#but my mate was different i think he was the first i really truly fell in love with

[sick-as-a-dog]

×

[thatacotargirl]

Hello! I read your cassian x reader period fic and absolutely loved it! I had a request if you don't mind...

one with cassian where maybe reader has been a part of the inner circle for a while and because of this her and cassian have been really really close friends for centuries…but one day on the streets reader locks eye with a male who is her mate…but the male is not cassian just some random person…and she is ecstatic that she has finally found her mate and someone she will be able to spend the rest of her life with because even though she has had a major crush on cassian…she knows he will never return those feelings because she finds herself incomparable and insignificant compared to cassian…however later on the male wants to reject the bond because he doesn't find the reader attractive and mocks her and all…she goes crying back home and cassian finds out and comforts her…maybe months later after the bond with the other male was broken…she finds that the mother has given her a new mating bond…that connects her to the one she has always loved…Cassian❤️

Hi!! Thank you so much for your support! And I LOVE your idea - I hope you like what I’ve done with it!

Inbox is always open for requests ❤️

Seconds Chances

A Cassian x Reader Imagine

The day that Rhysand saved you from the Autumn Court ranks up there with some of the best days of your life. Also up there is the day that he introduced you as a member of his Inner Circle, and your eyes first lay on Cassian.

You didn’t think there was a single person in all of Prythian who would deny Cassian’s beauty. He was in an entirely different league to any male or female you had met before. What started as lust developed into a crush and, over the centuries, turned into feelings you couldn’t quite describe. Although really, they could be summed up quite easily. You had fallen in love with Cassian.

You were sure Cassian did not return those feelings, but you truthfully didn’t mind. You didn’t want anything to risk destroying the friendship that you had with him. Cassian was the first there to pick you back up when you fell, to dry your tears and make you laugh again, to support you and encourage you to be the best version of yourself. It wasn’t a surprise that you ended up falling in love with him. He cared for you in a way no one ever had before, and you were so grateful to have him in your life, even if you knew it would never be how you truly wanted him.

That was why, when you were walking the streets of Velaris after dropping off a letter for Rhysand, you were ecstatic to lock eyes with a blonde male and feel the snap in your chest as the bond clicked into place. After a brief exchange, you agreed to meet for dinner that night, and you rushed back to the River House to get ready.

-

“I found my mate!”, you screeched, running through the River House door. Feyre caught your hands and steadied you.

“You what?!”, she replied, eyes wide.

“I found my mate!!!”, you repeat, practically bouncing in her arms with excitement. Feyre grinned and pulled you into a hug as several bodies appeared behind the pair of you.

“Your mate?”.

You looked over Feyre’s shoulder and straight at Cassian. His face was contorted slightly, almost like he was in pain. You quickly raked up and down his body looking for injuries, but you couldn’t see anything obvious.

“That is wonderful news!”, Rhys smiled, reaching over to pull you into a hug. “I knew the Night Court was the right place for you”. He winked as he let you go, and your friends took it in turns to share their congratulations and shower you with hugs and affection. Cassian approached, a forced smile on his face as he pulled you in for a bear hug.

“I’m so happy for you”, he said. He sounded genuine, but there was something empty about it. You knew that he had hoped a few females over the years had turned into his mate, including one of Feyre’s sisters, but the Mother hadn’t yet blessed him. It must be hard for him to see his friends’ mating bonds snap and not his own.

“Thank you”, you smiled, breathless from all the love of your family. “If you’ll excuse me, I need to get ready for a date with my mate”. You beamed as you bounced up the stairs, closely followed by Feyre and Mor who insisted on helping you get ready.

-

Your family waved you off as you left for your date. You chuckled to yourself. They were almost more excited for you than you were for yourself!

As you approached the restaurant, you saw your mate standing by the door. The closer you got, however, the more you felt a deep void in your chest. You tugged the bond as you approached him, a gasp leaving your lips as you realise your figurative hands come up short, the bond no where to be found. Your raise your head to meet his, and his eyes hold an evil gleam.

“You must be stupider than you look if you thought I was going to accept a bond with you”.

You freeze. This wasn’t the same male you spoke with this morning, was it? Seeing your confusion, he takes a step towards you, looming over you in a way so intimidating it made you whimper.

“Look at you. I would be the most foolish man alive to saddle myself with you for all eternity”.

Whilst you did still stick out at the Night Court, quite clearly heralding from different lands, you knew you weren’t unattractive. At least, you didn’t think you were?

You couldn’t bear his smirk any longer. You tried to pull the bond one more time and he noticed.

“It’s gone. Maybe now the Mother will realise the error of her ways and give me a second chance”.

Your heart broke.

You turned on your heels and ran for the River House.

-

Your family were not expecting you back from your date so soon, so when they heard you come thundering through the front door they all stood abruptly from their chairs. You looked in at them, faces full of concern and sorrow, and couldn't bear the pity. You fled up the stairs to the guest room and slammed the door behind you.

It was only a few minutes later that you heard someone knock at the door and Cassian's scent flooded in. He didn't wait for your reply. He walked over to the bed, sat, and pulled you onto his lap. You leaned into his chest and sobbed.

"What happened?".

"He broke the bond. He said only a foolish man would want to be saddled with me".

Cassian's heart hurt as he held you cried harder, soaking his shirt with your tears. He held you closer, trembling with anger that some male you met on the street could reduce you to tears like this, could take advantage of your kind heart, could throw away the one thing that he had prayed to the Mother every night could be his - your heart. He had wished for centuries for you, for your love, to be yours. This male had it in the palm of his hands and had thrown it away.

"What's wrong with me?", you asked quietly, avoiding his gaze.

"Nothing. Absolutely nothing. You are perfect", Cassian replied back softly, pressing a kiss to the top of your head.

"Then why didn't he want me?", your voice broke as you whispered the question.

Cassian had no answer. He only held you closer and let you cry in his arms.

8 months later

With the help of your family, you had slowly begun to heal. Your heart was mended piece by piece with each bit of love and care they showered you with. Cassian was by your side every spare moment he had, doing everything in his power to make you smile, laugh. It was music to his ears. You had also resumed your duties to the Night Court, after Rhys had insisted you take a prolonged vacation to focus on yourself and your healing.

It was at one of these Night Court meetings that your life changed forever.

You were characteristically late to the monthly Inner Circle meeting, having spent far too long in the library that morning. You ran into the room, out of breath, giving a sheepish and apologetic smile to Rhys. You went to take your seat beside Mor when you heard Cassian's sharp intake of breath. You looked up at him and felt it. The snap. It was so powerful you could have sworn the entire room heard it. Your eyes locked with Cassian's as you heard Feyre gasp, realising what had happened.

"Looks like the Mother gave you that second chance", Rhys smiled, pulling Feyre into his side as they watched the pair of you process what had just happened.

"My mate", Cassian whispered.

"My mate", you replied, breathless.

Within seconds, Cassian had cleared the table, swooped you into his arms, and walked out the room with you.

"I take it we need to reschedule, Cass?", Rhys called after the pair of you, amused.

Neither of you replied, simply gazing at each other as he carried you up the stairs.

"I prayed to the Mother for you every day for centuries", Cassian confessed, tears filling his eyes. Yours mirrored, as you reached up a hand to hold his cheek.

"I prayed for you too, Cassian".

[white-sinner]

Poly Yandere Alphas Asano & Karma x Male Beta reader (assassination classroom)

They force reader to wear a collar with their names on it.

Marking, reader being tied up, degrading, sadism, treating reader like a pet.

They say many things that bring down beta’s, and how they wish he was an omega, how much better he would be if he was. That he shouldn’t worry, they’ll still like him regardless of the fact that he’s a beta. Stuff like that.

Please?

you can try to resist but this is a challenge that you too know you will lose..

WARNING: kidnapping, threats, force collaring, knives, marking, sadism, sex, mention of pheromone

A/N: are we all aware that these two as yandere would be impossible to stop? with the controlled/rational personality of Asano and the sadistic one of Karma I think our dear Male reader has no hope of getting out of this fall into hell

Orange=Asano

Red=Karma

Black=reader

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a couple of hidden lovers born in the seventh grade who despite the difference in classes continue to live and be stronger and stronger but what will happen when these two Alphas find in M ​​/ n the omega they were looking for?

for Karma and Asano it had never been difficult to get along their two characters intertwined perfectly but then there was a change when 3-E of Kunugigaoka Junior High moved M/N L/N a beta, the first to notice it was Karma who was truly amazed by your skills against Korosensei not to mention your splendid personality and your scent which, despite you being a Beta, goes more sweet like vanilla and caramel since you arrived Karma feel a strong sense of protection and with your being kind but also knowing how to stand up to him,he understand that you were the missing omega that he and Asano were looking for but despite your being Beta he didn't care you were definitely a omega for him and no one could change his mind. obviously Karma as a good alpha and boyfriend reported everything to Asano who thanks to social networks, acquaintances and stalking in the end he too fell in love with you so the two devised a plan to get you

the two of them started leaving on your desk, folder and even mailing them to your home! they started giving you anonymous teddy bears/t-shirts and even used underwear…. now if you were an omega you got those things for your nest and as a clear sign of courtship that an alpha wanted to make you his but being you a beta you couldn't even recognize whose scent it was but things got worse in class when yet another soft toy appeared on your counter

“Another gift from your secret admirer?”

“I wouldn't call him a secret admirer but more perverted stalker *huf* I swear Nagisa if this dude doesn't finish it I'm going straight to the cops why doesn't he go fuck a bitch instead of bothering me"

poor man M/N he didn't know that the "pervert" he was talking about was watching him Asano was out of class and Karma near the window

in the chats between Karma and Asano

“it seems that your plan has failed”. my beloved psychopath 8:13

"I notice ugh he's getting on my nerves why he doesn't understand we're just trying to make him understand that he belongs to us?" my control freak 8:15

“now now don't get angry maybe our dear M/N needs to be put in his place and submit to his mates”. my beloved psychopath 8:16

so Karma stopped you outside school after class was over but as he spoke to you he took your hands and pinned you in the wall as ticked off Asano who with a syringe the rest was too blurry to remember

you woke up tied to a chair and in front of you with an evil smile your two captors

“but coincidentally, it seems the bitch woke up "

“wha-Karma Asano?!"

“Is this the way to address your mates? it seems that our omega likes to be punished”

what the hell were they saying omega, mates have they gone crazy?!

“haha look at that really adorable confused and scared expression”

“what the heck are you saying are you crazy I'm not an omega! release me immediately you ugly sons of bit-*slap*

” ugh and so that you address your alphas! first you called us perverts then this… I think you need to learn some of the rules Bitch”

at that moment Karma untied you and threw you on the bed and he cut your pants with his knife

"it's a real pity that you're not an omega right now you could be in heat and we would have helped you little slut"

said Asano while he was thrusting his cock into you without even getting ready!

“aAasano stop…Mmhm~”

“nonono this is not the way you call us”

Karma approached with the knife making a cut on your lips and then licking them

“so tell us bitch are we really perverts like you said?”

"to me the only bitch looks like you M/n look at Asano he's not fucking you even for 15 minutes and you already look like you're about to pass out"

continued Karma before he positioned himself on your face putting his cock in your mouth by now those two were gone in sync it was too much for you after a while Karma painted your throat white and you came

“wouldn't you like to be an omega? being inside a nest made with our clothes feeling the need to obey your alphas…having our children inside you”

“mmm after all look at you you are already below us for being a beta you are a shame”

they continued while karma came for the second Once Asano hadn't come yet! karma take his members off you and kiss you furiously making your tongue stick out and came again

“you know M/N you are really cute when you cry but I think you need to remind you who you belong to”

with that he took the knife and carved his initials and Asano's on your arm while you cried in pain and Karma licked your blood Asano came inside you

"if you were an omega by now with us you'd already be pregnant so you couldn't open your legs to anyone and you won't"

he approached your ear and whispered to you

“try to escape from us and we will kill all your loved ones remember the packages we know where you live"

having said this the two of them attacked your throat covering it with hickeys. a few minutes later and Asano also came out of you

"we have a gift for you go get it Asano"

Asano come back with a red streak collar and an orange heart with Karma Akabane and Gakushu Asano properties written behind it

"that's it, what are you saying Asano him Isn't he just adorable?”

“very Karma so how do you say M/N when your mates give you a present?”

you answered Asano in a low voice even though he was out of you you still felt him inside

” thanks Asa-“

“I think you were wrong try again or do you want to be punished”

“thanks alphas…”

before you could say anything other karma and Asano they made you spread on their chest and they ignited you with something

“don't worry M/N although you are a beta we love you the same but wouldn't it be better to be an omega? betas are less strong than alphas and more useless than omegas and then to be a beta you are a shame you smell so sweet and you let yourself be used as a sex toy"

" this syringe contains omega hormones we will continue to give it to you for a while you will see that in a short time you will assume your true behaviors "

you wanted to fight back but you were too tired so you closed your eyes hoping to wake up from this nightmare

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[yuwuta]

can you assign other jjk charcters a/b/o? Like yuuta, nanami or megumi? I wanna know your heacannons

absolutely, i have thought about this extensively lmfaooo

omega satoru, but also alpha satoru works, too (tho, i am biased and learn more towards omega for him). he uses the power/influence he has to draw attention and whine about how you should be his mate. omega satoru is so unbelievably insufferable and pathetic in trying to get your attention, and then incredibly cocky and a show-off to everyone once you’re mates. alpha satoru is the wet paper equivalent of a man once he has you, he will literally bend to your every command, there is nothing he wouldn’t do to keep you happy, and yet, still, also incredibly cocky. either way, he’s the scariest. as an omega, he uses it as an excuse—bats his eyelashes and feigns innocence for attacking someone he considered a threat; as an alpha, he doesn’t feel sorry and nobody tries to get him to apologize, unless they’d also like to be on the receiving end of that treatment. also terribly horny no matter what, he is always ready to go

megumi fits all the roles in my head, so honestly, it depends on you. as an alpha he’s very nonchalant, and begrudgingly accepts his role. tho, he is possessive; he tries not to let it show/let that take over him, but it’s sort of always there and peeps through even if he doesn’t intend to. he doesn’t feel the need to glare at other alphas or be the strongest of them all, but he does like to nip at you, to make sure you smell like him at least a little bit, and he does keep an eye on you even if you’re perfectly safe. as a beta, he’s kind of apathetic to the whole mating situation and being part of a group. he’s drawn in by others—if you, or yuuji, or nobara convince them, then he’ll go along with it, and usually ends up liking it, but he wouldn’t try to seek out new people or experiences. you’d have to be the one to approach him first. as an omega, he’s not all that different as an alpha—he’s still possessive, but maybe a bit more forthcoming and shameless about it. he doesn’t pout or go crazy if you’re affectionate with your mutual friends, but he’s not nearly as nonchalant about you being close to strangers. it’s not paranoia, or distrust in you, it’s quite literally, pure, shallow possessiveness driving him—he’s your omega, and he wants your attention. and he wants to have it when he wants it. and he’s not above biting you to get it 

alpha kento…. just fell to my knees. he was born for this. he’s a very level-headed alpha; very rarely swayed by his own emotions, or preconceived alpha notions, and is aware of how his presence can affect others. he never uses his status to intimidate—honestly, he’s intimidating enough without being an alpha—he keeps a respectable distance from unmated omegas, he uses scent blockers, he doesn’t engage in petty arguments, nor does he boast just because he has the power to. extremely dependable, all of his friends feel safe with him, and are physically drawn to him even if it’s not sexually. you’ve found satoru and haibara cuddled up, asleep on either of nanami’s shoulders on more than one occasion—and nanami, immune to it all, just carries on reading his book. the only thing that really ticks him off, gets the stereotypical alpha drive going is the mention of children—especially, when other alphas try to come on to you by saying how lucky they’d be to have someone like you carry their kids. then, kento’s not above knocking someone’s teeth out. even when your friends make off-handed comments asking about if/when you’ll have kids, kento can be found snarling. it’s truly his weak spot, and it sort of embarrasses him because he seems to have no control over it, he just knows he doesn’t want anybody else but him thinking about you that way. also maybe that repressed breeding kink of his who said that 

yuuta’s an alpha to me <3 the kind that nobody suspects at first, but give him a moment to shine and it’ll all come through. he doesn’t care to come across as intimidating, but he’s undeniably at his strongest when he has his loved ones to protect, and there are so few things he wouldn’t do to keep them safe. he’s intensely loyal and protective, and takes it personally when anybody infringes upon the safety or comfort of his loved ones. you’ve seen him throw people against walls for picking on toge, seen him break another alpha’s arm because they were trying to intimidate nobara, seen yuuji and maki have to pull him off a guy solely because of the way he’d spoken to you. but if that’s not the case, and there’s nothing/nobody to rouse the aggressive alpha behavior out of him, yuuta’s the one who’s easily intimidated. when you or his friends aren’t in the picture, he doesn’t care to interact with other alphas, he finds himself feeling small and anxious; he’s gullible and always the subject of pranks within your friend group despite his alpha status; he’s shy and sometimes still stutters around you, no matter how long you’ve been together. he’s pretty malleable and not at all what you’d think of as an “alpha,” until there’s a threat nearby and he’s ready to kill someone with his bare hands. 

alpha yuuji agenda and no i’m not biased <333 he’s the kind that feels the need to provide for the people in his life. he cooks, he cleans, he lifts all the heavy boxes, he picks you up and walks you home, he’s the perfect alpha, but yuuji strives for it. he’s conscious about bettering himself and how he can use his strength and skills to serve you. he wants to be the perfect mate, but for you and you alone. lots of things come naturally to yuuji, but he’s intentional in how he treats you, and how how to be a good alpha for you. like satoru, he’s honestly more of a puppy when he’s with you, one that preens for attention and smothers you when he’s happy. and he’s very moody when he doesn’t get that attention, or when somebody else is trying to take it from him. he’s nice and all, but he’s still an alpha with a temper at the end of the day. he’s the definition of “you should see the other guy,” whenever he comes out of a fight. 

it doesn’t matter whether toge’s an alpha, a beta, or an omega, his true sub-gender is a professional brat and part-time troll. attention-seeking 24/7, gaudy with his tactics for getting your attention and then pouty whenever you’re not paying attention to him, even if it’s for a few minutes. bites. all the time, always. doesn’t even leave hickies, he leaves teeth marks. literal indentations along your arm or on your wrist or your shoulder just because he’s that much of a brat, and needs some outlet for his possessive nature. also, doesn’t have a humble bone in his body, he’ll let everyone know you’re his partner and that he’s hitting it raw because god forbid he have any tact. terrible. 

choso is like yuuji in that he strives to provide and tailor himself to being a good mate for you, but the omega version of it. choso knows what he’s good at, but he also knows he’s got his whole life to learn, and he doesn’t think there’s a better way to spend it than learning how to be good for you. he takes care of all the things you have to put off because of a busy schedule, he runs all the little errands you forget about, he learns to sew so he can easily hem your clothes, he learns to cook your favorite meals, he learns to paint so he can take care of that accent wall you dream about, hell, he’ll even learn to how to do your hair if it saves you a trip to the salon. choso will do, or learn to do anything for you; no skill is too small, no task is too detailed. he strives to be everything you need in a partner, because he doesn’t ever want to give you reason to resent or regret making him your mate :(( also… horny. all the time. always. yeah, he does these things for you, to make you happy, but he’s not above being rewarded for it, either 😇

[headfulloflettuce]

The Human Who Fooled All of Prythian

25. An Iris and Her Pine Tree

Note: Viviane and Kallias matching each other’s crazy for 5907 words straight.

