#cursed child recaps

[yannfredericks]

I keep thinking like owwwww I miss cursed child and then I’m like girl you saw it literally two weeks ago but the truth is what I’m missing is the 2016 mystery of it all

[ragde890]

The wait has definitely been worth it. This chapter is probably the best post-hiatus chapter we've had so far. Not only did Longhi go from generic bodyguard #19 to Isaac fucking Netero's granddaughter, but also any random bodyguard can become a relevant character now (or even Tserriednich's friends from chapter 394). Not to mention the Prince fathered by Beyond (or Princes, if Beyond's child is actually one of the Queens), who in case of being Tserriednich would make everything even more chaotic (and the possibility of the child being Tse is pretty high, seeing his resemblance to Netero when he was young).

Moving on to theories, Langhi is certainly assuming a lot of things which may not necessarily be true. One theory I've read and found interesting is that Beyond's Cursed Children aren't meant to kill the princes, but the Zodiac (which also fits the description of a group of +10 individuals). While perhaps too convoluted to be true (like the Chrollo-turned-into-Hisoka and Hisoka-turned-into-Illumi theories), it would certainly be interesting.

And the number of plots and subplots keeps growing. To recap, if I'm not forgetting any, we have:

The Succession War, involving the 11 princes still alive (12 if you count the fake Kacho created by the nen beast).

The War between the 3 Kakin Mafias, all of them chaired by relatives of Nasubi, the king of Kakin. We also Morena's plan, that could count as a plot by itself.

The Spider vs. Hisoka (a plot that has recently intertwined with the mafia war).

Bill's escape plans (the first involves Kurton, the second Pariston's help and the third Beyond's).

The Silent Majority murders.

The eyes of the Kuruta clan in possession of Tserriednich (Kurapika's original motivation for entering the Black Whale).

And now, the existence of Beyond Netero's unrecognised children that he can use to manipulate the war, and who are part of a plan he has been cooking up for more than 30 years.

This really recontextualises Beyond's famous words from a few years ago:

[drghostwrite]

Until my Last Breath

Okay so this one didn't win the vote but per special request by @maiveeetheone I’m going to write it! Hope you enjoy! xoxo

Pairing: Regina mills x pregnant!reader

TW: mentions of blood, almost miscarriage, kidnapping and minor torture.

Summary: Regina’s mother, Cora, returns and tries to turn her dark again but Y/N, her wife, has given her everything she’s ever wanted: true love, family, marriage, power and now a baby. What happens when she stands in the way of Cora’s sinister plans.

******************************************************** You sat across the conference room table as Regina conducted the meetings, it was for the town so Sheriff Swan, along with David and Snow, Mr. Gold, Regina the mayor, Zelena, a couple others and you, now you weren’t only married to the mayor and carrying her child but you helped run the hospital. You were Chief of surgeries after Dr. Whale had that taken away with the Daniel incident.

“So right now we’re using funds to help with remodeling of the school, so…” Regina was doing a funds recap and taking with Snow about what would need to be done and you started to drift off staring out the window. You ran your hand over your swollen bump feeling your baby kick and knowing that Regina’s voice was soothing to your unborn child even though she was talking finances for Storybrooke. You began to daydream about mornings where she would wake up with that slow morning growl, it made you feral for your wife and she knew it.

“Y/N…Y/N?” you heard her calling your name and it snapped you back to reality, back into the conference room with its white walls and black and white modern decor. Regina was looking at you amused, she could only imagine what had stolen your attention but had a good idea it was her and the baby.

“Oh yea, so as of right now we’re okay, we thought of possibly coordinating with the schools to give more volunteer opportunities to the kids, but we also have to discuss my leave, due to the Dr. Whale situation we’ll have to find a replacement for my maternity leave.”

“Well how about Zelena?” Regina asked, her relationship with her sister had grown tremendously, in fact that’s the only other person besides Emma and the Charmings that she’d trust with her life and family’s life.

“And what use would she be?” Asked the skeptical Mr. Gold.

“Well I mean she is a trained midwife.” Snow suggested.

“Because of a curse,” Emma reminded.

“And I’m a trauma surgeon because of the curse, Snow you’re a teacher even though it was a curse it created a version of us, a true version of us with all the training and skills," Regina watched you a grateful look in her eyes, “All I’m saying is that we give her a chance, I can set her up to assist Dr. Whale and keep him in check while I’m out and I can have Blue and the other fairies or nuns, whatever, check-in and help with outpatient care.”

Everyone exchanged looks and Regina mouthed a thank you, they then agreed that you were right and that’s the plan they’d go with. You discussed a few more minor things and then decided that it was time for everybody to go home after a long day, you stayed in the conference room until everyone was gone and then retreated to your office. You have an office at the hospital but it's in a secure part due to dealing with patients and HIPAA info so days like this Regina converted one of the old conference rooms into an office for you. It wasn't as big but she made sure to have the comfiest chairs and couches, it was decorated very modernly like her office with contrasts of vibrant forest green instead of the complete black and white, she had your favorite flowers on the desk, orange hibiscus flowers with a towering monstera plant in the corner both enchanted to never die. You had couches and chairs with a large rug on one side like her office and you had a bookshelf wall and a built-in mini-bar that quickly turned alcohol-free when you found out about the pregnancy, there was also a portion that pushed into a secret room like her vault allowing you to keep sensitive information. She wanted to make sure that you were comfortable, in your office and that it could be an escape for you considering what you did on a daily basis and the fact that she got to be closer to you during the workday, able to visit whenever and for whatever she wanted.

You finished some reports for the day and made your way down the hall to her office, you knocked and heard her call for you to come in. You walked in and before you could shut the door you felt arms wrap try and wrap around your waist but instead your bump blocked the little arms.

"Y/N!!!" you reached down and ruffled Henry's hair, and then ran a hand on his back looking up to make eye contact with Regina, she watched the interaction and her heart swelled, Henry loved you but he didn't take the idea of a third mom the easiest at first. Now don't get me wrong he was great and excited about a sibling but he had a hard time, with the whole new mom thing, he never called you mom he always said his mom's wife or your name, and he also wouldn't ever come to you either he went to Regina or right to Emma one time he even went to Snow before you knew. You wanted nothing more than to let him trust you so ever since the wedding you've been earning his trust, so it meant the world to Regina to see him so excited to see you and she knew it meant the world to you.

"Hey buddy, you have a good day?" you glanced down at him as he looked up at you.

"Yea we had a field trip today and then David offereed to take me to the stables to go riding."

"Oh really?" you smirked, looking back up to Regina as she just shook her head. "Well, then does my brave knight need me to drop him off?"

He laughed, "No, he's here, I just wanted to come in and see you before I went over, so I made him stop."

"Well in that case have fun, be safe, and take some pictures so I can brag to the nurses at work." you leaned down and kissed his hair as he hugged you tighter, he then ran back out of the office, but before the door closed you heard him yell back, "Bye, Moms!" You tuned looking at Regina, she got up walking over to you, a tear rolled down you face and she swiped it away letting her hand linger on your cheek and you leaned into the touch, she had her other hand holding yours running her fingers over your wedding ring.

"He really does love you." her coffee-brown orbs looked into your emerald green ones, as more tears ran down your face for her to swipe away.

You laughed, "God these pregnancy hormones are killing me."

“Darling, I…”, all the sudden you heard a crash outside, Regina turned and moved to the window. You held her hand in both of your as she reached to move the curtain.

“What the he…” that’s when she heard the moving of a cloud of smoke behind her and no longer felt the warmth of you hand, she spun on her heels and spotted the figure across the room.

“Mother? What’re you doing here?”

“Ahh sweet girl I’m here for you.”

“Where’s Y/N, What did you do with her?”

“You mean that peasant you call a wife,” she laughed at her daughter in front of her waving her off, “she’s in a safe place or at least it’s safe for a normal person, but not sure about her and the bastard child of yours.”

“No Mother that’s my wife and my baby, biologically both me and Y/N. She has more heart and passion and power then you’ll ever know and she loves me, truly loves me and Henry and I’ve never doubted her for a day, I LOVE her.”

“Oh darling you just live the idea of her.” Regina was done talking she whirled a fire ball, grabbing the spare dagger from the sheath attached under the desk, courtesy of you, and whirled it in that direction. She watched as smoke cleared and the dagger was no where to be found she prayed that she at least stunned her mother.

———time jump———

You were slumped forward and felt the restraints digging into your wrist and ankles as they were tied to the legs of the wooden chair. You were quickly jolted awake by Cora grabbing your chin and forcing you to look at her. Ugh, she let out a disgusted sigh and shoved you face away turning back, you watched as she walked out of the room into a smaller side room, looking around you realized you were in an older cabin, wait this was the cabin that’s hidden in the woods the enchanted cabin that… you heard heels coming towards you and turned your head, Maleficent and Cora both stood looking at you. Maleficent knelt down in front of you studying your features, she stared at your bump deciding whether or not to touch, as if it wasn’t real, you thrashed in the seat and she looked into your eyes, she ran a hand over your bump feeling your baby move.

“Cora, this is not the way to do this.” Maleficent spoke out but kept eyes trained on you as you gave her the smallest most gently terrified look you could.

“I decide how I do things, you’re just here for support on getting her back.”

“But her wife and unborn child?” Maleficent stood going to Cora.

“If they’re gone nothing will ever stop her from going back to dark and staying there.”

You started yelling into the gag and thrashing in the seat. Cora moved over to you and you felt as she slapped your face the sting of her fingers meeting your skin and the ringing in your ear her ring sliced into the skin of your cheek and you felt the blood run down, you knew you would have a black eye. She then grabbed the gag sliding it from your mouth.

“I swear if you lay a finger on Regina or my baby… so help me God.”

“Oh darling, I see why my daughter loves you.”

“My WIFE will be here before you know it and when she gets here nothing will stop her or me from destroying you!” You yelled at the woman in front of you. She bent down getting in your face, “nothing will stop me from getting my daughter back.”

“She’s not your little play toy anymore.” Again you felt a slap this time blood ran from you lip. You looked up and saw a shadow go by the window, Cora walked back over to Maleficent and retreated into the other room as you sat there hearing them argue. You watched as the shadows moved towards the door and then the door cracked, revealing Snow and Regina was right behind she pushed past the other woman and rushed to you, she ran her fingers over the cut on your lip.

“God what did she do to you?” Regina undid the restraints pulling you up into a hug.

“I’m okay…” you trailed, she pulled back placing a hand on your bump and running it over your large 8 month swollen stomach, “the baby too, we’re both okay.”

“Regina!” Snow yelled before being thrown against the wall by Cora, she used her body to shield you from her mother, taking her stand.

“My brave girl, protecting the mother of her child, but I ask who protects you, who truly keeps you from falling back into darkness.”

“I do.” You spoke up moving to stand next to her. Cora laughed out loud and Maleficent moved to check on Snow who was waking up, “Maleficent, what’re you doing?”

“This is wrong Cora.”

“And who are you to decide what is right and wrong, you destroyed villages and kingdoms with a single breath during your dragon days.”

“Mother my reign of terror and bloodshed is over, I’m never turning back.”

“Oh shut up stupid girl, I’ll show you terror.” She flicked her wrist and you felt a pain rip through your abdomen, it was so hard it brought you to your knees and you reached grabbing Regina’s arm as she turned to you.

“Oh God… Oh God the baby.” You let out a moan as tears started to fall, you felt the pain coming and going in waves, you looked down and saw a small stream of blood running down your leg.

“Mother, Stop!” Regina shouted and you watched as her magic collided with her mothers. You fell forward now on hands and knees as another pain tore through your body, you felt hands come around your sides and Snow tried getting you up.

“We need to get you out of here,” she let you lean into her and tried guiding you out the door. You reached a hand down brining it up coated in blood, again wincing in pain.

“But…but Regina,” you stuttered out in pain, letting out another moan. Maleficent placed a hand on your shoulder rubbing your arm as you tried breathing through it, “Let me save her for once you get out of here and get help before we have an injured Regina and a premature baby on our hands.” You looked into her eyes and saw she genuinely wanted to help, you slowly shook your head in agreement.

“Please get her back to me, please.”

She shook her head not breaking eye contact, “I promise, on my life.” Snow quickly turned taking you to the car as Maleficent threw her the keys,”I need to call Zelena we need to get you to the hospital.”

“No…” you struggled through another contraction.

“Y/N you’re in premature labor, there’s to much blood.”she tried reasoning with you.

“Snow if you take me all the way there…” you stopped breathing through another searing pain, letting out a low groan. “If we wait this baby won’t make it…God Snow… I won’t make it.” You said through gritted teeth.

“Okay just hold on.” You felt the car lurch forward as she pressed the gas harder.

She quickly rushed you back to the loft and called Emma filling her in, she reached over reassuring you again as you tried breathing in the passenger seat every wave coming stronger and faster. Once in the loft you were laid on Snow and David’s bed, Zelena and Emma quickly ran in the door, Zelena made her way to you. Seeing the blood on your thighs staining the white sheets red as you white knuckled the blankets, Snow brushing the sweat coated hair out of your face.

“What happened?”

“I…” you moaned, quickly being cut off by another pain.

“It was Cora she cast a spell and quick flick of her wrist and then Y/N was bent over in pain and the bleeding started.” She started to explain.

“Oh please don’t let her miscarry.” Snow said worrying.

“Don’t let me lose this baby.” You spoke out through another sharp pain.

“Labor?” Asked Emma looking to a very concentrated Zelena.

“Sort of, by the looks and sound of it mommy dearest used a pregnancy acceleration spell, if done right can work for mother and baby but if done wrong can cause a lot of problems.” Zelena explained, she lifted you shirt and felt your stomach pressing down in a few spots and releasing pressure as she felt the muscles tighten.

“Can you reverse if?” Snow asked concerned.

“I can I need to do it fast, and it will hurt like hell.”

“Will the baby be okay?”

“Y/N but you…” Snow started.

“Will the baby make it?!”

“Yes. I’m not sure the toll it will take on your body.” Zelena explained.

“I don’t care about me, you save this baby, whatever it takes you save my baby, our baby.” She slowly shook her head as you laid back against the pillows, Snow held your hand tightly understanding what could happen, Emma quickly gathered supplies and then came around to your other side, you felt Zelena swirl her hands on your bump, positioning them, you breathed through another pain.

“5 count?” She asked.

“Surprise me.” You let out a nervous breath as she nodded.

“Okay, 1…2…3…” she started before 5 not giving you much time to adjust, the last thing you heard was a bloodcurdling scream, realized it was you and then everything went black.

——— time jump———

You felt lips on your forehead and a hand holding yours, you felt tears as they landed on your hair. Slowly blinking open your eyes you realized it was your wife, she looked unscathed from events earlier. You quickly shot up on your elbows allowing the blanket to fall away revealing your bump, Regina was sitting next to the bed and laid an arm across you lap as you scooted up against the pillows resting her hand on your bump. You let out a small moan feeling the soreness in your muscles.

“Hey,” she spoke gently.

“What happened? Are you okay?” You slid your hand onto her cheek watching her eyes, she leaned into your hand.

“Well Zelena told me what happened, she told me though that you blacked out during the reversal spell.” She avoided the question.

“What happened with your mom?”

“Cora, I don’t consider her family after she went after you like that, Maleficent helped me and she pushed her back through a portal, she fell through with her though, I owe her my life.”

“Me too, how long was I out.”

“Two days, everyone has been asking about you.”

“Mmm, where’s Henry?” You rubbed at your eyes.

“With Emma and Snow and David they went out. Y/N I almost lost you, my love I’m so so sorry.” You watched as tears started to fall and you placed your hand back on her cheek, wiping tears with your thumb, she embraced the touch. You both let tears fall for a moment before she leaned forwards placing a kiss to your lips and then allowing you to lay your forehead against hers, “Y/N I will always fight for you, until I draw my last breath, I love you more than anything and I can’t wait to watch our family grow and I’m so sorry this happened to you.”

“Regina Mills you make me the happiest woman alive, don’t for a minute think that I’ll ever leave you, I love you, besides the ring is already on so it’s going to take a lot more than that to scare me away.” You both chuckled.

Zelena walked down the stairs and turned coming up to you and sitting at the edge of the bed, “So mama, looks like everything went okay, you’re gonna be sore for a little while, and as of yesterday you are officially on bedrest aside from coming in to visit.”

“Thank you Z, for everything.” You gave her a gentle smile.

