#but I wanted to give it a shot anyways! I cannot pass up the chance to do this

[yeleltaan]

From @hexenjagd

It is a gentle gesture. With a turn of her wrist she cups his chin, cradling his head within her welcoming palm and holding him there. Her fingers fitted to the shape of his jaw perfectly as she delicately tilted his head her way.

A gentle urging for him to turn her way and face her. A beckoning.

"Come now, raise your head. Lift your gaze and meet mine." it was a command, gentle in intent-- uttered through a half whisper.

"I've rarely seen such success in many an era. You rose from nothing. Hardly able to stand or even give me your name, narrowly avoiding the embrace of death, from embers to flame. Look at you. You've come so far-- transformed. Whole and beautiful. Now, raise your head with pride. You have survived."

There’s little else to see. Nothing worth a look upon the grotto’s ridged arching walls, reverberating the whisper of rain outside past the faceless bushes. Still his gaze remains downcast, absorbed by earth-sunk stones. Every so often a stray glance dares peek through black strands to briefly settle upon some corner of her contours, reaffirming him with the glimpse of boots, of a hand or the ends of her ebony locks that she is indeed still beside him. But neither stare lasts, none dare remain, he simply cannot bring himself to fully look at her.

How many times has he thought back to the distant days spent inside that tent? Thought about all the things he could have told her if he could speak the way he can today. With a solid dominion over the language they shared, understanding him would have proven much simpler. Restlessly deterred by the suffocating hold of his ignorance, so much more could have been said had he been free of it from the start. When solitude struck low, he knows he wished he had more to remember her by. Wished that and more.

And yet, is this moment not weaved from the same thread of impossible opportunity? The same wishfulness as those dreams, the sort that visited him when exhaustion got the better of him. What is this silence then, Cayin? Has she returned, made her way back to you against all probability, so you could fall quiet beside her again?

This is your chance to say what you could not.

Her touch settles under his jaw, mindful, deliberate. It doesn’t bear the same warmth it once did, but then neither did her hand in those liar dreams. Scarred bearer of comforts, it still shapes a feeling of shelter truer than any walls, as does her velvety voice, first bringer of speech to his ears. At last she brings him to look upon her, truly and sincerely. So much more vivid than any product of the mind, yet perfumed in a strange bittersweetness. Perhaps because this isn't how he imagined it. Perhaps because his eyes do not lie, and they tell clearly that the two of them are changed, so very changed since then.

But where the proof of time roots him in this indecision he cannot explain, she responds in opposite: acknowledging it in a most celebratory manner, all in recognition towards him, towards what he is today in relation to what she knew him as. In this praise, in this short tale worthy of being preserved as an epigraph in a book, she welcomes him.

Success. When she puts it that way, it’s difficult to deny. Every need fulfilled has been followed by the search of the next, but to consider what has already been achieved is a pleasure of its own worth lingering in. She continues, calls him complete, calls him beautiful, names him survivor, like titles conferred by the sword that settles upon the head and shoulders of the newly knighted. Only he does not bow, as his head is called to rise. And rise it does, hesitantly, in spite of the knot tugging at his throat. Fists clench under their sleeves until the urge to shiver ceases, and they release, open hands rising to meet the one she placed under his chin.

“Not nothing.” He speaks in a quiet certainty. Claws grasp her fingers tenderly, delicately pulling her hand down and turning his wrists so his thumbs may rest on her palm. “I had you.”

[xinganhao]

🎸 vernon dates rockstar!reader.

anon → "vernon x rockstar!reader who’s a foreigner in an international rock band" ➤ see also: series masterlist

⌗ ┆ anon are u kidding meee. vernon dating a rockstar?!?! my bread & butter (｡･`ω´･)ﾉ hope this is to your liking!

‧₊˚✩彡 includes: international rockstar!reader, f!reader, long distance relationship, established relationship, pet names, fluff, can be read not in order + headcanons under the cut.

🎸 headcanons .ᐟ

— prologue.

vernon was never really a big believer in long-distance relationships. or relationships in general, if he's being honest. they take a lot of work, a lot of energy, a lot of effort. his life is already hectic as it is. why rope somebody in to the life of dating an idol? why be with someone if he can't give them his 100%?

it makes sense, then, that when vernon does find someone, it's someone who runs similar circles. someone who knows what it's like to constantly be on the road, to be in the public eye more often than not.

vernon has been a casual listener of your band for a while now. it's the type of sound that fits right in to his playlists. and, okay, fine. he thinks you're attractive. sue him. but he swears he's there for the music— most of the time. there is a part of him that's there for the performance videos of you shredding your guitar, or the ones where you're screaming in to the microphone.

alright. vernon concedes: he may have a little crush on you.

so you can imagine vernon's surprise when he finds out the two of you are in the same line-up for some american music festival. it's a rare thing, for vernon to ask his managers for anything specific, but he absolutely cannot pass this chance up. he tries to be discreet about it, too. "i really like this band," he sheepishly admits to his manager. "do you think— i don't know, i could just say 'hi' to them or something?"

that's how you and vernon meet. on the sidelines of a music festival, where he's so cool about the whole thing. he's more on the soft-spoken side as he tells you that he thinks you're a great performer and that he can't wait to see you live. you'll think he's cute, and you'll thank him for going out of his way tell you personally.

you'll take a photo together. he'll give you a signed copy of the group's latest album, and you promise to give it a listen. (prior to vernon, you might have not really known too much about k-pop. that's something the two of you briefly discuss— the differences in your industries.) but, as he starts to bid goodbye, you can't resist.

"tell me," you say, small smile in place. "how would a k-pop idol react to having a rockstar slide in to their dm's?"

vernon's brain short-circuits. your words steal every single thought out of his head, and he's reminded, yet again, of small cultural differences. how much more forward americans can be when they want to. he's about to respond when his manager clears their throat, and vernon remembers his place. he flounders through some lame response.

you apologize for putting vernon on the spot, feeling a bit bad yourself. you hadn't wanted to get him in trouble. there's a little more chit-chat, and then— "quick," vernon breathes while his manager's distracted with a phone call. "got a pen on you?"

he scribbles his phone number on the corner of the album he'd just given you. "dm's don't always work for idols. but this might," vernon will say with a smirk that's not quite a smirk, and oh. you know this is going to be fun.

it takes a while for vernon and you to agree that a relationship is something you want to attempt. it will happen after months of back-and-forth via text, months of 'will they? won't they?' flirtations. it's going to be long distance in more ways than one. there's thousands of kilometers between you, a thirteen hour time difference, opposite ends of the entertainment industry.

you two agree to give it a shot anyway, because what's there to lose? no hard feelings if it doesn't work out. that's your constant refrain. you'll try. you'll do your best. and if things fall apart— well, that's just how it is.

— the texts.

except vernon finds it increasingly difficult, as times go on, to imagine a life without you. it's hard to do long distance. of course it's hard. he just thought it'd be harder, but surprisingly, it isn't.

'catch ya when i can' becomes something exchanged as often as 'i love you'. the windows of time wherein the two of you can actually talk— especially when you're both busy— are small, and so it's a bit of a game. vernon races against his busy schedule to 'catch' you, and it always feels like the biggest win in the world. even if it's just a couple of minutes where the two of you are both online, where the texts don't have hours in between each of them? he'll take 'em.

facetime can be a bit of a luxury but it's something the two of you try to do at least thrice a week. a lot of it is quiet snapshots of your daily lives. vernon eats dinner as you go through your morning routine. you get ready for bed as he tells you his plans for the day. it's the epitome of long-distance, how he says 'good morning' and you respond with 'good night.'

there's the fact that it's secret, too. no one can know that the two of you are dating. occasionally, you're linked to other people in the business. it's a grace that vernon is so secure in your relationship that he doesn't really mind. he trusts you, after all, and sees no need to blow things out of proportion. every so often, he'll feel a twinge of envy. but he knows that it's him that you'll text at the end of every day, so it's okay. that makes it okay.

that's why vernon compensates as best as he can. there's a lot of red-eye flights, from incheon to jfk and vice versa. it's easier for you to be the one to come visit him, since your fans don't keep track of you the same way that k-pop fans do. when vernon does make the flights abroad, though, he's always careful to cover up his tracks. to come up with some story of spending time abroad to visit family, to work on 'projects' he never publicly reveals.

vernon goes to your shows when he can. mostly, he watches from side stage so he's away from the view of the public. he likes it that way, really— likes being the person you make a beeline for once you've taken your in-ears out. he'll laugh as you bear hug him. he'll keep an arm around your shoulders as he assures you that you did well. "you were so hot up there," he'll tease you. "how am i supposed to function now, huh?"

a cute little thing that vernon and you establish about midway in to your relationship is a 'couple' instagram account, except it's private and it's just for the two of you to see. @11203km (referencing the distance between you two) is a way for you to dump your thoughts/every day lives without flooding your text thread. when it's 🎸 posting, then maybe it's a carousel of your latest practice sessions or snaps of your recent attempts at cooking. when it's 🐻‍❄️'s posts, it's likely vernon's tiktok outtakes or his misadventures with the rest of the boys.

vernon had always thought that being in a relationship entailed giving your 100% all of the time. being with you has taught him otherwise. if some days, all he can give is 40%, then he can count on you to put in the rest of the 60%. the same goes for you: if you have weeks where all you can put in is 30%, then he'll step up with 70%. any relationship is work, but if it's you, then vernon is convinced that it isn't hard work. not at all.

— extra!

chwebacca 🤟 think i can join ur band now? ㅋㅋㅋ

📷 fansite photos from @Flechazo_0218.

[steifel]

Ok so i've been thinking about the what ifs from the outsiders and the biggest one i've been thinking about (that i haven't seen very many people talk about) is what if the kid was Soda's?....

So anyways here are some head canons about that.

First off you cannot convince me this boy was not secretly a little stoked

I mean obviously he was scared since its quite literally the worst time possible, him and Sandy are only 16, him and Darry are already struggling to make ends meet, etc, etc, etc

However he wants like 12 kids so he is super excited

Soda is definitely terrified to tell Darry

He tries and falls to tell him multiple times

"Hay Darel can i talk to you for a second i got something i really need to tell you" Darry looks up "yeah im all ears go ahead" Soda runs away screaming "nevermind its not important" *insert Darry rolling his eyes and going back to whatever he was doing"

When he finally does get the balls to tell Darry he cant stand to look is brother in the eyes

"Sandy's pregnant" soda finally got the words out looking up at his big brother whos strong hands grabbed his shoulder. "Soda this isn't funny don't joke like that" a silent tear fell down Soda's face as he saw the look on Darry's "I an't joking Darry... Im being serious" more tears start coming from both of the boys as Darry pulls his brother into a tight hug "its gonna be ok Soda im still here it's gonna be ok"

Once they all got used to the idea the whole gang was super supportive

Two bit would be so stoked to be an uncle

"Wont it be great ill be uncle Keith" the whole gang stops and dally stairs into Twobits soul "fuck you mean uncle Keith? Your gonna be goddamn uncle Twobit"

The first thing Soda wants to do when he finds out is tell Ponyboy

This makes the week the boys were gone even harder

When he did finally get the chance to tell Ponyboy he was legitimately so excited

Like imagine them sitting in the hospital pony laying on Sodas lap

"Hay Pony i know you got a hell of a lot on your mind but i got something to tell you" "hmm" the younger boy hummed the only clue that he was still awake "your gonna be an uncle" Ponyboy shot up almost hitting Soda in the face "you mean..." Soda nodded "sandys pregnant im gonna be a dad" Ponyboy pulled Soda into an exited hug "can i name him?" Pony looked at his confused brother "its only fair seeing how you named me when you were 3 fucking years old" Darry started laughing louder than he had in weeks "come on Soda its only fair"

He never got the chance to tell Johnny and that fact will haunt him for the rest of his life

Once he finally feels like Pony is gonna be ok he spends every waking moment with Sandy

Hand on the belly 100% of the time

He is definitely the type of guy to talk to his kid in udero

Random shit too

"So anyway the wendsheald wiper was not coming off so Steve stepped on the hood of the car and put his whole weight into it and..." Sandy looked down at him smiling "you know most dads to be talk to their kids about how much they love them and your telling your future kid about some dumb shit you and Steve got up too" Soda scoffed faking offence " yeah its a funny story besides this kid needs to know what he's getting himself into being born into my gang"

He for sure tried to sneak a peak when Sandy was giving birth and he definitely passed out

Soda is CONVINCED its gonna be a boy

When the doctor announces"its a girl" he is legitimately confused

"What do you mean its a girl? Like he doesn't have a dick?"

Once he gets used to the fact that he has a daughter he is so Goddamn proud of her

He cries the first time he holds his daughter

Its literally adorable he'll be sitting there talking to her

"Hi little lady im your dad Sodapop and i love you so so so so much"

When he gets to show her off to the gang his smile is a mile wide

"Hi guys i want you to meet the newest member of the Curtis family" Soda said smiling as he showed his new daughter to all of his friends "she looks like a babydoll" Steve said softly as he reached for her little hand "hay thats a damn good name Babydoll" pony exclaims as he reaches out to hold his niece

AN: thanks for reading and allowing me to share some thoughts from the craziness that is my brain. As always i am so sorry for any spelling or grammar mistakes i am just hella dislexic

[thelov3lybookworm]

Mine? (Part 9)

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8

Summary: She is probably rushing into things, but does it matter when she is happy?

•○●⛦●○•

Word Count: 1910

A/n: technically... TECHNICALLY THIS IS THE LAST PART. I CANNOT BELIEVE IT. THE LAST PART. 😭im so happy hehe.

the ending might feel a bit rushed but i love it hehe and so do you 🔫🥰

epilogue coming out on wednesday hopefully so SIT TIGHT CHILDREN ILYYYY ❣️

anyways, enjoy!🥹

°•°•°•○🌑○•°•°•°

The tension in the air could have been cut by Adelaide’s plastic toy knife.

It was almost hard to breathe as Grayson, Y/n and Liam sat opposite each other. Y/n had decided to settle down next to Liam in hopes of calming him down even a little bit.

Grayson sat opposite the two siblings, his jaw locked. To anyone else, it would have seemed like he was angry.

Y/n knew he was scared.

Liam was someone even Grayson did not want to mess with. Even when they were children, Liam had threatened Grayson every chance he got not to hurt Y/n. God only knew how he even let Y/n talk to Gray, but now, Liam’s hatred for Grayson had definitely increased.

Especially after the explanation Grayson and Y/n had just offered for Grayson’s presence.

"So you tell me you ain’t planning to run with your tail tucked between your legs the first chance you get?" Liam’s voice was as hard as his eyes as he surveyed Grayson from head to toe, the disgust evident in his features only lessened by the cooing babe in his arms.

Grayson had tried his best to be on his best behaviour, to not let his emotions get the best of him when Liam continued to practically bully Grayson. The two men had been going at it for almost an hour now, and Y/n felt like she kept hearing the same few sentences again and again.

Maybe she was losing her mind.

Grayson glared back. "I do not know why you think I will when I have been constantly assuring you I only want the best for your sister and my daughter. I want to take up responsibilities that I should have been taking care of for a long time now."

Apparently he was done letting Liam be mean to him.

Before Liam could throw out one of his jabs again, Grayson stood, fists clenched, and Y/n’s heart raced. "I will leave you alone to have some time with your sister. See you later."

With that, Grayson shot Y/n a soft look, then stalked towards the door, grabbing his long coat and keys on the way out.

Aww.

The only thing Y/n could focus on was the way he had looked at her then. It made her want to smile.

Liam was glaring at her.

Not aww then.

"Sooooo how have you been Li?"

His expression did not change. If anything, it became even more thunderous.

"Care to explain why I did not know that he was living with you?"

Y/n sighed. Straight to the point, then. "Look, Li, he’s trying. Cut him some slack."

"He hurt you Y/n. I ain’t cutting no slack."

Y/n snuggled close to him, knowing he was just being protective.

"Give him a chance, Li. Please, for me?"

Eternity passed in the time he took to respond, and Y/n was wondering if he was going to ignore her plea when he finally spoke.

"Fine. One chance is all he gets. But I want to keep an eye on him. You are coming with me."

Y/n pulled away to look at her brother. "What?"

"You three are coming home with me. If he truly wants to be with you and right his wrongs, he will obviously be ready to prove it, no?"

With that, Liam stood and carried Adelaide to the guest bedroom where he usually stayed when visiting, her giggling, unaware.

Y/n sighed, then stood to call Grayson. He will want to be home and sitting down for this.

°•°•°•○🌑○•°•°•°

Grayson’s pov.

Taking a walk in the park was something he had come to love in the past two months. Almost as much as he loved swimming.

The moment Grayson had stormed out of the apartment, he had wished to turn back around, wondering if Liam was yelling at Y/n now that he had left. He felt so guilty that he had even turned around after reaching the ground floor, then stopped himself. They probably needed privacy to sort things out.

It also baffled Grayson how worried he was for Y/n. He had been protective over her, sure, but this innate need to make sure no one was hurting her was something completely new to Grayson. It was like he no could no longer function properly unless he knew she was okay.

Which was concerning.

He had settled down on one of the benches in the park, his gaze fixed on the sparrows that hopped around in the grass as he tried to make sense of the sudden urge to run back home to his friend.

He wished he had been someone better, wished he had not used her the way he had. Wished he had not told her it was a mistake, wished he had cherished what the two had before he lost it. He wished he had not missed any of his daughter’s milestones ever, wished he had been there with Y/n everytime she might have needed someone.

Grason sighed, placing his face in his palms.

Every time Grayson slept in a little longer, every time he would find Y/n giggling with Adelaide in the kitchen, her eyes twinkling, his heart skipped a beat. Everytime she would turn to him and smile at him with none of the animosity he knew he deserved, his heart skipped a beat.

Every time he thought of Y/n, his heart skipped a beat.

At this point, with the rate at which his heart frollicked around his chest without abandon, in a way so new to Grayson, he wondered if he was developing some sort of ailment.

Love is after all an ailment.

The thought was so sudden his breathing stopped for a moment.

Am I in love with Y/n?

Well, his symptoms only really pointed to one disease.

She would smile, he would do too, just because she did. Every time he saw her in her own thoughts, her lips downturned, he would wish to be the reason to make her laugh.

Even that morning, before Liam arrived, Grayson had spied Y/n frowning down at her phone. He had wanted to make her laugh, and so when she had come to take Adelaide, he had done the first thing that came to mind. And thankfully, it had worked.

He had watched intently as one side of her lips ticked up in amusement, her eyes widening slightly at his unusual behaviour.

Fuck.

Grayson leaned back, taking a deep breath before he whispered his confession out into the world, solidifying his thoughts and the truth.

