#and i am completely fine with waiting for chapter 3 and 4 i get that game development is time consuming

[hiis-theme]

i love deltarune n all but also it being my biggest hyperfixation rn s u c k s . i'd feel silly replaying chapter 1 and 2 so soon after i did the last time (i played deltarune three times last year) esp since we're probably gonna get chapter 3 and 4 this year but i'm. slightly starved for content-

[anki-of-beleriand]

A heart Made of Glass ch. 13

Summary: Ten years ago you left Wanda and the Avengers to heal your broken heart. You never stopped being a hero, just as you never stopped being in love with her. But life had to go on.

Now, after all that time, she is back and with her is a young woman needing help and an enemy that may not be as afraid as Wanda to lay a claim on you.

Pairings: Wanda Maximoff x Powered!F!Reader - Scarlet Witch x PoweredF!Reader - Past Wanda Maximoff x Vision

Warnings: Angst, drama, mentions of cheating, fluff, violence, smut, Switch!Reader, internalize homophobia, hurt, comfort, Wanda being a complete mess, anger management issues, jealousy, Requited/Unrequited love, idiots in love, swearing, mentions of alcohol. More tags as the story progess.

Author's Note: This story is a continuation of Dirty Little Secret I was really surprised at the response I got for the story, I did all the tags you guys ask for but if I forgot someone please do not hesitate to tell me. Thank you for the support.

Oh, I am back and this chapter is a wrap-up for the confrontation between Reader and Wanda. They had been given a moment of solitude before going back to their own reality, can they really get past through everyting that happened to them in the past?

Please, do remember English is no my mother tongue so forgive my grammar, spelling and funny mistakes.

Chapter 1 - Chapter 2 - Chapter 3 - Chapter 4 - Chapter 5 - Chapter 6 - Chapter 7 - Chapter 8 - Chapter 9 - Chapter 10 - Chapter 11 Chapter 12 - Chapter 13 - Chapter 14 - Chapter 15 - Chapter 16 - Chapter 17 - Epilogue

Chapter 13

Can we change the past?

You never imagined this ordeal would end in the way it did.

The universe you left behind came crumbling down under the weight of its own shaky foundations, it became a cold unfitting world that disappear the moment you and the others touched the land of another Universe.

Everything was kind of blurry from the on.

You knew Wanda was taken away, and soon after you were also being carried to a room in which you lost consciousness after your body finally gave up. Your mind didn’t have the time to think about what had happened or what would happen after you were completely recover. You let things happened, and in that time you gave yourself to a blissful mindfulness in which you knew, sooner or later, you would need to face everything you had been running from.

It soon became evident that time was running out, with people coming in and out of your room checking over your physical and mental well-being before asking uneasy questions. Sometimes you would evade those questions, and some others you would give vague answers that would tell the others you were no fool.

You stretched out grasping thin air in your fist, tilting your head you started making a small sequence of Tai Chi you had learnt from Yelena. After more than a week of being in the hospital, you were finally able to feel your body as yours again. Your muscles flexed, and the shadows under your feet stirred with the silent command of your thoughts. You smiled glancing at your reflection through the window, everything was working just fine and you knew you were ready to go back home.

The door behind you cracked, and the knob turned to the left revealing the single figure of Doctor Jean Grey. The woman was beautiful, and her smile was infectious always putting your mind at ease.

“Hello, Y/N, how are you this morning?”

“Doc, I’m doing better now, thank you.” You spined around slowly, the shadows wavering around until they covered your feet, your smile grew cocking your head to follow the lead of your left arm then your right one.

“I certainly felt much better now.”

“I can see that.” The woman smile stepping closer to your bed while placing a single file on the breakfast table.

“Tell me you cam here with good news.”

Jean offered a single smile while taking a seat, she sat waiting for you to settle down on the bed. The room soon filled with silence that was only broken by the busy morning routine right outside your room. You had learnt your room was in one of the busiest wings in the hospital back in the Tower. Wanda had not been that lucky, though.

“Well, I do come with news, if they are good or not depend entirely on you.” Jean could see the change in you, even through the easy smile you wore the young doctor could see you were being overly cautious.

“Okay, I’m listening.”

Doctor Jean Gray sauntered inside the room with a light blush on her cheeks. Her eyes twinkling merrily glancing at the chart in her hands before settling then on you.

For some reason, the reaction of the woman made you squirm uncomfortably. You had been in this universe for two days now, but it wasn't until now that you were forced to go inside the examination room and get yourself a quick check-up. It was quite evident that in this world mutants and superpowered individuals were treated differently, and the rules governing each one of them were set to get control on the population. 

“You seemed rather chirp today, Doc, good news for you or me?”

Jean chuckled, placing the chart on the bed before putting a chair close to the bed.

“It's my anniversary, and I received quite the news today.” She stated tilting her head, you smiled back at her.

“Congratulations, then.” 

Jean nodded, putting a strand of hair out of her face, “thank you.”

“So that would be for you, what about me?” You finally asked leaning forward, your eyes drifting to the chart in your bed.

“Everything seems to be okay.”

“But…?” You arched a brow when Jean leaned back on the chair offering a serious facade.

“You had been quite silent in the last couple of days, keeping yourself out of everyone's way and most importantly,” here Jean stopped as if measuring her words, “your avoidance of your particular predicament has raised some concerns on our end.”

Silence followed such a declaration, you dared to lock eyes with the woman sitting in front of you well-aware of her ability to read beyond your initial thoughts. Jean didn't move nor did she give any indication of breaking into small talk, I stead she seemed to sit there and wait patiently for you to speak.

“I’m not sure I want to have this conversation.” You sighed, lifting a hand to the back of your head, scratching the nape of your neck. “But I guess it is inevitable.”

“It is.” Jean softened her features, grabbing the file she left on your bed, she opened it in a single page while presenting the form to you.

“How…how is she?” Your voice was above a whisper, but it was loud enough for Jean to hear it.

The woman leaned back letting you read the file while she started talking. 

“She is doing better now, trying to recover her magical core had been quite the challenge but our own team of witches and healers had come together to help around.” 

There was nothing much you could do but nod, your eyes drifted to the file with your thoughts trying to focus on a single issue at a time. Ever since the five of you got to that universe everything had been but a blur; your Wanda was taken straight to the hospital and she had been looked after Tony's team back in the Avengers Tower. 

“That's good.”

“I just want to do one last check-up before clearing you up, America has been waiting for you and the twins are very excited as well.” Jean chuckled, standing up making her way to the closest drawer and putting some surgical gloves out. “They seemed to think that having a pair of moms at their disposal would give them some kind of advantage in their mischief.”

You tried to hide your expression from the other woman, but it was inevitable. Jean offered a sympathetic smile while getting to work. 

“They are just children…” you mumbled feeling your body warm up, your muscles twitching just as Jean started testing your reflex. “I don't think they understand that much.”

“Mm, you would be surprised how much Billy and Tommy understand about the situation.” Jean leaned back, lifting her left hand and letting it hover right on top of your forehead. “They are pretty smart, and sensitive.”

You pressed your lips together not wanting to go into a discussion. Not that you could raise any arguments against that statement, you had noticed just how sensitive they were and how smart they were. They had come that first time into your room calling you mom without a care in the world, telling you about their day while also making you aware of how they had sneaked in to see you and Wanda.

Your counterpart had been amused by your reaction, while her Wanda had been just a tad bit concerned about the confusion the whole situation could create in the children. 

“If I were to be honest, you look more confused than them.”

“You told me you don't read minds unless you have permission.” You replied furrowing your brows, Jean had the sense of looking embarrassed but never lost her smile when looking back at you.

“You kind of scream that thought at me, sometimes it is inevitable.”

Jean then leaned back, grabbing your file and writing some notes down. 

“I think you're ready to go.” Jean cocked her head when the first thing you did was jump down the bed and go to the closest chair holding your clothes. “But Wanda…”

You winced, grabbing your clothes tightly before turning around, this time around Jean was looking serious, her eyes gleaming lightly.

“What about Wanda?”

The silence grew around the both of you, your body was already tensing the muscles you would need to run. Jean opened her mouth only to close it again as if she didn't know what to say or how to say it. 

“I think you should visit her, it can make a difference in her recovery.”

At the end of the day, this last visit from Jean Grey was just that, another attempt from these people to go to Wanda and make sure she was okay. For you to stop running and face her taking ownership of what would happen next.

It was complicated.

And you were unsure as to how to proceed or what was expected of you.

“Look, I just…”

“MOM!!!!”

Not sooner had you heard such a scream, you found yourself being tackled by a pair of bouncing kids. Your heart skipped a beat with your arms lifted at your shoulders height while the kids had their faces up to look at you with toothy grins. They were quite adorable, and in reality a part of you seemed to just instantly loved them, noticing the likeness they had to Wanda and yourself.

“Okay, guys let’s back up a little, remember what we talked to you about?” 

The room was suddenly very crowded, your counterpart came right in followed by America and Pietro. It became quite apparent that everyone was waiting for Jean to finish her last check-up on you before getting into the room and see how you were doing. You placed your hands on the twin’s heads ruffling their hair playfully while offering a tentative smile. 

“That’s okay, I’m getting used to the enthusiastic greeting.”

“And them calling you mom?” Pietro inquired, quaking his brow while placing his hands in his pockets.

You couldn’t help the little wince, recoiling from the comment with your body turning to the chair and grabbing your clothes once more. Billy and Tommy glanced at one another, with Billy opening his eyes really big while making a gesture with his head. 

“Anyway, I’m just glad to know your good to go, because I was thinking we can go right ahead and get a look around and perhaps…” America started babbling making her way to your bed.

You nodded absentmindedly, your attention drifting for a moment to your counterpart and Jean that had decided to step out of the room to have a small conversation. You couldn’t help but wonder what exactly was going on, and what they were discussing with your thoughts going over and over to the woman that was still unconscious somewhere inside the building. 

Everything was strange in this universe. 

A part of you knew that sooner or later the conversation of Wanda and you going back to your respective reality would come; but it was quite evident everyone was waiting for the right moment to intervene and perhaps get something done. 

“Well, I think you better change so we can get out of here,” Pietro broke your line of thoughts, his eyes gleaming mischievously with his lips curling into a familiar expression. “Billy and Tommy prepare something for you, and I bet you are dying to eat something that isn’t hospital food.”

“You are completely right on that one, I’m going to change and then…you guys can show me a good time.”

You offered a tentative smile, your heart dropping for a moment when the twins cheered babbling non-stop to America and Pietro. For a brief moment you wondered…

…was this what you were missing back home?

_______________

You had been welcomed inside the household of your counterpart. 

This time around, the guest room had been prepared and you could enjoy the joys of a soft bed and a nice view of the backyard while trying to get some sleep. The day had been quite unexpected, with the twins and America being active participants in different forms of conversations and different sets of games and rambles that you were not prepared to share with these people.

You had tried to get away from it, but Billy and Tommy were very adamant on having you close and including you in every single moment of their afternoon. You didn’t fight too hard to not be there, though. After a while you realised Wanda would not be joining the family outing and actually your counterpart ended up being just a good source of geek material that differed from the one you had in your own world. 

Not for a single moment did anyone mention the white elephant in the room.

And for that you were quite grateful.

But now, in the middle of the night with the stars twinkling above your head and everyone sleeping in the house you couldn't help but think about it. Time was running out, sooner or later you would need to go back and face the consequences of what happened back in Norway and in that other universe. 

Sooner or later you would need to face Wanda once more.

“It is pretty late for you to be thinking so loud.” 

You kept your attention on the stars, the room was completely dark which was one of the reasons as to why you knew she had come home already. The young woman took a few steps forward until she was standing beside you, her face turned to the sky with her arms hugging her tightly.

“I just couldn’t go back to sleep.” You shrugged leaning against the wall, your head tilted to the side. “It was quite an exciting day, I think I’m still in a sugar rush.”

Wanda chuckled, lowering her head, her eyes gleaming lightly, turning her attention to you.

“So I heard. The twins really took you everywhere and made sure you taste everything back in the restaurant, didn’t they?”

Your face fell when the memories of that day came back, the twins had never left your side while telling you stories about their adventures. Not for a single moment did they think or even entertained the idea of them not being part of your life in your other world. For them it had been natural to make sure that you and Wanda did not forget about them. That was one of the reasons why it had been a shock for them to find out you and they didn’t know about that restaurant.

“You should tell our other selves about this place, mom! I know they will love it!”

“Yeah, we love it, and you love bringing us here!”

It still burnt that this life was not yours, but there was nothing you could do. 

Wanda could read your thoughts; she could sense your pain and it was something she couldn’t take. Not with you. Wanda dropped her arms, stepping closer to you. Her hand felt warm on your face, brushing away your hair and mapping out the form of your jaw. It was so unexpected you couldn’t help but freeze in place the tension evident in the contraction of your muscles, your left foot stepping back and stopping waiting for the other foot to join. It didn’t happen, though, you stood there waiting for something else to happen. 

“They are good kids.” Your voice trembled at the very end of that sentence, but your eyes never waver in their hold of those green irises.

“They are. They are very much your children as much as they are mine.” Wanda offered a timid smile that soon vanished, whatever hold she had on you broke and the young woman turned around as if ready to leave. 

The tension in your body didn’t leave, and your mind was poking at you uncomfortably pressing over for you to speak. To say something, to ask the question you were dying to ask but didn’t dare to do so. It looked as if nothing else was going to be said that day, as if nothing else was going to happen and you were trying to get a hold of your beating heart when Wanda stopped by the door turning to the side and locking her eyes with yours.

“You will need to face her sooner or later, Y/N.” Wanda let her words sink in, her eyes softening lightly when she could sense the conflict inside of you. 

“Do I have to?” The question left your lips before you could stop it, Wanda lifted her shoulder stepping back. 

“I think you know the answer to that question,” she stated letting out a tired yawn, “what you really need to ask yourself, though is what would happen if that confrontation doesn’t come the way you expect it to be? What if it becomes everything you thought impossible with her? Are you ready to face that conversation? Are you ready to make a decision for you and her?”

You hated the fact this Wanda was so insightful and you hated even more that she was right. That was the real reason as to why you couldn’t sleep, as to why you were trying to bury your emotions and your memories, while also running away from what you were experimenting with. Of the changes that had come knocking on your door all those months ago.

“Have a good night, Y/N, rest and follow your instincts on this one because they…” Wanda left the sentence in the air, and it was you the one to finish it.

“They had never failed me.”

There was a flash of a smile and then Wanda left, closing the door behind her. 

___________________

But trying to follow your instincts was easier said than done.

A part of you knew the meeting was inevitable, after all, the both of you needed to go back to your respective Universe and this would never happen if you two kept on avoiding one another. But then, there was another part, the one you had been carrying with you for far too long, that was afraid of a confrontation that might broke your heart all over again.  

You played with time for as long as you could, taking advantage of Tony’s curiosity and Loki’s infinite questions. You became very helpful of Wong and Hank’s questions, and you couldn’t help but give in the twin’s whims every night before going to bed. Nevertheless, you had the days count on that universe, and it wasn’t as if you really wished to stay. You missed home, and you missed your friends and family; but the final step to get everything ready to go back was something you had never felt ready to do.

On the fifth morning you woke up on a guest room, you knew you couldn't run anymore. America had finished her breakfast and Y/N was reading the paper, no one did or said anything for a moment until you sat at the table with the coffee warming up the mug in your hands.

“Wanda is fully recovered.” Your counterpart stated, never leaving her eyes from the page she was reading, “she is confused, a little weak but ready to talk and go back home.”

“Talk?” You asked a little harsher than you were meant to.

Y/N lifted a single brow, her lips pursing tightly.

“With you.”

You opened your mouth to argue, but a kick on your leg made you stop. America was glaring at you, her head shaking slightly opening her eyes and glancing meaningfully at your counterpart.

“I know, I just…”

Y/N sighed, closing the paper and placing it slowly on the counter. Her eyes pierced you with a gaze filled with emotion, you shifted on the chair trying to look away but unable to do so.

“Whether you want it or not, you will need to have this confrontation. Whatever you are afraid of facing…I think you should get your shit together and face it right away. You are running out of time, and excuses.”

Your counterpart finished her tirade with a slap to the table, shaking her head as she stood up and left the kitchen. You cocked your head until you found America glancing at you.

“I guess there is no running from this, is it?”

America shrugged, biting her lower lip, “I guess not.”

You lowered your eyes to the counter before lifting them to ensure America was paying attention to you.

“Once this is over, are you staying or are you coming back with us?” The question caught her off of guard, America was looking shocked and her mouth tried to form a specific thought but was unable to respond right away.

You chuckled standing up, your hand on her shoulder.

“You would be more than welcome back home, but I know you missed this place greatly.” You squeezed her shoulder before walking away, a single wall of dark shadows spreading before you. “Think about it, America, I'll be back in a few hours and we will talk about me and Wanda going back home.”

“I will think about it.” America mumbled offering a half smile. “Good luck.”

You winked at her trying to show more confidence than you actually felt before crossing over the shadows and disappearing into them. The trip was short, with the shadows embracing you with a cold hold leading through the space until you stepped inside a dimly lit hall.

The place was completely silent, though you could make out the sound of chatter in the distance. You lowered your gaze to the floor, our ears twitching lightly ignoring the rest of the sounds and focusing on your heartbeat.

The last couple of months have been a complete rollercoaster for you. You never imagined, even in your wildest dreams, that Wanda would show at your doorstep with a young woman asking for help. For a very long time, you had put in the back of your mind the confrontation with Wanda. A part of you knew it would come, eventually. But you never intended to be the one to take the first step for the meeting to happen.

When you got to see Wanda face to face, and actually talk to her, your world came crumbling down around you. The barriers you had built around your heart and mind ended up not being as strong and resilient as thought them to be. Your heart still missed a beat at the sound of her laughter, and your hardened façade went away as soon as you saw the suffering and the heartbreak in those green eyes.

Wanda would always be one of your greatest weaknesses. 

And you hated yourself for that.

It was as if your own suffering didn't matter, as long as Wanda was fine and didn't have to feel what you felt. Yet you refused to believe her words or even offer forgiveness for the wrong doings in the past. All of this came crashing down in a single meeting, all the doubts and pain came back, but also the yearning and the confusion you were threatening to overwhelm you and leave you without a way out. 

You took a deep breath, your hand running through your hair helping your uneasiness. You closed for a brief moment, and your mind went blank emptying any thoughts that might come in and make you falter in your actions. The last couple of days, and actually the last couple of months, you had thought about this moment; you had given yourself and her a chance to step aside and let the past in the past and for the both of you ready to face the present without thinking too much about the future.

The room was in complete darkness, the lights were out and the curtains were still closed. You could hear the monitor in the corner, the bed occupied the left side of the room leaving a big sofa and a couple of chairs on the right. Hanging from the wall you could see the TV that was huge enough to almost cover the wall, the only thing that prevented this from happening was the side door leading to the bathroom. Tony was really into luxury, you closed the door behind you a little unsure on how to proceed.

The tension around the room only increased when you felt a pair of eyes on you. It didn't take too long for you to know who it was, you stepped forward making your way to the curtains. 

“Would you mind if I open them up? I prefer the natural light of the day instead of the artificial ones.” You turned lightly, finally locking your eyes with those of Wanda.

Your Wanda.

“That's fine.” She replied, her voice was but a whisper but you could get the strong laced tone that Scarlet used whenever she talked to you.

The room changed under the light of the day, while there was not much sun the sky was cloudless and the position of the tower as well as the floor you two were currently in allowed for the perfect setting for natural light. You glanced around a city that was familiar yet strange, the weight of that stare didn't leave you, not even when you finally turned around to lock eyes with her.

“You look fine.” Wanda lowered her chin, her fingers twitching on top of the bed wanting to do or say something else but unsure where her relationship with you stood at the moment.

“I wasn't that badly injured, but I think I did need the rest.” You took a step forward, then another until you were actually standing beside Wanda.

Wanda hesitated for a moment before moving to the left, she chewed on her lower lip before patting the spot on the bed.

“You can sit here, if … if you want, there is also a chair and…” whatever else Wanda was going to say was cut off by you taking her initial offer of sitting on the bed.

Wanda felt her heart do somersaults, her body tingling at your closeness and the little voice she had come to recognize as Scarlet’s whispering to her telling her to close the distance, to grab your hand, to not let you go. But she held back knowing that her position was precarious at best and whatever you had come to discuss with her needed to be addressed first. 

“How are you?” You fixed your position on the bed, well aware that the only thing you needed was to lower your arm and your hand would be touching Wanda's one. 

“I'm better now, a little sore and getting use to…” here Wanda trailed off with her brows creasing a little, “to be complete, I guess. It's difficult, but I think I am ready.”

Her words held a decisive tone, but her eyes were flashing the doubts running inside her mind. You realised right there and then that nothing much had changed in the last couple of years, there were things you could still read about her. 

“Ready for what?” You asked quietly, Wanda sighed shrugging.

“Going back.” She replied simply. “Getting out of your way, out of your life…I did promise you after all of this was over I wouldn't bother you any more…”

Her words stung your heart, spreading an electrifying pain all through your body until it hit your brain. You didn't understand why, exactly. That had been the deal, to help her out and then get her out of your life. Then, if you knew what was going to happen, how it would end, why were you having these doubts? Why did it hurt?

Wanda was in her own thoughts, a part of her she had tried to suppress, the one she tried to deny stirred in anger. Wanda wanted to speak out, to tell you she didn't want to go and that she certainly didn't want to pretend nothing had happened in the last couple of months. That seeing you had been one of her greatest joys in life, but it had also brought pain and sadness, that being in this universe seeing the twins and facing what could have been…

Without really noticing, tears started falling rolling down her cheeks while her heart shrank with the weight of her emotions. Wanda refused to give in, her fists closing tightly and her tears breaking her composure and without really wanting to she finally broke in front of you.

You observed the full process, the way her face changed and the tears pilling up her eyes. Wanda was trying to bottle up whatever she was feeling, whatever she was thinking. It was so easy to ignore everything the other woman was experiencing; it was easy to hold onto your shared past. 

But this was Wanda.

And you couldn't ignore her. That was the reason why you had to disappear after the breakup.

With a tentative touch, you let your hand fall on top of hers. Your thumb drew circles before leaning in and wrapping her in a hug. Wanda held onto you, her sobs filling the room while her hands tried to grasp your clothes. You didn't say anything, but for some reason you could feel it.

The apology you never allowed her to share with you. The broken heart she had been wearing ever since that day. 

“I'm sorry, I'm sorry…”

Wanda cried and once she started she couldn't stop. Fixing your position on the bed you made sure she was comfortably resting her weight on your left side, putting comforting arms around her while soothing her body with sweet caresses you had dared to make in anyone but her.

Whatever conversation you were meant to have with her, whatever it was you had come to talk to her about soon crumbled under the pressure of her tears and your own feelings for her. 

And just like that, you knew you couldn't let her go.

Not without a real conversation.

And not without a fight.

______________________

Wanda was not completely sure when she fell asleep, but right now she was completely aware of being awake resting on top of you with the warmth and comfort of your presence soothing her soul.

Her body tensed right away, though soon she relaxed into the embrace having noticed your even breathing and the relaxed posture of your body. You had fallen asleep as well and, at some point the both of you had ended up sharing the small hospital bed without anyone coming over to interrupt that moment.

Wanda nuzzled her face against your neck, she wished this was something she would share with you every day. How she had missed waking up in your arms, to see your smile in the mornings and your hyperactive body demand for the morning routine. Everything was so messed up, and she didn't know when she allowed her world to crumble into nothingness.

Her heart trembled with emotion, and her thoughts formed an idea Wanda knew was not completely hers but a figment of Scarlet. 

You have to fight back! You need to get her back! You need to tell her everything we discovered! Everything we know!

Her voice was demanding, yet it held a hint of desperation that Wanda was familiar with. It was the same voice she had woken up to back in the battlefield after the snap, the same one she had heard countless of times whenever she thought about you or a way to recover her life. Everything had been so complicated, yet it could had been so easy to recover her life to actually try to make a change and reconcile with everyone.

There were no more tears in her eyes, and the sadness and sorrow she had lived with all her life was a burden she was tired to carry with her. With some reluctance, Wanda let go of you stirring in the bed while trying to be careful in her movements, she missed your closeness and the warm that your body had provided but it was time for her to stand up.

You need to fight for her, you cannot lose her. Not again.

