#and we fell behind on the lessons but we're catching up!!

[lovelykil]

baby assignment

ᯓ izuku midoriya

synopsis; class 1-a has been assigned to take care of fake babies for an assignment! This assignment will be helpful for hero work and other skills as well. some are wary of this assignment, especially the pairing. You got paired up with Izuku.

note; this one feels so rushed 😓

part 1

the two males look around the carrier, they search around the seat desperately. Even going as far as holding the thing upside and down and shaking it, in hopes something would fall out of it. Their disappointment grew deeper when nothing fell out.

bakugo threw the thing across the room in a fit of rage and frustration, grunting harshly when he did it.

"THIS THING DIDN'T COME WITH INSTRUCTIONS??" He roared. Kirishima held the baby near his shoulder and patted it softly to comfort it after his partner's anger out burst.

"bakugo you GOTTA stop shouting! You're going to make the baby cry more then we'll fail.." bakugo looked over at his friend still a little pissed in the face but calmed down momentarily. He went to pick up the carrier and walked over to kiri.

"this assignment is bullcrap.." kirishima glanced over at katsuki's irritated face but now calm demeanor, his lips curled into a small smile.

"I agree but maybe we'll learn a valuable lesson from this weird assignment." He holds the baby away from his chest to stare upon it. Bakugo quickly glanced over at it, standing beside his partner with one hand stuffed into his pocket and the other holding onto the baby carrier by the handle.

"we should name this little dude!" Kiri exclaims, his smile bright and wide when he looks over at the blonde. Bakugo scoffs at the idea but then snickers a few seconds later with a stupid grin.

"how about shithead?"

kirishima gives him an unfazed expression that leaves Bakugo puzzled, he crosses his arms to his chest. "It fits him, fucking shithead."

"oh, it's a he?" The redhead nudges his partner in the shoulder, obviously teasing him. Bakugo doesn't reply just goes to set down the carrier on his bed, kirishima watches him and so does their fake baby.

"why not? This thing could be a mini me." He takes a seat on the bed, his body is relaxed as he supports himself with his hands planted on the sheets behind him. Kiri looks at him for a brief moment before chuckling like if Bakugo had just said a funny joke.

"as if we need another one of you... we're naming him Airhead!"

bakugo sat up quickly and began barking, "WHAT'S THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN? ALSO AIR HEAD? WHAT KIND OF NAME IS THAT?!"

"better than bakugo 2.0 or shithead.."

. . .

"so how do we even take care of this thing?" after ignoring the baby's cries with the cover over it, the baby eventually quieted down and looked back at you. Its robotic green eyes scan your facial expression as you lean over to examine it.

you were initially asking izuku but after a few seconds passed, you were now speaking to a wall. You lean away from the baby to look over at Izuku who was at his desk writing something down, there he mumbled incoherent words you didn't quite catch.

you felt a little awkward now,

"uhm izuku?" You called out only to get nothing in return. You grow a bit impatient possibly slightly annoyed as well.

"Midoriya!"

"AH—!? uuhm! Yes??" The stunned boy dropped his pencil on the sheet of paper to turn towards you. He seemed genuinely surprised at your yell like he was stuck in some trance just seconds ago.

"did you forget we have a CHILD in our care right now?" You set your hand on your hip while you point toward the baby. You slightly grin as he squirms, apologizing for his forgetfulness.

"sorry! I just got distracted with homework but I guess I can save it for later." Midoriya sits up from his seat and walks over to the kid.

you watch him silently as he goes to sit on his bed and turn the carrier his way. The baby watches him now, recognizing his facial structures. It suddenly reaches for him, his eyes widen.

"woah this baby.." Midoriya reaches inside to lend it his hand, the baby quickly sucks on his finger making some familiar baby noises.

you shuffle over to his side to check out what has his eyes big and wide.

"oh wow this thing is like a real baby, huh?" You and Midoriya watch in amazement at the this advanced technology, the fake baby was scarily like the real one.

this assignment was sure going to be very interesting.

izuku nods slowly as the baby kept sucking on his one finger, the scene was entirely too cute with its tiny hands around his finger. You look over at the teen a few seconds later, feeling your heart thump.

he had a warm smile spread across his freckled face and his kind green eyes peering gently down at the infant. He was admiring the baby and at the same time, you were admiring him. Your face grew warm, your body tensing up,

he was always so cute but here in this moment, he looked so.. surreal so peaceful and so at ease.

"I think it's gonna chew my finger off.." izuku nervously chuckled. He looked over his shoulder to you still with a nervy expression, he opened his eyes momentarily, and to his surprise you were already looking at him

and so close.

his shoulder jolted up as he blushed a bit too harshly from being so close to a girl, he suddenly blurts out from shyness,

"Y/n-!? You're so close..?!"

when caught you quickly jumped back, your face was crimson red as you began to quickly change the subject.

"was I? My bad.. uhm anyway, she's cute— or er I mean.." You end up fumbling over your words, finally giving the baby a gender. You rub your hot cheek and curse to yourself at the slip-up and well, that whole interaction just now with him.

Izuku looks back at the baby after he calms down, his blush settling down as well as his brain, but he couldn't help but keep in mind of your little accident.

a girl huh? He thinks. Izuku pulls his finger away to wipe the slobber on his changed set of clothes, he then smiles once again.

"we should name her..." You gaze over at him as he ponders a name. You look a bit surprised that he didn't question your idiot mouth, maybe he was thinking the same thing.

that the baby was definitely a girl, or at least your baby was.

you mumble a suggestion out, scratching your cheek.

"izumi?"

"izumi..?" He repeats, his hand leaves his chin to look at you. You subtly nod, hoping he wouldn't connect the dots. You actually came up with that name on the spot since it sounds like his but a girl version.

you saw him think some more, he briefly looked away. You sweat a bit, suspecting he might've caught on.

"or if you have another sugge—"

"no no, I like it! Izumi.. hmm." He reassurs you with a swift smile then turns toward the now-named baby, Izumi.

he boops her nose lightly, calling her name.

"well hello izumi." He cooed softly. Izumi cooes back even appearing to smile back at him. You stand and watch from afar with an aching heart, you didn't know how much you could take from these adorable interactions.

well apparently not for long, she began crying just seconds later.

you and izuku went into panic mode.

"oh god she's crying again!"

"oh wow, you didn't need to rant this time... huh.."

"y/n!"

"sorry.."

[tonydaddingham]

'crowley is the same person at the beginning of s1 as he is at the end', and 'its aziraphale that actually needs to change' is fascinating to me because i think a lot of people take this to mean that there is no further development that crowley can make, and that aziraphale is leagues behind in catching up to him.

when im sorry but, to me, we're shown almost the exact opposite of that sentiment. aziraphale is in the middle of a major but steady overhaul of everything he originally thought to be right and good, relearning things he thought he knew to be correct, but he is making progress that will largely complete towards the end of s3 - all of this is very much needed, i don't disagree. but this is something that crowley presumably learned very quickly and abruptly, and without having to contend with the additional 6000 years of indoctrination specific to aziraphale as being an angel on earth - their individual situations are very different.

but crowley? crowley hasn't moved beyond essentially who he was after the fall - and i think, truthfully, hasn't reckoned with it in all sorts of ways, not like he often makes out that he has. the multitude of hang-ups he has inform a good portion of his actions and behaviours in both seasons. but the fact that crowley has not changed does not mean that crowley is automatically perfect as he is, that there isn't development that ought to happen. the crowley we have now is still stuck in the same character position as he did when he fell, and whilst of course the fall was a formative experience, there's nothing much to indicate that he has developed beyond this. does that mean that he has nothing further to learn? personally, i think not, and that it's possibly instead a reflection that maybe there are lessons to be learnt that crowley does not accept.

neither of them are perfect at any point during either season, absolutely not. both have recurring faults and failures that lead up to how things ended in the final fifteen... but in any eventuality, i don't think holding crowley to being the pinnacle of what aziraphale should aspire to be is the conclusion to make here.

[justagayperson-2024]

Sub!Luna Lovegood x Dom!Reader

~Luna and the reader sneak off to have some fun in the halls~ GN!Reader

Luna was always thought to be such an innocent, quiet, timid ravenclaw student but I knew she was anything but that behind closed doors. Luna was a kinky little thing and she never failed to make me fall in love with her kinky side more and more every day. Today was no different, she dragged me by the hand and brought me to a secluded part of the castle. "Y/n, please...need you so bad." Luna moaned pulling me into a heated kiss. I laughed softly and gripped her ass giving her a hard squeeze. "Darling we have Potions class right now we are already late." I protested half heartily not wanting this to end. Luna groaned and pouted at me, "But Y/n please, I am horny and I can't sit through another lesson with you next to me with no release please!" She begged and cried, looking up at me through her damp eyelashes. She was crying and begging for me. "Oh, my sweet angel are you that horny?" I asked as I slid my hands up her thighs. She nodded and a tear rolled down her flushed cheek. "Please Daddy I promise I will behave and I won't ask for anything else all day," Luna pleaded. "We're going to fuck here? What if someone sees us?" I asked knowing she could care less if we got caught. Luna whined and moved my hand to her soaking cunt, "Y/n. I don't care. Please do something!" She half yelled/moaned. I sunk to my knees and pushed her hips against the wall. "You have to be quiet okay my dove?" I asked Luna looking up at her as I pulled her pink panties down. She nodded quickly and her breath became heavy as I moved her skirt up. "Hold," I ordered her and she quickly complied. Her soaked cunt was glistening even with there being next to no light. I groaned at the sight and licked a long strip up her cunt slowly, sucking gently when I got to her clit. "Fuck Y/n!" Luna moaned loudly, throwing her head back in pleasure. I softly bit her inner thigh causing her to jump slightly. "I told you to be quiet honey, I know I'm good but you need to be quieter," I said kissing where I bit. Luna nodded and bit her lip to stay quiet. I began working on her cunt again ravenously eating her out against the old stone wall. I paid special attention to her swollen clit, gently sucking and biting causing her jolts of pleasure to run through her body. I darted my tongue inside her lapping up all her juices as she tried her hardest to keep quiet for me. "Y/n you're so good oh my!" Luna moaned, her hand flying to my hair massaging it gently. I lifted her leg over my shoulder and darted my tongue faster in and out of her sweet entrance. Her grip on my hair tighten and she pushed me deeper into her cunt. "Fuck I-I feel so good fuck Y/n so good!" Luna kept moaning my praises as I worked her closer to her release. My nose nudged her clit gently causing her to thrust into my face, "Y/n oh god don't stop so close!" I repeated the motion again and again she grinded into my face. Her legs began to shake and her breath became heavy and erratic. "I-Fuck gonna cum Y/n gonna cum on your face!" I nodded and kept going encouraging her to cum. Her body shook as she came on my face hard, I felt her juices leak from my face as I lapped up as much of her as I could. I moved slowly away and stood up towering over her slightly. Luna's legs were like jelly and she fell into my chest trying to catch her breath. "That was so fucking good baby," Luna said praising me. My chest swelled with pride and I held her against me trying to fight off my blush. "I am glad I satisfied you, my angel," I spoke softly petting her dishevelled hair. "Now let's go to the dorm room and get some rest yeah?" I asked her once again already knowing her answer. Luna nodded against me and moaned softly as she walked next to me. 

[bronzefuryfic]

Bronze Fury

When the only child of Daemon Targaryen and Rhea Royce is brought to King's Landing to meet with the rest of her family, she finds herself caught in a crisis of succession. The Greens battle for her support... and her affections.

Chapter Four: The Crown’s Crime / Previous Chapter / Directory

Rhae joins Aegon, Aemond, Helaena, Jacaerys and Lucerys in their studies of their shared Valyrian heritage. During lessons, Rhae learns far more than she bargained for. 

The next morning, Rhae awoke with a new purpose. 

She was awake long before Grandmaester Orwyle came to change her bandages and re-apply his ointments. As he worked, a servant came to deliver breakfast. Rhae ate slowly, the meal tasting stale in her mouth, as she watched the Maester work. He helped flex her joints, which had begun to tighten as the skin tried to repair itself. Some scabs cracked and oozed when he did so, and Rhae quickly lost her appetite. 

