#and allowing one another their own lives and independence - while still wanting to steal those moments in-between for each other

[miqojak]

"You know the way back, Wolf-of-mine."

[mcswoon]

They're laying in the post glow of having just tangled up in his tent. The two of them having crawled into it shortly after battling each other for dominance in a kiss. It wasn't different from most nights since it started-- the two of them always falling into one tent or the other. Why they continued to put up three was beyond him, but he didn't question. He assumed it was some sort of desire to show the independence she still had with this trio. He and Cletus may be a duo, side by side, but she was stand alone. She didn't need either of them and yet... here she remained. He often wondered if that had anything to do with her chase of finding her ex-lover's killer, but... he didn't ask. He stopped asking questions about Sam and Trout when she started aiming a gun at him figuratively. Her words shooting holes through him whenever he tried to understand more than what she'd already shared. But while that part existed.. so did another. A part of him that wondered if she stuck around because of him.

See, now, you're probably wondering why the likes of a Bandit King would care what a woman thought of him, but that's where your business snooping stops. McDoon isn't going to get into the reasons he thought she stuck around because of him. If he did? He'd have to start admitting she was encroaching on his own thoughts and soul. That she was more than just another bandit he ran with, that their kisses and touches held weight. He didn't want to admit that. Couldn't. Wasn't in his nature. Maybe his thoughts, but not his being. He could often daydream or fantasize about a life without all the robbing and stealing, but that wasn't who he was. McDoon was a bandit. An outlaw. A man forever on the fucking run. He wasn't allowed to feel anything substantial for anyone.

None of them were. Not even Kate. She'd chosen a life where she couldn't feel that again, right? She'd lost the one man she'd loved and turned to a life of this. Whatever this was for her. Bandit. Criminal. Killer. He didn't question it, but he wondered. He had so many curiosities pertaining to her and most of them were things he knew would never get answered. Maybe that was for the better though. Perhaps the life she was trying to live in turn beside them was one she only wished to be known for. But despite whatever she was doing-- she still chose to roll around with McDoon.

All of these thoughts were buzzing and brewing, repeating over and over the words she'd just uttered to him as they laid there. He could still hear the crackle of the fire that was slowly going out and he was almost certain he heard Cletus move around in his tent. But McDoon's thoughts were running rampant trying to catch up and ensure he'd heard her right. Had he?

tell me you love me … i won't hold you to it, just say it.

She's laying against his chest, her cheek pressed to his hammering heart that he was sure she could hear. He could chalk it up as being because of what they'd just done, but truly? Really? The sentence spoken into the world was one he'd never been asked of before. No one's ever asked him to say that let alone feel it, but here she was telling him he could say it and that there wouldn't be weight. That all she needed were the words spoken out into the universe, but that was the thing with McDoon. He'd never actually said those words out loud, not even when he's charming his way from bed to bed. He's never lied or misled with words of love. He gave promises, empty ones, but never anything that would proclaim something like that.

He blinks, eyes on the roof of the peaked tent and body rigid. He'd gone stiff under her-- could she sense that too? His hand on her arm, his own wrapped around her, was gently stroking her skin with his thumb. The action now paused. His other hand on his stomach twitching and slowly curling into a fist, short nails digging crescent shapes into the palm of his hand. He needs to say something. He needs to speak up and let her know whether or not he can or can't do that. But why wouldn't he be able to? It was easy to say three words, easy to lie.

But was it a lie?

"Kate, I... " he finally starts, breath swallowing and chest lifting with a deeper breath. He shakes his head a little then lifts it, allowing himself to look down at her even if she wasn't going to look at him. "I can't do that." He shifts, hand sliding from his stomach and moving so his elbow can press into the ground and he can carefully lift himself slightly. He rests on the elbow, eyes on her, "That ain't something to just be throwing around-- empty or not." He feels a weird tightness take over his chest, a sense of panic he's not used to, "Is that what you're lookin' for in this? Hearin' something that may not mean a damn thing? You can't be lookin' for this onion man in every fuck we share. I'm not him." He frowns, "And the way I feel about you holds its own weight." That was too much to say, too much to let on.

[calpalirwin]

Let The Walls Break Down

Summary: Calum gets over his skepticism

Word Count: 2.7k

And away, and away we go!

__

“It’s almost impossible. Love sucks. Don’t try it. It’s a scam.”

That had been Calum’s general thoughts on relationships since the two of you called it quits. The “almost” bit was in admittance that 1.) your relationship had been amicable from start to finish, in fact the two of you were still close with each other, and 2.) he knew love worked for some people, however he didn’t view himself as one of those some.

Being close to Calum post breakup meant you had a front row seat to the man’s brief stints at romance, which was a nice way of saying “endless stream of one night stands.” The flip side was he had a front row seat to your own count of nameless men. While in the beginning, the others in your friend group joked in hushed tones that it was an act on both your parts to stir up jealousy, the longer it went on without any animosity building up between you and Calum, the more the whispers died down until they disappeared all together. Because the simple truth was that the one night stands were just about sex. After all, you and Calum had learned together that the two of you were too busy for anything more than casual sex. A lesson both of you considered well-learned until Michael got engaged and flipped everything into a new perspective.

“It’s not that I don’t believe in love,” you said after Crystal recounted all the details and you stopped squealing in excitement for her. “I mean, anyone who sees you and Michael has to believe it’s real.”

“Aw, Y/N,” Crystal blushed shyly.

You laughed, “I’m serious. You and Michael. Luke and Sierra. Ashton and Kaykay. I’m surrounded with reasons to believe love exists. The real ‘can’t imagine my life without you’ kind of love. But for me?” You waved a hand dismissively. “Pfft, nah.”

“Because you don’t believe he’s out there for you, or because you already had him and the timing was wrong?” she pressed suggestively.

You rolled your eyes. Right person, wrong time was the excuse you had given when asked when you and Calum split, because to you, it was the closest thing to the truth. “Okay…” you started slowly. “Of course I loved Cal. And I still love him now. But when we were together… We were kids who were focused on our careers. And we’re still those career-driven kids. Understanding the balance between professional life and personal life without feeling like we’re sacrificing a piece of it for another was something Cal and I will never master. We tried. I thought if I could find that balance with anyone, it would be with him. But it wasn’t. And that’s okay. I’m fulfilled in other ways.”

“But…” Crystal kept trying to press.

“But nothing,” you laughed. “I’m happy with my life the way it is, Crys. And beyond happy for you and Michael. You’re getting married!”

~~~

Across town in a celebration of their own, Calum was under similar fire. “Happy for ya, mate,” Calum said, clapping Michael on the shoulder.

“Thanks, Cal,” Michael beamed. “I think I’m still in shock from all of it.”

“I think that’s probably a natural feeling,” Ashton told him, playing the voice of reason. “It’s an exciting change that pulls things into sharper focus.”

“Yeah, like all I wanna do now is tell Sierra how much I love her,” Luke put in.

“Oh, you fuckin’ sap,” Calum laughed.

“Just because you’ve never been in love…”

“I have too!” Calum defended.

“Oh, really? Who?”

“Y/N, idiot…” Ashton told Luke with a roll of his eyes.

Luke nodded in a “Oh, yeah!” fashion, before going on, “Is she the only girl you ever loved?”

“Yep.”

“So why aren’t you still with her?”

Calum shrugged. “Timing was off. And we haven’t changed. So why would the timing have suddenly changed?” The question was rhetorical, without the slightest hint of hurt. A simple fact of life, nothing less, nothing more. A fact Calum had made peace with long before.

“So what? You’re fine with the greatest love of your life being over 2 years ago?” they questioned anyway.

He shrugged again. “Have been for a while, in case ya haven’t noticed. And no,” he raised a hand, cutting off any protest, “this isn’t a bitter, ‘oh convince me otherwise’ deal. Y/N and I are both more than happy with the lives we’re living.”

“How do you know?”

“Because I talk with her, and I trust she’s telling me the truth…”

“Alright, alright,” Ashton was willing to let the conversation rest, but he had one last question. “Is there any part of you that would want to try again with Y/N?”

A third and final shrug. “I mean, she was the only one I ever saw a future with aside from the band.”

“That has to mean something, Cal. C’mon. If there was ever a time to give love a chance, it’s now.”

~~~

While Calum’s head raced with his friends' words of encouragement, if he could call it that, yours raced with thoughts of feeling like you somehow failed in life. Sure, your career was everything you wanted it to be and more. You wouldn’t trade a single moment of your life for anything else. But now that your friends were clearly doing more than simple dating, the doubt started to trickle in. Would it be nice to share a life with someone? Absolutely. But not at the risk of your own independence. And the only person who had ever proven that you could maybe have the best of both worlds was Calum. And even that hadn’t worked. But maybe there was something to Crystal’s words about it being a case of bad timing. Maybe it was worth another try.

So that’s where you found yourself, sitting on the edge of your bed, sharing at Calum’s contact, finger hovering over the call icon, trying to figure out where and how to start again with the man. And then your phone was buzzing in your hand, and you gasped. Had you accidentally hit the call button?! No. Calum was calling you. Confused, you hit accept. “Hey, Cal. What’s up?”

“Not much. Just had a quick question for ya.”

“Well I might have a quick answer for ya.”

You heard his soft chuckle and then a brief pause as he cleared his throat, and you knew he was pushing a hand through his hair, stemming whatever nerves this “question” was creating. “You got any dinner plans for Friday?”

“No. Why?”

“There’s this new place I’ve been wanting a try, and you know how I am about eating out alone. And it’s been a minute since just the two of us hung out. So I’ll pick you up at 7?”

You gave a small laugh at the rushed excuse, wondering what he was really up to. “Sure thing, Cal.”

“Cool. Oh, and uh, dress in something nice-ish? The restaurant’s kinda uppity.”

