#but she also cares about everyone!! she's a healer and wants to understand and help others!!

[sugar-konpeito]

i feel like sailor moon fandom sanitizes usagi way too much. like her whole point (in the anime at least) is that she's a massive unhinged mess who causes really big issues but is ultimately kind

[illycanary]

Katara's Story Is A Tragedy and It's Not An Accident

I was a teenaged girl when Avatar: The Last Airbender aired on Nickelodeon—the group that the show’s creators unintentionally hit while they were aiming for the younger, maler demographic. Nevermind that we’re the reason the show’s popularity caught fire and has endured for two decades; we weren’t the audience Mike and Bryan wanted. And by golly, were they going to make sure we knew it. They’ve been making sure we know it with every snide comment and addendum they’ve made to the story for the last twenty years.

For many of us girls who were raised in the nineties and aughts, Katara was a breath of fresh air—a rare opportunity in a media market saturated with boys having grand adventures to see a young woman having her own adventure and expressing the same fears and frustrations we were often made to feel. 

We were told that we could be anything we wanted to be. That we were strong and smart and brimming with potential. That we were just as capable as the boys. That we were our brothers’ equals. But we were also told to wash dishes and fold laundry and tidy around the house while our brothers played outside. We were ignored when our male classmates picked teams for kickball and told to go play with the girls on the swings—the same girls we were taught to deride if we wanted to be taken seriously. We were lectured for the same immaturity that was expected of boys our age and older, and we were told to do better while also being told, “Boys will be boys.” Despite all the platitudes about equality and power, we saw our mothers straining under the weight of carrying both full-time careers and unequally divided family responsibilities. We sensed that we were being groomed for the same future. 

And we saw ourselves in Katara. 

Katara begins as a parentified teenaged girl: forced to take on responsibility for the daily care of people around her—including male figures who are capable of looking after themselves but are allowed to be immature enough to foist such labor onto her. She does thankless work for people who take her contributions for granted. She’s belittled by people who love her, but don’t understand her. She’s isolated from the world and denied opportunities to improve her talents. She's told what emotions she's allowed to feel and when to feel them. In essence, she was living our real-world fear: being trapped in someone else’s narrow, stultifying definition of femininity and motherhood. 

Then we watched Katara go through an incredible journey of self-determination and empowerment. Katara goes from being a powerless, fearful victim to being a protector, healer, advocate, and liberator to others who can’t do those things for themselves (a much truer and more fulfilling definition of nurturing and motherhood). It’s necessary in Katara’s growth cycle that she does this for others first because that is the realm she knows. She is given increasingly significant opportunities to speak up and fight on behalf of others, and that allows her to build those advocacy muscles gradually. But she still holds back her own emotional pain because everyone that she attempts to express such things to proves they either don't want to deal with it or they only want to manipulate her feelings for their own purposes. 

Katara continues to do much of the work we think of as traditionally maternal on behalf of her friends and family over the course of the story, but we do see that scale gradually shift. Sokka takes on more responsibility for managing the group’s supplies, and everyone helps around camp, but Katara continues to be the manager of everyone else’s emotions while simultaneously punching down her own. The scales finally seem to tip when Zuko joins the group. With Zuko, we see someone working alongside Katara doing the same tasks she is doing around camp for the first time. Zuko is also the only person who never expects anything of her and whose emotions she never has to manage because he’s actually more emotionally stable and mature than she is by that point. And then, Katara’s arc culminates in her finally getting the chance to fully seize her power, rewrite the story of the traumatic event that cast her into the role of parentified child, be her own protector, and freely express everything she’s kept locked away for the sake of letting everyone else feel comfortable around her. Then she fights alongside an equal partner she knows she can trust and depend on through the story's climax. And for the first time since her mother’s death, the girl who gives and gives and gives while getting nothing back watches someone sacrifice everything for her. But this time, she’s able to change the ending because her power is fully realized. The cycle was officially broken.

Katara’s character arc was catharsis at every step. If Katara could break the mold and recreate the ideas of womanhood and motherhood in her own image, so could we. We could be powerful. We could care for ourselves AND others when they need us—instead of caring for everyone all the time at our own expense. We could have balanced partnerships with give and take going both ways (“Tui and La, push and pull”), rather than the, “I give, they take,” model we were conditioned to expect. We could fight for and determine our own destiny—after all, wasn’t destiny a core theme of the story?

Yes. Destiny was the theme. But the lesson was that Katara didn’t get to determine hers. 

After Katara achieves her victory and completes her arc, the narrative steps in and smacks her back down to where she started. For reasons that are never explained or justified, Katara rewards the hero by giving into his romantic advances even though he has invalidated her emotions, violated her boundaries, lashed out at her for slights against him she never committed, idealized a false idol of her then browbeat her when she deviated from his narrative, and forced her to carry his emotions and put herself in danger when he willingly fails to control himself—even though he never apologizes, never learns his lesson, and never shows any inclination to do better. 

And do better he does not.

The more we dared to voice our own opinions on a character that was clearly meant to represent us, the more Mike and Bryan punished Katara for it.

Throughout the comics, Katara makes herself smaller and smaller and forfeits all rights to personal actualization and satisfaction in her relationship. She punches her feelings down when her partner neglects her and cries alone as he shows more affection and concern for literally every other girl’s feelings than hers. She becomes cowed by his outbursts and threats of violence. Instead of rising with the moon or resting in the warmth of the sun, she learns to stay in his shadow. She gives up her silly childish dreams of rebuilding her own dying culture’s traditions and advocating for other oppressed groups so that she can fulfill his wishes to rebuild his culture instead—by being his babymaker. Katara gave up everything she cared about and everything she fought to become for the whims of a man-child who never saw her as a person, only a possession.

Then, in her old age, we get to watch the fallout of his neglect—both toward her and her children who did not meet his expectations. By that point, the girl who would never turn her back on anyone who needed her was too far gone to even advocate for her own children in her own home. And even after he’s gone, Katara never dares to define herself again. She remains, for the next twenty-plus years of her life, nothing more than her husband's grieving widow. She was never recognized for her accomplishments, the battles she won, or the people she liberated. Even her own children and grandchildren have all but forgotten her. She ends her story exactly where it began: trapped in someone else’s narrow, stultifying definition of femininity and motherhood.

The story’s theme was destiny, remember? But this story’s target audience was little boys. Zuko gets to determine his own destiny as long as he works hard and earns it. Aang gets his destiny no matter what he does or doesn’t do to earn it. And Katara cannot change the destiny she was assigned by gender at birth, no matter how hard she fights for it or how many times over she earns it. 

Katara is Winston Smith, and the year is 1984. It doesn’t matter how hard you fight or what you accomplish, little girl. Big Brother is too big, too strong, and too powerful. You will never escape. You will never be free. Your victories are meaningless. So stay in your place, do what you’re told, and cry quietly so your tears don’t bother people who matter.

I will never get over it. Because I am Katara. And so are my friends, sisters, daughters, and nieces. But I am not content to live in Bryke's world.

I will never turn my back on people who need me. Including me.

[starsxblazing]

Cause and Effect (Part 1)

a/n: Finally part one of the series as I work on requests! I tagged everyone that commented on the original story but there were a few that I was unable to. Thank all of you so much in your interest!

Azriel x reader/Archeron!sister

(Part 2)

From the moment that you were forced into the Cauldron, your life had drastically changed. You weren’t sure what to do or where you fit in life. It wasn’t like you truly fit in anywhere anyway but it had only been amplified by being turned into High Fae. Pain and betrayal stayed with you because Feyre had done nothing to help you, Nesta, and Elain. In a sense, you understood why but it didn’t stop the emotions.

Being the youngest of all of the Archeron sisters meant that you were always looked over by everyone. Your father barely acknowledged your existence and Nesta was always more concerned about Elain and her wellbeing. You were only a year younger than Feyre and even she wasn’t treated in the way that you were.

Maybe it was because she took the initiative to risk her life to keep you all fed but when you pushed to help her, she refused your help and brushed you aside like everyone else. The only attention that you got was from a boy your age and you also knew that he didn’t truly care about you. It was only all about him getting what he wanted and then leaving.

The one thing that kept you going, kept you somewhat hopeful, were a select few human holidays that were nearly completely forgotten for a reason unknown to you. There was one in particular that always stood out and you always did your best to celebrate it. Despite that, your low rank in the family simply earned you a scoff and told that it didn’t matter. 

You simply wanted to share a small bit of joy that you could hold onto with the four of them. It was hard being so different in the sense that you wanted to spread love and joy but everyone around you was more focused on being miserable with poverty. 

The Fae had their own traditions, you had learned, in the separate courts in the new world that you were forced into but that piece of you that loved your holiday felt as if it was slowly dying. Dying just as your humanity had. You had watched in horror as Feyre was forced back to the original court that she had found her first love in. Despite that, you kept silent while standing a few feet away from your two oldest sisters on the ground who were just as drenched as you were.

Mor had all three of you before you had time to blink, sending you all through a pit of darkness before landing in yet another place that you were unfamiliar with. Naturally, everything would be unknown to you and a piece of you didn’t really care. As you sat in your room all alone, your mind drifted to the males in the castle that you had been in and you could only hope that they were alright. Your caring heart wouldn’t let you feel much of anything else.

That was until you began to move between both of your sisters' rooms. You didn’t want to be alone but Elain was in a catatonic state and Nesta simply shoved you out of the room. It was a traumatizing situation for all of you but you craved and longed for someone to be there for you as Nesta was for Elain to help you cope.

Mor had come to check on all three of you within a couple of hours and she was the first one that showed you genuine kindness for the first time in a really long time. It unfortunately didn’t last long before the female left you alone again with the excuse that she needed to check on her friends.

“Are they going to be okay?” you asked worriedly.

“They will be,” she assured with a tender smile. “They just need some rest while the healers work on them.”

“Tell them that I hope that they get better soon.”

She gave you a small smile of understanding and once she left, you made your way back to your room. You hadn’t taken the time before to fully take in the sight before you. The bed was huge, decorated in different shades of blue. Your new bed was just as big and it made you wonder why a bed would need to be so large. It was a far cry from what you were used to in poverty and even the new estate that you had placed in couldn’t compare to this.

The balcony was what caught your attention the most and you couldn’t stop yourself from enjoying the evening breeze that flowed through your hair, setting you at ease as you took in the sight of the city below you. You knew that the small area would be where you would spend a majority of your time if your sisters didn’t want anything to do with you.

Unable to stay in one place, you found yourself wandering aimlessly in an attempt to learn your new surroundings. The simple fact that it was built into the mountain amazed you and you wondered how much work it took to do such a thing. Becoming aware of your surroundings was your main goal but you always ran excitedly when Mor came to visit.

“Have you heard from Feyre?” you asked as you dined with her at the end of your first day in your new dwellings.

No.” Mor shook her head, sadness written in her features. “She’s fully capable of handling herself but we’re hoping that it won’t take her long to accomplish whatever she has planned.”

“And your friends?”

“Our best healer is working on Cassian’s wings,” she answered somewhat hesitantly even though you swore you saw tenderness in her eyes. “Azriel’s wound was nowhere near as bad as it seemed and he’ll be okay in another day or so.”

“I can’t imagine how much it would hurt to have that happen when you have wings.” You shook your head as pain for them filled you. “Or having an arrow in your chest that’s laced with poison.”

“They are Illyrians and they heal quickly,” she assured. “Healing and reconstructing wings is quite difficult but we trust our healer immensely.”

You weren’t given much information and your heart sank whenever she had to leave to check on the injured males. Taking a chance on Nesta again, you slipped into the library to be met with a hostile face. It was all that you could do not to cringe away from that look so you sighed instead.

“Mor just left and said her friends are healing,” you offered.

“I don’t care,” she replied matter of factly, her tone proving her words. “What are you doing here?”

“I uh- Just came for a book,” you muttered, your heart breaking at the hatred that you were receiving.

“Well get it and go.”

Doing as told, you grabbed the first book that you could get your hands on and darted to your room. Mor hadn’t returned on the second day and Rhysand, the High Lord, simply walked through the home, glancing at all three of you before leaving again. You were unable to focus on the words in the romance book that you had unknowingly grabbed as you sat at the dining room table on the third day.

You heard the beat of wings before you saw them and noticed that it was one of the males, Azriel as you remembered, who had landed on the balcony. It took you a moment of staring to realize that he was the most beautiful male that you had ever seen in your relatively short life. He locked eyes with you when he noticed you and his own went wide when you smiled brightly before he stumbled back a step as if he were in shock.

“Hey!” you exclaimed a bit too excitedly, happy to see another person.

“Hi,” he whispered breathlessly.

A small smile formed on his face that only caused you to grin in response.