As they approached the late morning, Beth arrived to lead Rhae to her first lesson. 

While they walked, Rhae wondered how she'd ever learn her way around the labyrinth of a castle. She did not recognize any of the turns, and kept getting distracted by the view of King's Landing just outside. She had not seen a city so sprawling before—Runestone was not so populous.

The study room was large and sun-filled, drapes dancing airily as an ocean-breeze passed through large arched windows. Cushions and tables littered the room—Rhae spotted Helaena in one plushy armchair, flipped upside as she buried her nose in a book. Her hair fell and pooled in silvery puddles on the masonry. 

At a table behind her, Aemond also had a book open. He had half the page covered with his hand as he seemed to recite words to himself. As he did so, he kept rolling his eyes toward a slumped over Aegon, who looked to be asleep on his cushion.

When Rhae had come close enough to catch his attention, Aemond waved Rhae over. 

"What're you working on?" She asked, taking a seat on his side of the table. From her new position, she could see Helaena's feet stick up over the top of her chair. 

"The Maesters gave me new conjugations when we arrived this morning," Aemond said, pushing the book towards her so that she could see. She stared at the page, but could glean no meaning from it. The entire text was in High Valaryian. Aemond rattled on excitedly. "These are fourth conjugation verbs. This one, ' dinagon', has several meanings. A lot of-"

" Aemond, " came an exasperated voice from the floor. Aegon propped up on his pillow, pushing his hair from his face. "We haven't even started the lessons yet. Must you inflict us with your tortures so early?"

The younger brother's face fell, and he looked nervously to Rhae, as though he expected her to tell him the same. 

"We're not all as wise and all-knowing as you are, Aegon," Rhae said coolly. "Aemond offered to help me catch up, and I accepted. "

Aegon's mouth hung open slightly, seemingly unprepared to be sided against—Rhae suspected it did not happen often. She turned instead to Aemond, who was smiling sheepishly. 

"You were saying?" 

"Right," Aemond turned back to his text, pointing to the same word as before. " Dinagon has two translations. The first means 'to marry', or 'to wed.'"

"And what's the other?"

"The other is a lot less common," Aemond explained, tracing the page with his finger. "It can also mean 'to chase away.'"

"Those two meanings sound like opposites," Rhae said, crinkling her nose. As if learning another language wouldn't be challenging enough. 

"I think they go hand in hand," Aegon snorted, now sitting upright in his seat. Rhae was glad to see he had the tact to join the conversation this time, rather than trying to change it again. Better yet, Rhae thought he raised an interesting point. Aegon continued: "There's a few like that, but you can usually understand which they mean in context. Irughagon is another—it means both 'to give' and 'to abandon to'. The same thing really, but the Maesters will want you to identify which the text really means, anyway."

The two brothers rattled off a few more vocab words, but Rhae lost track of them quickly. She nodded along with the conversation, but her mind lingered on the difference between "giving" and "abandoning to". A trio of newcomers broke Rhae from her trance and relieved her from feigning understanding the conversation happening in front of her. 

"Who's that?" She asked in a hushed tone, watching a dark-skinned man with white dreadlocks speaking with the Maesters. Besides him were two boys she thought must be pages.

"That's Laenor Velaryon," Aemond said, hardly looking up from his book as he searched for more examples. "And his two sons, Jacaerys and Lucerys."

Rhae peered across the room at the three. 

"Those two?"

Rhae moved her head, trying to spot if there were two more children hiding behind the ones she could see. The two boys with Laenor looked nothing like him. They were missing the signature silver hair of Valyrians, and in Rhae's opinion, looked alarmingly pale next to their father. 

Aegon watched Rhae as she studied the Velaryons, his eyes flickering between her and a pair of Maesters that whispered behind her back. 

"Rhae!" Aegon hissed, and she tore her gaze away. She opened her mouth to question him further, but Aegon kicked her hard beneath the table. He gave a slight shake of his head— not now.

Rhae shut her mouth, turning back to Aemond and pretending to read off of the page he had open. He was too immersed to notice Rhae's near-fatal mistake.

But Rhae's eyes still danced around the room, from Laenor to his children to Aegon and to the book she could not read. Surely she'd misheard Aemond—those boys could simply not be Laenor's children with the princess. Another thought occurred to her, as Aegon gave her looks she could not decipher—perhaps the boys were playing a trick on her. Surely all the realm would know if Princess Rhaenyra had mothered— oh.

Realization drew on Rhae just as Laenor approached the center of the room with his "sons". They spoke cheerfully with Helaena, who'd finally spun upright in her chair to greet them. 

Rhae's cousin Ser Jon had told her of a treasonous secret that all knew, but none spoke. Could he have meant anything other than this? Rhae felt her face warm—he had said she wouldn't need much more than eyes to figure it out herself. He couldn't have given a clearer hint? She would have a few choice words for Jon when she saw him next. 

"Study hard, train harder," Laenor was saying, now making his way for the exit. Jacaerys and Lucerys waved their goodbyes. With everyone present, the Maesters wasted no time breaking everyone up for their lessons, giving Rhae little time with this new revelation. 

The lessons lasted two hours, but Rhae felt she learned little in this time. Over the course, her mind kept wandering elsewhere. 

One pairing was Helaena and Aemond, who Rhae figured must be at a similar level, despite Helaena's being two years older. She thought it likely Aemond was ahead in his curriculum—he was the least distracted of all the children, always working diligently when Rhae looked over. Helaena's eyes were most often transfixed on the windows, but the Maesters did not call her attention back with any urgency. She seemed entranced by something the others could not see. 

Rhae wished she could join their table—the Maesters had her sat with the Velaryon princes instead. The boys were nice enough in their introductions, but they were very young. She understood why she was placed with them. Lucerys was still learning basic nouns, as she was now doing—but given he was 9, Rhae couldn't help but feel embarrassed sitting beside him doing the same. 

To make matters worse, Jacaerys, who'd just started learning second conjugation verbs, also seemed to be embarrassed to sit with the two of them. When the Maesters insisted Jacaerys pay attention to the other two's lessons as review, Rhae heard him mumble how it felt unnecessary. 

As the morning passed, Jace's interest in the review waned further. His efforts were re-directed to trying to catch the attention of Aegon, who was receiving private lessons across the room. Whenever Aegon would look over, he'd contort his face in such a way that they could read his distaste for his studies from a far distance. There was a great deal of exaggerated eye-rolling and fake gags. 

Jacaerys would dissolve into a fit of giggles when this happened, distracting Lucerys and Rhae. Despite her embarrassment over her study group, when Rhae caught on to what Jacaerys was laughing at, she too could hardly suppress a grin. Aegon knew how to put on a show, and his ability to correct his behavior just in time so that the Maester's wouldn't spot him was admittedly impressive. 

Lunch was brought to the room at noon, and they all ate in content silence. Rhae had not forgotten the many questions she had about the Velaryons, or her anger over the Queen's words last night... but that was for another time. Jace and Luke seemed alright with her. 

When they finished their meals, and they had a few moments to spare, Jacaerys began speaking enthusiastically to Aegon about the dragon pit. 

"Will they be going there today?" Rhae asked Aemond in an undertone, to which he nodded.

"Jace and Luke go near-daily," Aemond said, his voice low. He eyed his nephews enviously. "Their dragons are young and need a lot of attention. Helaena and Aegon don't have to go as frequently, but they often do."

"Do you ever join them?"

"Aemond's our most devoted admirer!" Aegon had disengaged his conversation with Jace, was grinning devilishly. Rhae furrowed her brow—she was detecting a pattern from the eldest. "It's true, ask anyone."

As he said this, he nudged Lucerys, who nodded enthusiastically.

"Aemond always comes to watch!" 

Across the table, Helaena nodded amicably, but Rhae was not sure if she was really listening. Her gaze was still towards the window.

"Watches with two," she muttered, seemingly in agreement. No one paid her any mind, but Rhae thought she heard her say something else shortly after. "But he soars with one..."

Aemond seemed to fight to maintain a neutral expression, but he would not make eye-contact with the others. His hands trembled in his lap. 

Rhae knew she came to Runestone to observe, to learn from, and to blend in with her Targaryen family members. But with each instance of Aegon opening his mouth, Rhae found that to be more and more difficult. It had only been a moment, but Rhae felt kinship with Aemond over their dragon-less-ness in the carriage the day before. It wasn't much, but Rhae knew she couldn't betray that. 

But how best to rescue him without stirring more trouble? She fanned her face, feigning warmth, before rolling up her sleeves.

"Lucerys," she said blandly, calling his attention to her. She propped her elbows on the table, her bandages visible. "Have you ever-"

"Woah!" Luke's eyes widened. "What happened to your arm?"

"What? I-" Rhae dropped her hands below the table just as quick, and Luke grew more insistent. Aemond looked from his nephew to Rhae, looking as though he were about to tell Lucerys to leave the conversation alone, but Rhae gave him a quick wink. He looked away bashfully.

"Your arm!" Jacaerys was peering now, too, trying to sneak a peek. "What happened to it? It's all wrapped up!"

"Dragon fire," she said sagely. The whole table stared at her now—even Helaena had turned her attention to the conversation at hand. 

"But..." Jacaerys eyed her suspiciously. "Who ordered their dragon to attack you?"

"No one did Jace," Aegon said with exasperation. "It just attacked her."

Jacaerys ignored Aegon, looking to Rhae for the answer. Realizing he'd lost his crowd, Aegon resigned himself to watching Rhae for her answer too.

"He's right," Rhae said, quieter now. The others seemed to lean in, eager to hear more. "The dragon Sheepstealer, when I tried to claim him."

"You went all by yourself?" Jacaerys asked, incredulous. Rhae laughed. 

"Hardly," she said. Somehow, this was the easiest time she'd ever had recounting the tale since it happened. Telling it to the children felt more impressive than telling it to the Maesters. "He killed seven men... my Uncle Gerold included."

Jacaerys's mouth hung open, casting a look to his own uncle. Aegon rolled his eyes again. 

"No one is feeding me to a dragon, Jace. You can pick your jaw up off the floor."

"But..." Luke looked confused. "The Targaryens and the dragons are allies. Mother says we're bonded by blood!"

"Yeah, well..." Rhae had her bandaged arm resting on the table again. "I suppose blood isn't everything."

But before Lucerys could ask her any more questions, the Maesters had descended upon their table again. It was time to get back to their lessons. 

Rhae studied with Jace and Luke for another hour, before the Maesters gave her some lines to translate on her own. Luke was insistent on peppering Rhae with questions about her encounter with Sheepstealer, and she quickly seized the opportunity to find a seat on the other side of the room. 

Helaena and Aemond were still receiving instruction, so Rhae found a table to herself to settle at. She'd made it to the third line of her translations before someone fell into the seat beside her. 

"Gods, you're relentless," Rhae mumbled, as Aegon's mouth split into a grin. "I'm trying to work!"

"I thought I might help you study," he said with mock assurance. "Since you're into that sort of thing."

"I'm into 'you' and 'being somewhere else'," Rhae said, trying to grab her parchment back as Aegon snatched it from underneath her nose. He marked it with his quill. "Knock it off!" She hissed. 

"I'm just correcting!" He insisted, batting away her hand. "A little thanks would be nice, you know."

He slid the page back, a new note scrawled in the Common Tongue on the margins: I only saved you from committing treason this morning. 

Rhae's face burned, and she slapped her hand over the note quickly. Several in the room turned their heads—even Aemond looked to see the source of the disturbance. Rhae and Aegon both tried to look as though nothing had happened until the Maesters turned back to their own work, but Aemond's eyes narrowed when he saw the two together. 

"Okay..." Rhae said quietly. "Maybe I was wrong. You can help a little."

"If you have questions, all you need to do is ask."

Taking his cue, Rhae scribbled quickly onto the parchment. Who is their father?

"That one is a little obvious," Aegon said. His hand jotted as he spoke. "You could've figured it out if you stuck with it longer."

My sister spends a lot of time with the Commander of the City's Watch. I'd bet my dragon on Lord Harwin Strong.

Rhae pondered this for a moment, taking the page back from him. No one seems too concerned about that.

