#even if they can eat and drink now there's a lot of mountains desert and bodies of water to cross to get from Europe into Africa

[jheselbraum]

I wouldn't want this to happen in the actual movie but I would love a 28 years later parody that's about people just kind of chilling in Brazil which is totally fine and free of zombies

[noirandchocolate]

Feeling warm and snuggly on this cold winter's night, so here have some sweet headcanons about my Master Kohga and kids! Because he loves them.

Kohga adores babies and wants to Hold them. When somebody's giving birth, if he's at all able (and he will drop practically anything to be able), he'll be waiting with the rest of the expectant family for news. He's almost always the very first non-family member to hold a baby and often even beats out family that isn't the parents! (As you might expect, having the Master hold your baby is considered an honor and also he's just so nice about it so you wouldn't want to say no!) Now, he doesn't butt in on things like name choosing, but he will be the one making the announcement to the rest of the Clan of its newest member.

Seriously. If Master Kohga sees a baby he will experience an overwhelming need to hold that baby. Play with that baby. Talk to that baby in a goofy voice and let that baby grab his fingers. Tear up over how small or how fat or how funny that baby is. Tell that baby that they're going to grow up so big and strong and defeat all their enemies. Possibly steal that baby.

Master Kohga has never stolen a baby.

But he has thought about it.

I've said before on my post about Yiga masks that kids who are going to turn eleven in a year go to Satori Mountain with Kohga at the start of that year to get their first official masks.

Another tradition is that at some point in every season, the Master will hold a little event for all kids too young for masks (from age three up to that) to spend an afternoon with them doing some kind of Activity. Usually this involves telling Clan folk stories that take place in the given season, some music and sometimes dancing, and some kind of snack.

For example, in winter the Clan piles up a whole lot of warm animal skins and blankets and pillows in a room for all the kids to cuddle up among while listening to Kohga tell tales like The Snowcoat Woman (who is beautiful but will steal your warmth if you encounter her in the frosty Highlands) and The Frog Travelers (who help Clan members lost in the freezing desert night to return safe to Karusa Valley). There's a nice fire going, warm drinks to go around, and eventually a cozy naptime.

By contrast, in summer ice is stolen from the Gerudo icehouse brought in and lots of wildberries and other fruits collected to make delicious frozen treats to make and eat! Followed by naptime. There...there is a common thread in all four seasons' events. See if you can guess what it is.

(Off on a tangent, but Sooga joined the Clan at age ten, in the summer. That season marked the only one of these events he ever participated in, as he got his mask and aged out at the start of autumn ((as I'll eventually explain in another post, Hyrule's calendar year starts with autumn, at harvest season)). At the time, he was pretty concerned with not being noticed by Kohga ((it had only been about six weeks! he could not possibly pay the Master back for saving his life yet! poor anxious child)), but now, over twenty years later, he does fondly remember how the other children welcomed him and some younger kids took the time to earnestly explain to him what an "ice cone" was and that it was time to sing the Cold Things Song to cool down because it's hot in the Valley in summer and did Sooga know the words? He could listen to them and they'd teach him.)

The seasonal events with the kids were something started by Kohga's father while he was Right Hand and later Master. Kohga didn't do them in his first year as Master (he was very occupied with finding his feet as Chief and also with caring for his dying Mama), but he started them up again on the suggestion of a romantic partner. Koh became Master at 25 and was previously not as concerned with children as he is now (he never disliked them, he just...was too busy with being young himself), but hanging out with and entertaining the kiddos cheered him up immensely and basically grew him into the baby-loving sap he is today. <3 <3

Kids love it when Master Kohga tells stories for ANY reason at ANY time. Because he does Voices, and poses, and sometimes even makes a double of himself to act out conversations with or to provide musical accompaniment! Man is an excellent vocal mimic (as we know from his stint as Urbosa), and very fun to watch do his thing.

Kohga also sometimes gives lessons to the kiddos on various skills, especially disguise and teleportation because those are fun to watch the little ones try to do. Usually these things and other abilities are taught by specially-trained instructors, but given that he's Master Kohga, he's allowed to teach whenever he feels like it. This isn't all the time or on any regular schedule, he just sometimes gets a whim to do it.

(This is AOC-verse, remember.) The Calamity was vanquished right at the end of a year and what with all the chaos and confusion the kids turning eleven in the next year got their masks in a simpler ceremony right at the Complex instead of going out to Satori Mountain. To make it up to them, Kohga took this group up to the mountain to be the ones to collect sakura branches for the Clan's spring festival. Usually this is a job for teenagers who've been out and about before and can go do the task in a group by themselves, but Kohga thought it would be only fair to change things just this once, and go with them so it'd be like the mask ceremony they didn't get to have.

Also post-Calamity, but a couple months sooner, in the winter afterward, something unprecedented happened and kids younger than ten were taken on a field trip outside Karusa Valley! This was a lil' excursion for seven-to-nine-year-olds via Tower teleportation, to visit Mabe Village Ranch and...pick out three puppies to join the Clan! Kohga thought this was a great idea for several reasons, some of which were: 1) new friends would be nice for the younger kiddos to help with Calamity-related trauma, 2) dogs are useful in several ways and these pups were to be trained to protect the kids, 3) the usual Teach Kids Responsibility reasons for getting a pet, 4) showing the children the world years early, now that it was...more safe for them to exist and live in, and 5) taking adorable, veiled, obviously-Yiga-Clan children out where Hylians could see them was a perfect visual aid for the concept of Hey, We've Always Been People Too.

As one last thing... Also post-Calamity, Kohga has been spending an unusually large amount of time away from home. At political gatherings at Hyrule Castle, going to meetings with the Gerudo about their common interests and with farmers and potential banana buyers now that the Clan is more able to openly participate in the economy, teaching Princess Zelda how to read Ancient Sheikah because for some reason it sure seemed like nobody else was going to help her read historical texts that might not be favorable to her family (HMMM), and doing science at the Royal Ancient Tech Lab with Purah and Robbie and a force of Sheikah and Yiga researchers. And his disappearances...did not go unnoticed. By certain factions.

One day, Master Kohga was approached by Biwa--the undisputed ringleader of the Clan's three-to-six-year-old girls--with a simple but very emphatic demand to attend tea with her and her group, so he could address some Concerns. Of course he had to agree. At this very important meeting, Biwa outlined the children's grievances, such as, "Why are you gone so much? You haven't played with us in weeks." "Why're you hanging around with Hylians anyway? They stink." "What's a 'Lab'? Temi's sister said you're looking at a slate, what's a 'slate'?" And "Don't you like being home with us anymore?"

As you can imagine, Kohga took this very seriously and almost cried over that last question, and explained things patiently in a way the youngsters could hopefully understand.

And then they beat him up as Consequences anyway. Biwa ended up sitting on top of his belly with her arms folded, the clear victor.

Did he let them, or was the great Master Kohga actually vanquished by weird little girls? That is for you the reader to decide.

[thestarlitmidnight]

🌙A Court Under the Mountain🌙

Summary: Long before the events of the Court of Thorns and Roses, there was a lot happening in Prythian and the Continent. This is my humble take on trying to play with the idea of Amarantha's oppression of Prythian and her dystopian take on being the queen Under the Mountain. Kaela, a heiress to the throne of Ufalme Kingdoms located far away in the desert of the Continent was sent to warn Prythian of Amarantha's intentions. The next thing she knows is that she wakes up Under the Mountain, bargained to be part of a concubine program with memories missing. Fandom: ACOTAr Pairing: RhysandXOC Warnings: This story is dealing with a very heavy themes, I suggest you to do not read this story, if you are easily triggered. Imagine the worst things Amarantha would do and add some more and there you are, it is in this story... So please, really, 16+ at least! Word Count: 220 927 Chapters: 55 Master List Previous Chapter Taglist:@darkbloodsly

Chapter Eleven

I was sitting on a sofa near a window, which had a view of snow covered mountains. Admiring the view and eating freshly baked pancakes. 

The stranger was standing in the small kitchen of my beloved cabin, naked except for an apron, cooking a snack for us after the whole day of ignoring the food in favor of enjoying the closeness of our bodies.

It was a moment full of blissful joy. 

"You never told me how you came across this cabin," I mused into the comfortable silence and kept my eyes on the falling snow, that was covering the ground with a fresh layer of untouched snow, covering the tracks we left there when we were returning from the steam room. 

"When we were younger, we were sent there to sort our minds, when we were older, we used to come here and drink the days away, or just to be alone when we needed it," the stranger replied with similarly relaxed voice, keeping up with the task of preparing our foot, as I was terrible at it. 

"I love it there," I hummed and nuzzled more into the cashmere blanket I demanded to be taken with us there from his home. 

"It's easy to love it there, especially with such lovely company as you have," his voice was coloured with teasing and I fought the urge to send him a vulgar gesture as reply. 

"I believe that without your lovely company, it would be even easier to love it there," I chose to reply instead and a smile tugged on my lips. 

"Oh come on," he laughed, filling the air with warmth of his amusement. "Who would keep you warm and entertained the whole time?" 

I bursted into laughter as well, shaking my head at his silliness. 

"I don't know, maybe if there wouldn't be the element of distraction, I would be able to finally write? Once I'm back home, my lecturer would eat me alive for neglecting my studies," I turned to look at him, admiring the sight in front of me, that was just as magnificent as the sight from the window. 

"Who said that I'm planning to let you go back home?" He raised his beautiful eyes from the frying pan, setting them on me with raised eyebrows. 

"I am a heiress to the throne, idiot," I rolled my own eyes at him and sighed. "I wish to stay in this cabin forever and be with you, far away from the reality and responsibilities, but we cannot forget that there is indeed a world outside." 

"For now, those years that your father sits on the throne, you don't need to return," his voice turned more gentle, more softer. "You can stay with me there and when the time comes, we will deal with it, but for now, just stay with me." 

I kept my eyes on him. He was sincere, completely open and honest with his wishes for me to stay by his side. 

My heart skipped a beat and then melted, a fuzzy feeling wrapping around it.

"I will," I promised, a small smile on my lips. 

His eyes lit up, a large smile spread across his kissable lips and soon the kitchen was forgotten alongside our feet as he walked towards me and scooped me into his arms, forcing a laughter out of me. 

"What are you doing?" I cried out loud through my laughter, a plate with my pancakes still in my hands as I was being carried upstairs. 

"We are going to celebrate," he informed me like it was the most obvious fact and walked through the open door of our bedroom in the mountain cabin.

Laughter and sounds of joy mixed with pleasure filled the air as that silly idiot decided to make a plate from my belly and eat the pancakes from there, purposely spreading the mess across my naked body so he had an excuse to lick it clean. 

"You are mine," he whispered with his mouth on the inner side of my thigh, where he showered the sensitive skin there with light kisses, licks and bites. 

"Do you want to sign me so everyone would know?" I teased him at his declaration of claim on me, not happy with the possessive nature that was so own to him. 

"Good idea Kaela darling," he purred lowly and pushed my legs wider apart, his eyes lighting up with mischief. 

"What are you doing?" I raised my head up to look at him, down between my spread legs. 

He winked at me and then started to write with his tongue on my upper inner thigh, just inches away from my most sensitive parts. 

Mine. 

He wrote mine while his eyes were glued on my own and once he was done, his fingers traced the lines he wrote, a tingling sensation rushing through the one word written on my skin and soon, a shimmering, fine black line showed there. I watched it with raised eyebrows, ready to open my mouth to display my disagreement with being branded, but he just winked and the shimmering black writing sank into my skin, disappearing and he bit right under it, forcing a low moan out of my lips at the sensation. 

"Where did it disappeared?" I whispered, my eyes glued on the place where he wrote mine.

"It's there," he places a kiss on the exact place, a pleased smirk on his lips. 

He brushed his fingers across the place and the words showed up and then he brushed over it again, making it disappear. 

"It will show up when I want it to," he mused and his lips kissed closer to my sensitive parts. "Now lay down and don't interrupt me, female, I have something to take care of."

And with that he dived between my legs, crashing his lips against my core, stealing everything away from me, leaving only the blissful pleasure he was gifting me with. 

When the climax was about to crash on me, the darkness came and claimed my body instead of the pleasure, stealing such sacred moments away from me mercilessly.

I didn't fight, leaving the darkness to claim me and throw me back into the endless fall to the abyss. 

When I woke up, in the state of dizziness and confusion as always when I came back from the lands of dreams, I immediately went to check my inner thigh. 

With heavy breathing my fingers brushed against the exposed skin there, bare skin without any words written on it as a mark of this stranger who claimed it with. 

I tried to will it into existence, force the words to appear so I will have physical proof that I'm not losing my mind, but it was in vain, because no matter how much I tried to manifest the word mine to show up, it never did. 

˗ˏˋ ★ ˎˊ˗

Rhysand didn't return back for another four days. It left me feeling completely nuts. What happened to him? Why didn't Amarantha show up as well? Where were these two? 

I felt sick. Completely and utterly sick to my core of the uncertainty. 

Did something happen? Was he alright?

Helion used it to our advantage and demanded for us to meet each day and work on the bargain tendrils. 

I wanted to sulk in my bedroom and wait for him to come back. 

"You are tense, relax a bit," he poked into my shoulder and I rolled my eyes.

It was easy to say such a thing. How can I relax when Rhysand is Gods knows where with that twisted bitch and I didn't know if he was hurt or needed my help. 

What if he was laying somewhere, not able to stand up, in pain and waited for me to show up? What if he needed me the most and I was there, tending to my own problems instead?

"He is fine," he sighed and let me catch my breath for a moment. 

The closer we were to the root of the tendrils, the more difficult they got. 

"How can you know that?" I crunched my eyebrows together and folded my arms over my chest. 

He looked at me, his eyes taking in the state I was in. His expression was soft and open. Kind. He was always kind. 

"He knows how to walk in difficult situations Kaela, you both do," he reminded me with a soft voice and I knew he was right. 

Yet that didn't make it any easier.

"Four days Helion, he is away with her for four days!" I exclaimed as the leash on my composure slipped for a moment, but I quickly schooled it back into obedience.

"Who knows what is happening," I added with a calmer tone and clenched my jaw from talking any further. 

What if he was dying now? 

I felt my heart dropping low into my stomach at this unholy thought. 

What the hell was wrong with me?

Why was I so overreacting?

"I know that you two are close and he is important to you, but you need to control those feelings princess," his words were filled with good intentions and his golden eyes were sincere. "Just as much as you care about him, he cares about you and I'm sure he wouldn't wish to see you this disturbed." 

"Over those nineteen years, this never happened. How can I not have feelings all over the place when I don't know what became of him?" I gritted through my teeth and fought the emotional waves that kept crashing on me. 

He gave me a knowing look.

"You love him," he mused and smiled with a light, soft smile. 

I stopped in the middle of opening my mouth to disagree. 

"Do I love him?" My voice came out as a low whisper, not sure why the thought of loving someone like Rhysand scared me so much. 

Was it love? Those feelings that kept coming to me every time he held me or by mere thinking about him? 

It cannot be. 

"You tell me, princess," he looked amused by my stunned expression. 

"We cannot afford love," I proclaimed after a little moment of thinking.

Under the Mountain was no place for something so pure and sacred as love. 

It was a dangerous place to feel love for someone. Very dangerous. 

"That doesn't necessarily mean it doesn't exist," he tilted his head and patted my knee in a comforting manner. 

Steps echoed through the library and I immediately pushed more of my powers out, making sure that nobody would be able to see us. 

It was not often that someone decided to come into this exact library, my last intruder was the duo of Attors which tried to hide a spellbook for Amarantha. 

An idea came to my mind. Bright, daring, breaking idea. 

Just when the idea settled in my mind the intruder stopped right in front of us and when I raised my eyes, I saw Thesan standing there, looking distressed. 

I let go of my glamor and quickly stood up, ready for the worst news. 

Did something happen to the other females? 

Did they try to run away now their bargains are broken and they are free to escape?

"Thesan," I nodded in acknowledgment at him and Helion stood up as well. 

The High Lord of the Dawn Court looked from me to Helion, his eyes greatly troubled. 

"I'm sorry to interrupt the work, but there is something important-" he began to speak, but then froze in the middle of the sentence, his eyes glued to me. 

I raised my eyebrows to encourage him to continue, but his eyes were set on me, his brows crushing together even more. 

"May I check something, princess Kaela?" He asked with all the manners and politeness he always carried around, raising his hand into the air in front of me. 

"Of course," I nodded, impatient of what this was about. 

He moved his raised hand towards my arms and took it, his warm, healing magic poured into my body, confusing me even more. 

"What is happening?" I demanded, my hands shaking lightly as the impatience grew stronger. 

"I'm so sorry Kaela," Thesan finally spoke up, his eyes now covered with layers of pity and regret. 

"But for what?" I sighed, ready to start pacing around from the anxiety that was building inside me. 

"You are with a child Kaela," he informed me and I felt like I would faint. 

Elsewhere, it would be happy news. It would be the best news I could get. Life changing. 

There? Now? They were indeed life changing, yet in completely different ways than it was supposed to be. 

I dropped back into the seat, my head falling down into my arms as the realization crashed down on me. 

Why Mother? Why did you allow this? 

"Are you sure Thesan?" Helion turned to the other High Lord, his voice full of companionship and understanding. 

"I discovered and confirmed my fair share of early pregnancies throughout my life," he said with apology all over his calming voice. "I'm truly sorry." 

Damn it. 

Damn this place and damn the cursed bitch who pushed this on my head and damn Rhysand for being the reason why I was now pregnant. Damn these two High Lords who were both showering me in pity. Damn this bargain and damn the Mother herself. 

"It will be alright Kaela, we will work hard to break those remaining tendrils and get you out before the child is born," Helion knelt in front of me, placing hands on my knees. 

"Yes, we will make sure that you will get out in time," Thesan promised and placed his hand on my shoulder in a comforting manner, squeezing it softly. 

I'm not a damsel in distress for crying out loud! 

Why are they acting as if I would break down anytime soon? 

"Why did you come, Thesan?" I sighed and raised my eyes to look at him. 

This is a matter for later. I will deal with those news once I'm alone. Process it and properly think about what this means. 

"Rhysand is back," he replied, his eyes once again looking even more troubled. 

A hope lit up in my heart at those words. 

"Why didn't you say anything sooner?" I quickly raised to my feet, ready to run back to my room, where he would be waiting for me already. 

He always waits for me there. 

"He is in bad shape," he added, forcing me to stop in the middle of my quick walk away. 

The whole world stopped for a moment. 

The wind stopped flowing, the sound stopped from echoing around, the world stopped turning and the force which held it back from moving along the natural course of things pulled with all the strength on my heart. 

Then the moment of stillness awoke and it all came back alive with furious force that threatened to snap my knees which became weak and crash me literally down to the ground. 

"Where is he?" I fought to wake up all the remaining assassin's instincts that survived inside me and keep myself from breaking down. 

I ignored how weak and shaken I was and forced myself to be strong and get through this so I can get to him. 

"I don't think-" Thesan began to speak, but I stopped him immediately.

"Where is he?" I gritted through my teeth and was ready to beat that information out of him if it would be necessary. 

There was nothing that would be able to stop me from getting to Rhysand. There was no force strong enough to keep me away from him when he was wounded. Not even Amarantha herself would be able to stop me now. 

"Kaela please,-" he raised his hands in front of him as he spoke.

I turned back around and started to march towards him with all the proper assassin manners as they came back to me without any need for me to beg. 

My eyes were filled with deadly determination and my mind fixed only one goal and that was to find whereabouts of the only person who I could count on when things were bad and who was currently hurt and in need of my help.

"In his bedroom," Thesan finally replied, realizing that there was no stopping me. 

"Six doors to the right from yours," Helion added quickly.

I nodded at both of them with a sharp nod and turned on my heel, leaving them both there without turning back as I hurried to Rhysand. 

What the actual hell happened? What kind of day was this? 