Tag List:

@amara-moonlight @allygrace74 @sidthedollface2 @historygeekqueen @hnyclover @kalulakunundrum @historygeekqueen @bubybubsters @thisblogisaboutabook @mybestfriendmademe @caroline-books @justvibbinghere @wisdomofthebrain @nighttimemoonlover @cleverzonkwombatsludge @alessiazeni @rhenysz @ladespedidas @meritxellao @candyjaypoppins @carnationworld @mulansaucey @why4anne @tsibba01 @sassyangel16 @aetherl0l @wallacewillow0773638 @cherryinsalemverse @lupinswolfsbanes @amysangel @ayme301 @sassyslytherinshai @zeroangelo13 @sirens-and-moonflowers @evye47 @starcrossedsan @impossibelle @landofpetrichor @tuggboatfishin @dr4g0ngirl @one-big-fangirl @mistyheart @ang-taylorsversion @youngblood199456 @anuttellaa

[erenjaegerwifee]

Summers In Pandora 🌸 Day 8 Corruption

Paring: Dilf!Jake x Fem!Omatikaya!Reader

Summery: Your best friend’s dad shows you what it feels like to touch yourself for the first time.

Warnings: MDNI 18+, fingering, kissing, corruption kink, infidelity.

Word Count: 1.9k

Index: kelku - home/house

Disclaimer: All my characters are aged-up! If that makes you uncomfortable please do not read or interact with my account or any of my posts. 

Main M.List | Event M.List

Your friend Kiri is your best friend in the entire world, you have never met a girl quite as unique and caring as her, and you love her extra fingers and toes. Kiri was one of the most trusted healers in the clan, you on the other hand were very reserved and shy, your parents kept a hold on you even after all these years. You are now 19 and still you do not go anywhere alone.  

Yours and the Sully family have been close ever since Jake Sully joined the clan years ago, you spent a lot of time with the children hence how you and Kiri are so close. The handful of people your parents trust you with sleep in the Sully house hold. Your parents often allow you to spend time, even nights at their house knowing someone they trust is with you.  

You have never had any friends outside the Sully siblings in your entire life because if someone approached you, someone is always with you to scare them away. They do not want anyone to ruin your innocence, they do not wish for anyone to hurt such a fragile girl. Now, the protectiveness everyone has is not for no reason, when you were born you were your parents miracle child. After you, your mother couldn’t conceive another child and it was hard enough for her to conceive you. 

Then when you were born, they thought you would lose you after you contracted an illness and got incredibly sick. The Sullys stuck with your parents the entire time and saw them through it so why wouldn't they trust them. Thank Eywa you recovered and grew into a very beautiful young woman.  

For a while now you have been sporting a crush on your clan’s leader and your best friend’s father, Jake Sully. He just made your heart race in ways you didn’t know possible so what other emotion could you feel for him besides love? You always felt strange when he would touch you even in the smallest ways, like if he helped you with your archery stance, or when he cut up fruit and feed it to you so you wouldn’t have to get your hands sticky, even at your big age of 21. 

You were not stupid, you understand that Jake is a mated man, you know he made the bond with his wife and that’s how he had children. You also know one day you will make the bond with someone and they will be your mate forever. Thought further than that, you have no idea. You know boys and girls have different private parts and only girls can have babies but you were under the impression only when you bond you get pregnant and your parents preferred it that way, because they know you would never bond without their permission.  

There was recent talk between your families that you and Lo’ak are meant to be a mated pair so your parents can stay close to you and you will mate with someone you trust. Lo’ak as am amazing young man, he is an exceptional tracker when it comes to hunting, mating him is not the worst thing in the world but your tummy doesn’t flutter the same way when he is around than when you are with Jake.  

You were meant to stay at the Sully household this weekend. Your parents and Neytiri are going hunting with Neteyam and Lo’ak. Jake volunteered to stay back with the girls while they went. The hunting trip was meant to last 3 days. You pack up your bag and you walk over to the Sully kelku and you say goodbye to your parents and settle yourself into Lo’ak’s room. You eat dinner with the family talking about their day and Tuk told you about the bracelet she made for her mother.  

Kiri and Tuk quickly retired to their room and Jake turned on a human movie on the big screen tv in their common area. He prided himself in having time to use it as Neytiri doesn’t like that it is there. He turned on a movie called The Proposal, he thought it might be a good innocent movie to watch with you and he ended up having to explain the entire movie to you as you both watched but he didn’t really mind, his kids never cared to watch movies with him so he enjoyed your company.  

When the boy and girl kissed in the scene in front of his entire family you gasped and covered your mouth, “They’re having a baby Jake, in front of everyone? Humans do that?” Now Jake knew your parents kept you on a tight leash but he had no idea you were this innocent. Jake glanced at you and saw you covering your eyes and he paused the movie. He double checked to make sure Kiri and Tuk’s room light was off so he knows they are asleep.  

“Babygirl, that’s not what happens when people make babies, that’s not how girls get pregnant.” he said in a low voice. You drop your hands and turn to face him, “Well I know na’vi have to make the bond first but they are kissing that is forbidden unless you are mated, that’s how na’vi get babies”  

“Ok I see your logic and to a point your right, but kissing is not all that happened when someone wants to make a baby.” you were confused, “So what happens?” you look at him with doe eyes. “Well after you make the bond, you and your mate will touch each other's private parts, you know, like you do by yourself, your mate will do it.” Jake tries not to think about what you might look like while you touch yourself but he couldn’t help but trail down your body with his eyes.  

“Touch myself? I supposed to touch myself? How?” your question but him in a tuff spot, should he drop the conversation? Or should he tell you? Maybe even show you. “When you are alone, you’ve never felt a little different down there and let your hand help you?”  

“I've felt different but I never knew what to do, happens almost every day, but I wasn’t sure I was allowed...” Jake squeezes his eyes shut and lets out a deep exhale, he can’t pass this up. “You know I take show you how to help yourself if you want? But you cannot tell anyone” you nod your head silently at him and wait for him to tell you what to do.  

“I won’t tell, show me” you look so innocent he almost rolled his eyes back; it’s been years since the last time he took someone’s virginity, his wife’s. Jake told you to relax and he pulled you closer to him, his beefy right arm wrapped around your waist and sat on your thigh, his large palm covered the entire space. His other hand came to hold yours as he asked again if you are sure you wanted to do this. When you nodded once more, he pulled you up on his lap, and spins you to face him. You straddle his legs and Jake turns the move back on for some background noise.  

You pay no mind to it as your attention is focused on Jake entirely. You’ve never been this close to him before; you can smell his musky forest scent. Jake asks your permission to take your clothes off and you allow him. His eyes dart back and forth from you to the doorway separating him from his children. Jake untied your top and your loincloths dropping them to the side next to you both. He takes in the sight of your body, so small and untouched, you look so beautiful. His hands run up your thighs to below your tits and back down.  

“Ok firstly you have to want me to do this, are you sure?” you roll your eyes at his words he keeps asking if you are okay with this when the truth was you wanted nothing more, “Yes Jake, wanna kiss like the movie” you said softly, you feel how your body was responding to his eyes on you, how your skin felt hot and you blushed. Jake took a deep breath before he pulled you close, his eyes dart to your lips and back to your open eyes, “Close your eyes girl, follow my lead” he said before he pressed his lips against yours.  

Your eyes flutter shut and your hands instinctively held onto his big shoulders, you let out a little hum when he pulled away from you, your folds were slick and without thinking you bring one of his hands to your cunt, “Is that normal?” you asked softly. 

Jake dropped his head on your shoulder and groaned, one little kiss soaked you, how has he never done this before? “Yea babygirl, that’s normal” his finger glided through your folds slowly and gently making sure not to hurt you, his index came up to find your clit moving small circles on your nub. You moan and wiggle in his grasp and his other hand came around your waist to hold you still on his lap. He switches his index for his thumb and brings his middle finger down to your clenching hole. Your eyes move between his arm moving back and forth between your legs and his face that now has a light blush, he looks so pretty. You lean in and give him another kiss on the check and when he looks at you, he pulls you in for a kiss on the lips.  

You moan into his mouth as his fingers work magic for you before he pulls away, he doesn’t stop his movements, only whispers against your lips, “I’m gonna do something ok? It might hurt a bit at first but after it will feel good, ok?” his voice was calm, he helped you feel your nerves in check when he slots his finger slowly into your cunt. Jake’s entire finger soaks in your pussy before he pulls out and starts pumping slowly, “You see what I’m doing babygirl? This is how you touch yourself, curl your cute fingers inside you like I’m doing, and it feels good right?’ his voice was so pleasing to hear.  

Jake had the perfect voice to coach you through your new discovery, you shut your eyes and bit your lip when he asked you to insert another finger, you nod your head quickly and the stretch is almost too much for you. Jake feels the way your clamp down on his fingers you’re so close already but you don’t even know that, he swears he’s about to cum in his loincloth from how fucking sweet you look right now.   

“J-jake, I feel weird, something is happening!” you squeal out in a low tone, his lips came down to kiss your neck making sure not to leave any marks as he does so, “You’re gonna feel even better baby, just let me keep going yea?” he whispers in your ear. “Y-yea, don’t stop!” your voice is pitched as you talk to him, he feels your body convulses when your clench on his fingers and gush on him. Your fluid drips down between your thighs leaking down his hand onto the floor.  

Jake slows his movements until he stops and pulled out of you admiring the string of cum connecting his two fingers. His hand was a mess, but you were an even bigger mess. Your body was swaying on his lap, your head dropped down on his shoulder as if you were falling asleep and you were, you have never felt so good in your life. You question yourself as you drift out of consciousness how you have never done this before but you come up with nothing besides you will definitely be asking Jake to do this for you again.  

🌸 I hope you all enjoyed reading! I feel like this was kind of rushed but I still enjoyed reading it. I thought about what it’ll be like when she mates with Lo’ak months from now and she’s fucking like she was pretending to be innocent all this time 🌸 Reblogs, comments and likes are always appreciated!

Taglist: 

@rivatar @delusionalwh6re @strongheartneteyam @xylianasblog @nilahsstuff @inlovewithpandora @neteyamsoare @m1tsu-ki @xrollingmyeyesx @goofygremlin123 @quicktosimp @its-jennarose @r11k4 @anonymuslydumb @winterhi09

[marymary-diva17]

Heeeyyy it's been a while since I've been here, but i got another idea.

So you remember me telling about the trope of readee being hated and suxh by the sully, well, instead of the usual 'sad reader wanting to fit in the family and gets hurt in the process', i actually thought of a reader who is overly calm and very strategic and honestly doesn't care about the fact that her family hates her, cause she spends more time with her friends and such and only comes when it's an emergency. She's also better than Neteyam at being a warrior that she trained many new warriors and has a very high spiritual connection with eywa, even more than Kiri

sully family x sister/daughter

The sully family had live by two quotes one of them being " sully stick together" and second on being " that their family was a fortress" well that was all true but false. There was one family member that didn't get the same love and treatment like all the other children within the family and outside of the family. That family member is Jake and neytiri daughter, who never seem to with over her parents and even her siblings along with the rest of the clan. A child who does not get love and care will soon grow up by themselves and becoming independent, and might not return love and care to those who never gave it to them.

y/n " ........" you soon rolled out of bed way before any of your siblings wake up, even before your parents as well. This is the norm for you from such a young age you learned to stay out of your family way.

y/n " good morning grandmother" you soon went to the healer hut to see your grandmother as she was getting ready for the day.

mo'at " hello my granddaughter you are here early"

y/n " well it best if I stay out of toruk makto way along with neytiri as well" mo'at was the only few people who cared for the child, and over time grow dislike towards Jake and neytiri for their treatment of their daughter.

mo'at " yes it seems like goes well for you when you keep out of their way along with majority of the clan"

y/n " well I do stay around to make sure everyone is safe I even watch over tuk and younger kids when they play, far from their mothers watch but make sure not to get caught"

mo'at " you are might warrior my child and pure of heart as well"

y/n " well I only have a few more years of being a teen until I'm an adult and toruk makto will tell me to leave or kick me out"

mo'at " well you always have a place in my home my child"

y/n " thank you grandmother I might stay her a bit longer when I'm older then leave to seek out more of our world as eywa has been calling me"

mo'at " follow your heart my dear" you smile at your grandmother the happy mood had been changed, when the other healers had arrived young and old but none of them set towards the hut.

mo'at " don't stand there like fools come we have to get ready for the day"

y/n " it best if I take my leave grandmother my present make everyone uncomfortable"

mo'at " dear you can stay your sisters will be coming for thier lessons, and I will love you to join them"

y/n " I will like to honor your wish but that will lead to trouble for you grandmother, with our mighty leader I will see you later on" you bid your grandmother goodbye and soon left the hut, getting glares and hearing whispers but you didn't care you stopped care many years ago.

y/n " sisters good morning"

kiri "morning y/n"

tuk " big sister good morning I have missed you ... oh I mean good morning y/n" you sighed as tuk had been the only sibling to call you sister, but it seems like Jake and neytiri actions and words had finally made her start calling you sister.

tuk " are you here to help grandmother and learn with us"

tuk " that not fair or nice"

y/n " it okay little one I understand well I shouldn't hold you all up anymore, I pray to the great mother to watch over all three of you" the duo said nothing else as they soon walked away from you, but it seems like they felt bad about their behavior. You were walking around the village trying to get somewhere.

y/n " ......" you had realized you had forgotten something that home, and soon ran back to get it. You soon reached the home and went to your bed and grabbed it, the home smells like breakfast meaning the family had morning meal together. You had sighed it was normal for you to not have meals with your family at home.

y/n " time to get going" you had grabbed your armband and soon put it on before you walked out of your home, you soon made your way through the village once again.

navi man " there that girl again"

navi women " I still can't believe she toruk makto daughter she nothing like her parents or siblings, even kiri a better daughter then her"

navi man 2 " I have heard rumors that toruk makto has plans to send to live on her own"

navi women " well I heard him and neytiri were trying to find a boy to become her mate, they were given any man a good offer to be with her" you had gotten use to hearing all the hate and rumors made about you, over time when you were younger you tried you best to prove you were good enough but soon stopped over time. The feeling of not caring about other had started when you become 13 and stayed that way since then.

