#ground keepers 2

[sharivers92]

I got new visa gift card for christmas i got grounds keepers 2, turnament, milli 7 greg, bloo kid, bloo kid 2, berzerk recharged, basketboom, ultra mission, planetary defense force, cymatically muffed, quantum rechagred these are the games i purchase on my new atari vcs

[chiropteracupola]

Then they sat down and sang / but my love sang the clearest / Like a nightingale in the spring / saying, “You’re welcome home, my dearest...”

[moth and compass is a collaboration with @natdrinkstea]

[our-inspire-verse]

Me: oh rest! My body is so tired it cannot wait to unclench

My body the second it feels anything less than a PTSD inducing stress response that will remain with me the rest of life: seize up? Clench? Shake? Panic? Make the brain completely foggy and confused except for heartwrenching agony and sadness? Make flashbacks? CPTSD symptoms? Literal seizures triggered by distress?

[theveryworstthing]

time to learn a little bit about the Yells. i've been writing a few lore posts for a while and instead of continuing to let they grow and fretting over them, i think i'm just going to throw a few out there and try to finish up the rest this week.

The Yells

Despite their imposing size, strange behaviors, and mysterious keepers, the Signallusc (or The Yells as most rabbits call them) are considered just another part of the island landscape. These towering faux trees serve as the island version of radio towers, and make all radio communication above and below ground possible.

Though the 2 largest of the naturally formed Yells are still upright and active (and heavily protected so that their natural life cycle can be properly studied), these days rabbits prefer to cultivate the towers so that they don’t grow in problematic areas or do…other things.

Wild or free growth Yells make their homes in dead rotting wood as natural decomposers, and many live out their lives as simple slime molds (or as simple as any slime mold can be). Certain conditions must be met to trigger the drastic color change and vertical growth that make them viable for communication use, and so wild Yells are usually found growing in small clusters in or around the resources they need to sustain their new forms. Dead trees or stumps with roots still in the ground are prime hosts for these slime molds and they’re actually seen as beneficial since they stabilize potentially dangerous dead trees and kill diseases or especially destructive insects that might harm surrounding living trees. Once inside these dead trees the slime mold eats them from the inside out, taking the branches first, and then devouring the mass from the top down.

Compared to other slime molds they can handle direct sunlight quite well, but wild yells still tend to favor hosts in shady areas and from the way these trees are devoured they seem to try and keep some sort of shell around them for as long as possible. This wooden shell not only serves as food, but also gives the growing Yell a moist, dark, home until its outer membrane is thick and strong enough to handle being constantly exposed. When wild Yells “die”, it’s usually because they’ve run out of host tree long ago, and have stiffened into a rigid structure that eventually cracks (usually due to being struck by lightning) and crumbles, releasing clouds of spores. The remains of a Yell dissolve in the first rain after they fall and tend to leave the area around the strange lotus pod-ish pit in the ground where “roots” used to be spotless, but smelling very metallic with a hint of foulness. Almost like not so fresh blood.

Through the observations recorded by island botanists and the specific botanical sect known as the Antenna, rabbits (and hares, as they were the first to investigate and made great strides in understanding the process before they left the island en masse) have learned exactly what triggers Yell vertical growth and have used this knowledge to cultivate Yells quite successfully. A combination of owl feathers, metal ore (mainly bog iron), charcoal sticks and or ash (best if created by lightning strike, wood preferred but animal remains like burned out hawks are perfectly acceptable), and a little starter wood are fed to the slime mold, and after it’s broken everything down it begins its transformation. It is then introduced to a host plant sprout, a type of fast growing, woody, creeping vine in the Grasp family bred specifically for this purpose (wild cultivars work fine but they’re half as hardy and the bond has a greater chance of triggering very upsetting mutations. These are different from the upsetting mutations, which are fine and harmless). From then on the slime mold seems to guide the host plant’s growth, forming a shell from the vines that is constantly growing and shedding. This serves as both a home and an ample food source.

The botany world is torn on whether this forms a mutualistic symbiotic relationship or whether it’s straight up parasitism. And yes, plant nerd blood has been spilled over this argument. Not a ton of blood, it’s not like this is the great lichen wars, but still.

The Antenna

All yell care-taking is done by the Antenna sect. This is a mysterious group of witchy botanists and engineers who, like the previously referred to upsetting mutations, are harmless despite their entire vibe. Well. Harmless enough for botanists anyway.

Not a lot is known about them by the general public but they keep things working smoothly and show up quickly when something isn’t.

Members of this sect haven’t had a set “look” or uniform for about a generation and a half due to the ending of a lot of the the founding member’s bloodlines, but each Yell site has it’s own culture that attracts certain kinds of people. Despite their differences, there are a few things that make Antennae easier to pick out of a crowd if you know what to look for. The skin of their inner ears develop thin branching markings or wave-like ripples depending on how they interact with Yells. Some have obvious hare ancestry and sport roughly branching horns that grow quite long and shed every year (these shed horns are fed to the Yells). Newer members wear a lot of lightweight ear jewelry to help pick up important signals and behavioral quirks from the Yells, but the longer they stay in the Antenna the less tolerant they are of this. Things get…loud. Behind their eyes. Inside their teeth. Seasoned members usually can’t stand wearing any metal jewelry at all. The head botanist of one of the most remote Yells wears ear plugs almost 24/7 because of left behind shrapnel from an accident in his youth.

He is deaf.

He says he’s not really blocking anything out, just sorting it properly.

No one really knows what he means. It’s fine.

[lordofthemushrooms]

Hi. Following this train of thought. What if Lavellan going back to Skyhold is what awoke Regret. It was already manifesting but her presence brought it out

So do we think Inky knows about the Regret demon at Skyhold from Tevinter Nights….

[asumi2020202]

Everything has a Price to Pay

Pairing: Aemond Targaryen x reader

Summary: Daemon's hired men, whilst trying to slay Aemond in his bed, accidentally harmed his wife and his son and Aemond blames his wife for it.

A/n: The 2nd episode of s2 broke my heart. The way Helaena clung to her son's blanket. But anyways, this is something which is somewhat based on the storyline of ep 1 and 2 of s2 but unlike the directors taking out Alys Rivers from the show, I'm including her. Thank you for reading!

______ฅ⁠^⁠•⁠ﻌ⁠•⁠^⁠ฅ___________________________

All throughout the kingdom, you were known to be the gentlest of souls much like your sister. Though she was naive and all too forgiving, you were a bit unlike her. You preferred knowledge but both of you were kind.

Your marriage to Aemond was exactly like Aegon and Helaena's. To keep the bloodline pure. Except the only difference was that both of you loved each other and that he was not like Aegon.

You always stayed with either your sister or your husband ever since a child. Or sometimes you would accompany your eldest brother, he only had you who understood him.

Unlike his brother and nephews, you didn't tease and harrass Aemond, for you too knew what it felt like to not be heard. He felt as if he could only seek comfort in you and his mother as a child and even now.

When he had claimed Vhagar, he had to pay the cost with his eye.

He realised he loved you when the maester and maids tried to usher you away saying the stitching and mending to his face would too horrific to see for your gentle soul yet you stood your ground and held his hand while your mother pleaded for justice.

You felt hate for your father. For he blindly trusted his daughter, disregard anyone else. If someone even asks him your name he probably would not be able to say.

After that incident in the Red Keep, your half-sister's family fled to Dragonstone.

_________________________________________

War had started. Your mother along with your grandsire, successfully installed Aegon on the throne. Your husband Aemond had took the life of your nephew.

You knew that the House of the Dragon would tear each other apart. With no literal escape.

It was only some days before your child would be born. Having your first child with your husband. The only happiness in this devastating time.

Your happiness has crashed down when you got a raven. Your husband was laying with some bastard whore in Harrehal. The only thoughts you would get were

Did he not love me? He always swore that he would never leave me and stay by my side, that he will be different than our father.

He looked happy when he got to know of our child yet he is laying with another woman.

What did I do wrong?

Why did he lie?

He left you right when the war had been declared and he finalized it by killing your nephew.

Your mother tried to help you. Completely disappointed in her son. She raised him better yet he still did this. Harming her daughter, hurting her emotions and dishonouring her.

You stayed with Helaena until the pressure of it all became too much to bear and ultimately pushing you towards your labor.

_________________________________________

You laid in your bed crying, sweating and panting, while your husband was who knows where.

You held tight onto your mother's hand as Helaena quietly said "A price must be paid for all that is done."

Soon enough your child was born. It was a son. Your little Aenor.

Moonfyre's roar were heard. She could sense a new presence. One familiar to her bonded sister.

You cried as you took your son in your arms, your mother kissing your head as your sister gently rubbed your arms.

_________________________________________

Moonfyre had laid her eggs 3 weeks before your son's birth.

It had been a week since you had Aenor. Since your husband, if you can even call him that now, had not returned. You took it upon yourself to get him his own dragon egg.

As you walked through the dragon pit, you saw some dragon keepers scared.

"Moonfyre iksos daor īlva jikagon va zyhōn. Nyke suggest ziry would sagon wise naejot daor jikagon va zyhōn nykeā zyhōn drōma sir." Said a dragon keeper.

Moonfyre is not letting us go near her. I suggest it would be wise to not go near her or eggs now.

"Dīnagon aside. Nyke shall ūndegon skoros nyke kostagon gaomagon." Came your reply.

Move aside. I shall see what I can do.

As you walked further in, you saw you dragon, guarding her precious eggs.

You walked towards her. She's let's out a small noise upon recognising you. You gently placed your hand on her snout and then your forehead. With her wings she gently pushed you towards her eggs, guarding you.

You chose an egg for your son. Before leaving, you patted her snout and scratched it a bit, giving her some comfort.

_________________________________________

Night had already fallen over kings landing. You were with your son in your shared chambers. He had fallen asleep to your gentle humming.

As you were cradling your son to your chest, you heard the door being opened. You thought it was perhaps a maid but as you turned around you saw the rat catcher that comes everyday.

He was smirking and held a knife. Soon after him, entered a muscular man who had a knife as well.

"A son .. for a son he said." Said the muscular man. "Oh but look there, thats his son." Replied the rat catcher to the other man.

As the other one looked at you, you felt dangered.

"I.. have a necklace. It.. is of great value.." you cradled your son closer to your chest with one arm while with the other hand you tried to open the necklace.

The muscular man simply tore it away from your neck. Fear was evident in your eyes. You took a step back as the rat catcher said

"Hand him over and you'll live. We only need him."

As he approached you, you placed your right hand over your right thigh where your own dagger was kept.

The rat catcher tried to forcefully take your son but before he could do so, you kicked him in his crotch. While writhing in pain, he slashed your arm. The other one was coming towards your son, but as he tried to slash him in your arms you turned around.

His blade dug through your back. Muscles getting slashed. Extreme pain courses through you. Yet you didn't give up. U took out your dagger and slashed his cheek and stabbed his chest. As he flinched away, you took your chance and ran out the room, you nightgown red with your blood.

You didn't know where to go. Time was limited. You could hear faint moaning noises. Cradling your son closer to your chest, with your jaw on his head, you followed the noise.

You came infront of your mother's chambers and entered without a second thought. You saw her with Ser Cole but you didn't care about that. Your energy was running out. A lot of blood was lost. You didn't even know if you would survive.

With your remaining strength you said "Mother". You shakily walked to her and somehow gave her your son as you collapsed beside her bed.

Alicent's scream could be heard from everywhere. She couldn't believe her eye. Her little sweet y/n was bleeding out in front of her. She put Aenor on her bed as he wailed out loudly.

Alicent kneeled before her daughter and hugged her to her chest. Her blanket and body getting bloodied. She cried and cried.

Aegon and Helaena had appeared as well. Helaena couldn't watch, tears flowing from her eyes. She took Aenor as a maid escorted them away to her room.

Aegon rushed beside his mother and sister. Gently taking her in his arms as maester Orwyle came through hurriedly, asking Aegon to put you on the bed.

Aegon very carefully laid you on your stomach on the bed. While maester Orwyle asked them to leave the room, both your brother and mother did not stop crying.

_________________________________________

Aemond had landed on the Red Keep. Getting off of Vhagar, he walked inside the castle. As he entered, he could see a man being dragged to the dungeon. Blood everywhere. Maids rushing around.

He saw his brother. But he wasn't as he usually was. He knew after becoming the king, Aegon had changed, but now he looked completely different.

His hair not brushed. Eyes red and tired. Blood. He was covered in blood.

As Aemond walked towards him, he heard Aegon say to a guard "kill every rat catcher you can find. Spare none."

Aegon looked away from the guard and saw Aemond. His eyes filled with fury. He marched towards him and grabbed his collar.

"Finally came back huh brother? It could've been avoided with you here yet you chose your whore over everything else." Aegon said, trying to keep his calm which is very unlikely of him.

Aemond felt ashamed and confused. Ashamed for being disloyal to you and dishonouring the family and confused thinking about what Aegon was saying.

"Look I'm sorry brother, that was a mistake. But do explain what you mean by it could've been avoided. What has happened?"

"Our sister had given birth to your son a week ago. And today she-" Aegon stopped. His tears flowing uncontrollably. "T-today she and my nephew were attacked. She is badly wounded. Maester Orwyle is with her but he said that she lost a lot of blood. That she was already weak from the birth and now this." With this Aegon completely broke down.

Aemond's breathing stopped. He chose his whore over you. The one who always stood up for him. He felt ashamed. So ashamed that he might sink and drown.

He ran towards his mother's room after Aegon told him where you were while he went down the dungeons to deal with the man who dare hurt you.

As Aemond reached, he saw his mother. Scared and fearful. He knew he fucked up bad. As she noticed him, she walked up towards him, looked him in the eyes and slapped him. He deserved it.

_________________________________________

You slowly opened your eyes, trying to take in your surroundings. You saw your husband pacing around the room.

He noticed that you were awake and spoke. "You're awake" you remained silent as you recalled the events of last night.

"Aenor.... My son.. my son Aenor! Is he okay?! Did he get hurt?!" Your enquired as you suddenly sat up, ignoring the pain in your body. Worried for your son.

"He only had a small cut on his feet. Nothing else. He is okay." Aemond replied helping you back down. You felt relieved and finally acknowledged your pain and groaned.

He didn't knew what came over him in an instance. He felt anger towards the ones who hurt you and his son. He was angry with himself but instead it got directed at you.

"If only you had taken better care of the security, none of this would've happened.." he muttered.

"What?" You sat up again, not believing your ears.

"If only you knew how to fight, this would've never happened! You can't fight, can't run, you can't even protect our child like a mother should!! You should have called more guards!!" He shouted while pointing his finger at you.

You got up from your mother's bed and stood as you held onto the bed.

"It is my fault now?! Huh?! You're the one who's irresponsible. You left me!! You left me and my child to fend for ourselves!! You left us for your whore whom you sought comfort in instead of your wife!! Where were you when we were attacked huh?! Were you fucking your whore?! Were you creating your bastards?!

You promised me that you were different. That you would treat me with respect unlike other husbands with their wives. You said you were different but...... You're just more of the same.." your voice raised and came down as tears flowed rapidly. Your would reopened because of how tensed your body was. Your nightgown was starting to get bloodied again.

Aemond was shocked. He yelled at his precious wife. His gentle lady wife. And she who never raised her voice no matter how angry or raged up she may be, shouted at him.

He fucked up greatly.

You winced as you fell to the ground. Blood getting everywhere as Aemond rushed to your side and gently tried to pick you up but you refused.

"Don't. Do not touch me with the hands that you used to hold her. I may be a woman. I may be the most vulnerable, but I have an honor. Neither my son nor do I need you. I will ask Aegon to annul our marriage. After that you may return to your whore and I will raise my son alone." You said, wincing as pain shot through you body.

Your lady in waiting came in and got you up on the bed and called maester Orwyle.

As Aemond got up from the floor, he was speechless. He never knew one mistake would cost him his everything. The words you spoke hurt more than when he lost his eye.

The entire day those words circled his thoughts.

_________________________________________

It had been a week since the last time Aemond met you. He had went to Harrehal and returned. Aemond walked inside your shared chambers after he got to know that you shifted back there. Aegon provided two guards infront of your door.

He watched as you cradle your son to your chest with your left hand which was fine and hummed a valyrian song to him.

You stopped as you as noticed him. You gently put Aenor in his crib and straightened your back.

"I'm sorry" he started.

"You sorry means nothing to me. You say your sorry now but next chance you get you'll run back in her arms." You spoke, gazing out the window.

"There will be no next time. I got rid of everything that would come in between us." He replied as your body stilled after hearing his words.

