#forgive me madam for taking up so much of your time

[bookishbaby-blog]

ever since I watched Pride and Prejudice (2005), this one moment has been scored on my heart, my brain, gosh even in my veins. I just can never get over the YEARNING. that lean in????? from both of them????? I am unwell-

[fear-less]

Request!!!!!!!!!!!!¡!!!!!!!!!!¡!!!!¡!!!¡!!!!!!!!!¡!!!!!¡¡!!!!!! Anyways teen mom reader x any character ig lol totally fine if you're not comfortable writing for that I'm a teen mom and YA lol perfectly fine if you're not comfortable though totally get it have a great day <3

₊˚⊹˚ 𐙚 thorns with my petals

paring: regulus black x f!reader

➥ In which, you find out you're pregnant and go through many emotions, especially when you realize you'll have to tell Regulus about it, luckily he doesn't seem as scared about it as you are. 

warnings: teen pregnancy, reg stays DON'T worry, fluff, angst, happy ending woo, sirius and reg are on good terms in this bc duhh, and a few time skips. 

2.0K words

The chill of late autumn settled over the castle as you sat in the quiet corner of the library, staring blankly at your parchment. The Charms essay in front of you might as well have been written in Gobbledegook for all you could concentrate on it. Your hands trembled slightly as they rested in your lap, still trying to process the news you'd received earlier that day.

Madam Pomfrey's kind but firm words echoed in your mind. "You're a few weeks along, my dear. It’s not uncommon to feel overwhelmed, but I’ll be here to help, should you need anything."

You were pregnant.

It didn’t feel real yet—how could it? You were just a student at Hogwarts, barely scraping through Transfiguration and dodging Peeves' pranks. How were you supposed to take on something so enormous, so life-changing? And how would you tell Regulus?

The thought of him made your heart twist. Regulus Black was not an easy person to read, though you knew him better than most. He had a quiet intensity, a weight on his shoulders that he never spoke of, and a fierce loyalty that burned brightly when it came to you. Still, he was young, like you, and tied to a family that would likely never forgive this kind of scandal.

The library door creaked open, and instinctively, you looked up. There he was, tall and elegant in his Slytherin robes, his dark hair slightly missed from the wind outside. He scanned the room, and when his gaze landed on you, his lips curved into that small, private smile he reserved only for you.

"Hey," he greeted softly, sliding into the seat across from you. "You look like you've seen a ghost."

You swallowed hard, suddenly finding it impossible to meet his eyes. "I—I need to talk to you about something."

His brows knitted together, concern flickering across his features. "Is everything alright?"

The words caught in your throat, tangled with fear and doubt. Regulus reached across the table, taking your trembling hands in his. His touch was grounding, as it always was.

"You can tell me anything, you know that," he said, his voice steady.

You nodded, taking a shaky breath. "I'm... I'm pregnant."

For a moment, the world seemed to still. His grip on your hands didn’t falter, but his expression shifted—surprise, disbelief, and then something softer, something that made your chest ache.

"You're sure?" he asked gently, his voice barely above a whisper.

You nodded again, tears welling up despite your best efforts to hold them back. "Madam Pomfrey confirmed it this morning."

Regulus sat back, running a hand through his hair as he processed your words. "Okay," he said finally, the word surprising you with its calmness. "Okay."

"That's all you have to say?" you asked, your voice trembling.

"No," he said quickly, leaning forward again. "No, it's not. I just—I need a moment to think." He exhaled deeply, his gaze locking onto yours. "This isn’t what we planned, obviously, but... I’m not going anywhere. We'll figure this out together."

His words brought a fresh wave of tears, but this time, they carried relief. You hadn’t realized how much you’d feared his reaction until now.

"What about your family?" you asked hesitantly.

A shadow passed over his face, but he shook his head. "They don’t matter. You matter. This—" he gestured between you—"matters. We’ll handle it, whatever it takes."

You reached across the table, cupping his cheek. "I was so scared," you admitted.

"I know," he said, covering your hand with his. "But you’re not alone in this. Not ever."

In that moment, despite the uncertainty of the future, you believed him. Regulus had always been your anchor, and now, you would be his too.

ʕ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʔ

Many months later…

 The small cottage you and Regulus had made your home after graduation was quiet, save for the sound of the rain pattering against the windows. The world outside was gray, but inside, everything felt warmer—a sanctuary you had built together, away from the expectations and chaos of the Black family and the wizarding world.

Regulus paced the length of the sitting room, his usually composed demeanor cracking under the weight of his nerves. Every so often, he glanced toward the closed bedroom door, where Madam Pomfrey—who had insisted on being there—was helping you through labor.

"Regulus, love, sit down before you wear a hole in the floor," Sirius teased, leaning casually against the doorway. He had shown up unannounced the day before, claiming he wouldn’t miss this for the world. His grin was wide, but even he couldn’t hide the tension in his eyes as the occasional sound of your pained cries echoed through the cottage.

"I can’t just sit," Regulus snapped, running a hand through his already-disheveled hair. "She’s in pain, Sirius. Real pain, and I can’t do anything to help her."

"She’s stronger than you think," Sirius said, his voice softening. "You’d know that if you weren’t so busy pacing."

Regulus shot him a glare but said nothing. Instead, he turned to the window, watching the rainfall in steady streams. His mind raced with thoughts of you—your strength, your determination, and how you had faced the last nine months with a courage that left him in awe. He wanted nothing more than to be by your side, to hold your hand and whisper that everything would be okay.

Just then, the door creaked open, and Madam Pomfrey stepped out. Regulus froze, his breath catching in his throat.

"It’s time," she said with a small smile, her face flushed but kind. "She’s asking for you."

Regulus didn’t wait for another word. He brushed past her, entering the bedroom with his heart pounding in his chest.

You were lying in bed, your hair damp with sweat and your face pale but glowing with determination. Your eyes met his, and despite the exhaustion etched into your features, you managed a weak smile.

"Hey," you whispered.

"Hey," he murmured, rushing to your side and taking your hand in his. His fingers were cold, but his touch was steady, grounding you as another wave of pain rippled through your body.

"I can’t do this," you choked out, tears streaming down your face.

"Yes, you can," he said firmly, his voice filled with a confidence that surprised even him. "You’re the strongest person I know. I’m right here, and I’m not leaving."

With his words and the gentle encouragement of Madam Pomfrey, you found the strength to push through the pain. The minutes stretched into what felt like hours, but finally, a cry filled the room—soft and piercing all at once.

Madam Pomfrey carefully placed the tiny, wriggling baby into your arms, and you felt your breath catch. The weight of the child, your child, was both surreal and grounding. Regulus leaned closer, his wide eyes locked on the baby.

"It’s a boy," Madam Pomfrey announced with a proud smile.

"A boy," Regulus repeated, his voice barely a whisper. His hand trembled as he reached out to brush a finger against the baby’s cheek.

You glanced at him, tears streaming down your face. "We did it," you said, your voice breaking.

He looked at you then, his gray eyes shining with emotion you’d rarely seen. "You did it," he corrected softly. "You’re incredible."

The baby let out a small, hiccuping cry, and Regulus carefully scooped him into his arms. He stared down at the tiny face, his expression a mixture of awe and love.

"He’s perfect," he murmured.

"And so are you," you said, watching him cradle your son with a tenderness that made your heart ache.

Sirius peeked his head into the room, a rare softness in his expression. "So? What’s his name?"

Regulus glanced at you, and you exchanged a smile. "Orion," you said in unison, the name a tribute to the stars that had always guided you both, even in the darkest times.

As the storm outside began to ease, a sense of peace settled over the room. In that moment, surrounded by love and new beginnings, you realized that despite the challenges ahead, you were exactly where you were meant to be—with Regulus by your side and your son in your arms.

ʕ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʔ

11 years later…

The crisp September air carried the hum of excitement as families bustled around Platform 9¾. The scarlet Hogwarts Express stood gleaming on the tracks, its whistle echoing through the station. You stood hand-in-hand with Regulus, watching as your eleven-year-old son, Orion, darted between trunks and trolleys with boundless energy.

"Slow down, love, or you’ll knock someone over!" you called after him, though you couldn’t help but smile at his enthusiasm.

Regulus chuckled beside you, his arm slipping around your waist. "He’s been waiting for this moment since he could hold a wand," he said, his voice soft but filled with pride.

"Sounds like someone I know," you teased, nudging him gently.

"Except he’s far more excited than I ever was," Regulus admitted. His gaze followed Orion as he helped a smaller boy with his luggage. "He doesn’t have the weight of family expectations hanging over him. He gets to just… be."

You leaned into him, understanding the unspoken words. Regulus had come a long way from the boy who once felt trapped by the Black name. Together, you’d built a life for Orion filled with love, freedom, and the chance to define his own path.

"Dad! Mum!" Orion’s voice rang out as he waved you over to where his trunk was now safely stowed on the train. His face was alight with excitement, his gray eyes—so much like his father’s—sparkling with wonder.

"Have you got everything?" you asked, crouching down to check his robes and tie one last time. "Your wand, your books, the lunch I packed?"

"Mum," he groaned, rolling his eyes in that way only an eleven-year-old could. "I’ve got everything. I’m not a baby."

Regulus smirked, kneeling down beside you. "She’s going to worry no matter what, Orion. You’ll just have to write home and reassure her every day."

"Every day?" Orion groaned dramatically, though his grin betrayed him. "Maybe once a week. If I’m not too busy being the best student Hogwarts has ever seen."

"Best student, huh?" Regulus arched an eyebrow. "Let’s start with staying out of detention, shall we?"

Orion grinned mischievously. "No promises."

The train’s whistle blew, signaling the final call for boarding. Your heart clenched as you realized the moment had come.

"Alright, love," you said, pulling Orion into a tight hug. "Be brave, be kind, and don’t forget how much we love you."

"I won’t," he mumbled, hugging you back with surprising force.

Regulus pulled him into a quick but firm embrace. "And remember," he said, his voice quiet but steady, "the Sorting Hat listens to you. Whatever house you choose, we’ll be proud of you."

Orion nodded, his expression momentarily serious. Then, with a bright smile, he picked up his owl’s cage and turned toward the train. "See you at Christmas!" he called as he climbed aboard.

You and Regulus stood side by side, waving as the train began to move. Orion leaned out the window, waving frantically until the train turned a corner and disappeared from view.

The platform slowly emptied as other families departed, but you and Regulus lingered, the weight of the moment settling over you.

"He’ll be alright," Regulus said, slipping his hand into yours.

"I know," you whispered, though tears pricked your eyes. "But it’s hard letting him go."

Regulus pulled you close, pressing a kiss to your temple. "He’s strong, like his mother. And he’s got a whole world ahead of him."

You looked up at him, a smile tugging at your lips. "He’s got the best parts of you, too."

The two of you stood there for a moment longer, watching the empty tracks. Though your hearts ached with the bittersweet pride of watching your son grow up, you knew this was just the beginning of his own adventure—and you’d always be there to cheer him on.

[doki-doki-imagines]

hi! maybe a little self indulgent but was wondering if you could write a lil drabble of earthrealm gang x yn (fem y/n if possible) but she’s related to shang tsung in some way (idk sister, daughter if u wanna get real silly) and shes just as pretty but just as mean :3c ty!

author note: In some the reader is the sister in others the daughter. Going for hcs for my mental health :)

Do you like what I write? Consider tipping on my ko-fi!

Johnny Cage: -He doesn't completely trust you, even if damn, you are hot. -Like he can't resist flirting with you even if it means getting the harshest rejection ever. -At this point, it is a challenge more than anything else. Once one of your failed potions exploded right into his face while he was blabbering one of his cheesy pickup lines. "You are smoking." "Hot?" "No, just smoking." You reply, pinching a strand of hair still on fire, extinguishing it. -You know 99% of boys stop flirting just before getting a date? Johnny's positive mindset won't let him fall for this trap. -Maybe you'll fall for his loserboy behavior…

Kenshi Takahashi: -Mh the ex-yakuza doesn't trust you one bit. Even if you never betrayed them. -It's just that you like lying a bit too much for his liking. -"I'll keep an eye on you." You chuckle "What eye? I don't see any on your face." You shrug his words off. -Nobody has ever been blacklisted this fast in Kenshi's mind. -But for real, he'll keep your every step checked ready to attack at any of your missteps. -"If you like spying on me so much you could take me out on a date so I can answer all your questions." You hear him choking on his saliva before snapping back. "How do you know I'm spying on you?" Your eyes widened getting closer to him "So I was right? You are spying on me? Damn, you must be so down bad for me-" -The idea of falling one of Wu Shi mountains sounds so good now for Kenshi. "Come pick me up at 9 p.m. and take me to a nice place it has been so long since I've eaten something nice." -Seems like Kenshi has a new problem to deal with. -Also because Madame Bo is the only place nearby…

Kung Lao: -He doesn't trust you at all, your mother may have been a nice woman but your father is terrible! And with your sharp words, Lao thinks you have taken his personality too. -"Begone sorcerer! My hat will slice you in two if you take another step closer." "I'm sure my words have done more damage than that stupid hat." -Actually, a friendship will develop thanks to your constant fights, not always won by you. -Raiden better if you stay alert, you have two sly foxes in the temple now

Raiden: -He isn't as wary as the others, after all you haven't done anything wrong. Being born from such an evil guy doesn't make you evil. -But damn, you can be so harsh with him at times. More than once Raiden wanted to remind you that if it wasn't for him you would be homeless and a loser just like your father. -But then Raiden remembers it's actually thanks to Liu Kang if you are there and bites his tongue. -You are also one of the few people able to make Raiden snap! Most monks never saw such fury before he met you. -"You should thank me. Weak minds don't last much in battle." "If you expect me to thank you for pissing me off you'll have to wait your entire lifetime, snotty sorcerer."

Liu Kang: -When he created this new timeline he hoped a sister could tone down Shang Tsung's evil intentions. -But at the end he threw you away, treating you like a stepping stone to the road to achieve his goal. -So Liu Kang took you in. That doesn't mean you will so easily forgive him for his mistake. -Your words slice his heart frequently. Not because you want to cry about your condition, it's mostly your fault after all, but simply because you like to tease that raw nerve that awakens a usually hidden side of him. -"Shut your mouth or I'll seal your lips forever!" "Ohhh-" you coo at his words "But then how I'll latch my lips at your throat? You seemed to like it yesterday." You say, pressing a finger on the spot where the hickey should be, already recovered thanks to his godly nature. -Liu Kang stomps his right foot on the ground before running out from your lab. How he can love you so much and despise you at the same time is something he still has to wrap his head around.

Geras: -A saint. You may tease, joke, just be nasty and Geras will reply with the calmest voice ever. -Liu Kang told him to make you feel at home and Geras takes his job seriously. -You nagged him a lot about the hourglass, making you take a small peak at it but he never let you close. -"You are too serious Geras, loosen up a little." "It's to compensate for your lack of rules." -You still have to warm up to each other…

Bi-Han: -He doesn't like you. AT ALL. -Bi-Han looks at you with a face dripping with scorn. Even if you are taller than him, he'll make you feel like an ant. -If you tease him too much he'll snap back and won't keep himself from hitting you. -But if you stroke his ego, promising him strength and glory… -As your brother told you "If you want men to do what you want stroke their ego and they will be at your feet." -He also did an analogy comparing the ego to a di- Okay I think the point is clear.

Kuai Liang: -He doesn't trust you, but if Liu Kang decided to keep you with them he won't oppose his decision. -Liang will often ask to train with you, mostly to test your skill level and eventually prepare for a future betrayal. -Also your lab will be often spied, checking if your experiments are safe and good for Earthrealm. -Till one day Liang found a small card on your desk "Train better your men, I could tell someone sneaked in the first time. Shirai Ryu won't last long otherwise." -He tightens the grip on the card, rolling it up before throwing it on the ground. -Liang was the only one that has been spying on you…

Tomas Vrbada: -He doesn't trust you immediately but he is one of the few to give you a chance. -Tomas won't be like a dog, following you around and completely trusting you, but he'll be one to bring you a hot beverage in cold winters when you are alone in your lab. -He answers wittily to your words and rarely he gets dejected. -"I suppose you won't survive in the Lin Kueis if you had a weak mind or if you are simply an idiot…" You whisper out, Tomas' ears catching your words anyway. "…You thought I was an idiot?" -You'd like to reply "Why the paste tense? I still do." but you decide to bite your tongue. You don't mind his company after all.

[count-on-mi]

Twice Interactive Story Part 10 Let's Break up… No, lets get back together (Nayeon, Jihyo, Mina)

You awakened by Mina next morning, she just fiercely bobbing her head. ' Good morning, boss' Mina kisses you tip and start ridding you before you can react.

"Mina, I have a guest. Now is not the time." I’ll roll over so I'm on top and say. "If you’re a good girl, I'll make sure to give you all the cum you could ever want at the office." I pull out of Mina and start to get dressed.

Minas hugs you from behind and catches your bulge. 'Please don't, boss. You can’t let your guest see your cock. How about a quick one in my mouth, Minari promises won't make any sound.' Mina starts stroking you again.

"Does Minari not want any of her extra cum I mentioned the other day?" I ask her while I try to pull away. "Maybe I'll have to punish you."

'Sorry boss, Minari is wrong. Minari is just afraid the guest will see your boner. Please don't punish me, Minari has prepared the breakfast for you.' Mina gets off your dick and shake your arm, acting cute to beg you for forgiving her.

"I forgive you Mina, now lets go have breakfast but act like your my secretary only ok? Only business here."

'Yes, boss. Minari will act professionally as always.' Mina kisses your cheek before opening the door and going out with you.

You are waiting for Mina in the living room.

'Morning Y/N' Jihyo comes out from her room while rubbing her eyes, you were shocked by how exposed her pajamas are, you can see her deep cleavage, you know she is big, but you don't expect she is that big, even way beyond Momo.

Your eyes are just attached to her cleavage like there is a magnet, this also applies to Mina who just come out with breakfast, she looks at Jihyo's tits and looks down at herself, then show a sad face after comparing the size.

'Morning Miss Secretary, nice to meet you, can I have breakfast too?' Jihyo seems she does not care about you and Mina's horny sight towards her breast.

I panic a little hearing she wants to try Mina's food "Oh! why don't I make you two something? Mina you should get to eat too." I don't wait for their answer and instead hurry to the kitchen to make breakfast for them.

'Boss, I have prepared the breakfast for your guests too, just enjoy the food.' Mina grabs your arm and brings you back to the seat.

You just sigh and see the girls start eating. Unexpectedly, Jihyo is not shocked as you eat Mina's breakfast first time, she even praises Mina's cooking.

'Oh, Miss Secretary, your cooking skill is not bad, do you like cooking too? Maybe we can try to make some new dishes together.'

'Just call me Mina, Madam. Thanks for the invitation, if boss is ok, I would like to cook with you too.' Mina uses her leg to touch your cock under the table while she is answering, signaling you to answer.

I briefly consider the fact Jihyo might not have any tastebuds as she praises Mina's cooking, before I answer. "Of course, you two can cook with each other. I won't stop you."

'Boss, then Minari may need to disturb you more.' Mina smiles and then starts to chat with Jihyo. They talk about more about cooking, and ask what dishes you like.

The breakfast goes so smoothly until Mina asks a question. ' I think it will be fun if I cook with you, Miss Jihyo. How long you are gonna stay at Boss's home?' You know Mina does not have bad intention, but the room silences.

"Mina, we have a busy day ahead of us we should get going." I say to bring things to an end. "Take my keys and wait in the car. I'll be right down." Aa Mina leaves I say to Jihyo that I'm sorry and Mina meant no harm.

'It's ok, I know she didn't mean it, she's a cute girl. I will handle the housework, see you tonight.' Jihyo sends you out.

You get in the car and see Mina looks unhappy, 'Boss, why there would be a guest suddenly, if she stays until your sisters come, then Minari can't have breakfast anymore.'

"Mina, she's going through a really tough time and I'm helping her. I can't tell you much else about her situation but try to understand. Let's go to the office I'll make sure you get fed."

'Yes, boss, Miss Jihyo is a nice person, Minari hopes she can overcome it soon. But I see boss is keep staring at Miss Jihyo's tits, does boss want to fuck her?' Mina whispers in your ear.

You are immediately hardened by fantasizing you fucking Jihyo hard and her big tits are shaking in front of your eye. Mina smiles and start caressing your bulge.

"She is a beautiful woman, and I admit I just thought about it but that doesn't mean I want to fuck her."

Mina frees your bulge from the zippers, slowly stroking it, 'Don't lie boss, can't you see how you are are excited by just imagine fucking Jihyo, imagine how big the tits are, imagine how would it feel if you cock are inside her tits, imagine how pink her nipple is, imagine how the tits would shake if you fuck her, imagine how she will moan if you suck her nipple…'

'Shit, Mina.' your body shivers from the sensation of Mina's stroking and imagination towards Jihyo, pre cum start leaking from your tips.

Mina tastes your pre cum, 'See, boss. Face your lust, fuck her for me. I wanna taste that big breast too.'

"I can't do that Mina she's going through too much." I drive to the office and as I get out of the car, I tell Mina. "You better be ready for a punishment after what you did earlier." In the meantime, I decide to call Nayeon to end the relationship. Having the closeness of Momo changed things for me. I'll just tell Nayeon that things don't feel the same anymore and leave it at that without any more information.

'What? Break up? What happen Y/N?' Nayeon was shocked by your decision.

'Yes, Nayeon, I just don't have that feeling like we used to have, Sorry Nayeon.'

'No, Y/N, please don't do that, did I do something wrong? everything is ok last weekend.. No, or are you mad at me I don't wanna born a baby for you, you know we should focus on our job now, we discussed it before. Why?'

'No, Nayeon, not that much reason, I am sorry.'

'No, I can't accept that, you are the one that keeps my faith that we will be ok even in a long-distance relationship, but now you are the one to break me up?' You hear Nayeon starts crying on another side of the phone, you don't want to hear her cry, so you just apologize one more time and then end the call.

You sitting on your seat, looking at the lock screen of your phone, it's a photo that you and Nayeon took at the graduation ceremony of the university, you two are kissing while your friend took this picture secretly. You think about all the moments that you two spent all these years, the good one, the bad one, you don't realize your tears are dropping.

Same time, different locations, the broken up couple are crying simultaneously.

I sit at my desk and don't do anything doe the entire day. Instead thinking of Nayeon and every moment I spent with her.

You sit still at your desk, cherishing every moment that you spent with Nayeon, you wanna stop crying, but you just can't, tears keep flow down your face. You know you love Nayeon, but you don't want to disappoint Momo's love.

You don't how long you have been crying, you are like emptied. Until a knock from the door wakes you up. 'Boss, I am ready… What happen boss, why are you crying?' It's Mina who enters your room, she just rushes to you and kneels down, wiping away your tears.

You can't hold on any longer, you just hug her tightly and cry more loudly in her arms. 'It's ok boss, Minari is here, everything is ok.' Mina comforts you and slowly caresses your back.

I don't tell her anything and just hold onto her tightly. Instead I just whisper I'm sorry over and over again in an inaudible voice.

'It's ok, It's ok….' Mina keeps comforting you and caressing your head, slowly you fall asleep in her arms since you are exhausted from crying.

When you wake again, you are on your seat and covered by the jacket, which seems Mina has settled everything when you are sleeping. You see a memo on the desk, in which Mina said she is going to buy lunch for you and will be back soon, with a cute penguin signature at the bottom, you smile for the first time in today.

And then your phone is buzzed with lots of notifications, but it was not from Nayeon, it is mainly from Chaeyoung, and some from Dahyun.

'I heard you broke up with Nayeon eooni, you ok Oppa?' Dahyun asks.

'What happens? Why you would break up with Nayeon eooni, is this not ground for going back?' Chaeyoung asks.

As you have dated Nayeon for a long time, both of your families know each other's existence, you even meet Nayeon's parents, you already treat each other as your lifelong partner, and Nayeon maintains a good relationship with your sisters, that's why they know the news so quickly.

I just send them messages saying the spark between us was gone because of being long distance, and that I can't ask her to drop everything and move in with me. She has her career.

'Don't you know how much did Nayeon eooni love you? You can't do that oppa! You two still have many years to go, as a couple!' Chaeyoung, which is closer with Nayeon replies first.

When you want to reply, Mina comes in with the lunch, so you just put down your phone. 'Boss, are you ok? I am worried about you.'

"I'm fine Mina, just let be alone for a while. I don't want to talk about it." I motion for her to leave, and sit debating on call Nayeon again.

You are still frustrated, you swing your hand, and motion Mina to leave, but Mina ignores you, comes and kisses you with tongue, deeply.

"Mina please. Not now." I say once the kiss is over. "I just want to be alone."

Mina kisses your forehead one more time, 'Minari just wants to stay with boss, Minari doesn't want to see boss is unhappy.' Mina leaves your room, 'Just find me if you need me, boss. I'll always be there.'

Your start to eat your lunch, but you are not hungry, every bite is like tasting some trash. Your phone buzzes again, Chaeyoung texts you again, 'If you really are going to break up with Nayeon eooni, I won't let you fuck me again.'

I respond to Chaeyoung "Don't you think that I feel horrible breaking up with Nayeon? It's hurting me just as much as it's hurting her. Do you know how many times I've thought of calling her again just to take it all back? I love her and I still want to be with her but the spark between us is gone and I don't want to watch our relationship break down slowly. I don't want to see her slowly fall out of love."