Jake " if we hunt on these grounds we will be able to bring back a good hunt" you soon came across Jake and his hunting group as he had your brothers and spider with him.

y/n " ........" one of the warriors had noticed you and soon whispered something to the group, as everyone soon looked at you.

Jake " y/n you are wake you were not up when we served morning meal, your mother works hard on these meals it rude to miss them"

y/n " I'm sorry sir but something came up that morning and I went to meet with grandmother"

Jake " sure whatever just stay out of trouble I don't need you causing anymore trouble"

y/n " yes sir"

lo'ak " hey sis well dad giving you the same lecture over and over again, when are you going to learn"

y/n " when are you going to stop being so hothead brother"

spider " haha she got you good bro"

neteyam " enough the people are watching stop picking on him y/n it rude"

y/n " what he started it"

neteyam " well you need to be the better person dad is stress enough he doesn't need more work about you, and have you been practicing you skills .... you know how dad and mom are"

y/n " I ....."

neytiri " yes have you been training or act like your child your younger sister has better skills then you"

neteyam " mom"

y/n " yes I have been practicing ma'am"

neytiri " not enough if you haven't pass the test like your brother"

y/n " I'm doing my best that all I can say"

Jake " enough y/n I and your mother have more important stuff to deal with verse your failing to caught up with the family .... just go and stay out of the way of everyone and everything" you didn't say anything else as you soon walked away. Your brother and spider said nothing else, even tsutey who was there said nothing as well.

norm " hey there kiddo off again"

y/n " yes same as usual"

max " had another fight with your dad again and mom"

y/n " yes it seems like I'm not enough for Jake sully and neytiri, always blaming me for stuff like some of the others and always judging me"

norm " he does care"

y/n " stopping lying we all know that false norm he doesn't care and he will never care" norm and max along with some other humans knew that was true and hate how you were treated, but they couldn't say and do that much unless they wish to start trouble with the clan.

max " you know one day you will do something amazing kid"

y/n " thank you max well I'm going off if you need Jake sully he about to leave with his hunting party along, with my brother and spider" you soon ran off getting far away from home tree and soon calling your ikran, she was not allowed to stay with the others because she looked different and was not wanted around.

y/n " come on girl lets go for a flight and to see what we will happen today" you soon took off on your ikran and started flying around the skies, feeling for free and happy. After some travel you soon reached a part the end of the forest and where the sea began. This was so a beautiful place.

y/n " ........" you were walking around the area exploring everything and having a bright smile on your face. Then you felt someone place their hands on your waist.

y/n " ahhh kawwney" you had turned around to see you friend kawwney standing there, he soon smirked at you. As he soon backed away from you and smiled.

kawwney " hello ma y/n I was waiting for your arrival"

y/n " well I'm help to me here it better then being at home right now" kawwney had become your friend many years ago when you both of you were small. He was not from the forest he was from reef clan the metkayaian, you had meet him when you were with your grandmother on trip and kawwney was with his mom. After that day the both of you had become the best of friends.

Kawwney " almsot there hold it like that ... okay now fire the spear" you soon fire the spear and soon hit the target as kawwney had cheered for you.

kawwney " good job you are doing a well job with using a spear and your breathing as well"

y/n " thank you"

kawwney “ what the matter”

y/n “ family problems once again” kawwney soon sighed he knew you didn’t have, a good relationship with your parents. He really didn't like your parents and clan for their treatment of you, and he really wished to do anything to make your life better.

Kawwney “ y/n you are perfect no matter what they have to say or do, they are blind fools for treating you like this”

Y/n “ thank you kawwney there are whispers going around that Jake will kick me out or true to marry to off not anyone who will take the offer”

kawwney “ I will take the offer or even he does kick you out if you leave come join my clan, out of all forest Navi we have seen we only likes a few … you make those names of people we like even my father likes you and wishes to have you stay with us”

y/n “ thank you kawwney you will make a great leader one day and bring pride to your clan and people”

kawweny “ thanks you and one day you will make a great tshiak and leader, as well maybe you can rule by my side as well”

kawwney “ here a gift my dear a necklace I made for you perfect for you, and it will symbolize our bond” you smile as kawwney as he place the necklace around your neck, kawwney soon pulled your closer to him not caring who saw them.

later at night

y/n " ......." you soon had arrived home after being gone all day with your friends having a fun time and practicing as well, you heard your family laughing and talking. Once she had stepped into the home everything had become silent as everyone looked at her.

Jake " it seems like you have decided to come home after all"

y/n " yes sir I was out doing some practice"

Jake " that seems like a bunch of lies young lady"

y/n " ........."

Jake " you know you will soon be an adult you will need to make, the right decision if you wish to have a place in the clan and family" you didn't say anything as you nodded your head.

neytiri " if you can't be a hunter then lets hope you can do something else for the clan and family, or maybe your father and brother can find you a good match to strengthen the family and clan" your siblings stay quite as they watched your parents speak to you.

Jake " y/n you can't stay act like a child for the rest of your life, soon you will have to grow up and become an adult and give up your childish for once and a while"

y/n " yes sir"

Jake " good now this conversation is over with I hope you will take I and your mother words to heart" you stayed silent you knew the day will come when your family will have to make the decisions, to allow you to stay in the family of to have you leave. You had taken some soon went to bed to stay out of your family happy moment together, you soon thought about the words Jake will say " sully stick together" and " that our family is a fortress". You soon scoffed at those words they were false words coming from a man that has failed to be father to his daughter. When the time will come you will make the decisions you want that will mean no longer being a sully, even if it mean parting some the life she had live for so many years but maybe it was time for some change in her life.

[ssentimentals]

f1 pairings as famous love tropes: george russell x lewis hamilton

fated mates (ABO!AU)

'sun and moon, all of the gods above - they made you for me'

note: event described here is a hunt - annual festival to find a mate. it takes a cruel turn here (where mates can be taken without consent), but nothing of this sort happens between george/lewis. just fyi. (+ also i'm not an abo expert, so excuse any mistakes)

george really wishes he'd taken alex's advice on cardio training in the months leading up to the hunt. all omegas were up and running at an early sunrise, while george was busy collecting plants and flowers for medical and tea purposes. in his defense, he is set to be pack's next healer and george doesn't take this role lightly (he dreamt of it since he was a little pup, staying close to his mom while she helped everyone). his knowledge of plants and different ointments definitely expanded within these months, but his speed remained the same, while all other omegas managed to get faster, which only gave them more chances of escaping unwilling matches with alphas they didn't like. which brings george to his current predicament - hunt starts tomorrow. and george? george is vastly unprepared.

'you can hide,' alex suggests, helping him chop up vegetables for the soup. 'it's not against the rules. you know this forest better than anyone.'

george nods. in reality, this is his best chance at getting through the hunt without a mating mark on his neck and that is his main goal. 'how's logan?' george asks, changing the subject and smiling at the way alex instantly gets shy. 'you two discussed everything?'

alex nods, practically radiating happiness. 'we both don't want to prolong this, so i'll just wait for him at the start. won't run, you know? hunt will start and we'll just run to each other. think it's the best.'

george wishes he had this too. wishes he had someone who'd make him excited for the hunt instead of dreading it. wishes there was someone for him out there, who'd love him, who'd understand his love for his healer work and who'd love this about him as well. someone with a gentle but firm presence, kind eyes, soothing voice. someone with broad frame, blinding smile, caring heart. someone with dark skin that's covered in tattoos, someone who is a leader-

'i heard rumors of lewis joining the hunt tomorrow,' alex drops nonchalantly.

'is he?' george asks, trying to keep his tone casual. 'interesting.'

'very,' alex stops cutting and carefully takes both of george's wrist in his hands, making taller omega stop and turn to him. 'georgie. go talk to him.'

acting dumb has never been his forte, but george still tries. 'why?'

alex sighs and there's pity swimming in his eyes, which makes george cringe. god, he doesn't want pity. 'because you're in love with him, george. and because i think that he's in love with you, too. or at the very least he likes you.'

george closes his eyes, taking a deep breath. 'that's cruel, alexander.'

'no, not when it's true. i really think that he-'

'- is a good, caring leader of this pack, who is nice to everyone.' george interrupts hastily, trying to will his tears back. he can't cry now, it's his turn to feed little pups today, he doesn't have time to wallow in his misery. 'we've been through this.'

'and you never listen to me!' alex hisses out, gripping his wrists tighter. 'you're so in your head, you refuse to see what's right in front of you, what everyone else sees! why do you think everyone calls you his favorite? because it's so obvious how he differently he treats you-'

'because healers are essential to the pack,' george feels like a broken mixtape at this point, repeating the same thing ever and ever again. 'not because he likes me.'

alex opens his mouth and closes it again. he sighs, defeated. 'why are you so afraid, george?' he asks quietly, intimately. 'why are you so dead set on rejecting the mere idea of him being into you as well?'

because it will kill me if it's not true. because when he will find himself a mate, i will die, something in me will break and never be the same. because i never felt anything like this for anyone. sometimes i think that my heart beats for him and him only. george clears his throat and answers with a simple: 'because it's not true, alex.'

'but-'

'not everyone gets to have their happy ending,' george smiles at his friend bittersweet. 'i'm just happy you have one with logan.'

alex looks like he's about to argue but they both freeze up, when footsteps echo and then lewis enters the kitchen. he pauses, his gaze zeroes on the way alex is holding george's wrists - alex lets go instantly, clearing his throat. despite strong smell of the vegetables, potent scent of smoke and amber clouds the air, making everyone tense up. george turns around, blinking fast to get rid of unshed tears; the last thing he wants is for lewis to see him like this.

'i'll be right back,' alex mutters and leaves the kitchen, shuddering under lewis's cold assessing stare.

'hello, lewis.' george greets, gathering control of his voice. he turns and goes for a smile but lewis looks too serious. 'um, i'm preparing-'

'what was happening here?' lewis rarely speaks to him in this commanding tone. with george he is always gentle and soft. 'did he make you cry?'

george blinks, unsure what to say. his friendship with alex is a very well known fact, so to think that alex can make him cry is crazy. 'no, of course not. we were just..talking.'

lewis steps closer and fire smoke in his scent invades george's lungs. he always loved it, found it so fitting to their pack alpha - everything about lewis was strong and commanding, even his scent. george takes a deep breath discreetly and almost chokes on it, when lewis gingerly reaches out for his wrists. he holds them with something akin to reverency and george swallows, ignoring goosebumps that rise up at the touch. lewis carefully inspects his wrists, turns them left and right, his fingers stroke george's skin lightly. 'did he hurt you?' he asks, looking up at omega.

words are so, so hard to speak when lewis is this close. when his breath is fanning over george's chin, when heat of his body makes george's head spin. 'i, um,' george licks his lips and lewis follows that move with his eyes, his grip tightens just a fraction on his wrists. 'no, no. he didn't. alex would never hurt me.' he looks down, hearing water bowling. 'uh- you can let go now. it's my turn to cook for pups.'

lewis obediently lets go, but stays close despite george turning around to continue his task. presence of pack alpha always made george nervous, mostly because he really liked lewis since the moment he first met him. he knows lewis thinks highly of him - he praised him often enough for george to be sure in this, but he never... all those praises were about george's skill. never on his appereance or on his scent or-

'are you participating in the hunt tomorrow?' lewis asks, hovering close.

george nods, grimacing. 'can't escape it this time, i'm afraid. can't call in sick like i did two years in a row.'

'you don't want to participate?' lewis notices how george is struggling with chunking the meat and gently shooes him away, doing everything himself. 'i thought omegas are eager for the hunt.'

'the ones that have a mate are eager. i don't, so i'm not excited to be picked by some random alpha. but it's not like i'm a very desirable omega, so i guess i'm partially safe this year.'

george finishes up carrots and turns to give a sharper knife to lewis. pack alpha looks at him seriously, not smiling and george blinks on confusion. did he say something wrong to kill the nice mood?