“Don’t mention it just promise me that you’ll rest up and come back to show me the ropes before you have my niece or nephew.” She winked, patting your leg.

You heard the lock click and watched as the door swung open at first everyone moved in slowly until they saw you, they stood shocked until Henry came running around the corner and jumped on the bed hugging around your neck the best he could with your bump in the way. Zelena took her leave joining the others in the kitchen.

“Mama I thought I lost you!” You hugged him with one arm as tears rolled down your cheeks, Henry has never actually addressed you as mom before. You felt as Regina squeezed your hand and gave you a look, you closed you eyes living in the moment.

“Henry, love you’ll never lose me, I love you little man.” He wouldn’t let go of your neck and then you realized that he was crying, Regina reached around rubbing his back, “Baby it’s okay.” She reassured him.

“I…I…I just thought I lost you, I can…can’t lose both my m…moms, or my little sister I can’t wait to meet he…her” He said through sobs. You both smiled gently at him as he clung around your neck.

“Henry love what if you got a little brother?” Regina asked gently.

“No, I think it’s a girl.”

“Oh okay.” She chuckled looking at you as you held him and rubbed his back.

“I’d say someone agrees with that.” You let out a smirk, Regina looked at you hopeful.

“Really?” You nodded and she moved her hand down feeling as your baby kicked, a tear rolled down her cheek and she leaned up to kiss you.

“I wanna feel.” Henry said turning his head and placing a hand near Regina’s feeling the baby move. He let out a toothy grin making you both laugh at your sons reaction.

He pulled away but only to curl into your side holding Regina’s hand that was spread across your bump, he started talking to the baby, you sat there content knowing that no matter what you were all loved and that you finally had the family you always dreamed of.

[epickiya722]

So I just read a meta about how Yuji is not at all parallel with Getou. "Because Yuji is really kind from his heart unlike Getou...." Can I ask, is there really an interview where Gege said that Getou is too kind in the cruel JJK universe? Do you agree with the parallel between Yuji and Getou?

[I apologize beforehand, this kinda got long because I got into the topic and I'm running on low HP. So this may be a little all over the place. 😅]

Okay, so I don't know if there is an interview of such a topic (I'm still "new" to JJK, like I'm just being more active again enough though I had been into the since it premiered and picked up the manga, not important right now though) but I can answer that second question!

I disagree with the fact that Yuji and Suguru can't be compared because Yuji is "too kind". Don't get me wrong, my boy is so kind. And the same be said for Suguru once upon a time.

So I do agree with the parallels.

The thing is, Suguru didn't start off as some evil guy. And even if he did, that doesn't mean him and Yuji can't be parallels to each other, let alone be compared.

Sometimes, it seems forgotten that Suguru was just a child, too, when his life took a whole different course. He was just a year older than what Yuji is when he witnessed the death of Riko. At 17-18 years old, he finally snapped.

Sure, they're totally different characters on the surface. When you see Suguru, you wouldn't think Yuuji and vice versa. It takes sitting down and letting your mind wander and seeing those similarities.

If there are hero characters that serve as parallels to their villains, I don't see why Yuji being "too kind" would be an issue to why he can't serve as a parallel to Suguru.

Now, I don't know if Gege wants us to see them as parallels, but I do see that the characters share some similarities. Wrote a post of said similarities way back when, but I'll do a recap here!

Small details are that they're both are/have been in a trio that consists of them (Suguru and Yuji), a girl with a bob (Shoko and Nobara) and another guy who comes from a high-status clan with a string technique born in December (Satoru and Megumi). They both lost a limb (Yuji lost a hand and Suguru lost a whole arm), fought some old guy, has fought Yuta, and has a thing for loose clothing.

Now, I see those more as coincidences. But there are bigger details that more-so dwell into and shape into their characters.

They have witnessed someone die in front of them and someone's death had set them off somehow to the point of Suguru and Yuji being enraged and questioning how things work.

Suguru was less than a yard away when Riko was killed in front of him and moments later, Toji tells him about Satoru. Suguru was already still in shock with Riko's death since it just happened and then Toji pushed him further with Satoru's "death" (yes, Suguru didn't see Satoru die, but his "death" was a trigger for him, like that's his other half right there). There's also Haibara's death. Haibara's death was definitely another tragedy for Suguru given that Haibara was kinda the hope spot for their group. He was literally the sunshine and then that dreadful mission happened.

Yuji witnessed both deaths of Junpei and Nanami at the hands of Mahito. And as had death had been for Suguru, their deaths affected him greatly. Junpei's demise kicks off Yuji's hatred for Mahito and it's just the beginning of how his character begins to change. Yuji starts off more optimistic in the story, by the time the Shibuya Incident Arc ends, he has pretty much dulled. He already accepts his death in the beginning, doing what he can to save people. But then, he lost his fight against Choso, Sukuna did what he did and then Mahito came and killed Nanami and (seemingly) Nobara.

Both characters came to the realization that the jujutsu world sucks. They're just tools ordered by others (the Higher Ups 🙄) who don't do a damn thing really, to kill curses that will just keep coming. They accept that, but in different ways. For Suguru, he deflects and decides to "fix the problem" by killing the cause of Curses. Which is humans, or to be specific: non-shamans. For Yuuji, when he accepts it, it's when he has his final battle with Mahito. He doesn't decide to kill humans. He just accepts that "Well, Mahito, you're right, I am you. I am a killer."

Crazy thing is, when both Suguru and Yuuji hit their breaking points and kill/attempt to kill someone (Suguru with the village and Yuji with Mahito), it wasn't like they're enjoying it for revenge purposes or anything. They're both emotionally drained and just act on the simple nature of being a jujutsu sorcerer/curse user. They have those dead looks in their eyes.

Another trait they share is swallowing cursed things, which, again, plays into shaping their characters.

Suguru swallows curses and does not enjoy the taste at all. And it's something he has to do over and over and over. Curses are nothing but trouble for him. In his past, he uses his technique for saving, to do good as he believed he should do. When he chooses to be a curse user, he uses his technique in exchange for money. As a teenager, he pretty much was using a technique that slowly was mentally destroying him for people who wouldn't even know he was saving them and for people who wouldn't care less about him. If he's going to swallow the thing that he hates most just as much as he does for non-shamans, he might as well do it benefit himself.

His technique, piled on with the deaths he witnessed as well as the ugliness of people changed Suguru for the worse.

Same could be said for Yuuji. While he doesn't have to do it as often Suguru does, he still gets just as much mental damage as Suguru. At first, he handles it a little better, it's even played for laughs a little. When he first swallows one of Sukuna's fingers, it's to save his friends and Megumi. He doesn't think about it, he acts on it. When he swallows the second finger, it kicks in how gross it is, but he brushes off the taste. The third finger, he wasn't even conscious for. Sukuna swallowed that one. Four finger, again, Sukuna did that. However, even though Yuuji is aware that the more fingers he swallows, the closer his execution date is, and isn't sure how many fingers it would take for him to lose control of Sukuna, he just asks "should I eat it"?

It's when fingers 5-15 are consumed when things really hit Yuuji hard. He loses his fight against Choso, and is unconscious and close to death, which allows the Hasaba Twins to feed him finger #5. Jogo comes along and feeds him the next 10 fingers.

Sukuna takes over and we know what happens after that.

After Sukuna destroys Shibuya, he dumps that trauma on Yuuji who blames himself for the destruction. It goes down even further down hill for him.

Speaking of Sukuna, that's another thing they share. Not Sukuna, but body possession.

Both Suguru and Yuuji's bodies become vessels for 1000+ year old beings that cause nothing but problems for everyone else all while they're being used for other's advantages.

Kenjaku possesses Suguru's body to use his technique. Sukuna possess Yuuji's body as a way to be brought up into the world. Although he doesn't have control of Yuuji's body all the time, whenever he does, he makes sure to make the most of it.

(And if you're a manga reader, you know he definitely have done that.)

It also strikes me as interesting that both characters have a connection to Kenjaku in some way. As mentioned, Suguru's body is possessed by Kenjaku and Kenjaku is responsible for Yuuji existing. And I just know that had to be foreshadowed, too.

That part when that the Worm Curse Toji had comes in contact with Suguru can calls him "mommy"? Yeah... Suguru becomes a mom, alright. Adopts twins a year later, dies years later after that, body gets possessed. And what do you know! Suguru's body gets possessed by Kenjaku... who just before taking Suguru's body had been parading around as Kaori Itadori... Yuuji's mother!

Really, what sets Suguru and Yuuji apart is that Suguru ended up from being a hero character to a villain.

For two characters to never had interacted, they do have similar stories.

[quitealotofsodapop]

Alsowe beentalkingin the notes, but this deserves its own ask. Imagine, just a moment, Xiwangmu and Jade Emperor's reaction to Wukong's miscarriage. Both when the event happens... and later on, when a very pregnant Sun Wukong stands before them pleading for sanctuary when the Lady Bone Demon threatens him and his second unborn cub, and during the proceeds, they discover who Wukong's mother was.

On one hand, the Jade Emperor's actions had directly led to Wukong being on that Journey, had he and the Buddha not sealed him under the mountain or had he been more patient or merciful towards Wukong, more understanding, the monkey might never have lost his first born. The sheer guilt he must have felt when he learned of the miscarriage.

On the other, Wukong is now standing before him, humble in a way he had never seen the monkey in his entire life, pregnant with a rainbow baby, and pleading for help to keep them safe. And then, shortly after pledging his assistance, he discovers that Wukong had, in fact, been his spirit grandchild this entire time! This means that child he still felt guilty and remorse for all these years later... enough to promise one of his greatest enemies of all time his protection... had been his firstborn great-grandson.

And that's just the emperor. That's nothing on how Xiwangmu feels. She'd already inadvertently cursed her female heirs to have difficult pregnancies, and now she discovers that false to the sole male heir that are capable of procreation without a partner amd he had already lost a cub once.

Prev. Lots of talking in the Notes.

Recap: Once Macaque realises that LBD will stop at nothing to be free and enact her plans for world destruction, he decides that he must find a way to prove that he's sorry to the person he's hurt the most. So he asks Guanyin to give him the Circlet to ensure that he can never hurt Wukong, his child, or his friends, ever again.

This act convinces Wukong (and somewhat the others) that Macaque is being honest in his remorsefulness. But he isn't quite back to speaking terms just yet.

Of course LBD still gets loose, manipulating a fiery little bull calf who just wanted his family to be happy and whole again in to using her Skeleton Key.

And with Bull still imprisoned and Wukong too weakened in his condition to free him, there's no chance of reforging the Samadhi Fire.

So Sun Wukong, along with his reincarnated Pilgrim brothers and his new allies (and his former-mate, arrested by Nezha), comes before Heaven and Hell seeking help in saving the world.

The courts ask him for why he cannot defeat the White Bone Spirit as he'd done before, only for the Great Sage to reluctantly explain that he is with child and cannot fight her in his condition.

The silence inside the courtroom is deafening.

For you see, Xiwangmu was privy to the loss of Wukong's First Egg the moment he cried out to the Heavens at also losing his mate. She had not known he was able to carry young, but was heartbroken on his behalf nonetheless. The Jade Emperor too felt remorseful, the monkey he had punished so severely sobbing into his wife and daughters' arms at the loss of both his child and mate. The Jade Emperor find himself crying too, him and his wife know the pain of a parent losing their child all too well.

So now there's Sun Wukong the once self-declared Great Sage Equal to Heaven, before them once more after nearly five centuries of hiding. His belly round (a "Rainbow Baby" the Ao-Long family calls it) and his eyes watery as he pleads for their help.

Macaque still receives a gruelling Trial. Xiwangmu in particular is not forgiving of the actions that lead to the loss of Wukong's first child. Luckily the Ten Kings and Kṣitigarbha are there to explain the shadow monkey's sheer guilt and grief at learning of the First Egg's existence, and how his despair was so great that something older than Diyu itself had consumed him. And how his soul soared to revive after it was announced that the child was soon to be reborn. The actions of a remorseful mate and future father (both eggs still containing his dao) wishing for penance from his immortal mate in order to reunite with them in the world of the living.

The fact that Macaque was willing to bargain his soul to a primordial Bone Demon is forgiven given his reasoning to return.

The world below continues to freeze and crumble as Sun Wukong and his allies plea for Heaven's assistance.

The Jade Emperor gives the command for the armies of Heaven to begin chipping away at the Bone Demon's corruption. Xiwangmu barely has time to come forward and bless Wukong's child when the heroes leave to join the fight.

A lot of chaos happens on the ground. The Bone Demon becomes frustrated that her threats of death and attempts of control do not work on Macaque, the Circlet on his head incapacitating him with a single syllable from Nezha, Tieshan, or Tang's lips. He smiles at the demon through clenched teeth as she tries to drag his limbs forward, accepting the pain of the Circlet if it means he can no longer hurt his allies.

The Thrall is quickly dealt with. Sandy still has yet to take his vow of pacifism when he gets his hands on the smiling puppet that's been harassing his friends the last couple of months.

So LBD decides to do the next best thing. If she needs the Harbinger's soul to complete her weapon, what's better than possessing it's power-drained parent?

Wukong and Macaque are forced to fight once more, this time in order for Macaque to save Wukong and the Egg from LBD's possession. LBD's hold is broken when Macaque grabs Wukong's hands, interlocking them with his own, and places them against the King's round stomach. Kicks so strong and healthy that both cannot help to feel and hear it. Wukong sobs with joy, his baby and his mate are truly alive once more!

LBD screams and rushes towards Wukong - deciding that if she cannot destroy this world, she will destroy the simian or his whelp once and for all.

A sky-shattering roar erupts as a massive war-form of a Spiritual Monkey endures the demoness's strike.

But it's not Wukong.

Macaque proves in this moment that he is truly Sun Wukong's equal. In front of Heaven, Hell, Earth, their troop, and more importantly; Wukong himself.

Not much is left of LBD for the Ten Kings to collect. They grant Macaque an aquittal for neutralizing a threat to all the Realms, allowing him to remain on Earth with his mate and future child.

As the adrenalin drops, Macaque reverts to his normal form, now painted with sickly blue vines and patches of fur bleached white from the attack of death magic. Through his pain, he asks Wukong if he and the Egg are ok. Wukong wraps his arms around his mate for the first time in millennia, sobbing with thanks and relief.

The Egg continues kicking violently as it's parents reconcile, annoyed by all the disturbance. Eventually it decides that it should make it's presence known in a *louder* way.

(*Wukong still hugs Macaque tight*) Macaque, ears flickering: "What's that water balloon sound?" Wukong: "Huh? What water-" Wukong: (*look of realisation and terror as his water breaks*) Guanyin, teleporting onto the scene: "IT'S GO TIME PEOPLE."

And of course you can imagine the joy and tiredness that follows in the birth of "Little Heaven". And the uncertainty when both of their parents are put on tight medical observation, Wukong from nearly dying in childbirth, and Macaque from his injuries. All of Heaven adn Hell seems to come forward to aid the small family's survival.

Pigsy ends up being the only one able to calm and feed the crying newborn in absence of their parents. Tieshan nearly moves back into the palace as she helps tend to her brother-in-law and his family, not caring if all of the Celestial Realm sees her or her half-demon child. Guanyin sits like a vigil over the two monkeys, rarely even moving out of fear of missing their awakening.

Xiwangmu becomes suspicious of her reincarnated daughter's attitude during this time and decides to investigate some things in the Underworld. And of course you can imagine how her and the Jade Emperor feels when they discover that Wukong's own mother was the first reincarnation of the same lost eldest daughter. And that the very child Wukong had lost all those years ago was their first great-grandchild. And how much they feel guilt at the fact Xiwangmu's curse had spread to her grandson - taking his both his mother and his first child, while even nearly taking his life in the birth of his second.

Xiaotian - the "Little Heaven" - is almost literally a rainbow in the lives of everyone who encounters him from then on.

[mask131]

Other Odysseys: Ulysses 31

It seems so strange for me that many people do not know Ulysses 31, because back in France it is one of the most famous and defining productions of the 80s in terms of kid entertainment. It was one of the big nerdy things of the time, and a large influence on French sci-fi.