I find out that I'm pregnant and now that the damn father of that unwanted child is finally back after missing for four days, but he is in bad shape? 

What have I done to deserve such cruelty? How can this be fair for one person to suffer so damn much and it doesn't have any visible ending as far as I can see. 

I just need him to be alright, desperately and utterly I need that with my whole heart and soul.

Chapter Twelve Link will be added

[ruminate88]

Physical Problems After Emotional Abuse? 😐

When you’re in a relationship of any type that requires you to “walk on eggshells” because you’re afraid to upset the person, your whole nervous system freezes trying to go into protection mode. 😨

You’re in so much isolation and you’re consistently upset/confused. My ex Andrew would disappear for 2/3 days leaving me sooooo hurt but then he would randomly show back up and be all over me acting so obsessed and he would promise me a future together. In my attempts not to make him “leave again” I would work hard at pleasing him and giving him everything he wanted even if it was against my beliefs or if it caused me to disrespect my own self. I made myself so dirty and trashy for him all in the name of “love”…. You’re so upset constantly at the lack of respect and support!! Some days I just couldn’t eat but I couldn’t lose any weight either!!!! 😲 (I was at 127 lbs. the whole relationship with Andrew and I went to the gym 3 days a week) I also sometimes struggled to use the bathroom didn’t know why but didn’t always eat and I lived off of Mountain Dew I didn’t always sleep well!! I was too upset all the time I cried a looooot.

Years later after I’m moved on and even married, I am safe and able to eat freely so I gain weight and I’m now up to 133 lbs. THEN covid happens and that was like the icing on the cake… more isolation! More “walking on eggshells” cuz the world was scared of covid and defensive if you didn’t wear your mask or stay “no contact”. It was the coldest place to be in!!!! (We all felt it)

My health finally gave way and I noticed things about me I hadn’t before!!! I saw how I had been losing soooo much hair and I randomly started to have burning in my esophagus! 🔥🔥🔥 It felt like a campfire that continuously burned no matter what I did and I couldn’t eat anything for weeks!! I had no rest at all! RANDOMLY I lost over 25 lbs. and then I was down to 106 lbs. 😳😳😳 So scary! No one knew what was wrong with me and I tried to see a dr. But they only wanted to talk about “covid”…. 😩 I was so desperate for help!! I begged God to make the burning stop!!!

Now in 2024, I’m at 107.4 lbs and I’ve learned what foods are harder to “digest” and what foods causes a lot of indigestion. I pray everyday to be healthy, I take a women’s multi-vitamin and I don’t over eat but I don’t deprive myself from having junk food once in awhile or desert. Just in moderation and listen closely to what your stomach tells you. Some days I can enjoy coffee freely and some days my stomach is too nauseous! (Sex also sometimes makes me nauseous or gives me indigestion)

As far as my hair: Argon oil and Rosemary oil together only massaged on the scalp, leave it in for at least 10 minutes or so and then wash out with a good shampoo that has tea tree oil or argon oil. Try to deal with stress better cuz too much stress makes you lose hair and find something with bitoten in it and take daily but at least once a month take a break for 1 week then start back up so your body continues to be receptive to it!

Make sure you’re eating greens such as: spinach and broccoli 👍🏻 I noticed my gut health became very poor after the abuse and it takes longer for my stomach to digest food and then it’s sometimes hard be able to use the bathroom properly (T.M.I I know sorry!!!) also you can drink Metamucil that’s great stuff and so is cranberry juice!!! 🥤

I am still learning and praying for my health everyday and some days I eat better and other days i make bad choices and eat the wrong foods. Cheese is the worst on your digestive 🥺🥺🥺 (I loooove cheese hah) BE WELL AND HEAL DAILY IN THE NAME OF JESUS ❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹

[callinglifehello]

it started here

I've never used tumblr before. This is my first time and it may be my last. Only time will tell. I don't know anything about tumblr. What it is, what you do or how it works. But i have heard about it in various forms of media.

And sometimes i need a space where i can share everything from the fucked up place i call my brain. Everytime i start to think about my life i say a tired "nope" and immediately put on a dumb youtube video to quiet my thoughts.

I'm gonna tell you a bit about myself . Not that it matters but just to give you soem context before you read my posts.

I've pulled the short stick in life because i am a teenage girl living in the middle of fucking nowhere. Being a teenage girl is shitty itself, that's just a fact. I would deem these years the worst and best ones in my life. Those two condradicting statements are what makes it really shitty.

My life is beautiful. I have a strong and healthy body and can still eat a lot of junkfood without being fat. I know that won't be the case when i'm older because of genetics.

I don't have to pay for housing, food or electricity. I don't have a house to clean, a dog to walk or any social events in need of attending. Other than school.

But when you see all of this, a carefree life full of opportunities and so much more to discover and combine this with anxiety, laziness, a phone addiction, problems with anger and several undiagnosed disorders, you know what a joke life has played on me. All the time but never the energy.

So i stay inside, hoping that someday i'll have the energy to throw away my computer and start life as a productive and strong person. Even though i know that that day will never come.

I said before that i live in the middle of nowhere. And when i say this i don't mean the classical "i'm a sad teenager living in a small town in idiana with only a mall, a cinema, a church and a waterpark *gasp!*"

I mean that my closest neighbour west lives 1 mile/1,5km away. The nearets bus stop is 2 miles/3km away, along with the nearest grocery store and theres about 50 people living in my village.

I think a lot of people either invision that i live in africa (which i don't) or that i live in the middle of the us, surrounded by desert and mountains (which i also don't).

I live north above the equator (very north) and experience four seasons and snow. I live somewhere predominantly christian and i am going to get confirmed next summer, even though i don't believe in god.

My parents used to be super strict, and still are in some ways. But in a lot of ways they're chill. They let me have sleepovers and tries to stay out of our way during them. They drive my sister to parties they know people are going to drink at because they also know my sister is a nerd and a sportsfreak that would never drink because it could interfere with her training and she's responsible.

My parents regularly try to get me out of the house, to get me to exercise or do anything healthy. But i always manage to escape their tries.

I have five close friends. One is from my old school. It had seven different grades but there were only 50-60 students because that school was also in the middle of nowhere. My friend from there, let's call her Emma, and i only became friends in 5th grade. This was strange considering that we had been in the same school since she was six and been in the same daycare attached to the school since i was two.

She's a year younger than me which means we weren't in the same class. This shouldn't have been a problem since the grades are so small the school often combine two or three into one big class. But fate would have it, it took several years before our grades got pushed together. And after a couple of weeks we got put together for a group project and i hung out at her house that day.

I graduated from that school 1,5 years ago and now we only hang out once in a while, maybe every three months. I like being with her and she likes being with me, yet i never snap her or ask to hang out. I get scared and it feels like a daunting task. And later i hate myself for not asking her because she's my best friend.

I don't think we're best friends actually. Because of two reasons. 1. Because we're no longer in the same school so now she hangs out more with her other friends 2. We've never really been "best friends". We were each others best friends for two years, but we never really had that energy that normal best friends have. We were always just each others best option.

I have three other friends from my new school. Lets call them Alice, Nellie and Mia. Almost everyone in my class didn't know anyone when they started. Only a few people recognized each other from their old schools but no one really knew anyone else. Among the girls no one knew each other. At first i hung out with two other girls, but only for a while. It felt like i was always too much with them. Everytime i got excited they would stare, comment about it and i would hate myself. So when i talked with alice a few weeks in and we connected i started hanging out with her. She, Nellie and Mia had been hanging out since the first week so we became a group.

We love having sleepovers, studying at cafés and doing secret holidays, Secret holidays are like secret santa but for different holidays. It started christmas last year and now we do secret valentine, secret halloween, secret friendsgiving and of course, secret santa. I tried suggesting a secret holiday for every month but they quickly shut that down since it would drain us of any money we ever managed to save.

This was just an introduction, but i hope i may share my shitty thoughts with you in the future.

Until then, what now?

[cksmart-world]

SMART BOMB

The Completely Unnecessary News Analysis

By Christopher Smart

Oct. 1, 2024

LIFE ELEVATED — TWENTY THOUSAND RUBBER CHICKENS

Utah and it's residents can be proud of a lot of things. True, the state legislature often acts like a bunch of circus monkeys, the state liquor store doesn't sell cold beer 'cause it would promote drinking and... well, the list goes on. But we have cool stuff, too. Wilson did you know that the first KFC was right here on Salt Lake City's State Street. True story. Think of it, Colonel Sanders is now worldwide — you can get drumsticks in Vietnam and India. Utah had the first department store — Zions Cooperative Mercantile Institution, aka ZCMI, and it's still here. A Utah native, Walter Fredrick Morrison, invented the Frisbee. But get this: Another native son, Philo T. Farnsworth, invented TV. You're right Wilson, that is big. Here's a shocker: Loftus International based in Salt Lake City sells some 20,000 rubber chickens each year. That's a lot of rubber chickens. Why don't we have that on our “Life Elevated” billboards. Utah, of course has many natural wonders but this is not one of them although it is notable. Lake Powell — it's actually a man-made reservoir — has more shoreline than the U.S. West Coast. (Put an asterisk here, it's drying up.) Imagine what might have been if when Brigham Young arrived at the Valley of the Great Salt Lake in 1847, a soothsayer had told him all this stuff would come true. Rather than saying, “This is the place,” he might have uttered something like, “Holy shit.” Then the edifice at the mouth of Emigration Canyon would be called the Holy Shit Monument. Just a thought.

RELAXED AND DEPRESSED? YOU MUST LIVE IN SALT LAKE CITY

If you're just checking in to see what condition you're condition is in you might be interested in a new study that finds Utah's capital is one of the most relaxed cities in America. Wilson and the guys in the band are just one example of how mellow and laid back we really are — unless driving or talking to missionaries. But there is a catch, according to a study by Ben's Natural Health that analyzed 31 U.S. cities. (We are not making this up.) It found that 22.7 percent of Salty City residents suffer from depression. Bummer. But Wilson does make a good point: How do you distinguish between “relaxed” and “depressed” — some depressed people look relaxed and vice versa. One metric might be the assumption that depressed people eat more ice cream and drink more Mountain Dew than other folks. By contrast, Salt Lakers who are simply relaxed but not depressed tend toward iced caramel macchiatos. Wilson would like to make another point about herbal self- medication, but we'll skip that for now. It's not all bad news: Salt Lake City is not in the top 10 for ice cream consumption. Some other places might be even more depressed. However, we are still Numero Uno when it comes to Bill Cosby's favorite desert — Jell-O! Leaving Jell-O vodka shooters aside, you've got to believe that's a good thing. It is our state snack, after all. And like Jell-O, we do jiggle a lot.

TRUMP E-BIKES — WORLD'S BEST — GET YOURS NOW!

Hey Wilson, do you need a new watch? You and the guys in the band might want to jump on this.The Trump Victory Tourbillion watch is only $100,000. It's a deal 'cause they're already historic. How many former presidents hawked watches? Just imagine how much they'll be worth later. On second thought, never mind. “Exciting” is the only way to describe the Trump World Catalogue: Bibles - $60; digital trading cards - $99 each; gold “Never Surrender” hightop sneakers $400; Trump coins - $100 each. But wait, there's more. Soon to be released, according to unnamed sources: Donald Trump E-Bikes! These Trumpozilla E-Bikes blow the competition away. All Trumpozilla bikes come standard with the heavy-duty Mar-A-Lago frame, Stormy-D disk brakes and unparalleled E. Jean Carroll drivetrain. It's a steal for only $7,999. And get this, they have Trump's signature in gold paint. And you'll be stylin' in your Trump Apparel spandex onesie. This beautiful unisex gold cycling outfit comes with Trump's name on the front, back and down the legs. And with the purchase of any Trumpozilla E-Bike you get the onesie for only $499. Be the envy of your red state neighborhood. Get 'em while supplies last. Next week look for Don's Cheater Championship golf clubs. You'll never shoot a bad round again.

Post script — That's a wrap for another beautiful week here at Smart Bomb where we keep track of LDS general authorities, so you don't have to. Here's an interesting headline from The Salt Lake Tribune: “He’s a Democrat and an environmentalist. How did he end up an LDS general authority?” Just shocking! Here in Zion, Democrats and environmentalists are thought to be in league with Beelzebub. The headline more than suggests a liberal tree-hugger. Of course, we're talking about Steven E. Snow, the former historian for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He once said climate change is real and he still has a Temple Recommend. This could be a breakthrough Wilson. Other Mormon environmentalist might think it's safe to come out of the closet. They might say stuff like, it's OK to save the Great Salt Lake. Well, maybe that's going a little too far. If God wanted to save the lake he'd tell legislators that it's time to stop using Bear River water to grow alfalfa that is shipped to China. Maybe start with something a little less in your face, like regulations aimed at reducing industrial pig-farm waste. It's a slippery slope (no pun intended). Here's a headline from the Deseret News: “Former GOP Sen. Jeff Flake ( a Mormon) explains his endorsement of Kamala Harris.” Next these rebels will be singing “This Land Is Your Land,” a known socialist anthem directly in conflict with free market capitalism. What's next, Social Security and Medicare? Oh wait...

Well Wilson, your pal Kris Kristofferson has ridden off into the sunset after 88 years on planet Earth. He was one helluva singer/songwriter and a good movie actor to boot. One of his many songs became a popular anthem that still resonates today, “Me and My Bobby McGee” — made famous by his friend and fellow Texan, Janis Joplin. So what do you say Wilson, get the band off their duffs and let's send old Kris off in style:

Busted flat in Baton Rouge, waiting for a train I was feeling near as faded as my jeans Bobby thumbed a diesel down just before it rained And rode us all the way to New Orleans I pulled my harpoon out of my dirty red bandana I was playing soft while Bobby sang the blues Windshield wipers slapping time, I was holding Bobby's hand in mine We sang every song that driver knew Freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose Nothing don't mean nothing honey if it ain't free, now now And feeling good was easy Lord, when he sang the blues You know feeling good was good enough for me Good enough for me and my Bobby McGee From the Kentucky coal mines to the California sun Hey, Bobby shared the secrets of my soul Through all kinds of weather, through everything that we done Hey Bobby baby kept me from the cold One day up near Salinas, Lord, I let him slip away He's looking for that home and I hope he finds it But I'd trade all of my tomorrows for one single yesterday To be holding Bobby's body next to mine Freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose Nothing, and that's all that Bobby left me, yeah And feeling good was easy Lord, when he sang the blues Hey, feeling good was good enough for me, hmm hmm Good enough for me and my Bobby McGee (Me and My Bobby McGee — Kris Kristofferson)

[saitoakirachan-the-sjw]

Re: Parents always mourned their children

I took a class this semester on the history of childhood, and it's so important to know that parents have always loved their children, and the death of a child has always been a tragedy. Even though child mortality was a lot higher and sometimes people grow numb to the pain, it doesn't mean that the pain isn't there.

Here's a text on the ancient Chinese child (including a long section about textual evidences of mourning a dead child, particularly daughters):

Wu, Pei-Yi. "5. Childhood Remembered: Parents and Children in China, 800 to 1700". Chinese Views of Childhood, edited by Anne B. Kenney, Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press, 1995, pp. 129-156. https://doi.org/10.1515/9780824861889-009

(Actually the whole book is quite good but this particular section is most relevant to the discussion I think)

Copy-pasted passages of poetry about mourning and separation under the cut:

Scholar-Politician Han Yu's (758-824) poem, mourning his 12 year old daughter who died en route while fleeing from political prosecution:

On such a day, such a month, and such a year, your dad and mom send your wet nurse to your grave with pure wine, seasonal fruit, and a variety of delicious food to be offered to the spirit of Nazi, their fourth daughter.

Alas, you were gravely ill just when I was about to be exiled to the south. The parting came so suddenly that you were both startled and grieved. When I caught my last glimpse of you, I knew death would make our separation permanent. When you looked at me, you were too sad to cry. After I left for the south, the family was also driven out. You were helped into a sedan chair and traveled from early morning to night. Snow and ice injured your weakened flesh. Shaken and rocked, you did not have any rest. There was no time to eat and drink, so you suffered from frequent thirst and hunger. To die in the wild mountains was not the fate you deserved. It is usually the parents' guilt that brings calamities to their children. Was I not the cause of your coming to such a pass?

You were buried hastily by the roadside in a coffin which could hardly be called a coffin. After you were interred the group had to leave. There was no one to care for your grave or watch over it, your soul was solitary and your bones were cold. Although everyone must die, you died unjustly. When I traveled back from the south I made a stop at your grave. As I wept over you I could see your eyes and face. How could I ever forget your words and expressions?

Now on an auspicious day I am having you moved to our ancestral cemetery. Do not be frightened or fearful: you will be safe along the way. There will be fragrant drink and sweet food for you, and you will arrive in your permanent resting place in a nice new coffin. Peace will be with you for ten thousand years!

Renowed poet Chen Shidao (1053-1102), writing about sending his wife and children away to live with the grandparents due to his poverty:

My daughter was just old enough to have her hair tied,

Yet she already knew the sadness of parting.

Using me as a pillow she refused to get up

For fear that getting up she would have to let me go.

The older son was just learning to talk.

Unused to adult ceremonies, he had to struggle with his clothes

When he took formal leave of me, saying: "Dad, I am going now."

How can I ever bear to recall these words?

The younger son was still in swaddling clothes.

He was carried by his mother when they left.

His cry is still ringing in my ears:

Can anyone else understand how I feel?

(This is how much pain he felt during a temporary parting. Imagine the pain that would be caused by death)

Two poems about loss (the first one is real, the second one is imaginary) by Lu You (1125–1210), a historian and a poet who, incidentally, also wrote poems about his cat.

By a deserted hill and over a desolate ravine,

Amid frost and dew, and surrounded by thorns and brush,

Lies my hapless daughter in a solitary grave.

No neighbor is seen in any direction.

When she was alive she never left the house.

ln her death she is abandoned in a place like this. How unkind I am!

~

In my dream I had a little son and a little daughter,

For whom I felt boundless love.

I took them to doctors whenever there was anything wrong;

I bored every visitor with tales of their cleverness.

The morning rooster suddenly woke me up:

How can my love still be there?

Life is but a web of entanglements–

With a laugh I free myself of these fetters.

i have to carefully avoid thinking too hard about any time period before like the 1900s because i start thinking about all the dead babies and i fucking lose it

like!!!! i trully cannot countenance any argument that the past was better when nearly HALF of all young children died. 

[ae3qe27u]

You know what I love in worldbuilding? Logistics. I'm going to talk about them a bit and ask a lot of "get the brain thinking" questions.

Most of these things don't have to be explained or laid out in stories, but they're useful to think about. Mention them in passing! Know that these considerations exist.

I started thinking about this recently after reading a webtoon called The Falcon Princess. In it, we see a military campaign be affected by logistics and supply chains. The Rohaneim army is at risk of running low on food, and a major accomplishment is retaking a section of river to establish a supply corridor with another section of the kingdom.

By establishing the supply corridor, the Rohaneim army has fresh meat, better food, better morale, more information about the rest of the kingdom, and is in a better position to strike back at the enemy forces. They are no longer on the run - they now have the morale and supplies to advance further and drive the enemy further back.

It's incredibly well done (the logistics are explained but not drawn-out, and even through the translation, I found it clear to understand) and highlights something missing from most fantasy fiction: logistics. An army marches on its stomach, and people eat a lot of food. Horses need food. Large armies can't storm across the land without having a strong and consistent supply of medicine, maintenance, and meals. Local villages can be pillaged, yes, but doing so is not sustainable. It also vastly increases the risk of having no food come winter; if your army eats the grain stores and harvests of the locals, those same people will go hungry and die in the winter. That isn't sustainable.

Knowledge of the local terrain and weather patterns is also incredibly important. In one part of The Falcon Princess, a predictable annual storm catches the opposing forces off-guard, flooding their camp and weakening their position. Think of how the Russian tanks aren't able to handle the muddy ground of northern Ukraine, or how Hadrian's elephants weren't suited to traversing the Roman mountains. In parts of West Africa, salt used to be worth its weight in gold. In dry areas without fresh food, salt is essential to keep the body's electrolytes balanced.