'who said that you're not a desirable omega?'

'ugh- i did?' george shrugs. 'it's okay though, i know how i look, so it's all good.'

george is too tall for an omega. he's lanky, his limbs are too long and don't always cooperate well. his eyes are too big and his hands are too rough. he's not exactly charming and nor is he a flirt. george is just george and he's fine with that. lewis, however, looks like he's not fine with it. 'and you?' george asks, needing to get attention away from him. 'you will be participating?'

lewis nods, taking knife from george's hand. 'i'm thinking about it, yes. it's time this pack gets their pack omega.'

it stings. it hurts so much that for a second george forgets how to breathe. image of lewis with another omega, both happy and elated - it breaks his heart into tiny pieces. he puts on a smile though, because he's good like that. 'that's a big decision,' he says, not looking at alpha. 'will make someone very happy, huh?'

'i hope so.' lewis answers and his scent turns acid for a second. they work in silence for some minutes before he speaks up again: 'do you want to mate, george?'

george lets himself dream. of mornings filled with cuddles and sweet kisses. of cozy house where every guest is welcome. of being greeted with warms arms upon his arrival. of being swollen with pups made of big, pure love. he smiles, not realizing that his soft lavender scent bursts in the room. 'i do, yeah.' he speaks quietly in a wishful way.

he blinks back to present when notes of amber intensify in the air, swirling happily with his own scent. george freezes - he's always cautious with his scent and never lets it go that openly - but lewis lets his scent free too and it's...wonderful. lavender soothes the strength of amber, adds flowery notes in it and swallows up the smoke - their scents mellow each other down and mix prettily. when george turns, lewis is already watching him with the scary intensity that makes him swallow. what is-

'i'll see you tomorrow, george.' lewis says, putting knife back down. 'thank you for letting me help you.'

lewis walks away but his scent stays with george long after he's gone.

=+=

'run, george. alex will go to logan but me and lando will cover up for you. we'll be right behind you and then-'

'and then you'll go and hide,' lando interrupts charles, smiling up at george with his boyish charm. 'me and charlie will continue running to the left and we all know that's where everyone will go. it'll give you more time.'

he stares up at his friends and wants to cry from their readiness to help him out minutes before the hunt. george took few vital oils with him that should help to mask scent and shares it with boys - they also don't have alphas and will spend this hunt running away from others.

'i can't believe that lewis is here,' charles mutters, helping lando apply oil on his scent glands. 'think he's in it for you, healer.'

george sputters in surprise and only grows hotter when lando confirms: 'yeah, i think so too. he hasn't stopped looking at you.'

and that is disturbing because it's true. george can't even dismiss this as a lie, because lewis is staring at him and god, why, why? is this some kind of cruel game of rising his hopes up to crush them later? george applies last remnants of oil, itching from the heavy gaze of pack alpha. he takes a deep breath and focuses on the forest ahead of him. omegas have one hour of free run before alphas are also allowed to enter the forest and he needs to make most of it. the second fire goes off, george scrambles and runs off. instead of shifting into his wolf form like majority of omegas - him, lando and charles stay in human form, dashing into the woods. in wolf form it's impossible to disguise your scent, so all three of them chose to stay like this, knowing that all alphas will shift and their noses won't pick up on a scentless omega. faster. one hour seems a lot but knowing how dense and big forest is, it's really not much. go faster. three of them run in one direction until they reach small clearing and that's when charles and lando take left, while george chooses right.

'good luck,' he mutters to his friends before turning away and running up the hills.

george does know this forest better than anyone else. he knows every single secret cave, every single hill or small river - that's his main advantage and despite tightness in his lungs and ache in his legs, he climbs up, up, up until he reaches the river. no one really goes here because bears are frequent visitors here but george knows where to go and where to hide - he easily finds a secluded cave which can be seen only from a certain angle. it takes time to go down by a slippery trope but if he falls into the river then water will wash away oil and his scent will be in the open for anyone to detect, so he takes great care in his steps, knowing that clock is ticking. once george successfully reaches the cave, his knees buckle and he falls, sighing in relief. he's not used to running for this long, he's not used to running in general and his head is a bit dizzy as he moves further up the cave, hiding. safe. his heartbeat is so loud in his ears that george spends next twenty minutes just trying to calm down after adrenaline spike, breathing slowly. there's very tempting idea of just falling asleep right now but he tries to hold on - yes, chances of someone coming here are slim but they are not non-existent. he lets himself relax though, lulled by constant sound of water running down in the river. he thinks of lando and charles and how they are doing right now, hopes that alex and logan are out of this stupid hunt by this time, thinks of lewis. did he already catch his mate? he looked like he knew exactly who he was going for. was he in love with that person for a long time? george curls up in a ball, closing his eyes. lewis probably liked someone very handsome. someone very petite, kind and fragile. someone who is everything george isn't. someone-'

loud howl breaks the silence. it takes few seconds to understand that howl is coming from the clearing up the river and george sits up so quickly, his vision turns dark momentarily. he sniffs the air but no, his scent is not out; maybe there's another omega not far from here? george shivers - he hopes whoever it is, they are not running away from unwanted alpha. he doesn't dare to peek and almost doesn't breathe, straining his hearing for any other sounds. it's strikingly silent at first and then he hears a splash like someone jumped into the river. why-

'george!' no fucking way. 'george, are you in here? are you safe?'

lewis wouldn't be lewis if he didn't inquire about his safety. it warms george's chest and he moves closer to the light. for one crazy second he thought that lewis is here for him, but that obvisouly can't be; lewis is here to just check if he's okay, if he's not being hunted by unwanted alpha. smiling at his kindness, george peeks out - lewis is all wet from crossing the river in a wrong place and generally looks very disturbed by being out here, but when he notices george, he beams at him, waving his hand.

'george!' he calls out, rushing to his side. 'i knew you'd hide somewhere here but hell, george, don't you know there are bears here? it's dangerous!'

george blinks at him in surprise, walking fully out and meeting lewis at the other side. pack alpha is a sight to behold even when he's sopping wet; god, his omega will be so, so lucky. lewis marches forward and grabs him by his shoulders, looking over his form frantically. 'are you okay?' he asks hurriedly. once he realizes that george is indeed fine and wasn't mauled by a bear, lewis relaxes his grip on him, smiling. 'knew you'd be here. i remember how you told me about this river.'

and isn't that...weird. 'i am fine,' george assures him. he then looks around and sniffs air for a good measure but finds nothing. 'there's no other omega here, though.'

lewis tilts his head to the side, confused. 'uh, yes? probably, yeah. no one is as brave as you to go to where bears are.'

george is getting more bewildered. 'i mean, there's only me here. aren't you looking for an omega?'

lewis lets his hands fall off from george's shoulders. he frowns, searching for something on his face and even steps back. 'is that a rejection, george? am i reading this correctly?'

what on earth is going on? george stares blankly at pack alpha, unsure. he feels like he's out of depth to whatever is happening right now that he better keep his mouth shut. lewis waits with furrowed eyebrows, his scent grows acidic, displeasure very evident. when george stays silent, he sighs and speaks up: 'i came here because i knew you'd be here, and when i'm standing right in front of you as an alpha, you're telling me about another omega. if this is not a rejection then what is this, george?'

george tries to grasp the reality and fails. 'what are you saying,' he whispers, eyes wide and mouth agape. 'what are you saying, lewis, you are-' he gulps. 'please don't be cruel.'

george can tell that his scent is pouring out even through the oil due to inner distress he's feeling. lewis feels it too but he stands stoic, watching george closely. 'how am i being cruel?' he asks instead, voice calm and serious.

oh god, he has to spell it out. 'by making me think that- by phrasing your words in a way that makes me think that-'

'that what?' lewis presses.

'that it's me you're looking for.' george finally lets out, ripping his heart out. 'that it's me. your omega.' he sniffs, looking away from alpha. 'this is cruel, lewis. don't do this to me.'

george wants to cry. he wants to scream and shout and curse the gods for not giving him one thing he wants the most - lewis as his alpha. his scent sours and he wants lewis to hug him like he usually does, wants to lose himself in his warmth, but lewis doesn't move. he just stares with lips pursued. 'you know what's really cruel, george?' he asks, not hiding anger notes in his voice. 'this. you thinking that i am looking for another omega. you thinking that it can't be you when it's always been only you, george.'

george breaks. sobs wreck his body and he sways a little, landing right in strong arms of alpha. his alpha. pack alpha, lewis hamilton. it's too good to be true, too unrealistic and yet there hasn't been anything more real than lewis' lips on george's scent glands. george shivers, whining a little when alpha starts nipping on them lightly, forcing more scent to come out. alpha rumbles lowly in approval, tightening his arms around omega, smiling plesantly. 'i'll spend rest of my life making sure you see what i see in you, george,' he promises. 'and then you won't ever have doubts, you'll understand how lucky i am to have you.' lewis leans back, making eye contact with george. 'i do have you, right? george. tell me now. are you mine?'

if this is a dream then george will gladly never wake up. 'being yours is all i ever want to be,' he whispers. 'i never thought that this might be mutual.'

amber and lavender mix together in the most perfect way around them. lewis smiles, staring at george like- like george stares at him. meaning, staring at him like he is the reason sun shines every day.

'my beautiful omega,' lewis says reverently, watching george blush with a smile. 'my most talented pack healer. my perfect pack omega.'

it's a lot. george doesn't think he can take this but then lewis kisses him and oh. it's a lot but my god, he can take it. he can take it so well. 'take me,' george whispers right in alpha's mouth, grinning at a responding growl. 'alpha.'

'do not,' lewis bites back, groaning and hiding his face in george's neck. 'you know i can't.'

as a pack alpha lewis has different customs to follow and george smiles, knowing that he found a new way to tease his...partner. his alpha. fuck, it's real. he lets lewis guide him all the way, lets him hold his hand, lets him announce loudly for everyone that he found a pack omega. alex cheers to the loudest, practically screaming at top of his lungs at the news with logan standing next to him, smiling from ear to ear. when george turns to lewis, alpha is already looking back at him with the softest smile. it's always been you, lewis said. george smiles and looks up at the sky, thanking gods silently. i only ever wanted him, he thinks. lewis, who is kind and thoughtful and fair. lewis, who will fill his mornings with cuddles and sweet kisses. lewis, who build them a cozy house where every guest is welcome. lewis, who will greet him with warms arms upon his arrival. lewis, who will have him swollen with pups made of big, pure love. lewis hamilton, pack alpha, his alpha.

a/n: i love this and i also hate this, i don't know :( let me know your thoughts!! - nini

my other formula 1 works are here

my seventeen works are here

[writtenbyshama]

Long Way Home [Part VIII]

[Azriel x Reader fanfic]

Synopsis: Y/n is the daughter of a healer in the city of Velaris. After a small incident, she moves to the House of the Wind to work for the High Lord, Rhysand. Everyone in the house seems to welcome her except Azriel, the second in command. Even though he is just blankly polite and does not acknowledge her much, she can't help but fall for him. Does Azriel return her feelings or remain unfeelingly aloof?

─•~❉᯽❉~•─

Read Part 1 here. Read Part 7 here.

Read Part 2 here.

Read Part 3 here.

Read Part 4 here.

Read Part 5 here.

Read Part 6 here.

─•~❉᯽❉~•─

Part VIII

Since winter was settling in, there wasn't much work to do outside. My father had cast a powerful spell on the surrounding grounds to keep the water pipes from freezing, and the dead branches to always find their way to our wood stores. 

There was no work to do outside in the gardens, except harvest the fruit(if any) of the already existing plants and trees. 

It was the season of oranges and strawberries, though, and they had grown abundantly. I kept what I needed for myself, then windowed the rest to my father to sell in the market or make wine. He sent me the wine bottles which I stored in the basement underneath the villa. Father had dug it out for storing wine and made a cold storage partition for other items. 

When I was working outside, Azriel remained at a respectful distance and watched me. I had become used to it by now, and there were a couple of times where I had left some of the oranges and strawberries by the front door for him. 

It was my third round of harvesting oranges and I had put up a ladder against a tree, balancing on the rungs with a basket in one hand. I carefully plucked each fruit and deposited them in the basket. There was one fruit just out of my reach, and I leaned a bit further to try and grab it. Before I knew it, I had slipped off the rung and was tumbling on my way to ground. I didn't even have the time to scream, but Azriel intercepted just in time and scooped me up, gently landing on the ground. The ladder had fallen on its side with the basket, the fruits spilling out of it. 

"Careful," he breathed in my ear, and let me stand. 

In Cassian's arms, I had felt excitement rush through me and made my heart race. Like I was standing on a cliff and about to jump.

Azriel's arms held me like they wanted my body to understand that I was safe, and my body responded by making me feel like I was in a tranquil bliss. 

I quickly gathered the fruits, not acknowledging his presence. Leaving the ladder on its side, I entered the villa and closed the door shut. 