The voice echoed inside her head, and Wanda knew this time around she couldn’t allow her fears to stop her from at least getting a chance to be your friend. With that thought in mind, Wanda stood on weakened feet gathering her strength before walking towards the closes wardrobe and grabbing some clothes. She gave you one last glance before making her way to the bathroom, she would need to get ready for what would come next.

It was the cold what wake you up.

The cold and the fact you missed the weight of someone resting on your left side, you sighed blinking owlishly while patting the side of the bed where you were pretty sure your companion had been resting. In those glorious moments between being awake and asleep, you were trying to grasp the reality of the woman you had been holding. Your memory groggily moving through the smell of her shampoo, and the softness of her skin and then…

You remembered.

Wanda had been crying, you had held her, you had fallen asleep…

You stood up so fast that you fell of the bed hitting your head against the night table, while hitting your ass on the ground.

“Ugh, fuck…”

“Are you…are you alright? What…did you fall off the bed?”

You wished you could hide, but instead of that you lifted your face to see Wanda standing by the bed trying to hold back her laughter just as her eyes gleamed with worry. You could sense the blush forming on your cheeks, while your whole body seemed to protest under the pain of the hits you got when falling.

“I…yes, I just…woke up too fast and…I fell off the bed.”

That was all that Wanda needed to start laughing, she couldn’t help herself. She had seen you woke up and then lose all control while getting your feet entangled on the sheets and falling on your ass. It had been funny, and the fact that you now looked all embarrassed and were pouting made for the scene not only something funny but quite adorable.

You huffed trying to stand up, rolling your eyes while the other woman held against the bed trying to control her laughter.

“Yeah, yeah, laugh all you want, little witch…” the nickname slipped your lips without giving it a second thought. That made the laughter died and once more the room was filled with a tension neither one of you were ready to maintain.

“I’m sorry it’s just…your face, and the way you fell, so full of grace…”

“I bet.” You rolled your eyes trying to check your head and body before settling your eyes on Wanda.

The young woman had put on some jeans and a white blouse, while her hair was still wet after the bath. You furrowed your brows looking away while catching the time on the clock on the wall. It was almost midday, which would explain why you were so hungry all of a sudden.

“I guess you really are feeling better.”

Wanda bounced lightly checking her hands and body, she wouldn’t say she felt better but she certainly was tired of being in bed while letting everyone come in and out to check her over. This world had a peculiar way to treat people with powers and having so many people with magical abilities come in and check her magical core had been extenuating and rather uncomfortable. The only time she had felt at ease had been with her counterpart, and that had been a whole different situation.

“I just need to get out of here.” Wanda finally revealed offering a half smile, “I heard from one of the nurses they have a nice restaurant right across the street, it has sandwiches and pizza…perhaps…”

You blinked a couple of times at the suggestion, your hand went right away to your pocket and your wallet. You hope the money you carried with you had some sort of value on this place, with a shrugged you nodded your agreement.

“Sounds like a plan. Lead the way, then.”

Wanda couldn’t hide her smile at the acceptance, she turned around and grabbing a jacket dragged you out of the room making her way directly to the elevator at the end of the hall. None of them noticed the camera watching their every move or the shadowy figure hidden in a close-by room. Your counterpart smirked shaking her head, she owed her wife a nice dinner. Wanda had always been right. Always.

In the security room, Wanda Maximoff allowed a tiny smile on her face, she lifted her stare to Tony and Loki, both of them shook their heads still slightly confused about the interaction.

“Now, what?” Tony finally asked staring at Wanda then at Loki.

“Now, we wait.” Loki replied waving away his hand. “For now, I think they are right, I’m starving and you ought to feed us, Stark.”

“Why is it always my responsibility?”

“You’re the one with money.” Loki replied ignoring the indignant huff coming from the older man, and the amused chuckled from Wanda.

_________________________

The restaurant was almost empty.

There were a few empty tables in the back, the one you chose was perfect for a nice conversation by hiding you two away from imprudent ears. The place was cosy, with decorations of blue and green creating a magical atmosphere with the dim lights around the establishment and the sweet aroma of spices that made you remembered home. You sat down facing Wanda who was looking troubled at the moment.

The waitress dedicated you a timid smile while putting a strand of hair behind her ear.

“Welcome to the Sandwich Emporium, what can I get you today?” Her question was directed at you, and her eyes never even bothered to look away as you grabbed the menu she was offering.

“I’m not sure, what do you recommend?” You glanced at the menu then back at Wanda, the redhead was glaring at the menu pursing her lips lightly while you merely frowned.

“Well, that depends on what are you looking for,” her tone of voice didn’t leave anything to the imagination, and you couldn’t help but raise a single eyebrow at that. The young woman opened her eyes wide blushing profusely. “I mean…I…”

“She is having La Tricolore and I’m having La Tartuffo.” Wanda point two pictures on the menu, before handing it over to the waitress, her eyes gleaming strangely while you just blinked slightly confused. “And I’m having some water, and she is having a cappuccino.”

“Very well, I’ll be right back.” The young woman left rather quickly, her ears burning red after having come across the redhead.

You had your eyebrows raised glancing over at Wanda who was trying rally hard to ignore you. After a moment she finally let out a heavy sigh, her head turned away from you.

“La Tricolore has beef, cheese, some hazelnuts, and that pistachio cream you…” here Wanda trailed off opening her eyes when she realized what she had done. “I’m sorry, I…”

“I like it, sounds delicious.” You placed your hands on the table not really bothered by what had happened but rather confused. “I’m surprised you remember.”

“I never forget.” Wanda brushed her hair away lifting her face to finally lock her eyes with yours. “I always…remember, Y/N.”

“I remembered too, Wanda. I remembered everything.” You stated but whatever anger you had held it had given way to bitterness and sadness.

Wanda winced tapping on the table before wiggling her hands together.

“I…I never got to…” She tilted her head, and you could see the tears hidden behind those green eyes. “I’m sorry.”

It didn’t even cover what had happened, all the pain she had caused on that day. But those words made your soul tremble, you scoffed shaking your head leaning back on the seat.

“It is too late, don’t you think?” You could see your words hurt her, and everything you had lived up to that point came rushing in piling up inside your mind until you just put everything away and left what was important.

Wanda nodded defeated, “I know, I just…I never got to say it to you.”

But it wasn’t about asking for forgiveness, and you knew that. And Wanda was also well aware of the fact. The question was not about forgiveness, the question was if you could move forward after everything that had happened.

“I never got to say it, I messed up. I was so afraid, I just…I didn’t know what to do, how to react, how to…deal with everything.”

Wanda spoke with a clear desperation tinge in her words, you could see the crumbling behind her eyes, how her soul would tremble while trying to tell you everything that you didn’t want to hear ten years ago.

“Vision was convenient.” Wanda said, this time around she grabbed the seat tightly her body completely tensed making her neck hurt as she forced herself to keep her head up and look at you. “I was so afraid, so lost and…and It’s not an excuse! I deserve your hatred! I deserved your anger! I just…”

“You could have told me, you know?” You finally said when it was obvious Wanda couldn’t continue talking. “I was there for you, and I could have helped. I thought you trusted me but instead of telling me whatever was happening you…”

This was not the conversation the both of you were supposed to have, or at least it wasn’t supposed to be this way. You weren’t supposed to understand, but to stand your ground and tell Wanda how much of a bitch she had been. But the last couple of days had taught you something about yourself, about Wanda and what could have been. And if Wanda was confused you weren’t fairing any better.

“I know you don’t get it, and that’s okay because you grew with Natasha and then you have Fury and Maria and Yelena…” Wanda waved her hand weakly, her tears rolling down while her eyes revealed the deep sadness she had always carried with herself.

“I lost everything, and I didn’t know how to deal…and you were strong, and brave, you were not afraid of anything and I was only me.” Wanda broke into a sob, with a crooked smile that showed you just how broken she was. How lost she was still feeling.

“I…after it happened I never…” Wanda started but couldn’t finish, you perked up at her words because this was something you hadn’t bothered to find out.

“What happened after I left? Were you happy? Did he make you happy?” You didn’t mean to sound so bitter, but your words carry with them poison that you had been holding for far too long.

“I didn’t stay with him, Y/N. I tried to look for you, to reach out for you but…but I couldn’t and I didn’t stay with Vision, I didn’t feel anything I just… I messed up! Okay? That’s what I did, and I didn’t know how to make it better and I��ve been trying to be good to make it better all these years…”

You wouldn't know about that.

Just as she was trying to do some good, you were trying to forget. It was one of the reasons why you kept yourself out of everyone's business and dealt with the superhero work alone. When Tony and Steve got into that quarrel and you saw what happened back in Lagos you knew you had made the right decision. Then, everything became more complicated and you just busy yourself with other problems, always trying to keep the team away while trying to get glimpses of news about Wanda. You knew it had been hard for her, and you also knew she was never alone.

Vision.

That had always been the main issue, wasn't it?

“I was on the run with the others, but I just wanted to disappear. Vision…he was helping me with getting a new identity.” Wanda leaned back tilting her head to the wall to hide the tears rolling down her cheek.

It was an answer to an unasked question. The conversation died for a moment, the waitress eyed Wanda before offering a smile to you placing the different orders on the table.

“Do you need anything else?”

“No, thank you.”

“Well, if there is anything I can do, I'm Anne.” The waitress offered one last smile walking backwards and then leaving you two alone.

The food smelled delicious; you grabbed your sandwich allowing Wanda the moment of privacy. The silence grew heavier just as you distracted yourself glancing around the place while taking another bite from your lunch.  

“I was just trying to live my life, and then when Thanos happened…” Wanda huffed turning to her food, she was no longer hungry if anything she wanted to disappear. 

Everything seemed so pointless, the look in your eyes would never leave, and she would go back to a world in which she was despised by the only woman she had ever been in love with.

“This is really delicious; you should try it.” You interrupted her, offering a full smile while grabbing another bite.

Wanda blinked confused; she kept her eyes on you then back on her food. For a brief moment, she hesitated, she was no longer hungry and if she were to be honest she felt tired. You took a sip from your cappuccino, placing your hand on the table, dangerously close to hers.

“I know you are hungry, Wanda. And I also know…I didn't want to know, but I get it.” You passed your hand on your hair pressing your back on the seat. “I'm tired of this, I just…”

“I can't take it when you look at me like that.”

“Like what?” You crunched up your nose, Wanda lowered her eyes grabbing her food.

“As if I am nothing to you, as if you…you hate me and…”

She trailed off putting the food in her mouth and silencing her words. You frowned, pursing your lips while playing those words inside your head. 

“I don't hate you.” You softened your features, your eyes glistening under the weight of memories. “I could never hate you.”

Silence followed your statement, the shivering discomfort of what your words could mean infused the atmosphere with questions Wanda didn't dare to ask. You lowered your gaze and focused completely on the sandwich that was still on the plate, and for a good half hour that was all you and Wanda did. 

When there was nothing else coming in between the unfinished conversation, Wanda put her hands on the table her eyes down casted. This was actually the very first time the both of you came face to face without anyone or anything coming in between. It was a confrontation you never thought would happen about something you had always imagined. It always came with different scenarios, but the outcome had always been the same. With you finally finding peace and never looking back, and with Wanda filled with regret for what she had lost.

This conversation though was completely different. You lifted your face finding those green eyes staring back at you with longing and a deep sadness that had become characteristic of Wanda. 

“How did you end up in Westview?” The question rolled out of your lips with a hint of bitterness you could not hide.

Wanda winced playing the napkin on the table, you waited until the woman started talking again.

“I found the box you hid in your room back at the Avenger's compound.” She stated simply, her lips breaking into a grimace. “I never…after you left I never went back there until after the battle with Thanos and Steve’s funeral.”

Your eyes opened lightly in realisation; you remembered the box in which you had hidden the future you hoped to share with Wanda. The ring, the map, and the picture…everything made sense now; now you understood why Wanda had chosen that place and how everything had fit at one point or another. The only thing that was out of place had been Vision, your expression hardened and Wanda could tell you were thinking about Westview the life she had created there.

“I never thought of him, you know? I went there because I wanted to…” Wanda snorted lifting her face to the ceiling, her voice trembling under the weight of the memories. “I wanted to understand, and in a way, I wanted to find a way to go back to you. Not as…I mean, I wanted to at least be…be your friend.”

You shifted on the chair hearing as Wanda finally tell you her part of the story, how she had been completely alone after coming back from the Blip. Steve’s funeral showed her just how alone she was, and how lost she really felt; she didn’t have a work or a home or even family and friends. She spent her time driving around until she decided to ask for help and went to the only person she could think of: Tony.

In all this time you could see the story behind her eyes, you could read the suffering and the deep sadness in the gestures and the words that carried with them the flashbacks of those days in which you were ignorant of Wanda’s fate.

“I went there to punish myself.” Wanda broke into a bitter smile, “I guess I did a good job.”

“Wanda…” You started but the words tangled in your throat, the other woman waited expectantly but after a moment her face fell.

“You don’t have to…”

“You don’t have to punish yourself anymore.” You frowned lowering your gaze to the empty dishes on the table, you were fully aware of her eyes on you. “All this time, isolating yourself while unable to reach out to anyone…then, finding yourself in Westview with this Agatha…”

Wanda swallowed down her tears, she was trembling with a flame of hope flickering inside her heart. Wanda knew she had created the world around Westview, she knew that her isolation and her grief had broken out into an explosion of her magic to create a reality she could deal with. But she also knew her magic had been tampered with, and her illusion had been corrupted.

“I never stopped thinking about you.” She whispered with her hands grabbing the chair tightly, her eyes filled with unshed tears.

You nodded standing up while making your way to where she was sitting, you offered your hand though your face never changed. For a brief moment, Wanda hesitated, she glanced at your hand and then with a trembling hand accepted it.

“They do look like us, you know?” You stated flatly, your hand warm against hers.

Wanda furrowed her brows, her tears rolling down her cheeks but her eyes gleaming in confusion.

“Why?”

“Billy and Tommy.” You stated simply. “They do look like us.”

_______________________________________

That night you sat right outside the house.

Music and conversation could be heard in the backyard, with the lights of the kitchen projecting shadows on the grass. The sky above hour head was still showered with white dots that resulted familiar yet so different to what you were used to; the air was cold but nothing you couldn’t take in a night like that one.

You took a deep breath filling your lungs with cold air, inside your mind thoughts came crashing down into a myriad of possibilities and plans yet to be executed. The conversation with Wanda had gone unexpectedly well, yet you knew a lot of things needed to be done and said before things would be okay.

“Aren’t you a little cold out here?” America crunched up her nose trying to balance the two glasses she was carrying with her.

You turned to her, chuckling before stretching a little to help her out.

“Aren’t you supposed to be a part of this great celebration?”

America shrugged offering a tiny smile, “the twins are distracted with Wanda, both of them, and the rest is just chattering around.”

“So you decided to come to me?” You shook your head taking a sip from the beverage the young woman had brought with her. “You’re crazy.”

“Not as crazy as you are.” America wrapped her hands around the glass eyeing you out of the corner of her eyes. “How are you?”

“I guess I’m okay, how about you?” You pointed with your head to the house behind you, “this is what you missed, isn’t it? Now that you are back, well…”

America nodded turning her body to yours, “I feel happy, but I also feel lost. I know that I found them again, and I have so many possibilities right now, I just…”

 “Don’t know what to do?” You asked, America shrugged lowering her eyes.

“I’m finally starting to understand my powers and to get some control over them, if I keep working on them I would be able to travel without getting lost.” America let out a sigh dropping her shoulders, “those are a lot of possibilities and right now I think I need stability and keep learning.”

“Wise words, you have grown some, kiddo.” You bumped against her shoulder; the young woman blushed lightly offering a timid smile. “It may take time, but I’m pretty sure you will learn to control them.”

None of you mentioned the possibility of America finding her way back home, while it was an option it didn’t mean that America would find it once she had some control on her abilities. But for now, the young woman was happy to learn more about her powers and herself, her heart and soul finally finding a place she could call home.

“You don’t mind me coming back with you and Wanda?” America finally asked biting her lower lip while taking the last sip of her drink to her lips.

“No, I think it’s going to be fun.” You replied glancing at the young woman, “but I have to tell you right now, the training is going to be brutal.”

“I didn’t expect anything else.”

You chuckled nodding, “good.”

America straightened up tilting her head to glance at you then back at the house. You knew what the question was she wanted to ask, but you didn’t rush it.

“Are you and Wanda going to be okay?”

“I don’t know.” The honesty with which you answered that surprised even you, you turned to America with a serious face. “I’m not sure what would happen, America, but I guess I’m willing to find out.”

“That’s good, right?”

You shrugged, and the young woman went back to rest her head on your shoulder still highly confused by your answer. The sound of laughter, music and conversation filling out the sudden silence that embrace the both of you, your thoughts coming back to Wanda and the day you had spent with her.

Only time would tell what would happen next, and you were waiting anxiously what would happen next.

_______________________________

Billy and Tommy were talking non-stop, they were excited showing Wanda the latest project they had been working on back at school. The young woman could hardly hold her tears while letting her children talk to her about school and their lives as if she had always been there.

At first, it had hurt.

Wanda knew they were not hers, and yet she couldn’t help but love them and see them with the same eyes she had seen the twins back in her universe. A part of her never thought she would see Billy and Tommy again, the moment the illusion had fallen around her and she discovered what she had done to Westview she knew there wouldn’t be a way for her to recover her children.

Yet here they were.

 In another world, in another universe looking the same as she had imagined them once.

This time around everything was as it was supposed to be, with you by her side raising two children being a happy family.  A part of Wanda felt envy for everything her counterpart had and she couldn’t have.

“Are you sure you can’t have a family of your own?”

Wanda huffed turning to the source of the voice, her counterpart stood right beside her with softened eyes staring at the twins that were getting ready for bed. Wanda dropped her arms to her sides, her eyes glancing back into the room then back to the woman standing beside her.

“I’m pretty sure, she…” Wanda wrapped her arms around herself furrowing her brows, “she doesn’t love me anymore. I am nothing more than…and ally, and even that would be to stretch out our relationship.”

The other Wanda pursed her lips, she stepped closer never letting go of those green eyes she was so familiar with.

“You don’t believe that.” Wanda stated holding back a smile when the other woman stepped back scowling.

“I have to believe it, I can’t…” Wanda sighed lifting her chin to the ceiling holding back her weakness, she didn’t want the twins to see her cry. “I have to believe it or I will break my heart once more and I can’t lose control of my magic, I…last time it didn’t go well.”

The room filled with laughter, Billy ran to the bed jumping up and down with Tommy trying to follow up before falling down on his face. Wanda couldn’t help but gasp ready to help out but stopping when a gentle hand wrapped tenderly on her forearm. It was strange to see herself staring at her looking the same yet being so different than she was.

The twins were back in the game, falling on bed while discussing some subject Wanda couldn’t hear pretty well. The fall was soon forgotten and both of them were ready to go to sleep.

“Go on, you can put them to be and I will wait for you here.”

“Thank you.” Wanda whispered to her counterpart entering the room and going to Billy first.

The woman offered a shaky smile, her trembling hand brushing away his dark hair while her lips curved into a smile. Billy smiled back blinking slowly.

“Are you okay, mom?”

Wanda nodded leaning in placing a single kiss on his forehead, “more than okay, Billy. Have a good night, baby.”

“Good night, mommy.”

Then, Wanda went to Tommy who was looking at her differently, he wrapped his arms around her hugging her tightly and this time around she couldn’t help but cry.

“I love you, mom.”

“I love you too, Tommy, now go to sleep.” Once more she placed a kiss on Tommy’s forehead and with that she stepped back walking towards the door. “Sleep well, guys.”

“Night, mom!”

The door close behind her, and Wanda stood there allowing herself the goodbye she had longed to have with the twins. She tried to give the right closure to her emotions knowing full well she would go back a world in which she would be all alone. No twins, no Y/N, only her.

“Thank you.” Wanda whispered locking her eyes with those of her counterpart, the other woman nodded curtly.

“I knew it was important for you.” The woman hesitated for a moment before continuing, “but you shouldn’t lose any hope, Wanda. You and Y/N…”

“Don’t, please.” Wanda said softly. “Don’t give me hope, don’t tell me it is possible because…god, I’ve been breaking my heart over and over again and I just…I can’t take it anymore.”

“Then don’t let it go, don’t let it go without a fight.”

Wanda lifted her face to see her counterpart dead serious, the woman came closer wrapping her hands on her forearms making sure Wanda could not look away.

“You love her, and I am pretty sure she loves you as well, whatever happened in the past it shall stay there.” Wanda then softened letting go of her grip. “Don’t give up just yet, you may be surprised.”

Wanda wanted to talk, she wanted to believe but at the moment she was just tired and overwhelmed by everything that had happened, everything she had lived up to that point. She was overwhelmed by the fact that you were so close to her yet so far away, that she would go back to a world in which the twins were not there and she would be, once more, alone.

________________________________________

It was a sunny day.

America went over the contents of her backpack, her body was tingling all over while a void filled with butterflies settled in her lower abdomen. She closed her eyes taking a deep breath, her hands trembling while she secured the zipper on the backpack.

“You look nervous, you know you don’t have to go, right?” Y/N came into the room glancing around before settling her eyes on America, the young woman turned around offering a tiny smile.

“I know.” She replied shrugging, her hands played with the band on her wrist she tried to look everywhere but at Y/N but at the end of the day she couldn’t help it, she lifted her face and let the tears fall down.

“I’m sorry.” America whispered waiting for a recrimination on her part, for Y/N to finally tell her how bad she had messed up the first time she had fallen on their Universe.

But it never came, nor from her or Wanda, or anyone for that matter. America surrendered to the warm embrace of Y/N’s arms, she let the tears and sobs she had been holding to scape and finally liberated her mind of the guiltiness she had been feeling all this time.

“Hey, kiddo, it’s okay, it wasn’t your fault.” Y/N whispered soothingly her hand drawing circles with a half-smile showing on her face.

“I just…I shouldn’t have run the way I did, I should have fight or something.” America replied, leaning back, she was furrowing her brows while lifting her hands. “I could have stayed and helped around.”

“It wasn’t optional, though. You had to keep going to survive, that’s rule number one in this line of work, America.” Y/N put her hands on her pockets, her hair falling to the side with an easy smile adorning her lips. “You did what you have to at that point and no one should ever blame you for that. If it hadn’t been that way well, I wouldn’t be here telling the story.”

America doubted very much that it would have happened in such a way, but she would never really know it for certain. Ever since she started travelling through universes consciously she had learnt to deal with the different realities, trying to adapt to them and survive them. She never thought she would settle in a single universe, much less that she would get attach to the people in it.

The sound of conversation broke the sudden silence in the room, the twins laughing with Pietro and Wanda yelling for everyone to go to the backyard was the signal America had been waiting for. She stepped closer to give Y/N one last hug.

“Thank you for everything you did for me, Y/N. I couldn’t say this the last time due to the circumstances…”

“Us running for our lives?” Y/N chimed in chuckling, America snorted rolling her eyes.

“Yeah, that, I mean you guys received me in your home and gave me a chance to a family, I just..I will always carry that with me.”

Y/N softened while giving the teen another hug, “anytime kid, you are welcome in our household whenever you decided to come back.”

“I know, I just think I am needed it elsewhere.”

“I think so to.” Y/N stepped back glancing to the open door. “Watch over them, make sure that they are okay.”

“I will.” America smiled grabbing her backpack ready to go.

It was almost midday by the time America and Y/n came out of the house.

The backyard was full with Tony and Loki working around the logistics and the twins just running around between the two Wanda’s and everyone else. You stood by the garden, the conversation that Loki was having with Tony, Wong, Hank and America had lost all meaning as you entertained yourself with the last sight of the world that could have been. Your body was completely tensed, your eyes drifting around until they fell on the form of Wanda, your Wanda.

“Are you ready?” Y/N asked, you turned to her shaking your head.

“Were you?”

“No, I was never ready whenever she was around.” Y/N replied shrugging, “but once we had made our mind there was nothing that could stop us.”

You snorted nodding, “that’s right.”

“Are you going to fight?” Y/N stepped closer, her eyes going from you to Wanda then back again.

“I am going to make things right, I’m not sure if they will end up the same way it did here.” You replied placing your hands inside your pockets. “I guess only time will tell.”

Y/N nodded stretching her right hand to you, an easy smile forming on her lips.