“By the Mother Eris is attractive.” 

“Attractive? The male is steaming!”

“Did you see how he danced with Lady Noel on the Winter Solstice?”

Viviane sipped her tea as the young ladies of her court gushed over Autumn Court men.

“I am sorry, but I have to disagree. Day Court is where it's at if you want a fling.” another young female jumped into the discussion, “The emissaries Helion brought…I have no words.”

Thank goodness I have Solene and Evelyn here to keep me company.

Viviane glanced at her sister who was nodding at one of the females rambling about the Vanserra brothers, maintaining an air of interest.

“Well, if one is looking at potential partnerships, they must also consider the in-laws.” Evelyn smiled politely behind her tea cup.

Evelyn please do not stir up unnecessary drama.

The younger ladies shared a knowing glance; no High Fae male worth his money would marry his child off to a Vanserra unless the deal being offered was extremely profitable. No one wanted to deal with Beron in a dynamic where they had the disadvantage.

The only exception to this being Eris, the heir, but he would most likely marry someone within Autumn Court.

“Yes, in-laws are an important aspect of marriage.” Olwen nodded in agreement, the cute bow in her light brown hair bouncing as she reached over to take a sweet from the platter, “But so is love!”

Viviane could see Solene restrain a snort.

It was a beautiful take, but a naive one.

“I only hope that my future partner is half of the male Kallias is to our Lady of Winter.”

Viviane smiled, “Thank you dear, me and my mate are truly fortunate to have such a partnership.”

“But what if the male you fell in love with was a nobody? Someone who brought no value to your family or society?” Noel spoke up.

“W-What?”

“What if your mate was from the lowest circles of faeries? A criminal no one wanted to associate with?”

“Well, I am sure that wouldn’t happen…”

“But what if it did?”

Olwen laughed nervously, dropping the cookie she had grabbed, leaving crumbs in her puffy, pale blue dress. Flustered, the lady quickly tried to clean up the mess she had made.

This child had entered society fairly recently - within the past ten years. Perhaps it was the conflict with Amarantha or the war with Hybern that followed soon after but she clearly lacked the elegance required for these events.

Viviane didn’t judge too harshly though, the point was to make friends.

However, Olwen will need to learn to deal with pressure if she wants to do well here.

“I heard you recently got a new pet hare Lady Olwen.” Viviane spoke up, changing the conversation thread.

Noel backed off, crossing her legs, her simpler dark blue dress resting well along her legs.

“Yes, my father got me one as a gift for my birthday. She’s absolutely gorgeous!” Olwen beamed.

“I heard he got you one when you made your debut into society as well.” Evelyn said.

Olwen nodded, “The two of them are so different yet get along so nicely. What about you Lady Noel?” Olwen turned to the white haired fae, “What animal did your family get you when you made your debut?”

Viviane wanted to facepalm. 

Did you not get enough the first time?

Noel smiled, “A polar bear.”

“O-Oh.” Olwen tried to smile back, “Aren’t those used for the military mostly? Not the most friendly house pet is it?”

“Who said it was for the house? My father wanted me to be well defended and ready for the world outside our home. Hence, he gifted me a creature that could match me in strength and smarts.” Noel’s voice took on a mocking tone, “Though, I am sure a cute little white hare will strike fear into its enemies.”

Olwen tensed, “You…that hare was expensive and is of the highest quality!”

“So is my bear.”

“But it’s so unlady-like!”

“Ha…Lady Olwen, my family is in the military business, do you really think I am concerned about the ‘lady-like’ nature of a bear?”

“You…but that’s…”

Viviane did not step in to help the recently debuted female. 

“Perhaps you think I would like a little canary or another fancy dress?” Noel pushed even more, “Truly, with all the time you’ve spent renewing your wardrobe Lady Olwen, I would have hoped you’d have the decency to study up on the interests of your fellow ladies.”

Olwen looked tearful, her hands made into fists as she stared dejectedly down, unable to come up with any counter argument.

A shame, I had high hopes for Olwen. Her family consisted of quick witted scholars, but this was just embarrassing.

“Ahem…I heard there were quite a few intriguing new vendors during the solstice.” Solene spoke up, returning the conversation flow.

With an older fae having spoken, some of the younger females calmed, smiling once more. Olwen’s expression remained a scowl.

“The new perfumery was there too!”

“What was it called again?”

“Serene Fragrances.”

“Did you get a chance to try out the perfume they released for the solstice?”

“They released a new perfume?!”

“Wow, you’re really out of the loop.”

“I heard the perfumer was spotted walking in the Forge district with Amelio.” one of the other ladies leaned in, whispering. 

Not that any secret mentioned here would remain a secret for long.

“Forge district?”

“Why would she go there?”

“Perhaps…you know…she has a thing with him?”

“With whom?”

“Amelio.”

The ladies gasped at such news.

“But he’s with Lady Solene!”

“So?” Olwen spoke up, “Birds of a feather flock together. It only makes sense that two Lesser Fae would date. They can’t understand what an honor it is to be married to a lady like Solene, so they go and pull a stunt like this.”

Viviane smiled.

Olwen smiled back brightly.

Wow, truly not a thought in that pretty head of hers.

A couple ladies had the self awareness to be nervous and embarrassed by Olwen’s statement, glancing at Solene to gauge her reaction to the rumors. 

Solene however remained calm, elegantly trying one of the cookies dusted with white sugar.

The idea that Amelio would ever cheat was stupid. Is there something wrong with our water supply? How could you even have such a thought?

“On the topic of the Forge district,” Noel spoke, her voice overpowering the general chatter, “What is the administration's progress regarding the food shortages, Lady of Winter?”

There it was.

“We are currently working on programs to ensure improvements to our internal food supply.”

“What of external food sources?” Noel tilted her head, “How are negotiations with Autumn?”

“I am afraid I cannot disclose a state secret like that.”

Not even to Kallias’s close family.

“I see, however I am still curious,” Noel continued, “If negotiations are taking so long do you require additional help?”

“I can assure you that we can handle it. The best thing you can do to help us is do what you do best and continue helping your family’s business.”

The ladies present watched the two as if it were a duel in a Day Court stadium - who would win?

“I would but even there you have given us orders that some would argue to be counterintuitive.”

“Are you questioning the instructions we have given you?” Viviane leaned back in her armchair.

“Of course not Lady of Winter.” Noel’s tone was serious, “I would never think of doing such a wretched thing, but I must ask how much longer things will go on like this?” 

Viviane had to admit Kallias’s cousin was a master of pissing her off and walking the border of respect - just like his uncle.

“We are working towards resolving all these issues.”

Noel nodded, but looked unsatisfied with that answer.

I wish I could tell you that eventually we will stop letting Night Court pass through with no consequences, or that I have a definitive solution for the food shortage, but I can’t.

A grandfather clock sounded as it struck 2pm..

“Well, it seems our time here together is over unfortunately.” Evelyn pipped in, cutting through the tension that had settled over the group.

Everyone began getting up, curtseying before Viviane as they left.

“Thank you for the invitation.” Noel bowed.

“I appreciate your attendance.” Viviane nodded in acknowledgement, watching the fae disappear down the hallway.

Viviane relaxed in her armchair as all the guests left, leaving just her sister and Solene.

“Well Your Majesty, any of the new ladies catch your eye? Olwen seems like such a joy, no?”

“Please save your tone Solene.” Viviane ran a hand down her face, “Did etiquette tutors die out, or has gossip always been this bad?”

I am not about to bring someone into my close circle of supporters who actively wants to belittle those who keep our economy running.

“Gossip always has been this bad,” Evelyn said, setting down her teacup, “You’ve just been so busy with Kallias’s duties that you haven’t gotten to see it as much as us. Welcome to the club sister.”

“That is concerning.”

“In their defense, most kept their mouths shut during Amarantha’s rule of fifty years,” Evelyn muttered.

“It’s because nobody wanted their head on a spike, or worse.” Solene retorted.

Or worse - the fate that befell those younglings.

“Noel did well, as always.” Viviane said.

Regardless of her feelings towards the fae Viviane had to acknowledge her prowess in the social circles; since, that was exactly what made her so dangerous to their rule. 

Granted, I’d rather deal with Noel than her uncle or any other members of Kallias’s distant family.

Solene nodded in agreement, “Surprising none of us of course. What about the others, any thoughts?”

“Well, I wasn’t particularly impressed by the rest, but we’ll make do. We’ll reach out to those who were staying quiet during the major disputes.”

Their silence could be an indicator of smarts. Not every fae can remain quiet in such an environment after all.

“Later I’ll look over in more detail again who came and select a few of the gossipers for closer observation.”

Even if I don’t like faeries that needlessly spout nonsense, that ‘nonsense’ is what keeps our social circles busy and defines family relations or even a faerie’s status for centuries to come.

“Sounds good.” Evelyn said.

“How is Cosette’s project coming along?” Viviane looked at Solene.

We need to get Noel off our back as soon as possible.

“It’s coming along well. According to Amelio they sent out the first shipment of prototypes to be tested yesterday.”

“Good.” Viviane played lazily with the fur of the blanket on the armchair, “Say Solene, what do you make of Cosette?”

“Smart girl.”

“Anything else?”

We’re not having you and Amelio watch her to only get ‘smart’ as feedback.

Solene smirked, “The girl undersells herself. I honestly don’t know if she does it on purpose or if she’s really that naive. She claims to ‘have little experience with business management’ and that she has ‘a minimal understanding of the inner workings of the Winter Court’, while her actions scream otherwise.”

Unless she just got extremely lucky, however, that fae’s idea to improve our farming system didn’t seem like a mindless attempt at striking gold. It was planned and well thought out.

“How is her relationship with Amelio?”

“Wary, but you know my husband.” Solene smiled darkly, “He has the ability to calm even the jumpiest of fae. They’re getting along just fine.”

Good, I do not need her acting up right now.

To put it frankly, at the moment, Cosette was a wild card. Either one that turned out to be a golden goose, or one that could cause more problems than good later down the line if not taken care of.

Viviane was hoping it was the former.

“Amelio would adopt the girl if he could.” Solene confessed.

“Really? Adoption? Forgive me, your husband never struck me as the type for such noble acts.” Evelyn, just like Viviane, was surprised.

The male who was the star example of a vicious and cruel Winter Fae? The one who would throw an innocent to Autumn’s notorious hounds and smile as they were torn to shreds? That male wanted to adopt a complete stranger?

“Oh trust me I reacted the same way as you’re looking at me now.” Solene laughed dryly, “He says she has the drive and instincts he wished he saw more of in his students or fellow entrepreneurs. He’s practically itching to mold her into the perfect little business fae. Claims it would be easier to accomplish such a task if the female was within the family. Makes it easier to manipulate and control her.”

That sounded more like the Amelio we know and love.

Seeing Viviane’s tense expression Solene raised her hands placatingly, “Don’t worry Viv, he hasn’t done anything yet. Amelio is waiting patiently for yours and Kallias’s command.”

Viviane nodded.

“Are you still trying?” Evelyn looked at Solene, her eyes soft.

“Casually, it would be nice to have an heir eventually. Additional layer of security, you know?” Solene answered, standing up, “But we’re not holding our breaths.”

Evelyn followed suit, helping Viviane stand up.

“When is your due date?” Solene looked at the Lady of Winter.

“It should be any day now.” Viviane smiled, patting her stomach.

“It’s best that you have the healers on site, just in case.” Solene noted.

“We have already summoned a team to stay in the palace.”

“Good.”

“How long until we get a response from the farms about the prototype?”

“A couple weeks.”

Not horribly long.

“Thank you for your work, both of you.” 

Viviane dragged herself out of the room, bidding goodbye to Solene and Evelyn, making her way to the private area of the palace reserved for herself, Kallias and Briar.

The Lady of Winter took her duties seriously. From the smallest details in how plates were set up during official dinners, to the big picture of where trade routes were located and their subsequent impacts on their economy and relations with other courts.

This tea party was just another one of those duties. Listening to her fellow noble ladies' plights and concerns. Their dramas and intrigues. It might seem trivial, but it was vital in order to maintain an image and an understanding of their court’s current ongoings. No matter how…annoying the conversations could get. 

Looking out the window overlooking the training ground she could see Briar chatting with a few soldiers, all of them dressed in training gear.

Viviane smiled. 

It’s nice to see her happy.

She knocked on a large oak door, painted in various shades of blues, with little detailed ice shards and crystals decorating the edge of it.

“Come in.”

Viviane entered, making her way over to Kallias who was pouring over paperwork, as always.

“Love?” Kallias frowned upon seeing his wife, ��Are you alright?”

She groaned, collapsing into his arms.

Kallias gently hummed, holding his mate close, “Did the tea party not go well?”

“It went how it always does.”

“Which member of the family did my uncle send now?”

“Noel.”

“Seems like she’s becoming more and more active within society recently.”

“She’s always been active.”

“So you’re used to dealing with her then.”

“Ehh…more desensitized and overly prepared.” Viviane smiled.

“What’s the most recent drama that is plaguing our dear court now?” Kallias gently stroked her hair, lowering his voice.

“They were gossiping about how Cosette is stealing Amelio away from Solene.”

Kallias snorted, “Not a brain shared between half of them I see.”

“That or they are all pretending to be stupid.”

“Are they smart enough to do that though?”

Viviane giggled, “Probably not the younger ones.”

“How are the older ladies?”

“I have a separate tea party with them planned later this week. Though, I suspect we’ll all spend more time looking over business contracts rather than drinking tea and chatting.”

Kallias nodded, tracing patterns on Viviane’s shoulder with a finger, “Don’t threaten me with a good time.”

Viviane giggled, a comfortable silence settling over them as they enjoyed each other’s company.

“Was my family really that bad when I was gone?”

“Absolutely. They’re practically angels now that you’re here.”

“Well, I wouldn’t call them angelic…”

“By comparison Kallias, they absolutely are.”

Kallias admitted defeat by giving her a kiss on the cheek.

“My uncle is loyal though.”

“I know, that’s why I didn’t get rid of them like I did with some of the other families who were acting up. Your close relatives at least played nice and were willing to work together during Amarantha’s rule, instead of being hell-bent on destroying the court from the inside.” she exhaled, leaning against his chest, “How much longer do you think they’ll wait for results?”

Kallias sighed, “Until the problems we’re dealing with start impacting the flow of money into their pockets.”

“It already is.”

“Then we’re beginning to run out of time.” Kallias gently stroked Viviane’s stomach, trying to feel for the kicking babe, “Speaking of time, aren’t you due already?”

Everyone was asking the same questions.

“The healers said that the baby might come a bit late but we don’t have reason to worry yet.”

Kallias hummed, his worries not soothed. 

“Perhaps you should be resting then.” Kallias bit his tongue upon seeing his mate’s thunderous expression.

“Resting? With all the issues our court is facing?”

“Forgive me my lady for even suggesting such a bizarre notion.”

Viviane huffed.

“Please consider it Viv. I don’t want anything bad to happen to you or the child.” he kissed her neck, cupping her face carefully, holding his whole word in the palms of his hands, “You have looked more tired lately.”

She looked away from her mate, knowing he spoke the truth, “Fine, I’ll clear out the rest of my schedule for the evening.”

“Thank you.”

“However, I am not skipping Cosette’s visit.”

“Guess I cannot make you sit that out.”

“We both ordered a perfume, I want to receive my purchase in person too.”

“Of course.” Kallias kissed her hair.

This male has been desperate since they made their agreement to hold off on anything since the middle of her pregnancy.

Viviane got off his lap before they made any decisions they would regret.

“Cosette is going to be here at around 3. We should get going.”

Kallias nodded, standing up and taking Viviane's hand, beginning to lead them to the throne room when Viviane gently pulled on his arm, stopping him.

“Love?” he looked at her with a confused expression.

“We should meet her somewhere more casual.”

Kallias raised an eyebrow, following his mate to one of the rooms they used for meeting with emissaries or important guests, “Any particular reason?”

“Do you want to spook her by sitting on your throne?”

“No.”

“Then we meet her here.”

“Fair enough.” Kallias smirked, following Viviane’s lead he ordered one of the nearby guards to bring Cosette here instead of the throne room.

Viviane sat down on the couch, wrapping a blanket around herself.

This was much more comfortable than a throne.

“You know…you’re quite the manipulator when you want to be.”

“Whatever do you mean my love?” Viviane’s eyes narrowed mischievously.

“Easing the poor girl into a sense of security? Permitting Briar to be friends with her?”

“Oh please, Briar wanted to be friends with her long before we had a vested interest in that fae.”

“Yet you’re actively encouraging her to meet up with Cosette.”

“Just like you do too! Kal, don't call me out when you have tightened security around the streets that perfumer frequents.”

“Well I can’t have a visiting emissary try to steal a new talent away, can I?”

Viviane rolled her eyes.

An upbeat knock sounded on the door.

“Come in.” Kallias permitted.

Cosette stepped in, bowing “I greet the High Lord and Lady of Winter.”

“Please sit down.” Viviane gestured to the couch across them.

Neither ruler missed the way the fae’s eye scanned the room, taking in its icy opulence. Cosette quickly caught herself staring at the scenic paintings on the walls, and ornate furniture along the sides. 

She walked over to the couch Viviane had pointed to and sat down, the large window to their right made her blonde hair shine slightly. The fae wasn’t beautiful like many individuals Viviane had to interact with on a daily basis. Not that she wasn’t pretty. The term ‘cute’ might be a better way to describe her.

Cosette pulled off her cloak and sweaters before placing, and unwrapping before them a small, neatly packaged box, 

“I finished your custom orders. I apologize for the wait but I wanted to make sure that the scents were perfect before I presented them to you.”

Viviane’s eyes widened, the bottles were gorgeous. The first was a round bottle with the top designed like an iris flower, its petals curving outward, a few melting into the bottle’s body. The second bottle was taller, with the top being a pine tree, the branches of which were designed to look like ice shards.

If Viviane wasn’t confident in Cosette’s perfumery skills she would have been nervous. The perfumery street’s expensive stores were notorious for their gorgeous bottles and designs. It was a nice way of distracting the viewer from the atrocious smell for enough seconds to get them to make a purchase.

Noticing the presence of only two bottles, Viviane spoke up, “Will you be giving Briar’s perfume in person?”

“I am sorry, I haven't quite completed Briar’s perfume yet. I want to spend a bit more time with her before I decide what perfume would fit her best.”

Viviane was satisfied with that answer.

As long as Briar was happy and Cosette kept visiting them, this arrangement was acceptable.

“Did you commission a glassmaker for these?” Kallias picked up the pine tree bottle, examining it closely.

