#and yet both still so deeply isolated and lost

[dreampearls]

so many cutie things abt nahida & scara they made them so sweets

[xthejazzdalorianx]

Kindred Souls (One-Shot)

pairing(s): Erik (Magneto) Lehnsherr x Telekinetic!Mutant!Female!Reader

warning(s): EXPLICIT SO MINORS DO NOT INTERACT, angst, SMUT, fluff, yearning, angst, fluff, p in v sex, reverence, and romance. Erik is rude as hell, but he warms up anyway. Oh yea, edging, too.

a/n: credit to my coworker for the title name, but i hope y’all enjoy this one! this would be my second fan fiction that i have ever written so please let me know if you have any tips & tricks or if you would like to see more! <3

word count: 4.1k

- - - - - - -

summary: In this story, Erik, struggling with Charles' death and his new role as X-Men leader, faces unresolved feelings for you. Your sudden return after ten years rekindles their deep connection, leading to a heartfelt confrontation about love and regret. The story ends with an intimate reunion that symbolizes healing and growth, as Erik seeks forgiveness and you offer unwavering support, setting the stage for a shared future.

- - - - - - -

It was evening in New York at Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters, and the air was cool and crisp with a hint of winter. The mansion, usually bustling with activity, was eerily quiet since Charles' passing. Outside, the city slept in blissful ignorance of the heavy decisions weighing on Erik's shoulders.

The sky above the mansion was a deep shade of indigo, the street lamps casting a soft golden glow on the surrounding buildings. The bare trees rustled in the crisp breeze, their branches casting long, spindly shadows across the quiet grounds. The mansion itself was a grand, old-fashioned building, its windows dark and silent.

Before he died, Charles had left a will with a profound request: that if anything were to happen to him, Erik would take over as leader of the X-Men and continue their mission to create harmony between humans and mutants. Though Erik wasn't sure if he still believed in this vision, it was something he cared deeply about. Charles had been more than just a friend; he was like a brother. And it was Charles who had seen the depth of Erik's feelings for you.

You were the light that brightened Erik's life, and your absence has left a void that he struggles to fill. The pain of losing you lingers like a shadow, a constant reminder of what once was. He buries his emotions deep inside, masking them with a facade of strength and control, but they never truly go away.

Erik now goes by Magneto, embracing the name as a symbol of power and dominance. It shields him from the world and makes him feel invincible. But at the same time, it creates a barrier that prevents him from facing his own vulnerability. His helmet serves as both a shield from external noise and a cage that keeps him isolated from his own feelings.

- - - - - - -

Sitting in Charles' old wheelchair, its leather worn and creaky under his weight, Magneto stared at his helmet. The metallic surface reflected the dim light of the room as he let out a heavy sigh, conveying the weariness in his soul.

He reached out, his fingertips brushing the cool metal of the helmet. With a flick of his wrist, it rose into the air, spinning slowly before his eyes. The power coursed through him, as natural as breathing, yet it brought him no comfort.

"What would you do, old friend?" he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper in the empty room. The silence that answered was deafening.

He was facing a harsh reality: he had lost your love and with it, a part of himself. His determination to fight for mutant rights often felt hollow without you by his side. The X-Men, who had once seen him as an enemy, now looked to him for guidance with a mix of suspicion and hope. He couldn't blame them; his actions in the past had been driven by his own relentless pursuit of power and control.

Despite the mistrust and fractured mission, Erik clung to Charles' vision. Though it may have faded over time, he still believed that mutants deserved equality, respect, and a chance at peaceful coexistence with humanity. It was a dream that seemed just as distant as the warmth he once found in your embrace.

Leaning back in the wheelchair, Magneto tried to focus on plans for the X-Men, but his mind kept drifting back to you. The plans seemed insignificant compared to the memories of your laughter and touch. As he attempted to steer his thoughts back towards the future he was trying to build, the weight of his emotions bore down heavily on him. The road ahead felt isolating and uncertain, but for Charles, for the X-Men, and for the hope of a better world, he would continue forward - no matter how shattered his heart may feel.

The door creaked open and shut quietly as you stepped into the room. For a moment, everything seemed frozen in time. It had been ten years since you last laid eyes on each other, and seeing Erik in the dim light of the study felt almost surreal. Your heart raced with uncertainty as you questioned whether this moment was real or simply a figment of your imagination.

- - - - - - -

"Erik?" Your voice was a hesitant whisper filled with a mix of emotions - uncertainty, longing, and the weight of years apart.

Erik's head whipped around upon hearing his name, a flicker of disbelief flashing across his face. For a moment, he thought he must be dreaming, but as he turned to fully face you, the reality of your presence was undeniable. His expression hardened into a mask of controlled stoicism, a defense mechanism honed from years of guarding his heart.

"What are you doing here?" Erik's voice remained steady, but a hint of vulnerability seeped through. "I wanted to be alone, and you have no right to call me that." His frown deepened, his emotions threatening to break through the carefully crafted facade he tried so hard to maintain.

As you laid eyes on him, the tension between you seemed palpable, almost visible in the air. His rigid stance and guarded expression were like a shield, shielding him from the emotions that threatened to break through.

Erik's body language spoke volumes - his stiff posture, the slight tensing of his jaw, the way he avoided making direct eye contact. He seemed to be trying to hold his emotions in check, but his eyes betrayed him, revealing a mix of longing and pain.

"I heard about Charles," you said softly, your heart aching for him. "I came to see how you're doing. The X-Men are worried about you, and I know how much he meant to you..." Your eyes were filled with sadness as you spoke, reaching out for him despite his attempt to push you away. You wanted to offer comfort, but hesitated, unsure of how he would react.

Magneto scoffed at your concern, his face a blend of disbelief and anger. He couldn't help but wonder: Did you truly care about Charles, or was there another reason for your return? What was your true agenda? "Why are you really here?" His voice held a hint of frustration, but beneath it lay a vulnerability he could barely acknowledge.

You were taken aback by his coldness, but took a deep breath before responding. "I'm here for both you and the X-Men, Erik." You paused before correcting yourself, "Magneto." Lowering your gaze briefly before looking back up at him, you continued, "Just because we have history doesn't mean I don't still care about you."

“You walked away,” he spat, his words stinging like a whip. “And now you're not my responsibility anymore.” His tone was harsh and sharp, piercing through your heart, but you knew it was just a mask to hide the pain you had caused him. You could feel the hurt that lingered from your departure, and while you understood his anger, you couldn't help but wonder if he was also struggling with his own unresolved emotions. Was he trying to come to terms with why you had left? Beneath his calm facade, you sensed a tempest of emotions brewing, but you weren't sure if he was ready to confront them.

You took a hesitant step forward, drawn towards the comforting warmth of the fireplace near his desk. He watched you closely, tracking your every move. As you gazed into the crackling flames, you tried to gather your thoughts and find the right words to address the past.

Turning back to face him, your mouth opened and closed as you struggled to speak. Tears threatened to spill from your eyes, but you looked away, unwilling to show him your vulnerability. “I left because I wanted a future with you,” you said softly, barely above a whisper. “I wanted us to have a family together. But then things changed...you started hurting people, Erik. You scared me…” Your voice trailed off as you wrapped your arms around yourself, unable to contain the weight of your emotions any longer.

Erik's expression softened as he placed the helmet on the desk and stood up from Charles' wheelchair. He walked towards you with purpose, his footsteps slow and deliberate. Gently, he lifted your chin to meet his gaze. "I'm sorry, liebling," he said, his voice tinged with a rare vulnerability.

- - - - - - -

As tears slowly rolled down your cheeks, Erik tenderly brushed them away with a gentle touch. "I wish you had told me," he whispered regretfully. "But I understand now why you left. I thought I was doing what needed to be done..." His voice trailed off as he searched for answers and a connection that he believed was lost forever.

His hand moved to rest against your cheek, and you leaned into it, closing your eyes. Your heart skipped a beat at his presence. "I know...my love," you said softly, filled with tenderness.

Erik's eyes widened as the word "love" fell from your lips. It was a word he hadn't heard in years, and it brought back memories that still haunted him. He struggled to find the right words, his heart racing at the thought of finally admitting his feelings for you. He opened his mouth several times, but no sound came out. After a few moments of silence, he managed to choke out, "Why...now?" He took a deep breath, trying to calm his racing thoughts. "Why are you telling me this now?" Despite the distance and time that had passed since they were together, his love for you had never truly gone away. It had always been there, even amidst his strong dedication to mutant rights.

You were at a loss for words. Your mind was buzzing with thoughts, unsure of what words to form or if you should even say anything at all.

He cautiously stepped closer, closing the gap between you. His familiar scent enveloped you, reminding you of all the memories you had tried so hard to bury. Your heart raced as he reached out, his fingers barely grazing your arm.

"I never thought I'd see you again," he murmured roughly, overcome with emotion.

You fought back tears as best as you could. "I didn't think you'd want to," you whispered.

A shadow of pain passed over his face. "I've regretted that day for years," he admitted. "If I could go back..."

You shook your head, cutting him off. "We can't change the past, Erik. I couldn't stay away any longer," you confessed. "I thought I was doing the right thing by letting you focus on your mission. But then I realized..." You took a deep breath, trying to hold back your emotions. "I realized that life is too short and unpredictable, especially for people like us."

Erik winced at your words. He had been younger then, fueled by his intense hatred towards humanity and the injustices he had endured. He hadn't expected that hatred to overshadow his ability to love, and your words left him struggling to find a response.

You pleaded with him, desperate for a response. Your eyes scanned his face, hoping to catch a glimpse of what he truly felt. Suddenly, you noticed a change in his expression - a fleeting look of desire and vulnerability.

In a rush of emotion, Erik blurted out, "Will you stay with me?" His voice quivered with unspoken worries. "I can't handle losing you again, mein liebe."

You didn’t hesitate to agree to stay. The thought of being apart from him once more was unbearable; you had missed him desperately. Erik never truly believed that you would return to him. He thought you would want nothing to do with him after everything that had happened.

- - - - - - -

As soon as your words left your lips, his heart began to pound and his mind raced out of control. Memories of your love flooded his mind: the feel of your skin, the sound of your voice, the scent of your perfume. They overwhelmed him, filling the space between you with a powerful and bittersweet nostalgia.

Your voice trembled with emotion as you spoke again. "I will never leave you again," you said softly. "My love for you has never faltered. Even after all these years apart, I never moved on." Your words hit him hard, a gut-punch he wasn't expecting. His heart felt like it was about to burst from the intensity of emotions that surged through him. Hearing you declare your love once more was a truth he had struggled to accept himself. Deep down, he had never truly let go of his feelings for you.

He took a shaky breath and gently placed his hand on the back of your neck. You both closed your eyes as he pulled you in closer until your foreheads were touching. “I have never stopped loving you,” he whispered, barely above a murmur. “It was torture when you left…” He swallowed hard, trying to contain the flood of emotions that threatened to overwhelm him. All the years apart, battles fought, and loneliness endured came crashing down in that moment.

With a few calming breaths, you both opened your eyes and slowly pulled apart, the closeness still tangible. His gaze held yours, baring his heart in a raw, vulnerable state. "You were my everything," he whispered, his voice trembling. "I didn't realize until now how lost I was without you." He searched your face for any sign of the promised love, hoping against hope that this time would bring something different.

There was an invisible force between you, pulling you together with a magnetic power that could not be resisted. Your eyes remained locked on each other's lips, filled with anticipation and unspoken promises. Then, without hesitation, your lips met in a passionate embrace. As the kiss deepened, years of yearning finally gave way to the storm of emotions between you.

The initial touch of your lips sparked an electric current through him, nearly causing him to lose his balance. Guided by a tender yet commanding force, his hands firmly grasped your hips and drew you closer. A deep hum escaped him as each kiss reignited long-suppressed desires. Amidst the exchange of fervent kisses, you whispered how much you had missed him, soothing his aching heart with every word.

Erik felt another surge of longing as each kiss intensified their shared confessions, drawing them closer with every heated touch. The urgency in their kisses grew more insistent, begging for closeness as he pulled her tighter against him. Unable to wait any longer, he reluctantly broke the embrace and gazed at her pleadingly as she reached for him. In a raw and desperate voice, he whispered, "Please...I need you." There was no room for hesitation in his tone, only an overwhelming urgency that demanded immediate action.