“I hope everything goes well for you and Wanda, Y/N, just remember what’s really important.” Y/N said grabbing your hand with a friendly squeezed. “Please, be happy.”

“Protect them and be for them whenever they need you.” You replied squeezing back.

“I will.”

“Well, I guess we can try the portal once more, are you guys ready? Did you say your good-byes?” Tony clapped before rubbing his hands, everyone went to get in position until the cries of two boys reached them over.

Tommy and Billy came running with Wanda following them close behind, Billy went directly to Wanda wrapping his arms around her while Tommy went to you.

“I’m gonna miss you.” He mumbled looking up at you.

You chuckled ruffling his hair playfully, “I doubt it, pal. You have your mom’s here, but I am gonna miss you.”

“Say hi to your Tommy for me, please? Tell him he has the best mom in the whole universe!”

Those words pierced deeply inside your heart, but the innocence and the smile in Tommy’s face made you held back any reaction that wasn’t one of agreement.

“I will, Tommy, be good.”

At the other side of the yard Wanda and Billy were having a similar conversation, Wanda hugged him tightly before trying to let go. Billy called to her, looking around before wrapping his arms around Wanda’s neck, his lips close to her ear.

“Everything is gonna be okay, mommy, don’t worry, mom will come around.” Billy offered a toothy grin to Wanda who was too shocked to talk. “say hi to your billy for me, love you mom!”

Wanda watched as Billy joined his brother right beside their mother, Wanda locked eyes with her counterpart who offered a half smile and a vision Wanda Maximoff would not talk about until several years later. For now, she was just filled with doubts, and hopes, and uncertainties and soon Wanda was drowned by the voices surrounding her.

“Okay, this shouldn’t be that difficult, everyone remembers their roles?” Loki asked once more standing to the side while pointing at America who rolled her eyes.

“I do, I remember.”

“Good, because if you fail the three of you are going to be traveling around without a proper destination and probably die a horrible dead.”

“That’s so comforting, Loki.” You replied rolling your eyes. 2Stop scaring America and do your job.”

Loki rolled his eyes flickering his hands while putting the golden book out of thin air, he sat down crossing his legs while looking to an invisible spot in front of him.

“Very well, your timeline is not that hard to find, it is the only one with a latent anomaly.”

“How can you tell is ours and not a random one?”

Loki glared at you before going back to his work, “I can sense it, and this one lack something, it is missing something, I guess that would be both of you.”

Soon everyone was taking positions, Wanda stood beside you shifting from one foot to the other, her hands wiggling nervously while she tried to keep her eyes right ahead of herself. You could sense her uneasiness, her hands twitching biting her lower lip. America came forward, she was showing off a frown filled with confusion that Tony helped erased with a whispered explanation.

You eyed Wanda out of the corner of your eyes, the woman was completely tensed still bouncing trying to hold onto something but unable to find herself at ease. You doubted it for a moment before you grabbed her hand in yours.

Her hand was warm and soft, at first she was completely tensed and rigid but as soon as she sensed it was you her hand started to relax and give in the feeling.

“It’s gonna be okay.” You whispered; Wanda offered a smile nodding.

“I know.” Wanda knew that as long as you kept holding her hand everything would be okay, she didn’t dare to say anything else but in a bold move she spread her fingers and soon her hand was intertwined with yours.

You jerked around but Wanda was completely focused on America, after a moment of hesitation you straightened up frowning lightly though your hand clasped tenderly Wanda’s hand.

“Okay, it was nice meeting you all, now let’s begin.” Loki closed his eyes and soon the golden light of his magic started gleaming powerfully forming a tight circle that surrounded you and Wanda alongside America.

America could feel the power, she was sensing it through her muscles and her fingertips while her mind became a mask of pure blankness trying to form an idea. She remembered the lesson, to follow the magic around her while also joining her energy with that of Wanda and Y/N, her power running through her arm in electric jolts and then igniting her eyes until she was finally ready to make it explode.

Pulling her arm back, closing her fist America stretched her arm hitting the space in between her and the backyard creating an explosion in the form of a Star. The portal opened until it was as big as America, you peeked in watching the white plains of Norway, or at least that was what you thought.

With a last glance to your counterpart and Wanda, you squeezed the hand you were holding tenderly.

“Ready?” It was all you could say before the young woman nodded and with a single step she dragged you right through the portal.

The world you three had left behind was waiting for you.

And you were not sure what would happen next, the only thing you knew for certain was that you didn’t want to let go of the hand holding yours.

The portal closed behind the three of you leaving everyone behind with many questions and little to no answers.

Billy and Tommy hugged Wanda still glancing the place where the portal had been moments ago. The woman glanced at her children knowing there was something bothering greatly.

“Mommy, do you think they will love us?” Tommy asked lifting his face to Wanda, Wanda furrowed her brows tilting her head.

“What do you mean, baby?”

Billy scrunched up his nose, “You think they will love Billy and Tommy the way you love us?”

Wanda softened at the question; she knelt in front of her boys not really knowing how to explain that in their world they both didn’t even exist.

“Billy, I’m pretty sure that they would be very lucky to have children like the both of you, and they would absolutely love you very much.” This answer seemed to satisfy the boys, and just when Wanda thought the topic was over Tommy talked again.

“They are gonna love us very much, mommy.” Tommy smiled snugging closer to Wanda. “Just like they love one another very much, that’s how you and mommy made us, right?”

Wanda didn’t answer, but a part of her certainly hope that Tommy was not wrong. She had always hoped that her love for you would survive in every universe, Wanda lifted her face to see Y/N looking at her with tenderness and love, and Wanda knew right there and then that her counterpart would be okay.

You never stopped looking at her like that, you just learnt how to hide it pretty well.

You were still pretty much in love with your Wanda.

And now that you were gone with her, only time would tell if love was still possible.

Wanda sighed wishing you would let go of your resentment and doubts and give yourself and her counterpart a chance.

With a last glance to the space where you and the others had been standing, Wanda turned around hopeful that the past would stay in the past.

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

Next Chapter: You are finally back to your universe, everything seems surreal as you and the others are taken to interrogation rooms before resuming your normal lives. Carol doesn't want to leave your side, and Wanda knows she needs to step aside even though that's the last thing she wants to do.

[wangxianficfinder]

Fic Finder

Nov 4th

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1. A) Hello! I am looking for a couple of pics that I have been unable to find. They may have already been found, but if so, I am missing them. First one is Wei Wing dies at the siege and is transported back a thousand years or so, before the sects started up I believe. He becomes immortal or a god, can't remember which and travels to learn other magic and cultivations while he waits for the years to catch up to when he was born. I think its a wangxian pairing, but not sure.

B) Hello! Looking for a fic where Wei Ying is not oblivious to his feelings for Lan Zhan. He asks Lan Zhan on basically a date to the town, and the part I remember is he deliberately didn't take an umbrella/coat because according to Nie Huaisang, it would be a perfect romantic opportunity to have Lan Zhan offer the umbrella/coat or vice versa. Lan Zhan thinks Wei Wing is just playing with him and I remember a scene where Wei Ying proves his intention with a kiss and Lan Zhan believes him. @marietsy40-blog

1A)

FOUND? An Unusual Betrothal series by ahealthydoseof (G, 74k, wangxian, time travel, age difference, immortality, BAMF WWX, younger LWJ, older WWX, misunderstandings, fluff & crack, worried parents, rabbits, food, non-sexual intimacy, murder, fix-it of sorts, developing relationship, humor, arranged marriage, jealousy, friendship, family feels, dysfunctional family, fatherhood, angst, hurt/comfort, mentor WWX, natural disasters, sworn brotherhood, serious injuries, kissing)

1B)

FOUND? 🧡 Stunted, Starving Juvenility by TomatenMark (E, 887k, WangXian, WIP, Fix-it of sorts, Talisman master WWX, Not JFM Friendly, Study Arc, Getting together, Fluff and Angst, Engagement)

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2. hi! i’m looking for a fic where wangxian friends and family try to arrange them to get married (i think maybe post sunshot campaign). lxc brought in jgy to help him with negotiations, while jyl and jwy bring nhs to help them. they try to find wx to tell them only to find out they basically ran of and eloped (without knowing that this was happening). the fic should be completed and around 3-8 chapters. thanks! @monyeorel

FOUND? i believe that we can make it (i believe in all of you) by Stratisphyre (T, 17k, WangXian, 3Zun, Canon Divergence, Wedding Planning for Love and Justice, Golden Core Reveal, Getting Together, Everybody Lives)

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3. Hello I want ask something... I can't seem to find this fanfiction I have once read long time ago but this is mainly wangxian ofc and what I remember that this fanfic is modern, wei ying I think he was going to debut or not? Lan zhan is his teacher? Since he called him xiansheng (something like that) Jiang yanli is married to Jin Zixuan in this. Wei ying keeps on updating on social media something like that.

FOUND? 🧡 I Don’t Want to Debut! by countingcr0ws (G, 56k, WangXian, Modern AU, Reality show, Idols, Actor LWJ, Forced Contestant WWX, Tencent’s 2021 Idol Producer)

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4. For fic finder: the allied sects are losing the sunshot campaign so they ask for the aid of the immortal yilling patriarch. He agrees, in return for lwj's hand in marriage. Lwj is very concerned but he gets to burial mounds and finds things are fine actually but there are a lot of unruly children. He starts teaching them and living life, confused by his mostly cold and distant but sometimes friendly husband. Turns out wwx is falling in love with him but thinks lwj is a spy for the jin and after the tiger seal, and married him because he wanted to catch him in the act and make him be a double agent. Lwj is unaware that the jin sect even has designs against his husband because he hates politics. He discovers this after he nearly dies defending A-Qing from an attack by Xue Yang and wwx comes clean. I could say more because i remember a lot about this fic but not the important information like name or author. Thanks!

FOUND! 💖🔒 love, in fire and blood by cicer (E, 360k, WangXian, Canon Divergence, YLLZ WWX, Arranged Marriage, political scheming, Gratuitous Domesticity, Mutual Pining, EXTREME SLOWBURN, the inherent eroticism of the forehead ribbon, The Mortifying Ordeal of Being Known, neither wwx nor lwj want to be Perceived, but sorry kids! it’s gonna happen!, rated E but the the NSFW stuff doesn’t begin until chapter 19!, bottom LWJ in chapter 20 and 27, Mojo’s post)

NOT FOUND!🔒and having a marvelous time by varnes (E, 108k, WangXian, Yúnmèng Siblings, Sound of Music AU, (i know!!! i know. stay with me on this.), Slow Burn, Mutual Pining, Family Feels, spies to lovers???, Protective Siblings, Sometimes You Just Want Your Dads To Admit They’re Your Dads, Angst with a Happy Ending) Pretty sure the bunch of kids in the burial mounds fic sounds like Varnes' delightful sound of music au "and having a wonderful time" but there are at least three fics I've read that come close to that.

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5. good dayy!! do you guys know this story. i forgot the title and been using modern with magic tag but i cant find it. i dont know anymore but the story is like this:

its a modern with magic, madam lan is one of the teacher and one of her student is wwx. there's a scene where wwx visited his brother in the alpha dormitory then lwj saved him(?) from some rude alpha. there's two version of it, alpha lwj x omega wwx and omega lwj and alpha wwx. there's a mission(?) and he met wwx outside the university, they also shared a room. omega wwx also has a solo room for being the only male omega.

the omega lwj version of it is lwj owns a 2 stuffed toy bunnies, he told wwx their names and wwx said it to madam lan.

im not sure if im mixing different stories or if i remember it right but i hope u'all can help me. thank uu in advance!

FOUND? 🔒 Other Half series by Hanguang_Jun, Wuxian_Biscuit (Charlie_Biscuit) (E, 819k, WangXian, JC/LWJ, WWX/Self, LWJ/Self, LWJ/WWX/JC, LWJ/JGY/WWX, Roleplay, Fantasy, Magic, Omegaverse, Friends to Lovers, Angst with a Happy Ending, Fluff and Smut, Switch WangXian, Bottom LWJ, Alpha LWJ, Slow Burn, Omega WWX, eventual mpreg, Alpha/Alpha, LWJ gets off on submitting to another alpha, Blow Jobs, Anal Sex, Knotting, If LWJ being submissive puts you off then do not read this, Top JC, Top WWX, Omega LWJ, Alpha WWX, From Sex to Love, Tentacle Porn, Safewords, Rude LWJ, A bit of magic recreational drug use, Sex Toys, Lingerie, Omega/Omega, Alpha JC, a/o and o/o and a/a, Selfcest, A bit of dark wangxian (but it's not permanent), Non-Consensual Voyeurism, Accidental Voyeurism, JC does not interact with wangxian, Intersex Omegas, Pregnancy, Consensual Non-Consent, Vaginal Sex, Bondage, Omega JGY, Bodyswap, Dubious Consent, Due to Basic Premise, Knifeplay, Choking, Birth)

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6. Hello, I am searching for a modern wangxian fic on ao3 where wei ying is invited in Jiang yanli's wedding. Nie huaisang is the wedding planner and Meng yao is his assistant. The wedding is at the time of Christmas and they played a game that each one will send another a gift till Christmas and the receiver's name is decided through lottery. Lan wangji was the one who was giving gifts for this and wei ying was giving gifts to yu ziyuan. All the names will be revealed at the day of Christmas.

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7. I don’t know if it got deleted or I just didn’t bookmark it but I’m looking for a fic with Fox!WWX. LWJ is maybe a dragon or just a regular cultivator who helps him get all of his 9 tails through dual cultivation so it’s rated M or E. i feel bad i don’t remember much more but any leads will be greatly appreciated 🥺 thank you for all your work

FOUND? 💖 Paths of Light and Darkness Converge by ataratah (E, 30k, wangxian, fox WWX, dragon LWJ, secret identity, non-human genitelia, crack treated seriously, fluff, angst w/ happy ending)

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8. im looking for a fic where Wie ying became a god after death saved Mo Xuanyu and adopted him when he trayed to bring him back . wie ying changed his hair to white and his eyes red @leo1fan

FOUND? Wuqian, the Local God of Yiling by Grace_ShadowWolf (TaubeLePigeon) (M, 80k, wangxian, WWX & LSZ & LWJ, major character death, canon divergence, angst w/ happy ending, god WWX, Chinese mythology & folklore, pining, temporary character death, WIP)

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9. hi im looking for this fic where xue yang and xiao xingchen are dating, and then one day song lan (xiao xingchen's ex) comes back so xue yang lets those two get together even though he feels very jealous, and then one day him and song lan hook up and later they become a throuple @ashxi-wx

FOUND? Fine Line by fouxes (arundels) (E, 13k, SL/XXC/XY, Modern, Polyamory Negotiations, Polyamory, Minor Violence, Hate Sex, Love/Hate, Love Rivals to Lovers, XXC is kinda useless in this sorry, Not Super Healthy Relationship Dynamics, but nothing crazy terrible, also XY is a cage fighter cos why not) it used to be posted under a different pseudonym of theirs

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10. I’m trying to find a reaction fic that takes place after the siege on Burial Mounds. I remember that the sect leaders are having a meeting at Lotus Pier and get trapped in a room by Chenqing to watch WWX’s life. Suibian also later gets involved and they also get LWJ and a-yuan to join.

FOUND? Seeking Solace by Devourer Of Worlds (Taer01), DragonHeart (Taer01), Taer01 (M, 124k, WangXian, Major Character Death, Graphic Depictions of Violence, Hurt, Heavy Angst, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Mental Anguish, Mental Instability, Canon Compliant, Fluff, Blood and Gore, Blood and Injury, Implied/Referenced Child Abuse, Implied/Referenced Rape/Non-con, Implied/Referenced Torture, Canon Divergence)

FOUND? Misunderstood by Silver_Flame_2724 (M, 250k, WIP, WangXian, JYL/JZX, Fluff, Eventual Smut, Heavy Angst With Eventual Happy Ending, Family Feels, Family Angst, Misunderstandings, Implied/Referenced Rape/Non-con, Self-Harm, Self-Hatred, Family Fluff, Canon Divergence, Not Everyone Dies, by that I mean the bad guys will die, Hurt, Alcohol Abuse/Alcoholism, Suicidal Thoughts, Gore, Mental Health Issues, Mental Instability, Mental Breakdown, Night Terrors, Canon-Typical Violence, Self-Worth Issues, Self-Destruction, Dubious Morality, (not WWX of course), Cannibalism, Reincarnation, PTSD, Internally Screaming LWJ, Demonic Possession, MXY Lives, Scum Villain References, WWX Has an Angry LWJ Kink)

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11. Hello ! I've been looking for a fic for a long time and I can't find it.

It's in the post-canon, wangxian are married and investigate a ghost woman who attacks white-dressed cultivators. In fact, this woman has feelings for Lan zhan and seeks to have him all for herself.

At one point, under a disguise she tries to trap them by wanting to make Wei Ying believe that Lan Zhan is cheating on him with her and Wei Ying pretends to be jealous and angry against Lan Zhan who immediately understands the plan.

In short, I really liked this fic because it really showed this precious trust between the two and I really want to read it again and this time save it in my bookmarks 🥺 @wesenyr

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12. Hi ! I am looking for a popular fic, where WWX participates at the Great British Baking Show (or something equivalent) and LWJ is a cameraman. NHS and LXC are the hosts and LQR is one of the judges.

Thank you ! @massivecollateralproblem

FOUND! on your marks, get set, bake! by BlackWiresOnHerHead (G, 41k, Modern, College/University, The Great British Bake Off AU, Humor, no GBBO knowledge required for entry)

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13. Hi, I’m trying to find two older fics, A) the first I remember it being on AO3, and I want to say it had more than one part to it. Basically when Wei Ying came back and then of course ended up in Gusu Lan, Lan Zhan had a son (not A-Yuan) but like another child that was his and Wei Yings, A-Yuan is also present though. He’s very much like how he is presented in the novel, but the child that was Lan Zhans and Wei Yings is more like Wei Ying. A bit of a trouble maker, kind of aggressive maybe. Energetic? Lan Zhan of course clocks that Wei Ying is Wei Ying, but they wait a while before actually telling the kid that this now seemingly random figure in his life is his father. And if I remember correctly the kid doesn’t take it well right away.

I also could be combining to fics in my memory, but I also want to say Lan Zhan may have had chronic pain, or he had been whipped while pregnant and he was just gonna roll with it until he collapsed early and they found out about the pregnancy.

B) The second definitely was on AO3 as well, with multiple parts. But I remember Lan Zhan definitely had chronic pain and weakness from being whipped. I specifically remember he has scars that snake down to his hand, and that arm/hand is visibly smaller or weaker looking compared to his other. At first he won’t eat or drink in front of Wei Ying because of it. His hand shakes I think. He also keeps his hair braided to the side so it doesn’t touch his scars, that way he doesn’t have to use his core as much to dampen the pain. He travels in the winter because the cold makes his pain worse. A-Yuan is also present in this fic. I think there’s a coming of age type ceremony at the end…. Although that could be a part of the first fic I’m looking for. @captainimpossiblyangrycolle-blog

13A)

FOUND? in a river you wade by bleuett (M, 20k, WangXian, Canon Divergence, Mpreg, Postpartum Depression, Grief/Mourning, Hurt/Comfort, Good Uncle LQR, Family Feels, Happy Ending, Kid Fic)

13B)

FOUND? 🔒 the map of days by everythingispoetry (M, 20k, WangXian, Canon Divergence, Angst, Hurt/Comfort, Permanent Injury, Recovery, Disability, Parenthood, Character Study, Thirteen Years of WWX’s Death) the little details sound like "the map of days by everythingispoetry" i do not know for certain though

~*~

14. Hey!! Thank you so much for all your hard work.

I read a fic ages ago, that the themes have really stuck with me, but for the life of me I cannot find!!

It was in the veins of heavy angst? hurt no comfort maybe? but i dont remember how it ended!

It was from (mostly?) wwx’s perspective, the plot was basically how broken & damaged wwx was as demonic cultivation/starvation were slowly killing him? None of his injures had ever healed since he lost his core (he had a broken back !?). A key point (I think) was that none of the people around him really realised how badly injured/how much pain he was in. They knew he wasn’t well but not that he was being pretty much held together by resentful energy. Even Wen Qing didn’t fully understand his condition I believe?

Maybe knowning he was dyinging wwx set out to destroy the st seal (or did???) as a final release??

I think it did kill him but I’m not quite sure, i think i remember Jyl & Lwj having a scene where they are mourning him together or commiserating over how ravaged wwx’s body is. I think they also realised wwx never intended to survive destroying the seal??

I’m desperate to read it again but for all my searching I cannot find it at all, hopefully someone knows it!

Have a great day! @3f2pmb

FOUND? 梅花开放 | the plum blossoms bloom by doubletan (E, 6k, WangXian, Sickfic, Hurt/Comfort, Fluff and Angst, Established Relationship, Yunmeng Bros Reconciliation, Post-Canon, Anal Sex, Kissing, Crying, a lot of crying)

FOUND? The Fire Lapping Up the Creek by notevenyou (E, 66k, WangXian, Canon Divergence, Hurt/Comfort, Canon-Typical Violence, Injury, Injury Recovery, Blood, Respiratory Illness, Major Illness, Fever, Grief/Mourning, Burial Mounds, Angst with a Happy Ending, Implied/Referenced Suicide, Hunger and food scarcity, Surgery, Fix-It of Sorts)

~*~

15. Hi! This is for ficfinder. I dont remember much. The scene that i remember is someone send an assassin for baby jin ling but he survives because if wwx gift and the assassin is killed by ewx who visit him. Another scene is JGS wants to assault JYL but failed because if wwx gift too. And everyone found out about it and embrassed JGS. That all i can remember. Thanks! @idontknowwhattowriteforusername

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16. Hi I’m not sure if this is where I ask but I’m looking for a fic. The plot was that after wei Ying died Lan Zhan went to the burial mounds and found A Yuàn. For some reason this made Lan Zhan go into heat ( cause of grief or finding a malnourished child. idk ) and then he didn’t have a heat since. I think it then skipped to the future and Lan Zhan was like a ‘broken omega’ cause he didn’t get heats then I think wei Ying came back and things got fixed ?? Thx for any help u can give

~*~

17. Hello, I am looking for a fic. It's set during a canonish era war and follows WWX. I think he's on his own leading troops and not with other main characters. After things are done the Madame Yu and JC are found to have committed war crimes. She is executed and JC is made to go help the people they harmed w/ his core sealed for a number of years. Any help is appreciated.

FOUND? 🔒 Crossing Paths by Ilona22 (M, 21k, wangxian, shapeshifter au, graphic depictions of violence, war between sects, war crimes, not JC friendly, happy ending)

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18. I need help finding a fic. I remember it was during CR era (I think) and LWJ gets cursed into having a lady part and the only way for him to return to his previous form is to orgasm. He doesnt know how to do that with female parts and WWX offers to help him with it. Starts off slow but they end up having sex multiple times over multiple nights. LWJ eventually gets close to an orgasm but stops WWX cause he thinks breaking the curse would mean he and WWX have to stop having sex. @727432rehhjkdjhe

FOUND? Coming Back to Yourself by acernor (E, 21k, wangxian, Vaginal Fingering, Cunnilingus, Oral Sex, Pining, Gender or Sex Swap, Vaginal Sex)

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19. looking for a fic in which wwx and jc are at a cultivation conference and lwj is terrifying actually. kinda yunmeng bros reconciliation but idk??? @skyerie

~*~

20. Hi!! I'm trying to find a fic I'veread a while ago, but I can't find it anywhere. Wy, once reborn, didn't see Lz's scars while Lz was bathing in the cold springs and he tried to steal the jade pass. Once they get together is where the plot kinda flees from my mind. I don't remember if Lz only ever had sex with Wy if he (Lz) was almost fully clothed or if he just straight up refused to be intimate. I guess Wy fearing that Lz didn't find his new body attractive and voicing that fear to Lz is what makes Lz tell him the truth??? I'm not sure tho. Anyways, in the end, Lz reveals the scars that the discipline whip left on him, and tells Wy that he's never been ashamed of his scars, but that once Wy came back and they got together, he became terrified that Wy would find repulsive how deformed the scars made his back look.

