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d1stalker · 4 months ago

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Second Nature [Logan Howlett]

Summary: In the freezing cold of the wild, you are saved by a man with many secrets. He takes you in, and soon you learn that you’d follow him anywhere. Takes place during The Wolverine (2013)

Warnings: does not accurately follow the events of the movie, hairy logan (heart eyes), misunderstandings

WC: 4.2k - MASTERLIST

----

Northern Canada was just as unforgiving as it was beautiful. The chilled air bit at your skin, and the vast wilderness stretched out endlessly, it was a place where few dare to venture.

It had been days since you’ve seen another soul, your only company being the towering trees and the occasional rustle of unseen creatures in the brush. You weren't not entirely defenceless as a mutant, though your powers were something you keep close to your chest.

The day started like any other—cold, silent, and solitary. You were making your way through the dense forest when you heard it: the deep, guttural growls of a pack of wolves. Your senses went on high alert as you froze, but before you could react, they were upon you.

There were too many of them. You fought as best you could, using your powers in quick, controlled bursts, but the wolves were relentless, and violent. Just as you thought you might not make it out, a figure burst through the trees. He moved with immense speed, claws extended from his hands—no, not quite claws, but something far more lethal. He tore through the wolves with an ease that spoke of years of experience, and within moments, the threat was gone.

You were left standing in the snow, gaping at the man who had just saved your life. He was wild-looking, with long, tangled hair and a thick beard, his eyes fierce and sharp. He didn’t speak at first, just looked you over, assessing mutely, before finally grunting out a rough, “You alright?”

You nodded, though your heart was still pounding from the encounter. “Yeah, thanks to you.”

“Shouldn’t be out here alone,” he said gruffly. “This place isn’t safe.”

“I can take care of myself,” you replied, though you knew full well how close you had come to an early demise. You didn’t offer any explanation for why you were out here, and he didn’t ask. Instead, he simply turned and started walking away, as if saving your life was just another day for him.

You hesitated for a moment before following him. He didn’t seem to mind, and you were curious about the man who had appeared out of nowhere. He led you back to a small, rough cabin hidden deep in the woods. It was clear he had been living here for a while—there was a worn, lived-in look to the place.

Over the next few days, you found yourself staying in that cabin. The man, who you learned was named Logan, didn’t talk much, but he didn’t seem to mind your presence either. You kept your powers hidden, mainly out of habit, but a part of you was unsure of how he would react if he knew the truth. You knew he was some sort of mutant too, but he had an air of someone who had seen too much, who carried a heavy burden, and you weren’t ready to add to that.

As the days turned into weeks, and weeks into months, a quiet companionship developed between you. Logan was still rough around the edges, but there were moments when you caught glimpses of something softer beneath the surface. He was a man who had been through hell and survived, but the scars were still there, etched into his soul.

You weren’t sure when you started to think of him as a friend, but it happened slowly, in the small, unspoken ways you helped each other. He taught you things about the wilderness, how to track and hunt, while you offered a quiet presence that seemed to ease the tension in his shoulders.

Then, one day, everything changed. A woman appeared at the cabin, her hair bright red and her demeanour as sharp as a blade. Yukio, she called herself. She had come to find Logan, to tell him that his old friend Yashida was dying and wanted to see him one last time in Japan. Logan was reluctant at first, but Yukio was persistent, and eventually, he agreed.

You hadn’t expected him to invite you along, but when he turned to you with a serious look in his eyes and said, “Come with me,” you found yourself nodding before you could think about it.

----

When you arrived at the estate in Japan, Yukio immediately declared that a cleanup was in order. Logan resisted, of course, but she insisted. You were too tired to argue and knew she was right. You hadn’t had a proper bath in weeks if not months. The little tub in the cabin did barely enough to make you feel freshened up, and the idea of finally being clean was too tempting to pass up.

She led you to your separate rooms, where hot baths and fresh clothes awaited. The water was blissfully warm, and as you soaked, you felt the tension slowly ebb away. You scrubbed your skin clean, washed your hair until it felt soft and light again, and when you finally stepped out of the bath, you almost didn’t recognize yourself. The fresh clothes Yukio provided were simple yet elegant, a far cry from the rough, dirty outfit you’d been wearing for days.

After dressing, you caught a glimpse of yourself in the mirror. For the first time in a long while, you felt... pretty. It was a strange sensation after everything that had happened, and you weren’t entirely sure how to feel about it. Logan already waiting for you when you saw him. Your breath caught in your throat. His long beard was nowhere to be seen, a uniquely styled facial hair left in it’s wake. His hair was trimmed as well. His usual gruff demeanor was still there, but he looked... different. Handsome, in a way you hadn’t anticipated.

He was staring at you too, a look of surprise flickering across his face before he quickly masked it. "You clean up nice," he said lowly.

"Thanks," you replied, trying to sound casual, though you were acutely aware of the way his eyes lingered on you.

For a moment, the two of you just stood there, taking in the sight of each other. You had always thought Logan was attractive in a natural, untamed way, but seeing him like this, it made your heart stir in your chest.

Yukio interrupted your thoughts, her voice cutting through the silence. “Good. Now that you two don’t look like wild animals, we can get to work.”

----

Yukio led you and Logan through the estate’s winding paths, the sound of your footsteps muted by the soft ground. The sun was beginning to set, casting a warm, golden glow over the garden, and for a moment, you allowed yourself to admire the beauty of the place.

Finally, you reached a large, open room where an elderly man sat in a wheelchair, his frail form dwarfed by the spaciousness of the room. Yashida’s eyes were closed, his breathing shallow and labored, but there was a sense of peace about him, as if he had come to terms with his impending death.

“Logan,” Yukio said softly, her tone respectful as she gestured for him to approach.

Logan stepped forward, his usual confidence tempered by something more subdued. He stopped a few feet from Yashida, his hands clenched at his sides as he struggled to find the right words.

“Yashida,” he eventually said, addressing the man before him. “It’s been a long time.”

Yashida’s eyes slowly opened, and when they focused on Logan, a small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. “Logan,” he rasped, his voice weak but filled with warmth. “You came.”

“Yeah,” Logan replied, his tone softening. “I came.”

Yashida’s gaze shifted to you, and you felt a strange mix of emotions as his eyes, still sharp despite his age, studied you intently. “And who is this?” he asked, his voice laced with curiosity.

“I’m just a friend,” you said, offering him a small, respectful bow. “I’m here to support Logan.”

Yashida’s eyes lingered on you for a moment longer before he nodded, seemingly satisfied with your answer. “Thank you for coming,” he said, his tone sincere. “It means a great deal to me.”

Then, another figure entered the room, a young woman with delicate features and a quiet grace that immediately drew your attention. She moved with the fluidity of someone who was used to being in control, but there was a sadness in her eyes that mirrored Yashida’s.

“Mariko,” Yashida said, his voice softening as he spoke her name. “Come, meet Logan.”

Mariko stepped forward, her gaze flicking to Logan with a mixture of curiosity and caution. “Logan,” she said quietly, her voice as soft as the rustling leaves outside. “It’s an honour.”

Logan inclined his head slightly in acknowledgment, his eyes meeting hers for a brief moment before he looked away. “Likewise.”

There was an awkward silence as you stood there, feeling like an outsider in this reunion. You watched the way Mariko looked at Logan, her gaze filled with something you couldn’t quite place—respect, maybe, or perhaps a cautious admiration. Whatever it was, it made your chest tighten with an emotion you weren’t ready to examine.

“Please, sit,” Yashida said, gesturing to the cushions on the floor. “We have much to discuss.”

You sat down beside Logan, feeling the tension in the room build as Yashida began to speak, his words measured and deliberate. He spoke of his time with Logan, of the bond they had shared during the war, and of the gratitude he felt for the life Logan had given him. But there was something else in the way Yashida spoke—an underlying desperation that made you uneasy.

“I have a gift for you, Logan,” Yashida said, his eyes locking onto Logan’s with an intensity that belied his frail appearance. “A gift that will free you from your suffering.”

Logan stiffened beside you, his expression darkening. “I don’t need anything from you, Yashida,” he announced.

“But you do,” Yashida insisted, his tone growing more urgent. “You’ve lived long enough to see the world change, to see those you care about die. I can give you what you’ve always wanted—mortality.”

The room fell silent as Yashida’s words hung in the air, the weight of them pressing down on you like a physical force. You glanced at Logan, searching his face for any sign of what he was thinking, but his expression was unreadable.

“I didn’t come here for this,” Logan said after a long pause. “I came because you asked.”

Yashida’s expression faltered, a flicker of disappointment crossing his face before he nodded slowly. “Very well,” he said. “But the offer stands. Should you change your mind...”

Logan didn’t respond, his jaw clenched as he stared at the floor. You could feel the tension radiating off him, and it took everything in you not to reach out and touch his arm, to offer some kind of comfort.

----

The air was thick with the scent of incense and the soft murmur of prayers as you stood at Yashida’s funeral, surrounded by mourners dressed in black. The solemnity of the occasion hung heavy, but there was an undercurrent of tension that you couldn’t ignore. Logan was beside you, his expression unreadable, though you knew him well enough by now to sense the unease in his posture.

In that moment, your mind wandered to the days you’d spent in the Yukon, the solitude that had once been your only companion. You hadn’t ended up there by choice. No, you had been running—from a world that feared what it didn’t understand, from people who saw you as a threat. The fact that you were a mutant had always set you apart, but it was also the reason you had been hunted, feared, and ultimately driven into the wild.

You still hadn’t told Logan about your powers, not out of a lack of trust—hiding them had simply become second nature to you. But as you stood at the funeral, watching the proceedings with a growing sense of dread, you realized that your secret was about to come crashing down around you.

It happened so quickly that you barely had time to react. One moment, the funeral was proceeding as expected, and the next, the mourners were scattering in panic as a group of Yakuza thugs stormed the ceremony, their eyes locked on Mariko, Yashida’s granddaughter.

“Mariko!” Logan’s voice was a deep growl as he pushed through the crowd, his adamantium claws shooting out. You sprang into action right behind him, your heart pounding as you watched the Yakuza close in on Mariko. You knew that even though he was fast, Logan wouldn’t make it in to her in time.

Suddenly, the world seemed to slow down, and your instincts took over. Thrusting your hands out, you called for your powers and the air around you responded, swirling with a sudden, powerful gust that sent the Yakuza stumbling back. Logan's head whipped over to you, his eyes widening in shock, but you didn’t stop. You couldn’t.

Fire erupted from your fingertips, a controlled burst that seared the ground between Mariko and the attackers, creating a barrier they couldn’t cross. But the attackers didn’t yield, and they regrouped quickly, readying themselves for another assault.

Logan was at your side in an instant. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I—” you faltered, the words catching in your throat as you continued to fend off the enemy. The earth beneath you trembled as you called on your powers again, sending a wave of stone and dirt crashing into the Yakuza, knocking them off their feet.

“I didn’t know how,” you finally admitted tightly, from the strain of maintaining control over the elements.

Logan’s expression was a mixture of anger and something else—something deeper. But he didn’t have time to respond before the Yakuza pressed their attack, forcing both of you to focus on the immediate threat.

Together, you and Logan fought them off, your powers weaving through the chaos as Logan’s claws tore through the ranks of the attackers. It was over in minutes, but it felt like an eternity. When the last of the Yakuza fell, you stood there, breathing hard, the adrenaline still coursing through your veins. Mariko was safe, but the damage was done. Logan turned to you, his gaze intense. “You didn’t trust me,” he said, the hurt clear in his voice.

“It wasn’t about trust,” you said quietly, lowering your hands as the last remnants of your power faded into the air. “I’ve spent my whole life hiding who I am, Logan. It’s not something I can just turn off.”

He was silent for a moment, his eyes searching yours. “I get that,” he finally said, his voice softer now. “But you knew about me––my mutation. I thought—”

“I know, and I’m sorry,” you interrupted, your voice breaking slightly. “It’s just… I didn’t want to bring attention to it. I wanted to leave it in the past.”

Logan’s expression softened, the anger fading as he listened to your words. “You don’t owe me an explanation,” he said after a moment, surprising you. “But I want you to know… I would’ve understood.”

You looked at him, seeing the sincerity in his eyes. It was strange, how this man who had saved you, who had become your friend, could look at you with such understanding, after you had hid something so important from him. “I’m sorry,” you whispered, the words heavy with the weight of everything you hadn’t said before.

He didn’t say much after, just turning and heading toward Mariko, going to check on her.

----

In the days following the incident at Yashida’s funeral, something between you and Logan shifted. It was subtle at first—an awkwardness that hadn’t been there before, a hesitation in his eyes whenever he looked at you. You couldn’t shake the feeling that things had changed, and not for the better.

Logan had started pulling away from you. At first, you thought it was because of Mariko, and his new mission—that he had simply found something else to focus on. But as the days went by, you realized that it was more than that. Logan wasn’t just distant—he was hurt. And it wouldn't take a genius to know why.

He had been wounded by your secret, by the fact that he thought you hadn’t trusted him enough to reveal your powers. You had tried to explain, to make him understand that it wasn’t about him, but the damage was done.

The distance between you pained you. You had grown to care for him deeply. It had started as friendship, a bond forged in Canada, but somewhere along the way, you knew your feelings had begun to change. You hadn’t meant to fall for him, but it happened all the same, creeping up on you like the first rays of dawn after a long, cold night.

But as you watched him pull away from you, and towards Mariko, those feelings felt like a mistake.

It wasn’t that you didn’t want Logan to be happy—far from it. You cared about him too much to wish anything but the best for him. Still, seeing the way he looked at her, the way he seemed drawn to her despite the mayhem surrounding them, made something inside you ache. You had thought that maybe, just maybe, there could be something more between you and Logan, but it was clear now that whatever you had shared was truly just a friendship. Nothing more.

And that realization hurt more than you cared to admit.

You tried to push those feelings aside, to focus on the task at hand. There was still so much to do, and Japan was far from safe. The Yakuza were remained a threat, and Yashida’s legacy was more tangled than you had ever imagined. But no matter how hard you tried to concentrate on the helping, your mind kept drifting back to Logan and Mariko.

So, you did the only thing you could—you pulled away. You gave Logan and Mariko space, leaving them to each other whenever possible. It hurt to do it, to step back when all you wanted was to be by Logan’s side, like you’d for months, but you convinced yourself it was for the best. If this was what Logan wanted, if she was who he needed, then who were you to stand in the way?

Even as you distanced yourself, you continued to help them in whatever ways you could. You were still in Japan, still part of the mission Logan got roped into, but you became a shadow, always there but never too close. You helped Mariko when she needed it, fought alongside Logan when necessary, but you never lingered, never gave him a reason to think you wanted anything more.

----

When the trip was over, and the two of you returned back to Canada, things were different. The easy companionship you had shared was strained, the unspoken tension between you making every moment feel heavy with uncertainty. You weren’t sure where you stood with Logan anymore, and it was driving you mad.

He had been quiet since your return, keeping to himself, and you had done the same, unsure of how to bridge the growing distance between you. It hurt, more than you wanted to admit, but you weren’t sure what to do about it.

You had spent the day wandering the snowy landscape, trying to clear your head, but no amount of fresh air could chase away the doubts that had settled in your mind. By the time you returned to the cabin, the sun was beginning to set. You hesitated at the door, your hand hovering over the handle as you debated whether to go inside or keep walking.

Before you could decide, the door swung open, and Logan stood there, his expression unreadable. “You’ve been gone a while,” he said, his voice rough from disuse.

“Just needed some air,” you replied quietly as you stepped inside.

Logan closed the door behind you, his eyes lingering on you for a moment. Then, “We need to talk.”

You nodded, your stomach twisting with anxiety as you followed him to the small living area. You sat on the edge of the worn couch, your hands clasped tightly in your lap as you waited for him to start.

Logan remained standing, his gaze fixed on the floor. “I’ve been thinking… about everything that happened in Japan.”

You swallowed hard, forcing yourself to meet his eyes. “So have I.”

He looked up at you then, “I don’t know how to do this,” is all he could get out.

“I know."

“I’ve been thinking about why things got so messed up between us,” Logan continued, running a hand through his hair in frustration. “And I think… I think it’s because I was hurt that you didn’t tell me about your powers, that you’re a mutant too. I took it personally, and that was wrong.”

You shook your head, “I shouldn’t have lied to you. I wasn’t trying to hurt you, Logan. I just… I didn’t know how to stop. I didn’t want to lose you.”

Logan stepped closer, his hand resting on the back of the couch as he looked down at you. “You didn’t lose me,” he said quietly. “But I think I almost lost you because I didn’t know how to deal with it. That’s why I pulled away. I didn’t want to get hurt, so I put up walls.”

“And Mariko? I mean, it's not like you need to justify anything to me, but--fuck--I...” You started, letting your words drift off. You didn't know where you were going with this, but Logan would have to be a real idiot to not catch on.

For a moment, he didn’t say anything, and it scared you. When he finally spoke, his voice was low.

“When we were in Japan… I was hurt. Not just by everything that was happening, but by what I thought was going on between us. I felt like you didn’t trust me, like you were keeping me at arm’s length, and I didn’t know how to handle that. And then there was Mariko… she was there, and I turned to her because… I don’t know, I guess I was looking for something to distract me from what I was feeling.”

You stayed silent, letting him speak.

“But it wasn’t what you think,” he affirmed. “It wasn’t about feelings, or love, or anything like that. Mariko was just… there. I was in a bad place, and she was someone who didn’t expect anything from me, who didn’t know me the way you do. We got physical, but it wasn’t real."

You blinked, trying to make sense of his words. “So, it didn’t mean anything?”

Logan shook his head. “Not the way you’re thinking. I won’t lie to you—it happened, and I’m sorry for that. But it wasn’t because I didn’t care about you,” he paused, taking a deep breath, “It was because I did, and I didn’t know how to deal with my own emotions. I made a mistake, and it hurt you, and I hate that.”

You could see the regret in his eyes, the way he was struggling to find the right words. “I thought you wanted to be with her,” you admitted, “That I was just… in the way.”

He swallowed, “You were never in the way. I pushed you away, and I’m sorry for that.”

You looked up at him. “Where does that leave us then, Logan? Should I… should I stay here? With you?”

Logan’s eyes softened, and he reached out to gently cup your face in his hand. “I want you to stay,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. “But only if that’s what you want too.”

You closed your eyes, leaning into his touch as a wave of relief washed over you. “I want to stay,” you whispered back, your heart pounding in your chest. “I need to know that we’re on the same page though, that this is more than just… friendship.”

His thumb brushed against your cheek. “It is,” he confirmed, “I care about you, more than I’ve cared about anyone in a long time. And I want to figure this out, whatever it is between us.”

You opened your eyes, looking up at him with a small, trembling smile. “I want that too.”

Logan let out a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding. He leaned down, nuzzling his nose with yours as he spoke, an action that nearly had your heart bursting in your chest. “Then let’s do this. No more hiding, no more running. Just us.”

“Just us,” you echoed, happy.

------

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shadowdarlings · 6 months ago

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Rain and Redemption

Tamlin x Reader

Synopsis : After fleeing your home in the Court of Nightmares you seek refuge in the wild and unattended lands of the Spring Court. You are certain that you will remain unnoticed and can finally begin living a free life. After a year alone in the feral woods of Spring you stumble upon a most surprising beast, one who had been rumored lost forever.