“Yes, there is this one glassworks shop in the center of the city. The first time I explored the capital I was enamored by the demonstrations they were doing in the window.”

“I assume the iris flower is for me?” Viviane picked up the other bottle.

“It is.” Cosette confirmed.

Viviane spritzed the perfume on her wrist. The scent was gentle, the primary note being iris but she could smell the subtle presence of the aster flower.

Kallias leaned over to take a small whiff, a smile spreading across his face.

“It smells good.”

Viviane hummed in agreement, “Cosette, may I ask why you selected the scents you did for this perfume?”

Kallias made eye contact with Viviane for a split second as he sat up straight again.

“Well, I wanted something that would compliment you visually, and the purple iris is perfect due to its regality. I also believe you to be a wise ruler that strikes hope and trust into the hearts of the Winter Court’s citizens. Hence, the usage of iris as the primary scent note.” Cosette spoke, “You are also the image of elegance and patience within Winter Court society that many ladies strive to learn from, so I included aster as an additional scent flavor.”

Viviane smiled.

Perfect answer.

Kallias tried his own cologne - a fresh musky, pine-like scent filling the air, with an undertone of rosemary. He nodded in approval, looking to Cosette for an explanation.

“During your visit you mentioned liking the smell of forests so I thought of Winter Court’s infamous snowy forests for inspiration, which led to me selecting cypress as the perfume’s primary scent due to its smell being reminiscent of a pine or cedar. I included rosemary for a eucalyptus undertone that contrasts the cypress's sweetness. With cypress representing eternity or specifically everlasting life, combined with rosemary being a symbol for remembrance, I believed them to be a good fit for the High Lord of eternal winter.”

Kallias hummed appreciatively, “You put a lot of thought into your work.”

“I want to deliver the best product I can.” Cosette smiled.

“We can see that.” Viviane said, “Your efforts are not going unnoticed.”

Whether they are in perfumery or other things. If the goal was to remain discreet you have failed. But, that’s okay, discretion is a skill we can teach you.

“Cosette, how is the farming project coming along?” Kallias set down his perfume bottle, leaning back on the couch.

“It’s going well. We sent out the first round of prototypes for testing to a farm yesterday.”

As we were told.

“Do you have enough people working on production? We have good artisans within the palace, and others that we can recommend inside the Forge district.” Kallias questioned.

“His father is assisting whenever he can but he’s currently ill, so no, not really.” Cosette hurriedly added, “I do plan on hiring more people personally once we get results back from this first test run.”

Solene was right, she is a smart girl. If she were to agree to our, or Amelio’s offers of assistance she would risk losing the extent of ownership she currently has over her little project. However, there is only so far she will get on her own.

Eventually, she will require the help of High Fae more and more. Something akin to a patron. I wonder when she will realize this?

Viviane brushed that question off.

She won’t need to realize anything if we’re smart about this.

“Would you like to stay for tea?” Viviane offered.

“I am afraid I can’t. I left the perfumery in Ophelia’s hands and I am worried about her having to handle everything by herself.” Cosette pulled on one of her sweaters, “Not that Ophelia isn’t competent, it’s just that it’s hard to handle a bunch of customers all by yourself.”

“Didn’t you have a male working for you as well?” Kallias raised an eyebrow.

“Theo? Yeah, but he’s currently working on the farming project, so he has no time to help us out at the moment.” Cosette smiled awkwardly, “I really need to hire more workers but I haven’t had the time to.”

“Well, good luck at the perfumery then.” Viviane didn’t pressure. They would be seeing more of each other soon anyways.

“Here is the payment for the perfumes.” Kallias pushed forward an envelope.

“Thank you.” Cosette said, pocketing the money.

“Are you cold?” Viviane tilted her head, watching Cosette as she pulled on yet another sweater.

The poor thing is as bundled up as Day or Summer Court emissaries whenever they visited.

“Yeah, I have a weak constitution so I dress warmly.” the blonde explained, putting on her hat and scarf.

“I presume you’re not from Winter Court then?” Viviane asked.

Solene had mentioned that the girl was from a village in the Faerie Lands.

“No, I am from a village in a central forest of the Faerie Lands.”

“What’s the weather like there?” Kallias smiled.

“Warmer.” Cosette smiled, the expression slightly stiff, “It’s not snowing all year round.”

Kallias chuckled, “Well, don’t freeze on us.”

“Yes, please take care of your health.” Viviane agreed.

“I am trying to Your Majesties.”

Cosette bowed, leaving the meeting room, with one of the guards escorting her away.

“Well, thoughts?” Viviane leaned back as well, matching her husband’s energy.

Kallias responded after a minute of thinking, a hand resting on his chin, “She has the behavior of a business fae that I would like on our side. Not only does she have good ideas, but she’s calm and collected when questioned. Many fae would get too nervous before giving as eloquent an explanation as she gave.”

Well, let’s give our faeries some credit here. It’s not that they don’t know things, they just have stage fright before their literal rulers. Cosette wasn’t from Winter Court and thus didn’t feel the same way towards us. It hardly seemed fair to be so harsh in the assessment.

“She’s adamant on refusing help or relying on resources from others though.”

“Not adamant enough. She hasn’t pushed Amelio, or us away.” Kallias argued, “Cosette is keeping a respectable distance but that’s just because she’s wary. Wariness is a good thing in business. It keeps a fae smart. Wouldn’t you be disappointed if she was a pushover?”

“I guess that’s true.” Viviane agreed.

“Sooner or later she will need to accept our help, or one of our close supporter’s help as otherwise she won’t be able to grow.” Kallias stood up, pacing the room, “Alliances are key to success within such work. We offer her the perfect connections to expand her business.”

Viviane let her husband ramble, her eyes tracking his fluid movements. 

“I shall invite her to the palace personally. If we are planning on truly bringing her into High Fae society we will need to prepare her not only to handle the conniving words of politicians but the behavior of business fae.” Kallias thought aloud, “We have quarterly meetings with the trades faeries of our court. I can teach her the basics of our economy and commerce over lunch. Then, invite her to said meeting which gives her the opportunity to create new connections due to our help.”

“Who’s the manipulator now?”

“Oh hush, you’re scheming just as much as I am.”

“Of course I am.” Viviane confirmed, sitting up, the blanket previously wrapped around her falling down slightly, “I will invite her over for tea with my close friends, but before that she will need to be taught etiquette. I am sure Briar will not mind having a friend join her in her studies.”

Kallias walked back over to Viviane, kissing her, “I love your mind.”

“And I love yours.”

Viviane found her appetite lacking as she stared down at the delicious spread before her. Kallias kept casting glances at her as he ate the pork on his plate, and Briar nearly devoured the plate as well, hungry from all the training earlier that day.

“Viv,” he stared gently, “Can you try to eat at least a couple bites?”

“I am really not hungry, Kallias.” she sighed, putting her head in her hands. She felt so tired, wanting nothing more than to collapse into bed and hopefully sleep. The baby in her stomach had decided that his mother did not require sleep as he kept kicking her awake in the middle of the night yesterday.

“What about some juice then?” he offered her a glass of apple juice, which she reluctantly took and began sipping.

Briar nodded, her expression concerned, “Are you okay Viviane?”

“Yeah I am fine, just need to rest.” Viviane gave the human a smile, following Kallias’s lead out of their private dining room.

Her mate carefully supported her as they walked to their shared bedroom, the walk taking a lot more out of Viviane then she would have liked to admit.

Seeing her exhaustion, Kallias winnowed them straight onto the bed.

“Kal, you didn’t have to.” Viviane sighed, tugging off her dress.

“You look like you were about to collapse if you walked another step.” Kallias murmured, giving her a nightgown and helping her change into it, “What kind of male do you take me for? To allow my partner to walk in that state?”

Viviane rolled her eyes, snuggling up to him, “You should save your energy.”

“Ha, for what?” Kallias chuckled, “For paperwork?”

“Exactly, or a number of other courtly duties.”

“Well, if I am banned from using my magic, then I shall have to carry my beautiful lady like I did on the night of our mating ceremony.”

“You’re impossible.”

“No, I am persistent.” Kallias smiled, leaning over and capturing Viaine’s lips, “Let me take care of you love, please.”

“But I am okay.” she kissed back, sighing as his hands wrapped around her, playing with her hair, his body hovering inches above hers.

“You ran this court all by yourself for fifty years, let me be here for you now.” Kallias moved his kisses down her neck to her collarbone.

Viviane wrapped her hands around his neck, pulling him closer so they were now touching.

“We agreed to not do anything until the baby was born.” Kallias whispered, moving his kisses back up her neck.

“Well the baby has decided to stick around for longer, so why do-” Viviane gasped.

“Viv? What is it? What’s wrong?” Kallias immediately sat up, trying to see what caused her reaction.

“My water broke.” she stared at her mate, “The baby is coming.”

“Holy shit.” Kallias quickly got off the bed, before rushing back into bed to fix the blankets and pillows around Viviane to make her more comfortable, “I am going to call for the healers, I will be right back. Alright?”

Viviane simply nodded, countless thoughts racing through her mind. Kallias winnowed away leaving her alone.

Was the baby going to be healthy? Was it a boy or girl? Was her not eating that evening going to be bad? Who was going to change the sheets? 

Wait, Kallias. I want him here. 

Why was he not here?

As soon as the thoughts of panic had begun to creep up the familiar presence returned along with a couple others. 

She grabbed for the familiar hand that gently squeezed hers. Soft lips pressing against her fingers.

“I am back. I am here.” Kallias reassured her as the healers busied themselves around her, checking her vitals.

“Everything seems in order.” the older healer spoke, looking at his rulers, “Now we just wait.”

“How long?” Viviane asked.

“A while.”

As soon as Viviane heard the baby’s cries she relaxed against the pillows, Kallias wiping away her tears.

“You did it. You’re okay.” he murmured softly, not letting go of her hand.

Viviane nodded, unable to stop smiling at the small body that was being carried away to be wrapped up.

“Congratulations, it’s a girl.” the head healer smiled, taking the child to a changing table.

Viviane tensed when the child disappeared from view.

Where did she go?

She gripped the sheets of the bed, ice covering the top slightly.

“Bring her back!” she cried.

“Love, they’re just putting her in a blanket.” Kallias tried to calm his mate through gritted teeth. It didn’t help that he himself was restraining the urge to deck the healer for taking the child away but he knew it was necessary. 

The two only relaxed when the doctor returned with the child in his arms.

Viviane snatched the baby back, practically growling at the healer who took a step back for his own safety. Kallias waved a hand dismissively, the healer and his assistants getting the message and disappearing out the door.

The babe sniffled as Viviane shushed and soothed her, gently rocking her back and forth.

“Hi little one.” Viviane felt tears in her eyes, “It’s me. Do you recognize me?”

The baby cried.

“Please don’t cry, or I’ll cry too.”

Kallias wiped Viviane’s tears away, settling in on the bed beside his mate.

“You’re so beautiful.” Viviane gently stroked the child’s cheek as she slowly calmed.

The fireplace crackled, while the wintry winds howled outside, beginning to paint the large windows of their bedroom.

“Her name is Lumi.” Viviane stated, brooking no argument.

Kallias reached out to gently stroke the child’s head, “Hello Lumi. Welcome home.”

That night the winds in Winter Court picked up, and snow covered every inch of open space; celebrating the arrival of a new fae child. 

Next: Chapter 26 - Toxic Tea

Back: Chapter 24 - Pointy Stick of Doom

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[kirasworldofwords]

17 for Nico H., Checo, or Michael?

Me getting a chance to write Michael Schumacher?? Hell to the yes, I'm doing it- Also, because I love all three of them, I'm gonna set the stage in 2012, with baby Nico, baby Checo and Michael functioning as their sort of dad, lmao. 🙌🏻

Prompt 17: Tending to an injury/wound/illness

"Ow...!"

"Hold still, Checo, I know it hurts... It'll be over soon, I promise."

"If only you didn't crash into me, Pérez, then we wouldn't be in this situation right now..."

"Nico, bitte. Stop."

"It's true!"

Michael sighed in exhaustion. Having to tend to one injured grid-mate apparently wasn't enough for the universe - it gave him two instead.

And they bickered like children.

"I told you my brake ripped, mate! It's not my fault the mechanics forgot to look at the braking system!"

The older German gently patted Sergio's shoulder to tell him to calm down again, which... worked for about five seconds - time that Nico needed to think of a response to offset the young Mexican again.

"That's your team, though! You could've told them to check your whole car once more before the race!"

Sergio grit his teeth in anger and growled under his breath at the accusation. What luck he wasn't teammates with that guy...

"Yeah, next time your car suddenly fails and you crash into someone without you wanting to, I'll say that to you as well, Hulkenberg."

"Try me, bitch."

Both rookies flinched when something loud suddenly crashed next to them, a booming voice quickly following.

"Nico, Sergio, be quiet just for once! I'm trying to concentrate on treating your wounds!"

The younger German driver swallowed thickly. He had never seen Michael this angry before... It was definitely a sight he wouldn't forget that easily anymore, and one he wished to never see again at the same time.

"Sorry, Michael."

"Perdóname..."

The older driver sighed, crossing his arms in front of his chest. These two were lucky that he had a son himself, as well as a daughter, and the two liked to bicker as much as his two grid-mates did.

"Seriously, how old are you two again? You're both in your 20's, I thought. Why are you acting like my tween kids? You're better than that."

The two young drivers fell silent and stared at the ground, heads cast in different direction as they did so. One twiddled with his thumbs, the other bounced his leg - and Michael would've been lying if he said he didn't see his kids in these two.

Nico was a lot like Mick. Sturdy, but also often as stubborn as a donkey. Meanwhile, Sergio was like Gina. Kind and gentle, unless someone provoked him, then he'd have the real potential to flip, no problem.

His facial features softened, and he smiled, chuckled, and shook his head slowly.

"You two... You really do remind me a lot of my kids."

Nico and Sergio looked at each other, probably imagining what it would be like if they were truly brothers, before they smirked at one another first, then at Michael.

"Is that why you always take extra care of us? Because you see yourself as our sort of 'grid-dad'?"

The Mercedes driver stopped in his tracks and stared at the bandage he was just about to wrap around Nico's busted ankle. He... did act a lot like their father, didn't he? Was that why Fernando always teased him like that...?

"... Don't push it, Hulk."

His younger grid-mate laughed loudly at that, a broad, boisterous laugh that Sergio couldn't help chiming in on. They knew - they so knew. And it may have taken Michael a moment or two, but he soon smiled and quietly laughed along, going back to wrapping the bandage around Nico's ankle.

Once he was tended to (Nico then proceeded to sit there twisting his ankle in circles just to see if it would hurt), Michael turned his attention towards Sergio, taking the disinfectant bottle and using it to carefully wipe away the dirt that had accumulated in the wound on the Mexican driver's elbow. The small scrape on his knee had already been taken care of, a bandaid sitting idly on top of the bleeding spot, holding back any and all debris that could threaten to make its way back into the open wound.

Upon the disinfectant touching base on Sergio's elbow, however, he hissed, squeezed an eye shut, and jerked his arm back - but Michael firmly held him in place.

"Hier geblieben." (Stay here.)

He carefully placed a cotton patch on the open spot, instructing the young Mexican to hold it there whilst he went ahead and wrapped a bandage around his elbow, fixing it with two strips of tape. After inspecting his little handiwork for a bit, Michael nodded to himself with a self-sufficient smile and stood up again, groaning at the way his bones cracked.

He was seriously getting too old for this...

Regardless, the baron reached a hand up and first ran it through Nico's hair before he did the same with Sergio's, both of them grinning crookedly at their grid-mate.

"Alright, that should be it. You're good to go. But don't choke each other, yes? The sport still needs you."

Both drivers gave each other lopsided smiles before they got up from their sitting positions at the same time, going in to hug Michael as thanks for his help - Michael was taken aback first, of course, but he quickly smiled and hugged them back before sending them on their ways, waving after them shortly.

A snicker came from the doorway behind him after Nico and Sergio left.

"I always knew you were like a father to them, Schu."

Michael sighed in resignation at the voice.

"Do me a favor, and just shut up for a while, Fernando."

[acourtofthought]

Elain's gift for Cassian:

Elain's gift for Nesta:

Elain's gift for Azriel:

Listen, I love my girls sense of humor but I wouldn't say her gift for Azriel is all that inspired or meaningful 😂

This is the second year she's given Azriel a gift at Solstice and while it's kind that she got him anything at all, there's no hints within the actual gift itself that there's been a developing of feelings on her part since last Solstice. We know that Elain has shared a few glances and lingering touches with Az but that can easily be interpreted as lust considering Helion and Mor shared the same before hooking up in ACOWAR. I've yet to see any proof on her end of love for Azriel.

Anti's like to throw it in our faces that she hasn't given Lucien any gift while giving one to Az but Elain gets everyone a gift. We've seen her get something for the twins, Az, Cassian, Nesta, Feyre and though it's not specifically mentioned because SJM isn't going to waste time telling us what every single character gave to every single person, she does make blanket statements like, "The others passed around their gifts" so chances are good that if Elain got Nesta, Feyre, the twins and Az gifts that first Solstice (when Az got her nothing at all), she also got gifts for the others.

And Elain not getting Lucien a gift isn't the big insult they think it is.

Indifference is where you're so unbothered by someone that their presence doesn't effect you at all. It doesn't cause you to change how you act, it doesn't cause you to treat that particular person differently than the others.

If we saw indifference coming from Elain in regards to Lucien, it might be proof of Elain having no feelings for Lucien but that's not what we're seeing.

We really have no idea why she's behaving the way she is but when Feyre started out legitimately fearful of Rhys then hated him then became friends with him then fell in love with him and Nesta expressed disdain towards Cassian only to pretty much confess her undying love and loyalty to him only to then sleep with many other males after that (telling Cassian she wanted no part of him) to later ending up mated to him, it's safe to say that Elain being withdrawn when Lucien is around isn't as cut and dry as some make it out to be. We're all just guessing exactly why that is but let's not pretend the only option is "she hates him and will always hate him!"

If SJM is going to have Elain reject the bond, does anyone think that looks like Elain ignoring Lucien for the rest of her days? Not getting him a gift while getting everyone else one? He's still Feyre's friend, the NC looks at him as an important person in terms of the alliances he can bring to their door and he does currently work for the IC which means he'll remain a presence in their lives at various points. If E/riel ends up together, don't you think we're at least going to see Elain and Lucien behaving kindly towards one another? If she were truly afraid, he wouldn't be allowed within an inch of her so that means her current state when he's around is not going to be her permanent state when he's around. Lucien isn't being written as the bad guy here which means SJM is not going to create a scenario where two main characters are forever awkward around one another and Azriel throws a pity party for himself every time Lucien is in the room.

The only thing that Elain not getting Lucien a gift when she gets everyone else one does is create a dam of tension between them that's going to eventually break and I'm not sure anti's are going to like where Elucien stands once they get all wet 😉

[elevatorladylady]

Critical Reread - Chapter 18

Join me on a reread of A Court of Frost and Starlight

Chapter 18 - F/eyre

Lucien comes to visit. F/eyre finds out what the bat boys are up to.