"Mmm," Aegon tickled his chin with the quill. "Interesting one."

Aegon began sorting through some books stacked at the end of the table. As he did so, it became clear he was building a sort of barrier to further shield their secrecy. Rhae propped one open to avoid suspicion, and Aegon drafted a rather lengthy response. Rhae resisted the urge to peek until he finished.

Mother says many people are concerned about it, Jacaerys being Rhaenyra's heir and all. Everyone thinks the King has gone mad for not seeing it, but I'm fairly certain he just doesn't want to. She's always been the favorite. Also, I was serious about my offer yesterday. You should come with me to the dragon pit tonight. 

Rhae looked around nervously at the Maesters, but none seemed to pay them any mind. The Royces rejoiced when King Viserys named Rhaenyra heir over Daemon all those years ago, and would continue to support the line of succession so long as it kept Daemon further from the throne. But would the rest of her house reconsider their position if Rhaenyra's own heir was a bastard? She didn't think it was likely, but she'd be ignorant to believe other houses wouldn't take issue with it. 

Already there were those that were divided on Rhaenyra remaining as heir given the birth of the boy sat beside Rhae right now. Ser Gerold told her that the rules of succession were necessary to keep the peace. 

Rhae wrote her response.

How do you feel about it?

Aegon grimaced and shrugged, before tapping on the second half of his note. Rhae sighed, picking up the quill once more. 

Do you always flirt when committing treason? 

Aegon smirked, and with one swift motion, knocked over their shared bottle of ink and soaked the page. A Maester was approaching the table. 

"Aegon!" Rhae cried, ostensibly upset. She turned to the Maester, holding the ruined parchment. "Maester Donnel, I believe I need some new lines."

Aegon was shooed to another seat for his disturbance, but he sauntered off, looking pleased with himself. 

Next Chapter: Ch. 5 - Princess of the Bugs

King Viserys is blind to the crimes of those he is closest to. Though he can not see the hurt in his discretions, Rhae makes fast friends with someone who can. 

AO3 | Chapter Discussion

Thanks for reading!

[howlingday]

For your Hades AU did Ozpin know he had a deity walking around his academy. Or was that something he only found out after beacon fell

"Jaune Arc, report to the Headmaster's office." A voice called on the PA system. "Jaune Arc, report to the Headmaster's office."

"Ooh~!" Nora cooed. "Our leader's in trouble~!"

"Nora." Ren chided.

"You aren't really, are you?" Pyrrha asked. "After what happened in the Forever Fall."

"I'm sure it's fine." Jaune chuckled. "It's probably team leader stuff." Jaune then swallowed a lump as he turned away. "At least, I hope it is."

Jaune passed by fellow students and a few faculty members. The former glanced his way, and some staring at the back of his head as he walked by. The teachers who kept their eyes did little more than shrug. Once he arrived at the elevator, Professor Goodwitch stood in front, as if to greet him.

"Uh, going up?" Jaune offered a sheepish grin.

"I was just coming down." She said. "You seem to have a knack for catching the Headmaster's attention. Something you have in common with Team RWBY." By her tone, this wasn't a compliment.

"Uh, I guess the Headmaster likes me." Jaune timindly chuckled.

"Mm." She then passed by him, allowing him access to the elevator.

The door slid shut, leaving Jaune alone with three options. The first was the intended top floor destination. The second was the open door choice, in which he could ignore the summons and return to his team, and his life at Beacon. The third and final option was the one most interesting to him; a "broken" button leading to the lower reaches of the tower. Where she was resting.

Against his better desires, he pressed the button to the top floor. The cradle shuddered, then lifted into the air. Jaune looked out through the wall, as if it were glass, and watched the souls far below shrink away. He found Team RWBY in their dorm, classes having recently been let out. His team moved down the halls, making their way back to the dorm. They must have stayed behind to wait for him, before heading back to their temporary home.

"Mr. Arc?" A voice called to him. He turned to the open doors, and found the Headmaster seated at his desk in his office of clockwork gears. "Or is it Lord Jaune still?" Jaune huffed and entered the large room.

"Just Jaune is fine for now." Jaune said, his tone having shifted from his awkward teen persona. "Do you prefer Headmaster, Ozpin, or Ozma?"

"Oz is fine." The Headmaster replied.

"Ha ha, no." Jaune shook his head. "We're not that close."

"Even after all the times we've met?"

"Especially after all the times we met." Jaune huffed. "Unless you learned your lesson." The man shifted behind his desk uncomfortably. It was slight, and almost unseen by mortal eyes. "I guess not." Jaune tapped the floor with the end of his shoe. "Especially with who you have locked in the basement."

"Jaune-"

"What are you doing, Ozma?" Jaune placed his hands on the desk. "Why the hell is the Fall Maiden locked away like a sleeping princess?"

"She is on life support-"

"For a fatal wound that will never heal." Jaune leaned closer. "She needs to die."

"And doing so will grant Salem the Maiden's power."

Jaune was silent. He stood straight once more, before turning away with a puff of air through clenched teeth. Gods were not as all knowing as most of the mortals believed. That didn't mean they enjoyed being outwitted.

"You could warn the people. Rally an army against her."

"Doing so would only damn those very souls to the Grimm." Ozpin argued. And we both know you don't want that."

"I'm not in the mood for games, Ozma."

"Neither am I." The Headmaster shook his head. "That is why I called you here. I thought your name would only be known to those who would meet you when their time is done."

"Normally, yes." Jaune sighed. "But there's something wrong. The balance between life and death is off. There's something, or someone upsetting the balance with magic. That's why I'm here."

"And you believe I am involved in this?"

"Maybe." Jaune glared at him. "You do have a living corpse in your basement."

"Amber is being kept alive with science, not magic."

"Right." Jaune nodded, seriously at first, then mockingly. "And magic is science we don't understand, yadda yadda yadda." He sighed. "But if there's anybody who understood either, it would be the one of two people left on Remnant who still used magic."

"And seeing as Salem is unavailable."

"More untrackable." Jaune corrected. "Her soul has become too corrupted for me to find. That's why I came to find the man who is much more trackable."

"Mm." He nodded. "Then that explains why you're here."

"And now I have another reason." Before he could be asked more, Jaune towered over Ozpin as he stood next to him. He moved with such blinding speed, Ozpin could not react fast enough to stop him. "Let her go."

"I can't." He sighed. "With her killer still alive and unknown, we cannot risk Salem growing more powerful. We need a vessel for the Fall Maiden's power."

"Alright." Jaune's eyes narrowed. "And who exactly did you have in mind?"

[tarisilmarwen]

Rebels Rewatch: "The Wynkahthu Job"

The space = ocean metaphor really getting stretched here.

Hoo boy, here we go.

Hondo's converted the Imperial shuttle he stole into his new pirate ship. Mostly by way of strapping cargo crates to the top like it's a minivan lol.

Love how literally no one but Ezra is happy to see Hondo.

"But it all worked out in the end right?" It in fact did not work out in the end my love, you lost the Phantom and nearly fell to your death in a gas cloud.

Azmorigan wiping his earwax off onto the door panel, gross.

Yeah no I'm with Hera on this one I wouldn't want to work with him either.

I SHOULDN'T LAUGH BUT HONDO'S BLIND JOKES ARE ACTUALLY KIND OF HILARIOUS.

Right so, Rebels kind of leans into this whole aesthetic of depicting space with ocean and seafaring metaphors, which I guess ties back into the whole idea that Star Wars is Space Fantasy, not science-fiction, imbued with the romanticism and swashbuckling adventure of weekly serials. We have knights and princesses and pirates, the most iconic weapon is a sword (Ezra's first lightsaber in particular is kind of akin to a rapier, and his fighting style evokes fencing), we have ancient wayfinders (bo-rifles and Lasat culture) and migrating pods of whales. And now we have a shipwreck being slowly drawn in by a whirlpool.

It's a pretty cool reoccurring element.

Ezra still looks a bit uncomfortable with Hondo's affectionate shoulder wraps.

I love that they brought AP for this mission, he's always hilarious.

Oh good we're at scene the first of my least favorite part of this episode, Ezra randomly being an ass for no real reason. It's especially jarring and grating after the maturity he showed last episode so frankly I'm just kind of going to wander away from that plot thread and ignore it whenever it happens, it's dumb and I refuse to entertain it.

There isn't even any real lesson learned??? Ezra never apologizes for being a shit and Hondo proves he is actually a good and loyal friend by coming back for the finale so what was even the point of this contrived piece of conflict? Nglh.

"This is your plan!" "I have factored that in. Without me your chances would be almost zero." <33333 I love him.

Hondo and Azmorigan play off each other hilariously.

Keen-eyed can spot Melch running around the corridors in the background.

I'm remembering why I tend not to like stories centered around or heavily featuring Chaotic Neutral characters, all the times Hondo's double-crossed someone gets very tiring and hard to keep up with.

"You attacked an Imperial ship." "We do it all the time." "Exac--Really?" I DIED. I LOL-ED AND I DIED.

That sighing eyeroll from Ezra in the background there ha ha.

I really am going to have to refrain from quoting Hondo every single time he makes me laugh, but this line about how they used to get none of the truth is hitting me right in the funnybone.

The gag with the door is great too.

Oh! The whole nautical swashbuckling adventure vibe I mentioned? Yeah, now they're gonna fight enchanted skeletons. In the form of the sentry droids.

The cable ziplines make this feel a little like a heist movie.

Ignoring this whole exchange...

Oohhh they are taller than Zeb, that's scary.

AP-5 FORGOT TO INCLUDE THE SENTRY DROIDS IN HIS SCENARIO CALCULATING LOL.

Hello Darktrooper precursor.

AP-5's sullen disappointment when Ezra tells them the first sentry droid got blasted lolol. AP you could have saved everyone a LOT of headache by just forewarning them about the droids.

This whole exchange. <333

Ezra that "I'll catch up." was dangerously close to "I'm right behind you." and also the last time you used that phrase you found Maul lurking in a pit. Do not tempt karma like that.

The sentry droids show a remarkable amount of strategic intelligence shooting the cable out rather than continuing to fire at Zeb and Ezra.

Worried Sabine be worried. :)

"It's okay! Zeb's got him! [Ezra]"

*raises eyebrow*

Interesting specification, Sabine.

This bit is pretty awesome.

And wow that was a quick climax.

Eyyyyy Melch is fine! And taught Hondo a lesson hopefully, lol.

This episode frustrates me because on the one hand it is HILARIOUS and I love the spacemariner and swashbuckling aesthetics of it but on the other hand *gestures to all of that*. With some tweaking this could have been the funniest episode of the series but as it is it just winds up landing as a mixed bag.

We're back to form next time, though, and we really don't stumble again for a good long streak. We're also going to start running into more and more episodes I've already liveblogged through. As I said previously those recaps will likely be shorter, unless I find something I really want to ramble about.

[thegreatunifier]

stop (now a sad? one >:3)

It was all he could do to keep his wits about him. The sounds of battle ad war raged around him, beating against his skull like a war drum and yet he pushed past the pain, past the pressure and the exhaustion because there was something a hell of a lot more important that needed his attention. "Come on.... Come ON!" He pushed himself faster, his wings beating harder and harder to catch up to the being that was 100 feet below him and the distance was not lessoning. He couldn't be late, he wouldn't be too late. He had to get there in time or else....

There was no room for 'or else'. He gritted against the muscles screaming in his back, in his wings in his shoulders. Every cell cried for relief, just for a moment but he ignored it. 70 feet.

50 feet.

30 feet.

"Wiccan!" He was so close, and yet Billy had failed to regain consciousness. The energy blast had barely skimmed Teddy's shoulder but it was just enough to slam into the back of Billy's head right as the spell he was casting left his lips. He had already failed once. He wasn't going to do so again. 20 feet.