"Whatever do you mean?" You asked, turning back to face him.

"I got rid of her. All i now need is your forgiveness. For you to accept me again. To trust me again. Please avy jorrāelan. Forgive me this once." He begged as he got down on his knees and held your hand.

You were shocked. He killed her. He killed her without a second thought. You wanted to loathe him but deep down you loved him.

"I don't know..... I don't know anymore. I want to trust you Aemond. But I can't. I can't trust you. You've hurt me far too much.

It'll take a while to heal the scar you inflicted upon me but I will try. I will try to forgive you." You replied shakily.

He got up and hugged you lightly not to press on your wounds.

"Thank you my love. Thank you" he spoke as he kissed your head.

You gave in to his warm embrace. War has started. But right now you just want to be held.

You would think later of how to punish those who dare harm your family.

Those who hurt your son will pay. They will pay with their life. And you will see to it that they burn in flames. You will make sure that they rot in hell even if you too would have to.

After all nothing is for free....

Everything has a Price to Pay.......

-Lillian

[yanderecrazysie]

Twisted Zoo: Chapter 10

Surprise! Sorry for the lack of Jack content in this one.

I feel like this sucks but at least I wrote something ;-;

Prologue: here

Previous Chapter: here

Next Chapter: here

This is based on the stories of a keeper reader with the octotrio by @ashensgrotto and @merakiui .

Also @twistedcece @cenatour @xiaopleasecomehome @bearshideout @koebishrimpuwu @vash-yuu @twstsandturns @help-whatdoimakemyusername @secret-potion @magmdnv @sunshine-for-serotonin @mel-star636 @silkkorchid @the-ace-reader @pamv11 @coffee-or-hot-cocoa @hrhqueenfox @goseew @luxthestrange @juno-of-wonderland @who-mst @despairingy-obsessed @lanxianschoenheit @ceramic-raven @m0063576 @kimdourden @rammylog @sushiperson @starshiningsirius @im-here-for-the-fun-of-it @the-monochrome-jester @owodi @girl-nahh-two @obeythehuman @berry-efoy @ivorette @the-broken-truth @losingmybrain @sxftiebee @queens-unheard-thoughts @medicine-san @strugglingsleeper and @rocketstyx  wanted to be tagged! Let me know if anyone else wants to be tagged for future chapters. If you no longer want to be tagged, please tell me! (I have removed the tags that weren’t working for me, apologies if yours was removed!)

Summary: You’re a brand new zookeeper at The Halfling Zoo- a place where half-animals live in captivity. Your job is simple- feed them and study them. Your main worry is that one of the more dangerous halflings might kill you. 

Unfortunately, that may become the least of your worries.

WARNINGS: yandere themes

Note: All characters are aged up, since there will be mature themes in future parts.

Also, I can’t promise I’ll finish this. I suck at finishing stories.

NOTE 2: I decided to make this a little fluffy before shit goes down.

—-------------------------------------------------------

It was your turn to feed the halflings dinner again. The hyenas, lions, and wolves all were going to be given the same food: hamburgers. Each was individually wrapped, and there must have been a hundred of them between the two giant buckets you were forced to carry. 

Surely that’s way too much for even all three groups combined! You groaned as you lifted the buckets. Your arms were definitely going to get a workout from this.

You trudged into the savannah, your arms already aching from the heavy load you were forced to carry. Thankfully, the hyenas were gathered on the rocks not far from the entrance.

Ruggie’s eyes lit up as soon as they saw you, letting out a bark of excitement as he leapt down from the rock he had been sitting on with the grace of a cat. He stopped a few feet away from you, as though he were waiting for a signal from you. 

You placed the buckets on the ground and lifted your hands in a calming gesture, “You know I’m not going to hurt you, Ruggie. I’ve just brought food for you all.”

Ruggie grinned and bounded forward, taking you by surprise as he pulled you into a hug, rubbing his cheek against your own. He pulled away, a sly grin on his face as he stole a burger from the left bucket and slipped away, climbing onto a large rock and unwrapping the food.

You felt a little flustered by the sudden show of affection but, with a shake of your head, you dismissed his odd behavior. Yet, Ruggie’s eyes never left your figure, his tail wagging back and forth as though he was thrilled to be able to see you.

When he came for his second helping, he reached out a hand and slid it beneath your chin. He drew his face closer until you could feel his hot breath playing across your lips. For a moment, you thought he was about to kiss you, but he spoke up instead, stumbling a little over his words, “You are special to me.”

“I am?” you were taken aback by his sudden confession.

“Yes,” Ruggie said with a wide smile, “You’re my favorite!”

“Favorite what? Researcher? Aren’t I the only researcher you know?”

Nishishishi. Ruggie giggled at your confusion, “Favorite. (Y/n) is my favorite.”

Completely nonplussed now, you gave him an awkward smile, “You’re a strange one, Ruggie.”

His smile morphed into a pout, “Am I favorite?”

You reached out a hand and messed up his fluffy blond hair, “You’re my favorite Ruggie in the whole world.”

He gave you an annoyed look, his hyena ears flat on his head. It was clear he was hoping you’d be a little less specific. But you couldn’t tell him something like “you’re my favorite hyena”, as that wouldn’t be fair to the other halflings.

You took a seat on the rock as the other hyenas came for their second helpings, skirting around you with nervous looks. Ruggie practically threw himself onto your lap, his stomach back landing on your legs as he gazed up at you. You almost shivered when you saw his expression.

His gaze was hungry, eyes dark and lips pulled into a sinister smile. He lifted a hand and cupped your cheek. He whispered something and, though it was too quiet to tell, it sounded suspiciously like he had said “mine”.

Then, his eyes fluttered closed, his hand flopped to his side, and his breathing turned even. It took you a moment to realize he had fallen asleep. You were a bit jealous that he could fall asleep so quickly and easily (it took you much longer to settle down at night). 

Some of the hyenas came for a third helping, but once all of them had deposited their wrappers in a pile near the buckets, you realized you had to move on. “Ruggie, time to wakey wakey,” you teased.

Ruggie’s eyes fluttered open and his peaceful expression became cross. His hyena ears flattened themselves against his head again and his tail lashed once, but he obediently stood up, freeing your lap so you could stand as well.

You took the wrappers to a trash can near the entrance of the enclosure and returned to the buckets. Ruggie watched you from on top of a rock, eyes sad as he watched you walk away. You felt a little bad, but you had to move on. You couldn’t just spend the entire evening with the hyenas when you had to see the lions and wolves too.

The buckets were still heavy and you felt your arms ache as you took the long walk over to the lion halflings. As you approached, Leona sat up on the rock he was lounging on. You put down the buckets and waved at him.

He leapt down from the rock gracefully and walked towards you. When he was just a few feet away, he stopped dead in his tracks and his nose screwed up in disgust, “You smell like hyena. You let one of those bone-eaters scent you?”

“Huh?” you were confused for a moment before you remembered the way Ruggie rubbed his cheek against yours and lounged across your lap. Was he scenting you then?

“Disgusting,” Leona snapped, reaching out and snatching your wrist, “You should smell like lion.” His face drew closer and you snapped out of your surprise and confusion, pulling your wrist out of his grasp and taking a step back.

“You shouldn’t be surprised I smell like hyenas, considering you aren’t the only halflings I care for,” you snapped, “That doesn’t give you permission to scent me too!”

Leona let out a growl deep in his throat and you involuntarily took another step back. His eyes narrowed, as though he was deep in thought. Then, a somewhat sinister smile spread across his face, “Of course, you’re right.” Somehow, his tone seemed condescending, as though you were too stupid to understand him, “I’ll have a talk with the hyenas, and no one will scent you again.”

A shiver ran up your spine, “You don’t have to do that.”

“Oh but I do,” Leona growled, “Now, you brought us food, I believe? Or are you going to stand there gaping like a fish?”

You closed your mouth and pursed your lips into a deep frown. Leona was really getting on your nerves, “Yeah, I did. Feel free to grab something, your highness.”

Leona didn’t seem offended by your dig, if anything, a smirk pulled at the corner of his lips. He grabbed a wrapped burger from the bucket closest to him and leaned in as close as he could while doing so.

The other lions followed his example, grabbing burgers and eating them under the tall rock that Leona had resumed lounging on. The king of the jungle gazed at you with darkened eyes and you were surprised to read the jealousy on his features. Was the great Leona really jealous of some hyenas?

You tried to shake the ridiculous idea from your mind, but you just couldn’t believe otherwise when you looked at his expression. You didn’t like the way he gazed across the savannah at the group of hyenas with a sneer on his lips.

“Leona,” you called up to him. He turned his furious gaze on you, eyes burning, and you shut your mouth, the words dying on your tongue, “Never mind.” You picked up the buckets and turned around. You heard a light thump as Leona jumped down from the rock again.

Arms wrapped around your waist and pulled you close to a toned chest. You grabbed his wrists and tried to wrench them from your body but Leona didn’t budge. “Let me go,” you demanded firmly. 

The lion halfling placed his chin on your shoulder and let out a sigh, “Why do you tempt me so?”

You furrowed your brow, “That sounds like a ‘you problem’. Now let go.”

Leona obeyed with a chuckle, his arms disappearing from your waist, “You’re entertaining, you know that?”

You refused to look back, angry that he had put his hands on you, and simply walked away. You didn’t breathe again until the enclosure door shut behind you. You leaned against the wall and slid to the ground, entirely nonplussed by what had gone on between you and the lion halfling.

You took a moment to process the encounter, then stood up with a sigh. You hoped all of the lions’ bellies had been filled with only one burger, since you hadn’t stuck around long. You checked your watch and were happy to see that it was still fairly early. That way, it wouldn’t be too dark out when you brought the burgers to the wolves.

You hurried down the pathway to the wolf enclosure, looking off in the distance where the sun was beginning to turn the sky pink and orange. Maybe if you hurried, the wolves wouldn’t all want to kill you.

Unfortunately, as you entered the enclosure, the only wolf you were met with was Jack. That wasn’t to say you weren’t happy to see him, especially as he gave you the most endearing smile ever.

“Is there any way to feed the other wolves without getting my skin torn off?” you asked him. 

Jack shook his head and your heart sank. He seemed to notice your disappointment because he spoke up, “But you have me.”

“I know, Jack,” you sighed, “But I want to get to know the other wolves too.”

Jack’s smile disappeared and his eyes narrowed a little, “But you have me. I protect you.”

“I appreciate that, I really do,” you said in a soothing voice, “But I need to interact with all of the halflings, not just you.”

Jack’s expression darkened, his shoulders hunching over, “They’re dangerous. They hurt you. I can’t let anything happen to you,” his voice grew tight with emotion, and he looked down at you with such a lost expression that your heart twisted.

“Maybe if you help me, they will grow to like me,” you suggested. Jack shook his head and grabbed the buckets off the ground. Before you could protest, he disappeared into the forest.

You tried to follow, but he had completely left you behind. Soon enough, you were lost in the trees, looking this way and that, before Jack returned to you with empty buckets.

“They have eaten,” he said gruffly.

You sighed, “Thanks…” Jack didn’t seem to understand your disappointment, as he merely took your hand in his larger one and led you back to the enclosure exit. He smiled gently at you and said in a soft voice, “Safe.”

You couldn’t really argue with that.

Ruggie and Leona watched in amusement as the zoo staff brought out the body bags from the wolf enclosure across the path from them. “She’s becoming quite popular,” Leona murmured, “Enough for a wolf to turn against his own pack.”

Ruggie pouted, “I want her to be mine. Not anyone else’s.”

Leona chuckled darkly, “You’ll have to put those thoughts aside if you really want to take our deal. You know that a war against lions who obey only me and hyenas that will run away with their tails between their legs will end in only one way.”

Ruggie’s ears flattened against his head, “I’ll share, but only with you. Three’s a crowd.”

The lion nodded, “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

[xeas]

Can you please do a Norton and fool's gold with a reader where the reader has cinnamoroll personality (cinnamoroll is from sanrio)

MIND OVER MATTER IS MAGIC!

🍍 IN WHICH: drabbles (seperately) of Norton Campbell and Fool's Gold with a reader who is like cinnamoroll from sanrio (basically, shy yet sweet who will also help out their friends whenever they can)

🥥 NOTE FROM XEA!: thank you so much for your request! i love writing for norton but im wary my fools gold may ooc...haha...

🫧CONTENT WARNINGS: pre-established relationship, Norton may appear overprotective, mc may appear to be 'pure and innocent' in a fashion that may be perceived as corny to some readers. reader is referred to as "doll" in Norton's section, "babyface" in Fools Gold's. Seer is mentioned and Grave keeper is implied in Fools Gold section. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!

NORTON CAMPBELL; The Prospector

NORTON swears up and down he's done nothing worthy of him deserving you.

The way your thumb grazes his knuckles in a comforting manner--whether to soothe your own nerves or his is unsure-- but the expression of innocence coated on your face both makes his heart sink to his stomach and gives him butterflies.

You have the eyes of someone who has gazed at few possible traumatic scenarios and the skin of one who not been lashed by the harsh truths of the world. He squishes down his feeling of envy when he feels he's going too far down the rabbit hole of his thoughts.

But now, as he bandages up your wound from the cold Night Watch, he can't help but realize how that weighs you down. It wasn't supposed to be you with the gash in your thigh it was supposed to be the teammate you wasted no time saving. You took a hit for them, and for what? So they could have a futile 5 seconds to run as fast as they could only for the harsh winter wind to yank them back to the hunter? You we're such a fool, having so much faith in these people.

But that's what led you two to become such a power couple. You gave him a chance.

"Norton-"

"Hush up, doll." And you do just that.

He looks angry and you feel nervous because of it.

"I'm sorry for getting injured." You mumble quietly. You don't expect a 'Its fine' or a 'Its not your fault' because this was a rookie mistake and you by no means are a rookie.

He remains silent, finishing up dressing your wound. His gloved hands go to hold your thighs as you sit in some corner of burned down building in the Arms Factory.

"Don't do that again." He states. Its not up for debate and you silently nod, moving to give his forehead a kiss as you steady yourself to get up and work on getting out of here.

NORTON CAMPBELL; Fools Gold (Hunter Identity)

"Hm, shame. Really."

Fools Gold let out a teasing laugh as he shoved you into a chair. He leaned on the wall behind it as you glared up at him. Fools gold clicked his tongue (does he even have one??) and fake pouted, most likely mocking you.

"D'aw, don't look at me like that, Babyface. You wouldn't be like this if you didn't sacrifice yourself for that silly little seer."

At least he was brutally honest.

Your muscles are screaming at you and you can feel them throbbing after you spent the last 2 minutes running and jumping and rolling to get away from him.

He traces your jawline with his pickaxe, you can feel your face heat up as Fools Gold lets out a wheezing chuckle. "All bark huh?"

You try to stutter out a response not until you see the ground beside you break. This was going to take a while.

୨🐙୧ ‧ 𝙃𝘼𝙑𝙀 𝘼𝙉 𝘼𝙈𝘼𝙕𝙄𝙉𝙂 𝘿𝘼𝙔! ⋆ ˚｡

🌺 𝙓𝙊𝙓𝙊,

XEA!

[esotericalchemist]

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 - 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐱 𝐨𝐟 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐲 ☾

TikTok - Masterlist - YouTube (subliminals)

The Portrait Zone in the Matrix of Destiny represents how others perceive an individual and the external image they project into the world. It reveals the outer persona, the way people relate to the individual, and the impressions they create based on their actions and behavior. This zone highlights qualities that are easily recognizable by others, such as charm, authority, wisdom, or unpredictability. Understanding the energies in the Portrait Zone helps individuals become aware of how they are seen by others and can provide insight into how they can enhance or refine their external interactions and relationships.

Calculate your Matrix of Destiny here:

Matrix of Destiny calculator

( if that one does not work, use the following link: alternative calculator)

! --- LOOK AT THE NUMBER IN THE MOST LEFT PURPLE CIRCLE --!

< image source: here! >

1 - The Magician

The 1st Arcanum in this position manifests itself as the energy of a "Pioneer" or "The Magician," reflecting how others perceive the individual as someone who possesses immense potential, leadership, and the capability to create and inspire. This energy radiates authority, confidence, and a pioneering spirit, making others see the individual as someone who can push boundaries and lead new initiatives. They often appear as people who hold the fire of creation, ready to take on challenges with courage.

However, this external perception of power might not always align with their inner reality. While the world sees them as bold and innovative, internally, they may struggle with doubts and the fear of failure. If this energy is negatively expressed, it can lead to overcompensation, where the individual might act overconfident or harsh, while feeling deeply insecure beneath the surface.