Another small laugh. “Alright, Cal. See you Friday then.”

~~~

“It’s just dinner. It’s just Cal,” you told your reflection as you finished getting ready. “Nothing you haven’t done a million times before,” you kept trying to calm the butterflies in the pit of your stomach. While you had a pretty good idea on what this dinner really was, you didn’t want to get your hopes up that Calum was having the same change of heart that you’d been having. The man really did hate eating alone at restaurants, and if the place was as upscale as he had told you, then it made sense that he’d rather bring you along than Ashton. And he had been right about it being a good while since it was just the two of you spending time together rather than a larger group outing.

But when Calum knocked on your door rather than texting that he was in your driveway, you couldn’t stop the blush coloring your cheeks. And when you opened the door to reveal the man on the other side, dressed sharply with a bouquet of your favorite flowers in his hand, you felt your heart skip a beat. “Oh, Cal,” you breathed. “You didn’t have to do that,” you told him, taking the flowers and moving to put them in a vase of water.

“It’s how you deserve to be treated,” he said simply with a shrug as he leaned against your doorway.

“You’re too sweet to me, Hood,” you teased lightly. “Ready?”

“After you.”

When he went as far as to get the car door for you, you had to laugh. “Okay, Hood. What gives?”

“I told you. I’m treating you the way you deserve to be treated.”

“Nah, there’s more. I can tell. C’mon. Spill it,” you pressed when he got in the driver’s seat. “Flowers. Getting the door. Dinner at a place that requires me to dress like this. You’re up to something.”

“You look stunning, by the way,” he said, reaching over to give your thigh a squeeze.

“Calum Thomas Hood.”

He sighed. “We were good, right? Like when we were together? It’s not my memory playing tricks on me?”

“You were the best boyfriend I ever had,” you answered honestly.

He nodded. “Okay. You’re not allowed to make fun of me. But since Mike got engaged, it’s gotten to me a bit. Almost like I’m missing out on something, but it’s weird because my life is already everything I want it to be. So what could I possibly be missing out on, you know?”

“Why would I make fun of you for that?”

“Because it’s a stupid ass reason to take you on a date.”

“Oh, is that what this is? I hadn’t noticed.”

“Ha-ha,” he deadpanned. “Look, I guess what I’m saying is, recent events made me reevaluate things in my life. And I think I’m in a better position than I was a few years ago to be a real partner to someone. And even when I wasn’t that person, you were the only one I could see myself becoming that person for. So… if you’re up for it, I’d really like for us to try again.”

Underneath the streetlight casting him in a soft reddish hue, he turned his head slightly to look over at you, brown eyes hopeful and solemn. When the light turned green, he turned his attention back to the road, but kept stealing glances over at you, still waiting for your response.

“I guess it’s only fair to let you know that I’ve been thinking the same thing.”

The corner of his mouth curved up in a smile. “Really?”

“Really,” you said with a soft smile and a small nod of your head. “I was actually hoping this was more on the date side than the friends grabbing a bite to eat side.”

“Good, because this is definitely a date.”

“Good,” you nodded again before leaning across the center console to press a kiss to his cheek, grinning as warmth spread across his face.

~3 Years Later~

You startled awake at a phone ringing nearby, a tangled mess of limbs and bedsheets. “Mmm?” Calum rasped, voice heavy with sleep as he answered the phone, followed by a quick, “Whoa, mate, stop yelling. You did what now?” There was a small pause as whoever was on the other end of the conversation spoke in a rapid flurry that you couldn’t decipher. “You did?!” Calum clarified whatever the news was, sitting up straight in bed, your head falling from his chest to his lap.

“Ow…” you giggled, shifting to sit up against the headboard like Calum was.

“Sorry,” Calum mouthed, listening intently to whoever he was still talking to, raising a finger for you to give him a minute when you raised an eyebrow in silent question. “That’s fuckin’ great, Luke! Congrats to the both of you. Lemme know what the plans are for celebrating and give Sierra a hug from me in the meantime, yeah? Alright. Talk to ya later, mate. Bye.”

“Well?” you demanded.

“Luke and Sierra are getting married. Or he proposed anyway, and she said yes.”

“Oh, that’s great!”

“Yeah, I’m really happy for them. Wow… first Mike, now Luke. We really aren’t the same kids we used to be, are we?”

“I think in some respect you guys still are. You still cling to those roots of who you used to be, the things that shaped you into the people you are now. But you guys are also growing up, too. It happens, Cal.”

“Yeah, no, I just… Wow. It’s not something I really pay much attention to, us growing up, until something like this happens.”

“The last time one of your band members got engaged, you got a case of feeling like you weren’t measuring up somehow. You’re not feeling that way now, are you?”

“No. Not at all. In fact… Luke said something when Mike told us he got engaged. That he wanted to go tell Sierra how much he loved her.”

“Aw, that’s really sweet.”

“Yeah, and at the time I made fun of him for it. But… I dunno… I get it. This type of shit really shifts things into perspective.”

“I mean, yeah. Last time it resulted in both of us thinking we should try being an ‘us’ again. What’s the perspective shifting to this time? You’re not gonna go out, and buy a ring, are you?”

“No, I already have one in my sock drawer.”

You choked. “What?”

He climbed out of bed with a laugh, making his way to the dresser and rummaging around in one of the top drawers. Then, something small was soaring through the air as he tossed whatever it was onto the bed towards you. “Told ya,” he said simply, as you grabbed the small box, popping the lid to find a ring inside.

“How long have you had this?” you asked, your voice a small whisper.

“Uh… 2016 I think,” he said as he rejoined you in bed.

“So, since the first time we dated?”

“Yep.”

“Calum!”

“What?” he laughed. “I told you our entire relationship, both then and now, that you’re the only person I see a future with. Did you think I was lying?”

“No! I- I just didn’t know you went so far as to get a ring, and keep it for 5 bloody years.”

“Well, it would have been a little weird if you had it all these years, considering… ya know.”

You laughed in a mix of disbelief and shock. “You are absolutely crazy.”

“I’m not actually proposing, you know that, yeah? I mean, yes, the ring is yours. But only if you want it to be. I love the life we have together, more so than I thought I could love any other version of my life. I never feel like I’m stuck in place, or missing something when I’m with you. I’ll be just as happy if you never wear that ring, as I would if you wore it every day for the rest of your life. You, me, Duke, and music is all I’m ever gonna need in life. I’ve known it since the first time I said I love you. Even in those years we thought chasing our careers was more important, you were still the only person I’ve ever been in love with.”

“Calum…” you breathed, your lip trembling.

“Shh, if you want the whole deal of the proposal and the picture perfect wedding, I’ll give that to you gladly. That’s what the ring’s for. But if you’re content with what we have now, this will always be enough for me, and that’s a promise.”

“I don’t want a proposal only because Luke and Sierra made you extra sentimental. I don’t want to take their moment away from them either.”

“That ring has been yours far longer than any extra sentiment our friends getting engaged could stir up, but I get what you’re saying. If/when you want it, say the word.”

“Ask me again in a year,” you decided. “And I mean really ask me. The whole deal.”

“I can’t fuckin’ wait,” he murmured as his lips crashed into yours, his hands cupping your face. “I’m so in love with you. Always have been. Always will be.”

__

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[rebellionbeach]

The Usami brothers and whole family as a whole are really interesting characters.  Due mostly by the fact of how different Haruhiko and Akihiko are yet similar in many ways as well.  Let’s start with rabbit boy.

Not only is this man extremely sexy but he’s also one of the most popular novelists in Japan believe it or not (not in real life guys)  Akihiko is the presumably biological son of Natsuko and Fuyuhiko and younger brother of Haruhiko Usami.  Growing up, he had always yearned for the attention of his parents, wanting to impress them and make them happy.  Haruhiko had actually been introduced to the Usami household at the age of 12 so Akihiko was 10 at the time and significant development seemed to grow from this change.  As shown from volume 21, everyone had been cheering Akihiko on as the legitimate heir of the Usami family meaning to take over the family business however he had never gotten this support from his parents before.  As a young child he had believed that if he just tried harder and became good at everything, then his parents would finally recognize him.  However, this wasn’t the case unfortunately as shown in the same volume once a young Akihiko came home from school gaining full marks on a test, eager to show his father when he caught him telling Haruhiko that he truly intended to make him the heir of the family business.  This impact was further felt once his mother, who had also witnessed this, declared that she should have never bore Fuyuhiko’s child which in the eyes of a young child must have been completely shattering.  An important seed was planted however and I believe that it was at this moment that Akihiko had started to evolve into the person he is today.  He poured all his emotion, pain, loss, suffering into his notebooks, his stories, proclaiming it to be his entire world.  Overtime we see that Akihiko grows to be very adept at the talent, being one of the top-selling authors from debut which occurred while still in high school and becoming a full-fledged novelist.  Doing this, he completely rejected his family and any connections he might have had to take over the business.  

Looking as Akihiko today it is very clear the type of individual he is, independent and self-serving, he’s his own boss and does only the things he wants to do.  From the first episode of season 2 we see this as there is a key event that takes place between the two Usami brothers in which a confrontation between two escalates into a full-out argument over Akihiko coming back to, as I assume, take over the lead of the Usami company and or serve there.  I will note later on Haruhiko’s tone and content of his language but it’s Akihiko’s response which truly stuck out to me as he stated that he had no inclination of going back to that house and if that Haruhiko truly didn’t like being there then why doesn’t he just leave as well.

This point may seem entirely irrelevant but I actually believe it highlights an essential part of Akihiko’s character that not only serves as his strength but also a blind spot in that of his independence.  Akihiko is the type of person who is able to do the things he’d like to do and encourages the people he cares about, basically Misaki, to do the same such as in episode 2 of season 3 where he is actually the one who encourages Misaki to enter into Marukawa after Misaki dismisses those thoughts as just a fantasy.  This is a thing for his relationship with Misaki as he allows the man a different perspective and in a way allows him, or at least encourages him, to be more selfish.  However this can also be seen as a flaw of his character as it can be interpreted that the only reason he has this lax and independent personality in the first place is because of his more well-off family and the fact that he’d had connections from the start.  In all honestly though, this part of Usagi-san’s personality is one of the main reasons why I actually enjoy his character, along with his thoughtful nature, as I believe that it’s a pretty unique and well-suited trait.

Let’s get into Harry Potter or the eldest brother of the Usami residence, Haruhiko.  Haruhiko isn’t Akihiko’s direct brother as stated before but rather a product of an affair that Fuyuhiko had with his mother.  For the first 12 years of his life, Haruhiko had actually been raised by his single-mother whom he loved very much.  During these times he had been seen to be much more happy despite living in poorer circumstances.  This is a large aspect that is pretty big onto why he is the way he is today.  After his mother tragically passing on, Fuyuhiko took him into to live in the Usami residence.  Now this in itself is absolutely devastating, living with a father-figure that had never truly been there for you with a new mother-in-law that despises your every existence because you’re the proof of the infidelities of her marriage and a new younger brother who seemed lifeless from the rest of this.  Top it all off with the devastation from losing the only person you truly loved and was there for you and damn I’m surprised that Haruhiko didn’t full out lose it.  

Now going back to the scene originally discussed with Akihiko’s backstory, let us switch perspective onto Haruhiko during this situation.  Your new dad just stated that the person he had truly loved in his lifetime was your dead mother and that he intended to make you, a 12 year old child, the heir of their family company that you had just learned about.  Not only this but everyone around you is your enemy as shown through all the people cheering on Akihiko to become the true heir and saying that Haruhiko stole his position.  There is basically no one there to support you, similar to Akihiko, and unlike Akihiko he actually was not used to this new circumstance making the situation even worse. 

I’d like to discuss the scene stated before during episode 1 of season 2.  Here, Haruhiko is visibly angry as Akihiko’s lack of care for his role in the Usami residence.  This is something we’ve never actually gotten to see ever since with Haruhiko barely showing any emotion at all.  However, if you take in the full context of his upbringing and circumstance to that point, you can see a fuller picture of what the man has gone through to become the stoic chosen one we know today.  Akihiko, after being hoisted by Isaka to finally start publishing his works, his entire being, finally achieved success independent from the Usami residence, marking himself finally as an individual allowing him to finally see that he only needs himself.  I think this is what caused Akihiko to cut most connection from his family, despite the occasional visits, and totally puts himself away from the idea of succeeding and become the heir of his family’s company.  This leaves Haruhiko with the burden of shouldering the entire Usami company’s future, something he never truly wanted to today with architecture being his main priority.  What he see’s in Akihiko is this lazy, selfish person who only thinks of himself, abandoning all his familial duties to a brother whom he barely batted an eye to during childhood.  This is what he hates in Akihiko, but also envies.  A very interesting point that season 2 makes with the connection between the Usami brothers is the inherent jealously Haruhiko feels toward Akihiko, with him trying to steal things from him during their upbringing together according to Akihiko.  Even Misaki finally has this revelation during episode 8 I believe when he was distracting him from Kaoruko.  I think his jealously mainly stems from the fact that Akihiko got his independence while Haruhiko is still confined to the Usami gates.  With all of Akihiko’s absent-minded behavior and to quote Haruhiko, “having the eyes of a dead fish”, Akihiko in the end still achieved that sense of independence that Haruhiko could only dream about having.  Add onto the fact that everyone around you hates that you got this position, lobbying for your younger half-brother who barely gives in the effort to succeed you, then baby that’s a recipe for childhood resentment if I’ve ever seen one.  

So what does this all mean, well nothing since this is an over-analysis on a yaoi manga but in a reality I think it comes to show the clear dynamic Haruhiko and Akihiko have on one another.  In recent chapters it is shown that Haruhiko is more and more aspiring in his own pursuits in architecture, even accepting his position as lead of the Usami household and accepting the fact that he’ll never get Misaki, wanting to stay as his ally instead (which is a lot more than I can say for a CERTAIN manga author).

I love Haruhiko AND Akihiko, they both are really great characters and I’d think it would be nice if in the future they could perhaps reconcile their relationship and kind of start to get along.  The Usami household fucked up a lot of kids but they are still going strong and who knows, maybe Haruhiko might get a lover in the future (AKA Todo)

Thank you and now I implore you to go listen to Nelson’s After the Rain album, 10/10 made me cry.

[fuchsiagrasshopper]

Contending the Flame IX

Author’s note: Happy New Year everyone! Let’s start it off right with positivity and no looking back on a bad 2020. Can’t wait to continue to write for such excellent fans, you guys/gals are the best!

Masterlist

Word count: 2741

Pairing: Ivar x Reader

Warnings: The usual, nothing new to add.

Since your unexpected kiss with Ivar in that dark corridor, you had avoided him. It was no simple task, as he seemed hell-bent on getting you alone if he could, and that made you feel like a mouse living with a cat. You double-checked every corner before turning, and you tried to finish your work before sundown. Audhild had been an additional ally to you, whether intentionally or by happy accident, you weren't sure. She kept you by her side even with tasks she could have accomplished without your help. You weren't certain of her relationships with the sons of Ragnar, only that she acted independently of them. That was something that still took getting used to; women operating on their own accord.

While you continued to ponder over Ivar's pursuing you, you also tried to make sense of your feelings. Men in general were something you had always been fearful of. You had seen rape and abuse from an early age on the streets of Rendlesham, and you learned quickly not to trust an innocent face. Ivar's face was fair when not screwed up and twisted in rage, and he had the shyness of a boy when he kissed you. But you could not forget he was a heathen. His affection had been severe, clutching and pulling with desperation you thought you would drown in. 

Your feelings were beginning to frighten you. You had returned the kiss without struggle, and you had been tempted to give in to more before a heightened sense of self had kicked in. This Viking had murdered your priests and his own brother, yet you were having lustful thoughts. God would be disappointed in your lack of restraint. 

You needed guidance. When you had been in the abbey, you would often go to the senior Sisters for advice. Audhild was patient, but she would not understand the inner turmoil of a Christian. There was only one other in the encampment who you could speak to, and the moment you were no longer needed by the healers, you snuck off towards the courtyard where Bishop Heahmund was being held.

Only one guard was posted now, as the Bishop had given them no more trouble since you had been brought to him. He was still fettered in chains, but he wore a serene look that would have angered the devil. His faith could not be shaken, and you envied his composure.

As you approached from the building across the way, the guard glanced at you. He did not dismiss you from coming closer to Heahmund, instead seeming to lose interest in you entirely. 

"Bishop Heahmund," You called softly, creeping nearer.

His eyes shot open, but he did not appear surprised by your intrusion. Giving you a smile, he indicated for you to sit. "Hello, Sister Mary Catharine. I wondered if I would see you again, but I had hoped. You are the bright light of York in this nest of heathens."

He couldn't seem to cease with the flattery, and you remembered the rumors about Heahmund being led into temptation by widows. Ivar wasn't wrong when he had accused you of having desirable thoughts for the man. Hearing stories of the Bishop, he had sounded larger than life, like a hero from a story. You used to envision him coming to take you away from your lonely days in the convent, this handsome and brave warrior. Those had been the daydreams of a young girl. Seeing him captured by the same heathens who had enslaved you, the glass had shattered, and what remained was just a man.

"How have you been?" You asked while tucking your dress behind you as you sat on the ground.

"My head is clear, and my resolve is set. They want me to fight for their cause, and I see no alternative to this request. If I want my freedom, I'll have to go along with whatever the Boneless one commands."

You frowned, not understanding why Ivar wanted Heahmund on his side. He was a devout Christian who wouldn't stray from his path and could turn on the heathens at the opportune moment. A part of you worried for Ivar. 

"Are you certain this is what God would want?"

"I do not see this as a defeat, rather that God has a new plan for me and this is the way I must follow," Heahmund said, and the chains rattled as he readjusted his position to look at you. "But you did not come here to discuss my fate, Sister. You are still bothered by what we spoke of the last time we met. The youngest son of Ragnar is still giving you trouble."

You ducked your head in a penitent gesture. "I feel lost, and in need of guidance. You keep calling me Sister, but shamefully I no longer think of myself as a nun."

"You have forsaken our Lord?"

You were surprised by how there was no venom behind his question, just bald-faced curiosity. "No, I still have my faith, but my station is misplaced. I would like it if you called me (Y/N)."

"(Y/N)? That was your name before you took your vows?"

"Yes, and though I haven't gone by it in years, I feel more like that abandoned little girl than I do Sister Mary Catharine."

"Their people are changing you," Heahmund said, appearing thoughtful. "Your heart is growing restless, and you are curious about their ways. The youngest son of Ragnar is trying to steal you away, but look sharp, for God would never allow one of his children to be pried from his embrace."

"Ivar he…he frightens me, but I am also excited when I am with him," You confessed, and your heart thundered at the admission. "I come alive when he's near. He sees me in a way that no one else ever has."

"(Y/N), look at me," Heahmund demanded, and you did, startled by his tone. "You cannot fall in love with this heathen. He will lead you astray, and leave when it is of most convenience for him. You must pray for forgiveness, and honor God by respecting the vows you have entered into."

