#good grief they could've ended it at that

[ashblooddragons]

Haunted

This was requested by no one.

Alright so I know I was supposed to post the next chapter of The Red Queen, but this idea came to me out of no where and I HAD to write it. Also I wanted to try my hand at 3rd person pov so I hope you all enjoy.

Summary: He couldn't breathe without her, let alone live. And yet the gods were cruel enough to take his Darling Siren away.

Word Count: 2912

Warnings: Descriptions Of Grief, Mourning, Mentions Of Dying, Daemon Dies, Thoughts Of Death, Suicidal Thoughts, let me know if I missed anything.

The day she left him on that cold and quiet beach was the day his heart was ripped to shreds. The day any part of him that was kind, soft, good, was forever gone. His heart and anything good in it disappeared as easily as her ashes picked up and swept away from the cool summer breeze. 

The sounds of her demand to her blasted dragon still rings in his ears. The way she wailed, begged with the last strength she had to be turned to ash by a conquers beast, it sent chills down his spine. And in those few seconds of shock he knows he could've joined her, been bathed in the flames alongside his darling siren. 

And the way that blasted beast looks at him with a mournful cry, as if it didn't burn away the woman he loved, as if it didn't burn away its own rider. No, in that moment he knew that perhaps a human could kill a dragon, for he has never felt more rage in his life than when that beast cried for his darling siren. 

Why didn't he just run to her? Held her as they took their final breaths together? He wonders this every second of every day, and without fail one of his darling girl's will waltz into the room as if their Mother had whispered in their ear to find me so she may play another one of her silly games.

He even expects to hear her quiet snorts as she tries to be quiet. She never could keep her laughter in though, could never shush or dim the joy that lived inside her. That radiated off her like rays of sunlight. 

But he was always disappointed when he heard them say that his wife needed him. Not their Mother, no his wife. The one he took for greed and pride, not the woman he loved. No never her, and he must always be reminded of how she left him in one final act of independence and stubbornness. 

Always my stubborn girl. He would muse before standing from his desk to find his wife. 

As he walked the halls he would look for her, wait for her to jump out of a dark hall to scare him. Though she never truly did, but he would never damper that smile, not in his wildest dreams. Not when it made his heart clench in all the right ways, not when it made him know what love was truly supposed to feel like. 

And he knew now, gods did he know. Loving her was like tasting the cool summers breeze everywhere you went. Loving her was like being able to breathe for the first time, taking gulping and greedy breaths to try and take the ache away. That burning searing pain that never seemed to leave, that seemed normal and almost comforting. 

Loving her was like living in a dream, one that is perfect and kind. The ones that make you have a smile when you wake up, the kinds that make your cheeks burn with strain. The kind of dreams that leave you begging for this to be your reality. He never wanted to leave, he never wanted her to leave. 

But in the end we all must wake up, we all must meet the world that is cruel and cold. But we can try to find those dreams again, but it won't be the same. Those smiles won't feel as warm, no they will feel cold and pinched. The laughter will feel forced while before it was as easy as breathing. It won't feel like you're falling and flying at the same time. No it only feels like a dagger has embedded itself into your heart, twisting with each kiss, plunging deeper with each thrust into a willing cunt that never feels quite right. 

He's brought out of his thoughts by the sound of children laughing, children that don't look how they should. He forces himself to smile, one that for any child would be of pure joy but for any person well astute with expressions it would be clear he is far from happy. 

Each step towards that door feels like another weight was being added to his feet. This isn't what he wanted to do today, no he wanted to sit by the waves like he always does at this time, but he's needed by his wife. 

He cringe at the laughter, too quiet, too restrained. The kind of laughter that you know took years upon years to perfect. But because of that training, it is now soulless. It's these laughters that grate him the most, especially since his wife has been teaching and telling his daughters to reel in their laughter. The ones they inherited from their Mother, the last thing he can truly believe might be her. 

The thought of their wild and free laughter slowly becoming soulless like his wife’s makes him want to scream. But instead he grits his teeth until his head pounds and the slight taste of copper fills his mouth. 

“Ah, Daemon you've made it!” He hears his wife say. 

Daemon turns to take her in, the woman he married for power, for pride, for greed. 

Her dress is a deep crimson that hugs her curves in all the best ways, it has sharp rubies and obsidian sewn into the bodice giving a deadly look to her. The neckline is square yet cuts deep enough that he can't help but wonder what is holding her breast into the dress. There are frills around the neckline, more than likely trying to imitate fire. Her long silver gold hair is braided into tight crowns along her scalp. 

Daemon can tell in an instant this look was set to make him desire her, to want her. But it doesn't, it takes every bit of strength he has to not berate her for dressing this way in front of their sons. 

“Rhaenyra.” He responds as he watches their sons play with wooden horses. 

Daemon loves them, gods does he love them, but each time he looks at them he can't help but think of how their names weren't supposed to be Aegon and Viserys. How their skin was supposed to be a warm toffee, not the milky white that graces their flesh. They should have wild curls that bounce with each step, not that sleek straight that graces almost every Targaryen. 

“I'm thinking Aether and Vaegon. Honor both our houses with our future sons.” Daemon remembers his Darling Siren saying one night. He remembers the way her belly bulged slightly, a small yet obvious sign of a babe to grace them in the coming moons.  

“And who says it will be a boy? It could be another girl, and if so what do you plan?” He responded with one of his smirks that always made her needy. 

“Don't be ridiculous, I say so and as the Mother I'm always right…but if it were a girl. Alyssa, we'll name her Alyssa.”

He still feels that clench of love each time he thinks of that moment. How she wanted to honor his Mother, how she was so adamant on it being a boy, but there was a slight twinkle of hope in her eyes that told him all he needed to know. She wanted a girl, if only to honor his Mother. 

“That girl…Nettles? She will be going to face Vhagar soon.” She says snapping me out of my thoughts. Snapping Daemon away from the one place he wanted to be. 

Nettles, a girl of wild nature. Braver than she ever needed to be and far too stubborn for her own good. Claimed that beast Sheepstealer by slowly feeding him sheep. One in the morning, and one at night. And by some grace of the gods she could climb that wild beast after moons of hard work. But what makes his blood run cold is that Rhaenyra knows she's his lover and knows what she means to him. 

She never had a problem with any of them before. Mysaria, Maids, gods even some of her ladies in waiting. But for some reason, Nettles is a problem. And there's only one clear reason, she reminds Daemon of her, of his Darling Siren, and Rhaenyra knows that. 

“Is anyone going with her? Sheepstealer can't face Vhagar alone. Both the rider and dragon are too inexperienced.” He asks as little Aegon toddles over to him explaining Papa with each imbalanced step. 

She turns to look up at him, a scowl crossing her features that reminds him so much of his brother. Same disapproving and disgusted look he always gave him before hiding it behind boisterous laughter that always seemed devoid of any real joy. 

“No, Vhagar is old and slow, I'm sure the girl and that blasted beast will be perfectly fine.” She says with a tight-lipped smile, but her tone is clear. She knows Nettles will die, betting on it even. 

“Then why am I needed?” Daemon asks, tone clipped as he bends down to pick up Aegon who continues to call for him and even starts pulling at Dark Sisters sheath. 

“Just…warning you I suppose.” She says but it's clear she wanted to see what his reaction would be. And he played right into her hand. 

“Is that all, Your Grace?” He asks, trying to fight every urge not to run after the girl. To not silt Rhaenyra’s throat for taking the only girl that ever got close to the way he felt with his Darling Siren. And even then it was a flicker to the flame that burned between them. 

Rhaenyra doesn't answer, instead standing from her seat to move towards him. He sets Aegon back down knowing before his Mother makes it to them. And he's thankfully for it, for once she's standing in front of him she reaches up to run her hand along his scarred neck. The implication is clear, he isn't anything to her besides a way to have ture born children, and even then it is debatable. 

No he is a warrior, a weapon to use when she sees fit, a soldier and nothing else. Her wild dog that is fed just enough to live, but not enough to not slaughter the first sheep it finds. But it is not sheep the dog desires, nor violence, no it craves salt and sea. It craves her, his Darling Siren. 

“Yes I suppose you may.” She says letting her hand fall with a look of betrayal crossing her features. 

He has to fight the sigh that rises in his throat when her touch leaves his skin. The way it felt wrong, too forced. Her touch burns, no comfort to be found in it. 

Instead he nods and quickly turns on his heel, the grip on his blade loosening. He hadn't even realized he was holding it so tightly, though it explains the burn in his hand and the smell of copper following him with each step. 

He doesn't know where he's going, only that he needs to move. That he needs to figure out where he went wrong in all this. Why he can't just let his Darling Siren go, why she must haunt his mind with every breath he takes. Why he must see her in the Nettles girl, why he must compare their wet and willing cunts each time he lay with the girl. It isn't fair to the girl, it isn't fair to his Darling Siren. But even so he still finds the need to pretend, pretend she is back in his arms, that she never left him in a burst of roaring flames. 

He's brought out of his thoughts once more by the sound of clicking. The sounds of the only thing that calms his soul after she died. 

“Caraxes.” He says moving towards the crimsoned scaled beast. A new confidence in each step, one he hasn't felt in a long time. 

The beast let's out an affectionate huff softly blowing his hair over his shoulders. Daemon can't help but close his eyes at the warmth crossing over his flesh. The smell of sulfur and charred meat enveloping him. 

He doesn't know what he said to his beast, nor when he climbed up his back. But what he does know, is when they took to the sky, the wind beating against him in a violent thrash, is that Nettles won't be fighting Aemond and Vhagar. Because Daemon knows he can't lose his Darling Siren again, even if he must pretend with another that it's her. He won't, he wouldn't make it, he hardly does now.

