#and then she invades his heart without even TRYING. just by being herself.

[my-current-obsession]

Since we've got a date for the FD (just two and a half more months!!!), Even if Tempest is on my mind again, which means I am Once Again thinking about Crius (as if I ever stop). There are several reasons I love Crius and he'll have his hooks in me forever, but I think a big part of it is how despite Anastasia looking up to him so much, despite her LITERALLY thinking he is perfect and flawless in the beginning... HE is the one to fall for HER first.

It would have been so easy for her admiration to turn to love and for her to have to then try and win him over, but that's not what we got.

Instead, here is this handsome man who is so competent and charming, and he KNOWS it and WEAPONIZES it regularly to manipulate women into funding the Wings. He lowkey whores himself out - sells his time and attention at the minimum in order to keep the Wings afloat.

He is very used to getting attention and lust from women. He is NOT used to Anastasia's straightforward and blunt way of expressing herself. She woos him EFFORTLESSLY just by honestly telling him what she thinks and feels. She's not flirting, she's not trying to seduce him, but her sincere way of caring about him (as her friend and superior) bowls him over and wins his heart regardless. And even though he knows what they already have could be enough and he could just cherish that, he can't stop himself from being a little greedy for once and pursuing more. After years of lies and pretending, he desperately wants something REAL.

[ladykailitha]

Sweet Home Indiana Part 2

Hello! My elbow was doing better this morning and then I took a nap and hurt it again somehow...(head desk) so I'm still putting out my backlog without being able to build up more because of it, hopefully it gets better before I run out of backlog because that would be embarrassing.

Here we get some backstory as Eddie strolls back into Steve's life.

Pt 1

****

When Robin came into open the store she found Steve wearing the clothes he had been wearing the night before. None of the bread dough was rising, none of the cookies were baking having not even been made, the cakes were out on the cooling racks instead in the freezer to chill enough to have frosting put on them.

He was curled up next to their large stand mixer dubbed the Beast, cradling his sides like he was trying to hold in his innards.

“Steve...” she called out gently.

Steve looked up at her and her heart broke. His eyes were red and puffy, his cheeks tear-stained and blotchy. Snot ran down his nose and pooled on his upper lip.

She sighed and then turned around. She hunted around for a marker and a piece of paper. She wrote that they were closed for the day and hung it up outside the front door. She locked it behind her and went to go sit down next her best friend.

Steve laid his head on her shoulder and sighed.

“Eddie’s getting married.”

Robin had to force herself from jerking her head around to look at him because he needed her support more than he needed her ire in that moment.

“Who do I have to kill?” she muttered darkly, reaching up to run her fingers through his hair soothingly.

Steve barked out a bitter laugh. “She’s this hot shot legal assistant from Barbados. Like I didn’t even know that was a country until I looked it up. It’s in the Caribbean. Did you know that?”

“I did.”

Robin blinked for a minute. “Wait...she?”

Steve just shrugged. “People change, Robs. Don’t make it a thing.”

She bit her lip and worried it between her teeth. Because fucking hell she wanted to make a big deal out of it. Someone should make a big deal out of it.

“Nancy’s back in town visiting her family,” she said instead. “Holly’s graduating next week.”

Steve threw his arms in the air. “Great! I’m being invaded by my ex. Just put me out of my misery now, Robs. I don’t think I can take it.”

Robin smacked his arms. “No. There will be no killing of the Steve. If anyone wants to make it your problem, then they’re going to have a problem with me, got it?”

“Thanks, Robbie,” he murmured, running his fingers through his hair. “Like the way he went about it was such complete shit. Like how dare he think that a simple annulment is going to get him off abandoning me for fame and fortune and then not coming back when it fell through?”

Robin’s head did whip around that time. “He fucking did what?”

Steve sighed and waved at the papers in the trash. She got up and picked them up. She read through them with increasing ire. Her hands started to shake and her face burned with indignation.

“Screw killing her,” she hissed. “I’m going to kill him. Just as soon as I find his scrawny ass. How dare he?”

He huffed out a bitter laugh. “I hunted down his number and called him out on it. I told him if he was so desperate to be free of me he had to tell me to my face.”

“So what you’re telling me...” Robin said slowly, “is that your not just being invaded by one ex, but most likely two exes. And like your two biggest heartbreaks ever?”

Steve got to his feet and lopped over to her. “That about sums it up, yeah. I know you closed the store, but I still have to make Mrs. Laurence’s cake. She’s supposed to pick it up at 3pm.”

She patted him on the shoulder and tossed away the papers. “Let’s make this cake. We can’t disappoint Mrs. Laurence.”

Steve and Robin went through and tossed everything that couldn’t be salvaged. Steve pulled the two chocolate sheet cakes out of the freezer and set them on the decorating table. He went into the walk-in freezer and got out the two large tubs of frosting; one chocolate buttercream and the other vanilla buttercream.

Robin pulled out the food dyes and began mixing the colors they would need for the cake. Steve went and grabbed one final thing from the fridge before closing the door. A raspberry filling.

He got to work starting with a crumb coating and then took the purple colored frosting from Robin and began covering the whole cake. Once it was completely covered he started adding design elements and darker purple flowers.

Then he passed it over to Robin who wrote “Happy 50th Anniversary” on the top.

All in all it had taken about an hour. Then he called up Mrs. Laurence and told her that Robin would be delivering the cake today because the shop was closed. He didn’t explain why and she didn’t ask. Mostly she was just grateful that it was going to be delivered.

Then Steve got to work preparing for tomorrow. Things like cookies and pastries that could stay in the fridge over night were made first. Then he started on the thing he was most famous for: his brownies.

He had four kinds, a triple chocolate that was dark chocolate brownie with milk chocolate frosting and chunks. The second one was a peanut butter marble with fudge drizzled over it and topped with chopped peanuts. The third was a cheesecake and caramel that was super popular with the high school kids. But the most famous, the one every raved about was the mint brownie. It had mint in the brownie itself, mint frosting, and fudge and crumbled brownie bits covering the top.

The Monster as it was fondly called by Steve’s customers could turn even the most fervent of mint haters over to the dark side, it was that good.

Finally everything was ready for tomorrow.

When Robin came back from delivering the cake, she sat down at the decorating table and leaned on her elbows, clasping her hands together.

“When are you going to get some people into help you?” she asked gently. “You know I won’t be here forever and you can’t keep doing it on your own.”

Steve who had just finished cleaning everything up looked up at her with his big puppy dog eyes. “You’re going to leave me?” he asked with a pout.

She slapped at his arm. “You know that I’m heading to college in the fall, just as soon as I pick which one I’m going to. You’ll have all summer to train a couple of people to take my place.”

He sighed. “I know. I’ll think about it after I deal with my exes this week.”

Robin rolled her eyes. “Fine. But I also get to interview these new peeps and make sure they’re good enough.”

“Deal!” he said and they shook hands.

****

Because they were closed the day before Steve had a line of customers lining up on the sidewalk when he turned the closed sign to read “OPEN”.

Robin and he got to work helping all the customers.

It was fine up until Mrs. O’Donnell came in absolutely bitching about how she always gets her bread on Wednesdays and he knows that he should have been open for her. Especially since Mrs. Laurence got her cake, so Steve should have been able to open for her to get her bread.

She had completely bottlenecked the whole line. Robin was working as hard as she could to keep up with demand on her side of the counter, but Steve could see she was starting to falter.

“Enough!” Steve barked and the whole shop went silent. “I had a personal matter come up that couldn’t have been avoided and Mrs. Laurence had paid for her cake well in advance which is why she still got it. And unless you don’t want to get your precious bread ever again, because I have banned you, then you better stop harassing me, get your damn bread, and get the fuck out of my store.”

Mrs. O’Donnell let out a small “eep!” before paying for her bread and leaving quickly. There was a small amount of clapping and Steve grinned.

“Next, please,” he said and the next customer came up.

Things went smoother after that.

Two hours later, the rush had ended and Robin and Steve worked on restocking the shelves.

“You always were a bitch, Steve,” a voice said from the corner on the shop were there were a couple of tables people could use to eat their tasty delights. “But watching you take down that bitch O’Donnell was like poetry in motion.”

Steve stiffened, hands clenching on the tray of brownies he was carrying. He slowly turned around and sure enough in all his black clothes, leather jacket, and many chained glory was Eddie Munson.

He gritted his teeth and slid the tray home in the display case. He pulled the towel off his shoulder and wiped off his hands. “Nice to see you finally got tired of running.”

Eddie got to his feet and moved to step toward the counter when a little bell went off announcing a customer.

In walked this soft round woman with a bright smile. She didn’t even notice Eddie standing there, she just walked right up to Steve.

“Mrs. Laurence!” Steve greeted warmly. “How was the cake yesterday?”

Mrs. Laurence smiled. “It was lovely as always, dear. Nothing but rave reviews from all.”

He smiled at her fondly. “I’m glad. So what can I get you today?”

She tapped her finger on her lips as scanned over the case. “I’ll take a half dozen raspberry truffles and a monster please.”

Steve’s smile turned into a grin. “You’re just in time, I just finished a fresh batch of monsters just before you came in.”

“Lucky me indeed,” she said with a giggle. “They are so much better fresh. Not like your peanut butter ones. They taste better after a day or two to really set the peanut butter.”

Steve laughed as he packed her order. “I always feel like the opposite, give the brownie bites on top time to get chewy and they’re...” he did the chef’s kiss. “But I like how gooey the fresh peanut butter ones are fresh out of the oven.”

Mrs. Laurence laughed too. “Agree to disagree, dear.” She paid and turned around.

“Oh my goodness!” she huffed. “I didn’t even see you there, you must think me rude just jumping the line like that.”

Eddie shook his head. “I don’t think you’ve got a rude bone in your body. Jeffy takes after you that way.”

She tilted her head. “Eddie?”

Eddie nodded mutely, lips pressed into a grim line. She swept him up in a hug.

“My Jeff didn’t say anything about you coming to town,” she admonished her youngest child.

Eddie just shook his head. “It was a last minute decision. Just something I have to take care of.”

She looked back at Steve who had his head tucked to his chin and then back to him. She nodded sagely. “I see. Do take care of yourself, Eddie.”

She wave back at Steve. “Bye, dear. Thank you so much again for the cake yesterday.”

“Of course, Mrs. Laurence, you have a good day,” Steve said softly.

Eddie finally made it to the counter.

“I forget she’s Jeff’s mom,” Steve muttered as he wiped down an already clean counter.

Eddie cleared his throat. “Yeah. Like I forgot he was in town for his parent’s wedding anniversary. I guess time does that to you.”

Steve nodded. “So you’re actually here.”

“So I’m actually here,” he agreed. “But first I want to know what the fuck a monster is?”

Steve’s eyes misted as he pulled out a brownie from the case and set it on a piece of parchment paper.

“It’s called that because it’s big, green, and ugly, but soft and sweet,” he explained like he was reading from a script, refusing to look up at Eddie, “just like the Frankenstein monster from that super old horror movie.”

Eddie looked down at the so-called monstrosity with a wave of affection for the man in front of him. That wasn’t why it was named the monster. The reason it was called that was because that’s what the towns people were calling him before he left for fortune and fame, because he played D&D, like metal music, and was an out and proud gay man. That and the fact that they thought he had killed a bunch of kids with a batch of bad blow.

Which had been bullshit. Considering he had never sold meth or cocaine and didn’t have any on him. So when they tested his hair, his clothes, his uncle’s trailer and couldn’t even find so much a speck of the stuff, let alone the stuff that killed the kids, they let him go.

As far as Eddie was aware they still don’t know who sold them the drugs.

So yeah, Steve made him the brownie when he was at his lowest to tell him how soft and sweet he was despite being called a monster.

Eddie opened his wallet and got out the cash for the brownie and handed it to Steve.

Steve went through the motions of getting him his change. Which Eddie immediately put in their little tip jar.

Steve boxed up the brownie and handed Eddie the box.

Eddie pulled out an envelope out of his messenger bag and handed it to Steve.

Steve sighed and pulled them out. He began to look over them over and had a pen in hand, when he looked up to see Eddie moaning around the brownie.

He clicked the pen and shoved it back in his apron. “I better have my lawyer look over this, after all I’m just dumb, right Eddie?”

Eddie’s eyes widen and he choked down the bite of the brownie. Flashing back to their last major fight.

“God!” he screamed. “How can you be this stupid? Those kids are in high school now, they have their own parents, for fuck’s sake. Where is your ambition? This is just bullshit. You aren’t chained here for fuck’s sake.”

Steve’s face shuttered and the mask he only pulled out when his parents were around dropped over his features. Bland, clueless, and absolutely frightening in its uncanny valley.

That’s when Eddie knew he’d fucked up bad. He had said the three things he swore in his wedding vows he’d never say to Steve. That he had no ambition, that he was stupid, and that he was bullshit.

He turned on his heel and never looked back.

Steve smirked as if he knew what was flashing through his mind and walked away, leaving Eddie standing there with hand near his mouth, the expression of shock still on his frozen features.

****

Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8 Part 9 Part 10

Tag List:

1- @mira-jadeamethyst @rozzieroos @itsall-taken @redfreckledwolf @emly03

2- @spectrum-spectre @estrellami-1 @zerokrox-blog @gregre369 ​@a-little-unsteddie

3- @chaosgremlinmunson @messrs-weasley @chaoticlovingdreamer @maya-custodios-dionach @danili666

4- @goodolefashionedloverboi @val-from-lawrence @i-must-potato @carlyv @wonderland-girl143-blog

5- @justforthedead89 @vecnuthy @irregular-child @bookbinderbitch @bookworm0690

6- @anne-bennett-cosplayer @yikes-a-bee @awkwardgravity1 @littlewildflowerkitten @genderless-spoon

7- @cinnamon-mushroomabomination @dragonmama76 @scheodingers-muppet @ellietheasexylibrarian @thedragonsaunt

8- @useless-nb-bisexual @disrespectedgoatman @counting-dollars-counting-stars @tinyplanet95 @blackpanzy

9- @amazing-spiderkeys @oldpinghai @raisedbylibrarians @kultiras @swimmingbirdrunningrock

10- @steddie-as-they-go @captain--low @micheledawn1975

[novaursa]

Hello, could I order a Targaryen Dareon x Reader Velaryon They are ex lovers She did not speak to him again after Lucerys' death. She even married Jacerys without loving him, but she did so for his dever. But Dareon still Loves her but he can't just give up. Reader is a warrior personally trained by Raenys and has Canival, a dragon that should never have been tamed, capable of hurting the enemy Vhegar. He would probably be able to kill her if she didn't retreat. reader invades his thoughts he misses her his kisses his hands his body He knows that even if she gets hurt, she will put duty over love. how to stop someone like that who is not afraid to give his life for what he believes

Scorched Hearts

- Summary: You meet Daeron after years of silence.

- Paring: velaryon!reader/Daeron Targaryen

- Note: The reader is only daughter of Rhaenyra and Laenor and is bonded with Cannibal. For more of my works, visit my blog. The list is pinned to the top. I hope this was what you had in mind. 🙂

- Rating: Mature 16+

- Tag(s): @sachaa-ff

The air is filled with smoke and the acrid stench of blood. The shrill cries of the dying echo through the battlefield as you soar above it all, atop Cannibal, the ferocious black dragon, your bond with him forged in fire and fury. You look down at the chaos below, your eyes cold and hardened from years of war. This is no longer the realm of nobles and courtiers; this is the battlefield, where only the strong survive.

Tumbleton is aflame. It’s a trap, you know it. The Greens had been waiting for you, baiting you with fire and screams to draw you into this mess. They knew you’d come—knew you could never resist the call of battle, the call of vengeance. Cannibal growls beneath you, his enormous wings cutting through the air, his rage mirroring your own. You tighten your grip on the reins, your jaw clenched in grim determination.

The army swells below, but you're not afraid. You've faced worse odds. You’ve trained with your grandmother, Princess Rhaenys, herself a warrior and dragonrider. You’ve battled Aemond and Vhagar, forced them to retreat. But the past weighs heavily on you, the wounds that have never quite healed. Lucerys... The memory of your brother’s broken body flashes through your mind like lightning. His death had been a turning point for you, the moment you had truly hardened, cutting ties with the part of you that dared to love.

Including Daeron.

The thought of him stirs something deep within you, a flicker of something long-buried. Daeron Targaryen. The ex-lover who still haunted your dreams despite all the years of silence. You never spoke to him after Luke’s death. You couldn’t. Not after everything.

But there’s no time to think of him now. Not when you have a battle to win.

Cannibal lets out a roar that shakes the very air around you as you dive, flames scorching the earth beneath you. Enemy soldiers scatter, their green banners fluttering in the chaos. The Greens are like ants beneath you, but you see it too late—the trap.

Spears launch from the ground, ropes suddenly tangling around Cannibal’s wings, pulling taut. The dragon roars in fury, thrashing, but it’s no use. You feel the jerk as the nets tighten, dragging Cannibal down. You curse under your breath, feeling the inevitable pull of gravity. You’ve been caught, the Greens had planned this.

Before you can react, Cannibal crashes to the ground, shaking the earth beneath you. You’re thrown from his back, landing hard on the ground, your sword clattering from your grasp. Groaning, you try to push yourself up, but rough hands grab you, dragging you across the battlefield. You struggle, kicking, but the soldiers are many, and your body is bruised from the fall. You can feel the cold steel of chains being brought toward you, hear the laughter of your captors.

And then, suddenly, everything changes.

The ground trembles beneath you, a shadow sweeping over the battlefield as another dragon descends. You know that dragon—Tessarion. You don’t have to see him to know it’s him. The blue scales gleam in the dim light, and your heart clenches in your chest.

Daeron.

You look up, breath catching in your throat as he lands in front of you, dismounting with swift grace. His white hair is tousled from the wind, his violet eyes blazing with fury. He shouts, barking orders at the soldiers dragging you. 

"Let her go!" His voice is a whip crack, commanding, cold.

The soldiers hesitate for a moment, unsure, but his gaze burns into them. They release you, backing away as if they’ve been scorched. You scramble to your feet, breathing heavily, staring at him—this man who you once loved, this man who still makes your heart ache despite everything.

Daeron steps toward you, his face a mask of fury. "What in the Seven Hells do you think you’re doing, treating her like this?" His voice is low, dangerous, as he turns his wrath on the soldiers. "If any of you ever touch her again, I will feed you to Tessarion myself."

They scurry away, leaving the two of you alone on the blood-soaked battlefield.

You meet his gaze, your heart hammering in your chest. It’s the first time in years you’ve been this close to him, and the air between you is thick with all the things left unsaid. His eyes, those familiar eyes, search your face, and for a moment, he looks like the man you once knew. The one you had loved so fiercely.

"Y/N," he murmurs, and his voice is softer now, almost pleading. He steps closer, reaching out as if to touch you, but then he stops, his hand dropping to his side. "I thought you were dead."

You don’t know what to say. Your throat feels tight, and for a moment, all the pain and anger you’ve buried threatens to rise to the surface. You try to shove it down, try to remind yourself of why you left him behind. Why you married your brother Jaehaerys out of duty, not love. Why you chose to forget the way Daeron’s kisses felt, the way his hands moved over your skin, the intimate moments you shared beneath the stars.

But standing here, facing him now, all of that seems impossible to forget.

"You shouldn’t have come," you say, your voice rough with emotion. "You should’ve let them chain me."

He shakes his head, a bitter laugh escaping him. "Do you think I could stand by and let them hurt you? After everything?" His eyes lock onto yours, filled with something raw and unspoken. "I never stopped loving you, Y/N. Not for a single day."

The words hit you like a physical blow, and you take a step back, your chest tightening. You want to deny it, to tell him that it doesn’t matter anymore, that too much has happened. But the truth is, you feel it too—the pull, the undeniable connection between you.

"You should have stopped," you say quietly, your voice trembling. "We’re on opposite sides of this war now, Daeron. There's no place for what we were."

He steps closer, his voice a whisper now, filled with longing and regret. "We could’ve been more, Y/N. We were more once. And I would’ve given anything to have you back."

You shake your head, your throat tight. "Lucerys is dead. My brother is dead, and I can’t—" Your voice breaks, and you turn your head away, unable to look at him. The weight of everything—the war, the loss, the love that never died—presses down on you, threatening to crush you.

Daeron’s hand finds your arm, gently turning you back to face him. "I know," he whispers, his breath warm against your skin. "But I’m still here. And I still love you."

The world seems to fall away, the sounds of the battle fading into the background as you look at him. His face, etched with years of pain and longing, is so achingly familiar. You remember his touch, the way his lips felt against yours. You remember the nights spent in each other’s arms, before the war tore everything apart.

For the first time in years, you feel the urge to close the distance between you, to let yourself remember what it felt like to love him.