Pairings : TamlinxReader

a/n : this one is for my tamlin girlies! i’m so excited to write this piece and i hope you guys enjoy. don’t get me wrong i love all my other acotar men but he’s been lingering in my mind lately. slight rhys slander but nothing that isn’t true <3 (i still love him pls do not demolish me in the comments)

Warnings : mentions of cruelty and torture, suggestiveness, tamlin being possessive (but in a good way)

... ✿°•∘ɷ∘•°✿ .. ... ✿°•∘ɷ∘•°✿ .. ... ✿°•∘ɷ∘•°✿ ..

The forest crawled with many creatures. Some were benevolent while others sought flesh and blood. A year in the Spring woodlands had taught you much; survival chiefly, but it had also shown you strength from within that you had not known was there. The wherewithal to remain largely unscathed in such a dangerous environment was not cheap. Yet the perils of the forest did not compare to the cruelty of your home. You’d fled from the Court of Nightmares just over a year ago and headed straight for the Spring Court. Your plan to escape had been neatly designed. After the war with Hybern you knew that the southern territory was largely abandoned by its High Lord and sneaking into its territories would be your best bet at remaining hidden from your family and from the High Lord that ruled over them.

Over the years you had grown to detest the High Lord of the Night Court. His backwards notions of ruling fairly would have been laughable if they had not cost you so much. His love for the City of Starlight had left you and your people completely disregarded. Mostly left to manage yourselves, cruelty and violence soaked into the hearts of those who resided within the mountain. The reputation of your court was enough for Rhysand to deem all of you little more than the dirt under his finely crafted boots. After 50 years of growing up in such circumstances you’d had enough. Perhaps one day you’d return to uplift your people, to tell the pompous Lord exactly what his arrogance and misplaced judgment had cost you all. For now, you sat upon a moss covered log and removed your leather pack.

It had been a long day of traveling. Recent naga attacks had driven you from your previous shelter and further into the dense woods. The afternoon sun was quickly setting and you’d need to find new lodging before it slipped beneath the horizon. Taking account of your provisions, you deemed it safe enough to take a large swig from the water canteen stored in your pouch. After twisting the cap back on tightly, you shrugged on your pack and set off again to find a place to sleep.

It did not take long until you found a cave hidden amongst the brush and trees. Pulling back a branch you entered and surveyed the dimly lit cavern. Aside from a few discarded animal bones it seemed largely unoccupied. Whomever had been here before was long gone by your observation. Deeming it fit for the night you began preparing to settle and sleep. The latter caught up to you before you knew it, the fatigue of traveling getting the better of you. You slept hard and heavy until a crunch from just outside the cave jolted you awake. Flinging your eyes open you scanned the entrance to find a hulking shadow of a creature peering in. There was not enough light to reveal the nature of this being, as you had not started a fire in an effort to remain unseen. The giant figure took a step forward and you slammed your eyes shut, heart racing. Slowly and silently you reached for the dagger strapped to your hip but did not unsheathe it yet. Taking slow steadying breaths you monitored the creatures movements with only your sense of hearing. It seemed to take two tight circles and flop onto the ground, as if it too were exhausted. Daring to peek one eye open you confirmed your suspicions and saw the shadow of the massive thing taking deep, slumberous breaths as if it had paid you no mind whatsoever. Loosing out a silent sigh you thanked the mother for whatever amnesty she had granted until your lids grew heavy once more and sleep reclaimed you wholly.

Your eyes did not reopen until dawn cracked through the leaves and streamed into the cave. You moved a hand to shade your eyes from the light and slowly blinked them open. It was then you remembered you had not slept alone last night. Your gaze landed onto what seemed to be an oversized wolf curled up on the rock floor not three feet away from you. Your heart began its quickened pace once more as you silently turned away from it to sling your pack across your head and shoulder. Standing as quietly as you could you braced yourself to turn back around and make your escape. Yet when you faced the creature once more it was already on four giant paws, its eyes locked onto you. You sucked in a silent scream and took a step backwards against the wall of the cave, flattening your palms along the cool rock. Your eyes had locked onto a fierce pair of green ones that seemed to bore into your very soul. Quickly remembering what you had learned you averted your eyes and looked down at the ground. Ever so slowly you shrank down the wall until you had come into a full crouch. You had long since figured out that if you could not best something it was better to make yourself small and hope it would deem you unworthy of its time.

Yet the wolf took a step forward, and then another. Out of your peripheral vision you could tell it was lowering its massive head towards you. It took two long inhales then nudged forward once more. You knew it was foolish but you couldn’t help your curiosity as you lifted your head to gaze at the beast once more. Its emerald eyes were locked onto yours, almost as if it were a conscious being. You didn’t know if that was a good thing or not. It shifted once more, this time onto its hind legs to sit and then again to lay its enormous body down in front of you. Then as if trying to convey its docile nature the wolf let out a quiet whine. You weren’t entirely sure this was all real. It must have devoured you whole and you were now in the midst of some delusion brought on by death. Yet your heart continued to beat rapidly and your lungs still drew in panicked breaths. The wolf had not broken its eye contact and now looked up at you from its lying position.

Deeming your situation already lethal you cast your better judgment to the wind and let out a whisper. “Hello,” you said to the beast. It cocked its head slightly as if in greeting and curiosity. “I’m sorry I invaded your cave,” you said trying to tame the shaking in your voice, “I didn’t know it was occupied.” The wolf lifted its head ever so slightly and parted its giant mouth to reveal dagger like canines. “You invaded more than my cave, little nightingale,” it rumbled in a voice so deep it rattled your bones.

You were sure now that you were hallucinating. Your face was the picture of pure shock as you beheld the speaking creature. You sputtered and stammered, reaching for something to say. “You speak?” was all you could squeak out. The wolf remained lying down but lifted its head an inch further. “Yes,” it replied in that thick tenor. You managed the courage to straighten slightly and surveyed its lethal figure. The matted coat, the pronged horns that crowned its head, the striking green eyes that observed you in turn. It clicked just then. “You’re Tamlin,” you said, not exactly a question. The wolf blinked once, twice. “Yes,” he replied once more. You couldn’t believe it. You had heard the tales of a fallen High Lord who had bound himself to his beast form and hidden away in the woods. You’d just never expected to behold him, let alone engage in conversation with him.

You stumbled for your words again but managed to get out, “I- I’m sorry for intruding. On your cave and your lands. I needed…” Your ability to articulate a sentence evaded you entirely as you beheld him. “It is no matter to me,” he spoke, “not anymore.” There was a deep sadness that dripped off his words and you felt a tear in your chest. Without your permission, your body moved your hand up and onto Tamlin’s fur coated head. Your fingers threaded into the soft fleece and rested there for a moment. He stayed completely still. It took a few heartbeats to realize what you had done, what you were still doing. You retracted your hand, choking out an apology. Tamlin did not deign to respond. Instead he lowered his head back down and this time laid it right into your lap.

... ✿°•∘ɷ∘•°✿ .. ... ✿°•∘ɷ∘•°✿ .. ... ✿°•∘ɷ∘•°✿ ..

He must be out of his mind, he thought. Yet he could not tear himself away from your gentle touch as you once again began your exploration of his fur. How long had it been since he had been touched? How long had it been since he had even seen another conscious life form? He breathed in your scent, that of lilies and hyacinths. It was polluted with the smell of the forest and survival. He had noted your thin figure before closing his eyes and relishing your touch. He noticed the dirty clothes, the grime under your nails, and the tangles in your hair that made you look wild and untamed. He pondered your presence in the Spring Court as you moved your hand to caress the other side of his head. He knew he should kill you. What other reason would a Night Court citizen be doing in his lands other than to spy and destroy him further. The thought had him opening his eyes once more, but he did not move from under your touch. “Why, little nightingale, have you come to my lands?” he grumbled softly. The sigh that escaped your lips was a heavenly sound. “I could not stand another minute in that court,” you responded to him continuing your exploration across his fur. He contemplated your words before prodding again, “But why come here of all places?” He watched you consider his question from his position on your lap until you let out a small laugh and said, “It’s the only place where I felt I would be safe.”

Something that had been long asleep in him awoke at your response. Here? Safe? With him? After everything that had happened in the last 53 years under Amarantha’s reign, the war with Hybern, and destruction of his court he could not fathom that anyone in all of Prythian could possibly feel safe here. “These woodlands are not safe, nightingale,” he said. You snorted in response to his implication. “I don’t know, my Lord, I’ve faired quite well this past year. Still all in one piece, see?” You removed your hand from his fur to gesture to your own figure. He immediately missed the feeling of your touch. It took a great deal of restraint not to nuzzle your hand back to its original place on him.

Instead he rose from your lap and stood to his full height, his head barely grazing the top of the cavern ceiling. You rose with him wringing your hands at his size. “You’re not safe here,” he repeated, “come.”

... ✿°•∘ɷ∘•°✿ .. ... ✿°•∘ɷ∘•°✿ .. ... ✿°•∘ɷ∘•°✿ ..

A command. One that reverberated through you to your very core. You did not hesitate to follow him out of the cave and into a clearing beyond the brush. “Climb up,” he instructed. You paused only a moment until you realized he meant for you to ride atop his back. He lowered himself ever so slightly as you hiked yourself into his massive wolf form. “Hold on, little nightingale,” he commanded once more before beginning a slow trot away from your shared cave.

The trek had been mostly contended silence. The two of you only spoke in question and response when the curiosity became too much.

“Why did you leave home?” he asked.

“I grew wary of the cruelty of home and the misjudgments of my High Lord,” you answered.

“Why have you disappeared for so long?” you asked.

“I am not fit to be a ruler at present,” he responded.

The hike had been a few hours long until you broke from the cover of the forest into an expansive clearing with endless rolling hills. The grasses had overgrown and if you hadn’t been astride on his back your figure would surely disappear into the thickets. He continued his pace as he came upon a behemoth of a building. Its size was dazzling but its condition was ruinous. Vines had almost completely overtaken the walls, creeping into shattered windows. The gardens surrounding the manor were in complete disarray, growing this way and that. He stepped over the overgrowth with his giant paws and took you up a grand staircase leading to two massive wooden doors. Gently he nudged them open with his snout and stepped foot in the place he once called home.

... ✿°•∘ɷ∘•°✿ .. ... ✿°•∘ɷ∘•°✿ .. ... ✿°•∘ɷ∘•°✿ ..

He didn’t know exactly how long it had been since he had been to the manor. Before this morning he’d had no intentions of returning any time soon. He was not worthy to reside here, not worthy to call himself High Lord. The ruin he had left it in had his ego twisting from embarrassment, but he had to get her to safety. He did not know where the urge had come from, did not understand his draw to this intruder. It had been a long time since he’d had a task, a purpose. While the feeling was still foreign it was anything but unwelcome. He lowered himself once more once the two of you were safely inside and relished once more the feeling of your touch before you slid off his back and onto the marble entryway flooring. Tamlin observed as you marveled at the interior. Your eyes ravenous, soaking up every inch of this new environment. “It’s horrendous, I know,” he spoke lowly, “but you will be safe here. Safer than in those woods by yourself.” You turned your too thin figure toward him and spoke, “It’s marvelous.” He pushed down the small hint of excitement at your words and simply said “You can wash up and change clothes in the third room to the left past the dining room. I will find something to eat for the night.” With that, he turned and stepped outside the manor once more with a new task in his mind.

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You followed his instruction, finding a room that was mostly untouched by claw marks and destruction. Although dust had settled upon almost every surface, it was nice to be sheltered by four walls again. The room you entered was clearly meant for visiting courtiers, with a four poster bed, a generous armoire, a tall looking glass, and connected was a spacious bathing room. The stale air in the room was unfamiliar as you had grown accustomed to fresh air and gentle spring breezes. Your first order of business was to pry open the ornate window across the room. Your second order of business was to strip completely nude and fill the giant tub with enough water to wash a bear. The spout shot out a few violent buckets of water before finally clearing the air from its pipes and finding a steady stream. As the tub filled you nosed into the cabinets to find a few bottles of soap and oils. Sure they were a few years old, but it was better than lakes and creek water. You savored the warmth of your bath as it relaxed tense muscles and lulled you into bliss. It was only when the water grew chilled that you pulled yourself out and searched for any clothing to don before the High Lord returned from his hunt. You’d found little in terms of prudence but the silk nightdress would work for the evening. It had been a long time since you’d thought about such courtly things as how much skin was showing. Growing bored in the chamber waiting for Tamlin you walked into the main hall and began exploring.

... ✿°•∘ɷ∘•°✿ .. ... ✿°•∘ɷ∘•°✿ .. ... ✿°•∘ɷ∘•°✿ ..

He strode into the manor as silently as he could. Tamlin held the dead deer in his lethal jaws and gently set it on the black and white marble before shifting into his fae form. It felt unfamiliar to stand on two legs instead of four. His shrugged off his discomfort and headed straight for his abandoned quarters to find something to dress in. The last thing he needed was you stumbling upon his naked, dirt covered figure. Tamlin made quick work of putting on bland pants and a light tunic. He didn’t even bother buttoning it completely before making his way to the room he’d directed you towards. He knocked once at your door and heard nothing. He started to call out your name then quickly realized you had not yet given it to him. Knocking once more he paused, listening for a sign of you behind the door. More silence. He pushed open the door and saw that you were not there. After looking in the bathing room to find it empty as well his heart began to quicken. It was happening again. How could he have been such a fool? Of course you wouldn’t want to stay here. Who would? His estate was in complete shambles and he himself was no better. His breathing was erratic, his chest pumping up and down as he began his downward spiral. Then he heard a sound. His head snapped toward the door as he heard a melancholy music coming from elsewhere in the manor. He followed the melody to where he found you sitting in front of the grand pianoforte. The keys were out of tune, but the quiet song was still lovely. He could do nothing but stand and stare in utter shock that not only had you stayed, but you were freshly dressed in Spring Court attire and playing music in his home. He watched as your hands traveled gracefully upon the ivories. The sound of your song was like a breath of life into the tomb of the manor. His state of silent admiration was only interrupted by the end of your song. You let out a content sigh and rose from the bench, turning and meeting his eyes.

... ✿°•∘ɷ∘•°✿ .. ... ✿°•∘ɷ∘•°✿ .. ... ✿°•∘ɷ∘•°✿ ..

The sight of him. You had not yet known the High Lord of Spring in his fae form. He was utterly gorgeous. Your eyes devoured him as if they were starved. His tunic was unbuttoned and revealed a generous portion of his muscled chest. It was then you remembered the thin nightgown you had thoughtlessly wrapped yourself in. You knew he was fae, but his wolf form had almost made you forget that he was also a male. A beautiful, stunning male. You quickly tore your eyes from him and found a spot on the ground to study as you greeted him, “My Lord.” He let out a breath as if he’d been holding it, “My Lady.” Your eyes flicked up to his at that. A faint smile ghosted his lips and his face was the picture of relief. “I’m sorry if I overstepped, I got bored waiting for your return.” He let out a quiet laugh and took a few steps to approach you. “That’s quite alright, little nightingale, I’m just happy to see that you’re still here.” It was your turn to laugh. What a ridiculous comment! Through a snort you said, “Where else would I go?” His smile grew and he offered you his hand. “Good point. I found us something to eat. Care to join me?” You stepped forward to meet him, his towering figure and scent overwhelming your senses. Yet you took his hand and returned the smile, gazing up at him. “I would love nothing more.”

#tamlin x reader #tamlin acotar #tamlin #acotar #acotar imagine #tamlin imagine #acomaf #acowar #acosf #a court of thorns and roses #a court of wings and ruin #a court of mist and fury #a court of silver flames #tamlin redemption arc

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skyfullofpods · 1 year ago

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Hello fans of Re: Dracula who were introduced to fiction podcasts through the updates from our good friend Jonathan Harker! Now that the story's over (sob!), would you like some recommendations for some other audio dramas that you might enjoy, made by some of the folks who worked on the podcast?

Jonathan Sims, who played our local phonograph enthusiast, is the writer of the hugely popular horror podcast, The Magnus Archives. The Head Archivist of the Magnus Institute records statements made by members of the public, detailing strange encounters with the supernatural. What soon becomes clear is that these statements do not describe separate and unrelated events, and a bigger and horrific picture begins to emerge. Also appearing as recurring characters in this series are both Sasha Sienna and Alasdair Stuart.

Karim Kronfli is a prolific voice actor, and while he might be best known for his roles in both Re: Dracula and The Magnus Archives, he has voiced a wide range of characters in many different fiction podcasts. Out of all the ones he's appeared in, I would personally recommend urban fantasy anthology series, Unseen. The unseen world exists alongside ours, but only a few humans can see it. It's a world where magic and magical creatures exists, and Karim's character tells his story in episode 7, titled We Ourselves.

Beth Eyre and Felix Trench played twins Antigone and Rudyard Funn in Wooden Overcoats, a British sitcom set on the tiny fictional island of Piffling, in the English Channel. The twins run a funeral parlor together, the only one on the island, until a newcomer arrives. Eric Chapman (played by Tom Crowley) sets up a much more successful funeral parlor, and the story is narrated by the Funns' house mouse, Madeline.

Alan Burgon plays the Interviewer in The Amelia Project. The Amelia Project is a secret organisation, and clients come to them looking for their help in faking their deaths. The Interviewer listens to each client's story, before concocting unique and often elaborate ways in which they will stage their deaths, before being reborn into a new identity.

David Ault is also a very recognisable voice to anyone who spends a considerate amount of time listening to fiction podcasts, and The Kingmaker Histories feels like an appropriate choice here. A weird steampunk series set in the Valorian Socialist Republic in 1911 , this story involves found family, its own intriguing magic system, and being gay and doing crime.

Our favourite cowboy, Giancarlo Herrera, plays one of the protagonists in sci-fi action/thriller, Primordial Deep. Spinner is part of a team which is sent deep beneath the sea to investigate the resurgence of creatures thought to be long-extinct. There's plenty of horror to be had here, as something ancient is stirring in the depths of the ocean.

As for the crew? Tal Minear works on so many podcasts, and if you like fantasy stories, I would recommend the delightfully lighthearted Sidequesting, which follows new adventurer Rion, as they help people on their travels. If you would like some more horror, there's their spoiler-driven anthology series, Someone Dies in This Elevator.

Hannah Wright's Inn Between is a fantasy series based on D&D. Each episode follows a party as they meet in the Goblin's Inn, in between adventures, as the tavern follows them around wherever they go.

Stephen Indrisano's upcoming docu-horror Shelterwood promises to be a series which explores the horror of suburbia, as it follows one man's quest to find his missing sister. Until this is released, I would recommend Do You Copy, in which Stephen plays one of the protagonists. This found footage horror series follows the events which unfold after the closure of Red Tail National Park, and the people who were left inside the park, after its mysterious closure.

Ella Watts is regarded as a walking encyclopedia of all things audio fiction, and has worked on several high-profile projects, including directing both Doctor Who: Redacted and Marvel Move. Her upcoming Camlann is a post-apocalyptic series due to be released next year, inspired by Arthurian legends and British folklore. She is also the executive producer of Tin Can Audio's (who are also producing Camlann) beautiful experimental series, The Tower. The protagonist of this story, Kiri, leaves her life behind to climb an impossibly high tower, making phonecalls along the way.