"I am in love."

Unbidden, a smile rose to his lips.

I still have Nan’s ring that Nash gave me.

Well, looks like someone is about to be engaged.

°•°•°•○🌑○•°•°•°

"Y/n?"

Startled, Y/n turned around to find a panting Grayson grinning at her.

What the-

He bounded towards her, looking ready to speak his heart out, but then seemed to have thought better of it and grabbed her hand.

How the hell did he get in? Oh right, the keys.

He dragged her toward the bedroom the two now shared and closed the door behind him, then dropped her hand and ran to the closet. All while Y/n watched him, perplexed.

"Gray, what’s going on?"

He shook his head, rummaging around, his brows furrowed in determination. Y/n moved forward, trying to see if she could help him when he finally stepped back, dropping his handbag back into its place and turned to Y/n, his eyes wild.

"Y/n, I just want you to know that I really wanted to do something special, I swear." He huffed, still out of breath. His hair stuck up in different directions, as if he had constantly ran his hands through them. "But I just realised I- I love you and I can’t wait-"

Y/n blinked. "No, no, hold up. You what??"

He grinned even wider if that was somehow possible, and dropped to a knee. "Please, Y/n, marry me? I was at the park and I was thinking and I was thinking of how much I care for you and I- I realised I am love and- and I just needed you to know that because I know you have doubts sometimes and-"

"My god Grayson, slow down." Y/n giggled, making him pause in his rant. Instantly, his ears turned red, and he glanced at the ground for a moment before composing himself and looking back up at Y/n.

"I really mean it, Y/n." He grabbed her hand, swallowing. Y/n’s smile faded a little at the intensity in his grey eyes, and she settled for a small tilt to her lips as she looked down at him. "You don’t have to say yes right now, but-"

"Yes."

He halted, his grip tightening on her hand.

"Really?"

She nodded, squeezing his hand. "I would love to marry you Gray. But…" She pulled him up by grabbing onto his biceps as she thought of how to break the news to him that Liam wanted the two to follow him back to Texas. "But I want you to get along with my family first."

She offered him her hand onto which he pushed the beautiful ring that had sat snugly in the velvet box, then met his eyes, unable to control her smile at the excitement that shone in his eyes.

"Liam told me that if I wanted him to forgive you, we will have to go back home. He apparently wants to keep an eye on you."

Grayson was quiet for a second, then nodded. "I mean, I can do my best to win them back. I’m a Hawthorne after all."

Y/n smiled, then shook her head. "You’re impossible. You scared me for a second there."

Y/n knew that if anyone heard of the way he had proposed, and even the way she had accepted without even a moment’s consideration, they would tell her she had lost her mind.

But this was her life. She was the one who got to decide what’s best for herself and her child. And maybe she was rushing into things, but did it matter when she was happy? Did it matter if she was doing this for her daughter, and maybe herself?

Y/n trusted Grayson. She had grown up with him, had seen the way Tobias Hawthorne had carefully shaped him into the man he was today. She knew he would never hurt her intentionally.

This was a moment where all Y/n’s dreams led to, and she was happy about it. As she stood there, being pulled into Grayson’s embrace, she reminisced about how the one night the both of them had considered a mistake had led to the two of them being happier than ever.

Maybe everything does happen for a reason.

And now, after all the heartbreak and sadness she had been through, Y/n could confidently say that it was all worth it.

She had a lovely daughter that was doted on by all the people she cared for.

Y/n had gotten back her friend that she loved immensely and her daughter had gotten back her father that swore on his life to be the best for her.

And the best part of all?

The two are mine.

°•°•°•○🌑○•°•°•°

Mine taglist: @aaronwarnerobsessedmylove @blocked-zombieartist @lillycore @lanterns-and-daydreams

@bubybubsters @berryzxx @riddlesb1tch @thena101

@imaseabear @book-nerd-emi @cassie6392

The Inheritance Games Taglist: @dahliawarner @thena101 @yucanbmylxdy @sheisntyou @kitkatlover015

[kitkatt0430]

Something that's been rattling around for some years now...how exactly would Slade have reacted if it had been Oliver who was the one killed by Ivo? How would that have rippled out into the Arrowverse? Would the Undertaking have succeeded or would a Mirakuru enhanced Slade along with Sara and Shado - presuming they also managed to survive the Island - have managed to get to Starling anyway, if they'd managed to retrieve The List?

I had not considered this kind of AU before but now you are giving me ideas... ^_^

So I do think Slade would still have reacted really badly. Honestly, I think the only death out of the trio he wouldn't have reacted badly to while hopped up on Mirakuru is Sara because he didn't know her well enough. But while Slade was in love with Shado, he'd still come to care a great deal about Oliver despite Oliver sleeping with Shado. (Oliver still in the 'cannot do relationships that aren't super messy' stage of his life, it's still hilarious to me that his relationship struggles on the 'present' day part of the show are still improvements on his past relationship screw ups.)

Slade would probably handle things a bit better at first, but much like how canon Slade started hallucinating Shado in his anger/grief over her death, I think he'd start to see Oliver as the representative of the Mirakuru anger/paranoia/mental instability it induces and he'd still wind up become a problem that Shado, Sara, and Ivo's prisoners have to deal with after Ivo himself is killed.

Rewind a bit to the moment of Ollie's death. He's still put on the spot by Ivo, who is a rapist and misogynist and all around piece of shit. Ollie can't choose who lives and who dies. At least not between Shado and Sara. So Oliver says "me. Shoot me" and Ivo does it. He thinks it'll be easier to keep two women in check anyway, he doesn't know that Shado's a badass and that killing Oliver in front of Sara (after threatening to kill her first) is gonna be the snapping point for his 'docile lab assistant/rape victim'.

For drama, Oliver's death isn't immediate. He's shot in the chest maybe? Somewhere where he has just long enough to make a dying declaration, passing on the List and what little he knows about it to Sara and Shado. I think Sara would hang on to it, but it could honestly go either way.

Events would then play out similarly to how they did in canon. Except I think Shado would be more willing to take the chance that the cure would work on Slade. She just lost Oliver and despite Slade probably physically assaulting her in his growing anger... she doesn't want to lose Slade again to. She knows she's losing him to the Mirakuru but as long as he's alive there's a chance of saving him.

Of course, we don't really know if this iteration of the cure was correct or not. It looks superficially like the cure Caitlin and Cisco come up with years later but it wasn't developed off the real Mirakuru serum. Ivo made it based off his faulty, bastardized version of Mirakuru.

So this could go one of a few ways. It works, Slade returns to normal, he has to come to grips with his behavior over the last few days and the way he threatened Shado, but it's better than having to live with years of hurting people in a mentally altered state and then having his sanity forced back on him to have to live with it.

Or it doesn't work, it doesn't have any effect, and Shado has to kill him and she's more effective at it than Ollie was at that point in time. So Slade dies. Or maybe she's not more effective because she does return Slade's feelings after all but found Oliver more approachable of the two for a casual relationship. She can't bring herself to be as brutal as necessary to kill someone with Mirakuru, assumes Slade drowns, and instead Slade's attraction turns into a burning hatred that focuses on Shado and her sister down the line.

Or the cure reacts badly to the OG Mirakuru and it kills Slade stone dead and Shado has to live with the fact that her attempt to save him was what killed him.

I favor the Slade lives but is still Mirakuru Man option, but all of these scenarios are really interesting ideas to explore and there are probably more variations that could be considered. These were just the big ones that stood out to me immediately.

If Sara still washes up where Nyssa finds her - Sara still in possession of the List because it's all she's got left of Oliver - then this of course complicates things. A lot. Canonically Sara doesn't go back until after the Undertaking, but I could see the List burning a hole in her pocket, as it were. The League offers her a chance to develop her skills, but she's basically saying screw you to Oliver's memory if she hooks up with League permanently.

While Sara is dealing with League bullshit, Shado would take Oliver's place in washing up in Hong Kong. But I honestly don't see ARGUS being interested in her the way they were with Oliver. Oliver was useful because he was considered dead already, amongst other reasons. But Shado wasn't missing that long comparatively and is able to return to her life as a pre-med student and reunites with her sister Mei.

It takes some doing, but Shado is able to transfer to a school in Starling City to complete her pre-med education abroad. There she's able to track down the Queen's easily and the Lances only slightly less so.

She makes an appointment with Moira first and while she doesn't have the List, Shado does have Oliver's picture of Laurel which proves to Moira that Shado is telling the truth. It's a sanitized version of the truth, but Shado basically tells her that Shado met Oliver when she was kidnapped and brought to an island off of the China coast and used to blackmail her father into behaving. Oliver was there, someone her father had been mentoring to survive, and he'd been entrusted with protecting Shado. And he'd done so with his life. Probably vaguing things so that Ivo sounds like he's part of the group that murdered her dad, leaving out Sara and Slade entirely, and crying rather than being specific about Oliver's death because there are some things Moira doesn't need to hear. Shado is able to confirm Robert Queen's death too, which maybe gives Moira the push she needs to move on with Walter if she hasn't already.

Shado's visit with the Lances goes differently in that she's telling them that Sara might actually still be alive. Oliver's photograph of Laurel is once again Shado's ticket to being believed, which she gives to Laurel. She explains again how she knew Oliver, but actually brings up Sara here and Ivo being someone who both rescued and abused her. She probably still leaves out Slade and connects herself and Sara being lost at sea again to Ivo's death after Oliver's murder.

I think Quentin would probably still think Sara was dead despite Shado's earnest belief that Sara was strong and survived, but he'd greatly appreciate Shado telling him about his daughter and offer to be someone she can count on like family while she's in the states. Laurel - and definitely Dinah - would take hope that Sara is alive and will come back to them eventually, however.

Shado probably also got back into contact with Anatoly and some of the other survivors of the island, though not to the degree that Oliver did. Instead, Shado starts looking into what she remembers of the List immediately, setting herself up as the vigilante the Hood years before Oliver would have. She can only remember a few names from the List but she also knows that if Robert Queen had one then it stands to reason Moira might have one or at least that Robert had a backup.

So her first point of order is to get her hands on a copy of the List. She targets one of the names she remembers first, and while Shado can prove he's a shitty person by the time she's done and the guy goes to jail, she's SoL on the List. Shado turns to breaking and entering, sneaking into the Queen's home while they're out one day and there she eventually strikes paydirt, finding a little book that looks just like the one Ollie gave Sara. It's blank, but it's got the symbol of the Undertaking stamped in it, so Shado takes it and books it. Moira probably assumes Malcolm took it and the two have some bitchy power plays that eventually settles back into a frigid status quo.

Meanwhile, back at the League. Sara's got a mission already. The List. Fulfilling Ollie's last wish, to right the wrongs Robert Queen was part of. But she's also got a cute girl and her long-lived assassin-leader father to contend with. I can see her making a deal with Ra'as, who clearly does not approve of Nyssa's attraction to Sara. Train her, use her, and let her be a distraction for Nyssa for a while. When he tires of Sara, let her return to her old life as a sleeper assassin should he have need of her.

Honestly, it's not a bad deal for Ra'as because it gets Nyssa out of his hair for a while as he figures out who he's going to betroth her to. (Let his daughters marry for love or accept that one is a lesbian? Ra'as? Nope, he's not doing that.) Sara, of course, falls in love with Nyssa, but what's a girl to do? She knows better than to think she can save Nyssa from Ra'as, and so in a few years when he decides Nyssa's infatuation with Sara is getting to be too much of a distraction instead of just enough of a distraction, Sara returns to Starling City. She feels woefully unprepared to return because she's an assassin now and her family deserves better than her.

But still. She has her mission and she's gonna fulfill it. So Sara gets 'rescued' somewhere in maybe India or the Middle East and returns home.

All this time, Shado has been using the List 2.0 to figure out what the hell Robert Queen was involved in. She's become a local hero, no longer the Hood but the Green Arrow. With Laurel's non-vigilante-as-of-yet help after shenanigans. Tommy's too, he's the financial backer until he gets cut off but this Tommy planned ahead and had some money squirreled away in his name, maybe some stocks (including some STAR Labs stock that's lucrative right now but'll bite him in the butt come a couple more years), and a night club set up atop the arrow cave as a nod to Tommy and Oliver's childhood dream of running one together. Maybe Shado even got to name it Verdant, or maybe it's named something else entirely.

When Sara shows up, I think she'd confide in Shado about what happened to her but on the promise that Laurel never finds out. Sara would take up as the Canary and help try to stop the Undertaking too. Malcolm is, unbeknownst to them, the bad guy they're trying to stop.

Since Oliver was the connection that brought in Dig and Felicity, they're having relatively normal lives. Tommy's been learning to use a bow from Shado since he doesn't want her out there alone - Sara showing up and being her backup is a big relief for him. There's probably some Tommy/Laurel going on with Shado having bad luck with relationships - men and women alike. So maybe some Shado/Sara while Sara mourns leaving Nyssa behind and Shado is well aware this is more of a friends with benefits thing.

I could see this team up discovering that Malcolm is the Dark Archer and the mastermind behind the List - the Undertaking - eventually. Likely when Malcolm brings - successfully this time around - Tommy into his panic room for some reason. Tommy would have to essentially be undercover as himself trying to figure out what's going on and while I don't think they'd find the second bomb in time, I think they'd at least learn about it a little earlier. They'd still defuse bomb #1 and save a lot of lives. Tommy and Laurel would both survive, though they'd be evacuating as many people from the Glades as they could. Moira probably wouldn't fare as well in the aftermath, though, without Oliver to convince her to do the right thing at the last minute. Though perhaps Tommy gets through to her?

Of course, they'd have a lot of different issues from canon to deal with. Shado would have to worry about her student visa and transitioning from pre-med into a rigorous medical degree course that probably meant she was very slow about targeting the List compared to Oliver going after a new villain every week. She'd also likely be trying to gain citizenship in order to stay in the life she'd made for herself there, which would be easier for her than some given her lawyer friend Laurel helping out. And the power of being the protagonist.

Obviously it could all play out as a worst case scenario - Shado stays in Hong Kong with her sister, Sara doesn't return until after the Undertaking, and Tommy dies saving his girlfriend Laurel.... but I like the idea that in spite of a nail, there would still be a Green Arrow in Starling City.

Of course, if Slade survived and is still Mirakuru Man, then it could be the Undertaking that brings Starling City, and thus Shado, back into his crosshairs. This would also wind up dragging Mei into the middle of things, because I could see Slade going after her to bait Shado. And perhaps as a side plot, Tommy learns that Thea is his sister and that Malcolm is still alive. Despite Moira's protests, I could see Tommy recognizing what would protect Thea from Malcolm most is knowing the truth. And he'd tell her.

Honestly... I don't see Moira and Thea's relationship ever recovering in this timeline. Maybe they get back on good terms one day, but Thea's never close to her again. Thea has Walter and Tommy and that's all the family she wants or needs.

[marthawrites]

The Arbor and the Dragon: Chapter 2, Discovery

Aemond Targaryen x Redwyne fem reader

word count: 5.4k+

About: After the official betrothal, you learn more about Aemond with each passing day. You're unsure to be scared or excited with these discoveries, but he always leaves you wanting more.

Includes: Potential rumors, dragon riding, botched high valyrian, more allusions to possessiveness, gift giving, kissing, sexual tension (smut coming in the next chapter 🤭)

Note: Hello lovely reader! Please enjoy chapter two! As stated last time, to avoid the use of Y/N, your name is Emeline and you're implied to have brown eyes and freckles. Everything else is up to the reader!

read chapter 1 here

-

“Do you really think my bitch of a half-sister and uncle will fight you fairly? No. They will find your weakness and use it against you. If you wish to lay there like a worm you'll get no pity from me,” Aemond sneered down at the trainee who'd got the wind knocked out of him, the younger man curled up and trying to regain his breath. “And that goes for all of you,” he continued, practice sword held out straight in front of him as he gestured to everyone with a turn of body. “Or there will be worms feeding on your corpse in the dirt.”

Whispers broke out among the trainees, heads making a variety of gestures as they talked low to one another. Aemond Targaryen wasn't the largest man around around, yet his skill outshone the biggest of them. Even toe to toe with Ser Criston Cole seemed to be of mediocre challenge. Perhaps that's what Ser Cole had wanted after all their years training together.

So, there's the prince I've heard about, you thought. You'd yet to see this side of him. Maybe you were spoiled in that regard: only seeing his softer side thus far, his private self. Seeing him like this made something stir low in your belly, pulse quickening in tandem as you observed his intensity.

“Pfft. Get a load of this guy. We're in the training grounds. Why did he have to humiliate him like that in front of everyone?” A man not much younger than Aemond said to his friend in earshot of you.

“He is your prince,” you retorted, expression shifting to that of disbelief. “And he is making a lesson out of someone's failure so you–” you jabbed the air in a point, “–and everyone else can learn from it.” Your own gaze rivaled the intensity of Aemond's, staring up at the younger man with eyes daring him to speak another word on it. At your side, your handmaid, Jane, held tight to your arm, her own attention shifting between the trio of you.

“My dear Lady Redwyne speaks the truth,” Aemond said with smug pride. “My sweet betrothed defending me against my own men,” he arched his brow high, eye keen on the other man. “Trainee. Your name is Will, yes? Come. Let's see if you can back up what you say when you think I cannot hear you.” He held the training sword loosely, he point of it in the dirt, while his other hand rested behind his back. When he saw the other man make no move to step into the circle, Aemond rolled his neck. “I will not ask a second time. If you are unwilling, then I will strike you anyway.”

Was he always like this? you thought. It can't simply be because I'm watching him today, right? Anticipation fluttered in your stomach.

“Apologies, my prince,” Will replied with a bow of head. “I meant no disrespect. Merely curious at your choice of action,” he added, a flush creeping into his face as he stepped into the circle. It widened.

“Now, get your stance right and make to knock me down,” he said, eye never leaving the other as he found his footing too. A quiet moment passed between them before the Will leapt and went to make a cheap shot of Aemond's blindside. Aemond quickly dodged and knocked the training sword out of his hand. He pointed it to the center of his chest. “Dead boy. My half-sister's armies will not give you another chance."

You didn't realize you were gripping onto Jane's arm. "Are you feeling okay Lady Redwyne?" She asked with concerned eyes, finally breaking your attention away from the prince.

A breath escaped your lungs and you nodded, loosening your hold on the poor dear. "Yes. Sorry. I didn't realize I was squeezing you. Aemond just makes me feel...," you paused, looking around like you might find the right word in the air. "Excited. You know? Alive. Tense. Nervous. Giddy," you added with bright eyes, tipping your head closer to hers so you two might share a giggle. "He makes me feel a lot of things I'm not quite used to feeling." You patted her arm, smiling, a glint of mischief on your face. "And I've yet to see that side of him," you added with a gesture to where he and twenty or so other men were gathered and training.