~*~

21. hello! do you know of the dad!lwj fic where wwx falls in love with a-yuan and lwj via video calls

FOUND?��Wishing on Runway Lights by inflight_gremlin (E, 45k, WangXian, LSZ & LWJ, LSZ & WWX, LSZ & OYZZ, Modern, Pilot LWJ, Flight Attendant WWX, Single Parent LWJ, Meet-Cute, Relationship Speed-Run, Matchmaker LSZ, Adopted LSZ, Domestic Fluff, Brief Mention of Child Neglect (not from wangxian), Happy Ending, Eventual Smut, POV Alternating, LSZ Knows What He Wants, Slight Misunderstanding, Sexual Tension, no one is skipping meals, romcom vibes, Attempt at hallmark movie feels, Temporary Accidental Child Aquisition)

~*~

[exilethegame]

Hihi! This has been one of the BEST ifs I've ever read!!! Although i do have a question can we expect any updates soon? I'm totally fine with waiting this is just one of my absolute favorites! The writing, the RO's the characters everything😭

Hello! Thank you for the kind words :)

As for an update, all I'll say is-- I'm working on it! Re. the rewrite Chapters 1 + 2 are finished and 3 is about halfway done. I don't want to announce an actual "release date" because I haven't been able to work on things consistently w/ school. However, my thoughts are to just release Chapters 1-3 when they're done on the Twine demo for public release, and then update it again when Chapters 4 + 5 are done.

For a little peek of how things have changed, there's the mythosi sub-variants being added for MC, and then some scenes have completely different branches than before. For example, Jaime's encounter in Chapter 1 has 3-4 completely different endings now, which I think is pretty fun! And the Jost/Nikke battle has been completely overhauled to be a lot more dynamic/convoluted... (and of course there are now some Jost flirt options <3)

But I'm glad you enjoy the game so much! I can't overstate how thankful I am for those of you who have been willing to wait for so long. I know things are slow moving but we'll get there! Eventually!

[wistfulforstars]

For What It's Worth - Part 3

Rex x Reader

Summary: Rex goes to find his brother, and Fox, you've got some 'splainin to do (just kidding, he's a good big brother who's trying his best).

Warnings: reader is afab, discussions of violence, Rex is mad and sad, mature sexual content in later chapters, minors: get out

Tag List (I am so excited to get my first tag request, thank you! <3): @bambiswriting

If anyone would like to be added to the tag list, please comment below or message/ask directly.

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7

“I can’t believe you dragged me here! Do you really think this was the best place to talk?” Rex hissed. He was rocking back and forth on his heels, swiveling his helmet this way and that at any approaching figures. There were a lot of them, and he was not supposed to be here. Strictly speaking.

Fox, on the other hand, was completely at ease guarding one of the many entrances to the Senate chamber. He stood at perfect attention, helmet impeccably poised, still managing to look bored.

“Please,” he responded, not even looking Rex’s way. “Do you know how many clones these politicians see every day? Do you know how many of them are too worried about their own crooked dealings to even notice us?”

Fox, to his credit, had answered Rex’s furious comm on their private channel right away. Almost as if he’d been waiting for it. The conversation had been typically short, but filled with a little bit more frustration than usual:

Rex: Why the hell didn’t you contact me?!

Fox: I take it you’re back on-planet.

Rex: YES I am on-fucking-planet! Do you have any idea of what I am going through right now?! Have you SEEN her?!

Fox: Come to the Senate building in an hour. Thire will be outside. He’ll direct you to me.

Rex: The Senate building?!

Fox: I’ll see you soon. Over and out.

He’d found his brother as instructed, and as it turned out, the Senate would be debating on several issues well into the night. Aides were running around, refreshments were being brought in, and nobody seemed to give a single care about the trooper loitering around in blue armor instead of red.

There was a lull in the bustling around them, and Fox finally tilted his head slightly toward his brother, “How is she?”

Rex let out a long breath. The long hours, lack of sleep, and pure fucking adrenaline of the day were starting to fray him around the edges, “I can’t stay long, Fox. She hasn’t woken up since I got back. Her friend says it's the medication…I never thought I’d see her like that. She was so still and their fingerprints are still there, on her skin, on her neck, and I can’t…” He placed his hands on his hips, tilting his chin up and counting his breaths. 

Finally, he turned back to Fox, “Why didn’t you comm me?” Some of his previous ire began bleeding back into his voice.

Fox let out a sigh of his own, shoulders falling just the barest amount, “I tried, Rex. Multiple times. You were in hyperspace for a long while. Private comms just weren’t getting through. And I have to watch all my communications, going in or out. They screen the guard heavily for any breaches of conduct. I could only send one out about once per day, between shifts.”

Rex took one, two, three seconds and decided that he didn’t have the energy to yell at Fox for the shitty regulations they were both bound to. He crossed his arms and went to lean against the wall. It felt more like an exhausted slump instead. “Fine.”

“I got her out of there as fast as I could, I swear. Three troopers hit her location 8 minutes after she activated the distress signal.”

“I…I sure appreciate that, Fox. I do.”

“And,” Fox paused as a harried looking aide rushed by. “We’ve got those bastards booked with every charge we can stick to them. They aren’t getting out, not for a long time.”

Rex’s lip curled beneath his helmet. The last of his energy was rising up within him, fueled by worry and pure fucking anger, “I want to chat with them.”

“No.” And there was that note of finality in Fox’s voice. One Rex so often heard in his own. 

“Fox-”

“I said no, Rex. Don’t ask again. I am your brother, and I’m not letting you do something that’ll get you decommissioned.”

A low growl made its way past Rex’s clenched teeth, “And what would you do if it was your girl, brother? What if it were me letting you know that Ularen’s secretary was beaten senseless-”

“If I had a girl,” Fox turned fully towards him. “I would do anything to be there for her while she healed from something like that. I wouldn’t be running around giving the Republic an excuse to put me down.”

They stood, chest to chest, staring daggers at each other through their helmets. Finally, Fox raised his gloved hand and placed it on Rex’s shoulder, “Go. Be there when she wakes up. Take care of her while you can, and give her the guard’s best wishes. The boys who got to the scene are pretty worried about her.”

Rex hesitated, but despite his urge to put his fist through the senate’s beautiful, gilded walls, he gave a jerky nod and stepped back. But before he could turn away, Fox spoke up again.

“But…there’s something else you should know, and whatever you do, I don’t want you to blame yourself.”

Rex tilted his head, confused, “Blame myself? For what?”

Now it was Fox who was hesitating, “Judging on the crime scene and the language the creepy little fucks were spewing when we brought them in… we think the assault might have been…clone-related.”

Rex’s heart dropped into his stomach, “Clone-related.” It wasn’t a question, but he hoped desperately that this conversation wasn’t going where he thought it was. 

“She had a backpack, right? With a bunch of colorful, pro-clone messaging on it?”

Rex swallowed the lump in his throat. He would not cry. He would not scream. He would not grab his brother by the plastoid and throw him against the wall. “Spit it out, Fox.”

Fox fiddled with his utility belt, one of the only nervous tells he ever exhibited. “I took her statement at the hospital myself, once she woke up for the first time. I wanted to be there for her, for you, as much as I could. But she refused to confirm our suspicions. It was like she was trying to protect us, me and the boys, from the truth of it. So she may not admit it to you either. But Rex, that backpack, it was in shreds. They had a knife, and they slashed the hell out of it. They stomped on each button. And then they started going at her.”

Rex didn’t say anything. How could he? What response could he possibly have to, “Oh your girlfriend was targeted by bloodthirsty criminals because she dares to know you?”

“They weren’t exactly subtle in lock-up either,” Fox continued, as he fiddled more furiously with his belt. He pulled something crumpled from it and handed it over. “They were overheard by several guards talking about ‘that meat-droid whore.’”

Rex sucked in air through his teeth, eyes wide, at the awful words. Words that were spewed at you while they…

While they…

And a terrible thought he hadn’t considered before reared up in his mind. A sickening, visceral thought that had bile climbing up his throat. That meat droid whore, they’d said.

“Did they…” he swallowed, mouth dry, breath short. His knees were dangerously close to giving way. “Fox.. did they…”

But his brother grabbed both of his shoulders, practically keeping him upright on his own, “No, no they didn’t.” Fox ground out, slowly, firmly. “Rex, look at me. It was the first thing the medics checked for, the first thing I asked about for her statement. The shitcans destroyed her backpack, hurled verbal abuse, and beat her. That’s the extent of it, and it’s a bad extent, but nothing else happened beyond that.”

Rex, completely numb behind his helmet, nodded vaguely, stupidly. He flexed his dominant blaster hand, sore from clenching into a trembling fist. He was almost entirely out of strength, of will. Seeing you prone in bed had knocked most of it out of him. And now that he knew it was because of his presence in your life, because of your relationship…

He needed food other than the ration bar he inhaled that morning. He needed sleep, more than three consecutive hours of it. He needed you, pretty eyes open and soft voice drifting to his ear like a warm breeze. He felt like he might crumple into nothing inside his armor, might fall to the floor in the senate building and leave it to Fox to explain why…

“She needs you, Rex,” Fox’s voice reached him through the fog. He looked up into his brother’s helmet, so synonymous with his face by now that Rex felt he could read it like it was. He wondered if Fox could read his just the same.

He shook himself, ridding his brain of these sharp, drifting thoughts. There would be time for self hatred and despair. There always was. Right now, he owed it to you to be present. To care for you while you couldn’t care for yourself. 

The nature of your relationship, of its effect on your health, of its longevity, could all wait until later.

He straightened to attention, and Fox seemed to relax, “Thank you, brother. Thank you for getting her out of there.”

Fox nodded, “Of course. Anything you need, you just let me know.”

Rex turned to go, but threw back over his shoulder, “Oh, and Miss Secretary is doing well.”

A beat, a stiffening of shoulders, “I didn’t ask.”

Rex shook his head and started walking. That was one conundrum he didn’t have the energy for today.

He was halfway down the stairs to the senate building when he remembered the crumpled item in his hand. He glanced down, opening his palm, and nearly lost whatever control he had just regained. Stinging tears sprung up in the corner of his eyes.

Glaring up at him, cracked and damaged beyond repair, was the image of a helmet and a bright, cheeky slogan. 

Clones Do It Better.

[wannaeatramyeon]

Word quantity: high. Word quality: low. You have been warned.

Goo Kim x Reader: School Days with Princess & the Delinquent

Epilogue - can be read as a standalone?!

Index: Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 | Chapter 6 | Chapter 7 | Chapter 8 | Chapter 9 | Chapter 10 | Epilogue

A few months later-

For someone that prefers their skin to be flawless and smooth, Goo is awfully fascinated with yours. His hands constantly wander, tracing over your blemishes and imperfections.

"Hmm, I like your skin," his fingers run along your ribcage, taking his time, as if he's counting each one.

"What, to wear?" you ask him one evening, after he spent far too long pouring over your body.

He looks up from caressing a freckle on your hip and chuckles. 

Well, that's comforting.

“Are you still mad, Princess?”

Damn this guy. He knows to pick his battles with you at your weakest. When you’ve spent the whole day in bed together, him drawing constant moans and whimpers from your lips until your mind is completely blank and your whole body is quivering.

Well. What does he think? 

To be honest, after the shine of your reunion and your kiss had worn off, you had been filled with rage. Honestly, you never would have thought you would see a delinquent such as Goo Kim cower because of you.

It took weeks, months of work. Of peaks and troughs to get over the way he treated you. How he heartlessly ghosted you and tossed you aside and then reappeared in your life again as if that was fine.

Goo learnt the consequences to his actions, hated every moment, and had some eye opening lessons. 

So no. You’re not mad anymore. Although-

“What if I still am?”

Your boyfriend grins at you with an insatiable hunger, ready to make you black out from pleasure.

.

.

Late nights are usual for Goo. He often comes home to find you fast asleep on his side of the bed, burying yourself in his scent like a safety blanket.

Tonight, while he undresses, the moonlight peeps through the gap in the curtains and illuminates your face.

Even seeing you lifts his spirits.

Especially tonight, as unfortunately, it also highlights your drool. 

He laughs to himself, swiping it away with his hand, you stirring in your sleep when he does so.

A little gesture, that is really quite ordinary and meaningless but so desperately intimate is how the realisation comes crashing down on Goo that he is deeply in love with you.

That even as he felt his feelings blossoming, he never really managed to put the words to it until now.

How, before you, he never thought he would be someone that could fall in love but now there is no denying it. 

Love is the only way to describe how he feels about you.

.

.

And another few months later-

Goo waits outside a small cafe, leaning against his eye-wateringly expensive car and fiddling with his phone.

A handsome blonde in a designer suit catches the eyes of many but he ignores them all, fixated on the mobile game. 

And actually, a very happily taken man.

Knowing these pretenders would never be able to keep up with him. Not like you do.

He senses your presence before anything else, and looks up to catch you waving goodbye to your college study group.

As soon as you’re alone, you slump. The weariness of the day taking its toll on you; the demanding pace of your prestigious university course maybe being a bit too much.

Goo waits for you to spot him and it doesn’t take long. As soon your eyes meet, your face transforms, lighting up and your smile is brighter than the sun.

“Let’s go home hmm, Princess?”

.

.

“And this is the partner that I don’t hate,” Goo smirks, gesturing at you and happy with his backhanded words.

Gun doesn’t say anything, just studies you from the other side of the counter as you bag up their purchases.

“Hi,” you say, then look to your boyfriend for an introduction.

He flaps his hand in your direction, “He’s a nobody. Don’t worry about it.”

“Gun Park,” the other man says, letting the insult slide off him and extending his hand out.

This Gun is intense, matching that of your boyfriend, just in very different ways. But luckily, you may be the best person on earth to handle Goo Kim. You’re sure you can handle Gun Park too.

Not flinching from his black eyes, you hold his gaze as you reach out and shake his hand. Firm grip, brief, professional.

When they both leave, Goo blows you a kiss and Gun gives you a small nod.

You tilt your head at the dark haired man. Something about that nod feels like him approving of you.

.

.

And a lot more than a few months later-

Goo staggers in, reeking of alcohol, loud and headache-inducing.

“This is your problem now.” Gun dumps him in the doorway and leaves without a second glance.

“Huh?” Goo looks around, glasses askew, trying to place exactly where the fuck he is.

“Good night?” You ask, diverting his attention to you as a far off voice in his brain tells him this is his home.

“Y/N!” He slurs, suddenly hit with a burst of energy and throwing himself in your direction. Boy is he pleased to see you. Although, now he thinks about it, when is he not. 

Goo grins, lopsided and with heart eyes, “I want to see you everyday.”

You must be cursed. Because even though Goo is an absolute nuisance when he's drunk, even more so than usual if that is possible; at the same time, his sappiness comes out in droves and you can never find it in yourself to be mad at him.

“You do,” you reply, handing over a glass of water.

“No. I want to spend all my time with you.” He frowns down at the drink that has appeared out of nowhere in his hand.

“You do.”

“No,” he pouts, on the verge of a tantrum because why on earth are you being so dense and not understanding him right now.

“I’m not dense, you’re just drunk!” 

Oops. Goo giggles to himself when he sees you glaring at him. He was supposed to just think that.

“Princess,” he says, puppy dog eyes appearing after you force him to down the water in one go, “You don’t get it.”

“Tell me then.”

“I want to marry you.”

 “Is that it?” You pluck the glass from his hand and replace it with another full one.

“Yes!” Goo is this close to stomping his feet. Can you please stop handing him water. That is not a reasonable response to him pouring his heart out over here.

“You tell me that all the time too.”

A frown. “I do?”

“Yes. But babe…”

“Hmm?” 

“We’re already married.”

Goo looks impossibly confused until he glances down, and spots a shiny band around his ring finger. “Oh!”

He gives you another grin and your heart melts.

.

.

Goo used to think you would be an idiot marrying his high school sweetheart but turns out, he’s one and the same.

[veritasss5]

Are you healing? | pick a card.

Disclaimer: this is a GENERAL READING, take what it resonates and leave behind what doesn’t. This is for fun and should never be taken seriously. This is for entertainment purposes. It is just for helping you to have a general idea about your situation. If it does help you fine I am very happy about it, if not then I am sorry that it wasn’t for you and move on.

Take a moment to relax your mind and choose with your intuition.

Pile 1 → Pile 2

Pile 3 → Pile 4

Pile one

Are you worried about finances? I got a sense of struggle and conflict when I was shuffling cards for you. Do you have doubts about your career path? I get it. Sometimes feeling lost in this area is very understandable. Don’t let panic get you! If it is really unbearable, ask for help and advice from someone that you trust. I know that you want to do everything on your own, but asking for help when you really can’t figure out how to get out of the conflict inside your head is not a sign of weakness. Pile one, I know you are very reliable, but your reliability shouldn’t mean that you have and must do everything without any extra help from outside your inner world. The people around you may know the answers that you are seeking. They are ready waiting for you to help you. Someone wise or mature can potentially help you to get out of your financial struggles or support you. Or this means that someone that has experience can help you guide you to know what career path to choose.

Your hardwork will be recognised and paid off, but don’t fret to resolve everything anxiously.

Don’t forget to take a break and have fun and forget momentarily your struggles♥️

The sun will rise for you and then at that moment you will know your answer. Don’t brute force yourself to expect instantly to know everything.

Earth energy. Stability should be created slowly so the foundation will be solid and stable.

Keywords: money, exchange, contracts, fire and sun, children, woods, animals, support, kindness, fun.

Pendulum: the answer is no, I saw chaos, thunder, after the heavy rain the sun will come out.

Pile 2

When I was shuffling the cards for you I sensed that you are heartbroken for a situation or you lost someone recently.

Dear pile 2, did you get into a heated fight recently? Someone that hugely disagrees with you and your ideas and you feel like you are misunderstood and no one is there to listen to your needs. This fight or intense argument that you have or you will have with someone is needed to let you understand how wrong a certain situation is and how you need to prepare to be strong and crush all your old foundations and cut toxic roots. You were stuck for a while because you didn’t want to cause any discomfort or cause havoc, but this “destruction” is needed, because after the chaos created you can start again from the beginning and start a new chapter of your life without looking back at your past.

I have a question for you: do you want to live for yourself or to satisfy all the people’s expectations of you?

You have a whole life in front of you, and life can put you in harsh situations to help you understand the root of the problem and get out from the place that you are not supposed to belong. You belong in a place where people should just accept you for who you are instead of not approving your changes because you are not mirroring the image that they have of you in their mind.

Take a step back to reflect deeply on what kind of lifestyle you want to live, and ask yourself if you have enough courage to stand up for yourself and ready to become independent, with the risk of feeling isolated for a while (mind you it is just a momentary phase).

Keywords: family, fights, wands, fire, argument, competition, petty, tower, crushing, storm, falling, bad roots, black sheep of the group.

Pendulum: the answer is no, but you are quite near to get yourself the answers that you are seeking and near to complete a cycle of realisation, almost completing healing. I saw soil, earth.

Pile 3

You have a warm energy. You are still working on healing yourself and forgive yourself for your past mistakes. You are ready to say goodbye to your past pent up anger and frustration. The process is painful, but it is needed in order to let yourself level up in a spiritual way and mature.

You are responsible with your own finances or you play a big responsibility in your family's finances, lately profit is not good and you feel guilty you were not good enough to bring and earn money. Remember that there is a momentary hard time and then there is a momentary good time. Everything is momentary and it is okay that you are trying to fix the situation with the absolute your best♥️ try to ask for more help and teamwork with someone to help you improve your financial situation.

You have been dreaming of freedom for quite a while, and I am gonna say you are near to achieving your freedom. Don’t stress out and try so much to fix something that is already broken. If you can fix it, good. If you can’t, learn to let go, and it is totally fine to let go. There will be something better for sure coming for you if life decides that you don’t have to fix certain things.

Your hardwork will be recognised and you will receive support from genuine people that want to team up with you. You are fantastic and amazing as you are.

Repeat with me “I deserve something better. I deserve the best. No guilt and shame should be in my mind and heart. I welcome the things that I am supposed to receive and experience.”

Your friends probably are important to you, and they are just waiting for you to confide in them. Or could be a coworker or classmate that you didn’t expect that you could get along well with.

Life has multiple possibilities and choices for you, you just have to believe in you and your abilities to bring them into life.

Keywords: earth energy, slow changes, steady progress, storks (or birds), freedom, hard work, crying, empathy, moon, money, happiness, double identity.

Pendulum: the answer is yes, but it is a slow process. Don’t absolutely try to hold all the responsibilities on your shoulders, not everything is entirely your fault.

Pile 4

You almost completed your healing process, congratulations! Life is rewarding you with new opportunities and experiences coming into your life that will help you to become more the best and mature version of you!

These new experiences will help you to shape your new foundation and beliefs that will long last for quite a while. You are excited for your new lifestyle or new chapter of your life. You are very proud of where you are now and how amazing and beautiful you are.

You are in control of your life and no one else can stop you from deciding what you will do now. It feels like you ascended to the throne and now you are ruling your own kingdom with your new rules.

You absolutely do not condone being disrespected and now you know your own worth and value. You are confident, strong and brave. You learned how to express your feelings and thoughts, you learned to never bottle up your emotions again. Journaling helped you a lot to shape the current version of you.

This reading is the confirmation that you are healing. You have found your life purpose and know what goals to pursue. Your thoughts and ideas are crystal clear like the blue sky.

Probably new opportunities for your career or opportunities to profit from your personal interests or hobbies. You wish to do something? Just do it. Now you have all the power to do anything that you desire.

Keywords: burning passion, oasis, clarity, emperor, kingdom, respect, dignity, maturity, power, flowers, no enemies will stand in front of you.

Pendulum: the answer is yes, I saw sunny day, parties, celebrations, fireworks.

[morning-sun-brah]

Below the break you will find my Masterlist, but first...

-I write a lot of smut! I am a whole adult! Anything I write with explicit content is between consenting adults and will be tagged as such. PLEASE DO NOT FOLLOW ME IF YOU ARE A MINOR. THIS IS AN 18+ BLOG! I will block you if you are under 18 of if you do not have an age in your profile.

-If you have an issue with what I write, feel free to move along, it costs you nothing to literally fuck off.

- Saying hello is always great! Asks are fine too! That said, I cannot promise I will always respond, nor that I will write anything for an ask. It’s gonna have to really speak to me. 

- Pro BLM, LGBTQIA+, Woman/Feminism. I will not tolerate any homophobia or terf talk. Period. Easiest way in the world to get a block is if I see even a hint of terf leanings from a person engaging over here. 

I'm over 30 years old, and I have been in the TMNT fandom since the 80s (and probably will be my whole life). While my blog will reflect mostly TMNT content, I will also reblog/write for other fandoms, post random issues/memes, and occasionally share NSFW content. I will not engage with minors, and that includes sharing any art or writing that is produced by someone under the age of 18. I do not want to interact with any minors for any reason whatsoever.

Feel free to drop me an ask! I enjoy jabbering about the blorbos. If you ever see me stray from TMNT content, know that I'll be back eventually. I can't shake them, they live in my walls. That said, you'll all see posts for Dead By Daylight, Call Of Duty, Baldur's Gate, Gravity Falls, among others.

I am a slow writer. I am slow at updating. I have a whole life outside of fanfic, and I suffer from bouts of writer's block. Please be patient with me!

