#chapter 317 be like

[freyadragonlord]

Albert: sometimes, I can still hear his voice... Cale: STOP TELLING PEOPLE I'M DEAD!!!

[sweetmctart]

i want to scrunch him up like paper ball, chew on him furiously, spit him out like a piece of mauled chicken, then toss him into an incinerator

[pttucker]

It was a bustling street reminiscent of a battlefield. On the way to the auction house, countless merchants were selling all types of items. Yoo Joonghyuk spoke behind him. "Go quickly." Despite his harsh words, Yoo Joonghyuk was constantly concerned with Lee Seolhwa's movements. He blocked the front of her like he was worried she would be hurt by the passing incarnations and constellations. Some of the incarnations cursed him but Yoo Joonghyuk didn't care.

The wise know that when dealing with Yoo Joonghyuk, his actions always speak louder than his words. In fact, just ignore everything that comes out of his mouth entirely.

Now if only a certain oblivious squid could figure that out...

[baladric]

case study in the loading time of pirate au: 26.6 seconds, as compared to 4.1 seconds to load a regular doc

discrepancy between the two: 2 pages (238 words) vs 215 pages (78,351 words)

no wonder mobile refuses to load the thing anymore :’)

[richea]

[Translation] Kratos of the Expiation: Chapter 1 parts 2-3

This update brings us to page 28/317. As I mentioned in my prior post, please think of this as a first draft translation. Starting with this post, I'll be linking to a playthrough (both dubbed and subbed) for those who wish to watch along to the corresponding game cutscenes as they read. Dubbed / Subbed (video picks the wrong choice, here's the choice in Japanese)

Chapter 1: Part 2 of 6

It has been 15 years since Kratos last descended onto earth.

Long ago, Kratos betrayed Cruxis and defected from the organization. He had since then rejoined Yggdrasill’s side, but only on the condition that he wouldn’t be allowed to descend onto earth as he pleased.

Northwest of the Tower of Salvation lies an area thick with trees. Along the shoreline, at the foot of a small mountain, a village can be seen. It’s Iselia, which was known to be the headquarters for the Church of Martel. This is the place Kratos set off to visit.

The entire world has its watchful eye on Iselia. This is due to the fact that the Chosen One was born within its hold, of whom would set off on the Journey of World Regeneration, saving the world from destruction. On the Chosen’s 16th birthday, she is to receive the oracle from an angel of Cruxis and set off on her journey. Today is that very day.

Thinking of the phrase “World Regeneration” brought back harsh memories for Kratos. It was as if a pain pierced his heart. However, there was nothing Kratos could do at this point. He had become completely void of any way to fight against Mithos. In a way, maybe that was for the best. Even if the path there wasn’t pretty, so long as the world would be regenerated, then―

The sound of people fighting grated Kratos’ ears the second he looked at the plateau to his left. He has a heightened sense of hearing. The range of which he can pick up sounds is expanded, and he is able to hear things with clarity that are not normally able to be processed by the human ear. The same is true for his vision. By focusing his attention on something, he is able to see things far away, down to their very texture. Thanks to this, he’s able to tell that there’s a rather intense battle happening atop the plateau.

Kratos took a deep breath before spreading a radiant blueish-white light from behind his back. It glistened and swayed, like the shimmer of hot air. Protruding from his back were wings of condensed mana which allow him to fly. A circulation of his bodily mana takes form and is expended from his body in the form of radiation.

Kratos’ body lifted into the air, and he beelined it towards the plateau. Below him, he could see a cluster of corpses spread about. They were all priests of the Church of Martel. It seems a scandal unbefitting the Day of Prophecy has taken place here.

Atop the plateau lies the Martel Temple. A fight was breaking out there. Kratos landed at the base of the plateau without a sound, put his wings away, and dashed up the stairs towards the temple.

What he found in front of the temple was a band of infiltrators that seemed familiar, and a group of kids who were picking a fight with them. It was immediately clear to him that the kids were at the disadvantage.

“Man, this guy is really tough!”

One of the boys had floundered about in his stance, and the enemy took advantage of that. The giant man he was fighting was swinging around an iron ball above his head, and brought it down to strike the boy.

In the nick of time, Kratos put himself in between the iron ball and the boy, unsheathing his sword to strike at the weapon. He cut the chain that held the ball in a flash, rendering the weapon useless.

“Huh? Who are you?”

“Get out of the way.”

Kratos ordered the boy to stay put and closed the gap between himself and his opponent. He leaped towards him and thrusted the tip of his sword towards the man’s throat.

“Are you the rats I was told to exterminate?”

“Rgh...”

The large man froze and awkwardly turned his gaze towards his superior. That was enough of an answer for him. Without hesitation, Kratos plunged his sword deep into the man’s neck, and then pulled the blade out as he kicked his body backwards. Using the recoil he hopped back, as a rain of blood poured onto the spot he had just been standing.

“I never thought you’d show up.” The man’s superior stood on the other side of the pool of blood, glaring at Kratos. “Retreat for now!”

At that order, all of the soldiers left in a hustle. The remaining survivors carried the corpses of their fallen allies and skillfully scampered down the stairs of the plateau. Kratos shook his sword to fling the blood off of it and sheathed it.

I see, so it’s just as I heard. This Chosen is a perfect match. That must be why the “rats” are making their move.

As the enemies dispersed, the children who had been discouraged all of a sudden perked up. He kept his back turned to the teenagers who were being their typical, noisy selves, and an old woman approached him. He could feel an air of refinement from her. He could immediately tell she wasn’t just any ordinary old lady.

“How can I ever thank you for saving the Chosen?”

At this, Kratos turned his head to look at the children. The silver-haired one seemed to be in his early teens. He used magic during the battle, so he must be either an elf or a half-elf―Kratos found the latter more likely. He felt something off about the boy in the red outfit, but it was probably nothing to worry about. In any case, both of them are boys, so it’s not either of them. The Chosen of Regeneration would be a girl.

“...I see. So this girl is the next Chosen.”

Kratos shifted his gaze towards the blond-haired girl, who the two boys were guarding. When the girl met his gaze, she seemed startled for a second, but then innocently smiled at him. He wondered if she was aware of the fate set before her. Kratos frowned, and the girl’s face suddenly lit up.

“That’s right! I have to go accept the oracle!” The girl rushed over to the old woman, continuing on with a dignified voice. “Grandmother, I’m going to undergo the trial now.”

“What trial?” asked the boy in the red outfit.

“The monsters, I assume. An evil presence radiates from inside this chapel.”

He wasn’t lying. The temple was normally under a holy presence, but he could sense monsters lurking about. Since Kratos was pretending to be a mercenary, he figured flaunting this knowledge might prove useful. He needed to show off a little so they’d let him guard the Chosen.

As expected, the old woman seemed impressed by his analysis and turned to face him.

“Yes, that is correct. The Chosen is to receive judgment from heaven. But the priests that were to accompany her fell at the hands of the Desians.”

Kratos’ mouth twitched at the word “Desian.” I see, so the rats are doing a good job at hiding who they really are. But what good would killing the priests do if they just left the Chosen alive anyway? It seems like their leader’s habit of never being able to do anything right rubbed off on his subordinates.

“Then I’ll take on the job of protecting Colette.”

All of a sudden, the boy in the red outfit cut in between Kratos and the old woman. So the Chosen’s name is Colette. Kratos couldn’t believe how ridiculous the request the boy made was. He was probably self-taught, but the way he wielded his dual blades was hard to watch. Kids can really have way too much confidence sometimes.

“Lloyd? ...I would be uneasy with just you.”

Hearing this, Kratos’ entire body jumped. He whipped his head around to look at Lloyd, this time really studying his features.

The image of his lost baby son popped into his head. It was as if the memories he had tried so hard to bury came bursting out the door of his recollections.

Fifteen years ago, he had a family. It was him, his dearest wife Anna, and their son, Lloyd.

But his son is dead. By all means, he should be dead. He was 3 at the time, and had he survived, he would be the same age as the boy he sees here, but...

“Your name is Lloyd?”

“Yeah, but who are you to ask for my name?”

Lloyd gave Kratos a sharp look.

Fifteen years had passed since then. There’s no way he’d know for sure. Children grow fast, and their faces totally change. And Lloyd was only 3 at the time; there’s no way he’d even remember him. Really, he had no proof that this boy was his son, Lloyd.

As if to escape Lloyd’s gaze, Kratos turned back to the old woman. His mission took priority right now.

“...I am Kratos, a mercenary. As long as you can pay me, I’ll accept the job of guarding the Chosen.”

The old lady sighed and nodded.

“...Under the circumstances, I have little choice. Please be of service.”

“It’s a deal, then.”

Kratos nodded back at her. That was a relief. Now he could guard the Chosen. That’s the most he could do. He started walking alongside the Chosen, Colette.

“W-Wait! I’m going, too!”

Lloyd ran after them.

“Lloyd, you’ll only get in the way. Be a good boy and wait here.”

Hearing Kratos’ rejection, Lloyd’s face bubbled with anger.

“What did you say?!”

“Did I not make myself clear? You’re a burden. Go home.”

As if to prevent Lloyd from running his mouth further, the Chosen, Colette piped in.

“Um... Mr. Kratos, would it be okay to take Lloyd along, too?”

“But...”

“Please. I get nervous when Lloyd’s not around.”

There was a warm smile behind Colette’s words, and Kratos sighed. He figured the Chosen always stuck up for Lloyd like this. Well, it’s not like the monsters in the temple were that bad anyway.

“...Do as you wish.”

Kratos said this with his back turned to them and made his way towards the temple’s entrance. World regeneration can’t even begin until the first trial is cleared. And the Renegades will likely become a hindrance along the way. He really wanted to get this first trial over with, quickly.

“...Let’s go, Genis!”

“What?! I’m going, too?!”

“Of course!”

Kratos heard Lloyd and the silver-haired boy―Genis, apparently―bickering behind him.

He let out another sigh. Such a bustle brought back some memories of long, long ago.

“This isn’t a field trip, you know.”

While trying to conceal how pleased he was at the nostalgia he was experiencing from overhearing them, Kratos entered the temple.

Chapter 1: Part 3 of 6

The base of Cruxis, Derris-Kharlan, is a massive comet. The central part of the comet houses the residential area, Welgaia, as well as Vinheim, Mithos’ castle. It is rumored that a part of the facilities are recycled from when the ancient elves lived there, but the details are not fully made clear. Even among the Angel Class, only a tiny portion know the truth behind it, so there is no way that Pronyma―who is of the Desian Class―would know about it.

Holding such a massive celestial body in place above the earth would normally be impossible. What makes the impossible possible is a sword known as the Eternal Sword, which the Summon Spirit Origin gifted to Yggdrasill. This sword is capable of manipulating both space and time, so Yggdrasill used it to both split the world in two as well as hold Derris-Kharlan in place. Pronyma admires him, honoring him as such a magnificent person.

Though “respect” on its own doesn’t convey the magnitude of the feelings she holds towards him. Perhaps “affection” or even “yearning” fits the bill better. She finds Yggdrasill so awe-inspiring, and even finds herself attracted to him.

Half-elves are viewed as heretics just for existing. Humans fear them for their outstanding powers, while elves abhor them for having human blood. Among all of the people who live on earth, half-elves are considered the race that nobody loves; they’re considered the people in the middle, and are oppressed.

Pronyma was once a victim of such oppression. She was ridiculed, abused, and recruited as a weapon for battle due to her abilities. Had Yggdrasill not saved her from such a fate, she likely would have met her end on the battlefield, never seen as more than a weapon. Yggdrasill is a savior in Pronyma’s eyes, and he is her hero for trying to make a world for half-elves to live in. She would do anything if it meant helping him. Being used by him is enough to make her happy.

Pronyma is currently working as one of the Five Grand Cardinals, which commands over the Desian Class.

Cruxis is made up of two classes: the Angel Class, who are given hi-Exspheres―Cruxis Crystals, and the Desian Class, who are given regular Exspheres instead. The Desians operate to terrorize the people while the angels instill an offering of peace to them via spreading the word of the Church of Martel. Between the both of them, they have full control over the hearts of mankind.

Those in the Desian Class are given all sorts of jobs. They always operate in the declining world. By doing so, the people in the declining world will pray for salvation, while the people in the prospering world will fear their eventual decline. This setup ensures that both worlds turn their prayers to and rely on the Church of Martel.

Just recently, the Tower of Salvation appeared in the declining world, Sylvarant, marking the beginning of World Regeneration. Though describing it as “appearing” is a tad misleading―the tower is always there, it’s just hidden behind a sort of shield so that people in the declining world can’t see it. To ensure that the two separated worlds aren’t sucked up into the dimensional rift between them, there are two points in which the worlds hold contact with one another. One of these is the Tower of Salvation. The top of the Tower of Salvation is connected to Derris-Kharlan, and it’s used to allow the angels and the Desians to communicate with one another.

What made the tower visible is that Sylvarant's Chosen of Regeneration had embarked on her journey to become Martel’s vessel. Pronyma needs to hold a meeting with an administrator in Welgaia in order to move the Desian Class into action. This is just a practice that’s held every time a Journey of Regeneration begins, but to Pronyma, it means something more. It’s an exciting time, where she is able to closer visit the place where Yggdrasill resides.

Pronyma used the transporter to teleport from the Tower of Salvation to Welgaia. However, the angel that was normally there to give her the order was nowhere to be found.

“I was under the impression I was to receive orders from Lord Kratos.”

Pronyma inquired this to the gatekeepers by the teleporter, and one of them replied to her.

“Lord Kratos is currently on Sylvarant on a mission. I regret to inform you that you will not be able to meet with him.”

“Lord Kratos is down on Sylvarant?!”

Pronyma couldn’t help her face from warping with fury.

“What is the meaning of this? He is a traitor, who defected from us 70 years ago. Mi... Lord Yggdrasill may have forgiven him, but to think he would be permitted to go down to earth!”