'Sorry Oppa, I just… I just don't want to see you break up with Nayeon eooni, it's a shame that you two love each other but can't keep going.'

You really don't have the mood to continue the lunch, you open your photo album, you try to delete the photos with Nayeon, but you are hesitant to click the delete button, you can't do it.

'Y/N, we need to talk, directly. I am not giving up this relationship, we are going to fix it. I will come to our home tonight, no need to pick me up, see you there.' Nayeon text you again.

I start crying again and don't respond to the message. I just lay my head in the desk.

You just can't stop crying after you see Nayeon's massage, you lay your head on the desk, wanting to hide yourself from the world. You did not notice that Mina is peeking from the window, looking worried, but she don't want to come in to bother you 'Boss, you can talk to Minari… Minari is always here for you.'

You just spend the whole day crying in the office, until the office hour is finished. Mina sneaks into your room, giving you a massage, 'Feeling better, boss?'

"A little, I appreciate you getting lunch and being here for me Mina. You're the best, I'll make it up to you another day, i have to go home." I tell her as I get up.

'Boss, Minari will do everything for you if boss want, I will cook breakfast for you and Miss Jihyo tomorrow as well.' Mina kisses your forehead one more time before you leave.

Once you arrived home, Jihyo greets you. 'How's your day Y/N, you look sad. I have prepared the dinner already.'

'Everything is all good, I just chill in the house, maybe I should hang out, but I am afraid that Daniel could find me, so… Nevermind, should we have the dinner first, before your guest arrive.'

'Sorry Jihyo, I think I will wait for the guest, please stay at your room after my guest arrive, I will really appreciate.'

'OK, take your time.' Jihyo starts the dinner alone while you get changed in your room.

Jihyo back to her room, while you just sitting on the sofa, thinking what you could say when Nayeon comes, until you hear someone entering the password of the door.

I stand up and walk toward the door. Staring at it the entire time.

The doors open, and the one who comes in is Nayeon, she just walks past you and sits at the other side of the table.

'I guess you haven't eaten dinner yet, I have prepared some food for you' You tell Nayeon as you walk into the kitchen and brings the dishes out.

Nayeon doesn't start eating, she just stares at you, 'Tell me why, why you wanna break up with me, don't lie to me. I can know you are telling lies.'

"Nayeon, I've just been thinking and ever since you've moved away and we can only see each other on weekends things haven't been the same. I've tried to make it feel right but recently it just hasn't felt the same. This isn't about you not wanting to have a baby, that's fine. It's just about not being able to be with you as much as I want. I don't want to see us fall out of love, I don't want our relationship to drag on and feel like dead weight. I love you Nayeon, I really do but I can't do this anymore." At the point where I tell her that I love her I start to break down into tears again. "I don't want to break up, I want to be with you but this relationship isn't going to work like this.

'No, it shouldn't go like that. All it matters are I love you, and you love me, we can overcome every problem if we love each other. Why don't you just give this relationship a bit more time. You are the one who told me it will be alright even though we are long-distance, and now you are the one who said it has changed, what a joke.' Nayeon starts crying too.

Nayeon walks over to your seat and hugs you, 'Please don't leave me, Y/N. Just give me a little bit more time.'

"I know what I said Nayeon, I just didn't think it would be that hard." I tightly hug her back, as if, if I left her go she'd disappear. "I don't want to leave you either. Let's try to make this work, I'll try harder. For you."

'Thanks, Y/N, I just couldn't leave you anymore, I really love you. And please don't say any words like you wanna break up in the future, it really hurts.' Nayeon kisses you deeply before she returns to her seat.

'Ah, damn, why am I still crying, it's so ugly, don't look at me, Y/N.' Nayeon shyly wipes away her tears.

"That’s not true, you're always so cute. Are you busy? Maybe we could go and get some ice cream, just to say I'm sorry for hurting you. If you want of course."

'No, babe, don't say sorry. I have applied for leave this week, so I can spend more time with you, maybe I can even see Dahyun and Chaeyoung too, aren't they ready to come soon? Let me finish the dinner before we are going for ice cream.'

You just sit and watch Nayeon eat the food, thinking about the past, you just can't stop smiling.

'Ah, Y/N, stop looking at me like that.' Nayeon blushes as you are staring at her so directly.

You stand up and give your hand to her, 'May I, Miss Im Nayeon?' Nayeon just smiles and holds your hand, 'Sure.' Then you two walk to the ice cream shop with holding hands.

As we're eating Ice cream i tell Nayeon about Jihyo’s situation and explain that she's also living with me.

'Oh, such a poor girl isn't she, I am glad that you have accepted Jihyo, maybe I should greet her after we back.' Nayeon said while feed you the ice cream.

'Sure, Jihyo is really nice.' You take a bite of the ice cream while answering her. And you see Momo walks into the ice cream store, you are shocked and don't know how to respond. Momo just turns around and ready to leave after seeing you and Nayeon dating here, you know she looks sad but you can't do anything.

Seeing you are acting abnormal, Nayeon turns her head and she notices Momo is here, "Hey Momo, is that you? Long time no see.'

I walk over to Momo and whisper "I'm going to end things soon, I just need to find the right moment. I'll explain later in detail. Just say you can't join us right now"

'Hi, Nayeon, it's been so long we met last time, it's a shame that we cannot chat longer, I got to go.' Momo say hi to Nayeon and then leave immediately.

'OH, Momo is still that shy after all the years, haha, I guess you can always see her in the gym room?' Nayeon keep eating your ice cream but change the focus to you.

"Yeah, but I've been getting to know her better. She's a really nice lady."

'Yes, that's why I am so happy to see her again, maybe I should find her as my personal trainer again if I move back.' Nayeon finishes the ice cream and looking at you again.

'I'm so happy that we would come to the ice cream shop after our reunion, seems you did not forget that our first date is in the ice cream store.' Nayeon stands up and kiss your cheek.

"How could I forget? So what's next?"

[livesworthlivingau]

Lives Worth Living Chapter 34

ISAT/Two Hats spoilers below as always! CW: Heights, Peril, Falling

(You slowly awaken with a yawn and light stretch, feeling those familiar strong arms around you and cuddling up into them.) "Hmmmmmm... Morning~."

"Morning sleepy head. Do you know how crabbing cute you are when you sleep?" (Isa pulls you closer to himself, kissing your head as he holds you in that secure, comforting grip.)

"Hehe, noooooo, you're just biased!"

"Nope, it's a scientific fact! I did the math and everything!"

"Noooooooo! You can't bring math into this! That's cheatiiiiing!"

"Too late, I calculated everything and it all checks out! You've been mathematically proven to be super duper adorable, I don't make the rules!"

"I'll never be seen as a cool, mysterious rogue ever again..."

"Hah! Nope, sorry, you're just a cutie patootie, my sweet Siffarooni~." (You can't help but laugh at how ridiculous this was getting. You shift in his arms to face him, giving a love drunk smile up at him before closing your eye. You lean in for a kiss, being met with the warm bliss of his face meeting yours... before you're interrupted by sunlight pouring in as the tent flap is opened up.)

"Uuuuugh! Why is everyone being so gross lately?! First Nille gets all cuddly with Vale and now you two are being all kissy again!!" (Bonnie shouts in protest. You both can't help but laugh in response. You gently push off of him to sit up.)

"So sorry snack leader! We'll keep the grossness to a minimum!"

"Good! Now come on, breakfast is ready, we gotta head out soon if we're gonna get a ride back home!" (They command before rushing back out.)

(You remember them saying something about a horse drawn carriage that takes people through the mountain range in about a day, while going around takes 3. You perk up as you feel Isa's hand against your face, pulling you closer as he kisses your cheek.)

"It's a good thing we didn't tell them what the minimum was." (You can't help but blush a bit at that, turning your head to give them a light peck on the cheeks.)

"Maybe your math skills aren't so bad after all~."

"I SAID BREAKFAST TIIIIIME!!" (Bonnie shouts from the middle of the campsite, causing you both to jump.)

"R-Right!!"

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"I know I'm usually the one that complains about having to walk everywhere... but this can't be the superior option." (Odile complains, seeing the rickety old carriage we'd be taking through the mountains. Nille laughs her worry off.)

"C'mon, they take this path like every day, it'll be fine, Dile!"

"The more times it completes its journey successfully, the more likely it is to fail the next one..." (Isa lets out a hearty laugh.)

"Hah! Don't worry madame, I'll block the window for you! I'm sure the journey will go nice and smooth!"

"Fantastic... Forgive me if I request Vale to knock me unconscious again during the trip." (Odile complains further before Mira chimes in with a giggle.)

"I'll be sure not to heal you too much if that's the case m'dame!"

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(You're all crammed into the just large enough carriage as it's on its way. You and Vale sat opposite each other next to one set of doors, Odile and Nille sat in the middle with Bonnie in Nille's lap, then Mira and Isa sat beside the doors on the other side, helping block the window like he said he would. You even gave Odile your hat to help block her vision as she tried to focus on her book as a distraction.)

"WE'RE ALMOST HOOOOOME!!!" (Bonnie cheers, excitedly bouncing on Nille's lap while she held them securely.)

"Boniface if you don't stop bouncing I'm going to crabbing lose it." (The sudden and desperate outburst from Odile made everyone freeze, even Bonnie was staring in shock.)

"Holy crab, she said crab..." (Nille laughs, noting everyone's reactions to this.)

"I'm guessing that means you should really stop doing that, bug."

"Sorry Dile!" (They quickly respond, trying to sit politely and motionless... very clearly trying super hard to keep their leg from bouncing even. Isa chimes in to try and ease the tension.)

"So why don't you two tell us more about Bambouche? Without the bouncy enthusiasm." (Bonnie sticks their tongue out playfully at Isa before Nille begins to explain.)

"Oh it's amazing! Wonderful port town with plenty to do. The beach is just gorgeous, especially at night! Everyone there is so sweet, even by Vaugarde standards. They all even saw me off to try and find y'all, threw a little good luck party for me, gave me some extra coin and supplies." (Her smile shifts a bit as she goes on, less cheery and almost bittersweet?) "They've helped me out a lot when I needed it... I couldn't be more thankful to live there."

(Isa takes note of her tone change before speaking again.) "Sounds like a terrific place! Can't wait to meet everyone there! And hey, that reminds me Bonnie, who taught you how to cook anyhow? Nille mentioned she was uhh... lacking in that department."

"You don't gotta sugar coat it, I could find a way to ruin the simplest dish you could imagine, it's like a curse on me or something!" (She chuckles before Bonnie responds.)

"One of our neighbors had a really nice old cook book style familytale! Everyone in her family wrote down their favorite recipes and even made up one or two themselves. They didn't always turn out great, but it showed me how fun it can be to make up stuff and try putting different foods together!" (Mira makes her bright sparkly face you love to see as she joins in.)

"Oh! That sounds wonderful! I remember how much fun my cooking class was!! Though sadly I think I was closer to the Nille side of the spectrum!"

(You all enjoy a nice laugh together, even Odile having been distracted enough to relax again and enjoy a chuckle. You glance back over at Vale. They've been silently staring out of the window the whole time, but the soft smile on their face shows they were listening, enjoying the company from the sidelines like you often do. They notice you looking at them and you give them a brighter smile. They force one back before going back to staring out at the mountains.)

(Nille takes note, placing a hand on their back to gently rub at it.) "How yah doing, Vay?"

"Oh, I'm fine~! Why do you ask?"

"You just seem mighty entranced by that window."

"Just enjoying the view is all~. You all continue your conversation, I'm fine, truly."

"Okay, if you say-" (The sound of splintering wood fills the air as the carriage suddenly shifts and slams to the ground, launching all of you to the side as you and Vale bash into the doors. They burst open at your impact before you're suddenly careening off the edge of the cliff with them.)

"SIF!!!"

"VALE!!!"

(You hear voices call out for you both as you rapidly approach the ground before-

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[fsfghgee]

What approximate age do you think Sektor and Cyrax are?

Allow me to take advantage of your ask to share my headcanon about the ages of the current and former members of the Lin Kuei.

First, Madam Bo's little girl:

SEKTOR

She may seem as young as an apprentice, due to her vanity being almost as great as Bi-Han's, but her real age may surprise some. Just as her mother prioritized her career before deciding to have her first and only daughter, Sektor prioritizes her ambition and goals. As the second in command of the Lin Kuei and Bi-Han's biggest supporter, she decided to postpone the arrival of heirs.

With intelligence, beauty, charm and above-average skills, she's a perfect woman for most Lin Kuei. But at 35 years old, Sektor still believes that she needs to achieve many things before settling down.

SUB-ZERO

Vain since childhood, Bi-Han took longer than Kuai Liang to even style his hair, he loved being pampered by his mother for his long and silky hair. He still likes to have someone brushing his hair for him. He likes to relax by doing skincare routine with Sektor as much as anything else. And because of his vanity (and genes), some people may think he's younger than he actually is.

At 32 years old, having trained since childhood to be Grandmaster of the Lin Kuei, he is an extremely skilled warrior and a strong-willed leader.

SCORPION

No one has ever questioned Kuai Liang's age due to his way with words and attitude, sometimes he was even mistaken for his older brother's twin, but Kuai Liang was actually born 3 years later than his brother. Due to their similar age, they developed a strong bond, often getting into trouble together and easily getting out of it with their combined powers. Kuai Liang used to often hear from his father that Bi-Han, despite being his older brother, wasn't the best influence..

Now 29 years old, Kuai Liang thinks his father was right as always.

SMOKE

Having been a hunter since childhood with his family until he lost them when crossing Lin Kuei territory, Tomas had to work much harder than any other Lin Kuei to keep up with the warriors' demanding training routine after being adopted by the clan's Grandmaster.

At 25 years old, he still hears compliments even from enemies about his unique appearance and comments of amazement at being so young and already being entrusted with such responsibility in the Shirai Ryu, as second in command of the newest clan.

CYRAX

Having grown up in the Zaki clan, one of the many Lin Kuei subclans scattered throughout Earthrealm, Cyrax has always trained hard to make her family proud. Training since childhood like all Lin Kuei, she impressed her masters from a very young age. Being considered a prodigy in the martial arts, Cyrax was honored to receive the invitation from the newest Grandmaster to join the main clan, being the youngest Zaki ever to receive such an invitation.

Now at 23 years old, Cyrax regrets having accepted the invitation. Although she had once been passionate about serving the clan and even more so her Grandmaster's ambitions for its future, having to deal with an instructor and commander like Sektor almost killed her several times. And after learning that her Grandmaster had set aside the clan's duty to Earthrealm, the future of the clan no longer excited her as before. She wouldn't forgive them for deceiving her.

[valyrielwrites]

As The Heavens Move - ENDING

Chapters: 9 - COMPLETE - (full fic available on Ao3)

Relationship: Zhongli (Genshin Impact) / AFAB Reader Word Count: 3850/36,646 Summary: The Archon war rages across Teyvat, leaving untold chaos and destruction in its wake - as you earn the ire of a Chi that has stolen your home and all you hold dear, you take solace in a contract that the Lord of Geo offers. Warnings: Smut, NSFW, 18+ themes

On shaky legs you make your way down the mountain again, unable to resist the urge to find him and thank him for everything that he’s done - leftover rain dripping from your muddied and soaked clothes with each uneasy step. 

Your breath catches in your throat when you make it back to the village, when you find him in his human form with the rest of the Adepti standing in what used to be the town square surrounded by overturned carts and debris from the receding river. 

���You did it,” You laugh in disbelief. “We’re actually free…”

Your throat tightens as it hits you - the weight of it all. The sobs won’t stop as he meets you halfway, you see the bloodied scratches on his face and hands as he reaches up to wipe your tears away and feel a mixture of relief and heartbreak wash over you that he hadn’t walked away completely unscathed. 

“You’re hurt…” Morax whispers, his eyes fixed on the way you hold your wrist in a position that pains you the least.

“It’s nothing,” you downplay. “Just a sprain, what about your injuries?” 

“They will heal on their own - let me look at you.”

You try not to wince as he reaches for your arm, carefully holding it up to the light and slowly moving the joint as far as it will go before you show signs of pain. He raises a brow at you, passing a silent judgement before he strokes his fingers across the injury and allows a small amount of his power to flow into you. 

You feel your blood rush to your wrist, chasing the warmth he offers as it quickly heals as good as new.

“If only I could’ve done that for you,” You laugh a little. “We could’ve left that cave much sooner.” 

“You have done more than enough for me you lovely fool,” He smiles so warmly as he strokes his thumb across the curve of your cheek. “Had duty not called us away, I would have gladly remained in that cave with you if it meant that you would be at my side.”

You pay no attention to the rest of the Adepti as you wrap your arms around his shoulders and pull him closer, needing to touch and feel his body against your embrace, breathing in his scent as you bury your face in the crook of his neck and start crying again.

“We shall head up the mountain to help the humans,” Madam Ping approached, but you did not raise your head as Morax gently stroked your hair. “Give the two of you some time to…” 

Her voice trailed off, leaving the rest of the words unspoken - although Morax knew what she meant. Still holding you close, you felt him move only slightly as he replied with a silent nod and bid the Adepti farewell.

“I’m so tired,” You say. “Let’s stay here, please?”

“Of course.” He presses a kiss to the crown of your head. “I’ll stay a little while,” You pull your head back and look at him confused for a moment, until you understand what’s happening. His voice cracks ever so slightly. “It’s for the best.” 

He’s leaving, you realise. His debt to you was repaid. The time that Madam Ping had offered was for saying goodbye…

“No, I told you I want to help you,” you argue. “I’m coming with you, just let me see my parents first then we can -”

“My answer is unchanged since we spoke about this on Aocang, I must leave you now before you wear me down again,” He offered you a resigned smile. “You will be welcome amongst my people, once I have dealt with Osial and it is safe, I will come back for you and ask for your forgiveness then.” 

You release a shaky breath, throat tightening as you begin to feel so small and afraid at the thought of not being at his side. “But I love you…” 

“I know, my heart.” He withdraws slightly, lifting your face so that he can meet your gaze again, tears welling in his own amber eyes now as he smiles. “I know.” 

He tilts your head back to kiss you finally and you give yourself over to it - fooling yourself into believing that it would be enough to convince him, and that the taste of the salt from both your tears couldn’t spoil the sweetness of this parting embrace.

You stagger back as the kiss deepens, a wave of vertigo knocking you off balance as you pull him with you until you meet a cold stone wall. You break away breathless, taking a moment to reorient yourself as you feel his body heat pressing into you - his knee slipping between your legs, his hands unfastening your clothes, and the sudden sound of rushing water where there ought to be none. 

You open your eyes and find yourselves back in the cave, transported there in a blink of an eye, sheltered and secluded from the world behind the waterfall, a space just for the two of you. 

“How did you -” 

“With great difficulty,” He laughs and loses his balance a little, resting his head against yours as he steadies his breathing and closes his eyes with a pained expression.

“Could you always do that?” You cup his cheek in concern. 

“Yes,” He admits. “But I was injured, and also wanted you to ride me.” 

Your annoyed groan gets cut short when you feel his mouth on yours again, teasing strokes from his tongue lulling you into desire as you move in time together. You gasp at the feeling of cold air against your skin, Morax’s hands taking barely any time to remove your clothes before he reaches for the bundle of nerves between your legs, rubbing so torturously slowly with one as he slips a finger in with the other. 

You feel your legs almost buckle at the sensation, your core tightening as he thrusts up inside you, arousal coating his fingers as he pulls out and drags them across your clit, the cave wall digs into your back while you rock your hips along to the rhythm of his movements. 

You’re not even thinking when you reach for the sash at his waist, opening his clothes to reveal his hardening cock, your hand wrapping around him as he kisses you again and again until your head spins. It’s all instinct now, muscle memory from exploring every inch of each other - you remember the way he taught you to touch, the way that he tasted you… you wonder what it would be like to taste him.

“Stop.” You whisper, “Morax, stop.”

He steals a few more kisses before forcing himself to still, hands reluctantly dropping to his side as he uses his forearm to lean against the wall by your head, sucking in a desperate breath as your thumb traces across the sensitive tip of his cock.

He says nothing as you trail kisses along his neck, letting out a satisfied moan as your lips brush his collar and your hands slowly stroke as you make your way down to your knees. The floor is cold and uneven as you settle on the stone, wetting your lips before glancing up at his stunned face one last time.

You don’t break eye contact as you press an experimental kiss against the length of him, holding it in place with one hand as you drag your tongue along the shaft until you taste the pre cum gathering at his flushed tip. 

You pause when his hand weaves its way through your hair, his fingers gently gripping your scalp as he parts his lips and watches you with that inhuman golden light in his eyes, as if the anticipation from stopping might keep him here forever… But the desperate look in his eye sends chills down your spine, the thought of him filling your mouth and watching him come undone, it’s enough to break your resolve.

Morax lets out a restrained groan as your lips finally wrap around him, his eyes slamming shut as you suck the head of his cock and moan when you slowly swirl your tongue around it. You have never done this before, but hope that emulating what he had once done to you might work well enough. 

Your clit throbs at the memory of his tongue against it, the way he lapped you up and buried his face in you, so unbearably starved of stimulation while you slowly bob your head and adjust your jaw to the size of him in your mouth. You reach down to touch yourself only to find how wet you already were, so hungry for him to fill that hole too. 

“More…” It takes everything Morax has not to buck into your mouth, to let you have control as you coax low moans from his throat “Keep going.”

You hum against him as you dare to swallow more of his length, trying not to gag when the size of him hits the back of your throat, and break only when he tugs your hair back to force you to catch your breath. Your heart skips at the way he lovingly strokes your face, the way his fingers skate across your forehead before weaving their way back into your hair, the way he twitches in anticipation as you bring your lips back around him. 

You feel your own pleasure quickening beneath your fingers as you bob your head faster now, rocking your hips in time with every stroke until he stops you again.

“I need you against the wall.” He says, something dark and hungry in his tone, so you move without a second thought.

Your breath catches in your throat when he presses your warm body up against the cold stone, the change in temperature so pleasant despite how craggy and uncomfortable the rock ought to be. It feels grounded, safe even, as he brings his hands to rest against your hips and positions himself between your legs from behind, his erection resting against your buttock as he leans in and presses a kiss to the crook of your neck. 

“Morax…” You plead with him, desperate to find your release.

One of his hands slides across your belly, carefully caressing up toward your breast while he uses the other to guide himself toward your entrance. 

“I love you…” His words ghost across your skin as he finally pushes in. “I’ve loved you since the moment you told me your name.” He brings his lips right up to your ear and whispers your name so sweetly, with all the warmth and affection in the world. “My heart, my perfect ____.”

There’s no resistance from your body this time, so used to the shape of him fitting so wonderfully inside you by now, stretching so readily as his cock thrusts into you with ease. The rest of your sweet nothings blur together amidst the gasps and groans of pleasure, skin against skin, he fucks you hard and fast against the wall as if he can no longer contain the hunger that drives him. 

You feel his cock hit the spot that makes you tighten, crying out as he slams into you and grips your flesh until it feels flush and tender, his pace quickening as he desperately pours into you. He nips at your neck, biting and marking between ragged breaths and soothing kisses, his hips snapping against you until that relentless urge to come begins to pool in the pit of your stomach.

“Wait for me.” He begs. 

“I can’t” You throw your head back and wince, so wrecked with pleasure that nothing could stop you from tumbling over the edge. “Morax please…” 

“Promise me?” He kisses your cheek, holding your sweat slick bodies as close as possible as his pace falters and achingly slows. “Promise me that you’ll wait for me. That you’ll still be here when I get back.”

Something breaks in you when you realise what he means, you bring your hand to rest over his as it slides off your breast to hover over your heart, tears burning your eyes as you turn your head to meet his gaze over your shoulder. 

He looks so afraid, the golden light in his eyes dimming so much that he looks practically human, scared that you might say no - that he might lose you after this if he lets you come with him, that he might still lose you even if he doesn’t …

But after all that you have been through together, how could you walk away? Even if your debts to one another were paid, even if he was a god and you were a mortal, how could you turn from the man you had grown to love so much?

You smile sadly as you crane your neck to kiss him - longing, deep, and slow. Sighing as he stops, still buried to the hilt inside you, to return your affection with all that he has.

“I promise.” You say, quiet and resigned against his lips.

You shiver at the relieved sigh he lets out, the breathy laugh and reassurance of his presence against yours. 

“I love you ____.” He tells you again, his fingers intertwined with yours. 

“I love you too,” You reply. “Always.” 

Those five simple words are all it takes to spark something in Morax, his eyes widening as he pulls out and lifts you into his arms as you turn around. You barely have the chance to wrap your legs around him before he’s buried himself inside you again, kissing you and fucking you up against the wall with the same fervour as before - hitting you at a steeper, more deliberate angle as you let out a strangled moan. 

A few moments more and you're both coming together, pleasure burning through your core as you feel him continue to empty himself inside - his cum hot and slick as it spills out between endless thrusts that you wish would never stop. You throw your head back with a wracked moan as your orgasm peaks, waves of pleasure washing over you until you forget the sorrow that morning would bring. 

He is yours and you are his. Right now, tomorrow, and always.

His breaths are ragged and uneven as he calms, the strength in his legs sapped as he carefully unsheathes and lets you down, joining you in lying atop the pile of clothes on the ground - exhausted and finally sated. 