In its positive manifestation, the 1st Arcanum brings out a strong sense of innovation, leadership, and the drive to bring new ideas into reality. People are drawn to their magnetic energy, seeing them as trailblazers capable of making significant contributions to any field. The challenge for the individual is to balance this outward projection of power with an inner belief in their abilities, rather than relying solely on external validation.

2 - The High Priestess

The 2nd Arcanum in this position manifests itself as "The Secret" or "The High Priestess" in the Tarot. It reflects how others perceive the individual as someone mysterious, enigmatic, and deeply intuitive. They are often seen as keepers of hidden knowledge, possessing an air of wisdom and secrecy that draws people in. Their ability to understand the unseen and their natural inclination toward spiritual or mystical matters makes them appear insightful and almost otherworldly.

Internally, however, these individuals may feel detached from reality, lost in their own world of thoughts, illusions, and spiritual contemplation. They might struggle with balancing their inner truth and the external world, sometimes feeling misunderstood or isolated due to their deeper understanding of life's mysteries. When negatively expressed, this energy can manifest as secrecy, mistrust, and emotional distance. They might become withdrawn, overly secretive, or lost in illusions, unable to connect with others.

When positively aligned, the 2nd Arcanum enhances their intuitive abilities, allowing them to access deeper truths and guide others with their wisdom. They are seen as trusted confidants who can help others unravel life's mysteries. Their key challenge is to stay grounded while embracing their intuitive insights, ensuring they don’t lose touch with reality while navigating the spiritual and the mystical.

3 - The Empress

The 3rd Arcanum in this position manifests itself as "Femininity" or "The Empress" in the Tarot. It reflects how others perceive the individual as someone embodying nurturing energy, beauty, and creativity. This energy often gives off an aura of fertility, warmth, and caring, making the person seem naturally maternal or supportive. Others may view them as a source of comfort and inspiration, someone who has the ability to foster growth and provide emotional support.

Internally, these individuals might feel a strong connection to family and heritage, particularly the feminine lineage. Their sense of identity often revolves around caring for others, creating beauty, and cultivating harmony in their surroundings. When negatively expressed, however, this energy can manifest as feelings of inadequacy or self-neglect, leading to issues with self-worth or the inability to express their nurturing side. They may also struggle with rejecting their femininity or overburdening themselves with responsibilities.

When positively aligned, the 3rd Arcanum enhances the individual’s ability to create abundance, support others, and cultivate an environment of love and care. They are seen as graceful and harmonious, able to create beauty in both their personal and professional lives. Their key strength lies in their capacity to nurture, whether in relationships, creative endeavors, or even business.

4 - The Emperor

The 4th Arcanum in this position manifests itself as "Masculinity" or "The Emperor" in the Tarot. It reflects how others perceive the individual as strong, authoritative, and someone who embodies leadership. This person is seen as a protector, a figure who takes responsibility for others, and someone who provides structure and stability. Their presence exudes a sense of command, making them natural leaders in various aspects of life, including family and work.

Internally, these individuals may feel a constant need to control their environment and take charge of situations. They have a strong sense of duty and responsibility, especially toward their family or close circle. However, when negatively expressed, this energy can manifest as excessive control, harshness, or even authoritarian behavior, pushing others away or creating unnecessary tension. They might struggle with accepting help or relying on others, leading to frustration or aggression when things don't go their way.

When positively aligned, the 4th Arcanum enhances the individual’s ability to lead with wisdom and strength. They become reliable pillars in their communities, offering support and guidance. Their actions are driven by responsibility, and they create an environment of security and order, both at home and in professional settings. The key to their success lies in balancing their need for control with the ability to trust and delegate, ensuring they don't overwhelm themselves or others with their strong energy.

5 - The Hierophant

The 5th Arcanum in this position manifests itself as "Knowledge" or "The Hierophant" in the Tarot. This energy reflects how others perceive the individual as a wise figure, a source of knowledge, and someone who upholds traditions and faith. People often see them as educators, spiritual guides, or those who inspire others with their deep understanding of life, ethics, and higher truths. They tend to be regarded as mentors, transmitting wisdom and helping others find their path.

Internally, these individuals are driven by a desire to learn and spread knowledge, always seeking to understand the deeper meaning of existence. They are devoted to a mission of learning and teaching, often feeling a sense of responsibility to share their insights with others. However, when this energy is negatively manifested, they can become rigid, overly critical, and preachy. Their need to instruct others may turn into an obsession with being right, leading them to impose their views and stifle those around them.

When positively aligned, the 5th Arcanum enhances their ability to inspire and guide with compassion, using their knowledge to uplift others. They become figures of authority in matters of faith and learning, embodying a deep connection to tradition while remaining open to new ideas. Their energy flows when they strike a balance between being teachers and learners, continually evolving while helping others along their spiritual or intellectual journeys.

6 - The Lovers

The 6th Arcanum in the Portrait zone manifests itself as Love or The Lovers in the Tarot. In this position, this energy shapes how others perceive the individual as charming, graceful, and attractive, both in appearance and demeanor. People with the 6th Arcanum in this position are often seen as very charismatic, easily able to engage with others, and naturally drawing people toward them. Their ability to form connections and communicate harmoniously is their key strength, making them appear as peacemakers and social butterflies.

Externally, they are viewed as individuals who value beauty, relationships, and emotional connection. They are often admired for their sense of style, their ability to create harmony in their environment, and the grace with which they interact with others. People see them as magnetic, with an aura of elegance and warmth that makes others feel comfortable around them.

When negatively manifested, others might perceive them as overly concerned with their appearance or with what others think of them. This can lead to superficiality or a tendency to seek approval and validation from their social circle. On the other hand, when positively aligned, the 6th Arcanum enhances their ability to form genuine, loving connections, bringing beauty, love, and balance into all aspects of their life, both in their relationships and within themselves.

7 - The chariot

The 7th Arcanum in the Portrait zone manifests itself as Movement or The Chariot in the Tarot. This energy shapes how others perceive the individual as dynamic, driven, and constantly in motion. They are seen as people who are always on the go, with a clear sense of direction and purpose. To others, these individuals often appear unstoppable, focused on their goals, and willing to push through any obstacles that come their way. Their swift, decisive actions and leadership skills make them seem like natural-born achievers.

Externally, they are viewed as highly energetic and capable of motivating others, often taking the lead in moving things forward. They seem to thrive in competitive environments and are admired for their ability to stay one step ahead.

When negatively manifested, others may see them as reckless or too aggressive, rushing forward without fully considering the consequences. In contrast, when this energy is positively aligned, they inspire admiration for their determination and ability to turn ideas into action, making them seem like people who always know where they’re going and how to get there.

8 - Justice

The 8th Arcanum in the Portrait zone manifests itself as Responsibility or Justice and shapes how others perceive the individual. People tend to view them as extremely reliable, disciplined, and principled. These individuals are often seen as figures of authority who bring order and stability wherever they go. They are recognized for their fairness and their commitment to doing what is morally or ethically right, even when it’s difficult.

Externally, they may be perceived as people who naturally enforce rules and maintain balance, whether in their personal relationships or professional settings. Their approach to life appears structured, thoughtful, and purposeful, and they often inspire respect due to their strong ethical stance.

When negatively manifested, others might see them as overly rigid or judgmental, enforcing rules without flexibility and becoming harsh in their pursuit of justice. However, in their positive form, they radiate wisdom and the ability to make impartial, well-considered decisions that benefit everyone around them.

9 - The Hermit

The 9th Arcanum in the Portrait zone manifests itself as The Hermit in the Tarot. Others perceive these individuals as deeply introspective and wise, often seeming distant or detached from the hustle of everyday life. They come across as highly reflective and mature, someone who contemplates life's deeper meanings rather than focusing on surface-level interactions. Because of this, they can seem mysterious, reserved, and even somewhat cold to those around them, though their wisdom and insights are undeniable. They often act as advisors or quiet observers who provide profound knowledge when asked.

While others might admire their wisdom, they may also find them challenging to connect with on a personal level, as they tend to retreat into their own world of thoughts and reflection. Their solitary nature can create a perception of aloofness, but it also generates respect for their depth and intelligence.

When negatively manifested, these individuals can appear overly distant, arrogant, or self-absorbed, convinced that their understanding surpasses everyone else's. Their solitude may turn into loneliness or isolation, causing difficulties in forming meaningful relationships. On the positive side, however, their energy draws others toward them as guides or sages, as they are able to offer invaluable advice and understanding in complex situations, encouraging others to explore deeper truths.

10 - The Hermit

The 10th Arcanum in the Portrait zone manifests itself as The Wheel of Fortune in the Tarot. Others perceive these individuals as adaptable and fortunate, often experiencing highs and lows in life but seemingly always landing on their feet. They appear to have a natural connection to the cycles of destiny and are seen as flexible, able to navigate change and uncertainty with ease. This gives them an air of unpredictability, yet also resilience, as if life’s twists and turns work in their favor more often than not. People may view them as lucky or blessed, even when they seem to face difficult situations.

Internally, these individuals feel deeply connected to the flow of life, understanding that both positive and negative experiences are part of the same cycle. They often possess a calm acceptance of life's unpredictability and have faith that things will eventually turn out well. However, when negatively manifested, they may become passive, overly reliant on fortune, or fail to take responsibility for their circumstances. This can lead to others perceiving them as lacking direction or control over their own lives.

When positively aligned, individuals with the 10th Arcanum in this zone inspire others through their ability to embrace change and remain optimistic. They show how to ride the waves of fate gracefully, encouraging others to let go of excessive control and trust in the natural ebb and flow of life. Their light-hearted approach and belief in destiny often lead to remarkable success, as they seem to attract good fortune at just the right moments.

11 - Strength

The 11th Arcanum in the Portrait zone manifests itself as The Strength card in the Tarot. Others perceive these individuals as strong, both mentally and emotionally, with an impressive ability to overcome obstacles and handle challenges with grace. They are often seen as resilient and determined, possessing an inner power that radiates outward. This energy makes them appear courageous and capable of handling difficult situations, often inspiring others to draw upon their own strength. People are naturally drawn to them for guidance, seeing them as capable of bringing calm and order even in turbulent times.

Internally, these individuals are driven by a deep sense of personal power and confidence. They have a quiet but profound belief in their ability to endure and persevere, even when faced with significant difficulties. However, when negatively manifested, they may become overbearing or attempt to control situations and people too rigidly, mistaking force for strength. In this state, they can come off as domineering or inflexible, pushing others away with their need to assert control.

When positively aligned, individuals with the 11th Arcanum in this position shine as natural leaders, demonstrating how true strength lies not in brute force but in inner resolve, patience, and understanding. They are able to gently guide others, creating an atmosphere of stability and trust, and are often seen as protectors or advocates for those who need support. Their ability to balance power with compassion makes them pillars of strength in their communities.

12 - The Hanged Man

The 12th Arcanum in the Portrait zone manifests itself as The Hanged Man in the Tarot. Others perceive these individuals as people who approach life from a different perspective, often appearing unconventional or detached from the material world. Their energy gives off a sense of sacrifice, surrender, or patience, as though they are willing to wait or let go of control to gain deeper spiritual or philosophical insights. This can make them seem mysterious or enigmatic to those around them, as they often resist the norms of society in favor of their inner truth.

Internally, these individuals are reflective, searching for meaning beyond what is easily visible. They are willing to endure discomfort or delay gratification to achieve a higher understanding or a deeper sense of purpose. When negatively manifested, they can come across as passive, stagnant, or even as martyrs, trapped in indecision or a state of inaction. They may struggle with moving forward, feeling stuck in their own thoughts or awaiting external change that never comes.

When positively aligned, the 12th Arcanum reveals a person who has mastered the art of surrender and trust in life's natural flow. Their patience, resilience, and ability to see things from alternative perspectives often inspire others, helping them navigate difficult circumstances with wisdom and grace. These individuals can guide others in finding peace amid uncertainty and in recognizing that sometimes, growth requires letting go.

13 - Death

The 13th Arcanum in the Portrait zone manifests itself as Death in the Tarot. Others perceive these individuals as transformative forces in life, often symbolizing profound change, renewal, or endings. They may come across as intense, mysterious, and even unsettling, as their energy often signals a break from the past or an unavoidable transition. People with this energy are seen as catalysts for transformation, able to bring closure to old situations and pave the way for new beginnings, though they might also be perceived as harbingers of sudden or unexpected changes.

Internally, these individuals are deeply connected to cycles of death and rebirth, understanding the necessity of letting go in order to grow. They are often reflective and accepting of the impermanence of life, recognizing that transformation is a constant. When negatively manifested, they may appear destructive, obsessive, or stuck in a cycle of loss, unable to release the past or move forward. Their energy can be experienced as overwhelming or disorienting to others, especially when they resist the changes they themselves need to undergo.

When positively aligned, the 13th Arcanum embodies a powerful force for renewal and regeneration. These individuals are capable of navigating life’s transitions with grace and insight, helping others accept change and embrace new possibilities. Their ability to bring closure and initiate rebirth makes them a guiding figure for others during times of upheaval or transformation, inspiring growth and resilience.

14 - Temperance

The 14th Arcanum in the Portrait zone manifests itself as Temperance in the Tarot. Others perceive these individuals as balanced, calm, and composed, often seeming to embody harmony and moderation in all they do. They come across as peacemakers, able to blend opposing forces or perspectives with ease, and are often seen as patient and wise, someone who naturally promotes equilibrium in both personal and social situations. Their presence is soothing, as they are known for their ability to handle conflicts with grace and to maintain a steady and controlled demeanor.

Internally, these individuals strive for inner balance and a sense of unity between their emotional and rational sides. They are constantly working toward self-improvement through careful moderation and restraint, always seeking to find the middle ground. When negatively manifested, they may appear indecisive or overly passive, unable to take bold actions for fear of disrupting the harmony they seek to maintain. This could cause them to miss opportunities due to a tendency to avoid confrontation or significant changes.

When positively aligned, the 14th Arcanum allows these individuals to act as natural mediators and healers. They have the ability to inspire others through their example of patience and moderation, fostering a sense of peace and cooperation. Their energy encourages others to find balance in their own lives, as they skillfully navigate life’s challenges with poise and thoughtful deliberation.

15 - The Devil

The 15th Arcanum in the Portrait zone manifests itself as The Devil in the Tarot. Others perceive these individuals as intense, magnetic, and sometimes overwhelming. They may be seen as possessing a powerful, even dark, allure that draws people toward them, though often with a sense of caution. People might interpret their energy as dominant or controlling, leading to a perception of manipulation or hidden motives, especially if these individuals are focused on their personal desires and ambitions. Their intense presence can make them appear seductive, charismatic, or dangerously captivating.

Internally, these individuals are driven by a strong desire to break free from limitations, both external and internal. They may constantly wrestle with material attachments, power dynamics, or primal instincts, seeking to satisfy deep desires or gain control over their environment. When this energy is negatively manifested, they can become consumed by their own impulses, leading to unhealthy relationships, addictive behaviors, or an overemphasis on materialism and self-gratification. This can make them appear obsessive or manipulative to others, creating toxic dynamics in their connections.

When positively aligned, however, the 15th Arcanum allows them to use their inner strength and magnetism to empower themselves and others. They learn to harness their deep desires in a constructive way, transforming challenges into opportunities for growth. Their energy then becomes a source of empowerment for those around them, helping others break free from their own limitations and fears, and encouraging them to face life’s darker truths with courage and honesty.

16 - The Tower

The 16th Arcanum in the Portrait zone manifests itself as The Tower in the Tarot. Others perceive these individuals as catalysts for significant change or disruption. They often appear to challenge the status quo, either consciously or unconsciously, which can lead others to see them as unpredictable or even destructive. People around them might feel uneasy or unsettled by their presence, as they have a tendency to bring about shifts that force those in their environment to confront uncomfortable truths or face sudden upheavals.

Internally, individuals with the 16th Arcanum are often undergoing deep personal transformations. They may experience sudden revelations or abrupt changes in their own lives, which can feel like a collapse of old structures or belief systems. These individuals are driven by a need to rebuild their lives on more solid foundations, even if it means going through painful or difficult periods of destruction first. This energy can lead to profound personal growth, but it also comes with the risk of chaos and instability.

When negatively manifested, these individuals may become agents of destruction, causing unnecessary chaos or harm in their relationships and surroundings. They might tear things down without considering the consequences, leaving others hurt or confused. On the positive side, when aligned with their higher purpose, they serve as powerful forces for renewal, helping themselves and others break free from old limitations and create stronger, more authentic structures in their lives. Their role becomes that of a transformative force, pushing for the necessary changes that lead to deeper understanding and growth.