“Not another word, Pronyma.”

“...I know. It is not my place as one in the Desian Class to speak poorly of one of the Four Seraphim.”

Still, Pronyma couldn’t accept this. Sylvarant was where Kratos fled to when he betrayed Cruxis so long ago. When he was eventually accepted back into Derris-Kharlan, he was forbidden from going back down there.

Pronyma never liked Kratos. He’s the only human among the Angel Class. Him being a human was irritating enough, but he’d also taken advantage of Yggdrasill’s trust and betrayed him without warning. He disapproved of the Age of Lifeless Beings and left the organization. In the end, all he’d accomplished was finding a lover, having a child and playing make-believe at having a family. All he did was run away from reality. The damage he did to Yggdrasill from his silly game of playing house was immeasurable. Pronyma saw his suffering up close, and due to this, she started to seriously distrust Kratos.

“Pronyma. The messenger has arrived.”

A gatekeeper called to her and Pronyma turned to look at the central part of Welgaia. Amidst the soulless looking angels silently floating about, she saw a messenger angel headed her way. But it wasn’t one of Kratos’ messengers. Based on the color of the band on the arm, it was one of Yggdrasill’s.

“On Lord Yggdrasill’s orders?!”

The unexpected development had Pronyma’s heart pounding out of her chest, and she took a deep breath to calm herself.

Pronyma wasn’t in a position that allowed her to see Yggdrasill very often. The last time she had seen him was when Kratos shamelessly came back 15 years ago.

Pronyma was determined to not let Yggdrasill suffer like that again, and she vowed to do whatever it took to ensure that.

[cupcakeinat0r]

It’s official!!! She’s here!!!!!

Can’t believe this is my first ever ao3 work!!!

Just a heads up to my lovelies, she will be an edited version, meaning the chapters will be longer.

Prolly should also mention that since I’m editing it, the chapters will be released gradually, so it’s almost like ur getting to read the fic for the first time all over again :)

Henceforth, the version on ao3 will be extended!!!

Go ahead and give it some love if you’d like! See y’all on the otha sideee 🫶

<3 Tags <3

@mukeovernetflix @mochikisses @miguels-cock-piercings @miranexx @bunnibitez @deepdiveintothedeephive @faretheeoscar @sillygardeneggperson @librababe99 @sariespi @little-lovelace @monstersimp @oharasfilipinawife @obi-mom-kenobi @hyjionie @maomaimao @pomakori @pinkhelados @mochimoqa @princesatracionera @queerponcho @walmaerts @froggygal @yaysposts @koko-1025 @kikaaauu @lauraolar14 @anotherprettyprincess @kaidxra @farrowroyale @pigeonmama @exactlyyoungchaos @fayeofthenightingale @s4dow @safixiovi

@hartsucks @amberbalcom14 @wait2nourh @tatooieve @helen-j-magnus @cl3stevu

@mintssanctuary @ghost-lantern @snails-doodles22 @tinythebunni @shaquilles-0atmeal @nina-from-317

[marnerparty]

baby hughes

Jack Hughes x reader

ynhughes

Liked by colecaufield, yourbestfriend and 57,826 others

ynhughes surprise! baby Hughes coming in September :)

View all 198 comments

_quinnhughes IM GETTING A NIBLING

jackhughes come again?

_quinnhughes like sibling but for nieces and nephews

_eliaspetterrsson there’s no way this is a real word

jackhughes someone confirm please

ynhughes after a quick google search, Quinn is definitely right

jackhughes I’m so excited for this next chapter with you 🫶🏻

ynhughes i love you with my whole heart jackypoo

colecaufield you guys are gross

jackhughes it’s called love Cole. don’t be mad that you’ve never felt it

colecaufield 🖕🏻

user1 I wish I was yn hughes

nicohischier you guys!! congrats!!

jackhughes thank you cap!

ynhughes thanks Nic!🥰

lhughes_06 this is extremely mid

jackhughes that’s what I said

ynhughes and what was your idea?

jackhughes no comment

nicohischier did it have to do w/ hockey

ynhughes oh jeez

jackhughes YES! AND SHE VETOED IT!

ynhughes why’d you have to bring it up 🤦🏼‍♀️

elblue6 I’m so excited for my grand baby!! this is amazing news. congratulations yn 🩷🩷🫶🏻

ynhughes I love you Ellen!! thank you 🥰

jackhughes MOM!?

elblue6 yes?

jackhughes CONGRATULATE ME TOO!!

elblue6 congrats jack.

lhughes_06 lowercase and a period. yowzers.

trevorzegras congrats you guys!!

ynhughes thanks Trevor!!

jackhughes Uncle Trev 😎

njdevils excited for a new Jr. Devil!

Liked by ynhughes

user2 doesn’t yn know the whole world is in love with her husband? how could she do this to us?

user3 tf? it’s yn > jack any day

_alexturcotte my money would’ve been on Quinn being a dad first

jackhughes Quinn who can’t get a girlfriend?

ynhughes Jack! rude!

_quinnhughes she’s only with you cuz she’s pregnant

jackhughes she has my last name

ynhughes Quinn’s too bub

_quinnhughes HA!

jackhughes yn who’s side are you on!?

ynhughes no comment

tmeier98 congrats!

jackhughes thanks timo 🙌🏻

dawson1417 thank god, this was a hard secret to keep

jackhughes you knew??

ynhughes he was the second to know 😳

jackhughes after me right?

ynhughes well …

jackhughes WHAT!?

jackhughes who the hell was the first

ynhughes Luke …

jackhughes HUGHES!?

ynhughes yes.

lhhughes_06 I can explain

jackhughes

Liked by _alexturcotte, trevorzegras and 101,871 others

jackhughes 36 weeks & counting 🫶🏻

View all 317 comments

ynhughes babe I’m literally huge in this, I told you I didn’t like this one

jackhughes yn, honey, you’re pregnant, your belly gets big

_quinnhughes jackson you don’t know a thing about comforting a pregnant woman who’s feeling self conscious

jackhughes enlighten me then Quinn

_quinnhughes yn, you look perfect. you’re doing the hardest thing a woman could ever do and you’re making it look easy. cut yourself some slack 🫶🏻

ynhughes quinny I love you so much 🥹

_eliaspetterrsson this man has such a way with words

elblue6 I can’t wait for my grand baby!

ynhughes she’s ready to meet you Ellen!!

user1 GENDER DROP

lhughes_06 uncle Luke will be her favorite

_quinnhughes good try bud

lhughes_06 it definitely won’t be you

_quinnhughes uh, it 100% will

ynhughes boys, why are we arguing? you can both be the favorites

_quinnhughes no

lhughes_06 no

jamie.drysdale maybe it’s gonna be me

trevorzegras absolutely not

user2 this baby is gonna have so many uncles

nicohischier still can’t believe you’re having a kid

jackhughes I can’t either it’s crazy

nicohischier it’s a good thing you have yn

ynhughes Nico Hischier, always a charmer

nicohischier 😉

jackhughes hey back off you Swiss

ynhughes be kind to your daughter’s godfather

nicohischier her WHAT!?

jackhughes uh oh

ynhughes Jack Rowden Hughes you never told him!?

jackhughes yep, this one’s on me.

nicohischier you guys are serious?

ynhughes yes, Nico! we would love it if you were her Godfather :) there’s a whole gift that goes along that my incompetent husband forgot to give you, but don’t worry, I’ll mail it today

user3 yn already seems like the best mom

Liked by ynhughes

ynhughes

Liked by adamfantilli, user1 and 77,871 others

ynhughes 9.9.23 Layla Quinn Hughes 🩷

View all 229 comments

lhughes_06 this is the best birthday gift ever! I love her already

ynhughes we love you! & happy birthday Moosey :)

jackhughes perfect like her mama ❤️

ynhughes I love you Jack Hughes

jackhughes I love you yn Hughes

user1 I think Jack’s officially gone

trevorzegras MY BABY’S HERE! I’M SO EXCITED TO MEET HER

jamie.drysdale your baby?

ynhughes you like kids that much?

trevorzegras uh, yes. especially when it comes to my niece

_quinnhughes that’s seriously her name?

ynhughes yes!

_quinnhughes why??

jackhughes Quinn you’re so important to us, & you’re my older bro! it was only right

lhughes_06 now we have to battle out favorite uncle

lhughes_06 they probably named her after you because they didn’t want you to feel bad we share the same date of birth

_quinnhughes what’s more important, a name or a birthday?

colecaufield oof got him there

lhughes_06 you pick a name, you can’t pick a due date. what are the odds we’re born on the same day?

_quinnhughes actually Luke, September 9th is the most common birthday

ynhughes this is true Lukey

lhughes_06 okay, but what are the odds my niece is born on the same day as me, regardless of the statistical significance

jackhughes why are you using such big words?

edwards.73 the baby will think he’s smarter and choose him as a favorite uncle

edwards.73 his words not mine

elblue6 my first grandbaby! my heart is so full 🥰

jackhughes love you ma!

nicohischier my goddaughter is perfect 🫶🏻 congratulations you guys

ynhughes thank you Nico 🩷

jackhughes you’re the best cap!

user2 the name is adorable

tysmith_6 Jacky boy grew up, eh?

jackhughes damn right!

tysmith_6 congrats man! and congrats to you as well yn!

ynhughes thanks Ty!!

nhl another Hughes to play hockey! congrats!

Liked by ynhughes and jackhughes

dawson1417 Layla 🥹

ynhughes s/o for the suggestion !

jackhughes are we crediting Dawson for the name?

ynhughes no, but we loved this name and he was just another person who said they also liked it

jackhughes 🤨

jackhughes you’re the one that always loved that name …

ynhughes okay maybe Dawson helped a little

jackhughes

Liked by _quinnhughes, jamie.drysdale and 102,871 others

jackhughes my 🌎

Comments have been disabled

ynhughes

Liked by lhughes_06, edwards.73 and 75,887 others

ynhughes round 2!

View all 271 comments

trevorzegras NO WAY

ynhughes yes!

jackhughes so excited 🫶🏻

ynhughes nobody I’d rather have by my side 🥰

user1 jack needs to stop having kids. he’s losing his sex appeal

ynhughes speak for yourself 🤷🏼‍♀️

jamie.drysdale maybe I’ll be the favorite uncle now!

trevorzegras no, it’s my time to shine

lhughes_06 we should probably give it to the real other uncle this time @_quinnhughes

_quinnhughes fuck off

ynhughes boys! behave

lhughes_06 yn is younger than you and still putting you in your place

ynhughes Luke, I don’t care you’re one of my daughter’s favorite people I will kick your ass

lhughes_06 yes ma’am 😳

nicohischier TEAM BOY 🩵

nicohischier and congrats again :)

ynhughes you say team boy like you’re not obsessed with our Layla

nicohischier oh I am, but another Hughes to the NHL would be phenomenal. specifically to the devils

jackhughes oh yeah? and you’ll still be there playing?

nicohischier I’m playing til I’m 50

jackhughes sure bud. sure

elblue6 grandbaby x2! congrats my loves 🫶🏻

ynhughes love you mama Hughes!!

rutgermcgroarty CONGRATS!!!

ynhughes thank you! miss you Ruts!

jackhughes get outta here Michigan

rutgermcgroarty & this is why yn is superior

user2 I hope it’s a boy and that he has Jack’s smile

ynhughes hopefully w/out the missing tooth

jackhughes really? we bring the tooth up now?

ynhughes I loveee youuu

jackhughes mhm

ynhughes jackson!

jackhughes baby I love you, you know this

tysmith_6 I have name suggestions, but only for a boy (which I KNOW you’re having)

ynhughes lay ‘em on me

tysmith_6 Ryan Jackson

tysmith_6 Bradley Luke

tysmith_6 Finnegan Ty

lhughes_06 thanks for the recognition

ynhughes these are really cute actually

tysmith_6 yeah, I’m awesome, it’s whatever

jackhughes who’s gonna tell him

tysmith_6 tell who what

jackhughes tell you something

tysmith_6 ????

ynhughes we already know it’s a girl!

tysmith_6 NOOOOOOOOOOOO

tysmith_6 I mean, yay, of course. but no :(

colecaufield most of the time these comments are just one on one conversations

ynhughes and what about it cole

jackhughes he’s just jealous

jackhughes

Liked by bauerhockey, tmeier98 and 130,761 others

jackhughes baby girl #2! meet Olivia Ellen Hughes!