That night, as I sank into the hot bath, I laid my head on my forearms and watched him through the window. It was almost a month now, since he started hovering around. I didn't understand it. Why did he run away like that when we discovered we were mates, and why did he come now? 

I wanted to let him in and hear the answers from him, but not yet. I wasn't yet healed from the helplessness and humiliation I felt during the last meal we had together. 

─•~❉᯽❉~•─

Two days later, I was harvesting the remaining oranges from the first bloom. Winter rains were frequent around these parts, and I could see storm clouds gathering in the horizon. They predicted a thunderstorm later on. Azriel hadn't arrived yet, and I didn't want him to get caught in the storm. 

It began that night as I settled into bed. Azriel hadn't come at all, and it was good. The heavy rain lashed mercilessly against the windowpanes, and I fell asleep to the sound of it.

─•~❉᯽❉~•─

Tags:

@kalulakunundrum @thelov3lybookworm @hnyclover @impossibelle @sourapplex @brujitafantomatico @venuseuripedis @darling006

─•~❉᯽❉~•─

Read Part 9 here.

This fanfic can also be found in Wattpad, along with other exclusive parts like playlists and pictures. Here's the link: https://www.wattpad.com/story/358573037-long-way-home

Happy reading! <3

─•~❉᯽❉~•─

[I am overwhelmed with the amount of responses I've received for this fanfic. Thank you very much. This will be my last post of this year, as I have exams in my midst until January 7th, 2024. That's why I double posted today. A very happy new year y'all, and see you soon!]

[thefatesofspring]

If I start off something off with “another thing” or “one thing” just know I’m about to rant on here😂😂😩😩😭😭 & on that note…buckle up because this is a long one.

It absolutely baffles me that Feyre throughout ACOSF shows ZERO initiative or indication on wanting to know as much as she can about her baby/pregnancy, she’s a FIRST TIME MOTHER-TO-BE & this girl shows not a single ounce of “first-time-mom syndrome” Feyre’s lack of care towards her & her baby’s wellbeing whilst pregnant is to me absolutely diabolical & insane.

What I mean by this is at not one point has it ever been established that Feyre showed the initiative to get 2nd & maybe even 3rd opinions from different midwives/healers or even Illyrian mothers & find out information for herself about her son & her own health during pregnancy, I don’t know what wtf SJM was thinking making Feyre completely & utterly dependent on Rhysand relaying information or even Madja for that matter, it completely blows my mind that SJM’s thought process for Feyre throughout this whole ordeal was to make her so vulnerable that she shouldn’t even be aware that her own baby would likely kill her during the delivery.

I can 100% understand that Feyre wants to enjoy the pregnancy & be “in the moment” with the pregnancy experience but what I can’t grapple with is Feyre being so content & uncaring to find out all the information she can about having an Illyrian baby/baby with wings, like she was told directly by Madja that the delivery would be difficult & from that as far as we all know she made NO attempts to get as much info as she can to help herself & her son…as a first time mom…being that nonchalant?!!?!!! Like wtf?!!!

I can’t understand how she can be told the labour will be difficult & not do a damn thing herself to find ways to potentially make it easier such as finding out from others aka Lucien if he knows anything about shifting whilst pregnant, why the hell didnt Rhysand or any of the others think to go to Spring & ask Tamlin if he knows anything about risks of shifting during pregnancy since…you know shifting is HIS thing, they have no problem trespassing in Spring for secret meetings or going their to taunt an already depressed & suicidal Tamlin but when you actually need his help yet again they all suddenly get amnésia including Feyre?!!?!

To me Feyre’s inability to find things out for herself & relied on everyone else to find the information out & hope they relay it back truthfully (which in the end they did not) is not only careless but reckless too & just shows how much she wasn’t ready to be a mother, unless we end up getting a POV or flashback POV of Feyre’s thoughts surrounding her pregnancy then naturally I’ll change my stance on this situation.

Also Madja needs to NEVER & I mean NEVER be allowed to be a practicing healer EVER AGAIN!! That female is absolutely disgusting & diabolical too, she as a female making a choice for Feyre in not telling her she & her baby may die & by extension Rhysand of course, I don’t care if she was forbade by Rhysand what she did was absolutely disgusting, can you imagine how many other females in The Night Court have potentially lost their lives because Madja made a call that wasn’t hers to make on a mother & baby’s wellbeing.

And I will stand 10 toes down behind Nesta telling Feyre the birthing dangers but I don’t agree with how/the way it came out but I also understand why she in that moment she blurted it out to Feyre, it was a lose lose predicament to be in & had Feyre taken the initiative to find out more info on her pregnancy herself maybe she would have known about this already & maybe been prepared.

I really want to believe that Feyre was more involved in her own pregnancy & was showing some semblance of that first-time-mom syndrome but based off of everything we did get with ACOSF everything so far is saying she didn’t, which is just so sad that even at her most vulnerable SJM chose to make Feyre even more vulnerable by purposely having her mate/husband & family keep such a thing from her & not have her act like a mom-to-be

[neteyamslovrr]

heyhey its billie anon, i was thinking whether you could make an aonung fic based on her song "halley's comet" !! incase you havent heard it or since you dont listen to her anymore, here's an idea: reader is a metkayina and is betrothed to another random metkayina as she is one of the best healers of the clan and accidentally falls inlove with aonung, she knows it's wrong but she just cant help but cut off the betrothal infront of her parents and the other metkayina's family. ronal and tonowari hear ab this incident and 100% understand that love cannot be controlled by one (maybe from experience, ronal/tonowari maybe had a similar incident like reader) and reasons with reader's parents. you can write the rest if you want!! (also, i wld LIVE to see a small little epilogue if you could..?) (this was the lil idea i had!)

I NEED HIM NOT YOU

summary: betrothed to another you knew it was wrong to fall in love with ao'nung, but you can't help it because it feels so right.

───͙⊱••✩••̩̩͙⊰•───

Betrothed since infancy. A curse it was. To be spoken for before you could speak. It was a curse.

Iye, your promise. Iye, the innocent who longed for you. Iye, the man who you were chosen to be with. Ao’nung, the chief’s son who kissed you goodnight daily. Ao’nung, the lover who you longed for. Ao’nung the man you were destined to be with.

His kisses were addicting, his touches were exhilarating, his words were mesmerizing. His love was wrong. Your love was wrong. So why did it feel so right. When his hands trail down your body, when he recites his love to you, when he brings you small gifts. It felt so right.

“I have dinner with Iye tonight.” His name was like fire to your tongue. It spread and destroyed everything it touched. “My parents want to plan our ceremony, soon.”

Ao’nung had you enclosed in his arms as you laid in a cave far away from the village. A peaceful place to enjoy the serenity. The mention of that man’s name made his hold on you tighten. It had been known you were betrothed, promised, that you were untouchable but that didn’t stop the flutters in his heart when he saw your beauty, when he heard your laugh.

“I am going to call it off.” Ao’nung’s eyes widened, were you about to be his?

“You’ll get in so much trouble flower.”

“I don’t care. I can’t keep laying in your arms every day knowing one day I will have to wake up in the arms of another.”

“Has something happened? This is something reckless I would do, not you.” You chuckled before letting out a sigh indicating something indeed did happen.

“Iye’s mother and my mother were talking. About grandchildren. It repulsed me.” Ao’nung felt repulsed too. The thought of you bearing children that weren’t his. It was his nightmare.

“Fair enough.” His deep chuckle rumbled as you felt the vibrations of his chest on your back. “I just don’t want you to get in trouble. That’s my thing.”

“I could never top you my troublesome mate.” Ao’nung squeezed you tightly kissing the top of your head.

“We should go now…” Ao’nung nodded as you both called your ilu’s.

“Can you promise me something Y/N?”

“What is it?”

“The next time we come here, you’ll truly be mine.”

“I promise.”

Ao’nung promised to wait for you in his marui until the dinner was over. You just hoped this wasn’t going to be a shitshow.

_

The dinner was awkward. Two families connected by one who accepted their fate and one who longed for another.

Sounds of chewing and knives chopping was the only thing breaking the awkward tension in the room. More so between you and Iye. “Our ceremony will be soon.” Iye tried to break the tension, his shaky voice filling the room. “Mother is planning it, are you excited?.”

“No.” Everyone snapped their head towards to you, disproval dripping off your parents face.

“That’s a very crass joke Y/N.” Iye’s mother chimed in, her high-pitch voice trying to cover up the shock of your behaviour.

“I’m not joking.”

“Y/N! Watch your words.” Your mother had finally spoken. Her tone sharp and her glare sharper.

You mouthed a ‘sorry’ to Iye before you let out a heavy sigh. “I cannot mate with Iye.”

“What. What do you mean?” Your mother spluttered in confusion as everyone else in the room shared concerned looks to each other.

“I love another. I cannot mate with Iye, he is not who I want.” Your voice was firm as your fidgeted with your fingers. Heart beating in your throat as nausea swirled in your stomach.

“Who.” Iye’s mother had now spoken. Eywa, this was harder than you thought it would be. Gulping harshly, you closed your eyes. This would’ve been way easier with Ao’nung by your side.

“I am in love with Ao’nung. He loves me too.” Your mother let out an exasperated gasp as she hit her hands on her thighs standing up.

“This union has been planned for years Y/N! Why have you ditched this union between our two families for the reckless son of the chief? He will get bored of you! He is not Olo’eyktan he is a mere kid.”

“Do not disrespect him in front of me. Keep that to your gossip sessions.” You started to grow hot, fire burning in the pits of your rage. “This union means nothing! It is nothing! I refuse it.”

“I cannot believe this. How long has this been going on? How long have you stayed disloyal to my son?” You rolled your eyes at Iye’s mother.

“I have been in love with Ao’nung for years. He has been with me for every part of my life. And I will be his mate. If you do not agree with that, than you can disagree with your future Olo’eyktan’s choice in Tsa’hik.”

Your mother’s fists were balled as she continued to heave. “Go. Do not come back until you have cleared your mind of that boy. I do not allow it.”

“I don’t give a shit.” You screamed before storming out of your pod.

You should’ve figured that Ao’nung would have been waiting outside. You should’ve known that he wouldn’t stay still waiting while your advocated for your relationship.

“Well! that sounds like it went well.” Ao’nung gave you a small smile before embracing you. “You did so well my flower.”

“That sucked.” You mumbled into his shoulder, you didn’t want to cry but you felt the tears in your eyes starting to build up.

“It sounded like it did. My parents even heard. You yell quite loud.” You broke from his grasp holding onto his biceps.

“Your parents heard?! Ao’nung! Are you in trouble?” You were shocked, you hadn’t even thought about his parents finding out yet.

“I’m not sure. My mother said and I quote. “She is brave, go be brave with her you skxwang.”” You stared at him confused. Did Ronal really say that? “I try not to be confused. I am too happy as you are mine now.”

“I have always been yours Ao’nung. Haven’t I?”

“You have my flower.” He leaned in and gave you a tender kiss. “But let us do one more thing and you will be mine forever.” Your eyes widened as you nodded.

“It has taken us long enough.”

_

Epilogue

It had been a year since you and Ao’nung had officially mated. Though it took awhile for your parents to come around they figured they were being too pushy and shouldn’t have forced you to mate with anyone. (They were mostly happy you had fallen in love with the next chief.)

The small cave was still your favourite place. Not because it was secluded or away from other. But it was yours. A special place between the two, a place were a love that felt so wrong blossomed into something so right.

“Flower?” Ao’nung asked as you lifted your head from the comfortable place on his chest.

“Yeah?”

“Did you ever have dreams of us together? I always did.”

“I did constantly, I hated them.” Ao’nung’s face knotted in confusion.

“Why’s that?”

“Because in every dream I had to wake up to sneaking away to you instead of being with you proudly.” You smiled up at him leaving a soft kiss on his bare chest.

“I see. How about your dreams now.” Ao’nung’s rough hand caressed your face, his powerful gaze sending shivers through you.

“I am living in one.”

───͙⊱••✩••̩̩͙⊰•───

a/n: this could be better but i've been hating everything i write. sorry billie anon if this isn't what you thought but u have put me back onto billie

[autumnslance]

In reference to this post I reblogged earlier, but don't want to muck up UC's activity:

#i think it's more important to see that redemption is in the eye of the beholder #not everybody (characters or real people) will accept the same type or amount of repentance for the same sins #some people might not care at all if the person who wronged them feels sorry; only if they materially repaid their crimes #others can feel the opposite #and either way that's their prerogative #you can disagree with the characters or the fans or the writers about who “deserves” OR has “achieved” redemption and that's okay #because it's ultimately a complex philosophical issue #like i agree with OP!!! but there's media literacy in accepting that not everyone will

I'm going to disagree with many of these tags, especially it being "in the eye of the beholder" and would argue it's more media literate to recognize when a character has a workable redemption arc even if one disagrees they "should" get one. It took me a long time to learn this cuz of how we're usually taught redemption = forgiveness in Western (especially very Christianized, and especially if explicitly raised Christian) culture:

It doesn't rely on anyone but the person seeking redemption.