You spend a few hours there in each other's arms not speaking, his arm tucked under your neck as a makeshift pillow while he kisses you until you fall asleep. He holds you in his arms for longer than he ought to, committing every inch of you to memory, before he quietly slips away without another word.

EPILOGUE

Sunlight filters its way through the bamboo as Morax heads along the path, the morning air crisp and clean after so many years away. The last time he was here he had caused so much destruction, but as he looks out across the river he can hardly see the scars of battle that the earth had worked so hard to forget. 

Small dragon statues are dotted throughout the landscape to honour him and keep the corruption at bay. The grass and reeds grew long and green again, with the water finally unsullied, and a bustling village had been rebuilt up ahead. The land had finally healed under five years of the Adepti’s care.

He ought to be tired after so many battles, after the victories and losses it took to secure this peace, but the newly crowned Archon of Liyue thinks little of rest when there is still so much that remains to be done - all the contracts and promises to be kept.  

Disguised as a member of the Millelith Brigade, Morax makes his way across the bridge, the clink of his armour turning a few heads as he walks up the hill past the few rougher looking houses that remain. When he last saw this place it had been mostly washed away, and it seems as if most of the humans had rebuilt on higher ground and repurposed this space as farm land. 

“What business does a lone soldier have so far north?” A pretty young woman approaches. 

Not you, he worries but hides his nerves and disappointment well.

“I’m here to see an old friend,” He smiles and bows to the lady. “Could you direct me towards the residence of ____?”

“They’re not home,” She says. “They left with some merchants about a month ago, not sure if they plan to come back this time.” 

“I see.” Is all he can manage to reply. 

He hadn’t anticipated that.  

There had been so many nights these past five years where he replayed that promise in his mind, days where the only thing that got him through each and every battle was the knowledge that he would come home to you. 

You hadn’t lied to him when you said it, he felt the truth of it in your heart, saw it in the love that you gave, but perhaps it was as you had once told him - even the toughest of rocks can be worn down with time and the gnawing ache of affection’s absence. 

“Thank you.” He said, and turned to walk away. 

“You’re not going to ask where they went?” She asked.

“It doesn’t matter, but thank you.” 

He bowed again with the greatest of respect, and departed before she could ask anymore questions, sighing at how heavy the divinely crafted gold ring in his pocket suddenly felt. 

It would be so easy to find you but he wouldn’t. If you were not here, then that was an answer in itself, and he would respect that despite the hurt and anger it caused him. Your contract has been broken, yes. But had it been fair for him to ask that of you in the first place? 

Time is the most valuable currency that a human has, so scarce and gone in an instant no matter the manner in which it is spent. Five years had passed. Enough time for fickle love to fade in favour of apathy, the potential for distractions - a new purpose, a new love, a new family, a future… He had selfishly hoped for you to put all of that on hold so that he would return and find you unchanged from the day that he left you.

But that was not the way of humans, and he had changed in that time too. 

Morax stops his retreat when he reaches the stretch of shoreline where he had first met you, kneeling down to touch the silt where he had lay bleeding. For a moment he foolishly regrets it, wonders if he would be spared this heartbreak if you had just left him there to die, before logic resumes and he realises that he could never be sorry for loving you. The earth also remembers it faintly, a shadow of your past selves playing so prevalent in his mind that he doesn’t notice the way the sand crunches beneath the approaching footsteps.

“You came…”

He freezes. 

He slowly lifts his gaze to see you, not believing the sound of your small voice after so long apart.

“____.” Your name catches around the lump in his throat. He had planned this moment so many times in his mind - what he would say, what he would do - but now that you were finally in front of him he couldn’t think, couldn’t breathe. 

“I knew you would.” You can’t stop yourself from sobbing as you drop to your knees and wrap your arms around him. “I knew that one day, you would come back to me.”

“I thought that you had left!” He chokes out. The relief consumes him so suddenly, so intimately, when he pulls you in as close as possible.

“I did.” You laugh and squeeze him tighter, “I left lots of times, but I always came back Morax. Always.” 

“This isn’t what we agreed.” He pulls back a little and brings his hand up to stroke your face, to trace every line and curve, to see how your beauty has matured and grown since he last laid eyes upon you, falling in love with your smile all over again in an instant. “I was so scared that you… that I would never see you again.” 

“You asked me to wait for you and I kept my word. You never said that I had to wait here the whole time.”

“Trust you to try to find a loophole.” He would roll his eyes if he didn’t worry it might hurt you. “I asked you to be here when I came back.” 

“I am here, aren’t I?” You whisper, wiping away his tears. “There was a time a few years ago where I would walk up this path every night and wait for you until the sun rose… But the village needed rebuilding, staying busy and travelling was the only thing that kept me sane. I only went to check on Cloud Retainer. I came back just in time.”

“You did?” He laughs, remembering how prickly your relationship had used to be.

“I can’t fly like you.” You tease a little. “She has helped my village a great deal with reconstruction since you defeated Qingce, once a year I take our offerings to her domain to thank her.” 

“How are you still so lovely even after all this time?” He smiles, with so much warmth and joy in his longing eyes, then finally leans forward.

Your heart sings for him as your lips touch, kissing thoroughly and unhurried as your fingers tangle amidst his thick black hair. You had almost forgotten the taste, the feeling, of him - but he slips so easily back into the space his departure had left, as if the void had never been.

You may have lost so much time together until this point, but you had the rest of your human life to catch up, and Morax knew that - trusted that now. He would never leave your side again.   

“Have you come to take me back with you now that everything is settled?” You murmur against his mouth, curling his hair around your fingers.

He shakes his head a little and takes a deep breath to steel himself. 

Then Morax slowly withdraws from your embrace, as if he didn’t wish to part so soon. But this was important. This was everything. 

He looks down at the dirt where you first found him, where all of this began because of a chance encounter so long ago, and reaches into the innermost pocket beneath his armour. 

“No, my heart…” You feel faint when he holds his hand out to you, a small golden ring gleaming in the centre of his palm and another promise at the heart of it. “Just for a while, I wondered if you might let me stay?”

[morgana-larkin]

Ok I had an idea of what if Regina fell in love with her maid before she casted the curse. I did a rewrite of Regina still casted the curse but ends up hurting you in the process, then does everything she can to try and make it up to you. Not edited in the slightest and I hope you like it!

Regina And You - Part 1

Warnings: Swearing, Sexual Tension, Lovers to Enemies to Friends to lovers

Words: 13.2K

“You’re going to place a curse on the entire land?” You tell Regina and she nods. “Why?”

“So I can finally be happy.” 

“I thought you were happy with me.” You tell her and you look down before meeting her eyes again.

“You know I won’t be happy until I get my revenge on Snow White. You’re just a maid and a pretty distraction, I don’t need you anymore.” She says and then walks away, leaving you hurt.

Without her knowing, you ran away from her castle right as she casts the curse and she panics slightly when she goes to find you and realises you left. 

“I’ll find you, Y/n. But now to pay a little visit to Snow White.” She says and leaves.

For 28 years she watches as you come into Granny’s every morning before going to work at the library. She internally curses herself for how the last interaction with you went and wishes she had a chance to make things right with you. And then Emma comes into town and time starts.

She begins spending much less time keeping an eye on you and more time on keeping Emma and Henry apart. She hates Emma for 3 reasons, for trying to take Henry from her, for being the saviour and for taking her time with you away. 

You have no idea that Regina only comes in to see you when she can. You’re a bit oblivious of everyone as you don’t pay attention. You usually go into Granny’s, order some food to eat, read a chapter of your book and then go to work.

Regina started missing you a lot so she finally decided to pay the library a visit. She walked in and saw a couple people riding at a table and a few other people scattered around. She then saw you walking around, putting some books away and she walked right up to you. 

“Hi.” She said and it caught your attention.

“Oh madam mayor, hi. Can- can I help you with something?” You ask her. She takes a moment to study you and smiles as she sees that you at least seem happy in this world.

“Yes, I seem to have grown tired of the genre I usually read and was wondering if you could help me find something more interesting to read?” She asks and you hum.

“I’ve had to switch genres a couple times myself. What genre do you usually read?” You ask her.

“Thrillers.” She simply says.

“Ok, and is there one that you are curious about trying?” 

“Not really, which is why I need some help.” She tells you. “What genre are you reading?”

“Well I’ve slipped back into my romance novels, always a guilty pleasure.” You say with a smile.

“It’s not guilty to like romance.” She says and you look at her before walking to a section and get her to follow you.

“This is the shelf that I usually pick from but if romance is not your thing then I can certainly help you find another topic that you’ll find interesting.” You tell her.

“I don’t mind reading romance. Do you have any stories about two girls?” She suddenly asks and she sees your cheeks turn pink before speaking again.

“Only a couple, don’t have much as it’s a small town.” You say and then find two stories about two girls who fall in love. You show her the two books and then you check them out for her. 

“You seem happy working here.” She tells you.

“Well how can I not? It’s a simple life but I’m happy. I love books and I get to work with them everyday.” You say and give her the books.

“Forgive me but I often see you around and you’re always by yourself.” She says.

“Well I don’t have any friends and no partner.” You tell her and she tilts her head. “Is there anything else I can help you with?” You ask her.

“Uh, no, thank you. You’ve been a great help.” She says with a smile and then she leaves.

Regina drives home and can’t help but think about you. She wants to make up for how she treated you in the enchanted forest but can’t fully without you remembering. She wants to do everything to stop Emma from breaking the curse as she doesn’t want you to remember what she did to you. 

3 days later she goes into Granny’s and sees you reading in a booth like usual. She orders her food and then goes up to you. 

“Hi again.” She says and you look up at her.

“Hi madam mayor.” You tell her.

“Mind if I join you for a few minutes?” She asks and you shake your head. “I wanted to thank you for the suggestions. I’m halfway through one of them and loving it so far.” She tells you and you smile.

“Good, I’m glad.”

“What book are you reading? You’re almost done with it.” She asks and you show her the title.

“It’s a romance novel. It’s about a man who is willing to do anything to be with the woman that he loves, even if she doesn’t know it yet.” You explain to her.

“That sounds nice.” She tells you.

“It does, I wonder how realistic it is though.” You tell her.

“What do you mean?”

“Well even if you love someone, how far is someone willing to go to be with them. I’m pretty sure everyone has limits.” You explain.

“Well you know how I have a son right?” She asks and you nod. “I’m willing to do anything for him to make sure he’s safe and happy with me.” She explains to you.

“Have we met before?” You suddenly ask and she looks at you confused.

“We did, 3 days ago.”

“I know but have we met before that? I feel like I knew you before.” You tell her and Regina is at a loss for words. 

“Madam mayor, your order is ready.” She hears Granny say and she looks at her then back at you.

“I have to go, see you around.” She says and then walks to get her food before leaving. 

In her office she thinks back on her conversation with you. She wonders if you unconsciously think that if someone loves someone that there’s limits to what they’ll do because of how she was with you. She chose to destroy everyone’s happiness over being with you as she felt it wasn’t enough for her, so overcome with revenge that it clouded her judgement. She does love you, and even after 28 years her love for you remained. 

“Madam mayor?” Her assistant says and she looks at her. “Sorry to bother you but I just got a call that requires your attention.” She tells Regina. Regina takes a deep breath before starting work.

A few weeks later you feel a magic wave hit you and you suddenly get all your memories of the enchanted forest back. So overcome with emotions, you fall off your chair and take a moment to remember everything. You then stand up and open the door to the library and see Regina’s car going by. A bunch of people walk by and see Snow and Charming walk by as well and they spot you.

“I know you.” Snow White says. “You were the Evil Queen’s main maid.” She says and you nod.

“My name is Y/n, what happened?”

“My daughter Emma broke the curse, we’re all free of her reign.” She tells you and you look around. 

“I- I need a moment to process everything.” You tell her and she nods before leaving you alone. 

A few days later you make your way to the town hall and you’re about to go in when you see Regina and Henry walking out. Regina has a smile on her face before she looks up and sees you and freezes.

“Regina?” You ask her and she gulps.

“Hello Y/n.” She says and looks down a bit disappointed. Before you can say anything, she walks away with Henry and you stand there frozen. You don’t notice her looking back at you before she gets in her car, she knows, like everyone else, that you remember everything she did and hate her for it. 

You don’t notice but Henry definitely does and sees that you seem to affect his mom more than anyone else here.

“Who is she?” Henry asks on the ride back to the mansion.

“Who?” Regina asks him.

“Y/n.” He simply says and Regina takes a breath.

“We knew each other back in the enchanted forest, that’s all.” Regina tells him.

“Knew each other how?” 

“She was my personal maid when I was the Evil Queen.”

“But-”

“Henry, will you stop asking about her, I don’t really want to talk about it, about her.” She says and Henry stays quiet after that.

A couple days later you hear that David took Henry away from Regina and you see them together at the diner. Henry notices you walking in and gets an idea.

“Grandpa, that girl there, she was the Evil Queen’s personal maid.” He tells him and David looks at you.

“You think she would know something about how to get Emma and Snow back?” He asks him.

“No, but I think something happened between her and Regina. I want to go talk to her.” He says and gets up and walks over to you.

“Hi, you don’t know me but I’m Henry.” He tells you and you look at him.

“Well hello Henry, what can I do for you?” You ask him and close the book you were reading.

“Can I sit with you?” He asks and you let him. “I know who you were back in the enchanted forest.” He tells you and you nod.

“Ok, I don’t see how that’s relevant right now.”

“Did something happen between you and the Evil Queen?” He asks and you freeze. 

“The only thing that happened is that she knew how to hurt me, just like she hurt everyone else.” You tell him.

“Were you two together?” He asks and you sit back in the booth.

“I thought we were but she made it exceptionally clear that we were never a thing right before she casted the curse.” You explain to him.

“So you two aren’t in love?” He presses on.

“I thought she loved me, but I guess it’s difficult to love someone if you only have hate in your heart.” You say and he looks at you. “I tried to get her to not cast the curse but she chose to cast it instead of being with me.” You add. “Why are you asking?”

“I saw the looks you two gave each other outside of the town hall.” He says to you. 

“Whatever happened between me and her is in the past and I have no intention of seeing her again.” You tell him and then go back to your book. 

Over the next week, Regina watches over you without you knowing and it hurts to know that she can’t make it up to you. She knows that she’ll have to see you live your life without her in it and she thinks that’s for the best, as she can’t treat you how you deserve to be treated. One day you happen to see her in the corner of your eye looking at you and she disappears as you look at her.

About 3 weeks later, you’re walking home and all of a sudden you black out. You wake up and you see Cora there looking at you and you widen your eyes.

“Hello dear, remember me?” She says and you try to break free from the rope she tied you with. “I certainly remember you, Regina’s favourite maid. And it seems that she still likes you even after all these years of you not remembering her.”

“What do you want with me?” 

“It’s simple, you’re my ticket to help me get close to Regina.”

“Why would I help you?” You ask her.

“Well aren’t you still her little play thing?” She asks and you shake your head.

“I’d rather never see her again.” You spit out and she tilts her head at you.

“I can see your hurt underneath all that anger, all the love you still feel for her. And I know the love she holds for you. I’ve been spying on her and she seems to watch you an awful lot, always with this sadness and pain on her face.” She tells you and you just stare at her. She then leans down and looks at you. “You’re going to help me whether you want to or not.” She tells you and then she takes your heart out.

You knock on Regina’s door an hour later and there’s no answer. You keep knocking until you hear heels running to the door and it swings open.

“What do you- Y/n?” She says and you look at her.

“I need your help.” You tell her and you grab your chest as you feel pain and you fall over and she catches you. 

“Y/n? What’s wrong?” She asks, terrified of what’s happening to you.

“It’s Cora, she has my heart.” You tell her and her eyes widen. “She wants to see you, in your graveyard crypt right now or else she’ll kill me.” You tell her and she immediately brings herself to meet her mother.

“Hello Regina.” Cora says.

“I’m not here for small talk mother, return me Y/n’s heart now.” She says sternly. 

“I could return it but you’ll just give it back, won’t you?” 

“What else would I do with it?” 

“Well you’d have her heart, you can control her, make her love you.” She says and Regina scoffs.

“Despite what you think, controlling someone isn’t love.” Regina tells her and then Cora summons you and Regina goes to step toward you but Cora threatens to squeeze your heart. 

“I can give you her heart Regina, and you can have her all you want.” Cora says. “I took her heart so that you can have the person you love. I did this for you.” 

“I already told you that I won’t control her. It’s my fault that she doesn’t love me anymore, not hers.” Regina says and you look at her with fear in your eyes. “Now give me her and her heart back.” Regina demands. Cora shoves you to her daughter and Regina catches you. 

“I think I’ll keep her heart for now.” Cora says and then disappears in a cloud of smoke.

“Y/n, are you ok? Are you hurt at all?” She asks and you shake your head.

“I’m ok.” You tell her.

“I promise you that I’ll get your heart back.” She tells you and you look at her. 

“Why do you care if you get it back or not?” You ask her and she looks taken back by your question.

“Because I care about you.” She simply says and goes to hold your hand but you slap it away.

“No you don’t, you never did.”

“I do, I always have.”

“No, you only cared about your stupid revenge on Snow White, I was just your maid, remember?” You tell her and she looks down and then back at you. “How do we get out of here?” You ask her and she shows you the way. You walk out of the crypt and walk out of the graveyard. Regina watches you walk away and tears fall down her face.

Regina stands outside of Snow’s apartment and knocks on the door. David answers it and is surprised to see her.

“What do you want?” He asks sternly.

“Relax, I came to ask for your help.” She says and he lets her in.

“Help with what?” He asks as everyone walks over closer to her.

“My mother. She took someone’s heart and I want to get it back.” She says and they all look at each other. 

“Why would your mother do that?” Snow asks.

“You know her, you know what she’s like.” Regina says to her.

“Why would she take a random person’s heart?” David asks and Regina looks down.

“It’s not a random person is it?” Emma asks. “It’s someone you care about.” She adds and Regina nods.

“Who else do you care about in this town besides Henry?” Snow asks.

“It’s Y/n isn’t it?” Henry asks as he comes down the stairs. 

“Henry.” Emma says, not fully trusting Regina.

“It’s ok mom.” Henry tells Emma. 

“Wait Y/n, your maid from the enchanted forest?” Snow asks and Regina nods.

“We might have been together… a few times.” She says and Emma looks in disbelief for a second.

“Why does Cora have her heart? Why not crush it like she did with Daniel?” Snow asks and Regina takes a deep breath.

“She thinks she can convince me to control Y/n with her heart and get her to love me.” She says.

“But if you were together with her, then why would you need her heart to do that?” David asks.

“I may have made a mistake and hurt her before I casted the curse.” She admits.

“She did seem upset with you when I talked to her a few weeks ago.” Henry says and Regina looks at him.

“You talked to her?” Regina asks and he nods. 

“She seemed dead set on never talking to you again.” He admits to her and Regina looks down and takes a deep breath.

“I know. I can’t get her forgiveness but I can at least make sure she stays safe.” Regina says and everyone looks at her.

“Wow Regina, you really do care about her.” Snow says and Regina looks at her.

“If I didn’t then I wouldn’t be here asking you for help.” She says and puts her hands in her pocket. “Will you help me?” She asks and they all nod.

The fight leads to the main street of Storybrooke and Cora still has your heart. She then summons you and holds you in place with magic.

“Oh not again!” You say angrily. 

“Mother please, whatever you want or need, I’ll do it, just don’t hurt her.” Regina pleads. 

“You’ve softened since I last saw you. Perhaps I’ll give you a choice. Control her or I’ll kill her.” Cora says and Regina looks at you and you’re already looking at her.

“Mother, I’ll do whatever just not that. I’ll help you with whatever plan you have, I’ll do it willingly but just let her go, there’s no need to get her involved.” Regina pleads again. 

“You’d willingly join me?” Cora asks and Regina nods. 

“Only if you give her her heart back and let her go.” 

You then gasp out as Cora puts your heart back in place and sends you to Regina.

“You kept your promise.” You tell her and she nods.

“Y/n, I know I hurt you in the enchanted forest but I want you to know I’m sorry and I do love you, I would do anything for you.” She admits and then Cora waves her hand and disappears in a cloud of smoke, along with Regina. You stand there frozen by Regina’s confession while everyone goes to you and asks if you’re ok. 

They end up bringing you back to their place and Snow White comes over with some hot chocolate and a blanket. 

“Here.” She says and hands you the hot chocolate and then drapes the blanket over you.

“Thank you.” You tell her and hold the blanket tighter around you.

“This is probably a lot for you to handle.” She says and joins you on the couch. 

“The woman I love who I thought didn’t give a crap about me, just confessed that she has always and still loves me, been kidnapped twice, and had my heart removed and put back.” You say out loud and she nods. 

“So you still love her?” She asks you and you nod.

“Before she casted the curse, I tried to stop her but she pushed me away and told me that I was just a maid and a distraction.” You tell her and then look at her. “You know her the best, is she telling the truth about loving me?” You ask her.

“I strongly believe so. She was highly against working with her mother but she did it anyway to protect you. She also came to ask us for help to save you. She’s changing into the woman I always knew she could be, she’s letting love in her heart again.” Snow tells you and you sigh. 

“I don’t even know if she loved me back then.” You say.

“I believe she did. She was blinded by her revenge but she truly cares about you.” She says and you scoff. “You’re the librarian right?” She asks and you nod. “She knows of your love of books and made you the librarian because she knew that would make you happy.” She says and you look at her. 

“That’s a good point.” You tell her and she smiles at you.

“Would you be willing to help us get Regina out of her mother’s grasp?” She asks you.

“If you don’t mind, I would rather stay out of it.” You tell her and she nods. 

“Of course, I understand.”

“I think it’ll take me a while to trust her again.” You tell her.

“Well you know she’s loved you for like 30 years so I think she’ll do anything to regain your trust again.” She tells you and you nod before thanking her and leaving.

A month later Emma tells you that Cora is dead and Regina is trying to get revenge on Snow as she’s the one that killed Cora. You decide to pay an overdue visit to Regina. You go up to her house and knock a couple of times before she opens the door.

“Y/n.” She says softly and smiles. “What are you doing here?” 

“I heard about your mom.” You tell her and she nods. “I would say I’m sorry but she kidnapped and tried to kill me…twice.” You say and she hums. “Can I come in?” You ask her and she immediately steps aside.

“Of course, you’re always welcome here.” She tells you and you both walk over to the couch and she sits down beside you.

“I want to trust you again, I really do, but you hurt me.” You tell her and she looks disappointed.

“I know, I’m truly sorry. I never should have said those words to you.” She says and you nod.

“You might not have known this but I ran away as you casted the curse.” You tell her.

“I already knew that. I went to go get you after I casted it but you were already gone.” 

“It may take me some time but I can slowly trust you again over time if you’ve truly changed.” You tell her and you see her light up.

“Really?” She asks and you nod. “I’d do anything to gain your trust.” 

“Well first I want you to stop trying to kill Snow White.” You tell her.

“Oh I already have.” She says and you smile.

“Good.”

“Anything else?” She asks.

“I actually have a question that I’m curious about.” You say and she nods. “Before Emma arrived, did you ever talk to me?” 

“It took a few years but eventually I did. I used to talk to you everyday for a year but then it got too hard as you kept forgetting the next day and you didn’t know who I was.” She admits and you nod. “I mostly watched you from afar.” 

“How about you come to the library with me for a week?” You ask her and she tilts her head. “I need some help and we can spend a bit of time getting to know each other. I’m sure you’ve changed after 28 years.” You tell her and she smiles.

“Of course, I’d love to go there with you.” She says.

Regina helps out with you in the library for a week and she tells you all about the 28 years before Emma arrived. On the last day of the week, Gold comes to you while Regina is out getting Granny’s. She comes back and you question her.

“Did you really give Belle false memories?” You ask and she looks at you. “And don’t lie to me, I know when you are.” You tell her.

“I did, I did it to hurt Gold.” She admits to you and hands you the food. “He convinced Snow to kill my mom so that he can survive.” She tells you.

“But messing with Belle’s memories is not the way to go about it.” You tell her. 

“How did you even know about that?” She asks.

“Gold came to talk to me while you were out.” You tell her. “I needed to know if he was telling the truth.” You add. “Why do you even want revenge? I thought you didn’t like your mom.” You ask her.

“We got close in the month that we teamed up together.” She says.

“Need I remind you that the only reason you teamed up with her is because she tried to kill me?” You ask her and she looks down.

“Of course I remember that. And I tried not to get close to her because of that but it slowly happened.” She admits. “It was nice having a caring mom that’s proud of me, even if it was a couple of weeks.” She tells you and you let out a breath. You reach out and take her hand in yours and she sucks in a breath at the contact.

“I understand, but promise that you won’t do anything else for revenge for your mother.” You tell her and she nods.

“I promise.” She tells you and you smile at her.

2 weeks later, you’re putting books back on the shelf and waiting for Regina to show up with Granny’s like she’s been doing for 2 weeks. Time passes and after an hour you try calling her but she doesn’t pick up. The last text she sent was 2 hours ago saying she’s going to pick up the food. You then close up the library as no one was there and you head to Granny’s. You walk in and you ask her if Regina came by and she tells you she hasn’t seen her. You then pay a visit to Snow, David and Emma. 