His severe expression was marred by what he was preaching, and you felt your hand clench tight in anger. You surged up onto your feet, standing over him like a scarecrow in a field.

"And what of you, Bishop? Were you honoring your vows when you were between the legs of those widows?"

Heahmund turned away with a stiffness to his face, as if he couldn't believe you had spoken such a thing. You had surprised yourself as well. "That was different, and you wouldn't understand."

"You're right about that. Unless you were hoping to find God in the arms of those women, I couldn't possibly understand your reason."

"You are young, and you have yet to learn that life is often complicated."

You threw your arms up in the air, a wild gesture that probably resembled an agitated bird more than that of a rational woman. "Then let it be complicated. Hurt, and lust, and pain, and hunger; these aren't terrible things. They let us know that we are alive, and I've felt more of that here with these heathens than I ever did back home."

"You cannot possibly understand what you are saying," He argued back, and you thought he was going to lecture you further, but he took a moment to collect his breath. "My apologies. You sought my counsel, and I have only offered judgement. We should cling to each other in this desolate place if we are to survive the Northmen."

You didn't want to fight with him any longer either, but you could see that as far as Ivar and his people were concerned, you were not of one mind with Heahmund. Coming to him had erased some of your doubts, but you did not realize how much your tolerance towards the Vikings had shifted. There were bad men among them, but nothing anymore abhorrent than what you had seen from Saxons. 

"I'm sorry as well," You said, shifting back and forth on your feet. "I was quick to anger. Maybe I wasn't ready to admit in my heart how I have begun to change towards them."

"May I inquire something else about you? Seeing as I've already insulted you, I don't believe it is too bold to ask."

"You may," You said, permitting him. 

"If we were to be liberated by the King and his army this very moment, and brought back to Wessex, would you return to the Church?"

You came to your answer quickly and without trepidation. "No."

"I see." Heahmund didn't let on about how he felt about your answer, and you didn't want to know. Disappointing him seemed about the worst thing you could have done, and you didn't want to dwell on that. "(Y/N), you shouldn't have come here."

You frowned. "Why not?"

"We've been careless. Ivar knew you would come here. See there, the guard is gone."

You looked to where Heahmund's watch had been stationed to find the spot no longer occupied. The guard had taken his leave the moment you two had been engaged in your disagreement. Ivar must have known you would seek out Heahmund eventually. 

"It's fine," You said with more confidence than you felt. It was to be expected that Ivar would be waiting to speak with you again, and you knew he could have done so whenever he desired. He had held back on forcing you, but you didn't know if it was kindness or another manipulation on his part. "I think I'm ready to face him. There will be no more running for me."

"Go with the grace and strength God has given you. Even if you have turned from your path of the Church, God will never stop fighting for you."

You knelt before Heahmund. "Thank you, Bishop. I hope I am granted with clarity to see my true path."

You placed a parting kiss on his forehead and offered him a smile before standing. Taking a look around the courtyard you did not spot Ivar waiting for you. You knew he would find you though, and you began making your way back to the small room that you had been sharing with the other slaves who aided the healers. 

For such a short walk, one you had taken many times, it seemed to have grown in distance. You kept expecting Ivar or one of his guards to pop out and grab you, but nothing so substantial occurred. The faces you passed paid you no mind, and you arrived at your destination relieved and a little bit let down. You had been ready to get the confrontation over with.

You opened the door, ready to be met with the company of some of the other slaves. None of them spoke with you outside of your duties, and it bothered you. It was an act of self-preservation. They knew you held the attention of Ivar, and so that meant he spared them little mind. Better you than them was probably what many of them thought, and you couldn't fault them for that. It seemed you were fated to be alone. The only other slave who had gone out of her way to speak with you had been a spy, and you hadn't seen her since. Something about that felt deliberate.

When you entered inside of the cramped quarters, you did not find any of your bunkmates. You were alone with Ivar, and that meant his guard couldn't have been far behind. He had kept hidden, luring you into a false sense of security. 

"Hello," You greeted dumbly, not knowing what else to say. You kept tight by the door, not taking a step further in. Ivar was looking pensive, with an air of despondence clinging to him. 

"How is the Bishop fairing?"

"Resilient," You said, relaxing a bit that he didn't immediately discuss something of a more delicate nature. "He says he will fight for you."

"He doesn't have a choice. Either he fights or he dies, and I will need his strength soon enough," Ivar said, his severe tone causing you to flinch. With stiff movements, he maneuvered himself to stand, but he did not try to encroach upon your space. "The time to leave York has come, but some of my people have chosen to stay behind. Our army needs allies, but this business with the spy has made me doubtful of who I can trust."

"What will you do?" You asked, feeling out of depth to be having this conversation. You knew little of wars and alliances, and you didn't understand why Ivar was sharing this with you. 

"It's been decided that Ubbe will return home to Kattegat with a handful of warriors, under the pretense that he has abandoned our army. The woman ruling there murdered our mother, and it is likely she sent the spy."

"Where will you go then, if not home?"

Ivar hesitated, and you had never known him to look away when speaking with you. "I need to meet with Harald Finehair. He could be a potential ally to retake Kattegat...but I also suspect he sent the spy. The sons of Ragnar losing control of the Great Heathen army would benefit him in his bid to become King of Norway."

There was another man with lofty ambitions. The world must look different when you wake up as a Viking. You took a step forward, garnering Ivar's attention. 

"And where does he live?"

"In Vestfold, but you will not be going there," Ivar said, and he looked overcome with guilt. "I'm sending you with Ubbe to Kattegat. It is safer for you there."

"But I'm only a slave. What difference does it make where I go?"

"Harald and his men do not exercise restraint when it comes to Christians, and I can't have my eyes constantly on you nor can I keep a guard around one slave without arousing suspicion," He explained, but his reasoning was flawed. You had no doubt Heahmund would be going with him, and you knew Ivar didn't hold back when it came to murdering your people. "Ubbe will keep you safe, and Audhild will go with you as well."

You let out a dry chuckle, feeling any control over your life seeping through your fingers like sand. "I don't know what I'm supposed to do in Kattegat."

"I need you to stay alive," Ivar said with a fierceness that made it sound like an order. He crossed the short distance of the room before you could blink, and took your hands together to place something cold in your grasp. "Take this. It can take a life if you wield it right."

You looked down at the sheathed knife he had gifted you with. It was a heavy weight compared to the ones in the kitchen, and the hilt was carved into the shape of a wolf's head. You gave him a startled look before beginning to protest. "No, I cannot take a life Ivar."

You tried to return it to him, but he was forceful in making sure it stayed with you. "You will if someone wants to take yours. I won't let you die because of your stupid Christian beliefs about hell and perdition."

He squeezed his hand over the top of yours to secure your grip on the knife, and with the other he cupped the back of your neck, bringing you together for another kiss that you had been fearfully longing for. You didn't want to fight him, and you returned the kiss with all of the words you couldn't say. It wasn't a goodbye, you refused to believe that your time with this violent and vulnerable man was at an end. It was an 'until next we meet', and you cradled his jaw in your free hand, while you both still held onto the knife in the other. You don't know when you began to cry, only that the tears were silent as they slid down your face and transferred onto Ivar's cheeks. This caused him to hold you tighter. Even as the fire in the kiss dwindled, you clung to one another knowing this was the last moment you would share before you were to be parted.

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Frev prompts, Part 7! 😁

61. (A reimagining of The Phantom of the Opera) An opera singer tries to make it big in Paris of 1800 after the death of her musician father.

Her childhood friend, a son of a formerly noble family who were the patrons of the musician, promised her father to look after his daughter, which this young man does when he is not involved with politics.

One day, while dropping by to congratulate the heroine on getting a breakthrough role, the young man sees a strange disfigured man in a mask singing with her in the dressing room before vanishing.

According to the singer, this is the Angel of Music sent by her father from above, but the man is skeptical. He heard the staff whisper about the strange phantom who has been haunting the opera ever since the Thermidorian Reaction and suspects that this is one of the revolutionaries instead, not a real tortured ghost.

Who knows, maybe the young man is onto something here.

62. After a revolutionary is executed along with his wife, their child becomes an orphan and is sent to live with maternal relatives as there are no other close family members to raise them.

Unfortunately, said relatives are estranged and didn’t have the best relationship with the parents of their nibling (apparently gender neutral for niece or nephew) so the wife isn’t looking forward to raising the baby.

The husband, who is also the protagonist, isn’t too happy about the situation either and old grudges and resentment resurface in him once again. Nevertheless, he knows the baby is innocent and wants to do the right thing.

Can he get over old grudges and raise the child with the love they deserve? Will his marriage have to be sacrificed because of it?

63. When the main character was a child, a fortune teller from a traveling troupe told them that they would find their true love on the road and will live happily ever after.

Years later, after being betrayed by their betrothed, they flee to Paris and meet an attractive stranger among the other travelers in the carriage. Convinced that the stranger is their destiny, the main character decides to find them in Paris, only to find out that the stranger is heavily involved with the revolution.

Is it really true love? Will the main character find their love interest in the city? And if so, will the prediction come true?

64. 1789. The main character, a foreigner who has been captured by pirates, gets caught up in a storm and washes up on a rocky beach in France.

Exhausted, dehydrated, hungry and injured, they only survive due to being found by locals. After recovering, the main character realizes that they are now stranded in a foreign country, far away from home and with no way to get back.

Nor do they want to get back, surprisingly enough. Instead, for some reason, the main character travels to Paris where a revolution has just begun. They don’t like to talk much about themselves but it’s crystal clear that the revolution is a subject of interest to them.

Why? What past is the main character trying to escape? And why does the revolution interest them so much?

65. In the 18th century the rather rigid system was still dividing the French into three estates - the clergy, the nobility and the commoners. That is how it has been so far. Morganatic marriages were quite rare as parents of nobles would usually arrange unions with “their own kind”.

However, every rule has an exception. The main characters are a married couple in which the husband is a noble from an old and powerful family while the wife is a former commoner. The two married due to love and to an onlooker this marriage is so happy that it could have been straight from a fairy tale.

But, as always, things aren’t nearly as easy as they seem and trouble appears in paradise with the revolution rapidly engulfing the country. Still remembering her roots, the wife begins to express her support of the revolution while the husband believes that there’s a better way to resolve the issues of France.

Will the spouses be able to see past these new differences or will the revolution tear this married couple apart? What choices will their children make in this situation? And how will this revolution affect the family?

66. The protagonist is a college student who has recently become independent and decided that they need to live apart from their family.

After searching for a suitable affordable apartment, the protagonist finally finds a place they need but they soon find out that they will have a roommate - a reserved slightly older man who speaks with a noticeable French accent. This roommate is quite friendly, reserved, pays his share of the rent and does his chores so the protagonist doesn’t mind living with him.

However, while cleaning the apartment up in the roommate’s absence, the protagonist is shocked to find old-fashioned clothes from around two centuries ago, all adorned with tricolor cockades. Moreover, the protagonist eventually finds out that the songs their roommate hums sometimes are all from the era of the French Revolution.

At first the protagonist tries to brush it off. Maybe the roommate is simply preparing for some role or just obsessed with the event. But when the protagonist finds out about the fate of the apartment’s previous tenant, they become suspicious of this mysterious roommate.

Apparently, the previous tenant, a famous scientist who had supposedly invented a time machine, vanished without a trace, only to come up murdered under mysterious circumstances later.

What exactly happened to the scientist? Is the rumor about the time machine true? What is the roommate hiding?

67. After the Thermidorian Reaction, one of the revolutionaries who were supposed to be executed managed to escape to Ireland with an Irish adventuress who also participated in the French Revolution.

To avoid persecution, the two invent new identities for themselves and are now masquerading as a married couple despite only being friends in reality. Still, this sham “marriage” is a happy one as the couple has built their relationship on mutual respect, equality and communication.

Four years pass like this but soon a new revolution is drawing near, this time in Ireland. Many people want independence and among those people is the adventuress herself. Being an experienced revolutionary, a fighter for justice and a good husband, her partner also joins the independence movement, hoping to succeed at least somewhere.

Unfortunately, the Directory is also backing up this revolution and sends troops to Ireland, troops who might recognize the couple.

Will the couple be able to keep their true identities a secret? Will this revolution succeed? And will these new adventures turn a sham love into the real thing?

68. The protagonist has recently inherited a house from their grandparents but they’re a college student and not exactly rolling in dough so they eagerly rent out the property to the crew of a French Revolution-themed TV series who coincidentally are looking for an old-fashioned house that could fit the setting.

Things get even more interesting when the protagonist finds themselves developing a crush on the lead performer in the series and decides to invite them for a walk around the neighborhood, seeing as the performer doesn’t know the area.

But during this walk the duo finds themselves transported to the epoch of the French Revolution and the protagonist is arrested for walking around in strange clothes and speaking another language as lawmen mistake them for a spy.

To rescue the protagonist, the performer teams up with the revolutionaries and joins their cause.

Will they manage to save the protagonist? Will the two be able to survive the revolution? And last but not least, will the protagonist’s crush lead to something or will the protagonist be disillusioned by the performer as they get to know each other better?

69. A policeman is investigating crimes during the French Revolution. So far, he has been doing his work diligently so when yet another case comes up, the Committee of Public Safety counts on the best lawman in the city yet again.

But when a revolutionary who the Committee wants out of the way shows up on the list of suspects, the lawman questions his morals and those of his superiors for the first time in years.

On the one hand, pinning the crime on that revolutionary will rid the country of a supposedly dangerous corrupt enemy. But on the other hand, the true culprit would get away scot free and the policeman would never forgive himself for allowing that to happen.

Something tells him that the arrested revolutionary is innocent and has been framed, so who knows. Maybe the Committee is wrong about him. Maybe, just once, the policeman should believe the suspect instead of blindly believing his superiors.

70. They say that if something seems too good to be true, then it probably is. Unfortunately, the protagonist seems to have forgotten about this bitter truth.

When the protagonist saves a young man from getting robbed by bandits, they don’t expect to meet that man again but fate crosses their paths once again when the protagonist moves to Paris in 1794, only to get scammed by their landlord and accused of stealing.

Fortunately, that same man, now a member of the Committee of Public Safety, defends the protagonist, proves their innocence and later invites them to crash at his place as a sign of gratitude. All is good now...too good to be true.

Things seem to be looking up for the protagonist but with this newfound friendship comes a certain risk because now the enemies of this revolutionary man are out to get the protagonist by the virtue of association. In addition, the protagonist also finds themselves in trouble when they accidentally become a witness to a plot of the Thermidorians.

Will the protagonist manage to evade danger and warn their friend about the plot?

[psychosistr]

Steelbeak fankid- Valentino

Behold, my Steelbeak OC fankid! Art by @thefriendlyfour​ , full bio below the cut!

Physical Description: A young American-curl breed of cat with the breed’s signature curled-back ears and a medium-thick coat of black fur across his lanky body- minus a white heart-shaped spot on his torso which is usually hidden by his clothes- and is still a bit short for his age, with the tops of his ears stopping just below Steelbeak’s chest. Lost his tail when he was little, so he only has a small stump left of it until he gets adopted and his dad has Dr.Rose Gold make a prosthetic one for him that’s made of steel like his dad’s beak. Has amber colored eyes that, when paired with his breed’s curled back ears, tend to make him look like a devil when he grins or laughs maliciously.

Outfit: He’ll never admit it out loud, but he admires his dad’s sense of style and tries to mimic him while still making it his own. Wears a white button-up shirt with whitish-silver buttons and three-quarter style sleeves, a red western-style bow tie, a red vest with silver buttons that’s left mostly open with a small grey paw print pattern along the button holes and a larger paw print on the back, a black leather belt with a silver buckle, and black slacks with a white waistband that blends in with his shirt and pockets lined with silver studs.

Gender: Demiboy that usually goes by male pronouns because it’s easier for others to understand, but appreciates it when others ask him if/acknowledge when he prefers using other pronouns.

Sexual Orientation: Still figuring it out since he’s young, but so far has a preference for boys given a few of his past crushes.

Age: 14

Nicknames: Val, Stumpy, Devil Cat, King, Fluffy.

Val is his preferred nickname and what most people end up calling him.

The middle three are names used by his gang and their enemies.

Stumpy= Mean-spirited nickname regarding his missing tail.

Devil Cat= How people see him when he’s grinning and showing off his sharp teeth with his fiery eyes and curled ears that look like devil horns.

King= His title within his gang and what most of his underlings call him.

Fluffy= Used exclusively by Steelbeak and he knows Valentino hates it.

Real Name: Valentino was given his name after being adopted by Steelbeak and, as far as he’s concerned, that is his real name.

Had another name he was called while in foster care, but refuses to say what it was and would refuse to answer to it if anyone ever called him that.

Background:

Abandoned as an infant and found in a cardboard box in an alleyway in the middle of winter- he was very sick from it and his survival was questionable for several weeks following his rescue.

Spent his early years in and out of foster homes and orphanages all over St Canard. This gave him a pretty cynical view about people in general after a while since they always ended up giving him back for being a “problem child” or he’d run away because he didn’t like the way he was treated.

The “problem child” comments were from him doing things like taking stuff, hoarding food, not obeying orders, and questioning authority.

The times he’d run away ranged from him finding the people annoying to cases of actual neglect or abuse-the worst experience being when his tail was purposefully slammed in a door and he wasn’t taken to the doctor until it was beyond saving and had to be amputated off.

No one ever believed him about the incident since he was the “problem child”.

Despite his personal experiences, he knows there are good foster homes and orphanages out there- he just ended up dealing with the worst of the worst in St Canard.

By the time he was eleven, he’d had enough of being caught in the city’s toxic foster care system and ran away to start a life for himself on the streets.

Ended up forming a gang with other kids and teenagers he’d met from his time in foster care, quickly taking the lead-role since he was smart for his age and good at coordinating/planning raids, pickpocketing without getting caught, memorizing police patrol routes, dividing loot appropriately, and intimidating others into listening to him.

