leaving her alive but broken...)

Diedre (Looked down at the other two before glaring at them): That was an example - never mess with the Puppeteer's Mother...or I shall break every last one of your bones.

[With that, she released her binds - the moment their control returned to their bodies, they gathered their broken friend and got the hell out of there.]

Eliza (Looks at Diedre): Well done, Diedre.

Diedre (Smiles): Anytime, now, let's get going back to our shopping.

[The two cousins smile and walk back into the village, leaving the dead man-thing in the streets; not even staying to watch a crow flying down and picked up the bitten heart and flying away.]

Broken Truth: Next Time - When Sebastian Moreau and Kaleb Heisenberg meet in the village.