“Have any of you seen Regina today?” You ask them and they all look worried before letting you in.

“We think she’s been kidnapped.” Emma tells you and you widen your eyes.

“Kidnapped? Kidnapped by who?” You ask them.

“By Tamara.” They tell you and you look at them confused.

“Who’s Tamara?” 

“Did Regina tell you about the 2 visitors in storybrooke?” 

“Of course but she didn’t say a name.” You tell them. “If she’s been kidnapped then we have to get her back.” You tell them and Emma tries to calm you down.

“We will but we have to try and find her first.” 

“Ok, I want to stay and help.” You offer and they nod. 

You all find out she was taken to the docks and you all go there to try and save her. You, Snow and David end up finding her first after Greg electrocutes her badly. 

“Regina! Hey, stay with me.” You tell her and take off the restraints.

“We gotta get her to mother superior.” David tells you both and you nod.

You manage to get her back to their place and mother superior heals her.

“Now that the cuff is off, she’ll be ok.” She tells you all and you nod.

Snow gets a bowl of water and a facecloth for you to help Regina feel better and you accept it gratefully. You move strands out of her face and then you begin to dab her face with the cloth carefully. Then she opens her eyes and you smile at her. 

“You saved me?” She asks and you nod. 

“I had some help.” You tell her and Snow and David come over. “We weren’t going to let you die.” You tell her and she takes a deep breath.

She then tells you all about the fail safe that she made when she created Storybrooke. Everyone tries to come up with a plan on how to stop them while you stay next to Regina.

“Are you feeling better?” You ask her and she nods. “I can’t believe he wanted to electrocute you to death.” You tell her and she sighs.

“That is probably the most physical pain I’ve ever experienced.” She tells you and you grab her hand. 

“I know but you’re safe now, they’re not going to hurt you again.” You promise her.

“It doesn’t matter if they hurt me or not, if that fail safe ever gets activated then we all die.” She tells you.

“Why did you never activate it?” You ask her.

“Two reasons. First one is I never found a way out of here, and two is because I didn't want you to die.” She says and you nod. “You know back in the enchanted forest, you were the best maid I ever had.” She tells you and you chuckle.

“I’m guessing that’s why you made me your personal maid?” You ask her and she nods.

“Because you were good at it and because I thought you were cute.” She says and you smile. “You’re still cute.” She adds and you rub her hand to provide comfort.

An hour later, Regina feels good enough to stand up and everyone comes back. Just as she and Henry were hugging, the ground starts shaking and you fall flat on your ass. 

“Woah!” You say and Regina helps you up.

“The diamond’s been activated.” Regina says and you all come up with a plan. Regina says goodbye to Henry and then she turns to you. “I’m sorry about all this, it’s my fault but I promise this is the best I could do to help you.” She says and you give her a hug.

“It’s not your fault, you didn’t activate it.” You tell her and she immediately hugs you back. 

You then leave with Snow and Henry to gather everyone.

A few minutes later Emma and Regina find the diamond and Regina confesses that she’s not going with them.

“When you were saying goodbye to Henry and Y/n, you were saying goodbye.” Emma says and she nods. Regina tries to convince Emma that this is the best plan. “What will I tell Henry and Y/n?” Emma asks her.

“Tell them that it wasn’t too late to make the right choice.” She says and then starts slowing the diamond down.

Emma gets to Granny’s where everyone was gathered.

“Is everyone here?” She asks and you nod. “Ok we gotta go.” She says and you look around for Regina.

“Where’s my mom?” Henry asks and you look at Emma.

“Regina can hold off the device long enough for us to survive.” Emma explains.

“But what?” Henry asks and Emma looks at you and Snow.

“She won’t survive.” Emma says and you go to walk out but you’re stopped by David.

“David let me go to Regina and knock some sense into her.” You tell him.

“She can’t stop slowing it down.” Emma tells you and you look at her.

“So that’s it, we’re just leaving her behind?” You ask them and they all look down and you roll your eyes. You try to leave again but David still stops you.

“Regina will want to make sure that you survive.” David tells you.

“She shouldn’t die alone.” You tell him. “This is my choice, so get out of my way.” You say sternly and he lets you go. You then run down to the mine and you find Regina with the diamond.

“Y/n, what are you doing here?” She asks and you walk up to her.

“You shouldn’t die alone.” You tell her and she looks at you softly.

“You shouldn’t be here, you should be with them and getting out of here where you’re safe.” She tells you. 

“You shouldn’t be here either. You’re a fucking idiot, but you’re brave.” You tell her and she smiles at you. Just then Emma, Snow, David and Henry come down with an idea on how to save everyone.

“It’s empty.” Emma says after a couple minutes. “The bean is gone.” She adds and you all look at each other. You see them hugging each other and you go to give Regina a hug and she leans into you. Henry then comes up and gives her a hug as well.

“I’m sorry I’m not strong enough to stop this.” She tells him and you wrap your arm around her shoulders.

“Maybe you aren’t, but maybe we are.” Emma says and you look at her. You all get out of the way and then Emma and Regina stop the diamond, causing a small blast and it knocks you all down. Regina is the first to get up and she helps you up. 

“Are you alright?” She asks and you nod. She then gives you a hug which you return immediately. 

“Isn’t that right kid?” You both hear Emma say and then you don’t hear a response back and you look around and don’t see Henry.

You end up finding him being dragged away by Greg and Tamara at the docks and you all run after them but they jump through the portal before you do. You see Regina looking devastated by losing him and you bring her into your arms and a few tears fall down her face. 

You then all see Hook return with the Jolly Roger and he gives Emma the bean back. You all decide to board the ship with the bean to follow after Henry. Regina turns to look at you before you board.

“You should stay in Storybrooke, it might not be safe where we’re going.” She tells you and you scoff.

“It’s not entirely safe in Storybrooke either.” You joke.

“It’s not but it’s safer.” She says and moves some hair out of your face.

“I’m going with you.” You tell her and then you board the ship with Regina. You all go into the portal as Regina holds onto you. You all come out on the other side and Hook immediately recognises the place.

“Neverland.” He says and you look at him. 

You all run into some harsh waters and you see a body moving in the water. 

“What is that?” You ask.

“Mermaids.” Hook says and you look and see a bunch of bodies underwater. The boat shakes and you fall overboard but Regina catches you and helps you back on board. 

“I told you not to come.” She says and you smile at her.

“You would have done the same thing.”

“I wouldn’t get knocked overboard.” She counters.

“You don’t know that.” You tell her and she rolls her eyes.

“You’re so stubborn.” 

“And where do you think I got that from?”

“Your parents.” She says.

“You, you dumbass.” You tell her and she gasps.

“You know you’ve called me a few names in the past 24 hours.”

“What’s your point?” You ask her and you both get back to try to stop the ship from tipping over. You end up almost falling off again and that gets Regina to start throwing fireballs at the water. And it works and it causes the mermaids to scatter but Snow ends up catching one.

“Fillet the bitch.” Regina says as soon as you all try talking to the mermaid.

“Regina.” You say and slap her head.

“Ow.” She says and glares at you.

You end up all fighting each other after a few minutes. You see Snow and Regina start fighting and then David and Hook start fighting. Emma tries to get everyone to stop while you try and control the ship as best as possible. You end up slipping due to all the water and you fall right into Regina.

“Y/n, get off of me.” She tells you and pushes you off of her.

“Oh right, push me away, that’s what you’re best at isn’t it?” You tell her and she rolls her eyes.

“Still on me about that?” She asks angrily and you get right up to her face. 

“All you do is run away from everything and everyone.” You tell her and grab her shirt. “Why did I ever think I could forgive you? You will always be the Evil Queen!” You shout at her and she widens her eyes. You shove her away and then her and Snow start fighting again. You then all see Emma jump into the water and David goes in after her. You all work to rescue Emma and get her up safely and she survives.

“I told you.” She says as she sees the sky clearing up. 

“I’m sorry.” You tell Regina and she immediately gives you a hug.

“It’s ok Y/n, I forgive you.” She says. “I’ll always forgive you.” She tells you and you hug her back. 

You all get onto a lifeboat and row to the shore. Emma gives her ‘we have to work together’ speech and you all start to look for Henry.

“You realised she called you a villain right?” You ask Regina as you start walking with her.

“Ya, I noticed. But that’s what I am.” She says.

“Not anymore. You’re a hero, Henry even said so himself.” You tell her and she wraps an arm around you.

“It doesn’t bother me that she thinks I’m a villain. It’s enough to know you don’t believe that.” She tells you and you lean into her. 

You all hike up the hill together with you behind Regina. She made you get behind her to protect you the best.

“I suggest we make camp.” Hook says as you all figured out you wandered off the path.

“You suggest we sleep while my son is out there suffering?” Regina says angrily and you grab her hand and you see her relax a little.

“If you want to save the boy, then yes.” Hook tells you all and you pull on Regina’s hand and walk back into the woods to find a spot.

You get enough branches for a fire and Regina uses a fireball to start it. You instantly go to warm up and Regina rubs your arms to help you warm up as well.

“Thanks.” You tell her and she nods.

“Of course.” She says and you place your head on her shoulder and she lets you. 

A couple hours later you’re all lying on the ground, trying to fall asleep but you and Regina are still up. You and her are laying side by side, facing each other.

“We’re going to get him back, you know.” You tell her and she looks at you.

“What if we don’t?” She asks. “I can't lose him.” 

“You won’t. Emma says this land runs on belief, well I believe that we’ll find him and you’ll get to hug your son again.” You tell her and she nods.

“Thank you.” She says and you smile. “Come lay your head on my chest, it’s comfier.” She says and you chuckle. 

“Think it’ll bring back memories of before?” You ask her and she smiles.

“Maybe, although would it be a bad thing? You used to lay your head on my chest after I ravished you in bed.” She tells you and you giggle.

“I remember that.” You tell her and she tucks some loose strands behind your ear and you look into her eyes. You then quickly grabbed the back of her head and pull her in for a kiss. It takes her a second for her brain to kick in but then she grabs your head and kisses you back. 

You don’t notice everyone looking at you both as they start to hear kissing, but you don’t care either. You always loved Regina and she loves you. Kissing her again feels so right and you don’t want to stop. All too soon she pulls back and looks at you with a huge grin.

“As much as I want to keep going, probably best if we stop before I want to go further.” She says and you laugh.

“Please don’t go further.” Emma says and you both look to see everyone looking at you both. You lay your head on her chest and then you both fall asleep. You all wake up to Emma waking you all up. “Guys wake up!” She shouts and Regina bolts awake. Regina gets you to fully wake up and you whine.

“We barely got any sleep, what is it?” You complain and Regina places a kiss on your cheek. 

“Come on, let’s find out.”

“So when you believe who you are then you’ll find Henry?” You ask as Regina is pacing.

“No, once I stop denying who I am, whatever that means.” She says and you sigh.

“Does that mean you as the saviour? Cause you already know you are as you broke Regina’s curse.” You tell her.

“I know.” She says.

“Ok, Regina stop pacing.” You tell her. “You’re stressing me out.” 

“Oh I’m stressing you out. We’re wasting time. Every second we spend talking about this is another second we’re not looking for my son!” She yells out once Snow and David arrive.

“You have a better idea?” 

“Magic.” She says proudly and you sigh.

“Why is your go-to always magic?” You ask her and she looks at you and raises her eyebrows.

“And I suppose the former maid has a better idea?” She taunts and you flick her forehead. “Ow!” She says and looks at you.

“I may not have magic like you do but I’m much more than just your former maid.” You tell her and she places her hands on her hips.

“Like what?” 

“Well I’m also very smart. I mean you did make me the librarian for a reason.” You tell her and she looks at you.

“I made you the librarian because you love books, but being a bookworm doesn’t make you smart.” She tells you.

“Well it makes me smarter than you.” You counter. 

“You know I could finish you off right here if I wanted to and we’ll see how your books protect you then.” 

“Ooohh, you’re such a badass, I’d like to see you try. Come on, do your worst Queenie.” You counter and she backs down with a sigh.

“You know I won’t ever attack you.” She says.

“Are you two done bickering?” Hook asks you both.

“I can see why she caught your eye Regina, she’s able to keep up with you.” Snow tells her. “Also about your magic Regina, you don't exactly have a gentle touch.” 

“Ya, if it fails then we lose that parchment and the map.” David says and Regina walks away frustrated. 

“You’re not going after her?” Snow asks and you look at her.

“Are you kidding? Last time I went after her when she was frustrated she nearly blasted my head off.” You say. “You should know, as the last time she was angry at you she became the evil queen.” You add.

“Huh, you have a point.” 

“Best thing is to let her cool off and let her come to you when she’s ready.” You say and sit on a rock. You listen as Emma lists off a bunch of things that defines her and Regina comes back and stands beside you. 

“And you were able to break the curse because you’re the…?” David says.

“The what?” Hook asks.

“The s-word.” Regina says.

Eventually Regina has had enough and puts a locator spell on the map to lead them directly to Pan.

“I can have a gentle touch.” Regina tells you as you start walking beside her.

“Not from what I remember.” You tease and she smirks proudly.

“Well I never heard any complaints.” She counters.

“You guys had sex, we get it.” Emma says.

“Wow, someone needs to get some.” You tease and Regina giggles.

“No I don’t.” Emma says sternly.

“Was the last time when Henry was conceived?” You push and she sighs.

“Can we just follow the map without talking?” She asks and you shrug.

“Y/n, why did you insist on coming with us?” Regina asks you and you look at her. 

“Because I wanted to make sure you were staying safe.” You tell her.

“Well that’s nice and everything but I’m more worried about keeping you safe than myself.” She says.

“You don’t have to worry about me, Regina.”

“Says the woman who would have fallen overboard twice if I didn’t catch her.” She counters and you look at her.

“And I do appreciate that but I’m sure from here on out I can handle myself.” You tell her and then you trip over a branch and fall flat on your face.

“You were saying.” She says teasingly and then helps you up. “Wait.” She suddenly says. “He’s there, I can sense his smugness.” She adds and you snort. 

“Here you go love.” Hook says to you and hands you an extra sword.

“What’s this for?” You ask him.

“In case you need to protect yourself. Regina is right, she can’t protect herself if she’s worried about you. So give her a reason not to worry about you.” He tells you and you nod.

“Thanks Cap.” You say and give the sword a couple of practice swings.

You all walk in the camp and then all of a sudden you find yourselves surrounded by lost boys and you’re all forced to fight and defend yourselves. You end up knocking a few boys on their ass and nearly miss an arrow that was aimed right at your head but Regina saves you. Pan calls them all off and leaves you all be. 

“You should have stayed on the ship, actually you should have stayed in Storybrooke.” Regina says.

“I’m not a liability.” You say and she scoffs.

“Since you’ve been here, I’ve had to save you 3 times. Twice on the ship and once just a few minutes ago when that arrow came for your head.” She tells you.

“Ok those aren’t ideal examples.” You start but she interrupts.

“Examples? Y/n you could be dead if I didn’t protect you. There might come a moment on this island where I won’t be able to protect you or save you in time.” She says but then says something that she immediately regrets. “You know what, you are a liability! You have no magic, no weapon, no training or experience. In fact you’re just slowing us down!” She tells you and you widen your eyes and gasp. Regina’s anger leaves her immediately as soon as she sees the hurt in your eyes. “Y/n I didn’t mean tha-” 

“Save your breath.” You tell her sternly. “Wouldn’t want you to waste it on me.” You add and then walk away.

“That was a little harsh.” David tells Regina.

“You think I don’t know that?” 

“You’re right though, she has no magic or experience with fighting or protecting herself but she came anyway knowing the risks. She came here to help you.” 

“Well she’s not helping.” She tells him and goes to find you but he stops her. 

“Are you sure she’s not helping?” 

“What do you mean?”

“From what I’ve seen, she’s giving her opinion on a few things, kept you in line and she’s helped you stay calm.” He tells her. “She knows she’s not a warrior but she did get one thing right, she’s smart.” He adds and Regina sighs.

“How am I supposed to focus on anything else if I’m worrying about her all the time?”

“Maybe give her more credit. You don’t have to constantly worry about her. She’s never lifted a sword or fought before but she still knocked out a few boys today.” He says and Regina groans and then goes to find you. 

“Y/n?” She calls out. “Y/n?” 

“What?” You ask and she sees you sitting on the ground surrounded by tall grass and bushes and she sits next to you. “Shouldn’t you be off saving Henry without me?” You ask her.

“I won’t save him without you.” She says and you roll your eyes.

“Yes you will, I’m a liability and I’m just slowing you down.” You spin the words back in her face.

“Maybe I would prefer if you had some magic or some battle experience but I honestly prefer having to worry about you and having you here then not having you here.” 

“Why?” 

“Because I wasted so much time with you due to the curse. Time where I could have been happy if I chose you that day instead of revenge. And even after the curse, I’ve been constantly proving myself to you, showing you that I’m good enough for you even if I’m not. Maybe I’m trying to prove it to myself more than you.” She adds and you look at her. “If I chose you that day then I would still be proving myself to you every day but at least we’d be together.” 

“That’s not the only day that I’m mad at you about, you know.” You tell her and she looks at you. “I’m mad at you for every day I spent with you before the curse.” You say and she tilts her head in confusion. “I was madly in love with you and yet we only ever had sex and nothing else. Why do you think I ran away when you casted the curse?”

“I assume to get away from me.”

“Yes it was, it was to make sure that wherever we ended up, that I would be far away from you. That I wouldn’t end up serving you or be with you. To not repeat the same mistake.”

“You think being with me was a mistake?” She asks.

“It was back then. You were only blowing off steam, and you didn’t have enough room in your heart for love as it was too full of hate and revenge.” You tell her.

“You’re right, I didn’t treat you right and I was too preoccupied with trying to kill Snow to focus on you. But that doesn’t mean that I didn’t love you, I still do, I’ve loved you for 30 years and that’s never faltered once. If anything it’s grown stronger.” She tells you.

“The map is working!” Emma shouts out. “It shows us where Henry is.”

“You should go and save your son.” You tell her.

“Not without you.” She says and holds her hand out.

“Aren’t you afraid I’d slow you down?” 

“You’ll most definitely slow me down, but I’d rather you be by my side.” She tells you and you quirk an eyebrow at her.

“That is such a backhanded compliment.” You tell her and she smiles before you grab her hand.

You all begin walking where the map leads you to Henry and it’s been about an hour before Regina starts getting annoyed.

“How much further?” She asks and Emma checks the map.

“Son of a…how is it behind us?” Emma asks.

“You got us lost.” Regina deadpans and you look at her.

“No she didn’t. It’s the camp, Pan’s moving it.” Hook says.

“If Pan’s camp keeps moving, how are we gonna find Henry?” She asks.

“I told you walking was idiotic. If we can just use some magic, we can materialise in the camp and grab Henry.” Regina says annoyed.

“We don’t know where the camp is. Have you even been listening?” Snow asks her.

“Pan would have shields against magic that would end in your death and more importantly, mine.” Hook says. “Which is why we’re walking.” He adds. You then tune out most of the conversation and you don’t notice everyone glancing at you as you’re quiet.

“Y/n, you alright love?” Hook asks you with a nudge and you snap out of your thoughts. 

“Huh?” You ask and see they’re all staring at you. 

“You’re quiet, that’s not like you.” David tells you. 

“Just zoned out, what were you talking about?” 

“We’re going to find tinker bell.” Emma says and you nod.

“Alright.” You say. “I don’t see why you can’t discuss this without me saying anything.”

“Well I’m saying it’s a bad idea, she won’t save us.” Regina says and you become quiet again and then notice everyone moving so you begin moving. “Are you ok?” Regina asks you and you nod.

“I’m fine.” You tell her and she goes to say something but you speed up and decide to walk with David and Snow instead. She looks ahead at you with a bit of pain and mostly confusion but decides that you just need a bit of time to work something out.

“Do you think we won’t ask you the same thing?” Snow asks and you look at her.

“I’d appreciate it if you didn’t.” You tell her and she nods. You’re all walking but then they stop when they realise that Regina and Emma stopped. Snow goes to see what they’re discussing while you, David and Hook hang back.

“Can you please go talk to her.” Snow tells you.

“Who?”

“Regina. She’s so against this plan and I have no idea why.” She tells you.

“Why not just ask her yourself?” You ask her.

“Because she’ll tell you a lot more than what she’ll tell us.” She simply says and you sigh.

“I’ll try.” You tell her and you stop walking and wait for Regina. 

“Are you talking to me again?” She asks as you walk next to her.

“I’ve been tasked with trying to figure out why you don’t like this plan.” You tell her. “So why don’t you like this plan?”

“Cause this Tinker Bell is not going to help us, this is a waste of time.” She simply says.

“Not going to help us or not going to help you?” You ask her and she looks at you,

“How is it that you read me so well?” She asks and you shrug. “Ok what is with you? You’re so quiet, you keep zoning out and you decide to walk with the charmings instead of me.” She asks and you shrug again.

“Can’t I have an off day?”

“This isn’t because of what I said is it?”

“Maybe a little bit but you’re right. I have no experience in any of this so why would I think that I would be helpful?” 

“Hey, you might not be helpful in the field of battle and you might be clumsy but you’ve stopped me from crossing the line quite a few times.” She tells you. “When you were quiet, I was starting to go off the rails and didn’t have you pulling me back. It’s important for me to stay in line so I don’t do something stupid. Everyone else also values your opinion which is why they asked earlier.” She adds and you nod your head.

“It’s just right up ahead.” Hook says and Regina stops. Emma notices and stays back.

“It’s better if she doesn’t see me.” Regina says.

“What exactly did you do to her?” You ask.

“It doesn’t matter what, we have a complicated history.” She tells you.

“Why don’t you go join everyone else.” Emma tells you and you take one last look at Regina before walking away.

You all get to her treehouse and see she isn’t home and search the place. You look around and you spot something familiar.

“This is Regina’s.” You say and they all look at you.

“She was tracking Regina.” Snow says.

“We’re looking in the wrong place.” Emma tells you all.

You end up finding Tinker Bell coming out of a cave after about 10 minutes and you all point a weapon at her. Tinker Bell looks at all of you confused and then you speak.

“Where’s Regina?” You ask her. She turns to look at you and you see a faint smile before she turns back towards the group.

“Who the hell are you?” Tinker Bell says.

“A pissed off mother. Where is she?” Emma says sternly and then you see Regina coming out of the cave, unharmed.

“I’m fine, I’m fine.” She says.

“Do you mind lowering those? You may stick me but I’ll take you down with me.” She threatens and you all put your weapons down. Regina then automatically goes to stand beside you and Tinker Bell notices. You all are told that Tinker Bell doesn’t have any magic but you convinced her to help you all. 

At the camp, Tinker Bell goes to talk to Regina away from the fireplace.

“You found her.” Tinker Bell says to her and she nods. “So how come you were still the Evil Queen?”

“Because by the time I found her it was too late for me. My heart was already darkened and I chose revenge over her. But I couldn’t stay away from her, so I forced her to be my maid and we ended up falling in love.” She explains. “I’m gaining her trust and we kissed yesterday.” She adds and Tinker Bell smiles.

“At least you weren’t selfish.” She says and Regina looks at her. 

“I was selfish, I wanted her around but still wouldn’t fully choose her.”

“Selfish would be not ever finding her. If you didn’t find her then you would have ruined both your lives.” Tinker Bell says and then you walk up to Regina.

“Hey.” You say and sit next to Regina.

“I’ll leave you two be.” Tink says and then leaves.

“What were you both talking about?” You ask her and she looks at you.

“There’s something I need to tell you.” She says and you nod.

“When I met Tinker Bell in the enchanted forest, she helped me to find out who my soulmate is.” She tells you and you lean your head back.

“So the person you’re destined to be with is still out there?” You ask her and she shakes her head.

“No, she’s sitting right beside me.” 

“I’m your soulmate?” You ask her and she nods.

“The pixie dust led us to you. At first I couldn’t walk up and meet you though. But then when I was the Evil Queen and found you, for some reason I couldn’t let you go, which is why I forced you to become a maid for me.” She explains and you lean your head on her shoulder. “I was selfish for keeping you with me, forcing you to stay with me.”

“Love isn’t selfish, and I’m glad you forced me to work for you.” You tell her and she looks at you.

“Why would you be happy about it?”

“Well for starters I had no family, and second, I got to know my soulmate.”

“I burned your village to a crisp and you’re still happy to have met me?” 

“Nobody liked me in the village anyway.” You tell her and she puts an arm around you.

“Well, I’ll always like you.” She tells you and you smile at her.

“Even though I’ve insulted you quite a few times since being here?”

“Even then. But I’ve also insulted you as well.” You tell her and then you all get some sleep.

When you all wake up, Emma goes over the plan to go and get Henry but Tink reminds you all to have an exit plan and leaves until you all have one.

“So no one has left this island without Pan’s permission?” Emma asks.

“Only one lad, her partner in crime, Neal.” Hook says and looks at Emma.

You all find what used to be Neal’s home in Neverland and you all look around for clues. Emma ends up finding a star constellation that Neal found that helped him get off the island.

“Am I supposed to be impressed he made a night light?” Regina asks and you snort.

“Can you read it?” You ask Hook.

“No. I taught him that a good pirate always codes his plans. He was a good pupil.” He tells you all and you sigh. Regina puts an arm around you and you wrap your arms around her waist and lay your head on her chest.