The thoughts of death are always a breath away, the thought of leaving this world and seeing her again so tempting he will often gravitate towards the balcony only to look down at the thrashing waves that abuse the sharp and deadly rocks below. But he is always interrupted before he can fulfill his plan, before he can finish the letter to his daughters. Because just as soon as he finishes the first one of them comes in, looking at him with such pain it makes him feel more guilty than he ever has before. They know what he was going to do, just like they did that night their Mother died and left him on that cold forgotten beach. 

But this time, they won't be able to save him, they won't be able to guide him towards a seat. Won't be able to hold his hand and whisper about their Mother with him. They won't get to even have a letter saying goodbye. 

And that makes him question his decision, if only for a moment. But then he hears the song, the soft hum that always put him to sleep so many years ago. He can even pretend to feel her fingers running through his hair like they used to. And for some reason he feels like it's her, like she's telling him it'll all be alright. That their girls will be safe, that he doesn't need to protect them anymore. 

And after a decade he feels like he might be able to breathe again, if he just finishes this one final thing he'll be free of the chains tethering him to the place he never wanted to be. 

Before he knows it he's being pelted by rain, the laughter of his nephew ringing in his ears. The sound of the beast that once tolerated him and adored Caraxes now trying to rip them apart. Though reluctantly. Both beasts fight with such ferocity that even if one were to prevail the other would soon die anyway. 

There will be no winner in this fight, not for the dragons and not for my nephew. But I will at least finally get to see my Darling Siren again. Daemon thinks as Caraxes lets out a pained wail with Vhagar slashed her claws against his chest. The smell of hot burnt copper floods the air around us with each attack from the beasts. 

It is when both beasts clamp down on the other's throat that Daemon stands from the saddle and stares his nephew down. Unsheathing Dark Sister, gripping the blade in his hands and jumps towards Prince Aemond. 

A deadly smirk crosses his face as Aemond tries in his last moments to unlatch himself from the saddle. But it's futile, their end is now, along with two of the greatest war dragons in history. 

The sound of bones crushing and skin ripping is sickening, and yet Daemon has never felt more at ease. Aemond is dead, there is no more threat to his sons, to his daughters. He has done what he needed to, he did what he always did even in his last moments. He protected his family, and he did it with a smile. 

And so when his body hits the water, taking what air was in him away. Leaving him gasping and reaching for the surface, but it's worthless it was always going to be worthless. Because without her, he drowns. Without her, he can't breathe. Without her, he is broken.

So in his last moments he lets himself think of her, his sweet Darling Siren. With her songs that lure him to sleep, something that was rare to find after her. Her, with her delicate hands touching his tight scarred flesh and somehow making it seem relaxed, like the flesh was never burnt in the first place. He even can see her face as darkness takes him, as his lungs fill with the hot bloody water of the Gods Eye, hear her Siren song, feel her delicate hands.

So he lets go, knowing he got to see her one last time. And the world goes dark. 

But instead of feeling nothing he hears the soft hum clearer. Feels the delicate hands scratching his scalp just like they used to. And the smell of citrus and jasmine fills his nose. 

“About time you found me, My Dragon.” He hears her say and instantly opens his eyes to be met with the gorgeous ocean blues he's been looking for since she left him a decade ago. 

And before he knows it he is saying her name, like it's a dream, like it's the only things he's wanted to say in his entire life. And he does so with a smile of pure unrestrained joy. 

“Laena.”

TAGLIST: @sugutoad @themoonlitquill @classicsimpforaaronwarner @ilikefelines @sachaa-ff @talknerdytome5391 @technicallylegendaryenemy @mmogurl @thelastemzy @athzhowakar @baybaybear1

[10underoot2]

I was really detached in the last 20 mins so I didn't register too many things but I think I'll cry when I watch the end again. I don't understand this delayed response too much lol.

Also like that baby is so smoll and the two of them are going to be incredibly sweet adorable parents. I have so many head canons of them being the most adorable, power couple parents I can't. Seeing the BTS of that scene also has me in the feel.

Edit: I think one of the reasons some of the scenes didn't impact me as deeply was because of the constant switch between comical to sad/profound. I think that messed me up a little. Will defo need to rewatch!

[iwritenarrativesandstuff]

Oh, Caitlyn-Ambessa-Mel dynamic, what you could have been...

[earl-grey-crow]

okay lads what did we think of that

[yappacadaver]

you know they were about to go so hard on emmy's personal quest. they didnt. but at least someone in that writing room wanted to give us that good good

[clumsycapitolunicorn]

.

[outer-andromeda]

Usually I try to better clean up and color these... But I REALLY wanted to share 'em as soon as possible cuz I really like how they look already, sue me :')))

Some story time under the cut for those of you who want context >:000

((EDIT - Small TWs for some negative talk and mentions of grief. Also spoilers for the ending on Chapter 4 :00)

As mentioned in a previous post, Gabby and Doey's relationship is... Very strained after the events of the fourth chapter.

Doey joined the group (Gabby, Kissy and Ava) eventually while they were venturing as subtly as possible to avoid running into Huggy. It was a surprise, obviously - they all thought he was six feet underground since the aftermath of him crashing down. They were all relieved to know he was still alive, but something was different. He wasn't as jovial as his usual self was... He was just... Off. Quiet. Monotone.

(Which is understandable since the guy is literally GRIEVING the loss of the kids of the Safe Haven y'know- and he feels immense guilt for what happened)

At some point, they get separated - Kissy and Ava stick together, while Doey and Gabby venture on their own way, both groups hoping to join each other again eventually. Doey and Gabby still have that quiet dynamic going on, because the human guy doesn't want to make things any worse than they already are. So he tries to be the cheerful one. For both his and Doey's sakes. He tries as hard as he can. But it falls flat. And Gabby, despite himself, grows more and more irritated by Doey's unusual calmness. Something's obviously going on and he won't say anything about it.

Something happens that puts them in a dangerous situation, and everything spills out. Gabby wants to talk, he wants answers. Doey is trying to ignore it, but he's being pushed. And suddenly his anger blooms back out. And he lashes out on Gabby. Shouts all the words he hadn't gotten out. How he was never any good for the kids. How he could've done so much more. How if it wasn't for him, "they'd still be breathing and standing right now". How Gabby can't understand. And Gabby... Takes it. He stands there, listening to every single thing he says. Silently.

He's not afraid. And Doey notices. It's unnerving. It catches him completely off guard. It's like something is starting to break inside of him. Something he's not sure he wants to let shatter much more...

And then Gabby hugs him. And the thing in Doey's core is completely obliterated. And the tears are finally, finally let loose. And his shoulders finally relax to wrap themselves around the short man.

They talk after some VERY good comforting words from Gabby. They find Kissy and Ava after some searching, and they're back on track.

And from then on, their relationship changes back slowly to the small friendship they had formed in the past, plus more. They both understand and trust each other, and Doey feels relief from having someone he can confide in and let himself relax with. And just... Be a kid. Even if just for a bit. All three kids need that so badly, and Gabby tries his best to give that to them. To Doey. Because he, out of anyone, deserves a break the most.

[sleepymothafterhours]

Torture to Love You, Can't Live Without You

Zayne x Reader angst

Reader is not MC, MC Dies so I guess you could call it major character death? Angst with kind of no ending?

---> Part two here <3

Fic warnings: Death, grief descriptions, unhappy marriage but they're literally just grieving,

This fic is not beta read, and has been edited to the best of my ability,

Word Count: 4,000

Divider credit in my pinned post <3

Full fic under the cut, I have a part two planned out if this fic does well,

At the end of the day there was always you and her. You'd never be her but you were content with that, in school she was a good rival and maybe at first it used to irk you how special everyone seemed to think she was but as you got closer you realized she never asked to be treated that way. Tara had introduced you, such a social butterfly that girl. On missions you fought well, you worked together with ease often getting paired up on more dangerous outings. The day she died it was like part of you went missing. You could only imagine how it was for her close friend.

The day she died haunted you like a ghost. It would've been you, i could've been you. She didn't have to do that for you.

She didn't have to do that for you.

You sat in front of Jenna's office with a letter in your hand. You'd been on leave for months, stuck with office work to do at home to ensure you at least got paid so you could live while you were recovering. The time was fast approaching for you to either go back to the field or pick something else. Everyone you knew expected you to go back. In a lot of ways it felt like a dishonor to your dear friend not to. But you just couldn't. No amount of therapy took away the nightmares and so far no amount of meds was taking away the pain in your body from your own injuries. No doctor could clear you for the field with the level of pain you were still experiencing. You didn't want to go back anyway, you were scared. You waited outside her office for her other meeting to finish.

What you hadn't expected was for Dr.Zayne to walk out of that room. Too busy staring at him and wondering why he was here you entirely missed what he was saying to you. "Are you alright?" He asked kneeling down to your level, he held a cup of water out for you. You took it gratefully, "I'm alright. Thank you, Dr.Zayne." You two only spoke in passing, even out with your mutual friends. "I trust you've been well? Since.." He trailed off like it pained him to talk about the accident, you nodded. "As well as I can. That's why I'm here. I'm leaving the field." You said, a hint of regret in your voice. Zayne nodded, by the time his mouth opened to say something the doors to Jenna's office were open, and you were already on the way inside.

---------

That was all you saw of him for a year and a half. You didn't keep up with him, and it wasn't like he actively sought you out. It was probably a miracle you even found each other again. He found you in your favorite coffee shop of all places, after you'd finished teaching your classes. Teaching exhausted you, but it kept food on your table, and in the words of others, ensured you could still honor your friend. Regardless, you sat in your corner of the building sipping hot chocolate and working on a research paper about protocores. You'd written a few things on wanderers, architecture in Linkon, whatever seemed to catch your interest for the moment. You spotted Zayne first, though you almost didn't recognize his face. It was strange how someone could change so much after just 18 months.