If I want to invade a desert and don't bring enough salt, I've just dug my own grave. If I'm invading a river valley and don't know when the floods will come, I'm already setting my troops up to drown. If I want to invade a forest and try to bring in a phalanx, you may as well chop our heads off.

Knowing and predicting the terrain and its behavior is incredibly important in knowing how to prepare and direct your troops. Should we pack mosquito nets? Do we need to dig trenches to direct rainwater away from the site? Is this location going to flood? Will our horses have access to clean drinking water, or will they have to bring their own? How will we resupply? Does a nearby mountain pass close with snow during parts of the year, and if so, what alternative route will we use?

Even beyond war, logistics are important to how to construct our worlds, fantasy and non-fantasy alike. What foods are native to this region and how does that affect what they eat? What fabrics do people wear to combat the weather? What sort of home works for their climate, and how do they get the materials for those? Are there rare trade goods that are highly prized, but that are cheap somewhere else?

From traveling judges to mail-order catalogs to wars that ended before the last battle, there are all sorts of details that get glossed over in fantasy worldbuilding. I think they're worth mentioning and examining.

https://mythicscribes.com/writing-techniques/warfare-logistics/

[genshingarbage]

🗑𝔸 𝔻𝕒𝕥𝕖 𝕎𝕚𝕥𝕙 𝕐𝕠𝕦🗑Headcannons || 100 Follower Special

Wow... just wow... 100 followers already... just... wow... you guys are so awesome, I can't believe this! Wow thank you so much guys, this really means a lot. This gives me and Mod Kaeya so much motivation! We have so much planned for this tumblr and you beautiful bouncing heathens xoxo So I really we hope we can continue to make you guys happy and remain with us! - Mod Diluc

THANK YOU SO MUCH EVERYONE! We never thought this blog would reach this far!! It means so much that you all followed and have enjoyed our work so far! We hope we’ll continue living up to your expectations (｡•̀ᴗ-)✧ - Mod Kaeya

Reccomending these songs for this post:

otterpop - don't go to bed/one day i'll be fine

Thinking Of You

Diluc

He will probably wear something quite snazzy, suave even- but not overly done. For example: a nice black suit with a dark crimson tie. Fancy but not extravagant.

Will definitely toss out perfectly worded (and timed) compliments about your clothing, make-up, jewelry etc.

"Y/N you look stunning. You have such exquisite taste in dresses."

"The night sky is missing a star tonight."

"Your beauty is breathtaking."

100% will come to where you're staying to pick you up and accompany you on a peaceful stroll to the location.

Most likely the only one out of the lot who will take you somewhere pretty well known, like a popular restaurant or something, somewhere you go when you have expensive taste basically.

He'll do his best to make you feel appreciated and special, since to him you are everything.

Won't admit it but he will probably be insulting the wine or any alcohol beverage they serve to you both all night in his head. (Since he can do better and will probably end up mixing ingredients later back home to end the night giving you a fine drink he feels is more deserved.)

He doesn't often want all eyes on him, but because it's a special occasion and he's aiming to please you he'll probably book a lovely table on the balcony in the warm evening glow or next to a window framing a beautiful sight of scenery outside.

Heads up, he was stressing over this date so much he probably even went to such extents to ask Kaeya for advice. (Yea he's that desperate to satisfy you)

The night will go smoothly, and be one of the more relaxed dates, he is a good listener after all.

He may slip into his habit of bickering about how the world needs cleansing blah blah. Just chuckle and let him know and he'll apologise blushing slightly most likely.

Over all its a very pleasant night and he will offer to escort you back to your home, enjoying a midnight stroll under the stary sky.

He is a gentleman through and through, so he will promptly be ready to kiss you softly on your lips and bid you a goodnight.

He doesn't have any other motives or intentions; he doesn't wanna look low like that.

So unless YOU offer him in for 'a drink' or 'desert' he will not be crossing your homes threshold.

Kaeya

He's been on a couple dates before now, he's a bit of a playboy after all so he's been around the block a couple of times

That doesn't mean this is going to be any less special though

Be ready to be taken on the sort of date you only see in romance movies with fantasy themes because it's going to start with a whimsical carriage ride out of the City of Freedom and it's only going to escalate from there I'm not going to lie

He’s dressed to the nines, fancy jewelry, extra fluffy fur cape, the tightest leather pants this side of the fucking cosmos and of course his tiddies are sort of out and about

Only the bougiest of boytoys for you tonight

You don't know HOW he found a this amazing hole in the wall restaurant (thank Diluc later) but after a tranquil ride as the sun sets gorgeously across the rolling mountains it's surely welcome to your growling stomach

It's a buffet apparently, all he had to do was make a reservation and pay the entrance fee and you get to stay and eat as much as you want all night surrounded by gorgeous scenery and the arms of your lover

Kaeya looks pretty dapper himself but he's all the more focused on you once he sees you, nothing but flirty compliments and overly detailed expressions of love all night tonight

One thing that'll stand out to you is that because this now means you both are officially together, he doesn't flirt with anyone going forward now. He's still playful of course because that's just who he is but you swore when that lady came up and made a not so subtle hint at less than decent things his stare could've killed her with how cold it was

He's really...really sweet underneath the playboy persona I'm ngl

After the both of you have calm down and are settling into the night he's really soft with you, gently stroking your hand and giving you cute little tidbits 

The only word that I could even use that comes to mind to describe the looks he’s giving you is adoring

He’s gonna bring you a cheesy gift, something like flowers or chocolates or maybe a bracelet if you’re allergic to those

If you happen to have brought something for him he’s gonna be all sly about it but on the inside he’s flustered because he didn’t expect it? Like the thought of you shopping around for something he’d like will probably keep him up that night blushing away at how thoughtful that was

It’s gonna end in him giving you a very big dip, staring dramatically into your eyes and giving you the hottest french kiss of your life because as wholesome as he’s felt all night he’s felt a lot of other things too

He’s going to turn down an invite in at least on the first date, he wants to revel in the feeling of you wanting him~

Albedo

Awkward. Just awkward right off the bat. Like, bad awkward too.

Probably wearing something actually pretty fitting, but the look of discomfort on his face will be extremely obvious.

He will question why this is all necessary, and then ignore you when you try give an answer and just go into thought about it to himself.

He'll probably mutter a bit under his breath every now and then. Just let him, he's thinking about how to not mess this night up for you, it keeps him calm.

He will be very kind throughout it all, but his compliments will feel almost planned out (because they are, he most likely jotted down compliments when alone and ran through them over and over to make sure they're acceptable.)

Will most likely end up taking you to a peaceful isolated area, with beautiful scenery filled to the brim all around it. (Like a hill above a meadow of sweet flowers and whirlwind asters.)

The date will probably be just a peaceful picnic for the both of you talk and get to know eachother a lot more intimately.

Very enjoyable to be honest, once you get past his awkward attitude and he gets over his own questioning of the whole situation he'll start to loosen up.

Possibly could end up cracking a few jokes too?

As the night goes on and he inevitably gets more drunk he may get more bold and offer you a dance in the meadow of flowers.

Surprisingly well known in how to dance with a partner, very flashy and pin point foot work.

He will also offer to walk you home. (Still sounding like it was planned just a little more spaced out and slurred due to drunken brain behaviour now)

He will not come in, he just won't. Even if you try slyly to offer him. He will just not. Politely decline each time.

"I would Y/N, but I have research to do."

"It's rather late and I think what be both need right now is a good night's rest."

Don't take it personally, he's just still new to the whole social intimacy thing- he just needs time and maybe a few more dates with drinks thrown into the equation.

He will give a very embracing and warm kiss though to seal the date to a tidy ending.

The next morning however you will probably awake to a small letter on your doorstep, which contains inside a beautifully done sketch of yourself sitting so delicately on a hill surrounded by flowers, with messy handwriting underneath that say 'Until next time Y/N'

He may be socially awkward, but he is sweet and honest and that's all that matters isn't it?

Venti

He’s really excited!!

But his idea of a date is basically nonexistent so you’ll have to take the lead, if you ask him the last time he went on a date he’d smile a bit, frown, then squint really hard and be quiet for a bit like he’s frustrated so it’s just best to just leave it be

Gonna of course bring some dandelion wine to spice of the night a bit whenever you two settle down enough

He’s not gonna wear his usual clothing, probably something a lot more casual and he’s gonna skip the hat

You know he’s going to serenade you outside your window though like some cheesy fairy tale romance and it is going to go on until you both are giggling away and he can barelt finish the song without wheezing

Venti will hold off on the drink a little bit whilst the two of you chatter about everything, he really does want to get to know you and doing that requires remembering what the fuck you said the morning after

Constantly will find things to rhyme with your name and I’m sorry if your name fits into a song that’s all you’re going to be hearing for the rest of your relationship

“Hey there delilah what’s it like in Mondstat city?” I don’t know any songs with guy’s names in them but that’s also a thing if you happen to be a dude dating Venti don’t think you’re safe from the fluffy stuff

A fair bit of PDA, it doesn’t matter where you’ve chosen for the date he’s going to be holding your hand and cupping your face or even small kisses here and there

He wants to show you off and show YOU how much he’s already loving you

Very likely to goof off at all points in the date because that’s just who he is but he’s going to answer any and all questions you have about him and he will fire a ton back to you, be ready to think about types of food you didn’t even know existed when he’s asking questions

The kinda person who will literally stop to smell the flowers and promptly pick one for you

He’ll walk you back to his house and then stand there sweetly saying goodbye like the lovestruck fool he is before he realizes that you were inviting him in a week later and regretting his sappy self

Ah Venti, you sure do try

Xiao

Ok this guy has been on at least one date before and it didn't end too well but he and the person he went with made light of it at the end of the day so he's a little skittish about it

Don't expect any fancy clothes or anything, he'll probably just find something that has a little less armor and cart his mask along too, the guy can't really ever take a break even on the days it's supposed to be work separated from play

Will 100% square up against anyone that starts anyone messing with you despite the fact he’s literally a third of anyone’s height

He doesn’t give a fuck

Except if your don’t want him to then he’ll behave but he'll still stare the person down like a caged tiger

Honestly it's just better to go somewhere remote but he's way ahead of you in that regard, as soon as you're done with dinner and reach the entrance way at Wagnshu Inn he's picking you up and jumping off into the sky using his anemo abilities

That part in and of itself is really romantic actually because it's just the two of you soaring above the clouds, you coddled in his arms gripping onto his neck with the wind and birds breezing past

He's gonna take you to some ruins honestly because as sad as they seem to the other Adepti he finds a grim beauty in them

The sheer amount of history, the craftsmanship and architecture just the over all atmosphere is captivating to anyone he's ever happened to visit with

That's what he hopes takes your attention away from the fact his social skills are limited to Bodyguard talking to Liyue Citizen

Somehow, your attention only occasionally wavers as you both wander through the ruins together though, you're almost always talking to him or making some sort of quip. Sometimes you're even just looking at him and smiling softly

It's going to fluster him and he's not going to know how to handle it ngl

He'll be a little quieter than normal but not in  a bad way, he'll still make cutting remarks but he himself will be more focused on not trying to fuck this up

And then promptly interrogating himself as to why a mortal has captivated his interests so much he's basically agreed to spend any spare moment he has with them

Once you two get somewhere scenic he's gonna sit down with you and relax a bit, if you have any personal questions to ask him now's the time because he'll probably answer them as long as they're not too intimate

If you brought drink he'll be kind of interested in trying it but won't drink to the point of drunkness

You'll be brought home at dawn by him, either after a bit of a walk and then flying or straight up just him flying the both of you back

Surprisingly, he'll accept an offer to stay the night with you

It's mostly out of concern honestly, you did stumble quite a lot tonight and he doesn't want you to do something stupid like stumble up the stairs and break your leg, however if it does turn...interesting he may be inclined to indulge you

Zhongli

A gentleman, just a perfect book text example of a gentleman.

He will kiss your hand when you meet him at the entrance of his favourite restaurant.

Pepper you in compliments immediately, such honeyed words that cause a blush from you instantaneously.

"Nothing brings me more joy than seeing your face."

"Y/N you make my heart flutter just from your beautiful appearance alone."

He will literally pay no one else attention but you, he will order his meal quickly with no chitter chatter- he wants to just talk to you and indulge in your voice.

He will eat like a bit of a feral beast however. (He is a dragon so forgive him please.)

He'll tidy himself up properly afterwards and go back to his gentlemanly demeanour.

Very engaging the whole night I feel, a lot of talking on your end because he just wants to listen, but shoot him some questions and he'll be more than happy to reply.

Smiles and chuckles all night as you both bicker the time away.

Expensive wine and deserts for you both. (He's probably not paying, knowing him he conned someone else into to paying it for him.)

After you've both eaten and drunk your fill he will pay for it in a very professional manner before escorting you out with him beside you.

You'll probably go on a lovely walk around Liyue Harbor and listen to fond memories from the man while gazing up at the stars every now and then.

It almost will feel fairytale like to be honest. He plays the Prince charming role rather expertly.

The tour will end back at your home, where he kisses your hand gently again to bid you a goodnight- unless of course you offer him inside.

He won't deny it either, he may be a gentlemen outside but inside he's an animal that's already set his mind on you as his.

He will kiss you deeply and possibly steal your breath away momentarily, before waiting for you to open your door and invite him inside

Kuzuha

You’re gonna probably have to organize what you’re doing since he’s new to any place outside of Inazuma but he trusts you’ll find something fun to do

He’s gonna wanna see a lot of the urban sights for once but he’s not too good with crowds

The guy can go there but like he'll just be very hesitant to speak out about somethings

I guess in that respect, the later you go at night the better it'll be since things start to die down in Liyue Harbour a couple hours or so after sundown

If you guys go for a rooftop picnic he might honestly have the time of his life because then he not only gets some awesome views of the city but the wind’ll carry his tunes in an interesting way up here

It’s gonna be kind of hard to get any really personal information out of him because he’s still very reclusive about his past but he does trust you enough to do something as intimate as a date so he’ll answer a couple of questions here and there on a whim

Nothing drastic though of course

He’ll probably forget to bring you some sort of gift but he’ll do you a solid and tell you if it’ll rain tomorrow or the day after if he can because he feels bad

Expect him to show up to the next date with two handmade gifts, probably some traditional Inazuma clothing

He’s a surprisingly good weaver so all of your gifts will probably be things like that because you mean a lot to him

The one time you saw him weave something for someone else it was a scarf for Xiangling and it was like a mile long

If you can walk around the harbor he'll do some parkour tricks to show off a bit

Kazuha will walk you right back to your door and very shyly give you a kiss goodnight

Will humbly decline any requests about indecent things, he'll come in for a bit of tea if you insist or it's raining though

Childe

If he stays the night it's because he fell asleep and it wasn't planned on his part but waking up to you snuggled down next to him isn't the worst thing in the world

He'll show up at your place probably fifteen to twenty minutes late. (He is always rushed off his feet and looses track of time, don't go too hard on him.)

Chaotic from the beginning. Literally, he'll ask you out on a spur of the moment and probably be surprised when you agree.

He'll apologise profusely with compliments thrown in to sweeten you back up to him again.

"I'm so sorry I'm late Y/N! Specially when you've made yourself so beautiful for this occasion."

"Aha, I'm very embarrassed for keeping such a stunning woman waiting, I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me."

He will most likely be wearing clothes close to his normal attire in colour; grey suit with a red and black tie.

Will chat away non stop as he takes you to an incredibly expensive restaurant, probably the most well known in Liyue Harbor; for both its price and exquisite meals.

Very flashy to everyone around, almost showing off he's going on a date with you, its embarrassing but at the same flattering; the boys good at making you feel important.

Will make it very clear you can order literally anything you want, even doubles if it pleases you.

Nails it in pretty hard that Mora is no set back for him. Probably thinks it'll impress you more, but who knows, does it?

Very flirty the whole time and jokey. Lots of giggles and laughter shared between you both.

Alcohol is added to the equation pretty early into the meals, gotta add the fun right?

You'll probably both end up getting more louder and even more chatty, his aura is so intoxicating, it makes anyone liven up.

The whole night he'll give you quick stares that hint exactly what he wants to happen by the end of the night.

So when you're walking home with him the mood will get more tense even with the jokes because the intentions behind his words grow more obvious and burning into your very being.

Will give you such a long and dragged out kiss goodnight, he really doesn't want this to end just with a goodnight kiss, but he will not protest if you just say goodnight.

However- if you invite him in then big goofy smile ensue as he then holds round your waist kissing your neck and mumbling silly sweet nothings into your ear as you drunkenly try unlock the door.

Long night ahead~

[luminnara]

Flying On Wings Made From Feathers And Wax | Ganondorf x Gerudo!oc chapter 2

Part one | Part two | Part three

Growing up in the Gerudo Desert is hard. 

The sun is merciless, especially to the small. For someone like Ilula, it is draining, seemingly determined to exhaust her as it beats down on her during the day. It will never stop doing so, but at a young age, she learned how to deal with it. 

The others called her lazy, but she considered herself clever. Just like the lizards that liked to snooze while they sunned themselves, she took naps during the day. It wasn’t that the other Gerudo didn’t—naps were almost a necessity in such a hot environment, and it was common to see be back in an hour signs hanging on merchant stalls—but Ilula simply napped more than the rest of them. 

It concerned her mother greatly. 

Kiluki took her daughter to the best healer in town, the one who looked after the chief and royal family, hoping to find answers about Ilula’s small stature. Just like the Hylian healers, though, this one declared that Ilula was, for the most part, fine, she was just...small. Small, and a bit weak. For Kiluki, a tall, strong vai, who had once been a member of the Chief’s guard, Ilula’s relatively tiny stature and shortcomings were cause for major concern; she knew that many Gerudo never joined the guard, and to keep Gerudo Town running, they needed all sorts. But she wanted Ilula to follow in her footsteps, to become stronger and braver than even she, and Kiluki feared that it was a dream that could never be.

Ilula knew that her mother worked, but what could she possibly do about it? It wasn’t anything that she could control. She spent her days playing or helping Uvira sell her produce while her mother advised the Chief, trying to forget the way that she couldn’t reach things the other girls could. As she grew older, it became obvious that she would never hit a growth spurt, and while Ganondorf shot up like a weed, Ilula stayed at least a head shorter than the others her age. 

“C’mon, pipsqueak!” Ganondorf scooped her up one day, interrupting her midday nap.

“Gan!” She yelped in surprise as he threw her over his shoulder. “Put me down!”

“Not a chance,” the prince grinned as he ran towards the palace. “I’ve been looking all over for you. I’ve got something to show you.”

Even at twelve years old, Ganondorf could carry her easily. He spent his days studying and training, his mother keeping a watchful eye over him and ensuring that her son would become strong and capable. While Ilula had already finished most of her schooling, knowing how to read and write and do simple math, the prince had many years of studies still ahead of him, his chambers lined with shelves full of thick books. Being royalty meant that he needed to know everything about the world, and he enjoyed reading about Hyrule and its politics and history. Ilula didn’t share quite as much appreciation for the Hylian kingdom neighboring the desert, but whenever he was reading, she had a chance to take a nice nap in his incredibly soft bed, and that was something she could absolutely appreciate. 

“It better not be stupid,” she grumbled with a yawn. “Interrupting me on my day off…”

“Day off from what?” He snorted. “You can’t even start real training until you’re twelve. That’s a whole month away.”

“So?” She argued.

“So you can’t possibly be too busy for me,” he rolled his eyes. “Sav’aaq!” He called to the guards at the top of the steps as he passed them. 

“Sav’aaq, my prince!” They snapped to attention, bowing their heads. “Ilula, sav’aaq.”

“Sav’aaq,” Ilula mumbled. She was used to the guards keeping watch over her and the prince, and they had all developed a certain fondness for Ganondorf’s runt of a friend. 