The gang was called “The Broken Pawns”, with the higher-ranking members all having chess-related titles- he was the King.

One day, his gang executed a raid on a store that turned out to be a secret SHUSH base and they unknowingly stole some boxes containing flash-drives/SD-cards full of confidential files. They didn’t know this, though, and were extremely confused about why they suddenly had a bunch of men in suits chasing them down.

While running away, he ended up bumping into Steelbeak. The chief officer was confused about why SHUSH would target a kid, but got roped into a fight with them to avoid getting caught himself. After fighting them off, he questioned the kid and figured he must have stumbled onto something REALLY valuable to SHUSH and wanted to get his hands on it.

The kid wasn’t a fool, though, and worked out a deal with Steelbeak: His gang had a protocol when chased by higher-up authorities after a raid that involved them splitting up and remaining separated with no contact for a while to avoid everyone getting caught, so it would take a few weeks for them to get all of the boxes that were taken from the SHUSH base together again. The kid wasn’t very good at fighting on his own, so Steelbeak would protect him while they waited for the rest of the boxes to arrive at his base and he’d stay at Steelbeak’s home so Steelbeak could make sure the kid didn’t try to run away or double-cross him. Once he got what he wanted from the boxes the gang stole, Steelbeak would let them keep any other valuables and he’d part ways with the kid once he got his share.

Steelbeak agreed to the terms of the deal, though he originally planned to just double-cross or ditch the kid after he got what he wanted and either take everything or let SHUSH take him. After a while, though, he found himself getting attached to the kid because he reminded him so much of himself at that age- scrappy, conniving, clever, distrusting of others, and one heck of a pickpocket.

After a few weeks of living together, teaching the kid things like cooking, saving him a few times, and just general bonding with him, Steelbeak decided he liked the kid and wanted to keep him around and the kid, oddly, felt the same- it was weird for him to have an adult that treated him with respect without trying to change him or discourage him from doing stuff like stealing or lying. They talked it over and Steelbeak ended up adopting him, naming the kid Valentino after his deceased father.

Current Status: Lives with Steelbeak and attends school during weekdays while still running his gang after school and on the weekends when he doesn’t have plans with his dad.

Personality:

Valentino generally has a cynical and antisocial attitude towards most people, usually finding them boring or annoying. However, he can grow to like certain people if they show him respect and don’t try to control or change him- like his gang or his dad. Those people are the ones he’ll generally be more relaxed around and make jokes with or try to protect when there’s danger.

As a leader for his gang, he’s cool under pressure and won’t freak out even when there’s a gun being held to his head while also being cruel and calculating enough to know how to make others listen to him- a baseball bat to the head or clawing out someone’s eye usually does the trick.

A bit of a kleptomaniac and opportunist, Val will take advantage of any possible opportunity to steal something from, frame, and/or con someone for whatever he can get out of them.

This part of his personality doesn’t apply to people he actually likes, but he WILL still try to swipe stuff from them in a joking way.

Example of this is him constantly trying to take Steelbeak’s wallet and the two of them laughing about it every time he gets caught or almost gets away with it.

Interesting Bonus Facts:

Val’s had terrible problems with his balance and equilibrium ever since he lost his tail as a kid. He can still walk and run okay, but if he needs to make sharp turns or move quickly in different directions he tends to fall over. He’s gotten good at getting up quickly afterwards, but it makes it hard to do stuff like fight and dodge attacks.

This is slowly remedied after getting his prosthetic tail from Dr.Rose Gold and receiving combat lessons from Steelbeak.

Because the only white spot on his body is usually covered by his clothes, most people think he’s just a black cat and that he’s bad luck, resulting in general distrust and contributing to people classifying him as a “problem child”.

Has a loving but cheeky relationship with his dad- they like being sarcastic with each other and saying playfully mean things, but they know it’s all in good fun and they love each other a lot.

Val knows his dad will always support him and have his back if anyone actually tries to insult or hurt him, but Steelbeak still respects Val’s independence and pride so he allows him to handle things his way first and only steps in when it’s an emergency or if his son asks him to help traumatize someone.

Doesn’t really have a favorite weapon when fighting since he’s still learning how to fight, but in a pinch he has a tendency to bring out his claws and go for the eyes.

Enjoys messing with adults/older teens that think they’re better than him by saying something very intelligent and/or scary for a kid that makes them do a double-take and ask him to repeat himself but he just looks at them “innocently” and acts like he didn’t say anything.

“If I slashed your radial artery, it would only take you 90 seconds to die in a pool of your own blood…hm? What? No, I didn’t say anything.”

I personally enjoy imagining that Steelbeak adopted Val a few years after the canon timeline for Darkwing Duck, so Valentino and Gosalyn are about the same age and go to the same private school (it’s one of the better ones in town and Steelbeak wanted his boy to have a good education since he never got one).

The first time Steelbeak comes to a parent-teacher conference, he gets jumped in the hallway by an irritated Darkwing Duck who thinks he’s there to cause trouble or corrupt the youths of the school. He has a hard time believing that Steelbeak’s just there to meet his son’s teachers, even after Val comes out into the hall to find out what’s taking him so long (he thought Valentino was being threatened or coerced until the kid nailed him in the stomach with his backpack full of textbooks). While Darkwing argues with Steelbeak, Valentino manages to swipe his wallet and reveals Darkwing’s secret identity (“Oh, you’re Gosalyn’s dad?”). The two adults agree to a (reluctant) truce when attending school functions to keep their kids from getting suspended or expelled.

This leads to many awkward/tense but funny interactions between Drake Mallard and Steelbeak’s civilian identity “Pauly” where they constantly try to one-up and insult each other while being forced to interact within the socially-regulated confines of school events and PTA meetings.

Example: Parents are asked to contribute to a school bake-sale. Drake makes cookies that are very popular at first, but then Steelbeak shows up with something fancier like lemon-meringue cupcakes with real toasted marshmallow meringue on top and he just smirks while Drake’s seething over being dethroned as the best baker in the PTA.

Valentino and Gosalyn aren’t exactly friends, but they do think it’s funny watching their dads constantly look like they’re one step away from killing each other while arguing over whether or not a new school regulation should be implemented or not.

They run scams together sometimes for quick cash and respect each other’s skills at conning suckers out of their money.

Also, they tend to sympathize with each other since they were both orphans who ended up being the “unwanted kid” until being found and adopted by their respective dads, so they’ll stick up for each other if someone tries teasing the other for being adopted or not looking like their dads.

[robininthelabyrinth]

I've been thinking on this for ages, but I can't decide on a character, maybe Leonard Snart, Lan Wangji or Wei Wuxian. He saves, on purpose or by accident, a baby dragon. The dragon takes a shine to him and decides to hoard him. It's tiny, so the hoarding is really ineffective. It consists mainly on riding on shoulders and hissing at everyone. It's really cute.

Lan Wangji

“I like you! I’m going to keep you!” the tiny little dragon said, grinning widely. It was only large enough to fill two hands, black scales with red whiskers, and it had a mouth made for smiling.

“Get lost,” Lan Wangji said, walking faster; his uncle had explained regarding Wei Wuxian’s unusual cursed state so that he would be aware of it, but somehow his uncle had failed to mention how horribly cute Wei Wuxian’s little dragon form was.

“Lan Zhaaaaaan, you don’t meant that…!”

Wei Wuxian

“Her name is Chenqing,” Wei Wuxian said proudly, holding out his hands to show her off. “I found her wrapped around an old flute and I’m keeping her.”

The little serpentine dragon rolled around happily in his hands, lolling around and holding her little arms out in a big stretch. “Uh-uh,” she said, her voice a little kitten whisper, wrapping her tail around his wrist. “Mine!”

“Well, that’s new,” Jiang Cheng said faintly; a glance at Lan Wangji’s face revealed he also didn’t know exactly what to say. “But I suppose…congratulations are in order?”

Jiang Cheng

Zidian is his mother’s, long lithe and silver except when she’s sparking purple; she’s fiercely independent and hates anyone touching her but her master. Jiang Cheng loved to look at her as a child, the way she twisted around her mother’s hand like a bracelet, around her neck like a necklace, even around her ear, hissing a joke that only she can understand.

He’s wanted to have her in his hands since forever.

Not like this, though.

Nie Huaisang

“I found a little bird,” Nie Huaisang explained happily. “A little goldfinch! We only have eagles and vultures in Qinghe.”

“I can’t believe you brought it into the lecture,” Jiang Cheng said.

“Well, I couldn’t leave her behind! I found her right before I arrived.”

“Uh, Nie-gongzi?” Wei Wuxian, who was peeking under the cloth of the cage, said. “I don’t think this is a goldfinch.”

Wei Wuxian pulled off the cloth. The little gold-scaled dragon beamed at them from the perch, long whiskers waiving in the air.

“…yes?” Nie Huaisang says. “Is it a sparrow, then? I’m really not good with birds.”

Lan Xichen

Alone in seclusion, Lan Xichen wondered if he’d spent his entire life in service to others. To his uncle, who feared him becoming his father; to his brother, who he sought to protect; to his sworn brother, who betrayed him; to his sect, to their principles. They still meant everything to him, all of them – dead or alive – but…he was tired.

He lifted a finger to trace the head of the little dragon that had blown in through the window a few nights before – he should report it, a supernatural event like this, but…it’s not in the rules.

So he won’t.

He hasn’t yet named her, but he was going to. And then he would let her keep her the way she wanted to, nice and safe in her little hoard, for as long as she wanted him.

Nie Mingjue

Most of the time, Baxia was a saber, like all others in his sect. Like those in his ancestor’s shrine. Sometimes, though, she was something else.

“You’re mine,” she hissed in Nie Mingjue’s ear late at night, nestled deep in his soul. They’re bound together, sword and cultivator. “I won’t let you go, not in this lifetime.”

He rubbed his eyes and smiled despite himself. He didn’t smile often, his duties and dark future weighing him down, but his Baxia could do it; he sometimes thought that this was what it must be like to have a jealous wife. “Of course not. You’re my spiritual weapon; you’ll be by my side until I die, and then you’ll take your place in my tomb, with my ashes at your feet. Stop worrying so much.”

“I won’t let him take you this time,” she snarls. “Your head, your arms, your legs, your soul – they’re all mine. How dare he profane them!”

“Am I not supposed to be touching people anymore?” he chuckled, reaching back to run his fingers down her hilt; it turned into a tail and wrapped around his wrist, pinning him in place as if held down by a stronger man. “Baxia – if you just tell me who this ‘he’ is, I’ll avoid him, I promise.”

“No, he’s still necessary for now,” she said. “But when I tell you – strike true, no matter what the consequences. Do not allow your human compassion or etiquette overwhelm you. Promise me!”

“I promise,” he said, not for the first time, still as puzzled by it as he ever was. “I’ll listen to you. When the time comes, I’ll let you drink his blood to your heart’s content.”

Jin Guangyao

He’d always known there was a dragon inside Nie Mingjue, full of heat and fire and rage; he’d liked it, once upon a time, when it roared in his defense. It had been such a pity when it turned against him; he really hadn’t wanted to give him up, but he didn’t have a choice. He was backed into a corner – just like always.

He just hadn’t expected the man to turn into a literal dragon upon death.

Is this the real secret of the Nie? He wondered, backing up and reaching for his sword. Is this why they only bury their sabers, and never themselves?

The dragon curls around his neck, tight enough to choke.

“Are you going to kill me?” Jin Guangyao asked.

The dragon laughed with the sound like Nie Mingjue’s laugh, deep and sonorous and usually a little sarcastic.

“Only,” it murmured in his ear, “if you continue to misbehave, Meng Yao.”

Jin Ling

“Little Uncle got me a dog,” Jin Ling said, clutching Xiao Fairy to his chest. “So, Jiujiu, you’re getting me…a snake?”

“I’m getting you the opportunity to get a sna – to get a dragon. It’s not a snake. Stop calling it a snake.”

Jin Ling wasn’t really convinced. He squinted into the pool. “They look like snakes.”

“Of course they do, they’re flood dragons,” Jiang Cheng said irritably. “Those all look like water serpents when they’re swimming. Just…listen to me. Put the dog down – no, give it to me, yes, there’s a good puppy –”

Jin Ling coughed pointedly. “If this is all a scheme to steal pets from my dog…”

“It isn’t,” Jiang Cheng said, though his ears were suspiciously red. “Put your hand into the pool. If one of them likes you, they’ll claim you for their hoard and keep you for the rest of their lives. Give it a try. What can it hurt?”

Xiao Xingchen

Song Lan was the very first person he met when he came down off the mountain and, well, he was a bit over-excited about it – but luckily they hit it off very well, and it all worked out quite well for a few years. Song Lan was full of interesting ideas, like making their own sect based on friendship rather than blood; Xiao Xingchen liked it, but he liked Song Lan best of all.

Things went downhill, later, but as his shizun always said, it was cruel to keep a human that didn’t want to be kept any longer, so he gave him his eyes and left him alone, just as he’d asked, and hoped that one day Song Lan would come back to him. He had time, he could wait.

In the meantime, he met someone new – or rather, someone old, anew.

Xiao Xingchen decided to keep him, too.

Xue Yang

“I think I did something wrong,” Xue Yang announced to the air, though luckily nobody was around to hear him – his current employers at the Jin sect would be most unhappy if they heard, especially if they also heard that he has no idea what went wrong or how to fix it.

He looked down at what should be a repaired half piece of the Stygian Tiger Seal, but which is definitely a small black-and-grey dragon, staring right back at him.

After being locked in a staring match for a while (he loses, but he doesn’t think the dragon has eyelids so it doesn’t count), he tentatively reached out and rubbed it behind the ears.

It purred, then belched out a puff of pure yin resentful energy.

“…well, at least you still work, I guess?”

Wen Ning

“You’re mine,” the little dragon says, happily nuzzling up to him as it flops around in the dirt. “Mine, mine, mine!”

“Yes, yes, of course,” Wen Ning said, looking around all over to make sure nobody’s around. “All yours. Now, A-Yuan, please turn back before anyone sees you!”

“But…”

“A-Yuan! Please!”

Grumbling, the little dragon curled up into a ball and uncurled as a lovely bouncing little boy, and Wen Ning gave a sigh of relief. His sister hadn’t noticed the addition of an extra child to their group of refugees, assuming the way everyone else did that he’d been another Wen, someone’s child that got left behind or orphaned, and old granny had adopted him without so much as a word. He hadn’t known how to explain the truth.

But it was fine. He’d take care of A-Yuan, with the help of his sister and now Wei-gongzi, and no one would ever need to know.

Wen Qing

Wen Qing didn’t waste a lot of time worrying about things, and a dragon deciding to claim her wasn’t going to be the thing that messed up her day.

“Fine,” she said. “You can stay, but you have to earn your keep. How’s your memory? Can you take notes for me?”

The dragon nodded.

“I’ll be testing you,” she warned.

It nodded again, so she accepted it, put it in her sleeves, and went back to work.

Jiang Yanli

“I don’t need a dragon, though,” she said, quite appropriately in her mind. “I’m not much of a cultivator.”

The little dragon nuzzled her neck and picked up one of the melon seeds she’d been peeling with its jaws. “That’s okay,” it said. “I’m not much of a dragon. I mostly just like to eat and sleep.”

“Well, then,” she laughed. “In that case, I think we’ll get along.”

[scandeniall]

Let’s Make a Song

Pairing: rnbsinger!atsumu x rnbsinger!reader

Summary/warnings: ur long term on again off again bf Atsumu wants to do your first song together. Thing is you’re currently off/honestly just cursing. 1 tiny implied nsfw sentence. Literally 1

the 2nd piece in rnb!haikyuu bc why tf not. Other

a/n: The song that’s written is change by Arin Ray & Kehlani (that’s also the cover art mentioned later)

Wc: 2.8K

When your manager relayed the invitation to collaborate with Atsumu you were rather surprised. He didn’t do many new collaborations, reserving those for people he’d worked with in the past. Then there was the fact that he hadn’t asked you personally. The two of you were more than acquainted and he definitely had your phone number. But then again it’d been months since you’d last had any contact.

The two of you had been on and off again for the larger part of your careers, meeting in high school and building a friendship for years. A year after graduation you’d decided to make the switch from friendship to relationship. And it worked. The two of you both wanted to pursue music and understood one another. You were one another’s number one fan, muse, and confidant as you grew in popularity.

He’d gotten signed before you but neither of you thought it would change things. Then he started being around less and less getting busy recording his first studio album while you continued to work independently. He’d still come back to you at the end of the night. However that was short lived thus bringing about the first of many splits over the years. It was mutual—things were too busy to give the love someone deserved.

During that first split you’d ended up getting signed yourself. In only a few months you were immediately thrusted into the same professional world as Atsumu and that brought the two of you back together. He’d seen the announcement post on social media and paraded over to yours that night rambling about the betrayal of you not telling him you were in talks with a label. He’d bought over dinner and the two of you got back to talking consistently and rekindled in mere weeks.

That had been at 19. Now at 23 the two of you were still a roller coaster. You’d broken up for a number of reasons over the years. Busy schedules, his ego, your attitude, internet rumors mixed with poor communication, poor timing, you name it. Yet the two of you always found your way back like magnets.

You weren’t quite sure what you expected when you agreed to doing a song with Atsumu, who you were currently off with. In all your years, the two of you had never done a song together. Sure you’d fucked around with writing a few times but neither of you ever used any of those songs. You two had different styles, him focusing more on heavy bass, and reminiscent on the SoundCloud style. Meanwhile you were more soulful and melodic.

You hadn’t even so much as texted atsumu in like three months So of course it was a surprise when you made your way to his for a writing session to see the lyrics he’d already come up with. Lyrics that just by the way he read them to you, were clearly about you.

you’ve got me all in my feelings And I know you get tired of running You stole my heart and I mean it When we break up, can’t wait to make up

“That’s all I got so far,” he sighed leaning back on the couch next to you. “What do ya think”

“It’s different from your usual shit. It’s softer.” You ignore the scoff he sends you and sit back on the couch before he starts complaining. “But I like it. What was the inspiration.” You’re not even sure why you asked. Maybe it was the desire to have confirmation that you really have been the one all these years. There was still a chance it could’ve been someone else

“And you say yer the smart one between us,” is all he says before grabbing his laptop off the coffee table. “I got this beat too. Suna sent it over this morning and I think I wanna use it.” You choose to ignore his confirmation as you begin to get comfortable against the couch. He plays the instrumental and it only further surprises you from just how different it was from his usual. It was undoubtedly more your style and you're almost offended that your friend hadn’t sent you the beat instead. “Ya like it?”

“Could you play it back.” You begin to hum along a few nonsensical words to yourself and you’re aware of Atsumu’s eyes on you. He watches as you hit the voice record on your phone, already aware that you do that in case you say something that you like. You try to think back to what he started with and He moves his notebook closer to you so you can get a better view of the words messily scribbled.

You can’t keep coming and going In and out of my life please make up your fucking mind I give you time and you kill it

Immediately after that he pauses much to your annoyance and ignores your complaint. “I like that.”

“Yeah?”

“Sounds like yer replying back. Like a conversation,” he nods. “Is that really how ya feel about me?” You don’t miss the way he tries to subtly put his arm around the back of the couch and subsequently you. And your laugh.

“God you’re annoying Atsumu.” You end up caving, moving the laptop back to the table in front of you and moving under his waiting arm. You can’t even deny the way you like it either, comforted by the way his hand rubs up and down your arm. “Is that how you feel about us,” you challenge referring to the lyrics he’d come up with