Had you changed that much?

Or did you still look the same as you had that day.

The thought of it made your skin crawl and you focused on your computer to get it out of your mind. You didn't notice his approach.

"Do you make a habit to tune out everything around you?" His voice brought you out of it, closing a tab as you looked up at him.

"Doctor, what a pleasant surprise." You said moving your computer to invite him to sit down. "I don't mean to ignore you. I was just focused, I do a lot of work here. Do you come here a lot as well Doctor?"

Zayne gives you a slight smile and you can't help but cheer internally at the gesture, "Please, just call me Zayne." He says, his gaze lingers on you as you slip your computer into your bag. "Don't let me interrupt your work. I should be off anyway." He says moving to stand again, you still don't know why you stopped him.

"No. No trouble at all. You can only read so many articles about the rise of protocore modifications before your head starts to spin. Sit with me? Please?" You don't know why you keep talking and Zayne doesn't know why he's sitting, he really ought to be heading back to the hospital.

Maybe you were both drowning and maybe it was just easier to sink together.

Maybe that was why things happened the way they did.

The two of you talked for hours. It was refreshing the way he didn't bring the accident up. The way he didn't bring up losing her. You suspected it was as much for your benefit as it was for him. After a year and a half of pulling yourself through the trenches you finally found yourself talking to someone who made you feel, normal, it was like coming up for air after being trapped in a lake.

"I am happy to see you well after everything." Zayne says after a moment. "Is teaching future hunters as fulfilling as you found hunting to be?"

The truth? It nowhere close. But you don't hate it.

"It has its moments. I do enjoy what I do. And after everything I.." You trail off, struggling to find the right words. "I'm happy I could find a way to stay in this career. Regardless of what I'm doing." It was the most roundabout way you've ever told someone no, and you can tell that Zayne sees right through it. You wished you could have stayed.

He nods, "Maybe fate will take you back." He said giving you an almost soft look.

"You've written quite a bit about your research on Protocore syndrome right?" You ask, the silence that had drawn between the two of you becoming too much to bear. He nods, "Are you going to the gala in a couple weeks? They're celebrating some of the works that recently came out. I thought I saw you on the list they sent out."

He nods again, "I admit I was hoping to see you there." His ears redden as he says this and you can't help the smile that comes to your face.

"i was hoping the same. Everyone else is some old far or some posh snob who's never actually seen what its like out here, Ya know?" You take a sip of your drink, now long cold, "It'd be nice to have someone there that I know." Zayne nods his agreement to this and the conversation moves on for another hour, until you have to leave.

You thank him for sitting with you for so long, picking up your bag and discarding your drink. He stops you again before you can leave the table.

"Do you wanna go to the Gala with me?" his words make your heart skip and you find yourself nodding before you can even really put thought into it.

---------

Zayne came crashing into your life similarly to the way a snowstorm did, expected but sudden. He was always there in a lot of ways during your time as a hunter, you had enough mutual friends to at least know of him. The transition from acquaintance to friend was so subtle you didn't notice, you met weekly for coffee at the cafe when you could, or he'd find you there after work.

Then suddenly you knew his coffee order, and were taking him coffee and dinner during late nights in his office.

There were nights you would talk, and the two of you would have dinner in his office, you'd never been around someone who was so easy to talk to, Zayne just understood.

At one point you'd stayed to talk so long that you ended up eating dinner together, it was dark by the time you went to leave, and Zayne had insisted on taking you home.

He'd kissed you that night. After months of you thinking he was uninterested in anything more than simply colleagues.

You both got so busy that after you could do hardly more than text each other, it took a month of wondering if he'd meant to do it or not, a month for him to ask you out.

He proposed after four years, conveniently the night before another gala much like the one you'd gone to together before you got close.

Once again you were both being recognized for a lot of your work and researches, him, a deeper dive into protocore syndrome, you, a paper on how Evols affect personality traits and how that can be managed for people with more explosive evols and personalities. You used your relationship with Zayne a lot in that paper, with two completely clashing evols it was hard sometimes to get by.

Fire and ice,

maybe that was a sign you should've thought about before.

---------

You looked like the perfect couple. For awhile you felt like it too. You couldn't tell what happened. The two of you were doing better finally. You honored her every year on the day, holding each other and helping each other get through your grief everyday. You knew he loved you. You knew he loved her and you respected that. You understood as well as you could.

After your honeymoon you fell back into your routine, teach in the day, take Zayne lunch during your time to plan, go home and grade papers until he gives you a call that he should be home within the hour. You made dinner and the two of you spent time together until you fell asleep on the couch. Zayne would carry you to bed despite the countless times that you told him to wake you.

You couldn't pin point the day it all started going down hill. But you knew that it had something to do with the mission that dragged you back into hunting, the intercom ringing in your ears and the voice of an OTTO bot calling for every trained hunter in the building. Every student was to go back to their dorm. You tried, to leave with the students, with a soft spoken, "I don't do that anymore." said mostly to yourself as you followed students out to the dorms.

That was until you heard the cry. A little girl trapped under a building, you ran before your feet could keep up with you, the grace you learned in your training never left you, a hunter caught up with you, a student from a few years back. He helped you lift the bean that had trapped the girl and looked to you for direction. "Get her to safety and meet me a few blocks up." You ran the other way the minute he nodded right towards danger, right where you weren't supposed to be going.

Right where you wanted to be.

After the fight you assisted with cleanup, carefully avoiding the eyes of your old boss as you helped a little boy step into an ambulance. Zayne found you shortly after, sitting on a stump and bandaging your arm, people had begun to go home but the cut was pretty bad and you wanted to take care of it before you left.

"You're hurt." He said kneeling down to take the bandages out of your hands, "This is too tight, let me help?" His voice was soft, you couldn't tell if he was worried, angry or both. You nodded and carefully he unwrapped the bandage and began to clean it. "Sorry I broke routine tonight." you blurted, you weren't really thinking when you said, wrapped up in the crackling of a fire somewhere near you, and his laugh filling your ears. A laugh?

"My love. You're bleeding, but you're sorry for..breaking routine?" He looked up at you befuddled, his hands stopping their work on your injury. You shrugged, "You never cease to amaze me." He said after a moment. "We're going home. And we're ordering whatever you want for dinner and you are going to rest." His voice was more firm than normal and when your boss came over to you finally he seemed to stand slightly in front of you as if to keep her from taking you from him too.

She joked about you coming back, you told her you were just following instruction. The announcement called for all hunters. You politely declined her offer and stiffened when she joked about how you could make more if you came back. Zayne brushed her off for you, saying something about getting you home to ensure your arm healed.

The silence in the car home was almost unbearable. "She's right ya know." You said softly, "I'd make a lot more back in the field." Zayne kept his focus on the road but you could tell the words bothered him.

"We don't really need it. You and I are doing just fine." You slumped back in your seat at his words. "You never did it for the money anyway. Do you want to go back?" He asks and you can't answer right away. The answer used to be no, you used to be too scared but somewhere down the line you missed the danger, you missed the fire you had within you that had dimmed after the accident. Your evol felt suppressed from only being used to heat the forgotten teas you took to work or occasionally to light a gas stove.

You'd smothered your fire as best you could all these years but yet it still seemed to roar within, and consume you with every passing day. The answer should have been no but you couldn't bear lie to the man next to you.

"No." You waited too long to say anything,

"You've always been bad at lying." He's stopped at a light and turns to you to move a piece of your hair, you can see he almost looks defeated when you say nothing in response to this.

--------

If you could have pinpointed the minute, maybe even the second that he had started being distant from you, colder even, maybe you could have prevented it, but it was so hard to realize it was happening when he acted the exact same in public as he had before. He followed his routines almost to a T but he spent more and more time at work. Often coming home to you asleep on the couch waiting for him, until eventually he found you already in bed when he got there, always careful not to wake you when he climbed into bed. You could pinpoint the night he stopped holding you by the way your heart began to ache for it immediately.

It took 3 months to transition back into your old job and ever since it was like you lived with a ghost. He was gone when you woke for work, he was gone when you came home but there was always a dish in the drying rack and a paper on the counter that he had left behind to prove his existence. At least you could be sure he hadn't moved into his office even though every other piece of evidence told you otherwise. The times he was home with you it was like he was on another planet, that was if you could get him out of his office at the house for more than two seconds. His affection had a cold bite to it that made you stop seeking it and when he looked in your eyes it was almost clear all he saw in them was her. His coldness did nothing but make you more persistent at first. But after so long you just grew tired, you loved him with everything in you couldn't he understand that?

You liked to imagine that there was another life where you both weren't so different. But maybe in another life he ends up with her in the end, maybe there's a universe where she isn't a wedge in your relationship maybe you won't be together in this life, not the way you want but in the next... Maybe you just have to wait. What a cursed thin g love was.

He stood in front of you now for the first time in months, Tara had invited you both for drinks after work, a nice little place just a block away from your house, you were gonna walk together.

"You look lovely." He says and there's a flicker of something in his eyes that gives you hope that maybe he's looking at you for real this time, but then its gone. He's looking right through you.

Your response is as calm as you could manage to be, "I'm surprised you noticed."

The two of you left, making the walk there in a comfortable silence. Zayne played the dutiful husband role well. He held your hand, he held open the door for you, took your coat, pulled out your chair. To anyone else he looked so smitten with you, and you him. You shook your thoughts out of your mind, you were here tonight to have fun.