- - - - - - -

As your eyes meet, a silent understanding passes between you. You use your powers to change the room, and the furniture rearranges itself as if by magic. The soft glow of the fireplace reflects off the cozy blankets and plush pillows, inviting you to indulge in the moment.

The room was quickly transformed into a warm and inviting space, the furniture moving under your careful control as you worked together. The blankets and pillows seemed to dance in the air, creating a cozy and intimate nook by the fireplace. The flickering flames cast a soft orange glow, adding to the romantic atmosphere.

Erik led you to a cozy nest of pillows and blankets near the flickering fire, gazing at you with a mix of longing and adoration. He guided you onto the soft surface with gentle movements, his eyes drinking in every curve and contour of your body as if he wanted to commit them to memory.

His thumb traced along your jawline, causing you to let out a gasp. The tension in your body only fueled Erik's desire for you. His hand ventured down your body and slipped into your pants, finding the heat and wetness waiting for him.

Your breath caught at his touch, and your body instinctively moved towards him. The intensity in Erik's eyes grew as he watched your reaction. With skillful precision, he brushed his fingers between the folds of your sex, hitting all the sensitive spots that sent waves of pleasure through you. Your body trembled beneath him as he continued to pleasure you.

Erik’s lips traced a path down your neck, nibbling and sucking at the sensitive skin. With his free hand, he worked on unbuttoning your shirt, revealing more of your flesh to his hungry gaze. As each button came undone, he placed soft kisses on the newly exposed skin, gradually making his way down your chest. Your breath hitched as he reached the swell of your breasts, teasingly brushing his hot mouth against the edge of your bra.

"Erik, please," you whimpered, arching into his touch.

He looked up at you, eyes dark with desire. "Tell me what you want, love," he murmured against your skin.

"I want you," you gasped. "All of you."

With a growl, Erik captured your lips again in a searing kiss. His hands made quick work of the rest of your clothing, leaving you bare beneath him. You tugged at his shirt impatiently, desperate to feel his skin against yours.

Erik let out a soft chuckle as he pulled away, discarding his clothes before settling back above you. Your eyes drank in the sight of his toned body as he positioned himself back into place. One hand stayed close to your head while the other made its way down to your center. As he began to gently massage small circles on your most sensitive spot, your muscles tensed and your breath hitched in your throat.

He craved your scent, wanting to lose himself in it completely. He wanted to savor every bit of you.

Suddenly, he slid his middle and ring fingers between your folds, causing you to cry out in shock. As he started to move in and out of you, you couldn't help but whisper his name like a holy chant. "Erik," you moaned, cherishing the way his name felt on your lips.

Erik's smirk only widened as he continued to tease you with his fingers. "Liebling, if you keep calling my name like that, I don't know if I can hold back much longer," he playfully warned.

His fingers slipped into you at a frustratingly slow pace and you could feel yourself reaching the brink of pleasure. "Please, Erik... faster..." you pleaded, desperate for him to pick up the pace. He obliged, finding that perfect spot inside of you that sent waves of ecstasy through your body. The books on the bookshelf started to topple as your telekinetic powers reacted to the overwhelming sensation. Erik clicked his tongue disapprovingly.

"I'm close," you whimpered, but Erik shook his head.

"Not yet... not until I say so," he said with a teasing tone. This only made you groan in frustration, your hips moving in rhythm with his fingers in a desperate attempt to reach your climax. But just when you thought you couldn't take it anymore, he pulled his fingers out.

You let out a whimper at the loss of his touch. Erik chuckled softly and positioned himself between your legs, pumping himself a few times before rubbing his cock against your folds, teasing you even further.

"Stop teasing me," you pouted, your frustration palpable. You wanted to smack him for holding back your release and taunting you with his erection.

After some playful teasing, he entered you, emitting a deep groan as he felt the warmth radiating from you. He waited for you to adjust to his size before moving again.

"Are you okay?" he whispered, tucking a stray strand of hair behind your ear.

You nodded, wrapping your arms around his strong shoulders. "Yes," you gasped. "Please..."

Erik started to move at a gentle pace, each thrust bringing waves of pleasure. You arched your back, matching his movements. His lips found their way to your neck, leaving a trail of kisses along your sensitive skin.

As passion overtook both of you, the tempo increased gradually. The air was filled with soft moans and gasps as Erik's strong arms held you close, driving deeper into your body. You ran your fingers through his hair, overwhelmed by the intense sensations.

"Erik," you cried out as waves of ecstasy began to build inside you. Your body trembled under his urgent movements as he buried his face in your neck, sending shivers down your spine with his hot breath.

"You feel amazing," he groaned, his voice thick with desire.

Your fingers dug into his broad shoulders as the intensity grew, and Erik's lips found your neck, leaving hot kisses along your sensitive skin. You arched your back against his solid chest, unable to hold back your pleasure any longer.

"Oh god, Erik," you moaned desperately.

He responded by increasing his pace, driving you both closer to the edge. The friction between your bodies was almost too much to bear. You could feel yourself on the brink of release.

Erik's ragged breathing and urgent movements pushed you over the edge. "Come for me," he growled in your ear, his desire evident in his husky voice.

Those words were all it took for you to tumble into mind-blowing ecstasy. Erik followed moments later, whispering your name as he found his own release.

You clung to each other, riding out the waves of pleasure together.

His hand moved to your clit, gently rubbing it in slow circles that made you arch your hips up in delight. "E-erik!," you gasped, unable to contain yourself. He silenced you with a tender shush and continued peppering kisses along your neck, marking you as his own.

The pleasure was reaching an overwhelming level, rendering you speechless as your brows furrowed in sheer ecstasy. He wanted to prolong your orgasm, drawing out every moment of bliss. Suddenly, without warning, a surge of release overcame you and you gasped for breath. Erik smirked, pleased with the outcome of his actions. He withdrew from you, leaving a mix of his cum and your juices scattered around.

"Good girl," he whispers, kissing your forehead. As Erik shifts to the side, you snuggle against his chest and feel the quick thumping of his heart. His arms wrap around you, keeping you warm and secure as your breath slows back to a steady rhythm. A sense of deep satisfaction washes over you as you revel in the peaceful aftermath.

For a long while, you lay together in contented silence, basking in the afterglow. Erik's fingers traced lazy patterns on your skin as you nestled against his chest, listening to his heartbeat slow. The crackling fire cast a warm glow over your entwined bodies.

"I've missed this," Erik murmured, pressing a soft kiss to your forehead. "Missed you."

You tilted your head up to meet his gaze, seeing a vulnerability there that he rarely showed. "I've missed you too," you whispered. "More than you know."

His arms tightened around you. "I was a fool to let you go," he said, voice thick with emotion. "I won't make

The room was bathed in a warm glow from the fireplace, casting dancing shadows on the repositioned furniture. The blankets and pillows seemed to float effortlessly through the air, creating a cozy and inviting space.

As your eyes meet, a silent understanding passes between you. You use your powers to change the room, and the furniture rearranges itself as if by magic. The soft glow of the fireplace reflects off the cozy blankets and plush pillows, inviting you to indulge in the moment.

The room was quickly transformed into a warm and inviting space, the furniture moving under your careful control as you worked together. The blankets and pillows seemed to dance in the air, creating a cozy and intimate nook by the fireplace. The flickering flames cast a soft orange glow, adding to the romantic atmosphere.

- - - - - - -

Erik led you to a cozy nest of pillows and blankets near the flickering fire, gazing at you with a mix of longing and adoration. He guided you onto the soft surface with gentle movements, his eyes drinking in every curve and contour of your body as if he wanted to commit them to memory.

His thumb traced along your jawline, causing you to let out a moan. The tension in your body only fueled Erik's desire for you. His hand ventured down your body and slipped into your pants, finding the heat and wetness waiting for him.

Your breath caught at his touch, and your body instinctively moved towards him. The intensity in Erik's eyes grew as he watched your reaction. With skillful precision, he brushed his fingers between the folds of your sex, hitting all the sensitive spots that sent waves of pleasure through you. Your body trembled beneath him as he continued to pleasure you.

Erik’s lips traced a path down your neck, nibbling and sucking at the sensitive skin. With his free hand, he worked on unbuttoning your shirt, revealing more of your flesh to his hungry gaze. As each button came undone, he placed soft kisses on the newly exposed skin, gradually making his way down your chest. Your breath hitched as he reached the swell of your breasts, teasingly brushing his hot mouth against the edge of your bra.

"Erik, please," you whimpered, arching into his touch.

He looked up at you, eyes dark with desire. "Tell me what you want, love," he murmured against your skin.

"I want you," you gasped. "All of you."

With a growl, Erik captured your lips again in a searing kiss. His hands made quick work of the rest of your clothing, leaving you bare beneath him. You tugged at his shirt impatiently, desperate to feel his skin against yours.

Erik let out a soft chuckle as he pulled away, discarding his clothes before settling back above you. Your eyes drank in the sight of his toned body as he positioned himself back into place. One hand stayed close to your head while the other made its way down to your center. As he began to gently massage small circles on your most sensitive spot, your muscles tensed and your breath hitched in your throat.

He craved your scent, wanting to lose himself in it completely. He wanted to savor every bit of you.

Suddenly, he slid his middle and ring fingers between your folds, causing you to cry out in shock. As he started to move in and out of you, you couldn't help but whisper his name like a holy chant. "Erik," you moaned, cherishing the way his name felt on your lips.

Erik's smirk only widened as he continued to tease you with his fingers. "Liebling, if you keep calling my name like that, I don't know if I can hold back much longer," he playfully warned.

His fingers slipped into you at a frustratingly slow pace and you could feel yourself reaching the brink of pleasure. "Please, Erik... faster..." you pleaded, desperate for him to pick up the pace. He obliged, finding that perfect spot inside of you that sent waves of ecstasy through your body. The books on the bookshelf started to topple as your telekinetic powers reacted to the overwhelming sensation. Erik clicked his tongue disapprovingly.

"I'm close," you whimpered, but Erik shook his head.

"Not yet... not until I say so," he said with a teasing tone. This only made you groan in frustration, your hips moving in rhythm with his fingers in a desperate attempt to reach your climax. But just when you thought you couldn't take it anymore, he pulled his fingers out.

You let out a whimper at the loss of his touch. Erik chuckled softly and positioned himself between your legs, pumping himself a few times before rubbing his cock against your folds, teasing you even further.

"Stop teasing me," you pouted, your frustration palpable. You wanted to smack him for holding back your release and taunting you with his erection.

After some playful teasing, he entered you, emitting a deep groan as he felt the warmth radiating from you. He waited for you to adjust to his size before moving again.

"Are you okay?" he whispered, tucking a stray strand of hair behind your ear.

You nodded, wrapping your arms around his strong shoulders. "Yes," you gasped. "Please..."

Erik started to move at a gentle pace, each thrust bringing waves of pleasure. You arched your back, matching his movements. His lips found their way to your neck, leaving a trail of kisses along your sensitive skin.

As passion overtook both of you, the tempo increased gradually. The air was filled with soft moans and gasps as Erik's strong arms held you close, driving deeper into your body. You ran your fingers through his hair, overwhelmed by the intense sensations.

"Erik," you cried out as waves of ecstasy began to build inside you. Your body trembled under his urgent movements as he buried his face in your neck, sending shivers down your spine with his hot breath.

"You feel amazing," he groaned, his voice thick with desire.

Your fingers dug into his broad shoulders as the intensity grew, and Erik's lips found your neck, leaving hot kisses along your sensitive skin. You arched your back against his solid chest, unable to hold back your pleasure any longer.

"Oh god, Erik," you moaned desperately.

He responded by increasing his pace, driving you both closer to the edge. The friction between your bodies was almost too much to bear. You could feel yourself on the brink of release.

Erik's ragged breathing and urgent movements pushed you over the edge. "Come for me," he growled in your ear, his desire evident in his husky voice.

Those words were all it took for you to tumble into mind-blowing ecstasy. Erik followed moments later, whispering your name as he found his own release.