“No, I don't suppose he'd be sparring with you before kissing you in the gardens,” she said softly, playfully, rolling her yes.

In the training circle, Aemond won yet again, seemingly not going easy on any of them even if his own skill far surpassed their own. Another man, one of Will's friends by the look of it, winced, holding his arm with care. “Do you think you accepted his proposal too soon, my Lady? If you've yet to see this side of him I'm sure there's a hundred – no, a thousand – other sides you haven't seen either.” She clearly had other feelings about the prince, none so approving as your own.

“War is here, my dear. Whether we like it or not. And the prince? Well...,” you paused, gaze panning over to where he was finally sparring with someone closer to his skill level. Even from where you stood you could see sweat beading on his forehead, eye calculating. His lean body was agile as he dipped, dodged, and parried; white hair flowing and bouncing with his movements all the while. Why did this sight of him make you feel as if a hive of bees took home in your head? “It is what men do. They protect. If there's anything I've heard of him it's that he's a man of duty. Surely being prince means he has a long list of duties to honor. Strength has to be high on that list?”

She pulled you away, guiding you further out of earshot range before looking at you. “I can only imagine. By what I've heard, it's he who's always taken his birth duties more seriously than even his brother the king.” Her voice hushed, then, no more than a whisper. “While the king has drank, put bastards in the bellies of whores, and slept the days away... his little brother has studied, practiced, and mastered dragon riding.”

A breath held in your throat as she spoke. “You cannot speak of the king so freely with so many others around,” you half hissed, eyes wide in concern.

“Shh I know I know, that's why I moved away. But, my Lady?” she asked, eyes wide and much softer than yours.

“What is it?”

Her voice was somehow even lower now. “I've also heard your betrothed has taken so few whores – even regular ladies – that people wonder about him. No one knows if he enjoys... pleasures of the flesh.”

Had Aemond Targaryen put on a mask of flirting and sensuality, kissing you in the gardens with passion to blush your cheeks for hours afterward, for merely your father's fleet?

-

Dinner that night was a small affair. Neither King Aegon nor prince Aemond were present, and you could only guess what type of duties would keep both of them away at the night's waning hour. Jane was there with you, as well as Helaena, and Alicent, and a few other ladies of the court. You hadn't yet spent much time with them, however, and you were still distracted by the conversation earlier with your handmaiden.

Once finished with the meal, you dismissed yourself and made your way to your bedchamber. Once inside, laying on the floor as if it were delivered beneath the crack of your door, was a folded letter. In a script you now recognized, it read,

“My Lady Redwyne,

I apologize for not dining with you tonight. Tomorrow morning, once you've broken your fast, meet me outside the Red Keep. Wear your warmest clothes. I've spoken with mother and have until noon free. I wish to spend it with you. My days are long without your company.

Sleep well,

Aemond”

Your stomach flipped while reading his hand. Part of you was excited – beyond excited at the prospect – while the other half of you held reserve. You wanted nothing more than to fall asleep with eagerness for dawn in your belly, yet you couldn't shake the idea of him continuing the betrothal for your father's fleet. Placing the letter atop the spare table, you undressed to don your nightgown. Luckily sleep came easy, and despite your warring haunches, you dreamt of Aemond, your home, and wading in the sea.

-

“Good morning, my prince, how were you able to get out of your duties for the entire morning?” You asked him as soon as you found him waiting where he said he would be. His own attire appeared heavier than normal, complete with a long jacket and gloves tucked into a pocket. How he could always appear dashing was beyond you.

“And to you as well, my lovely lady,” he said in a voice that sounded like it'd just woken up. “I agreed to visit the sept tonight, and double my prayers for the opportunity to spend the morning with you.” 

You'd never been particularly religious and the idea of him trading time around like that made an odd combination of giddiness and guilt wash over you. “Perhaps I could join you in prayer one of these nights. Or mornings. Whichever you prefer, my prince.”

A glint sparked behind his eye, the lilac of it bight with the early golden sun. “I'd like that,” he replied, reaching for your hand as he stepped into you, fingers lacing between your own. “My Lady, we are to be wed soon. Please, say my name and drop the formalities while we're together.”

Giddiness wholly washed over guilt, and in that moment you completely forgot the wariness of him you'd been carrying since yesterday. “That we are...,” you started, looking down to where your hands connected. His was so much bigger than yours; long fingers, skin rough with callous, a faint dusting of pale hair visible only in the light. "May I kiss the top like you have mine?" You asked before you could stop yourself, heart fluttering.

Was that the creep of a blush in Aemond's face? A small sound came from his throat and for a moment you thought he might pull away. But, he tilted his head down at you, eye lingering over you, before giving a half nod. "Yes."

You brought your joined grasp up, and beneath the security of your lashes you peered to the skin of your target. Slowly, your mouth pressed in a kiss. Soft. You looked up at him with a brief smile before lowering your hands to where they were before. "Why did you ask me to wear warm clothes?"

The pink splotches in his face slowly faded, and the intensity of his regard had you shifting your feet where you stood. "I want you to meet Vhagar. You have sea legs, of that I have no doubt. But how are you in the sky?" Mischief sparked in his eye at your reaction.

"Vhagar? You want me to fly with you?" Nerves prickled your skin.

"I do. She's the largest and oldest dragon in the world. And more than that... she's my friend. The best of a friend, really. The only one I've had. She's very important to me and since we are to marry I want you two to also have a kinship." His voice was low as of he were sharing a secret with you; something private that, perhaps, he never shared with another person.

"I- uhm... well... she won't-," you paused, bashful and scared, "-she won't bite me?" You asked, wincing.

Aemond actually smiled, and for a moment even the stark contrast of his eyepatch softened. "No. She won't."

What in the Seven hells were you getting into? "And you won't let me fall!?"

Smirking, he instantly pulled you to him so your back was pressed fully to his front, his arms wrapped securely around you. "Never. Do you think so little of me?" He asked, dipping his head low to press a single, hot kiss to the line of your jaw.

You squealed with a little laugh, goosebumps immediately answering his kiss. "Consider this my first test of trustworthiness!" His hold loosened around you; you never wanted him to let go.

A little while later, Aemond had you on the beach approaching Vhagar. The old girl was sleeping, curled up and as comfortable as something so large could be. You thought she was massive before, but now? Seeing her so close? She was immense. Bigger than any single thing you've seen in your life. You weren't even sure what to compare her to. A castle? A mountain? Something between, surely. "How many people have you introduced to her?" You asked, voice shaking.

"Like this? None," the hand at the small of your back eased its pressure. "She's known many people, however. I'm her third rider. She's no stranger to friendliness to those her rider trusts."

Your feet rooted into the sand as Aemond walked up to the now stirring dragon. You marveled at her from afar, stunned in enchantment and terror. From where you waited you watched Aemond run his hands over her, letting her know he was there. "Rytsas Vhagar. Ivestragī īlva sōvegon? Nyke emagon syt ao naejot rhaenagon tubī. īlon issi naejot dīnagon aderī. Sagon sȳz, kessa?" Hello Vhagar. Let us fly? I have someone for you to meet today. We are to marry soon. Be good, yes? He spoke in a language you didn't recognize. "Come, my Lady. She's ready. I'm sure you know your way around a saddle?" He gestured to you, speaking in the common tongue now.

The she dragon lifted her enormous head and regarded you with clever eyes. The breath coming from her was warm. She yawned massively, exposing her teeth that were surely as long as swords. You hadn't realized you were trembling until Aemond's hands rubbed up and down your arms. "What did you say to her? Will she understand me?"

Aemond nodded.

With a deep breath you extended an arm in front of you, stepping slowly to the dragon. "H-hello," you stuttered, trying to look her in the eye. "My name is Emeline and I'm from the Arbor. Have you ever been there?" You hadn't a clue if she could hear you for you had no idea where her ears were; nor was your voice terribly loud. Yet, still, she made a string of noises, not so unlike a bird. A very, very large bird.

"She has," Aemond replied, as if he understood those noises. You didn't question him.

"You are lovely, Vhagar. You must have seen the Arbor before I was born. I'd undoubtedly remember seeing you," you smiled, easing ever so slightly. She made another couple of noises. "I am to marry Aemond. I'm happy to meet you." Dragons were entirely unknown to you, but you could have sworn her eyes softened – if that were somehow possible.

Aemond led you around to her side, and as you did so the she-dragon lifted further off the beach making sand cascade off her form. "Here. The ropes are sturdy. I'll climb up behind you in case you stumble or need a push," he said with the faintest twinkle of amusement. You gulped but said nothing, grabbing hold of the rope and making your way up the makeshift latter. Your betrothed, in all his courtly gentlemanliness, tried his very best to not stare up at your legs and backside as you ascended. He failed. Miserably.

"Will I sit in front or behind you, my pri-, uhm, I mean, Aemond?" You called behind, watching as he crested over the swell of Vhagar's side. His cheeks were reddened and you wondered why. Surely he's made this climb a million times before! "Are you okay?"

He cleared his throat and momentarily avoided eye contact. "Yes. Just feeling excited. I've never done this before," he said almost sheepishly – the tone a stark difference from anything you've heard from him so far. "You can sit in the front. I can hold the reins and keep you secure in front of me," he gained confidence by the second, the heat leaving his face.

It took a few minutes and clumsy movements to get situated, and when you did a thrill danced up and down your spine. You were going to ride a dragon. With Aemond Targaryen. You bodies were pressed so firmly together you could have sworn you felt the thud of his heart against your back; or perhaps it was merely your own pulse roaring through your veins. Regardless, this was the closest you two had ever been. His arms pressed along your sides as he grabbed the reins. You'd never been so disappointed to see gloves before. An unknown corner of your mind longed to see his bare hands controlling the ropes. 

“Aemond! The suspense is killing me! I’m ready. I think. Yes, I’m ready!” you half shrieked, closing one eye as your body tensed in anticipation. You held onto the saddle with all your grip strength, calves tightening in tandem.

Behind, you couldn’t see the prince’s smile, but you heard it when he said, “Sōvegon, Vhagar.” fly And with that, the great dragon lurched forward, sand glittering off her form like golden coins as she spread her wings and kicked off the beach with enough might to shake the ground beneath. 

Screams and laughs poured from your mouth, glee unrestricted as you flew with your soon to be husband upon the only true friend he’d known. Time lost meaning.

The sun was high in the center of a blue sky before Aemond landed Vhagar. He helped you dismount. "Let's get you back to the Red Keep. Surely your throat is dry from all the screaming," he jested, mood light and playful in the aftermath.

"Thirsty and hungry," you corrected.

The carriage ride back, while relatively uneventful, sparked with a different kind of energy than all the other times you and Aemond were alone together. A sort of tension that made the low muscles in your belly tighten. You knew this feeling and wanted to drape across his lap and kiss him silly, yet you behaved and remained to yourself. Such things were unfitting for a young woman who was to be wed, even if the actions of desire were with her betrothed, and you tried so hard to focus on anything but the beautiful man across from you. Much to your dismay, his eye hardly left yours or your form.

"Here we are, my Lady. I'll walk you inside but then I must be off again," he said, offering his arm.

A sigh left your lips. "I understand. But, Aemond?" His name rolled off your tongue in the softest of a question, your body effortlessly leaning into him as you finished the walk to the Red Keep. "I'm counting down the days until we are married. I wish for nothing more than to share a bed, and a room, with you."

Something about his eye – no, his entire face – darkened, fingers grasping around you with an unmistakable restrain of yearning. Before he could say anything in return, however, an unknown voice sounded from behind you.

"Prince Aemond! Smart smart man. I can see why you chose Lady Redwyne over all the other maidens you turned down. The Arbor really does produce the biggest, juiciest peaches, don't they?"

Aemond's entire body flexed.

Your stomach dropped.

The offending man, while perhaps not realizing what he'd done – just one man talking to another, right? – shamelessly and approvingly eyed over your backside, tongue in cheek. If this'd been King Aegon he likely would have gotten away with it. But Aemond? No. No, not the prince.

Before anything could be done or said against it, Aemond pivoted, fist clenched, and drove it right into the center of the other's face. A nasty crunch cracked under the punch, and the other's hands immediately flew to his face at the impact. Blood gushed from his nose. "Seven hells!"

Aemond kicked the man's feet out from beneath him and sent him landing with a heavy thud, still stunned from his broken nose. Aemond's foot stepped over his throat, increasing the stun. "I suppose you think you're terribly funny. I don't know who you think you are, peasant, and if I hear you say another word about my betrothed, you'll no longer have a tongue. Understand?" He stepped harder on his throat with the question, blood darkening the black of his leather boot.

He nodded, a second away from choking on blood and saliva alike.

You, too, were stunned. You stood there, shielding your gaping mouth, frozen and silent.

"Apologize. Do you think she'd find a lowborn swine like yourself appealing? Pathetic." Aemond tilted his head, waiting for an answer.

The broken nosed man shook his head and waved in surrender, knowing that'd get the boot off his throat. "'M s-sorry, my prince, Lady," he croaked, before bursting into a coughing fit. Bystanders were paying attention by now, and none of them dared step in the way.

Aemond chuffed through his nose. "Come, princess," he said your name, turning to look at you. "There's nothing more to see here." He walked to you, clean hand splaying over your lower back, and didn't bother to give the man on the ground any more attention. Let him bleed and have a crooked nose, Aemond thought.

The rest of the day went by uneventfully compared to your natural high and adrenaline rush. As sleep crept into your body, you heard the sickening crack of that man's nose over and over again. And while the sound made you cringe, the image of blood splattered across Aemond's knuckles did something to you and you weren't sure why. Never before had something akin made your core ache. Was it the violence that excited you? The protection? Or merely the fact of it being the prince with his pale, lovely skin marked red with someone else's blood?

You slept peacefully all night.

-

The following morning, Aemond managed to talk his mother into letting the two of you eat breakfast alone in the gardens. The air was light and crisp, sun shining with a promise of warmth as fog slowly lifted from all of King's Landing.

"How is your hand this morning?" You asked, realizing he had a small cut over the index knuckle.

He flexed it, eyeing it briefly before replying, "fine. Nothing but a tiny scratch."

You wanted to say something, anything, about all those feelings you had last night as you drifted off to sleep. But for the life of you, nothing coherent formed on your tongue. And, try as you might, it didn't go unnoticed.

"Is something the matter?" Aemond asked with a genuineness that struck your heart. Without doubt, he was a coin with the option of either heads or tails and a little gray area between. As your stay prolonged, each day you saw something new in him. You wondered if he was a dice, too – six sides. Perhaps even a dice with more sides than that. So far he'd shown you nothing but kindness. And yet, more colors bloomed to his surface; watercolors spilling into each other, into an increasingly defined portrait of the young Targaryen prince.

"No, my prince," you replied after a moment, lashes unintentionally fluttering.

"Do not lie to me, princess," he answered evenly, fingers drumming atop the table as he looked across at you. Studying.

Beneath the table you crossed your legs. You bit over your bottom lip and even scratched your nose – you couldn't help it! "Okay," you groaned. "Okay. I, uhm... well, I feel a bit silly. I think you think it might be. So, I'm... torn."

That answer sent a single brow arching. "Surely I can be the judge of my reaction to whatever you deem silly."

You sighed, seemingly collecting yourself. "When I was gathering my things at home for the journey here, I contemplated bringing you a gift. At the last minute I grabbed it and have been holding onto it since. We hadn't met, of course, so I wasn't sure if it'd be something you liked. But after yesterday?" You trailed off for a moment, smiling at him across the table. "Even though part of me still thinks it's silly... the other part thinks you'll like it."

A smile graced his lips and you wanted desperately to kiss it. “Did you bring it with you this morning?”

You nodded.

“Well, let's see it.”

With a breath deep enough to swell your chest, you bent down and grabbed a small pack. Opening its flap you retrieved a medium sized square covered in black cloth. You stared at the wrapped gift for another moment before offering it to Aemond, smiling shyly as he took it. You sat on the edge of your seat. Both hands folded beneath your chin, and your dark eyes sparkled with wonder as you watched him open it.

Aemond peeled the cloth back with care. Once uncovered it revealed a glass shadow box containing, perhaps, the last thing he expected to see. A bat. A perfect, brown and black, tiny bat. The little creature was taxidermized in a forever flight, the preservation of it so skillful the thin veins in its wings were still on perfect display, as well as it's fur and tiny teeth. Pristine. “I've never seen anything like this,” he finally said, finally meeting your gaze. “Where ever did you find such a thing?”

He didn't hate it. Your hands fell into your lap and balled into fists lest they begin trembling from excitement. “It's not a dragon. And I fear it's much less exciting than one. But, I've always loved bats. Such misunderstood creatures,” you trailed off, turning your head so you too could see the glass box in his hands. “I'm not sure what happened to this little one, but when I stumbled across it it was so still and perfect I thought it might be sleeping. Alas, it wasn't, and something about it made me want to keep it. So, I had it preserved.”

Wonderment brightened his features in the morning's soft golden air. “It is your own kind of dragon, hm? A whelpling from the Arbor. It has fur instead of scales. But it has teeth and claws and fierce little eyes. Thank you, my darling. I love this.”

You clapped. Actually clapped. “Oh I'm so glad! You truly don't think it silly?” When he shook his head in answer your smile widened even further. “Oh, Aemond,” you sighed blissfully. “Now I can eat peacefully without fretting about your reaction.” You served yourself a helping or two of the breakfast spread, elated.

“Can you tell me about them? I admit I have little to no knowledge of bats or their purpose aside from getting tangled in innocent's hair,” he smirked, playful, as he too dished up.

While sharing a private meal in a secluded clove of the gardens, you told the young prince all he wanted to know about bats. Your home was known for wine from reds, to whites, to golds. And, as such, it required a lot of grapes. The entire bug population was of the utmost importance. There were a dozen or so breeds of bees you knew off the top of your head which made pollination fruitful, including the honey bee. There were perhaps half as many species of butterflies which also helped the pollination process. Birds, too, of course, for seeding. Yet, perhaps at the top of the list for pollinators? Bats. That shocked Aemond. He hadn't known bats were part of that ecosystem and was keen to learn more. You were happy to explain it to him and he listened, fascinated.

-

As was the duty of the prince, he was summoned elsewhere and you had the rest of the day to yourself. It wasn't quite lonely, but there was a certain level of yearning and melancholy to your aura where ever you went. If you'd had it your way, you and Aemond would already be wed. Surely his princely duties could wait so he could spend time with his lady wife, right? You wanted to be his sweet little wife and have all the private time you could manage.