(all artwork has been used with permission and the artists have been tagged)

Rise TMNT:

Leo;

(art by @unknownfanartist)

A Romantic Comedy, Starring Leo Splinterson SFW(ish)- (cursing, mild description of medical procedures, some angst), Leo x OC, any smut will be presented as one shots, multi-chaptered, -Ongoing

When I Say Forever NSFW, Leo x Reader, multi-chaptered (4), - Finished

Worth the Wait NSFW, Leo x Reader, fits into the Thick Thighs Storyline but can be read as a standalone, one shot, -Finished

Sweat NSFW, Leo x Reader, Leo volunteers to be reader's personal trainer. -Finished

Winedark Open Sea NSFW, Leo x Reader, ANGST (with a happy end), Please read the tags, one shot, -Finished

Come Inside Your Love NSFW, Rockstar Leo AU, Leo x Reader, one shot, -Finished

Donnie;

Thick Thighs Save Lives- Part 1 NSFW, Donatello x Reader -Finished

Thick Thighs Ruin Lives- Part 2 NSFW, Donatello x Reader -Finished

Thick Thighs Attract Eyes- Part 3 PREQUEL! SFW(ish), Donatello x Reader - Finished

Thick Thighs No Lies- Part 4 NSFW, Donatello x Reader -Finished

Send it NSFW, Tactical!Donnie x Spotter!Reader, inspired by all of @donathan's tactical art- go and follow them! -Finished

Once More, With Feeling (Tactical Donnie Part 2!) NSFW Tactical!Donnie x Spotter! Reader, -Finished

And They Were Thick Thighed Lab Partners NSFW, Donnie x Reader, A collab with the fantastic @buthowboutno! It... it might be an April Fool's fic. BUT, if you stick with the cringe, there's real smut towards the end lol. ALSO!! There is a podfic! You can listen to it here! -Finished

Marked NSFW, Donnie x Reader, A gift for @unknownfanartist. Eventually will have a second chapter. Hate sex with a little bit of feelings at the end. -Finished

Hunger Pains NSFW, Donnie x Reader, A gift for @unknownfanartist. Donnie enjoys his favorite meal. -Finished

Spare Change NSFW, Donnie x Kendra (Kendratello), Complete, 2 chapters. -Finished

Mikey;

(art by @sha-biest)

Silk NSFW, Mikey x Male OC, Long hair Mikey and his journey from enemies to lovers. This work is illustrated by my darling, my liebchen, @sha-biest 🧡, multi-chaptered, -Ongoing

RISE! COWBOY/WESTERN AU (Desert Flowers);

(art by @unknownfanartist)

This is a series that was SUPPOSED to be a two-chapter fic about Donnie robbing a train. It is... no longer that.

Flight of the Dove NSFW, Donnie x OC, COWBOY/OLD WEST AU. The series is currently ongoing. Companion art is done by the absolute gem that is @unknownfanartist

The Pigeon's Perch NSFW, Leo x OC, COWBOY/OLD WEST AU. The series is currently ongoing. Companion art is done by @gemini-forest

Of Starlings and Sparrows NSFW, Raph x OC (OC is owned by @beckerboopin), COWBOY/OLD WEST AU.

An anon has also written an AU of the Leo x May fic that you can find in my bookmarks over on AO3, and is titled Bird's Eye View (I am unable to link it, but if you enjoy the crossover you will also enjoy this- it's fantastic)

RISE! HARRY POTTER CROSSOVER AU (ongoing);

Until I Reach You Again, a ROTTMNT/Harry Potter Crossover, Collaborative Work with @alycornz, and @stormy-nyx SFW- (cursing, mild canon typical violence, general unkindness for JK Rowling because she is a terrible human) - On Temporary Hiatus.

If you share any of JK's opinions concerning the validity of Trans Women and Men, this blog isn't for you! Anything HP related I highly recommend you steal. Do not give that monster any of your money.

Other Miscellaneous TMNT Works;

Nothing To Say SFW, mild angst, Leo and Casey Jr. talk about the bad timeline, one shot, -Finished

Shorts and One Shots- A Collection NSFW, a compilation of works with different pairings in the TMNT universe, PLEASE READ THE TAGS, multi-chaptered but each chapter is a finished work.

Bay! TMNT;

Like You Mean It NSFW, Raphael x Reader, A gift for @turtle-babe83, one shot, -Finished

03 TMNT;

Aaaalllll the way back on 2007 I wrote a Reader x OC fic. It was finished, but since it's 17 years old the plan was to re-write it on AO3 and make it less terrible. It is a slow process and it may not even happen considering how fixated I am on the rise-verse atm, but if you wanted to cringe you could find it on ff net. Either way, the one I am updating is linked below!

A Light in the Dark NSFW (eventually), Raphael x OC, Re-Write, On Hiatus, multi-chaptered. -Ongoing.

OTHER FANDOMS!

Baldur's Gate 3;

Thunder and Rain NSFW, Astarion x Male OC, multi-chaptered, Finished but has the possibility to update with more chapters at a later time. Author fell in love with her Tav (Raen), and he will be thrown around into different fandoms because of it.

Dead By Daylight;

Fox in the Trap NSFW, Trapper x Reader (OC), multi-chaptered, Ongoing.

Nearly every fic has been beta-read by the lovely @zprites. Go and show them some love!

Banners can be found here!

[unabashegirl]

Enticing 28 (HS)

Summary: Harry is a young billionaire and CEO of his own company. He mostly keeps to himself, he is stern and very meticulous when it comes to business. He also likes to keep his personal life very private for the sake of his newly born son Oliver Styles. It isn't until he meets Y/N Y/L/N that everything changes. She becomes his new nanny after his previous one quits due to personal reasons. She is young, caring, and sweet. Will they ignore their feelings? Will Harry's girlfriend accept their love and leave them? Will she be able to cope with his busy agenda? What about Oliver's mother? Where is she? Who is she?

— all chapters of enticing—

Click below and join our community on Patreon if you wish to continue reading Enticing and get access to 9 more chapters.

Y/N was pregnant, and she had just lost her job. She certainly felt lost and didn’t know what to do about everything that life was suddenly throwing at her. Y/N hadn’t even been able to fully process that she was carrying Harry’s child. She wasn’t even sure if she was going to tell Harry.

“Would you like some breakfast?” Patrick asked her as he got dressed in some sweatpants, a sweater, and a hat. He was planning to go across the street to pick up a decent breakfast and some heavily caffeinated coffee. The morning had obviously started on the wrong foot and if Patrick wanted to survive the rest of the day, he would need heaps of coffee.

“I am not hungry,” Y/N said as she walked into her bedroom for her laptop. Patrick rolled his eyes as he grabbed the keys by the door and slipped on his sneakers.

“It’s no longer just you, remember?” He reminded her that she now had to consider the other life that was living inside of her. Y/N frowned just as she dropped her laptop on the couch.

“I guess I can eat something” Patrick smiled at her just before he left the apartment. Y/N sat on the couch, crossed her legs, threw a blanket over her body, and started doing the tedious job of looking for a job. As she looked through the list of jobs and their requirements, she felt like she had no experience, nor she was prepped to fulfill any of the jobs. She was disqualified by default for all of them.

Y/N felt like the knot in her throat grew with every passing second. She was already frustrated and hadn’t even applied for any of them. Her eyes filled with tears to the brim and a hammering headache started to take over. She pulled her phone out of the small space between the cushion and the couch arm where it had fallen.

“Mom? Hi,” She weakly said as soon as she felt like someone picked up the phone on the other side.

“Y/N?” Her mother was surprised. She had been cooking breakfast. Elizabeth hadn’t spoken in quite a while to her oldest daughter. They stopped talking after an argument had broken out on Christmas night, three years ago. “This is a surprise. Wait. Are you alright?”.

“I am fine Mom” She giggled, but sniffed, wiping the tears that had escaped with the back of her hand. “How are you? I hope I am not interrupting anything” Y/N added as she stood up.

“It doesn’t sound like you are. What’s going on?”

“It’s not something that should be said over the phone, Mom. Could you come into the city and spend the day with me? Just so we can talk over everything. You can even stay the night”. To Elizabeth, it seemed like Y/N needed her for the first time in over three years. It wasn’t completely untrue, she did need her mother’s comfort, but it wasn’t the first time. The last few times she had abstained from calling her. She had been too proud to ask for help.

“Fine”

“Could you come today?” She nervously asked.

“I guess I could” Elizabeth looked down at her watch, “I just need to send your sister off to school and make lunch before I go. Give me 3 to 4 hours” It was very unexpected, and Elizabeth would have to rush through her morning routine. She would have declined if it were under different circumstances, but she could hear her distress through the tone of her voice.  “I’ll take the afternoon train” Her mother let her know.

“That’s fine” Y/N let her know. She would have accepted any condition to get her up to New York. “Thank you, Mom” Elizabeth hummed back.

“I’ll call you when I get to the city.” Y/N could tell that she was still angry and hurt from what had happened the last time they were together. She was planning on apologizing but wanted to do it in person. “And Y/N?” Elizabeth stopped her “I am happy you called” and with that, she hung up.

To say that she was nervous, it was an understatement. She hadn’t seen her mother in so long. Y/N missed her terribly, but her mother could be difficult at times. She was very kind and loving, but that Christmas night, she had seen an attitude that she never recognized before. Everything had started after Y/N’s little sister had commented on her appearance. Teasing quickly turned into snarky comments, and then they developed into a full fight with insults included that came specially from Y/N’s sister.

At the end of the night, Elizabeth was on her sister’s side which felt like a huge betrayal because both were awfully close. Y/N's sister was only fifteen and every day she grew increasingly difficult to handle. Elizabeth kicked her out of the house on that snowy night in Philadelphia. Y/N took the train back to New York and spend the rest of the night alone.

“I bought us some burritos. I hope that is fine” Patrick called out as he crossed the door. “And some fruit and plenty of coffee. What’s wrong?” He asked noticing her swollen eyes.

“I just called my mom” Y/N explained as she walked into the kitchen in search of plates and napkins. “She is coming in this afternoon”.

“Oh,” Patrick was suddenly incredibly nervous. He had heard stories of Elizabeth but had never met her before. “It’s that bad, huh?”

“I am pregnant Patrick, and I don’t even have a job. How am I supposed to raise and take care of the baby?”

“Maybe you should call Harry” Patrick knew it was a stretch, but he needed to suggest it. “He is the father, and he deserves to know, Y/N”.

“No” She instantly said, “Oliver isn’t even one year old, Patrick” Y/N sat back down on the couch and started taking the food out of the brown paper bags. “I know that he is not going to want this baby”. Her voice broke as she finally said aloud what she had been thinking since she found out. “And to avoid any further arguments or bitter moments I’d rather not tell him.”

“You don’t know that Y/N” If Harry was the type of man that Y/N had described, he wouldn’t dream of turning his back on his unborn son or daughter.

“I do!” She sharply said, “I know him.”

“What you are doing is wrong. I just don’t want you to regret it” He warned her.

“Enough. I don’t want to hear it” She snapped and raised her voice. Y/N loved Patrick, but this time around she disagreed with him. She felt like he wasn’t hearing her. She planned to raise the baby on her own and without Harry’s help. Yes, it was going to be hard, but it was something that she was willing to do. She was going to try her hardest.

They are in silence. Patrick even had to turn on the television and play some random show on Netflix to make it less awkward. He stuffed his face with his burrito and excused himself to his bedroom.

Patrick knew he didn’t have the right to be angry, but he was. Y/N was depriving Harry of the opportunity to be a father again and Patrick knew how wrong it all was. He would have no part in it.

Meanwhile, Y/N sat outside feeling guilty to have yelled. She knew that Patrick only meant well, but he needed to understand that Harry wasn’t like other men. She brushed off any regrets about not telling him and pulled her laptop out to look for more jobs.

Y/N got ready at one in the afternoon. She had managed to send out her resume to a few nanny agencies and families. She just hoped that it would all work out. She dressed very pretty and make sure that her appearance was perfect before heading to the gran station to meet up with Elizabeth.

Click below and join our community on Patreon for only $3.00USD if you wish to continue reading Enticing and get access to 9 more chapters.

TAGLIST: @0oolookitsme, @happycupcakeenthusiast, @kennedywxlsh, @hsfics, @stylesbrock, @cuddlingwithharry, @sucker4angstt, @bluemoonedwings, @cherriesrae, @vornilla, @mellamolayla, @harryscurls21, @stilesissaved, @be-with-me-so-happily, @harryssattelitestomper, @jerseygirlinca, @tenaciousperfectionunknown, @lomlolivia, @stylesfever, @daphnesutton

[jagibee]

Call Me Luna Info

Hello dear readers, Mari speaking!

I just wanted to lay down some basic info about my story so that things are clear

- This story will probably not include super explicit smut unless or until I become more comfortable writing it, but due to heavy discussion of sex and suggestive scenes, this is an 18+ work, so it please respect that and MDNI

- The reader has an AFAB body and uses she/her pronouns and I think at some point I will have her wear skirts/dresses, and I decided to divide SKZ in half in regards to how old everyone is compared to the reader for the purpose of honorifics, but I looped Hyunjin in with the younger half since they were born in the same year. I also might have a background for character motivation purposes, so just oc family members and their secondary genders. Other than that, I try to keep it pretty neutral including race, religion, etc. Unfortunately I am limited to my own experiences, so if you feel like I’m not keeping it neutral or I am portraying something incorrectly or problematically, feel free to say something!

- I have ADHD and will deadass forget this story exists unless I have people interacting with me, so please do!

- My chapters will probably be over 1,000 words but I’m really inconsistent other than that so good luck

- This isn’t meant to be an exact biography of Stray Kids obviously so I’m not putting pressure on them or forcing them to be together or anything, also they have less managers and choreographers and sound people just because I don’t really feel like including all of that

- I’ll update when I want

- This is my story, so if you don’t like it, you can just leave without reading anymore!

- This story will deal with physical, verbal, and psychological abuse, as well as slight substance abuse, eating disorders, and mental health issues so please don’t read this if any of these affect you negatively

- Again, I can only go off of my experience so the way the characters in this story deal with things is not meant to be the “correct way” and it may not be relatable to everyone

- If you guys have any theories or ideas for what will happen next, let me know! It’s fun to see how people interpret writing (and maybe I’ll get my next plot point idea😁)

- I really don’t know what direction this will take so I’ll be adding trigger warnings as needed for individual chapters, and if there’s something that I haven’t tagged properly, please tell me! I want everyone to have a good experience with this story

- This story will have cursing, that’s just the way I think and write (and I think we all know the kids curse off camera)

- When any character uses English, I’ll show it like “‘“this”’”

- I’m shit at titles so….. we’re doing chapter numbers, but I might add chapter names later

- Tag list is open! You can send in an ask or message me if you want in! My tumblr is a bit fucked up so I can’t really respond to replies, but I always add you even if I don’t answer

- However, being on my taglist and being able to read my work is ultimately up to me, so if you do or say something that I dislike, I have no problem with blocking you

- I am fine with comments like “can’t wait for the next chapter!” but if it’s something more like “when’s the next part😡” consider it an automatic block, sorry not sorry!

- Liking and reblogging are always appreciated!

- Really, just have fun, stay positive, and (hopefully) enjoy the ride!

Info Regarding ABO

- omegas have heats three times a year for 7-10 days

- alphas have ruts twice a year for 3-6 days

- betas have slips once a year for 4-5 days

- heats include abdomen cramping, change of the omega’s scent, a need to nest, slick, and horniness for most

- heat suppressants are common, they don’t completely take away everything, there is still usually mild cramping, change of the omega’s scent and a need to nest, though they are pretty moderate

- ruts include a stronger scent of the alpha, possessiveness, need to mark their partner or partners, aggression, headaches, and horniness for most

- rut suppressants aren’t nearly as common as heat suppressants but they can tone down a rut to only include headaches, slightly stronger scent, and a bit of aggression

- slips include betas getting a stronger sense of smell and touch and they become very sensitive both physically and emotionally

- slip suppressants are very rare and only tone down a slip by about 20% while making the beta emotionally numb so many don’t like taking suppressants even when they have access

- there are no specific alpha scents or beta scents or omega scents, but in this universe, people can still identify someone’s secondary gender based on their scent

- scent glands are on the wrists and neck but if you put blockers on the neck, the body automatically stops releasing scents from the wrist gland

- scent blockers also lessen the wearer’s sense of smell

- wrist to wrist scentings are for acquaintances, neck to wrists are for good friends, and neck to necks are basically the equivalent of saying “I want you in my life forever” which can be platonic, familial, or romantic

And now onto the masterlist!

[kiwibeanv]

Astray in the Black Water: Chapter 3

Fatal Frame 5 x Bungo Stray Dogs x fem! Reader

Prologue --- Chapter 1 --- Chapter 2

Notes: Mostly Chuuya chapter. Slightly OOC. You could read it alone. Terrorized by ghosts lol. Long chapter... Will update this chapter with post chapter content in these days.

6/4/2024: All post chapter content posted!

You managed to finish the written report in the afternoon. After collecting the photos from the printer, you compiled the papers together and went up to Kunikida.

“Kunikida-san, the paperwork is finished,” you say handing him the clipboard with the files.

He turns to you and takes the paperwork. He quickly scanned over it to ensure you filled out everything.

“Perfect. You are free to leave and thank you again for your assistance.”

You nod and turned around to the exit. Just as you were about to leave the office completely, Dazai's voice calls out to you.

"Oi, (Name)! Wait a minute!"

Dazai caught up to you with a smile. "So what kind of plans do you have? Anything tonight?"

"I will be busy. I have another request to search for someone," you replied.

"Oh... it doesn't happen to be with a certain ginger?" He stuck his hands in his pockets and leaned forward with suspicion.

"Uh... how did you know?"

Dazai pursed his lips. "Well he did approach you yesterday and asked how to get in contact with you. It's not hard to put two and two together."

You didn't think he would remember that detail. But then again, he knew Chuuya.

"If you're gonna go with him, keep your distance. He's loud, arrogant, and he's a brute! So be extra careful to protect yourself."

You blinked twice and realized how his words were much like Chuuya's. Aside from the different adjectives they used to describe each other.

"But," he leaned forward. "We might need you again."

You raised your brow. "What for?"

"Kyouka was searching for a missing girl, however with her condition she won't be able to get back to work right away. So~ I request that you search for the girl while with Chuuya."

"I can't promise I'll find her right away, but I will keep that thought in mind," you replied.

"Good! Just focus more on the girl than Chuuya!" Dazai beamed.

You sighed to yourself. "No promises," you mutter under your breath.

"Just in case you do," he pulled out a slip of paper out of his pocket, "Update me!"

He handed it to you. Inside was his phone number, the photo of the missing girl, and a little note.

Call me~ ;)

"Will do..." You say as you shoved his number in your pocket.

You managed to leave the Armed Detective Agency office and return to your district. Knowing that you had another object to repel spirits, you searched for it. That way Chuuya could have a way to push them back should the situation arise.

Later that evening, you waited in your cafe. You helped your coworkers clean and serve orders until the bell announced his presence. Chuuya walked in and looked around until his eyes landed on you.

"Oi, you ready?" He asked.

"I am," you nod.

Realizing that you forgot to mention to bring an item of the person he was looking for, you decided to ask now.

"Do you have a personal object or a photo of the person we are looking for?"

He tilts his head. "Huh, what for?"

"To have a trace. It would be easier to follow it than wander aimlessly," you replied, now feeling bad that you failed to mention it to him this morning.

"Shit, I wish you told me sooner," he sighed, rubbing his neck.

You frowned. "I apologize...I forgot."

"Do gifts count?"

You nod, since the object could have a connection.

"Got a knife she gave me, but I might need it if something happens."

"It's good enough."

He was about to turn to leave through the door when he paused and looked at you. "Just to make sure, you're fine with riding a motorcycle, right?"

You shrugged. "I'm fine with it. Let me get a few things first. I will meet you outside."

Chuuya nods, exits the cafe, and heads to his motorcycle. While he was doing that, you retrieved your camera, flashlight, and a few other items you need. Then you joined him, settling behind him, and he took off.

He drove you to Mt. Hikami. Curiosity crept in your mind. What sort of man was Chuuya? After all, he was dressed well with his suit. The cropped jacket, the long coat he wore as a cape, and the hat made him stood out more. You managed to see into Atsushi's memories, however you are aware of the possibility of seeing something more personal than you expected. This was a good opportunity to glance into his background. However, you decided against it, deeming this time to be inappropriate. After all, you barely met him.

By the time you reached to Mt. Hikami, the sunset had just begun. The red skies glowed, drawing your gaze in. The bike stopped and snapped you out of your thoughts and the two of you entered Mt. Hikami.

You held onto the knife to feel the trace. The trace was stronger with Chuuya, leading one figure to him. However, there was another figure, one of a silhouette of a woman. Her hair seemed to be in a bun and had long robes as if she wore a kimono. She walked to the path in the middle, the one that lead to the pool of purification.

You told Chuuya to follow you and you went up the path. Up the trail, you passed the waterfall. The skies were only getting darker at this point, the red hue fading into darkness. The two of you started to use flashlights. As you passed the waterfall, you heard a swoosh on your right and saw something falling. Chuuya looked over, probably seeing the same thing. Though, he saw nothing and figured it could have been a bird swooping down or a falling rock.

As you passed through the Pool of Purification and into the Unfathomable Forest, you could see more spirits wander. The infamous hanging tree showed brief flashes of those who hung themselves. There was still a lone hanging noose.

Proceeding further into the forests, you and Chuuya heard faint laughter in the distance.

Po...Po...Po....

Chuuya shined his light to find the source of the sound. It sounded like a woman's husky voice.

"What the hell?" He kept looking around and didn't see anything.

You remembered hearing that same laughter when you were fleeing with Dazai, Atsushi, and Kyouka the night prior. The pale woman in the trees that you thought you saw. Though, you don't have a clear image of her.

"I have told you before that spirits are more active at night," you remind him, turning to him. "But let's not let their presence distract us. We should keep moving."

Chuuya nods, his lips pressed tightly. You gave him an assuring nod and pulled out an adorned flashlight.

"Here, just in case," you held the fancy flashlight out to him. "Like my camera it can repel the spirits. Just press and hold that little moon button above the switch. You will know when to release when you see a blue outline."

Chuuya takes the flashlight into his hand, putting away his regular one. He studied the intricate designs. Above the switch, he saw the button you mentioned, shaped like the moon.

"So... that's all I do?" He asked, turning it on and moving the light around.

"Precisely. But only use it when a spirit attacks," you said as you led the path again. "Otherwise, you can use it as a regular flashlight."

Chuuya hummed and followed you through the forest. He felt better now that he has something to protect himself against the malevolent spirits.

The trace started to get weaker, the deeper you went into the forest. After all, the knife had a stronger connection with Chuuya. By the time you reached the Shrine of Dolls, the trace faded completely. You couldn't tell if it went further into the forest or into the shrine.

"The trace ends here," you say, turning to Chuuya and handing him his knife. "Our next best option is to see if the person dropped anything."

Chuuya took his knife and looked over at the Shrine of Dolls. He shined his light on the dolls, their dead eyes staring back at him. He can't imagine Kouyou checking out the shrine first.

"Hey, is there a map of the area?" He asked, hoping to get a reference of the mountain.

"I have one," you said as you reached for the pamphlet you brought.

He leaned close and observed it. He could see the other points of interest of the mountain. The Shrine of Ephemeral, cable car stations, and the House of Joining. He pointed at the Shrine of Dolls icon.

"So we are here. Have a feeling Kouyou--" Chuuya cut himself off when he heard distorted static.

In the trees, a tall woman in white walked out of the tree line and towards you both. She had a long dress, a hat, and a smile going from ear to ear. The closer she got, the bigger she was. The two of you had to look up and she was freakishly tall. Her arms and legs were abnormally long.

You can't escape.

The tall woman lunged and reached her arms out to grab you. As soon as she started moving, Chuuya screamed and stumbled to dash away. You take a few steps back and took your camera out. Your eyes darted between Chuuya and the woman before you looked into the camera lens to take a picture.

"What are you doing?!!" Chuuya screeched. "Fucking run!!"

You managed to take the picture before she hit you, winning a shutter chance. You took a chain of pictures, the tall woman crossing her arms over her face until you had to reload the film. Chuuya watched in awe as you managed to hold her off. He decided that this was too much and took a hold of your wrist, yanking you away to flee with him.

"Chuuya!" You gripped onto the camera and struggled to follow his pace.

But he didn't listen to you. He continued dragging you back to the base of the mountain where his motorcycle was parked. At that moment, you knew he wouldn't heed your words so you quickened your pace. You wanted to warn him that if you didn't repel a spirit, they might follow wherever you go.

Once you two were mounted on the motorcycle, he drove off. The drive calming his adrenaline down. Chuuya took you back to your cafe-residence. He cleared his throat, not wanting to meet your gaze after that incident.

"Um... You good?" He asked.

You got off the motorcycle. "Yes, but now we could be followed by that tall woman since we did not repel her."

Chuuya paled. "Oh... Do you know if... she's could follow me or you?" He asked with a shaky voice.

"Unfortunately, I do not," You shook your head with a sigh.

Chuuya considered the scenario. He came up with three possibilities. Either the tall woman haunts you and you have to fight her alone, or she haunts him but he didn't have the equipment to fight her off. Plus, he still had your flashlight but he assumed you wanted it back he goes home. The last scenario was staying with you, ensuring that the tall woman comes to you and getting the chance to take her down together.

"How about I stay the night here so you don't have to fight the woman by yourself?" Chuuya paused before adding, "You don't have to agree..."

You thought about his offer. There were more pros than cons if he were to stay the night. With that, you nodded your head.