17 - The Star

The 17th Arcanum in the Portrait zone manifests itself as "The Star" in the Tarot. Others perceive these individuals as beacons of hope, inspiration, and renewal. They often come across as calm, serene, and deeply connected to their higher ideals, projecting a sense of optimism and healing energy. People are naturally drawn to them because of their ability to uplift others and provide guidance in times of difficulty. They may be seen as dreamers or visionaries, possessing an inner light that inspires those around them.

Internally, individuals with the 17th Arcanum are often driven by a deep sense of purpose and a desire to bring about positive change. They have a strong connection to their spiritual or creative sides, seeking to manifest their dreams and ideals in the physical world. This energy provides them with clarity, allowing them to remain focused on their goals despite any challenges they face.

When negatively manifested, these individuals may become overly idealistic or disconnected from reality, placing too much emphasis on dreams without taking practical steps to achieve them. They might struggle with feelings of disappointment or frustration if their high expectations are not met. However, when positively aligned, they serve as sources of inspiration and guidance, helping others to see the potential for growth and renewal in even the most challenging situations. Their ability to maintain faith and optimism in the face of adversity makes them true symbols of hope and perseverance.

18 - The Moon

The 18th Arcanum in the Portrait zone manifests itself as "The Moon" in the Tarot. Others perceive these individuals as deeply intuitive, mysterious, and often enigmatic. There is an aura of complexity and depth around them, as they seem to operate on a different wavelength, guided by their inner feelings and subconscious thoughts. People might see them as dreamers or those who dwell in realms of fantasy and emotion, but this also makes them intriguing and captivating to be around. Their intuition often leads them to insights others might miss, though this can also make them appear unpredictable.

Internally, these individuals are highly sensitive and deeply connected to their subconscious mind. They may frequently experience emotional highs and lows, navigating between reality and illusion. The energy of the Moon drives them to explore the hidden sides of life, such as dreams, fears, and the subconscious. This can result in powerful inner guidance but may also lead them down paths of confusion or self-deception if not carefully managed.

When negatively manifested, the energy of the 18th Arcanum can lead to fears, anxieties, and a tendency to get lost in illusions or deceptive situations. These individuals may struggle with clarity, allowing doubts and insecurities to cloud their judgment. However, when positively aligned, they can tap into their intuition and emotions to help themselves and others uncover hidden truths. Their sensitivity allows them to guide others through emotional and spiritual challenges, making them empathetic and insightful companions.

19 - The Sun

The 19th Arcanum in the Portrait zone manifests itself as "The Sun" in the Tarot. Others perceive these individuals as radiant, optimistic, and full of life. They often seem to light up the room with their presence, exuding warmth and positivity that draws others toward them. These individuals are seen as confident and inspiring, often serving as a beacon of hope or a source of motivation for those around them. Their energy is uplifting, and they are perceived as people who bring clarity and joy to every situation.

Internally, these individuals are driven by a strong sense of purpose and self-expression. They seek fulfillment through their ability to shine and to be recognized for their talents and contributions. The energy of the Sun within them fosters a sense of abundance and success, allowing them to face life's challenges with confidence and resilience. They are naturally inclined to pursue goals that allow them to share their inner light with the world.

When negatively manifested, this energy can lead to arrogance, an inflated ego, or a need for constant attention. They may become too focused on external validation, leading them to neglect deeper connections or overlook the needs of others. However, when positively aligned, these individuals embody true leadership and a generous spirit, capable of bringing joy, positivity, and growth to everyone they encounter.

20 - Judgment

The 20th Arcanum in the Portrait zone manifests itself as "Judgment" in the Tarot. Others perceive these individuals as transformative and awakening forces in their lives. They often carry an air of destiny, as if they are here to bring about change or guide others through pivotal moments of self-realization. People around them might see them as catalysts for growth or spiritual renewal, as they naturally bring others to confront deeper truths or decisions. They are often recognized for their wisdom in matters of karma, fate, and life’s ultimate purpose.

Internally, these individuals are constantly evolving, driven by a deep need to align with their higher purpose. The energy of Judgment pushes them to reflect on their past actions, decisions, and experiences, often leading them to life-altering revelations. This inner quest for renewal helps them guide others through their own personal transformations. However, they may also carry a burden of responsibility, feeling called to help those around them achieve clarity and purpose.

When negatively manifested, they may become overly critical or judgmental, both of themselves and others. This can lead to unnecessary pressure and feelings of inadequacy. However, when this energy is positively aligned, they serve as powerful guides for others, offering insight, wisdom, and support in times of great personal change and awakening. They embody the energy of rebirth, helping people rise to new levels of understanding and spiritual growth.

21 - The World

The 21st Arcanum in the Portrait zone manifests itself as "The World" in the Tarot. Others perceive these individuals as complete, whole, and fulfilled. They are seen as people who have a strong sense of achievement and harmony, often exuding a sense of accomplishment and mastery over their lives. People around them may view them as a source of balance and stability, seeing in them the embodiment of someone who has successfully navigated life’s challenges and reached a state of inner and outer success.

Internally, these individuals are driven by a desire for fulfillment, unity, and integration. They have a deep connection to their life’s journey and often feel a sense of purpose in bringing things to completion. The energy of "The World" signifies a natural flow of cycles, where they understand the importance of endings and new beginnings. This understanding allows them to navigate life's transitions gracefully and with a sense of acceptance and peace.

When negatively manifested, they may struggle with feelings of incompletion, fearing that they have not reached their potential or that something is missing in their lives. This can lead to a sense of restlessness or dissatisfaction, even when they have achieved much. On the positive side, however, they bring harmony, completeness, and fulfillment not only to their own lives but also to those around them, guiding others toward personal wholeness and satisfaction.

22- The Fool

The 22nd Arcanum in the Portrait zone manifests itself as "The Fool" in the Tarot. Others perceive these individuals as free-spirited, unconventional, and spontaneous. They come across as people who move through life without fear, embracing adventure and the unknown. This energy gives them an air of unpredictability, often making them seem carefree or even reckless, but also charming and open to life’s endless possibilities. People see them as unburdened by the constraints of society, norms, or traditions, which makes them appear youthful, exciting, and full of potential.

Internally, these individuals are driven by a desire for freedom, exploration, and new experiences. They often feel disconnected from the concept of rigid structures, choosing instead to follow their intuition and embrace the moment. This gives them a unique ability to adapt to changing circumstances and see the beauty in life's mysteries, allowing them to view life through a fresh, almost childlike lens.

When negatively manifested, these individuals can appear irresponsible, directionless, or naive, making impulsive decisions without considering the consequences. Their lack of foresight may lead to chaotic situations, where they feel lost or overwhelmed. However, when positively aligned, they bring inspiration, creativity, and a zest for life to those around them, encouraging others to embrace uncertainty and take bold steps toward their dreams.

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[anomaly-hivemind]

A Taste of Fire ☆ Dragon! Kyojuro Rengoku x Reader | Kinktober Day 2

Summary: You’re unfortunately chosen to be sacrificed to a dragon, but Rengoku being well Rengoku he is not going to kill you. You're definitely not off the hook, though.

Word Count: 4134

Tags: monsterfucking, monster/human relationships, dragon, Rituals, Predator/prey,  size kink, size difference, marking, knotting, dragon shifter, fluff and smut, oral, penis in vagina, overstimulation, aftercare, mating, Teratophilia, slight cockwarming, slight dacryphilia, blind and you’ll miss it.

It was that time of year, when the scorching summer sun began to cool, and the leaves began to change in hue. The whole world grew slower, it was also that time of year when your village chose someone to be a human sacrifice. About a day's walk away high up in the mountains was a dragon, of course, it wasn’t always there, however, it had been there for as long as you’d been alive.

The beast didn’t leave the mountains that often, and no one was allowed to venture that high up into the mountains to come across its lair aside from village guards and the sacrificial lamb. However, when it did leave everyone would stare in horror and awe as it soared through the open skies.

Though most of the village lived in fear, some also worshiped the dragons because of the power they wielded. Some time ago some foolish ignorant cowards got the grand idea that if they had a human sacrifice they could keep the dragon away from the village since a so-called “dragon expert” told them that dragons only need to eat once a year or some other stupid shit like that.

Unfortunately, before you could gather enough gold to hightail it to another village or a city you were chosen to be the sacrifice for the year. As they called your name your stomach churned and you felt like you were gonna be sick. The crowd parted around you as the village elders beckoned you forward. Your teeth were clenched tight and your muscles tense. You wanted nothing more than to run, but you couldn’t move, your feet were fixed to the ground.

Two people dragged you away to the village priests’ home where you got scrubbed clean and put into the boring beige sacrificial robes. Another person comes to him leading a sheep which the handler made to stand beside you.  You were told loudly to get on your knees to start the ritual. 

The Priest tells everyone to bow their heads, your heart was beating so erratically that you were starting to think you may have a heart attack before you could get eaten. He starts murmuring a few words as he cleans a wavy-looking knife.

 “And our keeper, the Red Dragon, will let us all stay in the name of the lamb of Sacrifice!” The Priest rams the knife into the back of the sheep's neck, you jump at the loud cry of the farm animal as its wool becomes stained with its blood. He drops the knife back on the table and looks down at you. His eyes were etched with determination and confidence as he placed a hand on your chin. You wanted to cry, you could feel the urge blowing into your eyes and you could feel the hairs on your body bristle. 

“You are saving us.” He whispered as he placed two fingers over your eyes to make you close them. 

  The two men picked up the sheep and tilted it above you. You let out a loud gasp when your body becomes coated in blood. The hot sticky liquid coats your robe and body. The viscous content matted your body as it started to slowly dry. You open your eyes, looking at the crimson color on you, its slow dripping almost causes you to disassociate from the experience. They yanked you off the ground roughly and

you stumble to a stand. Dragging you to the outskirts of the village they began chanting in low rumbly tones as they forced you against a pole and tied you there so you couldn’t run. 

This was all your life amounted to, nothing more than a sacrifice to a bunch of people who didn’t hesitate to send you to the slaughter. These people who had known you your whole life and now they were simply throwing your life away. 

Not too long after you hear the faint sound of wings flapping rhythmically, and the townspeople quickly begin to second the mountain. The blood was starting to cake up and dry a bit in places on your body. You hated feeling all sticky, but you guessed it wouldn't matter all that much when you were about to get eaten by a dragon. 

The sound of the dragon was growing louder and louder. When you looked up at the sky you could see the dragon closing distance in the air. You feel like you should be crying, or begging the great heavens to save you but you don’t. You knew it wouldn’t help you, in fact, no one was coming to help you. You close your eyes and accept your fate, a quick meal to “save” a bunch of scared townspeople. 

Moments later you were wrapped in a warmth, which you assumed was the maw of the beast. You were dead… at least that's what you thought before you felt the wind ripping around your body. You opened your eyes to see you were thousands of feet in the air in the dragon's claws. A scream gets stuck in your throat and your mouth goes dry as you choke on the feelings of dread. It overwhelms you, so much that you go limp and faint.  

You slowly wake up on the cave floor, surprisingly still alive. You look around, jumping and scrambling back when you meet the almost hypnotic eyes of the dragon, very clearly staring at you. Yellow rings wrapped around reddish orange pupils with white slitted irises, unmoving and unblinking; with its head tilted, almost curiously you supposed.

The dragon was just looking at you, motionless and breathing softly, at least that's what you assumed was soft for a dragon. You are scared now, more than ever, there’s no reason to try to put on a brave face when you are getting ready to die.  You could feel the warm breath waft over your naked body…  You look down at yourself, your bloody sacrificial robe is gone. 

The dragon moves closer, you lean back further wondering why this large beautiful creature hasn’t torn you to shreds yet. You squeezed your eyelids shut when you saw the dragon open its mouth. What you didn't expect was to be met with the hot tongue of the dragon licking the blood off your body.  It brings a chill up your spine as confusion slaps you. 

You were a deer in headlights, frozen with fear as the dragon licked you like a mother cat would its baby. The licking suddenly ceased, you opened your eyes, the blood was gone and the dragon moved away. 

“Thank you?”  You tilt your head as you sit in front of the dragon, why are you thanking the dragon that’s going to eat you? You didn't know what was going on right now. The dragon let out a loud huff before you watched it visibly start to shrink.  Your eyes widen as you hear the bones of the dragon actively start to shift and their skin glows a hue of different shades. Some of the lights were actively making your eyes burn a bit so you closed them and just listened to the snap, crackle, and bop. 

When it stopped you slowly opened your eyes to an unexpected sight. Before you were a man? Well, a humanoid of great stature and musculature. He had choppy blonde hair with red tips, however, his eyebrows were… black. And strangely shaped a bit like arrowheads.

His torso, arms, and legs, had red scales of various sizes, along with a few spikes on his arms and legs. Long thick red horns with ridges protruded from his head, curving slightly to the back. Then there was the matter that he was well, naked, you were trying not to look but you couldn’t help but notice the…large assets he possessed. 

Trying to find something else to focus on you looked back to his face, and he had such an unyielding stare, wide diamond-shaped eyes with such a unique color, white slitted pupils with red and yellow rings… red and yellow rings? The dragon turned into this “man”?

“You’re… the dragon?” You asked, unsure if he could even understand you, maybe he couldn’t even speak.

“Yes! Is that not clear from my appearance!?” He said, placing his hands on his hips. You looked up at him from your seated position,  you felt so small, and helpless and the fear was still present within you, even if you couldn't take your eyes off of him. He was very beautiful and you felt almost drawn to him, like you're not supposed to look away from him. 

“What are you planning on doing to me?”  There was no better time than now to ask this question. Even if you were afraid of the answer.

“I'll keep you unless you want to go back to that village of yours.” 

“So you're not going to eat me?” You kind of felt like this was instigating. You don't really want him to change his mind. You were happy that you weren't going to have a meal. 

“No. I don’t feel like it right now,” The fact that he said right now and still a feeling of dread within you. So there was still a chance that he was going to devour you.  

“Then what happened to the other people that’ve been sent to you?” If he was eating people then you were not going to be the last The only reason why you assumed that he did eat People. Because you weren't the first to be sent up here. All who have never returned.

“Don't worry about that.” He shrugged and got down to his level. He was crouching right in front of you now. The smile on his face revealed his sharp teeth.   

He grabs your chin and gives you a once-over. You let out a squeak at the feeling of his warm skin radiating on you and sharp talons so close to puncturing your flesh. This close you get a better look at his size compared to yours. A wave of heat shoots to your core; why was there a part of you seemingly aroused right now?

“You smell delicious,”  He complimented, as his touch loosened.  His eyes are intense as they look at you with an odd gentleness.

“Delicious?” You were wondering how he could find your smell any kind of pleasing. You feel like you still smell like the remnants of the metallic twang of animal blood that was once on you. Which was also mixed from the time when he had run his tongue along your body to clean you off. 

“I'll keep you nice and right.” His horns brushed against your head as his face was near your neck.  You could feel his teeth against your skin causing you to shiver. You felt like you should be fighting him off, pushing him away, and booking it as fast as you could. 

But you knew that you couldn’t, that you shouldn't. There was no point in risking making this dragon in human form anger. He was larger than you, stronger than you, but something within you liked that. 

“So do you have a name?” Your voice quivered. 

“Kyojuro,” he said with his unwavering and almost uncanny smile. The small amount of evening sun that was filtering into the cave made his teeth glint, and once again you were reminded of how sharp they were, he could probably tear flesh apart in an instant, no problem. 

A shiver ran down your spine at the thought.

He places a kiss on your skin but you let out a wince when you feel his sharp teeth digging into your skin. He holds you in place so you can’t pull away and tears almost form in your eyes. His talons were so close to making your bleed, that didn’t stop any pain though as they dug into your flesh.

“Oh that hurts!” you complained out a whine. 

“You’ll feel all better soon, I'll make you feel much better.” He whispered and pulled you onto your back. You let him, staring up at his hypnotic eyes as he looked down at you with a hungry gaze except it didn’t like the type that would involve you being a meal at least not fully.  But the way he bit you told another story, even more so when he takes another bite at again on your collarbone.  

Then he would suck on the mark before creating another one somewhere else. He was getting lower by the second he was looking up at you, running his tongue on your skin. You let out a gasp that finally catches Rengoku’s attention, a smirk grows on his face. 

“Am I making you feel good already, I can smell your arousal,”  Kyojuro spoke, a devilish smile on his face.