View all 229 comments

nhl Layla & Olivia! congrats Hughes’ on the new addition!

njdevils another Jr. Devil! congrats!

edwards.73 CONGRATS!! miss you yn!

ynhughes thank you E! love & miss you!! 🥰

trevorzegras she’s so perfect 🥹

ynhughes Trev 🥺

lhughes_06 YN Hughes: baddest bitch I know

ynhughes Lukester 🫶🏻

jackhughes now she’s crying, you made her cry

ynhughes it’s just the hormones, Luke is so sweet to me 😭

nicohischier another favorite human to add to the list! congrats jack & yn!

ynhughes thank you Nico! we love you!

tysmith_6 well, if you find yourself pregnant again, you know where to find me for names

ynhughes will do sir 🫡

tysmith_6 oh and conrgats too!!

user1 and the family keeps growing

elblue6 love you guys! so excited for you & your new bundle of joy 🩷

jackhughes thanks mama

colecaufield the cutest lil mama’s boy

jackhughes shut it Caufield

ynhughes Jack be nice. Cole’s a good one

jamie.drysdale need to meet her IMMEDIATELY

jamie.drysdale please & thanks :)

trevorzegras no me first

jamie.drysdale we live together idiot

trevorzegras okay but I get to open the door

jackhughes who says we’re bringing her there??

ynhughes I already yes.

jackhughes babe wtf?? bringing our newborn to what’s equivalent to a frat house?

trevorzegras woah woah woah, it’s nothing like that at all

jamie.drysdale that’s insulting Jack

ynhughes I can’t say no to Jamie

_quinnhughes congratulations you guys

ynhughes thanks Quinny!!

jackhughes 🫶🏻

user2 I still think they break up

ynhughes it’ll happen soon. I’ll just trap him for his child support

_alexturcotte LMAO

_quinnhughes oh yn

luca.fantilli congrats!! I’m a lil behind on the life updates 😬

ynhughes don’t worry Luca, you’re forgiven :)

jackhughes why are you friends with all these Michigan hockey kids

lhughes_06 from the umich football game?

jackhughes the what?

ynhughes oh shit

jackhughes when did you go to a football game with all the boys????

ynhughes you were on a 10 day roadie! what else was I supposed to do, wait for you at home??

jackhughes that’s not what I said! I’m just shocked I was never told

rutgermcgroarty yeah we love yn

adamfantilli facts

ynhughes

Liked by elblue6, nicohischier and 73,981 others

ynhughes these girls sure love their daddy ❤️

Comments on this post have been limited

njdevils our favorite Hughes posting our favorite Hughes’ :)

lhughes_06 HEY

nicohischier oof that’s tough

_quinnhughes is Layla kicking him in the face?😂

jackhughes it’s unknown what she was trying to accomplish

lhughes_06 she takes after her favorite uncle.. always kicking Jack’s ass

jackhughes at least the devils don’t hate me

ynhughes Jack that’s mean

user1 the most gorgeous family

elblue6 my girls minus one!

ynhughes mama e >>>>

jackhughes MA!? I’m in the photo too!

elblue6 I can’t lie and say you’re my favorite boy Jack

colecaufield oh shit

jackhughes I’m running away

trevorzegras it’s that karate she’s learning 😎

ynhughes she’s been BEGGING to see uncle Trev so you can watch Kung-Foo Panda. you’re the only person she let’s watch it with her

trevorzegras 🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹 I love her so much

jackhughes maybe Trevor is the favorite uncle

jackhughes love you & our creations 🫶🏻

tysmith_6 that makes it sound like they’re paintings

jackhughes well then I’m fucking Da Vinci

trevorzegras then who are you?

jackhughes …

jackhughes Da Vinci

trevorzegras no that’s yn

jackhughes what???

trevorzegras you said you’re fucking Da Vinci ?

jamie.drysdale OH MY GOD

ynhughes TREVOR NOT THE VERB

_quinnhughes Jesus Christ

trevorzegras oh I’m embarrassed

user2 it wouldn’t be a yn Hughes post without a hectic comment section

Liked by ynhughes

ynhughes

Liked by nsuzuki_37, biznasty and 88,719 others

ynhughes our secret baby :) Caroline Florence💕

tagged jackhughes

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luca.fantilli NO WAY

ynhughes WAY

luca.fantilli CONGRATS!!

ynhughes thanks Tilly 🥰

elblue6 so glad the secret is out!! I love my babies 🥰

ynhughes & they all love you Ellen 🥰🥰🥰

jamie.drysdale I already knew about this but I can’t believe it’s real. big congrats guys 🩷

jackhughes thanks kid!

ynhughes love you mucho jimbo!

njdevils we’ve said it once & we’ll say it again, congrats on the new addition!!

Liked by ynhughes and jackhughes

jackhughes officially a girl dad :)

ynhughes I love you Jack Hughes always 🫶🏻

lhughes_06 ew

_quinnhughes grow up

lhughes_06 you’re never on my side these days what’s up w/ that??

ynhughes guys why are we fighting in a comment section?

rutgermcgroarty because they’re children

biznasty you got this kid whipped

ynhughes boy don’t i

biznasty congrats yn & Jack! enjoy this time!

ynhughes thanks Paul🩷

trevorzegras how come you were never this nice to me

biznasty get outta here Zegras this isn’t your kid

trevorzegras it’s my niece, basically the same thing

jackhughes oh not at all

ynhughes not close Trev

lhughes_06 he’s so outnumbered

ynhughes that’s what he gets for growing up in a house of all boys

jackhughes hey that’s Ellen’s fault

elblue6 whose fault?

trevorzegras DAMN

_quinnhughes caught

jackhughes love you mom 🫶🏻

elblue6 mhm

_alexturcotte Jack’s been busy

ynhughes “busy”

jackhughes hey I do a lot!

_alexturcotte not what I meant guys

ynhughes ohhhhh

jackhughes ah he meant sex

colecaufield your parent radar is very censoring

user1 I think Jack’s officially officially taken

ynhughes the marriage wasn’t enough?

jackhughes the first 2 kids weren’t enough?

edwards.73 who knew what we needed was these two hanging up on haters?

nicohischier congrats guys! I’m proud of you kid

ynhughes ❤️❤️❤️

jackhughes cap 🥹

tysmith_6 CONGRATS!!!

tysmith_6 but something’s missing …

jackhughes yn I swear to God

ynhughes Caroline was all me …

ynhughes Florence may have been a Ty suggestion

jackhughes sometimes I feel like I’m just married to Ty

nhl can’t wait for these girls to run the hockey world someday like they’re dad & uncles! congratualtions!

ynhughes well this is just adorable

lhughes_06 *like their uncle Luke

jackhughes omg this little shit

_quinnhughes for real what went wrong with him?

elblue6 I wish I knew

lhughes_06 MA

[bloopitynoot]

Reading SVSSS: Bonus- Chapter 29

For those who don't know, I am reading SVSSS for the first time and sharing my thoughts!

If you have not read it, there will be spoilers! Consider this a warning.

Also- if you want to follow along, I am aiming to post updates daily. You can find all the posts in the tag bloopitynoot reads SVSSS. You can also check out the intro post for context on my read.

Thank fuck it's saturday and I have nothing to do because it has been a busy time!

Today I have a sad protein shake (because I bought an entire container of it and I WILL use it all even though it is deeply unpleasant). I've got cute little pumpkins though?

Alright- let's get into this absolute disaster of a chapter LOL.

Pre chapter reading thoughts based on the title: I have been WAITING the entire book for this moment. I can't wait to start this omg.

I'm SCREAMING. I thought this was going to be the actual story/song but instead it's just them reading porn about themselves. ahahah pp305-306

Good for SQQ for being pissed on Binghe's behalf! The author of that story wrote smut about an underage kid with an adult yeah that is very fucked. p306

"flirtation in the water prison" I'm wheezing at this chapter title. p308

Jesus. If anyone thought there was even a bit of truth to this story... I can see why people were shaken when they found out the two were actually together. (the cultivators/gentry being upset- not so much the common people). p309

Also. the fact that SQQ is not upset at the graphic scene where consent is very dubious (if there is any at all) but rather he's upset at the fact that the crying is unrealistic LOL it would NEVER be him but LBH who would be sobbing during sex. p309

omg. and the necrophilia. p311 This is everything I feared the actual story would be.

not related to chis chapter but a reflection on other chapters LOL Tianlang-jun fucking LOVED this story and now that I know what is in it- WHAT THE FUCK LOL. He was just over there straight up reading the most unholy porn about his kid being like "aww that's nice"

Dang this story is really just about these two exploring every kink and taboo sex act while SQQ get's repeatedly railed. p314

omg I can't. This is not "instructional material" pls omg. Someone in this time must have made actual manuals/educational material this baby can study. this isn't it. pp314-315

oh god. Not Bingqiu pt 2; electric boogaloo. Where the second book is worse than the first. p315

If I had an eject button, I would hit it right now. Fact about me- one of my undergrad majors was in sexuality and I-; 1. pls let that not be actual wine because this man is about to see god with how drunk he will be. 2. GLSS!! especially GLASS NOT BUILT TO BE IN A BODY. 3. ALWAYS USE A FLARED BASE. I AM SO SCARED RN. pp216-317

SQQ and I have the same question "You..what exactly did you read?" p322

What the fuck

That was more of an experience I wanted for 9am on a Saturday.

[kyuushi]

This post is long overdue but I figured better late than never!

There's a way to read Kyuushi in Japanese online and for free legally, something that was previously only possible during limited-time events. You can't immediately gain access to all 323 chapters so don't get too excited but it's still pretty cool. There's a (long) guide on how the site works below the cut!

A few months ago, Akita Shoten, the publisher of Weekly Shonen Champion, the magazine Kyuushi runs in, launched their Champion Cross site. This site allows users to read manga for FREE, legally!

To participate, you can make an account here. You're able to connect a Google or Twitter account, so it's quite easy. If you do use a Google account like I did, the site just asks for a username (it has to be unique, if someone is already using it, you'll have to pick something else) your gender (prefer not to say, male, female, or neither), and year of birth.

Then you just lie about reading the privacy policy by checking the box at the bottom and you're good to go!

If you don't want to connect an existing account, you'll need to supply your email and a password as you normally do when signing up for a new site.

Of course, as with most free things, there is a catch... or kind of several catches 😂 You must collect tickets (すぐ無料チケット) to unlock most chapters.

You get some for signing up, completing "missions," and using your daily free gacha attempt. The gacha can only give you 0, 1, or 2 tickets. If you want to retry the gacha, you can earn another chance by sharing your result to Twitter...

aka you just let it open the new tab but don't actually hit the tweet button lol. Just keep in mind that the second number you get overwrites the first.

You can then head on over to Kyuushi's page (remember to hit the star ⭐ to add it to your favorites!) and pick which chapters you'd like to unlock using your tickets, 1 ticket per chapter. You also unlock the ability to read 1 chapter every 23 hours (the 待つと無料/wait and it's free option). When I made a new account I was immediately able to use this free chapter read!

The first time I used a ticket to unlock ("rent") a chapter, I got a popup asking me to confirm my email address. Not sure if this will happen to everyone or just those who used a Google or Twitter account to sign up.

If this does happen, you'll just get an email with a link to click that verifies your account.

When you use a ticket to rent a chapter, the chapter becomes available to you for 15 days.

However, after reading a chapter with your daily free 待つと無料 option, you have only 3 days to go back and read before it gets locked again. The remaining time is shown to the right in gray. (Please admire Bikimi-chan's beauty in the chapter 317 preview.)

Remember to give the chapters a like!

It's important to note that tickets DO EXPIRE. You can check your ticket information by clicking the number as shown here.

Tickets from different sources have different expiration dates. Daily gacha tickets expire within the day (the expiry date & time is shown in red).

On the other hand, mission tickets last longer.

This section at the top of the page shows you the soonest upcoming expiry date:

At least per my testing, the site does seem to automatically use the tickets that expire earliest!

As of right now, there are 2 chapters that can only be read by using coins, which are a paid currency.

I'm afraid I won't be testing coins out... I've already bought Kyuushi volumes as ebooks, and I'm not a fan of how you seem to have to enter your card information directly into the site. Guess they don't accept PayPal or similar services? I'm not even sure if they'd accept foreign cards. If anyone has tried/tries this out, please let me know!

So basically, you can technically read all but 2 chapters of Kyuushi for free, but it does take time to gather tickets or simply wait to read a chapter per day, and you don't get permanent access to the chapters. It's not the most convenient or reliable resource but it's a legal way to support the series. During this extended hiatus, I think it's important to continue showing that Kyuushi has an active fanbase eager for more vampire fun! 🦇

Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions about the site. I did my best to test out the features and explain how they work but this was a whole lot of information to just dump on people so I'll understand if there's still some confusion. I also could have gotten something wrong so do let me know if you notice any issues.

[bratshaws]

through the hourglass 377. brb x oc

THIS CHAPTER CONTAINS SMUT! IF YOU ARE UNDER 18 PLEASE DO NOT READ!!!

a/n: EHE well(comments and reblogs are super welcome and encouraged!)

pairing: plus size!oc x rooster

warnings: god so many. Rooster, office sex, Rooster is a kinky man and we are all here for it, Bea is also kinky for her husband. Both of them are just horny.

goodness gracious (pls read this one to know more what this fic is about!!)

chapter

1/

/316/317/318/319/320/321/322/323/324/325/326/327/328/329/330/331/332/333/334/335/336/337/338/339/340/341/342/343/344/345/346/347/348/349/350/351/352/353/354/355/356/357/358/359/360/361/362/363/364/365/366

/367/368/369/370/371/372/373/374/375/376

(pls let me know if you want to be added to the taglist! )

taglist: @mirandastuckinthe80s @roosterschanelslut @wiipes @lcahwriter @novastories @gretagerwigsmuse @frenchtoastix @lizzie-rdj @fanboyluvr @atarmychick007 @comebacktoearthpls

@peachiicherries @mak-32 @lizziespidiepridie @roosterswifey @ollyoxenfrees @piceous21 @sqrlgrl22 @hofficoffi @lexhalstead3 @lorilane33 @legendarydreamersharkparty @luckyladycreator2

@emilybradshaw @louisahale @leobabbyyy @booklover2sblog @ktjmac @graciereads @bigpoppajes @taytaylala12

@caitsymichelle13 @becks-things @caatheeriinee07 @fanboyswhore9 @jesfreedark @katiemcrae @lilmonstrjedi @hobiismyhopeu @teacupsandtopgun @insominac23 @gh0stsgoodgirl @mygyn @chavivaelisheva @kmc1989 @enchantingharmonyalpaca @callsign-magnolia @mrsbradshaw01

-

“Roos!” she whispers harshly, looking around the cold, quiet base as he opens the back gate - the same one they entered through back when they dated. “Baby, is this a good idea?” he just smirks at her as the gate whirrs open weirdly quietly, considering it’s the middle of the night.

He is giddy, like a teenager, and he holds out his hand, “Come on.”

Beatrice hesitated for a moment, uncertainty flickering in her eyes as she glanced around the deserted base."Roos," she whispered again, her voice tinged with apprehension. "Are you sure about this? What if we get caught?"

Rooster's grin widened at Beatrice's concern, his eyes shining with excitement. "Don't worry, gorgeous," he reassured her, his voice low and teasing. "We'll be fine. Besides, it'll be just like old times."