Ulysses 31 (French title, Ulysse 31 ; Japanese title, Uchu Densetsu Yurishizu Satiwan) is one of the most renowned results of this specific mediatic era in the 80s which saw recurring collaborations between France and Japan. This series is, as a result, both an European cartoon and a Japanese anime. It first aired during the 1981-1982 season, but it kept having regular re-airings all the way into the 2000s. It is a set of 26 episodes, each 26 minutes long (though the original airing was... very strange. If anyone is interested I'll share about it :p)

And what's the plot? Well if you couldn't guess by the title... It's THE ODYSSEY IN SPACE of course!

Science-fiction was the big obsession of both French and Japanese in the 80s, so of course they would settle to move the Odyssey n space. Remember: it was the post-Star Wars boom, the "after Kubrick's 2001" time, the era of "Captain Future", "Albator 78", "Cobra Space Adventure". We still have Odysseus trying to return home, encountering monsters and being persecuted by the gods... But we are in the 31st century, Odysseus' ship is a space-ship equiped with a helpful artificial-intelligence-computer, Troy is a space station, Odysseus tries to return to planet Earth rather than Ithaqua, and his journey takes him through space and different planets instead of islands of the sea.

Another quite major change: Telemachus is with Odysseus! Yep. Indeed, you see, Odysseus still has his entire crew... But they were placed into a suspended animation by the gods as part of Odysseus' curse. This was actually a way to limit the protagonists of the story, as there are only four people awake and sentient on the ship. Odysseus, his son Telemachus who accompanies him, Themis (who is an alien little girl Odysseus rescued from this version of the Cyclop, no relationship to the Titaness whatsoever), and Nonno. Nonno who is... he is supposed to be the sort of goofy, joking robot sidekick - you know the type of character, this typical chibified little mascot you find in every anime of the era, and that people either love or despise with all their guts.

Together, the four of them (who basically have a sort of family dynamic of a father, his two kids, and the pet) have to find back their way to Earth while escaping the many perils and dangers the gods throw before them... Because here's the fascinating thing in this take on the Odyssey: the gods are actual gods. They're not hyper-advanced aliens, they're not omniscient artificial intelligence, they are actual deities who just happen to rule over the entire universe instead of one planet. Or rather the entire "multiverse"...

Here is the starting plot of the series, the core of the first episode and what is recapped at the beginning of each ulterior story - and it gives you an insight at how this cartoon handles the original material.

The episode begins with Odysseus and Telemachus leaving the Troy space-station where they stayed for several years, to return home to Earth. However, during their travel, they get captured by the inhabitants of a strange and dangerous planet: a group of fanatical one-eyed monks. These people are actually a cult who worship a creation of the god Poseidon: a gigantic robot, the "Cyclop", which provides sight and energy to the fanatical monks... in exchange of child sacrifices. Odysseus rescues his son Telemachus, as well as two alien kids (one of them being Themis, the other her older brother Numaios), and destroys the Cyclop-robot before leaving the planet.

Unfortunately for him, the monks called upon Poseidon, who in turn called upon Zeus - and Zeus appears in front of Odysseus' ship. Zeus punishes Odysseus for destroying a sacred creation of the gods - and not only does he places Odysseus' entire crew (plus Themis' older brother) in a state of suspended animation, a sort of floating coma, but he also erases the road back to Earth from the space-ship's main computer... And then transports Odysseus' ship to Olympus.

Sounds cool? No. Olympus is here an alternate dimension filled with physical abnormalities and scientific horrors and other alien terrors. It is where the gods and their servants dwell, but it is also where they send all those they seek to punish or torment... And by Zeus' own words, Odysseus is now doomed to find his way back to Earth - which he can only do by reaching the outmost limits of the dimension of Olympus, the "realm of Hades", where a gate to his homeworld awaits him...

Quite a story, huh?

The anime actually takes a course typical of Odyssey cartoons: it adapts the key parts of the Odyssey (Circe, Charybdis and Scylla, Aeolus, the Cyclop, the Laestrygons, etc), but also throws in other elements from Greek mythology to pad things up (Odysseus encounters the sphinx, the minotaur, Nereus, and more), and also adds entirely new episodes which have absolutely nothing to do with Greek mythology whatsoever (and usually you can feel how different they are due to relying on anime tropes and random fantasy or sci-fi stories rather than, you know, Greek legend and Antique aesthetic - you even have a friggin' space adaptation of Count Zaroff!).

If you are familiar with the specific brand of science-fiction carried by things like Doctor Who, you'll find yourself upon a comfortable ground, a world where gods and witches coexist with alien plants, impossible planets, clones and hyper-advanced robots ; a world where Poseidon sends shark-humanoids in trident-shaped spaceships after Odysseus. However, the defining trait of this anime, and what a lot of people might enjoy with this loose adaptation: it is full on cosmic horror.

Already we are talking of Greek monsters transposed as aliens, robots and space abnormalities ; and of Odysseus' endless journey through hostile seas being turned into a desperate search for his home-planet throughout the empty darkness of an alternate dimension. Add to that how Olympus is a prison-dimension containing many people who are victim of the gods' unfairness or cruelty - even though they, themselves, turned towards evil measures or committed terrible deeds as a result of what the gods had them go through... The result is eepisodes that are either terrifying, or very much depressing (especially episodes like the Sisyphus or Circe ones, where these already ambiguous figures are even more morally ambiguous, pitiful in their fall and noble in their evil, antagonists Odysseus must battle but that he comes to admire and respect in their own ways). It's still kid-friendly though, so Odysseus always vanquishes the villain of the day, and his kids are never truly harmed, and the protagonists always escape by the end... But by gosh is everybody who is not a protagonist can have the worst and most miserable endings ever.

But then, you have to add the gods. They're the best part of the show - as in, the most horrifying. Remember when I said I don't mind pure villainization of the Greek gods as long as it is made in a way that makes sense and is aware of the original material? It's one of these cases.

In Ulysses 31's universe, there are no good gods. Athena is utterly absent, Hermes does appear but he doesn't give two shits about Odysseus as he was sent for another mission (dealing with Circe, which just happens to coincidentaly help Odysseus and even then in a way that deeply displeases Odysseus), and the closest thing we get to a benevolent entity is Hades - but that's just because he is a purely and entirely neutral force who is still massively terrifying. It tells you something that in this story, Zeus is turned into the main persecutor of Odysseus and teams up with Poseidon to cause the most terrible things to him (in fact, Zeus and Poseidon are so close they are basically almost one same entity). Even Aeolus is turned into an evil lord out of Dune who hosts for his guests deadly games using human beings as pawns.

But what is really frightening and cool in terms of design choices are how the big gods appear. The big three, Zeus, Poseidon and Hades. The "minor" gods like Aeolus or others are depicted as just mutated and/or supernatural humanoids, as physical entities - but the "big" gods? They are... gigantic, empty-eyed Ancient Greek statues, half-translucid, floating into space, appearing and disappearing out of the shadows between the stars, with their voice booming through the silence of space and reaching people's ears against all physical laws. This, while being followed by some creepy synth music that traumatized an entire generation of kids. For those who were scared by the Southern Oracle scene from the Neverending Story, you'll get what I mean when I say enormous talking statues can be very disturbing.

In fact, in many ways "Ulysses 31" might be one of the darkest takes on the Odyssey and on Greek mythology I ever saw, which ultimately leaves you with a strange bittersweet taste in your mouth. Again, typical of a Doctor Who-like show: a cosmic horror story that ends happily, a space-travel tale where the heroes defeat the bad guys but with abominable implications for the kind of world they live in as a whole, and a story which despite being fun and goofy at time, is still a story where many people died or suffered dreadfully on the way. .

... You know, just your random kids classic that aired on children's channels on Sunday mornings X) Even some of the goofist, most ridiculous or childish episodes (like the one of the witch at the vacation camp for aliens - you'll know what I mean) always have at least one frightening scene or shot worth of a horror movie.

[sunnyrealist]

Chapter 61: An Extra Butterbeer

The Sun, the Moon, and All Our Stars

Summary and Details…

Previous Chapter Recap/Context: Sebastian was incredibly sweet and took great care of Kate when she had bad cramps. Kate finally set a date to tell her family about Sebastian, and he continues to agonize over how they will react. Sebastian left for two days in the field as a Kelpies gang member (he's a double-agent working for the DMLE on probation). A few chapters back, Sebastian received a response from his old friend, Ruby McKinnon, the "Hero of Hogwarts." She wrote to say that she wanted to catch up and share some information about Anne in person, hoping that Friday evening at the Three Broomsticks would work. In this chapter, that time comes after Kate spends some time recounting what happened when Sebastian came home from two horrific days in the field.

Pairing: 25-year-old, post-Azkaban Sebastian Sallow x 24-year-old Kate Mayflower (my OC), the assistant librarian at Hogwarts

Art Credit: @giselsann-opencommissions 💛

Content warnings: In general, this is rated 18+, so minors should not read or interact with this story. In this chapter, there are emotional moments between friends who have been apart for a long time, but there is also discussion of arson, torture, child endangerment, physical scarring, and the use of Dark curses.

The full chapter is available below the cut; it can also be found on AO3 (link is posted below). Please leave some feedback if possible, especially if you like what you read! 🥰

Chapter 61: An Extra Butterbeer

As Kate places the shortbread biscuits carefully into a basket, her mind wanders back to the previous night.

She had spent the entire evening trying to distract herself from her nerves, praying to the gods that Sebastian would return unharmed. She had paced for about an hour before she finally decided to bake something, to be productive and keep the stress at bay. When she finally set the biscuits on a rack to cool, she heard the door open and close.

Rushing to him, she had pulled him into a tight embrace before she even had a chance to really look him over. He trembled in her arms and began to cry. It had clearly been a horrific couple of days. Sebastian couldn’t even bear to tell her exactly what had happened for a long while. 

Kate had run a hot bath. She joined him, and his back sank against her chest. She noticed it right away - a huge new marking that resembled lightning. No one but she would have caught it, camouflaged amongst the endless sea of scars, but she had memorized every contour of his back through sight and touch. She had gasped upon this discovery but quickly covered for it by commenting on the scalding temperature of the water (exactly how he had requested it). 

Kissing his head, his neck, his shoulders over and over, she told him how much she loved him, how relieved she was that he was home. She washed his hair, her fingertips tenderly massaging his scalp until he moaned. After some time, she stepped out of the tub to give him some privacy, drying herself off quickly. She set off to put together a comforting meal, a hearty stew with crusty bread. As soon as he finished, she let him melt into her body on the bed. 

She didn’t push him to explain what had happened. He opened up on his own accord after spooning together in silence for about ten minutes. 

“We were sent out to obtain information. My partner… took it too far. When our target wouldn’t break, we apparated to his house. He had a family, Kate. His wife was out, but his children were inside. My partner forced that man to watch, bound, while he set their home on fire,” Sebastian said very quietly. “It went up in flames so quickly - so much more quickly than I thought it would. I could hear the kids screaming, unable to find a way out. They were too young to have any magic.” He swallowed thickly.

Kate listened in horror, thankful she was cuddling him so he couldn’t see her face. 

“That fucking cruel bastard was laughing the whole time,” Sebastian continued. “He kept running around the house like a mad man. He wanted… no, relished in causing harm, in watching it burn. While he was celebrating… I saw an opportunity and took it. I released the man and used a powerful charm to give the children a small path out. They all got away.” He shook his head. “But I don’t know if I’ll ever forget the screaming.”

Her arm tightened around his chest.

“We were punished when we got back to headquarters,” he added. “Severely punished. No matter how many times I have faced the Cruciatus… Merlin, it never gets easier.” He shuddered. “Kate… I thought about you. I thought about you the whole time. I pictured you. I saw you waiting for me outside the cottage. The sun was shining, and you were smiling… You wore a pretty yellow dress with flowers in your hair. You were calling to me, so happy… I was only able to bear it because of you. I wanted to come home.” He took a breath. “The bloody arsonist wasn’t so lucky. He said he couldn’t feel his legs afterwards… and they carried him off. I think he might be paralyzed.” He sniffed, and Kate wondered if he was holding back tears. “Yet another terrible thing I’ve done. Just add it to the long, long list… of why I shouldn’t be here.”

“No,” Kate replied immediately, her tone firm. “No, Bash. You saved those people. You’re a hero. A hero. That man got what he deserved.” She shakes her head. “You probably saved so many more potential victims. He might never be able to hurt anyone else.” She kisses the back of his head. “Bash… You did the right thing. Don’t ever question that.” 

She didn’t utter a word when she later saw him down a potion for Dreamless Sleep. 

Now, tying a silky white ribbon around the basket’s handle, she glances up to find Sebastian in the kitchen door frame wearing nothing but a towel around his waist, his hair still damp.

“I… can’t decide what to wear,” he confesses. “I don’t want to be overdressed, but I want to make a good impression… I haven’t seen them in so long.”

“I’ll help,” she replies, and follows him to the bedroom.

An hour later, Sebastian and Kate approach the Three Broomsticks hand-in-hand. Sebastian’s blue tie is a perfect compliment to Kate’s slightly softer blue dress. She carries the gift basket carefully.

“Ready?” she asks, searching his face.

“Ready,” he replies, taking a deep breath and opening the door.

His chocolate eyes adjust to the dim light and scan the pub for his friend. Kate trails him, also searching. 

Sebastian doesn’t see Ruby at first, but he hears her. Her distinct laughter rises high, and it draws him. He strides confidently to find her sitting at a round table with Poppy in a somewhat hidden corner. 

Ruby’s eyes go wide the moment he appears. Her mouth falls open. She rises, striding over to Sebastian, and without a word, hugs him and doesn’t let go for a long while. “Sebastian?” she asks in a hushed tone, pulling back to look at him. “Is that really you?”

He nods. “It’s me.” 

“I still can’t believe it. I really thought I’d never see you again,” she murmurs. “But I never forgot you. Never.”

“Likewise,” he replies, still a bit stunned that this is actually happening.

Kate had not been sure what to expect when it came to Ruby’s appearance, but now that she is observing her, she cannot help but find Ruby quite pretty - a striking and unique beauty. It was no wonder that Sebastian had fancied her in their youth. Her unnatural, purple-red hair is pulled into a low bun, where she seems to keep her wand, her forehead covered by bangs. Her eyes appear brown at first, but as the light hits them, they become a deep crimson. She wears a plain, conservative white blouse, and, like her eyes, her gray skirt is not actually what it seems - it is actually a pair of pantaloons over black dragonhide boots. She has freckles just like Sebastian, and from her skin tone, it’s clear she spends a lot of time outdoors in the sun..

Kate watches intently until Poppy appears, standing before her. “Hi, Kate. I don’t know if you remember me, but I remember you. I recall seeing you and your friends in the common room many, many times over the years. Your group always seemed to have so much fun.”

Kate wants to continue listening to the exchange between Ruby and Sebastian out of curiosity but politely tears her attention away and smiles warmly at her old housemate. “Hi! I remember you, too! It’s good to see you.”

Her face tan and freckled, Poppy appears as though she’s just a year out of Hogwarts. The only obvious difference in appearance is her hair. It’s shorter, just about chin-length. She is dressed in a fashion similar to Ruby, but her clothing somehow looks a bit more feminine and soft. 

“Funny how things work out. Who knew we’d end up with these two?” Poppy gestures at the two former Slytherins. She gazes at Ruby with obvious affection, a smile on her face.

“Indeed! Who knew…” Kate echoes with a laugh. “Have you been here long?”

“We came early to have dinner,” she replies. “We were hoping to see Sirona, but we seem to have missed her.”

“She’s on holiday,” Kate explains. “It’s an annual thing with her friends.” She pauses, then realizes that Poppy is staring at the basket in Kate’s hand. “Oh! This is for both of you. I baked some shortbread biscuits. I hope you like them.”

Taking the basket, she beams. “Thanks! We’re seeing my Gran tomorrow, and she loves shortbread. This will be perfect! We’ll all enjoy biscuits with tea.”

The two of them glance back at their partners, who seem deep in conversation. 

“Shall we grab butterbeers for the table?” Poppy suggests, nodding towards the bar.

“Sure!”

When the two of them return to the table, Sebastian and Ruby have finally sat down. Poppy places the serving tray on the table as Kate settles into a chair. Each person grabs a mug of butterbeer, and they clink their vessels with smiles on their faces.

Sebastian glances back at the serving tray, looking puzzled. “There’s an extra…”

Kate didn’t even notice earlier. She looks to Poppy, who in turn faces Ruby.

“I… actually invited another friend - someone I haven’t had a chance to see in a long while,” Ruby explains nonchalantly. “I hope that’s alright.”