Yeah, it's the wronged party's prerogative to never forgive, to think the perpetrator's atonement (and/or punishment) is not enough and never will be. Anyone (characters and actual people) who sympathize, and who are on their side, can agree it's not ever enough and that character/person's sins are unforgivable.

And that still doesn't matter to their redemption.

We have an example of a workable redemption arc that not all accept in Final Fantasy XIV with Fordola's situation, through the Endwalker healer role quests. She was raised a collaborator of Ala Mhigo's imperial occupiers, and thought the best way to help her people was to soldier for the empire, becoming their Butcher.

In the Stormblood patches, Raganfrid says he will never forgive her; he thanks her for the aid she gave in the throne room that day, but that's all. And even in the EW healer role quests, their interactions are complicated. He still can't forgive the collaborators, even as he works to reintegrate them into Ala Mhigan society. He recognizes many thought they had no choice. He can't, won't, forget the pain of losing his own loved ones to them. This is stated multiple times.

And others, like M'rahz, Sarisha, and M'naago also struggle, also say they won't forgive...but reluctantly agree they can understand how for the sake of their families, the collaborators felt pushed against a wall, and what lengths have they themselves gone to for their own families? M'naago even scolds Fordola: she doesn't get to give up, she has to keep working--or she dies as exactly what everyone said she was.

Fordola starts out as the one punished for her sins. Through the story, she makes her choices to change and fight and work for her people as a free woman. There are still those who despise the Butcher, and always will. Redemption comes from Fordola's actions, Fordola's choices. Who forgives her and who doesn't can't change that she has changed, and continues to do so.

And in the interest of fairness, for the opposite of Fordola, we have Laurentius. In A Realm Reborn, he collaborated with the empire, selling out his nation. He came out of his punishment wanting a new chance, so joined the Crystal Braves...and immediately fell under Ilberd's sway. While others remained loyal and stuck to their morals (and paid for it with imprisonment or even death), Laurentius went along with all of Ilberd's plans. And in the end, the player gets an opinion in the punishment he and his comrade face, but it's clear from talking to Raubahn there isn't much hope. Laurentius had his chances, but he didn't make any effort to actually change--so faced the consequences.

For Reference for the Healer Role Quests: Garland Tools Healer quest text starting with "Far From Free", and my own saved text in Gdocs (raw, not very organized compared to my later saved/updated docs).

(Nero's the war criminal who...didn't even get a slap on the wrist, he just waltzed into a leadership meeting 15 mins late with Starbucks and has been helping us save the world since. Gaius is the war criminal that went through traumas, saw his privileged preconceptions torn apart, and is starting down that road in the wake of Werlyt to clean up his mistakes and not let his children's sacrifices be in vain. None of these characters "need" punishment to decide to change; some of it simply happens as part of their stories, but they make their own choices and actions toward atonement.)

(Also redemption is usually an ongoing process, which is why "Death Equals Redemption", like how Yotusyu's situation is framed, is so dicey and often unsatisfying; are they actually changed, or they just getting out of putting in that effort to? Nothing indicated Yotsuyu actually cared to change, as sympathetic as she was in the end! But she has her redemptive moment for her fans, and the people who hate/won't forgive her also "win"--the trope is a "have your cake and eat it too" writing cop-out IMO at this point.)

[absolutequeermenace]

More corroded luz au, this time it's the recovery process

*The hexsquad likes to help take care of her, each in their own way. Willow is good with the medical stuff and helps luz change her bandages when they are used up unexpectedly. This is often on her arms or legs if she overexerts herself. Gus likes to walk a lot in the human realm so he can see new things, and he takes luz on these walks with him when she is up to it. She enjoys being outside, but she does not appreciate the stares she receives from others. Vee feels bad that luz has to sleep in a room by herself at the healers (in the beginning), so she would often sneak in their and lay next to her to keep her company. It became a habit and continued after luz came home. Hunter, at first, wasn't sure what to do, so he decided they could watch human movies together. He spent a lot of time stressing over what movie and revived different recommendations from everyone. He eventually decided to put on cosmic frontier, seeing as the azura disk was lost. Worried, she wouldn't understand the movie. Assuming she hadn't read the book, he paused every couple of minutes to explain it to her. Even if she had already read the book, it was still kind of Hunter to explain everything to her, so she didn't tell him. Amity helps luz with her physical therapy. This is because when she and luz first became friends, she didn't want to mess it up (like she felt she did with willow) so she very carefully observed luzs behavior and manerisisms to more easily disipher what she would be feeling, this behavior only amplified when they started dating. Her knowledge of luz's behavior proved to be very useful, as she could now tell when luz was overexerting herself or when she was just putting a lot of effort into it. It also helped amity figure when luz needed assistance or was about to fall, even if luz couldn't verbally communicate it to her.

[waterfire1848]

cat ozai au?

Hello, anon!!! Shout out to @akiizayoi4869 for helping me!!

1. In a world with no war, the royal family still has some issues. Mainly that they suck at properly communicating with one another which has caused more than a few arguments. Ursa has tried to help the family communicate better but they’re really struggling. One night, a family dinner turns into one of the most heated arguments of all time. Zuko yells that Ozai doesn’t care about him at all and Azula claims that he only cares about her bending but doesn’t want to know her as a person (of course she still has some problems with Ursa but at the moment everything is directed towards Ozai). Ursa tries to talk to Ozai after the dinner but he says he needs some space and leaves. While out in the garden, Ozai wishes that he could know more about his children and be more involved in their lives. A nearby spirit hears him and says that he can make that happen. Ozai agrees to the spirit’s help and he’s turned into a cat.

2. Ozai, of course, tries to fight the spirit but just ends up hurting himself. He’s discovered by Ursa, who mistakes him for a stray, and takes him inside to help heal his injured leg. (Ursa: Poor thing. Did you get into a fight with a fox-owl or tiger-monkey? Ozai: Actually a spirit. Ursa: Talkative little thing, aren’t you? Don’t worry. Our healers will fix your leg and you can be on your merry way. Ozai: Yeah, not happening. I’ll be staying in the nice way palace. Thank you very much.) While she’s walking through the halls, Zuko spots her and the cat in her arms. He instantly asks if they can keep him but Ursa is reluctant because Ozai isn’t fond of pets. Azula hears what’s going on and asks as well. Ursa agrees that they can keep the cat for now but Ozai has final say. (Azula: Dad’ll never let us keep a cat. Ozai: Because they’re annoying, show no affection, and they’re pests more than pets. If you kids want a pet then we’ll invest in an actual pet befitting the Royal Family. Zuko: Awww. He’s so chatty. Ursa: He really is. I think his paw is hurting him. I’m going to take him to the healer. Azula: Could we name him? Ozai: No! No, Ursa, stop this! Ursa: Not right now, baby. I don’t want you kids getting attached. Besides, he’s so good with people. He probably has owners of his own that he’ll have to go back to.). The healer washes him and bandages up his paw before returning him to Ursa’s room. Ursa, worried about Ozai and wondering why he hasn’t returned, almost doesn’t notice the black cat on her bed until she gets ready to go to bed. Too tired to remove him, Ursa allows him to remain in her room. Ozai tries to think up how to get rid of this curse and why the spirit would curse him like this until he sees Ursa shaking and realizes she’s crying. He makes his way over and falls asleep nuzzled next to her and purring to provide some comfort.

3. Ozai is declared missing by tomorrow afternoon. The palace sends out a search part for him but no one can find anything. (A letter is also sent to Iroh to tell him that his brother has gone missing). While everyone searches for Ozai, Ursa agrees to let the kids keep the cat so they can have something good to focus on. Ozai is still dead set on them figuring out who he is but no matter what he does, it doesn’t work. He tries writing his name (it gets stepped on), telling people (all they can hear is meowing), and even bringing things to them that he had bought (this backfires horribly when he brings Azula a teddy bear he got her as a child and the family decides to name him Teddy.). Iroh returns to the palace a few days later, introduced to Teddy:the family’s temporary pet, but, much to Ozai’s shock, Iroh actually can understand him. (Ozai: You can understand me? Iroh: Years of spiritual training was not just for show, brother. Ozai: Tell them it’s me! Help me change back! Iroh: I don’t think I should do that. The spirits clearly did this for a reason. You need to live through this. Ozai: Iroh, I am not a cat! Get me out of this body! Iroh: When was the last time you spent one on one time with Zuko? Ozai: I…umm… Iroh: What’s Azula’s favorite dessert flavor?Ozai: I know her favorite dessert? Iroh: You see my point? Ozai: I’ll do better but not as a cat. Iroh: Sorry, brother. Noting I can do. Zuko: Uncle! Are you talking to Teddy? Iroh: You have a very talkative little fella. Ozai: Iroh. Iroh, picking him up: Here you go, nephew. Be gently with him. Zuko: I know. Come on, Teddy. Azula and I got you some treats. Ozai: Yay….cat treats.) Ozai is gonna kill his brother when all of this is over.

4. One day, while he’s relaxing in Zuko’s room (cat’s sleep a lot, he’s realizing), he notices Zuko come home in a huff from school and slam his stuff down then fall into his pillow. Ozai gets up to investigate what’s going on but is almost knocked off the bed by Zuko when he firebends in rage. Zuko ends up ranting about how there’s a big firebending performance happening at his school and he knows he’s going to fail it. Ozai tries to tell him that he wouldn’t fail if he put time into practicing only for Zuko to continue ranting and, eventually, he decides to head over to the training room, taking “Teddy” with him. When they get there, Ozai realizes that Zuko is doing the moves correctly—which isn’t what he thought—but is struggling nonetheless. He was always so focused on Azula that he didn’t notice that his son was doing the right moves, he just needed more instruction and help. (Zuko, feeling Teddy press his head against his leg: Teddy, I can’t play right now. Ozai: Keep your legs anchored to the floor. You need your legs rooted to the ground to help control your fire. *Pressing his paws against Zuko’s feet*. Zuko: Are you giving me firebending lessons, little guy? Ozai: I know you can’t understand me but please understand me. You’re putting too much power into your bending. You are a firebender. The fire will come. Zuko: Thanks for the pep talk, buddy. Now, why don’t we move you away from the fire. Ozai, ears falling: Right. Can’t understand me.) Later that day, he comes across Azula and finds her in her room freaking out over something. Jumping on her desk to hear more, he finds out that she has a crush on two different people: a boy named Chan and her friend Ty Lee. Ozai is beyond taken aback by this. He didn’t not know Azula was already getting crushes. (Ozai: You can’t date yet. You’re still just a kid. Azula: I don’t know what to do Teddy. Ozai: Don’t date. I never trusted Ty Lee and this Chan guy sounds like a jerk. Just stay single. Problem solved! Azula: You think I should handle it like a battle strategy? Great idea! *Runs off* Ozai: What? No. Sweetie, you can’t-….I never taught her what to do when she has a crush, did I? Iroh: No, you didn’t. Ozai: Were you just standing there? Iroh: I heard you talking. Ozai:….Am I just as bad a father? Iroh: No! No, you’re not. Because father never even thought he was wrong. You realize that you are. Ozai: I want to help them.)

5. A couple more weeks go by and the family starts to realize more and more that Teddy might not be an ordinary cat because he’s helping them with almost all of their problems. He helps Zuko with his firebending, getting him the highest report he’s ever gotten by his tutors, helped Azula with her dating crisis—even though he really thought she shouldn’t be dating—and provided Ursa with comfort and help since she was feeling overwhelmed with everything now that Ozai was gone. By now, Ozai has also been declared dead and the family is mourning his death. It’s hard for him to see everyone mourning him when he’s right there but the most he can do for his children and wife is to give them some form of comfort. One night, he’s asleep next to Ursa, when he hears someone outside. His ears perk up and he quickly realizes that it’s the same spirit as before. Ozai slips out of her hold and back to the garden. (Spirit: Enjoying yourself? Ozai, sarcastically: Greatly. Why are you here? Spirit: I think it’s time for Teddy to go and Ozai to return. Ozai: You’re turning me back!!! Spirit: If you wish. Ozai: Actually…I have a request.) Ursa wakes up the next morning to see her husband smiling at her. Of course, she and the kids are beyond thankful that Ozai is alive and well and back at the palace. But they’d by lying if they said they weren’t also thankful for the fact that he found Teddy wandering in the garden by himself. (Iroh: Asked the spirit to make Teddy a real cat? Ozai: They deserve a pet. Iroh: You know I’m going to tell them you were the cat, right? Ozai: Iroh- Iroh: Hey, Ursa, remember a few weeks ago when Teddy got into your secret stash of chocolate?)

[ash-says]

Saviour Complex Fever:

Let's address the saviour Complex today and no I am not talking here only in the romantic sense but also in platonic, familial,etc ways.