“Course. I look forward to making up ya know.” He chuckles and the look of faux disgust you send him before continuing. “But I mean it. Ya got my heart and have for years.” The words are paired with a kiss to your temple.

You two sit in silence for a few moments before you break it with a sigh. “I’m tired of this shit Tsumu. It’s been years of us and this and the older I get, the more draining it is. I wonder all the time if I should stay or just leave for good.” It’s the first time you’ve ever admitted it to anyone other than yourself, and it’s to the person that has the power to break your heart at any given moment. The only small comfort is that you know it’s mutual and that you hold his as well.

“If you’re tired then write it out (Y/N). It’s part of the reason I asked ya to do a song.” He nudges you to sit up and catches your eye. “I think about ya way too fucking much and I’ve thought about if shit between us was worth it too.” He looks like he’s in through for a moment before quickly grabbing his notebook scribbling for a minute before showing you.

thinking of you is all I do honestly I might go insane cause when we break up can’t wait to make up Some things will never change

He’s playing the instrumental before you can say anything waiting until a certain part and signaling for you to just wait. Then his voice softly fills your ears as he goes into the words and points at you to follow up with what you’d sung before. As you near the end you gesture for him not to stop it yet

It’s very personal to me That you give it everything Should I stay? Should I go? Should I leave? I don't know.

After that your mind blanks and you reach over to pause the track. It felt good. Really good. “I think I have my verse,” you exclaim. “And what if we repeat your part. Maybe starting from thinking of you” you half mumble the words already writing away at your own notebook. You don’t even notice the look Atsumus giving you until you look back up minutes later after humming along and trying to string the words together. “What”

“It’s nothin. Just love watching ya write that’s all.” You end up shooting him a soft smile before focusing back on the words in front of you. “Actually, this beat is more you than me so did ya wanna do the bridge”

That causes you to look up in confusion. “Are you sure? It’s your song. It’d be weird for me to have a bigger part?” Atsumu is brushing off the question of you asking him to be serious. You didn’t want to step on any toes or offend anyone.

“If it’s that big a deal to ya we can go back n forth or somthin’.” His eyes question yours for a moment before smiling in victory at your agreeing. “Besides, Suna was gonna send it to ya anyways. Paid him to let me have it instead. Didn’t take much just-Ow!” HES quickly cut off by your fist coming into contact with his shoulder. “Why’d ya-“

“You’re an ass, did you know that,” you roll your eyes in response. No wonder the beat was so different from his usual. Because the track wasn’t meant for him. You’d have to bitch at Suna later for giving the track to Atsumu of all people. And for who knows what kind of lowball offer it was. “Wanna tell me why you did that. Or I can leave. Your choice” you’re closing your notebook at this point shifting away from him a bit.

“I missed ya.” It’s the only thing he says before your scoffing and getting off the couch and starting to gather your things.  “I’m serious (Y/N).” The feeling of his hand grabbing at yours causes you to stop. “I kept thinking about us and couldn’t Bring myself to text. I got Suna to give me the track cause I wanted to see ya and talk.”

“Why couldn’t you just text?”

“I can say it better in a song. And I know you can too. Now c’mon don’t go alright?” You allow him to tug you back down onto the couch with a sigh. He wasn’t necessarily wrong. You’d wanted to settle things between you both once and for all for a while now. He just provided the opportunity. You both needed to know if you were just wasting time.

“Listen. If ya wanna talk about it outside of the song let’s go for a drive then.”

“First you steal my beat to get me to come over, now you wanna trap me in a car with you?” Atsumu only looks at you unbothered before you sigh. “Let’s go before I change my mind.”

“If it’s that bad, you know how to tuck and roll. I might slow down enough.” —-

“Atsumu what are we doing,”

He doesn’t even spare you a glance before responding. “Driving.” When you don’t reply he lets out a sigh before giving a real answer. “Do you still love me?”

“Yes,” it’s like you answer before your brain even ponders the question. “Do you still love me?”

“Wouldn’t be here right now if I didn’t.” His words are just as confident. He shoots you a quick glance before continuing. “I wanna get back together. For good this time. Heard about yer date with that Semi guy.”

Your breath hitches for a moment. While you’re not surprised that he knew about the date last month, you didn’t think he’d mention it. You’d woken up the morning after notifications crazy. Pictures of the two of you filled them and many of the tweets had actually tagged Atsumu as well.

“We weren’t together so ya don’t have to go explaining anything,” he stops you from your attempt at an apology. “Of course i'm not sure what ya saw in that guy. But it made me realize that yer the one I want. Always been the one.” He shrugs before the hand closest to you comes to rest on your thigh. “And I’ve always been the one for you too right?”

“Are you serious about wanting to make us work this time?” His hand leaves your leg for the wheel again and you watch in confusion as he makes a few sudden turns. He mutters something about giving him a few minutes before pulling into a random parking lot. He shuts the car off before unbuckling so he can turn his entire body to face you. “What are you doing Atsumu?”

“Move in with me.” You’re looking at him like he’s grown another head before he continues. “My lease with Samu is almost up and he’s been wanting to move closer to his shop and I wanna be closer to a studio. I’m serious about us and I just think-“

“Would you actually help with boxes or just sit on your ass and watch?”

The questions cause him to frown a bit in thought and you can’t help but laugh as he actually interprets the words and what they really mean. You could tell the exact moment he gets it and a lazy smirk settles on his face instead. “No promises babe. I kinda like watching ya walk away.”

The way his face eased closer to yours had you following his lead until your lips met. You can feel yourself smiling as one of his hands comes to cup your jaw. The kiss is sweet, lips moving slowly against yours in a reunion of sorts. “Stay over tonight we can work on the song again tomorrow.” He pulls away just enough to insist, resting his forehead against yours.

“Already told Samu so he’s bringing enough dinner home. And I got a new toothbrush in the bathroom.”You lean to peck his lips before sitting back in the seat. “You knew this would happen didn’t you.” Despite the accusation you find yourself agreeing with no hesitation.

“I hoped. It’s a difference babe. If not, more food for me” his hand quickly grabs yours to place a kiss on your own before settling back on the wheel. “Let’s get back I’m starvin”

—— “Are yer eyes closed? Are you sure? Don’t peek-“

“Hurry up Atsumu,” you groan as you allow him to lead you to god knows where. The song you’d guys finished a few weeks ago was set to release in a few hours and Atsumu refused to let you see the song cover. It was a surprise, or so he told you every time you tried to ask. Even in his new song tease on twitter he just posted blank images. New song with a surprise guest coming soon ;)

He’d had you meet him at his label and jumped on you the second you stepped into the building blindfold in hand and stupid grin on his face. “Don’t act like this is a new thing for ya,” he’d whisper in your ear as he tied the blindfold and laughed when you attempted to hit at him and miss.

“Stop complaining before I make you wait until the songs officially out. We’re almost there” you feel his hand leave yours before it’s placed on your back. You can hear a door open before he instructs you in. “Small step up.” With your restricted sight your hearing has seemed to increase tenfold. You can hear the sound of blinds opening and him moving around. “One second babe.”

After a few more moments and complaints for him to hurry up a pair of arms wrap around your waist. Leaning into the warmth you feel his lips kiss up your neck before stopping. “You can look now.”

It takes a moment for your eyes to spot it. First your eyes dart around the room to see nothing out of the ordinary save for a table with a champagne bottle. Then one of his arms points toward the window and you freeze in shock. “Atsumu is this?” You turn to look at him expectedly as he nods and pushes you near it. From the window of the building you see the cover art plastered on a billboard.

“Where did you find that?”

Atsumu’s voice grows closer as he stops next to you. “Our mom came down a while ago. Had some shit to deliver and brought some scrapbooks. It was in there.” You nod in understanding before he continues. “Ya like it?”

The picture was one from years ago. He’d just gotten signed and that weekend you and a few friends went on a road trip to celebrate. That particular picture had been taken on a Polaroid as you two were outside supposedly star gazing. On the mountain of blankets it was clear that his attention was more on you than the sky. It was one of your favorite pictures for a while then eventually you had broken up (for the first time) and it was long forgotten.

“Love it. Brings back memories you know?” You don’t even notice he’d gone to pour you a glass before he's dangling off in front of your face.

“Here’s to our first song together babe”

bonus things

yall actually filmed a music vid (this isnt included bc i am only now finding out theres a mv despite having this song in my music for a year)

he tweets the song link with “decided to stay”

atsumu ends up buying suna a ps5 game he wanted as a thank you (not w/o complaining though)

ppl on the internet arent even surprised that yall are back together (theyre tired too tf)

atsumu ends up putting that polaroid in his clear phone case <3

this is yall 6th time getting back together (yall keep trying HUH lmfao. but yall never actually ended on bad terms and always stayed friend)

you end tweeting a joke “ok last time yall i promise LMFAO”

[jwnchstr]

THE CURSED OMEGA

PAIRING: Alpha!Dean x Omega!Reader

SUMMARY: Omega!Reader wanted to live by herself so she went to her pack Alpha to allow her stand on her own feet. Her pack Alpha agreed but on one condition and that is if Omega!Reader wears a cursed silver bracelet to protect her. But to break the silver bracelet and the curse, she has to find a mate and get pregnant.

***

You and Dean are rivals. Dean being stubborn, arrogant, egoistical hunter, he doesn't appreciate a help from a stranger especially from a genius one. Not like you want to get involved with the cases that Sam and Dean are working on, but you’re already in the middle of the case when you bumped into the Winchester brothers. You can’t back off.

You truthfully do not understand what's wrong being a genius. Didn’t Sam a genius too and he helped him? And why is it a big deal every time you help them they're lost? Those times when Dean was paralysed or something, and you saved him from getting killed by monsters.

After hunts, after saying goodbye to Sam, you'd drive yourself far, far away from the Winchester brothers. Well, more like far away from Dean. But still, it’s like fate is bringing you back together no matter how far you run.

Sam and Dean knows you're an omega. They know a scent of an omega who puts on too much suppressants to hide themselves from drawing unwanted alphas. Neither of the Winchesters are bothered with your scent, good thing. Plus, they have worked with a few others omega hunters and they have worked with you on tons of cases, to know you. One of the reasons that you stayed with them once in a while is because they have never approached you the way other alphas did... That’s comforting enough for you as an omega.

Though being a hunter as an omega is not easy. You had to ask permission from your pack Alpha to let you wander around by yourself most of the time. Your pack Alpha cares about you a lot. When he finally decided to approve your request, he did put one condition: that is to wear a silver bracelet that your pack Alpha asked magician to put a spell on. The silver bracelet won’t harm you, but will protect you. You cannot take it off until you found a mate and get pregnant.

It was heavy, but being an independent woman, you've never thought of finding a mate to yourself let alone get pregnant. Hence, you agreed to your Alpha's condition and started to wear the bracelet. It's been 7 years since the time you put it on.

You do not have a problem for the first few years until you met the Winchester brothers. After a few times of accidentally solving cases together, Dean had to accept that you're a good hunting partner so you often follow them go back to their bunker. Despite being cold towards you, Dean let you sleep at a pretty nice guest room they have in the bunker. But you believed Sam talked Dean to it.

Often every night, you, Sam and Dean would sit together at the table and read through the books to find answers about mythical creatures that aren't myth; or about angels and gods and demigods and whatnot. One night, your bracelet gleamed, catching Dean’s attention, in which, it sparked his interest.

“Hey, nice bracelet," he said while looking at your wrist.

You quickly retreated your hand, hiding it from his view. You looked at him warily.

"Wait, is that silver?" he continued. His eyebrows furrows.

"N-No," you answered doubtfully. You did not know why you're defensive about your bracelet as if Dean is going to steal it from you.

Dean smirked. "Come on!" he said. "I know I'm not the smartest person in the room, but I'm not a fool." He laughed. "Where did you get that? It seems powerful enough not to weaken you. Is it fake silver or something? I suddenly want one."

"Uhm." You gulped. But then you faked yawn. "I'm going to sleep now. It's been a long day," you said while stretching up before standing up to retreat yourself to your room.

"What? Hey, we're not done yet!"

"Later, loser!" You gave Dean a peace sign while your back is facing him.

You really don't want to tell him about the bracelet. Now that you're older, it felt funny to talk about the spell your Alpha put on your bracelet. Because now that you're older, you realise that you want a family. You want an Alpha to yourself. You want to get pregnant. You’re suddenly mad at your pack Alpha for putting that stupid curse on your bracelet.

You locked your room door, just in case. This bunker is full of alphas and one omega. If anything happens, you're on you own.

Neither Sam nor Dean asked you about your bracelet again after that night. Sam respects you, but Dean is another story. To Dean, he knows that you won't be around all the time and he figured that if he is important enough, you'd tell. But if he’s not....so he ignored about your bracelet even though he is still curious.

***

Three nights at the bunker without going out because all three of you were busy solving a case, you finally found an answer. Once you and Sam found out how to kill a demon and Dean showed the strategy, three of you began moving. According to plan, you will be on the look out, fight and kill demons who get in your way, and be a backup. Meanwhile Sam and Dean go in and kill. You argued with Dean how it is dangerous for him and Sam to fight possibly 20 demons alone, but he insisted. At least, if they died, they do not have anyone to go back to. You clearly have your Alpha and your pack.

After 2 three hours on the look out, you managed to kill 3 demons with your custom made holy water bullets. You rogered Sam and Dean. You got feedback for a few times, until one moment where everyone is silent. The surrounding isn’t helping either because it suddenly went creepily quiet.

"Sam?" you spoke through your earbuds calling for one of the brothers. "Are you okay there? Do you need me to go in?"

Sam didn’t reply, unfortunately.

You started to feel edgy.

"Dean? Dean, can you hear me? Do you guys need me in there?"

The silence continued.

While you're worrying about Sam and Dean, while focusing on communicating with them, feeling edgy and frustrated, one thing you didn't realise is how you transmitted your scent and it become sharp. After years of knowing Dean, there's a different kind of worry you had towards him. It came from your heart. Maybe that triggers it.

Suddenly, you heard a loud growl behind you. You gasped. Your heart drummed inside your ears as the fast footsteps approaching you like lightning. In the dark, you saw a pair of angry bright yellow eyes preying you.

Instinctively, you run. You run as fast as you can from your chaser. From his scent, you know that he's an alpha. A familiar one, but through the daze, you cannot figure out whose scent it is. You did not know where he came from, but you're genuinely scared of him. All these times, you being a hunter, didn't even faze with other alphas, but tonight changed. He scared you to death.

The Alpha growled louder. "Stop!" he shouted. "(Y/n), stop running!"

Wait, do I know him? You wondered.

"Stop, (y/n)! It's me! It's Dean!" he said.

"No!" you shouted back. Seriously? When you're being chased by an alpha without warning, even though he claimed that he is someone you knew, you won't stop to believe.

You heard another frustrating growl from behind you before he jumped and launch towards you causing you both to fall, entangled on the ground with him on top of your back.

"Stop it, please!" he cried.

"NO!" you said through your greeted teeth, struggling to free yourself from his firm grip. "I won't!"

"Don't! My- inner- alpha- gets excited- if you run! (Y/N)!" he shouted your name at your ear causing you to startle to a stop. "I'm Dean. Please trust me."

You're panting on the ground. You felt the person's hot breath behind your neck and you shivered. After a while, when he didn't feel you struggling, he slowly lose his grip on you. He let you free, taking a space from you. You got up as well.

You slowly turned to look at the person as if a sudden move will cause you get be pinned again. His height. His hair. The shadow of his eyes. "Dean?"

"I'm sorry," he quickly apologised. "I don't know what triggered me. I- uh- Your scent. It’s.... it's driving me mad." He shook his head. His nose flared as he smells you from the distance you put between you and Dean. His heart raced in his chest.

"Maybe you've got the wrong person," you said, trying to deny Dean. You're on suppressants. Both the pill and the spray blockers. You were told that after years of taking them, your body might be immune with it that you won't give out your original sweet omega scent (although you're still taking them now for precautions).

"No. I believe I don't." Dean was so sure of himself.

You went quiet, do not know what to say or do. For the time ever, Dean is not yelling at you or arguing with you or complaining about you. He looks almost like he is admitting to you. That surprised you. You do not have any words to say.

Dean stared at you. "I-I hope this isn't so much to ask, but can I scent you?"

You quickly shook your head.

"Please, (y/n). Help me calm down. Please," he begged.

Yes, you can see that Dean is struggling. After a quick thinking, you agreed. You let Dean approached you and let him scented you.

"Haa." Dean sighed, putting him at ease.

***

It's been a few days of finding out that you're Dean's mate. You seriously do not know how it happened because you honestly didn't smell different on Dean. It's like the suppressants work opposite on you rather than on other omegas who can smell their mate, but not their mate to theirs. You're not comfortable sleeping with Dean, but that's the least you can do for him to calm himself down. It seems that every night he gets nightmares.

Good thing Dean didn't push you as well. Oh, except one thing.

"So, care to tell me how that bracelet of yours work?" he asked. "It doesn't hurt you at all, but it hurt me and Sam. And I believe it hurt many shifters, too."

You looked down to your bracelet, contemplating.

"Come on, (y/n). What's there to hide from me?"

"Well, if you want to know," you started.

You began telling Dean about it. How you wanted to be an independent omega and that your pack Alpha made you wear that cursed bracelet. You told him you weren't thinking properly back then. You wanted to be on your own so bad that you agreed to his term, but now, it started to feel funny.

"I need to breed you to break the curse," Dean more likely to state rather than asking. "You clearly made the wrong decision because you make me feel challenged, (y/n)."

You shivered. You didn't like to ear that from Dean. Somehow, it sounded scary because you know how an alpha could act when challenged.

“Did your pack Alpha mark you?”

You gasped sharply. “NO!” You glared at Dean. “I’m not marked. And I’ve never- never did that....that thing.”

Dean raised his eyebrows. “Your heats?”

“Suppressants. Pills. Everything that could help me get distracted.”

“No wonder,” Dean said.

"(Y/n)?" Dean called softly, getting you out of the trance. He sighed, sensing your stress. "Look, don't worry about it, okay? I won't go rough on you. We'll try to break it from time to time, alright?"

You nodded your head weakly, understood.

***

6 years later

It has been 6 years since you and Dean mated. You stopped taking your meds. You decided that it’s time to let your body work naturally. Of course, there were uneven heats, falling sick, imbalance hormones, you hated Dean without a reason and Dean ignored you for a few weeks, not understanding your emotions. Good thing you have Sam to talk to.

You and Dean continued to try to break your cursed silver bracelet. Dean would knot you when you're in heat. You'd let him knot you when he's in rut. Hell, you both even tried when you're in heat and Dean's in rut. However, it's still not working.

You started to feel down and giving up, sometimes. Not only because you can't break the curse but because you cannot get pregnant and give Dean an heir. You've talked to your pack Alpha to break the spell, but he said he cannot do anything. A curse is a curse. It's like it's promised and you have to fulfill it to break the curse.

You and Dean tried again last night since you're on your heat. Like always, you will wake quite later than Dean after having sex. Dean is already in the kitchen with Sam to prepare for lunch when you entered with your hair still a mess. You took a seat beside Dean and leaned into him.

Dean sighed in contempt, feeling your body against his. "Are you okay there, sweetheart? Did I go too hard on you last night?"

Hearing that, Sam snorted. He really didn't want to hear his brother's sex life.

"No. I'm just tired. Thinking too much," you mumbled through his neck. "Wish I could cuddle with you all day."