Newt Schottelkotte's Where The Stars Fell is a supernatural fantasy set in the town of Jerusalem, Oregon. Cryptozoologist Dr Edison Tucker arrives in the town to carry out some research, and meets her roommate, author Lucille Kensington. There's so much more to this strange town than first meets the eye, with a huge revelation at the end of season one.

If you're new to fiction podcasts, welcome! I hope this short (ish!) and very much non-comprehensive list gave you some ideas of what to listen to next!

#Re: Dracula #audio fiction #audio drama #podcasts #podcast recommendations #podcast recs #the mortifying ordeal of being known WELP #me yeeting this list into the void and then disappearing for the forseeable future

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the-masked-ram · 7 months ago

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Fics for Gaza

Here I am taking the plunge. I'm a small blog but fast writer even when it comes to my slower times. So might as well put it to good use.

Planning on joining this fundraiser run by @ficsforgaza and help make everyone happy with some content in the process. Here is my plan of action for my wip and donation costs.

To participate- please make a donation to a vetted fundraiser and send a screenshot/proof of your donation to me in a DM. PLEASE MAKES SURE TO CENSOR ALL YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION. (internet safety and all that jazz). In the message also let me know what fic you are donating to and I will adjust expected word counts. These screenshots are merely for keeping things as honest as possible and will be shared with @ficsforgaza

-I obviously will not be taking the money myself. Please send it to one of the vetted fundraisers mentioned in the link below.

$5.00 per 800 words or a full drabble series installment

Link to vetted places to donate here! More fundraisers here!

As soon as 50% of any of the fics are sponsored I will automatically start on them.

Drabble series-

Sweet and Sour- Ren Kaji x Fem Reader Drabble Series

Your the new girl in the city. You are tough, sassy, but don't know a lick about the gangs, and if your honest you couldn't care less. But something about Ren Kaji catches your eye. He may snap and bark like a feral dog, but you can see through it and he knows it too. Slowly, you become his sanctuary even though you are the one person he's most afraid won't accept him. And he thought he was past all that. (NSFW)

5.00 for full installment

Read Part One here!

False Immunity- Hiei x Fem Reader Drabble Series

Where Hiei learns the ins and out of human courtship. (NSFW)

Find Part One-Six on my masterlist here! 5.00 for full installment

Multichap Fics-

Flawed Hope- Astarion x OC (BG3)

Brit was a paralegal, someone who had a normal life and enjoyed what she did for the most part. Yet, the only true excitement she felt lately was when she played Baldur's Gate Three. A simple video game brought her more joy than her friends or fleeting romances. One night as depression crushes her she wishes to live one day in BG3. Her wish is granted, however the world of BG3 needs her far longer than her wish had originally intended. And the worst part? She does not get along with her favorite vampire in the slightest. (NSFW)

Read the first four chaps here! WC: 1961/4000

Falling for Frogs- Sebastian x Fem Reader (SDV)

You are game developer about to make their debut into the market. The world you are about to venture into isn't exactly friendly to those of the feminine persuasion and as such you have flown under the radar using a masculine alias online. After a complete mental break down at a very important convention in Zuzu you realize you need to get away from the city for a bit so you can finish your game. Your best friend who runs a farm in Stardew Valley invites you to come stay with her. However as you stay there and get to know the locals, you realize the cute boy you saw at the con is her neighbor. What's even worse is he remembers you and just to add salt to the wound, he's one of your Kickstarters. (NSFW) WC: 309/3000

Read the first three chaps here!

The Unseen and Those Forgotten- Dabi x Fem Reader (BNHA)

The age of the Greek gods is long past. Dabi is one of the few left, his name in the ancient days had been Hades. Now he skulks among the humans, as a deity at half strength. With the old gods dying, the new ones have taken control of the humans’ feeble minds. There is a storm on the horizon though, quite literally, the end of days is nipping at mortality’s heels and the key to unlocking Kronos’s resting place, the only creature strong enough to put a stop to the apocalypse, is you. Sadly you have no idea what part you will play, after all, you are just an office worker who has an affinity for plants.... WC: 0/2000

Find the first three chaps on my masterlist here!

The Hellebore Rift- Hayato Suo x Fem Reader (Wind Breaker)

The town of Makochi has changed and so have all the gangs within it. Gone are the days of allies and rival schools. Gone are the days of delinquents battling for top spots and coming home with happy smiles from good fist fights. Now the world has been ripped apart by rifts that tear the very dimensions in two, spewing forth gigantic blood-thirsty monsters. It has forced the gangs to protect only their parts of town from everyone. Even the civilians, even those they once called friends. With those rifts and monsters, humans were gifted with powers, yet everything good always comes with a fall out. You are one of those few, blessed with the ability to Guide, to save those Espers from the toxicity that their own powers created within themselves when they protect their parts of town. You live in a small section Makochi outside any of the gangs control with a scant few Espers to call your own… or well you did until the day Hayato Suo found you. WC 313/2000

(Chapter one just started)

Oneshots-

Dog Park with Megumi (no title yet)- You don't have dogs but you find yourself at the dog park everyday because you can't have pets. That's where you meet Megumi Fushiguro (NSFW)WC: 0/15000

A Bouquet of Deadly Thorns- Hanahaki Soulmate Gojo x Fem Reader

The world now is riddled with the phenomenon known as soulmates. You don't know yours but before you can even think about finding them, you must get rid of your growing feelings for Satoru Gojo, the only problem is they've grown suffocating and you've started coughing up blood and flower petals. (NSFW) WC: 3098/8000

Tetsuro Kuroo bar night (no title yet)- The first night you meet Kuroo he was celebrating with his friends who'd just won their volley ball game. You were drinking away your sorrows yet again from another shitty date. Fate had a funny way of making you forget things when he gets dared to make a move on you. (NSFW) WC: 0/10,000

My name in your mouth- Professional Poker Player!Suo Hayato x CardShark Fem!Reader Suo Hayato is well known in the gambling circuit, he strikes fear in all his opponents. Terrified that they will lose all the winnings and perhaps even worse to him. You however are a dark horse, a rising star lurking in the shadows among the tables, and you have the arrogance to back it up. You take Suo on and surprise him in more ways then one. But he's desperate to wrest back control from you and the rising sexual tension between the two of you gives him the perfect excuse. (NSFW) WC: 0/7000

Single Drabbles- 5.00 for a full drabble

Jo Togame festival day (sfw) - Link

Jo Togame the baths (NSFW) - Link

Nobara/fem! reader (jjk) (NSFW) shopping day, in the dressing room

Himuro tatsuya/male! reader (knb) (NSFW) pining, street ball rivals

Seishiro Nagi/gn!reader (blue lock) (SPICEY (not full nsfw)) comfort, lazy day, reuniting after long distance for a while

Sebastain/fem! reader (SDV) (nsfw) phone sex

Astarion/male!reader (BG3) (NSFW) dry humping, semi public sex Suo Hayato/fem!reader (wind breaker)(NSFW) overstimulation

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yukidragon · 1 year ago

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Sunny Day Jack - Dragon Jack Fantasy AU Headcanons

So, I know that Jack’s fursona is a snake, because he wants warm cuddles his sunshine won’t run away from, which is where we get naga Jack, but what if he was a different sort of mythical creature?

No, not an incubus, but you can check out my incubus headcanons here and here. I’m talking about a different fantastical creature that still has a few scaly features.

It’s the year of the dragon, and that got me thinking about a certain piece of absolutely gorgeous artwork my friend Mars made back in August, which in turn made me think, dragon Jack AU?

Dragon Jack AU.

Oh hell yeah, let’s get fantastical.

Credit for this beautiful artwork and fueling my inspiration goes to the marvelous Mars, who you can find over here on tumblr and on twitter. Please consider popping on by to leave a kind word or two. Trust me, you won’t regret looking at all of her jaw-droppingly stunning art!

Content warnings: There is going to be spice in these headcanons, and it’s going to get a bit kinky at times. I mean, we’re talking about Jack as a dragon getting frisky with his sunshine. Bad Dragon didn’t get its name for nothing after all. Oh and there’s also some dark themes like going insane from isolation, families being awful to one another, exploitation of workers, bullshit politics in a medieval inspired fantasy setting, deadly monsters attacking people, yandere obsession, that sort of thing.

Overall it’s going to be pretty lighthearted, especially in comparison to the super dark and angst-filled hurt/comfort story that I recently posted, so this post shouldn’t get more intense than the game itself.

The Cursed Prince

Let us begin this AU with the tale of Sunny Day Jack, a poor soul who was damned to be left alone and forgotten by all who knew him. In this case, that place he was left to be forgotten was a castle in the middle of a dark and twisted land, bound by a curse that not even the strength of a dragon can break.

Jack wasn’t always this way. Long ago, he was someone grand, a prince by the name of Joseph, though not in line for any sort of throne. He was the spare of the spare, the unwanted and unneeded family member who was a risk to the true heir to the crown. He had to learn how to be strong and cunning to survive the castle politics, while at the same time he was overlooked and ignored by all.

Initially, Joseph tried all he could to earn favor with his family, to be loved by them, but no one cared. Because his family didn’t care about him, and he had no “purpose” in existing except as an obstacle to the heir to the throne, others often ignored him as well to not risk showing favor and appearing to side with him against the current forerunners to the crown. Acting out and creating mischief that the royal family couldn’t ignore was the only way for Joseph to get people to pay attention to him.

Unfortunately, Joseph pushed his luck one too many times. He ignored a family member’s warning that it would be best if he lived as a dead rat, forgotten and unseen. An assassin struck in the guise of a tutor during one of his lessons. He barely escaped, but uncovered a terrible truth. The family he always hoped might someday truly see him and love him had been behind the assassination attempt. How many members of his family were involved in the plot, he never knew for sure, but their indifference and disdain for him left him with no one he could trust.

The unwanted prince was then forced to flee the kingdom, never to return. Joseph lived as a wanderer, hiding his identity. He changed his appearance as much as he could, even stealing a potion from a wizard once. Sadly, the potion he stole could only change his hair from brown to blue, but it was better than nothing, and he quickly grew fond of the look.

Yes, blue hair is something natural in this setting. This is a fantasy world where dragons and magic exist after all. We can have people with anime hair and eye colors. ;3

The unwanted prince learned the ways of the world firsthand and took many names as he drifted along like the wind. No longer a spoiled prince, he learned how to put on a smile, to placate people instead of antagonize them. He was still alone, forced to be a wanderer until he was far, far away from his homeland, but eventually he tried to set up roots. There, he took a humble job as a jester for a noble, hoping that maybe he could find a new life, one where he could be seen and loved.

Fortune smiled on Jack, as more and more people came to watch his shows, and he earned the stage name of Sunny Day Jack. His performances with silly jokes and stories with sound moral lessons delighted the children. Nobility took notice of him, and he started to make real connections and a real life for himself in this distant land. The lord ruling over the country even eventually took notice of him, a rich and powerful ruler that could afford to throw plenty of gold this entertaining jester’s way… provided he was always entertaining.

Sadly, his good fortune was not to last. Jack got too much attention from the nobility, and a traveler familiar with his homeland took notice of how eerily similar the jester looked to the lost prince.

Word eventually got back to those who saw Prince Joseph, however unwanted and overlooked he may have been, as a risk that could not be accepted. His popularity, however frivolous, made certain people of power nervous that perhaps one day he might return and lay claim to the throne of his homeland.

It was during a performance that the world came crashing down around Sunny Day Jack. The lord that favored him and helped him most with his fame and acclaim had betrayed him to his homeland in exchange for more riches. The trap was sprung as Jack stood before a crowd of hundreds, a sudden accusation ringing out that he was a notorious criminal who had done several heinous acts while the knights of the land came at him in force to arrest him. He barely managed to escape, though not unscathed, his new life destroyed and forever sullied to all who knew his name.

This time the pursuers were relentless. Jack wasn’t known here as a prince in this foreign land. There was no one who would show even a token loyalty to his royal blood and aid him. He was now a heinous criminal, wanted dead or alive, with none willing to give him shelter. There was no way for him to use his former name or royal bloodline to gain assistance, as Prince Joseph was long since declared dead.

Jack was a clever man, and a clever man who has nothing left to lose is capable of anything, including mutually assured destruction. His time as a jester wasn’t spent as a simple fool. Though he tried to be sincere when forging his friendships, truly wanting a life of happiness where he could be loved for who he was, he had tasted betrayal once, and it cost him everything but his life. Sadly, he was prepared should this happen again. He learned how to be charming, and he used his appealing and kind nature to learn secrets that might help him one day.

One of these secrets Jack learned was of magic treasure that the lord’s family guarded and exploited for generations. He also learned of a few secret passages in the lord’s castle, which helped him to elude his pursuers. With nearly all the knights put to the task to capture or kill the escaped criminal, this left the castle vault’s security unusually lax. It granted him an opportunity that could save him, or damn them all.

There in the vault was one of a set of golden cuffs, the symbol and pride of the lord’s family, and the very thing that allowed them to take dominion over the land generations ago and rule to this day. These cuffs were said to possess a magic too powerful for any one person to control, so no one dared to wield more than one at a time, but the truth was that if anyone was foolish enough to do so, they would unleash a terrible curse that would doom the land. This was why they were kept separately, for the safety of everyone.

These cuffs have their own history to them, as a fae was tricked into creating them, a bargain for power and a price not yet paid, which was the reason behind their curse. I could ramble on about ideas I have for how they came to be, but their backstory doesn’t really matter to Jack… yet.

Betrayed, branded a criminal, his hopes for a new life dashed to pieces, and everything spiraling out of control, Jack managed to break into the vault and steal the golden cuff hidden there. Before word of the theft could spread, Jack repaid the lord for his betrayal, launching a surprise attack and stealing the other cuff before it could be used by the lord to fight back against him.

With the power of both of the golden cuffs, Jack defeated all the knights that came for him, but the power he used went out of control as the curse took hold. The power was too much for a human’s body to contain, so it changed him into a fierce creature that was made of magic, a dragon.

The land around him changed as well, the natural ley lines of magic in the land exploding out in all directions and birthing all sorts of monsters from cracks in the earth. It was chaos, and those that could fled. It was a terrible night of horrors so great that survivors who witnessed the apocalyptic destruction dared not speak of it. Over time, the plants in this tainted land grew strange from the saturation of magic, and what few animals that braved to remain in this twisted land were changed as well. The land, once prosperous and full of smiles and laughter, became a dark and foreboding place where humans refused to linger long, for fear that they too would be cursed and forever changed.

Years passed, and with the survivors refusing to speak of what happened, all traces of what happened the night the kingdom fell were lost to history. The name of the country was lost as well. The place was only known as the dark woods now, named for its twisted features and the heavy clouds that covered the land and hid it from the sun. Speculation of its creation sprang up over the years, the details growing more fanciful from storyteller to storyteller until it became only myths. The closest to the truth was that the fae had regained the land and turned it wild, which, in a way, they had when a clever but desperate prince turned fool unleashed the fae’s curse that had long been kept at bay.

What happened to that foolish prince? The curse kept him bound to the heart of the land, making it nearly impossible for him to stray far from the castle where he unleashed the curse. The more he struggled to escape, the more ways the curse would manifest to bind him to the land, chains erupting from the ground to hold him, thorns of an unnatural, cold substance blotting out the sky, monsters birthing from the land to hold him back and inflict pain on him until he could no longer fight back.

Jack had become a powerful dragon, but his power came from the very curse that turned the land into his own personal hell. His body was warped, a scaled monster with wings and horns, terrifying to behold. Those who saw him would flee his presence, save for those that tried to slay the beast that legend has it is the heart of the curse.

The dragon of the dark woods, unnamed and feared by all, was known as the master of the dark woods, dangerous and cunning. Adventurers that dare risk going into the cursed land for its materials rich in magic are wary of the great and powerful beast. Its scales gleamed of fire, its eyes spoke of endless hunger, and its power was unmatched. None could hope to slay this beast, and all who tried all failed, for only the curse itself is more powerful than the beast it created.

Despite it all, Jack struggled to hold onto his humanity. He read every book in the castle, every scroll and scrap of paper, desperate to learn the way to undo this curse he unleashed. Naturally, this was difficult for him to do with giant claws, but unfortunately for the former prince, he had nothing but time to learn how to use his altered body.

As the world forgot about the lost prince, the sunny jester, and the awful day an entire kingdom fell along with the names of all three, Jack started to forget his humanity bit by bit. He didn’t learn how to break the curse, but he did learn of other magical artifacts that had been gathered in the castle long ago, including an enchanted belt that would allow him to change his form into whatever he pleased. He used it to become a “human,” but by that point he didn’t quite remember what he used to look like. The passing years eroded his memory of humanity, and he had gotten used to his imposing dragon body. The result was a form that was a mishmash of both, a humanoid man with scales, a tail, wings, claws on his hands and feet, pointed ears and fangs, with horns and blue hair.

Jack might have started to forget things over the years of solitude, but he was at least certain that he had blue hair when he was still human.

Funny enough, no matter how large or small Jack became thanks to the magic of the belt, the golden cuffs remained fastened to his wrists. The curse wouldn’t allow them to be removed, only warp in size and shape to match whatever form his body took. Even if he were to, say, transform into a copy of a different person to fool someone, his golden cuffs would give away the ruse.

When Jack learned how to transform back into a “human,” he went through the motions of being a human in his empty castle filled with riches that were all but useless to him. He wore clothes again, even learned how to alter the fancy clothes left behind to suit his tastes. He learned how to cook the strange plants and animals of this cursed land. He no longer had any need to eat due to the magic of the land sustaining his flesh, but food still tasted good, and there was some satisfaction to be had from creating something. He kept himself sane with what hobbies he could, learning new things, but he could never learn how he could free himself from his lonely hell.

The presence of adventurers into the heart of his land was both a blessing and a curse. It was rare that it happened, and in fact it was several years after the land changed that anyone dared to venture into the dark woods for fear of being cursed for doing so. It was years more before they found its master at the heart of the cursed land.

At first, Jack was elated. He tried his best to be friendly, overly so, desperate for company and help, but this was before he found the belt that made him at least passably human. It had been so long since he had been around another human that he hadn’t tried to speak, and with his draconic muzzle, all that came out were terrible growls and unholy noises. The adventurers that found him only saw a great horned beast with claws and fangs, another monster to slay for materials, riches, and acclaim.

Jack never wanted to kill anyone. He learned to fight when he had to, though he tried to avoid killing if he could. Unfortunately, when he unleashed the curse, people perished in the chaos, much to his dismay. Though he tried to approach these adventurers peacefully, he would not allow them to cause him further suffering. His power was so great that it was difficult to hold back, so the damage he could cause was severe. He would let those who fought him live if he could, allowing them to flee, but none saw this as a mercy. He became a nightmare spoken in hushed whispers, a challenge for adventurers to overcome, rather than a lost soul desperate to be free.

In a twisted way, over time Jack started to look forward to anyone brave enough to venture into the heart of the dark woods, even if the result was always violence. It was always a rare thing due to the intense danger of the dark woods. Certainly, they would always try to kill him, but at least he got to spend time with another human being! Being alone messes with a person’s mind, especially for such a long time. Humans are pack animals not meant for solitude.