Jane kept you company as she always did – your handmaiden being one of your very best friends – and she too was thrilled that your gift was received with interest and fascination.

That night, soon after she left you alone for bed, there was a soft knock at your door. For a moment you thought your ears merely played a trick on you, and that's when a second knock sounded. Who could be here at this hour? Padding barefoot across the cool stone floor, you put your ear to the door and asked, “who is it?”

“My Lady Redwyne, prince Aemond is here for you,” Louis answered. “Do you want to receive him, or is the hour too late?” You opened the door and hugged a thin overcoat tighter to you as chilled air crept into your fire warmed room. “I'm afraid you two cannot be alone in a room together, as per Alicent and your father's request, but I can move down the hall a bit as to not eavesdrop terribly,” he bowed politely, glancing over his shoulder to the prince before walking down the hall ten or fifteen feet.

You nodded. “Thank you, Louis,” you said after him. Turning your attention to Aemond, now, you peered at him questioningly. “What are you doing here so late?” You asked, voice barely above a whisper.

He still wore the same attire he had this morning, and there was a different glint in his eye. Something you'd yet to witness. The lovely hue of his iris shrunk as he stepped into you, stroking the backs of his fingers down your arm before settling at the curve of your waist. You were only in your nightgown; thin overcoat thrown on hastily to answer the door. “I wanted to see you one more time before retiring to my own quarters. Part of me wants to apologize for catching you in only your sleep wear, but...,” he paused, voice lower than your own had been, his single eye slowly looking over you with obvious approval. “I'm really not sorry.”

His voice shot right down your spine and his grip tightened, just slight, on your waist. Bees buzzed in your head. “Well, yes, Aemond. It's late. Surely you know ladies relax before sleep.” You tried to keep your voice steady, your eyes on his face and not elsewhere along his very close, lean body. He smelled good.

“I'm not shaming,” he answered, free hand lifting to touch under your jaw. “Merely surprised.” He carefully pulled you into him, the softness of your front brushing against the firm front of him with tantalizing sensuality. With a crook of his fingers he angled your mouth up to him and he bent to meet it, soft lips eliciting the smallest gasp from your throat.

You returned his kiss. Fire blazed through your entire center.

“We cannot be alone here. I wish to take you on another ride soon. What do you think about that?” Pulling back from you, then, he delicately pushed the pad of his thumb against the swell of your bottom lip.

With that tone, and closeness, and glint in his eye, he could have asked anything of you and you would have agreed. You nodded, eyes soft and bright – eager – pressing the smallest kiss to his thumb. “Yes, please,” you breathed, immediately caught under his spell.

“Good,” he kissed you again. This time it lingered. This time he gently cupped your face. This time, you were bold enough to press the flats of your palms against his chest. A quiet inward hiss sounded from him and he pulled back, looking down at you with barely restrained intensity. “Good night, princess. I hope to see you on the morrow.”

Truthfully, he could have stayed there with you all night and he still would have left too soon. You watched as he walked away, transfixed on every detail of him until he fully disappeared into the darkness.

-

thank you for reading! if you enjoyed, please consider a follow and reblog as I have plans to create and share more writings. 

there will be smut in the next chapter 🤗😏

tag list: @melsunshine @iiamthehybrid

here is my masterlist if you’d like to see what else I’ve created!

[kuma829]

Adonis FS2- Let my voice reach for you Chapter One

It’ll take me time to come up with an answer… I’m sorry Anzu, you even made time for me and I left you hanging.

Cast: Adonis, Souma

Author: Suika

Season: Winter

Location: Class 3-B

Proofed by: ketsuinoyaiba

Adonis: Kanzaki, if I’m not mistaken, isn’t this what they call the “boar-deer-butterfly” combo?

Souma: Aah, Adonis-dono, it seems you’ve bested me once and for all. To turn the tides in your favour, why, only someone as wonderful as you could pull something like that off. 

Adonis: It’s not like that, I didn’t think I’d get a pull so good. 

And anyways, Kanzaki, weren’t you just one card off from victory? You were going for the “three light combo,” right?

Souma: As always, right you are! Fufu, Adonis-dono, looks like you’ve completely memorised all the “rules” in Hanafuda, that makes me happy—completely, wholly, happy ♪.

Adonis: In Kanzaki’s words, “isn’t it best to memorise the pictures?” So, I took your advice, and it’s the reason I managed to recall the “boar-deer-butterfly” combo in the first place.

Souma: Hmm? In the blink of an eye, Adonis-dono, your technique improved so much so that you beat me just like that. I am glad that I had the chance to teach you.

In any case, I am just as happy to be able to play Hanafuda with my friend. Thank you for learning how to play; I truly appreciate it.

Adonis: I should be the one saying thank you.

Kanzaki, you taught me tirelessly, with patience, never once failing in your perseverance. Even when I couldn’t even manage to remember the basics, you never once gave up on me. That’s the only reason I am able to play Hanafuda like this now.

It wasn’t just my own ability that got me this win. I was only able to win because you were there, Kanzaki. So this is all to say… This is a victory for both me and you, a victory for the both of us.

Souma: So, it is our victory, together? What was that word in English again… Oh right, you could call it a “win-win” situation?!

Adonis: Yes. We are a win-win.

Souma: Fufu, Adonis-dono, you think the same too, hm ♪.

Adonis: So how about we—if it’s ok with you—we have another round?

Souma: Of course!—Is what I want to say, but I cannot in good conscience say that, for I am a little worried for Anzu-dono.

Did she not wish to discuss your “feature live” today, Adonis-dono?

Adonis: She asked me to talk to her after school today, but she seems really busy. I can’t even go talk to her now because I don’t know where she is. I’m frustrated. 

I hope she hasn’t gotten herself caught in trouble, but just to be sure… Let’s contact her on “HoldHands.”

Souma: I do not think it necessary, Adonis-dono. Speak of the devil and she doth appear.

Adonis: Hmm? Anzu? It’s no worries, I don’t mind waiting, Kanzaki and I were playing Hanafuda together, see?

Souma: It’s true, you do not have to apologise, Anzu-dono. Being able to talk to Adonis-dono was a fun way to pass the time. 

Adonis: So don’t worry about us, because it seems like you need to worry about yourself. Take a deep breath in, let’s get you relaxed first.

You okay now? Hmm? You really want to talk to me about my “feature live,” huh? Alright, if you say so.

This is… Oh, it’s those pictures we took for the pamphlet the other day. I guess we should check it over.

Souma: Oh? Could I see too?

I’m unsure if I could be of any use, but if it is for the sake of Adonis-dono’s “feature live,” I wish to give you all the assistance you may need. 

There seems to be a lot of options… This one, you’re practising with “Andeddo?” Oh! And this one, it's you running for the track and field club.

Adonis: This one was taken backstage at a live house event.

I was taken aback when Hakaze-senpai suddenly pointed a camera at my face.

I didn’t really understand what an “off-shot” was supposed to be, so I’m grateful to Oogami and my seniors in UNDEAD for their help. And, of course, I’m grateful to you too, Anzu.

Could these pictures be used?

No problems? That’s good to hear.

It seems our problem is that we have too many good photos that we cannot decide on the ones we should end up using…

…Hmph.. This is hard.

When you say “off-shot,” doesn’t that imply what an idol does when they’re not busy dancing or singing on stage? I feel like all these photos match that vibe.

All these photos are taken in good quality too… I can’t decide which one to use at all.

Hmm…? So you’re saying I should just choose a concept for the pamphlet and that’ll help me narrow down which photos to use?

What do I want the pamphlet to look like in the end, anyway? …Another tough question.

Singing and dancing is all good, but this pamphlet stuff is all new to me.

It’ll take me time to come up with an answer… I’m sorry Anzu, you even made time for me and I left you hanging.

So, let’s talk a bit more. The more you get to know me, the clearer the concept may become.

Please do not hesitate. I would rather you say things bluntly than sugarcoat them.

…But is it enough to just talk?

I do think these pictures are all good…

But the fact I cannot decide on which photos I wish to use on my own pamphlet, means that I would have to take more photos, doesn’t it?

Souma: When you decide on what type of “pamphlet” you desire to create, you can choose which photos you can use to fit the theme. However, I do understand your worry.

Adonis: Aah, but I’ve run out of ideas for what other pictures I could take for my “off shot.” I wish I had better ideas…

Souma: Well, if that’s the case… How about we invite Anzu-dono to go to the beach?

Adonis: Is that it? It’s true I haven’t taken any photos by the ocean yet… So perhaps I’ll be able to get a different type of feel compared to my other photos.

Hmm…? Anzu, are you asking if me and Kanzaki already made plans to go to the beach tomorrow?

Actually,  we did. Kanzaki and I were going to take a walk down the beach area that’s behind our school during our lunch break.

Souma: Every so often, I go to the beach to check up on the area so I can give Shinkai-dono a report.

In truth, I was initially going to go with Sengoku, but he had work to do, and thus I was thinking about postponing my trip.

Adonis-dono overheard my situation and offered to give me company instead ♪.

Adonis: I also enjoy the sea, and with Kanzaki by my side, I was bound to learn something new out of the experience. 

So, if you don't mind, would you like to join us?

Alright, then meet us at lunch time tomorrow.

Souma: Things got a lot more exciting, didn’t they? We’ll see you tomorrow, Anzu-dono.

Chapter Two

[berrys-hide-out]

Demon King or Neil

Summary: Neil and Damao are playing video games until Damao loses by a second and chaos erups

Warnings: Tickles

Characters: Lee!Neil, Ler!Damao

__ __ __ __ __

Damao and Neil were alone at home.. well more or less at least. Ira was upstairs, chilling in his room, probably sleeping.

When the young demon had asked Damao if he wanted to play video games, the werewolf thought of it as a challenge and almost immediately agreed to it.

And now they were sat in the common room, both incredibly focused on their little mario cart race, well one more then the other as Neils tail swished back and forth in Damaos sides from time to time. "I wont let you win Neil!" Damao grinned as he had the first place on their thrid and last round. The male felt Neils tail swish a little faster making him look at the little demon, seeing a smug smile "We'll see about that!" he exclaimed just the second before the screen showed the blue shell and hit Damao just a few meters in front of the finish line.

"No... come on!" he murmured and saw Neil pass him and finsih the race. "YES!" he exclaimed happily and moved to lay-sit on the cough "Hehehe sorry" Neil giggled at the pout Damao was wearing- "do you find this funny?!" the werewolf asked and raised a questioning eyebrow- his lips tuning upwards ever so slightly. - it was, it was incredibly funny, the little pout the muscular man had worn was totally out of character!

Neil smiled at him, giggles making it past his lips as he wasn't completely sure what the other was planning- still he felt brave enough "mahaybe!"- Ira would save him if that wouldn't be the case anyways- right?

Damao wasn't sure what he was expecting but a 'maybe' was definetely not it. He grinned, time to mess with him. "Y'know Neil, I think the demon king is in control" he sighed mockingly, making Neil raise an eyebrow, curious to where this will lead.

"our Neil would never do such mean thing as taking the first place right from our grasps, especially not with such a curel method!" Damao continued, speaking in a different manner then he usually would to keep things playful.

"But I just di-" "I'm going to bring Neil back to us and I already know how." Damao grinned playfully at the nervous smile on Neil's face.

what was that werewolf up to..? just a few weeks ago he was trying to avoid Neil at all costs! No that doesnt matter now- Neil would take this rare chance to bond with his roommate! The demon sat himself towards the other and put the controller away "And how..?" he asked and tilted his head- Damao punced seeing the smaller's eyes widen in shock and a small yelp escaped as he was wrestled down.

"Give in Demon King! You cannot avoid faith!" Damao exclaimed and quickly went through Neils defenses and squeezed right above the spot between his ribs and armpits. "HEhEHEY!" Neil protests with a jump, taken completely off guard.

Damao chuckled at the response and trapped Neils one hand next to his head onto the couch. "Hehe you can't escape me Demon King! I will save our Neil and bring him back!" "BUhuhUt IHI'M RiHIHihight hEHehere!" Neil shot at him, trying to glare without luck though as a soft blush dusted his cheeks.

"No way! hmmm.. maybe I'm doing this wrong.. let's try.. HERE!" he announced and let both his hands about to vibrate Neils waist earning a shriek and kicking legs "NAHA! DAHAMAHAO! HOHOLD OHON!" the demon cackled and held onto Damao's wrists.

Damao heard a door open above them- that Ira heard them.. oh well he had a Demon King to defeat!

Neils thoughts were racing, his blush growing as he noticed more and more how much he didn't mind this at all- still he was not the Demon King! He was resting inside hime yes but he was not in control!

Ira let out a chuckle and made himself known to the two "IHIHIRA HEHELP!" Neil squealed out but didn't look into the vampires direction as he tried to somehow lessen the maddening feeling. The vampire and Werewolf locked eyes for a second. Damao switched to skribbling over Neils ribs and Ira sighed while e shrugged "Not sure what he did but don't take it too far." he warned and kept walking over to the fridge.

Damao chuckled and looked at Neil who had calmed down quite a bit- still giggling uo a storm though. "You're lucky Lily doesn't know about this~" he teased, seeing Neil flush in a crimson red all the way up to his ears. "Dohon't tehell heheher!" Ira chuckled from the kitched "SHE ALREADY KNOWS!" he yelled out making Neil whine between his bubbly giggles that earned in pitch at the comment.

Damao chuckled and let up for a second. "If you're Neil and not the Demon King, I'm pretty sure you know where Lynn and Lily went." Neil huffed a chuckle "They're out for easter shopping" Damao hummed "and?" he asked with a sly grin. "and..?" Neil echoed "yeah there's another reason they're outside today." Damao told him- not leaving Neil any room to think before going back to tickling him.

"IHI wahas RIHIght thOHOugh! NohOHOhot TheHE tuHUHum- DAHAmahao!" The taller of the two clicked his tongue "That could've been a lucky guess, Easter is soon after all." he sighed but the playful smile never vanished from his features.

Ira hummed as he nibbled on his bloodsicle "if I were you Neil, I would try and fight back. Oh well, laters!" the vampire called and disappeared back to the upstairs.

Niel huffed through his giggles- how dare Ira leave him here!

Yet before the demon could make anymore protests their front door flew open showing Lily and Lynn. "Ah, welcome back." Damao greeted, letting Neil up. The demon greeted them with a giggly hello- still laying there Lily ran up to him and started to ramble about the pretty ornaments she and her brother had seen today.

Damao stood up and went to help Lynn. "oh by the way, why are you blushing so hard?" Lily suddenly asked earning wide eyes and his blush that had just began to vanish grew again.

"Neil is ticklish!" the two heard from the stairs "Ira-AHaha~"

Easter preperations could wait a little longer he guessed as Lily just continued to ramble and kept on randomly poking him.

________

hehe ~ @wertzunge I hope this was to your expectations! Tysm for the request (and sorry for the tag~)

[jinmukangwrites]

weep little lion man (3.5/14)

First - Previous - Next

Fandom: Jedi: Fallen Order | Survivor Rating: T Warnings: N/A Ao3 Notes: shameless plug, posted a very Cal whumpy one-shot and I'm very proud of it and I wanna promote it a little, consider giving it a try, anyways enjoy the new chapter.