Sebastian frowns, disappointed that the night couldn’t have been focused on just the two of them catching up. Kate touches his arm in a comforting gesture, and her eyes try to communicate a message - that it’s alright and that this won’t be the only time they’ll get to visit. He quickly recovers, putting on a neutral face. “It’s alright.”

“Oh!” Ruby exclaims, her eyes lighting up in recognition of someone. “In fact… he’s here right now!”

Kate and Sebastian turn around.

Sebastian’s hand flies to his mouth, covering it in shock.

She doesn’t recognize the man standing nearby, scanning the room with unseeing milky blue eyes and an outstretched ebony wand, blinking red. He’s rather tall, thin, and pale with long blonde hair pulled into an elegant ponytail. His fashion sense is impeccable - his long, dark coat is tailored and is finished with a velvet trim. He looks exactly like someone Kate’s mum would set her up with.

“O- Ominis,” Sebastian gasps, rising from his seat.

Kate’s brow furrows. How…?

“Sebastian,” Ominis replies. “I…”

“Ominis,” Sebastian repeats, a bit louder, striding towards him and taking in his expression. He reaches out and hugs him tightly.

Ominis is tense for a moment, but then he reciprocates. 

“It’s so good to see you,” Sebastian chokes out, trying to hold back tears, but he quickly begins to sob in happiness, his shoulders rising and falling intermittently.

“I never got your letter,” Ominis tells him, “but Ruby contacted me this week and told me the news - that you had been released from Azkaban. I couldn’t believe it. We had tried so many times to…” He trails off, looking thoughtful.

Ruby approaches her friends. “I knew Ominis would not have ignored your letter. I knew there had to be some kind of mistake - that something must have gone wrong.” 

Ominis drapes his arm over Sebastian’s shoulder. Sebastian can’t stop looking at him, still crying. 

“Look at us,” Ruby says with a smile. “Reunited at last.”

[it-happened-one-fic]

Congrats on your milestone! I'll put in a request. I chose Twisted Wonderland, a courtly drama and a tome falling apart to reveal its yellowing pages.

Good luck on your writing and I'll see you at your next milestone!

Thank you so much for the congratulations! I was so excited to see your name pop up in my inbox! It’s always so lovely to see anything about you in my notifications and to read your comments. I ended up writing this fic while listening to “For the Love of a Princess” from the Braveheart OST and, fair warning, I played a bit with accents which might be one of the reasons this fic ended up quite so long. I hope you enjoy your tale!

600 Followers Event!

Underneath the Highland Moon - Silver

Type: Gender Neutral reader/ Fluff/ romance implied/ 600 follower event/ courtly drama & A tome whose binding is slowly unraveling as the cover attempts to fall away and reveal the yellowed pages beyond/ isekai

Word Count: 3419

I was barely able to react as the light flashed up brilliantly from all around. Blinding me as I dropped the weighty book from my hands in favor of shielding my eyes.

Distantly, I remembered Trein saying something about how books could be enchanted, and I almost cursed myself for being quite so foolish. To be fair, though, thus far all of the books I’d encountered in Twisted Wonderland had just been normal books.

But if the flash of light hadn’t been enough evidence of the less than average nature of this book, then the sinking feeling followed by utter darkness was.

And when I opened my eyes, I was no longer in NRC’s library.

Instead, I was lying in a plush, four-poster bed that had curtains hanging all around it. And was utterly covered in thick quilts with spiraling celtic patterns.

I blinked, immediately frowning as I sat up, sending rich fabrics everywhere with my motions as I heard a woman’s voice speak from beyond the curtains in a thick, undoubtedly Scottish accent, “Ma liege?”

I reached over, pulling back a curtain, only to find myself peering out at a young woman who was quite obviously dressed as a maid, with her plain dark dress and white apron decorated lightly with pale green embroidery in the corners. 

I stared at her, my eyes widening as she smiled sweetly back at me, “Ah, good. Yer up. Today is th‘day th’knight sent by th’royal family is coming.”

“The knight?” I faintly echoed her words as my eyes darted around the lavishly decorated but wholly unfamiliar room.

But, somehow, in some way, I knew exactly where I was.

This was my room. But it was also the room of the oldest child of a noble family connected to an ancient clan. And that person’s memories were wholly unfamiliar, but also bouncing around in the back of my head like a poorly buffered last-episode recap.

“Aye, ye know, th’wan th’royal family ha’ sent to keep ye safe? Come noo, ye must finish waking up so we can get ye ready! Ye’ll want to look yer best with yer history wi’ him after all!”

I was tugged out of the massive bed, stumbling to my feet as the maid pulled me along and sat me down, chattering away all the while as if all was as it should be, “ ‘At Duke is also coming today. I bet e’ll be right surprised to see a knight here to keep ye safe! It’ll probably ruin whatever schemes he’s cooking up in ‘at nasty old head of his.”

Slowly, the pieces began to fall into place as I dimly recalled more of Trein’s words from class: “For a period, there was an entire genre of enchanted books that were particularly popular simply because they allowed readers to live out and experience stories in real time. The book would pull you and perhaps a companion, if they were close enough, into the story itself and assign roles.”

I all but grimaced as memories came flooding back of the ancient-looking, painfully large tome of a book whose binding had been slowly unraveling when  I’d picked it up simply to snicker at its title while also wondering how such a book had ended up in a school library of all places.

‘Underneath the Highland Moon.’ It had doubtlessly been a romance of the particularly tropey variety.

It made sense for it to be at the school if it were a magical book, though. It was probably something that had been purchased for some form of test or experiment.

But now, through pure chance, or perhaps bad luck, I’d found myself transported into yet another world. But this time it was one within a book where I was apparently filling the role of a landed noble whom the royal family wanted to keep safe for inexplicable reasons that probably had some form of plot relevance.

And, if I had to make a guess, this knight was probably supposed to be my character’s love interest. A thought that had me grimacing.

But I had greater concerns to deal with beyond the appearance of a love interest. Namely, how I was going to get out of this book.

I hadn’t questioned Professor Trein about the specifics of the enchanted books, but if I recalled correctly, there was something to do with the plot of the story. Like it had to be completed, interrupted, or something along those lines.

“Ye just aren’t yerself this morning. Are ye feeling weel?” I blinked, snapping myself back into the moment as I glanced at the maid, who was eyeing me worriedly.

Now that I really looked at her, she might actually be the main character of this story. She certainly could fit the part with her sweet face, but with the amount of backstory that was flitting around in my mind and clogging my thoughts, the character I was subbing for had to be important.

Either way, though, I could tell the maid was genuinely worried, and if these character’s memories were anything to go by, we were close.

I shook my head, pasting on a reassuring smile, “I’m just distracted…. Why do you suppose the royal family has sent us a knight anyway? I would think they would want to keep all of their people closer than that…”

I trailed off, hoping to glean more information about the plot of the story I was in.

The maid smiled, almost sympathetically as she nodded, “Thought ‘at might be on yer mind.”

She sat down next to me, her hands taking one of mine into hers as she twisted to face me, “What with ye being the last member of yer clan and wan of the few nobles to hev come from a clan, Yer important to this country. I’ll bet that the royal family recognizes ‘at.”

I blinked at her words, that so perfectly matched my backstory information but also sounded disappointingly like the backstory of a main character.

Her gaze swiftly turned frigid though, and I felt myself tensing before she continued in a far colder tone than before, “But ‘at’s also why so many are after ye. For the power ye hold.”

She shook her head before straightening in a huff, “Lek ‘at Duke. But he won’t be able to do anything. No’ with ye having a knight of yer very own.”

Her tone was so final that I barely had any words. Especially not after the lengthy exposition she’d just given me about my entire situation in this book.

And I stayed silent for most of the rest of the time she bustled around, adjusting my clothes and cooing reassurances that all would be well now that the knight was coming and that I had absolutely nothing to worry about.

By the time I finally escaped what had felt like dressing room hell I was both up to date on my situation and exasperated with the plot of this book.

Evidently enough, I was supposed to be a shrinking violet who’d already been kidnapped once and held for ransom.

For reasons unknown, the royal family had, inexplicably, taken action and had been rescued before declaring that the situation was far-too risky to be left as it was and that they were going to send a knight to guard me.

Even as I went down the massive flight of stairs with my maid by my side she continued to coo over my apparent rescuer from that time, “I do hope this knight will be th’same wan who rescued ye. He was so... so…”

I smiled, cutting in before she could utter the word dreamy once more, “Yes, I also think it will be reassuring if it’s the same man.”

She giggled at my words, shaking her head and adjusting her plaid shawl in a manner that almost had me arching an eyebrow at her.

“Ye were quite taken wi’ him, weren’t ye? I dae no’ blame ye, o’ course. He did rescue ye after all,” She was all but beaming at me as I kept the same polite smile on my face.

Oh yes. This knight was definitely going to be the romantic lead of this plot. 

If I were lucky this wouldn’t end up with a love triangle situation. I wasn’t sure if I could handle that along with trying to figure out a way out of this book.

Especially considering my current run of getting out of worlds that I'd randomly been sent too.

Not that I could say that I regretted my time in Twisted Wonderland. I’d grown quite close to the people there. Like Silver, who’d been in the library with me when I’d been sent here.

Everything seemed to come screeching to a halt as I recalled the young man who’d fallen asleep after helping me carry books into the library. 

I’d been about to wake him to show him the book I’d found to see if he’d had any idea as to why such a book would be in the school library when I’d opened the tome and ended up here.

“Ma liege!” I blinked at my maid’s voice, briefly searching the room only to find that she’d moved on ahead of me to peer out the window.

Her eyes were bright as she pointed out the window, bouncing up and down on her toes in a way that had me frowning as I walked towards her.

“It’s him! It’s him! Th’knight who saved ye!” Her voice was pitched higher than it had been in excitement and I hummed. Leaning over to peer out the window and see who this love interest of mine was going to be only to go still. My eyes widening as I look at the knight who came riding up the rocky path on a magnificent, glossy black stead. A perfect opposite to his pale beauty.

I dashed to the side, my hands flying to the door handle as I yanked it open and I rushed out onto the porch right as he reigned the horse to stop.

I could hear my maid behind me shouting my name in surprise, but my eyes stayed on him as his gaze slowly lifted to meet mine.

“Silver,” I barely even whispered his name as I stared at him, neither of us moving as the wind blew. Causing leaves to dance through the air as it toyed with his hair.

And it really was a perfect scene from a historical romance and he dismounted and took only two steps towards me in utter silence before kneeling. One knee hitting the earth as he looked up at me, “I have come to guard and protect you, Y/n.”

I faltered before blinking myself to reality and nodding, “Please, get up. There’s no need for you to kneel like that.”

As I spoke I came off the porch, bending and taking his hands in mine before I straightened. Pulling him up with me and twisting to look back at my maid, “Could you prepare us something to drink?”

It was the first thing I could think of to ask her to do that would send her away and give me some time to confer with Silver.

If I was lucky he would know a way for us to get out of this book since the best I’d come up with so far was to finish the story, which would be difficult considering I had no idea what the plot might be.

Stories like this could get tangled up in their own drama so quickly that it was difficult to predict where this tale might lead us if we were going to have to follow it all the way to its end.

My maid curtseyed before zipping off into the house, and I could hear her giggling all the way. The sound of it making me sigh slightly as I turned to look back at Silver.

His horse was already being led off by a man whom I could only assume was a stablehand.

“Any idea what’s going on?” I questioned him, hopefully only to feel my hopes flag as he shook his head. Utterly calm despite the situation we were in.

“Only that we’re in an enchanted book,” He paused, tilting his head slightly, before he continued, “Do you know anything about the plot we’re in?”

I sighed, turning and heading back into my house, which I now noticed was quite large. In fact, it was probably better to say that I was living on an estate more than anything.

“My character is some sort of noble lady that your character apparently rescued by order of the royal family,” I started in a surprisingly weary tone, but it already felt like it had been a long day even though I’d only just woke up.

“Yes, you’d been kidnapped and were being held for ransom. My character saved yours and brought you back home,” Silver clarified, and I nodded. His story matched the backstory I had received upon waking almost perfectly.

I could only assume he’d also received a backstory for his character.

“And now the royal family has sent you to guard me because of something to do with my character being the ‘last member of my clan and one of the few nobles to have come from a clan.’” I quoted my maid directly as I slipped into what was the sitting room.

“You’re also distantly related to the royal family, which means a lot of people are after you for your position, power that comes from your family line, and relation to the royals,” Silver again clarified, but this time his words had me turning to look at him with a slight frown.

So my character was related to the royals? That was something I hadn’t realized, but it was also something that rang true with my character’s backstory that seemed to be continually updating itself in my head.

I sat down quietly and watched as he did the same across from me before I continued, “Just based on our current backstories and the title of this book, I suspect this is a dramatic romance. Probably of the variety that deals with court drama since I’m related to the royal family.”

Silver nodded, his gaze turning thoughtful as he blinked, his eyes growing steadily more hazy in a way that told me he was about to drift off.

“Do you know anything else about your character?” I questioned him again, my words snapping him back awake and causing him to nod as he focused.

“Yes, I volunteered to come and protect you on the basis of having already rescued you once,” I felt my eyebrows lift at his words and met his gaze directly.

“If this is a romance, then do you think you’re….” 

I trailed off, not quite able to finish only for him to finish for me with a nod of his head, “The love interest? If Father’s stories are anything to go by, then yes.”

I wrinkled my nose slightly and looked at him in confusion, “Your father reads romance novels?”

Silver shrugged slightly but remained silent, and mere moments later, my maid entered the space with tea.

Her gaze flickered between me and Silver, and she barely hid her smile as she bustled about, already beginning to question Silver as she looked towards him, “Do ye think ye’ll be able to-”

She was cut off by Silver darting across the room and tackling me to the side right as the window broke, causing my maid to shriek as I grabbed a hold of Silver in alarm and a startled sound squeaked out of me.

I stared in alarm over his shoulder as he slowly leaned back to glare out the window, but my eyes were on the arrow sticking out of the couch cushion where I’d just been sitting.

“Ma liege, are ye alright?!” I continued to stare wide-eyed at the arrow as my maid rushed to my side, grasping my arm before she leaned over before hugging me tightly. 

Instinctively, my arms curled around her, almost as if to reassure myself as I dragged my stare away from the arrow.

But in no way had I been prepared for such an attack. At the very least, I hadn’t been expecting for this book to be that sort of drama.

After another brief moment, Silver turned and yanked the arrow harshly out of the seat and frowned at it before his gaze lifted to meet mine.

Evidently, this story was going to be a little bit more action-packed than I’d initially expected.

Despite her genuine sweetness, it was honestly a relief when my maid finally left us once more after we all relocated to another room. This time one with no windows.

I glanced over at where Silver stood by the doorway with his arms crossed. Almost like he was ready to leap into action at a moment's notice.

And I couldn’t blame him; after all, I was still startled by what had just happened, though a numbness had now set in that kept me from panicking.

I started in a quiet voice, “The only two things I can figure out to get us out of this book are to either finish the story or to run its plot so off the rails that the book kicks us out.”

Silver nodded, his gaze shifting as he obviously considered my words and met my gaze, “Which option do you think is better?”

I shifted, leaning against the table in front of me as I frowned thoughtfully, “Finishing the plot could be risky if there are more action scenes like what just happened, plus we don’t know where the story is going….”

I trailed off, glancing his way and setting back in my chair as I started to nervously toy with my fingers, “Throwing the story of its rails might be a bit easier…. Especially if this is a romantic courtly drama.”

He nodded, “What do you want to do?”

I faltered slightly when he put the decision in my hands, but then I straightened. Steeling myself even as I made my decision, “If we shove our two characters into a relationship earlier than expected, then that will probably do.”

I stood, glancing at him and waiting for a sign of refusal, but he didn’t move. His expression was as stoic as ever, and I inhaled and called for my maid.

She came rushing in hurriedly, her face slightly flushed as she looked at me half-expectantly and half-worriedly. I couldn’t blame her, though; there had just been an attempt on my life.

My gaze flitted over to Silver as I balked, wondering exactly how he’d react but suspecting this would be the best and easiest way to derail the plot.

I squared my shoulders and looked back at my maid, “Please send out letters announcing my wedding to everyone of any importance.”

