#and once i see a bird while it's singing i tend to remember what it sounds like

[timewizard-oldman]

i love hearing crows while waiting for the bus in the morning....... <33

[flowerandblood]

My Best Friend (27)

[modern! club owner • Aemond x fem!reader]    

[warnings: mention of sex, fluff, swearing, physical violence]

[description: Aemond has his own club and often does business at the home of one of his business associates. There he often meets his younger sister, with whom he develops a deeper relationship through shared secrets. This is slow burn love story.]

* English is not my first language. Please, do not repost. Enjoy! *

Previous and next chapters: Masterlist

_____

A gentle touch woke Y/N up from a deep sleep. Her hazy mind registered that someone was gently stroking her head, playing with her hair. She loved the feeling, she murmured softly, contentedly, without opening her eyes. She was answered by someone's amused breath on her face. She opened her eyes, and as if through a haze she saw Aemond's face turned toward her, his gaze once again warm and calm. His long fingers ran through her hair.

"Good morning." He said softly. "Did you sleep well?"

Y/N nodded and smiled warmly. She felt as if a great weight had been lifted from her heart. She remembered the situation that happened last night and blushed.

"Did you see who came down?" She asked quietly, unsure. Aemond looked at her amused.

"My father. But don’t worry. His hearing and eyesight are not as good as they used to be, and the kitchen is quite far away. He didn't seem to notice anything on his way back upstairs. Or he was pretending well." He said, teasing her. Her embarrassed expression answered him. But he knew his father and knew he hadn't noticed anything. 

Y/N sighed softly, swallowing hard. The last thing she wanted was for his father to see her in a bad light. Aemond seemed calm to her, and she assumed he was telling the truth. He didn't seem to regret it either. They both needed that closeness and comfort yesterday. His voice snapped her out of her thoughts.

"Shall we eat something?"

***

Y/N and Aemond were bustling around the kitchen when Helaena ran downstairs, the sight of them brought joy to her face.

"Mom just told me you guys are here. What a surprise!" She said walking over to Y/N and hugging her tightly. She hugged her back. Then she walked over to her brother, with whom she also hugged lightly. It was a pleasant sunny morning. "You'll stay until dinner, won't you?"

Y/N glanced at Aemond. She decided that he should decide how long they were to be here. Aemond thought for a moment, his face expressionless.

"We'll see." He said finally.

Helaena helped them set up breakfast on the terrace. They decided to take advantage of the beautiful weather and eat outside. Vhagar paced unhurriedly between them, glancing greedily at the food on the plates. Y/N was amused to find that she was following Aemond step by step. She managed to pet her occasionally when she was standing nearby, and she accepted her caresses with equanimity.

"Vhagar doesn't seem to like being petted by strangers. She liked you." Aemond said, glancing sideways at them as he unfolded the glasses. Y/N just smiled at this comment. They heard other voices, and after a while their parents also appeared on the terrace. Their father immediately walked over to her, holding out his hand, which she shook.

"Y/N, I'm sorry again for the problems and unpleasant situation yesterday." He said confused and concerned. Y/N thought he should apologize to his son first, but she didn't dare say it out loud.

They sat at a white, round table, around them you could hear birds singing and leaves rustling. It wasn't until daylight that Y/N saw how beautiful their garden was. It turned out that he was mostly taken care of by Helaena, who loved tending to plants. Y/N was pulled out of her thoughts by their father's voice, aimed at her.

"What do you do for living? Are you working already?" He asked curiously, between bites of his scrambled eggs and salad. Y/N shifted in her chair and cleared her throat, embarrassed.

"I'm studying. I am a graphic designer and illustrator. For the time being, I am eligible for a scholarship for high grades.” She said calmly, smiling. Their father nodded appreciatively, surprised.

“Wise, it's great that you're studying. I still don't understand why Aemond dropped out of college. Did he tell you he studied history?" He asked and Y/N shook her head in surprise. Aemond pursed his lips, looking away. "He suddenly came up with this club, that these studies would not give him anything. But hey, parents sometimes have to come to terms with their children's decisions." He said lightly, taking a sip from his coffee. There was an awkward silence for a moment, which was broken by Helaena.

"Do you have any siblings?" She asked curiously. Y/N beamed at the question immediately.

"Yes, I have an older brother. We live together, he and Aemond work together. That's how I met him." She admitted, glancing at Aemond to see if her confession was too much. She knew he didn't like giving away his privacy. He was looking at her calmly, his hand on the armrest lightly brushing her thigh. Helena beamed at this information.

"Tell me more!" She said with a smile. Y/N looked at Aemond, pursed her lips. She didn't know how much she could reveal. He sighed, seeing her embarrassment.

“We often ran errands with the other boys at Klaus's house. Y/N once confided to me that she was being bullied by one of our mutual friends. From then on, we started talking more." He said casually, deciding that this amount of information was enough. Everyone looked at them surprised.

"Is someone stalking you?" Their mother asked, surprised and concerned. Y/N shifted uneasily in her chair, not wanting to talk about it or add to their problems.

“Yes, but my brother's lawyer is already on it. We hope that he will eventually dissuade him." She said quickly, smiling uncertainly.

"Are you sure he's a good lawyer? Perhaps it would be better if our experienced in-house lawyer took care of this case?” His father asked, taking a piece of his salad into his mouth. Y/N was about to deny it, but Aemond beat her to it.

"They have a very good lawyer." He said calmly. Y/N looked at him warmly. She was glad that he appreciated Marcus and what he was doing for them.

They were snapped out of their conversation by the sound of someone moving in the kitchen from inside the house. After a while, Aegon came out, his hair still slightly damp, wearing fresh clothes, apparently having taken a shower.

"Good morning everyone." He said contentedly, taking the only empty seat between Helaena and his mother. There was a huge purple bruise on his face under his right eye, which immediately caught his father's attention.

"What happened, did you get yourself into something again?" He asked impatiently and anxiously. Aegon laughed.

"Ask your other son." He replied casually, glancing at Aemond, but then his gaze lingered on Y/N. Y/N felt Aemonds hand clench into a fist on the armrest and she put her hand on it to smooth him. "If it wasn't for his girlfriend, I would be miserable. But at least she saw that her stoic boyfriend wasn't perfect after all." He grunted as he picked up the bread on his plate, then reached for the scrambled eggs.

Y/N frowned at his words. She didn't like the direction his narrative was going. She didn't know how much she could afford with their parents. If they were alone, she would talk to him differently. Y/N was gentle only up to a certain point, beyond which there was no turning back.

"You should be grateful to your brother for taking you out of there at all." She said suddenly, feeling that she couldn't stand it. Aemond gave her a surprised look. Aegon chuckled to himself.

"I didn't ask him for it." He said amusedly, buttering his bread.

"Then why don't you live there, since you don't want anyone to pick you up from there." She finally blurted out, enraged by his response and disrespect. She didn't understand how he could talk like that in front of his family, not caring that they were trying to straighten him out. Aemond stared at her in shock. He had never seen her so pissed. There was an anger in her eyes that he didn't think she was capable of. Somehow, the thought of her defending him made him warm.

Aegon fell silent at her remark and stared at her for a moment, biting his lower lip.

"You're sassy. You seem like such a little angel. How appearances deceive." He said casually, taking a bite of scrambled eggs. Y/N was about to say something but their father cut in.

"I don't want you to talk to our guest that way. Because of you, both your mother and I experienced great humiliation when we found out that this poor girl was helping to get you out of this nasty place." He said annoyed, setting down his coffee mug. Aegon shook his head.

“I know you are constantly humiliated by us. Especially you, Dad. You fucked up your previous family, but this one came out even worse. But as they say, that's life, right?" He asked, and Aemond looked away, closing his eye. There was an awkward, long silence. Their mother swallowed loudly.

"It's not fair, son. Apologize to your father." She spoke calmly, though her face was pale. Aegon laughed.

"What should I apologize to him for? When did he side with us? Back when he made Rhaenyra his deputy headmaster? When did he think Luke had impaled Aemond's head on a thick metal rod by accident?" Aemond stirred suddenly, fury in his eye.

"Shut up." He said, there was a threat in his voice. Aegon looked at him amused, then his gaze shifted to Y/N.

"He didn't tell you how he lost his eye?" He asked with raised eyebrows.

Aemond stood up, and their mother raised her hands.

"Aegon, this is their business, stay out of it." She said quickly, wanting to lighten the situation.

"Why? She has a right to know she's dating a cyclop because he had a fight with his nephew over a stupid dog lying there." He nodded, pointing to Vhagar basking in the sun. Y/N's heart was pounding wildly, and she jumped in place as Aemond aggressively pulled him up by his shirt.

"I told you to shut the fuck up." He said through clenched teeth, their mother was trying to separate them, but he was enjoying his advantage.

“Aemond and Luke wanted Vhagar for themselves. They decided that she would belong to whoever catches her first and puts her on a leash. Luke pushed him to the ground as he ran, and there was a sharp metal rod in the grass waiting for Aemond's face. The doctors said it was a miracle it didn't pierce his skull." He said, shaking his head in disbelief, Aemond let out a sound of despair and rage, pushing him to the ground with all his might. Aegon laughed.

"Come on, Aemond, tell us what our dear father said to you after that." He said, got up from the grass as if nothing had happened and brushed himself off. Aemond sat back in his chair, his face pale, staring blankly to the side, all his strength gone.

"You don’t want to say it? I'll do it. Our wise father then said to my brother: “You are older then him, you should have more sense. It's just a dog, I'd buy you another one. The dog will die one day and you will not have an eye for the rest of your life.” Well, he's a real soothsayer." He laughed, sitting down at the table again and continuing to eat his scrambled eggs.

There was dead silence at the table. Y/N felt everything tighten inside her. Only now did she understand why Aemond had gotten so angry at the banquet when he saw her talking to Luke. She would never have guessed that he had lost an eye because of him. She didn't know it happened like this. She thought his eye must have been removed by some disease or other injury. The image of a boy having a metal rod driven into his head sent shivers down her spine.

She was also filled with indescribable pain that his father, instead of supporting him, only finished him off. He did not support him in his suffering and drama, only being able to criticize his immaturity. The image of Aemond as a person finally began to piece together in her mind. She placed her hand on his. He didn't look at her, but after a moment she felt relieved that he laced their fingers together. She guessed he was devastated that she find out about it that way. Their father broke the silence.

“I have made many mistakes in my life. Nevertheless, I know one thing. I love all my children. I know that I was never home, that I was always working. That I contributed to your misfortune. Yours too, Aegon. But drugs and alcohol are not the answer. I spoke to our mother last night and we thought it would be a good idea for both of you to start going to therapy." He finally said, hesitantly, it was obvious that the words passed with difficulty through his throat. Aegon and Aemond stared at him in shock.

"You're kidding? You want to lock me up in a mental hospital?" Aegon asked angrily. Aemond looked down, his lips tight. He squeezed Y/N's hand tighter and she looked at him sympathetically.

"No. I want you to talk to someone from the outside about your problems. About us. Whether you don't want to or can't tell us. It is embarrassing for me and I did not want to agree to it for a long time, but we decided to go to therapy together with your mother.” He said without looking at them, his eyes fixed on the plate. At that moment, he looked even older than he really was. His wife looked at him warmly, an unforced smile on her face for the first time since she'd seen her.

“I want you, before it's too late, to work through your problems, complain, experience professional help, understand yourself. I feel you both are lost. I thought that if I was more strict with you boys, I would set you straight, but it turned out completely the opposite. I will cover all the costs of your visits. Do it for me. For this old man, who loves you all so dearly."

_____

If you want to be tagged, just leave a comment. ~

@chainsawsangel​​​​​​​​​​  @yentroucnagol​​​​​​​​​ @cardi-bre91​​​​​​​​​ @melsunshine​​​​​​​​​ @bellaisasleep​​​​​​​​​ @candypurplebutterfly​​​​​​​​​ @malfoytargaryen​​​​​​​​​ @serrhaewin​​​​​​​​​ @svtansdaddyx​​​​​​​​​  @iiamthehybrid​​​​​​​​​  @beiigegalx​​​​​​​​​ @sarahkimtae​​​​​​​​​ @fangirlninja67​​​​​​​​​ @namoreno​​​​​​​​​ @thetrueblackheart​​

[keithsandwich]

I hope not to bother but I am honestly curious to know what sparkled your interest for Keith ? 🤔 plus I really look forward to know more of your Oc she seem interesting 😌 I wish you a wonderful day :D

Hi!! You never bother me ❤️ Don't worry! I love talking about Keith and Maeve.

I fell in love with him during the Be My Lover Be My Beast event. It was the first time I really paid attention to him and he took my whole heart when I did lol. Everything about him is interesting to me so it's hard to keep it short and direct, but I think the first thing that got me hooked was the throuple dynamics between Keith, Alter and MC. With it came the complexity of their characters. Then Jade, the stag crest, the potential for pagan themes we've already talked about.

And I just love them both, they're the best of two worlds 🥹

About Maeve, I feel like I have to make a more neutral version of her to start posting more here. Since I've created her for a kinda magical AU fanfic, some things are super specific and wouldn't work without the whole AU context. But in general:

She was born in a very small village in southern Jade. Her parents were shepherds and she had a very modest and simple upbringing.

Her parents died when she was still very young, though, with a disease that spread through the village. A priestess named Una was there to help containing it, and when Maeve became an orphan she took her in to become a priestess like herself.

Maeve then started living in Caisteal na Sí, the castle of that duchy. The thing is, that region of Jade is still highly connected with the old religion and traditions, so Caisteal isn't an ordinary castle, but a place where people learn and practice all the rites that were once common in all Jade. They worship a Goddess, observe the Wheel of the Year, and try to live in synergy with nature (please notice this is my headcanon that Jade would have at least a region like this. Caisteal is my creation and is not canon).

But even being an apprentice and later a priestess herself, Maeve was always considered as a... kind of a maid. There's nothing really special about her lineage or her talents for her to be any more than this to the duchess.

Eventually Una had a baby of her own, Innes, and Maeve would help her taking care of the infant. They became family to her.

One day Una also passed, leaving Maeve and Innes on their own. But both Una and Innes had a good lineage and Innes is particularly talented, so let's just say she has a special treatment Maeve would never have. This didn't create any distance between them emotionally, but they're the only ones who see themselves as sisters.

Maeve has good knowledge of herbs and local tales, and she gets along very well with simple people. Royals make her feel a bit alienated.

She can sing, although she has conflicted feelings about it (remember she's called black bird? This is one of the reasons). She feels like this is her only talent, and that this is useful only to entertain people. Deep down she wished she could be more useful that this, she wished she had a higher purpose (it comes a lot with the treatment she receives as well, with everyone looking down on her).

Maeve is a Cancer. She's sweet, she can create deep bonds with people and would do everything to protect and take care of them. She's also very perceptive and emotional, and being so connected to the moon makes her mood swing a little bit lol She can't control her tears, but she can't do much to control it when she's angry as well.

She finds Keith hurt in the woods and takes care of his injury. It's easy for her to realize there's two Keiths, she can see the change in his eyes. And since she worships a Goddess with many faces, she simply accepts that the prince can have more than one face, too.

She ends up creating this bond with them while tending to their wound, since they're on their own in the woods during this period. But she knows a romance between them would be hard and most likely short-lived for many reasons. She believes he'll be back to court and she'll stay there in Caisteal, so what is there for them?

Still they fall in love, of course they do, heehee. And both Keiths do their best to assure her there'll be more to it than she believes.