“I-i- um,” Your words were caught in your throat and your mouth was dry as you looked at him. He could smell you, the effect this was having on your body and mind you should be scared and in a way, you are still afraid of him but there was the underlying attraction. 

“It smells delectable, time for a little taste,” he said, licking his long tongue over his lips. Fear coursed through your body as he sniffed down your body. Rengoku smiled as he propped your legs up and open. You knew he said he wasn’t going to eat you but you still had that underlying fear.

When you felt his warm breath and his hair tickle your inner thigh you let out a yelp of surprise. His teeth dug into the fat of your thigh as he moved up, he was so close

 to your cunt. 

He licked a stripe up your pussy and let out a satisfied hum before going back in lapping and sucking with vigor. His tongue slipped into your hole, wow he was really eating that puss. You closed your eyes and let out a moan, gripping his horns and holding them in a tight grasp to pull him closer, you wanted more of this. Even though you feel like this is the opposite of how you should be feeling right now. 

Lewd slurps and moans bounced off the cave walls. He took his tongue from your hole and began swirling it around your throbbing bud you couldn’t help but cry out in pleasure. The pleasure was almost overwhelming but you knew you wanted more. 

“Ha-h more~” 

Kyojuro happily obliged and he worked to devour you with added fervor, you couldn't stop yourself from humping his face, your hips bucking up and pleasure coursing through you every time your clit brushed against his nose. He tightens his grip on your thighs to hold you in place, clearly, you were moving too much and he wanted you fully under his control. 

Your chest heaved as you tried to control yourself, however, your eyes were watering and you could feel the small amount of control you had slipping away from you. The way his tongue reached inside you writhing around or the way it flicked your clit just made waves of euphoria over you, your insides fluttered and it felt like you were floating.  

At the back of your mind, you were thinking about his teeth so close to such a sensitive part of you and the marks that littered your thighs certainly didn’t help that fact, however, that only seemed to make your juices flow more. 

“Oh- a-augh~!” The coil that had been slowly winding deep in your core released, your body tensed and your body raised slightly off the ground as pleasure ripped through your being. As you came down from your high your chest heaved as you attempted to catch your breath.  You closed your eyes only to have to force them open after being given a light pat on the face.

“We’re not done yet, I still have to get my fill… and once I’m satisfied, I'm going to ravage you.”  He pulls you a bit off the cave floor, your legs against his thighs and the rest of you still limply on the ground. He rubs his cock along your wet entrance, you could feel his fat head pressed against you. 

He rubbed the tip along your folds, teasing it. Your hips bucked forward though you knew it would surely wreck your insides. That was definitely too big, this was by far the biggest you saw let alone take and it caused a pit to form in your stomach but also a wave of heat in your cunt. He was getting ready to move into you, he let out a hiss as he stretched you out. It was certainly too big for you and you let out a pained whine, it didn’t help that you were as wet as you were. 

“Oh my gosh,” you moaned repeatedly, trying to cope with the pain, but there was also an underlying pleasure, you liked that you were triple times stuffed full. As Rengoku began to slowly rock his hips into you you could feel yourself slowly adjusting to his length. More and more it became easier for him to slide in and out from the mix of juices and precum. The pain turned into pleasure and you found your cries turning from moans of pain to pleasure. It still hurt but you liked the pain, it felt good.

Rengoku’s hands gripped your hips roughly and vigorously pounded into you, his fat balls slapping into your skin. It felt like his dick was carving out its own spot in your insides, bullying all the sweet spots inside over and over, again and again. You felt like your eyes were going to roll into the back of your skull as he started to make up a rhythmic pace. Your legs made a weak attempt to wrap around him, it caused him to let out a breathy chuckle.  

“Look at you, all mine, I can't wait to fill you up. ” He smiled and cleaned down to sink his teeth into your shoulder, you let out a moan. You wanted that, the words he said just echoing in your ears after he said it.  You felt like everything was on fire, your blood, your body, mind, and soul was begging for another release. This was evident when you could feel your walls clench around him getting ready for another climax. 

Your legs quaked and your walls clenched and spasmed around his magnanimous cock. Each thrust felt like too much, too overwhelming, too stimulating, and yet you couldn’t get enough.  You feel like with the way your moans were echoing throughout the cave the village would have been able to hear you.  

He smirks and leans into your neck, nipping over the other bite mark this time, the sensitive skin and causing you to try and squirm. His hips bucked against you becoming aggressive. You wrapped your arms around his broad shoulders, wanting to pull him deeper into yourself, and urging him to take you harder. Your body is trembling with the pleasure and pain of his thick cock stretching you out. You felt like you were being torn apart, but you couldn't stop yourself from wanting more.

You felt like you were going to cum all over again, and you could feel him start to throb. You screamed out as Rengoku rammed into you, his cock being the thing pushing over the edge this time. Your body convulsed beneath him, legs tightening around his waist as you tried and fight the overcome by waves of pleasure. Your tight walls fluttered, trying to decide if you should loosen up or tighten to hold him inside you with a vice grip. 

“There you go pretty” he doesn't stop, in fact, it's the opposite as when he starts to pick back up to chase his own high. You didn't even have time to process the ending of your second before you started to feel the weak building of a third one. 

“I'm sure you have one more left in you” It wasn't a question, he was telling you to have the strength and willpower to stay conscious long enough to have another orgasm and that was easier said than done. 

Your body felt limp, and your mind was fuzzy, all with the added blanket of building pleasure. You felt like you were on fire and everything was hot you could almost taste it.

“I can't take it anymore!” You pant and groan. 

“You can” he hissed and you saw his eyes contradict even more than before into a predator-hungry gaze. It makes you shiver, his voice was harsh, if not encouraging. But even though he said you could, you went so sure. 

He moved faster, and harder and you cried out. He was letting out sounds that made your ears hot and your cunt harder. He grabs one of your hands, holds it in a firm grip and they both get closer to finishing. 

His thrust got messy and rough and his claws started to dig into your hand. You could tell he was close, and you weren't that far behind.  Then you felt it, the throbbing of his cock then he started to swell up. You could feel him getting bigger, ripping you open and stretching you past your limits. 

You could feel him right on the edge of ripping you in two with his knot, but you found yourself craving more of his touch. You held onto him tightly, milking every last drop from him as you writhed beneath him. You lay beneath Rengoku, your body still trembling from the intensity of your coupling. Along with being filled far past the brim, and you know that you would never feel this full by anyone else. 

You felt his weight on top of you, his cock still buried deep inside you, feeling like it was getting bigger by the second. You reached up, tracing your fingers along his chest, feeling the sweat on his skin. You could feel his heart beating against your hand, the sound of their shared breaths filling the air around them. 

He places a kiss on your cheeks, then forehead as he holds you closer to his warm form. His warm seed, trapped in you by his knot. His hold is gentle and protective, as you murmured incoherent curses as you feel yourself climaxing around his knot.  You could feel your jelly legs dampened with small rounds of love juices that managed to seep out. 

Kyojuro wrapped his large arms around your waist and flipped both of you over so you were lying on his chest. He was so warm it was pretty comforting. You could fall asleep if it wasn’t for Kyojuro's large cock still semi-hard inside of you.   

“How are you still hard?” Kyojuro just laughed at your question; the small shifting of his body from laughing made his dick twitch and you were still sensitive.

You let out a whimper. Kyojuro placed a kiss atop your head. “Shh, it’s okay,” he held tightly and rubbed your back soothingly. You feel your eyes start to get more heavy, and your body starts to become lucid. You both just lay there and claws lightly tracing patterns against your skin as you worked on getting your active senses to calm down. 

His hips rocked forward as much as they could. Even the little movement was far too much, you could barely take it. You tried to focus on your breathing, or his breathing, or anything else than the overwhelming pleasure you were feeling right now. 

“You’re doing so good,” Kyojuro whispered, patting your head comfortingly. 

Waves of pleasure washed over you so many times, you were so fucking out you didn’t even know your name or where you were. All you knew was that you couldn’t stop cumming. Kyojuro let out a grunt and you were pumped full of more cum. You could feel it leaking out the sides of your hole, which was thoroughly stuffed. Finally, you could feel his dick going soft, however, the knot at the base of his cock which was keeping him inside, had not. 

“My knot will go down in a few minutes, just relax till then okay,” Kyojuro said. Soon enough the knot did go down and he could finally pull out, cum flowed from your cunt, slipping down onto Kyojuro. He sat up and lifted you into his arms before standing up.

“Huh, where are we going?” You asked, a bit drowsy.

“There are hot springs up here in the mountains, going to clean up you, you’re gonna be hurting so the spring water should help,” he carried you gently and all you could do was start to fall asleep. 

[wosoragebaiter69]

recovery takes time

part 2 of ‘you are broken on the floor’

alexia putellas x keeper!reader

request: here

A/N: reminder that i’m a writer and not a med student so idk what times are like for this..

also since y’all wanted me to ask more questions.. if you’ve experienced anything paranormal lmk because i’m interested in that stuff and experienced stuff myself so 🤷

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

The first few weeks of recovery are the worst, you can’t do anything at all. Even walking is a challenge, how would you ever go back to where you were?

Alexia was always by your side though, helping wherever she could considering you weren’t allowed to lift anything. The concussion went away as expected and now was just a long journey of recovery ahead.

“You and I both know you’ll be back out on the soon, give yourself time. Recovery isn’t a quick process, remember what you told me when I did my ACL.” She’d say things similar to that, and for a while you’d believe her until you saw what the media kept saying.

As much as it affected your mental health, it only made you want to come back stronger and be better, to prove the critics wrong. To show the world who you were and that you were staying.

- - - - -

After 10 weeks, you could do regular tasks again. It did tire you out but it gave you strength and the feeling you had control over something. It’s something you so desperately needed, outside of Alexia of course.

You started to head back to the training grounds for meetings with physios and trainers who were doing their best to assess where to start when lifting weights and doing other flexible motions with your arms and chest that isn’t too harsh.

While it still isn’t much, it’s still something. That’s all that matters.

- - - - -

When you were first cleared to lift 5kg, Alexia was there. She always was when you had more progress in getting closer to the pitch. She was your number 1 supporter and it really encouraged you to be better.

When you could fully stretch your arms without pain or feeling uncomfortable, she was there.

When you could go back to lifting regular weights in gym sessions, she’d watch you while feeling immense pride at how far you’d come.

When you were kicked balls to for the first time again, she watched and congratulated every ball you saved.

She’s your knight in shining armour.

- - - - -

The day of your first game, a year of recovery behind you. You were finally starting for your club again. You stand tall behind your girlfriend who sports the armband.

Ever since it was announced you were in training and back in the squad, the media had been relentless. Asking too many questions. Wondering too many things.

You had one job tonight, and that was to show the world who you were. Who you are. Who you will be.

You walk out, fans yelling and cheering as the Barça anthem plays in the background. You missed this so bad.

- - - - -

The game was tough, some shots on you but you managed to keep a clean sheet. Alexia smiling and crowd roaring at you as you did so.

When the final whistle blows, Ale runs to you first pulling you into a crushing hug.

“Mi amor, you did so well.” She wraps her arms around your waist and kisses your neck.

“Thanks Ale, couldn’t have done it without you.” You reply, hands brushing up and down her back.

No matter what happened in life, you’d always want to do it with Alexia. Only Alexia.

—————————————————————————

i’m gonna close my requests for the time being so i can get through my 7 other works 🙏

[sharivers92]

I'm playing groundskeeper 2 indie game on atari vcs 800 i want to share this new video i made today

[aemondapologistfrfr]

Command Me 1/2

knight!benji blackwood x strong!fem!reader //

oc!brandon stark x strong!fem!reader

Summary: Your mother thinks it’s best you marry sooner rather than later and betrothes you to a man you’ve never met from the north. The only say you have in your life at the moment is picking out a sworn protector. Your marriage leaves you unhappy and unfulfilled and Benji has no problem helping in anyway he can. 

Warnings: 18+ swearing, mentions of murder, arranged marriage, wine, age gap, marriage duties, unhappy marriage, moon tea, cheating, oral(f receiving), p in v, bit angsty ngl

Authors Note: request from @chainsawsangel, no explicit detail of oc!stark and y/n intimate moments

Word Count: 5.4k

⊹˚₊‧꒷꒦︶︶︶︶︶︶︶꒷꒦︶︶︶︶︶︶︶꒦꒷‧₊˚⊹

My ears start ringing as my mother’s words start to float around my head. I focus on my breathing as I feel like I’m gasping for air. The council members nod around the table as I can hear the blood pumping throughout my body. She places her hand on mine and looks to me expectantly. 

“What?” I shake my head confused. 

“I asked if you wanted to travel back with Cregan to meet your betrothed.” she says with a smile that tells me I’ll have a scolding later. 

“Absolutely not.” I take my hand from hers and place it in my lap. 

“That is fine, Princess. My uncle won’t mind coming down here for you.” he offers me a smile that doesn’t seem genuine. 

“He shouldn’t since he’s my king consort.” I scoff. 

“Y/n.” my mothers tone low and warning. 

“I await his arrival in anticipation, my Lord.” I nod my head and push my chair back against the stone. If looks could kill my mother would have me stringed up against the council chamber walls. I walk out of the hall and practically start sprinting out of the castle. 

“Princess!” guards shout after me as I take a horse from the courtyard and gallop into the city. The city folk move out of my way as I race to the pits. I abandon the horse outside and call for the dragon keepers to wake my dragon. The ground begins to shutter as my dragon emerges. 

“Hello my handsome boy.” I coo as he pushes into me. I admire his black scales that simmer the brightest lilac in the sun and begin to mount. Once my clips are in place he’s running us out of the pit as we both share the sentiment to get out of this city. As we fly over Kings Landing my dragon gives a fearsome cry and we shoot off to the Kings Wood. 

The breeze flows through my hair and I finally feel some relief. I lean down and hug my dragon as he offers me a deep rumble. I beat my mother by two years for youngest dragon rider. I was five when I first mounted him and he brought us about the city giving high pitched screeches at the common folk. Ever since then we would disappear for a week or more to just fly and explore.

She would send countless parties in search of me but we quickly found caves that would keep us hidden. She’s learned where I go now so I decide to just stick to the Kings Wood to avoid the yelling I’m sure to receive. We land in the cover of the tree canopies by the lake and sprawl out in the sun. I rest my head on his tail as he buries his head into the tall grass scaring away the mice and bugs. 

“I can’t believe she would marry me off to some old northerner.” I sigh looking up at the clouds. My dragon offers me a deep chuff. 

I hear the high pitched dragon call before I see him. As Caraxes comes into view I sigh at her sending him. She knows that we butt heads like bulls so I’m not sure what she’s expecting from this. Daemon lands and begins to walk over to me and my dragon raises his head and bares his teeth. 

“Relax, mother would kill me.” I pat my dragons thigh chuckling and look to Daemon expectantly. 

“Sometimes I wonder how you’re not my child.” he chuckles as he approaches. 

“I don’t know why you would think that. You never raised me and still don’t.” I look up to him from the ground intent on staying where I am. 

“Fair enough,” he sits on the ground and looks to me with a taunting smile. 

“What?” I snap sitting up. 

“Your mother wants you back at the Keep. She wants you to pick out a sworn protector for yourself.” he studies me as I roll my eyes. 

“As if I’ll have a choice in the matter.” I push myself up and my dragon rises behind me. I mount him and leave Daemon behind at the lake. When I land back at the pits my mother is there waiting for me with a furrowed brow. The carriage ride back to the Keep is silent and when we stop in the inner courtyard I try to run off to my chambers but she stops me. 

“What’s wrong?” she searches my eyes. 

“I don’t want to marry some second son from the north who I’ve never met and you think allowing me to pick a sworn protector will fix that?” I rise my hands at a loss. 

“Into the Keep now.” she says lowly and I see the eyes on us from around the grounds. She brings us into her solar and I huff sitting on the couch. 

“You remind me so much of my younger self.” she hums with a soft smile. 

“Mm,” I nod my head wanting to be back with my dragon or in my chambers. 

“You may find love with Brandon.” my mother tries to hide her wince. 

“So that’s his name. How bland. Brandon the Bland I should call him.” I groan throwing my head back against the couch. 

“Y/n I worked hard to make this match. You will treat him with respect. He comes from an honorable and noble house.” her voice starts rising. 

“I don’t care if he’s noble,” I shake my head angry. “I don’t know him, I don’t want him,” I feel tears start forming and I wipe them away frustrated with the world.