“The last Solstice I’d experienced had been at the Spring Court. With Ianthe. And Tamlin.”

I really wish we knew more about what they did for Winter Solstice.

“Both trying to lead the humans who occupied the sliver of land at the southernmost end of Prythian. Left ungoverned for so long. Too long. No king or queen remained in these lands. No memory of their name, their lineage.”

This is the laziest world building ever.

“I wondered if the humans had taken to using only lord as a title thanks to the High Fae who lurked above the wall.”

What is F/eyre on about? Why would the humans adopt anything from the fae at this point? They probably still hate the fae.

“Vassa and Jurian are two sides of the same coin.”

Remember when F/eyre said this about her and Nesta because she didn’t actually begrudge her sister as much as the fandom does.

“You could come live here, is all I’m saying,” I pushed. “Truly live here, stay in Velaris for longer than a few days at a time. We could get you nicer quarters—”

She really wants everyone to love Velaris the way she does, doesn’t she?

“Lucien got to his feet. “I don’t need your charity.” I rose as well. “But Jurian and Vassa’s is fine?”

This is such a rude thing to say to someone who already feels like they are being offered something out of pity or obligation.

“Friends, I realized. They had somehow become his friends. “So you’d rather stay with them?”

Why can’t Lucien have friends outside of F/eyre? They aren’t that close. Did she expect him to completely fold into her life despite the fact that her life offers very little to Lucien?

“That you now feel more comfortable with humans than with the High Fae. If you ask me—”

And what is this bullshit? First of all, isn’t she supposed to be better than the fae that think they are better than humans? Second, she was human for all but one year of her life. Third, Lucien let himself be tortured to protect his human friend, F/eyre. 

“It seems like you’ve decided to fall in with two people without homes of their own as well.”

Why does F/eyre even say this? Is it because she does actually know that Lucien can’t feel at home in Velaris? To remind him of the home that has crumbled because of her actions? Or to suggest that Jurian and Vassa aren’t people worthy of being chosen as friends, just a bad crowd that he “fell in” with.

“You have a name for yourselves.” I fought my incredulous tone.”

Rich coming from a girl who was starry eyed over R/hysand’s telling her about his Court of Dreams.

“But I asked, “And what, exactly, does this Band of Exiles plan to do? Host events? Organize party-planning committees?”

He just told her about all of the work they were doing in the human lands. 

“Lucien’s metal eye clicked faintly and narrowed. “You can be as much of an asshole as that mate of yours, you know that?” True. I sighed again. “I’m sorry. I just—”

I feel like this is meant to absolve F/eyre of being an asshole just because she acknowledged it was true.

“I’d created that rift. Ripped it apart with my own two hands. I didn’t quite feel guilty enough to warrant apologizing for it. Not yet. Possibly not ever.”

Again, acknowledgement without accountability.

“You will need Tamlin as an ally before the dust has settled. Tread carefully.” I didn’t want to think about it, consider it, today. Any day. “My business with him is done.”

Lucien is one of the few people in this story with any sense. Of course they would need Tamlin, and F/eyre cannot avoid him forever if she actually wants to do anything for human/fae relations as High Lady.

“I’m sorry to have caused him trouble, R/hys said.”

I don’t think R/hys would have done anything differently if he knew it would cause Lucien trouble.

“Despite this Band of Exiles bullshit.”

I guess having friends is bullshit. Oh wait, sorry, friends outside of the IC is bullshit.

“I don’t like to see either of you unhappy.”

This is a good spot for F/eyre to land with Elucien.

“Let him live with his Band of Exiles. Let him deal with Tamlin in his own way. Let him figure out where he wants to be. Who he wants to be. The same goes with her.”

Good advice coming from Mor.

“I arched a brow. “And you—are you happy?”

Are we actually going to understand anything about Mor’s interior life when we get to her book?

[aestheticvoyage2023]

Day 360: Tuesday December 26, 2023 - "Huckleberry Appreciation"

This post contributed by Audrie:

Our Huckle-Buckle-Berry-Good-Boy

It was a few years ago (maybe 2019) when I really started to think about and maifest the concept of actualizing a new four legged friend into our lives.  Afterall, it had been a really spectacular run as a duo and then a trio; from 2009 it was just me and the cheese-dog, then in 2014 Jake joined our duo to make our family.  And so went our tro status quo for more than 6 years.  And with the 2019 practice house in the old pueblo, and the 2020 pandemic pressure that caused us to leap into home ownership and baby making mode almost simultaneously, my maternal instincts were on high alert looking forward to and calling out the universe gods to send us our next four legged family member.  And lowe and behold, in September of 2020 our huckle-boy fell into our lap.  We would have to wait a couple months to pick him up and bring him home with a close early life shave with puppy parvo, but thankfully to a loving and lovely foster family we had our berry boy on his way home to us around halloween.  Havarti, we think, was thrilled at first, but then concerned when he learned that this sweet red hound we brought home and tagged was not a visitor but a permanent sibling brought here with loving intention to stay.  The two of them got along as one would expect an old steady seasoned grandpa and a young energetic whipper-snap to.  One had all the patience and one had all the play.  Thinking back on these two, it's not all that different than thinking about the way the puzzle pieces between William and his Great Grandpa Acton fit together instantly.  They just go. In a flow that nobody could have ever predicted and somehow made perfect sense.  

We lost our best good Cheese-Boy this past summer, and in so, Huckleberry lost his brother, his mentor, his papa-dog, and his every day play, snuggle, meal, lounge, cuddle mate.  The loss for us with Havarti was immense, and to think about the loss from Huckleberry's perspective feels immeasurable.  Havarti was his world.  His mentor. His model. 

We saw major changes with Huck as soon as Havarti passed.  Our trazodone doped anxious animal mellowed too with the loss of Havarti's heartbeat.  So we stopped drugging him on the daily.  Huckleberry seemed to process Havarti's passing so much like any human would grieve the loss of a sibling, friend, mentor, family member.  And as the months and life have begrudgingly moved on without our best cheesy boy, we have also been witness to the best good boy Huckleberry has been that we never fully expected him to become.  

We already knew he was good and patient and trustworthy with William, but once Havarti passed, we saw extra caution come into his play and movement around our toddling boy -- And extra patience and calm presence held down by his more relaxed body and energy through the days and the weeks and the months that passed after Havart's passing.  

And as we have moved through the fall and into the holiday winter months here at the finca, inching the days closer and closer to the stocking stuffers and the package unwraps around our strange human seasonal traditions, we have been able to just sit back in awe of our Huckle-nuckle-good-berry-boy, and see him truly come into himself.  At about age 3.5 now, shedding his puppyness and stepping powerfully into his Humancompanionness, he has caused pause many a moment through our bustling Christmas season to honor, acknowledge and praise this new best-good-boy of the house.  And as hard as it is to say we have another best good dog in our life, with the utmost respect to the most wonderful predecessor before him, we see more and more of Havarti's slow patient wise being and compassion come out of our wild Huckleberry as the months move on; we see more stretchy legs and lazy dog couch days that make us think about the good life Huckleberry has had, has learned, and has ahead of him as William's best bud and furry compadre.  

We have caught ourselves in awe of this sweet rescue pup, that happened into our lives, made a home in our hearts, and laps, with giggles, and kisses, and head hugs, and good boy snuggles.  And I have to pinch myself sometimes at the beauty of the best good boys that surround me in my home.  Huckleberry following in those very big puppy shoes, filling them up, far better than any expectation we could have set.      

Song: Elton John - Step Into Christmas

Quote: "We were together, I forget the rest." ~ Walt Whitman

[cattatonically]

Raiden - Jaclyn Osborn (Sons of the Fallen, book 6)

Synopsis

More. A word Raiden knows very well. Cursed with the deadly sin of Gluttony, his voracious appetite is legendary. Nothing is ever enough to fill the emptiness inside him. Until he meets the one man who satiates that hunger. But with the war between angels and demons escalating, it’s not exactly the best time to fall in love.

Then again, fate never follows the rules.

As the son of a fallen angel, Titan leads a guarded life. Being a soldier is all he knows. Keeping his emotions locked away. But then he meets a silly, handsome, and warm-hearted man with a dimpled grin and weakness for pizza, and his guard begins to slip. Raiden is everything good in this world. And for the first time, Titan thinks falling in love may be worth the risk of possible heartbreak later on.

The bond between fated mates is powerful. A sweet indulgence that can make even the darkest of days seem brighter. Can Raiden and Titan embrace their bond with the fate of the world in the balance? Or will their romance fade before it even truly begins?

Raiden is Book 6 in the Sons of the Fallen series. You’ll find a ridiculous amount of pizza, cavity-inducing romantic sweetness, swordplay, fun on the beach, and two oblivious dorks who bond over their mutual love of food. Each book features a different main couple, but the series must be read in order. HEA guaranteed.

My Thoughts

Raiden is incredibly endearing. He’s the caretaker of his family, and his love language is food. He will happily, and lovingly, feed his family at all times. It also helps that Raiden is the avatar of Gluttony – food, drink, sex, activity, Raiden likes to do everything in excess. Except fully express his feelings towards Titan.

Titan has been crushing on Raiden since Raiden saved his life after a tough battle against Asa. But Raiden always seemed, well, oblivious. But the more time they spend together, the more obvious it is that they truly balance each other out. And they support each other.

They didn’t mean to fall in love basically on the cusp of a potentially world-ending war, but they did. And while they didn’t necessarily fall fast, they definitely fell hard. Raiden has already proven he would be above and beyond for Raiden, now it’s Titan who shows Raiden the exact same thing.

The closer we get to the climax, the more anxiety I have while reading. It’s been no secret that the angels do not care for Nephilim as a whole, but in particular they’re downright hostile to the Fallen Sons. Yet the fallen sons are expected to grovel for being treated with basic decency. I hate it. But the alternative is watching the world burn, and none of them really want that.

As the fallen sons struggle with this, quite franky, abusive cognitive dissonance, they do have an advantage now – their eighth brother, Kallias.

We’re nearing the end of the series, and I’m anticipating that I’m going to be on the edge of my seat pretty much through every page turn. Alistair has intrigued me from the beginning. Viewing the final battle from his perspective could not be more fitting.

[midorikittykun]

Not so explicitly thinking about that but now I am. 😭 Also, I think it's so interesting how Izzy as a mentor/father figure has come up via David Jenkins and accordingly fan analysis. Ed's dad was obviously his original attachment disturbance/trauma and Hornigold I think is undisputably an actual father figure (where Ed gained even MORE trauma, learned what being a pirate and captain was, where he eventually apparently fratboy-style trauma-bonded with crewmates like Calico Jack) but I really don't see Izzy as a "father figure" based on what we see of their relationship. I think the TRANSFERENCE is there but very different dynamics from the first two.

The idea of transference through a trauma-lens is what really makes sense of the mechanics of Ed & Izzy's relationship, in my opinion. Ed technically holds more power in the relationship as the boss, and Ed & Izzy were friends and maybe even equals at points in their past. But Izzy's demeanor and treatment of Ed really REMINDS Ed of his father/Hornigold and brings up those old feelings (if even subconsciously) and that's what's REALLY triggering for him. We see this in Stede with the Badmintons' verbal/emotional abuse paralleling his father's as well. And I don't see people saying the Badmintons were "father figures" to Stede.

Transference is also why when Ed really starts letting loose on Izzy with violence, in his Kraken Era, I think Ed is partially (A) giving Izzy what he asked for and it backfires on Izzy spectacularly AND (B) Izzy has triggered Ed badly enough (in the wake of a break-up that has already predisposed Ed to be heartbroken and vulnerable and struggling with his identity more than ever and absolutely REELING emotionally) that he's become a "surrogate" father of sorts, through transference, that he finally has the power to fight back against. Izzy has opened the door for all that anger at his father and Hornigold (and himself) to really come out, and I think that projection comes on top of the very real anger Ed feels toward Izzy for his tangible and emotional betrayals. But, in reality, given their ACTUAL power dynamic, Ed is really just beating up on Izzy, who doesn't fight back. To Ed, in pure despair and self-hatred and survival mode and emotional dysregulation, feeling like he has zero access to (doesn't even feel like he DESERVES) emotional safety and comfort, however, I think he really may be seeing it as protecting himself from Izzy's original threats because he just feels SO emotionally unsafe and puts up that wall of numbness, and violence, and indifference to hide it. (Then ultimately gives up and starts goading the crew to put him out of his misery.) BUT Izzy there becomes a sort of placeholder for abusive father figures from Ed's past because Izzy's treatment of him was awful and made Ed FEEL similarly, not because Ed actually sees him as a father. Hence, "I loved you the best I could," given those circumstances.

I don't really see Izzy as Ed's "mentor" figure either. I think, thematically for the show, he kind of falls into that archetype because it's one of the closest tropes available but it doesn't capture the full nuance of the complexity of their relationship at all. Like I've said before (agreeing wholeheartedly with another one of @asneakyfox's posts on the matter), I truly TRULY believe Stede saying "Blackbeard said you taught him everything he knows" is 100% Stede kissing ass to get pirate skill lessons and I don't think Ed ever told him anything like that at all. Maybe that he's learned some things from Izzy, sure, but I'm positive nothing about teaching him "everything he knows" ever fell out of Ed's mouth. As others have pointed out too (definitely saw @stedebonnetsbignaturals's comment in the tags), Izzy says he was "honored to work for the great Blackbeard" indicating the Ed was already at his peak before Izzy became his first mate, so..."mentor"...? No.

Izzy is ultimately the second half of Blackbeard (keeping Ed tethered to the role beyond when he grew so tired of it) and, while giving Ed permission to "just be Ed" may come off as father or mentor-like without full context, it doesn't ring true to actually describe his role in their dynamic. Izzy was Ed's friend, first mate, second half of the Blackbeard role/persona, and per Ed's words, a part of his "family." They were also VERY unhealthily/toxicly enmeshed and co-dependent, a dynamic that doesn't begin to resolve itself until they fully split apart emotionally post-gravy basket and develop more as individuals. Izzy finally sets Ed free to be himself after repeatedly dragging him down into a role he'd grown to really despise.

So we see Izzy very purposefully paralleled to Ed's dad and Hornigold (and even Pop-pop I guess??) but he's overall really a very unique figure in Ed's life compared to all the others.

you ever think about how the felix story was thrown into 2x03 just to make it clear that harming people ed cares about in front of him while ed has to watch is something all three of ed's shitty father figures have done?

have you ever tried rewatching 1x06 - not just the flashbacks to ed's childhood but also specifically the duel scene right afterward, where izzy is about to kill stede and ed just sort of freezes up strangely and stands there looking away kind of stimming - with that in mind?

[mypoisonedvine]

vignettes of a bond || alpha!bucky barnes x omega!reader

I originally wrote this in two parts for my sleepover but after I realized how long it accidentally became, I've reformatted it, added/changed a few things, and made into a oneshot!

word count: 3.1k

warnings: smut, angst, knotting, violence

June 2nd, 1943, 11:43 p.m., James Barnes’ bedroom

“I wanna do it, before I go,” he whispered against your skin. “But I know it’s wrong. It’s too cruel.”

“No, please,” you whimpered, “I want it. I want your mark.”

Bucky pulled back for a moment and you examined your Alpha’s face carefully, knowing it might be the last time for a long time. “I couldn’t bond to you and then leave you. It wouldn’t be fair… you deserve to find somebody who can stay, and be with you, and protect you.”

“All I want is you,” you whispered. “Please, Alpha… bite me.”

You saw him hesitate for a moment before he leaned in and sucked at your neck, building the anticipation before he finally sunk his teeth into your skin and you cried out, one single tear rolling down your cheek. “Mine,” he growled against your skin as he lapped at the healing wound, “my Omega. Forever.”

“Yours, only yours,” you agreed eagerly.

It wasn’t the first time Bucky had taken you, but that night he really and truly claimed you, left you a desperate begging mess, stretched out over his knot as he filled you over and over.

The next morning, you were still sore between your legs as well as on your new mark, and it took everything in you to be strong as you saw him off at the train station, waving goodbye and praying that your Alpha would return to you soon.

November 9th, 1943, 2:24 p.m., undercover SHIELD facility

“You promised Bucky you’d take care of me,” you reminded him with a little smile, wiping a tear from your cheek.

“I know,” Steve relented, “but we both know I can’t do that. Not in this state. But maybe I can protect you if I do this. Maybe I can protect my country. I owe it to everyone, especially Bucky, to try.”

You nodded. “But I’ll miss you.”

“I’ll miss you too. Come see me before I ship out for good, alright?”

“Of course,” you agreed.

December 27th, 1943, 8:32 a.m., your front porch

“You’re lying,” you gasped as you shook your head. “You’re wrong, no, it’s not true.”

“It is,” Steve promised as tears welled in his eyes, “I’m so so sorry, I saw it myself, I had to watch him fall…”

“It’s not true! He’s not dead!”

“I know he loved you so much. He talked about every day, he couldn’t wait to come home to you,” Steve remembered, choking up noticeably. “But he won’t. He’s gone.”

“You don’t understand, I know, okay? I know.”

“You’re in shock, I understand, it’s hard to lose your mate—”

“You’re a beta, you wouldn’t understand,” you dismissed; sure, he looked like an alpha now, but it didn’t make a difference. “Omegas, we know when our Alpha dies, we feel it, it kills us. He’s far away, but he’s still there, I still feel him!”

Steve held you as you sobbed, your body crumpling into his arms. Sometimes you thought maybe he held you too tight on accident because he was still getting used to his new strength; other times you thought he did it on purpose.

February 3rd, 1944, 12:00 p.m., undercover SHIELD facility

“Even when I had nothing, I had Steve,” you recalled shakily, “and now he’s gone too.”

“Is that why you’re volunteering?” Agent Carter asked you. “Because you’d rather sleep for a hundred years than live without your mate and your best friend?”

“I’m volunteering because my mate and my best friend died for SHIELD,” you corrected firmly, “and if I’m not willing to also, then I’m admitting I think they went to waste.”

“Steve told me you didn’t think Bucky was dead,” Peggy remembered.

You winced. “I’m not sure. But I know he’s not coming home again. I came here to give whatever I could to help find him… I was asked to participate in a cryogenics research study. If it helps him, then I’ll do it.”

She was about to get up, apparently satisfied with your final interview, but you stopped her.

“On one condition,” you added. “If James Barnes is found, alive or dead, wake me up to see him.”

She nodded, stepping out of the room and leaving you alone again.

May 8th, 2012, SHIELD headquarters

“Can you hear me?”

You slowly blinked awake, your vision taking a moment to catch up with your mind. You saw tubes coming out of your arms; you saw Steve above you, looking like the day you saw him last.

“Did you find Bucky?” you asked instantly. Why else would they wake you up?

“No,” Steve answered, seemingly a bit disappointed that that was your first and only question.

“Then put me back to sleep,” you demanded.

“It’s been 68 years,” he told you. “You’ve slept for 68 years. It’s time to wake up.”