Emma ended up finding some lines made by Neal when he was here to count his days.

“He was here longer, he lost hope.” 

“You got all that from scribbles?” Regina says and she strokes your head. 

“I know and you know that, but Henry doesn’t know that.”

“So you want to send him a message? Cause I haven’t seen a Neverland post office.” Regina says and you all come up with an idea to trap a lost boy and make him send a message to Henry. You and Regina are helping to make a trap when she looks at you.

“What?” You ask her as you keep tying twigs together.

“I am glad you’re here, you know.” She tells you and you look up at her.

“Really?”

“Ya, I just got you to start trusting me in Storybrooke and then if I left you in Storybrooke then I’d be worried about what’s going on with you and be super pissed because I wouldn’t have you or Henry.” She tells you and you smile.

“You’ll have both of us.” You tell her and she smiles at you and then you continue tying the twigs together.

Hook and David go to find a sextant on top of the hill while you continue the plan to trap a lost boy. You end up getting one and you try to get him to do it willingly but he disagrees. 

“Move aside.” Regina says and you all stop her.

“Why?” Snow asks.

“So I can rip his heart out. Then he’ll do exactly what we want.” She says and then she smiles at the lost boy and you roll your eyes.

Emma eventually has to hold Snow back as Regina rips the lost boy’s heart out. You end up turning around as well as you didn’t want to get flashbacks from when you were her maid.

“Hey, are you ok?” Regina asks you after she rips his heart out and you shrug.

“Just brought back a couple memories I’d rather forget.” You tell her and she nods.

“I get it, but I’m doing this for Henry, not for any bad reason.” She says.

“I know.” You tell her and then you send the lost boy back to the camp, he delivers the message to Henry and you all tell him that you’re coming.

You’re all walking when you hear some rustling and get ready for another attack.

“You can stand down, it’s us.” David says as he appears with Hook. David then immediately goes and has a small make out moment with Snow and Regina chuckles when she sees you roll your eyes at them.

“I’m not complaining but what was-” Snow starts to ask but David cuts her off with another kiss.

“Ok I’m complaining.” Emma says.

“What I wouldn’t give for another sleeping curse.” Regina says and you hum.

“You know if one of us was under one then we just have to have a true love’s kiss.” You tell her and boop her nose.

“I hope it never happens as I want to be awake for all of our kisses.” She tells you with a smile and wraps her arms around your waist.

A couple hours later Regina is helping Emma to use her powers. 

“Focus, concentrate.” She says annoyed.

“Kinda hard when you’re yelling in my ear.” Emma says and you’re sitting beside Snow and David on a rock, watching.

“And when the wind blows, or it’s raining or when someone’s shooting arrows at you. Yes, concentration’s hard, that’s the point.” Regina tells her and you pick up a piece of grass and tie it in a knot.

“Smoke.” You hear Regina say and look up and she smiles at you.

“This is a bad idea.” David says.

“She has it in her, she should learn to use it.” Snow tells him. “We just have to trust her.” She adds.

“Yeah, it’s not Emma I don’t trust.” David says and you look at him.

“So it’s Regina you don’t trust?” You ask him and they turn to look at you. “She’s giving no reason not to trust her.” You tell them and cross your arms.

“Y/n, we’re happy that you trust her and she makes you happy, but it’ll take us a bit longer.” Snow tells you.

“She’s on this island to help rescue her son, and came without a second thought because she loves that boy more than anything.” You say and then stand up and go sit down next to Regina.

You see Regina go to see what they’re talking about and you stay seated.

“Where are you going?” You hear Emma say.

“To save our son.” She says.

“We need to stick together.” Emma says and you stand up and walk over.

“No we don’t. You may be prepared to risk Henry’s life over some heartbroken fool’s errand, but I’m not. I’m tired of waiting around.” Regina says and you grab her hand and she takes a breath and calms down a bit. She then starts to walk off but turns around to face you. “Y/n you can either come with me or stay with them.” She says with some anger and you immediately follow her. You both start walking for a bit and you see Rumple talking to someone who looks like Belle. 

“She never came with us.” You tell her.

“I know.” She says and then starts to strangle the Belle look alike. “Look who you’re really dealing with.” She says to him and you all look to see Belle transform into a shadow and fly off.

“Pan.” Rumple says in disbelief.

You then all go and walk to a place to rest and you see Regina looking annoyed.

“What is this? Amateur hour?” She asks Rumple and you lean against a tree, staying out of it. “Did you really believe that was Belle?” She asks him.

“Why are you here?” He asks her instead of answering her question.

“Well it appears I’m saving your ass. You were about to be Pan’s lunch.”

“Oh what do you care? You know if that was Y/n then you would have done the same.” He tells her.

“I care because I’ve been camping with the Charmings for a week and getting nowhere. If we’re going to get Henry, I need you.” She adds and you just look at how beautiful Regina looks when she’s slightly annoyed. “You’re not going to die by anyone’s hands, but my own.” You then hear her say and realised you missed something.

You, Regina and Rumple start walking through the forest and come across the beach.

“Well isn’t this a nice midnight beach stroll, at least I think it’s night, I have yet to see the sun.” You say and Regina looks at you with a smile. She then finds what she’s looking for and pick up a big seashell.

“If summoning a giant squid is your answer then I’ve already tried.” Rumple says.

“You’ve had fun. I have no intention of ordering Calamari.” She tells him and then blows into it. A few seconds later a mermaid appears and you instantly recognise her.

“Ariel.” You say and she looks at you and nods.

“Yes it’s true that mermaids can travel across realms but they can’t be trusted.” Rumple says.

“This one can.” She says and you turn to her.

“I don’t think she can, you ruined her life when you were the evil queen.” You tell her and she looks at Ariel.

“She’s going to help us.” Regina says, loud enough for Ariel to hear. Ariel tries to speak but no sound comes out and you give Regina a look.

“You never gave her her voice back?” You ask her.

“Oops. Oh right, you're voice!” She tells her and then gives Ariel her voice back.

“Why would I help you?” Ariel says angrily.

“Because I can give you what you want.” She says and summons a bracelet in Ariel’s hands. “I can give you legs, Ariel. And this time control over them. But more importantly, I can give you what you need most.”

“What?” 

“The place I’m sending you, among its residents, is your Prince Eric.” She says.

“What’s it called?” Ariel immediately asks.

“Storybrooke.” Regina says and smiles at you.

Rumple then shows Ariel how to get to Storybrooke while you wait with Regina.

“And that’s Storybrooke?” Ariel asks and Rumple nods. “It’s far, I’ll have to cross over realms but I can make it.” She says and you smile.

“If all went according to plan, Storybrooke will be surrounded by a cloaking spell. When you arrive, surface close to the shore, then you’re inside its bounds.” Rumple tells her. You then lean onto Regina while the conversation continues and you notice Ariel looking at you two. 

“And Eric, where will I find him in this new world?” She asks Regina.

“Well that comes after you’ve succeeded, incentives are important.” She tells her. “That bracelet will give you legs for 24 hours.” She adds.

“How will I know you’ll hold up your end of the bargain when I get back?” She asks.

“I guess you’ll just have to trust me.” Regina says and Ariel looks at you and you nod. She then dives back into the water and swims away.

“So we just wait until she gets back?” You ask them and they both nod.

“Why don’t you get some rest, I’ll wake you when she gets back.” She tells you.

“You don’t need rest?” 

“I don’t trust Rumple enough to go to sleep, especially when you’re here.” She says and then you nod and find a place to sleep. She walks over to you and gives you her blazer to use as a pillow.

“Thank you.” You tell her and then you fall asleep.

When you wake up, she summons some berries from a bush on the island and you both eat them while you wait. 

Regina finishes and then goes to look at the horizon near Rumple. You continue eating the berries while she talks to Rumple.

“You really love her.” Regina says to him.

“Why does that surprise you? You love Y/n.” He tells her and she nods.

You then hear water splashing and you get up to see Ariel return.

“Sorry I’m late, we ran into some complications.” She says and swims over to you.

“Did you find it?” Rumple asks and she hands over a box.

“Excellent. You fulfilled your end of the bargain.” Regina says and then enchants the bracelet again that she gave Ariel. “Now you can have legs whenever you want, or a fin. Whatever Eric’s into these days.” She says and you smile 

“Thank you.”

“When you return to Storybrooke, seek him out.” Rumple tells her and then she tells you all to save a girl named Wendy and then she swims away.

You’re all walking through the island again and you’re looking around while Regina and Rumple talk and then she comes back to walk beside you.

“Apparently Neal is alive.” She tells you and you look at her. “We have a way to trap Pan and then a way off this island.” She tells you.

“Thank god, I’m sick of looking at nothing but trees.” You say and she giggles. 

“When we get back, I was wondering if you wanted to move into the mansion with me?” She asks you and you look at her. “We haven’t been apart since being here and I like that.” She adds and you hold her hand.

“I’d love to move in with you.” You tell her and she smiles at you and then you continue the walk. You then have to walk through a few bushes and when you walk out of them you see everyone else standing there.

“Well if this is your version of a rescue party, we got here just in time.” Regina says.

“What are you three doing here?” Snow asks.

“Same as you, except we actually have a chance.” Regina tells her. 

“We have Pandora’s box.” You explain to them.

“We can trap Pan for an eternity simply by opening the lid.” Regina further explains.

“We can trap Pan and save Henry.” You add and Regina wraps an arm around your waist and smiles.

“He’s not getting anywhere near Henry.” 

“Bae.” Rumple says and you look at Regina.

“That’s Baelfire? Henry’s father?” You ask her and she nods.

“There’s a prophecy that says that Henry will be his undoing. He didn’t come here to protect him, he came here to kill him.” Neal explains and Regina backs away and gets you to stand behind her.

“That’s why you didn’t want to find Neal before you got Henry back, because you knew he’d spill your secret.” Regina says and then everyone turns on him and Rumple ends up giving Pandora’s box to Neal.

You all arrive at the camp surrounding all the lost boys. “Can I at least use magic on these boys?”

“No.” Neal simply says.

“I’ll do it.” Regina says and then causes all the lost boys to fall asleep. You all look around and don’t see Pan or Henry.

“HELP!” You all hear and then run to where that came from.

You all see a girl locked in a cage and then Neal lets her out.

“If that’s Wendy then that’s who Belle asked us to save.” You tell Regina and Rumple.

“Well looks like we’re taking her back with us after all.” Regina tells you.

You then all question Wendy and finally get the truth out of her after Regina tells her that her brothers decided to help them defeat Pan. You all come up with a plan and split ways.

“Y/n, stay here with Hook and Tink, I don’t want you getting hurt.” She tells you and you go to protest but she speaks again. “Please.” She pleads and at that you agree.

“Ok, I’ll stay here.” You tell her and she turns to Hook and Tink.

“Protect her with your lives.” She tells them sternly.

“We’ll protect your lady, you have my word.” Hook tells her. Regina then gives you a kiss on the lips and then she leaves to go save her son.

You’re waiting around with Hook and Tink and then all of a sudden a powerful wave sweeps over the entire island.

About 10 minutes later, everyone comes back with an unconscious Henry and everyone is fussing over him. You see them have a small chat and then Regina angrily gets up and makes a beeline for one of the lost boys.

“Where is he?!?” She asks the one that Pan trusts the most.

“Gone. There’s nothing you can do. He’s already won. Pan never fails.” He tells her and you and Emma make your way over to them.

“You won’t talk? How about I make you talk?” She says and then goes to take his heart out.

“Regina, wait.” Emma says and grabs her arm.

“There’s no time.” Regina says.

“I don’t think torture is our best move here.” Emma tells her.

“There has to be another way, a better way.” You tell her. “These kids have already been through too much.” You add.

“We tried the cute and cuddly. They don’t respond to reason.” She tells you and then looks at Emma. “What else do you have to offer?” She asks Emma.

“What every kid wants, a mother.” She says while looking at Snow. 

Emma then goes to talk to the lost boys to see if they’ll give up Pan’s location. You bring Regina back with everyone else and you soothe her as best as possible. You go to help Wendy care for Henry when the boys start talking. She then calls you over and you come over to everyone as they make a plan.

“Let’s gather up the lost boys and get them on board the Jolly Roger.” Neal says. “Prepare the ship to fly.”

“Let’s hope you have a Pegasus sail or else we’re at the mercy of the trade winds.” Hook points out.

“Pan’s shadow is in here, it’ll get us home.” Neal tells him. “As long as your ship holds together.” 

You go to stand next to Regina and she puts an arm around you.

“Y/n, I know you want to be by my side but I need you to help them gather everyone up and get them to the ship.” Regina says.

“I understand, you need to focus on getting your son back instead of focusing on protecting me.” You tell her and she smiles. 

“I love you.” She says and then gives you a kiss before she leaves with Emma and Snow. You help gather up the lost boys and make your way back to the ship and help get it ready to sail. 

About 10 minutes later, Emma, Regina and Snow come running back and Regina has Pandora’s box and Henry’s heart. She puts his heart back in his body and Henry wakes up after a few seconds. You smile as her and Emma both hug him tightly and then she goes to put him to bed. When she comes back up she goes to join you at the front of the boat as you’re looking out at the water.

“Ready to go home?” She asks and you nod before you rest your head on her shoulder.

“I can’t wait.” You tell her and then you give her space as Tink comes to talk to her. 

You then all get everything ready and Regina ties the shadow to the sail and the ship starts to fly. You go to stand next to Regina and she puts her head on your shoulder this time and wraps her arms around you.

“We’re going home.” She says and you smile at her as you all fly off.

“I love you.” You tell her and she turns to look at you.

“Really?”

“I never stopped, I was just afraid that you’d hurt me again, I still am.” You tell her and she tucks your hair behind your ear and gets you to look at her.

“I have no intention of hurting you again. I was stupid and full of revenge before and couldn’t see what was right in front of me.” She tells you. “But now I have my son and you in my life and I don’t want to lose either one of you.” She says and you lean forward and kiss her.

[immoralkombat]

intricate rituals

Training was supposed to be finished three hours ago, and yet here Johnny is, wrapping his hands up in new bandages, getting ready to kick Kenshi's ass again.

It was Johnny's idea, naturally. After all, he and Kenshi never had a Madam Bo, so they need more training to compensate for Lord Liu Kang not giving either of them the advantage that Raiden and Lao got. Kenshi might've had the yakuza, sure, but Johnny only ever got stunt training. If this extra training session isn't for Kenshi, it's for Johnny this time.

He warms up, jumping in place as he stretches his arms across his chest. Kenshi meanwhile is practicing a couple slashes with a bamboo sword. He claims that Lord Liu Kang made him switch out his actual katana for it so that he wouldn't accidentally kill anybody, but Johnny tries his best to turn that into the belief that Kenshi doesn't want to hurt him.

It's been a month since Kenshi broke into his mansion, a month since Johnny found out that he was chosen by a literal god to defend the entirety of Earth against potential invasion, a month since he had Kenshi tied up in one of his kitchen chairs and grilled him about the history of Sento. And in that month, Johnny thinks that he's at least gone from 'mortal enemy' to 'frenemy' on Kenshi's list. They'd been bunked together at the Wu Shi ever since they got there, something that Lord Liu Kang insisted on as team-building. Johnny was lucky that he woke up at all during those first few days.

It's been three weeks since he first saw Kenshi smile at him, three weeks since he finally told a joke that landed, three weeks since he heard Kenshi call him "Cage" for the first time and it didn't sound like he was seconds away from pulling a sword on him. He thinks that maybe it's just because Kenshi has to spend time with him, or maybe it's genuine forgiveness that Johnny doesn't really deserve. Either way, he remembers it like it was yesterday, and if he weren't a better actor, it'd cause him to get flustered beyond words every time he thought of it again.

It's been two weeks since Kenshi first asked him to watch a movie together, two weeks since they started actually talking to one another, two weeks since Johnny caught him looking at him and smiling for the first time. Every time he thinks about it, it makes his cheeks warm. He has to ball his fists and leave little crescent shapes in his palms to get the blush off of his face. He wishes he could blame it on the lingering resentment he feels for Kenshi breaking into his fucking house and threatening his life, but he knows better. He knows way better.

It's been a week since Lord Liu Kang told them that the tournament was going to be in a few weeks, a week since Kenshi accidentally touched his hand while he was passing some salt at dinner and Johnny hasn't stopped thinking about it since, a week since Johnny finally came to terms with the fact that he had a bit of a crush on this guy.

It's been two hours since they last sparred. Two hours too long.

Johnny looks Kenshi up and down, an act he'll try and justify as sizing up his opponent when asked about it. "Hey, Brown Eyes Red Dragon, you gonna finally stop swinging that shit around and let me start kicking your ass, or...?"

The swordsman looks down at him. Kenshi's an inch taller than him. He shouldn't find that as pleasing as he does. "A good fighter will take as much time to prepare as they can. Something you'd know if you weren't snoring through Lord Liu Kang's lessons."

Johnny snorts. "I'm a fuckin' movie star, Keanu. I don't get time to prep. I just naturally kick this much ass."

He watches Kenshi roll his eyes and he smiles. He thinks that there's more affection behind that than it seems. At least, he hopes so.

Kenshi puts his sword back in its sheath and straightens his shoulders. His tattooed fingers flex and stretch at his sides as he rolls his neck. Thank God there aren't any mind-readers nearby, because every single thing running through Johnny's head is X-rated.

"Alright, Cage. Are you ready?"

Johnny nods, using his hands to help crack his neck. "Better question is, are you?"

Kenshi scoffs at him, his nose sneering upwards. He's even hot when he's pulling an ugly face and that's part of how Johnny knows that he has it bad. "Forget I asked."

He starts by throwing a punch while Johnny is preoccupied with staring at his sneer. It connects with his jaw and makes him draw his head back. He really should've told Kenshi that the face was off-limits, but he guesses that that's on him. He should've clarified beforehand. All's fair in complicated one-sided interest and war.

Johnny counters by going to a split and immediately tapping his nuts. He makes sure to restrain himself from going full strength because he knows that he could easily obliterate him, but he doesn't really want to do that. He thinks that maybe Kenshi deserves to have his balls. At least for now. That's completely subject to change in the future, but right now, he likes him. As expected, his tatted hands immediately go to soothe his jewels.

Johnny takes the time to get up and readjust before he goes for another hit, a kick to the leg that brings Kenshi to his knees. He tries to ignore the dirty thoughts that flood his brain when he sees him at that precise height, in that precise situation. He fails. Pretty miserably.

He looks down at Kenshi, a nice change of pace. "Gotta say, I'm a fan of this view," he says, unable to keep his ego in check.

Kenshi looks up at him with fire in his eyes and Jesus Christ, Johnny is the best actor in the world if he's gonna keep pretending that he's not already willing to do unspeakable things to this man for the foreseeable future. He lets out a long sigh, trying to figure out his next move.

Unfortunately, Kenshi seems to have already figured out what he wants to do to get himself in a better spot, which results in Johnny not even spotting the move before he's suddenly making contact with the cobblestone on the ground. He winces as he feels a particularly tall stone dig into the twinge in his back. He doesn't seem to care that he could easily have a concussion now, because Kenshi is looming over him, the sun haloing behind his head. Were he not responsible for the ache that spans the entire back half of Johnny's body, he could probably be mistaken for an angel.

"This view's more my speed," he retorts. Johnny's too occupied with the pain shooting through him to acknowledge how clever (and hot) that was.

Something he doesn't expect happens afterward; a tattooed hand extends forward and offers to help him up.

He thinks about it for a second, how easy it'd be to take it and accept mercy he doesn't deserve. It feels almost like a cinematic parallel. It's like the kindness Johnny refused to offer him when they first met. It's all of the best qualities of Kenshi, hidden beneath the yakuza ink that covers his hands. It's every reason why he fucking deserves Sento, why Johnny's dismissal is just another reason why he fucking sucks and why Cris left him. It's another reminder that he isn't John Carlton anymore.

He takes the hand and pulls him down to land on top of him.

Kenshi takes the brunt of the fall on his hands as he sticks them out to stop him from cracking his face against Johnny's big head. Johnny winces for him at the thought of how fucked up his palms are gonna be. He makes a mental note to play the hero later and help him bandage them up in their dorm after this.

Their chests are pressed against one another for a moment, too short to savor and too long to go unnoticed. It knocks the wind out of them both, and they seem to draw a breath at the exact same time, both ragged and loud.

There's a leg between Johnny's. He thanks Lord Liu Kang that Kenshi's knee didn't land high enough to bust his balls. He's less grateful for everything else about feeling Kenshi's leg between his.

"Congratulations, Cage. You've given me yet another reason I should just kill you in your sleep." Despite the words he's saying, his voice couldn't sound any more friendly and kind. It makes Johnny's heart beat just a little bit faster.

Johnny chuckles. "Oh, please. You're gonna keep me around. After all, there's no way you'd find a prettier sleep aid than me."

Kenshi rolls his eyes again, but doesn't make a rebuttal. Johnny wishes he would. That way it'd be easier. It'd be way fucking easier if Kenshi just kept bantering with him, that way he could ignore the nagging feeling in his chest.

He can't stop himself from looking down at Kenshi's lips. He knows it's a mistake even as he's doing it. He knows it's a mistake when he looks back up and sees Kenshi's eyes widen.

"You're a hell of a fighter, Last Samurai. You're lucky you caught me on a particularly bad day, y'know that right? My back hurts like a son of a bitch."

Kenshi doesn't respond.

"If I didn't have a movie career to think of, I'd keep kicking your ass."

More silence.

"C'mon, you usually got some sort of comeback by now? Cat got your tongue?"

Nothing.

"...Please, say somethin'."

"What was this really about, Cage?"

This time, Johnny doesn't have a reply.

Before he can even try to say something clever, he feels lips against his own. He lets out a surprised noise that gets muffled by Kenshi's mouth closing over his. His eyes are wide open and staring right at Kenshi, whose eyes are closed tightly as he kisses Johnny with full force. It almost feels like another attack, the force that's behind it. He feels their teeth clack together a bit on impact and he hopes that Kenshi didn't just break his nose with his own.

An inked hand moves to rest against his jaw as his eyes finally begin to flutter closed and his lips move to kiss him back. He moves his hands to rest at Kenshi's waist, every single fiber of his being screaming at him to go for the neck and bring him closer, push him down more. He needs to feel more of him pressing onto him, but he settles for a kiss for now. Kenshi's thumb smooths over his cheek. It's surprisingly tender considering that he's trying his damnedest to stick his tongue in Johnny's mouth right now. It's bold enough that Johnny lets him.

They finally start to get the hang of it after a few seconds, it seems. Kenshi finally tilts his head so that Johnny can breathe through his nose. He feels blood beginning to trickle out of it, but Christ alive, he doesn't fucking care because he's kissing him. He can taste blood in his mouth and he lets it mix into their spit, and he doesn't fucking care because Kenshi's hand is moving to grab him by the neck.

Johnny can't help but let out a hum of approval as he feels the grip on the back of his neck tighten and pull him up to rest on his elbows. He decides to let him manhandle him. He thinks that was the point of the sparring match, but he won't tell Kenshi that until they've sufficiently talked things through. He doesn't want to seem too eager, but he also wants to tell Kenshi that his hands would make for such a pretty fuckin' choker. He wants to play it cool, but he also wants to rut his hips up against Kenshi's thigh.

He settles for continuing the kiss until Kenshi pulls away.

Kenshi's dark eyes scan his face, first looking to Johnny's still-closed eyes, then to his kiss-swollen lips, and then to the blood running out of his nostril and into his mouth.

"Fuck, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that," Kenshi says. It hurts way worse than his nose.

Johnny shakes his head. "No need. Everybody ends up wanting to fuck me sooner or later. Just surprised by how quick the turnaround was for you, Neo. Usually I have to wine and dine my enemies before they start trying to get in my pants."

Kenshi's cheeks are a deep red as he gets up and the pleasant weight that had been resting on Johnny's groin is lifted with him. He turns his face away from Johnny, leaving him to look wistfully at the sharpness of his jawline. "Shut up. This never happened."

"Whatever you say, handsome. You're still not getting Sento back."

This seems to snap Kenshi out of the flustered state he's in, because his cheeks turn to a more normal color and his brow furrows. "You're lucky I left the yakuza, Cage. You'd be long dead by now if I hadn't."

He dusts off his knees, leaving blood from his palms on the cloth that covers him before he walks out. It's just then that Johnny realizes there's gonna be some of Kenshi's blood in his hair and around his neck.

He'll wear it like a scarlet letter for the next few minutes, before he has to go and shower off before dinner.

[hey-august]

Pppfffewee…

I’ve been haunted by thoughts of sub Buggy recently. I just know he enjoys following orders and letting someone else take the lead for a while sometimes. And he’s versatile too. Sometimes he just wants to be slapped around a little. Tie him to the bed and sit on his face, pull his hair and tell him he’s only gonna get his cock sucked if he makes you cum first. Give him orders and his moans will be filled with „Yes Madam“/ „Yessir“/ „Yes Capt“ (because don’t tell me the captain kink doesn’t go both ways), „Of course boss.“ „Thank you, thank you, thank you.“ , he just wants to be used, show off how much he can take and see you confident and in charge. There’s nothing sexier to him than that.