She stared at me like I’d lost my mind, looking around in an obviously lost fashion, as I did my very best not to look at Silver even as I felt myself warming from embarrassment.

“Yer wedding, ma liege?” She even sounded lost when she spoke, but I nodded firmly. Praying this would work and not land me in an even more awkward situation than filling the role of an utterly foreign character.

I couldn’t help but let my gaze flicker over to Silver in an apologetic fashion, and I could see in his eyes that he already knew where I was taking this as he straightened right as I spoke, “Yes. My wedding to Sir Silver.”

I’d barely even finished speaking before light flashed forth, utterly blinding me and blotting out the entire room before everything went black.

I opened my eyes hazily to find myself sprawled on the floor of the NRC library with a book on my lap.

Silver was sitting up from where he’d been at a table, his gaze resting weightily on me in a way that had me looking down at the book and away from him to avoid any further embarrassment.

And there it was, resting as innocently as could be on my lap, “Underneath the Highland Moon.”

And me and Silver hadn’t even made it to the moonlight hours before I was declaring our wedding.

I could only hope that I would make it through the rest of the day without dying from sheer embarrassment.

[harrie-fic-center]

miguel o'hara

1959 by lilac-yellow

928 by unearth1y-child

a fair trade by divine-donna

an incantation like an anti curse (or even a blessing) by kindlessgraceless

angst blurb by fhrlclln

anomaly by nonexistent-introvert

aridente by bloodandthestars

assistant by devilfic

better knife than person by arrogantum

carbon copy by devilishcupid

cast away by xanthreel

come on, baby. cry. by certainlynotasimp

el trato by messylust

every you every me by astroboots

ghostin' urmoonlightbebe

happy wife, happy life by msgorillagripcoochie

he loses you in another life by bajgoktski

i miss you by peachycreamy

i need you to stay by intoxicated-chan

interruption blurb by lemmetreatya

i'm into that sorta fang by pumpkinamania

just a bite by certainlynotasimp

mid night by eyelessfaces *

mirror image by fabled-fiction

nowhere to run by bensolosbluesaber

oh, what can i do? by uselsshuman

our girl by certainlynotasimp

recap by mewhenimsad

show me where it hurts by loganlermanstanaccount

snow spider by ichorai

something to be joyful for by alluresaw

still here by redbowen

sweet as you by certainlynotasimp

te amo by kirbykisses

the puppeteer by nyctoplasm

the waiting game by luveline

the wishing tree by luveline

to leave the warmest bed i've ever known by angel-eyes05

too slow by ronwestbreeze

walking on sunshine by totallynotasimp

weight of the world(s) by ghost-with-a-teacup

what's in between by ghost-with-a-teacup

[yrthr]

☾ PERFECT PLAN ? ; PARK GUNWOOK

gunwook masterlist / zb1 masterlist ; wc 0.76k

➛ genre / trope ; shy cofident ➛ warnings ; cursing , mentions of food

“ PLEASE. “

“ no. “

“ PRETTY PLEASE ? “

“ no. “

yuqi shook your arm back and forth using her whiny baby voice while you gave her a judgemental yet unimpressed look.

she pouted , letting out a small puff of frustration as she laid her head on your shoulder.

“ i’m not that mean , plus i’m waiting for him to make the first move. “

“ yeah by the time he does we’d might as well marry each other and have kids. “

you looked down at her , “ i’m down. “

the bell rung. the end of recess.

yuqi chuckled sitting back up straight and putting both of her hands on your shoulders , giving you her best serious face that she could muster up.

although that just made her look like an angry cat.

“ my dear child , i might separate from you once again to enter the gates of hell which you may know as chemistry. i trust thou will know what to do when the time comes. “

yuqi gave your shoulder a firm hard pat before picking up her things and leaving your classroom with a ‘ cya ‘

“ … what the fuck yuqi. “

after she left it got you thinking… should you carry out this elaborate yet stupid plan.

both you and yuqi were aware that the class president , and seat-mate , gunwook had a massive crush on you.

to be fair , he wasn’t very good at hiding it.

it started from casual talk when you became seat-mates then texting , passing notes and cute doodles during class , copying his homework , him borrowing your items , you borrowing his jacket to sleep on. [ he tried to discourage you from this activity but he couldn’t help but take this chance to admire your features as you slept. ]

overtime you noticed the small little details such as him blushing whenever you accidentally brushed fingers or the frequent glances he’d give you.

this was confirmed when another one of your friends , gyuvin , asked gunwook in which he went on a full tangent on his small [ big ] crush on you.

you easily fell for the class president too , just that you were way better that hiding it.

after weighing the pros and cons you decided to go through with the plan , after-all the worse thing that could happen is embarrassing yourself and having to drop out of school to not show your face in school again.

plan recap : ask who is crush is , he wouldn’t say who it is , you reveal it , confess and he confesses and boom. easy.

you took a deep breath mentally preparing yourself for the incoming events. which just on queue , the wooden doors slid open revealing the man himself.

“ hey ! you didn’t go to the cafeteria today soo i got you a small snack. “

gunwook pulled out a egg and mayo sandwich , offering it to you.

you smiled thanking him placing the sandwich on your desk.

“ also i have to ask you something. “

“ yeah ? “

“ do you have a crush ? “

you saw his eyes slightly widen and the way his shoulders tensed up a bit. a small blush coated his puffy cheeks and he started fiddling with his fingers.

‘ he’s more shy than i’d thought he’d be ‘ you thought , fighting the urge to giggle.

“ yeah , its you. “

gunwook looked at you with a sudden surge of confidence , he maintained eye contact his body now leaned back onto the chair with his arms crossed. [ although the blush still remains on his face ]

that.. did not go according to plan.

“ wait wait do you not feel the same way ? oh shit i’m so sorry ! gyuvin told me to just say it whenever the day comes but like oh my god why did i listen to the guy ?! “

“ no ! i… do feel the same way it’s just , wow , i didn’t expect you to be so straightforward. “

his face instantly relaxed as he let out a few embarrassed yet amused chuckles.

“ so… you like me too ? “ he asked all smily and giggly seemingly unable to revert back to a resting face.

“ was it not obvious ? actually yours was way obvious. “

“ no it wasn’t , i hid it well. “

“ oh please the whole school probably knew “

the playful banter continued and underneath the tables his hands reached for yours , intertwining them in a perfect fit.

“ OH MY GOD LOOK GYUVIN THEY’RE HOLDING HANDS ! THEY’RE— “

“ JESUS SHUT UP YUQI THE HALLWAY ISN’T SOUNDPROOF. “

“ SHUT UP LET ME HAVE MY MOMENT. “

“ ITS THEIR MOMENT ? YOU’RE JUST CREEPILY STARING AT THEM FROM THE WINDOW. “

“ YOU’RE DOING THE SAME ? “

divider by @animatedglittergraphics-n-more

©️ yrthr 2023

[cheynovak]

Family business: Part 2   

Billy Butcher & Sarah Butcher x Soldier boy  

Warnings:  Age difference, cursing, violence, ... it's the boys... what not  

Side note: English isn’t my first language.   

Didn't proof read, i'm sorry for any mistakes

*Does not follow The Boys storyline *  

It took a while I'm soooo sorry! But here is part 2  

-- 

Recap: Sarah is Billy Butcher’s daughter from a previous relationship. He did not raise her. Years later Billy’s and Sarah’s paths cross when they search for the weapon that killed Soldier boy only to find the supe himself, who seems to have an special interest in Sarah. After a night together she is pregnant.  

Dealing with this situation and Soldier boy being locked away again she gets a call from Homelander.  

-- 

New York City, where towering skyscrapers cast long shadows over the streets below, Sarah stood at the edge of a rooftop, her gaze fixed on the bustling cityscape. Contemplating about all that happened over the last few months.  

A huge fight with Billy made her decided to take the offer of Homelander. A safe place for her and the kid. “Since we’re practically family.” He had said. She knew better than to trust him. But Billy had his own demons to fight.  

Billy... she had inherited his stubbornness and sharp tongue, traits that often led to heated arguments between father and daughter. The last one gave her a final push to take off and move into the Vought tower. 

As Sarah leaned against the edge of the rooftop, lost in her thoughts, she couldn't shake the feeling of unease that had settled in her chest. Her mind drifted to the child growing inside her, a constant reminder to watch her back.  

Weeks turned into months, and Sarah found herself settling into her new life at Vought Tower. Homelander had been surprisingly accommodating, providing her with everything she needed to ensure her comfort during her pregnancy. 

But behind the facade of kindness, Sarah sensed something wrong. There was a coldness in Homelander's eyes whenever they crossed paths, a distance that seemed to grow with each passing day. 

As her due date drew nearer, Sarah couldn't help but feel a sense of loneliness creeping in. Despite being surrounded by luxury, she longed for the warmth of family, for someone to share in her joy and fears. God she missed her mom.  

Tonight, Sarah gathered all her courage to confront Homelander. The air in the room crackled with tension as they stood face to face with him. “John," Sarah's voice was firm, though tinged with desperation, "You need to find Ben. My child needs his father." 

Homelander's gaze remained cold and unyielding, his expression betraying none of the turmoil that Sarah felt churning inside her. "And why should I do that? He tried to kill me." he retorted, his voice dripping with disdain. 

Frustration boiled within Sarah as she struggled to contain her rising anger. "Because it's the right thing to do!" she shot back, her voice trembling with emotion.  

“He needs a father yes, I can be his father.” For a moment, there was silence as the weight of Sarah's words hung heavy in the air. Those words made Sarah’s blood boil and without a single thought to it she hit the side of his face. But before Homelander could respond, a sudden movement caught Sarah off guard.  

Ryan. 

With a swift motion, he pushed Sarah aside, causing her to stumble and fall to the ground, he stepped forward “Leave my dad alone," he pleaded, his voice barely above a whisper. 

Pain shot through Sarah as she hit the ground, Homelander came rushing down to her. “Are you ok?”  - “I’m fine” she said pulling her arm out of his grip. But as she walked back to her room. Sarah felt a sharp pain radiating through her abdomen. Panic rushed through her as she realized that there was something wrong.  

Frantically, she reached for her phone, but before she could dial for help, Homelander appeared. His expression was unreadable as he took in the scene before him. 

Without a word, he scooped Sarah into his arms and carried her to the medical wing of Vought Tower. As the hours passed, Sarah's pain intensified, but Homelander remained by her side, his presence a strange mixture of comfort and discomfort. 

Finally, the cries of a newborn filled the room, and Sarah's heart swelled with love as she held her son for the first time. But as she looked up at Homelander, she saw something flicker in his eyes, something she couldn't quite decipher. 

He wants my child, he wants his fucked up family no matter what. I need to keep him safe. Was all Sarah could think.  

As Sarah cradled her newborn son in her arms, her heart heavy with fear and uncertainty, she knew there was only one person she could turn to for help: her father.  

"Sarah?" Billy's voice sounded gruff yet concerned as he answered the call. "What's the matter, lass? She sounds distressed." “Can we meet?” “  

“Where?”  

“The old bridge?”  

"I'm on my way, Sarah. Just hold tight," he assured her, his voice laced with determination. As Sarah hung up the phone, a sense of relief washed over her. Despite their differences, she knew that her father would do whatever it took to protect her and her son. 

Minutes felt like hours as Sarah anxiously waited for her father's arrival. With each passing moment, her fear grew, Sarah's heart leaped with relief as she saw her father striding towards her, his expression fierce yet determined. 

Sarah's eyes filled with tears as she recounted the events that had transpired at Vought Tower, her voice shaking with emotion. She told her father about the confrontation with Homelander, the fear for her son's safety.  

Billy's fists clenched with anger as he listened to his daughter's story, the flames of his hatred for Supes burning brighter than ever. "We'll figure this out, Sarah," Billy said, his voice firm yet comforting as he pulled her into a tight embrace. 

“We need to get out of there Billy.” She said leaning in against his jacket. “I have no idea how, but we need to.” “Hang on just a little longer, luv. We’ll come up with something.”  

Then it hit her, “Ben...” she whispered, “What about him?” Billy pulled away to look at her. "He is our ticket to safety.” Bily shook his head. “No way, he is dangerous luv.”  

“No, he would want his son to be safe... He would want me safe, I know it.” “Homelander is his son too. He won’t choose.” Her eyes teared up.” Billy, please.” A single tear left her eyes. “I never asked for anything, please.” Despite Billy's past with him he was willing to look for him.  

Sarah did everything in her power to help search for him. But as weeks passed Homelander became more and more invested in Sarah and the child. “Decided on a name yet?” he asked her as he looked over the new born. “No.” was all she answered watching him closely.  

Meanwhile, Billy Butcher prowled the streets of New York, his rugged features etched with determination as he searched tirelessly for Soldier Boy. Billy was a force to be reckoned with, fuelled by vengeance and a burning desire to protect his daughter and grandson.  

Back in the confines of Vought Tower, Sarah's nerves were fraying with each passing moment. She knew she couldn't rely on rescue from the outside; her fate and that of her newborn rested solely on her own shoulders.  

She decided to search the Vought basements to find something to defend her and her baby boy. As she roamed the labyrinth underneath the tower she stumbled on to a box like she saw in Russia.  

Could it be?  

As she wanted to approach, she heard the doors opening, deciding to hide in the room a crossed the hall. Sarah noticed how Homelander walked in the room she just wanted to explore.  

“I really don’t understand why she so desperately needs you.” He said to himself “I mean, I could be as good as a father as you.” And then it hit her. He wasn’t talking to himself.  

“You will never see that child, you betrayed me like all of them. But don’t worry. I’ll take care of him.” As Homelander walked away all Sarah could hope is that he didn’t saw her in the other room.  

She waited an extra minute before walking back to the box. Her heart skipped a beat as she saw Ben. Time to wake up, sleeping beauty. She whispered while trying to open it.  

“Shit!” For some reason she couldn’t open the small vault he was in. “I can’t leave you here.” She thought for a second. ”Ben?” Sarah started “Can you hear me?” a small pause. “I don’t know if this would work, but... our baby boy is born.” 

“A little early but he is strong and healthy.”  

“I’m waiting on you to name him. You should see him Ben, he is so vibrant and beautiful. He sleeps really well, I guess he has that from is dad.” Sarah’s eyes started to tear up. “Please Ben fight. If not for me for your son.” Her hand placed on the box.  

Ben’s eyelids seemed to move slightly, but Sarah had no idea if it was her imagination or if he was trying to talk to her. “I’ll be back here. I promise I won’t leave you alone. I’m coming back, ok?”  

Another few days passed.  

Sarah tried to visit Ben as much as possible, hoping he could hear everything she said to him. She mostly talked about their son. “I was thinking, after all this we could move to the countryside? You me and the kid.” She tapped the box softly before kissing the glass softly.  

“Where did you go.” The familiar cold voice said while she got out of the elevator. Sarah’s heart skipped a beat. “Jeez Homelander, don’t sneak up on me like that.” She tried to sound as normal as possible.  

“I took a walk.” -” Alone?” he asked. “Uhu.” Sarah walked back to her room. “Where did you go?” Homelander followed close. “The eh, park.” - “Interesting, I would have sworn hearing you in the basement talking to Soldier Boy.  

Sarah’s feet stopped within the second, frozen to the floor. She wanted to explain everything, or at least made up a make-believe lie. But before she could say another word Homelander shoved her to the wall. His hands firm on her throat. 

“You made a foolish mistake Sarah. I gave you the chance to have a family. I told you we could be a family. But know you chose to let your kid to grow up without a mother.”  

Her eyes grew wide although she couldn’t respond. Homelander dropped her to the floor again. “I’m giving you one last chance Sarah...” But before he could finish that sentence, she kicked him in the balls as hard as she could and ran back to the elevator.  

Thank God she had practise with kick at least he was distracted for a moment. Just long enough for her to reach and close the elevator. Going down back to Ben. In full panic searching for something to break the glass. All she found was pinchers.  

Trying to cut the gas tube on Ben’s box. The gas stopped floating to his box, straight into the air. Making Sarah dizzy and faint next to the box on the floor. By the time she got by, she felt a pair of strong hand around her.  

Sarah looked up, seeing how Ben carried her out of the basement. “B-Ben?” -”Hi sweetheart. Try to stay awake, ok? You inhaled a lot of gas.” She tried to listen to his words but could only think of one thing before she black out again. “B-Ben.” she repeated.  

“Our son. Please...” her head fell back against his shoulder.  