Ganondorf carried her through the throne room, past the chief and her advisors as they pored over a map of Hyrule. They bowed to him as he walked by and he grunted in acknowledgement, too focused on his task to stop and ask what they were doing. 

They allowed him to rush by without interruption. He only had a few years of childhood left before the burdens of leadership would fall on his shoulders, and his mother wished that he enjoyed his time as much as he could. He was growing into a fine young voe, the Sheikah prophecy a distant memory now, and As any voe, he should be enjoying the years of his youth as much as possible.

When he reached his chambers, he threw Ilula down onto his bed. She laughed as she bounced, sitting up to look at him as he grabbed a wooden box from his desk.

“Here,” he said, slightly out of breath as he pushed it into her hands. 

She took it, hearing something rattle inside. “What is it?”

“Just open it!”

With an inquisitive glance up at him, she slid the lid off the box. Inside, something was glimmering, reflecting the light of the desert sun that streamed in through the windows. As Ilula reached inside, she picked up a set of earrings, a teardrop-shaped sapphire hanging from each hook. 

“Oh, Gan,” she breathed, holding the jewelry in her palm as she stared down at it, “these are beautiful…”

He was watching her anxiously. “Do you like them?”

“I do!” She looked up at him with a wide smile. 

The prince let out the breath he had been holding, relieved. “Oh, good.”

“Did you have these made?” Ilula asked, peering closely at the stones. 

“I did,” he smiled. “Just for you. Well, actually, they were going to be a birthday present, but Amira finished them early. I couldn’t hold my tongue for an entire month.”

“This is the best early birthday present I’ve ever gotten,” she beamed up at him. “Thank you, Gan.”

“Oh, they’re not a birthday gift anymore,” he laughed. “I figured out something else for your birthday. These are just normal gifts now.”

Ilula raised an eyebrow. “You really shouldn’t be spending so much time spoiling me, you know…”

“Or what?” He laughed. “You’re my best friend, Lula. You deserve gifts.”

“Well, it’s not like I’m not going to accept them,” she grinned at him as she stood and walked to the mirror on the wall. 

“I put a spell on them.” he blurted out. “To help you stay cool in the sun. Sapphires are good for that.”

She glanced back at him. “Really?”

“Yeah,” he nodded. “I had the jeweler make them and then I enchanted them. I’m supposed to be practicing, and I wanted to try it out…”

“I can’t believe you know magic,” Ilula said as she faced her reflection. “I wish I could put spells on things.”

“It’s not that big a deal,” he shrugged. 

“Shut up,” she laughed. “It’s a super big deal!”

He watched with a serene smile on his face as she took out the big gold hoops she was wearing and replaced them with her new earrings. Just as he had hoped, the bright blue sapphires contrasted perfectly with her fiery red hair…though the thick green band she used to keep it up off of her shoulders didn’t match at all. He made a mental note to add a new, nicer one to the small pile of birthday gifts he would be giving her in a few weeks. 

Ilula admired the way the sapphires hung from her pointed ears. She had to admit…Ganondorf had an eye for jewelry. Maybe it was because he had so much of it himself; as she looked at his reflection behind her, she could count no less than ten incredibly expensive precious stones on his head and arms alone. The perks of being a prince, she supposed.

When he noticed her watching her, he suddenly shuffled his feet awkwardly, glancing away for a moment before looking down at his hands. 

“I’m, uh…glad you like them.” He mumbled. 

“Gan, don’t be sheepish,” Ilula laughed, turning to face him.

He looked up at her, hoping that she couldn’t see the blush on his face. She was the only person who ever made his skin heat up like that, the only Gerudo he ever wanted to be around, the only vai whose hand he wanted to hold. It confused him, the way he felt about his best friend, but he was headstrong and determined not to shy away from whatever he was beginning to feel. 

“I’ve never seen a sheep,” he chuckled. “What does sheepish mean?”

Ilula’s laughter grew louder as she plopped down on the edge of his bed and looked up at him. “They’re soft. Hylians cut their hair and make things with it. They look like fluffy little clouds with legs.”

Ganondorf grinned. “I can’t wait until I’m king and I can see all of Hyrule. I want to go to the castle, see the Hylians.”

“It’s a long walk,” Ilula said. “…well, Mama carried me most of the way, I think. I don’t really remember much of it. I know it rained a lot before we got to the outskirts, though.”

Ganondorf suddenly sighed and turned to the window. He walked towards it, placing his hands on the cool sandstone and leaning on them as he looked out over Gerudo Town and the wide, flat desert outside the gates. 

“What is it like there?” He asked, gazing towards the distant mountains that marked the Gerudo Highlands and the edge of Hyrule. 

Ilula frowned at his change in demeanor and stood to join him. “It’s…green. Everything is green, and you can smell all the plants. And there’s so much water, everywhere…when it rains, it isn’t like here. It just rains for a few hours, and then the sky clears up again, and the birds come back out.”

“It sounds…nice.” He admitted.

“It is,” she agreed. “You can just lean down and drink out of a stream if you’re thirsty. And if you’re hungry, there are apple trees all over! And fish in the rivers, and boar in the woods…”

“I like boar,” Ganondorf laughed.

“Yeah, they taste pretty good, I guess. When you add enough spices.” Ilula shrugged.

“No, not to eat!” He looked at her like she was crazy. “I like the way they look. Those big tusks…there are drawings of them in some of my books. I’ve always liked them.”

“Yeah, I guess they’re pretty cool.” Ilula giggled. “There are lots of other animals, too.”

“Life there must be easy.” He commented. “The Hylians have it all.”

“What do you mean?” Ilula frowned. “I thought you liked the desert.”

“I do, I just…wish we had things like grass and trees and forests. I wish we lived more comfortably.”

“You live very comfortably.” Ilula snorted. 

“What do you mean?” He looked down at her, nose wrinkled slightly. 

“Uh, all of this?” She gestures to the room around them. “The palace? You’re royalty. You hardly have to worry.”

“I have to think about our people!” He argued. “What’s Castle Town like?”

“Busy and big.” Ilula shrugged. “The streets are all made of stone, and there’s a big market where people from all over sell things. Mama didn’t let me go there very much, because of the way the Hylians are sometimes.”

Ganondorf looked down at her in surprise. “What do you mean?”

“They don’t really…trust Gerudo that much.” She folded her arms, hugging herself lightly. “They don’t treat the Rito or the Zora like Hylians, either, but they like them more than they like us.”

As Ganondorf listened, he considered her words. “I’m going to change that.”

“You’re going to change how they think?” She asked skeptically.

“I’m going to show them that they should respect us.” He said. 

“How?”

“Maybe I’ll…send them aid, if they have a natural disaster.” He thought out loud. “Or take a big delegation to visit the castle, or invite them here.”

“The king can’t enter Gerudo Town,” Ilula laughed. “You’re the only voe allowed. Remember, you spoiled prince?”

“Oh. Right.” He chuckled. “Well, I’m going to be in charge someday. I’ll have to figure out this whole diplomacy thing.”

Ilula smiled softly as she looked up at him. “I’m sure you’ll be good at it.”

He grinned down at her. “Only if you help me.”

She returned the grin. “Deal.”

“I don’t think I could handle the throne without you,” he bumped her with his shoulder, nearly throwing her into the wall. “I still have so much I have to learn.”

Ilula stumbled, but she didn’t fall like the last few times he had forgotten how big he was. “That’s why kings always have advisors. Nobody can run everything by themselves.”

“Yeah, I guess you’re right.” He sighed, his attention returning to the world outside his window. “I’ve got six whole years to figure it out, though.”

“Yeah, and it’ll be fine.” She tried to bump her shoulder into his arm with the same force that he had, but he didn’t budge. “Hey, seriously, are you made of rock?”

He barked a laugh. “No, I’m just bigger than you!”

“Well stop it!” She snapped, only half serious. “If you keep this up, you’re not even going to be able to see me!”

“Maybe you should just start catching up!” He retorted.

“I would if I could.” She rolled her eyes. “My mom keeps making me go to the healers to figure out why I’m so short. I keep trying to tell her that it’s not that big a deal, but she won’t listen.” 

As she spoke, her tone grew more serious, until it had Ganondorf frowning. “You’re fine.”

“That’s what I keep saying, but it doesn’t matter.” Ilula sighed. “She’s always worrying that I’m going to get hurt because I’m fragile. I always tell her that I’m not, and I know I’m not because you’re always throwing me down off the walls or into the aqueducts or whatever, but she just always gets mad and tells me to be more careful.”

“Do I ever hurt you?” Ganondorf asked, his eyes wide in alarm. 

“No, you don’t,” Ilula shook her head. “I’m serious, I’m not that fragile, but all she ever sees is me lagging behind everyone else. That’s why I want to start training with the guards, so I can show her that I’m fine.”

He narrowed his eyes slightly. “You know, if you start training, you’ll be busy all the time…”

“Gan, they train literally right outside your window.” She rolled her eyes. “You won’t miss me. I’ll be right there.” 

“…oh. Yeah, I guess you’re right.”

“But I bet my mom is going to be all worried about me training, too.” She sighed. “Until i show her that I’m not some fragile little flower. You know, back in Castle Town, I was always the biggest kid. She didn’t worry as much back then.”

“Do you ever miss it there?” Ganondorf asked, studying her face. 

“Sometimes. I miss everything I could get at the market, and I do miss my father. But…I didn’t fit in there. I guess I don’t really fit in here, either.”

“Yes you do.” He nudged her with his elbow, gentler this time. “You’re Gerudo. You belong here, with your people. With me.”

Ilula smiled up at him. “I know, Gan. I think it’s less about the place, and more about who’s there. You know?”

He looked down at her, his heart fluttering in a way he wasn’t used to. “Yeah. I know.”

000

On Ilula’s twelfth birthday, she woke to the smell of meat cooking over the fire. As soon as her eyes were open, she remembered what day it was, and she shot out of bed to investigate the main room of the home she and her mother shared.

“Sav’otta, my little desert flower,” Auntie Uvira greeted her as she prepared breakfast over the small wok in the middle of the room. “Sleep well?”

“Fine,” Ilula shrugged. “Where’s Mom?”

“Right here,” Kiluki appeared in the doorway, a parcel in her hands. 

Ilula eyed it. “Sav’otta, Mama.”

“Sav’otta, Ilula,” Kiluki smiled, holding the parcel out towards her. “Happy birthday.”

Ilula lunged for it excitedly, tearing the wrappings open while Uvira yelled at her to be mindful of the fire. 

As the brown paper fell away, airy pink fabric was revealed, and Ilula pulled out a bandeau top. Matching pants were next, made of a thin, breathable weave, and as she rushed back to her room to try the new outfit on, Kiluki smiled. 

“How do I look?” Ilula asked breathlessly when she returned, holding her arms out as she spun around to show it off.

“Oh, it’s stunning!” Uvira clapped.

“I think it suits you perfectly,” Kiluki nodded. “How is the fit?”

“I think it’s good. What’s for breakfast?” Ilula was buzzing with energy, bouncing over to look at what Uvira was cooking. 

“This is for later,” her aunt laughed as she sprinkled in some Goron spices. 

“We will be eating breakfast at the palace,” Kiluki informed her daughter. “That’s why I wanted to give you that gift first thing in the morning. You should look your best.”

Ilula grinned. Eating at the palace meant getting to see Ganondorf, and as she rushed to get ready, she wondered what sort of gifts he had in store for her. 

She found out soon after she walked through the impressive archway and approached the throne. The chief sat with her hands on its armrests, her back straight as she looked down at Ilula and Kiluki.

“The prince and queen mother are awaiting your arrival, Ilula,” she said, her voice firm and strong. “I would not keep them waiting. Kiluki, if I could have a quick word.”

Ilula glanced up at her mother in confusion, but when Kiluki waved her off, she was eager to run towards the dining hall. It was her birthday, after all, and she wasn’t going to allow herself to worry about anything. Whatever the chief wanted wasn’t of her concern, and when she saw Ganondorf waiting for her with a pile of gifts, any and all thoughts about what her mother could possibly be needed for flew out the window.

“Happy birthday, Ilula,” Ganondorf’s mother, Mira, said, a smile on her face as she watched her son shove a box into Ilula’s arms.

The Gerudo royal family spared no expense. Ganondorf had given her a sapphire necklace, one that matched the earrings, and a ruby wrist cuff that he said would keep her warm at night when the desert winds pierced Gerudo Town. His eyes lit up at the sight of her happiness, and though he had certainly given her birthday gifts before, he was especially glad to see that all of his hard work and pondering over what to get had all paid off this year. He gave her a new sirwal, the light, baggy pair of pants a bright white with golden accents threaded throughout. Then came an assortment of her favorite candied fruits, a beautiful sand sealskin journal, and the biggest breakfast feast she had ever seen.

By the time the unwrapping was finished, the table was covered in a plethora of delicacies. Everything from platters of sliced hydromelons, to gourmet meats hunted in the highlands, to rare seafood brought all the way from the coast, was piled up and presented to Ilula. It was a lavish celebration, the kind usually reserved for holidays or royal birthdays, and with Kiluki returning from the throne room to partake, the festivities were finally truly underway. 

The adults drank as the children laughed and played. They were nearly too old to be doing so, both nearing the age at which they would begin training for adulthood, and one last romp before it all started seemed to be in order. The day was full of merriment and their spirits were high, and as the two tore out of the palace to get themselves into trouble elsewhere, Mira turned to Kiluki with a sigh. 

“He will be devastated,” she said.

“As will she.” Kiluki raised her cup to her lips and drank. 

“How long do you have?”

“I do not know.” Kiluki lifted her eyes. “Ryla did not say…all I know is that we are to return to Castle Town when she deems fit.”

“Why is she sending both of you?” Mira asked. “I hardly see the sense in taking Ilula away from her training.”

“I believe she wants us to keep up appearances.” Kiluki sighed. “Perhaps by the two of us seeming to return home, the Hylians will be less on edge.”

“Still…” Mira sighed again. “I am sure we will all be focused on our tasks, but your absence will be hard.”

“I only wish I knew when we would be leaving.” Kiluki frowned. “Ryla told me that it could be tomorrow, or in five years.”

“And I don’t suppose you’ll be allowed to visit home…”

“I doubt it.”

“Not even if Ganondorf requests it?”

Kiluki pursed her lips. “Perhaps after he takes the throne, he will summon us back to Gerudo Town. I should hope he will see the value in placing me amongst the Hylians, though, and so close to the royal family…”

“Like a spitting sand cobra, nestled right within their own walls,” Mira chuckled. “You must do your job well, for Ryla to send you back again.”

“Yes, I suppose I must. Though it was easier back then.”

“Will you return to that voe?”

Kiluki wrinkled her nose. “Perhaps, if he is willing to see reason.”

“What did you even fight about?”

“Everything.” She shrugged. “Hylian voe have a single use. The rest of the time, they are wholly disagreeable.”

Mira threw her head back and laughed, the hearty sound echoing off the sandstone walls. “That they are! That they most certainly are.”

[stargazer-sims]

- twenty-five -

Takahiro helps Fox sit up in bed, and then goes to get him some water from the dispenser out in the hallway. He may have been receiving fluids to rehydrate his body, but there’s nothing as satisfying as drinking a cup of cold water when the inside of his mouth feels like the desert at high noon. He tries not to swallow it too fast, even though he knows he’s capable of downing the entire thing without pausing for breath.

Fox is tired, but other than the persistent ache of his dislocated ankle, he’s feeling remarkably better than he’d felt only a few hours ago. He wouldn’t say he’s at a hundred percent, of course, but the fog in his brain has lifted, his limbs no longer feel heavy and disobedient, and his vision isn’t blurry any more. It’s a significant improvement. He’s satisfied enough to call it a win.

He owes his good fortune in no small part to the slender man sitting next to his bed, watching with an expression of approval as he finishes his glass of water. If Takahiro hadn’t been in the right place at the right time, a damaged foot would certainly have been the least of Fox’s worries. Either that, or he might not have survived to worry about anything at all.

The idea makes him shiver involuntarily. Dying alone in a foreign country is something he definitely does not want to contemplate.

Takahiro is giving him a concerned look. “Fox? You okay? You’re cold or something?”

Fox pulls his wandering thoughts back. “No, I’m fine. Just thinking.”

“About what?”

“The forest,” Fox says. “It was so cold out there.”

“It’s always cold on Yukimatsu, even in summer. Mountain patrol works all year. But it’s good, because we can snowboard all year.”

“I can’t imagine snowboarding or skiing in July.”

“If you’re here next summer, we can go.”

Fox shakes his head. “Even if I’m here next summer, I think I’m going to stay away from the mountain from now on. Today was enough for me.”

“Because you’re scared. When you don’t be scared any more, we can go. I was scared about the mountain before, but I went there again.”

“I’m glad you were there today.”

“I go there a lot with my dog, Hyorinmaru.”

“I think I remember him. He looks like a wolf. Like something from a fantasy story.”

“The only fantasy story Hyorinmaru knows is the one where he got a treat and eat it on the sofa.”

“That sounds like Ruby.”

“You got a dog too?”

“Not exactly,” Fox says.

“What do you mean?”

“Can I ask you something?”

“What is it?” Takahiro wants to know.

"Is there a service here like animal control? Like, people who protect animals and find lost pets?"

"Yes, we have that," Taka says. "Why?"

"Can you help me find the phone number? I need someone to look for my pet."

"Your pet is here with you?"

"Yeah," Fox says. "Don't laugh when I tell you what she is, okay?"

"Why you think I'll laugh?"

"Because Ruby is a fox."

Taka seems to think about this for a couple of seconds. It's obvious he's making a mighty effort not to smile, and Fox has to give him credit for keeping a straight face.

After a pause, he says. "That's... big irony. You know, like you told me on the mountain. When something isn't funny, but you want to laugh anyway."

Fox wants to laugh, too. "Yeah, it is 'big irony' as you put it. The funniest thing is that I usually get annoyed when people make comments about it or when they laugh or whatever, but with you, I don't really mind.”

"It’s because you like me," Takahiro says. He offers Fox a mischievous grin, but then almost immediately looks embarrassed. "Sorry."

“No, don’t say you’re sorry. I do like you, and it’s not just because you rescued me, either. You’re a good person, and I think we might actually last as friends, even after you see the worst.”

“Today isn’t the worst?”

“You haven’t seen me stick a needle in my stomach yet.”

Takahiro shrugs slightly. “I already see my mother stick needles in people. It’s not the worst. You do it every day?”

“Two times every day. I have to do it before I eat breakfast and again at dinner time,” Fox clarifies. “Why does your mother stick needles in people? Is she in health care?”

“A nurse,” Takahiro says. “She doesn’t work now, since two years. She’s sixty-two.”

“She retired?”

“That’s when people stop working when they get older?”

“Yeah.”

Takahiro nods. “She retired.”

“My parents aren’t even fifty.”

“You got any brothers and sisters?”

“I have a sister,” Fox says. “We’re twins.”

“You look the same? With orange hair? And…” He touches his cheek with the tip of his index finger. “Um… sparkles on your face?”

Fox laughs out loud. “It’s freckles, and they’re everywhere, not just on my face. And yes, Clancy has ginger hair and a million freckles, just like me.”

“Everywhere, everywhere?”

“Yeah, literally everywhere,” Fox confirms, still laughing. “But you’ll have to take my word for it, because I’m not going to show you.”

By this point, Takahiro is laughing as well. “No, it’s okay. I don’t need to see. We’re not that kind of friends yet.”

“Yet?”

But, it’s obvious Takahiro is ready to move on from the awkward topic of Fox’s body-encompassing freckles and any potential opportunities to see them. He says, “I’m sorry. You were telling about your pet. I didn’t meant to distract you.”