Summary: After defeating Dagan Gera for a third and final time, the Compass ends up in Bode's hands without a scratch. He could go back to Jedha with Cal... but he's holding what he wants. He doesn't see the point in pretending any longer. He makes a split-second decision. Or: Bode's betrayal goes a bit differently.

~~~•~~~

The air is tight with tension. Not many have the chance, the honor of working directly under Darth Vader, but those who do have that honor also know it comes with great risks.

Lord Vader is angry. Every person in the Star-Destroyer can feel it.

Right now, he's standing at the front of the ship's cockpit, looking out the large windows that watch over Jerha's atmosphere. He's cleaned the broken and burnt parts of his suit with pristine replacements, making anyone who didn't know better think that he hadn't just walked out of a battle with a terrorist Jedi.

A Commander, some poor bastard everyone's already decided won't be alive much longer, walks into the cockpit with his chin held high. He stops a small distance from Darth Vader, looking all parts loyal and collected, but it's not hard to miss the tick in his jaw. He's nervous. Commanders after failed missions are always nervous.

"Any sightings on where their ship had gone?" Darth Vader suddenly asks, not turning toward the Commander quite yet.

The Commander swallows. "No, Lord Vader. They went into hyperspace before we could get a tracking beacon on them."

Silence filters around the cockpit, all except Darth Vader's intimidating and steady breathing, a few Lieutenants and pilots exchange tense looks.

"Cere Junda will not be so easy to find again," Darth Vader says. "She has proven herself capable of hiding where we cannot find her before. This failure must be corrected."

Not a single soul dares mention Darth Vader himself was the one who failed to kill her.

"Commander," Darth Vader says, turning finally to look at the tense man. "What of her Padawan?"

That throws everyone into a loop, though the Commander is more graceful at not showing it. "Her Padawan, my lord?"

"Cal Kestis. The ship they travel on was there, and sightings of most of the repeating crew. Except Kestis. What are his last sightings?"

A pilot quickly begins to search the Imperial databanks, it only takes a moment for him to stand up and solute Darth Vader before speaking. "His last confirmed sighting was on Coruscant, sir. He had infiltrated, posing as a prisoner, for known rebel leader Saw Gerrera."

"I am aware," Darth Vader says, tone darkening, and the pilot pales while others attempt to cringe away. The fiasco on Coruscant ended up with an Inquisitor getting killed. Darth Vader hadn't been happy about that one either. "What of unconfirmed sightings?"

"Um," the pilot clears his throat and returns to his computer before reporting, cautiously. "Koboh, sir. A backwater planet, there had been reports of a red haired Jedi with an orange lightsaber by troopers, but nothing any generals or commanders could confirm... As most of the troopers have died in the encounter..."

"How recent?"

"Days, sir."

More silence settles as five agonizingly timed mechanical breaths pass through the air.

"What is the bounty on Kestis now?"

Another pilot reads off a string of numbers. Most people in the cockpit can't help but be impressed by how many zeroes there are. "Though," the pilot continues, "the Haxion Brood has placed an independent bounty on Kestis that nearly doubles the Empire's."

"Triple that," Vader says, and the pilot's eyes widen in shock. "And make sure you specify I want him alive. I want every bounty hunter, every Imperial agent, looking for him, and I want him delivered to me in chains."

"But... but what of Cere Junda?" The Commander sputters.

"Junda has made mistakes with her previous Padawan," Vader says, "ones that she will not repeat with Kestis. He will be easier to find; his capture will bring her to us."

-o-o-o-o-

When the ping came that slicks bounty got updated, Caij was ecstatic at first.

She has just been thinking about the guy too, Sorc Tomo has sent more hunters after him right on their home base Koboh and she couldn't wait to tell him about them.

However, when she got on her datapad to see what the bounty had been raised to, she nearly fell out of the chair. Luckily, she has a reputation in the saloon and no one noticed, but at this point, she doesn't care if anyone walks by to see her currently leaning forward with her elbows on the table, eyes wide looking at the pad in her hands.

Yeah. Yeah, slicks bounty went up. Three times what it was before, and the Empire no less.

She sighs, leaning back on the bench while bringing a hand to her forehead. She sets the pad down.

Not only the Empire, but the contract was made under the Emperor's name himself.

Damn. Damn. What has slick gotten himself into?!

For once, she's stumped. She doesn't get stumped often, so that's saying something. Has her plan worked a bit too well? Has throwing the Jedi at hunter after hunter caused the Empire to notice how badly Sorc Tomo wanted the bastard and then want to get in on the action?

Haxion Brood bounty hunters are nothing compared to what can come from an official Imperial bounty. She can't believe her plan has backfired this royally.

She'll have to leave town. Leave planet. Give up on Kestis and leave him to his own fate. She can't be brought down with the guy. She knows the kinds of hunters that take bounties for the Empire. And with a bounty that high, she has no doubt that a certain one wearing Mandalorian armor has a pretty good chance of getting involved.

"Hey," she snaps at another frequenter of the saloon, that frog thing that doesn't shut up. "Get me a drink."

"Okay!" The frog thing says happily, shrugging and bee-lining for the bar.

She rubs her temples, trying to think. How much time does she have? Does the Empire know Koboh is a frequent spotting place for slick?

It's frustrating. The entire reason she wanted to hike up his bounty was so she can capture him herself and pay off her own Imperial bounty after getting the credits from Sorc Tomo. She can't believe she hasn't seen something like this coming, throwing everything out the damn window.

"Here ya go, miss!" the frog thing says.

She takes the drink. "Beat it."

"Okay!" the frog thing happily walks away.

She takes a big swig, not caring what's in it. So what's next? She doesn't think she can continue with her plan, not when she doesn't know where slick currently is. That ship he travels on left in a hurry a bit ago too, taking the saloon's owner with it. If he were here, she'd take him out now while there's no competition, but waiting for him to come back could end up being more trouble than it's worth.

She's in the middle of considering her options when the saloon entrance suddenly opens, revealing a frazzled looking Greez Dritus and that woman slick is so heart-eyes about.

She can't help but stare, looking behind them to see if there's a familiar bout of red hair, but she immediately discovers they're staring right back, and now walking toward her with purpose.

Hell.

"Caij Vanda?" The woman, skin as ashen as snow, eyes as hard as diamonds. They stop right at her table. Caij makes an effort to look as un-effort as possible, leaning back and crossing her ankles on the table.

"Who's askin'?"

"My name is Merrin, we have questions for you about Cal Kestis's bounty."

Caij dips her head slightly, allowing her to look for nearby exits without looking like she's lookin' for nearby exits. Her hand slowly goes to her hip where her blasters sit.

Hell. Did they find out about her plan? They couldn't have, she's not that careless.

"What about it?"

Merrin narrows her eyes, distrustful thing ain't she, but Greez steps in. "Look, all we need is one of his bounty pucks, and we'll be out'a your head tentacles."

Now that catches her off guard. Out of all conversations relating to Kestis's bounty, she wasn't expecting that.

"Now that's a request," she says carefully. "Mind letting me in on the juicy details before I decide if I'm gonna ignore you or not?"

Merrin's lips thin, but Greez quickly steps in. "Look, we know you've been helping the kid get a jump on those bounty hunters, and that you've been rewarding him for the pucks he brings back. We... lost track of him, and we think a bounty puck can help us find him. He might be in danger, surely you could let us use one to get him back. We can pay."

"What sort'a danger?"

Slick's friends stop and silently consider her question. She has'ta admit, she's genuinely curious. Slick couldn't have been captured already, his bounty had just gone up, and any dangerous hunters are sure to take a few days to get as far out as Koboh. However, even if he had be captured already, his friends working to find Kestis again could help her out, especially if they bring him back right into her hands.

Greez sighs. "Someone we trusted turned out to be someone we couldn't. He jumped Cal and took him captive."

"Empire? Brood? Raiders? Come on Dritus, I need the deets."

"None," Merrin snaps, looking frustrated. "He took Cal for his own personal goals. We think he took him into the Abyss above Koboh. We need the puck to be able to make sure."

Interesting.

Interesting. This could work for her.

She uncrosses her legs and stands up, startling them both to take a step back. She grins at them, showing her teeth. "Good news, I'm in."

"What?" Greez says dumbly.

"I'm in," she repeats. "I'm coming with. Pucks can be complicated to those first usin' them, and if you want it used effectively, I'm coming with. Don't even have'ta pay me. I like that Jedi, be a shame to see him stay missing cuz I didn't get involved."

"I do not understand," Merrin says. "You are not invited."

"Then you're not getting this puck," she says, patting her hip. "I'll go find him myself."

A lie. If they don't let her in, she'd much rather let slick stay in his situation while she skips out'a this side of the Galaxy.

Merrin and Greez exchange glances before Greez sighs in defeat. "A bounty hunter on the Mantis," he says, "what has the Galaxy come to."

-o-o-o-o-

"We got a puck," Greez announces as he enters the Mantis. "Came with a bounty hunter though."

Merrin watches Caij saunter into the Mantis. She moves her hips way too much, like she's constantly skating on ice. She bends at her hips and glances around the main room of the Mantis, peering down towards the cockpit and letting out a whistle.

Cere glances up from the holotable, Cordova at her side and BD-1 still connected to the system. Her eyes land distrustfully on Caij, but she gives a polite smile. "Thank you. However, we may not need you. BD-1 just picked up a signal from Cal's locator."

BD-1 boops happily as all sorts of data, coordinates, strings of numbers flash through the holo-projection.

Merrin approaches the table, though she keeps an eye on Caij, and watches as BD-1 finally pin-points the signal, but the air seems to be sucked out of the room as the location is revealed.

"That's an ISB base," Greez says, his voice disheartened.

"I thought you said the Empire wasn't involved," Caij said, placing her hands on her hips. Her voice has gone tight, her lips thin, eyes narrowed.

"We didn't think they were," Cere said. "The man who took Cal, he was a spy, but we assumed he abandoned the Empire to pursue his personal goals..."

BD-1 suddenly gives a string of beeps, and Cordova nods.

"It seems, Bode has a daughter."

Merrin considers the new information. He's never told her, or anyone, about this daughter to her knowledge, though Merrin knows Cal and Bode had gotten close during this adventure, often having private conversations with each other.

"What? You think he went back to Nova Garon to get his daughter?" Greez asks. "That could have been a lie, Cal could already be in one of their cells, waiting for the Inquisitorius."

"Perhaps not," Cordova says, pointing at a holomap BD-1 brings up. "His signal isn't coming from the holding cells, but from what appears to be on-base living quarters. He could be keeping Cal hidden while he gets his daughter prepared."

"Or," Merrin says, "it could be a trap to lure in the rest of us. Bode has already tried to kill us all by sending the Inquisitorius to Jedha, I wouldn't put it past him."

"Caij Vanda, yes?" Cere asks, and Caij nods her head slowly. "Could you show us the puck? If I'm correct, the puck should track Cal's DNA signature. The locator could have been taken from Cal's person."

Caij considers for a moment, then shrugs. She pulls out the puck and flicks on.

She frowns when nothing happens.

"Now that's odd," she says.

"No signal," Cere breathes.

"It's a trap," Merrin confirms.

"No signal means he's on Tanalor, right?" Greez asks, now sounding frantic. "How in the stars are we supposed to go there?!"

"Perhaps I can help," a new voice adds. Caij tactfully jumps out of the way as Zee daintily approaches the ship. Cere's eyebrows go up at the sight of her, and Cordova gives a thoughtful humm.

"You must be Cere Junda and Eno Cordova," Zee says happily. "It is a pleasure to meet you both, Cal has told me much about you. However... I could not help but overhear- or well, Monk could not help but overhear and then inform me. Cal is missing?"

She stops part-way within the ship, worry rolling off of her.

"Yes," Cere says. "Bode has stolen the Compass, and we believe he has taken Cal out of our reach to Tanalor."

Zee nods sadly. "How unfortunate. However, Cal is not completely out of our reach. After all, my former master and Dagan Gera had to have reached Tanalor before the Compass had been invented. Surely, if we look through Master Khri's research we are bound to find another way through."

"Fascinating," Cordova says, stepping towards Zee. "You are living history."

"Oh," Zee says, sounding a little flustered.

"Do you know where we can start to find this other way?" Cordova asks, stopping a few steps from her. She gives a sad sigh.

"No, Master Khri had wiped my memory banks before we parted ways. I'm afraid I do not know of any other way to cross the Abyss."

"But much appears to remain," Cordova says. "I have much experience with droids and programming their memory, would you allow me to search your memory banks?"

BD-1 hops off the table and rushes towards Cordova, climbing onto his shoulder and giving a string of encouraging boops.

Zee looks at BD-1 to Cordova, then shrugs. "Oh, why not. I am sure you will find nothing, but it doesn't hurt to try." She turns to Cere then. "I do not know of any way to cross the Abyss, however, there are many places within Koboh where Master Khri's research and teachings remain."

"Anything you have, Zee, would be very helpful," Cere says. "Merrin, would you join me in searching these locations?"

Merrin nods. "Of course."

"And what about me?" Caij butts in. She's leaning against the wall, looking entirely too bored. "Without a working puck I don't see the point in hanging around."

Merrin glares at her. "You said you want to help find Cal," she seethes. "You will help us find Cal, with or without the puck."

She opens her mouth to argue, but Cordova cuts in. "Actually, I was hoping to see if we could breach through the abyss to track young Cal. After searching Zee's memory, I will need your expertise. I am sure there's a way."

Caij looks unhappy about that, but doesn't argue.

Merrin doesn't trust her, but if they want the tracking fob, then there's no choice. She gives Caij a hard look, promising retribution if Cordova even has a single new scratch on him the next time they see each other. Caij looks back indifferently, but breaks into a grin. "Don't frown so much, sunshine, you'll get wrinkles that way."

Merrin glares at her. This is for Cal, she reminds herself as the party splits off, Cere and Merrin heading off to the closest accessible research location of Santari Khri's without needing the key that must be with Cal and Bode.

Once they have Cal back, safe and sound, it'll all be worth it.

[temporarymoods]

"relax" time

hey bloggggerooni,

you're intercepting me in my personal time. you see, i've been employing apple calendar-- i cannot reccomend her enough-- and 10:07 PM puts us in the block of time labeled "Relax" and colored purple. I could do anything in these next two hours. And I decided to get a little high and talk to you.

<3

I haven't smoked in a while, it's true! Especially alone. A girl does not have the time. But I've been looking forward to it, knowing its at the priority list, but if I can just,, do enough,, to reach it. Lmao. I meant it when I said I've been busy.

Unfortunately, I've got so much, too much, sativa. I know, I know, so lame; shut up about weed strains. But I had to say it?! Why did I go crazy. Why did I do that. Lol. Anyway, the only non **wake up** product got with me is this hyrbid flower. Didn't even get the chance to think about rolling by the time I see this beautiful little blue bowl. Honestly viewer, I forgot where I got it from. Thus prompted the following one-handed-ly-typed note:

wherr did i get. t his bowl

I take notes a lot, when I'm awake. About lots of things, right. Here's another:

- directory ,, crm/?

So know they're (me) talking about those personal communications file flippers. Do you know the old ones? Where 90s business professionals used to keep track of how long its been since they last intereacted with a person? Boy have those had an effect on me. Why do I think about those all of the time. I just wished upon mine, but alas, it does not exist.

I've been thinking a lot today, yesterday. So much, in comparison to how much I've been looking at myself. Very little. So much so, that when I go to get a little high and on my porch with my blog, as a treat, hehe, and I see my reflection in the facetime app, it gives me pause. I am a person, I am a human, I'm one of them, the rest of them, who you think about all the time. And you've got people. Wait, who are those people? And how are they doing?

That might be something I need to do more.

- - -

Welcome to K-Ray94.4, this is your DJ Kate. For your considering, the following, without further ado...

Hawks | Jodi

Rubberneckerss | Christian Lee Hutson

End of Beginning | Djo

Salvation Army | Harrison Whitford

Calling the Shots | Jamie B.

Horable Mention: I'd Have to Think About It | Leith Ross

Guys, gals, pals, despite love, despite commitment, despite trust, I can not get myself to listen to anything other than indie/folk right now.

I'll be back, though, I'll be back................

That one bowl went berserk. Another? she asks.

Trader Joe's chocchip muffin for now, thanks.

Part of me's been wanting to change the theme on here, super randomly. Like it's too bright. I really like the old Microsoft look, haha, but want something darker...? Or I'm clinging to a passing vampirism fetish?

I can see the glowing lights of the city skyline from here. They're twinkling, like jewels, through the new gap in the tree foliage. Soon there will be more of them, and I'll have a warm drink, a scarf and mittens. I look forward to those times.

Lots to look forward to. !! :)

I've been liking these thoughts so far, catching their flow through time. I like writing; i just always get so scared.

Until soon, very soon, as there's lots to discuss, Kate 10/10/23 10:31PM

p.s. playlist 'momtober'

[that-house]

Fantina leads with a Drifblim. it knows four moves, ranked in ascending order of Concerning:

Shadow Ball (a given in this gym)

Air Slash (I want to set up my torterra but this will one or two shot it)

Calm Mind (uh oh)

Baton Pass (UH OH)

I’m hoping the AI won’t set a calm mind if it sees a kill.

My pre-damaged Jigglypuff is immune to Shadow Ball, meaning it will always use Air Slash when Jigglypuff is in.

Whatever comes in needs to resist Air Slash so I can survive and stall out its 15 PP, and it needs to bait out Shadow Ball so i can safely switch Jigglypuff back in to force another Air Slash. Metang is steel/psychic and thus resists Air Slash while taking double from Shadow Ball. Hopefully Fantina plays like a kid running through Pokemon Normal Platinum and just clicks super effective moves when she sees them

In theory, once it’s out of Air Slashes I can bring in Torterra, drop two Rock Polishes and two Swords Dances and sweep with Seed Bomb and Earthquake.

One Metang is not enough to survive 15 Air Slashes, and as my first run at her proved, anything that resists Air Slash but isn’t weak to Shadow Ball might let her Calm Mind, and we cannot let this thing get multiple Calm Minds off before Torterra has a chance to set up, or we’re looking at a Gengar or Mismagius giving my team the 9 inch special attack strap

So i’m bringing Enough Metangs. In theory, I shouldn’t need any other pokemon. So my second draft Fantina team is:

Sloth the Torterra

Avarice the Actually Good Metang

Hymnal the Jigglypuff i’m using only for this one fucking drifblim fight

Garbage the Metang

Garbage 2 the Metang

Garbage 3 the Metang

Possible points of failure:

One crit at any point in the 15 air slashes (😬)

It uses Calm Mind anyways and then doesn’t run out of Air Slashes by the time Torterra comes in

I get bored in the process of catching and training three fucking Metang up to like level 25 or some shit so they can live three air slashes and just overlevel my lucario until it outspeeds gengar and sweep with shadow claw

Pokemon Renegade Platinum is an inherently satanic game. No game where I plan on bringing four fucking Metang to the third gym, all to stall out one pokemon, has any trace of god’s light within it

[whatifyoulivelikethat]

nyangnyang | myg

pairing(s): yoongi x reader

summary: You, Min Yoongi's wife, adopt a cat without telling your husband. Nyan.

warnings: nothing really, just a casual mention of sucking dick; wholesome suga-sweet domestic fluff ew what came over me, sheesh

-

“What is that?”

You didn’t even look up from your chopping. “That is a cat, Yoongi. I’m sure you’ve seen one.”

“Nyan.”

“Yes, but why is it in our home?”

“Nyan.”

You paused, wondering if that was too many green onions. Too little, you decided, and continued cutting some more. “I brought her here.” Yes, with the eggs, and possibly some ham. Add rice and it would be excellent. Should you add some spice? You didn’t want to ruin the colors though. Colorful food was nutritional food, after all. Perhaps a spicy sauce on the side.

“Nyan.”

“Her?”

“Well, of course, I took her to the vet first before we came home.”

“Wife.”

“Nyan.”

This was new. Two voices calling for your attention instead of one. Both with relatively the same tone. Not urgent, but not pleased with your partial attention either. You cracked three eggs and set the shells aside so you could rinse them later and put them in the compost. “Hm?” Best have a fourth. Yoongi needed to eat more.