Ohh my traumatized girlies you better get your attention piqued up here cause this can be a call out or triggering post.

Speaking in my corporate babe language I am going to adopt both top to bottom and bottom to top approach to make sure you understand the problem. So without circumventing much I am going in for the goal.

1) Top to bottom Approach:

Starting with the OG," I can fix them" attitude.

Calm down babe, you can't. How about first fixing your sleep schedule for the starters?

We usually see this attitude being discussed a lot in the romantic hemisphere but I profoundly believe it plays a pivotal role in other bonds we have with people and tend to bleed into our romantic life so on and so forth.

Example: Take a child who is five years old and the parents are irresponsible. The child learns early on not only to look after itself but also acts as a therapist to his parents if one of them has zero sense of emotional boundaries and tends to trauma dump on the child. The child will look for ways in which he/she can make things easier and happier for the parent. In a way try to fix the parent and take on the role of being an adult.

How does it affect the bonds you create as an adult?

You become the mom friend.

The mama duck of the group who is always making sure everyone is taken care of properly.

You go above and beyond your comfort to help your friends out.

Take responsibility for your immediate surroundings.

Always trying to be the best and act like a saviour.

Last but not the least, people violate your boundaries time and time again but you forgive them and treat them like a child despite them being functioning adults.

So your homework is to assess your friendships, familial relationships, romantic relationships and check whether you are babysitting a adult?

If yes, are you getting paid for it enough?

No, drop the role.

2) Bottom to Top Approach:

Even the saviour dreams of being saved at times.

One of the potent reasons we tend to pick on the saviour role is because deep down we want to be saved. Salvation is what we desire.

Someone to lean on. A rock solid support. To lower our guards and be present without a worry.

Then we are faced with the harsh realities and realise it's not as simple as we think it is.

Therefore, whenever we see someone in need our instinct activates and we automatically start babysitting. We fill the void by embodying the persona that we deeply crave in our life.

It's the Chiron in us. We take on the role of the wounded healer.

That's where you need to remind yourself you don't need an external person or support to protect you. Many times we are sold this idea that we are fixed by someone else.

It's your job to fix your own house. Not your neighbours.

Your body, your mental health is where your spirit lives. Others can aid you but at the end of the day you won't be trusting your house to a total stranger. It's you who takes control and dictates the course of it.

So kill this idea that someone out there is going to walk into your life and then everything will be rainbows and roses.

Fine, if you believe life is a Disney movie you can go ahead and kiss a couple of frogs to find your prince charming. Your life, your rules.

But don't be surprised if you catch a disease or two while kissing the frogs .

After all, I always say:

There are no fucking saviours in real life. You are your own saviour, darling.

And if you do want to be a mother badly there are plenty of orphaned kids out there you can spend some time with them rather than those ungrateful, therapy inducing, namesake adults.

[bubbles-for-all-of-us]

Safe haven

requested: Can you please write a story where the reader has a panic attack and Azriel/Cassian/Rhys (whoever you prefer) helps her. 🤗

warning: panic attacks and anxiety

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Today was simply not your day. Ever since you woke up, you've had a feeling that today was going to require more energy than a normal day usually does. It wasn't only because you had slipped and almost banged your head on the toilet when you entered your bathroom, no. It was also the lingering sense of uneasiness. The day ahead wasn't something to write home about either. You had a couple of meetings regarding the clinics in the city. Then there would be some errands to run in the town, and if everything would go according to the plan you made, you would be able to make it in time for dinner with everyone.

Just fate took one look at your plans and had a solid laugh. Meetings were not only late, but the number of disagreements left your head pounding after just a few minutes. You tried your best to keep everyone happy and calm, but the last meeting ended with healers slamming doors and you with your head between your hands. Yet you tried not to let this dampen your mood too much. Still hoping that a stroll through the city would help you clear your mind, think more evidently. After all, you were going to meet up with the seamstress who was making a dress for you. The dress that you wanted specifically made for Azriel's birthday. Maybe it was silly considering that you two weren't dating and you weren't even sure if he felt anything for you at all. But it was his birthday, and you'd known him for so long, why not make an effort?

But even that had gone into shambles since the moment you stepped into the store, which was surprisingly packed with people, you were told that your appointment had been canceled. The material you ordered just for this had been sold to someone who offered triple the price. She offered you a discount on your dress and some new fabrics to choose from, but it just wasn't the same. It wasn't the same color of blue, and the fabric didn't feel flowy; it felt heavy and unpleasant to touch.

Then everything came crashing down on you. The place felt way too stuffy and so hot that you felt beads of sweat forming on your forehead. The sounds were so loud that you had to frown as you tried to understand everything the seamstress said. And the fact that there was no way you would get your dress now, especially not in time for Azriel's birthday, made your bottom lip tremble slightly. You would have stood there frozen if not for someone bumping into you in a hurry. You had to get rid of that feeling, so you turned around and walked right out of the shop. Not caring much that the lady was calling your name.

You needed to get out. Get some fresh air in your lungs. Just something, anything to make your brain stop for a little. But with every step you took, your vision got hazier, and your palms sweatier as you couldn't stop rubbing them together. Home. Now you just want to go home. You made a beeline for it. Rushing as fast as your legs allow you to, bump into strangers on your way. Running into puddles that had soaked your shoes and the bottom of your dress.

The moment the house came into sight, you were feeling slightly better. The cold breeze kissing your skin both grounded you and cooled the warmth that surrounded you. Your heart was still pounding, but you brushed it off, thinking that it was more from the running than anything else. At the very least, you'd be in a familiar environment soon. You'll pick yourself up. A moment alone. Being completely alone was what you needed.

You rushed through the door, hoping to not attract any attention, but considering how lucky today had been, you weren't surprised when you heard Rhys calling for you. You would have ignored it. Brushed it off and pretended that you didn't hear him, but you knew that Rhys had most definitely seen you, especially now that you were lingering by the door.

So you made your way into the sitting room. Swallowing thickly as you took breath after breath, right before you rounded the corner and pasted the best smile on your face you could manage to pull off. Rhys wasn't alone; that wasn't something unusual. Cassian was by his side, smiling as usual. It was the moment Azriel came into sight that you almost crumbled, but you turned your gaze from him quickly.

"You fancy a drink with us?", the high lord asked, already holding up an empty glass in his hand. "No thank you. I was just...", you muttered quickly, even if you were trying not to sound hurried as you pointed to the stairs. "Oh, sit with us, it's been a while," Cassian said, patting the seat next to him and wiggling his brows. It was true that you all loved spending time together. It was something you had done for as long as you could remember. Considering that you were the first to join the inner circle besides the three of them, but you just couldn't right now. You wouldn't be able to sit through this.

"I just would love to...", your hands were pressed into fists behind your back as you fidgeted in your place. "How did the meetings for the clinics go? You wowed them?", "Rhys, no work talk when drinks are out", Cassian quickly shushed his high lord but a cold shiver ran down your back and every memory from today came rushing back. You took a deep breath before your hand touched your chest. That same feeling from earlier coursed through you. You needed to get out. And you needed to do that now. So ignoring the confused looks, you turned around before rushing towards the stairs. You heard both Rhys and Cassian calling out for you, but just like earlier, you didn't stop. Didn't care. You didn't want to hear it.

You only made it up the stairs when you started losing the air in your lungs. It felt like someone had built a wall that limited your oxygen intake. A wave of coldness rushed through you. Like little needles poking your skin. But then the cold turned into burning heat. Then that turned into coldness again, and now you had no understanding of what you were feeling. You frantically moved your hand to your neck, pulling at the skin as if you might make a path for at least some air to come through.

Azriel knew that something was wrong the moment his shadows informed him that you had come home. Your body language and the slightly paler skin only add to it. He hoped to smile at you. To catch your eyes and maybe grasp what was happening. But you barely turned your attention the spymaster's way. Azriel couldn't help but frown slightly as he watched you squirming in your place. What had happened? Who had caused you so much distress?

The moment you ran off, Azriel was up on his feet in an instant. He would have left you alone. And maybe he was just imagining that something was seriously wrong but it's like his feet walked of their own free will. He brushed the other two males away as he darted after you. The sight in front of him made him heartbroken. You shook and gripped your neck as you leaned against the wall, face stained with tears.

You felt the warmth of someone's touch before you heard their voice. Your vision was so blurry that you could only make out a silhouette that stood in front of you. "Sweetheart, hey, look at me, look at me", the firm hands came in contact with the skin on your face cupping it softly. You just shook your head, not sure of what to do. You felt like you were going to choke. Azriel's mind was racing as he watched you struggle against his touch. "Love, you need to try to breathe," scrambling for your hand. Azriel quickly placed it on his chest before returning his attention to you. "Can you hear me? Can you show me that you can hear me?", asked the spymaster, trying to keep his heartbeat steady as he waited for any response from you. 

After yet another choked-out breath, you nodded your head just slightly. Azriel mimicked the motion as well as he continued, "Focus your mind on the movement of my chest." With a deep breath in his lungs welcoming the air, his chest rose, and your hand moved up with it. "Try to breathe in the same pattern, love, just like that." Even if you only managed to get a couple of broken inhales in, it felt like the biggest achievement to Azriel.

"I... can't...," you whimpered, but Azriel only moved one of his hands to the back of your head, slowly bringing you closer so that your forehead would rest on his. The space between you vanishes into nothingness. And now, beside his heart, you also felt the calm pattern of his breath tickling your skin. "Yes, you can. You're already doing it; give me a few more breaths," the shadow singer urged, gently swaying you from side to side.

So you did just as he told you. Trying to breathe even through the sharp stings in your chest, you kept your eyes closed as you let your mind slowly fill with the drumming of Azriel's heart. With both hands on his chest now, you could feel and almost hear the pattern of his heartbeat.

"Good job, sweet girl, good job," one of his hands moved to run up and down your back once your breathing returned to normal, and Azriel's fear of you passing out faded. "Can you tell me three things you can touch now?", the spymaster knew that panic like this had a tendency to return at the speed of light. So he had to ensure that you were fully grounded. "Whenever you are ready you can tell me", "I...", you breathed but your voice broke as if you had forgotten how to form sentences, "The wall, my-my dress, you", swallowing harshly you braced yourself even more onto Azriel, the spymaster hummed to your answers. 

"What about things you can hear?", you frowned your eyebrows. The sounds were still somewhat cloudy, but you tried to discern at least something. "Your voice and heart", muttering quietly you turned your head to the side, "Someone's pushing something downstairs", "That's probably Cassian in his interior designer era". The corner of your lip curled up ever so slightly, and Azriel found himself smiling as well.

"And can you see anything?", now Azriel knew this was asking for a lot. Your eyes had been closed tightly ever since he found you here. But if he could get you to let go of that final bit of tension in your body, maybe... Your eyes opened slowly and were met with Azriel's face. His amber eyes looking right at you. "You. I can see you", you didn't even realize that your body had eased up till now. And only now did the thought of him standing right in front of you hit you, "Here are my favorite eyes; I'm happy to see them again," he whispered, pushing a strand of your hair behind your ear.

The tears came without warning, and you only managed to choke up a sob. Azriel quickly pulled you closer to him, wrapping his arms around you as you hiccup. "I'm so sorry," you screeched, "You must think I'm a weirdo now." But Azriel only smiled at you fondly, "I would never think such things, sweetie; you are far away from a weirdo. If there's a weirdo here, it's me," he remarked casually. You wrapped your arms around his torso, burying your face into his toned chest. The smell of him welcomed another wave of calmness.

"Do you want to tell me what got you so worked up, huh?", Azriel questioned after a while, pulling away from you ever so slightly. Just enough so he could see your face and wipe the last tears off your cheeks. You debated about it for a moment. But it was Azriel. Azriel, who had known you for the majority of your life, a male you had an awfully big crush on. So you caved in. Blaring out everything about the complicated meetings and only stopping before you started telling him about the dress and his birthday.

"You know that I don't care what you wear, you look amazing regardless", a breath caught in your chest once again at the words Azriel had spoken. "But it's yours... And I just wanted to... And I love ...", Azriel put his finger on your lips shushing you softly before he mumbled, "I love you too". 

You gaped at him, cheeks going pink, and you knew there was no way you could hide it. "I didn't say that," you muttered, "But I did. For both of us. I've loved you for quite some time", you couldn't help a smile that painted your lips as you once again leaned against Azriel's chest. "Now come on let me get you to bed you need to rest", scooping you up in his arms Azriel moved to walk through the corridor, "Will you come with me?", "There's no other option, love".

[arinbelle]

So I saw a Nesta anti say they want a normal civil convo on why we like Nesta because they just don’t see it. I can respect someone trying to see a different POV so I wrote an extremely long essay on it and I think since my tags aren’t working I wanted to share this. For context, person said that Nesta is abusive and they have provided textual evidence. They also said Nesta excuses her actions because of her mental health. So they wanted to see what we see different because that is all they see. I thought I’d share this ridiculously long exposition I wrote out, since this is the most writing I’ve done in months.