Truth to tell, Fox is still distracted. We’re not that kind of friends yet, Takahiro had said. Did he think they’d be that sort of friends some day? Did he want to be? The two of them have only just met. Neither of them should be thinking about anything like that. But still…

Fox knows love at first sight isn’t a thing, but now he’s convinced attraction at first sight is. Takahiro is beautiful in the unassuming, easy way that flowers are beautiful; existing in all their delicate, exotic glory without ever realizing just how intricate and visually appealing they are. More than that, there’s something about Takahiro that draws Fox to him, a calm, quiet energy that makes him feel comfortable and safe. He believes he could talk to Takahiro about anything without worrying about being judged and, to his surprise, he doesn’t find it hard to envision a future in which they’re the sort of friends Takahiro had seemed to suggest.

The revelation is startling to him, because he’s never had these feelings about another man before. He’s never even been attracted to a guy, at least not like this. As an artist, he’s objectively able to see noteworthy physical qualities in everyone, and there are people he finds more aesthetically pleasant than others, but this is the first time he’s found himself so captivated by a man that he’s almost incapable of looking away.

I could paint the most intimate portrait of him, Fox thinks.

Then, he gives himself a mental shake. With a rush of guilt and embarrassment, he remembers Ruby, and pushes his meandering attention back in the direction of their conversation.

“Ruby was walking with me,” Fox explains. “She’s usually good about staying with me, but I guess something must’ve been more interesting to her. I need to find her, because she doesn’t know how to survive in the forest by herself.”

“But she’s a fox. It’s a wild animal.”

“I’ve had her since she was a few weeks old. She lives indoors and sleeps in my bed. She has no clue what it’s like to be a wild animal.”

“You sleep with a fox in your bed?”

"Having a fox in your bed is nice on cold winter nights."

Inexplicably, Takahiro's face turns pink, and all of a sudden he looks absolutely flustered. "Uh... we ask Google to find the number for animal services, okay?"

"Okay," Fox says. "Thanks. Hopefully they'll speak English."

"Probably," he says, already sliding his phone out of the pocket of his hoodie. "Lot of English people come here. We got English in important services. You know, for them. Tourists." He doesn't look at Fox, focusing intently on his phone's screen instead.

Fox watches him. "Takahiro?"

"Hmm...?" he says, still not taking his eyes off his phone.

"Listen, I didn't mean to be awkward. I—” He has to pause, to figure out what he really wants to say. "I apologize if I made you uncomfortable just now. I don't want to do that to you."

"You didn't," Takahiro says.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes." He lifts his gaze at last. "It's only... my friend Seiji said... He said Canadians know how to get people warm in winter, and he said you would want to thank me, and, uhh..."

"Oh, really? Does your friend Seiji have a lot of experience with Canadians?"

"He did a lot of things with western women he just met. Probably Canadians."

"I see," Fox says, torn between feeling absolutely terrible for Takahiro's discomfort and wanting to burst out laughing at the utter ridiculousness of the situation. "Would you feel better if I said I don't want to come up with creative ways to keep you warm in winter? I can thank you without scaring you or being inappropriate."

"I'm not scared. I just think about stuff I shouldn't think about, and it's weird."

"Weird in what way?"

"Just weird," Takahiro says. "Like, stuff for later. I don't know how to explain it very good."

Fox thinks he understands, despite Takahiro's inability to elaborate. If he were to guess, he'd say Takahiro's lack of English vocabulary is less of a problem than his unwillingness to admit to anything that's going on in his head. Fox gets this, because it's the same dilemma he has.

"If it's any consolation," he says. "I'm having some weird thoughts myself. 'Stuff for later' kind of thoughts."

"Maybe some day we talk about it," Takahiro says. "Not tonight."

"Not tonight," Fox agrees. "I don't think anyone's ready tonight."

"No. We got more important stuff to talk about anyway. I got the number for animal services. You want me to text you?"

"Sure," Fox says, and tells Takahiro his phone number. "That's great, thanks. I can call in the morning."

"Maybe me and my friends can help too. I know the forest really good there."

"Would you do that? I don't want to get your friends involved. I'm sure animal services can—”

"I want to," Takahiro says. "I ask my friends, but even if they don't help, I can look."

"I really appreciate that."

"No problem."

Fox smiles. "I love how you say that."

"Is it my best English?"

"All your English is your best English," Fox says. "Honestly, you have no idea how happy I am that you can talk to me. I'm not doing all that great in language school, and I was starting to get frustrated and lonely because I've been having trouble communicating with nearly everyone."

"Now you don't be lonely. You can communicate with me," Takahiro says. "When you meet my friends, you can talk English with Yuri and Victor. Oh, and you can meet my mother. She talks English a little bit."

"I like speaking English with you."

Before he can stop himself or think better of it, Fox catches himself reaching for Takahiro's hand. Takahiro looks a little surprised at first, and he tenses his fingers, but he doesn't pull away. He stares at their linked hands, and after a protracted moment, Fox feels the tension in Takahiro's fingers slowly ease.

“I didn’t do this with a man before,” he says quietly.

"Me either,” Fox confesses. “You okay?"

Takahiro nods. "Yes. You?"

"Yeah."

Several more seconds go by, and then Takahiro tells him, "People close with me call me Taka. My family and my friends."

"Do you... do you want me to call you that?"

"Yes, please."

There's so much Fox could say in response to this, but nothing in his mind seems fitting. He feels as if anything that comes out of his mouth now will ruin the tenuous connection they're building between them. Even though all of this is new territory for him and he has no idea what might happen next, he doesn't want to do anything to damage the astonishing, nascent relationship they've created.

All he can manage is, "Thank you, Taka. I'm honoured."

[abarbaricyalp]

hi. you still taking prompts? sambucky meet cute: the lobby of some kind of really tall building and they both have to get to the to top floors. bucky gets to the elevator first, pushes the "door close" button cause he's in a hurry even though he sees sam rushing towards it, but sam gets there just in time. he saw what bucky did so in retaliation he just pushes every single button to make bucky late. now they're stuck in the longest elevator ride, having to stop at every floor

Friend, this is not a meet cute. This is full on meet ugly 😅

AO3 link in the reblog

Push All My Buttons

Bucky was being haunted. That was the only logical explanation for how someone followed him from Brooklyn to Manhattan, mostly on foot. He’d seen the same guy on two trains, across approximately a thousand city blocks, and in the dumb cafe that Bucky squeezed into five seconds after it opened.

And now, the same handsome young black man was standing in the middle of the Stark Tower lobby, looking lost. Bucky quickly hit the close door button of the elevator that he blessedly had to himself. Apparently, he hit it too loud because the guy’s gaze snapped over to him and recognition lit on his face.

Bucky hit Close Door again.

“Hey! Could you hold that!” the guy called, jogging across the lobby floor and avoiding milling people. The fucking tourists on the ground level were killer.

Bucky was not letting a stalker into the elevator with him when he had 91 floors to get up. He hit Close Door for a third time.

Finally, the guy seemed to realize what Bucky was doing and he scowled before tossing his army bag towards the closing doors. They hit the bag and opened up just in time for the guy to jog over, grab his bag, and step inside.

“You’re kind of an asshole,” he said as he slung the duffle over his shoulder again.

“I’m late to a meeting,” Bucky said, which was true. Mostly what he wanted to say was ‘don’t kill me and wear my face as a mask’ or whatever someone who’d followed him over three boroughs would want to do.

The man looked over at him from the corner of his eyes, looked at the highlighted 91 and then reached over to smooth his hand up every single button on the machine. 2-93 lit up.

Bucky stared.

The man crossed his arms. “Now we’re both late.”

92 and 93 unlit themselves. Those were Stark’s personal suites. 2-91 remained lit.

“You fucking asshole,” Bucky groaned and dragged his hands over his face. “Why would you do that? I’m meeting with Stark. I’ve got his-his-his fucking coffee. Jesus.”

“Because I’d rather be late and piss you off than be on time and let you get away with trying to close the door in my face.”

“What was the point of following me all the way around the city? Are you trying to make my life difficult?”

Now the man fully turned to look over at him. The elevator stopped on the second floor and no one was waiting. “I’m not following you. I don’t even know who you are.”

“Are you kidding?” Bucky asked. “You’ve been on my ass since Lloyd’s, in Brooklyn.”

The man frowned. The elevator eased up to the next floor. “Why would you stop at Lloyd’s if you were coming all the way in here?”

“I like to eat on my commute, that’s not the point! You followed me!”

“Pal, I dunno how to tell you that anyone coming from Brooklyn to Stark Tower’s gotta take a pretty similar route.”

“It’s Bucky, pal.”

“Sam,” the guy said and then honest to God offered his hand out like he wasn’t actively ruining Bucky’s life.

On the fifth floor, someone stepped into the elevator, looked at the buttons and stepped back out. Bucky shook Sam’s hand with a resigned sigh.

“Where’d you get that piece of machinery on your arm?” Sam asked around floor eight.

“It’s not on my arm,” Bucky answered. “It is my arm.”

Sam rolled his eyes and punched the door close button. “Fine, where’d you get that piece of machinery on your torso?”

“It’s not Stark tech,” he answered because he knew that was actually what Sam was asking about. He let his eyes slide over Sam’s body quickly, trying to discern if Sam was here for a prosthetic. The bag on his shoulder and the silver ball-chain around his neck gave away that he was military. Stark Industries had a veterans program, so there was a good population of soldiers walking around the building at any given time. Sam was wearing pants, so Bucky couldn’t be totally sure he didn’t have a bad leg, but he hadn’t clocked any limp or awkward gait since Brooklyn. “You here for a prosthetic?” he asked anyway.

Sam snorted and shook his head. The door opened again and someone got on before reaching to press the ground level button.

“Shit,” the woman said, upon seeing everything else lit up. She quickly hit the door open button and jumped back out. “You know, if you two wanted extra time together, having the doors open on every floor was probably a bad idea.”

“That’s not what we--” Bucky started to argue, but the doors slid shut in front of him.

“Anyway,” Sam started again. “I’m not here for a prosthetic. I’m here with Colonel Rhodes.”

“Wow, big man on campus,” Bucky said drily.

“Oh, right, you’re so unimportant, going up to the 91st floor,” Sam shot back.

“I work here,” Bucky said. He held up the quickly cooling coffee in his hands. “Glorified secretary most days, but I’m supposed to be an engineer.”

“What kind of machines do you work with?”

“Not the planes or the suits. Military tech, mostly. I try to stay away from weapons when I can.”

“Did you serve?” Sam asked.

Wish I hadn’t, Bucky wanted to say. “Nah, actually I lost my arm when Stark flew into an uncaffeinated rage and threw a saw at me.”

“Whatever, man. There’s a thousand ways to lose an arm. It ain’t gotta be out in the desert.” His cheeks didn’t quite color, but he crossed his arms and stared ahead.

“Mountains,” Bucky corrected. “Special OPs.”

“Oh, right, but I’m the big man on campus,” Sam said, holding up his hands in mock surrender.

“Rhodes is a big deal around here. You think Stark’s letting him out of his sight for just anyone?”

“The Air Force is testing a new gadget. Rhodes is involved ‘cause Air Force. Maybe you worked on it.”

“Yeah, maybe. It’s a big program. Stark’s got a lot of things going on all at once. Lots of engineers and designers.”

The elevator stopped on the 25th floor and Sam and Bucky both said, “We’re going up,” at the same time to keep the group of suits from crowding into the elevator with them.

Sam kicked his bag into the corner and sat down heavily in front of it, leaning back and closing his eyes. “So you’re a soldier who works for Stark Industries but didn’t get your prosthetic from him, even though he’s the cutting edge of prosthetics and has a full-paid program for those injured in duty.”

Bucky gave up and sat down too. He cradled the coffee cup between his legs, which was probably a bad idea, but this whole morning had been bad. “My story’s a little more complicated than that,” he said. “A lot more twists and turns. My arm is still high tech, though. I asked for a flamethrower, or at least a saw hand but I didn’t get it.”

Sam laughed and, for the first time all morning, Bucky thought maybe he wasn’t so angry at him anymore. Sam laughed like nothing had ever hurt him before, which made it feel like maybe nothing had hurt Bucky either. “Well, there’s your problem. Stark would’ve definitely given you that, from what I hear about the man.”

Bucky grinned over at him and dropped his head back against the wall. It was uncomfortable and the jostling of the car every few seconds rattled his brain, but it beat standing up, or keeping his eyes on Sam for too long. “You’re still in the service?”

“Well, not all of us are so lucky to get a medical discharge on our first tour.”

“Oh, yeah, real luck of the Irish, me. And it was my second. I wasn’t SpecOps until I finished my first stint in the army.”

“Right, right,” Sam said. Then, “You joined up young.”

“So did you. I mean, I assume you’re on your second or third tour too, if you’re being asked to work with Rhodes.”

“Second. I took a long leave to do some school stuff.”

“Oh, so working with Rhodes and you’re smart. You really are the whole package.”

“I’m working with Colonel Rhodes because I’m smart,” Sam corrected. “I could probably take your job. I’m real techy.”

“I’d appreciate it if you didn’t. I’m fond of my apartment and I definitely can’t afford it without being here.”

“Right, I assume you make buck working for Stark.”

“Eh, he’s still a multi-billionaire, he could pay us more.”

“What’s that say about the military then?”

“I’ll drink to that, bro.”

Sam chuckled again and opened his eyes to glance over at Bucky. “How does someone go from losing their arm in a SpecOps mission to working for Stark Industries.”

“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you. It’s at least a three course discussion.”

The elevator dinged on level 39 and paused, though there was no one there.

“Almost halfway up,” Sam pointed out.

“You are good at math,” Bucky joked just to see Sam roll his eyes again, which he did. “Why Air Force?” he asked when the doors decided to shut again.

“It’s gonna sound so stupid, but I’ve been dreaming about flying since I was a little kid. I wanted to be an astronaut and a lot of astronauts were in the military. So, air force. Figured if I never got to space, at least I spent years in the air anyway.”

Bucky didn’t think that was stupid at all. “You’re right, that’s pretty dumb.” Sam flipped him off with a laugh. “Are you a good pilot?”

“Pal, I’m one of the best out there.”

“God, you chair force guys are all the same,” Bucky said. He squawked as Sam leaned over to tackle him down. “Coffee, coffee! Sam, if you spill Stark’s coffee I’ll make you explain it to him!” he threatened as Sam pulled him away from the cup that had managed to remain upright by an unlikely bout of luck and physics.

Sam was fucking strong, wrangling Bucky down and holding him still. Sure, he was on his knees and Bucky’s legs were mostly trapped under him, but still. Bucky wasn’t a small guy and the prosthetic wasn’t light either but Sam had tugged him out of the corner anyway.

“Oh my God, seriously?” a guy asked on the next floor.

Bucky took the moment of distraction to dig his knee into Sam’s ribs and flip them over as the doors shut again. He locked his fingers around Sam’s wrist and held it to the floor. Sam tugged at the hold futilely.

“Shit, what’s that made out of?”

“That’s another three course answer.”

“At this rate? No chance,” Sam said and got his foot braced against Bucky’s shoulder before shoving him off. Bucky sat back and made sure the coffee was still standing. Sam leaned up against the wall by the doors. They both took in heavy breaths.

“What are you doing with Rhodes?” Bucky asked at floor fifty, when he was pretty positive they weren’t about to leap at each other again.

“Maybe that’s a three course answer,” Sam responded with a small smirk.

“I didn’t know Stark was working on planes with the Air Force.”

“Did I say plane?”

“Helicopters, whatever,” Bucky amended with a wave of his hand. “What do you fly?”

“I’m pararescue.”

Bucky let out a low whistle. “Shit, that’s more impressive than working with Rhodes, maybe. You a doctor?”

“I’ve got triage training, but I’m not, like, ready to walk into an E.R. as soon as I get home or anything.” Sam ran his hand over his buzzed hair and Bucky suddenly wanted to know what it looked like grown out, or if he’d ever kept it long. How he styled it and if he had facial hair and what he was hiding under his shirt and Jesus Christ, he needed to think about anything else.

“Well, from what I’ve seen, your beside manner probably sucks.”

Sam kicked out his foot lamely, missing Bucky’s by a mile. “You ain’t hurt. I don’t gotta give you no bedside manner.”

“What floor do you want off on?” Bucky asked after a glance at the rapidly dimming lights on on the button panel.

“85.”

“Right, yeah, Rhodes works there. We’re at 70 now.”

“What’s it like? Just offices?”

“Nah, he’s got a whole training floor. There’re a few offices, a reception area, but there’s also a gym and some space for simulated battle, sparring rooms. It’s pretty cool. You’ll have a lot of room for whatever he’s doing.”

Sam nodded and looked over at the gaping doors with the first look of unease he’d had all morning.

“You nervous?”

“You would be too,” Sam answered. “If you knew what I was doing. But, hey,” he looked away as the doors shut, “my partner’s already up there, so I can’t make any more of a fool of myself than he probably already has.”

Bucky grinned and shrugged. “I dunno about that. You seem pretty incapable,” he said sarcastically.

Sam kicked out his leg again and then stood up and grabbed his bag from next to Bucky. “You work here every day?”

Bucky nodded and took Sam’s hand when he offered it down to him to haul himself up. “9 to too late.”

“Well, I’m around for a few weeks. Maybe we could walk together instead of around each other next time,” he suggested.

Bucky ignored the swooping of his stomach. “Yeah, if you can keep up.”

Sam jostled his ribs with an elbow. “I can keep up. You’re the one with the machine on your arm.”

“Yeah, and what about it? I could hand-walk faster than you could run.”

“Oh, I doubt that,” Sam snorted. The door opened on floor 80 and Sam’s mouth screwed to one side briefly before he looked at Bucky. “Maybe you’ll get my number out of all of this eventually.”

“Maybe I don’t want it after this stunt.”

Sam placed his hand on Bucky’s metal shoulder solemnly. “You want it.”

With a grin, Bucky shrugged Sam off and shoved him forward. “Get outta here, Wilson.”

“How’d you know--?” Sam asked, taking half a step back to the doors.

Bucky reached over to trace his fingers over the name patch on the other side of the bag. “I’m just a good guesser.”

“Hey, that’s not fair. What’s your--”

The door shut between them and Bucky sagged back against the wall with a sigh. His heart was racing like he was a teenager again and his head felt cloudy. This meeting was not going to go well at this point. He wasn’t sure he’d be able to focus on anything but Sam’s smile or the way he looked in boots or the weight of him above Bucky’s body.

When the elevator dinged on 91, he grabbed Stark’s coffee and let himself off and then almost immediately ran into Rhodes.

“Oh, hey, sorry. Hey, I was just on the elevator with your meeting,” he said. “Sorry he’s late. I hit a bunch of buttons on accident when I got in,” Bucky lied as he passed the coffee to Stark.

“No harm, no foul,” Rhodey said easily. “Clearly I wasn’t even down there. I was actually waiting on you.”

“Me? What for? I’m not working on anything military.”

“You’re not?” Stark asked around a mouthful of coffee. “You assigning yourself projects now?”

“You didn’t say anything about the wings being military. I mean, how would that even work? It’d put a soldier in the air bare.”

“Yeah,” Stark agreed sarcastically and clapped a hand down on Bucky’s metal arm. “What kind of soldier runs around without full body protection.”

“What are you calling the project?” Rhodey asked, guiding the discussion back to where it was supposed to be.

“EXO-Falcon,” Bucky said. “I was modeling it after some of Stark’s EXO-skeleton suits, but it’s much more compact, situated on the back with all support sitting around the chest and ribs.”

Rhodey nodded. “Can I see them?”

Bucky quickly dashed to his work bench and came back with the wings in their case. “They’re carbon fiber, which makes them a little more flexible and keeps them a little lighter weight. I had thought about doing interlocking plates like my arm, but it wasn’t working. I took some of the more basic structures of my arm and modeled a folding mechanism out of it instead. The wings retract into and out of the case.”

He pulled the jetpack on and stepped away from the other work spaces before clicking the wings open. They snapped out behind him, grand and proud. Not unlike how Bucky was feeling at that moment.

“And the jetpack? Is that ready to go?” Rhodey asked.