And you did, more than you ever wanted to, because you realized you couldn’t feel him anymore. Your Alpha was gone. Worse, he probably died while you were asleep; he probably died alone.

One more time, like he had 68 years ago, Steve held you while you sobbed.

August 1st, 2014, 2:11 a.m., Avengers compound, Steve Rogers’ quarters

You ran into Steve’s room barefoot and still in your pajamas, barreling through the door and right into his bed.

“Steve, I feel him!” you rushed.

“What?” he groaned sleepily, looking up at you as he blinked in confusion.

“I feel him again, he’s alive,” you explained. “I know it. He’s weak… he’s hurting… but he’s there.”

“That’s impossible,” Steve shook his head. “It’s been too long, he would’ve died of old age anyways.”

“Don’t you want to believe it? Don’t you want to think he’s out there?”

“Do I want to think he’s alone and I didn’t save him?” Steve hissed. “No, I can’t say that I particularly do!”

“But we still can, Steve, we just have to find h—”

But before you could finish, the feeling left you, and you were just half of something again.

“Oh,” you breathed.

“He’s gone again?” Steve realized.

You nodded, biting your lip as it started to quiver. He sighed and pulled you into a hug. “If I could just see his body, and know it was over,” you whispered, “if I could just bury him, have a funeral…”

“We’ll have one,” Steve decided, “after this mission. We’ll put him to rest. He deserves that, and so do you.”

You nodded into his shoulder. It shattered you into a million pieces but it was still the better option, to try to let him go in whatever small way you could. He would always, always, always be your Alpha, nothing could change that, but a funeral would at least bring some closure.

That would have to wait until after your next mission though… and it was going to be a big one: tracking the elusive Winter Soldier.

August 3rd, 2014, 1:14 p.m., Lower East side

You were a few blocks away, helping civilians escape the firefight, when you felt it.

For one impossibly brief moment, you felt him, stronger than you had in nearly 80 years. He was here.

You instantly got up and ran like you’d never run before, finding the Soldier and Steve locked in a brutal showdown— but his mask was gone now, and you nearly fell to your knees at the sight of him.

“Bucky!” you yelped, but you knew he wasn’t there or you would’ve felt his presence. Your Alpha was somewhere underneath the shell that wore his face, and you needed to find him.

You ran forward just as Steve made a break for it, getting to him just in time to stand between the Soldier and his mission.

“Alpha, please,” you whimpered, clutching at his chest. A metal hand backhanded you to the ground.

“Out of my way, Omega,” he growled, stepping over you, but you grabbed at his ankles even when he tried to kick you away.

“My mark,” you explained hastily, pulling your shirt down some to make sure it was visible. “It’s yours. Do you remember? You gave me this. This is your mark on me.”

He stared down at you, seeming to be contemplating it, and you scrambled back to your feet and faced him.

“I still feel you,” you whispered. “I knew you were alive, I knew you’d come back to me. I could feel you, right here,” you explained as you took his hand and placed it on your chest. “Could you feel me? Did you know I was waiting for you all this time?”

His eyes were watering but he still seemed confused— stunned, more specifically, as you placed your hand on his chest.

“I’ll always be yours, Bucky. I’ll always be your Omega, no matter where you are.”

A stun gun took you down, an array of masked men appeared, and before he could really see you for what you were, he was dragged away and taken to be erased again.

August 3rd, 2014, 9:04 p.m., Avengers compound, medical bay

“I can’t believe we let them get away,” Steve lamented, resting his face in his hands. “I can’t believe they took him again…”

“They’ll be back,” you promised sternly. “They’re going to figure out what I am to him. They’re going to realize I could break his programming. And they’re going to come for me.”

“And when they do?” Steve pressed.

“We’ll be ready. And I’ll get my Alpha back.”

August 3rd, 2014, 9:04 p.m., temporary HYDRA operations facility

"The woman on the bridge... the Omega..." Bucky mumbled. "She knew me... she had my mark."

"No she didn't."

He furrowed his brow. "She showed me..."

Pierce sighed, glancing over to the HYDRA scientist who looked back at him sternly.

"She's too dangerous to be left alive," the man sighed, shrugging in his lab coat. "We can't deprogram a bond like that."

"We'll take care of her," Pierce promised.

Bucky launched from the chair, snapping his restraints like paper. "Touch her and I'll fucking kill you!" he bellowed, tackling his handler to the ground.

Pierce just laughed as another scientist jabbed Bucky with a needle, dosing him with something strong enough to kill any other man but just enough to knock out a super soldier. Pierce stood up and dusted himself off as he watched Bucky go limp and be lifted back into his chair.

"I can see the fight in your eyes, Soldier," he taunted as he leaned into his face. "I know you really would kill me, if you could. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak, right? But don't worry about your mate, we'll make it quick and painless. Hey, maybe beforehand me and a few of the other Alphas will show her a good time, poor thing's been without her mate for 70 years... I bet she's raring to go."

Bucky's arm twitched as his eyes started to fall shut, a tear falling down his blank and motionless face.

"Wipe him," Pierce instructed to the scientist, turning and walking away as the electric whirr of the machine charging up filled the room.

August 11th, 2014, 3:53 p.m., SHIELD headquarters

Steve was impressed with how accurate and imminent your prediction was; HYDRA was hot on your trail and desperate to eliminate the biggest threat to their Asset. Knowing they were coming made it easier, but it was still a brutal fight.

You and Steve tried to stay together, but they were smart, they used the perfect bait to lure you away.

"Tell me where he is," you demanded from the HYDRA agent as you held a blade to his neck, "then I'll kill you."

"Isn't it supposed to be 'or I'll kill you'?" he frowned.

You shook your head. "Not the way I operate."

Opposite to the reaction you were expecting, he grinned widely. "He's here."

Your heart stopped.

"On the roof. He's here to kill you."

You dropped the knife and ran straight for the stairwell, ascending them like they were nothing and calling out for your Alpha.

You found him there, waiting, gun trained on you. Raising your hands in surrender, you yelled to him again.

"Bucky," you called across the windy roof, eyes nearly blinded by the bright afternoon sun. "Alpha."

"I'm not who you think I am," he yelled back. "I'm not your Alpha."

It hurt to hear it in his voice, but you knew it wasn't him. Cautiously, you stepped closer. "Before you left, you told me you didn't want to mark me and leave me behind," you recalled. "But I wanted it. I wanted to be bonded to you more than I'd ever wanted anything."

He could clearly see you were coming closer, he even tightened his finger over the trigger of his weapon, but he was waiting. You kept walking to him, slowly.

"I've never regretted it," you continued, "not even when I thought you were dead, not even when I had to spent a lifetime-- more than that-- apart from you."

Finally you were face to face, and you stepped closer until his gun was pressed right into your chest.

"You can shoot me now and I still won't regret it," you promised. "I love you."

Shakily, he lowered his weapon. "Omega..." he breathed.

"Your Omega."

He pulled you into him and you sobbed as you felt him come to life in your arms-- the real him, your Alpha, your Bucky. He held you close and breathed against the top of your head and it was like a dream coming true decades after you'd forced yourself to let it go.

But you'd never given up. And now you had found him again.

Agents started to come onto the roof and Bucky spun the two of you around, firing with his right hand and using the left, metal arm as a shield for you.

He carried you and you didn't even know where he was taking you, but it didn't matter. In his arms, you were home.

August 12th, 1:03 a.m., Avengers compound, your quarters

You hadn't stopped coming or crying for at least an hour. Bucky had all but split you open on his knot all night and he didn't show any signs of stopping.

He apparently intended to make up for lost time. And you'd lost a lot of time.

"Just one more, I know you can give me one more," he groaned furiously rubbing your clit as his knot began to swell again.

You could give him anything, as long as he asked for it like that.

You'd lost count of how many times he'd told you to come for him, and how many times you did it immediately.

"I can see how full you are," he whispered as he rubbed your stomach gently. "So much seed in you that your body can't hold it all."

You looked down and yep, you were distinctly bloated from his come alone; it made you a little dizzy to even look at it.

"The idea of you alone during your heats, no one to protect you, it kills me," he explained with a growl. "I won't let you go again. I can't."

"Then don't," you sighed. "Never leave this bed, fill me with everything you have."

"Did anybody ever help you through them? The heats?" he asked. "I wouldn't blame you, they can be so painful... I just need to know so I can make sure you forget about them."

"No, Bucky, never— I never let anyone touch me."

"Steve could've helped you, at least some..."

"He wouldn't have, he loves you too much. And I wouldn't accept anything less than you, ever. You're my Alpha. We're bonded. There's never anyone else."

That didn't seem to satisfy him, his eyes darting away as he swallowed. Your gut sank with the realization he probably wasn't being totally honest about why he asked.

"Your ruts," you gasped. "Were you alone for all of them?"

He shut his lips tighter.

"Bucky, it's okay, just tell me. I was asleep for 70 years, I skipped most of them, but you... you had to live through them all."

"They gave me betas, and omegas," he mumbled, "but I don't... I don't really remember. I know they wanted me to. They threatened to hurt me if I didn't, because they knew I'd go crazy after so many ruts alone, but I can't remember if I really did it. I remember... I remember crying, and begging for you."

"Alpha," you breathed as you felt new tears run over the stains of your old ones. "It's okay. Whatever happened, it's okay now. We're together again. Everything's okay."

You wiped his tear away with your thumb, holding his face tightly, weaving your fingers into his long hair.

"I'll always be your Omega," you promised.

He leaned in closer to you, kissing your cheek before pulling back a little. "It's faded," he whispered as he ran his thumb over the mark on your neck. "The last time I saw it, it was still fresh."

"It's older, sure, but it's stronger than ever, Bucky."

August 14th, 10:12 a.m., Avengers compound, residential area kitchen

Steve's eyes went wide when he came into the kitchen for breakfast and found you there, steeping your tea. "Surprised to see you out of the love nest so soon," he smirked.

"It's been three days, I don't think that counts as soon," you scoffed.

"It does to him," Steve frowned. "He's asleep, isn't he?"

"Yep."

"I know he wouldn't let you out of his sights if he was conscious," Steve chuckled.

At that moment, you heard Bucky call your name and run out into the hall, only a bedsheet covering his groin as he appeared in the doorway. You spun around and smiled when you saw him come running towards you, embracing you with his free arm.

"You should've told me you were leaving, I got scared when I woke up without you," he admitted weakly.

"Oh, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to make you worry!"

He pulled back and clutched your face in both his hands. "I'm waking up next to you every morning for the rest of my life, you understand?"

You nodded dutifully. "Yes, Alpha."

"One hand on the sheet, please, Buck?" Steve winced, looking away.

“Whoops,” Bucky groaned, reaching to cover himself as you laughed softly.

“Let’s go back to bed, baby,” you decided quietly, taking Bucky’s (free) hand in yours and waving goodbye to Steve, who was already making his way as far out of earshot as possible.

[minniepetals]

Rose & Thorns: 09

— summary: a lone rose, a little broken, until Jungkook came along and the two of you saved each other. and in doing so, Jungkook showed you a world where he shared with his six other mates.

— pairing: dragon!bts x reader

— genre: fluff / slight angst / poly!au / fantasy!au / dragon!au

— word count: 8.3k

— warnings: none

╰ part 1 / part 2 / part 3 / part 4 / part 5 / part 6 / part 7 / part 8 / part 9 / part 10

"Hi there."

Just two single words are uttered from your lips and Jungkook is reminded of everything that has happened from the very first moment you spoke those exact first words to him.

He remembered those eyes of yours, so lost, so lonely, yet still having that kindness within to try and reach out a hand in order to ease his pain even if it meant just a small dose. Little did you know you'd end up as a true keeper of the dragons, lover to the seven princes of the East Sky and Mountains. But knowing the rewards, in the end, had never been anything you were seeking for at the time, and his heart warmed at the single reminder of how truly kind your heart is. After all, before you could even come to that moment of happiness with them all, you had to face serious consequences all because of that kind heart of yours.

Looking back on it, Jungkook only wished he could have dealt with it all in a better sense. If he were there for you like you were always for him, if he had gotten to his lovers a little sooner to make them see that nothing about you had been false, if he had been there through your pains and tears, maybe you could have reached that dream of freedom and happiness so much quicker.

"Jungkook?" Yet no matter what he thought, you were always there gracing him a sweet smile with such precious eyes that he knew he would forever hold dearly to.

"Back from taking care of the little whelps?" He asked, driving his thoughts away from the memories in order to look at what was in front of him instead. Jungkook knew he couldn't keep dwelling on the past no matter how much it had hurt him. Because here you were, lips curled into a brighter smile and he knew then that no matter what he thought, you'd never blame him for anything.

But perhaps that was what was hurting him even more.

You walked into the castle, feet having light bounces to them with a basket full of laundry. "I'm fairly certain Namjoon will hold an apprentice ceremony for Haeun soon. Who do you suppose her mentor will be?"

He grabbed you by the arm to pull you back in front of him before you could walk right past him without a second thought, surprising you just a bit.

"I'm sure Namjoon will make a wise decision on that but," the young dragon drew both his hands to hold you firmly by the shoulders as he expressed a disappointed face, "don't you think you're forgetting about someone else first?"

You giggled under his adorable pout. "Don't you have to get ready for the afternoon hunting patrol soon?" You reminded him, causing him to let out a grunt.

"Why is it that Taehyung and Seokjin are the ones to have you by their sides every day? Why can't it be me?"

"Kook," you laugh, "you know your hyungs would never let me go out there to support the patrols. For one, it can be dangerous especially for a simple human like me, and two, I don't have a clue on what to do during a patrol."

He sighed, allowing his hands to drop by his side again. "It's unfair. Sometimes I wish I wasn't a warrior."

"Don't say that. The clan has both you and Hoseok to keep us protected and that is something I would never want to take away from you."

"I know. I just want to spend more time with you" He looked up to meet your gaze again. "But for now this will do." Without any warning, he leaned in to give you a quick kiss to your lips, causing your cheeks to brighten in an instant as he strolled away with a giggle, knowing exactly what your expression would show without even looking.

You were too adorable for your own good.

.

.

"Have you ever had scented candles before?"

On one of the rarer days when you were free from your duties and didn't have the little whelps demanding for your attention almost every second you turned your head and Seokjin was well on his own, you accompanied Jimin in the lonely dungeons as he made his rounds as head of the guards, making small talks ever so often.

There weren't many prisoners locked up for their bad deeds just as the time you spent there a prisoner yourself so you knew Jimin often got lonely making his rounds all alone each time. Taking that into consideration, you weren't going to let the opportunity of your free time be spent doing nothing.

"Scented candles?" You tilted your head slightly to the side with innocent eyes that always got him every time and Jimin chuckled lightly after dropping his clipboard on a table from finishing his rounds with you by his side and turning to elsewhere. "I've heard of them before but they don't necessarily exist around here do they?"

"They don't but there are tales of the scented candles being of great help to be of comfort for anyone in need." Your eyes widened at his words, feeling quite intrigued, and when Jimin turned back around with a few things in hand, your breath hitches. "The first person that came into mind was you when I heard about them," he told you with bright eyes smiling as he brought them on over towards the table at the center of the room. You followed him curiously, rounding yourself to stand beside him as he displayed the candles for you. "So I had one of our traveler dragons to bring them back when they had the time."

"Jimin..." You felt so touched by his kind thoughts for you you almost didn't know what to say towards the sweet gesture. But when he graced you with a tender smile upon your gaze on him, you were sure he understood your thankfulness towards him.

"If only we had these at the time when you were our prisoner." His face fell with slight dejection but you were quick to shake your head lightly.

"Having you to help me then was more than enough, Jimin, I promise. Then again," thinking back to that time, you giggled upon the memories, "would you guys have really wasted such precious things on me at the time?"

He sighed. "I'm glad we can joke about it now but looking back at it, we were so horribly rude to you I can't believe I let my emotions get the best of me."

"You were just worried for the little one."

He chuckled upon your words with a tousle to your hair. "I don't think Jungkook would appreciate someone smaller than him calling him the little one."

You gave him a pout. "And why not? You do it to him all the time."

"Because I'm his hyung. Though he does often tease me about it from time to time." You giggled knowingly, already picturing their small bickering when it came to the two of them and their banters. Having seen that, Jimin smiled from where he stood beside you and brought his hand behind your head in order to pull you close and place a sweet kiss on your forehead, surprising you and making your cheeks flare up at the sudden gesture without warning. He found it cute how you had yet to get used to their kisses whether unexpected or not but returned his eyes to the candles despite the shocking state you were still in.

"Shall we try one of them?"

With his question, you blinked in a daze before shaking your head to return to the subject, and with your cheeks still slightly flushed, your eyes darted back to the candles laying on the table. "There are so many different kinds," you observed with a slightly opened mouth of astonishment to which Jimin found adorable.

"I didn't know what kind of scent you'd prefer so I got the dragon to get a couple different kinds."

"Lots of them are flowery scents," you beamed under the lowlights of the dungeon as you went on to pick up the candles in order to observe them up close. Pulling them up close to your nose, you waft at them in order to get a sense of how each of them smelt, your expressions clearly pleased each time you got a new scent to try as Jimin simply stood there watching you, happiness blooming in his chest at just the sight of you so content. "They all smell so great even without it lit up."

Your face fell with furrowed brows as you stared at each of the candles, having a hard time choosing which one to try first and Jimin let out a laugh. "You're so cute," he said. "We can try every one of them now if you still have time to spare."

"I have all the time to spare!" You exclaimed almost a little too happy for someone who had come in the dungeons declaring the desire to help. But he knew that was just the way you were and for that alone, Jimin wasn't at all dissatisfied by it.

"Well then, since you're having a hard time choosing which one to try first, just close your eyes and choose."

"Good idea!"

Upon Jimin's suggestion, you quickly closed your eyes and hovered your hand over the candles, blindly searching over each one before you finally settled with the one to the far right. With that, you opened your eyes again and held that one up.

"Lavender," the dragon beside you stated.

"Lavender's wonderful!" You were quick to say with your eyes lighting up at the chosen one. "It helps relieve stress and anxiety," you let him know and his brows furrowed a little at your words.

"Are you having trouble, little one?" He asked, concerned.

"Oh no, not me," you quickly said with a shake of your head. "I want to share this with Namjoon because I know being a leader to a clan isn't always the easiest. He comes home later than every one of us after all and most times I'm already asleep by then. I haven't seen him around lately so I'm a little worried."

His eyes softened at your innocent kindness that never seemed to ever leave your heart no matter what and for that alone, Jimin almost believed that he was falling in love all over again. "We're so lucky to have you by our side."

You looked up at him and gave him a humble shake of your head. "It's the other way around," you smiled. "Do you think he'll appreciate it? Oh, but you got these for me as gifts."

"Don't worry, it's always best to share gifts like these with each other," he said while gently stroking your head. "I know Namjoon will be more than happy to receive this."

"Then shall we also choose candles for the others as well? I think it would be really incredible to build a storage room for scented candles so that whenever one of us needs it, we can always—"

"Before that."

"Hm?"