“I was nervous back then too!” she says, then sighs, taking his outstretched hand, her fingers intertwining with his as he led her through the open gate and into the darkness beyond.

As they walked through the base, memories flooded back to Beatrice in a rush of emotions. She remembered the only time they did this, how important it was for him…and her obviously. She had no idea what he was planning. "Roos," Beatrice whispered, her voice filled with uncertainty. "I'm not sure about this. Maybe we should turn back."

Rooster stopped in his tracks, turning to face Beatrice with a reassuring smile. "Hey, it's okay," he murmured, his voice gentle. "We’ll be in my office.”

“...your…office?” she echoed, her voice filled with confusion. "What are we doing there?"

Rooster grinned mischievously, his eyes twinkling with something. "You'll see," he replied cryptically, taking Beatrice's hand once again and leading her towards the building where his office was located.

Rooster stopped in front of the door to his office, his hand hovering over the doorknob. He turned to face Beatrice, his eyes soft with affection. "Are you ready?" he asked, his voice filled with anticipation.

Beatrice nodded, her heart pounding in her chest. She had no idea what Rooster had planned, but she trusted him completely. "I'm ready," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

With a grin, Rooster pushed open the door to his office and gestured for Beatrice to enter. She stepped inside, her eyes widening in surprise at the sight before her.

It was just his office. Plain and simple.

“Oh.” she hears him locking the door, “Oh, I mean, it’s very nice.”

Rooster stepped up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist and resting his chin on her shoulder. "It is," he murmured, his voice filled with love as he kisses the side of her neck. "And we’re alone in it."

Beatrice couldn't help but blush at Rooster's closeness, her heart fluttering in her chest as she leaned back into his embrace. "Yes, we are," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

Rooster's hands trailed slowly down her arms, sending shivers down her spine as he kissed her neck. "I've been thinking about this moment for a long time," he admitted, his voice husky with desire. "Being alone with you, just like this"

Beatrice turned in Rooster's arms, her eyes meeting his "What did you have in mind?" she asked, her voice tinged with curiosity.

Rooster smiled at Beatrice's question, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "I thought we could …work on some fantasies…" he replied, his voice low and teasing. "If you want.”

“Oh?” Beatrice's heart skipped a beat at Rooster's suggestion, her cheeks flushing pink at the memory. "What sort of fantasies,LC?," she whispered

Rooster's smile softened as he looked into Beatrice's eyes. "You know…fantasies.”Rooster leaned in closer, his lips hovering just inches from Beatrice's. "Stuff I know you’ll like too," he whispered, his breath warm against her skin. "Because every moment with you is a gift."

Their lips met in a soft, tender kiss, igniting a fire that had been smoldering between them for years and never once stopped glowing. It was a kiss filled with love and passion, a promise of things to come. She moans in his mouth, hands cupping his jawline as he picks her up by the back of the legs.

She squeaks - no matter how often he did this, it’s still surprising nonetheless - and laughs in his mouth as he places her on his desk, pressing a trail of hot,open mouthed kisses from her lips to the curve of her jaw, his mustache tickling her skin, “Roos…” she gasps, feeling one of his large hands cupping up the softer part of her waist, then climbing up until he reaches her left breasts, brushing his thumb over the sensitive flesh.

Beatrice loved her husband, she loved Bradley so much..but sometimes his ideas neared crazy, “Roos,” his lips drag down the column of her throat and she gasps, “A-Ah, wait–” he stops, mouth on the hollow that connected to her collarbones, eyes flicking upwards, unmoving, “I…” she gasps, slowly tilting her head towards him ,”Is this…is this the idea…you had for a while?”

His lips smack on her skin as he pulls back, “Yes.”

“For how long.”

He purses his lips ‘...a while.”

“How long is a while?”

“How long have we been dating?”

Her lips part in surprise because,well, that makes some sense. Her response however is swallowed up and turned into a quiet moan when his lips drag down to her cleavage. She has to fight back from being vocal because - what if someone is around or close by? Not that he’s going to complain, he does love when she’s vocal but if she’s not, he’s okay too.

He’s just that great.

“You know,” he sighs as he stands up, shrugging off his jacket and that crisp white shirt just clings to his arms, “I kept thinking of ways I could bring you in here, the first time you came here and brought everyone snacks? Fuck babe, took everything in me to not lock you inside.” he hums appreciatively as he runs his hands up and down her thick thighs, the movement lifting the dark fabric of her dress up to the crease of her thighs.

“It’d be strange to tell Mav about it.” she whispers.

Her husband just offers her a look, “Let’s not talk about Mav when I’m about to eat you out.” he says and she bites her lower lip in hopes to hold back a smile. She feels something poking her back and turns around enough to see a few pencils and pens right by her middle, benign careful to push it aside and not make it messy.

Rooster pushes her a bit further and she widens her eyes when she drops something, unsure what it was, “Relax,” he whispers, “It’s okay,we’re locked in here.”

“...wait so…there are people–Rooster!”

“Sssshhh…” he coos,kissing her lips and lying her down on the desk, his hand sliding down to her panties, feeling the lilac colored lace touch his fingertips as he brushed over her mound. She whimpered, canting her hips upwards for his touch, “This is going to be fun.”

“I-I don’t want you to g-get in trouble.”

“Hmmm,I won’t.” he says again, voice so deep it made her whole body vibrate. He nuzzles her chin with his nose, then pushes her panties’ crotch to the side to rub his middle and ring finger against her lower lips, not fully entering yet.

Beatrice moans, slapping a hand over her mouth as she watches him. He stops for a second, “Hold on.’ and he rolls his sleeve up to his elbow, “Better,we both know how messy this can get.” she can see the lines of muscle on his forearms, the dark blonde hair adorning his skin almost shining golden because of the faint moonlight.

He supports himself on the desk, dark eyes watching her expressions as his lower lip slides into his mouth. “You look so fucking good.” they dart all over her body, all over the flushed goodness that was her curves, “And you are still clothed.”

Not for long.

He slides his fingers inside her, eyebrows raising in amusement, “Oh,what is this?” he pushes his digits upwards as she gasps, “Already so,so wet for me. Always,right gorgeous?” she whimpers his name and nods,clenching the hand closest to her face while her eyes close. And truly, to say she was dripping it’d be an understatement. 

Thank god he didn’t have carpeted floors. 

But then again, he didn’t care about that right now.

He lets his gaze linger down her chest, seeing the dress still clinging to her skin in hopes to keep some of her body hidden…he didn’t want to rip it, but he also didn’t want to have her body away from his gaze. So, with his hand still between her legs, fingers moving in a slow,wave like motion, he whispered “Lift up your hips.” and she does, immediately, because not only that added extra pressure inside of her, but also helped her in removing her dress.

He smiles once she’s bare,well,partially, she still had her panties on, but the dress didn’t need a bra. And her breasts just moved as she breathed heavily, eyelids low and mouth flushed from biting so much ,”Perfect.” he pulls his fingers out just in time for Bea to whine loudly in complaint, but her whining was cut short when her legs were lifted.

Soon enough her crossed feet were touching his back and she lifted herself just enough to see him between her legs. Honestly if there was a better vision she didn’t know. 

God he was attractive.

He smirks, wasting no time in burying his tongue deep inside of her. Beatrice’s eyes rolled back, fingers twitched as she held onto the desk’s edge, white knuckled and all. Rooster’s deep,pleased groans when he began just made her whole body shudder. His tongue moved inside of her, then outside, then around her clit only to repeat it several times.

Rooster’s hair was so beautifully combed she almost felt bad for digging her fingers between the strands, but she knew he’d love it too.

Just a tug to his scalp and her husband was mush.

He groaned, openly and loudly, into her, making sure she could feel the way his voice shook her whole body and added to the pleasure of his tongue on her. Beatrice cries out in return, only to slap her hand over her mouth again “R-Rooster.” she bites her hand in hopes to control herself.

Her eyes widened as his hands cupped the underside of her thighs, pushing her forward, folding her over like a pretzel so her knees were touching the desk, right besides her ears. Beatrice’s breathing quickened because she could see so much of what was happening. She moans again,this time holding the opposite edge, trying so hard to keep her eyes open only for them to flutter shut at a languid lick from bottom to top.

He chuckles, pulling back with a wet smack, “Good?” she nods, “Come on, gorgeous, you gotta use your words.”

She furrows her brows, gasping out a ‘yes.’ as he kisses the crease of where her underwear and her actually sex meet, biting the elastic and letting it go accidentally, “Sorry,” he whispers when she lets out a quiet ‘ow’ “Maybe we should take this off,baby.”

“I-I’m okay with that.”

“Hmm,I’m sure you are, turn around for me?” He drops her legs so she can stand up - and Jesus he has to give a few steps back because seeing her, partially naked in his office, was the sexiest thing he had ever seen. She flips her hair to the side before thumbing the edges of her underwear and he watches as it rolls down, then snags between her thick thighs, only for it to fall at her feet again.

She kicks it aside, “Better?’

“Almost.” and his hand swoops down to her ass. The slap echoes around the room so hard she was sure someone else heard it. She cups her mouth to hold back the startled yelp and look back at Rooster with wide eyes, only for him to cup her jaw and smack a kiss to her lips – one that tasted just like her, “Now.” he smirks, tapping the area he just hit gently, “I got an idea.”

“A-Another one?”

“I’m full of ideas and if it was up to me we’d spend the whole night here, but,alas,” and he steps away and around the desk, settling on his chair. He leans back, spreading his legs just enough and she blinks at him, “...is this okay for you or–?”

“You want me to suck you under the desk,don’t you?”

His dick twitches, “Yeah.”

“I mean,” she tosses her hair to the side again, “I’m okay with it, I just wonder if you’ll be able to get any work done remembering I was under your desk.” she giggles when he groans, he hadn’t thought about that, “...Roos, is this really okay? I mean…I..I am happy with it,I just worry about you.”

And his horny gaze softened as he tilted his head, “...baby,c’mere.” he coos, tapping his lap, “C’mere, sit down.” she does and the contact of her naked flushed skin to his slacks was really good. He kisses her cheek, then her temple, before nuzzling her cheek, “I love that you worry so much about me.”

“Course I do.”

“But believe me, this is tame compared to some shit.”

“...oh.”

“Yeah.”

“You don’t have to go into detail.” she says, quickly sliding off his lap to kneel in front of his open legs. He stares down at her face between his legs and he has to hold himself to the best of his ability. “Besides,” she smiles, unbuckling his belt, “We’re busy here.” and he sighs happily, lifting his hips just enough for her to tug the pants down his legs, shoes were long forgotten as soon as they entered his office.

She bites her lower lip, hooking her fingers on the elastic of his black briefs - the fabric straining and stained because of him- gently pulling it down. He bobs out of it, leaking already and clearly begging for attention, “Oh.Well.” she smiles, scooting closer to him, closing her eyes as she kisses the underside, earning a shaky gasp from her husband. “So…what are your orders,LC?”

He snaps his head back down, eyes unfocused, “What?”

“Your orders.” she smiles, “What am I to do if you don’t tell me?’

Rooster’s pupils swallowed his irises and his mouth parted open ,”Fuck I love you so much.” he says breathlessly, then leans back on his chair even further, “I’ll leave it to you, I like being surprised,” and his brain was mud, he couldn’t focus on orders right now.

“Hmmmm…” she hums sweetly, wrapping her fingers around him and dragging her open mouth up and down his shaft, the warm breathing hitting the sensitive flesh. He tries to keep his eyes open but seeing her, under his desk, like how he wanted for so long…was almost too much. She smiles more, kissing his feverish skin again, licking her way up to the flushed tip and pecking it, with a wet smack.

Rooster clenches his teeth, “Fuck…baby I–holy shit!” she slides him into her mouth without worries, too many years of practice, she was no longer nervous around him and my god did she love to experiment. Rooster’s chest heaved as he tries to contain his moans, nails gripping his chair handles as Beatrice’s lips reach mid-length then slide back up.

Only to repeat once.

Twice.

Three times.

When her lips touched his navel,however, he was almost combusting. The muscles on his legs were quivering as he tried to calm himself down while still moving his hips to meet her face. He dared one look down and those green eyes, shining like stars with the flushed face as the background, just squinted at him. He sighs, one of his hands rubbing her cheek, “You still take my cock really well.” he groans, “Fuck,I’m glad you never lost the need to do it.”

Was he making sense?

Who knows?

He surely didn’t. He could feel himself about to snap, curling his fingers and clenching his teeth as Beatrice’s fingers touched between his navel and inner thigh, almost touching pressure points there, “F-Fucking h-hell…” he whispers/growls, “Fuck baby,if you keep up with this I’m going to fucking explode.”

She hums happily, popping him out of her mouth but still moving her hand up and down his length, “And you don’t want that?”

“As much as I love your mouth.” he grunts, “And I do…I still wanna fuck you on the desk.” she stops the movement, smiling up at him and crawling from under the desk. He is breathing hard, his shirt is sticking to his back and chest because of sweat. She slowly sits on the desk, then leans back so her breasts are popping out more, and parts her legs.

He mutters a ‘jesus christ’ before making a movement to pull off his shirt, “No,” she stops him, “Leave it on…I like it.” nevermind how hot he was, he didn’t care. He didn’t give a shit. If his wife liked it, hell he’d wear his fucking winter uniform,jsut for her. Her lips curl into a smile when he slams his mouth against hers, grabbing her left leg to prop the knee on his shoulder. 

That means she was folded, again, but partially, her free legs was hanging by the desk and she wasted no time in wrapping it around his defined hip bones. He smirks, nuzzling her nose, “Ready?” she nods, “That’s my girl.” he purrs, grabbing him by the base and slowly pushing it inside. Thank god their mouths are still touching, because the groan that left their throats was filthy…and the sound coming from their connection too, of course. 

She whimpers, looking down at where they joined while supporting herself with one of her arms. Beatrice just meets his gaze, eyes never leaving his as he starts to move. He was so beautiful, and so brave and strong and kind. She just wraps her arms around his neck to kiss him again, nevermind if that only made her leg hurt just a bit, she oculd handle it.