Other times he just wants to be a brat. The times when he goes „Make me.“ and „That’s the best you can do?“ The times when he wants his ass spanked and his nipples pinched. The days when he wants to tease you and get his just desserts right after, when he mockingly goes „Ohhhh no don’t fuck me harder. I wouldn’t know what to do if you fucked me harder.“ because he wants to see the fire in your eyes before you ride him till both of your eyes roll into the back of your heads.

And the quieter ones, the ones you didn’t know he had at the beginning. The soft ones. The ones he hid from you for a while because he wasn’t sure you would understand why he wanted that, the ones he desperately wanted you not to laugh at. Nights in which he lives for the praise and the love. The ones where he doesn’t just wants to please you, he wants to make LOVE to you and have you tell him how to do it. He wants to be good for you so badly, wants to show you how well he can do. And it can be as easy as having him count out loud when you spank him, as long as you keep rubbing your hand soothingly over his ass like that and tell him how well he’s doing. It can be as simple as him on his lap as you rub his cock, kissing the back of his neck as you gently tell him how he’s so handsome and how much you love him. You want to look at him like this for just a bit longer, want to play with him just for a little bit more, so could he hold out for you just a tad? Can he come for you when you tell him to pretty boy?

Just… Lemme Dom that clown. I want that jester submissive and breedable on my desk by five!

Anon 🥴🥴🥴

As much as I love dom!Buggy, subby and sometimes bratty Buggy is a whole delicious meal that I will not turn down. Let’s hear all that begging, whining, and whimpering.

Yes, he loves to be in charge. Buggy wants to be the center of attention, he wants people to listen to him. Jump when he says jump. Laugh when he says laugh. He’s the boss.

Except when he doesn’t want to be. Letting go of the control and expectations is freeing. Tell him what to do and he will fucking do it. Buggy is a performer, so give him a role, a task, a goal, and he is all in. 

It also feeds his desire for attention. If he listens well and does a good job, maybe you’ll keep showering him in attention. Attention that he worked for and earned, not that he demanded. And that makes him painfully hard.

Of course he would be a brat sometimes. As much as Buggy likes when you’re in control, he won’t always give into your authority right away. He likes the push and shove of it. How far will you go to show him that you’re in charge? What will you do when he doesn’t listen? Or talk back? When he does what he wants?

It’s a game and he wants you to break him. To grab his hair and make his eyes water. To make him crawl and beg for forgiveness. To stick your fingers down his throat while he promises to be good. To fuck him relentlessly, all because he said, “make me.”

Underneath is the whiny mess that he’s hiding. The one that will complain that it’s too much, he’s sorry, he didn’t mean it, it feels good please don’t stop. The one that wants to be used and put in his place.

Soft sub Buggy? He’s the sweetest sweetest treat. 

It was the little things that added to it. Tying up his hair when his hands are busy, having him sit on your lap, showering him with compliments and praise when he does something for you. Sure, you could have been doing it all to be nice, but Buggy would get so flustered and his pants would get tight. There was something more than niceties there. Seeing how he’d flounder under the attention and the way his words fall apart into senseless babbling made you want to see him fall apart.

When you say the sweetest things in his ear, he nearly does come apart. Buggy becomes so eager to keep hearing you praise him that every piece of his body jumps at the chance to make you happy. To do the things you love, the things you ask for, all so you can push his pretty hair back, look him in the eye, and tell him he did a good job. 

Buggy will become absolutely desperate to show you how badly he wants you. It would almost be depraved if it wasn’t for the level of devotion and sincerity he has.

He’ll definitely change his schedule around so he can be on your desk at five on the dot. Just make sure you tell him that he’s a good boy and give him a lil kiss on the nose at the end.

[im-ovulating]

Can I request yandere Simeon with an oblivious reader?

(A/n: I'm still new to writing yandere stuff, so forgive if it's not the best 😅)

Word Count: 494

Summary: You're just too innocent for your own good...

Warnings: Yandere tendencies, Simeon in his villain era

Age Rating: None

Yandere! Simeon x Oblivious! GN! Reader

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'There he goes. Thinking he can weasel his way into their pants. Not if I can help it. Why can't they get it through their thick skulls that Y/n belongs to me?'

Simeon sits on the other side of the classroom, watching as a lower demon leans against your desk with a greasy smirk, probably throwing dumb one liners your way.

To say he's furious would be an understatement. Not at you. No, he could never be mad at you, his sweet, impressionable darling. No, his anger is aimed at the vermin that thinks he can speak to you.

He watches as you smile at something the demon says. You probably think he's just being friendly, but Simeon knows what he's really doing. He knows that he just wants to butter you up so he can use and then leave you in the dust.

He breaks when the demon fixes a lock of your hair, standing up and striding over to you. Coming up behind you, the demon sees him first -sees the murderous glare aimed at him.

You turn to see what he's looking at and Simeon quickly puts on an ever-friendly smile.

"HI Simeon!" You chirp in that sugary sweet voice of yours.

"Hey! So, I was thinking of stopping by Madam Scream's after class; Care to join me? It'd be on me of course~"

"Free food? Count me in!" You turn to the scum that has the nerve to still be here, "Do you wanna tag along? It's been fun chatting!"

Simeon takes a step forward as he levels him with another glare. "I don't think he wants to. Do you?"

The demon can hear the hidden threat if the way he gulps is any indicator. He may be an angel, but Simeon knows he can be scary. Just like he knows the demon knows better than to test an Archangel, much less challenge one.

"N-no- Sorry Y/n, I've got something to do..."

Simeon keeps his glare on the demon, though he knows your face drops. He hates it when you're upset and would do anything to keep you from being it. Anything but let another get close, that is. He's the only one you need; he's made sure of that.

He's perfected being a chameleon. Perfected the art of molding himself to be anything and anyone you could need. From a study partner to a gaming buddy, from a friend to a lover, from a shoulder to cry on to a protector. Heavy emphasis on the last one -even if you don't know you need it.

"Oh..." You only take a second to perk back up. "That's okay! Maybe next time, then?"

He keeps his eyes on Simeon as he answers, "Maybe... I gotta go. Bye Y/n."

He scurries away just as the bell rings.

Simeon pasters another smile on as he turns back to you, a real one this time. "Let's go get those treats, hm?"

[larothoughts]

fem!jiggy thoughts (part 1: qinghe nie)

this is part of a larger mdzs au i definitely do NOT have time to write completely. but i've been turning it over in my head for days at this point and it needs to be written down else i forget everything.

basically, how drastically things would have changed with a genderbent meng yao.

(the following timeline is a mix between canons; basically it's the drama timeline without the yin-iron/puppets. but i'm even less familiar with the mdzs timeline as i am with svsss so forgive me for any errors;;;)

the brothel

now i fully believe meng shi, smart as she was and living in a brothel, would've done all she could to hide meng yao's true gender from the madam and her coworkers. this was her son, only meng shi is allowed to bathe him, his father will come back to retrieve him one day. secretly, she still taught meng yao that her father was a great man; that one day she wouldn't need to hide as he will surely take her in.

sisi, the only other person aware of meng yao's true gender, would've seen a young and already-pretty meng yao and been emboldened to pull her aside: 'do not go to lanling jin once your mother dies. not even being his daughter will protect you from jin guangshan.'

because jgs has a reputation amongst brothel workers, the working women of lanling, everyone except for the women he bedded and charmed. if meng yao had been a boy, then maybe sisi would've been assured that the worst jgs could do was throw him down koi tower. but as a girl, when meng yao was as pretty as her mother? no. absolutely not.

so when meng shi dies, sisi sneaks out a still cross-dressing meng yao and urges her to run as far away from the madam's reach as she could. she was still passably androgynous in her youth, but the minute the madam realized she was a girl, she'd force her to take on her mother's debt in her place. so meng yao runs.

qinghe nie

now sisi may have stressed the importance of not going to lanling jin as a no-name girl with a pretty face, but meng yao is tenacious. if she could build a reputation as a cultivator, then surely her father would at least be willing to hear her story out. to acknowledge her as a member of his family. (because meng shi was right too; if meng yao was legitimized as a jin, being a woman would no longer be as dangerous as it was for her now. she would have the power to finally dress and act the way she wants.) the yunmeng jiang sect is a bit too close to home for her comfort, so she goes to the next best sect accepting civilian members: qinghe nie.

one would think NOT being known as a bastard son of a whore would make her experience here much better. it doesn't. sure, the og!qinghe nie bullies liked to use his status to torment meng yao, but in the meritocratic no-bullshit environment chifeng-zun has established, it's strength that ultimately matters. and in both the og universe and in this one, meng yao just isn't as strong as the other recruits. being weak, effeminate and too-differential are all frowned upon traits for a man to be in qinghe nie; but in this au, meng yao would rather be bullied for weakness than be forced to give up cultivating altogether. it's not like female cultivators aren't allowed, just that female cultivators in qinghe nie are held at a higher physical standard. if anyone found out she was actually a girl, they'd take one look at her soft and petite frame and remove her from the ranks entirely. so meng yao grits her teeth and tries to make herself useful no matter how humiliating it is when her fellow disciples treat her more like a servant than a comrade.

then, nie mingjue comes across her half-dressed. she's mortified. the one person who should never know her real gender just walks up behind her, all because the other disciples had set her camp up across the pond as more bullying and she figured she'd use the privacy to her advantage. rather than demand answers or react with violence, however, chifeng-zun just frowns.

"I wasn't aware there were women in this squadron." "There... aren't," Meng Yao answers. She flushes slightly when Nie Mingjue's gaze flickers down to the still-visible swell of her breast, barely hidden beneath the robe she'd yanked over herself in panic. There is an awkward silence, one that fills her with skin-crawling dread. She has half a mind to throw her dignity away entirely and beg for mercy on her knees, but the man surprises her by turning his gaze away from her body out of... out of respect? The idea of a man not ogling her the way all men ogled women is strangely endearing. "Your name?" the sect leader finally says. It briefly crosses her mind to lie. It'll be a difficult but not impossible task to slip away from this squad and pretend to be recruited into another under a different alias. She's an expert disguise-artist when given enough time and determination; her work helping the brothel sisters prepare for the night beforehand was testament to that. Meng Yao wants to lie, because that's always been her first instinct in the face of danger. But from the way everyone spoke about Chifeng-zun, the righteous Nie Mingjue, Meng Yao suspects lying of any kind here may be her actual undoing. "Meng Yao," she answers him, decisive. "My name is Meng Yao."

the inner circle

no one is more shocked than meng yao when, only a few days later, chifeng-zun reassigns her to his personal squadron. he sees her contributions, recognizes her worth, and promotes her into the ranks as an inner disciple. and the cost of this promotion--and therefore unrestricted access to the nie library, where meng yao could finally, finally get her hands on a cultivation manual better suited to her than the dumb one handed out to new recruits--is the added job all members of chifeng-zun's squad must partake in sooner or later: babysitting nie huaisang.

in fact, this is her main job. meng yao is briefly offended that chifeng-zun assumes her gender makes her the perfect babysitter. she's only mollified at the promise of (1) aforementioned access to the nie library as an inner disciple, (2) the sect leader's promise to keep her true gender a secret from everyone but huaisang and (3) her job is less babysitter and more last-line-of-defense, the same as all his other squad members. the difference is, nie huaisang hates having to put up with the usual burly, no-nonsense nie cultivators silently judging his foppish pursuits. they ruin his aesthetic!

meng yao is still annoyed that mingjue assumes her being female means nie huaisang will better allow himself to be guarded (because feminine pursuits means he would prefer a female guard??) but... the man is trying. and having unrestrained access to both the young master and the sect leader is an advantage she'd be insane not to secure. even if her sudden promotion makes her relationship with the lower-ranked nie disciples even worse.

almost perfect

these years are, in hindsight, some of the best of meng yao's life. she dotes on huaisang as if he's her own little brother, finally manages to cultivate her golden core, and finds pride in clearing away qinghe nie's hidden enemies. she has mingjue's admiration and trust, and holds enough sway with the non-disciples to see her plans put into action. things are almost perfect, but for a few things: the lower-ranked disciples still view meng yao as a snake that slept 'his' way to the top of the hierarchy; and nie mingjue refuses to take her as his wife.

well, refuse is a strong word. more like 'will not offer,' a predicament huaisang laments alongside meng yao because just look at her! she'd be a perfect nie-furen! also i know you're sleeping together da-ge, yao-jie is discreet but you certainly aren't! no one even entertains the idea of meng yao being taken in as a concubine; the moment one of the mostly powerless nie elders tries to bring it up (a civilian, mingjue? a man??) the nie brothers shut it down.

the lack of proposal is not out of disrespect. it's because nie mingjue knows he's going to die young. marrying meng yao would require her to reveal her true gender to calm down the nie elders, and once known that information can't be taken back. leaving behind a widow and a non-combatant brother is a far more dangerous situation than leaving behind a non-combatant brother and his trusted attendant. leaving behind a widow related to jin guangshan is even worse. that power-hungry bastard would use any opportunity to gain ground, and his grieving daughter in qinghe nie would put the entire sect in jeopardy.

(mingjue would like to think meng yao would have more loyalty to qinghe than that, but even through rose-tinted glasses he knows meng yao is a practical woman. if it ensured her own safety and possibly huaisang's, she'd open the gates of qinghe nie herself. that was the entire point of meng yao telling him her background, a warning disguised as her detailing how useful she could be. it makes mingjue uneasy, the idea of what meng yao would do if backed into a corner. so he spends as much energy as possible to keep that from happening.)

the fall

meng yao takes nie huaisang to the gusu lan lectures again and again. tensions with the wen sect keep rising. xue yang is captured and taken into the qinghe nie dungeons, only to be broken out by wen cultivators less than a day later. in the ensuing battle, mingjue catches meng yao murdering the same former squad mate that used to steal credit for her victories. he sees her smile, her purposeful use of a wen-style attack, and how easy it is for her to switch from confident to 'terrified' once she realizes he sees her. the shift shakes something fundamental in him, the realization that this woman he loves is so capable of putting on a mask. that she put a mask on in front of him, when she'd once vowed never to do so unless it was for the good of the sect.

murdering the captain of her former squadron was not for the good of the sect.

before he can confront her, xue yang cuts his way through the last of the nie defenses and leaves one last parting gift via declaration: that wen rouhan was quite interested in the beautiful woman who'd stolen nie minjue's heart. that she could do so much better in nightless city, if she ever found herself wanting.

the aftermath of the escape is devastating. meng yao eschews dignity and does what she thought of doing the first time her gender was revealed: she gets down on her knees and begs for mingjue to let her stay as a nie disciple. already word has spread throughout qinghe nie and the wider gentry that meng yao is not just a woman, but a devious and power-grabbing one. that she hid her gender to get close to the sect leader, then engineered a perfect reveal to catch his attention. that she could have easily seized control of the entire sect before anyone had any idea of the threat she was.

mingjue, meanwhile, doesn't know what is and isn't true. he's questioning everything about meng yao, even their first meeting as insinuated by the rumors. it hurts him deeply that he can no longer trust her word; and it hurts her to lose his regard so absolutely.

in a world that favors men, mingjue wouldn't hesitate to kick male!meng yao out within the day. in this one, fem!meng yao is instead locked in her rooms until mingjue can come up with a solution that won't end in her certain death. because despite huaisang's begging, he is firm in the fact that meng yao cannot stay. not even taking into account mingjue and huaisang's feelings, the outrage amongst the nie disciples is enough they'd likely rebel if she remained. mingjue does not want to see meng yao slain by a disciple of his own sect. he doesn't, against his better judgment, want to see meng yao slain at all.

lanling jin

in a great twist of fate, huaisang points out the best solution is the plan meng yao gave up on so many years ago. for better or for worse, meng yao's name is now known across the gentry. she'd been a high-ranking member of qinghe nie for many years, is valued by both brothers and is still respected for her intelligence. mingjue keeps silent on the matter of their broken trust, their long-lasting affair, and any rumors other than the fact that meng yao is a woman. instead, he sends meng yao to lanling jin with a retinue of disciples from his personal squadron, as well as an apology gift for besmirching the honor of jin guangshan's daughter.

he sends her to koi tower with a glowing letter of recommendation and an earnest request for jin guangshan to take care of someone both nie brothers care about greatly. jin guangshan reads the two letters through gritted teeth, sat in front of the stoic nie retainers bracketing meng yao on either side. with meng yao's name and accomplishments on everyone's minds, with the thinly-veiled threat of nie retribution in those damn letters-- jin guangshan cannot hide her away as he would his other bastards.

he has no choice but to accept meng yao into lanling jin as his daughter, even with his wife glaring daggers at him all the while.

it is the last gift mingjue is willing to give meng yao. if not his hand, fulfilling her dream is the next best thing he can offer. unfortunately, as with most things in meng yao's life, it is simply not enough.

a few weeks later, the cloud recesses burn.

[greenaway-torres]

Hi, can you write a smut story that starts with love at first sight between the female reader and my favorite Disney villain Captain Hook from my favorite Disney movie, Peter Pan, please? I have a serious fangirl crush on him.

Sorry this took a while. It’s been a minute since I watched the movie but hopefully you like it!!! I decided to make an nsfw ending which I’ll attach later. You know, just in case😉

Summary: Look at the request (it is a bit long though so sorry about that)

Warning: fluffy mcfluff, implied sex, mentions if drinking/alcohol, Hook being not so menacing

Playing Hooky

Your bar was busier than usual, and that’s saying something. With it being so close to the docks, it was bound to be full with sea folk, merchants, and other meandering tourists who happen to come to your small town. Especially pirates.

You weren’t too afraid of them really. Most seemed to be rather kind and cheerful, especially with a couple pints of rum in them. Some others, though, made your skin crawl. But nothing terrified you more than Captain James Hook.

Working at the bar, you would hear a few about him and how he lost his hand. But you also heard about his cruelty and things he’s done with his hook.

No. You couldn’t think about that now. Especially since another ship just docked. You walked over to one of the tables where a pair of pirates sat down and greeted them with a smile.

As you sat down a couple of them at a table, another walked over to you.

“Another pint, sweetheart,” he slurred. You smelled the alcohol on his breath from where you were standing. You were used to it, but this smell was almost too much.

“One sec. Just go back and sit.”

“On second thought, I’d rather have a glass of the barmaiden.”

You tried not to gag. He was getting closer to you and he smelled like he hadn’t showered in months. “I’ll get your drink in a second.” You wanted out.

But he didn’t listen. “Ain’t you hear me? I said I want-”

“She’s already spoken for.”

You turned to the source of the voice. A man in a velvety red coat and hat was standing behind you. You had to nearly strain to look up at him.

“Sorry, cap. Didn’t know she was one of yours.” The drunkard stumbled off, making his way back to a lonely corner.

“Forgive him, madam,” your knight apologized. “I hope he did not rattle you too bad.”

“Not at all.” You turned around and finally had a chance to look at him. Long, dark curls sat under his hat and framed his face. Rings adorned his hands. No. Hand. The other was by his side, slightly hidden away. But the light caught it for just a brief moment. It flashed, revealing a metal replacement where the fleshy hand would be. A hook.

“Is something the matter,” he asked. You had been quiet for a little while and he was slightly worried.

“Would you like a drink?” You nearly blurted out. The man in front of you smiled softly, trying to hide his laugh. “I mean, may I give you something to drink? You know, since you helped me out?”

“I’ll gladly take one. Rum, if you have it.” He followed you to the bar, taking a seat while you went behind the counter. You took your time pouring the drink, trying to steady yourself. You were in front of THE Captain Hook. In the flesh. You imagined a fearsome man. Someone tall and rugged and horrifying. Instead you were met with a mustache and blue eyes. Those gentle, soft blue eyes. Get yourself together.

“How do you find yourself here?” You asked. You weren’t even sure why to be honest. “Do you go around bar to bar saving people?”

That made him smile again. “No, my men and I just docked. But I did see that you were uncomfortable and I decided to step in.”

He peaked at you over the rim of his cup, slowly watching for your response. Gosh, he looks good.

“But you said ‘she’s spoken for’”.

“I did.”

“Why’d you say that?”

“That tends to get some people away faster. That and a good threat or two.” He took another few swigs of the drink, emptying the cup. You went ahead and started to refill it. “So are you?”

“Am I what?”

“Spoken for.”

You put the bottle down and looked up at him. He had a sort of wonder to his eyes. Like he was hoping for something. It was drawing you in.

“No. I’m not.”

He smirked. “If that’s the case, may I escort you out of here?”

You eyes shot up at him. You felt a warmth cover your cheeks. Part of you didn’t want to go with him. This was Captain Hook. One of the most fearsome captains in this area. But then again…

“Please do.”

His smile grew. He quickly downed the rest of his drink, leaving cash on the bar and took a couple bottles of rum with him. You told your coworkers that you were leaving early and promised to be back in time for clean up.

The two of you talked for a while. He asked how you found yourself as a barmaiden and in the town you were in. You told him about your father’s old business as a merchant and how it landed you where you were at. He told you about his life at sea and Peter Pan. Also about how he lost his hand.

You felt at ease with him. The world slowed down and gave you both the time to get to know each other. Or maybe that was the alcohol you two drank (mostly him of course). He walked you to the Jolly Roger, giving you a quick tour. You loved watching him talk about his ship and crew. His eyes would light up and his hand would move animatedly as he spoke.

You two stopped at a railing, leaning over and watching the water splash against the sides of the ship. The smell of sea water filled your nose and you welcomed it. “You are very different from what I thought.”

“Oh,” he smiled, “How’s that?”

“From the stories I heard, I thought you would be more frightening. Something for me to be scared of.”

He walked behind you, wrapping an arm around you and pulling you closer to him. “Well, do I scare you?”

You could never get over being close to him like this. His warmth covered you and made you feel safe. How could you ever be scared of him? “No. And I don’t think you truly could. You’ve shown yourself to be kind and gentle to me. No matter how hard I try, I can’t imagine you to be the big scary captain people talk about. Instead your a man that is holding me close and that I fee comfortable around.”

It was silent for a while. You still felt his chest rise and fall as he breathed. His head settled on top of yours. He was thinking about what you said. At least, you hoped he was.

A breeze came in from the water sending a chill down your spine. You shivering shook him out of his thoughts, again making him focus on you. “Are you alright?”

You nodded but another chill gave you goosebumps. Hook took off his coat a wrapped you in it. It nearly covered you like a blanket, the size making it nearly swallowing you up. When you looked back at him, his eyes were on you. You were falling into the color of them so easily. This time, you let yourself fall in. This wasn’t the fearsome Captain Hook. This was a man with the most beautiful eyes and charming smile you’ve ever seen. You felt yourself lean in closer to him. His hand was under your chin. You were only a breath away from his lips.

“May I kiss you?” He whispered his question. You felt each word touch your lips. You needed him badly. All you could do was nod.

His lips met yours. The kiss was heated and gentle at the same time. It was perfect. His hands grounded you as the gripped your hips and pulled you closer. You wrapped your arms around his neck. You wanted more.

“Please,” you whispered between kisses, nearly breathless.

“Please what, starling,” he started making his way to your neck. He had no idea the effect he had on you. “I need you to say it.”

Your body felt like it was on fire. “I need more. I need you, please.”

“Absolutely, my captain.” He picked you up and wrapped your legs around his waist. He walked you to his captain’s quarters and laid you on his feather bed. “Let me treat you like the princess you are.”

(NSFW here)

You woke up to your world slightly rocking. The sun was bright and filled the room entirely. You tried to get up but an arm held you tightly by your waist. Memories of last night filled your mind as a blush crept up your cheeks. You slept with the Captain Hook. You’re in his bed!

You were slightly panicking but you also felt safe. He made you feel safe. You felt his mustache tickle the back of your neck and shoulder. “Good morning, starling.”

You kissed his hand. “Morning.” He sat up and leaned over to look at you. His eyes skimmed over your body with a hungry look. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Just thinking about how good you taste. And how much I would want to taste you again.” Your breathing hitched. You had to look away from him. How can he say things like that and expect you to still look him in the eye?

He laughed softly, bringing your face back to him. He kissed you, leaving a memory on your lips. “Stay with me.”

You were shocked. You only just met this man. The town was your life. Your world. It was all you knew. Of course you’ve dreamt of leaving but is this the right time?

He saw the look on your face. How your eyebrows knitted together in deep thought. “You don’t have to decide today. Take your time and tell me when-“

“Yes.”

Your answer came out faster than you intended. You weren’t even sure if he heard you. But the look in his face said that he did.

“Are you sure?”

“I want to stay with you, Hook.”

He smiled brightly, kissing your hand and cheek. “If you’re staying with me, please call me James.”

Hope you enjoyed!! I’ll post the nsfw part later but I wanted to make sure I sent this out first lol

[snowstories]

Something I really love about A Link to the Past and Link's Awakening is how they mirror each other. Despite the fact that Link's Awakening has very little connection to A Link to the Past, it functions brilliantly as a sequel by complimenting and contrasting the latter.

A Link to the Past is a grand tale of destiny, of world-saving adventure that will no doubt go down as myth. Within the opening sequence of the game, your uncle dies in front of you, setting the tone for the rest of your adventure: this is serious, this is dark. You spend at least half your time in the 'Dark World', a corrupted realm with dangerous enemies, people trapped inside by their own greed. Your main enemy in the 'Light World' are brainwashed knights of Hyrule. And this game is difficult; enemies respawn constantly, ways to restore health are rare, a lot of the dungeons and bosses are incredibly punishing. Danger lurks around any corner, and there are very few truly safe areas in the game; and even then, they may be raided (see the Sanctuary).