Innocently, you looked up from the candles to meet Jimin's gaze only to have your lips captured in a sweet kiss, leaving your breath to hitch and your eyes to widen as you froze right there at the unexpected kiss.

Jimin leaned away just enough to give you some space with a chuckle. "Your reactions will always please me."

"J-Jimin!"

"But," his brows furrowing slightly, he brought his hand over to slowly swipe his thumb along his lip as you simply stood there, staring at those plump lips of his, not knowing what to do, "I want more, little one."

"J.." Your cheeks brightened even more as your eyes were quick to avert to the ground upon meeting his eyes, causing him to let out another throaty chuckle.

"I love you."

He found it amusing in the way your face only seemed to flush even more each time he did and said something. Your eyes were shaking, not knowing where to look, and he was sure your head was swarming with thoughts of how to respond to him. Surely you were panicking upon whether to return those sweet three words or not and it brought a tug at the corner of his lips.

"Well?" He raised a brow, waiting for your permission.

You bit your lip, still contemplating, but Jimin went on to take the lavender-scented candle away from your grasp to place it back onto the table as he inched towards you in a sly manner.

"I..." You opened your mouth shyly.

"Yes?" He urged you on.

"I-I..." You stepped back out of panic but he followed right away. "Well..um..."

"Hm?"

Bravely, you looked up to meet his eyes head-on and Jimin smirked, satisfied with that. But still, he waited to hear your words and despite how slow you were with it, hearing it made him happy nonetheless.

"I love you too." You told him and he smiled, letting his hand trail down your face in a gentle possessive manner before leaning in and pressing his sweet lips to your own.

It's a gentle kiss like the gentleman he is and not long after your thoughts are filled with him and him alone.

.

.

"I can't wait to become an apprentice! I just know prince Namjoon will choose the perfect one for me!"

You giggled fondly at the little dragoness who sat beside you helping you with your duties as the two of you fold the blankets for the whelps together. "But before that, you will have to let him know what you want to be first, right?"

"Ah," she said, almost as if she had forgotten about the beginning steps first.

"Well?" You urged her on. "What would you like to be as part of the clan?"

She looked away thinking, her hands coming down to a stop on top of the white blanket that laid on her lap, her thoughts going on to stray away to the different duties every dragon has as a member of the clan.

"Unnie how did you choose what you wanted to do?" She asked you instead of answering, her decisions still unclear.

"Well," you started, ready to help her to try and decide, "I chose to be both Seokjin's underling and helping out with the whelps because I love helping. I guess it was easy to decide because, for one, I enjoy taking care of the whelps' needs, and two, I'm used to the herbs and remedies as I've often had to learn them myself without relying on others to help me heal when I needed it. Plus it comes in handy when the princes need to be tended to."

"You don't like just watching on the sideline and would rather be of help, huh?"

You nodded with a smile. "Tending to them makes me feel useful. I can protect them in that sense while they help to protect the clan as warriors themselves. I'd hate to just stand back and watch them in pain, not knowing how to help them. It'd feel worse than anything"

Haeun broke into a beaming smile at your answer. "Unnie, that sounds just like you."

You chuckled at her words and went on to tousle her hair. "You'll find your purpose one day soon. Take your time, no one is rushing you."

"Oh!" She let out a cute little gasp. "What if I worked as a caretaker as well? That way I can be of more help here in the roosts!"

"That sounds—"

"No."

The two of you turned at the voice to find Taehyung walking up with a slightly displeased expression as he handed little Kihyun to Haeun before shamelessly pulling you against his chest right in front of the kids.

"T-Taehyung!" You quickly gasped and were ready to push him away at the unexpected gesture. Only he wasn't going to let you go.

"You already spend too much time with my princess, you can't keep taking her away from me. I'm supposed to be the one who spends more time with her than anyone else, Haeun!"

You couldn't believe this was the reason for his refusal of Haeun's help but rather than taking him seriously, the dragoness let out an exasperated sigh as she stood from her spot with Kihyun in hand before purposely sticking her tongue out at the prince. "Sucks to be you then, my prince, because unnie likes me more than you anyways!"

He let out a dramatic gasp with the grip around you only tightening. "How dare you say such lies."

Yet she made no comebacks and simply ran away before Taehyung could scold her anymore.

You giggled at their little banter and turned around to face your lover with a sigh. "I would appreciate it if you kept the affections to a minimum in front of the little ones."

"Why should I? Those little dragons are already trying to steal you away. I'm just marking my territory so they know not to steal someone else's mate, especially one that belongs to a prince."

"You know they're just playing around."

"That's what they'd like you to think, those mischievous little brats."

You burst out laughing at how ridiculous he was, jealous of the little dragons and even having quite the serious pout plastered upon his face. You didn't know what to expect walking into the relationship but even so, everything had been so well you were glad to be able to laugh and smile along their sides no matter how many times you'd get flustered by the things they did.

Frowning at you for not taking him seriously, Taehyung grabbed a hold of your face in both his large palms and brought himself right in front of you, making your laughter cease almost instantly.

"Is it fun making me jealous?" The prince asked with a raised brow, suddenly giving you a deadpanned look you weren't sure what to think. "Hm, princess?"

Your eyes panned away from his out of panic, already afraid to be caught by the poor little dragons in case they stumbled upon the two of you. "Tae—"

"I'm right in front of you yet you're focusing on something else?"

"If the whelps catch us like this, I—" He brought your face forcibly back to face him again with a displeased expression that is quick to bring your voice quiet all over again. "Tae..." Seeing him like that was a little surprising to you. After all, despite the many months spent in the dragon clan, there was still so much you had yet to know of including how the princes would act as your lovers, and now that you were with them, it still felt a little unbelievable they would feel such love and possessiveness over you.

Maybe that was just the nature of dragons. Just as you've heard stories of them being quite possessive with their treasures, perhaps mating was just as if not more important.

Your faces were so close you were sure Taehyung could feel the heat of your cheeks against his palm. It made you even shyer so you looked away, not brave enough to keep eye contact for much longer, and just for that, he let out a knowing chuckle.

"You're so cute." His voice was low, quiet. "I don't want anyone else to see this side to you, princess. You're ours after all, aren't you?"

You ignored his words in an attempt to hide your embarrassment. "Don't you think, um...you're being a little too brave doing this right here?"

"I'm sure Haeun's got us covered."

"That's not—!" You grunted. "We can't let her watch the whelps all alone, you know that."

"Eh," he shrugged, not caring one bit, "she's a good kid. She'll take care of it. In the meantime—"

"Noona!!"

You were quick to gasp and pushed Taehyung away as soon as you heard the young voice calling your name. "Do you need something, Minho?" You asked, turning around as the little one ran up to you while you both ignored the cry of agony and frustration falling out of Taehyung's lips as he leaned back into one of the beds of the whelps, holding his face against his palm at the missed opportunity that was now ripped away from him.

"Noona I wanna play with you!" The little dragon exclaimed with a bright innocent grin plastered on his face but Taehyung knew it was anything but. As if to provoke the prince further, he grabbed ahold of your hands and dragged you off, not even sparing Taehyung a single glance, knowing fully well what he had just done.

.

.

"Y/N."

"Namjoon!" He saw you quick on your little feet as you ran up to him with a beaming smile that was just enough to slowly ease the weights resting on his shoulders. But he knew it wouldn't last forever despite wanting to keep seeing that precious smile of yours even if it meant for just one whole night, dreading for the time that was coming. "I was just looking around for you!"

He gave you a tender smile as he drew his hand along your face, stroking it gently. "Did you need me for something, dear one?"

"Mhm!" You took his hand, ready to run off. "Come here, I—"

But Namjoon pulled you back to stand right before him again, he himself not having moved one inch despite you just about to drag him away. "Can it wait?" He said, causing your smile to fall with a slight concern.

"Oh. Are you busy?"

He hated doing that to you. "I was just about to have Yoongi call for a clan meeting."

"Ah," you said, nodding. "Then I will wait for you in—"

"Actually."

"Hm?"

"I want you to attend the meeting."

That took you by surprise as your eyes widened a little, totally unaware that Namjoon would ask you to attend a clan meeting. Usually, he would have all the princes and his most trusted dragons together for a meeting first before letting the rest know of any news that would be important to announce. You've never attended any meetings before and there hadn't been one for a while so surely the things he had to discuss had to be important, right? So why would he ask you to attend?

Seeing the confusion written on your face, Namjoon began to explain. "You're our Keeper now, remember?" He said, reminding you of the ceremony that had taken place just a few weeks ago. "Must I keep reminding you that you are now very important to the dragon clans?"

"Well..." They've mentioned that but you have yet to know what exactly that title meant for you. "I haven't exactly done much, have I?"

"I know," he nodded, understanding. "Truthfully none of us truly understands how a human would prepare for this role but I need you to begin seeing this title as your new duty. I know you have the whelps to take care of and also work alongside Seokjin but being a Keeper will begin to take up the majority of your time now. I need you to be prepared for anything, Y/N."

"I..." The serious gaze he held for you made you understand how crucial it was but still, you couldn't find the answer as to why. "I don't understand."

Namjoon nodded again. "It is best to let everyone know first before you ask your questions." He took your hand and began leading you towards the one room you hadn't exactly been to before; the meeting hall. "But just know that from now on, the Keeper will be attending every meeting that is to be held."

Knowing your questions would be answered soon, you gave him a nod. "Okay."

The meeting hall was a grand hall that laid a large table right in the middle with twelve chairs surrounding it all together. Seeing it up close and personal itself, you could understand just how serious the meeting was going to be. Even Taehyung himself who had already taken his place towards one of the ends held a grim expression.

But upon seeing you walk in with Namjoon at your side, his face lit up just the slightest bit.

"You look tense," he joked as if trying to ease your nerves with his little jokes. "It's alright, princess," the dragon assured you with a soft smile as he held his hand out to offer you a seat beside him. You easily took his hand, allowing him to guide you to the chair beside him as the others began to file in.

Hoseok took his place on your other side with a grin. "First time here?" He asked almost flirtatiously and made you let out a giggle.

Not long after the meeting began.

"The three clans have gotten news of me declaring Y/N as Keeper of the Dragons." You could feel all eyes turning to you at the report that left Namjoon's lips and just for that, you felt a weird feeling drop within your stomach but you weren't sure exactly what you were supposed to feel.

Was it a good thing? Or not?

Weren't the Clans all connected in one way or another despite them ruling their own skies and mountains? Questions swarmed in your head and you were suddenly realizing just how much you didn't know about lots of things that were important to the clan.

Sensing your confusion, Namjoon began to explain. "There are four main clans. The East, the West, the North, and the South. The other clans that exist are the smaller clans that protect other areas that are not covered by the four major clans. The warriors live protecting our territories in order to maintain the lands that were given to us from the first beginning wars many years ago. We are allowed to go to war with any smaller clan to gain land if we wish to do so, but none of us are allowed to attack any of the major clans so that no one clan becomes one over the other and dictates the rest."

"Hence that's where gaining a Keeper poses a problem, doesn't it, my prince?"

You turned your head at the warrior that had spoken. "It..does?"

He sent you a conflicted expression. "Us major clans may not be allowed to attack the others to maintain order but there are other ways to gain power and look slightly better than the rest."

"And one way by doing that is having our ancestor warriors accept a Keeper into one of the clans," another warrior added.

You were posing a problem as a Keeper already? Just by existing? Did that mean you'd have to leave in order to not cause more problems and potentially be the reason the clans may go to war?

Seeing those worried brows furrowing, Seokjin turned back to Namjoon. "The clans have given you their answers, I am sure. What did they say?"

With Seokjin's question, the attention returned to the high prince once again.

"They will accept the Keeper as long as we grant them the permission to use her in the case of any major wars."

Jungkook abruptly stood up in protest. "No!" He said in a thunderous tone with a face filled with rage at the thought of even bringing you to the wars. "I will not allow anyone to use Y/N in any way shape or form even if it comes to our own wars."

"But the Keeper has her powers to protect herself and the ones beside her."

"Y/N doesn't know how to use her powers yet," he was quick to dismiss the thought.

Meanwhile, you look at Hoseok and Taehyung beside you with confusion at this so-called power of yours. You really possessed powers now? And as if reading your thoughts, the two of them gave you a silent nod both firmly to let you know that all of this was real.

"She can learn."

"And she will."

"Whether she learns it well or not does not mean I will let anyone take advantage of her and put her life at risk. Y/N's already gone through so much, you can't just expect her to suddenly be thrown into the middle of our clan's problems."

But you were the root of the problem so it only made sense. And you were sure you weren't the only one thinking that as you looked around the room, noticing the hesitation in the warrior's expressions as some of them felt conflicted on whether to voice their true opinion on the matter or not since they all knew you were the lover of the princes.

Sighing silently with worry, you spared a glance towards Namjoon who seemed to be the one in the most conflicted position. After all, as leader of the East Clan, he had to consider both sides to the problem while also needing to take in the other clan's words without dismissing it so easily.

As you sat there while the debate continued on, you realized that the only way the clan could have accepted you at all was to become a Keeper. That was the only position available to you as a human in order to be someone not only the East Clan could trust but the rest of the clans as well. Which also meant that this was Namjoon's way of protecting you. Because as Keeper, you were given the power to protect not just the people around you but yourself as well.

"Hyung." Jungkook turned back to Namjoon, wanting the leader to declare the words of declining the other clan's orders but you knew it wasn't going to be that easy of a decision.

The room fell silent again as the youngest of the prince addressed the leader who sat tall in his seat at the end of the table. His gaze remained grim with both his hands clasped together in front of him with silent thoughts swarming in his head.

It remained that way for a while, the room waiting for Namjoon to speak.

He closed his eyes for a second before sitting back tall against his seat and looking up to rest his gaze right on you. Your heart skipped a beat, not knowing what he was going to ask of you or if he had come up with a decision, and whatever it was, you knew you had to be prepared.

"Y/N," he called, voice uttered in a low octave.

"Yes?" You were almost too afraid of what his next words were going to be but this was Namjoon you were talking about. You knew you could trust him with your whole life. The two of you went through danger together, helped each other up, carried one another, and made it out alive in the end. You knew more than anyone that he wouldn't purposely lead you to danger. After all, even though he had hated you then, he still protected you from that great fall because he knew you were special to Jungkook.

If there was anyone you could trust, it would be Namjoon.

"The wars that the dragon clans may involve themselves in can be quite brutal," he told you. "There will be enemy dragons far more dangerous than the ones that had attacked both you and Seokjin. You have to, however, be rest assured that our own warriors are far stronger than you can ever imagine. I will do all that I can to negotiate with the other three clans but be prepared to know that you may be needed in one of the wars in the future."

"Namjoon—"

He held a hand up to silence Jungkook without ever diverting his gaze from you. "No dragon that belongs to the clans, whether that of the major clans or the smaller ones, will ever dare to harm you. Every dragon knows not to try and harm a Keeper who lives to protect them. So if and when the wars ever come, will you give your complete trust to us in due time just as the clans will do the same with you?"

Seeing that complete resolve in Namjoon's eyes which hides no lies upon his vow to keep you from harm's way, you knew your answer.

"More than anything, I will entrust my life to the clans."

Proud with your reply, Namjoon let himself give you a faint smile in return.

"This will mean the clans will want to meet her, won't they?" Jimin spoke up upon the possibility and returning to his serious expression once again, Namjoon gave a nod.

"The Keeper has much to learn then."

"That's right."

Customs and courtesies along with the history of the Clans and their origins. Adding along with your training as a Keeper, the need to protect the dragon clans. You had much to do but you knew running away from it wasn't going to happen so you sat there with a resolved look in your eyes, letting the dragons know that you were going to do it all if it meant protecting them.

They smiled knowingly, proud to have you as their Keeper.

.

.

"Can't sleep?"

Namjoon's eyes turned tender upon the sight of you joining him out on the balcony later that night. He held out a hand for you to take and you gladly accepted it with no protest, allowing him to bring you forward and wrap his arms around you to keep you warm from the night breeze.

It remained silent for a while with the two of you just basking in each other's warmth, comfortable with just the sound of the crickets chirping under the night sky filled with the light of the twinkling stars.

"I'm sorry," he whispered a moment later and you turned to look up at him with confusion.

"For what?"

"When I gave you the title as Keeper of the Dragons, I should have asked you about it all first instead of just deciding it all on my own," he told you with a grim expression resting on his face. "Now you're going to have to face some challenges that you weren't prepared for."

His voice was soft against the wind, but you could hear the guilt and heavy stress weighing against him, letting you know that he had been worrying about you with all of this now going on. The other three clans weren't going to give in to his negotiations that easily but Namjoon would be working hard just for the sake of you and for that you knew all you wanted to do at that moment was to ease his burdens.

"It's okay," you told him softly as you leaned against his chest to let him understand that you weren't blaming him for any of it. "You gave me a place in your clan and that is more than enough."

"Being a Keeper is not going to be easy on you. Whether it was the only title I could give you as a human or not, this will only make things harder on you."

You chuckled a little at those words. "You know more than anyone nothing has been easy for me in the first place."

"Exactly." He let out a sigh as his arms around you tightened with worry. "This isn't exactly helping."

"As a Keeper, no one can hurt me, right?"

"You're going to have to learn to defend and use your powers first."

"Mhm," you nodded. "And I will."

"I know you will Y/N, and I trust you with all that I have," he acknowledged without any doubt. "I know that despite the situation you're suddenly placed in, the burdens you will have to face as a Keeper, you won't let any of that get to you and will do all that you can do for the clan. But," he gave you a squeeze, holding you tighter as if to silently tell you how afraid he was knowing he had no choice but to send you away as a leader who had to make the best decisions for everyone, "truthfully I wanted to agree with Jungkook and straight-up refuse the thought of even involving you in any future wars. The little one knows you best. He's seen through it all, feels the most guilty out of any of us for not being able to protect you as well as we should have. And I know you don't blame him, none of us does, he was after all the one who fought so hard for your life. But because he had to go through that, Jungkook will be the one to suffer the most when we have to send you off to fight."

You understood that. You understood the fact that Jungkook's heart was so big he wanted to protect everyone he could with his power. He was there beside you, always feeling helpless he couldn't do much to help you in your situation knowing he had been less powerful than the rest of his hyungs, but even then, you would never blame him because none of it was his fault.

He was a kind, gentle, and loving dragon who refused to let any of his lovers get hurt. But you understood where Namjoon was coming from and knew this wasn't going to be easy at all.

"I will tell you this though," you looked up at the leader whose eyes were already on yours with a firm resolve in his eyes. "As the leader of the Eastern Clan and as your lover, I will not let anything happen to you no matter what we will face in the future. So can you place your faith in me and do your part knowing I will be standing right beside you in all of this?"

"Namjoon..." Dealing with the Clans and potentially needing to be used in some of the future wars would not be easy, you knew, but you also knew that you weren't going to be alone. So you gave him a firm nod, knowing more than anyone that you could trust him. "Of course."

He leaned in to place a kiss on your head. "That's all I need to hear."

.

.