“Oh god.” she gasps, “It’s been…a while…” she mutters, “Fuck Roos.”

“A while?” he smirks, tilting his head, “I think I need to up my game, considering we fuck every two weeks…or whenever it works.” she just fumbles an apology, because she got obviously confused for obvious reasons. Rooster sighs,his hands on each side of her hips to have some leverage as his hips move.

But he had to admit, this one…was different. A good different. Considering where they were and how he had just been promoted too. “God, gorgeous.” he gasps, hips gently slapping against her inner thighs as he smiles, “Fuck I just love how snug you are. And wet. And nice…”

“R-Roos…”

“I’ve been dreaming of this for so long.” he continues, dragging his thrusts just so she cries out in frustration and ecstasy, digging her nails on his clothed shoulders, “Fuck, and you are okay with this – even if you are worried…fuck I’m so lucky.” 

She whimpers again,the leg on his shoulder clenches as she holds herself upwards. “R-Roos,god….I…”

“I can’t wait to come to work and always remember that you were here,” he sped his movements a bit, “Whispering my name,naked, wet, taking my dick so nicely.” and she gasps, slapping a hand over her mouth - her inside clenched. “And so good, like you always do…fuck you are perfect.”

Beatrice’s channel clenched again and a shaky hand was now between her teeth. Her knuckle was being bitten hard. “I’m going to make you cum so hard.” he smiles, pushing her back on the desk so she’s once again like a pretzel, his golden brown hair was sticking for his forehead and temples, “I’m going to make sure you’ll be all over.”

Her eyes widened and she could barely come up with a sentence, especially when he started to grind his navel against her clit. Beatrice’s eyes closed as her head leaned back, the soft smacking of skin on skin wasn’t as loud as it usually was…but it was enough. Rooster wasn’t going to last much longer, he knew that, he was well aware of how much power she had over him.

And he wouldn’t have any other way. He grunts, speeding up his thrusts, “Are you about to cum?”

“Y-Yes.”

“Good.” he says, “I think I’m going to cum all over you.” she laughs breathlessly, he always got mouthy when he was close, “Or in your mouth,” the image was almost too much, his eyes nearly rolling back,  “O-Or just inside, fuck…god…” 

It’s the one thrust that pushes her to the edge and Beatrice bites down on her palm, legs spasming as her orgasm hits with enough force to make her see stars. Rooster watches fascinated, mouth parting into a smirk as he goes after his own orgasm, “Fuck I love you so much.” 

“I love you too.” she whispers, cupping his face, “I’m so proud of you Roos.” that did it. He hunched over her and screamed into her shoulder, thrusting sporadically with his orgasm making all of his muscles melt as a wave of calm heat darts from his feet to his head. It’s like..he feels fuzzy, that’s the best way to describe it. 

Once he’s done, he lets her drop her leg down and they stay like that, immobile, trying to regain her breathing. Her hand comes up to touch his hair and he shudders, feeling her fingernails scratching his scalp, “...this was the best promotion gift ever.” he confesses,breathing hard and she laughs, just as breathlessly as he was.

[shadowgast-recs-weekly]

Marriage/Engagement Shadowgast Recs

This week, we've got eleven fics that deal with marriages or engagements! Check them out behind the readmore, and as always, if you like them, don't forget to kudos or comment!

A fic that celebrates birthdays and traditions while slowly realising that Essek's path is entwined with Caleb's.

like coloured indigo inscribed with my name by KmacKatie (30648, Teen)

Reccer's Content Notes: No Content Notes

Reccer says: Rich Dynasty worldbuilding and wonderful character moments between Essek and the Nein, it really is about Essek learning what family is and how that family is Caleb.

Caleb and Essek end up in an arranged marriage, with each side having their own goals and secrets

A Tapestry of Stars by Cinderstorm (95903, Explicit)

Reccer's Content Notes: Choose Not to Warn, Referenced past abuse, WIP

Reccer says: A sci-fi arranged marriage AU with spies, suspicion, political intrigue, and some genuine affection in the mix - there's a lot to love!

It's about the wizards building a life together and having important conversations and having hot sex.

the endless string of summer storms that led me to today; began one afternoon with you, long ago and far away by MarsBar2019 (22801, Explicit)

Reccer's Content Notes: No Content Notes

Reccer says: It is a great balance of domestic wholesome fluff and hot sex. The wizards deal with the realistic and difficult questions of building a life with the person you love in beautiful ways together. From home buying, to discussions of having children and getting married. All the grownup relationship topics + kinky sex.

Caleb's plan is to leave when he starts getting old. Essek has a different plan.

One day, Liebling, we'll be old by The_Rogue_Bard (4877, Teen)

Reccer's Content Notes: No Content Notes

Reccer says: I can't say everything I like without spoilers, but I can say this. I like the seeing what the Nein are like 20-30+ years in the future. I like how sweet and romantic Essek is.

Caleb and Essek are happy and in love, and decide to take the next step. The customs of the Empire and Dynasty are rather different, however, and what is a wizard meant to do except research how to propose to his partner, with some help from friends along the way?

of blossoming hearts and glittering souls by quinn_of_aebradore (77995, Teen)

Reccer's Content Notes: No Content Notes

Reccer says: This is a beautifully written fic with so much character! There are lots of soft moments between each of the characters, and the last chapter DID have me tearing up.

Caleb and Essek visit Una and Leofric's graves. Essek asks their permission to marry their son.

Permission to Send by Nienna19 (1107, General)

Reccer's Content Notes: No Content Notes

Reccer says: It is so sweet and romantic. I like that Essek is the one to propose and I liike how he does it.

2 weddings, 1 fic. A private ceremony with family. A public ceremony with even more family.

All this time love, I sublime love, to the feelings in my mind by onyxshinigami (17041, Mature)

Reccer's Content Notes: No Content Notes

Reccer says: Soft vibes. Warmth and Happiness. A found family. A touch of fashion for visual interest.

Caleb proposes to Essek after suggesting he take his surname.

Hold you in my hands like hot tea by Technojuicebox (970, Teen)

Reccer's Content Notes: No Content Notes

Reccer says: Cute and fluffy wizards in love!

Caleb and Essek have a normal conversation (that ends with a proposal)

A Perfectly Ordinary Conversation by Northofthewall (317, Teen)

Reccer's Content Notes: No Content Notes

Reccer says: It is short, sweet, cute and funny.

After Essek is injured and comes to Caleb for help, Caleb proposes a certain solution.

and then two recs each for these last two:

stars align (hearts beat in time) by flashhwing (2823, Teen)

Reccer's Content Notes: No Content Notes

Reccer 1 says: I liked it! Reccer 2 says: Very cute, very sweet glimpse into a possible future for the wizards!

Five times Caleb and Essek get married to other people and the one time they get married to each other, kinda.

I Do, Five Times Over, I Do by TormentaPrudii (Illustrated by Cha Cha Rae) (2450, Teen)

Reccer's Content Notes: No Content Notes

Reccer 1 says: I love the pining, the misunderstandings, the cultural differences, the art. There is so much here to love. Reccer 2 says: It's a beautiful fic full of longing and love.

Aeor is for Lovers is an 18+ Shadowgast Discord server. The above fanfic recommendations were pulled from our community for this weekly event. All fics, unless otherwise specified, will primarily feature Shadowgast.

Have any questions about what this is? Check out the FAQ! Next week, we'll be back with some Near Death Dangers!

[sluttywonwoo]

instead of you [part five] || l.mh

pairing: [best friend’s brother] lee minho x college!reader ft. han jisung

summary: you didn’t expect to spend your summer pretending to be your best friend’s girlfriend- then again, you didn’t expect to fall for your best friend’s brother, either. 

warnings: swearing, mentions of sex (18+ mdni)

word count: 3.4k

a/n: revamped my tom holland series from my main blog ( @wazzupmrstark ) to try and motivate myself to finish it!! ; i know minho is the chef of the group but just suspend your disbelief for this series and pretend it's jisung

series masterlist | early access to the next chapter on ko-fi

“This would be a lot easier if any of us spoke French,” Felix grumbled, lugging his suitcase awkwardly down the cobblestone street. 

“I took a couple of classes in high school,” you offered.

“Can you read this map?” Jisung’s dad asked, handing you the comically large sheet of paper.

The only reason they weren’t using their phones’ GPS was that the international data plan wouldn’t be activated until the next day, leaving the six of you to fend for yourselves without technology until midnight. It had been a small oversight, but it had left you wandering around the streets of Paris for over half an hour already. 

You held the map in front of your face and examined it closely, trying to decipher where you were in relation to the buildings and landmarks on the page. You knew the hotel was on the corner of Place de la Concorde, but you weren’t sure where you were.

“I know ‘rue’ means street,” you said nervously. 

All of the Hans were looking at you expectantly. You felt like the responsibility of getting everyone to where they needed to be was on your shoulders now, and the pressure was making you sweat. 

“Do you know what ‘rue’ we’re on?” Felix asked impatiently. 

“Do you see a street sign?” you countered, trying not to come across as frustrated as you felt. 

“We’re on Rue Saint-Honore,” Jisung said gently. “And the intersection of this street and Rue Saint-Florentin is a few meters in front of us.” 

“Oh, then our hotel is just a few blocks up the street! We were just one street up from the one we needed to be on.”

You handed the map back to Jisung’s dad who tucked it into the pocket of his backpack and smiled. 

“Perfect, you lead the way, y/n.” 

-

“Your dad and I will be in this room, 313. Minho and Felix, you’ll be right next door to us. And Jisung and y/n will be on the end in room 317,” Nikki explained as she distributed the keys to each pair. 

“You know why they put us in between them and Jisung,” Felix muttered to Minho under his breath as he made an obscene gesture with his hands. Minho chuckled quietly and nudged Felix’s shoulder with his own, earning identical glares from you and Jisung. 

“Yeah, we’re the buffer,” Minho agreed, subtly sizing you up from beneath his gaze.

“Behave.” Nikki warned her sons

“No promises.”

“Listen to your mother, boys,” Dom, their father, piped up from behind his wife. 

And that was it. They departed down the hallway towards their own room and left the four of  you standing in the hallway by yourselves. 

“Well, we’ll let you two… settle in,” Felix said pointedly with a raise of his eyebrow.

“I hate you,” Jisung grumbled. 

“What are older brothers for?” 

“We’re twins. And I was born first.” 

Felix just shrugged. “Like I said.” 

Jisung turned away from them to face you. The boys’ voices faded into the background as they retreated down the hallway to their own hotel room. 

“Sorry about them.”

You smiled reassuringly. “You’ve been gone for too long. They have to make up for lost time.”

“Yeah, but I wish they wouldn’t make gross jokes in front of you.” 

“That’s sweet, but have you forgotten that I used to make those same jokes about you and your exes?” 

“I wish I could,” he groaned. 

“Some of my best comedic work.”

“That’s not saying much.”

You ignored the jab and took the room key from his hands. 

“I know they don’t mean any harm,” you reasoned. “One day, when you meet someone for real, the three of us will never give you a break about it.” 

Jisung blinked. “Can’t wait.”

“Me either,” you hummed in agreement.

You turned and led the way to your room with Jisung trailing on your heels. The door unlocked on the first try and the two of you stumbled into the room together, immediately dropping all of your belongings onto the carpeted floor. 

You gasped at the sight before you, barely registering the click of the door behind you. 

The room was gorgeous, but you were focused on the view outside. The curtains on all of the windows were drawn and the windows themselves were ajar so that the natural light and fresh air could filter in. You had seen dozens of movies that took place in Paris, but none of them captured the true beauty of the city. Haussmanian buildings stretched as far as the eye could see and the tip of the Eiffel Tower peeked out behind the gray roofs in the distance. The entire city looked like it had been wrapped in tea-stained parchment paper, balanced on the line between film set and history. You could hear the bustle of traffic and vendors from the streets below, reminding you that this was not some sort of dream and that you were actually there. 

Behind you Jisung was setting your suitcases on luggage racks against the wall, having already had his fill of the view apparently. 

You threw yourself onto the bed and sighed loudly, shifting your attention onto your best friend who was organizing the contents of his backpack. 

“What’s the plan?” you asked

“You didn’t read the itinerary, did you?” 

“I skimmed.” He shook his head in exasperation. “You can’t expect me to have memorized everything on there!”

“No, but I thought you would at least read today’s schedule!”

“You didn’t read it either, did you?”

You both stared at each other momentarily before Jisung broke out into a grin and you threw a pillow at his head.

“I knew it!”

“We’re a mess, aren’t we?”

“I’ll look at the schedule,” you offered. “I still have the email.”

You rolled over to reach for your backpack and fished your phone from the front pocket. Jisung waited in silence while you scrolled through your inbox and read over the itinerary. 

“We’re free until tomorrow morning,” you said. 

Jisung’s shoulders sagged in relief and he plopped his body down onto the bed next to you. 

“Thank god.” He gave you a defeated look. “It hasn’t even been a whole day and I’m already exhausted of my family.” 

You liked spending time with the Hans, but you understood Jisung’s sentiment. They weren’t your family, and so you didn’t have to use much social energy or patience with them. But family vacations were familiar events to you. And there was only so much family time a person could take. 

“I know the feeling.” 

“I’m glad I have you with me,” Jisung admitted. “I love them, but I couldn’t spend two months alone with them.” 

“Is that why you picked a school abroad?” you asked, realizing you had never really talked about it with him before. 

“Kind of.” He rolled onto his side to face you. “Felt like it was the only way I could become my own person.” 

“What do you mean?” 

“Just that, without being dramatic, it’s a little hard to escape my family’s influence- especially where we live.” 

You were still lost, but your eyes were beginning to feel heavy so you just nodded. 

“Have you ever felt like that?” he asked, voice starting to sound distant.