I guess that's it for now? One day I'll try to elaborate everything better for Tumblr 😅 Maybe I can even try writing shorter stories in canon universe here about them. Let's see.

Thank you for your interest in her and for your ask!

[frangipanilove]

“Red” Controls The Gates

I’ll never claim to be an expert on predicting what will happen in the narrative of the show. However, when it comes to predicting future symbolism, I’m starting to acquire a somewhat decent track record. I’ve previously explained how I correctly predicted a second Blue Heron painting years in advance (Noah's T-Shirt Theory), and just recently I’ve explained how I predicted a Blue Bird yellow school bus as well as the reference to a Crowned Victoria Pigeon (a nod to Rick’s Ford Crown Victoria Interceptor police car) to occur as symbolism in TWDU (here and here).

I can now add a new symbol to my list of correct predictions; a Jim Morrison of The Doors cameo, or rather one of his tombstone from Cimetiére du Père Lachaise in Paris.

Last year, after the series finale, I wrote a post about the “red” symbolism on the show (Red Is The Living Color). I’ve been tracking the “red” symbolism for years, and wrote about it as early as in 2018. Those old posts are super cringe and I’d rather die than link to them, but I’m mentioning them to illustrate how the symbolism has been here for years and years.

I always interpreted “red” as a reference to "resurrection", or “coming back” from the dead. And in 11x24 RIP, tptb pretty much confirmed that it was, by utilizing a song by the band Living Colour. If that’s not on-the-nose, I don’t know what is. Is red the color of dying? No, it’s the color of living, it’s the “Living Colour” (British spelling on the word "colour"). And where is the reference to red? It's on the actual record itself, it's red. Red Is The Living Color!

While working on the "Red Is The Living Color" post, I kept thinking about how perfect a reference to The Doors would have been. It’s not unheard of for tptb to incorporate references to music and pop culture, especially in relation to the “resurrection” symbolism around Beth. For instance, we saw that as early as back in season 3, when we heard Beth sing a Tom Waits song. We later saw her sing another Tom Waits song about how she wished she was a dog, which is Sirius symbolism galore. Sirius means “return” or in other words, “resurrection”.

So when writing about how the red symbolism often appears in combination with various representations of doors or gates, it made a lot of sense for a The Doors reference to occur at some point, especially when we learned that the Daryl Dixon spin-off were to take place in France and Paris. I knew Jim Morrison had died in Paris, and that his tombstone at the Cimetiére du Père Lachaise was a famous tourist attraction.

Fast forward to TWDDD 1x3. Daryl and Isabelle arrive in Angers. We remember from last episode, they had a bit of an argument on whether to go straight to Paris, or take the longer route through Angers. Isabelle insisted on going via Angers, because she had a contact there who supposedly had a radio (Sirius symbolism). Once they arrived however, it appeared their contact had gone mad and used the radio parts for his hobby project, an orchestra consisting exclusively of dead people. Daryl was unimpressed, and they soon left. The detour to Angers didn’t amount to much, which is peculiar given how much screen time it was given. And the crazy conductor insisted the music was still alive, even if those musicians looked pretty dead to me…

While it was a spectacular show with some truly incredible walkers, it didn’t move the story much further along. So why did tptb include this little dead-end (literally and metaphorically speaking) storyline in the episode? I believe it was to set the tone about “music” and whether it is “dead or alive”…

…because pretty much the next thing we saw was this:

In my post "Red Is The Living Color" from last year, I hypothesized that tptb use “gates” and “doors” as a metaphor for the liminal space "between the realms", where the characters can move from the “realm of the living” to the “death realm”, and sometimes back again. And we tend to see something of the color red nearby, because as I described in my post, red is the color of resurrection. When tptb utilize the "Red Controls The Gates" (RCTG) symbolism, it indicates that the veil between the realms is particularly thin. This is not necessarily a bad thing. In a show like TWD, people “come back” from the dead all the time. We’ve seen Rick “come back”, first in 1x1 Days Gone Bye, and more recently in 11x24 RIP. We saw Glenn “die” in 6x3 and “resurrect” a few episodes later. We’ve seen Madison from FTWD “die” and “resurrect”, and we know that Troy, who was left for dead in Mexico years ago, will return to the final half of FTWD season 8. The RCTG symbolism indicates that "resurrection" is not only possible, it is outright likely in some circumstances. This is why I was so excited about the record from 11x24 RIP. It was tptb telling us that red is the color of resurrection, Red Is The Living Colour!

And like I said, I remember thinking that a reference to The Doors would be absolutely perfect for this type of symbolism.

Et voilà!

After the spectacular though frustrating detour to Angers, the next thing we saw was…Jim Morrison’s tombstone, with a record and three red roses (three tree/trunk symbolism). If a tombstone doesn't represent the "gate" between the "realm of the living" and the "realm of the dead", I don't know what does.

And as we know, the "gates” between the realms goes both ways. People can move in and out through the gates, as we've seen with multiple characters.

(ETA: I also now realize there's a vase next to the record, so perhaps this applies...)

The gates between the realms appear to be wide open!

[fxnrirs]

There is a lull in between the peace and mundanity of what’s become his every day life. He stirs and wakes to an empty room; he showers, he dresses, he pours himself coffee Tifa has left for him on the counter- he never thought they’d ever cohabitate or be good at it in the past. But he’d not known what to do with himself or where to go after the destruction and chaos left behind in Meteorfall’s wake.

He knows he’s too distant with his friends, but it isn’t that he doesn’t care; it’s just… difficult.

Zack and Aerith didn’t want him to live half of a life, they wanted him to be happy, to find a way to exist without the burden of guilt at his back; On days like this, when the sky is grey; deepening with the promise of rain- he feels them most. Tifa had sent him a text saying she had errands to run and had taken the kids with her. ‘Sounds good. Have some stuff to do today too. Deliveries. I’ll be back by dinner.'

He heads out to greet the day, rather than missing the sun- the rain always washed away whatever it was he was feeling. He could feel her and him in it, sometimes, he could even see them; together or standing alone- a glimpse in the mirror, the corner of his perephial , an echo tending to flowers, a voice in times when he felt like he was slipping back into himself.

He had done exactly what Zack wished, carried on a legacy, his legacy, the proof he existed and left behind something and someone worth every bullet he took. 

He feels at home on the road, revving the engine of Fenrir, tearing down through the streets of Edge; so much of the debris from the last fight had been cleared away- people were starting to settle down again. They were getting married, making homes, having kids- but he…

He couldn’t imagine doing that. He couldn’t just leave their memory behind. So he never does. He never can. 

The plains are a welcome reprieve from the bustling of the city, it’s quieter, a release. Growing green things now, the animals are returning, the birds sing; flowers grow, the trees shoot up in places that had once been dust and cracked dry earth. A herd of wild chocobo try to run after him, side by side with his bike- he slows to let them pass on ahead.

He comes to the hilltop where he had lost him. He was like the sun, who could smile despite every pain he endured, who never found his life lacking or took anything for granted. He had saved Cloud. He pushes the kickstand down with his foot, dismounts, overlooking the land, the remains of Midgar seem so small in the distance. It had been a bitter sacrifice. It that had splintered him into hundreds of shards, until he could no longer remember who he was… or what had happened. Now, he’s learned that it’s important to cherish the memory, to honor the dead, to love them anyway.

He handles lilies from underneath the compartment in his bike then with care, moving past the boulders that obscured that last stand. The currency of heroism and hope had been paid in full- and he had held a tiny candle of hope in his chest, that one day, he’d see him again. He’d have so much to tell him; this is where he comes to speak to the air- it’s cathartic, even if no one is truly there.

He’s surprised, even though he shouldn’t be, that lilies are now springing up around the edges here- almost in the exact spot where he’d bled out.

“Dunno where to start… Sorry it’s been a while.” His voice comes soft, he lays down the flowers he’s brought, though there’s no headstone, nothing to commemorate, or indicate anything happened here; His sword rests in the church now. A symbol of his acceptance, but not of the ability to let go. “It’s been harder lately… I’ve lived on, like you and Aerith wanted, but… I always feel like I’m missing something. Maybe I’m becoming a ghost too. It isn’t that… I want to die, though, I have a future… and the kids, Tifa, the others, they need me. I understand the threat is never gone. It’s silent for now… but there. I guess that’s where I feel it most… I’m always waiting for the other shoe to drop..”

He exhales, his eyes look up at the sky now, studying the darkening clouds, he presses them closed as the rain washes over him; “I miss you. You always knew what to say, what to do, how to do it... You were braver than I was. I can’t fill your shoes, Zack, I’m trying to, but… I’m not you. I did what I could but…”

[orphancookie69]

How To: Bird Watching!

Some of those that know me think of me as, “Snow White”. What does that mean? I am at home, I am chilling with my animals, and feeding the strange animals to boot! Singing a tune, ya know classic disney? While, I am a white female, a homebody, and a caring animal person....I will give them that I do love me some bird watching. 

To Bird Watch, you must have Birds. How do you have Birds? You feed the birds. In my head as I type this, I hear “feed the birds, pippins a bag” from Mary Poppins but this GIF from Popeye will do too! There are two approaches to it...

A) Expensive (All In One)

While this is not my set up, I plan to build this into future tiny home designs. It feeds, watches, and the app should identify the bird too. Its more expensive, but to recreate the feeding vs the watching vs the identifying aspect can add up to similar price. More info here!

FYI: This is a great time to mention, something that may be obvious, but yet until you start to do this one may not realize. This is only for small birds, not big birds, and not certain birds like Hummingbirds that go for a sugary liquid treat not seeds. Be mindful of who you want to feed. 

B) Inexpensive (DIY)

This will hold bird seed, and will generally take care of most small birds, not big birds. There is so much variety of these guys, these tend to be $20 or less. https://www.amazon.com/Twinkle-Star-Hanging-Outside-Decoration/dp/B07M9KYXRP/

Want to catch the hummingbirds too? This, or anything like this will be your starting point. There is a lot of variety on these guys too, and they are also generally under $20. More info here!

Bird watching or security...who doesn’t love a do it all mini camera! Camera is less than $20. More info here!

How is one supposed to know what bird they see when all of a sudden you see birds flock to your backyard? Read a book! It has pictures! There are lots of books and they tend to run $20 or less. More info here!

C) Necesities 

Food! Whether you are looking to feed birds with seeds, or hummingbirds you will need sustenance! 

This is generally $10 or less, and I refill mine weekly-the bag tends to last almost 2 months. More info here!

This is hummingbird feed. You mix this liquid with water, per the instructions. One part concentrate to 3 parts water. Meaning, one cup of mix to 3 cups of water. This is generally $10 or less, and one is advised to put new stuff in weekly but I tend to refill it when its empty. More info here!

Window clings. I know what you are thinking, I need these? Yes. Remember when commercials used to be good? A window cleaning solution company made a commercial how birds had no idea they couldn’t get in the house because the window was sooo clean. That is a reality, I have had multiple birds meet their end by flying into my back sliding glass door. This will help them realize its not what it looks like. They are super easy to apply. More Info Here!

FYI: Something I first learned years ago living with a now ex, they fed birds. They had dead birds often, and I was shocked. Once you start feeding them, it can be a matter of accident or a fight over a food source. It is going to be a reality, so be prepared to accept that as a con in this otherwise pro activity. One way to help that is to have more than one of either so there is less of a fight for one food source. More to maintain, but more to enjoy. 

FYI: Also, while you can go to amazon and just put all of this into one cart now, if you want to DIY any of these, you totally can. Google will be your best friend if you want to make your own mix or drink, use mason jars to make feeders, and what not! 

Some other things I plan to look into or add: Bird Bath, Hummingbird House, and Bird House. Maybe add some planters/pots with wildflowers to help some bugs while you are at it! Also, garden decorations from Dollar Tree and Windchimes make it a perfect place of serenity! It is also kind of ironic that I have cats, that according to the statistic you read, have hurt the bird population. But they love looking outside and just chilling in the house with me, have you ever bird watched with your cat? 10 out 10 recommend. It is like an at home “Bird Cage Theatre” experience, except its a “Cat Cage Theatre...Featuring THE BACKYARD BIRDS”!

[tiltingheartand]

so one thing i haven’t seen any discussion about (fair warning: i may have just missed it) is the choice of music that was playing as john dee walked into the diner at the beginning of “24/7”. i have been in love with that music choice (“sull’aria”, from “le nozze de figaro”) since i first saw the episode, so i’m gonna take the time (in the car for another hour and change) to finally type out why.

the music plays as john steps into the diner and he’s gazing adoringly at his ruby.

okay, let’s take an abrupt left turn! i literally cannot count the number of times i have seen the shawshank redemption. it’s one of the movies i don’t ever remember seeing for the first time. i also tend to associate some songs very specifically with the tv shows or movies i heard them in first (i heard “everybody wants some” in better off dead before i ever heard it on the radio and didn’t realize it was an actual song, for example).

so, for those who haven’t seen it or haven’t watched it over a hundred times: the movie takes place in a prison. at one point, andy, the main character, who has been writing the maine state legislature once a week asking for donations to improve the prison library, gets a whole bunch of old books and records. the guards, who don’t think of andy as a threat, congratulate him, and all but one leave. the one who’s left says he’s going to the bathroom (actually what he says is “i’m gonna go pinch a loaf”; i had to have my parents explain that to me), and that andy better have everything put away by the time the warden gets back.

instead, andy locks the guard in the bathroom, grabs a record player and a record and locks himself in the warden’s office, and plays music over the entire prison’s loudspeaker system. it’s opera music (specifically “sull’aria” from “le nozze de figaro”). red, the POV character, whose narration we hear occasionally throughout the movie, says this in the voiceover we hear as we see every prisoner in shawshank stop what they’re doing and listen to the music:

“to this day, i have no idea what those two italian ladies were singing about. truth is, i don’t want to know. some things are left best unsaid. i would like to think they were singing about something was so beautiful it can’t be expressed in words and make your heart ache because of it. i tell you those voices soared higher and farther than anybody in a gray place dares to dream. it was like some beautiful bird flapped into our drab little cage and made these walls dissolve away. for the briefest moment every last man in shawshank felt free.”

so that, specifically, is what i was thinking of as the same song played while john dee stood in the front of the diner, out of the hospital he’d been in for years, and gazed at the ruby he’d finally gotten back. music that makes a man feel free.

[proship-gravityfalls]

Ford regrets all those years without Stan, WAY more than Stan does. Stan does his best to help him see it from a more optimistic perspective, that now, they have the chance to redo that together. Yeah, they're old and realistically, they don't have much time left, so they really have to make the most of what they have right now.

Ford takes it to heart.

He makes sure he catches up with Stan's endeavors, the whole 40 years of them. Honestly, he can't do that by talking alone. Stan is very private, by nature. But he's also loud and boisterous and proud, and that pride shuts him in. A walking contradiction, a paradox, a complicated mess. So while Ford records their conversations and reviews them later, taking notes of all Stan's quirks, new and old, relearning his brother, he also travels to Stan's mindscape while he's asleep. It also helps to make sure Bill is completely gone, so hey, two birds with one stone.

Ford makes sure to learn everything about Stan. His favorite jokes, food, music, movies, clothing, his taste in women, his taste in men (He learns that Stan is more flexible than he lets on, so long as they stay. He should really raise his standards). He learns what his favorite brand of foods are, how he keeps things organized, his system, how he dresses, in what order he dresses in, his favorite hair products, his favorite body wash, how he washes his body, how long he spends in the shower.

He learns how he smells, how he sings, how he laughs, how he lies, how he tells the truth, how he sleeps, how he dreams, how he hopes, how he yearns, how he fears, how he worries, how he loves.