10 feet. He caught the very dregs of Billy's cloak and hurled him up and against his body with only one moment more to angle himself out of a direct nosedive. Pain exploded along his head, shoulders, back, the world nothing but blurs of color before it slowed and finally stopped. All he could hear was his heart, the breath tearing from his chest and for another long, agonizing moment, it was all Teddy could do but just let the pain wash over him. The second he felt his healing ability kick in he was moving, rolling so that Billy was laying down against the ground, shielded by Teddy's body. "Come on, Bee. You gotta wake up now okay?" His hand slid to the back of Billy's head and was only slightly relieved that there wasn't any blood. But a blast like that, with how hot he personally knew those chambers were, didn't mean much. It could have cauterized on contact, doing nothing to aid the wound behind it. "Bee...Billy. Please, love wake up. Please..." He shook him as much as he dared, ignoring the sounds of the raging and dying around him. This couldn't be it. This wouldn't be it. This was not how he was going to lose his husband.

"Not today, Death you bastard. Not Today. Come on, Billy..." He shook him once more, barely tapping the skin of Billy's cheek only to see the black eyelashes flutter and finally open. Every ounce of air left Teddy's lungs in a gush, and his head fell down to rest on Billy's shoulder. Thank the gods... Oh, he didn't care what he had to do to repay them, he would. Thank the Gods. "Unngh, what... What happened?" Billy's words were slurred, but they seemed to clear the more he came into awareness. Teddy pressed a kiss to Billy's neck, his chin and finally his lips before he pulled back enough to look into his eyes. "Someone got a lucky shot." He couldn't help the smile, the all out relief that made the pain, the fighting and world around them fall into the background. "But you're okay. Just might have a nasty bump after this." He leaned back, wings still curled around them both as Teddy helped Billy sit upright. Billy's hand moved to the back of his head, hissing when he felt the now obvious line of bald skin. "And a new hairstyle apparently." He looked up into Teddy's eyes, suddenly realizing how close the king was to breaking. "I'm okay, Tee. But we need to move, there are people who-" "No." The command came out harsher than he intended but he didn't back down. He saw the familiar stubbornness flash in Billy's eyes, but Teddy didn't let him continue the thought. "No, we're done. Lauri-Ell can handle things from here. You and I need to go."

"But Teddy we can't I mean, look around-" "Billy, stop." Teddy cupped his husband's cheeks, holding him still so he had nothing else to do but to look at him. "I'm exhausted, you damn near almost fell head first into the crust of this planet and I am not going to allow you to kill yourself when we have people who can help finish this." He rarely pulled rank, hated doing it, especially when it came to Billy. But the image of his lifeless body falling faster than Teddy could catch him would not leave his minds eye, and he doubted it would for a long, long time.

"Please... Our forces are pushing them back. I was about to tell you when someone got a lucky shot past me, okay? Let my Accuser handle this and let's go home." He could see Billy struggling, fighting against what he knew he could do and what he knew he should do. And just when Teddy thought he was going to have to haul his stubborn husband over his shoulder and take him home himself, he saw Billy slump in defeat. "Okay. Let's go home."

[dxy-drxxm]

SYNOPSIS: Ghost hunting is a term she'd never find herself using again. Not after she's seen what she shouldn't have.

CW/s: tragedy levels of horror (slightly exaggerated), implied gore, animosity, unresolved conflict (that gets on hold) and character death(s? yeah). Please, please dni, this fic is purely sfw but it will go through the darker topics for a bit.

NOTE: inspired by the song "the dentist's swamp" (both survivor and hunter side), recent entry for @i23kazu's ebg. Its honestly an excuse to write smth horrific (IDV AU)

Entering White Sand Street Asylum, the match begins like how they are used to, and especially with where the embalmer found herself in.

Or, well, what should be something that she's used to. After all, she didn't realize that things could change way, way too swiftly.

Avoiding the blade sent by the queen, Furina, the ferrylady kept sprinting from the beheaded ruler in all of her glory. 2 ciphers had been decoded, but they needed to do 3 more, and they lost a member in the cruel game of 'hide and seek'.

It was a shame, really. They were sure that Emilie, the perfumer, would've been able to avoid her should they have relied less on her perfumes and more of her surroundings.

"I thought that an embalmer like you wouldn't have given her the chance of rebirth," the queen seem to call out, their chase continuing as she tried to hinder her with the mirror and fail. "What made you change, hm? Did something happened?"

"Like Hell will I tell you," the embalmer retorted, vaulting a window and slipping inside the next room over the hall. "After all, you'd use what I say against me and everyone else."

The hunter laughed as she narrowly avoided a big glass shard after her, lowering her body before she scrambled up and away. She could vaguely hear the sound of fabric hitting wood as she left the church, her shoes slamming on the ground as her heart raced a million miles an hour.

There was something to be said about getting chased by something that can, in simpler terms, drive one mad. And surely, she would've learned how bad it is to catch a hunter's attention by now... But she didn't.

If anything, it was almost like she was compelled to do it again. Maybe it was something that she couldn't deny, as she has yet to learn her lesson on how to deal with the residents.

Or to even pay attention to where she's heading.

In the midst of it all, she found herself panting, heaving as she tried to get the lady in red away from her. But when she felt that hope was too far from her reach, she felt a hand yank her wrist and pull her over.

She was about to flinch and pull them away, but she fell short when she saw who it was that was trying to save her.

Placing a finger on their lips, they kept crouching behind the abandoned furniture as they heard the soft humming of the hunter. Their heartbeats were beating rapidly, but it didn't took long until the hunter has left the vicinity. At least, for now.

"... There," the novelist whispered, letting go of the embalmer with a sigh. "We should be safe from Madame Red. She's not the brightest like the Photographer, but we should stay cautious. Who knows when she's coming back?"

... Ah. I forgot, she thought somberly. When it comes to matches, they're not the type to joke around... How careless of me.

"... Of course. Although, with the pace we're going I think she will find a difficult time finding a new survivor to go after," the woman explained, standing up to pull the latter as well, facing the once wiggling cipher. "After all, that man is not one to kid around in a match."

Ah, the 'Prisoner'. I have never known what his story is, but to think that someone would have the utter audacity to demote a Warden from his position...

"Mm, but that's besides the point," the novelist muttered, seeing the injuries she retained. "And especially when you were kiting Madame Red, too. Are you okay?"

"I'll be fine," she replied, albeit her tone did sound a bit cold. "I hadn't been hit hard enough to be impaled, thankfully. She's not good with a mirror shard than a sword."

At the corner of her eye, the novelist's mouth seem to open... But it closed, though she did catch the sight of a small frown.

Ah.

"You worry too much, Navina," the embalmer added, reaching over to pat their head. Still, she saw that the frown remained.

It seems she's done it now... How unfortunate.

"I know, I'm just... I suppose being concerned over someone is a little unnecessary," they added, grabbing her hand to pull it away. They turned their head to the cipher, beginning to work on it once more.

"Anyway, let's focus on the match first. I don't want to delay any second we have over something you don't want me worried about."

Charon's eyes narrowed, but she said nothing. Walking over to their side, she began to turn the cogs, making sure that the machine worked as it should be.

...

The silence is oddly deafening. It was almost hard to ascertain how they're feeling, especially when she's aware that her words led them to be so quiet. Even if they are friends, there were bound for disagreements to arise between each other.

Such is the way of life, especially in a manor that's hellbent on setting itself up for manslaughter with everyone's grim experiences.

The only sounds that surround them were the laughter echoing from outside, the slams of pallets and groans, and even the eerie clangs of the bell when the hunter regained more of her power.

Charon and the others were familiar to the sound. It was haunting as it was enchanting, and even she couldn't deny, she gets scared the more she hears it.

Maybe it reminded her of those church bells that were too big for one to deal with and use, or even those in Eversleeping Town, wherein the 'ringing' you'd hear was the tram's arrival. Whether it's goal was to simply cause a freak accident or for a hunter to be sent off flying for being too careless, she didn't knew.

In those moments of her lack of self-awareness, she could vaguely hear someone calling out to her. It sounded familiar, and yet she continued to ignore it, like she wasn't planning to see who could be bothering her.

"...ey..."

Just what goes on in the manor's walls, anyway? Was there something that no one understood?

"... H..."

Were the others here for a different reason, perhaps? Was she here for someone else to use her like a puppet?

"...ro...!"

Just... what's going on? And who even is she? What even are they?

"Look out!"

The piercing sound of shattered glass caught her attention, and the feeling of time slowed down as she watched the scene unfold in her very eyes.

Death was not uncommon in the world they live in. In a way, death felt akin to the sweet release that they can get from each of their matches. But to the embalmer, it felt like a harsh slap to the face.

Blood seem to pour out right in front of her as the novelist took the hit. The mirror shard had went through to their body, but from the look in their eye, they seemed far too relieved to care of their current predicament than anything else.

"Oh, good... You're finally aware," she heard them say, but it was short lived when the object was yanked from their chest, letting them stumble and fall on top of the embalmer.

No.

Catching them, blood began to pour on her attire out of panic. She could see the queen wipe off her bloodied shard, which didn't give her enough time to process everything.

Hoisting the severely injured novelist, the survivor dashed off, hearing the laughter from the hunter as their hearts began to beat as wildly as it can. Although theirs stuttered as they lost blood at each step, this only pushed her to go faster.

She needed to go someplace safe, someplace where she can safely embalm them, even if the process is as painful as it gets.

"Breathe for me, okay?" the embalmer told them, hoisting them up so their head would rest on her shoulder. "Come on, I need you to breathe. You'll be okay. I won't let you die."

"You won't...?"

"Not if I have a say in it," she hissed, vaulting another window and pallet. The sight of the walls around them seem to deteriorate the longer she carried the injured survivor, causing her to grimace.

She never liked the memories associated with White Sand Street Asylum. They're as unpleasant as they come, and the two were able to attest to it.

After all, the first few times they came to the asylum, it was due to a somewhat foolish quest.

Klee, the youngest survivor, had asked her and a few others if they could explore back then. She has heard of multiple rumors of the asylum being filled with ghosts, and unfortunately for the child, she hasn't been told of the horror stories with them.

And just like any other child who's yet to experience the scare of a lifetime, she asked her, Albedo, and Navina to investigate with her and see if the ghosts were really lurking from down below.

Safe to say, though, the embalmer knew too well of the outcome and made sure that she didn't get to see the things that they had to.

She couldn't forget how it felt to step foot in the halls of the abandoned asylum the first time. She couldn't forget how it felt as though time ceased to move when she caught sight of the bodies laid in some of the rooms, some of them covered with a stained gray cloth, but the stench being putrid like no other.

Klee wanted to see what it was at first, but catching whiff of it had made her stop asking. Even Albedo made sure that the other two can walk through it, his hold on the younger child firm.

It was only when they reached room 13 that she saw an unsightly view of one of the newest patients in the vicinity.

It was too difficult for Charon to explain what she found, but every time she found herself recalling, it was almost like she wanted to hurl. And as bad as it sounds, she knew that it was the safest place they can go.

No man or monster would come a step near that room, and that was their only option for a refuge.

Skidding down the halls, she slipped for a moment before running to her right, making a slight turn to dash towards room 13. The door was open, so it didn't took long for her to slam it open with her right side, barreling in.

Side stepping, Charon pushed herself back and closed her eyes, pushing all of her bodyweight and theirs to close the door shut.

Ca-chunk!

...

The strench was stronger than last time, she notes. But it was the price she had to pay, as its for the sake of their safety.

And it would seem that it paid off, considering their heart beat stopped thundering when the hunter got near. She did screamed in disgust at the smell permeating from the room they're in, making her chuckle.

Ah... It was worth the effort.

Looking down at Navina's body, she laid them down. She needed to ignore the monstrosity of the patient's body that used to reside in the room, since the novelist had passed out.

Turning to the door, the embalmer opened it up enough to let light pass, this time turning to see the damage on the other survivor's body to see what happened.

... Sheesh.

Pulling the handle of the case off of her arm, she opened it and grabbed the items she needed.

No time.

She raised the syringe she retrieved, and the scalpel she had always thought of carrying for an emergency extraction.

It's time to operate on a patient.

@.dxy-drxxm | do not republish, repost, or copy my works anywhere | 2024

[beantothemax]

"I could teach them."

Clearbrook's meeting hall fell silent the moment Therion raised his voice. Every pair of eyes glued to him in shock, Alfyn's included, though his expression was less one of disbelief and more simple surprise. Which, Therion supposed, was fair. He was hardly the kind of person who volunteered himself for things, much less for being the town's schoolteacher while the usual scholar fought her illness.