“I think so…”

It felt like you had just blinked when you opened your eyes again, but the room had turned dark. You couldn’t tell what time it was, but the moon was hanging low in the sky, casting light onto the water beneath it. Jisung was still beside you and he had fallen asleep as well. The sound of his gentle breathing filled the silence. You both had dozed off on top of the bed without any blankets which had caused you to roll yourself into a ball in your sleep. You stretched out, groaning at the stiffness in your muscles, and reached over to the nightstand to check your phone. 

It was well past dinnertime by now, but you knew that you and Jisung needed to eat something. You shook his shoulder gently to wake him.

“Hm?”

“It’s after nine, Ji,” you whispered. “Are you hungry?”

He nodded. “Is anything open?”

“I’m sure we’ll find something. Do you want to ask your brothers if they want to go with us?”

Another nod. 

-

Fifteen minutes later, you and all three of the Han boys were downstairs standing on the street just outside the lobby. No one in your group knew Paris well enough to know where they were going so Jisung just pointed in a direction and shrugged. 

“Did you fall asleep too?” Minho asked as you walked along the sidewalk next to the Seine together. 

Felix and Jisung were a few strides ahead, leading the way in front of you. You could faintly hear them bickering about directions, but were trying to tune them out as best you could. 

“Almost immediately.”

“Me too.”

“I wanted to get out and see some of the city today, but my body had other plans I guess.”

“You’ll see plenty of the city tomorrow,” Minho assured you. “And the next day and the next. Trust me, you’ll be sick of this place by the time we leave.”

“How can anyone get tired of Paris?”

“Once you get over the art and the scenery, you remember all of the colonization and it becomes a lot less special.” 

“Well when you put it that way,” you mumbled under your breath, ignoring the way Minho laughed at you.

“It’s still a cool city. France is just…”

“The worst.”

“Yeah, pretty much.”

“How many times have you been?” you asked.     

“To Paris, or France in general?”

“Either.”

“A few.” He said it casually, but you had a feeling he might have been lowballing it. 

You were about to ask him another question when the two of you were interrupted by a man in a black vest with a stack of menus in his hands. 

“Madame, vous et votre petit ami- voudrais-vous manger ici?” 

“Oh, he’s not my boyfriend,” you said instinctively, “uh, but I guess that doesn’t matter. Do you guys want to eat here?”

It was the only restaurant open on the whole block and everyone was hungry so it was an easy decision. You let the man pull you inside with Minho on your heels and Jisung and Felix trailing not too far behind. 

Once all four of you were seated he distributed a handful of English-printed menus before returning to his post outside where he could drag more wandering tourists into the café. 

“Do you want something to drink?” Jisung asked you, flipping the menu over.

“What do they have?”

“Here,” he said and leaned over to show you. “They have a lot of wines, a few domestic beers, oh they have a tequila sunrise-”

Across the table, Minho raised an eyebrow and smirked at you. You averted your gaze immediately, cheeks burning. 

“We can share one,” you suggested meekly.

“Sounds good. What are you guys getting?”

“Beer,” Felix and Minho replied simultaneously. 

Jisung shook his head. “Predictable.”

“What about food?” Felix continued, unphased by his brother’s remark. “All I’m seeing is fondue.”

“It’s a fondue place,” Minho pointed out and turned the menu around to show Felix the title. 

“Thanks, mate, couldn’t have figured it out without you.”

“What does y/n want? She’s the guest.” The three boys turned and looked at you expectantly. “No pressure,” Minho added. 

“Um,” you paused and glanced over to your fake boyfriend. “JIsung knows what I like. And I’m sure he knows what you both like. He can choose.”

You mouthed a sorry to your best friend, but he brushed it off with a smile and nodded. 

“I can do that.”

The food came out almost immediately after it was ordered, as nearly everything was meant to be prepared by the diners, and the drinks followed shortly after. Jisung had ordered a white wine and swiss fondue for the table along with a red wine broth to cook the meat and potatoes in. 

The restaurant was relatively empty. Your party and one other were the only people in the entire place, aside from the servers and the bartender. The man who had pulled you inside was still working the sidewalks underneath the red and white striped awning hanging over the door, but the night was visibly winding down for everyone in the neighborhood. 

Vendors had started folding their sandwich boards and latching their shutters. Every time you looked across the street a couple more lights in windows had gone out. Inside, servers began folding tablecloths and stacking chairs on top of each other, all while encouraging you to take your time eating. But as soon as Felix noticed the first table being cleared all four of you started shoving food into your mouths as fast as possible. It didn’t matter that everything was being doused in scalding hot liquid, you would just have to deal with the first-degree burns later. The time pressure had also caused everyone to attempt to “flash cook” their food- which just meant turning up the intensity on the Sterno and cooking everything for half the recommended time. tom

“We’re not going to get food poisoning, right?” Felix asked as he cut into a piece of what could be classified as maximum rare steak. 

Jisung shrugged. “Probably not.” 

“What do you mean ‘probably not’?”

“How am I supposed to know?”

“You’re the one with a degree in culinary arts!”

“I don’t have a degree yet,” he clarified, correcting his twin. 

“Okay, but you’re studying culinary arts.”

“Yeah, and there’s a reason you’re supposed to cook meat for a specified amount of time so let’s just not think about it.”

Felix pursed his lips, but didn’t say anything else. 

“How’s your sunrise?” Minho asked with a grin. He had stopped eating just to ask you that question. You were half-tempted to stomp on his foot. 

“Good, why?” Jisung answered for you. 

“No reason. Just curious.”

Minho paid the bill without a second thought. He pretended not to hear you when you offered to pick up the tab while Felix and Jisung gave you dirty looks. They even yelled at you when you tried paying for yourself. God forbid you ever tried to get any of them a Christmas present. There was no winning with these boys. 

Jisung held your hand on the walk back to the hotel. His entire body was warm from the alcohol, but his hands were especially warm because they always were. It was one of the little things that made him your favorite person. Whenever you were cold you could just grab one of his hands. Even if you weren’t particularly chilly, the warmth still was still comforting and familiar. Felix wasn’t wrong when he said you and Jisung were always all over each other. You were always holding hands, which is probably part of the reason so many people thought you were dating. 

Your thumb circled the small scar on the back of his hand absentmindedly as you strolled along the river. He’d had it since before you met, but you knew the story. Something about learning how stoves get hot the hard way. 

The walk took a little longer than it should have because you had aimlessly wandered around to find dinner and didn’t keep track of your route, but you picked up on familiar landmarks eventually and used your best judgment to lead the way. You said your goodnights to the boys in the elevator and parted ways in the hallway. 

“I hope you’re ready for tomorrow,” Minho said as he held his keycard up to the sensor on the door next to yours. It sounded more like a warning than anything else. 

You turned back to Jisung. “It won’t be that bad, right?”

He shrugged noncommittally and squeezed your hand. “It’ll be fine.” 

-

“How do I look?” you asked and turned away from the mirror to face Jisung. 

It was the next day, and the sun had barely risen, but everyone was scheduled to be downstairs at 7:00 for the days’ activities. Today was the first day that you were required to wear a matching shirt with the rest of the Hans and while you hadn’t been excited about it, it wasn’t so bad now that you were actually wearing it. 

Jisung’s mom had designed shirts for each leg of the trip, which had taken up a considerable amount of room in your luggage but saved you the hassle of having to pick out an outfit every day. Today’s shirt was a bright red, Nikki’s favorite color, and it had a picture of the Eiffel Tower on the front. On the back, it said ‘HVC’ which apparently stood for Han Family Vacation. The shirt was a little big on you so you had tucked it into your jeans so that it wasn’t completely swallowing your figure. 

Along with your t-shirt and jeans, you were also wearing… Nikes. The tennis shoes and jeans combo really completed the tourist aesthetic, but you were taking comfort in the fact that everyone else would be wearing the same thing too. You’d tied a red bandana into your hair to keep it out of your face which made you look kind of like a Girl Scout, but you already looked like an elementary schooler with your ensemble so you figured you might as well keep it.

“I feel like this is a trick question,” Jisung admitted.

“Wrong answer.”

He sighed and ran a hand through his hair.  “We’re all wearing the same thing, y/n, we’re all going to look stupid.” 

“Yeah, but I still want to look cute!”

“You always look cute.”

You gave him a look. “You know what I mean. I’m supposed to look girly and feminine and put together!” 

“Says who?”

“I just… assumed you would want me to,” you said with a shrug. “I thought you’d want me to be, you know, cutesy and- for your parents?”

“When have I ever been into those kinds of girls?”

You rolled your eyes. “Oh right, I forgot you have a ‘not like other girls’ complex.”

“You know what I meant. I just want you to be yourself.” 

“I don’t think you mean that.”

“Well, the PG version of yourself.”

“Okay, I can do that.”

“You’re already acting like you’re in love with me, I don’t think your talents extend past that.”

“Ouch.”

“I’m just saying, our entire act would fall apart. You’re barely believable as it is now-”

“What part of ouch did you not understand?”

“Sorry.”

You blew out a breath and put your hands on your hips. “Should we go downstairs?”

“Yeah, let’s go.”

Nikki and Dom were already in the lobby when you and Jisung got down there and Minho and Felix followed shortly after. Everyone looked blindingly bright with their matching shirts on and you were already getting looks from other guests. 

Dom announced that everyone would get breakfast somewhere close by on the way to the sights so that you’d save time. No one was in much of a mood to talk since it was so early, so you just followed Jisung’s family quietly as they made their way out of the hotel together. 

The sun was peeking out from behind the skyline now, casting a soft glow onto the cobblestone streets. The park across from where you were staying was already bustling with the day’s activity. Nearly all of the benches were occupied by people enjoying pastries or coffee. Picnickers were speckled throughout the grassy areas on blankets they had brought from home, some reading books, some playing fetch with their puppies. Others were busy walking their dogs or going for their morning runs. 

Observing everyday life in the places you visited was one of your favorite things about traveling. Inserting yourself into the rhythms and routines of each city, watching small interactions between strangers, something about it made you feel at home even though you were an outsider. 

The feeling crept up on you as you watched a jogger stop to pet a dog, calling it by name and bending down to scratch it behind the ears. Jisung had resorted to pulling you by the hand each time you got distracted, tugging whenever you paused for a second too long so that you wouldn’t lose his family walking ahead of you. 

You thought he must be getting annoyed with how many times he had to remind you to keep moving, but every time he pulled you caught him smiling at you out of the corner of your eye. He’d shake his head in exasperation or make a point of sighing loudly but kept whatever he was thinking to himself. It was weird not to be sharing every little thing you were thinking with each other, but you had the feeling that you’d have to get used to that from now on.

iou tags: @sluttywoozi @gimmeurtmi @phobia0325 @fwess @hipsdofafangirl @galaxleeknow @urmomma0324 @bangmechanpls @102598s @farfromsugafanfic @ritzy-roo @dimpledsatan @bvselines @wonderfulshinee @imwithurmother @smollquokka @rosexjimin @skizzel @endzii23 @lady-lena @kwanisms @ch4nniebang @lilramennoodle @babyphotos0325 @kpflyn @dearalice @sojohns @mistlitmoonlight @yoontaethings @babebatter @mal-lunar-28 @shy-kisu @zerefdragn33l @downbadreading @sana-within-you @saquso @bunnispaces @reianagarcia @hyunehans @imtoooyoungforthisshit @i8rsie @honeslykindahorny @214racha @hgema @chillllllli @vixensss @smhlino @feiyaa @borahae-reads @bigbearenergy @hoodiesandicedcoffee @darkacademic2512 @y00nzin0

add yourself to the taglist here!!

[comikadraws]

In what order the Bijus were sealed in the manga? Did they have an order to be sealed? Like by the number of tails.

Biju Sealing Order

This is one of the many things that I am not as knowledgeable in, actually ":) So I did some research.

Please remember that the sealing order of the Biju in the manga differs greatly from that in the anime. Please refer to this post.

First of all, the only rule when it comes to the Akatsuki's Biju sealing order is that the Kyubi must be sealed last as its power would otherwise overwhelm the Gedo Mazo statue. The other Jinchuriki are sealed in a non-numerical order (ie at random).

The resulting order goes as follows...

1 - Unknown Biju

In chapter 266, we learn that Gaara is the third Jinchuriki to be hunted down by the Akatsuki, meaning that there were two more before him.

2 - Unknown Biju

3 - Ichibi (One Tail)

Gaara is first attacked in chapter 247 and then delivered in chapter 254. The sealing jutsu is then completed in chapter 261.

4 - Unknown Biju

5 - Sanbi (Three Tails)

Sanbi is sealed in chapter 329 after Deidara and Obito hunt it down in chapter 317. The sealing is completed in chapter 331.

Fun fact! The Akatsuki possibly had to wait three to four years before starting their Biju hunt because the Sanbi took a couple of years to respawn.

6 - Nibi (Two Tails)

Nibi is sealed right after Sanbi. Nibi is hunted down in chapter 312 and sealed right after Sanbi. The sealing is completed in chapter 332, in which we learn that there are three more Biju left, meaning that Nibi must be the sixth one to be sealed.

7 - Yonbi (Four Tails)

Kisame delivers Roshi in chapter 353 after which the Yonbi is sealed in chapter 354.

8 - Hachibi (Eight Tails)

The hunt for Hachibi commences in chapter 408. Sasuke delivers Killer B in chapter 416 before Obito finds out that it was a fake in chapter 419.

9 - Kyubi (Nine Tails)

The true hunt for Naruto begins with Pain's attack on Konoha in chapter 418.

We do not know when the Akatsuki sealed the Gobi (Five Tails), Rokubi (Six Tails), or Nanabi (Seven Tails). But we know that two Biju were sealed before Gaara's Ichibi and one more was sealed before the Sanbi and Yugito's Nibi.