"Wow, Ford! How'd you guess that I liked this stuff so much? I didn't even know that!" Ford warms at that. He made Stan happy. His studying paid off. He knows Stan. He knows his brother. It's like they never parted in the first place.

When Stan smiles, it's not always a smile but a playful smirk. It's genuine happiness guarded by irony. His true smiles are seen in Ford's peripherals but lately, he's learned to make sure he catches them head-on when Stan thinks he's not looking. He has a dimple on the right side of his cheek, where the smirk tends to lean into.

Stan likes to sing in the shower and it usually starts breathy and low, little mumbles, until he gets further into the song. Usually, he gets louder when he starts singing songs the kids introduce to him. Typically, they're musicals. Ford remembers that at one point, when they were kids, Stan wanted to do theatre but their dad shot that down. Doesn't bring in the cash and is not manly enough. Ford starts singing on his own and relearns the piano so he can hear Stan sing again. It works.

Stan likes to organize his books by color and genre. Stan likes to put his drinks on the top of the fridge so he can grab them easily, versus squatting down. Stan still holds onto his crushes, even after disappointment, often thinking about what they could be. Stan has a freckle behind his left ear. Stan cracks his right knuckles first all at once and then his left one by one before redoing the right ones. Stan keeps his favorite magazines on top of each other and on top of the horizontally stacked mags, the ones he organized by brand and genre and color. Stan secretly likes to mend and sew. Stan wants to become a taxidermist.

Stan only uses the laptop for a few things, to find old stuff to buy that they can't find anywhere else, to search for tourist places in their next destination, to chat with the kids, and also, let's be real, porn. He doesn't know how to clear his search history. Ford doesn't want him to. In the mindscape, whenever Stan gets close to figuring it out, Ford sets the files on fire, forcing him to forget. He then discards the ashes in the only dirty place there is, the subconscious. The rest of the place is immaculate and colorful and vibrant. He likes it like that.

It's good to learn about his brother's kinks. They can tell you a lot about a person, how they were loved as a child, how they want to be loved, how they feel about it, how guarded they are, their trauma, how it affected them, how they would "fix" it if they could. Stan likes praise, humiliation, soft bondage, harems, bukkake, sometimes even sissification. He's very into roleplay, especially teacher-student and step-brothers. He has both a mommy and daddy kink.

Ford steps into the mindscape and decides to wander around in his fantasies. Of course, he has his innocent ones. All a bunch of "what-ifs" and some stories for the Mystery Shack, but also some comic book ideas and maybe even a few novellas. Ford peaks behind the red curtains and finds a red hallway, with pink curtains. Further in, the curtains fade into purple and then into black. Some of the curtains, namely the pink ones, have cobwebs on them. Ford peaks into those first.

They're mostly of his former crushes. Carla, Marilyn, a few characters from shows they used to watch as kids. All girls. Ford then looks behind his more recent ones.

Behind the pink ones were of pornstars and characters. They all have dark hair, mainly brunette, and glasses. Most of them are male. If not male, then they're androgynous, masculine enough to be confused for male, whether or not intended as such. Stan would tease them while they would blush and stutter but also reciprocate his advances. Then in the midst of their... Passions, they'd exclaim they love him and always have. They just didn't know how to say it.

Behind the darker ones, either Stan would become more cruel or they would become more bold.

Behind the darkest ones, it would be of Ford and Stan molesting each other. Not always both at once but there is one fantasy where it become a contest of revenge, a series of rapes until it becomes an all-out brawl between them, all bites and scratches and mocking and growls and too much cum. Not a very realistic fantasy, though that's to be expected. In the other fantasies, Stan would catch Ford jacking off and screaming his name, prompting Stan to "finish the job" while Ford cries. Or Stan would wake up strapped down to a table while Ford touches him all over. Sometimes toys would be involved. Sometimes there would be more than one Ford.

These curtains are very pristine. Ford is hot and bothered. Whenever he comes down here, he never stays for too long. His body would always scream at him and he always has to escape into the bathroom afterwards to take care of his needs. Sometimes, he would come back to the mindscape to continue watching. It's becoming more and more frequent.

Ford decides to set pieces of Stan's shame on fire. Then his capacity to lie. Then his hangups on the concept of incest. When that happens, Stan becomes more and more affectionate, more of a tease. Ford coyly and playfully reciprocates them, blushing and stuttering at first, like he should, and yet, more than he would desire. Fantasies really can't trump the real thing and Ford is definitely not acting like the smooth, intellectual, superior he was hoping to be. But it doesn't matter because it becomes fuel for Stan's fantasies.

Some of the curtains don't even lead straight to the movie itself but instead, into a small hallway, though the size is actually rather variable. Though, the shame and such would come back bigger and bigger, and Ford has to keep burning more and more pieces off. Though, after a long while of that, they stopped growing back.

Ford is pleased with it.

His studying paid off. Now it's a matter of waiting until Stan gives the greenlight.

[supernovafeather]

Slow, loving, sloppy sex with...

(takes a moment to read tarot cards and throws darts to decide who)

Abel Morales!

Please???🥺💖🌻

(fem!reader if that's alright if not gender neutral is fine with me!)

Hehe here it comes ! Thank you for your request ! 😉❤️

Simple Morning (18+)

Abel Morales x F!Reader

Warnings : smut, unprotected sex, language, fluff.

This morning is like a cocoon. Not only the warm blankets coating you, but everything feels right. It's early as you can guess by your heavy eyelids and by the birds songs outside, muffled by the windows and the curtains. You should listen to them more you think, because you tend to forget about them during the day. They are there, in the trees, on rooftops, above the highest buildings of the city. They sing all the time and you don't even pay attention to them. There is this sweet smell too. You stay still for a moment, trying to remember what it is and yes, it is the candle Abel lighted on the previous day. One that could make you finally relax as you felt his hands massaging your shoulders. You would have wanted to get it further than this but you fall asleep not long afterwards.

These good memories have you sighing and shortly after your cocoon finds one more cozy layer, warmth increasing as a pair of arms surround your naked body while Abel's chest finds your back. You smile and open your eyes, feeling fingers brushing your forearms underneath the blanket.

"Insomnia baby ?" He asks in a low and hoarse voice giving up his own exhaustion.

"I don't know, just woke up." You whisper before yawning. "Don't even know if I'm sleepy or just lazy."

You feel him turning without releasing his grip around you, and the moonlight bathing your bedroom in this greyish light amazes you. A cloud must have left the precise area hiding the moon. It must be really early.

"5 am." Abel mumbles before kissing your neck once, his plump lips remaining in the familiar territory for a few seconds. "Can't sleep."

His words sadden you, and you roll over to face him. You can't see his features as well as you could see the room because the curtains are covering his side, but you can still distinguish his gaze. This same gaze so soft and tired, maybe pouting a bit, like the one of a grumpy child refusing to take a nap. You know Abel enough to know that something disturbed him. His work, probably. Damn, his curly hair looks good like this, completely natural. What a shame he doesn't show it to the world, but at the same time it's not something you are willing to share.

"You're an handsome insomniac." You whisper and see his white teeth uncovered by his big smile.

"Thank you beautiful, I knew we had even more common points than I thought."

You snort at this, then reach for his sharp jaw. From the pulp of your fingers, you rub this beard starting to grow. Nothing much, but this is something else no one else will see tomorrow. He always takes so much care of his appearance. You wonder whether he doesn't like his own body. Being clean is one thing, but hiding a part of you ? Well, he works in a sector that requires perfection but really, you pity them. Your husband is hot like this and they don't even know it.

Abel raises an eyebrow, then a smirk appears on his lips as he rests his elbow on the mattress, and his cheek in his palm.

"Tell me." He demands as he boops you once playfully.

"You're the hottest man on this planet. Happy now ?"

He simply hums, staring at you in silence for long seconds with this grin. Then his eyes narrow in this way you know so well.

"Now you're the one having to tell me." You say knowingly as you feel your heartbeat quickening.

"You're the hottest woman on this planet."

"Oh ? Thank you."

He chuckles and you follow as he comes closer, his body warmth engulfing you as he makes you roll over your back gently, a mischievous glint lightening his eyes as you run your fingers through his hair. You notice a start of greyish strands near his ear. You kiss it softly several times. You like it already.

"I had an interesting dream, the kind that would keep anyone awake at night." Abel confesses as he kneels between your open legs, biting his lips as he eyes you up and down from above, his hands caressing your thighs.

You shiver as his eyes settle on your entrance, and your lift your head expectantly. From where you are, you can see the bulge under his boxer, between your bare thighs. You look up from it, admiring his skin and his chest, and his clavicle, and his shoulders. His arms. His lips he licks once. His nose. His eyes.

"A bad dream ?" You ask knowing it wasn't one, especially as he starts rubbing your entrance with his thumb slowly.

"Not a bad one." He replies absentmindedly as he keeps watching his ministrations. "It was a really good one. Frustrating that it didn't last for longer. A very lovely lady came to see me at my office at night. She looked exactly like you."

"Oh, really ? What a coincidence." You say as he grins at you.

"Yes. She looked like you, walked like you, dressed like you." He says as you feel his thumb rubbing against your clit, your heartbeat fastening as you feel the little circles he makes purposefully. "Her voice was really similar too. When she talked. When she laughed. When she flirted. When she moaned my name again and again."

You bite your lip as he looks down at your entrance, his grin growing as he rubs your labias with the same thumb, a little faster due to the wetness appearing.

"What a spoiled man." You say breathlessly - not because of his addictive motions but because of this gaze settled on your face again, his confidence making you feel so much smaller than him right now. "Having me during the day, having her during the night..."

"I can't spoil her. So I have to spoil you twice as much sweetheart." He whispers as the wet sounds between your legs get louder, your eyes half-closing while his remain fully open and directed to you.

You shiver when you feel his palm and fingers rubbing your entrance, and lift on your elbows to get a closer look at what he is doing, your breath deepening. Abel encourages you to relax even more as you start moaning, his other hand resting on your clavicle to keep you against the mattress, sometimes roaming over your naked breasts reacting to his touch.

"Come on my sweet, I know you're close." He says in a singing voice and a straight face as you moan louder, his thumb harassing your clit. "You can do it for me, I know you can."

Your mind goes blank in a convulsion, a high-pitched moan echoing in your skull as you hear Abel humming in approval.

"Good. Now... let me..." he mumbles as you smile at him, your arms opened as he tosses his boxer away, his body soon pressing against yours.

You like when he spoils you like this without much reason to do so. You like his gentle thrusts as he kisses your lips softly, your eyes closed, your nose brushing against his when you change your angle. It's just good to do it with this tenderness. No need of trying to dominate the other to play. It's just about sharing, welcoming his movements with yours, synchronizing your gestures. The regular sound of the bed creaking so faintly would be relaxing if you could listen to it. For now you only focus on his touch, his warmth, his grin. You love to grab his nape and hair too when you feel him getting closer to his release. He took the time to be so good to you selflessly before, you could take care of him so it would last longer.

Abel is a man willing to be in control at all times in public. Cold yet charming. But it's not this mask you have in front of you. It's your husband who's whispering you to let go, not a businessman. It's the man you love who keeps hitting this right spot, cupping your face as you keep your legs around his waist. He can be so intense without having to be a groaning nor moaning mess. Just by watching you, listening to you, reacting to you, he's perfect.

Your second orgasm has you moaning for long seconds as Abel keeps thrusting a bit harder than before. This time you can hear this bed creaking a bit louder, and feel your fingers holding his hair firmly. You hope it doesn't hurt but if it does he doesn't say anything. He grinds, grinds, grinds, until letting a short exhale, his hips stopping. Then he lets a deeper sigh out, his face resting on the spot between your breast and your fingers massaging his scalp.

"Was it good ?" You ask breathlessly, taken aback by his silent and discreet release.

"Fuck yeah." He mumbles in a muffled voice making you chuckle. "Feels good. Great. Really great. Needed this."

You smile at the series of kisses left on your forehead, then enjoy fully his embrace as you lay there. It's a simple morning, you think as sunshines start to pass through the curtains shyly, not waking up Abel who fall asleep a while ago. Simplicity is for the best sometimes.

- - - -

Thank you for reading, please comment and reblog if you liked it ! ❤️

@abelslittlebunny @ophelialoveshandsomemen @salome-c @anetteaneta @huxdameron @amneris21 @lady-targaryen @lavenderluna10 @one-hell-of-a-disappointment @dailyreverie @anaaaispunk

[improving-the-truth]

Morning

For a while after David opened his eyes, he didn't dare move. He could feel Jack's hot breath tickling his neck, making him warm all over.

They were wrapped around each other under the quilt, which, thanks to being kicked around all night, now only covered their legs. Despite falling asleep on opposite sides of the bed, somehow they’d drifted together during the night, driving off the chill lingering in the air. Jack’s arm rested over David’s stomach, face right next to his, so close that David could hear and feel every little movement he made. If he wanted, David could turn and kiss him awake like partners did. His only worry was that he wouldn’t be able to pull it off as smoothly as Jack would if it were his idea, and he’d end up embarrassing himself and spoiling the moment.

There wasn’t enough light in the sky just yet to show through the curtains, complimenting the near silence around them. He guessed they still had a while to sleep, so David tried closing his eyes again, savoring the feeling of the weight and the warmth surrounding him, trying not to look into it too much.

After a few minutes, David gave up on falling back asleep. It was too difficult to focus on doing much of anything with Jack so close to him.

It was the weekend anyway, David didn’t have to worry as much about waking up and going to bed at a reasonable hour. What he did have to worry about was his proximity to Jack, and Jack’s proximity to him.

Partly, David would have been enthralled to stay like that forever. The longer he lay there in the dark, focusing intently only on what he could feel around him, the less his eyelids drooped, and the less likely it became that he would be able to get back to sleep anytime soon. His nerves were tingling, all the way down to his fingertips, like pinpricks. It wasn’t an unfamiliar feeling when it came to spending time with Jack. He wondered if he would ever get used to Jack touching him, or even just looking at him. The advantage Jack had over him from merely a glance must have been against the rules.

David’s gaze followed Jack’s arm to his face, obscured by tousled hair. His sides rose and fell after every drawn out breath, sleeping more contentedly than David could ever remember seeing. It was disarming enough to share a bed with him as it was, and he knew Jack sometimes had trouble falling and staying asleep, so… This must mean that Jack trusted him, or liked him enough to overlook everything else that might keep them sleeping on opposite sides of the bed. It was a good feeling to have somebody like him that much.

An immeasurable amount of time later, Jack’s fingers twitched, then he shifted, grunting and moving his other arm out from under him. Jack pressed his face into the pillow instead of against David’s chest, tightening his grip around David’s middle.

David paused, rolling onto his side to look at him. Chewing on his lower lip, David reached out a hand and brushed Jack’s hair away from his eyes.

Jack cracked open one hazel eye that wasn’t smushed against the pillow, dark and half-lidded in the dim light. His lips curved into that smile, pulling what was left of the misleiden quilt over his shoulders.

“Goodmorning,” David whispered to him, terribly smitten.

“Mornin’,” Jack mumbled back, barely audible. His voice was low and groggy, not an unwelcome tone at all.

David chewed the inside of his cheek and urged himself to refrain from saying or doing anything embarrassing, at least nothing that would warrant lamenting over it for the rest of the day, despite acknowledging the glaringly obvious fact that Jack probably either didn’t notice or didn’t care for pointing out his hypothetical blunders. David stared over at him, in a way Jack definitely would have noticed with amusement if he were more awake.

“What time’s it?”