You opened the side door that lead straight to your residence. Chuuya noticed that you set your shoes on a rack and did the same before both of you walked in. You led him to your office and turned on the computer. He raised his brow and set his coat on the couch.

"So... what's the plan?" He asked.

"We monitor the cameras and watch out for any spirits that could have followed us home. This way, we won't be surprised of any visitors," you replied as you opened the camera system application.

You and Chuuya scrolled through the cameras of your cafe-home. So far everything looked good. While nothing happened, Chuuya took a look at the bookshelf to your right. Until that faint familiar laughter came again.

Po...Po...Po...

Chuuya's gaze shot back to the computer screen. From the second floor looking down the stairs, you saw the tall woman walk down them. Both of you heard heavy footsteps hit the wooden floor. The two of you looked intently at the computer screen, waiting to see other sightings of her. You kept scrolling through the cameras and when you got to the same camera above the stairs, you were met with the pale woman's face. It was so close to the camera, her soulless eyes staring blankly at you. That same smile, from ear to ear.

I found you...Hahahaha.

Chuuya yelped and fell back onto the floor. Her face soon dissolved from the screen. He couldn't believe how pathetic he was over this ghost. Remembering the flashlight you gave him, he gripped onto it. He looked at the full moon button, remembering the directions you gave him.

"She's at the stairs... let's get her," he said as he fixed his hat.

You nod and took the camera. Chuuya opened the door, only to scream when the tall woman's face appeared in front of him. She was bending down and started to rise to her natural height. You got the camera ready. Since she was so tall, you took the bold move to step out of the office to get a good shot of the tall woman.

Chuuya wasn't going to let you take her down alone. Part of this was his fault that the tall women went after you...or him. He could see how you were suppressing your fear to take this malevolent being on. And he had to as well.

The spirit was getting more frustrated as you continued to drain her health. You were in the middle of loading new film and she took this opportunity to swipe her hand at you. Just a mere touch made you fall to your knees. It felt like your life was drained out of you, just barely holding on.

This was Chuuya's moment to take. You were struggling to get up and any moment now the tall woman could get you. He held the flashlight and pressed down on the button. It took a few seconds, the tall woman reaching to grab your arms, and the blue outline appeared. He released the button, the light harming the spirit. You managed to bring your camera up and take the final shot.

The tall woman screeched in pain. She leaned back, putting her hands on her head as she fell to her knees. You held your hand out to touch her spirit to see if she had a past, but your hand went through. No visions, no feelings, nothing... What the hell was she? She disintegrated into nothing, your home feeling warm again.

"(Name)!" Chuuya ran over to help you up. "You alright?"

You managed to get up on your feet, leaning on the wall for support. "I am...just... My energy's drained."

Chuuya took hold of your arm. "Here, let me help you lay down."

He guided you back into the office and set you on the couch. He took your camera and set it on the desk, also placing the flashlight with it. He retrieved his coat and draped it over your frame.

"Just keep it for tonight, I'll come back tomorrow," he muttered, turning and walking out the door.

Dazed, you stared at his retreating form and several seconds after he left, you blinked. I could have told him to get a blanket. Eventually, you succumbed to your slumber.

Nightmares plagued your mind for the second time. Faint voices call upon you to return to the mountain. Visions of the past.

You woke up to the sound of your alarm upstairs. The cafe needs to open. You went upstairs to turn off the alarm but you realized that you must have slept through the initial one. It has been over an hour and the cafe was supposed to be ready and open at this moment. You went down to unlock the cafe doors. You apologized and told your workers that you will have to stay inside to rest. A few customers were waiting outside too, however, you were not paying attention to their faces.

All you remember was heading back to the couch to sleep. You didn't wake up until noon and sat up on the couch.

"Oh! You're finally awake!" said a male voice.

You opened your eyes to see Dazai with a silly smile on his face. He was sitting on the chair on by the desk with the computer. He was currently scrolling through the camera footage of your residence. To the left, Atsushi sat on the floor where you had the TV stand.

"Good morning~" Dazai greets, not looking back. "You have a nice home by the way." He turns to look at you. "I see Chuuya left you a parting gift." His gaze shifted to Chuuya's coat.

"How did you get inside?" You wondered, your eyes darting from Dazai to Atsushi.

Atsushi averted his eyes, recalling the method. As soon as you opened the doors to the cafe, Dazai and Atsushi got in along with the customers. While your workers were getting the counter ready and taking orders, Dazai picked the lock of your door. Atsushi stood by him to hide his work. Really, he was dragged here by Dazai as an accomplice. Once he picked the lock, they entered and immediately found you in the office room.

"You had pretty good locks. It took me another five seconds to pick it," Dazai's smile grew.

Atsushi shook his head, sighing, "We didn't walk around your house! We found you here and... decided to wait for you to wake up."

You blinked a few times in silence, processing their words. "Please don't come in unannounced again."

"I was gonna wait in the cafe! But Dazai insisted," Atsushi raised his hands in defense.

"Hey, you wanted to see her too," Dazai pointed at him, accusingly.

You rolled your eyes and set Chuuya's coat on the side.

"So how was your little adventure with Chuuya?~" Dazai smirked. "Did you find who he was looking for?"

"Last night we made little progress..." You contemplated whether you wanted to say that Chuuya got scared. Though, considering their kind of relationship, they would probably make fun of each other. You refrained. "So tonight we are to go out again..."

Atsushi and Dazai noticed the bags under your eyes. Your eyelids covered your irises halfway.

"You must have come home late then," Atsushi adds as he got up from the floor. "We'll let you rest. Let's go Dazai."

"Huh?! But--" Dazai cut himself off with a sigh. "Fine..." He pouted.

"Kunikida will scold us again."

"I know, I know."

Dazai rubbed his neck. "I'll be seeing you later then."

You bid them goodbye and went back to rest. Hours passed, and you fixed yourself before Chuuya's arrival. Again you waited at the cafe for him. It wasn't until the evening, nearly the same hour he arrived. Dressed the same as usual, minus the coat.

You took the coat you had on the side and went up to him. Another day to search for Kouyou. This time, he brought a picture of her. The photo had a stronger trace than the knife. Chuuya brought a black car this time, as there was going to be a chance of rain at night.

The two of you returned to Mt. Hikami again. You remembered the trace ended at the Shrine of Dolls. Though, would Kouyou really end up there? You had a feeling that a woman like her could be at the Shrine of the Ephemeral. To make travel short, you suggested to take the cable car up.

Since Chuuya came earlier, there was a small grace period of less spirit activity. Once the cable car stopped at the next station, the two of you took the path to the large shrine. It was a bit of a long path, but that was the only route to take to reach the shrine.

Along the way, the sun was getting further down into the earth. Darkness laid over mountain. You started to see more spirits wander and you avoided their gaze so they do not know you can see them. As some spirits could be desperate.

Until you catch wind of a white figure in the forest. You turn and see the tall woman facing away from you. She isn't attacking, but what is she looking at? You raised your camera for a picture and heard the laugh you knew so well.

Chuuya heard it too and the hairs on the back of his neck rose. He gripped onto the flashlight you gave to him. Though, in the distance, the two of you heard a yelp. After snapping a picture, you decided to check it. There was the tall woman looking at a man in a tan coat fleeing. You heard a faint voice flirting in panic.

"Huh?... Is that Dazai?" You asked, trying to see if it was an illusion.

"Let me see!" Chuuya's eyes glimmered and took a look at the picture. He recognized the fluffy brown hair and started to snicker.

"And you caught that motherfucker on camera." Chuuya laughed aloud, easing his nerves.

You and Chuuya continued along the path. Kouyou's trace did not falter and you even caught a picture of her echo. You showed Chuuya the picture on camera.

"This is the same place where I found Kyouka," you add.

Chuuya knew that Kouyou had a soft spot for Kyouka and this was not surprising to him. It made sense.

"Then hopefully we find Kouyou here," He nods.

Her trace led the two of you down some stairs on the first floor. That part was flooded but still walkable. Her trace led you to a boat in the center of the courtyard. There stood a maiden in a white kimono and a veil over her head.

When a shrine maiden's heart is full of the pain of those she's glanced, she returns to the water.

The line echoed in your mind as you captured the photograph of the woman. She disappeared shortly after her words faded. Chuuya gave you a confused look on why you took a picture.

"Why the hell are you taking pictures?" Chuuya asked. "Was Kouyou in it?"

"Not this time. You did not see the shrine maiden on the boat?"

He shook his head. "No."

You showed him the picture on the camera. "This is what I saw."

Chuuya leaned in to see. "Huh, so you think that ghost can lead us somewhere?"

"I can't say..." You looked in the direction where the ghost was looking. "But her trace goes beyond the water... We will have to use this boat."

Chuuya raised his brow. "But isn't that a closed gate over there?" He points at said gate. "I could open it with my ability. We don't need to waste time."

"Very well," You got hold of the wooden canoe. "Let's go."

The two of you got on the boat and rowed to the gate. You felt your camera react but Chuuya moved the wood with his ability. Beyond the gate was a lake with thick fog. Chuuya trusted your abilities and soon, you arrived at the Shrine on the Water.

You and Chuuya got onto the shrine. The wooden floors creaked as you walked. Shrine maiden ghosts appeared. Two guardians and a regular. While Chuuya felt uneasy, this was not as bad as the tall woman.

"Chuuya, you take the drowned ones. I'll deal with the shrine maiden," you say, taking out your camera.

He nods at your words and took out the flashlight. He held the light and held down the button to wait for the blue outline to appear. The drowned guardian attacked and made Chuuya let go too soon. Still there was damage made since the guardians flinched.

Chuuya and you managed to take down these spirits. You decided to touch them before they completely vanish. For the guardian, you saw five maidens holding hands as they walked into the lake. Further and further, knowing that they will all die together. They looked up to the sky, darkened by a wave of black water. Swept by the tainted water, they all drowned.

The shrine maiden's memories showed her glancing into people's souls before their suicide. Taking on their pains, memories, and reading their thoughts. This one was swept away, just like the guardians.

"Black water overflowing...." You muttered, seeing the connection between the visions.

"Huh?" Chuuya narrowed his eyes.

"Something I saw in their vision... not related to the person we're looking for. Let's go."

He nods and followed you further in the shrine. You opened some doors and got inside a room. There was a black box, similar to where Kyouka was found. You opened the box and inside, you recognized the kimono and light-scarlet hair.

Chuuya's eyes widen. "Ane-san!" He grabbed her to get her out of the box.

You helped her out too and took this opportunity to peer into her memories.

I'm going to be the one to save Kyouka this time. Not Dazai.

Kouyou entered from the Mikomori Bridge and wandered the mountain. She found a few tracks of Kyouka and went through the Shrine of Dolls to the Shrine of Ephemeral. If only she knew, she was so close to finding Kyouka. Kouyou passed that door.

Spirits arose and Kouyou's first instinct was to use her ability to cut them down. The ghosts were unaffected. Startled, Kouyou did a few more attempts but more spirits emerged. One spirit engrained in her memory, a tainted bride in black. She had no choice but to run from the spirits. The front doors locked, and the last thing she remembered was the black bride catching up to her.

Kouyou's eyes fluttered opened. "Chuuya..."

The two of you managed to get her on her feet. Her eyes were foggy and there were strange, black stains on her clothes, perhaps from the black water in the box.

"Come on, we're gonna to get you home," Chuuya assured as he pulled her hand. He looked so worried, it was the softest facial expression you've seen from him.

Kouyou stayed silent and didn't move. Chuuya tugged on her hand. You noticed black hair crawling out of her sleeve. He felt the hair crept onto his hand and you two turned back to Kouyou, only to be met with her pale face. Her hair lost its vibrant color, her bun undone. Her robes became drenched, becoming very similar to another spirit you encountered with Kyouka.

"Kouyou!" Chuuya released his grip and his expression faltered. "No..."

"She spirited away. We have to repel her spirit," you urged Chuuya, taking his arm.

"No!" He yanked his arm away. His voice was shaky. "It's Kouyou... You can't do this!"

Kouyou's spirit floated in the air with a laughter that was not hers.

"Chuuya... I know it will be difficult, but we need to handle this."

The wraith charged towards the two of you. You grabbed his hand and pulled him away from the attack. Chuuya was still in a state of shock so you had to step forward.

Chuuya backed away to give you more space and into a corner, crouching down, holding his head in his hands. He refused to accept the fact that Kouyou became a phantom. But the evidence was all there in front of him. The flashes of your camera withdrew him from his mind. However, seeing you battle the specter alone, he couldn't sit on the sidelines this time.

With a new mindset he stood up, Chuuya wielded the flashlight. You saw a light shine on the ghost, and from the corner of your eye, he was holding the tool. Because your attacks combined, the spirit was swiftly defeated.

Kouyou returned to her initial form. Chuuya felt the urge to speed over and hug her, but refrained from doing so. He let out a sigh of relief.

The two of you brought Kouyou out of the storming mountain. Chuuya expressed his gratitude and took you home before departing with Kouyou.

Post Chapter Content:

-> Dazai -> Chuuya -> Atsushi

[twst-hottest-takes]

I HATE that they changed artists for the Savanaclaw manga.

Continued rant below

DISCLAIMER: I AM NOT SAYING THE ART IS BAD! I am just not a fan of it. I like the style of the Heartslabyul chapter so much more, and changing up art styles bothers the part of me that likes a uniform look in a series like this.

The situation with the Savanaclaw manga makes me mad in general. So many things about the production just boil my blood. First there's a different mangaka, then multiple hiatuses, inconsistent updates, and on top of that they decided not to wait until it was even complete to start the Octavinelle chapter!

WITH THE SAME ARTIST THEY USED FOR HEARTSLABYUL!

As if Savanaclaw didn't get treated like dirt enough, now it looks even more so like the odd man out because the chapters bookending it look nice and uniform and it sticks out like a sore thumb! I thought that maybe they would have a different artist for every chapter and that would be fine (the lack of consistency between chapters would still bug me but I'd live with it). BUT NOPE! BACK TO THE OLD ART WE GO!

It makes me wonder what they plan to do with the Scarabia Chapter. If the Savanaclaw artist comes back to do Book 4 then some of my gripes will go away because the flip flopping art will be consistently every other book. If not though, I will be irate.

Like really TWST what's up? Does anyone know why they changed mangaka and then changed back? Did the Heartslabyul artist not want to do the Savanaclaw chapter? Were they taking a break? Did they expect more consistent updates for Book 2 and have plans to have it finished before Book 3? Is the artist in poor health and needs the hiatuses for personal reasons? Did they plan to have a new artist for every book and then renege when Savaclaw got held up and went back the old mangaka for the sake of consistent updates?

I JUST WANT TO KNOW WHY!

(Deep breath)

~sigh~

Anyway. . .

If anyone has any insights as to the answer to any of these questions please let me know.

[halfetirosie]

⚡️⛈️🔥I'M HAVING A CONNIPTION🔥⛈️⚡️

(Scales 08 - 10 React-os!)

Maybe if I scream at the screen loud enough, the characters will listen to me!

1) (⊙ᗣ⊙) YOU GOTTA BE FUCKING KIDDING ME!!!!! 🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬

THIS IS ABSOLUTELY DESPICABLE.

YAKUMO IS GOING OUT OF HIS WAY TO SAVE THEM---UNDENIABLY A GOOD/KIND THING, AND THEY'RE SEEING IT RIGHT BEFORE THEIR EYES---AND THEY STILL WANT TO FUCKING MURDER HIM?!?!?!

THESE UNGRATEFUL PRICKS?!?!?!?!

THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH SWEAR WORDS IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE TO EXPRESS MY RAGE!!!!! 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

THESE BITCHES LITERALLY WANT TO STAB THE PERSON PROTECTING THEM WHILE HIS BACK IS TURNED?!?!?!

@#^$$%^@@?!?!?!!!!!!

*static*

🎶 Do to the author's over-immersion into the story and subsequent excess amount of anger, we are experiencing technical difficulties. Please wait for us to fix the problem. Thank you for your patience. 🎶

🎶🎶🎶

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*static*

These bitches are not "driven by fear," they are driven by their selfishness. It's so fucking unfortunate, because their actions make it seem like the way Kuya reviles humans is completely correct.

Yes, these particular humans are definitely worthy of Kuya's insults and cursing. But they do not represent all humans. Despite that, I know that this situation is just going to reinforce Kuya's group attribution error---he'll see this village as representative of humanity as a whole, and this, reinforce his general hatred of all humans. 🤦‍♀️

2) I am disgusted.

Kuya said the magic word---selfishness. 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️

These two-faced shitbags are so ungrateful.

First they try to bite the hand that feeds them, but as soon as they get a hint of vulnerability from Umi, they latch onto it to take advantage of him again. AS IF THEY DIDN'T TRY TO KILL A PRESUMED MERFOLK [just like they had already done in the past], LIKE, FEW MINUTES EARLIER.

The manipulation is OFF THE CHARTS.

This is a textbook abusive relationship.

3) Okay, I'm getting the sense that Umi is in a Quincy-esque situation.

Like Quincy, he's protecting the village because of some sort of promise with a now-deceased member of that community. (Yes, I know that in Quincy's case his friend later told him to forget about that promise, but my point still stands.)

Of course, unlike Quincy, Umi was never a part of the community himself, and he doesn't have much affection/ investment in the current community. (I don't think him saving the child in an earlier chapter goes against that idea. After all, it's a basic moral principle to protect kids.)

And look, I get it. Whoever he made a promise to was extremely precious; even more so in the context of a yokai's long life.

HOWEVER, THESE BITCH-ASS VILLAGERS DO NOT HAVE ANY REAL RESPECT FOR MERFOLK---OR FOR NATURE IN GENERAL.

Quincy's old tribe aren't particularly nice to him, but since they respect nature as a whole, they don't try to FUCKING MURDER HIM. They leave him be.

But this village??? THEY ARE SCUM.

JUST RUN, UMI!!! I'm sorry, but your friend is long gone. No amount of love for the deceased should bind you to a community that abuses you.

☠︎☠︎☠︎

4) LISTEN TO THE GRUMPY OLD MAN!!! HE ISN'T EVEN WRONG THIS TIME!!! 😭😭😭

THIS VILLAGE IS NOT WORTH IT!!!

Maybe, if their attitudes had changed from the past, they might be.

But they haven't changed. They are still evil.

5) WAIT A DAMN MINUTE---

So, you're saying that the promise wasn't indefinite?

And Umi doesn't necessarily go out of his way to do extra shit for this village---since the relic is almost out of juice???

THEN WHY ARE WE EVEN STILL TALKING ABOUT THIS?!?!

It's not like the villagers are facing certain death here. THEY CAN JUST FUCKING MOVE TO THE MAINLAND!!!! Sure, they'll probably have a tough time adjusting to a new way of life + finding new was of subsisting, but they'll be fucking FINE!!!

6) See, I agree with Yakumo here. Not all humans are bad, and I'm sure that whoever Umi made a promise to was a great dude.

I know I'm just repeating myself at this point, but the evidence is undeniable; UMI'S HUMAN DOES NOT REPRESENT THE NORM ON THIS ISLAND.

🔥🔥🔥 THIS VILLAGE IS HOT GARBAGE!!!! 🔥🔥🔥

7) Just when I think this story can't get any darker---

Bruh. BRUH. 🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢

Do ya'll realize the implications of this?????

Think about it; the merfolk and the humans were NOT friends in the past. They were strangers, and the human villagers massacred the merfolk and stole their land.

Meaning that this relic was never meant for the humans. A merfolk gave their life to make this relic for the benefit of their fellow merfolk, but the humans stole it.

Meaning that these despicable humans, on top of murdering the merfolk, have been desecrating a merfolk artifact for generations.

8) ---BITCH?!!!!! 🤬😡💢🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪

THIS SHITTY LITTLE RAT SECRETLY FOLLOWS THEM, EAVESDROPS, AND IS HAPPY TO HEAR THAT UMI WOULD HAVE TO FUCKING DIE IN ORDER TO SAVE THEIR SHITTY LITTLE ISLAND?!?!?!?!

WHY THE HELL ARE THESE TWATS SO EAGER TO MURDER MERFOLK ALL THE DAMN TIME?!?!?!?!

I DON'T GET IT!!!! HOW CAN A WHOLE GROUP OF PEOPLE HAVE SO LITTLE HUMANITY?!?!?!?!

AND WHY THE FUCK IS UMI STILL JUSTIFYING HIS PROTECTION OVER THEM, EVEN WHEN THE CONDITIONS OF HIS PROMISE ARE BASICALLY ALREADY OVER?!?!?!

💢 (╯🔥 ᗣ 🔥)╯︵ ┻━┻

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

....

I have a REALLY BAD FEELING. I really hope I'm wrong, but I feel like Umi might actually sacrifice himself for these ungrateful, hypocritical, revolting scumbags.

And if he does, well....

Idk man, maybe I'll just have a heart attack and die.

😤😤😤

End of report

[magnorious]

Review: I Plunge to My Death; Percy Jackson Ep. 4

TL;DR: They turned a pit-stop into a main event and troubles ensued.

The consequences of shoving half the book into the first two episodes? Episode 4. Baby Percy is, again, adorable, no complaints. The opening scene, Kronos’ slithery voice – we are right back in the thick of it, until we’re not. Best part of the episode is easily the first 4 minutes and it does not recover, I am sorry.

Echidna gets a ridiculous amount of screen time, monologuing on and on and on… On the train, no less, not in the Arch.

Adaptations are allowed to be their own thing, but they are *adaptations* first. The choices that were made in the source material were made for a reason. If the book was bad, no one would have read it, and money wouldn’t be spent turning it into a TV show.

So, in the book, Echidna had a couple pages, and Percy was completely alone confronting her. She showed up, revealed herself, got a one-liner or two in, kicked his butt, and then he fell – end of scene. It was a whirlwind of chaos and incredibly efficient without being spoonfed “I am a monster” until they get the picture.

The purpose of this beat in the story came from Percy’s experience in the river and then St. Louis is behind them – it’s a pitstop, not a centerpiece. Echidna has no thematic connection to any of the characters like Medusa, she doesn’t need to overstay her welcome.

If you didn’t read the book, the episode is fine. The writing is okay, the acting, the VFX. They do retain the family of centaurs and establish Grover being a Searcher for Pan.

It’s not bad! It’s puzzling. The changes are puzzling.

All the filler – Echidna’s monologue, Athena’s temple, Annabeth being unnecessarily rude to Grover, Percy getting poisoned – they don’t feel like the same meaningful changes that were made to extend Medusa’s scenes. They feel like they exist to fill an entire episode before the next big set piece that has to wait until episode 5. The pacing has been thrown completely off balance.

Which wouldn’t have happened if they didn’t rush ten chapters of content.

Because they knew exactly how long the chimera fight would be – about 45 seconds, beat for beat, exactly as it was written. Echidna is just not important in the grand scheme of the story. They still have to fill an entire episode now, so what do they do?

They double back on the character development and the growing friendship established in episode 3 when they all start arguing over Athena for… reasons? In Athena’s temple, Annabeth’s suggestion for Percy to reach out to his dad there would be mighty offensive to the goddess. She calls herself out, saying she knows she’s forcing herself to believe Athena cares about her, the way it was written just makes her look selfish and rude.

There Grover is, all upset about the monument filled with paintings of humans over-hunting buffalo and Annabeth’s response is basically “get over it”. Doesn’t matter if she regrets it once he’s gone, she doesn’t apologize to him and she still believes what she said.

Percy doesn’t need to be poisoned to lose hard to Echidna and the chimera. He’s at his full strength and still panics and botches the fight. He already doubts that his dad cares about him.

The episode does recover its footing somewhat (after padding the runtime) by finally getting him alone in the last 8 minutes. Percy cements his disdain for his dad and how little he feels appreciated, respected, or even noticed by the gods – enough to decide he’ll fight and probably lose alone because he doesn’t matter to the gods anyway. Once he’s in the river, the nereid shows up, tells him to breathe, that Poseidon’s proud, and… cut to black. There's no wonder at his new abilities, no fascination, no "maybe being a demigod is a little bit cool, wow," and no consideration that his dad does care, even a little bit.

The only book change for the better? Percy choosing to go at it alone instead of ending up alone by accident.

I hate to come down so hard on this episode but pacing is critical. The beginning of the book feels slow because there’s a lot of internal monologue, a lot of introspection, lots of breaks between action, and several time skips – Percy spends a couple days at camp before going on his quest and packs a lot of character building moments into it – and they rushed through it all.