You clung to each other, riding out the waves of pleasure together.

His hand moved to your clit, gently rubbing it in slow circles that made you arch your hips up in delight. "E-erik!," you gasped, unable to contain yourself. He silenced you with a tender shush and continued peppering kisses along your neck, marking you as his own.

The pleasure was reaching an overwhelming level, rendering you speechless as your brows furrowed in sheer ecstasy. He wanted to prolong your orgasm, drawing out every moment of bliss. Suddenly, without warning, a surge of release overcame you and you gasped for breath. Erik smirked, pleased with the outcome of his actions. He withdrew from you, leaving a mix of his cum and your juices scattered around.

"Good girl," he whispers, kissing your forehead. As Erik shifts to the side, you snuggle against his chest and feel the quick thumping of his heart. His arms wrap around you, keeping you warm and secure as your breath slows back to a steady rhythm. A sense of deep satisfaction washes over you as you revel in the peaceful aftermath.

- - - - - - -

For a long while, you lay together in contented silence, basking in the afterglow. Erik's fingers traced lazy patterns on your skin as you nestled against his chest, listening to his heartbeat slow. The crackling fire cast a warm glow over your entwined bodies.

"I've missed this," Erik murmured, pressing a soft kiss to your forehead. "Missed you."

You tilted your head up to meet his gaze, seeing a vulnerability there that he rarely showed. "I've missed you too," you whispered. "More than you know."

His arms tightened around you. "I was a fool to let you go," he said, voice thick with emotion. "I won't make that mistake again."

"We both made mistakes," you replied gently. "But we're here now. That's what matters."

Erik nodded, a small smile playing at his lips. His fingers continued to trace lazy patterns on your skin as you lay nestled against him. The crackling fire cast flickering shadows across the room, enveloping you both in warmth and intimacy.

"What happens now?" you asked softly, breaking the comfortable silence.

Erik was quiet for a moment, his hand stilling on your back. "I don't know," he admitted. "Charles left me with an enormous responsibility. The X-Men, the school... it's all in my hands now." His voice held a note of uncertainty you'd rarely heard from him before.

You propped yourself up on an elbow to look at him. "You don't have to do it alone," you said. "I'm here. And the X-Men - they may not trust you fully yet, but they'll support you. It's what Charles would have wanted."

Erik's eyes searched yours, a mix of emotions playing across his face. "You're right," he said softly. "Charles always believed in the power of unity, even when I couldn't see it." He paused, his hand coming up to cup your cheek. "But can you forgive me for the things I've done? The pain I've caused?"

You leaned into his touch, your heart aching at the vulnerability in his voice. "I forgave you a long time ago, Erik," you whispered. "The question is, can you forgive yourself?"

He closed his eyes, a pained expression crossing his face. When he opened them again, there was a determination there that you recognized. "I want to try," he said. "For Charles. For the X-Men. For us."

You smiled, leaning in to press a gentle kiss to his lips. "Then that's where we'll start.”

- - - - - - -

glossary: liebling = darling, mein liebe = my darling

[librarycards]

hi sarah. feel free to delete this if it’s too much, but do you know of any work (academic, personal essays, art, etc) about grieving someone who’s died to suicide/wishing they were alive while also grappling with how to square it with your anti-psych, anti-carceral, pro-bodily autonomy politics? for reference i’ve read Alexandre Baril’s paper on Suicidism before and may revisit it in this light, as well as aleks thom's writing on disenfranchised grief and your lovely recent poem about suicide, but i’m sort of at a loss about where to look for other work about the intersection of these specific topics. many thanks and much love in advance

thank you so much for asking! i feel strange saying "i'm sorry for your loss" because it's clichéd and trite and you've heard it a billion times before. i am sorry, though, and i am equally sorry that you carry your loss into a world that is so deeply hostile to everyone affected by suicide – loved ones, those who have attempted, those who have completed, those who are dealing with suicidal thoughts, all of us.

i think that perhaps the most useful thing to remember is a bit simpler and a lot more challenging than can be conveyed in a paper or poem. it's that peoples' bodyminds are their own, including when they treat said bodyminds in ways we on the outside don't like. this is true for people who do all manner of "unhealthy" and "self-harmful" things, and as loved ones, it's incredibly fucking hard to witness, especially when the consequences are deadly.

suicide grief, and in general, work by loved ones and caregivers to those of us who experience extreme states, is pretty tough to find in the area of Mad studies. this is partially justified, given the degree to which we've all been spoken over and around by abusive "caregivers." yet it also denies the simultaneity embedded in basically any Mad community: we are all both, because we're all together and hurting at once.

i actually have two friends who have written about their own experiences as suicidal + Mad people who have lost close people to suicide: MT Vallerta, a scholar-poet [check out In Memoriam], and poet S.G. Huerta [you should read their poetry book, Last Stop].

Sophie Lewis also wrote an intriguing piece that touches on suicidality, death doulaing, and kinship.

Emily Krebs studies suicide/bereavement from a Mad crip abolitionist perspective, and is worth checking out.

i think it's also a good idea to remember that a way to honor those who have completed suicide is to take better care of suicidal people who are still alive. it only does more harm to suicidal people to approach ideation/attempts carcerally, and indeed encourages more covert, risky, and isolated methods rather than open dialogue. here are some ways to honor - not only support, but truly honor, trust, and respect suicidal people:

candidly speak about death, self-harm, and "dark thoughts" - and what to do around them - before and outside of immediate crises. be explicit in your intentions to support those who are actively suicidal before the next crisis occurs. ask people their preferences - who should you call? is the hospital ever on the table, and if so, under what conditions? who will be there to advocate for them when interacting with carceral authorities?

be candid about how their actions affect you, without placing blame. when someone attempts suicide, everyone they love is affected. this is not the person's fault, but it is something that needs to be addressed in community. here's an example from my own life: a dear friend was forcibly hospitalized after an attempt. i had been a main support person of hers in previous crises, when we lived near each other. when we spoke about her experience months later, i admitted that i felt "guilty" and as though i had somehow caused her to be institutionalized by living in a different place now. she admitted to me that she felt "guilty" for having "let [her loved ones] down" and "letting" her health deteriorate. we were able to find comfort and commonality in our affective experiences, and have become better friends for it.

cool it with the solutions. ask for consent before doing anything, but especially giving advice. many people kill themselves, or try to, because they feel cornered - often for very logical reasons (poverty, oppression, abuse/complex trauma). the adage that a poor person probably has more financial wisdom than a rich advice-giver holds true here, so don't immediately offer tips unless they've asked for them. sometimes, suicidality isn't connected to anything concrete, either, or a person's reasoning doesn't "make sense" (duh). if someone has the courage and trust to come to you with their feelings of suicidality, what they need most is someone to listen, to take them seriously, and to afford them the same personhood that they would have otherwise.

when people disclose thoughts of suicide, they take an immense risk in terms of their safety and credibility, and they do so because it is not possible to be a person alone. but, we also need to hold simultaneously that the individuals who do their best to support a loved one, but are not equipped to do so, are also not at fault for somehow "killing" them. suicide is incredibly complex, and suicide grief perhaps even moreso than other types of grief.

i also don't have concrete answers as to what to do about this conflict between our emotions around suicide - wanting to save a person we love, wanting them to stop hurting, being willing to do anything to keep them around - and imagining a world against and beyond the institution in all its permutations. but i know we will move toward it together through open conversation and trust and collective risk. much love and respect to you for asking such a challenging question during a heartbreaking time. <3

[alfascorpiionux]

The dilemma of Moon in Pisces

These are people who will pick up on the frequencies of your most hidden secrets and thoughts. Everything you don’t want people to know they’ve likely picked up on, at least intuitively. They feel it. They feel everything. These are the kinds of people that cannot stand seeing other people’s suffering. They’ll get so overwhelmed by negative feelings they might get physically ill. They will need plenty of alone time to detach from other people’s energies/feelings.

While Scorpio moons are incisive and obsessive in their observations of human nature and life’s circumstances, there is a “dark quality” to their energy. You’ll hurt them, and they will never ever forget and they might get their revenge, ultimately. In a different manner from Sun in Scorpio, but rest assured they won’t let it slide. There is a strong, raw energy associated with this placement. While both water moons have strong feelings, Scorpio moon’s lean towards passion and “dare-devil” intensity. They sometimes provoke emotional pain to themselves just because they feel the need. It’s a cathartic experience, just like that of a phoenix bird, that’ll ultimately rise from its own ashes, born anew.

Pisces Moon people have a different way of functioning. They isolate themselves from the world. They get lost in fantasies as a manner of self-protection. In love, the object of their affection will be idealised. They only want the best, perfect love. So much so that they might become oblivious to the flaws of those they are interested in. Even if repeatedly slapped in the face, they might still continue pursuing that person in hopes of rekindling their relationship. Until it’s all over. And the person will completely be cut out of their life. And then the cycle repeats.

They may fall in love easily, especially when young. How long their interest lasts is another matter.

Once you’ve captured their heart though, they can make exceptionally sweet, romantic and considerate partners. They are deeply creative and artistic souls who have a special way of looking at the world, which is different from most people. They may be artistically inclined, practicing music, painting or some form of creative expression.

The lower energies of this placement predispose to passive-aggressiveness, bottling up emotions (because of not wanting to upset people), unintentionally cutting off people from their life (especially if a serious love interest shows up in their life), self-isolation, escapism, emotional manipulation.

According to my personal observations, moon in Pisces is a heavily polarising placement: they can be both angels and devils. Sweet and empathetic to some, selfish and egocentric to others. Or both at the same time. That’s a fact: they may never reveal themselves fully, not even to people close to them. You may know them all your life and still be unable to describe them. Are they loyal or flighty? Do they have standing power? Will they show up to their appointments? Yes and no. So much is dependent on their mood, they might not yet know it themselves. Which is fine. They’ll go with the flow. Where life takes them. Hopefully towards a peaceful and beautiful destination.

[yanderes-galore]

Fandom: Attack On Titan

Character: Porco Galliard

Pairing: Romantic

Type of Fic: Concept (HCs)

Sure! I love his character but he isn't around much... So I apologize if this isn't long. As per usual, with me and Titan Shifters, I included him interacting with you as his Titan.

Yandere! Porco Galliard Concept

Pairing: Romantic

Possible Trigger Warnings: Gender-Neutral Darling, Obsession, Stalking, Overprotective behavior, Violence, Blood, Eating people as a Titan (Porco), Murder, Manipulation, Condescending behavior, Kidnapping, Possessive behavior, Forced relationship.

Porco is often depicted as brave yet arrogant and bitter.

Although, said bitter behavior only seems to be towards Reiner specifically.

Towards Reiner he seems condescending and passive aggressive.

I imagine he'd only be this way towards his obsession if you kept defending Reiner.

Porco is often seen as rude, yet cares deeply for his companions.

He's nice, friendly, and protective to his fellow Warriors.

Hell, He even saves Reiner despite despising him.

Towards the one he loves, Porco is most likely caring and friendly.

Unless you keep defending people like Reiner or appear weak yourself, then sometimes his actions towards you appear condescending.

I imagine you're a companion he has outside of the Warriors... or a Warrior yourself.

Either way, Porco is fiercely protective of you.

Which, when it comes to Porco, can be violent.

Porco has shown to be violent as a human, and as a Titan.

Yet when it comes to you, he's definitely aggressive out of being overprotective and jealous.

I imagine Porco would be the type of yandere to deny his feelings for you.

If anyone asks about it, he's quick to suggest otherwise.

All with his cheeks tinted red, by the way....

Truth is, Porco loves you intensely.

He's just so focused on being a Warrior... He's worried about how to express how he feels.

It just makes him irritated when you pay more attention to Reiner than him.

He's better than Reiner in every way...!

So why don't you look at him so fondly?

Yeah, I feel a way to make his yandere behavior worse is to make his obsession close friends with Reiner.

Which infuriates Porco to no end.

Porco's overall yandere behavior is definitely overprotective, possessive, and volatile.

You'd see him fight with Reiner all the time.

While Porco appears to be rude in your eyes, he never seems to leave your side.