[polizwrites]

PoliZ's Flash Fics - Stucky Edition

Continuing the celebration of  completing my 100th @flashfictionfridayofficial  fic by promoting  some of the ficlets I’ve written based on these amazing prompts.  Most of these are also on Ao3 under Politzania, usually edited, and sometimes expanded/rolled into larger fics.

Here’s ficlets  I wrote for another of my favorite MCU/Marvel pairings - (and my first slashfic pairing!):   Stucky (aka Bucky Barnes/Steve Rogers ) - I’m including the platonic pairings as well.   

If you like any of these - please let me know and consider reblogging!

[#FFF94 Riveting Revival]: Making Strides [Bucky & Steve, General, 314 words]

[#FFF100: A Hidden Path]: A Scent and a Sound (I’m Lost and I’m Found) [Steve/Bucky, General, 915 words]

[#FFF103 Burn it Down]: Emotion is a Distraction [Steve & WS!Bucky, Teen, 429 words]

[#FFF107 Never Forgotten]: Found Family [Bucky/Steve, General, 618 words]

[#FFF111 Clandestine Closet]: Here to Save the American Way [Bucky & Steve, General, 614 words]

[#FFF116 Deceiving Fragrance]: Restoring the Shield - Chapter 3 Excerpt [Bucky & Steve, Teen, 450 words]

[#FFF117 Stars And Shadows]: Stars and Shadows [Steve/Bucky, General, 419 words]

[#FFF118 Yonder Hills]: Bittersweet [Bucky & Steve, General, 386 words]

[#FFF 120 A Greater Horror]: Something Very Wrong With Me [Bucky/Steve, General, 365 words]

[#FFF135 A Touch Of Faith] : A Sacrifice of Praise and Thanksgiving [Steve/Bucky, Mature, 200 words]

[#FFF139 It Doesn’t Hurt ]: It Doesn't Hurt [Bucky & Steve, General, 100 words]

[#FFF140 Setting Heaven On Fire: Setting Heaven On Fire/ A Stolen Moment [[none - Bucky/Steve], Mature, 424 words]

[#FFF154 Far From Perfect: Past Imperfect [Steve/Bucky, Mature, 518 words]

[#FFF211 An Old Friend]: In the Dead of the Night [Bucky & Steve, General, 317 words]

[#FFF241 Hour of Denial]: The Hour of Denial [Bucky/Steve, General, 357 words]

[#FFF252 Spill the tea]: Baring His Soul [Bucky/Steve, Teen, 634 words]

[#FFF257 Count The Days ]: Short-Timing It [Bucky & Steve, General, 313 words]

[richea]

[Translation] Kratos of the Expiation: End of chapter 1

This update brings us to page 50/317. It's a long one, covering 22 pages and 3 chapter parts. If you're interested in Kratos backstory crumbs, this is definitely one you'll want to read. For part 6: Dubbed / Subbed

Chapter 1: Part 4 of 6

Having received the oracle, the Chosen returned to her home with Kratos in tail. For the journey ahead, they’d need to write up his contract as a mercenary, as well as decide who would be tagging along. A map detailing the surrounding area was spread atop the dining table. The Chosen―Colette Brunel, her father―Frank Brunel, her grandmother―Phaidra Brunel, the village mayor, and Kratos all sat around it.

The first trial the Chosen must undergo―receiving the oracle―went as well as expected. It was the first time Kratos had witnessed it himself, but it went exactly as it had been described to him. The angel bearing the oracle descends and bestows a Cruxis Crystal upon the Chosen. A Cruxis Crystal is the same thing as a hi-Exsphere. Wearing this, the Chosen is ready to undergo the process of becoming an angel. From there, the Tower of Salvation―the symbol of regeneration―appears, and the Chosen is dispatched towards her next location. This was how the trial of the oracle always went. Remiel had been the previous oracle-bearing angel as well, and he seemed competent at the job. It seems he’d been informed that Kratos would be tagging along, which is why he wasn’t surprised to see him. Kratos wondered why he was acting as if Colette was his daughter, but he soon learned why. Apparently a rumor had spread in Iselia that the Chosen’s real father was actually an angel, and Remiel used that to his advantage.

“I suppose the place to start would be Triet. This was where my sister first embarked during her journey,” Phaidra, the old woman, stated as she gave the map a sharp look.

Phaidra is the previous Chosen’s younger sister. The air of refinement Kratos sensed when he met her in front of the temple wasn’t unfounded. She was a lot like her sister, Aithra. Kratos had been in charge during Aithra’s journey too. She left home on her Journey of Regeneration, carrying the hopes and dreams of humanity on her back―and perished. That was 70 years ago.

The Chosen’s lineage all grow up hearing various secrets of World Regeneration. Those secrets are not shared with the outside world, but are instead passed from parent to child, and child to grandchild. Many of those secrets involve the mortality of the Chosen, and due to this, those in the family tend to be clad in a different air than the rest of the world.

“Indeed. Triet is a city in the desert. We’ll need to prepare carefully in order to reach it.”

Kratos pointed out the route from Iselia to Triet on the map.

“This route is the best, as it gets us there the fastest while also avoiding as much trouble as possible. If you took the more direct path, you’d run into the sandworm’s nest.”

“You certainly know your stuff,” Frank said as he looked at Kratos with a hint of praise.

“I’m a mercenary. I need to know these things to get by.”

Kratos darted his eyes away from Frank and folded his arms. He stroked the muscle of his arm with his fingertip, and discovered that he was more tense than he realized. Explaining the route from Iselia to Triet had dredged up memories of that abhorrent journey. Even though he was an angel who wasn’t able to feel physical fatigue, the strain on him mentally made him feel weary. He felt an intense exhaustion wash over him, and before he knew it was forcing himself to blink back tears.

He knew the route between Triet and Iselia so well it hurt. That was the path he had taken when going to Iselia with his family of three; the village with a non-aggression treaty and ties to the human ranch.

“We’ll be leaving tomorrow, right?” Colette asked. Her hi-Exsphere―the Cruxis Crystal―glistened on her chest.

“Yes. It’d be best to leave as soon as possible. I’d like to set out before sunrise.”

“You’ll be leaving that early?”

Frank looked at Colette, worried. He was sending his daughter on a journey to her death, after all. He likely wanted to drag out their parting for as long as possible. But with the Renegades on the move, they didn’t have that luxury. Cruxis isn’t aware of this, but the one leading the Renegades is Yuan Ka-Fai, one of Cruxis’ top men. Kratos kept that a secret from everyone. It’s not like Yggdrasill had any interest in the Renegades, anyway.

Yuan probably wants to kill Colette as soon as possible. The Renegades operate to stop Martel’s revival, making Colette a big threat to them since she’s such a close match. Luckily, Yuan is currently overseeing Tethe’alla’s preparations for the World Regeneration, so he shouldn’t be able to do anything until he’s done with his briefing session with Pronyma, the leader of the Desian’s Five Grand Cardinals. Kratos wanted to pass through Triet before this happened. According to his research, the Renegade’s base was somewhere in Triet’s desert. Before Yuan returned to his post as one of the Renegades, Kratos wanted to cross through the desert.

The room had a heavy, gloomy atmosphere. As Kratos stood up to excuse himself as the only non-family member, the doorbell rang.

“Oh, that must be Raine.”

Phaidra got up to open the front door, and on the other side stood a beautiful silver-haired woman.

“I’m terribly sorry for running late.”

“We’ve been waiting for you. Come on in.”

Phaidra beckoned her inside, and Raine sat in a chair at the end of the table. Her eyes scanned the faces of those present, stopping at Kratos.

“Is this the mercenary who helped my students?”

Kratos nodded, and Raine flashed an obligatory smile at him in return.

“I’m Raine Sage, a teacher for this village’s school. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

It was a fair introduction, but Kratos could tell that she was being cautious. She seemed to be quite the wise woman.

“Kratos Aurion, a mercenary. I’m traveling around looking for work.”

“Work? In this area?”

“I’d heard rumors that the Chosen would soon be embarking on her Journey of Regeneration. I figured I’d swing by and see if any job opportunities popped up.”

“Then it sounds like you got exactly what you were looking for.”

Raine stared Kratos down. Kratos met her gaze, and Raine seemed content at that. She turned to look at Phaidra.

“I heard you wanted to speak with me?”

“Yes. Allow me to ask you once again: Would you be willing to accompany Colette on her journey? Your wisdom, calm decision making skills and healing artes would certainly come in handy.”

“I would love to, but I can’t just leave my brother Genis behind...”

“That child is your brother?”

Kratos thought back to the silver-haired boy from earlier that day. He used magic, and the only ones who are able to do that are those with elven blood. There are those out there who can get an injection that allows them to use magic, like Kratos himself did, but that’s limited to those within Cruxis’ ranks. Knowing that elves are almost extinct in Sylvarant narrowed down what these two might actually be.

“Yes.”

Raine looked at Kratos, cautious.

“We’ll look after Genis for you.”

Raine seemed shocked at Frank’s suggestion.

“Well... But why do you want me to go with her so badly? I’m aware the priests were killed, but surely there’s―”

“I wanted to have you accompany her from the get go,” Phaidra interjected quietly. “The Chosen of Regeneration will be on the path to her end, so I want a woman to accompany her, of whom she can confide in.”

“Her... end?” Raine muttered, and Colette flashed her a smile.

Seeing that smile made Kratos realize Colette truly had understood her fate as a Chosen. That’s likely why she was always so polite and warm.

“The Chosen undergoes a series of trials, and in doing so becomes an angel. After becoming an angel, she’s taken in by Cruxis, and there loses her life.”

Raine’s entire face stiffened. On the contrary, Colette kept a gentle smile on her face and nodded.

“By sacrificing the Chosen’s life, the world will be regenerated.”

“I... I can’t believe this...”

Kratos closed his eyes hearing them talk.

This conversation likely happened among the Chosen’s lineage each time the World Regeneration began. Though this wasn’t the full truth.

The Chosen doesn’t exactly “die.” She becomes a vacant, living corpse, and Martel takes over her body. From there, the Chosen herself ceases to exist and Martel takes her place. If this doesn’t happen, the Chosen is simply killed. Either way, the Chosen is doomed to a horrible fate. Kratos’ job was to lead her to that doom.

A demon. That’s what he was―a demon. He was neither angel nor human, just a horrible, terrible brute. Despite this, he knew that if the Chosen―if Colette succeeded and let Martel take over her body, the world would be saved.

“Professor Sage, please. I’d like you to come with me, and then return home to tell Lloyd and everyone else about my journey. You can tell them that I became an angel, and I’m living happily by the Goddess Martel’s side. I think that’d be better than them knowing I’m dead.”

“Colette...”

Raine desperately tried to hold back her tears at Colette’s words.

“I’m so sorry to ask something so hard of you, Professor...”

How would that boy react if this strong, kind Chosen were to disappear? The boy who had the same name as his son popped into Kratos’ head.

Chapter 1: Part 5 of 6

Botta’s report was incredibly irritating to Yuan. How embarrassing it was to have to send out a whole squad just to kill a 16 year old girl, and still manage to shamefully come back having failed to do that. He could maybe understand if they had just felt remorse for having to kill an innocent girl, but it wasn’t that. They had simply failed to do their job at all. How pathetic was that?

Though in a way, he couldn’t blame them given the circumstances.

Kratos Aurion had appeared. He was Yuan’s friend, as well as his biggest foe. It’s true that Botta likely wouldn’t hold a candle to him.

Yuan lost count of how many times he’d let out a deep sigh, and tossed the documents he was holding onto the desk.

It was frustrating to be stuck in Welgaia at a time like this. Though it was thanks to his position that he was able to swiftly get so many leads on what the Chosen of Regeneration was doing. He was stuck getting insider leads, but for someone who doesn’t like meticulous planning ahead, this was incredibly suffocating to Yuan.

There you are, getting mad again. There’s no need to stress so much. Just take a deep breath.

He felt as if he heard the voice of a woman he once knew.

Yuan gave a bitter smile. It was exactly times like this that required a clear and steady head.

Anyway, typically speaking, it would be unfathomable that Kratos would be at Iselia. Yuan was pretty sure Kratos wasn’t there by choice. That was a cursed, horrid land where Kratos lost his family. Even should he descend down to earth, that one area was the last place he would want to go.

There was only one person who would be able to order Kratos to do something against his will.

Mithos Yggdrasill. This was all likely part of his ruse. Yuan felt ashamed at his own inability to foresee this. He knew that this Chosen had a high chance of succeeding and that Yggdrasill would likely take whatever measures needed to ensure her success, but he never expected that he’d dispatch Kratos in order to do so. To Yggdrasill, Kratos was both the human who had betrayed him, as well as the very seal that holds back his biggest trump card. If by some chance Kratos were to die, Yggdrasill himself would fall.

Perhaps Yggdrasill doesn’t believe that “some chance” will come to pass. If so, the faith he places in Kratos is almost akin to a religious devotion, in a similar vein to the love he holds for his older sister, Martel.

The ringtone to his office’s communicator rang. Yuan hit the switch on the speaker system, as if it was the most irritating thing he’d ever do in his life.

“What do you want?”

“Lord Yuan. It is I, Pronyma of the Desian’s Five Grand Cardinals.”

“So you wish to speak about the World Regeneration. Very well then.”

Shortly after, Pronyma appeared in Yuan’s office. She bowed, and Yuan started to speak.

“So the time has finally arrived.”

“Indeed it has. The Tower of Salvation has appeared in Sylvarant, as I have seen with my own eyes.”

“Is that so. Then the Chosen is likely to embark on her journey soon enough. Speaking of,” Yuan continued on while keeping himself composed, so as to not raise suspicion, “have you finished your meeting with Kratos?”

Despite being one of Cruxis’ top men, Yuan hadn’t been informed that Kratos was down helping the Journey of Regeneration. Kratos is Sylvarant’s overseer. If he was down on earth, that would mean someone else is controlling the Desians. Depending on who was in charge, that would change how Yuan would have the Renegades operate. He needed to pry this information out of Pronyma.