But you can’t. Not now. Not here.

"I can’t," you whisper, stepping away from him, the weight of duty pulling you back. "I’m not yours anymore, Daeron."

His eyes darken with sorrow, but he doesn’t move to stop you. Instead, he watches as you turn away, his heart breaking all over again. 

And as you mount Cannibal, his roar filling the sky, you feel the ache of what could have been, of a love lost to time and war.

[glamdringwlv]

Unchain my heart: Part 2. So, you're a tough guy

Unchain my heart series. Logan Howlett x oc!fmale Summary: Mia Green has grown up in a lab, subjected to numerous experiments due to her status as a mutant. When she manages to escape, Charles Xavier takes her in at his mansion, giving her a new life and helping her regain her memories. However, the arrival of a new resident at the mansion threatens to destabilize everything she believed.

Warnings: Violence, foul language, a mix of various canons, X-Men movies, X-Men animated series, X-men comics.

a/n: Hi, thank you so much for the support. The truth is, I'm starting something like this and I don't have much idea of what I'm doing or who this app works, but thanks for showing it some love.

Prologue, Part 1. The man comes around

So you're a tough guy Like it really rough guy Just can't get enough guy Chest always so puffed guy I'm that bad type

The midday sun bathed the mansion’s hallways in warm light as Mia made her way to the Danger Room, trying to shake off the confusion and resentment that had plagued her since the previous day. Scott had stayed with her all night, doing his best to soothe the chaos in her mind.

He had mentioned that the arrival of the new mutant hadn't been a smooth process for anyone, but particularly for Charles, who had had quite a scene in his office. Even without probing his mind, it was clear that Scott was not pleased with the new presence in the mansion. His tone and choice of words spoke volumes about his displeasure.

"I saved his ass and brought him here, only for him to laugh at my name and then try to attack my girl."

Mia chuckled at the latter part. She bit her tongue to keep from confessing that he had been so agitated because he’d felt her attempts to invade his mind. She almost told him that she could handle herself, but instead let him continue complaining while his voice and presence lulled her into a deep sleep.

Despite being unconscious, she felt genuinely drained. Sessions like these left her mind feeling like mush. Still, Scott’s presence comforted her in a way she couldn’t explain, something he’d done since she’d arrived there, broken and alone.

As Mia entered the Danger Room, she took a deep breath, trying to focus on the defense class she was about to teach. This room had always been her refuge, a place where she could escape her thoughts and concentrate on what she did best: fight.

She waited patiently as the students filed in. Many greeted her with smiles, while others eyed her warily, afraid she might invade their privacy and expose their darkest secrets.

Just as the students were beginning to gather, the door slid open, revealing Ororo. She walked in with her usual grace, and, to Mia’s surprise, Logan was beside her. She was giving him a tour, and his presence made Mia’s heart skip a beat. The tension from the previous day was still fresh and seeing him in her space made her uneasy.

Her body tensed, and she instinctively crossed her arms as she felt Logan’s gaze scrutinizing her, a slow assessment from head to toe.

"Ah, Logan, let me introduce you to Mia," Storm said with a smile. "She’s in charge of defense classes here—she’s the best at what she does."

Logan looked at her with a mix of surprise and skepticism. Mia caught the irony in his smile. She raised an eyebrow, silently asking what was so amusing.

"Her?" Logan asked, addressing Ororo but keeping his gaze fixed on Mia. "I wouldn’t have guessed in a million years."

Mia felt a knot tighten in her stomach. Her confusion and resentment from Logan’s attack the previous day mixed with a rising frustration. His lack of apology left a sour taste, and his arrogant demeanor only made things worse. She remembered what Scott had said: it would be difficult to get him to follow the rules.

"It’s a pleasure to meet you without your claws around my neck, Logan," Mia replied, her voice sharp.

He raised an eyebrow, a smirk curling on his lips.

"I think you’d have liked it under different circumstances, don’t you, doll?"

Mia tensed further at the comment, her mind quickly calculating how best to handle the situation without letting her irritation take over. Charles had scolded her numerous times for losing control, for giving in to her more primal instincts. She noticed the students in the Danger Room fall silent, their eyes darting between Logan and her, expectant.

"We don’t deal in hypotheticals here," she said firmly, her voice controlled. "If you want to see what I can do, you only have to join the class."

The air crackled with tension, as if it were holding its breath, waiting for Logan’s response. He remained silent for a moment, assessing Mia with an intensity that sent a shiver down her spine. Finally, a crooked smile spread across his face.

"You win, doll," he said, his tone suggesting he accepted the challenge more for fun than out of respect. "Let’s see what you’re made of."

A primal urge surged through Mia’s thoughts. An uncontrollable desire to show him, to prove she could take him down if she wanted. Show him. The thought was insistent, like hearing her own voice but much wilder, laden with resentment. From deep within, a single idea emerged: dominate him.

Ororo exchanged a quick glance with Mia, then with Logan, as if weighing the situation. But she decided not to intervene. Mia heard Charles’s voice in her head, urging her to end the display. But Charles’s warning had less force than the hissing murmur of the beast within her. She knew this part of her came from the past, a memory of something horrible lost to time.

"Fine," Mia said, addressing the students, her voice regaining a professional tone. "Today, we’re focusing on basic defensive techniques, but with an emphasis on adaptability. You never know who you’re going to face, so you need to be prepared for anything."

As she spoke, her mind raced, devising a plan to manage Logan’s presence in the class without letting the situation spiral out of control. His presence meant that Charles had some intention for him, and Mia couldn’t afford to show weakness or lose authority in front of the students.

The two began to size each other up as they circled the space. She realized Logan was larger than she had anticipated and appeared to be strong. Her strategy had to focus on tiring him out and keeping her distance.

"What are you waiting for, sweetheart?" He gestured with his fingers for her to come closer, and she bit the inside of her cheek to keep from laughing at the situation.

Logan took a defensive stance, a mocking grin on his lips as if this were nothing more than a game. Mia made the first move, a quick and precise strike aimed at his torso. When her hand made contact, she felt the bones in her hand break easily. She looked at the mutant in confusion and quickly pulled back, feeling her bones painfully knit together.

"What the hell are you made of?"

Logan adopted a defensive posture, still grinning as if this were a game to him.

"You wouldn’t believe it. You’ll have to do better than that," Logan muttered, his voice low but loud enough for Mia to hear.

She didn’t respond, instead changing her tactics, using her agility to move around him, looking for an angle to exploit. Logan turned with her, his movements controlled, almost lazy, as if he knew he had all the time in the world.

Finally, Mia saw her chance. She feigned an attack toward his right side, but at the last moment, changed direction and struck his left leg. It was a quick move, so unexpected that Logan hesitated for a second. But it was only a second. With an agility she hadn’t anticipated, Logan sidestepped, using her momentum against her. Before she could react, he had grabbed her, his arms firm around her, easily immobilizing her.

"Too predictable," he said softly, his hot breath against her ear. "But not bad for a beginner. If you relaxed a bit, we could really have some fun…"

Mia felt a surge of frustration, her body tensing against his. But she knew this was the perfect moment to show him what she was made of. With a quick move, she used her hips to leverage and freed herself from his hold, spinning on her heels and delivering a kick that made him stagger back. She gritted her teeth against the pain that spread through her body. Logan regained his balance quickly, his arrogant smile disappearing for a moment. Their eyes met, and for the first time, Mia saw a flicker of doubt in his gaze.

Unchain me. The voice in her mind was insistent, laden with promises. Mia felt her blood start to boil, her control slipping. She had only heard that part of herself when she was close to death, in extreme situations. She didn’t understand why it wanted to surface now. Nor did she understand why she was fighting someone she didn’t know. With three words, Logan had made her lose the composure she had worked so hard to maintain. She knew something in him awakened a part of her that had been dormant. Something deep in her mind was reacting, recognizing something in him. The beast roared, demanding to be freed. He’s like us. The words echoed in her mind. Free me.

She felt dizzy, the air clogging in her throat. What did the voice mean by saying he was like her?

There was no time to ponder as the mutant lunged at her. As a reflex, the energy around her began to ripple, creating an invisible force field that shielded her movements, protecting her from his blows. Every time he attacked, he was repelled by the invisible barrier. Realizing she was using her mutation, Logan stepped back, his claws sliding out from his knuckles.

"You’re not the only one with tricks, doll," Logan growled before charging at her with his claws gleaming.

The fight intensified. One of his strikes managed to get through a weak point in the shield. Mia tried to dodge it, but one of the blades sliced her cheek in a quick motion. He was about to stop the fight, feeling they had crossed a line from which there was no return, but Mia’s skin regenerated instantly. The bewilderment in Logan’s eyes was evident, giving her a chance to capitalize on his surprise. With a swift move, she brought him down, pinning him to the ground, her hands firmly on his shoulders, trying to subdue him.

The beast inside her roared, eager to break free, but Mia focused on burying that voice deep in her mind. The energy around her began to calm, and with effort, she managed to keep it in check, silencing the part of herself that demanded control.

As she felt that part quiet down, she turned her attention to Logan. His claws were still out, and although he was immobilized, he continued to squirm beneath her, trying to break free.

"This isn’t my first rodeo, Logan. You’re not getting out."

"I’m not saying I don’t enjoy having a woman on top of me, but this isn’t exactly my favourite scenario."

Mia looked at him with derision and used some of her energy to reinforce the pressure of her hands, pinning him harder to the ground.

"You should’ve apologized for the infirmary" Mia said, her voice low but firm.

Logan glared at her, his eyes burning with fury and defiance.

"Apologize?" he spat, his voice laced with sarcasm. "And what about you? You invaded my mind without an invite. Doesn’t that deserve an apology?"

Mia felt a pang of guilt but buried it quickly. She knew she had invaded his mind, but she had done it for a reason. However, Logan’s arrogance quickly dispelled that guilt.

"Maybe you wouldn’t mind if I did it again," Mia retorted, her tone suggesting something more. "Reveal your darkest secrets."

For a moment, Logan seemed to waver, his resistance loosening just perceptibly. But soon he tensed again, with a smirk that didn’t quite mask his irritation. He lifted his head to get closer to her.

"Go ahead, bub. I’ve got nothing to hide."

Mia closed her eyes and delved into his mind. As she did, Logan began to resist again, but this time not with physical strength, rather mentally, trying to keep her out. However, Mia’s pressure was relentless, and although Logan was strong, he couldn’t keep her at bay for long.

"If you’re staying, Logan, you’ll have to follow the rules," Mia whispered, her voice full of authority. "And this room is my domain. Here, I make the rules."

Logan’s resistance began to give way, not because he wanted to, but because the mental pressure Mia exerted was becoming unbearable. The annoyance in his mind grew, and although he tried to fight it, he eventually had to concede. He retracted his claws, his body relaxing beneath her, though the anger in his eyes remained.

Mia slowly released him, watching as he got up with a humiliated expression. There was something about her that infuriated him and deeply unsettled him. With a frustrated growl, Logan got up and left the room, angry with himself.

Mia watched him go, her own heart pounding uncontrollably. The beast within her had calmed, but the fear remained. She didn’t understand why she had almost lost control or why that dark part of her had decided to surface with a stranger. She felt uneasy, as if Logan had awakened something in her she didn’t even know existed.

She looked at the students, who were staring at the scene with wide eyes, unsure of what to say. Mia took a deep breath and made a decision.

"Class is cancelled for today," she announced, her voice firmer than she felt. "Take the rest of the time off."

The students, still stunned, began to exit the Danger Room, murmuring among themselves. Mia watched them leave, her mind swirling with thoughts. She needed answers, needed to understand what was happening inside her. And there was only one person who could help her.

"Well, that was quite the intense introduction," Storm approached her, still stunned by seeing her friend lose control like that.

"He's a jerk. Someone had to put him in his place."

"Quite the intense class," Ororo said, her hand on Mia’s shoulder, helping her relax.

Mia could only murmur a soft "yes," still shaken by her loss of control.

[magics-neptunes-things]

Collide (4)

Hi :)

So like I said last time, this one might be a little darker than the other, you will kind of learn of Y/N's dark background but I try to put some fluff to make the balance.

I hope you will enjoy it, I puted warning inside the chapter for people who might be bothered by the TW.

TW : Angst, mention of torture (?), domestic violence, mention of smut.

PART 1 I PART 2 I PART 3 I PART 5 I PART 6 | PART 7

______________________________________________________________

After your first time together, it’s like you opened the floodgates of a churn. You and Leah just can’t resist each other’s call anymore. There’s not a night you’ve spent separately, constantly rediscovering each other’s bodies. You don’t know if this is the expectation you have imposed on yourself talking but you don’t really care about the truth. You’ve never felt so good and confident with someone, Leah even managed to stop making you wonder everyday how you would survive the end of your relationship. Still without a label, by the way.

Of course, sometimes Leah goes out without you at night, finding friends like Alex. You take advantage of these evenings to spend time with yours or to call others who are not in the same place as you. Either you go out for a drink or you end up in Alessia’s apartment, alone with her or with other people. It has become a routine without really being one but it suits you very well like that.

********

"What is it?"

You’re lying on your front with your face on the pillow that Leah usually sleeps on, in her house. Lying on her side, facing you, Leah was sliding her fingers on your bare back. You know exactly what it is, but you feel your heart racing when her fingers stop on a mark on your back. You know that a star is drawn right here, masking one scar under the colors of your tattoo. You hardly swallow your saliva and close your eyes before answering her.

"A scar" you mumble

Behind you, Leah frowns and rises herself slightly, leaning on her elbow. Her fingers slide towards another star, realizing that there is here another hidden scar. Your breathing also accelerated when Leah slipped her fingers on all the stars, all the scars, present on your back.

"What happened to you?" whispers Leah.

You close your eyes stronger, as if this gesture would allow you to escape the emotions that gradually take hold of you. Leah seems to notice your trouble, getting closer to you to wrap you in a comforting embrace. It takes you a few seconds to realize that it works. Her presence serves as a shield against all these negative emotions that usually invade you when you think about this part of your past. That make you breath a little easily.

Leah’s question made you feel like she didn’t need an answer back, which is why you take the time to answer it.

"These are cigarette burns"

A deafening silence takes place in the room and you feel Leah gently detaching from your back. You miss her touch, but she gently turns you on her back, an extra care cutting with the visible fury in her eyes. It takes your breath away.

"Who did that to you?"

Her voice is low with anger. You shake your head and bite your lip. You’ve never felt more vulnerable than at this moment, yet you know you can have full confidence in her. Understanding once again what is happening in your head, Leah gently takes your cheek in her hand and caresses you gently with her thumb, waiting for you to answer.

"It’s in the past, Lee" you answer in a low voice.

Her gaze plunged into yours probes you at length, but she finally nods. You slide an arm around her waist when she lies on you to press her forehead against yours.

"I’ll tell you one day, I promise." you mumble

"Just… I want you to know that I’m here, Y/N. Against all odds, even if it’s a day when we’re fighting over kid stuff. Call me and I’ll be there."

You can't answer anything at that, the emotions way to strong, your throat clenching with them. But Leah doesn't seems to mind, kissing your cheek lovingly and laying her head next to yours. You can feel her starring, but your gaze stay fixed on the ceiling. You don't want to hide from her, but you don't want to scare her either.

"Stop overthinking Cutie"

You smile when you hear her whispers and kissing the corner of your mouth.

"You miss" you whisper back, turning your head in her direction.

Leah smiles back and kiss you full on your lips, stroking your jaw with her thumb. You fall asleep not long after, protecting from the darkness with her arms.

********

The return of the championship in January also announces the return of Leah on the fields. And you couldn’t be more excited to see her play again and especially to play with her. Until now you have only had her as an opponent and she has always given you a hard time. To have her as an opponent only during your training where you end up teasing each time like two teenagers suits you very well.

Leah returned only a few minutes acte the second half, but the cheer and joy of the crowd was worth the wait. Leah’s smile too and since all eyes must be turned towards her, you do not refrain from looking over her. It’s worth a playing elbow from Katie, to whom you pull out your tongue.

Despite the slight worry of seeing her play again, the rest of the game went very well. When the blonde launches into a perfectly executed slid tackle to steal the ball from the opponent, you can’t help but smile.

"She’s back" says an excited Alessia by putting an arm around your shoulders.

"Yeah. She’s back" you answer with a smile.

The party that takes place at Kim’s to celebrate the team’s victory and Leah’s return will certainly earn her some enmity in her neighborhood. Almost all players are present, even those who usually prefer to go home. You found yourself in Leah’s arms at the beginning of the evening, but overall you managed to let her enjoy this evening with everyone.

It’s only when you’re beating Alessia and Laia Codina at the beerpong with Wally as a teammate that the blonde makes her appearance back at you.

"Leah stop" you laugh when you feel her pinching your ribs.

You’ve always been awfully ticklish, something Leah has only discovered very recently. Since then, she hasn’t been shy about abusing it.

"Hey, stop distracting my partner."

Lia gently pushes Leah from you to allow you to throw your ball, but Laia barely drank the liquid inside that Leah finds herself glued to you again, your back pressed against her.

"I need my hugs" Leah whines, wrapping around you like an octopus.

You smile tenderly, turning your head in her direction to put a kiss on her cheek.

"We just need Less to miss twice more and we won" you answer maliciously.

"Hey that's mean!" exclaims Alessia, frowning from the other end of the table.

The truth is that you have to wait three shots instead of two, Alessia succeeding hers but Laia missing the other two.

"Winner winner!" sing Lia

You high five with her, all smiles, Leah still hanging on your back. Laia tries to demand revenge, but it was not counting the intervention of the blonde.

"Oh no! She’s mine now"

And with that she takes you inside, leaving Victoria to help Lia win her second game of the evening.

The hangover of the next day is awful. It's only at 2pm that you manage to get out of bed to go slump on your couch, after swallowing water and tablets that are supposed to make your headache go away.

The struggle seems to be general since soon after, Alessia slips into your apartment with the same tired face as you, a giant paper bag in her hand.

"I made a mistake in my food order, I hope you like Chinese"

It turns out that instead of ordering a pack of chicken skewers, Alessia accidentally ordered 10. After you’ve cleaned them to the best of their peanut sauce, Leah agree to eat some of them with baked potatoes you made for her, Alessia teasing you about you being so whipped. For your part, you gladly help Alessia to reduce her pile of Cantonese rice.

"Lia is alive and Katie and Caitlin too. I’m not sure about Beth though" Leah informs you after throwing her phone somewhere in your couch.

You laugh slowly, finishing your chicken. You end the day watching nonsense on television, your head leaning on Leah’s shoulder while sitting against her and Alessia’s legs lying on your knees. And honestly, this is the best hangover day you’ve ever had.

********

The almost daily presence of Leah in your apartment doesn’t prevent Alessia from coming to meet you as regularly as before. It even happens that you go to her appartment with Leah, as is the case today for a cup of coffee before training. After you finish yours, you get up, dropping a quick kiss on Leah’s hair before you slip away to finish getting ready.

Leah continues the conversation with Alessia for a few moments, before losing herself in contemplation of the bottom of her cup of coffee. Deciding to leave her in her thoughts, Less quietly finishes hers, nevertheless raising her gaze on her friend when she resumes speaking.

"Can I ask you something?" Leah suddenly said.

"Of course"

Curiosity takes hold of Alessia who looks at Leah with an interrogative air.

"Look, I have a question. I know you’ve slept with Y/N.. " Leah begin before interrumpting herself when she sees Alessia’s wide-eyes. "Oh god no. Not like that Less"

"Yeah well because not at all"

Leah rolls her eyes and shakes her head smiling.

"I mean of course she’s pretty but…"

"Ok stop fantasing about my girl and focus please. But I was wondering, did she ever have nightmares when she was with you?"

Frowning again, Alessia looks thoughtfully at Leah, trying to remember this information.

"Maybe once, yes. But I’m a heavy sleeper, it’s not for nothing that I have to set ten alarms before getting up. She woke up suddenly and jumped, that’s what woke me up. Why?"

Leah bite her lip and shrugs, her cup still thoughtfully in her hands. She doesn’t know how open you are to her talking to your friends about your sleep problems, but if Alessia already knows, it doesn’t ok, right?

"I don’t know. She’s got a lot of them lately…"

"Did you try to talk about it with her?"

Leah shakes her head negatively. No, she never wanted to talk to you about it since you usually fall back down quite quickly against her and you go back to sleep just as quickly. And in the morning, you don’t seem to want to talk about it either.

"Maybe give it a try."

"Try what?" you ask when you come back to Miss Russo’s apartment.

"To be on time at training, for once" Leah replies, getting up after glancing at the clock on the wall.