You didn't drink often, nor did you drink much. You figured offering him a sip of your drink would be fine, and he must've too because he took it. The way he scrunched his face in disgust made you giggle, he took a bigger drink than you thought he would. "Here, have some water, are you okay?" You ask pushing a glass of ice water to him. He waves you away, takes the glass and drinks but tells you to focus on your friends.

You forgot how much of a lightweight he was. One drink was enough to get him at least tipsy? It would have been funny, if you weren't concerned.

You'd been talking to Tara. who gushed over the two of you whenever she saw you. "Really i don't know how you two do it. You looks so happy all the time." She's smiling as she speaks, the only time you've seen her without a smile on her face was just after incident, it used to annoy you how one person could be so happy but you found yourself unable to frown whenever she's around now.

"Trust me Tara I don't know how we do it either sometimes." She doesn't know how much truth there is to your words. How this is the first time in almost a year that Zayne has been so close to you. How this is the first time in months you've seen or talked to him for more than five minutes. That this is the first time he's wanted to be around you since you became a hunter again.

+++

Zayne only seems to get drunker as the night progressed despite the fact that he hadn't had anything else but water.

"I think I should get him home." You said giving your friends a smile, you'd paid for your drink, the one you hadn't finished, too busy making sure your husband doesn't fall out of his seat. You help him up, he's not exactly hard to move but the man is stubborn. "Baby c'mon, lets home, I'm tired." He concedes finally at your words and you walk home. He's leaning on you for support the whole way out of the bar, even as you nod to your friends and wish them a good night.

You have to stop for a little while, sitting him down, the air is cold. You try not to shiver. "How'd this even happen huh?" You tease him softly, holding his face in your hands. It feels normal for once.

"I'm sorry my love." his words are slurred and he notices your failed attempts to hide your shivering, wrapping his coat around you clumsily. "I love you." He's looking straight through you again through unfocused eyes.

"Do you." Its not a question. You two walk leaning on each other until you reach the house. You drop your keys trying to unlock the door. When he hands them to you, you hear it. A mistake. A slip of the tongue. Maybe he could claim he was drunk but it was clear.

He'd called you by her name.

You didn't say anything. He tried covering his mistake, you said nothing. Pushing past him into the medicine cabinet in your kitchen you grabbed water and ibuprofen and took some. You slid past his attempts to be close to you guiding him to your room.

He's distraught, you feel like you're falling to pieces. "Lie down." You instruct. "You're not gonna feel good in the mor-" He interrupts you as you're trying to cover him in a blanket.

"Talk to me. Please." He's pleading, his voice breaking, it used to hurt your heart to hear it, maybe it still does but you can't feel anything right now other than anger, you feel like your on fire.

"You're drunk."

"Talk to me." There are tears in his eyes.

"What is there to say, Zayne. You called me, by your dead best friends name." You sit at the edge of the bed. "I can't b angry I know you loved her. I know you want her. I just wish you wanted me the same way." You get up and go to make your way out of the room. You need to calm down, maybe you'll go for a walk, or have some tea.

Flicking the light off you hear it. A quiet sob, and a small "I'm sorry."

You can't help the words that leave your mouth. "Don't bother."

The light is off and the door is shut and you the minute you sit down on a stool in your kitchen island you break down. You felt like two puzzle pieces that fit together just fine but were from two separate puzzles. You took time to put yourself back together, eventually getting up to go to your room, apologize if he was still awake and go to bed hoping to fix whatever rift has been growing in your relationship. Your hand is on the door, you just need to open it.

Your phone rings.

You can see the light come on from your hunter watch in the bedroom.

Ignore it. Go to sleep. Fix this. That's what you're telling yourself.

You answer it before you can stop yourself.

"Hello?" Your voice cracks from your breakdown.

"Hey." Its a newer hunter, you'd been working with her for months. You were too scared to get closer to her but for now you didn't mind mentoring her. "Got a mission. You're on the way can I come get you?"

Her words are so scarily similar to what you told your best friend that night. You turn away from the door. "Let's go then."

How strange the universe was in the way it worked. How strange the parallel was. You put on your uniform in silence. Zayne had fallen asleep as far as you knew. You stopped by his side before you left, kissing his head softly. You don't say anything else as you leave.

Unbeknownst to you. He wasn't asleep, he heard the whole thing. He too noticed the parallels. He wouldn't sleep that night. Or the night after.

He was losing you and he didn't know how to stop it.

You were losing him and it felt like someone was carving your heart from your chest.

Sleepy moths after thoughts: Everytime i went to work on this fic I either got called into work, or my friends wanted to hang out, thats why it took so fuckin long. Hopefully the wait was worth it, Thanks for reading and thank you everyone who supported this fic <3

Taglist: @theink-stainedfolk , @alfredosaws , @sylv-1a , @cordidy , @leighsartworks216 , @midiplier , @melonssoup , @sw3etfawn111 , @dhunhdchrih , @i-messed-up-big-time , @fandomenbylover , @notisekais

@theophxbia cus i know pookie probably wants to read it (ILY BESTIE)

[butterflywordsmith]

That Dragon AU by @frownyalfred really has me thinking because if the Waynes horde people and Dragon!Bruce did in fact have this massive reaction to Jason’s death then I imagine the confrontation between Batman and Red Hood would have a context of total misunderstanding. I'm referring to when Jason confronts Bruce for not killing the Joker and the line of

"Because he took me from you"

For Jason, as part of Bruce’s dragon horde- especially if, like some of the anon discussions said, Jason was also turned into a Dragon post resurrection- this would be a huge betrayal. Because it means Jason wasn't precious enough to Bruce OR his Dragon. It isn't about the vengeance. It's about Jason's value in Bruce's horde as one of his "people". And Jason would be valid for this even if he misinterprets Bruce entirely. He's allowed to feel that way.

But for Bruce? He can't blame the Joker for something that is ultimately Bruce's failure- at least in Bruce’s eyes. Because I could very well picture a Dragon!Bruce blow up in which he confesses that

"You were mine. Mine! My son. He didn't take you. I'm the one who didn't keep you safe. I let you die."

And I feel like, as suicidal as that could've made Bruce, living without Jason was the worst time of his life. This self-flagellating man won't even off himself to end his grief. He has an entire city he can't and won't leave unprotected and he can't stop himself from hording more people even if he fears for them always and wishes he could just stop.

So yeah, I picture Bruce as considering himself solely responsible for the safety and well-being of his horde and that while anyone who fucks with that is on his shitlist, he blames himself first.

I also wonder, if to add to the conflict inside of Bruce that perhaps others in his adoptive family dont suffer from- since Bruce more than likely considers the whole of Gotham his horde (hence, no metas in Gotham) it may contribute to why he may not want to kill. And that would extend to the Joker as a Gothamite.

So, basically, he sees everyone in Gotham as "his" whether theyre good, bad, utterly evil, etc. And he'd rather keep putting them in Arkham than end them. Like if he was constantly at war with himself. Bruce the man vs Bruce the Dragon. And neither can ever truly overcome the other because he won't allow it.

[khattikeri]

i actually admire lan wangji's character development a lot more when i acknowledge that prior to wei wuxian's death, he isn't actually as "righteous".

teenage lan wangji is regarded highly because he is upper class, has strong cultivation, and obeys his family and society's strict expectations. his rigidity and responsibility are more guided by the idea that his duty (the "right thing") is rule-following rather than doing actual good, even against those rules.

he's not a perfect stickler for the rules. he can be stubborn and petty, but even the few times he does transgress (e.x. kneeling before the gentian house) he doesn't get very far.

anyway... even with all his manpain struggling-- maybe even because of it, and because of his own lack of political power compared to people like lan xichen or lan qiren-- young adult lan wangji was honestly pretty entitled, even with his genuinely good intentions towards wei wuxian.

instead of doing the more difficult (yet right) thing of speaking up against those persecuting wei wuxian-- calling out his elders and the other clans as wrong, unjust, unrighteous, and acting against them (see jiang clan motto "do the impossible", which wei wuxian embodied very well)-- lan wangji was constantly trying to get wei wuxian to change himself and fall in line with society's expectations to avoid dying.

true, he eventually fights 33 of his family members... but by the time nightless city even happens, once jiang yanli dies, it's far too late.

yes, resentful energy is dangerous, and yes guidao is deeply misunderstood, and yes lan wangji didn't know about the golden core transfer. but even without knowing wei wuxian has no alternative, lan wangji knew that others were incorrectly labeling wei wuxian as evil. he knew the major clans kept attacking and provoking him, and while harder to realize, he could've reasonably seen how wei wuxian's actions are always twisted to demean him as a servant's son.

lan wangji wanted wei wuxian to come back to gusu so he could keep him safe, lock him up. but what would that have even helped in the end? love is a sympathetic cause, but locking up the one you love and never truly addressing why they're in danger is a selfish sort of love that doesn't reach the heart of the issues at hand.

only after wei wuxian's death is lan wangji able to let go of that. wei wuxian owed him nothing, not even change. lan wangji intentionally, purposefully chose each and every single day for thirteen years to remember wei wuxian by embodying what the man stood for, and acting accordingly. despite his grief and pain, he truly does become a good and righteous person.

contrast that with jiang cheng's reaction after wei wuxian's death. of clinging to everything he felt wei wuxian owed him. of vocally, violently demanding retribution after wei wuxian comes back to life. how dare you, why did you, you should've, you must... cattily justifying his aggression with equal parts resentful indignation and unhealthy "love" of their imbalance, of what they used to be.

lan wangji does none of that. by the time we reach the present day storyline, lan wangji, like wei wuxian, lets the past stay past and chooses to do good. even if that means going against the grain of society and expectations. he's a phenomenal person and character. i love him so much

[numberonetribble]

For a guy who talks a lot, he sure did a good job keeping this one a secret.