The days grew longer and longer as you took your duties off as Seokjin's assistance and the caretaker of the whelps in order to begin your training as the true Keeper of the Dragons.

You were given a teacher who taught you the history of the Clans and common customs and courtesies to prepare you for the meeting of the other three clans and had to face a challenge in trying to understand how the previous Keeper had lived.

None of it was easy, knowing you would be alone throughout most of it because the dragons themselves had no idea of how to train someone with a position they've never had to face. So you spent most of your time in the large library mostly to yourself with lessons after lessons on the history of the Clans and the first Keeper of the Dragons.

Given the ability to wield the power to physically protect someone while having no idea how to use or control it was hard for a beginner like you, but you knew you couldn't give up so easily because this was now your duty. You couldn't let your clan down nor disappoint anyone.

Everyone believed in you, it was your duty to show them that you were capable of this position without any doubt.

If the other three clans blindly trusted in you to the point of potentially asking you for aid in future wars then you could not let them see you as a weak and vulnerable human who would make excuses on how hard it was. You had to prove yourself to everyone.

Not just your princes, not just your clan nor the other three clans, but to yourself as well.

You were going to face this head-on, knowing it was your duty to protect the dragons now as Keeper of the Dragons.

.

.

"Tired?"

You quickly shook your head as you headed back to the private chambers after another long day of studying. With a big smile plastered on your face, you knew you couldn't let them worry over you so much.

"I'm perfect!" You said to Yoongi who held on to a skeptical expression.

"Well that's true but," he held his hand up to stroke your hair with eyes that didn't blindly believe you so easily, "you know it's okay to say when you're tired, right? You have it very rough right now, after all. We can all see it."

"Well I'm a little tired," you admitted sheepishly, knowing you couldn't hide anything from them as he brought you in to hold you in his arms soon after. "But it's been going well, I promise."

"I don't doubt that." Seokjin came up from behind you to place a kiss on your head. When you looked up at him, his eyes were just as concerned as Yoongi's. "I know you're a smart girl who is stronger than anyone I've ever met, however, you must remember to not push yourself too hard."

"You often go to the extremes for others, that's why we're so worried, princess," Taehyung said.

"If it becomes too difficult to face this all on your own, you have to tell us," Jimin chimed in. "Preparing for battles is not easy but doing this as a Keeper is something beyond our own imaginations. We may not understand some things but we're right here for you, okay?"

"Once you're done with the first steps of knowing how to defend and use your powers as a Keeper, the next step is learning how we fight our wars."

"I'm sorry," Namjoon said after Hoseok, looking the most worried out of them all since he was the one to have given you the title. "This is a lot more than I thought it'd be."

"I promise I'm alright," you said with sincerity at their concern for you. You hated seeing them like that but you knew it was coming from a good place. "Learning to protect the Clans is a privilege. I'm honored to be a Keeper. I won't let you down."

"Y/N."

You turned to the sound of the last prince to speak and saw the way he stood a bit further from the rest of you, an unsettling uneasiness clear on his face as his brows furrowed while he refused to look at you at first. It was silent for a moment as you waited for Jungkook to speak.

When he finally managed to look up and meet your face, you could see how much this was affecting him and felt your heart drop at just the sight alone. Jungkook was so worried about you.

He held his hand out, eyes averting from yours again but still, you took it without hesitation, letting the youngest prince have his way with pulling you into his strong arms. You couldn't see it from where you stood just seconds ago but now that you were in his arms, you could feel the way he was trembling slightly as he held you.

"'Please," he whispered as he let his cheek rest against your head, "if it's too hard you have to let us know. You can't lie to us no matter what. If you don't want to do this anymore then just say the word and we'll take care of it. But I know that is not something you'd ever do because you are much too noble for that so please...please don't push yourself too hard for any of our sakes. If you go too far you'll hurt yourself. So this time, this time I won't let you get too far. I promise I'll uphold my words and protect you. So please rely on me. Okay?"

You knew to some extent that Jungkook worried the most out of everyone but hearing those words coming out of his mouth, feeling the slight trembling of his body, you knew how scared he was right now. So worried, so afraid.

He loved you so much so you knew you couldn't do something that would make him think you were only going to make things harder for yourself.

You stepped back just enough to face him again where you reached up to hold his face in your hand. His eyes were filled with so much grief you wished you could just take all those worries away in a blink of an eye. But it wasn't going to be that easy. Despite that, however, you knew you had to do something to ease the pain even if it meant a small dose.

"I promise, Jungkook. I won't go too far this time."

"Good." He said and buried his face against the crook of your neck, his breath shaky as he let out a sigh. "Good."

"How about this?" Witnessing that moment between the two of you, Namjoon spoke up. "You should take a break tomorrow. You've been working non-stop these past few weeks after all."

"Hm?" You turned to Namjoon with a slight confusion while Jungkook remained in your arms, refusing to let you go anytime soon. "But—"

"The clan haven't seen you in a while since you've been buried in the library almost every day since your training started. I'm sure they've missed you."

"That's right," Taehyung let out a sigh at just the reminder of the little whelps demanding him questions after questions on when they were ever going to see you again. "You know more than anyone how much those little whelps love you. They've been asking for you since the day you started your training and Haeun isn't making things any easier. She's gotten so grumpy I can't keep handling all of them on my own."

You laughed lightly upon the mention of the little ones, already picturing them complaining to Taehyung and bouncing around him for answers about you.

"Everyone knows you're working so hard right now," Yoongi stated with a firm nod. "You should take tomorrow to catch up on things and take things easy. They've all missed you."

"I suppose a day wouldn't hurt."

"Then it's settled." With that, Namjoon gave you a faint smile as he walked up to both you and Jungkook, giving you a kiss to your head before gently patting Jungkook's head. He looked up, still slightly upset about this whole thing. "Y/N's going to be okay," the leader vowed firmly. "Everyone's looking out for her."

"Mhm," you nodded with a smile. "So don't worry too much, okay?"

He took a moment to stare at the kind smile you gave him and seeing how sincere you both were, Jungkook began to look relieved as his face relaxed for the first time in a while. "Okay," he sighed with a small smile of his own. "I'm proud of you."

Your heart blossomed with love.

.

.

Two weeks later, you were to leave to meet the three clans of the North, South, and West.

Dressed in formal wear, you took a deep breath as you stared out at the view of the horizon from the mountain top, knowing this would be the first time you would be leaving the mountain and being gone for a while.

"Are you ready?" You turned at the voice of Hoseok who stood tall beside Namjoon as the two of them would be the ones to accompany you on the journey. Behind them stood the rest of the princes and the clan to bid their farewells and wait for your return. Scanning the crowd, you could see some faces of worry and decided to give them all your usual kind smile.

"I have Namjoon and Hoseok with me, you can all stop looking at me like I'm already going out for war," you said with a small laugh to lighten the dampened mood. "I will be alright," you give them the vow with confidence in order to ensure that they did not have to worry too much.

It seemed to have worked since many of their faces began to lighten up again.

"We will be waiting for your return."

"Please stay safe."

"Send word if anything goes wrong. We'll be ready for anything."

You laughed again. "You all worry too much."

"For good reason." Seokjin walked up looking slightly grumpy. "We're sending our Keeper away after all."

"They won't do anything to me, I'm just going to be meeting them so that they will know who the Keeper is," you reminded him.

"I'm surprised you can be so calm." Truthfully despite Jimin's words, you were quite worried but you knew you couldn't show that now. It wouldn't be the best thing to do knowing the clan themselves were already concerned. "You're so brave, little one."

"Mhm," you nodded at his words with a confident grin. "So trust me a little more, hm?"

"Stay safe, princess," Taehyung told you as he gently tousled your hair.

"I will."

Meeting both Namjoon and Hoseok's gaze, there seemed to be some sort of a silent conversation going on as Yoongi met their gazes before he turned to you with a small smile. "We'll be waiting for you."

"Mhm," you smiled.

"I love you," Jungkook whispered before turning to Namjoon and Hoseok. "You too," he said. "Be careful out there."

"Of course," Hoseok nodded.

"Shall we go? We must reach the Southern Clan before the sun sets." Upon those words of Namjoon's the clan tensed up again along with an odd feeling dropping along your stomach. But you knew you had to do this whether it was scary or not. It was important to the future of the clans after all.

Once both Namjoon and Hoseok transformed into their respective dragon forms, you gave the clan a formal bow of respect. "I shall return in time."

With that, you climbed onto Hoseok's back and the two of them took off riding into the sky, leaving the Eastern Dragon Clan behind.

[chillin-at-partys-bar]

Defeated in one punch? Luffy was powerful, so it wasn't surprising. Especially now, after what he'd heard from First Mate Rayleigh about how Luffy had trained. And though Shanks was really enjoying his time with Koby, and knew as well as anyone that looks were deceiving, the man couldn't tell how strong he was. If he was mentored by Garp then certainly he was a force to be reckoned with... but still.

One thing Shanks had seen over the years was what happened when pirates and marines faced each other. Marines were trained, strengthened through strict regime and made to endure. It was rigorous. And kept many alive over the years.

But there were times it wasn't enough. Shanks had unfortunately had to witness that as well. He himself never felt a desire or need to kill a Marine. They were doing a noble thing, and he took no offense to them targeting him. However he had come across other pirates with a different way of thinking. A way that never sat well with him. And then those trained Marines were dealing with the wild, unpredictable actions of pirates who were afraid to die, and even more afraid to lose.

Suddenly the training would become barely enough to keep from getting run through. Pirates fought dirty. His own crew took cheap shots when it meant their survival. It was a part of the game. And though Koby was trained by the best, sometimes it wasn't quite enough.

"Koby." He looked at his drink and only briefly thought about what the rest of his crew would think. His actions, he always seemed to be orchestrating his own demise one way or the other. Fine by him. The world desperately needed the shakeup. And there were certainly some pirates who needed to be shown their actions had consequences. Not naming names, Teach. "I'd like to offer to help with some of your training."

"The training you've received is excellent I have no doubt. But pirates, well, we don't follow rules. I've never truly been trained in battle, I make shit up as I go. It's dirty fighting, as you may have seen. The more you're prepared for the unexpected, the better the chance of victory." He hadn't offered this before. Not at this level. But he wanted to see Koby become greater. He'd just met the boy for the first time off the battlefield but there was something about him that had gained Shanks' faith and favor. "I can help you learn to really think like a pirate. And fight like one. It'll help you really give Luffy a challenge." He grinned but then it fell to something more serious. "And keep you alive from the likes of Teach." The name. It was sour and bitter on his tongue. He didn't hate many or often.

But that man needed to go down.

"My offer is open. I don't intend to rescind it. So I don't need an answer immediately or even soon." His grin came right on back. "I can also teach you how to drink like a pirate! Dahaha!"

He was naive but he wasn't stupid. He knew there were evil pirates like Blackbeard, who couldn't be redeemed, who truly was a criminal and a thug without a shred of decency or kindness in him. He had seen such ruthlessness from pirates like Trafalgar Law, who had given over a hundred hearts to the Marines so he could become a Warlord with the Rocky Port incident. Then, there were pirates like Shanks and Luffy, who were truly kind, who Koby supported. But, everyone still deserved to have basic rights and humanity.

Koby couldn't believe it...all of these legends. Shanks, Gold Roger, Mr. Garp, Mihawk...what a life the man lead! He was nothing in comparison, a pebble under a pond. He had such ways to go to even hope to make it a sliver of that level. While he was given the title as 'Hero', compared to Mr. Garp, that was nothing. And, it wasn't him putting himself down, but in awe at these monsters who had made themselves legends, those without devil fruits. He had seen a glimpse of Mr. Garp's strength when he had rescued him from Blackbeard. He had heard of Gold Roger's feats. Of Mihawk's. Not much of Shanks but the man's name was enough to cause both fear and awe amongst his fellow Marines, even those on a higher level than him. It must be such an extraordinary opportunity to experience that life. And, Shanks was on Roger's crew? How amazing to be able to sail and learn from such a monster of a man.

❝ I-I remind you of Mr. Garp?! Th-thank you, thats a very kind honor! He's an inspiration, and my mentor. I guess you can say I look up to both Mr. Garp and his son. A Marine looking up to a pirate! We had more of a skirmish, rather than an outright fight. He defeated me in one punch. ❞ Koby gave an awkward laugh. ❝ But, I've gotten stronger since then! Although, I'm still probably no match since Luffy defeated an Emperor. ❞

Koby smiled brightly. Luffy taking down Shanks would be a sight to behold. How cool would that be to see? Emperor vs Emperor. So that was how Luffy had gotten the scar under his eye? Interesting!

Koby waved his hand at the thought of him and Luffy being like Garp and Roger. It was such a high honor. He wondered if he could truly be at that level of strength. He wanted nothing more than to be an Admiral, to be a proper rival to Luffy some day. His kicks and punches were already no joke, but it was such a cool image at the thought of giving Luffy a run for his money some day. Especially since he didn't even have Conqueror's Haki. He just had extremely advanced Armament.

[xreaderbooks]

Two sides (2)

Pair: ACOTAR Azriel x reader

Word Count: 3.6k

Warnings: Language, implied smut

Summary: Y/N has been in love with Cassian for centuries now, Just how Azriel has been with Mor. Both heartbroken by their unrequited love they fall into a routine of 'one-night stands', Not realizing their each others mate.

Masterlist - Part 1

A/N: So I dont know how accurate the mate information is, like I said before I haven’t read the ACOTAR series since 2019 so I probably got a couple things wrong or didn’t write the characters the way you would expect them to act. I chose to make them more how they would be in head canons if you get what I mean. Either way I really hope you enjoyed the 2nd and final part to Two sides :) Feel free to send requests for Azriel or any other Acotar characters. Thank you all for the support <3

"We need to talk."

"Okay," Azriel says skeptically, he walks over to sit on the chair across from you.

"I wanted to apologize for the other night," You shifted in your seat as you spoke, you were noticeably uncomfortable. That bothered Azriel, he wanted you to feel natural not forced, he didn't know where that desire came from but it was true. Even if this conversation was a bit awkward. "I never meant to make you feel used, I guess, I just needed a distraction."

"From seeing Cassian and Nesta together?" He asked. You bit your lip and nodded. "Y/N, I didn't feel used." He let out a small chuckle. "I enjoyed it, actually. And a bit flattered that you chose to-" He coughed awkwardly, "share that part of yourself with me." You grinned. You eased up a bit after knowing that Azriel didn't feel bad about what happened the other night, and even enjoyed it. It also warmed your heart at the fact that this was one of the rare moments that he felt comfortable enough to talk about how he was feeling. Despite it probably being out of sympathy or to defuse the tension.

"Oh," You chirped "well good. The last thing I wanted to do was fuck up our friendship."

He shook his head, "Y/N you've done a lot in the past few centuries that could've fucked up this friendship and we're still okay, better than okay considering. Besides Mor and I are still friends even after..." He tensed up, you went over to him and hesitantly put your hand on top of his.

"I know." You gave him a small smile. "I have an idea, I'll admit it's not my brightest but it will benefit the both of us."

His eyebrow quirked, "Your ideas are never the brightest, that's why you're just my second."

"Okay, wow." You blinked, removing your hand, and started pacing around the room. "First Rhys made me your second because I'm good at my job and you're just better cause of your shadows." He glared at you when you made the comment about his shadows. "Two, I've had a couple of good ideas in the past you just never go through with them."

"Maybe it's because all your ideas are reckless and we'd get caught if we did our job by using your so-called good ideas." He got up to meet you when you turned around to face the other way, you were met by his chest in your way.

You huffed when you looked up at him. "Whatever, I'm pretty sure you were going to like this one." He gave a nod to continue. "I- you know what I think it's better if I just show you."

He cocked his head to the side. You took this as an opportunity to grab him by the back of his neck and slammed your lips onto his. Immediately after he put his hands on your waist, pulling you closer. He started walking backward, leading you towards one of the bedrooms. Your foreheads pressed together but you paused from kissing him, catching your breath. You knew he could hear your heartbeat, beating quicker by the second, his heart was beating faster too. It gave you all the encouragement you needed to start taking off your clothes.

"So this was your bright idea," Azriel asked, while also hurriedly taking off his clothes.

"Mhm." Was your response before nodding and relocating your lips onto his.

The intensity of it made your heart stutter. You wanted him and at that moment he wanted you. He truly wanted you, you both felt it and took that feeling, using it to fuel the passion in that kiss. He moved down to your neck, nipping and biting at it. You moved your hand to slowly graze his wings, which made him freeze. Azriel gave you a look that made your body go on overdrive.

He picked you up, you wrapped your legs around his waist as he continued to "eat your neck" as Cassian had said all those days before. You rolled your eyes at the thought, but then they rolled back as Azriel bit at a sensitive area that intensified that already intoxicating feeling you got when you were with him.

And you wished it never ended.

~~~

"How do you feel about this?" You asked, hoping he'd be okay with it. So far he hadn't opposed.

"I don't want to hurt you." He confessed. You knew he meant physically, he could be a little rough sometimes. You were okay with that though, You rolled your eyes at his comment.

"I'm serious Y/N." He looked you in the eye. You were back at the training grounds of the Illyrian camp. You didn't specify any details, so you both didn't care about speaking in public.

"I'm a big girl, I think I can handle it." You began to walk ahead of him, He grabbed your forearm and pulled you back to face him, a hint of a smile on your face. "Only if you're sure."

Your smile faded once you saw that he was genuinely concerned. "Az, you wouldn't hurt me. I trust you."

He froze and let you go. He had a hard time letting people see how he was feeling but you could tell he was struggling with letting you in and his self-deprecation.

~~~

You had kept your secret "relationship" hidden from everyone else, as much as you could. It didn't take long. They were extremely nosy and it was difficult with Mor being your best friend. She always knew when you were lying and had insisted you were acting differently. You would always blow it off and say you had a good day, telling a random story you just thought of on the spot.

Cassian had continued to tease you about your secret lover-- which only intrigued Mor even further-- you avoided the truth most of the time. You and Azriel would be extra careful when doing what you did. Sometimes even going to Inns and you would both winnow to the location.

Going through all that trouble only for Amren to find out and threaten to tell the others. She tried to blackmail you into buying her a pure diamond bracelet. As if she couldn't afford it yourself. You talked to Azriel about it and you both decided you didn't care if anyone else knew, it's only a matter of time before they found out anyway. Plus you could use the money to buy a house somewhere private in Velaris. You enjoyed the privacy and lack of teasing for as long as it lasted.