Don't get me wrong: ultimately, A Link to the Past is a children's action/adventure game and the tone reflects that. There are a lot of fun, whimsical moments, and the darkness is more supposed to underscore the important nature of your quest than it's intended to be a horror upon itself. You are on a quest to save the world, and it wants you to feel the gravity of that. It is not afraid to get dark with it when it has to. This game takes itself very seriously, and wants you to take it serious as well.

In Link's Awakening, you get into the second dungeon by rescuing Madam MeowMeow's giant chainchomp Bowwow from dognappers. This game began as a fun side project of the developers and it shows. Link's Awakening is not a grand adventure to save the world: it is a quest to get off this fun, eccentric island. The stakes are lower and the game takes itself much less seriously, going so far as to incorporate Mario elements for no other reason than because it's fun. Perhaps this is version dependent (or, y'know, a skill issue on my part), I'm unsure, but at least Link's Awakening DX was also a lot less difficult than A Link to the Past, with much more frequent health drops and less and overall easier dungeons. It's not just that its story is more lighthearted; it feels less punishing to play than A Link to the Past. Link's Awakening does take itself serious when it has to, and asks that you take especially its emotional stakes seriously, of course; just like A Link to the Past has a lighter side, Link's Awakening has a more serious side. But ultimately, Link's Awakening never tries to fashion itself as some kind of grand adventure of myth: it's the tale of a single, strange island, as you grow to love it. Nothing more, nothing less.

In this, obviously, the two stories mirror each other: A Link to the Past with high stakes, a dark tone, and a harsh difficulty curve, contrasted to Link's Awakening, with lower stakes, a light-hearted tone, and much more forgiving gameplay. This works out beautifully for Link's Awakening; lots of sequels fall into the trap of trying to one-up the original, and it very often ends badly for them. Creating its own niche allows it to shine on its own without having to be compared to A Link to the Past, despite being a direct sequel. Famously, Majora's Mask also did this to great effect.

But what I find really interesting is how their endings contrast each other.

A Link to the Past has the most quintessential happy ending a game could possibly have. You reach the Triforce, and it magically makes everything okay again. People who died during the game (your uncle, the King of Hyrule, flute boy) are all alive and happy, Hyrule is thriving, all the maidens are save and happy, even the monster and the little ball from the Dark World, bully and victim in the game, are friends now. And finally, you place the Master Sword back in its pedestal, where it will sleep.... forever. (Hilarious with the power of hindsight, of course, but still.) A Link to the Past ends as happily as it possibly could have, with all the negative consequences of the game undone and everyone thriving. You fought a grueling fight, and now you and everyone you love gets to live happily ever after.

Link's Awakening, famously, does not end like that. From the beginning, you get clear hints that something is not right about Koholint, hints that become glaring fact as the game progresses and it's revealed that Koholint is a dream. And dreams have to end. Link's Awakening is not a tragedy; Koholint's disappearance is not a bad thing, and the game goes to great lengths to ensure you know this. Dreams are not meant to last forever, and waking the Wind Fish is Koholint's happy ending. And yet: it's sad. It's so terribly sad. Watching Koholint, the vibrant island you've come to love, disappear at the end of the game is heartwrenching. The ending of Link's Awakening is bittersweet, happy and sad at the same time. It's triumphant, it's necessary, and it's heartbreaking.

This, too, is a contrast and a compliment. In A Link to the Past, after all our hard work, we are rewarded with an uncomplicated happy ending that we simply do not get in Link's Awakening. Link's Awakening's ending is complicated; there is no way to soften the blow, to remove the consequences: Koholint will disappear. We see it happen. And we are not only asked to be okay with this: we are asked to be happy, despite how sad it is.

This is not something A Link to the Past does. A Link to the Past does not end with a shot of Link and Zelda happy despite the death of their caretakers, of Hyrule dealing with the consequences of Ganon's attack but growing despite it all; it ends by removing the effects of it entirely. Everyone who died is fine now, Hyrule is fine now, you are fine now. There is no sadness, no complexity: it is reality-defying happiness.

None of this is a bad thing: A Link to the Past has an extremely satisfying ending. But I love the way Link's Awakening contrasts it, forces you to deal with reality, to watch the dream pop and find beauty in it. Something can be sad and happy at the same time, and this is something to be celebrated. Where A Link to the Past offers you a no-string-attached happy ending, Link's Awakening forces you to confront the sadness that comes with happiness, complicates it in a way that A Link to the Past explicitly avoided.

A Link to the Past and Link's Awakening, despite at first glance having very little to do with each other, work very well as a series because of the way the two games compliment each other: light where the other is dark, complex where the other is simple, mirroring each other near-perfectly. It makes it extremely worthwhile to read their stories in tandem to each other; taking the other game into account can enrich the stories of both games immensely.

[mara-xx217]

Gone and Now Forgotten: A Dead by Daylight Song-Fic Comission (Tarhos/Fem!Reader/Vittorio)

This is lyric/son fic commissioned by @prettycutebunny! I hope you enjoy!~

Song used: Peter by Taylor Swift

Long ago, he made a promise to marry you and take you away from your horrible situation. But then he forgot about you, and in turn you forgot about him.

Warnings: Rape/Noncon, Prostitution, Arranged Marriage, Slavery, Canon Typical Violence, Loss of Virginity, Unwanted Pregnancy, Abortion, Hurt No Comfort, Death

Forgive me Peter

My lost fearless leader

In closets like cedar

Preserved from when we were just kids

Eyelashes were sticky with tears and thick makeup as you looked in the full body mirrors before you. The skirt of your dress was fluffed as your breath caught in your chest, the cords of your dress tightening to uncomfortable degrees. A frustrated sigh was released and a filthy cloth was scrubbed against your raw eyes.

“Stop crying! Most girls would give anything for a chance like this! Be grateful you won’t be seeing the madame’s floors after all!” The woman that scolded you was much older than you. Much older… Or perhaps it was a hard life that made her appear as such. There were fires of jealousy in her eyes, as well as in the eyes of the younger girls that fixed your dress and brought the woman more paints to apply to your splotchy face. 

Why should someone like you get such an opportunity? You always longed for greater things and yet when it is gifted to you in silks and gold, you weep. Because it is not the one you wanted? 

Selfish. 

“Really? You mean it…?!” 

Face red, you stared down at your hand, clasped in between the slightly larger hands of the boy that kneeled before you.

“Yes! M’lady, I would take your hand as mine, if allowed…” 

Your destinies were tragedy.

A slave knight.

A prostitute.

Both never to marry or to find happiness.

Destined to die low and forgotten.

Is it something I did

The goddess of timing

Once found us beguiling

She said she was trying

Peter was she lying

“Can you at least try to look happy on your wedding day?! That man decided to buy you on your name day, you can at least pretend you’re excited. This will be no different from what you were taught.” 

The older woman brought her fingers to the corners of her mouth and forced her cracked, pale lips to smile. The young girls popped their heads up, smiling too, just as they were taught. Nearly a decade of training overridden the agony that you felt and in spite of yourself, you smiled too. 

“See? Happy. You are happy to be wed to your new husband. You are happy to serve as his wife. Isn’t that right, little girl?” Was it supposed to bring you comfort? Or was this merely to ensure you would not embarrass the madame? You felt your tears dry up even though you felt yourself sink further into the depths of despair.

“W-What…? You’re… Leaving me…?”

Tears welled in your eyes as you stared at his back. 

His hand was clasped tightly to his side in a clenched fist.

“Only… Only for a while.” 

He turned to face you, already becoming sharp and broad in spite of his young age.

“I will return.”

“But… Tarhos… I’ll become a-”

“You won’t. I won’t allow it.” 

He returned to you and sank to a knee, clasping your hand in between his just like how he used to.

“We will marry, just as I promised. You will have an entire company to protect you.”

You smiled. 

You never wanted anyone else.

You didn’t care about anyone else.

You only wanted him. 

My ribs get the feeling she did

And I didn't want to come down

I thought it was just goodbye for now

You cannot remember the ceremony. Faces and figures were blurred, voices were distant echoes in your ears. You had practiced this day for the entirety of your life, first in secret, in your girlhood fantasies, and then obligated to do so, for this very day where you were to be wed to an eccentric nobleman that could find no wife among his peers. 

You have no memory of the sound of that nobleman’s voice as he said his vows, nor do you remember his face as he leaned in to kiss you. You mistook the scratchiness of his beard for another’s, and you could almost trick yourself into falling in love all over again with the boy you thought you knew. 

“W-Wait… Before you go-”

Your face was awash with colour as you beckoned Tarhos closer.

A last kiss goodbye. 

You wanted to memorize the sensation of his lips, the roughness, the clumsiness of his kiss…

He tried to lift up your skirt but you patted it down, sheepish.

“We… We can’t-”

“Why not?”

“My- I have to- If they were to ever find out I’m not a-”

You couldn’t bring yourself to say the word. 

“I understand.”

The silence between you became strained.

“...I’ll keep myself for you.”

A nod.

“You… will return? B-Before…?”

“Yes.”

“You promise me?”

“Yes.”

“Swear it.”

You cannot remember what he said on the night he left you. Did he swear to you, on your life, on your chastity that he would take as his? Did he swear on his own, promising you that he would remain yours until the end? 

What would he think of you, now that you have failed to keep your promise to him? Would he still call you his ‘beloved’, or would he call what you feared the most?

Whore.

You said you were gonna grow up

Then you were gonna come find me

You said you were gonna grow up

Then you were gonna come find me

You cannot remember the night of your wedding. The feeling of the dress loosening, slipping down your shoulders and pooling at your feet, your warm, bare skin kissing the cool air before hot moisture tickled the back of your neck… 

‘A man would love to claim a virgin but he would only have any sort of faith towards a whore. Remember this well, girls.’ 

The words of your tutor echoed in your head all throughout the night. You were a virgin, yes, and you didn’t have the experience of a practiced whore, but you were the best compromise in between the two. The perfect little wife for a nobleman who believed he was worthy of purity yet also craved the talent of a working girl. 

You didn’t need to be told, you didn’t need to be asked, you just did as you were taught. You had no practice on real men, but vegetables and wooden replicas weren’t so different from the real thing. 

Your new husband guided your head, stroking your hair as though he had some sort of care for you. Your mind drifted back to him, to Tarhos, and you found yourself becoming aroused only then. 

Why didn’t you let him take you, then and there?

Why did you turn him away?

Now you’re giving yourself to the highest bidder.

You couldn’t keep your promise…

Said you were gonna grow up

Then you were gonna come find me

Words from the mouths of babes

The only thing you could remember as you laid on your back was the blank, colourless ceiling that stretched to an infinity over your head. Your mouth moved and your face scrunched up in appropriate ways, complemented by the sing-song lilt in your voice as you felt your barrier break. Tears involuntarily welled in your eyes and slid down the side of your face, staining the pillow underneath you as your body rocked like a boat in the middle of a storm. 

“Fa male?”

“Fa male?” 

The words meant nothing to you. You didn’t speak his language, only smiling hollowly up at him as you tried to squirm away from his touch. 

How could something like this be pleasurable? 

Would Tarhos make it feel different? 

Or would it be-?

“Ah… Tarhos…”

His hand was up your skirt.

“We can’t-”

“Your body says otherwise.”

His fingers dig into your womanhood.

“I-It hurts-!” 

He doesn’t stop.

Your face twists up as something in your gut spasms. 

Your hand was full of him.

Your mouth would have been too, if he hadn’t claimed it with your mouth.

It was too much, yet-

You didn’t want him to stop.

Promises, oceans deep

 But never to keep

Oh, never to keep

What would you do, if you knew, that while you were being sold off that he was in a brothel half a continent away?

With his men, they had the pick of the litter, rounding up all the pretty little girls that swooned when they saw a man in armour and taking them together.

They had sworn a blood oath of brotherhood, a bond unbreakable. What was one was one for all. Food. Clothing. Weapons. Women…

What about that oath he had sworn, so long ago? 

“Oh, what does it matter! We’re here for the fucking!”

His friend laughed as he held the girl on his lap close to him. She giggled and kicked her feet as she fluttered her thick eyelashes up at him. 

“There’s a dozen or more girls here that are waiting for some unwashed cock! Why would you leave a lady waiting, Tarhos?!”

A whore caught his eye, standing against the wall as she observed him and his guards. She smiled and began to saunter over to him, and his already straining cock began to pulse as he easily found your features within her own.

It was different for men, he reasoned to himself. He needn’t keep his body pure, but his heart he would. A whore is a whore, but love is something entirely different. Always he pictured your body, your face, and heard your voice whenever he bedded them. When he couldn’t, he would turn them onto their stomachs and push their faces into the cushions, so he wouldn’t hear himself breaking his solemn vow.  

Are you still a mind reader?

A natural scene stealer

I've heard great things Peter

His name would be associated with death, destruction and a battle prowess that was unmatched by the noblemen in any royal army across the lands. Even you would hear whispers of it throughout your life, just enough to cause you the most debilitating of ills: hope. A lowborn name known is difficult to ignore, especially to the nobility that desperately try to will it away. Tarhos Kovács was on his way to greatness before that anticipated name day of yours.

But he didn’t come. 

It wasn’t enough, not yet. He was still a slave-knight. He was still less than a commoner, a lowborn. 

He needed more. 

Tarhos couldn’t face you, not yet. Not while he was still in chains. He couldn’t buy you out until he was free. 

Yes, that was the truth. He wasn’t ready. It wasn’t time yet. Tarhos would fight his bloody battles with his pack and they would carve a slab of the world out for themselves, and there would be a spot for you there too, right beside him. 

But life was always easier on you

Than it was on me

And sometimes it gets me

When crossing your jet stream

You were sent no letters.

You received no word.

You were left in silence as you were bedded, night after night, by a man you didn’t love and who’s name you could barely remember. 

The ceiling was the only thing you could recall in the large house that you were supposed to call home. Always moving, always waxing and waning in rhythm to the incessant motion in your gut… 

You should be grateful you weren’t a whore.

You should be grateful that you weren’t fucking every man in the city every single night.

“Ci si sente bene?”

“Come posso farlo sentire bene?”

“Voglio farti sentire bene, moglie mia…” 

All you could feel was the chill in the air, and a hollowness whenever your husband finally rolled away from you in the middle of the night. 

You hated the feeling of his hands on your body.

You hated the feeling of his lips against your own. 

You hated the feeling of his cock emptying itself inside of you.

What you hated the most was the feeling of his bastard growing inside of you.

We both did the best we could do underneath the same moon

In different galaxies

And I didn't want to hang around

We said it was just goodbye for now

What would he say if he saw you now, with your belly swollen with another man’s seed?

Whore.

Whore.

Whore. 

So many whores walked around with swollen bellies in the madame’s house.

“They didn’t take care of it while they had the chance.”

“They can still make good money in spite of their affliction.”

One woman with a grotesque swell was pointed out to you.

“It’s not so bad for her. Her child will make her money, if the madame is feeling kind.”

Little children running around the brothel, just like you, not so long ago.

Were you born in this place? 

It was all you had ever known… 

You stare in the mirror as your new dress is fitted. Ever since he left “solo per un po’”, whatever that was supposed to mean, a swell has begun to grow in your lower belly. A bump that had quickly become a lump, and soon enough, that lump would become a bloat, not so unlike the corpse you once witnessed being pulled out of a well. Your breath caught in your throat as the cords were left slack at your back.

“Pull them tighter.”

“M’lady…?” 

“I said ‘pull them tighter’!” 

The servant girl hesitated but obeyed your wish with a bowed head. You commanded her, ‘tighter, tighter, tighter’, until you felt faint from the pressure and the pain and you no longer saw that hideous bulge in your gut. 

You sent all the servants away any chance that you had. The thought of anyone seeing you in this horrendous state made your skin crawl. What did they all think of you? Did they pity you? Did they find you disgusting? Were the young girls under your husband’s service jealous of your predicament? 

‘Any girl should be jealous of a nobleman’s wife. They don’t have to scrub the floors or fuck whatever scum stumbles into their rooms. What’s the hardship of giving birth when you live in luxury?’ 

No. 

It wasn’t fair. 

You had already given up so much… 

Why did you have to give up even more? 

Why couldn’t Tarhos have come back to you like he promised…?

You said you were gonna grow up

Then you were gonna come find me

His thoughts were with you, though less and less among recent days. The road to freedom was long and it was to be hard fought.

Had you been taken by a husband?

Were you being bedded by fiends such as himself every single night in his absence? 

Tarhos pinned the woman down underneath him and did not heed her cries for mercy as he took what was owed to him.

Her husband chipped his armour when he tried to stop him from torching their wood and straw home.

Now his wife lay screaming in a pool of his blood as ‘the Knight’ threw her scraps to his hounds.

You said you were gonna grow up

Then you were gonna come find me

You drank.

You ate.

You did things you were not supposed to do, ‘for the health and safety of the child there within’.

‘No parsley’. 

You devoured entire bushels.

‘No pennyroyal’.

You drank deeply from its oils.

You scoured your mind for old recipes you would make for the older women of the brothel and you put it to work, frustrated nothing seemed to work.

A pinch-

No, more.

Four leaves of-

No, more! 

Said you were gonna grow up

Then you were gonna come find me

Pain overtook your belly during the high moon hours, unbeknownst to any of the servants. It wasn’t until the sun had crested over the mountains and a servant girl fetched you for breakfast did an ear piercing shriek fill the castle walls.

“Hurry up, girl! Fetch the water!”

Your legs were too short to carry you far and you nearly spilled it all by the time you returned to the room.

“Fool! Go get more!”

A scream unlike anything you had ever heard before shook you to your core.

You knew whose voice it belonged to, a girl that was born into the brothel, like many of the others were.

Perhaps like how you were.

The room was heavy with the scent of copper, it washed over you every time you ran into the room.

The screaming lasted for a night and a day before she fell silent.

There was no cry of a babe to be heard, only stiff silence as the midwives looked on at the misshapen lump that passed through you. 

You bled.

You bled for hours until it stopped. 

It stopped and you were left wondering if it would have been better if it never had. 

Maybe you should have thrown yourself from the window, instead.

Maybe you should have jumped into the river the night Tarhos left you.

Maybe you didn’t care anymore and was relieved it was finally out of you.

Words from the mouths of babes

Promises, oceans deep

When you heard heavy, quick footfalls up the steps one day, you very nearly believed it was him.

He’s come for you, just like he promised!

Tarhos promised to come, he promised to love you, even if you were to be forced to work…

Your tear filled smile falls flat as you witness your husband throw open the doors, tears in his eyes as he rushes to embrace you.

“Mia cara!”

“Oh, mia cara…” 

“Mi dispiace tanto…”

“Il nostro primogenito…" 

Did your face tell your story? 

Did he know what you had done? 

He cradled you as he cried, and all you could see was the ceiling looming overhead, just like then, just like all the times before it.

You laid back and pulled the skirt of your nightgown up.

And he placed his hand atop yours and stopped its ascent before you exposed yourself.

“No.” 

“No…?” 

“...no.”

“Men will never say ‘no’, they have no understanding of the word, itself. Don’t bother to use it. It's bad for business.”

“They do as they please, damn your feelings.”

“Let him take what he wants. It will keep you alive and your pockets lined with copper.”

“A man would always choose a wet hole over decency.”

“What do you want from me, then?” 

He looked at you with an expression mixed with confusion and hurt. You felt something in your stomach twitch.

But never to keep

Oh, never to keep 

Tarhos whored and slaughtered his way up and down the known countrysides, leaving a blood trail in his wake. Another urge, one that had not been forgotten but had simply been overtaken with another, had reared its ugly head. 

The feeling of violence wasn’t enough.

The feeling of death wasn’t enough.

He has seen it, tasted it, known it as intimately as any woman he had ever fucked, yet to him it was still unobtainable. 

“Where are we going?”

“What are we doing?”

“Who are we going to kill next?” 

He didn’t care. He just needed more.

Thoughts of the girl he promised his hand to was a foggy cloud in the recesses of his mind. She meant something to him, but he was too close to obtaining something so important, more important that sustenance, than water, than warm, wet holes to fuck.

You suffered without him.

You still longed for him, but for how much longer?

How much more blood could be shed between the two of you?

And I won't confess that I waited

But I let the lamp burn

Another swell, another bloody end.

Another swell, another bloody end.

When would he stop trying?

When you would feel something other than emptiness?

You felt nothing when he was rubbing back and forth inside of you. You didn’t bother to pretend, anymore. In the midst of it, he took your face in between his hands and caressed your cheeks with his thumbs.

And he removed himself from you and let you be in peace.

It was something a whore wouldn’t be afforded. Once you stopped pretending to enjoy yourself, he no longer touched you, no longer sought you out for any intimate relations. That was the end of it for you, you thought. He would sell you back to your madame, maybe he would sell you to another. Perhaps he would make use of you in other ways… 

He came to you for dinners, still. He offered to take you to the garden, he still wished to sleep beside you, even though you have failed in your duties as a wife. 

As the men masqueraded

I hoped you'd return

“Why… are you doing this to me?” 

You seethed with contempt. He wished something of you, for an heir, yet he has stopped trying. Why? What more can you offer him? 

“Che cosa…?” 

“Why are you doing this to me? What do you want from me?” 

He wasn’t unattractive, but he wasn’t the one you wanted. You didn’t want to love him. You didn’t want to feel anything from the soft, kind gestures that he has demonstrated towards you. You wanted him to be like the vile men that frequented the brothel. 

Why couldn’t he just take what he wanted and let it be done?

“I- You are mia moglie- my wife.” 

“A wife is supposed to give her husband a son.”

“You… have tried.” 

You stood up and walked away.

You were left alone during the night. 

He did not creep in to take you. He did not send in the servants to rip you from your bed. You could have slept, if your mind would have allowed you to do so. It was alight with possibilities, fears, wants, hopes, desperation… What did this man want from you? He bought you. He owns you. You are not his equal, in marriage, in social standing, as a human being. 

With your feet on the ground

Tell me all that you'd learned 

“What… do you want from me…?” 

“I want… to love you.”

His answer remained the same, no matter how many times you asked him. 

‘Love’... Love. Did you even remember what that felt like? Was it kind and gentle, or was it a venomous viper that strangled you in your sleep? Could you even love anymore, if you really, truly tried? Were you worthy of it, after having poisoned your mind, body and soul against him? 

Did Tarhos remember what it was? 

Did he remember the way your hand felt against his? The way you would kiss him, with chastity and blind adoration? You thought you felt a phantom of this when your husband gently took your hand into his and placed a warm kiss onto your knuckles. 

Was he still fighting his war for freedom? You wondered every now and then if he had succeeded in his quest, though this thought was beginning to drift further and further from you every single day.

Cause love's never lost when perspective is earned

And you said you'd come and get me but you were 25

She was black and blue by the time Tarhos and his pack were finished with her. She could barely limp out of the room, weeping as not a thread of her clothing survived its encounter with them. 

“Send in another.” 

“A-Another…?”

“ANOTHER! Younger, this time!” 

The girl was chosen from the group he had preselected. She was skittish and squealed as she was snatched by the wrist and thrown into one of the men that eagerly awaited her arrival.

“Ahh…” 

The smallest of his pack sniffed her hair and licked a stripe from her chin to her ear.

“This one is much better. So close… Don’t you think?” 

Tarhos grabbed the girl by her hair and threw her down onto the cushion below, flipping her so she was laying on her back.

That day, he should have taken you.

Damn what you said.

Your body was so soft and warm.

Inviting. 

He should have made you his and stolen you away.

Now you made love to another, undeserving man.

Did he take you like this?

Did he make you cry like how these whores did?

Have you birthed him any children?

A girl?

A boy?

The whore screamed even after they were finished with her. She bled and they were thrown out of the brothel, like they were a dozen others before it. 

They didn’t give Tarhos what he wanted. 

No one could give him what he wanted.

But someone was trying to give you what you deserved.

If he knew this, would he be happy for you, or would he be sick with jealous rage,,,?

And the shelf life of those fantasies has expired

Lost to the lost boys chapter of your life

Life wasn’t what you had wanted as a girl, nor was it what you wanted as a woman, but it was far from what you would have expected it to be. Was it what you deserved? Maybe not. Maybe you don’t deserve nice things, to be looked after, to be loved… But you would allow yourself to be selfish. You wanted love, you craved it. If your husband was still willing to give it to you- if Vittorio was still willing to give it to you- you just couldn’t turn away from it any longer. 

The days weren’t so short, nor the nights so long. The bed was warmer with him in it, and the walks through the garden were not so lonely with him at your side. 

For the first time, you engaged in intimacy with another.

It wasn’t euphoric, though it was neither unpleasant at the same time. It was like trying on a new dress, or experiencing a new smell or taste for the first time. 

It was different.

It was exciting. 

You longed for more, more with him.

Vittorio. 

Was it a lifetime ago that you only pined for Tarhos? Was it merely a few moons ago? You wept the night you made love to your husband, both rejoicing for your new union and in mourning for what you had lost. 

Forgive me Peter, please know that I tried

To hold onto the days when you were mine

In the end, you couldn’t keep your promise to Tarhos. You tried, but you simply couldn’t wait for him any longer. Days had turned into weeks, then into months and then years. You had never received word from him, and the fleeing conversations between servants that seemed to revolve around a familiar company of slave-knights sent shivers down your spine. 