Bucky shifted from foot to foot. “Well, in theory. I haven’t tested it out yet ‘cause I’m not trained to do things like that, but I’ve put DUM-E into the air and nothing blew up.”

“Well, the Air National Guard guys here today will be thrilled to hear that,” Stark said. “Shall we?”

“You don’t wanna test the jets before you put it on someone?” Bucky asked, a little strangled. He trusted his design. But he really, really hadn’t put as much time into the whole human safety element as he did the ‘up and running’ element.

“We’ll strap a crash test dummy to them in over the mats. It’ll be fine. The fire suppression system on 85 is better than up here.”

“No it isn’t. It’s just further from your suites,” Rhodey said.

Stark shrugged and tossed a piece of pastry in his mouth. “It’s my building. I say we go down to 85.”

“Well, that’s where I left your trainee or whatever too,” Bucky said as he shrugged off the pack and packed it all back up. “Do you want me to grab the other pack?”

“No worries, I’ve already moved it,” Stark said. “I knew Rhodes was coming by. You’re welcome, those things are heavy.”

“Don’t act like you didn’t have DUM-E move it,” Rhodey teased. He made his way over to the elevator and Bucky followed with Stark on his heels. The ride down to 85 was much faster than the ride up to 91. It was a miracle what not hitting every button could do. They stepped out onto the floor and made their way to the training mats, where two other people were already standing.

“Barnes, I’d like to keep you on the Falcon project,” Rhodey said. “No one knows the wings like you do. That being said, you’ll be working with live test subjects now, so it’s a little more critical.”

“Hey, you don’t have to say it that way!” the blond man in the middle of the room said. “Call us, like, Top Guns or something.”

“You don’t get to choose your nickname around here,” Stark called over, propping himself up on a stack of sparring mats to watch from afar. “Ask Manchurian Candidate. He definitely didn’t choose his.”

Rhodey rolled his eyes. “Barnes, this Sergeant Wiatrek and Sergeant Wilson.”

Fuck.

“It’s Barnes, huh?” Sam asked, smugly crossing his arms over his chest.

“Oh, Sammy, you didn’t hook up with this guy already did you?” the blond asked in teasing horror.

“Screw you, no. I met him this morning.”

“Ah,” Rhodey said with a grin. “This was the meeting you made late,” he said to Bucky.

“Yeah, we met this morning,” Bucky confirmed with a raging blush. How was this his life?

“Well, good, you can get right to work on the wings,” Rhodey said. “Let me go find a crash dummy.”

“DUM-E,” Stark called as Rhodey started away.

“I’ll find that doll first,” Rhodey challenged.

Bucky turned from their bickering and looked at Sam, then the blond next to him.

“It’s Riley,” the other man said and offered out his hand. “I’m better conversation than this one.”

Bucky doubted it. He shook the guy’s hand and then held out the briefcase like a shield between him and Sam’s teasing gaze. “Do you wanna see the wings?”

Riley nodded eagerly and Bucky moved to another stack of mats to open the case. Riley and Sam stood on either side of him. As Riley pulled the jetpack free, Sam pulled out his phone. Bucky thought he was going to film his friend inevitably crashing, but instead he turned on the auto-help.

“Hey, where’s the nearest three-course restaurant?” he asked without looking away from Bucky, without his grin faltering.

Bucky dragged his hands down his face as he looked at Sam. Riley yelped behind them after the tell-tell whoosh of the jet pack, but Sam still didn’t look away. Bucky couldn’t either.

[deberiaestarescribiendo]

Honor him. Younger Mercenary Oberyn Martell x f!reader fanfic. #Writer Wednesday 05/26/2021

Summary: You receive the worst news, Oberyn Martell died, your first lover and the first adventure you lived.

Once when you were younger you ran away from your house escaping an unhappy engagement and the promise of a dull life. But your family hired an elite force of mercenaries to find you not knowing that their leader is a Prince of Dorne.

Word count: 6,5k (ups sorry)

Warning: Blood, violence, Oberyn’s death is mentioned as canon in the book and show, Ophidiophobia(fear of snakes), unhappy arranged marriage, alcohol. +18 SMUT (it means no minors, pls) virgen f!reader, oral sex (f¡ receiving descriptive, male receiving mentioned) p in v sex (unprotected cos there’s no durex in Essos BUT USE PROTECTION IN REAL LIFE PEOPLE) grieving.

A/N: I'M SORRY I'M LATE this is for #Writer Wednesday, the challenge created by @autumnleaves1991-blog

I read the books a long time ago, yep, I’m one of those people that said “I’ll finish them when George publish them all” so I got ASOIAF wiki and run with it, so buckle up for some bad geography from Essos and inaccurate cultural stuff. I think this is the longest thing I’ve written and the smuttiest, so sorry if it’s cringy.

Honor him

“Apparently he won the combat but the wounds were too severe and he died”

You raise your eyes from the book. One of the young servants whispers to another collecting the dead leaves on the ground.

“What is it?”

They rise from the ground nervously expecting that you will scold them for gossiping

“We heard the news from the world. A bard was chanting them on the market, my lady” she approaches the fountain; you’re seated on the ceramic tile, feet inside the water, refreshing from the blazing sun in this part of Essos.

“And what did he say?”

“He said there was a trial in Kingslanding. For the death of king Joffrey, and it was his cousin...”

“His uncle, the imp” clarifies the other and the other girl rolls her eyes

“Yes, his uncle was on trial for his murder. And Prince Oberyn from Dorne was his champion”

“The imp asked for a trial by combat, you see, my lady” adds the other

“He battled the Mountain; he crushed the prince’s skull apparently”

“But! but! His blade had poison on it so the Mountain died too” says the other girl excitedly

“Oberyn died?” you mutter, your hands are limp and you don’t realize that you have drop your book until you hear the “blop” sound in the water and it splashed your tunic

Your mind travels to years past in an instant: A journey through the vast empty lands of this continent and how you loved for the first time.

The pages of your book are getting more and more transparent while the black trickles of ink disappear in the water. You wish to scream, to rip your clothes and your hair out of your scalp but you do nothing.

“Are you alright, my lady?” the girls look at each other when you don’t move or try to retrieve your book from the water.

You always thought the greatest pain he gave you was leaving you at your father’s door many years ago, but now he’s gone forever. You always thought, while looking from your window at night, that you will see him one day, coming back on his dark horse ready to steal you away again, but now that he’s dead that small hope, that tiny flame that you kept in your heart is gone.

Your childish hopes and dreams of reviving your first love are shattered. It’s true that your life has changed, you’re a grown woman now, wiser and experience but you still fantasize over him, seeing his face and his hands on your lovers.

“We should call physician” you heard them whisper, but so far away

“Where is he anyway?”

“At his clinic, you silly girl, run”

“You do not need to call him” you mutter “I’m fine. Excuse me”

Not caring for splashing water all over the house, you run to your chambers and collapse into your bed. Buried in the soft pillows, you cried, muffling your howls with them so nobody could hear. Late in the night the moon and stars shine bright casting bluish shadows in your room.

Your body is tired but restless and in the night shade a timid ray of white light illuminates that small scar in your forearm in the shape of a half-moon. And you kiss it, at least you will always have something of his carved in your skin.

Many years ago. Essos.

“You’re cheating, boy” the big man slams the table, the wooden pieces and the coins that all the players have laid at the center fall down. He points at you spitting from a mouth full of crooked black teeth “Show me your arms, boy, I know you’re lying”

“I’m just lucky, sir” you raise your blouse’s sleeves and your arms up innocently and somehow it makes him angrier

He insults you in whatever language he speaks and slams the table up, the players run and the loud tavern suddenly gets quite, waiting for the next movement. You’re an ant in front of that enormous giant, when he stands tall and walks menacingly towards you, you freeze, he doesn’t listen to you when you apologize, it doesn’t matter anyway, you just did to gain time and look for an exit but the room is too crowded.

“Here, boy, I’ve also many tricks under my sleeve” he has a dirty bag hanging from his belt and takes it and throws it at you. It lands at your feet and for a second you smirk not knowing what a bag could do to you, but then it moves and in a blur you see a green and yellow thing twisting until you feel it pressing and slithering over your body. The snake, a beautiful, shiny creature with vibrant colors faces you hissing and shows its fangs. Everything happens to fast. Out of instinct you protect your face with your arms and the animal understands this as a threat and it bites. The pain rings like a bell all over your body every nerve in your body aflame.

In a second, cold blood wets your face and you gasp when you see the snake’s head slide to the side separated from its body with a clean cut.

“I’m sorry for the demise of your little friend” A tall lean man stands beside the giant. You can’t see his face, since he’s covered with black turban and his body is in full armor. One of his arms still holds a curved sword that has snake blood on it; the other has a dagger pointed to your enemy’s neck.

“That viper was worth more than you or your little friend and you will pay for it”

“I doubt it. You know my little friend here” and he points his sword to you “it’s worth a lot and if I don’t tend to her wound rapidly she will die and that’s a shame. So, decide now, do you want to be a setback or do you want to keep living your stinky life longer?”

By brute force, the giant decides his fate and tries to disarm the man who in a swift movement cuts his throat and his blood and destiny joints that of his pet.

“You’ve been quite difficult to find, child” he opens the fabric covering his face. His eyes are dark, dark beard covers his defined jaw line and an amused smirk graces his handsome face. “Let me see that arm” he lowers his weapons, shamelessly cleaning his dagger on the back of the dead tall man and walks to you until your back is pressed against one of the tavern columns. Sheathing his sword, his hand takes yours and raises your arm, evaluating the wound and he hums deeply “Oh, sweet child”

“Am I going to die?” you cry

“Probably”

“If it’s my father who commands you to find me, I beg you to let me die; I do not wish to go back. Death is better than that dreadful place” you shake your head determined but terrified at the same time. He looks at you with his brow troubled

“Death is never better than anything” and he drags your arm to his face. His dark gaze fix on you while he sucks on the wound so hard that for a moment you think he’s drinking your life away. But then he lets you go and spits to the ground “Let’s hope that’s enough. You will come with me so I can give you the antidote”

“I told you, I have no desire to return to my home”

“It’s a pity, then, that I don’t care about that” he grins.

He gave you so many small jars to drink. Some tasted sweet some bitter and some other made you want to vomit and not drink or eat ever again. But you’re alive. A few hours passed, and then a day, then two, and you’re irrevocably getting back home.

You’ve learnt that your father, in an attempt to find you, has commissioned this elite group of mercenaries to retrieve you; and he’s the leader. It’s a small company but that doesn’t make them any less dangerous. All of them seemed to have many different skills, weapons hidden at every corner of their body, they speak languages you don’t know and you ride your horse tied to it watching each one of them with a suspicious look. After two days riding with them you have decided that there’s no way you could escape now. There’s always one of them standing guard and just a small glare your way gets every thought of escaping out of your head. So, even if it’s dramatic, you decided that your best option is to die. A few days in the desert without water and food and your father will receive a corpse.

“Drink, little girl, you’re withering like a flower” the leader, the man that saved you, says handing you the waterskin

“No, thank you” you turn your head, seated under the shadow of a very thin and dry bush. The orange and violet light announces the immanent sunset where you have stopped for the day.

“You’ve been refusing water all day. You have to drink” he says and pushes the waterskin to your face once more.

“No, thank you” you repeat and he sighs. Thinking you’ve won as he throws the waterskin by his side, you smile subtly until he’s close, crouched down, knees over the sand, looking at you.

“Maybe being a spoiled little flower works for your father, but not to me. Drink or I will make you” He takes your chin and raises it to meet his eyes

“I’m not thirsty” you say, your lips are already dry and they hurt, your tongue is thick inside your mouth and your body screams for just one drop.

“Don’t challenge me, child” he lowers his voice and you gulp

“I’m not a child” you protest, he keeps calling you that and honestly you don’t think he’s much older that you

“Then why do you behave like one? Drink, for the last time” His mouth is a fine line now and his grip on your chin is a little bit firmer

When you don’t answer he opens the waterskin and tucking on your lower lip he pours a small trickle of water in your mouth. The liquid taste sweet, your body works on it own and you open your mouth to drink more with desperation.

“So you weren’t thirsty...stubborn girl” he smirks and you want to slap his smug and beautiful face

He stops pouring water and laughs when you rise up drinking the last drops before he puts the cap on it.

“Look at you, not a withering flower anymore” the mercenary brushes his knuckles over you cheek and you feel them burn “What else do you want?” his thumb caress your chin gathering the small drops of water on your skin and spreads it over your lower lip.

You feel your bones burning, a tension in your lower belly that you haven’t feel many times and that makes you ask for something you don’t even know, so you just answer a timid yes and let him guide you to the fire and the rest of the company.

One of the mercenary is skinning some rabbits, methodically pulling the skin off with blood hands and a deathly gaze fix on you “So she decided to join us” she says

“Oberyn can be really persuasive” another, a big bald man with a beard tinted in blue, adds

So his name is Oberyn, where have you heard that name before?

“Remember that her father is paying for the whole of her, untouched he said” a lean blonde woman, with her face full of black and blue tattoos, is lounged over the bags sharpening her knives

“Well, I hope he doesn’t see her arm, that viper left her with a beautiful scar” Oberyn sits down and helps the mercenary skinning the animals and impales them and puts them to roast on the fire

“I’m not talking about that kind of viper...” she says and the company laughs

“I’m right here” they stop laughing looking at you as if you have done something they deem impossible

“So she speaks” the bearded man says

“She does but it may take some convincing” Oberyn smiles at you over the flames that illuminate his striking and sharp features “If you wish to eat, sweet flower, why don’t tell us how did you escape? We love a good story while we camp”

“Your father was convinced some ragged boy had stole you from your palace” adds the blonde woman

You smile, feeling some kind of pride for your plan, that, looking at it from perspective, did not grant you what you wanted but at least you had a good run. You tell them about how you disguised as a ragged boy lurking a few nights prior your escape so that the servants suspected about somebody being guilty of your disappearing. And how you ran away the night of your betrothal and made it look as if somebody had kidnapped you.

“I ran out of money in Lys so I had to beg, or steal, or gamble for a few coins. And then you found me” you finish your tale, sucking on your fingers, the meat is the best you ever tasted but yet again it must be the hunger from this days refusing to eat or drink.

“I’m almost tempted to let you go, young one, you seem a very resourceful girl” the beard man that you now know as Uhlan smiles at you proudly

“Think about the money” the blonde woman, Rikan, chew on a bone and toss it to the fire

“I’m always thinking about it, why do you think I’m a sellsword?” he jests

“Because you were a street rat with a broad back as broad as your stupidity and it’s the only thing you can do” Rikan spits and Uhlan laughs, a deep and low chuckle that resonates as a thunder.

“She’s a little princess, she couldn’t have survived much longer” the other woman, Shifa adds, the rest of the company has changed the way they look at you, but her. She still squints at you

“There’re princes that have survived worse” Uhlan counters and suddenly there’s a heavy and uncomfortable silence over them. You look at all of them trying to understand and you see Oberyn looking at his feet until he claps his hands together “Let’s get some sleep, we have a long way ahead”

It’s surprising what food, water and company can achieve. You’re smiling more, you almost forget that you will be delivered to your father and future husband within days, Uhlan tells you about his many adventures, how he almost die in Yiti, how he rode once with a Khalassar and that he had seen the great shadow in the East. Rikan has gifted you a knife “a girl needs to defend herself” she said and proceed to show you how to kill a man in many different ways “If you want to kill your husband though, you must ask Oberyn, he’s the one that knows about poisons and how to kill somebody without raising suspicions”

“How does he know that?” you ask, leaning to the right so you get close to her horse, Oberyn rides beside Shifa before you; both of them speaking in a language you don’t understand

“He has studied many things; he’s been all over the world. He was almost a Maester once, but preferred to travel, fight and fuck the world before he gets back to his duties”

“Duties?”

“He’s a prince” she whispers a mischievous smile on her lips “he doesn’t want to talk about it, because it makes people treat him differently or underestimate him. So don’t tell him it was me, blame the big rat”

“Did somebody call me?” Uhlan screams at the back

“You do have a sharp ear when you want, my friend”

You arrive to Myr at dusk. The city is still vibrating, the merchants offering everything you could imagine and the streets smell like thousands spices. And you absorb it all with wide eyes and open mouth.

“It’s a beautiful world, my sweet flower, and you wanted to end your life” Oberyn raises his voice over the people chatting and selling stuff

“If only it could always be like this” you answer, your smile dies in your mouth remembering this is a passing thing. The adventure will be over soon.

“Life gives us many opportunities to dwell in its pleasures; you have only to acquire a keen eye to recognize the perfect moment to seize it”

“Are you implying that I will have another chance to escape?” you scoff

“Maybe...if that is what you want or maybe to enjoy your life as a married woman, who knows”

You sigh deeply trying to ignore the thoughts about your future husband, that drunken bastard, boring and dull that your father chose.

“Or you could run away and avoid your responsibilities; you can create your own destiny, my sweet flower”

“And that’s what you are doing? Avoiding your duties?” you stop in your tracks and he watches you for a moment, chewing on his lower lip

“Maybe” he answers finally

“I’m tired of being treated as if I was overreacting being a spoiled child while you are here doing exactly what I did, ran away, from the duties of a noble life. I’m not overreacting; all I want is to decide if I want to live my life bearing children for my fool husband and maybe die giving birth or out of boredom and disappointment or try my luck in the wild world. Isn’t that what you are doing? Travel, fight and fuck the world? What’s the difference between me and you?” The people surround you, the company has already enter the tavern in front of you knowing they shouldn’t meddle

“Travel, fight and fuck the world seem a pretty good title for a book. Maybe when I’m old I will write my adventures under that title” he laughs

“I’m glad I amuse you” you spat with your arms crossed

“I apologize if I made you feel that I was underestimating you. Do not confuse my laughter with mockery, I know how you feel and I understand.” He comes close to you, each hand on your arms, pressing them lightly “Believe me, I wouldn’t have accepted this job if your father didn’t pay so well. I have to get back home and I want to leave my company with enough resources so they can continue on their own” he explains, he bends his neck so you are so close you can smell his scent, leather, horse and the dessert. “But that doesn’t mean we cannot enjoy ourselves while it lasts” Oberyn smiles and passes his arm over your shoulders “Have you tasted the wine from Myr?” you shake your head “It’s the sweetest”

The wine is starting to play with your mind, your smile falls languidly over the corner of your lips and you don’t know why you’re laughing but whatever song Uhlan is singing is the funniest thing you’ve heard. Rikan laughs by your side, her laugh is actually sweet and high making her look less menacing. Shifa is the only one that doesn’t look amused at all and he drinks from her goblet eyeing the tavern, especially you, with hatred.

“C’mon, Shifa, we know you can smile” Uhlan grabs her in a bear hug but she squeezes herself out of it

“Let me alone, you brute”

“You haven’t talked much since we retrieve the little girl over here, tell us what’s going on in that little twisted mind of yours?” the man jokes and the other mercenary glares at him

“I’m going to my chamber” She drinks the rest of her drink and strides to the rooms, pushing the drunken people in her way

“Leave her, Uhlan! She’s just jealous that her prince is not directing his attentions only to her lately” Rikan says winking at you

Oberyn has been absent having a conversation in another table until he comes back with a serious expression

“I’m partially offended that you think our company it’s not worth your time” Uhlan says sliding to give him enough space to seat by his side

“Huh, so I guess Shifa is not the only one jealous” Rikan drinks looking at him over her goblet

“Shut up!”

“Where is she?” Oberyn asks

“She went to her chamber” Uhlan serves him wine “So what was about those ugly bastards that got your attention; I thought you had a very refined taste”

“Those are Westerosi men; I wanted to get news of the world. Some of us still appreciate the pursuit of knowledge, my friend” Oberyn taps on his big shoulder

“I appreciate the pursuit of a good fuck better, my friend. Let’s see if those Westerosi want to share some news with me, Rikan are you coming? I’m always lucky with you around”

“I don’t like Westerosi” she snarls

“I don’t care, I just need you to be there so they take a good look at your ugly face and they get convinced that fucking with me is the good option of the two of us” he jokes with one of those thunder like chuckles

Rikan laughs and she follows him, waddling towards the men’s table.