Sometimes these adventurers would leave stuff behind, and Jack kept them. Dragons have an instinct to horde, and the castle is already filled with treasure. Plus they were reminders that humans were still out there and that someday, hopefully, he’d join them as one of them once again.

Jack tried his best to learn how to talk with his new body, to sound friendly instead of fierce. Unfortunately, oftentimes he found himself getting the opposite result, the words coming out of his muzzle sounding strange and uncanny, which only added to the nightmarish legend of the master of the dark woods.

Every encounter with Jack was a battle more fierce than the last, and the dragon’s legend only grew. His attempts to follow after the humans who fled from him led to the land itself stopping him, and others would be caught in the crossfire. To Jack, the humans that came to visit him were his only hope, and he would struggle harder against the curse to escape, to be with them. This made the curse fight back even harder in more brutal ways, summoning worse monsters. Soon the heart of the dark woods was known as a hellish place, where the land itself would turn against you if you tried to escape its brutal master that hunted you relentlessly.

Over the years, humans adapted, as they often do. Adventurers learned to stick with the outer fringes of the dark woods to harvest materials. It was the least dangerous, relatively speaking, and what could be gained deeper in was not worth the cost, especially if they strayed to the heart of the land where its terrible master lay in wait for any poor soul to enter.

It’s been a long, long time since Jack has seen another human, and he’s slowly going insane from solitude. He does what he can to distract himself or escape, trying desperately to hold onto his humanity, but it erodes bit by bit with each passing year. Even gaining the ability to transform into a “human” form hasn’t stopped his ever steady decline into madness. He fears that one day he might lose his humanity completely and become the mindless monster that those who fought him believed him to be.

Perhaps all that Jack and the dark woods need to heal is a little bit of sunshine.

Beyond the Dark Woods

Outside the fringes of the cursed land, time marched on. Years went by, rulers came and went, borders changed as land was annexed or reverted to wilderness. A lot can happen over the decades, especially in a fantasy world filled with magic, monsters, and mischievous fae.

How long Jack was trapped alone in the dark woods is a mystery. Maybe it’s 40 years, or perhaps a lot longer than that.

Regardless, the homeland that once had a lost prince named Joseph is still around, a relatively stable country all things considered. In fact, it had grown over the years thanks to annexing land from other countries that had been weakened by the results of the curse. Monsters often wandered out of the dark woods, putting nearby villages in danger and impressing the need for more adventurers to cull the monsters that threatened human life. What was once a kingdom had grown into an empire, growing prosperous with its many strong knights and adventurers, though like any place, it had its own share of problems.

But enough politics, let’s get into the other characters, shall we?

MC is a knight, as demonstrated by the lovely Thea in Mars’ art. Well… they aspire to be a knight anyway. Bullshit politics have kept them as a squire to a knight of higher nobility since they were a teenager. It’s been over 10 years already! How much longer do they have to wait to become a knight? They’re sick of having to polish and shine Barry’s armor, and if they have to scrub his codpiece one more time…

Yup, Barry is a knight in this AU, though only technically. Nobility sometimes get granted a knight title for some reason or another, usually as a token to honor them and/or their families. These nobles usually were just knights in name only, parading around as if they’re this grand figure when other knights did the real battling. They can play the hero without ever actually having to go into battle and send squires to do the menial work for them.

In a sense, Barry is a rich man who bought a title because it was cool, and he makes a big show of it. It’s pretty much a vanity project, and a way to increase his clout to maybe move up in the ranks of nobility. He has MC announce his presence grandly, something just as over the top as the greeting to Yogurtopia. Perhaps something like… “Announcing the great, honorable, and very handsome and still very single and looking for a bride, Sir Barry of [insert surname here].” Or something like that, maybe with his noble title thrown in there for good measure. Maybe he could insist his squire plays a horn first…

Man, even with a proclamation heralding Barry wherever he goes, no one is interested in him. He hasn’t had a date in way too long. Maybe he needs his armor to be polished a little brighter.

While MC isn’t Barry’s only squire, they are the one often left doing the work, as other squires slack off or wind up getting elevated to knight despite being younger than MC is. It’s understandably really, really frustrating for MC. They come from a lesser noble house, just barely above a commoner, so they’re an easy mark for any higher ranked noble to rub the power difference in their face.

Really, it’s all enough to make MC consider quitting to become an adventurer. Sure, adventurers are basically mercenaries for hire at the guild and the jobs can be infrequent, and money can be hard to come by, but… Ah, who are they kidding? The squire job might suck, but at least they get the security of steady pay, regular meals, a place to sleep, mild prestige, and they don’t have to go camping in the woods for days on end hunting some specific monster or harvesting a certain number of rare herbs.

Besides, MC admires the knights (aside from Barry). Their best friend became a knight a few years ago, lucky dog. Still, Shaun didn’t rub it in their face like the pal he is. Shaun looks so regal in his shiny silvery armor, even having it adorned with pretty badass etchings and other decorations. There’s a very feline feeling to it as well, since cat daddy has to be cat knight in this AU. Hey, I don’t make the rules.

…Oh, wait. :3c

Anyway, the other knights can be pretty cool as well. There’s this one knight who has been friendly, though MC doesn’t know his name yet. The guy acts strangely shy when they’re around, which is confusing to them. They’re just a squire after all, not a cool knight in studded leather armor like him.

Poor Nick has a crush on MC in this universe too and is pretty tongue tied around them. MC might still be a squire, but there’s just something about them that lights up a room. Their spirit isn’t crushed despite the fact that they should’ve been a knight years ago. He envies how easily Sir Shaun can chat with them.

Of course, Shaun is in the same boat as Nick, in that he also has a crush on MC and can be pretty clumsy with how he tries to express it. Still, in spite of this, he would have tried to see if they could be something more if not for a certain scandal that happened.

The reason why MC is still a squire, or at least one of the biggest reasons, is because of rumors that they were the secret lover of Prince Ian, the current heir to the throne.

Of course, given that MC is barely above a commoner, the idea of them getting together with the crown prince is scandalous. They got to know each other as children, with MC serving as a page to play with the young prince. When the queen caught wind that the prince saw them as anything more than a playmate in their teen years, their relationship got exceedingly strained.

Ian is in love with MC, and they felt the same, at least at one point. All the time they spent together while growing up led to fondness, then sweet first love. Unfortunately, they knew early on how their different stations meant that the chances of them being together were almost non-existent. This led to a lot of mutual pining, moments where they were tempted to act on their feelings, and some secret encounters between the two.

In spite of the queen’s interference separating them, MC and Ian saw each other in secret as much as they could. They started a forbidden romance together, and the two of them convinced themselves that maybe, somehow, they could defy the odds.

But the weight of the crown hangs heavy on the head. As Ian was swept up in his duties and the time he would be crowned as king drew ever closer, he had less and less time to spend with MC. His mother’s interference certainly didn’t help, especially since she was trying to get him engaged to a high ranked noble woman to ensure that he would be able to sire the next generation of royalty.

While yes this fantasy world is far more open with gender expression and loving others regardless of gender, nobles tend to be uptight when it comes to making sure their bloodline and power continues. Plus Ian’s mom is still abusive and controlling of her son in this universe too, and she uses not only religion to bully Ian but politics and duty as well. As queen, she has a lot more power too, and a lot more flying monkeys to spy on her son and interfere.

In a way, it’s lucky that the queen hasn’t decided that MC is a threat that must be entirely eliminated at all costs. No assassination plots… yet. Mostly it’s interference and petty revenge by forcing MC to remain a squire instead of a knight. She could throw MC out, but then how can she occasionally be petty if MC never comes to the palace? MC might be Barry’s squire, but everyone follows the queen’s orders, and a narcissist needs attention and others to bow down to them.

Unfortunately, the queen’s schemes did succeed. Ian, in a moment of weakness, fell for the seductive charms of one of his potential fiancees. He felt awful for betraying MC, to the point that he had to see them despite the risk of his mother catching them, so that he could confess what he had done and beg for forgiveness.

MC’s heart was broken, but what was worse was that it became a huge scandal. Someone had seen Ian’s confession and begging, and soon word spread like wildfire. Now everyone knew that they had secretly been lovers and that the prince was begging a mere squire for forgiveness. Ian’s reputation took a hit, while MC’s outright tanked due to the scandal, and things became much harder for them, and people have been keeping their distance from the squire that dared think they could become a future king’s consort.

Since then, MC has kept their distance from Ian as much as possible, and Ian, reluctantly, has given them space, knowing that he’s messed everything up for them. But… when he’s king, not even his mother will be able to stop them from being together. When he’s king, he’ll be able to fix everything. He just has to do what he can to make sure that happens. Then he and MC can finally be together in the open, stations be damned! Then he can truly make amends and be forgiven for what he’s done.

Shaun was there to support MC with their broken heart. While his becoming a knight has put a bit of distance between them, as he has more duties to attend to, including being sent away on missions for the country, he makes sure to keep in touch and meet up with them as best he can. Anyone who dares to say a bad word about MC in front of him is getting this cat’s claws.

Nick is no stranger to scandals. He’s basically the most popular knight in the realm, with countless admirers. Perhaps they could offer MC a word or two on how to deal with so much unwanted attention and rumors rumbling in the background.

A Squire’s Quest

Now, how does Jack factor into MC’s life without a compelling VHS tape to tie them together? Well, the instigating factor in this universe is that a thief made off with an important treasure, and Barry the knight was tasked with retrieving it. As Barry’s squire, MC was compelled to come with him to assist, which usually meant doing 99% of the work if there were no other squires with them at the time with Barry taking all the credit. But don’t worry, he only does it because he knows they’ll do a good job at it, and it just shows that they’re one step closer to becoming a true knight!

After traveling quite a ways, tracking down the thief (with MC doing most of the work picking up the trail in the first place), the pair realize that the thief went into the infamous dark woods.

Well, that’s not good. Sure there are areas that have been explored for materials, but still… the cursed land is quite dangerous. Barry decided that the best way to divide the work is for MC to continue to follow the thief’s trail, as they were better at tracking, and he, being much better at supervising and dealing with people, would see if anyone nearby could get information about what the thief might have been after, maybe set up a trap that MC could chase the thief into.

MC had to seriously consider their life choices up until this point, but if they quit now, that meant kissing goodbye to the stability they had going for them. Also, it’d probably bring dishonor to their name, maybe damage their lineage permanently, and so on and so forth.

Well, if they quit to become an adventurer, they’d have to do stupid things like trek through the dark woods anyway. Besides, the thief already stole a national treasure, which meant they weren’t stupid enough to go hunting for the invincible dragon guarding the heart of the forest, right? Sure there’s rumors that maybe the dragon guards the greatest treasure of all, but no way the thief is that dumb. No one’s actually ever seen any real treasure, or have a consensus on what the supposed greatest treasure is actually supposed to be.

After a hard internal debate, MC ultimately decides to brave the dark woods, tracking the thief stealthily. They may only be a squire, but they would probably be the greatest knight in the kingdom if not for politics. Their exact combat style is up to interpretation and personal preference, but they’re no stranger to slaying powerful monsters. They’re also used to Barry giving them unreasonable demands like this one.

And, hey, at least they’re not mortifying themselves by singing Barry’s praises when he enters a room while they’re busy with this stupid quest. That’s got to count for something, right?

Right?

Yeeeahh, okay, MC is obviously just lying to themselves and they know it, but damned if they do, damned if they don’t. They swear to themselves that they’ll only go as far as the hunting expeditions usually travel into the forest. If the thief really is stupid enough to go to the dragon’s lair, MC will just circle back and just tell Barry that the dragon probably just killed the thief, or something. No way they’re going to risk getting eaten by an unstoppable dragon.

These thoughts are a small comfort as MC follows the thief’s trail. Occasionally they have to fight magic-tainted plants or monsters. Their skill shines despite the dark gloom of cursed woods. They even get some nice materials they can sell for some extra cash. Maybe being an adventurer wouldn’t be too bad a gig after all…

Just then the loud noise breaks the eerie calm. Some sort of explosion. Magic? Fireworks? Regardless of what it was, it riled up something. That something is big, nasty, and charging right at them! In fact, it’s a lot of somethings! A pack of creatures got aggravated, and MC is forced to run!

Now, was this a natural occurrence? A bit of misfortune? Did the thief make a false trail to trick MC into going on ahead while they secretly doubled back and used a small explosion to make the monsters go nuts on MC while they used the commotion as a cover to make their escape?

Perhaps. Perhaps. MC certainly isn’t in a situation to figure out which of these possibilities it was at the moment though, as they’re too busy running for their life, inwardly cursing Barry, the queen, the thief, and anyone else that annoyed them lately. If they knew they would die today, they wouldn’t have held back last week when that one jerk stole their cinnamon roll. They would’ve at least had the satisfaction of telling them off for it!

Sarcasm and sass are a good way to cope, but MC knows full well the gravity of their situation. They quickly lose the trail back the way they came, forced to do battle with creatures that are in their path while avoiding being overwhelmed by being so outnumbered. It’s only through a mixture of skill and sheer dumb luck that they manage to survive.

And by dumb luck, I mean that they fell into a catacomb through a ruined ceiling that was keeping it hidden underground.

Well, shit. From bad to worse, right?

Nothing for it, MC is forced to find a way out of the catacombs, then somehow find a way to leave the dark woods without another group of monsters going aggro on them.

Piece of cake. Noooo problem. They just have to avoid the castle at the center of the dark woods that the dragon supposedly uses as its lair, and they’re fine. An old crypt with some undead ready to pop out is better than an unstoppable dragon. Right?

As you may have guessed, MC is, in fact, going in the direction of our lonely dragon prince. Is it just bad luck? Is it some sort of intuition or instinct drawing them to Jack? Are they bound together by fate? Is it some sort of spell Jack has cast that compels humans to seek him out because it’s been forever since a human came by, and he’s desperate for both company and freedom? Maybe some combination of these things or something else entirely. Who’s to say~? It’s up to interpretation/personal headcanon~

In any case, MC is very taken aback when they meet Jack face to face for the first time, as is Jack really. It’s been so long since he’s seen someone. A part of him wonders if MC is actually real. When they get defensive and try to figure out who or what he is, he does his best to placate them, even if they might have their weapon out and ready for battle.

Jack puts his best foot forward, being friendly and welcoming. He invites MC to his home. They look exhausted and like they’ve had a hard time. MC isn’t exactly trusting this at face value, being very guarded about the whole exchange despite how cheerful and friendly this man with wings and horns is being. He’s also getting dangerously close. Should they try to use their weapon to ward him off, like Thea might have done with her sword, Jack is skilled enough in combat by this point to easily redirect her sword with his claws.

Oops, that put Thea off balance. Don’t worry, her new pal Jack is quick to catch her before she takes a tumble.

“Careful, we wouldn’t want you getting hurt, would we?” Jack said, his tone playful.

Despite MC’s skills, they are hopelessly outmatched by Jack. He has far more experience with combat, and he has the insane powers that the curse granted him.

Of course, MC is pretty quick to put together that Jack is the invincible dragon that rules the dark woods, which means that they’re utterly screwed. Strangely enough, Jack isn’t really acting like the monster people whisper about. It’s almost enough to make MC wonder if they aren’t mistaken, but the dragon features and his overwhelming strength kind of gives it away. The fact that Jack brings MC back to his castle pretty much seals the deal.

So MC is stuck as a guest with Jack. The dark woods are too dangerous for humans to wander around alone, especially at the heart of the forest. He’s curious about MC and why they would take such a risk, very concerned by their recklessness. Why were they there?

It’s an awkward situation, but MC has no choice but to play along. How much they resist or comply depends on the MC. I figure Jack indulges even a very resistant MC due to how lonely he’s been. He can easily disarm any attempts to attack him or thwart them from getting away, so they pose no threat. He has all the time in the world to convince MC to lower their guard.

And Jack is just so… so nice. It’s hard not to find him charming. He seems so concerned about MC, and they’ve been having such a hard time with, well… everything. The castle, despite being old, has been maintained decently well. The rooms are decorated so nicely, filled with clothes for them to wear, and the food Jack makes is fantastic. Holy crap, his cooking is out of this world!

Really, the longer MC stays there, the more it seems like there’s nothing Jack can’t do, and their stay is kind of like a vacation in ways. Given how much time he’s had to teach himself new things, it’s no wonder he has become something of a jack-of-all-trades.

I make no apologies for that pun.

Here then comes the classic conundrum when it comes to Jack - does MC fall for his charms, or remain suspicious and hold him at arm’s length? They’ve been feeling pretty lonely and beaten down by life for a while now, and Jack seems almost too good to be true. It’s not like he’s keeping them captive, but they’re in the heart of the dark woods. Outside this castle are some of the worst, most dangerous monsters imaginable. Jack can protect MC if they stay there in the castle with him, but he can’t go very far from the castle, so he can’t help them leave the woods. That is why he’s keeping them from leaving the castle. You know, aside from not wanting to lose the only company he’s had in so many years.

Jack is right about the danger, unfortunately. Whether MC tries to slip away from the castle or just scopes out the surroundings via a window, they find that it’s surrounded by monsters far too dangerous for them to handle alone. There’s no way they could make it, and if they tried, they’d only survive thanks to Jack coming to their rescue.

Of course, Jack acknowledges that MC is powerful. He saw them try to attack him if he did, or he just can tell in simply because they made it all this way on their own. It’s just, well, there’s only so much anyone can do on their own. Sometimes we all need a friend to help us out.

If Jack could leave, then he could help MC leave too, but he’s stuck in the castle. He’s been there for such a long, long time.

Whether his tragic plight is enough to make MC sympathize is, of course, up to the individual. I do know my gal Alice is going to want to help him after hearing him out. Being trapped in this awful place by a curse is a fate she wouldn’t wish on anybody.

Not to mention helping Jack would help MC leave the dark woods. There’s no threat he can’t handle after all. They’d be getting their own personal dragon bodyguard.

Perhaps with a pair of fresh eyes and more knowledge of the state of the world, MC will have better luck figuring out how to free Jack from the curse. Maybe they’ll just play along to not upset their super powerful host so they can escape. It would certainly take time for MC to really trust Jack, even if he seems so friendly and kind… and, they have to admit, this place is lonely and very unsettling for anyone to stay in, even if Jack has tried his best to make it look nice. It’s certainly creepy to be alone here in the heart of the dark woods. The castle is better than the woods full of monsters, but still…

Anyway, the interactions between MC and Jack are up to the individual to decide. Romance the dragon, or flee from the dragon in the end. Being stuck together can bring a sort of fondness, and Jack falls in love. It makes him determined to never lose MC, ever, so he falls down the yandere path, which can lead to some pretty obsessive moments depending on the choices made.

As for the alternate love interests, after Ian receives word that MC disappeared in the dark woods, he sends knights on a quest to find and rescue them, despite the queen’s interference. This of course includes Shaun and Nick, who are the first to volunteer for the rescue mission. Despite the queen’s meddling, not wanting to waste manpower on a thorn in her side, Ian finally takes a stand against his mother for the sake of MC and their love, and the expedition is sent.

Unbeknownst to the knights, Ian sneaks along with them in disguise. He can’t just sit back and wait while MC is in danger. He can’t let them down a second time. He’ll prove to them, and himself, that he’s truly worthy of their love.