Once Piston is discovered, everyone assumes it's just some kid B-127 found out while on a scouting mission. Until one day Piston slips up and calls B-127 "carry" in front Wheeljack. Everybody starts placing bets, Hound being the number one suspect due to the green but it's not him. Piston was sparked right before Breakdown was conscripted into the Decepticons as a Stunticon, B-127 never had the chance to tell him.

B-127 never tells anybody, not even Piston. He just smiles. No one asks this of them, but growing up in the Autobot base, surrounded by suffering and war, Piston naturally wants to be apart of the fight. They develop an unhealthy hatred towards Decepticons, especially after what happens between B-127 and Megatron. Piston is utterly consumed by grief watching Cybertron crumble around them.

[Piston is in a crate as everybody knows to look for B-127 in Sublevel-50 so he can't keep them there. He visits often to let them out. They don't like the crate.]

Okay! So I've been thinking about writing a pregnancy journey fic of Earthspark Bumblebee and it got me thinking about how different B-127's would be. ES!Bumblebee is surrounded by people who love him and take care of him while he goes through the most excruciating thing in his life, yet he's worried non-stop. The whole fic is about his stress, the secret stress everyone else is feeling as there's several complications. Relationship stress, new parent stress, Piston is placed in a maturation tube, Bumblebee's body shuts down, etc, etc, but everything works out! Piston grows up in a positive environment, they know they're loved and are a goofy lamb. Despite everything that will happen to them, they get forgiven for their actions.

In TF One, B-127 is entirely alone. He can't tell anybody and due to Piston growing so quickly, he has to figure it out. B-127 finds a small cave to crawl in and removes Piston himself. But the two have to remain hooked up connected together, B-127 using himself as a battery. He's dying in slow motion, watching his Sparkling slowly come to life. The whole fic no words are said, everything is B-127's train of thought while this is happening. We'd follow him as he finds the cave, sets up what he needs, make decisions on what parts of himself to put in low power mode, think up a lie to tell base why he disappeared for a week. Ultimately ending up stuck in an odd position on the ground trying to will himself awake long enough to see Piston come online.

(As promised by Alpha Trion, there was the T-cog, nestled perfectly in their chest. It was the most beautiful thing B-127 had ever seen. If he wasn't so weak he could've cried. "We really were, " he thought, "You really are. ")

The imagery of B-127 laying on the cave floor like a broken toy, chest plating removed and spark chamber exposed to the world with all these cables running out of him into Piston, oh it knocked me out. Piston is a nervous lamb who gets battled hardened and can not be forgiven despite how hard they try.

[entitled-fangirl]

The astronomy professor.

Severus Snape x Lupin!reader (past James Potter x reader)

Summary: it's Harry's third year, and the reader is beyond excited that her brother is becoming the boy's professor. When the two siblings goof off together before one of their classes, the reader realizes just how much she's grown attached to Snape.

Warnings: Death, grief, guilt, fighting, talks of threatening behavior, etc.

Author's note: I'm planning on working on the next piece of "His betrothed" soon! Also... maybe a Remus Lupin x reader???

Masterlist

....................................................................

Severus scowled at the other end of the professors table in the Great Hall, while next to him, Y/N smiled brightly.

They had both had quite different viewpoints of the newest DADA professor.

Remus Lupin.

Being a Lupin herself, she was beyond excited that her older brother was coming to teach.

And he was quite excited to be there as well.

The two were close during their time at Hogwarts. She was often seen flitting around the Marauders like a pesky gnat.

None of them ever thought of her as pesky though. 

She was Remus' younger sister, and therefore, their own younger sister.

And throughout their time in school, she had developed a large crush on James Potter.

The only person who ever knew about it was Remus.

And while it absolutely killed her, she was happy when James and Lily started dating.

Then were engaged.

Then married.

Then had Harry.

That was just the kind of person Y/N was. Though it destroyed her, she couldn't help still feeling joyful for him.

Imagine her pain the day he died.

That's how she got to this point now.

So close to Severus Snape.

Because they both bonded together over one thing:

That James and Lily Potter could've had very different lives if they hadn't ended up with each other.

…

Remus approached Y/N after the dinner, grabbing her elbow gently from behind. She turned away from her conversation with Minerva to look at him, "Oh, Remus. What's wrong?"

He shakes his head, "Nothing. It's just… can I talk to you?"

Minerva intervenes, "Go on, you two. We'll finish this conversation later, Professor Lupin." She pauses, "Well, I guess now you're both Professor Lupin. Hmm." 

She walks off.

Y/N turns around to him. "There's something wrong with you. Don't lie. We've been siblings for far too long to make you think you can lie to me."

He sighs and pulls her arm, dragging her out of the Great Hall.

Severus, with his ever watchful gaze, notices the urgency in which Remus drags her away.

He didn't miss the tall werewolf at all.

…

"He's just so tall, isn't he?" Remus asked joyfully.

She smiles, "Oh, yes. And Harry is so smart. That, or he's quite good at copying off of Ms. Granger. You'll figure it out when you get there."

"He looks just like James." Remus said with distant look in his eyes.

Y/N smiled at the thought, "Yes. But, he looks like Lily, too. Imagine if he had her red hair. He'd fit in with the Weasleys just fine!"

The two siblings laughed loudly in the middle of the deserted corridor.

It was if they were students again.

She looked back at him, "I really have missed you, Rem."

He sighed, "I'm sorry for my actions after… you know."

"Remus, I don't blame you for reacting to all of it the way you did-"

"-you really can, though. You should."

She stepped back, shaking her head, "No. I don't care what happened in the past."

"You're my sister and I pushed you away," he reminded her. "All because I was too weak."

She scoffed, "You're not weak. You've never been weak. Remus, don't-"

"-NO!" He pushed, "I pushed you away after he died because. every. single. time I looked at you after that, I saw him."

Her mouth opened slightly as she registered his words. She moved to speak, but couldn't trust her own voice.

He took a deep breath and pinched the bridge of his nose, "Look. I'm sorry. That's nothing of your concern, and I don't know why I bothered you with it."

"You… you really saw him in me?" She asked.

"I still do." 

"What's going on down here?" Severus's voice boomed down the hall as he approached the two.

Remus resisted the urge to roll his eyes.

Y/N turned to look at him, "Just catching up. It's been far too long."

"And still not long enough," Severus said.

"Severus," she scolded.

Remus chuckled lightly, "Nice to see you, too, Snivelus."

"Remus," she scolded towards him now.

The two completely ignored her as they glared at each other.

She sighed, "Let's just pretend we all get along? Please."

Severus grumbled under her breath, but agreed.

Remus considered her question carefully, and finally nodded.

…

Now, Y/N sat on Severus's desk as he carefully brewed a potion on one of his standing desks.

"Are you happy to be here with your brother again?" He asked as small talk.

She nodded, "Yes. I missed his laugh most dreadfully."

He nodded, throwing another ingredient into the cauldron.

She grabbed a stack of papers on his desk, looking at each one carefully.

"What are you doing?" He asked.

"These are second-year essays, yes?"

"Yes."

She nodded, moving now to sit at his desk. She grabbed his quill and ink. "I'll grade these for you while we talk."

He quickly moved towards the desk, "No. I will grade them another time. Don't do my work for me. You do enough."

She looked up at him with a puzzled brow, "Why? You're busy with your potion. I thought it only fair…"

He stepped back in thought, "It would be a nuisance to you. You won't enjoy the content."

She laughed, "No one enjoys reading or writing essays about anything magical. Everyone would rather just see or do it."

"But that's how they learn." He counter argued. 

She shook her head, "No, that's how you teach."

He tilts his head, "And what do you do for Astronomy, darling?"

She smiles, "They draw what they see. The constellations. Then sometimes, I make them come up with new names for each one. When they get older, they get to write stories for them. Come up with their own backstory for how it got in the sky."

He nodded, "But each constellation has its own story already."

"They do. And I tell them those. If people in history can choose what to believe about them, why can't my students? And trust me when I say I haven't had a single student fail the exam for it in four years."

Severus stirred the potion as he listened, "I just don't see how it's helpful, is all."

She shrugs, "As long as they learn, who cares?"

He smiles just barely, "I'll never understand how your little mind works."

She missed the way he almost ruined the potion due to his interest in their conversation.

…

"So, what's in your lesson plans for today, Professor Lupin?" Y/N asked excitedly.

"Well," Remus said, "Today, I figured the third years would get to face a boggart."

She gasped, "You got your hands on a boggart?"

He nodded, "Hagrid helped me, of course."

"How much longer until your class?"

He looked down at his watch, "Hmm, 40 minutes, I'd say."

She smirked, "Still think our fears are what they always were?"

He tilted his head back and forth, "I'd say so. I mean, we're older but… we're still who we used to be. It's worth a try." He smirked.

She practically skipped with excitement toward the bureau in his classroom. "Merlin, you're already better than the last DADA professor, Rem."

He furrowed his brow, "How so?"

"Well," she recalled, "I heard from a Weasley that he opened the cage of 15 Cornish pixies into the second year class. Caused a major disruption. And then… his personality, of course."

"What do you mean?"

"I don't know about others, but, he would not let me alone. He asked me out almost every other day. It was so tiring. But then, one day, he just… quit bothering me."

Remus pondered her words, "What would make him quit?"

She shook her head, "I don't really know, Rem."

He huffed, "Well, I gotta know now. Think, dear sister."