"...You?" Some incredulous villager asked, managing to pick their jaw up off the floor.

"Sure." The thief - well, those days were mostly behind him now even if he'd still had a heist or two since then, though he had a hard time thinking of himself as anything else - shrugged. "I know reading, writing, arithmetic, and a few more things besides. I had a pretty good teacher of my own, and I like kids. I'm not doing much around town besides supporting Alfyn, anyway. Don't see why not." The murmurs of discomfort through the room were easy to ignore when Alfyn smiled, his face taken over by that full-force grin with a radiance to rival the sun.

"Theri!" The apothecary wrapped an arm around his shoulder, barely contained but at least aware that flinging himself into his arms wasn't appropriate in this setting. "Shucks, that's a great idea! Those kids already love ya, you'd be a great teacher!"

"Wait, hold on." One of the elders shook their head. "We hardly know you, how can we trust our children with you? Alfyn himself would be a perfectly good substitute-"

"WOULD be," Alfyn interrupted, "except I'm already Miss Honeysuckle's attending physician. Don't see none of you lining up to fill her spot, either."

"But he's practically a stranger!" Another woman shot up in her seat. "And we're supposed to trust him just because he's your husband?"

Therion took a deep breath and clenched his hand. No threats, no threats. Handle this like an adult. "You can trust me because, whether you know me or not, your kids already do. I play ball with them, I tell them stories, I catch frogs in the creek with them. I've started teaching one or two to read already. Not a single one of you wondered why they all suddenly knew how to perfectly peel an apple one day?"

"Dunno why you folks keep bringin' me into this, either." Alfyn shook his head. "He's only been here a few years, but he's hardly a stranger to y'all at this point."

"Well, we trust YOU, Alfyn!" A desperate father pleaded. "But we just don't know him half as well, and he's..."

"I'm what, exactly?" Therion combed his fingers through his hair, brushing his bangs out of the way of his eyepatch. No longer a shameful reminder to him, the scar on full display. "Go ahead, I'm listening." No direct answer came, only the murmuring of the in-group. A familiar scene, one that reminded him of his own childhood. Of his own mother. Whispers of how he was an 'outsider'. ("She's not from here, and she's always speaking in some weird language.") Rumblings of his past, his lifestyle ("I heard her husband was a killer." "I heard the kid's father was hung for treason."). His unusual appearance, his otherness ("Do you really want a foreigner teaching your kids? They always smell like their strange food and talk strangely."). His patience waned, his clenched fist trembled as his knuckles whitened. He felt a retort building in his chest, the hurtful words he'd been holding back beginning to bubble to the surface.

"What the hells is all this about, huh?" Alfyn shot to his feet so fast the chair clattered behind him. The room stared at him in shock, Therion included, though less with disbelief and more with surprise. "You got a man with more life experience than half of this room combined offerin' to teach your kids, and you get cold feet because you don't like how he looks? Because you haven't made the time to get to know him? Forget reading writing and arithmetic, what kinda gods-damned lesson is THAT to teach your kids? If you guys are gonna wring your hands about the one guy in town that's qualified and willing because he's got a couple scars, you'd lose your minds at some of the nicest people I've ever met outside of Clearbrook."

The room was silent.

"I believe...we will adjourn this meeting for now." The village elder stood up. "As for what's been discussed here today, we...have much to consider. Therion." The thief, if he could still call himself that, perked up in his seat. "If this is truly something you want to do...then we will continue this discussion next time with fresh minds. The both of you have made...rather salient points. Until next week."

As the meeting dispersed, Alfyn let out a breath and hung his head. "Damn." He sighed. "I just...I can't believe they'd do that to ya. You'd think they'd know better by know, but..."

"Hm." Therion hummed. Being treated with suspicion was nothing new to him, though it still stung a bit when it was his new home. "Hey. Uh...thanks for saying something. I don't know that I would've been nearly that nice about it. Might've just made things worse."

"Aw, shucks. I just couldn't stand listening to them say all that right in front of ya." Alfyn smiled again and pulled him close. "And for the record, I really do think you'd make a great teacher."

"Let's hope you're right." Therion laid his face on his chest, smiling contentedly, and wrapping his arms around Alfyn's waist.

"What, you don't trust me?"

"I do."

The thief (or perhaps not) felt his Alfyn nuzzle the top of his head and sigh happily, as he always did whenever he told his husband he trusted him. And that was all he needed, whether or not anyone else approved.

!!!!!!!!! I like this!!!!!!

the part with parenthesis ear the middle of the fic… how theri’s always been an outsider in some sense…. augh. he’s gone through so much the last thing he needs is this. the part where alfyn actually confronted all the people at the meeting was very cathartic (I think that’s the right word) to read. like hell yeah alf get their asses

also!!!! therion being good with kids!!!!! blaze you share my vision!!!!!!! he absolutely would

also the part at the end was very sweet but all I can think of is that drawing you made where theri’s pushing his head into alfyn’s tits and thinking ‘booba’ while smiling mischievously. it lives in my brain at all times

[kairose]

Straight Outta Hell

Short TW: Nightmares, hallucinations, and screaming equivalent to a panic attack

Chapter 1: A Visit to the Doctor

My hands were folded as I waited impatiently for the teacher to finish her lesson. She was an alright teacher, pretty chill with the class, but would take a long time explaining her topics. I glanced up at the clock, realizing I wouldn't have all that much time. Finally, the school bells rang. I quickly gathered my school belongings and placed them neatly in my backpack. I zipped it back up and flung the bag's strap over my right shoulder.

"Dude, where are you off to in such a hurry?" I look over my shoulder to see my good buddy Louis walking up to me.

"I need to pick up Malory and take her to a doctor's appointment." I pause to look down at the time on my phone. "Which is in about 15 minutes."

Louis looks up to the side, staring at the ceiling as if pondering something. He then looks back at me. "What about later today? We still hanging around?"

"After the appointment, we'll go home. You could come at the original time we planned." Before I could even give him a heads up I made my way to the door. Louis scurries behind me, grabbing his books and placing them in his bag before zipping it up and placing it on his back. "Well, then I'll walk with you to her class for a while!" Louis shouted from behind, catching up with me.

I made my way to Malory's classroom, zooming through the halls. The two of us chatted as we made our way to Malory's classroom. Louis occasionally fell behind before running to catch up with me. I paid it no mind, only having one goal: retrieve Malory and get to the doctor. I waited in front of the door before knocking on it. Louis stood by me before waving at me, "See you later then, man!" I simply nodded at him, "Yeah, see you." I glanced at Louis watching as he walked in the direction of the school's front doors, hastily on his way out.

I turned my attention back to Malory's classroom door, turning the doorknob, and I entered the class. As I entered some of the young kids looked up at me, eyes glued. "Rue? Are you here for Malory?" Malory's homeroom teacher asked, now turning to me.

"Yes, that's right, for her appointment," I responded. After scanning the room my eyes landed on Malory, who was packing her bag. She stands up and then walks up to me.

"Bye-bye, everybody!" Malory shouted before I placed my hand on her back, guiding her out of the room. The teacher called goodbye as we exited, then resumed her lesson, the classmates turning their attention back to the teacher. I grabbed Malory's hand and started to run with her towards the exit of the school. Our school bags made loud justling sounds as the books were thrown about inside. The school's doors were luckily wide open and we dashed out.

"C'mon! We've got to hurry! You're lucky the building is near-" I shouted aloud before realizing I wasn't paying close attention to what was in front of me, and collided with an elderly woman. She held a small brown package that ended up getting flung a short distance. We both tumbled, hitting the concrete ground with a loud thud. Malory, who only ran behind me due to her stubby legs, walked up to the elderly woman. Worried for the elderly woman, she reached out to her, helping her up. She shakily stood back up with his assistance, then glared at me.

"You youngins ought to watch where you go!" She declared, kneeling back over to pick up the small brown package, picking it up. She placed her wrinkly hand on her back, rubbing it like it was aching, her other arm tenderly carrying the package. She then cradled the package as if it were some small newborn baby.

"I'm sorry, ma'am. We're in a hurry to the doctor, and I just wasn't paying attention. Are you alright?" I apologized, hoping we were in the clear, and that the woman's condition wasn't serious.

"Bah!" She grumbled. "Fine! 'M fine!"

"You're not injured, are you?" Malory quickly asked, concern apparent in her voice. She seemed worried after the elderly woman soothingly rubbed her back.

"I'm fine... And so is this." She held the package in front of us as if declaring to us that whatever was inside was more important than her own life.

"Uh- Well, okay... Sorry again, we'll be on our way then." I intervened, bowing as a slight apology.

She glared at me before nodding her head. We walked away from her as she headed in the opposite direction. Malory and I then broke into a sprint again, dashing to the doctor's office.

—-

I sat respectively as the doctor examined Malory. Malory was always a worry wart when it came to doctors. However, she felt comforted by the sheer fact I was in the same room. Our parents were always busy with work, so I would take care of Malory most of the time. Luckily for me, I didn't mind, and we were both mature enough to care for ourselves.

"Well, she's healthy. What you had told me when you scheduled this appointment, I'll prescribe some medicine for better sleep." The doctor said, turning to me, signaling he was finished.

"Thank you, sir."

He then turned to his computer, typing up the results of Malory's appointment. Looking to his side he then wrote down the name of the medicine he would prescribe to Malory. "Hand this to the people up front, and they'll give you the prescribed medicine. Every night just before bed she should take them, and after a while, she may not need them anymore."

"Thank you again, sir." I took the paper note from his hand and held Malory's hand. "And if they continue again?"

"I recommend coming back here, then possibly searching for someone she could talk to about her restless sleeping." The doctor responded, grabbing a flip chart, and walking us out of the room before taking another patient.

The two of us went up front. I handed the note our doctor wrote to the woman sitting at the front desk, who then went elsewhere, fetching us Malory's pills. She handed it to me with a solemn smile, "Thank you for visiting." I waved and the two of us walked out.

The crisp autumn air kissed my skin as I walked out, Malory's right hand holding my left, her palm almost sweaty. "That wasn't so bad... Yeah?"

Malory looked up at me, slightly nodding her head. "Yeah..."

A silence filled the air as we walked toe-in-toe back to our house. I would occasionally look around like I usually did, appreciating the scenery. The one-story flats and their beige colors. Occasionally some brighter colors like blue or yellow. Eventually, Malory had enough of the awkward silence and she cleared her throat, "Do you think the nightmares will go away?"

I focused my attention back on my younger sister, "Mal, of course. I think they'll go away."

"But what if tonight they get worse? I hate how they end. Mom and Dad are never there, but you are... And- and it always..." She began to work herself up, unable to finish her complex thoughts. Her train of thought was lost, ditched away.

"Mal..." I began. I let go of her hand and walked up in front of her, placing my hands on her shoulders to get her to look me in the eyes. "They'll go away. And if they don't, I'll do what I can to help you." I spoke sternly, causing her eyes to look all misty.

Chuckling I gave her knog-in, messing her hair up, "Now stop feeling frightened." Malory shoved my hand away, mispleased I messed up her hair again. "Brother!-" She started but just giggled.

"Come on. Let's go home. Okay?" I held out my left hand again, and she happily took it. The two of us continued on our way back, pleased with the pleasant atmosphere: the falling orange and red leaves, and the chill wind.

—-

As soon as we arrived home our mother greeted us with dinner freshly prepared. It smelled delightful. A classic dish of spaghetti with meatballs, and a vegetable salad as the side. Our father took his share before returning to his room, telling us not to bother him as he had an online meeting. Before we could all sit down to eat a knock on the door was heard. I figured Louis was here now. I had invited him for dinner, but also to have a sleepover. We planned on watching some horror films late in the night, and I told him it would be best to do it at my house as my parents would be too busy to care.

I walked up to the front, unlocking and opening it. Louis casually walked in, embracing me in his iconic bear hug. "Hey! Glad to see you again!" He cheerfully exclaimed. "I hope Malory's appointment went well."

"Don't worry it was fine." I guided him through the house after he set his things aside in the living room. "You made it on time since dinner is all finished too."