From there it’s trials and tribulations of the guys trying to rescue MC from the dragon… provided that MC still wants to be rescued by the time the guys reach the castle.

Really, in order for all of the love interests to spend time with MC and interact, perhaps Jack will be brought back with them somehow, like he found a loophole in the curse or a way to bind him to MC. That way, Jack can leave the forest, so long as it’s with MC, with the added bonus that he can’t stay too far away from his sunshine. It’d create something of a dynamic similar to the game, only in this case everyone can see Jack and learn that he’s an incredibly dangerous dragon that has the power to kill all of them if he so chooses. Not that he would ever! He’s MC’s best friend after all. He just wants to protect his sunshine.

Though chances are MC will want to hide the whole “dragon” thing if they decide to leave with Jack. Maybe coach him on how to better pass for a human. Best not to scare people, am I right?

Or this AU could just stick in the castle where MC chooses to either romance the dragon or flee the dragon. I know which one Alice is going to choose, regardless if they stay in the castle or go back to civilization.

On that note, let’s get to the part that I suspect you’ve all been really waiting for.

(S)laying the Dragon

With Jack being a mythical creature, that offers possibilities for a very kinky fun time. There’s his obvious features like his sharp teeth and claws, but there’s also those long pointy ears that are perfect for nibbling, and maybe offering a bit of emotional expression in the way they tilt. Then, of course, there’s the tail and wings, perfect to wrap around his sunshine. He’s got even more limbs to hold them close!

Now… dragon anatomy is pretty much whatever we want it to be. Bad Dragon has the name for a reason after all. Want dragons to have two dicks similar to snakes? Go for it. He could still have that while he’s in his “human” form too. In fact, with a belt that allows him to change his shape, he could alter himself in very fun ways. A funky fantasy dick with ridges and/or bumps? Perhaps some tentacles anybody?

I mean, Jack has been alone for a long, long time. He’s only had himself to entertain and experiment with. He might have some very kinky tricks that no one has ever tried before.

To be fair, the tail is probably prehensile, so it might be able to be used like a tentacle for sexy times. He might not even need a second dick to plug up all of MC’s holes at once.

Dragons tend to have long tongues, so french kissing Jack is going to be intense, especially if it’s forked too. Then of course there’s oral. Naturally, he’ll be careful with those sharp teeth of his. Well, unless MC is into something a little rougher. Jack doesn’t want to hurt his sunshine (humans are so fragile after all), but if they like a little pain, well, their good old pal Jack will oblige them!

In my personal fantasy headcanons, pointy ears and the base of wings and tails are sensitive erogenous zones. Nibble on Jack’s ears, please! Preen his wings and make him feel loved and cared for. Rub at the base of his tail, and he’ll get hard instantly.

The scales might be harder than armor, but they’re nice and smooth, and have a nice feel. Jack has some control on just how hard or soft his body is at a time due to the belt’s power. Unless otherwise requested, Jack is very gentle with his sunshine, worried about going too rough due to how easy it was for him to hurt others.

Of course… Jack is also so desperately lonely and horny. MC’s presence has been his only bright spot in so long, and he loves them so much. When they love him too… well, it was already so hard for him to hold himself back. It wouldn’t be that difficult to rile him up and make him start to lose control, struggling to hold back his power even as he tosses MC around and takes them.

Naturally, many of my personal sexy headcanons for Jack apply in this AU. This includes a breeding/seeding kink. It’s a bit more pronounced here. If MC has his child then they’ll never ever leave him after all, and they’ll be bound together forever and ever and ever. Even if a child is off the table, the act of breeding/seeding alone is enticing, making them beg him to take them and fill them up with his hot cum is something that he fantasizes about often.

Of course, Jack doesn’t simply want sex with MC, he wants to make love. They make him feel truly loved for the first time in forever. Did he ever feel so loved before? He wants to experience their love in every way he can, fill them up with it until he’s a part of them forever.

Jack won’t ever force his sunshine, no matter how desperate he is for their love or to make love. He’ll go crazy with need, but always hold himself back if they need him to. As long as they love him, he can take care of himself sexually like he always has. He’s just been so empty, alone, and unloved for so long. MC fills them up with love in a way that he can’t live without anymore.

Naturally, when the pair do start making love, Jack can’t get enough, and his stamina is insane. MC is without a doubt going to be the one passing out first after they’ve been fucked senseless with Jack thrusting inside them, babbling how much he loves them and how good they make him feel. The more they go on, the more feral for their love Jack becomes. He’s needed his sunshine so, so badly, and now that he has them and their love, he can’t live without them anymore.

Of course, with a dragon AU and a shapeshifting ability, you can get really creative. For one thing there’s his full dragon form, which would be a giant compared to MC. Size difference anyone? Plus the exact details of how Jack looks in his dragon form could offer interesting possibilities of its own.

Then of course there’s even more furry-related kinks like oviposition or stuff like that. It's not for me personally, but I can imagine Jack would be open to experimentation and indulging in MC’s kinks, even the more outrageous ones. After all, it’s all just more ways to show just how much he loves his sunshine~

You best believe Jack has a predplay kink in this universe. He can smell MC and track them down easily. If that doesn’t work, there’s all sorts of magic he’s learned over the years that can do the trick. Of course he doesn’t want to scare MC, but when it’s good fun, it can lead to a delightfully spicy time~

While I’m on the topic of Jack smelling MC, he is addicted to their scent. The smell of their pheromones easily riles him up, practically sending him into rut like an alpha from Omegaverse!

Naturally, since Jack is a dragon, he has a horde. The castle was loaded with treasure, and it is pretty and shiny. It looks nice all piled together, maybe even neatly decorated. No doubt he’ll want to make love to his sunshine atop a pile of shiny gold coins and jewels, though he’ll make sure that he’s on the bottom so they don’t get jabbed by the hard edges… unless they’d like that, of course.

Of course, the true treasure Jack is hoarding in his lair would be MC. Gold and jewels are nice, but they don’t hold a candle to the love of his sunshine~

Wow. I think this is the longest headcanon post I’ve ever made while sticking with neutral MCs for the most part. I think I’m long overdue to shamelessly self-indulge with my OTP. Let’s see how Alice’s choices will affect this AU and how events unfold, shall we?

Lady Alice of House Rose

Naturally, Alice can’t have the surname of King in a setting like this, so I’m going to use her middle name as the house name.

Fun fact, Rose is the middle name for Barbie and Coraline too!

Yes, that means Barbie’s full name is Barbara Anne Rose King.

Yes. Yes, that pun was indeed intentional.

No, I will not apologize. Her name was picked to be a pun in the first place after all. ;3

Anyway, back to Alice. Being the eldest child, she has the responsibility to elevate the status of her household. Not only are they barely nobility, but their finances aren’t in the best shape. She needs money to help her family, and the honor of being a knight in hopes of gaining a better title.

It’s a shame that the queen doesn’t care for Alice and she’s been stuck as a squire way longer than is reasonable.

Alice knew that it would be impossible for her to marry a prince like Ian, no matter how kind he was, or how close they were. She couldn’t avoid falling for him though. It made her more determined to earn a better title, to make something of herself and earn acclaim. Maybe if she became the greatest knight in the kingdom, maybe she can prove herself worthy of royal consort and be with Ian as his wife one day.

Alice busted her ass trying to be a knight despite all the rough training and being forced to work menial, often degrading tasks as a squire. The weapons she specializes in are the bow and magic, combining the two to devastating effect. She’s also very good at keeping quiet and being stealthy.

In this universe, Alice never had sex with Ian. Although this fantasy setting is more open about sex before marriage, the gap between her and Ian was so wide, she didn’t want to risk doing anything that might ruin their chances of being together. That’s why finding out he cheated broke her heart, regardless of them being physically intimate together. Worse, his outburst when he begged her for forgiveness made it sound like they had been sleeping together to those who overheard, and the rumors were very unkind to the two of them, Alice especially.

Ian cheating proved to Alice that she was only fooling herself that they could be together. Their worlds were too far apart. Ian was to be king someday and she… well, maybe she’ll reach the title of Baroness. Though Ian begged for forgiveness, and Alice gave it to him, she couldn’t go back to the way they were. Advice from Shaun and others helped her see that it was best for everyone involved that she simply remain as the loyal (future) knight and Prince Ian as only her liege.

Let’s skip ahead to the mission to catch the thief in the dark woods. Alice’s best means of combat is the stealth kill. She sneaks quietly, sets up magic traps, fires arrows when the enemy is unaware, and in general takes her time to take her enemy at her own advantage. She actually works pretty well as a solo fighter due to being so stealthy. Though she is good at hand to hand combat if need be, she prefers to strike before her enemy realizes she’s there, and she’s amazing at her skills. Why, if she put her mind to it, she could be a skilled assassin. (Or in another world, a sniper.)

The horde of monsters the thief set off to charge after Alice was almost her undoing. By the time she fell into the catacombs, she passed out from exhaustion, having drained her mana dry. She might have been doomed if a monster came upon her then, but fortunately the master of the dark woods found her in time.

Alice was pretty darn shocked to wake up in a surprisingly fluffy bed, with her armor removed. Not all of it fortunately. She had her modesty protected and her softer clothes still on, but the uncomfortable hard outer plates were removed so that she could sleep peacefully. Jack was apologetic about removing any part of her clothes without asking, even blushing about it, but he didn’t want her to be uncomfortable while she recovered.

Needless to say, Alice is wary of Jack at first, but he did save her life. She does piece together that he’s the dragon pretty quickly and is naturally wary, deciding that the best course of action is to rest up, heal, and carefully get information from the legendary master of the dark woods.

The rumors and legends are so varied, it’s hard to know what exactly is the truth. The dragon of the dark woods doesn’t even have a name, and some of the tales are clearly exaggerations. Since Jack is showing himself to be surprisingly friendly, and he saved Alice from certain death, she decided to trust him… at least enough to remain civil and learn more about him, the castle, and the dark woods.

After asking many questions and getting as much information as Jack can give her (though much of it is confusing due to how rusty he is with socializing), Alice agrees to help him find a way to break his curse. She’s taking a risk, but if she leaves the castle on her own, she’ll die. If she stays, she can keep an eye on Jack to see if he’s really as good and gentle as he presents himself to be. If she has to, she’ll find a way to escape without him if she gets the sense that he’s using her to escape the forest in order to conquer the world or something.

Being very good at sneaking, Alice does slip away to search around the castle for answers on her own as much as possible. However, Jack can’t stand the idea of losing track of her, and all it took was one time of losing track of her for him to leave a magic tracker on her discreetly so he can find her wherever she goes - for her own safety of course! He can’t stand to be far from her. He has to give her time to herself, since if he leaves her with no privacy she won’t trust him, but it’s so hard to stay away. He’s so lonely.

At first Jack’s feelings for Alice are platonic, just a lonely man in desperate need of friendship, but over the time they spend together, getting to know one another, he falls in love and falls hard. Alice, naturally, takes much longer to fall after her relationship with Ian fell apart. At first, Jack is someone she can’t quite trust because he’s a stranger, then she is cautious because he’s a powerful dragon with many unflattering legends about the monster that he is, then it’s concern for the power imbalance between them… but eventually she sees that he’s just a lonely, sweet dork who just wants a friend.

Of course, Alice won’t realize he wants much more than friendship until later. Jack doesn’t want to scare her away after all.

I don’t think Shaun, Nick, and Ian are just going to sit back and wait long to try and find her, but I want to give Alice and Jack plenty of alone time, so I’m going to go with the idea that when humans come deep into the heart of the woods, at first Jack is excited. More friends! Then he becomes fearful when he realizes they’re looking for Alice. They want to take his sunshine away. She’ll leave him, forever!

Well, that won’t do. Jack doesn’t want to hurt them, but he can just make it difficult to find the castle. Maybe use the power of the cursed land to rearrange the forest when the search party isn’t looking, mix them up so that they find themselves suddenly outside the woods. Jack might not be able to leave due to the curse, but he’s not known as master of the dark woods for nothing. He can wield the golden cuffs’ power however he likes, just he can never leave.

Jack just needs to divert them long enough that they give up and leave, or he can find a way to escape with his sunshine’s help. Alice knows many interesting spells, being very creative with magic in ways that he never thought of before, and she knows of things that he doesn’t due to coming from outside the woods. With her help, he is able to figure out a way to free himself from his imprisonment… provided that he remains close to his sunshine. It’s more of a change in the curse than an actual cure for it, but it’s a vast improvement! He can leave the dark woods! Finally! At long last! He can converse with more people! He can make friends! He won’t have to be left alone and forgotten in the dark anymore!

Of course, Alice helps Jack prepare to be around people by helping him refine his “human” form. People aren’t going to understand that the deadly dragon of the dark woods is really just a sweet marshmallow, practically a giant cuddly puppy in human-ish form! When Jack can master looking properly human, they can come up with a cover story that he was a wanderer that found her lost in the woods and helped her until she could get back home. It’s not a lie technically. He used to be a wanderer after all, and everything else is true. He’s been nothing but helpful to his sunshine~

So Alice has to hide the secret of her new dragon friend, who has made it his mission to win her heart. Jack is willing to wait for her to be ready to love him the way that he loves her, even if the wait drives him crazy, but he’s very territorial, not liking the way the other guys look at her. However, Alice does notice his more possessive behaviors even as he tries to remain subtle about them, and she makes sure to keep her new “pet” dragon on a tight leash. Jack is fine with that so long as it means he’ll stay close to his sunshine.

I’m going to say that the change to the curse to bind them together does cause an empathy connection because I really love empath magic. Plus, allowing the pair to feel each other’s emotions and even pleasure and pain is very intimate. When Alice realizes they now can sense each other’s pain as a result of what she did, Jack makes it clear that he’ll do whatever it takes to keep her safe so that she won’t have to experience any pain. He’ll promises to protect her for the rest of his life.

Of course, such a declaration leaves Alice feeling rather flustered. ;3

Overall, it is a bit more of a slow burn than Sunshine in Hell, but eventually the two of them fall in love, much to the dismay of the rest of the male leads.

Naturally love will overcome the curse, because I am an absolute sucker for happy endings. Jack and Alice will find a way to break the curse and remain together so they can live happily ever after. And make love like rabbits hopped up on viagra.

No, I won’t apologize for that pun either.

It won’t come too easily, of course. There’s plenty of people who aren’t going to be keen to immediately trust Jack, and not just the male leads. He came from out of nowhere, with no known background. Alice’s family is certainly going to be concerned by the stranger that waltzed into her life after her heart was already broken by Ian, especially since by the time they meet Jack, she’s already shown signs of crushing on him. The family is going to need to make sure that this new guy is worth potential heartbreak.

Then of course there’s the whole political aspect of things. This country used to be the very kingdom that Joseph was chased out of many, many years ago. The lost prince is a story that could be uncovered to potentially explosive results.

Why, if Jack had the mind to, he could take back the throne and rule the kingdom that once chased him away… with his sunshine ruling by his side after all.

Will that happen with Alice? Maybe. Maybe she’ll actually become a queen after all, or maybe she’ll just live a simple life with Jack who doesn’t let on that he’s powerful enough to level the whole kingdom. After all, all he truly wants is to be loved, and Alice is sure to give Jack all the love he could ever ask for.

Perhaps that love will wind up with a lot of adorable half-dragon babies running around. Though they could be fully human if Jack does become a human after the curse breaks. I kind of like the idea that Jack is freed of the curse, but he is still a powerful dragon and can still use the belt to have fun with his shape. Plus baby dragons are the cutest and the idea of Jack and Alice’s kids being little dragons with tiny wings and cute pointy ears heals my soul.

…Holy crap this ramble went on for 26 pages. That’s over 11,000 words according to google doc! This must be my longest ramble yet, and that’s saying something! Well, I suppose that’s what happens when a dragon lover makes a dragon AU, haha. Fantasy has always been my jam, and I love playing with magical elements.

Anyway, I’m going to take that as a cue to wrap things up here for now. Let me know what you think about this AU and if you want to hear more about anything in particular. Also, let me know if this post inspires you to create anything of your own and please share it with me! I love it that we can inspire one another to create in this fandom, just like Mars’ lovely art inspired me. I hope I’ve given you a few new fun ideas to play with. Thanks for reading this far!

@channydraws @earthgirlaesthetic @sai-of-the-7-stars @cheriihoney @illary-kore @okamiliqueur

#Sunny Day Jack #Something's Wrong With Sunny Day Jack #SunnyDayJack #sdj #swwsdj #Headcanon Ramblings #Fantasy AU #Dragon AU

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pragerswoman · 2 months ago

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Unexpected

Pairing: Miles X y/n

Warnings: smut, MDNI, Nsfw

A/n: hey hope you guys enjoy sorry I have been quiet my brother just had a baby and I've had my daughter 😌

"Damn it, Miles, keep it together!" Y/n hissed, her eyes narrowed as she piloted the shuttle through the dense alien foliage.

"I'm trying," Miles Quaritch grunted, his hand gripping the armrest so tightly his knuckles turned white. "But something's wrong with me, I can't stop... feeling like this."

The cockpit of the shuttle had tension as Miles' body quivered with an uncontrollable urge, his gaze flicking down to the bulging erection pressing against his tactical pants. The mission was critical, but an unexpected encounter with a native plant had left him in a state of heightened arousal. An aphrodisiac had seeped into his skin through the microscopic thorns of a rogue bush, and now he was a ticking time bomb of desire.

Y/n glanced at him, her own heart racing for reasons beyond the danger of their mission. "We're almost there," she said, trying to keep her voice steady. "Just hold on a little longer."

Miles leaned his head back and groaned, the aphrodisiac coursing through his veins like liquid fire. "I don't think I can," he said, his voice strained. "It's too much."

Y/n bit her lip, weighing their options. They were too close to their target to abort now. But she could see the desperation in Miles' eyes, feel the heat radiating from his body. She knew she had to act, and act fast.

"Alright," she said, her voice a low purr that seemed to echo in the confined space. "But only because we're about to hit the jackpot, and I want you at your best."

With a swift motion, she unbuckled Miles' harness and pushed him down onto the cold metal floor. He looked up at her, his pupils dilated with need. "Y/n," he groaned, his voice thick with lust. "What are you doing?"

"What needs to be done," she replied, a sly smile playing on her lips. She knelt down and unzipped his pants, freeing his raging erection. "Now, be quiet. I need to focus."

Miles' eyes rolled back in his head as y/n's warm, wet mouth engulfed him. Her tongue swirled around his shaft, her teeth grazing gently. He groaned, his hands balling into fists as he fought the urge to thrust into her.

Y/n's eyes never left his face as she worked her magic, her mouth moving with purpose. The sound of her sucking filled the small cabin, the only noise in the otherwise silent shuttle. Miles could feel his orgasm building, his entire body taut with tension.

As the shuttle touched down, y/n pulled away, wiping her mouth. "Better?" she asked, her voice teasing.

Miles nodded, his breath coming in ragged gasps. "Much," he managed to say.

The ramp lowered with a hiss, and the two of them stepped out into the alien landscape. Miles took a deep breath, his senses still heightened from the aphrodisiac. He could smell the musky scent of his own arousal, mingling with the sweet fragrance of the exotic flora.

"Let's move," y/n said, her voice firm. "We've got work to do."

Miles nodded, his thoughts still a whirlwind of desire. As they ventured into the jungle, the aphrodisiac's grip on him didn't lessen. If anything, it grew stronger.