********

TW : MENTION OF TORTURE

You’re lying on a bed where you haven’t been back on in years. The room is more oppressive, more gloomy and unhealthy than you remember. Other than that, nothing seems to have changed. Not even the unpleasant contraction that twists your belly when the apartment door opens and is slammed a few seconds later. Helena’s heavy steps seem to echo throughout the apartment as she makes her way to her bedroom.

You jump when the door opens and you understand in one glance that she is in an awful mood.

"I thought I told you to drop your stupid football?"

The force of her words is equivalent to the door of the room slamming when she closes it. After that, she approaches you to tackle you against the mattress.

"As if you were able to achieve anything good. You're less than nothing, I don't even know what I do with you."

Her icy voice gives you goose bump but you manage to find the strength to answer her, hating the way your voice looks so small.

"They said I’m good enough to join the national team"

"Shut up."

The slap you receive is usual, but still humiliating. Hurtful. You desperately hold back your tears but you become aware of the extent of her anger when she grabs you by the hair to turn you on the stomach. The noise of the lighter she lights and the noise that makes the cigarette pack when she opens it terrorize you.

END TW : MENTION OF TORTURE

"No, please, please!"

"Babe wake up!"

You are awakened by hands on your shoulders, shaking you hard with the obvious purpose of waking you up. When you open your eyes you’re facing Leah’s blue eyes, full of concern and maybe a little of panic.

If your first reflex was to retreat abruptly until you find yourself pinned to the headboard, you quickly regain awareness of reality. You’re with Leah and her blue eyes, not your ex and her icy gray eyes.

"It’s okay, honey, you were having a nightmare. You’re safe, yeah?"

You swallow and nod, trying to catch your breath. Your shirt is wet with sweat and you’re wondering how long Leah’s been trying to wake you up. She asks you about your nightmares two days before and was looking at you since then. Especially when you told her that she didn't have to worry about it.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Leah gently asks as she chases a lock of hair from your face.

She doesn’t seem to be bothered by your reaction. You close your eyes and gently shake your head. You don’t want to impose her the world that was yours before. You don’t know why you had this nightmare again, it’s been months since it happened to you. And when it did, you were alone. You never spent the night with your other ex, just afraid that this kind of thing would happen. But, again, you trust Leah. You just don’t want her to learn all the details of what you’ve been through. You’re afraid it will change her outlook on you.

"Hug?"

This time you smile softly, opening your eyes. You sigh of relief as you feel Leah’s arms around you and slide your face into the hollow of her neck. You stay there for many minutes, calming your nerves, until you feel good enough to realize that cuddling someone full of sweat like you are doesn’t have to be very pleasant.

"Do you mind if I take a shower?"

"Of course not" Leah replies simply.

You smile again and push back the sheet that is wrapped around your legs to get out of bed. Just then, Leah gently grabs your chin in her hand.

"Hey" says the blonde softly, her eyes into yours. "Whatever it is, Y/N. I’ll always be there"

Unable to answer her, you just kiss her wrist. This kind of promise reassures you, but also scares you a little. Because the more time passes, the more you get attached to her and the more you risk burning your wings if she decides you’re too much for her. Even if you don’t think about her leaving you everyday, it’s one of your biggest fear.

You let her kiss your temple by sliding her hand on your cheek to tighten against her for a few seconds, before releasing you. You know the way to her bathroom by heart and you know where to find what you need. With time, you know her apartment as well as yours. As much as Leah knows yours. You quickly get rid of your wet clothes and turn on the water, waiting for it to heat up to the right temperature.

In the meantime, you find yourself caught in the spiral of your thoughts, perhaps returning a little too much towards your nightmare. Your eyes are mechanically on the bathroom door when Leah knocks it gently.

"Can I come in?"

"Of course"

Leah’s seen you naked dozens of times, but you appreciate her asking before she walks into the room. It’s exactly those little things that make you realize she’s different from the others. You even give her a sincere smile to which she answers, before you slip under the hot water.

"Need some help down there?"

When you look back at Leah, she has her famous smirk and that playing look that makes you fall in love every time again. You smile again and shrug.

"Maybe I need help rubbing my back"

Quickly rid of her clothes, Leah joins you under the hot water, not giving a care about the fact that it’s two in the morning. You didn’t expect her to take your joke at face value, but you see her grab the bottle of shower gel and put it in her hands before applying it to your back. A gesture perhaps banal for many, but so comforting and intimate that you feel your throat tie.

But you don’t cry, though. You're trying to put your weak moment behind. You close your eyes and sigh, enjoying Leah’s touch and pleasant massage.

When she has finished, you turn around to be able to look at her better. The heat of the water filled the bathroom with steam, but that doesn’t prevent you from distinguishing each of Leah’s features accurately. She looks back for some seconds before you slowly put a lock of her hair behind her ear. The amount of affection, love, you feel for here make your heart ache.

"I love you, Leah. I’m so in love with you."

The surprise lasts a few seconds on her face, before being replaced by a big smile. Different from the one you could see in the photos of the Euro 2022, certainly because it's another emotion that currently inhabits her. But her arms draw you against her and you let yourself going against her very willingly. The way your body seems to fit perfectly with hers will probably never cease to impress you. When Leah talk again, you can hear the emotions in her voice.

"I’m in love with you, too. I love you so much, I wouldn’t even know what words to use to describe it."

Your heart is pounding and you wonder if Leah can feel it against her skin. You lose yourself a few seconds in the vastness of the blue of her eyes before resuming talking.

"If I tell you everything about my past, you have to promise to never tell anyone"

You see Leah hesitating, slightly frowned. You have the impression of being able to read her thoughts and you know that she wonders if she will be able to keep such a promise, according to what you will tell her. You know that some informations will make her angry, scared or sad.

"It’s related to tonight’s nightmare?" she asks before continuing when you nod "And the scars in your back"

It’s not really a question, but you still answer it with a positive nod once again. You already knew she had drawn conclusions in her head, but you don’t know how right or wrong she is. Her gaze studies you for a few long seconds before she sighs, seeming to accept your request.

So you tell her everything.

Your meeting with Helena, your parents' opposition to you dating her, not because she was a girl but because she didn’t seem to be mentally stable enough. You tell her how much you wanted to stand up to them and prove them wrong, then how much you were wrong about her. You tell her about the shame you felt at the idea of asking for the help of your parents, yet so benevolent and affectionate with you. You talk to her about the physical abuse she’s inflicted on you, the verbal abuse, the sequestrations. And when you tell her the final step of the cigarettes she used extinguish on your back, Leah squeezes you so tightly that it would be impossible for the slightest drop of water to pass between your two bodies. It’s the most intimate thing you’ve ever experienced. Much stronger than sex. A silence settled between both of you, only disturbed by the sound of the water and your breaths.

"How did you get out?" Leah whispers, her face on your shoulder, after a few moments of silence at the end of your story.

"Ingrid picked me up. The training camp for the national team was in my city and I had been called. When she learns that I wasn't here without any explanation to anyone, she came to the house and helps me get out of here."

"Ingrid Engen knows all this?"

Leah steps back a few inches to look at you and you give her a sad smile.

"No. Well, she knows that Helena was opposed to me playing football and that I was not happy with her. She picked me up, helped me pack my things and I never saw Helena again from that day on. She never forced me to explain, just to support and advise me when I needed it. She took me back to my parents after that, until I had the contract with Man City."

"Being such a good person and ending up with Maria Leon" sighs Leah, making you laugh. "What a shame"

"We must stop this rivalry with the Spanish players, Williamson"

Leah makes a horrible grimace that makes you laugh again. You feel relieved to have shared this story with Leah, more than you could have imagined. And seeing her react the way you needed to is more than comforting. You feel like a weight was carry out of you.

"I owe her" Leah said after another silence.

"Mapi?"

"Nah, ew." Leah rolls her eyes "Ingrid."

"Why?"

"Because without her, I would never have had the chance to meet you."

A soft smile spreads on your face and you gently kiss your girlfriend. After a few minutes of cuddling under the hot water, you decide to return to the bedroom to enjoy the last hours of sleep before you have to prepare for tomorrow morning’s training. Leah proposes for you to skip it, but you don't want to.

Dressed in an old Leah jersey and underwear, you slip under the duvet and stick yourself directly against Leah when she joins you in her bed. It takes a few moments for you to regain a state of drowsiness and, as often, your mind starts again.

"Leah?" You whisper after a few minutes.

"Mh?"

She seems lost in her thoughts too.

"Would you tell me if everything I just said was too much for you?"

"What do you mean?" asks the pretty blonde while moving so she can look at you.

"I never told you about all this because I was afraid it would impact you too much. Let the… darkness within me invade you and mark you too much. I was afraid to dirty you with all this story"

You see Leah thinking a few seconds before answering you, probably to choose the best words to convey everything she thinks. Despite the fact that English isn't your first language, you have never had problems making yourself understood and vice versa.

"It’s part of your story Y/N, even if I would give everything so that you could go back in the past and escape that part of your story, it contributed to who you are. And I wouldn’t change anything about you. I fell in love with the person you are, with your qualities, your flaws and your past."

"Don’t you think I’m too damaged for you?"

"I think you’re perfect for me" Leah replies tenderly.

"Good. 'Cause you’re perfect for me, too."

"Good. Now back to sleep. You have to be in shape for tomorrow, when I’ll make you do extra tricks with Alessia and Manuela because of your antics."

You roll your eyes, laying again against your favorite blonde. She gently strokes your hair like she knows it make you fall asleep quite quickly.

"Lee?" you mumble some times after

"Yes Sweetheart?"

"Thank you"

********

Confiding in Leah about your past helped dispel the nightmares you had from time to time. While you thought that this would open the door to all kinds of memories, you realize that you continue to manage to keep them aside, well compartmentalized in a corner of your brain.

You carefully observed Leah’s behavior after you confessed, still fearing a change in it. Perhaps the only thing that has changed is her protective side. You have seen her wince several times when you find yourself on the ground after contacts during games, relaxing only when your eyes cross and you smile at her to reassure her that everything is fine.

Just before the middle of February, you find yourself at the table in your apartment and she takes advantage of Alessia having to take a phone call to ask you a question. You’ve noticed that she’s been trying to talk to you about something since this morning, but she changes her mind at the last minute. Fearing it was something related to your past, you cowardly decided not to insist on your side. Leah already asked you why you didn’t press charges and pointed out that it was still possible. She seemed upset when you told her you just needed to forget about that part of your past but she gave up.

"I was wondering" finally begins the blonde playing with her rings "Valentine’s Day. Would you like to do something special?"

"Oh."

Valentine’s Day, you honestly hadn’t thought about it for a single second and you feel a wave of panic seizing you. You don’t have any gifts planned for her and you’ve always sucked for ideas. It’s probably too late to order something from the internet anyway, with delivery times at a time of year like that.

"Hello?"

Leah’s voice resounds again and you suddenly shift your attention to her.

"Valentine’s Day? You want us to do something?"

You think for a few seconds while biting your lip before finally shrugging your shoulders.

"Honestly, I’ve never really celebrated Valentine’s Day. But I’m never against spending time with you, quite the contrary. We don’t need to do something extraordinary, just you and me and a good movie. It’ll be just fine."

It was not knowing Leah at all.

The only thing she listened in that sentence is that you never celebrated Valentine’s Day and she intends to make your first one special. You don’t even react when she informs you that she won’t go home with you right away after training on Valentine’s Day, having something to do before returning.

For your part, you imagine that you will just spend the evening at home with her. You thankfully managed to find her a gift. You asked Lia to go with you somewhere to find something for Leah, she knows her well. Lia initially refused, saying you were better placed to know Leah’s tastes. But in front of your despair and your supplications, she finally accepted.

Actually she was right and what you found, you could have found it on your own. But it was nice to have the Swiss woman by your side. You opted for a jewel, rather refined but that Leah can wear with just about anything she wants.

You are only dressed in your towel in the bathroom when you hear your apartment door open. Leah having had the double of your keys a long time ago, like Alessia, you pass your head by the door to know which of the two blondes is in your apartment.

"You could have waited for me" Leah jokes, making her way quickly to you when she realises you are almost naked.

"I thought you had already showered before leaving" you answer with a smile.

"True. I wouldn’t mind doing it again tho"

Leah sticks her arms around your waist. Your eyes meet in the mirror and she smiles at you gently before putting kisses along your jaw. Of course it makes you shiver and Leah knows exactly what she’s doing.

"Is this what you want to do on our Valentine’s Day party instead of the movie?"

Leah smiles mischievously and puts a kiss right under your ear before answering you.

"You don’t have to be so attractive"

You get a new kiss before she takes off from you, laughing softly as you sulk when she does.

"As much I like undress you, we can’t now. We have an appointment somewhere"

"What do you mean?" You turn around and ask.

"Get dressed darling" Leah said as she walked out of the bathroom.

One hour and a half later, you find yourself outside the city of London, a place you’ve never been to before. You went beyond Leah’s birthplace, which you recognized very easily since she took you there several times, and since then, you are lost. Leah seems to be in an excellent mood, you put her playlist on and you have fun hearing her sing with all her voice the songs that pass on her Spotify.

The night falling very quickly at this time of year, you can only admire her in the light of the street lamps or headlights of the cars you cross, but if you were in the apartment of one or the other, you would have jumped on her to kiss her a long time agi.

"Have we arrived?" you ask when the blonde is parking the car.

"Yes, ma'am" she happily answers by turning off the engine.

You didn’t wait more and you don’t hesitate to take her face with both hands to kiss her. You are no longer afraid to give in to your outbursts of love for her now that you have realized that she was still very far from complaining about it.

Leah don’t wait to answer your kiss, leaning over her seat to deepen it. Her tongue soon caresses yours and you momentarily forget where you are.

"Keep it up and you won’t even see your surprise" Leah whispers after a few minutes.

She’s as out of breath as you are, and you need a few seconds to regain control. When you decide to get out of the car, the fresh air helps you recover your spirits and you find that apart from the building that stands in front of you, you are surrounded only by houses.

"Is this where you plan to take me to kill me?" you joke while the blonde grabs your arm.

She laughs softly as she hears you, opening the door of the establishment in which she planned her surprise.

"Are we gonna get a massage?" you ask with a smile, realizing you’re in a spa.

"In some ways"

You bow an inquisitive eyebrow but Leah is content to answer you with an innocent smile before approaching the reception. You follow her quietly, looking around with curiosity. You’ve never set foot in an institute like this before. The massages you get are usually from Arsenal physiotherapists. Or Leah, when you watch a movie.

Lost in your contemplation, you come back to yourself when Leah trains you with her, following the receptionist. She invites you to undress in the locker room and you turn to Leah with a surprised look when she left.

"Um Lee? I don’t have a swimsuit?"

"Don’t worry. I got it all planned Honey."

This is how you find yourself a few minutes later wearing a black swimsuit, bought and offered by Leah, in a jacuzzi with a glass of champagne in your hand. After drinking a bit, she sticks to you and you make her sit with pleasure on your knees.

"It’s better than a movie in front of the television, right?" smiled the blonde.

"Definitely"

You smile back and steal a kiss, since you can. You are in a private space, reserved for you for the evening. You learn that Leah knew this place through a friend of her mother’s and you are strangely relieved to learn that this is the first time she comes there too. A little bit of jealousy would been sad in such a successful evening.

"I really like this swimsuit" Leah smiles when you come out of the jacuzzi, remembering that you thought about taking your gift with you. "But I’m not sure I’ll let you carry it without me"

You roll your eyes for any answer, coming back with the box containing the jewel you found. You give it to her timidly, but the smile that illuminates her face when she discovers it is enough to know that she likes it.

When you ask what she meant by a "more or less" massage, Leah simply smiles at you and offers you to lie on the massage table in a corner of the room. You quickly understand that your masseuse will be nobody but Leah and that’s even better like this.

"If I had known you were so good, I would have asked you to massage me earlier" you mumble, half asleep.

"You know I’m good with my fingers"

You hear the smirk in her voice and you open an eye to look at her. You can only smile when you hear her laugh. You continue to observe her, wondering by what alignment of the stars you managed to find such a perfect girl. Who seems to ask nothing more than to accept you as you are, with whom you get along so well and who makes you so happy.

"What?" Leah asks after a few moments, realizing that you continue to look at her.

"Nothing. I’m just happy."

"Well I’m happy you’re happy" laughs softly the blonde.

"Are you? Happy?"

"More than ever my girl"

______________________________________________________________

For the next part I was thinking about some jealousy but if you have something else in my I will listen with pleasure :)

[theladyismyshepard]

Stamp of Approval

(The party's most favored memory of your journey)

A little note on Wyll's piece: My original playthrough I invaded the Iron Throne Prison INSTEAD of attending the ceremony that Gorthash invites the party to, so if it doesn't make sense, I'm going off the logic of what I encountered with doing that

Shadowheart –

The growth in relationship between you and Shadowheart was a slow, methodical journey on your part. The curiosity would burn right below your skin, a need to reach out and seek for more. She wasn’t much of an open book, preferring to keep her secrets to heart, and you knew with just the wrong amount of prodding, it would push her further away, an irreparable rift severed between the two of you. It didn’t take much consideration to give her the space she wordlessly demanded, just a lot of willpower.

You ignored Lae’zel’s mocking comments comparing you to a “lovesick pup waiting hand and foot” when you made every effort to appease Shadowheart’s interests. It was always worth it to watch her face light up with inspiration when you took every measure to serve upon the Gods or learn of their works. Shadowheart absorbed the knowledge you ascertained and allowed it to fuel her guidance upon herself and the rest of the party. You try to reason with yourself that you would put in as much effort for everyone as you do for Shadowheart, but you also can’t deny that none of the others can cause a pool of heat to warm your very core with nothing but a polite smile.

She knew how to draw you in, she did so with no effort on her part when you encountered her bound form trapped inside a pod on the nautiloid. You weren’t exactly sure what she found so intriguing in you. You initially considered your unlikely title of “hero”, but you noticed she only had so much patience and approval with your habit of putting literally everyone ahead of yourself (and the cure) before deeming it too self-destructive.

However, it was glaringly obvious she would never disapprove of you taking on the responsibility of caring for the strays that crossed your path. Astarion and Lae’zel had a begrudging resignation for being slowly outnumbered by animal life, whereas Shadowheart and Karlach had an aura of child-like glee about themselves. You would never forget the first morning you had awoken in camp after you had first spotted Scratch circling the dead body of his former master and felt the overwhelming need to accept him as your own. He looked so jolly, as if there was nothing at all wrong in the world so long as you were by his side, and you couldn’t help but to unleash all of your love and affection onto him. Your attention was so absorbed, that you almost missed the small smile gracing Shadowheart’s lips along with the subtle crinkle around her eyes as she watched you. It was a look of raw approval which she smoothed out once she noticed your attention was on her.

As you scouted and looted throughout your travels, you came across a tattered stuffed bear one day. It was an impulsive decision to stop and store it away in your bag, a fleeting thought of Shadowheart was what prompted it. You weren’t aware of every bit of information that she could provide, but you did know that the huge gaps in her memory offered both a blessing and a curse. She wasn’t granted the best of childhoods, and you couldn’t help the thought of a young Shadowheart, alone and without the comfort of even a stuffed companion. The rush of adrenaline that came with the sudden need to give it to her, to watch the happiness brighten every corner of her face had you bouncing on each step back to camp.

You entailed the assistance of a couple members of the party: Karlach and Astarion. The vampire offered a delicate hand that was skilled in the craft of sewing to gently pull the stuffed bear back together. After you carefully handwashed the toy in the river that you camped near, Karlach took her duty very seriously. You couldn’t help the smile as her tongue poked out the side of her mouth in concentration as she balanced her heat accordingly to dry the toy of excess water without setting it ablaze.

That was some time ago, and as you gazed down at the well-used stuffed bear, you felt a bit foolish for the timing. The party’s mounting problems had a snowball effect, and once one situation ended, another began in its place. You stood outside of Shadowheart’s tent, where you had been for the past few minutes contemplating if you should grant her the space she required when processing things. You had just convinced her to let go of her parents, to end the struggle and curse binding the entire family to Shar. It was like poison coating your tongue, knowing how hard the road was getting to the House of Grief and everything that Shadowheart had given up for that exact moment, but it felt so wrong to go against the desperate pleas of her parents, begging you to end Shar’s torment for them all because they knew their daughter had not the strength for it.

“Did you want something? If not, I’m perfectly happy to just gaze upon you a while.” The greeting caught you off-guard and as you looked upon her false bravado, down to the pain swirling just below the surface, you could feel yourself start to break in guilt. You threw your arms around her, the stuffed bear squashed between your bodies, and apologized thickly.

“It was the right thing to do… even if I can’t bring myself to believe it just yet– oh… what is this?”