I can see him treating you like you can't fend for yourself, often sounding condescending towards you and Reiner.

In reality he's just worried you'll get yourself killed.

He's already lost his brother due to Reiner, he doesn't need to lose his crush either.

He'd both be mean yet try to coddle you.

As I said, he loves you but struggles to properly show it.

Which alone makes him a bit frustrated.

Porco is definitely an emotionally charged yandere.

He'd beat up rivals until they bleed if he felt he'd lose you.

You'd see the aftermath of it, the only evidence of the fight is the blood on his hands and the slight steam coming off skin.

When you ask about it, he brushes you off and blames it on an argument.

In reality he couldn't hold back his jealousy, said person he ends up fighting often being Reiner.

He isn't sure what he'd do if Reiner got you killed too.

For fear of losing you too, Porco may also be isolating in an attempt to keep you out of danger.

Now let's talk about him as his Titan, ultimately my favorite part about Titan Shifters.

Even if the Jaw Titan isn't the largest Titan... It's still quite strong.

Just like other Titan Shifters, I can see Porco having some personality shown in his Titan.

However, he primarily is only ever his Titan for combat purposes.

So he's mostly using his Titan to protect you.

Although he could easily use it to move you to a safer area... away from the others if his heart desires it.

I imagine Porco would swoop in and carry his obsession in his mouth.

His face is covered in thick armor, so I imagine he'd keep you in his mouth as he runs you somewhere else.

Warrior or not, he's evacuating you before throwing himself into battle.

Something he's quite reckless with as his Titan.

He's careful not to swallow, using his armored face to defend you as he climbs somewhere no one will threaten you.

You're one of his only priorities besides the mission.

When he deems you safe, he opens his mouth and watches you plop onto the ground with a soft splat.

Now, would he be affectionate with his Titan?

Yeah, I can see it.

At first he tries not to be, preferring to use his Titan as a weapon alone.

Yet one time you lightly touched his face or hair to thank him for saving you...

Which just made the Titan freeze.

Now, he sometimes just uses his Titan to keep you close to him.

It oddly feels like bonding to him at this point.

Sure, maybe it's stupid...

Yet he enjoys laying down on his stomach and watching you talk to him.

Someone mentioned Porco's Titan resembles a lion or a cat... Which I can see.

So maybe he's cat-like at times with his Titan around you?

Just a fun little thought.

Porco may not do this often... but imagine he ate people as his Titan if they threatened you.

You'd see his Titan's maw dribbling blood as he does so with no remorse...

You may be scared, yes...

Yet Porco views it as him saving you.

He's obsessed with you to the point he'd tank many bullets for you.

Sometimes he just carries you around in his mouth as a Titan like a cat, just to feel like you're his.

What's more intimate than carrying your crush in your mouth, right?

Porco, when he is human, struggles with confessing.

It's obvious he loves you... but admitting to it is difficult.

So instead he often comes off as overprotective or harsh, following you around carefully and fighting with those who may harm you.

He's arrogant in his abilities, often feeling he's the only one who can protect you...

Despite this fact many other Titans are stronger than him.

Even if he did confess and you began dating... He's possessive.

He claims his behavior is just because he's stressed.

That isn't entirely false... as he's scared to lose you.

He's scared someone else will take you from him... be it your heart or your life.

But Porco loves you too much to let that happen.

If he ever snapped, I can see him using his Titan to abduct you and take you somewhere only he can find you.

Like going rogue.

It's OOC even for me, I know...

But Porco truly is scared to lose another loved one.

Imagine being scared that he's taken you somewhere far away from the Warriors.

He might bring you back... He might not...

Even if you were a Titan Shifter, Porco would tear you out of your Titan and bring you back to where he wants you.

He tries to comfort you, saying he cares about you.

Saying he's protecting you, as delusional as that sounds.

Even his attempts at kissing your skin to comfort you radiate desperation...

Along with the tight grasp of his hugs....

You mean everything to Porco now, He apologizes for being so mean but he can't lose you too...

No one will take you from him... not like they took his brother... he'd kill them if they did at this point.

[miraculouslbcnreactions]

This one guy I talked to on AO3 said that Emilie shouldn't be brought back because Adrien has already moved on from her death, but I'm not so sure about that. Other people think she should be revived so she can be her own character and not just someone else's sad backstory, and so Adrien has one good parent, of course. What do you think?

I think that it depends on the story you want to tell. There are cases to be made for bringing her back and cases to be made for letting her die. In the context of canon, I find not bringing her back to be fing stupid because it makes everything feel pointless. We obviously don't know the wish yet, but why let Gabe make the wish at all if he's not going to restore Emilie? Making a different wish isn't him being a good guy at the end. It's still him playing god, he's just now using his god powers to abandon his son for no logical reason. What loving father happily leaves his son an orphan???

Yeah, Gabriel saved Nathalie. I don't care. Nathalie chose to use the peacock to support Gabriel in his plan to terrorize Paris. That wasn't some noble sacrifice on her part! She didn't deserve to be saved any more than Gabriel did. Of the three dying/dead parental figures (I really don't know Emilie's status) Emilie is the only one who was never tempted by the dark side if we ignore the uncomfortable implications of how they got the peacock in the first place/Adrien's childhood isolation and just embrace the canon narrative that Emilie was a good and loving mother who was Too Pure For This World.

Meanwhile, Nathalie was a terrible mother figure! She supported Gabriel's awful treatment of Adrien for four seasons and then spent all of season five gently prodding Gabriel to change/tell Adrien the truth while leaving Adrien completely in the dark to everything that was happening. If Gabriel hasn't won, then Adrien would have lost both his father and Nathalie who knew that they were dying, but never gave Adrien a chance to say goodbye because Nathalie never stopped putting Gabriel first in almost every way that mattered. Adrien still doesn't know that he could have been allowed say goodbye to his father because Gabriel's death was entirely predictable.

Along similar lines, I don't think that Nathalie was wrong to undo Gabriel's senticommands, but it is deeply messed up that she was happily doing it in secret and never once considered giving Adrien a chance to consent. A loving parent should find the idea of controlling their child deeply upsetting. She should have been tempted to tell Adrien the truth, especially since she knew that she was dying, but we never see her consider that.

She also does nothing to get Adrien's slave collar away from Gabriel or to stop Gabriel from terrorizing Paris even though we have a scene where she literally pins Gabriel to a table. Her turn to "good" did nothing but maintain the status quo because she continued to support Gabriel in all the ways that truly matter. She never really protects Adrien. She does not deserve to be Adrien's new mother. #BringEmilieBack!!!

All of that is assuming that Gabriel's wish saved Nathalie while sacrificing himself and Emilie. If so, then that is literally the most boring way to go about letting the wish happen. You could have just as easily had Gabriel lose and have Ladybug know a way to save Nathalie via Guardian magic. The end result would have been the same.

If Gabriel had chosen to give up on the wish entirely? Then Emilie not coming back would be a satisfying ending. I personally really like Gabriel being defeated and the heroes then bringing Emilie back. Very much a spite move for me, plus it's a nice way to lessen the sting of Gabriel's defeat. Adrien losing his father, but gaining his mother feels really satisfying to me, especially if Emilie gets to serve Gabriel divorce papers. Got your wish, old man. Now suffer for it.

No matter the case, saying that Emilie shouldn't be brought back because Adrien has moved on is bad logic as it implies that Emilie is only worth bringing back if Adrien say he wants her back, as if she's a beloved childhood toy that someone broke long ago. It also implies that Adrien wouldn't want her back just because he's accepted her loss. Those are two very different things. Imo, one of the show's failings is the fact that Adrien is denied the right to grieve as if that makes him a better person. A better show would show healthy grief vs unhealthy grief (Adrien vs Gabe). She's been gone less than a year when the story starts. Everyone processes grief different, but that's really fast to move on from the death of a parent.

[mana-jjk]

Mana.... Hows jjk 261 :3 (im bawling my eyes out)

hi babes <3 !

i’m coping so hard right now, but this chapter gave so much to think about in terms of characterization too.

spoilers under the cut !! i’m so serious y’all, you will be majorly spoiled if you keep reading

ok so first of all, i feel so vindicated that everyone is starting to realize how much of a crazy bitch yuuta is. i’ve been saying since day one that the boy is unhinged and i love him for it. i think it’s interesting how in general, the second years all fall under a different morality stance that impacts each other.

i don’t think the typical moral alignment chart really fits them, so let me ramble for a second.

maki is a bit true neutral to me in that she will turn her nose to the society set before her, because it’s wrong. she has strong ideals, but her behavior used to be very much of looking out for herself before much else. that means hurting others feelings, not giving into designated good behavior to make it easier for others, goals dedicated to breaking the glass ceiling rather than any passion to save anyone. her actions may lean to an objective good and evil stance, whatever may be necessary. i think her stance is definitely swayed by her comrades. the initial reaction to yuuta possessing gojo’s body was immediate refusal. it’s almost odd that she’s had such a strong reaction to it, considering her past attitude of doing whatever may be necessary. her real reaction stems from the danger that has the potential of impacting yuuta.

panda is definitely more interesting in that he’s not human. he’s most often shown as one of the more empathetic in the show despite his inhuman origins. yet at the same time, he’s very tactical and thinks of humans and their emotions as strange. there’s an almost juxtaposition of that kind nature in combination with a degree of separation that is visceral in nature. case in point, panda acknowledges that there is danger to yuuta in this case, yet he has the most subdued reaction to such. is this because he cares less? i don’t think so. however, another point is when yuuta is screaming about becoming a monster. panda shows little to no reaction outwardly. again, you have to ponder the choice in this. yuuta used to be the prime example of his inability to understand humans and their emotions. i do wonder if that’s still the case after masamichi was killed. they both lost a figure deeply important to them. the difference is that panda refrained from enacting vengeance and instead displayed his, perhaps most genuine, showcase of emotion. part of panda’s journey is about discovering where he stands in society. reacting to this in such a way feels like an acceptance of that journey coming to an end. he understands yuuta, because he had to become more in order to process these tragedies, with another on the horizon.

i think i’ve said this before, but i do see potential where toge would’ve been set up as the moral compass of the second years (if gege didn’t keep forgetting about him). out of all the characters, toge was set up to be one of the most self-sacrificial. silencing and isolating himself his entire life to prevent cursing others, trying to make yuuta stay back or run away when there’s danger, protecting megumi despite the damage to his throat, asking nobara not to kill one of the very few people who knows a dangerous weakness of cursed speech, protecting an entire civilian crowd by himself, and so on. but there’s smaller pieces too. stopping maki from bullying yuuta, protesting sending yuuji alone during the exchange event, always choosing non-violent commands on his peers if necessary, physically stepping in to stop todo from harassing megumi, checking in on the others well being. i’ve always seen that moment with maki and stopping her as indicative to their relationship. if he says she’s gone too far, she trusts him. his reaction to yuuta’s speech is also the most visceral, there’s a hint of horror on his face that you can’t see with anyone else. it’s a terror i only have to assume at the knowledge that yuuta cannot, will not be stopped. and for toge, who has so much of his character built around care, it must be so horrifying to know that you are helpless to save the one you care about most, as helpless as he was to prevent the decimation of the civilians entrusted to him in shibuya.

yuuta actually tickles my brain in the best way y’all. i have SO MUCH to say about this man and his morals. what is absolutely crazy is that you would think yuuta is being set up as the straight man (not literally, that boy is bisexual as fuck), but in that he did not grow up in their society. maki, toge, and panda were all groomed from birth to be soldiers. ready to do what is necessary to save civilians. megumi said it best, they’re not heroes, they’re jujutsu sorcerers. that means being deplorable sometimes, expecting not to save everyone, yet willing to die in an instance without cursing the world. despite this, somehow it’s yuuta who emulates these values the most. where others may protest the ethics of the body swap, yuuta intercepts with bone-chilling anger. where toge refrains from using permanently damaging curse words, the first one and most common yuuta uses is ‘die,’ where others might turn tail and run, yuuta digs in his heel and does what is necessary. likely this is a byproduct of growing up with the vengeful spirit of rika for five years. single-handedly, he was responsible for numerous injuries and deaths even before arriving at the school. we see this byproduct in his willingness in biting the faces off roaches, killing yuuji, and taking it upon himself to kill his mentor’s best friend not once, but twice. and then letting the copy of rika EAT HIM !!