Was your Tarhos even still alive? Perhaps he had died long ago, on the battlefield, and all that was left was some husk that wore his face. 

How would you know? You hadn’t seen him in… well, a lifetime it would seem.

How did that last meeting between the two of you go, again…?

“̵̨͇͖͕̯̎͑̃̅̐̉͆̈́́.̶̬̟̋̋́̍̋̒̂͗͘͘͠.̶̛̠̘̗̠͈̲̔̐̇̒̓̀̌̅̆̑̂͜.̸̡̡̢̛̱̜͖̩̫̲̝͖͕̱̞̞̎͗̍̎̇̔̓̈́̚͜Ī̸͈́̂̌̾̾́̇͋̇̀̃͂͘’̷͔͈́̋̏̂̓̓̄l̴̺̤͙̥̖͓̱̭̱͊͜l̷̢͚͍͖̤͔͎̯̩͎̳̩̀͊̐̿͗͐͊͘ ̴̛̛̰̟͖͍͉̘̆̓̋͑͛̄̀͆͌̔̂̐k̸̨̛̦̱̜̙̫̜̟̰̗̦͕͇͔̙̽̒̿̂͛͆̏͠͠͠ͅẻ̶̤̝̙͖͈͕͕̖̰̀̓̎̄̋̑̐͜e̷̢̧͙̻̞̼̫̫̘̠̩̗̭̬̙̐̉͗p̵̢̢͇͔͙͖̭͕̩̯̗̙͕̻̄̉̀̇͊͛͛͝ ̸̤̟̰͖̰̀̍̌̎͂̑̀̍̌͝m̵̧̢̟͕̼͖̺̙̰̭̫͉̝̩̭̲̈͜y̸͇̯̲͇̳̯̺̜̦͘s̵̢̢͖͓̞̤͍͍̰̱͓̮̼͔̠͕̆̿̈́̈́͂̊͂̊̾̀̕̚͝͝e̵̜̮̜̥͍̪̩̘͊̈́͊̆́̌͊̐̆͆̊̋͑̊͆̈́̕l̶̛̻͙̲̬̱̈̐́͗̉̈́͗̀̂̎̄̉̏͑̈̚f̸͉̣̻͌̀̓̃̃͆͑ ̸͈̣̈́̀́̒̽̓͛f̴̯̯̎̒̾̓̈̃̃̂̎̓̚͝ỡ̶̝̜͎̲̪̞̹̘̪̺̲͕͉͋̑̀̔̊͐̐̏̂̇̍̉͘͜͜͝ȑ̴̹̟̓ͅ ̴̨̡͙̠̬̣̬͖͈̦̫̩̰͍̅͊̄̊̔ͅͅỵ̷͓̙͍̫̬̻̤̽͗͒̌́͗̍̿̇͆̽́͆̈̕͝ͅo̶̻̖͗̋̈́̚͘ṻ̶̢̺̣̤͙̖͉͇̙̣͔̭́̈́͊̋́̈́͌̕ͅ.̴̡̡͇̱̤͇̺̖͖̮̼͔̊̅̌̾̍̊̏̄͆̊̂̏̏̓͜͜͝͝”̷̡̛̜͎̉͌̂̉̈́̇̊́̂̍͛́́

̷̨̖͓͗̂̀̎̋̆͑͊̌̋͊̓́̈́͆ͅ"̵̧̯̳̲̈́̇͋̎̓̂͌̂̔͋̈͝A̴͓̜̳̺̞̼͒͆͊͝s̷̢͍̜̹̜̱̜͙͙͍͙̗͉̓͌̒͂̑̑̊̍̔̽̏̀͝ ̷̢̧̫̤̳͉̲͒̏͛̔͌̅͐̓̎̎̊́͝y̴̤̫̳̜̫̝̤͎̼͓̝̻̏ơ̸̢̧̱̝̼͔͈͓͉͖̭͔̫͒͂̕ụ̴̟̈́ ̶̨͓̲̟͇̗̝̜̭̥̫̮̼͇͙̊̃̆̆̆̏̎̈́̐̉̆̒͠͠s̸̨̟̰̍͂̓̓̍̀͋́̄̊̏̋̐̚͠h̵̨̡̧̛̞̲̜̩͎̟͓͆̐́́͋̑̃́̌̒̓̕͝o̸͕̠̺͚̳̝̞̫͎̝͌͒́̉̕ͅu̴̧̘̳͍̖̳͔͛̾͆̃̈́͋̿͐̾l̸̼͙̍̾̒̓̌͜d̸̡̡̹̹̹͔̿̎.̸̛̖͕̮̳̟̝̙͙̦̺̰̟͆̎̾̓͒̀̍̓̀́̏̓͘̚"̴̧͔͇̟̟̳̰̗̭̖̝̯̬̆̈͗̎͋͑̈́̾̈́̄̎̚̕͠ͅ

̶̢͆̎͆͋̎͊̆͆͑̕̚̚͝“̸̬̙̎̆̋͗̓Y̶̡͇̮̼̘̺̪̯͎͇͉͎͕̳̘͍̟̿̉̔̈́̀̂̑o̷̡͔͉͙̺̫͙̝̗̟̿͋̃͌̓̂̚ư̷̼̣͉͛͂̅͆̍̂͋͌̅̈́͜…̶̨̧̦͖̘̻͖͈̭͈̱̹̃̓͑͒͘͠ͅ ̴̡̢͍͙̠͈̝̻̺͎̭̳̭̬̑̄̄̽̈̂͆̑̉̍̂͒̇̕͜͜͜͝ẃ̴͎͖͇̘̥̞̠̹̺̝̽̂̀̇̈̒͗̈́̿̓͝ỉ̶̺͍̮̗̞̥̻͚̝̯̤̭̖̰̑͊̓̀̕͜͠ͅͅl̵̥͖̙͔̙͕͖̝̖͙̰͚̝̤̳͚͓͒̎͊̂̌͊̈́̚͝͝l̴̢͔̙͕̖̊͑͛͜ ̵̲̭̲͙̜̰͖̳̾̐́̇̚r̵̡̧̠̞͙̩̯͔̭̮̠͙͍̿̓̽̇̀̑ȩ̶̧̳̰͇̜̦̜̦̬́̀͐̆͗̾̒͐͋̈̚̕͘̚͘ţ̸̯̣̖̺̤̪̲̳̐̉́͂̐̋͐̌u̶̢̖̟͍̻͖̟̮̔̍ŗ̶̼͓̤̙͍̝͚̠̩̹͎̠̜͖͊́͆̐̀̄̆n̶̨̛̥̘̙̫̦̲͖̺̤̩̰̞̟̟̭̓̓̇̆̄́̿̍̊̓̓̈́̐͝?̶̬̜͕̰͔́̉͑͗̿̉̉̾̂́̏͛͆̅̕͠ ̴̮̩͎͍̬̜̖̬̼̣̜̯̿ͅB̶̢̢̡̬̮̙̦̖̭̱̫̞̖̦̜̽̀͑͑̀́͘͘͘͝-̵͖̟̜͓͐̏͐̓̒͘̚B̷̹̱̺̩̯̣͖̟͈̙͕̮̏͛́̀̅̔͘̚͘̚͝ͅe̶̛̩͔̺̪̥͚͈͇̰̲̹̱̦̤͓̰͉̾͋̀̓̆̏͌͛̈́̈́̔͘͝͝f̸̖̼͓͎͈̲͖̲̞͕͇͓͖̅̈̈̓͋ô̴̧̘̯̝͍̦̹̭̰̤͍̣͇̋́̽̾̇̿̽̍͠͝͠͝ŗ̶͉͇͍̘̩̥̪̞̺̰̭̮͕̭͕̊͛̃̐̈́̍̔̿̄̊͘ę̴̡̭̩̦̜͔̔͛̈́̀͂̕͝…̴̖̖̼̣̺̯̗̙̄͗̊̈́̇̎͋̃̌́̚̕͠͝͝?̷̛̺͇̱͈̅̉̍̐̅̾̃̈́͐”̸̢̠̺̪̞̠͎͉͕̱̗͈̯͚̬́͆́͑̀͊̊̄͒̔̓͘

̵̢̡̟͚̩̮̪͑̓̿̌̒̅̽̅͒̎̋̆͌̊̋“̶̢̢̼̣̼̼̩̙̿̇̃̎͂̍͗̈̇̋̋̊̇͆́͠͠.̶̨̛͓̭͔̪͖͍̭̲̩͛̎̓͗̑̿̈́̑̅́͑̏̐͝.̷̢̨̘̰͔̙̮̠̝̦̠̦͚̙̰̣͆̆.̵̛̛͈̞̹̼̟̼͑̅̾̽̅̽̂́̌͛̀͝͝p̵̤̥̖̥̭̲͈͓͛͜ë̶̢̥͓̝̙́͗̒͑̈́́͝ŗ̴̛̛̥̲̩̱͔̙̟̖̼̼̙̞̳̽͑̉̃́̕͜͠ȟ̸͎̏̎̒̈́̐̇̈́͐̌̓͐̓͘̚͠ą̷͇̣̥̗̖̬͇͇̩̾͛̃̒̾̕̚̕͠ṗ̶̞͚̯͈̟̝s̷͈̹̿̃̈́̔͊̈́̈́͂̈́̀̈́̍͐̕̕,̷̢̱͓͉̲̰̟͈͉̖͈͉̙͎̋́̿̕ͅ ̷̬͉̋̐́̈́̾̕i̵̡̖̲͉̭̱̩͆͆͊͐̓͗̏͗͘͘͜͜͠ḟ̵̨̢̜̠͖̘͖̫̬̜͓̹͎̱̤̞̾͗̔̐̎̈́̀̈͂͛̌̀̔̍̉̕ ̴̧̧͙̩͇̗̭̮̠͖͇̖̅̅͗͊͌́́̉́͘͝͝Ḯ̴̛͕̠̫͎̻̬̹̯͈͔̼̻̩̞̆̂̃̽̃̇̀̐́ͅ ̶̻̥̪̩̲̠̦̪̺̘̑͂͆̓͗̈́̒̈́̊͘̕̕͝͠͝͠ẖ̸̲̜̒̾̍̈́͐͐̓͌͌͠͝ͅå̸̡͓̭̤̼̘̲̾̎͆̽͛̏͆̚͘̕͝͝v̶̛̥̭͖̺͙̲̯͙͔̅̓̽͆͛͑̅̋̍̋̀̕e̴͇̪͇̎̀̋̆̌́̄̿̎́̃̽̊̈͊͝͝ ̵̧̨̘̻̝̼̱͈̬̻̳̳̼̤̹̼̪̓͐͆̓̾̿͑̈́̐̌͘̕ǎ̷̢̧͔̻͇̣̬̳̫̜͕̯͕̺͋̈̇̈̂́̔̈́̚ ̸̛͙̥̱̞̃̌̿̏̆̆͛̆͒̈́̅̌͑́͝m̵̨̻̱̣̭̻͉̻͇̻̭̏͒̂̔̎̀͑͌͆̈́͛̄͋̚̚̕͜ȋ̵̪̪̦̝̫̹͙͖̘̀̓̈́̔ǹ̵̜̟͖̻̯̼̳͙͚̰̻͖̪͖͎͍͒̏̌̇̚͠ͅḓ̵̡̹̹͓̓̈͛̍͊̋̈̿̈́ ̷̛̺̏͒̑̽̌͒̓̇̈̋̂͗̓t̶̡̛͍̖̮̟̭̝̙̅̄̽̌̓ǫ̵̖̩̺̳̓̉̉͌̎̔̓̀̃͂̆̕͝͠.̸̡͔̦̹͖͓̖̮̅̚"̵̼̦̽̇̇̃̓̃̽͐

̶̢̣̖͕̘͙̜̜̖͚̼͚̝̣̱̖͛̀̀̃̐̍̎͑̎̒̋͊̈́͜͠͝“̶̛̛̰̘̖͕͈́́́͒̈́̍̎̑͛̒̂̚P̷̢̛͎̻̗̤̤̪̙͖̠̪͖̐͌͆l̸̢̛̙̫̹͚̙͉̬̩̝̬̊̏̈̿̈̾́̏̓̿͑̉̈̚̚͜e̴͎͚̰̮͔̿̈́a̷̖͍̎͘̚s̷̻̖̞̰̺̠̫͐ͅe̷̹̱̜̹͖̍̎̓̈,̷͍̼̱͎͓̱̆̅͋ ̴̱͉̙̳̅̏̊̈́̌́̓̈́̽̏͑̎͌̎̑͘p̶̛̘̭̐̎̔͒͗̇̋̀̍̑͛͂̀̎̚͜r̴͕͖͉̗̺̮͉͙̂̓̀̊͗̈́̀̆͂͊͐̓͒̈́ŏ̶̦̜̮̖̝̲̠̯͓̱̮̀̅̃͌͋̔̀̒͜͝͝m̸̨̨̻̭͖̪̹̘͎͖̝̣̻̎̀͆́̅̃̆͊ï̴̦̦̤̘̙͔͛́s̶̰̪̠͇̯̊̈́̍̂̋̄̀̈̽ę̵̛̦̣͉͉͍̫̥̘͙̮̉̆͐́̇͊͜͜.̸̢͔̱̼̥̟̣̻̯͙̐͋͊͌͛͆͋̎́̋̊̃̚͜͝͝͠.̵̦͖̻͕̠̩̥̫͔̦̩̎̀̿̈̎̽͜.̶̦̺̰͚̩̟̭̅̔͑̇͛̿̾̍͋͘ͅ”̶̧̭̲̱̗͙͉̰͉̻͉̩̼̤͇̯̒̾͆̊̚͝ͅ

̶̧̠̻͚͖̮͖͑̂̐̕"̷̳̗̯̙̞̺̙͗͗̿͗̂̊̕͝͝͝.̴̧̧̰̯͓̹̀́̎̊̄̈́̐̇͆͜͝͝.̵̧̧̮̩̰̻̦̟̙̰̾́͑̀͆̄͌̓́̽͝͠ͅ.̵̖̞͓͇̦̰̟̮͈̾͂̉͒̈́̉̏̿̓̈͆̂͒͌̌͘͝.̶̧̲̜̭͍̬̻͕̤͕̦̪̺͎̱̎̿̌̎̊̒͂̑̃́̂̅͝ͅ"̵̡̧̻̤̱̍͐̓̒͊̚

̴̺̥̙͆̀̓

̵̢̨̲̞̤̝̠̥̟̥͎̹̝̳͎̂͂̓̂̊̇̈́͐

…you couldn’t remember, anymore.

Did it even matter anymore, now that you were learning to love your husband? A part of you will always remember the feeling of that promise you made to each other, but now it was nothing more than words between children, a fever dream of hope that you no longer blame yourself for holding onto. 

What else were you supposed to do, as a child…?

What else were you supposed to do, now that you were a woman…?

But the woman who sits by the window has turned out the light

This time, things were different. Everything was. The way you felt, in your body, mind and soul. You were not alone. You felt… complete. 

The swell in your belly didn’t bring you feelings of heartbreak and disgust. You weren’t overjoyed, but you weren’t in pain, either. A little numb, yet you still felt sparks of joy whenever Vittorio touched your growing belly, or pressed his ear to it whenever the babe inside of you shrugged or kicked. 

You had never been this far along before. You had never felt such an overwhelming sensation of helplessness before… Yet it wasn’t like it was then. This is… so much different, so… acceptable. You weren’t by any means unhappy, but you weren’t ecstatic either. 

But that was okay. 

It was becoming easier to bear, even as the child grew heavier and more unruly. Maybe this could be another start for you. It wouldn’t be absolution, you didn’t want it, but it could be something beautiful, you think. 

You said you were gonna grow up

Then you were gonna come find me

The waters released early.

You collapsed in the garden with Vittorio at your side. 

The midwives and the doctors were at your side through it all, but nothing they did would stop the bleeding. 

You said you were gonna grow up

You said you were gonna grow up

You bled through the bedclothes and through the floor.

You didn’t live long enough to see your son, but Vittoro held him before he gasped his last breath. 

There was no way to honour you two in his eyes. A grave wasn’t nearly enough, but a crypt felt so cold and unyielding. 

A fine casket of polished wood, inlaid with the softest silks was what you and your son would be laid to rest in. Vittorio wanted you both somewhere pleasant, if such a thing could be called that, where the sun would shine on you and flowers could grow side by side with your resting place. Your favorites were planted nearby, and like you were tending to them from the grave, they took over within a fortnight, not growing wild but in an agreeable manner that was befitting the grave of ones so loved, Vittorio thought. 

Then you were gonna come find me

Said you were gonna grow up

You said you were gonna grow up

Life became melancholic for Vittorio. There was little reason to remain so homebound, though it pains him to leave you and your child behind. He would contract work from a well traveled company, one that was once a part of the well known la Guardia Compagnia. A knight and thus surely a man of honour, one Vittorio could entrust his values into.

Tarhos Kovács and his loyal men. 

Then you were gonna come find me

Said you were gonna grow up

Then you were gonna come find me

Tarhos was no knight, and he was loyal to no one other than himself. He saw the nobleman’s home and decided he would like to have it as his own. Upon hearing the expedition he was to undertake, and that the fool wanted no blood to be spilled, Tarhos felt himself become encumbered by rage. 

“The weak die and the strong survive… That’s what you believe.”

The weak laid slain across the battlefield, the survivors still standing and picking through the wreckage for valuables to take. 

“Yes. The strong take what is theirs and the weak give it up because they have no choice.”

Tarhos looked over to the women that huddled together in a compact cart, chained together and weeping as they cradled their wounded bodies.

“The weak deserve to die.” 

You said you were gonna grow up

Then you were gonna come find me

The home was destroyed. What was Vittorio's now belonged to Tarhos, and he wanted every trace of him eradicated. Paintings were defaced, clothing was torn to ribbons, old dresses were laid before him and probing questions were asked.

“Like to dress as a lady, do we? You noble types really are the scum of the Earth!” 

Alejandro laughed as Vittorio tried to break free of his chains. 

“Don’t touch-! Those are hers-!” 

“‘Hers’? Here that? He’s having an affair! Scandalous!” 

He laughed as he spilled wine all over them, casting them into the fireplace so they would burn to ash. 

They dragged him all throughout the house, beating him and whipping him as they went. Vittorio could barely stand by the time they made it to the garden.

“What do we have here?” 

It took two of the men to hold him in place as Tarhos stepped up to the well kept grave located underneath a large oak tree. Unbeknownst to him, two names were written on it, along with a modest poem. Vittorio’s heart seized in his chest as he nudged your grave with his armoured boot. 

“Fermare! Quelli sono di mia moglie e di mio figlio...!”

He was cut off by a punch to the gut. 

“Your wife and your son…? Tch-” 

Tarhos felt a burning need to quash everything that was linked to this nobleman. 

So pathetic… He has tears running down his face and he is begging. 

Tarhos angled his foot and began to push on the grave, then kicking it as he forced it free from the earth. Vittorio could only watch in horror as your and your son’s gravemarker toppled over, one of his shoulders going slack as Tarhos motioned over to one of the men holding him in place. 

“Break it.” 

He was held back, screaming as the stone was crushed by a massive battle axe, the laughter of a madman ringing in his ears as he was placed in a headlock and forced to watch. 

CRACK!

CRACK!

CRUNCH!

“I wonder what’s underneath, though? Is she still pristine and pretty? Or is she all sticky and ghoulish?” 

Did Tarhos remember the promise he made all those years ago?

Does he even remember your name?

What about your face? Would he recognize it after he unearths your casket and pries it open?

Would he even realize that he finally made good on the oath he swore to you, or would he only see another source of weakness that he could leverage against the nobleman in your and your son’s corpses?

Words from the mouths of babes

Promises, oceans deep

But never to keep

@prettycutebunny, @infinitewhore, @kennbb, @cherrysodalite, @thanksatt, @pink-soft-shadow, @sinlessdesire, @hoemine, @memoryofheather @horny-3

[itsgrimeytime]

Magnolia in May (Part Twenty) || Rick Grimes (TWD) x Greene!f!reader Regency AU

Part 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19...

Taglist: @loliakeoghan23 @belaballs @curlycarley @queenie32 @mgparker

rick grimes taglist: @golden-hoax @mgparker

AVAILABLE ON AO3

Inspiration (in honor of Speak Now Taylor's Version): Enchanted by Taylor Swift.

Summary: Your town was small, not the smallest you knew, but anyone of high fortune was the gossip of the week. Predictably, Richard Grimes was a thing of whispers -rumors of a search for marriage among the grassy hills. You weren't one to buy into town gossip, but something about him... just seemed a little too intriguing.

TWS: child abandonment, crying, parental death.

[[A/N: Happens just after the last one. Thanks for reading!!! ]]

Carol was the one who found you, the gray swirls of hair framing her face -she seemed quite busy, but she halted in her pace upon finding you. Blue eyes bright with a shine that you deemed to be concern, more than anything else.

"Ms. Greene? Are you alright?" she spoke, softly like she'd scare you if she spoke any louder. You weren't sure such an assumption was wrong.

"Yes," you sniffled, standing at the noise of someone else -wiping at your eyes, "-yes, I'm just fine. Just a... Just a troubling conversation, I believe."

"Troubling?" she echoed, grabbing your hand to guide you to stand, "-forgive my frankness, but it seems far more than troubling to cause such a reaction."

"It brought up a previous experience," you clarified, dabbing at your eyes with a handkerchief. It was a soft sort of blue, one of Mr. Grimes's -the smooth silk gave it away, "-something I hadn't thought of in quite some time."

"Do you need me to fetch Mr. Grimes?"

"No," you swatted your hand, and straightened out your dress, "-no. Please, he must be getting the children ready for dinner, I shouldn't cause such a scene."

"Are you certain?" She spoke, softly, "-I assure you Mr. Grimes will not be offended, he should be rather glad to offer you such comfort."

"I..."

She remarked slowly, trying to be quite convincing, "Dinner is not even done quite yet, so it wouldn't be a setback at all, madam."

You sighed, dabbing at your eyes once more, "If you insist."

"I do," Carol hummed, light and airy, "-and I assume he'd much rather be here than his cook."

"A fair point," you laughed.

She smiled a bubbly sort of one, "I shall fetch him, but please, take a seat on a chair. It's much more comfortable than the tile, ma'am."

"Thank you," you echoed, "-thank you."

The seat you chose was by the window, the beautiful outdoors calming you, despite the swirling sea storm in your head. It was a bit disturbing, something so turbulent inside you merely outright deturbed by the outdoors.

If you were focusing a mere inch more, you couldn't sworn the sweet melodic sound of a bird had been the only noise to come from outside. Meanwhile, you...

You sighed. A big, airy sort of sigh.

The sound of shoes on the tile brought you out of the trance, the tweeting of the birds so distantly played in your head. Part of you wished to go out into the courtyard, to trace the leaves underneath your fingertips then.

"Ms. Greene," his voice echoed down the hall, blue eyes flickering over your face, "-What did she say? Are you alright? I never should've-"

"Mr. Grimes," you sighed out, almost in relief, "-sit with me? I believe asking such presence will calm me."

"Of course," he whispered, softly, as if you could break, "-of course, anythin'."

"You don't know how much this means to me," you whispered, eyes downcast at your skirt, tracing along the stitching, "-I'm not sure I can speak such things, but I do hope you know."

"I don't need to," he turned to you, holding your hand gently with both of his own, "-I'm quite happy enough to do anythin' you ask."

"Mr. Grimes," you laughed, the sniffles a mere breath away from giggles, your head tilted back, "-I cannot ask you to be so attentive to me, that seems quite manipulative, does it not?"

"Not if you don't wish it," he hummed, bringing your hand to his lips for a quick press, "-you aren't manipulating me if you aren't approving of such attention."

"I suppose you have a point."

"I would do anythin' to keep you smilin'," he spoke, "-even at my own expense. Which is why I must ask-"

"You wish to know what she told me," you answered, slow and tentative, "-I believe you deserve to know, Mr. Grimes."

"Only if you wish to tell me," he responded.

"I do," you echoed, "-I do. I just wish... I believe I should speak to Carl first, pending your approval."

"Carl?" Mr. Grimes questioned, "Did she speak to you of Carl? Of the children?"

You sighed, fidgeting with your skirt fabric, "She urged me to take her place. With the... With the children. She wished me to mother them."

"I could never believe she'd instill such pressure upon you-"

"I wish to do it, I do-" you continued without thinking, "-I just know what it is to miss a mother, to lose one. I don't want to fail you or replace her... I just... I was struck by the loss of my mother-"

Mr. Grimes held your hand tighter, but he spoke nothing.

"And I just wished she could see what she was doing to the children-"

"Breathe, please," he remarked slowly, "-I find you are already caring for them much better than I ever dreamed, don't fret yourself."

"I haven't done anything," you conceded.

"You have, you are-" he hummed, roaming closer, "-You care for 'em, don't wish them to be hurt as you are. You wish they could be cared for, properly."

"Mr. Grimes-"

"I love you," he echoed out, "-you care for my children and I love you."

"I love you too..."

"I'll schedule you to meet with Carl after dinner," he responded, finally, "-if you wish to speak with him, I imagine you have a good purpose."

"Are you certain?"

"With you?" he hummed, certainty stirring in his eyes, "-Always."