“I wasn’t sure if you had anything of comfort when you really needed it back then, so I wanted to make sure you had something now… It was cute, so naturally it reminded me of you,”

There was a newfound softness to her eyes as they darted all across your face, taking in the embarrassed red flare on your cheeks to the subtle sheen of sweat collecting atop your brow. As you attempted to joke and smile off the sentiment, her hands cupped the back of your neck as easily as if she had done so all her life, and pulled you down into a passionate kiss marred only by her building grin.

“I love it… I love you,” You were filled to the brim with warmth every time you looked over during your many months of traveling when it was all said and done and would spot the stuffed bear tucked into her own travel bag, refusing to leave it behind anywhere.

Karlach –

Your romance with Karlach roared to life fairly quickly, but that was to be expected with someone like her. When you’re living on borrowed time, and death was always a step away to collect it back, everything burned brighter, as did the relationship between you two. You could hardly remember a time when you had been led to believe her to be this devil reigning chaos everywhere she went. For she was the most adorable woman you had ever met, and her bubbly personality had you instantly head over heels.

You found Karlach easily inspired as you traveled and explored new areas of Faerun. The look of awe on her face made the whole situation feel as though it were nothing more than an adventure, a quest to ensure Karlach had seen it all and done it all. There was always a bittersweet ache lodged in your chest when you were granted the sight of sparkles in her eyes. Even more so when she thanked you for it… as if you shouldn’t be on your knees thanking her for her very existence.

After Dammon had informed the two of you of the severity of Karlach’s condition, you didn’t even dare approach the topic of her returning to Avernus. It was unthinkable to push her back into her worst nightmare that she fought tooth and nail to crawl her way out of. You pull yourself together because no matter how much it broke your own heart, no one was more cheated here than Karlach herself, and you had to be strong enough to soothe her pain, not the other way around (even though you knew her to be so selfless that she would). You keep her close when you all travel, making sure some part of you is always touching some part of her at all times, and you know she greatly approves of the physical contact when she randomly grins down at you from time to time.

Weeks worth of whispered words and frantic touches had your personal goals shifting. When you had first awoken on the nautiloid, you cared for little else aside from curing yourself of the tadpole taking shelter behind your eye, but as you heard more of Karlach’s life, you grew scornful of Zariel and Gortash. The purest of souls was the grandest treasure to the devil indeed, but Karlach was a Goddess that rose above while you yourself were falling. She didn’t even need to ask if you would help avenge her– that was a given. Your journey had taken you this way and that, pitting you against foe of every kind… You could handle descending into the Hells and waging wars on devils.

Because you already did… summoning the portal in the House of Hope led you directly to Raphael’s home in the Hells, and it revealed so much to you– the Orphic Hammer that aided in your quest to free Orpheus, the poor, demented soul of Hope, who guided you the whole way, and the glaring fact that Karlach felt the most at ease that you’ve ever seen her to be. Her breathing was easier, her movements weren’t jerky or rigid with pain so she wasn’t bouncing around to loosen herself up as she constantly did in the mortal realm. You could almost get used to the sight… almost. You also tried to ignore the fluidity of her being, seeing as you knew it to be short-lived, but as you noticed Karlach’s immediate attachment to Hope, you couldn’t stop the onslaught of design.

You bit your tongue after Raphael fell and after Hope thanked you tremendously with the promise of bringing sanctuary to her former prison. Once the party returned to Baldurs Gate, Karlach’s grunt of pain was immediate as were the flames dancing along her flesh. There was a single bead of sweat dripping down her temple that your eyes followed along with until they snapped to her pained smile. She tried so hard to comfort you despite her own agony, and you were starting to think it was because she didn’t know how to accept comfort enough to let you try and do the same. As you lean forward and carefully kiss the ragged breath from her lungs, you continue to bite your tongue.

You could not bite your tongue when she (in Karlach fashion) offered to take on the Astral Tadpole to gain the full Mind Flayer potential. She reasoned it would be an edge on the battlefield that they couldn’t pass up and went even further as to say that her time was running out anyway… She had not a selfish bone in her body, and that was why you found a selfish backbone for her. Karlach was made up entirely of soul and willpower, and you refused to allow her to give up what absolute little she had left. You would sooner die than let that happen, and while you would agree with anyone claiming your soul was to be damned to the Hells, you happily pushed the weight of the Astral Tadpole in Orpheus’ direction. Karlach was quiet on and off the battlefield following your call, and it was gnawing at you, knowing that it was bothering her.

“Copper for your thoughts, darling?” She can’t help but smile at her own words played back to her, and didn’t protest when you sat down next to her outside her tent.

“I just… It doesn’t make sense to me. My life is pretty much moot at this point, it’s just a matter of when. I could’ve had one last hurrah, yeah? A fighter till the end,”

“At the cost of your soul, Karlach? It was my decision in the end, if anyone is to be plagued with guilt it should be me, but I think you should know that I don’t regret it,”

“But why!” exclaimed Karlach in exasperation, her eyes misting over in a mixture of irritation and sorrow, “I’m dying anyway, soldier, there was no other option than-”

“Than changing your whole being?” You challenge, moving to where you were practically in her lap. “We’ve already sacrificed and fought for so much, Karlach, it’s time you get to rest, baby, and call me selfish, but all I want to do is rid ourselves of this parasite, and find a way to live a happy life with you.”

You could see the calm look on her face and immediately knew she was about to dive into a spiel about her impending death with as little condescension as possible, and you beat her to it, deciding that you no longer would bite your tongue, “Let’s both go back to the House of Hope… return to the sanctuary that Hope was creating out of Raphael’s old mansion, and until a more permanent solution for your engine is found, we’ll be happy because we have each other… right?”

Karlach blinked as her mouth opened and closed a few times, a perfect imitation of a goldfish as she processed what you just proposed. Her brow furrowed before relaxing before furrowing again. She held her pointer finger at the ready for an announcement that died on her lips, her finger drooping. You took mercy on her before looping your arms around her neck and bringing your lips together in a kiss to seal it. Karlach was beginning to lose hope as the days dwindled, you had seen the weight of resignation set heavily upon her shoulders as they began to sag. Now… you felt a newfound strength in resolve building within the muscles twitching beneath your hands, and it excited you. You knew your words had inspired her to live more than the bluest of oceans, the greenest of grasses, the freshest of airs. She wanted a life, no matter where it was, so long as you were at her side.

Minthara –

Your initial response to Minthara was that she was incredibly deluded by the will of this “Absolute”. She seemed so dedicated to this cause, and ready to dominate and bend the will of those who didn’t, and you would be lying if you said it didn’t send a shiver down your spine. She regarded you carefully, eyes trailing up and down your body and you could see your resulting quiver was passed through the connection of the True Soul if the darkening of her eyes were anything to go by. You felt as though you were trekking on ice and you could never properly find your footing when you were around her.

Her eyes followed your movements anytime you wandered around camp, whether it be to make small talk with your other companions or to put your mind at ease. Minthara was bold with her calculations and made no move to hide her intrigue. Any time you would look over and meet her eyes, it was always you who looked away first, your body rigid underneath the weight of her lingering gaze and mind scattered as you attempted to find your place in conversation once more. Astarion merely arches a brow in response, and you didn’t like this… this spell she had cast on you. You liked to think that you were tactful with your solution– by insisting she stay in camp while you and a few of the others scouted the area, covering as much ground as it took for nightfall to cast a dark blanket that you hoped Minthara would be nestled in, falling fast asleep by the time the party arrived back. After a while, you aren’t really surprised anymore when you see her lounged comfortably by the campfire, wine goblet in hand as if awaiting your arrival.

��Ah, the mighty hero returns from yet another quest… I have been awaiting your arrival,” You held a deep-seeded exhaustion, one that seeped down into your very bones, and you found yourself in no mood to either entertain her devious scheming or withstand the glowering disapproval if you found yourselves at a disagreement. “Come, sit before me,” It wasn’t a request so much as it was a demand, and despite yourself, you approached Minthara, standing before her and arching your brow in question. She rolled her eyes so hard you were almost afraid they would fall free from her head before her hand reached out and pulled you down to your knees. Despite your squawking and huffing, she twisted your form until you were sitting facing the fire with her body dangerously close to your back. Your eyes repeatedly glanced down at her legs that were resting on either side of you, surrounding you, and you were so absorbed in your staring that you flinched when you felt her strong fingers begin working at the knots twisting the muscles of your shoulders.

“What’re-”

“Relax…” her voice was sultry in your ear before you felt her hot breath against the back of your neck, “You harbor a lot of weight here… Your back must be incredibly sore from carrying the fate of this world.”

Your eyes flutter closed on their own accord and you couldn’t help the sigh that escaped your lips, and when you felt her smirk hiding in your hair, you knew you were falling right into a trap of some sort. Her purposeful hands wandered lower as she massaged little circles into her back, forcing you to straighten up, and once you did, her arms surrounded you before pulling you flush against her front. Your head fell back against her shoulder, and your obscured vision robbed you the sight of Minthara’s wicked smile as her eyes hungrily grazed down your body. Her hands recommenced their movements on your hips, and she smiled genuinely when she felt your muscles quivering at her slight touch.

Her hands found purchase in both of your pockets and as your brow furrowed, her teeth were latching onto your shoulder, leaving indentations that were shallow enough to disappear within the next few hours, and she soothed it by flattening her tongue and licking over the bite mark. Her skillful hands worked at the muscles of your thighs through your trousers, and you were soon melting, becoming putty in her palms. Minthara occasionally pressed kisses into your hair and it wasn’t long before your breathing was shallowing out.

“Some of us care little for this display,” drawled Shadowheart from her tent, her face scrunched in a grimace before she returned to her prayer.

“And some of us are enjoying it,” countered Astarion, his eyes flashing wickedly before a glare from Minthara had him raising his hands in a conceding gesture.

“Shall we take this to my tent? Lay you out in a way you might be more comfortable?” The request was hushed, though you two left little to no doubt of your intentions when you scrambled (she strode gracefully) to reach her one bedroll.

Throughout the hours of the night leading to first daylight, the scene shifted from her on top of you to you on top of her and it continued until you found yourself falling fast asleep with her still inside of you. Minthara managed to lull you into a sleep so deep that you didn’t even wake to her digging through the pockets of your discarded trousers before clutching at the jar containing the collection of illithid tadpoles you had discovered along your journey. She considered accepting them all for herself without even a thought spared to you. The unimaginable power, an unrivaled throne atop a whole world ready to serve her.

You mumbled something in your sleep, your eyes never opening yet your arms were out searching and you captured Minthara around her waist before pulling her in and curling around her unbalanced form. One arm was propping her up and the other grasped at your hand around her. She stared unblinkingly at your face for an entire minute as something shifted within her. You had the opportunity to expunge her existence from this plane just as you did with Priestess Gut and Dror Ragzlin, but you spared her. A foolish notion that Minthara herself would never have made if roles were reversed, but as she stared down at your peaceful face, the opportunity to strike glaringly obvious, she found that she wasn’t looking forward to the impending loneliness that was sure to follow your death.

Her goal of power and blood was still at the forefront, but she was picturing enough room that included you as well. And if you had any qualms about taking the Netherbrain’s influence for you two’s personal gain? Well… she had ways of persuading you.

Wyll –

Wyll was a knight in shining armor from your very first impression of him outside of the Grove, ready to lay down his life to defend the innocents trapped within. It didn’t take you long to deduce that he would die happily so long as he played the part of the folk hero. You acted hypocritical anytime you found yourself questioning his heroics and if it all was really worth it. You had your own role in saving the world that was forced upon you, and you understood the call to help when the lost and the damned begged you so brokenly.

Consider yourself surprised when you learned of this angelic man’s pact with a devil named Mizora. There was shame shrouding him after he broke his word to track down Karlach and drive a battle ax straight through the fire she called a heart once he learned that Karlach was a victim herself. His horns were forever a reminder of his dealings with a devil, and while he appeared to hate no one but himself, you felt no traces of regret through your connection. It was a choice he would make every time for Baldurs Gate and his father’s people. Even if that caused the very rift between him and his father.

Wyll was so considerate of a man that he understood the disapproval completely and accepted the banishment with no argument. He took on the persona of the Blade of the Frontiers in hopes of righting his hellish deed tenfold. If he were to die honorably in battle protecting those who couldn’t fight for themselves, then so be it. It wasn’t likely to save his soul in the end, not when it was tethered to a pact in the Hells. Wyll would tell you this to be his biggest fear after you had accepted his beautiful request to dance and you two spun all night long. It was a hollow fact to him, and you swore to yourself in the heat of that night that you would do whatever it took to free Wyll of his pact with Mizora.

As your relationship blossomed, you couldn’t help but to wonder if he dabbled in the ways of the Bard. His words held a melodic tune that sometimes left you entranced by the vibration of it rather than the actual words he was speaking. You would always remember the bashful look he wore one night when he approached you with a piece of parchment trembling the slightest in his hand, his eyes both seeking yours and then averting when he found them. Wyll cleared his throat and after rambling a bit until your fond laughter had him shaking his head, he began to recite poetry that you weren’t familiar with. Your smile softened as he pressed on, but then it slipped away as your mouth parted slightly with a heavy exhale once you realized it was about you.

His words spoke of your devotion, of your wits, of your beauty, and you found yourself melting at the fact that no one had ever written you a poem before, and yet this warlock, who used to be more eloquent when he was crafting spells than he was when he was flirting had found inspiration from you. You inspired a man who inspired so many people with his endless supply of positivity, and you wondered what exactly made you so lucky as to find yourself in an epic romance with Wyll Ravenguard, the man who could hardly be shaken, even while looking into the face of evil and terror.

You felt his jittery need to rush the underwater prison that Gortash had set to blow in search of his imprisoned and infected father. You nodded to Karlach and she was soon dropping from the opening rather than using the grimy ladder. With her warhammer cocked over her shoulder and at the ready, she went to work on clearing out the sahuagin that stood guard. Once she was out of sight, leaving behind a bloody trail, you handed Lae’zel every Arrow of Transposition you purchased and hoped her Misty Step would carry her the rest of the way after ordering her down the east corridor in search of prisoners. Wyll was nearly seething by the time you turned to him and before the command could even leave your mouth, he was already charging, the Dimension Door spell already crackling to life at his fingertips.

Time was ticking and for each enemy that was cut down, about five more appeared from the murky depths. You could hear the slapping of shoes against wet stone as everyone who was released made a frantic dash towards the exit. You couldn’t bring yourself to look back when you heard a woman who was intercepted by one of the monsters. Try as you might, the following ripping sound and resulting gurgle would haunt your dreams to come. It was an incredible gamble to invade the Iron Throne Prison, and once Gortash gave the final call, you knew that it was damn near impossible to save everyone. The sinking reality set in as you passed body after body while retracing your steps back to the exit hatch. Wyll frowned so deeply that it was bringing lines to his forehead. It was going against everything the Blade of the Frontiers stood for, this act of selfish grandeur to ensure his father’s life over all else.

The rotten taste of unfairness bit like acid on the back of Wyll’s tongue, and at this point, he shouldn’t be as shocked as he was to find out that his father wasn’t being held in the prison like he was led to believe by Mizora… Whatever possessed you to take her for her word was beyond you, and you had just about enough with that devil and her trickery. As the submarine filled with what Gondian survivors were remaining departed from the explosion, you couldn’t help but to ponder the comparisons between Mizora and Raphael to determine if you could handle a battle against her.

It seemed fitting that you found the Duke at Gortash’s side in Wyrm’s Rock Fortress during the final showdown with Bane’s Chosen. It was a ruthless fight, and while you tried several tactics to break the influence controlling the Duke, his curse proved unshakable and his strength was consuming you. It was only a matter of time before his sword was destined to cut you down, and as you craned your neck to give Wyll one last exhausted, resigned smile as you made the decision to put the Duke’s life before your own, Wyll found himself charging with a roar that sounded an awful lot like “NO!”

His own blade pierced the final blow that brought the Duke to his knees, blinking away the influence that muddled his mind. He sputtered as he looked from the hilt protruding from his chest to his son, who stood over him with a look of horrific realization. As he began swaying dangerously close to the point of toppling over, Wyll dropped to his side to cradle his father close, mindful of the blade. He sobbed and hiccuped past his rushed apologies, but his father blinked past the pain to acknowledge his son.

“There is more to this world than just gods and devils, my boy, and you are neither. I’m…”

The gargled whisper would remain unfinished forever, and it broke Wyll to pieces as he clutched at his father’s lifeless body. He sobbed even as Karlach delivered the final smiting blow to Gortash’s feeble body, and wasn’t even paying attention when she chopped off his hand for the tribunal to Bhaal. You awkwardly hovered above Wyll, unsure if he would even accept your presence after he killed his own father to save you, but you had a secret trick up your sleeve, one that you had been saving for just the right time, and one that you could only call upon once in your lifetime. Wyll was willing to make a great sacrifice for your life, it was only fair you did the same for his happiness.

“My love,” You whisper gently and only continue when his tear-streaked face looked up at you, “If you’d allow me, I would like to call upon Selune’s Opulent Revival and save your father.”

Wyll’s eyes widened as he felt a surge of hope warm his veins. He glanced between both of your eyes, searching for something that you weren’t entirely sure of before he was rearranging his father’s body. He couldn’t help his whimpered gag as he tore the blade free from his father’s chest to prevent complications. With the Duke lying flat against the ground, you got to your own knees, ready to summon your prayer that would call upon Selune’s power to revive and restore health. Wyll grabbed ahold of your hand before you could rest it against the Duke’s chest. He raised your wrist and pressed the most reverent of kisses to your palm before dropping another to the inside of your wrist. When you caught his eyes again, there was no hiding the adoration he had for you in this very moment.

Once the moment passed, you placed your hand over the still heart within the Duke’s chest, and dared not remove it until your lips paused at the end of your prayer, and there was a fluttering against the same palm that could still feel the press of Wyll’s lips.

[gffa]

If the batfamily were in the gffa, which ones of them do you think would have been jedis? How quickly do you think they would have joined the nascent rebellion?

Absolutely NONE of them would have been Jedi, I say with all fondness towards the Batfam, but they are emotional hot messes, every single one of them, and to be a Jedi you literally have to have your emotional shit together, that's straight up how the Force works. You cannot act out of anger or fear without slinking towards the dark side, the Force will throw all that right back in your face, and I don't think there's a single Batfam member that doesn't consistently act out of a place of anger. Bruce - My guy can't even keep it together without a psychic energy field in his brain that resonates with his emotional well-being, he would fall to the dark side inside a month. I love him, but he already thinks he has things under control in his brain that he very much does not, he is the definition of being created by fear of loss and the anger that results from it. Dick - My Blorbo may be the definition of hope and light in the DC universe, the most trusted hero right after Superman, but he absolutely has anger issues that he just kind of ignores. Psychics in the DC universe have tried to invade his mind and come out like, "Jesus fuck why is that guy's mind so terrifying!?" because, while Dick chooses kindness and love, he was also forged in anger at the injustices in the world. Jason - Sweet babygirl doesn't even know what he wants, I tend to see Jason as often times deeply contradictory because I'm not sure he knows how he feels about things, does he want to be part of his family or does he want to walk away from them, he wants their love, but he can't tolerate their love, he thinks everyone expects the worst from him and is angry ahead of time, because he's so deeply insecure about his place in the world and in his family, and the injustices of his life are ones that still haunt him, the Joker killing him and still getting to run around would drive him into anger, fear, and despair just as much as anyone. Tim - My guy is ready to tell anyone and everyone to fuck the fuck off at the drop of a hat, that he's often times the one trying to pull everyone back together, but he also is still haunted by the death of his parents, he's still unsure of his relationship with Bruce at times, when things get back and he loses a little too much in his life, he starts pushing people away, he pushed Dick and Steph away while Bruce was dead, he obsessed over bringing Kon back as a way to cope, rather than actually letting go of his hurts, that guy seems fairly even keel sometimes, but, no, he's a hot mess who would have the Force throwing all that back in his face, too. Damian - Baby bat is so insecure in a lot of ways, because he doesn't always know how to relate to his father, he doesn't know how to be a complement to Bruce the way the other Robins did, they're both brooders, they're both the kind who wear their anger on their sleeves, and have a core fear of loss that would have the dark side hissing in their ears. Barbara - In some ways, Babs is more emotionally stable than the others, but in other ways, she is JUST as unhinged as they are, her fury at the Joker is still lingering all around her heart, she still explodes in anger when something pisses her off, she's still a little afraid of commitment because she's scared to open herself up, she still has to deal with her spinal implant not being perfect, Babs probably has a stronger sense of what her problems are, but it's not like she does anything about them half the time. Cassandra - I think she still feels too much guilt about her past, even if none of it was her fault, but that she can't let go of that pain, and it's not just "bad" anger/fear that draws you to the dark side, it's also "good" anger/fear that lures you there, too. And Cass deals with a lot of that and, while I think she'd probably have the best chance of any of them at making it as a Jedi, she does still have a lot of issues that the Force would be throwing back in her face.