were these all necessary at the time? of course, but the moral strain, the implications of his mental state in order to do so is one that is vastly underestimated.

yuuta killed yuuji.

with his own hand, he cut through flesh and blood and bone and dug through to the other side. he did it without a twitch in his face, he did it after chasing him through the city. yuuji did not lie down and take it, he ran and he fought for his life. the desperation on yuuji’s face, the terror, the chilling understanding that he would not survive this. he might have healed him, but what kind of person do you think it takes to go through with that? yes, it was necessary. but i want you to imagine yourself in that position. it’s not a moment to take lightly, especially if you’re not entirely sure if it will work. taking this all to the present day, if you were surprised at the lengths yuuta will go, i truly cannot imagine why.

gojo satoru is not being used as a weapon. he is a tribute. the very act in itself is an accolade, the only eulogy they can afford to provide. the act of desecration is a love letter, a legacy borne of blood soaked thorns and crumbling graves. the strongest, the one and only, the honored one. untouchable, unreachable, an unattainable monster. gojo describes others as the flowers that fester and grow, who love in theory but never truly understand. do you understand the gut-wrenching tragedy it takes for someone as blessed as yuuta to sink into the grime that no one dares venture, to foresake his blessings to become the decomposition, the nourishment of these roots, to take over like a parasite, a hive mind, if only to ensure the loss is not in vain?

no one is looking at this the right way.

yuuta isn’t disrespecting gojo by using his body as a weapon, he is honoring him in the only way he knows how. he’s taking his life, filled with blessings, friends that adore him, the chances for love and happiness, the journey it took for him to come here, and laying it out in offering. i see your pain, i see your endings, and to ensure you rest in peace, i will ensure that these hands finally lay to rest that which has taken so much from you.

yuuta loves gojo, he loves him so completely that he became a monster far before this act. he killed his best friend so he wouldn’t have to, he killed the parasitic host of his best friend so he wouldn’t have to, there’s so much blood on his hands it’s hard to tell where the devotion ends and humanity begins.

we can scream black and blue that this is wrong, that he deserves a proper rest, that they are abandoning the humanity in which they strive so much to save. to that i say, no shit, it’s almost like that’s the point. asking children to fight in a war they never asked for is wrong. training these children from birth and grooming them to be weapons before they even know how to define what it means to die is wrong. trying to execute teenagers with no knowledge or understanding of their abilities or place in this society is wrong. telling teenagers who will never experience a normal school life to engage in suicide missions, knowing they have no chance is wrong. demanding that they place priority over lives, especially over their own is wrong. outlawing their very existence, to which was groomed specifically for their society, is wrong. asking them to plan for their early demise, to greet death with acceptance rather than rage, is wrong. it’s all wrong, it’s all a product of a broken society that could never move forward. asking them to fight with amputated limbs, disfigured skin, and no one to mourn their existence beyond the circle of lives at the beck and call is wrong. but the end of sukuna is a potential turning point, the end of a generational transition cycle that continues to cog forward. gojo hated this society most of all, and i have no doubt that he has brought the end of it.

if not the death of the elders, it is the death of himself that spurs the same change that came with his birth. it’s almost tragic that gojo’s life mission was to ensure that the youth could live their lives to the fullest, yet he had to accept that their lives would be laid down regardless. gojo sacrificed his entire life, from birth to death to be a protector. yes he stopped executions, he gave chances to many who would have otherwise been ostracized, yet all in the same they lay down their lives and die all too soon. children he helped raise, children he would have done anything for, children who now face his death with their own bodies in the line of fire. in the end, he didn’t change a thing. prolonged death sentences maybe, yet what does it matter if they die by their society or by sukuna’s hand? that is why yuuta needed to take his body. because gojo is not done, he cannot be laid to rest until the final obstacle is out of the way. a last wish, the closing of a door, the balance of what was good and necessary.

as long as sukuna lives, they have failed. and yuuta, the one most blessed by the efforts of gojo, the one who had the most to live for, understands that more than anyone else.

the truth is that gojo was so completely adored by his student, in a way even he didn’t understand. children who were saved by him, the outcasts of the jujutsu world who were given a family because of him. megumi who was able to escape the zenins, yuuji who was given a prolonged execution, nobara who finally had people sitting in her chairs, maki who was fighting against the foundation, panda who was not even human, toge who’s very life was outlawed, yuuta who had long since lost all reason to live. they found each other because of gojo, they found reason to live in each other. because of that, they found the confidence to die too.

jujutsu kaisen for these very reasons is not for the faint of heart. the death of nanami was the tipping point of a decent into darkness in which children are not spared. there are no children in a war of this scale, only born and raised soldiers who will live and die a life documented only by the tragic losses unknown by the rest of society. the people who were everything, the people they would have done anything for, not even a smear in history. unnamed, unthanked, unnoticed in their absence to the rest of society. because even a happy story like yuuta’s is built on the knowledge that every blessing was only a prolonged sacrifice.

he would give up everything and anything, because that was the only way to ensure the people he loved, his everything and anything, lived to see another day. that is what becoming a monster truly means. the capability and willingness to become an ugly, wretched, and cruel being, if only to ensure you are the strongest.

however, yuuta does have something that gojo was never quite able to keep. the love and devotion matched in full by his comrades, unwilling to let him face these battles alone. therefore, even as tragedy trudges on, i truly hope this is where we can see the potential of the established bond in the second years.

i will continue being delusional, if only to believe my found family will not yet be ripped apart (like yuuta). so to answer your question, i too am suffering !! slice of life alternate universe when

[midnightsummer-glow]

The Sun and the Shadows

Yoriichi x reader

The warmth of the sun filters through the trees as you make your way toward the small, isolated village where Yoriichi Tsugikuni lives. The forest around you is peaceful, with the sounds of birds chirping and leaves rustling in the gentle breeze. Yet, despite the beauty of your surroundings, there’s a weight in your chest that only grows heavier the closer you get. You’ve known Yoriichi for as long as you can remember—since the days when you both were still children, playing by the river, racing under the sun’s rays. He’s always been more than a friend to you. He’s been like a guiding star, a presence that made you feel safe, no matter how chaotic or uncertain the world became.

Today, however, that safety feels threatened by the news you heard just days ago—news that Yoriichi’s wife and child were dead, slaughtered by a demon while he was away. A feeling of helplessness washed over you when you first heard it, and now, as you reach the village, it claws at your chest. You know Yoriichi—how quiet he is, how deeply he feels everything. You don’t know how he’ll recover from this.

The sight of his small house, nestled against a hillside, brings a pang of sorrow. The quiet seems wrong. You were used to the gentle laughter of Yoriichi’s wife and the soft coos of their child whenever you visited. Now, it’s silent.

You walk up to the door and knock softly, hoping that your presence can bring him some comfort, even though you know no words could ever truly heal the wound he’s suffered.

The door creaks open slowly. Yoriichi stands there, looking as if a piece of his very soul has been taken from him. His usual serene expression is strained, and his deep, red eyes hold a grief so profound that it takes your breath away.

“Y/N,” he says, his voice soft, almost hollow. He steps aside, letting you in without another word.

You step inside, taking in the simple furnishings, the quietness that fills every corner. The house is neat, yet there’s a heaviness in the air, a feeling that something irreplaceable has been lost. You turn to Yoriichi, who stands quietly by the door, his head bowed slightly as if the weight of his sorrow is too much to bear.

“Yoriichi,” you begin gently, “I’m so sorry.”

He doesn’t respond right away. His eyes remain fixed on the ground, and for a moment, you’re not sure if he even heard you. Then, finally, he speaks, his voice low, almost a whisper. “I couldn’t protect them.”

The words cut deep. You take a step closer, wishing you could take away even a fraction of his pain, but knowing you can’t. “You couldn’t have known,” you say softly. “You’re only human, Yoriichi. You can’t be everywhere at once.”

He shakes his head, his hands clenched into fists at his sides. “I’m not just human. I’m a Demon Slayer. I swore to protect them. I failed.”

The silence stretches between you as the weight of his guilt and sorrow presses down. You want to reach out, to place a hand on his shoulder, but something holds you back, knowing how raw his emotions must be. Instead, you sit down across from him, offering him what little comfort you can by being present.

For a long time, neither of you speaks. You simply sit together in the quiet, letting the stillness settle around you like a blanket. You’re not sure how long it’s been when Yoriichi finally breaks the silence.

“I don’t know how to go on,” he admits, his voice barely above a whisper. “Without them, what is the point?”

The vulnerability in his words tugs at your heart, and you find yourself standing, moving closer to him until you’re sitting beside him. “You go on because they would want you to,” you say softly. “You go on because you still have something to fight for—because you still have a purpose. Yoriichi, you can still save others from the same fate. You can still make a difference.”

His eyes meet yours for the first time since you arrived, and you can see the turmoil within him—the battle between his grief and his sense of duty. “But the pain…” he begins, his voice breaking, “how can I carry it?”

“You don’t have to carry it alone,” you reply, your voice steady. “I’m here. I’ll be here, no matter what.”

There’s a long pause before Yoriichi nods slowly, his gaze drifting to the floor again. He doesn’t speak, but there’s a faint sense of acceptance in his posture, as if he’s allowing himself to lean on you, even if only a little.

You don’t leave that night. You stay with him, sitting in the silence of his home, a quiet presence that he can lean on when he’s ready. Over the next few days, you help him with small tasks, not pressing him to speak, but simply being there whenever he needs you. Slowly, he begins to open up again, though the pain is always there, just beneath the surface.

It’s not long after that when Yoriichi returns to the Demon Slayer Corps, and you make the decision to join him. You’d trained on your own for years, but now, seeing the devastation that demons could cause up close, you knew you wanted to fight alongside him—to protect others from experiencing the same kind of loss.

The morning sun breaks through the misty forest as you and Yoriichi train together, the quiet rhythm of your movements in sync with the rise and fall of the world around you. Training with Yoriichi is an experience unlike any other. His skill, his precision, the way he wields his blade—he moves as if he’s part of the very wind itself, untouchable and graceful.

One morning, after an intense session, Yoriichi turns to you, his face calm, but with a hint of something more serious in his gaze. “Y/N,” he begins, “I’ve been thinking… You’ve become stronger—much stronger. And I believe it’s time for me to teach you something… deeper.”

You raise an eyebrow, curious. “Deeper?”

He nods, his expression unwavering. “Sun Breathing. It’s the most ancient and powerful breathing technique—the very origin of all other forms. I want to teach it to you.”

The weight of his words takes a moment to settle in. You’ve heard legends of Sun Breathing, how it was said to be the technique that could rival any demon, no matter how strong. The fact that Yoriichi, the only known user of this form, is offering to teach it to you—it feels almost unreal.

“You think I’m ready?” you ask, your voice a mixture of awe and doubt.

“I know you are,” he replies, his voice firm. “I’ve seen your dedication, your spirit. Sun Breathing isn’t just about strength—it’s about balance, about understanding the flow of life itself. And I believe you already have that within you.”

The trust in his words fills you with a quiet sense of pride. Yoriichi has always seen more in you than you sometimes see in yourself, and now, as he offers you this chance to learn from him, you feel the depth of your bond growing even stronger.

He steps forward, drawing his blade, the metal gleaming in the sunlight. “The first form is called Dance. Watch carefully.”

With a single fluid motion, Yoriichi moves through the first form, his blade cutting through the air with such precision and grace that it seems as though the sun itself responds, shining brighter with every step he takes. The air around him shimmers, and for a moment, you feel as if you’re witnessing something divine.

He finishes the form and turns to you. “Now you try.”

You take a deep breath, feeling the weight of the moment settle in. Drawing your own blade, you try to mimic Yoriichi’s movements, feeling the flow of your breath aligning with the rhythm of the earth around you. The first few attempts are clumsy—you trip over your own feet, your blade catching awkwardly in the air. But Yoriichi is patient, offering gentle corrections, his calm presence a steady guide.

“Don’t force it,” he says after one particularly off-balance attempt. “Let the movement flow through you. Sun Breathing isn’t about aggression. It’s about understanding.”