"I wish the same," Dean said. "But I gotta work, baby. Sam and I had that negotiation thing going on this afternoon. You want to join us?" It's not that you don't know that they're on a case.

You shook your head. "I feel like my body is changing from the inside for some reason." You sighed and you stretched your back and your neck. "It hurts everywhere and no, it's not because of you."

"Okay, then. You should get some rest. You've been working hard these days," Dean said softly as he caressed your back, knowing that helps you to soothe the pain.

***

You really do not know what's happening to your body. Neither sitting nor standing nor stretching nor even laying down on your back, soothed the pain. Every where hurts including your head. You felt dizzy and nausea from time to time, but didn't make you vomit, though.

You didn't have any appetite. You only make yourself a cup of hot green tea just to take down the nausea a little. Sometimes, you take the protein bar. You only ate them half way before putting it back inside the fridge. Then, you ate Dean's bacon. And still, you only ate two strips before putting the rest back to where it belonged.

You spend your time alone in Dean's room. Cuddling with his clothes while watching the TV. His clothes doesn't do much, but enough to make yourself calm and less dizzy. The nausea also slim down. Somewhere in the middle of watching a kid chasing a dog, you fell asleep and only to be woken up by Dean shaking you hours later.

"(Y/n)? Hey." Dean scratched the back of his head. His forehead is in million wrinkles, but his lips. They're a form of a smile.

"Dean. Hey, you're back." Your throw yourself at Dean and he quickly caught you and hugged you. You scented Dean, feeling your heartbeat calming down. "Ah. This is nice." Dean knows that that is your way of telling him that you missed you.

"Feeling better?"

You sighed with your eye closed. Now that you can scent Dean rather than his clone.

"Uhm, (y/n)?"

"Mhm?"

“Open your eyes.”

Slowly, Dean brought your broken cursed silver bracelet to your eyes, showing it to you. You frowned, didn't understand. You looked up at Dean with a questioning look. Seems that you're still in daze from your nap and your sickness.

"Sweetheart, your bracelet is detached from your wrist."

"Huh?" was your first reaction. But then, "Wait! My- wrist is free?" You beamed. "Oh my God! Yes! I'm free!" You cheered, laughing and giggling to yourself over the fact that you're no longer bound a magic spell - a decision that reminded you how stupid you were.

You turned to look at Dean, but he is not celebrating with you. "Dean? What's wrong?"

"No. I-I just-"

"Hey, what's wrong?" You asked Dean softly, looking at him in the eyes, worried. Did I say something wrong?

That's when you felt Dean's hand, the one that is hugging you from behind, rested on your stomach. "Oh!"

"Yeap!" Dean slowly smiled.

"Oh my God, Dean! I'm-" Your hands ran over Dean's hand that's on your stomach.

Dean grinned when he saw you excited as well. "Yeap!" Dean chuckled. "Yes, baby, you're pregnant! We're having a pup!"

"Oh, Dean!" Your eyes started to water as you cupped Dean's face. "I'm really sorry I didn't- I was too happy with that bracelet, but then you-"

"Hey, hey, shh, it's okay," Dean said softly. His free hand thumbed your lips. Your silver bracelet is somewhere in the room, forgotten. "I love you."

You smiled before kissing Dean.

***

More supernatural one-shots

[divinaes-bookofsecrets]

Hello! May I please request a spirit guide reading, if you are accepting those at this time? My initials are NS, Sagittarius. Thank you in advance, and I hope you have a lovely day/evening.

HELLO , DEAR SAGITTARIUS ♐ 😘You travel with a great many Spiritual Guardians ; The one that's most important 😊 and most prominent is an enchanting witch goddess.

Her name is Wendolina‐Lynn aka Linà-Lynn but ýou may just call her WENDOLINA

Her sex: female

Her age: 44

Her lucky numbers: 4, 7, 19, 22, 300

Element: FIRE ELEMENT

Zodiac☆Symbol: ♈ Aries, ♌ Leo

(Her horoscope sign mixes with yours impeccably!!! She is your exact perfect match for friendship, even for a relationship in love 😍 but I do not, as a Shamanic Healer, suggest that you pursue any thing romantic with this highly mystical being )

PLANET THAT RULES HER: MARS , and THE SUN

Her Greatest Strength: Dynamic Energy, Motivation, Drive and Willpower, Passionate, Achiever, Enthusiasm

Her Weakness: Desire, Sex Drive,Temperamental

Magick Powers; Cleansing and Purification, Hexes and Banshment and Protection and Prosperity

Moon Phase: Full Moon, 🌙 🌔 🌖 🌛 Eclipse 🌑 Moon

SEASON; YULE

Her Energy is Tied To ACTION !

Time of Day: Noon

Direction: South

Tarot: Wands

Although Goddess Wendolina is eternally a Fire Sign 🔥 😍 She flows like 💧 Water She was born from her ancestors 🌟 in the 🌟 stars !! & She is currently 44 as of this year; She ages one year each and every decade! Lady Wendolina the ♈ Aries woman has been, by the Creator and Universe, molded for you. Ĺady Lina-Lynn iis not ýour typical witch, she's more of a witchesss! And her beauty knows no end. Your Witchess is dark looking if you choose to see her that way, but if you choose to see her fertile enlightening light 😉 ✨ you'll soon see how you are connected 😏 to this mystic enchanting goddess .

Here is she. 🍒🍀🌼🍇🐛🌷🦋🕸🕷🕸🌺🍂🍃

Lady Wendolina-Lynn , is an Aries Goddess of mystical ethereal feminist ♥ ✨ power. She believes in equality--- She thinks that men and women should be sharing more and have equal rights ✅ but of course this sounds a lot like Lilith story does it not🙄 well, there's a reason for that too. Lady Wendolina is actually one of Lilith daughters ! This explains how her down fall is her sex drive. Well, she's deffinitely an amazing Aries specimen isn't she?

Lilith gave her daughter Wendolina the Witchess all the glory, beauty, and powers to behold. She is, like Lilith, demonized 😈 by the men of Earth 🌎 ♥ and the Church.

Wendolina uses her witchy ways to look dark but subtle enough to still practice white magick with her powers. She is the most powerful ✨😈 demon spawn and we should all be proud she uses her powers for only good not evil ever 👏 she's such a sweet darling demonness spawn !!

She has two major looks that are her main makeup choices she (like above) dresses and does Lilith inspired makeup ---Then Wendolina-Lynn does space effect warpaint; representing the stars and the moon where she came from 🌟 🌙

Next ill explain the story of her Mother, Lilith, story as it ties into also the independent woman that your Spirit Guide is plus the independence she represents!

Lilith is an extremely controversial figure within Jewish folklore. Lilith's name is not included in the creation story of the Torah but she appears in several midrashic texts. Her symbolism, history and literature are debated among Jewish scholars, feminists and other intellectuals. There are multiple origin stories for Lilith but the most popular history told views Lilith as the first wife of Adam. According to the "first Eve" story Lilith was created by God from dust and placed to live in the garden with Adam until problems arose between Adam and Lilith when Adam tried to exercise dominance over Lilith. One story tells that Lilith refused to lay beneath Adam during sex. She believed they were created equal, both from the dust of the earth, thus she should not have to lay beneath him. After Adam disagreed, Lilith fled the Garden of Eden to gain her independence. Adam told God that Lilith had left and God sent three angels, Senoi, Sansenoi, and Sammangelof, to retrieve her. The three angels found Lilith in a cave bearing children but Lilith refused to come back to the garden. The angels told her they would kill 100 of her children every day for her disobedience. In revenge, she is said to rob children of life and is responsible for the deaths of still-born infants and crib deaths (SIDS). Male children are at risk of Lilith's wrath for 8 days after birth (until circumcision) and girls are at risk for 20 days. Although Lilith stole children's lives in the night, she agreed not to kill the children who had amulets of either of the three angels.

After the angels' departure, Lilith tried to return to the garden but upon her arrival she discovered that Adam already had another mate, Eve. Out of revenge, Lilith had sex with Adam while he was sleeping and "stole his seed." With his seed she bears 'lilium,' earth-bound demons to replace her children killed by the angels. Lilith is also said to be responsible for males' erotic dreams and night emissions. Another theory says that Lilith is impregnated, thus creating more demons by masturbation and erotic dreams.

🐉🌸ĹILITH AND WENDOLINA HAVE AN APPETITE FOR EARTH MEN🌸🐲

The open-ended nature of the Lilith symbol has allowed different groups to use her as a destructive female symbol or a symbol of female power. Many feminists see Lilith as not only the first woman but the first independent woman created. In the creation story she refuses to allow Adam to dominate her and flees the garden despite the consequences. In order to retain her freedom she must give up her children and in retaliation she steals the seed of Adam. In one account of this story, Lilith is said to "mount Adam" (click here for this version). This version of the story implies that Lilith sexually violated Adam; however, other stories portray Lilith as a demoness who kills children and takes advantage of men while they are sleeping. Jewish halakhic law forbids the spilling of a man's seed and Lilith takes advantage of this, during masturbation and erotic dreams, and uses it to replenish her own offspring.

Although Lilith is controversial some feminists have used her as a symbol of empowerment. For example, one Jewish feminist magazine is called Lilith labels itself as an "Independent Jewish Woman's Magazine." The publishers use Lilith as a title because they believe she is a symbol of independence. However, those who still think of her as a demoness could turn it around and once again label feminists as male bashers or men-haters. They see Lilith as wicked and vengeful towards men and children. With any symbol or icon used by feminists, especially within a religious context, there will be controversy and opposition. Whether or not the story of Lilith is accurate is not the main issue. The "first Eve" version of the story gives Lilith a role that many women can identify within Judaism and other religious traditions. She is an independent woman who challenges the oppressive system in which she is placed. Stealing the lives of children represents a certain madness that accompanies her solitude and exclusion. Despite Lilith's downfalls, she still remains a symbol of power simply by her survival and mysteriousness. She is open for interpretation and therefore allows women to reinterpret her symbolism and power within the tradition.

Picture Lilith's daughter the demoness 😈 spawn sort of like Mortisha Adams from the Adam's Family tv. Show. She's sweet, sultry, she could seduce you, and she's pale but deffinitely dark in a cheerful fun way !

Wendolina's mystical senses have brought her to you at this time to bring you a very important message ;

Here's your messages

Sagittarius predictions for May 17 - May 23

You may be lamenting that there don't seem to be any exciting new opportunities coming your way. You may feel bored and stuck in a rut, wishing that some unique proposition would be yours for the taking. Maybe there is something out there for you, but if you are stuck in a mindset where you are expecting something very specific, Sagittarius, you might not recognize a good thing that is different, even if you metaphorically trip over it. Be open to any chance that comes to you this week, even if it doesn't meet with your preordained idea of what can bring you the success you want. A positive change of circumstances is in the stars for you now, and this week, you may get a good glimpse of it. This could have to do with your home, your work, or your money - and may range from a change of residence to an increase in income or even an unexpected windfall. But this may not reach fruition this week - however, the tempting idea of it may come to you with the promise of fulfillment soon. This is a good time to seal deals, negotiate contracts, or ask for investors if you are in such a position. You should be brimming with energy and initiative right now.

-- Wendolina-Lynn aka Lina-Lynn

So watch out for your financial situation is about to change dramatically or you'll be moving residents please take this as a good thing that you've been waiting for this might just be the changes you need.

IF YOUR LOOKING FOR A GOOD SHAMAN , LOOK NO FURTHER: I AM HERE!!

All Spells..... $18 depending on what you wishing for or desiring as result

[caxsthetic]

Be Mine?

Akaashi Keiji x F!Reader

In which you fall for someone with gunmetal blue eyes, much to your brother dismay.

You are unique, that's what they all said when they see you walk down the hallways to your class on your first day of high school. Your dual-coloured hair moves smoothly on your head, making you stood out immediately.

A pair of gunmetal blue eyes bore to your frame, gazing at you with a longing look on his face. Akaashi Keiji has been in love with his best friend's sister even before you enrolled in Fukurodani. He could never make you look at him before. And now that you were here in a school filled with gorgeous people, he was sure that he would never call you as his.

"HEYYY HEYYY HEYYY!!!" The famous Bokuto Koutarou roared on the hallway, catching the attention of the entire students there, "That's my sister you guys have been ogling on!" He tried to intimidate the male and female population on their school, "I put no mercy to anyone who touches my precious little sister!"

"Koutarou, please calm down." You chuckled and walked towards him, patted his shoulder to compose himself, "I will be okay. I have you as my brother, after all." How your words could boost the ace of Fukurodani even on his emo mode was mesmerising in Akaashi's eyes.

"Hmph, I still don't like it when those guys and girls looking at you like some kind of snack, (Y/n)." Your sister is the whole meal from Michelin star restaurant, Bokuto-san. Akaashi couldn't help but retort inside his mind. Your brother put his arms in front of his chest, eyes still glaring to anyone who dared to gaze on your ways, "Give me your schedule, sis. I have to be there to protect you!"

"What? Don't be ridiculous, Kou!" You whined, giving your brother your infamous puppy eyes, "I am mature enough to stand my ground." It's not that you hate your brother, but his presence could be overwhelming sometimes. Bokuto looked at your face and sighed,

"Alright, alright." He ruffled your hair gently, "But at least, you have to take Akaashi or me to accompany you if you walked alone." Akaashi jerked his head immediately, looking at his best friend with a shocked expression. Though he still seemed pretty calm on the outside.

You blushed from the deal that your brother gave. Akaashi Keiji is the most gorgeous man that you have ever seen in your entire life. Hell, the first time you saw him, you almost choked on air because no one should have the audacity to be that enchanting.

"H-Hey, Koutarou! You couldn't drag Akaashi-senpai like that," You composed yourself and gaze towards the pretty setter, "He must be busy, both of you didn't have to be like this." You turned to your brother's best friend, "Akaashi-senpai, please say something."

"I am actually okay with it, Kuto-san," Akaashi said calmly, while he really wanted to scream out his nervousness. You widened your eyes a little, didn't know what to say at this, "You are important to me, so it's okay."

"See? I know Akaashi wouldn't mind." Bokuto's hand fall to your shoulder while the others patted Akaashi's back, "After all, I trust him. He wouldn't even have the thought to do anything towards you, (Y/n)."

You are wrong, Bokuto-san. You don't know what's creeping in my mind, not even the slightest.

"Then, I will put my trust in you, Akaashi-senpai." You bowed your head a little, the honorific that you gave to him could make him blush without a doubt. But his blush could be gone for just a split second.

After that agreement was made, you always accompanied by at least one of them. No one dared to make a move on you since Bokuto will glare to everyone who laid eyes on you, while Akaashi will give them a cold stare.

Everyone on the volleyball team could see how Akaashi acted around you. His gunmetal blue eyes will frequently check for your well being, asking you about lunch or any kind of things about a school subject. If you asked him to tutor you, he would drop everything and be ready in a beat.

You are a more favourable version of Bokuto Koutarou. Mature, independent, and could hold your ground without becoming a damsel in distress. But the fact that you regularly failed in math class and how dense you are about people around you, could convince anyone that you are indeed related to the ace.

"Are you tired already?" You groaned to answer his question, "Let's take a break, okay? I don't want you to explode, Kuto-san." You and Akaashi were now sat in your room. There will be another volleyball camp next week, and if you fail another math exam, the school won't approve you to go.

"How could you become so good at math, Akaashi-senpai~!" You knocked your forehead on the table multiple time until you could feel something soft instead of the wood surface, "Huh?" There you saw Akaashi's hand covering the spot where your forehead would hit.

"It's not good for your head, Kuto-san." Just that tiny gesture was enough to make you blushed. You gulped down and straightened your posture, "Do you want to take a walk? Maybe buy something from the convenience store."

"But it's 8 pm already, Akaashi-senpai." You sighed when you saw the clock, "My family would kill me if they knew I am going outside at this time."

"I am going to accompany you. You know that, right?" Akaashi stood up and grabbed your scarf, "I am not going to let anything happened to you." He said that with ease as his hands gently put the scarf around your neck. Thank god that he focused only on the scarf and didn't look up to see your face.

"Alright, then." You walked to the living area with Akaashi on your side. Like your brother, the whole family already trusted the setter with all of their heart. So they allowed you to go out and buy something, as long as you were back within an hour.

Both of you were now walked side by side in comfortable silence. Just like what Akaashi said, you really need to breathe the fresh air. The pretty setter couldn't help but steal some glances towards you. And there you were, standing as oblivious as ever.

"What do you want to buy on the convenience store, Akaashi-senpai?" You asked him all of a sudden, "Because I am sure I don't know what I am going to buy. There's so much food that I really want to eat."

"Maybe I will buy some steamed vegetables there." Even though you knew what's the probable answer to your question, you just want to hear his voice more. He fiddled his finger, a habit of him that you always found adorable.

"You really loves vegetables, huh, Akaashi-senpai?" You chuckled, "Kou needs to learn from you. The only thing that came out on his brain was meat, meat, meat, and meat." Akaashi snickered a little, Oh my god, bless my life.

"Bokuto-san is hard to be taught," Of course you know that, you live with him for your entire life, "Though, I know it's not the time of the year for my favourite vegetables to season. But I couldn't help but hope that there will be a—"

"Rape blossom on the convenience store." You continued his words precisely like what's inside his mind. Akaashi get a little bit taken aback by your terms, "Am I right? Did I predict the right thing?" He smiled and nodded.

"Every single word, Kuto-san." Just this statement is enough to make you spread the broad smile. Akaashi is falling hard all over you again and again.

After buying a lot of snacks for your family and some fresh imported vegetables for Akaashi, you walked beside him again, closer than before. He insists to brought the groceries bag, but you didn't want to be a burden and stole one of the bags either way.

"Are you going to sleep over, Akaashi-senpai?" You asked him when he grabs your hand as the two of you past the crossover, "Koutarou would be happy to have his best friend after all." Though your brother wouldn't be the only one who enjoyed his company.

"Maybe, Kuto-san. Maybe." His eyes focused on the road even though the light turns green for the passenger, "Do you want me to continue the tutoring tomorrow morning?"

"Yes, please." You squeeze his hand gently, making him look at how your hands lingered on each other even after crossing over, "My family wouldn't mind, we all love you like our own family after all." Akaashi suddenly stopped and let go of your hand.

Even though he always does that, but somehow, his gesture tonight hurts your heart more than the usual. You got taken aback by his strange action. He looked down to the ground, eyes focusing on his shoes.

"A-Akaashi-senpai... What is—"

"What if I don't want to be loved like that?" He clenched and unclenched his fist simultaneously, "I appreciate it a lot, for you and your family to love me like your own." His gaze finally fell towards your figure, "But I don't want to be loved like that, (Y/n)-san."

This is the first time you heard him calling you by your first name even though he still added honorific. You always told him to address you like this, but he usually disagreed. So both of you decided to choose the two last syllables from your last name instead.

"What do you mean, Akaashi? I don't under—"

It feels like the air has been knocked out from your lungs when he suddenly pulled you to his embrace. All of the groceries bags fall down towards the ground, but both of your minds didn't care about it at the time.

Akaashi closed his eyes and inhaled at your hair to detect the familiar scent from your shampoo. Tonight, he loses his composure that he always builds every time you are near. Something just snapped inside him, and he didn't dare to see your expression. Afraid that you wouldn't want to talk with him after this.

But he relaxed a little when your arms wrapped around his torso. The fact that you didn't push him away was enough for now. He gulped and controlled his emotion before continuing his words,

"I don't want to be loved by you as a family, (Y/n)-san." He embraced you a little bit tighter, careful not to make you gasping for air, "I want you to love me as a man, please." How his voice sounded broken after he pleads almost make you cry.

"I always love you as a man, Akaashi Keiji." You gripped his jacket tighter as you confessed timidly. He flinched a little, and you know for sure what's lingering on his mind, "I thought you only see me as a sister, that's why I never said anything." He relaxed once again and let go of the embrace.