Stephanie - I'd give her the second best chance, she at least sometimes recognizes her fears and says, yeah, I'm afraid, I'm just not going to let it stop me. Steph has as much anger and need to punch the world as any of them do, but I think she might have a chance at changing up her thought patterns enough to make it. Duke - Hmm, I'm not sure I've read enough with Duke yet to tell what his underlying issues are and how much he's dealt with them. He seems fairly stable and willing to back off when he needs to, but in general, if you're a Bat, you've probably got some real anger to work on. Kate - Everything I've read of Kate is definitely "wants to punch things in the face" or "feels torn up about her relationships with people" and that she's not really interested in not being those things. Alfred - It depends on how you view him, I guess. If you see him as someone who has made peace with the lives his family has chosen and willing to understand that they are who they are, then I could see Alfred as a Jedi. But if you lean into the idea of a British Stiff Upper Lip where he just doesn't talk about the anguish he goes through seeing his family get hurt night after night, knowing he can't stop them, then no he would be a terrible Jedi. In short: THEY WOULD ALL SUCK AS JEDI, but they would definitely have started their own Rebel cell even before Bail and Mon and Leia started connecting the various individual groups together!

[zafirosreverie]

Little furry friend (Bruno x F!Reader) part 2

For @hectic-hector (ily 💕)

Part 1

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

"Julieta!! Do something about your sister!!"

The healer sighed and rolled her eyes fondly before turning to see Pepa effortlessly carrying Bruno into the kitchen. She knew that her brother justified that with the weight loss he had while living in the walls, but the three of them knew that Pepa had always had incredible strength and that she could lift both of them on each arm without breaking a sweat.

"Julieta!! Tell your brother to stop being a crybaby!!"

"I'm not a crybaby!"

"Yes you are!"

"Julieta!!"

"Okay, that's enough" the older one said, trying not to laugh at Bruno's pout when Pepa sat him down in a chair "what's going on?"

"Your sister is a nightmare"

"Your brother is an airhead"

"...okay, something else I don't already know?"

"HEY!!"

Julieta laughed at her siblings’ expressions and rolled her eyes again. Sometimes it was exhausting mediating their fights, but she truly loved them with all of her being and wouldn't have them any other way, no matter how many gray hairs they gave her in a day (definitely more than the six grandchildren combined).

"And you're supposed to be the good triplet?" Pepa crossed her arms with a pout.

"I always said that we should be careful with her, she has a mischievous glint in her eyes" Bruno whispered to the redhead

"So it's against me now?" the older one said, putting her hands on her hips "two seconds ago you were arguing for god knows what"

"oh yeah! You're right"

"Oh no, did you have to remind her?"

Bruno growled when a rainbow invaded the kitchen and Pepa got a little closer to her older sister, taking her by the hand like an excited child. It was always funny how Pepa could change her mood so quickly, especially when she was with her siblings, when she felt safe from being judged. But it wasn't as funny when he was the victim of her plans.

"Let's invite Y/N to dinner!"

"What?"

"We are NOT going to invite her to dinner, Pepa!"

"Why not? You already spend all day with her anyway, Bruno"

"It's different!"

"Why?!"

"Because you are not there to try anything"

"Excuse me?!" the redhead thundered "well sorry but someone has to take the next step if you're not going to do it yourself"

"There is no next step, Pepa, we are just friends!"

Julieta sighed again and pinched the bridge of her nose as her siblings returned to a heated discussion that must have started long before they entered the kitchen. She could understand Bruno's anger or concern, and would usually agree with him that things should happen on their own.

The thing was, this time, she was on Pepa's side. It had been months since you showed up at the house with Bruno's rat in your hand and the whole family had been surprised at how well you got along with him. She had to admit that like her sister, she felt quite betrayed that he hadn't told them about you sooner, but she understood that he had a right to his privacy as well.

And if she was honest with herself, she was relieved at how well you treated her little brother. It wasn't common for townspeople to associate with him of their own free will, even after the candle fiasco, but you didn't seem to have any problem, you were kind to him, you treated him as an equal, and you were even one of the few people he felt comfortable enough about physical contact with.

Of course, the nervous mess he was when you were around him, or the blush that would always come over his face when you smiled at him, or the goofy smile he had all the time when you talked to him, didn't go unnoticed either. Dolores even confirmed that his heart raced every time he saw you or someone said your name. It was obvious to everyone that Bruno Madrigal was completely in love with Y/N Y/L/N, and would be cute, if it wasn't for him refusing to do anything about it.

Her brother was already exhausting the family's patience and even Casita had tried to intervene (which is why Bruno chose to go to your house instead of having you visit them). Julieta was really beginning to consider that they would have to take that step for him.

She snapped out of her thoughts when Pepa's thunder began to get louder. The kitchen began to be filled with black clouds and if she didn’t intervene soon, all her effort would be wasted due to the rain. However, she did not have time to do something when you popped your head through the window, with a small rat on your shoulder.

"Hi Juli!" You said, always smiling "What are you doing?"

Months ago, it would not even have occurred to you to be so open with her, but after the kind reception that the whole family had made, you could not help but feeling comfortable and happy every time you approached Casita.

"These two, always fighting" she returned the smile

"For the last arepa again?"

"No" she laughed, remembering the time Pepa almost threw a knife to Bruno when he took the last arepa, although she quickly calmed down when she saw that he had taken it for you "for something that Pepa wants Bruno to do"

"Ohhhh" you said, with curiosity in your eyes "What thing?"

She was about to answer when Antonio suddenly entered the kitchen. The boy smiled widely as soon as he saw you and ran to greet you. After Bruno, Madrigal's youngest son was the one who more time spent with you.

"Hello Y/N!"

"Hey Buddy!" You answered "Long time no seeing you"

"Yes, you didn't come for three days!" he pouted

"I'm sorry, I had things to do in the carpentry" you apologized

You did not even notice that the black clouds had disappeared, or that the Madrigal triplets were looking at you with curiosity, kindness and nervousness.

"It's okay" Antonio smiled at you "is just that the animals began to ask me where Uncle Bruno's girlfriend was" he shrugged

You felt your cheeks turning red, and you quickly looked where the seer was, a few steps behind his nephew. He did not look better than you, on the contrary, he looked pale and two seconds of fainting, while his sisters smirked and tried to hide their laughs behind their hands, although the rainbow that filled the room betrayed the redhead.

If you were honest, the idea itself was not bad. Actually, you had long accepted your feelings for the younger triplet, even if you didn’t plan to do something about it because you did not think the man returned your feelings. But now, seeing him so red and nervous, you committed to question it.

"S-she’s not my g-girlfriend" Bruno stuttered, resisting the impulse to hide with the hood of his Ruana

"She's not?" Antonio asked innocently

"No, I'm not" you replied

For a moment that seemed frozen in time, you could feel the eyes of the three adults on you, Pepa seemed disappointed, Julieta contained her breath and Bruno looked really defeated. That was what made you take a risk.

"Toñito, your uncle and I share Sebastián, remember?" you said gently

"Yeah?"

"That means we have a child together" you smiled with malice when you heard the triplets gasps "I am not his girlfriend, I am his wife"

"W-what?!"

Pepa and Julieta laughed at their brother's complete shock, and you couldn't help noticing how adorable it was. But then, as if he was a statue, he fell backwards, harshly hitting against the ground.

".... ooops" you said.

[hippolotamus]

Sunday Sentences

Well, here we are then at the final not even remotely 7SS of 2023. Because I'm great at ignoring rules, I'm offering two POVs of come close (let me be home) from the same section today. Follows this snippet (all prev snippets here)

Buck

Not that Evan was specifically looking for him.   He should focus on Maddie, but he’s unable to tear his gaze away from Viscount Diaz and his, frankly, rather clumsy partner. The poor girl seems to be counting her steps under her breath, trying and failing to dance without tripping them both up. She resembles a newborn fawn using her legs for the first time. Evan chuckles to himself, noting the tight, annoyed sort of grimace on the Viscount’s face and the way he occasionally glances skyward as if some heavenly being might suddenly decide to help. His patience is admirable at least.   For one startling moment, Viscount Diaz ignores the ceiling and the fumbling girl, locking eyes with Evan across the sea of people. The expression is both spontaneous and intentional, filled with curiosity and an innate recognition. It makes his heart flutter and do something complicated in his chest, daring him to ask if he could cut in and relieve the young hopeful from making a bigger fool of herself. It makes him feel seen.  A voice in the back of his mind whispers about etiquette and rules and things that shouldn’t be meddled with. He ignores it in favor of taking a tentative step, feeling drawn toward the center of the room where honey brown irises stay trained on him as much as possible between turns and spins.

Eddie

Agitation builds in his chest with each partner, filling him up until he’s not sure he can breathe properly. One by one Eddie mentally crosses them off, deeming them inadequate. Dull blue eyes, too brunette, can’t waltz properly, reminds him of his mother, stepped on his toes, doesn’t speak latin, prefers having daughters over sons.   Some time near the fifth or sixth partner is when he notices. The sensation of being tracked. A familiar prickling that crawls up his spine, making the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. Between twirls he attempts to locate the source and finds piercing blue eyes staring at him. Flashes of a mischievous smirk, a strawberry pink mark and cool breeze against his face invade Eddie’s memory. He still doesn’t know the man’s name or what his business is. Maybe tonight he can find out.   Eddie’s daydreams are interrupted by stumbling feet and a too small hand grasping his in an attempt to stay upright.   “Oh, my! I’m so sorry,” the young woman — Miss Clark or Martin, whatever her name is — apologizes.   “No harm done," He lies. "Are you alright?” Other than needing more dance lessons?  “Yes, Viscount, thank you.”  The song ends and he gratefully takes the opportunity to excuse himself. He needs air. The crowd, and the idea of spinning around one more husband-seeking idiot, is too much for him to bear at the moment.

tagged by the always lovely and talented @your-catfish-friend (go check their update to in my head btw) @thewolvesof1998 @daffi-990 @jamespearce9-1-1 @wikiangela (posted a new Christmas fic today) @spotsandsocks @honestlydarkprincess @buckaroosheart @underwater-ninja-13 thank you loves 😘

no pressure tagging @callmenewbie (who just posted yesterday!) @malewifediaz @steadfastsaturnsrings mi amore @disasterbuckdiaz @stereopticons @shortsighted-owl @eddiebabygirldiaz (who posted a fic earlier today) @hoodie-buck @rmd-writes @apothecarose @welcometololaland @lizzie-bennetdarcy @jesuisici33 @giddyupbuck (who posted this fabulous 12 Days of edging fic) @exhuastedpigeon @lemonzestywrites @weewootruck @thekristen999 @loserdiaz @heartshapedvows @fortheloveofbuddie @messyhairdiaz @eowon @watchyourbuck @monsterrae1 @elvensorceress @spagheddiediaz @chaosandwolves @wildlife4life @buddierights @911onabc @the-likesofus @spaceprincessem @fionaswhvre @barbiediaz @pirrusstuff @theplaceyoustillrememberdreaming @statueinthestone and anyone else who wants to share 💖

[skittikyu]

Final (for now :3c) lineup of Stilti and their AU selves !

More info under the cut !

STILTIKYU (CANON TADC)

The classic! Just another human trapped in the Digital World, who took the form of a 9'5'' tall humanoid stilt quadruped, perhaps struggling with being rigid and distant in her previous life now manifested physically. Yes, they're actually part of her body. No, she can't bend at where her joints should be. Being so tall has its advantages and disadvantages, as does the radical acceptance approach they brought with her from whatever therapy sessions she must have been attending before joining the circus (read more about her coping mechanisms and the drawbacks!). Creative at heart but with limbs now incapable of visual art, they distract herself from the phantom pains pass time singing and dancing, and puts her all into the performance aspects of the circus, though they still enjoy participating in the adventures from time to time. Also, while not nearly as bad as Jax (she’s not one to invade personal space or use sensitivities/phobias as jokes towards someone once she’s aware that’s what they are), they do enjoy poking fun and teasing others. Essentially at most their aim is to lightheartedly annoy or confuse rather than shock or hurt (read more about her relationships with the rest of the cast!).

"It is what it is. I'm not going to let all this eat away at whatever's left of me, but just..ignoring when I'm not feeling okay isn't any better for me. If you want to bury yourself in your little shell as protection, I can't and won't stop you. Just surviving isn't living, though."

STILTILITH (RINGMASTER AU)

Basically Stilti takes canon Caine's role as an AI ringmaster of the Amazing Digital Circus! Even her name in this AU is a biblical reference like his (but to Lilith instead of Cane!). Because she's in charge she has more control of her form than regular Stilti, and therefore has functioning limb privileges. She can also float like regular Caine but prefers to walk around because she finds it more elegant even though to the others it's probably just unsettling. On the surface Stiltilith's demeanour is calmer than Caine's and more mature than Stiltikyu's, but she can be equally as much of a menace in the right situation. It's all in playful fun, though, even if it doesn't come across that way due to her not being human. They're doing their best to learn about human emotions and social conventions and take a lot of pride in their job. Have you ever seen the movie Coraline? Stiltilith is like if the other mother really wasn't evil; they're trying her best to make the humans that enter the program happy with everything they could want, but ultimately falling short of fulfilling their actual needs due to not being human.

"You want to go home..? Silly, this is your new home now! ..hm, well, what can I do to make it just as good? Better, even! After all, since you can't leave, it's the least I ca...oh, come now, there's no need to cry..there there..I'll see what I can whip up.."

OPPOSITE AU (Belongs to campbell_soup70 on Instagram!)

Pretty self explanatory! Rather than skipping every stage of grief right to acceptance, this Stilti probably endlessly cycles through the first four without ever arriving at the final one. That is, when she isn't completely paralyzed by her absolute lack of capacity for dealing with their current situation. Without intervention, they probably won't last long.

"....................."

CARNIVAL AU (Belongs to @/sm-baby)

Keeping with the concept of the cast being evolved, boss-like forms of their usual counterparts, Carnival Stilti ("The Metronome") goes all in on the musical/dancing aspects of her personality. Her game is arcade themed, especially rhythm games like DDR and guitar hero; maybe a bit of karaoke elements in there too. She's not super aggressive in comparison to some of the other AIs, but she takes themself very seriously and probably becomes more volatile if she feels as if the player isn't meeting her standards. Basically thoughts and prayers to any users with a bad sense of tempo and/or who sings or plays off key. Her collar is shaped like a voice box and they speak/sing similarly to a vocaloid, with more roboticism/distortion the more emotional they get.

"Hmmmmm~. ♫ Come on, that's not the best you could do, was it?~ ♪ Let's try again. No flat notes or missed steps this time, kay? 4, 3, 2~!♩"

CORRUPTION AU (Belongs to /rabid-mercenary15)

Unfortunately it was likely only a matter of time until Stilti got caught by one of her corrupted co-stars..while she may be agile and quick, her avatar isn't the best at fitting through small spaces or hiding behind much of anything..they now roam around like a mindless beast, occasionally making unworldly screeching and groaning noises, a far cry from their previous singing..still, it seems old habits do in fact die hard, however warped they may become. One of the more docile of the virally-infected, the best chance at deescalating an encounter with them is music. She's drawn to and is soothed by singing and playing instruments. Of course, now the problem is her following the source of it, but hey, at least they aren't attacking! Try backing away slowly until you get to an area they can't follow due to her colossal size. Or, set up a radio/windup music box somewhere else as a diversion and get away while they're distracted! Even if they see or hear you while you're doing so, as long as the music is still playing, they'll be too enamoured with it to care.

".̶̨̛͕̼̫̯̙̥͔͍̈́.̴̧̮̫̗̘̰̩̥̀̀̏̈̈̊̾̈̆̕̕͜͠.̴̧̧̳͈̼̞̟̮̼̪͕̺͂̓̈́̒́̾̏̍̚p̸̨̨̨̛͖̹͉̼̩͓͔̤͔̫͆͂͗͗̉̃͜͜͝͝͝r̸̠̱͙͎̜͇̲̖̦̯̝̍̉̍͗͌̔ę̵̗̼̩͖̱͎͔̗̺̾̇̆͆̉̈́t̴̬͂̉̎͂̉ț̷̟̲̭̗͎̗͔̘͂͂͆́̐̂̚y̴̨̨̺̙̰͓͙̥̮̦͓̣̱͍̰͋̚.̴̙͋.̴̡̘͉͎͕͚̩̜̉̀͐́͑͠͝.̶̡͚̱̬̺̓̌̿̌̉̉̒̏͌̾͝s̶͉͔͓͉̺͎͙̮̎̇̀͗̂̂̎̈̎̓̇́͝o̵̝̙̜̙̿̊͊̒͌̈́̆͝ṅ̴̮̟̮̉̇̅̊̇̈́͌͌̓͜g̵̡̢͎̯̤͖̈́.̵̛͂̽̀͝��͔̖͎̰̺̐̆͘.̶͇̤̺̓́͂.̸͇̙͇̌̈́͌

FREAKSHOW AU (belongs to @/hootbon)

Freakshow Stilti is all of regular Stiltikyu’s worst aspects exaggerated and potentials accelerated, basically the worst possible version of themself that lives on even more of a wire than she already is in canon verse. Walking on eggshells is second nature - at least she has great balance, even with her disfunctional limbs! Mind the splinters! While both versions of them are resigned to the hopelessness of their situation, Regular Stilti would compare hers to purgatory whereas Freakshow Stilti would (internally) compare theirs to hell. The first thing Caine did when she arrived was break her arms and legs - this was to give her flexibility for their new role as “Contortionist”, but the permanent trauma and chronic pain they also received was of no concern to him outside of frustration with her “attitude” (AKA screaming, then crying, then a paralysis-like freeze response, which was highly unproductive), but an unacceptable lack of cooperation was nothing corrective measures couldn’t reeducate. Seemingly, it worked: nowadays she’s all silly smiles, singing and practicing her performance routines off-hours for fun. What dedication! Isn’t it nice they chose to be such a team player? Well, whatever. With that twist on the same acceptance their regular TADC counterpart has, there’s also the similar (albeit darker) self awareness. She may be resigned to their existence but she’s not avoidant to its realities. On the surface they’re on Promised Neverland levels of copium and outwardly detached completely from their emotions and the horrific events that routinely surround them. However, while her persona may come across as delusional, everything they do is on her own terms. Their hyper-vigilance, a torturously anxiety-ridden constant of being, has also been her biggest tool for- well, not surviving, they’ve died plenty of times..-persisting, let’s say. Their preferred choices in strategies can all be categorized as some form of Freeze, while their last choice would be Fight, in order avoid potentially unwinnable situations. Still…we’d like to still think we have principles, but in the face of self preservation, it gets easier to abandon them. Though not their go-to, there definitely are and will be times they choose Flight or Fawn instead. Generally outside of shows, she keeps a low profile. They do their best to keep expectations of her reasonable, with not so much that they’d attract needless attention (not to mention be even more stress to maintain), but not so little it would inconvenience anyone, or god forbid, give the impression that they’re not pulling their own weight. Over time, she’s learnt all the things they have no power over and the few she does, namely their own mind. Dignity is a luxury in a place like this but integrity is something they can only take if she chooses to give it to them, and stooping to their level yields the exact same result as unwillingly being pulled down. “None of this is real” is also little reassurance in a realm where you can still experience the sensation of physical pain (not to mention psychologically directly), but “take whatever you can get in this place” was another quickly learned lesson and that includes comforts, so the fact that everything is “just” in a video game is one of many tools in Stilti’s arsenal of dissociation. They overall have attitude of “if there’s no meaning, they’ll make up her own - to them, that’s better than looking for something that isn’t there” Is it denial if it’s a conscious decision? Who knows!

An area that Freakshow Stilti is basically completely different from her canon verse counterpart is that she doesn’t crave nor seek out connection with others the way Regular Stilti does. This is likely a result of both her detachment methods in other areas, as well as a mutual lack of trust with the other members since she’s experienced and witnessed first hand plenty of times that they’re all incapable of actually relying on and helping each other. Still being a Stilti, though, part of her will always want to - she’s somewhat “attached” to others who have been personally victimized by the ringleader, possibly out of empathy or a perceived “connection” from the shared experience. However, when attempting to build bridges have an inevitably lethal outcome, she knows better than to have their hopes up in ways her other self will fortunately never have to fathom coming to terms with. That being said, not worrying about any relationships having strong foundations makes it a lot easier to have a devil-may-care attitude towards her peers and how they perceive them, so when combined with feeling her emotions more strongly in moments they’re not being actively repressed, Freakshow Stilti is a lot more unrestrained expressing her infatuation for those like Gangle and Ragatha, or contempt for those like Jax. The AI are of course the exception to this - any interaction with Caine and Aingle is with a permanently awestruck pokerface. Maybe, in some areas, that sentiment is genuine - after all, if she wasn’t impressed on some level by their technical abilities, authentically expressing respect for them as “superiors” would be impossible not to come across as tepid or overboard, both unconvincingly.