St. Louis was already rushed in the book, and this is where they decided to throw in all the filler to slow it down? Writers, if you wanted to pad the runtime, include Gladiola the Poodle giving them directions. Include chapter 14 – the entirety of which is spent in the river establishing new powers and getting told about the gift in Santa Monica, and exacerbating the problem of Percy being mistaken for a terrorist. Ares can still wait and no one would complain.

It’s not the acting, from anyone. It’s not the directing, either. Everyone who worked on this show: The actors, the editors, the set designers, costume department, makeup department, VFX, foley, props, music and sound design, and everyone in between – you all did fantastic and your work is recognized and appreciated.

It’s the big picture that just did not come together this time.

I really, truly, wanted to enjoy this episode coming off the high that was Episode 3 and I’m just left confused once again at all the choices that were made. Just because the bar for greatness was two feet into the topsoil from the first adaptation doesn’t mean it gets to skate by on “well it’s better than what we got before”.

[thegreatcaptainusopp]

The Separation

Ao3 link

The Seer, Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter 5

Chapter 6: Usopp

Usopp had promised, when Luffy was soaring over with them to Vance’s ship, that he would never fly again.

That promise had lasted all of a couple days.

He had known the instant that Sanji had vanished in front of him that it was over for him. That realization had completely shattered his connection over his Haki, the Haki he’d been using to try something, anything, to get what was happening to stop.

He hadn’t even known it was Kuma until his Haki has fully activated, and by then Brook, Franky, and Robin had all disappeared.

So, when everything went dark and nothing again, and Luffy and Zoro and Nami were screaming his name, Usopp had known that he was finished. There was only one thing to do, at that point: take a deep breath, straighten his back, and face it head on, and think Goodbye.

He had not expected the flying, though: days and days of it, or so it had felt like, seeing nothing at all and not knowing when it was going to end. All he could do was scream and pray please please please.

At some point, he had thought maybe he was already dead. Maybe this is it, flying for eternity.

At some point, however, much to his great relief, his flight path changes. His stomach drops, a telltale sign of descent, and he braces himself just before everything stops and he hits solid ground.

He lies there, dazed, before scrambling shakily to his knees. He crouches down over the ground, hands digging into soft soil and breathing in the scent of dirt and grass and solidity.

Usopp stays there for a while, breathing in until he’s calm enough to slowly emerge from his crouch. He’s aching everywhere, the tension from his trip and the fall and everything that’s been going non stop since Vance had shown up hitting him all at once.

He collapses back down to the ground, taking some more shuddering breaths. It seems that for now, he’s safe, and can finally just—

Everything hits him all over again, and he feels like he’s been zapped by Enel a second time. He bolts up into place, so fast he almost falls over. Where am I? He thanks frantically, moving his head from side to side even though he can’t see anything. And how do I find out?

The movement makes something on his neck tickle, and he realizes with another shock to the system that he’s still wearing Hat, stuck firmly to the top of his head. He raises his hands, clamping down on the brim as a new fear begins to flood through his veins because oh God what happened to everyone what happened what happened what happened…

Because, God, almost everyone got hit didn’t they? Almost everyone, even Sanji, it’s just Nami and Zoro and Luffy left as far as he knows, what could’ve happened…

Usopp’s train of thought grinds to a halt. Maybe…he got hit, and he’s fine, right? So maybe…

His arm start to ache, so he drops them back down to the dirt. He clears his throat. “Hello?” He croaks out, voice sounding so loud in the dark. “Hello? Is…is anyone else here? Guys? Hello?”

He waits, fidgeting a little, concern only growing the longer he hears nothing back. Is it possible everyone actually is here, but they’re too hurt to say something? Or do anything?

He’d like to check, but…but.

A new problem presents itself. Usopp remembers last time he’d been alone since getting blinded, waiting on the shores of the Marineford base while the rest of the crew made its way to him. He’d lost all connection to the outside world and had been stuck in the dark but at least he’d known where he was, and that everyone was coming for him. Here, though…

Here, he’s never been more in the dark. Even in the worst moments, the lowest moments, he’d had someone around. He’d had some connection to his surroundings. But, as it stands…he doesn’t know where he is and who he’s with. He doesn’t know if his crew needs his help. And at the moment, he doesn’t know if he can find out.

Usopp feels his head begun to spiral, and quickly pinches his arm. Pull yourself together, He says, struggling to maintain his composure. Focus. Calm down so you can use your Haki, then you’ll get out of this.

He takes a slow, deliberate, breath, trying to center himself. If he takes some time, then maybe…

A chill runs up his spine, breaking his concentration. He’s well aware enough at this point to know that this means—

“Who are you?”

Usopp flinches, scrambling back to the opposite direction from where the voice came from. “Um,” He stammers, trying not to think about how vulnerable he is at the moment. “Well, you know, sorry, I just kind of found myself here, and—”

He hears something rustle, and the voice starts to draw closer. “Calm down,” It says in a strict baritone. A sharp tapping follows his words as he walks. “Stop for a moment, please. Explain who you are, and why you are here.”

The voice isn’t familiar, and Usopp knows that he can’t trust it. “Um,” He says, mind racing to come up with an answer. “Sorry. I actually don’t know where I am, I got…turned around, so I’m completely lost. Can you tell me who you are, Mr…?”

There’s a short pause, then:

“Issho,” The voice says, less stern now. “I’m Issho. You got lost, you say? Do you remember where you were, before you ended up here?”

“Well,” Usopp says, feeling himself start to sweat nervously. “…no, not really. I can’t really, well,” He points at his eyes, where he can still feel the bandages. “I can’t really give you any landmarks or anything like that. So.”

“Why not?” Issho asks, sounding curious now.

Usopp tilts his head in confusion. Wasn’t it obvious? “I’m…I’m blind,” Usopp says, voice soft. It’s the first time since he was on Vance’s ship that he’s said that statement, he thinks. “These bandages…it’s cause I’m blind. I can’t see anything.”

There’s a quick intake of breath, then: “Ah,” Issho says, lighter now. “Apologies, I didn’t…well, I wasn’t paying attention to the details. It seems we have something in common, Mr…?”

Usopp recognizes his own name tactic used against him, then takes the risk. “Usopp,” He finally admits, heart beating fast.

“Usopp,” Issho says, and Usopp hears his voice draw closer. “I am also blind, you see. I meant no offense.”

Usopp’s mouth drops open. “You too?” He squeaks out. “That’s…”

There’s a quick burst of laughter. “Well,” Issho chuckles out. “We make quite the pair, Usopp. Up on your feet, now. Let’s get you back to where you need to be.”

The seems much too easy to be real. Usopp thinks for a moment. I don’t really have a choice, do I?

He grips at the earth, then slowly levers himself up to his feet. “I’m up,” He says, remembering that Issho is blind too. “Where should we go?”

“What’s the last thing you remember?” Issho asks, and Usopp hears the swish of fabric on ground. “Were you perhaps in the town square and took a wrong turn? I’m not all that close by there, but if you walked a long way then perhaps…”

Usopp clears his throat. “Um,” He says, trying to pick up an audio clues he can find about Issho’s position. “No, I…Hey, can you tell me the island name? And where we are?”

The movement stops, and Usopp hears a tone of surprise attached to Issho’s next sentence. “What? Do you not even know where you are?”

Usopp rubs the back of his head nervously. “Um…you see…”

He’s interrupted by a sigh. “No matter,” Issho says. “We’re on Tiger Island, in Paradise. The Grand Line. My residence is right in front of you, and behind is the path to the main town. If we go there together, we might find a way to get you back to where you need to go.”

Really, he’s lucky Issho isn’t pushing further. “Yes,” Usopp says, steeling himself. “Let’s go. Lead the way.”

“Sure,” Issho says, and then Usopp hears him turn and start to move further away.

Oh. That may be…oh.

Usopp takes a hesitant step forward, fumbling through the dark. Then another, slowly trying to sweep the area ahead of him with his foot.

The footsteps stop again. “What is it?” Issho asks, sounding concerned.

Usopp feels a flush of embarrassment and shame rising in his cheeks. “Um,” He begins. “Sorry. I might need some…I’m having some trouble navigating, is all.”

“Ah,” Issho says, and Usopp hears him double back before feeling a hand clamp down on his shoulder. “You’re wearing bandages, you said?”

Usopp stumbles forward, trying his best to keep Issho’s pace “Yes?” he says, almost a question.

“How long has it been?” Issho continues, slowly leading Usopp through the terrain. “Since you lost your sight?”

Usopp shrugs, knowing Issho will feel it. “A couple weeks, probably,” He responds.

He feels the hand on his shoulder clench tighter. “It’s new to you, then.” Issho says. “That explains it. Well, in that case, it’s best we stop by the doctor first, yes?”

Usopp’s stomach tightens. “But…”

“Just to make sure,” Issho interrupts. “That everything is on the mend. After that, we’ll continue the original plan.”

He doesn’t have a choice, really. “Sure,” He says, vaguely defeated, using the pressure of Issho’s hand on his shoulder or ground him.

They start making their way to the town in earnest, Usopp trying his best to concentrate on the route. Minutes pass before Issho clears his throat. “I like your hat.”

“Oh,” Usopp says, reaching up to touch the brim. “Thank you. It’s…it’s not mine. But it’s special.”

He gets a thoughtful “hmm” in response and tries not to dwell on it too hard, until…

“Hey,” Usopp says slowly. “How did you…I mean, you haven’t even touched the hat. How do you know it’s there?”

Haki? His brain tells him.

A quiet chuckle meets him in response. “You’ll know, soon enough.” Issho says. “Soon enough.”

-

“Running a school for the blind, there, Issho?”

Usopp flinches at the words as he feels gloved hands tug at his bandages, almost falling off the medical cot. “Hey,” The doctor says, not unkindly, as he steadies Usopp in place. “It’s okay, kid. This’ll only take a couple minutes.”

“Wafer,” Issho replies, stern. “I won’t have any of that talk. Leave him be. Just check on the wound, please.”

Usopp takes in a quick breath as the last of the bandages fall away, exposing his ruined eyes to the cold air. “I’m hurt,” Wafer says, and Usopp feels him very gently prodding around his eyes. “This is just the first time the stray you’ve taken in is also blind, you know. And recently, at that. He’s going to need some support.”

“I’m fine,” Usopp says indignantly. “I’m figuring everything out okay.”

“Didn’t say you weren’t,” Wafer says, then “You’re going to feel something cold,” Before he presses something gently over Usopp’s eyes.

“Anyway,” He continues, barely missing a beat. “It’s clear that this only just happened, in the grand scheme of things. It’ll take a while to learn how to manage: ask Issho over there, he’ll tell you.”

“It’s true. The good doctor here has known me for a long time, so he’s correct,” Issho confirms, and then asks. “How are the wounds?”

Usopp feels the pressure from his eyes lift. “It’s healing well, just needs some monitoring. You’re going to need to find ways to protect your eyes from debris particles too: I recommend some good sunglasses.”

“Naturally,” Issho responds icily. “Is that it, then?”

“Indeed,” Usopp hears, and feels the whoosh of Wafer pulling back. “The bandages can stay off now, even. Now…where are you headed, Usopp?”

Usopp is too caught up in no bandages to really take in the question. “Um,” He says. “Well. I need to get out of here. And back to my,” He hesitates for a beat. “My friends.”

“Whereabouts are they?” Issho asks, and there’s the tapping sound again. A staff of some sort, Usopp realizes.

He clears his throat. “Sabaody,” he says. “That’s where we were last.”

“Sabaody?” Wafer asks, sounding surprised. “I mean, that’s not terribly far away, but it’s not exactly right next door either. How did you get from there to here without knowing where you were?”

Usopp opens his mouth, hoping a good answer will come out, before he’s interrupted by Issho. “It’s probably to do with the fact that you’re a pirate, right Usopp?”

Usopp’s mouth clicks back shut in shock.

“A pirate?” Wafer asks. “How did you know that?”

“It was simple enough,” Issho’s voice sounds confident, but not angry. “Firstly, Sabaody is a pirate haven. Secondly, and more importantly…I know that hat. Only a pirate would be the wearer of that hat. I must say, Usopp, I’m curious to know how you came to be in possession of it.”

Usopp can’t do anything but let out a nervous laugh. “Can’t really deny it anymore, huh?” He asks.

“No,” Issho says. “So. Elaborate, please.”

Usopp sighs. “Well,” He says. “Firstly, yeah. I’m a pirate. The hat belongs to my Captain, it’s not mine. I’m just…looking after it for a while.”

Issho lets out a hmm of interest. “Your captain’s name?”

Usopp hesitates. Would this count as giving Luffy away?

“Don’t worry,” Wafer cuts in. “Issho doesn’t really…well, he doesn’t love pirates, but as long as you’re not actively causing harm to anything, he doesn’t really care. And he’s no government snitch, so.”

Issho just sighs. “I will not turn you or your captain in anywhere,” He says. “Anyway. I already have an idea of who it might be, and I have no quarrel with him.”

Oh. That’s different then. “Monkey D. Luffy,” Usopp says, resigned but also with a hint of pride. “He’s my captain.”

“I thought so,” Issho says, sounding satisfied. “In that case, would you also be willing to let us know how you ended up in front of my house, and how you left a large crater there, if you please?”

“Crater?” Usopp asks. “I didn’t know there was a…wait, how did you know?”

“I’ll get to that later,” Issho says enigmatically. “Anyway. Do you have any explanations for this?”

Well. He’s all in, anyway. “Kuma,” Usopp finally admits, feeling a little ashamed. This pair had played him masterfully. “Bartholomew Kuma. He attacked us and…sent us away. It’s why I have to get back. I have to know that they’re okay.”

“Kuma?” Issho asks, sounding shocked. “The warlord?”

“Don’t get him started,” Wafer mutters.

“The warlord!” Issho repeats. “Why would he…why would he send you to me? I have no love lost for warlords, that’s true enough. So why…”

Usopp waits nervously for the rest of the sentence, but it never comes. “Why what?” He asks. “Do you have an idea of why he would send me here?”

“He’s thinking,” Wafer’s voice breaks in helpfully. “It’s…unusual, that’s for sure. Kuma doesn’t do anything without a reason, so—”

“Correct,” Issho says gravely. “He does not. So…sending you here, in your condition, seems like a very deliberate move. Tell me, Usopp, why would the warlord Kuma try to help you?”

“Help me?” Usopp squeaks out. “How did he…”

“He sent you here,” Issho says slowly. “To me. He did not kill you, when it sounds like he very well could have. He even gave you a way back.”

Usopp’s brows furrow. “He did what?”

“The piece of paper in your left pocket,” Issho says. “That should be what leads you to your destination, I believe.”

“The—” Usopp digs a hand into the pocket, then pulls out a piece of paper. “Whoa. What is this?”

“Wafer?” Issho prompts.

Usopp hears an “I’m gonna check that out, Usopp,” before fingers brush at his hand, taking the paper. “You’re right Issho,” Wafer says. “This is a Vivre Card.”

“A Vivre card? How did…” Usopp trails off. “Hey. How did you even know that was there?”

Yeah. Definitely Haki.

Issho just chuckles. “I said we’d get to that eventually, don’t worry,” He says. “Anyway. It seems that, as you don’t know what the card leads to, that Kuma might’ve given you this as well. Meaning, he went out of his way to help you. You said the rest of your crew is also gone?”

Usopp is just barely keeping up with the conversation. “Yeah, Kuma got most of us til I got hit.”

“Then it’s probably the same with them,” Issho says. “So, if this can ease your burden, I hope it can be helpful. Your crew is probably like you: safe, and with a life line back.”

The conviction in Issho’s voice is so, so easy to believe. “You think so?” Usopp breathes out, trying to keep it together. “You think they’re fine?”

“Yes,” Issho says. “But, the question now is this. What do we do with you? Because I recommend waiting at least a few months before making your way back.”

Usopp’s mind is still on his crew, still full of go back go back go back go back. “Why?” He asks impatiently. “If we have everything, then…”

“Kuma removed you from the island,” Issho says. “I’m assuming that meant it got dangerous for you there. Am I right?”

Usopp thinks of Marineford. “Probably,” He says.

“Then,” Issho continues. “Lie low for a bit. Your crewmates are probably doing the same. Wait until it’s safe, then go. You can stay with me in the meantime.”

Usopp shakes his head again. “But—”

“It’s your choice, of course,” Issho interrupts. “However, I would strongly suggest to stay. I can teach you how to navigate the world like I do. And I’m far away from the town, so you can stay hidden.”

Usopp take a deep breath. “I’m going to need a second,” He says, head spinning. “I need some time to think about it.”

“You have time,” Issho says, neutrally serene.

“You’re not wanted, are you, Usopp?” Wafer asks thoughtfully “I don’t remember seeing your name on any poster.”

“Um,” Usopp responds. “I, as Usopp, am not wanted, no. On the other hand, Sogeking, one of my identities, is—”

“Why, Wafer,” Issho interrupts blandly. “I believe I may be going deaf as well as blind, because I didn’t hear that just then.”

“Fancy that,” Wafer replies. “I think I’m going deaf too, because I didn’t hear it either. Oh well. It couldn’t have been that important. Then, Usopp, there’s no objection from our end with you staying either.”

“Right, then,” Issho says, and Usopp hears the telltale scrape of a chair being pushed back. “Let’s make our way back. We have a lot to get started on, Usopp.”

Usopp hears someone approach him, then Wafer’s voice says “I’m going to help you up” before he feels a hand grip his forearm, helping him off of the cot. “Let’s go.”

He can’t hold it in anymore. “Why?”

The sounds of moving comes to a sudden stop. “Hm?” Issho asks. “Why what?”

“Why are you helping me?” Usopp asks. “I don’t understand.”

There’s a short pause, then—

“It’s the right thing to do,” Issho says. “It’s the just thing to do.”

-

Usopp’s first day of his new training is not at all what he expects.

He had woken up the next day, not aware (will never be aware again) of what time it was, and stumbled around until he had managed to find his way out of the room he had been placed in. Issho had, upon their return from town, directed him to the room and let him know how to find the house’s main area.

Somehow, slowly, he had found his way out of the room, and had slowly navigated around the main room with careful, cautious steps. Issho has been waiting for him, and declared that he was now ready to begin his training.

He had been, honestly, excited as they made their way outside. For the first time since being captured by Vance, he’d felt that maybe he had some hope to figure out how to really deal with his current situation.

So, he waits expectantly as he hears Issho’s staff thud around the area, eventually settling at a spot a few feet away at his left. “Now,” Issho’s voice rings out. “Let’s begin.”

Usopp clenches his fists and lifts them to his chest in excitement. “Yes!” He cheers. “What are we starting with? Fighting? You have a staff, is that what you fight with? Am I getting one?”

“You are,” Issho’s amused voice rings out in the wide space. “One moment…here.”

Usopp feels Issho tap at his hand. He lifts it up, feeling something wooden and cylindrical placed in it.

“That’s it!” Usopp says, excited, then. “Hey, this is heavy. And big! What the hell? How tall are you?”

The only reply he gets is the tapping of a staff away from his general direction. “Hey,” He says again. “Am I…am I going to be fighting with this?”

“No,” Issho says, and there’s the distinct thump of someone taking a seat. “You’re going to walk with it.”

“Okay,” Usopp says suspiciously. “Walk with it in order to…?”

“To walk,” Issho says. “You’re going to have to find a way to navigate the world without your sight. This is how.”

Usopp’s hand clenches on the staff. “But,” He says. “You can…”

“I have other methods, yes,” Issho says. “But you have to know how to manage regardless. You never know what could happen, and you need to know how to rely on yourself fully.”

Usopo remembers how it felt, waking up in the Vance ship’s medbay and the sick realization that everything he took for granted will never come back…

He sighs, shoulders drooping. “You’re right,” He admits. “I…I want to manage. On my own. So. Can you teach me?”

He can practically hear the smile in Issho’s voice. “Of course,” He says. “Now…let’s start with walking.”

-

In theory, Usopp has been through harder times. The saga of events that led him here rank high up there, and all the pain and the fear and the waiting still keeps him up at night sometimes (all the time).

In practice…

Usopp has never felt less…able, than he is now. Everything is a struggle, down to the things he used to do daily with no issue: walking, checking the time, reading, drawing…all his basic skills seem to have vanished into thin air. Some, he’s never going to get back. Others, he has to learn to do all over again.

And so, for the first few months, this is exactly what he does.

Issho takes him, step through painful step, how to manage again. How to use a cane or staff to make his way around a space. How to manage getting stuck in the dark. How to occupy his time and learn to listen to his surroundings.

It’s also during this time that Usopp realizes that he hasn’t told a story in months. They whisper in his head, sometimes, but he pays them no attention: he swallows them up and keeps going, keeps living without them.

He doesn’t really know how to feel about that: on one hand, it still scares him. He still can’t quite come to terms with the fact that everything he’d been doing all those years wasn’t, in fact, a fun creative exercise. Instead, it had been his latent abilities trying to speak with him, and what did that say about him? About his creativity? His identity as liar? Was that all fake?

Did that mean that Vance, despite not getting the details correct, had been right all along?

On the other hand, though. His access to storytelling, although the inadvertent cause of his blindness, is the one piece of himself he still has left. It’s the only thing that’s stayed the same about him, that’s notably Usopp. It also, through the Haki that he uses to access it, represents the new way he can be useful now. What if…what if he ignores a story, and something bad happens? Something he could have changed?

And if he doesn’t have that anymore, if he refuses to listen to it anymore…then how can he find his usefulness again?

-

“You’re ready,” Issho says.

Usopp, about to get off of the chair, sits back down in shock. “What?”

“It’s been a few months,” Issho says. “And you’ve gotten your basic skills down. I think it’s time for you to go to the next level.”

Usopp grips at the dining table. Finally. “Yes!” He cheers. “I’m ready! I promise!”

He hears Issho give a soft, almost imperceptible chuckle. “Well,” He says. “You may have noticed that I have an…ability to sense things, more so than an every day individual.”

Usopp nods. “Yeah,” He says. “Um, actually. I think…I have an idea of how you’re doing it. Haki, right?”

There’s a beat of silence. Usopp can hear a quick, surprised breath.

“It seems,” Issho says. “That my reveal is superfluous. I’m assuming you’re already aware of what Haki is, and what it does?”

Usopp tries to ignore the guilty feeling bubbling up in his chest. “Yeah,” He says. “Someone gave us an explanation already. That is, um…you’re using Observation Haki, right?”

“I am indeed,” Issho says, a little stiffly.

“So,” Usopp says, months of curiosity finally bursting free. “How are you—I mean, as far as I’ve experienced, Observation Haki doesn’t give you as much detail as you’re getting. It’s like…I don’t know, sometimes it’s like you’re not even blind. Other times it’s like you can see things beyond what people with sight can. How do you do it constantly without it wearing you out?”

Issho gives a thoughtful hm before responding “Usopp, have you been able to access your Observation Haki? Have you tried using it to navigate as I do?”

Usopp fidgets uncomfortably. “Um,” He says. “Yeah. I mean,” He hastily adds. “not these last few months! I know it was important to learn how to not rely on it. But, yeah. Before that. It worked a couples times but I couldn’t maintain it. And it’s kinda difficult getting it without being under intense stress.”

“This makes things easier, actually,” Issho says, and Usopp almost physically slumps over in relief. “Right, so do you know the different types of Observation Haki?”

“There’s different types?” Usopp asks, surprised. Rayleigh hadn’t mentioned that.

“Not officially, I suppose,” Issho says. “But as a foremost expert on the topic, I can say that Observation Haki generally tends to work in two directions: physical and temporal. In essence, physical use allows you to access greater distance and through barriers, while temporal allows you access to some level of future sight.”

Usopp’s heart starts racing at future sight. “Is it possible to have both?”

“Of course,” Issho says. “But if you try using both at the same time, it makes it difficult to maintain concentration. So we can start with that. I’ll teach you how to use them separately at first, and we can build our way up from there. If I may ask: what have you been able to do?”

“Um,” Usopp says, trying to figure out exactly how to put it. “I guess…there’s been a couple times where I manage to like. Get a sense of a place and where everyone is but without seeing any details? Like silhouettes. And then there’s other times where, um…”

He trails off. He thinks he can trust Issho by now, but still. His experience with Vance hangs in the back of his mind, taunting him.