Louis and I then pulled out a chair and everyone began to serve themselves or each other. We all began feasting, my mom explaining how it was nice to see Louis again after a while. We talked about school for some time, including some random drama, and then whatever the conversation led us to. It was a pretty chill and relaxing environment. I noticed how Malory seemed pleased with everything, possibly due to how she didn't need to worry about the nightly horrors she could encounter. The moment everyone finished their meals my mom and I worked to clean the dining room table. We both scrubbed the dishes a bit clean before inserting them into the dishwasher to finish the job. My mother then excused herself and went back into her room.

"So, are we ready?" Louis teasingly asked, his eyebrows wiggling mischievously.

"Ready for what?" Malory intervened.

"No, not now. Malory, we're going to stay up watching films, but I don't want you down here."

"Huh? Why not? I wanna watch with you then!"

"Malory, we're watching horror. Just go to your room." I pointed in the direction I wanted her to leave, but she stubbornly pouted, refusing my proposal. "Rue, that's not fair! And you can't watch horror."

I rolled my eyes, "We're old enough. Come on!" Annoyed with my sister I picked her up, tumbling a bit from her weight, and carried, practically dragging her to her room. Louis watched this unfurl from the sidelines. "Rue, why are you so against her watching them? I'm sure she'd be fine."

"I don't want her nightmares getting worse. They're already bad as is." I responded, letting go of Malory. She plopped down on her knees before standing up straight on her feet.

"I'm not a baby. I'll leave if it's too scary." She said, a flare in her eyes.

"I agree, you should let her. If it's too much we take a breather, and Malory can decide whether we should continue or stop." Louis added, making my head swirl. I looked at Malory, a pleading and flared look in her eyes, while Louis smiled solemnly at me, shrugging his shoulders as if to indicate 'Why not?' I took a deep breath and sighed, "Fine. But let us know when it's too much..."

Malory smiled, happy she seemed to have won. She then gave me a brief hug and ran ahead of Louis and I to the living room. Louis smiled at me, pleased that there was no fighting or hurt feelings. He was always too kind. I chuckled, forming a fist and tapping his shoulder, "It's your fault too if she ends up traumatized. You picked the movies, remember?"

"Yeah, I guess I did, but I don't think they'll be too much. Just a couple jump scares."

"Pfft-! We'll see," I simply retort. The three of us began to set up the films. Louis and I also set up areas for us to sleep at, Malory would return to her room once we turned the film off. I promised to stay with her for some time after the film if it had been too much to ease her mind, hopefully making her forget the movie's contents. She of course agreed.

The time for the film was underway. Louis and Malory came out from the kitchen holding bowls of popcorn while I set up the TV, typing the name of the film Otherworldly into the search bar for Prime. Once everyone was settled down I clicked on the film and let it play. The TV projected a cold blue color, and the eerie music played as companies and people were introduced. After this, it began to play. Malory scoots close to me, seemingly intrigued by the film already.

As the plot and characters were introduced we chowed down on popcorn, the atmosphere chilling. The plot seemed messy as of now, but I had hoped everything would make sense by the end.

Time seemed to pass as the film revealed its contents, introducing the horrors and unwinding the plot. Somehow well-written for a movie on a budget. Malory grabbed onto the sleeve of my pajamas, her hands quivering. She had been doing well thus far, but now the film seemed to be giving her anxiety. About 32 minutes in she had mentioned how the entities reminded her of the ones in her nightmare.

Malory opened her mouth slightly ready to speak to me. However, one of the demon-like entities jumped and scared everyone in the room, shrieking and jumping at a side character.

"AUGH-! Pause! Okay, I can't handle this-" Malory squealed. We were at the very least 45 minutes into the film when Malory surrendered to her real emotions.

Malory whimpered as I moved to the TV remote and paused the film. "Okay, it's alright. No more..."

I walked back over to her holding out my hand to her, "We can wait in your room for a while... Watch something stupid, yeah?" Malory looked at me, small tears in her eyes. She simply nodded at me.

I turned to face Louis for a moment, "Sorry man, this might take a while."

"It's fine." He responded, with a small court smile. "You must care for your family."

I nodded and then Malory and I headed back into her room with her. I brought my phone hoping I could ease her anxiety by watching something stupid, keeping her mind away from the contents of the film. Malory sat on her bed covering her legs with her fluffy pink blanket. To her side was her comfort plush bunny, which she picked up and hugged. "You think I'm a baby, don't you?" She asked me, looking down at her plushie.

I turned my attention to her in shock. "Mama and Papa think so too. I know they do because I interrupt work time..." She continued, looking vulnerable and lost. I motioned for her to look at me, shaking my head, "No, that's not right. You're no burden. It's difficult to help with these nightmares and hallucinations when we don't even know the cause, but you're not a burden. We want to help you, I want to help, Malory. Okay?"

Malory stared at me, her face squinty and her mouth frowning. She looked like she'd start wailing. "Malory, you'll be honest to me about how you feel from now on, right? You don't need to push yourself to look all cool." She nodded slightly, causing me to smile comfortingly. "You can always talk to me about what you see and what happens in your dreams, okay? I won't push you away, and I'll listen."

"Okay..." She half whispered. "Thank you, Rue. Love you..."

"I love you too."

Malory laid herself down and seemingly surrendered to sleep. Her anxieties and worries were gone for the day after our small talk. I smiled at her sleeping so peacefully in what felt like forever. I walked away from her bedside and walked to Malory's bedroom door. I peeked one last time at her sleeping form before shutting the door and returning to Louis in the living room.

The two of us stayed up late, watching the rest of our films in silence. We both went to bed at around 2:34 AM, but were briefly awoken by shrieking I had never heard before from Malory's room at 4:44 AM. Until the sun arose, I stayed up by Malory's side as she kept whispering how she didn't want me to go, and that she wished for me to stay alive.

Previous…

The next chapter…

[therapardalis]

One of Thera's very first lessons had been, 'observation keeps you alive'. A flicker of shadow, movement where none should be - or, as in this case, a reflection of light from something metallic. That might once have been a weapon or the armour of an enemy, but it served her just as well in catching the shape of the console in the phaser light's thin beam.

She fell once again into the place of keeping watch, sparing glances to the screens but well aware she could never match the Commander's recording speed or his flawless memory.

Additionally, what he had to say about the information was encouraging, indeed. "They're not interested in running the base," She murmured, thinking aloud, "they were all up on the top level waiting for us." Data's listing of the levels above them suggested it would take the raiders a little longer to get down there once the two of them were located; not a lot, but still ...

"But ..." Her tongue poked behind the corner of her lower lip, a sign of amusement, "us on an engineering level? Could be very useful." She exhaled, eyes contemplating. "Should we try and contact them, do you think? To keep with the story that we're down here by mistake?"

She was right. The beam of the lights passed over it, the shape of a terminal emerging from shifting shadows. Data increased his speed by a factor of two and, upon reaching the terminal, holstered his phaser so as to activate it, trusting Thera to cover him. A few key strokes quieted the concern that it might notify anyone of their presence - it appeared to be a simple map interface, the sort that was self-contained in 98.9% of examples. Data flipped quickly through the screens, needing only for them to fully load before they were committed to memory. Just in case it was connected to a central system, he shut it off immediately as soon as the screens began to loop around to the beginning again.

"I believe the term is 'good catch, Ensign," he said, picking up his phaser again. "We're on the fourth subterranean level. Primarily dedicated to engineering sections, but minimally manned. Directly above us is storage, for two levels, offices and common areas above that and living quarters on the three surface levels. There are holding cells in the first sub-level. I believe it most likely that the outpost personnel are to be found there."

[wonderlandleighleigh]

hi! I hope you're doing well 🧡 when you feel able, could you do a continuation of the Esther story where she catches Joel cheating on Mei? maybe of her talking to Lenny about it? thanks!

There's a soft tap on the door. "It's Dad."

Esther sits up, stilling hugging her pillow. "Come in."

It opens, and Lenny steps in, closing it behind him, leaning against it, and seemingly taking an assessment of his step-daughter. It's not anything new. Checking in on the Maisel kid is something he's been doing since Esther was a little girl. Practically her whole life.

And to be quite honest, she's happy about that. Since her own father has been less and less present throughout her life, having another father figure to look out for her in a real, tangible way.

Once, when Esther was eight, a reporter had approached her on the street after school, asking questions about "Sicknick Lenny Bruce" and what his behavior must be like around kids.

She'd responded that he'd taken her to violin lessons the day before, and then picked up Chinese food to take home to eat with Mama and Kitty.

The reporter hadn't been thrilled.

"So?" Lenny asks, tilting his head. "Dinner was interesting."

Esther shrugs.

"You wanna give me a hint?" he asks, tugging the chair from her desk and taking a seat.

"Pop's having another affair," Esther blurts out. "He's cheating on Mei, and Mei knows, and Ethan knows, and her name is Allana and I just- couldn't sit at the table with him anymore and act like everything was fine."

Lenny sighs softly. "It's...kind of an open secret. Mei knows. She told your mother not long ago, who told me."

"So everyone knows," Esther snaps.

"No," Lenny says gently. "Mei. Your mother and I. You and Ethan. None of your grandparents know. Your sisters don't know."

Esther hugs her pillow tighter. "I walked into the Button club and they were-"

Lenny stares at her for a long, frozen moment. "Uh. Right. Okay. Well. Now that you've seen...that," he says awkwardly. "Do you uh...have...questions?"

She groans, burying her face into the pillow.

"I'll take that as a no," Lenny nods. "Sex is a very natural thing. It can be very positive. But uh...not when you walk in on your parents doing it."

Esther groans louder.

"Do I need to book you an appointment with an analyst?" he offers.

She lifts her head. "I don't get the cheating!"

"Okay," Lenny says, getting to his feet and sitting on the floor. "Come sit with me."

Esther slides off the bed and sits facing him, pillow still in her lap.

"When people are unfaithful to their partners - and mind you that's different from deciding to see other people, or have an open relationship. We're talking about sneaking around and lying and keeping your partner in the dark - When people do that, it's because they are deeply, deeply unhappy, and they're trying to find something or someone that will help them fix that."

"So Dad isn't happy?"

"For as long as I have known him, Joel Maisel has been a miserable son of a bitch," Lenny responds, but stops. "Not that Shirley is a - you get what I mean."

Esther nods.

"He married your mother, and he wasn't happy. He moved in with his mistress and he wasn't happy. Quit his job. Opened a club. Married Mei. had another kid. Nothing has filled whatever hole he's been trying to cover up. Now he's got a girl half his age who looks scarily like your mother, and I don't think that's working either."

"Bu you're happy," Esther points out. "Mama is happy. I bet Mei was happy before Allana."

"I wish I could give you better insight into your father's reasoning for all of this. Sadly, he remains a mystery. I have no idea how he could have treated your mother so poorly. Personally, I fell for her pretty quickly after we met. You don't give a joint away for free to just anyone, after all."

"What?"

"Nothing," he waves a hand. "The point is, we've all just learn to ride the Joel Maisel waves and try not to worry about it too much."

She nods, hugging her pillow tightly. "So what do I do now?"

Lenny takes a breath. "My advice? Live your life. Make yourself happy. You just graduated high school, after all. Party with your friends. Go dancing. Go hang out on Coney Island. Let your mother spoil you before you start college. Get high with your brother once or twice. And don't worry so much about your father. You can' fix him, you can't control him. You can only let him do whatever asshole thing he's gonna do."

Esther takes a breath, thinking about all of that. "Do you think Mei will leave him?"

He shrugs. "Who fucking knows? Maybe. If she does, the family will deal with it. That's not your problem, and if he tries to make if your problem, you let us know. Your mother and I have your back."

She leans forward, hugging him around the neck. "Thanks, Dad."

She gets a kiss on the temple, and a brief, soothing rub on her back. "Anytime, Darling. You know that."

There's another tap on the door, and Esther pulls back, hugging her pillow again.

"It's Mama," her mother says, before opening the door and peaking in at them. "Everything okay?"

"Esther found out about Allana," Lenny tells her. "While she and Joel were uh...in flagrante delicto."

Her mother looks a little horrified. "Oh, baby, I'm so sorry that happened." She settles on her knees, hugging Esther tightly. "God, why didn't you tell me?"