You take his words to heart, focusing on the feel of the air around you, the warmth of the sun on your skin. Slowly, you begin to find the rhythm, the dance becoming more natural with each attempt. By the end of the day, you’ve managed to complete the first form, though not with the same effortless grace as Yoriichi. Still, there’s a sense of accomplishment as you sheathe your sword, turning to face him.

“Well done,” he says, a small, rare smile tugging at the corner of his lips. “You’re learning quickly.”

You can’t help but smile back, feeling a swell of pride. “I have a good teacher.”

For the next few weeks, your training intensifies. Yoriichi teaches you each form of Sun Breathing with the same patience and precision as the first, guiding you through the intricate movements and helping you refine your technique. The bond between you deepens as you spend hours together, practicing, learning, and pushing each other to grow stronger.

There are times when you catch glimpses of the pain still lingering in Yoriichi’s eyes—the loss of his wife and child, the burden he carries as a Demon Slayer. But he never lets it consume him. Instead, he channels that pain

[daisychainsandbowties]

you know, Ava is my favorite character ever. i feel i can confidently say that. which is something because i have loved several characters very deeply in the past and yet, this feels different. for so many reasons, i relate to her, i empathize with her, i feel protective of her, i respect her, i admire her, i envy her, she brings me joy and i simply love her so much. likewise, Avatrice are, by far, my favorite pairing/dynamic i've ever encountered. i always used to find it was one character in particular in a couple that you were drawn to; and while Ava is my favorite, i am almost equally drawn to both her and Beatrice. both are so well developed, so equally interesting. great care has been taken with both of their stories. i find that rare, special.

i watched warrior nun the night it was released. sat there for seven hours and watched it. if i could have done so unblinkingly, i would have.

toya turner’s acting in that opening scene is what hooked me, because i knew immediately that Mary & Shannon were being played as a love story, a tragedy. felt a flicker of hope in my chest. and then there was Ava, kissing her reflection, running on the beach, and i just fell in love completely.

i opened this app a few weeks later and looked up ‘ava x beatrice’ just to check that i wasn’t alone. but i was, admittedly, too frightened to become invested in them.

what i did do was watch the show dozens and dozens of times. those were hard years, and you know when you love something so much it’s like breath, something you want to wrap around yourself? it was that to me. kind of feels unbelievable now how i clung to it in such isolation, how some days it was a raft and other days it felt like sunlight.

i think Ava is such a testament to survival. the halo wipes away all her scars but you can still see them in how she looks at the world, flinches from it, can’t bear to do anything less than love it. she was a very healing character to me because you can see her hurting and you can see, feel, experience her refusal to surrender to it. how she’s afraid and smiles anyway. Ava laughing in the catacombs (at death), Ava loving what is mortal (herself).

i remember when the second series was announced. i couldn’t believe it. i set alarms on my phone, couldn’t concentrate on the day it released until i got home, feeling terrified, hopeful. i cried for an hour when they kissed. it just… took me out at the knees. i’d lost faith in seeing myself in shows like that, and… i don’t know there’s something about watching two characters you love, two queer characters kiss on screen, for real, that makes you, as Ava says, fall a little bit in love with what you are because there it is!! what you are is beautiful.

so, yeah, ever since then i’ve been, for the first time in forever, vocally, loudly in love with these characters. with Ava, with Beatrice, i think in equal measure. i have a soft spot for Ava because we’re so alike, but i can see myself in Beatrice too. in both of them i see what i am and what i love, and i suppose in falling for them i’ve been tricked a little into falling for myself, something along the lines of kissing my reflection in a shop window

[aelinschild]

Paradigm; side by side

˙✧˖ March 8th: Sweater

Main Masterlist | Paradigm; side by side Masterlist |

A/N: Huge apologies for missing the post yesterday (March 8th), life is busy :) But, the post for today (March 9th) will be out shortly following this.

SYNOPSIS: Carry my heart. WORDCOUNT: 1.4k (whoops, ignore that.) WARNINGS: Cursing(?), Lustful roommates (theyre both guilty)

Huge thank you to @throneofglassmicrofics for organizing! Make sure to check out other works over on their account!

Its worth a shot. “Rowan, uh, where do you keep the towels?” 

He paused. The ample expanse of his back pushing ridges and dips in the fabric of his shirt. Something worn and tired, a breathy material that probably had molded to his shape. If Aelin had to guess, most of his clothes had. Or would have to. 

He had yet to show a penchant for nudity, but there was still time. 

Twirling the hem of her cover-up between nimble fingers kept the current of energy burning through her at a gentle hum. A buzzing inside bones, just under her C1 vertebrae. Target and switch, a noise she could flick off…if she wanted to, of course. 

“Are you out in your washroom?” He gruffed out. Muscles assuming their previously arrhythmic movements. 

“Not out. I was just wondering if you kept towels for the beach…?” She layered the question in a politeness, consideration lining every word. Had evaluated her grounds, found herself lost in the unsaid dance of the days. 

“For the beach?” Swiveling on his spot, eyes like magnets to he being. “Why, are you-” 

She wanted to make a joke, some sort of dig at his proclivity for repetition. Something to ease the brute of silence. But it had dripped from fists like a fine sand, slipping out of her mind when the force of direct seeing struck her. A breathless conclusion from moments of buildup. Green; deep fern and new life, no longer a smokescreen of skepticism – mistrust, but a telling. Seven days in close quarters had somehow drained the oxygen from her atmosphere, sharing noxious gases that toed the knife edge of ruination. 

Back and forth, a game of shared breaths before the final gasp of air. Suffocating and final. 

She would ignore the burning path of his eyes, would ignore the clenching of jaw muscles or the tightening of fists. Pulling at tendons in forearms that she had felt against her neck- Let her roommate collect his thoughts, simply a shock. A lapse in judgement. “Outdoor cupboard, by the stairs. Check for spiders, though. The bites sting.” 

It would be like snuffing out a flame, maiming its burn until it failed to exist. But in its darkness, grew life from a form of other worldly exoticism. 

“Thank you, Rowan.” 

“Wear sunscreen. And try not to drown again, yeah?” She laughed. 

-

When she had made the leap – most definitely by her own choice, no financial incentive or anything of the likes – to take up residence with a complete stranger, she hadn't expected the result. This result. At the time, getting away from a place where the traffic had permeated her internal monologue like a cursed whispering was conceivable only in dreams. The space between consciousness and not. Woman-Rowan had been a respectable option for a half crazed Aelin needing an escape for metropolitan life. Man Rowan was not. 

She needed the baggage that men carried like she needed more debt. 

It was possible that the exorbitant distance between where she was now and who she was not too long ago had shaped her, relaxation and unrestrictedness, into a pacifist. Sensation and thrill were closer to ones closed hands, just footsteps across the hall. Eyes like new growth incurring reactions so deeply chemical she could have described the shift as primal. A knee jerk reaction awaking a piece of herself she had tucked in so long ago. 

And… Rowan was different. Nothing like the men she had found herself in company with. This strange man, isolated and admittedly stunted, was a balm and a surge at once. Just talking to him hours ago had set her rationality aflame. 

She could not help but toe the line, jump over an invisible edge with every moment and find his eyes, his gaze, to gauge the reaction. Just to see. Desire and shame played like a record lowly in the background, inching further and further into some unparalleled mistake, or something else. 

Ultimately, though, it was only a game. Life would resume; this lapse would come to an end, and Aelin would be erased from the land like the drawings she was toeing into the sand. Nothing is forever, and she was not delusional enough to believe so. But, just enough to soak up the incredulity of every moment and lean into misinterpreted glances and burning touches. 

So as the sun began to set, the last washes of colour bleeding from the sky in a way that could only remind her of the man himself, she stayed on clear sand. Surrounded by whispering grasses and mumbling waters. On a towel – shook and beaten to assure that no pests would be biting her ass – borrowed and dirtied from sandy footprints. Skin still pulsing for unrestricted sunshine that left a golden luminosity to skin, highlighting the silvery scars on hips and bruises still healing over. Her novel and journal a quiet company. It was peaceful and healing.

But, the March winds washed over with the final dregs of winter, chilling and nipping at the great areas of exposed skin. Gooseflesh, much different from how it appeared yesterday, rose to her skin. Nipples stiff with the chill. She could only laugh, of course she forgot suitable clothes. The sheer dress – appropriate for beach settings, would not warm her. 

“Aelin!” 

Good gods.

Sound was heard differently on sand. This, she had learned. Weight played a part in the muffle of footsteps. Heavy strides were lower, less sound noise from the redistribution of sand. An unusual thud from the immediate compression. Being dropped resounded that way. A run often echoed in the movement of sand elsewhere. Spraying up and landing metres behind. But it was nearly impossible to silence ones own footfalls; sand would find a way to warn ever the most prepared creatures. 

Except for, of course, Rowan. 

“Couldn't hear me, huh?” He chuckled. “Cooked up some dinner, wanted to know if you were hungry.” Throaty and…shy? She had scrambled up to sitting at the first shock of his voice, body nearly exposed. Hidden behind fabric masquerading as a swimsuit. Tan lines aren't needed with the proper preparation. The sheer cover-up in her lap, balled up between fists. She had let out a hum of acknowledgement. 

“Oh, yeah I would love that. Uh, thank you.” Rowan. Thank you, Rowan. 

“Right.” He mused, hand scratching at the length of his forearm, over fading tattoos. She had yet to notice, but his gaze was anywhere but herself. 

Gathering her novel and notebook, Aelin made to stand. She could feel the tension in her legs from the horizontal position of the day. Residue of lactic acid and tranquility. Pinpricks of chill, the gusts sweeping her hair over her shoulders and twining it into a mess. In a curious way, his presence before her had warmed her core. The offering, his kindness, gruff and untried. 

“Here,” snapped the suspended introspection, a offering of cloth was jerked forward. Aelin only looked up, snagging her gaze on his. Blown out pupils and dancing hair. Swept across his forehead, ruffling the strands that begged for her touch. Following down, to his body now unclothed with the sweater she was so sure he had been wearing. To the fabric in outstretched arms. 

“No need,” she laughed. A little shocked at the boldness. “I’ll just change when I’m inside. I’ve got to get used to the temperatures somehow.” Moving to pull her shift on, the hand that had haunted her sleep last night was wrapped around her wrist. 

“No.” Shaking the sweater out, with one hand, Rowan maneuvered it so it would be easy to pull over. “Put this on.” 

“Rowan. Thank you for the gesture, but truly, I am fine.” 

“Just… please. Please put it on.” It was strained, like it hurt to push those words from the recesses of his mind. “No need to catching a cold, yeah?” 

For a moment, his hand still tight like a vise around her wrist and her with the sheer dress in clenched fists, Aelin faced off with him. Staring directly into eyes dwarfed by pupils. Indignance seeped from her pores. She didn't acquiesce easily, but usually there was solid ground for her to stand upon. Stone formed from a life lived, hard to push over or redirect. But… it was like toying with fire. He didn't care about a cold or her frigidity. Curious, indeed.  

“Sure. A cold, yeah.” He dropped her wrist and she pulled on the sweater. Curious, indeed.

Taglist: @mariaofdoranelle , @leiawritesstories , @renxzs

Let me know if you would like to be a part of the taglist :)

[invinciblerodent]

i've had a little time to think about it now, and despite my initial bristling, the more I gnaw on it.... the more I actually really like the choice of the two cities. Both as a story beat, and for how it affects my Rook specifically.

Like... canonically just before that choice, Verbena confided in Neve (one of the first times she's done that with anyone in the game so far) about her feelings about Minrathous being... complicated.

Ver's love for the place, it obviously comes tinged with loss, and pain, and resentment- hardship, and tears, and an awareness of the many bleeding wounds of both city and Imperium that, as a Shadow and as a Soporati, she's keenly aware of. Just like Neve, Ver also knows Minrathous as a tarnished, but precious jewel, and she has many feelings about the place that are best condensed into the word "bittersweet". She's buried and gained family there, she's loved and lost there, those streets have soaked up tears of both joy and sorrow. Despite all its politics, all the painful memories, the complicated feelings, hearing that her city, her home was in danger...