-- 

“I don’t fucking care what you think! He is my fucking son and I’ll bust him out even if it’s the last thing I do.” Sarah heard Ben’s angry voice in a far distance. She tried to open her eyes, scanning the era.  

She was in an unfamiliar bedroom. Seeing how Ben and Billy were talking, or better yet, screaming outside. Annie walked in. “Oh, good you’re awake.” She smiled soft. “I brought you some food.”  

“What happened?” Sarah asked her. “You inhaled a lot of gas while saving Soldier Boy. You’ve been in and out of coma of the past five days.” She said in a soft voice. “F-five days?” Sarah felt the panic in her chest pressing down on her. 

“Oh god... Oh god...” - “hey, hey calm down. You need to calm down Sarah. BUTCHER!” She yelled trying to hold her back without hurting her.  

As Billy and Ben walked in her eyes flew straight to Ben. “Where is he?” He kneeled in front of her. “Sarah” Her sight blurred with tears. “T-tell me you got him out Ben...” She could see how his lips twitched trying to hold back his emotions.  

“TELL ME YOU GOT MY BABY!” Sarah’s anger and pain distracted her from thinking straight. Her fists hit his rock hard chest over and over. “I asked you! I begged you! GO fucking find him you piece of shit! Find my boy!”  

“Hey, hey, hey, Shh... look at me.” Ben at first let you release your anger at him before he tried to hold you down. “Look at me. I’ll find him Sarah I promise!” His large hand wrapped around her head pushing her close to him.  

Butcher saw how he held her in his arms. The embrace seemed to cool her down as they both sat on the floor. Ben whispering promises to her which she felt she didn’t needed.  

-- 

Sarah stood outside, in the garden of this lovely house surrounded by meadows. Without looking back, she could hear Ben’s footsteps. “Why?” She asked him still to giving him a look. “Why didn’t you go after him?”  

“I had to choose. You were already in my arms. I brought you out to fresh air and luckily I did or you would be dead. You spend almost an entire week in and out of a fucking coma.  

Sarah felt the tears in her eyes sting again.  

“I went back, you got to believe me. “His hands moved to her shoulders, he could feel how the tensed up, almost flinching at his touch, but not moving. “But he was gone and so was the baby. I burned that place down. As I will burn every fucking place, house or even store that he was in.” 

“Sarah?” Ben whispered trying to get her attention. “You should have saved him, then this wouldn’t happened.” “No but you would be dead.” Sarah turned to Ben and looked him dead in the eye. “Consider me dead if you don’t find him.” And walked back inside.  

--  

Finally, after some stone-cold days in the house Billy found a lead.  

To her surprise Billy didn’t want Sarah to come. “Are you out of your mind? He is my son Butcher! I’m the best human asset you have!” - “And that Luv is why you are staying home, you lose sight of the bigger picture, you lose your mind when it’s about him.”  

“No, the boys, myself and Ben. That’s it, end of fucking discussion.” Sarah looked at Ben who seemed to agree. “Since when do you two get along?!” she bit before turning her back to them.  

Minutes turned into hours. Annie volunteered to stay with her, in case the fight would come to them and moral support. She watched as Sarah walked nervous back and forward.  

Until... they hear the car doors slam. Sarah locked eyes with Annie. The women ran outside. “Where is he? Where are they?” Sarah asked in a whisper. seeing how they were all covered in blood and dust, Billy tapped her shoulder as the boys walk inside. “They’re in the car, bonding.” He kissed her head and left her alone.  

With small steps she approached the car, afraid? Nervous? Excited? She had no idea what the mixture of emotions was she felt. As she almost got to the car the back door opened. Ben got out holding their boy.  

Sarah could hold back her tears, seeing how their baby looked even smaller in his arms. “He is ok.” Ben reinsured. Sarah’s hand moved over his little head, her heart broke when she notice he already grew a little.  

“Thank you.” she said looking at their baby, but Ben knew it was for him. After a second Sarah’s eyes met his, she stood on her toes, holding her hand on his shoulder to close the space between their lips.  

A soft touch of their lips, a token of gratitude, an electric shock wave through their veins once their lips felt each other's. Sarah looking inside the car, noticing Ryan sitting in silence.  

“Hey buddy.” Sarah spoke in a sweeter than honey voice. “He helped us.” Ben said. “He is the reason we succeeded. I promised he could stay with us.” Sarah looked back at Ben. “Yes, yes of course.”  

"He took care of our boy while I fought Homelander. The kid is good." Ben said still not sure what Sarah thought of the situation. "Ryan, you are more than welcome to stay with us, you're save here." Sarah said.

-- -- --  

Sarah was feeding their baby boy on the porch of their house. Watching how Ryan and Ben are throwing the football. Billy walked over to his daughter "So, have you two came up with a name yet?"

Sarah smiled softy, “yes actually we did.” Ben walked closer, as Ryan hugged Billy. “Do you want to tell him?” She asked Ben. “It was your idea.” With his hand on her shoulder, she turns to her dad.  

“William Butcher, Grandad,” she started “Meet your grandson...” while handing him to Billy. 

“Lenny.”  

------------

If you liked this, please check out my masterlist for other stories.

Taglist: @yvonneeeee

[renthony]

You've sorta made me want to watch Chucky, and I don't know how I feel about this. Do you have recommendations for where to start, or what to watch first?

Start with the movies! The TV show is done in such a way that it recaps important events from the films as needed, but in order to experience the full journey, you gotta watch the movies.

The first three movies (Child's Play, Child's Play 2, and Child's Play 3) focus on Andy, the first child that Chucky terrorizes. They're much more serious in tone, and focused on the scares.

The plot is that the serial killer Charles Lee Ray is killed in a police shootout in a toy store, and his soul winds up in a doll given to Andy as a birthday gift.

The fourth movie (Bride of Chucky) and fifth movie (Seed of Chucky) are pure camp. They focus on Chucky and his wife Tiffany, and the story of their relationship. The focus is on getting Chucky and Tiffany's souls back into human bodies after they have both been turned into killer dolls. They also have a child. It's been described as a domestic drama with dolls, and that's not wrong.

The tone is much, much more zany. Some people hate these two movies, and those people are so, so, so wrong. John Waters is in Seed of Chucky. Don Mancini has given interviews saying Seed of Chucky nearly got buried because the studio thought it was "too gay and too funny." It's art.

The sixth movie (Curse of Chucky) and seventh movie (Cult of Chucky) shift the series back into a serious, scary, psychological tone. One is a haunted house movie, one is an asylum horror (which imo is done respectfully and centers the patients--the staff are portrayed as abusive and shitty).

Both of these films focus on the character Nica, whose family has been targeted by Chucky over years. Chucky wants to finish the job, and so he stalks and terrorizes Nica specifically.

A fun fact about this act of the series is that Nica's actor, Fiona Dourif, is the daughter of Chucky's actor, Brad Dourif. They apparently really love working together on this series.

After all of that, watch the TV show. The TV show focuses on a trio of teenagers--Jake, Devon, and Lexy--as they deal with Chucky's latest plans. As for what those plans are, it's a mystery the teens have to solve together. The first season is set in the hometown of Charles Lee Ray, the serial killer who became Chucky. The second season is set in a Catholic school, and the third season is set in the motherfucking White House, which is directly called the most evil building in the world.

The show brings together all the characters from the films, so we get to see Andy and Nica and Tiffany all interact, along with all the rest. Like I said, the show catches you up on vital info from the films, but I cannot fathom starting with the show. The films are amazing.

Also, if you're interested in any of the behind-the-scenes info, or you're not sure you can handle the horror aspects, I highly recommend checking out the Kill Count playlist for the full series (watch the ones labelled Recount, they're updated versions and have more info).

[mdzs-is-rotting-my-brain]

Xiantober MDZS re-read. Day one recap

Prelude.

Aggression. Pt1

Aggression. Pt2.

I didn't get as far as I wanted. Oh well. There's always more tomorrow.

Here follows my notes/obervations/thoughts from the first three chapters of MDZS.

(I am terrible at keep track of pages and chapters. I'll get better for the rest of the month)

"That’s merely hearsay. Although Jiang Cheng was one of the main forces, he did not give Wei WuXian the final blow."*

This statement is proceeded by numerous lies and rumors about Wei Wuxian’s "evil" and what (the speakers) would have done if they had been in Jiang Cheng's shoes.

This statement/rumor/lie is what's refuted. That Jiang Cheng *wasn't* the one who killed Wei Wuxian.

I also noted that Wei Wuxian is only called "Wei Ying" by a handful of people outside of Lan Wangji.

But Jiang Cheng is routinely called by his birth name throughout the entire novel and I'm wondering if it's supposed to be disrespectful

If was the last, his soul would eventually return to revive in his body. When the day comes, the cultivation world, or even all of mortal land, would be faced with the most insane damnation and revenge, sinking into nothing but chaos and despair.

How is this not the subject of like, a million fics? Is no one brave enough to write Wei Wuxian reviving his own body and getting along with life because thats what he would do!

Mo XuanYu was homosexual, and had enough nerve to harass the other disciples.

This is what Mo XuanYu writes in his journal. What he confesses too. Harassing other disciples. No mention of harassing Jin Guangyao. And if he was honest in his journals about harassing other disciples, wouldn't he have confessed to that as well? He wasn't gonna be alive anymore what did he care?

-Chapter 2, Reincarnation, page 8 ExR translation.

when Mo XuanYu returned, he often behaved in a crazy manner, almost as if his life was scared out of him.

Also, written in Mo XuanYu's journal.

Every two or three days, he would find Mo XuanYu and humiliate him, cursing him for snatching his road to cultivation

It's insane to imagine a child blaming another child, both of whom have no control in their lives and are simply products of their surroundings, for "stealing" something that was never theirs in the first place.

(I'm sure this will never come up again.)

Wei WuXian played with the pair of chopsticks that were stuck into the rice, feeling quite bitter. The YiLing Patriarch had just returned to the mortal world, but the first thing he came upon was a kick and a scolding, not to mention the leftovers that served as his welcoming-meal. Where were the blood and gore? The ruthless slaughter? The absolute destruction? Who would believe him? He was like the tiger in a flatland, the dragon in shallow water, the phoenix without feathers, losing his advantage and belittled by those weaker than him.

One of the things I love about this omniscient readers pov, is kind of like in Jane Austin's novels, the narrative will take on the flavor or "voice" of the character but *not* their pov.

I can't help but picture Wei Wuxian pouting and thinking about all the things rumored about him in a mocking and sneering the rumors for being as insane as they sound. He has been back for a full day and he is pouting and I just think it's a cute trick in the narrative style, and imagining Wei Wuxian pouting for a moment over his return to life, is adorable.

Even so, her husband was in a trance. Possibly because of the trauma from his only child passing away, he went as far as to backhandedly push her. It caught Madam Mo by surprise, and she fell onto the ground.

Like, right here. If this was a omniscient narrative alone there would be *hints* that something with Master Mo is not right. But the text takes of the "flavor" of Madam Mo. Her outrage and grief and embarrassment that she doesn't even *clock* that her husband is not behaving right and just sends him away.

However, to Wei WuXian, they were the most obeying puppets. When he heard them being mentioned, he even felt a sense of familiarity.

Theres....something here. Finding familiarity in the dead.

*After Wei WuXian finished flipping out, he walked out the door of the Mo family’s place, and showed his face around the Mo village. Although he surprised countless people, he was, in fact, loving every second of it, and finally realized the delight of being a lunatic. He was even starting to approve of the makeup that resembled a hanged ghost, almost unwilling to wash it away.*

How jarring would it be to go from the most hated man in Cultivation Society, to a illegitimate child from moderate town? To be able to walk around and people know his face for.*different* reasons.

Not to mention the newfound freedom of not having to worry about the reputation of a sect. And he is just allowed to be.

If it was set on a living person, it would attract all of the spirits, wronged ghosts, moving corpses, or evil beings within a certain area, so that they would only attack that person.

Chat. You're never gonna believe how Chekov fires this gun later.

There shouldn’t be any malicious creatures in a place as small as the Mo Village.

Something about last words being famous.

During the day, Lan SiZhui saw Wei WuXian make a scene in the East Hall, and, afterwards, he also heard a lot of exaggerated rumours from other people. He felt extremely sympathetic to the invalid, and couldn’t help but to take his side,

Lan Wangji taught him to be kind, to be generous, and to learn the truth outside of the rumors.

Wei WuXian straightened his body and allowed them to do so without difficulty, so that he wouldn’t have to walk by himself.

he's gonna end up there anyway, why waste the energy when the mob clearly wants to carry you themselves!

When he was younger, he talked quite a lot about exterminating entire families and clans, killing millions of people, creating rivers of blood, and other cruel actions. But, most of the time, they were empty words. If he could actually do the things that he said, he would have long been dominating the cultivation world.

Page 23,

As opposed to

Then again, nobody doubts the fact that the YiLing Patriarch has the power to move mountains and empty seas.

Page 2,

Not her own death so that she could be with her son, but the deaths of everyone in the world, especially the ones in front of her right now.

punishing the world for ills done wrong to you personally is a deep theme in this novel.

Wei WuXian happened to be next to her, and gave her a hand, passing her to A-Ding, who came running.

So many rumors about how Wei Wuxian was vain, arrogant, selfish and cocky and here the text say "he could have let her fall. But he caught her and handed her off"

Something about Wei Wuxian repaying anger directed at him with kindness.

[torialefay]

☀️ Everyday Idol 🌙 (Chapter 7)

✨ possible bangchan x reader (f), possible jungkook x reader (f)

✨ head on over to my masterlist if you haven’t checked out the previous chapters!

✨wc: ~5.7k

✨ friends to lovers? possible love triangle? obsession? angst and future smut??? a little fluff.

✨ summary: JYP Entertainment launches a new show and y/n somehow gets recruited. Even though she doesn’t particularly care about the outcome of the show, she does particularly care about one of the artists she met: Chris from Stray Kids. Does Chris feel the same or will a potential relationship with one of his friends overcome what y/n feels for him?

✨ warnings: cursing from time to time, smut!!!! 🔞

Previous Chapter Recap:

‘You really have to tell her, Chan. You wrote a whole song about her and you had the chance then, but you didn’t take it…’

He thought about the reason you ended up here.

‘No, it was a good idea to wait. Not tonight. Not while all of this other shit is going on for her.’ He thought back to the story that you told him. How Jungkook, his own “friend”, was now watching you- no, stalking you. And how HE was the one who had introduced him to you.

He felt his blood begin to boil, thinking of how scared you looked while telling him about all of this. Who the fuck did Jungkook think he was? He’s apparently a stalker, so what else was he hiding?

Chan wouldn’t let himself start to think of what could have happened had Changbin not been there. Things may have been okay… Maybe he would have just tried to hang out with you more… Or maybe not. You were drunk after all. If he had the right words, maybe he could have convinced you to do other things.

It took everything within himself for Chan to blink away the thoughts and the visions and come back with a clear head. He didn’t want to think about that. He wanted to live in this moment. With you.

He slowly opened his eyes to look at your still face. He loved the little quiver on your lip as it was smooshed up against the couch. He couldn’t help but smile at how cute you were. It took everything in him to not lean down and plant a kiss to your cheek.

Instead, he just nuzzled his head back closer to yours until your foreheads were barely touching. In the softest tone he could muster, he began to whisper.

“I won’t let him hurt you. I promise... I’ll protect you now.”

—————————————————————————————

Note: Character relations you can refer back to if needed.

Y/n- Changbin’s mentee

Anna- best friend, Felix’s mentee

Kara- Seungmin’s mentee

Sunnie- Han’s mentee

Mindi- Hyunjin’s mentee

Nisha- Lee Know’s mentee

Alyssa- Jeongin’s mentee

Jenna- Chan’s mentee

——————————————————————————————

Y/n’s POV:

You stirred awake to the feeling of your dry mouth and a raging headache.

‘Jesus,’ you thought, ‘I need water now or I’m going to die.’

But before you could even lift your head, the realization of where you were had set it. You’d fallen asleep leaning over on Chan’s studio couch, but by the light snoozing you heard, he must have done the same.

You slowly raised your head so as to not startle him. He looked breathtaking like this. Bare face all squished to the back of the couch, curls sticking out everywhere. He looked so peaceful and pure, almost like a small child. You took a moment to take in the sight of him. He was so so precious. And he was only here out of the goodwill of his heart too- probably watching after you after he had already so graciously offered to let you stay in his studio for a while.