The dense foliage closed in around them as they moved deeper into the jungle. The air was thick with humidity and the calls of unseen creatures echoed through the trees. Miles' erection remained a persistent throb, a constant reminder of the unfulfilled need that still raged within him.

Y/n's eyes never left the path ahead, her senses on high alert for any signs of danger. Despite her professional demeanor, she couldn't help but feel the heat of Miles' gaze on her as he watched her every move, his eyes hungrily devouring her form.

Her own need grew with each step they took, and she knew she wouldn't be able to ignore it for much longer. The aphrodisiac was affecting her too, the scent of his arousal driving her wild. When they reached a small clearing, she turned to him, her voice low and demanding. "Take me now," she said, pulling him into a passionate kiss.

Miles didn't need any further invitation. He yanked her down onto a soft patch of moss, his hands already at the zipper of her suit.

Y/n's moans filled the clearing as he exposed her to the cool air, his mouth finding its way to her eager pussy. He licked and kissed her, savoring the sweet taste of her desire. His teeth grazed her sensitive flesh, eliciting a gasp that turned into a plea for more.

Her nails dug into his shoulders as she arched her back, the intensity of his tongue against her clit sending shockwaves through her body. The aphrodisiac had her senses on overload, every touch feeling amplified. Miles pulled her closer, his face buried between her thighs as he feasted on her, her juices coating his mouth and chin.

With a snarl, Miles ripped off his shirt, his chest heaving with desire. He paused just long enough to pull her suit down to her waist, exposing her perky breasts to the open air. He took one in his hand, squeezing it roughly, his thumb circling her erect nipple.

Y/n gasped, her hips bucking as she reached down to tangle her fingers in his hair, pulling him closer to her pussy.

Their passion grew wilder with each passing second. Miles' tongue delved deeper, lapping up her nectar like a starved animal. He felt his own climax approaching, his cock straining against the fabric of his pants. With a growl, he stood up, shucking his pants and boxers in one swift motion.

Y/n watched him with hooded eyes, her chest heaving with anticipation. "Take me, Miles," she begged, her voice hoarse from the need that had built up within her. "Take me hard."

Without a word, Miles positioned himself between her legs, his cock standing at attention. He slammed into her with a feral growl, the force of his thrust making her eyes roll back in her head. Her nails raked down his back as he began to pound her with an intensity that matched the beating of their hearts. The moss beneath them grew slick with their combined sweat and the juices of their desire.

Y/n wrapped her legs around his waist, pulling him closer, her teeth sinking into his shoulder as she tried to stifle her screams. The aphrodisiac had turned her into a writhing mass of need, every sensation magnified to the point of painful pleasure. Miles grabbed a fistful of her hair, yanking her head back to expose her neck to his hungry kisses. She moaned, her hips moving in time with his, urging him on.

The sound of their bodies slapping together filled the clearing, punctuated by their desperate gasps for air. Miles' grip on her hair tightened, guiding her movements, controlling their rhythm. He knew exactly how to drive her wild, and with the aphrodisiac fueling his own desires, he had no intention of holding back.

Y/n's eyes were glazed over, her mouth open in a silent scream as she felt herself climbing towards an orgasm that threatened to consume her entirely. Her nails dug deeper into Miles' back, leaving trails of red in their wake. She pulled his face to hers, biting his bottom lip hard enough to draw blood. The pain only served to spur him on.

Miles could feel his own release building, his balls tightening with every thrust. The aphrodisiac had his body on the brink of explosion, and he knew he couldn't hold out much longer. With a primal roar, he slammed into her one final time, his cock pulsing as he unleashed a torrent of cum deep within her. It was unlike anything he had ever experienced, a veritable flood that seemed to never end.

Y/n's body clamped down around him, her orgasm crashing over her like a wave. Her teeth sank into his shoulder, biting down hard in a mating instinct that the aphrodisiac had brought to the surface. The pain only intensified his own pleasure, his hips jerking erratically as he emptied himself into her.

The clearing was filled with the sound of their ragged breaths as they lay tangled together, the aftershocks of their shared climax rippling through them. The aphrodisiac had pushed them to the edge of sanity, their passion a wildfire that had consumed them both. Miles' cock remained semi-erect, still buried inside her, and he could feel the warmth of her inner muscles as they spasmed around him.

Y/n's eyes fluttered open, a satisfied smile playing on her lips. She licked the blood from her teeth, a hint of savagery still present in her gaze. "Well, that was unexpected," she murmured, her voice a mix of amusement and awe.

#avatar twow #recom smut #recom miles quaritch #miles x y/n #miles quaritch #miles quaritch smut

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sapphire-writes · 2 years ago

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A Night Out ~ Aemond x Reader

request: So now that requests are open 😏…. What do you think about a fic where y/n has lived in kings landing her whole life but has never left the safety of the red keep. She expresses to her best friend Helaena that she wants to travel the world one day but when Aegon over hears her he makes fun of her with Aemond, telling her she wouldn’t last a day. To prove them wrong she sneaks out of the castle but Aemond follows her to make sure she doesn’t get hurt 🥰 ~ @missscarletta7 word count: 1.1k warnings: suggestive language, mentions of reader being in danger, nothing explicit note: love this request, I love me a protective Aemond 😩 thanks for the request friend 💚

“I should like to travel,” you tell Helaena, who rests with her head in your lap, eyes closed as the summer sun washes over her.

“Would you?” Helaena murmurs, keeping her eyes closed. A soft smile decorates her lovely face.

“You wouldn’t last a day in the world,” Aegon says, chuckling from where he also lays in the grass.

The days had grown cold with the promise of autumn, but for some reason today the weather was lovely. The sun bathed the gardens in warmth, which led to everyone spending as much time in the sun as possible.

Aemond doesn’t lay, he is seated on a bench nearby, and a book open across his lap as he listens to the conversation. Your cheeks flush at Aegon’s teasing.

“That is not true-”

“It is true,” he says sitting up to face you, “you’ve been kept in the Keep your whole life. The second you leave this castle wicked men will corrupt you.”

Helaena opens her eyes then, turning her head toward her brother.

“Come now Aeg, you shall frighten her,” she says, defending her lady-in-waiting. Aegon shrugs.

“I speak only the truth, a lovely creature such as yourself is destined to ruin.”

Your mouth drops open, cheeks pink.

“What horrible things you say, Aegon,” you scold, “and anyhow it is not like I would go unarmed.”

Aegon cocks a brow at you.

“And what access to the armory do you have, my lady?” he questions causing you to pout.

“Ser Criston would allow me a weapon of my choosing, I am sure of it,” you tell him. Aegon chuckles.

“That would be rather unwise of him,” Aemond chimes in, “considering you’ve never had a lesson with the blade in your life.”

Your frown deepens.

“How hard can it be?” you challenge, causing Aemond to close his book.

“Hard enough,” Aemond tells you, causing you to roll your eyes.

“Stay where it is safe, my lady,” he tells you, “I hope to not see you on my own adventures into the streets of King’s Landing.”

Your cheeks seem to darken at this, knowing Aegon is referring to his trips to the Streets of Silk.

That night you decide you will go into town. You shall prove them wrong.

Aemond was returning from a rather late night spent in the library. He has gotten into reading a new book and lost track of time, only stopping when his candle fizzled out.

As he walked down the silent corridors he spotted you, a cape draped over your shoulders, as you pulled the hood over your head. Where on earth were you going? What were you doing?

Your movements were slow and calculated as you evaded several goldcloaks, as a small kitten would evade the crashing feet of passersby. Aemond found himself smirking, as he watched you. Grabbing a cloak of his own, he decided he would follow you. He could not let one of his sister’s ladies fall prey to the madness outside of these walls. It wouldn’t be right.

Somehow, someway, he followed as you made your way through the gates unseen.

He follows behind you, remaining unseen as you find your way to a tavern. Aemond enters several moments after you, planning to continue to guard you against afar.

You sit at a table, removing your hood, eyes lit up with wonder. A tavern girl walks over to you.

“What’ll it be?” she says, gruffly, with her hands on her hips.

“Is there something you recommend?” you ask and the lady makes a face at you.

“We have mead, and we have bread,” she tells you.

“Sounds lovely,” you tell her and she walks away, perplexed.

Aemond chuckles to himself, keeping his head low. He is terribly recognizable, let alone with just his Valyrian coloring. The eyepatch does not allow for anonymity.

“Hello beautiful,” a voice says, causing you to turn. A man gazes down at you.

“Good evening,” you say politely, feeling your heartbeat thumping against your chest.

“Fancy a shag?” he asks, and your eyes widen.

“No,” you tell him, but he grabs your arm, pulling you from your seat.

“Come deary, let me show you what I can-”

The man never has the chance to finish his sentence as he is torn away from you. You fall back against the table, the corner biting into your hip. The man had been thrown to the floor and moaned in pain.

You look toward your savior, a tall man hidden behind a cloak.

“The lady said no,” he says, voice caressing you like silk. Wait a minute. You know that voice.

Your savior turns to you, keeping his head low, but you spot the patch across his face.

“Aem-” you begin before he brings a finger to his lips to silence you.

“Come,” he says, taking your hand and leading you from the tavern into the streets. He brings you to a nearby alley, away from the bustling chatter of the nightlife.

“Did you follow me?” you accuse.

“I only planned on watching, if only you needed assistance,” he tells you, “which you did.”

“I could have handled myself,” you argue.

“Oh could you?” he teases, but his eye widens as you reveal a small blade from the pockets of your skirts.

“Yes,” you insist.

Aemond lets out a laugh.

“You planned to stab a man in the middle of a tavern?”

“I will do what needs to be done!” you tell him, “I am not a maiden in need of protection.”

You remind him yet again of a small kitten, claws out. Aemond finds himself grinning at your ferocity.

“What if I enjoy protecting you?” he tells you.

You scoff, cheeks reddening.

“You are making fun of me,” you accuse, bringing a hand up to push his chest.

Aemond grabs your hand, taking a step forward, forcing you backward until your back hits the wall.

“What would you do?” he asks, as your breathing picks up, “if I was a madman, wanting to have his way with you right now, right here?”

You wet your lips at the implication.

“Because that is what that man was thinking,” he tells you, his face serious, “stab me? The goldcloaks would throw you in a black cell. Or worse.”

Your gaze flickers to his mouth before you turn your head away.

“I just wanted to see,” you tell him, “I know, I know it is dangerous. I just do not wish to live life like a prisoner.”

Aemond watches you as your eyes become glassy with frustrated tears.

“I can give you that,” Aemond tells you, placing a hand under your chin. You meet his gaze.

“You need only ask,” Aemond continues, watching as your lips part.

“Please,” you beg, and Aemond connects his lips to yours, kissing you with such ferocity you are sure you shall melt into the wall behind you.

“I shall not be kept locked up in the Keep,” you breathe against his mouth. He hums before kissing you once more.

“You do not need to be,” he murmurs, “Vhagar can take you anywhere you wish to go. As long as you take me with you.”

note: UGH my heart explodes with fluffy protective Aemond why can't I be pushed up against a wall by him 😩 hope you enjoyed it loves 💚

#aemond targaryen #aemond x fem!reader #aemond x reader #aemond x y/n #aemond x you #aemond targaryen imagine #aemond targaryen oneshot #aemond targaryen x female reader #aemond targaryen x reader #aemond targaryen x you #aemond targaryen x y/n #protective!aemond #aemond one eye #aemond the kinslayer

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jackolantern707 · 4 months ago

Text

Life on a farm

WHB AU

Note: First time writting, bad grammar, English is not my 1st language

just read the story for fun...

—

Interviewer: Welcome back to [Unseen Wonders], where we explore the world’s most extraordinary places.

Interviewer: We will always choose where to go next based on votes. That's why…

Interviewer: Today, we're at a secluded farm that's won awards globally for its exceptional livestock and crops... The H&H Farm!!!!

Interviewer: With me is MC, the owner of this incredible farm. And I already got her permission to do this interview. So, MC, what’s the secret to your farm’s unparalleled success?

MC: Oh, it’s all thanks to my wonderful assistants —my ‘pets.’ They’re absolutely the key to everything here (^o^/

Interviewer: Your pets? That's interesting! What exactly do they do?

MC: I’m so happy that you asked!! My lovely pets, each of them has their own roles. And they’re not just ordinary pets…! They’re remarkable creatures that keep everything in my farm running smoothly! I'm so grateful to have them!

MC: Oh yeah, let me explain more clearly (OwO)

MC: There are two types in this farm: the hunting and the guarding.

Interviewer: That sounds intriguing. Could you tell me more about them?

MC: Of course! The hunting ones are incredibly strong and athletic, and they have a strong prey drive.

MC: The two that are always the first to face any threats are Satan and Gabriel. Even though they fight each other frequently in the farm when they're off duty... well usually Lucifer will get angry if they dare to be distracted in the middle of the misson, haha, my lovely boys are an absolutely great combination in hunting.

MC: Satan and Gabriel are actually the reason why my little cart always gets filled with different things when we prepare to go back home.

MC: Oh and did I say it? All of my boys have a good sense of smell, but there are two of them that stick out a mile. Well to be honest, Beelzebub has the best nose among my pets, which is really nice cus he knows how to track down things and alert all of us to any potential dangers.

MC: The other one is Raphael, well.. he just like Beelzebub… Uhm… both of them … are good at dealing with the mess left behind by Satan and Gabriel (nervous smile)

Interviewer: Absolutely interesting! There’re actually a type of animal who knows how to clean?! Can I see them?!!

MC: Hahaha… right… animals… cleaning (in their stomach) Maybe I’ll show you later.

Interviewer: What about the guarding ones?

MC: Ah, the guardians are just as amazing too! They have a very strong protective instinct and are fiercely loyal. They watch over the livestock and my property, also deterring any threats.

MC: Both Mammon and Lucifer are ‘quite’ large and powerful, capable of handling any danger that comes their way.

MC: They’re also trained to patrol and make their own decisions, ensuring that everything is safe and secure too… Oh hey Mammon, what’re you doing here?

(Mammon gives MC a water bottle, but.. why his eyes doesn't smile?)

MC: Thanks Mammon! Huh? Why are you off duty now! Lucifer is going to get angry you know!

(Mammon points at the top of the watching tower, where can barely see a figure, looking down this way)

MC: Uhm… you know I can't see anything right? Omg whatever, I'm in the middle of an interview, you go back with your duties okay?! ¬_¬

Mammon: (nod) (proceed to stand behind her back)

Interviewer: (didn’t know why he’s shivering) I-It seems like they’re dedicated to their work… I-Is there anything else unique about them?

MC: Well, I often combine their guarding duties with herding you know. Cause the guarding group has a natural instinct to manage livestock, which is why I need to make use of that!

MC: Using their body language and eye contact to control the livestock. They’re just incredible!

MC: You should see my beautiful boy Leviathan! He's like an idol in our farm! All my little animals are charmed by him! ヾ(≧▽≦*)o

MC: Hah… Especially when he takes care of the newborns… Just like a natural mother!!! But if you get a little too close… Hehe he is actually quite sensitive.

MC: Ah now I notice! The one who is perfect for the herding job must be Michael! Haha he’s both fast and fearful enough that whenever it’s time to gather the sheep, not a single one dares to step out of line. Sometimes I also got herd too!

Interviewer: So you haven’t got any stock lost? That's not something any farm could do!!!

MC: Of course! Not only I didn't lose anything, more precisely, I even got more of them!!!!! The goods and livestock, I don't even know where they come from!!!

Interview: How could that happen?!

MC: I don’t know! Whenever it's time to go back home, I give command to everyone to return, and suddenly, the one who I thought was skipping his duty, Asmodeus appears out of nowhere with a bunch of animals behind him! There’re even some random things in his hands which he smiles innocently and only said that he was given these! (｡･∀･)ﾉﾞ

Interviewer: Haha so there is actually a lazy one who skips duties on the farm. I thought Miss MC’s farm was like a whole factory instead!

MC: I don't think he lazy.... Urg…. talk about being lazy…. There is a 24/7 lazy one…

Interviewer: Huh there is another? Wouldn’t your…. uh Lucifer get angry if anyone skip their duties?

MC: Well… if there weren't any serious danger, I mean like absolutely dangerous, he wouldn't even wake up.

Interviewer: A serious danger? Please can you talk more about… uh him?

MC: Haha you’re a curious one! I haven’t seen anyone who loves to dig into other life this much like you! :)

Interviewer: Ahaha… haha.. I-I’m just a vlogger who enjoys seeing everything in this world you know.

MC: But… curiosity killed the cat you know…

MC: Anyway! The reason that Belphegor got off being told by Lucifer is because he actually watches us in our sleep!

Interviewer: ……..Wh-What do you mean by that?

MC: Huh I haven't made myself clear? Belphegor is like a sleeping guardian! Usually Lucifer is the main defend in the day, but when night falls, that's when Belphegor takes over Lucifer's job.

MC: But… I haven’t seen him doing anything except sleeping.

MC: Oh right there was one night long long ago, I heard a lot of screeching sound, but then it slowly quieter, and it's like… everything is darkness… I just know that it's okay to sleep again because Belphegor said don't worry though ( •̀ .•́ )✧

Interviewer: Oh wow… Your pets… They're amazing…! I-I’d love to see them in person. If they could appear on this video, it would go viral!!! Do you think we could—

(Suddenly, one of the guarding pets inside the house, with a menacing gaze looking through the window glass, widen their eyes. Other pets start sniffing the air. Their eyes narrow as some of them keep a good distance, others slowly approach the interviewer.)

Interviewer: (shivering nervously) Uh… Miss MC…? Wh-What is happening?!… They doesn’t seem—

MC: Oh, don’t worry. They’re just being cautious. They’re very protective toward me of course.

Interviewer: C-Cautious? About wh—

(As the guarding starts to roar, other pets begin to screech simultaneously, the interviewer's realization dawns. He quickly grabs the camera and run away)

Interviewer: “This is xxx from [Unseen Wonders]. If you’re watching this, something’s gone terribly wrong in the H&H Farm. There are beas—”

(The live feed cuts off abruptly as two white figures pounce on him. Screams echo as the scene turns chaotic. Blood splash on screen)

MC: It’s all right, my lovely boys. I'm okay.

MC: You were a bit too curious for your own good though. But hey, don’t worry, they’re just doing their job.

MC: Oh right, I may say this too late, but… Welcome to my farm!

(Later, MC is seen in the kitchen, preparing a meal as her pets gather around, content and *not fully* fed.)

—

Hunting: Gabriel, Satan, Raphael, Beelzebub

Guarding: Mammon, Lucifer, Leviathan, Belphegor, Asmodeus, Michael

—

P/s: I watched too much those herding dogs and guardian dogs videos ＞﹏＜

Thanks for reading! -🎃

#whb #what in hell is bad #whb belphegor #whb lucifer #whb leviathan #whb satan #whb beelzebub #whb mammon #whb angels #whb gabriel #whb michael #whb raphael #whb au

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wackd · 3 months ago

Text

A lone knight walked across an empty plane. What few strands of sunlight made it through the omnipresent clouds glistened against his black armor, his dark figure cutting a striking silhouette against the gray horizon. Dry, lifeless soil crunched beneath his heavy boots. In his hands, a shimmering sword glowed an unearthly green. It was drawn. He was ready for battle.