"I had a hard time figuring out how," Esther admits, hugging her back. "Until tonight when I was just so mad."

Midge sighs softly and gives her another squeeze. "Well, everyone went home. It's just the five of us, and I saved you some pie. That'll make you feel better."

"At least Gramma Rose won't be staring at me while I eat it," Esther says, trying for a joke.

"Mama just wants you to feel pretty," Midge reminds her.

"And hungry," Lenny adds with a slight eyeroll.

Midge huffs and gets to her feet, helping her daughter up and then her husband. "Come on. Pie."

"Mama?"

Midge turns to her, tilting her head.

"Did you know that dad was cheating?" Esther asks. "When he cheated on you?"

Her mother smiles sadly, and takes her hands in both of hers. "I had no fucking clue. Now come on, before your brother decides all the pie has his name on it."

Esther sighs, and follows.

[ninjacat1515]

Staunchly opposed to her parents views on humans, Eimear decides to prove them wrong and ventures out to one of their towns; bag filled with things to trade and no weapons.

The teenager has Netherite ingots, gold coins, and Emeralds. Eimear makes a cautious approach, hands up and free of any danger. One of the residents spits out his coffee at the sight that was meeting his eyes. A very young Illager, couldn't have been older than 13, walking towards him with a friendly and hopeful expression.

"You seeing this??" He elbows his friend.

"What the hell, there's something new! Heh, does she think we're morons?....no...wait she's just being fucking stupid!" They have a nervous laugh that turns cruel.

A foolish, strange monster that would meet a foolish end. She didn't even have a stick for defense! Naive, brainless creature.

"I know the sound of Netherite ingots when I hear them, she's got some in that travel bag. She hit her head?"

Eimear saw a group of humans gather, half a dozen in total. This was good!! She could trade with all of them, then come home and shock her parents. They'd be upset and she'd be grounded for months but this was all worth it. So set in their ways and views, but it would crack apart that concrete!

"Whatcha got there, kid?" The burly human male who had first spotted her grunted.

"Gold, Emeralds, and Netherite! I would like to trade for chocolate and spices, maybe some potions..."

The humans had surrounded her now and none of them had a jovial expression. It was like a bunch of mocking bullies closing in on her and Eimear suddenly realized she had made a horrible mistake. She didn't have a weapon, hadn't threatened them! Why were they acting this way?!?

"Illager parents are many things, but they do...at least they're SUPPOSED to, teach their little offspring about how the real world works. You are a monster, and we are humans. You really thought you could just trade with us? Oh we'll take the goods, but you're not going home ever again."

A blade slashed across her face, almost catching her eye. Eimear screamed and put her arms up, dropping the bag and her center of gravity as a human went to grab her from behind. She bit, clawed and kicked as she felt a club crack against her skull and sword stab into her stomach.

Everything felt far away as she heard the humans jeering turn into screams of terror. Was a bear attacking them?....Eimear fell to the ground and watched the bloody scene unfold.

The beasts that had come to her aide smelled so familiar, as did the voices.

Matias had picked her up while Fiadh finished slaughtering the others. Dozens of fighters from their tribe had accompanied them, and acted as a guard for their daughter.

Once back in the safety of their own town, Eimear braced herself for shouting and the lecture of the century. Neither came, and her parents only treated her wounds and comforted her.

"I'm-I'm so sorry-"

"Eimear, there is no need. All that matters is you're alive. Life lessons are most painful and harsh but you survived and I hope are the wiser for it."

Both of her parents had tears in their eyes and she understood the true gravity of the situation. Never again would she make the same error.

Humans were the enemy.

[iwannawritelots]

Spat

Originally written November 2021

Masterlist

Genre: comfort?

Ship(s): Beelzebub X MC

PLATONIC: MC, Belphegor

(genderless MC)

(requested)

Trigger/content warnings: name calling…?

Headcanons/notes from the author: written under the assumption that MC and Belphie get along after lesson 16

Brief Blurb: Beel is having a bad day, and hearing MC call Belphie names in a friendship way makes him uncharacteristically upset.

"Belphie you fucking dumbass!" you laughed, outstretching a hand to help him up. He had tripped over a deformity in the path and just let himself flop. He smirked a little at you and accepted the help, but you were both startled when someone joined from behind.

"Don't call Belphie a dumbass..."

You turned to look at Beel, who was blinking violently and wiping his under eye to avoid allowing tears to slip. "Beel, it wasn't out of malice—"

"Don't call him names!" he yelled at you, sniffling. "I don't like it!"

You sighed and facepalmed. "Beel, Belphie and I just talk to each other that way because we're friends."

"It's mean!"

Suddenly you were unsure how Beel ever survived in the world. "Beel, please—"

"Forget it..." Beel sniffled and blinked out a few tears. "I just wanna go eat..."

You both watched Beel walk ahead. Belphegor furrowed his eyebrows. "I wonder why it's bothering him so much. Hasn't he heard us talking like that before?"

"I thought so...?" You sighed and rubbed your face. "Lemme go talk with him." You hurried to catch up with Beel, who was crying into his hands. This whole situation was unusual, considering that you and Belphegor would call each other names all the time and Beel didn't seem to care. Maybe he never noticed before? "Beel, baby...?"

He sniffled and wiped his face, embarrassed. "S-Sorry... I'm not having a good day." You carefully pulled him to a bench and sat him down, then began to rub his chest. It calmed him slightly as he rather violently continued to wipe tears as soon as they fell. "Am I... m-making you angry...?"

"Baby cakes, that's not it. Belphie and I just don't understand why you're so upset about us joking around." Beel sniffled and dropped his gaze to the ground. "We don't mean it and I'm sure you know that."

"I k-keep getting scared of you all not getting along... I don't want to choose sides..." Beel told you quietly. "I love my family, and you're part of my family now... so when you fight I just..." He gave you puppy eyes. "I don't mean to be so sensitive..."

You chuckled and shook your head. "I know that you're sensitive, babe. It's very cute." He blushed a little, fumbling with his hands. "We weren't fighting. I'm telling you the truth." He nodded and nervously smiled. "You don't have to worry about a thing. If I have a problem with any of your brothers, or you, I won't lie about it to you."

"O-Okay..." he burrowed his face into your chest and you played with his hair. "I love you so much, _____..."

"I love you too, Beel."

[bonnymori]

𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐦𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐲

Word count: 2760+ (i'll try to keep bigger lengths such as this one!)

Synopsis: You meet a new classmate who's working along Nanami, you think he's fun to be around, it stands the same to him about you. Later, feelings unravel.

Contents/Warnings: (1) Itadori Yuuji x gn!reader (2) FLUFF, TONS OF FLUFF - and some comfort (3) With the small participation of... Ino Takuma!! I really like him too, that's why <33333 (4) This is pretty platonic, but also not? (5) Ending turned sorta cliché... but I liked it u.u

A/N: This boy made me run rampant... to fhe point it's not single attraction anymore I just wish him happiness (smh if only my parents knew...) also next post will be Toji's fic pt. 2! Y'all see the first part is almost reaching 100 kudos????? I'M SO HAPPY EHSODJWKDKSJD- thanks for all the new followers and the support!! <33

Ever since his fake death, Itadori has been training alone with the help of Gojo - and now, he works along a freshly new face, who belongs to a senior, founds out ex-salaryman named Nanami Kento. He's far a thousand times more strict than Gojo. Itadori doesn't really likes the change, because Nanami is a person he can't get along. This whole guy's appearance scream "work 4 life"; he has proved different, now he screams "work is shit - but I gotta do it because others won't".

They've just finished cleansing the outside of a movie theater off a few curses, when Itadori hears shouting from far behind them. Two figures approach, waving excessively. He quickly picks on Nanami's tired sigh beside him.

"Nanami! We figured out you'd be here! Our mission has been finished and we wanted to catch up to have lunch together!" A male clad in a full black outfit shouts, he has brown hair and a beanie on top of his head, looking quite content.

The other person simply trots next to him in silence, approaching with a friendly smile. They notice Itadori faster than the male, smile widening and quickly waving hello, suddenly eager to reach up to them. The gesture makes the pink haired boy perk up, curious to why the other person looked so joyful. His question is easily answered, when they tug on the man's sleeve and motion to him.

"Ino, we have a third buddy!" The dude looks at him with widened eyes. "So nice to meet you, I'm Y/N L/N! It's great to see new faces around!"

Itadori smiles at your energy, knowing already he would click with you very well.

"I'm Ino Takuma, sorry for not noticing you before! Your uniform looks cool." Itadori exchanges a few compliments with Ino, before the man turns to talk with Nanami, leaving him and you together.

"Yes! I'm Sukuna's vessel, Itadori Yuuji-desu! My type of woman is Jenn-"

You turn to him. "So, are you a first year?"

"Geh? Weren't you dead though?!"

"I was!- I am!- Please keep secret."

"Okay!"

"Ahem." Nanami coughs, drawing attention. "I requested you two to not come after me today. Itadori here is the reason why."

"That's no problem, we're very capable of keeping secrets." You threw your arm over Itadori's shoulder, him nodding along with you.

"Oh really, then remember to keep quiet about it. I'll let this slide." The group of students nervously at Nanami's intimidating tone. "But, I'll get to have my break alone."

"Gah!" Ino exclaimed, watching Nanami walk away; he also left the responsability of taking care of Itadori for you two, leaving without a word. "It really had to be today, when Nanami would take us to his favorite bakery..."

"Crybaby." You teased. "Itadori here can't go outside where anyone can see him, he's dead. So, we were to order food either way because he shouldn't be left out."

"Augh okay, it would be unfair."

"So, where are you staying Itadori?"

"At Gojo's state!"

"Whoa, I've never been there before." Ino commented, waiting as you sent a message to Ijichi to pick them up.

"He's my teacher, a very cool one!"

"I imagine! Ooookay, once we get there I'll get the food."

Itadori felt as his chest would burst of excitement, finally there was people around him again, he couldn't be less happy about it.

"Sharing is caring!"

Itadori laughed as you wrestled with Takuma for some fries, netflix long forgotten in the background, as watching the banter was way more entertaining. Most of the time, Ino rambled a lot about Nanami, while he rambled a lot about Gojo. The guy even showed him the cool scar under his beanie. He felt kinda upset after explaining the exchange was just temporary, his stay under Nanami's wing wasn't decisive, and therefore, he was more like a classmate than a partner.

Itadori also learned a lot about you. He was surprised to find out that you, although energetic, was the one to speak the lesser in conversations. His surprisement grew even bigger when you told him you're a exchange student from Kyoto, arriving Tokyo about the same month as him - thankfully, you were to say for good.

Conversations flowed easily in the air, until a voice from the doorway barged in.

"Yuuji-kun! Don't forget about your lessons! Hi kids! Bye kids!" Gojo said playfully, throwing the familiar punching bear to Itadori before leaving.

"What's this thing?" Ino asked.

"It's to help me control my cursed energy. So while I watch the movies, if I don't charge it with cursed energy it punches me square in the face. I thought I had mastered this thing already, but he insist I keep training with it." Itadori grumbles.

"At least it's cute." You commented, taking a sip of your drink.

"Until it punches you in your face without warning!" The pink haired boy barks.

The talks died down, the three of you eating quietly when another movie is played on the screen. Itadori didn't bother reading the title, it was a plain one about a zombie apocalypse that got him extremely bored, yet he kept watching still so the plushie didn't punch him in the face again; he's been keeping a record since all his last cursed energy training lessons were a sucess to this day. When his head started nodding and eyelids dropping Itadori can't remember well, about fourty five minutes of movie perhaps? Make it fifty, the second slumber took over his body completely.

When he awoke once again, it was near midnight, the clock on the wall told him so. He also noticed a soft and warm surface supporting his head, figures, it's your shoulder he's resting into, he feels an arm around his own shoulders and your cheek placed upon his hair.

"Hey, it's late." You immediately notices he's awake, calling out softly. "You should sleep on your room, or something, better to your spine."

He chuckles when you poke his side. "But I'm comfortable here."

"I'm surprised, you just met me today, and now is sleeping on my shoulder."

"I'm not, that happens often to me."

"Sleeping on people's shoulders?"