Although you didn’t want to disrupt his peace, you also HAD to get up for a drink. You slowly started to peel your head and torso back, but you halted again when you felt the weight of Chan’s hand resting on top of yours. You looked down, and sure enough, his hand had moved to rest over yours in his sleep. Your heart skipped a beat at the sight and your face went red.

‘Well NOW I don’t want to move.’ You took a moment to contemplate if you could deal with laying your head back down for a while longer and pretend to sleep, waiting for Chan to wake up and see if he’d leave his hand placed over top.

‘You’re being so ridiculous, y/n. Chris doesn’t like you like that. If he did, he would have said something last night. You gave him like 10 chances to say something about it and he never did. He played you a song about heartbreak for god’s sake and never once hinted to feeling anything. He’s a good FRIEND, and that’s all. You’ve got to stop reading into this and making it weird. You’re gonna freak him out and scare him off if you don’t stop thinking like this. He’s an amazing friend to have, and that will have to be enough,’ you thought to yourself.

You knew in your heart that no matter how much you wanted Chan to be into you, he wasn’t. He was just a good guy, and you weren’t used to having a guy like him in your corner. It was easy to fall for him, I mean look at him… but that’s how he makes everyone else feel too. You decided that it would be best to just push any feelings you had away- after all, you didn’t want to lose him as a friend and he could be really REALLY helpful for you during the show. You decided from that point on, no more stressing or worrying about boys. No more getting involved. You were here to have fun and make FRIENDS. That was it. And the more you talked yourself into it, the more you tried to be content. It was time to bury the hatchet and move on.

A minute or two later, your cottonmouth was so bad, you simply couldn’t wait any longer to get up. You ever so slowly moved your hand out from underneath Chan’s and pulled your body back, letting out a breath of relief when he didn’t stir. You headed straight for the lounge to chug some water and search in the cabinets for an aspirin. Satisfied that you now wouldn’t die, you felt the urge to pee and headed straight to the restroom.

After sitting on the toilet to relieve yourself, you grabbed your phone from your pocket (silently praying it still had some charge) so you could see if Anna had checked in. It was only 7:30 AM, so you weren’t sure who would have already been up this early on a Saturday.

Luckily you had gotten a text from Anna a few hours ago saying that she’d gotten back to the hotel fine and to come home ASAP to tell her what had happened. In very, verrrrry drunkenly misspelled words however.

Your heart sank as you saw a new message from Jungkook as well. With all the distractions from Chris, you’d completely disregarded your little “follower.” You looked down to check the message.

Only 15 minutes ago. ‘Well, at least one other person is awake. And possibly ready to see me. Cool.’ You huffed.

You quickly cleaned yourself up and flushed, going to the sink to wash your hands and assess your current makeup-everywhere, hair every-which-way situation. You had to admit, this wasn’t your best look. You silently thanked the gods that you’d woken up before Chan so he didn’t see you like this.

‘He’s your FRIEND, y/n. Your friend. It literally doesn’t matter.’ You shook the thought out of your head.

Once you’d patted your hands dry, you still took a few moments to wipe some of the makeup off your under eye and comb your hands through your hair.

Starting to feel a bit more human and awake, you knew you needed to go home soon and check on Anna. She wasn’t exactly known for being the most responsible drunk either. You still didn’t feel 100% comfortable walking back to the hotel though, so you decided you’d just order an uber and wait for it to pull up so you didn’t have to stand outside and hail a taxi looking like a slightly disheveled mess.

You quickly paid for the uber, which was only a few minutes away, and sent Anna a quick text that you’d be home soon and to let you know if there was anything she needed before you got back in.

You ran a hand through your hair one final time before heading back to Chan’s studio to thank him before you left.

~

When you arrived to his room, you didn’t bother knocking, as he was asleep anyway. Or so you thought.

As you swung the door open, you saw a bent-over Chan, still sitting on his couch with his shoulders slumped over and head in his hands. He was rubbing his hands back and forth between his hair and face, slowly shaking his head.

“Hey,” you whispered lowly with a shy smile. He sprang up almost immediately with a confused look on his face. Soon, the confusion turned into relief, and then embarrassment.

“Y/n! Hey. I got a little worried when I woke up and you weren’t here. I didn’t know if something happened or…” he trailed off, looking away nervously.

And admittedly, yes, it was a little awkward. How could it not be? You’d just, in literal terms, slept together. It’s a bit of an intimidating thing to talk about.

“Haha, no. I just needed to get some water. I’m surprised you’re awake,” you tried to sound normal, walking back over to the couch.

“Why? Was I drooling?” he laughed nervously.

“Noooo, you just looked so peaceful when I left!” you teased.

“Haha yeah, when I woke up it took me a minute to figure out what was going on. I must have been sleeping pretty good for once,” he turned red.

“Well I’m glad.” You decided to take a seat next to him for a moment so you could reach down and grab your bag off the floor. “I should probably head to check on Anna though,” you smiled to him, getting ready to say your goodbyes.

“Well, you don’t have to go so soon!” Chan quickly blurted out. “I mean- if you’re hungry- I could buy breakfast if you want? I know you kind of had a rough night so,” he smiled back.

What a total sweetheart. ‘He really is such a great FRIEND,’ you tried to convince yourself. But you’d feel way too guilty if Chan bought you breakfast too. Noooo, you owed him, not the other way around.

“That’s so so sweet Chan… But I would feel awful. You’ve already done so much for me. I mean you literally camped out with me here last night,” you tried to smile extra just to show him how grateful you were. “I owe YOU. How about I buy you lunch next week? Please? It would make me feel better about all of this.”

“You don’t need to feel bad about anything. I promise I don’t mind one bit. I mean if you’re hungry, I wouldn’t want you to-“ you cut him off.

“Chan, I know, I know. But… I’m okay. Thank you for the offer. Just please let me pay you back with lunch next week, okay?” You smiled sheepishly, hoping he’d accept the offer.

He threw his head back slightly. “Alright, if it would make you feel better,” he said jokingly.

“It would,” you breathed out a sigh of relief. “But I really do have to get going. I need to see how Anna’s doing.” You grabbed your bag and stood up.

“Wait, I can take you!” Chan reached out, letting his hand touch your arm. “Wouldn’t want you to have to walk back by yourself,” he jumped up off the couch. “I always drive here anyways, and I can just go straight home after, so it’ll work fine! If you want,” he gave you a shy smile.

‘God, why does he have to be so nice? He wasn’t making this easy.’

“Ah, I actually already ordered an uber that should be here any-“ you looked down to check the app, “in 2 minutes! Jeez, I didn’t realize.”

You could see Chan’s drop in his facial expressions. He looked a bit taken aback, and then moved his head to look down, feeling a bit embarrassed.

Thinking about it, you had to admit that you’d made it awkward. Slipping out of the room first thing and automatically getting an uber did seem a bit… “morning after” to you. And you felt terrible at turning Chan down when he was genuinely being the best friend in the world right now.

“But thank you SO much. For everything. I’m serious, I could never re-pay you. You’re the best,” you smiled, leaning in to give him a hug and hoping to ease the slight tension.

He awkwardly hugged you back, playing into the act. “Of course, of course. Just please be careful.” But he wouldn’t let you go out of the hug.

“Would you want my number?” he asked, finally breaking the hug and pulling back. “Just in case anything happens again.”

“Oh, yeah, that’d be great! Here,” you handed him your phone. “You can just put it in if that’s easier.” You watched as he typed the numbers in and sent a message to it so he could save your contact as well.

“All set,” you smiled, as you headed towards his heavy studio door. “And Channie, seriously thank you,” you saw his eyes light up when you used the nickname. “You really are the best, and I feel so lucky to have you as a friend.” You smiled and waved before letting the door close behind you. The last thing you saw was Chan shyly waving back, as well as the lonely packet of flower food still resting on his desk.

Felix was wrong. Chan had bought flowers for someone, but it wasn’t you. And as much as it stung to think about, it was the push you needed to keep your head on straight. He was a great friend. You were happy with that. Maybe as you got closer, he’d talk to you about who he’d really bought them for.

——————————————————

Once you arrived to the hotel, you were greeted by a half-awake Anna. You couldn’t help but laugh at the lipstick that had gotten smeared down one side of her face. Hopefully after she had gotten back.

Anna caught you up on all of her night’s happenings. She’d ended up staying at the restaurant and playing drinking games with some of the other new cast members until super late, then came home and crashed early this morning. She was definitely doing well considering she’d had almost no sleep.

You tried your best to explain your night to her in full detail, her jaw dropping at every other sentence. You knew it was a crazy story, but you hadn’t really had time to slow down and process just how INSANE it actually was. It made your stomach sick to think about.

“I promise you I’ll murder him,” Anna said, scooting into you.

“You can’t murder him, we don’t know how to finesse the Korean prison system yet,” you tried to joke, more so to trick yourself into not being scared than Anna.

“I’ll find a way…” she looked at you with raised brows that said ‘don’t tempt me.’

You just rolled your eyes, intending to drop the conversation. Pushing it out of your mind wasn’t exactly the best way to deal with it, but it was the choice you’d already decided on. You knew you wouldn’t be able to cope otherwise.

“It makes me feel better knowing Chan’s watching out for you though,” Anna smiled. “You know he has a crush on you, right?”

“He does notttt,” you tried to defend yourself.

“Oh really? Why did he make it clear he wasn’t into Jenna and literally SLEPT with you then? Felix told you he had bought flowers and you saw the flower food as evidence, y/n! Wake upppp, he is into you!”

“Woah woah woah! We didn’t SLEEP together. He slept next to me. For a few hours… But it wasn’t like that.”

You took a moment to contemplate before saying anything else. “Felix was wrong about the flowers... Like yeah, I’m sure he bought them, but he wasn’t giving them to me. They were gone, meaning he DID give them to someone. If he was into me, he had all night to make a move, but he didn’t. Because he’s into someone else… He’s just being a good friend. He’s good guy, and we’re not exactly used to those.”

Anna nodded slowly in agreeance. You both thought back to all the guys in your med school class and how 90% of them thought they were the hottest shit to ever walk the Earth. 7% were tolerable, 2% were friend-worthy, and 1% were actually really good guys. Chan would definitely be in that 1%.

“Alright, let’s move on from boy talk?” you half-asked, half-stated, your head starting to hurt again. “I think I need to order the most obscene amount of breakfast possible and then take a nap,” you sighed out, leaning your upper half back to rest on the bed.

An hour later, and that’s exactly what you’d done. You and Anna vowed to stay in for the rest of the night to recuperate. Just a day full of food, naps, and a movie marathon and pampering session.

‘Just what the doctor ordered,’ you thought, as you closed your eyes to drift off into sleep.

————————————————————

Chan’s POV:

Already in a slightly sullen mood, Chan let out a deep sigh of annoyance when he arrived back to his apartment to find all the members gathered there.

“There’s our little love bird!” Felix called out, as Chan took his shoes off, heart starting to beat faster. Small “oooh”s and “ahhh”s could be heard from the members.

Chan took off into the kitchen/dining room to stop Felix from going any further.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said, trying to sound nonchalant.

“You can quit lying hyung, Felix told us you have a crush on y/n,” Changbin said, not looking well at all. “So you’re welcome by the way, for bringing her to you,” he winked and giggled.

Chan brought his arms out wide, palms up with a questioning expression on his face aimed directly at Felix.

“I didn’t mean to say it!” Felix tried to defend himself. “But when Changbin-hyung told us all what happened with Jungkook last night… well, it kinda just slipped out.”

Chan couldn’t tell if Felix was actually somewhat sorry or amused. Knowing Felix, it was a combination of both.

Chan just rolled his eyes, suddenly getting annoyed at the mention of Jungkook’s name. “Nothing happened with me and y/n, okay?” He walked past everyone to grab some food from the counter. By the sight of Han and Minho cooking, he assumed that at least Felix and Changbin were hungover as fuck, and that the former two were nice enough to make them all breakfast. At least this would be one good thing to happen today.

“What are you gonna say to Jungkook?” Seungmin asked as Chan loaded a second pancake onto his plate. Chan stopped and bit his cheek for a moment, pondering where to even start. No one dared to say anything while Chan looked like this.

“I don’t know yet.”

“I mean, what can you say?” Han laughed out. “‘Hey bro can you, uh- stop stalking girls?’” Han huffed out in a low voice, trying to imitate Chan’s accent in the process.

Han was right. Any way he could approach this would be weird. But also, he couldn’t just not say anything. His blood began to boil just at the thought of Jungkook watching you.

Chan rolled his head in a circle around his neck, trying to work the kink out from his previous awkward sleeping position.

“Like I said, I don’t know yet,” Chan finally replied back, as the rest of the members stayed silent, their eyes fixated on him to say anything more. Chan just filled his plate up, grabbed some utensils and some water, then headed to his room. He just wanted to be alone for a while and eat in peace.

Chan vowed to not do much for the rest of the day. He knew he probably should see someone or talk to someone, but he just didn’t want to. He didn’t want to put his feelings onto someone else. He really didn’t want to have to admit that he had the chance to talk to you about how he felt, but he didn’t take it. He especially didn’t want to admit that you’d almost borderline ghosted and rejected him this morning once you’d realized you’d slept right next to him.

Instead, after finishing his breakfast, he texted the members to let them know that he’d be in his room working on some music and to do as they please, but not to disturb him for the next few hours. Throwing himself into his work instead of dealing with his problems wasn’t Chan’s greatest habit, and he knew that. But damn if it wasn’t a productive one.

He couldn’t bring himself to continue his prior song. Just the fact of knowing that you’d now heard it, he needed to stay away from it for a bit. He decided that working on something totally new would be the best plan of action, throwing every emotion away and into what he was physically doing.

~

Before he knew it, it was hours later and his eyes were struggling to stay focused on the screen, going fuzzy from looking for too long. He knew he needed to get back to reality for a bit.

Taking his headphones off and placing them next to his keyboard, he checked his phone for the first time since he’d sat down. The SKZ group chat had been going off about 30 minutes ago. Apparently the boys were going to make use of their day off and have a game night in the younger members’ dorm. Chan decided that getting out of his room and seeing people would actually be a good distraction from any thoughts he could have. He quickly made his way to the bathroom to take a quick shower before heading over. He hadn’t showered yet today and he knew it would give him a quick refresh.

After letting the shower heat up, he stepped in and let out an instant sigh of relief as the warm water hit his hair and streamed down his body. He didn’t realize how cold he’d actually been. He stood there for a minute or two letting his hair soak in the water and just silently enjoying the the warm, enveloping feeling of the water around him.

That’s one of the reasons Chan would sometimes take a couple of showers in a day. It made him feel almost… safe? Like he was getting a warm hug back. Maybe he was just touch-starved, and he knew that. But when he was trapped in the hot steam around him, it felt like all of his worries just melted away. If he was really stressed or had a lot of pent-up anger, a good shower would always do the trick to help him relax.

He savored the way it felt when he ran his fingers through his hair, working the shampoo in gently. He always leaned his head back at the feeling of his scalp being rubbed gently. For a split second, he let his mind indulge in the image of you doing it to him. Running your small hands through his damp hair strands, tugging lightly as you went. Using the tips of your nails to make sure his head started to feel all tingly.

Chan quickly snapped his hands back, not letting himself drift his mind further into this. The more he thought about it, the more he knew he needed to be hesitant with you. Not only were you scared and hurting, but you’d left so quickly that morning. You had better things to do than to be with him.

Quickly, Chan started feeling guilty too. Disgusted with himself when he was slightly happy to hear that Jungkook had done something wrong. How your ties to him had been shattered. He was disappointed, too, that he’d been allowing himself, encouraging himself even, to become involved with you- a new JYP cast member that he was trusted to TRAIN. You probably trusted him too.

‘What kind of responsible person does that?’

Chan tried to shake the feelings off, focusing instead on cleaning the rest of his body. He let the lyrics of his recent songs play in his head, revising them mentally as he washed.

He tried thinking of anything to distract himself- wondering what game the kids were playing, if he should bring snacks over, which clothes were clean for him to put on and when he should do his next load of laundry.

But he couldn’t pre-occupy his thoughts too much. They always ended up coming back to you.

As he ran the soap around his lower half, he couldn’t help but wince at the thought of you you being the one to do it. You being the one to give him the touch that he so often craved.