“You cannot just bring home an animal.”

You looked up, finally.

Black wavy hair framing dark brows, pointed eyes, and the ghost of a frown on the incredibly handsome face of Min Yoongi. Hands in his pockets, wearing a loose white t-shirt that hung off his tall but slender frame and flowy black pants that dragged on the clean white-tile floor, covering most of his feet. Beside him, a medium-sized, very fluffy white cat sat patiently, bushy tail thumping against the ground.

Both curiously and deceitfully youthful faces.

You looked from the cat to your husband. Picked up the chopsticks and casually began beating the eggs, responding very calmly.

“Why not? I brought you home.”

There was a moment of silence.

“Anyway,” Yoongi suddenly said after the mute appreciation for you taking the chance that he had walked right into but also simultaneously refusing to acknowledge it to give you that particular satisfaction. His calm, borderline bored tone still hadn’t changed. “I thought we were going to pick out a cat together?”

“We were,” you continued, fluffing up the eggs lightly as you turned on the gas stove. “However, I passed by the pet store and she was looking at me in the same way you look at me, so I was convinced to stop by and at least have a look.” Too easy, some might call you, and you would respond with, no, intuition. You hovered your hand above the pan and hummed. Not quite hot enough. You reached over to the sink and dipped your fingertip under the water for a millisecond, flicking the droplet onto the pan. Ah, see, no sound yet. “She’s about a year old, and the worker said no one was adopting her because everyone wanted kittens. You said you always wanted a white cat, and I always wanted a cat in general. I think she’s a perfect fit. Very lazy. Sleeps a lot.”

The water droplet popped and you added the lightest dallop of oil, spreading it out with a twist of your other wrist that was holding the pan handle.

“Nyan.”

The cat seemed to agree.

“She seems rather noisy.”

“She’s noisy because her father is supposed to name her.”

You snuck a glance and Yoongi’s eyebrows had shot up.

“F… Father?” He stared down at the cat. As if on cue, the furry feline looked up curiously, bright blue eyes to dark brown.

“She is our child now.”

“Nyan.” The cat agreed for sure this time.

You added the eggs and tilted the pan letting them spread out as the oil simmered. Waited for the eggs to cook slightly so they held their shape, and then sprinkled the diced ham and green onions in, sneaking a glance at Yoongi, who was now crouched down to view the white cat at a more reasonable level. You folded the eggs lightly and kept them from browning, earning a pale-yellow color with an airy texture. A little white pepper. No need to add salt – the ham and fresh onions would provide the additional flavor.

You saw Yoongi hold out his hand.

The cat sniffed it.

Then rubbed her face against his knuckle.

You spied Yoongi's smile as you took the eggs off the heat and herded them into the glass container for his lunch tomorrow. You set a little aside for your own. Now, rice and the sauce. Maybe a side dish? The pickled radishes and kimchi, perhaps.

“Nyangnyang.”

You nearly dropped the pan. Wasn’t he going to name the white cat Sugar? At least, he said that when you were discussing it ages ago. Although, Nyangnyang was very cute, considering how vocal the cat seemed to be around her dad. Probably because she knew he was the more lenient parent. Clever girl.

“Murr,” was the cat’s reply, rubbing away with a loud purr.

“Heh, you’re noisy, aren’t you?”

“She’s still young,” you chuckled, rinsing off the pan. “One year old is barely an adult for cats.”

“Just like us, eh?”

-

“Yoongi.”

“Yes?”

You looked up, straining your neck. “This cat tree is nearly two meters.”

“Nyangnyang loves it already. Look, she’s getting ready to nap.”

The white fluff was willingly settling on the top floor of her new princess tower.

“Where are we going to put it?”

“I thought you had been watching interior decorating on YouTube? I’m sure you can figure it out.”

“What about one for our bedroom?” you asked, reaching up so Nyangnyang could lean over the carpeted edge and pepper your fingertips with nose kisses. It was a habit of hers that you had learned these past few weeks. That and her endless obsession with fresh laundry. Especially your husband’s clean underwear. She loved to roll on them and get her white fur all over the black.

You would call her a nuisance but someone this cute couldn’t be a nuisance.

Yoongi placed his hand on your head and messed with your hair.

“Nah, she likes sleeping with you more. That’s a waste of money.”

“She takes up the whole bed.”

“Ah, that’s how kids are, I guess.”

Nyangnyang purred.

“Weird, she’s not saying much when you’re petting her.”

The cat turned her head and looked straight at Yoongi, striking blue with an indifferent expression.

“Nyan.”

“She knows she can get something good if she keeps yelling at you.”

“Nyan.”

“Hah… Come down then. I’ll get a treat.”

Instantly, Nyangnyang popped up and limbered down the humongous cat tree the second she saw Yoongi turn and head to the kitchen.

“You’re too easy.”

“She deserves a treat for letting me know my purchase was worth it.”

You would have said she needed time to adjust. You listened to Nyangnyang’s insistent meows and Yoongi opened the cabinet and selected some freeze-dried chicken. He looked annoyed as he fished out a few pieces – too many, you thought fondly – and shushed her lightly as he placed them in his palm so Nyangnyang could eat out of his hand.

The next seconds were silent except for the pleased satisfaction of chomping down some treats.

Yoongi looked up, sensing you watching him.

“What?”

“I thought you said those were too expensive?”

He frowned, looking at the package as if he had just seen them. “She likes them.”

“She likes any treat.”

“She should eat healthy ones.”

Mhm. “I guess we’re cat people now,” you commented as Yoongi frowned at the furry peanut gallery and shook out one last treat for said peanut gallery.

“We were always cat people. That’s why we got married.”

You both liked to say you got married for any other reason other than I love you, which was the actual reason. There was no reason not to have some fun before you die, after all. “I thought it was because you got mad when you see me, and even madder when you don’t.”

“Either way I’m suffering,” Yoongi agreed. “Might as well get my dick sucked.”

You laughed as Nyangnyang trotted past, satisfied with the number of treats.

“Speaking of, my evening could use some dick sucking.”

Yoongi cocked an eyebrow, trying to hide his smirk. “You’re in luck.”

“Not in front of the child.”

“She’s on top of her princess tower; she won’t be looking.”

That was how you knew Yoongi was your match. He called the massive cat tree a princess tower even though you hadn’t mentioned thinking it. Some called that telepathy. You would call it perfection.

“I thought about calling it a princess tree just now.”

“And that’s why I’m your husband. Now stop sticking out that tongue and use it on me.”

-

shower, m pheromones, m

-

drabbles masterpost | masterpost

[idy-ll-ique]

They Always Do.

Pairing: Sebastian Stan x F!Reader

Genre: Fluff, Angst

Warnings: insecurity

Requested: Nope

Summary: "you're not worried? he seems to be spending a lot of time with her..." "no" "why not?" "because i braced myself for this months ago. they leave, they always do. it's nothing new"

Author's Note: Hiya peeps! The first part of this fic is fluff, angst in the middle, fluff again at the end. Nothing too extreme, just a little one-shot. Enjoy!

---

"Sebastian, Y/N, so glad you made it!" Susan Downey smiled warmly at the couple. "Of course, we couldn't miss the 56th birthday of the one and only Iron Man," Sebastian chuckled, walking into the house with his girlfriend. He put his arm around Y/N, observing the place. "Guys! Hello!" they heard.

"Mr Downey," Y/N greeted politely, turning to smile at the birthday boy. "You must be the girlfriend," he grinned, pulling her into a bear hug. "Yep, that's me." Then he turned to Sebastian, frowning. "Why didn't you introduce her to everyone sooner?" Y/N laughed as Sebastian rubbed the back of his neck, shrugging.

"Don't ask me, she was the one too chicken to meet you!" Sebastian defended himself, narrowing his eyes at his girlfriend. She snorted as Robert let go of her, returning to Sebastian's side. "I guess that's on me," she sighed dramatically, making both men laugh. "Well, enjoy yourselves! Have a drink, have fun!"

With that, he walked away. Sebastian noticed a server holding up a tray of drinks and called him over. He handed a glass to Y/N and took one for himself, taking a sip. "Thanks for bringing me over, honey," Y/N smiled and he turned to her, scoffing. "You're my girlfriend! God knows they were dying to meet you," he laughed, giving her a kiss on the forehead.

With that they went around the place, talking to new people, old friends and making new acquaintances. Y/N had a lot of fun meeting Sebastian's co-stars, and especially loved Elizabeth Olsen. Y/N was a huge Marvel fan and one of her favorite works of the MCU was WandaVision. Y/N had fangirled a bit, not gonna lie.

Like that passed an hour. After her feet started hurting, Sebastian decided it was time for the woman to sit down, have a drink and chill out. "Okay doll, here's a glass of champagne, if you need anything at all, don't hesitate to call me, okay? I'm going there, with Chris and Anthony. I love you." She smiled when he gave her a quick kiss.

"I love you too, and don't worry, I'll find you easy. This place isn't that big."

"I heard that!"

Laughing at her antics, Sebastian gave his girlfriend one more loving kiss before prancing out of the room in search of his best friends, Chris Evans and Anthony Mackie. Y/N relaxed on the comfortable couch with a sigh, sipping on her drink. It all began a year ago, very cheesily, might I add.

Y/N was at her favourite coffee shop when he had walked in. Immediately, fans had him surrounded, but she didn't go over to him. She stayed seated, looking at him, wishing she could go over but she knew how stressful fan interactions were for celebrities. Sebastian had, unfortunately, caught her eye and she had turned beet red, burying her face in her laptop.

He had found her absolutely winsome and after the crowd around him had dissipated, he had wandered over to her table and introduced himself. She was flustered around him, which made him tingly inside. And he had blurted out, "Wanna meet here next Saturday at 7?" They kept their promise and that's how they started dating.

A year ago.

That was a healthy amount of time.

Right?

Y/N couldn't help but have her doubts. All her previous relationships were pathetic failures, where the guy usually got bored of her within 3 months. But now, she had braced herself for rejection (which she knew deep down wasn't coming but it pays to be careful). "Hey."

Startled, she turned to see a kinda young, kinda drunk woman sitting next to her, looking up at her with doe eyes. "Hi," Y/N smiled back politely. "You're— you're the woman!" She had started slurring her words, which made Y/N frown a bit. "I'm… what?" she blinked. "The girl! Who came over with Sebastian Stan, you're his girlfriend!" The woman laughed loudly.

A few heads turned towards them but quickly looked away when they realized that the girl was drunk. "Yep, that's me. Why?" Y/N was now amused. As they talked, she didn't notice Sebastian walking into the room. He had come back to ask Y/N something but had paused in his tracks when he saw her frowning at the young, drunk woman.

Then he inched closer, unabashedly eavesdropping on her conversation. "Yep, saw him spending a lot of time with Ms Lizzie Olsen. If he was mine, girl, I would take that man home and show him who truly belongs to him, if you know what I mean," the girl winked and a sad smile bloomed on Y/N's face. "They're good friends, of course they're gonna spend time together."

Sebastian smiled at her answer. He knew she was different, she didn't get easily jealous and he liked that, since it reduced the number of arguments they had by a lot. His jealousy? Well, that's a story for another time… "You don't mind? He seems to be spending a lot of time with her…" the drunk woman frowned at Y/N.

Well, she was drunk, she wouldn't remember this night anyway, so maybe… it would be good to get some things off her chest.

"No."

"Why not?"

"Because I braced myself for this months ago. They leave, they always do. It's nothing new," Y/N admitted, swirling the champagne that was swimming in her half-full glass. Sebastian's heart shattered into a million pieces at her words. Before the words were even completely out of her mouth, tears had started stinging in his eyes.

"Y/N?" Startled yet again, Y/N turned to see Sebastian smiling at her. "Seb! Hi, thought you were with your friends!" she grinned at him. "I— uh— something came up, we need to go," he spoke quietly, fidgeting with his hands. Y/N's brows furrowed but she got up, collecting her coat and her purse.

"Can we at least say Happy Birthday to Robert?"

"Yeah, yeah of course." Sebastian managed a weak smile when she gave him a kiss on the cheek, going off to find Robert and Susan. She told them something urgent came up and they allowed the couple to leave. "Seb, let's go!" He followed her out of the house, meekly trailing behind her, the words she said ringing in his ears.

They leave, they always do. It's nothing new.

How had this woman, practically a Goddess, had such bad experiences that she was forced to think that way? He was never going to leave her, having found the perfect woman at last. He got into the driver's seat of his car, and the car ride home was quiet. Y/N was getting anxious. What happened to him? Did something happen at the party?

Once they were home, Sebastian couldn't help himself. "S—" Y/N yelped when he crushed her to his body, hugging her tightly. He took both of them to their shared bedroom, sat down on the edge of the bed, pulled her on his lap and buried his face in her chest, breaking down. "Seb, honey, what's wrong?" Y/N cooed, getting insanely paranoid.

The crying didn't stop for 15 minutes. Y/N, in a futile attempt to get him to stop, was running a hand through his hair, whispering sweet nothings in his ear, holding him close. When he took in a shuddering breath, he pulled away and finally looked Y/N in her eyes. "Now are you going to tell me what happened?" she smiled gently.

He took her hand, pressing a kiss to her wrist. "I'm sorry," he croaked out and Y/N frowned. "Sorry for what?" He shook his head, burying his face back in his safe haven. Except, Y/N wasn't having any of that. She pulled him away and dropped a soft kiss to his forehead. "Tell me what happened."

He took in another shaky breath.

"I… I heard you."

"Heard me?" Y/N blinked. "Yes. You were… you were talking to that girl on the couch and she was— she was talking about how I seem to be spending a lot of time with Lizzie and you— you said you didn't mind but she kept on insisting and you said they leave. they always do. I'm not going to leave you, Y/N, I promise. You're one of the best things that has ever happened to me and I'm not letting you go."

Oh.

"Seb," Y/N whispered, her own eyes now filled to the brim with tears. "Don't cry," he chuckled with a watery voice, wiping her tears off. "It's just— all my relationships before you��� the guys were assholes. They always left 2-3 months in. I— I wasn't taking any chances with you, you know… plus, you're kind of a famous guy and you can get so many better women—"

He didn't want to hear it. Better than Y/N? Impossible. He pressed his lips to her, immediately deepening the kiss when she reciprocated. "I promise you, I cannot do any better than you." Y/N smiled shyly at his words and his heart filled with happiness. "Let's go to sleep."

Both of them tired from the crying, they got undressed without trying any funny business. Y/N put on her usual pair of shorts and one of Sebastian's huge t-shirts, getting into the bed where a boxer-clad Sebastian already lay. He pulled her into his arms and she rested her head on his chest, draping an arm around his taut abdomen.

"Comfy?"

"Yeah, you?"

"Yeah. Goodnight, doll, I love you."

"I love you too, Seb. Goodnight."

"...Never gonna leave you."

"Not a chance."

---

A/N: Thanks for reading! Leave a like if you liked it!

[callmeshakespurr]

Hey, if you're requests are open could you do a Rick Flag × Male Villian Reader (fluff) idk something cute where Rick Flag ends up falling in love with Male Reader, and the feeling is mutual. Idk you can fo what you want with it. ❤

Rick Flag x Male Reader

Requested: yes

Category: fluff, just a little bit of angst

Warnings: slight torture (?), i mention a knife like,, once

Note: I haven’t watched Suicide Squad in some time, so this could’ve turned out just the tiniest bit yandere, I hope you don’t mind! Also- I kinda struggled with this cause its my first time writing an actual one shot, but I hope you enjoyed it anyways (:

Tysm for requesting, hope you enjoy it <3

“Where is he?”, Amanda Waller called out as she walked down the hallway, towards the high security room you were currently kept in — Colonal Richard ‘Rick’ Flag not far behind her.

Her call grabbed the attention of the two guards, who stood in front of your cell.

“Is he in there?”, Amanda asked again, approaching the door with fast steps. One of the guards nodded and opened the thick metal door to let the director and the colonel in.

Amanda Waller had tried to get her hands on you for almost five years now, after you first made an apperiance in a club, killing two people. After that, several assassinations followed. Nobody knew who you exactly were, what you looked like, who you worked for; you were like a shadow — what people then came to call you, Shadow.

The major reason of why nobody could get a hold of you even in the slightest bit, was because you always vanished before anybody could even spot you.

After two years of not being able to catch you, the police gave up on further investigation in your cases. Amanda didn’t break so easily though. She wanted you in one of those cells she kept so many freaks in already, and she wasn’t going to give up until she had you sitting behind one of those metal doors, unable to escape her.

After all these years of going after you, she did manage to find out two major things about you. Why you always managed to escape without anyone catching a glimpse of you, and what your weakness was.

All these things led to the present situation.

You sat in a dark room, the only light source being a small lamp, dangling from the ceiling. Your ankles were tightly cuffed to the chair you were sitting on, on your wrists and neck you felt something cold and heavy, which seemed to send small electric shocks through your body every few seconds.

You weren’t sure where you exactly were, since you passed out before they got you. Hell, you didn’t even know who ‘they’ were.

You closed your eyes, trying to concentrate on your thoughts, which was not as easy as you hoped it would be. To say that you were in pain was an understatement. The electricity flowing through your body kept you from thinking straight, and send a wave of pure pain through your limbs with every shock you got.

A female voice ripped you from your trance, and you slowly opened your eyes again, head still hanging low. You knew that voice and you knew that you didn’t stand a chance anymore.

“Your powers won’t work anymore, unless i allow you to use them, so don’t even try.”, that voice belonged to none other than Amanda Waller, probably the only person on this planet you actually feared. You were never scared of what her minions could do to you, no. You were scared of what she could do to you if she ever managed to get you — which almost happened on several occasions.

You clenched your fists, trying to ignore the pain that came over you again, as you frantically tried to somehow sort your thoughts and find a way out of this, but nothing seemed to work. There was no way out of this. There was no escaping this. The feeling of helplessness washed over you, a feeling you didn’t like at all.

“You’re Y/N L/N, you’re a teleporter, thats how you managed to always vanish before the police got to the crime scene”, Amanda spoke, watching you as you sat there on the chair, staring at the ground, unable to move a single muscle. “It took me some time, but i managed to figure out how to block your powers”, she continued, taking slow steps towards you “Teleporters are extremely sensitive to electricity, some mightve even already died due to the constant pain if they were in your place.” She stopped right in front of you, looking down at your slumped figure, the only thing restraining you from falling over being the thick metallic handcuffs that kept your hands tied behind the chair.

Amanda grabbed your chin, forcing you to look up at her. Your sight was blurry and it cost you a lot of strength to even keep your eyes open, but you did manage to make out the silhouette of a rather tall person standing at the entrance of the cell, watching the whole scene, before your focus was back on the woman in front of you. “You’re actually a very pretty boy, Y/N, and very smart too, it’s a shame that you decided to end up like this.”, she said, before letting your face go. “Rick, take him to get the injection, then get his things and introduce him to the team. After that, you can take him to his provided cell.”

The man standing at the door — Rick, you assumed — made his way towards you, as Waller left the room, leaving you to the colonel.

Rick helped you out of the cuffs, that kept you strapped to the chair. Looking at you, he almost felt bad, you looked so drained and helpless. He had never exactly agreed with anything Amanda Waller did, but seeing what just a few hours under her control did with you was another level of not agreeing with something she did.

“Can you stand?”, the colonel asked and you nodded, slowly rising from the chair. Your legs wobbled beneath your weight and you instinctively grabbed onto whats next to you, which just so happened to be Ricks Arm.

After making sure you had gathered enough strength, he began to walk with you towards the door.

time skip

It’s been a little over a week now since they’ve brought you here — you think. Every day was the same. Sitting on the cold floor of your cell, staring at the camera in the corner of your ceiling, some guard bringing you food, you not eating it, some guard taking it away again and reporting everything to someone, more staring at the camera, someone bringing you food again, you not eating it again, the guard taking it away again and reporting everything, all over again, everyday.