“I should go to my room” you say, rising too fast and the whole room twists and turns

“You liked the wine, I see” he observes you grab the wooden table for your dear life until you find your balance

“Too sweet, I haven’t noticed it until it was too late”

“Let me guide you then”

Oberyn grabs you by your waist and helps you climb the stairs to the second floor. People gather around the aisle, laughter and moans fill the air and the heat of Oberyn skin over yours and the boldness giving by the alcohol make you pressed your body against his a little tighter than its necessary.

“This is you” he says opening the door for you

“Is it true what you said about creating our own destiny?” you collapse on his firm chest, your hands brushing over his neck

“Yes, sweet flower”

“Sweet flower” you mimic his accent “Say it one more time” your glossy lips, sticky with wine, leave a kiss on the tan uncover skin of his chest. His laugh makes you raise your head

“You need to sleep, child”

“No, no!” you slap his hand away when he tries to push you inside the room “Don’t call me that, I’m not a child. I’m a woman” you try to fix your posture to seem taller but you body stumbles to one side almost falling down

“What you are is a very inebriated girl. Good night, my sweet flower” he says closing the door

“Are you going to Shifa’s room?” the words escape your lips before you can think and he lingers on the door with an eyebrow raised

“Why do you ask that?”

“I don’t want you to go to her” again the words are out before you process them

“And what do you want me to do?” Oberyn closes the door behind him. And you breathe deeply a mixture of excitement and fear.

“Stay with me” you mutter

“Believe me I would, but you don’t know what you are asking. It is the wine speaking”

“No it’s not” you pout again falling into his arms, hearing how you sound like a spoiled little girl, you cough “It’s not” you repeat

“Right, let me take you to bed then”

You gasp looking at him with wide eyes. Oberyn hugs your body and walks towards the simple bed at the corner until you both fall down on the soft mattress

“Oberyn” you whisper “I have to tell you something before we...”

“Tell me, sweet flower” He lays beside you, posing his head over his fist

“I’m...I’ve never...” you stutter

“No need to worry” with his free hand he starts to brush his index finger from your brow to the tip of your nose so slowly and softly that you feel your eyes closing down

“Are you trying to make me sleep as if I was a puppy?” you slur

“Shh” he continues until the room goes dark and you cannot open your eyes for much that you try

“Sweet dreams, sweet flower” you hear before you blank out.

The sun pierces your eyes as if its rays were daggers. The company laughs at your expense, but yet again, Shifa hisses and insults you in some language but it’s evident that she said something nasty because Oberyn glares at her.

“No more Myr wine for you, little girl” Uhlan laughs helping you get on your horse

“Never” you murmur

The pain in the back of your head and the unstoppable thirst you have makes you moody, and it doesn’t help that you know you’re one day away from your home. But everything is worse with the hard sting of jealousy. It’s not that Oberyn does much, but he rides along side her, speaking in that stupid language you don’t understand, and she makes him laugh, he watches with attention whatever she points at during the way. He looks at her, talks to her. All you want is to rush your stupid horse and take her place.

It gets worse when Shifa sees you observing them; knowing damn well what you feel, she becomes softer, leaving touches on his skin, whispers things on his ear. And you can see the intimacy, the camaraderie that they share and that you will never have. And she’s a woman not a little girl, fierce, independent, and strong; and you cannot stop comparing yourself to her.

You arrive to a small town in between the domains of the two free cities, just hours away from the gates of Pentos.

“We will spent the night here, we need to be presentable for tomorrow”

The town has a small and humble bath house. The simple exterior made of red brick doesn’t show the beauty it has in its interior. The garden inside is made of brick and ceramic creating beautiful arches that frame the pool in the middle; green vines crept over the walls and the tender murmur of water is the only sound you can hear.

“We have rooms to accommodate you for the night once you’re done with your baths” the lady, owner of the house, announces and snaps her fingers towards the servants so they get everything ready.

“Thank you” Oberyn says bowing his head “Wash away the dust of our journey, my friends. Specially you, Uhlan” he jokes, slapping the big man’s belly

“You’re as stinky as me, my prince, but the Gods didn’t give me a beautiful face”

The company strips shamelessly, you think that they’re so comfortable around each other that they don’t think twice before submerge their naked bodies in the fresh water.

You stay by the side, taking off your shoes and rolling your sleeves so you can wash your feet and face. You avert your eyes when you see that Oberyn’s armor is on the floor. Your eyes fixed on the water and the blue tiles at the bottom, but you cannot stop from raising your eyes just a little.

His magnificent, strong, and tight body, his beautiful golden skin is marked in scars in some parts, you see the muscles on his legs tensing and relaxing as he gets in the pool. Your eyes travel through the room to avoid seeing him in his full grace.

“C’mon child, you don’t want to be stinky when you meet your father” Rikan splash water at you

“I-I”

“Let her be, she’s scare of my big cock” Uhlan laughs

“That thing that you can barely get up? C’mon, child, it is harmless” The blonde mercenary swims towards you and grabs your hand to pull you in

“Rikan, leave her, let’s finish and we will leave her some privacy” Oberyn says under the small waterfall brushing his skin with a small piece of soap

“Your husband’s eyes will be the only ones that will see you naked” Shifa says and she swims towards Oberyn. Her body is toned and muscular. She joints him under the water stream and when she tries to touch him, he moves away.

You don’t want to smile, but you do, until you remember that he refused you the other night and tonight is the last night you’ll spend with them. Shifa will have him for whatever time she wants.

Eventually they leave the pool, putting on some fresh clothes and rubbing some scent oils on their skins and they look different, less mercenary and more like elite warriors with a thousand adventures to tell. You will miss them; they are the only friends you have ever had.

“Thank you” you say stopping their banter over who’s going to take which room, they look at you confused “Thank you for rescuing me” you say with a trembling voice

“It’s nothing, child” Uhlan says and you see his big eyes shine

“We will give you some privacy” Rikan nods

When they are away you take off those stinky clothes you’ve been wearing since you escape. You moan feeling the water soften your muscle and you enjoy the strong cascade of water hitting your back until your bones feel like liquid inside your skin.

“I never expected you to thank us for getting you to your father” his voice gets you out of the trance, and you don’t open your eyes when you hear the soft sound of clothes hitting the ground and the splash of water when he gets inside the pool again.

“I didn’t thank you for that, but for rescuing me” you answer still your eyes closed under the waterfall “And saving my life” you pass your hand over the now healed wound, a moon shape scar where he suck the venom out of you.

Oberyn fingers grab your wrist, raising your arm towards his lips and planting kisses alongside your veins until he arrives to the thicker skin of the scar, sucking again on it.

“Do you still believe that it was better to let you die from the snake’s bite than to be back home?” he whispers against your skin, his beard tickling you over your pulse

“I still can run away” you open one eye. Oberyn looks amused at you

“Will you?” he asks saving the distance between you

“I don’t know. Will you come get me if I do?” You approach him, intertwining your hands on his neck

“The world is big and beautiful; it will be a shame that a sweet flower like you rots in a place like this all her life” he turns his head and leaves a kiss on each of your arms

“So that’s a no” you laugh but the pain in your heart is real

“I have to leave Essos soon, I guess the time for adventures is up” he exhales deeply

“Just the last one then” you’re surprised of your boldness when you rise on your tiptoes to kiss his lips

It is soft at first. Just tasting him, tempting him to show you more, and he does. Oberyn opens his mouth and sucks on your lower lip and when your mouth is open he savors you with his tongue. He holds your face on his large palms guiding you softly until the kiss deepens and your hands leave his neck roaming through his back and he reciprocates. His hand caresses every inch from your neck to your arms. You moan in protest when he breaks the kiss but then his kisses move to your neck nibbling your skin. He pampers every part of you with his attention, soft kisses and bites over the top of you breast.You cry out laughing when he grabs you and rise by the waist so he can access your tits. You circle his waist with your legs and you hold yourself on his shoulders.

Any good sense in you, any coherent thought gets lost one his mouth sucks on your nipples and you kiss his head trying to control your panting. The sounds that come out of you seem so far away, his low grunts and moans over your breast melt you and you feel the heat gathering between your legs.

“My sweet flower, you have the sweetest tits” he moans and he lowers you so he can kiss you one more time. You run your fingers over his dark hair, his impossibly close to you but you need more. You need him like those drops of water he poured in you the first time. The hunger, the jealousy and desire you felt these past days have reached its peak and you think your heart will collapse. You repeat his name on his lips like a plea.

Oberyn carries you to the side of the pool, and you feel your cheeks burning, your body in goose flesh feeling exposed and at his mercy now that the water is not covering you. He takes his time admiring you, his brow eyes eating every pore of your skin. Kissing your legs he parts them grabbing you by the hips he positions you just at the edge of the pool. He palms your breasts one more time, gracing each nipple with a small pinch that makes you moan loudly. You get flustered, gaining a bit of your conscience back

“No need to be shy, my love, let go. I wish to hear every sweet moan, drink every drop of this sweet cunt” he plants a kiss on your navel, before lowering his face. His first lick between your lips makes you marvel of the unknown sensation. His eyes are fixed on you while he licks faster and sucks between your small lips, when you tense, every single fiber of your body burning, he changes his rhythm, lapping languidly all your sex and back again, fast and slow, and never too much. Until you’re gasping for air and pushing him away

“Please, it’s too much”

“Let me show you, trust me” his wet mouth bites you inner thigh before he starts again. This time you reach the point of no return faster. A wide abyss before you where you skin burns and you heart beat faster until you fall, crying his name. And he holds you, planting kisses all over you body, every part he can reach. The gasps lead to laughter

“What happe...how?” you ask

“I have many things to show you my sweet flower” he smiles

Oberyn lets you in his room. The warm night breeze moves the white curtains and the moonshine casts its rays so you can see him get on top of you with the warmest of smiles.

“Do you still want this, my flower?” he asks

You grab him by the neck and let your lips answer for you. Lowering your touch you push his back so he presses his body against you even tighter.

“Please, please” you beg on his ear

He reaches between your bodies and brushes the tip of his cock on your lips coating it in your arousal, before pushing gently. You gasp at the intrusion; it’s not pain what you feel but definitively a bit uncomfortable at first

“Let me in, my sweet, relax for me” Oberyn bends his neck to kiss and bite your tits. The pleasure turns your body into a withering mess until you’re full of him.

He moves lazily at first letting you grow used to his length and width while he observes your face

“Is it alright my love?”

“I need more” you murmur

“More?” He rises, pressing the weight of his body on his knees and opens you wider grabbing the soft skin on your hips “Like this?” he thrusts deep and fast with each word and you nod biting your lip. His pace is unforgiving, and you cannot think, all you can feel is him, and his sweet words and praises combined with the slaps of wet skin and the creaks of this old bed. Your fingers scratch softly on his chest trying to hold into something when you feel that abyss again, but this time you let it go and it hits you harder. Oberyn collapses over you letting your cunt squeeze him even tighter, slowly dragging himself in and out until he sense his release coming and he pushes harder once, twice until he spills his warm seed.

You kiss his brow, wet from exhaustion and the pool, in a way the cage he’s forming with his body pressed against the mattress is the freest you have ever felt.

The dawn wakes you up, many years later, a harrowing pain in your chest remembering how he kissed you a thousand times, how you slept caged in his arms for a few hours and then woke up with his face between your thighs

“Does it hurt?” he asked and you flinched, feeling the swollen and sensitive skin “I will kiss it better” he said. And you made love again, he moved you in the bed showing how to touch your body and how to touch him, how to pleasure him with your mouth as he did to you. Until the sun invaded the room and crashed your safe space between the shadows. You could no longer hide from your destiny, it was time to go.

He left you, a small and decent kiss on your hand and bid you farewell wishing you a happy life.

You remember running, not paying attention to your father’s complaints and your mother’s cries while you soon-to-be husband drank wine unbothered by the whole thing. You ran to the balcony watching his dark horse taking him out of the city.

He never looked back, and with his parting figure you promised you will live your life happy even if you have to run for it. That you will live adventures on your own until life gives you the last drop of its joy and pleasure. In a way you promised to honor him without knowing one day it will come true.

So you woke up, older, wiser, in your own house, after many adventures lived, and after a sleepless night mourning him, you grab paper and ink and write:

“Travel, fight and fuck the world: the Adventures of an Unusual Lady”

[starofgold]

Singing the Song of the Hero in the Oasis of Scorching Sand - Part 4

White: I see. So we can touch on the memory of the flowers, so to speak. I’ll try one then. Hmm, which one… Look, a white light poured out from the petals. This light is…

Rustica: I think that’s the moonlight. Perhaps a beautiful night with the full moon showered this bud with its dazzling white light. What a subtle, elegant beauty.

Chloe: It sure gives off a refined and romantic ambiance. Hmm, what about this flower? Oh, what a mouth-watering smell. It’s like the smell of roast meat in a bun sold at the shop over there, I think. Maybe someone was eating that around this flower.

Rustica: I’ll see what this flower has then…. Oh, this is the sound of someone talking?

Flower: You think I don’t know anything? I can tell you’ve been seeing that person in secret. Come on, that’s a misunderstanding. I don’t have that kind of relationship…

Chloe: Oh, this is…

White: Seems like a lovers’ quarrel.

Rustica: It’s indeed a lovers’ quarrel.

Chloe: Uhm, I wonder what happened to them?!

Rustica: Perhaps there’s another flower around here that has the next part of this conversation.

Chloe – White: Let’s search for it.

[Change of scene]

Cain: Maybe this should be enough?

Mithra: This height is still unsatisfactory.

On the sand bank, Mithra and Cain were building something that looked like a huge castle with magic. It was likely above three meters in height.

Akira: What are you two playing?

Mithra: We are doing mountain-shattering.

Akira: Eh? Mountain shattering?

Mithra: What are you acting all surprised for? It was you who told us about this game.

Cain: It’s the game where you make a mountain out of sand then break it, you know?

Akira: N- now that I think about it, I did tell you about such a game yesterday.

Akira: (But they are totally unaware that they overdo it in all respects from the size to how the game is played. That’s very wizard of them)

Cain: There is lots of sand here, so Mithra thought it would be a good spot to play the game. Then since we’re already at it, it becomes a matter of making a big mountain.

Mithra: It isn’t worth our time to break only a small mountain, don’t you think so? With all of the effort we spend, there is no pride in breaking the mountain if it isn’t big and sturdy.

Akira: I suppose so. Anyway, what are these two doll-like things made of sand standing on the side of the mountain?  

Cain: They’re the monsters that live there.

Mithra: These two always argue about which one of them is stronger.

Cain: Do you see this big river that flow through the mountain? That marks the territories of the two monsters.  

Akira: (They unexpectedly spend a lot of effort on the background story for this)

Akira: This is a bit different from the mountain breaking game that I know, but it’s fun to do things your own way, I think. And both of you are very skilled.

Cain: Haha, thank you. It gets really fun once we started. If Heath were here, he’d craft the mountain even better. The terrain and other things would look very realistic with his skill.

Mithra: It is a bit plain this way though, isn’t it? Should I place a skull on the top of the mountain?  

Cain: Oh, that’s a great idea! I want to make a sword and place it on the top too.

Akira: (Somehow the mountain has become their art project. I wonder if they’ll have the heart to break it…)

Under the blazing sunlight, no matter if it was in the desert or by the lake, they wizards all had their own ways to have fun and enjoy their vacation to the fullest of their heart. It was a pleasant time, when we could relax and amuse ourselves however we liked.

After a while, we took a break from playing with sand. Sitting on a bench in the town, we enjoyed a drink served in a fruit that Cain recommended to us. White went with us to ensure that Mithra wouldn’t cause trouble.

Akira: Delicious! It has a pleasant pineapple-like taste. So refreshing!

Cain: I thought everyone would like this drink. After an exhausting trip in the desert, this drink helps our throat and body come back to life.

Mithra: It’s not bad. A bit chewy though.

White: Mithra dear, did you eat the utensil too?

Cain: The shell of that fruit is very tough. Like, painful death if thrown at your head kind of tough.

Mithra: Is that so? It’s crunchy so quite fun for eating, I find.  

From our bench, I saw the terrace of a café busy with customers. As I inhaled my drink with the straw, I saw a familiar face at a seat on the terrace.

Akira: (Oh, it’s Owen)

In front of him was a sumptuous assortment of parfaits and sweet treats lining up in a row. With a spoon, he was eating all of them alone in silence.

At that point. Chloe and Rustica arrived.

Chloe: Owen! So you’re here.

Rustica: When we heard that this is a famous café, we wondered if you would come here.

Owen: Tsk… The noisy ones have come.

Chloe: Whoa, so many kinds of confections! Oh, you have the huge parfaits here too! Amazing, it’s even bigger than what people say!

Rustica: Maybe we should get something too. Do they have a serving of tea so big one has to hold it with both hands too?

Owen: Don’t just sit as you please. What are you planning?

Rustica: I am planning to be Rustica. I believe Chloe doesn’t plan to be any other person but himself either.

Chloe: Eh? Ah yes. I’m just planning to be Chloe.

Rustica: What a delight. I’m Rustica. Here is Chloe. You’re Owen.

Owen: Do your ears malfunction too? I’m asking what do you come here for.

Chloe: We’d like to enjoy a cup of tea with you, Owen.

Rustica: If you aren’t in the mood for tea, having a chat is nice too.

Owen: Don’t wanna. Whether it’s tea or chatting.

Chloe: In that case, how about, uhm, shopping? There’re many interesting shops along the street over there.

Rustica: There’s a shop of musical instruments too. I just bought a lyre there. Aaah, just talking about it makes me want to play a song right way.

Rustica: ~ Lalala, in this beautiful oasis town ~

Murr: Lalala ~

Chloe: Hey, Murr!

Rustica: Hello. There’s Shino too.

Shino: I was wondering who is making a commotion here. So it’s you guys. And Owen is with you too.

Chloe – Rustica: Yeah.

Owen: You’re mistaken.

Shino: Anyway, that’s a lot of sweets over there. It’s like they all fell down from the table.

Owen: Hey, don’t get too close. You’ve sand all over you. What if that sticks to the cream.

Chloe: Shino, Murr, you have been sandboarding, right?

Murr: Indeed! We had a competition, you know. The one who catches more of the fish swimming in the sand wins.

Rustica: So who won?

Shino: It was a draw. Murr had the lead but by the end I caught three of them at the same time so I caught up with him.

Murr: I thought my lead was safe enough. But that was really fun! We caught a lot of fish so the people who watched our contest gave us some fruit.

Shino: I’ll give you a special treat and let you see the fish. They’re very fresh.

Chloe: Wow, they’re still moving.

Murr: Do you guys want to go catch them too? We can have a big competition! I saw a fish that were ten times bigger than usual. Perhaps that is the boss of the other fish in the area! I want to capture it!

Rustica: That sounds wonderful. It would be great to chase that big fish together.

Shino: Hey, Owen. It can be tricky to catch desert fish. Shall I show you how?

Chloe: Let’s go, let’s go! Owen, when you’re done with all that…

Owen: You lot have been nothing but annoying.

[sulphuryasecretcloset]

What if... Bonus

What if Dulsissia hadn’t died, what if she had grabbed Corin and fled? What if she met Davarax? What if…this influenced even more lives?

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8 Part 9 Part 10a Part 10b Part10c

BONUS CHAPTER:

Dez Vizla is not pleased. There is a strange feeling in his chest. It’s an ache and yet not a physical pain. Ever since Paz had made it clear he would not be coming back with him, that weird feeling had been gnawing away at him. It’s pissing him off!

And to make his day even worse, he’s not even halfway home when some idiot decides to start shooting at his ship and gets in a lucky shot.