There was never any way that she would have chosen any other over it.

And I really find myself liking how profoundly that changes the relationships that she's going to have with Neve, Lucanis, AND Davrin.

(very lengthy rambles under cut, im sorry ok, i had time to think while cooking today, bear with me)

As for Neve, Ver making that choice with very little hesitation shows that Neve was right to open up to-, and place her trust in Ver. She was right to judge Ver as a loyal ally, a neighbor and a confidant, and to know, deep in the pit of her stomach, that Ver was going to follow her- which, I hope, also translates to the future of their friendship.

It feels like Ver sort of unknowingly "proved" herself, and making this call, it feels like it added a layer of security, and a mutual reliance to their relationship, deepening their bond. It kinda took their tentative friendship into ride-or-die territories.

As for Lucanis... of course there's on one hand his crush that he seemed to have developed, which has now died in its infancy. After a year of isolation (and not really being alone in his own head, not being the sole arbiter of his own feelings), it was probably easy enough for him to quickly develop a strangely intense bond with the people who broke him out (hence the interesting lines, like chiding Illario for "flirting" with his "..... colleague") and then also showed him a rare kindness and understanding, which Ver and Neve both did- and then they both broke that trust. ("Rook.... no more.")

But on the other hand (even though he hadn't come back yet in my game, so I don't know what'll happen then), I think neither Lucanis nor Ver can help but feel resentful of the other now. Him, for known reasons, and her, because though she feels guilt and regret, she also feels that it's deeply unfair of him to expect her to make a decision that he himself would not have made either.

(I think she fully believes that if he had been in her shoes, if it had been his call to make, he too would have let her city burn to save his own people. He kind of did make that decision, when he made his own call and ran off- he had no way of knowing that the dragon would back off so easy, and he still kind of caused the group to split down the middle, leaving only Ver, Neve, and one basically unknown Warden to face Ghilan'nain.)(I think Ver is going to ignore that had she made a different call, Neve would have also presented the same liability.)

Even if they end up reconciling, it won't pass without a trace that even though she rushed to Treviso afterwards as quickly as she possibly could, expressed nothing but regret, and did everything she could to make it right, he slunk off for days, and stubbornly refused to speak to anyone. I think Ver right now definitely feels like that's him pointedly blaming her (doing nothing to help the guilt she already feels all on her own). Him not being there as she was bitterly hacking at pockets of Blight in the heart of his city in the aftermath probably sealed that for her.

And for Davrin, I really like how seeing her immediately make this hard choice only hours after meeting him presents a very quick opportunity for him to bond with Ver, right out the gate.

I think there is a lot to do here with the concepts of both hope and faded glory, both as they live in Tevinter's resistance movement, and the Wardens.

I mean, defending the defenseless from an ancient and seemingly invincible foe? Clinging onto hope with bloody knuckles as one gets up over and over again, to keep thanklessly battling the infinite heads of the hydra of corruption, helping in all the invisible ways? That's got to be something both a Shadow, and a Warden (and the Dalish, tbh) understands deeply. (Really, from where they're standing, what even is the difference between a darkspawn and a magister, if not just a thousand or so years?)

It's also worth mentioning that, like I've said before, this all means that his very first impressions of her were just her jumping without hesitation to the defense of the last remaining baby griffons (you don't get a better metaphor for hope OR faded glory than that), only to then charge blindly at a blighted dragon and a god in defense of her city? That's got to impress him at least a little bit. From his perspective, she's got to look damn impressive now, especially considering how that ferocity she showed there contrasts with the joking kindness she shows in his personal quest right after.

So, lots of character relationship developments, lots of interesting moments, lots to think about. Really impactful bit, I enjoyed it a lot.

I really just wish we had a pop-up or a prompt warning us that grabbing Davrin was gonna move the plot forward, because then I would have taken my time exploring Treviso properly, and wouldn't now be scared to go recruit Taash and Emmrich, lol.

I think I might do a bit of sidequesting and exploring for the time being, wait to see if it does take moving the main plot forward to get Lucanis back (like I assume it does), and toy with the thought of little bonding moments with the others.

[yonemurishiroku]

So I was gonna just post this myself but then I thought: nah it's s mermaid au so it has to come via yone's ask. that's the law

Nico is a prince, Jason is his deeply devoted naval captain. One day Nico is sailing out on the seas and he disappears. Jason obviously is distraught, and goes to look for him. (Idk why he wasn't with him in the first place maybe he had a cold or smth) After many months he finds the spot Nico's ship was last seen and he is lulled beneath the waves by the voice of a siren. This siren (Percy) had taken Nico and was keeping him in his underwater palace, and Nico had fallen in love with him. To twist things further, Jason realises Siren!Percy is actually his first love whom he lost at sea 15 years ago.

Idk if it ends with tragedy or polyamory or both. Do they break the spell on Percy or do they all become fish people ever after? I don't know but I thought you might enjoy <3

From Feb 6 to May 20 because it's Mermay!!!

No that's just a lie I'm so sorry I got carried away. adksadkasda pls know that my love's present even when I'm not. 😭😭😭

Firstly just let me say a million thank yous because I indeed love this. Well I've always loved Perjasico. Moreso when it's just a mess and none of them is requited---- I love you too so there's that

This prompt hides so many things. I'm delusional just looking at it.

I like the way you make it that Percico, compared to Jasico, appears very fabricated - idk if it's your intention but just let me explain.

As it is, I'm assuming Nico and Percy come together because Percy uses his siren magic (sinking his ship, luring him to the palace, etc...), which implies that the feelings might not be completely willing from Nico's side. There's the interference of magic - and I'm all for magical but untruthful love (hello Jason and Piper----)

On the other hand, let's just say that I prefer more complicated feelings, I think it should be that Percy only keeps Nico because he feels lonely. As in: his requirement for Nico's presence stems from loneliness, not fascination/infatuation. This implies that Percy isn't technically interested in Nico as a person - he's only using him to abate his painful isolation. That's why he's actively using his magic to bind him.

Now, to complicate things further (because I've always been in love with emotional baggage), I think Percy should become a siren because of the heartbreak over Jason.

Now, here's the fun part. What if Percy was a merman who - in a typical The Little Mermaid fashion - came to the land for Jason? Their story was of that Disney movie - a merman overcoming difficulties, signing a contract to reach his love. And they did have their happy ending!

But then that happy ending all broke up because of some reason. I have yet to come up with one but I just need it. Idk maybe there was a strife/ a misunderstanding/ idk! and Percy fell into the ocean, subsequently suffering the curse of heartbreak and becoming a siren - as the witch's way for the sea to reclaim its child. to say that the people on land are nothing good. only the sea would love you.

And now, 15 years later, it all came back to Jason, now with his new love in danger.

I'm vibrating with joy and I'm not even ashamed (I'm so sorry Jason).

But wait. All of this just makes Percy the antagonized antagonist of a Jasico story. Eh. Where's the fun in that? So anyway. I say we put Nico in as the reason for Jercy's breakup.

Yes, I'm having too much fun with this.

Anw. I have yet to come up with one logical reason.

I have some dramatic ones though - like maybe Nico had a crush on Percy when the two were together and something happened that made him the indirect catalyst to a fighting (bc here I'm assuming Jason has his own duties of serving the prince (or the royal family at least) which means Nico has some semblance of power over him)).

Jesus Christ this is all a mess and I'm still cackling. I haven't even touched the ending yet. I just want them all in pain and in blood. jasdhadka

Anyway this is everything I can come up with in the mean time LMAO Your idea never fails to enrapture me 😭🥺🥺🥺 I'm just too incompetent to reply on time askdjakdaajdsahk i love u with everything in me

[thatgirl4815]

I agree with you that Sand would not put up with Ray keeping him on the side if he's dating Mew, but I don't think Ray's going to give him a choice. I think that's part of why he and Sand are nowhere around anyone else while this is happening. Ray gets him somewhere he can't figure out he's setting him up to be the second guy. He's always tried to keep Sand away from Mew because for Ray they aren't anywhere near the same realm, and at this point I can't see it changing. It feels way too late in the show for that kind of shift.

I just can't see it going any other way. Khaotung has said Ray is horribly selfish and will stop at nothing to get what he wants. We've seen him trying to have both already, and there's no way the guy who's still looking at Mew like he's the best thing that ever happened to him is going to stop dating him unless Mew breaks it off. And I don't think Mew is there yet.

Besides, narratively I think it would make sense, considering Mew is so stuck on being with Ray right now because he thinks that he would never do what Top did, but then Ray goes and does something worse.

I think it's possible they'll have Mew do something with Top while being with Ray too, but that wouldn't make what Ray's doing to Sand better.

But I still think that Sand needs to confess for himself. It'll hurt more when it falls apart but he can at least move on without any what ifs.

I think Sand would also be skeptical that maybe Ray is only setting him up to be the second choice and that their isolation is the perfect way for Ray to convince him that he cares. So I don’t think that point would be lost on Sand. He can see that Ray wants to keep him separate from Mew. But this whole situation assumes that Ray is consciously thinking through his approach to both Mew and Sand, and I don’t necessarily think that’s the case. I think Ray might want to keep them separate, but I think he cares more about enjoying time alone with Sand than purely using this trip as a way of tricking him into believing he’s his first choice. All in all, I think Ray is a lot more confused about all of this than he’d like to appear. He cares deeply about Sand, and I think he wants Sand to be his first choice, but those lingering feelings over Mew are getting in his way.

Maybe I’m just optimistic. But while I think Ray still loves Mew deeply, last episode seemed to indicate that Ray is not enjoying their romantic relationship. Most of this is likely due to Mew just being a chaotic mess after things blew up with Top. But even if that wasn’t the case, I think Ray realizes that his interactions with Mew are far less enjoyable for either of them when they’re paired up romantically. That could be a catalyst for showing Ray that it’s enough for Mew to love him as a friend, but it doesn’t necessarily need to be something more to still matter. And maybe the best way for Ray to show how much he loves Mew is to let go of his hopes for a romantic relationship when it’s clearly something Mew does not want, tried and true.

[akechi-stole-my-heart]

Just want to say your Haru post is exquisite 👌👌 Little sad about all the tags shifting Futaba into the 'one that would hate Akechi' when she was also kind to him! Futaba ALSO offered him a place on the team, she has less elegance about it than Haru but she'd also be kind to Akechi. And saying she would because her palace was about wrath, she asked the thieves to change her own heart, came into the metaverse and confronted her shadow in the palace. That involved letting go of her anger and wrath that kept her trapped in her own hurt. Which doesn't mean she *can't* be angry but it's also not something she WANTS to be, she doesn't want to be caught up in her anger and hurt anymore. So I just can't imagine her with a vicious hatred of Akechi similarly to how I can't imagine Haru that way. They would both be kind, especially as they can see Akechi was someone who was also deeply hurt and trapped by that hurt (both metaphorically and literally in the Shido situation) and who was beginning to change. They won't forgive him, but they would be kind. Sorry for the rant in your inbox lol just You Get It for their characters I think

Don't apologize for ranting you're so correct and right I completely agree. Futaba's wrath was targeted toward herself for being the one who "killed" her mom because she blamed herself. She overcomes that self hatred by realizing the people she should be angry with are the adults who took from her. And I don't think she sees Akechi as one of those adults at all. He's a victim of those adults, manipulated by them just like she was. She sees Shido as her mother's killer, not Akechi.

I do think she's still going to have anger towards him, because of course she will things are not black and white, but she doesn't hold him singularly or primarily responsible. She sees herself in him and sees him as essentially the same as the rest of the Thieves and herself, and she says as much in the engine room. They both lost their mothers and blamed themselves. They both isolated themselves and only Futaba received salvation from that loneliness before it was too late. I don't agree with people who say they don't have common ground the same way Akechi does with Haru. Akechi shares similarities with ALL the Thieves, including Futaba, and she realizes that and relates to him because of that.

I do think she is going to razz and tease him incessantly, partially because he is a lame nerd and partially because she is upset with him and that's a way for her to express her complicated feelings without totally confronting them. But I think reconciliation and friendship between them is more than possible. Futaba and Akechi friendship is literally my favorite friendship between Akechi and one of the Thieves to explore, I've written three different fics with them (one not yet published) because I think there is just so much potential between them.