"No! Making friends quickly." Itadori likes your gentle warmth, your hug, everything makes him feel at home. "I met two more people before you for two weeks, but they can't see me, because I'm dead."

"So I'll keep you company, that's my new mission."

His eyes widen at that, a oh so little blush covering the tip of his ears.

"For how many time I slept anyway?" He asks.

"About two- no, three hours. You missed two movies, and this one is about to end."

"And you stayed here the whole time?" He motions to your shoulder.

"Yep. That reminds me I gotta pee."

Itadori grumbles, but quickly lifts himself off you, respecting your needs. That gives him some time to look around, he notices Ino is gone, and the plushie sits quietly at the other side of the couch, unmoving.

"Y/N! How did you manage to make it quiet down?" He's beyond bafflet.

"...que."

"What!"

"I said!" You arrive quickly at the doorframe, hands still wet from when you washed them. "I used my innate technique."

"Oh! How is it like?"

"It's kinda funny, gimme a moment." You left to wipe off your hands, coming back in a second. "So, just like Shoko, I produce reverse curse energy, but it's quite different than hers, I can't heal people. That's why we often call it positive energy instead. I can use it to soothe off negative energy, so the bear has no cursed energy right now."

"How does it works on people?" He felt very curious about everything, asking away like a kid.

"Since everyone has negative energy, it just makes you sleepy really. But when it comes to curses it's really practical, I can either weaken it or, if the curse is like grade three or four, I can slap them off existence completely by wiping all their energy." You were naturally proud of having a such versatile power, your own energy swirling with pride around you.

"That sounds amazing! Is it why I fell asleep though?"

"Nah, only if I did it on purpose. I guess you were just tired, hope you don't mind I decided to let you rest today."

"No way, it was a good nap."

You nodded. "By the way, Ino left to attend to a drinking party, he paid for our food."

"Drinking? Is he old?"

"Yeah, he's twenty." You chuckled, already expecting that kind of reaction.

"No way! He looks young just like us!"

"That's totally my reaction after I learned he's twenty!"

After that day, you started visiting Itadori weekly to daily, after exchanging numbers he made a little group with you and Ino, naming it the "Nanami trio". But really, he exchanges more texts with you in private, be them memes, cool images he wish to share, etcetera. Although, Ino wasn't left excluded, he ofter brough his xbox to connect to Itadori's tv room and you all would spend hours playing together; he just didn't spend much time with both of you as much. And that was okay.

For a few days, your connection with Itadori died down when he didn't reply to your texts. They would remain unread for some time, the longest being half a day, until he would spam apologies then move on with the topic. That became a routine until one day when you came over to check on Itadori unnanounced, needin to ease off your worries about the boy, only to find him sobbing in the middle of a hallway, staring ahead and beyond, his back to you.

"Ita-?"

"Egh!" Startled, he scrambled to wipe his eyes, turning to you. "H-hey, um, hi."

"What happened?"

"I- he-" His eyes didn't met yours, knuckles white in a death grip. You notice he has a few bandages thrown over his face and arms. The way his shoulders are drawn, as if he wants to shrink into himself is something you've experienced before.

"Something hard to talk about?"

He nods almost immediately, head still facing down.

"It's alright, come with me." You reach for his hands, grimacing slightly when his forceful grip is now on your hand, yet you don't comment on it. He follows you through the state wordlessly.

You two stop on the same tv room, sitting down on the couch. You then guide his head to your shoulder, gently massaging his scalp with the free hand.

"It's alright."

Those two words are chanted like a prayer for the next half hour, at some point, Itadori twisted his body towards yours and unknowingly caged you between him and the sofa arm. He embraced you with a force you didn't have in you, like he didn't want to lose one another. Painful or not, not a muscle moved on your body. He needed a shoulder to cry on.

Thirty minutes passed like seconds, you peered down only to find the boy confortably napping against your bosom; at some point you just became the cold side of the pillow to him. That's alright. It brings you joy to be the mom friend anyways. So you decided to join the sleepland aswell, arms still secured around his shoulders and the back of his head.

It feels like the nap hasn't been long, though, because you can feel Itadori's grip loosening and therefore, you're awake.

"Sorry if I broke any bones, in advance."

"Wow, and you only warn me now."

He laughs at your comeback, hands still secured around your waist.

"I'm surprised you let me uh, cuddle you for comfort - and sleep. I don't understand it? You just make me sleepy." He rambled, keeping eye contact with you while his head still rests on your chest.

"That's a piece of cake when you have younger siblings who seek for you every night they get a nightmare."

"Does that mean I can come to you again if I have a nightmare?" There it is, his togepi-kirby cutesy face.

"Are you four?"

"That's mean!" Itadori blushed, squeezing you on his arms. "I like the contact. It puts me at ease."

"Mm, do you want to talk about it?"

He gulped. "No, not really."

Your peach haired friend remained silent, and so did you. It seems he doesn't intend in letting you go soon, or he just really forgot to mention it. It gives them time to think, your younger sisted used to do that sometimes, back in Kyoto.

"Y/N, wanna watch anything?"

"Sure, have you watched Parasyte before?"

"No, let's give it a try then!" Itadori glances at the remote, then back at you - making you confused over his hesitation to move. He notices you noticed it, chuckling nervously. "To be honest, I don't wanna let go."

"It's hurting my back."

"SORRY I'M SORRY!" He jumped away from you like a cat would jolt away from a cucumber, making you snicker.

"It's okay, I just wanted to change positions."

And to tease you, but he didn't need to know that part.

He glared at you with a small pout, typing the initials of Parasyte on the search bar. Outside his line of vision, you were grinning like a idiot, his sweeteness took a tow on you. All the people of Tokyo you met really held a way different spirit from your classmates in Kyoto, Itadori being the nicest of all. It's surprising him being Sukuna's vessel to begin with; being honest, you felt drawn by it.

"Y/N, it's startiiiiing." He cut your daydreaming short, slumping on your side and propping his head on your shoulder.

"This again?" You throw an arm around his shoulders, very much like the first time he cuddled himself on you.

"Don't blame me, you're the one who wanted to change positions. Guess I'll just make some alterations since I'm awake this time!" One of his arms went behind your back and circled your waist, hand resting at your hip.

"It's definely different, since the other time you drooled on me."

"Hhgh, okay okay! Let me enjoy this." For perhaps the actual first time, you're able to watch without exchanging words with one another.

And this time, it's you who's head loll to the side, nose buried on his soft rose perfumed hair. Itadori doesn't comment on it yet, his free hand moves under your legs to lift your whole body up efortlessly when he senses you have fallen asleep.

"I remember you said it's bad for my spine, I wouldn't mind it... yours however."

The boy makes a beeline to the guest room, he sighs when there is no choice but open the door with his foot. Inside, he places you carefully in the soft bed.

Before he could leave, a hand reaches up for his sleeve.

"Itadori," He turned, looking at you. "Make me company?"

He giggles softly - you think it sounds like a highschool girl. "You should start calling me by my first name!" Itadori rambles as he climbs on the bed, arms wrapping around your waist in a motion you're familiar with.

"Yuuji, I'm tired, let me sleep."

"But I wanna talk more..." He pouts. "Also, are we, um, dating?"

You wriggle around, bringing his head down to peck on his forehead, teasing. "Correction, I want to date you."

"Uh, oh." A blush coats his face so quickly, you'd say someone dumped a bucket of red paint on his face.

"Is that a no?"

"No!"

"So it is a no."

"Christ, will you stop teasing for a second, I'm trying to talk here." He makes an angry version of his togepi-kirby face, you can't help but grin.

"You amuse me, but okay. I'll do it for you."

"Thanks." He blinks, the blush slowly fading away. "You know, I lied, not about the contact, I like the contact nonetheless-"

His hand moves to play with yours, such as tapping his tips against yours, or meassuring the palms.

"-it's you who brings me comfort."

It's also your turn to blush, that line was seriously charming.

"Yeah."

"Yeah?"

"Yes, we're dating now." You respond, a little eagerly. "Can I kiss you?"

"Please."

This is the best person I could ask for, Itadori thinks, keeping his eyes open as yours shut during the kiss, whom I won't change for anything else in this world.

When you both separate, Itadori feels drowsy and sleepy. His face fits perfectly on your shoulder as always.

"Goodnight, my favorite person."

[soul-of-the-sanada]

night goes on - lucifer, gn!mc, mammon (obey me!)

a/n: kinda rushed bc I'm supposed to be in bed, but here we are.

I just finished lesson 37, and I'm feeling the feels.

summary: mc is dealing with lucifer's amnesia, mammon helps

wc: 820

the room had grown dark around you, tucked silently in a chair, but you couldn't bring yourself to notice. you stared blankly into space, thoughts swirling around your head. you glanced at lucifer, asleep in his bed.

his memories were... gone. because of you. because you came to the devildom. you bonded with these brothers. you couldn't control it. this was all your fault.

there was a growing numbness inside you. first came a chill that swept through you, followed by the nothing.

all you knew was that all of this, all of the chaos happening in 3 realms, it was your fault. you ruined everything. it's not like you'd meant for it to happen, not like you knew it was something that even could happen. but you knew it all came boiling down to you.

the door creaked open, pulling you from your self-flagelating thoughts. a shock of white hair peeked through, eyes surveying the room. the blue and yellow eyes a lighting on lucifer briefly before finding you.

mammon eased the door open more and slipped inside, ensuring that the door closed silently behind him. his soft steps traversed the room until he stopped in front of you.

it was time to go. mammon would want to spend time with his brother, he wouldn't want you to bother him, you'd caused so much trouble already and you had. to. go. your legs wobbled a bit as you started to stand.

'sorry mammon, I'll go, let you have some time-' a finger landed on your lips and your eyes flew up in shock to look at mammon.

'Mc. stop. ya deserve to be here too. sit with me.' with that, he slipped around and behind you, pulling you down with him.

you let mammon rearrange your limbs so that you could curl into his chest. his arms came up around you and he held you oh so gently. much more gently than you deserved, in your opinion.

'stop beatin' yourself up, 'kay?' mammon's words made you still. when you glanced up at him, his eyes were focused on you. he pressed a kiss to your forehead and began to stroke your arm with his long fingers.

'ya couldn't've known what would happen. it's never been an issue until now.'

'but it is an issue now. and now I'm going to lose all of you because of this. I'm gonna lose him.' the words, once out, broke the dam keeping everything back. tears fell down your face faster and faster. once your throat tightened past the point of speaking, you just laid your head back on his chest and cried. and cried and cried.

'i know ya don't believe it, but it's goin' ta be okay.' mammon's voice helped sooth your rough edges, along with the hand that still traced slow patterns up and down your arm.

'how do you know?' when you could speak again, your voice was rough and scratchy. mammon pulled you tighter to his chest as his own voice started to crack.

'because he's lucifer. he's my big brother. I know he's strong enough to overcome this. and ya are too. ya've made a pact with all 7 of us. ya singlehandedly control some of the most powerful demons in existence. Solomon is workin' out how to use that dagger, and then we're goin' to go back to the way things were.'

'but I won't have the pacts'

'if ya think the only reason you're here is because of those stupid pacts, then I'm sorry to tell you, little human, you're wrong. ya've got all of us wrapped around those pretty lil fingers of yours. you'll never be rid of us, ya know?'

you let those words sink in until

'mammon?'

'yeah?'

'do you think he'll hate me?'

you heard mammon's breath catch before he brought his arms up and hugged you, holding you ever tighter.

'he's so in love with ya, mc, there's no way this is even gonna phase him, ya know? I wouldn't even be surprised if that's the first thing he remembers, out of all the things he could possibly remember. I really don't think ya'll get strung up, this is more of a smother ya with love situation.'

the two of you lapsed into silence, as you let his words sink in. you let the truth in his words chase away that creeping, lurking, terror inside you. let it push it back enough that you could breathe a little stronger.

' I know you're worried as well, mammon, but thank you for this. thank you for everything.' mammon hummed in response before pressing another kiss to your hair.

' he gonna be okay, mc, he's gotta be.' the two of you fell silent again.

there wasn't much more that could be said, so the two of you silently watched over the eldest demon brother who meant so much to the two of you.