“Did you not hear of what Lord Kratos is doing? It seems Lord Yggdrasill sent him down to earth on a mission.”

There was bewilderment in Pronyma’s words.

“...No, this is the first I’ve heard of it.”

Yuan responded to her, feigning ignorance, which prompted her to tilt her head in confusion.

“Perhaps news is simply coming slowly to you because you are the overseer for Tethe’alla instead. I heard Lord Yggdrasill sent him as a bodyguard for the Chosen.”

Yggdrasill has no doubt about this Chosen becoming Martel’s vessel. He’s probably just keeping information tight in order to make sure absolutely nothing can go wrong. There’d be no other reason why Yuan would be kept this in the dark.

“...Lord Yuan, do you truly see no issue in Lord Kratos being a bodyguard?”

“What are you implying?”

“Nothing really. It’s just that when I heard that Lord Kratos had descended onto Sylvarant, that past incident sprung to mind...”

“I see.

Yuan glanced down at the map of Sylvarant and rested his elbows on his desk, exhausted.

It’s been 70 years since Kratos defected from Cruxis. The event had been a complete and utter surprise to both Yuan and Yggdrasill. Despite a number of quarrels, they had been under the impression that Kratos was going to support Yggdrasill in working towards his Age of Lifeless Beings. But unbeknownst to anyone, Kratos’ heart had made a quiet shift away from following Yggdrasill. He descended onto Sylvarant and seemingly disappeared. It was decades until Cruxis was able to find him again. When they finally did, Kratos had a woman by his side―his wife, Anna.

Anna was held in a human ranch as an Exsphere host body―a test subject who would grow an Exsphere in her body to produce a Cruxis Crystal, as part of the Angelus Project. However, she escaped from the ranch with the Cruxis Crystal still growing within her. Kratos had assisted her in doing so. The two of them wandered about Sylvarant aimlessly, as if looking for something, and Cruxis pursued them relentlessly.

It was during this time that Yuan, as the leader of the Renegades, secretly got in contact with Kratos. The two of them―rather, their family was staying in a small abandoned fishing hut by the seaside. When Yuan visited, Anna wasn’t found within the building that was falling apart.

---

“So this is where you’ve been living,” Yuan asked. Kratos―who was on night watch―lifted his head. His Cruxis Crystal had been removed from his hand. The light from the fire flickered against the battered boards of the hut’s wall. Strung up by pillars with rope was a cloth that Yuan didn’t recognize the purpose of.

“Yuan. Have you come to kill me?”

“...No. I came here as your old friend.”

“...Is that so.”

Kratos lifted up the pot and poured its contents into a cup. It was a very pleasant-smelling coffee. Yuan removed his cape and sat across from Kratos.

“Where’s Anna? It’s not safe for a woman to be wandering about at this hour.”

“She’s on the beach. Noishe is with her. Our son wouldn’t stop crying, so she brought him out so the sounds of the waves would calm him.”

“Son? You have a son?!”

Kratos nodded and handed Yuan a cup of coffee.

“He’s three months old.”

Yuan was dumbfounded and looked up at the ceiling of the hut. That weird looking cloth he saw hung up was a diaper. The is the man who was once a world-famous captain of the knights. For some reason, thinking about this made Yuan sad.

“I can’t believe this. Do you even understand what kind of position you’re in?”

“I’d like to believe I do.”

“What were you thinking? Having an infant around will only hinder you when you’re constantly on the run.”

“...You’re not wrong about that.”

A smile crawled on Kratos’ face and Yuan let out a sigh.

“What is your aim right now, anyway?”

“The same thing you’re trying to do. I want to stop Mithos and his Age of Lifeless Beings.”

It’s true that Yuan was operating as the Renegades in secret. Such a thing only made him more acutely aware of how hard it was to go against Yggdrasill’s operations.

“What exactly do you think you can accomplish all on your own?”

“I am alone, you’re right, but I have a trick up my sleeve that you don’t.”

This was true. Kratos possessed the one and only thing that Yggdrasill feared. Kratos was capable of disabling the Eternal Sword―the very thing that had allowed Yggdrasill to seize control over the entire world.

Long ago, Mithos Yggdrasill had won over the trust of the Summon Spirits and been adored by them. The Eternal Sword was granted to him by Origin as a sign of said trust. However, surely the King of the Summon Spirits wouldn’t approve of how the world had been split in two, as it still currently is. Therefore, Yggdrasill sealed Origin away. He used Kratos’ mana in order to do so, and Kratos would need to die in order for the seal to be undone.

“Your trump card costs you your very life. How do you plan to work around that?”

“That’s where you come in. I have an idea.”

Kratos stared at Yuan with determination in his eyes. Yuan stared back at him.

“My plan is to kill you and get Origin to recognize me as the Eternal Sword’s master. Are you saying you’ll give me your life?”

“Yes, after I land a lethal blow on Cruxis.”

“A lethal blow? Such as?”

“...I’m going to kill Mithos.” Kratos gulped down his coffee. “Once things are settled, you can have your way with undoing the seal on Origin.”

Yuan was speechless.

Killing Mithos―the weight of those words was not lost on Yuan.

He was a friend of theirs who they had spent months―years together with. He was the disciple to Kratos’ teacher, and at the same time, he was like family; they had such a warm bond between one another. Yggdrasill’s older sister―Martel―had entrusted Yggdrasill to Kratos. And even if Kratos did defeat Yggdrasill as he claims, he will perish along with him.

“Kratos... We have spent far too long simply twiddling our thumbs. We had simply tried to overlook the fact that Yggdrasill―no, that Mithos’ light no longer flickered as it once did. I know you feel the same way I do.”

Kratos gave no response. The hut fell silent, making the sound of the flames flickering feel even more prevalent. From a distance, the sound of a lullaby could be heard. It was Anna.

“Was having a family what finally turned you to determination?”

Kratos set his cup down and stood up. He was likely going to see Anna.

“...When the time comes, I’m going to have my family escape to Iselia. That village has the non-aggression treaty in place, after all.”

“Does she know about your plans?”

“...No. Not a thing.”

“And you’re just fine with keeping her in the dark?”

Yuan stood up as he asked this. He wasn’t actually looking for an answer. Words weren’t needed for Kratos to express affirmation. That’s just the kind of man he was.

---

“...I doubt we have anything to worry about.” Yuan spun around to face Pronyma and crossed his legs. “What matters is that he did come back. He even pledged his allegiance to Lord Yggdrasill.”

“Do you truly believe so?”

“Hmph. I see women are doubtful no matter the race. Kratos... has changed. Losing his family caused him to cast off his shell, becoming a mere husk of what he once was. What exactly do you think a husk is capable of doing?”

“...You are correct. I was too abrasive in my words, wasn’t I? I do ask for your forgiveness.”

“It’s no matter. Traitors are to be doubted. I do have to ask though, if Kratos is down on the Journey of Regeneration, who is it that’s controlling the Desians?”

“That would be me. I am to control them and report everything to Lord Yggdrasill.”

Pronyma had confirmed what was the worst possible scenario.

“...I see. Then there’s nothing to worry about.” Yuan tried his best to hide his internal conflict from Pronyma and gave her a nod. “Then let us discuss what is to become of Tethe’alla post-World Regeneration.”

Yuan slipped Pronyma the documents he had gathered. As she was distracted examining them, Yuan started to plot a way to bring about Yggdrasill’s demise.

Chapter 1: Part 6 of 6

Walking through the forest at night overwhelmed Kratos with a sense of deja vu. This was the first time Kratos had ever walked down this road, that was for sure. And yet the scenery itself was familiar.

That was 15 years ago. Dashing earnestly through the forest at night, chasing after his wife Anna and his son Lloyd. No matter how many he took down, enemies just kept popping up. It felt as if an entire lifetime passed before he finally caught up to Anna and Lloyd.

“Genis, why are you coming along?”

Walking in the front was Raine, who was speaking to her younger brother Genis who was trailing behind her. Hearing this snapped Kratos back to reality.

This wasn’t the same forest as back then. It was close, but it wasn’t the same place. What he’d seen was a mere illusion, prompted by some small obscurities lining up.

Deep within this forest lies the house of a dwarf. Raine claimed the dwarf was Lloyd Irving’s adoptive father. Colette wanted to say goodbye to Lloyd tonight, since they’d be setting off so early in the morning. Knowing the fate of the Chosen, it was only right they let her. This was her final farewell, after all.

Kratos surveyed the forest with a complicated feeling in his chest. Iselia Forest was familiar to him, and there was a boy here named Lloyd, who even had the same last name as his wife Anna―Irving. Things lined up too perfectly for him to simply dismiss it as all just being a coincidence. It’s not like Kratos had seen his son’s corpse with his own eyes. He wanted to hope that such a miracle had actually occurred. Simultaneously, a part of him begged that such a miracle didn’t occur. Either way, he was terrified of whatever the truth was.

“R-Raine, you’re scaring me.”

Genis shivered and hid behind Colette, who was walking beside him. Kratos couldn’t help but snicker at how he and Genis got scared at the same time.

“Wh-What’s so funny, mister?”

“...Nothing, ignore me. However, I think fear is something you feel from deep within your own heart. Perhaps you feel guilty about something, and that’s why Raine’s voice scared you?”

As if hitting a bulls-eye, Genis gulped.

“Genis. Did something happen? Your clothes do seem awfully dirty. Don’t tell me you got up to some sort of mischief?”

“N-No way! I was just, um, doing something with Lloyd, and...”

“Don’t tell me you got him involved too.”

“I-I said, I didn’t do anything bad! Geez! Can’t I just do stuff without you having to know everything? It’s none of your business!”

“...Fine. This forest is dangerous though, you know. I didn’t want you coming along.”

“It’ll be fine, Professor. Kratos is with us!”

Colette said this so innocently that all Raine could do was shrug her shoulders.

“You’re not wrong about that. Having a mercenary with us is reassuring, but...”

Raine stared at Kratos. At this, Genis also looked up at him.

“Mister, are you going with Colette tomorrow too?”

“I am.”

“Wow. Hey, how long do you think it’ll be until the world is regenerated?”

“Who can say?”

“I’ll do my best to come home as quickly as I can!”

Colette made a pose triumphantly. Genis grabbed at the end of Colette’s skirt and furrowed his eyebrows sadly.

“...Okay. We’ll all be waiting for you.”

They continued up a small hill, and the sound of a small stream came into earshot. In between the trees, a light could be seen. The dwarf’s house was close.

With his heightened hearing, Kratos could hear the sound of Lloyd and a man who sounded like a dwarf arguing.

“You didn’t let the Desians see your Exsphere, did you?”

Kratos felt as if a stake had been driven into his heart. He stopped in his tracks and shut off his hearing.

He’d seen that Lloyd had an Exsphere during the quarrel in front of the temple. But what did he mean by it being an Exsphere he had to hide from the Desians?

He wanted to know, and he also really didn’t want to know. He felt completely torn between the two options and bit his lip. While Kratos stood there completely spaced out, the rest of the group had already approached Lloyd’s house. It seems they’d finally also heard the argument from inside the house. They were standing in front of the door, looking at one another. Kratos approached while suppressing his hearing to the normal human-level. Even then, he could clearly hear Lloyd and the dwarf arguing. A shiver ran down his spine.

“...That Exsphere is your mother’s keepsake. The Desians killed your mother in order to take it from her.”

“...They did?”

“I told you about how I found you at the cliff near the ranch, right? Your mother was still conscious at that time, so she explained everything. There’s no doubt about it.”

“Why didn’t you ever tell me?!”

That was his limit. Standing behind the others, who were bewildered, Kratos shut his eyes and turned off his hearing entirely. He couldn’t bear to hear another word.

There was no doubt about it. He was... Kratos’ lost hope.

He sensed a person approaching. Kratos opened his eyes to see Lloyd standing there, looking at them all rather awkwardly. Kratos adjusted his hearing to be the normal level once again, and the boy’s voice filled his ears.

“Oh...let me guess...you heard that just now?”

“I’m sorry, because of me, you...”

For some reason, Genis was apologizing to Lloyd over what happened. Kratos wondered why, but that was the last of his worries right now. Kratos studied Lloyd’s house while taking shallow breaths so that nobody would notice. It was a wonderfully built two-story house. Dwarves typically live in caverns, so this was likely built for Lloyd’s sake. There was a bench, a flower bed, a clothesline...

As Kratos’ eyes scanned the surroundings, he spotted a stone monument in the garden. His eyes immediately went to study the stone’s engraved words.

Here lies Anna Irving.

Kratos’ face stiffened.

“Lloyd, let’s go up to the terrace.”

“Sure.”

Lloyd went to follow Colette inside the house, and Kratos uttered without thinking.

“This gravestone...”

“Huh?”

Lloyd stopped and turned around.

“Whose gravestone is this?”

“Ah, you heard, right? It’s my mom’s.”

“Anna...hmm... Is your father alive?”

Kratos wondered if his voice was quivering as he asked this. He swallowed. If Lloyd remembered anything from when he was an infant, then maybe...

“...I don’t know. But Dirk is my dad.”

It felt like all of the energy drained from Kratos’ body. He couldn’t tell whether it was from disappointment or relief.

“...Yes. That was a careless thing to ask. I’m sorry.”

One thing was clear.

Lloyd―his son that he failed to protect was alive and well.

Kratos felt as if he had finally regained the life he lost 15 years ago.

[robindrake93]

Two Nickels (100 words) by robindrake93 Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Percy Jackson and the Olympians & Related Fandoms - All Media Types Rating: Mature Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Nico di Angelo/Thalia Grace Characters: Nico di Angelo, Thalia Grace (Percy Jackson) Additional Tags: Drabble, POV Third Person, Anal Fingering, Explicit Sexual Content, Past Luke Castellan/Thalia Grace - Freeform Series: Part 317 of 365 PJO Drabble Challenge 2021 Summary: Thalia reflects on her odds of having two boyfriends who like to be fingered.