Y/N looked up in thought, "It was after Christmas break. But… before the Chamber was opened. It doesn't matter, honestly. I much rather be goofing off before your class starts. C'mon."

Remus smiles and stands in front of the bureau with his wand, "Alright."

She opens the door slowly.

The boggart immediately shifts into the full moon.

Y/N sighs at the sight.

He was still scared of who he was when the full moon appeared.

"I suppose nothing has changed," he stated.

She nods.

She walks in front of her brother to face the boggart next.

It takes its time to shift, making her rethink her decision to do this.

It shifted to something much different.

Severus Snape's dead body.

Her face dropped quickly at the sight and her eyes widened.

She knew it wasn't real. She knew it wasn't real.

Why does it look so fucking real?

Remus looks over her shoulder with a gasp.

And neither of them move for a minute.

Finally, her voice breaks through the silence, "Rem?"

He nods, "Yeah. Yeah. I… I got it."

Remus steps in front of her, waving his wand and whisking the creature back into the bureau.

The door shuts and locks, but the siblings remain just as quiet.

As if spooked, Y/N bolts out of the classroom door.

She runs as quickly as her legs can carry her, almost running into sleepy students multiple times.

She throws the door open.

The door to Severus's classroom.

He stands up from his desk slightly startled by her sudden intrusion.

Her entire body relaxes as she sees him.

"Is everything alright?" He asked suspiciously.

She shakes her head, looking down at her feet in embarrassment. 

Severus nods, walking up to her slowly. "I have twenty minutes before class. Why don't you come sit?"

When she doesn't move at all, he reaches forward and gently grabs her bicep.

At the contact, she suddenly wraps her arms around his neck and hugs him tightly.

He grunted in surprise, but made no move to get away from her.

In fact, he even wrapped his own arms around her. 

"What has got you so worked up?"

She sighs into his chest, "I don't know. Everything just… clicked today."

"It what?"

"It all makes sense."

He leaned back just barely to see her face, "Such as?"

"You told Lockhart to let me alone last year, didn't you?"

He stiffened, "I… may have."

"Thank you."

"Don't. It was nothing."

She nods, pulling away from him, "I'm sorry for all this. I just… had… a moment earlier and… needed to make sure you were alright."

"Why wouldn't I be?"

She shrugs, "It seems that the people I like don't have a great track record of… staying alive, is all."

He tilts his head, "People you 'like'?"

Y/N blushes, "Um. People I enjoy the company of. You know."

"And you enjoy my company?" He asked in a teasing way.

"How could I not?" She finally regains her thoughts, "I should go before your class starts. Granger will be here any minute."

He nods, "Perhaps you may come by later to assist me with grading?"

She smiles, "Only if you let them draw pictures at some point."

Severus sighs, "Alright."

She bits her bottom lip to hold in her laugh. "Alright then. It's a date."

She begins to walk out.

"And Darling?" He asked.

She turned in the doorway to look at him, "Yes?"

"I didn't tell Lockhart to let you alone. I threatened him quite severely."

She tilted her head, "How?"

He shrugged, "Does it matter?"

She shakes her head with a light blush on her cheeks. 

Oh, Remus will eat this up.

..............................................................

[harmoonix]

Healing Energy - Astro Observations

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🤍🤍🤍 - Your safe space - 🤍🤍🤍

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🤍 Venus - Chiron aspects can show healing towards relationship and love partners, you can end up loving them but they don't with you

🤍 Moon in harsh aspects with Venus can have a really struggle with feelings love, is like a blockage to them to feel love and to feel like they are loved by someone

🤍 Moon in harsh aspects with Saturn can struggle with letting their feelings out, and how to express them in a way they wished they could

🤍 Lilith aspecting Moon could had a painful childhood and usually problems with their mothers, in a way they seek for mother love but they can't understand it in the same way

🤍 Moon in Scorpio/Capricorn shows an struggle with emotions, is like they always try to seem strong and like nothing can stop them but only they know what happens behind the close doors

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🤍 Saturn aspecting Sun could indicate a leaving parent. Or a parent who wasn't that active in natives live and they could've had to suffer because of it (Because these natives tend to be colder when you first met them)

🤍 Because the 8th house is the 8th house death, 8th house placements can have a different type of showing their grief when something like that happens to them they can go into a lot of moods (especially numb)

🤍 Virgo/Aquarius Moons can have childhood traumas that indicates perfectionism issues, like they always felt like they aren't perfect enough or like they aren't good enough (You are good and worthy never forget that❤️🤍)

🤍 Moon in the 7th house/Libra can tend to have this "people pleaser" kind of vibe if they don't pay enough attention to who they share their love. Not everyone deserves your unique grace dear 🤍

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🤍 Cancer Moons/Moon in the 4th house might be the most attached to their mothers, like really loving them to death. They are giving so much " bambie " Disney movie vibe 😭🤍

🤍 Chiron aspecting Moon can deal with not feeling anything and just being cold at that times, is like they cannot feal their own feelings and always trying to be better and to understand them

🤍 Ascendant - Chiron aspects can tend to judge themselves a lot or just to criticize themselves if something goes wrong (Please don't do that you are perfect in every way possible)

🤍 Taurus/Libra/Pisces in their 4th house might be very attached to their families and sometimes they can even be very sensbile around this topic (Your love will always be there ❤️🤍)

🤍 I can't tell you how protective mothers with Cancer/Capricorn/Aries placements are over their kids, they are giving everything to them and everything goes around their kids

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🤍 An Scorpio Placements Mother will go through and back if something happens with their kids, they are very protective and lovely with their kids

🤍 Sun/Saturn/Moon in the 12th house may cause detachement issues from their families, of course every reason is different from person to person, they are just trying to protect themselves

🤍 Moon in the 10th house may over-share things that happened to them or things that affects them in a way to make others aware of what they are doing to them (you deserve all the love ❤️🤍)

🤍 Pluto - Moon aspects can get deeply affected by the things that happen around them, it can be an event or it can be a situation but they will always remember it

🤍 Chiron in the 1st/4th/6th/8th and 12th house always gave me purity vibes, all the people I met with these placements were the kindest people ever who had so much love in them

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🤍 Devoted Mothers/Fathers with 5th house placements/Leo placements will do everything for their family and kids, is giving so much "As long as I am alive, nothing will happen to you"

🤍 Aphrodite (1388) in Leo/5th house, you can get very attached to kids or vice versa, the kids feel safe around you and they see you like their mother 😭🤍❤️)

🤍 Aphrodite (1388) in Cancer/4th house, can be extremely attached to their families, their family is everything for them and is their safe space when they have it low 😭❤️)

🤍 Asteroid Demeter (1180) - Moon aspects must be the most kindest souls ever, they are pure of love for everyone and they are ready to share it

🤍 Sometimes everything someone with an Capricorn/Aquarius Sun\Moon/Rising is a hug, they have been through a lot and they just want to feel at home

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🤍 "I just want to feel like I mean something to you" gives highly Pluto - Venus aspects vibes, they love too intense and sometimes too blindly and it can end with pain ❤️😭)

🤍 Sometimes it happens for parents to give away some of their placements to their kids (For example you and your mother having the same moon sign or something close together in your chart) When you are birth something from your parents like their footprint is given to you in your chart

🤍 Neptune in the 1st/4th/12th house try to constantly heal spiritually from the bad things that happened in their lives, but that may come with a lot of challenges aswell

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🤍 Neptune in aspects with Venus can go blindly in love without knowing the other person's true intentions and it can end up with them being hurt at the end (Make sure to trust everything around you before doing any decisions 😭❤️)

🤍 Mars - Chiron aspects can have a bad temper sometimes, they can be getting angry too fast and completely forget about the next person who's around them (This is because their angry feelings never felt safe)

🤍 Sagittarius Placements can get too overwhelmed and kind of sad if they are not around the people they love, in a way they will always need someone close by their side

🤍 Lilith Virgo/Lilith in the 6th house can feel like their efforts are never appreciated, they are constantly trying to work on themselves and to be better for the people they love but somehow they end up not appreciated

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🤍 North Node in the 7th house in your Chiron PC (persona chart) shows that at some point an relationship or an partner will make you realizing something that will help you heal with the time

🤍 Chiron aspecting South Node could indicate suffering/pain from your past life currently coming into you curent life because it could happen for you to not recognize what kind of pain you had and how to heal it

🤍 3rd house placements (esp Sun/Moon or Venus) can have an special bounding with their siblings and they can share a lot of things in common

🤍 Saturn/Capricorn in the 3rd house on the other can indicate to have older siblings/ or being the oldest in the family and often helping and supporting your siblings

🤍 North Node in Cancer Degrees (4°, 16°, 28°) their life lessons could be creating an good household for them to live and to bound with the people they love

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- The Promised Flower 🌼

☁️ Good day dear darlings today is the day where we need some apply some healing energy mood around, it can be every type of healing based on what kind of things you need to heal ☁️

☁️ Healing it can be refreshing but sometimes it can happen to be painful aswell, just let your soul heal and put some good music to relax and think about what hurts you ☁️ try to work it out so the pain will be gone ☁️

🌼 The photos are taken from a beautiful manga/anime called Maquia (When the promised flower blooms) ATTENTION: Is an highly emotional anime for those who are sensitive 🌼

🌼☁️ Wish you all a good day and good vibes around you, aswell as warm and light energy ☁️ May everyone who is reading their notes to have a good blessed energy 🌼☁️

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- Harm🌼🌼nix

[eclipsedechoesofmywords]

"Do You Want to Dance Too?"

[Bucky Barnes x fem!reader]

Masterlist

Summary: After a very rare date with your boyfriend, it starts to rain and you two find yourselves stuck in a cafe with no way to get home without being soaked.