Addition: I saw this creator say they understand why Nesta lashes out and acts so harmfully but their issues is the stans who excuse her actions. I do see Nesta stans who ignore some of the “bad” things she’s done but that’s really not the majority. Also if your issue is the fandom and not the character itself, idk if you’re really an anti. I hate Rhys stans, I’m not really anti Rhys. I dislike some of his actions but I more so hate his fans. It’s not the same thing.

My reply:

I think there's a lot to unpack here but I'll try my best to explain. I've seen your posts before where you bring evidence of Nesta's abuse on Feyre. And I'll give it to you. Yes. That is abuse. It's verbal abuse, it's mental or emotional abuse, and yes it's wrong. All of it is actually textbook, and yes, lots of Nesta stans like to say it's not because they are siblings but yes, unfortunately, abuse is abuse. (Addition: no one is saying verbal or mental abuse isn’t as impactful or dangerous as physical. It is. Studies have shown verbal abuse can at times register as physical pain and abuse to victims. And yes, Nesta was abusive to Feyre growing up. But my key word is WAS).

That being said, I have never thought Nesta gives her mental health as an excuse for her actions or words. If anything, she is completely closed off about what her own upbringing and traumas were like until we were well into acosf. If you can move on from the first few chapters of acotar, you can see that deep down Nesta loves Feyre and even her father.

It is Nesta who goes after Feyre and tries to get across the wall. It is Nesta who tells Feyre it is okay to go back to her life with Tamlin- and she tells her, don't come back, not in "we hate you" way, but in a, you've taken care of us, you've shouldered this burden, and I'm telling you it's okay and letting you go. It is Nesta and Elain who are turned Fae against their will, and you know, it is unfortunately Feyre's fault. Was that the goal? No. But you can understand some bitterness on Nesta's part. Even so, with all the trauma she went through in the Cauldron, she sees the importance of speaking to the High Lords about what is coming with Hybern and she does. She has a sense of morality and inner self, and she doesn't want to act like a coward even though she admits to everyone she is afraid. It is Nesta who helps in the war anyway that she can with the healers and the scrying, even though her entire life has just been upended and again, this is so scary to her. Everything about this new life is scary to her but she is trying.

Then her father dies and what little progress she had sort of reverses significantly and quickly. I will argue that Nesta has not at all been abusive to anyone past Feyre's childhood and the few first chapters of Acotar. Being mean to people who invade your personal space (Mor, Cassian) every once in a while is not abusive. It's just being a bitch. And honestly, everyone in acotar for the most part has had their bitchy moments.

She never excuses her actions and words. In fact, she KNOWS what she's doing. She's well aware of the hurt she's caused in the past and what her regrets are with her family and it tears her up inside, which is why she so rarely addresses it to herself and definitely not to others.

Why we love her? I think she's so different from all the other characters in acotar because she is so jagged. Because she admits that she's broken and sad and lost and she refuses to make it nice for everyone else's sake. That doesn't mean she keeps punishing people around her even though I've seen many antis say she does. Nesta moves away from Feyre and the IC when she's spiraling and the only times we get references of her being mean is when she's forced to meet them and play nice. Think of it this way- your dad is dead, you're grieving, you haven't had the 500 years plus of experience to navigate this in a healthy way, and people are constantly in your face either trying to get you to play nice or judging you foe it. Many antis love Rhys's quote on how Elain is nice or how Mor is so nice even though she's been through so much. But the reality is this, hurt people are HURT. They are not happy. It's not a realistic expectation for a person going through a major depressive episode to put on a facade to make everyone else feel good about themselves. It's not even in any selfish way, their mind is literally incapable of doing it because they are stuck in grief or numbness.

I think a lot of her stans, myself included love her because we see ourselves in her. Saying the wrong thing and then regretting it afterwards. Being stuck in our own minds and constantly being sad and anxious about everything and having nowhere to turn. Keep in mind that when Feyre was depressed, Rhys constantly tried to help. When Nesta was depressed, Feyre even admits rather than stepping in and doing something about it, she let it go on because she thought it would be fine. Everyone did. Cassian did that, Elain did that, even Amren somewhat. And maybe it would have been but we see it wasn't. I'm not going to argue about how wrong the entire "rehab" bit was, because that's not the point here.

In acosf we see Nesta deal with her inner demons. She reflects on her mother, who we can tell was somewhat emotionally abusive and definitely manipulative. Her grandmother was physically and verbally abusive. We hear her self doubt and we hear her tell Cassian she regrets what she did growing up in that cabin, she regrets how she treated Feyre, and she has no idea how to make it better. It is so much self hatred and it has morphed into something that forces her to lash out on people when they even slightly push. It's not healthy, but again, it's not abusive. Another issue is that besides Feyre and Cassian and Azriel, everyone else around her is NOT helping the situation. You can have your favs too but the fact is, Rhys constantly provokes and goads her. He has a grudge against Nesta and he has in writing admitted that he holds her to a higher standard than Elain. Mor tells her she wants to throw her into the Hewn City, a place known for brutalizing and abusing women. Amren calls her pathetic and a waste of space. This is a woman who is extremely depressed and on the verge of suicidal. None of these taunts and behaviors is kind and it probably does even more damage but we never hear anyone talk about that unless we bring it up in Nesta's defense.

I think there is another thing to account for. Feyre wants Nesta in her life. It is very different if Feyre said, you know what, I resent everything you did to me and I don't want you in my life. And I'll admit it, Feyre would be valid to do that. But she doesn't! That's a key fact. Feyre wants Nesta in her life, she wants this relationship intact. And by doing so, that means accepting that there will be days when Nesta will not be her best self, when she will lash out and say mean things in retaliation. It would be a very different story if Feyre went no contact. But it's not. And to be so hateful towards Nesta never really made sense to me since Feyre herself is her biggest advocate.

It is FEYRE, who stands by her sister when anyone tears her down. It is Feyre who tells Rhys off everytime he makes a snide comment and that's often. It is Feyre who explains to Cassian that she knows how much Nesta cares and how difficult it is for her to show her true feelings (this is Feyre giving not an excuse but an explanation for Nesta's behavior, something Nesta doesn't bother to do.) Feyre defends Nesta more than Nesta does for herself, because Nesta never does. I'd argue that Feyre loves Nesta more than Nesta loves herself. And even by the end of acosf it's not clear if Nesta has a good and healthy self love for herself but she most definitely loves Feyre very much.

One random thing that I see antis love to run with- Nesta didn't teach Feyre how to read. Nesta didn't know. She says that to Feyre, she's very surprised to learn this, and it's in writing. Now Feyre does say she didn't think Nesta would teach her, which also hurts but also surprises Nesta. Because she says no, we would have taught you why didn't you tell us. Because Nesta has not seen the damage she has done to Feyre with her words until they have these moments and talks. To Nesta, she was lashing out because she was so angry at their father for not doing more to keep them alive. And to be clear it did fall more on their father than any of the children. But I do believe that had Nesta realized how truly hurtful and damaging her words were to Feyre, she would have stopped. Each time Feyre admits something that affects her about Nesta's actions, Nesta mulls it over and is shocked. It shows compassion and objectivity towards herself. She sees an error in her ways and she tries her best to correct it.

Now onto the controversial reveal on Feyre's pregnancy. First things first, Rhys has no excuse to lie the way he did. None. And in our modern world, that is indeed considered spousal abuse. Now as to why Nesta said it- yeah, she does it for the wrong reasons. We hear it in her POV. She is so angry at Amren, she is so angry at everyone for lying to her and sitting around discussing her and then saying that she needs to be the respectful one. But, and this is so important, the minute she says it she instantly regrets it. She KNOWS she's fucked up. She hates that Feyre is crying and hurt and it's because of her. A truly abusive sister who's as cruel and heartless as everyone makes her out to be would have relished in the hurt she caused. But she doesn't. She just hates herself even more for what happened. And the fact that Rhys's threat doesn't even upset her, the fact that she is just so done and ready to die on that hike should tell you this is not someone who enjoys hurting anyone. Everything is aimed at hurting herself.

Antis like to say that Nesta saving Feyre and Nyx was the bare minimum. And sure. Yes. It is. But that's not the point. The point of that entire scene and end is that Nesta took from the Cauldron in anger and hate and vengeance for what was done to her. She stole it as a big fuck you to the Cauldron and everything else that forced her to turn Fae. And she fears that power and never touches it, never wants to actually use it, because she hates it. And yet, when Feyre is dying, Nesta is willing to do anything. She will use the power she fears to try and save her and most importantly, she willingly gives it back and says she will give it all back as long as Feyre is safe. The very thing she took out of anger and retribution, she will let that go. She will let it all go as long as she can keep Feyre alive. Is that not love? Is it not growth and healing?

I think one of the issues with SJM as a writer is sometimes she shows instead of telling. You need to do a lot of reading between the lines sometimes to understand her characters. Nesta especially because she is very much so an actions over words person and shes so rarely upfront with how she's feeling. And not just Nesta, we see this issue with Cassian too. Because they both do things to represent and signify love and honor and sacrifice yet their words can be jagged and mean and give off a different impression.

Just to reiterate, there's never been a time that Nesta has actively used her poor mental health to excuse and justify her words or actions. In fact, more often than not we hear more about how angry and hateful she is towards herself and how much she regrets her past. A true villain would offer excuses and justify what they've done. The most we ever get with Nesta is an explanation regarding her upbringing and trauma, and to clear it up, an explanation is not an excuse. Nesta never excuses her actions. When she's being honest with herself and her feelings she admits her errors, she admits to her shame, and she says she wants to do better and be better.

Another thing I think is important to remember is that SJM herself sees Nesta as a strong impactful character. She herself said in an interview, no, you aren't supposed to hate Nesta and she's quite surprised people do because after she re-evaluated her own writing during acotar, she realized Nesta is not the villain in this story. She's a hurt girl who's been through some horrible things and her life experiences have then impacted how she acts and reacts. SJM said sees herself in Nesta. She has denounced Tamlin as an abuser many times and would never put forward a main character with this much impact on the plot of this book and the Crescent City series if she thought otherwise.

This was super long but I'm happy you've tried to see it from another POV. I won't be getting into arguments with people who DM me or message unkindly on this post simply because I don't care. Acosf came out years ago and I'm no longer in the mood to engage with anyone who won't try and keep things civil in a conversation about fictional characters.

Have a good day!

[neverpathia]

since this is turning into a Slay The Princess blog through no volition of my own,

I might as well talk about my ships.

because this is a fandom.

Paranoid x Hero:

come on. for one there's their banter in the nightmare route, or any route really. they sound like an old married couple. plus I like the idea of physically-weak-yet-clearly-powerful healer × physically-strongish-yet-apparently-weaker hero. like, paranoid is the ultimate support character and hero is the ultimate protagonist.

and the way they would both understand how it feels to feel constantly pressured and to second-guess every single move. because that's the thing about being a hero and trying to please everyone; because that's the thing about having anxiety and scraping for every inch of sanity amidst the terrifying unknown. the expectations. the desperate need to do the right thing, yet the immense urge to deny it all. they initially won't get along too well but given enough time they'd both get it and. stuff. yk annoyances to lovers

plus I kinda prefer the idea of platonic contrahero, and I kinda think contrarian would be aroace because he's just contrary like that. also the idea of contrarian being some little thing that just spawned and now the other voices, especially hero, have to deal with this insufferable kid...gold.

Cheated x Witch/Thorn:

trust issues wife x trust issues husband. it kind of speaks for itself. now I need to watch a playthrough where they get cheated on thorn because everything I've seen just gives them smitten but I've heard it's possible and COME ON I NEED TO SEE IT

trust issues power couple, as I said, except they're both coping in vastly different ways as well. one of them just can't stand the idea of surrender or defeat or the like. he sees life as a competition, except it's one that's indefinitely rigged against him. a game he can never win, and that's why he needs to win it. that's why he can't ever resort to others' help, because they're just going to push him down even lower than he already is. he can't risk it. it was betrayal that caused this fall of his in the first place, after all. and it was distrust that birthed him.

and the thorn is completely given to surrender. she's lost all hope and just accepted it all, but for the very same reasons as cheated. a game that she can never win and that's why she shouldn't bother. but she still doesn't want to trust because it was betrayal that caused this fall of hers in the first place. like him, she was born of distrust. and when she did win once, what then? it wasn't fair. it wasn't a true victory at all.

either way the two of them have major issues and I feel like they could help each other through it. they can empathize with each other (maybe with hero as a couples therapist) and work through this together. plus, I feel like they'd have pretty entertaining banter one on one.

----- -----

okay, I wont elaborate on everything else beyond this line because I could care a little less and I'm lazy but you could send a few asks if you're curious I guess

Opportunist x Smitten

Cold x Spectre

Broken x Hunted

Stubborn x Adversary

Long Quiet x Princess Princess/Heart of the Shifting Mound