Futaba is a more blunt and less "nice" person in general than Haru is (it's the autism) but I think she'd treat Akechi like one of their own, just like Haru would. She doesn't exclude him in third semester. That's not to say things wouldn't be complicated or difficult first, because they absolutely would be. She does say in third sem that she isn't fully comfortable with him being there and decides mostly to ignore him, unlike Haru who actively engages with him in conversation in Mementos. But that doesn't mean it has to be that way forever! If they're both willing to talk about things and work through it I think they could get past that rift and build something new together.

I love futabagoro friendship sooooo much. I genuinely think Akechi could be friends with ALL of the Thieves. Because they are kind! They are all SO SO kind and compassionate in a way he doesn't comprehend and that is the POINT! If he lived and decided to try to mend things they'd all welcome him and I will stand by that forever.

[proudfreakmetarusonikku]

Primetober Day 7: Alone in the Universe, with all extra prompts (Autophobia, Isolation, and Weaponised Abandonment Issues)

Sci-Fi AU. Mad scientist Dream, training his beloved creation Tommy, finds out that he’s terrified of being alone, and realises he can use that to his advantage. Warnings for severe dehumanisation (Dream literally sees Tommy as an animal), some body horror from non consensual body modification, human experimentation, abuse, isolation, imprisonment, drugging, conditioning, codependency, and references to forcing people into dangerous situations.

ao3 link

—— When Dream entered the lab, Tommy was crying.

Curled up in the corner of his cage, he was hunched over, trying to make himself as small as possible despite his hulking size. His stinger-like tail was wrapped around himself protectively, the venom-filled stinger at the end only stopped from breaking his skin by the thick, dark fur covering patches of his skin erratically. His eight eyes were scrunched shut, yet even that wasn’t enough to hide their glow.

Interesting. Very, very interesting.

“Hi, Toms.” Dream spoke softly and calmly, like he was speaking to a child. Tommy usually hated it- same with the stupid nickname- but his ears pricked up the second he heard Dream’s voice, eyes snapping open and painting the lab in bright blue as he smiled, or as close as was possible with his disfigured maw.

Unable to stand up on two legs, both due to his twisted form and the smallness of the cage, he raced forwards on clawed hands and cloven hooves, immediately racing towards Dream’s side, scrambling so fast he collided face first with the hard light bars. Dream chuckled, reaching a hand into the container and scratching behind his ears like he was a puppy. Not even trying to hide his instincts, Tommy thumped his tail against the floor violently, flapping his hands and purring.

“I didn’t think you’d come back,” he said, voice distorted and blurry through his new vocal chords. Dream had made sure that he’d be able to speak with them, of course. While a weapon didn’t need to speak, he quite liked his test subject, enough to grant him a name, which he’d reluctantly accepted over Subject 193. Still, it was a surprise- ever since he’d gotten his new mouth, perfect for crushing tanks and drones, he’d refused to talk, just sitting there staring.

Dream laughed. “What’s gotten into you?” Tommy was always a fighter- that was what made him perfect for the process. Earlier subjects, the timid and weak, faltered. Tommy’s defiance and spark, more than being entertaining and making him an enjoyable conversation partner, meant he was able to not only survive but thrive throughout the experiments. Seeing him like a lost puppy was bizarre, to say the least.

Tommy blinked. “I didn’t think you’d come back,” he repeated like it explained everything.

It had been a few days, Dream supposed, but he’d left Tommy with plenty of food. Even if he hadn’t, the alterations to his internal biology could let him go weeks at a time without a drop of water or a bite of food as long as he didn’t do anything strenuous. It just didn’t make sense- Dream would kill for a few days alone in his lab, without Punz constantly coming in to bug him about the next shipment of weapons or dropping off new subjects, and he liked Punz. Tommy always insisted that he hated Dream, so why wasn’t he happy about that?

Wait. Wait, wait, wait.

“Are you scared of being alone?” Dream asked, his mouth quirked into an amused grin. The idea that Tommy, angry and violent and insistent he didn’t fear any pain, could be so easily reduced to an obedient attack dog just by a few days alone, was both hysterical and deeply useful. After all, Tommy wasn’t just Dream’s personal lab rat; he had a purpose to serve, and while his strong will was important, so was directing that towards the correct purposes.

Unlike the other living subjects, Tommy wasn’t going to be a bonus attack dog for Punz or a gift to anyone else who’d give Dream rare genetic samples to study, of course. Tommy wasn’t the first of the successes, but he was absolutely Dream’s magnum opus, handling the most mutations far more gracefully than many subjects that only had about one or two major changes. More importantly than that, he was the closest thing Dream really had to a friend- at least in the long months Punz was away on mercenary jobs- and therefore, he’d kept him as a pet and his own personal bodyguard.

After all, it’s not like he was a person anymore. That was the kindest arrangement possible for a beast built to kill.

Reluctantly, Tommy nodded his head, eyes glancing to the floor in embarrassment as his slit pupils dilated. Dream couldn’t help but grin at how expressive Tommy always was. He was aware that most people probably found him terrifying, a beast in a vaguely human shape, but as far as he was concerned, he was as adorable as the kittens he used to have as a child, if not more so.

Petting Tommy’s head again, Dream fished for the remote in his pocket for Tommy’s collar. A shock collar, of course, would have been cruel. Not to mention stupid- wild animals bite back if cornered, after all. No, this was more sophisticated, a design of his own. As he pressed the button, a concoction of chemicals was injected through the heavy skin of Tommy’s neck, sending an immediate batch of endorphins and serotonin into his system. It was a way to cause an instant feeling of satisfaction and happiness and served as a far more effective way to get Tommy to behave.

The carrot certainly held more use than the stick, after all.

Tommy chirped happily, his eyes squeezing shut in the closest approximation to a smile he could make. Dream continued to scratch behind his ears, before moving his hands to scratch at the base of his first set of horns. “Good, good. Very good, Tommy.”

“I’m not-“ Tommy said in protest, struggling to make sounds outside of the involuntary chirps and purrs out his mouth. “I’m not a fuckin’ dog, man. You don’t have to treat me like one.”

“Well, you’re not human, are you?” Dream said, the argument pre-prepared in his head. Subjects always got so insistent about it, so he needed to have a quick refutation. Extreme stress made the process much more dangerous. “Your mind and your body are different now. Tommy, if you’re not going to let me take care of you, who will? Everyone who looks at you would think of you a monster. Isn’t it better for me to treat you kindly?”

Tommy blanched, the dull grey of his skin turning white. “They- they already abandoned me, before I was…”

“Shh, shh. You know we don’t talk about ‘before’. This is who you are now. You’re Tommy, you’re my creation, you’re mine. Don’t worry about ‘before’, Tommy. This is your life now. Is that so bad?”

“Yes! No. I dunno.” Tommy whined, pulling away with a start like a kicked puppy. “I hate you.”

“Do you want me to leave-“

“No! No, no, no, please. Don’t go, Dream. Please.” Tommy hit him with the puppy-dog eyes, far more effective than any puppies could ever be, considering he had eight of them. “I’ll be your weapon, or whatever the fuck, if you just stay.”

Dream chuckled. “Chill out, Toms. It was just a joke. This is my lab, idiot. I got a new order from Punz, anyway, I’m gonna be spending all day here. Since you’re talking now, we could chat, even.”

“Oh.” Tommy made a whining noise again, a frustrated one, as he tried to hide behind his matted blond hair- one of the few things remaining from the original human boy that had become Tommy, along with the electric blue of his eyes. “Yeah, I knew that.”

“Sure you did.” Dream shrugged, before pressing a button to dissipate the cage into nothing. Tommy blinked, unused to being allowed free, as Dream sat at his desk, fiddling over the next weapon design.

“Heel.” Dream said absently, and Tommy stayed still for a second before, reluctantly, slinking over to sit beside Dream, allowing him to run his fingers through his fur, something to keep his hands busy as he drafted new ideas in his head at a million miles per hour. He sent another dosage of reward chemicals through Tommy’s system at the obedience, smiling. “See, you know your place now, don’t you?”

“Shut up,” Tommy growled. “I just-“

“Don’t want to be alone?” Dream laughed. “Then be a good test subject, and you’ll never have to leave my side. I might even let you meet Punz. I mean, he’s very interested in how strong you are. You should be grateful I keep you here, instead of sending you off to die alone on the battlefield.”

Tommy was quiet, looking to the ground with a conflicted look. Still, he stayed still, like a trained attack dog. He truly was Dream’s most perfect specimen.

Today was going to be a productive day.

[yanderes-galore]

How would poly Yandere romantic HCs Lance and pidge work with Altean reader who still grieving her past love ( got killed by galra) would their be patience with them or be mean and tell them to move on and look at us instead ? ( sorry if I got anything it’s been awhile since I watched the show XD )

Sure! I'm not too far into Voltron but I think I understand Lance and Pidge enough to say how they'd feel about this. Correct me if something us too OOC ^^; when it comes to new fandoms I'm still learning. I love the show so far.

Yandere! Lance + Pidge with Altean! Darling who lost their past love

Short Concept/Reaction

Pairing: Romantic - Poly/Sharing

Possible Trigger Warnings: Gender-Neutral Darling, Grief, Lance is insensitive for a moment, Mature language, Obsession at first sight, Manipulation, Dubious relationship, Yanderes sharing a darling, Slight jealousy, Deception.

I feel the two would have different reactions.

First of all, Pidge is more understanding.

After all, she's experienced loss before.

She may have trouble connecting and bonding at times, but she can tell that goes for you too.

Lance can be a bit more impatient with your grief.

Sometimes he can't read the room or is so fixated on his crush over you that he ignores your feelings.

Pidge makes him reflect on his behavior, however.

After all, you three are the last of the Altean race.

The two met you through Allura and Conran.

Lance immediately develops an attraction towards you, similar to how he felt with Allura in the show.

With Pidge it takes more time due to her dealing with her own emotions.

They won't know of your loss until you become closer.

Maybe Lance makes you have a breakdown by flirting or something and Pidge gets pissed.

Pidge's obsession sparks more when she hears your story.

Galran forces killed your past love?

That's horrible.

Lance finds this as an... opening.

You and your poor broken heart... don't worry!

He'll put your heart back together!

Their obsessions over you start separately.

Although they soon realize they may care for you the same way... and decide to compromise and share you.

Out of everyone Lance was going to share a darling with, let's be honest, it was either Pidge or Hunk.

The two fight... but in this case it's not over sharing you.

It's usually Pidge trying to make Lance more understanding of your plight.

Lance isn't cold so he focuses more on comforting you rather than flirting under Pidge's direction.

It has been decades yet the idea of love and your long dead lover still stirs tears in your Altean heart.

Allura comforts you as a fellow Altean, she even encourages Pidge and Lance to become close companions with you.

The two care about you and your grief over time.

Pidge relates your issues to hers and offers you heartfelt comfort.

Lance tries to be understanding yet, unlike Pidge, is more interested in making you quickly forget your last love rather than slowly overcoming your issue.

Essentially, the two are opposites in how they help you.

They both have the same goal though.

They want to care for you.

Pidge is the softer yandere while Lance is more intense and impatient.

The dynamic is definitely Pidge keeping things under control.

Over time the two try to heal your broken heart.

They've agreed they want to share you and make things work between the three of you.

Even if you turn down their offers of making you feel better, they don't give up easily.

You tell them you wish to focus on avenging your fallen lover and race, which Pidge understands... but...

"...Then we'll do it together!" Lance pipes up.

"Exactly. The Galra have affected us all deeply, please, we just want to make you feel better again!"

The pair isn't too bad, actually.

Pidge's love is soft and teasing/playful while Lance is over the top yet passionate.

Together they'll find a way to worm their way into your heart.

A lot of it's manipulation....

They're still yanderes with selfish desires, even if they do truly care about your loss.

They disguise their isolation and manipulation to keep you to themselves as comforting you.

You don't need to cry or worry anymore... they'll take care of it.

In fact... they'll take care of everything for you from now on as your paladins.