The only slightest bit good and entertaining thing was the colonel — Rick Flag, as you learned was his name — checking up on you every now and then when he didn’t have anything better to do. You didn’t quite understand why Rick was making efforts to look after you, just for you to not answer his questions anyways, but you appreciated it. It made everything a little more bearable.

Of course, you were one of the bad guys, but that doesn’t mean you didn’t have a life outside of assassinations.

When you weren’t working for other bad guys, you loved to just sit in your apartment and read, you loved to go onto high buildings and watch over the city. You dreamed of leaving everything behind and exploring the world someday. You worked at your favourite coffee shop, hell you even had a cat. The thought of your only friend being probably already dead or suffering made you sad, but what could you do about it?

Sometimes, you wish you hadn’t picked the path you were on, but looking back at the time you chose to work for the bad guys, you didn’t really have a choice.

Your train of thoughts was interrupted, when you heard the door to your cell open. Hoping it would be Rick, you looked up, your eyes only half open from the lack of strength you had. What you did not expect was to see Amanda Waller standing in front of you, Rick Flag behind her.

“Stand up”, the woman demanded. You listened, as it was of no use to resist her orders. You slowly got up on your feet, which didn’t last long, since you almost immediately fell over, landing painfully hard on your knees. To your suprise, Rick immediately rushed to your side, helping you stand up again.

“I don’t need him on missions like this”, Waller spoke as she watched you lean onto Rick for support. “Take him to the base, the council and I will be waiting there in the meeting room for him.” With that, Waller left again.

The way to the car wasn’t long, but with you almost not being able to stand on you own, let alone walk on your own, it took a little longer, which only fueled your anxiety. The ride to the base was even worse though, since nobody talked and you had five guards sitting around you.

Finally arriving at the door of the meeting room, which was located in the base, the two guards standing in front of it immediately opened the door as soon as they saw the colonel.

The room was quiet at an instance, when you stepped a food inside, Rick following very close behind you — just in case something should happen.

Amanda Waller stood in front of a group of suit wearing men who all sat at one big round table, most likely discussing something. She gestured you to come next to her, to which you complied.

“And who is this now, Director Waller? A new addition to your group of- freaks?”, asked one of the men as he looked you up and down, probably doubting that someone like you could be much of an good asset.

“This, Gentlemen,”, she grabbed your arm and moved you a little forward, making you almost tumble “is Y/N L/N or ‘Shadow’, he was an assassin for almost five years now, working for several other bad guys. Nobody got a hold of him till now due to his teleporting ability. He has over a hundred confirmed kills and not once did anyone ever get near him. I’m using these electric cuffs”, she grabbed your arm again and lifted it up to present the metal cuff, which was secured around your arm “to block his powers, which means he cannot teleport, as long as the electric shocks are on full power. As soon as I turn down the power a little, he can use his power, it is more draining and limited to a certain radius, but it works. I have him under full control and I want him on the team.” Murmurs broke out between the people in the room, as soon as she finished.

“I’m sorry, director, but do you really think it’s a good idea to put another- another misfit on that team? They’re bad guys and will always stay bad guys, and their freaky abilities make them even more dangerous.”, one of the men in suits spoke.

“As I said, I have him under full control, gentlemen. Let me demonstrate.”, Amanda spoke, turning to you, as the people sitting at the table sat back.

Waller took out some kind of remote and tapped on something. First your body tensed due to all the stress and pain you were under at the moment, but as soon as Amanda tapped on the remote, the electric shocks suddenly weren’t as intense as they were before, and your whole body relaxed, your eyes almost watering due to the wave of relief washing over you.

Rick was more than tense while watched the whole situation, only realizing in how much pain you actually were when Waller turned down the intensity of the electric shocks emmitting from the metallic cuffs you were wearing.

Waller looked you in the eyes with a serious expression on her face. “You disobey, you die, got that?” And suddenly you remembered the injection they gave you, when they first brought you here.

Seeing you had no other choice than obeying her, you simply gave her a small nod and looked around the room, taking in every detail. You looked at the small table in front of you, spotting a sharp knife, which you figured was put there by Amanda specifically for you in this exact situation.

With fast movements, you grabbed the knife and teleported to the other side of the room, holding the knife to one of the mens throat. Everyone in the room stiffened even more, and you heard at least three guns clicking.

Looking up, your eyes met Rick’s, before you looked over to Waller, who was already fixated on you. You slowly pressed the knife more against the man’s throat, wanting to see what Waller was going to do. The next electric shock came and you almost yelled out in pain, letting the knife fall, teleporting back to Waller and falling to your knees, clutching the metal around your neck.

Rick wanted to rush to help you, but was quickly held back by Amanda, gesturing him to wait.

“As you can see, I can control his powers however i want to, and should he disobey in any way, or should his powers bolt”, she tilted your head with her finger, than pressed onto the spot on your neck where they injected you, “he dies.”

Still staring at the ground, you swallowed harshly. You’ve never wanted to go back in time and undo all the bad things that happened so badly like in this specific moment. Maybe if you’re parents hadn’t ever found about your ability, you would still be at home, with your family, not here, being tortured by some government lady who wanted to use you as a weapon.

“There’s one more thing. I don’t need him on any mission in this shape. He needs to recover, quickly, and while doing so, I want him under Rick Flags complete supervision. It might cost a little more effort, but think about of how much use he will be for us”, Amanda said, a mischievous expression crossing her face for a few seconds, that going unnoticed by you and pretty much everyone else in the room.

time skip

Three whole months had passed. You’ve been staying with Rick ever since Amanda Waller announced that he had to fully supervise you.

The time you spent with Rick made you feel as if everything wasn’t so bad after all. Occasional talking here and there, Rick cooking something for the both of you every now and then, you almost felt normal again — weren’t there the electric cuffs reminding you of what was real every few minutes.

Over the past three months, your sleep only got worse. You got used to the constant pain by now, but the electricity didn’t only affect you physically, it also messed up your thoughts like hell. Sometimes you didn’t know where up and down was anymore, everything was all over the place inside your mind.

That was also the reason, you were up right now, in the middle of the night, sitting at the big window in your bedroom, looking over the city. You hugged your knees tightly to your chest, and rested you chin on them, letting a few tears slip. You hadn’t cried in a long time, but you were just so exhausted. You were never this close to giving up than right now. Nothing seemed to ever be okay again, you couldn’t do anything but accept your fate.

Being to entangled in your own thoughts, you didn’t hear your bedroom door open.

It didn’t take Rick a long time to spot you in your place at the window. He just came home from a mission that Amanda Waller had wanted you on, but Rick insisted on giving you a little more time to deal with everything.

The tall man closed the door as quietly as he could behind him, which seemed to not be quiet enough, since you jumped slightly at the noise, quickly standing up and turning around. Rick gave you an apologetic look, before slowly walking towards you, “I’m sorry, I should’ve knocked, I just wanted to check up on you and see if you’re alright-“ “It’s fine, I’m fine”, you interrupted him, wiping your tears quickly, taking a deep breath.

Rick frowned, he had never seen you cry before. He cared too much for you and he knew it, he just couldn’t help himself. Stopping in front of you, he looked down at you, only for his eyes to meet yours. For a moment, you both got lost in each others eyes, before you ripped your gaze away, looking to the side.

“Do you want anything else from me?”, you asked shakily, getting a little nervous with his burning stare on you.

“I actually do, yes-“, he hesitated for a moment. You looked up at him with a questioning expression. “Close your eyes”, you complied, closing your eyes slightly, one hand moving to hold onto Rick’s shirt so you didn’t lose your balance. You felt him lean down slightly, till you could fell his warm breath on your cheek. You surpressed a shiver, as he carefully tilted your head.

Now, you didn’t really know what to expect; you and Rick had gotten closer but you weren’t sure, if there were actual romantic feelings, or if he just pitied you, so a kiss wasn’t exactly what you expected. But you definitely would’ve expected it more than what happened next.

A small ‘click’ echoed through the dark room, the next thing you knew was, that all the pain suddenly disappeared. Your eyes watered when you felt Rick’s fingers carefully removing the heavy metallic cuffs around your wrists and neco, pure relief washing over you. Your leaned your body onto Rick’s, unable to support your own weight for a few moments.

When you had finally gained control over your own body again, you moved back a few centimetres and looked up to Rick, who met your confused eyes. “I couldn’t bear to see you in so much pain any longer, so I triedmy best to convince her and I’d say I’m lucky that she trusts me with you.”, the colonel smiled a little, raising a hand to softly carress your cheek. Your eyes widened. He quickly removed his hand again and apologized, “I’m sorry, I don’t know what came over me.”

Rick took a step back, still being careful so you didn’t lose balance again, “I should go, and you should sleep, you need to be well rested and-“

You were fast to interrupt him by taking a quick step towards him, getting a little on your tiptoes, before pressing a small kiss to Rick’s lips. You carefully looked him in the eyes again, “I don’t know either, but it just felt like the right thing to do.”

It took the man a few seconds to process what just happened, but when he did, he was quick to kiss you again, his soft lips over yours, moving slowly, as you kissed back. He put his hands on your waist, while you locked yours behind his neck. You kissed for a few moments, before the both of you had to breathe again. “Thank you”, you whispered against Rick’s lips, before receiving another small peck. “Sleep with me tonight?”, he asked quietly, getting lost in your eyes again. You gave him a small nod, allowing him to pick you up and carry you to his room, both of you smiling as you fell onto the mattress.

[sunset-peril]

Saying Goodbye - Chapter Two - Love's Final Song

Zelda shot awake, propping herself up on the cold stone floor of the Shrine of Resurrection until her breathing could keep up with such sudden, intense activity. 

I fell asleep?! How could I have fallen asleep?!

"Oh! There you are, Your Highness, did you sleep well?" Impa moved from her bloodstained sister towards Zelda. 

"How could you have let me fall asleep?! The world is literally ending!"

"You were exhausted, Your Highness."

"You fell asleep on your own, Impa soothed you a little after Link…" Purah sighed and gestured to the sealed chamber. "And anyways… you needed to be still while we patched up that wound of yours. Kinda hard to move when asleep, right?"

All their eyes swept over to the stitches in Zelda's lower stomach, a hastily closed wound that lacked any dressing. Some sort of fluid seeped out of the remaining slits in her skin, she tried not to mind it. 

Purah's face bore an uncertain demeanor, she had little pride in the job she'd done. "How are you feeling?"

Zelda signed loudly, pressing her fingers to her forehead. "I'm not sure." She spent a few moments evaluating her newfound headache before shoving herself upwards. 

"Princess! Please do not act rashly!" Impa attempted to hold her still, but she shoved past without a missed beat. 

She grasped the tattered Master Sword from where she'd dropped it earlier and quickly evaluated the damage. "Hyrule grows closer to destruction with each passing moment. We cannot just stand by!" 

"But, Your Highness!"

"No! This is my kingdom and I cannot allow it to fall!" Zelda gasped once for air and stumbled a little, eyes landing on the back of her right hand. "I was once incapable of such a task, and many perished because of it… but no more. I stand now, ready and willing. I only ask you would assist the survivors."

Although she noticed that Zelda was in no state to act, Purah nodded, aware of the princess' stubbornness. "Give us our orders and we will gladly follow."

"Purah, I task you with monitoring Link's recovery. I trust you with his life as if it were my own."

"Yes, Princess."

"And Impa," Zelda turned rather quickly to look her advisor in the eyes, placing a hand on her stomach to maintain balance. "I trust you to take care of the remaining Sheikah as I would. There's a chance… I may not return tonight."

Tears welled in the eyes of all three of them. "We'll be praying for you…" Impa assured. "...take care of yourself… and the little one, they're our best hope for Hyrule's future."

"I will… and thank you." Zelda wiped her eyes, looked once more where Link laid and headed out. 

The burning landscape swallowed her whole line of sight as she headed out, more tears blurring her vision as she walked back into uncertainty. While Zelda couldn't see the Korok Forest from where she stood, she knew it lay between Death Mountain and the now Malice-ensnared castle.

The castle… Zelda's home…

What happened to Father? Is he alright? Did he escape when Ganon revived? Or… is he with Mother?

No, she couldn't let herself become distracted. As the last survivor of the six-person anti-Calamity team and as the last descendant of Hylia, Hyrule was counting on her. 

The Sword was damaged, but she believed it would work in a pinch. Her powers were her main source of defense; hopefully, she wouldn't need her husband's weapon… for she was a weapon. 

The wound in her side still hurt to place weight on, and probably would until it was all over. It was warm in the Shrine, at least where Link was, and her body was still cold from Mount Lanayru's freezing waters; she desperately wished to crawl back to his side and sleep some more. 

That's what Ganon wanted her to do though. He wanted her to give into her exhaustion so he could send an assassination force to take her out before she finished procreating.

Zelda shook her head out, almost disorienting herself. 

Don't think about it!  

She was taking one mission at a time, so she had just one mission: return the Master Sword to the Korok Forest. 

The forest was the only safe place for the sword, and the Great Deku Tree had advised her more than once before. 

There was no horse now, Zelda would have to make the journey on foot just as she had with Link during the time spent calibrating the Divine Beasts. It had been quite a while since she had walked so much in a day, Link usually requested that she ride in order to not overwork herself. But she didn't need the horse, she didn't need to be sheltered. If Zelda was, in any case, a competent member of the Royal Family then she needed to traverse this wild land without such aids. She knew she could, as long as exhaustion and fears stayed away, and began the long trek down the trail she'd ridden up some time before. 

Tunnel vision, yet heightened senses. Exhausted but filled with undeniable exhilaration. The moment's adrenaline caused all sorts of combinations Zelda would have never thought possible. She had no peripheral vision now, but she felt like everything that occurred around her could be felt on her skin. 

Distance was shorter. Her mind functioned on one track only. The spoungey landscape brought relief to her aching feet, allowing her to jog.

Distances dropped exponentially. The Great Plateau flew by just like it had when she was riding Vesper. Monster encampments, their horns sounding as scout Bokoblins reported her to their respective squadrons, Moblins in turn preparing weapons and explosives to use against her to fulfill the desire that the Yiga had failed to do: to kill her prior to her child's birth, to permanently destroy the bloodline of Hylia while both were at their weakest… These things didn't distract her, they faded from reality before her mind could even classify them as such dangers. Old structures, large rock escarpments, they flew past without attracting Zelda's scientific interest.

Nothing mattered anymore except for returning the Sword and sealing Ganon. Not research, not the villages already going up in flames, not even Link and the baby. 

The sloping entrance to the Plateau swept across her line of sight, speed increasing as gravity aiding her. 

Black and purple lit up around her once she was on lower ground, red flashing on and near her person. Her instincts dodged, the entrance behind her exploded and crumbled. 

At least the Guardians couldn't get to Link's body now. 

From the intensity of the bleeding sky, the lakes seemed to be made of blood itself, nowhere was blue and pure, all red and corrupted. 

She had to go north, no trails leading to the Lost Woods began so far south, but north was currently the most dangerous direction. Skimming the Great Plateau walls, she veered off in the direction of Lanayru by way of the road leading to Riverside Stable. Once she was there, she could cross into the Necluda providence and remain on its side of the river, crossing into Lanayru while using the water to hide her scent and keeping as great a distance from Hyrule Castle and the burning Castle Town as she could. 

A red light blazed into her eyes just due west of the stable. 

A Guardian had intercepted her. Another appeared on her back side, with one more closing in on her left. They were seemingly endless in number, and though she'd hoped not to encounter them, she was even more distraught to learn these forces of Ganon weren't traveling on their own. 

With her right hand, she pulled out Link's sword, its light growing ever brighter, and felt her own power channeling through her left hand. Lunging forward with the sword, Zelda planned to create a hole in the armor where she could deal more damage, but was surprised when the sword's light became a weapon all its own. 

She was thrown back a bit by the light's force, looking down at the sword in surprise after Malice was purged from the Guardians. 

It's light was fully restored, glowing as brightly as it had when Link had used it at Fort Hateno.

Welcome, Your Highness, Princess Zelda. It is a pleasure to serve. The sword spoke with light pulsing. These are dire circumstances indeed. 

"Huh?" Zelda muttered as her baby began to stir, now awakened from a longer nap than their mother's.

How could the Master Sword have responded to her? It did not belong to a descendant of Hylia, but the Goddess' chosen hero. 

I wasn't talking to you, Your Grace. 

One second. 

Two. 

Three.

Zelda nearly dropped the sword. 

Fi wasn't submitting to her, but her child. 

Her daughter . 

Apologizes for the confusion, Your Majesty, it's a confusing time for us all. 

"So Father…"

There will be time to count and mourn losses later… but now is time for our action against Ganon. Little Master does not yet have the strength to control the Sword of Evil's Bane, that power will flow through you until Master Link returns. 

The image of a newborn princess wielding the sword struck Zelda funny. "You're kidding, right? People have died trying to wield this sword, and you're just going to hand it off to a baby?"

Little Master is the offspring of you and Master Link, Your Grace. Please do not doubt Hylia. But at the same time, do not fret, Little Master's power should not be needed after tonight. She is just, as your husband was named, a link. Now, if you are satisfied, it is not safe to remain here any longer. 

Zelda nodded firmly. "Alright. Let us go." 

Once again she set off, now a quick, purposeful walk since the sword was unsheathed. Zelda wasn't a lone fighter anymore, her daughter had been enabled to assist her. The result would be different than Link's, it wouldn't end in death. 

Her mind wandered to both Link and the sword. 

He had trained often in her company, and had taught her how to use a one-handed blade a long time before… he knew she wanted to defend herself, and respected that wish. 

"Princess?! " A fleeing stablehand called out. "You're alive?! A militia soldier said that you and the Prince died at Fort Hateno!"

Her movement stopped. "Link slipped away there, during battle. I am, for the most part, alright."

His head lowered. "My condolences, Your Highness, now's a painful time for such a loss. You look wounded, do you need any aid?"

"My wounds have been tended to, good sir, the blood is mainly Link's." 

"Ah, yes. You get somewhere safe now, take care of yourself." An explosion off to the north caused him to resume his fleeing towards Faron.

Zelda sighed and shook your head, brushing her hand down her stomach. "We can't go that way… we have to help your father." 

No one else was encountered on the trek. While others may have been escaping, she had taken a path through the river to hide her scent from the monsters. Blood washed out of her dress as she trekked north through the cold waters, a symbolic train of death behind her. 