"And here I am afraid that you wouldn't feel the same." His right hand fall to your cheek, caressing it gently with his thumb. You looked at him like a child just receive their birthday gift, "Can I— Can I kiss you?" You smiled at him and nodded.

That's the only thing that he needed before leaning in to feel your soft lips on his. It's nothing compared to his imagination. Your lips feel like it was made for him. The sweet flavour from a candy that you eat before still lingering on your lips, adding another sensation on your first kiss together.

Both of you finally let go of the kiss to gasp for air. He put his forehead to yours as he cupped your cheek. Embracing the lingering moment between the two of you. You closed your eyes and put your hands on his to warmed his skin. At last, Akaashi stole some little kisses before putting it to an end on your forehead.

"What are we now, Akaashi?"

"Hm? Can you call me by my first name, (Y/n)?" You nodded and giggled because of the happiness that spread inside your heart,

"Keiji," You pecked his nose and continued, "You know that I want to be with you all the time? That's the whole reason I want you to sleep over tonight." He chuckled at your honest declaration.

"Hm? And what if I told you that I always want to make you mine?" Even though both of you just kissed, somehow his blunt statement still makes you blush, "Your answer, please?"

"I will gladly become yours, Keiji. I think I don't have to answer that since you must know the answer already."

"Yes, but I still want to hear it from you, (Y/n)." After stealing one last kiss on your lips, he let go and grabbed all of the groceries bags in his arms, "Let's go home, we are outside for more than an hour."

You immediately steal one of the bags and linked your hand in his arm, "You know that my brother will go frantic if he knew his best friend date his precious little sister, right?" You wiggled your eyebrows just to tease him.

"Oh, I know for sure about it." He turned to gaze at your face, "But I don't care," He leaned in a little before fixing up the knotted strand of hair, "I could let go of anything. Anything but you."

You couldn't help but smile from the sweet words that came out from his lips. How his gaze deepened with adoration sprucing inside his orbs. You tightened your hold on his arm and focused on the road ahead.

"Yeah," You couldn't wait to face the day as the setter's girlfriend from now on, "I wouldn't let go someone that I have been pining over for years." Your voice sounded giddy, making him chuckle.

And Akaashi Keiji still couldn't believe that he can call you his after all.

[nothisis-ridiculous]

Take Me Home Now: Chapter Eleven

Chapter Eleven: To The Place I Belong

Set after the events of ME3.

A rewrite. Ao3.

FemShepxKaidan

Evelyn ripped around the Recruit; the endless stream of energy the kid displayed was a thing of envy. She was an old soldier indeed- growing exhausted from just watching the child play about excitedly. Once she swore never to become that person, but it had progressed subconsciously. It was far more than a physical tired; emotionally and mentally, she was a strange form of exhaustion that taxed her brain to move on a typical day- on the worst days, it was immobilizing. "Please, just one more lift," the mousy-haired girl begged. "You're going to get me in trouble again." Evelyn pouted, "she's not watching right now. Plus, Rahna said she isn't mad it just makes her sad, which makes her act mad." "So you want to make her sad?" "No," but there was still a little bit of defiance in the utterance. "Plus, don't you want some of that energy for Pater?" "Ugh, we won't be there for  forever ."

"You could try napping in the Mako," Jane retreated as the kid threw her a cross look, "or you could write another log." The kid was precocious, but Jane liked that about her. She was only privy to the existence of the log because of her Spectre status. Evelyn had believed what all others would take as a lie at face value. Claiming a secret mission, the kid was more than onboard to keep mum about the existence of a previous life. Though Evelyn may begrudge her later, Jane hadn't utterly lied to her. "But, you're doing dangerous things," Evelyn whined. Super dangerous if they allowed the seven-year-old to bother her, no doubt, "I suppose I am. How about you help me keep an eye out for any baddies?" It kept her entertained for a while, at least until Jane started to recognize some of the roads again. Her detail was ornamental at this point the route had been quiet. Who would disturb a company of Makos and Kodiak shuttles? Having boots on the ground was only required because of the state of chaos the city was under from reasons that ran from collapsed structures to faulty ordinances. The medical equipment was worth far more than creds; it was a step toward rebuilding. Jane paused once the building crested the horizon, the corpse of Harbinger in rest behind it. Her hand raised, bringing the caravan to an immediate halt. "What's the holdup?" the 2nd lieutenant buzzed over her comm. "I want a scan of this area, "Jane couldn't quite place the exact threat, it was an absurd tingle that whispered caution, "get behind me." The woman's demeanor bid the child to comply. "Mec-" Jane's pistol fired a split second before the comm's warning, blasting the processing 'head' clean off the LOKI unit. "Woah, Woah, Woah," a figure shouted from between the buildings, the white-haired figure raised his hands, "just mechs, Recruit." "Pater!" Evelyn cried, running from her side without a hint of caution. Half tackling the man with the ferocity of her joy, but he recovered quickly, spinning the girl around before setting her down. Holding her hand for the rest of the trip to the convoy. Roy's forehead knocked against her's, hands holding her face, "fucking hell, Recruit." "LT." "Jane, you-" his voice quivered before it left, pushing her aside with unintended belligerence. His steps were wobbly as he approached the short woman wearing a sour expression. They stared at one another. He stopped just out of arms reach from the woman. "I'm not going to smack you, you old geezer." The LT muttered something unintelligible as he swept the woman up into his arms. Cue the crying and all the grotesque cuteness one could endure from the scene. Jane had to look away; it was like watching her parents kiss. It was something better left unimagined and unseen, and sure it happened just somewhere else. The pang of envy was also unbearable, despite how happy she felt for them. It was time to look for an exit. Apparently, after trouble ran into her- "It's nice to see some of the Alenko family reunited." "Is this a joke to you?" envy helped pull a simmering anger into a seething mass of it. Rahna remained gentle, undaunted, "it would be good for all of you to have some closure." Logic bid that Strawberry couldn't have known that her Roy was the Major's father. While she knew who Helen was, Jane hadn't been exactly willing to spend any time with another person during her recovery. It all seemed obvious now if she hadn't been so clouded with grief and self-gratifying misery. "Please, let me go," Jane begged. ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ Harbinger's warm (for London) breath collided around her form. They sat in a prolonged stalemate of silence, the Reaper judging the creature before him. What was a flawed creature of flesh compared to a collective intelligence? This ant was pathetic, hardly able to pose a threat to itself. Yet here it sat, thinking it was worthy of words. But it wasn't without pithy for the small things. "Death wouldn't claim you." Why would it? The real punishment was surviving. Reliving the guilt without a

barrier to stop the whole barrage of the tide. While she fought and campaigned against forces that seemed impossible, she had a way to hold back the pain. A reason to forget, a goal that kept her focused on what was forward and not on the past. The failure of losing one homeworld seemed small compared to the loss of all advanced life in the Milky Way. But now, with time, without a goal to keep her focus forward the weight of Thessia, Earth, The Citadel, Palavan, and countless untold colonies compounded together. Her personal failures insult to the injury. If only she could have provided more evidence about the Reaper threat. If she had tried harder, been louder, would they have listened to her? Was it a mistake to abandon Cerebrus? They were evil, no doubt, but could those resources have made the difference? If they had managed to find the Catalyst earlier, the galaxy would have suffered less loss. Instead of the Illusive Man needing to make her an enemy, would her compliance have stopped the indoctrination of the organization? Had she pushed them to that extreme? Was it a mistake to not take the Dalatrass's deal and fool the krogan? Even if for a short while. Was her moral qualm worth the lives and time it took? There was always more she could have given. Her repentance must be witnessing the Galaxy struggle to rebuild after what she had brought upon it. "Who would believe you were Shepard?" Just another facet she wanted to forget. How could she face his parents? Was it wrong to stick around? Helen was a nominal presence in her life, but the LT... him she couldn't forsake. Roy's company brought her peace, likely out of familiarity, a brief reprieve from the current of guilt that swept her under. Guilt she didn't want to bring into their relationship, shame that her attempt to save his son had failed. She wasn't ready to talk about Kaidan or the Normandy. It was still too much of a burden, the force petrifying her humanity. What would it change between them? Or the way everyone looked at her? Would they shun her for what she could no longer be? Couldn't she steal a little light? At the time, she hadn't saved the man for Kaidan, but at least she could protect them now. Or try her damnedest as Jane, as much would not be expected from her. "I see we found Harold again," a graveled voice chided disapprovingly. Jane flinched at the physical contact, finding her words to come out in a tumbling mess, "shouldn't you be shacking up with your old lady?" "Who's to say I haven't." Now, this was super gross, "you picked a fun one." His eyebrow raised, but he otherwise ignored the undertone of Jane's statement, "Alenko men always pick a partner far out of their league. I think my son really took the cake, though." Jane tensed, waiting for the inevitable. He knew. He had to. Rahna wouldn't keep quiet, not now. Why else would he leave his wife? Nearly two years' absence was nothing compared to a stranger disappearing for a month. "A Spectre is a Spectre, and never for an arbitrary reason," she retorted defensively, no longer waiting for the blow to come. It was also a little personal- she loathed whenever someone implied Kaidan simply rode her coattails. Yes, he was monumentally important in her crusade, but the man was his own force to be reckoned with. He was capable, intelligent, level-headed, and most of all kind. It was rare to have someone never ask anything of her, as he had. Rarer to not be put on a pedestal, the Major had always seen her as human. As a person and not the title. Despite how challenging the distance between them had been, she would always respect that he never wavered on his choice to act independently from her. "Heh, did someone have a celebrity crush?" Roy shook his head, "I didn't come here to reminisce. I wanted to speak with you about something." "Okay, let's have it." He took in a deep breath, folding his arms in a manner that made her question how she had missed the resemblance, "about that day, the raid. Look, I appreciate what you were trying to do for me, but never do

that again." "I can't promise that," she returned flatly. "You know," he drew in a steadying breath, his tenor turning into a heartbreaking rumble, "it's possible you have people out there that care about you. You're a stubborn shit, but you're becoming like one of my own. Maybe you can't imagine someone coming back for you, but one day someone's going to thank me for keeping your sorry ass alive for them." "You can lecture me all you like then," she quipped, but the hot tears slipping out from the corners of her eyes betraying her true feelings. Roy's hand returned to her shoulder, letting the woman release in complete silence. He waited a few minutes after her shaking had stopped to speak again. "But you should come inside, there may or may not be a banner with your name on it awaiting you," he said wryly, "while I think Evelyn may not mind all the attention on her, she does not need that much cake."

[rjhpandapaws]

Orignal Work, Reed900, Murder Case - Man and Woman, YK Model Found, Truama, Nicholas, Case Closed, To Be Decommissioned, Taken In By Pair, Recovery

//Feelings. This may get its own full length work at some point bc I loved writing it //Cw for homicide, child trauma and the things that come with that, and a graphic-ish depiction of violence.

This case was one that neither Gavin or Richard had seen before. Normally something like this would be handled by Hank and Connor but they were working a high profile serial killer case and couldn’t spare the time or manpower which left the other human android detective duo. Gavin was looking over the crime scene as Richard scanned it looking for evidence. He was about to interface with the deactivated YK500 model but as soon as he touched the smaller android  the little boy’s eyes fluttered open and locked on Richard wide and full of panic. One eye was a deep forest green and the other was shut off from damage. He squeezed Richard’s arm tight enough that if it had been Gavin it would have bruised. Richard let the skin on his arm fall away and called for Gavin as the interface started. “Gavin, we’ve got a survivor in here!” He called before he allowed the interface, the last thing he heard before he was pulled under was Gavin’s rushed footsteps coming into the room.

YK500 531-213-41 Designation: Nicholas is requesting contact: Y/N Y Interface initiated

Nicholas: are my parents okay? Richard: We have people helping them Richard: Can you tell me what happened here?

He felt echoes of Nicholas’s panic as the memories travelled through the interface. He had seen the whole thing, and screamed so the killer had gone for him next, they were human by the looks of it and the fact that the blood left at the crime scene was red. They cut the interface soon after and Richard let go of Nicholas, but the child model was still clinging to him. When Richard was fully aware of himself again he motioned Gavin over, he was better with kids. “This is my friend Gavin, he’s also a detective he’s gonna ask you some questions while I check on your parents.” The child model turned his head so he could see Gavin, he gave the detective a once over before moving to cling to the human detective. Richard looked at Gavin, “I don’t know that he can speak so let him interface with your work tablet or phone please.” Gavin nodded and Richard headed back to the main crime scene.

He scanned it for more evidence now that the cursory scan was over and they had found Nicholas, he wanted to go over the crime scene with a fine toothed comb to find everything he could. He sampled evidence, scanned the room again, and ran reconstructions. He came away with three DNA profiles, two belonging to the victims and the third from their biological son who was in his thirties, the same man from Nicholas’s memory.. He was returning to Gavin when he heard the detective yelled. “Get some fucking techs in here! Nick is crashing!” Gavin’s voice shook, he was angry and was fighting off tears. Richard ran the rest of the way. He skidded to a halt in front of the YK model. “Gavin, if we get asked about this, it’s for the case. Nicholas is living evidence okay.” Gavin was rightfully confused. Richard kneeled down and forced an interface with Nicholas.

Richard: Don’t be afraid, I am going to back up your memories okay Nicholas: I don’t want to go! I want to stay until my mom and dad get back! Richard: Let me do this okay? You’ll be taken care of I promise. He felt Nicholas hesitate for a moment before he gave Richard access to his memories. He was as gentle as possible as he took them, saving them to a locked file simply titled ‘nick’. The techs arrived a short time before he finished and Gavin kept them at bay with the evidence argument. Richard pulled away once he was done and they took his place. They didn’t have anything else they could do here. They did have a suspect by the name of Jacob Hall to track down. Richard was working on getting the warrant for his arrest, using some of Nicholas’s memories and the evidence from the crime scene. the fact that a child’s life was on the line expedited the process. When he received the warrant he emailed it to Gavin, and worked on tracking down Jacob’s last known address. Gavin let him work in silence, but he could see something was eating at him Richard could tell. Normally he would wait for Gavin to say what was bothering him, but the android had a feeling he already knew. “He’s going to be okay Gavin, I have a back up of his memories so even if the technicians can’t get him back online we can find another model to upload him to.” He heard Gavin sigh. “That’s not the point Rich, he’s only hanging on because he thinks he’ll get to see his parents again.” Gavin said quietly, his voice was quiet and unsteady, “There is no one left here to look after him. Would it really be worth it to wake him at all?” “We’re here aren’t we?” Richard asked, “We could always look after him.” “Richard, Nicholas is a whole ass child, he is going to stay a whole ass child unless he decides he wants to be part of the Growing Up program,” Gavin sounded like he was making plans, like he was considering it, “He’s gonna be shut down if no body claims him. I couldn’t let that happen.” “Take a left up here detective.” Richard interrupted. “Raising a kid isn’t like taking care of a cat.” Gavin sighed, “What if he hates us?” “I don’t think he will.” Richard reassured as he placed a steady hand over Gavin’s on the steering wheel. “If we get in trouble for this I’m blaming you.” Richard nodded, before something caught his eye out his window, “Gavin I need you to either slow down or pull over.” “What?” Gavin was snapped out of his thoughts by Richard unbuckling and reaching for the door, “Richard we are going 50!” “That’s why I need you to slow down detective, I saw the suspect, I will send you my location when I have him apprehended.” Richard replied opening his door. “Richard what the fuck!” Was all Richard heard as he rolled out of the car, when he came to a stop, he stood and followed the suspect. When he was close enough he announced his presence, “Detroit Police, I would like to speak with you for a moment.” Jacob broke into a run, so did Richard. The android had an easier time navigating the terrain than the human did and soon had him in cuffs. He pinged Gavin and the detective showed up a short time later serving the warrant and read him his rights.

The interrogation was a struggle for them both, Gavin was livid and let it show, and Richard was struggling not to do the same. He was supposed to be the reasonable one, he was the android but, this was something else. None of them had done anything wrong. Gavin was getting close to his breaking point, child cases were hard for any detective, but they hit a little too close to home for both Gavin and Hank. Jacob was also spitting a lot of android remarks that were getting under Gavin’s skin. About a year and a half ago he had shared those sentiments. “Detective, why don’t you take a break, go catch your breath.” Gavin looked like he wanted to argue, but it seemed to dawn on him that this wasn’t a suggestion, “Get yourself some coffee. I could use some thirium while your there.” “Alright,” Gavin responded as he got up to leave, “If you need me I’ll be on the other side of the glass.” He was almost to the door when Jacob piped off again, “So you let it order you around then? Some detective you are.” Gavin turned to start a fight and Richard stopped him by grabbing his shoulders and blocking the detective’s path with his body, “Gavin, it’s not worth it, go catch your breath.” The android whispered. Gavin wilted a little but left the interrogation room to go take a breather. Richard turned and took the seat across from Jacob at the table and gave a sinister grin, “I know you don’t like androids, and that works fine for me because I don’t like most humans. Here’s the thing though; I’m not the one of us that is going to need to leave the room to maintain bodily function, I can sit here until you decide to talk. So we can talk about why you decided to kill your parents and adopted younger brother, or we can have the world’s longest staring contest.” “It wasn’t my brother.” Jacob said curtly after Richard had finished. “I moved out and they replaced me with a robot child so they could still feel useful.” Richard grit his teeth, “So you killed them? Why not steal Nicholas?” He hated suggesting that, “Why did it have to be murder?” “They replaced me!” Jacob shouted, “I left for college, to pursue dreams of my own and they just buy another kid! One that won’t grow up, never rebel, never disobey, and never leave. Why bother with your independent human son when you have a little play thing that would never grow up?” “So you murdered your parents and little brother, because you were jealous?” Richard asked again, deliberately using the title for Nicholas, because as long as Jacob was mad he would talk. “That little scrap heap wasn’t my brother, it was my replacement!” He snapped, “They all had it coming, but especially that little toy.” Richard leaned forward, he could feel the confession coming. “I knew where he was the whole time you know.” Jacob said with a sinister smile, “There’s this table in the entry where with a cabinet under it in the entry way, I used to hide there too. I let him see what I did to my parents as i took them from him. Let him see what I was going to do to him. Show him what he had caused.” Jacob paused, he didn’t seem to realize he was referring to Nicholas by male pronouns and Richard wasn’t about to tell him. “Then he had to fucking scream. Someone heard him so i had to be quick, I couldn’t to what I wanted to so I just beat his head against the stairs until he shut off. He was crying the whole time, like it actually hurt him. Like he could feel it.” Richard felt sick, which was quite a feat considering as he didn’t have any organs. Rage boiled beneath the surface, but he kept his temperament in check, “You are aware that legally speaking androids are people right? Despite what your personal opinion might dictate. So if Nicholas cannot be saved you are going to be booked on three counts of first degree murder.” Richard stood and nodded toward the two way mirror, “Thank you for the full confession though, it makes our job a lot easier.” Jacob was still puttering with anger as Richard left. Gavin met him in the hall and looked at him with concern. “Your LED is red.” He answered Richard’s unspoken question, “Turned as soon as you left the room.” Richard took the offered bottle of thirium and opened it, “Fifty stab wounds between the two of them all because they wanted another kid. He beat Nicholas’s head against the stairs until he went into emergency shut down and just left him there.” This was Richard’s first case involving a child, and he was starting to see why the other officers hated them so much. They hurt.