"Don’t know,” said David, swallowing hard to try and keep his head on straight. Straight enough, anyway. “Pretty early. The sun isn’t even out yet.”

“Great.” Jack closed his eyes and reached for David, tugging him closer by a fistfull of his nightshirt.

David obliged the gesture, sliding his arm around Jack’s waist, unconsciously feeling the jutting outline of his ribs against his skin. Deliberately touching Jack was yet another stark reminder that this was still really happening, and wasn’t a wicked extension of an incoherent dream David wouldn’t remember by lunchtime.

Jack grinned, nuzzling his face closer to David’s before falling still again.

Not that David was complaining about that. He half expected Jack to pop out of bed like a daisy, complaining about the temperature or the extra distance he’d have to walk to the distribution center. The time they spent together was fast-paced, it happened and then it was over, leaving David with only the memories of feelings. It was nice to slow down and savor something for once.

David knew Jack wasn’t asleep by the way he thumbed the line of exposed skin between David’s pants and where his shirt had ridden up during the night. The contact was starting to make his brain go fuzzy.

“Where do you get off doing that?” David mumbled, leaning his forehead against Jack’s.

“Doin’ what?”

“Making me feel like this. You don’t even have to try anymore, you just…”

“My bad, Dave. I tend to have that effect on women.”

David bit back an astonished laugh. “You’re ridiculous.”

“I’m honest.”

“Honestly ridiculous,” David reiterated. “You can’t just start talking fancy and expect all your problems to disappear.”

Jack shrugged, clearly pleased with himself. David huffed, pressing a kiss to his cheek. The second kiss he ducked in for, Jack caught his lips.

Kissing Jack was nice. David didn’t have anything to compare it to, but he was sure that if he did he’d still prefer kissing Jack to anyone else.

Before pulling back, Jack kissed the corner of David’s lips, eyes half-lidded and on the cusp of falling asleep again. “Ya know what you are, Dave?”

One hand woven into the hair at the nape of Jack’s neck, David could feel Jack’s voice reverberate at the back of his throat.

“What am I?”

Jack didn’t respond right away. David just rubbed the back of Jack’s head in a manner he hoped was soothing, waiting.

“Are you asleep?”

No response. David settled back down, hoping to get in another few minutes of rest before the birds starting singing outside and David’s mother came in to wake them.

[forever-rogue]

Hi Patricia <3 i saw only 1 Pero Tovar on your list but I love it. I'd like to send a request. Pero taking care of you when you're sick/injured (cold, twisted ankle, something minor) full worry mode and a bit in over his head.

This is just some softness 🥺💕 I hope you enjoy!

Pero Tovar x Fem!Reader ; warnings: none

Pedro Characters Masterlist 

»»————-　♡　————-««

You sighed heavily as you listened to the roosters and other nesting birds start to rustle around. Your whole body was tired and acting, your nose was stuffed, a deep cough lingered in your chest, and you just felt so run down. 

It was likely just a cold, something you were often plagued with during the colder months, but usually worked through them. Today was no exception - there was much to do around the farm and the house and it allotted almost no down time. A storm was coming as well and you wanted to make sure that Pero had as much help as possible.

Reaching for the glass of water at the bedside table, you quickly downed it all in go. You hadn't remembered leaving it there the night before, meaning that Pero must have heard you tossing, turning, and sniffling throughout the night. Taking a moment to close your eyes, you willed yourself to gather up all of your strength to get out of bed and go about your day.

"What are you doing, mi amor?" at the sound of its warm, soft voice, your eyes snapped open and met the gentle, brown eyes of your husband. He came over and knelt at your side, his large hands finding your face as he looked you over, "you must go back to sleep and rest."

"I can't," you insisted meekly as he pressed a kiss to your forehead, "we have work to do, and I don't want you to do it all."

"Nonsense," he insisted softly as he tried to push you back into bed with a firm, but gentle touch, "you are exhausted and you need to rest. You won't do anyone any good while you feel and look like death."

"Thank you for your kind words dear husband," you managed to laugh momentarily before it turned into a coughing fit. He raised an eyebrow as if to say 'see' and you rolled your eyes dramatically, "fine. I will stay in this bed only until I feel better since I appear to look like death."

"Even in such a state you are more beautiful than all the stars and moon," he pulled the thick down blanket over you before tucking it around your shivering form, "now I just want you to feel better. Please rest for me?"

"Are you going to dote on me like a mother hen the entire time?" you teased lightly as it was his turn to roll his eyes. For how rough and gruff he appeared to be, he always managed to have a soft spot for you.

"If that's what is required for you to rest so you can get better, then yes," he brushed some of the stray hairs off your face before using the back of his hand to feel your forehead, "now get some rest. I will fetch you some breakfast and then tend to the chores. There is no rush, but you must take it easy to get better. Yes?"

"Yes Pero," your eyes felt like they were already getting heavy as you laid against the soft pillows and relaxed, "I love you."

"I love you," he replied with a gentle touch to your cheek, "I'll be back shortly."

»»————-　♡　————-««

"Come on," he whispered softly when he came back with a tray of breakfast in his hands. You offered him a sleepy smile before sitting up and scooting over so he would have some room. He placed the tray on your lap before giving you a curious look, "what are you doing?"

"Join me," you insisted as he laughed lightly before getting into bed next to you. Normally you'd be nervous about him catching whatever you had, but if he were to catch it, he would have already done so. The man had a strong immune system it appeared, unlike you, "eat with me."

"You're the one that needs to eat," he reminded as you scoffed and took a piece of bread, and stuffing it gently into his mouth before he could argue.

"As do you," you grabbed a spoon of porridge, "and don't argue with me. I know you have not yourself broken your fast."

"And just how do you know this?" he grinned  through a mouthful of bread layered with butter and jam.

"I know my husband," you reminded him, "am I wrong?"

"Of course not," he said softly as you laughed at him, "you always did know me like no other."

"That's because I am your wife - and I love you," you grabbed another spoonful and continued eating. It didn't take long before you were done and there weren't even any crumbs left. You hadn't realized just how ravenous you were, but apparently your illness had really taken everything out of you.

"Have you had enough?" Pero offered you a questioning look as you nodded, "even though I took half of your food?"

"You made plenty and then some - don't worry mother hen, I am adequately nourished."

"Good," he kissed the top of your head, "now back to rest, I am going to bring you tea and water. Later we can have a hot bath. How does that sound, mi amor?"

"That sounds perfect," you mumbled as you burrowed into the pillows and blankets, "thank you for taking care of me."

"I would do anything for you," he promised as you gave him the sweet, saccharine smile he had fallen in love with, "now stop talking, and go to sleep!"

»»————-　♡　————-««

Pero spent the next several days closely tending to your every need and whim. You felt bad that he had to deal with everything around the house and small farm on his own, but he didn't even complain for a moment. It was hard work, surely, but he didn't mind doing it. If nothing else, it reminded him of how hard both of you worked.

He'd get up before the sun, start work and then stop to prepare breakfast for the both of you before going back to work for the day. Pero would make it a point to come in and check on you and see if you needed water or anything else. 

Because of all the rest and careful looking after, it wasn't long before you were feeling better, and far away from death's door.

At the end of the long week, you finally felt well enough to get up and around to tending to some of the house chores. You spied your husband outside, feeding the goats and sheep as he appeared to sing to them. You'd heard it before, well aware of his soft and gentle demeanor, but he'd never admit it. It was still endearing.

A warm settled over your heart as you started to gather items to make his favorite meal for dinner; it was slightly more tedious and sucked up lost of your energy, but you were glad to do it. He had looked after you so well, you wanted to give him a little something in return. 

»»————-　♡　————-««

"What in the heavens?" Pero was hit by the smell of delicious cooking as soon as he walked in and found your busy setting the small table, "my sweetest wife, what are you up to? You should be resting!"

"I am feeling much, much better, mi amor," you beamed as he pulled you into his arms and pressed a kiss to your temple, "all because of your wonderful care. I couldn't help myself - I wanted to do something special for you too."

"You didn't have to," his expression softened as his eyes crinkled in the corners in the way you adored, "this is…"

"I wanted too, Pero," you insisted with a soft kiss to his plush lips, "you always take such good care of me, let me take care of you too. And don't argue with me for once in your life!"

"Alright," he agreed with a quick peck, "but tell me what I can do to help."

"Since you are so insistent," you pointed at the small stove, "start plating up the food. Afterwards, I have one more surprise for you!"

»»————-　♡　————-««

"Pero? Where are you my love?" you'd just finished pouring hot water in the tub and perfuming it with soft oils. Your own body was aching and screaming for the relief, but you wanted your husband to join you first.

"Coming!" you heard his quick footsteps coming towards the bathroom, hoping he wasn't worried that you'd done something to hurt yourself. He almost burst into the small bathroom, a worried expression that quickly turned to surprise coloring using features, "what's this?"

"A surprise," you grinned, pointing at the tub, "for both of us. I thought we could both use this."

"A perfect end to the day," he melted under your watchful gaze. You started to pull off your dress, feeling his eyes on you. He motioned for you to come closer, to which you easily complied, before tenderly helping to strip you of your garments, "such grace and beauty."

"You flatter me," you sighed contentedly as he kissed along your bare shoulder, "I'm starting to feel tired again and the hot water is calling my name. Here - your turn."

You turned him around and slowly - reverently - started to strip him of his clothing. Bit by bit until all clothes were on the floor and the two of you were as bare as the day you were born. He held your hand and helped you into the tub, quickly stepping in after you.

Pero laid against the back of the tub before pulling you against his chest. You eagerly settled against him, and he wasted no time in wrapping his arms around you. Moments like this, where it was just the two of you, quiet and gentle, were your favorites. Because they didn't happen incredibly often, you'd learned to cherish them.

"I love you, Pero," you whispered softly as your eyes closed you listened to the soft beat of his heart, "thank you for everything. You always take the best care of me and you mean more to me than you will ever know."

"I love you, mi amor," he agreed, "I've always got you. Rest now, my sweetest wife."

And so you did; it wasn't long before your eyes were closed and you were fast asleep. Pero let you sleep for a little while before he gently washed your body and hair; you were half aware of what was going on, a small smile tugging on your features. When he was done and you were dried and dressed in clean clothing, he brought you to bed, tucking in you before getting into his side and doing the same. Before he did anything else, he pulled you into his arms and you fell asleep on his chest.

"I love you so much, mi amor," he whispered as he started to fall asleep, listening to your soft snores, "always."

»»————-　♡　————-««

Permanent Taglist: @secretsweetscollectionblog  @sheridans-dynamos  @queenbbarnes  @persephonesnebula   @ah-callie  @blushingwueen  @thisis-theway @rosetophighlander  @rae-gar-targaryen    @hiscyarika  @readsalot73  @huliabitch  @ollyoxenfrees @coffeeandtodd  @beepbeepsephy   @scarlettwitcher  @nerdyknightwritersblog  @choicesarcade  @arrowswithwifi  @everythingaboutnothingstuff  @suckerfor-fanfics  @bestintheparsec @javihoney  @aeryntheofficial  @hail-doodles @engineeredfiction @aeryntheofficial  @asgardianvamp21  @keithseabrook27  @karmezii  @dearspacepirates  @thatsuitlooksgoodonyou  @paintballkid711 @mrpascals @lv7867 @artsymaddie @gooddaykate @rosiefridayrogersunday @heyitmelexie @criminalmind1927 @justanotherblonde23 @coni-martina @thewayofthemandalorian @phoenixhalliwell @lucifer @cosmoschick @kochamcie @linkpk88 @leaiorganas @nikkixostan @haley-the-comet @chibi-yuki

[sunnyoldbear]

Luca Headcanons Part 2

DoesLast one blew up and I was gonna wait to make another before making this one but then my Italian fish obsessed brain couldn’t stop thinking and I literally couldn’t stop myself so let’s go, part 2!

Luca:

Has nightmares of what would happen if things went differently: If he was sent to The Deep, if he and Alberto were outed as sea-monsters before the race, if Ercole, Cicco, and Guido didn’t miss Alberto when throwing the harpoons at the beach, if Alberto didn’t come with the umbrella during the race and he was outed in front of the town and hit with Ercole’s harpoon, etc. He always wakes up terrified. 

Apologizes to inanimate objects if he bumps into them or drops them.

Names everything he comes in contact with. Random animals such as birds, insects (even though he’s terrified), erasers he uses often, etc. They’re always random, silly names, but he loves them. 

Is a slow reader because of how he fantasizes himself in the books and daydreams, then is snapped back to reality.

Keeps a dream journal!

Loves making stories about the stars and constellations. He loves the original stories, but he loves to make up his own.

Honestly I just get the vibe that he’s scared of birds after the encounter with the seagull.

His favorite color is purple followed by green!

Giulia’s mom buys him his own bike and he loses his mind, loving it so much

He’s a bit awkward with making friends at school, sticking to Giulia’s side most of the time

He doesn’t really care for music

He can fall asleep anywhere, honestly. He once fell asleep leaning against the doorway and then crashed onto the floor

Alberto loves to doodle on his arms and hands and Luca doesn’t really care to wash them off so they just kinda chill there. 

He’s very easy to prank and scare

Oh you should see him around the holidays! He’s so excited! His eyes sparkle and shine, he absolutely loves the decorations!

He’s not competitive, actually. He just wanted the prize money to get the Vespa, but he doesn’t really care about winning. He just... Isn’t competitive

He is very protective over his friends. Do what you want to him, but lay a hand on someone he loves and he will tear you a new one. We see him in the movie just frown when Ercole makes fun of him, but when Ercole shoved Alberto, all bets were off.

Charts the stars

He doesn’t have one love language, he has all of them, but probably Physical Touch and Quality Time more than anything, or Acts of Service.

Drinks expresso more often than he probably should, but just to get through his schoolwork

Misses his goatfish more than he wants to admit, especially little Giuseppe

Allergies beat him up during the spring

Slowly gets used to cats with Machiavelli’s kittens, but he’s still scared of the chunky boy

A teacher at school made the mistake of introducing him to Shakespeare. He spent hours sobbing over a good chunk of the plays.

Because he liked Shakespeare, Giulia’s mom got him some poetry books. He was not a fan of Edgar Allan Poe or Agatha Christie or Mary Shelley, all the horror/murder type stuff. He loved Emily Dickinson though!

Is as terrified of losing Alberto as Alberto is terrified of losing him

While he isn’t as touchy with Giulia as he is with Alberto, he does get more touchy with her

Reads tons of books about cats, dogs, and turtles to give Machiavelli, Nerone, and Caligola the care they need

Hears about human farms and loses his mind, rapidly asking questions about how they work and if they’re similar to his own

Giulia tries to convince him that fairytales are real. He has nightmares about them for a few nights until Massimo has to tell him that fairytales are made up and her mom changes them slightly to be more... Non-scary. She starts telling them to him to bed just because she misses doing so, and then he can’t fall asleep without someone telling him a story.

Doesn’t do the handshake with anyone that isn’t Alberto or Giulia.

Giulia’s mom calls him “fishy” or “guppy” and he wants to hate it but he can’t

Hates it when people call him cute or baby him, but his family + Alberto + Marcovaldos still do it

Once heard some French Tourists and stared at Giulia and went “why is their Italian so weird sounding” and she lost her shit laughing

Doesn’t swear, refuses to swear

Tries to use Vespa stamps if they’re available

Once he learns what “Piacere, gioralamo trombetta” means, he sends a letter to Alberto which is just him freaking out and laughing while making fun of it. They don’t stop saying it. In fact, they probably say it more.