Your Grace… Fi whispered as Zelda stopped to catch her breath on a sandbar about halfway between Riverside and Wetland Stables. While I admire your wilderness-like tactics, by my calculations, you are very weak. Continuing against this cold current might make you faint. 

Zelda laid down by a bush on the riverbank and cried. "I can't…" 

Your Grace. You are not safe here. 

She curled up further against the bush, holding a hand on the ice-cold fabric that covered her stomach.  

Increasing your proximity to brush will not increase your safety, Your Grace.  

Even with such a truth, Zelda still curled up underneath the bush and sobbed, clutching all her limbs to her torso as if she was trying to protect her baby. "I can't do this alone!" She was able to function straight off the adrenaline from Link's death and the recent Guardian pack attack for a short while, but now her mental state had hit rock bottom. 

Your Grace… 

A blue light shone brightly right in front of Zelda, before fading away to show a blue, woman-looking figure with purple clothing and a two-toned cape. Her eyes were blank, the same blue as her body, but this didn't cause too much more distress. Fi bent down and touched Zelda on the head. 

The faster the battle is fought, the faster you will be allowed to mourn. Please hold out for just a while longer.

"Huh?" Zelda glanced up at her with red eyes. "Fi?"

Fi's cape flew around Zelda to cover her eyes and temples, then a melody began to play from the spirit; an ancient melody predating even Hyrule, something like her own lullaby…

A song of a goddess. 

Zelda's shaking arms rose to clasp Fi's shoulders as Hylian lyrics were whispered to her. Her breathing slowed into a more predictable rhythm but still shook. Softly, with a shattered voice, she repeated the lyrics as she heard them until her tears were gone and her voice firm.

Fi then removed the shield from Zelda's eyes. 

It is an ancient one, the song we sang together. Your ancestor sung this song on a harp back in those ancient days. It is incredibly sacred as well, even her descendants have only been taught how to sing it backwards. She loved Hylia's hero dearly, as you do. You two are much more similar than the legends make it seem… 

A small smile formed on Zelda's face. "Your words are encouraging…"

They are true, Your Grace. Now we must leave, it's not safe here. 

Zelda finally nodded, then grabbed the sword and, along with Fi, began running towards the Korok Forest. Focusing on Fi instead of the burning world around her allowed the northern trek on the river's banks to pass as swiftly as her departure from the Great Plateau was. She avoided any Guardian that came into sight, spending great effort to afford a fight, only using the combined might of the Master Sword and her sealing power when a Guardian was relentless in chasing her, when it proved a great threat to her or her daughter's life. 

After an exhausting dash through the infected central region of Hyrule, the mist of the Lost Woods enveloped Zelda's body. She looked around, trying to recall the correct path through the enchanted forest. However, after she saw that Fi was gone, her mind wiped itself clean and panic once again swept over her. She backed up while facing the western side of the entrance, almost jumping when she backed into someone… and a familiar rattling was heard. 

"Oh! ...Princess?"

Hestu.

Zelda whipped around to be greeted by the kind Korok. "Hestu! I-It's surprising to see you so far from the forest."

"Shaka shaka-ka! We were told you'd be here, Princess, so here I came."

"Yes. I-" She held up the sword. "I've come to put the sword back into the pedestal."

"But why, shaka? The sword is forever bound to Mr. Her-oh no no no!" Hestu shook his maracas in distress. "Don't tell me something terrible's happened to Mr. Hero!"

She looked down at the sword, then began to choke back tears. "A Guardian shot him!" Zelda buried her body into Hestu as her wails defeated her restraints once again. 

"Shaka, no! Don't tell Hestu such things! Hestu doesn't want to hear that Ganon killed Mr. Hero!" The two shared tears until it seemed that Zelda had finally cried herself out. 

She had leaned herself up against Hestu, one leg pulled up tight and the other stretched out. "I need to return it…" She mumbled as she rested herself on his side, broken sword in between them. "...so it will be healed by the time the Shrine brings him back…" 

"I will help," he replied, trying to stand up without knocking Zelda over. "all Koroks have pledged themselves to assist Mr. Hero!" He held out a maraca for Zelda to pull herself up with. "C'mon, Princess! The fight isn't done!" Hestu ambled off into the mist.

"Oh, Hestu! Wait up!" Zelda waved her hands as she failed to keep up.  

"My apologies, shaka… I got excited." He waited for Zelda to catch up, then matched her pace. 

The two stumbled through the cold Lost Woods for an undetermined amount of time, for the sky couldn't be seen through the mist and the Sheikah Slate had been left with Link. By leaving such a thing to be sealed with his body, Zelda felt even more like part of herself had died. 

"You miss Mr. Hero, don't you Mrs. Princess?" 

She had to stop moving, tightening one hand on her stomach as the other gripped the sword, in order to stop the tears. "Deeply already." 

"I bet Mr. Hero misses you too. I bet he's up there with Hylia watching you right now." Without any warning, he raised his maracas to the sky and started yelling. "Hi, Mister Hero! We miss you!"

Zelda snorted indignantly. "Hestu!"

He stopped waving his maracas. "Oh. Sorry."

She clenched her fists and took a few deep breaths. "No matter. Let us go." She then half-stormed ahead of him, pointing the Sword's blade at the ground. 

The party of two moved in awkward silence until a light green light appeared in the foggy darkness. 

"Korok Forest!" Hestu declared with a victorious dance. "We made it!"

Zelda's teeth were still clenched, a frustration bubbled within. "Indeed." 

"C'mon! Let's go to the pedestal and see Grandpa!" He charged ahead like he had done before, but stopped himself before Zelda could snap. "Oops! After you!"

"Princess Zelda… How good it is to see you well." The Great Deku Tree looked upon her weary figure with a new peace. 

"If you believe me well… then looks deceive." Her eyes darted behind her and to the right. 

Her husband was dead. Her kingdom burning. Her body wounded and weakened by forces both malicious and natural. How could she be well? 

Although it had been a stretch of time since such a thought had crossed her mind, her mind wandered to the sword in her grasp. 

She could end it here. With her weak body, she only needed one strike.

"Agony is deep in your voice. What has occurred today is a tragedy." The Deku Tree's words pulled her away from the dark trying to consume her mind. 

Seemingly from nothing, tens of Koroks appeared around her, trying to offer the pregnant princess console. 

She collapsed to her knees, a very painful collapse indeed, and held the sword's cold metal to her chest in a way mirroring how she'd clung to the fabric of her mother's formal dress the afternoon after she'd been buried. 

In the same way she had as a child, Zelda was expressing her grief for her closest family member… both who had been taken from her in the time when they were greatly needed. 

Tears did not fall from her eyes, they stayed and burned her, the chill from the damaged metal provided just enough relief for her shattered heart. Her face flushed red, normally she would be able to comfort herself by rocking, but she was incapable of doing so now. 

A few of the Koroks appeared with a leaf blanket from a storage area within the Great Deku Tree, why they even had such a thing Zelda didn't care to know, and placed it over her shoulders.

Without even knowing it was coming, a song for Link softly began flowing out of her lips. The ancient melody that Fi had just taught her provided a base for her lament, though the new words didn't match her ancestor's.

She lamented that they were out of time. That her prayers were only answered after it was too late. That he had peace in death because he knew she'd see the light of tomorrow.

A light they had pursued all their lives. A light they had witnessed together. A light that was gone. 

The last light. 

The awakening of her powers was the last light Link saw. 

He died in darkness. 

But he was coming back. They had gotten him to the Shrine in time.

Now it was just a matter of time. 

She rose shakily from her collapsed state, still on her knees but much taller, leaving the Master Sword laying on the pedestal. Her hands clasped in prayer, it was time to arrange the final pieces of Hyrule's future. "Your master will come for you." She assured the spirit of the sword. "Until then, you shall rest safely here." She paused for a beat to ensure her voice didn't break. "Although the Slumber of Restoration will most certainly deprive him of his memories, please trust me when I say that I know he will arrive before you yet again."

"If I may be so bold…" the Great Deku Tree interrupted, Zelda whipped her head up from her prayers, one hand falling to her side as she rose to her aching feet. "what is it that you are planning to do next, Princess?"

She kept her right hand close to her chest, blinking once before looking back down at the Sword. "The Master Sword… I heard it speak to me." She nodded once, as if to affirm something to herself, and brought both hands back to her stomach. "It seems that my role is unfinished. There is still something I must do."

"I sense there is great strength in your dedication."

Her hands twisted atop her stomach, anxiety and discomfort building within. "Great Deku Tree, I ask of you, when he returns, can you please relay this message…" Both her hands fell to her side as she stepped closer to the tree. "Tell him I-"

"Now then…" He once again interrupted. "Words intended for him would sound much better in the tones of your voice, don't you think?"

Her eyes fell from him, hands rising back to a stance of prayer, elbows hugging her sides as if she was considering something on her daughter's behalf. Waiting would increase the impact of the moment, and would better the chance of him remembering… She nodded once, a small smile on her face. "Yes." Her hands lowered to her child, eyes closing in a similar, yet different manner to her earlier prayer. 

Your father will come for us… I promise little one… We'll just have to wait for him.

She held her pose until she felt the future Zelda kick inside, then lowered herself to pick up the Sword. She raised it high, as Link had surely done when he pulled it all those years ago, then with this memory in mind, opened her eyes and slipped it into place. 

The power Fi had bestowed onto her unborn daughter rushed out of her, taking her consciousness with it as a golden light overtook her vision. Link's heartbeat, steady within the Shrine of Resurrection, echoed through her body as her knees buckled and she rolled to the ground, unaware of the Koroks now gathering around her body. 

[yhwhsdaughter]

pairing: trevor belmont x fem reader

content: forced vampirism, monster slaying, main character death, pining, angst, mention of animal death, usage of the word ‘assault’ to refer vampires feeding on reader

- this was meant as platonic soulmates but it can be seen as romantic too

“It hurts…”

Feet dragging across the rocky ground, you heard screeches of pain from behind, though they soon diminished. You could only focus on the pulsing sensation at the side of your neck; it was like fire rushing through your veins.

Preoccupied with your agony, Belmont was able to sneak up. He raised his whip, ready to kill off the last of the creatures when you suddenly turned, and with glossy eyes you said, “Help me…”

The whip managed to leave a thin horizontal line across your cheek as he pulled back, causing blood to drip out slowly. Now illuminated by the moon, Belmont saw the damage on you. Skin exposed by the ripped clothes showed multiple bite marks. Blood stained the corner of your lips.

She’s been infected..

Belmont didn’t see a monster but a scared woman who’d just been assaulted by vampires. He knew what she’d turn into, but he couldn’t kill her… not when she looked at him like this. Sunrise was approaching so he had to act fast.

Draping his cloak onto your form, Belmont proceeded to carry you into the nearest building, which so happened to be where the carnage had occurred. Upon recognizing the place, you began to panic, shaking and looking at him with distrust. “You’re safe. I killed every last of those bloodsuckers.”

The two of you stayed like that for a while, in that shitty stinking room. Eventually tiredness overcame your senses; Belmont felt weight settle on his shoulder. He wonder how a vampire could look so innocent whilst sleeping.

“Hungry…”

You felt parched; it felt like your throat had dried up, barely able to utter a word.

“I know.”

A rabbit was placed in front of you. Blinking at it, you directed a confused glance at the man. “I’m—this is.. for me?” He nodded. Taking the animal with traces of disgust, you raised it to your mouth. Blood gushed into your mouth; feeding made a horrible slurping that would certainly haunt you but there was relief amongst those troubling feelings.

You gulped every last drop, draining the poor creature of its life. Still, your hunger and thirst weren’t satiated. Biting your lip, you pondered on the next move. Because this man had saved you, daring to kill him or even feed off him seemed… rude. Not to mention, he seemed way stronger than you in terms of experience. Prior to this, you were a regular citizen. Maybe you could run away?

“Here.”

Trevor could see your turmoil. Most vampires needed to drain at least one human every time they fed—if they were being generous. They could survive weeks without blood but it made them weaker. Besides, it was older vampires who had this kind of self control. Newborns tended to be more unstable.

“Just take it before I change my mind.”

You did as told, though you were still unsure. Hesitating, you licked your lips before nearing towards the vein on his wrist.

Trevor let out a grunt when your fangs pierced him. Although you tried to be gentle, it was an uncomfortable feeling nonetheless. As he became lightheaded and you full, the mouth that was attached to his wrist removed itself with a ‘pop’.

After making sure he was alright, you asked for his name. “Trevor. Trevor Belmont.”

“Oh..”

“……”

“Oh! I’m (Name) (Surname).”

─── ☾☼☽ ───

“It’s dangerous.”

“I still-still want to go!”

The last remnants of sun were gone. Ever since your first encounter with the rugged monster hunter, you refused to part from him, following the latter like a lost puppy.

“I’m not much of a fighter.. b-but watch this!”

On cue, you punched the nearest tree, cracking it and making a sizable hole. You looked back proudly towards Trevor; except when you tried to pull your hand out, you were having difficulty.

“Ah. It’s stuck.”

Trevor couldn’t help but chuckle, walking away, clearly amused with your display of power. You pulled harder, “Hold on! Don’t leave me alone! It’s scary..” you muttered the last part while chasing after him. Despite being a creature of the night, the world and its evils still frightened you.

At the sound of a branch snapping, you yelped, grabbing a piece of Trevor’s cloak for security.

It shouldn’t have come as a surprise to Belmont when you punched a head clean off, practically decapitating one of the attackers. He might have been seriously injured if you had not intervened.

“Trevor.”

Gazing at you under the moonlight, he saw the hunger in your eyes as you held a man whom was still alive but struggling. His neck was exposed. Even so, you waited.

The Belmont turned away, giving you privacy to feed.

He knew that by allowing you to live, you would continue to take blood from others. Normally he wouldn’t feel soft towards a monster but whenever he thought of you, it was different.

His guilt was lessened when you drank from scum. Before putting the lives of innocents in danger, he would offer his own.

“Are you done?”

The corpse of the man was dropped unceremoniously as you joined Trevor, a light skip to your step.

─── ☾☼☽ ───

Despite adopting a nighttime lifestyle, Trevor was still human and had to conduct business during daylight hours.

He’d left your lodgings, which was an abandoned cottage, for a while. Nobody really passed through there anyway, so he thought you were safe. Worst came to worse, you could handle yourself. But as your self proclaimed protector, Trevor felt uneasy leaving you alone.

Maybe he should’ve listened to his gut because when he arrived, the door was wide open with dirty footprints leading in all the way to your coffin.

Two men had opened it—staring at the peaceful expression on your face, unaware that they were here to end you. To them it was obvious what you were. Even with that frilly white dress that made you look somewhat angelic, they couldn’t be fooled. As they raised their weapons to strike, Trevor used his whip. His sudden entrance startled them but it gave you the chance to wake up.

Eyes snapping open, you jumped onto the other man, taking both of you to the ground. His screams echoed shortly as you tore into his throat. The remaining one had no chance; Trevor left the room, closing the door on his way out, killing the light that entered and cutting off the way to escape.

Left alone with your prey, a smile crept up your face.

When you opened the door again, the dress which decorated your body was now stained red. There was hardly a clean piece on the material. Even so, you greeted Trevor with a hug.

“Trevor..”

“Yeah?”

“I love you.”

“M-me too..”

─── ☾☼☽ ───

Forty years passed in the blink of an eye.

“You should retire.”

“Belmonts don’t retire. The only rest they get is when they’re dead.”

“Well I don’t want you to die.”

“I have to, someday.”

“No you don’t.”

It’s been like this for the past few years; Trevor was sixty now. His body didn’t look that of an aging man, but the expression on his face did. He’d seen too much and as time passed, it was harder to fight monsters by himself.

Of course you’d noticed that and suggested turning him. It was an ongoing discussion; Trevor didn’t fancy the idea of living an eternal life but the thought of leaving this earth without you was disheartening. He didn’t say it but the situation tore him apart.

There was also the fact that he was too old for you; forty years to be exact. You’d maintained your youth, looking lovely as ever. His doubts were shot down when you immediately said that you didn’t care about that.

“I just want you.”

He always kept pushing the conversation away and you were patient. Trevor supposed that you could’ve taken him by force if you wanted and when he inquired, you told him it would be like violating him, robbing him of the choice you were never given.

As understanding as you were; the time would come for him to decide and confront you about it.

That time was now.

He should have been more careful, but there was nothing to be done about it now. Trevor watched as the sun slowly descended. Would you make it here before he passed? Would he die without seeing you one last time?

When you woke night had already fallen. Trevor wasn’t home; he’d been late plenty of times before but this occasion felt different.

Upon stepping outside, the smell of blood hit you. It reeked, staining the very air. You immediately recognized the source—how could you not? You’d fed from Trevor countless times.

Rushing in that direction, you prayed to whatever entity was listening to keep Trevor safe. The world and its gods could condemn you, but not him.

Not him.

You found him sprawled on a big rock, a creature hovering over his crumpled figure. Without thinking, you tore it to pieces. Blood rained as his mangled body flew to various parts of the forest.

“Trevor!!!”

He let out a groan, which would’ve made you sigh in relief but his visible injuries proved otherwise. You were no doctor and even if you could carry him into town, it would be too late. There was no other option. If you didn’t do anything, you might lose him.

“Trevor. Let me do it.”

Still conscious enough to reply, “I don’t want to become—”

“A monster?”

“I cannot become what I sought to destroy..”

Tears escaped your eyes, blurring the image of the person whom you treasure most. “Please.. please please please..! Don’t leave me alone!”

You begged, knowing it was unfair to pressure him in such way but you couldn’t bare the thought of existing if he wasn’t present. He was your salvation, your companion…your world. And yet, he was being robbed from you.

So soon… It��s too soon!

You always imagined Trevor living well into old age, spending the remainder of his life with you, being happy. He was destined to die peacefully, not like this. Not in this shitty place, by the hands of a shitty monster!

“I can’t. I’m sorry..”

Grabbing his hands, you lowered your forehead on them, crying your heart out. It was unfair. Life was unfair.

“Kiss me.”

Despite the pain that he was in, Trevor found it in himself to smile. For you. “Kiss me one last time.” Tears dropped slowly as you heard him. Shaking your head; you couldn’t kill him.

“I want it to be you..”

His words struck a chord.

Lifting him by the neck in a gentle manner, you pushed the collar of his shirt aside, exposing his carotid. As you bit into his familiar skin once more, your other hand caressed him, trying to make this goodbye as painless as possible.

With every sip you took, tears fell down.

I love you! I love you! I love you!

His warm hand turned cold.

You held him in your arms like he once did to you, with the outmost care, with the love he deserved.

Since Trevor didn’t say where he wanted his body to be buried, you chose the nicest spot. It was a secluded place where it wouldn’t be dug up by animals or people—but not so hidden either.

Whilst cleaning the blood that covered his body and face, you found a piece of cloth with writing on it. Staring at it, you recognized the Belmont insignia. Turning the material, you managed to read the words…

Take this. Go to Alucard.

Trevor must’ve written that in his final moments; probably in case he didn’t make it before you arrived. The letters were sloppy because of the blood but you could read it well.

Clutching it to your chest, you sobbed until the light of day began to burn. For a moment you wished to stay there and disappear. Perhaps you could join Trevor.

Together even in death..

─── ☾☼☽ ───

The journey was rather long.

Looming in all its glory, Castle Dracula. You looked at the last piece of your beloved, holding it tighter in your hand.

“Okay. Let’s meet this Alucard.”