“Sweet girl,” 

“Don’t sweet girl me.” I rise from the couch. “I’m tempted to get in my dragon and flee to where you’ll never find me.” I run out of her chambers and straight into Jace. I push him back and he calls after me. 

I seal myself in my chambers and let my tears flow freely. I don’t care about a husband or a sworn protector. I don’t care about the crown or ruling. I hear the whispers everyday about who my father is and how dark my hair is. I don’t want to be ridiculed for the entirety of my rule especially with some man who doesn’t even know me. 

“I’m not here to baby you. Get up and let’s go.” Daemons voice comes from the other side of the door. 

“I’m not going anywhere.” I yell back through the wood. He pushes the door open harshly and grabs my arm pulling me with him. 

“Your mother has been inviting these knights here for well over a moon. You will not embarrass her.” he says through his teeth pulling me down the stairs. I start to push and hit his hand off as the servants in the hall advert their eyes from our spat. We stumble down the rest of the stairs and we stare at each other waiting to see what the other does. I go to pull my arm back and he pulls me closer with a scowl on his face. 

“Get the fuck off of me.” I spit out at him. 

“You’re causing a scene.” he tugs me along to the hall and as we enter all of the knights turn to look at me. I push Daemon off of me and look over the men before me with a raised chin and a death glare. 

“Leave.” I wave off Daemon and the men before me look at the ground as if it’s the most interesting. 

“Step forward if you’re from Kings Landing or the Queens guard.” I hum and a handful of men step forward. “You are dismissed.” I nod them to the door and they look at me with their mouth agape and I look at the five remaining men. 

“If you are from the north step forward.” two men slowly step forward. “You are dismissed.” I look over them unamused. 

“You three are the only remaining.” I offer them a serpentine smile. “Tell me why I should choose you.” I take a seat and watch them look at me. 

“I am a Dornish Swordsman and trained along side Ser Criston-“ 

“A mistake. You are dismissed.” I wave him off and place my head in my hand bored. “Next.”

“Princess,” the man older than Daemon nods his head. “I trained this young man here. He was recently knighted and easily my best student. Anything and everything he knows, I taught him.” he sounds proud. 

“So the most obvious choice is him then? You’re old and withering and he’s young,” I look over the man next to him who only seems to be a handful of years older than me. “Did you even come here to try for a place as my sworn protector?” I look over the old man. 

“I- Princess, I’m-“ 

“Enough,” I wave him off. “You’re dismissed.” 

I turn my head back to the man in front of me and tilt my head. I study him with squinted eyes and can see that he has the muscle required for this job. He’s easy on the eyes which will be a welcome reprieve if my betrothed isn’t. He stands with a puffed out chest and confidence pouring off of him and I rise and walk in front of him. I look up to him and he nods his head down to me. 

“Tell me your name.” I look into his eyes and smile when I see no fear. 

“Ser Benjicot Blackwood.” his voice flows through my ears like honey. 

“Mm a Riverman,” I smile. “I’ve had some great times in taverns outside Raventree Hall when I was on the run.” I chuckle thinking back. 

“On the run from what, my Princess?” he offers me a soft smile. 

“My life and duties.” I shrug. “It looks like you’re the last knight standing Benji.” his spine straightens at the name. 

“It seems that I am.” he nods chewing his lip, the only sign that he has some nerves about being dismissed. 

“Then you shall be my new sworn protector.” a smile pulls across my face as his shoulders relax and he returns my smile. 

“Y/n,” my mother bursts into the hall in a rampage. 

“I’ve chosen Benji.” I turn to her with a smile and she looks him over. 

“You didn’t even give the other men a chance.” she seethes. “Why must everything be like this with you?” she sighs shaking her head. 

⊹˚₊‧꒷꒦︶︶︶︶︶︶︶꒷꒦︶︶︶︶︶︶︶꒦꒷‧₊˚⊹

Today is the day Brandon gets to Kings Landing and I try to convince the maester I’m sick and can’t meet him. He knows my antics and deems me healthy. I’m being tied into a gown as pins are being stuck into my head holding my braids in place. I kick my handmaidens out after hours saying I just needed a moment to myself and I’ll be down shortly. 

“Are you ready, Princess?” Benjis voice comes through my doors. 

“Can you come in?” my voice soft and he slips into my chambers leaving the door open. 

“What can I do for you, Princess?” he looks over my dress and I see him swallow before his eyes make his way to mine. 

“Did you see him?” my voice hushed. 

“I did.” he nods standing up straighter. 

“Do you think he’s handsome?” I pick at my nails. 

“I don’t know how to answer that.” he says clearing his throat. 

“Benji,” I whine. “It’s simple. Does he look old and decrepit or does he look like you?” his eyes snap to mine and I smirk at him. 

“Your betrothed is waiting for you, Princess.” he turns to walk out of my chambers and I sigh and walk to his side. 

As we make our way down to the main hall I groan and drag my feet. Benji chuckles and slows his pace to stay with me. Over the past moon I’m thankful everyday to this man for traveling here to become my sworn protector. He jokes with me and keeps me company. He is also handsome which I never cease to remind him as his cheeks tint. 

“If I asked you to kill my betrothed would you?” I whisper to Benji. 

“It is my duty to do anything you ask of me.” he nods his head and I smile. 

As we walk into the hall my stomach drops as my eyes land on Brandon. My mother can’t possibly be serious. This man has to have almost two decades on me. I find my mother and I scrunch my eyebrows at her and begin walking to her. 

“Princess,” a gruff voice stops my feet as I turn to Brandon who is looking over my body like a starved man. I step back into Benji and he steadies me. 

“You’re Brandon I presume?” I raise my eyebrow looking up to him. 

“I am.” he grabs my hand much to my horror and places a wet kiss on it. 

“How kind.” I hope my disgust isn’t written over my face. 

“Y/n,” my mother’s worried voice calls me over to her side and I’m practically sprinting to her. 

“I would rather die than marry that man.” I hiss to my mother. 

“That’s enough. You will be married by the end of this moon and that’s final.” I feel so stuck and I turn and see that Brandon is walking back over here. 

“Could I offer you a walk through the gardens, Princess?” Brandon offers me his and I stare at it and look to my mother who nods encouragingly. 

“Sure,” I sigh. “Benji let’s go.” I nod my head for him to follow. 

“Your dog doesn’t need to come with.” Brandon chuckles and I cement my feet. 

“He is not my dog. You will treat my sworn protector with respect or I’ll have him take your tongue.” I look over Brandon who is smiling. 

“Feisty, I like it.” he smiles grabbing my arm and tugging me out of the hall. 

It takes all of my strength not to rip my arm out of his hand. I lead us to the gardens and the silence is anything but comfortable. I look at Brandon out of the corner of my eye and see his years written on his wrinkled forehead. I shiver of disgust runs through me as we enter the gardens. He leads us to the nearest table and sits down and I take a place across from him. 

“You are more beautiful than Cregan lead on.” he hums licking his lips. 

“Did he say anything else?” I drawl looking him over. 

“That I would probably have to wear you down a bit but that’s not an issue, I have great stamina.” he winks at me and I know there’s no hiding the horror on my face. “Mm tell me, do you still have your maidenhead?” his smile makes me feel disgusting. 

“Is that anyway to speak to a Princess?” Benjis voice just short of a growl. 

“She’s to be my wife, boy.” Brandon looks over him and turns his eyes back to me. “Well do you or are you sullied?” 

“I do.” my voice barely a whisper as I feel my cheeks heat. 

“There’s one plus.” he leans back in his seat and looks me over. “I thought you Targaryens were supposed to have silver hair?” he tilts his head. 

“The Gods are mysterious.” I clench my jaw. How could my mother do this to me? I know I wasn’t the easiest child to raise but she can’t possibly think I will be willing to wed this man. My heart starts to beat rapidly and I’m getting overwhelmed. 

“What’s wrong with you now?” Brandon narrows his eyes at me. 

“Benji can you take me to the maester? I feel faint.” I reach for his arm and he’s bending down and helping me to my feet instantly. 

“What’s wrong?” Benjis voice is rushed as he searches my face. 

“I’m hot and I just can’t breathe.” I all but gasp as we make it into the Keep. 

“Just a bit further, Y/n.” he keeps a steady hand around my waist and on out for me to hold on to. 

“Thank you, Benji.” I sigh in relief as we make it to the maesters chambers. 

“Princess what’s wrong?” the maester helps me lay on the bed. 

“She said she’s overheating and her breathing was heavy.” Benji says brushing my hair back. 

“Were you doing something strenuous?” the maester asks as he fills me a glass of water. 

“No, I was just-“ 

“What’s happened?” my mother bursts into the room. 

“Mother,” my voice breaks as I reach out to her. “Please, don’t make me, please,” I start crying and Benji and the maester look worried. 

“What do you mean sweet girl?” she shushes me kneeling at my side. 

“I’ll be better,” I hiccup. “Don’t make me marry that old man, please, mother.” a tear slips down my cheek. 

“Leave us.” she waves her hand at Benji and the maester who are shutting the door behind them quickly. “What possibly could’ve happened?” she sits back looking over my state. 

“He made remarks about bedding me and he made remarks about who my father was.” I sit up looking to her with pleading eyes. “Mother please,” I feel the tears start to well up. 

“Just give it a chance. Maybe he was just excited to see such a beautiful young woman.” she offers me a smile and I sigh knowing I don’t have a choice. 

“I will keep Benji with me. I don’t want to be alone with Brandon.” I shake my head furrowing my brows. 

“Of course you two shouldn’t be alone before you wed.” she nods her head. 

“I don’t want to wed him mother, please.” my voice breaking again as I continue to plead.

⊹˚₊‧꒷꒦︶︶︶︶︶︶︶꒷꒦︶︶︶︶︶︶︶꒦꒷‧₊˚⊹

It feels as if there are rocks in my stomach as I’m twirled around the dance floor. Brandon pulls me back against him and dips down to my ear. His tongue trails along the outer shell and I try to pull back but he holds me firm. When he lifts his head he chuckles at my red cheeks and the crowd claps as our dance ends. 

“Go get a drink and stop being so uptight.” I slip into the crowd trying to keep a smile pinned on my face as I head to find wine. Gods know I’ll need it for tonight. I can’t believe my mother made me go through with this. 

The servant offers me a fresh glass and congratulations on my marriage and I smile and nod. I walk to the outskirts of the crowd and try to calm my nerves. I focus on my breathing and let the hall and celebrations fade away. 

“I wanted to tell you that you look absolutely divine, Princess. I know it’s not my place but I needed to tell you.” Benjis voice is barely a whisper as I turn to him. 

“I wish I wed you tonight.” I feel the tears form and ready to fall. 

“Princess,” Benjis voice strained. 

“I know,” I shake my head wiping my eyes. “Just don’t leave me, please.” my eyes pleading. 

“Anything you ask.” he nods his head. “I am sworn to you.” 

“Thank you.” I finish my glass of wine and head back over to Brandon. 

“Feeling better?” Brandon pulls me against him.

“Much.” I smile trying to pretend I’m not repulsed at his touch. 

“The Princess and I will retire for the night.” he announces loudly and there are rowdy cheers that follow. I feel like my legs are about to give out as he starts to pull me off the dais. I search frantically around the hall for Benji even though I know he can’t stop what’s to come. 

“I’ll escort you both.” Benji comes behind us as Brandon chuckles. 

“Do you expect to witness the act itself too, boy?” Brandon roars out a laugh. 

“No.” I say quickly. 

“Embarrassed, my innocent wife?” I feel my cheeks heat and I bite my tongue deciding to stay silent. We stop outside of his chambers and he pulls me inside sealing the door leaving Benji on the other side. 

I knew what tonight was going to entail but I had hoped he would’ve been more kind and caring of my needs and wants. I performed my duty as best as I could but it didn’t make it any more enjoyable or less painful. He pulls me up from the bed and pushes me out of his doors leaving me in the halls in my slip holding my wedding dress. I look down at the stone floor as it cools my bare feet. 

“Princess?” Benjis voice is soft as he stands in front of me. 

“Can you please take me back to my chambers?” I whisper continuing to look down. 

He pulls his cape off and wraps it around me. I drop my wedding gown outside Brandon’s chambers as I cling to the cape. As we start up the stairs I wince at the pain between my thighs. We make it to my chambers and a sob of relief bubbles out of me. I turn towards Benji to thank him and see that his jaw is set and he looks ready to murder someone. 

“I need you to command me to stay right here. In this exact spot. Or I will walk down those stairs and make you a widow.” I can feel his temper rising around us and I’m tempted to let him make me a widow this very second but this isn’t a decision to be made in haste.

“I need you here with me. I need you to find a servant to bring me water for a bath and I need you to do something with discretion.” my voice hushed as I look around the halls. 

“Anything.” he nods his head searching my eyes. 

“Go to the maester. Offer him good coin for his silence. Say you had a lapse in judgment and slept with a maid and you need moon tea. Please Benji, I can’t have his child.” I beg. 

⊹˚₊‧꒷꒦︶︶︶︶︶︶︶꒷꒦︶︶︶︶︶︶︶꒦꒷‧₊˚⊹

Brandon pushes me outside of his chambers again and I see Benji clenching his fists. He falls into step beside me as we walk silently back to my chambers. I gave up on wearing slippers to his chambers because the cool stone on the walk back helps ground me. This has been happening once every fortnight for the past three moons and I either have Benji or my personal handmaiden retrieve my moon tea. 

“I’ll be back with the tea.” Benji says lowly leaving me at my chamber doors. 

“Benji I don’t need,” I stutter. “He made me suck-“ I shake my head feeling my cheeks burn and I hear him deeply inhale. 

“Princess,” his voice like gravel as his eyes slide to mine. 

“Can you just come in with me?” my voice barely audible as I hold my door open. He sighs and follows allowing the door to shut behind us. 

“What can I do for you?” he stands at my doors back ridged. 

“I just need you to be here with me,” I sit and he claims the chair furthest from me. “Do you find me repulsive now that I’m sullied?” I don’t mean for my words to sound as pathetic as they do. 

“I could never find you repulsive.” he replies quickly. “I think you’re the most ethereal being I’ve ever met.” his voice laced with reverence. 

“Why do you think my husband wants to cause me so much pain? Or is that how it’s supposed to feel? I don’t have anyone to talk to.” I fidget my fingers and hear his sharp inhale. 

“It wouldn’t hurt if he was worshiping you properly. He’s a fool he should have his face buried,” he stops himself and finds his composure. “I’m sorry, please forgive my words Princess.” 

“The only place his face is buried is my neck as he ruts into me. I used to try to think of someone else in hopes that it would make it more pleasurable but when that didn’t help I just learned to keep my eyes squeezed shut and toss out a couple fake moans.” I should feel embarrassed to be divulging this to Benji but it feels so relieving to talk to someone about it. 

“He should be able to tell the difference.” he shakes his head as I see his knuckles turning white from his grip on the chair. 

“I don’t know I can be convincing.” I allow myself to chuckle.  “Yeah, so good,” I moan followed by a whimper and I burst out in giggles as Benjis head snaps up to me. 

“Has he made you come?” his dark eyes search my face. 

“No.” I shake my head as my blush revives on my neck. “He just uses me and throws me out of his chambers. I could live with it if I at least got that relief but I just get to walk back to my chambers and go to bed.” I sigh leaning back in the chair. 

“Can I, I want to,” he bites his lip turning away. “I should let you rest for the night.” he starts to stand. 

“Say it.” I nod my head prompting him. 

“Can I make you come?” my heart skips at his words and I nod my head quickly. “I need to hear you say it.” his voice wrecked. 

“Can you please make me come, Benji?” I bat my eyelashes at him. He rises from the chair and stalks over to me. He towers over me before he kneels before me and begins to trail his hands up my legs spreading them. My cheeks burn as my core is exposed to his face and he looks up to me with hooded eyes. 

“Has he ever kissed you here before?” he asks propping my legs on his shoulders. 

“No,” I shake my head gasping at the coolness of his metal armor on my calves. 

“May I?” he looks up to me as he places soft kisses on the inside of my thighs. 

“Please Benji,” I reply breathlessly. 

He licks up my slit and my chest heaves. His tongue circles my neglected bud and I push my hips into his mouth. Whimpers pour from my mouth as he pulls me flush against his face. He moans into my center as my hips grind against him. I brush against his nose and I moan loudly burying my hand in his hair holding him close. I continue to buck against him as he laps at me. 

“Benji, I-“ I sob as pleasure washes over me and his tongue continues to work me through it. He pulls back and looks up to me with a smile on his face. 

“Those moans sounded nothing like what you did before.” his words laced with confidence. 