Warnings: none! Just fluff

Word Count: 1.1k words

(A/n: First attempt at a fanfic. I thought about this when I was trying to sleep and I really wanted to write it down.)

You curse under your breath as James and you quickly run to the small cafe at the end of the empty street. The rain started just a few moments ago, so it wasn't bad now, but you had a feeling it would only get worse.

You finally make it through the door, only slightly wet.

"Nice end to the day," he mumbles, clearly unhappy.

You sigh and take a seat at your usual table when Ella, a good friend of yours, pops up behind the counter.

"Well, this is a surprise," the barista says. "Thought I was finally going to be able to go through the whole day without you showing up."

"Ha ha," you muse, "Get us some hot chocolate."

She rolls her eyes but goes to make the order nonetheless.

James takes a seat next to you, glaring out the window as if that would stop the rain. The rain didn't take kindly to that as it starts a downpour, confirming your earlier suspicion.

He grumbles, and you take his hand in yours.

"Tonight was nice," you say gently.

"It could've been better."

You shake your head, "You can't control the weather, love."

But you could understand his frustration. You rarely got to spend much time together as it was.

You usually only see each other at night but by then are too exhausted to do anything other than eat and sleep.

James and you had started dating a few months ago, but you had known each other for years before then. You used to be an Avenger, but you quit after Steve left. First, it had been out of grief from your best friends; then it changed to you not wanting that kind of life anymore.

James was still very much in it—he was a soldier first, after all—and, as long as he didn't get himself killed, you were okay with that.

You unconsciously trace a small scar on his palm as Ella brings you the hot cocoas.

"Okay, here's the deal," she starts, "I have to close up in 45 minutes. You guys can stay to try to wait the rain out."

"Do you at least have an umbrella we can borrow?" you ask.

"Nope. I even gave mine to an old lady."

"And you can't let us stay?"

"Nada."

It's your turn to grumble, "Fine."

Ella shrugs, "I need to clean up," she says before making her leave.

James is still glaring out of the window when he suddenly turns his stare on you.

"This is why we should've taken the car," he concludes.

You are taken aback, "So it's my fault for suggesting that we walk for 20 minutes to the restaurant?"

"Guess so."

You scoff, "You are on very thin ice here, Barnes."

He raises an eyebrow, "Are you threatening me?"

"Guess so," you mimic.

"What are you going to do?" he asks, amused.

"Do you want to sleep on the couch?"

He scoffs at your threat but doesn't say anything else.

Smart man.

You sip your hot cocoas in silence.

Then, suddenly, you're laughing. James looks at you with an amused grin.

"I can make you sleep on the couch," you say, still giggling.

You poke his chest, and he starts laughing too.

"I know you can, dear. I know you can."

He grabs your chin with his right hand, tilting your head so you look him directly in the eye.

"What would I do without you?" he wonders out loud.

"It's too awful to think about," you joke.

He laughs again before pressing his lips against yours.

You sigh in the kiss. It's difficult to think you were once distrusting of the super soldier you had grown to love. Now you trusted him with everything you had and more.

It took a long time for you to see the ex-Winter Soldier's true nature. His gentle, shy yet annoyingly protective nature.

Too long.

He breaks off the kiss with a small smile.

"We should finish the hot cocoa before it gets cold," James suggests.

"Hot cocoa is more important than kissing your girlfriend?" you pout.

He shrugs, "It's good hot chocolate."

You don't deny his statement.

It's your turn to look out of the window. As rain bangs on the roof and glass of the small cafe, it seems to play out a rather aggressive tune. You don't like when it rains. It brings back rather painful memories, but you've learned that countering the bad memories with good ones helps make peace with the pain caused in a moment.

That gives you an idea.

"Do you want to sprint for it now?" you ask randomly.

The super soldier nearly spits out his cocoa, "What?"

"It's probably only gonna get worse, and we are going to have to eventually."

"Do you want to dance too?" he says sarcastically.

Your eyes light up at the idea, "Can we?"

James' eyes widen, "I meant it as a joke."

"But why not? It's as cliche as dancing in the apartment," you point out, "Besides, it'll be fun."

He shakes his head, "We are not dancing in the rain."

"But—"

"It's way too cold, and the last time you got sick, you couldn't get out of bed for a week."

You try to hide your wince by pouting, "Fine. No dancing."

He sighs, "But maybe we should go soon. It does look like it's going to get worse."