Dez’ ship goes down, gets snagged in the gravity pull of a planet and Dez fights hard to counter all the problems his computer warns about as he spins towards the ground. Somehow he manages to prevent dying in a ball of fire from crashing into a mountain by nose-diving into what looks to be a desert, but the impact is still powerful enough to make the nose of his ship crumble inwards and Dez screams as a piece of metal snaps his right leg seconds before the craft comes to a groaning, hissing halt.

Pain is scrambling his brain for a second, Dez gulps for air and tries to will his mind to function. Luckily he is no weakling and finally his senses start to return to him.

A quick scan reveals he’s in trouble. He’s stuck, pinned by the metal pressing on his leg, he’s bleeding from a couple of cuts and he really feels like throwing up, but these are his minor problems, real trouble comes in the shape of the ship which had shot him down landing next to his.

Five pirates emerge, armed and pleased with their imagined victory.

Dez Vizla draws his blaster, panting with pain and fury. They will regret messing with a Vizla.

Thirty minutes later, the pirates are dead, but Dez paid for it with a messy blaster hit by his collarbone and he’s bleeding bad.

Lowering his blaster, leaning his helmet back against the headrest, Dez looks up at the sky through the broken transparisteel. He exhales, knows this is something he won’t get able to get out of, and wonders if his son will even grieve his passing...

Probably not.

Clenching his jaw, Dez feels a wave of anger. If Paz had agreed to come with him, he wouldn’t be alone and dying here! This is his fault! Stupid boy. He thumps his helmet angrily at the headrest.

There is a sound, someone is climbing the hull of his ship, and Dez quickly lifts his blaster again, ready to take out whomever stupid enough to think he was completely out of the game.

Seconds later, a head pops up and someone looks into the cockpit. It’s a girl, a Zeltron, maybe around 16? She looks at him with a stern expression. “Put the blaster down.”

“Not going to happen.” Dez growls. There is blood in his mouth now. That is a bit worrying. “If you want anything from this ship, from me, you’re going to have to kill me first.”

The girl doesn’t even blink. “I don’t have to do anything but wait. You’re hurt, bad, you won’t be conscious for much longer. I can help you, but only if you give me your blaster.”

Dez snarls and aims directly at her face. “Not a chance.” He’s not stupid. She’s a scavenger with no honour and she’s after his Beskar.

The girl shrugs and disappears out of sight. Good.

She is right, though. Six and a half minute later, pain and blood-loss brings the darkness and the last thing Dez hears before falling unconscious is the sound of his blaster falling to the floor.

Dank farrik.

Death wasn’t supposed to be this uncomfortable. Dez had been certain the afterlife would greet him like the warrior hero he is and he’d reap his rewards for his dedication to his Creed, instead he feels horribly nauseous and in a lot of pain. Groaning, Dez squirms and discovers two things; he’s not dead, and he can’t really move.

Opening his eyes, Dez is relieved to see his HUD is still functional, but he’s not pleased to find himself staring up at some unfamiliar ceiling, and less so that he is apparently tied to some table in the messiest kitchen he’s ever seen.

Squirming and tugging at the restraints, Dez gasps with pain and goes limp when his leg and his shoulder flare up with pure agony.

“Lie still.” A voice says. It’s the girl. She appears in the doorway. “Your leg is broken in two places. I had to stitch up your shoulder, but move around and you will rip them out.”

Panting through the pain, Dez has to wait until he’s able to speak. “What… what do you want?”

His Beskar is still on him, she’s keeping him alive, neither make sense to him.

“Stop you from dying.”

Dez swallows, slightly worried he’s going to throw up. He’s so nauseous. “Why?”

The girl shrugs. “I’m bored.”

The answer is so ridiculous that Dez’ brain decides it is better for him to take a nap and he passes out.

Waking up, he finds his situation has not changed and no matter how much he threatens and insults her, the girl refuses to release him and seem immune to his fury. She offers him food and water, which he firmly refuses, and tends to his wound with a worrying amount of attention.

Dusk is settling outside the one window in the room when Dez is forced into humiliating himself. “Could you… please untie me?” He mutters when she changes the dressing on his leg.

“No.” She replies.

Closing his eyes, his face burning, Dez grits out the next words. “I need to… go.”

That catches her attention and she looks at him with a thoughtful frown. “Oh.” She considers it, then walks over to his side. “Fine. But I wouldn’t try anything stupid if I were you.”

“I won’t.” Dez lies.

She unties him and it takes no small amount of will-power to keep from wrapping his hands around her scrawny neck. If his shoulder hadn’t been hurting so bad, he would have done it. Instead, he lets her help him sit up and leans on her as he slowly hobbles towards the tiny refresher room he can barely fit into. The door closes after her once she’s backed out and gives him his privacy.

Dez had not been lying about his bladder, so he takes care of that first. The sweet relief almost combats the furious pain in his useless leg and his burning shoulder. Once that is done, he carefully washes his hands, gritting his teeth at the complaints from his shoulder and the unharmed leg having to hold all of his weight for this long. 

Despite the discomfort, Dez carefully removes his helmet and splashes his face with some cold water too before drinking a bit. He looks at his barely visible refection in the dirty mirror, does not like how pale and exhausted he looks, and it’s a bit of a relief to put the helmet back on.

By the time he emerges from the refresher room, he half-expects the girl to be waiting for him with a weapon. If she was smart, that’s what she would have done. Which means, of course, she doesn’t.

The Zeltron is just standing by the kitchen door, arms crossed and looking bored.

Dez sighs and waves her over.

She walks over to him.

Wrapping his arm around her frail shoulders, she really is a tiny thing, the girl lets him use her as a crutch as he starts making his way towards the kitchen. Well, he makes her think he is heading back to the kitchen…

Once they are by the door, Dez shoves her into the room and hobbles as fast as possible towards the entrance door. He opens it and makes it outside.

There is nothing but desert as far as he can see. His HUD picks up on some small rocks in the distance, but no buildings, no ships, no nothing. Dez grits his teeth yet again, chooses a direction and starts hobbling.

After a little while, he glances back and sees the girl following him with an annoyed look on her face. She has a blaster in a holster on her hip, but she doesn’t seem to feel the need to draw it. She doesn’t say anything, she doesn’t try to take him down, merely follows at a safe distance.

It doesn’t take long before Dez understands why.

The red sand is difficult to walk on and his one good ankle gives in, causing him to fall and the impact, both to his shoulder and his broken leg, sends him screaming into unconsciousness.

When Dez reluctantly opens his eyes again, he finds himself staring at the damn ceiling again and a weak tug with his arms reveals he’s tied up again. Closing his eyes, he sighs.

“Told you.” The girl’s voice says.

Dez doesn’t reply. He’s going to enjoy shooting her.

When morning comes, she tries offering food to him again, but this time Dez declines because he really doesn’t feel like eating. In fact, he doesn’t feel like much of anything because he feels like crap.

Squirming on the table, Dez makes an annoyed sound. “Why is it so warm in here?” He rasps.

The Zeltron steps up next to him, her frown even deeper than usual and to his dazed surprise, she pulls down the collar of his shirt and places the back of her hand to his neck. Insolence aside, her cool touch feels good so he doesn’t threaten to skin her alive this time.

“You have a fever.” She states, then curses in some unfamiliar language and turns to examine the bandage on his shoulder. “The red sand. It creeps into the wounds and the infection kills more people than blaster shots does on this planet. I told you to behave, didn’t I? But, no, you had to be an idiot and roll around in the sand.”

Dez flinches slightly with pain when she carefully presses the bandage back down on the wound. “You didn’t tell me the sand was toxic.”

“Would you have believed me?”

Dez swallows. “No.”

“Exactly.” The girl moves down to check on his leg and Dez hates himself for whimpering with pain when she adjusts the splints. “I’m sorry,” she says, “but you messed up the splints when you fell.”

He doesn’t have the energy to get angry. Dez just feels… warm and tired and miserable… He wants to sleep. So he does.

It gets worse. A lot worse. The next time he wakes up, Dez feels like he’s on fire.

“It’s the fever.” The girl says, sounding worried now.

“Hurts.” Dez complains, arching a little off the table before slumping back down. His shoulder and leg are throbbing with pain.

The girl nods and walks over to his shoulder. “I’ll try changing the bandages again. Maybe that’ll help a little.”

It does. But not for long. Dez is burning up. Sweat is soaking his body and he can feel drop after drop slide down his face in the suffocating confinement of his helmet.

He tries to sleep, but he keeps waking up as his body howls with pain. And when he does sleep, his dreams are horrible. At one point, he dreams that Paz walks into the room and Dez feels a rush of hope but his son is only there to tell him he’s glad he’s dying and Dez wakes up shivering so hard he accidentally bites his tongue and nearly chokes on his own blood.

That night is the longest and most horrible experience he’s been through and the morning doesn’t start any better.

“You have to tell him I’m sorry.” Dez tells the girl, shaking and sweating and dying. “Promise me you’ll find him and tell him… tell him I said I was sorry…. Please…”

“Who?” She asks.

“My son.” Dez manages to press the words out. “Paz. Paz Vizla. Big boy. You’ll know… when you see him.” It’s getting harder and harder to talk. “Tell him. Please.”

The girl nods and now there is no trace of annoyance on her face, merely concern.

It hurts, it hurts so much, and he’s so warm. He’s burning up. Dez is being boiled alive from the inside. He spends most of the day just shaking and sweating and half-mumbling to himself.

“You really should drink something…” The girl says, almost pleads.

Dez swallows. His throat hurts. “Take… it off…”

“What?” The girl stands up to lean over him. “I didn’t hear-”

“My helmet.” Dez whispers, too weak to do much else. “Take it off.”

Awkwardly, she fumbles around the edges and carefully eases his helmet off. She puts the valuable Beskar aside without a second glance and merely goes to get a cup filled with water.

It’s a bit weird to be without his helmet in front of a stranger again, it’s been so many years since he’s done that, but Dez is too desperate for water to care.

“Here.” The girl returns to his side, slides her hand under his neck and helps him lift his head so he can drink.

The water feels wonderfully cool, but it hurts to swallow.

Dez gives up after a couple of big gulps and turns his face away. “Can’t…”

“You can.” The girl insists, tightening her grip on his neck to make him turn his face back. “Drink.”

He drinks.

But he continues to burn inside. How is it possible to feel this warm, to feel this much pain in his wounds, and not perish already?

In the middle of the night, he starts to freeze. By Mandalore, he’s cold. Dez has never felt this cold in his entire life. He’s shaking so bad the entire table is rattling. Even after the girl places three blankets over him, he continues to freeze.

It all becomes a bit of a blur after that. He remembers bits and pieces, can hear himself talking and her replying, she places a cool cloth on his forehead, Pre appears and asks him why he’s such a weakling, he even thinks he sees his wife at one point, dreams and reality meld, the only thing that never stops is the pain.

He’s dead. Dez Vizla is dead. It’s the only reason he can think of as to why the pain is gone.

A faint throbbing of pain in his leg contradicts him.

Blinking, forcing his eyes open, Dez finds himself staring up at that damn ceiling again.

He feels horrible, but he’s not burning up or impersonating an icicle. He’s alive.

A faint sound catches his attention and Dez turns his head. He is a bit surprised to find the girl next to him. She’s asleep, sitting in a chair but with her arms folded to be a pillow on the table next to him and her head resting by his ribs. She’s been watching over him the entire time?

Dez swallows, his throat feels like he’s devoured the desert outside, and lifts his hand… Wait, he’s not tied down anymore? No, apparently not. He runs his hand carefully over the girl’s dark hair.

She snaps awake and bolts up into an upright position.

Dez smiles a little, amused, but his hand falls to the table as he’s too weak to do much else.

“You’re awake.” The girl states, almost glaring at him.

“I’m awake.” Dez confirms in a hoarse whisper.

She gets up and brings more water. Once again, her hand behind his neck helps him to drink and he exhales with relief when he can lie back and feel the cool liquid trail down his body.

“The fever is gone. You’re going to survive.” The girl informs him.

Dez considers this. “Am I trapped here?”

She shrugs. “The pirate ship got picked up by their friends not long after I dragged you out. I’ve checked out the damage on yours and, well, it’s going to take some time for me to fix it.”

Frowning, Dez looks over at her. “Why would you do that?”

“Because I’m bored.” There is no fake modesty or hint of it being a joke.

It brings a faint smile to Dez’ face. This is one really odd nugget of a girl. “My name is Dez.”

“I know.” She replies. “You like to say it a lot. Especially when you’re threatening someone.”

It’s true, so he doesn’t bother apologizing for it. “What’s your name?”

“My name is Liita.”

The fever is gone, but he feels horrible and it takes days before he’s able to do anything but sit. Dez is not pleased to be lying around like deadweight while the little girl goes out to work, hauling around heavy things and being useful. With one arm in a sling, Dez uses a crutch and is able to hobble out with her on the fifth day.

He can’t do much but sit on a crate and watch her work, but that is what he usually does with other Mandalorians too so it’s not that big of a change for him. At least he’s there to supervise and pretend to know what she’s doing while she works to bring his ship back to life.

Liita doesn’t talk much, but she likes to listen to him talk. That works really well because Dez likes to talk. She’s not fond of cooking, so he shows her some tricks to improve the flavour of things and that almost brings a smile to her face. She tends to his wounds and calls him a big baby when he complains so he threatens to place her boots on the top shelf where she won’t reach them.

One evening they are sitting outside the house, looking up at the stars, each eating from their bulky metal cups, Liita asks about Paz. It seems like Dez had been talking about him a lot when he was feverish.

Embarrassed, Dez looks down into this cup, stirs the content. “I messed up and I’m not good at apologizing.”

“You should.” Liita says, frank as always. “Apologise, I mean. If you messed up, he deserves one.”

“I don’t think he will forgive me.”

“Maybe not. But you still owe him an apology.” Liita sighs and gets up. “I’m going to bed. Tomorrow we start on the engine.”

Dez nods. “Understood.” He lingers for a little while longer, staring up at the stars and strangely at ease with the pain in his leg. Maybe that’s Davarax secret? How he makes everyone always like him? Dez had considered his ease with apologizing a weakness, but now… he wonders.

They fall into a comfortable routine, sharp words and half-hearted bickering flying back and forth, until the day comes when Dez’ ship comes to life with a soft shake and a rumble.

Hands on her hips, Liita stands next to where Dez is sitting in the pilot seat. “That sounds about right.”

There is initial relief at feeling the ship coming alive despite how Liita had to re-shape the entire nose of the craft and re-build bits of the cockpit, but then the relief fades and Dez looks over at Liita. She is looking at her work with a critical eye. “What are you going to do now?” He asks.

Liita shrugs. “I don’t know. Wait for things to stop being boring again, I guess.”

Dez turns the seat a little, making a face as his broken leg sends several fierce jabs of pain through him, to really look at her. “Come with me.”

Raising an eyebrow, Liita turns her face to look at him in return. “Why?”

“You’re the best mechanic I’ve ever seen.” Dez replies. “My clan could really need someone like you. I can promise you you’ll never be bored again.” He clears his throat. “And… maybe you could help me with Paz?”

Crossing her arms, Liita frowns. “Promise me you’ll bring me back here if I change my mind?”

Dez holds out his hand. “I give you my word.”

Liita hesitates for two more seconds, then she reaches out and takes his hand.

Dez grins and turns to activate the ship again. “Oh. And by the way, you can’t tell anyone I took my helmet off.”

Liita shrugs. “Okay.”

And, yeah, things were never boring after that.

-

[awhitehead17]

100 ways to say I love you - TimKon edition:

Number 15 - “I made your favourite.” 

Enjoy! :D

“I’ll see you when you get home yeah? Even if it’s a little later than normal… Tim don’t worry about it, it happens. Tim I don’t care, I promise. I’ll see you this evening, okay? Yeah, love you too, bye.”

After hanging up Kon turns his phone off and places it down on the table with a defeated sigh. Not for the first time Tim will be late coming home from the office, having to stay later to catch up on reports and meetings and other stuff Kon didn’t really understand.

Knowing this, Tim had rung him during a short 10-minute break he’s giving himself that busy afternoon to tell Kon this information. Kon appreciated the thought but wasn’t pleased with what he’s being told and unfortunately not even the powers of Superman could help him free his boyfriend from the evil clutches of the group known as businessmen.

Tim sounded tired on the phone and stressed. It makes Kon’s heart ache. Just the thought of Tim pushing and forcing himself to get through the day when he’s clearly struggling with a lot makes Kon feel terrible.

While Kon wouldn’t be able to help ease the workload, because he has no idea of the functions that run WE, he could try and help Tim relax once he was home for the night. To his knowledge neither of them were supposed to be going out that night meaning they could have a lazy night-in. Perhaps he could treat Tim to something special. Make him dinner and desert, stick on his favourite film and place his preferred blankets over the couch where they could snuggle up together until they fall asleep.

Kon smiles, with that in mind he knows he’s got some work to do before Tim gets home that evening.

----

“Y’know, even now it still surprises me about how well you can cook.” Tim comments with a satisfied smile.

Kon raises an eyebrow. “Really? You’ve known me for how long by now? You also know that there’s no way Ma Kent would let me be useless in a kitchen.”

Tim laughs lightly and gets up from his seat, heading for the sink where a pile of dishes were waiting to be washed. Before he could get there Kon grabs him by the shoulders and turns him around and nudges him towards the living room.

“No way, you’re not doing the dishes, the only thing you need to do right now mister is go and collapse on the sofa and wrap up in the blanket I’ve laid out there.”

“But you made dinner Kon! I have to do something!” Tim protests, trying to get around Kon to get back to the sink.

Kon puts the tiniest bit of super-strength into his actions to force Tim towards the living room. “Yeah… no. Sofa, blanket, movie, now. I’ll do the dishes, you just go and relax, I’ll be there in a moment.”

Tim finally gives in and turns around while he mumbles under his breath. Kon smiles in victory and turns to the dishes.

Unknown to Tim, Kon had something waiting for him. The surprise dinner had gone down well with his boyfriend but there were something else Kon had hidden away. Something else that he hopes will brighten up Tim’s otherwise grey day.

That afternoon, after the phone call with Tim, Kon had made Tim’s favourite pie following one of Ma’s recipes. Grabbing it out of the cupboard he prepares two slices before moving onto making some hot chocolate.

The hot chocolate itself wasn’t special but the extra’s Kon adds to it makes it different. He piles on two mountains of squirty cream onto the liquid before drizzling some caramel syrup over it. To finish off Tim’s drink, he then adds several marshmallows to the mountains while he keeps his plain.

Kon doesn’t get it, Tim’s adoration for the things. He absolutely loves marshmallows. Like anywhere Tim goes, he’ll either find marshmallows to eat or even take a bag of the things with him. It’s cute in a strange way.

Using his telekinesis, Kon balances the two plates of pie on his forearms while he carries the drinks in his hands. He walks into the living room to find a Tim burrito on the couch staring at the title menu of Frankenweenie on the TV.

Kon smiles and makes his way to the coffee table, placing down the treats. He doesn’t miss the way Tim’s eyes widen at the sight of them and the way his mouth drops open.

“I know that you’ve had a rough day, and to try and brighten it up I made your favourite. As well as the pie I made hot chocolate too, even added those marshmallows you like so much.”

There’s a moment of silence between them as they stare at one another. It stretches on long enough that Kon begins to doubt his actions. Maybe he had pushed too far?

However before those thoughts could go any further, they were instantly derailed when Tim lunges at him and captures him in a hug. Kon relaxes, his arms immediately circling his boyfriend. Tim pulls back after a few seconds and look up at Kon with wide eyes and a bright smile.

“You always brighten my day no matter what. I love coming home to you after a grilling day at the office. This is amazing, thank you so much Kon.” He finishes speaking by pressing a loving kiss to Kon’s lips.

Kon smiles back, relieved that he hadn’t over stepped. “I want you to be happy. Now come on, lets cuddle on the couch, eat our deserts and watch the film before calling it a night.”