He let his hands roam down to his balls, bringing soap along the way. He gave them a gentle squeeze and sighed at the sensation.

He imagined the way you’d looked the night before. When he came into the staff lounge and saw you for the first time that night. You’d been crying, sitting lowly on the ground. You were so pretty, such big, beautiful eyes looking up at him from your position on the ground, he thought. He pictured your tear-stained cheeks and how puffy your eyes were from your low cries. He thought about how pouty your lips were and how beautiful they looked when they finally had moved to form sentences. He wondered how they’d look wrapped around his cock.

Chan led his hand to his dick, giving it a good squeeze before beginning to pump himself. Slow and steady, just the way he liked it. He couldn’t help but make himself feel good, not when he was thinking about how pretty you were and how good he knew you could be for him.

Chan made moderate strokes, making sure to pull all the way so his hand would graze the tip of his cock before pumping back down. He let out a smallest whisper of a moan as he began to pick up the pace.

He imagined you sitting there like you had been, mouth now open and tongue sticking out for him. How you’d run your hand down his torso until it wrapped around him, giving him a few pumps before putting him in your mouth. How good your tongue would feel as it swirled around his tip, giving him one of the sweetest sensations he could ask for. How much pressure your mouth would give him once you finally started sucking on him. He wondered if you’d move your hand along with your mouth or if you’d leave it at the base of his cock to steady it for you. He thought about what you’d do with your other hand- if you’d give his balls light squeezes or if you’d keep running your hand along his body, giving him the reassuring pressure that you were enjoying every inch of him.

He felt his breathing hitch as he started to pump faster, picturing you giving him hard and fast strokes. You’d moan into him at the feeling of his dick hitting your throat and choke a little bit each time. He’d wrap his hand up into your hair to make sure you were going at just the right pace for him and you were taking him as deep as you possibly could. You could be so so good to him. Make him feel so good. So perfect. You’d work him up until he possibly couldn’t take it anymore. You’d look up at him with those same puffy, crying eyes and silently beg him to cum. And he would. Long and hard and right down into your throat. He’d cum harder than he ever had before.

And he was. He turned his imagination off as he felt himself begin to convulse the tiniest bit and shoot the white cum out of him without control. He moved his hand quickly, following out his high until there was nothing left.

He panted as he collected himself, leaning against the shower to slow his breath. He made sure to let the water run off any remnants of the cum that still resided on his hand. Chan just shook his head.

‘Fuck... I guess showers aren’t even safe now,’ he thought, getting frustrated with himself before turning the water off. He was hoping that at least the post-nut clarity would bring him to his senses. He just needed to go see the boys and stop all of this thinking about you. There was no point. All of this was a one-sided, warped, inappropriate fantasy. That’s all you would be allowed to be for him- his fantasy.

—————————————————————————

Y/N’s POV:

You and Anna had actually had a very fun night in. You’d both downloaded a truth or dare game to play on your phones and ended up laughing so hard that you cried. Anna almost peed on herself from laughing, but apparently, you were “never allowed to talk about it”… according to her.

You’d ordered in dinner, had a much-needed pampering session, and even practiced belting out a few karaoke songs, which your hotel neighbors did NOT appreciate. Overall, it had been a great night.

You and Anna had made plans with your friend group to meet up the next day for brunch. After that, you’d all planned on getting your nails done and just general upkeep before the show started the following day. You all wanted to put your best foot forward for the show, knowing this was the last time you would all have together before the craziness began.

One productive thing that you did manage to get done was to ignore JK’s texts all day. By the time night rolled around, he’d sent you three more messages, all asking if everything was okay and if something was wrong. You didn’t know what you should do. You weren’t going to answer him of course, but you also didn’t feel comfortable blocking him yet in case he sent something proving you weren’t crazy. Something tangible he’d send that you could use to prove he was an actual creep and could do something about it. Defamation laws were insane in Korea, and you knew that if you didn’t have anything to prove against him, you’d be deep in trouble. So you let the texts roll through. Surely he’d get the hint, right?

Anna had done a great job distracting you from it all day. But as you laid in your bed, all alone with only the pitch black surrounding you, you couldn’t help but start to think about each individual message. How scary it was that this man was still out there, thinking about you. You started to wonder if he’d get mad that you hadn’t responded. If he’d known that you’d seen him and he was trying to dance around it. What if he was outside, waiting for you to come to him right now?

You tried your best to blink away any of the thoughts you just didn’t want to keep. You made sure your phone was plugged in, on silent mode, and buried under a pillow to stop yourself from looking at or receiving another message tonight. You just wanted to get some restful sleep. You definitely wouldn’t be getting it again over the next couple of weeks.

Your mind went to Chan and the last words he’d left you with as you exited his studio this morning. ‘Just in case anything happens again,’ and his phone number. It crossed your mind for a few moments that maybe a text to Chan wouldn’t be the worst thing. I mean HE had been the one to ask if you wanted his number after all… He just had a way of making things better and saying exactly what you needed to hear. You felt like he could fix any problem or hurt feeling that was sitting with you with just a few words. And you could really use that right now, you thought.

You thought on it for a few minutes, letting your stomach flip upside down as you contemplated back and forth. On one hand, it would be nice to talk to Chan and actually feel better. On the other hand, you didn’t want to bother him… and you didn’t want to get attached. It was great that Chan had offered his help to you, but you decided that you should wait until you really really needed it. Not just in this moment to satisfy your own wanting of him.

So there you laid for the next hour, writhing in the feeling of wishing you could talk to someone that you knew you couldn’t have. Never did you think that less than 2 miles away, he would also be lying in his bed doing the same. You both finally let your eyes rest in the thought of the other’s presence.

————————————

You awoke in the morning to the sound of Anna’s voice trying to gently stir you awake. You guessed you’d forgotten to set yourself an alarm when you were all lost in your feels before falling asleep.

The two of you took your time in the morning to do your hair and makeup before getting dressed up. Nothing too fancy today, but you still wanted to look nice and put together. You always enjoyed getting ready with Anna in the mornings anyways. She was like you in that she preferred a soft start to her morning and would play light music while the both of you got ready in silence. You both enjoyed the soft music while you settled into the beginning of a new day. It was also a good way to keep you calm as you ignored the new text from Jungkook that has arrived this morning. Even if he’s a stalker, he has one thing going for him- he is persistent.

You looked down at your phone once you’d finished getting ready, seeing the time 10:40 AM flash across your home screen. Perfect. Just enough time to get to the brunch spot that Sunnie had picked out for the six of you- you, Anna, Kara, Sunnie, Mindi, and Nisha. You didn’t intend to leave the other two of the SKZ mentees out, but none of you had Jenna or Alyssa’s phone numbers to invite them. They hadn’t made any effort to give it to anyone… Hadn’t made any effort to talk with the rest of you either. Quite the opposite actually. You were content with your little friend group and knew you’d all just have to deal with the other two once filming started. You didn’t have to like them, you just had to get along enough to get through the next two weeks.

As you and Anna walked out the door and onto the busy streets of Seoul, you mentally thanked Sunnie for picking a restaurant that was in a central location, just down the street from the JYPE Building. You knew you wouldn’t have had fun walking much farther in your cute, low heels. There were a bunch of salons nearby, so it really was the perfect place to go if you didn’t have somewhere specific in mind.

You chatted with Anna as you made your way around the corner and down the final street to get to the restaurant. Passing by the JYPE building, you glared into the glass walls to see if you spotted anyone. It was a Sunday, so it was super unlikely, but you scanned the building anyway. Just as you turned your head back to focus on the street in front of you, you heard a familiar voice. Your heart dropped.

“Wait!”

‘It can’t be…’ you thought, feeling your heart beginning to quickly speed up again. You weren’t going to take the chance as you began to pick up your pace into a speed walk.

“Y/N, wait! Please!” Jungkook yelled in desperation, his voice following you.

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✨ Continue to ➡️ Chapter 8

✨ if you enjoyed, please consider liking, commenting, or re-blogging <3

✨ i am beginning a tag list, so please let me know if you’d like to be added!

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Tag list: @lailac13 @freyjhasdesiredreality

[ilikemicrowaves]

WHY CARNELIAN SHOULD HAVE LIVED

@whymori @kiwiwisdeathday

Character recap for people who don't analyze Carnelian:

Carnelian was a skywing who attended JMA for only 3 days before being killed in an accidental explosion in the history cave done by Sora of the mudwings. Formerly she was a child soldier under Queen Ruby and claimed she would kill Scarlet herself if she was alive. In Moon Rising, Moon listend to her thoughts about how she seen education as a punishment and hoped that Queen Ruby would let her drop out to become a general and protect the palace, again proving her loyalty to Ruby. She had "blood-soaked dreams" and judged dragons depending on there battle skills. She didn't like dragons or making friends. She earned Umbers respect after she realized they had possibly fought in the war, side by side. Although her timid and harsh personality, she was actually really insecure about herself and thought the dragons around her found her stupid as well as her life goals.

♡—–——☆°●°☆————♡

This, is a type of character I would want to read about. I was so excited to learn about Carnelian reading Moon Rising, each page she got I enjoyed every bit of it and couldn't wait to see how her and Moon's relationship would turn out. Until I got to the cave explosion announcing her and Bigtails death... Like, come on Tui, you can't just write a really interesting character who's character arc would be really cool and then toss them aside! Moon Rising is still great, one of my favorite books. I just really wish Carnelian was kept alive or atleast longer more than not even half a book.

If I could rewrite the cave scene, yes, I would explode Carnelian but Instead of killing her off, I would make it to where she was extremely injured. Thus, making her disabled, and this would be good for wof to have more disabled representations in the series because there's only like 2 disabled characters out of the hundreds of existing ones.

When Darkstalker is manipulating Moon when she was trying to sleep, he claims he had a vision of Carnelian carelessly killing Kinkajou because she was being to annoying. Which yes, this could be true, but has anyone considered that maybe Darkstalker was lying? He could've only said this to manipulate Moon that her powers are a gift instead of a curse. Speaking of Moonwatcher, her relationship with Carnelian would have been really interesting to watch playout.

Carnelian to other dragons is a rude, narracistic dragon, when really she's aware she is not as smart as others, and has created this sort of mask to hid it by fighting and picking on others to not just appear confident and bigger, but to make her feel better about herself. No other dragons know this, but Moonwatcher. Moonwatcher is a kind dragon, so most likely she would try to be nice to Carnelian instead of assuming she's just a mean person.

And Carnelian doesn't see Moon as a weak dragonet, she was actually impressed by her hunting skills when she caught that goat.

But Moonwatcher isn't the only dragon who would be willing to approach Carnelian, Umber. Umber was confident enough to point out the fact that he thought him and Carnelian had fought in war together, atleast trying to appear friendly and say, "hey, i recognize you, maybe we could be mutuals." When cleary she was acking grumpy and angry to try and repel everyone from approaching her. This simple action of Umber's made Carnelian realize that she may have allies here.

I wouldn't expect Umber and Carnelian to immediately become friends but rather Carnelian finding comfort that she has an alley. Maybe even warming up to him and putting effort to hang out with him and Turtle. It's even shows in the books before her death that she was slightly trying to be friendly with others. When Winter was asking Moon about Bandit, Carnelian joked that he might be delicious, and it's unclear if she was serious. But, in this scene she is more social when we first met her, not pushing or name-calling dragons like before. So this could indicate that she is trying to be a tiny bit friendly but also still stern. I'm not saying that her and Winter would become absolute best friends but have a mutual respect for each other in some way.

And WHY is nobody talking about how Carnelian and Peril have a past?? Like, HELLO?? When Peril arrives at the school Carnelian is convinced that Peril would never harm her. And Tui just leaves it at that without ANY explanation? Where they friends? Rivals? LOVERS? I highly doubt that last but it gives potential to all the Carnelian x Peril fans out there so many ideas (honestly, I've only seen like 3 people that ship this and I hope you guys are having a nice dinner eating your crumbs.((do you guys even have ship name for them?))

The amount of fanfic ideas I have in my head for a Carnelian lives au is insane tho, and I have many doodles of all of them together. I just want to read and look at content where the school was ran properly and that nobody died. Happy trauma babies learning trust and the magic of friendship :D but if anybody would like to see content of the Carnelian lives au, I am in progress of writing a fanfic right now for it, so stay tuned my Carnelian lovers.

[nothazellevesque]

Okay, rereading pjo as an adult made me realize that Luke and the titans really used the geneva conventions as more of a geneva checklist. like bro technically did all but FOUR of the war crimes outlined in the geneva conventions. and he technically attempted summary execution, but he failed. let’s recap and go over what Luke did and where it fits as a war crime:

Willful killing, or causing great suffering or serious injury to body or health- literally all of the shit he does. Luke breaks this one with the pit scorpion in book ONE, and then keeps on breaking it every book.

Torture or inhumane treatment- okay so technically Luke is a victim of torture and inhumane treatment by kronos, and kronos tortures folks with Ominous And Scary Dreams.

Unlawful wanton destruction or appropriation of property- Luke/kronos goes absolutely HAM with the scythe and wrecks olympus. and a lot of Manhattan.

Forcing a prisoner of war to serve in the forces of a hostile power- okay so technically, luke HAS no prisoners of war, but he blackmails silena to serve him as a spy. she is not physically held captive in the traditional sense, but she is forced to serve out of fear for her and her loved ones’ safety. technically not a traditional prisoner of war, but DEFINITELY not a willing member of the titan force (i have no idea how to classify silena, really) also forces annabeth to hold up the sky so atlas can be free, literally forcing her to serve his goals.

Depriving a prisoner of war of a fair trial- technically has no prisoners of war in the traditional sense, but considering percy and his friends are briefly held prisoner by Luke and he tries to kill percy by letting antaeus, ethan, and a dracaena attack him without him being formally accused of a crime, i think this counts in the loosest sense of the law.

Unlawful deportation, confinement or transfer- annabeth in the titan’s curse. while technically not shown in the books, she did NOT make it from that cliff at westover all the way to mount othrys on her own or willingly. sorry girl

Taking hostages- annabeth. all those mortals on the princess andromeda. man took a LOT of hostages

Directing attacks against civilians- he puts all of New York City to sleep. not ONE of those people is a combatant, Luke. those are civilians, Luke. You did a war crime, Luke.

Misusing a flag of truce, a flag or uniform of the enemy- kronos literally wearing Luke as a skin suit. While Luke may have been an enemy combatant to percy and camp half blood, it is VERY apparent that he is fighting for some aspect of control and does not want to be kronos’s skin suit (as exemplified by his conversation with annabeth). or, a more obvious example, Luke masquerading as a normal camper while doing kronos’s bidding in the early days. man DEFINITELY wore the camp shirt while doing his evil deeds.

Settlement of occupied territory- taking over the princess andromeda. does a cruise ship count as territory? Idk. but i don’t think the titans built a whole ass cruise ship JUST for luke and kronos’s coffin and then decided to let a bunch of random mortals on. those folks were most likely already on there.

Deportation of inhabitants of occupied territory- the mortals on the princess andromeda are NOT present after sea of monsters. so where did they go?

Using poison weapons- idk what to classify the lydian drakon as. is that thing a combatant? a weapon? whatever it is, it has poison, and it kills people, which is Not Allowed. also Ethan’s little poison knife stab on annabeth. little war crime bestie

Using civilians as shields- wtf else would you call just leaving all those sleeping mortals on the street in Manhattan if not human shields?

Using child soldiers- okay to be fair EVERYONE in the pjo universe does this war crime. so ill give Luke a slight pass

Firing upon a Combat Medic with clear insignia- the Apollo cabin. those kids are the closest we got to combat medics in these books, and the monsters definitely try and munchity crunchity the fuck out of those kids

Murder, cruel or degrading treatment and torture- um… literally EVERYTHING luke/kronos unleashes upon the campers? idk what you would call a POISON ACID SPITTING DRAGON HITTING YOU IN THE FACE if not torture. also. he murders ethan. that’s definitely a thing he does. if the shard of weapon in Ethan’s body doesn’t kill him before kronos drop kicks him through a pit hundreds of stories above the ground, that drop definitely will. sorry ethan.

Pillaging- technically he does not do MUCH pillaging, but the stealing of the helm of darkness and the lightning bolt, and other minor things counts i think

idk if luke and kronos know about the geneva conventions, but they definitely exist in universe, so… have fun at The Hague with your war crimes mcgrimes headasses