"So let's go then."

~~~

"Wait up!"

James' voice is nearly lost in the rain. You keep running, knowing full well he could catch up with you within a minute.

Or maybe he couldn't. You are pretty fast.

You laugh into the wind, your mouth filling with water as the painfully large raindrops hit your face.

You sprint in the direction you think is your house and try to calm the leather jacket that James gave you by wrapping it around your torso.

While doing so, you accidentally stumble on your feet and go flying forward.

Strong arms wrap around you within a moment, one made out of a now freezing metal.

"I got you," Bucky assures, "I got you."

You hear him loud and clear now despite his voice barely being above a whisper. The drumming of rain seems like an irrelevant background noise.

You turn to him, grinning like an idiot. His hair is stuck to his face. He shakes his head at you but is unable to hide his own smile.

No words need to be exchanged in the moment as his hands rest on your waist, and your arms loop around his neck.

You look at James with possibly all the love you hold and softly press your lips against his. It is easy to forget everything with him, even easier to forget the bad things.

He puts his arm on your neck and pulls away. "You're going to get sick."

"I've accepted it," you confess quickly, chasing his lips.

He shakes his head again but lets you kiss him regardless.

You got sick for a week afterward, but it was well worth it. Especially when you had James looking after you.

[devondespresso]

I Wish I Never Met You

G | ~600 words | Steddie or Steve & Eddie | CW: grief, references to canon deaths, mcd, hurt/no comfort, unhappy ending

for the @strangerthingswritersguild prompt "I Wish I Never Met You" for @sunflowerharrington !!! hope you enjoy 💕

"Can I tell you a secret, Munson?"

Steve mutters next to him, like he doesn't really want anyone to hear it.

He doesn't need to be so quiet; the wind is blowing strong today and the graveyard is empty around them. Or devoid of the living, technically. Eddie guesses the population here might rival that of the rest of the town now. Might become the majority if they can't fix this mess in time.

Still, Steve whispers his question to him, staring down at the grave in front of them, and doesn't wait for an answer.

"I didn't really cry when Barb died."

The wind goes silent, like the world gasps at Steve's admission. And Steve must be able to feel that judgement, because he seals his eyes shut and tips his head up towards the ashy gray sky.

"I didn't know her. I felt guilty and I mourned her with Nance-- It ruined Nancy, but... But it didn't ruin me. Maybe it should have."

Eddie's glad it didn't ruin him. Beyond just caring about the guy, Eddie can't imagine any of this going well without Steve as he is now.

"I don't think I would've even cared without Nance. Never would've met her, never would've stopped being the type of fucking asshole that barely notices when my classmate dies."

Steve squeezes his eyes shut tighter, pulling his face into angry folds like it'll keep the pain out. Or maybe the emotions in. Before Eddie can think to reach out, Steve looks down again and rubs at his face with a free hand.

"I wish I was an asshole." Steve mutters again, face still hardened and twisted up with emotions he won't let slip, even when he's the only one here. "More of an asshole."

A tear fights its way out, running fast down Steve's face, dripping and falling and hitting the ground before Steve can even try to catch it.

"I think..."

Eddie wants nothing more than to catch it.

But no one could've caught it. That runaway tear probably thinks itself a hero, slipping away from the others still trapped by pain, now sinking uselessly into the dirt.

Another drop hits the ground, inches away from the first, and Steve stifles a choked-off sob. Eddie turns back to him to find more tears coming after it, Steve's face twisting harder and harder, both hands flying up to his face like he can push them back into his eyes.

Logic be damned, Eddie stands in front of him, places his faded hands around Steve's face like he could still cradle it, like Steve could feel his touch if Eddie tries hard enough.

Steve looks up, but not at Eddie. Eddie's hands pass through his face as he looks around before turning his gaze down again, through Eddie and straight to his headstone.

"Dustin knows you-- I'd know of you still, I'd still care, but I-- I want to say I'd still care, but if it was just that again, Barb again, I'd--"

Steve's voice cracks and it sounds wrong on him. It stops him, forces him to take a few shaking, wet breaths and gather some thoughts behind those drooping red eyes.

Steve doesn't say it. Just stares at Eddie's grave for a moment too long before his face breaks again. He curls in on himself: one arm crossed over his chest, one hand covering his eyes, reeking of shame.

He doesn't have to say it; Eddie can read between the lines.

Eddie steps back from Steve and sits idly on his grave, taking in the full picture of Steve Harrington---King of Hawkins High, Monster-hunting Badass and pretty good dude---crying alone in front of Eddie Munson's grave.

[wangxianficrecs]

Rewind 2024 - Follower Recs

WangxianFicRecs - Rewind 2024

For our Rewind 2024, our dear followers were also able to submit Follower Recs of their favourite stories published in 2024 for you to enjoy! Thank you to everyone who shared their recs and make sure to give the authors some love!

~*~

Hey! Im submitting for the rewind 2024! Nominating because its the perfect mix of hilarious and heart-wrenching, theres sword lore AND blue haired Lan Wangji! Plus @hellinglaozu art! @mdzsrewind

🔒 Help!!! I’m a Broke College Student How Did I End Up With a (Hot) Amnesiac Sword Spirit For a Sugar Baby??!??

by spookykingdomstarlight

M, 43k, Wangxian

Summary: Wei Ying is a normal first-year college student. He lives with his parents. He gets good grades. He has friends. Or a friend, at least. Everything is going well, at least until a stunning man in hanfu with white hair manifests right in front of his eyes on a field trip. Suddenly he’s stuck introducing a sword spirit to the modern world, dealing with a mystery involving metal shards appearing all over Jiangsu province, and grappling with the possibility that Siri from his old phone might be sentient. What’s a normal first-year college student supposed to do under these circumstances? He dives right in, of course. A collaboration with the amazing HellingLaozu!

~*~

This story is modern, sexy missing WWX times and proactive LWJ doing what he can to cope (robot). @petirrojo57

Starry Sky

by auberjing (@wrecklwj) & lamusadelils

E, 8k, Wangxian

Summary: In the absence of Wei Ying, Lan Zhan deals with his grief by trying to replicate him. It's not the same, but the replica brings him some comfort. And maybe more.

~*~

Just pick any Scrippio work, really, but modern actor WWX works! @petirrojo57

Falling for You

by Scrippio

T, 8k, Wangxian

Summary: In which Lan Zhan's new stunt double decides that they're BFFs...and Lan Zhan finds that he agrees. Or: Five movies Lan Zhan makes with Wei Ying and One he makes alone.

~*~

I'm sure many other people have recommended this story for the Rewind 2024 event but I'll throw my vote in too for this incredibly well-written, amazing take on how things could've gone if Lotus Pier didn't fall and Wei Ying realized he loved Lan Zhan earlier. It features genius Wei Ying, supportive Lan Qiren, learning-to-be-less-naive Lan Xichen, and lazy but talented Nie Huaisang. The world-building is gorgeous and the storytelling phenomenal. @doctorbunsenhoneydew

Dispersing Clouds

by dreamingofcake

E, 283k, Wangxian

Summary: While the Wen Clan is embroiled in subduing internal conflicts within Qishan, the Jiang Clan hosts the annual discussion conference. It has been one year since the disastrous archery competition where Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji last met but Wei Wuxian remains as optimistic as ever. An unlikely friendship begins to blossom and without the looming spectres of conquest and war to strengthen his ties to the Jiang family, the trajectory of Wei Wuxian’s life changes.

~*~

A Qin Sue fic! I enjoyed this where she survives and lives in Lotus Pier. - Anon

now you’re tearing through the pages and the ink

by Stratisphyre

M, 70k, Jiang Cheng/Qin Su & Wangxian

Summary: “I can’t stay here. Please don’t make me!” The words dragged themselves out of Qin Su's chest, feral and half-bloodied by her grief and fear. “A-Cheng is leaving tomorrow,” Jiang Yanli said. “You could go with him.” Or, Qin Su in Lotus Pier.

~*~

This story is a fairly recent WIP. No first siege of bm, yilingwei sect, wei yuan, wwx takes in a bunch of street kids as disciples, some guidao cultivation world building, jzx and jyl live, wwx semi isolates in bm for 13yrs and founds a sect, sect politics - Anon

Our Beautiful Homes

by Randomness_is_my_order

M, WIP, 21k, Wangxian

Summary: I, Jin Guangyao, a senior disciple of the Lanling Jin Clan write to you regarding a matter of grave importance. Kindly pardon the abrupt correspondence but I hope the situation will warrant such measures and the offence incurred will be minimal.  Wei Wuxian’s day had really become so interesting, hadn’t it? The Lianfang-zun writing to him–this lowly practitioner of the heretic path? My, my, his life was always filled with surprises, wasn’t it?  Sometimes, it takes a hundred sacrifices and a dozen heroes to change fate. Other times, it takes a rock and a sentient corpse tripping on it mid-fight to avoid a lifetime of tragedies and send destiny into a tailspin. In which Wen Ning misses his attack, Jin Zixuan lives and Wei Wuxian builds a sect for all those who don’t have a home. It is only thirteen years later that the cultivation world bothers to acknowledge him and his people, and only when they’re desperate for a favour. Never let it be said that Wei Wuxian would allow himself to be used.

~*~

Really awesome fic for what if LWJ became sect leader after the Wen attack on Cloud Recesses. There are some really good wangxian moments and I really like how the fic showcases sect administration and how the sect works now with LWJ as the leader. - Anon

🔒 The Straightest Path

by meyari

T, 30k, Wangxian, Nielan, JYL/NMJ, Sangcheng

Summary: The moment of Xiongzhang’s death would live forever in Lan Zhan’s mind. He’d turned towards Lan Zhan, qiankun pouch holding the library in his hands. Then he’d gasped as arrows flew towards them both in a hail no one could survive.

~*~

I would like to rec this story. It is currently a WIP started this year and every update is amazing. There’s so many details and I love that Wangxian are dragons and that WWX gets all the love and support and he fights really well too. - Anon

With This Shadowed Blade

by Anonymous

M, 145k, WIP, Wangxixian, Nielan, Wangxian, Sangxian, Mingxian, Nielanxian, Wangsang, Xixian

Summary: Wei Ying needs to find his soulmates before the madness turns him into a horrific monster. There's just the slight problem of Madam Yu shipping him off to the stuffy Lans in a contract bonding. Oh, and she didn't tell them he's on the verge of losing it. So they just think that he's, well, there must be something wrong with him after all...

~*~

I would like to recommend this story, because it is so unique and vividly written, one of the best fics I have ever read. @aerouinde

🔒💙 Building it back, stone by stone and seal by seal

by KizuKatana (@kizukatana)

M, 134k, Wangxian | Kay's Rec

Summary: It had been over 200 years since the war between cultivators left more than half the land ravaged and uninhabitable and the practice of cultivation punishable by death. Despite the risks of being caught as a practicing cultivator, Wei Wuxian took on the hunt of a dangerous yao that had destroyed a small village and killed all of the civilians. While searching for the demon, he encountered a mysterious cultivator dressed all in white. Wei Wuxian was excited to finally meet another cultivator, but instead of greeting him or making pretty much any conversation at all, the man attacked Wei Wuxian on sight. - - - - - - There is NO WAR in this fic. This takes place two centuries after the war happened, and it has a sort of post apocalyptic vibe. This is a story of rebuilding and finding safety. It's about found family and forming a new society away from the old one that persecuted them.

~*~

I want to recommend this story, because it was a very unique story with so much atmosphere, the settings were wonderful, and it was well paced. @aerouinde

grimoire

by WithLoweredVoices

M, 95k, Wangxian

Summary: ‘Alright, fine,’ huffs Wei Ying, blowing out his cheeks. He adjusts his grip on the smooth hilt of the sword, as cold as wet stone beneath his palm. ‘How do I give this back to you?’ ‘I must trade with you something of equal worth,’ says the strange man. ‘Uh. Okay.’ Wei Ying rubs his forehead with his free hand. ‘How about your name? Your real name.’ In case he needs to file a police report or stalk this beautiful, scary man on google or something. The man looks even more angry. He pulls his shoulders back and draws himself to his full height, which is rather impressive and forces Wei Ying to tip his chin up slightly. ‘My name is Lan Zhan,’ the man says. ~ (The one where it’s a dark academia AU - only it’s not.)

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I want to recommend this story, because it was an immensely exciting story, one of the best Kaiju/Archon stories I have read. @aerouinde

Axiom –A Mo Dao Zu Shi Mecha AU

by Hinu (@imnotacleverman)

E, 331k, Wangxian

Summary: “I’ve always known it’s my destiny to be coupled with a cute girl and fall in love in the archon!” Wuxian winked at the nearest girl, who just so happened to be Mianmian, the prettiest girl in their class. Lan Wangji’s eye-roll was loud. “What?” Wuxian had noticed the boy’s reaction. “You never striked me as a romantic, Lan Wangji, but you know studies have shown that a notable percent of alters end up married, right?” “Oi!” Someone exclaimed. Everyone shot their eyes back on the screens, onto which text had appeared: Their coupling results. Everyone was too busy looking up their own name on the list to pay attention to the fact that the stickler-to-the-rules nephew of major general Lan Qiren had been coupled with Wei Wuxian. Lan Wangji had been coupled with Wei Wuxian! *** In a world threatened by monsters, giant robots known as archons are piloted by "alters", a neuropsychologically coupled pair, to protect humanity. As Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji begin their piloting career as unlikely alters, they have to contend not only with the fame and idolization that comes with being a pilot, but also the conflicts that rise from within as their psyches are connected within the archon.

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I want to recommend this story, it was a very exciting, clever and well paced story. @aerouinde

Chronicles of Sect Leader Wei Wuxian

by Muggle_Diary (@kshithi-and-stories)

E, 114k, Wangxian

Summary: Wei Wuxian is ten years old when he joins the Jiang sect. Fed up with his treatment at Yunmeng Jiang, Wei Wuxian leaves the Jiang sect. Wei Wuxian is ambitious and wants to open a sect based on merits alone. Years later he stands at the top of cultivation world.

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I want to recommend this story, because it is one of the best ballet fics I have read, loved it. @aerouinde

Ugly Duckling

by Witch_Nova221 (@witchnova221)

T, 57k, Wangxian

Part of the MDZS Big Bang 2024

Summary: When talented but untrained ballet dancer, Wei Ying, is offered a scholarship by Lan Huan at the prestigious Gusu Ballet Academy he knows he will have to work hard to prove himself especially to his stern teacher, Lan Qiren. At a school that values tradition, Wei Ying struggles to find his place, constantly criticised and compared to his talented classmate, Lan Zhan. Whilst negotiating the trials of training under Lan Qiren, Wei Ying struggles to remember why he loves to dance until costumier, Nie Huaisang, gifts him a very special pair of shoes that open up a whole new world of ballet.

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