Amren didn't tell but as you predicted, everyone did find out. Some already had suspicions like Mor, Rhys, and Feyre. Amren wouldn't have known if she hadn't caught you both and Cassian never would have thought. You'd be lying if you said you weren't disappointed at him not showing any sign of jealousy. You knew he wouldn't be, being caught up with Nesta and all but you still held hope. You considered yourself a fool and would try to fuck the feelings out of you with Azriel. And most of the time it worked.

~~~

Months went by as sleeping with your best friend became your new normal. You never would have thought that you'd be one of those mysterious girls that Azriel hooked up with, ever since that night, you were the only girl. You had to admit, you liked the idea; being Azriel's only girl. But you knew that although you would be the only girl in his bed, Mor will always be on his mind. Not that you blamed him, you were still somewhat hung up on Cassian. After you can't get rid of 500+ years of feelings.

As you laid next to Azriel, who now stayed nights instead of leaving right after, You admired his tattoos, the intricate designs, you fought the urge to trace them. You did anyways but only a centimeter away from his chest so you wouldn't wake him. In the morning light that slipped through a slight gap in your curtains, It shone right on him. He looked ethereal.

You always knew he was attractive most Illyrian men were, at least if they weren't assholes most of the time. You had time now, to actually take in his beauty. You could never understand how someone so beautiful and kind could be so broken. You guessed that's why you chose him to spend your nights with, instead of some random guy. You could help him and heal him and get him to appreciate himself more.

The shadows around him became more active, it made him tense up. He was awake. You lifted your hand up to up to move the stray hair that fell onto his face. At that moment, you felt your world shift an overwhelming sensation of love and adoration consumed your body and you snatched your hand away from him. You were in pure shock.

'Holy fuck' Was the only thing going through your head.

"What's wrong?"He questioned as if he could sense your distress. His voice hoarse from just waking up.

"Nothing." You said, immediately getting up and getting dressed in whatever you had closest to you. "You should, um, You should get going. I have a lot of reports to do, I've been holding them off but Rhys has been asking me for them for the longest so I should get on it."

Azriel sat up, the bed sheet covering one leg and another part. His perfectly sculpted body in your bed, the lighting, half of his leg uncovered by the blanket. You tried to compose yourself to figure out what you would do. Hoping that he didn't pick up on how different you were acting. It was no use he probably already expected something was up.

To try to ease the tension you sat next to him, brushing the hair out of his face, dragging your fingertips down to the side of his face, and kissed his cheek. You ignored the tingles you felt as his face nuzzled into your hand. Hesitantly, you remove your hand and got up from the bed, and sat at the desk you had in your room. You pretended to read through old letters from officials.

Azriel took that as his cue to leave. He got dressed and pressed a kiss to the back of your head before he left.

He definitely knew something, that's not how your mornings usually go. You would at least spend an hour or two together either talking or enjoying each other's presence before sending each other off to your respective duties. However due to your new discovery of Azriel being your mate. You panicked. What would you do now?

~~~

Hours had passed and you hadn't left your room, choosing to focus on the reports that you did in fact, have to do. Rhys just wasn't expecting them for another week or so. Mor then busted into your room. "Knock, knock bitch."

"Uh, hello gorgeous, didn't expect a lovely visit from you today." You said sarcastically, turning your chair to face her. She dropped the shopping bags onto your floor. You lifted a brow in question.

"We're going on a trip!"

"I'm busy." You turned back around to focus on what you were writing.

"It's a fun work one." You twisted your chair around again.

"How do you mean?"

"Day court gala, bonding with people, gaining trust, and all that." She waved it off as if you didn't need to know actual information. You decided you'd ask for details from Rhysand later.

"And you went shopping." You gestured to all of the bags. "like you don't have tons of outfits you could take."

"Well of course I do. These are for you." She grinned.

"W-what?"

"Just because you're supposed to be invisible and all that, doesn't mean you have to be like that all the time." She referred to your job description, being another spy for Rhysand, relying on you being a woman to get information from people Azriel couldn't. Kind of ridiculous considering Azriel's shadows allowed him to get all the information needed but it was an easy enough job. Unlike Az, you didn't have shadows to command so you stuck to your black outfits tunics, and suits that would help you move easily. You never really dressed up, unless it was for an occasion, but you enjoyed doing it when you could. Most of the time you would be on duty or something like it so you couldn't.

This Gala gave you the perfect excuse too. You were thankful to Mor for having bought you these dresses and accessories. You were pretty sure you had worn all the dresses you had in your closet already.

"Yeah, you're right." You gave her a half-smile. Part of you wondered what Azriel's reaction would be to you in one of these revealing dresses. You shook the thought from your head. You would dress for yourself not for some male, even if that male is your mate.

You debated whether to tell Mor or not. She might be able to help you with your internal battle. Part of you was hurt about Cassian not being your mate. Another part always knew that he wasn't, and another part of you wondered how Azriel would react. Did he feel the bond snap into place? Or was it a Feyre-Rhysand situation where the bond would snap into place at another moment? Would he reject you cause you weren't Mor?

You opted to tell Mor at the day court where you would have more space and privacy from the others.

~~~

Helion's words about uniting and bonding were very heartwarming and kind, but you couldn't get past the thoughts that swarmed your mind. You took advantage of this time with everyone listening to Helions welcoming speech and sneakily made your way over to where Mor was standing. You pretended to greet her with a kiss and whispered in her ear to meet you in the room you were staying at.

"Thank the cauldron you came along, Helion was droning on and was about to make me fall asleep." She joked as she sauntered into your room. She paused her amused tone as soon as she saw your face. "You were fine like two minutes ago."

"Glad to know, I'm good at hiding it." You forced a smile. She tilted her head as if to ask you 'what's wrong', so you told her. You told her that Azriel was your mate and how it happened. You told her of your fears of rejection and confusion with your love for Cassian. It was a different love now, you felt it. There was a shift in what you felt towards Cassian and more intense feelings for Azriel. You suspected the bond but you didn't mind it. You then opened up about your insecurity about him rejecting you for her. Which she shut down, though she knew what you meant.

"Mor, Azriel loves you, like I loved Cassian. What if his love for you is stronger and he refuses to let go. We all know the only reason he never went for you is his trouble with his self-worth." Those were harsh words, but they were true. "He could easily reject me for you, knowing you don't love him in that way."

"You don't know that Y/N. And you loved Cassian, probably as much as Azriel loved me. After all this time you spent together, you truly don't think he would have changed the way he feels for me?" She grabbed your hand in hers. "You and Azriel are like two sides of the same coin, he's all dark and brooding and you, well you're the same in some ways. But you bring out the light and you can cast out all of his darkness with a simple smile."

"I don't know." You whispered. You were scared. Your feelings for Azriel already began to grow, without the bond, with it in place now it was strengthened. Your feelings for Cassian was a background noise that would soon grow into a more familial type of love.

"What should I do Mor?" You whimpered, you put your face in your hands. "I feel like a girl with a crush. This is ridiculous."

She laughed and nodded. "Yes, yes it is. On the bright side, if he doesn't know about you being mates, you could still have fun with other people."

You gave her a look. "You forget that he's my designated person to 'have fun' with."

"I didn't know you had a conversation on exclusivity." She shrugged and walked over to the cart that had alcoholic drinks, at the corner of the room.

"Technically we did when we agreed to sleep with each other when we felt like it." You reasoned.

"Hm." She mused, sipping on her drink. "I still say enjoy tonight, dance with a few males, or females, and if you two end up having sex with him again just enjoy the time you have with him."

"Thanks for the talk, Mor."

"Of course darling, by the way, I highly doubt he'll reject you. If he does he's an idiot and I'll kill him." She sent a wink your way and left you in your room to think.

~~~

Azriel watched as you swayed your hips to the beat of the music. A man who he didn't know came up from behind you, keeping up with you. That was the first of many. He felt a twinge of jealousy in his gut. He attempted to force that emotion down. He couldn't understand where that was coming from.

He was keeping watch, even though he always made sure to keep a lookout for danger to his court. Mor and Cassian tried to get him to ease up, he didn't budge. Who would pry Cassian from more liquor when he's had enough to drink if Azriel wasn't sober? He used the excuse of being the only responsible one to keep an eye on her. Y/n, Azriel thought he knew what it was to love someone because of Mor but what Azriel felt for Y/N was different. It felt raw and real and whatever it was, was growing fast. She was easy to talk to, not that he did much of that but she listened, actually listened when he did, and she didn't pry or hover as much as the others. They tend to beat around the bush when wanting to know about what was going on with him. Unlike Y/N who would take her time to make sure he felt comfortable and if, he wasn't, she would change the topic and act normal.

Y/N was a calming presence that allowed him to just be. She brought out another side of him that he thought he could never be.

That's why when he felt a change in the way he saw her dancing with a new guy than the one she was with earlier, it all made sense. She was his mate. He saw red as he practically flew to where they were. The fae males' hands that were roaming your bonds were ripped away from you and he dragged him away. Azriel pinned the man against the wall. People began to stare and talk in hushed whispers, appalled at the sight.

"Never touch my mate, again." He growled. He dug his fingers into the guy's neck.

"I-I didn't know." The man choked out.

"Well, now you do." He muttered, letting the man slump to the ground. He went over to where you were standing, eyes wide. His eyes softened while looking at you. He slowed as he got to you. "Can we talk?"

You nodded your head and began to walk toward an empty hall.

"I'm sorry if I scared you." He kept his voice low but soft. He was afraid, you would want to run away.

"You didn't." You stood there staring at him. You tried to figure him out, to no avail. His face was always stoic. "I- I thought you'd reject me and now I don't know what to do." You confessed.

"You knew?" He tried to recall if you had acted any differently. His shadows had felt the change in your demeanor and set out in whispers when you were rushing him out. He brushed it off, he should've looked more into it. The last thing he wanted to do was to make you feel unwanted or rejected.

"Since yesterday morning." You confirmed. Your anxiety consumed you, you heard of the pain that came along with being rejected by your mate. Some have died from it. Little did you know Azriel was worrying about the same exact thing. Not thinking himself worthy enough of your affection. He allowed himself the pleasure of being in bed with you, assuming it was nothing more and he couldn't get hurt you or be hurt that way. It was a release from another pain you both had the displeasure of feeling.

"I want you to know it is an honor to have you as my mate." He took a step closer.

"Really? Honestly, I thought..." You shook your head. "Nevermind."

He looked confused but let it go, if you wanted to tell him you would. "Guess this means I have to go cook you something." You let out a laugh. He smiled an actual wide beautiful smile. Azriel grabbed your face and kissed you.

It was soon interrupted by a very drunk Mor who shouted, "Finally!"

Cassian was right behind her, "Mor! I forgot where the bathroom was, can y-" He paused looking between you and Azriel. "Oooh getting freaky in the hall, that's new. Hey Y/N if he isn't hitting it right, you know where to find me." He winked at you. Azriel gave him a murderous look, putting his arm in front of you. 'So he's gonna be one of those', you thought.

You couldn't wait till the second part of the mating process.

Tags: @wildchild2707​ ,@theworthlessqueen​ ,@ciciakai​ ,@rockinginneverland​

[whatsgnat]

Ice planet Barbarians thoughts I need to get out of my system. ((Up to the book "Barbarian's Hope".)) Buckle in its long.

I may just not remember it happening but next time Georgie is treated like shes made of glass, I would love to see Georgie tell Vektal about how she beat that one alien to death and almost pulled off a successful coup of their kidnappers ship. He'd totally be like: 😳☺️🥰😍

I love how Raahosh is well and truly whipped for Liz.

Also that queen dragged his big ass unconscious body back to the cave when he nearly died. She's got to have some guns. Liz could probably kick my ass and I love that.

Liz lives for the chaos, whether she creates it or just simply witnesses it and it always has me in stitches. 💀

When Liz took Aehako as a "hostage" and then they just started having a relationship advice sesh.. gotta be top 10 moments 🤌 I was dead. I wish we got to see more of this friendship because the two would be such good buddies.

The way I screamed when Kira and Aehako finally resonated. I scared my dogs.

Also can we talk about Kira went full mission impossible and infiltrated the ship, poisoned all the aliens, then crashed the ship(i love this crazy ass series). I don't think anyone gives her enough credit for single handedly saving them. 🤔 it's a crime how little it's talked about.

I was a little peeved when Aehako's first thought was Harlow just abandoned them??? And Kira just accepted that?? Why... would Harlow even do that?!

I wasn't sure what to expect from Rukh and Harlow's story but I actually found it surprisingly sweet. But my god my girl Harlow accepted the situation so quickly. 🤭 ...... but I can't stay mad because Rukh is kinda too adorable..... so am I understanding her on this?!?!??! Ruby what have you done to me?

Harlow's whole terminal cancer plot was a huge surprise to me and it just added that extra emotional tug where she was now getting all the things she was never going to live to have. And the Khui is quite literally keeping her alive. It was an interesting difference to the other girls and her reasons to settle in to the planet relatively quickly compared to theirs.

I really loved the parallels between Rukh and his father and the Sa-Kohtsk mother and child. Rukh realizing that he can't repeat that selfish cycle with Harlow or his son and shouldn't idolize his dad. It was emotional and clever introspection that I was not expecting from these books.

Also when Raahosh gave Rukh that little hug and was like "you're my brother, I'll be there for you"(paraphrasing) and I felt some tears. Wtf 😭😭😭😭😭😭

I live for protective Auntie Liz and Rukhar.

Also sorry Raahosh and Rukh but your dad sounds like a dick(I feel so bad for their mom).

I was unsure about Salukh at first because he comes on really strong at first, but I really love how gentle and patient he was with Tiffany. Their intimate scenes were just really sweet. I also like how her trauma was handled. She copes differently than the other girls(like Josie) and I think that's realistic

I also have to say I fully adore how Tiffany, our POC queen, is the most desired of the girls and known as the most talented, beautiful, and smart.

I also appreciate that The nice guy shit (from Vaza, Bek, Taushen etc...) where Tiff was treated like a prize was not where she fell in love, but it was the guy that got to know her and actually listened to her.

When it's mentioned that Haeden lost his shit over Josie being put in harms way to warn the main cave was when I first realized that there already might be something there and then I read the holiday book and he tackled the guy who hurt her in football and I was also losing my shit(for different reasons 🥰). My poor oblivious girl Josie is like "Haeden?! As a mate!? Ew?! Also I think he hates me I don't know why he did that." Baby girl plz. 🤚

Also everyone has to start being nicer to Josie. Everyone is always bad mouthing her and I'm going to need Haeden to do something about it before I step in. I'm about to fight the character we are following in their book when they start digging at her. Shes so warm and sunny and hilarious and I can never get enough of her POV. Like leave her alone.

I wish we got more of Claire and Erevan because Georgie and Vektal really kinda stole that book away with Talie's birth. I mean I really like Erevan especially after he stepped in to help Claire when everyone else was just watching that scary shit?! Bek was really scary in that book???

I dont know what Bek's book has in store later, but I'm not the biggest fan. I'm still wary even after he apologized and gave Claire gifts for her baby.

Learning more about Haeden's ex Resonance parter crushed me. I'm sorry, I don't want to speak ill of the dead, but she sounded like an ass. I understand she was in an uncomfortable situation resonating to someone younger. I realize. But the way she treated him and consistently jabbed at him and humiliated him was not ok at all. That shit clearly damaged him. I can only imagine the flashbacks he was having when Josie immediately rejected him. I really felt for him as he began to open up and explain his behavior. It all made so much sense.

The way Josie and Haeden slowly learn how to communicate with eachother throughout the book and slowly open up and fall in love was so wonderfully done!!! She's open and loud about her feelings and he closes himself off. It's an interesting difference in love languages(her being affirmations and him being actions) and them learning and navigating that had my heart exploding. When he doesn't say I love you back and she lashes out only to immediately realize the mistake and after her apology he silently sits next to her, doesn't get angry with her, and expresses "When I thought you died I wanted to follow you. I've never felt that". in his own way giving ger the affirmation she needs. I fell in love.

Josie: "Well I want alot of kids... like maybe 4 or 5". Haeden: "That's alot of mouths to feed. Luckily your mate is a good hunter*smile*". ---Inject them directly into my veins, thanks, they are all I need---

I've gone back and read bits and pieces from Josie and Haeden's book repeatedly. I need more.

Its actually not shocking that Haeden always had a thing for Josie when you know his closest friends are Aehako and Cashol! He is clearly drawn to the loud, bright, jokesters who are free with their emotions.

DEAF PROTAGONIST 👏 DEAF PROTAGONIST 👏 AHHHHHHHHHH

I really loved Lilah and Rokan and I have to say they might be one of my top faves. I like how they grow a connection throughout the book without the pressure of resonance(on Lilah's side). It felt really natural.

The tribe being so eager to learn ASL to talk to her made my cold dead heart grow 10 sizes

I appreciate how Lilah is like "It's not the end of the world that I can't hear anymore" because alot of hearing people tend to think of Deaf people in that lens. In reality alot of Deaf people are happy being Deaf. They have a culture and community and beautiful language(I'm not Deaf or fluent in ASL but I took years of ASL classes and Deaf Culture in college where we talked alot about these things. But If I'm wrong about anything and you're Deaf please please correct me!!!).

Alot of the signing parts were written in English which bothered me a little and by that I mean ASL has its own grammar that differs from English a little and so it felt off. Also some words used in Lilah's signing don't have signs or wouldn't be signed in the way it was said. Ik ik I can't expect too much from these books but I'm just venting.

I wish facial expressions were mentioned more in the ASL parts because facial expressions can change the meaning of what you're signing along with how you move your hands(like when Maddie signed in jagged motions when frustrated).

I love Maddie and i related to her so much with her purpose being the big sister and protector. Hassen even grew on me. He's actually kinda sweet.

I was going to throw hands when no one wanted Maddie to come on the fruit cave trip with them!??!?!?!? TF!??! I love Lilah but I felt betrayed for Maddie.

AND WE MUST POINT OUT: Vektal was entirely correct when saying going easy on Raahosh would create problems. How many kidnappings have occurred thus far?!?!?!? Man must have grey hairs already.

Stacy having to tell Pashov stories about the 2 years hes forgotten was a really clever way to give us their origin without full repeating the same story we've seen a million times. I actually really loved their story and how they work through something and heartbreaking as your partner not remembering you or your child. Also Pashov is really funny and cute.

I LIVE for Asha and Claire's friendship. I need to see more of this between the characters. I want to see the girls having more friends in the clan, not just the other humans and their mates.

I loved Asha and Hemalo and I was expecting to not. I Loved how Ruby Dixon wrote Asha's toxic coping mechanisms and how she comes to terms with needing to make a change!!! It was so interesting and introspective and watching the pair heal their relationship has me smiling like a dork.

When Asha was like "You're lucky your mate is not a weak human" when saving Hemalo I immediately was like "Nuh uh excuse me miss ma'am!!!" ----Cut to: Liz dragging Raahosh to safety and saving him from death, Georgie beating that one alien to death with the butt of a gun, Kira killing all the bad aliens and crashing their ship saving all the human girls, Josie getting 2nd degree burns on her hands and fearlessly running in to save Haeden from the Metlak swarm, Stacey attempting to run into the collapsing cave to save Pashov, Josie marching back by herself through the wilderness to warn the main cave even though she was scared deep down, Tiffany literally reaching up in there and helping Georgie deliver a Breech baby and probably saving Georgie and baby Talie's life, Lilah dragging Rokan out of the avalanche after he was concussed and unconscious, Maddie literally fighting for Hassen to be welcomed back at the risk of getting herself exiled. The humans may be smaller and not fit for the harsh environment, but let's stop acting like they aren't fierce and bad bitches in their own right!!!!