“I want to come again.” I say still trying to catch my breath. 

“As you command, Princess.” he dips back between my legs. 

⊹˚₊‧꒷꒦︶︶︶︶︶︶︶꒷꒦︶︶︶︶︶︶︶꒦꒷‧₊˚⊹

Benji is walking me back to my chambers after a particularly rough night with Brandon. I’m starting to loathe my husband more than I thought possible. Benji follows me into my chambers and seals the doors behind us. 

“Your handmaiden should be back with the tea shortly.” he sits on a chair in front of me trying to gauge my emotions. 

“Would you still kill him if I asked?” I look up to him and he nods. 

“Just say the word.” he searches my eyes. 

“Maybe we use poison or something so they won’t know it’s you.” I nibble on my lip trying to come up with a plan. 

“It’d have to be one that would make him suffer. He doesn’t deserve an easy way out.” he shakes his head working himself up. 

“Your devotion never ceases to amaze me.” I look to him and stand as there’s a soft knock at my door. “Thank you.” I smile at my handmaiden and click the door shut once again. I drain the contents of the cup and join Benji on the chairs again. 

“When do you want him dead?” his tone low as he watches my slip rise up. 

“As soon as possible. I can’t take it anymore.” I sigh stretching. “You can say no because I know where I just came from but can you make me feel good Benji? I want to forget everything.” I slide my eyes to him. 

“I will always want you.” he starts to rise from his chair. 

“I need you, Benji. Show me how good it can feel.” I plead as I pull him over to the bed. 

We start to remove his armor and when I finally lift off his shirt and feel his bare chest I groan. He pulls my slip above my head and leaves me bare before him. He pulls me into a kiss and I melt into him as our chests mold together. I unlace his trousers and he begins to kick them off. We fall back onto the bed and I feel his hardness pressed against my leg. I buck against him waiting for him to push into me. 

“There’s no rush, I’m taking my time with you.” he kisses down my neck and between my breasts. He licks across them and sucks a nipple into his mouth. I gasp as he swirls his tongue around my hardened peak and my nails hold onto his back. He chuckles and moves the next to offer it the same attention. 

“Benji,” I gasp as he grazes his teeth across my nipple before pulling up. 

“There’s a lot of pleasure I can show you, Princess.” he kisses down my navel and I buck my hips in anticipation. “Do you wanna come?” he chuckles pressing my hips into the bed. 

“Please Benji,” I cry out as his lips attach to my bud. 

As he circles his tongue I feel his fingers glide through my wetness and I squirm. He slips two fingers into my core and I whine squeezing my thighs around his head. When he curls his fingers I feel my high building in my lower stomach. My whines become more high pitched the faster he pumps his fingers. 

“Benji right there, yes,” I gasp as I come undone. He slowly comes back up my body trailing soft kisses. “I need you in me.” I wrap my legs around his waist. 

“Tell me if you want me to stop at any point.” his eyes look to mine and I nod kissing him softly. 

He slowly pushes in and I whimper at his stretch. He slowly rocks his hips into me as I mewl clinging to him. He rolls his hips and a broken moan falls from my lips. The difference is absolutely mind blowing. The pleasure he is pulling from my body has me feeling as if I’m flying through the sky. 

“How does it feel, Princess?” Benji rasps as I clench around him. 

“I’m so full of you, Benji.” I gasp holding him closer. He starts to pump into me at a quicker pace and my eyes roll back. His fingers find my throbbing bud causing his name to fall from my lips like a prayer. I pulse around him losing myself to my pleasure and I feel him begin to fill me. He slides out of me and pulls me against his chest kissing my face and smoothing my hair. I feel safe and loved in his arms.

“I’m gunna kill your husband tomorrow.” he promises as he rests his forehead on mine. 

“Thank you, Benji.” I capture his lips as we get lost in each other once more. 

⊹˚₊‧꒷꒦︶︶︶︶︶︶︶꒷꒦︶︶︶︶︶︶︶꒦꒷‧₊˚⊹

masterlist 🔌 

Part Two

taglist ✍️ 

@clarityisnofun @callsignwidow @gabriella-aesthetic @llynx7 @violetiss3lfish @ka1afbr @akiko-oo @papichulo120627 @lizzylovebooks280501 @thatgirl101blog @ashovertheriver @zanygot7straykidsbonk @hueanhdang @malfoycassimalfoy @anaviieiraaa @p45510n4f4shi0n

[ohwaitimthewriter]

The Memory Keeper

Chapter 2: Puzzle

Pairing : Noa x human reader

Warning : None? Maybe just reader who speaks some bad words towards herself.

Summarize (please I'm so bad at writing these!): A woman, allowed to live as long as the virus keeps running through her body, living on autopilot for 260 years, is going to see her life takes a new turn, finding hope in something that might come to put an end to her wandering.

Words : 2.6k

A/N : Here we go for chapter 2! Enjoy your reading 😁

The Memory Keeper masterlist.

“Echo, speak?”

Come to think of it, he wasn't just confused, he was almost… suspicious. You felt like you were going through a head scan, as his eyes were trying to decipher any logic to the words you'd just spouted. And you frowned, “echo”. It was a word you'd never heard before.

The saddle still resting on your arm was beginning to feel heavy, and the slight pain in the muscle supporting it caused your legs to turn around and place the saddle against the wall of your hut. After all, you always had to put away what you had taken out.

The movement almost startled the two apes who had rooted themselves to the ground, as if you'd been a child's doll with a recorded voice that had suddenly turned out to be very much alive. You would almost have smiled if you hadn't been so preoccupied with the sign the chimpanzee had just made with his hands as he watched you hobble home.

“Hurt,” he had signed to his friend.

At least, if your knowledge of sign language wasn't already rusty from all that time spent not using it. The next sign remained a mystery, but he seemed to be pointing at your hip. You cleared your throat quietly, your gaze again following the movement of your hands, which were busy setting up the saddle so as not to damage it against the wood. It was ridiculous enough for you to feel embarrassed that he had noticed your defective hip. And when you straightened up to walk towards them again, you put extra effort into trying to look more… supple.

“You can't stay here.” you simply said.

And their eyes fell on you again as if you'd just said an offence. Yet you hadn't put much effort into your voice. It had seemed rather monotonous, without any particular nuance, and after all, they were standing on your land. Your request certainly wasn't as off-the-wall as their dumbfounded expressions claimed.

“ Need... a horse. ”

The chimpanzee had insisted, his voice huskier than the first sentence he'd addressed to you. Was he trying to force his decision to take your horse on you? You narrowed your eyes again. If so, he had a lot of nerve.

However, you pointed south again.

“South, past the river. You emphasized, as if he hadn't heard you the first time. “Now go.”

You watched him grit his teeth before you saw even the shadow of his fangs. You could see the frustration in his eyes, and even though you sensed that an emergency was tormenting his stomach, you certainly weren't going to give up your horse. Having to look for another one wasn't going to happen for at least 5 rounds of the 12 categories of lists that hung on your living room wall. Staying that long without a horse would be very problematic, and with your hip, you always needed a horse to help you catch another.

As far as you were concerned, the discussion was over and silence fell again in the small clearing that served as your garden. There was a lot to do today, and the apes' intervention had only delayed your bedtime tonight.

The good thing was that you wouldn't need to hear more of your voice today. Your vocal cords were even tired from talking so much. It had been a long time… since you'd spoken so much. In fact, your hand was massaging the base of your neck just below your chin, trying to relax the muscles that hadn't worked so hard for… well, for a long time.

You were about to leave them to their activities, again listing in your head yours that awaited you when the orangutan hooted softly to get your attention.

“Maybe… we can help?” He offered, all the while surprising his friend who suddenly seemed to want to stop him at all costs, no matter what the latter had in mind.

Help with what? you asked yourself, without verbalizing it. You shook your head to prevent any other thought from interfering with your activities and your eyes fell on the rosebush, a few steps from where you stood. The rose petals had fallen because of the storm.

You fetched the petal jar and listened deafly to Raka, who seemed to have a very specific idea in mind. In fact, he had undertaken to follow your footsteps to the rosebush.

“Help… in exchange for the horse?” he explained.

Clever. And you rolled your eyes at your own thought. You delicately picked up the petals and slipped them one by one into the jar.

“I don't need any help.”

You formidably ignored the two apes who seemed to be sharing a conversation intrinsically involved in exchanges of glances and, occasionally, signs that were meant to be discreet. As if you were able to see what was going on behind your back. After all, you were a talking echo, so obviously anything was possible.

You seemed to give particular importance to each petal you slipped into the pot, and in fact, you paid no attention to the silent conversation going on behind you.

“There's no time to help.” The chimpanzee began. “We need a horse, human has one.” “Echo doesn't want to.” “ We need to persuade.”

The chimpanzee paused before starting again.

“Hurt. Echo won't agree.”

Raka watched you for a moment. On your knees, you were taking care of each petal, you could simply grab a good handful of them and put them without batting an eyelid in that glass jar you were holding, but no, you were taking them delicately, one by one, as if they were the most precious thing in the world. Then he signed.

“ Petals are important, it seems. ” “Whatever,” the chimp retorted, clearly annoyed by this situation that seemed beyond his control. “Human important to Caesar so if petals important to human, important to Caesar too.”

The chimpanzee almost rolled his eyes. Raka had given him a summary of who Caesar was, but in his eyes, Caesar was just the distant shadow of a mountain that had now vanished.

You froze as the orangutan's hand gently grasped a petal and gently placed it in your jar. What was he doing? You gave him a puzzled look and he pointed to the jar full of petals.

“Important…?” he asked.

Why had he asked? And why was your breathing becoming more erratic? Your lungs were progressively demanding more oxygen and you could almost feel your bronchial tubes dilating desperately to catch the slightest oxygen atom that would pass through the air you were breathing in.

A word, a simple word, spoken softly because he'd understood and swallowing had been a trial of strength. You could still feel your throat rolling with difficulty even though you'd already swallowed your saliva, and before your lungs decided to run a losing race, you suddenly closed the jar before standing up straight on your legs.

A long inhalation and exhalation later, you remembered your list. The petals could wait. A look devoid of intent came over the two apes as they scrutinized you, trying to solve a puzzle they'd never been trained to solve.

That expressionless, almost glassy gaze that Noa found hard to read despite his unsuccessful attempts to uncover your true motives. A look that seemed so… far away. The Echos he'd crossed paths with didn't have that look. It didn't make sense. You knew how to talk. You'd trained your horse. The land around you was cultivated and healthy. There was no logic to what he read in that inexpressive gaze. But he hadn't had time to examine further what was deep in your eyes; you'd already gone back to whatever it was you were doing.

Raka turned to him and began to sign.

“ Human complicated. Perhaps we should wait a little.”

Noa let out a snort. Waiting seemed pointless. This Echo was lost.

“No time. Tonight, when she's asleep, we'll take her horse and leave.” Noa signed in turn, still irritated that all this was taking so long.

Raka scoffed, almost shocked at his words.

“ Show mercy. Without her horse, maybe she won't be able to feed herself.” He paused for a moment, then continued thoughtfully. “She's limping. Maybe it's because of the apples you left outside her door.”

Touché. Still, your fall hadn't seemed very impressive, but maybe it was enough for an Echo to get hurt.

“What do you want to do?” He asked under his breath. “Wait. She's busy. We'll wait and when she's done, we'll talk and tell the truth.”

Noa groaned at this but didn't protest further. When Raka had made up his mind, it was hard to change it. Little did they know, however, that you were never done with these lists.

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

Watching you evolve in your environment was somehow endearing. You jumped from one activity to the next without ever looking at the position of the sun, never stopping to smell the scents the wind brought your way.

Your movements were millimeterized, no time was wasted or spoiled. Even tasks that required a little more physical effort, such as picking an apple from the tree behind your house, you seemed to know exactly where to push your horse's hooves so that he would place himself exactly under the targeted branch. You knew where to place your hands on his back and exactly how much pressure to exert on your legs to pull yourself up onto your horse. Noa watched you wobble on his back as you positioned your bare feet in strategic places that would keep you more or less balanced and able to pick that apple. He noticed it too at that precise moment. Your hip was giving you trouble keeping your balance. It seemed more… stiff. As if something was holding it to your pelvis and preventing it from moving freely. Your left hip made up for this lack of flexibility, giving the impression that your pelvis was shaking on one side only.

You ride down and your horse headbutted you. You immediately held out the apple and the animal tried to take a bite. You closed your hand over the base of the apple and the horse had to shake his head harder to detach a piece, which it chewed peacefully, blowing through its nostrils.

A smile.

Noa straightened up and intensified his contemplation. Why had you smiled? He'd been watching you for hours now, waiting for the slightest opportunity to get what he wanted all along, and not once had you smiled.

Echo didn't smile when you saw him and Raka setting up a small fire at the edge of the clearing.

Echo didn't smile when you pulled up the tall grass around your tomato plants.

Echo didn't smile when you washed your hands with water from a flask.

Echo didn't smile when you ate some berries.

And your smile faded the instant your eyes landed on him again, finding that emotionless gaze he'd never stopped observing. Echo would smile at a horse having trouble biting into an apple, but not at apes.

Did that mean you had an animosity towards apes?

No. It didn't make sense because it meant you also had animosity towards those rose petals that seemed so important. And then, even though you'd asked them to leave, you hadn't tried to chase them away, nor had you become angry.

In fact, could you really get angry? You seemed so… empty of emotion.

But you had smiled at your horse. It had even come up to your eyes for a brief moment, and Noa had thought he saw even a flicker of light in your eyes before it faded into oblivion.

A puzzle.

Raka sat down beside him and pointed at Echo with his hand.

“Still busy?” He said without bothering to sign. “ Still.”

He grumbled at that.

“Why was Caesar so interested in Echo?” Noa asked him, trying to find a missing piece to the puzzle in front of him.

Raka simply shrugged. Tales didn't tell the whole story, and there was never more information than the tales could give.

“I heard some humans raised him.” Raka replied.

Noa huffed at this, not wanting to believe it. And he hadn't noticed that you'd gotten close to them in your wandering, doing all sorts of things to keep yourself busy.

“He must not have been having much fun.” Noa replied sarcastically, glancing at you as you trimmed your rosebush with your bare hands.

He didn't know if you'd heard him at the time - you seemed too focused on your task to hear or see anything else - and yet, by sheer coincidence, he heard you hissing, drawing his gaze back to you.

What a dummy. You gently withdrew the thorn you'd just stuck in your finger. Probably from carelessness. You brought your finger to your mouth to remove the small trickle of blood that had run down and after a few seconds of rubbing the spot where the thorn had stuck, your skin healed.

Useful.

That was always what you told yourself when something like this happened. A scratch? You'd blink and it would disappear. A partial cut? You'd fetch some water and by the time you'd closed the flask, it would be gone. You were no longer afraid of superficial wounds. They still hurt, of course, but you didn't need to worry about them. They always healed.

You looked up at the sky for the first time in the day. The sun was already on its way down. There wasn't much time left before nightfall and you still had to go to the river to catch a fish, fill your bottles with fresh water and wash up.

But they were still there.

And your horse had no problem grazing with theirs. Somehow, seeing him graze with a friend made you happy.

You let out a long sigh. You'd hoped they'd leave. You'd hoped they'd get bored. Or that the urgent matter that had led them to want to take your horse would catch up with them and they'd be forced to leave. But they were obviously determined.

You sighed again.

“What a bother,” you muttered, grabbing your horse's halter.

You had to get to the river and you'd get there.

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

Neither of them had seen you leave, partly because Raka had monopolized Noa's attention, preventing him from keeping an eye on you. Both had realized your absence when your horse gave a happy snort at having returned to its little clearing.

Perched on your horse, you were still doubtful. Why had you brought back three of them? They were perfectly capable of feeding themselves, so why, just as you were about to leave the river, had you decided to catch two more fish? It wasn't as if they were suddenly going to leave your clearing when you offered them something to eat. They weren't there for that. They were there for a horse. Your horse.

You felt like hitting your head repeatedly with your hand. It didn't make sense. A fish for the peace of seeing them go? It didn't make sense, just like the pile of apples in exchange for your horse. Maybe if you really gave in to this urge, you'd get some sense into that brain that's been asleep for so long it was making you do absurd things. But you didn't. And you asked your horse to move towards them before dismounting in front of their inquisitive eyes.

Without a word, you removed the bag from your horse's saddle and took out the two fish.

Stupid.

You set them down one by one in front of them.

Offering them food will only encourage them to stay.

You closed the bag and tied it to your saddle again.

Stupid.