Before him was his quarry, a beast easily fifty feet high. Its long, snakelike tail gave way to a humanoid torso, massive pecs flanked by four bulging, muscular arms. Sitting atop it all was a head with a nose like a gorilla and a mouth like a tiger. Its body was as colorless as the landscape around it, but for the red boils dotting the backside of its decaying skin.

The knight approached slowly, taking a crouched position, as though hoping to sneak up on the creature despite the abject lack of cover. The sword was in swinging distance before the monster noticed, some unknown stimuli alerting it to the knight’s presence. The knight charged, sword swinging, as the monster swung its tail in an attempt to knock him prone--

The phone rang.

The knight went flying.

Danny sighed as he glanced down at the caller ID. Answering would be a headache, but letting it go to voicemail would cause a bigger one later. Besides, he’d already racked up two missed calls. Three was probably the limit.

Reluctantly, he swiped the call through.

“Hey Jazz,” he said, doing his best impression of someone who was not only awake but out of bed.

“Hey Danny!” She was trying to hide it, but Danny could tell she was a little surprised he’d picked up. “You busy?”

“Yep.”

“Glad to hear it!” Danny could hear her smiling through the phone. “What're you up to?”

“Uh...” Danny said. “Video games” wasn’t gonna cut it. He glanced around his room for a helpful hint. NASA memorabilia on a shelf by his window. Syllabi haphazardly swept across a desk he wasn’t going to look at for another week. Clothes piled up on the floor. “Laundry?” he said. No way that sounded convincing.

“Okay, well, I won't keep you long,” Jazz said, her voice dipping into the “concerned“ register. “I was just wondering if you were coming to Mom and Dad's thing this afternoon.”

“Do I have to?” Danny asked, knowing as the whine left his mouth that it was the wrong answer.

“I mean, you don't have to do anything,” Jazz said gently. “But I think it'd make them really happy if you were there.”

“I think what'd make them really happy is if whatever this is actually worked.”

“I mean, yeah, but...y'know. They could use the moral support.”

“For when it doesn't.”

“...yeah.”

“I just...” Danny glanced up at his TV screen, where his knight was inexplicably still being thrashed around by the giant monster thing, hitpoints ticking down like seconds. “I dunno if I can sit through another FentonWorks anticlimax. And you're better at the whole 'you'll get 'em next time' thing than I am.”

“It's not about what you say. Mom and Dad just...wanna see you care, y'know?”

“I still live here. I'll give 'em a pep talk or whatever when they get home.”

The line buzzed for a moment. Danny winced. He knew what he had to do. “You're going, right?” he asked, grabbing the edge of the mattress and pulling himself up off it.

“Yeah.”

“Great. You mind giving me a lift?” he asked, already regretting it as he swung his legs over the side of his bed.

“Of course not! I'll be there at 3:30?”

“Sounds good,” Danny said. “Talk to you then.”

“Talk to you then!” Jazz said. “Love you!”

“Love you too,” Danny said, sighing as he let the phone drop back onto his mattress.

The words “YOU'RE DEAD” flashed across the TV.

Read more on AO3!

A World Unseen follows Danny Fenton, age 18, freshly out as a trans dude, as he navigates dormant friendships, clinical depression, and his newfound superpowers. The series features a host of familiar characters, both human and ghost, reinterpreted in ways both radical and familiar. Two installments are finished with a third one posting regularly as we speak. Enjoy!

#fanfiction #danny phantom #danny fenton #jazz fenton #college au

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ariadosanon · 3 months ago

Text

[TW: POKÉMON DEATH, POKÉMON ABUSE, VIOLENCE. HEED THE TWS]

[A video is attached. Rotom looks nervous again. Its eyes dart from side to side as, once again, something has deeply bothered the mischievous Pokémon. Despite its visible anxiety, the video keeps rolling. Judging by the date in the corner, this was taken right after the Verdanturf Bug Expo.]

It was the dead of night, Nictoria was on her way home from the Verdanturf Bug Expo. She smiled down at her phone as she messaged whomever she was talking to. As Victoria stashed it in her right pocket, a large Joltik crawled from her shirt sleeve. She was about the size of Nic’s open hand. It chittered curiously up at its trainer, who she let gently take hold of her with both hands like a hamburger.

“You liked showing off there, didn’t you, little fatso.” Nictoria teased the bug. The Pokémon wiggled its legs, happily chirping in confirmation. In a rare display of affection, Nictoria gently nuzzled the fuzzy creature with a playful grin on her face. “I bet you’re dying to get home and have a snack, huh?”

“Tik-tik?” The Pokémon reached out for her trainer’s left pocket and wiggled her little blue feelers.

“Ah— no, you can’t have my taser tonight.” Nic replied. She self consciously checked her pocket to make sure the device was still there.

The mention of a taser was new. The last incident where Nictoria was attacked must have had a more profound impact on her than she let on. She gripped the taser in her pocket tightly as she stared ahead into the darkness without a word.

Her Joltik blinked slowly and turned to where her trainer was looking, then back to her trainer.

“Tik-Tik-tik…?”

Nictoria shook her head and lightly slapped her cheek, which brought herself back into reality.

“Sorry. Having a moment.” She murmured to her Pokémon. The white haired woman pulled out a custom Pokéball, yellow decorated with blue spots. She pointed it at the Joltik with her free hand. “Joltik, return.”

The yellow bug did so happily. She accepted the red light that sucked it back into its capsule home. Nic pocketed the ball and continued her walk. The former poacher put her hands on her pockets and let out a soft sigh as she approached Rusturf Tunnel. A strange humming sound could be heard from deeper in the cave. Rotom shivered and shook his head anxiously. Some kind of electrical interference perhaps? Nictoria didn’t seem to notice at all. She kept her stride even as she entered the tunnel and looked around.

A shrill sound suddenly cut through the air and startled the white haired woman. Nic knew that sound. It was an explosive! She immediately charged away from the noise, her eyes wild with horror.

An explosion went off behind Nictoria, sending rockfall hurtling down the sides of the cave and blocking her exit. She dove away from boulders and stones to save her life, lucky to only land on her ass. As she scooted away from the debris, her feet kicked desperately to ensure she wasn’t caught in the rockslide.

“What the fuck!?” She shouted, clearly not aware that loud noise wasn’t the best thing to do after an immediate rock slide, artificial or not.

The sound of footsteps slowly approached Nictoria from behind. She stood up, turning to face the direction of her unseen assailant. “I have my Pokémon on me and they’re not friendly!” She shouted, ready to use the Pokéballs on her belt. “Go on and mug somebody else before you regret this!”

A Rocket grunt stepped out from behind the rocky outcropping in front of Nic. She had short, pink hair, completely buzzed on one side. Her eyes were a deep, emerald green. A long Gyarados tattoo was just barely visible on her neck, mostly covered by her uniform.

On the left side of her belt, instead of the traditional three Pokéballs, a coin counter-like apparatus held three in each chamber. The total came closer to 15. By any legal battle standards, that would never fly. On the right side, a radio transceiver of some kind was humming away. A red light was blinking on it, implying that whatever it did— it was currently doing it.

Nictoria’s expression fell. She seemed to immediately recognize this grunt. “Akane…?”

“Hey, Vic.” The grunt replied calmly and took two steps forward towards Nictoria. Her expression was flat, no emotion in her voice to speak of.

Nictoria swallowed hard and her scraggly brow furrowed. “The Kimono girls didn’t take you back.” She stated obviously.

“We both know that was a pipe dream, girlie.” She sighed and adjusted her gloves as she spoke. “I don’t have a brother with fingers in every government pie like you do. My family just wants my money.”

They both halfheartedly laughed at that, but neither woman seemed to drop their guard.

Nictoria once again reached for a Pokéball, but Akane shook her head. She tsked and gestured to the radio box at her side. “I already locked your Pokéballs the second you walked in the cave.”

“Of fucking course you did.” Nictoria grunted. “Nevermind the fact I helped you make that damn thing.”

Akane glared at Nic and shook her head. “Are you serious? You can’t actually be surprised that I’m here.” She reached to her side and quickly ejected three Pokéballs into her hand.

“You know that I’ve been up for promotion for ages. Arianna personally came to me for this job, Vic.” She said seriously. “She said if I bring you back to her, I’m finally leaving for the Alola branch. I can change my name.”

The two women stared at each other silently, both shared the same glare. Dust and silence hung in the cave air.

“It’s you or me, Victoria, and I gotta choose me.” Akane announced.

“You have no Pokémon to fight. Let me cuff you, and I’ll have Espeon teleport us out of here. I’ll make sure somebody covers your tracks. You can just vanish, I promise no harm to anybody in your circle.” Akane offered.

“I’m honored that you’d do all that for little old me!” Nic replied sarcastically with a hand to her heart. “Fat chance,” She spat. “And besides, who says I have no Pokémon to fight with?” The white haired woman turned her attention to a nearby misshapen mudbank and stared at it intensely.

The Rocket raised an eyebrow in question at Nic. “Your Pokéballs are locked. You have no Pokémon to fight for you. Unless you’re going to try and break them open by hand again.” Akane replied sarcastically.

“Overconfidence doesn’t suit you, Akane.” Victoria’s mask melted from her face, a sickening grin spread across her jet black lips.

Akane’s eyes widened, she recognized that sadistic look. “What’re you talking about?” She asked urgently. Her eyes searched the cave for some sort of hidden ambush.

“There are a few things I never told you about being a Chosen,” She admitted to her old friend. “I told you about everything that was absolute shite— sure. The nightmares, the pain, all that, but there’s a few bonuses.” She explained.

The ground rumbled as the formerly calm mud face beside them began to seep with dark black ooze.

“… You’re kidding…!” Akane hissed and readied all three of her Pokéballs.

“Oh, I’m deathly serious.” Victoria spread her arms out and cackled. “ALL Shadow Pokémon have to listen to me, Akane, and ever since the Shadow Sky?”

The huge wave of corrosive shadow slime burst from the mud wall, the ooze swam with bones and half dissolved Pokémon parts. It twisted and molded itself into the shape of what could almost be called a Muk. The sludgy Pokémon was at least six feet tall with an overabundance of groaning mouths and beady red eyes. It contorted and twisted inorganically, so all of its eyes could take in Akane.

“They’re EVERYWHERE~”

“Oooobluuuucccckk…?” All three of the Natural Shadows’ mouths spoke in a deep, baritone.

Akane swallowed hard and took three more steps back from the unidentified Pokémon. She tossed her three Pokéballs into the air, three identical Raticate appearing before her.

“RA-DICAAATE!” The three Pokémon snarled and gnashed their huge fangs in the air, snapping at the Shadowy Muk with vigor.

“That thing’s huge…” Akane murmured. She whipped out an old Pokédex and scanned it. No exact results came to her device. A small paperclip mascot hopped to vision in the corner, suggesting it may be Muk, but to ask a professional.

“He is,” Vic marveled at the Pokémon in front of her as its many jaws idly opened and closed. Toxic, noxious fumes filled the air around it. “I’ve never seen one before either… he’s fuckin’ gorgeous, isn’t he?” Victoria said in awe.

“You’ve always had a weird opinion of what’s ’gorgeous.’” Akane murmured. “Raticates! Hyper Fang that thing!” She pointed to the horrific mass in front of them.

The three Pokémon attacked without question and lunged at the Oobluck.

The Shadow Pokémon swiftly curled in on itself, a thin layer of dark energy shielded his now compressed body. The three rodents bounced off the Protect and skittered back on the hard rock floor. They regrouped with their trainer, hissing and snapping in the direction of Victoria still.

“Nicely done, Muk!” Vic praised the creature and smugly grinned at her opponent. It regathered its body as its heads smiled with all mouths at its temporary trainer. Victoria crossed her arms, the same smug look on her face.

“Pretty cheap to force a three on one,” She said. “Why not a five on one? Maybe you could actually win!”

The Rocket Grunt chuckled. “Beginning to think I understocked my team,” She admitted. “I should have known you’d have something crazy up your sleeve, as usual.”

Akane’s expression became serious. She pointed at Oobluck and ordered her Pokémon, “Hyper Fang, again!”

The Raticate screamed as they viciously hopped forward, their fangs glowed with latent energy.

Victoria reacted instantly. “Split Gunk Shot three ways!” She ordered and held up three fingers to the sentient sludge pile.

“Bluhhhhhh…” The Pokémon’s three heads bobbed up and down. It followed the movements of the Raticate as it aimed.

“HAH! You’re an idiot! There’s no way a high velocity move like Gunk Shot hits three times in different directions!” Akane boasted.

“FIRE already!” Vic snapped.

Oobluck violently spewed three streams of poisonous slime forward as the sheer force pushed its body back.

The two Raticate on the right and left side of the charge entered evasive maneuvers in a desperate bid to dodge. They managed to scuttle away in time by clawing their way up the muddy cave wall to safety. The middle Raticate didn’t stop, however. Instead, he continued to mindlessly charge and ended up colliding with the concentrated power of all three blasts.

An ear piercing screech exploded from the Raticate. It echoed off the cave walls and into Rotom’s speaker.

The Pokémon was blasted backwards. It only barely missed Akane as it hit the upper cave wall with a wet ‘crack.’ Fur and blood spilled from its body like dirty confetti. Raticate’s dead body slumped to the floor, its insides exposed. Blood and gunk seeped from its open maw and torn tissue minged with shards of freshly shattered bones.

Akane shielded herself from the debris with both arms, helpless to stop Raticate’s demise. Victoria roared with laughter and began to smack the side of her head repeatedly in a violent stim.

“One out of the way, anyhow!” She commented as her eyes darted to the other two Pokémon up the wall.

“Fuckin’ dime a dozen— these things…” she muttered, shaking her left hand out as if it were wet. Vic grinned at her opponent, her laughing fit over.

Her lavender eyes tracked the surviving Raticate as they continued their charge along the wall towards Oobluck.

“Left!” She shouted suddenly. The sludge Pokémon obeyed and launched its entire body to the left. It collided directly with the left Raticate, where it groaned and took hold of it with one arm.

The Raticate angrily screeched and bit down into the slime with its Hyper Fang. Oobluck hissed out in pain, but didn’t let up. It dragged the Raticate into its body where it slowly suffocated the poor Pokémon. Raticate struggled helplessly. It clawed at the gunk as it sank like a rat in a grain silo. Raticate was pulled almost completely under, its tail the only visible evidence left of its life.

The last Raticate launched itself off of the wall and snapped at the air as it sailed forward. Oobluck ducked its heads, only narrowly able to dodge the attack. Raticate hopped off the wall and landed back in front of its trainer.

“Ti-cay?…” The Pokémon looked over its shoulder at Akane as his whiskers twitched in worry. Seems he had come to the realization that he was now the only Pokémon left on that side of the field.

Akane cursed under her breath and quickly ejected two more Pokéballs from the coin counter on her side.

She tossed the Pokéballs in the air. They released two Growlithe, who both immediately set up a Howl, calling in unison.

“Come on, *matching Growlithe?* Where’d you get those? Rob a breeder?”

Akane grinned, a sinister glint in her eye. “Kennel club!” She replied, “They’ll just leave any old thing laying around the yard over there when they think you can’t unlock the gate.”

“And here I thought you liked dogs.” Victoria cackled, “I’m gonna tear those feckin’ things to shreds.”

The video stream suddenly warbled. Something was wrong with the recording. Rotom’s eyes had turned to X’s, the Pokémon seemingly unable to keep recording under the interference of Akane’s signal jamming device.

Solid, black and white static sat on the screen. The silence was deafening. Was Rotom alright?...

After another horrific fifteen minutes, the video feed began to restore itself. Slowly, the outlines of the two women became visible again. Rotom was clearly focusing hard, digital sweat drops beading down his face.

Victoria was chest down on the ground, and Akane had dug her knee into her back. Upon quick observation, the pink haired woman had only two Pokéballs left in her possession. They had been battling this whole time, and it seemed that quantity had finally won over Victoria’s quality.

An Espeon stood guard, the move Aura Sphere ready and charged at the gem on its forehead.

Akane had her handcuffs out. She was clearly trying to cuff Vic while she was down.

Victoria herself was now slightly singed and had visible Pokémon bite marks up her arms. It looked like when Oobleck couldn’t keep fighting, she had stepped in herself.

The Rocket grunt let out an incoherent scream of frustration as she forced Vic down again.

“You aren’t meant to BE here, Victoria!” She shouted, her jaw clenched. “You know where you belong! Let me CUFF you!”

Vic’s eyes were wild as she struggled like an animal under the pressure of the other woman. She screamed in defiance and rocked back and forth in attempts to throw the Rocket off of her.

“I’LL FUCKING KILL YOUR ESPEON! I’LL FUCKING MAKE YOU REGRET EVER BEING BORN! BACKSTABBING BITCH!” She bellowed. Her unbridled rage echoed throughout the cave. “TEAR THOSE PRECIOUS LITTLE EYES OUT ITS STUPID HEAD AND MAKE YOU FECKIN’ EAT THEM!”

A brief look of worry crossed Akane’s face. She knew Victoria, and she damn well knew that she wasn’t bluffing. Espeon’s ears flattened anxiously. She looked at her trainer. It looked like she was requesting permission to fire the Aura Sphere.

She mewled to get Akane’s attention, “Espe?”

“What?”

Akane looked away for only a second, but that was long enough to lose her footing. Victoria reached into her left pocket and yanked out her taser. She flipped over and jammed the taser into the Pokéball locking device and fired it off. Akane screamed in pain as the device short circuited on her hip. The electricity singed her uniform badly and sent scores of volts through her.

Espeon immediately attacked, and Victoria was blasted with the Aura Sphere. She cried out in pain, but didn’t stop her charge. She pushed herself up off the ground, the force of the blowback from Aura Sphere to assist her only seemed to assist her. She lunged for Espeon and slammed the steel toe of her boot directly into its collarbone. The Pokémon yelped in agony and flew into the stone cave wall.

“ESPEON!” Akane screamed and reached out to her Pokémon from her spot on the cave floor. Victoria turned her attention back to the Rocket grunt, her eyes full of hatred.

Akane immediately pushed herself back up and bounced backwards as if she could run.

“N-no, no Vic, you know I just wanted— You know I—!“

Victoria punched Akane and sent the other woman back down to the ground. She spat on her before kneeling down and wrenching the handcuffs from her grasp. Victoria angrily cuffed her former friend as her eye twitched.

“Don’t— Oh fuck— By Mew’s tail please don’t—“

Victoria stood up and the glare on her face darkened as she stomped over to the incapacitated Espeon.

“VICTORIA PLEASE!” Akane screeched and scooted across the ground towards her Pokémon. Victoria grabbed the purple cat and dangled it by its tail above Akane. The Espeon groaned in pain, unable to act with a broken collarbone.

Akane began to cry, only able to watch as her partner Pokémon swung above her like a pendulum, fresh blood pattering to the floor.

“Please don’t— please not her.” She sobbed and pressed her head to the floor.

In a rare moment of mercy, Victoria dropped the Espeon. She stared down at Akane with nothing but malice in her expression.

“Turn yourself in.” She snarled.

Akane nodded vigorously in agreement and scooted over to her Espeon best she could. The Rocket grunt shielded her body with her own.