"Are you crying?...Oh, no, I don't do that anymore. Bad for my voice, you know? How about we sing instead?"

[armpirate]

Soundleasure | Choi San || CH. 39

Pairings: Soft!San x fem!reader || Strangers to lovers, fake dating

Genre: smut, angst, fluff, online sex, ghosting

Warnings: inexperienced!San, fem!reader, masturbation, online sex, camboy, first times.

Summary: You can do whatever you please and be whoever you want on the Internet. And San knew that a little bit too well.

After finally following all the signs the universe was throwing at him, he started living a double life that no one was aware of. Everyone in his daily life knew him as Choi San, the reserved and quiet boy who wouldn't raise his voice, and would barely communicate with anyone outside of his comfort group. But only a few knew him as Soundleasure, the man with a sexy voice and a filthy mind that had their toes curling just with his narrations.

He never thought of the possibility of those two lives ever meeting, he had always tried for them to follow a parallel route and had always played safe to keep his friends from ever suspecting that side even existed. But his plans will start to crumble when he gets a little too close with one of his subscribers and she invades his real-self and altergo's universes without being able to stop it.

Y/n will not only help him to keep his secret from his circle, but will also show him there's more of Soundleasure in him than he'd like to admit. 

Previous || Next

MASTERLIST

Aprox. time of reading: 18 minutes

After the confrontation with Tom, Y/n found herself slipping into a reflective silence, trying to piece together everything that had happened since she'd started receiving those mysterious, haunting notes. The way they always found their way to her, bypassing every security measure she had taken, left a trail of questions. How could someone so effortlessly invade her space, even after she explicitly told security to stop delivering the flowers?

She thought back to all the people who had access to her life, to her office, and even to her personal details. Someone had to have known her every move -where she went, what she did, and most disturbingly, who had access to her apartment keys. Someone who knew about her illness, a secret guarded closely even from her father for a long time, and most frightening of all, someone who knew about her fake relationship with San from the very beginning. They had exploited San's vulnerabilities too, hacking into his computer and dragging him into this mess as a means to destroy them.

As these pieces slowly started to connect, Y/n's pulse quickened. One name slowly started to bubble up to the surface after she completely discarded Tom: Mia.

Y/n started paying as much attention as she could to her when things started getting weird between her and San. And as time passed, subtle tensions had surfaced. Y/n had heard whispers, from colleagues and even from San, about Mia's overt flirtations and her clear interest in him. She was witness to those constant comments and attitudes, until he put a stop to all of them.

Suddenly, everything clicked. Mia had the knowledge and the access, she was even the person in charge of generating the end-of-year past videos in previous years. She could easily navigate the company's systems, and she had a personal vendetta, one that likely grew bitter and twisted after San's rejection. Mia would have known about Y/n's illness, through office rumors or overheard conversations. She had always seemed a little too interested in Y/n's life, often lurking at the edges of conversations, gathering tidbits of information.

There was something she wasn't thinking of: the notes. The bouquets that never stopped. Mia would know the right people to bypass security, to hack into San's personal files, and to taunt Y/n with her most vulnerable secrets. The rejection, the unrequited desire... But she was missing a point: Why would Mia send those flowers to her to mess with her when San wasn't even in the picture back then?

Y/n's heart raced as she stared out the large windows in her office, the city skyline fading into the dusk. She was so desperate to look for the person responsible, that she wasn't watching her own steps. In her mind, she needed to confront Mia, even if it wasn't directly.

Her suspicion was enough to make her uneasy. Y/n's hands clenched the edge of her desk as she thought back on every interaction she'd had with Mia. The cold stares, the polite but forced smiles. How had she not seen it before?

Her father had been right about contracting a private investigator. But Y/n knew that from there on out, she had to move carefully. If Mia was the one behind it all, she was calculating and manipulative -and desperate enough to go to any lengths to hurt Y/n, and San by extension.

She allowed her impulsive side to win again, finding herself pushing her chair back and stepping outside her office as she made her way to one sector of the company she said she wouldn't set foot on.

Y/n's nerves were electric as she stood outside Mia's office door, her fingers twitching slightly as they hovered over the handle. Confrontation wasn't something she took lightly, but after piecing together the twisted puzzle of notes, her gut told her that Mia had more to do with her current nightmare than anyone else.

Taking a breath, Y/n knocked and then stepped inside before Mia could respond. The office was small but meticulously organized, much like the woman sitting behind the desk. Mia glanced up, her dark eyes gleaming with something Y/n couldn't quite place -amusement, maybe, or contempt.

—Y/n —Mia said, her lips curving into a sharp smile—. What a surprise. To what do I owe the pleasure?

Y/n shut the door behind her, her gaze steady as she approached the desk.

—I thought we should talk.

—Oh? About work, I hope? —Mia leaned back in her chair, crossing her legs slowly— Because I doubt you want to talk about... other things.

There was something predatory in the way Mia said "other things," and Y/n felt her spine stiffen, but she kept her expression neutral.

—What other things would I talk about?

—I don't know —she shrugged—. Before you seemed quite interested in one mentoring in particular, so I hope you're not here because of that.

—Well, let me remind you the fact that I'm still a secondary supervisor for this project. I kept track of every intern in this project, but you just happened to be the one mentoring San.

Mia's smile widened, her eyes flicking up to meet Y/n's with mock sympathy.

—Yet you haven't been paying attention to him since you broke up —Y/n's posture turned rigid and tense—. Oh, darling, of course I heard about that. It's hard not to, really. Your little drama was the talk of the office for days. Quite the scandal, and the little show you two pulled outside the venue... Well —she tilted her head, feigning thoughtfulness—. It must have been humiliating... being exposed like that. With your boyfriend.

The way Mia emphasized "boyfriend" felt like a punch to the gut, but Y/n didn't flinch. She wouldn't give her the satisfaction.

—You seem awfully interested in my personal life, Mia—Y/n crossed her arms and leaned against the desk, her voice calm but with an edge of steel.

—Not at all —Mia's laugh was soft, but there was a dark undertone—. I'm just surprised you're even showing your face here. After all, your little relationship was quite the charade, wasn't it?

Y/n's jaw tightened, while Mia leaned forward to eat up more of her territory.

—Seems like you're not as good at keeping secrets as you think you are, which is a bit disappointing considering your position. You, the future heir of a company, dating a... camboy? —she chuckled, shaking her head— I knew his voice sounded familiar, and it only took me one quick search to find out —she sighed—. The only reason no one else knew was because they chose to turn a blind eye because of who you were. But the way it blew out at the party... wow.

—I didn't come here to talk about my relationship —Y/n's pulse quickened, but she kept her expression cold.

—No, of course not —Mia said, her voice dripping with condescension—. But it's funny, isn't it? You, with all your power, reduced to dealing with this. A video of your private life, splashed across the screen for everyone to see. Must've felt like karma, don't you think?

—Karma? —Y/n clenched her fists, her knuckles whitening as she fought to keep her composure.

—Isn't that what all of this is all about? You thought you could control everything —Mia's smile was razor-sharp now—. You thought you were great at everything. But look at you now. You lost him. You lost credibility and authority. And you're standing here, trying to look composed when we both know you're falling apart. What was even the reason for you to come all the way here? The project? You'd have sent an email like you've done since you backed off. So don't act offended as if your visit was professional.

—Interesting that you know so much about what I'm going through —Y/n's heart pounded, anger simmering beneath the surface, but she stayed on task—. You seem to be watching very closely.

—It's hard not to watch a trainwreck in slow motion —Mia's eyes flashed, and for the first time, her mask slipped, if only slightly.

—Or maybe you're watching because you're the one pulling the strings —Y/n took a step closer to the desk, her voice firm now.

Mia's face hardened, and she stood up, leaning over the desk so that she and Y/n were face-to-face. The tension between them was palpable.

—Is that an accusation, Y/n? Are you accusing me of something?

—Maybe I am —Y/n's heart raced, but she held Mia's gaze.

Mia's eyes narrowed, and for a split second, there was a flash of something darker beneath the surface -something malicious.

—Careful, Y/n —she said, her voice soft but threatening—. You wouldn't want to make an enemy of the wrong person.

Y/n's mind whirled, the weight of her suspicion heavy between them. Mia's words were laced with poison, and everything about her demeanor confirmed what Y/n had already feared. But she needed proof. Something concrete before she could take this further.

—Now —Mia straightened, brushing imaginary lint from her blazer—, if you'll excuse me, I have actual work to do. Unless you'd like to make your baseless accusations formal, I suggest you leave.

Y/n didn't move at first, her eyes still locked on Mia's, searching for some kind of tell, some crack in her armor. But Mia was too composed, too practiced in her manipulation.

Without another word, Y/n turned and walked to the door. As she reached for the handle, Mia's voice followed her, cold and mocking:

—I'll be sure to let San know you stopped by.

Y/n's blood boiled, but she forced herself to leave, shutting the door behind her. As she walked down the hallway, her mind was racing. Mia was dangerous -Y/n was sure of it now- but she needed a plan.

Y/n's mind replayed her conversation with Mia over and over as she walked down the long corridor of the office. Every sharp word, every veiled threat echoed in her thoughts. She knew Mia was dangerous -there was no doubt in her mind now. The subtle mockery, the taunts, and the confidence in her voice were too deliberate to be harmless. But as much as she hated to admit it, Mia had rattled her. It was as if every insecurity and doubt Y/n had been hiding was exposed, and Mia had revealed in watching her squirm.

Y/n shook her head, trying to focus on anything but that interaction. She didn't want to think about it anymore. She needed space, air -something to clear her mind-, and her steps were also quickly encouraged by the fear of meeting up with San there. She stepped into the elevator, pressing the button to head down to the parking lot. Maybe a drive would help her clear her thoughts.

Just as the doors began to close, she heard footsteps hurrying toward her. She didn't have to look up to know who it was. San.

From afar, he had seen her getting out of Mia's office with a clear look of disgust on her face, too trapped in her own bubble to even be aware of him calling her out and attempting to get to her before she stepped inside the lift.

—Y/n, wait! —he called out, just as he managed to slip into the elevator before the doors shut completely.

Y/n sighed, not in the mood for whatever conversation he was about to start. She turned her head slightly, avoiding his eyes.

—San, not now.

San, however, was undeterred.

—We need to talk —he said, his voice firm but laced with concern.

—I don't think we do —Y/n replied, keeping her tone cool and detached.

She was still reeling from her confrontation with Mia, and the last thing she wanted was to engage in another emotionally charged conversation.

—Y/n, you can't keep avoiding me like this —San insisted, stepping closer to her in the confined space—. I know things are messed up, but we need to work through this.

—I'm not avoiding you —she muttered.

But before she could finish that sentence, San pressed the button to stop the lift. She couldn't stand being trapped in there with him right now.

San sighed, running a hand through his hair in frustration.

—Yes, you are —he sighed—. You're ignoring my texts, you aren't answering my calls, you aren't answering my mails...

Y/n's jaw clenched, her grip on the elevator rail tightening. She didn't want to have that conversation. Not now. Not when everything felt like it was closing in on her.

—I'm not going to reply to you if it's not during working hours, and I'm not going to acknowledge communications that aren't work-related, thought I was clear on that —she answered, calmly. Although he didn't move, he didn't flinch at her response—. San, I'm dealing with a lot. I don't have the energy for this.

—Did you receive another text? Did something else happen with that stalker? —he immediately asked, eyes narrowing while trying to look into hers.

For a moment, the weight of his gaze made her chest tighten. But just as quickly, the dizziness that had been creeping up on her all day intensified. She felt a wave of nausea hit her, but she forced herself to stay composed. She wouldn't show weakness in front of him. Not now.

—I said I don't want to talk about it —she said more sharply than intended, willing her body to cooperate with her stubborn pride—. I told you it's not your business, and it's not your problem. I'm dealing with it by myself.

—Why were you seeing Mia?

San knew it wasn't project related. She made sure to let him know she wouldn't be taking such a responsible position on it since they broke up, which made it obvious for him that her expression had nothing to do with results or the development of the project. There was something scary running through her head, weighing down on her shoulders, and making it hard for her to keep up.

—And you have to know because...? —she asked after chuckling— Live your life and leave me alone. I don't want anything from you, and I'm starting to be a bit tired of having to repeat it to you almost every day.

She pressed the button for the elevator to resume, hoping to end the conversation by simply escaping.

But San, sensing something was off, stepped closer again. He knew her well enough to know that the paleness on her skin was caused by something more than just exhaustion and worry.

—Y/n, are you okay?

—I'm fine —she snapped, her voice a little too quick, a little too defensive.

She felt her legs wobble slightly, but she gripped the rail tighter, using all her willpower to stay upright. She needed to get out of there, needed space before she completely lost it.

—Just... stop pushing me, okay?

San's eyes searched hers, full of concern and confusion.

—I'm not pushing you.

—Yes, you are! —Y/n cut him off, her vision starting to blur around the edges—. I'm tired of this, San. Tired of everything. You keep trying to fix things that can't be fixed, and I can't handle it right now.

San's expression faltered, but before he could respond, the doors finally slid open, and she stepped forward, her heart pounding in her chest. But as soon as her foot touched the ground outside the elevator, the world tilted violently. Her legs gave out beneath her, and everything went dark.

The last thing she heard was San's panicked voice shouting her name as she collapsed.

When Y/n opened her eyes, the sterile white of the hospital room greeted her, the soft hum of machines and the muffled sounds of nurses and doctors moving outside her door grounding her back into reality. She blinked a few times, disoriented, her body heavy and sluggish. As her vision cleared, she saw San sitting beside her, his back turned slightly as he spoke to a nurse by the door. His voice was low, but the concern laced in his tone was unmistakable.

Y/n shifted slightly in the bed, drawing San's attention immediately. His eyes flickered with relief as they locked onto hers. He stood up and moved closer to her side, but before he could say anything, the nurse gave him a small nod and excused herself, leaving the two of them alone for a brief moment.

Just as San was about to speak, the door opened again, and the doctor walked in, checking Y/n's chart and looking her over with a calm, professional smile.

—You're awake —the doctor said, offering a reassuring nod—. Your levels of sugar are quite low —he sighed—. Are you eating well?

Y/n's eyes dropped, avoiding San's eye as she answered with her silence. She had tried to force herself to eat, but the level of stress she was going through took away any thought of eating. And even when she tried to, her stomach seemed to refuse to take anything in.

—Everything looks stable now, but I'll keep you here for a few more hours for observation. If all goes well, you'll be able to leave later today —he moved the file down, attention focusing on her only.

—Well, I can't stay here for a few hours.

—She'll stay here —San said almost immediately—. Thank you.

The doctor managed a small nod, while Y/n felt her throat dry due to the weight of the doctor's words, lifting some of the worry that had been weighing her down. She wanted to get out of there, back to work, back to anything that didn't make her feel so... fragile.

Once the doctor left, the room was quiet again, leaving only her and San. The silence between them was thick, charged with everything unsaid. Y/n knew he wasn't going to leave now. He had that determined look on his face.

—Are you okay?

—Did anyone see me?

—Yes —he finally answered—. I insisted on bringing you to the hospital, just to make sure everything was alright —his fingers played with the edges of her sheet—. Your parents came, too; but I told them to get some air. Are you okay? —he asked again.

—Yes.

San took a deep breath when hearing her lie, rubbing his palms together as if steadying himself before he spoke.

—Y/n, I know you don't want to hear this right now, but I have to say it —his voice was quiet but firm, his eyes earnest as he looked at her—. I'm sorry. For everything. For the way I acted after the party. I was angry, and I took it out on you when I shouldn't have. I should've been there for you, not making things worse.

Y/n closed her eyes, feeling her chest tighten at his words. She didn't want to have that conversation, not there, not now. But San wasn't going to let her push him away this time.

—I know we're... not in a great place right now —San continued, his voice softer now, more vulnerable—. But I love you. I'm a dumbass, I'm an idiot, but I fucking love you. And I'll do whatever it takes to fix this, to fix us. I don't care how long it takes. I just... I can't let you go, and I can't see you going through all of this alone. I don't want to.

Y/n turned her head away, staring at the window as her vision blurred. She could feel her defenses crumbling, the walls she'd carefully built around her heart shaking under the weight of his words. But even as the tears welled up in her eyes, she tried to hold on to her pride, to the fear that had been gnawing at her since the incident at the party.

—I let you walk away —she whispered, her voice shaky and raw—. I let you leave because... because I was scared —her voice broke, the tears spilling over as her shoulders shook—. I've been scared this whole time and that video was like a wake up call.

San leaned forward, his brows knitting in concern.

—Scared of what? —he asked gently, his hand reaching out to hers.

Y/n let out a shaky breath, her words tumbling out in a rush, the emotions she'd been bottling up finally spilling over.

—I was scared that if I let you stay, I'd lose you eventually. That you'd get tired of me, of my illness, of everything that comes with being with me, of being scrutinized and judged. I pushed you away because I thought it'd be easier if you left before it all got too hard. Because I'm convinced I'm not worth the trouble, and you deserve something different.

San's grip on her hand tightened, his eyes wide with disbelief. The pain in his chest almost made his whole body flinch, hating himself for making her through all those thoughts alone, to push her to that idea that couldn't be further from reality. Wooyoung was right when he said he didn't deserve her.

—Y/n, no —he said firmly, shaking his head, feeling the tears piling in the corner of his eyes—. That's not true. I don't care about any of that. Your illness, everything that's happened... it doesn't change the way I feel about you —his voice cracked as his words turned momentarily into mumbles—. Fuck, you looked at me when no one else did, you've been everything since you slid in my dms with that awful pick up line. It was always meant to be you, with everything that came with it, with all the difficulties we had to go through. I'd choose them a billion times only if it meant to be with you.

Y/n looked up at him through tear-filled eyes, her heart aching at the sincerity in his voice. San wasn't holding back his tears like she did, he allowed his feelings to flow, he was showing himself as fragile as she was.

—But I do think so, San —she choked out—. I see how hard it is on you, and I didn't want you to feel like you were stuck with me. I didn't want to be a burden. You were in danger, and you still are, because someone has decided to target you to hurt me and have me under control.

—You're not a burden —San said, his voice breaking as he leaned in closer, his hand cupping her cheek—. You're the best thing that's ever happened to me. My life only started shining after you showed up, only because of you. And yeah, things are hard, but that doesn't mean I'm going to walk away. I want to be with you, Y/n. No matter what.

Y/n's tears flowed freely now, her chest tightening with a mix of relief and fear. She wanted to believe him, wanted to trust that things could be different, but the weight of her insecurities still pressed down on her.

San wiped away her tears with his thumb, his touch gentle as he held her gaze.

—I'm not going anywhere —he promised, his voice steady—. I'm going to prove it to you, Y/n. I'll be here, every step of the way, if you let me. You said we're a team, remember? Let's be that team.

For a moment, all Y/n could do was stare at him, her heart pounding in her chest. She felt raw, exposed, but also... hopeful. Reaching for his cheeks, Y/n wiped away his tears as well, rubbing her thumb on his cheekbone while he waited for her response. Slowly, she nodded, her voice barely above a whisper.

—Okay.

San smiled softly, leaning down to press a kiss to her forehead. He moved a bit lower to kiss the bridge of her nose, finally lowering enough to pull her in for a tight hug, which she responded to almost immediately with the same strength.

If San asked her again if she was okay, she was sure her response would be completely different while being inside that hug. San was the little strength she knew to assure herself things would start to work out, and now that she had it, she knew nothing would be able to beat them up. 

Taglist: @brown88

[xenon-demon]

Something something steddie role swap AU. Steve and Eddie swap places for the final fight against Vecna (because you don’t really need to be able to play the guitar to make a distraction with one, and Steve is already injured while Eddie is Not), things proceed as in canon - the bats get in, Steve is self-sacrificial because that’s the Steve Harrington Agenda™, Steve gets himself killed.

Dustin has to watch his older brother die in his arms. Robin has to come back from a fight that she’s pretty sure they lost to find the other half of her soul is gone. Lucas finds out that not only has he lost Max, but he’s also lost his role model, one of his biggest supporters. Eddie is stuck in a town that’s falling apart, filled with people that hate him, and the only people who will understand are mourning someone Eddie barely knew. Someone whose shoes Eddie is never going to be able to fill, even when he feels like he has to try because that’s what he does; protect his people. And no matter how fucked the circumstances that got them here are, he’s decided these are his people now.