Your glassy gaze landed on them before muttering a “eat... well”.

Now you're sure to see them off in the morning, well done you dummy.

And you walked away, leading your horse back to your hut, sincerely hoping to see them off in the morning.

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

tags list (I hope it will tag you properly!): @callsignwidow @youdontknowe @katzykat @koshi-sama

[woso-dreamzzz]

Youth Team II

Hardersson x Teen!Reader

Part of The Big Adventures Universe

Summary: Your first crush

You first meet her during a friendly.

Usually, Denmark goes to everyone else to play. Not many teams want to make the trek over especially when it was winter and the snow had settled.

But there are always a few dumb idiots who want to play against the Under-Seventeen Euro winners and are willing to leave the warmth of their own countries to come over.

Today, it's Spain.

You haven't really paid much attention to who is on the other team (it's not like you would really recognise any of them anyway) but you're always up for a challenge.

You clap your hands together as you warm up. It's not too cold for Denmark standards but you can spot the Spain girls shivering as they try to get warm.

"They shake like a newborn deer," One of your friends says with a little laugh," Do you think they are just as unsteady on their legs?"

You stifle your own laugh as you head out to your position on your goal line. "They're just used to Spain. It's hot there."

"Hopefully the snow throws them off."

There's a light dusting of snow on the ground that you've found is pretty typical of the Denmark winter but is usually enough to throw off foreigners when they come to visit.

A small smile tugs at the corner of your lips. "Maybe they'll slip over when they try to kick the ball."

You don't have much to do during the match. The coaches have put out a heavy offence and your midfield easily scoops up the loose balls.

Spain's keeper is nearly as good as you but lets three goals slip through her fingers (though one is ruled as offside). You're better though.

Morsa always says it's not arrogance if you can back it up.

You know you're better than her which is why you're a bit confused when the ball comes rocketing past your outstretched fingers. You've mistimed your dive and your glove misses the ball by mere millimetres as it slots itself into the left corner of your goal.

You roll out of your dive. You're used to the snow of Denmark but it doesn't mean that you want to be lying on it for longer than you have to be.

You catch a glimpse of the forward that got the better of you and...She's beautiful.

She's celebrating her goal, fist pumping up into the air.

You make eye contact.

She smiles.

You go red and look away, your heart going pitter-patter in your chest. You grab the ball out of your goal and throw it off to one of your midfielders.

The pretty girl is still celebrating and you make a vow to yourself to not let any more of her goals in. You wouldn't let her win.

You don't let her win at the end of the day with a scoreline of 2-1 to Denmark. You'd say that your performance was decent enough but knew it wasn't perfect because you didn't come out of it with a clean sheet.

"Hola."

You jump in shock when the girl from earlier appears in front of you.

"Hola."

She smiles at you. It's a pretty smile and it makes you feel all weird and mushy inside. You don't quite understand.

She offers her hand.

You shake it and introduce yourself to.

"I know," She says with a wink that makes a blush appear on your face out of nowhere," You play for Linköping."

You're a little bit flattered that such a pretty girl knows who you are and where you play. You wish you could say the same about her.

"I'm Natalia, by the way. I play for Barça B," She says," Straight through La Masia." She puffs out her chest and you're not too sure why she's telling you this. "We're staying over for the next two days. You know your way Denmark, don't you?"

You furrow your brow in confusion. "Er...yes..."

She's smiling again. "Can I have your number? I'd love to have a proper tour guide."

"Oh! Okay!" It makes sense why she was being so friendly now.

Spanish girls are touchy. You know this because Tia Tana is a bit touchy sometimes so you don't see anything wrong with the girl pressing a kiss on your cheek. She lingers there for a moment and her cheeks go a little red - though you put that down to the cold weather.

"I'll text you."

"Who was your new friend?" Morsa asks when you finally make your way over to her and Momma in the stands.

"Oh...er..." You look behind you to see Natalia smiling at you. You feel like your cheeks are permanently stained red. "She plays at Barça. I think she wants a tour guide."

Morsa narrows her eyes. "A tour guide," She says," Yeah, sure."

"Magda," Momma hisses in warning," That's lovely, princesse. Why don't you head back and get changed and then we can go to dinner?"

"Okay."

Pernille watches you go. "Don't."

"Don't what?!"

"It's nice that she's making friends."

"I think that girl has more than friendship on her mind!"

Pernille laughs. "Remind you for anyone?"

"Huh?"

"I had a little bit more than friendship on my mind when I invited you on that maths course."

Magda's face goes a little red before she turns away. "That's different. She's still a baby. She can't date."

"First of all," Pernille says as she slips a hand into Magda's," She hasn't been a baby for a very long time. Second of all, we've somehow managed to raise the most oblivious teenager of all time. She doesn't even realise that it's a date."

The tension in Magda's shoulders deflates. "Yeah...Well, at least it isn't a crush on Princesse's end."

"I wouldn't be so sure."

You're walking down the tunnel and feel a hand slip into your own.

It's Natalia again.

She smiles at you, swinging your joined hands.

You feel all mushy inside as you try to hold eye contact. She presses another kiss to your cheek.

"I look forward to seeing you soon," She says.

"Yeah, me too."

[13uswntimagines]

The Come Down (Alessia Russo X MMA fighter!R)

R is a very popular MMA fighter, and Alessia sees the parts of you that other people don't. Shes the one who gets to put you back together again after a tough fight.

Warnings: D/S undertones but no smut.

Author's note: This was super fun to write and i hope you enjoy it. Feel free to hit me up with ideas and comments and stuff.

You sighed, leaning your head against the stone walls of the Emirates tunnel, letting it soothe the twinges that always lingered after a long flight.

It was masochistic, but the ache that lingered the day after a war in the Octagon was always one of your favorite feelings, especially if you won. It helped you to compartmentalize the parts of yourself. It helped you separate the completely in-control fighter, the stone-cold monster that didn’t give a fuck about her opponents, and the human that lingered underneath. 

It was hard to punch a man until he was unconscious if you thought about how human he was. If you pictured his family and his life as anything other than an opponent for you to run through. But you never wanted that part of yourself to exist anywhere other than in the cage. 

The throb in your muscles and ache in your cuts helped you lock that part of yourself away. It helped you keep your grip on reality in all of the post-fight hormones until you could get to the grounding force that was your girlfriend. 

The post-fight come-down was always difficult for you, especially after a 5 round back and forth battle like the one you had just fought. 

You loved your job, you really did, but it was so easy to… lose yourself. To get lost in the anger of the UFC universe and the vitriol of your opponents. To get lost in the cycle of Training, listening to a man tell you he was going to destroy you at press conferences, cutting weight and beating the ever-living fuck out of someone while people cheered. 

Just being in the same building as Alessia had set you at ease, and watching her score 2 against Chelsea was even better. 

But the sound of the crowd had started to set you on edge. The way they erupted when your face, black eye, stitched gash on your cheek curving up to your forehead and all, appeared on the Jumbotron after your girlfriend’s PK had you clenching your teeth. It egged on the thoughts of murdering the keeper that had taken her out swirling in your brain, along with the desire to demolish the player who had so callously stepped on her teammate after a play. 

It was why you escaped to the tunnel, to gain some form of control over your thoughts. 

Maybe flying out as soon as you had been cleared by the medics wasn’t such a good idea, but you couldn’t stand being away from Alessia any longer than you had to be. You couldn’t stand being away from the comfort, love, and… safety she offered you. 

God, you sounded like a psycho. 

Or a submissive nearing the end of her rope.

6 weeks apart from your girlfriend was really doing a number on you. 

“Ay bruiser, fancy meeting you here,” Katie said, appearing in front of you with a wide smile. 

You flashed a toothy grin at the Irishwoman, ignoring the way it pulled at the stitches holding your cheek together. “Maccabe, always a pleasure,” 

She caught your arm. “That was one hell of a fight. Thought Less was gonna break my hand during the third round,”

You grimaced. 

The third round was the only one your opponent won. He had caught you with a big overhand right, opening the gash on your cheek and knocking you on your ass in the last 15 seconds of the round. The knees he had followed it up with to your side hadn’t been fun either. He had almost finished you, and you knew it had to be hard for the team and your girlfriend to watch. 

“My hand dipped when I tried to close the distance,”

It really was a game of inches, and he had certainly taken advantage of your small mistake. It was ok, you had gotten him in the end anyway. 

Katie made a sound of agreement, glancing at the tunnel behind you. “Certainly made us all nervous, but I’m happy you took his head off, even if it took you until the last 30 seconds of the fight,” 

She made a little kicking movement with her leg like a semi-recreation of the head kick you had used to end the fight. 

“Didn’t want to rush it,” You shrugged, nodding to the Arsenal girls as they passed you, unable to help the way you automatically searched each face for your girlfriend. 

“Ya missus is still signing for a couple of kids,” She gestured over her shoulder, a knowing smile still playing at her lips. “I can take you to her if you want?”

You shook your head. “I’ll wait here. I’m in no hurry,” 

You also didn’t think you could deal with the sounds of the crowd when your head was still pounding, a consequence of taking a flight with a concussion against doctor's orders you supposed, and you ached every time you took a step, every time you inhaled too deeply really. 

Katie’s eyes softened when she saw the emotions flit across your features. “Come on, let's go to the locker room instead. It’s away from prying eyes,”

She tugged your hand. You let her lead you deeper into the tunnel and into a room filled with wooden cubbies. 

It was nice to let your brain turn off, to just… follow along and allow someone else to lead you. 

“Hey champ,” Leah smiled at you as Katie deposited you in what you assumed was Alessia’s locker. “That was one hell of a fight last night,”

“Thanks,” You winked at the defender. “You guys had a fantastic game too,” 

“I’m not sure a football match compares to a man trying to punch you in the face,” Steph said, glancing at you from her spot near Lottie. 

You made a low sound in the back of your throat, feeling the tightness return to your chest. “But I don’t have people stepping on me after the bell,” 

“But you do end up covered in blood,” Kyra chirped. “We don’t have to worry about that usually,” 

“Most of the time it’s not mine,” You muttered, leaning further into your girlfriend's locker. Her perfume lingered in the cubby, and you let it soothe the frayed edges of your nerves.

You didn’t want to think about fighting. About the person. The savage. you were in the octagon. You toyed with the hem of your sweatshirt sleeve. It was slightly too long because it really belonged to Alessia. She had given it to you before fight week. 

It helped, but it wasn’t her. 

It hadn’t been enough after the fight, and it wasn’t enough now. 

You didn’t think you could wait much longer, but you didn’t have to. 

“The stadium is buzzin,” Alessia said slightly breathlessly, stepping through the locker room door. 

You were immediately on your feet, taking in her flushed cheeks and bright eyes. “Less,” 

A grin instantly broke across her face, and she crossed the room in 3 long strides. Her arms wrapped around you, and without thinking you buried your face in her chest. 

It made the gash on your cheek sting and the tender skin of your jaw ache, but you didn’t care, pressing yourself as tightly to her as you could. She shifted, her nails running over your back with one hand as the other cupped the back of your neck. 

It was gentle, and grounding, and everything that you craved. 

“Hey baby girl,” She breathed into your hair, her voice dipping just a little and sending a shudder down your spine. 

She was like a ray of sunshine, always warm and sweet. It was why none of the fans would ever speculate about the positions that the two of you held in your relationship. They joked that she was too soft to be a dominant, but the people who understood how your relationship worked could see that her mix of firmness and warmth was exactly what you needed. 

She waited for you to pull away first, just enough to meet her eyes. “Hey,”

She leaned in and placed a careful kiss on your lips. “I’ll shower and then we can go, yeah?”

You deflated, your fingers tangling more tightly in her jersey. You didn’t want to let her go, even if it was just for a second. 

“You can come with me,” She said, a knowing look in her eyes. “And tell me all about fight week,” 

“Ok,” You agreed, only loosening your grip long enough for her to grab her shower bag and change of clothes, before you latched back on, holding the hem of her jersey tightly as she led you towards the showers. 

You felt a bit like a child, clinging to her, but she was like a buoy keeping you from drowning in the sea of your rocky emotions, and now that she was close to you, you couldn’t let her go. You were afraid that if you did, you would lose your grip on reality. 

The warm, wet air of the shower helped too. 

It reminded you of your post-fight routine. 

Win or lose you would stand under the hot steam of the stadium, washing off the blood and sweat from the octagon until your coaches pulled you out. It was part of the routine that you had skipped since the docs wanted to stitch your cheek as soon as you were out of eyeshot of the fans. 

Then you had felt so… off balance that you raced through a cold shower and hopped on a plane to get to your girlfriend as quickly as possible. You didn’t even stay for the post-fight press conference. 

“Come on love,” She said, pulling you into one of the stalls, sliding the first curtain shut behind the two of you, and bringing her face inches from yours. 

Her hand very gently cupped your cheek, mindful of the dark bruises that littered the skin, tilting your chin up. Her eyes searched you for a long moment like she was reading your mind. Like she was deciding what you needed from her. 

Her pointer finger very gently followed the long cut that ran under your left cheek, up to your temple, and just above your eyebrow. “I thought they usually put a bandage over stitches,”

Your eyes darted away from her. “I didn’t like the way it pulled at my skin,”

“I think you’d like it less if you got an infection,” She deadpanned, using her thumb to tilt your chin up further as she stepped into your space. “You wouldn’t be able to fight,” 

“But the scar would be worth it,” You shrugged, using all of your strength to muster up fake nonchalance. 

Her lip quirked upward. “Would it?”

You let your own smile morph into a playful smirk, despite the tremendous effort it took. “Chicks dig girls with scars,” 

“I think you’ve got enough of those, cheeky,” She hummed, leaning in and brushing the thick line that lived on the underside of your jaw with her nose. “I like it more when you come out without a scratch on you or a hair out of place,” 

You hummed, leaning back on the stall wall as her lips replaced her nose on your jaw, her teeth grazing the delicate skin as she made her way down the column of your throat and back up. 

Her hips pressed into yours, keeping you pinned to the wall, her thumbs insistent under your chin, keeping your head tilted up as her tongue slid pleasantly against your own. 

You sighed into the kiss, your fingers twisting into the material of her jersey, trying to pull her closer. 

Her thigh flexed between your legs, pressing into you, and you couldn’t help the way your hips rolled down to meet her. 

Or the wince that broke the kiss when the 

movement pulled uncomfortably at your ribs. 

“Babe?” 

You whined as she pulled away, blinking open to meet her burning blue eyes. 

“I’m ok,” You said breathlessly, trying to lean back up to kiss her. 

Her hand on your chest stopped you, as did the perfect arch of her eyebrow that screamed yeah right. 

Her fingers traced down your chest to the hem of your shirt. They crept under your top, meeting the tape wrapped heavily across your abdomen instead of smooth skin. 

Her eyes widened when she pulled up your sweatshirt, revealing the thick white bandages wrapped tightly across your stomach. 

“Want to try again love?” She asked, finally looking up at you with an expression that had a shiver tingling down your spine. 

“Just two cracked ribs and some nasty bruises,” You huffed, shifting uncomfortably when her fingers grazed the material. 

“Just,” She snorted, shaking her head, dropping your shirt, and standing up to her full height. “Why didn’t you tell me last night?” 

You shrugged. “I didn’t want you to worry. The stitches were already enough,” 

“I’d rather know and worry than accidentally hurt you,” Alessia said seriously. 

You looked away from her, swallowing hard. “And I knew you wouldn’t touch me at all if I told you,” 

“Baby girl,” She murmured, her voice going very soft, her thumb very gently ghosting over your uninjured cheek. 

She knew that the come down from fights was always particularly difficult for you. That the power that you held in the octagon always made you crave submission. You craved to not have to think, to just exist, and then to let your being relax in the aftercare that followed. 

This time the desire was amplified by the brutality of the fight. 

She could see you teetering on the edge, fighting the fog that always filled your brain, and while she wanted to scold you for withholding information, she knew that that wasn’t what you needed from her. 

Not when you were already dropping so hard. 

“Ok,” She said, keeping her voice soft as you leaned further into her touch. “I’m going to shower, and you’re going to be a good girl and stay right here for me, alright?”

You made a low noise in the back of your throat, and your eyes slid closed as you nodded very slowly. 

“Good girl,” She hummed, placing a very gentle kiss on your lips, and pulling away. “I’ll be two minutes love,”

You sagged against the shower stall wall. 

You could do that. You could wait 120 seconds for your girlfriend. 

You could and would do whatever she asked you to do because you knew it would help. You knew she would fit all of your loose pieces back together again and make it ok. 

You just had to exist.