“Before you continue,” Issho cuts in. “The first thing you describe is what I do to get around: Observation Haki by distance. Since you’ve already accessed this space, we should be able to get you back in, no problem. This way, we can start building up your stamina to maintain it.”

Usopp shakes the image of Vance to ask. “Stamina? So I need to train my stamina in Haki?”

“Yes,” Issho says. “You see, the very root of Haki, the very thing that makes it work, is willpower. And you need to find the space in your head where your willpower is and live in that. Only after you do that can you keep your Observation Haki on, and you’ll be able to be a sniper again.”

Usopp shakes his head. “Have you ever heard of a blind sniper?” He asks a little desperately. “How can I…how can I get back to how I was?”

“Have you ever heard of a blind swordsman?” Issho counters. “No? Well, here I am regardless. And you can be that too, you know. You can be the first.”

He’s never been the first at anything before.

“Try it now,” Issho says. “Access that place, the one that you go to when you’re desperate. Observe the room. See it, through your Haki.”

Usopp takes a deep breath, crossing his arms tightly. He tries to concentrate, and then…

Something familiar clicks into place.

“Holy shit!” He yelps. “You are tall. Like, super tall! Oh my god, what the hell? How is your table short enough that I can reach it?”

Issho chuckles. Usopp can see his silhouette, and even that looks amused. “There,” He says. “This what I see all the time. I can help you stay that way, and I can make you do it better.”

Usopp nods, and new fiery resolve building in his chest. “Okay,” He says, gripping Hat, always on his head. “Okay. Let’s do this.”

-

“Issho! Usopp!”

Usopp’s head swivels towards the voice. “Huh? Wafer?”

Issho sighs, and Usopp hears the clink of mug hitting table. “What is it, Wafer? Is anything wrong?”

“Yeah!” And there’s a swish of paper. “This!”

There’s a short silence, then. “Is there, perhaps, something on that paper that you would like to tell us about?”

“Oh,” Wafer says, and there’s some rustling as he clearly picks it back up. “Um. Sorry. Anyway. It’s the newspaper, I picked it up the other day. Actually, I have two: an older one, and a newer one. Usopp, the older one has your captain in it.”

Usopp practically shoots up in place. “Luffy?” He asks, voice quivering. “Is he okay? What does the article say? Is there a picture? How does he look?”

“He’s fine,” Wafer says. “There’s…actually, I’ll describe it to you later. But, more importantly…”

The sound of another piece of paper hitting the table reverberates across the room.

Issho sighs. “Wafer,” He says. “The dramatic impact of this is significantly lessened when everyone else in the room is blind.”

“I know,” Wafer says, a grin apparent in his voice. “That was for me. Anyway. Usopp, guess what? You have a bounty now!”

Usopp freezes. He feels his heart start to pound, and his hand travels up the Hat, pressing down on the brim.

If there is one thing about Issho he’d learned during his months here, it’s this: He hates injustice. He hates it. If there is one thing he cannot forgive, it’s those who hurt others for their own purposes.

And Usopp finally getting a bounty... That shows that he has, in fact, caused harm to others, doesn’t it?

There is also the fact that. Well. He has killed someone. He has caused an irreparable harm like that. Luffy and Nami had both said that he didn’t have a choice, and maybe he didn’t. But that doesn’t change the fact that killed someone anyway, and on purpose.

And Issho knows nothing about it.

“Usopp?” And that’s Issho. Usopp slips into his Observation space, and notes that Issho is facing his direction.

Wafer clears his throat. “You know what they’re calling you?” He asks. “You’re Seer Usopp, isn’t that strange? The picture they have of you too…it looks recent, and it looks like you’re yelling through a Den-Den Mushi. You still have the hat on, too.”

Usopp sucks in a breath. You’re a Seer, Vance whispers in his head. You’re a Seer

“Oh,” He says. “Um. Okay, I guess I should…I guess I should explain.”

“Hey,” Wafer says, laughing nervously. “Don’t worry about it. I come from a family of pirates, you know. We’re not afraid of them over here. And…hey, we won’t turn you in for the money. Even though they didn’t mess around with the amount, huh?”

Usopp tries a smile, and he can feel by the way it pulls at his mouth that it doesn’t look very real. “No,” He says. “Um. I know that. Thank you. It’s just…The Seer. The title. There’s a reason for that.”

Issho is still facing his direction, still silent.

Usopp barrels on. “My Observation Haki,” He begins, palms sweating. “It’s…advanced. Scary advanced, temporally speaking. I’ve been using it without knowing all my life. I’ve been…predicting futures, all my life. Far futures. And I can’t control it.”

He can see Issho’s silhouette turn back down to the table. His Observation space flickers then fades: he can’t hold it any longer.

He sits there, back in the dark, breathing hard. He couldn’t…he can’t. He can’t reveal that he killed Vance yet. But this…maybe this. Maybe he can trust them with this.

Issho breaks the silence. “Interesting,” He says “I’ve never heard of anything like this. Extraordinary.”

“I’m sorry,” Usopp bursts out. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you earlier. But…” He thinks of Vance’s face, of the last thing he ever saw: the cold stare, followed by the descent of knives. “This information…it got me hurt. It got others hurt. I felt like it would’ve been a better idea for everyone if I didn’t tell you about this.”

“That’s understandable,” Issho says, to Usopp’s shock. “I can see why you kept this silent. However…Usopp, the implications for this are far-reaching, and I would like to discuss it with you further. But for now…let us continue with your training.”

Usopp is quiet for moment, hand gently placed on Hat. Then, he places his hand back on the table.

“Thank you,” He says quietly, then. “Wafer. Can you tell me what Luffy’s picture looked like? On the newspaper?”

“Oh. Sure,” Wafer says, and Usopp gasps as he describes it further.

-

The guilt builds up and up and up in Usopp’s head.

He knows, he knows, that he might be putting himself at risk if he reveals that he’s killed someone.

But. Still. Issho had taken him in under the pretense of doing the right thing. Wouldn’t it be wrong to not let him know the person he’s actually helping? Wouldn’t this make his whole existence here a lie?

It turns out he is a liar, after all.

The thoughts scream at him daily, and it inevitably starts to show.

“It’s not fair,” Usopp says, clenching his fists. He has one hand on Hat, and the other clutching Kabuto. “You have a devil fruit and Haki, surely you can’t expect me to actually have a shot here.”

He can sense Issho sheath his sword, crossing his arms. “That’s who you’ll have to face when you leave,” He says shortly. “You can’t expect the fights to be fair. You don’t have the advantage of devil fruit powers, so you have to be ready to handle those too.”

Usopp blows a frustrated breath. “Maybe if I could still make my weapons, I could make something to counteract—”

“Who says you can’t?” Issho asks. His arms are still crossed. “Maybe it’ll take some time to figure out how to do so, but surely…”

“I just can’t,” Usopp finally snaps, everything pouring out of him at once. “I’m…I’m not capable of everything, you know. I’m just Usopp. At some point, there is a limit to what I can actually do.”

Issho finally uncrosses his arms. “What’s going on with you?” He asks. “You’ve been quite clear about needing to be stronger for your crew. This…this is not the person that made the request. What is on your mind?”

Usopp can practically feel the weight of his guilt on his shoulders, holding him down. There’s nothing he can do. He has to say something.

“I killed someone,” He admits, clenching his fist.

He deliberately leaves his Haki space, not wanting to even sense Issho’s reactions. “The man who I killed. He kidnapped me, then he blinded me. He came back, and he attacked my crew to try to get to me again, and I killed him.”

He’s back in the dark, and sits there. He’s terrified, yes, but at the same time…he’s ready. He’s ready to take the consequences for it. None of the crew would give it to him so maybe…maybe Issho finally would.

Issho doesn’t take long to respond, and Usopp flinches in surprise at his words. “Were you perhaps,” He says. “Under the impression that I am a pacifist? Because I assure you, I am not. I am a warrior, and I know what it means to need to fight. I know what it means to feel the need to take a life.”

Usopp shakes his head. “But—”

“Usopp,” Issho says. “This world is unjust. Painfully unjust. It makes good people do terrible things and then pay for it. It makes bad people continue to do bad things without consequence. The only thing we can do is whatever we can to alleviate that. Even if just by a little bit.”

“That doesn’t change the fact that—” Usopp begins, voice breaking.

“No, it doesn’t,” Issho interrupts. “You will have to live with it. As I do. And then do what you can. As I do.” He chuckles without humor. “You know. You were blinded by someone else, but me? I did it to myself. I couldn’t stand this world, and decided I would rather not see it.”

Usopp draws a quick breath. “You did what?” His thoughts race. “All of this, everything we both had to relearn…you did it to yourself? On purpose?”

Usopp can’t imagine that. He can’t imagine doing something so…he can’t even describe it. He doesn’t know if it’s monumentally stupid or monumentally honorable. Maybe it’s both. Maybe it’s neither.

“I can’t believe it. I can’t..” He shakes his head. The guilt still whispers in his ears, but there’s something else there too. And now, finally, he listens again.

“Did you know,” He pivots. “About the kingdom that will no longer exist?”

If Issho is surprised by the change in topic, it doesn’t show in his voice. “No,” He says. “I do not.”

“Well,” Usopp begins, caught in the current of the story, and he knows, he knows, what’s happening. “There is a kingdom, you see. A kingdom in paradise, but also too close to powerful beings for its own good. It’s citizens, living under tyranny, will try to make life better for themselves, but it won’t be enough. They will find freedom, but only temporarily: the kingdom will be gone forever in an instant soon after.”

He feels Hat start to tip off his head, and hurriedly reaches to grab it. He steadies it back, patting it in apology.

“That was it!”

Usopp flinches back. “What?”

“That was it, wasn’t it?” And Issho is much more animated now, in a way Usopp had never seen before. “This is what you were talking about. Your future sight? That is impressive indeed. And unlike anything I’ve ever encountered before.”

Usopp can’t help but feel a little embarrassed. “Um, sorry,” He stammers. “I didn’t mean to…I mean, sometimes this just happens, and—”

“That was…” Issho says, voice awed. “The furthest I’ve managed future sight is a few minutes. You’ve been doing it years in advance, and without even trying.” His tone turns thoughtful. “A kingdom, huh? I’ll keep that in mind, Usopp. And like I said before, I wish to speak with you further about this aspect of your Haki. It is…unusual.”

“Oh…” Usopp says, taken aback. “Um. Sure. Let’s…let’s do that.”

“And,” Issho’s voice takes a serious turn. “To go back to what we were saying earlier. Yes, I blinded myself. Yes, you killed someone. As did I. But those things are the past, and we both need to figure out how to proceed from here. It’s only after you get over this block you’ve put on yourself that you may find out what is happening with your Haki.”

Usopp realizes he’s still clutching Kabuto in a sweaty grasp. “What do you mean?” He asks, slowly lowering it to the ground. “What does that have to do with my Haki?”

Issho sighs audibly. “Remember,” He says. “All those months ago, when you first arrived here? And I told you that Haki functions from a place of will? Will is all mental, you know: it’s a manifestation of confidence and drive. If you’re held back emotionally, if you’re nervous and uncertain, then you will not be able to access it properly.”

“Okay,” Usopp says slowly. “So…what do I do? What do I have to do to get better at that?”

“Just answer a simple question,” Issho says. “And it’s this: what do you want?”

Usopp’s confusion grows. “What do you mean?”

“I mean,” Issho says, voice as serious as he’s ever heard it. “You need a goal. You need the will to achieve something greater, and you need to want it with everything you’ve got. That will, that place in you where you say I will do this? That’s Haki. That’s where you have to go to get your power.”

Usopp thinks what do I want?

A jumble of things emerge in his mind. The faces of his crew, of Kaya, flash through his brain in high definition. I want you to be okay.

His mother, I want to honor you

His father, I want you back.

Usopp’s hand slowly travels back to Hat’s brim. “There’s so much that I want,” He says. “How do I…how do I decide it? How do I know?”

“That hat,” Issho says, and Usopp grips it harder. “Is for the dreamers. It’s for those with the strongest will. And as the current holder, you will need to embody that too. It’s only then that you will succeed. So…that’s how you know. What is the hat protecting?”

What do I want?

Usopp thinks of all the times he’s entered his Haki space. Every time he’s found the thing that gets him in, that he wants strong enough that he’s being let in.

It’s…it’s all of it. It’s all of the above, tied under a single goal, a single dream, a single will. Safetyhonorreturn all under a similar banner, and the need he has to keep them all with his own two hands. There’s only one thing, one thing that will ensure that everything he wants will happen again.

“So, Usopp,” Issho says again, and there’s a note of finality to the words. “What do you want?”

Usopp takes a deep breath. The conviction in his chest boils over into his words “I want to be a brave warrior of the sea!”

-

One day, a little over a year in, everything changes.

Usopp had been working on his physical stamina. Issho has been giving him some pointers on how to physically stronger, to recover the muscles that he’d lost and then some. So, he hadn’t been laying much attention to his surroundings, as he’d been so focused on his exercise that he didn’t see it coming before it was too late.

He hadn’t been expecting anyone for a while, anyway. Issho has told him he was going to be in the town all day, assisting some building project or the other there.

He’d been finishing up a stretch, when something tugs at the back of his mind, right at his Observation space. Startles, he takes a quick, focused breath and dives in, trying to see what set off his instincts.

He expands beyond the room, to the exterior of Issho’s house, and…

And a figure is running up to the house, arms pumping, breathing hard.

Usopp jumps up instantly, trying to scramble back into the hiding spot under the floorboard Issho had shown him. Had someone in the town found out about his existence? He hadn’t gone there in months, and wore a disguise at that…

He quickly lowers himself into the shallow area, the reaches to put the floorboard back over him. It’s not much protecting against an advanced Haki user, but maybe enough to—

“Usopp!”

And that’s Wafer’s voice, and Usopp breathes a sigh of relief. “Wafe—”

He cuts off. Why does Wafer sound so…desperate?

The door slams open and he can hear Wafer rush in. “Usopp!” He pants. “Quickly. You have to leave. You have to leave now.”

“What?” Usopp asks, bewildered. He can sense Wafer dart from the room and run towards his. “Why? What happened? Go where?”

He makes his way towards his room, and enters to the thud of a bag being deposited on the ground. “What—”

“Pack your belongings,” Wafer says hurriedly. “I’ll help you. But you need to go.”

“Wha—” Usopp says again, then cuts himself off as a cold realization slithers its way into his mind. “Wafer. Where’s Issho?”

Wafer freezes mid-pack. “Usopp—”

Usopp’s breath hitches. “Where’s Issho?” He repeats, fear coloring his words.

Wafer slams the bag shut. “Issho,” He says. “Is gone. He’s going to be gone for a while.”

“What?” Usopp breathes out. “Why?”

“The World Government,” Wafer says, pushing the bag into Usopp’s hands. “Has instituted a draft. They’re taking in people for mandatory military service, and they can’t say a thing about it. And Issho…Issho has been…”

“They took him?” Usopp springs to his feet. “We have to get him out, right? What do we do?”

Wafer grasps Usopp’s forearm, dragging him to the door. “We can’t,” He says. “We’ll get caught easily. Also, Issho told me not to do anything. He says it’ll be best for everyone if he goes, for now.”

Usopp pulls back, trying to escape Wafer’s grasp. “You know,” He says. “Even if he said that, we still have to try and save him! Especially since…he wouldn’t want to join, you know that!”

Wafer grabs his arm again. “Of course I do!“ He says. “But, listen Usopp. Issho expressly told me his wishes, and I will make sure to follow them as closely as I can. And he told me to make sure you escape. And to let him go, for now.”

Usopp feels himself wilt at the for now. “Why leave?” He asks, as Wafer starts to drag him towards the door. “Can’t we wait for him to be ready and then save him?”

“This area will be crawling with the government soon,” Wafer says, pulling him out the door. “And we’ll all be kept under watch while Issho is in the Marines. And they cannot find you Usopp. They cannot.”

“What?” Usopp says again, stumbling as he’s dragged along. “Why would they—”

Wafer tugs him in the opposite direction of the main town. “You know Issho is strong,” He says. “And his Devil Fruit is nothing to sniff at. He’ll be given a high ranking position, and his hometown will be heavily guarded as a result. And you, Usopp…even if it’s temporary, you’re the wielder of the straw hat. This means you must do whatever you can to not get caught.”

He stops briefly, then presses a piece of paper into his hand. “This is as far as I can take you,” He says. “Issho says you’re ready enough to know how to follow the path to the shore. You’ll find a passenger ship there. Here’s a ticket. Just get on there and go. Don’t try to come back.”

“But—”

Wafer shoves his shoulders lightly. “Go, now,” He says. “Issho also told me to tell you that there’s a lot of moving pieces at stake right now. Behind the scenes is just chaos, and Issho is right in the middle of it. You know him. He made sure to tell me that you would meet again.”

Usopp’s chest tightens. “And you?” He asks.

“Of course, kid,” Wafer says. He pushes him forward again. “Now beat it. Go to your crew. Who knows, maybe I’ll see my own family again some day.”

Usopp furrows his brows, working to access his Haki. He’ll need to be able to tell his surroundings to make it there.

He squeezes the ticket in his hand. “I appreciate it,” He says. “More than you know. Thank you.”

“Kid,” Wafer says, with a hint of sadness in his tone. “We’ll see you again. Now, go.”

Usopp turns and goes.

-

Usopp wanders for a while.

There’s nothing more he can do, really. He has a Vivre card that he can’t read and nine months until he can go back to Sabaody, so that’s out. So, he’d gotten out at the first destination the passenger ship had gone to, and just…walked. And kept going and going and going.

He’d worked all those months for this. To be able to be capable again, to manage on his own, to finally be able to go back to his crew with his head held high.

This is the time for him to put everything into practice. He is truly alone now: no crew, no Issho, not even Vance. Now, he will know if he really is ready to keep going.

And so, he goes. He traverses through one island to the other, both with and without his Haki. He finds his way to ships, keeps on the move, figuring out how to travel on his own.

He even finds himself in a few fights, and, well. They’re nothing on Issho, really: for all his protestations, Issho’s lack of taking it easy had left its mark. Sometimes, it feels like his opponents aren’t even trying at all.

Most of the time, though, he’s just interacting with people. And people, at the heart of it, are fairly decent: they leave him alone, for the most part.

In return, he tells stories. He stops ignoring the whispers, and full embraces them. He tells people of things he can’t quite comprehend himself, and he finds that they mostly enjoy it. They even write them down for him, and he slowly amasses a list to take back to his crew. Who knows, maybe they’ll be useful some day.

He can’t read himself anymore. But he has a crew who can, and he’ll do what he can to get them ready for what’s coming.

At three months to go, Usopp gets an itchy feeling at the back of his skull. He stops where he is, right in the middle of a pathway in the middle of a town.

What is it? He asks himself. What wrong?

The feeling just grows, and he makes his way over to a bench on the side, slowly levering his way into it. He leans his cane against it, then lays a hand on Hat.

The prickling lessens suddenly, just as soon as Usopp gets situated. Hm, He thinks. I’m staying? Should I stay?

Nothing happens, but he hadn’t expected it to.

Something else pings on his Haki: a girl, approaching the bench with intent. “Hello,” She greets him politely. “Um, you look a little lost. Do you need any help?”

“What is this place?” Usopp asks her, and the thing in his brain whispers to him, trying to tell him something important…

“Lulusia.” The girl responds. “You’re in the kingdom of Lulusia.”

-

“It’s the day, Usopp,”

Usopp smiles. “Yeah?” He asks. “Thanks, Moda. I appreciate all your help.”

He’d known already. It’s hard to miss when you’ve been counting the days so closely. But it has been nice of her to let him know anyway.

“So you’re leaving?” Moda asks. Usopp senses her hovering uncertainly near him. “What about…”

He smiles at her. “Hey,” He says. “You remember what we talked about, right?”

She nods quickly. “Yes!”

“Okay,” Usopp says. “Then…everything should be fine. That’s an Usopp guarantee! Just be ready. I’ll keep an ear out for you, okay?”

“Okay,” Moda replies, almost tremulous. “We’ll miss you here, you know.”

“I’ll miss you guys too!” Usopp says, smile growing. “But it’s not forever, right? And you’ll be ready?”

Moda finally smiles back, so evident that he can hear it in her voice. “We’ll be ready.”

Usopp grips at the Vivre Card, the one he knows will lead him to Sabaody. “Me too,” He says, the faces of his crew clear in his mind, even in the dark. “I’ll be ready too.”

[asturniolos]

you too - matt s.

chapter 2 ; you going up?

chapter 1

chapter 3

chapter 4

warnings - just slight swearing !

9:27am

".. and be prepared for friday's lecture; your study on creative expression in poetry. your completed assignments for this will be expected.."

my professor's voice beaming through the lecture hall is muffled by the sound of bolder feelings by the ivy playing in my airpods as i stand up from my seat, grab my bag, and neatly place my things in it. i let out an exhausted sigh and make my way out of the lecture hall, followed by a few other students heading to various other facilities. i glance out of the huge windows of the building i'm in and feel my mood instantly improve at the sight of the heavy rainfall hitting the concrete like bullets. i love winter.

as i approach the stairs leading to the bottom floor of the university, my phone vibrates in my pocket.

annie!🧸 : u ready to be picked up? i'm out front!!

my eyes light up as i remember the coffee date annie and i had planned.

i unlock my phone as i walk and begin typing my response when suddenly i feel a hard shove to my side. my bag slips off my arm and lands at my feet, leaving my textbooks and macbook scattered on the floor in front of me.

i hear a gasp followed by a warm, masculine voice, "holy shit i'm so sorry- are you alright?"

i go to pause my music but realise it has already stopped playing. my jaw drops as i look at the ground and see my phone. my shattered phone.

"what the hell? watch where you're walking!"

i step forward and start gathering my things off the floor and placing them back into my bag, cheeks burning red with anger and embarrassment. i feel a hand place itself on my shoulder.

"fuck i'm so sorry. here, let me help you."

"no, it's fine i've got it.", i reply, shrugging the hand off of me in annoyance.

regardless, the boy bends down and begins grabbing my notebook and pencil case which landed next to him. he passes them to me, apologising a few more times.

"i'm so sorry about your phone. i promise i'll pay to get it fixed, just give me your number and i'll sort it out. is that alright?"

i so desperately want to yell at him for running into me, but his considerate offer convinces me otherwise. i pull my bag back over my shoulder and tuck my thick hair behind my ears. glancing up at him and meeting his eyes for the first time, his slightly wavy brown hair falls perfectly as he brings a hand up to his face and pushes it out of his eyes. he scratches the back of his head while waiting for a response from me.

"um.. yeah that's fine. thanks."

i grab a pen from my bag and tear a piece of paper from my notebook to write my phone number down. i pass the paper to him when i'm finished and watch him read it, fold it in half, and place it in the front pocket of his blue hoodie. i take a deep breath in to calm my nerves and can't help but notice the strong scent of aftershave coming from him. i glance back up at his freshly-shaved face and feel my cheeks glow pink. i redirect my eyes to the floor in an attempt at distracting myself from how attractive he is all of a sudden.

"you going up?", he asks, motioning to the stairs above us.

"down, actually.", i reply.

"you're blushing."

"i am?"

"mhm."

he chuckles.

"let me carry your bag for you.", he asks, the sentence coming across more as a statement than a question.

"it's fine really, you don't have to-"

he cuts me off by reaching for my shoulder and taking my bag from me.

"it's the least i can do."

he grins. i think about taking the bag back from him and walking to annie's car alone but figure it would give me an excuse to walk with him for another few minutes. as we walk, i can't help but stare at the veins covering his hands, completely losing track of the conversation. before i know it he's taking my bag off of his shoulder and handing it to me at the doorway.

"i'll give you a call when my lectures over. should be about an hour or two.", he states, taking his phone out of his pocket and checking the time.

"what are you studying?", i ask.

"filmmaking. what about you?", he replies.

filmmaking. oh my god. could he be the guy annie was telling me about?

"english literature."

"oh so like.. shakespeare and shit?"

i lightly chuckle at his stupid response, trying to come up with another question to find out more about him.

"yeah, i guess you could say that. is this your first year here?"

if he says yes i swear-

"yeah actually, i just moved here from boston with my brothers."

i pause.

"brothers?"

"yeah. i'm a triplet."

no. way.

"my names matt.", he continues, "what's yours?"

"y/n. nice to meet you, matt."