He has a map in his room with pushpins of where he’s been. Beside it are a bunch of sticky notes of where he wants to go with Alberto with reasons on why he wants to go.

Has a little bit more courage, but not too much

He’s often teased for calling others “sir” or “ma’am” and so he feels really shy about it but doesn’t stop

Refuses to call Massimo and Giulia’s mom by their names, it just feels too awkward for him

Makes friendship bracelets for the trio as well as separate ones for him and Alberto, then him and Giulia.

While he loves gelato, he doesn’t like it as much as Alberto

I feel like he’d dot the i’s in Giulia’s name with hearts but no one else’s

People at school think he has a crush on her but he doesn’t

He and Alberto still say they sleep under the anchovies. No matter how often he researches stars, he’ll always call them anchovies around him.

Sticks out his tongue when focused

Doesn’t like aquariums, he stares at those fish and he just feels trapped

Loves to dance in the rain

Does that little feet tappy dance thing when he’s excited or shakes his hands

Honestly half of his vocabulary is stern shouts of “Alberto!” “Giulia!” or “silenzio Bruno, silenzio Bruno! Silenzio Bruno!”

Speaking of, he can’t just say “Silenzio Bruno” once, it’s always him saying it more than once, especially when he’s really scared

He doesn’t have loud, aggressive sneezes, but he does have sneeze fits. Once he sneezed so many times that with every one his face got closer to his desk until it just went BAM and he has a massive bruise on his forehead for days. 

Sometimes just goes into the water and swims to relax. If he’s feeling homesick, he’ll do some daring trick and then instinctively turn to smile at Alberto only to realize he isn’t there

His dad still keeps crabs but lets Luca name them. Luca chooses to name them all after space things. Mainly moons, but sometimes planets or galaxies

Secretly feels really guilty about Alberto selling their Vespa

After almost being sent to The Deep, he is terrified of the dark and can’t sleep without a light on, no matter how dim it is

Alberto:

Matching pajamas with both Massimo and Giulia! (Refuses to match with her, Massimo yelled at them)

Tries to see what triggers his transformation. Does watermelon? Does juice? Is it any liquid? He’ll find out!

Calls Giulia “Spewlia” just to piss her off

Those two are always arguing. Yes, he often starts it

Lots of tattoos and ear piercings!

Will into Giulia’s room, stare her dead in the eyes, call her a bitch, and run out while leaving the door open. She’ll scream at him and probably throw something. 

Tends to shorten people’s names. He calls Luca “Lu,” “Lulu,” and even “Luke.” Luca does not like any of these names.

Still builds his Vespas! They’re not as fun without Luca, though

Takes Giulia with him sometimes too and purposely crashes into the sea or something just to see what she does. 

Gains quite a bit of muscle 

Is the one who takes down all the sea monster things with Massimo. He and Lorenzo carry Smuca to the fountain

Idk I feel like he has loud sneezes

I also feel like he makes that weird cough face like that one cat idk I just know I’m right

He doesn’t just sing... He scream sings

Doesn’t know how to dance but if there is music he will dance

Loves dancing in the rain too!

Sometimes he’ll just walk into Giulia’s room and gossip with her. They’ll make a blanket fort and grab some snacks and cats and just... Spend the night talking and catching up

She teaches him how to braid hair and now he just loves doing her hair

Bites his lip quite a bit. That’s canon but like, still worth mentioning

Learns how to ride a bike so he doesn’t get killed or something

Keeps a journal on things Luca and Giulia are interested in so he can learn about them. He writes down bullet points on what he remembers from conversations, but it’s honestly not much

He doesn’t have big dreams other than traveling the world with Luca. He knows Giulia wants to be a marine biologist and Luca wants to travel the world + is still figuring things out. He has short term goals other than that and changes the topic about it.

A popular headcanon is that Alberto takes care of the goatfish when Luca’s at school and I think that would happen!

He’s shockingly good with kids! When not working, he loves playing soccer with them by the fountain

He almost named Machiavelli’s mate “Frog” because he can’t name things

Half the time when Giulia and/or Luca talk about school, he goes “I don’t what that means, but I’m choosing to define it as ____” and won’t let them prove him wrong

Technically canon but he will bite. Chomp chomp.

When he meets Giulia’s mom, they love to paint together

He does make some friends in Portorosso, but none are as close to him as his sister and best friend!

This man is the most dramatic person good lord

Love language is definitely physical touch!

Still screams “Take me, gravity!” pretty often

Can’t do work alone without music. He doesn’t really like opera but he can’t stand silence, he just can’t

Sometimes he thinks of Luca’s betrayal and is really angry, but knows he’d probably do the same if the roles were reversed. It was about self preservation and the risk of living. He still gets upset about it sometimes, but completely forgives him and understands

Is always torn between giving Giulia genuine facts about sea creatures and giving her such absurd but lowkey believable lies. He wants her to succeed so badly but also wants to screw her over

If you give him anything, he will play with it. String? A toy. A pen? A toy. A literal rock you found on the side of the road? A gorgeous toy, thank you!

Never just goes into the water, he will always be dramatic and dive in or jump

Sometimes when not on duty, he just blows his lifeguard whistle because he thinks it’s cool

He loves yoyos!

Will noogie Giulia.

Sometimes gets scared that Massimo will abandon him, but it seems like Massimo always knows

Città Vuota is his favorite song!

Doodles all over everything, especially Giulia and Luca’s arms and legs. They range from little stars to tic tac toe games to fish to anything that comes to mind

Giulia:

Is very much into photography! Luca always does hearts with his hands/fingers while Alberto does stupid poses or flips her off... or both.

Hums and sings a lot! 

Also loves to dance and is the best of the trio! Loves to twirl and vibe even if there’s no music! It’s just her personality

She doesn’t just hug, she jumps into their arms and holds them close

Sometimes just to annoy Alberto she’ll hug him and press kisses to his head and cheeks. Siblings gonna be annoying.

Always has so much energy but really struggles with sitting still for homework after such long hours in school that her grades aren’t all that good except for Astronomy!

The most competitive of the trio

Bites her lip when she’s nervous

Started wearing her hat to match her dad when she was little and now she doesn’t like being without it

Has probably fallen asleep in class

Loves watermelon and gelato

While Ciccio and Guido apologize for their actions, she doesn’t forgive them and doesn’t want to. She has every right to

Gets really into singing when she’s singing along to songs

Doesn’t like makeup for herself but will hold the boys captive to do their makeup

Loves puns! Will make sea puns to piss off Alberto and Luca, but Luca loves them so it half-works

Loves copying Alberto’s lipbite

Machiavelli her beloved <3 

Loves her fam so much! She’s got pictures of them everywhere and is constantly buying them gifts

Speaking of! Her love language is giving gifts! 

She’s actually pretty good at making friends since she can read people so well. It’s just that Portorosso doesn’t have any.... Great kids to befriend and Genova just has too many that she sticks to a small group which eventually fades, as groups do

She isn’t the most emotional but she also isn’t the least emotional. She doesn’t cry often but she does get sad and shows it

I don’t know why I feel this way but I definitely think she’s scared of the doctor

She used to be scared of thunderstorms until meeting her boys and the race happened. Now she associates rain and storms with that win

Summer is her favorite season

She knows everyone in Portorosso by name and knows most of their birthdays by heart

Speaking of, she always celebrates Alberto’s birthday like her like her life depends on it

Now loves racing on her bike even more cause of the race

Calls Alberto “Berto” and is the only one allowed to do say

A very light sleeper

---

More on the way probably they’re all I think about

[saphirered]

Hi! I really love the stuff you've been writing for Molly!! It's so engaging and really sweet and makes me smile really wide, so thank you for that! If you're still taking requests, could I request a romantic Molly x Reader who's a druid/bard multiclass? Who has the same vibes as a Disney princess? I hope you have a great day and I can't wait to see what you write next!!

Aw shucks thank you so much ☺️. I hope this is to your liking. Enjoy 😘

The parade to draw people into the carnival was coming to an end. You were almost back at the tent and had gathered a proper crowd to watch the night’s show. Along the way you did your acrobatics and used some druidcraft to create little flowers in the palm of your hand or letting colourful floral vines bloom throughout your hair and attire. The whole look made you appear like an ethereal creature from the Feywild, perhaps even at the Seelie Court itself. 

Children giggle as you wave at them, snowflakes fall only to melt before they reach the ground. Dancing around you had fun and eventually found your ‘Fire Faerie’ friend. Together you twist and turn in a carefully practiced routine. A cloud of petals floats around you until Orna sets them ablaze, the embers blowing up in the breeze with a soft casting of Gust from you. People laugh and cheer as you both curtsied and move on your way through the crowd. 

You find Molly juggling his iridescent shimmering scimitars. Announcing your presence you dance around him just barely out of reach from the sharp blades. He nearly drops one in surprise, not expecting you to step so close but recovers quickly and it seems either no one noticed or they expected it to be part of the act. He sends you a half smile and a wink as you twist and turn around him avoiding the blades by a hair’s width humming a sweet melody. Gasps came from the people around as you narrowly avoid the scimitar from cutting through you like butter. 

You stop and take a slower pace to fall back a little bit, run and with the momentum, leap onto Molly’s shoulders in a handstand as he continued to walk. You let a couple of the flowery vines weave into his horns as he laughs and you flip over landing ahead of him. Looking over your shoulder you blow him a kiss with a wink as he continues juggling. You continue your routine with the song, the melody turning into a beautiful song people follow behind you as if you were the piped piper. Each time you take your next step you leave behind a path of colourful wildflowers. 

Toya had been feeling a bit under the weather so, you were to take over her act for the night. All dressed in flowy chiffons of greens, blues, purple and golds held together by felted vines and silk flowers, glittery exaggerated makeup, hair braided and teased you’re ready to take on your role. Your devil at your side usual clothes exchanged for dark ashen robes and features contoured in such a way to give him an even more devilishly handsome look. 

“And our next story, comes from far away. The fires of hell know one loyal to Zariel herself! A trickster, traitor and danger to all. One should know better than make a deal with this devil…” You hear from behind the curtain Gustav begins your introduction.

“That’s my cue. Let’s give them a show worth remembering.” Molly kisses your knuckles before his lips meet yours and he’s off by the time you open your eyes. Taking a few deep breaths you wait for the ‘story’ to continue.

“They say a devil’s heart cannot be tamed. They must never have met the Summer Princess! Blessed from the Feywild, what is beautiful is most dangerous and they are no exception. The Summer Princess walks among the Seelie Courts but those who pay careful attention may just hear their song. Be warned, they are much more treacherous than the devil…” Peaking through the curtain just so no one can see you focus on the support beams of the tent and begin casting your spell. Blooming vines creep up the beams wrapping around, flowers drape down. Petals begin to fall down from the ceiling provided by the Knot Sisters from the shadows. You hear gasps as people look around. 

You see Molly walk around, sword dragging in the dirt as you hear him growl at the plants. Time to sing and sing you do. 

The people look around as you tend to the flowers near one post ‘oblivious’ of the presence ‘in your garden’. You interact with some of the people in the front row offering them smiles and making flowers sprout around where they sit, offer an airy touch of the cheek of the poor individuals entranced by your song, unable to keep their eyes off you as they cling onto every word. 

Your song speaks of the beauties of the Feywild. Making use of your training you belt. Birds fly into the tent, swirling around you, the devil watching, his face turning from anger to bewilderment as he sticks to the shadows. You reach your hand to the sky mimicking the melody of the songbirds. Stretching your arms to the side one by one they land. You let them sing replying in a song of your own as if you’re having a conversation with them. 

Molly steps out from the shadows and into the light around you. You hear whispers from the audience ‘watch out’, ‘he’s behind you’ and ‘the devil is coming for the princess’. You continue your song walking along the audience, birds still resting on your arms as you sing with them. Next you turn the edge of the blade of ‘the devil’ is pointed at you and you act surprised, your song stopping for just a moment. 

“What are you?” Molly growls showing his fangs as he does fully committing to his role. You can’t help but hide a smile. Such a lover of theatrics. 

“I’m the Summer Princess and you, handsome devil are in my garden.” You sing, the blade drops a little before it raises closer to you. 

“Do not think you can charm me, wild enchantress.” You hum to the birds and they give a reply. 

“I charm only those willing to listen to my song. Are you willing, handsome devil of mine, walking in my garden.” You harmonise with the birds. They leap into flight circling around you and Molly closer and closer until you’re standing toe to toe. 

“Your song is sweeter than temptation, more treacherous than this devil’s words.” You move your hand to stroke his cheek as you do flowers and vines similar to the ones in your hair begin growing in his much like a crown. You may have overdone it a bit but Molly would see later what piece of art you left for him to remind him of your act. 

“Then join me handsome devil, and let the wildflowers keep our secret.” You tilt your head as if you were going to kiss him speaking the last words. You step back, hand outstretched looking at him with bright eyes. Molly’s hand stretches out towards you as you set pack. 

“Come with me, my handsome devil.” You sing as he begins following you with slow paces. Gustav comes around once more. 

“And so the Summer Princess tames the heart of their handsome devil. Their charm never fails and they are as treacherous as they are beautiful still. Take care to stay out of their garden or you might just end up like their handsome devil…”

————————————————————————

After a successful evening show you sit at the camp attempting to remove the vines and flowers from your hair and clothes. They look beautiful but are an absolute hell to get rid of and leaving them in isn’t really an option. As far as you could tell you successfully got rid of all the vines and flowers without harming the delicate silk greens, purples blues and yellow golds of your show costume which left you with your hair. 

Not even half way through with the moon high in the sky you give up with an exasperated sigh and let yourself fall backwards onto the soft grass. Most of the others had gone to bed already or found the bottom of a bottle so you’d find no help there. The calmness and quiet of starry night brings comfort to your mind and you start to drift off a bit. Your ears still manage to catch the familiar footfalls approaching you and your pile of discarded flowers. What you didn’t expect was about a hand or two full of flowers hitting you in the face. 

Opening your eyes you saw Mollymauk standing above you with half grin. By the looks of him he had attempted to get the flowers from earlier out of his hair but struggled just as much as you had and given up halfway through. He hadn’t gone about it as carefully as you though so the purple knotted mess sticking out at odd angles made him look rather funny and you stifle a giggle as you get to your feet. He puts his hands on his hips.

“You think this is funny? I swear, if I didn’t know any better I’d really believe Gustav’s story, you little Archfey!” He speaks exasperated as you pulled away some ivy circled around one of his horns with a laugh dropping it with the pile you had created. 

“Of course I think it’s funny, my handsome devil.” You patted his cheek and took one of his hands with your free one pulling him with you to sit down on the grass. Kneeling in front of him you begin untangling the vines and removing the flowers using your fingers to brush through, carefully pick apart and untangle the mess he had created. Once you are done and just brushing through his hair making sure you didn’t miss anything and to get it back to its usual state he takes your hands and presses a delicate kiss to your palms. 

“Turn around?” The words come out more as a question but you do and sit between his legs as he starts carefully detangling the vines from your own hair muttering a sorry and kissing your shoulder every time he either has to or accidentally pulls on your hair to take them out. It took him a while but eventually all the vines and flowers are gone and you’re just sat, leaning back against him, listening to sounds of the early early morning and the faint light barely visible from the town you’re set up outside off in the fields. 

Molly’s arms wrap around your waist and his head leaning on your shoulder as he hums a tune all too familiar to you. You elbow his stomach looking at him with a fake scowl. He kisses your scowl away and begin humming along with him, a flock of birds dancing overhead as you do. Surrounded by warmth and comfort you both slowly let the exhaustion consume you as the first lights of dawn draw upon the horizon. 