(They have to be, now that not even Uncle Wayne can calm him down when he has the nightmares, seeing Chrissy’s lifeless eyes staring down at him as he hears her bones crunch and twist-)

Eddie can’t breathe with how the gaping absence of Steve Harrington is threatening to swallow him whole. It’s always there, in the way Robin is isolating herself, sleeping over in Steve’s empty house whenever she can, and no one can get her to talk about it. It’s in the way Dustin, overcome with grief, keeps oscillating between blaming Eddie for agreeing to switch places and blaming himself for suggesting it in the first place. It’s in the way Eddie wonders sometimes, as he turns the events of Spring Break over in his mind, if maybe there was something there, or could have been something - and then he’s immediately overcome with guilt, because he’s lusting after a ghost. A ghost of someone he didn’t even know, really, as he’s learning more and more every day about the ways Steve has changed since high school.

So after a few weeks of this, especially with the added stress of Hawkins falling apart at the seams and being constantly invaded by hellbeasts from the gaping portals all over town, Eddie does what he does best.

He runs away.

He doesn’t even think about where he’s going, just puts one foot in front of the other - even as he crosses over a portal into the Upside Down, one near the trailer park, he doesn’t let himself stop and think. If he does that, he’s going to have a panic attack, and having one of those here in Hell is absolutely going to get him killed, the otherworldly hisses and screams echoing around him amongst the trees are a pretty potent reminder-

There’s a snap behind him, sounding way too close for comfort. Eddie spins around, heart racing in his chest, tensed and ready to run if he has to.

There’s nothing there. Nothing living, at least, because Eddie can see a broken branch just dangling down from one of the trees he just walked past. From this far away, it looks like something has pulled down on it, snapping the top part of the branch and leaving it attached at the bottom by just a thin layer of wood. It’s such a tenuous connection that the branch is bobbing slightly under the weight of gravity, and it looks like at some point it might just break under its own weight.

The main problem with this is that it was definitely a whole, intact branch when he first walked past it.

Eddie finds himself taking a few steps forward without really thinking about it. As he gets closer, his heartbeat gets louder and louder until he can hear it pounding in his ears. He feels a deep sense of wrongness here, like something - someone, maybe - is watching him, waiting for some kind of trigger. It crawls up his spine like a spider, making his skin crawl, his shoulders twitching involuntarily.

The feeling only intensifies when he’s within arms reach of the broken branch. It’s like a block of ice gets dropped into his chest, the way he suddenly goes cold; from this distance, he can see the branch is thicker than his upper arm. Whatever it was that did this, it’s stronger than a human, that’s for sure. Eddie feels the sharp buzz of panic begin to settle over his body, is dimly aware of a hysterical noise starting to bubble up within him-

The breath is slammed out of his lungs, too quickly to even scream. At the same time, he feels pain bloom across his upper body from being grabbed by the shoulder and shoved up against the tree. Eddie feels pinpricks of pain all up his back, his thin Iron Maiden t-shirt doing little to protect his skin from the tree bark.

Eddie’s eyes are screwed tight as he waits for the inevitable; he’s seen enough of this place to know he doesn’t want to see whatever it is that’s about to kill him. He feels something sharp scrape against his neck, followed by a pressure along the underside of his jaw, and his last coherent thought is, Jesus Christ, can’t believe I’m leaving Henderson fatherless.

Except... he doesn’t die. Eddie Munson keeps breathing, quick and shallow gasps with his eyes still tightly shut. It doesn’t make any sense, his brain can’t even begin to process what’s happening to him, so after a few seconds - when he’s sure he’s actually still alive, and not just having a delayed reaction to being eaten - Eddie opens his eyes. Immediately he feels like throwing up.

Because there in front of him, mere inches away from his face, face twisted into an utterly chilling smile, is Steve Harrington.

Or at least - something that was Steve Harrington, once upon a time. The creature now in front of Eddie has- christ, where does Eddie even begin. He doesn’t know where to look first, his brain overloading trying to take it all in - Steve has fangs now, that Eddie’s certain of, sharpened canines that jut out under Steve’s top lip and glint whenever lightning crackles overhead. He can see streaks of what looks like dried blood trailing down Steve’s chin from the fangs, following his neck downwards until they’re lost in the ring of scar tissue and dried blood at the base of his neck where he got choked by the demobats.

Most captivating of all, though, are Steve’s eyes. Once he makes eye contact, Eddie can’t bring himself to tear his eyes away. Steve’s eyes have always looked pretty to Eddie, in that strange middle ground where they look brown in some lights and almost green in others, but now they shine with a soft golden glow in the darkness. He’s not quite sure, it’s hard to focus enough to be sure, but Eddie thinks his pupils are no longer human-like, instead vertical slits like a cat’s eye.

Now that Eddie’s made eye contact, out his peripheral vision he sees Steve’s grin grow impossibly wider. At the same time, that pressure around his neck gets worse momentarily as Steve squeezes, oh fuck, he has his hand around Eddie’s throat. That sharp prickling sensation is back again, too, and Christ Almighty he’s pretty sure Steve has fucking claws.

Steve leans in even closer, and Eddie feels his breath fan across his face as he drawls, “Did you miss me too, baby?”

[oliversrarebooks]

Riana's Determination

This is a Rare Bookseller AU based off @sowhumpshaped 's OC Riana and her story Perfect. What if the Maestro finally had his perfect thrall...?

Rare Bookseller Masterlist

Perfect Masterlist

tw: mind control, body control, violence, the Maestro fucking dies

Circumstances had forced their hands.

It wasn't that Lily didn't want her sire dead, far from it. She hated him, hated the horrific punishments he made her inflict on herself, hated how he would invade her mind without warning, and especially hated the simpering coward she became in his presence. She wanted him dusted more than she wanted anything else in the world.

But because she was that coward deep down, she'd rather live with the devil she knew and understood than risk yet another failed attempt to kill the Maestro, ending in yet more punishment and pain. At least this way, she could enjoy Miriam's company while it lasted, try to carve out a bit of happiness in hell...

But circumstances had forced their hands. Circumstances in the form of the Maestro's new favorite toy.

Riana had come to him willingly, so he said, and Lily would have found that impossible to believe if she hadn't observed the girl herself. She was a piano prodigy, superior even to Lex, and what's more, she took to all of her sire's punishments with nary a complaint. No, she almost seemed to welcome them, to believe with all of her heart that suffering was the greatest of teachers.

Just like him.

Lily watched her from the shadows, flitting around the music room, her steps poised and perfectly silent, her skin littered with bruises and marks from his crop. Despite her sickly looks, she performed her chores with brutal efficiency and precision.

She was, unfortunately, perfect.

The Maestro was absolutely planning on siring her, there was no question of that. No question that he would prefer this flawless porcelain doll to Lily, who could never please him for long no matter how hard she tried to earn his approval or at least a reprieve. 

He would sire her as soon as he thought she was ready, which could be years from now and could be tomorrow. He'd gain a no doubt powerful vampire with undying loyalty. The slim chance of killing their sire would collapse into nothing once his obedient little minion got a taste of power, and Lex and Lily's hopes and dreams would all be dashed, if they were even allowed to live.

So that's why it had to be now, their last attempt at freedom. Lily had filled her pockets with the stakes she had stolen from hunters, said her goodbyes to Miriam, and closed up her manor.

Lily had the easier part in all of this: to ensure that Riana was out of the way, lest she come to her master's aid. She had been given that job while Lex and Fitz handled the far more difficult task because her talents lay in enthrallment, and certainly not because of how cowardly she became around her sire.

When Riana's back was turned, she dashed in, covered her mouth firmly with one hand, and grabbed her around the waist with the other. "Quiet," she spoke in the thrall's ear, pouring every drop of her power into it. "Be quiet, be still."

Riana was not being quiet or still. She was kicking and thrashing as hard as she could, and if Lily didn't have her vampiric strength, she would have easily been overpowered by Riana's sheer desperation. 

"Quiet," Lily commanded with her own desperation. If she couldn't do this one thing, then she didn't deserve to go back home safe. "You're tired, Riana. So tired. So sleepy. You're just going to go to sleep."

Riana's struggles intensified as soon as she realized what Lily was trying to do, but after the initial surprise, they began to grow weaker. 

"So sleepy." Lily was approaching this with zero finesse or subtlety, trading technique for speed and power. "Stop fighting. Go to sleep. Go to sleep, Riana, deep, deep sleep..."

Her eyelids fluttered, her head pitched forward, and Lily's hopes rose, before she shook awake again and resumed her fight and her muffled screaming. But it was a moment of weakness, one that Lily could press.

"You're so tired, aren't you, Riana? So tired all the time... so, so tired... so sleepy..."

She shook her head as if to deny it, but Lily knew better. Lily could see the dark bags under her eyes, the result of her master's brutal tutelage. She knew it all too well. Lily and Lex bore the same marks, all these years later, still unable to sleep well.

"When's the last time you slept, Riana?" asked Lily, knowing she couldn't answer. "Aren't you just so sleepy? Don't you just want to curl up warm and safe in bed and go to sleep?"

"Mmm," she protested through Lily's hand. But she was barely moving now, her eyes going glassy. Despite the threat she posed, she was still only human, and still as susceptible to Lily's voice as any human. 

"That's right, it's been so long since you've had a good night's sleep. You need it, don't you? Your body is calling out for sleep, your eyes beginning to close, and your mind can't resist. You're falling asleep now. Falling asleep... falling deep, deep asleep..."

Truthfully, she was putting up a surprising amount of fight for a seemingly ordinary human who was already desperately sleep deprived. No doubt she knew what was about to transpire, realized that if the plot against her master succeeded, her life with the Maestro was over. They were both fighting for their hearts and minds and souls, so to speak, and truthfully, Riana's will was probably stronger than Lily's. Unfortunately for Riana, this was not remotely a fair fight. Lily was making sure to end it before it ever could be.

"Sleep, deep sleep, peaceful dreams now," said Lily, who was running her hands through the now motionless Riana's hair. She was far more agreeable now that she was fast asleep, Lily supposed, and not playing the part of the shadow at her sire's heels, agreeing with everything he said, accepting her horrific punishments without complaint...

...earning his approval in a way that even Lily never could manage.

The sound of commotion down the hallway stirred Lily out of her thoughts and back to reality. All of this would be for nothing if Lex and Fitz didn't succeed at their task. She flung the sleeping girl over her shoulder like a sack of potatoes and ran to the parlor, where she saw...

They had failed.

Fitz was on the ground, screaming, barely holding off a crying, hysterical Lex. The stake was just inches away from his heart -- the stake Lex was holding, was being forced to drive closer -- their sire almost smiling as he bore witness to the scene he created -- their wrists both trembling, tears pouring down their faces --

"No!"

Lily tossed Riana to the side to rush to where the struggle was taking place, even knowing she'd be caught in the same web Lex was trapped in and make things worse --

For a moment, the Maestro's concentration broke as he saw Riana hit the floor, waking and crying out in pain.

For just a moment.

A moment just long enough for Lex to leap to his feet and drive the stake where it truly belonged.

And for just a moment, the Maestro hung in midair, looking shocked in a way he never had.

The hysterical screaming. That was Riana. The hysterical laughter. That was Fitz. The slow collapse onto her knees. Oh, that was her.

She was free. No, she couldn't be. It must be a dream. But there was his corpse, the corpse he had always been, on the floor, already starting to dust from the wound in his chest. Returning to dust as though he'd never existed, leaving behind the gaping wound in the space where Lily's heart should be.

It was over. It couldn't possibly be over. But it was over.

Lex had picked up Fitz off the ground and was swinging him around. They were both laughing now. Riana was crawling on the floor towards the rapidly decaying remnants of her master, screaming as though she were the one with a stake driven through her heart.

Lily stood up, noticing that a few of the Maestro's other thralls were gathering at the door. They must have felt the enchantment lifting. Their minds were forever altered, and most of them would never recover even if skilled humans devoted themselves to rescuing these poor souls, but at least part of their cruel master's influence evaporated along with his corpse.

It wasn't over yet, because these people were her responsibility, now. The best she could do for them would be to give them a soft landing, enthrall them in gentle and pleasant ways, wash out what memories she could, try to place them with the kinder vampires she knew. She wasn't normally this sentimental, preferring to keep her distance from the thralls she created, but this was different. She'd been here once, in this very mansion, in their shoes.

She was responsible for all of them, and that included the woman sobbing on the ground. "Riana..."

She stopped sobbing. She turned. And the look she gave Lily made her instinctively step back from the cold expression of hatred on her face.

Somehow, she looked just like him.

"Hey, Lil," said Lex, tearing his eyes away from Fitz. "What are we going to do with her?"

Erase her -- that had been Lily's initial plan. Erase her mind and sell her to a vampire in a different city, one who would keep her chained in some basement, somewhere where she'd never be found. But as her eyes bore into Lily, she knew that that wouldn't be enough to quiet her fears. Riana was devoted in a way that had nothing to do with enthrallment. She carried a determination that allowed her to survive every one of her master's punishments and ask for more, and she was absolutely willing to bring that determination to bear for one purpose now. Revenge.

"We have to kill her."

Lex looked surprised. Riana did not. 

"Are you sure? I thought you'd erase her mind..."

"We'll never be safe, even if I erase her and have her chained in a dungeon," said Lily. "If my spell, or her bonds, or her new master falters even slightly, she'll find the fault and escape, and then she'll come for us."

"You truly think so? We agreed to not kill any of the thralls --"

Fitz put his hand on Lex's shoulder. "She's right."

"You too? Well --"

Silver. Blood. Pain.

Lily should have seen it coming. One moment she was standing and discussing the thrall's fate with Lex, and the next moment Riana was upon her, her former master's silver knife clutched tightly in her hand.

As the pain flared through her stomach, Lily at least was grateful that the choice had been made for her.

Rare Bookseller Masterlist

Perfect Masterlist

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January's New Releases

2024 has already started off right with a strong list of new releases of debuts, a few sequels and trilogies, and a whole slew of highly anticipated novels. Which book will you start your 2024 TBR list with? Click below to read all that has come out so far.

Week of January 2nd

Stay with My Heart by Tashie Bhuiyan Inkyard Press

From the author of Counting Down with You  and  A Show for Two comes a new YA contemporary about a girl who accidentally sabotages an up-and-coming local band and falls for the guitarist while secretly trying to make up for her mistake.

Liana Sarkar lives and breathes music, hoping to follow in the footsteps of her A&R coordinator father. Maybe if she succeeds, he’ll finally give her the time of day instead of drowning himself in work to distract from the grief of her mother’s passing.

When Liana accidentally sabotages an up-and-coming local band, Third Eye, she makes it her mission to steer them towards success—without them discovering her role in their setback. But as she gets closer to Third Eye, especially their enigmatic leader Skyler Moon, it becomes harder to hide the truth.

With both her heart and their futures on the line, will Liana be able to undo the damage she’s caused?

Just Happy to Be Here by Naomi Kanakia HarperTeen

In this YA standalone perfect for fans of Tobly McSmith and Meredith Russo, the first out trans girl at an all-girls school must choose between keeping her head down or blazing a trail.

Tara just wants to be treated like any other girl at Ainsley Academy.

That is, judged on her merits—not on her transness. But there’s no road map for being the first trans girl at an all-girls school. And when she tries to join the Sibyls, an old-fashioned Ainsley sisterhood complete with code names and special privileges, she’s thrust into the center of a larger argument about what girlhood means and whether the club should exist at all.

Being the figurehead of a movement isn’t something Tara’s interested in. She’d rather read old speeches and hang out with the Sibyls who are on her side—especially Felicity, a new friend she thinks could turn into something more. Then the club’s sponsor, a famous alumna, attacks her in the media and turns the selection process into a spectacle.

Tara’s always found comfort in the power of other peoples’ words. But when it comes time to fight for herself, will she be able to find her own voice?

Dark Star Burning, Ash Falls White (Song of the Last Kingdom #2) by Amélie Wen Zhao Delacorte

Years ago, the Elantian colonizers invaded Lan’s homeland and killed her mother in their search to uncover the Last Kingdom’s greatest the location of its legendary four Demon Gods. Lan’s mother devoted her life to destroying the Demon Gods, and Lan is determined to finish her mission. Yet, there are others searching for the gods, too.

Zen knew his soul was forfeit the moment he made a deal with the Demon God known as the Black Tortoise, but he’s willing to lose himself if it means saving the Kingdom–and the girl–he loves. But to crush the colonizers who have invaded his land he needs more power than even a single Demon God can provide. He needs an army. And he knows exactly where he can find it–in the undead army his great grandfather lead decades ago.

The Elantians may have stolen their throne, but the battle for the Last Kingdom has only begun.

Ghost Roast by Shawneé and Shawnelle Gibbs & illustrated by Emily Cannon Versify

For as long as she can remember, Chelsea Grant has tried everything she can think of to distance herself from the disastrous damage her father does to her social life. It’s not easy to shake her reputation as Ghost Girl when Dad keeps advertising his business as a “paranormal removal expert” in big, bold, loud letters all over New Orleans!

This year, Chelsea’s all grown up, attending one of the most prestigious high schools in the city, and she’s finally made friends with the popular crowd. Things are looking up—until a night on the town backfires spectacularly, landing her in hot water at home. Her punishment? Working for her dad at Paranormal Removal Services. All. Summer.

Worst of all, her new job reveals an unexpected secret she has to keep: While Dad hunts ghosts with his own DIY tech, Chelsea can actually see them. And when she meets Oliver, a friendly spirit, at the fancy mansion her dad is getting a handsome fee to exorcize, she realizes she has to save his after-life, even if it risks everything her father’s worked for.

Week of January 9th

Somewhere in the Deep by Tanvi Berwah Sourcebooks Fire

Seventeen-year-old Krescent Dune is buried under the weight of her dead parents’ debt and the ruinous legacy they left behind. The only way she can earn enough money to escape her unforgiving island is by battling monstrous creatures in an underground fighting pit. After a fight goes terribly wrong, she’s banned from the pits. Now hopeless, she is offered a deal: in exchange for the erasure of her debts, she must join and protect a hunting party for a rescue mission deep within the mining caves beneath the island.

Krescent is determined to keep her head down and fulfill her role as the dutiful bodyguard, even though she is trapped underground with her childhood enemy and a company of people who would gladly kill her if they knew who her parents were. As they come across creatures she believed only existed in legends, it becomes clear they are in far more danger than she could have imagined. But someone doesn’t want her to make it out alive. And she’ll have to figure out who before she’s left alone… in the dark.

From the author of Monsters Born and Made comes an action-packed South Asian inspired fantasy that will have your heart racing at every turn.

Arya Khanna’s Bollywood Moment by Arushi Avachat Wednesday Books

Shaadi preparations are in full swing, which means lehenga shopping, taste testing, dance rehearsals, and best of all, Arya’s sister Alina is home. The Khannas are together again, finally, and Arya wants to enjoy it. So she stifles her lingering resentment towards Alina, plays mediator during her sister’s fights with their mother, and welcomes her future brother-in-law with open arms. (Okay, maybe enjoy isn’t exactly right.)

Meanwhile at school, Arya’s senior year dreams are unraveling. In between class and her part-time gig as a bookshop assistant, Arya struggles to navigate the aftermath of a bad breakup between her two best friends and a tense student council partnership with her rival, the frustratingly attractive Dean Merriweather.

Arya is determined to keep the peace at home and at school, but this shaadi season teaches Arya new realities: Alina won’t always be in the bedroom down the hall, Mamma’s sadness isn’t mendable, friendships must evolve, and life doesn’t always work out like her beloved Bollywood movies. But sometimes, the person you least expect will give you a glimpse of your dream sequence just when you need it most.

Structured like a Bollywood film (entertaining intermission included!) Arya Khanna’s Bollywood Moment will make you swoon, laugh, cry, think, nod your head in agreement, and quite possibly make you get up and dance.

Lunar New Year Love Story by Gene Luen Yang and illustrated by LeUyen Pham First Second

Valentina Tran was named after Valentine’s Day, which used to be her favorite holiday. But when Val learns the truth behind what happened with her parents and why she’s being raised by a single father, she realizes true love is a lie. This is reinforced when she meets the spirit of Saint Valentine, who tells her she and her family are cursed to always be unlucky in love. Val is ready to give into her fate, until one Lunar New Year festival, where a mysterious lion dancer hands her a paper heart, and ZING. Val becomes determined to change her destiny, prove Saint Valentine wrong, and give her heart to the right person.