“I still need something.” The white haired woman murmured and smacked her hand against her head idly.

Vic’s scowl began to twist into a grin. Her fingers twitched in anticipation. She knelt down again and dug into Akane’s coin counter. She pulled out the other two Pokéballs.

“Which one of these is Crobat?”

[The video ends here.]

#pokémon irl #rotumblr #irl pokémon #rotomblr #pokeblogging #pokeblog rp #tw pokémon abuse #tw Pokémon death #tw Pokémon harm #tw violence #tw violent imagery #ooc: OH NO IT ALL WENT HORRIBLY WRONG #lore post

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civilotterneer · 2 months ago

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The Search for Civ

Now that I'm only a party of one, it's much easier to hide using stealth spells. Invisibility was now a useful spell to remaining unseen.

It actually was very helpful. I saw several large groups of imps patrolling about the wastes and a few creatures I was unfamiliar with but knew I would not want to interact with.

I travelled for many hours through the 'Open Wastes' like this. Stealth was easily all it took to get across, though I had to admit that being left along with only the native sounds of Hell was not pleasant. Hell, I would have preferred to hear Livic's ramblings right now.

I wish I knew what happened to him. It wouldn't surprise me if he just ditched me, I haven't trusted him one bit, though I was at least warming up slightly thanks to him tending to be right where it matters. Plus he wasn't a bad combatant. No, I'm more afraid he got himself into trouble, as that could bring it back more issues.

As my mind wandered along, bored in the near-repeating wastes of hills and rock, a screech made me stop. I turned...

Just as I did, an imp slammed into my, almost knocking me over. I stood up, looking as a whole group of imps seemed to be flying down the bridge and now took notice of my presence as I lost concentration on the invisibility spell.

Great, that's unlucky as fuck.

I got up and looked around. There were maybe 40 imps, but what concerned me more were the other, large imp-like devils. They were covered in barbs and spikes, were as tall as I was, and grinned in wide toothy smiles. There were at least 10 of them.

I don't like my odds.

I stood ready to fight. I would only try the teleportation charm if it get's really bad, its still the best tool I have to get Civ home.

God's protect me.

<<Last Page - Page 18 - Next Page>>

#furry #fursona #3d render #blender #Lye #The Search for Civ

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kingdomkeykitsune · 5 months ago

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KHOC WEEK 2024 DAY 2: PAST

(Please ignore the wonky background, this was one of those cases where I had to pick my battles in order to get the piece done and the background won on this one)

Another post for @khoc-week! This time taking a look at the past.

For better or worse the moment in C.E.'s past that shaped her the most had to be when her father left when she was about ten. Not only did she lose her dad, one of her favorite people in the whole world at that point, but he left behind a heavy, unseen legacy to carry.

You see, once upon a time a very long time ago, in an age of fairy tales and legends, a group of people found their way to Twilight Town and took a liking to the idyllic World, deciding to take up residence there. However, they would eventually discover that creatures of Darkness also found themselves drawn there, creatures that the townsfolk had no means of defending themselves against, but that they did. They were not Keyblade warriors, but they had magic that allowed them to fight against the creatures, including allowing them to summon other magical weapons. For a long time these people, their descendants, and others who trained under them to take up the fight were hailed as heroes, but eventually the attacks began to wane and eventually became rare enough that people started forgetting. Eventually the protectors all but faded from memory, becoming nothing more than old fairy stories themselves with only one family remaining who continued to secretly train their children in the old ways so that Twilight Town was never left undefended.

C.E.'s dad, who goes by Zen, was the last to properly receive full training. It's likely he would have eventually started to properly train C.E. as well, but something drove him to leave one day, and he's never been seen since. C.E. was the only one to see him leave and is the only one who knows he purposely chose to go, everyone else in town thinks he's gone missing, but much to her frustration she finds that she physically can't tell anyone, and she has no idea why. At this point she's come to hate it when anyone brings him up because inevitably she hits up against that block and goes unwillingly silent.

Now, just because she was never properly trained to be one of Twilight Town's protectors doesn't mean she hasn't become one, she has. She and some friends we'll meet tomorrow have taken up the fight, but I'll discuss it more then~

(Also, if you're thinking Zen looks young here, he is. C.E.'s parents were rather young when she was born, but they did their best for her regardless.)

#khocweek2024 #khoc week #C.E.#my oc #my art

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adamwatchesmovies · 2 months ago

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A Quiet Place: Day One (2024)

Of all the ways to extend a franchise, prequels look like the most desperate option. What is there to show before the action in the original started? If it was anything worthwhile, wouldn’t it have been included from the beginning? If there are unanswered questions, how can we be sure they shouldn’t stay unanswered? Seems like someone in Hollywood has figured out the formula because we’ve gotten a string of pretty good prequels recently - Orphan: First Kill, The Omen: First Born, Wonka and Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga. Count A Quiet Place: Day One among them. Though it may not reach the same levels of suspense as the other chapters, it makes up for it with original, well-developed characters and never-before-seen visuals. Written and directed by Michael Sarnoski, it tells us more about what’s going on in this world without shattering any of the mysteries that got us invested in the first place.

Terminally ill cancer patient Sam (Lupita Nyong’o) is in New York City when meteor-like objects fall from the sky. Soon, the streets are overrun by blind, vicious alien creatures with an acute sense of hearing. As the US military tries its best to warn civilians about the dangers the creatures pose and rescue the survivors, Sam meets Eric (Joseph Quinn). Together, they navigate through the city, making as little noise as possible to avoid drawing the creatures to them.

A Quiet Place and its sequel showed the Abbott family in a world where the creatures had already taken over, civilization had mostly broken down and everyone left just did their best to survive. The nice thing about A Quiet Place: Day One is that the only recurring character (Djimon Hounsou’s Henri) plays a tiny part in the story. It still feels like there are many unanswered questions between this story and the ones that introduced us to this world. Why did the creatures land on Earth? We don’t find out because a) it doesn’t matter and b) Sam and Eric are not in a position to find out. Setting the film in New York right as the creatures land means the film has loads of new things to offer us. We’ve never seen this many creatures at once and never with this many people around. The film’s best scene has a crowd trying to make its way toward the safety promised by the government. There are so many people you know someone is going to screw it all up for everybody. Even if everyone is super quiet, the sound of all those footsteps and that collective breathing is on the cusp of being enough to get them noticed by the monsters all around.

But A Quiet Place: Day One isn’t only about Sam and Eric navigating through smashed-up streets while space beasties lie in wait. There’s a surprisingly emotional portion of the film: Sam’s quest to visit a pizza joint. We meet Sam at a hospice. There’s death everywhere now that the creatures have landed, but she was already going to die so she simultaneously doesn’t care if she goes and wants to survive - so she can visit Patsy’s Pizzeria (the East Harlem location) and protect her cat, Frodo. Of all the things to do when the world is falling apart, you think getting a slice should be the least of her priorities until we learn what the restaurant means to her. This quest provides the character with a reason to keep moving (rather than constantly hiding) bringing us from one blasted location to the next all while enriching the character.

In terms of scares and tension, Day One is the least intense of the series - we’ve seen the creatures so much now that even if they’re hiding in the dark, you know what to expect - but this prequel preserves many of the monsters' secrets and even gets us to ask new questions by showing some previously-unseen behavior from them. Ultimately, I don’t think this is a necessary or game-changing chapter but the story, characters and performances are strong. A Quiet Place: Day One is certainly worth your time if you've been following the series. It's also likely to bring new members to the fan club. (September 13, 2024)

#A Quiet Place: Day One #A Quiet Place #movies #films #movie reviews #film reviews #Michael Sarnoski #John Krasinski #Lupita Nyong'o #Joseph Quinn #Alex Wolff #Djimon Hounsou #2024 movies #2024 films

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mediocre-shark-tales · 3 months ago

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Chapter 1

Masterlist

The forest was alive with whispers, the rustling leaves and distant calls of unseen creatures offering fleeting comfort. But no matter how deep I ventured into the woods, I couldn’t escape the aching loneliness clinging to me like the mist weaving through the trees. It wasn’t as if I was truly alone, though; I had friends, both on the rez and off it. Yet it felt like something was always slipping away, a spirit lost in my memories, constantly flee-ing but just out of reach.

Here in the woods, I found solace, an escape from the hard life of a part-time rez girl. This was my refuge. I would settle in a secluded spot, pulling out my sketchbook to capture the beauty around me. Drawing what I saw always brought peace after a long day.

Being the daughter of divorce wasn’t easy, and running to the forest helped me forget my troubles for a while. My dad, a full-blooded descendant of the Quileute tribe, stayed on the rez after the divorce, while my mom moved deeper into Forks. They had shared custody, shuffling me back and forth each week. It wasn’t ideal, but at least I only had to attend one school, Forks High. My dad had wanted me to go to the rez school, but eventually agreed that life off the rez might offer more opportunities.

Luckily I only had to go to one school, since my mom got me during the school sign up week, I was going to the forks highschool and not the rez one. My dad was a little ticked but eventually agreed with my mom thinking that having a life off the rez may be a good chance for me.

I guess they were right in some ways, though I hadn’t heard from my rez friends—Jared, Embry, or even Jacob—in weeks. Their absence stung, especially with Jacob vanishing and leaving me to care for a heartbroken Bella. She was a wreck, grieving over her boyfriend and his family moving away. I wasn’t much help, having never been in love myself, but I did my best to get her out of the house, though it took constant convincing.

Now, thanks to Jacob’s disappearance, Bella was not just depressed, but also growing angrier by the day. And I was furious. He was supposed to be here, helping me with her. Instead, I was left to handle it all alone. The frustration built inside me, my breathing quickening as I felt the heat of my anger rising. I could feel the wind swirl around me, carrying away some of my tension with the scent of the forest.

Suddenly, my phone rang. I had no idea how I had any service out here, but I answered. Bella’s voice was frantic. She said she was done waiting and was heading to Jacob’s place, and she wanted me as backup. I agreed, and soon, I met her outside my mother’s house, hopping into her bright red truck. Bella mumbled angry words under her breath as she drove, and within minutes, we were on the rez.

We both slammed the truck doors shut and approached the house. “Hold on,” I said. “I’ll talk to Billy first. No need to piss him off right away.” Bella nodded, and I knocked on the door. Billy answered, smiling, but his smile faded slightly when he saw Bella. “Hey, Billy, we’re looking for Jacob. Do you know where he is?” I asked.

Billy shook his head. “Sorry, honey, he’s not here right now.”

I sighed, ready to leave and search elsewhere, but Bella barged in, yelling for Jacob. “Bella, shit! I’m so sorry, Billy,” I apologized.

He waved it off with a smile. “No problem, honey. But, uh, have you had a growth spurt or something recently?”

I blinked in confusion, but before I could answer, more shouting erupted from outside. Bella. I rushed around the house, finding her face-to-face with a very shirtless Sam, Paul, Embry, and Jared. Bella was screaming, demanding to know what they’d done to Jacob.

“Bella, stop it!” I called, but neither she nor the boys paid any attention.

Paul growled, and Sam tried to calm everyone down, but it wasn’t working. Bella waved me off when I tried to intervene, and that sparked something deep within me. I could feel the heat rising again, my hands shaking with anger. I was done being ignored, done with these boys leaving me without explanation, done with them laughing at Bella.

Then Bella slapped Paul. Hard.

He turned, his anger growing, and suddenly, he exploded into a bear-sized, gray wolf. Bella screamed and ran, but instead of fear, I felt an intense surge of anger and protection. Sam looked at me, realization dawning in his eyes. My own breathing turned to growls as the world around me sharpened, sounds becoming louder, scents more distinct.

I saw Jacob burst out of the house, shifting mid-air into a rusty wolf to protect Bella. My control slipped as the heat overwhelmed me. The next thing I knew, I was standing on all fours, a wolf, just like them.

I caught sight of my reflection in a puddle. I was a light gray wolf, with white fur on my snout and the underside of my tail, trailing up to my chin. My eyes, a striking pale yellow, locked onto the scene before me.

This all should have scared the shit out of me, but all my focus was on my anger and protecting bella. My only job was to protect Bella and rip these boys a new one. Paul and Jacob were locked in a fierce battle, and I was done waiting for them to listen. I charged into the fray, tackling Paul to the side. I bared my teeth, warning them both to stop. Jacob looked at me, shocked. “Y/N?” his voice echoed in my head. Even Paul spoke up somehow. “Wait who?” I looked between them still growling and baring teeth.

When Paul and I made eye contact. Everything stopped, I could see us in the future, running through the woods together. Having children and living a happy life. I shook my head and returned to my original thoughts. I didn’t know what that was but I had to focus on what I wanted.

Suddenly I saw movement in the bushes nearby, with a simple smell to the air I knew it was Sam. Sam emerged from the trees, a large black wolf, his teeth bared. I stood my ground, refusing to submit to his dominance. “Stand down, Y/N,” he commanded. “I’m the Alpha. You’ll listen to me.”

I growled back. “You have no say in my life Uley. I will not stand down or listen to the likes of you. None of you in this pack you built have earned my trust or respect. Least of all you.” I growled back through this mindlink situation. This all may be new to me, but it felt almost natural… familiar. Sam seemed to stop, I guess no one had been able to fight his dominance yet. When he stayed silent, I could feel myself begin to stretch my paws in a way that dug slight indents into the ground from my claws.

However it all stopped as I felt a brush of fur to my side, Paul now stood to my side with a pleading look on his face. “Okay if we don’t make you submit to him, will you calm down and let us explain all this. Allow us to introduce you to the pack, then you can decide what you want to do after that?” He calmly asked. When Sam growled at him, I watched as both Paul and Jacob immediately bowed slightly at it. I slowly turned my head towards him glaring and teeth beginning to bare again. “She doesn’t have a choice in the matter here, don’t lie to her.” I took a step forward, growling again. “Actually I think I do Uley.”

I continued stepping towards him until we stood with our snouts almost touching. “You may be their alpha, but you are no fucking alpha of mine. You have no control over me and as of right now I belong to no fucking pack. So check your attitude before I teach you what lengths I am willing to go to here. If you actually care about my loyalties then you better start acting like a worthy alpha and not some power hungry man.” I saw a flash of respect flash through his eyes. He backed off. “Fine, We will do it your way. I can’t risk losing the chance at such a packmate like yourself. I will run back to Emily’s for slime clothes for you all. The other two can teach you how to return back from this form and explain why this happens in the first place.” He turned tail and began trotting off.

I looked back over to the other boys who now sat like well trained dogs staring back at me. “So welcome to the supernatural world y/n, glad we can finally speak to you again.” I growled. “Yeah so this is why you all fucking abandoned me one by one?” Jacob whined a bit in response to my anger. “Y/n please trust me when I say all of us wanted so badly to tell you but Sam wouldn’t let us. No one is supposed to know besides new and old packmates or imprints.” I growled. “The only reason I now have any knowledge of why you left is because now I’m one of you?!”

I could feel the heat rising yet again, so I took a deep breath. I wanted to be the level-headed one here, no way they were gonna see more emotion than necessary. “If you had actually cared about me, if you had truly known me like you always said you did, then you should have known that I would understand in some way had you come up to me and told me some outlandish explanation of a lie. Fuck if you had said that there is some shit going on that you can’t tell me about, that you were keeping me from having more stress in my life by disappear for a bit. I would have understood, shit happens. We were friends and I wouldn’t push you to say anything. God I wouldn’t have spent the last few months over analyzing every fucking interaction we had to wonder where I went wrong, because that is the kind of person I am.”

Paul brushed his fur against me again in a calming way, I don’t know why but every time I felt or looked at him, it was like a sense of content calm washed over me. I hadn’t ever really met him until now, I only knew who he was thanks to Jacob, Jared, Quil, and Embry. Making eye contact with Jacob again I finished my thought. “You and the Boys were my only friends on the Rez, the only reason I could feel true freedom every other week. Remember the day before you disappeared from my life? I had told you that my father was growing ill? It got so much worse, it's at the point now that Sue Clearwater has become nearly his stay in nurse with how often she is over caring for him. At this rate my mother is talking to me about allowing me to live with him permanently until his final breath. What happens after that I don’t know. Do I get to feel these emotions though? Fuck no! Because you left and that means I have to protect and help Bella all by myself. So yeah thank you fuckers for that.”

I took a few steps away as silence overtook us, I could see all the thoughts in Jacobs mind. He was beyond just sorry but I couldn’t take it anymore so somehow I was able to shut him out of my head. I looked to Paul instead who was giving me a sorrowful yet sort of loving look. “So with the few context clues I have here, I assume shifting back means no clothes?” He nodded. “You can hide in the bushes right there to shift back, that way you don’t have to freak out with any of us seeing anything for now. I’ll make sure to stand nearby where I can’t see but I can hand you whatever Sam brings back for us.” I thanked him and hid in the bushes, it was actually good coverage and I felt safe from prying eyes. “Okay y/n, to shift back you have to find a sense of calm. You may feel calm right now but you must also think about yourself as human. I like to think of myself sitting on a cliff's edge, overlooking a beautiful forest as the sunsets. I hope that helps you get the idea.” Paul said. “Yeah thanks.”

I thought back to my run this morning, I had jogged through the forest behind my mothers home. The scent of fresh morning dew as it dampened the soft dirt and seeped into the leaves around me. At one point I had a deer running with me as we almost raced to the river's edge. I could now feel myself shrinking as my bones reset themselves to human quality. The chill breeze returned to my skin as I lost fur.

Suddenly I could smell Sam’s brooding scent nearby and it was not long until I saw A hand stick a set of clothes into the bush. Looking at the oversized t-shirt and shorts, I knew these couldn’t be Emily's. The smell was the biggest dead give away as it smelled like paul. “I thought I was getting spare clothes from emily.” I heard Sma clear his throat. “Well she was busy and I didn’t want to disrupt her. So I grabbed some spare stuff from Paul's spare clothing pile. Paul can explain more about why it had to be his clothes once you start heading back.”

I exited the bush now fully clothed and saw a fully clothed Jacob and Sam begin to walk away after confirming I was all good. Paul was to my right and gently grabbed my wrist. “There is something we actually need to have a private conversation about.” I turned to him and motioned for him to continue. “So, there's another part to being a shifter that is harder to explain but I’m gonna try my best.” I nodded and he continued. “About imprints. Every shifter has one, someone who becomes their world. It’s not just about love—it’s about being whatever that person needs, whether a friend or something more. And, Y/N, you’re my imprint.”

The world seemed to pause as his words sank in. I remembered the moment we made eye contact, the flash of a future together that had passed between us. It all made sense now, the calm I felt around him, the connection. “Holy shit, that makes so much sense.” Paul smiled and pulled me closer softly. He seemed to hesitate before delicately placing his palm against my cheek. “I know this is a lot, and I don’t want to rush you. But I’d like to spend more time together, once we’ve both had time to process all this. My mind is made up, but I want you to decide what you want without me influencing you. Just don’t make me wait too long, okay?” He chuckled and I giggled as well.

Basking in his scent, feeling his warmth against mine, I’m sure I wouldn’t want anything else to be as intimate with me. Yet he was right, it may only be irrational thoughts taking over in this irrational situation. After another minute we finally stepped back and began to walk back to Emily’s place together

#x reader #alpha beta omega #twilight #twilight saga #edward cullen #the twilight saga #the cullens

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