[memeadonna]

Mind Over Monster

I wrote this for a friend, so if you're reading this: Hi RJ!

You and the Bakusquad (plus Shinsou and Jirou, because it is a crime to exclude them) survived the zombie apocalypse, and now roam around hunting down the remaining monsters and rescuing survivors. But you feel like everyone except you has a place in your little group. When someone in your group makes a potentially fatal mistake, you set out to prove yourself. But the question remains: did you ever even need to in the first place?

You kept your eyes closed as you listened, searching in the murmurs around you for something unquiet and unorganized. That was how you would know if there was danger. The mist had long since retreated, but the wind carried it to places where it would rest and collect and re-emerge, using the dead to do its bidding. “Anything?” you jumped and opened your eyes to see one of your companions balancing precariously on the roof of your car.

Kaminari Denki never stopped smiling, no matter what. And considering he was the only reason that you were able to drive this electric car anywhere at all, he was one of your team’s most valuable members. You… also didn’t need to know that he was eye-fucking you right now, but it wasn’t like he could help it. There’s only so much you can turn off in the human mind, and despite your best efforts you usually ended up reading too much into things. It was nice to know that all of your companions thought you were attractive, at least.

This had all started with an accident. An unknown person had been born with some sort of zombification quirk that turned people into mindless zombies forced to do the user’s bidding if they inhaled a mist the user secreted. That person had been killed in a violent car accident that had sent them over the edge of a bridge and plummeting to the dark, angry waters below. As they bled out, their quirk had somehow activated. Maybe it was their way of saying that they did not want to die. Mist had billowed up around them, and within a few hours everybody in that prefecture had been infected by the quirk. The infection had spread across the country and then the world within a few weeks, and now, a year later, this was all that remained. The creatures had never been meant to exist this long, so eventually they began to mutate as well. They gained the ability to infect other creatures through bites, or even absorb body parts and (in the cases of the rare bigger monsters) whole people.

You and your companions had been training to become heroes, but when society had collapsed your goals had changed to survival. Now you travelled around acting like vigilantes, tracking down reported cases of those creatures and protecting civilians. Your class had split off into three groups (as had your grade’s class B), and everybody in your squadron had a purpose.

Bakugou Katsuki was obviously your firepower. He was also your self-appointed leader, and was great at barking orders. Kirishima Eijirou was your muscle – the creatures couldn’t infect him with whatever virus they had (or absorb him, though many had tried), and usually he and Bakugou did most of the heavy lifting when it came to the fighting. Ashido Mina and Sero Hanta were both masters at setting traps or helping with evacuation efforts, and they were also both charismatic and cheerful and kept your group in high spirits. Shinsou Hitoshi could almost always control the monsters to some degree, and even if he couldn’t, he was also adept with his capture weapon and could easily change gears mid-battle. Kiyoka Jirou could detect the monsters moving from miles away, and the speakers on her hero costume were both useful in battle and in evacuation efforts.

Jirou and Shinsou both basically rendered you redundant. Your quirk was a mind reading/telepathy quirk that allowed you to locate monsters (they couldn’t suppress their subconscious thoughts, so it was easier to read their minds), but the more of them there were the more useless you became. You already tended to get lost in your thoughts, but with all of these thoughts swirling around you…

“Hey!” Denki snapped his fingers in front of your face. “Are you okay? Any monsters nearby?”

“Sorry,” you smiled up at him. “No, I don’t hear anything. Should be safe to stop here and recharge.” You hopped off the roof and went to go help pitch your tents.

While you loved the electric vehicle you had looted, it could only go so far with one charge, and it took a lot out of Denki to keep it working, especially considering he couldn’t just charge out of outlets anymore. That meant the group had to stop and make camp in the middle of the day and let him charge up the car. Despite being electric, it wasn’t exactly the most efficient car in the world.

At least it had lots of storage space. That meant you had lots of useful weapons and supplies for killing the zombies. That was no easy task.

The largest beast you had encountered so far had been around eight feet tall and had taken over the corpses of about six people and several dozen animals. These beasts weren’t usually able to use the quirks of the people they had absorbed, but some creatures were anomalies. The one you were hunting now was supposed to be one of those anomalies, and had apparently retained a teleportation quirk, making it tricky to catch. You supposed you could be a little more useful in this case.

“Hey! Stop standing there being useless and start a fire!” Bakugou dumped some of the wood Kirishima had just chopped into your arms, and you struggled to hold all of its weight. He laughed at you as you dropped a piece of the firewood and caught it with your foot. Mina came to your rescue and told Bakugou off with a laugh as you hopped off towards the fire pit. Even he thought you were useless. Especially he. Him. Whatever.

Shinsou used his capture weapon to lift the wood back into your arms, and you smiled at him. He understood you in a way nobody else did, and maybe it was because you both had mind-related quirks, but you found camaraderie in the fact that people tended to be driven away from you or mistrust you. Who would want to be friends with someone that could tell exactly what they were thinking, or with one verbal response could make them do literally anything?

“You okay?” he asked.

You nodded as you knelt by the makeshift fire pit and started to stack the wood. “I’m fine, Shinsou,” you replied. “Just a bit of teasing.”

He walked over to the trunk and returned with a box of kindling. He balled up some of the paper and lit it when you were done. You couldn’t even do this small task without help. How useless did they really think you were?

You stood and looked around for somewhere else to help. Mina, Sero, and Kirishima had already set up the tent, Denki was charging the car, and Bakugou was digging around for something in the trunk. Shinsou walked over to go help him, and as you were about to check if Jirou needed anything you were grabbed from behind and lifted off the ground.

“Gotcha!” Kirishima purred into your ear, pretending to bite into your shoulder as he tickled you. You cried out in involuntary laughter, and kicked and flailed in his arms.

“Hey, put me down!” you tugged at the hands around your waist, and he finally listened to you, only for him to turn you around and pull you into a bone-crushing hug.

He pulled away and tilted your face up by the chin. “No more sad face, okay?” he asked softly. “Cheer up.”

Before you could respond, Bakugou started yelling again. “What useless fucker packed up the supplies?” He shouted, and if you weren’t used to that shout you would have probably flinched at the rough tone in his voice.

“Me and Mina!” Denki looked up from his charging duties. “Why?”

“You forgot our fucking food,” Bakugou growled. “Both crates full of food are missing! Seriously? Even people as inept as Y/n and Sero remember to bring the fucking food when it’s their turn to pack up!”

“Calm down Bakugou!” Sero stepped forward. “Is there any way you just missed it?”

Bakugou’s words washed over you like glass in your heart. You had heard them before – he was always calling you a dumbass, or a burden, and while he was that way with everybody, and they just shrugged it off, you just… never could. Bakugou had one of the most guarded minds you had ever seen, and regularly called you a Voyeur if he caught you staring at him for too long. You hadn’t purposefully read his thoughts very much, but his brain seemed to be full of those harsh words and nicknames. It would have been easier if you knew he didn’t mean them.

While your group argued (Jirou, Mina, and Denki were all screaming at Bakugou while Kirishima and Sero tried to break it up, and Shinsou watched with a tired expression), you snuck around to the back of the truck to retrieve a few weapons. You grabbed a small handgun (Yaomomo made you lots of supplies every time she saw you), and a few rounds of ammo. You also grabbed a metal baseball bat for good measure (better safe than sorry), and one of Bakugou’s mini grenades just out of spite. When you returned to camp with dinner in hand, you were planning on detonating it just to scare the bejesus out of him. You wondered if they would still be arguing when you got back.

Maybe they wouldn’t even notice you leaving?

Nobody stopped you as you set off across the field towards the woods. Nobody even spared you a second thought as their restless minds grew more and more distant. You relaxed as you realized you were alone, and hummed quietly to yourself as you crept through the woods looking for dinner.

The birds were singing, and the trees rustled softly in the wind as you wandered farther and farther away from camp. The small stream you crossed was probably where Jirou had collected water earlier, and just for the hell of it you decided to climb up the waterfall. It probably wasn’t the smartest move, but it was about a thirty-foot climb and it looked like fun. Once you were at the top, you followed the river upstream and searched for any thirsty wildlife.

Being the useless party member was boring. No matter what your companions did, you never seemed to be able to see the value in your own contributions. You were able to broadcast messages across large groups of people all at once, which made you invaluable both in evacuation efforts, and when planning strategies. Your range was somewhat limited unless you really pushed your quirk (if you were scared enough the words and pictures could travel up to five kilometers), but the ability to detect thoughts had less limits. Some people (like Bakugou) naturally suppressed thoughts, while others (like Kaminari) did not. It was easy to tell when the monsters were nearby because they could not repress their thoughts whatsoever. Even less than Kaminari. Everything blurred together in one big, overwhelming jumbled mess, and if there were a lot of them you were easily overwhelmed.

People you could deal with. You had grown up in a big city and gone to school in large classes, you knew what people were like. You could be in crowds with hundreds of voices and be unbothered, purely because it was all background noise. It wasn’t meant to be heard.

Sometimes, the monsters knew you could hear them. Sometimes they wanted you to hear.

You were dragged out of your train of thought as you caught sight of dinner. Drinking at the river was a boar, a yearling probably weighing about 45lbs. It hadn’t noticed you yet, and as you aimed your gun for it, careful not to make a noise, it didn’t stir.

A shot through the eye was all it took, and the animal dropped dead. You grinned to yourself as you approached it, and carefully picked it up and slung it over your shoulder. You couldn’t wait to see the look on Bakugou’s face when he realized just how useful you really were. You carried the boar back downstream, humming one of Jirou’s punk songs to yourself.

“Blood,” was the first thought that filled your head, and it made you halt in your tracks. It was so sudden, and so strong that it had startled you. You looked back the way you came and noticed that about two hundred yards away a figure crouched over where you had killed the boar, and as it uncurled its body vertebrae by vertebrae you felt terror grip your heart.

You were alone. Nobody was going to come save you. You were out of range.

The creature had a massive rack of antlers on its head – it had clearly been feeding off of the local wildlife to make it big and strong. Big and strong it was – towering at probably twelve feet tall with a lanky and deceptively fast body. Its mind was full of violent thoughts, and you heard each and every one. As you noticed it, it also noticed you. You heard its thoughts as they ricocheted around a brain that should not have had the capability to think, and as the word “Need!” filled your mind, it lunged for you.

You screamed in terror, and your quirk activated without your permission, sending the horrifying image of this thing leaping and bounding through the air towards you out in all directions. The image of itself halted it in its tracks, but it quickly shook the feeling off. You dropped your boar and aimed your handgun. The rounds did nothing, and the creature picked up speed again, unhinging its jaw and letting out a shriek so loud your ears rang. You fired into its open mouth, once more discharging an image of its maw. That also gave the creature pause, and as your handgun clicked out of ammunition, you reached for your bat and your grenade. Its eyes were so cold as it watched you change your stance, and you swallowed hard as you noticed tiny hands protruding from its chest. Those hands had once belonged to a child, and that made you angry.

Noticing the pattern, you started to send it random pictures and see what it reacted to. It seemed to recognize itself, so you started sending it pictures of its parts – deer, boar, birds, and eventually people. It kept coming at you, but it seemed almost dazed as it avoided your bat. You grinned to yourself as you assaulted it with more images and increasingly complex thoughts, not caring how you swung your bat. You landed a blow and it shrieked in pain. You then assaulted it again, sending it emotions and increasingly complex feelings. You recited math equations, explained how to start a fire, and told it about yourself in the blink of an eye, still swinging your bat. It connected with the skull-like head and broke the bone apart.

It felt anger now, you could sense it, and it wanted you dead. You kept bashing, overwhelming it psychologically. Then, all at once, you backed off. It shrieked at you as it retreated too, which gave you just enough time to chuck your grenade into its open mouth. You hit the deck as the grenade detonated, and the creature’s throat exploded outwards. As it fell to its knees, folding its long legs under itself, you stood once more. You then raised your bat high and dealt the killing blow to its head, scattering brains everywhere. You kept bashing for another thirty seconds for good measure, until all of the thoughts were gone, and the forest was once again quiet. You panted hard in the silence, and as you once more heard thoughts you gave the creature’s head another few bashes, even though you knew it couldn’t possibly have been the source.

By the time you registered the explosions behind you Bakugou was already sprinting towards you, yelling incoherently. Before you could get a word in, he was blasting the creature’s dead body with all he had. He then turned to you and pulled you into a bone-crushing hug, one so tight that your back popped.

“Bakugou?” you asked in alarm, and he just held you tighter.

“Don’t fucking wander away, dumbass!” he pulled away to growl into your face, eyebrows knit. “We thought we’d lost you.”

The thoughts dancing around his head made you almost shiver. “Thank god they’re safe,” and a thousand variations of that hit you all at once, along with feelings of guilt and fear and pride as he took the time to appreciate the beast you had killed.

Sero was next to arrive, having scaled the waterfall in record time. He swung through the trees towards you, clumsy and graceless. His head was also filled with panic and then joy and then wonder as Bakugou let you go and Sero had his hug.

Jirou and Kirishima clamoured over the waterfall, Mina and Kaminari (who for once, wasn’t smiling) hot on their heels. You were pulled into several more group hugs, and as Shinsou approached even he wrapped you in his arms.

“Why the fuck did you go off on your own?” Bakugou yelled.

“We needed food,” you replied. “So, I hunted a boar, which we can’t eat anymore because this thing showed up.” you gave its carcass a kick. You then walked over to the boar cadaver, which was covered in goo and chunks of brain, and based its head in. You did not want this thing coming back in a new form. Either thing.

“Don’t wander off like that!” Kirishima stressed. “You could have gotten killed! If Bakugou hadn’t been here to kill that thing for you-”

“I killed it,” you cut him off, resting the bat over your shoulder and trying not to sound smug. “Apparently it’s not invulnerable to my quirk. I figured out how to use it. Guess I’m not so useless after all, even if I did ruin dinner. Sorry guys.”

Bakugou’s eyebrows twitched. “Who the fuck said you were useless?” he demanded.

“You did,” you replied. “Earlier today.”

“I told you to stop being useless. There’s a difference,” he grabbed you by the shoulders. “Listen to me. You are not useless. You don’t have to run off on your own and nearly fucking get killed to prove that, and I’m sorry if I ever made you think that’s what we wanted from you.”

Holy shit. Did Bakugou just apologize? To you? Were you dreaming?

He pulled you into another hug. “Don’t run off again, okay, dumbass?” he asked softly.

“Okay,” you smiled softly. “I can promise that.”

“Good,” he growled. “And we found the food crates. Turns out that Shitty Hair over here-” Bakugou punched Kirishima in the shoulder, “-put them away in the tent.”

Kaminari sobbed loudly, interrupting the moment. “Denki, don’t cry!” you were hugging him in an instant, and he clung tightly to you like you would just disappear if he didn’t anchor you. “I’m here, and I’m safe. I promise.”

“It’s not that!” he wailed. “We could have had bacon!”

[ramblesofajester]

whispers of a witch (chap1/?

this is just a self indulgent fic for me to write when I feel like shit and yes it will have nsfw

info: they/them, curvy body, glasses, anxiety.