Three days later they got the call about Nicholas, he was fully repaired and ready for his memories to be reuploaded. If nobody claimed him after the trial he would be decommissioned. They were ready, they had papers for temporary custody of him while they waited on the adoption papers to come through. They went to the android hospital. Nicholas was in a bed and in stasis. His synthskin was on and he looked peaceful like this. Now that parts of his face were not chipped off and missing. Richard approached the bed and let the skin of his hand fall away. He apologized to the quiet room before he started the memory transfer. When it completed Nicholas woke himself up screaming and Richard was quick to try and soothe him. They were still connected so he send waves of calm and comfort over the link until the fearful pained cry settled onto sniffles and sobs. He sat on the bed and hugged the child model to him. “They aren’t coming back are they?” Nicholas asked once he was able to speak, “Humans don’t get to come back.” Nicholas sniffled again and his breathing stuttered before he spoke again, “You are going to have me talk at the trial and then I am going to be shut down because no one wants a damaged kid.” Gavin spoke before Richard did, “Remember what I said to you on the couch kiddo? That I wasn’t gonna let anyone else hurt you. That means Cyberlife too. Richard and I signed some papers so you can come stay with us after this.” Nicholas turned to look at Gavin, and Richard noticed their eyes were pretty close in color, “Do you promise?” “I cross my heart.” He came to sit on the other side of Nicholas. “You’ll be here for a couple more days, so they can make sure that you’re alright, and then on Friday we’ll be able to bring you home with us.” Nicholas seemed happy with that and relaxed between the two of them. They visited him every day until Friday. They took that day off and took Nicholas home  in the morning and stayed with him as he roamed the house. The weekend went by without too much trouble. The weeks leading up to the trial were a little rough. Nicholas would have panic attacks if he was left alone, so one of them would have to call off to stay home with him, and if that didn’t work he would come to the station with them. The trail was thankfully short but it was hard on Nicholas. Hearing that he was the cause of his parents death in Jacob’s eyes dug up things that the little android had kept buried, and it took months to get him to open up again.

It was two years later when he came to Gavin and Richard and asked to be put in the Growing Up program, he wanted to experience life to the fullest. He had said they were his family, and for the first time since he had deviated, Richard cried. They all had, but it was a sure sign that things were looking up. It would be a rough road ahead, agreeing to grow up wasn’t going to fix anything, but he wanted to be come a man that his mom and dad would have been proud of. He didn’t quite see Gavin and Ricard as parents, but they were his family and he loved them.

[but-first--tea]

LFRP: Omori Kaya

THE BASICS

Full name: Omori Kaya

Pronunciation: Oh-Moh-Ree   Kay-Uh  (Omori is her surname, Kaya is her given name)

Nicknames: n/a

Height:  5'6" (quite tall for a midlander hyur)

Age:  “A lady never reveals her age.” (adult)

Nameday: 32nd Sun of the 3rd Astral Moon

Languages: Doman, Common

Occupation: Not getting caught.

Current Residence: "Traveling abroad.“ (Basically living a tourist’s life in Eorzea, hoping to never be called out as the fraud she is. She’ll spend time as someone’s guest here, staying in a hotel elsewhere the next month, etc…)

Relationship Status: While she has never actually been married, the identity of the woman she pretends to be is a young widow and heiress. (Single)

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Hair color: Black

Eye color: Pale, silvery grey

Skin tone: Fair

Body type: Slender, athletic but not in an obvious way.

Scars: none

Accent: Doman

Posture

Poised, athletic– though she’s no master shinobi, she is her mother’s daughter. Her training began at the age of four, and it’s still evident in the way she moves, observes, and behaves. Others who have trained would likely notice it easily. She carries herself with quiet dignity, and moves (or refuses to) deliberately, as if she expects each action to be read for significance, and takes great care not to reveal too much unintentionally. Though, in the very rare instances when she lets down her guard, this facade can fade away, revealing that she’s still a girl who can be amused, and charmed, and is easily mesmerized by beautiful places and things.  

Accessories

She’s almost never seen without jewelry, though all of it is merely decorative– the trappings of the life she’s stepped into. None of it is personal, or carries meaning beyond appearing as she’s expected to.

Apparel

Her taste ranges from the classically dramatic to the outright exotic- not out of a sense of vanity, but in an appreciation of what is more or less wearable art.  She most frequently wears black and white, though she also favors blue and occasionally red. In keeping with her heritage, she tends toward modesty in her dress. Of course, most of these clothes once belonged to a woman whose identity she has stolen, and she’s begun to add Eorzean fashions to her wardrobe to stand out less.  The more she blends in, the fewer questions about her past she needs to dodge...

CHILDHOOD

Place of Birth: Doma

Siblings: none she knows of

Parents: The samurai Masanari and an Imperial Shadow named Harue, though Kaya has never known her biological father, as she was still less than a year old when he disappeared.

Upbringing: Raised initially by her mother, and later trained by grandmother once her affinity for magic became apparent. (More details can be found in her character history.)

PERSONAL

Personality

Outwardly, she is polite and mysterious, with a demeanor ranging from businesslike toward strangers, to an unexpected sort of mischievous and rebellious streak around the rare soul she’s begun to feel comfortable around. She’s evasive and distant. She rarely connects with others easily, which leads to most people assuming she’s either very shy, or rather snobbish, at first impression. She doesn’t trust easily, isn’t prone to showing any emotion in public if she can avoid it, and is often the one who, from an outward appearance, seems to be just another quiet wallflower enjoying the view.

Beneath the surface, however, she feels everything perhaps far too much, watches everyone with the wariness of someone who knows all too well what people are capable of, and deeply craves the connections to others she doesn’t seem to be able to form easily. She’s always searching for the few who can see the world the way she does- as something equally beautiful as it is deadly, meant to be lived in, not just endured. She’s a powder keg of passions always kept under a tight lid, hidden away for safe keeping.

Still, she is difficult to anger, and it’s a cold anger when it happens. She knows that engaging in violence and revealing her training would likely break character entirely, and being discovered as a fraud wouldn’t end well for her. As a result, she’ll try to think her way out of any situation, instead.

Motivations/Goals

If asked what she wants more than anything else in the world, she’d probably say to be able to do what she wanted, not what she was told, or allowed, or expected to. She craves freedom in all its definitions, but nearly always denies it to herself out of fear or pragmatism. While playing the role of a young, noble heiress she feels the restraints of her gilded cage all too keenly. She must behave in the way one raised to the role would be expected to. As a result, she finds small ways to rebel that aren’t likely to be noticed. Her fierce and defiant nature, thus repressed, will see her doing seemingly pointless things like rearranging the furniture in hotel rooms, stealing small items she could easily afford, or finding ways to secretly get even with those who have behaved poorly.

Financial Status

Ostensibly wealthy, though not one gil of it was ever truly hers. Still, she feels no guilt in obtaining the Omori family’s accounts considering they would have otherwise been seized by the Garlean government following Lord Omori’s assassination.

She has been quietly seeking a way to invest ‘her’ money in a way that would  divorce it from her stolen inheritance, make it more truly hers, and greatly reduce the risk of losing everything should her false identity be uncovered.

Weapons

While she was raised to the blade and bow for most of her childhood, she hides her training and doesn’t carry a weapon openly, if at all. If cornered and forced to defend herself, she’d mostly likely attempt to disarm an opponent and steal theirs, or improvise.

Vices

Seemingly none, as she has striven to present herself as a woman of proper graces. However, she is prone to self-indulgence and spending far too much gil merely because she can, which she considers a vice in herself and tries to resist.

Likes

People who are intelligent, interesting, vibrantly passionate and alive. Watching people do things that require specialized skill, especially combat training or constructing something.

Constructive debate and interesting challenge. Trying/learning new things.

Music, dancing. She’s often wished she could play an instrument, but has never learned to.

Nature, gardens, fireflies, birds, waterfalls, the ocean/seaside. Traveling to anywhere with a spectacular view or vibrant culture. Learning about said cultures.

Exotic spiced foods or just about anything she hasn’t tasted before that doesn’t look absolutely disgusting. Tea. Fruits, chocolate, and spiced cider or tea. Have I mentioned tea?

Unusual crystals and/or gemstones. While she’s generally unfazed by wealth or status, she appears to be positively mesmerized by sparklies.

Dislikes

Politics, rumor mongering, cattiness, insults, and general poor behavior.

People who think getting drunk is the best kind of fun to be had.

Addictive drugs, and those who sell them.

Being forced to do anything, feeling not in control over her own life.

Overly objectifying unwanted attention, awkward social situations/obligations/expectations.

Being cold, biting insects.

Hobbies

Reading, especially the arcane.

Learning the history of different places and cultures.

Collecting small, easily transportable items (generally clothing or jewelry) in local styles from each new place she visits.

Pets: None, currently.  She once had a magpie as a pet when she was younger, and maintains a fondness for birds of all kinds.

RP HOOKS

She’s looking (quietly) for a way to launder, er... invest her money to gradually eliminate the need to rely on her stolen identity and foreign contacts for access to funds. Have an opportunity?

A trusted lady’s maid, retainer, or guard type to help her maintain appearances. 

It’s possible that someone from her past in Doma might recognize her, or perhaps have known the real Omori Kaya.

The woman she is impersonating is an ill-fit for her. She is fierce, independent, and rebellious... the exact opposite of the demure and soft character her stolen identity demands. But, her mother risked everything to secure her new identity, and she won’t cast it off unless forced to. Still, she isn’t perfect. Someone could catch her in a mistake, and become curious...

The Lady Omori Kaya appears elegant, mysterious, ...and wealthy. Potential suitors aren’t unlikely. (Romance is an option, though she’ll be hard to pin down at first, for obvious reasons.)

She has a (stolen) soulstone in her possession, and has been working to unlock its secrets. 

Open to brainstorming other connections, past associations, or jumping into -your- existing plot!

OOC

I make my own schedule. I can be available pretty much any time from 8 am to 9pm CST. Sadly, I can rarely do late nights because I need to do that sleeping thing.

OOC communication is a priority for me.

I have been RPing for 20+ years. I am comfortable with both in game or Discord RP, and anything from short, quick posts to multi para. I do this because I enjoy writing!

I am not interested in random ERP outside of a long-term character interaction. I do love writing ships as long as there's strong chemistry between the characters, and both the character and the writer of said character are mature adults. However,I will not consider ships with alt or AU characters, as this is my one and only RP character. (No multi-shipping.)

I prefer a RP style that works with what is plausible within the scope of the lore. I'm open to creativity, as long as it makes sense. I prefer to stay away from void-heavy, AU, inserts from other universes, and anything involving cross-breeding with non-playable races/beings. (These are only my personal preferences, and everyone else is free to do whatever they like!)

Absolutely no: rape, harm to children, or graphic torture.

I do enjoy game content as well, and prefer company over doing so alone! I am currently sitting in my own personal FC house, but would consider joining a real FC if it makes sense for my character. 

Confession: I probably spend way too much time decorating virtual houses. 

[bookshopkat]

Asian Fantasy Novels for the Lunar New Year

Photo by Thyla Jane

Happy Year of the Ox!  The Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, is a major celebration in many Asian countries.  Marking the first new moon of the lunar calendar, this celebration lasts for days and is a time for family and friends, lantern festivals, dragon and lion dances, gifts of money, fireworks, and feasts.  There’s something enchanting about the Lunar New Year, with its bright lanterns lining every street and its sparkling starbursts lighting the night sky.  At its heart is tradition, cultural beliefs, and a mixture of mythology and magic.  Simple charms are used to bring good luck and drive away evil.  The supernatural has a firm place amid the celebrations, from shoe-stealing ghosts in South Korea to Vietnamese kitchen gods to the lion-like monster Nian in China.  As such, this holiday presents a marvelous opportunity to both celebrate various Asian cultures and conjure a sense of wonder.  So, to celebrate the Lunar New Year, here are four fantasy novels rooted in Asian culture and lore.

Jade City by Fonda Lee

On the island of Kekon, jade grants those with the ability to wield it special powers, but promises pain and death for anyone lacking the right genetics who tries to use it.  As a result, jade smuggling is a profitable business and those families with the capacity to use the mineral, called Jade Bones, make up the highest class of society. But now ordinary citizens are somehow gaining the ability to use jade, and it is throwing the society of Kekon into turmoil.  As suspicion fuels inter-clan warfare among the noble class, the future of the island nation hangs in the balance.  In the midst of this chaos stands three siblings. Kaul Lan, the new, young, peace-loving leader of his family, finds himself faced with the uncomfortable necessity of bloodshed as he tries to steer his clan through these uncertain times.  Lan’s brother, the hot-tempered and passionate Kaul Hilo, is like a warrior straight out of old tales: honorable, protective, and hungry for battle and glory.  Their sister, Shae, is an independent modern woman who chose to cast aside her jade along with her traditional roles in favor of freedom and marriage to an outsider.  Added to this cast of characters is Wen, Hilo’s forbidden lover, who is burdened by the combination of coming from a disgraced family and being a rare Stone Eye, a supposedly cursed person completely immune to jade.  All four have their differences and disagreements, and the tension between them mirrors the growing strain in their homeland at large.  It will take them all, however, to find out who is responsible for the dangerous drug allowing non-Jade Bones to wield the sacred stone before it is too late.

This is a novel that bridges high fantasy and urban fantasy, weaving a tale of heroism, betrayal, and intrigue against the backdrop of a thoroughly modernized enchanted society. Lee’s narrative is intricate and interesting, her world building is exceptional, and her magical system is comprehensive and intelligent.  Running throughout the entire tale are elements of Chinese myth and culture, with folklore concerning gods and monsters playing a vital part.  Complex, well-written, and engaging, Jade City is grand and unique fantasy adventure.

Tears of the Wind by Phung Lam

This collection of short stories is a touching as it is magical.  Taking place on the fictional Island of Wishes, each tale explores human nature and the deepest desires people harbor in dark corners of their minds. From a lonely heart seeking solace to a soul hungry with ambition, this anthology explores the not only the power of wishes, but the question: what would people do if the one thing they truly wanted most could be theirs?  It’s basically impossible to find an English version of this book, and I had to rely on the Smart Book translation application for the ebook format.  That led to some odd phrasing in portions of the text, but the collection was nonetheless enjoyable. That is because Lam writes not only with imagination but also with a keen understanding of humanity.

The narratives are dreamlike, the content somewhat akin to magical realism and the tone ultimately surrealistic.  Ranging from heartrending to horrifying, Lam weaves stories about the darkest parts of ourselves, when we harbor wishes we dare not name, as well as about the unforeseen and often terrible consequences of getting exactly what we think we want.  The author explores the nature of love, the power of longing, and the baser side of our very nature. It’s an engaging collection that seems, and its core, to turn upon one basic thought: be careful what you wish for.

The Ghost Bride by Yangsze Choo

Set in late-nineteenth-century Malaya, on the island of Borneo, this novel sparkles with folk beliefs and superstitions.  Li Lan is a spirited girl and only child from a family wrapped in what can only be called genteel poverty.  Her life is certainly not perfect—her mother is dead, her father, although loving, has allowed his grief to lead to opium addiction, and her marriage prospects are extremely limited—but things aren’t so very bad.  Apart from occasional longings for beautiful new clothing such as she sees other wealthier girls sporting, Li Lan would be reasonably content if it weren’t for one thing: her father has asked her if she would like become a ghost bride.  He says it almost as a joke, but the moment he speaks the words, the wheels of fate start to turn. The rare tradition of ghost brides is meant to mollify the spirits of wealthy young men who died without marrying, and it presents both tempting and terrifying prospects. While accepting would mean financial help for her aging father as well as a place for Li Lan herself in one of Malacca city’s most affluent households, it would also mean giving up any dreams of love, passion, or children of her own.

Li Lan, of course, refuses, especially when she starts to develop feelings for another decided living man.  But the choice may not be as easy as the thinks.  She finds herself haunted by Lim Tiang Ching, her spectral suitor, and he is determined to have her.  Tiang Ching, the young woman soon learns, was selfish and cruel when he was alive, and death hasn’t improved him. Desperate, Li Lan seeks the help of a local wise woman, and unwittingly finds herself embroiled in a supernatural struggle where ghosts are all too real and her only hope hangs on a mysterious young man who may be more than he seems, and who is most definitely keeping secrets.  On top of that, she begins to realize that the Lim family is harboring some dark secrets of their own, and one of them may be deadly.  

Choo’s narrative is imaginative as well as brimming with cultural folklore and traditions.  A blend of mystery and fantasy, it is engaging from start to finish.  Many of the characters are interesting and a little quirky, although a couple feel less well developed and there were a few moments when I felt the protagonist was a bit too flighty for my tastes. Nonetheless, this is a fun, entertaining fantasy book, perfect for an evening of light reading with a cup of tea or coffee at your side.

When You Trap a Tiger by Tae Keller

This is a truly wonderful novel blending together magical realism, mythology, family drama, and a deeply touching coming of age tale. It’s a beautifully written and imaginative narrative where opposites don’t so much collide as they do interweave in a complex dance.  Dreams tangle with reality, childhood blurs with adolescence, Korean tradition intersects with modern America, folklore mingles with daily life, and stories become solid enough to touch. Through it all runs a profound understanding of emotion and the human spirit.

Lily has always loved visiting her Korean grandmother, catching stars to learn what stories they hold and listening to traditional tales from their ancestral homeland.  This, however, is different.  Now Lily, along with her mother and her sister, are moving in with the old woman because Lily’s grandmother is sick, and isn’t getting any better.  A new city, a new school, and new fears about her beloved relative would all be difficult enough, but Lily has another problem: upon arriving, she sees a tiger straight out of one of her grandmother’s tales.  This is both a metaphor for many things: words unsaid, terminal illness, fear, and long-ago mistakes.   It is, however, also an introduction of the magical real.  Upon informing her grandmother about the big cat, Lily begins unraveling the old woman’s greatest tale yet, and takes the first step in a personal journey to discover family secrets and leave her childhood behind.  As marvelous as it is heartfelt, When You Trap a Tiger addresses conflicts between generations and cultures, as well as the reconciliation of the past, through the lens myths and storytelling. At its core, this is a novel about the power of both love and stories, as well as about one girl finding herself.

Perhaps one of these books will make an excellent companion over the next several days as celebrations of the Lunar New Year progress. Blending Asian folklore with a sense of the fantastic, these works may prove to be the perfect way for those not immersed in these festivities to still capture a bit of the season’s spirit.  Readers hungry for an interesting narrative that is a little out of the ordinary will likely find any one of these to be a feast for the imagination, as well as a wonderful way to start of the Year of the Ox.  Happy Reading!