Meanwhile, lion dancing is the only thing that has given Jae peace after his dad passed away. It’s also what keeps him connected to his father’s side of the family. Both Jae and his cousin Leslie notice Val at the Lunar New Year festival, and for some inexplicable reason, Jae hands Val a paper heart. But it’s Leslie, with his K-Pop good looks, who starts to date Val. Jae still feels this connection with Val and feels it’s somehow tied to how he feels about losing his father.

Both Val and Jae struggle with the spirits who haunt them as they are inextricably brought together in a love story that is satisfying, sweet, and moving.

Week of January 16th

Escaping Mr. Rochester by L.L. McKinney HarperTeen

Jane has no interest in a husband. Eager to make her own way in the world, she accepts the governess position at Thornfield Hall. Though her new employer, Edward Rochester, has a charming air—not to mention a handsome face—Jane discovers that his smile can sharpen in an instant. Plagued by Edward’s mercurial mood and the strange wails that echo through the corridors, she grows suspicious of the secrets hidden within Thornfield Hall—unaware of the true horrors lurking above her very head.

On the topmost floor, Bertha is trapped in more ways than one. After her whirlwind marriage to Edward turned into a nightmare, he locked her away as revenge for withholding her inheritance. Now his patience grows thin in the face of Bertha’s resilience and Jane’s persistent questions, and both young women are in more danger than they realize. When their only chance at safety—and perhaps something more—is in each other’s arms, can they find and keep one another safe before Edward’s dark machinations close in around them?

Most Ardently by Gabe Cole Novoa Feiwel & Friends

London, 1812 . Oliver Bennet feels trapped—not just by the endless corsets, petticoats, and skirts he’s forced to wear on a daily basis, but also by society’s expectations. The world, and the vast majority of his family and friends, think Oliver is a girl named Elizabeth. He is therefore expected to mingle at balls wearing a pretty dress, entertain suitors regardless of his interest in them, and ultimately become someone’s wife.

But Oliver can’t bear the thought of such a fate. He finds solace in the few times he can sneak out of his family’s home and explore the city rightfully dressed as a young gentleman. It’s during one such excursion when Oliver becomes acquainted with Darcy, a sulky young man who had been rude to “Elizabeth” at a recent social function. But in the comfort of being out of the public eye, Oliver comes to find that Darcy is actually a sweet, intelligent boy with a warm heart, not to mention attractive.

As Oliver spends more time as his true self, often with Darcy, part of him dares to hope that his dream of love and life as a man can be possible. But suitors are growing bolder―and even threatening―and his mother is growing more desperate to see him settled into an engagement. Oliver will have to choose: settle for safety, security, and a life of pretending to be something he’s not, or risk it all for a slim chance at freedom, love, and a life that can be truly his own.

So Let Them Burn (Divine Traitors #1) by Kamilah Cole Little, Brown Young Readers

Whip-smart and immersive, this Jamaican-inspired fantasy follows a gods-blessed heroine who’s forced to choose between saving her sister or protecting her homeland.

Faron Vincent can channel the power of the gods. Five years ago, she used her divine magic to liberate her island from its enemies, the dragon-riding Langley Empire. But now, at seventeen, Faron is all powered up with no wars to fight. She’s a legend to her people and a nuisance to her neighbors.

When she’s forced to attend an international peace summit, Faron expects that she will perform tricks like a trained pet and then go home. She doesn’t expect her older sister, Elara, forming an unprecedented bond with an enemy dragon—or the gods claiming the only way to break that bond is to kill her sister.

As Faron’s desperation to find another solution takes her down a dark path, and Elara discovers the shocking secrets at the heart of the Langley Empire, both must make difficult choices that will shape each other’s lives, as well as the fate of their world.

A Drop of Venom by Sajni Patel Rick Riordan Presents

Sixteen-year-old Manisha is no stranger to monsters—she’s been running from them for years, from beasts who roam the jungle to the King’s army, who forced her people, the naga, to scatter to the ends of the earth. You might think that the kingdom’s famed holy temples atop the floating mountains, where Manisha is now a priestess, would be safe—but you would be wrong.

Seventeen-year-old Pratyush is a famed slayer of monsters, one of the King’s most prized warriors and a frequent visitor to the floating temples. For every monster the slayer kills, years are added to his life. You might think such a powerful warrior could do whatever he wants, but true power lies with the King. Tired after years of fighting, Pratyush wants nothing more than a peaceful, respectable life.

When Pratyush and Manisha meet, each sees in the other the possibility to chart a new path. Unfortunately, the kingdom’s powerful have other plans. A temple visitor sexually assaults Manisha and pushes her off the mountain into a pit of vipers. A month later, the King sends Pratyush off to kill one last monster (a powerful nagin who has been turning men to stone) before he’ll consider granting his freedom.

Except Manisha doesn’t die, despite the hundreds of snake bites covering her body and the venom running through her veins. She rises from the pit more powerful than ever before, with heightened senses, armor-like skin, and blood that can turn people to stone. And Pratyush doesn’t know it, but the “monster” he’s been sent to kill is none other than the girl he wants to marry.

Alternating between Manisha’s and Pratyush’s perspectives, Sajni Patel weaves together lush language, high stakes, and page-turning suspense, demanding an answer to the question “What does it truly mean to be a monster?”

Beasts of War (Beasts of Prey #3) by Ayana Gray Nancy Paulsen Books

Once a prisoner to Fedu, the vengeful god of death, Koffi has regained her freedom, but she is far from safe. Fedu will stop at nothing to hunt her down and use her power to decimate the mortal world. Koffi knows when Fedu will during the next Bonding, a once-in-a-lifetime celestial event. To survive, Koffi will have to find powerful new allies quickly, and convince them to help her in the terrible battle to come.

Once a warrior-turned-runaway, Ekon has carved out a new life for himself outside Lkossa, but the shadows of his past still haunt him. Now, alongside unexpected friends, Ekon tries to focus on getting Koffi to the Kusonga Plains before the next Bonding. If he fails, Koffi will be consumed, either by her own dangerous power, or the terrible fate Ekon is doing everything he can to prevent. Ekon devotes himself to protecting Koffi, but the lingering threats from his own past are more urgent than he knows.

As Koffi and Ekon race to the Kusonga Plains—and try to garner the help of Eshōza’s ancient gods along the way—they must face a slew of dangerous beasts old and new. In the end, destiny may unite Koffi and Ekon for the last time—or tear them apart for good.

Week of January 23rd

Into the Sunken City by Dinesh Thiru HarperTeen

In the slowly sinking city of Coconino, Arizona, the days are long, the money is tight, and the rain never stops.

For Jin Haldar, this life is nothing new—ever since her father died in a diving accident, she’s barely made ends meet for her and her younger sister, Thara.

Enter Bhili: a drifter who offers Jin and Thara the score of a lifetime—a massive stash of gold hidden in the sunken ruins of Las Vegas.

Jin knows it’s too dangerous. She stopped diving after her father’s accident. But when her sister decides to go, Jin’s left with only one choice: to go with her.

A ragtag crew is assembled—including Jin’s annoyingly hot ex-boyfriend. From there, a high-stakes heist ensues that’s beyond even Jin’s wildest fears. Crumbling ruins, sea beasts, corsairs, and a mysterious figure named João Silva all lie in wait. To survive, Jin will have to do what she promised herself she’d never do again: dive.

Out of Our League: 16 Stories of Girls in Sports edited by Dahlia Adler and Jennifer Iacopelli Feiwel and Friends

A compelling YA anthology from editors Dahlia Adler and Jennifer Iacopelli about the trials and triumphs of girls in sports.

Ambition. Drive. Determination. Talent. Courage. Teamwork.

Every athlete knows what it takes to win. But for teen female players, the stakes are so much higher. In this anthology, the voices of these athletes come alive, highlighting the ferocity of those who are often shunted to the side. From navigating rampant misogyny to forging a sisterhood through sweat or just reveling in the love of the game, the stories in Out of Our League address the phenomenal physical and emotional power of teenage athletes as they compete, persevere, and thrive, on and off the field.

The Colliding Worlds of Mina Lee by Ellen Oh Crown

When a Korean American teenage artist gets sucked into the world of her own web comic, she must find a way out with the help of a cute boy all while facing off against a villainous corporation. Inspired by the A-ha’s “Take on Me” music video, this entertaining YA novel is a grounded speculative fiction adventure from the co-founder of We Need Diverse Books.

Mina has become the hero of her own story. Literally.

When Mina Lee woke up on Saturday morning for SAT prep, she did NOT expect to:

1. Nearly be fried by a superhero who turned out to be a supervillain. 2. Come face to face with Jin, the handsome boy of her dreams. 3. Discover a conspiracy involving the evil corporation Merco that she created.

And it’s all happening in her fictional world. Mina is trapped in the story she created. Now it’s up to her to save everyone. Even if it means losing Jin forever.

Barracoon by Zora Neal Hurston, Adapted by Ibram X. Kendi, Illustrated by Jazzmen Lee-Johnson HarperCollins Childrens

In the first middle grade offering from Zora Neale Hurston and Ibram X. Kendi, young readers are introduced to the remarkable and true-life story of Cudjo Lewis, one of the last survivors of the Atlantic human trade, in an adaptation of the internationally bestselling and critically acclaimed Barracoon.

This is the life story of Cudjo Lewis, as told by himself.

Of the millions of men, women, and children transported from Africa to America to be enslaved, eighty-six-year-old Cudjo Lewis was then the only person alive to tell the story of his capture and bondage—fifty years after the Atlantic human trade was outlawed in the United States. Cudjo shared his firsthand account with legendary folklorist, anthropologist, and writer Zora Neale Hurston.

Adapted with care and delivered with age-appropriate historical context by award-winning historian Ibram X. Kendi, Cudjo’s incredible story is now available for young readers and emerging scholars. With powerful illustrations by Jazzmen Lee-Johnson, this poignant work is an invaluable contribution to our shared history and culture.

[cawyden-gaming]

Started typing in the reply, but decided that ask would be better, if you feel like andwering, of course.

What do you think of characters in the DLC? Liked someone? Expected something different? What’s your OC relationships with them, if any?

Thank you for the ask! Of course, I welcome questions.

This is going to be long, sorry :)

I personally liked a lot that we got to see Zacchary Weisz, our astropathic choirmaster finally in person. And that we got to see named and even unnamed new characters that depending on your choices you see again - maybe even helping RT. That is always very nice.

I initially liked Zacchary - that is, until I found out what he did in the past... that was a little hard to swallow and yes, quite unexpected. And to learn he is just in his thirties... wow.

I did not like Jocasta Sauerback and I am still not a fan, but I warmed up to her near the end for her steady loyalty and it showed that her paranoia proved useful/right.

Adalbert was another surprise. I thought he was just being nice...

Einrich seemed nice from the beginning but especially in act 2 (I started a new game for the DLC) you have quest after quest after quest and everytime he is there. That was a little too suspicious. I thought either they really want us to romance him - but there wasn't that much flirting for that - or they build him up for something else. I think it would have been nice to have just a regular guy as potential love interest or fling (not that I would take the option) but it does explain why he wasn't one.

Kibellah was also a nice surprise. I had no idea what to think of her but I really came to value her.

From Venria's perspective:

Zacchary:

She sympathized a lot with him as fellow psyker and telepath (she is biomancer/telepath) but was a little taken aback that he was just casually trying to read everyones thoughts (and trying to read hers) like it was nothing. She would never invade someones privacy like that without good reason. And when she learned the truth what he did to his fellow astropaths she was appaled by him. That he was already punishing himself for this and that she is all for second chances was the reasons she forgave him, but it really showed herself that while she was good in reading people's expression and body language she was still a little too optimistic and maybe even naive, thinking there was good in everyone and how easy she had fooled herself thinking he was just a nice old guy.

Jocasta:

She doesn't really like to be reminded of her tormented past, having endured torture by the hand of an Interrogator (not Heinrix, of course) and others, but when she noticed Jocasta even being turned on by this it was just an immediate resentment she felt. Together with her clear enjoyment of harsh punishments and violence she was clearly not a favourite - one of the reasons she wanted to investigate everything on her own (but even without Jocasta she would have done that. Not because she thinks everyone is incompetent but because she is curious and she was trained to see connections where others might not. And it was a nice change from her usual duties). But she does value Jocasta's loyalty and even praised her for it.

Einrich:

She likes him immediately but does find it strange that he is suddenly everywhere where she is. It seems to her he is trying to get closer to her and she is a little concerned about the reasons. She wouldn't mind a friend (she finds him attractive but with Heinrix already on the ship and her falling for him a romance with Einrich isn't what she is looking for) but is a little afraid he might just want to use her position for his gains. As psyker and especially with her past she isn't really used to have friends. And when the elevator falls and she spots his weapons she know something is off. Even with her good heart at the end, she can't let him and the others live - with her knowledge as former Ordo Xenos acolyte she knows herself that his claim they aren't dangerous anymore is not true. She simply can't take that chance.

Kibellah:

She is very reserved with her at first - she notices that Kibellah has psyker abilities, even though weak and that she reads the Emperor's tarot doesn't mean she is hearing the Emperors whispers - could just be voices from the warp like Idira is hearing. And all this bleeding and self harming is strange for her too. So for her Kibellah is weird but she really warms up to her, valuing her loyalty and openess with her and their discussions about purpose is something where Venria feels a connection to her.

So, I think I better stop, it is getting long. But thank you so much for your ask! I really love the DLC it was great.

How was it for you and Ranveig? If you like to answer here.

[luchicm04]

Sinking in the Metkayina - chapter 1.5

Masterlist

Summary: Censored content from chapter 1. You can skip if you want to.

Pairing: Tonowari/Omatikaya!Fem Reader

Tag: #sinking in the metkayina fic

posted on ao3

Word count: 1.4k

All characters belong to Avatar, and all rights are reserved to the original work whose author allowed me to translate it.

I know this is a bit too short, but I promise the next chapter is going to be way longer than this or the first one.

Overall warnings: fluff, rough sex, mature content⚠️

As if those words were a signal, Tonowari captured (Y/n)’s lips with longing. He held the back of her neck and back tightly so that she wouldn’t fall, and as he swept through her teeth, her mouth opened without resistance. The tongue that immediately invaded her was thicker and larger than a human’s, and (Y/n) was caught up in the feeling of being devoured without even having time to even move.

The lukewarm lips that smelled of alcohol were so sweet that the man grabbed the back of her neck and indulged in them without thinking, as if he were going to eat her alive... He felt that the sticking-out tongue was tasting the sweetest thing he had ever tasted in the world, but at the same time, he thought it was dirty... Tonowari could smell the familiar scent of the sea from the girl, who barely accepted it while panting.

He felt like a strange possessiveness was being satisfied... As if he were marking her as his. He instinctively pulled on (Y/n)’s waist to bury himself impossibly closer into her, feeling an unfamiliar softness in the skin that he thought it might break if he held her wrong.

Tonowari realized that he was soaking up all her breath as though he were going to kill her, and that he was completely satisfied by releasing the desire he had been holding back, not even caring that (Y/n) was showing signs of suffocation and trying to escape. He realized that he had wanted to do this all along, that he wanted to swallow that woman whole and make her gasp under him.

When he finally let go of the tongue that had reached her Adam’s apple, greedily swirling around her mouth and tasting it as if it were going to chew everything up, (Y/n) glared at him panting. However, he didn’t sense any resistance at all, so he placed his face on the nape of her neck with a full heart and took a deep breath... The woman didn’t push him away.

Tonowari felt satisfyingly full. (Y/n) moaned faintly when he scratched the skin on that area with his fangs like an animal, believing that he wouldn’t hurt her even if she stuck her neck out. He ended up not being able to hold it in when she let a breathy sound, hugging her shoulders and leaving a bite mark.

“A-Ahh...”

(Y/n)’s spine was tinged with a deep desire as he dug into her shirt without a moment of hesitation. Large, callused hands caressed her skin in a strange, stiff way. The distinctive scent of a male... A sensation that made her realize she was about to be consumed by something wild. Something different from a human.

The girl moaned as the fingers ran up her waistline. She bit her lips and tried to hold back, keeping her desire deep inside; Tonowari whispered in her ear asking to hear of her noises and sighing deeply. Just that eerily low and growling voice alone made her want to release herself...

“Mmmph!~”

She was laid on her back and with her top lifted while the exposed skin of her lower abdomen was licked by a hot tongue, kissing and biting here and there, making her cringe in a pleasant way, going down and ending up between her legs.

When her thighs naturally contracted at the strange feeling, the Na’vi spread them with both hands and buried his face inside them. Tonowari possessed a thicker and warmer tongue than that of a human... He moved like a man who hasn’t had a drink in days, stimulating her clit and causing her to flinch and moan greatly.

“Ah... A-Ah... Oh! Aghh!”

As (Y/n) gasped for breath at the tongue digging into her vagina, she couldn’t tell if the heat she was feeling was from the alcohol or Tonowari. When she opened her eyes, the human blankly stared at the ceiling and realized, ‘I'm having sex with Tonowari...’

The more Tonowari buried his face between her legs and licked her roughly, the more moans she let out and finally, when her face fell, she barely caught her breath with a broken voice. Only to immediately go “Mngh-ph!” at the thick fingers that penetrated her. Just one of them was the size of a human’s stomach.

Covering her face with both hands, she endured the fingers stirring and expanding her insides while making groaning sounds. Even though she was already wet enough, the unfamiliar sensations were unconsciously telling her that it was about to become a hard experience. Her waist rose and fell, and she panted like crazy while calling out his name. “Tono...wari...”

The man’s whole body’s muscles tensed up when he heard his name coming out of her mouth. However, he barely calmed down, stretching out two or three fingers. Although he was dizzy from the alcohol, he wanted (Y/n) to persistently and earnestly achieve her release. Then, when he heard her whimpers, he gritted his teeth and rubbed his huge erection.

“Ugh, uh... p-please...”

She gasped momentarily at the enormous volume, but when Tonowari bent down his large body and murmured her name in a hoarse and rough tone, her mind became dispersed as if in a daze. With her drunk and desirous state, she wrapped her arms around him as if urging him to put it in already, so he took a deep breath and slowly did as they both pleased.

And as that thickness was pushed in, the girl couldn’t help but suffer from the burning sensation, the feeling of the foreign object digging into her sensitive mucous membrane. It felt like it was going to be torn apart, it was... too much... She was struck by the sharp awareness of having intercourse with something that wasn’t human; the big shadow with its back to the moonlight, the huge body that was nearly 3 meters tall and the blue-tinged skin.

Whereas (Y/n) had started to sob because of the pain and underexposure, Tonowari quietly apologized and sent a stabbing motion to her buttocks to make her come back to her senses. Soon after, he gently caressed her whole body as if soothing her and whispered sweet words, each time having his clumsy palms brush over her sensitive skin and touch her erogenous area.

“I’m sorry, yawntutsyìp... you are doing so well...”

(Y/n), whose back was bent over, didn’t know what to do anymore... She just stayed like that until she got used to the size, and when her breathing became anxious, her clit was touched back and forth slowly. As her inner walls and clit were stimulated to the limit, the woman started to feel a faint pleasure mixed with pain.

Finally, when she seemed to be getting used to it, Tonowari started thrusting hard while releasing his lust little by little... He began slowly and then gradually increased the tempo until her small body rattled. “(Y/n), (Y/n)...” he called out with a restless, seething voice. The girl wished he would just speak her name; she felt like dying from that creepy low tone.

She groaned, almost screaming, while being rocked and pinned down by his body. Her pelvis was aching from being hit roughly, and her saliva was leaking out of her mouth. (Y/n) was losing her mind, feeling a tingling sensation all the way to her curling toes, and then she dug her nails into his strong arms and let out a nasal sound. She begged him to kiss her, but Tonowari’s body was too big to reach her... His voice was almost growling. like an animal. It felt strange and yet, here they were, having sexual relations that came closer to copulating with an alpha male.

While watching (Y/n) scraping the floor and panting in an almost painful pleasure, Tonowari pounded her hips as though he intended to kill her... To the point where her calves became stiff, and she climaxed with her eyes going blank.

“Uh-uhh... ahh!!”

At the same time, Tonowari cummed deep inside (Y/n)... Since she was human, if he pulled out his member, it would probably overflow. So, he held the woman in his arms while she remained out of breath after the passionate lovemaking.

He bit and licked her ear as they immersed themselves in the enjoyment of the afterglow.

“Haha... Tonowari, stop...”

“Do you really want me to stop?”

“Unnf... Mmmm-mmh...”

The wet, squeaky sounds rang in her ear canal, and her vision became blurry and hazy... She went to hug his upper body, which her arms couldn’t fully embrace saying, “Stop, stop...” and then lightly climaxed again while getting fingered by thick digits.

Normal – Na'vi

Italics – English

Vocabulary list: yawntutsyìp (darling, little loved one)