The cool wind sweep past your cheek as you squat down, fingers numbing and turning blue from the constant foraging across the forest floor to fine the herbs you require, its late winter and you have just run out of several herbs you use quite frequently for personal use and when healing the villagers. of course as always there is a catch when you need to get something done. one, you where delivering a baby a good portion of the day, then doing your normal round with the villagers, so soon night is to fall, two the Lycians have been testing there luck with the village borders as of resent, three the only place those herbs are left growing are near Heisenberg's land due to you harvesting all the more accessible ones previously. and just to top it all of duke wouldn't be able to gather a shipment until the next new moon, that being two weeks away so here you are right before dusk cut plants with frozen fingers outside of a missive chain-link fence in the middle of the woods. Gazing around, you are in a small clearing, the village is about a mile, mile and a half to the south west of here. the factory's smoke stacks just visible over the tree line. Sighing you focus on the task at hand, slowly griping the base of the plant you say thanks to the earth and pull it up root and all, listening to the birds as there song slowly drifted thru the trees. standing up you, make your way over to the next bushel of plants emerging from the thin coat of snow. suddenly all the brides stop singing setting off of several alarms in your brain knowing its wasn't you who disturbed them wiping around, franticly looking you hear and see movement all around you just out of sight in the brush you cant tell what it is. assuming it to be Lycians or and angry bear or even a stray ghoul from the castle grounds. garbing the dagger from your boot you crouch down to an defensive position slowly making your way toward the path you came from. as you take a step back slowly a few Lycian emerge from the tree line teeth bared eyes holding a burning hunger. a soft gasp leaves your lips if there are this many you know more are soon to follow

"well shit, I couldn't just go and have an easy day now could I?" you ask the Lycians sarcastically not really expecting a reply. a deep chuckle caught you off guard and in your shock you hear the swift shifting of metal. the feeling of cold steel on your ankle stealing your attention from the fast change of gravity as you are hoisted into the air, dangling like a prized fish. attempting to regain your bearings. you look around seeing the Lycian pack now completely surrounding you.

"well, well, well, look what the cat dragged in," standing clear in the path arm outstretched to hold the chain around you feet taking a step further with every word.

"a lost little bunny, who is hoping around where they should not be..." he says in a little tune with mirth in his step. finally stopping right in front of you raising you so your face is level with his shoulders you reach out attempting to swipe at him with you dagger, as soon as you weapon is revealed is ripped from your grasp and now spinning around you and the lord. a large gloved hand grips your face forcing you to look at lord Heisenberg.

"now I cant tell if that was stupidity, or bravery little bunny but I'm guessing you dont know who I am." he speaks with amusement as he examines your face and, forces you to look at him. you stop squirming long enough to stare at the round shades perched on his nose. this being the first time you have seen the lord this close ,its usually only in passing or from the shadows as to not be noticed, but now you have to admit the stubble and scars, the cocky smile, the smell of oil, pine, smoke, and Tabaco is actually not that bad.

"No I know who you are, just really dont care cause I'm a little busy" you immediately wiggle from his grasp and start reaching for the chain around your ankles. a boisterous laughter is released from behind you and suddenly your falling about a meter, back connecting with the ground a large "oof" emanating from you. Rushing to get the chain from around you ankles it fly from your hands. jumping to your feet you face Heisenberg head held high

"oh... you do know me, so it must be stupidity, that must explain why your on my land as well" Heisenberg ponders aloud." so you must either be lost or have a death wish" he says with a chuckle

"nope not lost, just need some of the herbs here and if you live in this village and haven't runaway or offed yourself you have a death wish" you reply flatly brushing the dirt of of yourself as you stand to gather your things. "now" you say turning back to him "my dragger if you'd please" extending you hand cautiously with and expectants look.

"wow, you've got some balls on you" puffing on his cigar "you better watch that attituded bunny" you are suddenly painfully aware of the small pack of hunger Lycian circling you both "and remember who the man in control is" hand still outstretched you snap back with

"listen hear 'lord Heisenbitch' I am sorry for trespassing on you land but I need 7 different herbs and at least 5oz of each, I need them before tomorrow evening, some of them for mother Miranda, as well as a women who just gave birth in the village. Now unless you wish to explain to Miranda why her healer is missing, and her people dead due to illnesses I would like my dagger back and you and your fine fuzzy companions to kindly fuck of." you knew your words where dangerous but at this point in the evening you really didn't give a fling fuck and the shock on Heisenberg's face when he recognizes you almost made it worth it.

"Wait your Miranda's prized witch, oh man this is great, how have you lasted so long, your so small bunny" this just pissed you off more you want your dagger back but he's just so infuriating. your dont have time for this

"Fine, just keep the dagger" you say shoving past him. Growling at the Lycians blocking the path they stay there ground and growl back, only to glance behind you whimper, and slowly back away clearing the path. A chain roughly wraps around you waist spinning you around and pulling you flush against Heisenberg before returning to his trench coat pocket. blowing his smoke in your face he drawls

"wow wow wow, slow you roll peter cotton tail I ain't being stingy, I just wanna talk a little" as he says this he wraps his arm around you waist slipping your dagger back into its sheath leaving his hand to rest on the dip of your hip, the other griping your chin forcing you to look up at him

"Let. Me. Go!" you hiss out never braking your gaze of his glasses

"now what would Miranda think of this, her pet of the leash, not respecting or listening to your lord" he teases not lessening his grip at all

"I dont give a scraggly rats ass, just let me go you bastard!" you spit at him, resaving a chuckle as a reply .

"ohhh I like you bunny, you've got fight not a lot of that left hear any more. but I need something from you darling, so we are gonna take a little walk back to your place, your gonna help me, then ill help you with your little situation how does that sound there bunny?" spinning you around arm still securely on your waist, he starts to walk still puffing on his cigar, quickly you realize you have no choice in the matter. the Lycians slow start to follow you keeping there distance at about 3 meters back this continues for a wile and it might have even been pleasant having company for once on the walk, you if you ignore the hungry Lycians and the fear Heisenberg will get angry or be done with his little game. slowly the forest edge and the village come in to the distances well as a small well worn foot path leading into a thick pine forest near the base of the Benevento valley

"so bunny, which way is it" Heisenberg ask moving his arm up to rest on your shoulders using the other to jester at the path ways.

"This way" you mumble out, gesturing to the pine foot path. now moving forward on you own accord tiered of being user around like a lost child. you dont make it very far seeing as soon as you start to move away he tightens his grip

"ohh come on bunny, no need to get cold feet. your getting something good out of this too, you just chill a little there thumper" he says smirk never leaving his face.

"well it sure as hell dont feel like it, this feels more like a kidnaping only we are headed to my own dwelling" you watch as the pine trees grow thicker with every passing second drawing closer to your burrow. soon a large moon gate covered in rosemary and lavender comes into a view just beyond it several greenhouses small and large soft light emanating from a few

"Now hold up thumper if you have all of these, what were you doing traipsing around by my factory? you weren't trying to get my attention were you?" he jabs at you obviously trying to get a rise out of you.

"What I was looking for I do not grow because it is local and I had a store of some, but it a since been exhausted, lots of sick ones this season." you replied tiredly seeing as dusk has passed a wile ago and you had been called out well before day brake. now you where just too tired to deal with his shenanigans. continuing forward you approach the door and tap the center of the door with the old iron key handing from your neck three times then you insert it into the keyhole and twist it three times to the right and it slowly creeks open. rushing forwards in an attempt to put some distance between the two of you you start to tend to the fire stroking the coals and adding a few logs. while your bussing your self Heisenberg makes himself at home pulling out a chair and throwing his feet on top of the table and popping a new cigar between his lips . Turning to grab your tea pot you see this unfold waltzing over to him and slapping his feet of the table

"That is mahogany" as you say this he goes to protest " no 'lord' Heisenberg you in my domain now no feet on the table" you snatch the cigar from between his lip and toss it into the fireplace "and no smoking in the main room."

"alright, alright," he says holding his arms in the air "one you could have just put it out and handed it back thumper, and second of all watch who your talking to darlin" to this you quickly respond with

"Still dont care" he gives you grunt as a response

"third of all I still have yet to disclose the nature of my visit I need you to look at something for me" and with that he stands up his chest now centimeters from your nose he reaches for his hat and sunglasses setting them on the table, tossing his trench coat on to the chair. your face quickly turning a shade of red dark enough to rival the radishes out in garden as you realize just what he is doing. pulling of his shirt with a wince. Holding his shirt in his hands, you try not to make your gaze obvious, he slowly turns to reveal a large, deep laceration very poorly bandages and clearly in the throes of a terrible infection. you immediately push all other thoughts aside concern taking its place, you recognized this wound, you where present when he resaved it .

flashback

"you stupid man child, you know nothing you should just leave the talking to the adults like a good little boy"

"shut your dame hole you bitch"

they have been going at it for 37 minutes and counting Alcina said something Karl disagrees and so the back and forth begins about 5 minutes ago Karl brought out his hammer and been waving it out in the open. tensions have been rising and your a little worried it is about to get violent. Anggie who had been watching the argument from you lap starts to vibrate with joy sensing the approaching violence.

"ooooooooohhh its aaboutttttt tooo get goooooodddddd!!!" she sings while hoping off your lap to sit closer on donnas lap seeing as you are perched by the back wall behind Miranda. and just as you both had predicted disaster struck.

"you insolent fool." Alcina suddenly cry's, swiping her hand forward as Karl turns his back to her slashing from shoulder to hip. you immediately rush forward, only to be stopped by mother Miranda holding her arm in your path.

"ENOUGH, stop the foolishness NOW!" Miranda's voice ringing out clear through the entire hall "Heisenberg my son, stand," she demands. he slowly makes his way to his feet now facing mother Miranda "your actions have been stupid and reckless as punishment, I shall leave you with this burden to care for. maybe it will teach you how much effort it takes heal rather than destroy. and what if feels like to live with ones mistakes." you hand covers your mouth as you bite your tongue. you may not like Karl that much but he still is not as bad as they say.

end scene

"BY THE GODS, how has this not healed yet!? have you been rubbing dirt in it? I knew this was a stupid lesson. I knew I should have gone against that two faced, false goddess, pretensive ass, bitch and marched my happy ass to that factor. THAT WAS TWO WEEKS AGO, this should have been gone ages ago!!!" you shout while carefully examining the laceration. quickly you pull out the char he was previously siting on out, so he could sit on it with his back to the fire and lean on the back of the chair. grabbing Heisenberg's shoulders you gently shove him into the chair. rushing around you grab several herbs hanging from the ceiling in bundles. then over to the counter you produce a mortar and pestle along with several oils and extracts

"woooow, thumper slow down, slow down," he chides calmly garbing your shoulders, your arms still packed full of items. slowly he starts to set the items on the table. "now I didn't rub dirt in it, but there might be some oil, its not healed because I have no idea how to treat a wound this large. and what's this about Miranda being a bitch and ignoring orders?" as he says this you realized just how bad you have fucked up.

"OH MY GODS, I didn't mean a word of it lord Heisenberg I meant no disrespect please I am so sorry dont tell mother Miran-" you franticly bow keeping your eyes to the floor hoping he would ether spare you make you death quick. while he clearly doesn't like Miranda or her family he was still a part of it.

"hay hay hay thumper calm down your alright. I'm not gonna go all psycho on you, and your secret is safe with me, your not the only one with unsavory views on that bitch Miranda." your slowly look up at him in shock it is widely know that he disagree with the other lords but this is a first. you gingerly make your way over to the table and start to mix together several herbs and flowers. "and thumper just call me Karl" he says with a flirtatious grin, you blush but grinding the herbs into a powder

"only if you stop calling me thumper." slowly adding some drops of oils to the mixture making a thick green salve.

"well I gotta have something to call you bunny" he say grin stretching across his face as you blush even more now

"well my name is (Y/N) ok, now stop" you say while puffing up you cheek in a pout. rushing behind him so he can no longer see your face and you can apply the salve" this is going to sting" not give him tome to proses any thing you said you rip off the bandages and start to carefully apply the salve. a shout bubbles up in his throat the second the salve touches his shoulder

"SON OF A Bitch..." he snarls" maybe a little more warning next time y/n" as soon as he growls out your name you short circuit you hand no simply resting next to his wound "y/n... y/n" he waits a couple of seconds before trying again. "y/n!" jumping a little you come back to reality " you all good back there" Karl questions

"almost done just need to finish this up, then I will apply bandages, and all you need to do is rest for a day or two" as you Finnish saying this you reach for he bandages and gently begin to properly wrap the wound "this is how you properly wrap a wound Karl" you make sure to say first his name. "go all the way around and over and around the shoulder" slowly and carefully placing the bandages showing him the movements and positions. you move around to the front of lightly wrapping his shoulder "dont go to tight when bandaging joints, it increases mobility but not lose enough to move" as you speak solely focused on you task at hand you dont see Karl staring at your face, a look of adoration on his face which he is quick to drop once you turn to him. gently patting his shoulder "now all you need is a lot of rest and a hot meal" smiling you slowly make your way over to the fire removing the teapot and hanging a medium sized cauldron over the fire. turning kettle in hand you see Karl putting on his hat and going to pull his coat on having already put his shirt on

"well thumper its been wonderful but I have to get back to my-" you cut him off taking his coat and hanging it by the door.

"oh no you don't, you need rest and real food, and not to make any assumptions but I doubt you'll get any of those in your factory" as you say this you put the chair back in its normal position swiftly going to a small spare room on the side. grabbing a thick blanket you walk to the table, and drape it over the back of the chair. patting it flat you open your arms and jester to the chair "now please have a seat food will be done shortly" you say with a smile as he just stand there slack jawed at you attempting to boss him around. slowly he take a seat and just watches as you prepare a cup of tea for you both "hear this should help with the pain" you say handing him a large mug that still looked too small in his hand. you turn and head back to the counter and start dicing us vegetables and some fish to put the cauldron.

"thank you" he mumbles quietly watching you dance about the kitchen a soft smile on his face. "so what's your story? you obviously dont like Miranda so why stay and be her little pet healer on her beck and call." Karl jests wanting to know more about you now that he has the chance with out his stupid family there

"well a long time ago I has someone I had to look out for, they needed help I could not provide it, Miranda could. So I made a deal, help her, and ill do as wish. So I comply to keep her safe and happy, if it went for her, I would have sent that false deity to her flaming grave decades ago." you finished cutting the veggies and meat depositing it in the pot, you make your way opposite of Karl at the table and take a seat. slowly sipping your tea. "now I just tend to the villagers for Miranda and visit my belladonna"

"wait who is belladonna" he askes a look of confusion overtaking his features

"my apologies, I mean donna, before Miranda adopted her and gave her her gift she was a sad and lonely child with parents too ill to save, so after her parents passing, I watched over her and loved her as my own" you say a soft smile on your face looking around the room I was the only one she let touch Anggie, she was such a kind child asking so many questions behind closed doors and always eager to learn new skills" you reminisce the old days setting your now empty cup on the table. "but now she's grown and well, and happy, so that is all that matters" you say curtly standing and heading over the the bubbling pot of stew and giving it a stir.

"so wait your telling me you the witch who raised Benevento," Karl spouts astonishment clear in his voice. "One how are you not dead yet? Two that's why you spend so much time in that spooky ass house, and three how come you aren't an old hag you dont look a day over 25?" even in shock this man some how still manages to throw in a flirt. you give a small chuckle.

"well when I struck my deal with Miranda," you make you way over to a tall cabinet and withdraw two wooden bowls and a large ladle ." donna was just become a young adult, so she new what excepting Miranda's gift would entitle, including the prolonged life." returning to the stew and scooping a hefty serving into Karl's bowl and only filling your half way. "after her parents suicided she couldn't handle the loss another parental figure, her words not mine, she refused the treatment unless Miranda changed me as well." hanging the ladle on the wall and carefully turning back to Karl and making your way to him. "I had already had my go at life and helped as many as I could so I agreed not expecting to come out alive," you say calmly sitting down in the seat acres from Karl. "unfortunately my will was to strong so hear I am now, a fail experiment serving out my end of the deal" you give a sarcastic smile and do a little jazz hands as your story comes to a close. Karl is still for moment then burst into a deep laughter, but still alarmed at your willingness to except death.

"I'm sorry bunny I dont mean to be insensitive," he attempts to suppress his chuckles. "you are really the one that raised donna?"

"yes I am I know its a little hard to believe, but yes." you say solemnly feeling a little weird everyone who knew you too be donnas nanny have long since passed.

"no no no, there ain't nothing wrong with that darlin! In fact you did fucking awesome, out of all of us monsters she has the best manners and turned out the best." he says in a panicked tone, afraid he has said something wrong.

"Karl none of you are monsters, and your ok you didn't say anything wrong" you say quickly adding " none of you are monsters! you and the other were forced into the experiments, unlike donna and I. your only a monster when you subject an enter village to a false religion just to slaughter them for her experiments under the name of a sick false family she has not love for!" you say venom and hate for that hag dripping from each word. a stern but caring look on your face as you look rights in his eyes as you say this "you aren't a monster. you where a kid with out a choice, and now you are a man surviving and your doing amazing in your situation." you cautiously grab his hand resting in the table " you are not a monster no mater who has told you that including your self" He pulls back lightly but does not remove your hand from his., allowing you to rub his knuckles.

"but I-" he starts but you dont let him continue

"nope you cant convince me other wise, I'm the village crazy witch I am all knowing and wise." you say in a cherry tone, garbing his hand with both of yours. using one to tap out a small tune on the back of his hand. that nice deep laughter made an appearance again you have to admit its nice to hear him laugh instead of ague with everyone.

"well dame bunny, can't argue with that logic now can I " A large toothy grin takes over his face little crinkles show at the corners of his eyes. shaking his head he gives a chuckle then picks up the bowl of stew and finishing what was left in the bowl in a few gulps. setting the bowl down he asks "shit that hit the spot, can I just take you home with me and have you cook for me every night that some dame good stew" he jokes. laughing a little you finish your bowl, garbing his you stand and bring them to a bucket at the end of the sink.

"no I cant come home with you every day" rinsing the plates before setting them in the bucket you continue. "but you can come over when ever the lantern on the porch is light, if its not I am either in the village with a patient, or visiting donna or Miranda, or foraging. I am a busy witch Karl, just a warning." he chuckles

"ill make a note of that expect me often that shits good." he says pointing at the pot hanging over the small flames.

"well in that case ill put some in jars so you can take it with you when you leave tomorrow" you say off handedly while making your way over to the pot fishing the leftovers out, and putting it in two large mason jars. out of the corner of your eye you see him deflate a little when you when you mention his departure tomorrow. moving over to a wall of cupboard you store the two jars "to night you can take my bed or the cot in the guest room, though I dont know if you'll fit" you say walking over to said door and opening it reveling a small room with a vanity in the back left corner to the left of the door was a small sink and counter with a basin next to it. opposite to that was a small cabinet and in the back right corner a small wooden cot about half the side of the man now standing directly behind you in the doorway. so close, when he took a deep breath you could feel his shirt brush your, and his warm breath fans across your neck. now with bright red face you make you hastily make you way to the cabinet to the right of the door and start to grab a large quilt and a pillow or two. Karl enters the room looking around taking in the new environment and casually making his way over to the cot and taking a seat. you head over to him staring at the blanket hoping that he would not see your face

"thank you, y/n you really could've just sent my packing I really appreciate it I do" he says with a soft smile resting on his scared face, 'it suites him,' you think to your self 'he should smile more.'

"well hear you go this should be think enough it gets pretty chilly in hear and I haven't fixed the heater yet so if you need more there are some in the cabinet you say gesturing to the cabinet with your head. holding the blanket and pillow out for him to take he reaches hands grazing against yours as he takes them from your hands pulling them closer"

"thanks bunny I re-" he is abruptly cut short by a sharp wine of wood under duress followed quickly by a loud snap of the cot braking a the loud thud of Karl's ass hitting the floor. "OH FUCK" Karl was now the one looking up at you. slapping a hand over your mouth to suppress the laughter about to burst from you.

"OH by the gods, are you ok" you say still trying to hold back the onslaught of giggles offering a hand for him to take

"so this is what the weather is like down here" he says jokingly as you hoist him off the ground carful of his shoulder and back. gently slapping his chest

"I'm only a little shorter than you, ya know" you say "but in light of me needing to purchase a new cot from duke, I guess you'll be sleeping in my bed tonight." he gives you a flirty look

"dame thumper if you wanted me in your bed that bad all you had to do was ask not buries my ass first" he says with a deep chuckle.

"I am not tying to get you in my bed" you say panicked face exploding with red. "I wont even be in it with you, and secondly it wasn't that far of a drop so the only thing damage was you ego and my cot obviously. now come follow me please." you say now attempting to lead him out of the room. Karl looks at you as if he was trying to figure something but soon trailing behind you like a lost puppy. you lead him through the main room down a hallway with three doors heading to the furthest down you push open the heavy wooden door. letting Karl enter first you make your way to the bed garbing your favorite pillow and a thick blanket off the bed spread "well she's all yours" you say jokingly waving your arm over the bed as a invitation dont lay on your back or shoulder" you say making your way back to the door arms now full "sleep well." and with at you turn to leave only to be stopped by a hand on your shoulder.

"wait if I'm sleeping here and I just demolished your spare bed where will you be sleeping" he ask concern lacing his voice a he turn you around to face him

"well ill go clean up the old cot and then ill just use some spare blankets as a mattress for the night." you say with out a second thought.

"no no no, I will not let you do that you have done enough for me. I'll just go back to my factory and be out of your hair." your face scrunches up.

"you say that as if I am annoyed by you, but I can assure you, you do not annoy me. next I wont let you leave this hut you need to rest and I need to change those bandages as soon as you wake." you say no room for argument evident in your voice. "and if you have such an issue using my bed but I apologies its the only one, and I wont let you sleep on the floor with that wound." you with finality.

"then I guess well just have too share it. cues I will just jump through a window to go back home" he say with a laugh. you have no idea if he was joking or not. still, gazing up at his face the smirk remained "so" he asks "which will it be will you join me or and I gonna have to practice my long distance sprint." you sigh growing tired with every passing second your long day finally catching up too you. no longer having any energy to argue.

"fine" you huff out walking over to the bed where Karl was I like the right side" climbing in you take a body pillow from the back of the bed putting it in the middle " you better stay on your half of the bed old man" you say climbing back down from the bed and heading a dresser under a large window. you produce a pair of sleep thin pants and a large think white long sleeved shirt. "I need to change so ether steep out or just dont look." to tired to care at this point you look over your shoulder and see him turned away from you sitting on the left side of the bed. replacing your dirty clothe with fresh sleep pants and a oversized top. garbing a spare pair of large sleep pants and shirt before making your way back to the bed, flopping onto it comically ,while tossing the change of clothing on his side of the bed "hear you go, this should fit" he looks down at the articles of clothing.

"well thank you bunny," undoing his belt and changing his pant, completely ignoring the new shirt. "but uhhh I dont think that shirt is gonna work though" he says smirk evident in his voice.

"and why would that be-" you ask confusion clear on you face as you roll over to face him without thinking. face exploding in color as you freeze up, now staring at his bare chest brain loosing any train of thought.

"my eyes are up hear now bunny," he says with a deep chuckle "but please dont let me interrupt your staring. as for why I never sleep with one its confining" smirk never leaving his face, as he lays down on his half of the mattress. quickly you roll over

"I wasn't staring, I zoned out. Just toss the shirt on to the top of the dresser" he gives another chuckle but says nothing. pulling the thick comforter up to you chin due to the chill, reaching over you turn the knob on the lantern smothering the flame. "good night Karl sleep well" you say without a second thought closing your eyes slowly, reality fading out as you hear Karl

"goodnight thumper sleep well" a gentleness to his tone that sends the rest of the way to sleep.

word count: 5884

ps: please forgive my horrid grammar

[luxaofhesperides]

these lingering remains

@tucweek DAY TWO: SACRIFICE

also on ao3

. . .

He still dreams about falling. The nightmares linger, even now, years after everything. He wakes up most nights with his heart in his throat, free-falling to his death and no one is there to grab his hand. It’s terrible; it’s the only thing he has left of Ares.

The feeling of falling, the feeling of being caught, of trusting his bond to be there. The feeling of holding Ares’ claw in his hand, first to save him, then to die with him. 

Gregor is used to living off of four hours of sleep a night. It’s not difficult when he doesn’t go to school; his many, many scars would bring up too many questions, so his parents homeschool him while Lizzie and Boots live normal lives.

Sometimes he wishes he could talk about it-- the Underland, a taboo topic in the household. But no one would really understand him if he said he wants to go back. The Underland is the place that took their father away, held him captive and tortured by gnawers, the place that brought a plague to his mother, the place that drew his anxious sister into a war, the place that nearly killed Boots time and time again. 

It’s the place that destroyed him in so many ways; body, mind, and soul. 

It’s the place that killed his bond.

But it’s also the place that gave him the people who changed his life: Luxa, Hazard, Vikus, Mareth. Even Ripred, as horrible as he is. 

Gregor misses them everyday, feels their absence like a wound; always present, always hurting. 

He knows no one else will understand his connection to the Underland, so he keeps quiet, keeps waking up shaking, and doesn’t say a thing.

Virginia is never quiet in the summer. Cicadas cry every second of the day, birds chirp endlessly while the sun is up, and crickets fill the night air with sound. After spending most of his life in New York City, living on a farm in a small town feels like living in another world. Everything is different: the people, the sights, even the air itself moves differently. 

Gregor tries his best not to leave the house. For a few months, his mother tries to get him to go to town with her to help with shopping, but pulling up his sleeve to show her his multitude of scars quickly put a stop to that. His body is a map of his time in the Underland, and invites too many questions. His mother, refusing to acknowledge the Underland, always turns away from his scars and keeps quiet. 

His father spends some nights with him, when nightmares wake them both. There’s no saxophone to play anymore, not with his father’s damaged hands, but they sit together outside to look at the stars. Looking up helps distract them from their time below ground. 

Gregor wonders what Luxa would say, if she saw the stars. 

Lizzie remembers too much; her anxiety keeps the memories well kept in her mind. She freezes when she hears anything resembling rats running, keeps to open spaces, doesn’t solve code breakers anymore. She’s the only one who talks about the Underland with him. She speaks of the people, of Ripred, of baby nibblers. She asks about Ares and Luxa and Vikus, and she doesn’t look away from his scars. 

There’s still much he refuses to tell her; how ready he was to die when the Bane’s claws ripped into Ares, how he never thought he’d survive this long. He doesn’t speak of the war, or any other time he’s nearly died. Some things are better left unsaid. 

And Boots. Boots was so young, could only properly say his name after everything was over. Sometimes she sings the bathing song, or babbles something in the crawler’s language. Sometimes she asks about fliers, or asks to see Hazard. Each time, everyone freezes, unsure of what to tell her. 

His mother decides to let Boots live a normal life and instructs everyone to tell her it was a game she made up. The Underland isn’t real, it was just her imagination. 

And Gregor, carrying the burden of loving a land he can’t return to, obeys.

“Gregor, didn’t we see these before?” Boots asks, holding up a book about frogs in the Amazon. Poisonous frogs, all brightly colored. Gregor stares at the illustrations, remembering the desperate search for Starshade and the fear that consumed him when he saw Boots sitting amidst a swarm of frogs. 

He swallows, trying to speak around the sudden dryness of his throat. “See them where?”

“Before we moved here! We saw them, right?”

“Yeah, once. At the zoo. They were having an exhibit about the Amazon rainforest.”

Boots frowns, squinting down at the page as if she’s trying to find a reason to say he’s wrong. But after five years, Boots doesn’t remember much about the Underland at all. Lying is easy, when the truth can’t be remembered. 

Please don’t keep asking, Gregor pleads internally. There’s not much else he can say. It’s lucky enough that Boots never asks about his scars; to her, he’s always had them. Why wouldn’t he have scars?

“What about bats?” Boots asks next, “Did we see bats too?”

Gregor’s breath catches in his throat, choking him for a moment. If she remembered Ares… If she remembered any of them....

Lizzie walks into the living room, immediately catching sight of them. He doesn’t know what he looks like, but it must be bad enough for Lizzie to immediately come over and get Boots’ attention away from him.

“What’s that?” she peers at the book Boots is holding. 

“A book about frogs!” Boots holds it up for Lizzie to take, quickly forgetting her question. “We saw them at the zoo before we moved!”

Lizzie glances at him, and Gregor nods. “I didn’t go to the zoo with you that day. Do you remember a lot about the frogs?”

“No! I just remember them jumping.”

“Frogs do tend to jump.”

“What about bats? Do bats in zoos jump?” Lizzie looks at Gregor again, eyes wide, as Boots asks turns her interrogation onto Lizzie.

“No, bats fly. Gregor, mom wanted you to help her in the kitchen.”

Taking the exit gratefully, Gregor quickly makes his escape, leaving Lizzie to field Boots’ curiosity. He feels almost sick from the conversation; Boots was always with him in the Underland, she’s the only one who traveled through the Underland with him, and she barely remembers any of it. Instead of the jungle, or Regalia, or the Waterway, it’s a zoo, an amusement park, a river that she thinks she went to. 

He’s the only remnant of the Underland left now. No one else in his family experienced it as he did, as a part of Regalia instead of an unlucky Overlander who got caught by gnawers. 

“Mom,” he whispers when he enters the kitchen, and his mother immediately drops the vegetables she was cutting to guide him to the kitchen table and sit him down. 

“What’s wrong?” she asks, a hand brushing over his forehead. 

“Boots,” he says, “She remembered the frogs we saw in the jungle. Down there. I told her we went to a zoo and saw them. But she remembered the frogs and… the bats.”

His mother presses her hands down against he shoulders, grounding him. “It’s for the best. She should live a normal life. She’s the only one who can. I know it’s hard for you, but there’s nothing else we can do.”

He knows she’s right. If Boots remembered too much, too clearly, she’d tell all her classmates and teachers about it. It would invite questions they can’t answers, bring back painful memories that they’re all trying so hard to move past. But Gregor can’t forget or move on; the Underland changed him too much, engraved itself into his body over and over again. He will never live a normal life, not after being the subject of a prophecy and turned into a child warrior, not after nearly losing both his parents and having to shoulder the responsibility of keeping his family alive when he was just an 12 year old kid who wanted to look after his baby sister.

But she’s right; Boots is young enough that the Underland is like a long dream to her. She can live a life without it. She’s the only one who can.

He remembers how happy Hazard was to play with someone closer to his age, someone who loved languages and other creatures like he did. 

He bites his tongue, and keeps lying.

The Underland isn’t real, it was just a game. All the animals we saw were from the zoo. Be good, Boots, and go play with your friends. Stay away from grates and manholes. Be good, Boots, be normal.

Gregor wakes up shaking, his hand achingly empty. The phantom feeling of Ares’ claw remains. In the morning, he lies to Boots and says he was up late reading and that’s why he’s so tired.

He stays home and misses the comforting dark of the Underland. He clicks his tongue in a dark bathroom, and imagines that he’s back down there and just outside the hall, Luxa waits for him. His clicks his tongue, and all that comes back is the faint outline of a mirror which only holds his reflection.

No one speaks of the Underland. 

They move on, and leave him behind.